Chapter Text
When their food was served, their conversation was already free falling. Apparently, all they needed to do was laugh at their situation to get rid of the awkward air.
“What prompted this d- lunch, Kuroo-san?” Tsukishima asks midway through their lunch, almost slipping and saying the word “date”.
The bedhead wiped his mouth before saying, “Okay, this might sound silly but I really wanted to meet you again before I leave—”
“You’re leaving?!” Nevermind what he said about really wanting to see him. No, Tsukishima was more shocked by the fact that the man was leaving.
Why is he going to leave just like that? Is that the reason for this sudden invitation? Did he seriously misunderstood the words he read between the lines, and this lunch was actually a good bye, not to further their relationship?
“N-no! I mean, yes, BUT ALSO NO.” Kuroo was starting to panic. The blond’s face suddenly scrunched up and had an unreadable expression.
“Yes, I'm leaving, but only temporarily.” He hurriedly said. “I’m a senior and finals are near, so I’m taking a leave to prepare for that.”
Tsukishima didn’t know that he was holding his breath until he released a big sigh. “You scared me for a minute there.”
“Sorry about that,” Kuroo grinned. “How about you? Aren’t you going to take a break? We have the same finals dates right?” He said, recalling their conversation earlier.
Tsukishima hums while thinking. “I don’t know. Should I? How long are you going to be out anyway?”
“About 2 weeks, starting from today.” The man answers.
“You mean you wasted your first study leave to be with me?” Tsukishima asks in disbelief.
“Well, as I said I really wanted to see you first.” Both of them flushed at that. Flirting via sticky notes was something, but hearing those remarks personally was totally something else. The blond fake coughed.
“I don’t think Lev can manage on his own yet, but a study leave sounds nice. Maybe I'll file for one week.” He said. Guess that means one week without sticky notes, huh?
Tsukishima shook away his thoughts and invited him instead. “Anyways, why don’t we head out for dessert? I know a nice ice cream place nearby.”
After getting their ice creams, they sat on a bench in a nearby park. They talked about nothing and everything. Kind of like friends who haven’t seen each other for a long time, if friends throw lingering glances at each other.
When the laughter died down, and they fell into a comfortable silence, Tsukishima mustered up all the courage he had in his body to tell Kuroo what he truly felt
“I don’t know if we’re on the same page,” The blond starts, “but I just want to let you know that I don’t want to be just a co-worker… or a friend.” He averted his gaze and gulped.
“I came to appreciate you through our daily letters. It may sound silly, but when I saw you the first time, I was completely...” He braved a look on his companion and continued, “Enamored.”
Kuroo can see the blushing mess in front of him. It seemed like despite his attempts to do this slowly, the younger had different plans— not that he minded of course. In fact, he was ecstatic.
The raven grinned. “Glad to know I’m not the only one who thinks the same.” He said with a knowing look.
“But in all seriousness, Tsukishima, I would like to know more about you. Not just as a co-worker or a friend… but for more than that.”
The following day, Tsukishima goes to work with a happy heart. If one would observe him closely, they’d notice the little bounce on his steps. It was very uncharacteristic of him, but he didn’t care. Not when he finally admitted to Kuroo what he wanted, and him reciprocating his sentiments.
As soon as he entered the café, he expected Akaashi-san and Lev to make him spill what happened to his not-date with the afternoon barista. They were the people who he asked about it afterall.
When he got near the counter, he knew something was up. The two were looking at something, and when he greeted them, they both gave him a grin.
“Oh, hey, Tsukishima-san.” Lev greets.
“Yeah, good morning to you too.” Akaashi-san says. “By the way, here,” his boss hands him a small box.
“Someone passed by yesterday night and told me to tell you that you’re only allowed to read one per day.”
Tsukishima opens the box and sees red sticky notes enough to last for a week. Surprise evident on his face. He wasn’t expecting to see red notes for the rest of the week, so he can’t help but smile. The sticky notes already became a part of his everyday now. From those bizarre facts, funny customer stories, and just random shenanigans, he learned to look forward to everything.
He quickly read the first one and got ready to reply using his own yellow sticky note.
The week went by just like that, save for that day when Lev managed to make 3 decent looking latte art. It was then that he decided his co-barista was ready to be left alone.
He shared his request for a study leave with his boss. The man unsurprisingly agreed, but without playfully implying that Kuroo and him are just going on dates. They were not, thank you very much.
But that did plant an idea in his head. Well, they could go on dates, but since he knew the senior would be studying hard, he thought of inviting him to a study date. Anything, really. Just to see him...
So he texted him, and immediately received a response of yes. He wasn't expecting him to say yes, much less reply that quickly, so he asked if really was studying.
Kuroo replied, ‘I am, but I’m also stuck. I was looking for a change of pace when you texted. Good timing.’
Tsukishima understood, that’s why he told him his plans right away.
There was a library 15 minutes away from their university where they could study peacefully. It had comfortable common rooms where they could lounge on bean bags. It’s awesome.
The blond’s study leave started with a study date, very much like what happened to Kuroo’s last week.
When Sunday came, they silently gathered at the library and wordlessly looked for their own bean bags. The raven had bags on his eyes, which Tsukishima figured was the reason why he needed a change of pace.
When they were in their respective spaces, it wasn’t until it was lunch time that they finally talked again.
“Tsukishima, wanna go out to eat? I’m starving.” Kuroo invites.
They went to a nearby fast food chain for a meal. It was then that Tsukishima handed Kuroo a familiar box.
“Oya? What’s this?” He hears the older man say.
“Those are my replies for last week, and my notes for this week.” Tsukishima sees the man across him redden.
“You didn’t have to—” “I wanted to, so keep it.”
After that, they went back to the library and continued on with what they were doing. Kuroo appreciates the younger for this. So much, in fact, that he was already planning for something after their exams.
When it was already time to go home, they walked side by side until they reached the intersection where they’re supposed to go their separate ways. Neither one wants to, yet they need to. Before they do though, Kuroo grabs Tsukishima’s hands and says, “Thank you for today. And for the notes.”
The blond smiled at him, and he swore he almost melted on the spot. “No problem, Kuroo-san. Good luck on studying for the rest of the week.”
That boosted Kuroo’s motivation, if he was being honest.
A week passed by and it’s finally time for their exams. They didn’t talk much after that study date, but they didn’t really need to. Tsukishima knew better than to disturb a senior, while Kuroo had the company of the yellow sticky notes.
On the day of the first exams, Kuroo showed his thanks by waking up early just to text and wish the younger good luck. His exams weren’t scheduled until the afternoon.
It was Tsukishima’s turn to be motivated.
They spent the rest of the week taking turns texting each other good luck. It was sweet.
On the last day, Kuroo happened to only have one exam for 2 hours so he got to go home early. What he didn’t expect was to receive a text from the blond saying he was waiting for him in their building’s lobby.
“Say, Kuroo-san, wanna go to the arcade?” Tsukishima asked him when they saw each other. It was so random, and the younger one looked really dashing. Kuroo can’t help but to nod his head.
“I figured you need a way to release that stress before we get back to work.” And really, Kuroo can’t be luckier.
There was a mall nearby that had a huge arcade so they went there. They ended up playing for a whopping three hours before they decided they needed sweets in their system.
“When was the last time that you ate a cake?” Kuroo asked the blond with an obvious glint in his eyes.
“Can’t remember the last time. Why?” Tsukishima eyed him suspiciously.
“I know this café around the block with really good pastries.” And the younger understood. Honestly, he wanted to laugh at this ridiculous idea.
“Oh, I don’t know. Last I checked, the baristas were newly hired.” Tsukishima jokingly faked hesitance.
“You know, I’m sort of a barista myself.” Kuroo said while shrugging. “I can just make you a drink. Maybe the café would allow their customers to do that.”
“What a surprise. I am too!” Tsukishima’s acting was flawless, the raven had to stop himself from laughing at their antics. “Let’s go borrow the machines at the café.”
When they got into the café, they were greeted by a surprised Akaashi.
“It feels weird seeing you two together when I’m used to just seeing you both on either shifts.” They both just laughed. They proceeded to order their cakes.
They sat by the corner and waited for the perfect time to ask their boss about their silly request. When they did, Akaashi agreed and gave them an amused smile.
The two are now behind the counter making drinks.
Yachi, the new hire that trained under Kuroo, told Akaashi, “I didn’t know Kuroo-san had a boyfriend. They look cute together.” And it’s cute how Akaashi-san just allowed them to do this, she thought.
“Last I checked they weren’t boyfriends.” Akaashi answered her, which only prompted a confused look.
“It’s yellow sticky notes guy.” The small blonde’s mouth formed an ‘O’. Still cute though.
When they were finished, they both handed Akaashi and Yachi cups of their own as sorry for disturbing them, and as thanks for allowing their tomfoolery.
They decided it was time they got out of the café then. Walking aimlessly without a direction in mind, they talked about the raven’s plan when he graduates.
“I think I won’t be staying much longer after graduation.” Kuroo solemnly said. “I need to go job hunting and all.”
“Do you already have places in mind?” Tsukishima asked.
“Yeah. I’m planning on passing out my application too.” Was his answer.
“You know, I only originally worked in the café to assist Akaashi-san on business management and to gain experience at the same time.” Kuroo recalls.
“You weren’t supposed to be a barista?” The blond looked at him with curiosity.
The raven chuckled. “Nope. I just wanted to try out the machines, but ended up enjoying it too much. I thought a little addition to my resumé wouldn't be too bad, so there I was. ”
Tsukishima looked at him amused. “You’re amazing, did you know that?” The man flushed.
“You’re amazing yourself too.” Kuroo counters. “Akaashi-san bragged about you being on the dean’s list last time.”
The blond widened his eyes.
“Working part time and being at the top in rankings? Uh-mazing.” The older man continues.
“Stop that, it’s embarrassing.” Tsukishima said, which they both laughed at.
They continued to tell each other stories until they fell into a comfortable silence. Minds thinking about the same thing.
The red and yellow sticky notes may stop appearing in the future, but they found that they didn’t mind. More than that, sitting under the sunset beside the writer himself with the coffee they made for each other felt nice. Warmth fills them. And they knew that they were in the right place.
“Hey, Tsukishima?” The man only hummed in response.
“Can you be my boyfriend?” Kuroo asked shyly.
“Thought you’d never ask.”
#— end