Chapter Text
Tsukki opened the door to the staff room and barely dragged his tired body through it, let the door close itself and plopped down on the sofa beside the door. If he ever had to do another Zumba course he’d murder someone. Since the next one was scheduled tomorrow he had to find someone fast. But he doubted he’d even be able to kill anyone at this point.
The sofa was soft, the room warm and his body incredibly heavy.
He closed his eyes. He just had to get a breather… it would all be fine.
-
He woke up when he felt air move in front of his face and when he opened his eyes he stared into much darker ones.
“What the Fuck!”
The intruder moved backwards and Tsukki’s brain started to recognize colors, shapes and … faces again.
“Kuro! What is your problem? I’ve told you about personal space before!” he huffed and instinctively rearranged his glasses. Was there drool at the corner of his mouth?
Kuro lifted his hands defensively: “Your shift ended two hours ago Tsukishima, I thought you might wanna go home. Were you actually planning to stay the night?” Kuro answered unimpressed by the outburst and threw a protein bar he’d been holding in Tsukki’s lap.
Tsukki barely looked at it but took it anyway.
He flinched when he moved, his muscles were already sore but lying down for, apparently, two hours, had /not/ improved the situation. He stretched slowly and proceeded to open the package.
“What time is it?” he asked trying to get his head in gear again, it had already been dark when he entered the room. So looking out the window didn't help much. His eyes hung on the dark window for a bit longer while he wondered if his bike light was still working, it had been kinda wonky this morning.
Kuro looked up from across the room where he was packing his bag “It’s after 11 pm. Do you want me to give you a lift?” he asked. His eyebrows were slightly pulled together which gave him an unnaturally concerned look.
Tsukki snorted and slowly pulled his gaze from the window “I’ll have to be back here at 8. Might as well stay here… Should have found a gym closer to my place” he turned back to find a more comfortable position and started nibbling on the protein bar. When had he last eaten something? He felt sick. He closed his eyes again and waited for the rumbling in his stomach to subside.
-
He was startled when Kuro tapped him on the shoulder. “Yo, man I’ve been talking to you for 5 minutes now, are you alive?”
Tsukki took the now kinda soggy bar out his mouth, closed his eyes and let out an annoyed huff.
“Again! Even if I wasn't: What. Is. Your. Problem? I’m just hanging out here everything is fine.”
Kuro looked at him questioningly and then stared at the protein bar in his hand for a bit.
“You did what? Like four or five courses today? That’s too many even for someone like Bo and you are a stick.” he poked Tsukki`s bony shoulder again to stress his point.
Tsukki wanted to beat his hand away but for the lack of strength in his arms he just shrugged. “Well someone has to do them? Go home.”
Kuro`s gaze didn't let up when he took a step back and held out his hand: “Let me take you out for a burger and then take you home, common”
Tsukki just raised his eyebrows in response. “We work together, that doesn’t mean I know you or will take any scraps off your table… I’m good.” Kuro didn't respond but just grinned.
Tsukki sluggishly followed and looked at the protein bar still in his hand like it was mocking him. “I’ll put this on my bill later so you can take it off yours.”
When he looked back up at Kuro he barely registered that the grin was now full blown and before he could react a strong arm grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet. Surprised he basically complied and barely resisted. Not that his body was responding well to the radio silence in his head.
“Just eat the damn thing before it dissolves completely!”
And before the light-headedness from abruptly standing up lifted, Kuro already half-dragged him out of the door and down the few steps that led outside.
Just when they reached Kuro’s car Tsukki came to his senses and stopped dead in his tracks.
“No. I still have my bag inside.”
Kuro just shrugged, opened the back door and threw his and something that looked not unlike Tsukki’s bag in the back of his car.
“If you want it back you’ll have to come with me.” he quickly added: “Just for a burger! I'm not gonna abduct you or anything…” he carefully mustered Tsukki who just stared at him with tired eyes.
He finally stood up straighter: “I can just get it and call the police because you stole my …” when he heard the familiar beep and saw blinking lights. He looked away from the bag inside the car and to the front seat where Kuro sat, a wide grin on his face with the keys in his hands. Tsukki immediately tried to open the door but the car was locked.
At this point his glare alone could have probably killed someone. But when Kuro didn't drop dead Tsukki just walked around the car and waited in front of the passenger side door. The car blinked again and Tsukki got in.
-
Kuro parked as swiftly as he drove and they both got out. Tsukki stood and took a breath of the cold night air. Then he remembered that his bag was being held hostage but when he tried to reach out for it the car was already locked again. He cursed under his breath, when had he become so slow?
“Let’s go in, I’m paying!” Kuro said and grabbed his wrist to pull him inside.
Once inside Tsukki let out a relieved sigh… it was nice and warm. He hadn’t even realized how cold it had been outside. He also missed the concerned glance Kuro gave him before he let go of his cool wrist.
He ushered him to a table and asked: ”Anything you want? Or don’t like? You can wait at the table while I get some food.”
Tsukki sunk deeper into the soft seats and let his head plop against the adjacent wall, his head shake was barely there but Kuro just nodded and left.
-
When he returned Tsukki seemed to be asleep again.
Kuro softly shook his shoulder and when Tsukki blinked slowly he sat down across from him: “I didn’t know what you like. And how much….” he added. “Dig in!”
He grabbed a burger himself but his eyes never left Tsukki until he himself stirred and slowly started with some fries.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it, I wanted to get some food anyway.” Kuro mumbled through his burger.
-
They ate in silence until Tsukki felt warmth trickle all through his body. He slowly ate his food and let his gaze wander. Everything felt muffled and soft.
“Hm, it’s warm” he said, surprised by the fact that the sound had escaped his own mouth.
Kuro looked up at him and tilted his head to the side. “You ok?”
A small smile was on Tsukishima’s lips when he answered “Yeah …”
Kuro almost dropped his burger. This guy was in worse shape than he’d thought, but his smile was a force that should not be messed with. He wasn't even sure if he'd seen him anything but grumpy before.
Kuro was definitely distracted. If it didn't show in him completely foregoing his Mayo the half eaten burger that hung in the air in front of him held by one hand was a good indicator.
Not that Tsukki would have noticed.
Kuro checked his phone and winced, it had gotten late. He got up to get a bag for the leftovers and was glad when Tsukishima took the hint and followed when he went outside.
-
When Kuro got in the car he forgot all precautions and just waited for Tsukishima to get in. And he did. He'd apparently forgotten all about his bag and hostile thoughts towards Kuro. Or so he hoped.
He started the car and automatically drove towards home. When the lights turned red at the next intersection, he remembered that he had to take Tsukishima home. Though, when he turned towards him, he'd already fallen soundly asleep.
“Shoot, I don't even know where you live. You are going to kill me…” he mumbled while poking him a few times. Tsukkishima didn't stirr.
“Well, I guess it can't be helped”, he smiled and took his usual way home when the lights turned green.