Chapter Text
"The truth is... I like you, Shouyou."
The words were quiet but clear. The first birdsong in the morning, the last gunshot in the evening.
Kenma hazarded a glance at Shouyou between their hair. A deer staring at an oasis from between long blades of dried grass. A deer staring at the business end of an off-road truck.
Silence is comfort, Kenma knows this well. The days could stretch to years and they would have been content calling the lack of words home. Silence is familiar, simple, easy-
"Oh."
Suddenly silence wasn't so appealing anymore.
Kenma softly shuffled around where they sat on Shouyou's bed. It'd only been a few months since they'd met and the boy had asked them to have a sleepover.
It had only been a few months since they'd met and they'd shared a lot together. Smiles, laughter, hugs, even kisses under the moonlight.
Maybe Kenma felt like they had a chance. Maybe they felt like nothing had to change. Maybe they shouldn't have let their hopes up after all.
"It's... it's stupid.. I know... but I wanted to tell you anyway..." they mumbled into their chest, curled up loosely, yet still tightly enough to feel the metaphorical weight of defeat. Of rejection. Of Silence.
"I'm.. glad you told me." Shouyou offered a sympathetic smile. Even then Kenma felt ridiculous. They felt weak and gullible and stupid and- "I'm happy you feel comfortable enough around me to tell me how you feel."
Kenma hummed in reply. They let their legs dangle off the edge of the bed, down to the abyss where the demons lay. Their voice felt hollow, "Yeah.. the only other person I feel this comfortable with is Kuroo.."
Shouyou hummed back. A white flag.
"Kenma... I really like being affectionate with you but I...I don't want to do it if it'll hurt you."
"It's okay. I don't mind it. I never minded it." Kenma responded as their legs held them up despite the weight of their heart.
"Goodnight, Shouyou." They said, and their friend, the boy who held their heart so gently, who gave them so much warmth, couldn't catch up.
Kenma gave Shouyou's mother an excuse, something about remembering that they had an important family issue that needed them back home. They promised they'd come back, and tried not to acknowledge the orange hair peaking from behind the hallway.
And just like that, they were gone. They left the house, left the home, long before anyone could stop them. Then they ran, and ran, and soon the rain began to patter onto their cheeks. It soaked them to the core, throughout their walk to the town, all the way to the station, the entire way home.
The rain never let up, not even for a second, and their tears? Their tears were never shed. They never came down.
A secret they wouldn't dare let reach the morning sun.