Chapter Text
Kei loves his work, he really does, but sometimes nothing makes him happier than a Friday evening. And this particular Friday evening feels especially scrumptious – his boyfriend is back from the capital. So no one should judge him if he skips a little on his way to his car, he is just very excited. Not that he would ever tell anyone.
The drive home feels never-ending but at the same time unexpectedly short, it is like he has moved to a completely different spacetime where everything has changed; except nothing has. The school bus leaves the parking lot at the exact same time as everyday and the old lady from the bakery takes no more time than usual to cross the street. And it is only a fifteen minutes ride after all.
Kei sees him first thing upon entering the yard. On a nondescript box just outside the front door, eyes glued to his screen and earphones in, there sits Tobio, unperturbed by the sound of the car approaching.
Kei stops the engine with surprisingly shaky fingers – he is more wound up than he thought – and steps out. “’Had a safe trip ?” He asks in lieu of a greeting.
Tobio starts a little and raises his head abruptly, cut from his own reverie. But his face softens instantly at the sight of the man in front of him. His mouth splits into a grin and his eyes soften and truthfully, Kei wants nothing more than to kiss his face.
“’T was alright.” Is his only answer. Tobio reaches for Kei’s school bag and lunch box as Kei retrieves his keys and unlocks the door. Unsurprisingly, the air inside is brisk. Kei busies himself with taking off his outdoor clothes and turning on the heater while Tobio puts the boxes and the rest of his bearings on the dinner table. Kei is not going to comment on how unhygienic it is.
He is putting his clothes in the washer when Tobio joins him in the bathroom, snakes his arms around his middle and hugs him from the back. His forearms are cold from his sleeves always being rolled up, but not as much as his nose that he buries in Kei’s nape.
Tobio plants a kiss there. “Hi babe.”
They have been together long enough that this term of endearment should leave Kei indifferent, but he still feels a hint of heat creeping up his face whenever Tobio calls him something like that. “How was school ?”
“Tiring,” Kei says, and he means it. He finds comfort in his lover’s arms tightening around him. “This last part of the semester is excruciating on the kids and they’re getting jittery. We’re just all waiting for the holidays at this point.” He closes his eyes and relaxes in Tobio’s embrace, rocking slightly from side to side.
“I can imagine, yeah. I saw a couple of kids looking absolutely defeated on my way from the station.”
“What about you ?” Kei asks even though he already knows.
Tobio shrugs. “Not doing better than them, to be honest. Uni’s kicking my ass.”
“You’ll be alright ?” Kei strokes his thumb on the back of Tobio’s hands.
Another kiss to his nape. “Yeah, I will.”
Back from his shower, Kei finds Tobio sitting suspiciously still on the bed, plaid wrapped around something in from of him. He watches Kei expectedly.
“What’s going on?” Kei is sensing mischief.
“It’s a gift ?” Tobio says as he motions to the plaid.
“What gift ?”
Tobio deadpans. “What’s the point of a gift if I tell you what it is.”
They stare at each other before Kei capitulates. “Fair enough.” He sits on the bed opposite to Tobio and starts unfolding the cloth. He is faced with a square carton box with bright colours and funny designs.
“What is this ?”
“You know what it is.”
Kei looks at the item, suspicious. Lets his eyes linger on the almost invisible numbers.“You bought me an advent calendar.” Tobio can't stop himself from smirking. To be honest Kei had completely forgotten it was the first day of December. He was more focused on ‘his boyfriend going home’ kind of day. “I knew you were a Christmas loser but this goes beyond my expectations.”
“Shut up and open the first number.” Tobio says, too content with himself.
Kei does and retrieves a small dinosaur shaped chocolate from the calendar. He keeps it in his hand, looking at it, seemingly not knowing what to do with it. His boyfriend just bought him a dinosaur themed advent calendar. “This is ridiculous.”
“No, it’s cute.” Tobio retorts. And it is.
“I’ve just brushed my teeth.” Because Kei likes to be difficult.
“I can eat it if you want.”
“Like hell you can,” Kei retorts and stuffs the whole chocolate in his mouth, making Tobio snort. He loves the gift, but he cannot allow himself to feed into Tobio’s obsession with Christmas, so he will keep this secret to himself. Deep within himself, right next to the warmth that is everything Kageyama.