Chapter Text
Kenma knows that these arrangements are temporary, a save point of sorts. Besides, his gaming channel is picking up alongside his company- money is starting to roll in and he can choose his accommodation in the near future. Probably somewhere where he can comfortably play and stream his games without having to time it when his roommate is not in the vicinity to interrupt. Not like Miya-san knew there was something going on that could be interrupted. Kenma thinks that Miya-san just took one look at him, deemed him on the same level of 'scrubs' who don't play volleyball and never looked back. Kenma doesn't mind, it's not like they're going to be together for a long time anyway.
Atsumu doesn't feel anything for Kozume-san in any way. He doesn't hate him, but he doesn't necessarily like him either. The Nekoma alum seemed a different kind of intense than what Atsumu is used to, but is familiar with when he watched the Nekoma-Karasuno match three years ago: quiet and calculating, impartial to the outcome, kinda like Kita-san. He's also in contact with Shoyou-kun, something that Atsumu would like to be as well but doesn't feel comfortable enough to approach his roommate for. He'll make good on his promise to Shoyou-kun soon enough, talking to his roommate about their common acquaintance isn't going to make that time come any faster. Atsumu can wait.
Their arrangement, though unsaid, is simple; you stay on your side of the apartment and I'll stay on mine . Sure, the kitchen and living room are neutral areas, but even those are divided between the two of them by the time period. Meal times are consecutive between them, but never shared. Sometimes Atsumu eats first, sometimes it's Kenma. Kenma gets the couch when Atsumu is out for practice or parties, while Atsumu winds down on the same couch when Kenma shuts himself in his room doing God knows what.
They run in different circles, which isn't surprising. Atsumu catches glimpses of his roommates with a mix of gamers and business majors. Kenma knows that the person he shares his space with spends their time with fellow volleyball players and sports majors.
That was their normal. But normal could be changed just as quickly.
--
Kenma receives his Silver Play Button in the mail that morning. He never imagined his channel would have 100,000 subscribers. He calls Kuroo to let him know.
“Congrats Kenma!! Let’s celebrate! Drinks on me! Invite your roommate too!!”
“No, I won’t be an excuse for you to run away from your thesis. Besides, I don’t think Miya-san even knows what a Play Button is and what I did to get one.”
“Hah!? What makes you think I’m not working on my thesis?. Also, how long have you guys been roommates? You haven’t talked to each other at all? That’s no fun.” Kenma could hear the pout of his best friend through the phone.
“Whatever, Kuroo. I’d rather stay here than go out. Maybe we should just celebrate when both of us are free of obligations.”
“I AM free! I’ll finish my work early so we can hang out in your place. Sounds good?”
“Fine, you bring the beer.”
“Aw, I knew you loved me”
“I don’t”
“Yes, you do.”
“I don’t”
“..... Yes you-” Kenma drops the call. He hears a commotion outside his room, so he opens his door to take a peek. There’s Miya-san with his teammates, seeming to prepare for a game.
“Omi-kun! Ya ready to win tonight?” His roommate asks, with a wide smile on his face.
“If we lose Miya, the beer’s on you since it’s going to be your fault.” The man standing by the kitchen counter answers.
“Mean, Omi! When we win this match, we’re going to party all night! It’s one step closer to the Championships!!”
Kenma closes the door and takes a deep breath. At least he’s certain the apartment’s all to himself later. Miya-san doesn’t lose after all. (Well, unless it’s against Shouyou- who’s in Brazil right now. Or Sakusa-san, who’s his teammate right now. But that’s neither here nor there.)
--
Kuroo brought beers like he promised. The both of them are already tipsy when Kuroo brings up the topic that interested him since the morning’s phone call.
“So,” he starts while reclining on the end of the couch opposite Kenma, “what’s the deal with you and your roommate? You don’t like him? ”
Kenma burrows further into the couch, pursing his lips as he thinks about his response. “He’s… intense. Like Shouyo. But he’s not bad. His plays are very interesting to watch. I heard they won their game today, so he’s out celebrating with his team. ”
“I see.” Kuroo smiles like the cat that he is. “You like him, but you don’t know how to approach.”
Kenma pouts. “So what if I do? It’s not like he has to know, or that I have to do something about it. All of this is temporary anyway. We’re going on different paths and that’s fine.”
“Ohoho, on the contrary my friend! It’s precisely because you are going on different paths in the future that you might as well take your chance now! You don’t even have to have an intimate relationship, being friends is fine. Take him out to dinner as roommates or something with your YouTube money, then go to Roppongi Hills to have a good time!” Kuroo points at Kenma and wiggles his eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”
Kenma reddens up to his ears. “Alright, I think it’s time you go home now Kuroo. You’re talking nonsense already”
Kuroo cackles. “Sure Ken, whatever you say. Sleep tight ok? I’ll see you soon.”
“Hmm. Soon enough.”
Kuroo sees himself out while Kenma looks on from the couch. He sighs and closes his eyes to rest for a bit.
--
Atsumu comes home to a sight he’s not used to. It’s quiet like usual, but Kozume-san is not in his room- he’s asleep on the couch with several beer cans on the coffee table.
Huh, so he drinks too. That’s a surprise. But that’s too much for one person, did he have company over?
Atsumu stares a bit longer at the unusual sight, before catching himself and stopping the borderline creepy behavior. He drops his bags by the genkan and approaches the couch, looming over his sleeping roommate.
He crouches down and shakes Kenma by the shoulder. “Hey, Kozume-san? I’m home. Do you need help getting back to your room?”
Kenma shuffles a bit and turns his head towards Atsumu, softly smiling at him through heavy-lidded eyes. “-elcome back,” he murmurs, and nods once to Atsumu’s question.
How cute.
Atsumu slowly wraps his arms around Kenma. One arm around his shoulder while the other wraps around his waist. Kenma whines through the movement, squints at Atsumu and then-
He tilts his face up and kisses Atsumu on the lips. Time stops, and Atsumu is frozen in shock.
“Congratulations...to...u-” Kenma mumbled after pulling his lips away from Atsumu, looking up at him through lidded eyes, smiling then sighing as he burrows his face in the crook of the other’s neck.
Atsumu turned red. He knew he won more than just the game tonight, but this was just out of the park.
He hoisted his roommate from the couch and carried him to the bedroom. He made sure to cover Kenma with the duvet. Then he rushed out of Kenma’s room and immediately called the number on his speed dial.
“ ‘Ello-”
“SAMU! My God, Kozume-san kissed me outta nowhere!” Atsumu interrupted
“Ha?”
“ ‘M not entirely sure what happened either!! I came home and he’s drunk on the couch! I thought he was asleep and I was about to move him to his room then he- He just kissed me and said congratulations!!”
“And you’re calling to tell me about this because?” his twin prompted
“Because we don’t even talk and now he just does that like it’s nothing!”
“Ah, I see. You suddenly have a crush.”
“I- I absolutely DO NOT!” Atsumu was flustered and he could hear Osamu laughing at him from the other side of the line “Fuck off Samu! If you ain’t helpin’ then I’m dropping the call.” Atsumu huffed
“Wait, wait, wait” Osamu was huffing in the other end, struggling to catch his breath “Well, what do ya want to do?”
“I dont know.”
“Well, do you think he would remember that tomorrow?”
“‘Samu, I DON’T KNOW, we haven’t actually hung around like model roommates ya know? How am I supposed ta know if he remembers anything the day after he’s drunk??”
“So maybe it’s your fault for not making friends with your roommate. ”
“Wha-”
“But right now, you have two choices. The first one is to come clean and tell him what happened, then ask if he’s naturally a kissing monster when drunk; OR pretend like nothing happened tonight and continue ignoring each other’s existence. The ball is on your court Tsumu. You either keep in play or put it away. Anyway, it’s late and I have class tomorrow morning. G’night Tsumu” Osamu drops the call without waiting for Atsumu’s response.
Atsumu is left standing alone in the living room. He brings his hand holding the phone to his ear down and sighs.
What now?