Work Text:
Tadashi's hands were trembling, clenching and unclenching multiple times and he wasn’t quite sure why he was this nervous. Why his heart was beating as fast as it did, when - truly - it shouldn’t.
He had stood in the same spot countless times before, for years on end and the only time he had been as nervous as he was now was the very first time.
Just that back then his mother had been holding his hands, reassuring him there was nothing to be worried about - and he had been in elementary school.
Now he was in his last year of highschool, much older but apparently still as anxious when it came down to it.
In the end there was nothing to be worried about now either and still, his heart wouldn’t calm as it hammered in his chest making it feel like it was about to explode. His throat was dry and he had to swallow multiple times to be sure that he would even be able to speak without simply breaking off, voice dying.
After another moment in - which he takes a long and deep breath - he slowly steps forward onto the porch of the Tsukishima household, reaching out to press the doorbell.
From inside he could hear the shrill sound of it - Tadashi's heart flips at it, knowing there would be no turning back now.
Not that there ever was.
Not that he wanted.
No, no. It was probably the last thing he wanted, but yet his anxiety was telling him that maybe he shouldn’t be here. No matter how excited he was, how he had longed for this-
He had to stop his thoughts right there, reminding himself that this was only Kei and that there was no need to be nervous and feed the demon of anxiety anything to freak out about. Once again he was being oversensitive - No. He had to remind himself he wasn’t oversensitive or nervous, that was simply anxiety. And anxiety certainly wasn’t here to help him.
As he was waiting, he begins nervously pulling at the sleeves of his sweater, feeling almost stupid now at his little attempt of dressing up, knowing more than well that this wasn’t necessarily special.
Though, it somehow really was-
There was no time to be occupied with his thoughts much longer as the door in front of him opened, Akiteru smiling wide - a little too wide and too mischievous for Tadashis liking - as he stood there.
He opens his mouth as if to say something, but before he can speak a single word, he’s interrupted by Kei who pushes him aside without much thought of how harsh it might be, giving his brother a long glare.
“I told you I’d get the door-“ he snarls, the older of the two raising his hands in defense, still smiling.
“Oh, come on. Would you really deny me the sight of little Tadashi all nice and dressed up for-“
“I can’t believe you really want an answer to that”, Kei says as he slips into his shoes. Without another word to his brother, who holds his chest in playful hurt, he continues. “I’m leaving. I’m going to be staying at Tadashis tonight.”
And once in his shoes, he grabs a bag placed by the door, quickly stepping out and closing it behind him, much quicker than maybe necessary. Though, Tadashi couldn’t blame him, knowing more than well that Akiteru would most likely try to fluster them both otherwise.
In a way though, Tadashi was thankful.
The little display of brotherly annoyance had taken some of the tension and nervousness from him, even allowing him to chuckle softly and smiling honestly.
“Sorry about that.”, Kei says with annoyance after a long sigh, swinging his bag over his shoulder. “I tried to make it clear you didn’t need to see him today, but apparently he’s deaf nowadays.’
“Oh I don’t mind.”, Tadashi quickly says, hiding his smile a little as his heart begins to pound a little louder and quicker again at the sight of Kei.
The other was wearing a proper button up and one of his nicer pairs of pants, a casual - yet quite charming - vest on top.
Tadashi had never seen it before and for a moment he wondered if Kei had bought it just for today. However, that thought made him feel quite silly, cheeks warming up from it alone as a feeling of appreciation and excitement filled his chest.
Sadly enough, it also made his nervousness return full force as the situation they’re in was only now truly becoming real.
“You look good- I mean you always do- just- is that vest new I-“, he cursed himself as he stumbled over his words and thoughts, beginning to laugh a bit unsure.
Was he being too much?
“Tadashi.”, Kei said eventually, making the shorter one of them quiet down, cheeks red and eyes wide as he looked up at the other.
“Yes…?”, he dared to ask, shoulders tense and trying to focus on Keis words, fearing to not hear them at how loud his heart was beating now.
“Why are you so nervous? It’s just me. Calm down or you’ll just look silly fussing like that-“, he says, head tilting sideways as it so often did. “Nothing changed so you don't have to shake like that.”
Tadashi feels almost exposed then, freezing for a second before relaxing. He knew well enough how bad he was at hiding his emotions, especially not when he was nervous and especially not in front of Kei.
Who still looks at him expectantly, causing Tadashi to take a deep breath now, heart rate calming ever so slightly, shaking not quite stopping.
“I mean- it kind of did, didn’t it? I mean yes we just- I mean we are on-“, he stutters a little, almost falling through the next words like a deer taking its first steps. “We are going on a date, Tsukki-“
Under the others pale skin, Tadashi could see a blush creeping in and he had to clear his throat, shrugging a bit.
He doesn’t answer directly though and instead reaches out for his hand after a moment of hesitation, almost as if to prove that there was truly nothing to be nervous about and that this was what they always did.
Even though it wasn’t.
“Still no reason to be nervous. “, Kei concludes after another moment of silence. “But let’s go. We’re going to be late otherwise.”
Instead of answering outright, Tadashi simply nods, looking down at their intertwined hands now. He was sure he was going to melt any second now, simply at the thrill of being able to hold Kei’s hand in public.
As they were leaving the property, they could hear the sound of a window opening, both of them turning in interest to be now looking at Akiteru.
He was leaning out ever so slight, smiling widely and waving.
“Have fun lovebirds!”, he calls. “Make sure to treat Tadashi right,though-“
“Sh-Shut up!”, Kei calls back and when Tadashi looks at him, his cheeks are bright aflame and he looks most certainly affected by his brother's words. He was opening and closing his mouth a few times as if to add something more, yet wasn’t able to think of anything.
Tadashi couldn't help but laugh then, smiling widely and hiding his huge grin behind his hand, quite enjoying the bright color on Keis face.
Maybe he wasn’t the only nervous one after all.