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Kenma collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. The sun was beating down on him, his hair was damp and skin was slick from all the sweat he had worked up. He knew he was past his limit, so he decided to rest; the grass tickling his legs as he simultaneously began to rip some out of the ground with his hands. He stared at the groups of people in front of him; all of them laughing, having the times of their lives. His golden eyes were trained on one particular individual amongst the masses. Even in the crowd, he couldn't miss the way his dark black hair stuck out in all directions; the way his tan skin glowed in the direct sunlight; the way his tall, muscular build was sculpted by the gods themselves; the way his face always carried a lighthearted expression. Even though Kenma felt like he was on the verge of passing out, he mustered up all the energy he could to continue to stare at the handsome man 50 yards away from him.
Hinata had just graduated, and he and the rest of the Karasuno third years decided to put together a celebration. They rented out a large field and set up some volleyball nets, as well as tables for food and drinks. They decided to invite friends and rivals from all over Japan, creating one last high school soiree before everybody went their separate ways. Some alumni and current players from Nekoma and Fukurodani decided to make the trip to Miyagi, and players from Aoba Johsai, Shiratorizawa, and Date Tech also decided to join in on the fun. What started as a get together to celebrate Hinata, Kageyama, Tsukkishima, Yamaguchi, and Yachi, became a large event of all third years from various schools playing volleyball and enjoying the company of previous teammates and rivals.
Kenma played a few games with his old teammates, but he quickly became tired. He has even less stamina now than he did in high school. So after playing a few rounds to satisfy his friends, he opted to watch from the sidelines and revel at the sight in front of him. It's been awhile since Kenma got to see his best friend in action. He smiled as Kuroo slammed the ball down, a shit-eating grin bestowing itself proudly on his handsome features.
Damn has he gotten stronger? Kenma thought and then sighed. Usually, if he was not playing, his eyes would be focused on his PSP, putting all his concentration on the particular video game in front of him. But, with Kuroo in front of him looking oh so sexy, he could not help but admire. His catlike eyes followed his best friend's every movement. He watched as the sweat made his arms glisten in the light. He watched as the way his shirt clung to his toned body, sticking to him in all the right places. He watched as he would lift his shirt up every now and then to wipe his face, exposing his defined abdomen. He watched as Kuroo ran his hand through his messy black hair, feeling the urge to run his own hands through that dark mess.
God, I've turned into a creep.
"Kenma!!"
Kenma finally tore his eyes away from Kuroo and directed his attention towards the enthusiastic voice that was only getting louder. Hinata bounded towards him, still radiating that same sunshine-like energy that he did when he was a first year. He sat down next to him with a dramatic sigh.
Kenma gave him a small smile, "Hey Shoyou. Got tired of playing?"
Hinata laughed, "As if! I could go all day. I saw you sitting by yourself and wanted to come talk to you, and since you weren't playing your video games, I realized that we could probably have a conversation."
Kenma snorted, "When did you become such a smart ass?"
Hinata just grinned at him and then turned his attention to the game in front of him. Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi were playing against Kageyama, Yamamoto, and Tanaka. Kenma watched Hinata as all of his attention was directed towards Kageyama, face beaming. He could practically see the adoration and amazement in Hinata's face, and he didn't miss the small blush on his cheeks.
"So, how does this whole rival thing work now that you two are officially lovebirds?" Kenma asked teasingly.
Hinata smiled from ear to ear, his eyes squinting in the process. His attention was fixed on Kageyama as he spoke, "He is still my greatest rival, and now that we're going our separate ways, I can train even more to eventually beat him. I love him, but that does not change the fact that one day I'm gonna crush him." A look of determination and excitement graced his face. Kenma could sense his sincerity and eagerness, but the softness in Hinata's eyes did not go away as he looked at his lover.
Hinata and Kageyama's relationship was peculiar to say the least. No one was surprised when they announced to everyone in the middle of their third year that they had become a couple. Not much changed; they still bickered, insulted, and challenged each other. They fought on and off the court, physically and verbally. They competed against each other at every chance they got. But no one was blind to the very subtle shifts in their relationship. During games, they would jump into each other's arms after successfully executing their quick attack. They would hold hands on their walk home, talking about their future plans. Kageyama, usually stone-faced and stoic, would soften his expression every time Hinata came up to him, planting a light kiss on his forehead before heading to practice. They were still always trying to one-up each other, but their trust and respect for one another only seemed to grow.
Kenma would never admit it, but he was jealous as hell. Hinata and Kuroo were similar in the sense that they both wore their hearts on their sleeves. Kenma and Kageyama were more reserved. Kenma refused to believe that someone as oblivious to human emotions as Tobio Kageyama was able to express his love for someone he claimed to hate only a few years ago. Kenma and Kuroo never hated each other, and they had known each other for so long. Why couldn't he do the same? Why couldn't he have what Kageyama and Hinata have?
"Oi Kenma" Hinata spoke up, chocolate eyes finally focused on Kenma instead of the game in front of them, "You okay? You kind of zoned out there." Kenma snapped out of his self-pity session and looked at the younger man next to him.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry." He wasn't fine. He had tried to ignore his feelings for so long, but now his heart refused to remain in denial. Every time he saw his best friend, his chest squeezed, his palms would begin to sweat, and his mind would go numb. And now, playing beside him once again like they did for so many years made him feel dizzy. Even after not playing with one another in a professional setting for two whole years, the chemistry they had on the court never disappeared.
Hinata raised an eyebrow, "This is about Kuroo-san isn't it?"
Kenma almost choked on his spit as he turned to Hinata with wide eyes and exclaimed, "What?!" Kenma's eyes were fixed on his feet, nervousness seeping into his body as he briefly questioned if Hinata had the power to read minds.
"Oh please, don't act dumb. I may not be the smartest but you have literally been undressing him with your eyes ever since you sat down here."
"No I haven't!" Kenma was shocked and a little embarrassed. Was he really being that obvious that Shoyou of all people was able to pick up on it?
Hinata sighed, "I don't understand why you can't just tell him you like him."
Kenma's ears burned red. Even though Hinata and him were close friends, he never discussed his feelings with the younger boy. Talking about love and feelings was just too humiliating. Even when Hinata would rant about how much he loved Kageyama and how he thought the raven-haired boy would never feel the same, Kenma would just offer his support. He never told Hinata that he could relate. He never even talked to Kuroo, his best friend, about relationship stuff. With a small voice, he muttered, "How did you even know I like him?"
"Well for one, you just admitted it."
Kenma internally face-palmed.
"And two," Hinata rubbed the back of his head, "Um I've kind of been in your position, you know with Tobio. You're scared right? To tell him your true feelings?"
Kenma openly gaped at Hinata. "When did you get so observant? I thought you operated on instincts only."
Hinata giggled and threw his hands up dramatically and exclaimed, "What can I say! I'm a changed man." He paused, smile disappearing as his look became one of more concern. "No but seriously, what's up? Why are you so scared to admit your feelings? Everyone knows Kuroo-san is obsessed with you."
Kenma gives him a strange look, but Hinata keeps going, "He brings you up in conversation all the time, loves telling stories about you from when you were kids, and right now, every time he scores, he has looked at you to see your reaction," Hinata paused to point at Kuroo, who coincidentally made eye contact with Kenma and gave him a huge thumbs up and a smile. "He cares about you so much, and I've seen the way he looks at you. He likes you a lot Kenma."
Kenma lies on his back and stares at the sky, while Hinata looks down at him, waiting for a response.
"Also, this may be a coincidence but he did not become nice to me until Tobio and I became official. I think he thought that you and I had something going on and got jealous," Hinata teased. Kenma narrowed his eyes at Hinata but remained quiet.
After a long pause, Kenma exhales deeply and states, "We have been best friends forever. Hell, he was my only friend for so many years. All that stuff you just mentioned, it's not abnormal behavior for a friend, especially a friend you've known for so long. I know he cares about me a lot, but I don't know if he cares about me in that way, you know? I don't even know if he's into guys; he would always talk about how hot Lev's sister is and qualities that he finds attractive in girls. I need him in my life, and I'm scared if I confess I'll ruin years and years of friendship."
Kenma shuts his eyes, refusing to look at Hinata after essentially just pouring his heart out. Why would Kuro even like me? He is charismatic, charming, and an overall great guy. Someone like me would just drag him down. He deserves better. He deserves the world.
And then he hears laughter.
He opens his eyes and just watches in exasperation as Hinata practically doubles over in a fit of giggles.
Kenma gets angry. His eyes turn to the idiot in the shape of a human tangerine next to him and yells, "What exactly is so funny? Hm?"
Hinata looks at him with amusement written into his features and says, "You know for someone so observant and a self-proclaimed 'strategist,' you are even more oblivious than me. Hell, you're even worse than Tobio!" Hinata continues laughing, but then stops when he notices Kenma glaring at him.
"First of all, who cares if he thinks some girls are cute? You think finding someone good-looking means that they like them? I think you're attractive. I think Kuroo-san, Akaashi-san, Bokuto-san, Kiyoko-san, and Yachi-san are all nice to look at. But, they don't give me butterflies when I see them. My heart doesn't start beating faster every time I see them smile. In large groups of people, I don't try to seek them out. I don't crave their attention. I don't care if they are romantic with someone else. They don't make me want to be the best version of myself. And I sure as hell don't talk about them to every person I meet and tell stories about them." Hinata pauses to see if Kenma would say anything. Kenma just looks at him with his eyebrows furrowed and a frown, so he continues, "Look Kenma, I understand that admitting feelings is difficult for you, but I guarantee you Kuroo-san feels the same way. And if I'm wrong, which I'm not, Kuroo-san appreciates your friendship too much to let it go. So, do you really think you can go on hiding how you really feel?"
Kageyama must have had a huge effect on him. I don't remember Shoyou having the ability to say that many meaningful sentences in a row. "There is no way I could look him in the eyes and tell him. It's too embarrassing, Shoyou. I can't do it."
Hinata thinks for a second. Kenma can almost hear the cogs in his brain trying to turn to form a thought. After a few minutes, his eyes light up and he exclaims, "Ooh! I got it! How about you write him a letter?"
"...A letter?"
"Yeah! Write your feelings and your confession or whatever and give it to him to read. That way you are directly telling him, without directly telling him! And don't say 'What if he rejects me, and I ruin our friendship' because we both know Kuroo-san cares about you too much to ever let anything affect what you guys already have. Instead of sitting here feeling bad for yourself, you could have a chance at being happy. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith. I mean I confessed to Tobio when we were still playing on the same team. If something had gone wrong, we would have still been forced to see each other and work with each other everyday. But, I had faith, so should you." Hinata smiles at himself, thinking he has come up with the most ingenious idea ever. He spoke firmly, and Kenma was genuinely shocked at how much the tangerine had matured since he last saw him. He still echoed the same bubbly personality, but Kenma could sense the immense difference in him, and he couldn't help but be mildly impressed. He thinks for a moment.
A letter. That isn't the worst idea in the world.
Kenma glances at Hinata who's looking at him expectantly, "Well, I guess that wouldn't be so bad." Man this is embarrassing. I'm actually taking love advice from my kouhai.
Hinata practically beams with joy. "Okay, now that I've solved your issue, you have to come play with me." He jumps to his feet, grabs Kenma's hand, and drags him towards the volleyball nets.
---The Next Day----
Kenma sits at his desk with a pen and paper in front of him. The words come easy to him, and he writes with his heart:
Kuro,
First, I want to say that I value our friendship over anything and everything. No matter what your feelings are by the time you finish reading this letter, I want you to promise that our friendship won't change. I always thought I was content with being alone, but you are the one exception. I need you in my life. I needed you when we were kids, I needed you in high school, and I know I am going to need you in the future. However, there are some things that I just need to say to you that I can't keep a secret anymore. I've been in denial for so long, but I only recently started being honest with myself, so it is time that I am honest with you as well.
We've been close ever since we were little. I remember those days as if they were yesterday. You were my only friend. My best friend. Our friendship started because our parents forced us into it, but you know me, I would never continue something that I genuinely would not want to continue. While talking with other people felt draining, everything felt so easy with you. Everything still feels easy with you.
I think that is when I started to fall in love. All those years ago.
I did not realize it was love until recently. Don't get me wrong, I've always known I have loved you as a friend. But what young Kenma did not know that I know now, is that I am deeply in love with you Kuro.
Since you were my only friend, I thought what I felt towards you was normal for friendships. You had an intense effect on me. I wasn't necessarily nervous to be around you, but I always felt warm- for lack of a better word. I don't know; it's hard to put into words. It wasn't until high school when I became closer to our volleyball team where I realized that something was different. I became friends with Tora and Fukunaga and Shoyou and the rest of our team. We were not just acquaintances but genuine friends. I care for them immensely, but they do not rival how I feel for you. The way I felt around you was so different from the way I felt around them that it was hard to accept that they were even my friends in the first place. I thought because we had known each other for longer, that's why what I feel towards you is so different than what I feel towards them. I mean they were all people I became friends with in high school, but you were someone who was with me since childhood. Since you were my only friend for so long, all these new feelings did not make any sense to me.
I remember being in my third year, missing you tremendously. This was around the time where Shoyou began to realize his own feelings for that setter. And the way he talked about him put into words the way I felt about you. Suddenly, the reason for the discrepancy between how I felt for my friends vs how I felt for you became clear: I liked you more than a friend.
I remember hearing Tora drone on and on about Karasuno's cute managers, which was annoying at best. But, hearing you agree with him and go on to state other attractive women, I felt something completely different. Jealousy. This feeling was so foreign to me. I never had any romantic feelings for girls or guys growing up, so it wasn't even like I was struggling with being gay. I could never understand the appeal of either. I never thought about what it would be like to be in a relationship. The whole concept of dating and love was just so irrelevant. We spent so much time with another that I never felt like there was something important missing in my life. However, when I finally admitted to myself that what I felt for you was more than what most people feel for their friends, it became hard to ignore that I wanted something more. And when you left for college, and we stopped seeing each other every second of every day, for the first time in my life, I felt like an important piece had gone missing. I felt empty.
Ever since I came to this realization, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you, and it's terrifying me. I can't see my life without you Kuro, and if you don't reciprocate these feelings, I really hope that we can still remain friends. I know this is selfish of me to dump on you, but I don't want to live with the regret that I never told you how I felt. You know how much trouble I have expressing my feelings, so I wrote them out. I understand if this is too much, and I understand if you don't feel the same way. I don't expect you to. You deserve a lifetime of happiness, and I just want to be there with you, platonic or not. You mean everything to me Kuro. You always have.
Your best friend forever,
Kenma
----A Few Hours Later----
Kenma was shitting bricks. The letter he wrote was shaking in his sweaty palms as he fought the urge to rip it to shreds and abandon his whole plan. He had already texted Kuroo to meet him at the park in 10 minutes and was dreading it.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in an explosion of pink and orange. A summer breeze danced around, providing relief after the day's harsh heat. Kenma felt like he was experiencing all four seasons at once. Beads of sweat formed at his forehead and dripped down. His palms were clammy. However, goosebumps erupted across his entire body as he shivered in the secluded area.
Shit, why'd I pick the park? If he rejects me, we have to walk back home in the same direction, and it'll be awkward as hell. What if he hates me? What if he can't even look at me? This is a bad idea. I wrote that I was in love with him. It's going to scare him off. What if he thinks this is a prank? What if he laughs? What if he makes fun of my feelings?
No. Kuro would never do that. He would never hurt me, even if he doesn't feel the same way. He cares about me.
The anxiety was becoming too much to handle. Kenma wanted to bolt.
"This was a bad idea," he muttered to himself.
Right as Kenma was about to make a run for it, he heard a voice.
"Oi Oi Oi Kenma! You're already here. And here I was thinking that I'd be early for once."
Kenma turns and sees Kuroo walking towards him with an easy smile on his face. The vibrant sky colors lit up the background as Kuroo walked towards him. His hair was still it's usual tousled mess, but he somehow managed to look even better in this light. God he's fucking beautiful. Has he always been this beautiful? Puberty hit him like a truck. His hair is so stupid, yet he looks so good.
Kenma could only gulp as Kuroo's tall stature approached him. "So, what are we even doing in the park? Your message was kind of cryptic. Wait, you're not going to murder me and hide my body right? I already apologized for leaving you alone with Lev that one time!" Kuroo asked, trying to fake a scared face, but the amusement in his eyes gave away his joking nature.
Kenma completely forgot what his plan was. Should I just give him the letter and walk away? Why did I make him come all this way to read a letter? This could have been a text message. Well I guess that's not very romantic. Do I watch him read it? Is that weird? I don't really want to see the reactions on his face. Or, maybe I do? Maybe I want to see what his face looks like when he reads that I love him. Wait, no I don't that's too embarrassing. Holy shit, he is about to read that I am in love with him. That's coming on way too strong! I am an idiot. This was a mistake. I can't believe I listened and took advice from Shoyou. That's my own fault. Then again, he is in a relationship. He's also a moron dating another moron. Fuck.
"OI KENMA!," Kuroo says loudly, effectively slapping Kenma out of the battle he was having with himself. He looked up at Kuroo, whose features immediately became etched with concern. He grabbed Kenma's shoulders and pulled him closer.
"Kenma are you okay?" His voice was gentle, dripping with worry. It made Kenma's heart melt. "Kenma, please what's wrong? You don't look very well."
Well, it's now or never.
Kenma just shoved the crumpled letter into Kuroo's chest and turned around so that his back was facing him.
"Just read that please."
"Kenma, what-"
"Just read it," Kenma says in an urgent, pleading voice, back still facing Kuroo, "Now please."
"Eh okay."
Kenma hears the sound of the paper unfolding. Time slows; his stomach flips, and he feels like he's going to pass out. He wonders if Kuroo can hear how fast his heart is beating. It feels like it's going to burst right out of his chest. He tries to breathe slowly to calm himself down, but can't stop his small stature from shaking slightly. His face burns, and he feels tears brimming his eyes. He's terrified of how one person could have such an effect on him. He tries to focus on his surroundings. The street lamps flickering on as the sun begins to dip into the horizon. The small animals scurrying about. The birds in the trees chirping away. The wind blowing his hair out of his face, whistling once it makes its way to the trees. He stares at the ground, finding a colony of ants and begins to count each one. He lets his imagination run wild as he pictures being surrounded by castles and power ups. This is just like another task in a game. Complete the task, and I will level up. He almost forgets where he is, as his mind shifts into another dimension, distracting him from the situation at hand.
After what feels like an eternity, he feels two large arms slowly wrap around his waist, hugging him from behind. The action pulls him back into reality, the scenery he envisioned with his mind dissipating immediately. His eyes widen as he feels Kuroo's face bury itself into the crook of his neck.
"Kyanma," Kuroo manages to get out through choked sobs.
Shit, is this it? Did I fuck everything up?
Kuroo turns him around so that he is now facing him and pulls him in for a bone-crushing hug. Tears are still coming from Kuroo's eyes, but Kenma can't bring himself to speak. Kuroo pulls back and looks at Kenma with his bleary eyes. He takes Kenma's face into his hands and smiles.
"I love you so much Kenma. I always have."
Kenma still can't speak. He's overwhelmed with all his emotions, but soon his anxiety begins to overtake him. He looks at Kuroo, who is staring down at him, and asks,"L-Love me in what w-way?"
Kuroo laughs and pulls Kenma closer to him. He runs his hands through Kenma's badly bleached hair and says, "Sorry let me rephrase. Kozume Kenma I have been utterly, deeply, and stupidly in love with you since we were children. In your letter, you said you realized it recently. I think I realized it when we were still in elementary school when I saw you covered in dirt after playing volleyball with me. You did something you definitely didn't like, just for me. You were willing to go out of your comfort zone just to make me happy. That's when I started getting butterflies every time I was around you. We were both shy and introverted when we first met; I grew out of it, but you did not. I always thought I would have to make the first move, but then decided not to because never in a million years did I think you felt the same about me. Yaku and Kai always told me I was stupidly obvious, so honestly, I thought you already knew. If those idiots could see it, then surely the most observant, analytical person I have ever met could see it too. And since you never said anything, I assumed you knew but didn't reciprocate. Now I feel like an idiot," Kuroo finished with a soft smile and a laugh.
Despite having sobbed 30 seconds prior, his voice did not waver in the slightest as he delivered his confession to Kenma.
Kenma could only stare at him with wide golden eyes. His heart was still going 100 miles per hour, and he still felt like he was going to pass out. All the emotions were too much for him, even if he was insanely happy. So, the only thing he could think of doing was holding onto Kuroo for dear life. He stood on his tippy toes and wrapped his small arms around Kuroo's neck. He buried his face in the crook of Kuroo's neck, breathing him in and remembering the feeling of absolute warmth that began to surround him. Kuroo, as always, understood exactly what Kenma was feeling and hugged him back, tighter than before. His hands left Kenma's hair and began to slowly caress the smaller one's back. Kenma could feel the tears well in his eyes, but he did not care. He hid his face in Kuroo's chest and began to cry.
"Hey hey shhhh," Kuroo whispered softly into Kenma's ear, one hand beginning to stroke his hair while the other remained caressing his back.
They remained like that for a while until Kenma began to calm down and slowly pulled away. He let his arms drop from Kuroo's neck to around his waist and finally looked up to those golden eyes staring right back at him. Kenma almost fainted from seeing Kuroo's eyes: they held such genuine love and adoration for him that he was practically drowning in affection. He held Kuroo's gaze while Kuroo's hands cupped his cheeks, his thumbs carefully rubbing the tears that had fallen below Kenma's eyes. Having Kuroo touch his face so gently and so lovingly made Kenma almost purr in happiness as he leaned into Kuroo's touch.
"Kenma," Kuroo said, finally breaking the silence. He didn't let go of Kenma's face or break eye contact as he spoke, "Can-Can I kiss you?" Kuroo's eyes flickered down to Kenma's plump pink lips, licking his own lips in anticipation.
Kenma did not say anything. He did not even nod in acknowledgement. After those words had left Kuroo's mouth, he lunged for Kuroo's lips. It was ungraceful, and frankly a little painful, as he smashed his lips against Kuroo's slightly agape mouth. Kuroo's eyes widened, clearly in shock. Their lips moved against each other awkwardly, and Kuroo almost immediately pulled back.
"My my, eager aren't we?" Kuroo laughed and smirked while Kenma could only blush in complete and utter embarrassment. That was horrible, he thought to himself. Kuro definitely despised that; holy shit I am a terrible kisser. He's regretting this already, isn't he? Worry and anxiety painted his face as he tore his gaze away from Kuroo's, unable to make eye contact with the elder after that humiliating scene.
"Let's try that again, shall we?" The smirk on Kuroo's face disappeared; he once again took Kenma's face in his hands and turned it so that Kenma was forced to look at him again. He gave the shorter boy a quick smile, and slowly brought his lips down. He lightly brushed his lips onto Kenma's. Kenma could barely feel it; he had to control himself from lurching forward like he did before. Kuroo moved slowly, ridiculously slowly. His soft lips hovering over Kenma's for a few seconds, before finally connecting their mouths together. He took his time, relishing in the feeling and the taste. His lips moved gently on top of Kenma's as one of his hands went to grip Kenma's chin. Kenma kissed him back cautiously, not wanting to repeat his earlier mistake. Kuroo clearly knew what he was doing. He began to kiss Kenma even harder, lips getting more needy, before running his tongue across Kenma's bottom lip. Kenma opened his mouth eagerly, and Kuroo immediately pushed his tongue in, not letting Kenma get a second to breathe. Kenma almost whined at all the sensations.
Wow, so this is what a kiss is supposed to feel like. After a few seconds, Kenma got more confident and began kissing Kuroo back with just as much passion. He shyly pushed his own tongue against Kuroo's mouth, wanting to taste him as well. Kuroo let Kenma take the reins of the kiss, which Kenma happily obliged to. He let Kenma explore his mouth with his tongue. The kiss was getting more heated by the second as both boys did not want to let the other go. Eventually, Kenma was the first to draw back, resting his forehead against Kuroo's. None of them said anything as they tried to catch their breaths.
"So, " Kuroo began after what felt like an eternity, "Will you go out with me?"
Kenma couldn't help but laugh at the tall idiot holding him. "I think the love letter and intense makeout session already established what my answer to that is, Kuro."
Kuroo flashed him a lopsided grin, "Hey, just getting that out of the way! I don't want to be one of those couples that asks 'So, what are we?' like 6 months into the relationship!"
Kenma just rolled his eyes before slipping his hand into Kuroo's, intertwining their fingers, tugging his hand in the direction of their houses. His hand felt like it was made to fit in Kuroo's. One of those couples. We're a couple now. Kenma couldn't stop smiling even if he wanted to. They started to walk back, hand in hand. "Just so you know, I am totally never going to let you forget that I was the one to confess first."
Kuroo laughed and let go of Kenma's hand, wrapping that same arm around Kenma's shoulders and pulling him in close, kissing the top of his head. "And just so you know, I won't let you forget the sappy love letter. I might just frame it."
"Don't make me change my mind."
"You would never."
They walked in comfortable silence, basking in each other's presence before it dawned on Kenma that he never verbally told Kuroo how he felt.
"Kuro."
"Mm?"
Kenma stopped walking, which in turn, made Kuroo stop as well. Kenma looked straight into Kuroo's bright eyes, giving him a genuine smile, one Kuroo has probably seen like once or twice in their entire lives. For once, Kenma did not shy away. His voice did not get quieter, it did not falter, and he did not break eye contact. Instead, he spoke with incredible passion and sincerity, "I love you, Tetsurou. With everything in me."
Kuroo mouth opened slightly, shock (and a slight blush) adorning his features, as he looked like he was on the verge of tears again, before shaking his head, "Kozume Kenma, you're going to be the death of me, you know that? You're so fucking adorable."
Kenma scoffed, eyebrows twitching in irritation but the pink glow on his cheeks gave away his true feelings. He grabbed Kuroo's hand and continued walking, the butterflies in his stomach never once settling. "Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am n-," Kuroo shut him up with a quick kiss to his lips. He smirked as he pulled back, "Are too."
Kenma's face and ears burned as they continued their walk. He was grateful it was getting dark, or else he was sure Kuroo would have teased him about blushing so hard. They reached their houses, Kenma's grip on Kuroo's hand tightening as he said, "Come sleep with me."
Kuroo wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, "Oh?"
Kenma smacked his arm, "Not like that pervert! I just want to be with you." His shyness returned as he mumbled that last part.
The grin on Kuroo's face only grew wider, "Of course! How could I deny my boyfriend anything."
Kenma's face lit up. Boyfriend. I like the sound of that.
That night, Kenma curled up against Kuroo, his head resting on the elder's chest. Kuroo's arms pulled Kenma in so close that he was practically on top of him. His cheek nuzzled the top of Kenma's head as his hands played with his hair and caressed his back. They fell asleep like this, breathing in each other's scents and melting in each other's warmth. They both dreamt of a future in which they would fall asleep in each other's arms every single night.