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The first time it happened, Hitoka was lost. She’d ran from her shared apartment in a panic, unable to face the fact that the person she loved most in the world was marrying someone else, the image of Kiyoko showing off her ring happily while Tanaka hugged her to his side, smile proud. The rain hid the tears running down her face and her sobs looked like shivers from the biting wind.
She stood in the middle of the street she’d ran down, looking around for a clue as to where she was; a sign, a familiar shop, anything. She caught sight of a familiar apartment building, and felt a breath of relief leave her body. The light she was looking for was on, an apartment she knew to be Kei’s. She walked to press the buzzer on the intercom, stepping back so she was in the view of the window.
She watched as Kei stuck his head out of the window, and look around before making eye contact with a soaked Hitoka. He shot the girl a confused look.
“Are you going to let me in, or should I just stay out here in the pouring rain?” Yachi yelled up, making Kei roll his eyes at the snarky tone.
“I’ll buzz you in.” The window closed and a few seconds later, the door clicked open.
The night passed quickly, with the two of them watching stupid movies and fighting over the popcorn. Yachi yawned and stretched, looking like a child in Kei’s clothes. She stood up and turned to Kei.
“Where am I sleeping?”
It was a reasonable question. Kei had the smallest room in his shared apartment, and he insisted on having a double bed, so there was very little space left for Hitoka. She would quite happily sleep on the sofa if she wouldn’t have to explain her presence to Kuroo when he woke up for work the next morning. One person had already been witness to her minor breakdown, and that was one too many in her opinion.
Kei shrugged in response and Hitoka huffed and pouted at the lack of help. Kei jumped when Hitoka just fell back onto his bed, wiggling around until she was under the covers. She turned to face Kei, face pleading. Kei smirked.
“I’m into Tadashi, so you better not try anything.”
Hitoka pushed him as hard as she could, which didn’t move him, and instead caused a laugh to rip out of Kei. He rolled over and turned his light off, still laughing to himself.
The next time it happened, Kei found Hitoka in the park, sitting alone in the pouring rain. He’d picked her up and carried her to his apartment, with the promise of a change of clothes and heating.
Hitoka had had an argument with her current boyfriend, Rintarou, and had left when Rin started getting mean. All Hitoka had done was ask her boyfriend to stop flirting with other people. It made Hitoka feel like shit, like she wasn’t enough, and she wanted it to stop. Rin had gotten angry and then she had gotten mean, calling Hitoka horrible things, hitting each of her insecurities where he knows it hurts most, until Hitoka got sick of it and left. Rintarou would apologise tomorrow and he’d try to change, but that would last for a week before his old habits returned. Hitoka knew this because that’s how it always was with Rin.
Hitoka had a sense of déjà vu as she sat in Kei’s room, watching stupid movies in a too big shirt as the rain and wind smacked against the window panes.
Hitoka didn’t ask where she was sleeping this time. She just laid down and got under the covers like last time. This time Kei turned to her, a small, honest smile on his face.
“I’m dating Rin, so you better not try anything.” She said, echoing his words from before.
“Fuck off.” This time, Kei pushed Hitoka, laughing when she grapples to stay on the bed, before turning around and turning his light off.
The last time it happened was the day before Kei left for a new city, where he’d been signed onto a new team. He’d left Hitoka a message, asking her to come round for old times sake. So Hitoka came round as soon as he finished work, which explains why she was now standing in the rain again, only wearing a thin coat as protection from the weather around her. Her slightly shorter hair was pulled back, exposing her neck the the elements. She sent Kei a text letting him know she’d arrived, and after a second she got a reply telling her the door was unlocked and she could come straight up.
Hitoka stepped inside the apartment, saying a quick hello to Kuroo as she walks down the corridor, before arriving at Kei’s door. She opened the door and made her way into the room.
Kei’s room was different now. There were no posters on his wall for obscure movies he liked. His desk was clean, lacking the organised mess of files and dinosaur figurines. His room felt empty. Everything was in a box, ready to be taken to Osaka, where Kei’s new team was waiting.
Kei looked up at Hitoka when she entered, and rolled his eyes at the sight of Hitoka dripping water all over his floor. He stood up and dug through a box on his left, pulling out a Pink Floyd hoodie and a pair of sweatpants. He handed them to Hitoka and turned away as she changed out of her wet clothes.
When Hitoka was dressed, she took her spot next to Kei on his bed and looked at the tv, ready for more stupid movies and fights about popcorn.
The movies finished, and they went through the usual routine of getting into Kei’s bed and getting under the covers. Both Kei and Hitoka turned to each other this time, aware this might be their last chance to do it right.
Some of Hitoka’s hair had fallen out her ponytail, and Kei moved to push it away, smiling slightly at the startled look on Hitoka’s face. He pulled her closer, and turned his light off, knowing that the silence between them was a good one, filled with unspoken confessions and feelings.
They finally did it right. Even if it was the last time they’d see each other for a while, nothing could ruin this moment for them, Hitoka snuggled into Kei’s arms, laying on his chest.
To her, this was perfect.
To her, this was home.