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Kuroo has known Kenma since they were kids.
It took Kuroo an embarrassingly long amount of time to realize that Kenma actually liked having him around. The kids in school always told him to stop trying to be friends with someone who wanted nothing to do with him, he always laughed it off.
Kenma’s method of communication was something to learn and adjust to, but never a burden. He worried Kuroo often, so wrapped up in his own world that Kuroo was nervous about him going off and wandering into traffic or something. It’s why Kuroo always has his arm around Kenma, easier to keep track of him that way even if now he is fully aware of how capable Kenma is of looking out for himself.
He stopped feeling guilty for dragging Kenma into volleyball practice only a few months after the start. Kenma lives life outside of his head a lot, sometimes he can’t recognize or name emotions and Kuroo still doesn’t know if Kenma realizes just how much he likes volleyball.
The team is good for him, Kuroo knew from the start but scuffle with Yamamoto drove home that point even more.
Nekoma is one body, blood flowing and connecting to create a cohesive group. Their team centered around strategy and teamwork. Their current team revolves around Kenma.
It’s honestly kind of funny how much their team adores Kenma. They know his ticks and what he really means when he speaks. They know when to follow his requests and when to bring in other options.
At first, Kuroo knows the team felt as if Kenma was a more delicate person and was to be treated as such. However, after being on the wrong side of Kenma’s anger too many times they finally seemed to get the message. Well, that and seeing time and time again Kenma’s tenacity and perseverance. Once he starts something, he will see it through with all the energy he can afford to.
That doesn’t change the fact that on their current team, Kenma is physically the weakest while also being their most important player.
The team will do stupid, unnecessary things to keep Kenma good and well. Kenma remains oblivious.
He doesn't see the way they’ll circle around when they go out together so he doesn’t get lost. He doesn’t see the others slipping extra food onto his plate or stealing his water bottle away to refill it.
Kenma is one of the most observant people Kuroo knows, his role relies on it. Outside of video games, volleyball, and his social anxiety, that observancy fades away real quick. He’s less likely to notice the little things the team does and get angry about it. A blessing in disguise really.
The one thing that Kuroo knows is not missed by him is what Kuroo has taken to calling “post game pampering”. It might not look like it to some, but for their team to work Kenma has to make the right calls. His brain is turning at a million miles an hour while also trying to get into the best places for their plays to work.
That’s not to say that the rest of the team don’t work hard as well, but not all of them have to manage the whole team.
It’s really super interesting.
Kuroo has had years to get used Kemna’s communication style. If he doesn’t feel like he’s being heard, he simply won’t talk. His voice rarely changes volume, saying it takes too much energy. It leads to most situations being that if you want to know what he’s saying, you have to watch him, god forbid anyone try to speak over him. When Kenma gets pissed that’s a whole other deal but otherwise he seemed to come to the conclusion that if others aren’t going to listen, he simply won’t contribute.
It means that whenever Kenma opens his mouth a rush of silence goes through the room that has Kuroo cackling everytime. Kenma has finally found (well Kuroo found it for him), a place where his thoughts, ideas, and opinions are valued to the highest degree.
Kenma has a way of unintentionally getting others to care about him, much against his wishes. He has a whole ass fan club via the team and it’s fucking hilarious for someone so introverted.
Kenma is a quiet but bright presence. People are drawn to him but not in a way like Karasuno’s number ten. Kuroo teases him how he’s just so cute that no one can resist him. Their mascot fits all too well, Kenma being the most cat-like person Kuroo’s ever known.
His behaviors, love languages, and physical appearance aside, Kuroo swears he’s heard him purr and is majorly susceptible to pets. One would think that Kenma would rather die than let others touch him, a fair assessment based on his other behaviors but this is not the case.
The team is not afraid to love on him, probably warming up to the idea after getting used to Kuroo and Kenma’s near constant contact.
Kenma is just so cute and tiny, who wouldn’t want to pick him up and touch his hair?
Either way, it has led to a pattern for how the time directly after a game is spent, along with the next day. Apple pie is always a must. It’s Kenma’s favorite food, the sugar and carbs don’t hurt after a match and Kenma rarely lets himself indulge if he’s on his own. It means a full on team sleepover so they can ride the good feelings of winning or keep each other from getting too lost in the event they do lose.
And that is a reason they do the sleepovers, but there may be something else to it.
Kenma’s insomnia is everything but a secret, but most think it can all be attributed to him keeping himself up playing games. And yeah, that’s part of it but it's mostly just not being able to sleep in the first place. He gets frustrated when he’s awake and not sleeping at night, telling Kuroo it feels as if he’s wasting time just laying there. So he doesn’t.
Something Kuroo grew up knowing about him is how much better he sleeps if there’s someone else in the room. He and Kenma spent the majority of their middle school years in Kuroo’s room, day and night. They never really talked about it, there wasn’t much to say but it's a habit they can continue with the whole team post-game now.
It gives them all a chance to take a break, maybe do some massages and watch trash TV, team bonding and shit.
The number one rule that Kuroo enacted after becoming captain is that after a game, the next day’s practice is canceled. No exceptions. He was backed up by Kai and Yaku when he first brought up the idea and is proud to say that they can create a terrifying front no one wants to disobey.
They all need the rest, it’s a part of getting better.
The other aspect that got the team to fully agree was seeing Kenma after a stressful game. When he gets worked up, he gets sick. Kuroo’s lucky that it doesn’t happen after every game, just when Kenma gets really stressed but that’s often enough for the team to fold to the rule.
Yeah, Kuroo’s been lucky so far. This is something else entirely.
Their match against Sarukawa Tech fills Kuroo with a rage he had thus far been unfamiliar with. Did they get under his skin? Not really. Was he kinda pissed with how their whole strategy surrounded targeting Kenma? Fuck yes.
As the captain, he feels personally responsible for the well being of every single member on his team but his relationship with Kenma runs deeper, is a touch more personal. It makes his fucking blood boil seeing the childish way the rival team was acting. There are some unspoken rules in volleyball and one of the most obvious is about sportsmanship. Taking out another player and targeting them constantly is not going to be fun for anyone so why fucking do it.
It doesn’t even matter, they got through it and Kuroo is immensely proud of Kenma and the way his team adjusted and adapted to fit the style they needed to go with for this game.
A couple spewed insults and some bananas later, Kenma is looking a little more lively. There’s just something off about his complexion that's forcing Kuroo to stay on alert. Something just isn’t right.
The team decided to stay to watch the last bit of Karasuno’s team, something that has Kuroo’s heart fluttering with hope. Their fated match is getting closer and closer. The only thing drawing away from that awe is that Kenma is most definitely still shaking.
Kuroo thought it had been a trick of the light while they were still on the court but it’s been a good fifteen minutes now and Kenma is looking nothing but exhausted.
He shares a look with Yaku, who’s also certified in most things Kenma, only getting a nod with Yaku’s eyes flicking towards the exit door a second later. “Alright,” Kuroo says, getting everyone’s attention, “I think we’re going to go get some air.” He throws an arm around Kenma’s shoulder and tries to ignore the increasing trembles. “Rest up, coach has snacks and extra water where we’re set up. Don’t wander off alone and be back at our spot within the hour.” He grins with the resounding agreement before quickly steering himself and Kenma towards the exit.
“That was kind of brutal, worth leveling up?” Kuroo asks, side-eyeing Kenma, who only hums in response. He frowns and releases his hold on Kenma to pull the door open but feels Kenma’s hand come up to grip at his sleeve. His eyes are glassy and face is definitely paler than a second ago. Kuroos already let go of the door and took a step back into the gym by the time Kenma looks up at him and speaks.
“I,” he pauses, looking confused. “I don’t think I feel well.” That has Kuroo’s brows up high on his forehead. Kenma fears the way people view him, leading to him hating showing any type of ‘weakness’. It is something Kuroo has to work around so he can check in with Kenma about his health. It also makes this scenario incredibly worrying as Kenma never admits to being sick unless he feels as if he’s actually about to die.
Kuroo doesn’t have another second to think about it because he’s watching those sharp, sharp eyes go soft and roll back within one moment and the next. “Shit!” he hisses, just managing to catch Kenma’s arm as his body goes lax and quickly sinks to the ground. Kuroo pulls him to his chest, getting a good grip around his waist and taking a deep breath.
Calm. Be calm. He won’t be able to help if he’s panicking.
Luckily, he doesn’t have to be calm all alone because it seems as if the team’s Kenma sense has gone off and they’re heading over, looking more scared than Kuroo would ever prefer to see them.
Lev is panicking, looking a second away from screaming. Inuoka looks like he’s close behind him while Kai and Yaku are definitely a little more composed.
Nekoma as a team is no stranger to overworking. Maybe the first or second years haven’t been present when someone’s pushed themself too hard but Kuroo can’t say the same.
He crouches down and swings Kenma onto his back as best he can, jerking his head to the side so the rest of the team follow him to a more secluded area. “Lev, go get the extra bag the coach has.” Lev’s panicking a bit too much and Kuroo just needs him gone right now. Kuroo’s got his bag on him still which should have everything they need but Lev nods like a bobble head and runs off all the same.
“Is he okay?” Kuroo can’t even place who asked, not hearing much over the blood rushing through his ears.
“For sure, Kenma had to work too hard in that last match and his body has chosen now to give in. This isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last, so don’t worry about it.” He plucks Kenma off his back and arranges him onto the floor, head in Kuroo’s lap. “We’re gonna get some food and electrolytes into him and then it’ll be bedtime for this one.” Kuroo wants to smile.
“Yaku, can you raise his legs? We need to get his blood flowing.” It’s probably the fastest he’s seen Yaku move, which is impressive all on its own. “He’s gonna need some space, so if the rest of you guys want to head back or watch the other matches, that’d be awesome.” The dismissal isn’t explicit and they all look a little uneasy leaving. “Relax, we’ll be just fine.”
“You heard the boss, everyone follow me.” Kuroo sends a grateful look to Kai, what a god send that man is. He honestly doesn’t know how Kai does it all. Soon, it’s just him, Yaku, and Kenma between them.
“Alright Kenma, that’s enough nap time,” he mutters. His hand reaches out to tap at the side of Kenma’s face and it's only a few seconds later that Kenma’s eyes scrunch up and his mouth twists unhappily.
Kuroo exhales.
He turns to his side and grabs whatever sports drink is resting in the side pocket. “Thanks Yaku, you’re good to go.” Yaku does not look pleased at being sent away but Kuroo does not need Kenma closing himself off and trying to act tough for any audience members.
“Hey hey, are you with me?” He raises his hands to Kenma’s temples and rubs gently, knowing from experience that his friend is gonna have a mighty headache. He’s never been more happy to see Kenma looking up at him.
“What are you doing?” he rasps. Kuroo swallows back a laugh, typical Kenma, and moves his hands to hold down Kenma’s shoulders, who’s trying to get up fast in a way that will only make him feel sicker.
“You passed out when we were leaving, scared the shit out of me.” Kenma stares up at him, unblinking as he pareces Kuroo’s words.
“Ah.”
“Hey! You should be more empathetic. It’s not every day that your very best friend falls all over you like they can’t help themself,” Kuroo says, totally not pouting.
“Let me up.”
“Kenma, how you wound me!”
Yeah they would be just fine.
Maybe the team is a little…overprotective the next week or two but that’s to be expected. Kenma said they were his friends after that game, though now he blames it on sickness whenever it gets brought up.
They still have a team sleepover that night and Kenma may let them dote on him a little more than usual. Lev cries and Kuroo tries really hard not to laugh at Kenma’s horrified face. “I’ll eat so many bananas post-match if it means I never have to go through this again,” he says miserably with Lev holding him a good foot or two off the group.
“Lev! Be gentle, he’s had a rough day,” Kuroo says. He walks about and gathers Kenma into his arms easily, a mock princess carry with one of Kuroo’s arms around his back and the other under his knees.
“I’m literally going to stab you.” Kuroo only laughs, Kenma can threaten as much violence as he wants but his body is betraying him. Kuroo feels Kenma’s body go soft and relaxed, leaning into Kuroo’s chest and if you look at the right angle his eyes might just be closed.
It’s later when they have a moment alone together.
“You did scare me a lot, y’know? For the love of all things holy, please take better care of yourself.”
“I didn’t mean to, this one wasn’t even my fault.”
“I know.”
“I know you know.” I’m sorry.
“I know you know I know.” It’s okay.
Kenma reaches out and links their pinkies together. Kuroo lets the last of the tension drain from his body as he closes his eyes.
“We’re okay. We’re going to do great.”