Work Text:
Tadashi shifts the carrier to his right hip, torso leaning to the left as he dawdles on the white marble tile of the fancy vet. His worn-out shoes squeak loudly on the floor and attract eyes on him, which only makes Tadashi sweat more on top of carrying his dog from the bus stop to the clinic. A 3 minutes walk, Google Map says. With the determination to finally start his exercise tomorrow (unlikely to happen), Tadashi sucks in a long breath and increases his pace toward the reception.
As he reaches the desk, Tadashi puts down the carrier in the most gentle manner he could gather. Still, the sound of plastic meeting the marble floor echoes through the quiet clinic, startling the person who has been burying his head at the computer. The receptionist with bright red hair jerks his head up and beams at Tadashi instantly.
“Welcome to Cobble Hill! My name is Hinata Shouyou, how may I help you?”
“H—Hi.” Tadashi wheezes and nods at the receptionist. His hands stick to his waist and cheeks balloon in an attempt to ease the insane heartbeat that is about to jump out of his chest. “I’m Yamaguchi— Tadashi. I have an— appointment— at 3pm?”
“Alright, just a second, please.” Hinata nods as he types away on the keyboard and hums at the screen before grinning at Tadashi again. “Ah, yes, Yamaguchi-san. Dr. Tsukishima will see you in a minute.”
“Great, thank—”
“Oh, your dog transfers from Magic Paws!” Hinata’s exclamation cuts Tadashi off as he flits his eyes across his computer. “Is that the clinic where Kageyama Tobio works?”
“Yeah.” Tadashi scratches the back of his head, calmer now. “Kageyama has a family business to deal with in Italy. So during his time off, he suggested that I visit Cobble Hill in case of an emergency. Do you know him, perhaps?”
“Just a bit.” Hinata scrunches his nose. “Kei sometimes meets up with him for lunch. Tall guy, grumpy, kinda annoying though.”
“Kei is—”
“Oh, Dr. Tsukishima I mean. Tsukishima Kei.”
“I see.” Tadashi nods and comments absently at Hinata’s casual use of the vet’s given name. “You two must be close.”
“We get along alright.” Hinata shrugs. Then, as if something just clicks in his brain, he gasps. “Wait, you don’t think that I’m dating him, do you?”
Tadashi blinks in confusion. “Why would I—”
“We’re not dating.” Hinata slams his palms on the desk and leans forward, making Tadashi falter back. “Not in a million years, no way, no no no—”
Hinata probably repeats that no for 16 times or something (Tadashi loses count midway), and as if he’s not been clear enough, he even sticks his tongue out in a gagging motion that honestly makes Tadashi wonder how awful the idea of dating this Tsukishima is, or even how horrible as a person the vet could be. However, before he could ask Hinata for some clarification, a tall figure approaches from behind the desk and hits the top of Hinata’s head with a clipboard.
“Stop scaring off our customers.” The person in a green scrub says and pushes his glasses up, golden rim and a silver name tag that reads Dr. Tsukishima on his left chest glinting off the white light from the ceiling. Then, the vet flicks his wristwatch to check for the time and moves his gaze from Hinata to Tadashi, catching him off guard with eyes rawer than liquid gold, color brighter than summer solstice beams.
Tadashi’s heart unwillingly jumps a beat faster.
Ignoring the finger and a grunt that Hinata gives him, Tsukishima nods at Tadashi, who is still lost in a trance at the vet's honeyed eyes, and says, “Are you Yamaguchi Tadashi?”
Tadashi gulps at the flat voice that bears little warmth, awoken this time. “Yes, s—sir.”
Tsukishima arches an eyebrow and tilts his head. “Tsukishima is fine. Room 2, you can take your dog in now.” And with that, he walks off to the hallway.
Chewing his lips at Tsukishima’s straight back and Hinata giving him a thumb up for good luck, Tadashi heaves the carrier up again and dawdles to room 2 as instructed. He opens the glass door with his back and places his dog on the table amidst a strained grunt, torso leaning forward and eyes straying aside at the vet, who now has already put on a white lab coat, a stethoscope looped around his neck. Paying Tadashi no mind, Tsukishima clicks his pen and scribbles on his clipboard.
“You reported that your dog has been coughing, becoming lethargic, losing appetite, and having trouble breathing, correct?” Tsukishima reads, eyes training on the file.
“That’s right.” Tadashi exhales. “It’s been a few days now.”
Tsukishima hums. “Based on the symptoms, it’s likely to be dirofilariasis. However, we still need to run some tests to make sure first.”
“Diro—filo—what?” Tadashi struggles to form the word, in the end, he just gives up. “What is that? Is it— dangerous?”
“Dirofilariasis.” Tsukishima repeats, amusement glinting in his eyes at Tadashi’s horrified tone. “Also known as heartworm disease, transmitted from animal to animal through mosquitoes. The infection could be fatal, but it’s fairly common in dogs and cats. If we give them proper treatment in time, there are high chances that they will fully recover.”
Tadashi tightens the grip around the carrier, biting his lower lip. “Oh— okay.”
Tsukishima scoots his swivel chair closer to the desk and reaches his hands to the carrier. “If I may?”
“Sure.” Tadashi nods, fingers fiddling with the material. “Although she might not warm up to you instantly, she’s been tired lately.”
“Is that a challenge?” The vet cocks an eyebrow.
“A reminder.”
“Well, thank you for your kindness.” Tsukishima tilts his head at the sofa. “You can have a seat.”
Tadashi nods in acknowledgment but refuses to leave, determined to stay by his dog’s side. The vet only flicks a look at him before turning to the carrier, opening the lock and reaching his hands inside. On the contrary to Tadashi’s expectation of utter silence, his dog, who has been quiet and lethargic for a while now, wobbles outside of the carrier toward Tsukishima’s direction, her tiny corgi tail waggles and nose huffing in the excitement that Tadashi has never seen her doing with a stranger before. His mouth goes slack, eyes widening, flabbergasted.
How could he not? It takes her 1 week to warm up to him. And how long has it been since she’s completely smitten with Tsukishima? 3 seconds?
But what’s even more surprising is that Tsukishima, the cold and stoic and indifferent vet, instantly melts as he looks at her with the corner of his lips curving up and his eyebrows arching down. “Hi baby.” Tsukishima coos in the most sugary voice ever and Tadashi, for a second, though he was possessed by some cringey demon.
Tadashi’s dog reaches and puts her front paws up on Tsukishima's shoulders, nose nudging his jawline. “Yes, yes, hi, sweetie. I’m glad to meet you too.”
Tadashi involuntarily makes a noise. What’s up with all the pet names?
“I’m Kei, and you are—” Tsukishima smiles and checks her collar. “Jane Austen?” He reads, face twisting.
“It’s— um,” Tadashi starts, scratching the back of his palm that is gradually heating up. “My favourite author. You know— the one who wrote Emma—”
Tadashi swears he hears a stifled snort in Tsukishima’s throat. “Yes, I know Jane Austen. And you named your dog after her? Could I ask the reason behind this brilliant decision?”
“It’s a way to— honor— since I really enjoyed all of—” He splutters at the vet’s intent stare. “Nevermind, could we just start with the tests? Please?”
This time, Tsukishima doesn’t hold back a snort anymore. “Could I call her Jane for short? Since, you know, Jane Austen is pretty lengthy and formal—”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.” Tadashi says while regretting all of his life choices. “I’m just gonna— go sit down.”
“Please do.”
Tsukishima seems amused enough when he nods and turns around to fetch his equipment. Tadashi huffs, now finally understands why Hinata reacted that way at the idea of dating the vet because honestly, this guy is the worst, embarrassing his customers and all! So bad that not even his sun-kissed eyes or the delicate features or the fluffy blond curls could save him.
Tadashi mumbles under his breath and sits down on the sofa nearby, chin pillowing his palm on his crossed legs as he watches the vet conduct blood and antigen tests, along with a chest radiograph. Jane, as expected from the little traitor, obeys him and gives him a few licks even when Tsukishima is holding a needle that would normally scare the life out of her.
Tadashi frowns, schooling his expression from straying any further at the heat bubbling on his chest that is definitely caused by jealousy for Jane’s affection, and not by the mellow note in the vet’s eyes nor the faint smile remaining on his lips the whole time.
“It’s heartworm disease.” Tsukishima concludes after the tests. “The goal is to kill the adult worms inside her body. I would suggest an injection to kill the microfilaria first before we start with the treatment, which would consist of an initial injection, followed by 30 days of resting with proper diets, antibiotics, and intravenous fluid, then two more jabs that will be given 24 hours apart. The after-treatment is to let her rest completely and supervise any possible reactions or side effects.”
“That’s a lot of words.” Tadashi’s head spins at the instructions. “So what should I do first?”
“Bring her back here tomorrow for the microfilaria injection. Hinata will make a booking for you, then she will be hospitalized for 24 hours for observation before her main jab.”
“Okay, yeah, sure, sounds good.” Tadashi nods and heaves the carrier up again. “Thank you, Tsukishima-san.”
“No problem.” Tsukishima smiles gently, pushing his glasses up. “It was great to meet you.”
“Oh.” Tadashi blurts, ears tinting red. “It was great to meet you too.”
The smile on the vet’s face deepens. “I was talking to Jane.”
Fuck this guy.
*
Tadashi has always been a careful person. Always wear his backpack to the front to avoid bumping into others on the subway. Always check the weather forecast the night before so that he could remind his roommate, Hitoka, to bring an umbrella to work the next day. Always set an alarm for Jane’s 3 meals along with her night walk. So of course, his attentive nature seeps into his writing style as well. Always construct a detailed guideline, assemble intricate plots and characters, and sharpen each word in every one of his novels.
Tadashi is certainly not a hot-headed person, nor is he the one who insists on staying at the clinic during the 24 hours of his dog being hospitalized just because of her soft whines. And perhaps, a smidge of jealousy and fear that Tsukishima would win over his dog during the time that he isn’t there.
“So, to recap what you said.” Hitoka looks at him from the sofa as Jane sleeps soundly on her lap. “That vet agreed to let you stay for 24 hours, offer his resting space for you to write your novel, eat dinner with you, let you sleep on his bed the whole night while he takes his office sofa instead?”
Tadashi purses his lips, nodding. “Yeah, and?”
“Tadashi, are you for real?” Hitoka cocks an eyebrow. “That guy clearly has a thing for you! And by the way, is he hot?”
“There’s no— thing .” Tadashi splutters, cheeks heating up at Hitoka’s smug smile. “Cobble Hill just has— superior customer service, yeah, Kageyama told me so. And no, he isn’t hot .”
Hitoka mouths an oh knowingly. “Tell me the name of one clinic that has customer service so good that vets allow customers to sleep on their beds.”
“Tons.” Tadashi licks his lips. “Like— you know— the one in the city.”
“Which one?”
“The big one — on— Maine street— I just don’t remember the name right now.” Tadashi scrambles to finish his lie before jolting up from the sofa and slings his laptop bag’s handle on his shoulder. “Anyway, I needa finish this chapter. Be back later.”
Hitoka hums and flips her hand in the air at him. “Alright, be careful. And don’t get lost all the way to that vet’s bed again.”
“Shut up, Hitoka.”
After a short walk, Tadashi settles himself and his laptop on the kitchen island of a 24 hours diner near his house, the place where he always goes whenever he has trouble with writing. Technically, he doesn’t struggle to write today. But rather, the confined space of his room tends to disturb his flow and provoke… thoughts about yesterday. About the quiet yet oddly comfortable dinner he shared with the vet. About the clean beddings that don’t smell like hospital detergent at all, but a gentle scent of oak tree and grass after rain. About a soft light peeking in the room when he’s half-asleep, a blanket pulled up to his chest, and a faint scent that resembles the one lingering on the pillows.
Or more like, about Tsukishima, in general.
Tadashi shakes his head with a violent exhale from his mouth and slaps his reddened cheeks that can’t cool down even after walking in an autumn night, then gulping down the piping hot cappuccino to sweep away any useless thoughts. He has a novel to finish and the last thing he needs is to keep thinking about the vet as if he could appear out of thin air.
“Oh, Yamaguchi-san.” A familiar voice rings, and Tadashi almost swallows the cup.
He coughs and turns his head aside, heat streaming further to his neck as he looks at the vet that was just in his head, now standing near the entrance of the diner, as real as ever in a black turtleneck and similar black dress pants. “Tsukishima-san. I didn’t expect— um, what are you doing here?”
Tsukishima pushes his glasses up and sits down one chair away from Tadashi. “The same as you, I suppose.”
“Writing a novel about two queer princes who are enemies fighting for their countries but also falling in love during the process?”
Tadashi swears he sees Tsukishima almost sliding off the stool. The vet coughs as he settles down, pointing at the patrons behind them. “The same as everyone else except you then.”
“Oh.” Tadashi nods fumblingly. “It’s 9:45, and you haven’t had dinner yet?”
Tsukishima flits his eyes through the menu. “Not yet, I was caught up in surgery today.”
“I see. Must be tiring, being a vet.” Tadashi comments, his gaze training on Tsukishima’s slender fingers with crooked curves and the back of his palm covered in scratches.
“Are you worried about me?”
Tsukishima’s amused tone attracts Tadashi’s attention. He jerks his head up, catching sight of those raw amber eyes glinting under the red neon light. “No— um, yes— I mean, not like that.”
“Not like what, Yamaguchi-san?”
Tadashi’s mouth hangs open at the teasing tone. “It’s uh, just something I picked up from your crazy working schedule.”
“It’s alright.” Tsukishima shrugs. “Still better than regular doctors though.”
“Why?” Tadashi asks, and Tsukishima looks at him. “Isn’t being a vet more challenging? At least humans can tell you where it’s hurting. Pets, they can’t speak, nor can they show you how much they’re suffering. Especially cats, I know they’re notorious for hiding their pains until they can no longer endure it. So, what I’m trying to say here is that, vets deserve more recognition, I guess.”
Tsukishima doesn’t reply to Tadashi’s ramble, simply narrowing his eyes at him, as if he’s studying him, unraveling him, remembering him. Tadashi chews his lips nervously at the vet’s sudden silence and says, “Sorry if I overstepped anything—”
“No, please don’t say sorry.” Tsukishima shakes his head with a slight smile, the one that makes Tadashi’s stomach jolt without fail. “That’s exactly the reason why I became a vet. So thank you, for your appreciation.”
Something ascends to Tadashi’s chest, something warm and fuzzy. He grins. “It’s no problem, I’m just glad that you’re here.”
Tsukishima cocks an eyebrow.
Tadashi stammers. “For the pets, that is.”
“Oh.” Tsukishima makes a noise as to end the conversation there, and the only sound left is the static song in the background, the soft chatter of a few patrons, and Tadashi’s blaring heartbeats from the embarrassment of his words alone. Just as he’s about to return to his laptop, the vet speaks again. “I’m glad too, being here.”
Tadashi whips his face aside instantly.
“For the pets.” Tsukishima quips.
*
It has become a routine. Every day, at exactly 9:30pm, Tadashi walks into the 24 hours diner near his house, orders a cappuccino and a large french fries, opens his laptop, and works. Sometimes he finishes what’s left of the newest chapter, sometimes he argues with the editor about the plotlines of the story, sometimes he answers emails regarding the publication of his second book. Works differ from time to time for Tadashi. However, one thing that does remain the same without fail is that, at exactly 9:45pm, after a ring of the bell atop the door frame that makes Tadashi’s heart flips, Tsukishima shows up after a long day at the clinic, ready for his dinner.
They always sit at the counter in the middle of the restaurant, always a chair in between, always facing the coffee machine and the rusty toaster and the open kitchen with chefs bustling inside. Sometimes they talk. About Tadashi’s struggles with forming an intricate plot, about Jane’s recovery progress, about Hitoka’s office job that is draining the life out of her. Some other time, it’s about a stray cat that Tsukishima rescues, about his successful surgery to remove bladder stones for a tortoise, about a hamster recovering from labour.
However, most of the time, it’s silence with the song Can’t take my eyes off of you playing in repeat for the 7th time during the evening, the quick clickety-clack of Tadashi’s keyboard as he gets lost in his own fantasy world, and the slow flips of coarse pages as Tsukishima reads his books. And yet, as silent as the diner is with only white noises, as easy as it gets to write his novel, there’s a part of his attention strays to the vet sitting beside him every day.
Tadashi notices a few things about Tsukishima. How his left leg bounces when he suddenly loses track of his reading. How he always orders a slice of strawberry shortcake after his dinner to share with Tadashi. How he always refills Tadashi’s cup of water without him even knowing when he does that. And Tadashi wonders too. He wonders if Tsukishima notices his little habits the way he notices the vet. How Tadashi always bites his nail when he’s stuck with writing, how he always mumbles the dialogue, how he always craves sweets.
Maybe Tsukishima does. Because Tadashi sometimes catches from his peripheral vision the vet smiling at his boring Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology book after Tadashi acts out a scene. Because Tsukishima talks to him when he has trouble with the story and slides the dish of strawberry shortcake closer to him. It makes Tadashi feverish like he’s sick, like he catches a disease. He is lethargic most days, struggling to breathe as if his heart is infected with sparks crawling around.
As if it’s— heartworms.
Tadashi tries not to think too much about them. About the nagging aches in his chest, about their sitting distance draws closer and closer over the week, about Tsukishima’s slight smile that feels like a peak of sunbeam after a gloomy day. He tries, and he succeeds, somewhat, until a day when it all unravels.
It’s a stormy night. Despite Hitoka’s disapproval, Tadashi still goes to the diner as usual. But what’s unusual is that Tsukishima, the one who is always on time, is nowhere to be seen even though it’s already 10:05pm. Tadashi checks the time again and slumps down on his seat, his novel forgotten. Maybe he’s being fooled by the routine and overestimates the importance of their little dinner. It’s storming outside and he’s sure that Tsukishima has better things to do than—
Bang.
The door slams open, carrying inside the diner the loud howl of freezing winds, the tingling feeling of stray raindrops, and a completely, from head to toes, drenched Tsukishima.
Tadashi’s eyes widen as he jolts up from his seat. “Tsukishima-san?”
“S-sorry.” Tsukishima says, his teeth clattering and body trembling from the cold. “Traffic was r-really bad. So I r-ran instead, took m-me a while.”
“Goodness, you’re freezing.” Tadashi exclaims and walks to the vet, taking off his jacket and wrapping around Tsukishima’s tall frame. “Why did you come here then? You should just go home and rest!”
“I figured— you w-would be waiting.” Tsukishima offers a slight smile, which somehow pisses Tadashi off and melts his heart at the same time.
Tadashi sighs. “Did giving me a call ever come across your mind? Anyway, you need a warm shower and new clothes, asap. Let me call a cab home for you.”
“D-did you m-miss the part where I s-said traffic was bad?”
“Right.” Tadashi purses his lips. “How about—”
“It’s f-fine.” Tsukishima shakes his head. “I can j-just wait till my clothes d-dry off.”
“You’ll get sick.” Tadashi frowns. “My place is only 5 minutes from here. Let’s go.”
*
“So,” Hitoka starts as she leans against the kitchen top where Tadashi is heating up a pot of chocolate with milk. “Is that the vet? The one sitting on the sofa and wearing your clothes? ”
Tadashi grunts.
“He’s hot , Tadashi. If you’re not gonna make a move on him then I will.”
“You’re a lesbian, Hitoka.”
“I’m just trying to help.” Hitoka shrugs. “But honestly, he seems like a nice guy, and I think you should go for it. You’ve been single for what— 3 years now? It’s time for you to freaking get some already.”
“That’s the thing.” Tadashi sighs. “I’ve been single for 3 years . I don’t even know how dating works anymore. Like— what are you supposed to do to a boyfriend? Feed them? Play fetch?”
“Pet play, kinky.” Hitoka hums, and Tadashi kicks her leg. “Honestly bro, just be yourself and see how things go. But I’m sure that he has feelings for you. Like did you see how he looks at you? I know a lovestruck stare when I see one alright.”
Tadashi makes a gruff noise as a response and continues to melt the chocolate bar into the milk, hands stirring the pot mindlessly while digesting Hitoka’s words. Hitoka speaks again. “Anyway, I’m gonna be at Kanoka’s tonight.”
“It’s still raining outside.”
“Yeah, it’s still better than watching you two make googly eyes at each other from across the room.”
“We didn’t make—” But before Tadashi could finish, Hitoka has already walked out of the kitchen. He sighs, deciding that he’ll deal with her later, pours the hot chocolate into a mug, and brings it to the living room.
What Tadashi doesn’t expect is the sight of Tsukishima in his linen grey pajamas with white socked feet sleeping on his sofa, head pillowing on the edge, pale lips parting, and palms up on the cushion, fingers curling inward like a little kid. And if this isn’t soft enough, his dog is nuzzling on the vet’s lap, equally deep asleep, both snoring slightly.
Tadashi purses his lips and squirms for a few seconds before exhaling and tiptoes toward them. He places the mug down on the table and perches aside on the sofa, eyes tracing Tsukishima’s fluttering lashes, his damp fringe from the shower earlier and his parted lips, delicate and sweet and inviting . They call Tadashi over, hypnotize him, telling him to have a taste. It’ll be good , they say.
Tadashi slaps his cheeks to get rid of the ridiculous thoughts and rolls with his back down, face tilting to the ceiling. Slowly, the yellow beams soothe his eyes, and the pitter-patter sound of raindrops outside ease his heartbeats, nudging him to sleep.
*
Tadashi wakes at the incessant and warm sensation on the back of his palm. Cracking his eyes open, Tadashi sees his dog snoring and splaying her front paws on his laps, and another hand, so much larger than his, nails carefully trimmed and veins interlacing with scratches, rubbing each of his fingers, one by one. Tadashi twitches unconsciously.
“Sorry, did I wake you?” A voice rumbles from the top of his head, a bit husky and groggy from sleep. Tadashi shakes his head, only to realise that his left arm is pressed tightly against a bicep, the side of his face laying on a broad shoulder. Tsukishima’s shoulder.
Still hazy, Tadashi mutters. “What’re you doing?”
“Easing the pressure on your fingers.” Tsukishima says. “If you don’t massage your fingers often, you’re likely to get cramps from writing for a long time.”
Tadashi yawns and nudges closer to the human blanket that is Tsukishima, feeling sleep is swallowing him again. “Thanks.”
“Don’t be. I should be the one thanking you.”
Tadashi makes a sound as a question. He tilts his head up and meets Tsukishima’s eyes without his glasses in the way. The ones that are rawer than liquid gold and brighter than sunbeams. The ones that stole his breath away the first time they met and continue to do so every day for the past three weeks. The ones that right now, feel very much like home.
“For what?” Tadashi says a little breathlessly.
“For being there.” Tsukishima whispers, lips curving up at his own reflection in Tadashi’s eyes.
“At the diner tonight?”
“That.” Tsukishima nods. “And at the very same spot every day. At the vet that day. And— just in my life, in general.”
“Oh.” Tadashi mumbles. “It’s no problem, Tsukki.”
Tsukishima hums, fond and sweet. “I like that name, Tadashi.”
Suddenly, Tadashi forgets how to speak, forgets how to breathe. He can only stare at Tsukishima’s lips that are now drawing closer and closer and hear his own heartbeats drumming in his ears. Magic sparks along with their quickened breaths as the space between them shrink; as the yearning to taste, to feel, and to remember grows deeper; as the spell has been cast and they’re the ones who are bewitched. Just a little more until—
Jane sneezes, breaking the spell.
Tsukishima widens his eyes and pulls back, making Tadashi topple forward at the loss of support. The vet jolts up from the sofa and splutters. “I— um, sorry. It’s late, and I think I should go home now. Thank you— for the clothes, I’ll wash them and give them back to you tomorrow, Yamaguchi-san.”
Tadashi feels like he’s just kicked back to reality from a dream, a brutal, gut-wrenching kick. “Are you sure? I mean it’s late—”
“Yes. I have an early surgery tomorrow, so I should just— go. Sorry— I’ll see you around.”
And with that, Tsukishima soon disappears from the apartment, leaving behind a shivering Tadashi who is still soaking in the warmth lingering on the sofa, unable to breathe, unable to be cured.
Heartworm is a fatal disease, after all.
*
It has been— odd after that night. They still see each other every day at the diner, still sitting side by side, still talking idly along with the clickety-clack of Tadashi’s keyboard and the coarse flips of Tsukishima’s books. However, both can sense the subtle awkwardness filling the air between them. It’s not easy and natural anymore with them constantly tripping over words, avoiding eye contact, and leaving silence to linger way too long. Still, Tsukishima doesn’t offer any explanation for that night and Tadashi doesn’t ask for one either.
Ignorance is bliss. And Tadashi prefers turning a blind eye toward the issue rather than one day, hearing Tsukishima say Sorry, we’re not meant to be , or You’re too awkward , or I don’t like you. Or worse, not being able to talk to him or see him again.
For now, the blurry distance is enough.
A week goes by in a blink of an eye, and it’s finally Jane’s last jab for the treatment. The vet checks the injected spot for the final time as she clings onto his shoulders as usual, nose nudging against his jawline and tails wagging enthusiastically. Tsukishima hushes her a bit and says to Tadashi. “You can take her home now. Make sure that she drinks enough water and follows the diet that I gave you. Also, please keep a close eye on her reactions.”
“I will, thank you, Tsukishima-san.” Tadashi nods and fiddles with the hem of his shirt, watching Tsukishima’s expression shift slightly at the honorific, still, deciding to not comment on it. Tadashi bites the inside of his cheeks and walks toward the desk, ushering his dog into the carrier. “I’ll go to Hinata to finish off the payment.”
Tsukishima stands up from the seat. “Oh, actually. You don’t need to. It was great— I love Jane, so you don’t really have to pay—”
Tadashi’s mouth goes slack at the vet’s stammering. Then, he frowns, voice stern. “Please don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Pity me.”
“I don’t—” Tsukishima splutters, inching closer. However, he stops as Tadashi retreats as well. “It’s not what this is about. You— you got it all wrong.”
Tadashi tips his face down, unable to look at Tsukishima’s concerned eyes. “I know exactly what this is about. You’re just pitying me because you know that I like you, so you want to make it up to me because you don’t like me back because I’m clumsy and awkward and—”
“ Tadashi. ”
Tsukishima interrupts with a strict tone. Tadashi jerks his head up immediately, prickly eyes blinking at the vet’s grimace. However, Tsukishima’s frown melts as soon as he meets Tadashi’s gaze. He sucks in a long breath and sighs while walking closer to Tadashi, pulling him into a tight hug.
Tadashi latches onto the back of his white lab coat in an instant, breath stuttering, fearful that he’ll let go, that this is all just a dream, a vile imagination of his. As though knowing Tadashi’s thoughts, Tsukishima squeezes his arms around Tadashi’s waist tighter, lips nuzzling in the crook of his neck. “I do like you. So much . You have no idea.”
Tadashi inhales shudderingly. “Then— that night— why did you—”
“It's the company's policy for vets to not date clients.” Tsukishima mutters. “I was gonna ask you out soon, after making sure that Jane is fully recovered.”
“Oh.” Tadashi makes a noise, soaking himself in the scent of oak trees and grass after rain, dazed. “Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I don’t wanna sound lame.”
“Typical.” Tadashi snorts. “And the money?”
“You’re gonna hate me for this.”
“Try me.”
Tsukishima sighs. “I wanna have Jane as our dog, not just yours anymore. So that’s why I paid for her medical fee.”
Tadashi stays silent.
“Did you hate me yet?”
“Unfortunately—” Tadashi pulls back. He looks at Tsukishima frowning because of the word, and grins. “It’s impossible to hate you. Me and Jane— we would love to have you. If— you’ll have us—”
Tadashi is cut off by a kiss, deep and searing and just as everything he imagines ever since that night. Sparing no time to think, he twists the lab coat and returns those overwhelming emotions, tipping on his toes as Tsukishima bends him backward slightly, teeth tugging at the thin bottom lip, asking for more. Tsukishima only lets go for one short second to look at Tadashi’s hazed up eyes before he’s on him again with the same force that clears everything off Tadashi’s mind, tongue finding him again and again until what Tadashi can utter are soft whimper and violent breaths.
“I like you, Tadashi.” Tsukishima whispers against Tadashi’s lips as they break away, eyes closed, forehead touching. “I like you I like you—”
He repeats for a few times, and each time, Tadashi’s heart sings all the same of being finally found, finally home, finally cured.
“I like you too, Tsukki. So much.”
Heartworm is a fatal disease, after all. But luckily, Tadashi has found his cure, the one that will be effective for the rest of his life.