Work Text:
The first game of the season was always a stressful one, and Kuroo could feel his nerves rising by the moment. The pressure was all on him, as it was also his first game as the captain of his team.
“Alright, everyone gather around.”
Kenma sighed. “You’re gonna give us a pep talk, right?”
“They’re good for team morale.”
“Says who?”
“Our junior high team liked them. And whatever, we’re wasting time.” He started the small speech. Looking back, Kuroo had absolutely no idea what he was saying, but at the time he saw his team smiling so he assumed it wasn’t anything horrible.
“Did your team really like these?” Yaku asked as they walked onto the field.
“Yes. Is that such a surprise?”
“Just wondering, they are pretty good for morale.”
“Thanks, gotta go now.”
Kuroo stepped forward to shake the other captain’s hand. He knew the guy before, they’ve met in different matches and tournaments, and so far Nekoma has lost against them almost every time.
And like every time they met, Kuroo couldn’t help feeling impressed for a moment. At Bokuto’s big golden eyes that scouted the field, finding his best route. At his simple strut, that radiated confidence all around, and his calm smile, at the knowledge so many people at the stadium came to see him and his team play. At the way his body was built (Kenma said he ogles, to which Kuroo immediately disagreed every time). Arms, back, thighs and calves, of course (he was the team forward after all). All around, Bokuto was like a chiseled greek statue.
Fine, maybe Kuroo was ogling a bit. But who would blame him?
His thoughts about their past encounters came to a halt when Bokuto stretches his arm out with a smile. Kuroo shook it with a similar superficial grin.
“Do your best,” he said, voice dripping with fake worry.
“We will.”
“Good. Wouldn’t want to lose against a half assed team.” Kuroo’s polite smile and helpful tone didn’t shift for a moment.
Bokuto shook his head as he walked away, and Kuroo could hear him mumble. “Those damn cats…” And throwing other insults at Kuroo’s team. Quickly the referee whistled, and the game began.
Ninety minutes later, they were all dripping with sweat and short breathed. The game ended with a tie, two goals for each team. Everyone considered it their win, and when Kuroo found out he and Bokuto were headed the same way. They spent most of the walk trading insults.
“I mean, what kind of mascot is even a cat? They’re lazy animals. No wonder your team sucks so bad.”
“Never seen an outdoor cat hunting?”
“Can’t say I have.”
“They’re fearless predators! What kind of mascot is an owl, if we’re already there? Sure, they’re birds of prey, but they look ridiculous so much of the time.”
“This isn’t about the mascot. Our team should’ve won.”
“What makes you think that? We had a tie.”
“We got to two goals faster.”
“That’s not how the game works. By that logic we should’ve won, because we caught up to you.”
“Can you and your ridiculous hair just shut up? Because we should’ve won for sure.”
“Ridiculous hair? Like you get to say that. You look like you stuck two soft serve ice creams on your head and called it a day.”
“What the hell kind of soft serve are you eating??”
“No comeback?”
“I wanna go back to the part where your soft serve looks like hair.”
Kuroo groaned. “Whatever.” He was thankful that on the next turn they each went a different way.
“I swear to god Kenma.” Kuroo burst into his best friend’s room, not bothering to knock. He found Kenma playing Call of Duty on the floor of his room with a bag of chips next to him. “Who the hell does this guy think he is?!”
“Is this about Bokuto again?”
“Obviously. D’you mind if I complain about him for a while?”
“Play Mario Kart with me and I’ll let you complain all you want.”
“Deal.”
Kuroo hooked the second controller up quickly, sitting next to Kenma and grabbing a few chips.
“So what’d he do?”
“Apparently, his house is in the same direction as the library. Meaning I had to suffer his presence half the way there.”
“And?”
“He’s so cocky! He keeps acting like his team is so much better than ours,” Kuroo complained.
“His team is better than ours.”
“Well maybe, but we did almost beat them. But his head is so far up his own he didn’t even realise it, apparently!”
“I think he’s just convinced he really is the best.” Kenma shrugged.
“That’s so annoying!”
“I guess. His friend’s cute.”
“Huh?”
“The guy he was talking to before the game, with black hair.”
“I mean, I guess I see it. You said you’ll let me complain though.”
“I said I’ll let you complain if you play Mario Kart with me. You’re not even touching your controller.”
“Fine, fine.” Kuroo picked the controller up, beginning to play.
“Did you ever consider the fact you and Bokuto could be friends?” Kenma's gaze didn’t move from the screen for a second.
“What are you talking about?”
“You heard me. You seem like you’ll get along.”
“We don’t get along at all!”
“I feel like you could. You’re both weirdly passionate about things. Who knows?” Kenma shrugged. “In theory, you’d get along.”
“Since when are you an expert on this guy’s personality?” Kuroo gave Kenma some side-eyes, knowing in his heart that Kenma’s theory was just not going to happen.
“Just sharing my thoughts. You didn’t think you and Sawamura would be friends either.”
“It’s different with Sawamura.”
“How? Because you weren’t upset about being attracted to him?”
“I’m not attracted to Bokuto!”
“Your staring wasn’t subtle at all Kuro.”
“I wasn’t staring, I was assessing the competition.”
“By drooling over his calves?”
Kuroo stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking again in a small voice. “He has nice calves.”
“I knew it.”
“I still hate him!”
“You don’t know him yet. You never see each other outside of matches, you’ve never even had a real conversation.”
“But from what I’ve seen, I do hate him.”
“Suit yourself, but I think you two could be friends.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“You don’t have to. Also, I win.” Kenma threw a blue shell at Kuroo, going past him and winning the game.
“Dammit.”
Kuroo was sitting by his desk, doing homework he completely forgot about until a friend texted him to copy it. They were due the next morning, and he’ll be damned if he won’t submit it, as the teacher already hated him. He was suddenly distracted by his phone buzzing.
Daichi: Hey
Kuroo: Hi
Daichi: Sorry for texting this late
Kuroo: It’s cool, just doing some last minute work
Daichi: Cool
Daichi: By the way, how did your game today go?
Kuroo: Ended in a tie, and me having to walk twenty minutes with their annoying team captain
Daichi: Is he that bad? Who did you play anyways?
Kuroo: Yes he’s that bad, we played Fukurodani
Daichi: We got to play them once, they’re a great team. You and Bokuto don’t get along?
Kuroo: I have to admit you’re right, but we almost won. We don’t get along at all
Daichi: Weird. You’d be good friends
Kuroo: Why does everyone keep saying that?
Daichi: Your personalities are just compatible. Who else said that?
Kuroo: They’re not. Kenma said that, and he also said I’m attracted to Bokuto
Daichi: And are you?
Daichi: Kuroo?
Kuroo: A little
Daichi: Same honestly
Kuroo: Oh thank goodness
Daichi: What?
Kuroo: It would’ve been weird if I was the only one
Daichi: You’re not alone
Kuroo: I still hate him though
Daichi: Why?
Kuroo: He’s just so cocky and thinks he’s better than everyone
Kuroo: Actually can we do this on call I really need to finish my homework
Daichi: Yeah sure
Kuroo quickly answered Daichi’s call.
“So you hate the fact he’s cocky?”
“That and other stuff.”
“Like?”
“His mood swings on the field are absolutely ridiculous! And his team just doesn’t care, they’re enabling this stupid behaviour.”
“Now you’re the one who sounds ridiculous.”
“How?”
“Maybe their strategy is a bit weird, but it’s definitely working. They’ve been to nationals the past two years. The rest of the team gets their time to shine as well.”
“True but it still pisses me off. Him and his smug smile and strut,” Kuroo began complaining, until Daich cut him off.
“I think you’re describing how he looks now.”
“Am I? Well I hate that too.”
“I think you’re just mad that you’re attracted to him.”
“I’m not!”
“You said you are!”
“I don’t wanna talk about it.”
“I gotta go anyway, don’t stay up too late.”
“I’ll try. Bye.”
“Bye.”
After a few arguments about what they should do for team bonding (which their coach insisted on), Kuroo and his team decided to go together to a local fair that they didn’t know was happening. Kenma surprised them all with the suggestion, and they found themselves having more fun than expected.
“This was a great idea,” Kuroo said.
“It was,” Yaku agreed with him. “But I do regret going on that roller-coaster after eating…”
“Wait, I have something for nausea.”
“How?”
“Kuro won’t ever admit it, but he likes taking care of people.”
“No I don’t.” Kuroo handed Yaku a small bottle of pills.
“Thanks.”
“No problems, I also have something for headaches.”
“I’m inclined to believe Kenma right now.”
“He’s talking out of his ass.”
“Sure he is.”
Kuroo suddenly spotted two people in the crowd and groaned.
“What’s wrong?”
“People from Fukurodani.”
“So?”
“Bokuto’s walking in our direction.”
Yaku started laughing. “Let’s see what he wants.” Over the past few months, Bokuto and Yaku had developed their own playful little rivalry, and grew to consider each other friends in a way. Bokuto walked right past the two of them, stopping in front of Kenma who looked up at him, dumbfounded.
“My friend wanted me to ask you if you’re single.”
The entire team’s look shifted back to where Bokuto walked from, seeing a black haired guy sitting there, looking through his phone. Kenma stayed quiet for a few seconds before responding.
“Well, you can tell your friend we’re not kids anymore and he can ask me himself.”
The rest of the team were all looking between each other, with raised eyebrows and wide eyes. Even Kuroo, who knew Kenma better than anyone, couldn’t explain the interaction they had just seen. After Bokuto ran back to his friend, Kenma looked over at Kuroo and rolled his eyes.
“Don’t give me that look.”
“I cannot believe you right now. Wait, does that mean I need to spend the rest of the afternoon with Bokuto and his friend?”
“Well, you’re my ride so yes.”
“Shit.”
“You’ll suck it up for my sake?” Kenma smiled slightly.
“Fine, but only because you asked and I’m still shocked at this whole thing.”
“I better get going, speaking of which,” Yaku said. “Fukunaga, you coming?”
“Yeah.” The two waved the rest of the team goodbye and walked together towards the train station, as they lived near each other. Over the next few minutes, the rest of the team left.
“Fuck,” Kuroo mumbled as Bokuto and his friend walked towards them again, and Kenma laughed quietly.
Bokuto’s friend stepped forward, talking directly to Kenma.
“My name’s Akaashi Keiji, nice to meet you.”
“Kozume Kenma. But you can call me Kenma. Nice to meet you too.” They smiled at each other, and silently started walking somewhere.
“So about that question…”
Kuroo and Bokuto just stood there, staring at the two, before looking at each other.
“Should we follow them?” Bokuto asked.
“Well, I’m his ride home.”
“Oh shit me too.”
Kuroo stifled a chuckle, beginning to walk after Kenma and Akaashi from a slight distance.
“Shut up,” Bokuto grumbled, walking with him.
For a while, they continued walking in silence, while Kuroo marvelled at what was happening in front of them.
“This is incredible…”
“Why?”
“Kenma’s happily talking to someone, out of his own will.”
“Does he not do that a lot?”
Kuroo started laughing. “Not at all. He’s a very shy person.”
“So’s Akaashi. It’s pretty cool though.”
“I guess. It took me a while to convince him to join the team.”
“He doesn’t seem the sporty type.”
“He’s a gamer.”
Bokuto laughed. “And you convinced him somehow?”
“Yep.”
Suddenly Bokuto stopped in place.
“What?”
“Look.” He pointed somewhere. “That pony ride looks fun.”
“It does, but only kids are there.”
“Still.”
Kuroo smiled. “I bet three hundred yen that you won’t go there and ask if you can get on.”
“Oh it’s on.” Bokuto shook Kuroo’s hand quickly, marching towards the ride. Kuroo watched him from afar, laughing at the little argument Bokuto had with the conductor, which ended with one simple phrase.
“Sir, the pony rides are for children only.”
Bokuto turned around and walked back to Kuroo, who was losing it, laughing so hard that he had to hold his stomach and had tears in his eyes.
“I can’t believe you did that.”
“Yeah yeah. My money?”
Kuroo handed him a few bills. “Here. Worth it for the show I got.”
“Yeah yeah. You’re not that bad, you know.”
“You are.”
“OKAY WOW.”
Kuroo shrugged. “I don’t owe you compliments, you have enough fans anyways.”
“Yeah but it’s not so hard to just be nice.”
They started arguing over each other, eventually stopping when Kuroo got a call from Kenma.
“I’ll see you around, I guess.”
“Yeah.”
Kuroo walked away, waving goodbye at Bokuto.
“So how’s this Akaashi dude?” He asked once he and Kenma were in the car.
“He’s really nice. We’re going out next week.”
“I still can’t believe this.” Kuroo shook his head.
“Why?”
“You’re socialising, out of your own free will.”
“So?”
“You never do that.”
“Character development.” Kenma shrugged.
“What?”
“I don’t know, I’m really tired.”
“Honestly I’m happy for you.”
“Really?”
“You seem to get along with him, it’s a great thing.”
“Yeah, I guess. How was hanging out with Bokuto.”
Kuroo hesitated. “It wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
“Good, because you’ll see him more.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, I might just end up dating his best friend.”
“Fuck. I take it back, I’m not happy for you.”
Kenma laughed. “We’ll see about that.”
“What do you mean?”
“You had fun with him today?”
“I guess.”
“Then who’s to say you won’t be friends eventually?”
“Me!”
“Okay, okay.”
“You don’t believe me.”
“No.”
“Then I guess we will see. See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah, thanks for the ride.” Kenma got out of the car and crossed the road for his house.
To Kuroo’s dismay, Kenma was right about at least one thing. He did end up seeing Bokuto a lot, a lot more than he ever wanted. Kenma and Akaashi grew closer, beginning to date rather quickly after they met.
One Saturday afternoon, when Kuroo was bored, he decided to text Kenma.
Kuroo: Hey
Kenma: hey. what’s up?
Kuroo: Oh I’m just bored. Wanna hang out?
Kenma: sorry, keiji’s coming over soon
Kuroo: You never pay attention to me anymore
Kenma: pfft. i can ask if it’s okay if you come?
Kuroo: I don’t wanna third wheel you though
Kenma: dw about it. be at mine in like twenty minutes?
Kuroo: Sure
Kenma: great, bye
Kuroo: Bye
Twenty five minutes later, sitting on the floor of Kenma’s room, Kuroo found out what his plan was.
“Oh come on.”
“I said I’d find a solution. You can always go home if you want.”
“Kuroo-san, I do ask that you’ll be nice towards my friend.”
“Alright, only because I like you and you’re Kenma’s boyfriend.”
“Thank you.” Akaashi and Bokuto sat down. “Only I’m allowed to bully Bokuto-san.”
“HEY!”
Kuroo started laughing. “So what are we doing?”
“I was thinking we could play video games. Me and Keiji versus you and Bokuto.”
“No.”
“You’re just scared you’re gonna lose again.”
“Fuck it let’s play.”
The two pairs disbanded for a moment to create their strategies before they began to play. To everyone’s surprise, Bokuto and Kuroo worked together a lot better than expected, managing to truly form into a little team. Maybe it was because of their natural competitiveness against their friends, and maybe it was something else. Nonetheless, they found themselves enjoying the little tournaments, and weren’t that far behind when it came to the scores.
“Man, that was fun,” Bokuto said. “Is anyone hungry?”
“I could go for something.” Akaashi shrugged.
“Should I go get us Mcdonalds?” Kuroo asked.
“This is why you’re my best friend,” Kenma deadpanned.
“Thanks? I’m gonna take that as a yes. Akaashi, what do you want?”
“Oh, I’ll just come with you. I know what he likes, and two people are better than one,” Bokuto said.
“Uh, okay. Let’s go, we can take my dad’s car.”
“Sounds good.” They both got up and left.
“Where’s the car?”
“Parked at our driveway.” Kuroo started crossing the road.
“You live here?”
“Mhm, I moved when I was about seven from Osaka.”
“Why did you move?”
“Oh, my parents got divorced.” Kuroo opened the door to the house and shouted: “DAD, CAN I TAKE THE CAR FOR A LITTLE?”
“THE KEYS ARE IN THE KITCHEN!”
“THANKS!”
Kuroo walked to the kitchen and grabbed the keys. “He works from home, so it’s usually not a problem since I have a driver’s permit.”
“Cool. I’ve been teaching Akaashi to drive, since I’m good at it.”
“Is he?”
“Not at all. No one should ever let him go behind the wheel.”
Kuroo laughed. “Kenma said he doesn’t wanna learn yet. But Akaashi seems like he’d be a good driver.”
“I know! I was surprised too. He keeps driving onto curbs.”
“Wow.” They went to the car, and Kuroo drove to Mcdonalds.
After a while, they came back with food for everyone. They found Akaashi and Kenma in the midst of a Mario Kart game, and Kenma complained at his loss.
“He’s unbeatable. I swear! You guys took long.”
“Traffic was so annoying,” Kuroo complained.
“Had fun?”
“Sure, tons.” Kuroo gave Kenma his meal. “Bon appetit.”
“Fancy.”
“For a kid’s meal, sure.”
They all ate together, chatting lightly about different subjects (though they mainly stayed around the topic of soccer). Every now and then, Kenma and Akaashi exchanged looks that Kuroo couldn’t figure out for the life of him. Fifteen minutes later, after all their food was finished, Kuroo suddenly checked the time.
“Shit, I gotta head to the library.”
“Oh, I’ll come with you. It’s on my way,” Bokuto said.
“Okay, sure.” Kuroo quickly gathered his stuff and got up. “See you tomorrow Kenma.”
“See you, have fun.”
“Thanks.” Kuroo and Bokuto left together, walking at a fast pace.
“Why do you go to the library so much?”
“I tutor people there usually, it’s a great way to make a bit more cash since I don’t have enough free time for an afternoon job with soccer and school.”
“Ohh, makes sense. So you’re like super smart?”
“I don’t know about super smart but I’m doing very well in school, yeah.” Kuroo nodded.
“That’s pretty cool.”
“I guess.”
“It is! People are literally paying you for your smarts, that’s awesome.” Bokuto grinned widely.
“I never looked at it like that.”
“Maybe you should. Give yourself some credit.”
Kuroo slowly started smiling, chuckling slightly. “Yeah, maybe I will.”
“Oh, I need to turn here. I’ll see you around?”
“Actually, can I have your number?”
Bokuto paused, staring at Kuroo dumbfounded.
“I was wrong about you. You seem like a cool guy, we should hang out sometimes.”
“Okay!” Bokuto quickly added his number to Kuroo’s phone. “It takes being a big man to admit you were wrong sometimes. I respect that.”
“We should do this again. I’ll text you later?”
“Sounds good. See ya!”
“See you!” Kuroo and Bokuto each turned, going their separate ways.
The rest of his way to the library, Kuroo couldn’t understand why he was feeling so fidgety, and why it seemed like his stomach was acting up, but after a few minutes it didn’t matter, as he had work to do.
Kuroo and Bokuto were sitting together in the latter’s room, doing homework together. They met up after their respective practices ended (Kuroo was told by Akaashi it was rare that Bokuto left without staying for extra hours, he didn’t know what to think about the fact Bokuto didn’t hesitate to leave with him).
It had been two months since they finally started being friends, and Kuroo couldn’t help but think it was so much nicer being Bokuto’s friend rather than hating him. Bokuto was a wonderful friend.
It was everything.
The way he laughed at Kuroo’s stupid jokes, and then told one even more stupid, to the point Kuroo didn’t feel self conscious about his strange sense of humour.
The late night phone calls, that came at the most random hours, and before Kuroo could even say hello, Bokuto would begin a long tangent about something strange he saw that day, or any thought that came into his mind. Kuroo was happy to shut up and listen to Bokuto talk for eternity.
The joined practice matches, in which Bokuto would try to do weird things to distract Kuroo (he was ashamed to admit that seeing Bokuto playing, sweating and laughing with his teammates distracted him more than those childish attempts. Kenma had caught him staring way too many times).
The way Bokuto absolutely loved to cook, but only for others, and was always happy to share anything. He was a wonderful cook, and Kuroo always enjoyed his meals (it was just another incentive to go to Bokuto’s house, really). The way he smiled, the way he said Kuroo’s name, the way he did every action with simple joy, the way somehow even his hair reacted to his bad moods, the eyes he gave Kuroo sometimes…
And before he even knew it he was falling, hard and fast. By the time he realised it was far too late. Now he was so deeply screwed.
“Do you ever think about the future?” Bokuto suddenly asked.
Kuroo chuckled. “All the time. Why?”
“Just wondering. What do you imagine?”
“Well, I think I want a job related to soccer. I wanna have a nice apartment. Maybe a dog?”
“I love dogs!”
“Me too. What about you?”
“I’m gonna go pro. Straight after high school.”
Kuroo didn’t remember the last time he heard Bokuto this serious about something.
“That’s quite the plan. Got any idea how you’re gonna do it?”
“Try out to a bunch of teams? Also, nationals this year is probably gonna be filled with scouts, considering it’s right before graduation.”
“You seem pretty confident about going to nationals. Prelims just started.”
“My team’s great, I’m sure we’ll make it.”
My team’s great , he said. Not I’m great or anything like that. Kuroo didn’t know if Bokuto was extremely humble or extremely stupid for not taking any personal credit. Maybe it was a combination of the two.
“Mine’s pretty good too.”
“For sure! I better see you there.”
“Sawamura said something similar.”
“Sawamura knows what’s up.”
Kuroo laughed. “Sure. We’re all training hard.”
“That’s the best way to succeed.”
“So you really think you’re gonna go pro?”
“I don’t see why not.”
“You gotta be extraordinary to do something like that.”
“I’d say I’m pretty extraordinary. Don’t you think so?”
Maybe his earlier statement was just team spirit.
“I can’t argue with that.”
“So I have a chance.”
“I’ll cross my fingers for you.”
“Thanks!”
“Of course. We should go back to studying, right?”
“Yeah…”
“Don’t worry, just a few more equations and we can do something fun.”
That seemed to cheer Bokuto up, which helped cheer Kuroo up. There’s nothing Bokuto seemed to despise more than studying math, but Kuroo promised to help him with it on weekends, in exchange of scheduling practice matches between Fukorudani and Nekoma, which helped prepare both teams.
Kenma walked into Kuroo’s room, completely unannounced and surprised Kuroo. “Hey.”
“Jesus Kenma, you scared the shit out of me.” Kuroo turned to face him.
“Your dad let me in.”
“Why are you here?”
“Kuro, this is getting sad.” Kenma closed the door behind him, sitting on Kuroo’s bed.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your huge crush on Bokuto.”
“I don’t-”
“Don’t try to lie. I know you, this is how you act when you like someone.”
Kuroo sighed. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Tell him?”
“No way. He’s one of my best friends now. I’m not screwing that up. If you had feelings for a close friend, would you tell them?
“Yes. Otherwise, it’ll blow up and ruin our friendship.”
“Even if it was me?”
“Especially if it was you. It’s best to get it out of the way and try to salvage the friendship.” Kenma shrugged.
“You really think it’s a good idea?”
“I think there’s a better chance that he likes you back than not.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll think of something then…” Kuroo propped an elbow on the table, laying his head on his hand.
“Just do it. Say it.”
“You and I are very different people.”
“Yeah, I have a boyfriend and you don’t.”
“Damn.”
Kenma chuckled. “Sorry.”
“No you’re not.”
“But seriously, tell him.”
“I will, I will.” Kuroo sighed.
“Wanna play Mario Kart?”
“Yeah, let’s go.”
After being disqualified from nationals, Kuroo and his team were left slightly disappointed (they were still happy about being there though, especially after making it to the third day). Kuroo and Kenma still came there the day after, to cheer on their friends.
They were sitting at the stadium now, watching the finals. Kuroo cheered loudly with everyone, and Kenma made quiet comments about the game. But as it went on, they both got more fired up. By the end of the ninety minutes, they were both left with new found respect to the entire team. They went down the stairs quickly, to greet them. Kenma hugged Akaashi tightly.
“You were amazing. Who cares if you won or not? The fact you got this far is great.”
“Thanks…” Akaashi hugged him back. “Still sucks.”
“Just a bit.”
Kuroo just stood there, staring at Bokuto who was wiping his sweat away.
“What?”
“Holy fucking shit.”
“What??”
“You were incredible out there!”
Bokuto smiled shyly. “Thanks.” He hugged Kuroo, who quickly returned it.
“Seriously.”
“I still feel kinda shitty…”
“Bet I can make it a bit better?”
“Let’s see you. I’ll warn you we’re having a team celebration though.”
“Meet me afterwards. We’ll text about it.”
“Sounds good. See you later.”
A little over two hours later, Kuroo and Bokuto met at the front of the former’s school.
“What’s with the shopping bag?” Bokuto asked.
“Just some snacks for later.”
“Cool. What are we doing here?”
“Going inside.”
“But the gate’s closed.”
“So?” Kuroo turned to Bokuto with a grin. “I know a way in, and there’s something I wanna show you.”
“Let’s go then.”
Kuroo started walking, Bokuto following him quickly.
“How was the team celebration? You hungry?”
“It was fun, and yeah.”
“That’s great!” Kuroo stopped suddenly, causing Bokuto to bump into him.
“So where’s the secret entrance?”
“Right here.” Kuroo pushed the fence aside. “After you.”
“Thank you.” Bokuto walked in, and Kuroo followed him.
“What did you want to show me?”
“It’s a bit far from here, come on.” They walked more towards the school itself, stopping behind one of the large building.
“See, there’s a service ladder to the roof.”
“So we can go up?”
“Yep.” Kuroo started climbing the ladder, and looked down at Bokuto. “You coming?”
Bokuto looked up at him, with wide eyes and his mouth slightly gaped open, and started to chuckle. “Yeah.” They quickly scaled the ladder up together, sitting at the edge of the building looking out on the city, legs dangling off the edge.
It was early afternoon at that point, and as usual for January afternoon the sun was beginning to set. They sat on the roof side by side and watched as the shades got longer and the cold winter sky was painted with beautiful pinks and oranges, meshing together perfectly.
“So how are you really feeling after your loss?”
“I’m impressed we got this far.”
“But?”
“I wanted to play longer.”
“That game was the end of your high school soccer career, huh?”
“It would’ve been great to finish off with some ultimate win, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it. But it’s still amazing. I mean, you’re the captain and forward of the second best high school team in the whole country. How cool is that?”
Bokuto slowly started smiling. “Yeah, I guess that’s pretty cool.”
“It’s super cool!”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime. Pocky?” Kuroo got a small box out of his grocery bag.
“Yeah, sure.” Bokuto got one out, and so did Kuroo. When they looked at each other again, they were both pretending to smoke the pocky. They started laughing together, and once the laughter they were both left with the same soft smile, finishing the pocky quickly.
As Kuroo tried to sneak another glance of Bokuto washed with the colours of the sunset, but found him staring back at Kuroo, large golden eyes fixated right on his lips, as he licked away the last crumbs of the pocky.
God, it was impossible to look away. No matter how much Kuroo tried to. Bokuto’s gaze was too intense, pulling him in like a magnet.
And before he knew it, Kuroo was kissing Bokuto, who seemed to be reciprocating it with the same enthusiasm.
At first he didn’t know what to do with himself, Kuroo had to admit his kissing experience was lacking (unless he counts one kiss behind the school with his junior high girlfriend in third year, or that one weird thing with Kenma that neither of them ever talked about). It was easier when Bokuto finally fully reacted, cupping one of Kuroo’s cheeks, pulling him slightly closer. A few seconds later, Kuroo pulled away with wide eyes.
“I’m sorry-”
“You have no idea how long I’ve been wanting to do that.” This time it was Bokuto leading it all from the start, and Kuroo was happy to just go along. By the time Bokuto pulled away they were both slightly panting, and their lips were plump.
“So you’ve been wanting to kiss me?” Kuroo asked with a satisfied grin.
“You’re the one who kissed me!”
“So what does this mean about us?”
“What do you want it to?”
Kuroo hesitated. “I think… I’d like to be your boyfriend.”
“Then will you be my boyfriend?”
Kuroo smiled, blushing deeply. “Yeah.”
“Okay.”
“Guess we’re boyfriends now.”
“Yeah.”
Kuroo reached over and took Bokuto’s hand, while Bokuto leaned his head on Kuroo’s shoulder.
“Thanks for taking me here.”
“Anytime.”
“Can I have another pocky?”
Kuroo laughed. “Yeah, sure. I’ll just give you the box.” Kuroo handed Bokuto the box of pocky.
“Thanks. Wanna come to dinner at mine? My sisters are coming over to celebrate.”
“Sure. It sounds fun.”
“I saw you during the game, you know.”
“Really?”
“In the stadium. I saw you cheering for us and smiling around the second half of the game. It helped me make that last goal.”
“Wow. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“Me too.”
They sat there in silence for a little longer, hand in hand and deep in thoughts. When the sun fully set behind the horizon (it seemed to take longer that particular afternoon) and the captivating warm hues in the sky were starting to get replaced with dark blues and a few stars, they finally decided to get up and leave.
On their way back to Bokuto’s house, Kuroo couldn’t help but notice Bokuto still seemed down about the loss. But he did seem a little happier.
And for now, that was enough.