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It wasn’t always like this, Kei thought to himself. He was now slowly becoming aware of how quickly things changed between him and well, the King.
It was subtle at first, with his incessant teasing and name-calling accompanied by Tobio’s half-assed remarks. Their little kid fights started off as a way to get under each other’s skins. But now, looking back, their banters became a constant none of them could imagine living without. Kei would call Tobio “King” and he’ll get a small smile in response. Kei would pick at Tobio and the King would just chuckle lightly with him. All Kei ever wanted was to get a rise out of Kageyama Tobio, but how is it possible that a stomach filled with butterflies, a heart brimming with hope, and a head full of nothing but the King would be what he’ll get in return?
It’s not like he minded. It wasn’t bad that the last thing he thinks about when he goes to sleep and the first thing he wants to wake up to in the morning was Tobio’s face, particularly his smile. That damned ugly looking, bewitching, heart-racing smile. This made Kei sick. How can he even think like that? He’ll go as far as admitting that he’s friends with the King with reservations, of course. But him liking Tobio? Him? The Tsukishima Kei? The Tsukishima Kei harbouring feelings of blushed cheeks and sweet daydreams for Kageyama Tobio? Kei and his King?
No! Definitely not. He was not in love with the King.
Sure, Tobio and him grew closer in their later years of high school, so much so that Yamaguchi can even say that Kageyama is Tsukki’s new bestfriend. So, what if they hang out almost every day? The milk boxes and meat buns that Kei just happened to have extra that he always gives to Tobio are just merely coincidences. There isn’t some subliminal meaning behind those harmless actions. They’re friends, friends do that to each other. They care and text and play and meet up under the stars to talk about their future and then some. Kei and Tobio are friends, nothing more and nothing less.
Was what Kei thought—was what he always thought from the beginning. But one thing’s for sure though, he never really did like the King.
I mean, who would? Everyone and anyone who knew Tobio was aware of how impossible it is to like the boy. Tobio was hard to like but goddamn it, he was so so easy to love. To say that Kageyama Tobio is endearing would be the understatement of the century. There are just so many things to love about him that you’ll find yourself still awake at the break of dawn just thinking about how can a person of such magnitude exist? Currently, this “habit” has become Kei’s nightly ritual. He would often find himself sinking deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole that is loving Kageyama Tobio.
And before he even knew it, he was already in. Too deep, too fast, too. But no, not yet. The timing has to be right. He can’t love the King just because of these. He had to have something that will finally seal the deal.
Not long after Kei got sucked in with his thoughts, the King snapped his fingers in front of the boy’s face. Tobio placed a small button on top of Kei’s nose; it was already past midnight and they were still hanging around at Kageyama’s house—his roof to be exact, under the cold, silent stars.
“Oi, King. What’s this for?”
“Penny for your thoughts?”
“This is a button, dimwit.”
This earned him a chuckle from the ravenette. God, you’re so beautiful. How are you even real? Kei thought.
“It was all I had, okay?”
Silence befell the two.
“Kei—“
“King—“
They both spoke at the same time.
“Hahahaha, it’s fine, Kei. You go first!”
“Just go ahead, your highness. Don’t go all soft on me now,”
“Psh, why do you always insist on being an asshole?”
“Only when I’m with you,”
“Whatever. Anyway..” Tobio began trailing off.
Kei didn’t want to be that asshole, but if the literal love of your life was only at an arm’s length away from you looking so ethereal and magnificent and just plain beautiful, would you blame him if he’d rather stay in La La land than listen to what he has to say? He was snatched away from his mind when he heard the King mention his name.
“..that’s all. I didn’t mean to lay it all out on you like this. It’s just that—I really am happy that you’re by my side, Kei. Didn’t think you were the type to stick around and yet, here you are. I never had a friend like you, and I’m not really sure if I’d want another one. I’m lucky that I have you. I hope you know that,”
Kei would be lying if he said he wasn’t privy to Tobio’s sudden bursts of late-night candor. It was one of the many things that Kei respected—dare he say envied about the King. Words never came easy to Tobio, that was a fact, but feelings did. The King was a walking, volleyball-loving, bleeding heart. He didn’t have a filter; he was always honest and frank about how and what he felt. If the King liked something, he’ll flat out say that he does; if the King was annoyed, he’ll be more than obliged to inform you of this fact. Always straight to the point, that damned King. If only I could be more like you.
“I know that.” Was all that he could say. Key word, could. Kei was at a loss for words. Not because of what the King said, but it was how he said it. He felt something thump inside his chest, it’s unclear if it’s good or bad but he really felt something. He gazed his eyes on the King, and that did it for him.
Kei’s final blow. Right beside him, he saw Kageyama Tobio, bathed in the bright moonlight. His dark cerulean eyes looked like the sea after a particularly strong, ravaging storm. His skin glowed in such a way that it made Kei squint. It made his head and chest throb and ache and shake and everything else.
Tobio looks so infinite here. This sight before him was unlike any other that this mortal world has to offer. This place is too small for a god such as him. His heart swelled with pride and—love? He just looked at the King fondly. With his hand on his chest, then and there he knew what love finally is; who Tobio finally is to him. I will love you and choose you, for all of my days. I am wholly and helplessly yours, my King.
Tobio finally turned his gaze to the older male. He could swear he saw something shift inside Kei’s eyes. He didn’t ask further. Instead, he offered Kei a smile, a smile that he knew Kei would like, a small he knew that was only for Kei’s eyes.
From that moment on, Kei felt like that everything in his life has led up to this very moment. Him and Tobio, shoulder to shoulder, underneath the glow of the yellow moon and the eyes of a thousand stars.
You’ll always have me, Tobio. I was only ever yours to begin with.