Work Text:
Day one
Tsukishima had been there for almost fifteen minutes.
He stood in front of the rough, dark wooden door, feeling the cold overpowering wind rushing through his short clothes. Staring at his fingers, already reddened, that gripped the handles of the suitcase in an anguished way, while listening to the laughter that echoed through the long corridor coming from someone else's apartment.
Sighing (again), in that split second, when he took a step back, Kei wondered about the price of the return ticket. “It can't be that expensive”, he thought. However, when he opens the app, ready for purchase, followed by the one from the bank, he notices that he doesn't have enough money to reschedule the return date.
He gives up.
The blonde thinks otherwise he'd better just turn his back, ignore the fact that he's been skipping a week of school just for that and run away to some neighboring neighborhood where he should spend the next six days at a half-assed internet café. However, as he recalls the amount in the account and the fact that he had already notified family and friends of his inevitable fate, he realizes that this was not a viable option. After all, even if he said that, in fact, he was in the apartment, they would ask and worry for nothing when they got a no from one of his three boyfriends.
And it's that thought —and that thought alone— that motivates him to take two steps forward, press the bell, and wait, as he always did, for one of the three to open the door. Drumming his foot on the white floor, soaked by the rain, he awaited the “lucky one” who would have to receive him, dressed.
However, after a long time without any sign that anyone is going to open the door, Tsukishima presses the bell once more. Observing its narrow surroundings in black and white tones, quite morbid, like his own existence. The blonde stared at the number on the door, but it's the right one, so he doesn't understand how long it took. Should he really turn his back and walk away?
It wasn't as if they wanted his presence and he understood that very well.
However, upon hearing the sound of the door being opened, Kei decides to refocus on the real reason why he was there.
Tsukishima wonders if the disinterest was visible on his face, but it wasn't like he could control it. He doesn't want to control either.
The door opened.
Kei is not surprised to notice that the unlucky one was Tetsuro who, confused, looked him up and down. Kuro was always the loser of jokenpo. He also couldn't ignore the fact that he straightened his posture before speaking to him.
“What are you doing here?” he asked curiously as he leaned against the door. With his chin up as he surveyed his briefcase with thieving eyes.
Internally, Kei withers at the words.
Wondering if he should really be there, at the door of the apartment her three boyfriends shared.
However, all his doubts are gone the moment he is suffocated by the hug that Kuro gives him. Naturally forced, intoxicating, he felt so well rehearsed as real.
At that moment Tsukishima allows himself to sink into the (un)welcoming affection. Dropping the bag hard, he squeezes the ex-nekoma captain's waist tightly while ignoring the fact that his circulation is stalling due to the intense grip.
He would never admit that aloud — not least because no one will really listen to him — however, he was, yes, a sucker for that feeling of being wanted by someone.
As if he were the moon of a fifth-rate, fanciful poet.
Maybe it was because of the fear of being forgotten or even because of the overwhelming anxiety he had about the world and abandonment. Kei wasn't exactly sure. After all, as had happened before, it could just be a combination of both emotions.
Tsukishima doesn't want to know, that's the conclusion.
“I took this week off.” He replied carefree, hiding all the feelings and thoughts he had in the week with the speech. Smiling, silly, very futilely while taking advantage of the false pampering; useless. Kei ignored the fact that his mind was slowly deteriorating with the growing situation.
“Looks like someone was missing us.” Kuro's tone of voice is provocative, of course, I couldn't expect less from him. And, mentally, Kei wonders if the other was making fun of him or if that was just one of his innocent pranks.
However, all Tsukishima could focus on, in that fraction of a second when he should answer Tetsurou, was the way he was holding him as if he were something precious.
The way he was, at that moment, looking at himself as if he were fragile. As if he knew. As if he wanted to. As if Kei were loved. As much as he doesn't want to admit it, Tsukishima could do anything to make Kuroo keep staring at him like that.
In the end, he was just as selfish as the other three.
If not more.
And, in an attempt to ignore that thought, Tsukishima throws his arms around the crook of the other's neck, joining his lips to the older's. Kei is eighteen while Tetsurou is twenty. Two crucial years apart, he was probably just a child in the eyes of the other despite also being legally an adult.
Regardless, the blonde doesn't have enough willpower to judge him, far from it, he even agreed with him in a way. He knew it was just a hobby. He learned that during their time together at camp; Kei was just an extra. Addition. Made to spice up the relationship, not fixed, deadly.
Always has been.
The kiss they exchange is long, calm and kind of hungry. The kind that, if anyone had the displeasure to observe, they would likely turn their gaze from such a bad sign.
Two young men in love, they would think as they took two steps back and walked in the opposite direction.
How does he know this?
Well, Tsukishima has already done that.
"Are you going in or not?" Tetsuro asks after they separate, fingering the blond strands of short hair while caressing his boyfriend's waist.
He probably expected a no, as did Kei. However, his brain doesn't pick up these signals when he decides to respond, still deluded by the display of affection.
“What do you think?” Kuroo laughed. “I didn't leave Miyagi all the way here just to say hi, obviously I'm going in.” With his (classic) sarcasm and an ironic smile, Tsukishima steals one more peck from the other as he walks away and faces the suitcase thrown at his feet. "Is the madam just going to look, or is she going to start helping me?" he asked, slightly annoyed at having to ask for help, however, when the other laughs and walks towards the suitcase, Kei knows that Kuro took what he said as a joke.
He always takes everything as a joke.
Regardless, Tsukishima can't blame him for the thought. After all, that was the “normal” between them. Ill-tempered pinpricks were not—for the most part—intended to be rude. Sarcastic—and insulting—comments weren't true.
Just as feelings of anguish and despair were nothing more than nightmares.
Along with sad murmurs, too.
Kei mentally notes the fact that Bokuto and Akaashi didn't go towards the door to greet him, even though it was possible to see them from where he was. Sitting on the sofa, sensing his presence, watching him with owl eyes. In a silent warning that he shouldn't be there. Not in their environment.
“I'm back.” the blonde declares as he puts his left foot inside the cold apartment.
But when he hears the "welcome", the blonde knows the feeling is not true.
He doesn't care.
Tsukishima Kei has never cared.
And, for not caring, that was the reason he was in that situation.
In the end, Kei just wants to finish whatever he had with the other three as peacefully as possible.
And he would do that in the next six days.
Day two
Tsukishima was sleeping on the couch.
Dissatisfied with the fact he didn't have a separate room for himself, nor the availability to sleep with any of his three boyfriends. It was merely only a matter of time before he got frustrated to the point where he couldn't rest.
Pained and unhappy with the current situation, all Kei can do is sigh in frustration. He shouldn't have expected the least from boyfriends, that's what he concludes as he stands up and cracks his back. Opening his arms and stretching them in an attempt to stop the growing tingling sensation in his limbs from the uncomfortable position, all while the blonde tries to ignore the thoughts that arise in his mind as he faces the open balcony.
Admiring the beautiful view from the apartment along with the stars illuminating the cold night, he pondered if he was doing the right thing.
In this case, breaking up.
Well, he came from Miyagi to Tokyo just for that. That was probably already a point in his favor. However, Tsukishima knows deep down that maybe that one isn't quite right. He was being selfish. Another point for himself, he thought, after all, admitting that was an achievement. Because maybe—just maybe—having already decided to break up, for no real reason, and not giving them a chance to have a serious conversation about their future between them was relatively wrong.
After all, like it or not, four heads think better than one.
Turns out the blonde wanted anything but a confrontation. He didn't want clarification, he wanted to leave everything in the past. Nothing more than that. He longed for them to enter into a silent consensus when he opened his mouth to say “it's over”, regardless of what they would like to say.
Tsukishima wanted that utopia.
So he sighs, once again, walking slowly towards the metal grate that protected him from a (very) bad fall. He calmly watched the monotony of the illuminated road, enamored by the lights that flashed on and on, Kei leaned his body in a futile attempt to see beyond.
After all, he may need a vague idea of the time the buses pass by.
"What are you doing there, Kei?" A mixture of scream and murmur escaped from the thin lips, amazed by the alien voice as the blonde become startled by the almost fall for the loss of balance when turning his gaze to the older lover.
“I was just admiring the view, Keiji.” he admits, surprised at the other's nervousness while he lets out a relieved sigh. Or disappointed? Tsukishima doesn't know. He just understands that the other starts walking towards him, which made him wonder, during those seconds of silence, what Akaashi wanted with him.
“Can't you sleep?” he asked after leaning on the dark metal as he faced him. Messy hair, sleepy and half-hearted, Keiji tries to strike up a conversation.
Turns out Kei liked Akaashi.
From his unnerving, slightly seductive intellect to his silly questions about everyday things. The contrast, in his mind, is attractive—and perhaps that is why he so easily lost himself in his charms. When they were both teenagers, it was subtle, after all Akaashi is only a year older than himself. Regardless, the difference in maturity was remarkable.
The blonde assumes it was because the other made crucial decisions too early in life. Leaving professional volleyball for the editorial life was certainly not an easy decision. Not when Bokuto was striving for a life in sport and Kuro was heading in similar directions.
It's possible he's just as tired as Tsukishima is right now.
“No.” He replied. “I think I got too excited to be reunited after so long.”
“So are we, after all, it's been three months.”
In fact, they make five.
Kei mentally corrects, concluding, once again, how little his presence is actually missing in their lives. He tries to comfort himself with the illusion that Keiji has confused time out of tiredness, however the truth is flawed; real.
In the end, he thought, it's likely that their time apart didn't even make much sense to the others.
Because, in the end, the three of them were always together.
“Yes.” Tsukishima doesn't correct himself, he doesn't have the strength to do it and he himself is surprised by the truthfulness he manages to achieve in his tone of voice despite his eyes starting to water.
“Sorry we couldn't get you a decent bed, the rooms are under construction. ” Keiji declared as he stretched out. “Kuroo decided he wants a chalk wall and Bokuto a ceiling with moons and stars.” He laughed. "Pretty childish, isn't it?"
You can share one, can't you? Kei thought.
“It sounds just like them.” He said with a smile. “Did you also want something?”
“Of course, a desk and a bookcase. The papers are piling up, if you know what I mean, and you'll also need to use one when you live here next year, right? I know you won't be able to put down your dinosaur books.”
This was nonsense.
That's what Tsukishima concluded at the end of Akaashi's monologue.
Simply nonsense.
The blonde repeats mentally.
It's silly.
He knows that, so… Why can't he stop shaking?
Fault? Anxiety? Repentance?
The blonde fails to capture the exact feeling that haunts his mind in the small fraction of time before Keiji asks “Kei…” Was he really worried? Or was this just another one of his tricks? "You know you can talk to me if something's bothering you, right?"
It wasn't like Tsukishima was going to talk about what he was feeling and they both understood that. That was nothing more than a courtesy, it was just politeness.
“ I know.” He replied and, despite trying not to show any emotion, his voice came out shaky.
After a few seconds of silence, realizing that nothing else will come out of that encounter, Keiji decided to kiss him good night. Tsukishima liked it. It wasn't like Kuroo's that squeezed and dominated him, it was casual and felt like everyday. Which, if they really lived together, wouldn't just be momentary.
Even so, despite the comfort he felt in the sealing of their lips, as they pulled away and watched each other's smiles — Tsukishima couldn't help but cry.
Akaashi didn't understand.
And Kei didn't say anything.
They just hugged each other while Keiji said that everything would be ok.
Now, as he watched the stars alone, still on the uncomfortable couch, Kei didn't know if that was good or bad.
Day three
Tsukishima was tired.
Truly finished. Defeated. Both physically and mentally as he strummed through Bokuto's bicolor strands because, for having not interacted with him much in the previous days, he thought not letting go of him during today one was the solution.
The blonde thought the attitude was silly, but Koutaro was really all about nonsense, so he just accepted it even though Kei didn't have much to run away from.
It was a quarter past twelve, but they still hadn't had lunch. Kuroo and Akaashi went to buy something to eat at the convenience store across the street — neither of them knew how to cook — leaving Kei and Bokuto alone in the meantime.
That wasn't the first time this happened though, the two don't have enough self-control to be in a market together. First because Bokuto behaved like the useless son of a divorcee and second because Kei was the frustrated divorcee in question.
That just wasn't a good combination.
Anyways, that was really all supermarket talk. Outside the establishment in question they got along well. Of course they were, Tsukishima thought, we're dating.
That's why the blonde didn't find it strange when Koutaro took his hand and placed a kiss on it, snuggling into the warmth of his fingers and the merciful caress Kei gives his cheek.
Tsukishima is a sucker for this.
Bokuto smiled at the action, but didn't really say anything right away. Which makes the blonde think he's done something wrong - since he could only be the problem. After all, Koutaro only got like that, mellow and not very electric, when something that he himself believed to be serious happened.
They stare at each other for a while, it's kind of uncomfortable, so Tsukishima bluntly demands “Spit it out, Kou.” The words come out hurriedly, half desperate, run over
Kei feels like he's just read a thousand-page will.
Still, he's not surprised when the mixed-haired one comments — after all, it's his way — carelessly “Keiji told me you cried yesterday. Did something happen?”
Obviously Akaashi warned you, he thought.
“I was just happy to be here.”
“Really?” Unsure, he added, "Akaashi said you looked kind of sad."
Damn Keiji and his accurate analysis, that's what Tsuki thought at the same time he smiles [half forced] at his boyfriend. It turns out that Koutaro wasn't buying his explanation, so he places another kiss on his hand. Still, despite the comforting sensation, Kei momentarily loathed him.
“I'm fine, Bokuto, really.”
“Is it the sofa? You can sleep with us if you want, you know that! Me, Tetsu and Kaashi can trade for a day.”
“No problem, I like the sofa, it is comfortable.”
“Tsuki, I've slept on this couch, I know it's uncomfortable.”
If you know then why did I have to sleep there? The blonde couldn't help but ponder, mumbling inwardly, before claiming:
"Then it's your problem because I've been sleeping very well in it for two days."
Tsukishima knows he was unnecessarily rude, but it was inevitable. He also understands that Koutaro is just worried, it makes sense. Turns out he just didn't want to go on with it anymore, it was too stressful. He was one step away from simply spluttering: I want to end this fucking relationship you incompetents! While he individually choked each of the boyfriends.
It turns out that the blonde can't do that.
At least not now.
"Kei, are you sure something didn't happen?" Bokuto asked as he settled himself on the couch and came face to face with the taller one.
“Yes, Kou, I have.”
In a [defeated] sigh, Bokuto declares “I love you, Kei. And I don't want to see you upset or sad about something when you can just talk to me, you know? I am here. Not just to kiss you and stuff!”
Blah blah blah.
That half-assed speech no longer touches Kei's heart. Maybe when he was still a freshman in love, he'd fall for that. But now, all that comes out of Koutaro's mouth feels like nothing more than empty, emotionless words that don't match the hypocritical concern in his eyes.
“I know Kou, but it's okay.”
And it really is.
“If you say so, I'll believe it.” Smiling, he declared, "I love you."
Enamored, Kei gives Bokuto a kiss.
Koutaro still loves him.
They are still dating.
“And my I love you?”
Another peck, this time followed by a smile.
This still is the third day.
“Kei?”
But…
"Koutaro, I…"
The door is opened with a bang.
The two are startled by the loud noise that echoed through the apartment for a few seconds before turning around. Kuroo speaks loudly, apologizing for the delay with bags in hand with his left foot dramatically raised as Akaashi laughs at the situation, as loud as Tetsuro's cries for help.
Koutaro eventually gets up to help them, still not really understanding what had just happened, however Kei knows his boyfriend hasn't forgotten what they were talking about when his gaze returns to his.
Tsukishima smiles.
Because that's all he can do at the moment.
He will end that relationship on the seventh day.
That's a fact.
No more days.
Not one day less.
Sighing heavily from the sofa, he decides to say
“I love you.”
Kei is facing Koutaro.
Day four, part one
Tsukishima was extremely stressed.
Not because he was clearly being left out during their date, but because he had agreed to leave the apartment. He knew it wasn't all that important, but the frustrated reality, or rather, experiencing it...
“Tsuki! ” Bokuto called out loudly. “You walk very slowly despite being the tallest of us, you know?”
Perhaps you are walking too fast.
“He's right.” Kuro agreed.“ Is it a lack of energy? Are you eating right in Miyagi?”
Only now do you care about it.
“I was also thinking that.” Akaashi commented. “You even seem a little down today, Kei, is it a lack of vitamin D?”
It's you guys.
"You sound like my parents." The blonde grumbled. “I'm great, okay? Where are we going?”
“Museum!” Bokuto exclaimed excitedly. “We always wanted to go, we were just waiting for the right opportunity!”
“The right person.” Kuro completed, smiling as he pulls Tsukishima by the arm that grumbles (just out of mania) with the deed.
“There's a space just for displaying dinosaur fossils, you know?” Okay, now the blonde is excited and Keiji notices that so he adds “There's also a little room that's like a planetarium and…”
'We've booked it!' claimed Bokuto. "Just the four of us and the planets!"
“Kou! It was a surprise!” Kuro kicked, looking at his boyfriend in a deadly way.
“Sorry, I couldn't help it!”
“Anyway,” Keiji continued, ignoring the other two as he focused on the youngest. “We thought you'd like it, since it's been a while since we've done anything like this…” He tucks his hair behind his ear anxiously, asks “Did you… like it?”
A lot of things are going through Tsukishima's head at that moment.
“I…” So it's understandable that he's speechless.
“Did you not like it?” Akaashi asked. "Oh, Tsukki, sorry if you don't want to do this! We can do something else that you like! We should have discussed this with you…”
“No! Kaashi I just, wow…” Now he's the one who's embarrassed. “I Didn't expect this…? A date thought for me..”
We've never done anything like that.
"Well…" Kuro interjected, then hugged him and gave him a peck (smiling). “Since you came by surprise, we decided to make another one for you!”
“I also want to hug Kei! “And so he does.
“Get out of there, Kou!”
“Boys!”
Tsukishima laughs, out loud.
For the first time since arriving in Tokyo, he truly laughs, enamored with the situation.
The kind of laugh that other people on the street stop to stare at, that surprises their boyfriends and makes them do it again.
Kei feels kind of silly doing this, but it turns out…
Day four, part two
Tsukishima was happy.
Explaining dinosaurs to his boyfriends was fun, as was looking at the mummies and paintings.
Just like lying between them is.
Kei is doubting his feelings.
Not that this date will make him give up on breaking up with the other three, but…
Now there is the seed of doubt growing in his heart.
He knows that just one day isn't enough to change his entire perception of his relationship. That was a treat, maybe the other three had caught on to his plan and were preparing him for the finale... Or maybe they'll finish you off today... It's possible that...!
“Look, Tsuki!” Bokuto nudges him excitedly. “It's you!"
He points to the moon.
Tsukishima smiles.
“Yeah, it's me.”
“Lies!” Kuro retorts.
“Excuse me?”
“Our Tsuki is a trillion times more beautiful than the moon!”
"Definitely…" Akaashi commented.
“Maybe Kei is equivalent to a quadrillion moons?!” claimed Kou.
"Or Tsukishima's beauty can't be compared to the satellite, right?" Keiji smiles, squeezing his hand.
“Keiji the moon is a planet.”
Silence.
Kuro laughs uncontrollably along with Kei who can't believe what he just heard.
“What?! What are you laughing at?!”
"The moon is not a planet! We learned that in elementary school!” Kuro replied amid laughter.
“Maybe he thinks volleyball is also a planet.” Tsukishima added ironically, which even makes Akaashi laugh (albeit quietly).
“Akaashi! Even you?”
“Sorry, Ko.” he said, still chuckling, as he pulled him up and kissed his forehead. “It's just that you, you know, are so cute.”
“He's kindly calling you an idiot.” the blonde intrudes and Kuro this time is even short of breath.
“I'm dying!”
That perhaps is the meaning of happiness.
Akaashi, Koutaro and Kuro may be Kei's happiness.
Or at least that's what he wants to believe when admiring the scene.
It even looked like they had gone back to the time when they were all in high school.
He's truly happy…
Tsushima feels alive, once again!
However, when he holds Keiji's hand, he feels a ring.
Kei doesn't have a ring.
Then everything seems to lose color again when he notices that only he [Tsukishima] doesn't have one.
“Kei! Do you think I'm the dumbest?!” Kuro and Bokuto ask, simultaneously, which wakes the blonde from his daydream.
And, smiling, he replies
“No. It's me.”
Day five
Tsukishima was sleepy.
Leaning his back against the icy marble, Kei smiles at nothing as he sinks deeper into the warm water of the tub.
Fingering excitedly along the marble wall, he makes high faces and mouths enamored with the silence of his existence. It's a pleasant, almost romantic sight.
It's two o'clock in the morning and Kei just got home.
He didn't expect the other three to go drinking until so late, especially Akaashi who was the most responsible of the foursome. And, despite being used to taking care of drunk people because of Akiteru, he wouldn't lie saying it was easy to bring the three drunk guys home.
Regardless, it's a pleasant memory, just like the bath was being too.
He has no desire to leave.
Not that comfort.
Regardless of this not being his home, he felt like he belonged there; in the bathroom.
Maybe in the trash, but that was just a silly thought of his.
In reality Kei has doubts, a lot to be honest.
A part of him doesn't want to break up while another doesn't see for the moment that he's going to say: it's over.
He's confused.
What makes him think, rethink, think and rethink for a long time about it until he puts his head in the water; rising to the surface just a few seconds later.
Tsukishima understands that their lives are more hectic than his, after all they are in Tokyo. Big city, not Miyagi, Kei is in Miyagi.
And he knows that it is difficult to visit him due to the delay, price and availability. Damn, Kuroo wants to work for the Olympic committee, Akaashi is trying to become an editor, and Bokuto only lives for volleyball.
The blonde understands that it's complicated.
But…
Why only he has to understand?
Why don't the other three understand that...
All!
Simply everything!
There is no list, he cannot describe, cannot explain.
Okay, the others are not miracle workers, it's impossible to leave and come back in just one day.
But they have phones! There's a group just for them! Chats! Connections! Gifts by mail!
Anything!
Love.
That's what Tsukishima had been desperately waiting for the last five months.
And now that he's getting the attention...
That he's remembering the sensations...
It's all going back to what it was before...
He feels as if everything is going to collapse under his fingers as it has.
With a sigh, he taps his head [slowly] on the marble in anticipation of a miraculous answer. Yet all he gets is momentary pain and regret.
“Hell…” he grumbled. “What should I do…?”
day six
Tsukishima was nervous.
Even though he wants to lie here saying, no, I'm ready for it! He looks at the clock that says eleven o'clock with concern.
All three are gathered on the couch, watching television. Kei has no idea what's going on, he can only capture the nervousness that spreads through him.
“This is boring!” Kou grumbles, leaning his face on the younger's shoulder. “Can't we see an animation?”
“No, Kou.” Akaashi interrupts him after pausing the movie. “Didn't we decide that who would choose the movie today would be Kei?”
“I know, but…” He faces the other two. “You know I prefer something more lively…
“Today is not about you, Bokuto.” Kei says.
Silence.
He feels no regret, so he continues “I'm sorry if the movie I chose, a movie I like, doesn't suit your childish taste.” He pushes him gently, Kei doesn't want to touch him. “Do you want to see an animation?”
“I…”
“Hey, Tsuki, he didn't mean it that way, you don't have to treat him like that either. You are the one being childish here.” Kuro interrupts.
“Tetsu!” Akaashi tries to intrude, but the blonde is faster.
“Why? Do I have to give up the movie I want to see because Bokuto doesn't know how to use his brain and think?”
“What did you just say?”
“Please Kuro, we all know he's not exactly the smartest here.”
"And what makes you think you are, urchin?"
“Shut up!” Keiji yells, disappointed. “You!” He points to the blonde, then to Tetsuro. “And you! Stop behaving like children! And what is happening to you today, Kei? Apologize to Bokuto.”
“Kashi, no problem, he’s right anyway…”
“Of course not, Kou.” Kuro consoles him, pulling him to himself.
"Tsukishima, then?"
The blonde stares at them in disbelief.
He knows he's wrong, obviously, but...
It looked so (un)real!
Do they still like me?
No.
Shut up!
Seventh day.
It's still the sixth!
“Kei?!” Tetsuro calls him.
“Shut the fuck up, you are so fucking annoying!” and the blonde responds.
Tsukishima feels like he's going to throw up.
No, no, no!
That's not it!
It's eleven-twenty.
It wasn't meant to be.
“What did you say to me?!” Tetsuro yells, enraged, standing up. “Repeat!”
"Tetsu I..." He tries to correct him, but Kei knows he can't resolve it peacefully when Kuro grabs him by the shoulders.
"Don't come to me with ‘Tetsu I!’ Why, you think you're the smartest here because of a fucking movie? That's it?”
“No, I…”
“Still!” He's terrified, why doesn't anyone stop him? “You are not smarter than Koutaro, you hear me?!”
“Yes…”
"Then tell him!" Kuro pushes him towards him who, like Tsukishima, also doesn't understand the situation.
"Tetsu don't..."
"Tell him, Kei, now!"
"I'm sorry, Kou…”
"Alright, I shouldn't have bothered either…”
“No! Right, Kei.”
“What..?”
"You're not smarter than him!”
“Kuro stop it.” Akaashi interven.
“Keiji, he humiliated Kou!”
“Tsukishima is clearly sorry.”
“Why aren't you bothered?!”
“Sorry?”
"Kei just insulted our boyfriend!"
"Tsukishima is also our boyfriend!"
“Well, I don't want to date a person like him!”
This time the silence is unbearable.
So it's understandable that the blonde started crying.
"Tsuki..." Koutaro tries to hug him, however he pushes him away and quickly gets up.
He doesn't look anyone in the face, Kei just gets up, grabs his bags and says:
“I want to break up.”
Kei has enough money to spend the rest of the night at an internet café, as well as enough patience to spend the seventh day at the subway station.
It's okay, he thought.
The end, even though it wasn't planned that way...
It's inevitable.
Day six
Tsukishima was crying.
And it's definitely not because the movie is sad, because they were watching a really funny romantic comedy, he simply cries.
Maybe because he was thinking too much about what could happen today, after all that was the penultimate day, so many things could happen there. And despite the determination to want to end the relationship, the idea of putting an end to two years of a relationship was…
Scary, to say the least.
“Tsuki?! Are you okay?!” Bokuto asks, surprised, which makes Keiji pause the movie and Kuro quickly get off the couch to lean on the floor in front of him.
“I'll get some water.” Akaashi warns before getting up.
"Did something happen, Tsukki?" Kuro asked.
You!
You happened!
"No… I…" Kei tries to formulate a coherent sentence, but all that comes out of his lips are incomprehensible murmurs that mix with tears that fall one by one under his thigh.
It's eleven-thirty at night.
"Calm down, calm down..." Kou says as he pulls him onto his lap without any difficulty. It hurts. “You can cry, I'm here.”
“Yeah, we are here.”
And so he cries.
Tsukishima doesn't want to break up.
He doesn't want to break up with this Koutaro who holds him tenderly, who caresses his face as he wipes away his tears, who hugs him as if he were made of fragile porcelain.
He also doesn't want to end things with this Tetsuro who rests his face on his legs, who stares at him like he's a gem and waits for him to start talking while simply understanding him with his eyes.
He really doesn't want to break up with that Keiji who went to get him ice water, who came back with a straw and held the glass carefully while the blonde drank it still in tears and after all asked if he was better.
Tsukishima doesn't want to be alone.
He doesn't want to lose the loves of his life.
Perhaps…
Maybe he doesn't have to do that…tomorrow.
Maybe never…
When he looks at them there, as he cries, he understands that he is loved.
It's eleven-fifty at night.
"Sorry I..." He sniffed his nose. “I just…”
“Calm down, don't rush.” Bokuto comforts him.
“I love you. “He admits. “I really love you. I love you guys so much it hurts me… I just… I love you guys…” He can't stop crying.
And Kei feels even worse when the other three stare at him fondly.
“We love you too, Tsukki.” They declare, together.
Kei smiles, then starts laughing.
He lifts his arms and then gives them the tightest hug he's ever given in his life.
He keeps crying, he can't stop, yet he feels complete.
Perfect .
That everything was fine.
“I love you.'' he repeated.
Tsukishima loves Kuro's ridiculous jokes, his loud laugh, his dubious humor, all the kisses and cliché phrases that made him combust.
Kei loves the thousand curiosities that Akaashi told him, their stories, their knowledge in general, every night they met during the dawn and the conversations that only made sense to them.
Tsuki loves Bokuto's smile, his humorless jokes and his owl hugs that made him relax in the most stressful moments of the day and gave him the greatest sense of comfort on the face of the earth.
Tsukishima Kei loves each of them individually.
It's eleven fifty-nine.
Day seven
When midnight strikes, Kei is calm.
Or at least that's what he repeats to himself before he speaks, smiling
“I want to break up.”