Chapter Text
Kenma stretched his arms above his head before he walked inside his apartment. He yawned as he dropped his bag by the door and pulled his PSP out of his hoodie pocket on the way to the couch. He flopped down on it as he turned it on and started up his favorite RPG. He needed it after today. It wasn’t a bad day, but it tired him out. He was still getting used to working with people almost every day and he needed some time to himself to relax.
Kenma settled against the couch, organizing his mage’s spells, when he heard his name. He looked up to see Kuroo walking in the living room as he tied an apron around his waist. “Hey Kenma! Long day?”
“Yeah, it wasn’t too bad though. My boss approved of my designs, so all I have to do is finish them. How about you?”
“Not bad. Oh Bokuto broke his own personal record on delivering goods to one of our customers. She was sick today, so Bokuto made sure to get her normal delivery and made it there on time. It was pretty funny watching him ride like crazy too.”
“That’s good. How’s Akaashi-san?”
“He’s good, still adjusting to work in the store, but he’s pretty good. So what do you want for dinner?”
Kenma shrugged. “Anything is fine.”
“Curry?”
“Sure.”
“Coming up.” Kuroo grinned before he walked back into the kitchen. Kenma hummed as he returned to his game. He just moved to an apartment with his best friend from high school. It wasn’t too bad since trying to find a cheap apartment in Tokyo right out of high school was like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. It was cheaper to live with someone and if he lived with Kuroo then he wouldn’t have to go through the whole roommate process. He got a job as a game designer, which worked out well for him, and settled into an easy routine. With the exception of working with people daily everything wasn’t too bad. Nothing stood out, though at the same time nothing really got him excited anymore either.
Well, there were his games to look forward to after all, along with the forum he became a co-mod over. Kenma hummed softly as he paused his game and closed his PSP. He remembered about a thread he started before he went to work about the archer in his RPG. The archer was his favorite minor character. While there wasn’t as much material out on him as there was the warrior character, he didn’t mind. He found some really nice things for them when he looked hard enough. Kenma started the thread for the archer many times before and didn’t get much of a response. He wondered if he got one today.
It was worth a shot to see.
Kenma got up and walked over to his bag to grab his laptop. He carried it back over to the couch and turned it on. He quickly checked his mail, closed a tab he used for art reference, before he opened the forum. He logged in and stopped when he saw the notification that someone answered his thread. He didn’t think it would happen, but there it was staring at him. Kenma didn’t know how long he looked at it before Kuroo walked in with a ladle in his hand.
“Yo, you alright? It’s like you stopped moving there for a bit.”
Kenma blinked out of his daze as he looked up at him. “Hmm? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Remember that thread I started before I left for work?”
“Yeah.”
Kenma pointed at the screen. “Look someone answered.”
“Awesome! I know how you’ve been posting about that guy for some time. Are you going to answer it?”
Kenma shrugged. “What if it’s a troll?”
Kuroo grinned. “Then we tell Bokuto and that troll will never come around again.”
Kenma couldn’t help the small laugh that left his lips. Bokuto didn’t like when anyone tried to crush someone’s excitement. He made quite a name of himself as being the guy to join in on any thread or post about something exciting and joining in on the fun. If he saw that someone tried to damper it, it never ended well. It was the opposite of what Kenma would do. It still made him feel good that he could get help if he asked for it.
Kenma shook his head. “It’s alright. I’ll just answer it.”
“Okay, let me know if it’s a troll.”
“I will.”
Kuroo looked back over his shoulder before he walked back into the kitchen. Kenma took a small breath as he clicked the link. His eyes widened a bit while he read the response.
I love this character so much! He’s so cool once you get all his upgrades and then he can shoot arrows really far! He’s not that strong, but he’s really useful in a fight if you have him with the right people! He’s one of my favorite characters and I am so glad that someone else likes him too! Hey! Hey! What’s your favorite bow for him? Do you play the girl version too? I play both of them I can’t decide. XD
So, what’s your favorite?
Kenma sat back and stared at the screen. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw such excitement that wasn’t hidden bait for someone trying to start an argument in the forum. He read the message again and again as he tried to think of something to write back. Kenma didn’t think he would get a response, now that he had one he didn’t know what to say. He thought it over for a bit before he typed out his response.
My favorite bow for him is the water one you win after finishing the bar maiden’s request. I have a file with the girl version. I have three other bows that are my favorite. I use the water one the most.
…What’s your favorite?
Kenma looked his answer over about three times before he hit the reply button. Part of him wanted to edit and add more to his response, but he held back when Kuroo announced dinner was done. He closed his laptop and shuffled in the kitchen.
“So was it a troll?” Kuroo asked as he placed the plates on the table.
Kenma shook his head. “Whoever posted really liked them. They asked me what my favorite bow was for the archer too.”
“See, I knew it wouldn’t be too bad.”
“Did you tell Bokuto-san?”
“I will after dinner, I mean I didn’t tell him!” Kuroo exclaimed as he took his seat.
Kenma gave a small smile as he started on his food. It was easy for Kuroo to say what was on his mind. During dinner Kenma thought about the response again while Kuroo searched for the snapchat Bokuto sent him. He wondered if that person would reply back. He doubted it though.
After dinner Kuroo left to take his bath while Kenma returned to the living room to get his game. He saw his laptop on the table and decided to see if he got a response. When he returned to the site he nearly dropped his laptop. He got a response and it was as enthusiastic as before.
Really? You know I haven’t gotten that one yet! I really want to get it, but every time I play that quest I end up losing! Do you know how to get through that level? I would really like to know how to get through. I know someone else who plays the game too, but they won’t tell me how to get through that level and I really want that bow. Oh! My favorite is the fire one! I like how helpful it is during the request in the snow kingdom. Are you finished with the game?
Kenma leaned back and thought about his answer again before he responded. He put a few links of a guide sites to help him. He may be playing the game again, but it was on a higher level. He didn’t want to confuse them. Kenma hit reply before he returned to his game. About twenty minutes later his email chime went off to let him know he got another response.
Kenma placed his game down to answer it again. Normally he would have ignored it for another day, but he found that he enjoyed answering them back. They responded back faster than most people and even found pictures of the archer Kenma didn’t have. They went back and forth, until time passed before he knew it. He looked for his favorite fan artist when Kuroo tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hey, it’s your turn for the bathroom. I’ve been out for an hour now did you hear me?”
Kenma shook his head. “Sorry. I’ll go take my bath now.” He turned back to his computer and sent a quick response of “BRB” and closed his laptop. He got up and stretched his arms over his head when he noticed Kuroo’s smirk.
“What?”
“You’ve been talking to them this whole time, huh?”
Kenma looked away with a shrug. “Yeah they’re nice to talk to. It’s rare to find someone who likes the archer too.” He frowned a bit when Kuroo chuckled. “What?”
“Nothing I think you like talking to them. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you stay that long in a video game forum.”
“I am the co-mod.”
“Yeah, but it looks like you’re having fun tonight. You are, aren’t you?” Kuroo smiled. It was amazing how much he looked like the Cheshire cat at that moment. Kenma opened his mouth to deny it when he thought about it and gave him a little smile instead. “Yeah, I am. I’m going to take my bath now.”
Kuroo chuckled. “Alright Kenma.”
Kenma walked to his room to get his pajamas and carried them to the bathroom. Despite trying to reason with himself that this could be a onetime thing it didn’t stop him from thinking back on the conversation with a small smile. He really liked it, it’s been a while since he enjoyed being on a forum for that long.
After his bath Kenma dried his hair as he walked back to his room. He took a seat at his desk and knocked the mouse on his computer to reply to their question about quests when he saw he had a private message. He placed his towel around his neck before he clicked the message.
Hi! I wish I could talk longer with you today, but I have some work to do. XD I don’t think I’ll be able to get back on tonight. Can we talk again tomorrow?
They want to talk again tomorrow? Kenma swallowed from a combination of excitement and fear. He liked that they wanted to talk tomorrow, but he couldn’t remember the last time that happened. What if he messed it up? Or said something that would get him angry and try to get the other members of the board to work against him? He didn’t think he could take that again.
Different thoughts floated through his mind when another private message popped up. He took a breath to calm down before he clicked it.
I’m sorry if I’m messaging you too much I’m just really happy that I found someone else who likes the archer too! I understand if you won’t be on tomorrow too.
They sound as nervous as me. Kenma relaxed as he read it again. It made him feel good that they wanted to talk tomorrow too. His fingers moved before his nerves could stop him.
No, it’s fine. I don’t mind. Let’s talk again tomorrow.
Kenma returned to their thread and started saving some of the pictures he didn’t have, when he noticed he had a message in his inbox again. He clicked on it and laughed softly at the picture of a big smiley face with the message underneath.
YAY! I’m so happy we can talk tomorrow! Thanks for the tips! Talk to you tomorrow!
Kenma quickly messaged him back with a small smiley face. See you tomorrow.
He returned to the thread and finished saving the pictures he didn’t have before he logged out for the night. Well, that was new. Kenma didn’t expect a response, but now he has someone to talk to about the game tomorrow. He had another thing to look forward to instead of going home and getting further in whatever game he had. He didn’t mind having a calm routine, though he couldn’t deny how nice it felt to have that to look forward to.
Kenma shut down his computer before he took the towel back to the bathroom. He walked out and over to the living room to grab his game when he passed by Kuroo’s room.
“Hey Kenma! Did that person respond?”
Kenma nodded. “Yeah, we’re going to talk again tomorrow.”
“Oho ho? Is that so?”
“…I can see you’ve been talking to Bokuto-san tonight.”
Kuroo laughed. “Yeah I have, but that’s pretty good. Your forum will be busy in no time.”
Kenma waved it away. “I hope it stays the same size. It doesn’t need to get bigger and I’m co-mod, remember?”
“It would still be cool.”
“I’m going to finish this level before I go to bed. Do you need anything?”
“Nope, I’m going to look at a movie then call it a night.”
“Alright, night Kuroo.”
“Night Kenma.” Kuroo gave him another smile before he walked back in his room while his fingers worked against the keyboard.
Kenma hummed softly as he grabbed his PSP off the couch and walked back to his room. He settled on his bed and started up his game again. He couldn’t stop the small smile on his face as he picked the file that had the archer in his main party.
For the first time in a while he looked forward to tomorrow.