Work Text:
Tsukishima is going to be the death of you.
“You really wanna do it that way?”
You tense immediately, hoping he’ll leave you alone just once. But to no avail.
“I didn’t think I’ve ever seen a filing system this… creative,” Tsukishima drawls. He’s looming over you, a tall shadow of incessant teasing. Ever since you’ve started working at the museum, he seems to have it out for you. He shows up during your tours, butts in when you get a few hours to yourself to work on your recent thesis and just never leaves you alone.
If he could keep his mouth shut doing so, it would only be half as harrowing, because he’s actually kinda cute - as long as he’s not narrowing his eyes at you like this.
Tsukishima often reminds you of your old principal. That man too had been a pole of judgment, always present at the wrong time. You had hated that man and Tsukishima was beginning to… okay, you weren’t kidding anyone, you could probably never hate Tsukishima. If he isn’t tormenting you, he’s polite and sincere in his work and you can tell by the way he treats the rest of the staff that he can be kind when he wants to.
So why does he treat only you like this?
“Let me do it,” he insists at that moment. “Wouldn’t want you to break a nail from all the hard work.”
Your mouth opens before you even register it. “If you want to work as an Educator instead of a Curator you could have just applied for that position when it was free instead of trying to bully me out of it.”
Tsukishima stiffens. He’s never resembled a pole more than at this moment, all his limbs locked tight to his body as he stares into space. You can’t really tell if his face is turning pale too because your own body is locking up, heat flushing your face as you press a hand to your mouth. You’ve never been this bold before.
“I’m sorry!” You rush out when you can speak again, “I didn’t mean-”
“But you did.” He insists, voice low and… dejected? No, you have to be mistaken.
“I… well… yeah.” You stutter. “I mean… You have it out for me. I don’t know what I did to deserve that treatment, but if you want my job so bad, you should have just applied for it. The position was vacant for months.”
“I don’t want your job,” Tsukishima presses through his teeth. His eyes are looking everywhere but at you. His cheeks are flushed now and you can almost see steam coming from his ears when he adds: “I want you.”
You blink.
You blink again.
Tsukishima pushes himself away from the filing cabinet, his movements stiff and awkward.
“I’m sorry I made you think I was bullying you.” His voice sounds almost unfamiliar.
When he bows you notice how red his neck has gotten.
He really is ashamed.
“You have a weird way of showing that.” Your hands itch to hold onto something. To make sure that this is real.
“I… well…” Tsukishima rubs his neck with one hand, eyes darting across the room. “I’ve been told before that teasing someone instead of clearly communicating could go wrong but I didn’t really believe it. After all, it worked for my… friend.”
“Your friend was probably nicer about it.” You point out, your tongue heavy in your mouth. What are you supposed to do now? Knowing he likes you?
“I… probably.” He swallows thickly, offers you his hand. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
You shake it. The warmth of his skin against yours and the strength of his grip sends a shiver up your back.
He turns, cheeks still pink.
“Well, I’ll… I’ll let you do your work then. I’m sorry I interrupted.”
Tsukishima is almost at the door when you untangle the knot in your tongue, brace against the nervous stutter of your heart.
“You could have just asked me out.”
He swirls around so fast you fear it’s going to give him whiplash. The look on his face is something you want to burn into your brain. It’s the delight of a child mixed with the anxiety of someone who’s been let down before. His eyes narrow immediately like he has to make sure you’re not playing him.
You nod, no longer able to form words.
“So…” He clears his throat. “Are you… free? Tonight?”
You nod again.
A smile lights up his face, boyish and bright. Your heart stops for a second before it hammers at twice its usual speed. Tsukishima is going to be the death of you.
-
Tsukishima is going to be the death of you.
“You really wanna do it that way?”
You nod, typing away. Behind you, the cushions of your shared couch rustle as he maneuvers around. He leans onto you, heavy and warm, face pressed into your neck.
“But I want to cuddle.” Tsukishima drawls.
“And I want to finish this thesis. You told me I would have more than enough time today.”
“And you will. You just have to cuddle first.”
You try to send him a glare, but his face is hidden away in your hair.
“Tsukishima!”
“Kei,” he corrects you immediately.
“Tsukki,” you compromise and he groans.
“If someone would let me focus, I’d be finished in half an hour and then we could cuddle.”
He huffs. “You’re no fun.”
“You’re not either.”
“Fine.” He gets up. His tone is all snappy, but he winks at you to let you know he doesn’t mean it. He still might be infuriating and annoying, but he’s gotten way better at communicating when he’s actually mad and when he’s just playing for cuddles.
“What are you doing?” You ask when he stalks toward the bedroom.
“I’m going to put on my cutest outfit. We’ll see if that convinces you.”
“Take your time!” You call after him as you pick up your typing. “And send a picture to Yamaguchi when you’re done. I’m sure he’ll appreciate seeing you in the Dino-Onesie he bought you.”
He sends you one last glare.
You return to your document, surprised to realize that all you’ve left to do is write the last paragraph. If you keep at it, you’ll be finished before the Onesie is zipped up.
With a confident grin you pick up speed.