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The snow was falling softly and the cold December wind could be felt even through the thick coat Kageyama was wearing. A cloud of white steam left his lips due to the cold, he tried to hide his face in the collar of the coat to protect himself from the cold, and the thought that he must have brought a scarf made him frown. His hand was in one of the pockets of his coat fiddled with the small box he kept there and he felt the nerves tighten in his chest as he thought about the contents of the box. He felt foolish and ashamed of what he was going to do.
As he continued his way to the small playground he wondered if this was the right thing to do. For the past two weeks he had been thinking about it a lot and although it had been complicated and difficult to accept, he was now very sure of what he felt.
He continued walking, letting the sound of his steps on the snow along with the crickets singing be the only thing that broke the silence of the night. Trying to ignore the nervousness that ran through him, he played again with the box that was hidden in his pocket. Finally, her steps stopped at the entrance to the park and her eyes immediately caught the long, bent figure of the one who made her heart beat so hard against her chest.
Tsukishima was there, gently swinging on one of the swings. He was looking at the ground, his mouth and nose hidden in a beige scarf, he was wearing a long black trench coat that almost dragged on the ground because of how low the swing was.
Kageyama's breath caught in Kageyama's throat, his hand tightened a little on the box he was playing with and his heart couldn't help but flutter at the sight in front of him.
Tsukishima seemed to notice their presence, as at one point he looked up and raised his hand in greeting. At that moment Kageyama realized that he had been standing for a long time doing absolutely nothing, other than watching the middle blocker, shame took over him and his cheeks felt warm despite how cold it was. I walk to Tsukishima.
"Hello," he greeted as he was close enough to the blocker.
"You're late, King," Tsukishima greeted with a slight mocking tone that made Kageyama wrinkle his lips.
"You arrived too early," he excused himself, taking a seat on the swing that was next to Tsukishima. He swayed gently letting clouds of steam escape from his lips. Silence fell between them and Kageyama did not dare to look at Tsukishima. Concentrating on the ground that was covered in snowflakes, thinking about how he could get the small box out of his pocket without it looking weird.
While the silence wasn't awkward – the silence had long since stopped being awkward between them – there was a small, palpable tension hanging in the air. However, the silence did not last much longer, Tsukishima let out a sigh, beginning to break the silence.
"So, what made you want to see a poor commoner like me on such an important night like this, King?" Tsukishima began, with his usual sarcastic tone of voice, looking with a slight smile at the setter, who was still rocking very slowly without seeing the blonde.
Kageyama didn't answer right away, so Tsukishima took the opportunity to look closely at the shorter one. Kageyama's cheeks were red - from the cold, Tsukishima reasoned -, his eyes shone even beneath those locks of dark hair that hid them, and a faint trace of snow covered his dark hair. Tsukishima smiled at the image Kageyama gave. The large white coat he was wearing contrasted so much with the setter's dark hair and rosy cheeks that it made Kageyama's skin look paler than it really was. Also, under the dim light in the park, the setter's skin looked so... soft, and something in Tsukishima wondered if it felt as soft as it looked.
Tsukishima's cheeks heated up at the thought, and he looked away from Kageyama's face and his gaze went to the sky, dark and with stars shining in the distance. He cleared his throat, trying to dissipate the heat from his face.
“Hey, King, did the cat get your tongue? Or maybe I'm not worthy enough for you to answer my question?”
"I was thinking," Kageyama muttered, embarrassed.
“Can you do that?” he joked, raising an eyebrow at the setter.
“God, shut up” Kageyama rolled his eyes, even so, a slight smile tugged at his lips. Kageyama let go of the swing chains and stopped swinging, looking into Tsukishima's eyes before looking away and reaching into one of his pockets. “Actually, I have something to give you.”
With clumsy movements, from his pocket he took out a small green box that had an equally small green bow on it. Tsukishima blinked, confused and amazed. Kageyama held the small box in front of Tsukishima, looking away from the blocker's astonished eyes.
Tsukishima looked at Kageyama, still not believing what was happening. He looked at the box and then looked back at Kageyama and so repeatedly on for a while. He noticed how the setter cheeks were now pinker than before and how he had shrunk in on himself, due to embarrassment.
At another time he would have mocked Kageyama, but this time he only managed to take the box in his hands. He looked at her more closely and something in his chest vibrated, warm and welcoming.
"Kageyama..." he started to say, not sure what to say, but before he tried to say anything else, the setter interrupted him.
“Open it.”
Kageyama seemed nervous and still did not see Tsukishima directly, the color in his cheeks had diminished but the pale pink tone adorning his face was still there. Tsukishima decided to save his comments for later and carefully began to open the box. His heart swelled in his chest and his face heated up at what was inside the little box. Inside was a small, crocheted dinosaur keychain alongside a couple of his favorite strawberry-flavored Korean candies.
Even though the weather was cold, Tsukishima couldn't help but feel warm all over. He picked up the dinosaur for a closer look.
“Did you do it?” he asked, noticing the embroidery with a smile on his face without being able to avoid it. Kageyama just nodded, blush now covering his ears as well. Tsukishima, unable to help himself anymore, laughed.
Kageyama's eyes immediately went to the middle blocker, surprised by the sound that had escaped the taller one. He had heard the blonde's laugh before, but this time it felt different. warmer , almost affectionate.
Kageyama didn't know if it was possible to blush more but he was sure that he was completely red now. The embarrassment coursing through him was overwhelming.
"Don't laugh, you idiot" he mumbled, a pout forming on his lips. He was starting to feel silly.
“I'm sorry. This is very you, King” Tsukishima stopped laughing, but the smile was still there, and although Kageyama felt stupid and was dying of shame, Tsukishima's smile made him feel the same emotion as when he played volleyball.
For his part, Tsukishima kept looking at the small keychain and wondered when this warmth in his chest began to be generated and why it seemed to be Kageyama Tobio who was causing such a sensation. It was true, their relationship had begun to change after the game against Shiratorizawa, their constant fights and disagreements, which were full of biting comments and hurtful mockery, had decreased in intensity until they were almost minimal.
Tsukishima realized that Kageyama was not that selfish, conceited and arrogant King that everyone talked about. The reality was that Kageyama had difficulty communicating with other people, he was someone with few social skills and that made him seem arrogant in the eyes of other people, although the reality was different. The last few months in which they had lived together without having more than one or two disagreements over small things, Tsukishima could tell that Kageyama was kinder than anything that had been said about him before.
Now, Tsukishima could say that he feels a bit bad about the way he initially treated the setter.
Tsukishima finally put the keychain back in the box again. And he looked at Kageyama with all the seriousness he could muster.
“You are bad, King.”
Kageyama's eyes blinked in confusion and widened without understanding what the blocker was referring to.
“You summoned me here, and you brought me a gift. I have nothing to give you. That makes me look like a commoner inconsiderate of his King.”
Kageyama seemed to understand now, but only shrugged his shoulders.
“It's okay. The truth doesn't matter, and besides, it's no big deal”
Kageyama did not appear to be lying, actually seemed not to mind not receiving anything.
Yes, Tsukishima was wrong all along. Kageyama Tobio was no inconsiderate king. Kageyama Tobio was the kindest king there could be.
"Thank you, Kageyama," he whispered softly, fixing his eyes on Kageyama's dark blue ones.
Kageyama did not dare to look away from those golden irises that shone even under the weak light of the nearby streetlights and that looked at him with such affection that Kageyama felt his heart melt.
He had already accepted it - although it had taken time -,he had feelings for Tsukishima Kei. He likes Tsukishima Kei. He likes the way Kei calls him King, he likes the color of Kei's eyes, he likes Kei's long, slender hands, he likes the stupid thick-rimmed glasses he always wears, he likes the short, messy blond curly hair, and even though he hates to admit it, he likes that Kei is taller than he is.
“You're always looking at dinosaur stuffed animals in stores, so I thought you might like it.”
Her cheeks that had managed to feel cold, color again for what seems like the fifth time as she says that. Tsukishima's smile is mixed between amusement and what appears to be affection.
Kageyama expects a mocking comment but instead Tsukishima just asks.
“And how did you get my favorite candy?” Kageyama realizes that Tsukishima is not asking to tease, but is actually curious to know how he got the candy.
“Mmmm, I asked Coach Ukai to get a bag.” He admits, again embarrassed, averting his eyes to one of the nearby games. Soon, he hears the sound of a wrap and a soft humming coming from Tsukishima.
As he turns around he notices that Tsukishima has eaten one of the candies
“You are very sweet, for a King.”
Kageyama doesn't know if his breath has been cut off by what appears to be a compliment from Tsukishima, or by the way the blocker's eyes are looking at him. He can swear there's affection there
“Don't make fun” Kageyama can't, actually, can't mirror a Tsukishima.
“I'm not making fun, seriously, you're very sweet, Kageyama” Tsukishima's voice sounds sincere and sweet. “When I met you, I truly thought that you were an arrogant and selfish King. I misjudged you, you are not that kind of King.”
Kageyama looks carefully at Tsukishima, looking for something, although he doesn't know what he's looking for, but that something is not there. There is only sincerity, and in that sincerity there is an apology floating in it.
“It's okay, I thought the same about you. I thought you were an arrogant idiot.” Kageyama still remembers that day, he probably will never forget it. “In truth, I really disliked you.”
“Umm, I say the same, King.”
They both stared into each other's eyes in silence for a moment, before a light laugh erupted from both of them. As soon as the laughter passes, Kageyama looks away from Tsukishima again. He looks ahead and notices that the snow has stopped falling. He pushes himself slightly with his feet to start swinging. Next to him, Tsukishima does the same. The creaking sound of the swings swinging fills the silence.
The breeze is cool and light, the sound of the night is calm and Kageyama's body feels relaxed.
“Although” after a moment, Kageyama decides to break the silence “, if you are a bit arrogant, Tsukishima”
Tsukishima's swing stops and a cloud of steam shoots from the blocker's lips.
“You were doing so well, King.”
Kageyama lets out a laugh and wants this moment between them to last a little longer. But something tells him that maybe this is the time, he doesn't want to ruin it but, he feels he needs to say it.
“The snow has stopped falling,” Tsukishima murmurs, as if he had just realized it. Kageyama makes a sound of affirmation. Immediately afterwards, Tsukishima takes his cell phone out of his trench coat pocket, noticing the time. A grimace forms on his lips as he notices that perhaps he spent more time there than he thought. With his body numb from sitting for so long, he stands up slowly, Kageyama looking at him curiously from his place on the swing.
He walks a little until he enters in front of Kageyama, and without thinking much, he takes off the scarf he is wearing to wrap it around the setter's neck, until it covers his nose and mouth.
Kageyama wasn't expecting that, the warmth of the scarf warms him quickly and his nose is immediately hit by Tsukishima's scent. The scent of Tsukishima's perfume is all over the scarf and now surrounds him. It is clean, with notes of citrus and slightly vanilla.
“Kei...what...?” his hand goes to his scarf, and his sentence is cut short by himself when he realizes what he's said. He looks Tsukishima in the eyes, waiting for some reaction from the blocker. But what he finds is Tsukishima's equally surprised and blushing face.
One of Tsukishima's hands is still holding the edge of the scarf, so he's crouched considerably close to Kageyama. However, upon noticing the short distance, Tsukishima quickly moves away from the setter, without giving Kageyama time to try to do anything. She brings a hand to her face to try to hide the blush growing on her and awkwardly says.
"I um, your face is very red..." He looks at Kageyama's face, which is even redder than moments ago, however, his eyes shine with something that Tsukishima can't identify, but it makes him feel nervous “the nose and cheeks…” he tries to continue, but the beating of his heart is very difficult to ignore “because of the cold” he finishes uselessly, looking away from Kageyama's.
He refuses to look at Kageyama for the next minute and curses his heart for beating so fast. Why did he have to get that way just to hear his name come out of Kageyama's lips?
"I have to go, King," he finally says, starting to walk away from the swings.
However, he can't make it out of the park before a voice and a hand on his wrist stop him.
“Tsukishima, wait!” Kageyama keeps a tight grip on his wrist and when their gazes meet, feelings overflow from Kageyama's dark blue eyes.
Tsukishima's heart overflows and his breath catches. This is too much for Tsukishima. Kageyama is too much for Tsukishima.
"I..." Kageyama begins
“No!” Tsukishima interrupts, his voice louder than he really intended. Kageyama's eyes widen in surprise at Tsukishima's sudden shout and his grip loosens.
Tsukishima sees something in Kageyama's gaze break and a little bit of him breaks too. He takes advantage of Kageyama loosening his grip to get a good look at the shorter one.
"I'm sorry," Kageyama begins again and Tsukishima doesn't know if he's angry with the setter or with himself.
“Shut up, Kageyama” unintentionally, his tone of voice is too harsh, since Kageyama immediately seals his lips, lowers his gaze and completely lets go of his wrist. “Shit,” he stammers under his breath, takes a breath and forces himself to calm down. “Rey, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant, it's just... Not yet.”
He sighs, exhausted.
Kageyama looks at Tsukishima and notices how disgruntled the blocker looks. It doesn't seem like Tsukishima is rejecting his unspoken confession, but it's not like he's accepting it either. Kageyama can't understand whether or not Tsukishima feels the same as him, but from what Tsukishima said, he understands that the blocker wants time.
Kageyama nods.
“It's okay, you don't have to feel the same, just keep your heart open for me.” Kageyama says with a confidence that surprises Tsukishima, the blush is still visible on his cheeks, but the confidence that his eyes transmit makes Tsukishima's heart swell and feel warm.
With a smile, Tsukishima's hands go to the scarf, adjusting it around Kageyama's neck. His hands brush the setter's cheeks and notice how cold they are. He leaves his hands on Kageyama's cheeks and fixes his eyes on his blue ones. Gold and blue glow in an electrifying flash that runs down the spine of both.
“Wrap up better for next time.” Kei says amused, and before Kageyama can protest, he uses one of his hands to cover the shorter man's eyes and thanks to the advantage of his height, he places his lips on the setter forehead “Merry Christmas, King.”
He breaks away from Kageyama and with one more parting smile sets out to continue on his way, until again he is stopped by a hand on his wrist. He thinks of replying but any sound is sealed from his lips when he feels Kageyama's lips on his cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Kei.”
Tsukishima stands there, heart beating rapidly as he watches Kageyama leave the park.
“My heart has always been open to you, King.”