Work Text:
Friday, February 13, 2:30pm — Kuroo Tetsurou's office
"Why did you ask me to come here?"
"Hm?" Tetsurou swivels around on his office chair — one, two times like he can't help himself — before finally focusing hazel eyes on Hajime. "What do you mean?"
"I mean… why am I in your office, Tetsurou?"
"You're saying that like I don't ask you to come almost everyday." Tetsurou's laughter rings out: easily, freely given like always. Part of Hajime wants to scold him sometimes for being so flippant with it, part of Hajime is endeared. Part of Hajime wonders and wishes that there was a way to bottle up sounds, so he can bottle Tetsurou's frankly ugly, disastrous yet somehow attractive laughter away.
"Of course, I invited you here for lunch."
Well-within the realm of expectations and something that does happen almost everyday. Hajime isn't sure what else he'd been thinking when he'd posed his question. It just slipped out before he could stop it.
Is it because the air around the office feels stranger today? Coworkers acting weird, some of them even coming up to Hajime to pass off bags of chocolate. Asking if he's free after work (to which he'd politely declined — he already had plans with Tetsurou to frequent their go-to ramen place for dinner).
Speaking of which…
"Here. I don't know why but some of our coworkers wanted me to pass you these."
He sees Tetsurou turn in the midst of setting up their lunch. Tetsurou takes one look at the various wrappings Hajime sets down on his office desk and he raises a brow.
"Chocolates? Ah… thank you. Though I wish they were from you instead, Hajime."
"What?"
"Pft." Tetsurou's snicker: a softer type of laughter that ramps up the part of Hajime hoping for that sound to be one that Tetsurou isn't as flippant with. The sound that is rarer, more precious than the rabid bark that Tetsurou does usually.
"Never mind. Guess I can be the one to give you chocolates this year, too."
Something in that statement catches Hajime's attention. He's furrowing his brows, ready to think more on it, but Tetsurou gestures him towards the couch and he's momentarily distracted by the fruity scent that breezes past.
"Hey, did you change your cologne or something?"
A knowing gleam enters Tetsurou's gaze. Hajime doesn't understand the hint of delight in his expression, but an unknown tendril living in the deep recesses of his heart does — giving a solid thump that forces him down onto the couch, tad more carelessly than usual.
Tetsurou joins him and that fruity smell again enters Hajime's nose.
"Something like that. I only use this perfume on special occasions."
"Today is a special occasion?"
"Everyday with you is a special occasion." The rapid back and forth is almost too much for Hajime to keep up with. Tetsurou and his glib tongue… He hears a laugh again and Hajime gets clued in that his brows are probably pressed together right now.
Weight sinks the couch further. Next thing he knows, Tetsurou's knee is knocking into his.
It doesn't escape his notice that Tetsurou's eyes move to the other pile of chocolates sitting on the armchair to Hajime's left.
"Uh, sorry. Hope it's okay I leave them there for now. I'll bring them with me after we're done eating here."
"It's fiiine. I was just wondering if those are also from our coworkers."
"Well, yeah — They're acting kind of weird today. Some of those chocolates even have cards, not to mention all the questions about hanging out after work."
"Hm."
"I just told them we already had plans for dinner. That I'm eating with you so I'm not free." Hajime says this as he peers into the bento box opened by Tetsurou on the table, raising his brows at the agedashi tofu he sees there.
Glancing at Tetsurou, his brows jump even further at the expression on Tetsurou's face.
He looks like he's trying very hard not to smile, but is failing quite spectacularly. Even the way he reaches for chopsticks and pretends to start digging into his own bento — Hajime notices the mackerel in there — seems like it could come with a backdrop of flowers if Hajime peers hard enough.
Before he can say anything, Tetsurou gestures for him to eat, and Hajime can't really say no to that. Today has been busy, even without counting the numerous times he was stopped around the office for a brief chat or to get lauded with gifts. The last thing he'd eaten was breakfast before he had left his house, which was a very good few hours ago.
"Your cooking seems to have improved again."
That draws a snicker out of Tetsurou.
"What, how do you know I cooked that? I could have just bought it and dropped it in the bento box, you know."
"No one makes agedashi tofu like this, Tetsurou. You literally constructed a face with the bonito flakes and daikon."
"Oops." Tetsurou's tone is just shy of sing-song as he places another bite of mackerel into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before speaking again. "Can you blame me though? They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"What? … What are you talking about?" Hajime's brows furrow at the amusement written all over Tetsurou's face. Sometimes conversing with Tetsurou really leaves him feeling lost, but the crazier thing is, Hajime feels like he's already gotten used to it.
He's become comfortable with it, even. He can't imagine a day going by where he doesn't talk to Tetsurou at least once, anymore.
There's the nagging feeling of missing something that hits him again, but again — he gets distracted. This time, it's the movement of Tetsurou carefully setting his bento on his lap as he starts rolling up his sleeves, muttering something about forgetting to do so earlier and how he's lucky he hasn't dropped any food on his work shirt yet.
The slight muscle of his forearms leaves Hajime feeling some type of way, for some reason. Annoyed at his own confusion, he stuffs another mouthful of rice and tofu into his mouth.
Thankfully (or not), the rest of lunch goes by without more mind-boggling things happening. Maybe that's because they started to talk about volleyball halfway through. To anyone else it might be somewhat ridiculous, but they're connected by that sport — Tetsurou is a volleyball fanatic and that's something Hajime can respect and appreciate. They probably wouldn't have become friends had either of them not felt passion for volleyball.
As promised, Hajime scoops up the pile of chocolates that belong to him once he stands up to leave. He casts a glance over to Tetsurou while he hovers at the door.
"Text me when you're almost done, I'll come by and we can leave together."
"That's romantic, Hajime." Tetsurou smiles at him, most people would probably see it as provocative, infuriating, smug or somewhere in between those three. But the surprising sweetness of it destabilizes Hajime. He shakes his head.
"Don't know what's with all these comments today, now from you too. Just text me later, I'm going now."
"Can't wait. See you soon, Hajime."
Why does Tetsurou keep saying his name… Hajime turns one last time before he goes, but Tetsurou is already sliding back into his seat, attention seemingly caught by something on his laptop — probably work. His sleeves are still rolled up, hair a little messier after a good half day had already passed him by, lips parted slightly. Daylight streams in and casts an almost ethereal glow over his face.
He looks beautiful.
What?
All the mentions about romance has hit him over the head.
Really. That must be it.
— ✧ —
Friday, February 13, 7:15pm — Along the walkway to Kuroo Tetsurou's office
Hajime stretches out his neck as he makes his way to Tetsurou's office, having received the 'almost done, you can start walking over!' text from Tetsurou about 10 minutes ago. He's been holed up designing more personalised training regimens for the national athletes after lunch, and his muscles are all tensed up. But it isn't entirely bad.
Being holed up meant he'd managed to avoid any other potentially awkward, very strange conversations. Honestly, all he wants now is to have a peaceful dinner and head home. Thinking about the crowd on a Friday night is giving him a mild headache.
Approaching Tetsurou's office, he's just about to raise a hand to push the door open — they've long foregone being polite with each other — when he hears muffled voices streaming through the slight crack.
"… Sorry, I can't go out with you tonight, Mari-chan."
"But why not? Kuroo-kun, you're free, aren't you?"
"Ah, I'm not. I really am sorry, but I'm meeting someone tonight…"
"Tonight?" A pause. Should I come back later? Hajime's not in the habit of eavesdropping, even if Tetsurou's tone is alarmingly somber. He's talking softly, gently even, but the undercurrent is serious, and truly apologetic.
The hallway is narrow and there really isn't any place Hajime can stand where he won't be able to hear this, probably. Walking all the way to the other end is counterproductive… but maybe that's his only choice.
"Kuroo-kun, I thought you… Please pardon my directness, but… I thought you were single?"
"I am!"
"So when you say you're meeting someone tonight… I mean, tomorrow is Valentine's, so I just wanted to check—"
Another stilted, awkward lull, and then: "I'm single currently, but I have someone I like, Mari-chan. I'll be thinking of them this Valentine's. I'm really sorry."
Hajime stills, feeling struck.
Valentine's Day. Tomorrow is Valentine's?
All the chocolates and the behaviour of their coworkers make sense, then. That clicks somewhere all the way in the back of his brain, but the forefront of it — lagging somewhere between "I have someone I like" and "I'll be thinking of them this Valentine's".
Tetsurou likes someone like that? How come Hajime has never known about that?
He almost winces when he hears the voice of their coworker again, bordering on despondent, "Oh… I see… No, I'm sorry for being so forward, Kuroo-kun… I wish you all the luck with that lucky someone."
Before Hajime can move, there's shuffling and then the door is being pulled all the way open. His wide eyes meet two sets of surprised ones. Internally, he curses.
"Iwaizumi-san?" Now she just sounds embarrassed, which Hajime feels downright awful over. He opens his mouth to apologise, but she just shakes her head, eyes softening and giving him a small wave before starting down the hallway.
He doesn't even get to say anything.
Stunned, he stands — until remaining hazels appear in his line of sight again.
"Sorry about that… Are you just going to stand there or are you coming in?"
Tetsurou has a small smile on his face, but Hajime sees the hint of guilt and lingering apology in his eyes. Shadows dance across his features and it doesn't seem right.
Between now and the warm daylight that had brightened Tetsurou like a blooming flower, it's only too obvious which fits him more. Hajime wants to kick himself for having such poetic thoughts. He's never been the type to think or even be good at this kind of stuff, especially not towards a friend.
A friend?
And yet, 'I have someone I like' — Who?
Who is it you like, Tetsurou?
"Sorry, I didn't mean to overhear your conversation with Mari-san…"
Instead of posing the question pushing at every corner of his mind, Hajime apologises. That at least gets Tetsurou to look at him from where he'd been gathering his things. His smile turns slightly wry — also not a good look on him.
"You heard everything?"
"Yeah." This is it. This is a chance, time as any to ask. Just ask. "You like someone?"
There.
Emotions flit across Tetsurou's expression in quick succession, faster than Hajime can keep up with. That smile transforms into something more genuine, carrying a hint of amusement, something that looks like exasperation (… why?) and… affection? Huh?
"Mmhm…" It's an answer, but also a non-answer and Hajime furrows his brows. He watches Tetsurou stalk around his desk, pulling open a drawer. Sounds of shuffling are followed by the sight of a prettily wrapped box of chocolate coming out into the open.
Tetsurou walks to him; unceremoniously, he deposits the box into Hajime's empty hands.
"Huh?" Hajime voices out stupidly.
The curve of Tetsurou's lips… now it's openly affectionate as he simply laughs.
"You know, at this point I'm just waiting to see how long it'll take you, Hajime."
Eyes travel from a grinning face to the box within his hold. Then again. And again.
'Tomorrow is Valentine's';
'I have someone I like';
'Guess I can be the one to give you chocolates this year, too'.
Oh.
Oh.
"Tetsurou."
"Is this it? Did you just finally figure it out?" Despite the immediate laugh, Hajime picks up on the sudden nervousness tainting that voice. The tendril deep inside him that had always already known tugs — and so does he, shifting the box of chocolate to a single hand so he can use the other to draw Tetsurou closer.
Tetsurou's breath stutters to a stop. Hajime's heart gives another solid thump.
"Are these chocolates from you? To me?"
Tetsurou swallows.
"And if I say yes?" There's something about the way a usually confident voice drops to a whisper that makes something wildly protective rise in Hajime's chest. Or maybe it's because it's him. Hajime exhales, but before he can respond, Tetsurou seems to think better of his words and quietly amends, "… Yes, it is, Hajime…"
Oh, again.
"You… like me."
And that realisation — that fact — finally slips into something said. Something that can't be taken back.
Tetsurou tenses. Credit has to be given to him because he doesn't scramble away even though he looks skittish like the animal he's always being compared to. "Yes," he says surely. Quivering, but sure. Apprehensive, but confident. Fearful, but doubtless.
He's such a paradox yet Hajime caves. His heart has always been right there with Tetsurou, if the sudden happiness that washes over him is anything to go by. The rest of him should be condemned forever for not getting it until now — that can come later. There's nothing more important than Tetsurou at this moment.
"So does this mean that tonight is a date?" He clears his throat, awkwardly. I like you too, he wants to say. The little gremlins called cells in his brain firing off synapses like crazy, berating him for the stupid shit he's saying. I like you. I like you too.
Come on. It's not that hard to say.
Tetsurou, bless his soul, appears puzzled only for a single breath before his big, big brain starts piecing it all together. Hajime can see everything as it happens: the fear breaking into confusion, then amusement, then tentatively touching realisation — before it finally settles on barely restrained hope.
"Date? Did you just say date?" Hajime can't remember the last time he's heard Tetsurou speak so softly. Or is it because they're just standing that close? He can see little specks of honey dancing around in Tetsurou's hazel eyes. It's fitting for him, and that's how Hajime knows for sure that he's really gone.
"Yes, I did." The words turn the honey even sweeter, overflowing in Tetsurou's gaze. Hajime should probably feel sickened because he's never enjoyed sweets, but this…
Long fingers carefully touching his cheek has him sighing more words out. "Because tomorrow is Valentine's, maybe we should make tonight a pre-date, instead. We can have an actual date, on the actual day — tomorrow."
"Hajime."
He could move mountains for the way that voice says his name. Tetsurou, what have you done to me?, he wants to ask. Tetsurou is smiling so wide it's about to cross the territory straight into alien, but he's always had the weird and uncanny ability to turn ugliness into beauty.
"If you're saying all that, does that mean you…" A pause. A breath. "You do."
It isn't a question, anymore. Hajime's slight nod is more than enough to seal than deal. He'll say it properly, later… tonight, once he drops Tetsurou off back home. For now, the words are still stuck somewhere halfway up his throat, but it doesn't seem like Tetsurou minds.
A grin — smug, elated, unbearably gorgeous — is the last thing Hajime sees before he's enveloped in a tight hug. Tetsurou's this close to buzzing. He's laughing into Hajime's ear, wonderment in every note and oh, this is a new type of laugh that he's just unlocked.
This laugh might just be his favourite Tetsurou laugh of all.
"Hajime, Hajime…" It's like he can't stop laughing. Hajime feels insanely fond. He finally moves his leaden arms to hug Tetsurou back and that only ramps up the delight. How can something like that be anything other than infectious? The fact is that it can't, so Hajime ends up grinning too, stupid and giddy and so, so…
"We're gonna be late if we keep staying here like this, you know."
"I don't care!" Despite the words, a sharp rumble sounds out, prompting another round of laughter from them both. Hajime's own stomach threatens to follow.
They linger for another moment, before slowly pulling apart. Even so, Hajime doesn't let them stay apart. A hand reaches out for one of Tetsurou's, linking their fingers together.
It's Tetsurou who gives a squeeze first, smarmy smile on his face. Ridiculous.
"So, you know, about the chocolates…"
"Yeah…"
Conversation flows between them easy as always, almost as if nothing had changed — but the way Hajime runs a thumb over Tetsurou's knuckle, and the way Tetsurou presses into Hajime's side more than ever before…
How they lean closer over their own bowls of ramen during dinner, and fight off giggling every time the words 'Valentine's' and 'date' come up…
And most importantly, when Hajime whispers his "I like you" right against Tetsurou's lips as they have their first kiss by Tetsurou's front door, soft and gentle and careful?
There's nothing that can throw doubt to the way Hajime feels about Tetsurou.
Nothing at all.