Chapter Text
Kuroo lets out a breath, sweat dripping down his face as his eyes follows the ball that landed on the other side of the net and not long after, he heard his friends cheered as the other team groans in pain. “Okay guys, take five!” He shouted with confidence before glaring at their tall Russian first year, “Lev! Practice some more receiving after this!” Kuroo ignored the whine from the other male as he went up to the benches.
“My spike was good, right? Right?” Bokuto asked with enthusiasm as his boyfriend, Akaashi, just nods. Kuroo rolled his eyes at Bokuto before taking his water bottle. “Kuroo-san!!!” A bunch of girls from the bleachers, squeals and waves at the volleyball captain.
Kuroo grins and waves back causing more squeaky high voices to resound throughout the gym. “Why does Kuroo-san gets all the fangirls?” Yamamoto cries as he tried to catch the girls’ attention by waving but failed to do so when the girls just huffed at him. Bokuto laughed at his teammate’s failed attempt, patting his back in the process.
“Oh, a new tattoo, huh?” Konoha interjects, joining the conversation when he puts his bottle down on the bench. Gazes turned to their clueless captain, “Huh?” Looking down on his arms there he saw a new flower tattoo on his forearm. “I guess you’re right…” Kuroo's hand automatically went to his nape to caress the fireflies that were peeking out from his practice jersey.
“Man, what would Tsukki feel about it.”
“Shut up! He knows I like him,” Kuroo frowns at what Bokuto said and thinks… What would Tsukki feel? Does he feel insecure? Jealous? Hell they haven’t even talked about it yet. “Wow, I think you broke our captain, Bokuto-san!” Konoha laughs before jogging away to join Yaku in shaping Lev up.
“Tsukki trusts me.” The captain spoke with such unsureness that Bokuto can’t help but feel a little guilty, “Hey, look. We know, I was just kidding with you. Sorry, man.” Akaashi glares but Kuroo just waved him off. “Okay! Five minutes is over!”
~*~
“Yo! Tsukki!!!” Bokuto greeted with a smile as he circled his arms around the lanky boy’s neck, almost knocking all the air out of his system. “Uh… hey, Bokuto-san.” Tsukishima greeted, fixing his glasses. He saw Akaashi giving him an apologetic look before taking Bokuto away from the boy, afraid his enthusiasm and weight will crush the poor blond.
"You didn’t get to see me spike the ball! I was against three blockers but good thing I smashed it to the ground! And oh! How about tomorrow you watch us?” Bokuto reached for his drink as he spoke but something was off with his bottle as he was having a hard time opening the valve. “Sorry about him,” Akaashi interjects while he gives Tsukishima a small smile that sent the blond blushing.
He was still getting used to having friends and communicating back so he was still a little shy around them, especially the other members of the team who knows him.
“Damn this!” The vice-captain groans and decides to open the lid instead. “Oh! Kuroo-san’s boyfriend!” Lev waved happily as the blond replied with a small nod. Yaku rolled his eyes at Lev before dragging him back to practice.
“This cap bottle won’t freaki—” It happened too fast. Bokuto successfully opening the water bottle but manages to somehow trip himself with too much force he used, Akaashi’s expression went from bored to annoyed to worried and now his eyes were wide, and Tsukishima’s form went from dry to wet.
“Fuck…” Bokuto whispers as he stared at the wet Tsukishima, his glasses askew with blond hair dripping with sticky energy drink liquid. “I’m sorry, Tsukki!”
“I was gone for a few minutes and this is what I see?” Kuroo Tetsurou enters the gym with fresh clothing as he looks at his wet and sticky boyfriend. “Sorry! Man, I’m very sorry! You can wear my extra shirt as an apology!” Bokuto bows multiple times before a blushing Tsukishima stopped him with a panic expression.
“It’s okay, Bokuto-san…” Tsukishima assured as he smiles a little. Bokuto just sighs with Akaashi shaking his head. “Come on, let’s head in our locker room.”
When they reached the volleyball boy’s locker room, it reeks of Salonpas, sweat and rubber shoes but it’s still tolerable for the blond. Kuroo then proceeds to take off his shirt and hands it to the blond, “Wear this. Wash yourself first.” Tsukishima nods, scanning the tattoos on Kuroo's body, with Akaashi handing him a wet face towel. “Kuroo! Tsukki can wear my extra shirt,”
“No, I don’t want your smell all over him.”
“Jealous type!”
Kuroo just huffed while Tsukishima tried to hide his blush that was now more vibrant than ever at the thought of Kuroo being all jealous just because he will smell like Bokuto.
Maybe one time he will borrow Bokuto’s shirt to make him jealous.
While wiping his face clean, with Akaashi handing him an alcohol, he now feels fresh and less sticky. He puts his glasses in place, turning his back towards his other friends before pulling his shirt over his head.
"Holy moly."
"..."
"The hell..."
Tsukishima raised his brow as he spins back around, eyes scanning the expressions his friends were making, Bokuto's eyes were wide and mouth opened, Akaashi has the same straight face but his eyes were trained on him, and Kuroo stares at him like he cheated on him or something.
"What?"
Kuroo walks up to his shirtless boyfriend before turning him around and stares at his back, more like glare at it. "Moonshine..." Kuroo was lost at words as he continued to stare.
"What? What is it?" Tsukishima tried to look behind but Kuroo kept him in place. Akaashi finally moved and removed the frozen Kuroo away from the blond. He smiled at Tsukishima. "Looks like someone is noticing you." The blond was still giving Akaashi confused looks and he sees him fish something out of his pocket. "Hold still," He grabbed Tsukishima's shoulder, holding him still as he brought his hand up and snapping a picture of his back.
He then showed the blond the picture which caused the other to let out a small gasp. There he sees a beautiful group of stars that runs up from his armpits towards where the tattoo from Kuroo was located, circling the cat and moon. The contrast of the yellow stars with the black moon and cat was perfect, it's like the galaxy was painted on his back.
"That's some shit." Bokuto whispers, eyes landing on every stars drawn on his back. "Who gave you this?" The vice-captain asked, wanting to touch it but too afraid the blond might find him creepy, considering he spilled energy drink on him.
The blond continued to stare at the tattoo, marveling the details of the stars surrounding his moon tattoo. “Wow…” Was all the blond could mutter before handing Akaashi’s phone back, “So Yamaguchi…”
“Who’s Yamaguchi?” Kuroo finally spoke, looking at the blond with a serious expression but Tsukishima seemed undazed at the stare for he was still processing in his mind that he has a new tattoo. “I… this kid from English talked to me, he needed help with his homework…”
“You made a friend!” Bokuto beamed, patting his back gently this time. Tsukishima blushed at the thought before putting the shirt Kuroo gave him.
It smells just like his boyfriend. He likes it.
“Well, I think we should all go now.” Kuroo heard Akaashi alright but his mind can’t help but drift to the thought that someone else likes Tsukki. His Tsukki.
His Tsukki has a new tattoo.
He looked at his friends again who were helping Tsukki pack his things. He sighs and just ignores the itching feeling inside his heart as the name ‘Yamaguchi’ repeats in his head. Scratching his nape lightly, he went to his boyfriend and helped him carry his things.
~*~
Kuroo was walking along the hallway with some files in his hands. The examination week was approaching and him being the student council president and all, he was ordered to do a review session for students who wants to study for the upcoming exams.
He was looking for Daichi when his feet stopped, eyes landing on a certain blond and a boy…
His heart was beating fast against his ribcage as he sees Tsukishima talking intently to the other and he laughed! Kuroo stared wide eyed and mouth opened. His Tsukki laughed with the boy.
“Is he the one who gave Tsukki the stars…”
“Kuroo! Found you!” Daichi approached him, waving him off of his thoughts. “I already have some registrations. Reviewing session is a go.”
“Oh…”
“Is something wrong, Kuroo?” Daichi raised his brow and observes the other boy who just shook his head and smiled. “Nothing. Great timing, I was looking for you. These are the files Takeda sensei asked for.” Kuroo can’t help but feel slightly irritated and the thumping of his heart is not helping at all.
~*~
“I don’t need review sessions.” Tsukishima murmured as Yamaguchi Tadashi nods in response. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi instantly hit it off after the blond helped him on his homework, well more of Yamaguchi approaches Tsukishima every day.
Yes, Tsukishima knows Yamaguchi was the one who gave him the tattoo by confronting him. Yamaguchi was a little bit flustered at the straightforwardness of the blond but he was glad he didn’t get mad at him for liking him.
“I’m sorry.”
“No need to apology,” Tsukishima assured while rubbing his shoulders. “Besides, you’re the second one who gave me a tattoo. So thank you. For tolerating me enough.”
“Tsukki, can I call you that?” Tsukishima didn’t utter any response, he just continued to walk with Yamaguchi beside him but the blush on his cheeks made the other glad. “Oh Yamaguchi-kun!” A girl that Tsukishima remembered as Yachi waved at his freckled friend who waved back with his tattooed arms.
Unlike him, Yamaguchi got a lot of tattoos, not like Kuroo’s or Bokuto’s, just enough to know he is likeable. And friendly.
“Yachi-san, this is Tsukishima.” The small girl seemed imitated by his size and cold stare and he can’t help but feel shy and guilty. “Hi…” he finally gather all this strength and said hi to the girl who immediately gave out a smile.
This is the first time Tsukishima made a girl smile and look at him.
“Hello!”
“Kei.” Hearing his name, he turned around and saw Kuroo with his arms crossed and Akaashi behind him. “Oh, Kuroo…”
“Come on, it’s time to go home.” Tsukishima nods and turned his gaze back at the two before bowing politely. To be honest, Kuroo and Akaashi was shocked but nevertheless feels happy that Tsukishima was finally making friends.
That’s what Akaashi thinks.
While walking out, Kuroo seemed a little off by the way he walks and by the way he is acting towards Tsukishima. “Kuroo…”
“What?” The sudden outburst of the latter made shocked Tsukishima and Akaashi. “I was just asking… how was practice…” Akaashi sensed something was off between the two so he decides to interject. “Kuroo, Tsukishima. I need to go get Bokuto now. You two can go home.” Akaashi wasn’t quite sure if leaving the two was a good decision but he trusts Kuroo not to fuck things up.
When Akaashi left, the couple continued to walk out of the school with a weird atmosphere around them. “Kuroo… is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong.” When they reached the school gates, the captain turned around to face the blond. “I… I have to meet someone, is it okay if you walk alone for now?” Tsukishima looked at his face, observing the way Kuroo was looking down. He nods with a smile, “Please be safe.” Kuroo nods before walking away with Tsukishima watching his retreating back.
~*~
“What the heck?” Bokuto frowns at Kuroo who just missed a perfectly tossed ball. Who the heck miss a perfect toss by his Akaashi? No one. “We need a break.” The whistle blows and the team were forced to take five. “I’m sorry,” Kuroo bows, scratching his nape in the process. “What is wrong with you today? It’s like your mind is not even here.” Bokuto huffs before walking away, leaving a sad Kuroo who Akaashi approached.
“How about you change and skip morning practice?” Kuroo thinks it’s a great idea.
Kuroo thinks it’s not a great idea because when he finished changing starts to go towards his room, he saw his adorable blond boyfriend being all adorable with a certain freckled new friend.
He sees Tsukishima smiling at whatever his new friend is saying and some girls. Yes, girls, were surrounding them.
Taking a deep breath, he approached the group with a confident smile and a stupid grin before swinging his arm over the shocked blond. “Hello!” He greets and some girls were awestruck as their handsome student council vice president was there, standing right in front of them.
“Kuroo-san,” A girl greeted back with a blush. Kuroo just grinned and pulled the blond closer to his face who seemed flushed and embarrassed at his action. “Is morning practice over, Kuroo-san?” A red head girl asks after Kuroo insists for them to go to class early. “Yeah, they made me rest up a little.”
“You should rest up, senpai!” The same girl smiled brightly, her cheeks bright pink. “Thank you.” He brought his arm up and ruffled her hair softly causing her to widen her eyes and the blush went up to her ears.
Tsukishima finally pulls himself away from Kuroo, “Well, Kuroo-san we better get going to class.” He was about to leave when Kuroo suddenly stopped him. “Tsukki…”
“Yes?” The girls already left with goodbyes and only Tsukishima and Yamaguchi remained. Kuroo lets out a breath as he sees the freckled boy was still there. “If you don’t have any business with me anymore, Kuroo-san. Let us talk later.”
“I could leave you two, Tsukki.” Yamaguchi smiled as he rests his hand on the blond’s shoulder causing the black haired captain to frown at the gesture and the nickname. “Tsukki?” Kuroo repeated and Yamaguchi can feel the tension in the captain’s voice. “Uhm… yes.”
“Don’t call him Tsukki.”
“Huh?” Yamaguchi’s eyes widen at the sudden demand from Kuroo. Now feeling a little afraid, he turned his gaze to Tsukishima who also has his eyes wide.
“I said don’t call him Tsukki.”
“T-tsukki… I’ll see you later…” Yamaguchi sauntered away, looking back at Kuroo with a confusing and scared expression. As soon as he was gone, Tsukishima pulled on Kuroo’s arm and lead them towards an empty room.
“Kuroo, what’s wrong? Why did you do that?”
Kuroo can hear him but all that was in his head was that freckled boy called his Tsukki in such a way like they’re close, like they’ve been friends for years. It made his blood boil a little at the thought of Tsukishima opening up to him so easily while Kuroo waited for weeks to get to know more about the blond.
“He’s the one that gave you the stars tattoo, huh?” Tsukishima raised his brow at the sudden question but nods anyway, a sigh escaping his lips. “Is this what it’s—”
“Don’t talk to him anymore, I don’t like him.”
Now it was time for the blond to frown, thinking about the immaturity of the other right now. “Kuroo I ca—”
“Because he gave you a tattoo, what now? You’re gonna secretly like him too and give him one? And then what? You’re gonna make those girls give you a tattoo too?” Kuroo can’t think straight, he just continued to blabber all his thoughts out. He feels so angry for whatever reason he doesn’t know. He just doesn’t like the idea of Yamaguchi and all those girls near—
“So you think of me like that?” When was the last time Kuroo made Tsukishima cry? He thinks it’s that day he admitted he liked him back. It was different though, it was happy tears not these kind of tears.
“You think that—that I will like people so easily just because they gave me a tattoo?” The blond stares at Kuroo, tear stained eyes searching for answers. “I- I can’t believe you, Kuroo-san…” Tsukishima exhaled as he fixed his glasses. “Tsukki…” Kuroo finally spoked and took a step forward but Tsukishima raised his hand to halt him.
“Do you know what I feel every time I see those tattoos on your arms?” Kuroo knows he hits the limit. Guilt now consumes his entire being as he sees the person he cherish so much cries in front of him. “You don’t know the insecurity I feel, Kuroo-san. What if… what if one day you will like someone else’s mark on you than mine? What if— God, Kuroo. Why did you even—”
“Kei, I’m sor—”
“Please. Let us… give me time.” The blond wiped his tears away, giving Kuroo a look before walking out of the room.
Kuroo can’t help but feel helpless, pathetic, and stupid and all kinds of words he can think of. He hurt Tsukishima just because of a goddamn jealousy.
~*~