The Cat and the Crow

The next morning, Kuroo just laid there, staring at Tsuki. They’d fallen asleep in his room, watching a movie on Tsuki’s tablet, and they had snuggled up together in their sleep. Now, Kuroo was given the opportunity to see his love’s beautiful sleeping face. He knew better than to wake him up now, even though a grumpy Tsuki was just as adorable as the happy version. He was sorely tempted to wake him up anyway, just so he could kiss Grumpy Tsuki and make him happy.

Either way, he was still so amazed that he’d found Tsuki.

The smell of breakfast cooking slowly caught his attention, and he looked over at the door. It had been cracked open. He clearly remembered it being closed before they fell asleep, so someone must have checked in on them. Careful not to wake Tsuki, Kuroo left the bed and checked to make sure he was reasonably decent. Then, because he was unable to resist, he bent down to kiss Tsuki’s cheek, and he pulled the covers up a little more before he left.

“Knew we’d see you first,” Akiteru said brightly from the kitchen table. Tsuki’s mom turned from the stove and smiled.

“I already made you a rolled omelet,” she said. “But there’s rice, soup, and veggies too. Is there anything else you want?”

“N-no, thank you,” he replied, taking a seat at the table. She placed the rolled omelet on his plate, and he served rice and soup for himself. Akiteru poured a glass of tea and set it down in front of him.

“You look a little… surprised,” Akiteru said, watching him.

“Maybe,” he admitted. “You’ve both treated me like family since the moment I entered your home. I’m still getting used to that, to be honest.”

“Kei told us all about you a few days before you arrived,” his mom explained as she sat down across from him. “And from the way he talked, we knew we’d like you, too. The meeting was just a formality more than anything else.”

“The way he talked about me?” Words couldn’t describe how happy he felt hearing that, but he also wanted to hear more.

“His voice was gentle. Not the usual salty, abrasive tones he often uses,” she explained. “But more than that, it was the look in his eyes when he talked about you. Soft, bright, warm. And there was just the faintest hint of color on his face. He was open, more so than he’d been in years. He loves you.”

Momentarily speechless, Kuroo could only nod. He’d also heard and seen everything they told him about. “I love him, too.”

He didn’t see them glance in the direction of the kitchen door, nor the look that passed between them. But he felt Tsuki’s hands when they touched his shoulders and wrapped around him. He felt it when Tsuki’s head nudged him. And he certainly felt it when Tsuki said quietly into his ear, “I love you most.”

“Welcome to the family, sweetie,” Tsuki’s mom said gently.

[Making Memories]

After Akiteru and Tsuki’s mom had left the house, the two of them proceeded to enjoy each other’s company. They made a little nest on the floor with futons, pillows and a couple blankets, and watched a movie. They went out to the backyard to practice a little volleyball, because why not? Then, they huddled back in their little nest and Tsuki pulled out his tablet to play a game, while Kuroo used Tsuki like a pillow as he dozed off. As far as lazy Sundays went, this one was one of the best Kuroo could ever recall spending.

The best parts were when Tsuki showed his affectionate side, which never ceased to surprise and thrill him. Sometimes, it was a touch; sometimes, a kiss. Sometimes, he’d run his fingers through Kuroo’s hair. Or, while he was napping, he’d felt Tsuki rubbing his back gently. He’d almost purred, it felt so good.

A little while later, Kuroo woke up to the smell of something good cooking, and the fact that he was alone. He slowly got up from their futon nest and followed his nose to the kitchen. Had Tsuki’s mom returned early? He was sure she’d said she wouldn’t be home until later. He stopped at the kitchen door, surprised once again by his love. Tsuki was cooking, and it looked like he was enjoying it, too. Quietly, Kuroo sat down at the table, and simply watched as Tsuki worked.

“Didn’t think you’d be up so soon. I would have come to wake you up when lunch was ready,” Tsuki said without turning around.

“You heard me? I thought I was being all stealthy and ninja-like,” Kuroo replied, smiling like a Cheshire cat.

“Yes,” Tsuki said, turning enough to smile back, and wink. “And no. I just… knew you were there,” he said with a little shrug, and turned back around. But not before Kuroo caught the flush on his face.

“Tsuki…” he whispered, once again surprised.

“Anyway, here,” Tsuki said after a few minutes, placing a large plate of pork dumplings and dipping sauce in front of him. He also handed him a small plate and a pair of chopsticks. “Dig in.”

Not one to be told twice, Kuroo served himself a pair of dumplings and took a bite. “These are awesome, Tsuki!”

“Really? I mean, they’re just the standard recipe, nothing fancy,” he said sheepishly.

“I’m serious! These are fantastic! They taste so much better than any other pork dumplings I’ve had.”

“I’m glad you like them, then,” he mumbled, going back to finish whatever else he was making.

He served himself a couple more, being sure to leave enough for Tsuki, and waited somewhat patiently for the sweet smelling dish he smelled.

When Tsuki was done, he turned around and set another plate down on the table, and then sat across from Kuroo. He served himself two pork dumplings, and then started eating.

“Is that… manju?” Kuroo asked, picking up one of the sweet smelling dumplings and biting into it.

Tsuki nodded. “Mom made a double batch the other day. All I had to do was re-steam them.”

To Kuroo, it didn’t matter who made them first. As far as he was concerned, Tsuki had cooked the entire meal, and he was struck by how delicious everything tasted.

“When did you learn how to cook?”

“A few years ago, actually,” Tsuki answered. “I love mom’s cooking, but she’s not always home, so I figured I might as well learn.”

“You’re a great cook,” Kuroo said, earning another blush on Tsuki’s face. “Could you make them again sometime?”

“Sure. But when?”

Kuroo considered it a bit. “Can you freeze the pork dumplings, too? You could bring them when you come down for the training camp next week. I’m sure Akaashi and Bokuto would love these, too.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Tsuki said with a smile. “I’ll make enough for the four of us.”

“Deal. I’ll let them know later,” he said.

Once they finished eating, Kuroo helped clean up, telling Tsuki it was only fair that he wash the dishes after such a fine meal. Placing the last bowl on a towel to dry, he turned around to find Tsuki staring at him.

“What?”

“When do you leave?”

“Latest train I could get, and still make it home at a decent hour. I have to be at Sendai station by 9pm.”

Tsuki nodded. “Want me to come with you?”

“Of course I do, but I don’t want to leave, either.” He reached out and took hold of Tsuki’s shirt, tugging him closer. “What should we do now?” He asked quietly.

“We could watch another movie,” Tsuki suggested playfully.

Kuroo shook his head. “Nah. Not interested.”

“I could dust off my old gaming console…”

“Yeah, no. Try again.”

“Hmmm… let me think,” he said, his eyes warming up and lowering to look at Kuroo’s mouth. “V-volleyball?”

“Can’t believe I’m going to say this but… hard pass,” Kuroo replied, wrapping his arm around Tsuki’s waist and bringing him closer. “Guess again.”

Instead of guessing, though, Tsuki reached up and traced a finger along his jawline, pushing up slightly. He leaned in for a series of short, sweet kisses. Each time Kuroo tried to deepen them, Tsuki pulled away, teasing him.

Without knowing exactly how, they ended up back in their little futon nest. Tsuki had turned on one of his streaming channels and started an anime they both liked, but neither paid any attention to it. They kissed and touched until both were nearly senseless. Still, Kuroo managed to slow everything down before things went too far.

A few hours later, Tsuki’s mom found them wrapped around each other and sleeping soundly. It was still another couple hours before Kuroo had to leave, so she left them there, not having the heart to wake them up just yet.