The Cat and the Crow

In the end, Kuroo followed Tsuki to the nurse’s office. He stayed close by, waiting patiently while the nurse made sure Tsuki wasn’t hurt any more than the superficial scrapes and abrasions. After ten minutes, the nurse gave him the all clear to play again, and Kuroo opened the door to let Yachi know. Once he assured her they’d be back soon, he looked back at Tsuki, who’d turned to face him.

“Come on,” Kuroo said quietly, reaching out for Tsuki’s hand. Once Tsuki took hold, Kuroo looked at the nurse, who nodded that they could leave. They left, heading further away from the gym, and into an empty room.

Closing the door behind him, he barely had any time to move before Tsuki was huddled up against his chest, arms around his back, and his hands clutching the back of his shirt. Kuroo wrapped his arms around Tsuki, holding tight.

“Why?” was all Tsuki managed to ask.

“I can only assume he’s jealous.”

“But why?”

“I honestly don’t know, or rather, I have an idea, but need to confirm. Odds are, Akaashi’s already with him and calming him down enough to get him to talk.” He held Tsuki for a little while longer, and then tried to let go. His love wasn’t having it.

“Not yet.”

“Not yet,” Kuroo agreed.

[Unbelievable]

Some time later, Kuroo saw Tsuki off back to the gym, and made his way to the little courtyard. As he’d thought, he found Akaashi and Bokuto there, sitting together in the shade. Bokuto had draped himself around Akaashi from behind, and looked calm. When Kuroo came up to them and sat down, too, Bokuto looked warily at him, but said nothing.

“Aside from a few minor abrasions, Tsuki’s fine,” Kuroo told them. “He doesn’t understand why you went after him like that, though, and neither do I.” He focused acutely on Bokuto. “Care to explain?”

Bokuto tried to remain silent, but Akaashi reached up and took hold of his hands, squeezing them gently. “Tell him what you told me,” he said quietly.

“I was jealous of him,” Bokuto said in a small voice. “You were spending so much time with Tsuki; texting him and then traveling all the way to Miyagi just to see him. You rarely spoke in the group chat anymore, didn’t want to hang out with us like you used to.” Bokuto sighed. “Look, I honestly don’t know when it happened, but I’d somehow managed to convince myself that Tsuki was stealing you away from us. From me. Seeing him this morning… Well, I snapped. I wasn’t considering who else I was hurting. I’m sorry.”

“I appreciate that, but I’m not the one you should apologize to,” Kuroo reminded him.

“I know. I’ll apologize to him as soon as I get the chance.”

“You better. He thinks you hate him, you know.”

“I don’t! I never did.”

“Tell him that at dinner. We’ll eat out here. Maybe there are some of those pork dumplings and manju left.”

“Deal.” He said quickly, but then he looked confused. “The pork dumplings we had for lunch? Those were sooo good! I don’t think anyone would have left enough for seconds.”

“We’re the only ones who ate them,” Akaashi said. “No one else even knew about them.”

“Why?”

“Tsuki made them for us.”

“Oh.”

Kuroo thought to let the whole thing drop right there, but there was one last thing he had to say.

“It’s unbelievable, you know. Thinking that Tsuki was stealing me away from you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you honestly believe I couldn’t be your best friend and Tsuki’s boyfriend at the same time?” He slowly stood up, and smiled down at his two besties. “I’m going back to the gym. See you guys there.”

[This Will Be Difficult]

The rest of the day went without incident. Both Tsuki and Bokuto had been put back into their respective starting line-ups, and when facing each other, play went as normal. At times, it looked like Bokuto wanted to say something, but he couldn’t find the words, and Tsuki was completely stone-faced, so there was no real point in trying again.

“This might be tougher than I thought,” Kuroo muttered, watching yet another non-exchange between his best friend and boyfriend.

“What’s tougher?” Yaku asked, overhearing him. Kuroo waited until his friend sat beside him, and then gestured toward the court where Karasuno and Fukurodani were playing. “I’m not… wait. I know Bokuto went a little crazy earlier, so maybe that’s why it looks like Tsukishima’s walled himself off?” Yaku observed.

“So you see it too,” Kuroo confirmed. “But, it’s only when he’s directly facing Bokuto.” He nodded down at the court, and Yaku looked again. The rotation had moved for Karasuno’s serve, and now Tsuki was directly opposite Akaashi.

“Looks like the walls came down, at least somewhat,” Yaku observed. “I think he just smiled a little.”

“Yeah, well, Akaashi has that effect on people.” Kuroo took a deep breath, and then exhaled. “In any case, the four of us are meeting up for dinner later, and I’m just hoping it goes well.”

“Do you need me to cover for you guys again?” Yaku offered.

“Only if you think you need to. We’re staying here for dinner. Actual plans to go out were shot when Bokuto pitched that fit of his.”

Yaku nodded. “Just let me know,” he said as he rose from the seat. “We’re playing the last set of the day against Shinzen. See you down there in a few.”

Kuroo waved, keeping his eyes on Tsuki and Bokuto. “Right. See ya.” He hated to admit it, but watching them was rather fascinating, especially in Tsuki’s case. The walled-up reference wasn’t exactly correct. It was more like watching ice freeze, melt, and then refreeze, each time the rotations pitted Tsuki opposite Bokuto.

“We may have our work cut out for us, Akaashi,” Kuroo said to himself as he got up to leave. “You have to keep Bokuto from going overboard, and I need to keep Tsuki from full glacier status.”

He rubbed his hands over his face, and took one last look down at the court. Tsuki was watching him, and he winked and flashed a peace sign, to which Tsuki reciprocated. Kuroo made a show of clutching his heart, tripping over his feet, and waving awkwardly. He was rewarded by Tsuki’s laughter suddenly echoing through the gym. God, I love him so much. Making sure no one else saw him, he touched his fingers to his lips, and sent a kiss to Tsuki.

He didn’t get a chance to see what Tsuki did, as Yaku had come back, took hold of his arm, and dragged him away.

[Reconciliation]

“I’m sorry.” Bokuto apologized and bowed. “Please forgive me.” He’d spent the last half hour trying to explain himself and his actions earlier.

Kei wasn’t exactly sure how to respond, and looked over at Kuroo, who stood near the table with Akaashi. It didn’t seem like he was going to help out with this, but he knew Kuroo was there to support him. Taking a deep breath, Kei nodded.

“Okay,” he replied softly. “I forgive you. I’m sorry, too. You must really hate me.”

He saw Kuroo start to move, but Akaashi grabbed the back of his shirt to keep him there. Stymied, Kuroo looked fit to be tied, but he stayed where he was.

Bokuto straightened up and shook his head. “No no no! I don’t hate you. I never did. I honestly just lost sight of everything, blaming you for my absolutely wrong-headed thinking.”

“But…”

“Tsuki, no ‘buts!’” Bokuto spoke loudly over him. “It was entirely my fault! I don’t want you thinking any of it was your doing, you hear me?” He took a deep breath and visibly calmed down. He even smiled and chuckled, causing the other three to tilt their heads in confusion. “You’re just like Kuroo, you know? Stubborn. Once you get an idea in your head, even a wrong one, it’s hard to shake you out of it.”

“He’s right, you know,” Akaashi said.

“Proof?” both Kei and Kuroo asked at the same time, causing everyone to smile.

“Dear God, really?” Akaashi rolled his eyes. “Summer camp,” was all he said.

“Right,” they both spoke in unison again, and Bokuto burst out laughing.

“Did you practice that, or what?”

“Nah,” Kuroo said, winking at Kei. “we’re just so much in love…”

“... that we’re in sync with each other,” Kei finished, winking back.

“Akaashi! Did they just…?”

“... finish each other's sentences? Yep. Too cute,” he deadpanned.

The four of them burst out laughing, and Bokuto slung an arm around Kei, walking with him to Akaashi and Kuroo. They shared what was left of the pork dumplings and manju. Akaashi had the forethought of providing vegetables, and Bokuto went to the nearby vending machine to buy drinks for everyone. They spent a few hours just talking and hanging out together. It was nearly midnight when they cleaned up and went back inside.