Unrequited | Kuroo Tetsurō x Reader
✧ Summary: Years of unrequited feelings and longing looks toward your childhood best-friend Kuroo, it was only when he was in the arms of another that he realized his true feelings for you; when it is almost too late.
-> Tags: lots of fluff, angst, BokuAka, slight Akaashi x Reader, Yaku is an amazing friend
✧ Navigation
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Almost everyone on the Nekoma volleyball team had a crush on the older Haiba sibling. Whether it was only aesthetic deep, no doubt from her striking green eyes, or a deeper infatuation from her cute, bubbly personality - everyone had a hint of feelings for the young woman, only two years older than the third-years.
Captain Kuroo was no exception.
You had seen the few times his gaze was drawn to her, the way his perceptive eyes would latch onto the woman cheering in the stands. Yaku was more vocal, often openly complimenting Alisa while the rest agreed in kind. And while they had every right to appreciate her good looks, to which you often admitted as well, it made you wonder if a certain someone ever saw you in a similar fashion.
Kuroo was your long-time friend and had long since convinced you to be the manager of the volleyball team. You had always wondered if it was to keep you close, Kuroo trying to keep your relationship close after all these years. When you had asked, he said it was simply because you were neat, organized, and got very passionate about the things you were working on.
Something had changed over the years, your nerdy best friend was more than just the fish loving idiot he was. He was the cute, smart, volleyball team captain that you felt your heart palpitate towards. There were times that had you questioning if he ever felt the same way, open flirting or smirks shot to one another.
That was, until you actually saw Kuroo flirting.
It was different and yet the same. Gone was the playful smile that he used with most people, replaced with a more serious smirk.
And it was never used towards you.
It only served to break your heart more when you heard the news at volleyball practice the next day.
Kai had his arms crossed while sporting a neutral smile. Lev was scowling, but you could tell that he was withholding an amused smile over the group. Kenma was in the far corner, playing something on his phone and not caring about the group of teens forming. Inuoka and Shibayama both looked excited, the former even jumping a few times to physically voice his eagerness.
“Kurooooo,” Yaku prolonged the name as he groaned, “You lucky asshole.”
“You better treat my sister right!”
“What does a college woman have in common with you?” Yaku continued complaining.
“She graduated high school last year, there’s only a year between us.” Kuroo responded.
“Bah.” Yaku whined, “But it’s you.”
Kuroo rolled his eyes before noticing you walking in the gymnasium. He smiled and walked over to you, “Hey, can I ask you a favor tonight?”
“What’s up?”
He raised a hand to sheepishly rub at his neck, “I have a date tonight and…”
What the fresh hell on earth was this?
“And you need pointers talking to a female?” You teased to hide your pain.
“Please?”
You should say no.
The love of your life was asking for help with another woman and here you were trying to help him?? Are you insane?? There was only one clear answer to this question.
“Sure, anything for you.”
“Thanks, (L/N)-chan.” He smiled, before ruffling your hair.
And true to your word, you went over to Kuroo’s house that night. Kenma was an unwilling member of the audience as well, sitting on the bed with his gaming console in his hands. You heard the telltale sounds of power-ups and scores, but the both of you were so used to it by now.
You watched Kuroo model two different outfits, trying to look casual as if he had not put that much effort into his clothes (which was anything but the truth). He wondered if he should try to tame his hair, but you stated that it was one of the things a lot of girls loved about him.
He thanked you before leaving saying, “You’re the best (L/N)-chan. I’ll treat ya to ice cream one of these days.”
You smiled and said it was not necessary, still sitting on his bed when Kuro closed the door behind him. You heard Alisa’s bubbly voice downstairs before the both of them left the house, the sound of the front-door closing also hammering itself down on your own heart.
You hadn’t realized how quiet it was until the moment dragged out. Kenma was looking directly at you, game off and tucked to the side as he sat-up in your direction.
“You okay?” He asked, patting the spot next to him for you to take.
The blond knew about your feelings for a while, not like you ever had to say anything. Kenma was the type to just know things. Whether from your overall behavior, from the way you spoke, anything was enough for the blond to tell your true feelings before you were even sure. He had urged you on two separate occasions to get over the captain, but had never truly pushed the situation.
“Yeah.” You bit out, less to reassure him, but more for yourself. “It’s just one date, right?”
“One date for now.” Kenma reasoned.
And while you knew he was not saying this to be mean, you almost felt a small crack in your heart. Kenma was being honest - it was not like Kuroo had ever expressed any interest in you at all. And now here he was, pursuing someone he was actually happy with.
You would support his happiness.
“Maybe you should get some distance.”
“Trying to get rid of me?” You joked, eyes already glistening with unshed tears.
Kenma smiled, a gentle hand reaching around your shoulders to lean you against him. He was never good at comforting you in these moments, but he would still be a shoulder for you to lean on. And in the quiet room of your childhood crush, you resolved to not think about Kuroo like this anymore.
You withstood it all: listening to Kuroo recount his date to the other team members, smiling and encouraging him to muster the courage to ask her out on another date, and even later congratulating him during their one-month anniversary.
It wasn’t just one date.
Not that Kuroo was forgetting his friends, he still hung-out with you and Kenma and upheld his responsibilities as captain greatly. But there were small changes, like Kuroo almost constantly texting his girlfriend on his phone, having busy weekends dedicated to dates, and just overall the schedule of a man newly in love.
In kind, you found yourself reaching out to your other friends more. You went out fishing with Kai and Fukunaga. You accepted Lev and Inuoka’s invitations to go to the arcade in Shibuya. Yaku was someone you were often hovering around, the kind-soul inviting you out to dinner sometimes after school just the two of you.
Apparently, he had known as well.
It didn’t take much to figure it all out, Yaku stated not unkindly. From your constant flirting to the fact that you and Kuroo used to basically spend every free second together, he had thought long ago that you were already together.
Hearing that only hurt you more, to which Yaku immediately jumped out of his seat to sit next to yours. He pulled you into a comforting hug, not at all caring that the two of you were out in public at some random barbecue place.
It was strange to now always be in Kuroo’s circle from then on, but you honestly did try your best. You were still his friend, offering advice and hanging out with him (but usually only in groups). But there was an undeniable distance that you were putting with him. He had never questioned it, but you already had an excuse on the tip of your tongue if Kuroo ever did: you were giving him time and space with his girlfriend, it was only natural.
Time was moving forward and thankfully, so were you.
Seeing Kuroo and his girlfriend still brought that familiar pang, but it no longer rang in the depths of your bones. You simply watched and smiled, content that he was happy as you sorted out your own life.
That was, until a particular weekend training camp with Fukurodani.
You were long familiar with both Bokuto and Akaashi. Kuroo had tons of antics with both boys (and many other members of their team) to which you joined in. From hang-outs on the weekends to these annual training camps, you were on friendly terms with the captain and his vice.
“Hey hey hey!” Bokuto greeted you at the onset, the setter was a little ways away behind him. Akaashi smiled and waved at you in greeting, before getting pushed toward you.
You shot Bokuto a confused smile and Akaashi looked as if he would neuter the ace where he stood.
Bokuto scurried away just as quickly, causing Akaashi to sigh before turning to you.
“How have you been?” He asked politely.
You always appreciated how friendly the setter was, no matter how attractive or intimidating he looked.
“Alright, school exams. A dozen different guidance counselors asking you about your future, the usual. How about you?”
“Much of the same.” He replied before moving to clasp his hands behind his back. “Would you like to go out for dinner after this?”
You accepted without thinking too hard, “Sure! Who else is going?
A small smile grew from the corner of his lips, “Ah, I meant… Just the two of us.”
“Like a date?” You asked, again without thinking.
He laughed before looking at you fondly, “Yes, exactly that.”
You smiled back, no real reason to say not to the attractive young man.
“I’d love to.”
Akaashi reflected a similar expression back before reaching for your hand, “Great, I look forward to it.”
He kissed the top of your hand, every bit of chivalry that he was known for pouring out in your shared interaction. You felt your cheeks redden, already slightly overwhelmed from affection the setter was so willing to give. Akaashi bid you farewell and turned to head towards the corner of the gym his team commandeered, but the expressions on their faces showed this was a joint effort.
Bokuto rushed to slap him on the back while Yukie and Kaori shot him a thumbs-up. Haruki was seen smiling at their vice captain and whatever Konoha said caused the setter to erupt in a blush. You were curious and for once, the raging butterflies that had long since disappeared were gradually coming back.
Your team tried to bombard you with questions, but you maneuvered them back to their warm-ups and said they had games to win.
There was one look from Kuroo you could not decipher, when you had initially turned away from Akaashi. It was long, like he had not even been looking at you, the depth of his gaze following you every step until he turned back to his team.
After the practice matches you were free game, Inuoka being the first to rush you after he finished mopping his section of the gym.
“Is Akaashi your boyfriend?” He asked as he jumped from your peripheral to right in front of you, “How could you keep this a secret from us?!”
“You and Akaashi are so cute! We had no idea!” Shibayama added as he walked up to you. With those two breaking the ice, it seemed that was enough for the others of Nekoma to crowd you as well.
Kenma patted you on the shoulder, a knowing, yet happy look in his eye. Yaku shot you the same expression, but offered you an out in any form of call or text if you needed it. Kai nodded in agreement while the others expressed other forms of their excitement for you.
All but one, at least.
Something did not sit well in Kuroo’s stomach.
He watched you get buried by the group, curious questions linking you to the Fukurodani setter that many girls called the perfect boy next door. He was soft-spoken and yet confident. Had a good sense of humor and yet not immature. Akaashi was a great catch and, if there was anyone in the entire gymnasium right now that Kuroo had to pick for you to end up with, it would without a doubt be the setter.
At least… that’s what Kuroo thought.
And when Akaashi left the locker rooms, fully showered and changed back into regular clothes, he approached the group and it parted like the red sea for him. Akaashi held out a hand for you to take, to which you blushed but accepted as he guided you away. He held your gym bag like it was nothing, the two of you walking out with a chorus of teasing behind you.
Akaashi would treat you right, no doubt. And from your rosy expression and earlier eagerness, it seemed you were genuinely interested in the setter as well.
So why did it feel so wrong to see you in the arms of another guy?
That was when Kuroo learned the complications of desire firsthand.
He was still dating Alisa and it ate him up inside that his thoughts were often wandering off to you rather than his girlfriend of months. It was not even that long ago that thinking of the grey-headed woman in front of him would cause the raging swarm in his stomach. Something had unknowingly shifted, the only feeling left was the sinking pit that grew every time he saw you and Akaashi.
Kuroo kept constant tabs on you, not wanting to ask you outfront how your relationship was going. He heard updates from both Bokuto and Kenma, how the two of you were yet to be official, but had gone on a few dates already.
You were distant in an understandable way, spending time with your budding relationship but still available to him and the team. It was not like you had dropped off the face of the planet, still active as the team manager and even hanging out with the group after-school.
After a while, it was noticeable that something was getting on Kuroo’s nerves. He wanted to say something, but withheld it from seeing how happy you were. And so instead he went to the others around you, many of them very willing and excitable parties to impart details of what they heard.
You were his close friend and often, that was his excuse when other people asked. He wanted to make sure you were not played by these other foolish boys. But with a boyfriend like Akaashi, there was no one better, in Kuroo’s opinion, to treat you like you deserved.
So why did it feel wrong?
It was only when Kuroo saw his worries bleed into his relationship with his girlfriend that he realized that shit, he might have feelings for you.
You were always such a steady figure in his life that he never had to worry before that you would just… not be there. From volleyball to classes, you were always together with him and Kenma. From the late night study groups to the even later video game parties, these were some of his favorite memories throughout high-school.
Kuroo remembered the first time you all went to the beach together as a team. You had worn a bathing suit that he, for whatever reason, did not approve of and had to change before you all headed out together. He remembered playfully dragging you into the freezing, early summer water and you throwing hands with him right after.
And it was not like you were going to cut him off completely once you had a boyfriend. Akaashi or anyone else, you were still one of his closest friends and a relationship would not be the end of it.
So why did it bother Kuroo so much?
Because he wanted to be your boyfriend.
It was one of the worst types of epiphanies someone could ever come to.
To realize you had feelings for someone you knew you should not have.
Kuroo’s true feelings must have surfaced on his visage, since Alisa ended it at the three-month mark. She invited him to a dessert place somewhere in Shibuya, but never took off her coat and only ordered a drink. It was enough to signify that she had to leave, that she was in a rush to not be here.
Her green eyes portrayed a sad smile as she said that they were better off as friends, since their minds were growing in different places.
Kuroo didn’t want to ask her to specify, worried that she was going to say an answer that he was not ready for. It was one thing to believe he had feelings for you, but hearing it out-loud would be the final nail in his coffin.
It was all too much at once - him realizing his feelings and coming to the conclusion that he wanted to act on it.
Every day was a reminder of things that he could not and should not have. At the next practice match with Fukurodani, Kuroo had to endure watching you kiss Akaashi on the lips. Sitting together at lunch entailed listening to you go on about your perfect boyfriend Akaashi. The others would even agree, complimenting Akaashi’s chivalry and expressing their gladness that someone was treating you right.
Apparently Alisa hadn’t told Lev, since no one on the team had yet to bombarded him.
At least….
Kenma had long noticed his best friend’s, Kuroo’s, prolonged looks on you.
But that would not do.
When given the chance, Kenma would say something.
And it came in the form of the two of them sitting outside at lunch, waiting for the others when they saw you with your group of female friends. You waved at the both of them before heading towards the other table. It would take a couple minutes before the other volleyball players would leave their classrooms and come here.
“(F/N) looks really happy these days.” Kuroo commented as his eyes followed you.
“Yeah. And you shouldn’t try to mess it up.” Kenma replied, not even looking up from his console.
Kuroo stiffened, but turned to his childhood friend. “And how would I do that?”
“(F/N)’s finally falling in love with someone else. Just let her be for now.”
“With someone else…?”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice she was in love with you?” Kenma bit back, a frown forming on both his lips and the crease of his eyebrows.
“What?” The Nekoma captain turned to his friend more fully, looking at the blond more fully to make sure that he was being serious. “I had no idea…”
That was apparently not the reaction Kenma was hoping for, since he paused his game and placed it down. Instead, his sharp golden eyes focused and searched Kuroo in front of him.
“It’s not like it makes a difference now, right?”
Kuroo hesitated, his response drawn out. “Right.”
Kenma frowned, looking at his friend straight-on with an agonized look. He was Kuroo’s friend the longest, but the gamer still cared about you. And seeing you so down these past few years took rounds on his own mental state. He urged you on multiple occasions to say anything, if just to clear the air. But instead, you wallowed in your own feelings until you were finally able to move on.
And seeing you with Akaashi almost made him happy, reveling in the genuine cheerfulness he hadn’t seen so candidly on you in a while. Your natural, bright smiles were on display once again; rather than the tight ones Kenma had been seeing as of late.
But it seemed to have the inverse effect on his other friend.
Kenma long noticed the prolonged looks in your direction, the wistful smiles that Kuroo had whenever you laughed about something from the group. But what Kenma was not expecting was the pure anguish on his friends face after seeing you with your boyfriend.
Never had Kenma thought that Kuroo would reciprocate your feelings.
And yet he saw.
But you were both dating other people, this would do no good and only bring unnecessary drama when you were both finding happiness in other people. And so Kenma thought it was time he guided Kuroo back on the right path, back to Alisa where he was obviously interested before.
“How is your girlfriend?” Kenma asked (and while usually he would never actually care, it seemed Kuroo needed the reminder.)
Or at least, so he thought.
“She’s not my girlfriend anymore.” Kuroo responded, eyes scanning behind Kenma. But the setter knew better, he was looking for you. Whether consciously or not, Kuroo’s attention was drawn back to you.
It seemed you had it now, when you no longer wanted it.
Kenma decided not to push it anymore, Yaku and Kai coming up from the path and waving. They would be joining their lunch table soon and Kenma was sure he was just given a major secret, given how neither Lev nor Yaku had yet reacted to the news.
Was Kuroo developing feelings for you? Now of all times??
It seemed so when the situation only continued to drag on, Kuroo’s feigned smiles even enough for you to realize were a little too tight to be considered genuine. Eventually news did break out that the two of them were over. Lev glared at the captain for all of two weeks before his sister explained that they grew apart. Yaku asked if you were okay, but otherwise the team did not dwell on it much.
After all, for the first time in a while, you were happy.
Or at least, that’s what it looked like on the surface.
“Can I ask you something, honestly?” Akaashi asked you, the both of you lounging in his living room.
Akaashi was perfect in so many ways, there were times that it felt like he could read your mind over your needs and wants. So much so, that it often had you nervous or feeling inadequate in the eyes of the setter. There was always something that you thought you could improve on, always something that neither of you could see eye to eye to.
The setter made you feel adored, cared for. And while in the beginning it was exciting, to have a potential new love on the horizon after years of suffering in silence. When he kissed you, it felt nice. You reveled in the feel even, but never had you felt especially passionate. Never were there truly butterflies in your stomach. He made you feel safe, but not special.
And now, a month into your newfound relationship, there was something obviously missing to the both of you.
“How do you feel… about us?” He asked, eyes boring into your own as he sat across from you on the coffee table, you on the couch.
“You’re perfect.”
“Me.” Akaashi looked down, a grimace on his face before returning back to you. “Perfection isn’t always what we want.”
“Is something wrong, Akaashi?”
“Ask me the same question.”
You paused, before asking. “How do you feel about us?”
“I really care about you and you’ve grown to be one of my best friends.” He answered candidly.
He cared, but there was something missing. You filled in the blank for him, “But you don’t love me.”
“No, I don’t.” Akaashi confirmed before continuing, “Do you love me?”
You hesitated, eyes searching his own and going back and forth for a good minute.
“No, I don’t.”
There was no sudden heartbreak, no reason to suddenly burst out into tears. You did not love Akaashi, not in the way that you wanted to. A part of you was screaming at you, telling you to look at the man in front of you and be happy for what he was willing to give you. But another, the one that had wallowed in sadness for years, told you that running away would only cause pain in the long-run.
Akaashi had a blank expression as he took in your words before continuing, “We have everything that should make a relationship work - the routine, the friends, the dedication on both sides. But we don’t feel that deeply about one another.”
“I’m so sorry, Akaashi.”
He had a slight smile, raising a hand to your cheek and cupping your face there. “Why are you sorry? I’m sorry I asked you in the first place, when my heart ended up not being here.”
“I wish I was in love with you.”
“Me too. I’m sorry.” Akaashi repeated, “ I owe it to you to be honest. I remember when I first thought I liked you, how you wished me a good match and treated me kindly during last year's training camp. But I think I was just looking for a distraction for my heart.”
You perked up at his last words, “Is there someone you’re running from?”
“No, at least I don’t want there to be.”
“Humor me, one of your best friends.” You tried to make light of the situation, a small smile on your face. Akaashi just looked at you with a wistful smile, before glancing away. “... Is it Bokuto?”
The setter sighed before leaning back, “Was I that obvious?”
“Wait; you guys are so close!”
“Yes and I will continue to be his friend throughout our lives.” Akaashi supplied, “But he does not have romantic feelings for me, or any male really.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.” Akaashi replied before moving to sit next to you. “I’m sorry if it feels like I led you on.”
“No, don’t think about it that way.” You quickly responded, moving a comforting hand over his. “You had every right to try to pursue someone you thought would be enough. And honestly, you’re not the only one who doesn’t feel that spark.”
Akaashi upturned his hand and squeezed yours, “You’re the first person I’ve ever told about Bokuto.”
You turned to him and smiled, “Thank you for telling me. You know, it’s weird. But I still want to be really good friends with you.”
Akaashi was caressing around your fingers, “Me too. I always felt drawn to you, but I guess I know why.”
You flashed him a genuine smile before pulling him into a hug, “Thank you, Akaashi.”
And while you reassured each other that there were no hurt feelings, that did not mean you were entirely scott-free. Akaashi was still one of your close friends, someone you could be honest too without fear and get the same communication in return. But another part of you was especially hurt, wondering if Kuroo had ruined you for any other boy in the future.
On paper, Akaashi should have been the perfect boyfriend that would help guide you out of your feelings. But there was no spark there, nothing that ignited between the two of you to be all over each other and fall in love with one another. Would your heart be stuck on the one person you could never have?
The next day at school, this very thought continued to plague you. You were quiet through class and even worse during lunch, keeping to yourself and gazing out the window wondering if your heart would ever accept someone else.
Both Kuroo and Kenma had sent you prodding looks throughout the day, your childhood friends almost instantly aware that something was off. But you did not want to face them now, not when you were still unsure about life in general.
How’s your day going?
Akaashi had texted you a little after lunch. And while it should have been weird for exes to stay in contact, Akaashi did not necessarily feel like that. He was your friend, a really close one at that. And it seemed you were the only two people in-tune to a secret.
Absolute shiet. You texted back, And you?
Very much the same.
You sighed before typing, Existential crisis if you’ll ever love again?
Yes and it doesn’t help that Bokuto parades like a peacock.
But you love it.
… I do.
There was something comforting about talking about this with someone else. At least you had a close friend who understood what it was like. The others could listen and follow along, but Akaashi knew what it was like to have the heartbreak of a long, unrequited love.
You felt a small vibration after a few minutes and turned back to your phone.
Have you told the others yet?
Not yet, you?
I probably will today after practice.
That was another problem you did not want to breach. It would be hard to explain why you two had broken up, but at the same time it was not anyone else’s business. Regardless, that was a bandage you had to pull off later. And so you just kept staring outside the classroom window, hoping for this day to pass quickly.
Hearing you sigh for the ninth time in twenty minutes, Kuroo could feel himself almost physically itching in his seat to ask you what was wrong.
Did Akaashi do something wrong? Are you guys okay? Are you guys still dating?
But the look Kenma was shooting at him was enough warning that Kuroo should not interfere. You would come to the rest of them if it was important, but a bit part of him wanted to know now.
And throughout volleyball practice after school, Kuroo felt his gaze almost latch onto you in every free second he had. From when you were filling up water bottles to adjusting the scoreboard, Kuroo’s anxiety kept his eyes on you at all times off the court.
Yaku had even kicked at his knees for being so obvious.
But you said nothing, withdrawn like you had been all day at school. You were still physically present, but your smiles were noticeably tight.
It was only when the five of you had departed from school — Yaku, Kai, and Kenma audience to your quiet words.
“Akaashi and I broke up.”
They were nothing for a few seconds, Kuroo even hesitating in his step as he took in your words. Kenma put down his phone while Yaku moved closer to you, putting a comforting hand on your shoulder.
“When did this happen? Yesterday?” The libero questioned.
“Yeah.”
“What did he do!? Did he hurt you?” Yaku continued, rising anger visible on his face. Kai looked equally worried to your left.
“What? No!” You stopped in your tracks and raised your palms in defense. “It’s not like that... It’s actually mutual.”
Yaku’s eyes widened and then narrowed in confusion, “What? But you guys were doing so well.”
“Maybe on the outside.” You replied, “But he didn’t feel like my boyfriend, only in name. We agreed that something was off, it didn’t feel right.”
“What do you mean?” Kuroo asked this time, his cat-like gaze clinging onto your words.
“I couldn’t love Akaashi, not like that at least.” You explained, head down as you recalled the day prior.
“I’m so sorry.” Yaku put his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a deep hug.
“I’m so scared.” You admitted to your close friends, feeling yourself tear up against the Libero’s chest. “If I couldn’t fall in love with Akaashi who was perfect, what’s wrong with me?”
You felt something shift as Yaku maneuvered you around, a new set of arms wrapped around you.
“Nothings wrong with you.” Kuroo reassured, his taller stature dominating the hug as his strong arms pressed you into his chest.
“He should’ve been the one.” Your voice was near whispering, “And now it’s over.”
Kenma held one of your free hands, squeezing it as he looked at you. “I have ice cream at home if you want to share.”
You sighed out a smile, the first real one today. “Okay.”
Kuroo continued to hold your hand the entire way home, even after Yaku and Kai had waved off in a different direction. Kenma said nothing, not even typing away on his phone as the three of you took the train back.
You told yourself that Kuroo was just comforting you. He was one of your best friends, that’s all there was. There was no point in looking for more, especially when that overthinking is what got you so latched on in the first place.
But it was hard to think nothing of it when you were hyper-aware of Kuroo’s touch. It was more than just holding hands. It was the arm around you on the train, pulling you into his side. The feather light feel of his cheek against yours. The way his eyes lingered on you the entire night.
God, Kuroo had you under his spell this entire time, hadn’t he?
It did not let up when you were eating ice cream in Kenma’s house and a part of you wanted to signal the blonde for help when Kuroo offered to walk the rest of the way home with you.
But Kenma knew you better than your own mind, offering you a mischievous smirk before waving the two of you goodnight.
Kuroo reached for your hand again and you pretended to be on your phone, occupied before he could make the move. But when you put it away, there was no mistaking it, he grabbed your hand then and the fight was over.
How ironic.
You accepted a break-up with your boyfriend because of how hung up you were with the middle-blocker in front of you.
And now that you had his attention, it only made you want to run away.
“Thanks for walking me home.” You tried to pull your hand away once your house was in sight.
But Kuroo’s grip was relentless. “A lot of bad stuff can happen between here and the end of the block.”
And so you followed along, holding hands like two friends being bro’s, you screamed at yourself that that was all there was.
When he kissed your forehead goodnight? Nope. Just some homie love, nothing else. Who’s looking into this? Not you.
But it only persisted as the week went by.
You broke the news to the rest of the team the next day, Lev offering to stomp him into the ground during the next practice match. But you reassured them by no means was Akaashi in the wrong. Still, the other members would coddle you in smaller ways.
Yaku kept an eye out for you while Lev and Inuoka would pull you into sweaty hugs. Kai would offer you fruit packs time to time and Kenma had even let you place his newest game. They were all trying in their own little ways, but Kuroo was the most prominent of the bunch.
He was especially hanging around you, making arrangements to sit next to you at lunch, even when you started off the period with someone else. Any and all of your free time between periods was somehow spent together, whether in the classroom, the art room, or anywhere on campus.
He was just being a good friend after all. You went through a breakup of all things, he was just looking out for one of his best bro’s. Right?
“You’re an idiot.”
“I know, but what for now?” You asked Kenma, his dead-panned face across the lunch table giving away nothing.
Once you had retreated to the roof just for a quiet moment alone, but he found you regardless. Tucked under his arm was some milk bread from the school concession and some juice packs.
He greeted you before motioning to his makeshift care-package, “Thought you’d like a snack.”
“Thanks, Kuroo.” You motioned to sit-up, but he took the seat on the bench next to you. “You’ve really been there for me this week.”
Kuroo paused before putting a gentle hand over your own, “I care about you a lot.”
“This goes both ways, y’know.” You replied, an honest smile reflecting back at him before you turned to put straws in the juice pack.
“I don’t want to rush you or anything….” Kuroo continued, “But know that I love you.”
“Aw, I love you too!” You answered back, offering a juice pack back to him.
Kuroo went through the motion and grabbed the juice, eyes narrowed in confusion as you easily reflected his words back at him.
Were you really not getting it?
“No, I mean like.” Frustrated, Kuroo grabbed at his hair. “Here.”
He put both juices down, his free hand moving to your cheek, pulling you closer as he brushed his lips above your brow. You stilled at the motion, but Kuroo lingered for a moment before withdrawing enough to look you in the eyes.
“I’m in love with you. Please give me a chance to show you.”
You backed up immediately, hands flying between you as you stood.
“Woah, I— since when?!”
“A month ago.” Kuroo stood as well, “Just enough to realize I didn’t want to lose you to anyone else.”
You groaned aloud, “Kuroo, that’s not what love is.”
“Yes, it is. Love means I want to hold you and make you mine, to kiss you now and every day if I can.” He retorted, not moving in his spot and his eyes connected with yours.
“Kuroo, this… I don’t know!” You stumbled along your words, unable to hold his intense gaze as he bared his feelings.
“I don’t mean to rush you, but I think it’d only be fair if you were aware of my feelings.”
You bit your lip, it seemed your life was full of ironies.
“I used to be in love with you for so long, Kuroo.”
He stopped then, eyes widening in surprise as you dropped your longest secret on your best friend.
“And then you were dating and in love with Alissa and I wanted nothing more than to move from you. And for my feelings to be nothing but a sad memory.”
“I wasn’t in love with her.” Kuroo cut in.
“That doesn’t really matter, does it? Because I wasn’t enough for you to see then so what difference does it make now?”
“Wait.” Kuroo stepped closer and you took a reflexive step back, making him stop. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because you were going on and on about her! All of you — the whole team talked about her like she was the perfect person for you.” You answered, getting visibly agitated. “And who was I to stop you from being happy?”
Kuroo sighed, a small wistful smile on his face as he heard of your struggles. “God, I love you.”
“What?!”
“She doesn’t make me happy. Not like you do.”
“Kuroo — !”
“Stop overthinking.” Kuroo took two wide steps before you could run away, grabbing at your waist and encasing you in his arms. “I’m sorry that I hurt you in the past, but I am begging you to let me show you how much you mean to me.”
“But what if—“
“No. Stop thinking about the ifs.” Kuroo interrupted, leaning forward to press his lips against your forehead. “Let me prove to you how much I love you.”
You felt the crease of his lips against your skin, slowly making its way down before connecting your lips together in a chaste peck.
He could feel your hesitation, the way your hands stayed balled at your sides. “I won’t rush you. But please, give us a chance.”
You closed your eyes shut, taking a deep breathe before raising a palm to his chest.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
You laughed lightly, “Yes, you big ole nerd.”
Kuroo shot you one of his honest smiles back, not one of the goading smirks he sent opposing teams or the charismatic one when we wanted something. One of the arms around your waist crawled it’s way upward, settling behind your head as it pulled you closer.
He kissed at your forehead again, especially careful before he made his way downward. Taking some initiative, you leaned upward to kiss him firm on the lips.
Kuroo recoiled back in surprise before smiling again, pulling you into his chest as he leaned down for another smooch. The skin of his lips was surprisingly smooth, silky as it moved against yours.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Kuroo.”
—xXxXxXxXxXx—
Extra:
Your break with Akaashi was so minimal that you were actually excited to see the setter during Fukurodani’s practice match.
If only your team felt the same.
You reminded them time and time again that your break was nothing to worry about and it should definitely not be the reason behind unnecessary drama. Especially since you were Kuroo now, not even two weeks after. But with the way Lev and Yaku were training, you were sure they were going to attempt a beat down.
When the Fukurodani team entered the gym the next day, you waved at the managers excitedly and it was Kaori that came up to you looking sheepish.
“How’ve you been holding up?”
“Honestly, really well!” You answered.
“Oh, so you haven’t heard?”
“Heard about what?” You asked back, only to light up when Akaashi neared you. Giving him a hug in greeting, you smiled happily at the two.
“Woah.” Kaori commented.
“How’ve you been doing?” Akaashi asked as he pulled away from your prolonged hug, still shoulder-to-shoulder with you.
“Good — I would watch out for Lev though. I think he wants to pummel you.”
Akaashi sighed, “Beautiful.”
“Hey hey hey!” Bokuto cut in, literally in between the two of you and putting some space. “Who’s beautiful?”
The setter sighed before looking toward you.
“Don’t worry, Bokuto. We both can appreciate Akaashi’s beauty.” You joked, but the wing-spiker threw a possessive arm over his shoulders.
“Good — as long as you know he’s all mine.” Bokuto continued, pulling a red-faced Akaashi toward him.
You smiled before feeling an arm around your own shoulders.
“Am I missing out on the party?” Kuroo asked, playful tone contrasting with his hard gaze. He was trying a little too hard to look casual, but it was clear from his eyes that he was sizing up your ex-boyfriend.
“Nothing to miss out on.” You responded. “Just wanted to say hi to my good friend, Akaashi.”
Bokuto turned to the man under his hold and the setter nodded in agreement, “We text often, it’s nice to actually see each other.”
“You’re never this excited to see me!”
Akaashi smiled playfully before replying, “Bokuto-san, we see each other every day. Seeing her is special.”
Kuroo narrowed his eyes, evaluating the direction before leaning back. “Fine. Why don’t we catch-up too, Bokuto?”
“What? Are you crazy —!?”
But Kuroo was not paying attention, leaning down to give you a sloppy kiss with the other three as the audience.
He held the back of your head, guiding you back into him as you unintentionally moaned into his embrace. Kuroo particularly enjoyed ravishing you now, licking at your inner walls and relishing the slick of saliva that connected you two even after he pulled away.
“You asshole!” Bokuto exclaimed when Kuroo grabbed him, pulling him along as you stood there attempting to fix yourself.
Akaashi laughed at the display before turning to you with a smile.
“What a kiss.” Kaori had her hands to her face, secondhand embarrassment apparent from the blush. “Looks like Kuroo is every bit the jealous type as Bokuto.”
“Not usually.” You replied, still feeling the heat from your cheeks.
“I’m glad you found someone who makes you happy.” Akaashi stated, grabbing your hand and squeezing it.
“I’m glad Bokuto came to his senses too.” You responded, squeezing in kind before hearing both your names exclaimed from across the gym.
“5 feet away, minimum!” Bokuto was stretching out a space between his hands, pointing at the two of you.
Akaashi sighed before letting go, shooting you a tired but endearing smile. Kaori laughed, saying you two were so odd, but glad that the friendship between schools was preserved.
But it was the look on Kuroo’s face, as his narrowed eyes travelled from the setter than back to you, that told you just what was in store for you later.
And you wouldn’t have it any other way.
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