Summary:
Kuroo is a chemist, sent on yet another conference by the-evil-troll-in-HR (also known as his friend Yaku). Kenma is a programmer, attending an event in the same city. When their flights are cancelled and they are forced to share a room, Kuroo is kind enough to help Kenma realize something he already knew. However, fate makes sure this is not their final meeting.
Tags:
Chemist!Kuroo, Programmer!Kenma, AU, aged-up characters, bed sharing, fluff, flirting, light angst, volleyball, brotp, lots of travelling, and sexting, and some sex too, Kuroo should get a cat 2K17, I ship happy endings. So there will be one.
Appearances by various people from Nekoma, Karasuno, Fukurodani and Aoba Jousai. Minor or background relationships - basically all the classics: KageHina, BokuAka, IwaOi, YakuLev, DaiSuga, TsukkiYama, AsaNoya, Yachi/Shimizu
Author's note:
The whole story will be approx 9k, divided into 3 chapters. It's basically written already; I just need to edit and fix a few things.
Maybe I should get a cat? Kuroo Tetsurou thought. Cats were cute and cuddly, right? More importantly though, would Yaku stop sending him on all these conferences if he had a cat to take care of? Probably not...
Still, so far this day had been filled with nothing but good luck. The conference had been interesting, his own panel had gone well and he'd succeeded in charming all the people Nekomata wanted him to and more. He'd managed to get on an earlier airport coach - and when it had been heavily delayed due to snow, his flight had also been kind enough to be late so that he didn't miss it. As an added bonus he'd been given free food. Kuroo sat down in the cafeteria, at a good table that magically became free just as he arrived. Frankly Kuroo wondered if he should press his luck and buy a lottery ticket.
Kozume Kenma decided that this day sucked. Nothing monumental had happened, but the day had been filled with nagging small mishaps throughout. The forum had been a truly boring event and his favorite part cancelled. He'd missed the train to the airport, it was snowing and Kenma hated being cold. The airport was crowded, the queues long and his flight was delayed due to the icy weather.
Still, Kenma thought he'd be able to stomach all of this if the cafeteria wasn't out of apple pie, but of course the only thing left was dry sandwiches. As he slid into the only seat left he also discovered that his handheld didn't start, his phone was out of battery and that his chargers must be in his checked-in luggage. Kenma counted to 10 and then counted again before he let out an uncharacteristic groan.
"Are you ok?"
Kenma blinked as he realized that someone was talking to him. He briefly glanced at the man next to him. Tall, he thought. Dark, messy hair. Kind of attractive. Not that he cared.
"My phone is out of battery and there was no apple pie," he mumbled, praying the stranger would leave him alone, or maybe miraculously offer him a charger.
"Oh." The man sounded sympathetic. "Do you need to call anyone?"
"No... just wanted to distract myself. But thank you."
"You can borrow my ipod," the dark-haired man said, pulling a small device out of his pocket. "I'd offer you my phone, but I don't have any games." He waved his phone in front of Kenma. If it could still be called a phone. Kenma looked aghast at the banged up old thing. And an ipod? Who the hell used an ipod these days? Still, Kenma just wanted to relax and shut the world out for a while.
"Thank you," Kenma said hesitantly.
"And here's some apple juice, since you didn't get pie."
The stranger promptly handed over the ipod and some headphones, together with a glass of juice.
Kenma blinked. He was usually reluctant to engage with strangers. They either wanted to talk his ears off - or hit on him. This man didn't appear to press for either though, despite looking to having a penchant for both.
"Thank you," Kenma murmured, sincerely.
The stranger offered him a brief crooked smile before returning to the book he'd apparently been reading before attending to his tech-deprived tablemate.
Kenma closed his eyes and pressed play. This guy's taste in music was...special. Ok, Kenma mostly listened to video game soundtracks, so he couldn't talk.
Between the book's interesting plot and the ipod's loud volume they both missed the first three announcements that had all others moving around like ants. Kuroo started in surprise when the announcement system called him personally.
He tapped Kenma's shoulder. The blond boy pulled the cords out.
"Sorry, I need to go."
Kenma nodded and handed him the ipod.
"Thank you for the loan."
Kenma tried to ignore all the people moving around making too much noise. He finished his dry sandwich and drank his donated juice, then stretched and sighed. What time was it…? He glanced at the board and located his flight. Cancelled ...wait...what?! Kenma immediately stomped over to the information desk. This day just kept getting better and better.
"We're sorry. All flights are cancelled due to the snow, but we're arranging rooms for everyone overnight. Let's see… there's a room at Stirrups. That's in Bracknell, just 2 hours away. You exit over there, then collect your luggage and take the train towards…"
Kenma closed his eyes. He was normally a calm person that didn't get too upset, as he cared about very few things. Today however was the day that Kozume Kenma decided that enough was enough.
"No," Kenma said with an icy voice that would probably have scared his co-workers silly. "I am not moving an inch. You're booking me on the first flight tomorrow morning and you'll find me a room here at the airport. I am staying right here even if I have to sleep on someone."
Even as Kenma heard the airport staff say that he'd already taken care of the flight, but all hotels here were full, Kenma heard a familiar voice behind him.
"You can sleep with me."
Kenma turned around and stared at ...mr ipod.
"What?"
"I mean... sleep in the same room? I'm staying right here in the airport, so… Not that I wouldn't sleep with you. Because you're really cute. Ehr...I mean…"
His former savior grinned. Part mischievous, part embarrassed.
"Do you always offer ipods, juice and hotel rooms to strangers?"
"I am always this kind," the tall man said brightly.
Kenma snorted.
Kenma flopped down on the bed and relaxed after a (wonderful) warm shower. His new roommate, mr ipod (or Kuroo Tetsurou, as he'd introduced himself), had turned out to be more entertaining than expected. Kuroo's phone lockscreen had contained a picture of volleyball star Dekita Takashi - though barely recognizable behind cracked glass. That discovery had resulted in a long conversation about volleyball, which Kenma had in fact enjoyed. Kuroo was a lot nerdier about the subject, but fun enough.
Over room service dinner Kuroo admitted to being a chemist and living in Tokyo, as well as playing volleyball. Kenma offered up similar basic information - programmer, living in Nagasaki, also playing volleyball. Kuroo had even laughed at most of his jokes, which was kind of nice, as not a lot of people enjoyed his dry sense of humor. The man's laugh, which frankly resembled a dying hyena, had startled Kenma the first time, but he'd gotten used to it.
Kuroo emerged from the bathroom, clad in a too-short bathrobe. Kenma took the liberty of discreetly admiring his visible legs. Thank you volleyball. Kuroo's wild hair looked a lot different when wet. He wondered what a mess it'd look like in the morning and then realized he would probably get to see it.
Kuroo's wide grin told Kenma that he hadn't been as discreet as he thought, but also that the tall man didn't really mind.
"I always get sent because I'm single. It sucks! This time I missed the match with Fukurodani and a BBQ!"
Kuroo pouted. They were both in bed, still wearing bathrobes. Ready to sleep really, but neither were tired enough yet.
"So get a partner," Kenma said pragmatically. Surely Kuroo had no problem getting dates. While not conventionally handsome, Kuroo was attractive and - as far as Kenma could tell so far - both intelligent and fun enough to attract a variety of people of both sexes. Considering the man's earlier attempts at flirting he was likely into guys, although Kenma had no idea if he was also into women.
"It's not that easy. Just because you're smart and cute as hell and probably has to fend people off with a stick…"
"I don't."
"Seriously? Why not?"
"I... I'm not a dateable person... I think. And to be honest I've been...unsure about what I want."
Kenma felt ready to sink through the ground - or at least hide under the covers. Why on earth did he offer up that kind of information? He'd not even told Shouyou yet, despite having thought about it for a long time. What had possessed him to tell this perfect stranger that he was probably gay, or bi, or whatever. Not that he thought there was anything wrong about it, far from it, but he wasn't 100% sure yet - and above all he certainly wasn't accustomed to confiding in people he didn't know well.
"Ah, haven't decided yet? Have you tried both then?"
Kenma blinked.
"No... just... girls."
Two girls were plural at least. Why did he have this conversation at all? It was probably a dream. Or a nightmare considering everything that had happened to him during the day.
"Well, if you want to try guys, I'm right here," his ridiculous bed partner said suggestively, probably trying to look flirty. It kind of worked actually.
So how was your trip Kenma? Oh, I suffered through a horrible forum, my flight was cancelled and then I had to spend the night with a guy with weird hair - who suggested that they should have sex. Oh what the hell... if it was bad, it would be the culmination of the day and he'd have the ultimate punch-line when telling the story to his co-workers.
But, Kuroo had loaned him an ipod, given him apple juice and offered him to share his hotel room - and had also been good company so far. He had in fact supplied all the few nice things that had happened to him this day, so using that logic maybe the sex would also be good?
"Ok."
Kuroo stared at him. "Ok?"
"Yes."
"You want to have sex with me?"
"Yes?"
"Are you drunk?"
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"The cider was non-alcoholic Kuroo."
"Oh."
"Unless you don't want to?"
"I do! It's just... never worked before."
"You can't get it up?" Kenma looked slightly concerned.
"I meant the pickup line! My stuff works fine!"
"Oh good. So... I take it you've done this before? So you know what to do?"
"I have and I do," Kuroo said, now looking slightly amused.
"Do we have any supplies?"
"Eh?"
"I've read a bit on the subject. I think I'd prefer bottoming. I don't think I'm ready for any BDSM or rimming yet, just some vanilla sex...if that's ok with you?"
Kenma looked over at Kuroo, who seemed undecided on whether it was appropriate to laugh. He settled on an amused crooked smile, which somehow made Kenma red in the face and a bit nervous.
"That's ok with me. How about we start with kissing and you just let me know if I should stop. Whenever. Ok?"
"Ok," Kenma whispered. Wait, was he seriously considering fucking a man who was in possession of an ipod...a Motorola phone and weird hair? Well...the hair wasn't so bad. In fact, Kenma realized with some horror that he found it pretty cute.
The hair was also very nice to run hands through, Kenma realized, while thoroughly enjoying kissing Kuroo. Kenma did have extensive experience kissing and making out, as a lot of dates had gone that far, but so far kissing hadn't felt quite like this. That crooked mouth was certainly good for more than just smirking.
Kenma felt...attractive. He knew that he wasn't bad looking. Men and women frequently hit on him when he happened to be among people. Knowing he was pretty good looking and actually feeling it were two different things though. Kenma felt wonderful.
Kuroo's hot mouth trailed down his body with purpose, sliding Kenma's bathrobe open as he moved. Kenma shivered, but forgot all about the cold as Kuroo's equally warm hands closed on his cock, followed by his mouth.
Much later, he almost in screamed in protest when Kuroo stopped to retrieve a pillow and some hotel lotion. While standing up, the tall man disrobed completely, letting Kenma enjoy a full view of his body. After a preparation that Kenma frankly suspected had to be more thorough than needed, Kuroo's cock finally slid inside.
"Ok...I'm gay," Kenma announced to the room and his audience of one.
Kuro laughed. He still sounded like a hyena, but Kenma found that he'd grown to not dislike it.
Afterwards, Kenma joined Kuroo in the shower to further acquaint himself with his bed partner's lean but muscular body. Kuroo hadn't minded his exploration at all, nor his attempts at fitting as much of his cock in his mouth as possible. For science.
Kuroo wasn't that gentle the second time, but then again Kenma had all but ordered him not to be.
Kuroo hesitated before leaving the room. Maybe he should wake Kenma up to say goodbye? But perhaps that was a bit too...personal. Kenma had told him that he loved to sleep, so he'd probably be mad being woken up two hours early by a one night stand just to wave goodbye. No, leaving a note was most likely the best way.
Kuroo closed the door and left to catch his flight home. He felt great!
Kenma dragged himself out of bed after snoozing for far too long. Damn, he was sore. So worth it though. He quickly brushed his teeth and threw on his clothes. To be honest he was a bit disappointed Kuroo hadn't woken him up before leaving, but he guessed that was a bit too intimate. Still...he could have left a note or something. Kenma was honest enough with himself to admit that he had expected one. He'd only known Kuroo for a few hours, but he'd felt...something. He'd been nice. Kind. Fun. And the sex had frankly been great. Ok, he was officially insulted.
Kenma left the room in a hurry, making his way to his flight.
The note slid further down behind the nightstand.
Kuroo ran another search on Kenma's name online. Still the same info. Kuroo had seen it all before. He knew where Kenma lived, worked and played volleyball. His online handle was applepi, not that Kuroo was surprised. He understood basically nothing about Kenma's published programs, but he seemed talented and successful. Kenma's volleyball team, Karasuno Tech, was a moderately good local team. Apparently Kenma had recently been replaced as starting setter by someone named Kageyama. Kuroo wondered what Kenma thought about that. He'd ask once Kenma contacted him.
Kenma didn't contact him. Kuroo told himself that he wasn't disappointed, but then immediately admitted that he was lying. He had frankly been pretty sure Kenma would at least text him and was vain enough to feel a bit insulted. Still, Kenma had no obligations to contact him. They'd just met for a few hours and had sex. Perhaps Kenma was shy. Perhaps he was embarrassed. Perhaps he had a crush back home. Perhaps he simply wasn't interested at all. If he'd wanted to contact Kuroo he could have, but he didn't, so he'd just have to put this behind him.
Kenma closed the browser after another session. Kuroo was not very visible online, or at least he wouldn't be to someone who wasn't as resourceful as Kenma. As evidenced by his ipod and old phone - and his cluelessness about some of the jargon Kenma had used in conversation, he was not a tech-savvy person. Most of the info available online was supplied by other people. Kenma knew where Kuroo had gone to school, graduated, his (impressive) grades, his family (dead) and where he lived. He also knew where Kuroo worked, although he'd also told him that himself - and that he played on his local volleyball team, Nekoma Labs.
Kenma had access to all of Kuroo's official and unofficial numbers and e-mail addresses. However, if the man had wanted Kenma to contact him he would have left a note. He would just have to be ok with it, even if it stung. With the risk of sounding like a needy teenager, Kenma had felt that they had a connection. Obviously he'd been alone in that assumption. After all people were usually eager enough for a first date with him, but Kenma had almost accepted that he was unsuited for longer relationships.
...and he'd not even seen what Kuroo's hair looked like in the morning. Damn.
End chapter one
Author's note:
If you liked the story it would be great to know which parts were most enjoyable to you.
There are a few more KuroKen WIPs in the pipe, including sinweek (which I started too early, so it'll be hard to wait posting it *sobs*). I was initially considering using this for sinweek since it has bed-sharing and elevators and everything, but it will have another plotline instead.
As an avid fic reader I'd also like to spread the word on Fandom Fic Rec Days on tumblr, Feb 10th-12th 2017. Be sure to participate so that your favourites are showered in the praise they deserve. Since I've read *all* KuroKen fics on AO3 (took a while…^-^;;) I'll definitely be participating myself (currently preparing massive kuroken fic rec post). Also, AO3 has International Fanworks Day Feb 15th 2017.