Chapter Twelve: The Breakdown and the Breakthrough

"Just tilt your head a little closer to his, okay?" Kuroo's gentle voice never gave the hint that he was in control of the photo shoot. No matter the difficulty of the couple, Kuroo's requests and relaxed nature made them willing to listen with no resistance. For years,Kenma had watched him use this same tactic with friends, teachers, and family. He had been known to try it on Kenma, though the editor was quite good at turning it down. Still, even he could get swept up by the charming man now lifting the camera to snap another picture.

The couple that they were working with had a different love story than most. Both were baseball fans for rival teams. They met at a series in which both teams were competing, their seats next to each other in the stadium. Throughout the game the two had argued, refusing to admit their team was inferior. Despite the fights, the two couldn't deny the attraction that was rising as quick as the pitch count. During the seventh inning stretch, the groom had proposed a deal; whoever's team won would get taken out to dinner by the loser. Neither would agree on the result of the game, each claiming their own team won. But there was a dinner had, and four years of competition had not taken anything away from their love. Even now, as the two wore differing jerseys while sharing a kiss, it was obvious they were happily in love.

Kenma let his eyes glance up at the sunny Monday sky shining down on them before resting deeper in the shade of the dugout. His DS was at his side, lacking battery from their long trip. The photo shoot was being done in the city, which took an hour by train just to get to. The two decided to take the train instead of Kuroo's bike, knowing that the daytime heat would make the ride uncomfortable. This was the first photo shoot since the bad night of seafood that Kenma had been allowed to go on-site with Kuroo. He had been feeling up to the task since Saturday, yet Kuroo's overprotective nature refused to listen. He had been sick for two days, and the photographer had stayed by his side for the entire experience. Little Crows refused to sit idly by, either; Yamaguchi brought Kenma's favorite flowers (Cattleya Orchids) as a get well gift. Kageyama took care of feeding Kenma, as Kuroo was still quite useless in the kitchen. The sappy romance movies were contributed by Oikawa, seeming to enjoy torturing Kuroo with his choices. And Suga pulled his normal magic, fixing all their schedules to meet Kenma's need.

But Kuroo was the one who took the lead in his care. When he couldn't keep down the small meals, Kuroo rubbed his back and comforted him. He didn't complain about Kenma's lack of motivation to leave his room. Kuroo even slept in Kenma's bed, lulling the feverish man to sleep by stroking his hair. The situation felt surreal. When people dedicated that much time to another's recovery, it was normally their wife. Yet Kuroo didn't seem to mind coddling Kenma, and the editor wasn't sure what to think of that information.

"That was great; I got a lot of unique pictures." Kuroo's voice started to move closer to Kenma, the blond lifting his head to see the taller man leading the couple his way. "We'll be able to have these ready for you to look at for...Thursday?"

"Wednesday," Kenma corrected, awkwardly looking away as he brushed his hair behind his ear. Kuroo took the spotlight off of him easily, giving a charming smile to the couple.

"Wednesday it is. Just come by Suga's office and let him know which ones you've picked for your engagement photo."

"Thank you for coming out here to do these pictures. This stadium really means alot to us." The bride's eyes were filled with excitement as she glanced around the stadium, her hand squeezing her fiance's. "It is home to the best team, after all."

"The standings say otherwise," The groom teased, his laugh hearty before pressing his free hand to his wife's belly. "And when our little boy grows up, he'll know for sure just how great his daddy's team is."

"Keep dreaming," she answered, her pretty blue eyes turning back to the photographer. "But honestly, thank you again for being so accommodating for me."

"We'll do anything to help our customers, especially ones who may be holding the next big slugger." The wink from Kuroo was casual yet didn't hold a hint of sexual undertone or unprofessionalism. Kenma quietly trailed behind Kuroo as they walked the pair to the gate of the park, waving while exchanging pleasant goodbyes. The two then returned to the field, starting to clean up Kuroo's camera supplies.

"There's a train that will come in around 1pm. If we leave the park in the next fifteen minutes, we could make it there with time to spare." Kenma's eyes looked over the train schedule on his phone, Kuroo letting out a low sigh before he pulled his backpack onto his shoulders.

"When's the next one?" The strange question only faltered the editor for a moment, the blonde quietly sliding his finger down the screen.

"There's a train at 2pm, but then there isn't another one until 5:30pm."

"That's the one we want." Now Kenma did give pause, lifting his head to see Kuroo's charming smile. "Get us two tickets for the 5:30 train, okay? I'd do it, but you've already got the page open."

"Why aren't we picking an earlier train?" Kenma asked, staying in his crouched position on the ground.

"I think it'd be a waste to come out to the city and not explore it. We've never spent a whole day here, and we don't have any other clients. I was doing some research when I heard we were coming out here; did you know there's a zoo about ten minutes away? I bet we could-."

"So that was your plan," Kenma said, giving a weak frown when his best friend laughed.

"Ah, caught me. You know I'm a sucker for zoos." Kenma did know that fact, as Kuroo's love of animals had been a staple in his life. It didn't surprise him that Kuroo's plan revolved around going to the zoo. Despite his mature look, Kuroo was a child at heart. Slowly pushing to stand, Kenma gave a quiet shrug and barely nodded his head.

"I'll buy them on the way there." An arm was dropped over Kenma's shoulder, Kuroo yanking the surprised man closer and lowering his nose to nuzzle in Kenma's hair.

"You're the best." Kenma wanted to argue, remembering how much work the taller man had put into taking care of him. Even though the zoo would have more people than Kenma felt comfortable being around, he couldn't turn Kuroo down. The photographer had cancelled his plans with Bokuto's friend, skipping a concert he was looking forward to just to keep an eye on Kenma. The sacrifice was made without a second thought. The least Kenma could do was stomach a few hours in public to please his best friend. Ignoring the slight nerves rumbling in his mind, Kenma looked up the directions to the zoo.

True to Kuroo's word, the wildlife sanctuary wasn't far. Getting in had been simple, most families were in school or working on the sunny afternoon. The lack of people at the entrance eased some of Kenma's tension. Some of the more popular exhibits were crowded, Kenma hesitating to follow his friend into the fray. Each time his arm would brush against a stranger, the editor would freeze in panic. He waited for the person to scream at him or to question why Kenma was so klutzy. Most simply gave an apology and went on their way, not bothering to look back at the blond. Yet that didn't settle the nerves inside the smaller man; it simply made his expectation for an attack rise. Kuroo, to his credit, kept close to the quiet man. When talking about the different animals, Kuroo's arm rested around the back of Kenma, allowing Kenma to bury into his side for protection. Having the extra feeling of security allowed moments of fun to shine through, Kenma smiling at Kuroo's lively descriptions of tigers and polar bears.

It was just before three when their stomachs grumbled and the two decided a lunch break was needed. The later time of day in the zoo meant some schools had been dismissed, the foot traffic of the area growing in density. Kenma tried not to notice the increase of crowd as the two walked toward the restaurant, looking at the menu outside of the entrance.

"Do you want the chicken fingers?" Kuroo's suggestion received a nod, Kenma only half listening to the question. His eyes flickered to the people rushing past them, flinching when a set of kids swiped the side of his shirt. Concerned by the movement, Kuroo peered down to his friend, a gentler tone coming from his mouth. "You okay?"

"Fine," Kenma whispered, his stomach fluttering as he heard the worried tone. If Kuroo thought he wasn't alright, he would cancel the trip. They hadn't been able to see the whole zoo yet, and their train was still two hours away. An anxious Kenma would ruin Kuroo's trip in the city. And even if he didn't say it, Kenma was sure his friend would be disappointed. How many times could the photographer deal with Kenma's anxiety ruining their plans before he finally had enough? A small voice tried to break through the panic, reminding the editor that Kuroo had never left before. The word were drowned out, though, and the blond took a quick breath before pushing away from Kuroo. "I'll find a seat if you go order the food."

"Works for me. I'll come find you, okay?" Waiting for an affirmative nod from Kenma, Kuroo moved toward the ordering window, leaving Kenma to try and collect himself. The editor tried to focus on his breathing, remembering his therapist's words. His emotions manifested into physical reactions, and created his sudden bursts of anxiety. So long as he could keep his composure, Kenma would be fine. Yet each time he tried to focus on his inhales, the sound of loud chatter or screaming children would break his concentration. Three weak attempts to breathe failed, and Kenma felt the need to find a table take over his mind. Maybe if he could focus on that, his anxiety would stay manageable.

The second he stepped into the dining area, he knew he had made a mistake. Filled to the brim with people, Kenma's breath escaped him. It was impossible to focus on his mission when he nearly ran into someone upon entering the building. The rows of people that lined the tables gave little options for Kenma to choose from. Random single seats were open, and though some weren't far apart, the distance was too much for Kenma to handle. Overwhelmed by the sight, Kenma felt his throat dry when a few pairs of eyes lifted from their meal to glance at him. They only lingered a second, maybe looking for a friend to return with food, but it was enough to trigger the negative thoughts. Did they think he was weird, standing alone? They probably assumed nobody would want to be friends with a quiet man like him. And why would they? Kenma wasn't a sociable guy who liked parties and being out with friends. He didn't have appeal like Suga, or the looks of Oikawa. Kenma was just a short, strange person who-

"Kitten." A soft call of his familiar nickname snagged Kenma's attention from the encroaching sickly thoughts.

"I-!" Eyes wide and unfocused, Kenma felt something warm slip into his hand, his immediate reaction to pull away. The grip didn't release, familiar fingers linking between his own before pulling him from the busy area. Black hair swayed in front of him as Kuroo led Kenma away, the two finding shade under a nearby tree. Kenma only caught a glimpse of the bagged food dropping to the bench beside them before he was swept into a hug.

"I've got you." The warmth was comforting and eased the bouncing nerves inside his stomach, Kenma's rapid breathing starting to slow in response. One small hand reached up to snag the back of Kuroo's t-shirt, Kenma's forehead dropping to the chest in front of him. It took a few minutes for his body to untense, the thunderous heartbeat and lack of breath releasing their hold on Kenma's panicking mind. The hug didn't lessen throughout the calm down, Kuroo's scent easing some of the erratic thoughts. But as Kenma's anxiety started to wane, the embarrassment rose without permission. He hadn't had a panic attack like this in years. And of all the days, why did it have to be the one that meant something to Kuroo?

"I'm okay now." Kenma emphasised his point with a small tug on the back of Kuroo's shirt, though the hug didn't release. Feeling guilt swell in his ribs, Kenma peeked up from his resting spot, hoping to catch the eye of his friend. "You don't...have to keep holding me."

"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling overwhelmed?" Finally Kuroo leaned away, but only enough for the photographer to catch the gaze of his quiet counterpart. Feeling self-conscious at the strong gaze being aimed directly at him, Kenma squirmed in his spot and shrugged.

"I didn't want to ruin your trip to the zoo, but..." He was sure that he had done that exact thing. How could Kuroo enjoy the rest of the day when he had to deal with Kenma's anxious nature? The predicted aggravation was missing from Kuroo's smile, the taller man simply shaking his head before replying.

"I've had lots of fun. And spending it with you made it even better. The fact that you were able to progress this far is amazing. You've really outdone yourself, kitten." The compliment made Kenma blush, his eyes downcast as his friend laughed. "If I had known it was so busy in there, I would have suggested eating out here. We can use this bench, too. Way better than that cramped place, right?"

"Maybe," Kenma answered quietly, Kuroo stepping back in order to drop his butt onto the bench. Yanking open the bag of food, the photographer busied himself with separating their food while he hummed. Kenma didn't sit, his attention staying on the concentrated face of the photographer. Even if Kuroo enjoyed teasing his friends, he was truly a nice person. He never made fun of people for their weakness, and praised the small accomplishments they made. He was the first to pass the spotlight onto another person, and the last to think of himself. He made Kenma's anxiety feel like a mountain to conquer instead of a crippling drawback. Never once did he think of the editor as a victim. The optimistic view he had made it easier for Kenma to take chances and grow as a person. Without the dark haired man by his side, Kenma wouldn't have made it this far.

"I got you honey mustard for dipping sauce. We both know you won't eat without it." Kuroo's lopsided grin gave a handsome edge to the man's face. For once, the heavy thud in Kenma's chest didn't make the editor flinch. Instead, the smaller man stepped forward, his blond hair swaying when he bent down into Kuroo's personal space. Small lips pressed to the soft skin of Kuroo's cheek, Kenma's eyes squeezing shut for only a moment before he pulled away. Once re-opening them, Kenma instantly looked toward the gaping mouth of his older friend. Never before had Kuroo reacted with such honest shock. His cheeks were tickled pink, which made a twitch of a smile pull at Kenma's lips. Kuroo was an attractive man, which meant he had been around the block a time or two. He was no stranger to intimacy. So the sight of his suave friend being rendered speechless because of a peck on the cheek made Kenma happy. Trying to keep his passive expression, Kenma casually sat next to his food, his fingers snagging the honey mustard still resting in Kuroo's palm.

"Thank you." For the dressing or for always being there for him, Kenma wasn't sure. Maybe both. It didn't matter; the soft words from the blond finally shook Kuroo from his daze, who kept a bright smile on his face for the rest of lunch. Kenma stayed on the quiet side while his roommate chatted, but it wasn't uncomfortable. He liked to listen to his friend ramble about his favorite parts of the park and which animals he still wanted to see. By the time the meal was done, Kenma was committed to continuing their exploration of the zoo. Any remaining traces of nerves dissipated when Kuroo's hand grabbed his own, the photographer giving his signature smile while pulling Kenma closer to him.

"If you get too nervous, just give my hand a squeeze."

"Okay," Kenma consented quietly, allowing his hand to stay in the sweaty larger palm. The connection alone seemed to protect from the toxic thoughts, and Kenma enjoyed the remaining time spent at the zoo. He wondered, while watching Kuroo make childish faces at the gorilla behind the glass, if holding this hand could give him the power to accept his anxiety a little easier.

If Kuroo didn't see it as a problem, then maybe Kenma could learn to be happy with it, too.


"Now before I begin, do any of you know a single thing about dance?" Oikawa's sweet tone didn't disperse the tension in the ballroom, his brown eyes scanning the wedding party arranged in front of him. None looking comfortable with the question, the only man who raised his hand was Ennoshita, who let out a quiet sigh when all eyes turned to him.

"My sister's a ballroom dancer and I help her practice at home during my breaks." The student's explanation seemed to satisfy Oikawa, who beckoned him away from his group. The tailor had Ennoshita stand between Kuroo and Kageyama, though they weren't the only members of Little Crows to be there. Suga and Yamaguchi stood on the other side of Oikawa, waiting for directions from their dramatic leader. Despite Oikawa being the only crow with training, all of the employees were able to assist in ballroom dancing. Even Kenma, who had been excused from the exercise because of the work he needed to catch up on, could begrudgingly demonstrate the steps for a waltz. Weddings were shying away from the formalities of dancing, yet Oikawa was always willing to toss in a free lesson if the bride or groom so desired. With larger groups it was hard for only one man to teach, so the tailor "persuaded" (or blackmailed in Kageyama's case) the team to learn some steps as well. It was rare he asked for their assistance, but the lack of women in the group called for some extra hands.

"Well then this lesson should be a walk in the park for you." A simple wink from Oikawa had Ennoshita glancing away awkwardly, the tailor smirking and turning his attention back to the men across the room. "As for the rest of our wedding party, I'll be assigning you a partner to work with for our class. We won't be going over something complicated, just simple movements and steps you can take when slow dancing with a beautiful woman or dashing stud."

"If we don't dance, can we leave?" Tsukishima's dry question showed his lack of desire to be in the room, though Oikawa easily ignored it to continue his instructions.

"Our first pairing is obviously our two grooms." At the curling of the assistant's finger, Asahi and Noya emerged from their group to step into the middle of the room. While the instant attention made the taller man cringe, Noya bobbed on his feet in excitement. Oikawa gave a bright smile at the two, feeling completely in his element. "You two will be the stars of the show, so we need to make sure you flow nicely together."

"Right!" Noya chirped out, Asahi glancing away with a soft nod.

"Thank you for your help."

"It's my pleasure, obviously. I mean, it's not everyday I get to show off my amazing dancing skills." Then Oikawa turned toward his boss, giving a pointed look. "Suga-kun, I'll be pairing you with Daichi."

"Me?" The best man gave a slow blink as Oikawa nodded, his face showing how obvious he thought the choice was.

"You two are too pathetic to separate. Even if I did, I'm sure you'd be making googly eyes at each other across the room." The honest answer had both men red in seconds, though neither protested his claim. Oikawa simply rolled his eyes at the reaction, his hands pressing to either side of his hips. "Now that you two are happily paired, I should make sure the other best man is taken care of."

"I'll work with Tanaka." The psychology student caught the assistant's attention, droopy eyes showing little excitement over his offer. "He's not the best student out there and he tends to get overexcited when learning new things. Last time I asked him to help with my sister's recital he nearly broke her toe with his two left feet. It's just easier this way."

"That was so long ago!" The mechanic's loud protest was overshadowed by Noya's snickering, Ennoshita giving a pointed stare at the bald man.

"It was in February."

"Three months can change a man." The serious expression on Tanaka's face would have been intimidating if not for the ridiculous subject at hand. Ennoshita gave a weak sigh, showing how often he dealt with the craziness of Tanaka before he snagged his bicep and dragged him to the side of the room.

"Well now that the bald one is contained, I'll be pairing up chibi-kun next." Oikawa's words made Hinata perk up in his group, seeming eager to take on the challenge.

"Alright! I'm going to be the best dancer there is out there!"

"It's not a competition, dumbass." Kageyama's snappy words made Hinata huff, sending the irritated baker a defiant look.

"You're just saying that because you don't want me to do better than you."

"As if someone as uncoordinated as you could dance."

"Bakayama-"

"Chibi-kun will be dancing with our favorite little flower child." Oikawa's sweet words split the two, both arguing men turning to face the assistant. With a lean arm around the florist's shoulders, Oikawa tilted his head and spoke through a smile. "I aim to please my little co-workers, after all."

"He asked for me?" Hinata's words were filled with the same confusion the rest of the room felt, though Yamaguchi simply looked toward the window at the question.

"Technically he implemented 'Code Burgundy', but didn't specify who he wanted to be with."

"Oh my god," The tailor heard Suga mutter, pressing his hands into his face at the familiar code talk. Daichi had seemed amused when he arched an eyebrow toward Suga, the wedding planner refusing to answer the unspoken question. Instead his hazel stare moved back onto Oikawa, his voice slipping through a forced smile. "Tooru, let's focus on the task at hand."

"Fine, fine." Oikawa pushed Yamaguchi toward the energetic teacher, Hinata giving his signature smile at the nervous florist.

"This is going to be so much fun! Way better than having to deal with that annoying jerk." Yet even as Hinata spat his insult, a hesitant gaze toward the baker showed he wasn't as relieved as he portrayed. The tint of curiosity, or maybe longing, flickered in his face before turning back to his dance partner. Yamaguchi himself looked out of sorts, a smile that boarded on fake plastered to his lips. The opposite could be said for a particular lawyer, the scowl evident as he sent a scathing glare toward the assistant.

"Code Burgundy?" The tone of disdain in Tsukishima's voice implied he didn't enjoy the secrecy. Despite an aura that would unease a Spartan, Oikawa shrugged the intimidating look away.

"It's a need-to-know basis." The dismissive tone he used made the blonde's eyebrow twitch, though he was too proud to argue with the assistant. To make another retort would show he cared, and it was obvious to the brunet that the tall lawyer had no interest in exposing his hand. But to the tailor, it was obvious what Tsukishima was feeling.

Oikawa was a little surprised when Yamaguchi visited his office before the lesson with a troubled look and fidgety hands, asking for a special request. Though he wanted to help with the dance lesson, he didn't want to be paired with Tsukishima. For the boy who got along with anything short of a serial killer, the request was rare. The small wince that had accompanied the request had displeased Oikawa. Though he tended to push the teasing envelope with his co-workers, it was never to hurt. He was still thinking of a way to repay the florist for his childish comment at the tuxedo alterations. Suga was the mama crow, sure, but Oikawa wasn't known for laying down without a fight. He may not have known what had transpired between the two, but he was quite sure the little flower needed his protection.

And maybe a little revenge.

"But do not fret, my friend, because Tobio-kun will be a great match for you." The moment the words left his mouth, a communal burst of laughter sprouted from Noya, Tanaka, and Hinata's mouths. Even Yamaguchi's lips tweaked into a smile, though he kept his laughter silent at the sturdy voice of the best man.

"Enough laughing, we're all stepping out of our comfort zone." Yet even as Daichi scolded them, the men continued with their unfiltered snickers. The two men in question were matching in their displeased looks, Tsukishima being the first to speak.

"I refuse."

"I can't dance with him." Kageyama's protest supported the lawyer, neither seeming willing to budge in their choice. There was a moment where their eyes met, golden eyes instantly narrowing.

"The problem here isn't me; I don't intend to waste my time with someone as inadequate as you."

"What did you say?" There was a narrowed gleam to Kageyama's eyes, showing his displeasure with the lawyer's statement. Before the heated conversation could turn ugly, Daichi appeared between the two, his hands resting on their shoulders.

"Last time I checked, there were no children in this wedding party. So I'd advise you two to stop acting like toddlers." Daichi's words weren't presented as a threat, yet the warning was still clear as day. Tsukishima sighed and looked toward the ground, quietly accepting the order from the older man. Kageyama had less experience with the officer, but still seemed uneasy with the situation. Before he could voice this, a cheerful voice entered the conversation.

"It kind of fits for you two to be together, since you're both really tall." Then with a grin that couldn't be dampered, Hinata kept his bright eyes on Kageyama. "Even though I still don't think you can dance."

"I'm telling you, I can!"

"Then let's get this show on the road. If you can teach Stingyshima to dance, I'll buy you dinner. Deal?" The stare between the two was short lived before Kageyama scoffed, his frown lacking any pleasure when turning toward the lawyer.

"Fine." It wasn't hard to notice the shade of pink dusting the baker's cheeks, Oikawa seeming pleased with the agreement before moving to his ipod. A few clicks made the classy music flow from the speakers, signaling the Little Crows to begin the lesson. Oikawa spun around on his heels, turning his attention to Kuroo.

"You'll be my floater for this lesson; work with Asahi and Noya most of the time, but if you see one of our pairs struggling, I'm trusting you to show them a thing or two."

"Aye aye, captain." Kuroo's smile was slow as he used two fingers to salute his co-worker, the photographer stepping toward the center of the dancefloor. The tailor made sure to ruffle the already messy black hair before humming in contentment, brown eyes falling on the amusing couples on the dancefloor.

"You may all begin!"

And for the most part, the lesson went well. Oikawa didn't expect Daichi to do well with the waltz, and the officer was living up to his dismal expectations. Suga's smile showed he didn't mind the sloppy movements, their fingers finding each other like they were meant to be intertwined. Blushes were easy to spot as goofy smiles tugged at the pair's lips, Daichi hesitating for only a moment before stepping closer to the wedding planner. Their aura screamed fate, making Oikawa roll his eyes and turn away.

"Hips stay still here, Ryuu." The flat voice showed no mercy as Ennoshita stepped into the mechanic's space, his softer hands pressing down onto his taller partner's hips. "If I have to tell you that again-"

"You won't, promise!" Yet the sneaky grin on the bald man's face showed he was up to no good. The psychology student's sigh was barely heard over the music, proving he was more like the mama crow that Oikawa previously thought. It was amusing to watch Tanaka mess up minutes after the critique, and the tailor wondered if the obnoxious man simply enjoyed his friend's fingers on his waist.

"That's...that's good, Shouyou. I think you finally got it." Yamaguchi's praise tugged on the assistant's ear, a bemused feeling swelling in his lean chest when seeing the chibi teacher jump into the air.

"Wah, you really think so?! Let's do it again!" Yamaguchi didn't seem to expect Hinata's grasp of his hands, yanking him off balance to try and engage in the dance steps again. The florist managed to give off a nervous laugh as he regained composure, eyes flickering away from the bright stare now locked on his face.

"Ah, but you've already got the steps down."

"Yeah, but I don't want to forget and look like those two." A point over the brunet's shoulder was aimed to the grumpy baker, whose equally annoyed partner looked beyond uncomfortable with their situation.

"If I wanted to learn from a robot, I could have watched a tutorial online."

"Do you ever shut up?" Kageyama snapped out, the lawyer simply smirking with the knowledge of getting under his partner's skin. Before the conversation could escalate, Oikawa watched Kuroo step in, seeming to try and keep the peace. Though Kageyama was relieved for the help, Tsukishima seemed to bristle at the photographer's teasing grin. Oikawa couldn't hear the words that were exchanged, but if he knew Kuroo as well as he did, it wasn't meant to still the waters of the blonde. From how shaken up their little florist had been when asking Oikawa for his request, the assistant couldn't feel a shred of sympathy in regards to the lawyer. Let him suffer; maybe it would smarten him up.

Finally, Oikawa's eyes fell on the final man left without a partner. The cop with spiky hair seemed less amused, crossing his arms and giving a warning look as Oikawa practically skipped over to him.

"What are you looking at?"

"My partner, obviously."

"I'll pass."

"No need to be shy." Oikawa's hand reached to to grab the officer's arm, gently tugging the shorter man closer to him. The annoyed look didn't drop from Iwaizumi's face, though he did lower his arms when slender fingers ran over them. "You won't find a better teacher than me, you know. Some like to say I'm a sin to watch."

"You're a pain in the ass," Iwaizumi grumbled, giving a soft grunt when Oikawa slid against his body. Lean arms wrapped around the back of Iwaizumi's neck, eliminating the space between their chests. Fully flushed against each other, Oikawa smirked, letting his fingers climb the back of the officer's neck.

"Don't be so mean, Iwa-chan. I've been wanting to dance with you since we first met." The music was meant for proper dance squares, but Oikawa's sensual roll of his hips proved he didn't have the waltz on his mind. Then again, his mother always had a sexual flair to each of her steps. To prove he had inherited her skill, Oikawa swayed his hips, enticing the now stiff officer to follow his teasing beat. "No need to be shy; I'm sure you're quite good with your body."

"I don't dance." The words were spat out like bad food, but the assistant could feel the skin warming against his own. Grinning at the small victory, Oikawa gave a slight tug to the hair under his grasp, practically purring his next words against Iwaizumi's ear.

"Not all dance is formal. I actually prefer close dancing, with the right partner. And I think you're perfect for me." The shiver that rolled through the officer's body was instant, two heavy hands surprising the tailor when they grasped onto Oikawa's moving hips.

"Yeah?" But when the brunet was pulled closer instead of away, he gasped in pleasure. Iwaizumi's body was firm in every sense of the word. Though Tooru knew he was in great shape, it paled in comparison to Iwaizumi. His arms were built to rip trees from the ground, effortlessly holding Oikawa's weight against his body with no hint of a strain. One hand palmed the back of Oikawa's thigh, raising the pliant leg snug to his own waist. Thighs were parted and firm under the assistant's own, Oikawa unsure how he had ended up hoisted off his feet. The movement made their stomachs brush, the assistant feeling his breath hitch at the firm muscles pressing into his own. A rush of warmth rushed through his blood, body taut against the officer's own.

"I-Iwa-chan-"

"I never said I couldn't dance." The words were low against the side of his jaw, leaving Oikawa's eyes wide and mouth parted in shock. It was rare that he was overwhelmed by another person, especially one he had been sure he had figured out. But the sudden show of power from Iwaizumi sunk deep into Oikawa's skin, making him lose focus on anything but the steady breathing of the chest pressed into his own. A hand to the underside of his jaw had Oikawa's head turning, the stunned tailor catching the amused gleam in Iwaizumi's olive eyes. Their breaths mingled in the barely there space between their mouths, and never before had Oikawa been so tempted to ravage a man that had turned his own game against him.

"Not to be the wet blanket on your steamy moment-" The low tone of a familiar photographer had Oikawa tilting his head toward his right, locking eyes on the lackadaisical man. "But it's almost time to wrap this lesson up, and Kageyama looks ready to pop Tsukki's head off. I'd intervene, but I'm not the best with blood."

"So go get their parents," Oikawa hissed out, aiming a sharp nod of his chin in Suga and Daichi's direction. The assistant felt his body moving without his consent again, though he was displeased to discover it was Iwaizumi pushing him back to his feet.

"Nah, it's okay; I've got them. Thanks for giving us the heads up, Kuroo." The steaming brunet was ready to explain exactly why it wasn't okay, but his words stalled when Iwaizumi peeked over his shoulder. "You working after this? Tomorrow's my day off, so I don't have to rush out of here tonight."

"Are you asking me on a date?" Oikawa's natural charm came flooding back when the officer snorted, the tailor dramatically twirling his finger in a lock of his hair. "I'm flattered, Iwa-chan."

"I just want to hang out, dumbass. Don't get any weird ideas in that useless head of yours." Then with a roll of his eyes, Iwaizumi turned back toward the previously mentioned pairing. "I've got to go deal with these idiots. If you're free tonight, meet me in the parking lot in ten minutes."

"I guess I can do that." Oikawa gave a loud sigh after his comment, hoping it masked the weird jump in his chest at the invitation. Iwaizumi didn't respond verbally, but a slight head nod gave the impression that the man had heard Tooru's answer before he walked away.

He was used to being asked to meet with clients, especially the ones that he had actively been pursuing for a sexual endeavors. Some of those clients liked to call their time 'hanging out', though it was never quite innocent once their clothing hit the floor. Yet as he watched the officer wrangle his energetic bunch off the dance floor with loud shouts and intimidating threats, Oikawa was sure that this occasion wasn't normal. He had a feeling that Iwaizumi wasn't trying to get into his pants; the man really wanted to hang out. The thought was so foreign to the assistant, that he couldn't understand the weird feelings circulating through his stomach as he walked out the front door of the venue minutes later. It was a troubling feeling, and he the sudden desire to escape the rising uneasiness peaked when catching sight of the lone man still occupying the parking lot.

"Don't they teach you in cop school that someone hanging out in a deserted parking lot at night should never be trusted?" Oikawa waited for Iwaizumi's head to turn toward him before the assistant lifted a peace sign next to his head, winking. "I'm ready for our date!"

"It's not a date." Stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets before scowling, Iwaizumi tilted his head toward the back of the venue. "You guys got a beach here, right? Show me it."

"So pushy, Iwa-chan." Yet even as he teased, Oikawa turned toward the path which led to the requested area. Iwaizumi was quick to follow, the two falling into a similar pace while walking around the venue's grounds. The sun wasn't high in the sky, indicating that night was quickly approaching. Brown eyes slowly glanced to the side, observing the officer walking with him. Iwaizumi seemed honest in his intentions, his hands staying by his side while keeping a steady distance between them. By now, any other person would be finding a reason to get closer to Oikawa. And as strange as it was, the lack of attention was making the assistant nervous. When was the last time that someone outside of Little Crows simply wanted to hang out with him? All who contacted the tailor did so with sneaky intentions that involved the shedding of clothes. In those cases, Tooru would be happy to meet up. But after the deed was done, he never lingered. Hanging out with fuck buddies was just weird. Even now, as the two finally reached the sandy shore, Oikawa was tense with the expectation of being jumped or manhandled.

"I'm surprised you weren't booked tonight." Yet the only thing he received was a skeptical look before Iwaizumi sat down on the beach, working on ridding himself of his shoes and socks. "Everytime we talk, you've got a full schedule."

"I started earlier this morning in case your misfit team needed extra practice," Oikawa answered, sitting next to the officer who was now stretching his legs out in front of him. The heels of Iwaizumi's feet hit the water, the shorter man sighing silently at the feeling.

"When'd you get up?"

"I was at the venue at 4."

"This morning? Jesus." Oikawa laughed at the scrunched up nose Iwaizumi now wore, the assistant turning his attention to his own shoes.

"I'm used to working long days. One of the brides has been extremely finicky with her dress this past week. I've had to tailor it about three separate times this month, and she's getting more frantic as the date is coming closer. It's only Wednesday, and I've worked close to 40 hours already."

"Sugawara-san approved this?"

"He doesn't know." Shrugging at the arched eyebrow he received, Oikawa tossed his shoes to the side before he sunk his toes into the wet sand. The coldness felt refreshing on his skin, making some of the aches in his worn out body start to ease. In all honestly, he was happy the officer chose the beach to talk. The soft noise of the waves hitting the shoreline was calming to Oikawa, who felt some of his fatigue rising behind his eyes. It hurt to keep them open, the brunet man only managing to nab a few hours of sleep for the past three days. Keeping his energetic facade despite the circumstances was his speciality, though even the assistant had limits. Closing his eyes when the water surged over his feet, Oikawa tried to put a pep into his voice. "Suga-kun doesn't like when I work too much, so I may forget to put some of my hours onto my timesheet. Ignorance is bliss for my darling boss."

"You're pretty dedicated to this place." Shoulders lowering at the roll of Iwaizumi's voice, Oikawa nodded, letting himself release the tension in his back.

"It's been my home since I was in high school. I knew I loved designing clothing back then, but I had no future outlet to use my creativity in. One day I heard Suga-kun talking about his family's business, and I told him if they ever needed a tailor to give me a call. This was a few months before his parents died. Suga-kun was struggling to maintain the place after the accident, and I had no real plans for life after high school. I sort of appointed myself as Suga-kun's assistant, and the rest was history. Now I'm his right hand man. I make sure to keep everyone on the right track so Suga-kun can focus on making people's dreams come true or whatever he tells our customers."

"Not gonna lie, your work ethic is impressive." Fighting to open his eyes, Oikawa looked over to the serious look on Iwaizumi's face. "You come off like a lackadaisical pervert, but you've got some layers to you."

"I've got lots hidden beneath the surface." The suggestive wink he gave his companion made Iwaizumi roll his eyes, Oikawa grinning before he continued. "So what's your story, big guy? Were you born with a badge and a gun in your hand?"

"Not really. I was planning on becoming an accountant in high school." The answer was unexpected, and Oikawa snickered while leaning into Iwaizumi's side.

"That's just like you; super boring."

"I wasn't looking for exciting, Asskawa. I just wanted a simple, ordinary job to help out my mom." There was an edge to Iwaizumi's voice that proved there was more to the story, so Oikawa waited for the officer to continue. "Dad skipped out like the prince charming he was when he found out my mom was pregnant. Mom was fine on her own, but money got tight when she had my big mouth to feed. The accountant thing was an easy way to help support her. But then mom got beat up by some jackasses when she on her way home from the grocery store. They broke her arm and knocked one of her teeth out. The police were as helpful as an umbrella filled with holes. Three more robberies with similar happened in a month. I realized that there were other people who had felt as helpless as my mom, and nobody was doing anything about it. So I decided I would, and I enrolled into the academy. I got a good partner, and now I'm here."

"That's...not even fair." Groaning as he buried his head into Iwaizumi's collar, Oikawa weakly punched the firmer chest twice to show his frustration. "Why do you keep showing me up?"

"What are you yapping about now?"

"I was sure my story was going to be so much cooler than yours, but you had to go and be a born again Batman or something. You're not playing fair!" Eyes closing again, Oikawa whined to show his protest to the information. There was movement against his side, Oikawa refusing to open his eyes to investigate. He let out a small 'oomph' when the shoulder he had been leaning on shifted, making him fall onto the chest of Iwaizumi. The missing arm felt like it was resting behind them, a chuckle vibrating Oikawa's impromptu pillow.

"Shut up, idiot." The warm air that passed over his forehead should had bothered him, yet Oikawa didn't feel the urge to pull away from the body beside him. His weight unconsciously relaxed against the broad man, the week-long stress and tension dissolving into thin air. If Iwaizumi minded the movement, he didn't show it. It had been years since Oikawa had felt this relaxed in the presence of a potential sex buddy. His mind started to sift through his memories, wondering just when was the last time he had let go like this. It took a minute for him to realize the bitter truth; there had only been one person who had invoked this feeling of security before. But that hadn't been a sexual escapade or a simple fuck. That had been…

Before the assistant could recall the whole memory, sleep claimed him, keeping him safe from his painful past.

Hot sunlight against his eyelids made Oikawa groan in protest, rolling away from the window to try and continue sleeping. The sudden loss of support under him had the tailor shouting, his whole body slamming into the hard ground below. Pain making him hiss and sit up, Oikawa forced an eyelid open to gather his bearings. Morning was illuminating the room he was in, though it wasn't his bedroom. Instead, the familiar sofas of his boss's office made his foggy mind clear, the assistant pushing himself back onto the couch he had previously fallen off of. His ribs still hurting from the fall, Oikawa peeked over the back of his makeshift bed to see a familiar beauty mark and bemused hazel eyes looking at him.

"Good morning, Tooru."

"I see no pancakes or naked men, which makes this anything but a good morning." The grumble lost some of its edge when Oikawa yawned, lifting his arms over his head to stretch while he looked around. "What am I doing in your office?"

"You slept here last night." The explanation needed more context, which Suga seemed to understand when Oikawa gave him a blank stare. "Well, you technically fell asleep on the beach, but Iwaizumi carried you back to my office. He said not to wake you up since you needed the sleep, though he did leave you a note on your blanket."

"Probably a death threat; Iwa-chan likes to play hard to get," Oikawa joked, his eyes travelling down in search of the mentioned message. A yellow sticky note caught the tailor's eye, Oikawa snagging the square off the blanket. Brown eyes peered at the chicken scratch handwriting, his stomach twisting at the small message left behind.

Nice job falling alseep on our "date", Shittykawa.

The words surprised Oikawa, unsure how he felt about them. All night he had been teasing the officer about the date, which Iwaizumi had denied each time. Yet even if his words had been in jest, Tooru couldn't shake the weird feeling that was invading his heart. They hadn't had sex, or even shed a single piece of clothing. There was no sexual teasing or plans for a hook up. The two had simply enjoyed each other's company, getting to know a little more about the other. Iwaizumi opened up about his past, and Oikawa shared a story he had never felt the desire to talk about with anyone else. The night had been simple and quaint, and Iwaizumi had even carried him back to the venue when he had passed out on him. Everything felt strange, yet Oikawa had to bite on his lower lip to keep his smile from showing up.

"He also told me about your little trick with your time card." Suga's words brought Oikawa's gaze back to his boss, who nodded back to the note. "While he was writing that, he said you're not the type to give yourself a break so I should make you take the day off. I can't say I disagree with him, though I'm surprised he knows you this well already."

"It was just a fluke," Oikawa replied, though the look on Suga's face showed he didn't believe that.

"I think it's more than that, Tooru, but I won't push you." Not wanting to continue the conversation, Oikawa looked back down to the note. He kept his eyes on the quotations surrounding one specific word that watered down its truthful meaning.

And for a second, Oikawa wanted the sentence to mean more than it did.

Next Chapter: Gravity