Kuroo walked along the stone path, the cold fall air hitting him. This was the first time in weeks that he hadn't gone straight to the hospital after class. His eyes scanned the colourful stands. Public markets were always something he'd enjoyed as a child. He'd often go before his mother passed. They'd spend the day together, taking their time, observing everything the vendors had to offer. Fresh vegetables of all colours covered the tables, some tables were covered in beautifully artistic creations, others had pastries, some had freshly baked bread.
As he passed by a table, Kuroo noticed a little girl, not much other than eight. On her table, she had knotted bracelets. Colours matching, the weaves were different for most, some big and some small, some even in packs of two. Kuroo reached down and picked up one of these packs. This one in particular had caught his eye, the knots forming V shapes in both black and red.
"How much for this?" He asked, bringing a smile to the little girl's face. A spark lit in her eyes.
"160.73¥ (Yen)" the little girl answered, opening her small change box. Kuroo pulled out his wallet, before paying the girl. She gave him a toothy grin as he placed the money in her hand.
"Thank you," he said before walking off. He played with the packaging while his mind thought about Kenma. Today he was getting the surgery. Kenma was going under in simply a few hours. Kuroo felt a weight pressing down on his chest, every time he thought about Kenma and the surgery, his heart raced and his stress built up. It was now that he desperately wanted to study. He wanted to stop worrying. It was unsure whether Kenma would even survive the surgery.
Kuroo felt tears building in his eyes, though he'd not known Kenma for long, he loved him. He loved Kenma with all of his being. He knew that deep down Kenma was meant to be his soulmate.
Kuroo's eyes glanced down at the string on his finger. It had grown to be a comfort for him. It helped him know that Kenma was alright, that he was alive. He was bound to him, despite how far they may be from each other, he knew that Kenma was on the other end.
Kuroo wiped his tears with his sleeve. He couldn't cry now. He had to be strong, he had to be strong for Kenma. He needed to put on a happy face, he needed to be positive. Kuroo wanted to be the one to make Kenma feel positive. He had to tell himself that Kenma was going to live through it. Maybe he'd even get new lungs and he'd be able to live another twenty years.
When Kuroo arrived at Kenma's room, the door was closed. It wasn't often that the door was left unopened. He allowed himself to knock, he was questioning why it was closed. The door opened, Kuroo was faced by a man.
"Are you a friend of Kenma's?" The man asked in a stern tone. Kuroo had never seen this man before yet he was being asked if he knew Kenma.
"Yeah, I'm Tetsurou Kuroo," Kuroo's voice was confident. His shoulders were squared and his face was stern.
"Oh yes, my wife talked to me about you. The volleyball player?" Kuroo simply nodded, "You're not just his friend, you're Kenma's soulmate," it was now that Kuroo noticed the man's bloodshot eyes. It looked like he'd been crying. Kuroo gave him a smile before giving way. Kuroo stepped into the room, causing Kenma to look over. Both boys smiled before even realizing it.
Kuroo walked over to Kenma's bed. With ease, he climbed up into the bed, wrapping his arm around Kenma. Kenma allowed his head to fall on Kuroo's shoulder.
"I'll umm leave you two be. Kenma, It'll join your mother at the cafeteria," the man spoke before leaving, his hand closing the door.
"I have something for you," Kuroo said with a smile. This caused Kenma to remove his head from Kuroo's shoulder. Kuroo moved, placing himself to be able to face Kenma. Kuroo reached into the pocket of his hoodie, his hand grasping the packet. "I was walking around in a market and I found these. I thought about you," Kuroo pulled the bracelets from his pocket. "I know this isn't a wedding ring but it's a promise. We both have one." Kuroo took one of the bracelets from the packet and placed it around Kenma's wrist. Kuroo allowed himself to peper kisses all over Kenma's hand and wrist, all the way up his forearm. "You and me, forever," Kuroo said with a smile. Unable to kiss Kenma due to the oxygen mask, Kuroo simply kissed his forehead.
Both boys proudly wore their bracelets. Their smiles shone brightly as they spent the time pressed against one another. They both held on as if it were the last time. They didn't worry about anything, they simply held each other, enveloped in their love. It was then that Kenma finally understood what a soulmate was. What he felt for Kuroo was more than love, he would be unable to describe it even if he were to walk. It was this feeling that made everything a little brighter. Kuroo was like a permanent sun in his life.
Both boys tried to forget what was to come. They desperately wanted to stop time, to change everything. Kuroo wanted to make it all better and Kenma wanted to get better for Kuroo. They both wanted to make the other happy. In their own way, the boys wanted to have a happy ending. Kuroo's happy ending would be to have Kenma healthy, living with him, engaged; Kenma's happy ending would be to give Kuroo the soulmate he deserved.
"Kenma?" Kuroo questioned, earning a slight head movement from Kenma. "I love you" Kuroo's voice was so confident yet, tears formed in his eyes, looking at the clock. Someone was about to come and take Kenma away. Though Kenma couldn't reply, his throat too sore, he simply held on tighter. This was his way of saying "I love you".
Kenma felt his own eyes from tears as he heard a knock on the door. He and Kuroo both knew what was happening. A doctor walked in to see both boys tangled together, holding onto each other.
"Mr. Kozume, we're here to prep you for surgery. Are you ready?" Kenma looked at the doctor and nodded. Kuroo got the message and slowly left the bed.
"I'll see you soon," Kuroo said before placing a kiss on his soulmate's head, "I love you," Kuroo held Kenma's hand allowing Kenma to squeeze it before letting go.
"You can join Mr and Mrs. Kozume in the waiting room, Mr. Kuroo," the doctor spoke and Kuroo listened. Each family member had their turn to say what they had to say. Kenma's mother had gone, then his father and then Kuroo.
As Kuroo walked away, he felt himself tear up, his heart heavy in his chest. It was hard to stay positive in a time like this. In the past few months, Kenma had become his whole world, he'd become part of Kuroo.