Love is Not Extinct
Chapter 11: Red Handed
Kuroo yawned and stretched as he got off the train. He had spent a very long weekend out of town for work, attending multiple games, interviews, and press conferences for athletes and a sleepless night last night, compiling all of the information he had gathered into a cohesive article so that he could meet his deadline. But thankfully everything had gone smoothly. He had received a message from Akaashi in the early hours of the morning, just before he got on the train to head home, that his article met the editor-in-chief's standards, so he knew that he would have a few days to relax and recover.
Thankfully the train stop was right around the corner from his apartment complex. He took a shortcut through the parking lot and around the back of the building as he dug through his bag to find his keys. Just as he was about to turn and go into the entrance he felt someone, much shorter than him, run into him hard before falling back onto the sidewalk with a thud, letting out a puff of air.
Looking down he saw a boy sitting down below him, clearly only an elementary schooler, with a mop of wavy brown hair, and when he looked up at him, Kuroo he could see big brown eyes that seemed like they took in everything around him with a strangely high level of observation for a kid his age.
"Oi, hey there little man. You should watch where you are going." Kuroo reached out his hand to help the boy up as he grinned. "Here let me help you up. You should be more careful."
The boy hesitated for a moment, cautious of the stranger, but finally put his hand into Kuroo's and allowed the man to pull him to his feet. Just then he could hear someone yelling and footfalls as the voice got closer.
"Haru! You know better than to just run off where I can't…"
Kuroo looked up as the voice of the boy's father, he presumed, faded off and he felt a smirk grow on his lips as his eyes fell upon the familiar figure standing in front of him. Letting go of the boy's hand, Kuroo stood up straight again and adjusted the strap of the duffle bag that was slung over his shoulder.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Dino Guy. Nice to see you again."
Haruhisa looked between his father and Kuroo with curiosity as Tsukishima's lips turned down into a faint frown. Adjusting his glasses, then putting his hands into his pockets, the man's shoulders slumped, relaxing a little now that he knew his son was safe, though he was perplexed and slightly miffed at the odd coincidence of running into Kuroo after having just talked to Yamaguchi about him earlier that afternoon.
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" His tone was flat and unimpressed as Kuroo just grinned wider at his luck at running into him outside his apartment building.
"It's not a wrong description though," Kuroo countered.
"Uh..Tsukki?"
Kuroo looked over, the soft voice drawing his attention to the man who stood next to Tsukishima. He was slightly shorter than the blonde with dark grayish-green hair, a single strand standing up stubbornly at the top. But what stood out the most were the freckles that dotted his cheeks and the bridge of his nose like stars in the sky.
One of the first things that Kuroo observed about the pair was that Tusikishma's companion was standing rather close to the blonde, who Kuroo had noticed didn't particularly like people invading his space. Then he remembered the photo Tsukishima's son had sent him and realized that this was the same man who had been standing next to the blond, looking so comfortable in the close proximity.
Then another realization hit him as he looked down at the boy who had run into him and realized that this must be Akiyama Haruhisa, Tuskishima's seven-year-old son. Tsukishima's voice drew Kuroo's attention back to the two men.
"Right," Tsukishima said, turning towards his companion. "Yamaguchi, this is Kuroo Tetsuro, journalist at inSport! Magazine."
Kuroo didn't miss the look on Yamaguchi's face. The man looked shocked as he gazed inquisitively up at his friend. "This is…" His voice was barely a whisper but he was still cut off when Tsukishima gave him a quick, warning look, making it clear that he shouldn't say another word. It made Kuroo curious. What was it that the man had been about to say? What had Tsukishima told his friend about Kuroo?
Tsukishima then turned back to face Kuroo again. "Kuroo, this is Yamaguchi, my friend who coaches the Johzenji High School boys volleyball team."
Kuroo and Yamaguchi looked at each other and it was clear that they were both sizing each other up. Kuroo knew that, despite the mild demeanor of this man, it was clear that he and Tsuikishima had a solid friendship built on years of trust, they knew each other inside and out in a way that the journalist could only dream of being able to one day know Tsukishima.
Yamaguchi on the other hand, looked Kuroo up and down and tried not to swallow and visibly show that he was intimidated by this man's presence. Not because he was tall or built, Yamaguchi was much stronger and more fit than he appeared on the outside, but because he could now see why Tsuikishima, the man who never really noticed others or seemed attracted enough to stop and stare, admitted that this man was very attractive.
He wasn't just attractive, this man was hot. He was only a few inches shorter than Tsukishima and it was clear that every inch of his body was built with well-toned and cared for muscles. Yamaguchi looked up into the man's face. With his cat-like eyes and wild, spiked hair with a fringe that covered one of his eyes, he looked mischievous and playful. Yamaguchi had to fight the urge to step back, intimidated by this man's aura of pure confidence.
The men's analysis of each other was interrupted when Haruhisa suddenly burst out in excitement. "You work for inSport! Magazine, Kuroo-san? That's so cool!"
Kuroo looked down at the boy who was now looking up at him with stars in his eyes and he found great satisfaction knowing that he was so excited about his job. He was earning points with Tsukishima's son and he knew that would only help him with his goals in regard to the boy's father.
"I know, it's pretty awesome, right?" Kuroo smiled and squatted down to be more at the boy's level, balancing his weight on the balls of his feet. "I get to travel all over the country, going to sports games and meeting athletes. And I often get front row seats." His smile turned into a satisfied grin as he watched the level of excitement and adoration in the child's eyes grow with everything he said.
"That's. So. Cool!" Haruhisa paused after each word, overflowing with a bubbling excitement. He hadn't known that his dad knew someone who worked for his favorite sports magazine. "Are you coming back from a trip now? Where did you go? Did you meet any famous athletes? What was it like?" The questions came flowing out of the seven-year-old's mouth as if he was physically unable to stop the flow of them.
Kuroo chuckled, standing back up and ruffling the boy's hair before adjusting the strap of his duffle bag once again. "I met lots of athletes on this last trip actually. I saw Kochi United SC play FC Tokushima in the third round of the Emperor's Cup, I watched two matches of the V League men's V1 Division, and I saw the B League game with Sanen Neophoenix and Toyota Alvark. I got a chance to go to press conferences with each of the winning teams too. How cool is that?"
"Woah…" Haruhisa stared up at Kuroo in awe. "You got to go see all those games for work? So cool! Did you get to see the Wolfdogs play?" The boy was almost rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet with anticipation.
"Yup!" Kuroo put his hands on his hips proudly. "I even got to meet the number two player in the division who is on that team."
"So cool!" The boy was so starstruck that he didn't seem to have any other words to describe how amazing he thought it was that Kuroo was able to see all these games and meet all these famous athletes that he had only ever read about.
Tsukishima watched this interaction quietly with a raised brow, intrigued by it. He obviously knew that his son loved sports, especially volleyball, and he knew that Haruhisa loved inSports! magazine, but he hadn't expected him to get this excited about it, enough to talk openly about it with a man that he didn't know. He also hadn't really thought about the fact that, with his line of work, Kuroo would indeed be exposed to all sorts of famous athletes and that Kuroo was going to become one of his son's favorite people. It's like the world was cursing him and not giving him a choice whether or not he wanted to have Kuroo in his life.
Tsukishima's attention was drawn away from his son and Kuroo as he felt Yamaguchi shift closer to him, leaning in to whisper in the taller man's ear. "I guess I can see why you are so attracted to him."
Tsukishima let out a puff of air as he looked down at Yamaguchi with an annoyed expression, to which his friend only smiled sheepishly, albeit not sincerely apologetic, then he shrugged as if to say 'What? It's true. Just look at him.' Shoving his hands in his pockets, he looked forward once again.
"Shut up, Yamaguchi," he mumbled.
"Sorry, Tsukki." Yamaguchi had to hold back a laugh at the fact that his friend was almost pouting because he might have a bit of a crush on the messy-haired journalist.
"So," Kuroo said, drawing the two men back into the conversation. "What brings you all the way over here this afternoon?"
"Haru has a playdate," Tsukishima answered simply, trying not to smirk as his son turned on him with flushed cheeks and accusing eyes. It was just too easy to embarrass the boy.
"Dad…" the boy hissed. "It's not a playdate… We are hanging out. We aren't babies."
"Oooh," Kuroo hummed with a wide grin. "A playdate, huh? Are you going to see your girlfriend?" His voice undulated in almost a sing-song tone, not bothering to hide the fact that he was teasing the boy who's cheeks were getting redder than ever.
"No!" he said defensively. "I'm hanging out with my best friend. He's a boy! His name is Sawai Toshiaki and he lives in this building."
A light of understanding crossed Kuroo's face and he smiled once again. "Ah, Sawai. I know the family. I am friends with his teacher who also lives here, Inouka-sensei is the Sawai family's neighbor. I can show you where they live."
"That's not really necessary," Tsukishima said in a flat tone but Kuroo waved his hand, dismissing the blond's veiled protest at having Kuroo tag along with them any longer.
"It's not a big deal, it's on my way anyway. They live on the second floor, right next to the stairs, and I live on the third floor so I pass by it anyway." Kuroo looked back at Tsukishima, hoping this would be enough for him to agree to spend time with him for just a little bit longer.
"Thank you, Kuroo-san," Haruhisa said, causing all three men to look at the boy who bowed to the dark-hair man.
"Tch." Tsukishima clicked his tongue quietly in annoyance. Damn his son and being a proper and polite child just like he had taught him to be. Haruhisa was playing right into Kuroo's hands and both Kuroo and Tsukishima knew it, the boy was just too innocent to realize it. Now, feeling unable to get out of it, Tsukishima just shrugged. "If it's already on your way, then thanks for the help."
Kuroo didn't even try to hide his pleasure that his plan was working as they turned and headed into the building and started to ascend the first set of stairs. Tsukishima watched skeptically as the journalist fell in line and slowed his steps to match the seven-year-old's pace and give the boy his full attention.
"You have such a cool job, Kuroo-san. It would be fun to travel and meet all those cool players," Haruhisa said, looking up at Kuroo and continuing their previous conversation. "Do you play sports Kuroo-san?"
"Yeah, not so much anymore because being an adult is busy but I find time to play, basketball and volleyball mostly."
Tsukishima watched his son as they turned the corner to go up the second half of the flight of stairs. The boy seemed to have a spring in his step as he walked. Tsukishima had never seen his son this comfortable with a stranger since he had met Yamaguchi a few days after coming to live with him.
"I play volleyball too! Well, sometimes," Haruhisa corrected. "I play in P.E. class and during after-school club with Yamaguchi-senpai. And sometimes Otousan's friends let me play with the adult club on Saturdays. Sometimes Nishinoya-senpai lets me be team captain!"
Tsukishima winced at his son giving out so much information while Yamaguchi tried not to laugh next to him. Kuroo simply smiled at the boy. "That's awesome kiddo. Do you go with your dad to the volleyball club every weekend?"
The blond behind them pressed his lips together and tried in vain to hold back a little glare. This dark-haired man was clearly a journalist and he was doing his job well right now. He was discreetly digging for information and Tsukishima did not particularly appreciate it.
"Yup! They are great!" Haruhisa beamed with pride, it was clear that he loved each of the members of the adult volleyball team and he was proud to brag about them to others. "They are the friends that Otousan went to the club with."
"What?"
Both Kuroo and Harushia stopped climbing the stairs only a few steps from reaching the top and turned around to look at Tsukishima who was now openly glaring, his eye twitching as he tried to keep his cool. Haruhisa swallowed, trying to resist stepping back to hide behind his new dark-haired friend and that was all the answer that his father needed to know that what he had suspected was correct.
Pulling out his phone, Tsukishima opened the chat between him and Kuroo and read through the most recent texts. He hardly ever texted anyone first so he hadn't noticed until now that his son had been the one to text Kuroo and that it was no coincidence that he and Kuroo had run into each other at the club.
"Haru… Why were you texting people on my phone?" Tsukishima asked, trying unsuccessfully to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
"I, uh…" Haruhisa looked down, feeling guilty for disappointing his father.
"Whoa! Hey, hey Tsukishima, it's not his fault. I texted him first…" Kuroo was cut off when Tsukishima put up his hand. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath to calm himself as he felt Yamaguchi putting a tentative hand on his back.
After a moment Tsukishima looked back up and motioned for Haruhisa to come to him. Father and son walked back down to the middle landing of the staircase and Yamguchi and Kuroo watched the blond as he knelt on one knee, talking slowly with his son.
"Shit," Kuroo breathed out, barely a whisper. "It was a short text conversation. I didn't think it would get the boy in trouble."
"I think you are more in trouble than he is." Yamaguchi folded his arms as he leaned against the railing to wait for Tsukishima to finish talking to Haruhisa. Kuroo looked over at him a little surprised. This man had thus far left the impression that he was more timid and shy, but the way he spoke that sentence was blunt and clear, not rude but there was no sugar-coating. "Tsukishima doesn't like to be played with. He isn't a toy. And he is especially protective of his son."
Kuroo leaned against the railing on the opposite side of the stairs as he analyzed Yamaguchi more curiously. His words hadn't been harsh, he actually spoke very politely, but he had spoken firmly. He could see how this unimpressive man could command the attention and respect of a team and he was starting to see how he had managed to guide his team to being so highly ranked. It would not be wise to underestimate a man like Yamaguchi Tadashi.
"I can understand, even if I can't really relate to that. I don't have any kids of my own so I can't really say that I know what it's like." Putting his hands in his pockets, he glanced at the pair below them once more.
"If you want to get his attention, trying to use his son to do it is not the best strategy."
Kuroo chuckled, looking back at the freckled man amusedly. "And here I thought that you were competing."
To the man's surprise Yamaguchi didn't react much to his teasing. He didn't know that Yamaguchi had dealt with many years of pestering and teasing regarding his closeness to his friend, and though he still felt flustered inside whenever someone mentioned it, he didn't react much to it anymore.
"Tsukishima is my best friend, and has been since elementary school. He and his son are like family to me, so trust me when I say that I know him well. Don't drag Haru into any game you are trying to play. In fact, don't play games at all, just be real with Tsukishima. Things will go much better for you that way."
Yamaguchi could tell the dark-haired man was still watching him. Likely analyzing him and trying to decide if he could trust his advice about Tsukishima or not. He didn't care if he listened to his advice or not. All that he cared about was that this man not come in and make his best friend's life complicated. He knew that if 'tall, dark and handsome' really tried to get Tsukishima's attention he would probably never have a chance, but then again he had had years with Tsukishima. It seemed pretty clear that after all this time Yamaguchi was just a friend to Tsukishima, but still, this was something he cherished more than anything.
Tsukishima and Haruhisa walked back down to the landing in the middle of the flight of stairs. The young boy looked down at his feet with a frown, worried and feeling guilty for what he had done. His father was still mad but when he saw how upset his son was his anger softened and he knelt next to him, putting his hand gently on the boy's shoulder to get his attention.
"Haru, do you want to explain why you were texting someone you didn't know on my phone?" Tuskishima kept his voice even as he spoke.
"I'm sorry Otousan." The boy's big brown eyes looked up and met his father's with sincerity, sparkling with unshed tears that almost made Tsukishima stumble back. He was angry when he discovered how Kuroo had known that Tsukishima was at the club that night and the fact that what his son had done could have been extremely dangerous had he texted with someone other than Kuroo, but he hadn't meant to upset his son this much.
Tsukishima sighed and reached up, putting his other hand on the boy's opposite shoulder. "Haru, I'm upset about what happened but you aren't in big trouble," he assured the child. "I just don't understand why you would think it was okay to text someone you didn't know on my phone. That could have been very dangerous."
"But you had texted him before. I thought it was okay because you knew him."
Tsukishima frowned, pondering this. How was he supposed to explain something like this to a seven-year-old? He was sure that anyone else would have a much better way to explain to the boy how dangerous people could be. "I understand why you thought that but you still have to be careful. Can you promise that you will never do that again? You should never text someone on my phone unless I give you permission or it's an emergency. Do you understand?"
Haruhisa looked up and nodded quickly, trying not to cry. He was relieved that his father wasn't going to punish him for his mistake and swore to himself that he would never do it again. Gently Tsukishima reached around and pulled his son into a tight embrace, hoping that it would cheer him up once again so he wouldn't go to his friend's house feeling so down. After a lingering embrace, Tsukishima stood back up again and put his hand on Harushia's shoulder, guiding him back up stairs to join Kuroo and Yamaguchi before the four of them went up to drop Haruhisa off at the Sawai's residence.