Kuroo turned his head, the red digits on the clock announced that it was one thirty in the morning. His head shifted back, allowing him to look at his textbooks once more. Eight hours, he'd been sitting at his desk for eight hours. He'd been scanning the same three pages for the past forty five minutes. Though he always passed, Kuroo always assumed he'd fail. Currently, his mind kept reciting "Chem is going to kick my ass tomorrow," he knew deep down that he'd pass but something always held him back from believing in himself fully.

Kuroo allowed himself to close the textbook for the night. He'd recited the periodic table six times in the last hour, he'd listened to the song three times, he reread the entire chapter twice that day and he'd answered all the practice questions. This was a bad habit of his, Kuroo often dove head first into his books and obsessed over getting a good grade. This fact had often been overlooked in his earlier years; people would just call him smart. It became a concern to his parents when he started studying in the summers; he said he'd been preparing himself for the coming year. To Kuroo, studying was a distraction, something that needed his full, undivided attention.

Kuroo lazily made his way to his bed. His body hit the mattress and his head, the pillow. His phone was screen down on his nightstand. His mind wondered if Kenma was awake at an hour like this. Would it be too much for him to text him at this hour? He had said earlier that day that he would text him. Kuroo decided to ignore the possibility of being too much.

Hey, you up? Sorry it's so late. I got caught up studying.: [Kuroo]

Unfortunately for Kuroo, Kenma had shut off his phone merely ten minutes before. Kenma's mother had become more strict about bedtime since he'd gotten sick. Despite his being 18, his mother was babying him more than she did when he was twelve.

Kenma was far from asleep, he lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Kenma's hand rested on his chest; his hand feeling his beating heart through the many layers. He counted forty seven… forty eight… forty nine… fifty. He wondered if Kuroo was awake now. He knew that logically, Kuroo was probably asleep. Kenma wondered how class went for Kuroo. Maybe he got a lot of homework or it was a really bad class.

Kenma thought back to when he was in college. This one class was dreadful. The teacher had repeatedly singled him out to answer questions. Though it was an exaggeration, Kenma felt like the teacher was only picking on him. Kenma had hardly been able to answer the questions. All eyes were on him; he felt the same feeling in his stomach as he did in fourth grade when he had to read his story in front of the class. Kenma knew that he had social anxiety. People were too much for him. As the children his age became louder, Kenma became quieter. He became more annoyed with how open people were. As he entered high school, Kenma didn't understand why others only talked about others. Why did people care who was sleeping with who or who was dating who? He always thought it was irrelevant. Wouldn't your soulmate be disappointed if you didn't save yourself for them?

Kenma hadn't so much as kissed someone before. Then it dawned on him, had Kuroo ever dated anyone? Had he ever been kissed? Had he slept with anyone? Kenma knew not why these questions came to mind. He never really cared. He just wanted to know. Kenma wondered if he'd been the only person not to have a relationship in high school?

Kenma shook the thoughts away. It wasn't something that mattered. So what if he hadn't kissed anyone. The boy lifted his hand allowing him to observe the red string attached to his finger. It was still unbelievable to Kenma that he had a soulmate. He was attached to Kuroo by this thin thread. Something about it just felt right. Just walking with Kuroo the other day felt right. Kenma's heart fluttered. He was excited, the other day, playing with Kuroo and Bokuto had given him a rush. It had made him feel alive like in his younger days. He felt like himself again.

The next morning, Kenma opened his phone to a message from Kuroo. A sting of guilt hit his chest as he read the time. Kuroo had been awake. Kenma decided to answer. Hopefully, Kuroo would be awake now.

[Soulmate](Kenma): Hey, sorry I only saw your message today.

No worries!: [Kuroo]

How did you sleep?:[Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): I slept alright and you?

Pretty good.: [Kuroo]

As you know, I went to bed pretty late haha: [Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): yeah, what were you doing?

[Soulmate](Kenma): If you don't mind me asking.

I was studying: [Kuroo]

I sometimes get carried away: [Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): Oh okay

I'm going to be a bit busy till about 4: [Kuroo]

If you want, if this isn't too forward, I could call you on the way home: [Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): I normally don't like calling

[Soulmate](Kenma): But

[Soulmate](Kenma): I'm sure we could do it.

Great! : [Kuroo]

I really like talking to you. : [Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): Really?

Of course, you're amazing!: [Kuroo]

I haven't known you for long but I really like talking to you:[Kuroo]

Talking with you just feels right: [Kuroo]

Not to mention that you're really cute: [Kuroo]

Kenma's face heated, a bright smile plastered on his face. He'd never felt like this. This made his stomach flutter and his heart burst. He felt wanted. He felt happy. His insides were screaming. He loved this. Normally, being paid attention to was something he hated but now, now it was something he loved. Having Kuroo say something like that was something Kenma never knew he needed to hear.

[Soulmate](Kenma): wow, I really like talking to you too. :)

I'm so sorry: [Kuroo]

I'm loving this: [Kuroo]

But I have a chem test and then three other classes: [Kuroo]

I promise I'll call you when I get out of class: [Kuroo]

[Soulmate](Kenma): I look forward to it. :)

Kenma sat on the examination table, his feet dangling freely. His eyes scanned the white walls. Kenma hated being here. He hated hospitals. Kenma has been having a harder time breathing during the past few days, earning him a trip to the doctor. He'd gone through this all already. Kenma hated this, it was always the same thing over and over; he came in, got an examination, got an X-Ray on his lungs, discussed with the doctor and went home. Sometimes things would be extra sucky and he'd have to stay overnight for observation. Sometimes he wished that everything could just end. Kenma hated this life. He hated the attention, he hated the pain, he hated having to carry an oxygen tank around with him. Why did it have to be him? Everyone else from his high school was normal, they all had jobs and lives and everything was great. Lev was an uncle, Hinata made it big in volley-ball, all his friends were good.

A doctor walked in, Kenma's mother sat in the chair waiting for the man to say something. As the man tried to speak, another doctor walked in, this one being none other than Lev's sister. Kenma hated to say it but he was relieved.

"Mr. Kozume, I am doctor Kobayashi and this is my colleague Dr. Haiba," the man gave a kind smile. "What seems to be the problem?"

Before Kenma could answer, his mother cut him off, "He's been having trouble breathing. The past few days, merely walking from his room to the bathroom is a task," leave it to mom to know it all.

"Well why don't we have a listen okay?" Kenma knew the drill, shirt off. Turn to the side and breathe deeply when told to. He felt a twinge of embarrassment having Lev's sister there. Kenma sheepishly reloved his baggy t-shirt. His thin frame shivered as the cold air hit his skin. Kenma refused to raise his eyes. This was something he'd hated. Removing clothing was something that bothered Kenma. He preferred staying covered up.

After having been examined and having gone through the X-rays, Kenma sat awaiting the doctors' comments. This was the scary part, this was the worst part. Kenma spent the next fifteen minutes Kenma and his mother both worried in silence. Was the cancer worse? Did they need more meds? What could possibly be wrong?

Kenma felt his heart rate increase every time the sound of footsteps passed the door. No matter how many times his mother put a hand on his knee and said it would be alright, she knew that he was overthinking it.

Dr. Kobayashi walked in, medical chart in hand, he had a grim look on his face. "Mr. Kozume, I regret to inform you that the cancer has spread. It has spread into your trachea. I think it would be best to keep you overnight." Kenma let out a soft sigh before nodding. He could refuse but what good would that give? All Kenma wanted was to be better.

Sitting in his newly found room, Kenma stared off into space; his mind wondered, remembering his time with Kuroo, his years at Nekoma, his summers when Hinata would come over. Kenma wondered if this was it. Was he doomed to live this over and over till he died? When would he die?

A light knock on the door caused Kenma to glance up. It was Lev. Great it was Lev. The tall, gray haired boy entered and allowed himself to sand by Kenma. "How are you doing? My sister told me about you being back here," Kenma gave a warm smile before pulling a chair closer to the bed. As bad as Lev was in high school, Kenma was happy to have him here.

"I'm fine. It's just overnight."

"Do you want to watch volley-ball? Or would you like to play a game? We could play on your switch," Lev gave the boy another kind smile.

"Sure," Kenma pointed to his backpack on the floor by the bed, "It's in my bag,"normally, Kenma would want to be alone but this was something he felt that he needed. Kenma would never voice it nor would he acknowledge the thought but Lev was a good friend.

The gray haired boy came back with the device. Setting it up, he tried his best to set the screen up for them both to see. "This good?" Lev asked, making sure that Kenma was alright. The blond nodded. "What do you want to play?"

"Umm, you can choose. I don't care," in all honesty, Kenma really didn't care. It was a distraction and a distraction was what he needed. Lev nodded as picked through the options. There sure were a lot.

Lev finally decided on playing Mario Kart. This came as no surprise to Kenma, it was a game that was widely popular among his limited friends. Hours passed and the boys played games till they were startled by a phone ringing. Kenma's phone. Kenma's eyes widened. This was a terrible time. The blond tried to get out of bed to get the phone from the pocket of his jacket but Lev beat him to it.

Lev (with a smirk): Kenma's phone, Lev speaking.

Kuroo (in a confused tone): Umm hello?

Lev: Hi! Who are you?

Kuroo: Tetsuro Kuroo, Kenma's soulmate.

Lev (Smirking again and fighting off an annoyed Kenma): Soulmate you say. Well I'm Lev Haiba, Kenma's friend from high school.

Kenma: Give me the phone Lev! This isn't a game.

Lev: So Kuroo, tell me about yourself!

Kenma (hitting Lev): I swear to god if you don't give me my phone back! Lev Haiba I will end you. Hey don't do that!

Kuroo: I am a second year college student, I played volleyball in high school, I'm Kenma's soulmate and I'd love to meet you.

Lev: Oh well I do hope to meet you too. I'll let you talk to Kenma now.

Lev handed Kenma the phone earning a look of annoyance.

Kenma: Sorry about that. Lev is a bit of a pain in the ass.

Kuroo: I think he sounded lovely. I'd love to meet your friends.

Kenma: He's not my friend. Just a guy that shows up.

Lev(in an offended tone): Do friends play Mario Kart for hours on end? Do friends not come visit each other at the hospital?

Kuroo: Wait, you're at the hospital? Is everything okay?

Kenma: Good job Lev. Yeah, just overnight. No big deal.

Kuroo: What hospital?

Kenma: Why?

Kuroo: I'm coming to see you. What hospital?

Kenma: You really don't have to. You have a lot of work.

Kuroo: No arguments, now tell me what hospital.

Kenma: Tōkyō Teishin Hospital

Kuroo: I'll be there in twenty minutes.

Kenma: Kuroo, you really don't have to.

Kuroo: I'll see you soon.

With that, Kuroo hung up leaving Kenma without words. The blond sat for a moment, phone still to his ear.

"Good job Lev, now he's coming," Kenma felt a growing annoyance. He didn't want to tell Kuroo. He didn't want things to get too personal too fast. Now Kuroo was visiting him at the hospital.

"Sorry, I wasn't thinking," Lev scratched the back of his neck. He hated upsetting Kenma even if he did it often. They just had a friendship where one wrong move would annoy Kenma but Lev understood. "Do you want me to leave before he arrives?"

"If you want," Kenma's tone was cold. This was a line he didn't want crossed and Lev understood that he'd crossed. With Kenma, things couldn't get too personal.

"I'll go. I'll help pick things up though. Do you want me to put your switch back?"

"No, could you bring me my bag though?" Lev nodded and did as asked.

"Thank you," Kenma did enjoy his afternoon with Lev despite this incident.

"I'm sorry for how the afternoon ended but I did like the rest of it," Lev gave one final smile before leaving.

Kenma sat in silence. Kuroo was coming to visit him in the hospital. He was unsure if he liked the idea or hated it. This was like something out of a movie, a movie Kenma knew he'd never watch. This was something his mother would watch. Though this was something Kenma never liked before, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.