"Bad idea."

"Yeah I know that, now."

"Why would you listen to Bokuto in the first place?"

Kuroo hears Bokuto in the background yelling at Akaashi. There's rustling on the phone and then Bokuto's voice blasts his eardrum, "Tell Akaashi I didn't think of the plan, that I told you to tell Tsukki how you feel!"

Pulling the phone away from his ear he can still hear Bokuto yelling about something. Akaashi is most likely inflicting some sort of physical pain on the taller of the two. "He's pinching me! He's pinching me!"

Kuroo turns down his phone volume, glancing towards the table the other three are sitting at. The only face he can see is Tsukishima's but judging from the back of Kenma's head he's occupied himself with that damn PSP. Either that or texting Shrimpy.

Yamaguchi looks to be in the middle of a story, his hands are moving and every so often he rubs the back of his neck. Kuroo's world freezes when he see Yamaguchi's hand point to Tsukishima's wrist. He's asking about the new watch around the blonde's wrist. The only reason Kuroo knows it's new is because he was there when Akiteru presented it. How had Yamaguchi noticed it so quickly?

It's just the tip of Kuroo's non-jealous iceberg, though. The rest of the huge rock appears when he sees Tsukishima offer his hand and Yamaguchi take it. He's letting his friend inspect the watch closer.

As if the physical contact is bad enough, Tsukishima is doing something weird with his mouth that Kuroo thinks must be the distance playing tricks on him.

He's smiling.

He's smiling at Yamaguchi.

Why Yamaguchi?

Kuroo is squeezing his phone, increasing the volume he just turned down.

"Kuroo? Kuroo? Are you still there?" Akaashi's voice is so loud, he thought he's taken a train to Miyagi himself.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, what were you saying?"

"I would just come clean and tell Tsukishima-"

"I can't tell Tsukishima that I like him. If you could see him and freckles together you'd know I lose. Freckles is so nice. So SO NICE. He's polite, attentive, and Tsukshima seems to genuinely enjoy his company. Have you ever seen Tsukishima smile? I've never seen Tsukishima smile, until just now. Just now, Akaashi. Evil smirking doesn't count. I'm talking an actual smile. And who did he smile at? Freckles! Not me. He cringes when he sees me. You should see the chemistry they have. Have you seen freckles smile? Sunshine personified."

"Are you finished?"

"I think they're boyfriends."

"..."

"I'm jealous."

"..."

"I like Tsukishima."

"..."

"I'm done."

"Listen, Kuroo."

Kuroo feels Tsukishima's eyes on him. He lifts his free hand to wave, then holds up his index finger, letting him know he'll only be a minute longer. Then he listens, just like Akaashi told him.

"I'm listening, Akaashi."

He squeezes into the wall, apologizing to the waitress trying to walk past. She seems to enjoy Kuroo's smile, so why can't Tsukishima!?

"Akaashi?"

Kuroo feels Kenma's eyes on him, now. He looks up and sees all three boys sending glances his way. Yamaguchi looks concerned, Tsukishima looks pissed, and Kenma looks bored.

"Okay, I get it. You want me to figure it out myself. I'll tell Tsukishima how I feel, I'll apologize to freckles for coming on to his boyfriend and I'll buy Kenma a new video game. Thanks Akaashi, for being there for me. Akaashi?"

Kuroo pulls his phone away from his ear and sees his home screen on his phone. Apparently his phone call with Akaashi ended five minutes ago. He either lost service or Akaashi's phone died. Damn.

"Heeeyy, sorry about that." Kuroo sits next to Tsukishima, ignoring the glare.

"No problem at all! Everything okay?" What kills Kuroo even more is that Yamaguchi is genuinely concerned about his well being.

"Ah, yeah, yeah. Just Bokuto calling to see if he can borrow some CD's for the party tomorrow."

"I thought you said the party was canceled." There's the smile Kuroo is used to seeing. Devilish.

"Ah, yeah, well he was calling to say it's back on."

It's another battle of the smiles. Kuroo knows when it comes to Tsukishima endurance is what you need. Kuroo holds his cheesy smile a little while longer until the younger boy gives.

Tsukishima clicks his tongue, "tch. I ordered you a tea. Half and half."

"Oh," Kuroo takes the glass, tastes it, perfect mixture, "thank you."

As soon Kuroo thinks he's ahead he catches a glance between Tsukishima and Yamaguchi and feels like he's back to cheesy smile, denial, jealous guy.

"Uhm."

The group turns towards Kenma, who's holding up his PSP, screen blank. "Could I get my charger from your car, Yamaguchi?"

"Oh, sure," Yamaguchi fishes his keys out from his jacket. He hands them to Tsukishima, who looks just as surprised as Kuroo, "Tsukki, could you walk Kenma to my car please? My ankle is starting to hurt from practice yesterday."

Kuroo has never witnessed such an obedient Tsukishima. Kuroo is thankful he didn't have to be left alone with the ever analyzing Tsukishima. He's not ready for that. No way. He's just now come to terms that he does indeed like his roommate and he is indeed jealous.

But then he realizes he's alone.

With Yamaguchi.

"So, Kuroo-san, how are things with you?" Yamaguchi locks his hands together on the table, leaning forward as if he can't wait to hear what the older boy has to say.

"Fine, just fine."

"Tsukishima tells me your studying for the bar exam."

"Yeah, it's not fun, but I'll be glad when it's over with."

"Good."

"Yeah."

Kuroo folds his straw wrapper into a perfect square while trying to avoid Yamaguchi's smile. The silence should be affecting both boys, but then he remembers that Yamaguchi is probably just as used to the silence as he is.

"So um," Kuroo curses himself for being so hesitant around the younger boy, "what about you? Are you in school?"

Yamaguchi looks genuinely caught off guard, "me? Yeah, I'm in nursing school."

"Of course."

"I'm sorry?"

Crap, did Kuroo say that out loud? "I'm sorry Yamaguchi. It's just," the sad eyes Yamaguchi is giving him is killing him. It's like leaving an injured baby bird on the ground, open for some angry, wild, territorial cat to come and end it all.

"I'm sorry, I'm being too much of a suck-up, aren't I?"

"Say what, now?"

There Yamaguchi goes, scratching the back of his neck again, "I've just been so worried about making a good impression that I'm coming on too strong, aren't I?"

Kuroo is having trouble keeping up. "Good impression?"

"Well yeah," two waiters come by with four entrees. Looks like Tsuikishima ordered for Kuroo, too. Or maybe Kenma. He notices the extra side of dipping sauce is placed with his plate. Definitely Tsukishima.

Kuroo almost forgets about the conversation for the meat placed in front of him when Yamaguchi speaks up again.

"You mean a lot to Tsukki, so I want to make sure you don't hate me or anything."

Kuroo keeps staring at Yamaguchi, the younger boy gives his thanks and digs into his food. He's waiting for the smaller boy to sprout another head. Or maybe say 'Gotcha!' Maybe his mind is playing tricks on him.

"I don't think anyone could ever hate you, freckles." Seeing Yamaguchi just as nervous as he is gives Kuroo some confidence back. He realizes that there aren't any motives with this boy and he shouldn't have come with any himself. Okay, so first he realizes that he did in fact come with a motive, so now he can realize the errors of his ways. He's been too wrapped up in his own feelings, or rather trying to ignore those feelings, to realize Yamaguchi is a great person. A genuinely great person. It would be selfish of Kuroo to confess to Tsukishima when he has a great thing going for him.

Yamaguchi looks up from his plate, wide-eyed. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do. You're really nice."

"Well, I mean, look at you, you're really cool."

"And your smile is really nice, too."

"Yours is, too! It's so.. what's the word? Charming."

"You've really grown into yourself, freckles."

"I've always thought you were really encouraging, someone to look up to."

The two hold silence, realizing they both just embarrassingly told each other how cool/nice they thought each other were. When Kuroo opens his mouth to speak Yamaguchi does the same.

"Tsukishima is lucky to have a guy like you."

Wait, didn't Kuroo just say that? Why did it sound like Yamaguchi's voice? Did he just?

"A guy like me? Tsukki and I aren't dating or anything." Yamaguchi has stopped eating completely, now. "Why would you think that?"

Kuroo prides himself on being a little sharper than the average joe. He usually picks up on social queues and even small hints that most people subconsciously drop. Think Kozume Kenma in a nutshell.

"I thought... he always visits you..."

But this time, his stupid feelings got in the way.

"He's my best friend, dumb ass."

Tsukishima and Kenma join the table. Kenma avoids Kuroo's gaze, say his thanks, and digs into his meal. Tsukishima pokes at Kuroo's plate, stealing the next piece of meat Kuroo had in mind to choose.

"So that's what this was all about?"

"What what was about?" Kuroo tries his hand at glaring, but it's not as effective.

"You came here to check on me. You're jealous."

Kuroo clicks his tongue. He's embarrassed to look Tsukishima in the eyes, but is more than glad to see Yamaguchi look pleased. Let the little guy have his day, you know? Sure, it's at the expense of Kuroo, but who said Kuroo isn't a nice guy?

"I just missed you is all." Might as well put all his feelings out there. It's not like Kuroo is going to drop down on one knee or anything, but he has a strong feeling when they both get back to their apartment he might be closer to that position than he's ever been before. (Watch it now, Kuroo...)

"I was gone for four hours, Kuroo."

"I think it's cute he missed you so quickly."

"Shut up, Yamaguchi."

"Sorry, Tsukki."

"Me, too, Tsukishima." Tsukishima and Yamaguchi look up, not used to someone adding onto their banter. "Kenma and I can catch the late train home, you two enjoy your weekend and I'll see you Sunday?"

Kuroo is prepared to hear Tsukishima wholeheartedly agree with his plan. Glad to be rid of his ridiculous roommate.

"Well, you're already here. We could probably show you some cool things in Miyagi, right Yamaguchi?"

"Right, Tsukki!"

He turns to Kenma, who's been watching this scene quietly, "I guess that gives you time to see your friend anyway, right Kenma?"

"Oh Hinata isn't in town right now."

"WHAT!?"

"I was trying to tell you that earlier, Kuroo."

Yamaguchi laughs, "he's at a training camp with Kageyama."

"And you knew, the whole time?" Kuroo turns to Tsukishima.

Tsukishima shrugs, it's hard for Kuroo to tell if the taller boy is being honest with his shrug or is being coy.

"I had a feeling."

AN: Thanks for reading everyone!