Tetsurou stares seemingly eternally at Kei Tsukishima, entranced, stupefied and in awe. Kei is watching him in turn, gold eyes bright with satisfaction and a small smug smile curling his lips.

Throughout the fitness testing Tetsurou had noticed the nervousness in Kei's quiet; his fingers knitted awkwardly in front of him and the tension of his pursed lips. When trying out for a nationally ranked basketball team a little anxiety is to be expected. Needless to say it made Tetsurou a little cocky going into this practise match. Clearly more than 'a little' because the shot wasn't unstoppable, had he not been so caught off guard he could have defended it.

Tetsurou Kuroo. Caught off guard. Un-fucking-believable.

"That. Was. Awesome!"

Of course Koutarou is the first to recover from the surprise with an abundance of excitement. He bounces over to Kei, likely to jump on him, smack him – far too hard – on the back and gush over his skills, and while it probably would wipe the smug smile off his bespectacled face and replace it with aggravation, Tetsurou puts his arm out to stop Koutarou before he can get to Kei. Despite the surprised mutterings slowly rising in volume around them Kei's gold eyes never leave Tetsurou.

"Why didn't you tell us you're a shooting guard?" The Captain questions.

Kei shrugs, smirk in place. "You didn't ask."

You little shit.

Snorting an incredulous laugh Tetsurou glances at Kenma and isn't even surprised when he sees a small smile on his best friend's face. Keishin is approaching, his eyebrows – a few shades darker than his hair – creased with annoyance.

"We need to change the teams around," the Coach says.

Tetsurou shakes his head. "We can't. I'm the only one who'll be able to stop him if he continues to shoot like that."

"He will," Keiji says quietly, knowingly. Because of course he knows. Tetsurou's friends have a lot to answer for. But not now.

"Akinori, you okay to sub out for Tatsuki?"

The dirty blond shooting guard nods. "Yeah, no worries."

With the team changes – Tatsuki and Lev playing against each other as centre and Tetsurou and Kei as shooting guards – they continue the game. Being worn out after the strenuous fitness testing Kei's remarkable display of ability has increased everyone's enthusiasm, especially Koutarou. They're all pushing harder, jumping higher and playing with more intensity. Playing to win.

Throughout the rest of the practise match – they only play half a game – Kei only shoots for another six three-pointers. In two instances Tetsurou successfully stops him, one he puts enough pressure on Kei to make him miss and three more that score. Twelve points in total Kei shoots; which, in a half game against an experienced player, is nothing to scoff at.

Tetsurou focusses intently on Kei. Watching his every movement and contemplating more than just how to defend him. The Captain contemplates ways to improve and develop the blond shooting guard who now, undoubtedly, has a position in the first string.

Kei's movements are graceful and measured, not a single step or bounce is unnecessary. There are some gaps in his strategy – merely a lack of experience – but Tetsurou can see how aware he is and how well he can analyse the gameplay. His calm and collected nature will be a welcome addition to Keiji's in the team too. Especially if – when – Koutarou goes through his down periods, a dependable scorer will lift the Ace's spirit.

Kei isn't the only impressive new talent brought to light through the game. Tetsurou's self-assurance in his ability to sniff out skill grows as Shouyou shines, dancing around other players with superior agility and jumping across spaces he has no right to jump across. The kid's well on his way to Koutarou's level of explosive ability, what Shouyou lacks in strength he makes up for in agility.

When Keishin blows his whistle to end the game a broad grins spreads across Tetsurou's face. Familiar exertion aches through his muscles pleasantly but the high it gives him is overpowered by his excitement for the year to come with the exceptional raw talent they have acquired to mould Nekodani into a national winning team.

"Come get some water and we'll do some warm down stretches," Keishin calls to them.

The two managers, and a couple of the Nekodani team members who didn't play, hand out bottles of water. Tetsurou doesn't move from his position on court though, he simply watches Kei as he ambles over to the sideline, breathing heavily with exhaustion but not letting his discomfort show in his expression. Tadashi finds him quickly, smiling brightly at his best friend and offering a welcomed bottle of water. Kei tilts his head back and Tetsurou watches his Adam's apple bob in his long pale neck as he drinks.

"Tetsu," a gentle female voice breaks him from his distraction.

He glances down to see pretty large brown eyes looking up at him. Hitoka is a beautiful girl with long blonde hair often softly braided, alabaster skin with rosy cheeks and – most attractively, to Tetsurou at least – a passion for basketball. Tetsurou had certainly been attracted to her when they'd first met – despite her crippling shyness – but as soon as he discovered she was the manager of the basketball team he automatically identified her as off limits. Basketball is too important to him to ruin it with awkwardness with the team's manager. In the two years they've known each other Tetsurou's come to be friends with the small manager girl who has slowly become less terrified and intimidated by the giant basketball players.

"Surprised by Kei, Captain?" She questions as her gaze follows his previous line of sight.

"Hard not to be," Tetsurou remarks, gazing back over at Kei who's now talking to Kenma; it's rather remarkable for his best friend to warm up to someone so quickly. "He's very… Talented. It makes you wonder, how much undiscovered talent is out there just waiting to be nurtured."

Hitoka hums. "I have a friend at Karasuno, Kei's old school, she's actually the manager of their basketball club and from what I heard they weren't too far from winning their regional title to take them to the state championship. She said they had an unlucky year with injuries to some of their best players. Their small forward, Yuu Nishinoya was the best in the state in middle school."

It's not surprising she knows all of this; both Hitoka and Tadashi are keen information collectors. For the coach and team they accumulate profiles on opponent teams and players. They're a part of the team for more than just their bright smiles and encouraging words.

"I know of him. He was injured?"

The manager nods and he sees it from the corner of his eye. "Tadashi said Kei was rated as one of the best shooting guards in middle school as well. Apparently he had a difficult year last year though, some personal problems or something."

"What personal problems?"

Her delicate blonde brow furrows as he turns swiftly to look at her again and she shrugs, her lips curling with amusement Tetsurou doesn't quite understand. "I don't know, it's personal. Maybe you should ask Kei. Here," Hitoka offers him a bottle of water that he accepts with a grateful grin.

"Thanks Sparkles."

After a twenty minute cool down session Coach Keishin gathers the group.

"We will post the cut of the Nekodani Basketball Team on the notice board tomorrow morning and from their work on team positions to decide the first and second string teams," the Coach explains and then looks to Tetsurou – who's standing beside him – for the rest.

The Captain barely maintains a smile at Keishin's inability to console. "Thank you all for coming and apologies to those who do not make the cut. As you all know we are a successful Basketball Team and we only accept the very best. Keep playing and better luck next year. To those who do make the team we meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday for practise at three o'clock sharp. So see you tomorrow!"

Of the thirty or so now dispersing high school boys many look dejected, already knowing they won't get a place on the team as even a bench warmer. Before following them to the locker room Tetsurou stays back to look over the recruitment list Keishin has created with Tadashi and Hitoka's help.

Unsurprisingly Shouyou and Kei's names are at the top. It makes sense that Shouyou is first; his play style is more eye-catching, with impressive skill that's easily discernible and an enthusiastic attitude that draws everyone's attention effortlessly. Tetsurou, however, is far more discerning, more observant of subtlety in skill and therefore more interested in Kei's talent.

All he sees when he looks at Kei is potential. Endless potential.

After a ten minute discussion to refine the list Tetsurou expresses his approval, more than happy with the decisions they've made for the team, and makes his way into the locker room. Most of the students have left already, only his friends are loitering after showering. Koutarou and Shouyou are boisterously discussing basketball, dripping wet and wearing nothing but a towel around their waists.

Koutarou is shorter than Tetsurou by an unnoticeable three centimetres thanks to the Ace's usually spiked up silver and dark grey hair. Right now though, fresh out of the shower, his hair is floppy and damp. To say Koutarou is well-built is a vast understatement. He can bench press more than anyone else in the club but more importantly his thighs are like tree trunks; there is a reason the boy can dunk like a professional.

"Tets! Guess who Shrimpy's favourite player is!" Koutarou bounds over to him when he approaches his own locker to get his bag.

Tetsurou grins, the answer obvious considering his best friend's excitement. "LeBron James."

"That is King James to you!"

"Yeah, yeah. Bro, can you at least put some damn pants on?"

"You don't want to know how long he's been like that," Keiji murmurs, leaning against his locker, fully dressed and ready to go with his bag over his shoulder. The point guard is not so subtly ogling his towel draped boyfriend but with only the four of them left in the room it's fairly safe for him to do so.

"You're right, I don't. Shrimpy and Kou get dressed now! Keish's gunna kick your arses if he has to stay back waiting for you idiots so he can lock up," Tetsurou commands in his Captain voice.

Koutarou, petulant as a child, sticks his tongue out and pulls his towel off as a sign of protest. Ducking his head so he can no longer see his best friend's junk Tetsurou groans a long 'dude' while Koutarou marches back over to his locker and starts – finally – putting clothes on. Shouyou, now red-faced but laughing, follows suit.

"You're not going to shower?" Keiji asks as Tetsurou slings his bag over his shoulder.

"Nah, no time, I'll do it when I get home. Do you guys need a lift?"

"Yeah bro, thanks!"

"Yes please, Tetsurou."

"Shrimpy?"

Shouyou turns at the sound of his name, clearly not expecting the offer. "No thank you! I live just across the road from the school."

Tetsurou nods and then glances about the room with a frown. "Where's Ken?"

Usually his shorter best friend waits for him in the locker room, since Tetsurou is his ride home and Kenma is definitely far too lazy a person to walk when being driven is offered. Realisation settles in before Keiji answers. Shouyou has been bouncing around the locker room in nothing but a towel for the last five minutes.

"He's waiting out in the corridor."

"'Kay," Tetsurou answers, attempting to lessen his smirk. "I'll see you guys out by the car. Kou, hurry the fuck up. See ya tomorrow Shrimpy!"

The kid turns abruptly, t-shirt askew sticking to his damp skin, and salutes earnestly. "Bye Captain!"

With a lazy two finger salute and a wink Tetsurou backs out of the room. It's good the redhead kid is getting along with the team already, especially Koutarou who will likely become his mentor. Shouyou seems to have one of those likeable personalities and the ability to get along with anyone. The opposite of Kei's. Though the tall blond seems to get along well with Keiji and Kenma.

Kenma is a small curled up form, legs raised to his chest and chin resting on his knees, sitting in the corridor with his sharp yellow eyes focused on his glowing phone screen. His 3DS must have run out of battery. The strands of his long dyed blond hair fall forward, concealing most of his soft round face.

"What're you waiting out here for?" Tetsurou questions with a smirk, already knowing the answer. The real answer, not the untrue one his best friend is about to give due to poorly masked embarrassment.

"It was noisy," Kenma answers simply, his eyes remaining on the device as he rises to his feet.

"Sure it was."

At the poignant tone in his voice Kenma glances up at him. "What?"

"Oh nothing, I just wouldn't have thought that loud, redheaded basketball idiots would be your taste when you finally got your first crush."

Kenma's eyes double in size and if he thought being lifted by Lev in front of Shouyou was mortifying it was nothing compared to this. Tetsurou chuckles as Kenma turns on his heel and starts walking away, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Would have thought Tsukki was much more your type," Tetsurou muses offhandedly, long legs keeping up with ease. "I actually thought you might like him with that smile yesterday. But, wow, that was nothing compared to the love-struck look in your eyes when you saw the overly excited redhead. It was the same look you get when you're about to play a new game."

"I… I was not l-love-struck."

"Oho? Really? I wish I'd had a camera. Your cheeks were all pink and your eyes were all wide. You were adorable."

"No, I wasn't."

"You were."

"I wasn't."

At Kenma's slow pace, shoulders hunched and shuffling along lazily, Koutarou and Keiji have caught up with them by the time the reach the car. The sun is slowly setting, painting the sky in glorious shades of pink and orange and the bite of heat is fading into a mild, warm evening. It's pleasant after the overheating of his body from training.

"You were," Tetsurou mumbles as he gets into his car.

"Was not," Kenma says quickly.

"Was not what?" Koutarou questions, his grey brow furrowing as he jumps into the backseat beside his boyfriend.

"Ken was rather impressed by the Shrimp," Tetsurou answers simply as he starts the car because he knows exactly how his basketball meat-head best friend will take it.

"Oh my God, he was awesome! He's so short but he can jump so high! His air time is amazing," the Ace comments. "He flies… Like me! He's my bird son. Can we adopt him Keiji? Please!"

"Koutarou, he's only two years younger than you, somehow I highly doubt it."

Tetsurou doesn't have to look in his rear-view mirror to know his friend is pouting. Instead he glances at Kenma and the corner of his mouth is curled ever so slightly with pride. Sure Ken, you weren't blushing and you don't like him, real convincing.

"What about you Tets? You think the Shrimp will make first string and play with us?"

"Yeah bro, unfortunately for Mori I think the kid is more explosive and influential. He needs some polish but he's got a lot of potential."

"Potential? He's something special. He's even better than I was at that age!"

"I think Tetsurou's attention was drawn elsewhere," Keiji comments quietly.

"Oh yeah!" Tetsurou suddenly remembers and glances between Keiji and Kenma. "What the hell is with you knowing about Tsukki? Talk about something special."

"Kenma and I saw him play last year. We watched Karasuno lose their regional final," Keiji explains and Kenma nods along. "They truly should have won. He's an incredible shooting guard. His game sense is almost at your level Tetsurou."

"And yours Keiji," Koutarou adds. "You're too modest babe."

Keiji doesn't respond to that, but Tetsurou sees the small warm smile on his face in the rear-view mirror as he looks at his boyfriend. Finally able to express their affection for each other in the privacy of the car. He can see them holding hands and wonders how they contain it – poorly in Koutarou's case – all day long while spending so much time with each other.

"And you didn't tell us he was an 'incredible shooting guard' when we set the teams why?" Tetsurou questions, regaining Keiji's attention before they start making out in the backseat – though they probably deserve to.

Keiji shrugs. "Seeing is believing."

Tetsurou sighs, tapping his fingers against the wheel. "I guess. His form is beautiful," he mutters.

"What?"

"He's a really good player. I kind of can't believe we found someone so perfect to complete the team."

"Just got lucky," Koutarou offers. "It's our year bro!"

It doesn't take them long to get to Keiji's house. When they get there Koutarou gets out with him and they spend at least two minutes making out against the car before Keiji makes his way into his house and Koutarou gets back into the car. As they were waving goodbye to each other Tetsurou couldn't help but notice the longing in their eyes, the desperate desire to not be apart even though they'll see each other tomorrow.

"It must be hard being with him," Tetsurou comments when he pulls away from Keiji's house.

"Hard? How can it be hard? He's fucking perfect bro!"

He chuckles. "Not what I meant bro. I mean, being with him most of the day but not being able to, you know, actually be with him."

"Oh," Koutarou breaths. "Yeah, it's…"

The sentence remains unfinished. Tetsurou glances at his friend in the rear-view mirror, the dejection in his best friend's generally cheerful face makes something in his chest tense painfully.

"It'll be okay bro."

"I just… I worry that the school find out and someone will say something horrible to him and I won't be there to protect him. I know he seems stoic and detached but that type of thing really gets to him. He's so anxious about it."

"You have friends," Kenma speaks up for the first time in a while and Tetsurou notices understanding softening his expression. "We'll protect both of you."

Koutarou's silent a moment before a broad grin spreads across his face and he pats Kenma, too hard, on the shoulder. "Thanks Ken!"

"What is this? You're actually leaving on time?" Akiteru asks, stopping Kei as he reaches the front door. "You mean I don't have to drive you to school and risk being late for work? Eager to find out if you made the team?"

His brother is waggling his blond eyebrows with an all too ridiculous grin on his face and Kei cannot contain the eye roll. If there is a more embarrassing person in existence – highly doubtful – he doesn't want to meet them.

At Akiteru's relentless questioning when he got home from work last night he managed to pull as much information out of his little brother as possible. A rather remarkable accomplishment when said little brother is as stubborn and vague as Kei. Still, he was very selective in the information he gave because in all likelihood – and much to Kei's discomfort – his near psychic brother would pick up on some imperceptible inflection in his voice whenever he spoke Tetsurou's name. To avoid such an occurrence Kei subtly referred to him as 'the Captain'. Akiteru was too caught up in the excitement of what Kei had done to notice.

"Wow, Kei, it sounds like they were really impressed!" Akiteru had enthused, gold eyes wide and full of pride. "You must be really amazing, I can't wait to watch you play."

"I'm not that good," Kei had mumbled in response. "You're making too much fuss about it."

His brother huffed and shook his head. "You should be more proud of yourself. You deserve to be more proud of yourself."

That had shut up his muttered protests and twisted at his stomach. Kei has never been good with compliments or being proud of his achievements. There is always further to go, always another step forward that he has to push himself and work so hard to get to. There is always going to be someone better, stronger, faster and more skilled. Those are the doubts that used to plague his mind and overwhelm his spirit. They don't anymore but the scars from those old wounds still exist even if the pain is gone.

"Tadashi all but told me I'm already a part of the team," Kei says flatly now, stopped by the door.

Akiteru laughs cheerfully. "Can't hide your excitement from me Kei!"

He levels the most unimpressed expression he can make at his brother but the stupid grin never leaves his face. Sheer unwavering determination: that is Akiteru Tsukishima.

"I'm going to be late."

"Right, right, go on! Text me when you find out!" Akiteru says as he pushes Kei out the door.

Grunting a response Kei makes his way out the front gate and ambles unhurriedly along the footpath. It's true that this is the first day Akiteru hasn't had to force him out the door. If he's being honest with himself – he can at least do that much, can't he? – he's rather excited about the first day of training.

The practise game they played yesterday had thoroughly absorbed him to the point that he wished it had been a full length game. The Nekodani team are incredibly talented and he's very much looking forward to playing with them. Especially the two minds sharper than his own in Keiji and Tetsurou.

While working with Kenma had been effortless, their sense for the game on the same level and their sense for each other oddly natural for two people who had met the day before, Kei found it hard not to be amazed by the exceptional passes and intangible yet faultless decisions Keiji made. Most people would focus their attention on Koutarou or even Shouyou because of their exciting explosive ability, flashy and eye-grabbing. But Kei never stopped watching Keiji. He found himself defending less than he should have – allowing Tetsurou a few three pointers he could have stopped – because he was pondering some of the moves the skilled point guard made. Keiji was truly incredible to watch; the puppet master.

Then, of course, Tetsurou, who hadn't even been playing in his preferred position, was impossible to shake. His perceptive copper eyes seemingly saw every twitch of movement Kei made. Tetsurou is faster and more agile, his instincts are sharper, honed from years of playing with and against the best. And strong, so strong that it took everything Kei had not to be knocked over any time the Captain would so much as bump him. His ability to lead his team while playing his position to full capacity… Tetsurou is nothing short of awe inspiring.

Kei sighs deeply as his mind swims with images of Tetsurou dancing around him, the memory of his sweaty scent and the feel of his muscled body pushing against him. Though he can successfully avoid thinking about those things, the one image that never leaves his mind, the one image that is carved into the back of his eyelids, is the unreserved wonder Tetsurou had stared at him with after that first jump-shot. It haunts him.

In an attempt to draw his attention away from Tetsurou Kuroo Kei decides music is necessary for his walk. He's about to pull his earphones up from around his neck when a car pulls over next to him.

"Yo, Tsukki!"

His eyes widen at the sound of the familiar deep voice but he carefully composes his features before stopping and turning to the car. Tetsurou's messy black head is visible through the open window, grinning at him broadly.

"Get in!"

"I'm fine, school's not that much further," Kei responds, resting his headphones back on his neck because he knows his stubbornness will be disregarded.

"Dude just get in the damn car."

Huffing a sigh Kei reluctantly ambles over to the deep red Volkswagen Jetta and gets into the backseat; knowing without checking that the quiet Kenma is in the passenger seat. Luckily he gets in behind Kenma and has more legroom than he would have had behind Tetsurou's pushed back seat.

"You can sit in front next time," Tetsurou asserts nonchalantly as he pulls onto the road again. "Ken's legs are a lot shorter than yours, it'll be more comfortable for you."

Kei swiftly finds his eyes drawn to Tetsurou's large sport calloused hands gripping the steering wheel. Unlike his own the palms are wider and thicker with muscle, making them far more in proportion than Kei's spidery hands. His knuckles and veins dance under his sun-kissed skin as he taps a beat Kei can't quite discern against the wheel.

"Next time?"

He can see a characteristic casual grin curling Tetsurou's mouth. "You live really close, I may as well pick you up and drive you instead of meeting you along the way and luring you into my car like some kind of paedophile. Only on days we have practise though."

"Aren't you supposed to keep his acceptance to the basketball club a secret?" Kenma questions flatly, his fingers move deftly over the keys of his 3DS transporting the sword wielding Link across the screen in search of monsters to kill.

"Oh shit, I was too," the Captain says sheepishly and glances back at Kei. "My bad Tsukki. Surprise! Although I guess it won't surprise you, you probably already know how talented you are."

Kei grits his teeth and glances out his window. "I'm not that great. There is a lot of work I need to do, a lot I need to improve. I assume I mostly made the cut because the team has a lack of shooting guards."

Tetsurou snorts a laugh. "I like the pragmatism. You're not entirely wrong about the lack of shooting guards. I mean I could probably whip Lev into a decent one by the first game but he'll never compare to your natural shooting ability and intelligent game sense. He's more suited as a centre. In saying that though, you do have a lot to work on, but with my help I'll make you the best damn shooting guard in the state."

By the time the Captain is finished talking Kei knows his face is red, he can feel the heat in his cheeks. In his peripheral – because like hell is he moving his burning face from staring out this window – he sees Tetsurou beam a grin back at him.

"You're embarrassing," Kenma mumbles like an angel sent to protect him from the ridiculously attractive boy singing his praises.

Tetsurou gasps dramatically as they pull into the school parking lot. "What? I am not embarrassing!"

"Are too."

"Am not!"

As subtle as he possibly can Kei scrambles out of the car once Tetsurou has parked it, throwing his bags over his shoulder. He doesn't get far before he's ambushed by what can only be described as a giant screeching owl.

"Tsukkiiiiii!" Koutarou yells, practically tackling him. "You made the team!"

"Koutarou," Keiji scolds. "Stop hitting him."

"I'm not, I'm patting him on the back in congratulations!"

Kei's entire body rocks with the bruising smacks Koutarou is 'patting' against his shoulder blade. Fortunately a second angel in the form of Keiji saves him, pulling at Koutarou's ear sharply and offering an apologetic expression to Kei. The Ace lets out a yelp of indignation.

"Keiji! It hurts," Koutarou rubs at his ear when the shorter boy lets him go, a discreet warning in his dark green eyes. "Wait, why are you with Tets and Ken?"

"I picked up a straggler," Tetsurou announces heroically, slinging an arm cavalierly over Kei's shoulder. "He was wandering aimlessly by the side of the road, without a hope in the world, and then I came along, a God sent saviour, and saved the poor blond damsel in distress!"

He's grinning at Kei triumphantly, far too pleased with his own dramatics. And far too close to my… Everything, Kei thinks, panicking internally. I think I may have actually found someone more embarrassing than my brother. Somehow he manages to offer the dark haired boy a scowl before shrugging out from under his arm and walking towards school with Kenma and Keiji.

"They're always like that," Kenma says. "Kuro's a dork."

"You get used to it," Keiji adds.

Kei snorts a laugh as a response, words out of reach because he's not sure he will 'get used to it' and he's not sure that he doesn't like Tetsurou's dorkiness.

Forcing leisurely movements Kei pushes books around his locker, moving them back and forth without much purpose other than to delay heading to the gym. No one – bar his overly perceptive brother – needs to know how excited he is for basketball practise. Not even when Tadashi approaches to hurry him does he stop his fake attempts to contemplate the books he needs for homework.

"Tsukki, what's taking you so long?" Tadashi whines, uncharacteristically impatient. "You're not usually this slow."

"This is my third day here, you do not have enough information to provide a solid enough baseline for that assumption," Kei deadpans and then turns to look at his best friend who is practically bouncing on his feet. "Why are you so eager?"

"I promised I'd help Hitoka with some new banner designs for the team. The old ones are a bit out dated and she thought new ones would give the team some extra inspiration," he says proudly, a giddy grin spread across his freckled face.

Kei raises an eyebrow at his friend. "Is this the blonde you have a crush on?"

"Tsukki!" Tadashi hisses, glancing about. "Not so loud."

Turning back to his locker he finally retrieves the book he actually needs and closes it. Slinging the heavy book bag over his shoulder he lifts his sports bag and hooks it over his other shoulder. Slowly, much to his friend's displeasure, he strolls down the corridor.

"Tetsurou's right, you should just tell her how you feel."

Tadashi huffs, gripping the straps of his backpack tightly. "It's not that easy. Is there anyone you like?"

Maybe. "No."

"Have you ever liked anyone?"

Maybe. "No."

His best friend scoffs and glances up at him. "I doubt that. I… It's not as easy as it sounds."

"What do you like about…? Hitoka, right?" Kei questions quietly, there aren't many students around anymore but he doesn't want to panic his nervous friend.

"Yeah. I-I, well, she's really smart but not like 'I memorised all these facts and aced a test' smart, like outside the box smart. Creative. And so kind, so incredibly kind… Tetsu calls her Sparkles and no truer word exists to describe her," Tadashi sigh wistfully and has a dreamy distant look in his dark brown eyes. "She's so beautiful… Don't you think she's pretty, Tsukki?"

He tilts his head recalling the short blonde girl from training. "I suppose she's rather aesthetically pleasing."

"Are you kidding? She's beautiful!" Tadashi asserts but understanding hits him as he gazes up at his taller friend. "Oh, right, not your… um, type?"

A smile tugs at the corners of Kei's mouth at his friend's unnecessary courtesy. "One might say she's a little too female for me."

Tadashi glances up at him, eyes wide with worry until he sees Kei's smile and then chuckles. Kei wants to give his friend advice about Hitoka, tell him that she probably likes him too and that everything will be okay but encouragement isn't exactly his forte. It's also far too easy to say those things, to tell someone to just go for it and put their feelings on the line when it's not you. He knows that when Tadashi is ready he will tell her. His best friend is much stronger than he knows.

"So… Anyone at school catch your eye?" Tadashi asks, failing in his attempt to be subtle as he nudges Kei with his elbow.

Kei groans. "Not you to. I have Akiteru at home and now you at school to pester me about boys. Is nowhere safe?"

"How about on the team?" His best friend continues, ignoring his complaints as his eyebrows wiggle and his eyes sparkle with delight at the thought, as if it would be a good thing. "Koutarou is with Keiji so you're out of luck there."

"What?"

Kei's question is jarringly loud after Tadashi was speaking quietly, under his breath as to not disclose secrets past the person he trusts in his best friend. Kei has only seen the couple together once, this morning, but they didn't seem to be very… Couple like. There is a gay couple on the Karasuno team so Kei isn't exactly not used to being around other people like him but he never suspected it of anyone on the Nekodani team. Then again he's never had a good sense for people.

Tadashi snickers and nods. "But don't tell anyone, Keiji's really worried about the school finding out."

"Why do you know?"

"I had a lot of classes with Keiji, Kenma and Morisuke last year, we're fairly close. I was also there when they got together over summer. They may seem an odd couple but they're really good together. As for the rest of the team…" Tadashi trails off, finger tapping at his lip in thought. "Kenma is also gay, or he thought so last year, I'm not sure if he knows for sure yet. Only one way to find out," his best friend actually winks at him.

Kei huffs. "I like Kenma, he's easy to get along with but I don't… See him like that. Just because he's gay and I'm gay does not mean we should automatically be together."

"I know that, I'm just giving you options."

"I don't want options. Stop trying to set me up, I've been here three days."

"I'm not completely sure about any of the other's sexuality," Tadashi ignores his protests once more. "Tetsu's very much straight though. Kind of notorious for his… Uh, extracurricular activities with some of the girls here. We're not sure why he does it and I'm not convinced he even does half the things the school gossips about but Tetsu never denies the rumours. You've spent time with him, it just doesn't seem like him."

For some reason this information makes Kei absurdly uncomfortable. Scratch that, he knows the reason, he understands the unpleasant twist in his stomach and the nerve in his jaw twitch as he clenches it tight. He's not daft, he knows jealously when he feels it. Doesn't make his reaction any less ridiculous.

Aside from that idiotic feeling Kei chooses to ignore, he's rather surprised that Tetsurou is that kind of person. Like Tadashi said, it doesn't seem like him. The messy haired Captain is flirtatious and mischievous but there never seems to be much intension behind it. From the interactions he's had with Tetsurou Kuroo the basketball Captain simply seems like an overly friendly and playful person, his kindness a natural reaction and his passion for basketball unquestionable.

"How about you focus on your love life and I focus on my preferred lack of one?" Kei manages to keep his voice steady.

"But focussing on yours is so much easier," Tadashi laments, running a hand down his face with frustration.

Kei can't argue that, luckily he doesn't have to. By the time they reach the gym most of the team is already dressed and flooding out of the locker room. Tadashi leaves Kei to go find Hitoka.

Entering the locker room Kei is swiftly internally falling apart as his eyes betray him and move immediately to Tetsurou's torso. Specifically, his stomach. Specifically, six impeccably well-defined abdominal muscles. Tetsurou's not bulkily muscled like Koutarou – who Kei had the displeasure of seeing naked yesterday after practise for far too long a time period – but lean, defined muscle and broad shoulders that shape his torso into a perfect triangle shape. Perfect is the key word to describe Tetsurou's finely sculpted body.

There are five other males in the locker room in various stages of undress. So why the hell is all Kei's focus drawn to Tetsurou Kuroo?

"Tsukki!" Koutarou yells, drawing attention to him.

Tearing his gaze from Tetsurou's body Kei makes his way over to his locker and opens it – possibly a little too hard – hiding his face from them. He's uncertain at what point Koutarou decided to call him by that nickname – likely Tetsurou's influence – or when he drew the Ace's attention – likely when he shot that first three-pointer – but after very little interaction between the two of them Koutarou already acts as if they're close friends. Considering how friendly Tetsurou is with him that is also likely his influence.

"Geez Tsukki, cutting it close," the Captain chides but he can hear the smirk in his voice.

Kei doesn't respond, his throat feels tight as the image of Tetsurou's tan bare chest bombards his mind, sending unwanted heat through his body. Ignoring the remark he puts his bag away and rifles – again unhurriedly – through it for his black basketball shorts, navy blue t-shirt and his green and white Adidas. Luckily Tetsurou and Koutarou finish getting changed just as Kei starts unbuttoning his shirt.

"Don't take too long," he barely hears Tetsurou singsong over Koutarou's hooting as they leave.

When he's finally alone in the room Kei rests his forehead against the cool metal of the locker and scrunches his eyes closed. Why is this happening now? Why does it have to be him? He questions himself, God, the universe and the chemicals in his body that determine attraction; at this point he's uncertain what to blame for this problem. Probably all of the above.

Please don't do this, Kei begs himself. Please.

A/N: I'm just rolling with their weird anime features (aka Bokuto's hair and Kenma's eyes). I'm not going to real-world normalise them by saying like "he dyed his hair and it went weird". Just… It's naturally grey and black and silver and weird. Deal with it lol.

Tsukki being close friends with Kenma and Akaashi is just like… my version of heaven.

I'm a writer that focuses of story and plot above all else. I like to write mystery and intrigue into the lives of the characters I'm depicting. However, I am going to dispel the mystery behind Tetsurou's sex life right now because I am incredibly protective of him and loath the badboy, arsehole, player image that the fandom seem to portray him as. In saying this, the Tetsurou Kuroo I'm writing IS NOT any of these things, he is only perceived to be by gossip that he simply doesn't give a shit about enough to disclaim. This will be revealed a lot later in the story but I want to right now. Sorry for getting preachy but it's something that concerns me. I may or may not care about these boys too much =/