Keiji opens his eyes before his alarm starts chirping unpleasantly, schedule such a constant in his life that he only really keeps an alarm as a precaution. Turning it off he notices the date on his lock screen – a picture of Koutarou kissing his cheek – that reminds him that it's his boyfriend's birthday. Not that Keiji needs reminding, Koutarou has been enthusing about it since Hitoka's birthday two weeks ago.
Sitting up, Keiji rubs at his sleep blurry eyes and crawls out of bed. Before his butt can leave the mattress though his phone starts ringing. He frowns down at the annoyed looking picture of Kei that Koutarou had managed to snap, wondering why he's calling this early.
Since Kei stood up for Keiji in class they've been closer and in the last week they've started working together on strategy at basketball practice, getting along effortlessly. Tetsurou is intelligent and playing with him is easy but he tends to play basketball more instinctively, strategizing with him isn't ideal. But Kei thinks the same way Keiji does, evaluating and meticulous, it's refreshing to be able to so simply discuss theories and tactics with someone.
"Good morning Kei," Keiji answers the phone, voice smooth and clear as if he hadn't just woken up.
"Your boyfriend is planning on kid-napping you," Kei says without greeting.
"What?"
"Tetsurou let slip after practice last night that Koutarou is planning on ditching school today and taking you with him for his birthday. I figured you'd want to know before he shows up at your house and doesn't take you to school," Kei explains plainly.
It sounds harsh, for Kei to ruin Koutarou's surprise like this, but to Keiji it's actually a great comfort. Keiji doesn't like surprises, he likes to be organised and know what he's walking into. Which is why it was a surprise to people who really knew him when he started a relationship with the epitome of spontaneity, Koutarou. But Keiji's learned, after being friends with Koutarou and Tetsurou for two years, that sometimes doing things impulsively can be fun. Not, however, in this case.
Keiji sighs resignedly. "Yeah, I figured he had something planned. Thank you for telling me, Kei."
"You're welcome, I would have hated not knowing. Honestly, it's a wonder they managed to keep it from you."
"Koutarou isn't always as transparent as we think. Tetsurou is condoning skipping school?"
Kei snorts. "He's fine with it as long as you're both back for practice after school. Are you going to do it?"
Keiji hums thoughtfully, sweeping his fingers through his dark, sleep messy hair. "I probably should, I think he's feeling underappreciated with all the time I've been spending talking basketball with you, even if he hasn't outwardly complained yet. Did you see Tadashi and Hitoka yesterday during training?"
"You mean blushing and avoiding each other like the plague? Yeah I saw."
"They're together right? I mean, since her birthday they're officially together?"
"Technically," Kei says, taking a deep breath. "They're still getting used to it, apparently."
Thinking back to when he and Koutarou got together over summer break he didn't remember it being anything like that. He remembered lots of affection, cuddling, kissing and far too much public touching. Tetsurou had dubbed them The PDA Nightmare.
"What is there to get used to?" Keiji questions, confused. "Koutarou and I never went through that."
Kei huffs a laugh. "Neither of you are exactly shy. They'll be okay, Tetsurou thinks it's 'adorable'."
"Of course he does. Anyway, thank you again, I'll see you at practice."
"See you then. Have fun," Kei responds and ends the call.
Setting the phone down on his bed Keiji sighs and runs a hand down his face. He had planned to celebrate Koutarou's birthday tonight, after practice. He was going to make dinner since neither of his parents are going to be home, but this throws him off a bit. If they celebrate through the day is it too much for Keiji to cook dinner for Koutarou? Is it too domestic? Too soon? They've only been together three months.
Sometimes Keiji worries they're moving too fast. Before the barrier Keiji and Koutarou were forced to put between them, to keep their relationship a secret, Tetsurou often joked that they were practically married. Koutarou's an affectionate person, always has been, so it seems only natural for them to be so overtly physical with each other. But Keiji worries that it'll be damaging to their relationship in the future.
After showering and getting dressed casually, into his grey skinny jeans and a blue and white stripped, long sleaved t-shirt, Keiji hears his phone chime. Picking it up off his bed, while still rubbing at his damp hair with a towel, he sees a notification for their group chat.
[07:27] Tetsu – hb bro! have a fun day ;D
[07:28] Keiji – subtle, I already know Tetsurou, you can stop being coy
[07:29] Tetsu – omg tsukki! ima kill him -.-
[07:29] Kenma – you're the one that told him
[07:29] Tetsu – you lil traitor! now kou's gonna kill ME!
[07:29] Kenma – good, it's your fault
[07:30] Tetsu – also, friendly reminder, no penetration before practice!
[07:30] Keiji – …
[07:30] Kenma – …
[07:30] Mori – …
[07:30] Lev – so bossy
[07:30] Tetsu – ur ass will thank me! u kno, if it could talk… which i guess it sorta can…
Huffing a fond sigh Keiji locks his screen. Initially it was a rather big surprise that Tetsurou and Kei got along as well as they did. Tetsurou gets along well with everyone, being the overly friendly and sociable person he is, but Keiji had suspected that Kei would get frustrated with his dramatics and humour, like Keiji sometimes does. That didn't happen though, not really, Kei plays at exasperated but clearly enjoys Tetsurou's company.
In Kei's company is actually the most natural and relaxed Keiji has ever seen Tetsurou. The Captain is socially adaptive, the fact that Kenma and Koutarou are his two best friends is proof of this. He moulds his personality to suit the person he's talking to, but with Kei, Tetsurou doesn't seem to do that. They seem comfortable together.
Their newfound friendship couldn't have come at a better time. Koutarou's been spending less time with Tetsurou – which he would never complain about – and Kenma, ever the homebody, has even taken a liking to Shouyou, drawing his attention away. If not for Kei, Keiji would be rather worried about Tetsurou in this, the final and most important year of his school life.
Keiji pulls his shoes on just before the doorbell rings. Koutarou hasn't checked the group chat and therefore doesn't know that Keiji knows, his blindingly bright grin when Keiji opens the door confirming the fact.
Koutarou is, unsurprisingly, not in his uniform, but wearing black shorts that hug his muscled thighs sinfully and his favourite dark green owl t-shirt – 'owl you need is love' – under his red tartan flannel shirt. He tends to dress a little awkwardly, with mismatched colours and patterns, but somehow it works. He always looks incredibly handsome.
"Mornin' babe," Koutarou greets him, immediately moving forward to embrace Keiji and plant a wet kiss on his cheek. "Wait, why are you in casual clothes? Hot casual clothes…"
"Because I know, Koutarou. You don't—"
"What?" Koutarou screeches, outraged. "It was supposed to be a surprise! It was Tetsu wasn't it? I'm gonna kill him!"
Keiji sighs, taking his hand to calm him. "No, no one is killing anyone. You know I don't like surprises, especially if they involve skipping school. Also, it's your birthday, what if I had a surprised planned for your today?"
"Oh… I didn't think about that," his face drops and he instantly looks saddened by the prospect. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry Keiji! I'm the worst! I ruined your surprise! I just wanted to spend a day with you, alone, like we used to over summer break."
"I didn't say—You didn't ruin anything. Let's go have a good day," Keiji smiles reassuringly and runs his thumb across Koutarou's knuckles. "Where are we going?"
Koutarou brightens, placing a quick peck against Keiji's mouth. "It's a surprise, are you ready to go?"
Nodding, Keiji is pulled out of his house by an eager Koutarou. They get in his car and Keiji notices the – not so subtle – picnic basket sitting in the backseat. He smiles to himself but makes sure that Koutarou doesn't notice him looking.
Koutarou talks about this date that he – with Tetsurou's help – had been planning all week, how excited he's been about it and how he's barely been able to refrain from discussing it with Keiji every day.
"You could have told me, I would have liked to help plan it with you," Keiji remarks. The silence following draws his attention from the window. Koutarou looks sad again and Keiji is about to say something nice to make him feel better when he smiles.
"Next time," Koutarou says, turning to meet his gaze as they're stopped at a light. Their hands are connected over the centre console – a habit Koutarou's picked up recently – and Keiji squeezes in return.
"Next time," he agrees. "But no more skipping classes, you're struggling enough as it is."
"But Keijiiiii!"
"No Koutarou, you're smart, you just need to pay more attention."
His boyfriend concedes, sigh heavily but nodding. Not many people know this about Koutarou but he's somewhat of a mathematic genius. He can calculate numbers like a machine but that doesn't always translate into good grades, especially because he gets twitchy sitting for too long and doesn't put in the effort. As one of the most dedicated academics Keiji's met, Tetsurou is a big help for Koutarou, putting in effort beyond the call of friendship to study and assist his best friend, especially in the subjects he's less natural with.
The drive is fairly long but Keiji doesn't question it, he trusts his boyfriend. Koutarou must have been very selective of their birthday date location and as they pull up to a park Keiji understands why. It's small and fairly isolated – especially at nine thirty in the morning when most people are at school or work – but it's absolutely stunning. The park has sprawling lush green lawn, scattered with tall evergreens and sectioned with shrubs of bright scarlet and yellow and magenta flowers.
Keiji gets out of the car slowly, his eyes wide on the delightful sight before him. A warm hand slides into his as he's just standing there staring and, in his peripheral, he can see Koutarou grinning at him.
"Do you like it?"
"It's amazing," Keiji breathes.
"You didn't eat breakfast, did you?"
"No."
"Good, that would have been awkward," Koutarou chuckles and pulls Keiji forward, the picnic basket over his shoulder. "C'mon."
"You made breakfast?" Keiji questions, sceptical and possibly a little afraid, like most teenage boys with big families and over bearing mothers who spoon feed them every meal, Koutarou isn't exactly the most capable cook.
Koutarou's cheeks flush and he scratches the back of his neck. "Just some bacon and egg muffins, my specialty. I promise I didn't burn them this time!"
Walking into the park, hand in hand, Koutarou continues on, describing in great detail his cooking process to assure Keiji. He smiles at his doting boyfriend, even if they were burnt he would eat them. Koutarou made them for him and that, alone, means the world to Keiji.
Spreading a blanket on the grass, they sit in a nook of shrubs, mostly hidden from view. Keiji picks a flower from a nearby bush, narrowly avoiding a bee in the process, it's too beautiful not to pick though. A golden yellow centre, the same colour as Koutarou's eyes, is surrounded by strikingly contrasting rich purple petals.
Sitting beside Koutarou, whose tongue is hanging out as he unpacks the picnic basket, Keiji holds the flower out to him.
"Happy Birthday Koutarou."
Gold eyes flicker to him and then down at the flower. Koutarou immediately lights up but draws up short as he reaches for the flower, his brow crinkling with uncertainty.
"I… Thank you Keiji, but I'll probably just break it, you should hold onto it," Koutarou mumbles, clearly frustrated with himself. Keiji glances down at it. He's right, it's a delicate thing, made of soft petals that are certainly capable of being damaged, especially by someone as clumsy as Koutarou.
Keiji smiles softly, meeting Koutarou's gaze. "I think it'll be okay, it's tougher than it looks. I trust you."
Cautiously Koutarou reaches out and accepts the flower, his large hand gripping the stem as if it were made of glass. A smile stretches across his face as he gazes down at the flower.
"It's beautiful," Koutarou murmurs, fingers grazing over the velvet soft, purple petals. "Wait, is this supposed to be a metaphor for, like, offering me your flower…? Because we've already… you know."
Keiji sighs. "Yes Koutarou, I know what you mean, I was there remember?"
"Hells yes I remember, it was awesome!"
"And no, it's just a pretty flower. Considering I didn't actually get you a physical present… I was going to give you your present after practice."
Koutarou's eyes widen with excitement. "Is it your dick wrapped in a bow?!"
Feeling his cheeks heat with the thought – and under the hunger of Koutarou's gaze – Keiji attempts to change the subject. "Koutarou, food."
"Oh my God, yes babe! Can I eat your dick?"
"No," Keiji grinds out as he ignores the arousal warming through his body. "The food, the breakfast that you made."
"Oh! Right!"
Koutarou's attention easily moves back to the meal, pulling more packages out of the picnic basket and sorting the feast out between them. Keiji moves around to sit next to Koutarou, leaning against his side in companionable silence as they eat. Or, rather, Keiji eats and Koutarou wolfs down the food like a starving person.
Koutarou obviously finishes first and lies down on the blanket, twirling the flower carefully between his fingers as Keiji finishes his food. His boyfriend seems to be lost in thought, winged silver eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
"What are you thinking about?" Keiji prompts quietly, leaning over Koutarou after he's finished eating. Koutarou looks up at him, resting the flower against his broad chest.
"I'm worried about Tetsu."
"Why?" Keiji asks, frowning.
"This year is so important for him, for his career, for his future. I mean, I've practically already been scouted but he hasn't… And he deserves to be! He's an amazing basketballer, he's such a good leader and he's so smart and perceptive and skilful. He probably deserves to go pro more than I do…" Koutarou trails off thoughtfully. Keiji wants to interrupt and tell him that it's not true, that they're both amazing in different ways, but he knows Koutarou knows this. "What if we don't do well this year? What if we don't even go to nationals? What if Tetsu doesn't get scouted?"
Keiji wants to smile because of the caring sentiment of his words, but that probably wouldn't help the situation. Not many people would know it but underneath his energetic bravado Koutarou is fiercely loyal. He and Tetsurou have been playing together for five years, they've developed together as athletes and people. Tetsurou is his best friend and Keiji knows that there is little Koutarou wouldn't do for him.
"Tetsurou will be fine," Keiji states simply, confidently, resting his hand on Koutarou's chest.
"H-How do you know that?"
"Because I know Tetsurou, and so do you. He's strong and like you said, a competent leader with great ability. The likelihood that he won't get scouted is extremely low. But, just in case, we should work extra hard to make sure he does, right?"
"Of course I will!"
Keiji smiles, stroking his fingers along the tan skin of Koutarou's wrist. "Exactly, and with you by his side there is nothing Tetsurou can't do. We'll help him, you, me, Kei and Shouyou, the whole team, we'll do everything to get him to where he deserves to be."
Koutarou chuckles, which is certainly not the reaction he was expecting. "You spend too much time with Tetsu, you're starting to sound like him with the big cliché speeches."
"You need to stop focusing on the end goal," Keiji continues, ignoring the – probably true – comment. "Just focus on the next game."
"Right! The next game, which we will totally dominate!" Koutarou enthuses, pumping his fist into the air, the one not holding the flower. "Speaking of which, have you and Tetsu decided whether you'll be playing against Seijou in the practice match?"
"I probably will be, at least for half, we want to test Kei's ability to synchronise with me. You and Tetsurou certainly won't be though."
"Obviously!" Koutarou grins broadly, proudly. "We need to keep our biggest weapons a secret! Our weapons of mass destruction, because we're totally going to destroy that arrogant Seijou bastard!"
Keiji huffs a sigh. "Tooru's fine and you're really not one to talk Koutarou."
His face scrunches up with indignation and Keiji can tell he's about to complain, loudly, so he leans down and forces Koutarou mouth closed with his lips. The indignation and complaint disappear quickly as Koutarou hums contently against his mouth. It's a slow, sweet kiss, full of warmth and comfort; a gentle sucking of lips and a soft touch of tongues.
They're on an odd angle so Keiji pulls back. Koutarou is smiling up at him, lacking its usual brightness his smile is softer with affection as he reaches out to gently touch Keiji's cheek. Koutarou's never looked at him like this before, like he's the most important thing in the world, like he's precious and loved. Keiji's heart stutters and races in his chest, he tears his gaze away because it's too much.
Keiji's eyes float over the picturesque sunlit gardens surrounding them. He finds himself wondering, again, if they're moving too fast. When they're together it's so easy to forget that they haven't been together for multiple years rather than a few short months. It's so simple to be with Koutarou. It just makes sense.
What is an appropriate speed in which to move a relationship? Is there such a thing? They're teenagers, Koutarou, as of today, eighteen and Keiji a few months off seventeen. What is the likelihood their relationship will last? High school sweethearts rarely last, right? And at the rate they're moving through their honeymoon phase, they're sure to get tired of each other. Keiji doesn't want that, he never wants that; he wants to be with Koutarou always. He doesn't want anyone else, he doesn't want Koutarou to be with anyone else. Just thinking about it hurts, makes his gut twist painfully and—
"Keiji?"
Hearing Koutarou speak his name draws Keiji from his gloomy musings. Meeting Koutarou's bright golden eyes makes all the gloom fade away and melts away the ice-cold doubt chilling through his heart. Koutarou is warmth and comfort and heart. Koutarou is everything. Koutarou is…
"I love you," Keiji says quietly, sincerely, the realisation charging through him like electricity and filling him with conviction.
Koutarou's eyes widen comically and he sits upright, almost head-butting Keiji in his haste. He stares, silently, as if waiting for Keiji to take it back or expose the joke, but there is no joke. Nerves and doubt worry away inside of Keiji in the silence, but then Koutarou smiles a painfully broad grin.
"Really?" he questions, a nervous edge hidden under his excitement.
Swallowing hard, Keiji nods slowly.
He watches as Koutarou carefully puts his flower inside the picnic basket. Then the world is turned upside down and the air is forced out of his lungs as Koutarou tackles him to the ground. Soft, adoring kisses are pressed over his cheeks and nose and forehead.
"I love you so much Keiji," Koutarou asserts, emphasising each word with a kiss. Keiji starts giggling as some kisses stray to his ears and neck. "So, so much! You have no idea."
"I think… I think I have some idea," Keiji gets out between a peck on his lips.
Lifting himself up on his elbows, Koutarou looks down at him, his eyes bright with happiness. He breathes out a heavy, content sigh and rests his forehead against Keiji's, gently rubbing their noses together and never breaking eye contact.
"This is the best birthday ever."
"I can't believe she made you do that," Morisuke comments as Kei finally exits his final class for the day. "That insipid cow."
Kei snorts a laugh, agreeing with the comment. Mrs. Greenwood is by far the worst teacher he's ever had and just proved it by being the pompons, self-important person she is, keeping Kei after class – Sociology – because his ideas don't line up with hers.
"You didn't have to wait for me," Kei says as they make their way to their lockers.
"Of course I did, I got to hear that delightfully ridiculous lecture she just gave you. 'There is a time and place mister Tsukishima'," Morisuke imitates her nasally voice. "If a Sociology class isn't an appropriate time to discuss the repression of minorities then I honestly don't know what is.
"Yes Mori, but she isn't a homophobe and the real problem was my tone," Kei sneers, rolling his eyes. "If saying 'I'm not a homophobe' ten times in a discussion isn't over compensating for your blatant homophobia I don't know what is."
"Also how many times can you say 'cocky' in a lecture, maybe she wants yours and is trying to convert you," he says, looking Kei up and down with a good-humoured sparkle in his pale brown eyes. "You are very mature for your age, and have that tall, intelligent and brooding thing going for you."
Kei raises his eyebrows at the shorter boy, his lip twitching into a smirk. "You hitting on me?"
"Morisuke has his sight set on someone taller," Keiji states simply, not even looking up from rifling through his locker as they approach.
Kei frowns and watches Morisuke blush. There is only one person on the team taller than him that they know.
"Lev… Really?"
"Dammit Keiji, I told you that in confidence!"
Keiji merely shrugs, focussed on the task at hand. Morisuke opens his own locker and hides his burning face in it, muttering something about 'oblivious Russian idiots'. Kei would tease him about it but he actually likes Morisuke, he's easy to talk to and they share opinions on pretty much everything. Except their taste in men apparently. He'll never understand the appeal of loud, overly eager Lev but he supposes opposites attract. Like Koutarou and Keiji.
Speaking of which, Kei's eyes lock onto the painfully obvious and sizable hickey on Keiji's pale neck.
"I see the date went well," Kei drawls, unable to keep the amusement from his voice.
Keiji sighs wistfully, his arms dropping to his sides as a small smile curls his mouth. "It went… It was perfect."
Any jokes he'd been contemplating die in his throat as he notices the pure contentment in Keiji's dark green eyes; the fondness, the love. Kei swallows and looks away, feeling like he's intruding. He's glad though, that Keiji and Koutarou got past their hardship and are happy together.
"What's with that anyway?" Morisuke asks, head still in his locker and clearly not noticing Keiji practically floating with happiness. "I mean it was Kou's birthday, why'd he take you out?"
"Koutarou said that every day with me is a gift to him, so he wanted to do something for me," Keiji says nonchalantly as he closes his locker, like he just gave them an answer to a simple maths problem. Kei can't hold back the gagging noise or the long pained groan.
"I have to agree with Kei," Morisuke says, grimacing. "That's gross. But you clearly like gross, so good on you."
"I love gross," Keiji murmurs under his breath.
"What?" Morisuke asks, not standing as close as Kei and therefore not hearing it.
"Nothing."
"We should go," Kei says, slinging his bag over his shoulder and straightening. "Or Tetsurou will get all mad and that vein in his forehead will do that popping thing… No, on second thought let's be late, it's amusing to watch."
Morisuke chuckles. "I like the way you think."
They make their way over to the gymnasium anyway, loving basketball too much to risk missing any practice time. Morisuke asks about what Keiji and Koutarou did on their date and he tells them about the park and the picnic. It all sounds incredibly nice, and Kei curses himself when he thinks about going on a date like that with Tetsurou. He hates how good the thought of it makes him feel.
On the way they run into Hitoka and as Morisuke calls out her name she gets distracted and drops everything she's holding. Morisuke winces and rushes over to help her.
"Crap, s-sorry," she stutters, furiously collecting the papers and markers.
"Why are you apologising?" Kei questions, picking up a marker that had rolled away and handing it to her. "Technically it was Mori's fault."
"I-I don't know, I'm j-just all… I'm all frazzled."
"A lot of work to do for the team?" Morisuke guesses. "If Keish's working you too hard just tell him, he folds like a cheap suit, especially if it's you, he adores you."
"Uh, n-no, not too much work."
A smile stretches at Kei's mouth, he knows exactly why she's 'frazzled'. Tadashi has been the same for the past two weeks, stuttering through sentences as he randomly loses himself in thought and sometimes just zoning out completely. They've barely spoken to each other, both too nervous to actually act on the relationship they're in.
"You're working with Tadashi right?" Kei prompts and Morisuke makes a long 'oh', realisation sound.
"You should just kiss him," Morisuke suggests casually.
Hitoka's caramel brown eyes widen, her mouth drops open and her face flushes pink. "N-N-No, I couldn't, I—No, no way, he—" she stutters, shaking her head vehemently. "I can't!"
Morisuke is grinning, practically predatory. "Why not?"
Keiji sighs. "This is very hypocritical of you Morisuke."
"I told you not to talk about that!"
"I've been trying to convince Tadashi to kiss you all week. He really wants to kiss you, he's just as nervous as you are," Kei interrupts before they start arguing and get off topic. He knows how to play this, his voice is matter-of-fact as he ambles past her. "You may as well just get it over with, the first kiss is never good, but it breaks down the barrier and they get so much better. I'd do it sooner rather than later, before Tetsurou gets fed up with you and forces your heads together."
Morisuke laughs, following Kei into the gymnasium. "He probably would too."
"I'm surprised he has done that to you yet," Keiji comments dryly.
The shorter boy growls but otherwise doesn't say anything. Kei hopes that he somehow managed to push Hitoka with the weird combination of fear and confidence he offered. He's no provocation expert like Tetsurou but he hopes it will help.
Kei's been trying to talk Tadashi into simply talking to her like a normal person over the two weeks they've been together. It's ridiculous because they used to talk to each other so easily, so companionably, and now they get completely flustered. Sometimes Kei wonders if Tetsurou isn't right in forcefully mashing their faces together. They just need to get past that uncomfortable, nervousness of their new relationship and they'll be fine. It's irritating.
"Geez, there you guys are, I was about to send out a rescue party," Tetsurou remarks as they enter the locker room, his trademark grin plastered on his face, so proud of every 'clever' thing he says. Kei rolls his eyes.
"You're the worst," Morisuke mutters. "Seriously dorky dad, enough is enough."
"I literally saw you tying Ken's shoes up the other day!"
"And I literally saw you lecturing him about docosahexaenoic acid this morning!"
"It's an important part of his diet!"
"Yeah and if he tripped over his shoe laces and died he wouldn't even need a diet!"
Kei clicks his tongue and exchanges an exasperated look with Keiji but otherwise ignores their idiocy as he changes. They don't stop arguing until Tetsurou leaves because Kai needs his help in the gym. It's probably not true, but Kai could probably hear them from out on the court and wanted to stop them, like he generally does.
When Kei, Morisuke and Keiji walk out onto the court the team is already assembled to start, some already stretching and warming up. Lev calls out to Morisuke as they enter, the strawberry blond boy mumbles something about the 'stupid attractive skyscraper' and makes his way over.
"How long's that been happening?" Kei asks Keiji quietly, watching Morisuke punch Lev in the arm for being too loud.
"Hard to tell with Morisuke, maybe a few months," Keiji answers, his smoky green eyes roaming over the room, ever observant. "It certainly only happened last year though; the year before, Lev's first year, Morisuke couldn't stand him."
"Is Lev…?"
Keiji shrugs. "As far as I can tell, he's been infatuated with Morisuke since they met. We were probably more truthful with the rumours about the whole basketball team being gay than we intended to be."
Kei's gold eyes flicker to a head of messy black hair and a Cheshire grin. If only, he thinks.
Suddenly Hitoka storms past them, drawing Kei's attention and creasing his brow with a frown because she's literally storming, which isn't something Hitoka does. He realises why when she walks up to Tadashi – who is in the middle of a discussion with Keishin – grabs the collar of his shirt and pulls his mouth down onto hers.
Kei's mouth drops open and others in the room must do the same because the room goes quiet. Tadashi's eyes are as wide as Kei has ever seen and when Hitoka pulls away both of their faces are bright red. Without saying anything Hitoka storms out of the room, Tetsurou applauding and Koutarou hooting as she goes.
Kei stares after her, dumbfounded. "That isn't what I had in mind."
"Did the job," Keiji shrugs.
Keishin clears his throat awkwardly and tries to start talking to Tadashi again, but the freckled boy seems to be lost in a daze somewhere between embarrassed and blissful.
"Yeah, I'm not so sure about that."
"I've had Koutarou's tongue down my throat in public too many time to count. I'll feel sympathy for Tadashi when Hitoka is overtly groping him in front of his friends."
Kei grimaces. "Your relationship is gross."
"I love gross," Keiji responds, smiling affectionately at Koutarou.
Kei grunts as Tetsurou's solid shoulder slams into his chest, but somehow manages to hold his ground even though he feels like he's been winded. Tetsurou's shoulders are ridiculous, someone his age shouldn't have shoulders that broad and strong.
"Geez Tsukki, an hour and a half of training and twelve games of one-on-one and you're slowing down already," Tetsurou provokes him, nudging into his chest for emphasis. Kei really wants to wipe the smug grin off his face; he wants to do that a lot but this time he actually wants to do it with his fist rather than his mouth. "C'mon, stop me!"
Fatigue grips his limbs, slowing his muscles and making movement feel impossible. He has no idea how Tetsurou has this much stamina, how he can push and push and never get tired. Kei wonders how much it actually takes to make him tired.
Kei groans in annoyance as Tetsurou dances past him with ease, dunking the ball to the point of hanging from the hoop like the giant show off he is. Bending over his knees Kei breathes heavily.
"It's okay Tsukki," Tetsurou mocks, smirk clear in his voice as he pats Kei on the back. "One of these days you'll be able to keep up with me."
Everything is sounding dirty to Kei's weary mind; because apparently exhaustion equals horniness, or perhaps that's simply from having a sweaty Tetsurou rubbing up against him. Either way it's not good.
"No more," Kei pants, wiping his sweatband over his forehead. "I didn't shoot enough today and I want to get some in before we leave."
Tetsurou taps his forehead and winks. "Smart. Don't take too long. I'll meet you in the locker room."
Tetsurou wanders off the court, humming a song to himself along the way. Kei forcefully keeps his head down as the Captain leaves, not wanting to meet the sight of the broad shoulders pulling at the sweat damp material of his shirt or the basketball shorts hanging low on his hips as his shirt has clung to his back and ridden up. With the amount of time they spend together in training it's a wonder Kei's basketball is progressing at all, Tetsurou is one big distraction.
They stay behind after training like this most days, playing one-on-one or setting up extra strategy training with Keiji, pushing Kei's training before the big practice game against Seijou on the weekend. Seijou are a big deal, they're state champion – from a different state – and often play against Nekodani at nationals. They've beaten Nekodani the last two occasions and apparently there is an 'unfriendly rift' between Tetsurou and Seijou's Captain. It's an important opportunity to play such an experienced team and for Kei to test his ability against them.
Straightening Kei heaves a sigh and walks over to the ball rack. Even as tired as he is, with no opponent pressure it doesn't take him long to shoot a lazy twenty shots, each ball swishing through the net. On the last ball something tweaks in his hand and Kei grimaces in pain but still manages to sink the shot.
Thinking it nothing other than an over worked muscle Kei puts away the balls and makes his way into the locker room. He can hear the shower running and he really doesn't want to go in when it's just him and Tetsurou here, so he focuses on his hand.
Leaning back against his own locker Kei glances down at his rough hands, his eyes roaming over his impact reddened palms and the small calluses on his fingers. Nothing looks physically wrong but when he curls his hand into a fist the ache burns through his muscles. Muttering a curse under his breath Kei sinks to the ground and rubs at the over worked muscles. Leaning his head back against the cool metal he winces through the pain.
"You shouldn't rub it like that."
Tetsurou's voice jolts him out of his relaxed, sleepy state. It sounds close, too close, and when Kei opens his eyes he knows why. The Captain is kneeling in front of him, between his raised legs and wearing nothing but shorts. Droplets of water run enticingly down his tan skin, curving over the swell of each well-defined abdominal muscle. Kei feels his mouth go dry at the sight.
"Here, let me," Tetsurou says, thankfully focussed on Kei's hands, concern lining his dark brow. "I had a similar problem in my freshman year, it's just a slight straining of the hand muscles from too much work. It's only minor muscle ache right?"
Kei nods slowly as Tetsurou ever so carefully takes Kei's hand between his own. Tetsurou's skin is so warm, so very warm, it feels like it's burning him.
"Your hands are cold," Tetsurou remarks, a smile curling his mouth. "How is that even possible?"
Kei shrugs numbly, somehow sounding normal when he drawls, "Just lucky I guess."
Tetsurou chuckles. "Anyway, if it was anything worse you'd certainly know about it. Coach Nekomata taught me some massages when it happened to me and then my Physio taught me even better ones."
His strong finger start kneading gently into Kei's palm and he bites the inside of his cheek because it feels too good. It hurts, it aches, but at the same time it feels relieving, the pressure working away the pain. Kei closes his eyes because he can't stand it. He can't stand watching the muscles in Tetsurou's forearms roll and tense under his sun-kissed skin; he can't stand seeing the glisten of water across his bare, broad shoulders and chest; he can't stand the deep concentration and concern in his expression.
"You probably should be lifting fewer weights," Tetsurou muses. "Halve your repetitions and focus more on your core strength, most of your shooting ability comes from there; you're not really in need of much power in your arms like me or Kou. That mighty left handed pass proves you don't really need more anyway."
Kei hums an affirmative response because that's about the best he can do. Tetsurou is so close, too close, he can smell him, feel him.
"Aki's still feeding you by my meal plan right?" Tetsurou questions, his tone serious despite the 'cute' nickname he has started using since discovering that's what Kei calls his brother.
Kei groans, frustration mercifully overriding his unwanted desire. "Yes, would you like me to send recordings of me eating every single meal?"
"A Tsukki in his natural habitat, that is a rare sight indeed. Yes please!"
Making the mistake of opening his eyes, Kei meets heavy lidded, dark amber eyes glinting with amusement. Kei feels as if all the air has been punched out of his lungs because Tetsurou is incredibly gorgeous, all strong lines and playful curves, all he can do is stare. He wants to grab Tetsurou's wrist and pull him forward to kiss him, to feel the heat of his mouth against his tongue and his firm muscles of his shoulders under his fingertips.
Something in Tetsurou's gaze changes and suddenly his thumb presses into a particularly tender muscle in Kei's hand and he hisses, barely biting back the moan that threatens.
"Sorry," Tetsurou mutters, drawing his gaze back to Kei's hand, black lashes hiding his eyes.
"It's fine."
Kei leans his head back against the locker and closes his eyes again. He's getting good at repressing his emotions, his lust; Tetsurou may have his godly good-looks but Kei is nothing if not stubborn. He's also an expert at bottling up his emotions. It may not be healthy but neither is getting rejected, being pitied and possibly destroy the essential on-court relationship the team needs for the season ahead. Basketball is too important, it's why he's here after all, here to play.
After a few more minutes – and massaging Kei's other hand – Tetsurou declares he's finished.
"How does it feel?"
Kei hums as he flexes his fingers. "Much better. Thank you."
"Good," Tetsurou grins. "You should look after your hands, they're important, especially for you. Shooting like you do is precise work, your hands need to remain in top condition. Our last shooting guard used to tape the fingers of his hand outside of basketball to protect them."
"Sounds like a lot of effort."
"Basketball is a lot of effort Tsukki, if you—"
"I swear to God, if you lecture me one more time I will murder you."
Tetsurou seems about to laugh when his smile drops and his eyes focus on Kei's forehead. "That's a pretty nasty scar you have on your head."
Immediately Kei's stomach drops and an icy cold hand grips at his chest, making it feel hard to breathe. His hand moves instinctively to his temple where the ugly, pale line of scar tissue stretches from hairline to brow, usually covered by the wavy blond hair he grew out purposefully to cover it. An echo of ache thuds through his head at the memory.
"Uh, y-yeah, something I got when I was a kid," Kei lies, brushing his damp hair back down to cover it.
"Must have hurt," Tetsurou remarks, sounding unconvinced. Sharp eyes narrow on Kei, easily discerning the lie but Tetsurou doesn't address it and merely rises to his feet, extending a hand to help Kei up. "C'mon, let's get your skinny ass home."
Kei turns quickly to his locker and grabs his bags out of it. "Put a shirt on and let's go. I'll shower at home."
"Good, because you smell."
Clicking his tongue Kei walks out of the locker room.
"Wait, Tsukki!"
Kei can hear Tetsurou chuckling out in the corridor where he waits by the rather large – and full – Nekodani Basketball trophy case. His eyes roam aimlessly over the medals and trophies, over the names carved into them and team photos. On display in the centre is a photo of last year's state championship team; Koutarou and Tetsurou next to each other with blinding bright grins, Ukai just as excited, Nekomata smiling like the cat that caught the canary and Akaashi standing off to the side with a small smile. It might be nice, to be that proud and happy. It might be nice to help get the current team to that point and maybe even further.
If Karasuno was the spark that ignited an actual desire to play and win basketball, then Nekodani – Tetsurou and Koutarou especially – have doused that spark in fuel and set a raging fire within him. They push him and bring out a once hidden competitive spirit, driving him to reach for a goal he no longer believes impossible. Kei wants his moment, he's seeking a time to prove that he deserves to be here, on this state championship team.
"If you glare at that thing any harder it might melt," Tetsurou remarks, playfully bumping their shoulders together as they start making their way to the car.
"At least then there would be one less piece of evidence of how terrible your hair is," Kei responds, his own mouth curling into a smirk.
"Oh? You think I'll still be affected by all your lame attempts to diss my hair? Well, you're right! It's not my fault. It's just how it sets and I can't fix it."
"So… You're saying the wind changed and it got stuck that way?"
"Wow. Mean. But yeah, that seems to be the case."
As they drive Tetsurou goes through his attempts to tame his wild head of dark hair. It's quite an amusing tale and Kei let's his amusement be known with numerous snarky comments.
Slamming the door on something idiotic Tetsurou is saying, Kei walks into his home with a smile on his face, but inside it's empty and cold. Akiteru's firm has some important clients to cater for this week so he's working late shifts and will be at least another hour. The lack of distraction leaves Kei pacing restlessly in his room as he's suddenly, jarringly, drawn into unwanted thoughts. Thoughts about Tetsurou.
About his body. About his voice. About his hands. About his mouth.
Slumping down at the foot of his bed Kei fumbles in his bag, takes off his glasses and rests his headphones comfortably on his ears. His right hand clenches and unclenches as he scrolls through his playlists and blasts heavy guitar and screaming lyrics. Sucking in steady breaths Kei rests his head back against the bed and focusses on the music, on the lyrics, mouthing them.
It's okay Tsukki. One of these days you'll be able to keep up with me. Tetsurou's voice echoes in his mind, low and smooth, breaking through his music with ease. The memory of it sends Kei's blood rushing, his breath shortening. Don't take too long. I'll meet you in the locker room.
Kei tears the headphones off his head and growls as he throws them on his bed, because they're fucking useless. His body is starting to burn and even after exhaustive exercise he feels restless, twitching, itching. He can feel Tetsurou's hands on him, kneading into his palms, massaging and soothing his aches, his pain. Kei needs to…
"Damn it."
His long fingers push under the elastic waist of his basketball shorts and Kei lifts his body as he slides them down over his hips. He can see Tetsurou kneeling in front of him, dark eyes heavy lidded and a smirk curling his mouth. His mouth, murmuring such perverse and beautiful things. You shouldn't rub it like that. Kei licks his palm, where Tetsurou's fingers had been, and wraps his fingers around himself, letting out a rushed breath at the pressure.
Here, let me, Tetsurou purrs against his ear. Kei closes his eyes and imagines Tetsurou's hands on him, sliding sinfully slowly down his neck and shoulders, down his chest. The muscles in his stomach twitch as Tetsurou's fingers graze lightly over his sensitive skin until they finally, thankfully, encircle his now painfully throbbing length.
Tsukki…
Kei whimpers, twisting his wrist and making himself shudder. How does it feel? Tetsurou asks, smirking, leaning in close and observing Kei's every movement. His hips jerk forward at the thought, heat pooling rapidly as he thrusts desperately into his hand. Kei strokes himself more urgently, breath coming out in shaky huffs, biting his lip as a moan forces its way up his throat.
Tsukki…
Kei can feel Tetsurou's mouth at his throat, nipping and licking at his skin, sucking on his earlobe and whispering his name. His muscles tense and tremble as he feels the pressure building, fast and out of control as he swipes his thumb over the leaking tip.
Kei.
His body curls in on itself as shockwaves of pleasure surge through his body.
"Tet-ahh," Kei cries out, his head snapping back as he strokes himself through it, barely aware of the warm liquid coating his hand.
Breathing heavily Kei comes down from the high of his orgasm far too quickly. His body feels heavy and his mind feels horribly wrong. It's wrong, it's all wrong. Kei looks down at himself, sickened by the sight of his pale thighs and sticky hands. He feels a hollowness in his chest. He feels pathetic. He feels…
"Gross."
Pulling off his t-shirt, that caught half of the mess, he wipes his hands and cleans himself on it before throwing it at his clothes hamper. Shoving his shorts down his legs, Kei laces his fingers together painfully tight and bites back the lump in his throat.
He sits there, naked and trembling. Hating himself. Disgusted by himself.
This in clearly no longer a simply crush, Kei's infatuated.
A/N: The flower Keiji gave Koutarou, the Aster, it means patience, love of variety, elegance and daintiness. I think this is very fitting for Keiji and symbolic of Keiji giving Koutarou his heart.
Gossipy Kei, Keiji and Mori… Mothers club anyone?
Fun fact: literally every word Fantasy Tetsurou spoke to Kei was said in the previous scenes.