Level Pair; Resurgence 1/1

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. ~Langston Hughes

Kuroo Tetsuro smirks at the way the Karasuno unit members stare in awe at the sacked out level pair.

In a rare moment, Kageyama is sleeping hard, splayed out on his stomach on top of a pillow and completely lax. Maybe the pervasive militaristic training of his upbringing is finally slipping, or perhaps it's the relief of everything finally having been hashed out, but Kageyama is never this complacent in sleep and always seems like he's just on the edge and ready to wake at the slightest disturbance. Truthfully, the black cat honestly finds it fascinating.

The broken crow is draped over top of him, his orange head resting between Kageyama's shoulder blades. Hinata is just as out as the taller boy and glowing away like always. One arm is pulled up underneath him while the other rests across the back of Kageyama's neck while still managing to wrap around the base of a large black wing. They always managed to become one confusing tangle of limbs, he muses.

Kuroo is confident that for the first time since they'd teamed up six months before, they are both finally at complete ease.

Heh. About time. Who knew getting everything out in the open would actually make things better? He muses sarcastically.

They'd returned in high spirits after what Kuroo assumed was a very productive discussion given the way the redhead had been only too eager to show off his back for everyone, while the princeling had sat back and watched with a serene expression— something that was so disconcerting that the black cat had legitimately wondered for a few moments if the world was ending. The little spiker's about face from his discomfort earlier had been emphasized by nonstop chatter, the taller setter had merely watching his leveler with a relentless tracking gaze and an occasional small smile or lightly bantering remark. They were so laid back and different from normal that Kuroo had felt as if he were meeting them for the first time all over again.

But when the redhead had yawned mid-sentence, Kageyama had called it a night, disregarding Hinata's protests entirely. Kuroo had smirked, because he'd noticed the taller boy sagging, too; the curfew declaration had been as much for the setter's benefit as the shrimp's. Gruffly reminding the redhead that everyone would still be there in the morning, Kageyama'd ushered Hinata in to claim the optimal spot in the front room where the sun would hit last in the morning.

The redhead had grumbled the whole way, and then launched himself gracelessly on top of the setter's back in a gesture of defiance as the dark haired boy had bent to pull out bedding. Kageyama had huffed a chiding insult, but hadn't cared enough to really shake him off and had simply dropped beneath him, leaving the redhead to figure out a comfortable position across his shoulders and spine.

Hinata might've wanted to stay up longer, but he'd been out in five minutes flat as soon as they'd lain down. He hadn't even moved from where he'd sprawled across Kagyama's back, the conversation he'd rebelliously continued with Lev dangling into nothing. Kageyama had scoffed and rolled his eyes when he'd noticed how everyone had migrated in with them and watched them almost expectantly before shrugging and closing his own cobalt orbs in annoyance. The black cat had had to smother a grin at how the Karasuno unit had almost seemed to hold their breath as Kageyama dropped off at the same time Hinata began his firefly imitation.

Kuroo leans back carelessly against the wall and studies the faces in the room. There's a quiet hush among them, no one wanting to wake the two already slumbering crows. For the beach crew, this is normal… even if the unusually careless atmosphere of the last few hours is new. They go about setting up the rest of the room for sleep like they do every night. The futons and pillows and blankets are all dragged out and spread out like puzzle pieces around the sleeping pair until there's no space in the large room left uncovered.

Akaashi snags the pillow he always uses away from Lev and tosses it down to claim a spot with an annoyed scowl. Bokuto complains about his choice in a low petulant voice until the other owl releases a long suffering sigh and moves to where Bokuto wants. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi stake out a spot near the large bay window, the ibis an early riser and preferring the morning light. Yamaguchi wasn't as big on it, but Kuroo is positive he'd never tell the blond that. Yachi pulls out a blanket and lays it out near the sleeping pair's feet while Kiyoko walks in with several glasses of water. She carefully distributes them around the room on shelves and end tables for thirsty mouths that wake in the night before joining the bunting in fluffing their pillows. Lev is already sprawled out beside Hinata and Kageyama, watching the activity around him with interest like he always does.

The Karasuno unit members seem unsure about what to do, and Hinata's lightning bug impression is still holding their attention pretty well in any case. The thrush and unit leader— Suga and Daichi, he reminds himself— watch their two formerly 'missing' members with relaxed content and a fondness that conveys a knowing understanding and connection. The tallest Karasuno crow with the goatee watches them with awe, the smallest one beside him with a similar expression. Hinata had called one Noya and the other Asahi, if he remembers right.

But the small crow also seems a little taken aback, as if he doesn't quite believe it. He drifts closer to the diminutive large crow, a hand twisting into Asahi's shirt in what Kuroo can only think might be a bid for reassurance. One of the black cat's brows cocks curiously and he files the action away to privately study later.

He finds the last Karasuno member not far from them and pauses. The bald crow— the one Asahi accidently knocked out earlier...Tanaka— leans against the doorway with a contemplative look. He's had a generally feral demeanor the whole afternoon, but his expression is pensive now. His shoulders are slightly hunched, his arms crossed in front of him, a slight frown creasing his forehead. Of all the people in the room, he strikes Kuroo as the one who appears the most alone with the way he looks like he's hanging back with uncertainty.

The black cat's head tilts.

He looks like he feels like he doesn't fit.

A slight upturn of the corners of his mouth betrays Kuroo's amusement. Heh, as if any of them fit. The black cat grabs up a pillow and saunters toward him.

"Oi, Baldy." He says and the crow glances at him, an instantly surly look overtaking his face, a dark scowl clouding his brow. Kuroo smirks and shoves the pillow into his chest.

"If you don't act soon, all the good spots will be gone."

He blinks and glances down at the pillow before taking it more reflexively than intentionally.

"Ah… Thanks." He murmurs and Kuroo huffs a breath of a laugh.

"Lev." He says quietly, glancing back at the gray cat who looks up at him, eyes bright with expectant attention. "Think you can keep this guy warm? Since we don't have more blankets?" He asks with a devious smirk.

"Course!" He says buoyantly. Kuroo turns back to find Tanaka glancing between them with narrowed eyes.

"I don't need—" Kuroo cuts him off by swiftly closing a hand on his shirt and hauling him forward, pillow still in hand and the other four Karasuno members staring.

"Sure you do." He says easily, and shoves him forward toward the gray cat who's sitting up beside the sleeping level pair. He stumbles forward, his hands coming up in front of him around the pillow.

"No really—Gah!"

He lets out a surprised yelp as Lev closes a hand on one of his wings and jerks him off his feet. He flails down between the gray cat and Kageyama and Hinata, the commotion rousing the redhead slightly. The grounded crow's eyes crack open just as Tanaka lands with a grunt, his amber orbs completely foggy with sleep. The loud crow rights himself and glares between himself and Lev.

"Oi, what the fuck? I—"

He freezes for a long moment and Kuroo can't keep from grinning. Slowly, the bald crow turns to where Hinata's arm has reached out and latched onto his shirt, a small smile tipping his mouth as he drops back off with a light sigh. Tanaka lets out a breath in defeat.

"Ah, what the hell."

He relents and allows the gray cat to shove him down beside the glowing level pair before Lev sprawls and curls against his other side. Content and pleasantly gratified by Hinata's impromptu outreach— really, the kid was virtually unconscious and still be able to get Tanaka to bend in an instant with zero effort, Kuroo grabs another couple pillows and a blanket and turns back to Asahi and Noya who watch him warily.

"There's still space on their other side. Kenma will poach that spot if you wait too long." He says and passes the bedding off to them, unable to banish his smirk.

Really these guys are so on edge— they are way too fun. He steps back as the other four finally start moving to find places to bed down for the night. Noya and Asahi take up the space he'd suggested on Kageyama's and Hinata's other side while Suga and Daichi survey the area between the owls and the salty ibis and Yamaguchi.

Bokuto shifts to make room, his back rolling across Lev's feet. The gray cat playfully shoves his shoulder with a heel, rolling him back over onto Akaashi who grunts in irritation and shoves him off. Lev chuckles softly before relaxing and closing his eyes, one foot dropping over the streaked owl's ribs as he settles back in. Yachi smiles softly at their antics, her own eyes looking heavy as Kiyoko throws an arm around her waist. Tsukishima looks like he's doing his damnedest to ignore them all even if Yamaguchi huffs through his nose with mirth.

The Karasuno group slowly start to relax, and Kuroo feels a sense of satisfaction swell in his chest. Everyone— even their five new additions— is set and at ease, everyone safe. A slight smile twists his lips and his one good eye catches Kageyama's cobalt ones watching him with tired focus. The setter's chin dips slightly in a single half-nod before his eyes slide back closed.

Trust.

That look had been a flagrant acknowledgement of his presence and gratitude for it, and Kuroo drags in a tight breath, suddenly overwhelmed.

Turning, he covertly flees the room and all the people there, doesn't stop until he hits the balcony. He sucks in a deep breath of the cold evening air of autumn and holds it for a long moment, closing his eyes and focusing on the sound of the waves crashing against the sand. When the tumbling water and stone grains are all that fills his head, he slowly blows it back out.

There are moments, he thinks, where this reality terrifies him.

He's been here before… felt the happy contentedness, the sense of belonging, of a place where he fit. He remembers the personality clashes and blooms, the arguments and the fun. He remembers a life full of color and unlimited possibility. He'd been a bit younger then.

A hand moves to the back of his neck, a frown marring his brow.

He'd had all of these things once before… and he'd lost them all, too. Their world was harsh; a lesson he'd learned with the most thorough understanding. There had been some dozen cats in their clan at one point, and they'd all departed one way or another until only he and Kenma were left. He knows he's hardwired to keep people safe as a result, knows it's a foolish endeavor. You can't save people from death.

He'd never imagined that taking in one crow prince and his broken leveler would have led to this. It had been tough in the beginning. For a long time, it had only been himself and Kenma— and then he was suddenly looking out for the son of the person he'd held most responsible for many of his losses. It had been one hell of a hassle sorting out whether he wanted to kill him or support him at first.

But inside a couple days, he'd been unable to reconcile him as the Grand King's son despite the similarities that popped up. Kegeyama might have been analytically systematic and precise just like the rookery leader, but his mindset was worlds apart from that of his father's. The other boy had no hidden motives, no facade he hid behind; his only goal always to keep Hinata safe… and that was something Kuroo couldn't condemn.

So he'd resigned himself to tending to more than just himself and Kenma. But the crow and his leveler had been catalysts for everything that came after, like gasoline on an open flame. Their little misfit party had kept growing, had kept drawing more members for him to worry about. Their group had multiplied again and again, and each time, he found himself drowning as he rose to the pull in his gut.

Kuroo drops his hand and leans forward, bracing himself with his elbows resting on the railing, his head dropping with a sigh.

The feelings— the link to others that he'd felt once before… it's been returning in force, like a fire raging through a dry hayfield. He looks forward to their Volley games, banter comes easy, and he genuinely enjoys being surrounded by all of them. He's determined that they all get to feel the elation of being connected to each other like he does, to know what it's like when someone has their back. And he can't relax unless he knows that everything is fine, everyone at ease.

He doesn't mind the stress of ensuring everyone's comfort and safety— thrives on it actually. And he wouldn't trade any of it, or go back to it just being him and the golden cat once more. He's honestly grown so fond of each of them that he can barely remember what it was like without them anymore. It's just...that feeling of being a part of this, a place he belongs as a part of something much bigger than himself— it sometimes consumes him and leaves him staggering.

Because there's the shadow of doubt behind it. He'd had all this once before and had watched it slide through his fingers. Is he really somehow allowed to have it all again? What if he can't safeguard it and it ends up the same? Is it wrong to still want it all, regardless?

His gaze slides sideways… and he jolts as he notices Kenma's luminous golden eyes at his shoulder watching him. Damn this cat could sneak up on him.

"You have that look again." He says quietly and Kuroo blinks. Perfect. Just what he needs— Kenma worried about him.

"Did you eat raw squid? Because you're saying stupid things."

"Squid affects coordination, not intelligence, Kuroo." The golden cat rebuffs before leaning on the railing beside him and glancing toward the ocean, their arms brushing up against each other. "It's okay to care, you know. It's what you are good at." The golden cat says, completely undeterred by his jibe. The black cat wants to sigh.

Not getting out of this, huh?

"I know that." He says, his gaze following Kenma's, his hand straying back to his neck.

"Everyone dies; that's unavoidable. But they're alive because of you and we're all here now. We have the chance to be happy because you cared enough to make that happen."

Oi. This cat. Kuroo huffs through his nose, a small smile loosening the furrow in his brow. He couldn't save them from death. But he could make sure theygot to live.

The other cat is watching him again and he turns and fixes Kenma with a probing glance and a smirk.

"You were pretty obtrusive today, Kenma. It's not like you to nudge the status quo." He says with a brow cocked, pointedly turning the conversation back on his companion. He can wield discomfort just as well as the other cat.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He says, glancing away and Kuroo huffs a quiet laugh.

"Heh, you quit setting after ten minutes and blatantly let the shrimp snag Feathers from our grasp. You can't tell me that wasn't on purpose."

"Shouyou was missing hits— badly— because he was so distracted." He doesn't deny it, Kuroo notes with a touch of triumph. He can't help ribbing just a bit more.

"That's a poor excuse. Especially since you bluntly laid it all out there for Kageyama later with all the subtlety of a neon flare. I don't suppose you slipped the idea of going swimming into either of those two crows' heads, either, huh?"

"I had nothing to do with that one." He murmurs, his golden gaze flashing up at him.

"Hm, lucky break then. We might have been waiting forever for them to figure their crap out if it weren't for that."

Kenma's head tilts until it's leaning against his shoulder, and Kuroo loses his train of thought. A soft sigh escapes the smaller cat, a light breeze toying with the ends of his hair.

"I'm glad we aren't like avians." He says softly and Kuroo tosses a questioning glance at him.

"Why's that?"

"In order for them to figure out who their leveler is, one or both must be injured or hurt. It's a very cruel restriction."

Kuroo blinks, his clear eye straying to the translucent red line that connects himself and the golden cat, noticing Kenma's focus on it, too.

"What are you on about?" He asks curiously.

"Their big clues that prove they are levelers are the healing thing and the wing-frying effect when they fight. If they find out they are a level pair due to the healing factor, at least one of them has been hurt. If they find out because they start molting scraggly fried feathers after an argument, they both felt that pain."

Kuroo contemplates his words for a long moment and realizes the smaller cat is right.

Oi. Fate was a fickle bitch, brutal and unforgiving. He muses with a wry bitterness.

But then… being a cat came with its own set of problems.

If one didn't see an avian level pair during either their 'binding' or 'breaking' episodes, no one would ever know they were levelers. He imagines it's an innate defense mechanism… if everyone knew a particular individual was a leveler, they could be taken out by way of targeting their other half. The fewer people who knew, the safer both would theoretically be. Cats had no such built in safety, and their other half was visible to others if they were within direct proximity to their leveler.

Avians also only ever seemed to have a single leveler that matched them directly. Cats… could have multiple. Unlike avians, their ideal leveler could change up until the point the link was established. 'Level threads' were a manifestation of who could suffice as their level pair. Once the bond was established, the 'level thread' coalesced into a 'level wire' and any other stray threads would dissolve. The potential for a leveler link was proportionate to the thread's 'brightness', the more vibrant the red thread, the better the candidate.

But… none of their avian companions have said a word about them, so the black cat is left to conclude that only other felines can see them. One or two isn't that uncommon, but any more usually draws attention. Fortunately, they haven't run into much in the way of cats down around Sheru Bay, otherwise Kenma would be a bit of a target. Kuroo wonders a little annoyedly if Kenma's analyzed his threads lately, because the golden cat now has three. And three level threads or more… is often viewed as a challenge to other cats. Kuroo grudgingly admits that he isn't immune, either; he's gotten more possessive since the other two threads showed up and has had to consciously remind himself not to do something stupid more than once.

Lev has two and neither are that showy… and the gray cat seems remarkably uninterested in either. It's probably just as well since one leads to Hinata and the other leads to Kenma, both of which don't hardly notice him in that capacity; Hinata because— despite Kageyama keeping him in the dark about the whole level pair thing— he blatantly adores the black haired crow, and Kenma because he was pretty much always glued to Kuroo's side.

Aside from the threads linking him to Lev and himself, Kenma's other one also runs to Hinata, but Kuroo takes satisfaction in the knowledge that the thread that links the golden cat and himself still glows brightest by far. Kuroo… also has another thread, one that, like Kenma's extra two, also showed up in the last six months. Though it's pale and weak and he can't fathom how, the second thread runs to Tsukishima of all people.

He'd never even thought it was possible for a thread to run from a feline to an avian, but all three of them have a level thread to someone with wings… or at least someone who should have wings. Considering how they just gained five more people, he wonders how the dynamics of those stupid threads will change now… although if he's reading the vibes right, the one crow and the thrush are also a level pair.

And that makes him wonder if some of the others he's spent the last six months with are, too. Kiyoko always pays special attention to Yachi, Tsukishima is usually always where Yamaguchi is… and if Bokuto is close by, Akaashi's almost guaranteed to be around, too. There's also that curious tension between the new Karasuno crows, Asahi and Daichi, that gives him pause as well…

But Kenma is right, and given the way avian levelers need to wind up basically injured somehow to discover their 'other half', it makes him think that most of them probably don't have affirmation on that status. It's depressing to wish they could find out, too, because then Kuroo is indirectly wishing for them to undergo pain of some type… something that directly grates against his instincts to take care of everyone. Next to that, his and Kenma's and Lev's 'level threads' seem so much simpler and comfortably familiar with no need for pain involved.

"Yeah. I'm glad we aren't like avians, too." He murmurs. The other cat is silent for a long while and Kuroo drops his head against Kenma's golden locks. The breeze picks up, sharp and a little cold, and tosses their hair and his smaller companion finally shifts. Kuroo glances down to find the cat watching him with a sulky, baleful expression in his glittering golden eyes.

"By the way, Kuroo." He murmurs petulantly, "Why did you sell my spot beside Shouyou?"

A/N: A few people requested in reviews and PMs, so I finished hashing this one out. It's a little rougher around the edges, but considering it had maybe one rewrite, I'll take it. Kuroo really is one of my favorite characters of the series, but I struggled to try to put his internal thoughts together right. I imagine having had a large family and having lost almost all of it could make you gun shy for getting attached again… but his nature beneath the light banter is kind of to protect sort of like Daichi I think, so I can't see him backing down even if it's hard for him.

Thank you to everyone for the reviews and kudos especially for SomeonetheElusiveFangirl for her steady input, it always made me excited to post the next day. :)

If I do more bits for this AU, they will probably be separate pieces, but I decided to do one final 'chapter' just with my personal thoughts on Level Pair. I really hope no one gets annoyed when it pops up and there's no actual chapter and just my ramblings instead… oh well.
So once again, have an awesome night you guys!