Shelter [Kurotsuki]

Chapter 7

Tsukishima wonders if this is what a date feels like. He and Kuroo have been wandering the city for over an hour. It's cold out but bundled up in Kuroo's extra jacket and one of Kenma's scarves he hardly notices. Kuroo takes him to the Tokyo tower first and he has to try and hide how excited he is to be seeing it for the first time. Kuroo still teases him about being a country bumpkin. The crowds are a bit overwhelming but whenever Tsukishima gets pushed too far from Kuroo's side the older man reaches out and grasps his hand to pull him close again so he figures that it's not all that bad.

They're waiting at the station now for Akiteru to arrive. Tsukishima examines some souvenirs in a shop trying to decide what to bring back to Yamaguchi. Kuroo stays next to him, his hands in his pockets and his usual grin on his face.

"What kind of stuff do you like to get as gifts?" Kuroo asks, "I'll remember for the next time I come visit you."

"When have you ever come to visit me?"

"Well, I didn't know you wanted me to. But now that I know I'll make sure and do it. I barely got to see Miyagi at all when we went down for golden week that one time. You can show me all the cool stuff."

"Miyagi's boring. There's nothing as interesting as there is here in Tokyo."

"You only think that because you live there." Kuroo drops his head onto Tsukishima's shoulder. "Come on what do you do for fun when you're there. We'll do that together when I come to visit."

"I guess... museums aren't terrible," Tsukishima mutters, his cheeks tinting pink.

"You like museums? Why didn't you say so? There's tons here, we can visit some."

"I don't have money for that... I doubt Akiteru will be able to give me much."

"My treat then." Kuroo offers. Tsukishima rolls his eyes.

"Aren't college students supposed to be broke? Save your money for something more important." He scolds. Kuroo's grin gets bigger.

"You're plenty important Tsukki." He shifts just a bit closer to the blonde-haired teen before moving back again and looking at his phone. "The train should be arriving. Do you want to buy anything?"

"Huh?" Tsukishima's brain can't seem to function after Kuroo's words. The older man laughs and takes his hand.

"Come on. Let's go face your brother. We'll search for the perfect gifts tomorrow." Kuroo leads him out of the shop and into the station to wait for Akiteru. Tsukishima grips Kuroo's hand tightly and tries to slow his heart down. In the crowded station, no one pays attention to them. Tsukishima reluctantly lets go of Kuroo's hand but he stays close enough that their shoulders are touching. Kuroo glances at him then links their pinkies together. Tsukishima's ears are red and he stares at the ground trying to keep his normal blank expression on his face. Kuroo seems to radiate smugness.

"Kei!!" Akiteru's voice carries above the noise of the crowd and Tsukishima cringes a bit before shooting a look of disgust at his brother's familiar form. Akiteru pushes through the crowd then launches himself at his younger brother, crushing him in a hug. He pulls his hand away from Kuroo's to try and pry his brother off.

"Get off me you idiot" he growls. Akiteru just clings tighter blubbering incomprehensible nonsense. Tsukishima acts annoyed but he's sort of grateful for his brother.

"You two are total opposites" Kuroo laughs. Tsukishima shoves his shoulder but it just makes him laugh more. Akiteru releases Tsukishima then and looks over Kuroo with a critical eye.

"Who are you then?" He asks accusingly. Kuroo straightens up and bows a bit.

"I"m Kuroo Tetsurou."