The Cat and the Crow

Declarations

Am I really going to do this? Kuroo asked himself. Am I really going to tell him? Now? I mean, it has to be now. Right?

He put his hands on Tsuki's waist, and pushed back a little, giving them both some room. "Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to be rough. I didn't mean to scare you."

"You weren't. I'm not," Tsuki protested. Kuroo simply stared at him. "Okay, maybe a little. But I'm not made of glass, Kuroo. I won't break."

Kuroo exhaled and grinned, but then backed up more. This was going to be harder than he thought. He turned away from Tsuki, and ran his hands through his hair. Looking around, he put his hand in his pocket and remembered. The necklace! He needed to give the necklace to Tsuki.

And he was totally stalling.

Turning to face Tsuki, Kuroo took out the necklace. He'd already attached the little volleyball and cat charms to it. They'd figure out when they'd give him the owl, and the crow would be added whenever Tsuki chose.

"We were going to give this to you while we were eating lunch, but, well ... that's clearly not going to happen, now. Here," he tried to hand it to Tsuki so that he could put it on himself. But he didn't take it. When Kuroo looked up at him, he saw Tsuki gently smiling, his head tilted a bit to the side.

"You do the honors. You put it on."

"I'm trying to behave, here, Tsuki," Kuroo complained, but he went back to him.

Unhooking the clasp, he wrapped the chain around Tsuki's neck, and then hooked the clasp again. He gently ran his fingers over his skin, and then made sure the little charms were laid flat. That's when Tsuki surprised him, by holding his hand against his heart. A heart that was beating just as fast as his own.

"You said it before, But I'll say it again. I hope that sensation never goes away," Tsuki whispered.

"Tsuki..." he groaned, leaning forward and resting his head on Tsuki's shoulder. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you, but I'm glad you came into my life, you know?" He lifted his head and looked at Tsuki, who was about to interrupt. Kuroo gently laid his hand over Tsuki's mouth. "Let me say this. Let me be a babbling idiot. Please?" Tsuki nodded, blinking rapidly, and Kuroo removed his hand. "Maybe it's too soon, I don't know. But, that day when we first met, that first practice game, I think I fell in love with you. I didn't know for sure until we met again two weeks ago. I know I'm still moving faster than you want me to. I know that by telling you all this now, I could ruin everything. But I couldn't not tell you. I couldn't keep it to myself anymore. I love you."

Tsuki remained quiet. Kuroo wanted him to say something, anything, but there was nothing. Shit. I messed up. He's going to hate me. Turning around, he started to walk away. Until he was stopped by Tsuki, who'd grabbed onto his shirt with both hands. He felt it when Tsuki rested his head against the back of his neck.

"Tsuki?"

"Don't. Don't turn around, and don't stop me." His voice sounded strained, like he was crying... but he didn't move. "It's not too soon. I feel the same, since that first practice game. I fell in love with you, too," he whispered. "You are moving too fast, still, but when you try to slow down, glacial advance is more of a threat. Find something in the middle. You didn't ruin anything, but can you give me a little time to process this?"

"Yeah, sure," Kuroo agreed quickly. "Do you want me to stay away?" Please, not that. Please don't make me stay away.

"No. I'll just sit with Suga and Tadashi. Okay?"

"Yeah. No problem."

"You can tell the others, or they'll never leave you alone." Tsuki lifted his head and slowly let go of his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles. Kuroo felt it all, and was tempted to turn around, but he stayed still. "I'm going to go. Don't turn around until you hear the door close behind me." He felt Tsuki leaving him, and he dared not move a single inch. When he heard the door close, he fell to his knees. After a few minutes, he took his phone out of his pocket and texted Akaashi.