I'll show you how to fall in love - we'll be the talk of all the town

## 1 ##

Kenma fumbled with his keys as he closed the door behind him. He and Akaashi had been tasked with closing up the tattoo shop where they both worked. He got the door locked and then caught up with Akaashi as they walked to the train station. The late autumn air made him shiver.

"Oh, by the way, your first client tomorrow called to cancel," Akaashi said.

"Damn, do I still have to come in early?" Kenma asked hopefully.

Akaashi glared at him and Kenma huffed.

"But I hate doing walk-ins, they make me nervous," Kenma whined.

"Don't worry so much, maybe no one will even come." Akaashi brushed him off.

They continued back and forth until they parted ways at the train station and headed home.

...

Kenma dragged himself out of bed, cursing the world, cursing his headache, and cursing his apartment's cold ass floors. The one thing he didn't curse was his cat, kissing her little head and folded ears before heading off.

"Goodbye Missy," he called before shutting and locking his door. He tripped over his forgotten shoelaces but powered through, just barely getting to his train on time, per the usual. He bent down to tie his shoes, messing up and having to redo them. When he finally stood up, his head hit something.

"Oh sorry, didn't see you there," the stranger apologized, moving the arm Kenma bumped into.

Kenma bit back a remark, they seemed genuinely sorry.

"It's fine," he choked out.

He turned around and tried to move on, but he couldn't get his mind off the stranger's fluffy hair and bright eyes. Whatever, he'd just get off a stop early and walk the rest of the way if they didn't get off before him. After ten more uncomfortable minutes, Kenma hopped off and took a moment to orient themself before walking toward what he was pretty sure was the right direction.

...

So, he was a bit late. Big deal. He pushed open the door and sighed as he threw his stuff off to the side.

"About time," one of his coworkers teased and he flipped them off.

"Kenma, can you take this client? He's been waiting" Akaashi asked them.

"Yeah," Kenma answered, turning around. His heart stopped for a moment when he realized who this client was. The train stranger (trainger?) stood before him, eyes sparking with recognition.

"Oh, I remember you! Wait, Why'd you get off a stop early if you work here-"

"Nevermind, what's your name," Kenma asked.

"Kuroo," he said, "and you're..." he paused, squinting at Kenma's scribbled nametag.

"Kenma, he/they," Kenma translated for him. Kuroo nodded.

"So, what'd you come in for?" Kenma asked, washing his hands and preparing his station.

"Septum," Kuroo told him. Kenma nodded as he finished setting up.

Shit, he's gonna look really good with a septum.

"Sit there," Kenma instructed, pointing to a chair.

"Do you have any tattoos or piercings?" Kenma asked.

"No, this is my first," Kuroo told him.

Kenma grabbed the nose clamp and leaned toward Kuroo's face. One of the worst parts about being a short piercer was that Kenma had to be close to reach tall peoples' faces. Today he wasn't entirely sure if it was a blessing or a curse. He could see Kuroo's hazel eyes and barely visible freckles. Kenma got the clamp in place and readied the needle.

"Take a deep breath," he told Kuroo.

He waited a second before stabbing it in. He saw Kuroo wince, but he handled it well for his first piercing. Kenma could feel his hot breath on his neck.

"Good," Kenma muttered. He attached the nose ring and threaded it in. He detached the needle and screwed on the other end of the ring so it would stay.

"All done," Kenma said and moved out of the way so Kuroo could get up. He stood up and walked over to the mirror. He smirked and turned around.

"I like it," He started, "What do you think?"

Kenma stuttered, "i-it looks good," he said, flustered. He looked hot. Kenma could already imagine what piercings and tattoos would complement his features.

Kenma shook away the thoughts and started his blurb on how to care for the healing piercing. He jotted it down in his notebook and ripped out the page to give to him. There were printed copies somewhere, he couldn't be bothered to find it. Kuroo took the paper and squinted, but seemed to be able to read it.

"Have a nice day," Kenma said, turning away as Kuroo left, ignoring what he said back. He should put that idiot out of his mind. Stupid smirks and messy hair never ended well. He should be over the idea of love at first sight.

But Kenma wasn't over anything. And they thought about Kuroo standing on the train, watching the crows outside the fast food joint, and crashing on their couch at home. He sighed.

"What am I gonna do, Missy?" he whispered, picking his cat up. She only meowed in response.

"I'm down bad," He laughed.

He poured some food in Missy's dish and picked up his phone. He scrolled through a page or two of "Kuroo"s on instagram, but there were too many and he never caught Kuroo's first name. But he still lived around here, maybe they would run into each other, right? Or maybe Kenma should just give up and die alone with his cat. Okay, now he was being dramatic.

He felt his eyes grow heavy and was vaguely aware that he should move to his bed, but Missy was already asleep on his chest. The couch is comfy enough, he decided as his head fell back.