How We Began

Part Two

Over the next two weeks, Kuroo visited the little bookshop. And its owner. Honestly, the owner was way more interesting to him than the books, but he also went because it was a nice place to rest after a long day of work. He tried going before work, but Tsukishima didn't open until 10am.

That was one of the first things he learned about Tsukishima: he was not a morning person. By any stretch of the imagination. Kuroo dropped by over the weekend, and witnessed for himself the grumpy, quite sarcastic, side of Tsukishima. It seemed his regular customers knew, too, giving him another hour to acclimate to the morning before trickling into the shop. Kuroo found that highly amusing.

Kuroo also learned that Tsukishima loved sweet things. His coffee, whether hot or cold, was more cream and sugar than coffee. Tea was treated the same way. There were little bowls of candy scattered throughout the shop, but he was a real sucker for strawberry danishes and shortcakes.

There were other little things about Tsukishima that intrigued Kuroo: he didn't always wear his glasses, he liked the peace and quiet, but would have light music, often something traditional like koto music, playing in the background. Some days, he wore headphones around his neck, and would slip them on occasionally.

When Kuroo came by, Tsukishima would greet him with a grin, but usually left him to his own devices. Oddly, Kuroo liked being able to focus more on a project, or finish up some paperwork. He even had a favorite chair to sit in, and it was waiting for him when he arrived. Sometimes, a steaming hot cup of something was also waiting for him.

Clearly, while he was discovering things about Tsukishima, Tsukishima was learning about him, as well.

Sometimes, Kuroo wore glasses. He preferred his coffee hot, with just a little cream and sugar. Same with his tea. He liked savory snacks over sweets, and music with a beat and big sound. He wasn't much of a reader, which made his visits to the shop somewhat inexplicable, but Tsukishima never made him leave.

"It's like you've known each other for far longer than a couple weeks," Aunt Yui said the night before the trip to Kyoto. They just finished dinner and were enjoying a nightcap. Kuroo had told her everything. After she'd demanded it, of course.
"I wouldn't say that," Kuroo replied, feeling himself flush.
"I would," she replied. She looked quite pleased with herself, actually. Kuroo narrowed his eyes at her.
"What?" she asked, attempting to look innocent. Again.
"Oh, nothing," he replied with a shrug. "Just that I can't imagine that you'd have set us up on purpose."
"I would never! Don't be silly! Why would I even do such a thing?"

Kuroo rolled his eyes and snorted at her obvious overacting. But he remained silent, toying with the finger where a ring used to sit. Maybe she had her reasons for setting him up with Tsukishima. And it was a set up; there was no denying it. Though, after the past two weeks, could he really be angry with her? He looked at her, and smiled.

"Thank you, Auntie," he said quietly, reaching out and taking her hands in his.
"For what?" Clearly, he'd surprised her.
He smirked. "For being the sweetest, meddling auntie I know and love. You're my most favorite auntie."
She snorted, but she was blushing. Kuroo counted it as a point for him. "I'm your only auntie."
"Which is why you're my favorite," he retorted with a wink.
He planted a kiss on the backs of her hands, let them go, and stood up to stretch.
"Thanks for dinner, Aunt Yui," he said, rubbing his belly. "I need to go home and finish packing."
"Have fun on your trip, dear," she said happily. "Take lots of pictures!"
"Oh, sure. One of each torii gate."
"Brat!"

Kuroo laughed, dodging a pot holder as he left the kitchen, and then started whistling as he collected his keys, put on his shoes, and left to go home. As he drove the short distance to his place, he mentally went through his list of things left to pack, and then an idea hit him.

He checked the time; it was too late to run by the bookshop. Well, not like it would've mattered, anyway. Tsukishima tended to close early if it looked like there wouldn't be more customers. Still, maybe he could call. He'd put the number of the shop in his phone after that first night.

As soon as he made it home, he got his phone and pulled up his contact list. He was about to tap on the number for the shop, but then he noticed something else. Right below the shop's phone number was Tsukishima's personal number. Kuroo wasn't sure when he'd been able to even put it in there; Kuroo's phone was never that far from his hand.

Not that it mattered, really. He couldn't help it; he let out a whoop and did a happy little dance around the entryway. He felt his face flush and his heart started racing. Forcing himself to calm down, he went to the kitchen, turned on his electric kettle, and prepared a cup for tea. When he felt ready, at least enough that his voice wouldn't shake, he tapped on the number and waited patiently as it rang.

"Hey, it's Kuroo," he said as soon as Tsukishima answered.
"Wondered when you'd find it." The man was definitely trying not to laugh. Kuroo could hear it.
"Yeah, I'm still trying to figure out when you even had the chance."
"Like I'd tell you."
"No worries. I'll eventually figure it out."
"Good luck with that."
"Smartass."
"Accurate."
"Anyway, I did have a reason for calling."
"What's that?"
"Think we can meet at the station a little earlier?"
"Define 'earlier,' "
"Nothing drastic. 10am. Think you can manage it?"
"I guess I could. But why?"
"You'll see."
"What? Now you aren't going to tell me?"
"Of course not. That would ruin the surprise."
"You and your surprises."
"You like them. Admit it."
"Not a chance!"
"Whatever. I'll see you at 10am, okay?"
"Yeah. I'll be there."
"Great! See you then."

By the time he hung up with Tsukishima, he'd slid down to the floor, and his face hurt because he was smiling so much. It had been a long time since he'd felt this... this happy. No, actually, he'd never quite felt like this before. It was different, new, and it felt so good.

Looking down at his contact list, Kuroo noticed something else. Tsukishima hadn't just entered his phone number. He'd also put his name in as 'Tsuki,' clearly a nickname. "Ohmigod," he whispered to himself. He wanted to yell so loud, he'd wake up the entire neighborhood.

Instead, he just clutched his phone to his chest and repeated that 'ohmigod' over and over again. Maybe this was just a major crush, or maybe he'd fallen head over heels in love; Kuroo wasn't sure. All he could really hope for was that Tsuki felt the same way.

And he couldn't just rush in. He'd done that once, and it ended in disaster.

No matter what, he didn't want to screw this up.

Whatever this was.

Later, he picked himself up off the floor, made his tea, and went to his room to finish packing. He had a bit of an earlier start in the morning, and he was looking forward to it. Hell, he was looking forward to the whole trip.