How We Began

Part Two (cont.)

The next morning, Kuroo made it to the train station just in time to meet Tsuki. Smiling as soon as he saw the younger man, he calmly met him halfway. He was still in a rather euphoric mood; it was a wonder he even slept at all last night. Good thing he set more than one alarm.

"Good morning, Tsuki!" he said brightly, his mood still riding high.
"Morning," Tsuki replied grumpily, though a smirk had appeared on his face. "Already using my nickname, huh?"
"Well, you did put it in my phone," Kuroo shrugged.
"That I did." A little color tinted his cheekbones. Tsuki hooked a hand around the nape of his neck, looking down and away and anywhere besides Kuroo for a few minutes. Then, he turned back again.

"So. What's your surprise?"
"Can't contain your excitement, can you?"
"I'm literally overflowing with it."
"Such sarcasm," Kuroo said quietly.
"It's still early," Tsuki reminded him.
"Yeah, well, come on," he said as he started heading into the station. "Where we're going isn't far from our platform. We can take our time."

Kuroo felt when Tsuki caught up to him. He fought the urge to look over and smile, even though he really wanted to. But he wasn't able to ignore how Tsuki seemed to sidle just a little closer to him as they entered the station's huge concourse. People were everywhere; it was almost lunch hour, which meant it'd be even more crowded with those who worked nearby and ate at the numerous eateries.

This time, he did look over at his companion, who was nearly on top of him now. Tsuki was trying to be cool about it, but it was obvious he really hated crowds. The noise level rose the further in they went, and there were lights and signs drawing attention everywhere at once.

"We're almost there," he leaned close enough to be heard without yelling. "Do you have your headphones?"
"Yeah," Tsuki replied. He quickly brought his bag around, dug them out and put them on. He visibly relaxed a bit. Kuroo knew they weren't the noise-canceling kind of headphones, but they'd help, and Tsuki would still be able to hear him.

"Better?"
"Yeah. A little."
"Do we need to stop?"
"No. Not here," Tsuki replied. "How much farther?"
"About another few minutes walking. I swear, where we're going is in a quieter section of the station."
"It's fine. Let's just go."

On impulse, Kuroo stood in front of Tsuki, making sure he had his attention. He also gently grasped his wrist.

"We'll go when you've calmed down a little more, okay?"

Tsuki stared at him; eyes darting from hair to eyes to ears, to his mouth, then finally back up to his eyes. Kuroo knew he was grounding himself, especially when Tsuki turned his wrist and grasped his hand, needing the skin-to-skin contact.

"Better?"

Tsuki nodded and took a deep breath; his first since they stopped. "Yeah. Better."
"Good. We'll walk slowly until you can move easily, okay?" Kuroo moved so they could begin walking again. When there wasn't a response, he stopped and looked back.
"How did you know what to do?"
"I had a friend who hated crowds, too. A long time ago." He explained with a little smile. "Ready to go?"
"Yeah."

Kuroo meant to let go of Tsuki's hand, but Tsuki held his hand a little tighter. Perhaps he still needed the contact, but Kuroo didn't mind at all. Maybe it was the wrong time to think such things, but he was happy Tsuki needed him.

They arrived at their destination roughly ten minutes later. It was a sweet little coffee shop that Kuroo found on a ramble during his lunch break once. He'd been a regular ever since. When he walked in, the server behind the counter flashed a bright smile his way and waved.

"Nice to see you again, Kuroo-san! The usual?"
"Please, and thank you!" he replied. He turned to Tsuki. "What do you want for breakfast?"
"I don't know," Tsuki replied. "I'm not sure I can eat right now."
Kuroo understood well enough. "Do you think you could drink coffee or tea?"
"Tea, please? Something herbal."
"Got it. Want to find us a place to sit while I order?"
"Sure. Preference?"
"Anywhere is fine."
"Got it," Tsuki smiled, repeating Kuroo. He slowly let go of his hand and went to find a place for them to sit.
Kuroo went up to the counter to order.