How We Began

Part Five (cont.)

"What's this?"

"Open it."

Tsuki narrowed his eyes at Kuroo, but opened the box. Inside, there were two huge slices of strawberry cream cake from one of the hotel restaurants. Kuroo's heart fluttered when Tsuki's eyes lit up and he smiled.

"These look delicious!"

"I'll go get us a couple plates and forks."

"Just the forks. We can eat these out of the box."

"We... or just you? Because, to be honest, it looks like you're about to dive in head first and not save me any."

Tsuki looked at him with a wicked glint in his eyes.

"Keep talkin' that way, and I just might."

"Stingyshima."

"Strawberry. Cream. Cake."

Kuroo laughed his way to the kitchenette to retrieve a pair of forks, started the electric kettle for something hot to drink, and returned to sit with Tsuki at the table. He gave a fork to Tsuki, and Tsuki put the box between them. They each ate both pieces, mumbling and moaning around bites, about just how good the cake was.

After making their coffee, he sat down and groaned.

"You ate the rest?"

"In my defense, I was left unsupervised."

"You're incorrigible."

"Unfair assessment," Tsuki said, smiling. "I saved you the last bite." He picked up his fork and held it in front of his face.

Kuroo waggled his eyebrows. He opened his mouth and took the entire bite, grinning like a cheshire cat the entire time. Tsuki reared back, looking at the empty fork with a scowl.

Kuroo nearly choked, he laughed so hard.

Tsuki's scowl melted into something gentle and tender.

Kuroo's laugh faded until he was just smiling, the same expression on his face.

They reached for each other at the same time, clasping hands and weaving fingers, both of them thinking that maybe... just maybe... they had finally found the one person in the world meant for them. That anyone before had been wrong, and they just didn't know it. Until now. And now that they had found each other, there'd be no one else after.

They stared at each other until Kuroo realized his playlist had stopped. Blinking free of the spell around them, he turned to his laptop, and picked another playlist, this one playing slower music. Or rather, traditional Japanese koto music. He bit his lip, and brought up the tab with their plans for tomorrow. Then, he looked back at Tsuki, whose expression now radiated happiness.

"When did you...?"

"A few days after I started showing up at your bookshop."

"I didn't think you liked koto music."

"Yeah, well, someone else does, and it's nice music to calm down with."

"Did you make it for me?"

Kuroo nodded. "Yeah. For me, too, though."

"Why?"

"I played it when I couldn't make it to the shop. It reminded me of you."

Tsuki chuckled. "Ya big sap."

"Only where you're concerned."

"Stop, I'm blushing."

"Tsuki in rare form, ladies and gentlemen."