How We Began

Part Seven (cont.)

"We should go," Tsuki finally said. He tried to smile, but wasn't quite able to do it.

"After all that, do you just want to stay in our room for the rest of our vacation?"

"Why? I mean, I know we are going to be vacation hermits tomorrow, but I know you really want to visit the shrine. We can still go. I'll be fine."

"Tsuki..."

"I want to see the shrine too, you know. And since we plan to go much later, there's a very good chance we'll have the place to ourselves."

Kuroo took Tsuki's hands and pulled until they were pressed together. He wrapped his arms around Tsuki, holding tight. Tsuki reciprocated, once again taking hold of Kuroo's shirt in the back.

"Why are you doing this? Why are you acting like everything's back to the way it was before your brother showed up?"

"Because that's how I need it to be. At least, for right now," Tsuki explained quietly. "For the rest of tonight, let's do everything the way we planned. Dinner, resting, visiting the shrine. Taking pictures for your aunt. Being happy. Can we do that?"

Kuroo melted. He knew what Tsuki was trying to do, and if that would help him in whatever way he needed, then Kuroo would do everything in his power to make it happen. This day took a hard left turn the moment Akiteru Tsukishima showed himself, and now Tsuki was trying to get things back on track. At least for a little while.

"If that's what you want, then we'll do it," Kuroo replied gently.

"Thank you." Tsuki leaned back to look at him. "Let's put the kitchenette to good use. We can pick up a few things on the way back."

"Sure. Are you going to cook something for us?"

"Yeah. I mean, it won't be anything fancy..."

"I'm sure I'll love it."

They took the train back to the hotel, and stopped at a nearby grocery store to pick up what Tsuki needed for dinner. Then, they went to their room, with Tsuki telling him little stories about his high school days. Through it all, Kuroo watched him talk, loving the way his eyes lit up when talking about his volleyball team. He spoke about how he'd antagonize Hinata and Kageyama, but Kuroo could tell he didn't do it out of spite or hatefulness. Then, he would talk about his senpais: Tanaka, Nishinoya, Daichi, Asahi, and Sugawara. He admired them all. Even the ones he called the Bench Squad: Kinoshita, Narita, and Ennoshita.

It was like they were family to him. The players, the managers, and especially the coaches. Even the cheer squad formed by two guys his coach was friends with, and Tanaka's older sister. Tsuki spoke more of all of them than he did his real family. After meeting his older brother, Kuroo could see why.

After they ate the grilled rice balls Tsuki made, they set an alarm for 10pm, settled under their quilt, huddled close together, and slept. Neither realized how exhausted they were.

By 11pm, they were ready to go to the shrine. It was less than a mile from their hotel, so they walked. Hand in hand, they explored the main hall and various other buildings that were still open to the public. They even bought a few souvenirs from the shop.

The walk up the mountain, they were told, would take 2-3 hours, if they went all the way to the top. The torii gates thinned out about halfway up, so that's where most visitors turned around to go back. Kuroo and Tsuki looked at each other, smiled, and decided they'd go all the way to the top.

Except, it took them longer than the 2-3 hours. They explored everything along the way: tiny shrines, off the main path, with kitsune statues; little shops that offered charms and souvenirs, and there were even restaurants along the way. They acted like children, chasing each other through the gates, and around them, too. Their laughter echoed around them and into the night. They didn't care who heard or saw them. If anyone did.

Pictures were taken, too. Kuroo told Tsuki about the joke he'd told his aunt, about taking pictures of every torii gate. So, he took several pictures of the gates in nearly every angle imaginable. But, they also took pictures of each other: single shots, and selfies of them together. There were plenty of silly poses and faces, but the majority weren't. It was like they'd silently agreed to taking real pictures without the antics.

When they reached the top, they were amazed at the beauty of Kyoto at night. Lights almost appeared to be twinkling from their viewpoint, and there were lights of many colors. Tsuki took it all in, his expression awed, and his smile radiant.

"The view is amazing, Kuroo!" he exclaimed. "It's beautiful!"

"Yes, it is," Kuroo agreed softly. He wasn't looking at the city lights.

There was no mention of coming back. It was a glaring omission, considering they'd talked about it the night before. Both of them knew it, too, and the mood almost fell to unacceptable levels.

Kuroo brought his phone out and took a picture of Tsuki, smiling softly. "Stay there," he whispered, and stepped back, taking yet another picture, this time capturing Tsuki's silhouette against the lights of Kyoto. He walked back to Tsuki's side, and showed him the two pictures.

"That's my favorite view," he said quietly. "But I think I know how I can make it even better."

"How?"

Kuroo took his phone, took a single step back, and held it up, aiming it at Tsuki's face. Then, he moved so that he could see Tsuki around his phone.

"I love you," he said simply. "I couldn't begin to tell you when it happened. Maybe it was when we first met, or maybe it was gradually over the last few days, but... I love you."

A few moments later, he snapped the photo that became his favorite of all time. Tsuki's face had gone from mildly confused to radiantly happy in seconds. His golden brown eyes shimmered with emotion and unshed tears. Kuroo put his phone away and went to his love, gathering him in his arms and holding him.

"Just so you know, I didn't say that just to get a picture."

"I know."

"I needed to say it. I wanted you to know how I felt."

"Kuroo?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up," Tsuki said, leaning back just enough to look at him. "I love you, too."

Kuroo felt the sting of tears in his own eyes, knowing he looked exactly like Tsuki did a few minutes ago. In order to keep the tears from falling, he looked at Tsuki's face, his eyes, and flitted over his moonlit-silvered hair.

"Moonshine," he whispered reverently.

"Pardon?"

Kuroo grinned and bit his lip. "Moonshine. My new nickname for you."

"Okay, but why?"

"It's a secret," he said mischievously. "Maybe one day I'll tell you."

"Hmph."

"Oh stop pouting. It's a good nickname!"

"Never said I didn't like it. But now, it's only fair that I give you one, too."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"I don't know. I'll think of something."

They took their time coming back down. In the weak morning light, they found a little shrine off to the side that they hadn't noticed before. Perhaps because it was just a little further back from the main path, or maybe because it was half-hidden by trees. Whatever the reason, they decided to take a closer look at it.

There were kitsune statues surrounding the little shrine, and someone had lit some incense with a calming scent neither of them could quite name. It reminded Kuroo of the little shrine he'd found last night. Grinning, he took a step closer, clapped his hands softly, and started to pray. Within moments, Tsuki stood close beside him, and followed suit.

Kuroo prayed for their continued happiness.

Tsuki prayed for Kuroo's safety, and that he'd forgive him.

There was a little stack of paper for writing wishes, and both of them did that, too. Tying their papers to the strings tied between bamboo stalks, they said goodbye to the little shrine, and then headed back to the hotel. By the time they reached their room, the sun had fully risen and their Sunday staying in began.