What About Me?

Laughter- Chapter Sixteen

Kenma's POV

My house feels so empty now.

It was like this before the other two left, but it seems like they've lived here for years.

The only thing that would make it feel extremely empty and a calmer environment would be the absence of Kuroo.

After Akaashi, Bokuto, and Kikashi left, Kikashi having told me multiple times he would stay even though I told him no and had to push him into his car, I asked Kuroo if he wanted to stay.

He turned into a puppy and was super excited, but then his face was gloomy and said he would have to ask Nakio if he could.

What is she, his mother? Like, 'Hey Mom, can I stay at my friend's house?' 'No, you got homework, chores, and I never see you anymore! You're not allowed to stay!'

That's so controlling and stupid. He's a grown man who can stay wherever he wants. He is not a child or someone she dictates the actions of.

I heard him call her. I wasn't eavesdropping necessarily, I could just hear him fairly well, and it wasn't that pretty.

"Hey Nakio! I was wondering, is it cool with you if I stay with Kenma tonight?

. . .

I know we just talked about that, but he had his friends just move out and wants someone to stay over. Also, I want to stay!

. . .

Well, I only asked cause you get pissed when I don't check with you. I'm sorry that I did what you want me to do.

. . .

Next time I won't say a thing, I'll just let you call and text me and yell and bitch at me like you always do, even though I live and breath on your schedule.

. . .

Yeah, whatever. . . I love you too.

Like I said, not too pretty.

He walks into the kitchen and sits at the bar, resting his head in his hands.

"Hey Kuroo. . .is everything okay. . ?"

Lifting his head up, he gives me a look like he zoned out until I spoke. "What-? Oh, yea. . .Nakio is weird about me going places without checking in with her. She's been kinda mean lately, too, but I think that's just the stress she's taken on recently."

I grab ingredients and start making dinner.

It's nothing special, just soup.

"Well. . .even if she's been stressed out, she shouldn't take it out on you. Also, she doesn't control you. I get it, she may want to know where you are, but you shouldn't need her permission like she's your mom."

Kuroo laughs while he heads over to the fridge.

"You got anything to drink, say, beer, maybe?"

I gag and shake my head. "You want beer? It tastes like absolute shit, no, I don't have any. If there is, it would be from the last time my mom was here."

"Hm. . ." I hear Kuroo shuffling and digging through my fridge until, "Aha! Found some! It's still good, too." He pops the cap off and takes a drink.

"So, I'm guessing you don't want any?" He says, holding a bottle out to me.

"No, not at all." I stir the pot of soup and put the lid on it. "I'll stick to my seltzers, thank you very much."

"Don't they basically have beer in them?"