Promise (Tsukiyama)

Love makes you do crazy things

2 weeks later...

Ding! Ding! Ding! Tsukishima wakes up to his phone being blowing up. He groans and leans forward to check who it is disrupting his sleep. When he sees the contact name: Akiteru, he rolls his eyes and presses the answer button. "What do you want?" Tsukishima says, equally groggy and annoyed.

"Well, good morning to you too!" his brother's voice echoes through the phone, "I was just calling to ask if you wanted to go out for brunch today. I haven't seen you in a while."

Tsukishima thinks for a minute. He doesn't particularly love hanging out with his older brother on purpose, but he could honestly really use someone to talk to. He sighs, "Fine."

"Great!" Akiteru says cheerfully from the other end of the line, I'll meet you at our usual spot at 1!" He then hangs up before Tsukishima can say anything else.

Tsukishima pulls up at the local cafe, the sun beaming down at him through the windshield of his car. He gets out and strolls towards the quaint little place, the doors chiming as he pushes them open. His eyes immediately land on his brother, who is sitting at a small table in the corner of the cafe. Akiteru catches his eye and waves him over. Tsukishima sighs and slowly makes his way over to the table. He sits down and orders a slice of strawberry shortcake and a coffee, while Akiteru orders a croissant and chamomile tea. After they are finished ordering, Akiteru stares at his brother for a minute before beginning to speak. "So, how are you?" he asks.

Tsukishima shrugs, "I've been better." When Akiteru's eyebrows raise in intruige, Tsukishima continues, "I uh went -"

"It's about Tadashi, isn't it?"

Tsukishima's eyes widen with shock, "How did -"

"You're my little brother Kei, I know these things," Akiteru says nonchalantly, "now, what happened?"

Tsukishima folds his arms over his chest , "I tried to go talk to him a couple of weeks ago."

Their food arrives. Akiteru takes a sip of his tea before asking, "And? What's the verdict?"

"Turns out he still hates me."

Later in the evening, Tsukishima hears his doorbell ring. He approaches the door and swings it open to reveal Kuroo, Bokuto, and Akaashi standing behind it. Kuroo and Bokuto immediately cheer in greeting. "HEY HEY HEY! It's Tsukki!" Bokuto exclaims.

From behind Bokuto, Akaashi mutters, "He lives here, Kou.."

Tsukishima, startled by their sudden appearance, jumps back a bit. "What? How are you - how are you guys here?"

Kuroo smiles brightly, "We all got some time off for Hinata-kuns birthday next week, but we wanted to come see you first!"

"Yeah!" Bokuto continues, "and we're going to the club in an hour, so get ready!"

"Wait, wait, wait. You came here to pick me up with only an hours notice?"

"Yup!" Bokuto and Kuroo say in unison.

Tsukishima groans, "Fine." He then thinks for a moment, "Wait. Akaashi-san, you actually wanted to go to this?" he asks in disbelief.

Akaashi shakes his head, "I'm on driving duty."

Well, that certainly makes much more sense. Tsukishima lets out an exasperated sigh and moves out of the doorway. "Come on in, I need to get ready now, I guess."

He turns around and makes his way to his bedroom. Breathe. This is what you need tonight. It'll be okay.

When the four of them arrive at the club, Bokuto immediately pulls Akaashi to the dance floor against his will while Tsukishima and Kuroo head to the bar. Kuroo orders them drinks and passes one to Tsukishima, who clasps the cold glass in his hands. "So, Kuroo-san, why isn't Kenma with you guys?" he asks.