The Shadows of Fate

Set unease

Days felt like a blur, time passed quickly when Taiga realized it's been 3 days since Kuroko officially lived with them.

Every time his head plays back to that time, Taiga felt nothing but stiff. He remembers spacing out midway through their conversation. It was honestly the first time Taiga went quiet for the whole time they were eating.

For the rest too. Usually the dinner table is filled with chattering and chaos, but that wasn't the case back then. Even though Seijuurou and Kuroko are talking, Taiga couldn't help but feel like it's too quiet.

"OI BAKAGAMI DON'T SPACE OUT WHILE COOKING!"

A shout startled him out of his thoughts, now remembering that he's currently grilling pork slices. A man with black hair and glasses approached him with his hands placed on his hips.

"I don't know what's going on with you, but at least try to focus on finishing the dishes before thinking too much." The co-owner of the restaurant he's currently at huffed at him.

"Sorry Hyuuga-san" He apologizes.

Then he heard a chuckle beside him, "Calm down Hyuuga, I'm sure Kagami's having it though these days. Don't overwork yourself, okay?" A large but gentle hand pats him.

"That's not an excuse, Teppei." Hyuuga shook his head, "Anyways go and take your break."

Taiga tilts his head, "I'm still not finished-"

"I'll take over" Hyuuga cuts in, "You look like you're out of yourself. Besides, there's someone waiting for you at table 6"

Taiga blinked at that, who's waiting for him? He bowed as he excused himself, "Sorry again Hyuuga-san, I'll be taking my break then. Thank you." He then scurried away to look who's awaiting him.

Hyuuga sighed, then snapped at Teppei when he heard him saying "What a good senior you are, Hyuuga" with that annoying smile of his.

"Be quiet, Teppei."

____________________________________

"Wow you sure are thinking a lot with that small brain of yours." Taiga halts when he hears a familiar voice, "Tatsuya?"

Tatsuya isn't as good at reading people, but growing up with Taiga he knows every expression and thoughts of Taiga's. Taiga always greeted him with excitement in his eyes and with a shout of his name.

But a dazed Taiga greeted him instead. That's when he knew that there's something wrong.

"Why are you here?" Taiga asked. It's not unusual for Tatsuya to visit him during his work days but it's not often either.

"Well I heard a complaint about a certain someone almost burning the pork strips he's grilling." Tatsuya teased with a smile that he knows will annoy him.

He watched in amusement as Taiga heats up in embarrassment, "Shut up..." he mutters. Tatsuya chuckled and motioned him to take a seat across from him, "Care to tell me what's been bugging you?" his tone went soft as he offered an ear.

Taiga's shoulder visibly dropped, sitting down on the other side of Tatsuya. They were in the far corner of the restaurant, and it's barely full. Talking in a space where no one can hear and with a small amount of people present actually calms him down a little.

Truth to be told, Taiga doesn't have any problems. He long accepted the fact that Kuroko is living with them now and that he's their soulmate (but not their boyfriend, there's a difference.)

"Honestly," He started, "I don't know what's the problem with me. Just that...I kept spacing out and I don't know why." He absent-mindedly repeated the "I don't know" part.