A game of hearts {Kuroo}

13.

The next day, Y/N felt somewhat lighter after her conversation with Aya. She was ready to have an open, honest talk with Kuroo about her fears. But life, as it often did, had other plans.

That afternoon, after her last class, she received an unexpected message from one of her classmates who also followed the university volleyball team closely.

*Classmate*: "Did you hear? Kuroo got injured during practice today. Looks pretty serious."

Y/N's heart dropped. Injured? Kuroo? The Kuroo she knew always seemed so invincible, always on his feet, strong and in control. The thought of him hurt made her stomach twist. Without thinking, she grabbed her phone and texted him immediately.

*Y/N*: "Hey, I heard you got hurt at practice. Are you okay?"

The seconds that passed while waiting for a response felt like hours. Finally, her phone buzzed.

*Kuroo*: "Yeah, nothing too bad. Just a sprain. Doctor said I need to rest for a while."

Y/N felt a surge of worry mixed with relief. If he was texting, it meant he wasn't too badly injured, but still, the idea of him sidelined was unsettling.

*Y/N*: "Do you need anything? I can stop by and help you if you want."

*Kuroo*: "I'm fine, really. Just resting in my dorm. Don't worry about me."

But of course, Y/N couldn't stop worrying. She knew Kuroo well enough to know that he'd downplay anything that made him seem vulnerable. Without hesitation, she grabbed her bag and headed toward his dorm, ignoring his attempt to brush it off.

---

When Y/N knocked on Kuroo's door, she half-expected him to be annoyed, but when he opened the door and saw her standing there, he smiled instead, though it was clear he wasn't as nonchalant as he'd been over text.

"Y/N, you really didn't have to come," Kuroo said, stepping aside to let her in. His voice was softer than usual, a hint of exhaustion in it.

She gave him a look. "Of course, I did. You're hurt."

Kuroo sighed, closing the door behind her as he limped slightly back to his bed. His left ankle was wrapped in a bandage, elevated on a couple of pillows. He sat down carefully, grimacing as he adjusted his leg.

"It's not as bad as it looks," he said, trying to sound casual. "Just a minor sprain. A few weeks of rest, and I'll be back to normal."

Y/N's eyes softened as she sat beside him. "I know, but still... it must be frustrating. You love volleyball."

Kuroo leaned back against the headboard, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it sucks. But I've been through worse. I'll get over it."

Y/N could sense the frustration beneath his calm exterior. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "You don't have to pretend it doesn't bother you. I know how much this means to you."

Kuroo's gaze flickered to hers, and for a moment, his confident facade cracked. He looked down at his ankle, his expression clouding with uncertainty. "It's not just the injury," he admitted quietly. "It's everything. The pressure to lead the team, balancing practice with school... sometimes it feels like I'm always one step away from messing it all up."

Y/N's heart ached as she listened. She had always seen Kuroo as so self-assured, the one who seemed to have everything under control. But hearing him admit to his doubts made her realize how much weight he was carrying on his shoulders.

"I get it," she said softly. "I really do. I've been feeling the same way about school. Like no matter how hard I try, I'm always on the edge of failing or disappointing someone."

Kuroo looked at her, surprised by her honesty. "You? Failing? You're one of the smartest people I know."

Y/N smiled slightly, shaking her head. "Doesn't mean I don't feel the pressure. And it doesn't mean I don't doubt myself sometimes. We all do."

Kuroo leaned back, studying her face for a moment. "Yeah, I guess we all have our struggles, huh?"

Y/N nodded, a sense of understanding passing between them. For the first time, she saw Kuroo not just as the volleyball captain or the confident guy who always knew what to say, but as someone who was struggling, just like her. It made her feel closer to him, knowing they were both navigating their insecurities together.

"Thanks for coming," Kuroo said after a pause. "I didn't realize how much I needed the company."

Y/N smiled. "Of course. You've been there for me, so it's only fair I return the favor."

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the tension from earlier days melting away. For Y/N, seeing Kuroo like this—vulnerable, human—made her realize that it was okay not to have everything figured out. She didn't have to be perfect, and neither did he. They were both learning, growing, and helping each other along the way.

---

Over the next few days, Y/N insisted on helping Kuroo with daily tasks while he recovered. She brought him food, helped him with his notes, and even kept him company when he got bored from being cooped up in his dorm room.

During one of those evenings, as they sat together on his bed, reviewing his class materials, Kuroo looked over at her with a smile that was softer than usual.

"You're really something, you know that?" he said, his voice low and sincere.

Y/N looked up, surprised by the tone of his voice. "What do you mean?"

Kuroo shook his head, a chuckle escaping him. "You're always so focused on school and your responsibilities, but you still find time to help me. I don't know how you do it."

Y/N shrugged, feeling her cheeks warm at the compliment. "I guess I just... care about you."

Kuroo's eyes softened, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt charged, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a quiet acknowledgment of everything that had been building between them for the past few months.

"I care about you too," Kuroo finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N's heart raced, but she didn't look away. This time, she didn't feel the need to hide or run from her feelings. She was starting to understand that caring for someone didn't have to be scary. It could be something beautiful, something that made her stronger.