A game of hearts {Kuroo}

15.

With Kuroo's injury healing, his visits to the physical therapist became less frequent, and he was finally able to walk without crutches. Still, he wasn't allowed back on the volleyball court just yet, which meant more time spent studying—and more time with Y/N. What began as a necessary part of his recovery had evolved into something neither of them could quite label. The two had grown so comfortable with each other that it felt natural to spend hours together, even outside the structured routine of studying.

---

One evening, Kuroo sat on the floor of his dorm room, leaning back against his bed. His leg was stretched out in front of him, and while the injury had made a lot of physical activities impossible, it didn't stop him from chatting and laughing with Y/N as if everything were normal.

Y/N was sitting on the bed, flipping through her notes for an upcoming biology exam. They'd been at this for hours, going over their respective coursework, but it didn't feel draining. Kuroo had even started teasing her about how serious she was taking the whole study process.

"Seriously, Y/N," Kuroo said, his voice carrying that familiar playful tone. "You're going to ace that exam. You've already memorized the entire textbook by now."

She glanced up from her notes and raised an eyebrow. "And you haven't?"

Kuroo smirked, leaning his head back against the edge of the bed. "Not quite. I've been distracted by my very dedicated study partner."

Y/N rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of a smile on her face. Kuroo's compliments, playful as they were, always managed to catch her off guard. Over the weeks, she had grown used to his teasing, but she couldn't deny that his words sometimes flustered her more than they should.

"I'm not sure I'm as much of a distraction as you think," Y/N replied, her tone teasing as she reached over to nudge his shoulder lightly with her foot.

Kuroo laughed, a genuine sound that filled the room. "You have no idea, Y/N."

His voice softened at the end, and Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at him, noticing the way his usual grin faded into something more thoughtful, more serious. The playful banter between them had always been a part of their dynamic, but now there was something else in the air, something unspoken that neither of them seemed quite ready to acknowledge.

---

Later that evening, as they were packing up their study materials, Kuroo stretched his arms above his head, wincing slightly as his muscles tensed from sitting for so long.

"You alright?" Y/N asked, her voice tinged with concern as she noticed his discomfort.

"Yeah, just stiff," Kuroo replied, dropping his arms back to his sides. "It's been a long day."

Y/N bit her lip, unsure if she should offer to help or give him space. Lately, she had been more attuned to his moods, picking up on the subtle shifts in his demeanor. He'd always been someone who carried his burdens lightly, hiding his struggles behind a confident smirk. But ever since his injury, she had seen a different side of him—a more vulnerable side.

Before she could stop herself, she spoke up. "Do you... want to talk about it?"

Kuroo paused, surprised by the offer. He glanced at her, his eyes meeting hers in a way that made her feel like he was searching for something. He hesitated, as if weighing his response, and then finally sighed.

"I guess I'm just frustrated," he admitted. "I know I'm almost back to normal, but sitting on the sidelines while the team keeps practicing without me... It's tough. I feel like I'm falling behind, like I'm not pulling my weight."

Y/N frowned, her heart aching for him. She had seen how much he cared about volleyball, how deeply it was woven into the fabric of who he was. The pressure he put on himself to always be at the top of his game was something she could relate to in her own academic world.

"You're not falling behind," she said softly. "You're recovering. And that takes time."

Kuroo's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I know, but it's hard to just sit back and wait. I'm used to being in control, you know? On the court, I can direct things, make decisions. But this? This is something I can't just fix by working harder."

Y/N reached out, her hand resting on his arm in a gesture of comfort. "You don't have to fix everything on your own. You've already done so much. Sometimes, the hardest thing is letting go of control and trusting that things will work out."

Kuroo smiled, a small but genuine smile. He appreciated her words more than she knew. It wasn't often that someone understood his need for control, for always being the one to shoulder the responsibility. And here she was, reminding him that it was okay to lean on others, to let go when necessary.

"You always know what to say, huh?" Kuroo said, his tone light but laced with sincerity.

Y/N laughed softly, her hand lingering on his arm for just a moment longer before she pulled back. "Not always. But I'm glad I could help."

---

The next few days passed in a similar rhythm. Kuroo and Y/N spent more time together than ever, and while their friendship had always been comfortable, there was a new undercurrent of tension that neither of them could ignore. It wasn't the awkward kind of tension—it was something that simmered beneath the surface, a growing awareness of how much they meant to each other.

One afternoon, Kuroo invited her to watch a volleyball practice. Though he wasn't cleared to fully participate yet, he wanted to be there for his team. Y/N, who had become increasingly intrigued by the sport, agreed without hesitation.

As they arrived at the gym, Kuroo led her to the bleachers. The atmosphere was electric, even for a simple practice. The sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, the sharp thud of the ball hitting the court, and the echo of the players' voices filled the space.

Kuroo watched the team with a quiet intensity, his eyes tracking every movement, every play. Y/N glanced at him, noticing the way his jaw clenched slightly, the longing in his gaze.

"You miss it, don't you?" she asked quietly.

"More than I can put into words," Kuroo admitted, his voice low. "But I'll be back soon. I just need to be patient."

Y/N nodded, her heart swelling with admiration for him. His resilience, his determination—it was what made him who he was. And in that moment, she realized just how much she cared for him, not just as a friend, but as someone who had become a central part of her life.

---

As practice ended, Kuroo turned to Y/N, a familiar smirk on his face. "So, what did you think? Impressed?"

Y/N smiled, shaking her head fondly. "Always."

They walked out of the gym together, the sun setting in the distance, casting a warm glow over the campus. The silence between them was comfortable, but there was something else there too—a tension that had been growing for weeks, slowly building to this moment.

Kuroo stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression more serious than usual. "Y/N, I—"

But before he could finish, Y/N cut him off, her voice soft but firm. "Kuroo, I—"

They both laughed awkwardly, realizing they had spoken at the same time. The air between them crackled with unspoken words, with emotions that had been building for far too long.

"I think we need to talk," Kuroo said, his voice more tentative than she had ever heard it.

Y/N nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah... I think we do."

And just like that, they both knew that something between them was about to change.