A game of hearts {Kuroo}

17.

Weeks passed after Kuroo and Y/N's candid conversation under the oak tree. The rhythm of university life resumed, but something had undeniably shifted between them. Their friendship had grown even closer, and yet, an unspoken tension lingered—an anticipation that something significant was on the horizon. Both knew it, but neither had made the leap.

Kuroo had finally returned to volleyball, although he was taking it easy to ensure his leg healed completely. Practice wasn't as intense for him, but he still found joy in being back on the court, guiding his team from the sidelines. Y/N, as always, was steadfast in her academic pursuits, but she found herself drawn to spending more time with Kuroo, even outside of study sessions.

It was now nearing the end of the semester, and the holiday season was just around the corner. Winter had come early, covering the campus in a thin layer of snow, and with the festive decorations starting to go up, there was an air of warmth despite the cold.

---

One evening, Kuroo received a message from Y/N.

Y/N: Hey, are you free tonight? There's something I want to show you.

Kuroo's heart skipped a beat. He quickly texted back.

Kuroo: Yeah, what's up?

Y/N: Just meet me at the park by the campus in an hour.

The park had always been a quiet spot for the two of them. It was a place where they could escape the busyness of school, and now, with the snow covering the ground and the trees bare, it seemed more peaceful than ever. Kuroo arrived early, his breath visible in the chilly air. He zipped up his jacket and leaned against a tree, waiting for Y/N.

The sun had just begun to set, casting a soft orange and pink glow across the snow-covered landscape. Kuroo couldn't help but wonder what Y/N wanted to show him. Was it something about their studies, or was it more personal? His mind raced with possibilities.

---

When Y/N finally appeared, Kuroo's breath caught for a moment. She was bundled up in a thick coat and scarf, her cheeks pink from the cold, and her eyes seemed to reflect the fading light of the sunset. She smiled as she approached him, though there was a hint of nervousness in her expression.

"Hey," she greeted him, her voice soft.

"Hey," Kuroo replied, straightening up. "So, what's this mysterious thing you wanted to show me?"

Y/N hesitated for a moment, looking around the park as if gathering her thoughts. Then, without a word, she motioned for him to follow her. They walked in silence for a few minutes, their footsteps crunching softly in the snow.

Eventually, they arrived at a secluded bench, partially hidden by the surrounding trees. The park was quiet, save for the distant sound of children laughing as they played in the snow. Kuroo sat down on the bench, and Y/N took a seat beside him, though she didn't speak right away.

Kuroo, sensing her nerves, decided to break the silence. "You've got me all curious now, Y/N. What's going on?"

Y/N took a deep breath, her hands gripping the edges of the bench. "Kuroo, there's something I've been meaning to say for a while now. And it's been on my mind ever since that day we talked in the library. But I haven't found the right moment to say it."

Kuroo's heart began to race. He had a feeling he knew where this was going, but he didn't want to jump to conclusions. Instead, he waited, watching her intently.

"I've been thinking about us a lot lately," Y/N continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "About how much we've grown closer, and how much I care about you. And I just... I can't keep pretending that I don't feel something more."

Kuroo's breath caught in his throat as her words sank in. This was it—the moment they had both been tiptoeing around for so long.

Y/N turned to face him, her eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and hope. "I think... no, I know that I've fallen for you, Kuroo. And I don't know where this will lead, but I just had to tell you. I couldn't keep it to myself any longer."

For a few moments, there was silence between them. Kuroo felt like the world had stopped spinning. He had always known that his feelings for Y/N were more than just friendship, but hearing her confess her own feelings sent a rush of emotions through him—relief, joy, and a deep sense of connection.

He smiled softly, his usual teasing demeanor replaced with something much more tender. "Y/N," he said, his voice gentle. "I've been feeling the same way. For a while now, actually. I just didn't know how to bring it up, and I didn't want to mess things up between us."

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean that?"

Kuroo nodded, his gaze steady. "Yeah. I've been falling for you too. And I don't know where this will take us either, but I do know that I want to find out—with you."

A wave of relief washed over Y/N's face, and for the first time in weeks, the tension between them seemed to melt away. She smiled, a shy but genuine smile, and Kuroo couldn't help but grin in return.

Without thinking, Kuroo reached out and gently took her hand in his. Y/N didn't pull away. Instead, she laced her fingers with his, the warmth of the gesture standing out against the cold evening air.

---

They sat there for a while, hand in hand, neither of them needing to say much more. The park was quiet around them, the world feeling a little bit smaller, a little bit more intimate. Kuroo glanced over at Y/N, his heart swelling with affection as he watched her stare out at the snowy landscape.

He had always been good at reading people, but Y/N had always been a bit of a mystery to him—a challenge he had welcomed. And now, here they were, finally acknowledging the feelings they had been tiptoeing around for months.

"Do you want to go grab some hot chocolate?" Kuroo asked after a while, breaking the comfortable silence.

Y/N laughed softly, nodding. "That sounds perfect."

As they stood up and began walking back toward the center of the park, still hand in hand, Kuroo couldn't help but feel a sense of peace settle over him. This was the beginning of something new, something that would change their dynamic forever. But he wasn't scared of it anymore.

They had taken their time, and now that they had finally confessed their feelings, there was no turning back.