A game of hearts {Kuroo}

29.

Months had passed since Y/N boarded her flight to Switzerland, and though the distance between her and Kuroo was immense, their bond remained stronger than ever. It wasn't easy, not by a long shot, but they had adapted to the long-distance relationship in ways that surprised even them. Their love had transformed into something deeper—rooted in trust, communication, and an unspoken promise to stay by each other's side, no matter how far apart they were.

Y/N sat at her small desk in her dorm room, the cold Swiss winter creeping through the cracked window as she typed on her laptop. The clock on her screen read 1:00 AM, but she was wide awake, her mind buzzing with excitement. It was almost time for their scheduled video call, a weekly tradition they had both come to depend on.

As her phone pinged with Kuroo's incoming message, a smile spread across her face. She clicked the video call icon, and after a few moments, Kuroo's familiar face filled the screen. His black hair was as messy as ever, and the gleam in his dark eyes made her heart skip a beat.

"Hey, Y/N," he greeted, his voice warm and cheerful despite the early hour. It was late morning in Japan, and Kuroo had just finished his team's training session. "You look exhausted. Long day?"

Y/N chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair. "You could say that. The lab was intense today, but nothing I couldn't handle." She paused, her gaze softening. "How was practice? I heard your team's next match is a big one."

Kuroo shrugged with a smirk, his usual confidence shining through the screen. "It is, but we've got it under control. I've been working on some new strategies, and the team's in great shape. Wish you could be there to see it."

Her heart ached at his words. She missed watching him play, cheering him on from the sidelines, but she knew they both had their own paths to follow. "I wish I could too," she admitted softly. "But I'll be there in spirit, cheering you on."

They continued talking, their conversation flowing as naturally as it always had, even with the miles between them. Kuroo told her stories from his practices and teased her about some of the quirks of living in Switzerland—like the time she'd gotten lost in the snowy streets of Zurich, or when she'd accidentally ordered something in German instead of French.

It was these little moments that made the distance more bearable. They might have been physically apart, but emotionally, they were closer than ever. The time difference no longer felt like an obstacle but rather just another part of their routine, something they had both grown accustomed to.

"I've got a surprise for you," Kuroo said after a while, his tone playful. He shifted the camera to show something on his desk—a small package wrapped in red paper.

"What's that?" Y/N asked, curious.

"Open yours," he said, grinning as he gestured toward the package that had arrived at her dorm earlier that week. She'd been waiting for this moment, knowing Kuroo would want them to open their gifts together.

Y/N reached for the package, tearing away the wrapping paper to reveal a small, handmade photo album. She opened it, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the pictures inside—photos of their time together, moments she had almost forgotten. There were snapshots of them studying at the library, goofing off at volleyball practice, and even a picture of them from their first coffee shop outing. Each page had a small handwritten note from Kuroo, reminiscing about that particular memory.

"Kuroo... this is..." She trailed off, her voice thick with emotion.

"I thought you might need a reminder of all the fun we've had," Kuroo said, his tone softening. "I know it's hard being apart, but I wanted you to know that no matter where you are, we've always got these memories. And we'll make more when you come back."

Y/N blinked back the tears threatening to spill over, her heart swelling with love for him. "Thank you," she whispered, running her fingers over the pictures. "This is perfect."

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of their emotions hanging between them. Despite the distance, the connection they shared was palpable. Kuroo, for all his teasing and bravado, had a way of making her feel loved and cherished, even from thousands of miles away.

"So," Kuroo said after a beat, "have you decided on the trip for spring break yet?"

Y/N's lips curved into a smile. "I was thinking about visiting the mountains here, maybe even trying skiing. You should see the photos—it's beautiful."

Kuroo raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Skiing? You? That I've got to see."

Y/N laughed, shaking her head. "Don't doubt me. I'm more adventurous than you think."

Kuroo chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "I'm not doubting you, just imagining the inevitable wipeouts. I better be there to catch it on camera."

Her laughter subsided, and she sighed softly. "I wish you could be here with me."

There it was—the honest truth neither of them could avoid. As much as they tried to keep things light and focus on their individual growth, the longing to be together never fully went away. The distance was hard, and there were days when the weight of it was almost too much to bear.

"I know," Kuroo said quietly. "But this is only temporary. We're going to get through it."

Y/N nodded, though her heart ached with the uncertainty of when they would actually see each other again. She knew they had a long road ahead of them, but she also knew that their relationship was worth fighting for.

As their conversation wound down, Kuroo's voice became softer, more introspective. "You're going to finish that program, come back even more brilliant than you already are, and then we'll have all the time in the world. Just think of this as... preparation for our future."

Y/N smiled, his words offering a sense of comfort. "Our future, huh?"

Kuroo grinned. "Yeah. And when you get back, I'm taking you on the best date you've ever had. No more long-distance."

They talked a little longer before finally saying their goodbyes for the night. As Y/N ended the call and stared at the darkened screen, she felt a renewed sense of hope. The distance was hard, but it was also strengthening them in ways they hadn't expected. Each day apart was a step toward a future where they would be together again, and that thought was enough to carry her through.