Haikyuu Imagines

The Long Race (Kuroo)

"When did you get so hot?" you mumbled under your breath, glancing up at the arena seats.  

Your childhood best friend Kuroo Tetsuro had come to support one of your races, as usual.  Of course, he brought his buddies, all of them laughing together over some cheesy line Kuroo probably said. 

When had his baby face hardened into a sharp jawline?  Why did his curious eyes now glitter darkly, entrancing you?  You blinked, realizing those very eyes were watching you now.

Kuroo smirked before mouthing, Good luck.  

Suddenly, your racing top felt too tight and your shorts too short.  You were conscious of his stupidly handsome eyes on you.  But you shook your head vigorously, trying to focus on the race.  This was a sprint you'd been preparing for for months.  You couldn't just throw it away because you were... distracted.  Physically shutting him out, you pulled your dark running glasses over your eyes.

"Runners, to the starting line!" the referee whistled.  

Turning on a switch, you mentally placed blinders around you.  All you could see was the finish line around the curve of the track.  You felt the grainy asphalt under your fingers.  And the soles of your feet tensed as you readied yourself to spring forward. 

"On your mark."

You stilled your breath.  Every cell in your body focused.

"Get set."

You grit your teeth.

"GO!" 

Your muscle fibers sprung into action, propelling you forward instantly.  Quickly, you switched all your power to your thighs and core, building speed as fast as you could.  Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted one of your opponents, trying to close in.  

Not today.  

You'd trained for this.  You weren't going to let anyone come close to overtaking you.

Your hair swished behind you as you fired the jets, running faster than you had in any practice.  Today, you were here to win the race and Kuroo's attention.  

Look at me, you thought.  You're not the only one who's changed over the years.  I'm hot, too.  

You found yourself smiling maniacally as you rounded a corner, feet pounding light and fast against the ground.  Usually at this point, you took a second to glance behind you and make sure you were pacing yourself well before you finished.  You hated when opponents snuck up on you with a final burst to snag the win.

But today, you were determined.  Turning your body for that half glance would make you less aerodynamic.  Today, you would risk it all and run like you'd never run before.  

If I win this, I'm going to tell you how I feel, you thought.  The tension, the subtle glances, the way your fingers nearly sparked like a live wire when they brushed against each other-- you were down bad.  

"Hey," Kuroo had greeted you.  There was a moving truck parked outside the house next door, and the boy's parents were working together to move a large bookshelf inside. 

You waved, too shy to speak.  

"What's your favorite sport?  Mine's volleyball!" Kuroo grinned, revealing a gap in his teeth.  At that time, he'd been around seven. 

"Running."

"Oh, yeah?  Then let's race down your driveway.  Loser has to buy popsicles," Kuroo challenged you.