7-10-2028
kuroo sighs deeply as he opens the door, taking of his shoes and calling out "i'm home" before heading to the living room. he'd been in the lab for the past thirty hours — he often stays for long periods of time, from evening to morning two days later.
"hey, tetsu-chan," oikawa smiles as he sits down next to him. he frowns when he notices kuroo's mood. "what is it?"
"they, uhm..." he starts out slowly, "they want to try out the replacement."
"that's awesome, right?" oikawa grins, "the sooner, the better, and we can live normally."
"tooru, the risk is huge," he says, looking up at him, "i'm not letting you do it just yet."
"but yo—"
"i know i invented it. i was the first. nothing succeeds the first time in science," he says, running his thumb over oikawa's cheek. "i don't want you to be the person we test it on."
"tetsu, you made this with me in mind. i want you to try it out on me."
"that's not happening."
"you don't care if it fails on someone else?" oikawa asks, biting his lip.
"no, no, i'd feel awful." kuroo sighs. "i'd feel worse if it were you. i'd never forgive myself. i love you."
"tetsu..."
"it's my development. i want you to try it once it's fully developed and safe."
"yeah, i understand," oikawa whispers. "i just want to be healthy. for me and for you."
"me too. which is why i'm going to perfect this."
27-1-2029
when kuroo returns home, he's exhausted. twenty-seven hours of surgery had tired him out completely. he can barely move anymore, and when he enters their apartment, he's lucky oikawa catches him, preventing him from falling.
"there there," he chuckles, bringing him upright. "let's get you to bed."
"bath," kuroo murmurs, eyes half-lidded.
"bed," oikawa corrects him, "you can bathe in the morning."
they head over, kuroo leaning on oikawa as they do, and he collapses immediately when he sees the bed standing there. oikawa chuckles, taking his coat off for him.
"c'mon, tetsu," he says, "let's get you changed." kuroo responds by pulling him on to the bed as well, wrapping himself around the brunet.
"sleep," he whines. oikawa sighs deeply.
"fine," he replies, relaxing in his grip. they stay silent for a moment, until oikawa asks, "how'd it go?"
"we succeeded," kuroo replies.
"you did now?"
"we did."
they fall asleep.
28-1-2029
