Sweetheart and The Boy From Yesterday

Something was different about him today, and it took Tsukishima a minute to realize that it was because Kuroo's bangs were pulled back into a tiny tail at the top of his head. It would have made him laugh if he hadn't found it to be so hot. The elder boy's whole body faced Tsukishima to give all of his attention to him; it made him anxious and warm and almost like he wanted to sit in Kuroo's lap and pull that stupid little knot from the top of his head. Almost.

"So what's your story? Like beginning to the now. The whole shit and kabang"

Kuroo propped his elbow against the back of his ancient, ugly, vomit green couch and rested his head in his hand. The blond thought about telling him that wasn't how the saying went at all, but he suspected that Kuroo might have already known that, and decided it would funnier to be ornery instead.

"Well, it all started with my parents. When a Mommy and Daddy love each other very much, they fuc- "

Kuroo barked a laugh and buried his face into the back of the couch. He peered up at him with his molten eyes.

"That's how all stories begin. Tell me your story. Tell me about Tsukishima Kei."

"Okay, Augustus Waters."

Tsukishima folded his legs into a pretzel and leaned the side of his body into the back of the couch. He knew he looked awkward, with his feet tucked beneath him, but it was comfortable and familiar and he wasn't worried at all when Kuroo smiled at him.

"I was really into dinosaurs as a kid."

"Most kids were," Kuroo started, his eyes still warm, and his voice quiet enough that you had to listen for it, but not quite enough to be considered a whisper, like if he spoke any louder the world would buckle to its knees. Tsukishima didn't know Kuroo was capable of Soft.

"C'mon, Tsukki"

"No, I mean I was really into dinosaurs." He softened his voice to match the boy's across from him. "My brother once brought me a toy dinosaur when I was about 6 or 7. I was so mad. It was supposed to be a triceratops, but the horns were all wrong. I went on and on about how a triceratops has 3 horns, not two. Tri means 3."

"You were a dick back then too, huh?" Despite his words, Kuroo smiled as he'd just won a new car and spoke as if he boasted too loud, they'd take it away. "What'd your brother do?"

"He gave me t-rex shaped sunglasses a week later– to say sorry for giving me a fakeass triceatops– and I wore them for a month straight. In the shower. At my kindergarten Christmas recital. I'd scream if anyone even suggested that I take them off."

Kuroo's whole body shook as he struggled to hold in his laughter. He was afraid that Tsukki would clam up if laughed too hard.

"Haha. So funny."

"I'm sorry," The dark haired man said. "It's just adorable."

Tsukishima smiled, as Kuroo's laugh was infectious, and when Kuroo calmed down, his eyes melted and his heart fell into the pit of his stomach and he was sure that'd he'd burn down whole cities to keep that smile on Tsukki's face. It was the first time he'd seen Kei look so. . . free.

"Tell me more?" He asked the blonde.

Tsukishima told him more.

They talked for what seems like hours, their voices soft as they traded stories. Some new. Some old. Some about themselves. Some about their friends.

"You're telling me that Suga and Daichi might be a thing?" Tsukki asked. His glasses were folded on the Beer table and a Christmas themed blanket was draped over his thin shoulders, despite it only being September. It smelled strongly of Kuroo: cigarettes, booze, and honey.