Haikyuu!! The Allure of the Aloof (Kenma x Reader)

[FLUFF/ANGST] One Shot 1: I Like You! (1 of 2)

"It'll be fine, Y/N. This is normal!" Your friend, Meli, cooed as you slapped your cheeks together with both your hands for the hundredth time today. You frantically ran your fingers through your hair in an effort to soothe your own panic. Dry lips uttered no words as you looked to Meli for help. She was definitely getting a kick out of seeing your misery-laced face. The sting of your self-inflicted slap remained palpable on your red cheeks as you buried your head into your arms, groaning. If only you hadn't gotten these feelings, this unnecessary hope.

———

It had been about three months since you noticed the first time your heart skipped a beat around him. Kozume Kenma, the 2nd year setter attending Nekoma High, had been playing a free for all fighting game with you and your friend, Hinata, when the two had teamed up on you and eliminated your character. In a fit of rage, you went to shove Kenma and Hinata. Hinata was unable to dodge your palm before it was square against his shoulder. With a splat to mark the place on the wooden floor where Hinata face-planted, you set your sights on shoving the stoic Kenma, struggling to gather enough force to knock him down between your fits of laughter. Before you could make a move, however, Kenma swiftly turned to you and caught your arm with his slender hands. His golden eyes flashed with intensity and victory, and you froze in your place as butterflies blossomed in your stomach. You don't know how long you two stayed in that position. The clock was ticking unceremoniously loud inside his room as seconds passed.

"Not happening." Kenma quipped before retracting his fingers from your arm. It didn't make sense at the time, why his touched burned into your lower arm while heat coiled around you, heightening your own senses. Perhaps he had grabbed you too hard, or you had a sunburn on your lower arm. Tick. Maybe he didn't mean to grab you so roughly but volleyball practice had really buffed him up. Tick. Whatever the reason, you simply shrugged and returned to playing the game, ignoring the way that the hairs on your arm pricked up at the thought of his touch.

Tick.

"Y/N," Kenma said. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Are you cold?"

Another weekend of visiting Kenma flashed by, but Hinata had come down with a bad cold and couldn't come. The crisp night air nipped at the exposed skin unprotected by your light blue, lacy blouse. As you'd expected, Kenma hadn't bothered complimenting your outfit today. It didn't matter how nicely you dressed up—a new blouse, light touches of blush and some mascara, black ripped jeans. To Kenma, you were just Friend #3, third to Kuroo and Hinata. You gave a quiet sigh, failing to notice the side glance Kenma threw your way.

"I'm okay." You responded. But man was it windy tonight.

Streaks of Kenma's blonde hair caressed his face as the slight wind carried newfound feelings of nervousness, familiarity—and something else—in the air. At first, you were put off by Kenma's silence. He was naturally quiet and grew tired of social interaction easily. Silence was something you learned to deal with when you became friends with Kenma, and it hadn't been easy. For so long, you believed that his silence signaled disinterest, apathy, or bemusement. But now, the sounds of your footsteps, the light blowing of the wind, and the ticking of the silver watch necklace that sat firmly on your chest were welcome sounds, therapeutic sounds.

Kenma nudged your arm then, catching your attention instantly.

"You're cold," He began. "I see goosebumps."

You melted at Kenma's touch, relishing the feeling of having his hands graze your arms. The sound of the watch ticking fell into a familiar rhythym then-the beat of your own heart.

"Okay maybe a little." You chuckled. Kenma nodded and looked up, his eyes following the small patches of white that gradually appeared in the otherwise darkening sky. Tick. Suddenly, he grabbed his hoodie and snaked it over his head, haphazardly tossing it in your direction. Tick.