Work Text:
Kou and Kuroo have known each other for three years on a training camp. They were rivals yet became friends and ended up as a couple in their last year of high school.
Kou and Keiji are best friends since Keiji's first year. Both are part of the volleyball team and as Kou became captain, Keiji became vice-captain. Even if Kou became pro and Keiji's still in his last year of high school, they didn't lose connection.
People around these three always assume that two of them will become a couple and almost all guesses are Kou and Keiji. They're just perfect for each other cause it is only Keiji who can tame Kou and make him come back from his emo mode. So when the news came that it is Kuroo whom Kou is dating, many are shocked. Including Keiji.
--
Keiji knew he shouldn't be an entitled one but he always thought that he and Kou have something more than friendship. He liked Kou since his first year and eventually loved him. He would be lying if he didn't find them as a perfect couple, not just by appearance but overall personality. He also thought that if Kou didn't end up with him, he'll be with a girl or someone like him, a quiet one who easily understands him. But he never thought that it would be Kuroo. Yes, they are close but they're more like a bro, buddies, or partners in crime. But when he gazed at how Kou's golden eyes shine so bright, ah, he knew that he already lost. They may be perfect but he won't catch sight of that shining eyes looking fondly at him.
In his third year in univ, he received a sudden call. Kou is not crying but he felt his sadness through his voice. He shouldn't be happy but hope bloomed in his heart when Kou uttered "Kuroo and I broke up". He asked what happened and the main reason is their schedule. Kuroo is already in his last year in univ and has started his internship while Kou is preparing for the Olympics. He wanted to get angry with Kuroo cause why did he break up when Kou's in the middle of preparation for the Olympics? But of course, who is he to question it and what's happening to their relationship. After they become a couple, he rarely talked to Kou about it and he disguised it as "privacy" but in reality, he just doesn't want to have his heart shattered more. It was in great surprise that Kou didn't moped about the breakup. He said that he can do it after the Olympics and after the season. Keiji only laughed and said that he will be with him so they can mope together.
--
Few years passed, Kou and Keiji became closer. Closer than high school, closer than univ days. Today is Keiji's first day as an editor for a shounen manga company. He wanted to be in the literature department but of course, he needed to go through this first. And it just happened. He and Kou celebrated his first day in a fancy resto and ended up eating ice cream in his condo. After a few minutes passed since the movie started, he felt Kou's hand in his. He willingly accepted it and after a few more moments, they're already kissing. He tastes like vanilla and smelled like mint, a perfect combination for him. As they separated, they stare at each other and smiled shyly.
What is a label? Does everyone has romantic feelings needed it? Keiji thought so. It's been few months since he started as an editor and the night he and Kou kissed. They're good, they became closer. If Kou is free, he'll pick up Keiji from his work. They'll kiss, they'll cuddle and sleep in one bed. No, they don't have sex. But it's okay for Keiji. What's happening now is so much more on what he wished from high school. He is lucky enough to become like this with his first love but still, he thought that a proper label would be nice. Oh, he will ask it after his game with Adlers tomorrow.
The arena may be showing the MSBY and Adlers match but for Keiji, it felt like a high school reunion. He just realized that the current players of both teams are his high school rivals so of course, the audience has familiar faces too. It felt nice seeing them again, it felt like he is in high school again.
And he thought he is. He saw Kuroo approached Sawamura, who is currently talking to Kou. Just like their senior year, they laughed, arms on each other's shoulder and how he missed seeing those shining golden eyes that now he understood will be solely for Kuroo.
--
These past few months were great and he will always be grateful to experience it at least.