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Kuroo checked his watch to make sure that he still had enough time to make it to the hotel Kenma was staying at. It was already Monday night and he came straight from the office to try and beat the damn rush hour traffic to get across Tokyo. He was glad that the weekend finally ended because his husband spent the last few days away at a video game convention that Bouncing Ball was sponsoring. For Kenma, this was akin to fulfilling a childhood dream because it was one of the big gaming events he was hoping to attend one day if he saved enough. It was rare for Kenma to express this kind of excitement, even if it was work-related, and Kuroo loves seeing this side of him.
He admits that was a little lonely with their cats at home because his husband kept busy in the weeks leading up to it. At the same time, he can’t help but feel a swell of pride knowing how hard Kenma was working to build his own company up, all while he was still a college student. He remembers the glint in his eye and the curve of his smile when he told him the news of the sponsorship deal as soon as he got home. Kenma practically clung onto Kuroo on the couch and he was happy to listen to his love gush about how big the con was going to be this year. All the panels he was hoping to attend in disguise, updates of anticipated games and the announcements of new ones, he doesn’t mind listening to them all. In moments like this, what really mattered to him is Kenma found something to keep being passionate about, and it’s something that brings them shared joy.
When he walked into the lobby, he scanned the room to see his husband sitting in the corner wearing the hoodie he thought he lost in the laundry with his focus locked onto his Switch screen. As Kuroo approached, he also noticed the significant number of extra bags surrounding Kenma and smiled to himself.
“Looks like a certain cutie went on a little spending spree,” he said when he got within earshot and Kenma’s expression immediately softened. Pausing his game, he didn’t need to think twice before putting his console aside to go right into Kuroo’s arms when he kneeled down. He buried his head into his shoulder as he tightened his embrace and Kuroo gently pulled down the hood to stroke Kenma’s long, dark hair. When he tucked a stand behind Kenma’s ear he could’ve sworn he heard him say something.
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“..carry me.”
Kuroo smiled and used his other hand to rub Kenma’s back, “Tired, Mr. CEO?” His groan came out muffled in response and he started to lean the rest of his weight into Kuroo.
The taller man let out a soft laugh and tilted his husband’s chin up to give him a much-needed gentle kiss. He pulled back just far enough to see the pink tint of Kenma’s blushing cheeks and brushed his thumb against his lips.
“I’m gonna go get the car, wait for me?” Still clinging onto him, Kenma pouted and opened his mouth to playfully nip on his thumb. Kuroo grinned with a mixture of a sigh and a laugh and leaned in to rest his forehead on Kenma’s. They only saw each other for less than five minutes but they shared the exact same sentiment of not wanting to leave each other’s sides. Kuroo could joke around and tease him a little more if he really wanted to, but at the end of the day, he will always jump at the chance to spoil his husband. He can’t help it, especially when he’s being cute like this.
“I know,” he left a trail of chaste kisses from his lips, to his nose, and parted his hair to plant one on his forehead, “I missed you too.”
-
The second Kuroo looked over at Kenma in the passenger seat after packing up the last of the bags, he can tell that his energy dropped down another level. Kenma has been quiet since the drive started and just stared out the window with his Switch on his lap. Occasionally, he would glance over to see if he fell asleep just in case he needed to adjust his seat or to turn on the seat warmer, but the frown on Kenma’s face remained. Based his expression and the fact that his console was off, he had a feeling that his husband didn’t experience the con in the way he wanted. Kuroo won’t ask him right now, not until after they settle at home, because he knows that all Kenma wants is a quiet moment with him. No more stiff office meetings, crowds, or business calls that don’t seem to end, for now. It’s just them in the same shared space finally in their own world, and Kuroo is more than content with that.
With one hand on the wheel, Kuroo quietly reached towards him and Kenma turned his hand over to lace their fingers together on his lap. He heard him let out a soft sigh and saw his frown fading as he leaned back in his seat in the corner of his vision. They sat in comfortable silence as they gave each other’s hands occasional squeezes while the overhead highway lights passed by.
Eventually, Kuroo felt that Kenma chose to wear one of his simple fidget rings as his wedding band. He gave him one to help on the days he feels restless or antsy and since then it’s helped tremendously. The design was just a simple chain embedded into the outer band, perfectly subtle enough to wear on livestreams and especially when he has to work at the office. At one point Kuroo got him a trinket box to store the mini collection he grew, so it’s no surprise that he took one with him to have during the con.
As Kuroo slowed at the stoplight, he looked down at the ring on Kenma’s finger, gave the chain a slow twirl, then raised his hand to his lips. He was still smiling against the back of Kenma’s hand as he bought it down and had just enough time to catch the way he blinked in surprise.
“What was that for?”
“Just thinking about you,” he started to rub circles against the skin, “and how cute you look.” He couldn’t see it in the dim evening light, but Kenma blushed as he shyly looked away.
“After an entire weekend of crowds? I feel disgusting, Tetsurou.”
“Disgustingly in love with me?”
“Oh my god, eyes on the road,” Kenma rolled his eyes but he couldn’t hold back his smile anymore.
“But you are,” he teased and leaned towards him with his neck tilted to the side. He half-expected his husband to have another rebuttal, reminiscent of the way they talked in high school back in the early stages of their official relationship. But when Kenma inched closer and Kuroo felt his soft lips kiss the corner of his, the words he was preparing to say momentarily left his mind. He looked into his amber eyes when he pulled back, dark circles under them from lack of proper sleep, but it was his beloved Kenma all the same. As a small, mischievous grin formed on his face, he put his other hand on top of Kuroo’s and said, “And what if I am?”
It took a second for Kuroo to blink again, only for both of them to jolt when the car behind them honked. He held back a curse and continued to drive while Kenma let out a snicker.
“Well,” he said after clearing his throat and composing himself, “It means everything to me that you are.” He really wished he can put his arm around his husband’s smaller frame to pull him closer for the whole ride, to feel the weight of his head on his shoulder as he plays with the blond ends of his hair. For now, he resolved to put his hand in his again and said, “Because I’ve always been in love with you.”
Hearing that, Kenma shrunk into the collar of Kuroo’s hoodie to hide the returning blush on his cheeks and groaned into it. It always gets to him how natural Kuroo says things, how he makes it so easy. He was already smiling more than he wanted to show.
“Tetsu, stoooop.”
“Stop loving you? Impossible.”
“Good god, are we home yet?” he said with an exasperated sigh and hid his face with his hands. Kuroo laughed and slowed at another stoplight, he only had a few seconds to do this so that he doesn’t piss off any more drivers behind him. He leaned over and gave into the need to put his arm around his husband’s shoulders, making him put his hands down at the sudden touch. Looking into his softening gaze, he heard Kenma sigh against his lips when he captured them in a proper kiss, this time more relaxed and deeper than the last one they had. As corny and cliche as he made it sound, the way he said that he loves Kenma as a matter of fact was because they both know it to be true. It’s been that way for as long as he can remember, it’s only been Kenma, and it always will be.
He cupped his husband’s warm cheek as he pulled back into the driver’s seat to put most of his focus back to the road. But when he felt the smaller hand tug his sleeve and saw the look on Kenma’s face, an unspoken plea for him to stay close, Kuroo thought for a second that maybe it won’t be so bad to get a speeding ticket.
-
After a shared bath and a much needed home cooked dinner, Kuroo rejoined Kenma in their bedroom when he finished washing the dishes. Ever since they came home, Kenma grumbled here and there about little things that went wrong for him over the weekend. It started out slow, as Kuroo knows that Kenma would have a storm swirling inside of him without saying so much as a word. But like a steady stream that eventually led to a cascading waterfall, he became more vocal about airing it out, especially since they’re finally away from prying eyes and ears. Though, Kuroo would like to think it’s also because Kenma didn’t realize how hungry he was.
Throughout the rest of the night, Kuroo listened intently in between blowdrying and combing his hair, when he put the bandage on his thigh after administering his HRT shot, and even now while he’s massaging his feet. Of course, he was texting Kenma during the weekend without expecting a response because he was technically working. Just like him, he knows how driven Kenma can be about the work he does, but hearing him finally talk about his experience confirmed the feeling he had earlier during the drive. It tugged on his heart knowing that Kenma couldn’t say what was on his mind for days, especially with a nearly air-tight schedule that was mostly out of his control. So when his guarded husband finally lets down his walls the second he goes into his arms, Kuroo does what he has done for the last decade and that’s just to be there for Kenma when he needs him.
“And I was already annoyed that I still couldn’t find my charger. I kept getting recognized and they formed a fucking line .”
“Wow, and that happened on the last day?” He asked as lifted Kenma’s calves to slip on his favorite fuzzy socks.
“That was this morning..!” He threw his head back against the headboard in annoyance and groaned, letting his phone fall into his lap.
“Aww, Kyanma,” Kuroo crawled up next to Kenma’s spot and put his arm around his waist, “are you glad it’s over?”
“Glad I was able to at least get a PC out of it,” he returned Kuroo’s hug and pressed his cheek on his shoulder with a pout.
“Ah, so that’s why that one bag was heavier,” he stroked his lower back to soothe him and he felt Kenma nuzzle his cheek.
“I don’t know how you do it.. Sponsoring Shoyo was easy, but this ? I need a week..” He slowly sank further and further down until he was fully lying down on his side, Kuroo joining him shortly after he shut off the light. He didn’t need to reach out to him after draping the blanket because Kenma was already burying his head into his chest after hooking his leg over his knee. Thankful that his husband can’t see the blush showing on his face, Kuroo fought every urge, amongst others, to call him cute.
“I’m not working at the office tomorrow, do you wanna stay under the kotatsu with me?” When he felt Kenma nod in response, he tightened his embrace around his smaller frame and continued to stroke his back until they felt the relief of slumber.
“Sweet dreams.”
-
He ran his fingers through the perpetual bedhead that is his hair and stretched his arms up and out after turning off the bedside alarm. Ever since they were kids, Kuroo was always the one to wake up first if Kenma wasn’t already up all night gaming, which he said that it absolutely did not count. The same old habit carried into their marriage when Kuroo blinked his eyes open to see the top of his husband’s head peeking out from the blanket.
He went under it with the intention of kissing his forehead as a gentle way of starting his morning, he knows that Kenma prefers it that way. However, he wasn’t expecting to see one of their cats, Taro, and Kenma himself staring at him with tired, narrowed eyes.
“I needed to pee for the last 20 minutes and I can’t move.” Taro was fully nestled like a loaf under his chin and when Kuroo sat up, he saw their other two cats that were still asleep on Kenma’s legs.
“Aww, they missed you too.” He pulled back the blanket and softly scratched Taro’s head.
“They can do me a huge favor and miss me a little less,” Kuroo smiled wider at his grumpy, groggy expression and kissed his forehead while scooping up Taro at the same time.
“It means that you’re very much loved,” he nuzzled his nose against Kenma’s, “by them and me.” He stayed there for a moment before his nose was pinched by Kenma, his frown deepening.
“Tetsurou, I’m gonna piss in this bed-“
“Right, right, I’ll go get their breakfast.”
-
It’s been almost two hours and the cats were happily fed, but Kuroo hasn’t seen or heard Kenma come down the hall since going to the bathroom. He definitely would’ve heard him playing on his Switch, but he doesn’t recall it being in their room by the time they went to bed. He thought about making Kenma’s favorite breakfast at one point to kill extra time. Because their work schedules usually different, it’s a rare opportunity to have a morning meal together in their adult lives, especially when neither of them has to leave the house. At the same time, he believes Kenma when he said that he needs more time to recover from the past weekend. He always needed that after major events that were both physically and mentally draining, so it’s become a part of Kuroo’s nature to never rush him after it’s over.
After prepping the kotatsu and his laptop for his own work day, Kuroo went back to check on him with a mug of hot tea in hand and a glass of water in the other. He saw the familiar sight of Kenma’s long hair sprawled across the pillow, Pompompurin and Hello Kitty plushies scattered in all directions on their bed, and a blank expression on his face staring up at the ceiling. His arms were spread out and his phone, always lighting up with endless notifications, was in one of his hands. With a small smile across his lips, Kuroo set the drinks down on the nightstand and bent down to kiss Kenma’s cheek.
“Let me know when you’re hungry.” He cupped it after he pulled back and his eyes widened when he saw the glossy look in Kenma’s. He took in a sharp inhale through his nose and a tear fell when he blinked. “S-sorry, I..”
Kuroo just nodded and wiped it away with his thumb. It was only a small gesture, but that’s when a slow, steady stream started to pour from Kenma’s eyes.
“It’s really hard for me to get up right now..,” his voice cracked, tired and a bit shaky.
“It’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself, love,” he moved closer to sit on the edge of the bed, the soft gaze of his hazel eyes not leaving Kenma. “Do you want me to stay?”
“I need a minute.. If I think about doing anything right now I’m gonna explode.” His lips trembled as he sniffled, “I’m sorry Tetsu, I know you wanted to eat together but I don’t think..” he trailed off, unable to look Kuroo in the eye.
“Dear, it’s no rush. I’m right here.”
“But it’s been hours, is it really-“
“Kenma,” he leaned down close enough so that he doesn’t have a choice but to look into his eyes, “I live for you, I promise it’s okay.”
Leaning into Kuroo’s touch and taking deep stabilizing breaths, he closed his eyes and a few stray tears stained the pillow underneath him. Kuroo had both his hands gently holding his head now, and he pressed his forehead against his saying, “I won’t be far,” he gives him a quick, chaste kiss, “just let me know and I’ll come running.”
He felt the pull of Kenma’s arms into a hug, his shoulder dampened with his tears, and Kuroo was more than happy to return the favor.
-
Before he knew it, it was already the early afternoon and Kuroo had just finished an online meeting he thought would never end. Of course, his colleagues usually find it amusing when his cats would either walk past the webcam or crawl on top of him and he would act like it’s nothing. Just as he turned off the camera and removed his earphones, he felt a soft thump against his shoulder.
He instinctively put his arm around Kenma as he scooted back to make room for him to sit on his lap. He cradled the back of his head and kissed his temple saying, “Good morning, beautiful.” Kenma made a small noise in response and Kuroo caught a glimpse of his expression, one of his favorites when he’s being shy, even after all their time spent together.
“Am I interrupting anything?”
“Nah, never,” he reached over to close his laptop and Kenma rested his cheek in the space between Kuroo’s neck and shoulder.
“Why tea?”
“Just enough caffeine so that your anxiety doesn’t spike up. Also, no energy drinks or coffee on an empty stomach, remember?” It was perfect timing when Kuroo said that because he heard Kenma’s stomach growl.
“Can you make omurice?”
“Of course,” he said as his husband rolled off his lap to take his spot under the kotatsu. Before Kuroo went into the kitchen, he walked over to grab Kenma’s Switch that was charging in the corner during the morning along with his to-go case of games. “Won’t be long,” he placed them in his hands and kissed his forehead.
“Tetsu?,” he heard Kenma say just as he turned in the direction of the kitchen. He looked back to see his husband pull up the collar of his hoodie to hide the lower half of his face.
“I love you.”
Kuroo wanted to melt as a very familiar warmth spread to his chest. They’ve said it to each other over and over in all the different ways they can and in all the little things they do day to day. And yet, here he was, feeling the urge to tear up as if he heard it for the first time, when he got on his knees to give Kenma a proper, tight embrace.
-
At one point, Kuroo checked his own phone while waiting for the soup to boil on the stovetop as part of their dinner. He was never the type to use social media in the same way Kenma does, but he got into the habit now that it’s part of his required duties. He won’t lie, it’s been fun once he got the hang of it, at least in the sense of sending memes to get on Bokuto’s and Kenma’s nerves in their group chats. He looked though each of his friend’s stories on his private account that Kenma helped set up, along with almost every setting/app on his touchscreen when he reluctantly gave up his ancient flip phone. “It’s perfectly functional for texting and calling, also known as, what phones are actually for,” he had said before.
From Hinata’s photo of Kageyama’s sunburn in Brazil, to Yaku holding what’s obviously Lev’s hand in a blurry motion, he was swiping idly until he reached Kenma’s Kodzuken account. The first one was a photo of their mugs from earlier with the second being a video of one of their cats making biscuits on his thighs. And the last photo, which can only be seen by Kenma’s selected friends, was his own hand on top of his above the kotatsu blanket. There was a heart sticker near Kuroo’s wedding band and the caption in the corner simply said, “Happy ❤️”
Kuroo was staring at it without realizing that the story had timed out and he tried to quickly navigate back to take a screenshot. Shit, he felt like he was going to get teary again. That is, until he finally noticed that the soup started to boil over and the steam was getting to his eyes. He quietly swore as he shoved his phone in his pocket and shut off the stove, a little embarrassed but glad Kenma was in the other room.
When he sat back at the table after Kenma helped set their dinner spread, he nearly choked on his drink when a cat’s head popped out from his hoodie. He coughed as Kenma started to eat while trying to keep his food away from their cat’s mouth.
Without looking up, he said, “Tamago got cold.” As Kuroo got his bearings, an idea quickly came to mind and he immediately pulled his phone out.
“Wait,” he quickly opened Instagram and aimed his camera at Kenma, “don’t let her leave yet.”
“Oh my god, you’re posting on social media on unpaid time?” Kenma teased and snicker came out just as Kuroo took the photo. He was marveling at it because it was right at the moment when Kenma smiled and Tamago was actually looking at the camera.
“Perfect,” his own toothy grin spread across his face as he added it to his story.
“Right, right, just make sure you’re not posting on the JVA account again.” He rolled his eyes and gave a tiny bite of rice to Tamago.
“Hey, I took it down before anyone noticed,” he playfully pouted.
“It was trending on Twitter for an hour.”
“Was not.”
“Was too.”
A beat of silence followed and the only sounds in the room were Tamago purring in Kenma’s hoodie and the taps of chopsticks against their plates.
“..was not.” “Was too.”
-
They were watching a nighttime program on the big screen after sharing a glass of wine, Kenma’s back resting against Kuroo’s chest under the throw blanket as they laid on their sides.
“First tea, now wine?” He had asked earlier.
“It was a successful weekend for you, wasn’t it?”
“More like stressful.”
“True, but I would like to celebrate you for all your hard work,” he gave him a quick kiss and placed the glass in his hand. He looked down and gently swished the dark liquid in circles.
“Only if you share this with me.”
So two shared glasses later, there they laid on the couch, Kuroo’s head was propped up with his elbow as he absentmindedly played with Kenma’s hair. It was definitely the buzz from the wine that made him stop paying attention because it caught him off guard when Kenma snuggled closer and he felt the press of his ass flush against his hips. Kuroo fought to keep his breathing even when his heart skipped a beat, he can’t assume this early, he was just adjusting his position, that’s all.
At least that’s what he thought until Kenma reached for the hand that was playing with his hair and slowly bought it to his lips. Now Kuroo stopped breathing entirely as he felt the soft press of kisses on the back of his hand, to his knuckles and around to his palm. Oh god, he needed to say something right now otherwise he’s going to pin him down by the shoulders.
“Well, well,” he formed a playful smirk and whispered lowly in his ear, “Something on your mind?” Kenma let out a quiet gasp and rolled over to face Kuroo, with the taller man instantly putting his hand on his hip.
“Um.. I’m sleepy and I can’t go all the way tonight but..” his eyes were staring at Kuroo’s lips and he softly bit down on his own.
“Can we keep kissing until I fall asleep?” He looked up with his amber-colored eyes and Kuroo went in without a second thought to spare. His hold on Kenma tightened around his waist and he rolled them over so that he was on top, his long hair framing and tickling his face. “Yes,” Kuroo breathed out as he tucked a strand behind his ear and his lips moved to Kenma’s cheek. “Anything,” he trailed down to his jawline, to his neck, “Anything you want.”
Kenma sighed as Kuroo made his way back to his mouth and ran his fingers through his hair. “Love you.. love you so much..,” he moaned as Kuroo slipped in his tongue. “Love you too, Kyanma,” he tilted his head back and let Kenma slowly swirl their tongues together. He held him at his hips, both to grope at his ass every now and then and to keep himself from bucking up because he was very much fighting every single urge to. He wanted to swear because he could do this all night, just having Kenma in his arms from dusk to dawn doing anything and everything he wants.
They kept going until they were breathless, lips swollen, and their hair a mess, having lost track of the time long ago. When they pulled back and Kenma couldn’t keep his eyes open anymore, Kuroo propped himself up by his elbows and soothed the back of his husband’s head. “Bedtime?” In response, Kenma clung tighter around his shoulders and brought his knees up to wrap his legs around Kuroo’s waist as he sat them up.
As Kuroo shut the lights off one by one on their way to their bedroom, Kenma made a displeased sound after he was laid down and tucked in. “What’s wrong, grumpy?” He asked as he gently rubbed Kenma’s side, his own eyes closing in sleepy bliss.
“Why do you have to go to the office tomorrow?,” he mumbled into Kuroo’s chest.
“I know,” he sighed and moved to let Kenma nestle under his chin, “I hate it too, today was way too short.” His hand moved down to hook Kenma’s leg over his hips.
“I’ll bring home apple pie after work.”
“…with paella from Fukunaga’s,” he gently gripped the back of Kuroo’s shirt, “promise?”
“Promise.”
With one last kiss to his forehead, Kuroo fell asleep to the sound of his husband’s relaxed breaths, hoping to dream of him again.