cleverblocker | IC Inbox

[ His hero... ]

if you don't mind, i forgot mine
i'm in the shopping area
i can meet you outside the game shop, it's just a couple buildings down

okay, hang tight, i'll be right there.

[going to find kenma is starting to become a fairly regular occurrence; he seems to remember hinata mentioning that he got lost somewhat frequently, so at least tsukishima hasn't had to actively search him out. he's in less of a hurry now than when he got the text about kuroo, but he also doesn't drag his feet. if kenma got caught in the rain, he's probably soaked, and the last thing he wants is for him to get sick.

it's not gotten that cold out, but because of his height and complete lack of fat anywhere on his body, he gets cold very easily, and as soon as he lays eyes on the other boy, he's glad that he put a sweater on over his long-sleeved shirt.

poor kenma, he looks like a wet cat, and tsukishima kicks himself for thinking that it's kind of cute.]

Jesus, you're soaked.

[ Kenma is... somewhat aware of his lacking in the directional sense department, and though it's a lot less of a problem here (there's only so lost you can get in a closed-off town) it's still remarkable that he tends to need picking up from places for various reasons...

He finds himself glad he'd already had his hair pulled back in a ponytail before the rain started, but as it is his wet bangs still dangle in his face and he lifts a hand to wave at Tsukishima before using it to push his hair away. ]

Has the weather been like this everyday lately? I thought the skies were clear and then the rain came out of nowhere... [ He's glad his friend at least had more knowledge of the weather than him though, if the fact that he has an umbrella is anything to go by. ]

[ugh he HATES when kenma does the ponytail thing, it makes his heart feel like the precise consistency of mashed potatoes and he can't stop staring at the pale stretch of his neck.

but he doesn't pay attention to the ponytail thing right now, because kenma is completely drenched and probably freezing without the sun to offer a bit of relief from the chill of the rain. folding his umbrella, tsukishima steps under the awning, removing his glasses so he can strip off his sweater without knocking them off.]

It seems like it's just going to be a Thing this month. I don't think there's been a single day so far without any rain.

[pulling his sweater over his head, he puts his glasses back on before holding it out to kenma.] Here, I don't want you getting sick before we get home.

[ And Kenma's absolutely oblivious of that, funny enough with how perceptive he can be.

His shoulders sag, slumping in discontentment at the explanation he's been given. He still hasn't found a present for a certain volleyball player's birthday, and he's not exactly looking forward to potentially getting stuck out in the rain more times this month. ]

Maybe it'll stop soon... [ Well, he really means that he hopes it will, but that's probably clear with how mournfully he looks glancing up at the sky. His expression clears at the offer though, surprise making his brows lift.

Kenma reaches out after some hesitation, hand grasping hold of the sweater though he doesn't quite take it just yet. ] Are you sure? You might catch cold without it.

I kind of doubt it, at this point. [after the first week of non-stop rain, he'd kind of resigned himself to the weird weather pattern for the duration. it wasn't too bad, and he kind of liked the sound of rain when he was at kenma's house, curled up on his bed reading while the other tapped at his handheld.]

It's fine. What I have on now will last me until we get home. [it won't be the most comfortable he's ever been, but it isn't so cold out that he'll be miserable. kenma is clearly the one who needs it more, what with how wet he is.]

[ He releases an annoyed sigh, mumbling to himself. ] So much for being able to shop easily...

[ He'll just have to brave the weather with proper clothing and protection next time, he supposes. It's for a good and important cause, after all, so Kenma's actually determined about it. ]

Okay. [ He doesn't doubt Tsukishima's words, but it won't stop him from being somewhat concerned. Nevertheless, he takes the sweater, peeling off his own soaked one before putting that one on instead. Despite having a wet shirt underneath still, he's a lot warmer like this, and Kenma gives his friend a grateful smile. ]

Thanks. Should we head to your place?

It should be fine as long as you have an umbrella. At least it isn't sleet. [it's a little weird for kenma to be shopping so much, though. usually he just frequents the game store, and would never need to return so soon after being out. but it's not really any of his business, so he doesn't ask or comment.

when kenma strips off his wet shirt, tsukishima takes it from him so he can easily put on the dry one. it's...kind of profoundly endearing how big it is on him, the sleeves engulfing his small hands and the hem extending past his hips. that combined with the grateful smile sent his way makes him feel more than sufficiently warm in just his undershirt.]

Mm, of course. And that should be fine, I don't think anyone else is home, so we won't be bothered.

[ Kenma nods after a moment, because it's true that it shouldn't be so bad, just mildly troublesome. Even small things like that can be really tiring to deal with for him though... ] Yeah. I'll make sure to remember next time, so I don't have to bug you again.

[ He can't help but smile to himself when Tsukishima helps him, grateful that he won't have to struggle, and he pushes up those sleeves self-consciously, though they slide back down soon after anyway. He gives up on that pretty fast and instead moves over to his friend's side so that he'll be under the umbrella once they start to walk. ]

Okay. I can head back once the rain stops and my stuff dries. [ Just so that he doesn't intrude on Tsukishima and his household for too long. Of course, Kenma doesn't think that the other minds much, or he wouldn't allow it, but he still feels a little bad for the out of the blue need of rescue. ]

Mm, maybe we should look for a pocket umbrella for you. I know they make some that are incredibly compact so people can carry them with them easily.

[ugh, the way the sleeves won't stay up is SO CUTE. he catches himself smiling at the sight, and he looks away to hide the blush that finds its way onto his cheeks. it doesn't help that kenma almost immediately steps up to his side, standing close so they can both easily stay under the umbrella. but it's easier to keep them both dry that way, although he still tilts the umbrella a little more over his friend than himself; the last thing he wants is for him to get sick.]

That's fine. But if mom sees you, he's going to ask if you want to stay for dinner.

[ Kenma perks up at that, glancing up at Tsukishima with curious, golden eyes. ] Really? I'd probably want one of those, I think. I don't like carrying too much, if things are heavy it makes me tired.

[ Thanks to the fact that he's already looking at him, the flush in Tsukishima's face is noticed, noted, pondered over. He doesn't know what could be the reason behind it, but the smile he catches at least reveals that it must be something pleasant.

As they walk, Kenma is entirely glad that the umbrella is covering him so much, because as much as he likes the rain he only really does when he's safe from getting soaked. It's happened once already, and he's still wet from it, so he'd like to prevent it from occurring again. A corner of his lips twitches in amusement. ]

It's... funny, hearing you call him 'mom'. I wouldn't mind that though. It'd be nice to stay.

I'll keep an eye out when I'm at the store next. [he's willing to help him out, even if his words about carrying heavy things makes him bite back a smile. it's hard to find people with less motivation to do things than him, but kenma actually trumps him in a few areas.]

Ah, my parents were...mm, not really strict, but firm in their expectations of my behavior and manners. I live in the same house as him, and it'd be disrespectful to call him by his given name given how much older than me he is. The landlord decided that his position was that of my mother, and I address him as such. It makes him happy, at any rate.

[he's a bit embarassed about it, but he always has some sort of title to call the adults in his life. ukai is always coach, takeda was always sensei, and this just felt...natural. a bit weird, but what in his life WASN'T weird right now.]

But I'm glad, that sounds nice. I'm sure it must be a nuisance to have me over so often.

Thanks. [ It might only be a simple, single-worded response, but the fact that he says it means he really is grateful.

Tsukishima's words have him falling silent, considering the statements with thoughtful pause. Perhaps he would behave different if his situation was more like the other's. ] Nozomi isn't much older than me and I just call her by name, but I... don't know if she prefers that or not.

[ That has Kenma giving Tsukishima an uncertain look, looking away a moment later as he frowns slightly to himself. ]

It's not a nuisance. I like having you over. Does it seem like I don't?

Ah, I think that's more normal. I think Katsura is closer to my parents in age than he is to me, so if anything, I'd say that Nozomi is more like a big sister than anything.

[it seems kind of weird to have someone so close to their age in the "mom" role, but he doesn't make the rules here. the landlord is a bizarre guy, but as long as everyone is getting fed and the house isn't a wreck, there's nothing wrong with the system.

but at kenma's words, he stops thinking about such trivial things, his attention stolen instead by the way his friend is looking away, a small frown twisting at his lips.]

No, I didn't mean to imply that you didn't. [there is a small part of him that wonders why kenma even likes him; he doesn't have the years before he turned bitter and jaded to look back on fondly like yamaguchi does, and he's under no illusions that he's an easy person to like.] I just...worry about monopolizing too much of your time, lest you get tired of me.

[he mumbles this last part.]

Yeah. I didn't really know what having siblings was like before. [ Having Kuroo had been pretty much the same as things had been back home, because they were like family to begin with. It's different with people who were more like strangers... ] I think Nozomi is only a year older than me. I guess I'll have to be a parent soon...

[ That... isn't really something he's looking forward to, needless to say.

Kenma makes a thoughtful sound, almost sounding amused when he answers. ]

Kuroo used to take up most of my time, whether or not I wanted him to. That's gone on for years. [ He peeks up at Tsukishima again, wanting to be as reassuring as he can be as he finishes speaking. ]

So you don't have to worry about that happening.

It's...not all it's cracked up to be. [anything involving siblings just gives him heartburn. when he'd been miyu's big brother, he'd acted indifferent and cold in an attempt to keep her from getting close to him; he didn't know how to be a big brother, and if akiteru was his only point of reference, he was just going to fuck up big time. being an only child was much easier.] Ugh, please don't say that. You're still so young, the thought of you being a "parent" is unnerving.

[he looks kind of like he's eaten a lemon. it's not that he thinks he's incapable of it, and his tone doesn't imply as much, but something about him being in the "child" role while kenma is a "parent" makes him uncomfortable. it would be weird.]

Ah, that's. Very true. [he snickers at the mention of kuroo hanging around all the time, and while he doesn't want to be like kuroo, it does reassure him that kenma seems to actively seek him out so much as opposed to having tsukishima chronically inflict his presence on him.]

[ Tsukishima's comment is an odd one, if not surprising, but Kenma can only assume he's of that opinion simply because of his experiences here at Holly Heights, not any he's had prior.

The other comment is distracting enough though, amusement growing at the remark. ] At least you won't have to worry about me becoming your parent. [ That would certainly be weird... ]

I like spending time with you. [ Kenma murmurs, finally, hopeful that at least now he's quelled any of Tsukishima's worries or doubts about the matter. ]

[at that comment, tsukishima looks absolutely horrified. that would be probably the worst, most awkward thing that could happen. yeah, i just want to date my dad/mom figure, no biggie. his life is NOT a greek tragedy.] Thank god for that. [he shudders.]

[but his disgust melts in the face of those other words, because while he doesn't think kenma would spend so much time with someone he doesn't like, it's also...kind of nice to be told differently. he leans his shoulder against kenma's briefly.] Good. The feeling is very mutual.

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