Haikyuu Series - Tumblr Posts

▪︎Pairing: Kuroo Tetsuroo x Reader, Bokuto Koutaro x Reader, Bokuto Koutaro x Akaashi Keiji (mentions of Hinata Shoyo x Kageyama Tobio)

▪︎Pronouns: She/Her [Fem! Reader]

▪︎Alternate Universe: Soulmate Au!

▪︎Genre: Angst

▪︎Warnings: Language and Fight

▪︎Synopsis: Finding out your soulmate rejected the bond to be with someone else feels terrible.

Note: Not everyone has soulmates, some people are just born without it. The marks will turn completely visible when the youngest pair turns 15, marks will also become gray if one of the pair decided to reject the bond to be with someone who doesn't have a soulmate.

》 Main Masterlist

¤ One

¤ Two

¤ Three

¤ Four

¤ Five

¤ Six

¤ Seven

¤ Eight

¤ Nine

¤ Epilouge

Taglist [Closed]: @decaffeinatedtealover @lulu-102 @whateverfeelz @ginsan-eyes @pluviophilefangirl @bakuhoesbro @aonenthusiast @amecchii @jadasz @random-734 @sleep3deprived @snflwrkenma @archishaya @kissungjae @sakusasimpbot @its-the-aerieljeane @dimsumhomie @jessie9008 @crapimahuman @scaryassasin @ysatrap @denkibutinsteadofpikachuitspichu @johnnysactualgf @just-a-saltine @nekomavsnohebi @acsycharm @sazunari @baby-jichu @felixsamour

Bold means tumblr won't let me tag u!

𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 ┊Kita Shinsuke

o. PROLOGUE

E/C EYES WATCHES her surroundings with sharp eyes, her appearance is covered with a cap and a mask. Hiding from being found.

She's L/n Y/n, a girl with a very fortunate family. Their wallets never been empty ever since they are born, it's always loaded with cash and credit cards.

She's the third child of her family, with 2 older brothers and of course 2 younger brothers. Her parents were feeling a bit more aroused that the mother was announced pregnant once again but with twins.

Her brothers are married of course, now are working under their father.

Her father and mother would spoil their children with money it's their way to show their love of course seeing that being affectionate to their children would be a waste of time and they would get attached and it won't be necessary.

Her being the only daughter always spoilt with designers handbag, clothes, and of course shoes.

Her parents would brag of how their daughter is the prettiest of them all and of course it she love all those attentions she was getting.

Even though she lack of parents affections, she always have her grandmother who retired and leave the company to her son(Her father). Now she lives in Hyogo, why there she could just enjoy her rest of her life in a foreign country so why stay in Japan?

Her grandma would simply says "That's where I met your grandfather of course."

Growing up her grandmother slowly loses her contact with Y/n which the teen doesn't know why but of course asking to her parents would just a little bit of a waste of time seeing they would just respond the same like always.

"Joe please drive her to the department store and make sure she gets all designer she wants."

Things change when her parents thinks it'll be best to marry her off with a son of their colleagues. A college student with a high score, he'll be perfect for her but of course she refused knowing that they're in trouble for money and by marrying her off it means more money coming to them from the boy's family.

That's when she made a run for it. She emptied her credit card and takes loads of cash on day she runaway. Turning off her location from being tracked and keeping low profile.

Now she's in the train station waiting for her train to Hyogo prefecture to live with her grandmother.

"I won't accept it if I'm being treated like this, a sheep thrown to a herd of hungry wolves."

"The next train Shinkansen #1 track number 2 has arrived," The speaker announced as the train slows down on.

Y/n wait in line, she bought herself a tickets in a Granclass car. A premium first class. Granclass car seat cost about ¥26,360 – ¥9,870 for the train fare, and an additional ¥16,490 to upgrade to Gran Class seating. She have to get down from when it arrived at Aichi and take another train to Hyogo.

She sit down on her seat making herself comfortable, the train starts to move meaning it's departing from the station. As it moves further from the station Y/n decides to take off her cap letting it reveal her h/c hair.

︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.

More coming soon! Also ¥36,360 to US Dollar is about 228,006 USD.

━━━━━━━𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋━━

↷ ⋯ ♡ᵎ pairing: Kita Shinsuke X Reader

↷ ⋯ ♡ᵎ genre: romance, drama, comedy, josei.

↷ ⋯ ♡ᵎ warnings: slightly neglected child, coarse of words.

𝑰𝑵 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑪𝑯 a wealthy girl from all the way Tokyo ends up passing out in front of the Kita household, the house of Inarizaki male volleyball Captain. Kita Shinsuke.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ; ♡⋆.ೃ࿔*

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ    ﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀﹀

ㅤㅤㅤ      ㅤ ｡↷ ✧*̥₊˚‧☆ﾐ table of contents!¡ •ଓ.°

                ┊prologue

              ┊i.    searching

               ┊ii.   two

               ┊iii. three

                ┊iv. etc

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ ㅤ︶︶︶︶︶︶︶˗ˋ  .*ೃ✧₊˚.❁ ↷

𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐇 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 | Kita Shinsuke

i. CHAPTER ONE; SEARCHING

AS SOON AS the train reached Hyogo prefecture train station she quickly eats and went to find her grandmother, she should have asked her parents or the head butler where her grandmother is but that would give them suspicion that she was going to her grandmother's house.

She walked through houses, she firstly went to the elite side of the houses who knows she might found her there.

She found a house with same lastname of her grandmother, she quickly rang the doorbell, she beamed when the door is answered. "Grandma!" But it wasn't an elder woman she's looking for but a woman in her 20's.

"May I help you?"

"I'm sorry do you work here?" She asked the woman.

"Work here? What are you talking about? I live here this is my house that I share with my husband." The woman replied with a confused look.

"Ah do you perhaps know L/n Sera, I'm her granddaughter." Y/n told her proudly.

"L/n Sera? I'm sorry I don't know her."

Y/n then nods and give her a bow "Well I'm sorry for wasting your time."

"It's alright, I hope you'll find her."

As soon the woman closed the door Y/n sighs in disappointment, scratching her head. She sure knows her grandmother is very rich then how come she couldn't find her?

She went searching through houses to each houses even apartment. Each building she checked every unit. There's no L/n Sera, well she did found someone with the same name but it wasn't the person who she's searching for.

She search the middle class people houses and nothing, now she's in the park taking a break from all the searching she's done for each house.

"I should call the head maid," Y/n mumbled, she knows her grandmother head maid. She's stern but nice, just like how a mother should act. The head maid is someone she can think of and someone she can think that is close to have the title mother.

The head maid once gave Y/n her phone number. She quickly dialed the head maid number the phone rings.

"Hello?" It was a child voice.

"Hello? Is there Nishimura Kayo?" She ask the child.

"Nishimura Kayo? Who's that? I don't know who's that is and mommy told me not to strangers, so bye strangers!"

"Hey wait!" Y/n yell to the phone.

"Eiki-kun who are you talking to? Aren't supposed to be in bed? You're still sick, I'll take that phone thank you. Hello who is this?" A female voice asked.

"Hello? Is there Nishimura Kayo? I'm L/n Y/n. She's be my grandmother's head maid, is she there? I'd wish to speak with her." Y/n said trying to be polite.

"Nishimura Kayo? Mrs.Kayo is in the hospital she's in labor and I'm her son babysitter."

"She's in labor!?" Shouts Y/n to the phone out of shock. The last time she meets Nishimura Kayo she announced to Y/n that she is going to get married with a well business man.

"Yes, she's on her way giving birth to her first daughter, her second child." 

"T-then can you please tell her that L/n Y/n called her? It's important."

"I'll make sure to tell her, can you repeat your name─"

"Alright then bye" Y/n rudely said hanging up. She quickly facedpalm, Nishimura Kayo probably gave the h/c girl her house phone not her phone number.

Drip

A small drop of water drops to her nose, "Good thing there's a gazebo in this park." She quickly takes shelter under the gazebo, as she sat down she sighs, frustrated. She wants to find her grandmother and live with her instead being send off to marry someone.

"I can't ask the butlers or the maids about my grandmother's whereabout...I haven't eat lunch too..." She grumbles.

"Hey nee-chan what are you doing there?" Y/n shrieks in shock at the sudden appearance of the small boy.

"Oh my god! Kid! Don't scare me like that!" Y/n glared at the boy but he keep still face.

Y/n huffed, "I'm resting of course mister obvious."

"But there's wood termites there" the boy said making Y/n jump out from the gazebo with her suitcase and pats her body furiously to get rid of the wood termites if it's on her.

"Oh fuck" Y/n said, she just realised she's now drench from the rain.

"You better go home now nee-chan, they said today's rain won't stop till tomorrow." The boy said, "Bye!" He said walking away from the park.

"UGH WHAT!!" Y/n yelled, "I should book a hotel room now." She stated dragging her suitcase with her while being drench under the rain.

The h/c girl keeps wiping her face, grumbling she should have brought or bought an umbrella. Why didn't she just call a taxi? Oh well her phone died and her power bank is no longer usable since she used it throughout the searching of her grandmother.

"Can this get any worser?" Y/n hissed, she looks at her Vercase medusa platform heels dupes is now ruin from the rain "Aw my babies, they're my favourite." 

She glares at the sky and shouts "DAMN YOU RAIN! DAMN YOU USELESS PARENTS! DAMN YOU!" Giving the sky her middle fingers.

She pants, her throat hurting from the shouting. She walks past houses, they're not modern styled but they're traditional.

"Shit." Her head starts to throb, she leans to to the wall of the entrance. "Seriously? I didn't say if this could get any worser." She mumbled before falling limply to the ground.

A small boy stopped infront of her limp body, he's wearing a rain coat in his hand is a plastic full with snacks. He crouch down to see her face clearly.

"Nee-chan?" He mutter, he quickly gets inside his house.

"Baa-chan! Nee-chan passed out!" He yells from the entrance of his door.

His grandma tilts her head, "Passed out? Shichirou your sister is watching the TV." She said to Shichirou who shakes his head.

"No! It's the nee-chan from the park! She passed out!" Shichirou yelled.

"Passed out?" The elder woman grabs the umbrella to see it herself.

She walks out the house and meet the heavy rain herself with Shichirou beside her, she nearly scream out shock when there's really a girl around her eldest grandson age.

"Shichirou get your brother, she needs to be taken inside." The grandmother says to Shichirou, the boy nodded before rushing inside the house to call his brother.

The grandmother stood in front of Y/n with an umbrella covering them(well Y/n's head) from the rain.

Y/n fainted in front of the Kita household.

︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶︶༉‧₊˚.

Chapter one is out! How was it? I hope you enjoy it! 

Masterlist

ouufff yeah, Alisa isn't my fav here lmaoooo. and def enjoy that kuroos staff don't like her either LOL

be here. (2)

→ ceo!kuroo tetsuro x female!reader

→ synopsis: all little girls have dreamed of their future fairytale wedding - to the average woman, marriage is a sacred ink imprinted on one's soul. but to kuroo tetsuro, and (y/n) (l/n), their marriage is one of convenience and vested interests. so, how is a wife who is adamant about making this marriage work going to fare living with a husband who isn't hesitant to burn it to ashes?

→ genre: ceo au, post-timeskip, major angst, 18+

→ warnings: +18; heating/infidelity, toxic relationship, arranged marriage, major angst, profanity, mentions of sex, divorce, depressive tendencies, allusions to mental illness

→ navigation: prologue + one + two + three + four + five + six + seven + eight + nine + ten + eleven + twelve + thirteen + fourteen + fifteen +sixteen + seventeen + eighteen + nineteen + twenty + epilogue

→ notes: a day late, but i'm in the middle of my finals week so *cries*, i hope this particularly long chapter makes up for it. by the way you guys, my ask box is open for submissions so, you can ask me anything about be here! whether you’d like to direct that to me, the author, or the characters (fair warning, not all of them have been introduced yet!), you can even submit art/inspo galleries/playlists! just don’t be toxic pls on the asks, yea, ily all thank youuu🥺

The car door slams jolting you awake. Rubbing the sleep from your eyes, you sit up on the leather back seat. You feel a pair of hands pick you up, rocking you slightly from side to side lulling you back to sleep. A voice comes from the foggy darkness, the frost of the snow causing you to sneeze ever so slightly before you feel the sweet, serene warmth of a person hugging you close. “My love, wake up,” She says comfortingly. You whine a bit when she nudges you awake. 

“Ma?” You call out, yawning, clutching onto her wool coat tighter, relishing in the scent of peppermint oil engulfing you in a warm embrace amidst the winter night. 

“There’s my good girl,” She coos. “We’re home,” Your mother leads you up the stairs to the main door of your home. The great doors of the mansion opens upon her knocking. “Did you have fun today, my love?” 

“Mm-hmm,” You manage to affirm, your lips forming into a happy and contented smile. You couldn’t recall what it is you did that day with your mother, but like with any other occasion whenever she could pay a visit, you probably went to the movies or the park. The doors open and a light fills your blurred vision, paired with the familiar voice of your father. “Pa,” You greet sleepily when you’re handed over to him. 

Tsubaki cradles you against his warmth, “Hi, my (Y/N).” He passes you along to the maid’s awaiting arms with the strict order of, “Get her changed into some warm clothes, please. Say goodbye to Mama now, (Y/N).” 

“Buh-bye, Mama,” You wave your hand like your Mom and Dad had taught you, earning a snicker from them both when you mutter the words normally said by your parents after a long day with their friends at work, “This meeting is a-at-jown.” 

“Adjourned, baby,” Your mother laughs quietly, giving you a last kiss goodbye before you are taken upstairs. The maid hurried along with her hands over your ears, but you could clearly hear what your parents were saying - yelling, rather. “Tsubaki, what is this I’ve heard that you’re delaying the processing of our papers? Well, it certainly isn’t surprising to find out that a female judge is currently handling our case, you sly son of a bitch.”

“Delayed?” Your father cries foul. “You’re worried about me delaying the court hearing? Have you ever stopped to consider what the kids might feel if I didn’t delay the hearing for another month? I thought you said there was no rush and that we’d try to fix us!” 

Your mother snorts at the idea of fixing things that were already broken in the first place. “There’s nothing to fix!” She cries, breaking into a mess of tears. “I’m ruined, this marriage is ruined beyond all repair, and that’s your fault!”

“My fault?” Your father scoffs, the vein in his head almost bursting in fury at his wife’s accusation. “How was all this my fault when I have done nothing but protect this family - our marriage - but you’re so eager to tear it apart. Why is that? Is it because of that new and young bachelor that tabloids say you’re dating? You can’t stomach being with a married man anymore? Is that it?!” 

“Oh come on, Tsubaki, you know nothing good ever came out of this gnarled misalliance!” Your mother shoots back, and you begin to hiccup as you begin to cry, the early happiness of the day immediately erased. The maid instantly notices and wipes them clean, tear after another. You put your hands on top of the maid’s to cover your ears to block out more of the sound of your parents’ marriage crumbling apart.

You expected for your father to retaliate but nothing came. There was no rebuttal, no nothing. instead - a sound that has not been heard in your house for quite a while — peace, uneasy peace and quiet. Then, your dad asks, slowly enunciating each word,“Not even the kids?” 

“No. One should’ve been enough.”

“—Speak directly. Is investing in the SEA market a profitable venture or a course for loss? And with regards to our expansion in the airline industry, how much gross profitability are we looking at?” Tetsuro turns around, fastening his tie hastily. The hotel room’s earlier chatter dies down, and Tetsuro barks. “Is anyone going to answer my question? Has anyone even bothered to do market research?” 

“Kuroo,” One of the company’s executives spoke up on behalf of the others who were too busy trembling in fear of an outburst from Tetsuro. He had been in a foul mood all day and they wouldn’t dare aggravate him any further — losing their jobs on their boss’s wedding day would be humiliating, shameful. “It’s your wedding, lighten the fuck up will you?” Kenma hisses. 

Tetsuro’s face contorts from fury to mild annoyance at the request of his best friend. Maybe he was overreacting but, honestly, the day has been nothing but a trip to the gallows with everyone rushing about to get the ceremony underway — bridesmaids, groomsmen, even Sam’s unruly little kids — the commotion is enough to drive anyone mad. “Kenma, you’ve no idea what it’s like to be me right now,” He pauses, clicking his tongue in disbelief. “I’m—agh, shit.” 

“I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re saying, but I’ve got to tell you right now that your current behavior is distressing the people around you, jackass,” His best friend throws, surprising Tetsuro with his firm tone. “Calm. Down. Today’s supposed to be a happy occasion.” 

Thing is, Tetsuro was far from happy. He was livid, astonished as to how your families managed to persuade you two to go on with the wedding, against both of your wishes, But then again, the two crackshots that conjurned up this agreement — none other than this father and your father — are the greatest salestalkers he’s ever met. He pinches the bridge of his nose, feeling the impending migraine that he’s going to have to suffer through today. Not like that would ruin his already ruined day, though. Marriage was supposed to be made out of love, that much he knows, he isn’t completely heartless — but his marriage, his first among an unknown quantity, was one that will surely end in a catastrophic crash in a divorce proceeding. In his mind, you were not deserving of his name which he had already pledged to someone else who was probably in a heap of tears right about now at his betrayal. 

As if the universe was mocking him and adding to his annoyance, the chatter of the room is brutally interrupted by a banging on the door. 

“Great, it’s probably my sister-in-law,” Tetsuro takes measured strides over to the door. He turns the knob and is astonished to see two little girls — not just any little girls though, but your nieces, Yuki and Anya who had identical sweet grins plastered on their faces, Yuki’s arms outstretched in an incoming hug. The older twin launches herself onto Tetsuro’s pant leg causing the older male to stagger a bit from the instant collision. “Woah, hey, Yuki,” He chortles at the little girl’s adorable display of affection, struggling to recall her name at first, half-amused and half-guarded. 

“Uncle! Mama and Auntie wanted us to give you these!” Anya replies for her sister, lifting a wrapped present, probably a shoe box. Tetsuro smiles at the two, though he was mostly distant to you and the older members of your family, there was no reason for him to show any hostility towards his two nieces. He gently releases himself from Yuki’s grip, crouching down to meet their eyes. 

“Oh?” He feigns surprise at the wedding gift and the girls gasp in amazement, their hands finding their opened mouths. They were getting an uncle today, and they couldn’t be more excited [they haven’t slept a wink since last night]. “Wanna help me open it?” He asks and the girls nod excitedly. “On three, one, two-“ 

They didn’t make it past two when they tore open the gift wrap, pieces of paper littered around their trio, they laughed when they saw a watch case when they opened the box. “Oh wow, look,” Yuki gushes when Tetsuro opens the last box. “It’s so pretty!” Anya oos-and-ahs, not quite as outgoing as her sister, with her very limited vocabulary, she can’t narrate much of the occurrence, so she settles for making sounds of amazement. 

Tetsuro’s eye twitches a tad bit when he sees the trinket — a Rolex watch, worth ¥ 2,000,000 at the very least. Seeing the expectant look on his nieces’ faces, he slaps on the watch on his wrist and to his surprise, the fit is beautiful, like it were custom made for him and only him. Not a single pair of this could be found in the world, surely. “Now, that’s something,” He half-smiles. “Say thank you to your auntie for me, girls, alright?” He feels an ugliness coat his heart, as he is remorseful having to lie in front of the children. It would be better if they never catch wind of him and their aunt having problems, Tetsuro, though having a marble shell, actually wants to make an effort to protect your nieces from the cold ugly truth. 

Just how are they going to react if they learn that their uncle actually hates their aunt? And their marriage is all for show? It would break their little hearts, and that is the last thing that Tetsuro wants. 

“Tetsuro,” His father comes up from behind the girls, dressed in a three piece suit to mirror that of his son’s. “You ready? Go call Kenma so we can go now— oh, hello there!” He greets the kids with a tiny laugh, and they shyly hide behind Tetsuro’s pant leg. “Don’t be shy now, I’m just your new grandpa- right?” He asks his son to which he answers with a shrug of his shoulders, not quite knowing what to make of their new political relationship. “Well, just call me uncle.” 

“But we already have an uncle,” Anya pouts in confusion, looking up at Tetsuro who winks at her to just play along. After putting much thought into it, which lasted for approximately ten seconds, a toothy grin spreads on her face. “But sure, you can be uncle number two!” 

Yoichi’s chest swells with joy at the twins, which is not really surprising knowing how charming your nieces were. Heaven knows how many times they’ve charmed countless flight attendants on business trips with your family for chocolate or an extra juicebox. “Alright then, your Mama’s waiting for you, so best skedaddle,” The twins then run after the other heading back to your room in a chorus of laughter. “You’re so lucky to be marrying into such a warm family. If only the same could have been said for me at the time.” 

Yoichi Kuroo was much like his own son, understanding the predicament at hand. The circumstances he had to live through were not so different from Tetsuro; he was a young man as well when he was burdened with the duty of upholding his family’s standing - no matter how meager it may be compared to the esteemed (L/N) clan. He was born with little to nothing in wealth, but with a name that was ever so frequent in the old games of politics, he was blessed with the honorable Kuroo family name - a once unknown family who made a living out of the miniscule salaries given to public servants like themselves. It was only when Yoichi’s father, Tetsuro’s grandfather, had taken the reins to the clan’s affairs that he broke away from the family tradition of politics making a sharp turn for the world of endless numbers and breakfast meetings with old men who owned the world. 

Similar to that of the request he gave his son, Yoichi, too, was plagued with the duty of an arranged marriage to his first wife, Tetsuro’s mother, a woman from another clan of business giants whose spirit could melt even the tallest glaciers in the arctic - a warmth radiated from her, when her family could not give two shits about him. When the love of his life met her untimely demise, her family never once made contact again with Yoichi, sealing the end to the two family’s contracts. But to Yoichi, the brief moment he’s had with his wife would always be remembered by him as a beautiful respite from the cruel world, a light in a howling wilderness of stakeholders, executives, and people whose lives revolved around money. 

Tetsuro’s father hoped that the course his marriage had taken would be inherited by his son’s. In fact, it would be understatement to say that Yoichi is relieved, in whatever sense, to see that his son would never face the same emotional maltreatment his wife’s family had subjected him to. Tetsuro was fortunate, if only he were not so blind to see it. 

Yoichi fixes his son’s tie, centering it on his collars, his free hand pats him on the shoulder, nodding firmly. “She isn’t as bad of a girl as you make her out to be. You’ll make sense of it one day.” 

Thing is, Tetsuro would never make sense of it - hell, he didn’t want to - he shifts his gaze away from his father. All he could think of right now was how you had robbed him of his freedom to live, to love whom he wants. And to him, the mere fact that you agreed to chain him was unforgivable, and he would exact his own version of retribution against you.  “We have to go,” He announces to the groomsmen who were busy sipping on the top-shelf rum Yaku had gifted them. The group stands up in attention, and with a few last minute chatter and congratulations being thrown at Tetsuro, they vacate the room for the floor elevator. 

Kenma watches the exchange between father and son when he presses the elevator button, his eyes narrowing at the nonchalance and careless nature of his best friend. Kenma doesn’t know a lot about weddings —actually, Tetsuro’s the first of his friends to get married— but he’s pretty sure that normally, one should be hopelessly and irrevocably happy and in love right now but Tetsuro’s exhibiting the exact opposite. There’s even a sense of unhinging going on in Tetsuro’s demeanor that he’s only just desperately fighting against. “Tetsuro, your wedding gift?” Yoichi reminds his son. “You haven’t sent one their way.” 

“I’m already marrying her, what more should I give?” Tetsuro rolls his eyes, earning a kick to the shin from his father, and a subsequent hiss of his name from Kenma who overheard the exchange. Upon seeing the disappointment in Kenma’s face, Tetsuro reels back. “I mean,” He coughs. “I could always make it up to her with a good honeymoon destination,” He comes up with the excuse shakily, mentally kicking himself when he realizes that he’d have to be alone with you for a week or two out of the country. 

“That’s a good idea,” Kenma chimes in, whipping out his phone to make a quick search for honeymoon destinations. “I think Yaku knows a guy who owns a private resort in Seychelles. I can put in a word for you.” 

Upon hearing his name, Yaku decides to quip, “Yeah. I heard that place is a favorite among royalty. You guys could escape the press there for sure.” 

“No, I’m not spending that much money on a week-long honeymoon,” Tetsuro groans, putting his face in his right hand. “I’d rather we go domestic - it costs less, and if anything happens, we’d be nearby,” His excuse is pathetic judging from the deadpan expressions his friends are wearing. 

“You are the only guy I’d know who’d skimp on his honeymoon, Tetsuro, it’s bad press,” Yaku half-teases. “Hence, I already took the liberty of booking you a direct flight to Seychelles for tomorrow evening. You don’t have to worry about costs, I already talked to my friend for your accommodations,” Tetsuro sighs in disapproval at his friends. 

“And I know a few airlines that would kill to have a good endorsement from you,” Kenma says. “So you don’t have to worry about anything, Tetsuro.” 

Tetsuro looks at his father accusingly, he was so sure he had a hand in all this. But, he relents nevertheless, surrendering to the situation — being alone with you for two weeks [according to Yaku] was sure to be torturous. Not to mention being away from Alisa for that long was sure to take a toll on him. “Fine.”

“—Ow!” You cry when the pin of the earring finally goes through. Samantha giggles at your reaction, putting a hand to her lips to hide her chortling. “Don’t laugh,” You scold her.

“If grandmama wore them, then, so can you,” She steps out of your line of view to show your reflection in the mirror. You make a face at the pure overkill of your dangling diamond earrings, but, as requested by the elders in your family, it would be nice to have you wear a family heirloom to your wedding. 

The door swings open to reveal your father, and Sam takes that as her cue to leave. After all, she only snuck in for the sole purpose of handing over your grandmother’s earrings for you to wear. She motions for Yuki and Anya to follow her outside leaving you alone. You gulp, rearranging how your veil falls around you. Your father remains motionless by the couch of the suite’s living room, taking in the sight. “Is she-?”

“Not that I’m aware of,” Your father shakes his head, fiddling with his ring out of habit. “But I sent an invitation to her office.” 

“Oh,” You had no idea why you even bothered to consider the possibility of your own mother coming to your wedding. Why would she, you think bitterly, show up now after all those years of radio silence. You just hoped that, until the very last minute, she might show up like a ghost at the end of the hall to walk you down the aisle. You finally turn around to meet your father’s gaze, tapping the toe of your heel nervously. The collar on your dress grew tighter by the hour around your neck — here came the hour of your greatest fear. “I don’t,” You swallow, your parched throat scratching you. “I don’t blame you, I’m not mad, if that’s what you want to know.” 

“Thank you,” Your father’s feet bring him closer to you, your eyes flutter close when he smooths a stray hair from your forehead, tucking it behind your ear. “I know this isn’t how things should be.” 

“But I have to do it anyway?” You try a last ditch attempt to persuade your father into reconsidering this marriage. But all he manages is a slow nod, barely finding it in his heart to look at you. “Papa, I don’t want my marriage to-“ 

“End up like mine, I’m sure it won’t, I promise,” Tsubaki clears his throat, taking a look at the wall clock at the south side of the room. You shakily take his arm, walking out of the room and into the hallway leading to your destiny. You have to keep yourself from vomiting when you reach the grand staircase of the hotel’s mezzanine and lobby, and like you were a child again, your hand tightens around your father’s arm when you are instantly hounded by the press, most of them breaking through the security line to jog up the stairs. “It’s okay,” He shushes you, the disappointment so evident in your face when you see that the monsters of the press have broken through hotel security, and they were ravenous for blood — or whatever they could skim off of the event for an all-new exclusive scoop for their media company. 

The guards are left stunned and powerless at the sheer volume of people hounding you. You try to paint a smile on your face at the familiar gleam of the camera flashes going off at different angles and rates. Your bodyguards instantly throw themselves in front of you, shielding you from the blinding light of the press, and you nearly exclaim when one of them tugs at the sleeve of your gown, instead, you are left anxiously chucking under your breath at the lack of respect for your personal space. The last thing you wanted was to appear in a tabloid’s front page the next morning with the headlines: ‘Heiress Bride — A Snob?’. The press can be painfully brutal at times, and you recall very well how many celebrity weddings have been gatecrashed by this lot, despite graciously granting access to a reputable few. 

“Miss (Y/N)! Over here!” 

“Care to share a few words? Miss (Y/N)!” 

“Mr. Tsubaki, how are you feeling right now?” 

“Who are you wearing, Miss (Y/N)?”

Your father bites his lip, he was aware of the habits of these people - talk once and give them an inch they’ll go for a mile. You keep walking towards the chapel, and let out a sigh when you spot your bridal entourage waiting by the door. Samantha stands up from her seat, hastily ushering the flower girls inside the chapel, giving a scolding look to the people behind the cameras. She walks right over, upon your mouthing of ‘help me’. “Oh, come on!” Sam barks, and the press give noises of disapproval as if they were the ones being incovenienced. 

You turn to the press, annoyed beyond belief. “We’ll answer some questions later, thank you,” You say with finality, though you were truly against scolding anyone on your wedding day.  The remaining and insistent reporters scurry away, hurrying down the spiral staircase leading down to the lobby. They’ll be back, for sure, but at least they won’t be causing as much trouble during the reception  as compared to their unruly interference in the ceremony had you decided to allow them to get within ten feet of the chapel. “Thank God,” You breathe to your entourage, some of whom are left stunned since you also invited some of your friends from high school who were not accustomed to having tons of cameras shoved in their faces. 

“If you get married for a second time,” Your friend, Yachi, heaves on the verge of tears and hyperventilation. “Please don’t invite me anymore.” 

“I don’t think I will anyway,” You reassure her, helping her stand up and fix her bearings. The rest of your bridal party follows suit, and you remind yourself to thank them after the party for taking the time out of their busy schedules to attend your wedding despite the very short notice. “I can’t believe this is happening,” Your nerves are getting the better of you, and Yachi and Shimizu step up in a show of support. 

“Not getting cold feet now, are you?” Shimizu pouts, setting your veil straight, readjusting your necklace so the pendant is in front and center, helping Yachi who was currently talking your ear off about things you couldn’t really comprehend or blocked out since you’re so busy wallowing in your nerves. 

“I mean, you aren’t seriously considering running away from the Kuroo Tetsuro now, are you?” One of your bridesmaids jeer, playing with her bouquet. “If I was getting married to him,” You grimace at their ignorance to the context of which you have been uneasy about since last week. “I wouldn’t pass it up for the world! You must be really happy right now, right, (Y/N)?” 

You try to calm yourself down, breathing in from your nose and exhaling through blown lips. You’ve been doing a stellar job in preventing the ill secrets of yours and Tetsuro’s relationship from the public eye, hence, it really shouldn’t be much of a problem that some people, like your bridesmaids, believe that everything’s just peachy and that your new home life is comprised of nothing more than a bed of roses, a loving husband despite the whirlwind and overly private romance, and wealth beyond compare. Quite frankly, people viewed you now as being at the top of the world, like if the heavens had a favorite, of course, it would be you, right? 

You could’ve sworn you felt your heart stop when you hear the harp from inside the chapel strumming a tune that you recognize to be the bridal entrance. The doors of the chapel open and you and your maid-of-honor and father take a few steps back to allow the bridesmaids to pass through. And one by one, they strut to the front of the chapel, walking to the beat of the melody, your heart full to bursting when you catch a glimpse of him at the altar. 

Your maid-of-honor walks forward, taking one last look at you - sister to sister - in a final ‘I love you’. Tsubaki (L/N) never showed fear not in front of loan sharks nor stuffy old men who yearned to assassinate your company, no, he was a man of fearless honor - that is, until you feel his hands tremble in yours, the final shell of your father’s invincibility cracks falling to the floor. He was terrified, just as you were, and you had to take a few pauses in between your steps to help him out, his breath coming out in short and painful pants. When you pass by the arch of the church, you are met face to face with the man who holds your fate in his merciless hands, his hair slightly more tidy than usual, slightly slicked back with just a bit of wax holding it in place, wearing his signature black three-piece-suit, accompanied by an all black tie and dress shirt, not a pop of color is seen in his attire, and you worry that people might reckon that your groom is headed to a funeral and not a wedding. 

You take in his expressionless form, averting your eyes when you feel you have stared at him for too long. At each forward step you look around at both ends of the aisle for her - the woman whose name can strike fear into your heart. Your father whispers something in your ear, but you can’t really distinguish the syllables into full words, you were preoccupied with looking for the woman whose very existence can tear apart your marriage and the merger for the conglomerate. Your shoulders slack when you find no sight of Alisa Haiba in neither the pews nor the backdoors. 

When you arrive at the altar, your father shakily hands you over, releasing you from his grip to entrust you to Tetsuro who gently assists you to the front of the witness. “You’ll take care of her, won’t you, Tetsuro?” 

“I will, dad,” He sighs, defeated, turning to the witness. The chapel had an open glass wall, so you could see the city of Tokyo below, a reminder that with this marriage, your combined companies will now tower over the business scene of Japan, crushing all your competitors. The minister stands in front, a kind-hearted smile on his face, and asks for the green light to start the ceremony. Although your families insisted on a Shinto wedding, as is tradition in large clans like yours, the process of organizing one would take too long so, they set up a western-themed wedding — it costs less and because Christian weddings are steadily gaining popularity in Japan, it doesn’t take too much time to set up. What matters now is that you get hitched, nothing more nothing less — they couldn’t care less about the details.

You and Tetsuro nod somberly— the first time you ever agreed on something. 

The minister’s smile widens, “We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Tetsuro Kuroo and (Y/N) (L/N). Before we begin, let me ask the bride and groom. Have you come here to enter into marriage, freely, without coercion and reservation?” 

Despite the lack of a wedding rehearsal, Tetsuro speaks calmly through the lie, “I have.” 

You follow with a solemn, “I have.” 

Tsubaki (L/N) and Yoichi Kuroo both sighed in relief, free of any more worries that this marriage might not continue. Their eyes met in quiet contemplation from both sides of the room. The minister, pleased with your answers, continues the ceremony without a moment of respite. You are surprised when you notice Tetsuro’s grip tighten on your hand when the minister beckons for the rings, as if you were bracing for impact. 

“May I request the groom to read the vows, please?” The minister guides Tetsuro through the ceremony, prompting him with what to say according to the script. 

“I,” Tetsuro’s eyes meet your glossy orbs. “Tetsuro Kuroo take you, (Y/N) (L/N), as my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold,” That was a lie. “From this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,” That was another lie. “Until death do us part,” He slides the ring onto your slender finger. 

You take the ring from Shimizu, holding it firmly in your hand, pouring all the truth that you have to offer for Samantha, for your father, for your family, for the man in front of you right now, whether he likes it or not. The elders of both families look on as you struggle for the words. “I, (Y/N) (L/N) take you, Tetsuro Kuroo,” His name comes off as pure folklore, an unadulterated and traitorous rush of gold swells in your heart unwillingly. 

You cannot love someone who cannot love you. You know where this ends, you know it’s going to fall apart at any given moment. You know of your role in his life — the unloved wife — so, why the hell is your heart turning against you? 

A single, silver droplet paints your cheek, which you are quick to wipe away, choosing to remain resolute. “As my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Until death,” Or his mistress. “Do us part.” 

The ring fits him perfectly, a ray of light bounces off the gold briefly, and you withdraw your hand from his. The minister declares, “Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband,” He looks at Tetsuro, and you. “And wife. You may share a kiss to convey your joy.” 

You shyly look up when your husband lifts your veil, catching sight of the first time he’ll call you his wife, after which, he’ll subject you to hellish negligence for sure. He leans down dazedly, closing the height difference between you and him, capturing you in a brief but seemingly sweet peck. He pulls away quickly and offers you his hand when the witness presents you as ‘Mr. and Mrs. Kuroo’. The crowd claps in congratulations, most of them were at the anniversary party so the shock factor has significantly dwindled. You walk down the aisle, and you face the elders, your parents, as husband and wife and bow a full ninety degrees in gratitude. 

Walking through the aisle, you and Tetsuro greet the other guests, before proceeding back to the hotel’s grand staircase, and your eyes widened when you notice that the few paparazzis that were there just a while ago, crowding you to get a word out of you before you even got married, has doubled into a crowd of its own uninvited guests. Tetsuro panics at the sight of one of them breaking through the line of the worn out guards with his camera making a beeline for the newly married couple, he reaches the middle of the staircase, when Tetsuro calls for one of his bodyguards, “Sawamura!” 

“Hey, hey! Didn’t we say that you’ll all get your questions answered later?” Sawamura furiously yells at the pap, pulling your pair behind him. “Now, fall back in line with the others!” He orders. 

The woman who was now being escorted back in line, yells, “What does this mean for both of your companies? Is this a political marriage?” She doesn’t fight back when she gets what she wants — a look of trepidation between you and your husband. 

“I said, get back in line!” The bodyguard all but shoves her back into the crowd, disgusted at her prying eyes.Tetsuro leads you down to the reception hall, not once looking back at the mess that these media companies have concocted. He figures he’ll trouble himself with damage control later, in the meantime, he’ll give anything for a stiff drink right about now. When you get to the reception hall, all of the guests — well, business associates of Tetsuro, mostly — that were not able to be seated in the chapel greet you with loud applause. 

You and Tetsuro smile at the guests, promising to properly greet them later after dinner. You stop when Tetsuro calls for a server, “One brandy please.” 

Nudging him in disapproval, out of habit from having to endure a childhood with a family member who suffered from a drinking problem, you click your tongue, “Tetsuro, no stiff drinks, not until we get home please.” 

“Don’t nag me,” Tetsuro grits through his teeth, forcing a smile at the confused server who was debating whether to listen to you or your husband. “Just bring it to the top table, thank you.” 

“You should quit that habit of yours,” He snorts at your request. Tetsuro’s been like this for ages — ever since his mother died, he was always more than happy to indulge himself [at least that’s what he likes to call it] with a bottle of expensive liquor, imported from god knows where, paired with a cigarette — a habit he picked up in high school. When you get seated at the top table, Tetsuro spots the server who was at the zenith of sanity with the huge volume of guests filing in the halls, famished for liquor and hors d'oeuvres. He waves him down with a finger and the server nearly trips over his own feet in panic. 

“Thank you,” The server whips out the bottle of brandy under his arm, setting down the crystal glass ornamented with the etchings of the trademark of Ritz Carlton, pouring the drink hastily. When Tetsuro is asked if he wanted any ice cubes, he nearly laughs at the suggestion. “No, this is fine. Thanks again,” He picks up the glass, downing the contents in a single gulp, relishing in the liquid fire burning his throat, the lightheadedness it brought gave Tetsuro a brief sense of euphoria and he chuckles. “Come on,” He mocks. “It’s not like this is new or something.” 

“I know, but I don’t like it. It’s not good for you,” You repeat yourself. Just then, the waiter sets down your starters, interrupting your conversation with a fresh plate of lobster tail and zucchini ribbons garnished with a soy yuzu dressing. 

“Well, you don’t get to tell me what to do,” Tetsuro shrugs, obviously not listening to you with an ounce of seriousness. “Listen, let’s get through these two weeks, then we're done. We could go back to our mundane industrial lives. Speaking of which,” He is reminded about a pressing matter. “What are you planning to do after the honeymoon?” 

Your cheeks instantly shine with color — he’s already planned the honeymoon? You haven’t even slept in the same room and now, you’re expected to go on a two-week vacation with him? You have to shake the thought off your head for a while, while you grapple for an answer, “Well, I was thinking of taking a job at the company, maybe in operations management to get me started.” 

“Not happening, try again,” Tetsuro says, and your jaw nearly drops to the floor. So, what is he expecting you’d do? Sit at home and become his trophy wife? Not a chance. “There aren’t any open positions, and we don’t really need to see each other everyday, that would be painfully brutal.” 

“Well, what do you want me to do?” Your temper flares. “I’m not just going to sit at home, you know.” 

“End of discussion,” Tetsuro glares at you, and you shut up. So much for standing up for yourself. “I’ll think about it,” He says and you instantly find one of the guests staring at you. Trouble in paradise — though normal for most couples — shouldn’t exactly occur in a wedding. You both return to your respective corners afterwards, the issue is left unresolved for now. Luckily, the awkward silence is broken when one of Tetsuro’s friends approaches the table with a huge neatly wrapped gift in tow. Your husband instantly stands up, and out of respect, you do so as well. The two exchange a small fist bump in salutation. “If it isn’t Tōru Oikawa, nice to see you, man.” 

His air of kindness and hospitality towards others saddens you. Did he really hate you that much that he could not even treat you right like an old friend should? Tetsuro’s friend smiles warmly at you, the first genuine smile you’ve received today from your guests. He turns his attention back to Tetsuro, “Tetsuro,” He greets. “So, how was the ceremony? I’m sorry I didn’t make it, I got caught up in work. Thanks for the email, though, saw it this morning.”

Tetsuro easily forgives him, “It’s not a problem,” He then introduces you. “Ah, yes, this is my wife, (Y/N). And this is Oikawa. We met a while back on a business trip to Buenos Aires.” 

“Wait, do I-?” 

“Tōru?” You ask with a laugh, and he nearly squeals in delight, charging at you with a hug. You wince at the force with which he pulled you in an embrace. You couldn’t believe it, it’s been ages since you last saw your university friend. “Long time no see!” 

“You got married to Tetsuro? And wow, you really glowed up from your college days, haven’t you? You look healthier,” He laughs delightedly. For a moment, Tōru takes in your appearance from your blushing rose cheeks, your long, romantic lashes and your healthy figure. He is held in a moment of disbelief. The last time he saw you, you weren’t exactly a social butterfly, you were always the shy kid in university, hell, you never even had a proper get-together with him until your sophomore year. He’s astonished at how much you’d broken out of your shell, and how much you have matured emotionally and…physically. 

“I guess I have,” You agree. “Maybe we could talk more about it some other time? You should enjoy yourself, for now,” You motion to the commotion in the room. “Maybe mingle with a few people.”

“You know what, that’s actually a great idea,” Tōru waves to some of his friends already seated for dinner and are calling him to join them. Tōru sheepishly smiles at you both. “Would love to stay and chat but I’ll leave you lovebirds alone. Lunch soon, (Y/N)!” 

Waving goodbye, you and Tetsuro sit down. “Didn’t know you were little miss popular back then.” You huff at his usual stingy remarks.

“He’s my friend,” You correct his insinuation that you were a burden to Tōru during your days in business school. “And he’s acting like a friend should.” Maybe you could learn a thing or two from him, Tetsuro, you think bitterly. “Anyway,” You take a sip out of your champagne flute, ending the conversation prematurely. “We should go say hi to the guests.” 

Tetsuro makes a face but stands up anyway, hoisting you to your feet. And he thought normal marriages were exhausting, he squints his eyes when you kiss his cheek upon the request of one of the photographers when you greet a table, and it turns out his marriage is making the top of his list of problems and causes of stress. 

You peer out the window, your feet swinging in excitement like you were a child who was given another scoop of ice cream. “Seychelles?” You ask for the millionth time to confirm you heard it right. “Where Kate Middleton and Prince William had their honeymoon? I’m so excited!” You flip through the magazine provided to you by the airlines for some fun things to do when you land. 

“Mm-hmm,” Tetsuro hums, flipping through the entertainment system for a movie to fall asleep to you were guessing from how his seat is already partially reclined. You pout at his indifference — going on a honeymoon trip with Tetsuro, you figured this would be the best chance for you to talk things through and you know, have your own husband-wife bonding time even if you got married for all the wrong reasons. You half-expected that Tetsuro would show just a little more care for your efforts to get through to him. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Kuroo,” A flight attendant greets you with a basket full of exquisite perfume, champagne and jewelry. Your husband sits up to accept the gift. “Congratulations on your wedding, care of our CEO, we arranged for a gift basket and we exclusively granted you access to your private residence aboard,” She motions to the closed off suite normally intended for first class passengers but was refurbished instead with luxurious airline seats, and to the other bulkhead side of the plane, your own plush sofa which can double as a bed, a dining table and minibar — a convenient luxury since the flight time from Tokyo to Seychelles is painstakingly long; a full day if you weren’t mistaken. “We’ll set it up for you for tonight. Let me know if you need anything, and welcome aboard.” 

“So, tell me,” You lean over your seat to talk to Tetsuro when the flight attendant returns to the galley. “Just what kind of strings did you have to pull for this?” 

“Ushijima Wakatoshi, the CEO, is a distant relative,” Tetsuro explains, his eyes glued to the movie on screen. “Said it’s a wedding gift.” 

You are reminded of the huge sum of wealth the Kuroos and the other branches of their clan had amassed throughout the years. Being too caught up with your own company, you never really paid attention to the monstrous speed that Tetsuro’s family had in climbing up the business ladder. “Oh, that’s very nice of him. We should probably send him something when we get back. Hey wait,” You’re rudely interrupted by a realization, you carefully touch Tetsuro’s wrist and he flinches in surprise. 

“What?” He hisses, sharply pulling off his headphones. 

“You aren’t wearing the watch I gave you,” You show him his empty wrist. “Didn’t you like it?” 

“I’ve seen better,” A sharp dagger stabs your wallet, you used up more than ¥2,300,000 for that watch and all you have to show for it is your husband treating it like absolute garbage. You move away from him, retreating back to your seat to continue flipping through the magazine. 

The rest of the flight was uneventful and silent, seeing as your husband was quite content with alternating between sleeping and waking up to a boring movie. Sometimes you’ll see him stretch his legs by walking around the cabin, sending almost all of the female members of the cabin crew to squeal and chatter amongst themselves about how lucky they were to have such an important and handsome passenger, to which Tetsuro replies with a flirtatious smirk. A few hours before touchdown, as prompted on your entertainment screen, you are informed that your apartment onboard is ready when you step out of the shower. 

You make your way to the cabin to see Tetsuro who had once again, fallen asleep in his stuffy chair. Looks like you’ll be sleeping alone tonight…again. Seeing how uncomfortable he looks, his head slack to one side, his mouth slightly ajar, you call the attention of a flight attendant, “Excuse me, can I have a blanket for my husband please? And,” You pause between your words, debating on what to say next. “Can you please get him a coffee when he wakes up? With a splash of milk and no sugar.” 

“Of course,” She returns with a warm blanket. You sigh, taking it from her and gently wrapping it around your husband. You watch him stir just a bit, mumbling something in his slumber. Crouching next to him, you gently remove his headphones, allowing for him to sleep more comfortably. “Mr. Kuroo’s really lucky to have you, huh?” The flight attendant sighs dreamily, entranced by the warmth of your affection towards your spouse. “I’ve seen how you look at him and take good care of him.” 

You nod wordlessly, brushing a few of his stray bangs away from his face, your touch gentle yet, apprehensive. He seems to sense your touch and unknowingly breathes a calm sigh, his furrowed eyebrows relaxing. Your husband has a girlfriend, his own lover. There would never be a possibility that he would choose you over her, he had pledged himself to another and you barged in like the villain in any fairytale, an obstruction to their love. You were wronging the rightful owner to your husband’s heart. You’re the stain in the picture of their happy relationship, a misplaced shadow in a painting, the crumple on their romance book. But why couldn’t you see yourself giving up on Tetsuro?

Is it simply because you’re a hopeless fool? Or was there something deeper to it? Something unthinkable, something dangerous, something…forbidden. And if you don’t straighten this out sooner, you’ll be headed into yet another valley of tremendous troubles.

You arrive at Seychelles at around 6 PM in the evening, local time. The warm ocean breeze, though miles away from the airport, engulfs you in a sweet moment of serenity, the salty air reminding you of humid, summer nights in your family’s beach house in Okinawa. The wind blowing through your hair makes you close your eyes in relief and satisfaction after the events that transpired last night on the plane. Just what exactly were you even thinking? Tetsuro has made it clear from day one that he never aspired to be married to you, being forced to act like he loves you, but why does it feel like your heart is ignoring every stern reminder your head was giving you? 

The ocean waves caress your lower body with each gentle, cold oncoming wave, adding to the intimacy of your self-reflection, an intimacy that is so nonexistent when you’re with your husband. For a long while, you lay there, your jeans getting salt-washed by the sea and subsequently stained with sand, staring into the horizon for you had nothing better to do inside the villa anyway. You start to feel a little sluggish when you hear the shifting of sand behind you with familiar footsteps. You scoot a bit to your right when Tetsuro sits down next to you on the sand, his legs outstretched. 

“We haven’t taken a picture yet,” You remind him of the little something you have to feed to your family and the public, and he sighs, reluctantly pulling out his phone.

“Ready?” You lean your head on his shoulder, showing the rings on your fingers, smiling at the camera. He takes the shot, and he shrugs you off. With a few taps and clicks, he posts the picture on Instagram with the caption: #JustMarried. “Come inside,” He offers kindly, surprising you. “Let’s do a few shots. It’s been a long day.” 

“I don’t think we should be doing that,” You bring your knees to your chest, contemplating on whether or not to take up his offer. This could very well be the only chance Tetsuro would give you to accompany him, but the presence of alcohol in the party would certainly lead to horrible and haphazard consequences resulting from reckless decisions. But, maybe a drink would be nice right now. You make it in time before he walks away. “Wait.” 

He peers over his shoulder to see you standing up, brushing the sand off your jeans, and walking towards the villa. 

“A drink right now would be nice,” He nods in agreement, pulling you by the wrist — the first time he has willingly laid his hand on your skin. You sit down on one of the lounge chairs in the living room area, while Tetsuro rummages through the cupboards in the bar area. “What made you decide to— you know— do this?” You didn’t know what to call it, sadly. Tetsuro pauses his movements, and plants his gaze on one of the labels on the wine rack. 

Pulling out two bottles of rum, he turns around to ask for your approval on what to drink, dodging the question altogether. “Ten to One or Clement?”

“Clement,” You answer, you couldn’t give a damn about what brand you’d drown yourself in tonight. “You got any cigarettes on you?” 

“Just got Dunhills,” He makes a face. “What do you usually smoke anyway?” You blink at him, was he really making the effort to get to know you by figuring out your substances of choice? You break into a chuckle of giggles, almost half a decade on, and he’s still a huge dork — a rich one, sure — but still, a dork. “What?” He says, irritatedly, not knowing what exactly is funny about this situation. 

“Nothing,” You deny, and he rolls his eyes at you, setting down the decanter on the console table. He plops down on the seat next to you, throwing you the packet which you skilfully caught with your left hand. “Vogue. I smoke vogue,” Your eyes twinkling in delight when you manage to control your laughter. 

“Just because I needed a drinking buddy doesn’t mean we’re friends, (Y/N),” He pours the amber contents of the decanter into your glasses. He spares a glance at your smiling face sipping on your fill of liquor, the heat that rushes to his cheeks makes him turn his head away from you. He resolves to exile whatever he is feeling at the moment, sitting with you here alone at this private island, your laughter evoking all sorts of complicated feelings. He has Alisa. He loves Alisa, the woman who he dreamed of being married to. Not you. You are just a temporary measure, a means to an end. Within a year or so, you’ll be gone, sinking into a crowd of faceless strangers in the end like most of the flings he’s had. 

That’s all. 

“No,” You pour yourself another glass. “But this is better than hating each other 24/7,” You fall silent, your earlier sadness engulfing you. You had to tell him, if this is the only chance you’ll ever get. “Just so you know, I know, okay?” He looks up from his drink, stopping the swirling motion he is applying to the contents of his glass, and sees a sad glance cross your features. “And I’m not mad, and I won’t tell you to stop loving her, okay?” 

Why would you say that? He ravages his mind for an answer. The revelation of his affair wasn’t supposed to occur like this — a sad smile on your face while you’re drinking with him on your honeymoon — you were supposed to be devastated, throwing all sorts of shit you could put your hands on at him so he can drive off to his mistress. You were supposed to be livid, just like any wife would. So why? Why were you looking at him with unrelenting compassion and understanding? 

“My father,” You narrate, baring yourself in front of the last man on earth who’d give a damn. “I know he won’t tell me, but I’ve seen his medical records. I accidentally stumbled upon them during one of my visits to his office.” You let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know what it is, but I know something’s wrong, terribly wrong,” You stand up from your seat to gaze upon the open sea through the floor to ceiling window. “He was shaking,” You gulp. “At the wedding.” 

“Does Samantha know?” Surprisingly, Tetsuro inquires softly, and you shake your head. He understands your anguish, not too many years ago, he too was in your position when his mother died. You are startled to witness the old Tetsuro, your Tetsuro from what feels like an eternity ago, rising to his feet to meet you halfway. He keeps a safe distance from you, fearing that if he took another step forward, he’d be past the point of no return. “(Y/N)…” 

“Just—be my friend, Tetsuro,” You finally bring yourself to face him. “If even that’s not possible, then, let’s just stop fighting. I don’t want him to worry about me, he’s gone through enough,” Your voice cracks. “You can go to Alisa any time you want, I’m not asking you to break up with her. Just— let’s stop despising each other, please, for my dad.” 

“I don’t despise you,” Tetsuro exclaims. Or does he? Which is it? He runs a hand down his face at his incoherent dilemma, “I just—“ 

“Love someone else,” You finish for him, and he slowly nods. “I understand, Tetsuro.” 

“But,” He sighs. “I do agree with you. Hating each other just makes everything more exhausting. By the way,” He breathes. “Thank you for the coffee, you know, on the plane. I can’t believe that even after all these years, you still remember how I like it.” 

You smile softly at him, “I just remembered how you suffer from caffeine withdrawal— you used to get migraines all the time back in high school when you don’t get your usual fix. But, you’re welcome.” 

He returns the smile, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, cementing your agreement in stone. The night ends with the occasional snickers erupting from you two filling each nook and cranny in the villa with a newfound sense of hope. Tetsuro laughs at another joke you make though he couldn’t remember what it was [the last one pertaining to Japan’s director of trade and investments], your cheeks red from drinking too much and the sides of your eyes crinkled from smiling, as if you didn’t just condone your husband’s outright infidelity earlier. “Hey, (Y/N)?” He says, after a few more hours, the sun barely peeking over the horizon outside painting the twilight in a comforting purplish hue. He shakes you awake, nudging your shoulder, only to elicit no response from your tired and sleeping body, your head rolled to one side of the headrest on the couch.

“Hey, you’re going to hurt your neck,” He tries again to no avail; you were passed out cold. He sighs, standing up, wobbling a bit to maintain his compromised sense of balance as a result from all the liquor he’s consumed all night. Carefully lifting you into his arms, he summons all his might despite his hazy mind to carry you to the bedroom. You shift in his arms as he prepares to lay you on the soft mattress, and he swears he heard you beckoning him to stay in your drunken stupor. 

He was making a mistake by climbing into the bed with you, pulling the blanket over your figures. His last few intoxicated thoughts worsened the throbbing in his temple. Just what would his girlfriend back home think? Is it possible that this is the beginning of him having an affair — but you weren’t in a relationship with each other, he defends his actions to no one in particular — with his wife? 

On the other side of the world, a young woman with snow-blonde hair struts towards the front door of the Kuroo estate in Denenchofu, knocking with purpose on the reinforced wood of the entrance to the house. “Tetsu?“ She sings, calling for her lover. To her surprise, she is met with no response and no sign of her smiling boyfriend calling for her to come inside. After a few more knocks, the door opens. “I missed yo-“ 

“Miss Haiba,” An austere voice cuts off her musings of having a little shopping date in Harajuku with Tetsuro, excited to spare him another moment of dealing with his pathetic wife. She stares in surprise at the face of the head maid, Yui Michimiya. “What can I do for you?” Obviously, this maid had grown tired of seeing the young woman, and is now especially disturbed to find her looking for her boss, a married man. 

“Oh—uh, hi there,” Alisa is caught off guard, she peers into the home, standing on her tip-toes in search of the raven-haired man. “Is Tetsuro around?” 

“Haven’t you heard?” Yui raises an eyebrow at the woman. “He’s out of town.” 

“Where, exactly?” Alisa pales at the information, her fingers nervously twitching for her phone to dial up Tetsuro and ask him of his whereabouts herself. 

“In Seychelles, with Mrs. Kuroo,” Yui answers the usual intruder in her boss’s home, disgusted at the fact that she has the nerve to still show up here knowing that her boss is already married, and is unknowingly causing pain to his wife. She has spent too much time laundering your pillowcases damp with your silent tears. “On their honeymoon.” 

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all right reserved © 2022 isabella. please do not copy, repost, translate, publish without consent, or modify in any platform or form of mass media.

Kuroo Tetsuro is everywhere—plastered on posters for the volleyball team, the topic of campus gossip, and the focus of every girl’s attention. Every girl except for you, that is.

While girls fawned over his signature smirk and effortless charm, you stayed focused on your own passion project: the Kiss Book. No, it’s not some cringey “Burn Book” replica from Mean Girls—you’re more creative than that. The Kiss Book wasn’t anything scandalous, but it did keep track of every romantic or flirty interaction the volleyball players had on campus. You ran a vlog about the volleyball team—how they play, who they’ve been seen with, and, most importantly, who they’ve kissed. It started as a joke with your best friend, but now it’s evolved into this fun, quirky project that you also talk about on your vlog.

Kuroo knew about the Kiss Book, of course. Everyone on campus did. But what bugged him the most was that while you documented the love lives of his teammates—and even himself—he’d never once caught you looking at him like everyone else did. It was almost like he didn’t exist in your world beyond his stats and the occasional fling mentioned in your vlog. That drove him crazy.

And so, the campus heartthrob made it his mission to get your attention.

He’d go out of his way to walk past you, letting his deep laugh carry in your direction, flashing you a knowing smirk that sent most girls swooning. But you? You’d barely glance up from your notebook, jotting down another name or tidbit for your next vlog update.

It wasn’t that you didn’t find him attractive. You weren’t blind. It was just... Kuroo Tetsuro didn’t impress you the way he seemed to impress everyone else. You had bigger things to focus on, and besides, you weren’t about to fall into the same trap that half the campus had. The Kiss Book was just that—a book. You weren’t interested in getting your own name written down in it.

But Kuroo saw it as a challenge.

“Y’know, I’ve noticed you’ve been a little quiet about me lately,” he teased one day, leaning over the desk where you were setting up your camera for another vlog.

“Maybe you’re just not that interesting anymore,” you replied coolly, not bothering to look up at him as you adjusted the focus.

He chuckled, leaning in closer, voice dropping into that low, honeyed tone he used to wrap girls around his finger. “Or maybe you’re trying to keep me all to yourself.”

You finally glanced up, meeting his intense gaze with a raised brow. “Dream on, Kuroo.”

And yet, the glint in his eyes told you he wasn’t about to give up that easily.

˚୨୧₊

Want to see more of Kuroo and The Kiss Book? Let me know in the comments!

[ ©𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐧𝐠. all rights reserved, september 2024. do not steal, repost, nor claim as your own! ]

Kuroo had gotten bolder.

It started with little things—a smirk thrown your way when he walked past, a casual comment about your latest vlog as if he actually watched it. You ignored him, of course. You had no time for his games. But then he started showing up in places you didn’t expect.

Like today.

You were sitting outside the campus cafe, sipping on your iced coffee and flipping through your notes when the chair across from you scraped the ground. You didn’t have to look up to know who it was.

“Busy, I see,” Kuroo drawled, setting his own drink down on the table as if he’d been invited. “You working on a new Kiss Book entry? Or are you finally going to let me take you out so you can write about your own experience for once?”

You huffed, keeping your eyes glued to your notes. “I think you’ve confused me with one of your fan club members. I’m not interested in being your latest conquest.”

He leaned in, resting his chin in his hand, eyes gleaming with amusement. “I don’t want you to be my conquest. I want you to be my favorite.”

The nerve of this guy.

You finally met his gaze, unimpressed. “And what makes you think I’d even entertain that idea?”

He grinned, sharp and playful. “Because I’m the only guy on this campus you haven’t written about in a way that matters.”

Your jaw clenched. He wasn’t wrong, but that wasn’t the point. You weren’t about to stroke his ego like everyone else. “Maybe that’s because you’re not worth writing about.”

“Ouch, cold.” He mockingly clutched his chest, then leaned back in his chair, still watching you like he was figuring you out. “I gotta admit, I like the way you think.”

You rolled your eyes, reaching for your drink to ignore the heat rising to your cheeks. Kuroo was annoying, sure. But you couldn’t deny that there was something... different about the way he focused on you. Like you were the only puzzle he hadn’t solved yet, and it was driving him insane.

“You know,” he started again, tapping his fingers on the table, “I don’t mind being a footnote in your Kiss Book. But I’d much rather be the story.”

Your eyes snapped to his, his words lingering in the air between you. Kuroo wasn’t playing the same game as before. He wasn’t just trying to get your attention. He was serious.

The intensity in his gaze caught you off guard, and for a moment, you didn’t know what to say. But you weren’t about to let him win that easily.

“You’ll have to work a lot harder for that,” you replied, standing up and grabbing your bag. “I don’t just hand out chapters to anyone.”

His grin widened as he watched you leave. “Challenge accepted.”

[ ©𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐧𝐠. all rights reserved, september 2024. do not steal, repost, nor claim as your own! ]

Chapter one: Plunging back into the darkness

Word count: 3.7k

Category: hard angst, smut

Chapter warnings: a bit of smut, drugs, mentions of medicine and hospitals

Summary: There are three hot guys who want to be with you, however, there are a few problems along the way. One of them is a plug, another one wants to keep you all to himself and the third one - a med student who deals drugs on the side. Your main problem, though? You have a terminal illness that has a very low life expectancy. Spiraling down a dangerous path seems like a fun way to spend your last years.

Next chapter ->

Series masterlist

It‘s depressing. The walls are white and blank of any pictures, posters, drawings – anything. It‘s constant and monotonous, boring. The smell is always the same too – something old, disinfectant and cleanliness. It’s always dim, too. You like visitor days — the smell and mood in the hospital changes, then. You love it the most during the holidays though. It’s as if even people who hadn’t had visitors in a while suddenly have a line of people desperate to see them. The mix of perfumes, smell of the food that isn’t the bland kind the hospital provides and their natural body odor makes you sick most of the time, but your days are still a bit brighter. 

It’s just a bit before Halloween when Mattsun visits you again. You’re sitting in your bed in sweatpants and an Aoba Johsai hoodie, which you got from none other but the dark haired man standing right before you.  

“Hey,” he greets you, casual as always. Issei’s dressed in black baggy jeans with an oversized dark green hoodie, hair as messy as always – a bit longer than it was during high school – and countless rings adorning his long fingers. You notice he’s still wearing the one you’ve had gifted him for one of his birthdays – a dainty forget-me-not on a silver band, contrasting with the massive skulls and snakes on the other rings. 

“Hey, Mattsun,” you respond, a small smile finding its way to your face. The pastel yellow hospital room always seems a bit brighter when he’s around, even when he doesn’t fit into the room properly. His frame looks surprisingly big in this tiny room, which only contains a bed, one uncomfortable chair, a table beside it, a tiny closet and a small tv. He seems out of place in the dull establishment. 

“I’ve brought you a few things,” he finally says, sitting down beside you and taking off his backpack. Your eyebrow raises up. It’s not unusual for him to bring you snacks or books, but your intuition tells you that today it’s something different. 

You’re right. Issei pulls out a string of fairy lights, but instead of the round bulbs  it’s tiny jack-o-lanterns that should light up once you plug the lights in. And then he pulls out a fluffy black blanket with a bunch of small skeletons drawn all over it. 

“Thought your room could use a little bit of décor during the spooky season,” he grins, same as always and you can’t help but pull him into a hug. He knew you had a bunch of medical tests during Halloween and he couldn’t even take you out after — long work hours and all. This was his way of saying sorry, of apologizing for making you spend one of your favorite holidays alone. 

“Ah, Mattsun, thank you, these are amazing,” you lift up the blanket, admiring the happy little skeletons. He helps you put up the fairy lights and then you sit back down again. Today, you don’t really have the energy to go outside and walk around in the park around the hospital. Mattsun doesn’t really mind though, or at least he seems not to, absentmindedly playing with your hair as if curling and uncurling your strands was the most entertaining activity in the world. 

“Oikawa is throwing a Halloween party so him, Makki and Iwa probably won’t show up. I’m working and I’ll only be out when the visiting hours are over. You sure you don’t wanna invite over Lev or some other friend?” 

You boop his nose and give him a loop-sided smile, “Lev’s in New York right now. I’m fine with spending Halloween alone and I don’t want my friends to skip parties just ‘cause I’m lonely. Besides, I’ll probably be irritable after all the tests, anyways,”

Issei stays silent for a moment and then his eyes light up, as if he’s connected two dots in his head.

“The pretty medical student’s group is having rotations at the hospital during Halloween, right?” it seems like he couldn’t be more delighted as you bury your head in his shoulder, not wanting to see his self-satisfied smirk. 

“Maybe you’re right,” you grumble, “or maybe you’re wrong.”

He lifts up your face with one huge hand to squish your cheeks. His hand is scorching hot. It always surprises you. It’s like Issei’s body temperature is abnormally high.

“That’s why you didn’t seem down at all  when I told you I had work during Halloween!” Issei says, still too enthusiastic to have found out your big secret, “Y/N, you know you’ll be a real bitch if you replace me with that trust-fund pretty rich bitch boy, right? And that I get jealous easily?” He shakes your face, side to side, “Right?”

You turn your face to the left, then to the right until he lets you go, and then you stick your tongue out. 

“That was a whole lot of epithets to describe a person you don’t know,” you poke fun of him, as if you hadn’t found about a thousand ways to describe how handsome he was during long evenings spent with Issei, “Besides, I was grieved, you hear? Grieved and languished when I found out you were working during Halloween, but… The pretty trust-fund kid relieved my pain by like… 15 percent,”

“And you still haven’t talked to him…” Mattsun drawls, “You just watch him and then tell me how he’s so pretty and oh, how his bed-head looks so nice, but you haven’t said more than a “hello” to him,”

“I’ll talk to him, eventually. For now I just gotta look pretty and smart. Who knows, maybe he’ll talk to me first,” you retort and cross your arms.

“Or you could just talk to him,” Mattsun leans back until he’s basically laying down in your tiny bed, “I’m sure he steals glances at you too, not exactly a lot of attractive med students and you’re a bit above average.” He chuckles. 

“Hey!” you poke his side, hard and Issei grabs you by the waist and pulls you on top of him, making you giggle. 

“Okay, way above average. Some people might even say you’re attractive,” he raises his arms defensively and then puts them on the small of your back, rubbing gentle circles.

“Some people?” he nods, “But not you?”

“Maybe I do too,” he wonders, “But if I tell you, you’ll get all blushy, giggly and shit,” he kisses your nose, gently and you let out a sigh, “And I have work soon,” Issei gives you another kiss, this time on one of your cheeks. 

“So?” you ask, eyes all big and doe-like. It makes Issei give you a lopsided smile. 

“So, if you get all blushy and giggly,” he rolls over and now you’re trapped under him, looking up with lust-blown eyes,, “I’ll get hard and that’s not exactly a problem I can get rid of in five mins.”

You bite your bottom lip and lift your pelvis to grind against his growing erection. Issei lets out a grunt. 

Your relationship is weird. Occasionally you have sex, go on unofficial dates when you feel strong enough to, and all his friends know you’re off-limits. But you’re not official. And the wonderings as to why that is, find their way into your mind way too often. Friends with benefits? Yeah, sure, if friends with benefits are that emotionally attached to each other. 

Not today, not now though - you don’t let yourself wander off. You’re only focused on Mattsun’s lips kissing and nipping away at your neck. 

“Maybe I want you to get hard,” you whisper in his ear and give it a nip.

“You’re a minx, you know that?” he takes some skin in between his teeth and bites. Hard. 

“Ow, you asshole,” you swat at his chest, only causing him to chuckle, “That’ll leave a mark.”

Issei licks the bite mark he just left, as if that will make it better. 

“Yeah it better. Don’t need no pretty rich boys stealing away my girl,” and then he finally kisses you on the lips. He tastes the same as always – marlboro gold cigarettes and citrus flavored gum. Comfortingly familiar. 

“Your girl?” you question, in between kisses. Your whole body feels warm just at the name. You know you shouldn’t overthink it, but you can’t help it. It feels so good to be called his girl.

“Yeah, what about it?” he smirks and rewards you with another kiss on the lips, making you part yours and give him full access. Citrus floods your tastebuds and you moan into his mouth. 

One of his hands travels from your back and slowly reaches into your sweatpants, finding your panties - unsurprisingly - wet. 

His fingers circle around your clit and you break the kiss, your head leaning back and lips soundlessly parting from the sudden pleasure. 

Before you can give an answer to Issei’s previous question or let those few minutes before he has to leave turn into much more fun activities - there’s a knock on the door. 

Immediately, you’re off of him and on your feet. Mattsun sits up and then the door opens. 

A young nurse walks in, carrying a glass of water and a bunch of colorful pills. 

“Oh, sorry Y/N, didn’t know you’d have visitors. Matsukawa,” she acknowledges the man on your bed, having seen Issei enough times to recognize him, “Time for meds,” she puts them on the bedside table alongside with the water glass and you let out a sigh of relief. Pain was kicking your ass for the past hour.

She stares at you for a bit, her eyes focus on your neck and slightly widen. Your hand instinctively lifts up to cover the hickey Issei left.

She leaves without acknowledging it further. 

Matsukawa lets out a chuckle that slowly turns into a loud, uncontrollable laugh. 

“Now what are you laughing at?” you cock your head to the side, taking the pills and washing them down with big gulps of water. 

“Imagine if she hadn’t knocked.” 

“Then,” you’re on top of Issei again, “She would’ve seen way more than a hickey you left on me,” you giggle.

Issei grunts. 

“Babe, as much as I would like to stay there with you and explore,” his hand trails down, “More fun activities,” he softly kisses your nose and then boops it, “I gotta go to work- have an evening shift today,” 

“Yeah yeah, go make coffee for rich snobs,” you respond, finally standing up and letting Issei do the same.

He smoothed out his clothing, a confident grin finding its way to Mattsun’s face.

“What?”

“Admiring my work” 

You kick at him, but he catches your ankle just at the right time, squeezing it until you yelp and then he let’s go.

“Asshole,”

“Yeah yeah, you love me,” before you can debunk his statement, Issei is at the door, “Who knows, maybe one of those rich snobs,” he mocks you by making his voice higher, “Will be your pretty med student,” 

“Doubt it!” 

“I’ll tell you if a pretty snob with a bed-head comes in,” Issei retorts and he’s out the door before the slipper you’ve thrown can reach him. 

You sigh and fall back to your bed, curling into a ball. The pain is back and it seems that the meds didn’t really help. Well, at least you’ve managed to keep it together until Issei left. Good. 

***

Halloween comes quickly and the hospital empties. A lot of people go back home for the holiday and you’re thankful.

After all the medical tests you went through in the morning, you’re still grumpy and the silence is enjoyable, rather than eerie.

You’ve had an hour until med students came in for practice, but that passes quickly. 

You fix up your clothes, jumping into a pair of jeans that make your ass look great and a comfy sweater. Not overdressed, just pretty enough for the handsome med student.

Whose name you’ll ask. Well, if you gather enough courage, anyways. You can’t keep letting Mattsun tease you.

You’re out the door of your hospital room, notebook and pen in hands, head lifted up. A deep breath, reminding yourself that you deserve to be in the med student practice as much as others do. 

What they don’t know won’t hurt them. And as far as they’re concerned, you’re one of them and don’t spend half your time in the hospital as a patient.

Today you’re divided into smaller groups. You’re supposed to observe surgeries and take notes. You wonder what kind of surgery you’ll have to watch today. Skin graft ones are the worst and you pray that today, it’s not one of those. 

Your hopes are killed and buried 6 feet under, when you walk into the designated operating room. Of course it’s a fucking skin graft surgery. The man laying on the operating table has a nasty burn on his cheek. The skin is raised with a  leathery texture and is dark brown in colour. Third degree burns. 

Although, maybe fortune isn’t fully mocking you - the pretty med student is here, alongside a few others. His bed-head is wilder than ever before and bags under his eyes could put a raccoon to shame. 

You remember that you’re standing at the door and instantly move, not wanting to make it more awkward than it already was. Did he notice you staring? Hopefully not. 

You stand closer to him than other students. He glances down at you, golden brown eyes quizzically. You want to punch yourself. Thoughts running through your head wildly. Don’t look like a creep, Y/N fucking speak, damn it.

“You look like death. Do skin graft surgeries make you a bit sick too?” you manage to say, voice higher than intended.

The corners of his lips twitch up, “No, just a long night.” 

You raise one of your eyebrows up and he chuckles. 

“Not like that. Was helping a friend out. You, on the other hand, look like you just saw death.” 

Hah. A clever joke. You just called him death a second before. You open your mouth to answer, but then the surgeon walks into the room and you’re left without the satisfaction of a snarky comeback. 

“Okay, you guys already know what kind of surgery we’re doing today and if you don’t - get the fuck out of this room,” surgeon’s words earn a few laughs and his eyes crinkle in a smile, which is not visible beneath the mask, “Does anyone know what kind of grafts we’ll be using?” 

You know the answer. Time to leave a good impression on the trust-fund kid.

“You’ll be using full-thickness grafts,” you manage to respond and the surgeon nods.

“And why is that?”

“The burn is on the face of the patient, it’s not too big and, uh, full-thickness grafts tend to have a better cosmetic outcome than split-thickness grafts.” 

“That’s right,” the surgeon nods and the dark-haired guy leans down, to whisper directly into your ear,

“Smart and cute? Maybe practice won’t be so boring, after all.” 

Your cheeks burn and you have to bite the inside of your cheek to avoid the bright smile creeping its way onto your face.

“I have way more, um, good qualities than just being smart and cute.” you respond, not letting him get the upper hand in the situation. You still have to find out if he’s flirting or just teasing, though.

“I’d like to find out, those… Personality traits of yours,” he replies.

Yes, flirting, definitely flirting. Maybe, just maybe, Mattsun’s advice to talk to him wasn’t all that bad.

“I’m L/N Y/N,” you introduce yourself, putting your hand out for a handshake and for the sole purpose of finally putting a name to his face. 

“Kuroo Tetsuro,” he smiles and takes your hand into one of his huge ones. It’s surprisingly warm; comfortingly so.

One step further to getting to know the mysterious Kuroo Tetsuro. You’ll have to tell Issei about this

***

A week or so after Halloween, Lev takes you out. He has a week of vacation, so he uses it to get back to Tokyo and you two choose the best day to spend together, which is hard; taking into account that you’re a hospital patient and he’s busy with his modelling job. Yet somehow, you manage. 

“How’s your health?” he asks, tone reminding you of your mom. He has your hand in his and you’re thankful. Your energy is quite low today so the support tall man provides is helpful. Lev’s green eyes study you, as if that would help him find all the answers he sought. 

“Can we not talk about hospital stuff when we’re out? I wanna enjoy my time with you.” 

Lev lets out an awkward chuckle, his free hand finding its way to his platinum hair.

“Sure, sure,” he says and pats your head, “I’m glad to see you. Really missed you.” 

“Aw, Lev, I missed you too,” you say, voice sweet and a smile playing on your lips, “I saw your most recent photos on Instagram. Almost one million likes? People must love you!”

He shrugs, “They just love my face. The few interviews I’ve done aren’t nearly as popular as my photos.” 

You can’t help but laugh, “Don’t complain. Not a lot of us can make money off of our faces alone!” 

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Lev answers, absentmindedly and then suddenly lights up, “Hey! How’s it going with that handsome med student? Don’t tell me you still haven’t talked to him.” 

“I have actually!” Lev’s facial expression turned to surprise, “Oh, don’t be so shocked. I even asked him for his name!” 

“And?”

“And what?” you cock your head to the side, a bit confused.

“What’s his name, dumbass?” he gently flicks your forehead and you frown,

“Oh! Oh, it’s Kuroo Tetsuro.”

Lev suddenly stops and fully turns to you.

“Kuroo? Black hair, kinda tall, always with a bed-head?”

“I- Yeah. Also, not kinda tall-“

“Shorter than me,” Lev interrupts and before you can respond that everyone is shorter than him, he continues, “He was the captain of my high school volleyball team, a really good guy actually, surprising, since you usually like assholes.” 

Lev doesn’t like Mattsun; Mattsun doesn’t like Lev. Silly conflicts from high school and such. Before you can argue that Issei is, in fact, not an asshole, Lev turns to you, face painted with worry.

“Listen, I can’t talk from experience since I haven’t seen him since he, uh, graduated, but I’ve heard he’s doing some real  shady business now.” 

“But he’s a med student,” you frown.

“Yeah, being a med student doesn’t really make you immune to doing shady things,”

“Maybe- maybe they’re just rumours,” you reckon and Lev shakes his head. It’s unusual for him to be so serious.

You’re going past a run-down skate park when he looks around and quickens his step, almost dragging you with him.

“Ah, Lev, I can’t go that fast. Why are you-“

The tall man’s eyes are focused on a person, who’s leaving the skate park and coming straight towards you.

“Sorry, I’m sorry,” he says, not slowing down, “See that man over there? Suna Rintarou. I really, really don’t want to deal with him right now.” 

“Okay,” you say, in between breaths, “Okay.”

Lev is calculated and cold, but you’re beginning to panic. What could be so bad about meeting Lev’s acquaintance?

Well, you’re about to find out because the tall man, Suna, you remember, catches up to you. 

Lev stops in his tracks, stepping in front of you; his height almost covering you.

“What do you want, Suna?”

The man clad in worn-down blue jeans and a bomber jacket full of patches, smirks. There’s a cigarette, hanging from his lips. No, not a cigarette. A blunt. If you had more time to collect your thoughts, you’d even say he’s stupidly handsome.

“What? I can’t say hello to my old friend? Didn’t you miss me, Lev?'' His voice, saccharine as can be, cuts through the tension like a sharp knife. 

“No, not even a bit,” Lev answers, voice cold and devoid of any emotion.

“I need a favour.” Suna says, not waltzing around with words.

“No.”

“Not even gonna listen to what favour I want to ask for?”

“No,” Lev answers once again, firmly. His hand finds yours once again and squeezes, hard, “Frankly, we should keep going.” 

“Ah, don’t be like that. Hey! Maybe your friend will help. What do you say, sweetheart?”

The pet name sounded so condescending, but it’s in your nature to help people. Too kind, as Lev often said.

“No-“ Lev begins and at the same time you answer:

“Y-yeah?” You can’t help but stutter. God, where is your voice when you need it the most? You stand beside Lev now, not hiding anymore.

Suna takes in your appearance, humming in thought.

He grabs your glove-clad hand and before you can answer, yanks you towards him. You almost trip and Lev is about to rip Suna’s head off when the black-haired man unbuttons two buttons of your coat and puts something inside your inner pocket. One of his hands brush against your skin and it’s ice cold. You shiver and take a step back from him. Lev is seething. 

“They’re doing a raid. And I’ve already been caught a couple of times. Can’t do jail time. And who’s gonna think such a sweet looking girl has drugs? Nah, man.”

Drugs. You have drugs in your inner pocket.

Lev pulls you close to him and is about to take the baggie out of your pocket and tell Suna to shove it up his ass, when the distinct figure of a police officer begins walking closer to you. 

You blanch, legs feeling like jelly.

“Right on time,” Suna drawls as he smiles down at you.

The police officer gets closer with each passing breath. 

You’re screwed. 

Summary: There are three hot guys who want to be with you, however, there are a few problems along the way. One of them is a plug, another one wants to keep you all to himself and the third one - a med student who deals drugs on the side. Your main problem, though? You have a terminal illness that has a very low life expectancy. Spiraling down a dangerous path seems like a fun way to spend your last years.

Category: Hard angst, smut

Series warnings: major character death, hospitals, terminal illness, drugs and dealing of drugs, alcohol and consumption of alcohol, smoking, detailed smut daddy kink, choking. (Will add more as series progresses). 

What to know about the series: Reader has an unknown terminal illness so she stays at the hospital most of the time. Kuroo and Mattsun are 22, reader and Suna are 21. Action takes place in Tokyo, though reader attended Aoba Johsai before moving. Series contains unrealistic portrayal of the hospital, terminal illnesses and drugs. 

Issei Matsukawa: 3rd year mortuary science student. Friends with benefits relationship that you and him have going on sure is sweet and hearing him call you “my girl” makes you melt, but why is he so hesitant to actually date you?

Tetsuro Kuroo: 3rd year med student who has medical practice at your hospital. He’s the perfect guy - sweet, caring and charismatic, but can he keep you away from the drug dealing business he’s so deeply involved with?

Rintaro Suna: A drug dealing skater with an addicting personality. You always crave his attention and love the fact that he doesn’t treat you as if you’re made out of glass. But won’t being with Suna lead you down a dark path?

Lev Haiba: Your best friend since as long as you can remember. Currently working on a sweet modelling job in New York. Yet, no matter how much he trusts you, Lev can’t seem to tell you why he doesn’t trust Kuroo and Suna and wants them as far away from you as possible. 

Tooru Oikawa: Your ex boyfriend. You ended the relationship after learning that he cheated, but after a few years, you two are on good terms. Your problem with him? He doesn’t like any of the guys you fancy. 

Keiji Akaashi: Old friend who you used to work with, when you were in your 1st year of college and currently - journalism student and Suna’s roomate. He seems to like Suna, but somehow still wants to keep you away from him.

Chapter one “Plunging back into the darkness”

Chapter two “The soul in my heart's proof of life”

Chapter three: “Lock your doors”

Chapter two: The soul in my heart's proof of life

Word count: 2.8k

Category: hard angst, smut

Chapter warnings: drugs, mentions of medicine and hospitals, descriptions of drugs

Summary: There are three hot guys who want to be with you, however, there are a few problems along the way. One of them is a plug, another one wants to keep you all to himself and the third one - a med student who deals drugs on the side. Your main problem, though? You have a terminal illness that has a very low life expectancy. Spiraling down a dangerous path seems like a fun way to spend your last years.

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Series masterlist

"Right on time," Suna drawls as he smiles down at you.

The police officer gets closer with each passing breath. You’re screwed.

Or maybe not yet. The police officer is an older man – that much you can tell from the way his dark hair is peppered with gray streaks and the small wrinkles under his dark eyes. He’s smiling as he looks you up and down, making you feel plain dirty. You hated older men in power; gave them too much of an ego boost. Yet, you didn’t want to go down for drug charges so you batted your lashes and mustered your sweetest smile, while cursing yourself out in your mind.

"Hello there," he nods at you three, but his beady eyes are staring only at you.

"Hello officer," greets Suna, the blunt hanging from his lips long gone and forgotten, "What brings you here today?"

The man chuckles. They’re familiar with each other. It’s the same man that caught Suna with drugs the first two times.

"You know the drill. Stand straight and spread your arms." Suna obeys and stands in the position the officer has requested. He’s calm. Of course he is - his drugs are in your coat pocket. The officer keeps shooting you glares and Lev wraps his long arm around your waist, pulling you into him. You let out a tiny sigh of relief. Lev won’t let anything bad happen to you.

When the officer is done patting Suna down, his brow quirks up, "You have nothing on you this time?"

"What can I say, officer, I’m a changed man. Accepted God as my saviour and et cetera."

"Yeah, don’t give me that shit," the man rolls his eyes and wraps his big coat around himself tighter. It seems that the temperature is dropping, "You guys with him?"

"Uh, yeah. We’re friends," Lev answers, with a smile as sweet as can be. The officer has to look up to see Lev’s face and it almost makes you laugh.

“So you deal drugs too?" the officer asks, half-heartedly.

Your nerves spike up, but Lev grips your side tighter and gives you a telling glare saying it’s a joke, relax.

You giggle and shake your head. "No, we usually don’t", you answer with your own joke, making the officer smile wider.

"Good, stay out of trouble. Don’t think it’s necessary to pat you down, although, I’d like to," he gives you a wink and you can almost hear Lev’s jaw clench, big hand squeezing your waist tighter. Suna and you exchange quick glances and he subtly shakes his head. Don’t give him attitude.

"Maybe some other time," a hundred watt smile is gifted from you to the creepy officer; you just hope that he finally fucks off.

"Yeah, maybe. Uh, you guys have a good day. Don’t make me catch ya with drugs again, Rintarou," with the last glance at you, the dark-haired man turns away from your little group and leaves.

An uncomfortable silence hangs over you and you have to wait until the man is far enough to not hear you.

"So, you’re on first name basis with a creepy officer?” Your panic that probably fried more nerves than humanly possible comes out in the form of a joke but before Suna can answer, Lev is letting you go and grabbing Suna’s jacket, almost pulling the man up from the ground with brute strength,

"You motherfucker, you pull shit like that again and I’ll beat you to a fucking pulp."

"Lev-"

Lev briefly turns to you.

"This fuckhead just slipped a baggie of god knows what into your coat, don’t you dare give me that "everything’s okay" attitude, Y/N," Lev’s voice gets comically higher when he mimics your words and you purse your lips, shaking your head. The blonde knew you too damn well.

"Listen, Haiba, I don’t know why you have such a bad impression of me, but I fucking knew he wasn’t gonna pat her down, I wouldn’t put random people, especially pretty damn girls in unecessary danger, okay?"

Your face burns — It’s unbelievable how he manages to flirt when Lev is seconds from breaking his nose. You just silently observe with trembling hands. You never saw Lev like that. He was always this kind of dumb happy-go-lucky dude and just him raising his voice was unusual, not counting the threats he was spouting.

Though, thankfully, Lev doesn’t seem to catch the pretty remark, his handsome face scrunching up at Suna’s excuses. "Yeah, not putting people in unnecessary danger my ass. You do this again, you’re fucked," Lev repeats his words and pushes Suna away. The black-haired man stumbles but manages to keep his footing.

"Got it," Rintarou lifted up his arms as if he got caught doing something he shouldn’t. His tone is condescending and you feel like he doesn’t count on keeping his promise.

Lev reaches for you and you flinch. His big, forest-green eyes widen and he shakes his head.

"It’s okay, Y/N, it’s okay," he assures you.

"See, all your yelling scared her. We could’ve just talked it out like normal people."

Lev doesn’t acknowledge him.

"I’m sorry for screaming. Didn’t mean to scare you, I’m sorry," you nod, looking up at him, "Give me the bag and then we can go. I’ll make it up to you, yeah?"

You nod again and your fingers reach into the inner coat pocket, taking out a small baggie filled with white powder handing it to Lev, who then turns to Suna, just standing with his hands stuffed into his bomber jacket’s pockets. Lev examines the contents of the baggie and scowls and throws it at Suna, who catches it without any trouble, burying it in his jacket pocket carelessly.

"So you’re dealing Phencyclidine again?"

"Good eye," Rintarou nods, "I prefer the name ‘Angel Dust’, though. Sounds pretty, makes people wanna buy it," Suna explains unmindfully, as if he’s not currently discussing hard drugs.

"Figured you couldn’t last long on only selling weed. Though, even I thought you’d stop after the accident. Quite stupid of me." a frown finds it’s way unto Suna’s calm face and Lev grabs your hand, tugging you away. You’re even more confused than you were before and you give Suna one last look.

The man looks sorrowful, eyes far away and lost in thought. "T’was an accident, you know it" he mutters, as Lev finally pulls you away, not letting up until you reach a small coffee shop.

You let him drag you inside, the warmth instantly hitting you. Your head is spinning and legs are weak so Lev attentively sits you down, takes off your coat and scarf, orders two drinks — already knowing your order by heart — and sits down in front of you. You look around, head pounding, noticing that Lev has purposefully chosen a quiet corner booth for you two. He searches for something in his jeans pocket and slides a pill across the table. You manage to lift up an eyebrow, words a scramble in your head, unable to form into sentences. That was way too much stress for you to handle.

"Pain killers, will help you think straight and relieve the side effects of the stress you just went through." You trust him, sometimes, you trust him too much. You obediently swallow the tiny white pill, not needing any water to wash it off. You two drink your drinks in silence, only the quiet jazz music and snippets of other people’s conversations interrupting your quietude. Your head clears and your hands stop shaking so the pill seems to be working. Good.

"Ask away." Lev finally utters, eyes searching your face. You don’t know what he’s looking for and you probably don’t want to know.

"Why do you dislike Suna?" your tone is calm, mind a bit fuzzy from the pill you had just taken.

"He deals drugs and is a scumbag in general."

"What was the accident you mentioned, then?"

Lev shakes his head, pursing his plump lips, "Can’t tell you that, sorry."

"Why?" you feel like a detective and the questions in your head keep coming and coming.

"Made a promise?"

"To who?"

"Kuroo."

You freeze and raise your eyebrows up. It was like you had a bunch of different threads but no way to tie them together. You were really too exhausted to try and the questions you had in your head, the schemes on how to find out the whole plan were mangled all together and made your head pound.

"You really scared me out there. I’ve never ever saw you lash out like that." you confess, unable to look into his eyes, choosing to count colorful floor tiles instead. You never thought you’d be saying words like that to Lev, but you were always unable to lie to him.

"Again, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you it’s just that- He’s a bad man, Y/N. I lose my temper when I have to interact with him and the things that would’ve happened if the officer caught you with a bag of-"

"He didn’t" you cut Lev’s rant off, finally looking up.

"Y/N-"

"Listen," your voice is firm, "I’m not always this happy, kind person, yeah? It’s not gonna be all flowers and rainbows if real shit happens, but I can stand up for myself. We didn’t get caught and you got to scream at Suna. That’s it."

"But you could’ve-"

"Could’ve, yeah. I know that you want me to be mad, but I won’t. Spent too much damn time on that, let me be this ‘romanticised, rom-com fairytale, forgives-everything version’ of myself for these last few years." you spew completely random words and explanations as Lev’s eyes widen and one of his hands finds yours, lacing your fingers together and squeezing hard.

"Don’t even say that. You can be whatever you want to be, I won’t argue with you again, but never say anything about it being your last years."

You snort and Lev looks baffled.

"You see what stress does to me? Can’t even function without painkillers anymore and my muscles are still deteriorating at inhumane speed.. But sure, they're gonna find a cure real quick."

The man before you had sad confusion painted all over his perfect, magazine-worthy face.

"I don’t want to make you sad, Lev, I really don’t, but that’s the reality I’m dealing with and the reality that you’re gonna have to deal with."

"I know," he murmurs, face contorting "I just want to live in this rom-com fairytale reality for a bit longer."

You sigh and give him a tired smile.

"You’re my best friend Lev. You’re the only person I can be real with. You’re the only one who won’t turn away from me when I’m not this perfect, polished version of myself."

Lev gives you the same exhausted smile back, his throat thickens, "Yeah, I’m always there for you."

***

Suna comes back to his quiet tiny apartment and doesn’t even turn on the lights. Just kicks off his shoes, takes off his jacket, goes straight to his room and splays down on the creaky bed. Ideally, Suna would live alone, but rent in Tokyo, even in the worse parts of it, was expensive as fuck and his roomate, Akaashi Keiji, was a perfect person to share it with - quiet, cool and funny, not caring about all of the clients coming. Even now he was cooking something up in the kitchen, probably accompanied with a big cup of coffee, getting ready to work another long night.

There’s a knock on Suna’s door and he lets out a long sigh, "Yeah?"

Akaashi opens the door and looks Rintarou up and down, raising his eyebrows. "I, uh, made ramen. Left some for you on the stove,” Akaashi considers leaving the man alone knowing that he prefers to deal with problems alone, but Keiji’s gut is telling him to ask, "Everything okay with you?"

Suna sits up and just shakes his head. He doesn’t know what pushes him to confess everything. Maybe it’s a slight pang of guilt, or maybe it’s the pain he feels everytime he bottles his emotions up, "I- Ran into Lev when an officer was about to do a drug check on me. He was with this girl… Just slipped a bag of angel dust into her pocket. Knew they wouldn’t check her, yeah? But then Lev went fucking wild and shit and she looked really scared and stressed."

Akaashi fully opens the door and sits down on the dull, gray armchair. "Oh, Lev’s back in the city, then," Akaashi’s eyes widen a bit as he acknowledges the fact and stays silent for a bit, probably trying to make a mental note on it, "You usually don’t get bothered about what other people are feeling," he says, after a moment of silence.

Suna turns to Akaashi and shakes his head, long hair falling in front of his big, moss green eyes. "I don’t. But, man…" Suna groans, "She didn’t get mad at me and even tried to calm Lev down and shit. It was weird, I don’t know."

"Hm."

"Hm?"

Akaashi crosses and uncrosses his legs and then shakes his head, thoughts rattling in his head.

"I think you feel bad ‘cause she was nice and because of the events you caused, she got scared, no? It’s rare that people treat you right, unless they want to sleep with you or get a discount on drugs," He finally offers and Suna’s nonchalant expression changes into a shocked one.

"You could be a fucking psychiatrist, damn it."

Akaashi gives his roommate a small smile and stands up, stretching a bit, "Gonna go edit for a moment. Don’t forget to eat, Suna, yeah?"

Suna gives him a non-committal nod and lays back once again, mind wandering off. Lev’s last words really ingrained into his mind.

***

After Lev takes you back to the hospital, your next few days are filled with a bunch of new tests and a bunch of painkillers that make everything fuzzy; slipping in and out of sleep, only getting up to go to the toilet, eat, or spend a few hours watching tv or reading a book.

It’s easier this way. Doctors said that the stress you went through really damaged your state of health and no matter how much they asked for the source of the stress — you didn’t answer them, pretending that it was as much of a shock for you, as it was for them. Of course, it was temporary and you would be okay, or, as okay as you can be, in a few days. That meant skipping med practice, though.

You’re lying in bed, when your phone beeps. You grunt and pick it up. Maybe Issei had time to visit you, but if you remember correctly - he was working with no free days this week. Maybe Lev then? Akaashi?-

Your eyes almost pop out of your school when you see who texted you. You almost squeal with joy with the instagram notification. It’s a message from username “kuroo_t” and name “Kuroo T.”,. How official of him, you can’t help but let out an embarrassing girly giggle. Oh, he followed you too. Nice. Your finger lingers on the unopened message for a moment, until you finally press it.

Oh. Your face burns. He noticed you were gone, despite you guys only having one conversation. Now you just had to think of a good enough excuse, which was hard, considering the fact that you were currently fangirling. Hard.

He sees your message instantly and starts typing. You exit the chat, the need to stalk his profile way too strong.

Not a private account. His profile picture seems almost professionally taken, but his other pictures - not so much. Some travelling, photos with friends from med practice and if you schroll far down - stuff to do with high school volleyball. Oh, he’s hot. Not hotter than he is in real life, but still so damn attractive. You stop when you scroll to the picture of him with two other guys - one with spiky gray hair, carrying Kuroo in his arms like a baby and another one is just standing there, his gunmetal eyes staring at the camera disapprovingly, but his subtle smile says it all - he’s having fun too.

You couldn’t believe this coincidence. You and Kuroo had mutual friends, which meant that you were gonna do an interrogation on Akaashi, to learn everything interesting about him. A message pops up. Oh, your mind wandered off.

Maybe your mind-set of “you only live once” finally did you some favours, because now you had a date set with one of the hottest guys ever.

taglist: @heizenka @icelyn20 @strawbberyys​

sksk the last message from kuroo shouldn’t have the “and”, so let’s just pretend it’s not there 💀