“Near, far, wherever you are- you can stay there.” Haru & Kenma
Oh, boy howdy this is a mishmash of characters! I had this song on a loop while writing. Enjoy! :D
Haru regards the situation with a clinical gaze. There are too many people in his house, and no way to kick them all out without causing a fuss. He stares at Kisumi, standing a few steps away as Haru makes up some snacks, and decides to deal with him first. This whole get together was his idea, after all.
“Near, far, wherever you are, you can fucking stay there.” Haru hears Kenma titter behind him, trying to mask a genuine laugh. It warms his heart a little bit.
“Rude, Haru,” Kisumi replies. He’s more than used to Haru’s dismissals at this point.
“Funny,” Kenma says, peeking out from around Haru. It is just like Kisumi to be crushing on two of the most difficult people he has ever encountered. Kisumi regards them both for a moment before wandering to the other side of the kitchen in order to fetch drinks.
“You’re not gonna get rid of me that easily,” he mutters. Both Haru and Kenma blush a little at the thought of Kisumi sticking around. Maybe having people over wasn’t so terrible, in the end.
—
“Man, that Kisumi can’t seem catch a break,” Rin cackles from the living room, having heard the first part of the exchange.
“You are in no position to talk,” Gou replies icily.
“Oh shut up. At least my crush isn’t as hopeless.”
“Rin, I literally just watched you trip over your shadow, bite your tongue, and sputter his name in greeting. You’re worse.” Rin glares at his sister for a moment before sighing in defeat.
“He’s just… Tall. And lean. And kind of perfect.” Gou grimaces at the red staining her brother’s face. His crush on Kuroo is a natural disaster. She has to text the update to Chigusa, who’s stuck at work, right away.
—
Sousuke has the distinct advantage of watching all of his friends fall apart while he sits beside Gou, perfectly content, with all of his shit together. He’s waiting for Makoto to finally make his move - with his boyfriend Seijuurou’s enthusiastic encouragement.
The progress between the three of them has been slow going, but Sousuke’s okay with that. Makoto and Seijuurou were worth it, without a shadow of a doubt. The casual glances, small touches, and flirtatious texts are fun in their own way, but Sousuke is ready for more. So long as the other two are in agreement, and wanting more as well. Sousuke can be patient, but it looks like Makoto’s just about fed up with patience.
He watches calmly as Makoto and Seijuurou creep closer and sit by him around Haru’s table. Seijuurou is smiling broadly while Makoto fidgets with his own hands. He looks up, then down, then up again, uncertainty clouding his eyes.
“Yes,” Sousuke says, “you don’t even have to ask. Yes, I want to date you both.” Makoto blushes crimson and smiles sweetly, eyes now shining with relief while Seijuurou grins beside him.
“Can we consider dinner tomorrow night our first date?” Makoto asks shyly.
“Absolutely.” Sousuke smiles broadly and settles an arm around Makoto’s shoulders while Seijuurou settles his own arm around Makoto’s hips. Yeah, it feels pretty great to be the member of the group with his shit together.
—
Once the snacks and drinks are laid out on the table, the group settles into cozy conversation. Gou gushes with Sousuke about his date with his two incredible men the following evening, and Kenma settles himself in Haru’s lap, pleasant little smile gracing both of their faces. Rin is trying desperately not to suffer heart failure anytime Kuroo addresses him, which is entertaining in its own way. He’s so hopelessly into Kuroo, it’s sickeningly adorable.
Kisumi can’t help but glance at Haru and Kenma every so often. Haru has his chin hooked over Kenma’s shoulder, face turned slightly to whisper into Kenma’s ear. Kenma shifts every so often to whisper back. Kisumi can’t help but want to be part of that, part of the whispers. Haru catches his eye from across the table and smiles. He tips his head again and says something to Kenma. Kenma crooks a finger at Kisumi, beckoning him towards them. It takes every ounce of self-control he has not to leap across the table. He settles cautiously beside them.
“Stay over with us tonight?” Haru asks all casually. Kisumi isn’t sure he heard right. He hopes he heard right.
“Beg pardon?” he asks for clarification.
“Stay. Near, far, please stay,” Kenma says softly. In answer, Kisumi snuggles into Haru’s side, wrapping his arms around them both. He glances quickly at Sousuke, sharing a knowing smile. Yeah, it felt great to finally have what he’s been hoping and dreaming about for ages.
—
Rin can barely keep himself together tonight. Between the two trios forming around him and Gou texting her girlfriend on sly, it’s all Rin can do not to choke on his drink. Kuroo keeps talking to him, smiling, laughing. He answers as best he can, in awkward stutters. And Kuroo just keeps smiling.
“Hey,” Kuroo says in a hushed tone. Rin’s forced to look up at his face - his ridiculous, pretty face - and swallows hard.
“Uh. Hi?”
“Let’s get out of here. Leave the lovebirds to their own devices.” Rin’s eyes go wide and his heart accelerates at an incredible speed. He doesn’t dare look, but he knows everyone in the room is slyly trying to look at them. Rin just nods.
Gou follows him to the door, announcing she has date plans with Chigusa now that she’s done work. She hugs everyone goodbye and bounces out of the house humming. Rin doesn’t miss the wink she shoots him on her way. It makes him blush harder.
Rin and Kuroo follow suit, without the bouncing. Rin doesn’t miss Sousuke’s abrupt ‘It’s about time’ as the door to Haru’s house closes quietly. They’re halfway down the stairs leading back to the main street when Rin stops, taking a deep breath.
“I like you,” Rin finally blurts out. He feels a hand on his wrist, gently prying his fingers out of the fist he’d made.
“Good. I like you too,” Kuroo says, lacing their fingers together. “Now let’s go, I have a perfectly good couch in my apartment, and I’d very much like to see you sitting on it. What do you say?”
Rin smiles and tugs Kuroo’s hand, almost sprinting down the stairs. For once, he doesn’t stumble or stutter or flail hopelessly. He’s got Kuroo’s hand, and there really isn’t much else he needs. He makes a mental note to send Sousuke and Haru a cheesy selfie, the likes of which will make them both groan.
