nerdy!kuroo × popular!reader (but lowkey nerdy too)
genre: slow-burn fluff | college au | soft academia | mango-coded romance
summary: you used to sit beside him like strangers—until a mango thesis, late night study sessions, and quiet conversations about ester bonds changed everything.
You weren’t exactly close.
For the longest time, you and the guy next to you in Chem-Finance were just… there. Sitting beside each other. Sharing space, but not words.
He was quiet. Diligent. All sharp angles, messy hair, and pen caps always tucked between the teeth. Always scribbling notes with laser focus and mumbling formulas like he was reciting spells.
And you? Well, people might’ve labeled you “popular,” but they didn’t know you stayed up late reading research papers just for fun. Especially anything related to organic chemistry and food science. You didn’t talk about it much—most people tuned out at the word "isomer"—so you kept it to yourself.
Until one day, after weeks of shared silence, you leaned toward him before lecture started and asked, “Hey… random question. Would you help me with a food chemistry thesis?”
He turned to you slowly. “Depends on the fruit.”
You grinned, a little nervous. “Mangoes.”
He froze. Blinked. Then the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Elite choice.”
“You think?”
“Mangoes are chemically fascinating. Ripening rate, sugar-acid balance, volatile compounds—it’s like fruit alchemy.”
That made you perk up, pleasantly surprised. “Exactly! That’s why I picked it. The ester interactions alone could take up an entire section.”
Now he was staring at you like you’d just revealed a hidden level of a video game.
“…You know esters?”
“Um, yeah. I’m majoring in food chemistry and finance.”
He blinked again. “No way. I’m chemistry and finance.”
You both laughed.
After a beat, he added, “You could look at my strawberry thesis if you want. For reference. Similar structural breakdowns.”
“Strawberries? Aren't strawberries... kind of boring?”
“excuse me? they’re a polyploid hybrid with over 600 volatiles and complicated parentage. I liked their duality—how they’re considered berries, but technically aren’t. Plus, they oxidize stupidly fast once cut. They’re a mess.”
You smiled. “That’s why you picked them?”
He looked sheepish for a second. “Also my ex liked them. So I thought maybe if I understood their chemical structure, I’d understand why she sucked.”
You snorted. “You tried to decode heartbreak through fruit?”
“I got an A.”
“That is lowkey impressive.”
From that day on, you brought him a small Tupperware of fresh mango pieces to class. He always accepted them with quiet reverence—and without fail, every time, he’d offer you a mango fun fact.
He announced one morning as you handed over the container, already opening it up and popping the fruit in his mouth “mango trees can live for over 300 years and still bear fruit.”
You paused mid-sip of your coffee, arching a brow with interest. “So basically, they’re the sugar daddies of the plant kingdom.”
Kuroo sputtered around the mango, half-laughing, half-struggling to recover.
You just grinned, grabbing a pen and sliding into your seat beside him. “Resilient and generous. Nature really peaked with that one. Oh and technically, I'm feeding you immortal snacks. How cool is that!”
He wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, smirking. “Cool enough to make me believe in soulmates with a fruit-based origin story.”
You started spending more time together after that. Studying. Swapping notes. Late-night library sessions where he explained reaction mechanisms and you countered with theories about flavor extraction in ripe versus overripe fruit. It was the kind of nerdy chemistry (pun very much intended) that felt easy.
He didn’t talk much at first, but when he did, he was sharp, teasing, and way more sarcastic than you’d expected. The quiet guy beside you turned out to be funny, lowkey cocky, and borderline annoying in the most endearing way.
But he never interrupted your train of thought. Never tried to one-up you. Just matched your energy and let you be.
That alone? Made him addictive company.
So when he turned to you after finance management class one day, scratching the back of his neck, and said, “Hey… there’s a cafe down the street doing a mango-themed menu,” you raised a brow.
“Oh?”
“Mango mousse. Mango sticky rice. All kinds. Thought you might want to join me for some… scientific research.”
You smiled. “Using me as an excuse to eat mangoes?”
“Definitely. Also, I think I’ve officially been conditioned. You feed me mango after class and now my brain expects it.”
You laughed. “Are you asking me out?”
He smirked. “I’m inviting you to assist me in a controlled, mango-based sensory experiment.”
“…That sounds dangerously romantic.”
He shrugged. “Only if the data supports it.”
She gave him a soft smile, "Text me the timings and address. I'll see you later" before turning around and leaving him a smiling fool
oKay but lets say when quarantine started kuroo and you were already living together right
- and then you guys were vibing with each other
- social distancing from all your friends and family and staying safe
-and its been fucking months since quarantine started
- you both decide you need a hair cut right and so y'all give each other one
- kuroo trusts you with his whole heart 
- but seeing you with those scissors is not doing his heart any good
- and his hair style is unique to say the least
- so when youre about to start cutting he gets all nervous
- “babe are you sure this is a good idea? im fine with waiting a while longer”
- “tetsuro, you were just complaining about how your hair is way too long and its getting itchy. so just sit there and relax”
-“okay okay youre right. i trust you”
- so you grab a strand of his hair and right as youre about to clamp down on the scissors
- he moves away and starts again
- “babe are you sure you know what youre doing tho? like i said im good with waiting”
- “testu, baby, didn't you say you trusted me? it'll be fine”
- “yeah i know. im just making sure is all”
- so you grab his hair again and he stands up and is like
- “hM idk if this is a good idea anymore”
- and omg you were gonna kick his ass.
- “kuroo just sit down and relax.”
-he sits back down
-but this time you decide to sit on his lap to make sure he doesn't get up one again
- “uh y/n, what are you doing?”
“what does it look like baka? if i sit on your lap and you move it’ll be your own fault for ruining your hair. so just sit tight okay? i got this babe” you smile and your rather nervous boyfriend and kiss his cheek.
you start talking about anything to distract him from the process of cutting his hair. you tell him that you were almost done with your animal crossing village and that kenma has some good turnip prices. he comments here and there but would rather just listen than make any slight movements that could lead to a mishap.
“okay tetsu, i think im done.” you get off his lap and he turns around to see his hair. it actually came out pretty good. obviously it looked a little blunt but you worked with what you got and made the best out of it.
“woah babe, this actually looks pretty great.”
“duh, it’s because i did it” you could sense his eye roll from a mile away. you heard him move soem stuff around until you see him grab the scissors.
“now it’s your turn my love.” and just seeing that glint in his eye was enough to make you scared for what was to come.
Kuroo and you probs wouldn’t had ended together, if it weren’t for Haiba
The ace wannabe Kuroo’s words unknowingly tricked the two of you into confessing to each other in the same day
How??? We will never know.
This sly mf would never admit it tho, much to the latter’s dismay lmaooo
It’ll probs take time for you two to officially go on a date cuz you’re both busy and all
So when you two finally have time – the hyena-laughing captain decided, he’ll plan the date and said he’ll surprise you
You half-expected him to bring you in some fancy ass restaurant or smth cuz of his reputation and image
But oh boy, oh boy
This roaster-styled hair fcker did indeed surprise you
He told you he’d picked you up from your home and to wear comfortable clothes
What a gentleman and a man of your own heart
And that he did
You two would walk side-by-side, enjoying each other’s company
If you let him, he’d definitely try to hold your hand and intertwined his fingers with yours and vise versa
Maybe he’ll even rant about his team or maybe talk about conspiracy theories about nerd stuffs, the possibilities are endless ✊😌
He’d definitely appreciate it whether you’re just listening to him, asking simple questions, or joining him in the fun of making fun aka roasting of Haiba sksksk
Once you guys reached your destination, you’ll see a picnic set-up under a tree with fairy lights on it that has a lakeside view over the sunset
As cliche as it is, Kuroo is actually a lowkey soft hopeless romantic 🥺
You guys would talk about the randomness things ever throughout the picnic, from theories on how Bokuto’s emo mode works to what other sports would Ujishima play if he didn’t like vb
After eating, you’re the one who puts the plates back to the basket whilst Kuroo distracts you by being grabby and whispering compliments on your ear as you struggle within your willpower to NOT give in
You can’t really be mad at this attention-craved male so you tell him that you’ll give him pets in exchange for helping you pack-up the plates
You never seen someone agree and finish the job so fast, you’re speechless
You can’t help but chuckle when he laid his head down on your lap as you play with his bed hair and scratch his scalp while watching the sunset together
Once it’s night, you’d tell him about the constellations and its mythology while pointing them out on the sky
Eventually, you guys get tired and clean up the place
Kuroo, of course, will offer his jacket as he walks you home
Even if you insist that you’re fine on your own, he’s not risking some weirdos could flirt with you on your way
You’ll get home at midnight cuz you two had so much fun and you guys probs stop by a convenience store for ice cream
You’ll definitely insist on him staying in for the night, only for him to make an inappropriate joke loooool
Whether he decides to stay or not, you’ll kiss him on the forehead as goodnight and maybe cuddle with him on your bed
It’s overall, light and fun. You both will probs have dreams about your dates in the future 😉
- whenever he doesn’t get his way he gets all pouty and it’s fucking adorable
- like baby would ask you for something pretty simple
- like oh do you think you can do this for me
- and you’re like baby i would love too but i’m busy
- and he’s like oH :( but are you sure you can’t make some time
- “tetsu, you know i would but i literally i’m drowning in work right now. i promise i’ll do it later okay?” you kiss his cheek and get back to your things.
- and he’ll like sulk the rest of the day
- like maybe he went to the kitchen to get a snack and will stay in the living room watching a movie
- but like mid movie he goes back to your office and is like 🥺
- and even though he doesn’t say anything to disturb you, you can just feel it
- he’ll probs just sit next to you and just pout silently, hoping you’ll finish faster that way
- and he’s so adorable tho
- like he’ll probs do those little sighs and stare off into space type thing
- and like maybe just like be whine and stuff
- and you’re just there trying not to smile bc lets be honest, it’s the cutest thing you’ve eVER seen
-like tetsu isn’t one to get whiny and pouty over little things like this
- so the few times you can see it, you lowkey tease him the rest of the time
- but you eventually give in bc baby was being so patient even though he lit was trying to mAkE yOu fEeL bAd for being busy
i def got this idea from starboybokuto from their dad!kyou posts and it just made me got all 🥺 bc i just know tetsu would be the cutest fucking dad eVer
like you have a baby girl and he’s so loving and caring. he always wants to be around her and will soemtimes even take her to work ( even though he’s been told off multiple times ) but like he doesn’t even care bc he just wants to show his adorable daughter the world and make her happy
whenever you leave her in tetsu’s care, you always come back to him having butterfly clips in his hair and her just drawing on him with markers and stuff and him just staring at her so fucking lovingly like baby is doing the whole 🥺 face
and he’d def call kenma and be like let me tell you what _____ did today and kenma is also just as obsessed with your kid like when she first started speaking she immediately start calling him uncle kenma and he was like like 🥺😭 mE ??? uNcle kenma ??? kUroo did you hEar what she said to me 😭😭😭 like he was so happy that he didn’t even try to play it off
and she loves bokuto. he comes over all the time to hang with her dad so she got comfy with him and if the two of you ever want to go on a date night bo will be like “dw i’ll babysit!” and they’ll watch some disney movies and it’s v cute
let’s just say dad!kuroo has a village of people who love and care for your kid and it’s be cute 🥺🥺🥺
like y'all have been friends since childhood and you were always doodling and every birthday cards, you would doodle an anime character that you both were currently into or a kitty and he always keeps them bc he thought they were so cute
there's this one card that resonates with him because of the memory its connect with
around his 17 birthday he was having a really tough time. trying to figure out what he wanted to do with his life after high school and how he was going to pay for his future education was stressing him out. he felt very alone and he was slowly starting to spiral. you being one of his closest friends you noticed. and knowing kuroo he wouldn't really want to bother you with his troubles so you decided to do something special for him.
the both of you had decided a couple years ago that you weren't going to get each other birthday gifts bc you felt like your friendship was a gift itself. you guys had met when a whole bunch of shit was going on in both of your families and you were each others safe space.
whenever you felt like the world was crashing on you, kuroo would always invite you over and distract you. he’d make sure you understood that everything was going to get better and that you worrying so much rn wasn't going to do you any good.
you wanted to do the same for him also the night before his birthday, you snuck out of your place and texted kuroo that you guys were going on can adventure. of course he agrees but is slightly suspicious about what you were planning.
the trip was about a 20 min walk through the forest and led up to this little hill site area. prior to you getting kuroo from his house, you went and set up the location with a picnic blanket and some bentos with his favorite food.
“y/n what is all this?”
“what does it look like dummy? its your pre-bday picnic!” you could hear him snort as you followed you towards the mantel.
“so why are we doing this today? why just not have done this tomorrow night?”
“you see kuroo, i wanted you to feel at peace on your birthday”
“what are you talking about y/n?” you were honestly nervous but you weren’t going to chicken out.
“tetsu we’ve been friends for a very long time ya know? so long that ive picked up on almost all your tells. when you get scared,you’ll act very tough guy or the few times you get nervous, you’ll see stop making eye contact. do you know what you do what you get upset?” you glanced over to him and saw an almost blank experssion. almost. you could see the panic in his eyes. he never wants you to worry about him. kuroo tetsuro, the boy who would rather put on a smile than let you know he was hurting.
“my dearest friends kuroo, youre hurting. you’re trying to go through life alone and that’s not the way to go about things. i’m here for you. you can try and shut me out but i’ll always been here okay? through the all of the bullshit you have to go through i’ll be right next to you. you can always lean on me just like you’ve let me lean on you. and i promise that ill help you with whatever you need. you don’t need to tell me what’s wrong, we can sit here and look at the stars if that’s what you want to do.”
tesuro laid his head down on your lap and hugged you. he cried for what felt like hours. he started talking and you couldn’t truly understand what he was saying but you knew he needed this. so you just listened and stroked his hair.
some time had passed when you heard your alarm go off. kuroo lifted his head up to see you scrummaging through your purse only to pull out an envelope.
“happy birthday tetsu! i hope today you’ll feel better than the last.”
~
“so you want this on upper back?” making sure that his decision was final.
“yeah. is there anything else i need to sign before we get started?”
“no just take off your shit and lay down. i’ll go get the outline ready to transfer.”
“you’re crazy tetsu. are you sure you want this? it’s just a silly little drawing i made a few years ago!” you wanted to make sure that he wasn’t just getting it for the sake of a tat.
“of course i’m sure! this means so much more to me than you’ll ever know. now just sit and hold my hand please.”
he was out with the boys and they got wASTEDDD and the bartender was a friend so he took their keys and was like jEsus i’ll call your s/o’s or get you an uber
your phone starts ringing incessantly and all you could think was who could be calling you at this ungodly hour
“hello?”
“hey y/n it’s shiro, your bf over here is drunk off his ass and i’d rather not have him drive, so if it’s not too much trouble can you pick him up? or would you rather me call him an uber?”
“don’t worry, i’ll go rn to pick him up. thanks shiro!” you put on his sweats and stay in his shirt and go on your merry way to pick him up.
“hiiiii baby” you could practically smell the bar on him. he had this dopey smile on his face while he leaned in the kiss your cheek.
“hi kitten, you seemed to have fun tonight.”
“mhmmm. ive missed hanging with the boys but then i started to miss you” you couldn’t even be mad at him. he looked so adorable just sitting there and that little comment at the end gave him bonus points
when you got home you asked him if he was down to shower or just wanted to change and go straight to bed and he chose the latter. once he laid down you thought he’d knock out in an instant but then
“you know y/n, i fucking love you”
“i love you too tetsu”
“no i don’t think you understand.” he got up from his side of the bed and got on top you.
“you’re on my mind all the fucking time baby and you just make everything better. i cant even remember my life without you nor do i want to. i see you everywhere i go. whenever i see sunflowers, they remind me of you and when look at the stars i just think about how we used to call each other and talk about everything whil staring at the stars. and now all i can think about is you, about my future with you. i want a family with you and to grow old with you. i never want to be without you.” he stared at you intently waiting for any response.
tetsu isn’t one to blatantly say his feelings like that. he isn’t shy about it either, whenever he feels the need to let you know how much you mean to him he will. but this was different, he put all this raw emotion and you could feel it embracing you and you never wanted to stop feeling that way
“y/n why are you crying? i’m sorry-”
“no tetsu, these are happy tears i promise. you make me so happy. you’re my future babe and i hope you know that i want to start a family with you as well. i want it all, the good, the bad, and the ugly. but as long as i’m with you.”
“baka you scared me there for a second. i thought you were about to break up with me.” thats yoru dumbass boyfriend for you. you pushed him back down and cuddled his side.
“boke you cant get rid of me after everything we’ve been through.“
