The way to one’s heart is through their stomach. And a list. || Tsukinoya
Day 2 of Tsukinoya week! Prompt is ‘sweets/glasses’~
“Hey Tsukishima! Are you busy this weekend? I have something for you!”
While it was a regular occurrence for Nishinoya to hang out with him, it was uncommon for him to bring around gifts other than snacks if he went over to Tsukishima’s. “No… Why?”
“It’s a surprise! Meet me at noon by the playground near your place, got it?” Despite the vaguely odd request, Tsukishima agreed anyway knowing it would only be more troublesome if he didn’t, namely the pestering he would have to endure through non-stop text messages and calls.
Days passed and there Tsukishima sat on a swing too small for him, lanky legs stretched out as he absent-mindedly kicked at the sand. Enthusiastic footsteps approached, stopping right in front of Tsukishima who only lifted his head to meet Nishinoya’s gaze when his name was called.
“Why is your face—Is that flour?”
“That’s not important, Tsukishima! Here, this is for you.” It was only then Tsukishima noticed the small box Nishinoya held out in his hands, a dainty red ribbon clumsily fastened round it. Warmth seeped from the container and Tsukishima could smell the tantalising aroma that he instantly recognised. What he saw greatly differed from his expectations however, when he opened the box to see a slice of strawberry shortcake toppled over on its side and layers separated, strawberries and whipped cream haphazardly decorating any remaining space.
“Damn it, looks like I shouldn’t have run all the way here… And that was the only presentable-looking piece!”
Nishinoya gave a furtive nod as he swiped a hand through gelled hair with an awkwardness so unlike him. That would explain the flour and the mess of a cake that was in his hands. Or at least a slice of it.
“But… Why?” Tsukishima picked up the fork that was in the box, scooping up a piece of the dessert to take a bite. While there wasn’t enough sugar to mask the sourness of the strawberries, the shortcake was light on his tongue, an airy sweetness of whipped cream spreading across his taste buds. Nishinoya was surprisingly proficient at baking, even if the presentation was atrocious.
“Because I want you to go out with me. I heard you like strawberry shortcake so I’ve been practicing!”
Tsukishima almost choked on a strawberry as he stared in bewilderment, fork hanging loosely between his fingers. Nishinoya’s lips were set in a thin line, clenched fists settled by his sides as he awaited an answer. “You’re kidding.”
“Am not! I really like you, Tsukishima! You told me once that you had no redeeming qualities but I beg to differ! So I wrote down a whole list of every single thing I like about you.” Unfolding a crumpled paper from his pocket, the libero began reading out everything that was on it, qualities that Tsukishima never noticed about himself; aspects of himself that Tsukishima hated yet Nishinoya spoke of them with so much affection.
A gratifying shade of red tinged his cheekbones and Tsukishima had to stop Nishinoya before he crumbled from embarrassment. “Okay stop! That’s enough…”
“So you see! Every inch of you is perfect, even if you can’t see it. You can read the rest for yourself though I’d really reaaaally like an answer… Anything you say won’t affect our friendship so you can be brutally honest! Uh not too honest, okay? We can still hang out and I can assure you it won’t be awkward—maybe a little but with all the times we’ve slept over at each other’s place, I really don’t think—”
“Can you just be quiet for one second?” Tsukishima huffed, his voice dimming to a whisper that was almost lost to the breeze that passed. “I’ll… I’ll go out with you.”
Nothing could stop the smile that spread across Nishinoya’s face, nor the beads of tears that welled up in the corners of his eyes and Tsukishima’s heart ached, already yearning for their future that was to come.
