WITH YOUR KILL SHOT, BABY

  you’ve worked with the creative team for a year now, your cubicle facing his office. you were typically blocked from his vision, however, whenever you’d reach around your cubicle or talk to a colleague from across the way, you’d catch his gaze. and you’d give him a warm smile, sometimes a gentle wave just to acknowledge his presence. and then you’d catch each other in the faculty lounge while making coffee. 

  kuroo’s not sure if he’s always made his coffee as soon as he got to work, or if it’s just a habit he’s created when he caught you in the lounge a couple of times. but he quickly makes his way to his office, setting his briefcase down by his desk, before turning heel and beelining for the lounge. he’s sure he saw you in your meeting, but he’s come to notice that anytime the creative team has an earlier meeting, they’re heading out by the time he gets there. just another observation he’s just now noticing that he’s garnered.

  the walk to the lounge is usually rather quick, except for when he’s stopped by someone else on the marketing team. “that game against the italian team is still happening this next weekend, right kuroo?” his coworker sits back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of his chest. 

  “yeah, there’s talks about promoting it on some of the association’s socials. we should know more by the end of this week,” kuroo speaks quickly, glancing up at the lounge, noticing you sneak in there as the rest of the team disperses from their meeting.

  “well, we were thinking about distributing some merchandise before the game, maybe some hats or wrist bands?” 

  glancing back down at his colleague, kuroo shrugs his shoulders. rubbing his hand against the back of his neck, he takes in a deep breath, “well, you’d probably have to talk to alex about that, since she specializes in merchandise sales. and then she could take it up the line.”

  patting his shoulder, kuroo quickly walks off before he could ask anymore questions about an area that he wasn’t even that well-versed in. shaking his hands a little, he starts to notice just how clammy they’re getting. he never had meant to become so giddy, at such an age, over one of his colleagues. it felt a little childish, but it didn’t stop him from entering the faculty lounge.

  it’s decorated simply, a few tables and chairs and a couch are the only bigger pieces of furniture. one corner hosts a simple coffee bar and fridge, something that needs replenishing constantly. and standing in front of that coffee bar is you, hands drumming against the counter as you wait for the water to boil. “did someone forget to refill the pot?” he asks, trying not to scare you.

  looking up, you roll your eyes, “yes, i am so tired of people not refilling this stupid thing.”

  “at least you know you’re getting a fresh pot,” he shoves his hands into his pockets, making his way over to stand next to you. the air feels electric as your arms are mere inches apart, his hands fiddling with the inside seams of his pants pockets.

  looking up at him, you give him a small smile. “you always seem to put a good spin on things… it’s nice,” you turn back to the coffee bar for a second before spinning back around to look at him, “kuroo, your top button isn’t done. someone must’ve been rushing this morning.”

  looking down at his collar, he feigns surprise, something he’s sure you’re already accustomed to. buttoning the last button, he sighs, looking around the lounge. “even after all these years, i’m still not great at fixing my tie without a mirror, would you mind?” he’s asked this question maybe a million times at his point, eyes pleading at you. 

  “you’re lucky i am so attuned to menswear,” you shake your head, raising your hands to flip up his collar. 

  adjusting his tie, you glance up at him. trying hard not to look too long at the salt and pepper stubble that’s growing in around his chin. tightening his tie and flipping his collar back down, the back of your hand brushes against his chin. the contact is short, but it makes his cheeks burn as you raise your hands up to his hair. “and your hair is a complete mess, kuroo.”

  styling his hair, he suddenly remembers why he always enters the office so disheveled. because you’re always so eager to be kind and helpful, more than willing to tighten his tie and run your hands through his hair. “i’ll have to wake up earlier tomorrow then, maybe invest in a comb,” he jokes, trying not to swallow too hard like he’s incredibly nervous in your presence.

  he’s joked about it more than once with you, and yet it never changes. you run the same routine every day, eager to be in each other’s presence, yet too anxious to actually say anything to each other. “or we could go this weekend and buy you one, maybe grab lunch?” you hear the coffee pot finish seeping the coffee grounds.

  this was a quickly becoming a day of firsts for him. kuroo instantly raises his eyebrows, staring over at you. “this weekend?”

  “yeah, oh, sorry, do you have plans?” you question, looking back at him, noticing how he’s anxiously standing as straight as he possibly good. 

  “oh no, no, not at all. not that i don’t normally have plans, but if you want to make plans then i’m absolutely free,” kuroo tries to cross his arms in front of his chest but he starts to feel too tense so he drops them to his side. 

  smiling to yourself, you try to bite back the smile in front of him as you turn to pour coffee into two mugs. “well, how about i leave you my number before i head out and we can plan something. if that’s alright with you?” you question, trying to step around the awkwardness that might be your differing ages.

  “that is absolutely fine with me,” his shoulders drop as he lets out a low sigh, “i would love to meet you for lunch.”

  picking up the mugs, you hand one off to him, smiling up at him once more. “that makes two of us, kuroo,” taking your now free hand, you quickly caress the back of his hand before walking out of the lounge, leaving him to process your sudden confidence.