#teppekiaone

                     Too late, Kenji.                      There’s no way                      to leave when                      there’s someone                      blocking the                      way out.

                     Training ran late.                      Again. He wasn’t                      mad, because it                      wasn’t unexpected.                      They were all                      working hard to                      reach the next                      level, but it also                      means he’s tired                      and he almost                      thinks he’s seeing                      things when he                      sees a familiar form                      in front of his front                      door.

                     Is it okay?

                     Aone hesistates.

                    “… Kenji..”

He flinches, fingers drawing back from the door bell when he hears Aone’s soft voice. Oh. He didn’t know Aone had late practice today -- ah. He feels his heart flying into his throat. Breathe, Kenji. Breathe. You can do this. It’s - you can’t avoid it anymore. You have to, now.

He turns around.

Aone looks good - it’s ... it’s been a long time. He feels his fingers shaking and his breathing catch and why god, don’t let this happen now, how is he supposed to speak when he can’t breathe, holy fuck --

You’re already here, it’s too late, you can’t run.

( -- please don’t have an anxiety attack, ah - )

He furiously, furiously wipes the beginnings of tears in his eyes, if only to grab some time to calm down, deep breathing, hands dropping from his face and grasping tightly around his phone - something to ground him.

He’s only heard it through the grapevine that this date exists so he hopes he’s got it right (because if not, he’s in for embarrassment), so he makes the effort for the visit because it feels important, little cake box in hand, carefully carried until he arrives at Kuroo’s house and knocks shyly.

He leaves no room for talking when the elder appears and embarrassment is already building on his cheeks as he holds the small, red box out to the other middle blocker. It takes all of his self restraint to not just tug it straight back into himself, either, the single mini cake suddenly feeling like something so small and worthless and insignificant compared to anything else the captain might receive.

But it’s too late now that it’s offered out so he forces himself not to tug it back, even as his hands begin to shake. (It feels too simple for a gift; a single mini red velvet cake large enough to feed two people at most, with red icing forming a small mountain on top a bold ‘1’ iced on top of that beside a smug looking kitten shaped out of dark brown modelling chocolate).

Embarrassment at him cuts him off from his voice almost entirely and he wishes the ground who open up and swallow him. But Aone knows he’s only finished half the battle and he might as well finish it before his embarrassment kills him.

“Ha…” Words stick in his throat and he has to look away (it helps a little). “Happy birthday, Kuroo-san.”

So far, his birthday had consisted of gifts from his parents, and lazily lounging in his room reading some newly-bought manga.  Perhaps he should’ve gone out, and enjoy the day that he was missing out on. Yet he didn’t, deciding to spend the special day inside the enclosure of his own home.

Then there was a knock. Barely audible, more so that he believed it was his imagination, but it was there. Curiosity and, because of what day it was, excitement tugged him over, making him turn the knob and open the door wide for whoever was on the other side.

“Wha-” He unconsciously muttered out loud, actually quite surprised to find the taller male on the other side, holding out a small red box out to him with unstable hands. The third year watched with intrigued eyes as Aone looked away, smile tugging at his lips as he carefully took what he assumed to be a present from the other’s hands.

The shadow of a smile that was once there widened to a full on grin as he heard Aone (shyly) mumble out the three words. Only three words, but it was already enough to make his day. (That, and the fact that Aone had gone all the way there just to wish him happy birthday).

Quiet is the best way for Kenji to enjoy his birthday. Too much attention at any point is too much for his best friend, so Aone makes sure to stay quiet (not hard) and not remind anyone; not even his mother (she doesn’t need reminding), and lets the day happen like any normal day.

Save for arriving early with Kenji so they can open the clubroom together and set up the court. He catches them when they’re still changing; still the only ones in the clubroom though he knows they won’t be for long, because Koganegawa’s gotten more proactive about getting in as much training as possible.

So the middle blocker takes the opportunity while he has it, with a large hand gently touching to a shoulder to get Kenji’s attention. His fingers shift, then, slowly down his arm past his elbow and his wrist to grab a loose hold of his fingers. Aone’s other hand lifts as well, fingertips touching to the captain’s chin just so, just enough to guide it to where he wants it to be, so he can lean forward and press their lips together in what he’s sure is the most confident (only confident) kiss he’s ever been able to give his best friend with not even a trace of embarrassment to his cheeks.

And when he pulls away after a few lingering seconds, it’s not entirely. Just enough to break the contact, but close enough to still be able to feel the gently puff of each exhale. And when he speaks, his voice is low and quiet, in a way that fears breaking the silence more than anything, because the words come easier than words ever do.

“Happy birthday, Kenji.”

He has never really liked making his birthday public - so, obviously, he never tells his team, and really, Aone only knows because they’ve been friends for long. He also knows, from years prior, that Aone’s mother will give him a gift after school, and that his own mother will probably get Kenji to invite him and Kenjirou to dinner. He doesn’t mind - Aone and Kenjirou get along well, and it’s never been a problem.

But - first, there’s the problem of school. They have early morning practice - which isn’t a problem of his, not at all. He loves this team, and he knows Aone won’t say anything about his birthday in front of them. He doesn’t need unnecessary attention, after all. He unlocks the clubroom, trailing in and dropping his bag near the locker he uses to store his things.

He feels a hand rest gently on his shoulder, and his eyes lift from his locker upwards to glance at his best friend. His fingers instinctively lace with Aone’s, a thinner hand fitting within a larger one, and he tilts his head a little. He lets himself be guided into a kiss, gentle and sweet. While kisses like this - or in general - would leave him flustered, this is one he takes wholeheartedly, leaning up into the other teen.

Aone pulls away, and he lets out a soft laugh, a smile rising onto his face. Of course Aone manages to give him the best gift, as always. He squeezes his hand, the one laced with Aone’s, and he leans up to press a chaste kiss onto the other’s lips.