"Kuroo?" Yaku knocked at the door gently as he twisted the knob open to find the said man passed out on his desk.
Dozens of papers were scattered along the floor and several mugs that once contained strong coffee proved that he was forcing himself to stay awake.
Having heard of the sound, the called man slowly opened his eyes as he glanced around to find his flatmate standing on his doorway holding a plate of what seemed like a sandwich.
Kuroo still felt incredibly drowsy.
"Hey." He managed to mutter through his dried throat and it caused him to wince.
"I made you chicken sandwich. I hope you eat it." Yaku sighed and went to put it beside Kuroo along with a glass of water before putting a hand over his shoulder.
"I'm going out with Lev to do some grocery shopping." The smaller man informed him and Kuroo only nodded before moving the plate slightly to rest his head at the surface.
Defeaning silence enveloped the whole apartment and it took Kuroo a few minutes before he stood up.
He needed fresh air and he couldn't believe it that he was finally going out after what seemed like eternity? He didn't know anymore. He lost count of the days, hours, or weeks he spent inside his home, not leaving.
He felt absolutely dead as he hoisted himself up from his office chair. It was as if he was only dragging himself and he felt like his bones could possibly give out anytime.
Putting a hoodie on looked as though he only went to hung it back on the rack. He was thin, practically to his bones.
He quickly chomped down the sandwich that Yaku made before drinking the water all the way until there was nothing left.
He left his room as it was before he slipped on his shoes
It was past 7 in the evening and the air was colder in the night so it was a perfect time to walk around the boardwalk.
It wasn't crowded and there was practically no one there- Kuroo enjoyed the solitary.
Occasionally, he would come across a few people but other than that, it was just him.
Its been so long since he felt at ease and comfortable. He didn't feel the need to worry nor did he feel the need to weep. Of course, he wasn't exactly happy but this, it felt as if getting a break after an unbelievably strong storm. A horrible tragedy that eventually got its momentary recovery. It was refreshing and relieving.
Kuroo took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he tried to take in as much as he could of this brief break.
"Kuroo?" A voice spoke, breaking the said man's focus.
It was that moment when Kuroo felt the sudden urge to cry. Of course, he wasn't allowed to be happy long enough for him to be satisfied.
Rush of plastic memories had played over his mind as he stared at the man who hated his whole guts and being.
Kuroo felt incredible amount of fear and guilt as he met Yamaguchi's eyes.
It was all coming back- all at once.
The horror, the desperation, the apologies, everything horrible that he felt and he prepared himself for all of the things that he lacked back then.
The things that he wasn't able to give to Tsukishima.
But today,
Today was different.
The sneer that always seemed permanently etched on Yamaguchi's face was replaced with a small and genuine smile.
Kuroo felt his heart clench.
"Y-Yamaguchi?" The taller man managed to choke out as tears blurred his vision
"Hey." He replied as he slowly walked towards Kuroo, his arms outstretched for what seemed like... A hug?
And he couldn't do anything else than accept it and melt into an embrace that he needed so much.
"How about coffee?" Yamaguchi sniffled, offering another small smile towards Kuroo who nodded without hesitations.
The conversation started off simple.
Yamaguchi went to tell what job he was in and Kuroo told the same along with a few stories that both found interesting.
"Yamaguchi, if you don't mind me asking, what brought you here in Tokyo?" Kuroo cleared his throat as he drank the remnants of his coffee
Yamaguchi smiled again and looked down at the table, finger twirling around the lid of his cup as a habit.
"I actually wanted to see you." He admitted and Kuroo tilted his head a little to the side in confusion.
Yamaguchi sighed and pursed his lips anxiously before he looked away, out on the scenery outside. "I wanted to apologize."
Kuroo took a long time to speak as he tried to register what Yamaguchi had said. "F-for what?"
"For everything I have said. For blaming you. For putting all the weight on you. For not helping you. For the words I said- everything that I did. I want to apologize." Yamaguchi fiddled with the edge of his shirt as he spoke, eyes suddenly becoming watery with every second that he speaks. "T-Tsukki, you helped him out a lot."
The mention of his name still makes both their heart clench in pain but Yamaguchi managed to continue.
"And I thought, you were all he needed because you were always the one he asked for. I thought that you can carry him on your shoulder all the time and I thought you were unbreakable. I let you carry all the blame and all the weight when I should've been there to help him. I-I thought you can always stay beside him and abandon everything for him.
"I was asking too much. I expected too much and I forgot that you can run out. I was selfish and careless. I was stupid and cruel. I didn't care if I was putting you in too much pain if it was for Tsukki. I didn't think of you.
"I-I should've been there for him as well and the truth is, it wasn't you who was to blame. It was me." Yamaguchi sniffled as he wiped his continues tears only to appear unsuccessful.
They were unstoppable and no matter how hard he tried, they always fell.
"I'm so sorry, Kuroo." Yamaguchi sobbed, covering his face with his hands "I am so sorry."
Kuroo needed someone to say that to him. He needed someone to free him and Yamaguchi came.
It was like all the burden was taken off his shoulders. The chains that held him back were opened and the rope that kept him tied was gone.
Kuroo felt himself truly be able to smile without thinking of the cost.
Yamaguchi never had to ask because Kuroo had forgiven him a long time ago.
Eventually, at the end of their meeting, both needed to go on their separate ways.
Yamaguchi and Kuroo had bid their good byes before they turned their back, walking on their own path.
This time, they were both happy and content.
It was until Kuroo's feet stumbled upon a familiar pavement did his heart drop in realization before he skidded to a stop.
He stared up at the apartment complex before his eyes widened and sprinted towards the elevator.
Reaching the floor, he stopped on the familiar door that he hasn't dared to visit the past month before he reluctantly knocked.
Kuroo's heart was beating rapidly.
He knocked several times only to receive silence as a reply.
"K-Kenma, it's me. Kuroo." The man spoke in a shaking voice but to no avail, Kenma didn't answer.
Of course.
"I know you're m-mad, but please give me a c-chance." Kuroo pleaded but he received nothing other than absolute silence.
He'll try again tomorrow.
Kuroo needed to see Kenma but he made the mistake of running away.
Again.