1 There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.

Kenma knew something was wrong the moment Kuroo didn't wish him a good morning. He had known his best friend since they were in elementary school. Because of this, he knows exactly what this lack of greeting means. Especially after what Yaku had told him earlier that day.

Yaku had approached him at the end of their morning volleyball practice, his brows furrowed in concern and frustration radiating off him in waves. "Hey Kenma, sorry to bother but I have to ask, is Kuroo like…okay? That dumbass seemed unusually out of it today."

Normally, Kenma wouldn't care all that much and would simply respond that Kuroo is grown enough to deal with his own shit. But the fact that Yaku of all people was concerned was a glaring red flag. If not that, then the way Kuroo kept sighing and not paying much attention to the others trying to make him smile at the very least, was even more concerning.

So here he is now, after school, standing in front of his childhood best friend's apartment trying to figure out what to say. Rehearsed sentences and questions flitted through Kenma's mind before he got struck with an idea. ' Maybe that dialogue from my newest game might work! ' He thinks excitedly. With that thought, Kenma knocked on the door and waited.

As the seconds ticked by, Kenma's thoughts were running around in his brain about what might have happened to cause his childhood friend such distress. Just as he was about to start overthinking, some rustling could be heard from inside with a faint voice cursing after something had fallen.

The door creaked open and a middle-aged woman peeked through the gap. Upon seeing who it was, she opened the door wider. "Kozume-kun! Lovely to see you again dear," Kuroo's mother said with a tender smile.

The plump, medium height woman in front of him had creases around her eyes from her smile, the wrinkles making her seem all the more friendly and motherly. Moreover, a prominent vanilla scent wafted over Kenma as she dusted off her plain purple shirt and floral printed pants. Could she have been baking earlier? Kenma wondered, he was quite fond of her sweets.

Kenma smiles softly. "Thank you for having me, ma'am. Is it alright if I go to Kuroo's room?" He asked politely as he took off his shoes.

"Of course dear," the woman said, she turned to face him with a smile so warm and sweet. "He seems a bit down so, if it's not too much trouble, could you try figuring out what's wrong and cheer him up? I don't like seeing my boy sad."

Kenma's lips tightened to a faint grimace as he stiffly nodded before making his way down the corridor and towards his friend's bedroom door. Kenma stood still for a while trying to detect any sounds from the other side. He could hear small whimpers and sobs, which made him even more anxious than he was already feeling.

Everything that Kenma planned to say went out the window at that very moment. He froze. Despite his uncaring nature, Kenma truly cared for Kuroo. The thought that he was upset to the point of tears broke something in him. It made him feel a sense of despair unlike any other. ' Kuroo…why am I being like this? It should be easy to comfort you without being affected this badly. So why…? ' Kenma thought when another sob was heard from the room in front of him.

Kenma braced himself before knocking on the door, "I-its me Kuroo-san, I'm coming in, okay?" With that warning he opened the door. His eyes widened at the sight in front of him.

Kuroo was there, sitting on the floor with his back against his bed frame, looking at Kenma with a look that shattered his heart. Kuroo's eyes were red-rimmed and glistening as tears tracked down his face, with flushed cheeks and furrowed eyebrows. And to make things even more upsetting, he seemed embarrassed. Embarrassed that he had to be seen in such a state as more tears flowed down helplessly.

Kenma lunged forward and wrapped his arms around Kuroo as a realisation dawned on him.

All the strange instances of wanting to be close to Kuroo, yet never allowing himself. Getting jealous of others hanging out with him when he himself had declined going along. In actuality, it seems rather stupid, but remembering and truly understanding all these little moments made him realise.

Love.

Love for his best friend, love for his captain, love for the most important person in his life. Whether it meant platonic or not, he truly loved him beyond just a friend. Kuroo meant so much more than that to him.

' So I'm in love . That explains a lot actually lol… did I really say lol in my head as my best friend is crying on my shoulder? ' Kenma shook his head and turned his attention fully onto Kuroo. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Kuroo simply shook his head, unwilling to answer, and tried to shove Kenma away. Considering their difference in physical strength and characteristics, it worked. Kenma was a bit flabbergasted as this has never happened before. Any affection the younger of the two showed was usually welcomed, right away. "Kuroo?" He called out quietly. "Could you please tell me? I just…wanna help…and stuff." He looked at the ravenhead who shook his head again with another sob.

"I guess there's no point in hiding it when you've already seen me in this state. Weird huh? Seeing your upperclassman and friend crying like a wee baby," Kuroo said as his voice cracked.

What?

Kenma tried to make sense of all this. "I really don't understand why you think that Kuroo-san. I promise it isn't weird or anything. So please tell me what's wrong. We're all worried for you." And it is the truth. Kenma could never think negatively of Kuroo, despite his attitude being somewhat cold to him. He's been so stressed that he didn't play videogames or sleep in class at all. Albeit, he didn't pay attention in class, but the sight of him looking almost fully awake terrified his teachers a little.

"It's kinda like…a lot of different things honestly. There's school obviously and trying to find a good university is a lot harder than I expected. I keep worrying that I'll butcher my exams right when it matters, that I won't graduate and let my family and teachers down. You guys included. The biggest realisation is, well…," Kuroo swallowed harshly., "...I'm pretty sure I'm into…boys," he whispered with a wince.

Kenma turned to put a bit of distance between Kuroo and himself so he could better see his face. His expression screamed of apprehension and slight fear. Kuroo ignored Kenma's silence and simply continued what he was saying. It was like a dam had been broken and he was now helpless in stopping the flood of emotions from spewing out of him.

"For so long I thought girls were great but overtime…i've been feeling queasy over the thought of being with a girl. I felt myself liking the more tomboy girls in my class and I thought my tastes had just changed but then I began to want to be with guys. I wanna hold hands and go on dates with a guy. I wanna feel stubble rubbing on my face when I kiss a guy. I-i just…i don't really know from when i started feeling like this but it just kinda happened,"

Kuroo leaned back and let out a heavy sigh. "Not only that, but things are getting a bit heated with my grandparents. They keep thinking that I shouldn't visit mom as often now that their divorce has become official on paper, even if they've technically been divorced for quite a while now. I honestly don't know, laws are weird. They don't want me to go back and forth."

Kenma's brow furrowed, "That's pretty shit of them. Well, if it means anything…old people in general are kinda shit." The snarky remark made his best friend let out a slightly tearful snort in amusement.

"Don't say that, dickhead."

"As if you're one to talk, shithead,"

It's not how they usually are with each other. Sure, Kenma is a bit nicer (outwardly that is) and Kuroo isn't as chipper, and mostly content with cuddling, but it was still pleasant. Being able to talk and interact more than just when playing games together or being silent and simply in each other's presence.

Kenma got up and went to the nightstand. He rummaged around looking for some tissues. He quickly found them in the 2nd bottom drawer, right next to a very risque magazine which made him both flustered and revolted at the same time. 'I'd rather not see what Kuroo gets off to thank you very much,' he thought as he grabbed a few tissues and went back to Kuroo. He handed them as the other smirked at him trying to be smug about the magazine but obviously failing to hide his embarrassment.

"You saw the magazine didn't y-you," Kuroo said before inhaling to not drip mucus. He took the tissue quickly and blew his nose as Kenma plopped himself on the floor next to him.

Kenma grumbled, trying to show his mild disgust over Kuroo simply clearing his nose. Then again, he does like to keep clean, but now is the time to focus on comforting his friend.

"Yes. Now shut up."

Kenma helped Kuroo cleanup his tears from his face and offered him a water bottle from his school bag. The raven took it gratefully and nearly chugged it after realising how dehydrated he was getting. The sight pulled a small chuckle out of Kenma.

They sat for a while, getting themselves more comfortable at times. Kuroo decided to speak again, "You know what really sucks though? I have to leave Nekoma soon. Out of all the worries I have, that upsets me the most despite not being most daunting at all. I know we'll stay in touch and meet up, hell, I'd kill you guys if we didn't, but the thought that things are changing so quickly just freaks me out. But I'm still really excited to get into university and stuff. I'll probably study chemistry and have business as my minor. Not too sure yet."

Kenma hummed, "It's only natural to be nervous and stuff, but we'll try to keep in contact as much as possible. Plus, you're smart as hell, you won't need to worry about failing and shit,"

"As for your family stuff, I can't really help you since it's not something I have experience with, but I know you try to be close to as many of your relatives as possible. Conveying how you feel about the whole thing should be the main priority. Don't let them decide your shit for you." Kuroo grunted in acknowledgement as he took another gulp of water. "And for the record, regardless of what conclusion you reach about your attraction, it doesn't matter. I, and the rest of your friends, aren't gonna judge you. Personally, I think guys are hot too."

At Kenma's admission, Kuroo's eyes widened. "You too?" Kenma nodded, with a raised eyebrow and amused smirk. "I don't really care about gender honestly,"

Kuroo chuckled, "Not gonna lie, I thought you were into girls, specifically 2D girls" Kenma sputtered and poked Kuroo's sides with the expression of a disgruntled cat. After a bit of rough housing, the two stopped and went back to the calm enjoyment of each other's presence.

A few minutes passed, with nothing but the sound of their breathing, and the muffled chirping of the birds outside. Eventually, there was a knock at the door to Kuroo's bedroom. It opened to reveal Kuroo's mom holding a tray of snacks. 'She baked after all' Kenma thought giddily as he and Kuroo stood up to help his mom with the snacks. Kuroo's mother looked at her son, happy to see his mood cheering up a little. With a few pleasantries exchanged, she shut the door to go back to her work. The tray had freshly baked vanilla cookies which were still warm. Alongside it were some black sesame senbei and juice boxes.

The two boys didn't hesitate to start munching on the food, making sure to equally distribute the snacks amongst themselves. Kenma bit into the cookie before drinking a bit of the juice box. 'Tastes the same as always. Delicious,' he thought to himself as he took another bite.

Kuroo ate the remainder of the senbei in his hand and finished off his juice box before looking at Kenma. "Thank you, by the way. I know I've been causing the team to worry lately, but I feel a lot better now. What you said was really helpful, Kenma." Kenma simply nodded as he finished off his portion of the snacks and playfully hit Kuroo's shoulder. "Next time you feel down, just talk instead of being an idiot." Kuroo laughed in the same boisterous way he always does.

Soon, it was late, and Kenma had to head home. Neither boy even noticed the time passing so much. "You can stay the night if you want, but make sure to call your mother to let her know if you do." Kuroo's mother offered. Kenma bowed his head in thanks before calling his mom to get permission.

(Time skip because yes)

The spare futon was perfectly laid down on the floor of Kuroo's room. As there was no school the next day, Kenma and Kuroo decided to do their homework the next morning, and decided to sleep in for now. The snacks were cleared, the room was cleaned up, and their clothes changed in favour of comfy pajamas. With the lights now turned off, Kenma stared at the ceiling as Kuroo laid on his side and looked at the desk across from him.

"...Kenma, are you awake?"

"Yeah"

Kuroo turned to lay on his back, "Can you call me by my first name. If you're uncomfortable then you don't have to."

"I don't mind…Tetsuro," Kenma said with a bit of hesitation. Kuroo chuckled at Kenma's response, it was just so like him. "Good night Kenma,"

Kenma smiled, "Good night Tetsuro,"

Kenma knew things will be alright, maybe not right away, but soon. Seeing Kuroo happy was enough to make him content with the outcome. Whether it was because of being close friends or because of his newly realized feelings, it didn't matter. Kuroo always takes care of those around him, so it felt nice for Kenma to be the one to take care of the older one for once. They will work things out and live their lives. They will continue growing and laughing and arguing…in the best way possible.

Kenma knew, as he got sleepier and heavy-lidded, that he would always do his best to continue being there for Kuroo in the same way the other boy was always there for him.

'Because there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you.'