The Exhibit

Pt 11

"This isn't what it looks like." Kuroo crosses his arms.

Tsukishima's gaze returns to Emily, who is frozen in place. "Then what is this?"

He sees the large black shirt hanging from her frame and realizes it's Kuroo's work shirt. In one foul swoop he's striding over to her, stopping inches from her face. Kuroo is not far behind. Tsukishima using his index finger and thumb grabs the collar of the dress shirt, his eyes penetrating her soul.

"You little slut." He tilts his head slightly, almost laughing. "What, did you put his clothes on after he just fucked you?"

Her eyes start to water, a tear beginning to form.

Kuroo steps in, pushing Tsukishima away from her. "Nothing like that happened Kei."

"Then why is she in your clothes, huh? Did she tell you about her scar and how she's so vulnerable and sad? Like a little bitch." He spat at her.

"Tsukishima, what is wrong with you!" Kuroo couldn't believe what his friend was saying.

Emily stood there, her anger rising through her. The tears start to fall.

Kuroo's words didn't stop his tirade. "I hope Bethany is the nurse there when your heart gives out. And just maybe, you'll be that one patient that doesn't come back after CPR."

"Why are you saying tha-" Kuroo says.

The sound of skin on skin contact echoes throughout the room. A large red whelp forming on Tsukishima's right cheek. Kuroo stands there, shocked at her sudden boldness.

"You don't get to stand here and speak to me like I'm the reason this is happening. You are the reason I ended up here. He," she gestures to Kuroo, her hand shaking, "is the one that was there for me when you weren't. He cleaned up your mess."

"I was honest with you. You asked me to tell you about Bethany and that's all I did."

Kuroo looks at Tsukishima, "so you did tell her." Kuroo then turns to Emily. "What did he tell you?"

She looks at Kuroo, nervously glancing at Tsukishima before she says anything.

"He told me that he was done seeing Bethany."

Kuroo furrows his brow, turning to look at Tsukishima.

"You fucking liar. I told you not to do this. You knew you were going to hurt her." Kuroo poked Tsukishima in the chest. "Look at her, Kei! Is this what you want? Her to literally crumble to the ground?"

Tsukishima didn't respond, keeping steady eye contact with Kuroo.

Emily stared at Tsukishima in shock. "What do you mean?"

"Go on," Kuroo crossed his arms. "Tell her. Tell her how Bethany was in your bed the other day when you called Emily. Huh? How you're still seeing her."

"No, no, that's not true." She mumbles, Emily's entire body begins to shake.

"Why do you even care," Tsukishima sneered at Emily.

"Because I wanted to be with you," she yelled, her sides burning from exhaustion.

Both men looked at Emily, pity starting to form on their faces.

A few labored breaths before she spoke. "I wanted you, Kei. But you had to go and ruin it. I thought you felt the same way but obviously, I was wrong." Her knees getting weak, "I don't...I can't..."

Tsukishima takes a step closer to Emily, who is now close to fainting.

She holds her hand out in front of her, the room starting to dim around her.

"Kei, don't." Kuroo moves his body to stand between them, facing Kei.

"How about we let Emily decide." Tsukishima says.

"I think you already know her answer." Kuroo doesn't move. He feels Emily place her hand against his back, steadying herself.

"Kuroo, I can't..."

Right as Kuroo turns around, Emily begins to fall. He catches her and slowly lowers her down to the ground, laying her on her side and placing her head in his lap.

Kuroo looks up to Tsukishima, "it's time for you to go." Kuroo combs the wet hair off of her face. "Is this what you wanted?"

Tsukishima looks at her face. The face he held, her soft skin, her lips. She was never his, and now, after today, she would never be.

"How did she end up here?" Tsukishima crouches down, watching her chest rise and fall slowly.

"I was at the bar and she was crying in her car. I offered for her to come here and calm down. Nothing happened between us. Why were you so mean to her?" Kuroo combed through Emily's hair.

"I thought she... went behind my back and got with you. So I got really mad, and I said things I really shouldn't have." Tsukishima sounded remorseful.

"She's never going to forgive you for that. Hell, I wouldn't either if I were her." Kuroos' gaze finally leaves Emily's exhausted figure, eyes meeting with Tsukishima's. "I'll take care of her."

Tsukishima nods, standing up. "She's... something special Kuroo. And would you please let her know-"

Kuroo cuts him off by holding up his hand. "You've said enough."

With that, Tsukishima leaves.

Kuroo gently removed Emily's head from his lap, placing it on top of her own arm before standing. He wedges his arms between her body and the floor, lifting her up. Emily's limp body nestled into his chiseled chest. Kuroo carried her over to his bed, moving the blankets so she could get tucked in. He laid her down on her back, the dress shirt neckline exposing her pink scar. Pausing, he reaches out and traces it lightly, unable to imagine what she had gone through. As he touched her warm skin, she began to stir. Her face scrunched together in discomfort.

"Emily, it's okay. It's just me." Kuroo said gently, running his hand over her forehead and onto her hair. He sits on the edge of the bed.

She lets out a sigh, her eyes opening slowly and blinking a few times. "I'm sorry." Her voice whispered.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about Em." He smiles at her. "You need to rest. Don't worry about anything else tonight. I'll be on the couch if you need me." Kuroo stands, walking towards the door.

"Kuroo," she calls softly, propping herself up on her elbow.

He stops, turning around to look at her.

In the dim lighting her features were soft. He could see the shirt coming off of her shoulder, exposing her collarbone. The skin on her neck had to be so smooth and warm, he thought. How he wanted to run his fingers over her skin, wishing he could feel it on his fingertips.

"Yes," he says back with a small grin.

"Can you please sleep with me tonight? I feel... safe around you. And I'm afraid I'll panic if I'm alone."

"Are you sure? I don't want to cross any boundaries." He walks back to the edge of the bed and crouches down to her level.

Emily reaches out her hand and touches his arm. "I trust you not to."