F̶o̶l̶l̶o̶w̶ Fuck the Rulebook - Kenma Kozume

Shifts - C17

Kuroo glanced at his phone with a yawn,
“it’s your turn to check on him.”
She nodded, reluctantly rising, fatigue slowly taking over her body. Come on, the day was almost over. She jogged up the stairs, carefully pushing open the door, glancing at Kenma. He shifted in his bed,
“Kuro, stop leaving me.”
Is he lonely? He should be sleeping. She stepped into the room, kneeling by the bed,
“I’m not Kuroo, unfortunately,” she reached up to lightly touch his cheek, warmer than usual still, “I'll send him up, okay?”
She climbed to her feet, Kuroo's the best person for this job. Suddenly Kenma grabbed her wrist weakly pulling her back,
“wait,” she stopped moving, glancing at his closed expression, he lifted her hand to his forehead, “cold.”
Akasuki chuckled, her heart beating rapidly in her chest, he just woke up, he probably thinks she’s Kuroo still.
“Wouldn’t you prefer Kuroo?” Akasuki whispered with a laugh.
“No,” Kenma muttered, his eyes fluttering open, “his hands are too rough.”
He knew it was her? And still wants her to stay? Wow and with that comment, she wasn’t going to question anything, maybe he’s tried to help before. Akasuki slowly nodded stepping back crouching by the bed, her hand still lightly pressed on his head. She shouldn’t be doing this. His eyes fluttered closed, but she couldn’t stop herself from enjoying the moment. His eyes fluttered open once more staring at her face, he leaned forward reaching out to brush his fingers against her cheek over her lips, what the fuck,
“nice burger?”
What? He pulled his fingers away, the sensation lingering on her skin, showing his finger to her, small lumps of burger sauce. Kuroo, he didn’t even tell her. She chuckled with a nod,
“yes, but I’m jealous,” she watched him wipe his hands on the side of his bed, “you got to sleep.”
Kenma lifted his head at her, dropping it down. He carefully moved over the bed pulling the blanket up,
“rest.”
What? She stared at him still confused, Kenma patting the space again. He wants her to lay there? Is he serious? She slowly rose laying carefully beside him facing away.
“No,” Kenma muttered, his fingers pressing against her hand on his forehead.
Right, she faced him carefully lying down, her heart thumping aggressively, what is she doing? Why is she doing this after everything today? Kenma, one-handed, slowly threw the blanket over Akasuki tucking the side closest to him in, making a harsh barrier between the pair. The scent from his blanket sinking into her, fuck, creating a substitute for Kenma. Her empty hand brushed against the blanket, gripping it lightly, how was she meant to do this? She glanced at him, his closed eyes staring up at the ceiling, his hair sticking to the side of his face, what was she meant to do? She reached out brushing her fingers against his hair, with someone who doesn’t even like her back, she slowly tucked it behind his ear, but is slowly terrorising her in her waking life and dreams. He muttered something under his breath that didn’t quiet catch Akasuki’s ears, what was that? She went to speak but a sudden distant slamming caused Kenma's eyes to shoot open, jolting up in bed the blanket falling over his chest,
“fuck, my parents.”
What? He suddenly ushered her from the bed, more alive than ever, Akasuki sliding onto the floor, Kenma panicking silently,
“fuck,” his eyes shot up to the window then to Akasuki.
What is he thinking? Whatever it was, she didn’t like it. He needed to relax.
“You need to go out the window,” Kenma claimed harshly.
What? He’s overreacting, why is he so nervous? Akasuki climbed to her feet facing him,
“firstly, just calm down, okay? Panicking isn’t going to help your head.”
“Out the window,” Kenma repeated standing to his feet pointing to the window.
He’s crazy, he’s over thinking it. Akasuki sighed, grabbing a shirt throwing into his chest,
“calm down,” she calmly demanded, brushing herself down then facing him, “now, speak to me, calmly.”
“I,” Kenma furrowed his brows glancing at the shirt in his hands then at himself, “fuck,” her eyes dropped to his chest, her cheeks growing pink, she seconded that fuck, he hastily pulled on his shirt, his cheeks red from embarrassment, she lifted her eyes meeting his gaze, “my parents, will be mad if they see I have a girl over, alone, with me.”
Akasuki nodded slowly, so he doesn’t want his parents to think he’s with a girl, is that it? Well, she turned to the door glancing back at him as she opened it,
“good thing we’re not alone.”
She left the room, distant voices filling the house, they’re now inside, okay, come on Akasuki, it’s not like this is the first time she's met parents, fuck. She paused at the top of the stairs, but it’s the first time she’s met his, shit. She furrowed her brows, just hurry up and leave, that’s what he wants. She started to walk down the stairs, calling out,
“hey Kuroo, you ready to head off?”
She heard the voices fall silent as she reached the bottom of the steps looking up to see two adults, a male with sort black hair, a lone expression on his face and a female with long ash brown locks, golden eyes watching Akasuki. These are his parents. Kuroo was leaning against the doorframe his eyes set on Kenma’s parents, come on Kuroo work with her here. She stepped down with a smile making her way towards Kuroo. Kuroo leaned down to mutter in her ear,
“Mr and Mrs Kozume.”
Right, thanks Kuroo, that’s useful information.
“There’s a girl, in the house,” Mr Kozume muttered bluntly glancing at his wife.
Kuroo glanced at her briefly before clearing his throat,
“right, she’s our own little doctor for the team.”
Really Kuroo? She guessed he could’ve said something worse. She held out her hand,
“Hi, Akasuki, it's nice to meet you.”
Mrs Kozume glanced up at the stairs where Kenma was sat, then back to her hand lightly shaking it,
“are you training to be a nurse?”
She couldn’t help but laugh, a nurse? Her? No way, she shook her head as Mrs Kozume pulled her hand away, she can’t just tell them some other boy helped her with choosing the medicine, she had to make something up,
“no, I just have younger brothers so I've learned some things.”
“So, what do you do?” Mr Kozume asked, narrowing his eyes.
She didn’t feel like she was quite welcome here. She glanced at Kuroo,
“team manager.”
He nodded slowly. This is so awkward. She noticed her bag against the sofa, hastily picking it up and turning to Kuroo who was seemingly enjoying this moment,
“you ready?”
“You should stay,” Mrs Kozume insisted, what, “at least until one of us can take you home, it’s not safe when it’s close to dark.”
Kuroo let out a yawn covering his mouth with a nod,
“I’m walking her back, she'll be safe.”
“Aw,” Mrs Kozume smiled, “you’re really stepping up as a good boyfriend.”
Good, boyfriend. Akasuki let out a laugh, Kuroo, boyfriend, wow, she never thought she’d hear those words again
“no,” Akasuki noticed the smirk on Kuroo’s face, “we aren’t together.”
“You aren’t?” Mrs Kozume questioned sadly.
Never, he’s not even her type, what even suggested they were dating?
“So, you’re dating our son?” Mr Kozume questioned slowly gesturing lazily to Kenma.
Her eyes shot over to Kenma's widened eyes, as much as it pained her, she shook her head,
“no, I’m not dating anyone.”
“You must be pretty confident to work on a team with teenage boys,” Mrs Kozume chuckled lightly.
Akasuki nodded with a laugh, she’s not wrong, but she trusts the team. Kuroo cleared his throat,
“right Miss manager, let’s get you home.”
She nodded as Kuroo gestured her towards the door, turning to Kenma’s parents,
“I’ll see you later,” he glanced up at Kenma, “see ya buddy.”
Akasuki glanced at Kenma’s parents,
“it was nice meeting you.”
“You’re welcome over any time,” Mrs Kozume insisted with a smile.
Really? Any time? She glanced up at Kenma watching the pair leave, she didn’t want to leave, she wanted to stay and care for him,
“feel better, okay?”
Kenma nodded shortly, Akasuki turning to walk out of the door, Kuroo following behind. This sucked. The pair stood outside for a moment in each other's silence.
“Right, I should get going,” she turned around, “thanks for the burger.”
As she started to walk, Kuroo strode up beside her,
“you really think I’m going to let you walk alone?”
She thought he was joking about that.
“Well, yeah, it’s out of your way,” Akasuki muttered.
“Still, a pretty girl shouldn’t be walking alone,” Kuroo chuckled, “come on, tell me, what’s your plans when you get home?”
“Eh,” Akasuki thought hard, probably something to do with the boys, it wasn’t that late just yet so they wouldn’t be getting ready for bed, “hang out with my brothers I guess.”
“Cool,” Kuroo beamed, “that’ll be fun.”
He speaks like he’s gonna be joining them, maybe she should invite him over.
“Do you wanna,” she glanced up at him, “join us?”
Kuroo grinned at her,
“was it that obvious?”
She shook her head scoffing lightly,
“god, my mum’s gonna go crazy.”