“Sorry you had to stay late again, ______-chan, we just really want to make sure we’re tightened down.”

You kept your head tilted down, fixating your attention on the clipboard in your hands. “It’s fine, Kuroo-san, I don’t mind. I’d be losing sleep anyway.”

“Oh ho?” You could feel him leaning closer. “And who, pray tell, is keeping you awake at night?”

“Don’t flatter yourself Kuroo-san,” you chuckled, hoping your play at nonchalance would be believed. It was doubtful considering who you were talking to but you could hope.

Kuroo elected to laugh, leaning up and away to move towards the exit. “I gotta get changed, I’ll walk you home, just hang tight,” he called over his shoulder.

Now there was an image you didn’t need. Ok, maybe you didn’t mind so much, it just made hiding your affection for Kuroo that much harder. Why did he have to be so damn attractive? And smart? And endearingly dorky?

You shook your head, trying to dispel the images and the pang in your heart. You needed to focus on supporting the team, they needed your full attention, unrequited love be damned.

---

“Go, go Nekoma! Push it, push it, Nekoma!”

The gym thundered with the noise of cheering. You were barely able to remain seated next to the coaches, your legs bouncing, clutching your clipboard so tight you were sure your fingers would cramp any moment.

The moment the other team called for a timeout, you were up, rushing to give the starters their water and towels, stammering out words of encouragement as best you could given the rattle of your own nerves.

The tremors in your heart intensified when you met your eyes to Kuroo’s. He took the bottle from your hand, fingers grazing yours and lifted it to his lips chugging down gulps of water. He wiped his mouth which then formed into that trademark smirk. “Cheer loud for me, eh?”

You swallowed and could only nod.

He grinned again before taking off for the court.

“So I didn’t hear you cheering,” Kuroo commented on the bus ride home, feigned hurt in his tone.

You shifted away, sure that he hadn’t meant to sit that close to you and you didn’t want to amplify the awkward. “My mistake, I’ll bring the bullhorn next time,” you said with a slight smile.

Kuroo scooted closer, his arm on the back of the bench seats to give him room and you could feel the heat radiating off him. His voice lowered and he leaned down closer to you. “Can I ask you something?”

You shifted again, giving him your full attention, sure he was going to ask for some stats on the game.

“Would you go out with me sometime?”

Your brain short circuited and your mouth opened and closed with no sound coming out. He waited, cheeks a little pinker than they were when he first sat down but he kept his gaze locked to yours.

Finally you managed to speak, “Are you serious?”

He snorted. “No, I’m screwing with you just to be an ass.” He shook his head, reached forward and took your hand in his. “Of course I am, you dork.”

You were silent again so he added, “Just nod, if you want to that is.”

And slowly, your head bobbed up and down making him smile even wider.