Tsukishima Overthinks Things - Tumblr Posts

Gift for aliquoten: Tsukishima closes his eyes and falls into a restless slumber (sofa’21)

Restless

Read on Ao3 

Tsukishima can’t sleep. Actually, he hasn’t been able to sleep well for the past few days, but this is the first time he’s opened his eyes to see him sleeping. The reason behind his insomnia. The room is dark, they always close the blinds every night, but it’s slowly approaching sunrise and some of those lights are starting to peek into their room.

Hinata is lying completely still next to him. It’s so different from the excitable and human version he (and everyone) sees during the waking hours.

Since Hinata doesn’t usually have to sleep, it’s rare for Tsukishima to see him in this state. After all, why would vampires need to sleep? He can see Hinata rolling his eyes at him, Everyone needs to rest every now and then, even people like me! He remembers Hinata’s stories of how he used to have a younger sister and they’d both end up sharing a futon sometimes, their limbs sprawled all over the bedding but also spilling out onto the hardwood floors of their traditional Japanese home. Their mother would find them snoring loudly in the mornings, their bellies uncovered, I don’t really remember what it felt like, to sleep like that, but sometimes I remember feeling happy you know? So I miss it. I can’t really snore anymore since I don’t need to breathe

No, he doesn’t. Instead, Hinata’s slumber is still, dark, and Tsukishima would usually panic if he woke up to someone so still and cold sleeping next to him, but this is somehow a comfort to him. He knows anything can easily wake up Hinata but his hand moves before he can think and he places it into Hinata’s, holding the lifeless limb

Hinata doesn’t move so he’s either truly dead to the world or he’s humoring Tsukishima

Tsukishima closes his eyes and falls into a restless slumber.

---

They have been living together for five years. Tsukishima doesn’t believe in forever. He knows that things change for one reason or another, but he feels like this could be it and it scares him that Hinata will just stare at him in silence when he talks about something longer. Or that his answers will carry some uncertainty. He’ll still be exuberant, but his eyes will shift, his hands will randomly start to play with something as a distraction, and Tsukishima wonders if maybe he’s the only one that wants forever

But Hinata truly has forever. He’s changed his life numerous times. Forever to him means a timed life, I haven’t lived everywhere in Japan yet but I’ve visited every place I can find, you know, to see if maybe it can be my next home. One time I went to America! It was so different!! But I came back. Maybe it can be my next home one day but I like it here

Tsukishima has only considered and embraced forever because Hinata is by his side

He doesn’t want to move from town to town and start a new life, change his name on occasion, leave loved ones behind, but he does want to keep holding Hinata’s hand. He wants them to keep going on those expensive trips where Hinata tells him some obscure tale about the inns that only someone who had been around hundreds of years ago would know. He wants to scold Hinata about walking around the house or outside with his hair wet, even though he knows nothing will come of it, because that’s what couples do. And as sullen as he’ll look in many of the photographs that have accumulated in their little apartment, Tsukishima also wants more of that

He wants to always be able to see Hinata’s smile at its brightest.

---

Hinata says he doesn’t live in the same place twice, but I made an exception for this place. I actually went to school here once, a long long time ago! I’m glad I came back

Tsukishima is glad too. He knows they started off on the wrong foot, mostly because Tsukishima is a jerk, he admits it, knows it, and is rather proud of it. He doesn’t like to give everyone his time and being nice to everyone is just exhausting. Perhaps there was some resentment in his way of thinking a few years ago, but he’s since then disentangled those threads and now he keeps up his attitude because it’s such an easier way to live

Being with Hinata has mellowed him out in some people’s eyes at least. Yamaguchi is still his best friend and they have the same sense of humor often, but if Tsukishima ever says the wrong thing, he knows Hinata will call him out. He doesn’t usually listen if the person he’s pissing off is Kageyama and he’s come to terms with the fact that there’s some jealousy in his blood regarding that

One of the reasons Hinata doesn’t like to come back to the same place more than once is because of people like Kageyama. They’re sitting on the couch when Hinata tells him, You shouldn’t be so mean to Kageyama, he’s not a bad guy. Tsukishima had only made an annoyed grunt. You know, this is a secret but…I used to know someone from Kageyama’s family when I lived here the first time. It actually scared me the first time I saw him, they look almost identical. Maybe that’s why we’re so competitive

Tsukishima wonders if this means anything. Hinata tells him that he’d been best friends with the other Kageyama and he speaks fondly of him. He wonders if that one knew of Hinata’s secret, if he would have also desired forever with Hinata, or if he’d known and decided to stay here. So many things could be different

He asks about his own ancestors. Hinata looks at him, No Tsukishima’s of your family in my life until you, that’s why I’m so happy I came back

Tsukishima agrees.

---

The first time Hinata drinks directly from Tsukishima happens when they first start living together. Hinata likes to hold his hand and Tsukishima doesn’t mind, he enjoys the way Hinata’s fingers will roam his skin, how his eyes will look so intently at the veins there. Tsukishima doesn’t know much about vampires, aside from the usual pop culture stereotypes, but he tells Hinata one day, if he wants to, that he doesn’t mind letting him drink from his neck

He imagines it would be painful, but if it’s for Hinata, he doesn’t mind. And there’s a sense of possession that he likes in the act.

Hinata had sat on his lap at the offer, kissed him slowly, so tenderly, on the lips. Drowned him in kisses, on his cheeks, his forehead, and then moved so slowly onto his neck. Tsukishima had gripped those small hips, prepared himself, but Hinata had only kissed him, gone so far as to leave a hickey. He’d seen how he’d stared at the blood coming to the surface, licked his lips. But he’d continued kissing, pulled his arm to his lips, kissed his wrist, up, up, up

And that’s where he felt the pinprick of teeth

Hinata had drank as carefully as he kissed, making sure to keep Tsukishima’s discomfort at a minimum. He’d asked about it when they were in the bath, Oh that, well, what if I hurt you? I’ve known vampires that have accidentally killed people like that. And doctors always take blood from the arm so that seemed safest to me

It makes Tsukishima curious about other things.

At that point, he’d known that sunlight didn’t truly affect vampires like it did in movies. Hinata didn’t turn into ash, otherwise, he wouldn’t have survived as long as he did. And he doesn’t start to look otherworldly…or at least not in a vampiric sense. It does make him dizzy to stay out for too long and one time he’d passed out. Tsukishima remembers they’d been having a team reunion and everyone had panicked when Hinata just lay still in the park.

Sugawara had already snapped open his phone to call for an ambulance and Yachi (who had been the closest to Hinata) had nearly fainted as she yelled out that Hinata wasn’t breathing. Tsukishima had just grabbed Hinata, and he was glad he kept a semi-regular workout routine because otherwise picking up his limb boyfriend would have been nearly impossible, and told the others he just needed to cool off indoors for a moment, I’ll be right back

He’d managed to help wake Hinata with a bit of blood and after that, everyone decided that the next time they met, being outdoors for too long would be a bad idea

As for the garlic, that was one of the earliest examples that proved “deadly vampire items” were not exactly accurate.

But Tsukishima wondered, what about turning others? He was afraid to ask. What if that wasn’t true either? Or, he felt a churning in his gut every time he thought about this, what if Hinata didn’t want Tsukishima in his life for that long?

---

Tsukishima’s sleep is restless so when Hinata starts to move his fingers along his arm, he feels it and he’s instantly awake. But he doesn’t open his eyes. He keeps his eyes closed and enjoys the feeling of Hinata’s cold touch. Tsukishima is still holding onto one of Hinata’s hands and when he feels Hinata move closer, he knows that Hinata has noticed he’s awake. Tsukishima opens his eyes to see Hinata only inches away from him. He’s smiling and they kiss good morning

“How did you sleep?” Hinata asks quietly. He’s so quiet that Tsukishima wonders if maybe he imagined it.

Tsukishima’s body feels tired. He wants to stretch and see if anything pops, if it will help him relax. His body is too tense. But he also doesn’t want to move away from Hinata so instead, he says, “Okay.”

Hinata is watching him and Tsukishima knows he can see the lies. Hinata moves up to touch the bags under his eyes, touches his pale skin, and caresses his damp hair. He only notices it now

Tsukishima closes his eyes again for a moment.

Hinata has been here too long.

Hinata has been here for ten years and people are starting to comment on his appearance more and more. It’s not entirely strange for someone in their supposed late twenties to still look young, but soon it will be apparent that something isn’t right. And soon Tsukishima will start to look older than the boy who has been stuck at twenty-five for hundreds of years. It will be obvious, so Hinata had started the process

Tsukishima had seen some of the photographs and decorations disappear from where they belonged. He’d seen Hinata’s usual messy clothes in their shared closet become neater. Some clothes folded and packed too meticulously. He’d been home for a few weeks too. He’s sure Hinata has quit his job

Hinata has also stopped asking for food. Hinata doesn’t have to eat and his body doesn’t reject the food (as long as he takes care and has enough blood circulating in his system, Hinata functions as a normal human would), but he’s always loved sharing meals with Tsukishima. Now he’s only seen Hinata snack on a few things.

It has also been a week since he last fed from Tsukishima.

He wonders if this is Hinata’s way of slowly removing himself from Tsukishima’s life. He wonders how Hinata even managed to get inside so deeply.

Tsukishima wonders if this is Hinata’s answer to the many times he’s implied he wants forever with him.

He feels Hinata shift in bed again and then he’s being hugged, Hinata’s small hands rubbing his back. He’s half laying atop Hinata and he wants to tell him to get away, but if this is what he’ll be left with, he wants it all. He grips Hinata tightly and they both lie there as the birds sing outside and the sun finishes its ascent.

Hinata clears his throat and Tsukishima realizes that lying like this, he can’t see Hinata’s face, his eyes, and from how wobbly he speaks, his tears, “Kei, it’s time you know.”

Tsukishima doesn’t say anything, let’s Hinata continue.

“I’ve never stayed this long you know,” he’s not trying to hide the fact he’s crying, “Ten years is a lot in my time. People grow and change a lot in that time, but…but I like it here. I like the kids at the school, they’ve been practicing so hard for their next match, and I like to see K-Kageyama huff and even smile when we beat his team.” Hinata’s hand stops rubbing Tsukishima’s back, opting to just stay in place

“And whenever we can meet up with the team. Yachi also called me the other day. She’s having twins, did you know that?”

He did. Yamaguchi had been so happy and scared that he’d called Tsukishima as soon as he’d heard the news.

“But you know why I didn’t leave?” they shift again and Tsukishima feels a messy kiss on his forehead. He moves to kiss Hinata and is surprised and glad at the desperation they both share at that moment. Tsukishima is breathless when they finally part and Hinata is looking at him like he also wants forever with him, “It’s because you’re here. I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to leave you. Ever.”

Hinata cries into him and Tsukishima wants the same thing, but neither of them knows how to make this come true. Hinata has rarely encountered any other vampires and he doesn’t remember how he came to be in this state. He just remembers…being.

Tsukishima isn’t the type for mushy talk but he grabs Hinata’s face and finally lets his feelings flow, “We can find a way. And if we can’t, ” he swallows the lump in his throat, because that is always a possibility, and if ten years have passed by so quickly, he’s afraid of how fast the rest of his life will go, “If we can’t…then let’s just enjoy what we have. Together.”

He kisses Hinata, “You don’t have to go alone this time. Be selfish. Ask me to go with you.”

---

When they finally manage to get out of bed, the apartment starts to become cold. Decorations are taken off the walls, the refrigerator, the shelves. When Hinata moves, he tries not to take anything with him. It helps alleviate the pain of leaving people behind, but this time Tsukishima is coming with him.

They don’t have to start from zero

---

A/N:

OMG this story was TORTURE

I actually had a few ideas when it came to these two but then I was sleeping (restlessly) and randomly thought, what if Hinata were a vampire?? And since there was recently that TsukkiHina or Tsukishima magic week (or something) and my giftee's likes included some fantasy elements I was like why not? And of course, DA ANGST, which my giftee also listed

Watch me cry over what I wrote

Also, I usually like writing OMAKE in the end notes, please let me know if that's something you guys would like. I kind of didn't automatically do it this time because uhm, I was too busy crying so (esp aliquoten) if you want a little something extra, lmk, I kind of already have something in mind

I hope you all enjoyed~

“The next few days, Yachi makes sure he doesn't forget about Hinata Shouyo. ” (HQ Secret Santa 2021)

Doctor’s Visit, Ch2

Read Chapter 1 | Ao3

Tsukishima's week has been hectic and by week he means since last last Sunday when he was called in because a coworker got sick and well, he hasn't had much luck in getting a break. He's told he'll be able to get a break this weekend, but he knows that's not always true. Emergencies happen and while the clinic isn't really short-staffed, it's also nearing the holidays. The time, in his opinion, when people become stupider.

He sighs and mutters, "I hate the holidays," then he looks up from his desk and says, "What happened to the next one?"

Yachi stands in front of him with a clipboard and the paperwork of his next patient. Hinata Shouyo is written at the top in very clean and elegant writing. He's not sure why but he gets the feeling his grandparents would approve of this penmanship

Yachi looks worried as she explains, "His name is Hinata Shouyo. It looks like he hit his head at work. He's been sitting in the lobby holding his neck. He doesn't look well."

Tsukishima is only half paying attention, reading the details that this Hinata wrote down. It doesn't seem like it's too serious, but one can never know with blows to the head. They can be really nasty and he's glad that at least this patient had the sense to come to the clinic and get checked. Even though it's after the fact. Better late than never.

"Bring him in," he tells Yachi and while she does, he takes a moment to rub at his eyes.

When Yachi returns he's standing and back in professional mode. While he can't be as sunshine and rainbows as some of his peers, he can be civil. No need to worry or harm the patients, although there have been many tempting times to hurl insults. He raises a brow at the man who walks in. His parents chose a good name.

The checkup goes well for the most part and he's surprised that Hinata can pick up on some of his silent insults because really, who gets hurt while playing with five year olds? He looks like he's a pretty lithe person, but he supposes that appearances are deceiving.

But if he's being honest, he's also arrested in those moments. They don't make much eye contact since he's making sure Hinata is alright (his hands are small but hold strength, his neck surprisingly warm) but when he turns, Hinata is watching, staring, and his eyes are so bright and piercing, they make him stall.

He hands Hinata his prescriptions and says, “Just take this to the front desk, they’ll give you the medicine. Take it easy for the next few days. And maybe tell the kids to go easy on you next time. Any questions?” He wouldn't have spoken like this to any other patient, but there's something about Hinata that makes him think he won't start trouble, well, if he even catches the insult. I wouldn't be surprised if it goes over his head

But what Hinata says next completely derails him, “How long have you been a doctor here?”

It's not really something he's been asked frequently. If anything, he only gets it from upset parents and older patients who always want a more "experienced" doctor. But there doesn't seem to be any malice in his question, just curiosity so he says, “Just over a year.”

“You look really young, how old are you?” and that's what Tsukishima was hoping wouldn't be asked. It's not that he doesn't want to reveal his age, but he's already the youngest doctor in the clinic, and he'll admit that he does have a connection, but he's also qualified. He spins the pen in his hand and smiles in a way he knows pleases the nurses, “I meant any questions about your well-being.”

But his attitude doesn't seem to deter Hinata and when his questions eventually turn more personal and Yachi's laughs become bolder, he realizes that Hinata isn't trying to belittle him. He was never really the type to get confessions so he's not sure how to react, and his traitorous body flushes and his heart starts to beat a bit faster. He scowls.

“Ok, one last serious question," Hinata promises and Tsukishima looks at him warily.

He didn't think Hinata could look brighter, but apparently this is him at his dullest. He grins wide, “Do you want to get a coffee? Or tea? I don’t really like coffee or tea but I was thinking we could-”

“Good BYE,” he emphasizes and is glad when Hinata does as he's told. He slams the door shut and Yachi is full blown giggling behind him. He turns around and she takes a breath to say, "You're blushing, oh my god, does that mean you think he's cute?"

He remembers the Yachi of when he first arrived at the clinic and misses how quiet and scared (of him) she used to be, "No." But he does take off his glasses to rub at his eyes, two curious and piercing eyes looking at him from the darkness.

The rest of the day is completely dull compared to that one visit, but he does manage to take a nap for a few minutes during lunch. He wakes up to a small bento from Yachi at his desk. He raises a brow at her but thanks her

"I knew you wouldn't bring a lunch today either and since I had extras," she says while already eating her own share, which the exact same size as his. He checks the time, making sure he has enough time to eat

----

The next few days, Yachi makes sure he doesn't forget about Hinata Shouyo.

They're having lunch one day when she says, "I wonder how Hinata is doing. He really had some trouble that day, remember how he was holding his neck?" She mimics Hinata but her face is completely miserable and Tsukishima can't help but smile.

"I'm sure he didn't look that miserable," he says. When Yachi smirks, he can't help but feel like he's lost.

"Really? How did he look then?" And his mind immediately conjures Hinata holding his neck after he'd tried to tilt it back. Yes, he'd been in pain but his posture had mostly been good. His hair had been lively, fluffy even, his skin warm, his eyes bright, and his lips-

He frowns and closes his bento, thanking Yachi once more, "For the lunch, your company has been less than stellar lately."

That only makes her laugh, "You don't like anyone's company."

It's true. He'd rather be by himself.

The next time she bring him up they're both on a quick fifteen minute break and he takes this chance to get a coffee.

"So why didn't you take him up on his date?"

She is so to the point that day that he nearly drops his coffee. He frowns, "You know that's unethical."

She has her own drink in hand and he recognizes it as a hot chocolate from the vending machine. But she's relentless, "Ok, what if you met him at like, the grocery store or at a cafe like he said, what if he asked you out, would you say yes?"

He scrunches his nose in defiance and lifts his coffee to his mouth, letting the aroma wake him up. He'd been called in again, his weekend rest ruined, "Why are you so invested in this? He probably said that to be cheeky."

She hums and Tsukishima worries about what she'll say next. His worry is correct when she says, "But did you think he was cute?"

He sighs and starts walking back to his office, "Our break is almost over." But he can tell he's blushing slightly, not just because he suddenly feels the heat on his ears, but because Yachi is smiling, a bounce in her steps.

The next time he's ready for Yachi's questioning, but she doesn't bring up Hinata. Instead, she says, "There's this really nice cafe a quick walk from here, by the grocery store. Their hot chocolate is so good! And they make some of the cutest latte art."

It seems innocent enough until, "It's the perfect place for a date, don't you think?"

He inwardly groans but smiles politely, "I'm sure. Did you and Tadashi go there?"

Yachi nods and starts to give him a detailed account of how her boyfriend found it, the really handsome staff, and the delicious food. But he also wonders how this pertains to Hinata. He was pretty sure he'd mentioned a kindergarten internship so he wouldn't really have time for another part-time job, right? He scowls at where his thoughts stray and decides he's overworked.

"I'm taking a break," he tells Yachi as he takes off his glasses and heads outside.

He finally gets to have a day off on Monday and he spends it sleeping most of the day. When he returns on Tuesday, he can feel Yachi watching him for longer than necessary. When the staring doesn't stop by mid-day he asks, "What is it?"

Yachi, in almost a whisper, asks, "Did you go?"

He is confused, "Where?"

Yachi sighs in disappointment, "Where else? The cafe!"

He shuffles some papers on his desk and stares at her with a deadpan expression, "Why would I go?"

Yachi looks too innocent when she says, "To see if the coffee is good?"

Tsukishima sighs. He doesn't have many vices but when you work hours like they do, it's nearly impossible not to get addicted to caffeine, and even when he knows it won't help, especially with how long he's been drinking it, he can't stop. But more importantly, "You know I try not to drink coffee outside of work hours."

Yachi sighs dramatically, "I know but still!"

Her posture is more subdued for about half the day before he once more sees a fire in her eyes. As they're both heading home that night she says, "The atmosphere is really nice too! You like quiet places too, right? It's very soothing."

He wraps a scarf around his neck and pulls on his gloves, his jacket and bag already on. Yachi is a bit slower in getting ready

"You must really like this place," he plays along. Then adds, "Is Tadashi picking you up?"

Yachi brightens, "Yes to both questions!"

It's nearing midnight when they finally head outside and meet up with Tadashi, and Tsukishima is glad he can finally get rid of Yachi. He's met Tadashi only a handful of times, his work keeping his social life as nonexistent as possible, but the guy seemed nice and Yachi never complained. And if you asked Tsukishima, they did make a nice couple, Tadashi with his slightly dorky smile and Yachi with her exuberance. They were both sickeningly doting as well

Before they part Yachi yells, "Make sure to go on your next day off!"

Tsukishima doesn't answer but as he's walking home, he thinks that maybe he can concede this one time. And it's not because he's worried or wants to see Hinata. No.

"...so she can stop pestering me."

Gift For FanGirlofManyThings: Kei remembers the first time he met the boy with the stars on his face. (Sofa’22)

The Forest Spirit

Read on AO3

Kei has wandered the woods many times, but humans are rare so deep and far off the path. He's surprised to hear panting and wheezing, and the sound of the leaves crunching under a rhythmic weight stops him in his tracks. He watches from the shadows as a boy appears. He can't see his face but he’s wearing heavy clothing that makes noise with every breath he takes. He's resting by a tree, his head down, and his hands on his knees

He wonders about the way the boy must have come. It’s very likely he came from the shrine, which means that in order for him to have gotten lost this far into the woods, he must have climbed over the retaining wall

Kei isn't sure why he's here. Is he lost?

He gets his answer when the boy falls to the floor, his arms circling his legs. He can hear crying and Kei's face sours. His brother would help the boy. 

Humans are attracted to the magic here, he’d once told Kei when he was so young Akiteru was still taller than him, We should always help them get back. It can be dangerous here. He’d paused there for a moment, his face sad, They’re very fragile…

Kei makes up his mind with a scowl on his face and walks toward the boy. He makes no sound, even as he steps on the red fall leaves. The boy doesn’t look up at him, still lost in his crying

“Hey,” Kei calls out, his voice breaking a bit at the end. He’s not used to speaking in the human language. He frowns, but it works. The boy looks up at the sound of his voice

His eyes are red, there’s some fluid exiting his nose, and his mouth is releasing quick breaths. But the noises he’s been making stop almost immediately and he uses his hands to clean his face. The boy stutters, “I-I didn’t see you, ah, I mean, where…are you lost too?”

Kei frowns when the boy’s face is free of his tears. There’s still something…

He touches the boy’s face and rubs, trying to get the dirt smeared on his face off.

The boy yells, “What are you doing?!” 

It still doesn’t come off. Instead, his face begins to turn red, but Kei is sure he isn’t being too rough. He scrapes a bit, his nails are dull but still sharp enough to remove any type of creature that might have attached itself to the boy

The boy pushes him away, “Stop!”

Kei falls back on his butt and now they’re both sitting on the floor.

The boy’s arms flail and he’s sure he stops breathing for a moment before he yells out, “I’m sorry! Are you okay? It’s just, that really hurt. W-What were you doing anyway?” He touches his right cheek, the one Kei had been trying to clean. He can see a small red scrape

They’re very fragile…you should treat them delicately

Kei pouts and mutters a “lame” before standing up and turning away from the boy. He doesn’t even get to take a step before the boy launches himself at him, his arms holding onto his

“W-Wait” he says, “Do you know…ah, do you know how to get out of here? I got separated from my friends…”

Kei doesn’t shake him off. We should always help them get back. He asks the trees for other signs of humans but there’s nobody else there. This boy with the dirt on his face was left alone. 

… you should treat them delicately

He turns his hand until their hands are intertwined. He doesn’t say anything, just tugs slightly. The boy gets up. He looks confused but follows him. 

The sound of the leaves crunching under the boy’s feet is the only sound that accompanies them for a moment. Kei likes the feeling of their hands pressed together. The boy is soft and warm and perhaps a bit wet. But the smell coming off him is pleasant. It smells like the fruit his brother had given him that day in the woods

Come on, let’s try with this. Try to hold it gently in your hands. 

They go downhill towards the shrine. Kei is careful, walking at a pace that is easy for the boy, making sure he doesn’t pull him too hard otherwise he will fall. Even with the boots on his feet, he’s sure he would tumble down and hurt himself. 

“Who are you?” the boy asks as they near the retaining wall that separates humans from people like Kei and his brother. Or it would normally, but humans have lost their fear of the unknown in recent years

Kei isn’t sure how to answer that so instead he says, “Who are you ?”

The boy laughs and Kei is mesmerized by the way his eyes shine, “I’m Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Tadashi.”

Kei nods in understanding. He meant his name, “Kei.”

There’s a pause and then Yamaguchi Tadashi says, “Just Kei?”

Kei doesn’t know a lot about humans. He’s not allowed to leave this forest, but his brother knows more. He’s told him about the way humans have two names. 

Do we have two names? He remembers asking because he’d only ever known Akiteru as Akiteru. His brother had laughed, No, we’re just Akiteru and Kei. Do you want a last name?

He’d thought hard about that and had almost slipped. His brother had held his arm, Careful, it gets hard to see in the dark

Kei looks at the curiosity in the boy’s eyes, “Kei…Kei Tsuki…shima.”

He grins up at Kei and nods, “I’ll remember that. Thank you for helping me. Ah, are you coming down too? It’s getting dark…”

Kei watches the retaining wall. It’s an extremely old structure, much older than the shrine. 

He lets go of Tadashi’s hand and instantly misses the feel of it. He doesn’t truly feel cold, but he knows that’s what it feels like now that they aren’t connected. He uses the same hand to point at the wall and Tadashi’s eyes follow, “That’s the shrine. Go back down that way.”

When Tadashi turns back around, he’s gone. 

He watches from the shadows, the way the boy turns from one direction to another, confusion on his face.

--

Kei doesn’t expect to see Tadashi anymore. Many humans come to the shrine but very few are as young as him and very few return more than once. 

Even fewer go over the retaining wall

He’s heard a few people stand on it, looking on in awe at the forest beyond. They admire it but know that there is something clearly off about the space beyond. 

Why don’t humans come and see us? He’d asked Akiteru once. He’d been practicing with the fruit again. He had gone from completely crushing it and scraping it with his nails, to finally being able to pick it from the tree himself without destroying it. 

His brother had been talking with the trees. He hummed and then said, It’s probably the wall at the back of the shrine. Remember the last time you touched it?

The memory is upsetting enough that he instantly crushes the fruit in his palm. He grimaces, apologizing to the fruit.

He’d heard voices that day and had wanted to see the humans. After hearing about them so much from Akiteru, he’d wanted to say hello. To tell them he wasn’t scary and wanted to be friends. When he touched the wall to try and climb over it, he’d been zapped and pushed away. It had taken weeks for his hand to heal

He’d never seen Akiteru so scared or upset. 

Promise you’ll never try that again! He’d promised, the fear in Akiteru’s eyes contagious.

Akiteru picked another fruit from the tree and gave it to Kei, gently and lovingly, It pushes them away too. More gently, but still as insistent. He had smiled sadly, But not all humans listen. Magic calls to them too but it’s dangerous on this side, especially at night.

Kei had never understood the danger Akiteru talked about until he’d grown into his own power

The same power his brother used to talk with the earth around them. The same one that warns him now of a human in the woods. 

Not that he needed that when Tadashi is crunching around the woods yelling out, “Tsukki! Tsukki! Are you here! It’s me, Tadashi!”

It doesn’t take Kei very long to get to where Tadashi is yelling. He’s dressed differently this time, not properly for a hike in the woods. It’s a uniform of some sort, all black, and he has a bag on his back. A scarf is wrapped around his neck but Kei sees a few leaves and twigs stuck to it

He realizes why that is when Tadashi leans back against one of the trees

Kei appears behind him, “Why are you here again?”

Tadashi jumps away from the tree, “You scared me!”

They both stare at each other. Kei is frowning at the way Tadashi’s face is still covered in dirt. He reaches out again to clean his face, but again, it doesn’t come off. He decides to voice his concern this time instead of hurting him again, “Why won’t this come off?”

Tadashi laughs and Kei feels it on his hand, it’s warm, just like how it had felt to hold his hand. 

“They’re not supposed to come off,” he smiles, “I was born with them.”

His frown deepens, “Fruits with spots mean bad health.”

Tadashi looks a bit awkward at the comment, “I-I’m not fruit?”

No, he is human. He is like fruit. Smells just as sweet, has life, and is fragile. Kei moves away and starts walking back to where he had been caring for the trees. He hears Tadashi following him and it doesn’t take long before he’s talking, his voice animated

“Do your feet hurt? You weren’t wearing shoes the last time either. Or are you cold? It’s been getting chilly lately. Isn’t your yukata too thin?”

He gives Tadashi a fruit and he holds it without having to think about his strength.

“Do you like these?” he asks instead, and Kei nods. They pile a few fruits carefully into a woven basket

“Do others know that you’re here? I’ve never heard of anyone meeting someone up here.”

“No,” Kei answers. It’s only ever been him and Akiteru. 

Tadashi smiles, “You finally answered! Also, where are we going?”

Kei gestures forward, “I’m going to leave the fruits over there.”

Over there is the only place on the grounds that Kei can come anywhere close to humans without being hurt. It’s a small shrine, tiny enough that sometimes the stronger winds would knock it over. Tiny enough that it could and was usually overlooked by any visitors. 

There is no physical barrier here but the magical one is still in place 

He leaves the basket at the cliffside, as far as he can go without losing his form

He looks at Tadashi, “There are stairs built in past the trees there. You can take that route down.”

Instead of leaving, Tadashi holds his hand. They stand there, looking over the city until it gets dark

-- 

The next time they meet, Kei frowns at Tadashi. He’s appeared from behind a tree again, spooking him, “Why do you call me that?”

Tadashi has a hand on his heart and his face is red, “W-What do you mean?”

Kei says “Tsuki” as if he’s eaten something sour. 

The boy looks slightly embarrassed, making the marks on his face pop, “Oh, well, it’s a nickname. You said your name was Tsukishima so Tsukki…for short. Do you…Do you not like it?”

Kei isn’t sure why but he likes the way Tadashi can’t look him in the eye. It makes him want to chase him. He touches his face again and makes sure he’s looking at him

“Call me Kei. That’s my name.”

“O-oh,” he whispers. Kei doesn’t want to let go and Tadashi lets him linger for a moment. Then he asks, “Do you like them?”

Kei nods, “What are they?”

Tadashi grins, “Freckles. The others don’t really like them and bullies used to always say mean things about them.”

He lets go of his face and starts walking into the woods, “They’re very pretty.”

Kei hears him laugh behind him, “You can’t just say that with your back to me!”

But Kei does and he doesn’t turn back. He feels his face warm. 

Today, Kei is cleaning up the fallen twigs and leaves. Tadashi helps him but also complains when his hands and clothes are completely covered in mud, “I should have worn something else!”

Kei takes Tadashi’s hands in his and cleans off as much of the mud as he can. He folds their hands together and guides Tadashi to another part of the mountain that others have not seen before. It’s a slow trek. The sun is already setting and he wonders if this is even a good idea. It would have been easier to send him off, some other human could help him

But he’s not ready to let go.

It’s dark by the time they make it to the river that feeds into the streams surrounding the shrine

“Wash here,” Kei gestures. Tadashi is staring openly and not moving

“How…and people don’t come up here?” he exclaims, one of his hands coming up to touch his forehead, “This place is amazing.”

Kei pulls him towards the water, sitting on the rocks lining the edge, “Now your face is actually dirty.”

Tadashi only grins, sitting as well, “You should clean it then.”

Kei does exactly that. The water is cold and he notices the way Tadashi moves away from it initially. Kei likes the warmth of his skin, which doesn’t go away for long. His hair sticks to his face slightly as it gets wet and Kei moves his fingers through it to push it back. It’s soft

“Are you stuck here?” Tadashi whispers

Kei doesn’t answer at first. He remembers crying to his brother, feeling sad and angry that he couldn’t leave, I want to go back! I don’t want to hear them laughing anymore!

Akiteru had held him and rubbed his back, We have an important job. If you go back, who will take care of the trees? Then the humans would be sad too

“I can move around freely in my forest,” he says instead.

They watch the sky and Kei decides that the freckles on Tadashi’s face are not the unhealthy touch of death but the brightness of the stars

--

The first time Tadashi meets Kei's brother is in the winter. 

Instead of going to find Tadashi, Kei waits for him to find him. He no longer yells out his name either, especially after (as he’d told Kei one time) he’d been asked why he was making so much noise by the shrine caretakers. He’d been embarrassed but also worried that people would become curious and start coming up into Kei’s forest

Instead, Kei sits against one of the larger trees. The ground is packed with snow and the trees have all gained a cap of it on their limbs. Kei’s body sits above the snow, unsinking and unbothered by the temperature change

But that doesn’t stop him from wearing the scarf that Tadashi had gifted him. 

“There you are!” Tadashi exclaims and Kei opens his eyes to see his star-touched face. His breath is visible in the cold and he’s wearing heavier clothes. His feet, unlike Kei’s, do sink into the snow and he shivers a bit when some of the snow gets into his boots

He sits next to Kei and teases, “I almost couldn’t see you. You blend in with the snow. Good thing I gave you that scarf.” He looks up at the tree they’re leaning against. It takes up most of the clearing, “This tree is huge! I can’t believe I hadn’t seen it before.”

Kei leans his head back against the trunk and whispers, “This is my brother.”

Tadashi sounds nervous when he says, “Oh, uhm, what’s his name? Is he…okay? I’ve never seen him before.”

Kei moves his head so it’s leaning against Tadashi’s and weaves their hands together. Kei’s hands are bare against Tadashi’s gloved one. 

It’s been years since his brother last took human shape. 

“He’s healing,” he tells him, “Not many humans come up this far, but some have.”

Tadashi turns and Kei can feel the kiss on his head, “What is he like? Is he as tall as you?”

Kei smirks, “No. He’s short. I was taller than him these last few years.”

Snow sprinkles on them and Kei laughs, “He says that’s not true.”

Tadashi smiles, “I bet he's nicer than you at least.”

“He is,” he agrees, “I wouldn’t have helped you that first day if it wasn’t for him.”

Tadashi cuddles closer to him, “Well, then I’m glad he’s your brother. Tell me more about him.”

Night comes quickly in the winter, but Kei isn’t able to stop telling story after story about Akiteru

---

A/N: omgggg this is the first time writing for this ship and i had so much fun!! i hope you all enjoy, but esp you rebecca! a few notes

- loosely based on the song tonight by lie ning

- the setting is based on a shrine in Hiroshima bc its my favorite

- i decided to focus on the meet cute and happy scene prompts, i hope this fits the bill!

- apparently, tree spirits are called kodama and they are often depicted as glowing orbs of light and I was like oh hey doesn't kei mean firefly which is also a floating light, and yeah, there is no plot, just wood spirit kei. that's also why he wears white

- kodama trees are said to bleed when cut so they are generally left alone

comments feed my soul~