And they were roommates (2)

Warning, minor smut, read at your own risk.

Advised to have tissues on hand. Enjoy :)

"Ah, Kei-kun! great I got the correct address!"

"Why... are you here?"

"You forgot your thumb drive when you left just now! I asked a few people about where you live and they helped me out!"

Yachi clutched onto her chest, biting nervously. Kei-kun? was that girl very close to Tsukishima? Yachi couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart. Who was she, is she really Tsukishima's girlfriend? How long have they known each other and- why does it hurt.

"Thanks, it's late, you should go home now."

"That's always like you, you mean Kei-kun!" Yachi heard their bickering, she finally had enough and closed her door. She buried herself on her bed, under her thick pile of blankets. She will not cry, no, what there is to cry about? Tsukishima Kei was never hers to begin with, not in high school, not now.

She sniffled and tried to sleep, trying to ignore the muffled voices from outside. When she heard the door close and then a knock on her's, she flinched.

"Hitoka? Sorry that I took too long, I made some dinner-"

"I'm not hungry." She cut him off. A moment of silence and what Yachi thought was him leaving her alone until her door burst open and her blankets were being pulled.

"Wha- Kei! what are-"

"C'mon eat. I didn't embarrass myself at the store for nothing." He said, dragging her out of the dark room. Yachi whined and tried to get out of his grasp, but he was clearly stronger than her. She ended up sitting at their small table for two, there she smelled the nice and warm curry rice he made with eggrolls on the side, she pouted.

"If this is that pre-packaged curry powder you snuck while I wasn't at home, I won't eat it." Yachi nagged, Tsukishima just rolled his eyes as he poured her a cup of water.

"I didn't. I made this from scratch, that's why it took me so long." Tsukishima said, sitting down on his own seat and started eating. Yachi, eying him, bit down on her lips.

"I'm sure someone else took you long," Yachi muttered to herself, finally taking a bite of the food he made.

"what?"

"Nothing," Yachi said bitterly, leaving Tsukishima confused at the woman's cold shoulder towards him. He shrugged it off with her just having mood swings.

-

"I'm going now, be sure to eat," Tsukishima called out, tying his shoelaces at the front door. it had been 3 weeks since he had been continuously gone out. Yachi, knowing this, got more and more anxious. She glanced at the male who unlocked the door and grabbed his bag.

"Right, see you then." She said softly, she didn't want to pry into his own life, rather she didn't want to know the truth. No matter how much her mind would overthink about that woman 3 weeks ago, she didn't dare ask, and it was eating her alive.

"We're just roommates. just roommates hitoka!" She slapped her cheeks and tried to focus on her work. But whenever she did, her mind would go back to Tsukishima. She furrowed her eyebrows and muttered curses at herself.

Just roommates. Just Friends. Just-

Why? why can't Yachi get something once for herself? Why can't she just court him? or better yet, steal him away before any girl could call him mine. Why doesn't she have that confidence? It irritates her how scared she is to lose him. what's more, the fear of losing him is worse than homelessness.

that time when he suggested moving in, she felt like the world had finally given her a chance, a hope that maybe, just maybe they'd finally be more than friends. That her highschool crush might even be her long-time partner. But as her mind dug deeper down on its own hole, and the thought of another girl being close to Tsukishima, weighed her down further into her own securities.

Yachi shut her laptop, grabbing her phone keys and wallet, she got out of the house without the care in the world. Yachi walked around aimlessly for a while until the cold finally bit her and she muttered, wishing she wore something thicker outside.

After hesitating, she searched for any nearby cafes she could warm up in, a few minutes of walking, and she finally got inside a random cafe, feeling relieved as the warmth soothed her shivering body. She felt a bit better and got herself a slice of cake and coffee. the aura of the cafe was very calming and welcoming, it's earthy vibes and the nice staff, added with the small and quiet talks from people, Yachi finally could rest her mind. Slowly, she had forgotten about her worries outside the cafe. She opened her phone and started reading an Ebook, her mind finally wandering off into her own endorphins.

Yachi wondered how long she had stayed at the cafe, looking at the darkened sky, it had been more than 3 hours by now, considering she left in the afternoon. She quickly cleaned up the table she used and placed the cup and plate she used at the front before finally leaving. She shivered unknowingly as the cold air hit her, she frowned, not really wanting to get home just yet.

The busy street that she had picked was packed with groups of people walking into stores and restaurants, some in bars and some in family-friendly restaurants. Under the pretty street lights and just enjoying the smell of faint food and snacks and the mood that the street created under the bright moon, Yachi lost herself to the crowd.

She felt at ease, even if she was running away from her feelings for just a moment. She bought herself a nice warm snack and then bided with a street seller for a nice price on some strawberries, bought herself a pretty necklace on a whim, and finally, she sat down quietly at a park near the busy streets, just enjoying the peace and quiet. She sighed in content.

That's right, she doesn't need to worry about anything, she doesn't need to care who Tsukishima dated or courted, Yachi just needs herself. No matter what happens, she can only count on herself. She closed her eyes and buried away all the feelings she held.

After a few arguments with herself and her pacing around the park, she finally decided to get home, partly because most of the shops on the streets were already packing up and closing off for the night. Her phone had died maybe an hour ago and Yachi did not know what time it was. So slowly, she walked along the now less empty street, got into the correct bus, and then walked again to the familiar path to her apartment. As quietly as she could, she walked up the stairs, feeling a bit more confident about herself. She had a nice and impulsive day.

too bad everything she did to calm herself came crashing down as the scene of Tsukishima and the woman, she assumes was the same weeks ago, were right in front of the door.

"Hitoka! Jesus- I was worried, you didn't pick up my phone calls." Tsukishima said worriedly, walking to her. Yachi examined him and the girl, she frowned.

"I just went out for a while... you didn't have to worry." Yachi looked away, staring coldly at the ground. Tsukishima sighed heavily.

"Well, who wouldn't worry if it is 12.30 am in the morning and your female friend didn't answer her calls. And why are you so cold? You didn't even bring a jacket this time..." Yachi ignored the stinging feeling she got when he tagged her as 'female friend' She just sighed, feeling annoyed. Thanks to the woman who Yachi still do not know, her mood was ruined. Yachi knew she shouldn't feel this way, but her heart still hurt just thinking about it.

"Are you done nagging, Kei? I'm tired and I just want to have a nice and long bath and get to sleep." Yachi asked him, coldly pushing him away. Yachi walked to the door, stopping at the woman who saw the whole thing.

"Please do be quiet at night if you're staying," Yachi muttered, opening the door and taking off her shoes. She ignored everything else.

She quickly retreated to the bathroom, soaking herself in a hot bath for an hour and then another 30 minutes of just drying off and daydreaming before she finally changed and got out. There, Tsukishima sat in the living room, waiting for her.

"Hitoka." His words held some anger and sharp malice. Yachi gave a short nod. "What was that? I tried to call you many times today, only for you to come back at 12 in the morning and even said something like that to Reina-"

"Kei," Yachi cut him off. "My phone died. I didn't know what time it was until the stores started closing. Besides, I didn't ask you to worry or drag your girl friend out at 12 midnight. You could have simply just waited." Tsukishima frowned hard, he clenched his fist, stepping closer to Yachi.

"Waited!? when you could be alone at night!? what would I do if something happened to you!?" He glared at her, Yachi grumbled and crossed her arms together.

"Why do you care!? The last time I checked, I wasn't someone important to you!" She shouted. She angrily glared at him, but his eyes softened and showed hurt. Yachi stopped, covering her mouth as she realized what she had said.

"I guess you forgot just how much I do care. I trusted you to be safe. And how hard it is to gain that trust." He kept his voice low. Yachi, looking down with tears in her eyes. She knew she fucked up bad, her emotions got the best of her and it hurt her friend in the process, just because of her jealously.

"Right. I did forget. Maybe, maybe I'm someone that isn't worth it, Tsukishima-kun."

The night was silent as the two went back to their own rooms, feeling burdened. Neither had slept that night, the feeling of dread when morning would come and they'd have to see each other.

-

A day passed, and then a week and it was 2 weeks. They hadn't spoken a word, barely anything to hold a conversation. Tsukishima wanted to say something, anything to her. But all he got were excuses to get away from him. He doesn't know why, why she was like this. All this time he just wanted an answer, just for them to talk it out.

"Yachi-san-"

"I'll be home late today, you can eat without me." She cut him off again, before silently closing the door, leaving him alone. Tsukishima frowned, it had been the same thin for the past 2 weeks. her going out early and coming back home late. He worried over her, waiting in his room until he heard the door open and close, her sighing and walking into her own room before he could finally rest in ease.

But even that was not enough, as she came later and later in the night, Tsukishima grew more anxious, without any explanation, or just anything at all. He had a breaking point.

"I'll be-"

"Out late? yeah."

"Right. and... I might move out by next week, my friend said she had finally fixed her family problem, so we'll be moving in together again."

"Right, of course." The door closed again. But this time, Tsukishima wasn't going to endlessly be in this time loop. He wasn't going to let her run away again.

after her work, she would get back home, but rather than just getting in their apartment, she'd stay up on the roof, sitting under the falling snow, just staring at the sky.

Tsukishima didn't know how long he stood there, just staring at her. But enough to feel the freezing cold, seeping in under his clothes. He finally walked up to her.

"You'll freeze to death, staying here." She got startled, she glanced up at him before standing up abruptly.

"I'll get going the-"

"Why are you running away again?" He looked at her, desperation in his eyes. Yachi glanced at the man, ready to break. she didn't dare look again, in fear of breaking too. "You don't even look at me anymore."

"that's-" She tried to hide, she tried to forget everything about him. But there he stood, stepping closer and closer to her.

"Why? not even an explanation? can't you even do that?" His voice began to get louder, as his emotions that he kept for weeks, spilled in front of her. Yachi wanted to run away again, but she knows it would just get worse.

"Look at me, Hitoka." his cold hands grabbed her shoulders, his rough voice, and desperation. Yachi looked at him, tears that dropped down his cheeks, and his hurt and confused eyes met hers.

"Kei..."

"Even if you forget, I'll tell you every day. You're so important to me. Heck- more important than Tadashi, and losing you isn't an option anymore. So please-" His hands trembled as he desperately told his feelings to her. Yachi, burning into tears, held his freezing face.

"It... It's freezing. let's go inside." Even now, Yachi wanted to run away from his words. She was scared, scared that he only meant it as a friend's way. Scared that all of this was a lie, that Tsukishima Kei was just seeing her as an important friend. As they got back into their apartment, Yachi almost getting back into her room, but Tsukishima grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to the living room.

"Did you forget again? You're import-"

"I'm not worth it, Kei." Yachi yanked her hand away, her voice trembling. A silence, that she thought was the end, but he grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back, forcing her to face him.

"Not worth it!? Don't you know how I even feel? why do decide this for me!? Do you think you aren't important!?" Tsukishima shouted at her, his voice getting rougher and huskier. Yachi looked at him, worried and frustrated.

"Then what am I then!? Why am I so important to you then!?" Yachi asked. In a matter of a second, she was tossed onto the couch, him hovering on top of her.

"Someone I love! Hitoka, I love you!" Tsukishima cried out loud.

"Wha-" His lips smashed onto her, earning a messy kiss. Yachi yelped at the sudden action. His lips were soft but cold, she tasted a bit of some strawberry champagne they had in the fridge. She almost fell into a state of cloud 9, before dreadfully realizing what Tsukishima had done. She pushed him away, taking hard breathes.

"Tsu- Kei, you just- no, you just made a mistake-"

"Is telling my feelings really hold nothing? Do I have to show you?" He asked, leaning forward again. Yachi blushed hard, his hot breath over her cold skin, she felt a shiver down her spine when his hand slipped down to her waist.

"Y-you're drunk, right? I taste the champagne-" she couldn't finish her words, as his mouth filled them instead. Another groan and then a bite, which made her gasp, letting him push deeper into her mouth. Yachi could do nothing but let him, she tried to protest, but his hands that were so warm, with his lips against hers, she gave in. Sobbing a cry, Tsukishima stopped, wiping a tear that fell.

"Hitoka..."

"Do you mean it? Promise me." Yachi asked, caressing his cheeks. Tsukishma firmly nodded. Yachi, trembling from her overwhelmed bundle of emotions, wrapped her arms around him.

"Don't lie."

"I won't." Tsukishima easily scooped her up, he sat on the couch, placing her right on his lap, hugging her waist tightly. soon his lips were back on hers. Yachi, in a dazed mind, had kissed back. She finally let go. all the emotions she had held, finally melted as his hands touched her, his lips had kissed her everywhere he could.

Tsukishima couldn't restrain himself, being gentle wasn't something he could do. In an instant, he pulled her nearer, earning a yelped from her.

"Hitoka- do you... know how hard it was to control myself?" His voice was husky and rough, it held a certain emotion that Yachi could not quite tell. She blushed hard, when his lips kissed her neck, slowly until he bit her, causing a surprised groan from her. Yachi held her breath, as he tightly gripped onto his shirt.

"K-Kei- your girl-" She tried to ask, but Tsukishima, already working his way down to her chest, bit her collarbone.

"I don't have a girlfriend." He said, his breath hitting on her bare skin, causing her to shiver. Yachi bit her lips, not wanting this to end. But Tsukishima, finally realizing what he was doing, retracted. "Hitoka... I, I almost... I'm sorry."

Yachi, already in her own blissful lust, frowned when his touches stopped, and his kisses gone. She pulled him.

"What, are you going back on your words? I... I don't quite understand just how important I am..." She said shyly, looking away from him. Tsukishima, looking at the woman, half-dressed with bite marks from him, made him turn on.

"R-right. I won't hold back." Like a cage that was unlocked, Tsukishima had finally let go, devouring her. Biting, sucking, pulling. He left not one part of her body untouched. He wondered how long he had waited for this moment. From the day they had moved in, he held onto the temptation again and again, he felt pity for himself, seeing how badly he needed her.

He kissed her deeply, unclipping her bra in the process. Yachi tugged on his shirt, Tsukishima understood and took off his shirt. Yachi leaned to him, hugging him suddenly.

"Hitoka-"

"I love you. and I'm sorry. I'm sorry for closing you off." Yachi started, hugging him tightly, her tears threatening to spill. "I was scared that you wouldn't feel the same, and that you just see me as a friend... I guess that was just stupid thinking. love me or not, you'd still care for me... and I forgot about that,"

"I love you, Hitoka." His arms wrapped around her as the two embraced together.

-

bonus?

"So... they're roommates?" Akiteru asked, listening to the call.

"Yup. Well, I wonder how long until they get together." Tadashi said, laughing lightly. Akiteru, at the other end of the call, rolled his eyes.

"Nah, Kei probably couldn't control himself by now." He said, glancing down at his watch.

"Really? I think he'd at least control in front of her." Tadashi frowned a bit, knowing his friend's cold stone demeanor, he'd at least get some control.

"Give it a week."

"I bet for a month."

"1000 yen?"

"You're on."