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The air was heavy and humid in the apartment, pressing down almost physically on the bodies lying limply on the floor. A window was open in the hopes of catching a forlorn gust of wind, but unfortunately, it was even hotter outside, the other buildings shimmering like a mirage due to the waves of heat rising from the asphalt. Oscillating fans whirred in the living room where the prone forms lay, motors humming loudly as they struggled to conjure up some sort of cool breeze in the living room. Unfortunately, all they did was move the heated air around, creating an almost sauna-esque atmosphere.
Flowery descriptions aside, it was, to put it quite simply.
Fucking.
Hot.
The front door to the apartment slammed open, bouncing off of the wall.
“Listen up losers! I come bearing great news!”
“It’s too hot for this, Kuroo.”
“You figured out how to fix the air conditioner?”
“You finally decided to do something about the disaster on your head?”
“You raided the zoo for their penguin refrigeration units, and brought them back?!”
Kuroo wonders how this is life, before rallying himself. “No it’s not, I said good news, not a miracle, rude, and what the fuck Bo.” He brandishes a shopping bag at them, “The good news is that I bought popsicles! You may now sing my praises.”
His announcement was met with tired groans as the others peeled themselves up from the floor, to shuffle over to where Kuroo was merrily wriggling the bag.
Kuroo looked over with slight surprise when he noticed that one of their number who hadn’t moved.
“You don’t want anything Sa’amura?”
Frankly, he was slightly concerned, considering that Daichi never turned down food. Maybe the heat was getting to the other man. If so, he’s sure that he can go try and charm their landlady to move up their A/C repair.
Daichi heaved himself over onto his stomach, waving limply, “Nah I’m fine. You all just enjoy.”
“You sure?” Kuroo furrowed his brow, glancing at Bokuto who was merrily chomping down on his own treat.
Bokuto just shrugs, “Ayyee he oes’n liige eeets.”
Oikawa wrinkles his nose in disgust as he primly peels open his own popsicle. “Bokuto, I know that there’s nothing about you that shows it, but please act like you have some class and swallow your food before you speak.”
Bokuto obligingly tries again after swallowing, “Maybe he doesn’t like sweets? Just means there’s more for us!”
Oikawa looks scandalized, “Doesn’t like sweets? Our Dai-chan? With that black hole of a stomach? Not a chance. Besides, I’m sure we’ve seen him eat sweet things before.”
Iwaizumi chewed contemplatively as he looked over at Daichi’s sprawled out figure. “Huh. Now that you mention it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him eat sweets. I always figured he preferred savory food anyway.”
”I’ve definitely seen him demolish watermelon, which is sweet. Then again, do watermelons count in the same category?” Kuroo muses as he tucks into his own popsicle.
“He can still hear everything you’re saying.” Daichi’s voice is dry as the Sahara. “Just because I didn’t feel like eating popsicles, doesn’t suddenly mean I became deaf you know. And no Kuroo, watermelons don’t count.” Daichi exasperatedly sighs, before pushing himself up. “Anyway, it’s not that I don’t like sweets. It’s more that--” He hesitates for a brief moment.
Sensing potentially juicy gossip like a shark reacting to a drop of blood in the water, Oikawa immediately locked onto his target.
“Don’t worry Dai-chan! You can tell us anything. We promise we won’t laugh.” Oikawa reassures Daichi with his fingers crossed behind his back, wincing when Iwaizumi gives him a vicious pinch when he spots them.
Daichi shoots a very unimpressed gaze at Oikawa, “Thanks, Iwaizumi.” He sighs, before muttering. “It’s not really embarrassing... just kind of stupid, to be honest.”
Kuroo perks up, also sensing weakness. However, he holds his tongue, because he knows if says a word, the other man will clam right up.
Daichi rubs the back of his head, as he explains. “I’m honestly fine with sweet stuff in general--I actually used to eat sweets all the time, but when I got to Karasuno, every time I tried to eat them, they’d either get stolen by Suga, the other underclassmen, or even my siblings.” He paused, “Plus, sometimes Suga would just punch me repeatedly while I was trying to eat them.” He laughs sheepishly, “I guess it formed this kind of Pavlovian response in me, and now I don’t really eat sweets anymore.”
They all stare at him.
“Bro… That’s just too sad!” Bokuto sniffs, rushing towards Daichi.
“Bokuto, wait-- no! Your hands are all--” Daichi closed his eyes in resignation as he got swept into a hug, wincing more from Bokuto’s sticky hands dirtying his shirt, than the rib crushing Bokuto seems set on inflicting on him.
“There, there.” He intones dryly, patting Bokuto’s back.
Ever a shit stirrer, despite the oppressive heat, Oikawa jumped at the possibility of entertainment. “Who knew that Mr. Refreshing had such a sadistic streak? We must confront that villain and right this injustice!” Oikawa whips out his cellphone with a flourish.
“Wait--Are you? Don’t you dare call Suga!” Daichi squirms, trying to escape Bokuto’s hold.
“Too late!” Oikawa sings out, as he presses Sugawara’s contact to video call him, grinning when Sugawara picks up after the third ring.
“No, I am not giving you any more lewd pics of Daichi until you cough up all your blackmail on Yahaba. I’m not going to let him get one over our team.” Sugawara’s annoyed voice comes through the tinny phone speakers.
Kuroo immediately focused on Oikawa’s phone with the intensity of a hawk sighting its prey. He couldn’t decide whether he wanted to immediately break the phone (and Oikawa’s face), or wait and steal the phone (and the pictures) later. More importantly, apparently lewd pictures of Daichi existed, and he hadn’t known about them. He feels inexplicably betrayed.
“Wha--Lewd? What pictures are you even talking about, I’ve never--and more pictures? Suga, I swear--Wait Bokuto, seriously--” Daichi is distracted from his attempted interrogation as he attempts to fend off Bokuto’s grabby hands.
Oikawa glances nervously in Daichi’s direction, “Hi Kou-chan! You’re on speaker, so please don’t incriminate us any further!”
Iwaizumi smacks the back of Oikawa’s head, calling out to the distracted Daichi, “Don’t worry Sawamura, next practice, I’ll spike at Shittykawa until he deletes those photos.”
Oikawa pouts, rubbing the back of his head. “Don’t act like you’re so innocent Iwa-chan! I know you not only saw them, but I’m pretty sure you sent them to yourself!”
Kuroo casts an outraged stare at Iwaizumi, whose ears had turned an incriminating pink, despite the absolutely ferocious glare he was sending Oikawa. Kuroo glances over to where Daichi was still trying to wrangle an emo-mode Bokuto. If Bokuto had also known about the pictures, Kuroo was going to--Well he didn’t know, but he knew it was probably going to be something drastic. So much for apartment-mate solidarity. Time to suck up to Suga.
Kuroo pops his head over Oikawa’s shoulder, “Hey Suga-chan. Sorry if we’re bothering you. Next time you’re in Tokyo, I’ll treat you to some super spicy mapo tofu. I found a great new place.”
Sugawara raises an eyebrow, “Hey yourself Kuroo, and yes, that sounds good.” He mouths ‘Pictures?’ to which Kuroo immediately nods yes, dodging Iwaizumi’s elbow. Sugawara rolls his eyes, as he forms a circle with his thumb and index finger, and then points at himself. He clears his throat, finally speaking out loud. “Sooo. To what do I owe the dubious pleasure of a full apartment call?” He narrows his eyes, “I swear, it better not have anything to do with live animals.”
Oikawa squawks, “That was just one time! Plus, everyone survived!” Catching himself from distraction, he draws himself up with the type of righteous fury only achievable by a person whose only intention was to cause absolute chaos.
“Anyway, that’s not the point! We called because we discovered something absolutely terrible today. You see, when I got my ungrateful roommates popsicles--” He ignores Kuroo’s outraged, “I bought them!”
“We found out that Dai-chan has been denied--nay--cheated out of wonderful high school experiences because of a terrible injustice that you orchestrated!”
“Oh, poor me.” Daichi deadpanned, having extricated himself from Bokuto’s grip. “Seriously guys, it’s not a big deal. And Suga? We will be having words later. What have you even been sending--”
Suga waves him off, “Don’t worry about it Daichi, just trading strategic information to set our juniors up for success. Are you saying you don’t care about your former kouhai? More importantly. Oikawa-kun, what are you even talking about?”
“Suga, don’t you dare try to deflect. I swear if you’ve been using your graphic design major for evil--”
Oikawa interrupts, shushing Daichi. “Dai-chan, you can cross-examine Suga-chan later. We’ve already moved on.” He raises his voice, drowning out Daichi’s protest. “Because it’s time to confront the villain who has not only harmed some of the best years of your life, but also harms you to this day!” He points aggressively at the screen. “Suga-chan! How could you? You not only stopped Dai-chan from having sweets, but even now, the poor man can’t bring himself to eat sweets because of you and your devious underclassmen’s machinations!”
Sugawara blinks, and then blinks again before laughing wildly, the video suddenly switching to a view of Sugawara’s apartment ceiling when he apparently drops the phone.
They all share a glance with each other. None of them had quite expected this reaction. Sugawara finally reappears in frame, still huffing out a few giggles, and wiping away some tears.
“Hah--Oh wow, good job to me and the fledglings. I’ll have to share the good news with Asahi.”
“Suga! What the hell?! What are you even talking about?” Daichi finally manages to twist away from Bokuto’s clasping and sticky hands. “Bokuto, no. It’s too hot, and--Fine, I’ll go to the kitchen with you.”
Sugawara grins cheekily. “I didn’t realize our plan would be so effective that it’d work even after highschool. Anyway, while part of Daichi’s happiness might have been sacrificed, it was for the greater good. We definitely provided a public service to all of Karasuno--actually to all of Miyagi, and we even managed to protect Daichi’s virtue.”
Kuroo glances at the other two men huddled around the phone. From the looks on their faces, Sugawara’s explanation had not clarified a single thing for them.
Ignoring their obvious confusion, Sugawara continues merrily. “Anyway, no need to worry. Now that Daichi can no longer create chaos in Miyagi, I take no further responsibility over whatever happens. So sure, feel free to let him have his cake and eat it too.” he grins deviously, “But! None of you can say I didn’t warn you.”
Kuroo’s brows shoot up, bullshit meter pinging at him. “Warn?
Iwaizumi, similarly attuned to bullshit, growls. “What do you mean?”
Sugawara’s grin widens further, and the three men huddled around the phone feel a chill go down their spine, despite the sweltering heat. “You guys were the ones who bothered me on my day off with wild accusations of how I’ve been depriving poor Dai-chan. Consider this partly--okay, completely my revenge.” He lights up suddenly, “And you have popsicles?” He cackles, “Wow. Regular desserts are already--Well anyways, good luck! You’ll need it.”
“Wait--Good luck? Suga-chan, wha--”
With a wink, Sugawara ends the call.
The three men stare blankly at the phone, wondering just why their chests were so heavy with foreboding.
Daichi’s voice echoes from the kitchen. “Bokuto, I’m fin-- Yes, alright, I’ll eat a popsicle. I really don’t know how this turned into such a big deal.”
Without a word, they immediately run for the kitchen. They arrive just in time to see an exasperated, but still good-humored Daichi accept the popsicle that Bokuto thrusts into his hands, the taller man nearly bouncing in his excitement.
“Bro, I can’t imagine not eating anything sweet for this long!”
Daichi smiles, “Yeah, I honestly can’t believe it’s been so long. I guess there’s really no reason I can’t finally enjoy this.” He rips open the packaging, almost sighing when he takes the popsicle out, his eyes turning hazy as he slowly brings it to his mouth.
It was at that moment, everyone in the apartment knew.
They’d fucked up.
In almost agonizingly slow motion, Daichi’s lips part, the tip of the popsicle going to rest against them. The heat of the apartment and Daichi’s mouth were already melting the popsicle into a sticky glaze that coat his lips as he gives a quiet suck to the tip in his mouth, his lashes nearly fluttering as he savors it with a slowness that he didn’t usually show when eating other foods. A throaty moan of appreciation escapes Daichi’s throat as he pulls off to lick the melted juice off his lips, looking at the popsicle with nearly sparkling eyes. His eyes slide halfway shut as he moves back in, lips moulding around the frozen treat, before carefully laving his tongue around the top of the popsicle.
Kuroo’s head swims as he goes instantly--and painfully hard. He digs his nails into his palms as he struggles not to stare and pant like a pervert. Wrenching his gaze away from Daichi, he glares at Bokuto, who has completely recovered from emo mode, gaze sharpening into something much more predatory as he watches Daichi enjoy the popsicle. Hearing muttering beside him, Kuroo looks to the noise source and can only wince in empathy. Oikawa seems to be chanting a Buddhist mantra under his breath, hands clenching and unclenching sporadically. Iwaizumi on the other hand looks nearly feral, eyes almost glowing as they focused on Daichi. Kuroo closes his eyes, taking a deep breath, and swallowing hard to get some moisture back into his dry mouth.
This was fine.
Everything was fine.
Sure, Daichi’s reactions were… Enthusiastic, but surely this didn’t warrant the extreme reaction that Sugawara and the rest of Karasuno had taken? Kuroo’s eyes drift back to Daichi, and he immediately clenches his jaw hard enough to feel his teeth creak.
Because.
Daichi has stuffed his mouth full with the popsicle, and is sucking, his cheeks hollowing slightly as he hums at the sweetness. His eyes have completely closed--creased into pleased crescents, and Kuroo wonders how it’s possible for someone to be simultaneously adorable and seductive. A pink tongue peeks out, periodically appearing in quick, teasing flashes, as he continues to lick and nibble at his popsicle, and Kuroo wonders what it’d be like for that wet tongue to trail down as plush lips open to take in his--
Nope. Not going there.
Kuroo can admit when he’s wrong. And he was completely wrong. He was so, so wrong, and he humbly requests mercy for his poor, mortal body. He was a fool and he deeply regrets his hubris because he now knows in agonizing first-hand detail what Daichi probably looks like when he’s *ahem* enjoying himself. What the hell is he supposed to do with this information? Not touch himself?
He thinks he hears Oikawa give a muted whine, while Iwaizumi seems to be choking on air. Bokuto, the goddamn instigator, has leaned far too close into Daichi’s personal space, looking as if he was about to take a bite out of Daichi rather than the popsicle, and if Kuroo had the ability to walk without embarrassing himself, he would have dragged the owl-headed idiot away by the scruff of his neck.
The apartment is silent as a cathedral as they all watch Daichi finish the popsicle. Honestly, Kuroo thinks this might have almost been a religious experience for him, except for the decidedly not religious things he wanted to do to, in, and with Daichi.
Daichi opens his eyes, startling a little when he sees his roommates staring at him. He blushes, laughing sheepishly. “Sorry for kind of getting lost for a minute there. I guess I never realized how much I missed eating sweets.”
Iwaizumi swallows audibly, before striding forward, digging through the shopping bag to pull out a melon popsicle. He stalks determinedly towards Daichi and presses the popsicle into Daichi’s hand.
“Please. Eat.”
“Uh… Thanks?”
Kuroo shakes himself from his stupor. Like hell he was going to let Iwaizumi get the lead on him. Walking--albeit a little stiffly, he heads to the bags, choosing a strawberry popsicle--the thought of Daichi’s mouth stained a pretty red, as if Kuroo had just bitten them, his eyes slightly teary as he stares up--Kuroo blinks, suddenly finding himself in front of Daichi. Pushing Iwaizumi aside, he presses the popsicle into Daichi’s hand, curling the other man’s fingers around it. “Here. You should try this one too.”
Not to be outdone, Oikawa determinedly brings over his own offering, “Dai-chan, you’ll definitely want to try this choco-banana one.”
Daichi gives them all a weird look, as they all try to look as innocent as possible, which is to say, they looked suspicious as hell. “Uh… You guys really don’t have to do this.”
Kuroo hurries to answer, “We’ve all eaten these so many times before! Besides, it’s your first time eating these in a while. You should go all out. Make up for lost time and all that.”
“Well if you’re sure…”
Kuroo nods fervently, “Yes!”
“Absolutely!”
Everyone turns at Iwaizumi’s outburst, whose face has now become startlingly reminiscent of a hydrant. Even so, he stares earnestly at Daichi, eyes almost feverishly bright. Daichi looks at him with a concerned gaze, reaching out to feel his forehead. “Iwaizumi, maybe you should eat one. You’re looking a little overheated.”
“Yea, he’s overheated on y--” Oikawa cuts off with a pained yelp as Iwaizumi smacks him across the back of his head, his gaze never leaving Daichi’s.
“Nope. I’m fine. Enjoy your popsicle. Please.”
“Are you--”
“Please.”
Daichi gives Iwaizumi a concerned look, but finally decides to just let it drop, withdrawing his hand and thankfully missing the way Iwaizumi nearly falls over trying to follow it. He turns his attention to the popsicles in his hand. Everyone’s gaze sharpens as they stare, eager to see which one he’ll pick. Kuroo’s eyes trace a drop of sweat that trails down Daichi’s neck to his collarbone, raking them back up to see the man capture his bottom lip in his teeth as he tries to decide which one to eat first.
“Daichi! You gotta try this one!” With an enthusiastic grin, Bokuto throws an arm around Daichi’s shoulder as he waves a cream popsicle in front of Daichi’s face.
Daichi glowers at him half-heartedly, but reaches for the popsicle in Bokuto’s hand. However, Bokuto yanks the treat away. Daichi’s eyebrows furrow, grumbling as he reaches once again, but the other man yanks it away once more. Brow ticking with clear irritation, Daichi glares, “Bokuto, it’s way too hot for this. If you just want to mess around, I’m just going to go and eat my other popsicles in the living room.”
Bokuto whines, “I’m not! I just didn’t want you stealing the entire popsicle once you realized it was super good! It’s the last one, and I don’t want to go out and buy more.” He grins, “You can try it as long as I hold onto it.”
Kuroo stiffens. That sly bastard. He knew exactly what he was doing, judging by the smug glances he was giving the rest of them.
Why the fuck didn’t I think of that?
Daichi sighs, long used to Bokuto’s antics. “Fine. Then hold still.”
Bokuto shoots them a triumphant look over Daichi’s head, and Kuroo has never wanted to punch the bastard more. It’s also a good thing for Bokuto that people couldn’t murder others with only their eyes, though from the impressive glares on Iwaizumi and Oikawa’s faces, it wasn’t from a lack of trying.
All attention shifts to Daichi as soon as he leans towards the now slightly melted cream popsicle. They wait with bated breath as Daichi’s mouth parts, his cheeks delicately flushed from the heat, and then--his face shifts into a very familiar, challenging grin.
Oh no.
There was no earthly way Kuroo could have prepared himself for it--it would be like trying to brace himself before being buried in an avalanche, and what Daichi was doing might as well be classified as a natural disaster, considering how thoroughly Kuroo felt his life had been wrecked. However, he cannot bring himself to look away, as Daichi swiftly lowers his head and opens his mouth, taking the popsicle in. However, (and Kuroo is going to forever burn the sight into his memory) Daichi moves further down--down, until his lips nearly brush Bokuto’s hand, cheeks hollowing as he sucks, hard. Kuroo's dizzy and his heart is beating as if he'd just run 200 meters, but he refuses to pass out, eyes riveted to the scene in front of him. Daichi finally drags his mouth back up the stick with a cheeky grin, leaving only the now bare stick in Bokuto’s nerveless hand.
Daichi is still grinning as he easily swallows the remains of the popsicle in his mouth. “Guess you’ll just have to buy more then.” Licking the remaining cream off his lips, he saunters back to the living room to enjoy the rest of his spoils in front of the fan’s breeze.
The four men stare at Daichi’s retreating back, then at the bare popsicle stick, and then back up at each other.
“...So…we’re totally buying out the conbini’s stock of popsicles, right?”
“...Nngh…”
“...Yea...”
“...”
“...Not to be weird guys, but I might or might not have to change before we go.”
“...Same.”
“...Yea…”
“...”
“Also, next time we see Suga, we’re totally shaving his eyebrows.”
“Yup”
“Yup”
“...”
Safely ensconced in his air conditioned room all the way back in Miyagi, Sugawara sneezed, cursing slightly as he turned the temperature up, completely unaware of his impending doom.