9

                                    

                                          
"Shoyo? What are you doing here?" 
Kenma stood in the doorway of his dorm, staring at the orange haired boy in front of him. 
"I came to check up on you!" 
"Okay. But why?" 
Hinata smiled and motioned to his phone. "Kuroo texted me and asked if I would stop by since we're in Tokyo for a training camp."
With a sigh, Kenma motioned for his friend to come in. "Why is he such a mother hen."
"Awe, come on. It's only natural he'd be worried about you. And he has been gone for almost a week."
"Yeah, I guess." Kenma sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. "He'll be back tonight though."
"Oh cool!" Hinata sat next to Kenma and looked around the dorm room. "Wow, it looks really cool in here! What's college like, anyway?" 
Kenma smiled softly and shrugged. "Kinda boring. There's a volleyball team here that Kuroo's on. I was gonna join, but... Well you know. I watch their practices sometimes though." 
"What's college volleyball like?" 
"Basically the same as high school. It can get a bit more intense. Kuroo said he liked in better in high school because our team had more chemistry than this one, but he still has fun."
Hinata nodded. "Ohhh okay. But what about you?" 
"Huh?" 
"What do you do around here?" 
"Oh. I play games. I've designed a few games too." 
"Really? That's so cool!" 
Blushing, Kenma stood up. "It's not that cool. Do you need a drink Shoyo?" 
"Oh sure." Hinata stood up and followed Kenma to the kitchen area. "Hey Kenma, how are you feeling by the way? You look a bit pale."
"Hm? Oh, I'm fine." Kenma glanced up from where he filled two cups with water. "Don't look at me like that. Seriously, I'm fine."
Hinata did not look convinced. "If you say so..." 
"I do. I'm not gonna have a seizure. It's been too soon since the last one, and they're always at least two weeks apart."
"When was the last one?" 
Kenma sighed and handed Hinata his cup. "Three days ago. Don't worry about it, Bokuto and Akaashi were with me. They helped."
"I hate this. You being sick, I mean. It's not fair." 
"And would it be fair if it was someone else?" 
"I guess not."
"It's fine, Shoyo. Honestly. The chemo is working pretty well and I feel good most of the time."
"Do you think the cancer will go away?" 
Kenma looked at his friend with sad eyes. "I hope so."
~
"Hey Kenma! I'm back!" 
Kuroo walked into the dorm and sat his bags down. He looked over to where Kenma sat curled up on the couch, watching a movie. 
"Hey."
Quickly, Kuroo made his way over to his boyfriend and sat next to him. Kenma pulled him into a tight hug, shaking. 
"Kenma?" 
"It's been a bad day." A few tears fell down his face as Kenma held his head against Kuroo's chest. 
Kuroo held him there and ran a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm here now. It's okay."
"I hate when you have to leave." 
"I know. I do too, and if I could, I would stay."
"I hate that even more," Kenma mumbled. He pulled back a bit and looked at Kuroo. "You shouldn't have to miss out on opportunities for me. Especially when you have a future and I don't."
Kuroo's breath hitched and he grabbed Kenma's hands. "Don't say that." 
"Why not? I have brain cancer, Kuroo, I'm not... It's very unlikely that I'll beat it-"
"I don't care." Kuroo's voice shook. "Don't talk like that. It makes it seem like you're going to die tonight." 
"Kuroo..." 
"I know what the chances of you beating cancer are. I know it's not high. But that doesn't mean you're going to die within a week. I mean, it's been two years and you're still here. And it's getting better. And even if it gets worse... Don't say you don't have a future. Because even if it's not a long one, you still have one. And that future is with me by your side. So please, don't give up hope. Don't act like you're already dead."
Kuroo knew he sounded desperate, but he couldn't bare to think of losing Kenma anytime soon. And seeing Kenma so hurt and hopeless... He thought his heart would shatter into a million pieces. 
Kenma smiled softly and wiped the tears from Kuroo's face. He hadn't even realized he started crying. 
"I hate to admit it, but... You're right." Kenma rubbed circles over Kuroo's hands and pressed a kiss to them. "I guess I do still have a future, even if it isn't a long one."