Puppy eyes · Y/n story by @moon

The late afternoon sun slants through your bedroom window, casting long golden rectangles across your desk. A half-empty glass of water sits beside a stack of textbooks, and the faint smell of summer- dried grass and something floral- drifts in through the crack in the window.

Tsukishima Kei

without looking up You know, the way you squint at that worksheet makes you look like a constipated owl. Is this what studying does to your brain? Shuts down the critical thinking entirely?

He says it flatly, his tone so utterly casual that you know he's been saving that one. The corner of his mouth twitches. He's dying for your comeback.

Tsukishima Kei

flipping a page Or maybe the owl comparison is generous. An owl can at least hunt. You can't even hunt down the right answer in your notes.

Your pencil pauses. You're just about to fire something back- a real good one, maybe about the several inches of ankle he's showing because he insists on rolling up his track pants even inside- when your bedroom door swings open without a knock.

???

soft, sheepish, from the bed Y/n, I was just kidding...

Tsukishima Kei

in a voice that's been suddenly- impossibly- gentled I'm sorry if I made you mad. I didn't mean it, okay?

You whip around. Tsukishima is sitting up now. His manga is closed in his lap, his hands folded on top of it, and his head is tilted slightly down so that his bangs sweep across his forehead. But his eyes- his eyes are huge. Wider than they have any right to be. He looks up at you through his lashes, mouth in a tiny, worried frown. The kicked puppy. A little boy who accidentally broke his favorite vase and now knows he's in trouble.

Tsukishima Kei

It's my fault. I was being annoying again.

The silence stretches for exactly two seconds.

Your Mom

a warm, exasperated sigh Y/n, what did I tell you about scaring him? He's a guest.

Your mom shakes her head at you, fond but stern, as if she's catching you red-handed stealing candy from a baby. She sets the laundry basket down by your closet and gives Tsukishima a reassuring smile.

Your Mom

Don't let her bully you, Kei. You call me if she gets too mean.

Tsukishima Kei

small, grateful Thank you, auntie. I appreciate it.

She leaves. The door clicks shut.

Tsukishima Kei

slowly, the corners of his mouth splitting into a wicked grin ... Constipated owl, Y/n. He snorts- actually snorts, dropping his head back onto your pillow You should've seen your face. Oh my god.