Chapter Text
In the end, the solution was simple.
“This is the balcony,” Akaashi said. “If you go out from here, please make sure to close the door.”
Nodding, Kenma walked over to a small planter of herbs attached to the railing. “You need more plants,” he said. “Maybe some pots.”
“What?”
“Oikawa will want something to wake up when he comes to visit. These little ones are a start, but I doubt that’ll be enough. Plus he likes to sleep near plants. If we get some potted plants those should be big enough. These really are too small.”
Nodding to himself, Kenma looked out from the balcony, gauging the distances to the surfaces below. Living in a city would be different, but they’d manage. Besides, Bokuto had promised to take Kuroo to see the ocean.
“He’ll probably want to take us to the park a few blocks away when they visit,” Kenma continued, turning to walk past Akaashi. “He likes showing off. It is pretty spectacular though.”
“They?”
“Oikawa and Iwaizumi,” Kenma said, nodding.
“Ah -”
“Hey!” Kuroo said, coming out from one of the bedrooms with a ball in his hands. “Bokuto was telling me about this awesome game, Kenma!”
“Game?” Kenma said, ears perking up.
“Yeah! You take this ball, and you hit it over the net -”
“I used to play it in high school!” Bokuto said. “Akaashi did too, though we never played against each other or anything. It’s awesome! We should all play!”
It didn’t sound very interesting.
Kenma frowned, distracted by the presence of a large television in the corner of the living room. There were some colorful bags beside it, with his name written on them. “What -”
“Bokuto and I wanted to get you a housewarming present,” Akaashi murmured. “Shouyou told us a few things you liked. We want to do the same for Kuroo-san, but we may need your help figuring out something appropriate.”
“I think he’ll be fine,” Kenma replied, looking over at Kuroo. The other cat was still holding the ball, but had moved to stand in front of one of the large bookcases that covered the walls of the apartment. He raised a hand, staring in wonder at the volumes in front of him.
“Kenma, did you see this? They’ve got the full set of - and this, I’ve been wanting to read the latest one for years - and -”
Ducking his head, Kenma hid a smile. “Yes. He’ll be fine.”
“I hope so, Kozume-san,” Akaashi said, walking away toward the bedrooms. “I hope you’ll be happy here.”
Happy?
Kenma tested himself for happy.
The loss of the house was like a wound. He’d miss Kuguri, and Daishou, and the other snakes. He’d especially miss being able to spend time with Mai. The last few days he’d made sure to visit her, at one point dressing up and shifting fully human so that he could sit and talk to her properly, thanking her for saving his life. It was possible, slightly possible, that he’d even seen her nod in response.
He would miss her.
He’d miss the gardens, and the fresh air. The stars were hidden here in the city - Kuguri had warned him about that, though how Kuguri knew he had no clue. Kuguri knew a lot of strange things. Snakes.
Yes, he’d miss all of that - but that was then, and this was now.
Bokuto had pulled Kuroo’s attention away from the books and was gesturing animatedly with the ball. Akaashi was moving toward the room he’d said was Kuroo and Kenma’s bedroom. The whole apartment smelled like cinnamon and other good things, with only the tiniest hint of smoke that seeped from Akaashi’s skin. It wasn’t unpleasant.
It reminded Kenma of the village in winter, or cooking fires. All human things, but not so bad.
Happy.
Akaashi paused in the doorway to Kenma and Kuroo’s new bedroom, turning to look back at him. He was gentle, sometimes. And, as Kenma had found out, he was rather good at petting.
Kuroo’s laughter rang out in the room, soon paired with Bokuto’s. Akaashi’s eyes narrowed as he glanced over at them, fond exasperation written all over his face.
Happy.
Yes, Kenma thought he could be happy here.
He let a small smile flit across his face as he turned to join Akaashi. It was all new and different, but that would be alright. They’d brought pieces of their old life with them, packed them up in boxes and carted them into the city.
This place would be good.
It was already Bokuto and Akaashi’s home, and now, Kuroo and Kenma would make it theirs.
Together.