oh baby, we're near the ending of all of this

[THIRD POV] 

The men and (Y/N) returned back to the center city shortly after their meeting with Sakusa and Atsumu; the two apologized to (Y/N) multiple times, which she has forgiven them both.

Now they were back at the mansion, and they were resting after their long and terrible journey.

There they were, in the living-room, all sprawled in different positions.

Koutarou was the foundation; on top of him was (Y/N), but she was hugging Kenma. Keiji slept in his room, as he said he needed to take care of some work before sleeping, and Kei was showering, saying he had to go back to work the following day.

Tetsurou was in his lab, concocting something that would benefit (Y/N). He was tired, but he wanted to make sure his baby would be okay.

He sat there, sighing as he waited for the liquids to heat. His hand was propped against his slim face, his legs crossed as he watched the bubbles popping.

Tetsurou was relieved that everything worked out in the end, especially bringing her back home, but there was one thing that he couldn't let go of.

The blood vials.

The men all had one vial of (Y/N)'s blood each; it meant that one day, if (Y/N) died, and she were buried away from them, they would still be near her, in some form or way. The blood represented the warm color that mirrored roses, the bliss flower that meant one thing: love.

And that was what they felt for her.

Tetsurou sighed to himself, fiddling with the silver vial in his hand. He wished he wasn't so attached to this woman so that he wouldn't have to overthink his issues, but he couldn't help it.

He had eyes for (Y/N), and (Y/N) only.

"One day," he said to himself, "She might leave us."

"One day... she might marry us."

"One day... she might want to have kids."

"One day... she might not even be here."

The possibilities were endless; they were all still very young, but their youngness wouldn't last forever. He wanted to be with (Y/N), but he didn't know how to.

Would she want to marry him? Have a family with him? 

Or would she leave him?

It was all stress for him. He didn't know what to think of when it came to the future; before, he just thought that he might have a few women here and there, but that has changed. 

He loves one woman, and one woman only.

"She might not pick me," Tetsurou had to face reality, "If she doesn't pick me, who'll she pick?"

'Kou is a strong man... is she into strong men?'

'Keiji is fairly good-looking... is she into men with pretty eyes?'

'Kei is very smart... is she into men with high intelligence?'

'Kenma is very understanding... is she into men with empathy?'

What did Tetsurou have that the other men didn't?

'Me... hm...'

'What would (Y/N) say is good about me...'

'My humor? The way I can make her smile...?'

'My comprehensibility on just life in general?'

Tetsurou laid back in his chair, sighing deeply. He didn't want to lose (Y/N), but at the same time, he wanted her to be happy.

The bubbles in the liquid ceased; he got up, fixing it and mixing it with some other things before cooling it. After placing it on the rack for it to simmer down, he stared at the liquid, biting his lip.

"It's alright," he looked up at the roof, a single tear escaping his eyes, "Even if she doesn't choose to be with me, I will still love her no matter what."

Hearing his silent cries, the bi-colored haired man stood right outside of the closed door; his mouth puffed a smoke, and he sighed.

'Even... if she doesn't... choose me...'

「❮ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮...❯」

The next morning, Tetsurou slept in on his bed, snoring loudly. He hadn't went to sleep until three in the morning, his medicine for (Y/N) wasn't done until two and he needed to clean up, which took an hour. 

The others awoke shortly after ten in the morning; (Y/N) helped Keiji cook breakfast, and they all ate afterwards.

"Where's Tetsu?" (Y/N) asks them, which everyone else shrugs.

Everyone but Kenma.

"He had to do something last night, and he slept so late because of it."

"Oh," (Y/N) replied, "I hope he is okay."

"He is, don't worry."

They continued to eat; and once they were done, Kei helped clean up, with (Y/N) washing the dishes. Keiji had to make a call with someone, and that left Kenma alone to his games.

Only he didn't play them.

He slowly went up the stairs, his eyes glued on the door of his best-friend's. He opened it, the creak of the wood making his head slowly rise up.

"Kenma?" he groggily asks; Kenma nods, closing the door behind him and looking around in the room.

Tetsurou's room was neat, unexpectedly, and he had a few clothes tossed on the floor. HIs laptop was charging on his table, and his phone looked plugged in, but it wasn't.

Kenma walked over to his phone, correctly charging Tetsurou's phone before walking back towards his bed. Tetsurou leaned on his elbow that was propped against the bed, he rubbed his eyes, yawning.

"What's up," Tetsurou said sleepily, "You good?"

"Yes."

"Is (Y/N) okay?"

"Yes."

"Then what's up?"

Kenma was a rather quiet man. He didn't talk unless he chose to, and he only talks to certain people or at important times.

But when it came with his best-friend. 

His heart was the one speaking.

"Do you remember when we first met, Tetsu?" Kenma asks him out of the blue.

Tetsurou nodded, raising his brow. "We were neighbors of the same apartment; we were the only children on the floor."

"Your mom and my dad both enjoyed the sport of volleyball, so they often played together, which was the reason why we got to see each other often."

"Yeah," Kenma said, "If neither of our parents knew each other, we probably wouldn't even be friends."

"But of course," Tetsurou smiled at the memory, "I am confused though; why are you asking?"

"I wanted to remind you that we have been friends for the longest of times," Kenma tells him, "I have known you longer than anyone else in our gang."

"I-"

"Best-friends don't hide anything from each other," Kenma interrupted, targeting Tetsurou specifically, "So tell me, Tetsu, what have you been hiding?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's about (Y/N)."

Tetsurou froze.

"I don't understand."

"Yes you do," Kenma said, "What is up with you?"

"No, what is up with you," Tetsurou nearly scolded at him, "You're instigating a fight with me."

"I'm not instigating shit," Kenma spat, "I want you to tell me why you are so stressed."

"I'm not fucking stressed-"

"Then why did you cry last night?"

His heart stopped.

His best-friend heard his sorrowful wails. His best-friend heard his silent rant on his love for (Y/N).

He heard everything.

"Judging from your reaction," Kenma said, "You weren't lying when you said all of that inside of your lab."

"Of course I wasn't," Tetsurou muttered lowly, "Why would I lie about my feelings for her..."

"Never said you did, but the fact that you tried covering up with this cold front makes it all more than worse," Kenma sighed, "Tetsu, we are friends, we are allies, we are like brothers."

"Why are you hiding this?"

Tetsurou had a definite answer.

But he couldn't bring himself to tell Kenma.

His most trusted friend.

He has known Kenma since he was as young as six years old when he moved into the same apartment building as Kenma, and now they were in their twenties.

That's a long time.

They went to all the same schools, played on the same teams, and even now are in the same gang.

It shouldn't be hard for him to tell Kenma the truth.

Should it?

Tetsurou pulled the blanket off of him, revealing his boxers and his black tank top; he scratched his head, trying to stall. Kenma wasn't having any of it though.

"Tell me," his cat-like golden eyes stared deeply into Tetsurou's, "If you do not, I will not keep quiet."

"Then you might start unnecessary trouble," Tetsurou grunted, "Is it worth it?"

"It's worth it if it's about (Y/N)."

"And I know damn well it's about her."

"Shut up," Tetsurou gritted his teeth, "You don't know-"

"Stop making up excuses-"

"Shut up!" Tetsurou shoved Kenma against the wall, his hands firmly grabbing his collar as his back hit the wall roughly; Kenma groaned slightly, but his gaze only hardened at Tetsurou, "Just shut up-!"

"No!" Kenma's voice was raised, he put his hands on top of Tetsurou's, his nails digging onto the back of his palm, "You can't hide shit from us! You should know that!"

"I'm not hiding shit-!"

"You liar," Kenma spat, "You fucking liar."

"I'm not a liar!"

The two Nekoma gang members both were neck to neck; even though Kenma was shorter than Tetsurou, he acted as if he was higher than him. Tetsurou had his teeth gritted in anger, and the calm Kenma was trying to keep his composure to the best of his ability.

But Kenma was irritated.

And Kenma should never be irritated. 

"Let me ask you something, Tetsurou," Kenma said; his tone was rather soft, but the anger in his eyes showed more emotion, "Do you know why Oikawa died?"

"He jumped in front of (Y/N) to save her."

"And do you know why he wanted to save her?"

Tetsurou's gaze hardened.

"Because... because..."

"Because he fucking loved her, Tetsurou!" Kenma said, "He loved (Y/N), but he couldn't do shit because of Daishou!"

"He loved (Y/N) so much, and do you know what he did that caused him to die?"

"He fucking jumped-"

"He hid his love for (Y/N)!"

Tetsurou's heart stopped.

"Oikawa loved (Y/N) years ago and didn't do shit; he hid it all from everyone, in hopes that one day he will finally confess to her and live a life with her in the picture..."

"But he died before any of that could happen!" Kenma yelled, forcing reality and the truth to hit Tetsurou, "He decided at last second that he could not be with (Y/N), so he jumped in front to save her so someone else could love her like how he did!"

"His hopes were that someone would do better than him and confess their love for her as soon as they could instead of wait years and years!"

"Oikawa died knowing he could never tell (Y/N) that he loved him," Kenma's voice suddenly lowered, his face dropped to the ground, "He died, wanting someone else to fulfill that position for him..."

"His hopes for someone taking his place were higher than his chances of living..."

"Did you know that... Tetsurou," Kenma asked him with a sad voice, "Did you know all of that..."

He didn't.

"You were stuck in your fantasy that was full of pessimistic values that you didn't even realize how lucky we are..."

"How lucky we are alive to be breathing... to be living in the same world as (Y/N)..."

"Oikawa sacrificed his life for (Y/N) and us... because in the end... he never had a chance with (Y/N)... no matter hard he thought, no matter what he could do... he could never forgive himself for what he didn't do for (Y/N) years ago."

"You, out of all of us, should've realized that first... that Oikawa's death was not in vain... that his death wasn't just another leader dying..."

"He realized what the future was for (Y/N)... what it was for us... what it was for him," Kenma finally said, "And you were the only one who didn't see it."

"Because you were stuck in your own sorrows, not even comprehending how other's felt."

"You have to remember something, Tetsurou." Kenma shoved Tetsurou off of him, heading for the door. 

"You aren't the only person who loves (Y/N)."

"And you won't be the first or last one to."

「❮ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮...❯」

Tetsurou didn't come down for lunch or dinner that day he argued with Kenma; he only left the household late at night when everyone else was asleep.

As he closed the doors of the mansion, his eyes met with Kei's, and he had his arms crossed over his chest.

"Hello."

Tetsurou grunted. "I hope you didn't slash my tires."

"Kenma told me what happened."

"Of course he fucking he did."

Tetsurou swore under his breath, earning a glare from Kei.

"You worried (Y/N) so much, she was tempted to run up there and see what was going on."

"But we didn't let her; we lied and said that you two were trying to get something out of the attic."

"We don't even have an attic."

"Do you think she knows that?"

Tetsurou sighed, shaking his head before rubbing his temples.

"I don't have time to argue with you," he pushed past Kei, but he couldn't get into his car, "What the fuck."

"Kenma locked your car using your superglue," Kei informed him with a slight chuckle, "You of all people should know not to make him mad."

"Fucking hell," Tetsurou kicked his car so hard, there was a large dent beside the driver's side, "What the fuck is wrong with you all?!"

"I should be the one asking you that," Kei said, "What the fuck is up with you?"

"You've been crying like a bitch."

"I wasn't crying-"

"Kenma doesn't lie."

"I wasn't crying!" 

"Huehuehue," Kei devilishly smirked, "My mentor in combat sweating a few tears from his eyes? I thought he was a big bad boy who didn't need to be ordered around-"

"Shut the fuck up!" 

Kei was done with his playful banter, clearing his throat before he leaned against his own car that was parked next to Tetsurou's.

"How didn't you know?"

"How didn't I what know?"

"Oikawa's death."

His breath hitched. 

He didn't want to be reminded by that.

"I don't need to tell you twice, and I am not going to repeat Kenma's words," Kei said, "I will keep it short and sweet, like (Y/N), yes?"

Tetsurou didn't answer.

"The choice (Y/N) makes when it comes to the time cannot be predicted," Kei says, "Therefore, we are all going to follow a certain rule when and if that happens."

"Who made this rule?"

"The five of us, including you."

Tetsurou scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Last time I checked, I never made a commitment with any of you when it came to (Y/N)."

"You were the very one who started it."

Tetsurou raised his brow in confusion before he finally realized.

"The blood vials..."

「❮ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮...❯」

"Don't... tell me you guys stored her blood in the vials-"

All five of them held up their necklaces, showing the silver vials to both of the leaders. Daichi facepalmed and Oikawa smiled.

"You guys said you'd save those for when you guys fell in love with the special someone."

"And we did," Keiji answered truthfully, "(Y/N) is the one for us."

"How can you say that for sure?"

The five wealthy men of the center city all share the same look, nodding.

"Well..."

Tetsurou rubbed the back of his neck, smiling sheepishly. 

"Our future with (Y/N) is yet to be determined, and so as the present."

Oikawa raised his brow. "What are you talking about?"

The five men shared a glance with each other before looking back to Daichi and Oikawa.

"(Y/N)'s important to us very much, but because of her importance to us, that is critical to other people."

"They might want to use her against us."

Oikawa stiffened. "That is true... men of no class will use the women of their enemies as collateral or leverage... I can think of at least three people in my mind right now that would do that..."

It was obvious on who he thought, but the men were just as clueless as Daichi.

"It's no matter," Daichi said, "(Y/N) is apart of the alliance, in a way, so-"

"No Daichi," Kei interrupted him, "She's not going to be apart of the gang."

Daichi blinked.

"I thought you guys wanted to protect her."

"We do, but we don't think putting her in the gang will assure that."

"What do you mean...?"

"We're not saying that we don't want her with us, that's not true at all," Koutarou said, "But... we think it'll be even more dangerous if she joins our gang."

"But you marked her, she is your property."

"But she is not a member."

"Unlike Hitoka and Kiyoko... (Y/N)'s not a member; she has no role in the gang."

"She's just a property; whereas Hitoka and Kiyoko have real jobs despite being Tadashi and Ryuunosuke's property too."

"So in the end," Daichi sighed, "You will not recruit her."

"We cannot, she has no experience, respectively."

"It's not like it mattered, Daichi," Oikawa sourly said, "They don't plan for her to join either way."

The men didn't disagree with Oikawa's statement; their silence assured that.

"I do not get it," Daichi said, "The only way you can protect a woman that you care about is if she joins the gang or-"

"Marriage." the five men all said in a unison. 

「❮ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮...❯」

"Marrying (Y/N)... is on the table," Keiji said, "But who she marries is her choice."

"We will not force her into marriage, that is the one thing we will not do," Tetsurou stated, "We want her to be happy, and forcing her won't bring that."

"Let me ask you something," Oikawa folded his fingers together, leaning forward, "Let us say she is not interested in any of you, but she is interested in another man."

"Are you willing to let her go if she chooses someone that is not you five?"

The five were silent.

They pondered this too, and the outcome wasn't pretty.

"Again," Kei said, "We want her to be happy."

"So if she loves another man, you guys won't intervene?"

"Where are you going with these questions?" Daichi asks Oikawa, which he shrugs in reply.

"She could've fallen in love with me from that kiss."

"No one can fall in love with a person just after one kiss." they said defensively. 

Oikawa smirked. 

They fell right into his trap.

"That answer alone proves just one thing." Daichi raised his brow at Oikawa, confused.

"They aren't willing to give her up if she does not love them."

"Not now... at least."

「❮ 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓾𝓮...❯」

"Oikawa," he took a sip of his whiskey, humming at the Karasuno's leader, "I