Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Getting out of the taxi, Kenma tucked the switch he was holding into his bag. In the darkness, he reached for his phone to text Kuroo. 

Kenma 11:52 pm: Just got out the taxi. Walking down the street rn. See you in a bit, love you :)

A sigh escaped his lips as he pocketed his phone and walked down the street. After a few minutes, he could finally see his apartment complex. As soon as he arrived, Kenma ran up the stairs, greeted the nightly janitor and walked into the building. Since they had bought their apartment on the third floor, there weren't a lot of steps to climb. It had somewhat puzzled him that Kuroo hadn't texted him back yet (he was usually so punctual), but he shoved his thoughts aside and hastily grabbed his key. Finally, after some fumbling, he managed to get the key in and turn the knob. 

He began to speak loudly as he entered the door, "Wow, Kuroo, that's nice of you to-"

He stopped. 

He felt sick before he even saw it. 

The pools of blood and spilling guts… 

Hardwood floors and decorative carpets stained red. 

Kenma nearly barfed as he stepped closer. 

He closed his eyes. 

This was a dream….

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. 

And open.

Kenma's scream cut through the air, followed by a desperate collapse to the ground. He fought for breath, unable to find words amidst his overwhelming anguish. Tears streamed down his face, blurring his vision. He attempted to crawl toward his husband, but faltered, sinking back down in a fit of sobs. More cries escaped him, his only release. Finally, he managed to reach his husband, cradling his head gently in his lap.

"It'll be okay, Kuroo... It'll be okay..." Kenma repeated through sobs, though by now he was saying those words more for himself than anyone else.

He couldn't stop saying them. "It'll be okay, Kuroo... I love you, baby. You'll be fine, wake up in a hospital room, and we can laugh this off. Just hang on... hang on..." Each word was punctuated with urgency as he dialed 911.

As the phone rang, Kenma held Kuroo close, seeking warmth that was slipping away—replaced by an icy chill.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I'm... calling. My husband, he's been stabbed or something? I just got home and I... oh my god..." Kenma's composure shattered, giving way to more uncontrollable sobs.

"Stay there, we're sending help right now."

The call continued, a nightmare unfolding. Kenma watched from a distance as they checked Kuroo's vitals, feeling as though it was the end of his own life. Pain engulfed him, and he collapsed into wails and sobs that seemed to stretch into eternity. Was this the end? He felt the coldness in his own hands, stained with his husband's blood.

They didn't even make it to the ambulance before declaring Kuroo dead.

It felt like the end of Kenma's life too.