prompt: (Y/n) and Tsukishima get stuck in an elevator

warning: none

word count: 769

.・-: ✧ :-　second-person point of view　-: ✧ :-・．

The steel doors were slammed shut, but the iron box failed to move. You blinked several times in a row as if you were a buffering computer. You struggled to process what was happening, or, what wasn't happening. The elevator was still. You heard the sound of a button being pressed. Then pressed again when there was no response.

"Are we... stuck?" You asked, your voice faltering. Part of you didn't want to know the truth. He took a minute to respond, seemingly letting the situation process in his mind. 

"Yes," Tsukishima stated. His tone indicated zero emotion, but you secretly hoped he was just as scared as you were. The panic slowly crept up in you. Thoughts began to swarm your head. Tsukishima saw the physical signs of your panic, quickly catching on to your current state of mind. You kept silent, reaching your hands up to your face.

"There's no need to get freaked out," Tsukishima told you, his tone more condescending than he had intended. The blond reached out and pressed a button on the panel, the one that was bright red. 

"Someone's going to get us out of here soon," Tsukishima said after the click. "It's just a matter of time." You took a deep breath, trying to digest the pit in your stomach. It felt like a black hole; hovering in the center of your existence weightlessly, but the density was crushing. Tsukishima could tell your anxiety was eating you away. 

Just like how it was a matter of time before you were rescued, he knew it was a matter of time before you imploded like a dying star. He felt bad seeing you so distraught. He wondered if there was anything he could do to help you cope. Maybe he could distract you.

"Did you mean what you said earlier?" Tsukishima asked you. His eyes, yellow like melting butterscotch peered at you curiously. You looked back at him but quickly averted your gaze to the floor in embarrassment.

"Yeah, I did," You muttered. You hoped, contrary to everything you knew about his personality, he would let you down easy. All you were asking for was a torment-less rejection. Maybe it was silly to tell him how you felt. It was even sillier to confess during an elevator ride of all things. You knew should have just held your tongue.

"Why?" Tsukishima asked, stepping closer to you. "Why do you like me?" His voice wasn't so cruel and unforgiving as it normally was. Rather, it was quiet and inquisitive. You thought for a moment. The parts of your brain that feel things and the parts of your brain that express things are far apart, after all. You needed a moment to formulate your thoughts.

"I like you because you're... " You sighed, praying he wouldn't use this against you in the future. "You're really smart, one of the smartest people I know. You're always able to keep a level head and always manage to figure things out." You shrugged your shoulders. "I know that when you actually care about something, you work hard. And I know you aren't a jerk, you just act like it sometimes."

Tsukishima felt a blush cover his cheeks. The boy wasn't used to compliments, let alone from people from girls like you. It made his heart skip a beat. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, unsure how to respond.

"Thanks," He said, just under his breath. He felt the words he wished so desperately to say practically dripping out of his mouth. He bit the inside of his cheek harder, almost drawing an iron flavor. He swallowed hard, choking down every last bit of pride just long enough to say:

"I like you too, (Y/n)," He choked out. His hands folded in front of him, a nervous tic he shared with his older brother. Tsukishima figured he should tell you why as well.

"I, um... " Tsukishima shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I think you're really beautiful, and I like the way you laugh. You, uh, make me happy, I guess." Tsukishima saw the grin break out across your face; pure joy. Perhaps Tsukishima should have told you that right after you told him how you felt. But as they say, better late than never. A smile made its way on Tsukishima's face too.

"Would you--Can I kiss you?" Tsukishima asked, tripping over his words in excitement. You walked up to him and gently grabbed his shirt collar. You pulled him in and pressed your lips softly on his. His nimble fingers wrapped around your waist as you kissed.

Suddenly, the elevator doors were opened.