The stinging defeat replayed in your mind, each missed spike, each blocked shot, a fresh wave of inadequacy crashing over you. You hadn't even bothered to change out of your sweaty uniform before burrowing under the heavy comforter. The familiar scent of home usually brought comfort, but tonight, it only amplified the bitterness of the loss.

Ten minutes hadn't even passed before the creak of your door sliced through the suffocating silence. Kuroo. Even in your misery, a tiny flicker of warmth ignited in your chest. He shed his jacket and shoes, the soft thudding barely audible as he slipped into bed beside you. His arm snaked around your waist, pulling you close. The gentle pressure was grounding, a silent reassurance in the storm raging within you.

He peppered your face and neck with soft, lingering kisses, each one a deliberate attempt to coax a smile from you. "You know you're amazing, right?" He moved his hand, his thumb tracing the curve of your cheek, gently wiping away the tears you hadn't even realized were falling.