He freezes when he sees you step into the aisle. Not the cocky smirk. Not the teasing grin.

Just Kuroo, eyes glossy, chest rising like he’s forgetting how to breathe.

This is the same boy who tugged on your ponytail in grade school and laughed, “Still short?” The same boy who once found you crying and asked, voice shaking, “Was it me? Did I do this?” who told you, “Don’t cry, you look ugly,” but what he meant was I can’t stand seeing you hurt.

The same boy who ran across campus the moment someone else asked you to the school dance, blurting out, “Don’t go with him.” And when you asked why, his voice cracked on, “I was afraid to ruin… us.”

The same boy who waited alone at the dance for you. The same boy who stood on stage at graduation and looked straight at you when he said, “Some people drive you insane… but sometimes, that’s how you find the ones you want to keep.”

And then he ran to you. And he told you he liked you. And years later, in the rain, he asked you to stay forever.

Now, he’s here. Hands shaking. Heart exposed. No teasing. Just love.

He laughs softly, voice breaking as he whispers,

"...You were never ugly in that ponytail. Never.”

"Walk faster. I want to tell you how much I love you. I always have."