Falling for a Tragedy | Kei Tsukishima ?

12 ? Clouds

Kei yanked his arm forcefully out of your grasp, golden eyes turned copper. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!" The students around you scattered with sneers and murmurs.

"Tsuki-"

"Stay out of my fucking business. Just... leave me the fuck alone, okay? I mean it this time."

__________________

It was a different world up on the roof of the school building.

Dark slate tiles shivered beneath the soles of your feet as you shuffled along behind the balustrade, birds skipping the skyline as the rest of the city sprawled out beyond the school gate. Jigsaws of clouds floated by lazily, so close you felt like you could reach up and run your hands through them.

"You can't reach them from here."

"Huh?"

Tsukishima tsked as you lowered your hand - not realising you'd lifted it in the first place - and swivelled round to face him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to find you. Shouldn't you be in lesson?"

You bit your tongue in surprise. He was looking for you? Why? "I- I told the teacher I wasn't feeling very well. It was stuffy in the classroom and I felt dizzy so, uhm, I came up here." It was the truth, but only partially. The reason you'd been feeling so off was because of the boy standing in front of you. The bruises, the scars, the bullying, his resentment toward you. It was all so confusing. And it hurt.

Tsukishima moved, wordlessly, to sit beside you, pulling his long legs up to his chin.

"You... came to find me?" You prompted, biting your lower lip.

Kei sniffed. "I came to apologise."

Your lips parted with a sharp intake of air, but he didn't give you much chance to speak.

"I shouldn't have shouted," he continued, averting his gaze to the skyline. Galaxies shone in those golden eyes of his. Galaxies you wanted to explore. "I'm just not so used to people paying attention to me."

You bit your tongue, trying to find the right words. He always seemed so distant and aloof, you had to make an extra effort to get through to him. "I understand it's difficult for you, I really do, but, well, maybe you should try and learn to accept that there are people out there who... want to help you. Let them help you, instead of pushing them away all the time," you said carefully, fixing your attention on his red trainers. "I know you don't know me all that well, but if you ever want to talk... I mean, It's not like I have anyone to share your secrets to, so... sometimes it's good just to get things off your chest before-"

"I'm good," he interrupted, his brows pressed into a small crease. He looked more pensive than angry. "But... thank you."

You swallowed, feeling somewhat accomplishment, albeit his reluctance to talk to you still. Trust took time to develop, even more so for people like Tsukishima.

"Hey, shouldn't you be in lesson?"

Tsukishima shrugged. "I'm sure they won't miss me," he muttered, flattening down his hair as the wind whipped it astir.

You smiled faintly, turning back to gaze at the sky with your fingers steepled beneath your chin. "You're not as invisible as you think, y'know. Just a little... out of reach. Like these clouds."

"You're comparing me to a cloud?" He deadpanned, and you chuckled - a careless, airy sort of laugh that made Kei's cheeks flush.

"Mhm. People do see you, but they don't really notice you, not unless they really look - just like how the clouds sort of blend into the sky, and aren't really noticed until somebody stops and looks up at them. And you're both so quiet and... far away."

Tsukishima tsked again, his blazer scraping the tiles.

"Nevermind," you muttered sheepishly. Had you really just said all of that out loud? "Uhm, maybe we should head back to class now."

The boy shook his head, resting it against his shoulder. "Nah, I'm gonna stay. Maybe look at the clouds a bit more."

For once, there wasn't any spite in his voice. He seemed almost content.

You breathed a sigh of relief, painting the air with small plumes of smoke. "Then so will I."