My Number One || Sugawara Koushi x Reader

A thick layer of pure white snow graced everything in sight; the tree branches, the rooftops, the cars and the mailboxes, even the cleared pathways on the roads and sidewalks had a new, thin layer on them.  Your breath curled out in front of you, disappearing as it rose into the sky.  You bounced back and forth from one foot to the other, keeping warm.  You rubbed your gloved hands up and down your arms.  Your cheeks displayed a rosy pink tint.  Waiting for your boyfriend at the end of the day was the hardest.  Your club activities finished before his did, but you always waited for him by the school gates.

    When you saw him round the corner, you could tell something was bothering him.  He walked with is head down, his eyebrows creased in deep thought, his lips pursed around an idea forming in his head.  You knew he was feeling 'second rate' again.  Ever since that first year arrived, your boyfriend had been involuntarily putting himself by praising Kageyama.  "The new first year's so much better than I" and "It's no surprise the new setter is the starter."  It gave you a headache to think of how many times he would do so without even thinking.  You had to make him feel better.

    "Suga!" you called, and his face lit up, his troubles momentarily forgotten.

    "You're a sight for sore eyes," he complimented which he finally reached you, linking his arm with yours.  He gave you a quick kiss on the crown of your head, and the two of you began to walk carefully across the sidewalks.  Icy patches grew here and there, causing slick spots to form.  "I didn't make you wait too long, did I?" he asked.

    "No longer than you normally do," you replied.  "I'm fine with waiting, you know.  It doesn't bother me."

    "But it's so cold out, I just thought—"

    "Don't worry about it, Suga," your reprimanded.  "I mean it."

    A light snow began to fall, slowly descending from the gray clouds above.  The snowflakes stuck to scarves and eyelashes.  The streets were quiet, no cars or bikes making noises.  Only your footsteps resounded against the silence.

    "You know," you began slowly, squeezing your boyfriends arm with your free hand, "I know you're not feeling well."

    "I'm not sick, [Name], I—"

    "That's not what I meant," you replied, stopping in your tracks.  You turned towards him, releasing your arms and taking both his hands in yours.  "I know you want to play on the court.  I know how badly you long to play as setter.  We both know that Kageyama-kun is a fantastic player, but it's not because he's better than you.  He's just different.  Please, please stop putting yourself down about it."

    Your boyfriend frowned.  "I never thought—"  He stopped, biting his lip.  He inhaled deeply, then continued.  "I never wanted to burden you with my troubles.  I didn't want to bring you down."

    "But we're partners, Suga," you reminded.  "We share things with each other.  Like when I accidentally stabbed Shimizu-san in the arm with a sewing needle?  No one else knows except for you, by the way.  You helped me get through the embarrassment of seeing her face to face.  I can help you get through this.  You may think you're number two, but to me, you'll always be number one.  My number one.  So please, smile?"

    You boyfriend laughed at your request, the frown disappearing from his face.  You laughed as well, happy to see him without a frown.  When he finished, he smiled wholeheartedly.  "I'm sorry, [Name].  I didn't mean to put you through this, but I guess it happened anyways.  How can I make it up to you?"

    "Well, a few kisses and some hot cocoa is a good start."