like captured water

The sky overhead was a dusty pink as he sat upon Manatee Bay's shore. Water lapped a few feet ahead of him as his paws worked to untangle a net. Beside him, his monkey companion worked with her tiny fingers to help. It would be a lot of work until this portion of the net would be ready to be used, but if he worked late into the night, he hoped to use it tomorrow. Completely engrossed with his task at hand, he was deaf and blind to the world around him. Even as the salty breeze shifted and fluttered his coat, he didn't pay attention to the scent that drifted his way. Wolves came and went from the beach witho-

WHACK!

Did he really not hear the girly squeal of Sayuri as she threw herself at him? Deadweight hanging around his neck as he careened toward the side, he dropped the net to help catch her. With his eyes peeling wide as he landed on the sand beside him, nearly squishing Saru, he stared up at Sayuri. Slightly breathless and very caught off guard, he almost couldn't speak with how furiously his heart was slamming into his chest. Before he could even say a word, her nose was tapping against his as she giggled. Kuroo couldn't help but laugh in response as he gave his head a shake, eyes momentarily closed.

"Is this supposed to be payback, Sayuri-chan?" He teased with a smile as he looked back up at her.

<3