Archive of Our Own ^beta

Akaashi walked out of the school gates with the team tailing him, “Make sure you guys do your stretches before going to bed and please eat a good dinner and not fill yourselves up with just snacks.”

“Yes, captain,” the team rang in unison.

Third year Akaashi ran a tighter ship than the previous captain, his quiet demeanor adding a little bit more intimidation and weight to his every word.

“And please, I know you’re all tired from the game today, but study a little bit tonight too. The team needs everyone whether or not you’re a regular. Therefore, we can’t have anyone off the team because they failed a few math tests.”

To that, only a few players voiced out their subordination—specifically the two third year students and the three first year troublemakers. As much of an athlete Akaashi Keiji is, everyone knew that he is a scholar first, the trait that rubs off positively among the team, to any parent and coaches’ delight. Despite his apathetic aura, everyone was comfortable bothering this senior during his lunch break to squeeze in extra tutoring before class.

“Alright then. I guess I’ll see you—”

“Oh! Bokuto-san!”

Akaashi was busy studying his leather bound planner that was on his hands to look up where he was going. That was why he didn’t see Bokuto right away, leaning against the Fukurodani Academy statue, waiting for them. Or him.

“Hey guys!” Bokuto was wearing jeans, some sneakers, and forest green button down that was unbuttoned a few at the top and sleeves rolled to his elbows. It was such a simple outfit, but Akaashi would secretly contest that Bokuto made it look couture. Especially that green shirt that complements his golden eyes.

Those eyes that seemed to be meeting everyone else’s but Akaashi’s.

Oh, that’s right! How rude of him! Akaashi scrambled to introduce the first years that Bokuto never met.

Or so he thought.

“Hey, you’re Murakami Ken, aren’t you?! I saw your middle school game last year!” Bokuto exclaimed. He pretty much did to every newcomer and got them blushing scarlet or stammering their surprise that the Bokuto Kotarou knew them and complimented their skills.

“I’m surprised you remember their names,” Akaashi announced. Only then did he get Bokuto’s attention.

“Well, I had to make sure the new team won’t give you too much of a headache,” Bokuto smirked at Akaashi, but the rest of the team straightened up. Everyone knew that a serious Bokuto, especially in the matters of volleyball, could be just as strict as Akaashi, maybe more.

“Well, what brings you over, Bokuto-san?” the vice captain asked.

Akaashi noticed that there was a glimpse of Bokuto seeming hesitant about breaking eye contact with him. Maybe it was just his imagination, though. Or maybe it was Akaashi projecting his own feelings.

“I brought over some snacks,” Bokuto lifted a brown bag that was threatening to rip from how full it was. “Your captain’s right, though, about spoiling your appetite for dinner, so it’s just something light to keep you energized on your way home.”

“Thank you!” The whole team bowed their gratitude.

“Eyy, don’t mention it,” Bokuto was laughing, handing the bag to the vice captain to pass around, “That’s what an alum does, right?”

“Actually they help fund the school,” Akaashi commented.

Bokuto was going to match Akaashi’s playful comment when his body moved before his mind could tell it to be subtle. He saw the vice captain about to hand Akaashi some bread when Bokuto snatched it, almost squishing it flat, and handed it to a second year. “I don’t—I didn’t really anticipate so many new students this year—so I—sorry, I don’t think there’s enough for everyone, sorry ‘Kaashi. But I’ll make it up to you! I’ll buy you something else, come on!”

“But there’s—” Akaashi was downright confused because he was sure that there was enough bread to even feed the girls volleyball team.

“Come on, come on! You can’t preach about eating right and not do it yourself. That’ll make you a hypocrite!”

“I suppose so,” Akaashi never finished his sentence. His brain went haywire as Bokuto hooked their elbows together and started dragging them away from the group.

“I’ll see you guys around!” Bokuto called out.

The second and third year students didn’t bat an eye at Bokuto’s peculiar and touchy behavior. They were already aware that he gets like that around Akaashi. The first years on the other hand were frozen in shock just like Akaashi; the only difference is that they will find out the explanation from the other teammates about Bokuto’s fondness for Akaashi, while Akaashi will be left wondering why on earth Bokuto still wastes his time on him.

“It’s really okay, Bokuto-san. You really don’t have to go out of your way to buy me food,” Akaashi said once they’re at the bus stop.

“What kind of person will I be if I buy everyone food but not you?”

“A college student without proper funds yet?”

“I got my paycheck yesterday,” Bokuto smiled. It was so beautiful, Akaashi had to actually stop himself from cupping Bokuto’s face.

“You work?”

“Yeah. Part time. I can’t rely on my parents for everything. I teach some kids after school program volleyball!” Bokuto stuck his hand out to indicate how short and small the kids he was teaching. “It’s kinda cute seeing them decide whether they’ll like volleyball or not.”

“And so far?”

Bokuto shrugged and laughed, “I only started last week so I don’t know yet. Although, since I’m the teacher, it seems like they enjoy it.”

“Well, you do have that effect,” Akaashi said to the ground.

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

“Okay,” Bokuto squinted but chose to not press, “So, what do you want to eat?”

Akaashi bit his lip. The older guy sensed something was on his mind and saw that Akaashi was still holding his planner. “You’re not busy, are you?”

He stole the planner and scanned through Akaashi’s scribbling and noticed a circled event after school:

Doctor’s appointment

“Oh,” Bokuto’s face turned into worry, “is everything alright?”

“Yeah,” Akaashi took his planner back and zipped it in his backpack. “I just have to get mma-seh-ss.”

“Get what?”

Akaashi sighed and decided to just come clean, “I have to get glasses.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Really complete the geeky look, right?”

“No! No, no, no!” Bokuto was waving his hands desperately, “You’ll look great with glasses. Although, I told you reading in the dark is gonna catch up to you one day!”

Akaashi felt his cheeks go warm. Not only did Bokuto tell him he’d look great, he cared about Akaashi’s well being too!

“Can I come?”

“Huh?”

“To the glasses doctor.”

“You wanna come to the optometrist?”

“Yeah! I wanna see you try on different frames!”

Akaashi didn’t know what to say next. Which left Bokuto thinking he was intruding, “Unless you think I’ll bother you.”

“No!” Bokuto jumped at how loud Akaashi protested. “Not ‘bother.’ Never a bother.”

“Great. I already have my bus pass out too,” Bokuto pointed his chin towards the oncoming bus. “Then we can get dinner afterwards.”

“Okay,” Akaashi was still in stupor as they climbed on the bus.

“You should text your mom. Let her know you’re eating out.”

“She’ll probably think I’m on a date,” Akaashi regretted the words that came out of his mouth. He was overthinking how to explain, that he didn’t hear Bokuto say, “That wouldn’t be too far off the reality.”

“What did you say?” Akaashi shook his head to clear his the cloud of thoughts.

“I said, ‘let’s sit at that back row,’” Bokuto grinned, gently shoving Akaashi to the back of the bus. “One time, when I was younger, I rode the bus with my mom and saw two teenagers here kissing and holding hands. I asked my mom if I would be allowed to do that when I’m their age and she went all ballistic!”

“She was probably nervous that her baby is growing up,” Akaashi laughed.

“Yeah, exactly! She said I should never sit on this spot. Never ride the bus again too! That’s why, that one day I was in second year high school, I asked her to not have the driver pick me up after school because I was going to take the bus, she thought that I was sneaking around with someone.”

“Were you?” Akaashi’s heart thumped loudly. He remembered that year, and never really recalled Bokuto with someone.

“Well, I was with you. Do you remember when we had to go across town because you were helping me make up for that history project I forgot about?”

“The one that was forty percent of your grade?”

“Yeah! So I guess I was sneaking around. Not telling mom that I almost failed that class.”

Akaashi laughed and reminisced about that impromptu field trip he and Bokuto had. It was so stressful that day, both young boys scared that Bokuto would actually fail that class and be benched for the next game. They were both so innocent at the time, Akaashi wondered if young him even had butterflies in his stomach like he does now, when their situation was the exact same: sitting a few inches apart from Bokuto. Soaking in words that poured out of his mouth.

“Do I have something on my face?” Bokuto asked.

Akaashi cleared his throat. “Yeah, a lint by your chin.”

“A lint?”

Akaashi wouldn’t have known how to come out of that if it weren’t for the bus finally reaching their stop, “Come on, we’re here.”

“Is the lint gone?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

They walked in the optometrist and was welcomed by shelves of glasses, all shapes and sizes, colors and styles. Akaashi made a mental note to stay away from the shelves on the left wall, which displayed expensive brands that Akaashi was familiar to.

“Hello there! How may I help you?” The sweet smiling lady called out from behind the counter. She had such a funky pair of glasses that Akaashi thought it resembled Luna Lovegood’s glasses.

“Uhm, hello, I have an appointment? For Akaashi Keiji.”

“Alrighty, lemme just pull up the—ah, there you are. Just a check up and fitting for glasses?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How about contacts? You think you’re interested in getting some too?”

Akaashi visibly shuddered, which caused Bokuto to snicker, “No, thank you. Just the glasses is fine.”

“Sure thing. You and your friend have a seat and I’ll call you up when it’s your turn or you can start looking around for glasses, see what style you’d like.”

She didn’t realize that her words were like words to a young child being set loose in a candy store for Bokuto. Immediately he was pulling Akaashi to different shelves and picking out frames for Akaashi to try.

“How ‘bout these, ‘Ka’shi?” Bokuto brought Akaashi some black cat-eyed frames.

“Those are for women, Bokuto-san.”

“Oh, really?” Bokuto started walking to the wall Akaashi was avoiding, “Well, how about this one?”

“We stay away from that,” Akaashi steered Bokuto’s shoulders away, “Glasses lens are already expensive enough. I can’t afford expensive frames either.”

“You have to pay them separately?!” Bokuto turned his head around. His face entirely too close to Akaashi when he did so, making the younger boy’s breath hitch in surprise.

“Uhm, yeah. Yes. Yeah.”

“Then we should pick you the sturdy looking ones then. Can’t have them breaking easily.”

“Smart call,” Akaashi took a step away and distracted himself by actually looking at the frames this time. His heart was beating unusually fast and Akaashi feared that this wasn’t the doctor’s specialty of field and was going to leave Akaashi to die from Bokuto’s sunshine.

“How about contact lenses? No frames to pay for that,” Bokuto asked.

To that, Akaashi held Bokuto’s arm to keep him in place. “Poke my eyes? Are you insane?”

Bokuto let out the biggest guffaw, “I forgot you gag at those things.”

“Why anyone ever chooses to put their finger in their eye is beyond me.”

“Alright, no contacts then. Let’s each pick out frames and converge in a few minutes to narrow down your choices,” Bokuto inspected the place, offering such a wonderful idea.

“Yeah, please.”

Five minutes later and both boys met up at a glass counter, with a mirror and a handful of frames lined up on top. Akaashi put a hand on his hip as he commented on Bokuto’s lack of control from shelf picking.

“I thought we were gonna narrow it down? You brought, like, fifteen pairs! One isn’t even glasses!”

“It’s harder than you think!” Bokuto argued, “They all would look good on you!”

Akaashi pointed out the circle frames, “Definitely not those.”

“What?!” Akaashi had to shush Bokuto, “They’re cute. They’re Harry Potter glasses.”

“Exactly.”

“Just try it.”

“No.”

“Yes!” Bokuto and Akaashi were giggling without even realizing it. They’re fits of laughter didn’t really stop until Bokuto did something that Akaashi was sure made his heart flatline.

Bokuto had gently place on the glasses on Akaashi’s face, his fingers slightly touching Akaashi’s forehead and cheeks. Their eyes were intensely locked together. Akaashi was looking at Bokuto through the plastic lenses, not even the scratches on them can stop Akaashi from noticing Bokuto’s maturing features. He remembers the soft cheeks that Bokuto’s face carried when Akaashi saw him on the high school sports page when first year Bokuto was coined the rising star of volleyball. He can see now, the features getting harder, finally fitting an adult’s body. Even little lines on the corner of his eyes, most likely from smiling so bright that his eyes narrows from his face pushing up.

Bokuto meanwhile was studying every feature Akaashi had. His eyes that flip flopped between sea green and Prussian blue, framed by long lashes that were entertainingly spotlighted by the circle frames. Bokuto’s eyes traveled down Akaashi’s high nose bridge, which tilted up at the end. Bokuto imagined what it would be like to run his fingertip on it, feel every feature Akaashi possessed. He supposed the feeling was like going to the museum, seeing such beauty all around but forbidden to touch. As much as Bokuto tried to avoid it, his eyes traveled down lower, towards Akaashi’s parted lips. Bokuto knew Akaashi had nice lips, he was always applying lip balm that Bokuto sometimes steals. But Bokuto didn’t realize just how kissable they were.

Until now.

He couldn’t stop his fingers from raising, his thumb landing on the bottom lip, caressing how smooth it felt now. So imagine how great it would feel against his own lips.

“Keiji,” Bokuto breathed out. He never called him by his first name, but hearing the lady earlier, Bokuto wanted to test it out. Break that barrier between them. He sounded like he had just been screaming, voice husky and deep. Like he had to reach deep down the ocean and retrieve his stolen voice.

“Huh?”

“Can I—”

“Yeah,” Akaashi had his eyes closed.

“Keiji?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Keiji-kun? Akaashi Keiji?” Akaashi’s eyes popped wide open as he scrambled to back away from Bokuto and answer to the the doctor that has been calling him for heaven knows how long.

“Yes! Here! Sorry! Coming!”

“I’ll just— I’ll stay here and narrow the choices down some more—and yeah,” Bokuto was pink and avoiding eye contact. Which was good because Akaashi would have combusted.

“Okay. Thanks,” Akaashi muttered before speed walking to the optometrist.

Bokuto hung around and returned some frames that he thought Akaashi would deem ‘too flashy’ and frames that were colored and hard to match with outfits. He found himself paying good attention to the structure of it, making sure the screws didn’t look too fragile. He knew from summer camps and sleepovers in high school that Akaashi usually falls asleep with his books on him, passed out quick. So Bokuto already knows that Akaashi would most likely stay the same and fall asleep with his glasses still on. In the end, there were only three of the frames left, two of Akaashi’s choices and one of his.

It didn’t seem like Akaashi was coming out anytime soon, so Bokuto sat on the bench and dug his phone out of his pocket.

He had one message from his dorm roommate telling him that he’d be out late. One from his mom. A few messages in his volleyball team’s group chat. And a message from his long time best friend, Kuroo.

Kuroo: I’m done with finals. Buy me dinner.

Bokuto: can’t. I’m out with akaashi

Kuroo: where are you guys? I’ll join

Bokuto: No!!

Kuroo: are you out with akaashi or are you going out with akaashi

Bokuto: 😔😔😔

Bokuto looked up when he heard someone clear their throat. It was Akaashi, standing by the chosen frames that Bokuto had dwindled down.

“Hey! How was it?” Bokuto asked, hoping it wouldn’t be too awkward after what happened earlier.

Akaashi nodded, “It was good. Turns out my eyesight’s pretty bad.”

“It probably doesn’t help that you’re tall and the teachers sit you in the back, huh?”

“Exactly.”

Bokuto leaned against the glass, “Are you going to get sports goggles too? Like the ones Tsukki has?”

“No. It’s not really worth it if I only have one year of use for it.”

“One year?” Bokuto asked. Then it hit him what Akaashi meant and his facial expression visibly dampened, “You’re done with volleyball after high school?”

Akaashi chose his words carefully, knowing Bokuto’s take on the subject, “Playing. I’m done playing. I have a feeling that I’ll always be connected to volleyball in a way.”

Bokuto had let out a small smile, “Have you decided on any universities yet? I’m sure they’re waiting for you to say you picked them.”

For Bokuto, he wasn’t flattering Akaashi at the moment. He was simply stating the truth. When he was applying for colleges, Bokuto knew he had a sure seat in a few schools due to his volleyball career. Nevertheless, Akaashi had pushed Bokuto to study more for the entrance exams. They had a new vocabulary word everyday and a few study sessions every week at Bokuto’s house. It was no surprise that Bokuto had a handful of other school choices because of his improved academics.

“Yeah, I was looking at Tohoku University.”

That got Bokuto to straighten up.

“Tohoku? Outside of Tokyo?!”

“Well, yeah—just trying to be realistic.”

“What about Waseda University?” Akaashi was surprised that Bokuto remembered his first choice of school, “Keio? Tokyo University?”

Akaashi can’t help but notice the panic in Bokuto’s voice. Why? He doesn’t have a clue. “Waseda is a hard school to get into.”

“And you will. You’re the smartest person I know! And you have excellent work ethics juggling volleyball and school.”

“You juggled school and volleyball too.”

“Thanks to you,” Bokuto didn’t realize he started holding Akaashi’s shoulders. He took a deep breath to calm down and let the young man go. “All I’m saying is you can get into any school you want. And a lot of those options are in Tokyo too.”

“You sound like you want me to be in Tokyo,” Akaashi laughed through his nose. He was shocked to hear Bokuto’s response.

“Well…that’s not—”

“Oh,” Akaashi swore he felt his stomach fall to the floor. He started blushing again, but this time from embarrassment. Luckily for him, a quick thinker knows how to change the subject seamlessly, “So, are these the ones you chose?”

“Akaashi—wait,” Bokuto tried to interrupt.

“These are nice,” Akaashi held up a pair Bokuto had picked. “I like this. The thin gold detail is a nice touch too.”

“Akaashi—”

He was ignored again. Akaashi was busy closing his ears and hard at work at closing his aching heart. He wore the glasses to stay on that topic.

“How does it look?” Akaashi was asking Bokuto’s opinion but he was only looking at the mirror. Telling himself to hold it together.

“Good.” Bokuto took a deep breath and turned Akaashi to look at him, “I told you, you make everything look good.”

Confused. So, so confused. Akaashi couldn’t understand why Bokuto could say such things that could make his heart seep out of his rib cage, but also not care enough about him. Not care that they’re going to be miles apart.

“If you say so,” Akaashi said. His body was in control now. His face showing apathy.

“What?”

“I’ll go tell them that I picked this one. Then we can go.”

“Akaashi…”

But he was gone. Bokuto felt the red string to tie him and Akaashi together, but the miscommunication made it taut and fragile enough to snap.

The sun had set when they got out of the optometrist clinic. The streets were busy with business men and women coming out of work to finally enjoy the rest of their day, high schoolers hanging out after school, some still in their uniforms, Akaashi and Bokuto stood still in the hubbub.

“What do you wanna eat?” Bokuto bumped his shoulder against the younger man, “Senpai is buying.”

Akaashi started walking, “Something quick. So you can be on your way.”

“On my way? I’m not in a rush.”

Akaashi seems to be walking faster. Further, further away. “Onigiri? Takoyaki? Yakitori? There was a stall near the bookstore over there.”

“Akaashi—wait, hey! Let’s get dinner. Not just snacks,” Bokuto felt himself getting irritated. “Why are you acting like this?”

“Onigiri—”

“Are you mad at me?”

“I’m just hungry.”

“You are angry. Are we arguing?”

“No.”

“We are! Otherwise you would’ve said something about me calling myself your ‘senpai.’ You would’ve gagged or something.”

“Well you were an older schoolmate.”

Bokuto scoffed, “Schoolmate. That’s what we are now?”

“There’s no ‘we’”

“Akaashi!” Bokuto grabbed ahold of Akaashi’s wrists to stop him, “Are you pushing me away?”

“What does it matter?” Akaashi tried to pry his hands away, but Bokuto proved his strength against him. Or maybe, some part of him doesn’t want to get away.

“‘What does it matter?’ So you are pushing me away.”

“Pushing you away?” Akaashi’s voice started getting softer. That was the dynamic the two had: like yin and yang, one loud and one soft. “You’re the one who doesn’t even want me to stay in Tokyo anyway.”

“Because I realize I don’t care.”

“There you go,” Akaashi shrugged. Finally getting loose from Bokuto. He took a step back and looked at the ground, because if he was going to cry, he wouldn’t want the tears to stream down his face. He just wants it straight to the concrete, a piece of him shattering on the floor.

“Keiji!” Bokuto pleaded. “Please, just listen. Please. Listen.”

“Okay.”

“Look, I don’t care where you end up for college. Obviously I prefer you in Tokyo, but if you really wanna go to the other school, I’ll totally support you. I’m warning you now, though, you won’t get rid of me. I’m in it for the long run, for the long distance, for however far or close we need to go. I’m going to make you my boyfriend. I’ll make you go out with me on dates. Dinners. Lunches. Breakfasts! We’ll get all the damn onigiri you want! Because I like you. No matter where the hell you are.”

Akaashi didn’t know what to say. Stupidly, his insecure side spoke up, “Are you sure?”

Bokuto laughed, “Am I sure? ‘Ka’shi, I had a great day today. Even before I saw you. And I wanted to spend it with you. I wanted it with you. Everybody always say that they want someone to be with them during bad times, but I already know we’re that for each other. But in good times? That feeling of being on top of the world? I want that with you. Where I can catch all the stars and just gift them to you. So yes, Akaashi, I’m sure that I like you.”

Bokuto grabbed Akaashi’s hand and placed it on his chest, “If you still don’t believe my words, maybe you’ll believe my heart.”

Akaashi felt the rapid beating of Bokuto’s heart. They both know how slow his heart usually beats, an effect of his athletic body.

“I don’t—I don’t know what to say,” Akaashi confessed.

“Just say it back. Say that you like me too.”

“I like you too, Bokuto-san.”

Bokuto was grinning like an idiot. There was no other way to describe it. He took their hands and intertwined them together, Akaashi’s slender fingers wrapping around his hand.

“Do you believe me?” Akaashi asked.

“Is there a reason not to?”

Akaashi shook his head. “But in case there is…”

The younger boy cupped Bokuto’s cheek, pulling him close as they leaned together, their lips finding solace in each other. Older adults passed by, murmuring about young love and commenting about teenage love not lasting. Maybe so. But both boys knew it was a gamble they wouldn’t want to miss out on.

“Wait,” Bokuto immediately said after they took a breath, “I think I still have my doubts.”

The man was now greedy, having a taste of Akaashi’s lips and now he can’t not have it all the time. Akaashi, ever the angel, decided it was okay to let Bokuto indulge a bit. At least until his stomach grumbled.

“I’m hungry.”

“Am I not enough to satiate your hunger?” Bokuto asked.

“Never say that again.”

Bokuto let out the heartiest laugh. “Okay, okay. I’ll buy you anything you want!”

Akaashi didn’t have to think twice about it. “I actually am craving an onigiri. Well…two.”

“Two? Just two? Wow, Keiji, you’re a cheap date!” Bokuto teased, leading the way to the nearest store.

“For now. I’ll cash it in when you’re a rich, pro athlete.”

Bokuto stopped in his tracks and looked at Akaashi fondly.

“Yeah, Akaashi. You do that.”

“Wait a second,” Akaashi stepped aside the bustling crowd and pulled out his journal. “What are we now?”

Bokuto decided to tease Akaashi with his own words from earlier, “I don’t know, what did you say earlier? Schoolmates?”

“Oh, then I guess there’s no reason for me to write this down in my journal. Just two bros who bumped lips.” Akaashi made a move to close his opened planner.

“As if I’ll ever let you forget this day ,” Bokuto stole the journal and flipped it back open, writing down on today’s date, right under the reminder of the doctor’s appointment. “The day I mustered up courage to tell you that I…”

“You’ll run out of space!”

“…like you and that you like me too…”

“You’re running off to tomorrow’s space! Bokuto-san!”

“I’m in your tomorrow anyways,” Bokuto interjected, still continuously writing. ‘Officially boyfriends’ were the last two words he wrote down.

“Kotarou!”

Bokuto grinned, “Call me that again.”

Akaashi, now bashful, “No. Give me time to adjust.”

“Keiji,” Bokuto whispered, eliciting a shriek from Akaashi.

“Bokuto Kotarou, the man who became my boyfriend one random Thursday night.”

Bokuto laughed and nodded. He pinched the pages of the planner between now and the end of March. “I was going to wait to confess until you graduated.”

“You would’ve waited that long?! I probably couldn’t have!”

Bokuto shrugged, “To make sure you’re focused on your studies.”

“Sounding like a true senpai.”

“Akaashi!”

“I threw up a little in my mouth.”

“I bet. It sounded nice, though.”

“Now you’ll just have to help me study,” Akaashi said, his eyes finally free to look into Bokuto’s eyes for as long as he’d like. “I’m trying to get into Waseda, you see.”

Bokuto saluted, “I’ll try my best to make sure I get to stay very close to you.”

Because maybe the reason why they say teenage love don’t last is because it eventually grows older with them, maturing into what the adults just call “love.”