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"Soft Changes" - BokuAkaKuroKen | Fluff

"Uhm, Koutaro—"
Akaashi couldn't help but laugh and almost choked on the toothpaste in his mouth as his husband snug his arms around his middle. His breath tickled on his neck much like the hum that made his chest vibrate.

He caught himself with effort and quickly finished up brushing his teeth but the ace didn't let go of him even as he leaned forward to wash out his mouth and take a gulp of water. Akaashi watched their reflection in the mirror fondly.

Today was one of the rare instances the ace woke up after him. He had a very demanding match yesterday in a different city and the team only returned to Osaka late. The raven had watched the game on TV with Kenma and Tetsuro, fully prepared to celebrate his victory with Koutaro when he returned.

A satisfied smile had claimed Bokuto's face but he had managed little more than pulling them all into his arms before practically collapsing against them. Kuroo helped him to bed, while Akaashi helped stripped him off his clothes and made him put on pajamas.

Kenma offered himself up as Bokuto's personal plushie and within seconds of his head touching the pillow the taller was sleeping deeper than Akaashi could ever dream of. He exchanged a glance with Kenma, who just leaned up to press a kiss to Koutaro's forehead.

Even now the ace still seemed tired and half used Akaashi for support while snuggling up to him. His hands felt up his chest in a tender way, as feeling for the warmth closest to Akaashi's heart. It wasn't hungry or demanding, just grounding and gentle.

Akaashi leaned back against him while preparing Bokuto's toothbrush lest he forgot in his tired state. He paused when Bokuto's fingers mapped out his stomach and pinched his sides softly. That was new. Yet the ace sighed contently and he happily accepted the toothbrush once Akaashi snapped out of his stupor.

The teal coloured eyes watched him for a moment curiously as the ace grumbled when he wiggles himself out of his grip so that he could get ready properly.

He caught a glimpse of his own reflection while walking past their bedroom mirror and paused again. Yet before he could overthink it Kuroo called them for breakfast and he was quick to comply.

———

Later that week, Akaashi was still sitting on the couch editing, when Kenma joined him with a sigh. He let himself fall onto the couch and promptly leaned against the raven while covering his face with his hands.

"Hm? Hard day?" Akaashi asked.

The other nodded and snuggled even closer with a groan. His face betrayed his exhaustion but the stressed lines faded as he let himself melt into Akaashi's side. He did have some more work to do but nothing urgent so he put his laptop aside and let Kenma rest his head on his lap.
"Just finished all the content and schedules for next week."
He blinked up at him with a glint of mischief in his eyes and a self-satisfied expression.
"I managed to avoid all in-person meetings."

Akaashi laughed and let his hand run through his hair, pulling it back gently. Kenma melted under his touch and let out an almost purr like sound. He truly was an overgrown cat.
"Sounds like you deserve a break. And I guess you decided that none of your pillows would suffice?"

He shook his head and yawned nuzzling his head into his stomach, smiling softly and encouraging Akaashi to continue playing with his hair.
"Hm-hm, they aren't as soft as you. This much better..."

Akaashi reciprocated his smile and leaned down to place a kiss on his nose. In response Kenma's face scrunched up in the most adorable way that stole Akaashi's heart all over. He was so beautiful, with his long lashes, androgynous features, long hair, defined jaw and slim neck. He was perfect.

He cupped his face and let his thumb run gently over a few uneven patches of skin on his cheek where a few acne scars remained, pale like reversed freckles. He kissed them too and watched as Kenma slowly relaxed in his arms.
"Rest, Love. You deserve it."

Kenma gave an illegible mumble that caused a few spit bubbles to assemble in the corner of his mouth, Akaashi quickly wiped away. He waited until he had properly fallen asleep before pulling out an e-book on his phone and began reading.

———

"Tetsu. I'm trying to focus."
There was a subtle warning in his voice Kuroo ignored completely as he continued kissing down Akaashi's neck where he stood at the counter, trying to put together a grocery list. A deep chuckle resonated in Kuroo's chest, which alone stole a piece of hair resolve and wasn't helped by the low whisper his sneaky husband breathed against his skin.

"I know, I'm trying to make you not focus."

"Hm-hm I can tell. It's called distracting me."

"Considere it more as redirecting your efforts."
He could feel his grin against his neck before his teeth sank down playful and pulling gently at his skin, leaving an indent. He gasped while Kuroo kissed an leapt at it sweetly.
He reached up and let his fingers dance of the nape of his neck tantalisingly before reaching his jaw and face. Even under slight pressure his face formed to his touch as his fingers sunk everywhere so slightly into fat of his cheeks. He coaxed him to look at him and after waiting for the small nod pulled Akaashi into a kiss.

Kuroo's eyes had darkened with desire but Akaashi was distracted by something very different this time. As Kuroo reached out to pull him closer by his hips and snug his hands under his shirt just above his waistband his fingers sunk into his flesh similarly to before, like he was soft.

Akaashi frowned a little as he sensed the way his body moulded itself to Kuroo's touch. It wasn't uncomfortable, just new and he suddenly didn't what to make of that. The taller sensed his hesitation and carefully stepped back. His eyes searched the teal coloured ones, checking in on him.

The smaller blushed and quickly averted his gaze.
"I'm sorry. I guess my head is just elsewhere right now."

He felt Kuroo's touch on his cheek, gentler this time. There was no coaxing or heat to it, just reassuring warmth.
"Nothing to apologise for."
It was as simple at that and with a kiss to his cheek and soft smile Tetsuro left to give him space. Akaashi's heart was positively racing as he watched after him and let his fingers map out the spot of his last touch though then his hand wandered lower and he pinched his stomach to test what he had felt before. He was softer... chubbier.

He shook his head and tried to focus on the list again.

———

The more time passed the more Keiji took notice of the changes to his body that so far had been slow and subtle. Of course he knew that he wasn't an athlete anymore and that he couldn't compare to a professional one like Bokuto and did way less than Kuroo to keep himself in shape.

Him and Kenma spent most of their time at home with jobs that required little movement but with how often the smaller forget to eat or struggled with it Akaashi wasn't surprised that he still was as lithe as before. Other than him Kenma could probably do well with a bit more fat on his ribs, which could be scarily visible when he stretched.

This new awareness felt... Odd. Scary even. When eating he suddenly noticed portion sizes and was only minimally reassured when he found that Bokuto was still eating substantially more than him and he was about on the level as Kuroo.

Though both of them were bigger and more active. For Kenma it was never about portion size but about finding a food he felt comfortable with, which often would result in him eating it for at least a week if they weren't careful.

He began noticing every time their fingers sunk into the pudge that had formed on his hips, rounded his face, and filled his thighs. He wondered if they noticed too.

They didn't seem deterred or like anything felt different to them but if they just hadn't paid attention so far when would they notice? Hadn't he only seen it after accumulating a layer of pudge already? And it was his body.

Something about that thought sat in his chest like an uncomfortable weight and he found himself wearing Koutaro's and Tetsuro's hoodies and sweaters more often like Kenma usually would. The smaller gave him a questioning look as he raided his stash but didn't ask anything further.

Akaashi almost wished he had. It became painfully obvious to him as the weight in his chest grew and intimacy between them began to become rarer that he should address this with them but he didn't know how and maybe in parts he was scared of drawing their attention to something that could make him less attractive to them.

Of course, he knew that their relationship was built on more than sexual desire but that didn't mean he was ready to give up that aspect. He wanted to be desired by them. His heart beat almost painfully against his ribs as he stepped out of the shower and in front of the mirror.

He slowly let the towel sink ot the ground and took in his reflection. His arms had gotten a tad bit wider, the defined muscles he once had had all but vanished under a layer of pudge that pertruded on his stomach and filled out his hips.

His face looked slightly more rounded, his tights thicker. He could pinch them, sink his fingers into the fat and stretch it. As he bend to pick up the towel again a few folds formed, more prominent than before.

He worried his bottom lip between his teeth when suddenly the door opened and he flinched. Kuroo walked in nonchalantly, focused on getting something from the shelf, yet he paused when he saw him.

Akaashi half covered himself with the towel feeling suddenly self-conscious but the blush claiming Kuroo's face and smirk tugging at his lips was oddly reassuring. He looked Akaashi up and down as he usually would, gave a suggestive comment before laughing and proceeding with his original intent.

On his way out he paused and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck.
"Make sure to dry off soon, beautiful. Would be a tragedy if you got sick."

Akaashi's cheeks felt like they were burning but he nodded. He was sure Kuroo hadn't put together why he was staring at his reflection or for how long but that only makes that small word means so much more: beautiful. Not out of pity but genuinely.

The small doubt in his mind still reminded him that he might not have noticed or wouldn't have said so if he saw him fully, after all most of his thighs and midsection had been covered again when the taller had walked in. Yet Akaashi stubbornly shook it off and took in a deep breath.

He couldn't run form this. He wouldn't be able to go back to his high school form and logically he knew that if he wanted forever with them changes, even changes like this, were part of it. And he wanted forever with them desperately.

———

It took a few more days to work up the courage to say something. Kenma already commented that he was getting in his head again and could tell him if something was bothering him. He said that he would need some more time and went through the script he had laid out in his head over and over again until Friday evening.

He had finally settled on approaching the topic tomorrow, when they all would be home and had plenty of time, no one was exhausted or distracted and... and it came all to a screeching halt when Koutaro and Tetsuro came through the door with two big bags with the Onigiri Miya logo printed onto them.

Kenma had led the way downstairs after making them snuggle up in their favourite pajamas for a lazy afternoon and evening and suddenly Akaashi glanced at him suspiciously.
"You planned this."

Kenma just gave him a knowing smile and intertwined their fingers while leading them to the dinner table.

"We noticed that you seemed a bit down lately. So here we go, dinner from you favourite place and I got your favourite snacks and Tetsu will make his priced hot-chocolate later!"
Bokuto grinned widely and Akaashi could about cry in that moment. It was a bittersweet sensation suddenly rushing through him as he noticed that one, they knew him so well and they loved him so much. And two, he loved food. He couldn't give it up to diet and be slimmer.

It was what brought him comfort on a bad day especially when they gave it to him. Nothing warmed him on a cold day like Kuroo's hot chocolate, nothing could placate dark thoughts like eating Onigiri in Bokuto's company, or snacking on seaweed chips while venting to Kenma.

"Keiji?" The smaller asked gently.

"Sorry... It's stupid."
He wiped an actual tear away over something that felt so trivial and monumental all at once.
"Can I talk to you?"

"Of course," Kuroo replied immediately. "We're here."

He nodded shakily before sitting down next to Kenma, opposite to Bokuto. The ace unpacked the food and pushed a plate of Onigiri over to him. Akaashi smiled. It felt a little pained but he still took his first bite and it tasted as good as always.

For a moment, they sat in silence, eating while Akaashi tried to find the words he had so carefully prepared but that were now escaping him. It was so ironic that the very thing he felt suddenly so conflicted about brought him the comfort he needed to find his voice again.

"I noticed that... I've changed, physically I mean. I of course didn't expect to stay as athletic as in highschool but I... I've become... chubby.
"I gained some weight. Not an unhealthy amount and not suddenly but I still look... different."
He glanced up while picking at the remaining Onigiri on his plate. Bokuto visibly struggled to let him finish speaking while Kuroo had a form grip on the ace's arm to ground him long enough for Akaashi to finish his explaination.
"I'm afraid it might bother you. I know that it wouldn't be a deal breaker, at least I think it wouldn't, but I still want... I'm scared you might find me unattractive now."

There was a clang to his right and as he looked he found that Kenma had dropped his chopsticks. One still kept rolling and with another clang landed on the ground to their feet.
The smaller looked at him so perplexed as if the raven had just proclaimed to believe in the existence of unicorns, honestly Akaashi wasn't sure he would have looked half as shocked and not just make a sarcastic joke if he did.
Then the blonde turned to Kuroo as if seeking for confirmation that he hadn't been hallucinating.

"Kenma that is rude," the taller replied half chastising half amused.

Kenma gave an offended huff and gestured helplessly to Akaashi, all of him to be precise, as if not finding the necessary words to express his utter incomprehension at what the other had said. Akaashi tilted his head to the side a little confused. He didn't know what to make of that reaction.

"What Kenma is trying to say is that, no it doesn't bother us at all. In fact, you are very attractive and we all count ourselves extremely lucky to be able to get to see you every day let alone touch you." Kuroo explained.

The streamer nodded furiously still looking like someone had just shattered a significant part of his reality. Now it was on Akaashi to be perplexed, too perplexed even to doubt anything said or formulate a good response.

His eyes wandered to Bokuto who was suspiciously quiet. As they found him the ace sat tense blushing to the roots of his hair and burying his face in his hands when he noticed Akaashi's gaze on him. He mumbled something into him the smaller couldn't understand and again looked to Kuroo for help, who's cheeks were warming as well but he smirked.
"Kou said he finds it cute and I have to agree though 'hot' would be more the word that comes to mind for me."
He pulled part of his bottom lip between his teeth and scanned him as he had that day in the bathroom and now Akaashi was blushing too. Bokuto blabbered something else that was equally incomprehensible.
"He agrees," Kuroo translated.

Akaashi couldn't decide whether any of this made it easier or hard to breathe and it took him a second to find his composure again.
"So you don't mind?"

The outburst came from Kenma out of all people, who sounded like he had been holding his breath, and left Akaashi so utterly flustered he wasn't sure he'd find his voice again any time soon.
"Hell no! Have you seen yourself? Have you seen how the rest of the world sees you?!
"Every time you so much as appear in the background of the stream for only a second the whole chat and every comment is about 'the mysterious pretty boy'. I usually would never say you need to be just pretty to be able to do social media seeing as I know what is behind all of it but you could literally sit down in front of a camera, do nothing and get millions of followers. People don't ask how you got me, they accuse me of using my influence to seduce you!
"I think we need more mirrors because there is literally no way anyone including yourself could see you and not think you are a son sired by Aphrodite herself. And the fact that you even have to ask if we would mind now that you are even softer and practically glowing and so so gorgeous... Either I need to go to the hospital for delusions or you have to!"
He took a deep breath, bracing himself against the table and trying calm down again. All three watched him a little stunned but otherwise than Akaashi their boyfriends recovered fast as though all of that was obvious.

"You look like... Like a greek god, like a siren, like... If you're not pretty what am I?" The ace tried to articulate his thoughts.
Bokuto looked so genuinely distressed over the whole ordeal it broke Akaashi's heart a bit but he was still to stunned to string a coherent sentence together.

"You said it yourself," Kuroo jumped back in. "You said it yourself, your weight is still very much in a healthy framework, which looks different for everyone.
If you feel most comfortable with some fat on your thighs and belly then that's perfectly reasonable. Especially if it makes you look so hot."

"W-what?"

"Oh, I said: Especially When It Looks So Hot. I can say it louder in necessary, or wait let me post it."

"No! Not necessary!"

Kuroo grinned but put his phone away again.
"Sorry darling, but it'll take a whole lot to convince me that anything about you is unattractive. Kou is right, chubby suits you."
Again Bokuto nodded furiously, still flustered. Kenma wasn't doing much better though he looked like his head was burning up. Kuroo's expression softened a little.
"You're done with dinner?"

...

"Can I have another one please?"

"Of course."
He handed him another piece of Onigiri and it never tasted so good as he dug his teeth into its core. He had to handed to them, they were expertly crushed his insecurity before it could flourish into something bigger.

In case any doubts remained they were dispelled the moment they had cleared up the dinner table as Kenma rested a hand on his thigh and looked up at him with his cheeks burning and eyes darkening.

Bokuto kissed his temple and rested a hand on his hip while Kuroo tilted his chin up and placed a deep kiss to his lips, Akaashi chased after as they separated.
"Looks like we have something to prove to our beautiful husband."

His breath caught in his throat but this time he let himself fall into their seductive touch without a second thought.

—The End —