Chapter Text
“Kurosawa!”
The screams were nearly deafening as Kurosawa scored another goal. Could one man count as an entire team?
Adachi was never one for sports but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy reclining down, with his elbows propped up on grassy hill, to watch the university’s soccer team weekend practice. At first, he told himself, it was so that he could cheer on Tsuge’s boyfriend, Minato, but after awhile, Adachi started to enjoy the sun on his neck and the time spent with friends...but he didn't dare admit to himself the real reason he had started to go watch the practices nearly everyday.
Adachi sighed. At times it was hard to carry on a decent conversation, because if ace superstar athlete Kurosawa Yuichi was even just practicing, there was sure to be a crowd.
“Everyone seems to be as lively as usual.” Fujisaki said with a small smile to Adachi.
He gave her a smile back and a quick nod. “I can’t imagine it being easy to concentrate with all this noise.”
“It’s even worse when it’s an actual game.” Tsuge mused.
While Tsuge went to Minato’s every game, Adachi couldn’t bring himself to be around the crowd that gathered for a real match. The energy was chaotic at best…and hearing the masses come to a fever pitch as they chanted Kurosawa’s name made him feel weird.
Adachi had only ever heard it through a video Tsuge had posted on Instagram but it was enough to make him feel uneasy. How did it make Kurosawa feel? All those hopes and expectations being thrown at him. If it was him, Adachi would want the earth to swallow him, never to be seen again.
Slowly, Adachi found his gaze wander over to Kurosawa. Even with sweat rolling down his brow and dirt on his uniform the man still managed to look perfect. It was almost annoying. Adachi wasn’t quite sure why he found it annoying. He had only ever exchanged a few words with the soccer ace but Adachi could tell by the way Kurosawa treated his teammates and the swarms of women that accosted him, that he was always graceful and courteous in his words and actions even when they nearly tore the soccer jersey right off his sweat soaked body.
If it was me, I would probably hire a body guard. Or better yet, a body double.
“Are you coming out drinking with us tonight, Adachi?”
Adachi turned his head to face Tsuge. It was hard not to sigh. Every time, despite every refusal, Tsuge invited him to go drinking out with the team after practice. He said it was fine since Minato was on the team but Adachi couldn’t help but feel guilty about it. An invite from a friend of a boyfriend on the team? He felt like he would only be intruding…anyways, making small talk was not his forte.
“You should, Adachi! Who knows? It might be fun.”
Even without facing her, Adachi knew Fujisaki had a mischievous look in her eye. He couldn’t shake the feeling that she knew something he didn’t. What it was, he couldn’t fathom, but ever since she had gone out drinking with the soccer team a month ago, she had been giving him sly looks and giggling occasionally when they watched soccer practice.
“I don’t mind if it’s just us but…”
“Oh, come on! One time won’t hurt, would it?” He made the mistake of turning to her and the puppy dog eyes she gave him were almost too much.
Adachi let out a sigh. He was about ready to say “Fine!” but refuse to have fun, when a sharp pain ripped through the front of his face and his whole world turned black.
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Adachi blinked and tried to scrunch up his eyes. That only made pain shoot up the bridge of his nose which made Adachi want to scrunch his eyes even more. Tears started to pool under his closed lids and Adachi let out a yelp of pain.
“Are you all right? Where does it hurt? I’m so sorry!”
Through his fog of pain and confusion, Adachi tried to focus in on the voice. He had never heard someone sound so distressed in his entire life. Despite all the pain he was in, Adachi felt like he needed to calm the person.
“I’m fine. Really. Are you…?” Despite his best effort, Adachi couldn’t find the energy to complete the sentence. That’s when he felt a strong pressure on his right hand; someone was squeezing it.
The voice gave a shaky laugh. “How can you be worried about me? Oh, Adachi. I…”
“Adachi! You’re awake!! The doctor says your nose could be broken! I can’t believe Senpai hit you right in the face like that with the soccer ball! WAM!”
The shrill voice was like a jack hammer in his head. Adachi squeezed the hand in his, trying to communicate his need for quiet.
“Rokkaku! I’m going to kick you off the team right now if you don’t quiet down!” The voice hissed.
Rokkaku? Adachi recognized that name. He was the newest player on the soccer team. He wasn’t the most polished player but what he lacked in skill, he made up for in enthusiasm. What was he doing here?
Adachi squeezed the hand again and struggled to understand where he was. He had been sitting on the hill watching soccer and then there had been a flash of hot pain. Then what?
“Go find the doctor and let them know he’s awake.”
Doctor? Slowly, Adachi could feel the sheet over his body and the pillow under his head. He was in the infirmary…?
“I’m so sorry, Adachi. I shouldn’t have been staring at y…” The voice sputtered to a halt. “I should have been paying better attention. I can’t believe I hit you with the soccer ball. I was so careless. If anything happens to you, I…”
Adachi felt another overwhelming urge to assure whoever had hit him, that he was going to be all right. It had obviously been an accident. But it was so hard to find the energy to make his mouth form words. It’s fine. I’ll be fine. It’s always fine.
Instead he settled for rubbing his thumb over the hand that held his. It was sweaty and clammy but for some reason Adachi never wanted them to let go.
Adachi heard the person next to him inhale sharply. Suddenly, his hand lifted into the air and there was a soft pressure on his knuckles. It lasted only a split second but it was the oddest sensation Adachi had ever experienced. Butterflies didn’t mix well with a pounding headache.
“How’s our patient doing, Kurosawa?” said a new voice from across the room.
Kurosawa?!
Adachi’s eyes shot open and shut again just as fast as the harsh incandescent lights blinded him.
“Adachi just woke up but he’s finding it hard to speak. Does he have a concussion?”
Concussion?! Adachi didn’t like that he couldn't add to the conversation that was about him. Is this how I die? Sweaty palmed at a loss for words like I always am.
“While we can’t say anything about a concussion at the present, Adachi does appear to have multiple contusions on his nose and the surrounding area. If I may…?”
Adachi felt the hand in his slowly start to slip away. Before he could stop himself, he gripped it even harder. “No!” The urgency in his voice obvious.
There was a light chuckle. “How about I examine our patient on the opposite side?”
Adachi felt his cheeks glow and he wondered for a second if he should have just let go but all of his doubt washed away as Kurosawa gently said, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Are you able to open your eyes?”
Adachi slowly opened one eye. The room swam in front of him. He felt like he was on a merry-go-round and all he wanted was off. “Dizzy.” Adachi lightly murmured.
The doctor clicked her tongue. “Are you able to tell me your name?”
“Adachi Kiyoshi.”
“Good.” The doctor wrote down a quick note. “Can you tell me what year it is?”
“2020.”
After a few more questions, Adachi tried opening his eyes again. The light stung less but he was too afraid to open them all the way. Kurosawa was still sitting right next to him, holding his hand. What look was he suppose to give him?!
“Do you have anyone at home who would be able to observe you for the next few days? We need to make sure that you don’t have a seizure or aren’t able to wake up after falling asleep.”
Before Adachi could say anything, Kurosawa loudly proclaimed, “I’m going to watch him!”
Eh?!!
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Adachi had never felt such soft sheets in his entire life. It was like sleeping on a cloud. But no matter how hard he tried to relax the tension in his body wouldn’t release. How could it? He wasn’t laying in his own bed. He was laying on soccer superstar Kurosawa’s bed and the thought alone was enough to nearly make him question his sanity.
The room had a light scent of lavender from the diffuser in the corner and another smell he couldn’t quite place. Or maybe he didn’t want to think about how nice the pillow not only felt but smelled. Kurosawa had helped change him out of his clothes and into a silk pair of pajamas. The cool material was like a dream. Adachi felt so grateful for all of these things but whenever he tried to talk, Kurosawa would gently shush him and tell him to get some rest.
The lights were dimmed. Adachi hesitantly opened one eye wondering what time it was. Is it night time? Should I spend the night? Not that I really have a choice…
The doctor had said that at minimum he needed to be watched over the weekend. It made Adachi’s head spin at how fervently Kurosawa said he would take care of him.
Adachi had tried to voice his hesitation but he knew there was really no one else to watch him. Tsuge won’t have minded but with Minato recently moving in, there wasn’t really room for him. The doctor had suggested he stay at a hospital but it sounded so sterile and lonely that he reluctantly agreed to go home with Kurosawa.
It’s not that I mind being at Kurosawa’s apartment…
How awkward it was made him slightly queasy. Or was that the concussion? Adachi sighed.
“Are you awake?”
Any stress that had left Adachi’s body quickly returned when he realized he wasn’t alone in the room. Gulping down on the spit pooled in his mouth, Adachi tried to find the right words.
“Yeah.” And the Emmy for best line goes to…
“The doctor said to keep an eye on you, so I came to peek in.” Kurosawa spoke in a low, slow voice. “I wasn’t sure if you might be hungry. It’s already past midnight and I don’t know when you ate last…”
“It is?” Suddenly all the demands of his body came rushing in. I’m hungry and oh god, I’ve got to pee!
“I figured you might like a light soup or oatmeal. I can heat up anything you want. There’s a convenience story nearby too.” Kurosawa sounded so calm and soothing.
The air shifted in the room as Kurosawa came over to sit on the side of the bed.
“I really can’t apologize enough. I practically broke your nose and if there’s any lasting damage with the concussion…” Kurosawa trailed off again.
“I’ll be okay. Even if there’s any damage, it’s not like anyone is going to notice.” Adachi winched at his own words. He hated how the only way he seemed to be able to lighten a situation was to be self-degrading. Adachi didn’t know when or where the habit started but it seemed impossible to kick.
“Please don’t say that.” Kurosawa placed his hand over Adachi’s chest. It hurts to hear you speak so low of yourself.
Eh?!
Had Adachi heard him correctly?
“Do you think you can stand? You can freshen up while I heat up some food.” With a lopsided smile, Kurosawa looked at him expectantly.
Adachi slowly started to push the covers back. “That would be nice. Thanks.”
Kurosawa stood up and offered a steading hand. I hope he can stand okay. But than again if he falls…
*****
Adachi slowly stood up but with a small gasp he lost his balance and fell back on the bed bringing Kurosawa with him.
“I’m so clumsy,” Adachi said in a breathless voice.
Kurosawa’s voice grew low. “You make me fall for you every time.”
Adachi blushed a light pink as he closed his eyes and tilted his chin up.
*****
“Adachi, can you go to the bathroom on your own?”
Adachi’s whole body jolted as he realized he was standing up and not laying back on the bed with Kurosawa hovering over him. What in the hell was that?
“I’ll be okay.” Adachi shakily answered. Was that a symptom of the concussion? Should he tell Kurosawa? No! That was way too embarrassing!!
Kurosawa slowly lead Adachi over to the bathroom. Like everything else in the apartment, it looked like it was from the inside of a magazine. The colors were dark and the light had a dimmer. Adachi had always thought that seemed too decadent for a bathroom until now.
Kurosawa gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “If you need anything, just call.” I’m here for you.
Adachi found himself looking down at the sink, slightly flustered at the soccer ace’s candid words. “Thanks. It means a lot.”
Once Kurosawa left, Adachi finally looked at his reflection and boy, did he look bad. There was a huge bandage over his whole nose. The bruising was obvious and Adachi knew that his face was going to be a mess for weeks. His cheeks felt puffy and tender. All in all it was absolutely miserable. And to top it all off, the doctor had said since they feared a concussion, he wasn’t allowed to take any pain medicine unless it was absolutely necessary.
How am I going to go to classes looking like this? Adachi tried to avoid attention whenever possible and there was no way he was going to be able to avoid all the questions and looks he would get from such an obvious injury. Not only that, but there was no doubt that the rumor mill would be none stop seeing as it was the school’s soccer star who had been the one to do it, accident or no.
After going to the bathroom and washing his hands, Adachi returned to the bed to look for his phone. He found it charging on Kurosawa’s wireless bedside charger. Adachi licked his lips as he grabbed his phone and unlocked it. There were messages of concern from Tsuge and Fujisaki. Replying with a general “I’m okay.”, Adachi contemplated his next move.
Did he really want to look on social media? Was it better to have an idea about what was waiting for him or should he stay blissfully ignorant?
A small war waged on inside Adachi’s head until curiosity got the better of him. As soon as he opened the app, his screen exploded with images of Kurosawa carrying him bridal style away from the soccer field. Adachi flung this phone on the bed.
Did I really just see that?
Adachi’s heart leapt into his throat and started to pound a mile a minute. Did that really happen?! But it must have! Adachi oscillated between being horrified and slightly thrilled at the thought of Kurosawa being able to carry him all the way from the soccer field to the infirmary. His muscles must be stronger than they look. Kurosawa’s body is so lean…
Before he could stop himself, a flash of Kurosawa wiping his brow with the bottom of his shirt and inadvertently exposing his stomach flooded Adachi’s senses.
Adachi’s eyes widened as he took in his surroundings. There he was:
Midnight.
Silk pajamas.
Alone.
With Kurosawa.
Adachi’s head started to spin again but not from the concussion.
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Could it really count as snuggling if they were almost a foot apart?
After eating the best chicken noodle soup of Adachi’s entire life (sorry, mom), they sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. Kurosawa was flipping through his recently watched when Adachi saw a show he recognized.
“Oh, you watched Dark too?” It was such a niche show on Netflix and not everyone liked subtitles. Warmth flooded Adachi at the thought of them sharing a common interest.
“Yeah, the first season was amazing and the second didn’t disappoint either. I haven’t had time to watch the final season yet, being so busy with the upcoming matches. Have you finished it?”
Adachi started to nod enthusiastically but then stopped when his nose began to throb. Still, it couldn’t stop him from answering, “The plot has so many twists and turns…” Adachi gave a slight huff. “I want to talk about it but I don’t want to spoil anything by accident!”
Kurosawa laughed and Adachi was greeted with his first eye scrunching smile of the day. That look always made his stomach do an odd little flop. Adachi found himself slowly returning the smile more openly than he had ever dreamed of doing before.
It’s the concussion. That’s all.
It was so convenient to blame all his feelings on the concussion. Feelings that had been simmering for awhile but that he had used all his effort to suppress. What was the point of nurturing a crush on someone like Kurosawa? All that awaited him was disappointment and embarrassment. Not that Kurosawa would do anything to embarrass him but more that he would trip over his words or just make a general fool of himself.
Adachi hugged the blanket around his shoulders harder to his chest. Breathing in, he was enveloped in laundry detergent and the faint smell of body musk. Maybe he could let himself fantasize for a moment.
He and Kurosawa were dating. It was a normal Friday night. After some cajoling, Adachi said he would stay over. Kurosawa teased that it was impossible to sleep without his boyfriend next to him. Adachi felt his cheeks warm at the compliment but knew that he felt the same way. Leaning in, he closed the distance between them…
*****
Lips were soft as they touched. If it was possible for the human body to take liquid form, this must be it. There was a soft light surrounding them as Kurosawa started to suck on Adachi’s lower lip. Kurosawa pulled away to admire Adachi’s kiss swollen lips.
*****
Adachi’s eyes were as wide as saucers. He had never, in his entire life, have a daydream be so vibrant before and now he had had two in the last few hours. It was like it had actually happened. Wait, had they just kissed?! Adachi licked his lips but found they felt like they always did. What was that just now? A seizure?
Adachi looked at Kurosawa for any sign that he had done something out of the ordinary but he just looked at him like normal.
“Do you wanna watch CSI and we can save Dark for later?” Kurosawa asked.
Adachi struggled to figure out where they were in the conversation. Adachi shifted his body and as he did, he realized that Kurosawa’s foot had somehow managed to wander over and touch his.
“Yeah, I don’t think I could read subtitles right now.”
Save for later? Adachi tried to not think too much about the comment but it was hard not to want to read into it.
“Don’t worry. You can sleep in as late as you need to all weekend. I already told coach I’m not available. I’m here for anything you might need…or want.” Kurosawa said the last two words a bit softer and a bit lower than what was good for Adachi’s heart.
“Thanks!” Even in his own ears, Adachi could hear how high pitched he sounded.
“We’ll have to change your bandages before you go back to sleep. You can sleep on my bed and I’ll sleep out here on the couch.”
“You don’t have to do that! I can sleep out here on the couch! I don’t want to be any bother.” Adachi knew he sounded ridiculous but he still had apologize for literally nothing. It was in his DNA.
Kurosawa let out a light chuckle. “Believe me, Adachi; you’re no bother. After all, I’m the one who hit you in the face with a soccer ball.”
Adachi felt himself growing even more flustered. “But what if you sprain your back sleeping on the couch? How are you going to play soccer?” Adachi could just see all the wild fans tearing him limb from limb when their beloved ace couldn’t play.
“Well, what do you propose? I sleep with you?” Kurosawa let out a small choking noise and his perfect composure slipped for a moment before falling back into place. “ I mean, sleep in the same bed.”
Adachi could feel the tips of his ears burn. Did he really mean it?
“I am…proposing that.” Adachi figured he had already dipped his toes in, might as well take the plunge. “We’re both adults. We can sleep in the same bed. Besides, didn’t the doctor say I needed to be watched…?” Adachi hoped his cover worked- blame it on the doctor.
Kurosawa made a serious face and then nodded. “Yes, you’re completely right. The doctor did say that. Best to play it safe.”
“It’s what the doctor would want.”
And Adachi did secretly as well.
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Adachi’s dreams were a tangled mess of stress and euphoria. One moment, his dreams were like they always were, slightly bland but comforting and then the next moment they were hot and frantic. Still, it was the best sleep he had had in a long time. Even though Adachi knew it would all come to an end very quickly, he found himself never wanting to leave the cocoon that was Kurosawa’s apartment.
Just like the man, everything in the house oozed luxury and refinement. It wasn’t that Adachi disliked his apartment, it was more the fact that it would feel empty without someone else in it.
Adachi was awake but he didn’t want to give any indication that he was. If he did, then he would have to get up and if he got up than he could no longer be laying down next to Kurosawa. Adachi was good at pretending to be asleep. He had done it for years and he had picked up some of the best gossip while doing it. He wasn’t trying to be purposely deceptive it was just another defense mechanism for avoiding conversations at all costs.
There was movement on the other side of the bed and he heard Kurosawa let out a soft sigh. He shifted in the bed and shimmed his way over to Adachi. Adachi didn’t move a muscle as an arm tentatively reached out and laid on his chest.
Should I be this happy? I feel like I should be more guilty but I can’t help it. Who would have ever have thought that I could wake up to a morning like this? Adachi in my bed; wearing the pajamas I had bought for him but never expected him to wear. To think I get him for the entire weekend…Maybe I could convince him to stay longer? The week? The month? To never leave my side again?
Adachi let out a small noise. Kurosawa’s arm quickly retreated and the inside of Adachi’s head was once again silent. That wasn't a seizure or because of a concussion. What the hell was it? It was almost as if I could hear this thoughts. But that’s impossible, right?
Adachi remained perfectly still, hoping that Kurosawa would once again try to touch him. Naturally, he only wanted that to test his theory. He didn’t have to wait long before he could feel Kurosawa’s hand against his arm.
I really shouldn’t be doing this. What if Adachi wakes up? I know Fujisaki told me he doesn’t have a partner but that doesn’t give me the right to just touch him. But I might never get this opportunity again! He’s just so cute. I want to take a picture so bad. His eyelashes are so soft. I’m never going to wash these sheets again. I have to memorize every moment for later. I wish time would stop right now.
Adachi had to use every ounce of strength in him not to reach out and grab Kurosawa close. Could it be? Does he really like me too? There’s no way. But listen to him!
My Sleeping Angel
By: Kurosawa Yuichi
Your eyes gently closed
Like a whispered promise
Body heat mingles
You envelope me
Forever with Adachi
It was too much. Adachi let out a small yawn. If he didn’t pretend to wake up right now he had no idea what he was going to do.
The room was still dim but Adachi could make out the faint form of Kurosawa next to him. How the other man could still look so composed after what had just happened made Adachi once again question if it hadn’t all just been a delusion.
“Did you sleep well?” Kurosawa’s voice was slightly husky with sleep.
“Y-yeah, you?”
There was a slight pause. Adachi wasn’t sure if he had said something weird. He had never slept in the same bed with another person. Well, sharing a bed with his cousin when he was seven just didn’t seem like a comparable experience.
“Surprisingly well.” Kurosawa sat up and Adachi could feel his face burn as their eyes met for the first time that day.
Adachi bounced between trying to smile and wondering how much he was allowed to smile given the current circumstances. If I smile too big, is that weird? But if I frown that would be even weirder…I should have just pretended to be asleep! However the thought of accidentally scaring Kurosawa into thinking he couldn’t wake up because of the concussion quickly put that idea to rest.
They stared at each other for another moment. Thankfully, the dim light did make it feel slightly less awkward. Adachi had never seen Kurosawa from this angle. He looked gentle and soft in his white pajamas; hair slightly ruffled from just waking up. Could it be that Kurosawa can be cute?
“Are you hungry? I can make us breakfast but first we should probably change your bandages.” Kurosawa started to get out of the bed and Adachi instantly missed the feeling of someone being next to him.
It was going to be a long weekend.