Chapter Text
Akaashi was having one of the worst days. He was scheduled for a 4 a.m. shift on a goddamn Saturday at the bookstore he worked at and Akaashi was not a morning person by any means. It had also rained the night before and on the way to work that morning he had stepped in a disgusting muddy puddle. Naturally, the water soaked into his shoe and he was left was a squishy gross mess for the majority of a morning. And once he was at work, he had the most rude and disrespectful customers. Just how in the world was he supposed to know every single book that they had on their shelves? He was just a normal bookseller, he didn’t have a photographic memory.
When he got off work at 10:30 a.m. (the time that he would usually be waking up if he had his way) all he could think of was coffee and curling up with a good book before probably falling asleep. As he was waiting for the walk signal to come on at the intersection between his house and a park, he noticed a very brightly colored sign taped to the pole.
WANTED: People to come watch me do sick judo moves in the park
This Saturday 11 am to 12:30 pm
NO $$$ BUT TRUST ME YOU WILL BE PAID IN INSPIRATION
Akaashi was giggling to himself as he read the sign. Clearly whoever it was, was excitable if the lightning bubbles that stated some of the “sick moves” shown was anything to go by. Akaashi was too busy reading the sign to notice that the walk sign had already come and gone. He visibly deflated when he did notice and huffed out an irritated sigh. Maybe he should go watch the excitable weirdo do sick judo moves. It would probably be the highlight of his day at best and at worst he’d get a good laugh out of it.
“The park is right across the street from my house.” Akaashi murmured to himself.
It was a bright and sunny day after the downpour the night before so really, Akaashi saw no reason not to go. Though, Akaashi had probably already made his decision the second he saw the brightly colored sign.
He crossed the street to the park and looked around for anyone looking like they were getting set up to show off their judo skills. Akaashi didn’t have to look long before he saw a tall boy with salt and pepper colored hair wearing regular workout clothes. There were kick boards scattered around him and he was standing on what looked like a tumbling mat.
Akaashi walked over cautiously, the guy looked like he was practically vibrating with energy. There wasn’t anybody around him, but it was still 10:45.
“Hi,” Akaashi called out when he was closer. “Are you the one that’s doing judo moves today?” Akaashi was slightly startled at how quickly the guy turned to look at him.
“Yes!” He began to run over to Akaashi and really, he had no idea how to deal with that besides staying perfectly still. “My name’s Bokuto! Thank you so much for coming! What’s your name?”
Akaashi was still trying to recover from just how loud Bokuto was. His eyes were also the most comforting warm gold and that was making it doubly difficult for him to form sentences. “Uh, Akaashi.” he cringed at how bored his voice sounded.
Bokuto grinned all the same and began gesturing widely for Akaashi to follow him and take a seat a couple paces back from the mat.
“So, uhm,” Bokuto fidgeted. “I’ve never had someone actually come and not just watch as they pass by. But! It’ll definitely inspire you!” he nodded his head as if that emphasized his point.
Akaashi just smiled and sat crossed-legged on the grass. “I’m looking forward to it.” He hadn’t expected Bokuto to be such an honest guy, though he should’ve guessed from the sign. Still he couldn’t help feeling at least a little bit excited, Bokuto’s energy was just too contagious.
Suddenly, Bokuto quieted down and began running through several different techniques. A couple times during certain kicks Akaashi’s eyes met Bokuto’s and he felt his breath catch in his throat. To say that Bokuto was amazing would be an understatement. His arms alone made Akaashi weak at the knees, but it was obvious that he had hard packed muscle all over his body and Akaashi wondered briefly what it would’ve felt like to be wrapped up in those arms. His movements were fluid and quiet, a startling contrast to his boisterous personality. It made sense in retrospect. Akaashi was usually quiet and reserved, but when he talked about a book he really liked he became pretty talkative.
Akaashi had been sitting on the grass for so long his butt and legs started to fall asleep, so he could only wonder how tired Bokuto must’ve been. Sweat was dripping down his face despite the cool breeze. Bokuto broke one more board before stopping and grinning widely at Akaashi. He looked like a child waiting for approval and truly, Akaashi was more than willing to give him that approval.
“That was amazing, Bokuto. Truly awe-inspiring. I’m really impressed.” Akaashi could practically see Bokuto’s tail wagging at the praise.
“Really? You really liked it?”
“I really did.” he smiled gently at Bokuto. It seemed like Bokuto switched between different moods fairly easily, but that didn’t really bother Akaashi. It was actually nice to meet someone so honest that wasn’t afraid to show their true emotions.
Bokuto visibly tensed and his eyes widened. “You’re really pretty.” he immediately snapped his mouth shut and looked down, avoiding Akaashi’s surprised gaze.
Akaashi turned bright red at the compliment. “Well, thank you, Bokuto.” he began to stand up to wake his legs back up.
“Are you leaving?” Bokuto looked up hesitantly. It was obvious he was worried that he had said something wrong.
“Did you want me to stay?” Akaashi asked.
Bokuto nodded so enthusiastically that Akaashi couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh. Akaashi didn’t see it, but Bokuto smiled so wide. He felt his heart melt and he knew right in that moment, that he was totally head over heels for the first person that came to watch him practice his judo.
“Hey, Akaashi?” Bokuto bit his lip nervously.
“Yes?”
“Maybe right now isn’t the best time, I’m all sweaty and we don’t really know anything about each other, but do think that sometime we could maybe go out for dinner sometime?”
Akaashi smiled. “Are you asking me out on a date, Bokuto?” he nodded anxiously. “I would absolutely love to.”
“Really? Yes!” Bokuto yelled and punched into the air.
“Do you have a phone?” he asked pulling out his own phone.
“Yes? Why?”
“So that we can exchange phone numbers. And go on our date.” Akaashi wondered if this was what most of their conversations were going to be like.
“Right! Yeah, of course.” Bokuto laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.
Bokuto told Akaashi his phone number and Akaashi promptly sent him a text so that he’d have his number too. The text only had a smily face and his name, but Akaashi just wanted to make sure that Bokuto spelt his name right.
“I’ll, uh, text you back when I get home. I left my phone there because I didn’t want to accidentally step on it or lose it.”
Akaashi just gave him a reassuring smile. “That’s fine. Did you need any help picking this stuff up?”
Bokuto blushed again. “No that’s fine, thanks though. Thank you for coming.”
“Of course. I was paid thoroughly in inspiration.” he grinned as Bokuto glowed with pure happiness.
“Okay! I’ll text you when I get back to my house to set up our date!” he smiled so wide Akaashi was sure that that his cheeks would split.
“I’m looking forward to it,” it was already 12:45 and Akaashi was starting to feel his eyes get heavy. “I should get home, though. I’ve been up since 3 this morning.”
“Wow, okay no problem! I’ll see you soon, hopefully.”
Akaashi was sure that his face was going to be sore from smiling so much. He just couldn’t help it, there was just something about Bokuto that made him want to smile. Akaashi waved as he started walking away to go home. All he could think was that he was really happy he decided to go watch the excitable guy do some sick judo moves.
Finally home at 1 o’clock Akaashi could barely believe that he was still standing upright. He practically fell through the entryway after somehow managing to unlock the door and his cat, Connard, meowed grumpily at being rudely being woken up.
“Oh, did I wake you up? I’m so sorry,” Connard huffed and went back to sleep without so much as a glance at Akaashi. “I love you, too, you little asshole.”
He kicked off his shoes, too lazy to straighten them like he usually does. Akaashi shuffled his feet to his bedroom completely content to just sleep for the rest of the afternoon. Despite Connard’s grumpy greeting, he followed Akaashi to his room, probably because he wanted to lay on the fluffy comforter.
Some of Akaashi’s friends made fun of him for buying such a puffy bedspread, but it was just too comfortable for him to pass up. Kenma was always skeptical of his design choices but Akaashi knew that Kenma secretly loved every fuzzy blanket that he owned. Akaashi liked comfort and sometimes comfort was most easily found with a baby blue fluffy comforter.
Akaashi landed face first onto his bed and Connard laid down at the bottom corner of the bed. His phone buzzed obnoxiously in his back pocket and he fake sobbed into the pillow. He rolled over to see just who dared to text him when he was on the brink of passing the hell out.
hey are you home? It was from Kenma, which was odd because Kenma very rarely asked for permission to come over, he just did.
Yeah, just got home. What’s up?
kuro has a friend over and he’s so loud talking about this really cute guy he met and i just dont care. i’m already at your apartment so open up.
Akaashi groaned as he rolled off the bed to let Kenma in. It was unusual for Kenma to give him any sort of warning, he and his boyfriend Kuroo lived pretty close by so whenever Kuroo was working late or being excessively loud with a friend, Kenma would invite himself over. Akaashi had a hard time actually lifting his feet to get to the door and just shuffled like the old man he was. He opened the door and grunted a hello to Kenma. His shorter friend already had his PSP in his hands ready for a quiet afternoon that Akaashi was always reliable for.
“I’m probably going to take a nap, but make yourself at home, like usual.” Akaashi gestured to the empty living room, but rather than taking up a spot on the couch, Kenma followed Akaashi to his bedroom.
“You don’t mind if I sit on your bed with you, do you?” Kenma asked.
Akaashi cracked a small smile at the question. Occasionally Kenma would want to be around another person, but he didn’t want to be expected to keep up conversation. Most of the time when he and Kenma hung out, it was spent in comfortable silence. Akaashi usually reading and Kenma playing a game, both of them enjoyed the quiet company.
Though, if things worked out with Bokuto, his life would probably become a lot more lively, just like Kenma’s. Akaashi hoped that his quiet afternoons with Kenma wouldn’t stop altogether, but it might be nice to have some more lively afternoons. Akaashi laid down face first again and Kenma looked at him through the corner of his eye.
“Hinata said he wanted to try doing something tonight with everyone. Said we should marathon movies.” Kenma didn’t sound particularly excited about it.
“I’m guessing he wanted to do it here?” Akaashi’s voice was muffled by the pillow but he didn’t bother moving so that Kenma could hear him better.
Kenma just hummed in agreement and Akaashi let out a long, tired groan. The blond laughed quietly at Akaashi’s response.
“Who exactly is ‘everyone’” Kenma sighed as he picked up his phone. Probably to check who Hinata wanted to (already did) invite to movie night.
“Kageyama, me, you, Kuroo, Kuroo’s friend, Daichi and Suga. He said Oikawa is busy going on a date.” Kenma seemed thoroughly disinterested.
“So I’m still the only single one.” All of his friends were dating somebody except for Oikawa, but he very loudly complained that the guy he wanted was playing hard to get. Kenma and Kuroo had been dating for as long as he can remember and so had Daichi and Suga. Only recently did Kageyama and Hinata get together, but it still made Akaashi feel somewhat lonely being the only single one in his immediate friend group.
“Not this time. Kuro’s friend is single, but he was talking about a cute guy he met earlier today. I’m sure he’ll think you’re cuter though. He’s actually the one Kuro’s been trying to set you up with for awhile now.”
“I want to meet them on my own, though. So many things can go wrong when friends set you up. Like he could hate the way I eat and then Kuroo will be forced to pick between me and his friend because anytime we see each other it’s unbearably awkward. Do you see the problem?” Akaashi sighed in defeat.
“I see you overthinking, but you’ll meet him tonight anyways.” Kenma shrugged as if he didn’t really care about what happened one way or another.
“I don’t have a choice in this, do I?” he grumbled into the pillow.
“Not really, no. Hinata said to plan for them to be here around 6.” Akaashi groaned at the thought of all those people being at his tiny apartment.
“Well, I’m going to take a nap then. Wake me up when they get here.” Kenma hummed in agreement. Akaashi gradually closed his eyes and fell asleep wondering just how big of a disaster the movie night was going to be.