Work Text:
Bokuto Koutarou was running around the playground with his friends, playing a game of tag as 3rd graders tend to do. He was running around enjoying himself when suddenly he collides with another young boy, one he hasn’t seen around before.
“HI! Wanna play with me and my friends???” He asks, hyper as ever. The smaller child mumbled something in response but said it louder when he saw Bokuto’s expectant look. “N-no…” he said, trailing off. Young Koutarou tilted his head in curiosity. Why wouldn’t anyone want to play with him? He repeated his question, only to get the same answer each time.
“What’s your name?” Bokuto asks suddenly. The quieter boy looks surprised. Wondering why he asked him that, he answered, “A-Aka...ashi… Keiji…”
“Aghaashii!! Why don’t you want to play with me?” he asks. Keiji corrects Koutarou but doubts the other male heard him. “I… don’t know,” he says after thinking for a moment. Suddenly, a light bulb lights up in Bokuto’s mind. He pulls Akaashi by his wrist. Said boy protests, but does so in vain.
Koutarou calls out to his friends and wants them to pause for a second. When everyone is gathered, he continues, “This is Akaaashi! Can he play with us?” They all seem to be fine with the new addition to the group, so Bokuto turned and explained the game they were playing to Akaashi. Within moments, the game resumed.
★・・・・★・・・・
Keiji smiled fondly at the memory. When asked by Koutarou what happened, he simply responded with, “I’m so glad we found each other that day. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Koutarou smiled back, replying with a short “I’m glad I found you that day as well.” The two snuggled closer to each other on the sofa of their humble abode as Koutarou brushed his thumb over a ring on Keiji’s right hand.
“I love you, Keiji-kun.”
“I love you too, Koutarou-kun.”