Chapter Text
The second Akaashi got the news he had been in shock, not believing that it could be true, having to wait for a full week before he could fully process the email. As soon as he did his best friend had been his first call, uttering words he never thought he’d ever get to say as soon as he picked up. “I got the approval. I get to write my first book to publish” he told him, unable to keep the shock out of his voice.
Bokuto, always so outspoken, had expressed his excitement, immediately turning to tell his teammates, pride so clear in his voice. Akaashi chuckled when he heard all the muffled congratulations, feeling touched at the excitement in their voices. He chuckled as he agreed that they would celebrate soon along with some of their other friends, and now here they are— celebrating in Onigiri Miya with way more people than Akaashi had expected.
“Bokuto-san, who exactly did you invite to this?” He asked, looking at how many people exactly were inside the onigiri shop, and was glad that Osamu had closed the shop for the day, despite Akaashi’s protests, and for once, Akaashi was glad that he didn’t listen to him.
“Everyone,” he shrugged, “I got excited, and besides, everyone deserves to know that you’re gonna be a famous author one day!”
“Bokuto-san,” Akaashi sighed, “I haven’t even published my first book yet— I haven't even started writing it yet or have the idea!” Now that Akaashi is thinking about it, the anxiety is starting to set in on all the deadlines he has for this book and not enough time for it.
“Yeah, but you still got the approval! And that alone is something that should be celebrated!” he grinned, before it softened as he looked down at him, his next words said so quietly, if he wasn’t listening, Akaashi would have missed it. “You always deserve to be celebrated,”
Akaashi stared at him in surprise, sure that those words weren’t meant for him to hear, but before Akaashi could say anything their friends had walked up to them.
“Hey guys! Uhm, did we just walk into something?” Oikawa asked as he and Kuroo glanced between the two.
“Of course not,” Akaashi smoothly replied.
“Yeah! I was just telling Akaashi that he deserves this party thrown for him even if he hasn’t written anything yet, getting the approval is already enough to have apathy to celebrate” Bokuto rambled.
Kuroo and Oikawa glanced at each other again before Kuroo dragged Bokuto off to grab some snacks. “So, Aka-chan,” Oikawa started, sliding into the spot Bokuto left. “We both know that something did happen between you two so how about you just tell me?”
“It’s nothing. And it wasn’t meant for me to hear anyways, so I don’t really think-”
“So, he did say something,” Oikawa cut him off with a grin, which quickly fell at the look Akaashi shot him. “Yeah, but it doesn’t mean anything!”
“And how would you know that?” Oikawa asked, “I thought a lot of things Iwa-chan did for me never meant anything before, only to turn out very wrong about that”
“Well, even if it did, don’t you think he would’ve confessed by now if that was the case?” Oikawa was silent for a moment in response before he softly replied, “How about you?”
“Huh?”
“The confession doesn’t necessarily need to come from him Aka-chan, Why don’t you say something first? I mean, aren’t you a writer? I’ve seen your writing, Keiji, you have a way with words, so why don’t you do something about it?”
Akaashi froze for a moment, thinking over his friend’s words, “How did you get over the fear of losing Iwaizumi-san in order to confess to him?”
Oikawa’s smile softened into a fond smile, “You know how it started with me getting jealous, and all of you calling me blind,”
“That’s because you were, everyone could see how in love you were with each other,” Akaashi cut in.
“Oh, shut up,” he rolled his eyes, “Anyways, Iwa-chan had done something that made me realize that my feelings weren’t as one sided as I thought, but even then it was still scary to think that this could ruin a lifelong friendship, but it’s really all about if you’re willing to take that risk and I am so glad I did,” he smiled, his gaze now on the other side of the room where Iwaizumi was.
“Go,” Akaashi rolled his eyes, “I’ll be fine”
Oikawa nodded and before he left Akaashi made sure to add, “And Oikawa? Thanks” Oikawa smiled softly at him, “Of course, Aka-chan, just make sure to make me your best man when you get married” he joked.
“Just leave already,” Akaashi rolled his eyes.
Once he was gone he had thought over his words once more, ‘you have a way with words, so why don’t you do something about it?’
‘Words, huh? Oikawa, I think you have just given me an idea for this book, plus a way to finally confess’
Home is a place, but it is also a feeling. Being with you has always given me this sense of security and comfort. You have always been home to me and this is my love letter to you.
Akaashi broke out of his trance of being focused on writing when he heard the distant sound of his name being called. He looked up to see Bokuto and Kuroo waving to him from outside the cafe window. Akaashi lifted his hand to wave as his lips quirked up in amusement.
Akaashi was sure he just blinked and the next thing he knew they were both rushing into the cafe. “Akaashi!” Bokuto grinned as he took the seat next to him.
“Hello Bokuto-san, Kuroo-san” he greeted them, taking his attention away from the open doc on his laptop.
“What are you doing here?” Bokuto asked, taking a peek at his laptop.
“Pretty sure I should be asking you that question,” Akaashi chuckled in response, “This isn’t your usual area on training days”
“I needed to talk to Oikawa about something,” Kuroo smirked, for once deciding not to make any teasing remarks about him knowing their schedule. “And, you didn’t answer Bo’s question”
“I started working on my book and I’m more productive when I work outside rather than at home,” he shrugged.
“You did? I’m so excited for you! What’s it about?” Bokuto rambled, eyes lighting up in excitement.
“Whoa! Slow down Bo” Kuroo laughed, lips quirking up in amusement.
“Yes I did, and it’s a secret for now Bokuto-san. I don’t want to reveal anything until I finally finish the first draft at least. Just in case I change my mind or get a better idea” Akaashi shrugged, “But I promise you’ll be the first person to know when I do” he quickly added when he noticed the other man begin to pout, stopping him from entering his dejected mode.
“So what exactly is it that you ended up writing about?” Kuroo . The tone in his voice told everyone he was genuinely curious, but the smirk planted on his face told Akaashi otherwise. It told him that he knew why exactly he refused to tell Bokuto anything about it before he was done writing.
“Still not telling.” Akaashi replied as he narrowed his eyes at the former captain. Even years later and he was still as annoying as before.
“Come on Akaashi, we’re your friends! Not even gonna tell us what, or who, inspired this book?” Kuroo smiled innocently as Akaashi glared at him.
“No. This project is being kept a secret until I’m done with it” Akaashi replied, looking away and back to his laptop. It was then that Bokuto seemed to notice the looks they were shooting at each other.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to writing” Akaashi quickly said before Bokuto could say anything.
“Of course Akaashi, we’ll leave you to it” Kuroo smirked pulling Bokuto with him as he stood up, “Bo has to get ready for training later anyways”
“What? But training isn’t until-”
“We’re also not ten minutes away from the gym like usual so we should go” Kuroo told him before they both bid their goodbyes to him.
“I’ve always thought love stories to be unrealistic. Something that was mostly fictional when made into media, but maybe you’ve changed me– maybe our story changed me into seeing it differently”
Akaashi looked up when he heard the sound of someone knocking on his door, blinking in surprise when he saw Bokuto on the other side of the door. “Bokuto-san? Sorry, did we have plans that I forgot about?”
“Hi Akaashi!” he greeted him cheerfully, “No, don’t worry! I was bored and decided to come over– unless you’re busy?” he asked, peeking into his apartment. “I did bring food though!”
“Lunch?” Akaashi questioned as he looked at his watch and only just realized how late it had gotten, “It’s two pm already?” he blinked in shock just as his stomach grumbled in hunger. “Guess I lost track of time” he laughed softly.
“You haven’t eaten yet?” Bokuto frowned in concern. “But Akaashi it’s already two!”
“Yeah, I guess I was too focused on writing. It’s fine Bokuto-san, I’ll eat now alright?” he tried to reassure the other man to stop him from worrying.
“You should take breaks Akaashi! It’s like you told me in highschool– that will still be there after so you should take breaks to take care of yourself too!” Akaashi smiled softly at the words that he said,
“You’re right Bokuto-san, I promise that I’ll try my best to remember next time”
“I can help!” Akaashi blinked in confusion at the other man’s response, “I’m sorry?”
“So that you don’t forget next time you should tell me the next time you’ll be writing so I can be there to remind you to eat! My sisters tell me that the more people to help you the less likely that you’ll forget” Akaashi smiled fondly at how caring the other was.
“That’s very sweet of you Bokuto-san, but you have volleyball training that you need to focus on”
“How about I set an alarm on my phone when I need to eat or have someone else keep me company when you’re not free?” Akaashi suggested, noticing the pout that started to form on the other’s face.
“Okay,” Bokuto nodded in agreement, “Now, come on, let’s eat!” he grinned as he walked towards the dining table to set out the food.
From then on, Bokuto had made it a point to be there when Akaashi wrote whether he was just there to keep him company or would talk aimlessly into the air, knowing that Akaashi probably wasn’t hearing a single word he was saying, but it was nice– domestic even. And maybe it fueled Akaashi’s confidence in finishing the first draft of the book so he could give it to him to read because there was no one else he wanted to read the first finished book other than Bokuto.