Work Text:
It was late in the afternoon when Akaashi stumbled upon the newly opened “Romulus Book Cafe.” What had been an empty storefront for months had apparently been transformed overnight. He entered to a soft jingling from wind chimes above the door.
“Hey hey hey, welcome to Romulus Book Cafe!” boomed a voice from within the store. Akaashi’s gaze moved past the many shelves of books to land on the tall, buff man with white and black hair behind the counter. He was wearing a tight black shirt with the name of the store emblazoned on the front and a white apron around his waist. His arms were bare, showing off his muscular stature, and Akaashi couldn’t help but stare. “You’re our first customer of the day! Would you like a tea on the house to celebrate?”
Akaashi blinked himself out of his reverie and furrowed his brow as the words penetrated his lust-addled mind. “It’s late afternoon. You haven’t had any other customers today?”
The clerk shook his head as he busied himself gathering supplies. “We only opened to the public two hours ago. After we got everything set up, I was too excited to wait until a full day tomorrow, so we decided to do a soft opening today! I’m Bokuto Koutarou, by the way. My uncle owns this cafe but I’m running it for him!”
Akaashi had found himself listening intently, watching every movement the clerk made carefully. He nodded in response, smiling at his enthusiasm. “Well, in that case, I will gladly accept your offer of a tea. Do you mind if I browse your offerings while you’re making it?”
“Not at all! That’s what they’re here for! Find a book, have a seat, read and drink, purchase if you want!” Bokuto exclaimed and Akaashi disappeared into the shelves. He took a moment to compose himself once out of sight. As mesmerizing as Bokuto Koutarou was in his apron behind the counter, Akaashi couldn’t keep staring at him. He gave a small shake of his head and finally took in the rest of the store around him. Not sure where to begin, he started walking down an aisle, skimming the titles available. He was amazed at the size and variety of the collection of books that fit in the small surface area. Realizing enough time had probably passed, he selected a book of classic poetry from the shelf nearest him and walked back to the counter, just as Bokuto was placing a cup of tea down. “Perfect timing!”
“Thank you, Bokuto-san,” Akaashi said warmly, picking up the tea. He moved to a comfortable seating area, settling in an oversized armchair. He sipped and read, barely noticing the changing length of the sun’s rays moving across the floor. The tea stayed hot and he finished it at the same time he finished the book.
When he closed the book and looked up, he caught Bokuto watching him with a fond smile. “How was it?”
Akaashi stretched and nodded, getting to his feet. “The tea was delicious and the book was most entertaining. I think I will purchase it.” He began to retrieve his wallet from his pocket but Bokuto was shaking his head.
“You’re our first guest! Please, it’s yours. Just,” Bokuto briefly glanced away before looking back, an almost sheepish look on his face. “Tell me your name?”
“Oh! I’m Akaashi Keiji, but I can’t accept this book for free, it’s too valuable for that,” Akaashi insisted, pulling some money out.
Bokuto stared at him firmly. “Please, Akaashi. Your presence here this afternoon was payment enough. Come back another time and you can make up for it then, okay?”
Akaashi frowned, but reluctantly put his wallet away. “If you insist,” he conceded, giving Bokuto a small bow. “I thank you for your generosity.” Bokuto beamed and Akaashi felt himself warm from head to toe. “I will be back soon,” he promised, heading to the door.
“Have a good evening!” Bokuto called. The door closed behind Akaashi and he held the book close to himself, smiling. He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so relaxed and rejuvenated.
Akaashi made the book cafe a frequent stop in his routine. He started coming by multiple times a week, usually in the late afternoon after he checked on his authors. He began to notice that in every visit, the book selection had changed, and he was amazed at how often they were able to rotate their stock, especially when Bokuto seemed to be the only worker. In addition, he rarely saw other customers and when he arrived for his visit, those that had been there before him quickly left so that the two of them were alone in the shop. In the end, Bokuto never let him pay for tea, which also never got cold, almost like magic, no matter how long he stayed to read. After much insistence, he was able to convince Bokuto to let him pay for a couple of books because, as Akaashi had to remind him, it was a book store, not a library, and surely his uncle didn’t want a loss in profits. Bokuto always waved away talk of money but stopped fighting him on it, reluctantly taking his money. Though, Akaashi couldn't help but suspect that he was not actually being charged what the books were actually worth. Bokuto's poor uncle was surely suffering some sort of loss, but Akaashi was determined to do what he could to support what had fast become his home away from home.
And, as the visits continued, they began to talk more than read. Akaashi told Bokuto about going to school for a literary major and becoming an editor to a group of authors that continually seemed surprised that deadlines were coming up quickly. Bokuto told Akaashi amusing stories about growing up with his uncle and some of the outlandish adventures he had in a place that seemed so far away and divorced from this small town. Akaashi found himself becoming more charmed by Bokuto the more time they spent together and talked, and when he was finally able to curl up in 'his' oversized chair, the one perfectly placed near a window and in full view of the register, he could feel Bokuto watching him, always with a fond smile. Despite being reluctant to leave each day, Akaashi always left feeling rejuvenated, warm, comforted, at peace.
Then, about a month into this new routine, Akaashi was sitting in his chair reading when he noticed his tea getting colder sooner than expected and Bokuto pacing behind the counter, unusually restless.
“Hey, Akaashi,” Bokuto called quietly from the counter a short time later. “We’re closing early tonight. I hate to kick you out but…” he trailed off, gesturing weakly at the door.
“Oh,” Akaashi said with surprise, shutting the book with a snap and standing abruptly. “I’m sorry, Bokuto-san, I didn’t realize. Here’s my cup, let me just go put the book back.”
“No, no,” Bokuto said quickly, taking both the cup and book from Akaashi. Their hands brushed briefly and Akaashi felt a zing of energy pass through them at the contact. Bokuto made a sound and when Akaashi looked at him, all he saw was that fond smile. “I’ll hold onto it, so you can read it again next time you’re here. I’m sorry. It’s just. The full moon, you know?”
Akaashi blinked, head tilted, confused. “The…full moon?”
Bokuto shrugged, setting the book aside and moving to run the cup under the water to wash it. “‘Strange things happen on a moonlit night,’” he sing-songed, almost as if reciting a children’s tale. Akaashi continued staring at Bokuto, who gave a crooked grin. “It’s scary the night of a full moon. You never know what’s roaming the streets. You should get home before it rises.”
“Right,” Akaashi said unconvincingly, raising an eyebrow at Bokuto. “I’ll go then. In case monsters walk the street?”
Bokuto laughed, reaching out to clasp Akaashi’s shoulder with a slightly damp hand. Another zing of energy passed through them and Bokuto quickly pulled his hand back, his eyes widening ever so slightly. He nodded his head towards the door. “See? You get it. Have a good night, Akaashi. I look forward to seeing you again!”
Akaashi reluctantly left, shaking his head softly in confusion. He liked Bokuto. He was charming, a fun conversationalist, and, not to mention, quite a sight to look at, but there were times he could be odd and this was definitely one such time. Regardless, he listened to him and headed home. Tomorrow would be another day and another opportunity to see him again.
Akaashi had listened to Bokuto, seeing his anxiety and the way he began acting not quite himself in the day or two before, and begun skipping his cafe visits on days of the full moon. He'd come in the next day to see a tired and subdued Bokuto, who always thanked him for staying home, while simultaneously being excited to see him again. Then, about six months into his new routine, it was once again the day of the full moon.
This particular day, Akaashi wasn’t feeling well, but had forced himself out of the house to track down one of his authors who had missed his extremely tight deadline despite the endless reminders he'd given. After finally retrieving the outline from Tenma in the early evening, he found himself walking down the same sidewalk as the book cafe when he was suddenly overwhelmed by a dizzy spell. Before he even realized what he was doing, he was stumbling through the door of the cafe, the door’s usually light and bright jingling a loud booming to his aching head.
“Akaashi!” Bokuto called, rushing to meet him at the door before he fell. “Akaashi, it’s the full moon. You can’t be here! We’re closing.”
“Bokuto,” Akaashi managed to say in between a sudden bout of coughing. “I’m sorry, I, I just need a minute to catch my breath. Then I’ll go.”
“Akaashi,” Bokuto said again, more insistently, putting the back of his hand on Akaashi’s forehead. Akaashi was too tired to notice the usual zinging sensation he felt whenever Bokuto touched him. “You’re burning up! Are you sick?”
Akaashi shook his head and tried to stand straighter, only to fail, slumping against Bokuto. “I’ll be fine,” he slurred through another dizzy spell.
Bokuto held him tight in his arms, and Akaashi breathed in his woodsy scent. Bokuto was looking more concerned than Akaashi thought the situation warranted, even as he snuggled closer. He was fine. He would be fine. He just needed a minute. A minute…
“Akaashi. Akaashi . Akaashi !” he heard his name through a fog. He was fine. He was…
Awareness came in flashes.
A whine.
A soft bed.
Moonlight streaming through a window.
Golden eyes.
White fur.
Cold nose.
Warmth.
Safe.
The night passed and morning came, Akaashi awaking alone in a bed underneath a blue blanket. He heard clinking sounds coming from just outside a door and sat up as Bokuto entered the room, holding a tray with a small bowl of rice porridge and a cup of green tea. He was shirtless and had on a pair of ratty, low slung grey sweats. Akaashi stared at the sight before him, confused about where he was, but appreciative of the view none-the-less.
“How are you feeling, ‘Kaashi?” Bokuto asked quietly, placing the tray in his lap and taking a seat next to him on the bed.
“Better,” Akaashi said, frowning down at the food. “Where are we?” he asked as he picked up the spoon and took a small, hesitant bite.
“My apartment. I live above the book cafe. Do you remember last night? You came into the store feverish and passed out. I don’t know where you live so I brought you here. I hope you don’t mind.” He was watching Akaashi carefully as he ate. “You’re looking better this morning.”
“Thank you, Bokuto-san,” Akaashi said sincerely, staring down at his porridge. “I’m sorry. I know you close early on the full moon and I didn’t mean to delay you. I don’t think I would have made it home in that state, though. I’m in your debt.”
Bokuto reached over, gently placing a finger under Akaashi's chin, bringing his head up so that Akaashi was looking deep into his wild, golden eyes. He distantly noted that something flickered in them, almost like a flame. “None of that. I will always take care of you, Akaashi, if you’ll let me.”
Akaashi flushed red at the implication, but then laughed, shaking his head and breaking their gaze. “Well, you’ve already got me in your bed. We might be doing things a little out of order here.”
Bokuto nodded seriously and moved to take Akaashi’s hands in his, a sincere look on his face when Akaashi again made eye contact. “Well, then, let’s make it official. Akaashi, will you go out with me?”
Akaashi smiled and nodded, but reluctantly pulled his hands free in order to continue eating the porridge when his stomach rumbled loudly. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes while he finished, but Akaashi couldn’t help breaking the silence to ask, “By the way, Bokuto-san, I could swear your blanket was white last night?”
Bokuto gave Akaashi a lop-sided grin and shrugged. “I told you, strange things happen on a moonlit night.”