Chapter Text
Akaashi's heart thudded in his chest, and he could feel all eyes on him. He wanted to disappear. He had never been so humiliated. How did Aoi even get the contract? He and Kuroo shared this and no one else. They planned to break up at the end of the holiday season. Not having the agreement leaked and Akaashi humiliated in front of his office.
"Where did you get this?" Akaashi asked Aoi after composing himself long enough to form a sentence.
"Just did some digging, and like Santa's magic, it appeared." Aoi smiled wickedly.
"Digging? This was in my emails. You went through my private conversations?"
Aoi laughed. "You know you really should change your passwords, Keiji."
He couldn't do this, not here, not now. He pushed past Aoi, ignoring his friends calling for him. It was snowing when he made it out the door. Once he was away, he could feel his cheeks heat, and his breath catch in his chest. He fixed his eyes on the ground, trying to focus on anything but how he felt. Akaashi could hear a car stopping behind him, but he kept going. Footsteps crunching in the snow were following him now.
"Keiji! Keiji, wait, I'm sorry!" Kuroo called after him.
Akaashi stopped; Kuroo was probably the one person he didn't want to face. If he did, he knew he couldn't keep his composure.
"I'm sorry I was late. Let's go back inside, or we can go, and I'll make it up to you."
He could laugh; he didn't think he could ever be upset at Kuroo. Akaashi finally turned to face Kuroo, pulling his jacket around him tighter. "I'm not leaving because you were late."
Kuroo's face fell upon seeing the tears threatening to spill from Akaashi's eyes. "What happened?"
Akaashi shook his head. "This is a business agreement, and we agreed not to get too deep. No drama, and well, this is drama." He took a breath before lifting his head. "I've tried to live the last few years of my life as if it were business. And I fear that I may be breaking that rule. I think I need to be alone tonight."
"Let me take you home. You shouldn't be alone." Kuroo stepped forward, but Akaashi took a step back. "You don't have to go on the trip. I'll understand your decision. You've already shown up for me in more ways than you can imagine."
"I'm going on the trip," he shook his head. "I made a promise, and we are following through with it even if it didn't work out for me."
Akaashi left without another word. He felt exhausted when he was happy to be spending time with Kuroo at the party just hours earlier. Akaashi lay in bed for most of the night. At one point, he turned his phone off. He had nothing left in him and didn't feel like talking to Kuroo or Bokuto tonight.
-
Akaashi stayed and worked from home the next day, something he had never done since the start of his company. Even when his divorce was at its nastiest, he still showed up and faced Aoi; he couldn't, though, not right now. It was the weekend of Christmas Eve, and Kuroo was on his way to pick him up. They were to travel this morning; they'd make it to their hotel later in the evening and then have a small party with Kuroo's bosses. He was finishing packing, hanging his suits in a bag so they wouldn't wrinkle. Akaashi was taking his sack to the door when Kuroo knocked on the door. It was the first time they had seen each other since the party disaster occurred. Akaashi was met with Kuroo's usual smile when he answered the door.
"Ready?"
"Let's finish this," akaashi grabbed his bag and nodded at Kuroo. Who in return smiled as they made their way to the car.
-
As they arrived at the hotel later that day, Akaashi noticed their room was set up as if they were staying together. An ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne sat on the kitchen counter welcoming the couple for the next two nights. Kuroo's colleagues didn't know they had conjoined rooms and wouldn't share the space.
"I think we should get changed and have a drink before we go," Kuroo said as he sat the bags down in the shared space.
Akaashi could feel the nervousness between them at the moment. He had assumed he would feel relieved once they made it here. Once they finish their meetings tonight and tomorrow, they will no longer have any obligation to see each other. The thought of not seeing a message from Kuroo, or even having lunch with him was something that tugged at his heart.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, Akaashi returned to the common area dressed in a suit similar to the one he wore to the tree trimming party. Kuroo came out seconds later, fingers tangled in the green tie he was trying to knot.
"Don't you wear a tie almost every day?" Akaashi questioned, a teasing tone in his voice.
"Yes, but I haven't worn this one. It doesn't want to lay right." he pulled at it, causing it to bump up.
Akaashi lightly rested his hand on Kuroo's shoulder. "Let me try."
Kuroo took a breath and dropped his hands from the fabric, allowing Akaashi's to take his place. He untied the knot that Kuroo had done and began to tie a new one. As he worked, he could feel the taller man's eyes on him. Akaashi tried not to think of it as he finished placing a new knot in the tie. He pulled it until it was straight and even. "Perfect."
Neither moved once he was finished. Akaashi's eyes met Kuroo's, and they stayed there in the moment. They were so close they were almost touching.
"I have something for you," Kuroo finally spoke, pulling away and heading back to his room. He returned seconds later with a neatly wrapped box with a small gold bow.
Akaashi frowned as they sat on the sofa, "I didn't know we were doing presents. I don't have anything for you."
He shook his head as he placed the present in Akaashi's lap. "You've given me plenty, and I wanted to do something special for you."
He couldn't deny the fluttering feeling in his stomach at Kuroo carefully choosing something for him. Akaashi carefully removed the bow and pulled the top off the box. Underneath the white tissue was the angel from the ornament shop. A small smile spread on his face as he lifted it from the pack. "I thought you said you weren't an angel kind of guy."
"The more I thought about it, the more it reminded me of you. I remembered that you missed decorating a tree and thought this would be a start to happier memories. Maybe it will make you think of us."
"I love it, thank you." he gently placed it back in the box and stood when Kuroo did.
Kuroo had two glasses and filled them with champagne. He handed one to Akaashi and raised them both to toast.
"Even if this doesn't go as planned, I'm still glad we met and did this together," Kuroo said first.
Akaashi shook his head, "No, this is going to go how we planned because no one deserves it more than you."
Kuroo smiled and clinked their glasses together. "To the best Christmas."
"To the best Christmas."