Chapter Text
January 1st 2027
It was the first day of the new year, and the air was crisp as Bokuto entered the house, a bundle of energy and warmth as always. He kicked off his sneakers at the entrance, balancing their two-year-old son Haruki on his hip.
“I’m home, baby!” Bokuto called out, his voice filling the cozy space.
Haruki giggled, gripping his father’s hoodie as Bokuto crouched down to help him out of his tiny shoes. Meanwhile, their four-year-old daughter, Hikari, burst into the house ahead of them, her fairy costume flouncing dramatically.
“Sweetheart, how many times do I have to tell you? No boots in the house!” Bokuto called after her, his tone half exasperated, half fond. Sure enough, a trail of dirt followed her across the wooden floor.
“Sorry, Papa!” she called over her shoulder, entirely unbothered as she skipped into the living room.
Akaashi was there, seated on the floor in front of a large cardboard box. His expression was calm but tinged with nervous anticipation as his fingers lingered over the sealed edges.
“Daddy, what’s that?” Hikari asked, her big, golden eyes fixed on the box.
Akaashi looked up from his reverie, catching sight of his family entering the room. A soft smile graced his face. “Oh, you’re back,” he said as he approached the little girl and held her in his arms.
“Is that a present from Santa?” Hikari asked, her head tilting inquisitively. “I thought Santa already came! Did he forget something?”
Bokuto stepped into the living room with Haruki still in his arms, grinning as he watched the interaction. “Sweetheart, it’s not Christmas anymore. Let Daddy explain.” Bokuto stepped inside and placed Haruki on the soft couch.
Akaashi shook his head, chuckling softly. “No, sweetie. This isn’t from Santa. It’s from work.”
“Work?” Bokuto asked, his voice trailing off before his eyes widened in realization. “Oh, work as in—wait—Keiji, is that your novel?!”
Akaashi nodded slowly, the weight of the moment sinking in. “It’s here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “My novel is here.”
“Daddy’s novel is here!” Hikari exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over even though she had no idea what a novel was. She only knew her father had spent hours in his study, creating stories as she played quietly nearby.
Bokuto’s grin widened, practically glowing with pride. “What are you waiting for, baby? Open the box! I need to see it!”
Akaashi hesitated for just a moment before carefully opening the box. His fingers trembled slightly as he peeled back the cardboard flaps, revealing rows of pristine hardcovers nestled inside. He pulled one out, and the room seemed to pause as they all took it in.
The cover was breathtaking—a beautifully illustrated traditional dragon that seemed to leap off the page, with Akaashi’s name, Keiji Akaashi, embossed in gold lettering. The light from the window caught the metallic sheen, making it seem almost magical.
Bokuto let out an audible gasp. “Keiji,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “It’s perfect.”
Hikari clambered onto Akaashi’s lap, her small hands reaching for the book. “Can I see, Daddy?”
“Careful, sweetheart,” Akaashi murmured as he handed her the book.
“Wow,” Hikari said, marveling at the dragon. “It’s so shiny! Did you write all of this, Daddy?”
“I did,” Akaashi replied, his voice soft and full of pride.
Bokuto crouched down beside them, wrapping an arm around Akaashi’s shoulders. “You did this, love. I’m so proud of you.” His voice carried the kind of unwavering admiration that made Akaashi’s chest tighten.
“Thank you,” Akaashi murmured, leaning into Bokuto’s warmth.
Haruki, who had toddled over from the couch, climbed into Akaashi’s lap, patting the cover of the book clumsily. “Daddy’s!” he said with a big grin.
“Yes, Haruki. It's daddy's book,” Bokuto echoed, his grin matching his son’s.
In that moment, surrounded by his family, Akaashi felt the weight of his accomplishment settle into something even more profound. It wasn’t just his novel; it was a testament to all the love and support that had carried him to this point.
“Well,” Bokuto said, breaking the tender silence. “I think we need to celebrate! I should go grab the sparkling cider. Daddy’s book deserves a toast!”
Hikari hopped off Akaashi’s lap, shouting, “Toast, toast, toast!” as she dashed toward the kitchen, her boots thankfully forgotten this time.
Akaashi looked at Bokuto, his heart swelling. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” he said quietly.
Bokuto leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against Akaashi’s temple. “You could’ve, but I'm glad you let me be part of the journey.”
...
The living room was peaceful now, the only sounds were the soft hum of the heater and the rhythmic breathing of their children. Hikari and Haruki were sprawled on the couch, sleeping peacefully after an afternoon at the park. Hikari’s fairy costume was slightly askew, her tiny hand clutching her pink owl plushie, while Haruki was curled up with his face buried against a pillow.
Bokuto entered the room quietly, balancing two steaming mugs of tea in his hands. He placed them gently on the coffee table, careful not to wake the kids, before settling next to Akaashi on the floor.
“They’re out cold,” Bokuto whispered with a grin, nodding toward the couch.
“They had a long day,” Akaashi replied softly, his gaze fixed on the box of novels in front of him. One of the hardcovers rested in his lap, his fingertips brushing over the embossed golden letters.
Bokuto followed his gaze, leaning his shoulder against Akaashi’s. “I still can’t believe it’s here,” Akaashi said after a moment, his voice trembling with quiet emotion. “I can’t believe it’s real.” Keiji’s fingers lingered on the book in his hands, his eyes a little distant. The weight of everything he’d worked for, everything he’d dreamed of, was settling in. Yet, instead of feeling overjoyed, a small voice in his head whispered, You don’t deserve this. He swallowed hard, pushing the feeling away, but it lingered. “For so many years, I thought I wouldn't make it. I thought I’d fail. Maybe I still will.”
Bokuto frowned, moving closer to Akaashi and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “Hey, you’re being way too hard on yourself,” he said gently. “You’ve been through a lot, but you did this. You wrote this masterpiece.”
Akaashi let out a small, bitter laugh. “You only say that because you're my husband.”
Bokuto looked over at him, his expression softening as he took a deep breath. “I’m telling you because it's true and because this has always been your dream. I still remember the day you decided what you wanted to do with your life. You called me that day super excited and you said: Ko, I'm going to study literature, I already sent my college application. I’m going to become a beloved writer.” Bokuto said as he did an almost impeccable impression of his husband. Akaashi chuckled, his emerald eyes fixed on him.
“You were so sure about it. You’ve always loved reading, Kashi. I remember that.”
Akaashi chuckled weakly, the memories swirling inside him. “My dad was so mad when I told him. After all those years playing volleyball, going to nationals... and then ending up as a bookworm.” His voice took on a mocking tone, imitating his father. “My dad told me I was wasting my potential. That I’d end up broke, jobless, that I’d never accomplish anything. He couldn’t see me as anything but a failure.” Akaashi closed his eyes briefly, his throat tightening.
I remember, Kashi,” Bokuto said quietly. “Your dad... he didn’t understand. But you always knew what you wanted, even when it wasn’t easy.” He paused, squeezing Akaashi’s shoulder in reassurance. “You’ve always been so strong and driven, even when you didn’t feel like it. You followed your heart. And that’s something most people will never have the courage to do.”
Akaashi took a shaky breath, his hands trembling slightly as he held the book closer to his chest, as if seeking comfort in the physical presence of his accomplishment. “I know I should be happy. I should be proud of myself, but….” His voice faltered as he finally spoke, his throat tight. “For so long, I never thought I’d make it. Not in literature, not in life. And especially not with my family. When I came out, my dad—” He paused, the words catching in his throat as the pain of those memories resurfaced. “He said such horrible things to me. Things that I never thought I’d hear from the person who was supposed to love me the most. He said I was disgracing our family's name, that I wasting my potential. That no one cares about books anymore, and I’d end up broke, jobless, and pathetic. And after I graduated, I thought... maybe he was right. I was broke. I was jobless. And I was pathetic.” Akaashi’s voice was tight, his words coming faster now.
And when I told him we were getting married... he couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t accept us.”
“I thought I could take it,” Akaashi admitted, his emerald eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “I thought if I just kept quiet, if I just stayed small, he’d stop. But then... he tried to say those same things about you. I don’t know if it was because of the anger, or just the sheer desperation... but when he said those things about you, about us, I couldn’t just sit there anymore. I couldn’t let him say that. I stood up for myself—for us—for the first time. And I told him that I loved you, that I was proud of it. I didn’t care what he thought anymore. I just knew that I couldn’t let him speak that way about you. You... you were the only person who had ever made me feel like I was enough. You were the only person who made me feel like I was worthy of love, even when I didn’t believe it myself.”
Akaashi’s voice wavered, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. “And after that... after that fight, I felt like I had nothing left. My dad didn’t speak to me for years, and I felt so alone, Ko. I thought, this is it. This is the end of everything.” He let out a shaky breath, his fingers gripping the book tightly as his tears started to fall. “But even then, you... you loved me. You still loved me. You married me when I felt like I’d hit rock bottom. And you didn’t care. You didn’t care that I had no job or that I couldn’t contribute. You just... loved me. And I didn’t know how to handle that. You always loved me, and that unwavering love... it saved me. It saved me from myself.”
Bokuto pulled Akaashi into an embrace. He let him cry, letting the weight of those years of pain and rejection pour out, knowing that Akaashi had never fully let himself heal until now.
“Keiji.” Bokuto smiled, his eyes warm and filled with understanding. “ You had so much more to offer than just money or a job. I love you. You were the smartest, kindest, most incredible person I’d ever met. I didn’t marry you for your bank account, Kashi. I married you because I wanted to spend my life with you.”
Akaashi’s chest tightened, feeling the weight of the past—and how much Bokuto had given him when he had nothing to offer in return. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you. You helped me when I couldn’t even help myself. You pushed me to keep going, to keep writing, to keep believing in myself when I didn’t think I could.”
“Kashi, hear me out,” Bokuto said as he cupped Akaashi's face with his hands.“I’ve never, not for a single moment, thought you were anything less than extraordinary, Kashi. You’re so much more than I could ever put into words. When I approached you for the first time in your first year and you said you would become my setter, I knew right then—I wanted to know you better and eventually I realized I wanted to spend my life with you, no matter what. I didn’t care what anyone else thought. I didn’t care about your job, your background, or what people might say. I knew, I just knew, that you were the one for me.”
Akaashi let out a soft, almost inaudible sound—a mix of disbelief and something much deeper, something that reached into the place in his heart where he had kept all those years of pain. He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the warmth of Bokuto’s touch to fill him, hoping, wishing that maybe, just maybe, he could believe in himself the way Bokuto did.
Bokuto continued, his voice thick with emotion. “I asked you to marry me when we were young, because I knew then—when I looked into your beautiful green eyes —I knew I couldn’t live without you. People called me a fool. They told me I was rushing into things, that I didn’t know what I was doing. But I didn’t care. Because you, Kashi, you were worth everything. You still are. So after that game when you sneak into the lockers to congratulate me, I knew I had to pop the question.”
Akaashi chuckled. Clearing his tears with the back of his hand. “I remember that. You completely surprised me with that proposal. You were kneeling, with a ring on your hand. It was perfect.”
Bokuto’s smile was wide, but it was more than just a grin—it was the kind of smile that held years of memories, of love, of moments shared between them. “And then, when we both were a crying mess, Hinata entered the lockers completely clueless and started panicking when you showed him the ring.”
Akaashi laughed. “Poor Hinata. The poor guy was so embarrassed for interrupting our proposal.”
“Yeah, he kept apologizing for weeks after that. And years later I happened to interrupt his own proposal. I thought Kageyama was going to kill me that day.” Bokuto grinned as he recalled the memory with fondness.
“You know, I was head over heels for you from the start. You think I’m proud to call you my husband? I’m always bragging about you, Kashi. You have no idea how much I love showing off how amazing you are. People on my team—they’re so tired of hearing about you. I don’t care. I’ll tell anyone who’ll listen that you’re the smartest, kindest, most incredible person I’ve ever known.”
Akaashi’s heart swelled with the weight of Bokuto’s words. He wanted to believe him. He wanted to feel the truth of it, but self-doubt had a way of lingering, especially when it came to his father’s rejection and the years he had spent feeling unworthy.
“You’re brilliant, Kashi. You were an incredible editor—one of the best—and you know how many people admire your work. And now? Now you’re writing stories that are going to change people’s lives. I don’t just think you’re going to be successful as a writer—I know it. Because that’s who you are. Everything you touch turns into something beautiful.”
Bokuto smiled, squeezing Akaashi’s hands. “And let’s not forget your friends. You’re always the one they go to when they need advice or someone to listen. You’re thoughtful, kind, and so damn dependable. Kashi, you don’t just light up a room—you light up people’s lives.”
Akaashi’s tears finally spilled over, but he made no move to hide them. Bokuto lifted one hand to brush them away, his thumb lingering on Akaashi’s cheek.
Akaashi looked away, embarrassed, but Bokuto gently turned his chin so their eyes met. “And you’re an incredible father, Kashi. Do you know how much Hikari and Haruki adore you? Since they were babies, they’ve clung to you like you’re their whole world. And honestly, I get it. Because you are their world. Just like you’re mine. Bokuto’s voice softened as he spoke of them, his eyes filled with love and admiration. “Hikari—she’s my little girl, and she’s just like me. But Haruki, Kashi... Haruki? He’s got your eyes. He’s got your emerald eyes, the same eyes that I fell in love with when I was 18. And every time I look at him, I feel like I’m looking at a little piece of you. It’s like he’s a reminder that we made something beautiful together. Something that can’t be broken, no matter what.”
Akaashi laughed softly through his tears, a quiet, bittersweet smile on his face. “You’re so ridiculous, Ko. But... I can see it too. He’s so much like me. It’s like looking at a younger version of myself.”
“You mean the younger version that didn’t know he was the most incredible person on the planet?” Bokuto teased, grinning widely.
Akaashi chuckled, his heart swelling with a warmth he hadn’t felt in so long. “I suppose I was pretty clueless back then.”
“Yeah, but you figured it out,” Bokuto said with a wink. “And now I’m here, bragging about you every chance I get. You’re everything, Kashi. You’re my heart, my world. And you’ve always been enough.” Bokuto leaned in, pressing his forehead against Akaashi’s. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks, and I don’t care about the mistakes we’ve made along the way. You’re the one I chose, and I would choose you a thousand times over.”
Akaashi finally allowed himself to lean into Bokuto’s embrace, his body trembling with emotion. “Ko...” he whispered, his voice breaking.
“You’re more than enough, Kashi. You always have been.”
Akaashi blinked, his lips trembling as more tears spilled over. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you without you.”
Bokuto smiled, pulling him into a warm embrace. “You could have, Kashi. You’re strong, even if you don’t always see it. But I’m glad I got to be by your side while you did it.
Akaashi laughed weakly, shaking his head. “You did more than that. You helped me find a job when I couldn’t even face myself in the mirror. You encouraged me to apply to that manga publishing house, even when I thought I wasn’t good enough. And when I got the job, you celebrated harder than I did.”
“Damn right, I did!” Bokuto said, his grin finally returning. “Because I knew you were going to be amazing. And guess what? You were amazing. You turned that job into a career, and then you turned that career into something even bigger.”
Bokuto beamed, picking up one of the books and holding it up as if admiring a treasure. “This is going to become a bestseller. I’m calling it now.”
Akaashi chuckled, shaking his head. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll be happy if I sell a few copies.”
“Sell only a few copies?” Bokuto said, his voice rising slightly before he remembered the kids. He lowered it to an exaggerated whisper, his enthusiasm undiminished. “Keiji, this book is amazing. I know that because I’ve read it five times!”
Akaashi turned to him with a soft smile, touched by his husband’s earnestness. “You’re a little biased, don’t you think?”
“No way!” Bokuto countered. “Even Tsukki read it, and you know how picky he is. He couldn’t put it down. And Kuroo? Hooked immediately. Kenma even said it reminded him of The Lord of the Rings!”
Akaashi let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “Kenma only said that to make me feel better.”
“You know that’s not true,” Bokuto said, his tone serious now. “Kenma’s way too blunt to lie. If he didn’t like it, he wouldn’t have bothered to say anything at all.”
Akaashi’s chuckle softened into a quiet sigh as he gazed down at the book in his lap. His fingers traced the title once more, his chest swelling with a mixture of disbelief and pride.
Bokuto shifted closer, wrapping an arm around Akaashi’s shoulders. “You worked so hard on this, Keiji. It’s everything you dreamed of, and I’m so proud of you.”
Akaashi leaned into him, his heart full. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Bokuto leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Akaashi’s temple. “We should frame one of these,” he said suddenly, his voice light. “Hang it right in the entryway so everyone knows a literary genius lives here.”
Akaashi laughed quietly, his cheeks tinged pink. “Let’s wait until it sells a few copies first.”
Bokuto grinned, squeezing his shoulder. “Deal. But don’t say I didn’t tell you when it’s flying off the shelves!”
Bokuto smiled and held up the book again. “Now, about this cliffhanger. You better start writing the sequel soon, or I’m going to riot.”
Akaashi laughed, wiping his eyes. “I’ll get to it. Eventually.”
Bokuto’s grin widened. “Good. Because the world needs more Keiji Akaashi stories. And so do I.”
Akaashi smiled, tears threatening to spill over, but this time they weren’t from pain—they were from the love and support he felt from Bokuto, the man who had been by his side through all of it. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you, Bokuto. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”
Bokuto winked, his grin wide and infectious. “You’d be exactly where you are now, with a book in your hand and a family that loves you. So what are you going to do next?”
Akaashi turned his gaze back to the book in his hands, the one that felt like an impossible dream just a few years ago. “Next? I’m going to finish this series. And maybe... just maybe... I’ll start believing in myself a little more.” Akaashi stared at his wedding ring and turned the simple silver band on his finger, the familiar coolness grounding him. The engraving inside, My world, stared back at him, as it always did, with quiet certainty. It was the same certainty Bokuto had when he slipped it onto his finger all those years ago. But Akaashi couldn’t help but wonder if the words truly belonged to him. Was he really someone’s world?
“I look at this ring sometimes,” Akaashi admitted, his voice quiet, almost breaking. “And I think, ‘What did I do to deserve this? To deserve you?’”
Bokuto leaned forward, his warm hands encasing Akaashi’s smaller ones, gently brushing against the ring. His golden eyes, always so full of life, now shimmered with something softer, something deeper.
“Kashi,” Bokuto began, his voice thick with emotion. “That ring isn’t just a piece of silver. It’s a promise. A promise I made to you because you’re everything to me. And when I say everything, I mean it. From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. I didn’t care that we were young, or broke, or that the world thought we were foolish for getting married so soon. All I knew was that I wanted you by my side, always. And that hasn’t changed—not one bit. Do you remember what I said when I gave it to you?”
Akaashi nodded, his voice trembling. “‘This is all I have, but it’s all yours.’”
Bokuto grinned, a tear slipping down his own cheek. “Exactly. And you took it, Kashi. You took me, just as I was, and you made my life better than I ever thought it could be. That’s why losing my ring during the Olympics was so hard for me. Because it wasn’t just a ring—it was a symbol of us. But even when I lost it, I didn’t lose you. I’ll never lose you.”
Akaashi turned the simple ring on his finger, the familiar coolness grounding him. The engraving inside, My world, stared back at him, as it always did, with quiet certainty. It was the same certainty Bokuto had when he slipped it onto his finger all those years ago. But Akaashi couldn’t help but wonder if the words truly belonged to him. Was he really someone’s world?
“But why?” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “Why me, Ko? You could’ve had anyone. Someone more exciting, someone who isn’t always second-guessing themselves. Someone… better.”
Bokuto let out a soft laugh, shaking his head. “Kaashi, I swear you're so stubborn. You really don’t get it, do you? Kashi, you’re not just anyone. You’re everything. You’re the most amazing husband, the best dad, the kind of friend people can only dream of having. Akaashi’s breath hitched, his eyes stinging with unshed tears.
Bokuto’s gaze softened as he remembered their wedding day, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. He gently ran his thumb over Akaashi’s hand, his fingers tracing the smooth outline of the silver band.
“I can’t believe it’s been ten years,” Bokuto murmured, his voice full of affection and a tinge of disbelief. “Ten years, Kashi. Do you remember when we got married?” Bokuto asked, his tone soft but full of wonder. “You were 22, I was 23. We were so young… and so stupid.”
Akaashi smiled faintly. "I guess we were. I had no job, no clear future… you were already a volleyball star, and I had just finished college."
Bokuto's grin widened as he recalled the whirlwind of emotions from that day—the laughter, the little inside jokes they’d whispered to each other, and how, despite everything, they couldn’t imagine being anywhere but by each other’s side.
Bokuto grinned, his eyes glimmering with fondness. “I’ll never forget that day. We didn’t have much, but it didn’t matter. You wore that suit that didn’t quite fit because it was a rental, and I was so nervous I nearly dropped the pen when we were signing the papers. But when you looked at me, Kashi, I swear the whole world disappeared. I thought, ‘This is it. This is my forever. Our rings were nothing special. They were cheap, really. But when I look at them now, I see everything we’ve built. I don’t care that they were silver, or that they didn’t shine like gold. I care that they were ours. That day was ours, Kashi.”
Akaashi smiled, a tear slipping down his cheek. “We’ve come so far since then, haven’t we?”
Bokuto smiled “ Yes we have. Ten years of laughter, of tears, of building a life together. We’ve raised two amazing kids, chased our dreams, and proved everyone wrong.
Akaashi squeezed Bokuto’s hand, his heart full. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Ko. But I’m so glad you were foolish enough to marry me.”
Bokuto laughed, pulling Akaashi into a warm embrace. “And I’m so glad you said yes, Kashi. I’d marry you again in a heartbeat—cheap rings and all. Because no matter what, you’ll always be my world.
In the quiet glow of their living room, with their children peacefully asleep nearby, Bokuto and Akaashi sat together, their love shining brighter than any ring ever could. Ten years later, they were still those two fools in love, and they wouldn’t have it any other way.
...
Bokuto had insisted on hosting the dinner to celebrate Akaashi’s novel, practically shouting it into existence the moment Akaashi opened the box of copies. “We’re inviting everyone, Keiji! Your hard work deserves a proper party!” he’d declared, already texting invitations before Akaashi could protest.
Now, the dinner was in full swing, with Kuroo and Kenma as the first to arrive, their three-year-old daughter Akari in tow. Tsukishima and Yamaguchi were fashionably late, citing traffic, and Hinata and Kageyama had sent their regrets, blaming their one-year-old for their lack of energy.
The dinner table was bustling with chatter, the warmth of New Year festivities filling the room. Kenma sat with Akari, their three-year-old daughter, bouncing on his lap. She was chatting animatedly with Akaashi, her tiny hands waving in excitement as she talked about her favorite topic: cats.
“That’s a lovely neko beanie, Akari,” Akaashi said, smiling at the child’s enthusiasm.
“I like nekos, Uncle Kashi!” Akari chirped, her words spilling over each other.
Bokuto leaned back in his chair, grinning. “Sooo, you two ever think about having another one?”
“Another what?” Kenma asked with his usual nonchalance.
“You know, another kid.”
Kuroo opened his mouth to reply, but Kenma cut him off with a dry laugh. “With six cats at home, I don’t think that’s viable.”
“Six cats?!” Akaashi’s eyes widened.
Kenma sighed and gestured toward Kuroo. “Don’t look at me like that. Blame Mr. Cat hoarder over there.”
“Hoarder?! Kitty, seriously?! Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Kuroo raised his hands in mock offense. “I wouldn’t call myself a cat hoarder, I prefer the term cat savior.”
Bokuto nearly choked on his drink, snorting. “Last time I checked, you had four cats. I lost it at Glycolysis.”
Kenma rolled his eyes, still bouncing Akari. “He rescued two more three weeks ago. I named one Hirune, but the other one went nameless because Tetsu insisted on a biochemistry name. For two whole weeks, the poor thing was just called ‘Cat.’”
“Biochemistry?” Akaashi asked, his brow furrowing.
“Don’t get me started,” Kenma groaned. “Tetsu’s names are ridiculous. DHA, Catalase, Glycolysis—each name only gets more embarrassing?”
“They’re scientific masterpieces, Kenma!” Kuroo retorted, crossing his arms.
“Masterpieces?!” Bokuto guffawed. “I mean, DHA? Catalase? Glycolysis? You’re naming cats, not a lab experiment!”
“Hey, don’t bring my babies into this!” Kuroo huffed dramatically.
Akaashi leaned forward, curious. “So, Kuroo, what did you name the new one?”
Kuroo unfolded his arms with a faint smirk. “Moxy.”
Kenma scoffed. “ That's not his real name, Tetsu.”
“Yes it is!” Kuroo exclaimed, a faint red started to appear on his face.”
Kenma stared at his husband with his sharp green eyes. “The full name, Tetsurou.”
Kuroo sighed, reluctant but cornered. “Amoxicillin.”
The table went silent for a beat before Bokuto exploded into laughter, doubling over. “Wait—wait—you named your cat after an antibiotic?!”
Kenma groaned, shaking his head as Akari babbled, “Neko! Neko!”
Akaashi pressed a hand to his mouth, suppressing a smile. “How did you even come up with that?”
Kuroo shrugged, his expression sheepish. “Akari had an ear infection, and the pediatrician prescribed amoxicillin. The name kind of stuck.”
Kenma groaned louder, bouncing Akari absentmindedly. “Tell Uncle Akaashi your father is insane.”
“Neko neko!” Akari babbled again, beaming.
“See? Even Akari thinks it’s a great name,” Kuroo quipped, earning a groan from Kenma and another round of laughter from Bokuto.
“Honestly, Kuroo,” Akaashi said with a chuckle, “I don’t know whether to be impressed or concerned.”
“Be impressed,” Kuroo declared with a grin, lifting his glass. “To my biochemically inspired cat names and my sanity—what’s left of it, anyway.”
A knock at the door interrupted Bokuto’s relentless laughter and Kuroo’s futile attempts to defend himself. Akaashi gracefully excused himself from the dining room, leaving behind the escalating chaos.
When Akaashi opened the door, he was greeted by Tsukishima, holding a bottle of sake, and Yamaguchi, carefully balancing a beautifully frosted cake.
“Hey, guys, you made it!” Akaashi said warmly.
“Yeah. Where’s everyone?” Tsukki asked, stepping inside and kicking off his shoes.
“Hikari’s in the living room, watching cartoons and drawing,” Akaashi explained, pointing to the sight of their daughter sprawled on the carpet. “Haruki’s already asleep, Kenma’s in the dining room, and—”
Akaashi’s explanation was drowned out by Bokuto’s booming laughter echoing from the dining room.
Tsukishima raised an eyebrow, exchanging a knowing look with Yamaguchi. “Should we ask, or is it one of those ‘don’t ask’ moments?”
“Probably safer not to, but...” Yamaguchi began, his curiosity already winning.
As they stepped into the dining room, the scene unfolded before them: Kenma, looking visibly done with life, sat with his face buried in his hand. His ponytail completely disheveled as it seemed he had been pulling his hair while dealing with his husband's insanity, Kuroo, visibly embarrassed, rubbed the back of his neck while Bokuto was howling with laughter, tears streaming down his face as he teetered dangerously in his chair.
Tsukishima assessed the situation in a split second. “Let me guess,” he deadpanned, “you found out Kuroo named his new cat Amoxicillin.”
That was all it took. Bokuto’s laughter reached a new peak, and he tipped right over, crashing to the floor with a loud thud.
“BOKUTO!” Yamaguchi yelped, rushing to check on him, almost dropping the cake in the process.
Kenma, startled, leaned forward. “Oh no. Bokuto, are you—”
“Don’t worry,” Akaashi’s calm voice interjected as he took the cake Yamaguchi had brought. “He does this all the time. Weddings, reunions, New Year’s parties. Right, baby?”
Bokuto, still wheezing from the floor, managed to choke out, “He named his cat... AMOXICILLIN!” before breaking into another fit of uncontrollable giggles.
“I think you broke him,” Tsukishima observed, nudging Kuroo with a smirk.
Kuroo threw his hands in the air. “Hah! That’s what he gets for laughing at Moxy!”
Kenma groaned, rubbing his temple. “Tetsu, Tetsu, Tetsu... why are you like this?”
Yamaguchi crouched beside Bokuto, who was still sprawled on the floor, and waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you sure he’s okay? He’s... crying.”
“Oh, those are laughter tears,” Akaashi assured him. “They happen at least once a week.”
Bokuto reached up, grabbing Yamaguchi’s sleeve. “It’s... so stupid... an antibiotic!” He dissolved into giggles again, barely able to breathe.
Kenma sighed, bouncing Akari, who was now babbling incoherently. “She’s picking up on the chaos. Great. What’s next?”
“Moxy neko!” Akari chirped. “Lase neko! Yuzu neko!”
“Is she naming your cats now?” Akaashi asked, genuinely intrigued.
Kenma gave Kuroo another side-eye. “I blame him for this.”
“Me?” Kuroo asked, feigning innocence. “I’m just a man who loves cats and occasionally draws inspiration from prescription bottles!”
“You’re impossible,” Kenma muttered, shaking his head as the room erupted into laughter again.
The evening carried on in its lively spirit. The conversation shifted to career updates as Kuroo leaned back in his chair, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Well, folks, the moment you’ve all been waiting for—your boy finally got his long-awaited promotion at JVA.”
“Congrats, Tetsu!” Akaashi said with a polite smile.
Bokuto clapped so hard the table rattled. “I knew they’d see your genius eventually!”
Kuroo preened under the attention but added with a sigh, “The only catch? I still have to handle Atsumu and Sakusa’s PR.”
The room groaned collectively.
“They’re still messing with the press?” Yamaguchi asked, looking genuinely curious.
“Worse, now that they’re married, they’ve doubled the chaos,” Kuroo replied, pinching the bridge of his nose. “It’s like babysitting two grown toddlers with too much media attention.”
“Good luck with that,” Tsukki said dryly before taking a sip of sake. “Speaking of promotions, I got one too at the natural history museum.”
“Way to bury the lead, Tsukki!” Bokuto exclaimed. “What’s the new gig?”
Tsukki shrugged. “Head of exhibits. It’s fine.”
“And?” Yamaguchi added, nudging him.
Tsukki sighed. “And Yamaguchi and I are planning to adopt.”
“You should adopt a girl,” Kuroo interjected with a sly grin. “That way, the three of us would be girl dads.”
“Oh my dear former student,” Bokuto said, clasping his hands together and looking at Tsukki with mock sentimentality. “You’re going to be a dad. I’m so proud!”
“Fuck off,” Kuroo chimed in, smirking. “Tsukki was my student first. Don’t forget it—I’m the one who taught him how to block.”
Tsukki adjusted his glasses with a deadpan expression. “I was talented already. You just spent the whole training session messing around.”
Both Kuroo and Bokuto gasped dramatically.
“You ungrateful child!” Kuroo said, clutching his chest as if mortally wounded. “You should respect your elders!”
“Whatever,” Tsukki replied with a dismissive eye-roll.
Yamaguchi nudged him. “Come on, Tsukki. If it weren’t for them, you’d never have made all that progress during training camp.”
“Right, Kenma?” Yamaguchi asked, looking over to him for support.
Kenma was completely focused on his game, his fingers flying across the screen as little Akari sat on his lap, entranced. Occasionally, Kenma let her swipe at the screen, and she giggled whenever something sparkly appeared.
“Akari, you’re doing great!” Kenma encouraged as she swiped. “Oh, you got another diamond!”
“Kenma,” Akaashi said, suppressing a laugh, “are you seriously gaming at the table?”
Kenma barely looked up. “What? It’s bonding time.”
“Kenma,” Kuroo said with a tired groan, rubbing his temples. “What did we say about screens at the table?”
Kenma raised an eyebrow. “We also said no nekos on the bed, but here we are.”
“Don’t deflect!” Kuroo shot back. “This is about you letting our daughter play games during dinner.”
“She’s learning valuable hand-eye coordination,” Kenma retorted. “What’s your excuse for filling her brain with nekos? Every time we walk past a pet store, she yells, ‘Neko! Neko!’ like she’s in some anime.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Kuroo said sarcastically, crossing his arms. “Who’s the one who lets her watch gameplay videos during breakfast? And don’t think I didn’t see you teaching her how to use the joystick last week!”
Kenma shrugged. “She was curious. I’m encouraging intellectual growth.”
“She’s three! She thinks a joystick is a magic wand!”
“Well, she also thinks it’s normal to live with six cats, so whose fault is that?”
“Mine?” Kuroo exclaimed, pointing at himself indignantly. “Don’t pin that on me, Mr. I’ll-Just-Sit-In-The-Corner-And-Game-While-You-Handle-The-Crazy-Toddler.”
“Don’t call me ‘Mr. Sit-in-the-Corner!’” Kenma snapped. “At least I’m not the one who names cats after antibiotics!”
“That’s because I save lives, Kenma! I rescue cats from the streets!”
“Rescue? You hoard them like Pokémon cards!” Kenma shot back.
As they argued, Akari clapped her hands. “Moxy neko! Lase neko! Yuzu neko!”
“Wait,” Akaashi interrupted, hiding a smirk, “is she naming your cats right now?”
Kenma sighed heavily. “I blame Kuroo for this. She wouldn’t even know what a neko is if it weren’t for him.”
“Oh yeah, because I’m the only influence in this house! Don’t think I don’t hear her saying ‘Gaming!’ after every meal, thanks to you!” Kuroo groaned, slumping into his chair. “Kenma, she’s three. She’s not supposed to know how to grind diamonds in a mobile game.”
Kenma raised an eyebrow, unbothered. “Better this than her breaking stuff. Remember when you thought it was a good idea to teach her how to climb the cat tower? Now she thinks she’s one of your six nekos.”
“She is not climbing the cat tower because of me!” Kuroo shot back, looking scandalized.
Kenma crossed his arms. “Really? Who was the one who said, ‘She’ll learn balance and coordination, Kenma. It’s practically science!’”
“That’s called good parenting, Kenma,” Kuroo countered, waving a hand dramatically. “Unlike you letting her stay up past bedtime to play that stupid farming game.”
“First of all,” Kenma said, voice dripping with mockery, “it’s not a stupid game—it’s a top-rated simulation. Second, you’re the one who put her in that cat-ear beanie and taught her to meow at strangers.”
“She looks adorable in the beanie!” Kuroo defended. “And she meows because she’s expressing herself!”
“She’s expressing your crazy cat obsession!” Kenma snapped.
“Maybe if you weren’t so dramatic about everything, she wouldn’t be yelling ‘nekos forever’ every time a commercial for cat food comes on.”
“Me? Dramatic?!” Kuroo exclaimed, throwing his hands up. “Says the guy who threw a tantrum because I put Glycolysis in the same room as your gaming setup.”
“You let the cat chew on my controller, Tetsurou!” Kenma hissed.
“You leave your controllers everywhere, Kenma!”
Bokuto was practically howling at this point, tears streaming down his face. “This is the most I’ve ever heard Kenma speak! It’s like watching a live sitcom!”
Kenma glared at Bokuto before turning back to Kuroo. “And you still can’t stop hoarding cats, Tetsurou. Do you know how much litter we go through in a month? It’s like living in a feline apocalypse.”
Tsukishima, ever the instigator, leaned in with his signature smirk. “Don’t forget the Thermomix he bought with your credit card. Without permission.”
“Tsukki!” Yamaguchi gasped, scolding him.
“What?!” Tsukishima shrugged innocently, sipping his sake.
Kenma froze, eyes narrowing as the memory came flooding back. “You did what?!”
Kuroo held up his hands defensively. “It was a moment of weakness, okay? And it’s really useful! I made mochi for you!—”
“You stole my card for a glorified blender!” Kenma snapped. “And I’m the insane one?!”
“Yes, you’re insane!” Kuroo shot back. “You’ve turned our baby girl into a game addict! Stop gaming at the table!”
“Make me,” Kenma said flatly, raising an eyebrow.
Kuroo’s smirk turned devilish. “Oh, kitty, you know what happens when you say those words to me.”
Kenma blinked, suddenly realizing his mistake as Kuroo fixed his intense gaze on him.
Bokuto immediately fanned himself with his hands. “Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?”
Kenma, face flushing, quickly clapped his hands over Akari’s ears. “You don’t get to say that in front of the child!”
Kuroo chuckled, leaning back with a victorious grin. “Then behave, darling.”
Kenma groaned, his face buried in his hands. Akari, oblivious to the chaos, giggled and patted her father’s cheeks. “Neko Daddy!”
“See?” Kuroo said smugly. “She’s adorable, and she clearly loves me more.”
“Only because you bribed her with a cat beanie,” Kenma muttered.
“Parenting is about strategy,” Kuroo replied with a wink.
Kenma glared at him. “I’m going to regret marrying you until the day I die.”
“And yet,” Kuroo said, leaning closer, “you still love me.”
Kenma sighed deeply, muttering under his breath, “Unfortunately.”
The room erupted into laughter as Bokuto dramatically pretended to wipe away a tear. “You two are like a sitcom that never ends. I’m so glad you came tonight.”
Epilogue
The evening after dinner had been filled with laughter and joy, but once their friends left and the house fell into a peaceful quiet, Akaashi found himself looking at the clock.
The kitchen was quiet, save for the soft hum of music coming from the earbuds tucked in Bokuto’s ears. He was focused on washing the dishes, humming along to the song as he wiped the plates, his movements full of rhythm. His heart was light, the joy of spending time with family still lingering in his chest. But little did he know, Akaashi was about to pull off a surprise that would make this night unforgettable.
Akaashi stood by the counter, his hands trembling slightly as he held the velvet box containing their new wedding rings. The moment felt surreal, as though time had slowed down, giving them this one perfect instant to reflect on everything they had shared. Ten years. A decade of love, growth, laughter, and even heartache. They had built a life together, one piece at a time, but now, at this moment, it felt like they had built something far more precious—something eternal.
Bokuto, oblivious to the significance of the moment, was humming a soft tune, his hands busy washing the dishes. The familiar sound of water splashing in the sink, the clink of plates, and the shuffle of movement around the kitchen made Akaashi smile. He watched Bokuto from the doorway, the love he felt for this man stronger than ever. Bokuto, the man who had been his everything—his best friend, his greatest support, and the father of their children.
Akaashi stepped forward, the weight of the box in his palm grounding him. He cleared his throat softly, but Bokuto didn’t hear him. His earbuds were in, music filling his ears as he hummed along, lost in his own little world.
He approached him slowly, his hand gently resting on Bokuto’s shoulder. Bokuto, startled, turned quickly, his eyes wide, pulling the earbuds from his ears. “Kashi?” he asked, a bit confused, a small laugh escaping his lips. “What are you doing?”
Akaashi didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he knelt down in front of Bokuto, the soft velvet box now held in his trembling hands. He opened it slowly, revealing two silver wedding bands. They gleamed under the soft kitchen light, reflecting the quiet love they shared. The words engraved on the rings—My world—were simple, but they held more meaning than anything Akaashi could ever say. The date of their wedding was etched there too, a reminder of everything that had brought them here.
Bokuto’s breath hitched. His eyes widened as he stared down at the rings, his heart racing. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped, his throat tight with emotion. "Kashi… what are you doing?” His voice cracked, and he took a step back, almost unsure of how to react.
“I'm proposing to you.”
Bokuto's breath hitched, he felt a stray tear falling down his face. “But we are already married”
“I know,” Akaashi replied, his voice soft, “but you’re the one who proposed to me 10 years ago. I thought it would be nice if I could ask you again. Besides,” Akaashi’s tone shifted, a bit more playful, “I think you’ve been missing your wedding band. So… Bokuto Koutaro, will you give me the honor of continuing being my husband?”
Bokuto let out a choked laugh and nodded. “They look expensive,” Bokuto murmured, his voice cracking. “Kashi, how did you—”
Akaashi chuckled softly, a gentle blush creeping up his neck. “Something good came from writing that novel.” He paused, his eyes filled with affection. “I used the advance payment from the publishing house to get these. I didn’t want to waste it. It’s for you, my love.”
Bokuto’s eyes welled up with tears, emotion flooding his chest as he stared at the rings. He shook his head, still in shock. “Did you really waste all that money on these? You didn’t have to…”
Akaashi reached out and cupped Bokuto’s cheek, his thumb gently wiping away the stray tears that had begun to fall. “I wanted to, Bokuto. It’s not a waste because it’s for you. You deserve something special.”
Bokuto took a shaky breath, unable to stop the tears that flowed freely down his face. “I can’t believe you did this for me, Kashi…”
Tears welled up in Bokuto’s eyes, and he blinked them away, his breath shaky as he turned away for a moment, trying to steady himself. “I don’t deserve this, Kashi,” he whispered, feeling a lump in his throat. “But I love you. I love you so much.”
“I want you to try it on,” Akaashi said quietly, handing Bokuto the gleaming silver band.
Bokuto’s eyes fluttered as he looked down at the new ring, the tears still fresh on his cheeks. He looked back up at Akaashi, a soft, playful glint in his eyes. “Kashi, you’re gonna make me cry again, but…” Bokuto paused, his voice thick with emotion. “You know what I want, right?”
Akaashi raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a smirk. “What do you mean?” he asked, though he had a pretty good idea.
“Put it on me,” Bokuto said, his voice filled with both affection and a touch of mischief. “Just like you did on our wedding day. You know, the whole ‘putting the ring on’ thing.”
Akaashi chuckled softly, his heart swelling at the thought of how far they had come. “You want me to put it on you?” he asked, a teasing tone slipping into his voice. Without waiting for Bokuto’s answer, he took the new ring back from his palm and slid it into his own pocket.
“You sure about that?” Akaashi asked as he pulled out the matching ring, a new one that shimmered just as brightly as the first. “I think you might want to do it yourself.”
Bokuto shook his head. “No, you do it.”
Akaashi nodded, taking the ring back from Bokuto’s hand. With a gleam in his eye, he gave Bokuto his own new wedding ring, holding it out with the same tenderness that had filled the day they first exchanged vows.
Bokuto’s fingers trembled slightly as he took off the old silver ring from Akaashi’s finger. It had been with him for so long, worn and slightly scratched, but still a symbol of their commitment. He smiled, his heart overflowing as he slid the new, glimmering ring onto Akaashi’s finger. The weight of the moment wasn’t lost on him, and his hands shook with the emotion of it all. “You’re so amazing, Kashi,” he whispered, the words thick in his throat. “I don’t know how you do it,” Bokuto’s voice broke as he spoke, his eyes searching Akaashi’s, trying to convey everything he felt in that moment. “How have you put up with me for all these years? With my insanity, my obsession with volleyball, the way I’ve always been so... so reckless? You’ve been so patient with me. You’ve always been by my side, no matter what.” His breath hitched as he looked down at the ring in Akaashi’s hand. The new one. “I… I promise you, Kashi. I’ll try. I’ll try to be better. I’ll stop falling out of my chair when I laugh. I’ll even try to learn to do my taxes.” Bokuto’s lips trembled into a smile, but it was fragile, fragile like the moment they were sharing.
Akaashi smiled, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall. He cupped Bokuto’s face with one hand, his thumb gently brushing over his cheek. “I know you won’t learn to do your taxes,” Akaashi said, his voice filled with the warmth and love that only came from years of being with someone. “But that’s okay. That’s why I’m here. And even if you keep falling out of your chair a hundred times, I’ll pick you up a thousand times more just to keep hearing that laugh.”
Bokuto closed his eyes, overcome by the depth of Akaashi’s words. The promise, the love in his voice—Bokuto couldn’t find the right words to describe how much it meant to him. His heart ached with love for this man who had stood by him through thick and thin. Through his highs and his lows.
Now, it was Akaashi's turn to place the new ring on Bokuto's finger. Akaashi’s hands were steady as he held the silver wedding band, the one that would replace the silicone ring Bokuto had worn since his original ring ended up buried in The Seine. His voice was low, filled with warmth and the kind of affection that could only come from years of loving and being loved. “I’m so proud of you,” Akaashi murmured, his gaze meeting Bokuto's. Ko, you’ve been everything I could ever ask for. You’ve been patient, kind, and supportive in ways I never imagined possible. I’m so proud of everything you’ve become. I’m proud to be your husband, proud to have built this life with you.” His voice was tender, full of the love he had for this man, for the life they had shared, for every moment they had spent together. “I’m so proud of you,” he said softly, his eyes locked with Bokuto’s. “I’m so lucky to be sharing my life with you. To have you as the father of our children… there’s nothing more I could ever ask for.”
Akaashi gently took the old silicone ring from Bokuto’s finger—The one that had been worn from years of volleyball games and hurried days. With a steady hand, Akaashi slid the new wedding band onto Bokuto’s finger. The ring gleamed, a perfect fit, just as their love had always been. He smiled softly, his voice breaking slightly with emotion as he whispered, “Thank you for being the love of my life.”
Bokuto’s eyes softened, and he took Akaashi’s face in his hands, his tears falling freely. “ Thank you for being mine. I want you to keep pursuing your dreams, Kashi. I want you to keep writing. These past three years of you working on that novel… they’ve been the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” His voice trembled as he leaned his forehead against Akaashi’s, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the kitchen.
Bokuto’s tears had barely slowed when his golden eyes glimmered with pride. He reached out, gently cupping Akaashi’s face, his thumbs brushing away the steady stream of tears falling from those beautiful emerald eyes. His voice, shaky yet filled with warmth, broke through the quiet.
“Kashi… I’m so proud of you. Your novel… it’s about to be released, and I can’t believe how amazing you are. You’re going to show everyone what I’ve known all along—that you’re brilliant.”
Akaashi choked on a sob, his hand trembling as he gripped Bokuto’s wrist. “Ko… stop,” he whispered, his voice cracking.
“No,” Bokuto insisted, shaking his head. “I mean it. You’ve worked so hard for this, and seeing you follow your dream... it just makes me so happy.”
But Akaashi’s tears only fell harder, and he pulled Bokuto into a sudden, tight embrace. His face buried in Bokuto’s shoulder, his voice came muffled yet fierce. “Ko, none of this would’ve been possible without you.” He pulled back just enough to look Bokuto in the eyes, his own gaze shimmering with sincerity. “You took a break from volleyball—your dream—just so I could start my novel. You took care of the kids, woke up early every morning to make breakfast, and drove them to daycare because I was too tired after staying up all night writing. You never complained, not even once, even when you were dealing with your rotator cuff injury and needed rest.”
Bokuto tried to interject, but Akaashi held up a hand, shaking his head. His voice grew softer, but no less emotional. “You didn’t resent me when I quit my job to write full-time, even when it meant we had to depend solely on your income. Ko… you’re the best husband anyone could ever ask for. You never gave up on me, even when I doubted myself.” Tears rolled down Akaashi’s cheeks, and he clenched Bokuto’s hand tightly. “I don’t know how you put up with me. I promise, I’ll make it all worth it. I won’t let you down. I’ll become the best writer in Japan—no, the world. For you. For us.”
Bokuto’s heart swelled, his chest tight with emotion as he looked at the love of his life. His lips quirked into a tender smile, even as fresh tears welled in his eyes. He reached up, wiping Akaashi’s tears away with his calloused thumbs, his hands shaking slightly.
“I already know you will,” he said softly, his voice steady despite the lump in his throat. “Because you’re you, Kashi. And you don’t need to prove anything to me. I’m just… so lucky to have you.”
They stayed there, holding onto each other as if the world around them didn’t exist, their hearts beating in sync. After a long, quiet moment, Bokuto leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Akaashi’s forehead.
“I love you,” Bokuto murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you too,” Akaashi replied, his voice trembling but firm. Before he knew, Bokuto clashed his lips against his.
The kiss was soft, tender, and full of unsaid emotions. It lingered, pulling them back to the moment they had shared years ago on Bokuto’s high school graduation—their first kiss. Back then, it had been filled with nervous excitement, an explosion of young love. Now, it was deeper, carrying with it the weight of a decade of laughter, tears, and unwavering devotion.
Akaashi pulled back just slightly, their lips brushing as he whispered, “Ko-” He muttered but before he could say another word, Bokuto tilted his head and kissed Akaashi again, this time with more urgency, more passion. His hands cupped Akaashi’s face, thumbs gently stroking his cheeks. The kiss was consuming, desperate, as though Bokuto was pouring every ounce of his gratitude, love, and awe into it. Their breaths mingled, and the world outside their embrace seemed to disappear entirely.
When they broke apart for air, Bokuto was already diving in for another. His lips trembled against Akaashi’s, and this kiss was softer, almost reverent, as though he were afraid to break the fragile beauty of the moment. Akaashi responded with equal tenderness, his hands trailing up to tangle in Bokuto’s hair, anchoring them together.
When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingled, and their foreheads rested together. Bokuto’s golden eyes shimmered with tears, a soft, choked laugh escaping his lips as he wiped his face with his sleeve. “Kashi,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, “I don’t think my heart can take much more of this.”
Akaashi smiled, his hand brushing against Bokuto’s cheek, thumb tracing away a stray tear. “Well,” he said softly, his tone teasing but warm, “I hope you have a little more room, because I have one more surprise for you.”
Bokuto’s eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and adoration crossing his features. He let out a breathless laugh, clutching his chest dramatically. “There’s more? Kashi, I don’t need anything else. You’ve already given me everything.”
Akaashi’s smile deepened, his gaze softening. Without a word, he stepped away, disappearing briefly into their study. Bokuto stood there, bewildered but brimming with anticipation, his hands still trembling from the emotions swirling inside him.
When Akaashi returned, he was holding something that made Bokuto’s breath hitch—a sleek, hardcover book. It was the book, the one Akaashi had poured his heart and soul into over the past three years. The one he had worked on late into the night while Bokuto dozed on the couch nearby, always offering his unwavering support.
“Kashi,” Bokuto whispered, his voice a reverent hush as Akaashi handed him the book. He cradled it carefully, as though it were the most precious thing in the world.
“You haven’t seen the dedicatory yet,” Akaashi said, his voice quiet but steady, his eyes watching Bokuto’s every move.
With trembling hands, Bokuto opened the book to the first page. There, in Akaashi’s familiar handwriting, was the dedication:
To Kō,
Who showed me that we are the protagonists of the world.
You’re my everything.
The room fell silent. Bokuto’s eyes scanned the words over and over again, his lips moving soundlessly as he read them. Tears welled in his eyes once more, spilling down his cheeks in a cascade. He looked up at Akaashi, his voice barely audible, raw with emotion. “Kashi...” he whispered, his throat tight. “I don’t... I don’t deserve you.”
Akaashi stepped closer, his own eyes glistening as he reached up to cup Bokuto’s face. “You deserve everything, Kō,” he said firmly, his voice trembling but full of love. “You’ve always been my inspiration. My light. I wouldn’t have written a single word if it weren’t for you.”
Before Akaashi could say more, Bokuto surged forward, capturing his lips in another kiss. This one was urgent, consuming, a desperate expression of love and gratitude that couldn’t be contained. It was a kiss that said everything Bokuto couldn’t put into words.
Akaashi moaned softly into the kiss, his arms wrapping around Bokuto’s neck to pull him closer. They stayed like that for what felt like forever, lost in each other. Each kiss was a promise, a vow, and a reminder of the love that had carried them through ten years and would carry them through countless more.
When they finally broke apart, gasping for air, Bokuto rested his forehead against Akaashi’s, his lips brushing his as he whispered, “I love you, Kashi. More than anything.”
Akaashi smiled, his thumb tracing over Bokuto’s lips. “And I love you, Kō,” he replied, leaning in for one last, lingering kiss. “Always.”
That night, their kisses spoke louder than words ever could, sealing t
heir love in a way that was raw, pure, and utterly unbreakable.