Chapter Text
Kuroo immediately assumed the worst. Tsukishima had already left them before, so why wouldn’t he do it again? With his shouting from earlier he managed to wake up the people beside him. Even Bokuto somehow managed to be woken up by Kuroo.
Kuroo stood near the window, arms crossed tight across his chest, eyes flicking to the door every few seconds.
“He left,” he muttered. “Again.”
“Tetsuro,” Akaashi said gently, “his bag’s still here. He wouldn’t just leave without it.”
“People don’t need backpacks to disappear.”
Bokuto sat on the edge of the futons, fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie. “Tsuki wouldn’t leave. Not this time at least .”
No one answered. The silence stretched long enough for doubt to settle like dust in their lungs.
Then, the door creaked open.
Slowly. Cautiously.
Tsukishima stepped inside, calm, distant, like nothing was out of place. His hair was damp, hoodie unzipped halfway.
“You’re all up,” he said flatly.
“Tsuki!” Bokuto leapt up.
“Where the hell were you?” Kuroo barked. “We were about to send a search party.”
Tsukishima didn’t answer. He walked past them all and dropped onto the futon, burying his face in a pillow.
Outside, a pair of old men who had been chatting near the inn’s front gate stopped mid-sentence. Akaashi saw them glance through the doorframe, eyes lingering on the back of Tsukishima’s head before they shuffled away.
The silence in the room returned. This time heavier.
Everyone started their morning routines. Conversations were quick and quiet, even Bokuto’s usual chatter felt subdued. Morning birds’ calls seemed louder than normal, the sky greyed out, almost in tears.
“See, he didn’t leave us.” Akaashi whispered to Kuroo.
Kuroo frowned, jaw twitching like he wanted to argue but didn’t. Akaashi ignored it.
“By any chance do you have swim shorts, Tsukishima?”
“No.” The blonde said bluntly
“Hmm I would lend you one of mine but it may not fit. Since you know you're skinny.” Bokuto said.
“He’s just saying his ass is too fat.” Kuroo snorted, already walking out the room.
“Hey! That was not what I meant!” Bokuto shouted now, chasing him down the corridor.
Akaashi sighed and put his hand on his head. “Thank god we were only here for a day or else we would’ve gotten kicked out.”
Silence, once again, but Akaashi was getting used to it.
“Are you guys sure you want me to tag along?”
“Of course! Honestly I was glad someone else joined us. Dealing with them is tough alone.”
Tsukishima only nodded and then gestured to Akaashi. “Does this place have breakfast?”
“Maybe, let’s go check.”
Akaashi slammed the door behind him. ‘Whoops.’ The older man already knew this place did not have breakfast, but he just wanted to walk around on an endless goose chase with someone he hasn’t seen in years. What has changed since his graduation? He wanted to know desperately, but it was too early to ask.
“I know what you're thinking.” A voice cut through the silence.
“Hmm?”
“And I won’t answer anything.”
“I already knew that.” He said facing the man with a smile. “But you can’t stop a guy from thinking about it.” Akaashi winked at Tsukishima.
“I found them!” Bokuto once again shouted out loud in the inn. “Where were you guys off too?”
“We were walking around to see if this place had any breakfast.”
“Hmm? But you told me that this place didn’t have breakfast and that we would have to go somewhere else for breakfast.”
“Oh did I really say that? Must have slipped my mind, haha.” Akaashi looked towards the taller man next to him, he was now glaring at him. ‘Way to go Bokuto! Now this guy is really going to hate me again.’
“And this is why you don’t tell Kou anything my dear Keiji.” Kuroo smiled.
“Yeah, yeah.” he huffed.
“Tsuki, where’d you go this morning, if you don’t mind me asking.” The taller blacked haired man asked the younger one.
“Well considering the fact my hair was damp, and I had a towel around my neck,” he started, “I believe I was playing D&D with the janitors.”
“Woah really no way? You play D&D, Tsuki?” Bokuto gleamed. The three other men could only stare at their owl looking friend. Somehow, Bokuto Koutaro believed Tsukishima's sarcasm. Akaashi knew he wasn’t the brightest but come on the man was about to graduate university.
“Why aren’t you guys talking anymore?” The man pouted.
“I think we’re all just..”
“Shocked,” Akaashi interrupted Kuroo mid sentence.
“Me too! Tsuki, I would love to do a campaign with you!”
“No, we’re more shocked at the fact that you believe Tsukishima was playing D&D with the janitors..”
“Why’s that? I’ve done it before!”
“Bokuto, respectfully what is wrong with you.”
“Hey you can’t just ask a guy that Tsuki! It’s very rude.”
The shorter man could only pinch the bridge of his nose. Akaashi couldn’t even begin to fathom what he was hearing. His own boyfriend had somehow hidden the fact he plays D&D with random janitors? And also the fact that Tsukishima was actually bantering with them like normal. It was comforting to know he hadn’t changed much over the years.
“All this D&D talk is making me hungry,” Mr. Bedhead began, “and honestly sort of makes me want some D&D if you catch my drift..” he finished with his signature smirk.
“Oh my god Tetsurou.”
“Yeah I’m going to actually leave you guys now.” The blonde stated before promptly walking away. Akaashi stared at his boyfriend's face a while longer before following the blonde. He needed to be away from these two men.
Walking with Tsukishima was way more awkward the second time. The blonde knew what Akaashi was doing but didn’t bring it up. Almost like he didn’t care? Maybe Tsukishima wanted to learn more about Akaashi too, but he quickly shut that idea down since he knew Tsukishima was going to leave the trio again soon. It was just a matter of time. But Akaashi wanted to make the best of it. His thoughts were soon interrupted by the man in front of him.
“Why were you so curious about swim trunks?”
“Oh! We’re planning a week-long beach trip, we already have an Airbnb, just a matter of getting there unscathed.”
Tsukishima only hums in response and that is enough for Akaashi. Although he already knows this beach trip will be like no other. But for now, they need breakfast before someone gets eaten alive.
.
They walked down the street. A grocer sweeping his storefront smiled faintly at Akaashi but lowered his eyes when Tsukishima passed. At the next shop, a mother ushered her young child inside without looking back.
Akaashi looked back at the blond who just seemed tense. His face was still unreadable, but his body language said it all. While Akaashi was staring at Tsukishima, the two older men were in a philosophical debate. .
“Okay but waffles are just pancakes with abs.”
“No they are not! They’re completely separate things!”
“Okay but you can live without waffles, pancakes are just the superior choice.”
“Have you ever had a Belgian waffle Kou?” He paused. “They are absolutely phenomenal.”
“Okay but you gotta understand chocolate chip pancakes beats that any day.”
“It literally does not!”
“Are you two done arguing about pancakes versus waffles.” The younger black haired man’s patient was wearing thin.
“Keiji why are you being so opinionated over this?”
“Are you really flipping this on me, Testuro?” The blue eyed man firmly said.
“I mean at the end of the day both are going to be an option, Ji,” the two-toned haired man added.
“You know what, both of you can find breakfast by yourselves. Tsukishima come with me.” Akaashi states before grabbing the taller man’s hand, dragging him away from the other two older men, who just stared in shock.
“I think we angered Keiji.” Bokuto finally said, ending the silence.
“All on you man, he's been in a mood all day.” Kuroo replied half a beat later. “Hey, let’s follow them!” In response, Bokuto just nodded and quickly turned into a horrible secret agent. Although, they got caught pretty quickly and joined the pair once again.
They settled down in a local coffee shop. This time both Tsukishima and Akaashi were giving the older ones a cold shoulder.
“Come on guys, let's just be civil here!” Kuroo cried out not being able to take in the silence any longer.
“When are we leaving?” the other black hair man asked.
“Soon enough, but before we leave town let’s get you some clothes Tsuki?”
“Fine.”
“Alrighty then! Bo take Tsuki shopping while Keiji and I get snacks!” The four men quickly finished their food and headed out. Bokuto dragged Tsukishima all around town, gaining them some whispers with weird glances. But Bokuto could care less.
They went into several shops, all not having anything they wanted. Which was slightly unexpected. I mean come on what kind of shop doesn’t have swim trunks! They didn’t even have shorts!
“Bokuto, we should go.” Tsukishima stated.
“Fine, you just have to wear my clothes no biggie!” The older man smiled.
.
Meanwhile, Akaashi whispered to Kuroo, “They’re all talking about him.”
“I know. Even the waitress warned me back at that diner.”
“Warned you?”
“Yeah. Said, ‘Keep an eye on your friend.’”
They didn’t have time to unpack that. Bokuto reappeared, chattering about a stray cat Kuroo failed to befriend. Tsukishima only looked toward the road.
“I'd like you to know that cat would’ve loved me if we had more time.” He huffed.
“What is this, right person wrong time?” Akaashi teased.
“Why yes of course it was! With an additional ‘if only we had more time.”
“Is that not the same thing?” Bokuto questioned furrowing his brows. “Well anyways, come on let’s get our stuff and head to the beach!”
“Why’d we decide to go to the beach for a week?” The shorter man sighed. Looking at the other three men next to him.
“Obviously so I can get the amazing tan you both adore so much.” Kuroo replied with his signature sleazy grin. Akaashi tried to hide his face in his hands but it was no use, his ears betrayed him and were bright red just thinking about a tan Kuroo.
“Let’s go before Akaashi short-circuits even more.” Tsukishima was already annoyed by the town’s atmosphere and wanted to get out as soon as possible.
“Are you also flustered by the thought of me being tanned?” Kuroo hooked onto the taller man’s shoulder, “Didn’t know you were like that babe.” Tsukishima immediately pushed Kuroo off and started following Bokuto back to the inn. Kuroo started cackling like a hyena behind him while Akaashi was staring at the ground like it was the most intriguing thing.
This would be one hell of a trip that’s for sure.