Chapter Text
Bokuto Koutarou was known to be a good volleyball player for a reason. His instincts would always prove right in the court and despite his rare mood swings, he could literally destroy his opponents’ will with his powerful spikes at calculated angles.
He owed it to his excellent instincts.
“Bokuto-san.”
And yet, those same instincts seem to scream at him- to run and get away.
He stumbled in his footing and rested his hand on the doorframe as he tried to make out Akaashi’s figure in the darkness. The only source of light was the street lamp, flickering as well, making Koutarou wary. It seemed to him as if he was in some dramatic horror movie. But he suppressed the uncomfortable feeling and wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans.
“You scared me Akaashi!” Koutarou exclaimed.
Akaashi walked up to Koutarou, his steps seeming too light. He gave the impression of materializing from the darkness. Now the street lamp’s light illuminated his face better, his eyes flickered from Koutarou to his body, as if sizing him up.
“Sorry, I guess my plan worked.”
Plan?
The realization dawned upon him and Koutarou couldn’t help but grin. “Oh to scare me?” No wonder! Akaashi was actually good at creating an ominous environment. He should recommend Akaashi to join the dramatics society. “I guess it worked.” He shrugged and looked around them for any hidden cameras.
He was a bit embarrassed to let a small prank scare him. That too in front of his crush! He really hoped he wasn’t being filmed. He couldn’t live with tangible evidence. He was about to ask about the cameras when he forgot the words on his tongue. Akaashi was now very close. It would only take him two more steps for their faces to be centimeters apart.
There was something…more. He couldn’t remember what he had to say, nor did any new words came out of his mouth. He wondered if Akaashi was one of those people who were able to make people forget their sentences. Koutarou would believe that. Akaashi seemed to have that sort of aura. That, and to slow time. Was it him or did the air seem heavy as if it had stilled? Despite the weird feelings he felt, that something was quite right, he couldn’t help but gaze into Akaashi’s eyes. The other’s eyes seemed a deep green with a few reddish hues.
He paused. Red?
It must be the light, he concluded. He felt his body sway a bit, taking a step towards Akaashi. His steps seemed light as a feather. He suddenly had the urge to put his arms around Keiji and pull him close to let him trail kisses down his neck and bite it-
He was jolted back to his surroundings as a cry of surprise shook him out of his trance. He blinked and was confused to find Akaashi not in front of him, but on the ground, trapped in a net. He looked as confused as Koutarou felt.
The net seemed very familiar too.
“Isn’t that the spare net that went missing last week?!” he blurted, “Akaashi why do you have it?”
“I appear to be trapped Bokuto-san.” Akaashi replied as he struggled under the net.
“Oh.” Koutarou crouched down to help Akaashi when a voice echoed in the empty gym in alarm.
“Don’t!”
Both of them looked up to see a boy with dark hair holding some sort of device resembling a large water gun. He scowled at Akaashi and then turned to Koutarou.
“Bokuto-senpai, please stay away. That is a dangerous thing.” The boy nearly spat.
“Kageyama-kun?” Koutarou frowned. “Last time I checked calling people a thing is rude.”
“But he is not to be trusted. He’s dangerous.” Kageyama emphasized on the word again.
What the hell was going on?
“Um..no?” Koutarou tilted his head. “I think you’re the dangerous on here. Trapping people in nets and all. Akaashi-kun isn’t dangerous. He is dangerously hot though.” He winked at the other who groaned in reply.
“No; he is a supernatural being who wants to hurt you.” Kageyama sighed, as if exhausted already.
“I think he was going to confess to me.” Koutarou raised his brow. “I mean why else bring me to a place where we can be alone?”
“You seem to think quite highly of yourself Bokuto-san.” Akaashi snorted.
“Then why else did you ask me to come here?”
Akaashi seemed to close his eyes as if he was contemplating things. He then fluttered his eyes open and sighed. “I…panicked when you actually came so I passed it as a prank. I didn’t expect you’d guess it right away.”
“So it is a confession!” He flashed a victorious grin at his junior. “See! Nothing more!”
Kageyama scrunched his face in unbelief. He looked at Koutarou and then at Akaashi. He finally shrugged and came forward to help Akaashi out of the net.
“Sorry senpai. I thought you were other.” Kageyama apologized and then added, “Good luck with your confession.”
Akaashi sighed as the net was off him and Koutarou helped him up. Akaashi’s hand was cold as Koutarou gripped it and he wondered if Akaashi was one of those people whose hands were always freezing.
Kageyama apologized once more and promised to return the net back in its place.
When he left, Koutarou turned back to Akaashi. “So…”
Akaashi seemed to check his surroundings before gazing back into Koutarou’s eyes. Once more, that strange feeling returned. It now seemed to resemble a lot like bliss, as if he were drunk on the sight of Akaashi alone. But that wasn’t possible right? However, he found himself inviting Akaashi to come closer and let him devour him. Like chocolate. No, perhaps something savory. Was he sweet or savory?
“Am I sweet or savory?” Koutarou asked, feeling rather dizzy.
“We’ll find out.” Akaashi replied in a low voice and Koutarou found it almost hypnotic.
Something still felt off. He pressed his lips and pulled back.
“Wait, this isn’t how a confession goes.” Koutarou breathed out. Had he held his breath the whole time? It sure felt like it. He drew in a sharp breath as he noticed how close Akaashi’s face was from his.
“Then how does it go?” The voice almost lulled him back to that dazed feeling.
“I don’t know. You tell me you like me and why. I listen. I accept because I like you back. We get embarrassed at first. Hold hands. Kiss. Go on dates. Get to know each other better.” He rambled on.
Akaashi looked at him in distress.
“Wait, am I ruining how you want to confess? I’ll stop! Do it your own way!” Koutarou flailed.
“No it’s just…you’re looking at me but you’re not being hypnotized.” Akaashi’s face seemed to darken. “Why can’t you shut up like the others?”
“Hey!”
Koutarou was stumped. Hypnotize? Others?
“Well, you’re too troublesome. I’ll just find someone else.” Akaashi went on as if he expected Koutarou to understand the situation.
Koutarou, unfortunately, did not understand the situation.
“Wait…is this still a prank? That’s not nice.” Koutarou frowned. “You should know that it’s not okay to play with feelings. I really like you okay? But that’s not cool.”
In a blink of his eye, Koutarou found himself shoved against the wall of the gym. Two strong hands gripped his shoulders and Koutarou yelped as the nails dug into them. Akaashi, apparently, was strong enough to hurl Koutarou like a bag.
Nothing made sense. Koutarou was about to ask what on earth was going on when Akaashi’s lips were on his neck.
Oh…it’s like this…
Koutarou deflated at the realization. This wasn’t how he wanted to spend his night. He wondered if he could push Akaashi away and tell him this wasn’t the way how confessions worked.
“Look, I’m not like one of those-.” He flinched as he felt something sharp pierce his neck. He jerked back and pushed Akaashi away.
“Okay I don’t like this new way of confessing-did you just bite me?!”
“Ugh.” Akaashi groaned. “Don’t you understand by now? Me hypnotizing you? Bringing you in this secluded area? I’m a vampire! You’re supposed to be my victim, my dinner!” He opened his mouth and revealed his teeth. Two pointed canines gleamed at him.
Koutarou stood there frozen. This was a prank. A realistic one at most, considering the blood trickling down to his collarbone. Maybe he could convince Akaashi to help him in planning an elaborate joke on Kuroo. That would be fun. So he decided to play along.
“You have nice teeth. And what do you mean you’re a vampire?”
“It means I can suck you dry.” Akaashi deadpanned.
“I didn’t think you’d be that into me.” Koutarou waggled his eyebrows.
“No, it means I can turn you into a fluid-less husk.” There was no humor in his tone. In fact, Akaashi’s expression turned menacing.
“Oh. I’d rather you not.” Koutarou paled. His instincts roared inside to take flight. He took a step back only to press against the wall. “But…if you want to suck me the other way-.”
“No.” Akaashi cut him off. “I don’t.”
“Oh.” Koutarou mumbled. “You’re not joking are you?”
“I’m not, I assure you.”
“And will you drink my blood?” Koutarou noticed Akaashi eying the trickle of blood.
“You’re too noisy. I’m not wasting my time with you.” He turned away, towards the door.
Koutarou sighed, leaning against the wall. In that moment of relief however, he realized something more.
“Wait.” He hurriedly grabbed for Akaashi’s arm and ignored the cold touch. “You’re the reason why people are falling ill and weak.”
Cold and calculating eyes studied him. “Maybe.” He muttered.
“You won’t get away with this.”
“But I have; so many times.” Akaashi turned to Koutarou once more, a small and wicked smile on his lips.
Koutarou gulped. “You’ll hurt my friends one day.” His heart was hammering inside his chest.
Akaashi gave him a mere nod.
“Let’s make a deal.” Oh how he hated his mouth. But he was doing this for his friends. He couldn’t bear to see Kuroo, Hinata, Kenma or anyone he knew succumb to the miserable fate of those nearly drained before.
“I’m listening.” Akaashi stepped closer and Koutarou shuddered.
“You drink some of my blood, every day, and not anyone else’s.”
Akaashi raised a brow. “How noble.” He nearly purred but Koutarou tried to pull on a brave face.
“Do you accept?”
Akaashi looked up from his lashes and shook his arm from Koutarou’s hold. Instead of walking away, he grabbed Koutarou by the collar and pulled him closer. Sharp teeth sunk into his neck once more and Koutarou winced. He’d have to endure for the safety of his friends.
How cliché, he mused to himself. A typical vampire plot which Kuroo and he would normally boo at the movies.
“Don’t let this be like Twilight.” He murmured before shuddering at Akaashi’s tongue flick against his twin wounds.
“What?” Akaashi pulled away, licking his now bloody lips.
He really is a vampire.
“You don’t know about Twilight?” Koutarou laughed weakly. Getting used to this would take time. He gave Akaashi a grin. “We need to have a bad movie night soon.”
Akaashi merely shrugged. “Either way, we’ll be together for a while Bokuto-san.”
“Yeah.”
But he was doing the right thing. Right?
The moon was full tonight, Tetsurou noticed. He wondered how far Inuoka had traveled from the university. Being an immortal being seemed to be more and more troublesome as the years passed. That included having a werewolf to tag along with you, never being able to try the new and hip Italian place which had opened near the premises, and being unable to take selfies since his reflection didn’t exist. Apparently his hair was a terrible mess and no matter how Kenma or Hinata had tried, it couldn’t be tamed. Maybe it came with the immortality. He just had to inspect the shed without brushing his hair. It must have been easier to handle it back then right?
But besides these few problems, he currently faced the most troublesome of them all. He was locked out of his own dorm.
Well, not entirely. He had the keys but whoever decided that vampires had to take permission to enter rooms and houses was absurd. This was his dorm for crying out loud. He should technically be able to enter it.
“The only possession of the dead is their coffin and grave. No other worldly thing belongs to us.”
(Tetsurou had made the mistake of mentioning ashes- which by the way was a very valid point- but for some reason the foreign vampire of what Tetsurou now liked to call ‘Brotherhood International’, did not listen to him at all.)
Then again how would vampires exist if the dead bodies were in ashes? Tetsurou shook his head. Too many questions and he had all the time in the world to answer them. For now he required his bed. He had dialed Kenma a few times, but the other didn’t respond. Even a text giving him permission was enough to let him pass.
He must be busy. Tetsurou groaned. Bokuto was probably busy with his crush and Tetsurou had a feeling it would work out. Somehow. He opted for the corridor and lied down. His eyelids felt heavy and he soon drifted into deep sleep.
A light kick made him bolt up and Tetsurou found himself looking at Kenma’s face.
“You shouldn’t sleep here. You don’t breathe.”
“I guess I sleep like the dead.”
Kenma groaned at his pun and flung open their dorm’s door. “I grant Kuroo Tetsurou permission to enter my abode.”
Tetsurou yawned and tread inside, falling onto his bed and snuggled against his blanket. Kenma had closed the door behind them, him taking off his hoodie.
“Why didn’t you answer my calls or texts? Surely the game couldn’t be that intense for you.” Tetsurou chided and he noticed the way Kenma froze for a second. “I just need a text y’know?”
“We…I got sidetracked.” Kenma mumbled, turning away from Tetsurou’s questioning gaze.
“Sidetracked…oh...oh.”
“Shut up. It’s nothing like that.”
“I’m not saying anything.”
Kenma scowled at him before lying on his bed and burying his face into the blanket. Tetsurou decided to change the subject.
“So Bokuto had to attend what seems like a confession meeting with his crush.”
“Is he really confessing?” Kenma snorted from under the blanket and Tetsurou let out a chuckle.
“Unbelievably his crush took the lead.”
“They’ll regret it soon.”
“Nah, Bo’s a cool dude. Who knows? It might work.”
Silence hung between them now and Tetsurou decided to take this as a hint to go to sleep. (Despite popular belief, Tetsurou still preferred to sleep at nights when he wasn’t looking for food.) He was about to bid Kenma goodnight when the other asked,
“Is Yachi going to come tomorrow?”
“Yeah, she just wants to do one more coat just in case.” Tetsurou replied and then began to muse out on his own accord, “She was very nervous today because her new roommate was moving in with her. Also she’s a fan of Kiyoko.” He chuckled at the memory of the girl flailing at the mention of the witch. (Kiyoko happened to be a powerful witch who was currently mixing in with humans to avoid unfriendly beings asking for vials, potions and spells. Her work was admirable and Tetsurou had known her for over twenty years. Strange how they were in the same location and yet they rarely talked. But Kiyoko was mostly indifferent and Tetsurou found ease in louder and livelier groups.)
He began to tell Kenma about the conversation he had with Yachi, he found the girl way too interesting. She was a bit different and her ability to over exaggerate a scenario amused him too much. He did like the way she expressed her interests, the small smile on her lips and her movements would be calmer and less rigid.
“Daichi-san commented that you seemed too close to her.”
“I was just trying to make her feel comfortable. Tsukki was glaring daggers at her.” Tetsurou placed a hand over his heart. “I was doing a good deed.”
Kenma hummed in reply before letting out a yawn. “Fine. Shouyou will hunt you down if you hurt Yachi though. Goodnight.”
“Wait do people actually believe- do you believe?!” Tetsurou looked towards Kenma’s bed and saw the other turned his back to him. “We’re nothing like that. I can’t fall in love with humans. That’s just bad plot.”
“Whatever Kuro.” Kenma replied sleepily.
Tetsurou huffed out before pulling the pillows on either side of his head. He wouldn’t think of such petty things. Why should he anyways?
Bokuto would be laughing at him- except he didn’t know what Tetsurou really was. He’d still find his amusement in the petty details of Tetsurou’s life. But since he was a good friend, Tetsurou hoped that Bokuto’s meeting had went well and he was back safe in his dorm.
She found herself in the gym again. The aura of her surroundings was less intimidating than the first time she had entered. She had begun on the banner as the volleyball members entered the gym from time to time. Shouyou was the first one along with Kageyama, followed by the Tanaka and Tora, the tall glasses man, Kenma with the really tall half-Russian…and yet Kuroo had not arrived.
She was actually hoping he’d be the first one she’d meet at the gym because she had exciting news. It was only when messy black hair poked into the gym that Hitoka nearly spilled the paint. Kuroo walked towards her in a confident swagger. A lopsided grin played on his lips as he peered at the banner.
“Looks good Yachi-san.” He complimented her.
“It’s nothing really!” Hitoka replied hurriedly. “I have to tell you something Kuroo-san.”
Kuroo raised a brow. “You look excited. Good roommate?” He guessed.
“Yes!” realizing her tone was too high as the tall glasses guy and Daichi glanced at their direction, she hushed it. “My roommate is Kiyoko-san!”
She saw the smirk on Kuroo’s face turn into a genuine smile.
“That’s great news! She’s very dependable.”
“I know! And I nearly knocked over all my books on my desk when she entered! I thought she had entered the wrong room but she said my name and introduced herself as my new roommate!” Talking too fast, Hitoka ran short of breath and she paused with coughing.
“You can now be friends with her, like you wanted.” He said softly and Hitoka blushed.
“It…it seems like I planned this all along doesn’t it?! It’s the perfect crime.” She covered her face.
“Well I think it’s-.”
Kuroo was interrupted by a loud ‘Hey, hey, hey!’ and Hitoka jumped at the booming voice. At the entrance stood a tall, built guy who had his hands on his hips and he greeted people lively. Hitoka would have been intimidated by him too, given his large eyes and figure but it was the hair that made him look slightly comical. It was styled to resemble two horns with black and silver streaks, which made Hitoka wonder if he was trying to imitate a horned owl.
“Hey Bo.” Kuroo greeted and then stopped to look at the guy. A smirk played on his lips and he cheekily went, “Ohohohoho?”
Bo, Hitoka observed, got some sort of cryptic message as he replied in a raised brow.
“Ohohohohohohoho?”
What was going on?
“Looks like Bokuto had a good time.” Kuroo announced and Hitoka heard Daichi’s groan from across the gym. Kuroo jerked his chin towards the band aid on Bokuto’s neck.
“Oh yeah…” Bokuto smiled, almost nervously as he kept a hand over the band aid. “There were like zero boundaries.”
His sentence was met with more groans and the tall glasses guy’s ‘disgusting’. Shouyou was the only one who showed genuine happiness and Kageyama congratulated Bokuto.
Hitoka, however, blushed at the implication. People can be so bold!
Kuroo noticed her amidst all this and said, “Yachi-san, this is our ace Bokuto Koutarou. Bo, this is Yachi-san and she saved our team pride by making a new banner for us.”
Bokuto’s nervousness was replaced with a beaming smile and he shook her hand enthusiastically. “I was afraid we’d never get the team spirit back!”
“Bokuto was upset the most. He wanted to hold a proper funeral for our last banner.”
A loud squawk came from Bokuto who punched Kuroo’s side lightly. “It was murdered bro. It was the least we could do!”
“It was an inanimate object. Let it go.”
“I’d sing the song, but never will I let it go.”
“But we have a new banner for the Foxes right?” Hitoka offered in between the two arguing. She squeaked when they both turned to her but they both nodded.
“We’ll treat this one with care Yacchin.”
“Yacchin?”
“He likes giving nicknames to people at first. Yours sounds cute.” Kuroo grinned before scowling at Bokuto. “This idiot called me Stinky Cat for a whole semester.”
“You liked it though.” Kenma said and Kuroo gasped.
“No!”
“Will you all do your warmups?!” Daichi’s voice rattled the whole gym and silence soon followed after.
“Thank you for your help!” The whole team-minus Tsukishima, bowed.
Yachi looked taken aback as she shook her head and said it was no need to be so formal and it really was nothing at all and she was glad to be of help. Tetsurou had once again asked if he could escort her to the girls’ dorm to which Yachi agreed without question.
Lev held his Cheshire smile and asked, “Are you both dating?”
To which Tetsurou, Yachi and Hinata both exclaimed, “No!”
Tetsurou coughed. “Lev, you say something as ridiculous as that again and I’ll personally see to your training.”
Lev paled at that and he turned towards Yaku and started talking about the weather.
“Lev can be like that.” Hinata said to Yachi. “Sometimes it’s best to ignore him.”
Kenma pinched his arm at which Hinata yelped. “That’s some advice coming from you.”
Hinata flushed at that and Yachi looked at them confused. “What?”
“Yachi-san, I can assure you it’s a tale for another time.” He winked at Hinata and walked out of the gym.
Yachi followed him and soon they were walking side by side again.
“Hinata-kun said not to do anything sketchy.” Yachi laughed nervously. “People can be so weird.”
“Yeah, I’m fine with being friends Yachi-san. Nothing more.”
His phone buzzed and Tetsurou received a text from Kenma.
>From: Kenma [6:44 pm]
You wish you were, remember your last night rambling
He shoved the phone back in his pocket and decided to change the subject. He didn’t want to make things awkward between them. He just happened to like the girl for her honesty and sincerity.
(Also he strongly believed Kenma was a psychic. A better psychic than all those he had met years back. He loved how they would always predict death for him and he’d flash his fangs to see their faces go white. That was before the Brotherhood and the Vampire Hunting Association formally established.)
“So, how are your art classes going?”
Yachi seemed to brighten at that. “Actually there’s one thing else I wanted to ask you! Or Daichi-san actually…”
“What is it?”
Yachi looked up to him, her hands fumbling with the strap of her bag. “Well, I was wondering if I could attend your practices for anatomy references…I have to observe six people: three girls and three boys. So I was wondering?”
“We won’t be still though.” Tetsurou frowned.
“That’s alright! I can do it during your breaks! I mean it came to me because I realized that you have a nice side profile to draw- not in a weird stalker way!- and then Shouyou gave me the idea and…”
“Alright.” Tetsurou grinned. “I’m so honored that my side profile is attractive.”
(He didn’t remember how his side profile looked like. In fact he didn’t remember his face at all.)
Yachi blushed and she flailed. “Nothing suggestive!” she squeaked out.
(Okay he made it awkward. Good job.)
Tetsurou shook his head. “I was just teasing. Sorry about that. But I’m sure Daichi and the others won’t mind it.”
Yachi seemed to calm down at that, her cheeks still dusted with pink. “Oh, thank you.”
They had reached the girls’ dorm and Tetsurou bade her farewell.
“Oh, and Kuroo-san?”
“Yes?”
Yachi looked at him with a nervous smile. “Before Bokuto-san came in, what were you going to say?”
Tetsurou paused and thought back. They were talking about Kiyoko right? And about the two girls being roommates.
“I was saying that I thought it was fate actually.” He replied and Yachi beamed.
“I was so nervous! But she’s really nice and she had these small plants and her things seem so fancy and she even gave me a small cacti plant as a present for my desk. She really likes those cacti plants. She also complimented me on the piece I was working on and she’s so nice and… I should thank fate shouldn’t I?”
“I think you should.” Tetsurou chuckled.
“Thank you.” Yachi said, surprising him. She quickly turned on her heel and walked hurriedly away.
Tetsurou stood there, stunned for a while, taking in what Yachi could have implied by that. He wasn’t fate. Maybe she was just thanking him for walking her to her dorm. That was probably it. He sighed and turned around only to realize he should have asked for her number so that they could be in contact.
(Did he really need her number though? Why was the 21st century so complicated?!)
He decided to blame it on Kenma. He had sent that text message anyways.
>To: Kenma [8:01 pm]
Stop suggesting things
>From: Kenma [8:01 pm]
Rly
>To: Kenma [8:02 pm]
Just stop
>From: Kenma [8:02 pm]
You like her
>To: Kenma [8:02 pm]
I don’t
>From: Kenma [8:03 pm]
You do
>To: Kenma [8:03 pm]
I’m a vampire. I don’t /like/ romantically
>From: Kenma [8:04 pm]
Whatever you say