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„Kuroo!!“ „Bokuto!“ The two Tokyo captains hugged each other pretty long and grinned at each other. „I'm glad you could all make it.“, Kuroo announced towards half the Fukurodani volleyball club regulars. „Hey, Akaashi.“, he greeted him with a fistbump. „Hello, Pa- Kuroo-san.“ Kuroo always wondered why Akaashi often started with a „pa“ or „pai“ but decided it was smarter not to ask. While Kuroo greeted the other owls, Akaashi stepped next to Bokuto who was talking to Kai and Yaku. „Ah, there he is.“, Bokuto grabbed Akaashi by the shoulders and shook him a little in excitement. Akaashi nodded a greeting and Kai smiled back „So you're the guy Kuroo was talking about.“, Yaku snickered, Akaashi didn't know what he meant but didn't get the chance to ask when Kuroo called them. „Let's go! Stay together, I don't want to lose anyone and have to search for any lost owl.“ Bokuto and Kuroo had decided to throw a little party before sylvester together since Kuroos parents weren't at home during that time. Bokuto invited some of the club members and Kuroo some of his. When they entered the living room there were snacks and drinks already waiting for them on the table. „Dig in, make yourself at home.“, Kuroo offered, „the bathroom is the first on the left.“ They all sat down chatting with each other and laughing. Akaashi was sitting on the couch between Bokuto and Washio. He still didn't know why he agreed to come, partys weren't really his thing. He took a glass of water and looked around. Even if the two teams were rivals they were also friends with each other. Bokuto was laughing with Kai, Kuroo was busy discussing with Konoha and Komi and Yaku was talking to Washio and Sarukui. Akaashi sipped on his water, it's probably because it's my last New Year's Eve with Bokuto-san and the other third years, he thought and almost choked on his water. He looked around once more and noticed Yaku grinning at him cheekily. He turned towards Bokuto tapping his shoulder. „Bokuto-san..“, he said when the ace looked at him curiously, „why am I the only second year here?“ Bokuto looked confused asking „Don't you wanna spend the last day of the year with your awesome senpais?“ Akaashi shook his head „No, that's not what I meant..“ But Bokuto didn't listen anymore. „Let's have fun together with the cats, okay?“, he grinned and got up towards Kuroo. „I guess I don't have a choice now anymore anyways.“, Akaashi murmured, „and it's not as if I have other plans for today either.“ Kai looked at him in sympathy „What did Bokuto tell you that you decided to come along?“ Before Akaashi could answer Bokuto stepped in again „I just asked if he wanted to spend the day today with me, Kuroo and some friends and he agreed almost immediatelly, didn't you Akaashi?“ He poked with his elbow the setter in the ribs as if to get a faster answer out of him that way. „I did, Bokuto-san..“, Akaashi panted holding his side, „I don't really mind either now that I know but I wish you would have told me more details.“ Bokuto suddenly looked worried but lightened up a second later looking at Kuroo „Isn't Kozume coming? He could spend some time with Akaashi so he doesn't feel weird being the only second year here.“ Kuroo shook his head „Nah man, no chance. But I'll spend New Year's Eve with him and his family, they invited me when they found out my parents are out of town.“ „That's so nice!“, Bokuto said excited. „Hey let's play some games already!“, Yaku interrupted calling them together. Kuroo put a hand on Akaashis shoulder and they looked at each other for a moment before Kuroo said an honest sounding „I'm really sorry for you“ with a smirk that suggested that he wasn't really sorry at all but more amused. They played Mario cart against each other, while Kuroo, Yaku and Konoha were pretty good, Kai and Bokuto didn't do so well. „Aw man, I really suck at this game.“, Bokuto growled bending with the wheel into a sharp curve „.Kuroo, stop throwing banana peels at me!“, Yaku yelled, Kuroo just answered with a hideous laugh. Akaashi observed the third years from his seat and had to admit that he admired them for being so carefree. They had less than half a year until their graduation and the most stress with exams was just waiting for them. He had to smile noticing that he worried more than his upperclassmen appearantly. „Akaashi!“ he heard Bokuto yelling and snapped out of his thoughts. A whiny Bokuto stood in front of him pointing at Kuroo. „Kuroo isn't playing fair, defeat him for me, will you?“ „You just suck, bro!“, Kuroo yelled back pushing Kai out of the track. Akaashi sighed already deciding to play for Bokuto but the latter interpreted it as being annoyed and added a nice „Please?“ with the most hopeful smile Akaashi had ever seen. He had to chuckle seeing it and Bokutos mood lightened up. He dragged Akaashi in front of the TV and sticked out his tongue at Kuroo who just gave him a „Tsk!“ and to Akaashi „Let's see if I can beat both of you owls.“ It ended in screams and shoutings at each other, stamping with feet and laughter. „You cheater!“, Kuroo accused the setter but Akaashi just shrugged grinning „I just used the same methods as you pai- Kuroo-san.“ Before Kuroo could respond the doorbell rang and they could hear Kuroo apologizing to probably a neighbour. It got quiet and when Kuroo came back a few suppressed their laughter. „Very funny, got it.“, Kuroo said with a little annoyance in his voice. „We should have thought about it.“, Kai said apologetic but Yaku disagreed „It's New Year's Eve, they obviously weren't working anymore and we needed that fun. If Kuroo isn't that loud otherwise I think it's okay for once to just think about us having a good time.“ „Guess you're right.“, Sarukui said, „But we should better do something less competitive.“ Konoha nodded „I don't know if Bokuto told you guys already but we have some sparklers for later.“ Kai looked outside the window „It slowly gets darker. We could eat the rest junk that's lying here and then slowly end the meeting with it.“ The others agreed grabbing the snacks and talking some more. „Hey.“ Akaashi turned around to see who talked to him. To his dismiss it was Kuroo and he slightly squinted his eyes. „I got curious now.“, he said taking a sip of coke, „why you always address to me as 'pa' or 'pai' before saying my full name.“ He raised an eyebrow at the uncomfortable looking Akaashi. „I'd rather not-“, he started but of course Bokuto overheard their conversation and said laughing „It's your nickname we have for you.“ Just when Akaashi thought Bokuto would reveal it his eyes got a serious glance and he continued „but unfortunatelity I can't tell you. It's between Akaashi and me. Right?“ Akaashi nodded astonished and Bokuto grinned happily at him. „Whatever man.“, Kuroo played it cool but Yaku knew that he was pissed and snickered. He found Bokutos and Akaashis senpai-kouhai relationship adorable and hoped that Lev would someday be easier to talk to as well. „I need to go to the bathroom, then we can go outside.“, Komi announced and Konoha joked „Nah I think we'll just go without you.“ Komi grinned back „Too bad I have the sparklers huh?“ Konoha laughed „God dammit, hurry then.“ When they got outside in the backyard of Kuroos house Akaashi tugged on Bokutos sleeve. „Why didn't you tell him?“, he asked, „I thought you were such close friends.“ Bokuto smiled „I didn't want him to get mad or anything. Today is supposed to be a happy day with no worries or bad feelings at all.“ Akaashi didn't have the heart to tell him that Kuroo was kinda mad for not telling him anyway but kept quiet. „Besides.“, Bokuto continued, „I really like it when we have our insiders just between us two, you know? Just like our promises when you have to toss to me or when I failed my maths exam.“ He looked a little more serious now. „Even though you have to practice that somehow, Akaashi.“ Akaashi chuckled „I will, Bokuto-san.“, he promised making Bokuto grin again. „How many sparklers did you buy?“, Yaku asked Washio. „It was a packet for ten, so one for each except Bokuto. He gets two.“ „Why that?“, Yaku asked curiously. „You'll see.“, was all Washio said with a little smile. They gathered around in a circle and lightened up their sparklers. It was silent between them as they watched it burn slowly. It was cold outside with the sky full of stars but they didn't bother at all. It was nice, the scenery, the company, the silence. It was calm and relaxing. Akaashi looked around to see everyone feeling and thinking the same and he was glad that the third years didn't think or worry about their future and lived in the moment for today. „Hey Akaashi.“, Kuroo whispered next to him, „you don't need to worry about us.“ Akaashi looked at him, blinked twice and didn't know what to say. Kuroo grinned in an honest way. „It was obvious, the way you observed us today.“, he sighed and looked at his sparkler, „we'll make it with our exams, no need to worry for us, you can't really help there so you better don't waste your energy pondering about it, okay? And for your own future.“ He paused to look at the second year student. „You have to worry even less. Fukurodani will be strong as always. Especially with a setter like you.“ Akaashi nodded „Thank you, Kuroo-san.“, he said and Kuroos smirk grew cheeky „Don't expect to win against us next time though.“, he cackled, „Nekomas future is even brighter.“ They got interrupted by Bokutos „Aw man!“ when his sparkler already burnt out. Yaku and Washio nodded at each other in understanding and Komi gave him another one. Bokuto looked happy, like a child that just got sweets. „He's always such an optimist.“, Kuroo snorted amused and Akaashi had to laugh. Bokuto looked up hearing it and grinned towards them. After all their sparklers burnt off the owls made their way back to their families to celebrate the rest evening and New Year's Eve together. „Thanks for having us!“, the owls bowed to Kuroo who waved it away. „Let's do it again, someday.“, he said and the other agreed. Yaku offered to make a groupchat so that they would keep in touch and while the others exchanged numbers Bokuto stepped next to Akaashi and Kuroo. „How did you like it today?“, he asked the setter. „It was surprisingly nice.“, he answered half joking, „But for some reason I thought at some point you would get emotional and.. I don't know.“ He shrugged and Bokuto and Kuroo had to laugh. „There's no need to get emotional when there's no reason yet!“, Bokuto patted Akaashis back a little too hard. „We needed this break from stress.“, Kuroo added, „and besides why should we get emotional when we already know we'll meet again sooner or later?“ He and Bokuto grinned and Akaashi had to smile too. „You're right. It was really enjoyable today.“, Akaashi agreed. „Don't think we won't share any tears at our graduation!“, Bokuto said, „but it's sooo long until then!“ Kuroo nodded „Stay in the here and now and try to make the best of it.“, he added when Konoha called for them „Come on or some of us will miss their busses!“ Bokuto and Kuroo hugged each other whispering something to each other. Kuroo gave a fistbump to Akaashi again „See you soon.“, he smirked and Akaashi nodded smiling. When they were near Bokutos house Akaashi had to ask him „What did you and Pain-in-the-ass-Kuroo-san say to each other?“ Bokutos eyes lightened up „Just how Fukurodani will win against them with or without me. They won't stay a chance against you!“ Akaashi felt happy and sad at the same time. He wasn't ready yet to say goodbye to his senpai so soon. He couldn't imagine practice without him and his loud voice, the bickering between the third years- but he had to remember the things Bokuto and Kuroo told him so he took a deep breath. „Thank you, Bokuto-san. For everything.“, he said and Bokuto looked at him surprised. „Akaashi, don't make it sound like a goodbye.“, he complained but still hugging him. „Our relationship won't change even if we don't see each other everyday anymore in half a year, okay?“, he whispered, „please promise me, Akaashi.“ Akaashi was surprised now as well. He had thought the third years wouldn't think about that yet really.. But of course they would and did, and of course it would always be in their minds and hearts. He should have known better when he saw Kuroos and Bokutos eyes. Akaashi hugged him tighter. „I promise, Bokuto-san.“, he said. Bokuto looked at him with teary eyes but wiped them away. „Let's have a good time, the time that's still there for us to enjoy together.“ Akaashi nodded again and when he made his way to home alone his heart didn't feel as heavy anymore, knowing that he would keep his promise.