Chapter Text
Akaashi Keji followed closely behind a blonde haired boy. He took him to a claustrophobic bar with darkened windows, tables pushed against chairs, and people touching shoulders. Kenma watched the show every second weekend when this duo played at this sketchy venue. The beat of the drums echoed in his bones and he grabbed Kenma’s hand so he didn’t lose him in the crowd. He only tugged him along to the very front.
The music faded to a quiet track, maybe a warm up between songs. Kenma took this opportunity to lean into his ear, “They started before their time slot, I wonder if the previous band dropped out.”
“Could be. Do they have enough songs to play to the very end?” Akaashi wasn’t too involved in them, his friendship with Kenma had been getting closer in the past few months so he thought it was time to finally meet his best friend.
“Unlikely, Bokuto hasn’t been practicing enough to pick up anything new. But Tetsurou could solo if he wanted to.” Kenma mumbled, glancing up with Kuroo. He observed his hair sticking to his forehead with sweat already, the temperature in the room heightened with the buzzing stage lights. Catching his eyes in the crowd Kuroo gave him knowing smirk before continuing his verse. Kenma narrowed his eyes back at him and turned away, toteing Akaashi behind him.
They sat at a table in the back with hard wooden chairs and two empty coasters. The air was lighter and the music sat in the background. A server with silver hair and tight pants came around to ask if they wanted a drink. “A vodka cranberry and …” Akaashi looked over at Kenma with eyes fixed on stage who seemed less excited than when they came in, “Pepsi with a shot on the side.”
It was nearing the end of their slot when the band’s exhaustion was beginning to show. However the crowd didn’t falter and still cheered on the next song. What looked like the bar’s manager pulled Kuroo aside during a short break while Bokuto soloed on the drums, they announced their time was up. The manager was firm, but slapped Kuroo’s back with approval of his contribution to the attendance at his bar. He carried on the high five to Bokuto, as they packed up their stuff for the next band.
It didn’t take long for Kuroo to find Kenma and Akaashi across the bar, wrapping his childhood friend in a pumped up sweaty embrace. “Tetsurou! You stink!” Kenma hissed, palms slipping on the exposed skin of Kuroo’s shoulders.
“Let’s sit in our usual spot, Bokuto is grabbing drinks.” Kuroo gave him a toothy grin, “And you can tell me how great I did.”
Kenma led them to an old velvet couch pushed up against the far wall of the bar, “Akaashi-san right? Can you find Bo at the bar and help him?” Kuroo shoved his thumb at the busy counter.
Akaashi nodded, glancing at Kenma to gauge his reaction. There was nothing. So he made his way to the bar only to forget to ask what Bokuto-san looked like. He saw him on the stage but the back where the drum kit sat seemed to be much darker than the rest of the stage.
Light hair… ripped tank top matching Kuroo-san’s….
While searching the crowd he bumped into someone backing up with drinks. The mess was minimal thanks to Akaashi’s quick reflexes and the closed bottle tops.
“I’m so sorry!” The man fumbled words and liquids, “Oh wow.”
Akaashi cocked his head, handing him one of the bottles, “No, I wasn’t looking…”
The bottles pressed up against the man’s chest harder, Akaashi thought they might burst. “Um, let me buy you a drink!”
“That’s not necessary… I’m just looking for someone.” He shook his head, examining the man farther. Light hair, white even, with dark streaks and a homemade tank top, ripped sleeves just like Kuroo’s. “Bokuto-san?”
“Yes! How did you know!?” His golden eyes widened just like an owl’s.
“I’m Kenma Kozume’s friend, we watched your show. Kuroo asked me to come help you.”
“Oh and you did help me!” Bokuto’s laughter bubbled from his chest, handing him the drinks, “And what did you want?” Akaashi swallowed, gripping the three drinks uneasily, “Just a water.”
By the time they made it back to velvet couch Bokuto had Akaashi laughing, a sound he wouldn’t ever take for granted. Kuroo was tucked into the corner spot and his arm sprawled above Kenma’s head rest. Their conversation was soft and both seemed more relaxed than when Akaashi left.
Bokuto sat on the coffee table in front of them, setting the drinks down one by one. “Got everyone their usual, hope that’s okay. I heard you were drinking during the show though, kinda unusual so we got you water as well.” Bokuto smiled at Kenma, giving him the glass.
Kuroo furrowed his brows, watching Kenma drink the water. Akaashi sandwiched Kenma in the middle, legs crossed as he watched Kuroo watching Kenma. After a moment he reached out his hand, “I’m Akaashi Keji by the way. Seems like you knew who I was but let's be official.”
“Yes, Akaashi-san!” Kuroo finally turned his attention over to him, taking his hand in a strong shake, “I heard so much about you it’s like we already met.” He laughed obnoxiously, hoping to over compensate.
“I enjoyed your music, for two people there was a lot of energy.” Akaashi added.
“Thanks man, I couldn’t do it without Bo. Though, we could always use a backup guitarist.” Kuroo poked Kenma’s pouting cheek.
“Go ask your boyfriend, he plays guitar.” Kenma rolled his eyes, now sipping the alcoholic drink Bokuto also brought.
“Ah, I miss playing with Tsukishima!” Bokuto exhaled, leaning back on the table until it groaned.
“It’s not the same.” Kuroo put his feet up on Bokuto’s lap, ready to push him over.
Akaashi tilted his head, “What do you mean it’s not the same?”
Kuroo stumbled on his words, “Well you know.. It’s like… Me and Kozume have been practicing together since middle school…’
“Kenma is much better at jam sessions, he can predict what direction we are going to go, he keeps up the vibes.” Bokuto helped out.
“Yeah, and Tsuki has more technical skill so his range is larger.” Kuroo mumbled.
“Except he will try to push us a different way and get frustrated easily.”
Akaashi nodded, absorbing this information, “Sounds like Kenma is just a better fit then, chemistry in a band is very important.”
“Sounds like you might be biased though.” Kuroo smirked at his own retort.
“Kenma is my friend, I am more likely to side with him. However…”
“However, I am not looking to be a band. I have full time classes unlike some of you.” Kenma stood up, “Bathroom.” he said quietly before leaving them in silence.