Chapter Text
They had been playing volleyball together for two years. Coincidentally that was also how long it had taken Akaashi to fall in love with Bokuto. Or more specifically, how long it had taken Akaashi to realize he had fallen in love with Bokuto. Akaashi couldn’t believe his luck. Not only had he fallen in love with Bokuto, whose first and only love would probably only ever be volleyball, but he had realized it much too late. In a month, Bokuto would graduate and Akaashi would still be here. He chuckled at the absurdity of it all.
“What’s so funny, Akaashi?”
Akaashi opened his mouth to lie to Bokuto but before he could say anything, Bokuto was talking again. “You know what was really funny? The look on Washio’s face when I hit that line shot today. Did you see it, Akaashi?”
This time, Akaashi didn’t bother to try answering. It had become something of a routine for Akaashi and Bokuto. They often walked home together after practice, especially since more often than not, they were the last two people in the gym. They spent most of their walks home with Akaashi listening to Bokuto talk about all the ‘cool’ things he had done during practice. Which, of course, Akaashi had seen all of them. Even when he wasn’t looking directly at Bokuto, because he was focused on other parts of the court, he was still looking at Bokuto. Akaashi was surprised that anyone could ever stop looking at Bokuto when he was on a volleyball court. To him, Bokuto was the sun of the court and everyone else was revolving around him.
“Plus, my cross shot was looking super sharp today. Even Komi was having a hard time digging it. I’m glad, I’m not the only third year who is still coming to practice even though the season is over. Although, I do come more than everyone else. I probably shouldn’t come so much. Right, Akaashi? I definitely need to study more. If only I was as good at school as I am at volleyball. Speaking of being good at volleyball, do you want to hang out with Kuroo and Kenma this weekend? Oh, but Kuroo is probably studying and Kenma probably has some new game he wants to play. Maybe we could go over to Kuroo’s place and study. And then we could take a break and play volleyball.”
Akaashi fought to keep the smile off his face. It was always like this. Bokuto asked Akaashi a lot of questions without giving him time to answer them. Of course, the answer was usually yes. Of course, sometimes Akaashi was left in the dark about things that he had “agreed” to do. So it would sometimes come as a surprise when Bokuto texted him on a Saturday morning to remind him that they had plans with Kuroo or that Akaashi had agreed to help him practice spiking or honestly any number of crazy ideas. Akaashi had quickly learned to keep his Saturday’s open for Bokuto.
Usually, Akaashi only heard about half of the things Bokuto said on their walks home, preferring instead to listen to the excited hitch that always seemed to be present in everything he said. Akaashi wasn’t even sure that Bokuto was sure what he was talking about half the time. Akaashi promised himself he was going to listen more, starting now.
“Man, I can’t believe graduation is only a month away. It feels weird. Although, I guess not that much is going to change. Except, I’ll get to play volleyball even more than I do now. Practice for the U-19 team is going to start right after graduation. That’s really exciting. Although I’ll miss your sets, Akaashi. Gah!”
Akaashi was startled by the weird noise Bokuto had made and he turned his head to get a better look at Bokuto’s face. His face was determined but at the same time he looked like he was ready to burst out of his skin.
“I wish we could practice some more now! I really want to work on my wipes. Hoshiumi was really good at wipes. Oh speaking of really good, Atsumu is good at spike servers and jump floaters. Do you think I should learn how to do a jump floater? Then I would really be the best. I wonder if Ushijima is working on a jump floater. If he does that, then he might be the best. I can’t let him beat me.”
Akaashi just shook his head. He would never stop being amazed at Bokuto’s endless supply of energy or his constant need for more. Akaashi could feel his disappointment increasing as his surroundings became more and more familiar to him. They had almost reached his house, and the point where the two of them would go their separate ways. Akaashi wanted Bokuto to keep rambling. He wanted to ask him to keep talking about all the volleyball skills he wanted to improve. He wanted to hear Bokuto talk about the U-19 team and brag about how good his spikes were looking. He wanted to hear Bokuto brag about how he had helped Hinata get better at fighting in the air. Akaashi just wanted to hear Bokuto talk more about anything.
He would never admit that though, so instead he said, “Ah, looks like I’m home. See ya, Bokuto.”
“Bye, Akaashi! I’m going to text Kuroo right now to see if he wants to study on Saturday. I’ll tell him to invite Kenma too. Although Kenma will probably just play video games the whole time. Not that, that matters, because if Kenma is there we’ll have another setter for when we take a study break. Maybe we should invite two more people cause then we might be able to play a three-on-three. Anyway, bye, Akaashi! I’ll text you and stop by in the morning!”
Akaashi shook his head in astonishment. “I thought you said you were going to stop coming to practice so much?”
“Ehh,” Bokuto’s face contorted with confusion. “When did I say that? Oh yeah, but if we’re going to play a three-on-three with Kuroo then I have to be on top of my game. I can’t let that smug bastard beat me. I’ll start coming less next week.”
Akaashi would believe that when he saw it. With one final wave to Bokuto, Akaashi unlocked the door to his house and walked in. “I’m home.” When there was no reply, Akaashi let out a breath and banged his head against the door.
“What am I going to do when this is all over?”