Chapter Text
3rd POV
Akaashi watched in tears as Bokuto walked across the stage in front of him. Those tears were passed off as happy tears, the two hugging and Akaashi announcing how proud of Bokuto he was.
Those tears were anything but happy, however.
Watching Bokuto walk across the stage, watching him look at the diploma in his hands like it was everything in life he had ever hoped. He was so excited. So excited.. Akaashi couldn't ruin that.
"What do you think Akaashi?!" Bokuto asked excitedly, his graduation cap bouncing on his head as he jumped up and down like an excited child.
Akaashi smiled a partially fake smile and wiped his tears.
"I'm so proud of you Bokuto-san. I always knew you would graduate." Akaashi said, reminding himself. He always knew Bokuto would graduate. He knew that when he chose to come to Fukurodani and follow in Bokuto's foot steps. He couldn't be sad now. He had been preparing for this day ever since Bokuto and Akaashi became friends.
"Really? I didn't! Thought I'd flunk out before I made it to the second year!" Bokuto said happily, clutching the diploma in his hands.
Akaashi laughed. "No, you're much to smart for that Bokuto-san." Akaashi promised, looking down.
Now was as good as any to confess his feelings. The last time he could be Bokuto for years. He still couldn't muster the strength. After a year and a half of struggling he still couldn't do it.
"Bokuto-san-" Akaashi spat out before thinking. Luckily, Bokuto had started talking at the exact same time, drowning out his voice.
"I've been thinking about it Akaashi, you know. When you asked me what college I would be going to. I've decided." Bokuto said excitedly.
Akaashi let out a shaky breath, preparing himself for the worst. He knew it was coming. He knew it was. There was no need to get upset, they can always text and call whenever they wanted.
"Oh? Where will you be applying to Bokuto-san?" Akaashi asked calmly.
"Stanford University. They have a great program for athletic students. In fact many professional athletes graduated from that college." Bokuto explained excitedly, a glint in his eyes.
Stanford? That's.. that's in California. That's almost 6000 miles away..
Akaashi shakily nodded. "Yeah? I doubt they could turn down someone like you." Akaashi encouraged.
He didn't want Bokuto to go.. Bokuto was close to being his everything. Nothing would have meaning anymore is Bokuto just up and left to pursue his career. But that's exactly what Bokuto was doing- pursuing his career. Akaashi had to be supportive of that fact because no way in hell would be hold Bokuto back.
"Oh, they already excepted me months ago!" Bokuto said happily, blatantly unaware of the painful look on Akaashi's face.
Months ago.. huh
"Wh-when do you think you'll be leaving, Bokuto-san?" Akaashi asked.
"They said I was supposed to be there days ago. I told them about graduation and they pushed it back a little further. I have until they end of the week to get there." Bokuto said.
Akaashi felt like he had taken a physical blow to the gut. Less than a week to come to terms with the fact that Bokuto wouldn't be there anymore.. Bokuto would no longer spike his sets.. Bokuto would no longer be the only part of Akaashi's day that was eventful in a good way.. Bokuto would be 6000 miles away in a place where Akaashi couldn't visit because a flight like that's no doubt costs hundreds of thousands of yen.
"Less than.. a week.." Akaashi mumbled, tears cascading down his cheeks.
They wouldn't even have the summer to spend together. No, they had less than a week for Akaashi to get over himself and say goodbye without holding Bokuto back.
"Isn't it great Akaashi!" Bokuto asked excitedly, seemingly day dreaming. "I'll be able to play volleyball with other great volleyball players! I mean you won't be there so it won't be all that good but it'll be ok! Plus I'll fly back here when you graduate too! You have to make sure to try and come to Stanford ok?!" Bokuto said, suddenly looking to Akaashi again.
Akaashi didn't have time to mask the utter fear and sadness of Bokuto leaving him.
It should have been the other way around. Some people would be relieved to have Bokuto off of their hands. But Akaashi relied on Bokuto just as much as Bokuto relied on Akaashi. The times Akaashi got too caught up in school and forgot to eat and sleep, Bokuto was there to take care of him. The times Akaashi utterly overworked himself and got sick, Bokuto was there to take care of him. The times Akaashi just had a bad day and needed someone to make it a little better, Bokuto was there to take care of him.
Sure, Bokuto was slightly unreliable and crazy and his mood swings were worse than that of a girl during puberty, but Bokuto was more than anyone cared to see.
"Akaashi.." Bokuto whispered, cupping Akaashi's face like he's done so many times.
This time it felt like Bokuto was saying goodbye instead of comforting him. And the thought alone caused the tears the roll from his glossy eyes faster.
"Oh 'Kaashi, don't be sad." Bokuto whispered, "I'll be back before you know it."
—————
The year passed by and Akaashi was an - almost - graduates third year. He had dropped volleyball, couldn't bear setting to someone who wasn't Bokuto. He tried to keep his grades up, which worked for the most part, but it wasn't the same.
Him and Bokuto rarely texted like promised. That was to be expected. Stanford was a great school that offered nothing but the best for Bokuto, but to keep on his yearly scholarship his grades must be decent. So slowly, Akaashi stopped texting him. He needed to focus.
Akaashi saw Bokuto on TV regularly. He was doing great. He seemed to have gotten a hold of his mood swings for the most part and was a very reliable ace.
Akaashi no longer had friends. Anyone he was mutually acquainted with had graduated as well last year. And the volleyball club only wanted him back for his skills, not his friendship. Akaashi even moved out of his parent's house and got his own apartment with the money he had saved. That way he could wallow in the fear and darkness of being alone.
His phone rang, the only sound throughout the entire apartment. Loud and blaring. It gave Akaashi an immediate headache.
Akaashi got up, slumped from exhaustion and self pity, making his way across the living room the where his phone was still going off.
Akaashi looked at the contact before answering hesitantly.
"Bokuto-san." Akaashi greeted.
"Akaashi!" Bokuto yelled, panting like he was out of breath.
"Bokuto-san are you running while on your phone? That's not safe." Akaashi commented.
"Why aren't you at the graduation ceremony?!" Bokuto asked instead.
"Because if I miss it they'll give me my diploma on Monday anyway." Akaashi answered briefly. "How did you know I wasn't at the ceremony?"
"Hinata called me! He said Kuroo was visiting from Washington and so he and Kenma were going to the ceremony. But Kenma couldn't find you so he called Hinata and Hinata called me! What's going on 'Kaashi?" Bokuto asked, his breathing a little more even now.
"Nothing, I just think having a big celebration for getting past 12 years of teachers drilling useless knowledge into your brain is kinda stupid." Akaashi commented.
He had changed a lot. Was more outright about how he put things, less nonchalant. He didn't care anymore. Bokuto wasn't by his side.
A knock sounded at the door and Akaashi sighed.
"I'm sorry Bokuto-san. I'll talk to you later." Akaashi said, hanging up before putting his phone down.
He grabbed his wallet, assuming the pizza he ordered was here.
He opened the squeaky door and looked up at the delivery boy carrying two pizzas.
"Uh.. I'm sorry, I only ordered one. You must have the wrong house sir." Akaashi informed, going to close his door.
"I came all the way from California and you won't eat pizza with me? What a let down."
Akaashi's heart jumped out of his chest at the familiar voice. He flung his door open and spun around. The delivery boy was gone, in turn stood Bokuto carrying the two pizzas.
All Akaashi could hear was the pounding of his heart beat in his ears. Was this actually happening? Was this a dream? His carefully put together mask fell apart instantly and he wore a look of brokenness yet again.
Bokuto gave him a smile. "Can I come in?"
Instead of answering, or letting Bokuto in, Akaashi grabbed the pizzas, put them on the ground, and hugged Bokuto as tight as he possibly could. This was real- this was actually happening. Bokuto was standing in front of him with a big smile and a duffle bag of stuff.
"Y-you're.. you're.." Akaashi couldn't even get the sentence out, gripping onto the back of Bokuto's shirt as tight as he could.
"If you aren't going to the ceremony, how about we go inside and eat pizza to celebrate?" Bokuto asked, mumbling against Akaashi's neck.
"B-Bokuto.." Akaashi sobbed.
"I told you I'd be back sooner than you thought.." Bokuto whispered, helping Akaashi and the pizzas into the apartment.
Bokuto let go of Akaashi and dug around in the duffel bag he had brought. He carefully brought out a piece of filled out paper.
"So, no pressure." Bokuto started with a small laugh as he sat down with Akaashi on the couch. "But Stanford has heard a lot about you these past few months and they've really had an eye on you.." Bokuto trailed off.
Akaashi eyes lit up. "Y-you mean.."
"I've talked them into giving you a full scholarship for four years of college, they just need you to sign the papers." Bokuto gently pushed the papers in Akaashi's hands. "When I go back at the end of the month, I have to give that to them."
"You're staying for a month?!" Akaashi asked suddenly.
Bokuto smiled. "Apparently American schools have this thing called winter break for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's a really long break that you spend with your family." The male explained.
"Oh my lord Bokuto-San.. I've missed you.."
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear you say my name in person again."