Work Text:
You're fired.
The words seem to be on repeat in Akaashi's brain, a broken record.
You're fired, you're fired, you're fired.
It was the only thing he could focus on. He had walked into his workplace, a small building that printed magazines and newspapers and such, like any other normal day, had been called into his boss's office, not like any other normal day, and that was when the news had been delivered to him.
We've had some budget cuts, his boss looked nervous, so we have to let some people go. I'm sorry, Akaashi-san, but you're fired.
He's not quite sure how he reacted. He thinks he nodded his head and walked back to his desk to clear it out, his eyes unblinking and face blank. He had then made his way out of the building, barely acknowledging the good-bye, Akaashi-san, I wish you the bests that floated to his ears. He remembers walking down to his car, an old, rusty thing, that had had many owners before its current one; but it was Akaashi's, and he had brought it with his own money, and that was what had mattered.
And that was when he broke.
You're fired, you're fired, you're fired.
It was like his whole world had come crashing down, like he had come crashing down. He remembers barely being able to breathe and desperately looking for tissues while he attempted to do one of the breathing exercises he and Bokuto had practiced before.
It took a while, but he eventually found some tissues and succeeded at the breathing exercises.
He takes a deep breath, inhale, hold, exhale. it was like his entire world had turned black and he wasn't sure where to find light.
He takes another deep breath and starts to think. If his entire world had turned black, he just had to look for his star, right?
The Jackals have a practice match with the Adlers later today. It's still pretty early in the morning; if Akaashi, goes to the train station now and gets the earliest train to Osaka, he should be able to make it to the game.
Okay, this was okay, he was thinking rationally again. He would be okay.
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Akaashi was, in fact, not thinking rationally.
Of course, there would be security guards, of course; a whole gymnasium filled with professional, famous athletes and Akaashi thought he could just waltz himself in there.
"Please," he begs the security guard, "you have to let me in."
It's later in the day now, a little past noon, and Akaashi had woken up at seven thirty a.m. sharp to go to work and then he had gotten fired, not to mention survived a nearly three hour commute to Tokyo; Akaashi was tired, and cold, but mostly tired.
There are tears in his eyes and he isn't sure when he started to cry.
"I’m sorry, sir, but I cannot let you in unless you prove to me that you are acquaintances with at least one of the players," the security guard gives him the same answer he's been getting for the past ten minutes.
How was he supposed to do that? He couldn't call anyone in the middle of a match, there's no way they would pick up.
Akaashi's entire world has turned black and he is unable to reach his star.
He wipes his nose with the back of his hand and sniffs, deciding that he'll just wait until after the game to see Bokuto. He's not sure if he could survive in the dark for so long.
"Akaashi-san?" the subject of the question whips his head towards Miya Osamu, who seems to be carrying at least four bags that have the logo of Onigiri Miya printed on them, as he walks up the few stairs to the gym. "What are you doing here?"
Akaashi manages a weak smile. "I've had a rough day," he croaks out, and he himself can hear how broken he sounds.
Osamu's eyebrows furrow and he frowns. Thankfully, though, he doesn't question Akaashi further and instead says, "Well, I’m sure Bokuto-san will be happy to see you," he turns to the security guard, who is now watching the two of them with an odd look on his face, "he's with me."
The security guard simply grunts as he opens the door and allows the two men to walk into the building.
There's a comfortable silence between the two as they make their way to the gymnasium; Osamu has always been kind and respectful to him, and his appetizing food certainly did no harm in helping Akaashi warm up to him.
Akaashi knows they're close when he hears the familiar sound of the ball slapping the floor, the loud nice receives and nice kills echoing throughout the establishment.
Akaashi is very close to his star, can almost see the light.
He takes in a deep breath as he and Osamu finally, finally, enter the gymnasium. A quick glance at the scoreboard tells him that it's near the end of the first set, the MSBY Jackals at set point.
He finally looks at the court, eyes automatically searching for the familiar BOKUTO 12 imprinted on a black and gold jersey.
And, ah, there he is.
Akaashi smiles for the first time all day.
How lucky I must be, Akaashi thinks, to have a star of my own.
He watches, light entering his whole world, as Bokuto, his star, seems to fly in the air, and nails an insanely sharp line shot that leaves the Adlers in shock and gives the Jackals the first set.
Osamu and him make their way to the bench where Coach Foster had been spectating the game at the same time as the Jackals do, the former quickly making his way to make jabs at his twin.
Bokuto is talking to Hinata, and Akaashi wants to laugh because, well, he came looking for one star but there seem to be two right in front of him.
It doesn't take long really.
Akaashi counts to five before Bokuto glances his way, eyes widening as he does a double take.
Bokuto smiles so wide as an Akaaashii! leaves his lips and—
How foolish I have been, Akaashi thinks, to think that my world could ever be dark when I have a star like this.
His boyfriend tackles him in the tightest hug and Akaashi feels some energy return to him after this tiring day. He sighs into Bokuto's shoulder and inhales slowly, taking in his scent, and suddenly, it's like nothing matters. The chattering of the other players and coaches fades into the background as he takes in Bokuto, a star that burns so bright; he's not sure when the feeling of burning became so comforting.
Akaashi's world is so bright.
Bokuto pulls away suddenly, a gasp escaping his mouth, and Akaashi's eyebrows furrow as he tries to figure out what's wrong.
He doesn't have to wonder for long before Bokuto speaks, "Akaashi, I'm all sweaty and I just hugged you. Akaashi, I just ruined your coat," his boyfriend worries for no reason, pout already forming.
Akaashi laughs, again for the first time that day, and says, "It's alright, Bokuto-san. You haven't ruined anything."
"But Akaashi," Bokuto cuts himself off with another gasp and Akaashi prepares himself for another small concern. However, when Bokuto speaks this time, his voice is lower and he cradles his lover's face.
Ah, Akaashi thinks, he knows.
"Akaashi, have you been crying?" Bokuto whispers, concern painted across his whole face, his entire demeanor the opposite of what it was a couple of minutes ago.
Akaashi purses his lips and glances off to the side. He sighs for the nth time that day as he pats Bokuto's cheek softly.
"We'll talk later, okay? Focus on your game for now, love," he rasps out, a watery smile on his face.
Bokuto nods, though he looks apprehensive. Still, as he's walking away he gives Akaashi one last smile, which the aforementioned happily returns.
Akaashi's world seems to be blinding now.
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Akaashi rocks back and forth on his feet as he waits outside the MSBY locker room. Most of the players had already come out, a few of them politely greeting him.
The Jackals had won the game, winning two sets out of three, thanks to a certain owl-looking wing spiker being a little more motivated than usual.
The last person to walk out, as always, is Sakusa Kiyoomi. He looks at Akaashi with a slightly disgusted look as he speaks, "Bokuto-san says he's waiting for you in the locker room." He squints suspiciously at the end of his sentence, which lets Akaashi know that he definitely has the wrong idea.
However, Akaashi simply nods and waves at him as the spiker walks towards the twins. He takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for this conversation, and steps inside the locker room.
"Bokuto-san?" he questions, peering around the large room.
"Over here, 'kaashi," he hears his boyfriend's voice from the back, where Akaashi knows that there are more benches.
He quickly makes his way to the back of the changing room and sees Bokuto waiting for him on a bench with a soft smile gracing his face.
I guess the world really is nothing without it's star, Akaashi thinks, the feeling of fondness overtaking his veins.
"Hi," he breathes out.
Bokuto's smile widens as he pats the spot next to him with one hand and waves with the other. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Akaashi's world dims a bit as he takes a seat.
"I got fired."
Bokuto widens his eyes and his eyebrows raise as he lets out a soft oh , aware of how much his lover enjoyed his (past) job.
Akaashi continues, "They said they had some budget cuts and that-that they had to let some people go. I wish I was good enough to stay but I guess I wasn't and-"
"Hey, hey, hey," Bokuto cuts him off. "That doesn't mean you're not good enough. It just means you'll have more opportunities now. It'll be okay," Bokuto smiles easily.
Akaashi finds himself growing a little frustrated, his long day finally catching up to him. He can feel the furrow of his eyebrows and the slight aggravation crawling around his brain as he speaks, "It won't be okay, though. How am I supposed to pay my bills, Bokuto-san? Or my rent? Of course, I do have some money saved up, but how long will that really last me? And I know, I know you'll say that I can always ask you for money, Bokuto-san, but I don't want to!"
There are tears in his eyes and he isn't sure when he started yelling.
He stares back at Bokuto's shocked face, realizing what he just did, guilt replacing what had been anger.
"I-I'm sorry," he stutters, "I-I never meant to lash out on you. I've had a rough day, not that that excuses my actions. I apologize."
"Hey, look at me," Bokuto puts two fingers underneath Akaashi's chin and lifts his lover's head up as he continues, "You're right. I didn't think that one through. I should've worded my thoughts better. I'm sorry, too."
Akaashi feels his world fill with a little more light.
"But, hey, that doesn't mean I'm wrong. You will get more opportunities. I know you will, because you're an amazing writer, and you're passionate about what you do, and anyone with eyes can see that, okay? You'll be okay , Akaashi," Bokuto is holding his hands now, and he's looking directly at Akaashi as he speaks. He looks so earnest and Akaashi wants to believe him so badly.
But miracles only happen to stars.
Akaashi sniffles slightly, "You're my boyfriend, you're obligated to tell me that."
Bokuto lets out an offended squawk , "That's not true! Tsum-Tsum and Hinata agree with me! And even Sakusa-san, and he doesn't like anything, well except for Tsum-Tsum but still!," he puffs his chest proudly, as if he was the one being praised.
Akaashi stifles a laugh as he looks at Bokuto, who seems to have been starstruck ( how ironic , he thinks) as he laughs out, "You laughed, I made you laugh!"
He looks a lot prouder than he should be for someone that lights up Akaashi’s whole world.
"You're awfully kind, Bokuto-san," Akaashi laughs with his partner.
Bokuto cradles his face again and his smile is much softer than before. "I'm not kidding, though. You'll be okay, love, and I know you don't want to be dependent on me, but hey, if worst comes to worst, I wouldn't mind coming home to you everyday."
Akaashi flushes red (they had never discussed moving in together before) and he clears his throat as he stands up, "Don't you have a team dinner to attend, Bokuto-san?" he questions.
Bokuto groans with his head in his hands as he stands up, grabbing his stuff, and rushes out the building, hand interlocked with Akaashi's.
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Akaashi spends the night in Osaka, wrapped in blankets and arms and legs and the rest of Bokuto. He returns to Tokyo the next morning, deciding to start job hunting as soon as possible.
It doesn't take too long. It takes about a week before he gets a call from a manga company, that claims to have heard wondrous things about him. They have an open editor position and would love for him to give them a try. Yes, he can come in tomorrow for an interview, that would be lovely.
Well, Akaashi thinks, maybe some stars don't just bring light into a world, they bring some miracles, too.