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Akaashi Keiji had always thought of Bokuto Koutarou as a fleeting star, an amazing athlete on and off the court. Although he had dejected modes, Bokuto truly embodied the Fukurodani motto: “One ball, heart, and soul.” When he became upset, he stopped asking for the ball, he knew it was better for someone more adept at that moment, better prepared to accomplish the task at hand, to receive the ball.
Akaashi knew that as well. It was something that made them a good team. Akaashi understood who the ball needed to be sent to, most of the time to Bokuto, but not always. Akaashi and Bokuto were a fantastic team on the court, a prime example of how a captain and co-captain should operate. That’s where their teamwork ended.
Akaashi lamented the “fundatory” team hangouts with the volleyball club, mostly because it meant he had to spend more time with the owl himself. Unfortunately, their coach told them it was a good way to connect off the court, build lasting friendships, and camaraderie… Akaashi figured it was a way to get out of one practice a month. This month, it was Konoha’s turn to plan the activity.
Akaashi wasn’t worried, he knew that Konoha was a good senpai, and would often encourage Bokuto and Akaashi to be separated and put on opposing teams if it came to organized activities, but the two still managed to bicker over something. Akaashi remembered the previous trip where the group went bowling:
“Hey hey hey, a strike! I’m the best!”
“That was a foul, Bokuto-san.”
“What are you talking about, Aghaashi? It’s bowling, there aren’t any fouls,” Bokuto shot back, turning quickly to stare daggers at Akaashi.
“You stepped over the line, that’s a foul,” Akaashi replied coolly.
“How can you even see from that far back? It’s not like you were even paying attention to me. You’re just trying to cheat because you suck.”
“No, I’m trying to keep you honest. You’re not as good as you like to think.”
The day ended with the team being asked to leave the bowling alley. Akaashi was sure Konoha would not want a repeat of last time and would choose an activity that did not require them to interact with one another in such a public space. They stood in the club room waiting for him to announce the event of the day.
“Sorry to keep you all waiting,” Konoha said, entering the room. He walked in with Komi, both holding several shopping bags. “Today, we’re going to be doing something a little different. Komi and I talked it over with the coach, and he thinks it a great idea to work on some individual relationships on the team. So, we’re going to be having a baking contest.” He beamed at the other players, no one seemed to share his excitement.
“Why?” Bokuto asked.
“Well, it’s to test how well you can work as pairs following instructions and working together. Coach already bought the ingredients, so just do it.”
“So he just wants us to make him baked goods,” Bokuto replied. For once, Akaashi agreed with him.
“Shut up and come pick your partner,” Komi said, producing a small bowl with pieces of paper inside.
“Why do I have to go first?”
“Because you’re the captain, just go.” Bokuto walked up to Komi and fished his hand around the bowl and grabbed a piece of paper. “Okay, who is your partner, Bokuto?” Komi asked.
Bokuto read the slip of paper and his eyes widened. He looked at both Konoha and Komi, opened his mouth a few times, and then whispered something to the other seniors. Konoha looked at the paper, his eyes widened a little too, Komi looked and laughed.
“Who’d you get, Bokuto?” Komi asked again.
Bokuto said something in a small voice.
“Nice and loud so everyone can hear.”
“I got Aghasshi,” he said, defeated.
Akaashi raised an eyebrow and looked at the seniors. “Is this really our activity? It seems a little juvenile,” he said.
“Well, when you’re a senior, you can plan the activities, Akaashi. But for now, come grab your bag and get going. Coach said to bring your cookies to practice tomorrow.”
That was how Akaashi ended up at Bokuto’s house, in his kitchen, waiting for the owl to reappear. He looked around the kitchen, it was a lot nicer than he anticipated. He wondered if Bokuto’s parents liked to cook as he glanced over at the double oven on the wall, the modern appliances, and the large range. He didn’t like being left on his own in others’ homes for too long and felt himself growing a little anxious. He pulled at his fingers as he continued to wait.
“Here,” Bokuto said, taking Akaashi by surprise. He tossed an apron at Akaashi and began to place the other one over his head. Akaashi gave him a quizzical look. “What?”
“Why do we need aprons? It’s chocolate chip cookies, I don’t think it’s going to be that difficult.”
“We’re not making chocolate chip cookies,” Bokuto replied. “Everyone else is making that.”
“Yes, because those are the ingredients our coach purchased for us. That’s what they told us to make.” Akaashi could already feel his agitation growing.
“No, they told us we needed to make cookies, they never told us what kind or said we had to use those ingredients. We’re going to make macarons. Those are cookies, technically.”
Akaashi looked at Bokuto, dumbfounded. “And how are we supposed to make those?”
“I know how to make them.”
“ You know how to make macarons? A refined French dessert? That’s funny, help me with the chocolate chip cookies, Bokuto-san.”
“I’m being serious, Aghaashi. I know how to make them. My sisters like them so I learned how to do it myself. I’m kind of good at baking. You don’t need to treat me like a complete idiot, you know.” Bokuto began to pull out bowls and ingredients, as well as a small book from one of the pantries. The book looked like the pages were handwritten.
“Bokuto-san, I think we should stick to the-”
“If you want to make boring ass chocolate chip cookies, go ahead, I won’t stop you. It seems on-brand for you anyway.”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Here, separate the yolk from the whites.”
“Fine,” Akaashi said and began to alternate the egg between the shell halves.
“No, don’t do it that way.”
“What way would you like me to do it?”
“Use your hands, you might puncture the yolk with the shell otherwise.”
“Fine.” They stood in silence as Bokuto pulsed some dry ingredients in a food processor and Akaashi worked on separating the yolks and whites. “Now what?”
“Let them rest for like thirty minutes, they’re better when they’re at room temperature,” Bokuto instructed. “Go into that cabinet and grab the sheet pans and icing bag. We can prepare for the next few steps.”
“How long does this recipe take? We should have just stuck with the regular cookies.”
“You can go if you want to. I can make this myself.”
“And let you take all the credit? No.” Akaashi grabbed the items and returned to the counter next to Bokuto. “What did you mean earlier, when you said chocolate chip cookies were ‘on-brand’ for me?”
Bokuto looked up from his work at Akaashi. He shrugged his shoulders and returned his attention to the ingredients in front of him. “You just seem like someone whose go-to would be chocolate chip cookies, that’s all.”
“Right, but what does that mean?”
“Why does it matter?”
“It matters to me. Just tell me, I want to know what you meant by it. It’s not that hard of a question, even you can answer that.”
“Fine,” Bokuto said, setting a bowl down on the counter, some of the powders falling over the sides and onto the surface. “I meant that you’re boring and predictable. Is that what you wanted to hear, Aghaashi?”
“That’s not my fucking name, you imbecile. I don’t know what I ever did to piss you off, but you could stop being an asshole all the time.”
“Maybe I would if you stopped pretending to be a perfect little angel. So smart and determined, someone who is the best addition to the team in forever. Akaashi is the best thing to happen to Fukurodani since… sliced bread.”
Akaashi looked at Bokuto, confused. “That doesn’t even make any sense. At least figure out a better way to insult me without sounding like a complete moron.”
Bokuto marched up to Akaashi, their faces inches apart. The slight height difference was extremely apparent at that moment. “STOP CALLING ME STUPID,” he yelled. “At least everyone else has the decency to think that I’m stupid and keep it to themselves. You’re the only person who feels the need to tell me every fucking day.”
“I’m the only person that will call you out on your shit. You think you’re so high and mighty, going around all the time shouting ‘Hey hey hey, I’m the best.’ We all work together, not just the almighty star, Bokuto.”
“Fuck you.”
“Eat shit.” Suddenly, and without warning, Bokuto grabbed Akaashi by the side of the face and smashed their lips together. Akaashi stood confused, unable to move. He hated Bokuto, his stupid face, his stupid hair, his… Akaashi put his hand on Bokuto’s chest and began to reciprocate the kiss. He could feel the firm muscle underneath his fingers and he forgot about his vehement hatred for the frosted-tipped owl.
Bokuto pushed Akaashi against the fridge and deepened the kiss. Akaashi opened his mouth and felt a warm tongue move inside, exploring his own. Not to be outdone, Akaashi moved his hand up to the back of Bokuto’s head and fisted his hand through his hair.
Akaashi wasn’t sure how long they had been kissing, but when Bokuto slowly pulled away, both were out of breath. “Are you blushing?” Bokuto asked. Akaashi looked at him, his annoyance instantly returning; he remembered the reasons he disliked Bokuto so much. But the feeling of his lips against his own softened his feelings of loathing.
“No, you are.”
The next day, the boys from the volleyball club gathered to present their creations. “Let’s have our captains go first,” Konoha announced. Bokuto and Akaashi walked to the front of the room and presented their cookies. Konoha and Komi looked at the plate in front of them and inspected its contents.
“Are these burnt macarons?” Komi asked. Bokuto and Akaashi nodded. “Why are they burnt?”
“We um…” Bokuto started.
“...got distracted,” Akaashi finished.