Work Text:
Akaashi had recently left home, he was happy, both because that was a day off from work but especially because Bokuto was on his way home.
Not having the solar presence of Bokuto around for weeks had almost become a habit for the raven, but this didn't mean that he didn't lack, indeed, life without that concentrated energy that wanders around the house was too quiet, even for Keiji.
Akaashi was sitting in a tattoo parlor waiting his turn as he smiled at a photo on the phone; Akaashi Keiji in a tattoo studio? Strange but not impossible.
He had postponed that moment for too long and finally made up his mind, at the age of 23 he chose to give that little gift to Bokuto.
When he got home it was already five in the afternoon, Bokuto would be home in two hours and Keiji was eager to show him the surprise.
He was looking at the back of his left hand, smiling tenderly; a small world with delicate features had been drawn in the center, small decorations stretched all over the middle finger and went down to the wrist joint without passing over the world; on his index finger there was a floral decoration.
Bokuto had created that drawing when he graduated, Akaashi was sad, he could barely hold back his tears and the older boy wanted to cheer him up; they were alone in the now former classroom of Koutarou, the sun was setting and a warm red light was caressing both of them, he took Akaashi's left hand and began to draw on it, he knew how much the younger did not love his hands for this he thought it was decorating them a nice gesture; when Keiji saw Bokuto's work he cried, he could no longer restrain himself, it was that day that they promised each other that they would always be together, in need of each other, nothing romantic at that time, just the need to be close.
When Akaashi looked up at the clock he began to worry, it was after eight and Bokuto had not yet arrived home; he hadn't even sent a text saying he would be late and that made the raven worry even more.
He took the phone in hand, had to call him or he would never have taken away the bad feeling; he was about to do it when Hinata called him, Keiji lost a heartbeat, that bad feeling had increased; he answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Akaashi-San!"
“Hinata, what's going on? You haven't arrived yet, is everything okay? "
"I- Akaashi-san I'm sorry, there's no time to explain! Run straight to the hospital, there was an accident, Bokuto- "
Hinata could not finish the sentence, Keiji had closed the call and had run to put on his shoes and jacket before running to the hospital.
When he arrived he was greeted by some members of the Black Jackals who knew him.
"Akaash-!"
"Where is he !?"
Keiji was practically screaming, he was short of breath from the run he had done, but breathing well was the last of his thoughts; the team coach approached him.
"Akaashi-Kun you need to calm down are-"
“I don't care! Where is Koutarou !? "
There was a few moments of silence before the coach spoke.
"There was an accident with our bus on our way back, we were almost there when a car suddenly came up, the bus skidded and- Bokuto, it seems he hit his head, they took him away urgently no one can visit him now- "
“I have to see him! Please!-"
Someone's screaming voice made everyone spin, it was Atsumu, he was cursing a nurse.
“Let me in! I have to see Omi! "
It took some time for Hinata to calm down Atsumu.
From what they understood almost everyone had suffered more or less serious injuries but those who had suffered the most were Sakusa and Bokuto.
It was a devastating night, Akaashi was tormenting himself about what would happen, what would happen to Bokuto, if he didn't recover? What would have happened to Akaashi in that case? He didn't want to think about it, he had promised it, Bokuto had promised that he would live to be 130 years old.
The lights in the operating room went out; Akaashi jumped to his feet when he saw the doctor come out; The doctor told him that Bokuto needed rest and that until the morning he had to be left alone, and so Keiji did, it was now 10 when he entered in his room.
"Bokuto-san?"
He told him in a gentle voice as he walked into the room and approached the bed.
"Kaashi? It's you?"
"Yes it's me, how do you feel?"
“Stunned and weak, but why don't you turn on the lights? So I can see you. "
Akaashi froze on the spot, a knot tightened his throat.
“B-Bokuto-san? The lights are on, it's morning... "
"Oh.."
Keiji called the doctor concerned about the situation, when the man in the white coat arrived he explained the whole situation, the blow to the head had led to loss of sight, they still didn't know if it was a temporary or permanent consequence; that day their lives broke apart.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Two months had passed since the accident and Bokuto's sight had not yet returned, by now even the doctors did not have too many hopes for even a partial recovery.
It was a Sunday in November, Bokuto was lying on the bed and Akaashi was next to him with his back leaning against the wall reading him a book; Bokuto took Akaashi's left hand and brought it to his chest, starting to caress the back.
"Kaashi?"
"Yes Bokuto-san?"
"What is this?"
He said as he continued to stroke Akaashi's hand with his fingers, he felt like there was something on the smooth surface.
"Oh that...It's a tattoo."
“A tattoo? Kaashi! Why didn't you tell me!? "
"I'm sorry, it must have been a surprise.."
"A surprise?"
"Yes.. I did it on the day of the accident."
There was silence between them.
"You know ... I think I understand what it is .."
Akaashi put the book on the bed and just listened to Bokuto.
"It's the drawing I made on your hand on my graduation day, right?"
Bokuto had his eyes closed as he gently traced the lines of the tattoo with his fingers.
"So you remember .."
"Of course I remember!"
Keiji looked at Koutarou's eyes that were now open, every time he saw them he felt a pang in his heart, that golden color he loved so much now was faded and almost lifeless.
He took a longer breath than the others before speaking.
"Bokuto-san, may I ask why did you choose that design?"
Bokuto turned his head in the direction of Akaashi who had the feeling that those dead eyes were looking at him even though they couldn't.
"Because I always thought your hands were beautiful, but that's not all .." He sighed. "I chose that design because you are my whole world Keiji, even now, in this situation, I have lost what I loved, I can no longer play volleyball.."
Bokuto smiled bitterly.
"But despite everything, despite every bad thing that can happen to me, you are always next to me, that's why I don't care about anything, I have the world cheering for me."
And there it was, that blinding smile that Akaashi had rarely seen in recent months; Bokuto made the fingers of their hands intertwine and sat up.
Akaashi was crying, silently, but Bokuto could hear him, he always knew when Keiji was in pain; He brought his free hand to the raven's cheek and wiped away a few tears.
"Do you know what is the thing I miss most since I can no longer see?"
"N-No Bokuto-san, what is it ..?"
"Your smile."
The tears continued to flow on Akaashi's face, it was a moment and he threw himself into the arms of Bokuto who gently stroked his head.
“Will you smile for me Keiji? Will you be with me even if I can't see you anymore? "
Bokuto's voice had broken slightly as he spoke.
"Y-yes Koutarou, I'll smile and stay by your side forever ..!"
Bokuto smiled.
"That's all I need..You are all I need."
Akaashi moved and kissed Bokuto's forehead as he brought his hands to his face, stroking it gently.
"I love you Kou, I love you so much... never leave me."
"I am here, I will never leave you, you are my world Keiji, I cannot live without you."
Akaashi laughed softly; that night, after a while, they both slept peacefully, embraced, lulled by the warmth of their bodies.
END