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When September breached their calendars, Bokuto is beyond excited for his birth month. He’s excited to dream of Akaashi and their future together. They knew deep inside they would end up together. It’s a star and world thing.
It may be too early but Bokuto bought a pair of vabo keychains as his pre-birthday gift for himself and for his Akaashi.
“This reminded me of you. We may be opposites but I always got your back, ‘Kaashi!”
Akaashi feels his heart flutter at the simple pair of keychains and immediately clasped his to his backpack. It is a subtle sign that they belong to each other. That keychain became their moral support; when they have trouble in their schedules and plans in volleyball, Akaashi sees Bokuto staring at the keychain for so long like it tells him something. When they lost a practice match, Bokuto enters his emo mode but Akaashi also sees him holding on to that keychain.
Akaashi felt everything would be alright, believing in soulmates, keychains and Bokuto. However, as the 20th of September comes near, Akaashi feels his stomach churning because of nervousness. He holds on to the keychain, wishing for the best until that day comes. Bokuto, sensing his soulmate’s anxiety, holds his hand and makes sure they date as much as they can until Akaashi forgets his nervousness…until Akaashi officially becomes his soulmate.
The most awaited day came. In the morning, Akaashi usually waits for Bokuto so they’d go to school together. But today, Bokuto didn’t. Is he plotting something? Is he planning a surprise? All those questions swirl in his head as he walks to Fukurodani.
He didn’t see Bokuto all day. Not during their breaks, not during lunch, not in his classroom. By now, Akaashi is more worried than excited to know what Bokuto dreamt of. Finally, he saw Bokuto during their practice and he saw how fidgety he was—out of bounds service, forgetting his cross shot, going through his emo mode more frequently and more intensely. No one knows what to do with this Bokuto. When practice ended, Akaashi tried to talk to him to bring him out of his emo mode.
“Bokuto-san, are you alright? Do you want to spike more?”
“No.”
“Is this because of your dream?”
“STOP ASKING ME THAT!”
Akaashi was shaken to his core but his face remained calm, or so he thinks. Bokuto is a loud person, but he never shouted like that. It’s the first time Akaashi didn’t know what to do for Bokuto, so he just sat beside him until his owl is ready to talk. They stayed like that for hours in complete silence until Bokuto stood up, got his things and left without saying a word to Akaashi. It would seem like they are not each other’s soulmate, after all.
Months went by and things were not the same before that dream. Bokuto spikes like he used to, but the shine in his eyes never went back. He never spoke to Akaashi beyond practice hours. He never went to school and go home together with Akaashi. He removed the keychain he brought. He left Akaashi in a limbo, wondering what happened.
Months after his birthday, Bokuto was still the loud person he was. But everyone can see something is off. Then again, as long as they can get him out of his emo modes, it will be fine. December came and Akaashi was only frustrated because he is turning 17 this year being a year younger than Bokuto, and he has one more year to dream of his soulmate. Whatever, whomever Bokuto may have dreamt that day, he is and will always be his soulmate.
Finally, the month of graduation came. Akaashi feels his time with Bokuto is almost up. After months of trying, Bokuto finally agreed to talk to Akaashi after the ceremony. Akaashi once again felt his stomach churn, but this time it’s worse than waiting for Bokuto to have that dream. Thank the universe and Bokuto showed up, wearing an emotionless face.
“Bokuto-san, is it me?”
Bokuto whispered a faint “yes”.
“Then why?”
Bokuto moved towards him and reached for his hand to put something. It was the other pair of the vabo keychain he gifted to Akaashi before that dream turned everything upside down. The older then ran away as fast as he could and never looked back. Akaashi squeezed the keychain in fury.
“WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY?” Akaashi shouted while running after his soulmate.
Why the hell Bokuto ran away? Isn’t he his soulmate? Does he not love him? Tears blurred Akaashi’s eyes when he lost Bokuto along the street. He stopped to catch his breath and realized there was a note with the vabo keychain that read, “I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Akaashi only sobbed harder. People are looking at him with pity but he doesn’t care. He is being ripped apart because his soulmate doesn’t accept him.
Akaashi never saw and heard from his star, until he saw him shining on TV, standing proud on the court like he never left someone precious in Fukurodani. It would seem he doesn’t have his emo mode anymore. It was a bittersweet moment: his star shining brighter than ever making his heart soar with pride, yet the bitter taste in his mouth lingers. His love reached his dreams of becoming part of the MSBY Black Jackals.
Akaashi thought he was looking forward to his 18th birthday, but he remembered the hurt he felt on Bokuto’s 18th. It was only a few days before his day, and he dreaded everything that can go wrong. On the day itself, he drank more caffeine than usual and worked all his homework and volleyball captain duties. But you can never go against the universe.
Akaashi fell asleep just the same, only to wake up more resolute.
The owl’s world finally finished senior high and landed a job in the manga department as an editor. He then treats himself with a ticket to the MSBY Jackals vs. Schweiden Adlers game on his day off, even if he isn’t sure of what he is doing. He stepped on the stadium and took his seat where he can clearly see his beloved’s face. The roster of players was announced, with Bokuto doing his signature Bokuto beam towards Akaashi’s direction as if that smile was for him. Of course Bokuto doesn’t know here’s here. He was just happy to see his pair after so long.
Everyone could see Bokuto in his best form. Thousands of MSBY fans cheering for him, and the best reactions were caught on camera and flashed in the big screen. Most of all, it was Bokuto’s winning spike that paved way for MSBY’s victory over the Adlers.
Akaashi’s tears spilled like waterfalls. He is still in awe of his star’s spikes after all this time, after everything that happened. But this pretty owl didn’t expect his crying face to be flashed on the big screen. Everyone is now looking at him, including Bokuto.
“Akaashi? AKAASHIII!” Bokuto shouted.
But it was Akaashi’s turn to run this time as all the courage and resolution left his body. He was caught off guard and very much embarrassed. He forgot what he’s about to say to Bokuto. What was it again? Good job on winning? You were in good shape today? Akaashi ran through the stadium’s hallway and almost got out until someone grabbed his wrist.
Bokuto got emotional when he saw his soulmate in the crowd, crying. He knew he is the reason for those tears, for the pain he caused. He never forgot Akaashi, and made his own resolution on Akaashi’s 18th. But he always chickened out until today when his love was there to watch his game. He knew he’d be scolded for leaving suddenly, but he won’t run away anymore.
He has to face that dream.
He ran after the pretty owl and thanked the universe for his stamina and speed he got to his Akaashi before the latter could step out of the stadium. He grabbed his wrist and pulled him to a hug so tight it felt like he wouldn’t let go. He kissed the top of Akaashi’s head, whispering “I’m sorry” while crying himself. His beloved kept sobbing on his chest and eventually wrapped his arms to Bokuto’s torso. They stayed like that for a few minutes without words, just savouring the presence of their soulmate.
Akaashi felt his cheeks burn and the tip of his ears becoming red as he saw people passing by, and Bokuto only chuckled and nuzzled his face on top of Akaashi’s head. Akaashi finally looked up to Bokuto, with his star wiping the tears with his thumb.
“I’m sorry, Keiji, for causing you pain after I had that dream. It has always been you, my soulmate.”
“You silly owl! I never stopped loving you.”
“Will you wait for me? I’ll just pack my things and we’ll talk.”
The world doesn’t want to let go of his star but he reluctantly let go of his hold.
“I’ll be right back. I promise,” Bokuto said and suddenly kissed Akaashi to seal his promise.
“Bokuto-san!” Akaashi is already red as a tomato. That was his first kiss. And a lot of people saw them. He hopes it won’t be a problem for the volleyball athlete.
After a handful of scolding for leaving so suddenly, Bokuto and his pair went to his apartment to talk about that dream.
“Kou, what happened? What did you see?”
“It felt sunshine and rainbows at first. We were married. I married you, the love of my life.”
“But?”
“But,” Bokuto can feel the tears coming and his hands are shaking. Akaashi intertwined his fingers with Bokuto’s, squeezing the latters hand as a form of assurance that he’ll listen.
“But it turned the opposite and I saw you crying, and you wanted a divorce from me,” Bokuto is sobbing harder by this time. “You looked so tired. I…I actually caused those lacklustre eyes I wore you out I was too much for you I—“
Akaashi placed a finger on Bokuto’s lips to stop his rambling.
“I thought that you always know what to do, and you know everything so I didn’t oppose the divorce you wanted. You gave so much and I always thought that I’m ready to let you go when I become too much,” Bokuto said as more tears flow from his golden eyes. “That’s what it felt like going through that dream.”
“But what do you feel right now?”
“I love you. I want to be better for you. I want to stay by your side,” Bokuto declared as he placed kisses on his soulmate’s hands, tickling Akaashi for a bit.
“Will you promise me something?”
“Yes, Ji.”
“Communication. You’re not alone, and I want to be the support you needed. I want us to face our problems together.”
“I promise. It’s hard, but it is not impossible!”
“Oh and one more thing,” Akaashi said, and Bokuto tilted his head like an owl of curiosity. Akaashi held Bokuto’s hand and placed his beloved’s vabo keychain pair to its rightful owner.
“I always carry this because I know you’ll need it.”
Bokuto rushed forward and hugged Akaashi. Bokuto could only cry anew. All this time, his Keiji is always thinking of him and his well-being and he’s an idiot for running away without communicating to his world.
“Kou, that tickles!” Akaashi laughs as a snotty, tear-stained Bokuto nuzzles his neck. “We will be fine. We have each other and we have vabo-chan.” Bokuto only nodded, as he held his soulmate tighter.
“Keiji.”
“Koutaro?”
“What did you dream about?”
“It’s a secret since you’ve been a naughty owl,” teased Akaashi.
“That’s not fair!” Bokuto pouts.
Because Akaashi is weak to that pout, he said, “If you take me to a date maybe I’ll consider.”
“That’s a given! I’ll date you forever Ji!”
“Are you proposing to me?” Akaashi is having way to fun on teasing Bokuto. Bokuto could only blush.
Little did Bokuto know, but Akaashi’s dream on his 18th was the scene of burning divorce papers, and the sound of Bokuto’s laugh as they made love.