Chapter Text
The holiday season was a conflicting time for Akaashi. He wasn't against celebrating; he was just against celebrating a month in advance. The decorating, the singing, the cheerful strangers, it was too much. The holidays also brought back memories of his ex-husband, someone who he had been trying to get over. But it was difficult trying to get over someone you still worked with, his problem wasn't that he was still hung upon him. His problem was that his ex-liked to flaunt that he still had a foot in Akaashi's life. Part of the divorce was giving his ex-husband, Aoi, part of his publishing company. It was his fault for employing him there, but at the time he thought the marriage would've lasted longer. He tried to buy Aoi out multiple times, but the other wouldn't budge. So Akaashi put up with the hand he had been dealt, he tried not to let the man get under his skin too much, and he tried to not let it affect his work. The only reason he felt like his head was still on his shoulder was because of his best friend.
He and Bokuto had been friends since high school, and one of the best things he had done was hire him to run the sports department. He always knew when Akaashi needed a break, or when he needed to get away from the office for a bit. Like today, when Akaashi came into the office, he was greeted by multiple posters of his ex's new girlfriend. Apparently, Aoi was using her to promote one of his writer's new works. Akaashi could already feel the migraine coming on, but he wasn't ready to deal with this problem yet. As he walked into his office, Aoi was already sitting in his desk chair.
“So, like my new promotional posters?” Aoi said charmingly.
“It makes me nauseous, now get out of my desk.” Akaashi hung his bag and coat up on the rack.
Aoi stood from his desk to let Akaashi sit but didn’t get the message that he wasn’t wanted there.
“Aw, c’mon Keiji don’t be like that,” He stood with his hands in his pocket, watching Akaashi as he sat.
“I could do without them littering every corner of the office,” Akaashi mumbled as he started his computer.
Just as Aoi was about to press him further, Bokuto walked into Akaashi’s office with a smile.
“Akaashi! Didn’t you say you had a lunch meeting today? What are you still doing here?”
Aoi being distracted by Bokuto gave Akaashi a moment to smile to himself. Leave it to him to know when Akaashi needed saving.
“Bokuto, you’re right. Thank you so much for reminding me.” he stood and started to grab his bag again.
Aoi looked skeptical, he crossed his arms as Akaashi began to get ready to leave again.
“Since when does Bokuto keep track of your meetings?”
“Since now, later.” Akaashi walked out his office door, nodding a thank you to Bokuto as the man returned to his own office. He would have to bring him something back as a thank you for getting him away from Aoi.
Akaashi really didn't have a meeting this afternoon, but he did come into the office late. Resulting in him not having anything to eat today, he made his way downtown to the shops. Hoping to get something quick from one of the food vendors, he got his usual from one of his favorite spots and then ventured off in search of a table. He found an empty spot and sat down, putting his bag in the empty chair, and then pulling his book out. Akaashi was just about to enjoy his meal when he heard the faint sound of Christmas carolers. Just the thought of them made his eye twitch, it was barely December, Christmas was still weeks away.
Akaashi tried his best to drown the noise out, but it only seemed to get closer. Looking up from his book, he saw the carolers surrounding the well-dressed man at the next table over. They made eye contact as the man looked for something in his bag. He pulled out a set of headphones and began to put them on.
"Noise-canceling headphones! You should try it." He shouted, and then went back to his meal.
With a sigh, Akaashi gathered his things before the carolers could make their way to him. He had heard enough Christmas music for the day and was ready to head back to the office. When he arrived back at work, he stopped by Bokuto’s desk and dropped off a snack as a thank you for earlier. Then went to his own space to get started on what needed to be done for the day. He kept a good pace and thankfully got some work done without any distractions from Aoi. He even had time to have coffee with Bokuto and leave the office on time.
-
The next morning, Akaashi was earlier than he was the day before. One of his clients was having a book crisis and he was trying to soothe things out. The whole office seemed to be having an off day. It wasn't until the afternoon that he was finally able to put the phone down and breathe. Even though he had been driven away from his lunch yesterday, he still wanted to go back. It was nice to not eat in front of a computer screen for once. So, he headed out once again, stopping at the same booth and sitting at the table he had yesterday. As he sat, he found himself looking at the table over, wondering if the same man would be occupying it.
He started to do some reading but soon felt a presence come up beside him. He looked up and saw the stranger he had just been thinking about. He was tall and dressed in a suit, Akaashi wondered what brought him back.
“Mind if I join you?” He asked, waiting for Akaashi to nod before sitting down at one of the empty chairs.
“So, I couldn’t help but notice you seemed to also have something against Christmas music.” The man said as he started to dig into his food.
Akaashi closed his book and turned to look at him, “I just think it’s a little early for Christmas music.”
The stranger nodded, “I get that, it seemed that everyone was ready to celebrate as soon as November rolled around.”
The two chatted for a few minutes, discussing their least favorite Christmas songs and how people were already putting up decorations for the occasion. As they finished lunch, they each had a little time to spare, so they decided to walk for a bit.
“Other than it starts too early, what’s the real reason you’re put off by Christmas?” He asked, putting his hands in the pockets of his suit.
With a displeased look, Akaashi responded, “I own a company with my ex-husband and at the end of every year, typically at Christmas, he does everything he can to get me to sell my share.”
“And I thought my reason was bad.”
“What is your reason for not liking the holidays?” Akaashi glanced up at him.
"I work at a law firm and every year at Christmas one person gets picked as a partner. The catch is my boss likes family, and I don't have that. I'm being considered for a promotion this year and I kind of lied to my boss that I had a significant other." Kuroo rambled.
“Looks like you’re in quite the situation.” Akaashi chuckled.
“I panicked; I didn’t know what else to say.”
Akaashi raised his brow, “The truth maybe?”
“Nah, that wouldn’t have been any fun,” he smiled, “Hey, does this make us the Christmas phobe club?”
“As if we fear Christmas?”
It was the man’s turn to laugh, “No I didn’t mean it as a fear I guess, more as a dislike.”
Akaashi smirked, “I don’t even know your name, how are we going to start a club with one another if we haven’t even officially met.”
The man stopped walking to hold his hand out, “Kuroo Tetsurou, pleasure to meet you.”
Akaashi rolled his eyes and shook his hand, “Akaashi Keiji.”
Kuroo smiled as they shook hands. He was about to say something when his phone rang. He took it from his pocket and gave it a little frown. “Ah, that’s work. I’m afraid I’ll have to bail on our first official meeting.”
He put his device back in his pocket and looked to Akaashi. “Maybe we can meet again tomorrow?”
“Yeah, we can do that,” Akaashi agreed.
As Kuroo walked away, Akaashi was in a bit of disbelief at what he had shared with him. He wasn’t usually that open about his struggles, especially with someone he had just met. Maybe the holiday stress was finally catching up with him, or maybe it was a bit refreshing to meet someone outside of work. Whatever it was, it had him looking forward to another lunch meeting.
Akaashi beat Kuroo to lunch the next day, he was there waiting at the same table he had been sitting at the day before. Kuroo was late, Akaashi had already been waiting for a few minutes. He was starting to think that maybe he wouldn’t show up, he looked around, frowning that he still wasn’t able to see him. It was then when the group of carolers from a few days’ prior surrounded his table. He was about to get up and move when Kuroo stepped through and took a seat.
“Oh, there you are!” He said loudly, causing the singers to slowly stop and then awkwardly shuffle away from their table.
“I was starting to think you weren’t coming.”
“Ah, sorry about that. I had a last-minute conference call that I couldn’t get out of.”
"It's alright, thanks for saving me from the carolers," Akaashi said as they began to have lunch.
“Of course, I thought if I left you another moment, you’d be singing along with them,” Kuroo smiled.
“Not funny.”
Kuroo was silent for a beat, looking like he was trying to say something but couldn’t find the right words to start.
"I have something to ask you, Akaashi."
Akaashi gave acknowledged him with a hum
“Remember how I said I told my boss I had a long-term boyfriend?” Kuroo stopped eating.
“Did he find out that you’re lying to him?”
Kuroo rubbed at the back of his neck, “Well, he wants me to bring him to our office Christmas party next week.”
“You should probably start packing up your office then,” Akaashi said in between bites.
Kuroo folded his hands, “I could do that, or I could tell you about the proposition I have that could benefit both of us. Get us through the holiday season.”
He sat and thought for a moment, there was no harm in at least hearing what he had to say, even if they had only known each other a few days Kuroo already knew more than most people did, “I’m listening”
“A contract, a contract where we pretend that we’re a couple. I’ve been trying to think of someone who would work as a significant other and I think it’s you, I think we could pass as a couple.”
Akaashi leaned forward and rested his chin in his hand, “Why call it a contract? What about it benefits both of us?”
“You help me with getting my promotion, act like a couple, convince my office we’re together. And I’ll help you do the same, send flowers, pick you up and make your coworkers swoon. Make your ex-husband jealous, you name it and I’ll be the best fake boyfriend you’ve ever had.”
A fake boyfriend is something that Akaashi never thought of. He felt it was stooping a little low, but it would be nice to mess with everyone. He was getting tired of looking like a fool around Aoi.
“Fine, I’ll agree to your contract.”
Kuroo’s face lit up over his decision, “Perfect, we should do dinner and work out the small things.”
“That will work, we should exchange numbers though.”
Kuroo handed Akaashi his phone and he entered his number texting himself so that he would have Kuroo’s on his own phone. He returned the device to him but before letting it go, he looked to Kuroo.
“It’s my turn to ask something of you.”
“Of course, what is it?” Kuroo asked with a raise of his brow.
“I want us to take a picture with Santa,” Akaashi said, finally letting go of the phone.
“You want us to take a picture with Santa?” Kuroo looked surprised at the request.
Akaashi nodded, “You can make the contract, but I think the real gentlemen’s handshake should be a picture with Santa.”
“Alright, fine, let’s take a picture with Santa.”
The two went and found a Santa set up, waiting for him to be done with the current kid he was with before they butted in. they sat down on the edge of the chair and smiled for the camera, once they were done Akaashi grabbed the picture from the photographer. Meeting up with Kuroo who was waiting for him at the side.
As Akaashi walked up to him, Kuroo took the picture and looked at it, “I can’t believe you made me do that,” he shook his head.
“Consider it your payment for me agreeing to be your fake boyfriend,” Akaashi smirked and took the picture back.
The two went their separate ways, returning to their respective workplaces. As Akaashi returned to work, he was stopped by Bokuto before he could get to his office.
“What’s with the look on your face?” Bokuto asked skeptically.
“What do you mean? My face always looks like this.” Akaashi went into his office, Bokuto following behind him.
“No, no it doesn’t,” his friend hummed
"I hate to break it to you Bokuto, but I don't think I look any different," Akaashi said as he sat at his desk.
“You do, you’re hiding something, but I’ll figure it out soon!” Bokuto smiled and left his office.
Bokuto was right, he would be finding out soon. Akaashi was hoping that he and Kuroo could be convincing enough for Bokuto to believe them. He usually could tell when something was off about Akaashi. And if they were convincing, he would have to deal with a protective Bokuto, but he would warn Kuroo about that later. Right now, he was thinking about how he was really doing this, he was really going to be someone’s fake boyfriend. A fake boyfriend to someone he had only just met, he had the urge to text Kuroo and call the whole thing off but was stopped by a knock on his door.
“Come in,” Akaashi shouted to the person on the other side.
The door opened and in walked one of his assistants, Konoha holding a red Santa hat in his hand.
“You know what time it is, Akaashi, it’s your turn to pick for secret Santa,” he held the hat out so that Akaashi could draw a name from it.
“Why must you insist on doing this every year?”
“Because it’s all just for fun and good spirits, so suck it up and pick, boss.”
Akaashi groaned and reached into the hat, grabbing one of the many papers and pulling it out. He unfolded it and read the name, he let out a laugh and showed Konoha the name, “Ha, guess who I drew, Aoi.”
“Yikes, put it back in I won’t tell anyone,” He held the hat back out.
“No, you said this was for good spirits. So, I’ll put on a happy face and follow the rules,” Akaashi tucked the paper away in his desk.
“Think about it this way, things could be worse,” Konoha smiled.
Akaashi was on his way to shoo Konoha out, but an intern pushed past him into his office, “I’m sorry for the intrusion, but I was sent to inform you that we just received a box of final copies, and they all have the wrong cover printed on them.”
He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples, “Get out of my office Konoha.”
-
Later that evening, Akaashi met with Kuroo for dinner. This time, he was the one that was late, Kuroo was already sitting at a table when he walked in.
“Sorry I’m late,” Akaashi said as he sat down.
“it’s alright, wine?”
“Please.”
Akaashi held his glass as Kuroo filled it, “So, what kind did you come up with?”
Kuroo placed a paper packet on the table for Akaashi, he seemed to already have the same one in front of him.
“This looks official,” Akaashi said as he began to flick through the pages.
“Well, I am a lawyer so I kind of got carried away with the formality of things.” Kuroo started looking through with Akaashi.
"I'm not too keen on the title, Christmas contract makes it sound too business-like," Akaashi said as he flipped back to the main page.
“I’m open to suggestions; this was made in a rush, and I wasn’t sure what you would want to call this.”
"Hm, what about the Christmas promise?" Akaashi hummed.
Kuroo scrunched his nose at the thought, “Nah..” he tapped his pen on the table for a second and then pointed it towards Akaashi. “Mistletoe promise.”
“I like that,” Akaashi nodded
Kuroo took the papers and marked out the original name he had drafted. Now instead of the Christmas contract, it read, ‘Mistletoe Promise’ in red pen. “Better,” he smiled softly.
“Walk me through the paperwork? I know how it works; I would just like to know what I’m agreeing to before I sign anything.” Akaashi took a sip of his wine.
“of course, well first, we can go over a list of agreements. Some things we can do to continue to get to know each other in time for our respective Christmas parties, and what we do to make us believable at said parties,” Kuroo said flipping back to the first page.
Akaashi went to pour himself some more to drink but stopped upon reading the first bullet point, “This says PDA.”
He watched as a blush came on Kuroo's face, "Well... you know, not kissing but like, hand-holding and things."
"Alright, I can do hand-holding," Akaashi said with a nod, "But traveling? Where will we be traveling to?"
"Osaka, the partner meeting is there this year, don't worry I'll cover the travel costs." Kuroo then trailed on to the next list, "other things I included, are no drama, keep the relationship shallow when things get too deep, they also get complicated, oh and I almost forgot, lunch every day when reasonable."
Akaashi nodded along, when necessary, as Kuroo read off the contents of the packet. Everything seemed agreeable so far, even daily lunches. They had already sort of made it their thing, so it made sense to keep it up. He didn’t even mind that there were a few more things that were on the schedule than originally mentioned by Kuroo. He had a few things he needed him to tag along with as well, so it worked out.
“I can agree to these terms,” Akaashi said, putting his copy down to look at Kuroo.
“Great, now all I need you to do is sign and initial where I have marked.” Kuroo offered Akaashi a pen. He took it and signed everywhere he saw it flagged. Returning the pen to Kuroo when he was finished.
“I look forward to our partnership over the next few weeks.”
“As do I.”