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Media was always annoying, whether that be at the beginning or end of practice, after a game or even after a loss. No one enjoyed doing it but it was a part of the deal. You play hockey, you score goals, you do media. Normally it was a pretty set rotation on who had to do media. Like if you had scored last game you were up or if your team was on a streak one of the leaders would do media that day. Now there are exceptions to the rules, one of them being if a big name player's contract was up or if they signed with another team or were traded unexpectedly. That's where Akaashi Keiji fell in, his contract was up at the end of the season. After ten years playing for the Fukurōdani Owls the biggest question on everyone's mind is will Akaashi stay with the team that gave him a chance, or will he walk away for a chance to be in the spotlight?
Akaashi sighed as he walked into the media room. He knew what was going to be asked, it was the same question for the past month and a half.
“How are contract negotiations going?” They would ask. And Akaashi would answer the same way every time.
“We're speaking. Talking everyday almost. It's a process.”
But that wasn't a satisfying answer. The press kept pushing and pushing for more but there wasn't anything else he could say. He was telling the truth, yes he and the front office were meeting regularly, yes he did not have an agent helping him with negotiations, yes he was representing himself. As annoying as the reporters were, he knew that they were just doing their job and part of that job was to get the dirt on all the players.
Akaashi sat down at the table and prepared himself for another round of questions. He gave his usual answers to the usual questions. This time however a new reporter stood up for her question.
“Do you think that signing with a new team might bring you more attention?” She asked.
“Can you elaborate on that?” Akaashi asked, confused.
“After being on a team with Bokuto Kōtarō, surely you feel like maybe stepping out of his shadow now?”
Akaashi blinked, unsure of how to answer. Before he could, his media manager interrupted saying that it was time to leave. He got up and followed the media manager out of the room and back to the locker room. He sat in his stall, the reporter's question on his mind.
Did he feel like he was in Bokuto's shadow? Was that his whole career, just someone who was supporting Bokuto while allowing his own play to suffer? No, that wasn't the case at all. They made each other better, that was their whole deal. Akaashi hated the spotlight, he hated being the center of attention. Bo on the other hand, he loved it, thrived on it. Being the center of attention was Bo’s whole deal. Someone as great as Bo would crumple in the shadows where Akaashi lived. If Bo was like Akaashi he would not be as great as he was, Akaashi was sure of that.
“Akaashi! Hey hey hey!! What are you still doing here?” Bo shouted, sliding down to sit next to Akaashi.
Akaashi just smiled, “Just thinking, Bokuto.”
“Thinking about what?”
“About us,” Akaashi confessed.
Bokuto tilted his head curiously, “Us?”
“About where we started. How we got here. About where we'll go next.”
“Getting sentimental aren't we?” Bokuto joked.
Akaashi just grinned and nodded, “Lots of stuff going on, makes me remember how old we’re getting.”
Bokuto reached out to rest his hand on Akaashis thigh, squeezing it a bit before letting it rest.
“We’ve come a long way. You and me babe.”
“And we still have so much to do.”
Bokuto nodded, “Remember your draft day?”
Akaashi just laughed, “How could I forget?”
2006 - Vancouver Canada, Draft Day
“Okay Bo, when we're up, you're going to go to the stand and say ‘The Fukurōdani Owls are happy to select’ and we'll give you the name to say.” The Owls general manager said to him.
Bokuto's eyes widened in a panic, “No no no no, I cant… My english… why can't you say it?” He pleaded.
“Don't be shy now.”
“What if I just give the jersey? You say the name, I give jersey?”
The GM just shook his head, he was going to say something else but the Owls were on deck and needed to get their pick in. Bo followed the GM, Coach, and recruiter to the stage. The GM handed Bo a little card with the name of the player they were drafting. He took a deep breath and approached the microphone.
“The Fukurōdani Owls are happy to pick…Akaashi Keiji,” Bo stepped back as the arena fill with cheers.
He watched as a young man with short black hair walked up the stairs. Bo watched in awe as the man approached. He carried himself with an air of confidence, his shoulder held tall and his eyes set straight ahead. That's what captivated Bo the most, his eyes. They were a deep blue, shaded by a lighter blue in the middle. They were deep like the ocean, something that Bo could find himself drowning in. His eyes looked like they wanted to say 1,000 words but couldn't, they were guarded yet excited. Something that Bo could relate to.
Once the newly drafted player got up to Bo, he reached out his hand to shake.
“Bokuto Kōtarō, welcome to the team,” He said, admiring the way that their hands fit together.
“Akaashi Keiji, thank you,” He said, looking Bo directly in the eyes, unwavering under his gaze.
Bo smiled as they dropped hands, he had a good feeling about this.
Present Day
Akaashi chuckled as he recalled the memory. He had been terrified at the draft. He knew he would be going high but going 4th overall to the team with arguably the best player in the league was a dream come true.
“I was so scared that day,” Akaashi confessed to Bo.
“Me too. But I knew as soon as I saw you, we would be something great.”
“You're only great because of me,” Askaashi joked.
Bo looked at him with a soft smile on his face, “I know,” He said fondly.
Owls vs Farmers - Bokuto's 100th Goal & Akaashi’s 50th Point
The clock was counting down. Shiratorizawa was up by one, even with the two goals scored by Bo.
Bo had one chance, one shot. He knew he could do it, he could score if he was sent the right pass. So he settled himself at the top of the circle, stick on the ice and waited. He watched as players battled in the opposite corner for the puck. Akaashi had come out victorious, the puck on his stick. Akaashi quickly glazed down the ice and within a second he sent the puck flying to Bo.
Bo received the puck with practiced ease, sending it flying over the goalie's glove, top shelf. The goal horn buzzed as hats flew down from the stands. A hattrick, a hattrick on a milestone goal. A milestone not only for Bo but for Akaashi as well. 100 goals and 50 points, on the same goal nonetheless.
Bo raised his arms up in celebration and felt Akaashi crash into him. Bo wrapped his arms around Akaashi, lifting him off the ice slightly. Normally Akaashi would slap Bo's arms until he put him down but not this time. Instead Akaashi laughed, screaming into Bo’s face with happiness. He finally did set Akaashi down, missing the weight in his arms. He grabbed Akaashis helmet, giving it a shake while laughing. They skated back to the bench together and watched as the clean up crew sweeped the hats off the ice. They had the momentum back, it was time to win.
“I still have that puck you know?” Akaashi said. He could see it clearly. It was sitting in a special case on the shelves in his office, the tape old and worn, proudly displaying their names and what achievement they earned.
Bo looked at Akaashi curiously, “Really?”
Akaashi nodded, looking out into the room to avoid Bo’s gaze, “One of my favorite moments, I wanted to remember before the concussions took my memory.”
Bo shoved at his shoulder, “Don't joke about that.”
“I'm serious though,” Akaashi laughed, “My memory isn't what it used to be.”
“Getting old.”
“Ya you wish.”
Stanley Cup Finals - Round one - Game 4
Bo knew how bad playoffs could get. He knew that it was a whole different breed from the regular season. He tried to tell the new guys that but he couldn't properly describe it. They wouldn't understand until they got out onto the ice. They had made it this far, and now they had to prove that they belonged. Although that was easier said than done. They were playing the Crows, a team not unlike the Owls. They had a powerhouse duo with Daichi and Asahi that managed to win the Crows first three games. If the Owls managed to win this one, they’d still be in the running. If they lost, that was it, they were done.
It happened right at the start of the second period. The score was still 0-0 and everyone could feel the tension rising. There had been missed calls, blatant tripping and cross checking that went unpunished. It was getting spicy and Bokuto knew that something was going to happen.
And something did happen. Bokuto watched as Akaashi skated down the ice, chasing the puck with another player. The player shoved at Akaashi, shoving him to the ice. Now normally that would be no big deal except when Akaashi went to get back up, a flash of purple flew past, he attempted to jump past Akaashi but in his haste he ended up kneeing the other right in the face. Akaashi’s head jerked back, his body following as he dropped right back onto the ice in a heap. Bokuto saw red, he rushed toward the offending player, grabbing him by his jersey and getting into his face. He could barely hear the whistling of the referees over the sound of blood rushing in his ears. One of the linesmen managed to get in between Bokuto and the other, separating them. Being forced away finally made Bo notice what was going on.
Akaashi was still on the ice, face down and hands out of their gloves, holding onto his helmet in pain. He looked like he was barely moving, let alone breathing. Bo could feel his heart sinking in his chest, he skated over and knelt down by Akaashis head. He placed his hand onto his shoulder lightly, trying not to jostle the injured.
“Akaashi,” Bo whispered shakily, “ Akaashi are you okay? What's wrong?” Bo felt dumb for asking, obviously Akaashi wasn't okay he just got kneed in the face. But his brain wasn't working, he couldn't form a coherent thought, the only thing in his head was “Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay.” on repeat.
Soon there was a whole circle of people surrounding him and Akaashi, blocking them from the cameras as well as they could. One of the medics had run out onto the ice to assess Akaashi. He carefully lifted him up. Akaashi raised with the trainer but as soon as they were sitting up the medic moved his hands, resulting in Akaashi crumbling back onto the medic. Bo jolted forward but was held back by a ref. He watched as they brought out a stretcher and put the still frozen Akaashi onto it. Bo watched as they wheeled him off, most likely to take him to the closest hospital. He let out a choked laugh as he saw Akaashi shakily raise his hand in a thumbs up, trying to signal he was okay. As soon as he was off the ice Bo knew that they had to get right back into the game. And they were going to win, win it for Akaashi.
They lost… They lost 0-1 in double overtime. They managed to hold on for long enough, even scoring a goal that ended up being overturned because of the stupid offside rule. Bokuto knew that he should stay back, give a speech to his team about keeping their head high and how they'd be back next season for revenge. But he glanced at Konoha and knew that the team would be fine without him.
He rushed through getting dressed, not even bothering to shower and rushed to the hospital where Akaashi was being kept.
He got there late and somehow convinced the nurse to let him into Akaashi’s room. He stepped in quietly, noticing that the other had his eyes closed.
Bo dragged a chair over to the bed and took one of Akaashi’s hand in his own. He squeezed it lightly before he quietly confessed to losing the game. Apologizing for not being good enough without Akaashi there. He felt Akaashi squeeze his hand, he glazed up and could feel tears well up in his eyes at how tired the other looked. Bo stood up and brought Akaashi into a hug, squeezing him gently as he felt Akaashi rubbing his back.
“I'm still sorry about that game,” Bokuto said sadly.
Akaashi finally looked towards Bokuto who was already looking at Akaashi. Akaashi reached down and grabbed at Bokuto's hand that was still resting on his thigh.
“I have never blamed you or the team for losing that game. Just the same as I don't blame that player for knocking me out. I don't even remember that part.”
Bokuto chuckled and nodded, “Well we got there eventually, didn't we?”
“That we did,” Akaashi said, watching as Bokuto's thumb brushed over his knuckles.
Stanley Cup Final - Owls vs Knights - Game 5
They did it. They somehow managed to do it. They got this far and all they had to do was play til the clock ran out and they would win.
10 seconds…
9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2,1… The buzzer sounds. The crowd goes wild. Bokuto falls out of the bench, hands raised in the air as he screams at the top of his lungs.
He follows the rest of his team as they crash the net, piling onto their goalie and screaming. They did it. The cup was theirs. The group disperses everyone still hugging and celebrating as family and friends flood the ice to celebrate.
Bo grabs onto Akaashi’s shoulders. Brilliant, beautiful Akaashi who has never left his side, not once. Akaashi had two broken fingers on his shooting hand but that didn't stop him from being on the ice. He pulled Akaashi in close, getting nose to nose with the shorter.
“Akaashi!!!!” Bo shouted.
“Bokuto!!” Akaashi shouted just as loud. Bo wrapped his arms around Akaashi, lifting him from the ice once more.
“We did it! Oh my god we did!”
Akaashi laughed and pulled Bo in impossibly close. They held onto each other close while the announcer called up Bokuto's name for him to raise the stanley cup. The stanley cup, the ultimate prize.
Bokuto pulled away from Akaashi for a moment, looking deep into those blue eyes that have been with him for all these years.
“Akaashi…” Bo started, “Akaashi, after me, it's going to you. I'm giving it to you baby.”
“Yeah, yeah okay, let's do it!” Akaashi said, grinning from ear to ear.
Bo looked at Akaashi, at his flushed cheeks and his joyous smile. He was going to say something else but was called up to the stand.
All he could think about when raising the cup above his head was that he should have brought Akaashi up with him. He should be standing up there with Bo, raising the cup above their heads, bringing pride back to their team.
“I should have kissed you right there at center ice,” Bokuto confessed. Akasshi huffed out a laugh. He always knew how badly he, himself, wanted Bo and vice versa, but the risk was too great. Being the first out players would be no walk in the park even with their records.
“I'm glad you didnt,” Akaashi confessed, “I would’ve ran away.”
“Are you running now?” Bo asked, rising to his feet to stand in front of Akaashi. Akaashi looked up at Bokuto. His captains normally confident face was broken, fear in his eyes as he anticipated Akaashi’s rejection.
Akaashi stood, grabbing onto Bokuto's shoulders while staring deep into his eyes.
“Bokuto…I…” Akaashi didn't know what to say.
“Akaashi,” Bo said, his voice loud in the quiet room, “Stay here, with me. I know what the front office offered you isn't what you wanted but I don't think I could survive one day without you by my side.”
Akaashi stuttered at Bo’s confession. He recalled the most recent contract that he was given, it was for four years, a decent salary increase but he wanted more. Call him selfish but he was worth just as much, if not more than Bokuto. He knew his skills and he knew his value, and he didn't want to compromise that at all.
Akaashi went to say something more but was cut off by Bokuto pressing their lips together. Akaashi melted into the kiss, remembering the first time they had ever kissed. It had been a few weeks after the cup win, they were alone in the locker room, just like tonight. Akaashi let himself get lost in the kiss, before coming to his senses and stepping away from Bokuto.
“Bo…It's not that simple,” Akaashi said, his hands still on Bokuto's shoulders.
Bokuto grabbed Akaashi’s hands, pulling him in close, “Akaashi please. I want you, I need you here. With me.”
Akaashi knew it was futile to fight. Ever since he started contract talks he knew that there was no way he could leave this team. He grew up here, he was no longer the 19 year old kid he was when he played his first season. Now almost twenty years later, suffering from a broken hip, broken fingers, broken jaw, and chronic migraines, he knew his time in the league was coming to an end. He could see the finish line just over the horizon. But he didn't want to finish racing, he wanted to stay for as long as he could. Playing and breaking records. Playing right alongside Bokuto for as long as he could.
Akaashi knew at that moment that there was only one thing he could do. He lent his head back up and dragged Bokuto's lips back onto his own.
As the two kissed in the quiet locker room, Akaashi knew in the back of his head that back home there was a contract with his signature at the bottom, ready to turn into the front office. A contract to keep him with the Owls and more importantly, with Bokuto.