Work Text:
Hey, Keiji, could you come over please.
Akaashi stared down at the text message as he took the elevator up to Bokuto’s dorm. It was worrying, to say the least. For one thing, the text was way too calm and formal. A normal text would’ve read something more like “HEY! COME OVER,” because Bokuto was nothing if not dramatic.
Add on to it that he never used Akaashi’s given name in text, and yeah, this was incredibly concerning.
Akaashi tentatively knocked on the door. “Koutarou? You there?”
“It’s unlocked,” Bokuto called, already sounding choked up. Oh great. It was one of those days.
Akaashi pushed the door open. Bokuto was sitting cross-legged on the couch, a pile of books surrounding him and a laptop open to a blank word document. His eyes were red with tears.
Akaashi immediately headed for the kitchen to get him a glass of water. He had read a while ago that you can’t drink water and cry at the same time, and it was probably a good idea to be hydrated anyway.
Bokuto sniffled as he brought it over. “Hydrate or die-drate.” He took the glass, and after drinking it, pressed the heel of his hand into his eye and said, “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. You did nothing wrong.”
“I just, I feel so stupid. Why did I think I could go to college? I should be able to do this goddamn essay, but I can’t even do that right.” Bokuto pressed his hand to his chest, trying to slow the race of his heartbeat. “And now I’m crying about it like a little bitch. What is wrong with me?”
Akaashi nodded. “Do you remember the thing we were working on?”
Bokuto sighed. He tilted his head back to rest on the back of the couch. His eyes welled up with tears again. “This essay sucks and I’m allowed to cry about it because it sucks actual ass. I’m not stupid to cry. It’s the worst.”
Akaashi brought a box of tissues over, then sat down next to him. He rubbed circles into Bokuto’s back. “Feeling better?”
Bokuto loudly blew his nose. “I guess so.” He dropped his cheek into the palm of his hand. “It’s just a lot right now. I’m trying to file for disability because of dyslexia but do you have any idea how hard it is to read the paperwork when you’re fucking dyslexic?”
Akaashi cringed. “Sounds pretty hard.”
Bokuto nodded. “I’ve been trying to get Kuroo’s help, but he’s got his own stuff going on. It’s not like he can help me read all the time.”
“Yeah…” Akaashi’s gaze drifted down to the pile of books and the open document, which upon further inspection had exactly one word written on it: “The” in big fancy font. “So, that the reason for the breakdown?”
“Cumulatively, yeah.” Bokuto grinned. “Did I use that word right?”
Akaashi could tell from the smile that he already knew. “Yeah, you used it right. Great job.”
Bokuto nodded. His expression dropped a little. “Sorry for dragging you all the way out here. I’m just having a hard time right now.”
“It’s not that big of a deal. Believe it or not, I like seeing your face.”
Bokuto couldn’t help but beam at him.
Akaashi smiled. “So, this breakdown just about the schoolwork, or have you not been taking care of yourself?”
Bokuto cringed. “I mean… I haven’t exactly been eating the best right now. It’s just the stress, you know. I haven’t had time.”
“Oh c’mon, we can’t have that. We should go out for lunch.”
“I sort of have a lot to do still…”
“And you’re not going to get it done like this.” Akaashi pulled him up. “C’mon, let’s go.”
They ended up inviting Kuroo out to lunch with them, because he was nearby, and honestly they never passed up an opportunity to hang out with him.
After listening to Bokuto complain about his problems, Kuroo burst out laughing, “This bastard didn’t learn to read until he was nine, and even then it was picture books!”
“You wish you were me, asshole. I put the sexy in dyslexia.” Bokuto took about a five second pause before sighing, “Fuck.”
Kuroo cackled at him. Akaashi couldn’t help but laugh too. “I mean, all of those letters are in that word, somewhere.” Bokuto pouted at him. “At least you’re not dyscalculic too?”
Bokuto shrugged. “Yeah, math. Everyone knows that’s my strong suit.” He plopped his chin into the palm of his hand and moved his food around with his chopsticks. “It doesn’t seem like anything is my strong suit, actually. It’s not like I was an honors student like Kuroo. I don’t even know how I got here other than my volleyball skills.”
Akaashi rolled his eyes. “I’ve already tried to explain to him that he’s doing fine all things considered. You try to talk some sense into him.”
Kuroo pursed his lips in thought. He slapped a hand onto Bokuto’s shoulder and said, “Listen man, I know this is tough for you. College is hard. But man you’ve just gotta keep pushing through here. I’ve got total confidence that you can do this, and if you need help, just shout.”
“I can shout with the best of them, so that shouldn’t be hard,” Bokuto laughed. “But seriously guys, thanks. I uh, I really needed this. Things have been kind of overwhelming, and it’s nice to just relax. Have lunch for a change.”
Kuroo squinted at him. “When was the last time you actually ate lunch?”
“Best not to think about that one.”
“Koutarou,” Akaashi groaned. “You’ve gotta stop doing that to yourself.”
“I know. I’m just not very good at it right now.” Bokuto sighed. “I’m glad I have you guys though.” He got up from the table and pulled them both into a hug.
“God, you’re a cheesy bastard,” Kuroo said, right before burying his face in Bokuto’s neck.
Akaashi laughed. “You know, for the first time, I think I agree with Kuroo on this one.”
“Awww, Akaashi, you do care about me.”
“Yeah right.”
Bokuto squeezed them a little tighter. “You guys are dorks, I love you so much.”
Then they went back to their food, a little less oblivious to their effects on each other’s lives.