Chapter Text
Akaashi considered himself to live a pretty decent life.
He lived with his stepfather and two stepbrothers in a quaint cottage-house on the outskirts of the Fukurodani town. It was an enclosed region with friendly enough folk and an ancient, cobbled road which connected the paths of each house. Most of the townspeople were well-acquainted with one another, always dropping by with warm greetings and an occasional gift or two. Akaashi had grown up within this hometown since birth and he had fallen deeply in love with its worn, weathered down scenes and scapes.
His birth father had long abandoned his mother during the early stages of her pregnancy with him and Akaashi had spent most of his childhood with the absence of a father figure. He didn't mind - his mother was a loving woman, filling his heart with enough love to compensate for at least fifty fathers. It was in her nature. She always brought joy wherever she went, mesmerising those who were fortunate enough to strike a conversation with her.
It was Akaashi's fourteenth birthday when she had fallen in renewed love with his stepfather, a strong, wise man, and the pair were married by the cool Autumn. He often liked to believe his new parents were living fairytale lives, defeating the odds and finding their significant other in a world of billions of people. He had also learnt fairytales were fairytales for a reason – they simply didn’t exist. Their love had fallen to a bittersweet end when his mother had developed an incurable sickness which left her bedridden during the final few months of life.
“Be good to your father and brothers, my love. Be a good boy,” she whispered one night with Akaashi by her side, squeezing on to her hand tightly. She had a faint smile on her pale, pretty face. She closed her eyes and Akaashi was left wondering how even in her death she was worrying about others.
The funeral was brief, mainly refined to the family and a few close friends. His mother would've preferred it that way - she never liked to burden others. Akaashi watched as the burial casket was lowered further in to the deep earth and whispered "I'll be a good boy. I'll do it for you," before closing his eyes for a final brief prayer.
The death of his mother had left the family fragmented and isolated. His stepfather had grown uptight and cold over the years, often leaving terse comments and snides which saddened Akaashi. But he could endure this.
“Be good to your father,” he repeated to himself in the mirror. His reflection agreed.
His stepbrothers were.. an interesting pair. Akaashi often likened them to the Wonderland characters of Tweedledee and Tweedledum – The two were constantly bickering with one another, though, more often than not, they enjoyed ganging up to torment Akaashi. Akaashi never complained. He was a ‘good boy’.
Despite all this, he believed he lived a fairly decent life. He had a roof over his head, food on the table, not to mention a family, no matter how dysfunctional. He was happy.
And he couldn't possibly have it any other way.
“Where are my ocean-blue, double striped slacks?! Oh my god, who took them? Someone took my slacks! Akaashi!”
Akaashi paused, glancing up at the ceiling. The shrill voice of the other shook the walls and he carefully placed the dirty dish back on top of the unfinished stack. He let out a sigh. That was the fourth time today. His forehead prickled lightly from the perspiration which had formed. He craned his neck to wipe the beads of sweat off on his shoulder.
Akaashi glanced over at the worn-picture which rested against the kitchen window pane. It was one of the very few photos of his mother prior the sickness. She was carrying a bouquet of flowers, her hair flowing gently in the breeze as she smiled so brightly - not a single care in the world.
"I don't understand how you do it, ma. I honestly don't." Akaashi murmured. He slipped his hands out of the murky sink water and wiped his hands on his apron. The dishes would have to be done later. He began to make his way up the stairs when he heard the shrill yell again.
“Akaashi?!”
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” he huffed, hurrying to his brother’s room. He gave a brief knock on the door before letting himself in. “What’s wrong, Oikawa?”
‘Oikawa’ was standing in front of his wardrobe, hand gripped on each handle. His back was facing Akaashi who stared at the mess set before him. There were mountains of clothes thrown haphazardly around him, including the ones he had washed and folded neatly. Akaashi grimaced. He was going to have to iron those again.
Oikawa spun around to face him. Akaashi had to force down his flinch. His older brother had multiple hair-curlers stuck in his hair, leaving him with an afro of pink pieces of plastic and the occasional wild tuff of his natural honey-brown hair. He had smeared what had to be some thick clay mask over his face, and it appeared as though he had stuck his entire face in swamp mud.
“My ocean-blue, double striped slacks!” he whined. “Someone took them!” He was heaving heavily, wide eyes darting about before landing on Akaashi’s accusingly. “Who took them?”
Akaashi frowned. “Which ones? The long ocean-blue, double striped slacks or the short ones?”
“Oh my god!” Oikawa threw his hands up in exasperation. “The short ones, of course! Who in their right mind would wear long slacks with this outfit? Who do you take me for?”
“I washed them then gave it to Tendou since he asked for them earlier.”
Oikawa inhaled sharply, eyes wide with disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding-“ He threw his head back, letting out an excruciatingly loud scream. “TENDOU!”
There was a brief pause before a loud thudding sound echoed. Akaashi stepped aside just in time when the bedroom door slammed open. Tendou, his other elder brother peered in, his wide eyes blinking owlishly. “What? What happened?”
Oikawa gasped, pointing a finger over at him. “Those! Those are mine! I was going to wear them tonight. Give it back!”
Tendou glanced down at the dark blue pants. “These? No way, I’m already wearing them tonight.”
“No! Absolutely not!” Oikawa stamped his feet. “I was going to wear them since last week! You better hand them over or I swear to god I’ll rip them off myself.”
Akaashi eyed the two before letting out a small sigh. “Look, how about Tendou wears them for tonight and you can wear the long ones,” he offered.
Oikawa’s attention diverted to the Akaashi. He stared as though his younger brother had grown a third head. “I can’t believe you even suggested that. Are you blind? How can I wear long slacks with this outfit. That makes absolutely not sense.”
His voice was rising steadily, one of the many early signs of an infamous ‘Tooru tantrum'.
“I need to be in absolute top shape! The Grand Ball is tonight!”
Ahh, of course. That explained the higher-than-usual panic attacks Oikawa was having. Akaashi peered over at the wall calendar taped in Oikawa's room, eyeing the date which was marked with several golden stars and a terribly-drawn mask.
The Grand Ball was an annual event and it certainly lived up to its name. It was a festive event which Akaashi had heard was breathtaking. He often heard stories of it shared amongst the folk at the markets where he went grocery shopping. It was a highly exclusive event in which only the VIP of the VIP were given a courteous invitation. (And when the invitation letter had arrived, Akaashi was certain Oikawa was going to snap his vocal chords from screaming so loud with excitement).
It was a masquerade event which took place at the Remington estate settled on the hill at the far east of the village. It was an enormous villa, home to the so-called Bokuto residents. Akaashi heard stories of the secluded family and how they had supposedly come from royalty, deciding to avoid the big city-life and opting instead to find settlement in a cozy, refined town. A mother, father, and their only child - a son of whom only a few individuals had actually had the rare opportunity of meeting.
“A prince, he is!” The elderly lady at the fruit stand jittered. “A grand prince with yet a bride!”
Akaashi had simply nodded, a polite smile plastered on his face as he made his way to the oranges.
The son of the Bokuto family was estimated to be of similar age; most definitely peaking in to the stages of adulthood. Rumours heard the ball each year was not for the sole purpose of casual frivolities, but in fact, an opportunity for their beloved son to choose a willing partner.
“Sounds like a fairytale to me,” Akaashi muttered under his breath.
The Fukurodani town was an enclosed region which meant even the slightest spark of gossip was enough to incite its residents. He personally found it rather tiresome. It seemed a fruitless activity, getting winded up over an event in which only a small, selective number of individuals were actually attending.
Though, lately Akaashi couldn’t help but feel himself being gently reeled in by the excited murmurs of the other villagers. If the rumours were true, the Grand Ball must be extraordinary. He closed his eyes, imagining the grand courtoom with its polished marble floors, beautifully crafted windows with embedded colours of the rainbow, and the music. Akaashi allowed himself a small smile.
His mother often sang to him as a child. “Music is the one universal language which connects humans despite our differences. Isn’t music simply wonderful, my love?”
Yes, his mother was right. Music helped soothe his mind and occasionally his aching heart which longed for his mother's warm touch. He would love to listen to the music at the Grand Ball.
“What’s wrong with him? Has he fallen asleep?”
Akaashi blinked to find his older stepbrothers staring at him. “Sorry, mind drifted. Who’s going to wear the short slacks?” he asked.
Oikawa jutted his lower lip, crossing his arms. “Obviously I am. It doesn’t even look good on Tendou. He looks like a palm tree in a baby suit. Akaashi, tell him how ugly he looks.”
Tendou scrunched his nose. "I do not look like a palm tree! You’re just jealous I look better than you. Scared the prince is going to fall in love with me instead?” He flashed a toothy grin and sent mock kisses over at Oikawa who spluttered.
“He won’t even spare you a glance once he lays his eyes on me!” Oikawa adjusted a curler which had gone astray, his caramel eyes flashing. “I am going to be the prettiest damn thing there he won’t be able to keep his hands off," he hissed in a low voice.
“Not with that attitude,” Akaashi pointed out.
Oikawa rolled his eyes, squinting over at him. “Oh yeah, because the prince is totally looking for ‘natural beauty’.”
Akaashi frowned whilst Tendou burst out laughing. “Well, I guess that’s a good thing considering I’m not interested in this so-called ‘mysterious prince’,” he replied, avoiding Oikawa’s amused expression.
“Oh? So you’re not interested in going to the Grand Ball at all?” he prodded, tilting his head to the left. “I mean, I did have an extra invitation but if you’re not interested I guess I’ll just have to throw it out.”
He looked both pleased and smug when Akaashi's head jolted up.
“Extra ticket? How did you manage to grab an extra?”
“Oh, you know,” Oikawa examined his nails with a knowing smile. “I have my connections.”
“He stole it from Suga’s letterbox. I saw him do it.”
Oikawa let out a surprised choke. “Tendou, you idiot! God, I hate you!” he snapped, the mud mask hiding his red face.
“Wow,” Akaashi raised an eyebrow. Eliminating competition too. You’re a bit of a sore loser, Tooru.”
His older brother at least had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed. “Yes, well Suga has definitely gotten something done to his face. Botox, surgery, he must’ve done something! No one looks that good in real life! Just think of it as removing cheaters.”
“By cheating.”
“Look, do you want the invitation or not? Oikawa snapped. “I ain’t got all day; this mask needs to come off in three minutes.”
Akaashi paused, chewing the insides of his cheeks thoughtfully. “I have nothing to wear.”
“You can borrow my stuff,” Oikawa waved him off dismissively. “Anything but green though. It compliments your skin tone far too nicely.”
Akaashi suppressed an eye-roll before letting out a sigh. “Okay. I’ll take it.”
He reached over, only for it to be yanked just out of reach.
“Ah-ah,” Oikawa tutted holding a finger up. “One condition," He pointed at Tendou. “Get me my pants back.”
Akaashi stared at his older brother. Tendou stared back. A smile began to grow on his lips and before Akaashi could open his mouth, he turned, bolting out the door.
“Oh, and you have twenty minutes,” Oikawa added. He brushed past, making his way to the bathroom. “Just enough time for me to wash this off and do my hair.”
Akaashi was left alone in his elder brother’s room. He could hear the thumping of footsteps lighten down at his stepbrother was already making his way upstairs. He let out a sigh. Despite Tendou’s loud personality, it was going to be near impossible trying to find him within the house.
Akaashi hummed contemplatively glancing around at the piles of clothing left astray. Something caught his eye and he paused, eyes darting to his right. Oikawa’s pair of 'long' blue slacks were left on tower-pile number seven. Akaashi never understood Oikawa's insistence on buying the same pair of pants in different lengths.
"So I know can match it accordingly to the weather, duh Akaashi. Sometimes I feel like you're purposely trying to drive me insane."
Akaashi leaned over to examined the pair of pants and blinked slowly. It still had its tag on. He shook his head. Oikawa was a creature of habit - since as early as he could recall, his older brother was always spending far too much on things he didn't need or had little care for. Akaashi glanced over his shoulder. Oikawa was definitely gone. He stared back over at the slacks. “I guess you’ll do.”
♡ ♡ ♡
“And… done,” Oikawa leaned back to examine his final look. His hair was sculpted perfectly with his fringe flicked to the side in a stylish manner and the gel setting it in place. It framed his slim face nicely and the subtle highlights in his hair illuminated his darkened-honey eyes. His skin was flawless too, the milky skin practically glowing and he patted his cheeks lightly.
Oikawa stared hard before shaking his head. “Tooru, I don’t know how you do it but my god, you’ve created yet again another masterpiece.” He smiled at his reflection before making his way out of the bathroom.
His bedroom was left open and he peered in, blinking in surprise to find Tendou perched on his bed neatly dressed and ready to leave. Oikawa’s gaze lowered and he let out a shrill shriek to find he was still wearing his pants. “What the hell, why are you still in those? You’re creasing them! Where’s Akaashi?”
Tendou leaned back, tucking his knitted hands behind his head. “Beats me. I got sick of hiding so I came back but he hasn’t been here since.”
Oikawa scrunched his nose, glancing around in suspicion. “Akaashi? The twenty minutes are up! I'll give you one final chance to grab my pants back!” he called. There was a creak and both brothers turned to find Akaashi had returned, slightly breathless. And holding a pair of short ocean-blue double striped slacks.
“Here,” Akaashi replied, tossing the shorts over to Oikawa.
The elder brother fumbled with the clothing. He gripped both sides, peering at it in utter disbelief. “What- but how..” He squinted over. “You didn’t steal these, did you?”
“No, I made it,” Akaashi replied nonchalantly. He strolled past to pick up the crumpled piles of clothes his elder brother had tossed aside. “I used your long pair since you never wear them anyway and readjusted the length.”
“Wow, Tooru got bested by his younger brother. How embarrassing.” Tendou cawed, grinning in amusement.
“I didn’t get bested, he cheated!” Oikawa snapped defensively. He turned to his brother. “Who said you could cut my favourite pair of pants! I can’t believe you.”
“But you’ve never worn them. The tag was still stuck on them,” Akaashi frowned. “I even had to add an extra inch by the waist since they’re a tad too small.”
There was a sharp intake and the room turned deadly quiet. Oikawa stood there in shock, eyes frighteningly wide and threatening.
“Did you,” he whispered lowly. “Did you just call me fat?”
Akaashi reeled back, brows scrunched confusion. “What, no. I’m just saying the pants were too small for you.”
Tendou was shaking his head in the back as Oikawa let out a hysterical scoff of disbelief. He pointed over at Akaashi. “I bought them slightly snug, alright? They’re meant to fit like that!” he snapped. He paused, hand reaching up to straighten his hair, then leaned back with a satisfied look. “Regardless, the deal was you get my pants back from Tendou which you didn’t do. So, I guess you can’t go tonight,” Oikawa singsonged with a sneer on his face.
“Okay.”
“Such a pit- what?” Oikawa blinked.
“Okay,” Akaashi repeated. “Not like I go any other year anyway,” He continued picking up the disgarded clothing, hanging them neatly over his left forearm.
“What, but- So you’re okay with that?” Oikawa demanded. “You’re not upset? Not even the slightest?”
Akaashi shrugged. “Well, I need to iron these anyway. Not to mention the dishes and sweeping need to be done too, so I’ll be occupied. Have fun though.”
Oikawa stared before shaking his head. "No, no! NO! You're meant to be begging me! Tell me how jealous you are that I'm going!" He rushed over, pulling out an intricate pale blue mask from his dressing table. "Look! Look how nice this it!"
Akaashi hardly spared a second glance. "It is nice, Tooru," he agreed. "I'm happy for you."
This seemed to agitate the elder brother even further and he opened his mouth to spit out another sharp remark.
“What’s the rackus here?”
The three boys spun around in surprise at the deep, booming voice. Akaashi bowed deeply immediately. “Father.”
Ushijima stared down at him, a jaw set and eyes terse. “You haven’t been fighting again, have you?”
Akaashi glanced over at Oikawa who opened his mouth. The elder caught his eye, hesitating for a brief moment before shaking his head. “No, just getting ready for the ball, that’s all.”
Their father watched their expressions carefully before giving a brief, satisfied nod. “The ride has arrived and the driver is waiting outside. Are you two ready?”
Tendou flashed a frantic nod and jumped off the bed. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Almost, almost!” Oikawa cried, frantically pulling out a white button-up shirt from his closet and slipping it on. He yanked on the pair of shorts Akaashi had tailored and examined himself once more in his full mirror. “Okay,” he breathed, running a hand through his styled hair. “I still look good. I’m good.”
“Eurgh, now we’re wearing the same shorts,” Tendou grimaced, shooting his brother a dirty look.
Oikawa grinned back, all his pearly-white teeth showing. “It’s such a shame I suit them more than you do.”
“Well, we best hurry. We don’t want the driver waiting,” Ushijima butted in quickly before Tendou could snap back. He paused, giving Akaashi a brief glance over. “I noticed the dishes weren’t done yet.” He turned, missing the way Oikawa and Tendou shot him an amused sneer and shoved their way out the door.
“I was meaning to finish those once I was d-“ Akaashi was rudely interrupted by the slamming of the front door. He stood there for several moments in silence before he drooped slightly.
“Done stitching Oikawa’s pants.” He finished in a soft murmur.
Akaashi glanced around at Oikawa’s spacious bedroom with its piles of rumpled clothes, lush, matted carpet which you could sink your toes in to, and the hundreds of galaxy-themed stickers stubbornly stuck on the walls.
He let out a withheld sigh.
♡♡♡
By the time he had finished ironing Oikawa's clothes, neatened up Tendou's bedroom, washed the dishes, tidied the livingroom and was on his way sweeping the kitchen, Akaashi felt considerably better. It had grown dark outside and he strained his ears to pick up any soft strains of music trickling in from afar. There was nothing but the soft swish of the broom which glided across the kitchen floor. He allowed himself to step back and forth tottering around slowly, arms sore from the repeated sweeping motion. Oikawa and Tendou must be at the ball by now, no doubt fighting over who looked better in their fancy masks and smart attire. Would they be considering the music which filled the entire hall? Or were they too busy trying to eye out the so-called 'single prince'? Akaashi snorted lightly at the thought.
Tendou had a wild, mischievous cheek to him which made it easy to attract others especially with his sharp wit and snarky jokes. Oikawa, on the other hand, carried a cunning facade of grace and charm which, accompanied by his good looks and sweet smile, always made both the boys and girls swoon. Though Akaashi? He frowned at the thought. Well, he was just Akaashi. He was definitely in no comparable state as his brothers. There was no way he could attract others the way his brothers did. Though, Akaashi hummed softly to himself, he supposed there were surely others who went to the Grand Ball not for the sole purpose of a matchmaking session. Surely there were others out there who came to enjoy the food, good company, soothing music, perhaps some dancing too.
“Dancing sounds kind of fun,” he mused to himself, sweeping the dust in to the pan. Not that Akaashi had ever gone dancing to begin with. But he found himself drifting at the thought. The grand courtroom, spread wide with its glistening, polished tiles. The soft murmurs of the crowds accompanied by the flow of music which would lure you in to the centre of the ballroom. Akaashi imagined himself standing alone in the midst the crowds, unsure of what to do. His eyes drifted across the sea of heads before blinking over at a pair of eyes staring right back. They blinked back, as though they were just as startled. They melted in to an amused look, eyes twinkling against the night lights. Without realising, Akaashi began to make his way through, excusing himself softly when he bumped in to the occasional person. He paused, standing in front of the other, shoulders knocking gently with the movement of the crowd. They held a hand up, eyes watching expectantly. Akaashi bowed politely and reached over. Their hand felt soft, delicate, and he felt himself being extra cautious as he led them closer. A hand drifted over his right shoulder, his hand resting on their left hip. Suddenly Akaashi felt nervous. He’d never done this before – was he meant to lead? The unease must have shown on his face because he heard a faint tinkling sound of laughter coming from the other. They lean in lightly, their lips ghosting over the shell of his ear. “Meow.”
Akaashi blinked, his daydream shattered and he found himself standing alone in the kitchen. What? He glanced around in slight confusion. The kitchen was silent if not for the random faint drip of the leaky sink tap. He glanced down to find himself holding his broom tightly against his chest. A slight warmth grew on his cheeks and he shook his head lightly, feeling somewhat sheepish. “Well, that was bizarre,” he murmured to himself. Rubbing the back of his head, he glanced down at the piled up dust in his pan. Right. He had no time to be drifting off – there were chores to be done. Akaashi let out a soft sigh and continued with his sweeping.
“Meow.”
He froze, head darting about. Okay, that definitely wasn’t his imagination. He spun around to find the kitchen empty as ever. Strange. He tightened his grip on the broom before slowly turning back to the floor.
“Well if that isn’t the saddest sight I’ve ever seen.”
Akaashi spun around, then jolted in surprise. A large cat was perched on the kitchen bench, completely frozen if not for its twitching tail. Its fur was inked a deep, jet black with the exemption of its pearly, pink nose and inner ears. It watched him with sharply-shaped eyes, whiskers quivering gently as though it were amused. Akaashi stared back, rubbing his eyes lightly for good measures. “A black cat? How did you get in here?” he frowned, glancing over at the nearby windows shut and locked. “Talk about bad luck.”
The cat squinted lightly, tail wiggling left to right. It opened its little mouth. “Bad luck? Dude, it’s a privilege to see me. And are you seriously sweeping the floor on a Friday night? That’s is kinda depre-“
The cat was interrupted when Akaashi swooped in, smacking it harshly off the kitchen bench. “Bad cat. Shoo,” he scolded. He used the brush end of the broom to force it out of the room.
The cat let out a loud screech, tail frizzed in shock. “Argh! Wait, du- ow! Let me finish, I’m here to help you ou-CH! Easy on the broom, buddy. You almost poked an eye out!”
“Out. You’re going to get me in to trouble. Tendou’s allergic to cats and the last thing I need is him breaking out in to hives the second he steps in the house,” Akaashi muttered. He maneuvered the cat toward the back door, smacking it in the face when it tried to make a mad dash to the right. “No, out. I’m not in the mood for games.”
“Okay, seriously man let me explain-OWWWW. STOP. STOP!” the cat screamed. It curled in tightly refusing to budge when Akaashi nudged it harder. He let out an impatient sound, swung his broom back but was met with a sudden cloud of thick dust.
“What the-“ he stepped back, coughing at the sudden inhale. He waved his arm frantically to disperse the foggy smoke. And stared blankly at the floor.
The cat had disappeared, and in its place was a man. He had a wild mop of jet black hair, a huge fringe flopped over his forehead. The man was on his hands and knees, his sharp-angled eyes watching him over his shoulder. He jutted his lower lip out in a pout. “For someone your size, you sure pack a punc-“
Akaashi flipped his broom swiftly, and whacked the man on the leg with the handle. “Get out! You better leave before I call the cops on you, thief!”
“Aergh!” The man let out a startled scream, nursing his right thigh. “Okay, okay! I’m leaving! I’m leaving! Oh my god, that hurts like a bitch!”
“I told you this was a bad idea, Kuroo.”
Akaashi stopped mid-swing and turned to find yet another cat near the sink. This one resembled more of a tabby cat, its fur light like sweet maize with faint streaks of darkened browns and blacks. It paid no mind to him, blinking over at the man with its bright, golden eyes. “You should’ve at least introduced yourself.”
“Well, it’s not like he even gave me a chance to sa- don’t hurt me,” The man, or Kuroo, cowered even further when Akaashi held the broom up threateningly.
Akaashi shuffled back, still facing Kuroo with the broom. “You. Stay right where you are,” he warned. He inched away and closer to the other cat. It made no efforts to run, simply watching him with its large, unblinking eyes.
“Quick, Kenma! He’s going to hit you!” The man cried out.
The cat continued to watch Akaashi who loomed over him. Several moments passed before Akaashi carefully leaned his broom against the bench and reached over. He hesitated slightly then picked up the cat, cradling it in his arms. ‘Kenma’ let out a small purr, body like liquid as he curled in to the warmth.
“I suppose you’re kind of cute,” Akaashi spoke softly, hand pausing before running through its soft, sleek of fur.
Kuroo stared blankly from afar, still stuck on his hands and knees. “What,” he guffawed. “Wow, oh wow. I see how it is. Smack one, love the other. Aren’t you lovely.”
“Well, pardon me for not welcoming a complete stranger who has snuck in to my house,” Akaashi eyed the other with distrust. “More likely a perve at that.”
“Perve? Perve?” Kuroo stood up, patting down his shirt. He had an incredulous look on his face. “Well damn, son. I go out of my way to help another in need and this is what I get in return? Verbal abuse and a broom up my ass? No way, I’m done.”
“I did not shove the broom up.. up there,” Akaashi frowned. “And you’re not exactly helping me by barging in to my kitchen with your pet cat.”
“Pet cat? Oh wow, that’s just cruel,” Kuroo leaned back to let out an amused laughter. “Hear that, Kenma? He called you a pet cat.”
The cat curled up in Akaashi’s arms let out a slight rumble before squirming from his grasp. It landed on the floor with grace, slinking over to the man. “I told you this was a bad idea,” it repeated.
“What is going on here?” Akaashi rubbed his eyes with his forearm. “I must be going crazy.”
“Crazy for smacking me, yes.” Kuroo pointed out, running a hand through his untamed hair. “But you’re not completely gone. You see, I’m here to help you.”
The man rolled his shoulders back, shaking his arms. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Kuroo,” He peered over at Akaashi with his half-lidded, lazy eyes and flashed a wide grin. “And I’m your kickass fairy godbrother.”