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It was a normal Saturday night, where Akaashi performed in the café like he always does. He isn't so poor that he has to work to sustain his life; it's just that he loves to perform in front of people, where he can express his feelings. With his lovely old guitar, bearing scratches from memories of the past, he strums his guitar and sings beautifully.
Bokuto, a stressed-out student in his last semester at university, had just finished his assignments. Suddenly, his stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the afternoon due to his assignments. He sighed exhaustively and glanced at the clock on his bed, muttering, "Oh God, it's night already???" With that realization, he got up from his desk and decided to go out for some fresh air to calm his mind. He walked aimlessly and stumbled upon a café nearby.
He got in and wanted to order his favorite. "Hi, I would like to have one Vanilla Latte and one Croissant, please," he requested. After placing his order, he sat in the corner with his headphones on. After some time, he took off his headphones and noticed that the sound of applause was unusually loud. Curious, he glanced towards the center of attention and was surprised.
Their eyes met.
They both froze. Summoning his courage, Bokuto awkwardly waved to approach Akaashi. Akaashi came down from the stage after thanking the audience and walked over to Bokuto. Bokuto, scratching the back of his neck out of nervousness, greeted him, "Hi?"
"It's been a long time," Akaashi said with a smile.
Bokuto was still dazed, it had indeed been a long time since they had met, and he hadn't expected to see him again. "I didn't know you still performed with that guitar... now solo."
Akaashi chuckled bitterly. "You didn't want to know me anymore either, did you?" He didn't mean to sound harsh, he just wanted to speak the truth.
"You know it's not like that..." Bokuto replied, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
"That's completely okay, Bokuto-san. And yes, I still perform with that guitar; it's my one and only left anyway. Nothing's left, not even you," Akaashi said, being as honest as he could.
Bokuto didn't like this. He didn't like seeing Akaashi like this, struggling within himself without wanting to confide in anyone.
Akaashi got up from his seat. "Alright, I should go now. You should head home too, it's getting late."
Without realizing it, Bokuto lowered his head and held Akaashi's hand. They stood there for a few seconds, a few minutes, until both of them realized what was happening. "I'm sorry," Bokuto said desperately, then released Akaashi's hand and turned away from him, once again.
.
Flashback
"Akaashi!!!" Bokuto shouted from the hallway of the band studio. It wasn't just Akaashi inside, but he was the only one Bokuto had on his mind. "We got an invitation to perform at the Festival!" he exclaimed excitedly.
The other bandmates rolled their eyes and protested, "Do you only perform with Akaashi or what?"
Bokuto had met Akaashi when he was in his second year and Akaashi in his first year of college. Akaashi was just a clueless student who loved music and decided to join the band club. That's where they got to know each other and grew close.
"Akaashi, come practice with me!"
"Akaashi, I want to buy new strings; you should come with me!"
"Akaashi, my guitar string broke again."
Akaashi. Akaashi. Akaashi. Even when Bokuto's mind wandered, the only name it could find was Akaashi.
One day, it was just the two of them in the band studio. Bokuto had planned it that way. They spent their time playing guitar together while Akaashi sang.
"Akaashi, will you be my boyfriend, please?"
Akaashi looked up from adjusting his guitar strings, his fingers pausing mid-tune. Bokuto's question hung in the air. Akaashi blinked, his heart fluttering.
"Bokuto-san..." Akaashi began, his voice soft but steady. He set down his guitar gently and turned to face Bokuto, his expression thoughtful. Bokuto's eyes were fixed on Akaashi, his heart pounding with anticipation. Akaashi took a step closer, closing the distance between them. "You're more than just a bandmate to me," he continued, his gaze unwavering. "You're my closest friend, my confidant... and I've come to realize, perhaps something more."
A smile spread across Bokuto's lips, relief and happiness flooding his features. "Akaashi..." he breathed out, barely able to contain his emotions.
Akaashi reached out, his hand finding Bokuto's. Their fingers intertwined, a silent promise passing between them. "Yes, Bokuto-san," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper but filled with certainty. "I'd like that. I'd like to be your boyfriend."
Bokuto couldn't help but let out a joyful laugh, his free hand coming up to cup Akaashi's cheek gently. "Really? You mean it?"
Akaashi nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I mean it."
In that moment, all the tension and uncertainty melted away, leaving only the warmth of their shared affection. Bokuto pulled Akaashi into a tight hug, his heart overflowing with happiness. Akaashi returned the embrace, feeling a sense of peace settle over him. Bokuto caressed Akaashi’s cheek and looked deeply into his eyes. He brushed Akaashi’s lower lip with his thumb. “Can I?”
Akaashi wasn't stupid; of course not. He simply nodded and let his lips brush against Bokuto's.
And so, hand in hand, Bokuto and Akaashi began their journey together, in music and in love, knowing that their bond was stronger than any chord they could ever play.
.
6 months have passed; they had spent them together.
"Akaashi, look what I have!" Bokuto handed him the box and opened it excitedly, revealing two couple guitar picks. "It's cute, right? Right?" he said eagerly.
Akaashi giggled at Bokuto's excitement and examined the picks. "Wow, did you paint these yourself? They're so cute. Which one is mine?" he asked, slightly confused because there were two different owls.
"Hehe, this one is mine, the owl with gray fur. And this one is yours, the owl with chocolate fur! Didn't I do a great job?" Bokuto said confidently, showing off his painting skills and hoping for Akaashi's praise as always.
Akaashi giggled again and ruffled Bokuto's hair. "Yeah, you did! I love them so much. Thank you, Bokuto-san."
Bokuto blushed, pleased with Akaashi's response.
"Here's your favorite Vanilla Latte and Croissant," Akaashi said, balancing the food and drink in his hands.
Bokuto's eyes sparkled. "Oh! You always know when I'm craving something sweet. You're the best. I love you so much!" he exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Akaashi's shoulders.
Akaashi was taken aback by the sudden confession, even though they had been together for six months. He giggled and gently tried to loosen Bokuto's tight embrace. "Hey, I can't breathe if you hug me this tight."
Bokuto chuckled. "Oops, sorry about that. By the way, why didn't you say it back?" he pouted slightly.
"Huh? Say what?" Akaashi asked, genuinely confused.
Typical Bokuto, always wanting his love reciprocated. "I said I love you!"
Akaashi realized and gently touched Bokuto's cheek, smiling softly. "Oh, I'm sorry, Bokuto-san. I didn't realize you were waiting for that. I love you more."
Bokuto's face lit up with satisfaction at Akaashi's response.
.
1 year had passed; they had spent it together.
"Akaashi, can you believe it's been a whole year?" Bokuto exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked at Akaashi. They were seated in their favorite corner of the band studio, surrounded by music sheets and scattered guitar picks.
Akaashi smiled warmly, his fingers idly tracing the smooth surface of the owl-shaped guitar pick Bokuto had given him six months ago. "Time flies when you're enjoying yourself," he replied softly, meeting Bokuto's gaze.
Bokuto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! And we've shared so many wonderful moments together," he said sincerely.
Akaashi's smile widened, reflecting the happiness that had grown between them over the past year. "Indeed we have."
Bokuto leaned closer, his hand finding Akaashi's and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Remember when we performed at that festival? That was incredible," he reminisced, pride evident in his voice.
Akaashi nodded, recalling the rush of adrenaline from being on stage together, their music filling the air and their bond strengthening with every note they played. "It was unforgettable," he murmured, his thumb caressing the back of Bokuto's hand.
Bokuto's heart skipped a beat at Akaashi's words, overwhelmed by the love and admiration in his eyes. "Akaashi," he began, his voice quiet but earnest, "Thank you for being by my side. For sharing this journey, for believing in me."
Akaashi's gaze softened even more, his thumb brushing Bokuto's cheek tenderly. "Thank you, Bokuto-san," he replied softly, warmth filling his voice. "For everything."
In that quiet moment, surrounded by the echoes of their music and the memories they had created together, Bokuto leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss against Akaashi's lips. It was a silent promise of gratitude, of love, and of the limitless possibilities their future held.
.
2 years had passed; they had spent it together.
"Do you really love me, Akaashi?" Bokuto asked desperately. Akaashi was in his third year, completely immersed in his thesis, and Bokuto felt like his boyfriend didn't have enough time for him. He was feeling lonely and neglected. Yet, he didn't want to burden Akaashi, so he kept his feelings to himself.
Akaashi's hand, which had been tuning the guitar, froze mid-motion. He couldn't believe Bokuto would ask such a question. Hadn't he shown enough love all this time? Confusion clouded his thoughts. "Why would you say that...?" Akaashi responded, his voice tinged with hurt and disbelief.
Bokuto shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know, Akaashi," he muttered, frustration evident in his tone. "It just feels like... like something's been off between us lately."
Akaashi's brows furrowed as he searched Bokuto's face for answers. "What do you mean, 'off'? I really don’t understand," he asked softly, his voice trembling slightly.
"I don't know how to explain it," Bokuto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's like... we used to be so close, so in sync. But now, I feel like we're drifting apart. I cherish every moment we've shared. But maybe, maybe we're just not meant to be together anymore."
Akaashi felt a lump form in his throat as the weight of Bokuto's words settled in. "Are you saying, are you breaking up with me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Bokuto hesitated, his own heart aching at the pain he was causing Akaashi. "I- I think we need some time apart," he finally admitted, his voice cracking with emotion.
Tears welled up in Akaashi's eyes as he tried to comprehend the magnitude of Bokuto's words. "But I love you, Bokuto-san. I truly do," he choked out, his voice filled with desperation.
"I love you too, Akaashi, more than anything," Bokuto replied softly, tears now streaming down his cheeks. "But maybe love isn't always enough."
With a heavy heart, Bokuto stood up and walked towards the door, each step weighing him down with the pain of his decision. As he moved, he accidentally nudged Akaashi's guitar near the door, causing it to fall and crack. Akaashi's heart shattered in a way that the guitar, no matter how much it could be repaired, could not be fixed.
Flashback ends
.
"Dumbass, dumbass, dumbass," Bokuto muttered as he walked out of the café. "Why did I do that?" he regretted.
Akaashi sat quietly, still trying to understand everything that had happened, especially the painful memory of their breakup. His feelings for Bokuto hadn't lessened at all over the years. "It can't end like this," Akaashi sighed to himself. He was tired of it all, fed up with being left without any clear reason, fed up with being left a second time, fed up with everything. After struggling with his thoughts for a while, he got up from his seat and hurriedly went to look for Bokuto.
"Bokuto-san!"
Bokuto recognized the voice instantly, even without seeing who it belonged to. His heart sank. Just like Akaashi, he hadn't moved on since their breakup. It wasn't truly over for him either. Bokuto froze in his tracks at the sound of Akaashi's voice. He turned slowly, meeting Akaashi's gaze with a mix of surprise and longing.
Akaashi closed the distance between them, his eyes searching Bokuto's face earnestly. "Bokuto-san, we need to talk.”
Bokuto swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in his throat. "Akaashi, I- I'm sorry," he started, his voice wavering with emotion. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just... confused. I felt like we were drifting apart, but now I realize... I can't imagine my life without you. But I don’t have the courage to ask you to give me another chance."
Akaashi's expression softened, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "Bokuto-san, I was hurt and confused too," he admitted, his voice gentle. "But I still love you. I've always loved you."
Tears welled up in Bokuto's eyes as he reached out, tentatively taking Akaashi's hand in his. "Akaashi, please... can you please give me another chance?" he pleaded, his voice filled with sincerity and remorse.
Seeing Bokuto's desperation, Akaashi embraced him tightly, stroking his back comfortingly. “Shh.. shh.. I'm here. I also need to apologize. I understand you now. I'm sorry that I haven't been there enough for you. I should've understood you better. But I do love you, Bokuto-san.”
Bokuto tilted his head to peek at Akaashi's face and pouted like a child. "No... you don't need to apologize, Akaashi. It's just me being childish, always craving your attention. I'm sorry."
Akaashi chuckled softly. "Stop pouting like that. Or do you want me to kiss you that badly, huh?" He teased, trying to lighten the mood. Seeing Bokuto still pouting, Akaashi smiled fondly. "And yes, I will give you another chance. I mean, let's give us another chance. Shall we?"
Bokuto nodded eagerly and hugged Akaashi tightly, burying his face in Akaashi’s chest. “Yes, please. I won’t do it again. I won’t leave you again. I promise.” As he spoke, he felt Akaashi’s hands cupping his cheeks, and then Akaashi's lips gently kissing his face.
Akaashi giggled as he noticed Bokuto's blushing cheeks. "You're blushing so much."
A warmth spread through Bokuto's chest as he looked up at Akaashi with adoration. "Because you make me so happy, Akaashi," he confessed softly.
Akaashi's smile widened, his heart swelling with affection. "I'm happy too, Bokuto-san," he murmured, leaning in closer.
Their lips met in a perfect kiss, tender and full of promise. It was a kiss that spoke of forgiveness, of understanding, and of their renewed commitment to each other. Time seemed to stand still as they held onto each other, lost in the sweetness of the moment.
When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads touching gently, Bokuto whispered, "I love you, Akaashi."
Akaashi brushed his thumb across Bokuto's cheek, his voice soft. "I love you too, Bokuto-san."
They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, knowing that they had overcome a hurdle in their relationship. The future felt brighter now, filled with possibilities and the strength of their love.