Chapter Text
Akk
Akk slumps onto the couch, letting himself sprawl out with his head dropping into Aye’s lap and his legs stretched lazily over the armrest.
Aye sets the book he’s been reading aside with a sigh. “Shoes off the couch, Bigfoot.”
He grins playfully, not missing a beat. “You’ve been doing it forever, Shortstop.”
Aye raises an eyebrow, amused. “Exactly. I have. Stop turning into me.”
“Well, friend, I can’t help it. You’ve successfully spoiled me.” Akk’s extra cheerful tonight. Guess he’s just happy to be home. “I’ve been living with you too long.”
At 24, they’ve been living together for nearly six years now. They’ve been friends far longer—16 years, to be exact. When Akk and Aye entered university, they’d moved into an apartment together, just like they’d always planned. And they never moved out.
“I’m always the one at fault.” Aye grabs a pillow and whacks Akk with it. Akk laughs, turning to hide his face in Aye’s stomach.
“You said it, not me,” Akk says, shaking his head with an affectionate smile.
Aye leans back against the couch. “So, will you spill about the date, or should I assume the worst, given you’re home at…” He checks the clock, his expression morphing into a mix of pity and amusement. “…ten? Yikes.”
“Assume the worst, friend. Might actually be better than what I went through tonight.” Akk sighs dramatically, throwing an arm over his face for added flair.
Aye snorts, his fingers slipping into Akk’s hair, and Akk instinctively leans into the touch. Aye’s always loved doing that—anytime Akk’s within reach, his hands seem to find their way into Akk’s hair. It started when they were eight, with Aye sneaking up behind Akk to pull at his hair just to annoy him. Akk would throw a fit every single time. Over the years, though, it turned into something else—a quiet comfort. Now, Aye’s mindless habit of playing with Akk’s hair could soothe the taller man’s nerves on even the worst days.
“Tell me, tell me,” Aye prompts, his tone a mix of curiosity and mischief.
“He coughed into my mouth two seconds into the kiss,” Akk groans.
Aye throws his head back and laughs animatedly. His laugh is loud and unapologetic, a brash ‘Ha ha ha ha’ that fills the room. It’s Akk’s favorite sound.
“It was so awkward, Aye, I ran away.”
“Serves you right,” Aye sing-songs, grinning.
“If you say ‘I told you so,’ I swear I will—”
“Told you so,” Aye cuts in, his grin widening.
“Ai’Aye!” Akk stretches his name, half-exasperated, half-amused.
“Dating apps are horrible,” Aye says with mock gravity. “I told you I’d find you someone from work, but you didn’t listen.”
“I am not going out with someone you work with, Aye. Stop it.”
Aye gives him an exaggerated pout. “It’s a harmless, very kind suggestion! There are too many cute guys at work, all horribly single. It pains me.” The little shit loves being extra about this topic, and for some reason, it always makes Akk… annoyed.
He sits up, clearly irritated. “If they’re all so cute, why don’t you ask them out? You’re one of the horribly single ones.”
“I don’t date people I work with,” Aye says easily. “But beyond that, I’m just not ready to go out with anyone.”
“You’ve been saying that for five years now. C'mon, Aye, I'm pretty sure you're over your University ex.”
Aye’s expression sharpens. “It has nothing to do with White,” he grabs Akk by the hood of his hoodie, tugging him back into his lap. Akk flops down with a defeated pout. “He’s a good friend, and it’s better this way.”
Aye had dated the guy back in their first year of University. White was a year senior from the same Political Studies department. After bumping into each other at countless rallies and marches, Aye had asked the even shorter guy out. They worked well together, their strong political opinions never clashing. Even though Akk was never a fan of the guy, he had to admit Aye’s boyfriend was one of the nicest people he’d met. More importantly, White made Aye genuinely happy—happier than Akk had ever seen him.
One day, Aye had dropped that White asked him to move in together. The next day, they were broken up. Aye had been miserable, and Akk had been there to hold him through it, though he never pushed for an explanation.
Aye never dated again.
Now, Aye’s always defensive whenever Akk brings up the topic, and Akk hates how the air shifts between them. Aye and Akk love teasing each other, but Akk can’t stand real tension with his best friend. So, he quickly changes the subject.
“Okay, okay. Anyway, another failed date on the list for me,” Akk says, feigning sadness. In reality, he hadn’t been all that invested in the kiss-cougher guy to begin with.
Aye shifts beneath him, and Akk feels it—the tension easing out of his body. As if on cue, Akk relaxes too. “That’s eleven in a row,” Aye remarks with a light chuckle.
“You’re keeping count?” Akk says, his voice a mix of disbelief and amusement.
“Someone has to,” Aye replies, grinning. “You go through boys like I go through coffee.”
“I’m not some kind of playboy,” Akk mutters, though there’s a hint of defensiveness in his voice. “I just… don’t seem to click with anyone I go out with.”
“You know you don’t need to force it, friend. You’ll find someone,” Aye says, his fingertips moving through Akk’s hair like a familiar melody. “This one’s the funniest, though. I’ve had my share of awkward kisses, but never anything like that.”
Akk smiles up at him. “Okay, your most awkward kiss. Go.”
Aye pauses, thinking. “Hmmm, oh… junior year. Jack. You know how horny teens are. Our teeth clanked so hard, I chipped my tooth.”
Akk gapes. “No, you’re lying.”
“Nope,” Aye replies with complete sincerity. “I have a chipped tooth to show for it.”
Akk snorts, sitting up. “I can’t believe it. Also, how do I not know this?”
“I was young and way too embarrassed to tell you.”
Akk laughs. “Show me. I wanna see!”
Aye leans in, opening his mouth. Akk inspects closely, and sure enough, there’s a chipped tooth at the corner. It’s only noticeable if you’re looking for it. Still, Akk’s baffled he never noticed before. He’s seen Aye’s mouth up close plenty of times—for reasons he can’t quite recall, but definitely has. They’re best friends, after all.
“Battle scars,” Aye says, laughing.
“Your mouth smells like coffee,” Akk blurts out.
“That’s ‘cause I drank three cups while you were out, genius.”
Akk hums, still inspecting. “I bet you taste bitter right now.”
Aye gasps, feigning offense, but a gleam of mischief quickly flickers in his eyes. “You wanna find out?” He grabs Akk’s shoulders and playfully leans in, puckering his lips. Akk lets out a scream-laugh, leaning back. Aye does this all the time. He loves freaking Akk out.
“Friend, you need to stop doing this. One of these days, I’ll actually kiss you.” Akk’s bluffing. There’s no way he’d kiss his best friend.
Aye laughs, pushing Akk onto his back on the couch and straddling him. “Oh, sure you will.”
Akk squirms beneath him, laughing as he tries to wriggle free. “Ai’Aye, get off me!”
“Make me.” Aye’s eyes sparkle as he locks eyes with Akk, then starts smacking his lips together, producing exaggerated kissing sounds.
Akk rolls his eyes and lightly punches Aye in the sides. “You’re so annoying.”
Aye’s pout turns theatrical. “At least I won’t cough into your mouth while kissing you.”
“You haven’t kissed in years, my dear friend. Your inexperienced ass will end up chipping another tooth.”
Aye kicks him lightly in the shin, and Akk laughs through a groan.
“Bigfoot, let me tell you—I’ve been called a kiss god.”
“By whom, Shortstop? Jack the tooth chipper?” Akk’s voice is breathless from laughing as he lands another playful punch on Aye’s arm.
“Stop punching me,” Aye protests, grinning wide.
“No!” Akk’s laughter spills over, his fist lightly tapping Aye again. It sends them both into another fit of giggles.
“Fine then, new house rule,” Aye announces, trying to sound serious. “You punch, I kiss.”
Akk shakes his head, his body trembling with amusement. “What kind of nonsense rule is that?”
To prove his point, Akk punches Aye again, his cheeks aching from smiling.
Aye nods, eyes narrowing with determination. “You just wait, I’ll show you nonsense.” He lunges toward Akk, but the taller man dodges easily.
“Loser,” Akk teases, throwing another punch and evading Aye’s retaliation.
Aye, still straddling him, looks resolute, but Akk’s quick reflexes, honed by years of mischief, keep him just out of reach. His punches grow lighter, more like affectionate taps.
By the sixth attempt, exhaustion finally slows him down, and Akk doesn’t dodge.
Their lips crash together. But Aye doesn’t pull away. Instead, their identical wide grins remain pressed together, as they both grow still, laughter fading into something else, something warmer.
Akk isn’t sure who moves in first—his brain isn’t exactly operating at full capacity—but suddenly, they’re kissing. Not just a tentative kiss, but a kiss that deepens with every second. It’s overwhelming and exhilarating, like stepping off a cliff and finding you can fly.
Every little thing Akk does seems to spur Aye on tenfold. It’s like the guy doesn’t even need to breathe—he’s just consuming Akk instead.
Their teeth clank, but not in a tooth-chipping way. It’s a collision that feels so them—natural, messy, perfect. Akk’s tongue slips into Aye’s mouth, and the other boy opens up to him without hesitation. Akk had guessed Aye might taste like bitter coffee, and he had been right. Akk hates bitter coffee. But as it turns out, Akk doesn’t mind bitter coffee when it’s on Aye. No, he swears he doesn’t want to taste anything else ever again.
There’s usually an awkward period when kissing someone new, figuring out how your lips fit together, but this? This feels instinctive, like they’ve been kissing each other their whole lives. Their movements find a rhythm—a teasing, tantalizing give-and-take that has Akk wanting more.
More.
He sucks gently on Aye’s tongue, savoring the wet, warm sensation, and his hands slip to Aye’s waist, pulling him flush against his chest. Aye collapses fully onto him, their bodies aligning perfectly. The friction between them sends an unexpected jolt of heat racing through Akk, and he can’t hold back a noise of pure appreciation.
Aye responds by moaning into Akk’s mouth.
Aye moaned. Into his mouth.
Akk’s best friend moaned into his mouth!
The realization makes Akk’s mind spin, all coherent thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind. Heat floods his body, pooling low, and the intensity of it makes him shudder.
That’s when they finally pull apart, both of them gasping for air. Akk keeps his eyes shut, savoring the lingering warmth, the weight of Aye on top of him. Their breaths mingle, ragged and synchronized, their chests heaving in unison.
Akk’s lips start to curl into a grin, the bliss of the moment washing over him—until he feels a featherlight kiss pressed to the corner of his mouth. It’s so soft, it tickles, and he instinctively parts his lips, ready to capture Aye’s again.
But suddenly the warmth—the weight—is gone.
Akk opens his eyes, blinking as if he’s just woken from a dream. A beautiful, intoxicating dream. Except it’s not a dream—his swollen lips, the faint taste of Aye still on his tongue, and the telltale ache in his pants all confirm it.
He sits up, and there’s Aye, perched at the far corner of the couch. He looks like Akk’s wildest fantasy come to life—hair a disheveled mess, cheeks and ears flushed scarlet, and lips slightly swollen; with a thin string of saliva glistening at the corner. His knees are pulled to his chest, but he’s still exuding the aftermath of what just happened, his gaze hazy and unfocused.
Akk did that.
The thought sends another wave of warmth through him, leaving him both flustered and delighted. He scoots closer, not bothering to hide the soft smile on his face. Aye doesn’t move, so Akk snuggles close like he always does on movie nights, resting his head on Aye’s shoulder.
Right on cue, Aye drapes his arm around Akk’s shoulders, pulling him in.
And just like that, everything feels right in the world again.
“Aye?”
“Hm?”
Akk shifts slightly, angling himself so their eyes meet. His smile is soft, a little mischievous. “Did I ever tell you about the time I made out with a kiss god on this very couch?”
Aye blinks, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and shock. Then, like they’ve done a million times on this couch, they burst into laughter—a fit of genuine, full-bodied joy that shakes them both.
But this time, Akk does something they’ve never done before, not through all their years of shared laughter. He leans in and captures his favorite sound, tasting it in a soft, lingering kiss.
The laughter fades, and Aye stills under him, pliant, and completely undone. Emboldened by the reaction, Akk shifts forward, straddling Aye’s lap. Aye’s eyes widen, but he doesn’t protest; instead, his hands settle on Akk’s waist, helping him find his balance.
Now that he’s had a taste, Akk seems unwilling to stop.
Smiling, Akk leans closer, intent on claiming another kiss, but a warm hand presses gently over his mouth, stopping him.
“Akk,” Aye murmurs, his voice soft but steady, “I need to know if you’re okay first. Because I’m okay —more than okay, I...” He trails off, swallowing nervously. His eyes flit to Akk’s lips, lingering, his lashes fluttering like shutters capturing a dozen snapshots. Then, finally, he meets Akk’s gaze, searching. “Are you? Are we good? Because we can stop if you’re uncomfortable or if you regret—”
Akk silences him with his lips, kissing him firmly and with purpose.
Because Aye’s okay with this—more than okay—and so is Akk.
When they part, Aye’s quiet, his pretty eyes impossibly wide.
Akk laughs, his grin is teasing but soft. “I can’t believe I finally found a way to shut you up, Shortstop.”
Aye groans, before leveling Akk with the fondest glare he’s ever seen. “Ai’Akk!”
Akk chuckles, tipping his forehead against Aye’s. “By far my favorite way.”
“Yeah?” Aye asks, his voice tinged with hope, his gaze shining with a mix of wonder and vulnerability.
“We’ll talk about it,” Akk promises, his tone softening, his thumb brushing lightly over Aye’s flushed lower lip. “All of it, I swear. But I can tell you one thing right now—we’ll be fine. We always are.”
Aye nods, his movements quick and eager. “Okay. Okay.”
Akk’s smile grows, his voice dipping lower, filled with affection. “We’ll talk as much as you want but right now, I can’t think about anything except kissing you again.”
Aye grins, his hands curling into Akk’s hoodie, pulling him closer. “Then kiss me senseless, Bigfoot.”
And Akk does, meeting him halfway as the distance between them disappears once more.