Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Akito hadn't actually thought anything when he left the notebook he usually brought with himself on his desk. He had thought it was normal, that it should be fine. In fact, he didn't even think once about that damned notebook back at school, since they were on sports festival season, and his class had finally won something against their seniors. And Ena had told him in the morning that she wouldn't be home that evening, that she was going out with Airi for some shopping. So he had the entire evening to do whatever he wanted to.

It had been a good day so far, actually.

So good Akito couldn't believe it.

Wait...

His father couldn't have gone through his notebook, could he?

No, now he was just being paranoid.

Or was he?

He didn't have much on that thing... Mostly his failed drawings and school stuff.

Akito himself didn't have a clue on what things he had there. Shouldn't be too bad, right? He really shouldn't be putting too much thought on this... Plus, he's got practice with Toya later.

He greeted the house as usual, going directly to his room to shower and maybe actually try and do his homework. He was in an oddly good mood today.

When he entered his room, his father was seated on his couch seat thingy, looking extremely serious.

"What are you doing here?" Akito said, his tone guarded as he set down his backpack on the floor.

"I don't care how are you getting rid of this," The man pointed to Akito's notebook. The same he had left on his desk that morning. "But you are getting rid of it. Rip it, burn it. I don't give a damn how. But you're doing it."

Akito felt his whole body tense up, all the happiness he's felt during the day is gone in a fleeting second.

"Why the fuck are you going through my things for?!"

His mind began racing with all the possible stuff his father could've found. Was it the lyrics he's written? Or maybe his drawings? Or maybe–

Shinei stood up from where he was seated, slamming the notebook open on the exact same page Akito had wrote a few weeks ago (and forgot about it) And knew right away that he was done for.

"I think I like Toya. Not sure though."

Akito's breathing grew erratic with each passing second.

"Why the hell would you do that?! That was private!"

"Private my ass! After everything I've done to raise you, you dare to reward me with this?! Now his parents will sue us! Sue me!"

"Sue us for what?! What the fuck are you talkin' about?!"

"For harassing their son! Do you even realize how awful this is?! You're setting yourself up for the whole world to see!"

The man ran a hand through his hair before yelling again. His voice full of raw disgust and hatred for what is his son.

"You're damaging my reputation! This family's reputation! Do you think the grand art's exhibition will want to even consider showing my stuff knowing I have a son that's..."

Shinei looked up and down at his son for a moment.

"Goddammit, I don't even want to say it! That's how disgusting it is!"

"And how will Toya feel? He won't even want to sing with you anymore."

With that, Akito felt his blood boil. He didn't even care about what his father might say at him. Just not him– Not Toya–

"Don't you dare fuckin' drag him into this!"

"You already dragged him into this by writing about him!"

"Keep his name out of your goddamn mouth!"

Just then, Akito felt a sharp, dull pain to his left cheek. His father had slapped him.

"Just look at what you made me do. All of this wouldn't have happened if you were normal."

Akito felt how his eyes welled up with tears, but he didn't dare to let them spill.

God, he felt awful.

His father turned down to leave, not without saying, "You better fix... The hell's wrong with you." Before slamming the door shut.

Akito collapsed down on his bed, his knees buckling down. His breathing was shallow and erratic and hot, wet tears slipped down his cheeks and onto his chin.

He had never wanted for things to turn like this.

And when he was having such a great day too...

Now he was done for.

Toya in no way deserved to be part of this mess.

The ginger brought his knees to his chest, trying to bring some comfort to himself.

This really was a bad day for him.

Chapter Text

Toya was supposed to meet Akito at six for practice but the ginger was nowhere to be seen when he was usually on time most days. Toya couldn't deny that he felt a bit worried.

They've been doing great with their performances as BAD DOGS lately, the people seemingly liked them and saw potential in them. Which made Akito grin and say that if they keep up like that, surpassing RAD WEEKEND won't be just a distant dream anymore. And that thought was what allowed them to keep up the good work.

Still, Akito was taking a bit too long to get to the park near Vivid Street where they mostly practiced these days... Toya was really starting to get worried for his partner.

The sun was even going down by that moment and still no clue of Akito– and he never, ever skipped practice without a reason, even when he was sick, even when he was exhausted and his voice raw from overuse, still, he kept going. Like a flame that never died.

Something must've happened to him if he still hasn't shown up. Just then he received a text from Akito saying sorry and that he couldn't make it to practice that evening.

Toya immediately asked if everything was alright—no, he assumed, but he still wanted to ask— and Akito replied that it was nothing, that he just had a shitty fight with his dad. But he didn't elaborate further before asking Toya if he could come over, that his dad was out– which Toya replied that of course, that he waited for him that he was on his way.

He pocketed his phone as he stood up from the park bench to head at the direction of the Shinonome household that he knew by heart from the many times he's looked for shelter when his own home got too cold, too distant for him to be in. So may as well return the favor.

His pace wasn't slow, nor too fast, but it was quick still. He knew something was definitely wrong even without the need of Akito texting him. That's how far Toya just knew him, even without needing to say anything and viceversa. They were partners for a reason, after all.

...And he couldn't help feeling that there was more to what Akito was telling him. Since the latter had a tendency of hiding things. Toya's worry escalated as he grew closer to the residence.

Once there he knocked on the door, he just had to wait for a few moments for Akito himself to open up.

It was an understatement that Akito looked like hell.

His left cheek was flushed from the slap, his eyes were red and puffy from the tears he carelessly let out, hair messy from how much he's pulled at it in frustration and shame. He looked like he was ready to collapse at any moment.

Toya's heart ached in his chest at the sight of his partner. His fists clutching at his sides, but he couldn't lose his composure, he couldn't add more weight to Akito's distress.

"Don't– don't say anythin' I–"

"Akito..."

"Just get inside already."

The ginger moved to the side to let Toya enter and guided him with unsteady steps to his rooms.

Akito's legs were so wobbly as he walked, so much that Toya thought he would collapse at any moment, and he would have if it weren't for Toya's arms around his shoulder and waist to steady him.

"Careful... You'll fall at this rate..." Toya hummed softly at him, holding him up oh so carefully so he won't trip and fall. That would take a toll to his already frail state, even if Akito'd rather die before admitting it, but it didn't matter at that moment since he already felt beyond awful.

They went upstairs to Akito's room, with Toya opening the door to it.

The room wasn't that much of a mess—except for the ominous notebook open that was laying on the floor, Akito tried his best to avoid looking at it, but Toya noticed his distant stare from the object.

Still, he didn't mention anything, at least not yet. Toya helped him down on his own bed, making sure he didn't stumble into anything.

" 'm sorry... For not making it to practice..."

Toya shook his head at that. Why was he even apologizing for something that hadn't even been his fault?

And the way Akito was clearly avoiding eye contact with him, his eyes tinted with shame and something like guilt as the latter's hands slightly gripped the blankets, as if wanting ro ground himself. The sight was so heartbreakingly painful, so hard to swallow.

Even so, Toya wouldn't like to push him to talk, he'll do that at his own pace.

Just then, Akito sighed and rubbed one of his eyes.

"Gonna tell you what happened. You deserve to know that at least."

The ginger sighed once again as he put his words together.

'He doesn't owe me an explanation, he's doing this by his own will.' Toya thought to himself, then proceeded to nod and sit more comfortably.

"Take your time."

Toya listened intently to Akito's every word, and he quite literally felt his heart break into pieces. No one—especially not Akito—deserved to go through something as awful as that, his expression hardened a little. Akito, who has always looked after him since the day they met at that alley, now appeared to be in dire need of being taken care of. And Toya was going to do just that.

...And he wouldn't forget about addressing the indirect love confession as well, even if Akito already clearly knew his own feelings for him that he's been trying to suppress and hide... But there wasn't any need for that anymore, it seemed.

"God, 'm sorry. I've never thought that I would tell you like...this." Akito mumbled, his voice cracking almost to himself. But Toya caught up on what he said.

Oh, he wanted to comfort him so badly it hurt.

"Akito. Look at me."

Toya grabbed both of his hands on his own, rubbing circles on his knuckles with his thumb.

"Nothing will ever make me stop singing with you. You literally saved me, how could I leave you for something so human?"

Akito looked up at him, his eyes a mix of uncertainty and hope.

"Toya..."

"We don't have to figure anything out yet. I just want you to be safe."

Toya grabbed a blanket nearby and brought it to the bed. Setting it beside Akito and laying next to him now, fully wrapping it around them both.

"Let's sleep for now, okay?"

Akito nodded and let out a sleepy sigh against his partner's shoulder already feeling drowsy, eyelids dropping.

Toya smiled at the sight, humming softly. This is what he had wanted to see all evening, Akito warm and safe. This was all he asked for.

And Akito allowed himself to think as his mind pulled him into a restless sleep, that in the end, this day hadn't been so bad after all. Maybe just a little if he got to be with Toya like this.