Work Text:
"I long for our souls to be so deeply intertwined,
That Death himself would weep,
When faced with the thought
Of separating us."
- dd
Late nights are always the bane of Akaashi's existence.
The train back is always quiet, sure, but maybe too quiet. There were always the remnants of alcohol drifting around, people coming home from venues and parties, that maybe if he was more extroverted he would have been jealous of - but he's not extroverted.
He's Akaashi Keiji, junior editor, university graduate and most importantly, home to Bokuto Koutarou.
With his departure from the train, he slumps lazily back to his apartment, their apartment. It took a few moments, rummaging in his bag for his keychain, fingers searching quietly for the little owl figurine he had clipped to the apartment key. It was a memoir from one of their holidays together on one of the rare occasions were their schedules lined up.
The door opened with a loud click.
He slid his shoes off with ease, eyes drifting shut for a moment as he took a small breath before locking the door behind him. He can hear the soft sound of shuffling in the kitchen, more than likely Bokuto making some kind of night-time monstrosity - a snack, which more often than not consisted of some kind of carbs like bread and some weird spread that did not belong on bread.
"Bokuto-san?"
His bag falls onto the floor with a quiet thump, careful enough to not disturb the contents inside.
"Akaashi?" His lovers voice calls back, loud, energetic because, of course, Bokuto hadn't run out of energy yet. "You're home! I thought you were gonna sleep at the office for a second there!"
The younger of the two can feel his eyes roll, almost to the back of his head. He can't stop his eyes trailing to the food on Bokuto's plate. Just as he thought, some strange concoction of mango chutney, some strange brown sauce that Akaashi can't for the life of him remember buying and a piece of bread.
"Yeah, I had to finish editing the last chapter before I finished," He replies coolly, sinking back into the counter as he watches his boyfriend take a rather hefty bite of the... bread.
"I'm so glad you're back, I was about to go to bed! I had the greatest day today," Bokuto hums loudly, vibrating with positivity - a few crumbs fall from his lips onto his shirt which he quietly brushes off. Akaashi almost wants to scold him but he can't be bothered tonight. "Everytime the ball just seemed to come to me, like, seriously Akaashi it was awesome! I was all like 'pow' and the ball was all like 'ba-dump', it was crazy!"
He can't help but to huff, a semblance of a laugh as he shuts his eyes, "It sounds good, Bokuto."
Ocean eyes blink open once more, the plate slowly being emptied.
"Have you eaten dinner?" The pro volleyball player asks - well aware of Akaashi's eating habits.
Akaashi scoffs, "I should be asking you that. Bread and... chutney, isn't exactly a healthy meal."
"I ate earlier," Bokuto defends with a whine. The younger laughs to himself before affirming his boyfriend that yes, he had in fact eaten today.
"Good."
Bokuto's voice continues in the background, a loud hum of reassurance and persuasion, as if he's trying to convince him of something. He closes his eyes again - allowing himself to fall into the space of ease. He can barely comprehend what the owl-like man is saying. He's not asleep, just not truly tuned into the world around him, Bokuto doesn't mind though. He barely even notices, droning on about something Atsumu had said at their scheduled lunch.
Akaashi, for a moment, wonders if he can stay in this moment forever - listening to the echo of Bokuto's voice churring about his day as if it was the most special thing in the world. Maybe someday soon, when the manga is released and his boss is finally satisfied, he can do this longer. Sit and just listen to his partner.
He can feel the world darken a little around him.
There's a shuffling noise, the sink running is drowned out by Bokuto's obnoxious tone - something that sparks warmth in Akaashi's stomach and makes him smile. It's small but obvious to those who know where to look. The world softens just that little bit more as his back presses further into the counter, it would surely leave a mark but he didn't really care, not when his boyfriend was so close. So domestically close.
"Keiji?"
His ocean eyes blink. Once. Twice, slowly tilting up towards Bokuto.
"Hi," he whispers back.
Bokuto snorts as he quietly wraps a hand around Akaashi's, his thumb running a small circle along the editor's knuckles, "Hi. We should go to bed, we have work in the morning."
Akaashi barely acknowledges the words as they find themselves in the bedroom. For once, he feels at ease - no stress over deadlines, no worrying about dishes or chores, just peace. Him, his boyfriend and the comfort of their dimly lit bedroom.
Warm hands trail his body up and down, drifting against his skin like he's some kind of angel. He's not, but he feels like it.
"Want help changing, Keiji?"
Akaashi shakes his head slowly.
On any other day maybe he would've happily allowed Bokuto to change him, but right now, he doesn't wanna change. Just wants to sleep. He flops back quietly onto their sheets, ignoring the quiet snort that escapes the owl-haired man above him.
"C'mon," Bokuto murmurs as he takes off Akaashi's socks and tugs at his jeans buttons. "You can sleep naked or whatever, just, let's get out of these clothes, 'Kaashi."
The raven-haired boy scowls but allows it, "Okay."
He's left in his boxers, urged to brush his teeth - he begrudgingly does.
He slips back between the fluffy sheets, ones that Bokuto had convinced him to buy on one of their many impromptu shopping trips. Something about winter being cold and needing more warmth (which Akaashi couldn't argue against.)
"I'll be in bed soon," Bokuto whispers, pressing a small kiss to Akaashi's head as he slips off his boyfriends glasses, "I just need to take my jersey out the dryer."
He's drifting by the time Bokuto returns. Swimming in that distant space between sleep and the waking world. He can hear his boyfriend mumbling something to him. Maybe something he had forgotten about his day, maybe just letting him know he was back - whatever it was, Akaashi didn't respond more than a quiet groan. The air is warm between them, fluffy and soft like a cloud. He feels loved. Slowly being tugged towards his partner.
And for once, he allows himself to be the one taken care of.
In the morning, he'll take back over the duties of making sure Bokuto is fed and prepared for the day ahead but for now he's allowing himself the comfort of just closing his eyes and breathing in the warmth that lies between them.