until death do us part

3

Bokuto spread his hands apart, beginning to count on his fingers.

"Hmm.. 14!" He counted his fingers again just to be sure.  Akaashi dropped the broom, falling to his knees. All he could think about was calling the police, but he didn't want to make that body count go from 14 to 15.

"Why..?" Akaashi's voice cracked. He looked at Bokuto, griping tightly onto his pants.

"Because they hurt me first. Isn't it fair if I hurt them too?" Bokuto met eyes with Akaashi, a small pout forming on his face. Akaashi shook his head slowly.

"No.. No it's not fair.. How badly did they hurt you for you to go to the extent of murder?!" Akaashi raised his voice, getting up and throwing the broom at Bokuto. He instantly regretted it, putting his hand over his mouth. He expected to be murdered right then and there, but instead, faint crying filled the dimly lit convenience store.

Bokuto rubbed his eyes as he cried, trying his hardest to get the tears to stop. Akaashi's eyes widened. He cautiously went over to him, bending down and carefully embracing the larger man.

"Bokuto-san. Don't cry.. I'll listen to all of your worries, if you promise me one thing." Akaashi stayed guarded, flinching as Bokuto embraced him back. The other nodded.

"What do I need to promise?" He looked up at Akaashi with the saddest look on his face. Akaashi gulped, staring down at him for a moment.

"Whoever is in that bag.. please let them go.."

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Bokuto gripped tightly onto his apartment door, his hands sweating, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

"D-Do I have to, Agaashi?" He turned to look back at the shorter boy. "What if he tries to tell on me again..?"

"Again?" Akaashi tilted his head.

"He caught me and tried to tell on me to I took him.."

Akaashi sighed, holding his hand to his head.

"If he tells on you, so be it. Maybe you deserve it." This made Bokuto cry.

"A-Agaashiii!!" He tugged Akaashi's arm, falling to his knees as he cried.

"You have no right to pout. Open the door. If whoever is in that bag the person I think it is, maybe I will convince him not to tell. If it's someone else, you're on your own."

Bokuto huffed, opening the door. He stayed out in the hallway, biting on his fingers as Akaashi let himself inside. Akaashi sat on his knees next to the bag, carefully placing his hand on it to allow the person to know he was there. At the touch, the person in the bag let out muffled cries, shuffling in fear. Akaashi rubbed his hand up and down in a comforting manner.

"I won't hurt you.." He spoke in a soft tone. Bokuto began pacing back and forth through the hallways, taking quick glances at Akaashi. Akaashi searched for the zipper, eventually finding it and slowly unzipping it open.

Tufts of dyed blonde hair, which was lathered with dried blood, had begun poking through. Akaashi felt a weight lift off his chest, but the sinking feeling remained in his stomach.

"Atsumu.." He choked out, lightly placing his hand on the other's cheek after taking the duct tape off of his mouth. All he received in response was a loud sobs.  Akaashi was gentle when removing the ropes Atsumu had been tied in. A few wounds, but nothing seemed to be major.

As soon as Atsumu was freed, he latched onto Akaashi, holding onto him tightly. All Akaashi could do was hold him and cry.

Bokuto felt jealous that Atsumu was being held like that, but the sound of Akaashi's cries hurt him like no other.

"I promise you're safe now.." Akaashi whispered reassuringly to the other, lightly running his hand up and down Atsumu's back.

Now for the tough part: convincing Atsumu to stay quiet.

Akaashi thought for a moment. Why didn't he want Bokuto to pay for his wrong-doings? Why was he trying to help Bokuto?

He looked back at the other, who was anxiously shuffling around. Atsumu hadn't noticed him yet.  Bokuto's personality, his actions.. they didn't quite match the crime. So why? What had the victims done to him to warrant death in return?

Akaashi was curious. Yes, Bokuto was a serial killer, but something inside of Akaashi made him feel... sympathy for him. He wanted to understand Bokuto's feelings, to care for him when seemingly no one else would.

What the hell is wrong with me?

—————————————————————

"Akaashi.. I want to go home.. I want to see Osamu." Atsumu looked at Akaashi, his expression weak.

"And home is where I'll take you.." Akaashi held Atsumu's hands gently. Bokuto began to breathe heavily, grabbing a vase filled with dead flowers off of the coffee table. He cried, charging towards Atsumu.

"I won't let you get me in trouble!!" He yelled, lifting the vase up high to throw it. Akaashi jumped up, standing in front of Atsumu to shield him.

"Bokuto-san, don't you dare.." His voice wavered, and he was most definitely scared. Bokuto's eyes softened as he looked at Akaashi.

"If you hurt him.. I'll never forgive you." Akaashi frowned, glaring at Bokuto. Bokuto's lip quivered as he dropped the vase to the floor. When had they become close enough for Bokuto to care about such a thing? Atsumu backed himself into the corner, struggling to catch his breath in fear of being hurt again.

"I-I'm sorry Agaashiiiiii!" Bokuto opened his arms to hug him, but was pushed away.

"I am most definitely not pleased with you." Akaashi turned to help Atsumu up. He looked at the blonde with pleading eyes. Atsumu looked at Bokuto, then at Akaashi, not exactly sure what to do.

"Atsumu.. I will take you to Osamu.. but please don't say a word..please." Akaashi begged, holding Atsumu's hands in his.

"You're.. You're helping that bastard?" Atsumu bit the inside of his cheek. Akaashi shook his head quickly.

"N-No! What he didn't isn't right., I don't want to help him.. I just.." Akaashi stood still, staring down at Atsumu's hands. He wasn't sure what he wanted. Atsumu took a long, hard look at Akaashi's face.

"Then leave Tokyo. Take that scum with you." He nodded his head towards Bokuto. "If you want me to keep my mouth shut, then keep him away from here." Akaashi nodded, tears welling in his eyes. Atsumu hugged him tight, taking Akaashi by surprise.

"I trust you.." he mumbled to the other, "thank you for saving me..."