Akaashi's 18th (and the events that followed...)

3. One Final Surprise

By the time Bokuto had reached the table of food, he had managed to be distracted in conversation with pretty much every other person in the room. Luckily, Akaashi took a while talking to Kuroo, and by the time he was leaving the bedroom, Bokuto was back, two bowls of green, leafy food in hand.

"I got you something to eat," He smiled as he handed Akaashi yet another surprise. "I made you Nanohana no Karashiae after training."

Akaashi lifted his head to meet Bokuto's gaze, and for the hundredth time that evening, Bokuto was struck with the desire to keep Akaashi impressed forever. As long as he kept on saying 'well done,' Bokuto would forever be happy. "Thanks, Kou."

Bokuto felt the word stab him in the heart, and he struggled with the desire to pull Akaashi towards him and hug him as tight as possible. Luckily, they were both distracted by a cheer from the kitchen-come-dining room. They stepped closer, Bokuto pushing through the crowd slightly to make space for Akaashi to stand.

In the centre of the floor, Hinata and Kageyama stood, both balancing volleyballs on their noses. Bokuto smiled to himself as Akaashi joined in with the cheers. It was rare to see him so openly enjoying himself, and it was a sight Bokuto would never get enough of. "Hey hey hey Hinata! Keep going!" Bokuto yelled.

"Poor Kuroo," Akaashi mumbled so only Bokuto could hear. "He'll be getting many noise complaints tomorrow."

"He does already - that guy turns the TV up so loud I can hear it from my apartment," Bokuto laughed. At that moment, Kageyama lost focus as Hinata brushed his arm accidentally, straightening up, and the volleyball fell onto the floor.

"Yay I win!" Hinata jumped to high-ten Noya.

"Yeah yeah, you win." Bokuto stared at Kageyama, who had spoken.

"I-what?" Hinata turned around, wearing the same expression as Bokuto knew he himself was.

"I said you won, boke!" Kageyama punched Hinata lightly on the shoulder, who tried to glare back, but surrendered under the other boy's merciless gaze. Bokuto caught Sugawara and Noya grin at each other. He looked down at Akaashi, who wore the same expression. Was he missing something?

"Happy birthday again, Akaashi!" Daichi gave the boy beside Bokuto a bright smile as he and Sugawara herded the rowdy Karasuno crew into the corridor.

"Thanks for coming!" Bokuto grinned. He really was thankful - Daichi, having an overbearing sense of team responsibility, had made the Karasuno lot stay after ten pm to clean up the cups and store the leftover food in Kuroo's now stuffed fridge. At least the guy wouldn't have to bother making dinner for the next week. Daichi returned Bokuto's thanks with a knowing gaze, and a raised brow. Do it; no need to be afraid. That's what it said. Unfortunately, that did not calm Bokuto's impending nervous breakdown.

"Are you alright getting back to Miyagi?" Akaashi asked politely.

"Yeah - Suga, Asahi, Shimizu and I can all drive so we'll take it in shifts. The second and third years," he pointed at Noya and Hinata, whose energy seemed to have been sapped from them in the past few hours, "will be asleep before we've even gone ten minutes." He took Suga by the hand, who swerved his head back in surprise, staring at their adjoined grasp. "Oh, sorry." Bokuto caught the blush on their cheeks before the man cleared his throat. "We're heading back now, Suga."

"Sure," Suga smiled angelically, and Daichi averted his gaze again. "Stop being so tired!" Suga misinterpreted, slapping him gently around the cheek. "Or you'll fall onto the steering wheel and we'll all crash!"

Daichi visibly paled, and Bokuto cackled. Akaashi gave him a stern look and his heart sped up. "Uh, I mean," Bokuto stopped, "have a safe journey home!" He waved at Tsukki - who glared sourly at him before turning to speak to Yamaguchi - and at Hinata, who waved back enthusiastically.