~A Gift Like No Other~ (Soulmate AU)

Ch5 'Realization and A Cute Secret'

(3rd Person POV With BokuAka)

As the two walked hand in hand while the slight drizzle poured, Aakashi couldn't help but ponder what had caused the other setter to leave so abruptly. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed when he turned and saw that the cute boy had left without a word to him.

These thoughts were interrupted by Bokuto. "Hey, Aakashi..." This had surprised the Fukurōdani setter due to two things. One Bokuto had just said his name correctly and two the tone and volume present weren't the ones he would normally use. Instead of sounding cheery and excited, he sounded serious, instead of being loud or on the verge of yelling he was somewhat quiet...like he wasn't sure if he wanted to speak or not.

"Yes, Bokuto-san...?" Aakashi questioned turning his attention from the grey pavement to his soulmate whose attention was directed at the pavement just as Aakashi's was.

"W-what's... your opinion on..." The owl-like ace began still in that foreign tone, "...Kenma...." The last part had been just above a whisper as Bokuto looked up to meet the surprised blueish-green gaze of Aakashi, a small blush dusting his cheeks. The two stopped their walk under a tree which provided a little shelter from the drizzle of rain so they could talk.

"W-well...I like to hang out with him a lot and think he's a really cute--I mean cool guy!" Aakashi replied, answering Bokutos question. "Whoever he gets him as their soulmate will be quite lucky."

...

☔︎︎☕︎ MeanWhile ☕︎☔︎︎

Back at the restaurant with Kuroo, he wiped down the table in hopes of relieving the waitress's workload (I do this ok don't judge!) The money Kenma had left behind to pay for his share of the meal tucked in his jacket pocket he took it out to look at it, before stuffing it back in and then leaving some of his own money. The two Fukurōdani students had already paid for the cost of their individual meals and left a small tip on the table. Kuroo left a tip and put the rest of the money required for the whole meal in the checkbook, adding to what the other two had already put in and handing it back to the waitress who had returned to collect it.

As he walked off after paying he pondered why Kenma had felt the need to leave. Why would the pudding-haired boy just suddenly leave without a word to him? Maybe he just wanted to give them peace? No even then despite having anxiety he still would have said goodbye to him surely? Even if he was a quiet person...

Then it hit him harder than if the rain had turned to hail, ....quiet....

Kuroo stopped where he was letting the rain continue to hit his skin... "D-..did we exclude him...? Were we so loud that he felt ignored...?"

Though deep down Kuroo knew that that was the case he didn't want to admit it. He had been so loud he forgot about his childhood best friend...and what loud noises could do to him 'why did I do that!' were the thoughts racing in his head as he began running but not to his own home. No no, he was running to the slightly smaller home next door with the big oak tree out front and garden he had watched Kenma painstakingly work on in the back.

To Kenma...

♫︎🕷With Kenma🕷♫︎

Kenma had cleaned the house with what time they had and were now taking a break outside tending to the garden that surprisingly their parents had allowed them to have so long as they continued to listen to them.

The garden in question had a thin trickle of water that led to a small pond with lily pads that had colorful flowers on them. The garden was quite beautiful and it was obvious they had spent a lot of time and work on it. Among the multiple different types of plants was a small gazebo-like building. This is where Kenma was resting staring at the water and the ripples that the rain was causing. Though the rain had calmed down now and was now almost completely done. In their lap rested one of their cats. Their parents were unaware they had the animals and their father would have been furious if he had known. Hence why they kept them secret, though Kuroo knew and would help take care of the cats and would secretly take them on colder nights where they could not stay in the gazebo.

Most of the cats were playing on the family dog who had followed Kenma out to the gazebo. He was an older golden lab though he didn't mind the energetic cats. Who sometimes climbed and tumbled onto him. As they watched them tumble around the tired dog they could feel their troubles melt away as a small smile found its way onto their face. Sighing they got up much to the kitten, who was sleeping on him, displeasure.

They took the cats and put them into their box sitting in the corner. It was spacious enough for all of them and was lined with comfortable blankets but at the same time, the walls were too high for any of them to get out. They mewed in protest but Kenma had to start dinner so they ignored them, gathered them up, and put them in the box.

"Come on boy let go inside", Kenma whistled, patting their thigh with their hand to get the dog's attention. As they slid the door shut making a mental note to come back out later to refill the bowls for them. With that, they went back inside their home with the dog right on their heels.

(Next chapter will explain headcanons for this story and show off cats also I will need name ideas for them :P Also, I promise I'll start working on longer chapters)