Tick. Tick. Tick.
Bokuto opened the door to his apartment, quietly as possible. The apartment was messy as usual. There were bottles of glitter and several books everywhere. Cat toys littered the couch and floor.
Bokuto set down his bag and set his coat on it. "Alright…"
He walked to his room and saw Akaashi half on the floor, half in his chair with a pen in hand. All around him were crumpled pages of sketches and his arms were littered with doodles. His kitten was sleeping on his desk, on a towel.
"Keiji…" Bokuto leaned down and took his glasses and lifted him into bed. Akaashi was out cold, just complying and laying out on his bed. It wasn't odd to see Akaashi sleeping in weird places but he'd put himself to bed before.
Usually, Akaashi went to bed at midnight and woke up at seven to start his day. Right now it was six-thirty though and the sun was peeking through the opened blackout curtains.
Bokuto shut them despite knowing storm clouds would cover the sun soon. He covered Akaashi up in a comforter and rubbed his shoulder, waiting. Akaashi cuddled into his pillow, humming.
"You really need to stop going to bed so late," He whispered. Bokuto lifted their kitten off of the desk and put him on the bed.
Bokuto set a timer for one in the afternoon and got out of his work uniform. He put on some sweatpants and climbed into bed, snuggling up against Akaashi's warm body.
Akaashi breathed deeply and slowly in his sleep. It was always reassuring to hear that if Bokuto woke up for random reasons. It was a sign of life in his lover and he adored his breathing in the shadows of their tiny apartment bedroom.
The one he had used the wrong color paint on and had decorated with fairy lights to help with Akaashi's anxiety. The one he'd made a safe haven for Akaashi. Everything was cozy and a bit messy in here compared to the rest of their tiny apartment.
It would be okay though. This is what they were starting with. Not a forever home but it was home and it was lovely.
And time went on and the rain scattered against the drafty window. Bokuto smiled, rubbing Akaashi's cheek. Akaashi laid against him, sleeping peacefully as thunder rang out.
He did drift off eventually. His worry had subsided for now and he was comfortable.
****
"Hmph." Akaashi rubbed his eyes, squirming. Something loud was playing and it had woken him. He didn't like it in the least.
He leaned, fully prepared to turn off his alarm clock but was blocked by something. His eyes focused a bit and he smiled. "Kotaro."
Bokuto huffed. "I really don't wanna move…"
Akaashi hummed. He pushed Bokuto onto his back and turned off the alarm. He laid on his chest, comfortable. Bokuto's body was warm.
"Nice and comfy baby?"
"Mhmm…" Akaashi yawned. He rubbed Bokuto's chest. "G'morning."
"Good morning cutie." Bonito rubbed his eyes. "God I slept so well…"
Akaashi closed his eyes and yawned. "Comfy."
"My mouth's a bit dry… Eh." Bokuto stretched. "Wanna go get something to drink and some breakfast?"
"Mhmm."
"Great…" Bokuto stayed still before groaning. "You're so comfortable."
Akaashi sat up and leaned over, kissing Bokuto's lips. Chapped. A bit warm.
Bokuto smiled and laid on his side. "I'm sorry for not coming home but they put me on a night shift."
"That's okay."
"What did you do while I was gone?" Bokuto questioned, sitting up and holding Akaashi close. "Was little Button a good little guy?"
"Mhmm. He sat on my back when I was doodling on my arm. By the way, I was only drawing because I was bored. And to distract you from the bruise on my arm. I was running around the house trying to catch him and there was a towel on the floor. I slipped and my arm hit the door frame. Now we have a broken door frame, which is odd, and I also-"
Bokuto listened to Akaashi rant, arms around his stomach and head against his chest. Despite Bokuto usually ranting, Akaashi loved to rant as well. Usually, it was only when prompted.
Akaashi went on for a while before he was able to calm and Bokuto took him to the kitchen. Despite it being afternoon he made a pot of coffee and sat with Akaashi. Akaashi sat still except for the little glances.
Bokuto gave him his medicine and kissed him before they went back to their room and opened the heavy curtains. Akaashi watched the rain, spaced out due to his medication. Bokuto held him from behind, smiling. "Keiji."
"Mhmm?"
"How about you try to do something babe? Try to focus on something."
"Haha… Right." Akaashi leaned back. "I love you."
"I love you too." Bokuto closed his eyes and tightened his grip. "So much."
"Why didn't you come back for me?"
Bokuto felt his arms tap his waist and shook. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he sat there, holding himself. "I'm sorry baby. I'm so sorry."
Bokuto opened his eyes to see an empty side of his bed. Someone was touching his shoulder. "Kotaro?"
"Please tell me it's not that hallucination."
"I'm here," Akaashi whispered. He climbed into Bokuto's lap. "We need to take you off of that medication before these hallucinations get worse."
"What can be worse than this?"
Akaashi smiled sadly. He held Bokuto's face in his hands. "Deep breath."
Bokuto took a deep breath. He leaned back until he was laying down, holding Akaashi on top of him to his chest. "I would never leave you."
"I know."
"I love you more than anything in the world. I love you. I love you. I love you."
Akaashi quieted him, rubbing his cheek. "I love you too. Very much."
Bokuto shakily sighed. This was more than his mind. This was his lover. His life. He wouldn't ever leave him.
This is from a writing contest back in June. I made my own version but was judging other people.
