𝓑𝓸𝓻𝓷 𝓣𝓸 𝓓𝓲𝓮

Chapter Eleven

September 26, Five Years Ago

"You're absolutely ridiculous, you know that?" Akaashi laughed, resting against the wall as Osamu was hunched over, breathing heavily as he choked out a laugh.

"Hey, he deserved it this time." Osamu muttered, standing himself up as he glanced over at Akaash, who was sliding down the wall on the concerté porch. He ruffled his hair to dry it off from the sweat beads that piled upon his hairline.

"Okay, but you didn't have to hit him with the ball that hard!" Akaashi shook his head, Osamu sitting beside Akaashi with a smile.

"Definitely worth it," A silent pause covered the two, Osamu glancing down at Akaashi's thighs that were lined with healing scars, "They're healin' pretty well, aren't they? I guess the Miya magic really works, huh?" Osamu was shoved to his side, Akaashi laughing.

"Never call it that again." Osamu sat back up, giving Akaashi a slight nudge of the shoulder before he continued.

"Seriously, I'm proud of ya, Keiji. It's been so long since ya last hurt yourself, you're gettin' better," Akaashi smiled, looking down at the crimson lines that traced over his previously flawless skin. He watched as Osamu reached a hand out, slowly running his fingers along them as he sighed, "Ya know ya can call me anytime, right? I'm always here for ya."

"I know, and you always seem to answer, even in the middle of the night- speaking of which, did you see-."

Present

Distant memories of the past Osamu and Akaashi shared replay in his mind, a light tap on his shoulder grabbing his attention away from them. "Keiji, are you okay? You've been spacing out the whole class." Kuroo whispered, the professor continuing to lecture about something relating to how trauma can me linked to responses.

"Yeah, I'm okay I was just thinking," Kuroo nodded, giving him a reassuring smile as he turned his head back to the front to pay attention again, "Kuroo, there's someone I want you guys to meet, if that's okay."

"Oh, who?" Akaashi's smile grew, his pencil tracing the letters on his page in cursive.

"An old friend." Kuroo agreed and the two ended their conversation, a devilishly cold hand migrating to Akaashi's knee as he moved it closer to Kuroo.

Akaashi's hand reached for the door to the entrance of the familiar restaurant he was at a few nights ago, his boyfriends trailing behind him. Kuroo and Kenma were stuck in their own conversation until a booming voice tore them apart.

"I told ya not to put it over there- I swear to god, if the fire department shows up again, you're dead to me."

"Oh, okay then." Kenma said quietly with slightly wide eyes, Akaashi laughing silently as he stepped further inside, the bell from the door ringing while they all entered.

"Oh, shut your mouth, it didn't catch fire this time!" The sound of another familiar voice shot butterflies through his stomach, happiness engulfing Akaashi like a hug, "I think I heard the bell at the door, ya might wanna go see who it is." Osamu groaned.

"This ain't finished," Osamu walked from the door that led to the kitchen, putting on his customer service smile, "Hello, welcome to- Keiji!" Osamu's smile instantly became genuine, Akaashi briskly walking up to the counter as he ran around. Akaashi wrapped his arms around Osamu, pulling him in a tight hug before they pulled away.

"Are you two fighting again?" Osamu sighed, agitated veins protruding from his tense neck.

"Well, because someone decided to put a towel on the hot stove!" Osamu emphasized the three words, Akaashi laughing as he turned to introduce his boyfriends.