villains aren't born (darling, they're made)

chapter four

Akaashi walked into the bar where Kuroo stood behind the counter drying a glass.

"Akaashi-kun! I'm glad to see you again, my dear friend!" Akaashi squints in response before recognizing Kuroo's boss at the end of the bar. He takes a seat at the opposite end and pulls out his wallet.

"Hello, Kuroo-san. I'll just take my usual." He rolls his eyes at the grateful look Kuroo sends him before placing down the money. He watched Kuroo expertly mix the perfect amounts of each liquor into a shaker with some ice. He placed another cup on the end and showed off by tossing the shaker and catching it behind his back before giving it a last few shakes.

"You certainly like to draw a lot of attention to yourself, Kuroo-san." Akaashi spoke, eyeing the way Kuroo strained the cocktail into a glass with an ice ball.

"I'll pay you back at home when I tip out. Wasn't expecting the big boss man to be here tonight." He whispered, placing down a drink and taking the cash.

An older lady walked up to the bar and ordered a glass of wine. Akaashi recognized her as the wife of Kuroo's boss. She was a nice lady, always happy to see 'Kuroo-kun' and asking him to do different tricks when the bar was empty. He had assumed she had just fallen for his charm but learned that that wasn't the case.

She had lost her own grandson to a house fire caused by a hero's carelessness. He was around Kuroo's age and some of their mannerisms were similar so when he had come in for the interview, she hired him on the spot.

"Akaashi-kun, is that you?" Akaashi gave her a soft smile and nodded as she walked over to him.

"I thought I recognized you! I haven't seen you around in a while and I was worried that job of yours was starting to take over your life."

"I guess you could say that." He chuckled, taking a sip of his drink before continuing.

"I am quite busy, so I don't get to come out as often as I'd like to."

"Well, you need to tell your boss to stop working you so hard so you can come see me more! I'm getting old and I'm not gonna live forever, you know!" She laughed and took a drink of her wine.

"What are you talking about? You don't look a day over 47." The woman laughs loudly and pats Akaashi's arm.

"You've been spending too much time with Kuroo-kun! You sure know how to make a lady feel young again."

Akaashi held back his reaction to being compared to Kuroo. He knew he'd get an earful about this later.

"I'll try to visit you more, don't worry." He said, earning a smile from the woman.

Akaashi talked with Kuroo and the woman a little bit, watching Kuroo perform any trick the woman asked for with a charming smile on his face. He felt a bit of tension easing off of his shoulder as he finished his first drink. Kuroo made him a second one and made a show of taking the money from Akaashi to show his boss that he in fact was paying for his own drinks.

Akaashi made small talk about how his schooling was going and how his job was treating him, you know, things older people want to hear about.

As he finished his second glass, the front door opened. Akaashi cast a glance in that direction and froze in his spot. So much for easing the tension.

"Hey, Kuroo-san? I'm gonna head home now. Thanks for the drinks." He said, sliding off the barstool and sliding a tip his way before bowing and bidding farewell to the bar owners.

"Wha– Okay, man. I'll see you later."

//

Author's Note:

Who do you think the saw? （／．＼）

 I know this chapter was really short, BUT I promise that it's worth it! the whole fic is 25k so there's plenty of content ahead!