Two Worlds Apart // BokuAka

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September 20, 18:51.

No birthday was celebrated. Bokuto's head was resting on the edge of Akaashi's hospital bed. He hated this scenery. The sterile smell of the room, the beeping of the machines, the sight of Akaashi looking so fragile—he hated it. Bokuto had been in and out of the hospital back then, and now he's scared that he might end up in the same bed as well. Again.

He glanced up at Akaashi, who laid there with his eyes closed, looking more peaceful than how Bokuto felt. The past few days had been a blur of anxiety and exhaustion. Bokuto had barely slept, always on edge, always worrying. The fear of losing Akaashi gnawed at him constantly.

As he sat there, he felt a hand gently touch his head. He looked up to see Akaashi awake, giving him a weak but reassuring smile.

"Bokuto-san," Akaashi said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for being here."

Tears welled up in Bokuto's eyes, but he blinked them away, not wanting to show how scared he really was. "O-Of course, yeah. Uh... I'm here,"

Akaashi's smile widened a fraction, and he gave Bokuto's hand a squeeze. "Make sure to eat, alright? You look way worse than I do." he murmured before closing his eyes again, drifting back into a restless sleep.

"Of course," were the only words Bokuto could murmur. Akaashi's eyes fluttered closed again, his breathing steady but labored.

The hospital room was quiet, the steady beeping of the monitors the only sound. Bokuto shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position but never letting go of Akaashi's hand. His thoughts wandered to the future, to the uncertainty that lay ahead.

He was tired. Shibuya was quite far from where they were, but he insisted on coming along in the ambulance. Bokuto's eyes were already failing him, the lids growing heavier with each passing second as he tried to fight it.

A call from Kuroo jolted him awake. Bokuto fumbled for his phone, managing to answer just in time. Kuroo's voice was a lifeline in the chaos, steady and reassuring.

"We're near."

"I came all the way to Sendai to pick up Tsukishima. We'll be there soon." Kuroo added.

Bokuto nodded, even though Kuroo couldn't see him. "Thanks, Kuroo," he murmured, his voice rough with fatigue.

"All right. What room are you guys in?"

"409."

" 'Kay, don't worry, we still brought your birthday treats."

"Oh, Tsukki, say hi to Bokuto."

"Hi."

"Eh, could you be more nicer than that? You sound irritated all the time."

"You're noisy."

They never change, do they?

"I'll see you guys when I do. Take care! And thank you!"

He ended the call and sighed. Bokuto felt like vomiting at the sight of Akaashi's leftover food on the table. The sight and smell churned his stomach, and he rushed to the bathroom sink, barely holding it together. As he gripped the edges of the sink, he glanced up at the mirror.

Red asterisks were appearing on his skin, small clusters of red spots that were becoming more pronounced. The sight made him feel even more nauseous. The sudden movement he made to reach the sink was taking a toll on him, his head spinning and his legs feeling weak.