Crushing It (Not Exactly) | K.Bokuto x reader |

Chapter 9: Talking to Akaashi

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Bokuto paced the gym, his footsteps echoing in the quiet, empty space. His mind was spinning, replaying every moment of the confession “practice” from the night before. Each time he recalled (Y/n)’s words, the softness in their gaze, he felt that strange twist in his chest all over again. For the first time in his life, Bokuto couldn’t shake a feeling, no matter how many times he tried to talk himself out of it.

It was mid-afternoon, and the usual sounds of bustling activity and clanging gym equipment were replaced by silence, save for Bokuto’s restless footsteps. He’d texted Akaashi to meet him, feeling a strange mixture of relief and anxiety when his friend replied, “On my way.”

Within minutes, Akaashi entered the gym, his expression calm as ever, though Bokuto could see a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

“Bokuto,” Akaashi greeted, folding his arms as he watched his friend pace. “You said you needed to talk. Is everything alright?”

Bokuto stopped mid-step, facing Akaashi. “Akaashi! I… I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration. “I keep thinking about (Y/n)… like, all the time. And last night, when we were doing that practice confession… something just felt… different.”

Akaashi raised an eyebrow, his usual calm demeanor hiding a glint of interest. “Different how?”

Bokuto took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “They looked at me like… like they really meant it. Like it wasn’t just pretend,” he said, his voice quiet, almost vulnerable. “And when they were talking about wanting to be close to me, I… I felt like I didn’t want anyone else to hear them say it. It’s weird, right?”

Akaashi sighed, giving Bokuto a long, appraising look. “Not exactly weird, Bokuto,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “It sounds like you might be feeling something more than just friendship.”

Bokuto’s brow furrowed, and he shook his head, almost as if he were trying to shake off the idea. “But… they’re my best friend. And all this time, I thought I was helping them with their crush on someone else!”

Akaashi let out a quiet sigh. “Bokuto, think about it. Every time (Y/n) talked to you about this ‘crush,’ they were with you, weren’t they?” He paused, watching as Bokuto’s face slowly shifted from confusion to a dawning realization. “They went along with your plans, all these little ‘practice’ moments… and it’s you they look happiest around. Doesn’t that seem a little too specific?”

Bokuto’s eyes widened, and he stopped pacing, staring at Akaashi with a mixture of shock and realization. “Wait… you’re saying…” His voice trailed off, his mind racing as he finally began to piece things together. “You’re saying (Y/n)’s… crush… might actually be… me?”

Akaashi nodded, a small, knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “It’s very possible, Bokuto. Think about how you feel when you’re with them. You’ve been so focused on trying to help them find the ‘perfect’ person, but have you ever considered that maybe they’re already looking at the perfect person?”

Bokuto’s heart pounded, his mind reeling from the idea. He thought back to all those moments he’d shared with (Y/n)—the laughs, the practice dates, the teasing looks, the warmth he felt every time they looked at him with that soft, fond smile. And that twist in his chest, that pang of jealousy every time he thought about them with someone else, suddenly made perfect sense.

“But… what if I’m wrong?” he asked, his voice hesitant, a rare vulnerability showing in his usually confident gaze. “What if I ruin things between us?”

Akaashi placed a hand on his shoulder, his expression steady and calm. “Bokuto, I’ve watched the two of you for a while now. You both mean a lot to each other, and I think it’s time you consider the possibility that (Y/n) might be waiting for you to realize it.”

Bokuto looked down, feeling a strange mixture of excitement and fear bubbling within him. “So… you’re saying I should talk to them? Actually… confess?”

Akaashi gave him a reassuring nod. “Yes. I think you owe it to both of you to be honest about your feelings.”

Bokuto took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. But beneath it all, there was still that tremor of doubt, of fear. This was unfamiliar territory—feelings he hadn’t known he’d had, suddenly surfacing in the clearest way possible.

“Akaashi,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper, “what if… what if they don’t feel the same way? What if I misread everything?”

Akaashi’s gaze softened. “Bokuto, I think (Y/n) has been giving you signs for a long time. They went along with all your plans, laughed at all your jokes, and even practiced a confession with you. That’s not something someone would do if they weren’t invested.”

Bokuto’s expression shifted from doubt to a cautious hope, a spark of excitement lighting up his eyes. “You’re right,” he said, a smile finally breaking through his worry. “I… I have to tell them. I can’t keep pretending I don’t feel this way. Not anymore.”

He stood a little straighter, feeling a sense of resolve. “I just… I want them to know how much they mean to me,” he admitted, the vulnerability in his voice replaced by determination.

Akaashi’s smile grew just a fraction. “Then tell them, Bokuto. Be honest. Be yourself.”

With that final bit of encouragement, Bokuto felt a surge of energy, a nervous but exhilarating thrill. He was nervous—no, terrified—but the idea of not telling (Y/n), of keeping his feelings bottled up, felt worse.

“Thanks, Akaashi,” he said, a hint of a grin breaking through his nervousness. “I owe you one.”

“Just… don’t do anything too over-the-top,” Akaashi replied, his tone light yet tinged with fondness.

Bokuto laughed, his usual brightness back. “No promises!” he shot back, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

As he left the gym, his heart was racing, his mind set on one thing: finding (Y/n) and telling them everything. Because maybe, just maybe, they’d been waiting for him all along. And maybe, he’d been waiting for this moment too.