Bokuaka (Haikyuu!!)

Chapter 3

A/n: I'm sorry this took forever, I'll try to update more regularly from now on!
Also it's kinda short too... Anyways, happy holidays! *even though it's kinda late*

"Nothing was wrong."
"I'm fine."
"Don't worry about it."
"It's okay."

Bokuto was beginning to lose track of which words had been said, and which hadn't. Or whether the words said were true, or just a deceptive lie.
After that day, things had continued in what seemed like a very normal manner. Practice went on each day, and proceeded like it normally did. Akaashi set to Bokuto, and Bokuto spikes. However, Bokuto could tell that something was different. Akaashi was staying for extra practice less and less, and even when he did stay, it was for a very short amount of time. Bokuto supposed he couldn't blame the younger boy for this, as he had been subconsciously avoiding Akaashi as well. They didn't talk outside of practice anymore, and there as at least one awkward moment each day in which Akaashi would just look at Bokuto with an expression he could never read. 

Bokuto hated it, the stiff words now spoken between them, the uncomfortable glances when one thought the other wasn't looking. He just wished things would go back to normal.
Even though he knew it wasn't possible.
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One day, he was at practice like usual. It was early in the morning, and he was stretching, waiting for rest of his team to arrive. "Man, but what's been going on between you and Akaashi lately?" Bokuto glanced up from where he was stretching to see Konoha standing over him. 

"What do you mean?" He asked, knowing full well what he had meant.

"Well, you hardly practice with each other anymore, I haven't heard you talking to each other." He sat down and began stretching as well. "If I had to guess, I'd say you're avoiding each other."

"You never talk about each other too." Komi chimed in. 

Damnit, so it was obvious enough that other people on the team could tell. Bokuto sighed in defeat. "I don't know, I-"

"Talk to him." Both third years said at the same time. 

"What? But-"

"Stop making excuses, it's getting annoying." Bokuto looked towards the ground, unsure of how to answer. 

"Good morning."

At that moment, Akaashi walked into the gymnasium. is dark hair was slightly more ruffled than usual, as if he'd been tossing and turning all night, and the dark circles that seemed more and more present once again were under his eyes.

"Good morning." Konoha and Komi replied, glancing at Bokuto with very obvious intentions. 

"Good morning, Akaashi." Bokuto said. Akaashi looked at him, an unreadable expression on his face. Bokuto stiffened under the weight of his gaze, averting his own eyes from Akaashi's, afraid of what he might see in them. 

"Good morning, Bokuto-san." He replied after a while. Bokuto shifted uncomfortably, still feeling Akaashi's eyes on him. He was spared from having to say more by a few more of his teammates entering. As Akaashi went off to talk to them, Bokuto couldn't help but get a sinking feeling in his stomach. 

Bokuto and Akaashi ignored each other for the rest of morning practice. 

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Bokuto spent the rest of the day receiving glares from Komi and Konoha. Halfway through afternoon practice, he finally worked up the nerve to say something. "Hey, Akaashi." Bokuto called to get his attention. 

"What is it?" Bokuto hesitated, trying desperately to think of something to say. He should've thought this out beforehand. 

" w-What's been going on lately?"

Silence. Bokuto uncomfortably began playing with the hem of his shirt.  

"I mean, you've been really quiet lately, and not to mention..." He hesitated, not trusting himself to speak. "Well, I mean, this is a stressful time of year, and that's fine, but something else must've happened."

Akaashi didn't reply, but Bokuto saw one of his hands twitch. 

"And if it's my fault, I'm sorry, by I can't do anything about it without knowing..." Bokuto's voice trailed off again, when he saw Akaashi's hands clench into fists. He could've sworn the younger boy was shaking slightly. He took a deep breath. "So if you want help, or want to talk about it, I-"

"You wouldn't understand!" Akaashi shouted. 

The gym quieted, except for the sound of a ball hitting the ground. Bokuto stood, slightly in shock. What did he mean? Was it his fault after all? Akaashi glared up at Bokuto, but Bokuto could finally read the expression that came over his face. His eyes were bright, and Bokuto could see him biting his lower lip to keep it from trembling. 

"Akaa-" Bokuto began, but couldn't finish. 

Akaashi turned around and ran out of the gym.