saviour ✰ bokuaka

[ SIX ]

Bokuto had planned to leave the university early, but after countless meetings with his students (who all asked various versions of the exact same question about the lab) and a pile of quizzes he forgot to grade the week before, it ended up being almost nine pm when he realised he had to drive home. He had decided to work in the library for the day, since he was still embarrassed about bothering Akaashi, even if he didn't admit it.

He was halfway to his car, running in the pouring rain, when he remembered that he had left one of his notebooks in the classroom.

'Aw, man,' Bokuto thought as he made his way back inside the university. 'I need to stop leaving my things everywhere.'

He stepped inside the literature building, shivering slightly as the water droplets adorning his hair and clothes dripped off of him onto the hardwood floors.

He was finally starting to get used to the layout of the building, and only found himself lost once a week (improvement!).

Akaashi's classroom was surprisingly unlocked. The lights were off and everything was silent. Had Akaashi forgotten to lock up? It didn't seem like something he would do; he wasn't the careless type.

Bokuto rustled around in the desk, on the shelves, even on the ground, but still no sight of his notebook.

It was strange, seeing the classroom so devoid of life. The place that was usually filled to the brim with students and teachers, knowledge and passion, was empty. It felt like Bokuto had passed through a portal and returned five thousand years later—the last man on Earth.

At last, he found his notebook in the back row. He must've left it there after listening in to Akaashi's class. But shockingly, it wasn't on a chair or a table or near where he had sat at all. It was in Akaashi's hand, who was curled up in a ball on the tile.

Bokuto panicked at first glance, assuming he was dead. But the rise and fall of Akaashi's stomach as he breathed reassured him, and the faint twitching of his fingers along the spine of his notebook told him he was simply asleep.

What was he doing here? It looked so cold and uncomfortable on the floor like that. He had covered his trembling body with his tweed coat and used his own arm as a pillow. His lips were parted slightly as he inhaled and exhaled slowly.

Bokuto reached his hand out hesitantly, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him lightly.

"Keiji. Keiji, wake up," he whispered.

Akaashi stirred, groaning quietly, and his eyes fluttered open.

"Koutarou? Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

"Oh," Akaashi said. He sat up, his back against the wall. "I'm fine. Just needed a change of scenery."

"I don't believe that. Why are you sleeping in here?"

"It's nothing. Don't worry about me."

"I can't help worrying about you!" Bokuto noticed Akaashi flinch as he raised his voice, but the gentle touch he placed on his shoulder seemed to relax him. "I'm sorry. Just tell me what's going on."

"I can't go back home right now. I have to sleep here, okay?"

"But why?"

"You really want to know?"

Bokuto nodded, gesturing for him to continue.

"My apartment burned down. I didn't have insurance, and I don't know where to stay. I can't afford to live anywhere else, and the temporary place they offered me is too far from the university. I... have to stay here."