saviour ✰ bokuaka

[ SEVEN ]

When Akaashi's eyes finally fluttered open at a little past noon, the first thing he saw was Bokuto standing over him, a piece of toast in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

"Hi, Keiji! You're a late sleeper, huh?"

Akaashi groaned, using his arm to shield himself from the light. "Not usually. I think I just really needed some rest."

"I made you some breakfast! It's not much, but I tried."

"Oh. Thanks." Akaashi finally sat up with the help of Bokuto and grabbed the bread and water out of his hand.

"How are you feeling?"

"Honestly? Not well. But I'm glad you're here." He took a bite out of the toast, which was surprisingly tasty, or maybe it only seemed that way because he was starving. "Why are you up so early?"

"It's actually noon. But I typically get up at two when I don't have a class, so I guess it is early! Hinata's coming over."

"Hinata? He comes over to your house? But... you're his boss."

"Yeah! Well, we usually watch a movie every Saturday."

"Really? Isn't that kind of informal?"

"It doesn't really matter to me. Anyone can be my friend. Even my students come over sometimes when they want me to help them with their work."

"Your students seriously come to your apartment?"

"Yeah! Well, they have to notify me first. But then they drive over and I just let them in. I don't want to have to keep driving to the university, so if they can do the work instead, I prefer that."

"I see. Seems strange to me though. It's kind of like they're invading your private life."

"I don't have a private life! Everyone knows everything about me, and I think that's great."

"Did you and Hinata know each other before working together?"

"Actually, no. He was just assigned to me and I automatically knew I would like him. What about you and Tsukki?"

"...Tsukki?"

"Oh, that's my nickname for him. He doesn't like it though."

"That's what his boyfriend calls him."

"Tsukishima has a boyfriend? Good for him! I'm surprised, he seems a bit antisocial."

"Well, he is. But to answer your question, yes, we did know each other before. We're from the same area. Anyway," Akaashi asked, rubbing his eyes. "What movie are you and Hinata watching today?"

"A horror movie. I get scared easily so we chose the earliest screening time they had. Do you want to come?"

"When do you plan on leaving the house?"

"In half an hour. Is that enough time for you to get ready?"

"I think so."

"So are you coming with us?"

"Alright."

"Yay!" Bokuto cheered, then gave Akaashi a kiss on the cheek. As soon as he did it, his eyes widened, as if he was shocked at his own action. Akaashi froze, feeling his face heat up, and he knew he was blushing hard enough for Bokuto to notice.

"What was that?"

"Um, I don't know. Anyway," Bokuto said, laughing nervously. "Finish your toast and get dressed. We'll be in the kitchen when you're ready."

"Koutarou?"

"Yeah?"

"I don't have any clothes. I just got here yesterday."

"Oh! Right! Just go through my closet, pick something you like. We'll go shopping next week." At that, he sprinted out the door, avoiding eye contact with Akaashi at all costs.

After a moment, Akaashi stood up, his legs still partially numb from his unfortunate sleeping position, and stumbled over to open the closet. He was immensely uncomfortable with stealing any more of Bokuto's clothing, but what else could he do? He certainly couldn't wear the heart pyjamas he had slept in to a cinema.

He grabbed a turtleneck and a pair of black trousers out of the closet—the closest to his usual style—and carried it to the bathroom. After showering and brushing his teeth (with a clean spare toothbrush Bokuto had laying around), he put on the outfit and observed himself in the mirror. Despite the fact that he only had a short time to get ready, he looked presentable, though he couldn't seem to rid himself of the thought that he was wearing Bokuto's clothes.

'It shouldn't be such a big deal,' he told himself. 'It's just fabric. Calm down.'

Hinata's clamorous laughter alerted Akaashi to his presence, and sure enough, Akaashi left the bathroom to see Bokuto's teacher's aide sitting at the counter with Bokuto himself at his side.

Akaashi cleared his throat, and both pairs of eyes turned towards him instantaneously.

"Oh, good morning, Akaashi! You look nice!" Hinata said smiling.

"Nice to see you," he responded.

Bokuto's gaze stayed focused on the ground.

"Bokuto didn't tell me you live with him," Hinata said.

"Oh, I don't. It's just temporary. My apartment burned down."

"Wow! Oh, God, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Akaashi smiled reassuringly. "I just needed a place to stay for now."

"Understandable. Then... should we go?" Hinata asked.

Akaashi nodded, as did Bokuto. The three of them filed out of the house in silence, but it wasn't comfortable like it was last night in Bokuto's car. It was tense, and Hinata was stuck in the middle.