Love in the Air

Part 3

“Are you sure we have everything?”

Hana had asked you that for the seventeenth time since waking up this morning at the hotel. Six times since arriving at the wedding venue.

“yes, I’m sure, Hana. Just worry about getting yourself ready and relaxing in here for a bit with the rest of the bridesmaids. AH-” you stopped her before she could interject and ask you something else. “I already texted Akaashi. The men are all good over there and they know to get in touch with me if they need anything. Now please, just breathe, relax, sip some water, and let the makeup artist finish your make-up.”

“Thank you, y/n,” she sighed, a relieved smile making its appearance. “I know I’m being kind of annoying and a pain today.”

“Nonsense. You’re an annoying pain every day. Today is no different,” you shrugged and gave her a wink as you turned back to the mirror to finish your own makeup ignoring little glare she gave you.

“Do you think it will rain? I hope it doesn’t rain on us.” you shot her another look as she said that.

“You could answer that better than me. You’ve checked the weather probably a million times in the last week.”

She laughed.

The bride’s room was busy and always moving. Family coming in and out to greet Hana, give her hugs, wish her well for the future. Surprisingly, her makeup only had to be fixed once, after her mother and future mother-in-law came in to talk to her. It was happy and full of laughter and smiles.

Hana’s grin never left her face, and only seemed to grow as time crept close and closer. Her giddiness was contagious and palpable, and when you turned around to look at her while everyone was lining up you could see it in the air around her. You felt her sigh against your shoulder as you wrapped her in a tight hug.

“The last hug I get to give you as an unmarried woman,” she whispered. You could hear the smile and joy in her voice.

“You ready?”

“Definitely.”

“Good,” you stepped back giving her hands a squeeze as her father came and stood beside her.

You turned at made your way back to your place next to Akaashi, taking a moment to pause and look at him. Suits suited him. They suited him very well.

He looked down and met your gaze. “You know, in most of the movies I’ve seen with weddings in them, the bridesmaids will complain about the dress the bride picked and there’s some dramatic falling out amongst them because of it. But if what I’ve seen and heard so far, Hana has good tastes.”

You shot him a questioning look. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?”

“You look really nice.”

You felt the blush creep up your neck and take over your cheeks, your makeup definitely not doing a good job of hiding it. You quickly turned your head back towards the doors. 

“Thanks,” you whispered, biting your lip to hold back your smile. “The suit doesn’t look too bad on you either.”

He let out a soft chuckle, and you decided that you really liked that sound.

You heard the music start on the other side of the doors. They opened and you looked back at Hana, her face beaming and bright. You grabbed Akaashi’s arm and began to walk forward.

The ceremony, while long, was beautiful. Hana looked beautiful, and you saw the tears starting to form in her eyes as she reached the podium and grabbed Bokuto’s hand. He had a smile to match hers and your heart swelled at seeing how much the two of them cared for each other. You felt your own tears begin to form as you listened to their promises to the other. You’d never been happier for Hana than you were at this moment.

The reception that followed was just as full of tears and smiles as the ceremony. The pre-dinner speeches and toasts by some of the groom’s men pulling out many laughs from the people in the room. The speech that was given by Hana’s father goading out more tears from her.

You leaned towards Akaashi who was seated next to you. “Weren’t you supposed to give one of the toasts, as the best man?”

He glanced back at Kuroo as Kuroo was sharing another story he’d had with Bokuto, something they had done together fresh out of high school. “I was, but Kuroo was really insistent about giving one so I figured I’d just let him have the honors.”

“Oh? How thoughtful of you all.”

“Not really, he just gets really annoying about some things and it would be exhausting arguing with him on it.”

“You’ve really mastered the art of handling them, haven’t you.”

“Didn’t have a choice. If I didn’t I would’ve probably died or lost my sanity.” He smiled a nostalgic look in his eyes. “Instead I only question it a little whenever I’m around them.”

People started to filter towards the dance floor as dinner and all of the, as Hana put it, “formal traditions that are mostly for show” finish. You stand amongst the crowd next to Akaashi, watching Hana and Bokuto share their first dance. She’d had plenty of rehearsal and practice, but still tripping over her dress and she’d laugh with Bokuto. Slowly other couples joining, a couple of the children bouncing around near the DJ.

You see Akaashi turn towards you and reach out his hand, his eyebrow raised in a silent question. You smiled as you took his hand and he led you towards the dance floor. The song is soft and warm, and you can’t tear your mind away from how close the two of you were standing. Trying to memorize the weight of his hand in yours, the heat coming from his hand on your waist, and the warmth radiating from his body that was inches from yours as you softly swayed and spun around the dance floor.

“For someone who supposedly doesn’t play sports, that was quite a way to catch the bouquet earlier.” He said with a cheeky grin.

“Let’s not talk about that, please.” you pouted and you felt him chuckle as you turned your face away in embarrassment. 

“Most people try to catch it, you know? Not smack it away from them.”

“Will you please stop teasing me about it?” you whined.

“No, absolutely not,” he said as he continued to laugh.

You sighed and looked out at the rest of the dance floor. More people had joined in, more of the kids forming circles and dancing around on the tiles. You saw Hana’s grandparents enjoying a small moment together in their own corner. You saw your ex that you actively avoid, which surprised you. He must’ve been someones plus one to the reception. What surprised you the most was that him being there didn’t bother you like it normally would, and you weren’t sure why.

“Are you alright?” Akaashi asked, noticing the slight change in your face.

You looked back up at him, seeing the slight scrunch from concern on his eyebrows. You smile up at him.

“Yeah, I’m alright,” you said softly. You honestly were, because more than anything else around you, the feeling of being held this close to Akaashi was the biggest thing on your mind. The feeling of being in his arms and feeling the gentle warmth that radiated off of him as you both slowly swayed to the music was nice.

And you added it to the endlessly growing list you had of things you liked about him.