I don't mention anything that happened the next morning. We both pretend like the whole nightmare situation simply didn't happen. Instead, we choose to focus on the positive. We're going to the top of a skyscraper today.
"I can't believe you actually found us one Akaashi! We'll be able to see the whole city from up there." He points to the building we're about to be inside of as I pull up to it.
"You asked me to." That's really all I can think to say. I am not particularly excited about being that high up in the air, but I don't voice my concern as to not ruin Bokuto's mood.
He bounces excitedly in his seat until I park, and practically throws himself out of the car the second he can. He runs out to not so patiently wait next to my door for me to join him.
I step out of the car and grab the keys, locking the door behind me. Bokuto is practically bursting at the seams trying to wait for me, so I wave him ahead. "Go wait in line, I'll be there in a second."
He nods and runs off to get us our spot in line. I check to make sure we're not leaving anything especially valuable out in the car, not that we really have much. I reach into my back pocket and ensure my phone is there.
Bokuto said he didn't care about taking pictures, but I have a feeling that wasn't true. He loves to take pictures whenever we go places he deems exciting. If he won't take them with his phone, he can use mine. Maybe I should get him a camera for his birthday.
Once I am sure everything is set with the car, I join Bokuto in the line. He can hardly contain his excitement at this point. The second I am standing next to him he starts talking way too fast about anything and everything. I'm not 100% listening, but I try to nod along and verbally agree with him as best I can.
It takes a while, but we eventually make our way to the counter and purchase our tickets. This leads to yet another long line on the inside to get into the elevator. All I can do is hope it moves fast, because at this point Bokuto might actually explode if we don't get to the top soon.
"If I had known how popular this place was, I would have found somewhere else." I say quietly, interrupting whatever train of thought Bokuto was on.
He shakes his head, dismissing my negative comment as quickly as I made it. "I'm glad we're here. This building is so tall Akaashi, it'll be like... like... I don't know-"
"Like we're at the top of a skyscraper?" I interject, sarcastically.
"Well, yeah, obviously. Duh. I was looking for something creative to say," he pouts, but it doesn't last long, "like we're flying! There, that's better."
"Flying, huh?" I quip, pulling my phone out of my pocket as we slowly approach the elevator. We'll probably be next to go up.
Nonchalantly, I try to hand Bokuto my phone. He just stares at it, not reaching out for it. He doesn't seem to understand.
"Pictures, Bo. You said you wanted to take pictures." Immediately when I say that, his face brightens.
"You'd let me use your phone?" He asks, still not taking the phone.
"Well, yeah. Yours is dead." I try to play it off like this is normal, but we both know it isn't. I am not one to go out of my way to take pictures. I sort of hate them.
Bokuto smiles big and takes the phone from my hand, slipping it into the pocket of his jacket. "Thank you," he says quietly.
I don't respond.
When our elevator makes it to the top of the tower, Bokuto practically sprints to an empty space and presses his face against the protective glass. He turns to look at me, like he is making sure I am seeing the same thing he is. I just smile and go to stand next to him.
"You really can see everything, right Akaashi? The whole city!" I don't think I have ever heard him sound this excited before.
His eyes are so bright, none of the tension from before lingers there. If I look hard enough, I can almost see the reflection of the city in them. I am so glad I brought us here.
"Akaashi?" He mutters, looking over to me. He must have caught me staring in his peripheral.
"Yeah, the whole city." I choose not to comment on the fact that I was just studying his eyes, and turn my gaze instead to the view we came up here for.
The same look returns to his eyes, leaving no trace of the questioning one in them a moment ago. He is thoroughly enchanted by the city. If I were to be honest, I couldn't care less about being in the city. But something about being here with Bokuto and getting to see him so happy makes it all worth it for me.
I hear the snap of a camera beside me, and turn to see Bokuto taking the pictures I promised him. Instead of complaining like I usually would, I try my best to smile. This seems to please him, judging by the smile on his face.
"Let's take one together!" He turns so his back is facing the glass and holds the phone up, waiting for me to join him. I do, and he takes a picture of us with the city at our backs.
I watch as he goes through his new collection of photos, deleting the ones he deems 'bad'. He snaps one more picture of the view, and then our time is up. We have to go back down to make room for more people to come up.
As we are taken down by the elevator, I can't help but steal one last glance at Bokuto. This look on his face is one that I would like to commit to memory. He looks the happiest he has in a long time. I am so lucky to have been here to witness it.
YOU ARE READING
Ribs - bokuaka
Fanfiction------------ "You have three minutes before I shut the window on your face," I won't actually, probably. It depends on why he decided to wake me up. "Okay, okay. What if we ran away?" The second those words leave his mouth his previously whiney exp...
