Chapter Text
Being back at Contact was such a weird experience. It was 3 years ago today that he had watched Bokuto perform for the first time. It was 3 years ago today that he had made that hasty decision that he immediately regretted and continued to regret until he saw Bokuto’s face and the way that he played the bass so effortlessly. 3 years ago today is when Akaashi started falling for Bokuto.
So much time had passed, so many things had changed since the first time that they were both here all those years ago. Akaashi hadn’t really noticed all of the small things that evolved through the years until he was back in the same venue as the first time he saw him. He knew that their setlist had changed and developed since then and that their skills had only gotten better since that show, but it was more than that.
This once overtly, indisputably wild Bokuto, now felt much more domestic to him. He knew that everyone else in the crowd saw him the same way that they had throughout their support, if not more wild and chaotic today. But how could Akaashi see him like that when he knew how he liked to be the little spoon when it was storming outside or that he got so excited when Akaashi put matcha mochi in his bento?
Akaashi remembers the first time that Bokuto had told him that he loved him, the nervous look on his face, the lack of eye contact, the shifting of his weight every two seconds. He remembers how he took Akaashi’s hand into his own and pressed his lips to it gently before telling him that he was in love with him. He didn’t make it a big deal. There was no hour-long explanation following it or a grand gesture with presents and a flash mob (that was very probable for Bokuto). He said it softly so that only Akaashi could hear and then he kissed him.
He remembers when Bokuto tried to make him soup when he caught a cold and how Akaashi had to clean the stove with tissues stuffed up his nose and his whole body aching because it completely boiled over and he didn’t trust Bokuto getting that close to the burner. On that day, Bokuto apologized to Akaashi more times than he could count. Akaashi told him repeatedly not to worry about it. Despite his skin hurting and the fact that he couldn’t regulate his body temperature (he was always too hot or too cold), he didn’t hold any annoyance or animosity towards Bokuto. Bokuto finally stopped whining when Akaashi told him that all he wanted was to get back in bed and wear Bokuto’s hoodie and be cuddled. That night, Bokuto stayed up the entire night to make sure that Akaashi was comfortable. He stroked his hair to calm him to sleep. He replaced the cool rag on his forehead when his fever made it too warm. When Akaashi did wake up because of his temperature or his queasy stomach, Bokuto made sure that he drank water.
He remembers Bokuto getting sick immediately after Akaashi got better and how much of a baby he was. Despite not throwing up once, he made sure Akaashi left the wastebasket by the side of his bed every night. He would thrash around in bed, kicking his legs to get the blanket off of him when he was hot and complaining when the blankets were off of him when he started to feel cold again. Bokuto was sick for a little less than half of the time than Akaashi was sick, but it felt like forever. The one moment of quiet that Akaashi had was when Bokuto would finally tire himself to sleep, pulling Akaashi into him and holding him tightly as he fell asleep. He drooled all over Akaashi’s shoulder that night and apologized heavily in the morning.
After all of these memories rushed through his head at once, how could Akaashi ever see him the way that most people did?
In the past 3 years, Akaashi and Bokuto felt like they had learned everything there is to know about one another. They knew their favorite and least favorite foods, how they liked their morning beverages when they woke up (Akaashi liked a plain citrus tea and Bokuto liked a black coffee with 3 sugars), which parts of what movies make either of them cry the hardest, what their go-to hangover cure is, their favorite fonts, which side of the bed they prefer and why, how needy Akaashi is in the morning after spending a tipsy night together, how much of a weakness Akaashi’s entire needy being is for Bokuto, how each of them shows their love boundlessly. Even with the large volume of information and facts they had about each other, they were still learning new things every day.
Akaashi’s hoodie arsenal has grown as well, various colors, cuts, and crops all filling his wardrobe which mostly stays at Bokuto’s apartment now. He’s moved a lot of his stuff to Bokuto’s apartment, actually. He spends most of the week there. Bokuto’s bed is just so much comfier than his and Bokuto’s apartment is closer to his work. Yukie doesn’t mind Akaashi’s absence all that much, not since she found Kaori who spends almost all of her free time at their house. Kuroo and Tsukishima don’t seem to mind that much either. Akaashi makes dinner most nights of the week, a drastic change to their prior almost nightly take-out. He also packs their bento boxes on long days at the studio and separates their clothes into lights and darks before they go into the washer. Honestly, Akaashi has no idea how they functioned before he had frequented so often. He likes to think that the small things that he does are some sort of compensation for their rooms being right next to and across from Bokuto’s room on particular nights.
Akaashi is sitting at a table near the middle of the room, right behind the floor. He has a good view of the stage, but can sit down and relax without being bombarded with people pushing into him. The difference in the number of people is crazy. The show had been sold out for weeks prior to the show’s date and the venue was packed to the brim with people. Typically, they were playing much larger venues, but coincidentally they were playing at the same venue that Akaashi had first been to on the anniversary of said show. Coincidentally.
Crowlster’s entrance never surprises him anymore, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t make him overwhelmingly excited still. The lights go down, Tsukishima begins playing, and then the lights come up showing their faces. Their first song is one that Akaashi knows very well, but that’s not exactly saying something. After attending most of their shows for 3 years, Akaashi knows nearly all of their songs very well. He follows the beat, bobbing his head as he listens along, cheering when their first song is over.
Typically, this is where Kuroo introduces himself, introduces Tsukishima and Bokuto who usually wave, and then states their band name and some cheesy “Welcome to our show!” line, but as soon as the song ends, Kuroo falls to the back corner of the stage where Bokuto resides. Bokuto walks up to the center of the stage, adjusting the mic stand to his height and waving to the crowd enthusiastically. Never, in the almost 3 years of their relationship, had Bokuto started the show. Akaashi blinks in surprise, staring up at Bokuto whose eyes catch his.
“Hey hey hey, everyone!” Bokuto is beaming as he greets the crowd. He gets a collection of Hey!s and cheers in response. “I know I don’t normally introduce the band and such, but it just, uh, felt right today!” More cheers.
“3 years ago today we actually played at this same venue,” Bokuto states, his eyes staying stuck on Akaashi as the crowd hollered. “I know, it’s crazy. 3 years is a long time.” He clears his throat. “3 years ago today I also met someone really special to me. He’s here tonight, probably sitting at a table drinking a beer while he supports me like he’s done every night this week. I just- I just wanted to say thank you and, Akaashi, this next song is for you and I hope you like it.”
Akaashi’s entire being feels warm. He feels like everyone in the venue is searching for him. He looks down at his beer and laughs. There are definitely some people who look like they’re trying to figure out who it is, but most people are focusing on the stage listening to this brand new song. Akaashi hadn’t even heard this song, despite the numerous nights he had spent over Bokuto’s apartment when they were practicing. When did he have time to write, practice, and produce an entire song with how much time they spend together?
The song is much different than all of the other songs that they usually play. It’s much softer and less in your face, but it still fits their brand and sound. The lyrics are cheesy and dumb and make Akaashi’s cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. Bokuto had played for him, just him, many times before. He had written him choruses and small verses, sharing them in Bokuto’s bedroom late at night. But Akaashi had never had a full song written about him.
His eyes are glued to the stage, to Bokuto specifically as he’s playing slow, intricate chords and runs. The song is over far too quickly. If the rest of the show was just that song on repeat, it would have been the happiest he’d ever been. The rest of the show picks up pace; it’s the same type of amazing show that Akaashi has become so familiar with.
He’s also become so familiar with the routine of walking backstage. Despite the different layouts of the various venues that Crowlster has played at, the routine was always the same. There would be some sort of lanyard or wristband, a door around the side of the stage or through a small door in the front room, hallways and dressing rooms hidden behind the stage. Particularly at Contact, a venue that they hadn’t played at recently, but played quite a few times in the first year of their relationship, all of the stagehands recognize him.
He weaves through the hallways behind the stage to find Bokuto, asking various crew members who direct him to several wrong places before he makes it to the lounge. Bokuto is sitting on the couch, talking to Kenma and Kuroo, when Akaashi walks in. Their seemingly somewhat serious conversation is interrupted as Bokuto stands up as soon as he notices Akaashi step into the room, throwing himself around him.
“Kaashi! How was the show!” Bokuto pulls back from the hug, scanning his face for the answer preemptively. Akaashi can’t help but press a kiss into Bokuto’s nose, his eyes flickering as he impatiently waits for a nonverbal tell.
“Incredible, like always, Kou.” Bokuto waits for Akaashi to continue. “When did you find time to write a song for me?”
“What? Did you not like it?” The bassist’s hair droops slightly as he begins to pout.
“No, no, of course, I loved it, but we’re always together, when did you do that?” Akaashi asks, kissing Bokuto again to reiterate how much he loved him and the song.
“Usually when you were at work or something,” he waves his hand, before continuing on for more praise, “but you loved it?”
Akaashi places both of his hands on either side of Bokuto’s face, pulling it into his and kissing him, keeping it there for an almost uncomfortable amount of time before retracting back and staring at him. “Bo, I loved it more than anything. Thank you.”
Bokuto smiles slightly, the corners of his mouth tugging upwards, but not nearly as much as they would be normally. Looking past him, Akaashi can see Kenma and Kuroo sitting on one of the couches, Kenma’s head in Kuroo’s lap as he plays his switch. They’re talking about something quietly, Kuroo’s face furrowing into a deep worry before Kenma smooths his hand over Kuroo’s knee. Akaashi isn’t typically one to be nosy, to pry into others’ conversations, but lately, he’s been slightly on edge and this isn’t helping; neither is the sentence Bokuto says next.
“Can we talk?” Bokuto asks, bringing his voice down. Akaashi’s heart instantly begins to race, his mind wandering to places that it hasn’t in a long time. Bokuto’s eyes are innocent, but Akaashi’s thoughts are all over the place, jumping to the worst places that they could. “Do you want to go take a walk?” Bokuto tries to correct himself, bringing his hand down to Akaashi’s and giving it a small squeeze. Akaashi knows that Bokuto can feel how clammy his hands are getting already.
“Yeah, mhm, sure,” Akaashi says. He’s trying his best to not seem overly anxious about the conversation that’s about to take place. Bokuto doesn’t stop to grab his jacket or tell Kuroo and Kenma that they’re leaving, just grabs Akaashi’s hand, and leads him out of the door as soon as he says yes.
It had been a while since they’d taken a walk after a show. With their ever going popularity, it’s gotten increasingly harder to be around the venue after the show without getting bombarded with girls. Maybe Bokuto’s shoutout at the beginning of the show helped.
“Can you believe that we’ve been together for almost 3 years? That we’ve known each other for 3 years?” Bokuto asks after they’ve been walking in tense silence for almost 10 minutes.
“Does it feel like a lot of time or a little?” This question probably would have been much more endearing had Bokuto not said the words “Can we talk?” to him prior to their walk. It would have seemed like a question reminiscing about their past, but now it sounds like he’s about to go onto all the ways he’s grown in the past 3 years and Akaashi hasn’t.
Bokuto thinks about this for a minute, his eyes focused on the sky like he always loves to do. “I think a little of both,” he finally settles on, then goes on to explain, “Like, I feel like it was just yesterday that I was trying to look cool and drink my coffee in front of you and then burned my tongue, but it also feels like I’ve known you forever. Does that make any sense?”
Akaashi slides his hand into Bokuto’s, a smile finding its way to his face even with all of the worry inside of him. Thinking back to the time that they had first met calms him down, if only for a few minutes. He laces their fingers together, rubbing his thumb over his knuckles. Despite spending more than half of the day touching Bokuto in some way or another, he still never passes up an opportunity, even a small one, to feel his skin against his. “It totally makes sense.”
There’s something that’s been on Akaashi’s mind for the past month that he’s wanted to bring up for a while. It’s not like Bokuto had been acting unaffectionate towards him, but there was something off. He worked later, not climbing into bed until well after Akaashi had already started drifting to sleep. He had been on his phone more often. He wasn’t meeting him for lunch as frequently. Akaashi trusted him with everything he was, but he just didn’t understand his shift in behavior. Every time that he would think to bring it up, they’d be around people or it just didn’t feel like the right time.
Now, however, didn’t even really feel like the right time. He knew that Bokuto had something to say to him, something to talk about. He knew that it was their 3 year anniversary of when they had first met, that they were walking down the street hand-in-hand alone. It didn’t feel like the right time, but if Akaashi waits any longer for a more opportune time, he’s not sure Bokuto would ever know.
They both start speaking at the same time, both starting with the other’s name and saying something like “so…”
“You go first,” Akaashi offers, wanting to get Bokuto’s conversation over with, in all honesty.
“No, you go first,” Bokuto declines, shaking his head and gesturing towards Akaashi.
“Okay, okay.” He accepts for two reasons. One, he knows Bokuto like the back of his hand. They would have kept going in this cycle for hours if Akaashi didn’t just accept. Two, if his worst fears were to come true, Akaashi wouldn’t even be able to clear the air. He doesn’t exactly know how to start the conversation. Everything that he’s rehearsed in his head sounds stupid. He’s not trying to sound accusatory or distrustful in the slightest. “You’ve been acting kinda weird lately, I think.”
“Like how?”
Akaashi starts to list the ways that Bokuto’s been slightly off lately. He listens intently to his boyfriend, nodding at every point that he makes, taking in all of the information. The concentrated look on his face makes Akaashi wonder why he hadn’t told him any sooner. When Akaashi’s finally done talking, Bokuto takes a deep breath.
“That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about.” Bokuto looks unusually serious going into the conversation. Akaashi now remembers why he hadn’t told him sooner. Whatever Bokuto wanted to tell him was obviously a big deal. Bokuto had looked nervous ever since they made it outside and Bokuto rarely got nervous.
The first thought that Akaashi thinks is the worst one, the one that he can’t stop obsessing over. Bokuto’s going to break up with me . It had been an amazing 3 years, or so he thought, but Bokuto’s tone, the look on his face, everything about this conversation screams break up. He tries to remember fights that they’ve had, though they’d never had a big one and the things that might annoy him. The memories flood his mind. Akaashi flinches right before Bokuto speaks, waiting for the letdown.
“We’re going on tour,” Bokuto blurts out. Akaashi just blinks at him, so he talks more. “Like, tour, tour. Like around the country for a year, playing at different venues and music shows and stuff.” Bokuto wasn’t breaking up with him, he was just talking to him about the fact that they wouldn’t be able to see each other for an entire year as he traveled the country without him. “The label just told us the news a few days ago. I had been going out to lunch with the label and tour managers, staying up late to plan for dates and get a setlist compiled, just working a lot.” Bokuto gives an example for each of Akaashi’s worries about him being weird, but now there’s a much bigger worry.
“So, I won’t see you for a whole year?” Akaashi asks, his chest starting to feel tight, his voice low, and his eyes glued to the sidewalk. With the amount of time that he and Bokuto spend together and Yukie’s new girlfriend, the thought of Bokuto not being there for a long period of time makes his anxiety worsen even more so. Somehow, this is making him panic more than the thought of a breakup.
Bokuto is silent for a few minutes and Akaashi can feel him sweating against his palm. “Will you go on tour with us?” His voice is low and unstable and Akaashi almost has to ask him to repeat himself; it took him aback so harshly. The recognition hits. Bokuto had been nervous all week thinking about how Akaashi would react. He should have been overwhelmingly excited about this news, about going on tour, but he’s been completely stressed out.
A million thoughts run through Akaashi’s head, but the loudest one is just a repetitive yes. He knows that he has responsibilities, knows that his answer should be “I’ll think about it” , knows all of the hardships that are going to come with saying yes, with actually going.
“I know that it’s a lot to ask, but I just, I had to ask. I want you there with me on the road, traveling, going to different countries, vacationing on our time off. I don’t want to spend the year without you, Keiji. I mean, I-.”
Akaashi interrupts him, cutting off Bokuto’s potential explanation of what it would mean if Akaashi didn’t come with him. He didn’t think his heart could even take the thought. “Yes.” and then again, louder and more confident, “Yes, Bo, I will.”
“Really?” His eyes light up and he stops in his tracks, stepping in front of Akaashi and literally jumping up and down. “Akaashi, really?”
How could he even say no when Bokuto looks this adorable? “Of course. I’ll make it happen. No matter what. I want to be there with you. I can’t spend a year without you, Kou.”
Bokuto squats down, wrapping his arms right beneath Akaashi’s butt and picking him up. He spins him in circles, pressing kisses into his chest as he does so. Akaashi has learned, over these 3 years, that Bokuto loves to pick him up. “There’s just something about having your entire world in your arms. Makes you feel powerful,” he had said the one-time Akaashi asked him why it was happening so frequently.
Akaashi is laughing, head thrown back, every ounce of worry that was inside of him now nowhere in sight.
The chaos of the first show of the tour was unlike anything Akaashi had ever seen. Not only had Akaashi never seen the start-to-finish process of prepping for a show, but it was much larger than any other show they had ever played.
Akaashi had a newfound appreciation for every aspect of their shows. He had been backstage before shows in the past, had even helped out with various tasks that Bokuto needed as he stressed about making it to stage on time, but never had he witnessed such coordinated chaos. He watched Bokuto running around, making sure that his IEM was working. He watched Kuroo checking in with the stage manager, making sure that the lights and sounds were good to go. He watched Tsukishima testing every instrument, each string, each drum. He watched Kenma walk hurriedly by with a stack of t-shirts piled in his arms. Everyone was running around so quickly that Akaashi felt out of place. Even Yamaguchi was following Tsukki around making sure that he was doing okay and being there if he needed anything.
He walked over to Bokuto who was anxiously struggling with his earpiece. He reached out, softly taking the earpiece from Bokuto’s fumbling fingers. Bokuto jumped at the touch despite how dainty it was. Akaashi ran his thumb over Bokuto’s jaw, turning his head away from him and putting the earpiece in in one delicate motion. “Better?” he asked, turning his head back towards him, his finger gently guiding his chin. Bokuto nodded, the panic in his eyes still there, but lessening.
“Thank you, Kaashi,” Bokuto said, taking a deep breath. Even more panic left his eyes. Akaashi kissed him.
“Do you need anything else, Kou?” Akaashi asked, following Yamaguchi’s lead in making sure their boyfriends don’t combust before the first show. Bokuto thought for a second before starting to shake his head no, but then interrupted himself and very obnoxiously nodding yes. “What’s up?”
“Just walk with me as I finish getting ready?” Bokuto asked. The only thing that Akaashi could see in his eyes now was pure innocence. Of course, Akaashi agreed, pressing his palm against Bokuto’s and running around with him as he finished getting ready.
Even though the prep was chaotic, there was nothing like the energy of the first show. Akaashi wasn’t sure if this particular show was heightened because it was the first show of their first actual tour, but as they were playing, the pure exuberance never faded, not for a second. Even after they had gotten off stage, Bokuto’s presence and energy were reminiscent of that show all those years ago with their band rep. Akaashi felt warm thinking about it again.
The second that Bokuto saw Akaashi after getting off stage, he picked him up, throwing him over his shoulder and screaming. As dizzy as Akaashi was getting, he didn’t have the heart to tell Bokuto to put him down, he just looked so great, so happy. “That show was the best one yet, I swear to God,” Akaashi complimented him from over his shoulder.
Bokuto set him down, hands on his shoulders, “You think so? I think the crowd thought so too honestly.” His pupils refused to stay still, flickering back and forth, looking at every aspect of Akaashi and then behind him and around the room. He was so hyped up, his heartbeat racing.
“I’m so glad that I’m here with you, Kou,” Akaashi said, a smile breaking through on his face as he noticed how cute Bokuto looks right now. He brushed his hair back, not even flinching at the sweat on his scalp as he braced the back of his head and pulled him closer to him, kissing him deeply. Bokuto grabbed back, his hands planting firmly on Akaashi’s lower back.
“I don’t think anyone is on the bus,” Bokuto said, low and in his ear. Akaashi can feel himself flush as he pulls away from Bokuto, looking into his hungry eyes. He knew that Bokuto reminded him so much of that night.
“You just finished your first show. You don’t think that everyone is going to want to celebrate, I m-,” Akaashi started to reason, but Bokuto just tightened his grip on Akaashi.
“I want to celebrate with you.”
Akaashi swallows, his eyes meeting Bokuto’s again. He knows how weak he is against Bokuto, especially a sweaty, post-show-confidence Bokuto. He nods before searching the room for anyone watching them, noticing them as they walk out of the back entrance of the venue.
It was the first of many, many, many, many .
The longer that the tour went on, the more he felt like he belonged there, like he was a part of their team. Everyone had specific jobs to do, even if they weren’t specified. Kenma’s role was much more intensive than anyone else’s, seeing as he actually got paid for manufacturing, designing, and producing the merchandise for the entire tour, but Yamaguchi and Akaashi were in charge of Tsukishima and Bokuto’s mood, respectively. On nights that Tsukishima couldn’t think of new song ideas or would mess up in practice, he would get overly hard on himself, taking it out on the rest of the band or just staying quietly annoyed at himself. Either way, without Yamaguchi, this would go on for days. Yamaguchi had a certain way of making Tsukishima talk about what was wrong and explaining to Tsukki that it was okay to have troubles sometimes, as long as you ask for help. No one else could ever talk to Tsukishima this way.
Akaashi had a similar, but different problem. Bokuto would get down on himself, sulking and whining, if he didn’t get what he wanted or felt like he let the band down in any way. Akaashi’s presence, in general, made the situation better, but more so, he knew what to say when he got like that. He knew exactly how to cheer him up, what to make the band say to him to make him feel better, when to say it. Coming out of it, Bokuto would be the most positive, confident team player that anyone had ever seen. No one knew Bokuto like Akaashi did, especially when he got into his moods.
Yamaguchi was also unofficially in charge of keeping the tour bus tidy. He dusted, made sure the tables stayed clean, that everyone was picking up after themselves, that the floors didn’t get cluttered and dirty, that the dishes were done, and that their beds were made. He liked the responsibility, but he also liked being able to boss Tsukki around when he left his dirty clothes on his bunk.
Akaashi was also in charge of making sure that the 6 of them ate, and that they ate decent food. Eating food that wasn’t complete garbage while on tour was a difficult task, but Akaashi made sure that it happened: cooking at their hotels when he could, making small meals to take with them on the bus, or using the tiny kitchen that was actually on the bus when he was absolutely desperate. He was also painfully aware that Bokuto and Kenma hated vegetables, Kuroo and Bokuto preferred a high protein diet, Yamaguchi and Kenma said that they weren’t picky, but would both turn their noses up at anything steamed, Tsukishima’s flavor palate was weirdly sophisticated, but also so boring, Kuroo hated carbs, but told Akaashi that he loved carbs so that he could give Kenma his extras, and everyone was a nightmare when it came to actually eating breakfast in the morning. But there were those rare moments that made it all worth it, like when Akaashi had made fresh ramen after a particularly successful show and he watched everyone sit in silence, and he means everyone , not even one word from Bokuto or Kuroo, as they slurped happily and thanked Akaashi for hours after they were finished.
He had felt like he belonged, like he was a part of their band family, despite being the latest addition.
The tour also meant that Bokuto has seen Akaashi in his glasses an absurd amount, but he still fawns over them excessively every time that he wears them. Before, even when Akaashi was practically living with Bokuto, he had only seen him in his glasses once or twice. When they were home, Akaashi would use them at night to read or when he got up to go to the bathroom. Being on a moving tour bus was a completely different story. There was no way that Akaashi was dealing with contacts while they were driving.
Every single time that Akaashi wore his glasses, Bokuto would sit and gawk for hours. Even when they were focusing on other tasks, Bokuto would insist on sitting in a place where he could see Akaashi clearly. This didn’t just happen a handful of times, it was happening every night. And every night, it never lessened in severity. Bokuto had hearts in his eyes as he watched Akaashi adjust his glasses on his face. Akaashi didn’t really understand why exactly Bokuto acted like this around him, but when Bokuto tried them on, blinking quickly when he couldn’t see out of them, but still smiling dumbly, Akaashi understood completely.
The year was filled with some of the best shows that Akaashi has ever seen, both from back behind the stage and in the crowd. Sometimes he would even drag Kenma out with him and Yamaguchi, standing front row as they looked up at their boyfriends. It was much easier to drag Yamaguchi out into the crowd with him than Kenma. Yams absolutely loved to watch Tsukki from the floor, though, he didn’t really like being surrounded by so many people.
Some weeks are filled with shows every single night, other weeks shows were scarce with maybe one or two of the seven days. When they had downtime between shows, Bokuto and Akaashi would sightsee as much as they could. Akaashi thought that being on the road with Bokuto would lead to them not wanting to spend as much time together or that the time they did spend together would mostly consist of sleeping or just relaxing. Though some of the time they did nap or just hang out and play video games with the rest of the band, in between shows, and whenever they would get to a new city, they would always explore.
It was truly Akaashi’s favorite memories of the tour. He kept a camera full of photos of them at different monuments and stupid souvenir shops and dumb tourist attractions. They were always doing something, eating new foods, seeing other shows, visiting cool places, and always doing it together.
Watching them evolve as a band, to grow and flourish, was one of the most rewarding experiences of Akaashi’s entire life. Having Bokuto in his life hadn’t only brought the blessing that is Bokuto into his life. Having Bokuto in his life, being so close to him, and spending so much time with him meant the closest group of friends that Akaashi has ever had in his entire life.
Throughout the tour, he had learned so much about the band and the way they functioned together. He learned all of Tsukishima’s annoyances and Kuroo’s quirks, but he also learned so much about Kenma and Yamaguchi. The six of them spent so much time together in such small places, but they rarely fought. (When they did fight it was often resolved by some time apart and some sort of video game.) They somehow worked (almost) perfectly well together. Kuroo and Bokuto’s loudness being offset by Kenma and Yamaguchi’s quietness and Tsukishima and Akaashi’s smarts. They grew closer as friends, creating such a tight-knit family by the end of the tour.
The closer they got to the end of the tour, the more of a ritual it became to take a walk outside of the venue after a show. Sometimes they would sneak out of the back right after the show ended before they could even help pack up, but other times they would wait until the entire venue was empty and walk right out of the front. Walking around the areas after the show gave them time to appreciate and remember each place that they went to, but it also gave them consistent time together, just the two of them.
By the last two weeks of the show, they were taking walks every single night. Bokuto was very adamant about taking a walk specifically tonight. He told Akaashi that there was a pier that wasn’t too far away from the venue, his eyes lighting up at the thought of an interesting destination and the fact that it was his idea to go.
The second that Akaashi steps outside, he knows why Bokuto was so persistent on taking a walk tonight. The weather was beautiful. There was a slight breeze, especially as they got closer to the water, but it was warm. There were no clouds in the sky. The moon was full, highlighting even the portions of the street that didn’t have any streetlights. It was the perfect night for a walk.
They walked, hand-in-hand the entire time, to a long wooden pier sticking out into the ocean. Bokuto offered Akaashi his hoodie as they stepped onto it, the wind blowing slightly colder than usual. Akaashi obviously accepted, putting it on before quickly reaching for Bokuto’s hand again, not wanting to be without it.
The perfect night was just coaxing the thought that had been residing in Akaash’s mind as the tour was finishing its final weeks. He had been thinking about it for a while and looking out over the water, it finally felt like the right time to bring it up. They approach the end of the pier, hands still together, but arms now resting on the top of the wooden barriers.
“I was thinking that when we get back from tour if maybe you’d want to get a place with just the two of us.” Akaashi puts it out into the nighttime air. He had been thinking about it for the past few months. He knows that he could very well just move in with him, Tsukishima, and Kuroo, but he also knows that having their own space with just the two of them, a place where they don’t have to worry about how loud they’re being late at night or getting too into it in the living room and losing track of the time and when Tsukishima and Kuroo were supposed to get back is a step that Akaashi wants to take. He starts blushing at all of the times that Kuroo and Tsukishima have known too much or seen too much. He also knew that Bokuto, Kuroo, and Tsukishima had been living together for years and years, since before their band even formed, but the year-long tour was coming to an end and maybe it was time for a change.
Sleeping with Bokuto in hotel beds, sharing his living space with him on the tiny bus, stealing his clothes even though he had an entire wardrobe, brushing his teeth with him in the morning, texting him while they were in the same room, eating every meal with him, these were just things that Akaashi wasn’t ready to give up when they got back home.
Bokuto turns his head, looking at Akaashi and smiling before kissing the back of his hand gently. “I don’t think we’re on the same page, y’know.” Akaashi’s heart might have dropped if it hadn't been for the pure joy on Bokuto’s face. He was the definition of beaming. Akaashi cocks his head to the side, just waiting for Bokuto to explain.
“Tours coming to an end, Kaashi,” Bokuto leans against the wooden fencing, his attention now back to the vast body of water. “It was truly the best year of my entire life and it’s all thanks to you. I know you’re going to try to protest, so don’t, okay? I mean it, it’s all thanks to you. The night that the rep was there all those years ago, I never would have played that well if you weren’t in the crowd looking up at me. If I didn’t have you to play for, to drive me, she never would have been interested in signing us, no development deal, or anything.”
“And this tour,” he scoffs and even though Akaashi is only looking at his side profile lit only by the moon and dim streetlights, he can see how happy he is. “Even if I eventually got here, on tour with Kuroo and Tsukki, it wouldn’t have been the same without you. You’ve kept me grounded, kept me accountable, kept me true to myself, kept me honest. You were there when I needed you for anything. I know you were there before the tour, but living with you in a tiny room on a bus for a year taught me that we can tackle anything. I mean, you agreed to come in the first place. You dropped everything to come on tour with me, follow my dreams with me, and in an instant too. I’ve never had anyone love me without any boundaries, no one that’s loved me as unconditionally as you, Keiji.”
Akaashi is hanging onto every single word that he’s saying, tears beginning to run down the sides of his cheeks. His eyes don’t move from Bokuto as he lowers himself to the floor, his hand still grasped around Akaashi’s as he gently rests one of his knees on the ground. Akaashi’s mind is so focused on the scene in front of him that he can’t seem to remember how to perform basic tasks to keep himself alive like breathing or a regular heartbeat. His hand starts to shake, beginning at his fingertips and spreading throughout his entire arm. Bokuto squeezes gently, looking up at Akaashi before pulling a small velvet box out of his coat pocket. The tears are starting to flow consistently now, pulling his other hand up and clasping it over his mouth. Akaashi has no idea how Bokuto’s hand stays so steady as he opens the small box nor how his other hand stays grasped so strongly around his.
“You’re always the one that’s 10 steps ahead of me, so it’s kinda weird being a step ahead of you.” Bokuto’s smile is so genuine, so kind, that Akaashi wants to pull out his phone and take a picture in the middle of this moment just so he could remember it perfectly. His smile changes a slight worry when a thought clearly pops into his head, but his excitement still shines through despite whatever concern resided. “Unless you say no, in which case, you’re still steps ahead of me…” He shakes the notion away. “Akaashi Keiji, will you marry me?”
Bokuto, his boyfriend of 4 years, the light of his life, the now reason he wakes up in the morning, the man that cannot sit still for more than 2 minutes (Akaashi counted one night), someone who thought that skipping was a valid form of transportation, who would get nervous about asking for extra pork in his ramen, but not performing on stage in front of thousands of people, was kneeling in front of him, the most elated and serious look on his face, void of any doubt or confusion or anxiety, asking him to marry him.
Akaashi’s so deep in thought about the situation and the first time they met and all of the events that led up to this perfect moment that he doesn’t even speak. It’s not until Bokuto squeezes his hand tighter that he’s brought back. “I- yes, of course, of course, Kou, yes.” He can’t stop crying now, silently, as Bokuto’s steady fingers take the ring out of the box, sliding it gently onto Akaashi’s trembling one. It fits perfectly, of course, it does, Bokuto picked it out.
He stays kneeling, even after putting the band onto Akaashi’s finger, just staring up at him and then back down at Akaashi’s hand, at the small silver band around his finger. Akkashi has to tug at his hand to get him back to his feet. As much as he wants to keep looking at Bokuto like this, he’d much rather be in his arms.
The feeling of the metal wrapped around his finger only encourages him to tackle him harder. Bokuto, obviously, stays upright despite how hard Akaashi has thrown himself at him, wrapping himself around him as hard as he can. He unwraps himself almost immediately, holding his hand up and waving it in Bokuto’s face as if Bokuto wasn’t the one that put it there. His tears are finally slowing, the overwhelming emotions settling and being replaced with more excitement than he’s ever felt in his entire life. Akaashi literally spins around, the soft moonlight illuminating each of his facial features, and Bokuto knows that he’s made the most important, correct decision of his entire life.
In all of his adorational intoxication, he’s not expecting Akaashi’s weight pushing into him again so quickly. It knocks him off balance, propelling him backward into the siding of the pier, the railing meeting the small of his back, catching him. Akaashi’s legs are wrapped around his waist and he’s kissing him so hard that it takes his breath away.
“Sorry, sorry,” Akaashi giggles, but he’s not actually sorry, not when he feels so good being supported by his fiancé . His chest feels like it’s full of helium as he squeezes Bokuto as tightly as he can. Akaashi’s laughter is infectious causing Bokuto to laugh into his shoulder, kissing whatever part of his body that he can reach.
Strong arms supporting him, he unravels his arms from Bokuto’s neck, placing each of his hands, instead, on Bokuto’s cheeks. He presses his forehead against Bokuto’s. “I love you, Kou,” Akaashi breathes before softly kissing him, letting his lips linger even after Bokuto has tenderly lowered him to the ground, their bodies staying pressed against one another. Even after Bo put him down, his hands rested on Akaashi’s hips, gripping into them softly. All of Akaashi’s weight was on Bokuto, his hands having migrated to the banister right next to Bo’s waist, using it as an anchor to pull himself as close as he could to his fiancé .
Bokuto pulls away begrudgingly, a smile still plastered on his face. “There’s a party for us back at the hotel.” Akaashi shakes his head, pressing his lips against his again, harder this time, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. He grabs the fabric of Bokuto’s neckline, clenching it into his fists as he stands on his tippy toes, making sure there is no possible way they could get closer. Bokuto hums as he squeezes Akaashi’s hips. Akaashi knows there’s no one around, though, even if there was, he’s not sure he could have contained himself. He bites gently on Bokuto’s lip, rolling it between his teeth so delicately before doing the same to his jawline and then his neck. The grip on Akaashi’s hips tightens with each love bite. “Kaashi,” Bokuto whines, but Akaashi just starts sucking on small patches of Bokuto’s neck.
“Hm?” he hums into Bokuto’s neck, making him shiver. He hums again just to watch it once more. He’s still kissing his neck, getting lower and lower until he meets the fabric.
“There’s a party for us back at the hotel,” Bokuto repeats himself, swallowing when Akaashi moves his shirt to the side to kiss his collarbone.
“What if I said no?” Akaashi asks between contact.
“I was going to text Kuroo and then stall while they cleaned everything up and made everyone go home,” Bokuto answers honestly. Akaashi stops kissing him, staring into his eyes with a confused look on his face. In what world was Akaashi ever going to say no to this?
“Everyone?”
Bokuto nods and starts naming off some of their friends from back home before saying, “Oh! And Yukie flew in! She’s there!”
He contemplates his options. He hadn’t seen Yukie in so long. They had FaceTimed quite a bit on tour, especially when Bokuto was busy rehearsing or practicing, but he missed his best friend. However, on the other side, he could just keep kissing his fiancé .
Akaashi knows that if he just started leaning into him and kissing him again, Bokuto wouldn’t have thought about the party at all, but he sees Bokuto’s puppy-dog eyes and he can’t resist. As much as he wants to just keep kissing his fiancé , he wants to make him happy. Akaashi places one final kiss onto Bokuto’s lips, making sure not to linger and get caught up in the moment. When he pulls away, he takes Bokuto’s hand, pulling him away from the railing and making their way back to the sidewalk.
Despite his hesitancy to leave the pier and his solitude with his fiancé , Bokuto eventually drags him back to the party, carrying him on his back. “No fiancé of mine is going to have to walk all the way back to our hotel,” Bokuto had explained. The party was as extravagant and extra as he expected it to be. All of the people from the tour and even some of their friends from home were all there. Yukie had even made it, explaining to Akaashi that when Bokuto asked if he should propose, she told him that she wanted to be there.
Bokuto spent the entire night with some part of his body touching Akaashi at all times, walking around to different guests and showing off his fiancé , despite everyone there already knowing Akaashi. Akaashi spent the entire night looking at Bokuto as he socialized with the most evident look of pure love in the history of ever.
“I cannot believe your husband decided to play at his own wedding,” Kenma shakes his head. Akaashi is looking up at the stage, watching Crowlster play their 3rd or 4th song since the start of the reception. They had a DJ too, but every so often, Bokuto would drag Tsukishima and Kuroo onto the stage and play a song, watching the people dance on the floor. Akaashi had always been one of those people, but this time, he chose to sit down and just watch.
“Your boyfriend definitely didn’t help the cause, okay?” Akaashi shoots back. “Besides, it’s my wedding, you have to be nice.”
“I’m nice…,” he pauses, “I’m just saying that your boyfriend is an idiot.” Akaashi looks up at the stage, Bokuto’s dark gray jacket thrown onto the ground near his feet and his tie loosened into a relaxed circle on his collarbones. He’s suddenly very thankful that he chose to wear the white suit and forced Bokuto to wear the gray one. He’s playing so intently, staring down at his bass, his tongue sticking out of his mouth just slightly. Akaashi is remembering what it felt like to fall in love all over again.
“He really is,” Akaashi sighs, but it’s so full of love that Kenma rolls his eyes. “Hey, don’t act like Kuroo won’t pull the same exact shit when you guys get married.” He pauses, then, for a moment, before asking, “Do you guys want to get married?”
Kenma responds quicker than he’s ever responded to anything, “Yeah, someday.”
Akaashi hums in contentment, taking a sip of the champagne in his hand as he sways in his chair to Crowlster’s song. All of the guests are enjoying themselves as they listen to the live music, but the song can’t end soon enough. Akaashi wants to be draped back around him again. “I highly recommend it.” Akaashi’s tipsy curiosity is getting the better of him as he prys, feeling like gossiping PTA moms. “Do you think Yams and Tsukishima will ever get married?”
Kenma mulls over this. “Yams wants to get married, I think, and then, if Yams wants to get married, Tsukishima will do anything for him, so yeah. I think so.” Akaashi hums again.
“I like weddings,” Akaashi admits, taking in all of the people that are there to support him, the beautiful decorations, the breathtaking venue. He’s almost too busy taking in what a good job they did that he doesn’t realize that the song is over and Bokuto has jumped off of the stage, walking very quickly towards Akaashi.
“Kaashi! My husband!!!!!” Bokuto is practically squealing. The excitement in his voice is contagious. You could actually feel the exclamation marks that came after. Bokuto scoops Akaashi up in his arms, like he had many times tonight already, and spins him around. No bone in his body is telling himself to protest this. Bokuto has had many more drinks than he has but is still completely cognitive. “Kenma, do you see Kaashi, my husband?” Kenma nods quietly to Bokuto before Bokuto starts carrying him to meet with other guests.
Bokuto had not stopped referring to Akaashi by both a nickname and “my husband” all night. He likes the feel of it in his mouth. “Congrats, again, you guys,” Kuroo says, catching up with Bokuto, sitting down on Kenma’s lap despite being far too big. Kenma, surprisingly enough, doesn't seem to mind.
Tsukishima doesn’t join them until he’s found Yamaguchi talking to some old mutual friends in the corner, dragging him away from his conversation so that he doesn’t have to be alone. “How’s married life?” Tsukishima asks, his fingers intertwined with Yamaguchi who was blushing from something Tsukki had said on their way over to them.
Bokuto throws Akaashi up in the air, letting him leave his arms by just a few inches before pulling him back closely into his body. “Better than real life,” Bokuto says, squeezing Akaashi.
“Congratulations, Akaashi,” Yamaguchi says, bowing slightly. They had become pretty good friends while they were on tour together, but Yamaguchi rarely completely warmed up to anyone other than Tsukki.
“Bo, Bo, you have to put me down,” Akaashi laughs not really wanting to leave the comfort of his arms, but knowing that he should actually walk around his wedding and not be carried around. It was his wedding, though . Bokuto pouts, setting Akaashi down gently, but keeping his arm slinked around his waist. “We should go mingle for a bit, but we’ll be back to talk later, yeah?” The four men nod as Bokuto and Akaashi begin to leave. He hears Kenma and Yamaguchi starting to talk about how Kenma has his switch in Kuroo’s coat pocket if they wanted to go play Mario Kart. Kuroo quickly scolds them, but it doesn’t do much as Tsukishima agrees and claims that they outnumber Kuroo 3 to 1. Kuroo eventually gives in. Akaashi can’t help but glance back as they make their way to the coat check and smile at four of the most important people in his life, all thanks to Bokuto.
They walk away from their friends, regretting it, but knowing they have to mingle, joined closely together at the hip, talking with guests, taking stupid photos, drinking, dancing, enjoying their time together, playing Mario Kart on Kenma’s switch at a table in the back of the room. Yukie had, of course, been there as well, attending with Kaori. She had delivered a speech at the beginning of the reception that made Akaashi cry like a baby. “My little Keiji,” she had said, pinching his cheek, “growing up, traveling the country, getting married to a hot bass player.” She then turned to Bokuto, “Take care of him, okay?”
Akaashi had heard so many times that his wedding would be the happiest day of his life, and he never didn’t believe it, but now, standing here, his entire side up against Bokuto’s, his hand gripping his hip tightly to make sure that he doesn’t drift away, Akaashi knows that he could never be happier than this.
“I love you, Kou,” Akaashi says, pushing forward into his husband and kissing him as they’re walking away from the crowd of people. He still gets giddy when he thinks about their labels, looking down at his hand and the small silver band around his finger.
“I love you!!!” Bokuto picks Akaashi up again and Akaashi can’t even be angry in the slightest. He pushes his head against Bokuto’s chest, snuggling against it discreetly. His husband leans down and peers into Akaashi’s eyes. “Kaashi, I have to ask you something very important.” He tries to maintain a serious face but is absolutely failing as cracks of bliss and laughter shine through.
“What’s that, Bokuto-chan?” They were already married, have already had the talk about kids (they were meeting with an adoption agency in 2 weeks), and were already living together. Akaashi has no idea what very important question Bokuto has to ask him. Akaashi’s mind no longer flickers to worst-case scenarios with Bokuto, because they had never been true, had never even threatened to occur. Time and time again, Bokuto proved that more often than not, it was the best-case scenario that unfolded.
Their entire relationship gave way to new growth, new flourishes, new prosperities, new bonds. They were constantly maturing together. Akaashi looks at Bokuto, truly taking in all that’s in front of him, all of the features that had evolved over the years, the softness that he portrayed despite his chaotic wildness, his avid facial expressions. He saw his future, ever-lasting and dynamic, directly in front of him, literally supporting him.
He leans in so closely to Akaashi’s ear that Akaashi can feel his smile. “Do you want to go make out in the closet?”
Okay, well, some things never change.