#every time of the day is too early for akaashi

[virizines]

Tenma draws catkaashi

[auragasmics]

HE LOVES IT WHEN I...

∞ ₒ ˚ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂♡ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ° ˚ ₒ synopsis! sugar daddies have a sweet tooth for all their sugar babies. but for you, these rich dilfs are ready to spoil you rotten for all your cute quirks!

∞ ₒ ˚ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂♡ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂° ˚ ₒ pairings! sugar daddy bokuto koutarou, ushijima waktoshi, and akaashi keiji x fem! reader

∞ ₒ ˚ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂♡ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂° ˚ ₒ cw! 1.7k, drabble + headcannon format, age gap (hq men are early 40s, reader is late 20s), car sex, oral ( m -> f), daddy kink, backshots, fingering, mirror sex, teasing, slight degrading, use of petnames

∞ ₒ ˚ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂 ♡ ° 𐐪𐑂 ♡ 𐐪𐑂° ˚ ₒ xoxo, chris! sigh...i love bokuto sm! he can eat me 25/8. ushi can too!

pt.1

Sugardaddy!Bokuto loves it when you say thank you.

It turns him on to unbelievable lengths. It follows the same old routine, one he doesn’t plan to change anytime soon. Each time you accepted yet another bag filled with your latest hauls, you turned to the doting man, his hand eagerly waiting to catch your own. 

With a faint smile present on your lips, the soft coos of your voice rose to Bokuto’s ear, coaxing for his copal hues to widen. The pair of words were simple mannerisms, instilled from a young age for all. But whenever it rolled off your tongue, the porcelain shades of Bokuto’s skin couldn’t hold back the innocent hues of red from surfacing. 

All he needed to hear was your pretty mouth say it one more time that day, just once more. 

“Aht, don’t push my head away. That’s just mean,” Bokuto pouted, the pads of his fingers digging into the limp plush of your calves. He’s got all his weigh on you, pushing you down onto the backseat of his car. You winced mindlessly, your hazy eyes flickering among the space Bokuto occupied between your legs. Your fingers lazily carded through his locks, strength dwindling by the second.

 “B-Bo…I can’t take anymore,” you slurred, resting your head along the sleek platinum headboard. You couldn’t begin to comprehend what snapped inside Bokuto, his insistence leading to you gasping for a lick of air. He didn’t give you time to slip from the citrine dress you wore, only to be bunched around your bucking hips. 

“‘M so sorry, Princess. You just looked so good today, I wanted a piece of you,” he mumbled incoherently, his busy lips latching onto the twitching bud of your clit. He's relentless, working the slicked muscles to paint sticky strokes along the bud.  

He’d been tucked away in his own heaven, relishing in every drop of your essence that spilled into his mouth. He pulled at least three orgasms from you this way, each one slower than the last. 

“Wait–I can’t cum again, Bokuto please!” you sobbed, your back forcing out a harsh arch. You frantically nudged yourself deeper into Bokuto’s hold, your hips swiping at whatever could be caught. 

Sharing in your urgency, Bokuto kept his tongue pressed into your folds, the voids of his eyes taking in the sight before him. He always did love when you chased after your own high, using him however you saw fit. 

He pulled his hindering grip from your legs, allowing for your thighs to smother him in a swift close. Not another syllable had to be uttered as you approached your high, both hands grasping handfuls of Bokuto’s hair. 

A bubbling fit of words fled from your lips, Bokuto giggling at the view. He drew himself from your cunt, placing a final kiss onto the exposed bundle of nerves. He rested back onto his haunches, keeping his hunkering figure hovered above your own. 

As he swiped the pad of his thumb along the spit-ridden mess of your lips, he whispered to your dazed visage gently. “Be nice and use your words. Now, what do you say fr’ me, Baby?”

Through your heavy lashes, you mustered the bits of energy to respond, granting a satisfied smirk to creep onto Bokuto’s face.

“Thank you, Daddy.”

Sugardaddy!Ushijima loves it when you spend his money.

God, does he love it? The swipes of his card, the sifting through the thick bills tucked away in his wallet, Ushijima was addicted to it all. He didn’t even have to say a word, your hand already reaching for whatever mode of payment he had for the day. 

You weren’t aware of it, but there was a special glint that illuminated the olive hues of his eyes. Maybe it was how you twirled the thin sheet of plastic between your fingers, whistling some tune to pass the moments of processing. 

He was obsessed with the fact that every heel beneath the soles of your feet, every ring that hugged your finger, and every dress that clung to your body was all his doing, all stemming from the fruits of his labor. 

When that gratifying giggle rang from your throat, it was enough to fuel a flame within Ushijima’s belly—something he knew would be extinguished soon.

“I can’t hear you, Sweetheart,” Ushijima groaned, his hand prying from your stuttering hips. You lifted your head from the tear-stained pillow, pulling the swell of your lip through your teeth. “It’s so fucking good, Toshi! I w-want more,” you keened, eyes rolling to the back of your skull. 

Ushijima returned to the sight laid before him, the plump curves of your ass pressed against his tensed abdomen. Tracing down the arch of your spine, he was met with the glassy voids of your lidded eyes, spools of drool decorating your lips. 

Taking a provoking turn, he drew his hips from their post, dragging his length from your walls. He chuckled at the sound of your cries, the sadist whims surfacing to the forefront of Ushijima’s mind.

“C’mon Baby, you gotta work for all those bags you got today,” he surmised, landing a playful smack on your ass. The mewling whimpers from your lungs came to a sudden halt once you noticed what Ushijima held in the palm of his hand.

The hefty stack of blue bills sat snug in his hand, waving them to your gawking glance. “If you can make me cum just like this, I’ll add everything in my hand to your allowance,” Ushijima wagered snarkily. “Deal?”

With a sheepish nod, you agreed to take on Ushijima’s bet, planting your weakened knees into the mattress. A heavy breath brewed inside your lungs, acting as encouragement for your newly placed endeavors. Ushijima knew all too well how big he was, considering he was always so insistent on taking charge. 

Yet watching his pretty girl struggle to take him was just one of his favorite pastimes as of late.

With the single dive of your hips, your walls enveloped Ushijima’s cock in the viscid warmth once more. A stout arch coaxed itself into your spine as a keening sob sang from your lips. An overwhelming euphoria was placed upon your weary body, stemming from fullness residing within your cunt. Your digits dug into the cotton plush of the pillow, barely grounding your mind.

“Fuck–you must really want it, don’t you Baby?” Ushijima chuckled raggedly, the faint patterns of stars clouding his vision. He hadn’t anticipated your eagerness, the swift drops of your hips resting against his flexed abdomen. He felt everything, every twitch of your walls, every roll of your hips, even every kiss the head of his cock pressed into your cervix. 

The explicit clash of skin began the soft comforting tunes to Ushijima’s ears, hiding his blissful whimpers behind the music. His eyes were trained to the unfolding scene, from tracing the slick sheen of sweat dusting the curve of your back to catching each wave that passed through the supple skin of your ass. Reminding of something that of a fever dream, Ushijima melded into the amorous aura, quickly forgetting the bet he’d made with you. 

Giving in to his fading sense of self, Ushijima drizzled the stack of bills along your body, each one drifting to cover the sheets beneath you both. With his hand now free, Ushijima reached out to you, cupping your chin as he presented you with a single rhetorical question. 

“Who’s my rich little slut?”

Sugardaddy! Akaashi loves it when you flaunt your new clothes.

He finds it to be the highlight of his day. It’s even become his sense of downtime from the frantic day, hopping from shop to shop all across the city. He’ll sit in his favorite leather armchair with a cup of the richest brandy in hand, watching your giddy reflection paraded about through the mirror. 

“Don’t you look pretty? Told you this color suits you best, Sweetheart,” Akaashi cooed, his chin nuzzled within the crook of your neck. You couldn’t bother to respond to his compliment, not with his thick digits drawing relaxed circles along the supple bud of your clit. You clawed at his forearm in protest, the silk fabric of his dress shirt catching each scratch of your nails.

Perched atop his lap, Akaashi kept your thighs parted for his entertainment, his eyes pinned to the mirror’s reflection. He admired it all, the staggering rises and falls of your chest, your trembling lips, and the spilling streams of spit lining your chin. He only wished you could revel in the same vision he bore witness to. 

At his tender handling, your body melted into Akaashi’s hold. From the frantic beats of your heart, the nerves beneath your skin prickling with need, and the hot pants warming the air, it was all for him. Your back arched against his chest, squirming amidst the mind-numbing solace Akaashi delivered. 

“Look at that, making such a mess on my fingers,” he hummed, the tips of his digits ghosting the fluttering slit of your cunt. He allowed for a single finger to graze past your entrance, the lewd squelching spurring you on. “P-Please Keiji…don’t tease me like that. Just–” you sobbed, your hips bucking to meet his fleeting touch. 

“Sorry, baby. Not until you tell me how pretty you are,” he whispered, painting your limped jaw with lingering pecks. Drifting down to the pulse of your throat, Akaashi nipped at the skin, leaving the slightest hints of marks in his stead. 

His calming tone flew to your ear, earning your hazed attention. “Look in the mirror and repeat after me,” he instructed softly. You nodded concurringly, the lids of your eyes prying from their screwed hold. 

You were met with Akaashi’s narrowed glare, the darkened hues of his eyes pinned on you. Embarrassment rang through you, eyes glazing over your pitiful state. What caught your immediate attention was the ruby dress he’d just purchased sitting around your waist. 

Not to mention the pornographic sight of your cunt on full display for him, inducing for a merciful whimper to creep out your lungs. 

Yet for Akaashi, his own concern was hearing that voice of your repeat every word that soon left from his mouth. “I’m Akaashi’s…” he began, waiting for your frail reply.

“I’m Akaashi’s…” you uttered shyly, the inescapable heat swarming beneath your cheeks. He noticed your resistance, matching it with lingering swipes of his digits between your glossed folds. 

“Pretty Girl. I’m Akaashi’s pretty girl,” he compiled together, shifting back into his seat patiently. You swallowed the lump sitting in your throat, bundling the bits of energy to comply with his wishes. 

“I-I’m Akaashi’s pretty girl,” you whimpered out at last, granting a smile to spread along his lips.

“That’s my good girl. I think you deserve a reward, don’t you?”

[valleyofheartz]

I Love You, I’m Sorry

University AU

Pairing: Volleyball player!Sakusa Kiyoomi x Artist!F!Reader

angst, fluff, hurt/comfort, FWB to lovers, angst with a happy ending

WC: 9.7k

Synopsis: Falling in love with the pretty volleyball player in your first year of University wasn’t something you intended to happen; it just did. And then, two years later, the line between lust and love blurs. You want him beyond his body, but does he want every side of you? A part of you liked to think so, but Sakusa Kiyoomi is known for crushing hearts, and make no mistake, you were no exception.

Content/Warnings: alcohol consumption, kissing, mentions of sex but nothing explicit, FWB relationship, graphic descriptions of blood/knives/wounds/organs (nothing actually happens), subtle hints of depression/anxiety, jealousy, curse words, one scene with a creep but its vague, pls lmk if I missed anything!

two August’s ago, you fell in love.

you remember laughing till tears cascaded down your rosy cheeks, face hurting from smiling so much. you remember soft touches; on your hand as you reached for the same item, on your waist when you squeezed by, on the corner of your mouth when you don’t seem to notice the crumbs that coat your lips. you remember a gentle smile, eyes crinkling the slightest bit as your heart stutters in your chest. you remember dark curly hair, mole kissed skin and eyes brimming with affection.

you remember everything.

bright, giddy, and curious, you entered university with dreams larger than the sun. your passion for art made you yearn. you wanted to draw everything beautiful. you’d sit by the tree near your campus library and draw for hours, music blaring through your headphones as you sketched pretty items, pretty scenery, and pretty people in your book.

it was under the tree you found your muse.

you recall forgetting to bring something to tie your hair with, leaving it to fall in your face when the the wind hit a little too hard. you squinted, frowning as you moved the strands out of your sight.

and then, as if entranced, you see the prettiest student walk towards the library. it’s like everything is suddenly moving slower. he’s clad in a- sports jacket? with your school logo, and black shorts to match. he has a gym bag hung on his right shoulder, but you find yourself more focused on the thick locks on his head and soft slope of his nose. his lips are full, pretty and pink. the slight chill from the air must be the reason why his cheeks are tinted as well, and your hands itch with the urge to draw this mythical being.

(first-year you was a little dramatic, but present you still understands her.)

you draw a rough sketch of him the moment he leaves, but you know had you had more time to look, you would’ve done a much better job.

✾

the second time you see him is at a party.

you had forgotten about the pretty boy as the days went on, more focused with school and handing in assignments. exams arrived, and then you were on break. your friends had begged you to show up, with promises of it being a fun experience even if all you wanted to do was curl up under the covers and sleep all day.

you end up wearing a cute outfit, somewhat revealing yet covering the parts you wanted to. your hair is styled with shiny clips that match your makeup. you feel pretty, and even though you initially did not want to go out, you think this might be a good idea.

“Y/n, let me know if you want to leave early, okay? And don’t drink anything random people offer you.” Kuroo grabs your arm, tone serious. you want to laugh at the usually silly guy being so protective of you.

you smile, “I know, father. No need to worry about me, it’s just my first party.”

Akaashi beside you ruffles your hair, “He has a reason to be worried, you’re a little too sweet for your own good.”

you scrunch up your nose, mentally disagreeing. you could certainly be mean. but they had yet to see you at your worst, so this made sense. you decide to let them keep this image of you.

Bokuto barrels forward, knocking into your back as you stumble into Kuroo’s arms. he catches you with ease, sending a glare towards his friend.

“Watch it, are you drunk already?”

Bokuto grins, “Pre-gamed a little too hard! My bad, bro.” he pauses, looking at you, “And the lady-bro.”

you stifle a giggle at his words, focusing on the warmth that emits from Kuroo. you suddenly regret wearing something that showed more skin, knowing you got cold easily.

“Tetsu, can we get drinks?” you grab his bicep gently as he looks down.

“Yeah, yeah. Let me just say hi to some of the guys and we’ll go.” he waits for Akaashi to come to your other side before walking, with you squashed between them.

you roll your eyes, what was up with them? it was your first time attending a university party, not your first time at a club.

you greet people mindlessly, and they all seem nice enough. you get restless after twenty minutes though, really wanting a drink. you tug Kuroo’s shirt gently, waiting for him to turn to you.

“I’m gonna go get a drink, you want anything?”

he frowns, “I’ll come, give me a sec.” he doesn’t wait for a response before excusing himself from his friends. they all wave him off as he guides you to another room in the house, which is more secluded.

you find the table, filled with all sorts of stuff you were unfamiliar with. one of Kuroo’s friends stands by, and you assume he’s keeping an eye on the beverages to ensure nobody spikes them with anything.

Kuroo gives him a quick nod before reaching for a bottle. he must know what he’s doing, however, as he pours you a mixture of two drinks before handing it to you. you take it with narrowed eyes, lifting it to your nose and oh, it smells fruity enough.

you down it in one go, looking back at Kuroo’s slackened jaw. you bark out a loud laugh, before covering it with your hand. “What?”

he shakes his head, “Nothing, nothing. Didn’t know you were so thirsty.”

you shrug in response, mindlessly scanning the room as Kuroo pours himself a drink.

despite the room being half empty, it is still fairly large. you can see a group playing beer pong on the left side, while the ones on the right are laughing loudly as they seemingly discuss something funny.

and then, your eyes land on him.

he’s standing with who you assume is his friend, with their back towards you. he’s leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, and the position allows his navy blue shirt to stretch with the muscle. you swallow when your eyes trail down to his slim waist.

broad shoulders and a small waist? surely that had to be illegal.

his black pants are loose, but fit his thighs nicely.

when your eyes go back to his face, you’re once again filled with the urge to pick up your pencil and draw. he’s not smiling, and you have a feeling he doesn’t smile very often, but it doesn’t take away from his beauty. his cheekbones are pretty and prominent, and you wonder how they would feel beneath your palms.

you bite on your bottom lip at the thought, feeling foolish for thinking about a stranger like that.

“Oh? Does my little Y/n have a crush?” a voice croons next to your ear.

you whip your head back with a glare, “Tetsu, no.”

he laughs loudly, head throwing back as he cackles. you frown, scrunching your nose at him even if he’s too busy laughing to see.

“Oh, c’mon cutie, I’m just teasing. Nothing wrong with a little crush, I would just recommend someone a little… nicer.” he says, out of breath as a grin stretches on his face.

you tilt your head, “Huh? You know him?“

Kuroo ruffles your hair gently, with you moving to fix it immediately.

“We aren’t close, but I do know him since he’s on the same team as me,” Kuroo smiles at the wide eyed look you give him. “i’d say i’m closer with his friend over there.”

when you glance back to the pair, you find that the pretty boy has his eyes on you.

your heart jumps, your body shivering as you snap your eyes back to Kuroo.

what the fuck? maybe you hallucinated that.

“Oh, your man is looking here.”

maybe not.

“Hey, want me to introduce you? Who knows, you might be able to defrost his heart.” he smirks, with you shaking your head to disagree. “No, thank you. I’m not going to defrost his heart like he’s some piece of frozen raw meat.”

he huffs out a laugh, turning into a cough when his eyes partially widen. “Well, you should prepare yourself, they’re both coming here right now.”

you look at Kuroo with an incredulous expression, “You’re fucking lying.”

“Such a foul mouth, cutie.” he lifts his hand up and looks beside you, “Hey, man.” he waves. he nods at the pretty boy next, who you assume nods back.

you finally allow yourself to look away from Kuroo and at the two new men in front of you. they’re both tall, but thankfully you’re used to being surrounded by tall men due to your friends.

you smile at the friend and glance at the pretty boy for a second, “Hi, I’m Y/n.” you’re thankful you manage to sound stable.

“I’m Adriah.” his friend says with a half grin. it’s boyish and charming, but you’re more concerned with the curly-haired guy beside him. your eyes dart to his next, anticipating an introduction.

“Sakusa Kiyoomi.”

his voice is deep, it’s almost alluring. it reminds you of the dark chocolate you often pick up from the convenience store beside your dorm; bitter but comforting.

you always loved dark chocolate.

the thought makes your heart do a funny thing and your chest seize up.

✾

a year and a half later, you kiss Sakusa Kiyoomi for the first time.

you’re close friends by now, perhaps even best friends. you know him like the back of your hand; no, you know better than you know yourself.

you know his arms are covered in beauty marks, ones you’d like to trace with your lips. you know how his hair looks when he first awakens, eyes swollen and lips puffed out in a pout. you know his favorite food, and how he likes his coffee in the morning. you know he sighs through his nose when he’s feeling overstimulated, you know his lips press together when he’s about to say something mean. you know he crosses his arms when he feels like he needs to protect himself, you even know the brand of disinfecting wipes he prefers to buy.

you know he has a dimple on his left cheek when he smiles, you know how his lips stretch out all pretty when he’s caught off guard. you know the low timbre in his chest when he laughs, his thick steel walls suddenly nowhere to be seen as he allows himself to relax.

“Kiyo, please? I really want to go, and nobody else wants to come!” you beg, voice sad as you sit on the edge of his bed.

it’s 12:00PM, and Kiyoomi is still laying in bed. you understand, it is a Saturday, but you wanted to go out and visit the cat cafe with supposedly amazing tiramisu.

the lump on the bed barley moves, “Oh great, so I’m your last choice. I’ll pass.”

you smile, giggling. “No, you were my first choice, but you said no so I asked other people and they also refused, so now I came back to you!”

he lifts the covers, sitting up. he’s shirtless, and the sight of his bare body covered in pretty beauty marks makes your brain short-circuit. you turn away, huffing. “Put on a shirt you… perv.”

you hear a pretty laugh then, your head immediately turning back to catch the rare sight. he shakes his head, small grin still on his face, “I’m the perv? Not the one who’s red in the face and can’t even look me in the eye?”

you blink harshly, “I can look at you! I’m just… respecting your boundaries.”

you turn away again, crossing your arms. you hear the covers on the bed shuffle, and when you slowly turn around, you find yourself much closer to Kiyoomi than you thought.

you blink, moving to give him space and tumbling off the bed in the process with a yelp. he grabs you with wide eyes, moving so he takes the brunt of the fall.

you land on top of him, watching as he groans in pain below you. your hands are resting on his broad shoulders, and they feel smooth beneath your hands.

he sighs, laying his head on the floor. he looks up at you through lidded eyes. “So what now, genius? You made us fall.”

you shoot him a dirty look, “Well nobody told you to fall with me.”

“This is the ‘thank you’ I get? Next time I’ll let you get hurt, brat.” he rolls his eyes with a scoff.

you pout, bottom lip pushing out. “You’d let me fall and get hurt?”

he stares at you intently, not answering. you take the time to observe his face, wanting to burn the memory into your brain. you like the small bump on his nose. you like the way his bottom lip is slightly bigger than the top. you like the way his skin turns red easily, his cheeks often sporting a pretty blush even from the slightest chilly air. you like his thick curly hair, wondering how it would feel in your hands. you like his eyes too, dark and swirling with emotions you’ve yet to unravel and discover.

suddenly realizing your proximity, your eyes dart to his lips. plush and full, they look so inviting. you subconsciously lick your bottom lip, glancing up to find his eyes are also on your mouth. and when he finally looks you in the eye, you know if you don’t make a move now, you never will.

you lean in, slowly, and with a gentle exhale, you press your lips to his.

✾

a month later, you have sex with Kiyoomi.

it comes naturally, you think. soft kisses shared with hushed whispers were no longer enough. it led to heated touches and lust-filled eyes.

so when the two of you end up going further, you have no complaints.

he treats you exactly how you’d like, gentle in some ways and rough in others. you like the feel of his calloused hands caressing your skin, the rough bumps making him more attractive than you already thought he was.

and then you’re laying in bed, sweaty and covered in fluid. but his mattress is so comfortable, and your eyelids feel heavy.

“Y/n, we need to shower.”

“One minute.” you mumble quietly.

you feel a hand gently move hair out of your face, subconsciously leaning into the warmth of his palm. it’s gone before you can speak, and you have to force the whine down your throat.

you hear a sigh, and then feel a strong arm slide underneath your knees with the other behind your back as you are lifted into the air.

you squeak, hands scrambling to latch onto his neck. you look up at Kiyoomi with wide eyes, “Seriously, Kiyo? I can still walk, you jackass.”

he shakes his head with a small grin, and your hands itch to grab his face and kiss him senseless. “Are you sure you can walk? I’m not sure you can after all that.”

you change your mind, you want to slap him senseless.

“Ha-ha. So. Funny.” you deadpan, unable to help yourself and breaking into a smile when you feel his shoulders shake as he chuckles.

when the two of you are in bed, freshly washed and ready to sleep, Kiyoomi breaks your heart for the first time.

you’re laying your head on his chest, heartbeat steady and comforting as it almost lulls you to sleep.

his voice pulls you back, “Y/n,”

you hum in response.

“I don’t want you to misunderstand, I care about you, but I’m not looking for anything serious right now.” the words are spoken softly, but they cut through your heart nonetheless.

your body freezes, and you have to force yourself to relax when you realize he can feel it.

so what if Kiyoomi isn’t ready to date? you’re okay with kissing him, going out with him, and sleeping with him. you’re okay with that and not having a label. you’re okay with not being exclusive.

you’re okay with having him to this extent.

you’re okay.

“I understand. Don’t worry, Kiyoomi.”

✾

five months later, everything is the same.

and yet, nothing is the same.

“I don’t like this, Y/n. I think you should break things off with him.” Kuroo frowns, leaning into Akaashi’s side as he hogs the blanket to himself in the freezing cold apartment.

you pull your own fluffy throw closer, “There’s nothing to break off, Tetsu. There’s no label.”

Bokuto walks in, clad in a black tank top and volleyball shorts. “You can break off this unlabeled arrangement you have, Y/n! Just call it exactly that!” he smiles, hands on his hips standing proudly.

Akaashi coughs, “Bo, please put your air conditioning lower. We’re all going to get sick at this rate.”

Bokuto frowns, hands dropping to his sides. he walks to the thermostat, “Seriously? I think the temperature is fine.”

“That’s because you’re not human, you beast.” Kuroo snorts.

Bokuto turns around, looking scandalized. “I’m not a beast! You two are just weenies!”

you giggle, “Thank you for not including me with them, Kou.”

he salutes you with a cute little grin.

so maybe your friends were against your… situation with Kiyoomi. but you knew what you were doing, and while he might not want a relationship right now, you’re sure you can change his mind over time.

naive, perhaps, but you’ve always been a romantic at heart.

✾

everything comes to a head at one of their volleyball games.

you’re invited, of course. being friends with a few of the boys had allowed you to show up earlier and get seats in the front row.

it’s not your first game, but you’re excited nonetheless.

until you see Kiyoomi with someone unfamiliar.

she’s pretty, almost unearthly pretty. her hair is long, and cascades down her back like those magical waterfalls one would find deep in the forest. her smile is perfect, not crooked in the slightest. and when she greets him, her dainty hand smoothes over the skin of his arm; you walk faster.

Kuroo greets you first, with Akaashi and Bokuto coming behind him. you give them all your best wishes, but you can’t stop the uneasy feeling in your stomach at the sight of Sakusa with that girl.

when Akaashi sees your line of sight, he grimaces sympathetically. “Ah, that’s one of his friends from high school.”

your eyes shoot to his, and you wonder what expression you’re showing, because he comes closer and wraps you in a hug. you release a breath at the touch, letting yourself relax as he pats your back.

when you go to greet Sakusa, the girl is still there.

she’s sticking to him like a leech.

you try to get rid of the rude thoughts as you approach. she didn’t deserve your jealousy, nobody did. because you did this to yourself.

“Hi, Kiyo.” you smile.

he smiles back at you, and though it is small, it’s there. something in you settles when you think about how far the two of you have gotten.

the girl beside him is looking at the two of you curiously, but all you do is give her an awkward grin and turn back to Kiyoomi.

“Um, I just wanted to say good luck. I have a surprise for you, i’ll give it to you after the game.”

he raises a brow, intrigued. “You can’t give it to me now?”

you huff out a laugh. “No, silly. It’s a reward for you playing today. I know you’ll do well regardless of the outcome.”

his face smoothes out as he nods, “Okay, I’ll be waiting then.”

without another word you wave and turn around, walking to the seats and taking one in the front. you feel odd being the first to leave, but it was clear that the girl was not going to her seat until the game started. and while you’d like to talk to Kiyoomi more, you know you have to control yourself before you do something stupid like show him your jealousy.

the game goes by quickly, with your university winning the match. you cheer loudly, smiling so hard your cheeks hurt. it’s times like these that you truly cherish the joy in life. even though you hadn’t played in the game yourself, you can practically feel the positive energy radiating off of the players, and it fills you with excitement.

you run down and across the court, moving to hug your friends as you congratulate them.

“Y/n are you going to come with us to get dinner? Please say yes!” Bokuto widens his eyes, bottom lip curling into a pout.

you smile, happy to be included but knowing you have to decline. “Sorry, Kou. I already have plans with Kiyoomi. Can we raincheck?”

he nods sadly, and Akaashi pats him on the back in consolation.

“Have fun at dinner! I’m going to find Kiyoomi.” you wait till they exit the gymnasium before turning around and looking for the tall dark-haired man you were enamored with.

you can’t seem to find him through the crowd and the thought has you frowning anxiously. you stumble inside the group of people, breathing out when you finally see the end of the mob. with another exhale, you look up.

you see red.

because there is Kiyoomi, with the small pretty girl in his arms as she wraps her own around his neck. their faces lean in together, and if you didn’t know any better you’d assume they were about to kiss.

without even knowing what you’re doing, you march right up and grab his arm, tugging him into you with as much force as you can muster.

he looks down at you with wide eyes, and even though his hair is damp with sweat and his shirt is sticking to his skin, you find him to be the prettiest in the room.

suddenly realizing how this looked, you let go of his arm and step back. “What were you two doing?” you ask, voice soft yet loud enough for him to hear. the crowd has begun to disperse, leaving only the team and their friends in the gymnasium.

the girl looks awkward, glancing between you and Kiyoomi before taking a step back. “Uh, I’m gonna get going now. I’ll text you later, ‘Omi.”

your eye twitches at the nickname, and when Kiyoomi simply nods at her, you feel like you’re losing your mind.

he says nothing to you as he moves to pack his things, stuffing his towel in his bag and throwing it over his shoulder. he doesn’t even glance at you as he walks out, with you trailing after him like a lost puppy.

the walk to his apartment is short, but because of the silence it feels much longer; much more painful, like every step is with your bare foot onto glass.

when you finally arrive at his place, he shuts the door and tosses his gym bag to the side before turning to you.

“Want to explain what that was?” his face is cold, and the uncaring way he speaks to you makes you nervous.

you swallow, “Shouldn’t you explain? Why were her arms… Why did it look like you two were dating, or something? Why did you let her touch you like that?”

he chuckles, though it has none of the sweetness that it is normally laced with. “Why the fuck does it matter? You’re not my girlfriend.”

surprisingly, the words don’t hurt as much as you thought they would. no, you knew that already. what really makes your skin burn is the way he looks at you.

you feel dread creep up on you, goosebumps arising on your skin as you shiver. the look in his eyes is unforgiving, a stark contrast to the normally fond gaze you are granted with.

maybe that’s why it twists the metaphorical knife that is lodged in your stomach, scarlet blood seeping out as the squelch rings in your ears. it feels far too real, you can almost see him holding the knife as it digs deeper into your flesh.

“I never liked that about you.”

it's vague, but you feel like you understand what he means regardless. you ask him to clarify despite yourself. “Never liked what?” you whisper. your hands are shaking; you hold them behind your back to conceal it.

“The way you act around me. Like we’re in a loving relationship when really, we’re just friends who sleep together sometimes.” the words spoken are firm, leaving no room for you to even question whether he means them or not.

“I’m sorry?” you sound breathless, asking him to confirm what he had already said.

his eyes darken further, and you swallow harshly at the sight.

“You need me to say more to get it through your thick skull?” he scoffs, furious, and the sound cuts into your already wounded heart.

“I don’t like the way you coddle me. I don’t appreciate when you give me your opinions on things you know nothing about.” he pauses. you wait with bated breath, wondering how much more your heart could take.

“And, god, I really fucking hate when you show up at my games and smother me in front of everyone. It’s uncomfortable, and then you put me on the spot and act like you’re my fucking girlfriend.”

it feels like someone has plunged their hand through your chest, tearing you apart as they grasp onto your beating heart; you can almost picture it, the way the mangled organ thumps erratically as crimson liquid seeps out between their fingers.

you inhale shakily, “I just… I love you, I’m sorry.”

you look up, to see who’s holding your heart hostage.

“I don’t love you. I never have, and I never will.”

it’s him.

and fuck, it’s always him.

✾

two summers from now, Sakusa knows he’ll be playing volleyball professionally, for the first time.

he’ll have finished his fourth year of university, and he will be happy.

happiness.

Sakusa doesn’t exactly understand the emotion. sure, he’s felt anxiety, rage, and satisfaction, but happiness? what did that even entail?

he sits silently, trying to drone out the professors talks of another essay, and suddenly regrets taking a psychology class. because the amount of writing it required was a bit too much, even for him.

and then his thoughts go back to happiness.

oftentimes, Sakusa is told he looks mean; grouchy. and yet, he remembers an old conversation with Atsumu.

“So… you and Y/n?” Atsumu drawled.

Sakusa sighs, moving to pack up his things in the locker room. “It’s not like that, don’t go spreading anything.”

the blond raises his hands in mock surrender, wet hair sticking to his forehead. “Hey! I would never!”

and then he grins, though not as obnoxious as usual. it’s more kind, if anything, and Sakusa doesn’t know what to make of it.

“I’m just saying, ya seem a lot less grumpy these days. Happier.”

Sakusa pauses, staring at the chipped paint on the wall.

Atsumu sighs, swinging his bag over his shoulder as he moves to exit. “She’s good for ya, ‘Omi.” he pats his shoulder twice on his way out. “Don’t fuck it up, man.”

Sakusa stiffens; not at the action, but at his words. he quickly places everything in his bag before zipping it up and heading home.

if he’s a bit dazed at practice the next day, no one says anything.

when Sakusa lays in bed, he recounts the last time he spoke to you.

it’s been two weeks, and even though time has passed, it feels like just yesterday you were standing in his kitchen with your heart on your sleeve, letting him use it however he wished.

he remembers feeling furious at you, for so obviously disrespecting one of his good high school friends. and then you hadn’t even apologized, you’d instead pushed at him even more.

and then… he ruined everything.

he remembers the look on your face, the pure heartbreak in your irises as he carelessly spewed words he knew would hurt you.

it was not surprising when he walked into practice two days later to see glares of contempt by some of his teammates, who he knew were your friends. even Atsumu had looked at him and shook his head, and some part of him burned with shame. his mistakes were on display for everyone to see, and although he wanted to pull his walls even higher, he felt too distraught at the potential loss of you to bother.

he remembers laying in bed that night, finally deciding to break the silence between the two of you. but with a simple, ‘I’m sorry. Can we talk?’ he was able to find out that he was blocked.

he felt ice run through his veins, pausing at the vibrant red letters, spelling Not Delivered. he quickly opened Instagram and Twitter and found you had him removed and blocked there as well.

fuck.

he had really done it now, hadn’t he? he so naively believed that you simply needed space, and once he gave you a sincere apology the two of you could go back to the way things were; that you two could explore whatever non-platonic feelings he was beginning to develop for you.

but once he realizes the gravity of the situation, he wonders what the point is of experiencing love for the first time if it ends here.

it can’t end here.

he makes it his mission to try to meet you.

first he showed up to your Thursday class, knowing it ended at noon and you had a two-hour gap between your next one. he has a coffee in one hand and a freshly baked donut in the other. he drove across town to grab it, knowing it was your favourite. he knows a mere donut cannot make up for what he said to you, but it felt wrong coming empty handed to reconcile with you. not when you deserved everything and more.

except when you see him, you immediately turn and walk in the opposite direction.

the action stings, and he sighs once you are out of view. the bag with the donut in his hand feels heavy, his hand tingling with the rejection. he knew you wouldn’t forgive him so easily, but it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.

I deserve this, he acknowledges.

I deserve this and worse.

it’s the next week when he has the chance to see you again; he knows you’re working, often meeting you at the cafe to pick you up and take you to his place home.

so with a deep breath, he walks in. the door bell chimes loudly, and he curses mentally when he realizes how deserted the place is at the moment. there’s only a few people inside; a man sitting in the corner as he types furiously on his laptop. a woman and two others sitting on the side as they sip on what he assumes is coffee or tea.

and then he looks to the front, where you stand, and your eyes are on him.

the moment he takes a step forward, you stumble back, as if burned. he stops, unsure if he should keep walking or simply say something as he stands ten feet away from you.

unfortunately for him, you seem to come back to reality and swiftly open the door where it explicitly states STAFF. a moment later, one of your coworkers walks out with their customer service smile, and he deflates.

third time’s a charm, he says to comfort himself. but even he knows it won’t be that easy.

it’s friday, and even though he had no idea if you’d be home, he figured it was worth a shot. so that’s how he finds himself at your door, with a bouquet of white Tulips in his arms.

“Hi! Is there anything I can help you with?”

he jumps slightly when he hears a high-pitched voice coming from behind him, turning around and smoothing out his face.

“I’m not sure.” he states quietly.

“That’s okay! Is there anything in specific you’re looking for? A colour, or a meaning, perhaps?”

he frowns; it feels like all he’s been doing is frowning lately. “Uh, maybe something bright? Or… something that symbolizes forgiveness?”

she smiles sympathetically, and he wonders what expression he must be showing to warrant such a response from a stranger.

and that’s how he finds himself here. he shuffles on his feet, clutching the flowers to his chest protectively. with a soft inhale, he raises his fist and knocks.

silence.

he rings the doorbell this time, and still nothing.

he exhales quietly, his head dropping as he stares at the old carpet that covered the hallways in your apartment building. he’s been here so many times with you, but now he sees nothing but the back of your door and he has nobody but himself to blame.

he stands in front of your place for an hour, mindlessly staring at the wall as he recalls his words to you. how you’d handed your heart to him with your bare hands, only for him to treat it as though it meant nothing to him.

so on Sunday, he lays in bed and recounts the last two weeks.

he wants to wallow in self-pity, but then he hears banging on his door and wonders which unlucky soul will encounter his wrath.

he swings the door open, face emotionless and mouth ready to open and hurl insults at the other, until he sees his one and only cousin, Komori.

“Hey man!” his cousin smiles, innocent and happy.

Sakusa hates it.

his shoulders slump as all anger vanishes, exhaustion left in its wake. “What are you doing here, Moyota,”

he walks back to his room as Komori closes the door. “because if you can’t tell, i’m busy.”

Komori snorts, “Busy doing what? Moping?”

Sakusa glares at him, but in his disheveled state he merely looks like a feral wounded puppy. he crawls back under his covers, face smushed inside his pillow as he feels the other side of the bed dip.

“Get your outside clothes off my bed, Moyota.”

he hears a huff before the pressure is gone, and wills himself to sleep.

“Listen, I know you’re upset about what happened with Y/n, but sitting in your sadness won’t get you anywhere.”

Sakusa continues to lay there. “Mhm.”

Komori ignores the dry response, “There’s a party on Friday. You should go.”

“Why should I go to a party? You want me to drink my sorrows away?” his voice comes out muffled but he’s sure Komori can hear him regardless.

“Y/n will be there.”

that gets his attention. he sits up, the covers pooling at his waist as he crosses his arms. “How do you know?” his eyes narrow.

Komori rolls his eyes, “Because, I overheard Kuroo asking her to come on the phone. Something about him finding her someone new to replace you.”

he clenches his fists, feeling the burn of jealousy take over. replace him? he knew you were well-liked in your program, often waving at people whenever the two of you walked together on campus. he was not ignorant of the stares you’d get from fellow students. but it didn’t matter then because he knew his eyes were on you, and yours were on him.

but now everything’s different.

now, your eyes are not solely on him. the thought has his chest hurting in a way that he can only describe as a stabbing pain.

“I’ll go.”

✾

the week passes by too slow for Sakusa, but he knows it’s only because he’s missing you. when friday arrives, he’s feeling somewhat optimistic about meeting you and hopefully reconciling.

he scrunches the products in his hair, freshly washed from the shower. he’s wearing black slacks and a matching button-up. he places a few rings on his hands and moves to dry his hair with a cotton t-shirt once more before exiting his room.

“About time, dude. Why is your hair routine so complicated?” his cousin complains from his place on the couch, looking at him expectantly.

Sakusa grabs his keys on the counter, “My hair isn’t pin-straight, that’s why. Why are you still sitting down, let’s go.”

Komori rises with a shake of his head as he walks to the front door and slips on his shoes. Sakusa waits for him to leave before locking the door and following him to his car.

the drive seems unreasonably fast, and his palms feel sweaty as he wipes them on his pants. he’s suddenly thankful he chose to wear black bottoms.

when he walks inside the house, he’s immediately hit with the smell of alcohol and sweat. it’s absolutely disgusting, and he has to remind himself why he’s there as he takes another step forward.

“Let’s go to the back! It’ll be less busy there!” Komori raises his voice, but Sakusa can just barely hear his words. he nods and follows his cousin to another room, breathing out in relief when he notices there are fewer people.

Sakusa subtly shuffles towards an empty corner, knowing Komori is following him. he turns around, leaning on the wall, “These people are revolting. When is Y/n getting here?”

Komori scratches his head, tapping at his phone with one hand. “Not sure, let me check with my friends. I’ll ask where Kuroo is.”

he scowls, “Why would that matter?”

“Because he wouldn’t leave her alone at a party.” Komori shrugs. “They’re real close.”

something in his chest feels tight at his cousins words. you and Sakusa were once close; and if you forgave him, he’d let you be even closer. he just has to apologize and hopefully smooth everything over.

a part of him itches to go and search for you himself. he feels on edge, knowing you are so close yet so far away. it unsettles him, the thought that if you don’t forgive him he’ll have to watch you from afar, and accept that someone will love and care for you all the ways he didn’t.

but - does he love you? he cares for you, immensely at that. but does he love you?

he thinks about your pretty eyes, always filled with affection. he thinks about your ability to make people feel comfortable around you within minutes. he thinks about your small hands, your shy smile, the feeling of your hair when he twirls a lock around his finger as you lay in his bed. he thinks about how you look with the sun seeping through the crack in the curtains, skin glowing and lips slightly parted as you exhale softly.

his heart beat echos in his ears. he feels a flush take over his face and places the back of his hand on his forehead. he suddenly feels hot.

maybe he has a fever? but so suddenly? he swallows, the sound echoing in his head.

and then he finally sees you, drink in hand as you throw your head back and laugh.

his heart beats loudly in his chest.

he places a hand above it, feeling the erratic thumps beneath his palm.

ah.

so he loves you.

-

Sakusa waits.

he waits in the corner, a drink in his hand, courtesy of Komori as he subtly stares at you from across the room.

it’s been about an hour, and you’ve yet to notice him. he cherishes the time, observing you from afar. he watches you giggle and wrap your arms around your friends, the gaping hole you’d left in his heart the moment you walked out of his life grows by the minute.

he’s contemplating what to do when you finally lock eyes with him.

he watches the smile slowly slip off your face, something akin to agony colouring your eyes.

he begins to walk towards you, not breaking eye contact for a second. it's like he's entranced. and when he’s right in front of you, he feels breathless; like your existence has left him at a loss for words.

“Hey.”

his voice comes out rough, and he clears his throat when your lips tug downwards.

your friends are looking at him with distaste, even Bokuto who normally sports a happy grin seems fairly upset. it makes him realize what a huge fuck-up he is.

he shifts on his feet, “Can we talk?”

Kuroo answers for you. “No, you can’t. You’ve said enough to her.” he steps in front of you, shoulders pushed back.

Sakusa feels irritation bubble in his chest, but pushes it down, knowing that Kuroo has a reason to be protective over you.

“I just want to apologize. And, confess something.” his voice comes out more desperate than he thought it would. it sounds fragile, even to his own ears.

Kuroo deflates, if only slightly. “It’s still a no. Find someone else to mess around with.”

“I'm not messing around. I just, I need to talk to her. Please.” the cup in his hand is beginning to bend, the cheap plastic cracking as the drink sloshes around.

Kuroo opens his mouth to what he assumes refuse him again, until a small hand grabs onto his arm and steps in front of him.

he watches as you let go of Kuroo, looking more composed than you had been before.

“It’s okay, Tetsu. I can handle this.” your voice makes his skin tingle. he realizes how much he’s missed it.

Sakusa’s shoulders drop in relief. he feels so happy that you decided to talk to him, he doesn’t even care that your friends are glaring him down.

“But-”

you cut Kuroo off, “Really, it’s fine. I’ll text you if I need anything.”

Kuroo looks like he wants to argue, but you give him a look that has him backing down.

he huffs, “Fine. Just be careful. Call me if he does anything.”

Sakusa stops himself from scoffing, annoyed with Kuroo’s words. what would he do at this point? what could he possibly do to make things worse than they already are?

you pat Kuroo on the arm and walk past Sakusa, turning back. “Let’s go.” you don’t wait for a response before continuing, and he follows you without a glance at your friends.

he tries to control his breathing, attempting to keep it steady as you enter the backyard. it’s empty, the chilly night air keeping everyone inside.

you turn around, crossing your arms. “So? You wanted to talk?”

he licks his lips, rubbing his forearm with his hand. he’s thankful that he threw his drink out at the garbage can near the back door. he can feel his hands shaking, and hopes you don’t notice.

“Yeah.” he exhales, “How have you been?”

you shrug, expression guarded. “Fine.”

he nods, expecting the dry answer but still feeling a bit dejected.

“I miss you.”

the words come out so abruptly. the two of you stare at each other in shock, and he almost raises a hand to cover his mouth.

god, why did he just say that?

you laugh, but it comes out less genuine than he’s ever seen. “You should be happy you don’t have someone pretending to be your girlfriend, right?”

his face drops, and he knows whatever expression he’s showing is not as stoic as he thought. because with one glance at his face you look like you almost regret your words.

“I was.. I was so fucking stupid that night. I know you have no obligation to forgive me, but please let me apologize.”

you stare at him silently, before nodding.

Sakusa breathes out, “I’m sorry. Nothing I said was true. I was just… angry. Not at you, at myself. I had been denying how I felt for so long and when you asked me who that girl was, I just lost it.”

he stares at the grass rather than your face, not wanting to know if you look at him with an unforgiving gaze. “I realized that I had unintentionally entered a sort of- relationship with you. I was scared. I still am.”

he lifts his gaze finding your wide eyes. “It was an unintentional relationship, but I wouldn’t have done anything different.”

he pauses, “Of course, except when I ruined everything. I’ve stayed up every night since it happened thinking about how I could have responded differently.” his lips tug up, the expression bitter.

“Because it was after that I realized my feelings for you.”

your brows furrow, your eyes darting around his face in pure confusion. “What are you saying, Sakusa?”

he ignores the ache of you using his last name, “That I have feelings for you.”

the silence is deafening as crickets chirp in the silent night.

“I love you, Y/n.”

you stagger back, as if wounded. you shake your head, “No, no. You don’t love me, Sakusa.”

he doesn’t understand your response. sure, you wouldn’t be elated. he knew you were still upset. but you look like you genuinely don’t believe him, like you refuse to believe him. he feels like he’s going to collapse if you walk away without acknowledging his feelings.

“What? I’m serious, Y/n. I love you.” he reaches a hand out, drawing back when you flinch.

“I’m in love with you.” he whispers.

you look at him, as though he has caused you immense pain, before turning away and running back into the house.

Sakusa stands there, alone in the dark.

he wonders if love is supposed to be so painful; if he will always be the one to inflict the pain, cause the heartache, and leave everything in ruins.

✾

"Shit." you curse as you stare at the empty fridge in front of you. an old bar of havarti cheese and two stale apples stare mockingly at you.

so perhaps you haven't gone grocery shopping in quite a while, but you've been busy! with assignments, your friends, and... Sakusa, you have had too much on your head to worry about things like restocking your fridge.

but now it's nearly midnight, and you have yet to eat dinner. your stomach rumbles at you, and you press a hand to it in annoyance.

you can skip a meal, it's not the end of the world.

but then your stomach rumbles again, and it's starting to feel extremely uncomfortable.

you check your phone, just to see if you can order in. but with one glance at the delivery price, you click your phone off. you stare at the sad-looking apples and cheese once more, making up your mind.

the convenience store is about a ten-minute walk, five if you run.

without another thought, you grab a hoodie from the coat rack and put it on. you pick up your apartment keys and slip into your shoes, bracing yourself for the cold air.

the walk ends up being somewhat soothing, the normally lively city is quieter. you use the time to think about your relationship - or lack thereof, with Sakusa. you still remember when he professed his love for you two weeks ago.

you remember rushing back into the party and telling your friends you had to leave. Kuroo drove you home, and you spent the night eating leftover icecream and binging Jujutsu Kaisen.

why couldn't you date someone like Gojo?

but then you think someone calmer, more steady would suit your personality well. someone who you could rely on and with a bit of sarcasm perhaps. someone who has dark hair; you always liked curly hair on men.

someone like him.

Sakusa Kiyoomi.

your thoughts are cut off when you finally get to the store. the lights are bright underneath the dark sky, the bell chiming when you open the door. you quickly grab a few rice balls, and walk to the cashier. it takes you a total of three minutes to get what you want, before you're walking back out with a plastic bag in hand.

you look up as you walk, the stars twinkling prettily. they remind you of his eyes.

you really wish you could stop thinking about him.

Sakusa makes you feel like you've caught a never-ending sickness. like you will wake up each day with your chest in pain, with your eyes swollen from crying paired with your unstable emotions.

its exhausting, you think; caring about people to a point where they cannot understand or reciprocrate your feelings. and then you always end up like this. alone. you wonder how long it will take for the other people you cherish to leave you too.

your thoughts come to a halt when you hear footsteps behind you.

its dark outside, the streetlights only providing a dim yellow glow as you walk. when you turn your head, you notice a man in a hood. your heart immediately plummets.

fuck, what had you been thinking? you should have ordered delivery, screw the price! the money wasn't worth your life.

you walk faster, noticing the person speeding up their steps. your breathing is becoming heavier, and you can feel your legs trembling as you continue to walk. you know you can't go home, otherwise he will know where you live.

you make a detour to head to a park you've been to many times. it was about a five-minute walk from your place, and the thought has you walking faster anxiously.

when you hear his footsteps draw closer, you turn your head and see he is much closer than before.

your breath hitches, and you find yourself tearing up in fear.

you are about to resort to an offensive stance, prepared to swing your bag of riceballs at his head when you bump into something.

you gasp loudly, flinching so harshly at the suddenness of the situation. you look up, finding familiar dark eyes. they look at you with bewilderment, but all you can think about is the pure relief that pools in your stomach, the tears building up in your eyes finally falling.

you rush forward and wrap your arms around him, breathing in the familiar scent. your shoulders are trembling, but they calm slightly when you feel an arm wrap around your waist and the other smooth over your upper back.

he looks over your shoulder, and you are unsure what expression he is showing. "Did you need something?" his voice comes out deep and - angry. you wonder if you are hallucinating the protectiveness that coats his tone. his arms tighten around you further, causing you to relax in his embrace.

you wait, body stuck to his. you hear footsteps retreating, and breathe out shakily.

"He's gone." he says, voice low.

you nod, but you stay in your position for a few minutes, content to bury yourself in his embrace after such a terrifying situation.

"Kiyoomi?" you look up, placing your hands on his chest.

he tilts his head downwards, "Are you okay? He didn't do anything, did he?" his brows are furrowed, lips pursed. he looks extremely concerned, and you feel surprised that he seems to care about you so much.

you shake your head slowly, "No, he didn't do anything. I'm - i'm fine." you lick your lips, trying to convince yourself to believe your own words.

Sakusa doesn't answer you, but he does turn his head and glance back before looking down at you. "I'll walk you home. Are you okay to walk? I can carry you."

you don't have much energy left, but you manage to laugh anyway. "I can walk, thank you."

you gently push at his chest, even though you want to continue to stay in his arms. you don't have that privilege any longer, and you shouldn't have assumed you had it in the first place.

you nod, however, and accept his offer to walk you home. you'll let yourself be selfish just this once, and then you'll let him go.

the walk back is silent, but Sakusa sticks close to you. you feel safe with him next to you, regardless of the fact that he hurt you so deeply.

he seems to protect you from others, but never from himself and his words. you sigh tiredly at the thought.

when you get to your apartment, he insists on walking you up. once at your door, you look at him and shuffle on your feet awkwardly.

"Uh, thanks for helping me back there and walking me home. I'll go inside now." you reach for your doorknob but he grabs your hand, pulling you closer. his head dips down, and he closes his eyes with a sigh.

"Please, just talk to me. I can't handle this." his voice makes you shiver, and you curse your body for reacting that way to him.

you lick your lips, "Can't handle what?"

he opens his eyes, tilting his head further down to catch your gaze. "You being mad at me. You ignoring me. Please, tell me what I need to do to fix this."

the two of you are standing so close, your cheeks heat up at the proximity. he still makes you so nervous after two years of knowing him, and the thought has you annoyed with your weak heart.

a shaky breath escapes your lips. "I don't know. You really hurt me, Sakusa."

he looks at you, face pained. like you being upset is causing him pain, and your chest aches to make him feel better.

"I'm sorry, I love you."

the words bring you back to that night, where you bared your heart to him and he trampled on it without a thought. you feel the urge to let more tears slip out, but you are tired of crying over people that do not care for you. you are tired of being the one that loves more.

but he looks different now. his eyes are filled with remorse, and you want to kiss his frown away. maybe, just maybe, this time you wouldn't be the one who loved too much for their own good.

he wipes a thumb underneath your eye, swiping over your cheek. you hadn't even realized you were crying until the concern in his face grew. it makes you feel embarrassed and angry at yourself, but you can’t find it in you to refuse his comfort.

"You don't mean that, Kiyoomi." your voice cracks involuntarily.

he shakes his head pushing your foreheads closer to one another. "I do, I mean it. I'll say it a million times until you believe me."

you huff out a shaky breath. "A million times is a bit dramatic."

"I'd do it for you." he moves his head to the side, pressing a kiss to your temple. the action has butterflies erupting in your stomach, unused to something so innocently romantic.

"You realize we have a lot to talk about? It won't be easy. I can't forgive you so quickly." you lean closer, tilting your head up.

he leans his head downwards. "I know. I'm sorry, just give me a chance and we can talk about it. I'll work hard to make you forgive me." the words are whispered close to your lips, his breath hitting your face. the minty scent is so Kiyoomi, it has your heart fluttering.

you know you have a lot to talk about. you can't just gloss over the month you spent apart, and you would have to talk to your friends about your choice to give him another chance. it would be difficult, and a risk. you were tired of pouring love into people who could not understand its substance.

but perhaps you can hope; you can hope that this time things will be different. that you'll love someone who will love you back all the same.

"Okay." you say softly.

he smiles, and you wonder if you are imagining the glassy look in his eyes. "Okay?"

you nod, whispering once more. "Yeah, okay."

he tilts his head down and captures your lips with his own, one arm sliding around your waist and the other in your hair, tugging you impossibly close.

you gasp into it, not expecting the desperation that leaks from his lips. he pushes you against the wall, with you wrapping your arms around his neck.

tomorrow, you'd have a lot to think about. you'll have to talk to him and figure out what's in store for the two of you. you will also have to face people who will surely disagree with your decision.

but that was a problem for the future.

for now, you're content to focus on the warm lips on your own.

EXTRA:

"So, what happened with that girl anyway?" your cheek is smushed on Kiyoomi's chest as the two of you lay in bed. you had come over to his place after his practice, and you were enjoying the skinship and cuddles.

he shifts underneath you, "Which girl?" his voice is drowsy, and you know he's falling asleep. you can't help yourself though, you've been curious.

you lift your head, smiling at his tired eyes. "The one from the game. She kept touching you."

you watch recognition fill his eyes as he hums, "She asked me to grab a coffee a few days after the game. Haven't responded though."

you nod, satisfied. "Are you going to? Respond, that is."

he turns, large arm wrapping around you. "Why would I do that when I have you? I'd rather the both of us get coffee sometime."

you laugh, "Are you asking me out on a date, Sakusa Kiyoomi?"

he smiles sleepily, planting a kiss on your forehead. "Yes. Let's get coffee soon."

you giggle, snuggling closer. "Okay, sounds good to me."

the surprise you had wanted to give to him after the game sits on his wall, framed and beside his bed. the drawing is one of your best, filled with the overwhelming love you know you could only ever offer to Kiyoomi.

love has always been something daunting for you. to love so wholeheartedly meant the likelihood of someone hurting you was greater. but you don't regret anything, not the slightest bit.

because you know how much love you have to offer, and as long as its to the right person, you know he'll keep your heart safe.

you love him, and you're not sorry.

a/n: 9.7k words later i refuse to read this again:’)

[quirrrky]

I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU, AND ALL THESE LITTLE THINGS •✦ haikyuu

KUROO, KENMA, IWAIZUMI, OIKAWA, AKAASHI, KITA, ATSUMU, OSAMU and the little things that matter the greatest when you're with them

≡ NOTE ⋮ single as a pringle but I want my future relationship to be like this ૮꒰っ˕‹̥̥̥ ꒱ these boys make me fall in love hard

KUROO TETSUROU

It's the way he always stays beside you even though you're both doing different things. He'll rest his head against your arm as you type on your laptop/computer and he was on his phone, browsing for some random meme or nerd stuff. From time to time, Tetsu will show you some funny posts he'll come across just so you can laugh at it together. When he feels the urge, he'll plant a random kiss on your shoulder; and if he still can't get enough, he'll steal a kiss on your lips and who knows it might turn into something more. There are times when he's feeling extra so cuddly and will rub his cheek against your arm like he's your cat in human form, then he'll feel drowsy and fall asleep.

It can go the other way around too when you're caged in his arms with your attention on your phone and his on the TV. He'll nuzzle his nose on top of your head and you'll squeeze tight against his chest, just shrouded with his warmth and scent.

He doesn't have the perfect family growing up. He's awakened to the the impermanence of things a little too early that's why just by having you beside him is more than enough. Just the simplicity of basking in each other's presence—cherishing all the time you get to spend with each other no matter how mundane.

KENMA KOZUME

It's when he treasures every memory with you no matter how small. Kenma will sneakily take pictures of you whenever you're just simply eating fries, you're busy doing work, or crying over a tearjerking scene in a movie. That one time you looked so beautiful as you attend a party with him, the one when you are slightly snoring in your sleep and even when you have your mouth full as you munch on your favorite food, he has an album of all those. He has even created a private Instagram account with photos and videos of you alone and of the two of you as a couple.

Sometimes you will catch him smiling while tinkering on his phone and you just think he's playing a game, but little did you know that he is editing a video of you and the both of you.

He has been content being all by himself yet when you've come along, his world begins to be more colorful. It's like he's playing Pokemon but the one he's catching will always be you and your cute reactions, keeping every bits and pieces of your presence in his life as the greatest gameplay he doesn't want to be over.

IWAIZUMI HAJIME

It's how he wakes you up each morning. Hajime is always the early riser. Set aside the times when he'll surprise you with a breakfast in bed or the instances when you're running late, he'll nag at you so you can get your lazy ass up from bed.

What you treasure the most is whenever you find your head resting against his chest as he fidgets with the strands of your hair. The beating of his heart against your ear is like a sweet welcome in the morning.

Also, the times when you'll wake up to him watching you sleep. His gaze is full of adoration and filled with emotions unspoken. The way his eyes will crinkle in his smile as he say, "Good morning." You feel so lucky to wake up beside this man. Just seeing him you look at you like that makes you grateful of each waking day, getting another chance to spend it with him. You want to freeze the moment, wishing for it not to end anytime soon. Just you and him before the world.

OIKAWA TOORU

It's the pillowtalk you have before going to sleep. How you reminisce the first time you meet each other and how far you've come together. The sparkle in his eyes as he recall how much more beautiful you have become and stronger you have been, growing into the wondeful person you are today. His eyes convey so much fondness and love that they beam even at the dimness of your room. There's also something so special with the way he caresses the side of your facewith the backnof his hand as if he's trying to bury each dip and line of your feature.

You'll dissect your emotions together, the good and the bad. You'll both cry at the sad moments, embrace each other through the hurt and laugh at the silliest and most embarassing memories.

Tooru has always been seeking for external validation, seeing achievement as the metric for his success yet with you it's just so simple. You're all he needs to be fulfilled. With you, it's just so easy. and sharing every moment with you, every loss, every victory, is something he will never ever trade for anything else. For, despite everything, he has finally found the safe space he can come home to at the ebd of each day.

AKAASHI KEIJI

It's when he doesn't want to let go of your hand. Keiji has always been a gentleman, but he won't let anyone break your handhold whenever you stroll outside. He'll always have your hand in his never breaking away. His hold is tight and gentle, expressing how protective he is of you. His thumb usually carresses the back of your knuckles so sweetly and he'll occasionally whisper a kiss like you're his treasured princess. When it's cold, he'll slip your linked fingers inside his coat. Sometimes, he'll gently breathe out against your hand if he notices you freezing. Whenever your handhold will break, he immediately seeks out for you. He'll stop walking just so you can come back in his grasp again.

He has gained a habit of playing with your dainty fingers idly too. Sometimes, it can catch people's attention just by the sheer intimacy of it yet he isn't aware.

Even when you're alone and at home, he still reaches out for your hand. He has you in a tender hold as you watch your favorite show or eat dinner. There are times you'll wake up with your fingers interlocked with each other and it gives you so much comfort. Comfort in knowing you have someone to hold on to for the rest of your life and you know you'll never ever let him go too.

KITA SHINSUKE

It's the way he cares for you like no one else does. Shinsuke will always see that you have eaten enough and at the right time. You can't skip a meal when he's around. If you're busy and can't take a meal right away, he'll bring the food to you. Makes sure that you drink plenty of water and you sleep on time. He snatches your phone away when you take too much time with it even during late at night. When he's farming and you're at work, he takes time to call you during lunch, making sure that you are looking after yourself as much as he's looking after you.

He always checks the temperature outside and prepares the right outerwear for you so you won't catch a cold. Even if you have layers and layers of clothing over you, he'll still pull you close with an arm around your shoulder to keep you warm.

When it's raining, his priority is to get you under the umbrella. It doesn't matter if a part of himself is getting drenched as long as you are not.

He can be strict at times but he is easy to cave in and will allow you to eat your favorite junk food or sweet once you surprise him with a kiss.

Though he can be quite strict at times, he really wish you know how much you mean to him he doesn't want you to be harmed. Your hurt is his hurt and he just simply wants you to take care of yourself the way he cares so devotedly for you.

MIYA ATSUMU

It's because you're his perfect match. Tsumu often buys something in pair. People will see you wearing matching jackets, shirts and caps. You even have couple phone cases and wallpapers because of him. Whenever he has a new jersey, he'll give the extra to you so you can sometimes wear it together. He just loves seeing his clothes on you. You look so good in them that

Whenever he buys something in the grocery, he'll also buy one for you. If there's only ine pudding left, he'll share the other half of it with you. Always with you. He always has you in his mind and thinks of you as he thinks of himself.

Sometimes, he'll sacrifice what he has just so you can have it. He won't let you know about this, of course, but he wants you to feel that you have him as a partner, that he'll be with you in every step of the way and that he sees you as an extension of himself.

MIYA OSAMU

It's because he lets you mess up. Though it's obvious with the way he sweats and brows furrow, how he's so nervous with what the outcome could be, Samu will still let you take over his kitchen.

Normally, he doesn't allow any foreign hands on any of his kitchenware, but you are the only exception.

He'll let you use his non-stick skillet pan though he just bought it. He knows it won't come unscathed after your use but he still lends it to you and you know it so well. Instead of getting angry at you, he just laughs at your mistakes, carressing the top of your head and giving you a sweet kiss. He's aware that you're trying your best to impress him even if he is constantly reminding you that he doesn't mind making breakfast, lunch and dinner for you for the rest of your life.

Most importantly, you can mess up his brand new skillet or even his whole kitchen. He can always get another one again but he cannot get another one of you.

@pixelcafe-network

[6okuto]

UNIVERSITY WITH AKAASHI

gn!reader | no more posts set in high school!! time for everyone to grow up! /j

university student akaashi who you meet in an english/writing course. he stands in front of your spot and nervously fiddles with the sleeves of his jacket, hoping you notice him and look up. "um," he hesitates. "is anyone sitting next to you?"

maybe it's because he's just so pretty, but you think it's cute how he visibly relaxes when you shake your head and move to let him sit beside you.

university student akaashi who quickly becomes your go-to classmate after being paired for icebreakers and luckily exchanging contact info during your first class. you think it's too early to call him your friend, but he softly laughs at your explanation during two truths and one lie, and you hope that title will come easier by the end of the semester.

akaashi who, after a week, finally gains the courage to ask if you're busy after class today. a sequel he's been anticipating is supposed to be in stock now, and if you'd like to join him on a bookstore trip, he'd like the company. you, of course, agree, and he smiles and softly says, "thanks."

you ask him to explain the plot on your trip there and he's embarrassed, stumbling over his words and having to backtrack to explain lore, but happy nonetheless. he's going in-depth about his favourite character's development by the time you reach the store, and you don't think you'd ever have it in you to stop him from talking.

you wonder if it would be weirder if you looked for a copy of the first book yourself.

akaashi who always seems to have some sort of caffeinated drink when he walks into the afternoon class. he says he's tired by lunch time and it'll keep him awake. you nod. "what's life but treating yourself every once in a while?"

he snickers, even if he's making fun of himself when he asks, "you mean every day?"

"obviously. uni's hard, we deserve it," you tease with a nudge to his shoulder.

the next class, he's bought you a snack you mentioned enjoying. he fiddles with his straw, stirring the ice inside his cup while your face heats up. he repeats your words from a couple days before, "you deserve it."

akaashi who knows you despise the idea of peer reviews and having to read feedback. it's why you let out a breath of relief when the professor tells you you can choose your partner, and by the time you turn, keiji's already looking at you.

you quadruple check everything before sending the document, and take 30 minutes alongside coaxing texts from keiji himself before you manage to open the edited version the day after.

it takes you a second to realize, but your breath hitches when you do. he's taken the time to make a copy of his feedback with little compliments and doodles of him, like one doing a thumbs up next to a "great point :)", another clapping beside your conclusion saying "you did it :-) !", and one sitting on top of a paragraph just to make you smile.

when you thank him the next day, your face is warm, and his face is red. your eyes flicker over to him playing with the hair by his ear while he promises he'd do it again any time you needed.

akaashi who you've come to find out isn't just the quiet, pretty, smart guy in class. he's also the guy you often find yourself on call with at 11pm, hair messy and glasses drooping on his nose. he apologizes for his state and the fact that he's wearing a shirt with a sort of shitty collage of low quality cat images, and you’re barely holding in your laugh while you shake your head and reassure him it's fine.

you have to tell him to at least add something to the noodles he keeps eating during exam week, and threaten to block him when he teases you for the incoherent questions you stutter out at 1am. in return he checks on you when he sees you listening to your sad playlist, and lets you see the other shirts he's gotten over the past couple of years.

you beg him to tell you where he found the one of an english setter with "dog setter" written on it, and he asks why you want to copy him.

"i just...love your style so much, keiji. it's so bold and creative—camp, even."

and keiji laughs, really laughs, trying and failing to cover his mouth with the back of his hand. even with his smile covered, you watch his eyes crinkle and can't help but secretly raise your headphones' volume, just a little.

"yeah, okay, thanks." he laughs a little one more time. "if you do well on your exam, i'll bring it the next time we meet up so you can try it," he offers with an amused smile.

"really? you'd let me have the honour?"

keiji rolls his eyes and leans back into his chair, tilting his head while looking at you. he runs his fingers through his hair and it's really more attractive than it should be.

"yeah, of course," he promises.

it's a silly shirt, and a silly idea, but your heart rate quickens just a little at the thought of him sharing his clothes.

and keiji is glad you can't see his other hand fiddling with the bottom hem of his shirt, because secretly, he feels the same way, too.

sorry for the Blatant projection when i said u don't like reading feedback. that's actually just me. it's bad. whatever. this was actually fun OMG i love akaashi and hate uni fr . we as a community must talk abt charas in uni more. Please. for my happiness.

🏷 | @devilgirlcrybabiey @lordbugs @smiithys @xfangirl-trashx @passionateuchiha @scaramouchesfootstool @fifteenshadesofpinkk @chloee0x0 @kenmaslov3r @bakugosgrenade @dai-tsukki-desu @Thathoneybee3 @momoewn @aintgeluh @dazaisfavgf @simpforerenn @crystal-lilac @vhenis @omiigad @kur0-kawa @semispilledcoffee @idontlikeyourjob @sparrowb3nscloset @awkwardaardvarkforever @rory-cakes @prblmtic @dimslover @kuroaka @sunaslay @h0n3ysgh0st @lackey-laufeyson @bontensbabygirl @dira333 @Kamukayakmonyet @danyisapingu @isentsworld @lilithlunas @anime-ships-gay @todorokiskitten @kellesvt @curiouslilbeast @fiona782 @cvhenia @mitskiologist @libbyistired

[cherrysurf]

Farmers market with you. | multi character

The haikyu boys and how they would be if you asked them to accompany you to the farmers market; established relationship, timeskip, all gn expect hinatas it’s female implied but can be read as gn!

Kita: was the one who actually suggested it when he overheard you speaking about it on the phone with friends. He woke you up bright and early so you two can get there on time. He knew many of the old people at the farmers market thanks to his grandma so you two kept stopping to say hi’s but nonetheless you both had an amazing time out.

Oikawa: So many photos from this man, he wants to be aesthetic so bad (he actually does get amazing pictures of you and the stuff at the market) He encourages you to buy everything your eyes land on (he pays of course) he suggests you guys do this every week because he enjoys seeing your eyes light up at all the things the market has to offer

Ushijima: dare I say early bird as well, he brought his own bag for his goodies and things he sneakily bought to surprise you later, this was you’re shared quiet time you both silently enjoying walking around looking at things and talking to each other when either of you wanted something or saw something the other one would like.

Osamu: He was excited to go as well he wanted to make a whole day out of this by gathering fresh ingredients from the farmers market to prepare a nice at home candle lit dinner for the both of you it was another cute date that dragged on into the night which was perfect on days you didn’t feel like getting over the top dressed up, and seeing samus eyes sparkling at all the new ingredients/ spices was worth more than any date to you.

Hinata: he brought natsu along and you three couldn’t have more of a blast it was so fun having her around you thought as you see hinata chasing after his little sister because she found a pink ballon and wanted it, safe to say they were both exhausted after the trip, he was flustered when you guys got stopped and asked if she was your guys’ daughter until she yelled out “no this is my stinky brother and his pretty girlfriend” and you couldn’t help but cackle at the comment.

Akaashi: Planned this morning out for you two he thinks this is the equivalent to the stage in the relationship where you both shop at Costco together, he was so excited to be next to you the whole day viewing veggies and fruits and everything else with you it felt like you too were already married, and he couldn’t wait for that to become a reality.

[fluffyf0x]

On his mind

Akaashi Keiji had a writer’s block. 

Usually, this doesn’t happen. It was odd. The right words always came to his mind like it was second nature. As far as he could remember, he was good with his words. Of course, reading almost day and night, every spare second he had. He had an advantage. He would be burying his nose into the pages of his book. Dreaming away with the books he had in hand. 

Akaashi Keiji thought of you. 

Huh, that’s even more odd. He never liked you, right from the start. It was almost like second nature to not get along with you. As far as he can remember, there was always constant bickering between the two of you. Never was there a moment the two of you didn’t clash. Whether it be in opinions or facts. Maybe also in which way Bokuto should turn the car. Of course, he knew he was always right. 

Akaashi Keiji had an idea.

So he wrote. Typing away for the rest of the night. For some reason, he was thinking of you the entire time. He paid it no mind. No, he was too focused on what he was writing.His eyes were focused on each letter that appeared on the screen. He thought of you again. He paid it no mind again. The sound of his keyboard was the only thing heard. He thought of you. It was starting to bother him. He slammed his desk, groaning in frustration. He kept thinking of you. Stop it.

He continued to write. At last, he was finished. The blank document that was originally on his screen was now filled with words upon words. All words where his thoughts kept drifting to you.  He glanced at his phone, it was 2 am. Was he tired? Out of his mind? Probably. 

Akaashi Keiji called you. 

“Hello?”

Akaashi tensed up as he heard your voice. Your voice was raspy, he knew it was rude of him to call so early in the morning. Especially since you were probably sleeping. 

“Akaashi? It’s 2 in the morning, what nonsense are you trying to-” 

“I like you.”  

Stupid. Outrageous. Akaashi Keiji what were you thinking?

You.

Get out of his head. Reject him, scream at him, curse him for liking you. Drop the phone and never talk to him again. It would make him feel better. Let him be rid of the ache in his chest that has been gnawing at him alive. Let him be rid of the plaguing thought of you. 

Did he really want that?

“Took you long enough, idiot” 

There was a brief beep on his phone. Indicating that you hung up the phone. He leaned back as he stared at his screen for a second.  Processing what you had just said. The end of his lips tugged into a smile. Then not long after, he laughed. Oh he was an idiot. You were right. He got up and grabbed his keys and a coat. Smiling to himself. The feelings of dislike, maybe even hatred, were something else. 

It seems Akaashi Keiji has met the love of his life, and he was going to make sure it was you. 

[sweetheartsaku]

—akaashi keiji ; sharing my heart is tearing it apart

a/n ; [fem!reader] THIS IS ACTUALLY MY ENGLISH ESSAY I RE-WROTE TO FIT WITH AKAASHI. 😭 this is angst no comfort by the way :3

chrysanthemum !

the oceans whisper sounded like an owl’s coo, a melody that no one else could treasure except y/n. never eerie, but a comfortingly cold embrace. the breeze was chilly, looking up to the hole of light in the sky. it felt like a fever dream, but only to y/n. a passing midnight breeze sends a feverish chill down her spine, all the way down to the edge of her worn out white sneakers digging into the crisp sand. the ocean sways and dances gently, as the waves glisten in the moonlight.

hands in the pocket of her white windbreaker, staring down as her shoes make prints in the sand. alternative rock blasts through her ears, which bass makes a faint noise outside of her earphones mushing with the wave’s tranquil calls.

“y/n?”

“what are you doing here?” the same voice gently asks.

swiftly, y/n looks back, eyes widening. in the midst of the dark, her eyes interlock with the owner of the familiar voice.

“keiji? i-… i’m… just… having some time to myself.” she mutters.

“another fight?” he knew her mind lingered on the thought that she was the reason her parents mercilessly fought every day. keiji knew, by the way her eyebrows stitch together a little tighter and her voice a little deeper. every day he wishes it was him who had to endure what she goes through.

“i…” her voice breaks.

keiji takes a step closer, a hand away. he extends his hand, slim and tan.

y/n crashes her body onto his. keiji has no hesitation into accepting her call for help in her grasp and the tight clench she had on the back of his now tear-soaked jacket. y/n's vision is hazy, helpless head in a daze.

“i wish i was buried six feet underground, but oh my i also wish i was buried in your arms.” she thought. she holds a grudge against herself like she does a hand.

“why would you even glance at a wretch like me?” she muttered.

he purses his lips. “i comfort because you cannot save people. you can only love them.”

y/n ponders if she is really worth of this love. was she born without love or just unlovable?

the night is over-time, and the sunrise is late, orange beams bleeding into the border of the horizon and its misty clouds. the sky appeared as a child had grazed the sky with warm and cold tones of chalk.

y/n breaks the hug, hands still on his waist, wind breaking the silence and its tension. her eyes now outlined a blush rose colour, so beautiful yet holding so much pain by a thread.

“let’s take down the world together.” words sweet as a treat, dripping of honey, the uttered words glued into y/n’s mind.

they walk pinkies intertwined; souls taped together by band-aids.

the bustling of early school arrives, the noise of chirping seagulls fills arabella’s ears.

keiji looks up to the skies, “it’s nice having our school near the beach. it puts you at ease quickly.”

y/n and keiji bid their farewells to separate paths for their first period. keiji eyes stick to y/n's hesitant pinkie still woven onto his.

y/n watches keiji as he walks off, but something catches her eyes making her glimpse back to his direction.

keiji, hands holding onto another girls.

they shared a smile, then a toothy giggle.

keiji lifts their laced hands to his lips, pressing their hands onto the same lips that once reclaimed that they would take down the world together.

his smile like cold ice-tea, sparkly eyes of a dull gunmetal blue and heart as full and warm as a bonfire.

y/n’s chest tightened; throat clenched by a merciless thorned hand. her heart felt heavy, as it was pulled by the heartstrings, blood dripping from it. the blood builds up into a lump in her throat, making her trance a muddy and smeared blur.

it felt like heart was cracking. snapping, even.

too immune to cry, all the blades that dug deep into her back felt like feathers. no more shine in her eyes, but now rotten. the heart she wore on her sleeve, stepped on and bruised.

chrysanthemums, which can mean "i love you" in some cultures, but "you're a wonderful friend" in others.

all she wanted was to be loved so desperately that her fingers shook with it,

“i am not beautiful.”

“but i could be.”

[ms-fandomgirl]

Studying Headcanons

Summary: Morning, afternoon, evening. The grind never seems to stop, but it can be a little less painful when you’re studying with your favorite Haikyuu boys!

Pairings: Oikawa Tooru x Reader; Akaashi Keiji x Reader; Kuroo Tetsurou x Reader

Genre: Fluff! No warnings.

Words: 1,464

Cross-posted on Ao3!

O i k a w a   T o o r u

Diffused early morning rays bathed Oikawa’s sleepy face in a soft glow, making you want to give anything to witness the scene firsthand. The world shone brighter when Oikawa’s name appeared on your phone screen, even if it was 9 o’clock at night for you. He gave you a quiet greeting, and you smiled and returned the favor, idly flipping your textbook open.  

It’s just a fact: being on opposite sides of the world from Oikawa Tooru sucked. These FaceTimes and phone calls were the closest you could get to being with him in person. Time zone differences made it so that you only had a couple hours of sacred shared time in a day. Therefore, you were determined to not waste a second of them. The second Oikawa began, so do you.

Ambitious, driven, and clever; it’s no surprise that Oikawa exceled in studying, and this was one skill he was determined to pass on to you. After complaining one day that you could never study well, Oikawa took it upon himself to become your studying mentor, showing you every tip and trick he knew. The biggest of these was finding yourself a study partner: someone who could keep you on track and encourage you, yet not distract you from getting work done. For him, it was Iwazumi. For you, it was Oikawa.

A mostly quiet but firm presence on your phone screen, Oikawa made sure you were working on what you were supposed to. The second you tried to scroll through Instagram or any social media, he would know, and he would tell you. It was honestly terrifying how he could tell, even if you were on your laptop. You two quickly fell into a steady routine, with him doing his morning routine while you suffered (a little less) in silence over your studies.

Of course, you didn’t spend the whole call in silence. Oikawa knew the importance of study breaks after all. Therefore, you were given the rare chance to see a side of Oikawa that many didn’t know existed. The quiet, reflective side that only appeared when he was most comfortable. The thoughtful chats over a shared cup of coffee (even if it was much too late for you to be drinking any), and the small, routine actions made you feel as though you knew intimate secrets about him.

Yes, studying with Oikawa had its challenges, but you wouldn’t change it for the world. And when you got an “A” in the class you were sure you’d fail, you also realized you found a bond deeper than you had ever known.  

A k a a s h i   K e i j i

Soft shadows were beginning to lengthen in the afternoon light as you stepped into the cozy caf��. As always, Akaashi was there before you, sipping some tea in the booth that was unofficially yours. After ordering your favorite drink and pastry, you settled in next to him, a mixture of happiness and anxiousness settling in your stomach. Happiness because, well, you got to spend the whole afternoon in a coffee shop that looked like it belonged in a Hallmark movie with THE Akaashi Keiji. Anxiousness because Akaashi was a harsh proofreader, and you were sure your poor paper would comeback with more red ink than black.

When you were first partnered to proofread Akaashi’s paper in your English class, you had no clue what you were getting yourself into. Akaashi proofread like there was no tomorrow, and the first time you got your paper back, you were tempted to scrap your whole idea and start over. Of course, Akaashi wouldn’t let you do this, instead patiently explaining all of his markings and reasonings to you.

Now, two years later, Akaashi was your number one confidant when it came to writing papers. From brainstorming to final drafts, he was your go-to and sounding board, and you acted in much the same way for him. Even though you were both in different classes and writing different topics, papers were still papers, so the fundamental process never changed.

You weren’t naïve enough to believe that continuing to meet your proofreader partner two years after the class was normal. Despite this, it was easy to consider Akaashi as part of your norm. From his calm attitude to sharp mind, he had crept into your life slowly yet steadily, like a trail of ivy resolutely climbing up a wall, exploring for any niches and crannies to cling onto and never let go.

After several minutes of searching, you triumphantly presented your paper to him with a grin on your face. It was crinkled around the edges, and one page was dangling from the edge of the staple holding everything together. Nonetheless, Akaashi accepted it in his way of respectful grace that you could never quite seem to master. In return, he unhooked his binder, pulling his paper free of its folder. Organized, crisp, and put-together: Akaashi’s natural modus operandi. The more you thought about it, the more it seemed to be a miracle you two got along at all.  

Glancing down at the title of his final project, the paper he had been slaving away on for the past month, you felt a warmth that only continued to grow with each word. Your relationship didn’t make sense at first glance, but that hardly mattered. Happenstance may have helped you meet, but you were determined to stand by Akaashi’s side for as long as you could, exploring any possibility to come. Apparently, Akaashi felt the same way.

“Comfort in Chaos: The Beauty of Contradictions

A Memoir by Akaashi Keiji”

K u r o o   T e t s u r o u  

Silver streams of moonlight illuminated the library table you and Kuroo had decided to call home for the night. Wrappers of fast food long since eaten were pushed into the corner as diagram trees and flash cards created a messy mosaic, the white board next to them looking like the scribblings of a mad scientist.  To the side, two bodies laid sprawled across the worn carpet, furiously solving the problems before them. During broad daylight, this behavior would have most certainly resulted in a reprimand from a librarian. However, due to the late hour, you two basically had the whole floor to yourself.

In a triumphant cry, Kuroo had reached an answer. Slamming his pencil down next to him, he waited with a satisfied grin on his face as you finished not a second after. After giving him an exaggerated eye-roll, you leaned over to compare answers, pleased that you had both reached the same result. With a quick high-five, you moved onto the next question in the practice test.

 It was always like this between you two. Everything was a competition, from who could finish their problems first to who could get the most answers correct. When you had first met Kuroo, you found this behavior to be annoying at best. Always beating you to raise your hand in class, you had labeled him as a classic teacher’s pet and wanted to leave things at that.

However, fate had other plans for you. Forced into a disastrous lab where your third group member ruined the experiment and ditched halfway through, you and Kuroo had to put your differences aside to not fail your assignment. After several late nights of lab writeups and gossiping about your flakey third member, you found that Kuroo was actually someone you wanted to work with long after the assignment was completed. Thankfully, Kuroo shared your sentiment, and you two quickly became attached to the hip both in and out of the classroom.

 Obviously smart to a fault, Kuroo was also incredibly charismatic and funny. It simply wasn’t fair. If you told him you needed to ace the next test, you could count on him to drag you through study session after study session, making sure you knew what you were supposed to no matter how much you wanted to give up. You admired that about him, that determination that seemed so much a part of him that it ran through his veins like blood. While you had great plans for the future, you could quickly become overwhelmed by the path you had set for yourself. However, with Kuroo by your side, you knew that you could weather whatever storm came your way, trusting him to always have your back.

A/N: Thanks for reading! I wrote these ages ago but forgot to post them until now. They were a fun little writing exercise for me where I tried to write a scene with no dialogue. I hope they motivate you during finals/test season!

[satoruxx]

omg so like i saw ur event open and uhm what afe akaashi + this side of paradise by coyote theory 🫶

pairing: akaashi keiji x reader | 2.1k+ words summary: college au, student akaashi, pining (ofc), basically reader monologuing about her crush on akaashi for 2k words (i mean same), both of them are introverted af tho, which means they're both idiots (i'm speaking from experience hehe), nerds being nerds, overall just lots of fluff and overthinking !! a/n: AKIIIII hello hello <333 ty for sending this in lovely !! can you believe this is my first time writing for a haikyuu character?? and it so happens to be akaashi skhfkdjds i adore him !! this was so cute to write i was kicking my feet and giggling. i remember being obsessed with this song a few years ago and now that i wrote this i've been listening to it on repeat !! anyways i hope you enjoy this hehe <3

literature class was by far your favorite one of the day. you liked the stories you got to read, because it meant that you could fall into a world of your own and let your mind race with ideas. you liked how kind the professor was, passionately speaking about a subject only few could teach. you liked that it was an afternoon class, not too early for sleep to still be clinging to your eyes and yet not too late for the day's exhaustion to hit your body.

and you liked the way akaashi keiji looked as he intently listened to the lecture.

it was an accident at first. you'd gone into the lecture hall on the first day as early as you could, just so that you could scope out the corner most seat. the one away from the front where all eyes rest, but close enough from the far back so you could still pay attention. it was a fairly unpopular place to sit, so you wouldn't have to worry about any chatty seatmates trying to pull you out of your comfort zone.

only after a week of class, during one of the more boring lectures when your focus was waning and your eyes were wandering, did you notice him. akaashi keiji sitting in the row in front of you, closer to the other side of the room but angled in the perfect position for you to see his side profile.

his fingers curl under his chin as he rests his face in his palm, glasses sliding down the bridge of his nose precariously. he doesn't seem to mind though, eyes roaming over the board before settling on the professor again. occasionally, he'll look down at his notes to jot something down and then fidde with the pen mindlessly.

you just think he happens to look very pretty.

not that you'd ever tell him that.

no, you'd much rather stay hidden in your quiet corner of the lecture hall, where you can simply observe from the side. where you can avoid opening your mouth because oh god you know if you ever spoke you'd make an absolute fool of yourself.

it's better for you to remain alone, because that's how you've always preferred it to be. that's how you like it.

you think maybe that's why you're drawn to akaashi keiji.

he reminds you of yourself. always alone but never unhappy. he seems to enjoy solitude, just like you do. even when you manage to catch a glimpse of him around campus, he is by himself, nose buried in a book or pencil dragging against sheets of paper. he'll occasionally have headphones plugged into his ears, drowning out the world in a way you know all too well.

you like that about him, how similar he is to you. sometimes your friends will tell you that you need to socialize more, because human interaction is healthy and required and oh so important. they're right, but they don't understand how difficult it can be when you're so used to your own company. or when your brain is constantly conjuring up ideas on how strange you must look or sound. you think you'd much rather wait for the opportunity to socialize to fall right into your lap, not seek it out yourself.

so yes, in your opinion, it's completely acceptable to settle for just admiring akaashi keiji from afar. every time you sit in literature class you're grateful enough to just get the chance to see the small things he does. which pen he'll choose to write with for today's lecture, or whether he'll forgo paying attention to instead bury his face in a novel. that's enough for you.

but right now you need to push thoughts of akaashi keiji out of your head. you need to focus on finishing your reading assignment for literature class. and you want to focus, but it seems like every where you go someone is intent on making it as difficult as possible for you. you head to the library, and it's oddly loud in there. you try to find an empty classroom, and they're all filled with students. you just need a quiet place on campus where you could be alone and focus.

but you can't find any. you're about to give up and head back to your apartment when you spot a small alcove in one of the campus gardens, hidden by stone walls and leafy vines.

you send a quick thanks to the heavens and take a seat, making yourself comfortable and pulling out your book and notes. you don't know how long you sit there, cut off from the outside world as you read through pages and pages of the story, occasionally taking notes and rereading passages. you're only aware of the way the sun travels across the sky, indicating that time is indeed moving. you like it here, in this little space away from the rest of society, and you think you could remain here for so much longer.

"what do you think of it?"

you look up and your stomach drops as your eyes take in akaashi keiji standing over you, his bag slung over his shoulder. you only gape at him, not having enough time to prepare yourself for this sudden interaction. all you can manage is a stupid "huh?"

"the book. what were your thoughts?" he asks again, pointing down at the novel laying in your lap. you have to force yourself to stop staring at him and open your mouth.

"it's ridiculous." you answer lamely and akaashi's lips quirk upwards.

"it's a shakespearean tragedy..." he says and you suddenly think that your answer might've been a dumb one, but then he's nodding in what seems to be agreement. your breath catches as he bends down to take a seat next to you. "...of course it's got themes of ridiculousness."

the soft fabric of his sweater brushes against your skin and you almost choke, because your palms feel sweaty and your heart is racing and you think you might be breathing too loudly and-

"i felt the same way." he says, his finger coming to rest on one of the sticky notes you've put in the margin, where your summarized thoughts are scribbled down. "though i firmly believe desdemona was the true victim of the play."

you're still blinking at him owlishly, and you can practically see the way his shoulders drop as he attempts to withdraw his forwardness. "i'm sorry i shouldn't have-"

"i agree," you say hurriedly, effectively halting his words. "she deserved better than what she got. if i were her i would've blamed him for killing me instead of myself."

akaashi blinks, before a light smile graces his face, and he's nodding along with you. "for sure. leave it to the male main character to make the ending all about him."

you laugh before you can stop yourself, fiddling with the corners of the page. "i think we're dumbing it down a little too much."

"we probably are." akaashi muses, his fingers coming up to nudge at his glasses before they slip down his nose. he pauses for a second, glancing at you carefully before speaking again. "you...sit in the row behind me, right?"

oh no, has he noticed the way you stare at him? does he think you're creepy? you don't even want to hear what he has to say next. what if he-

"this is usually where i come to read alone. i've never seen anyone else here before." he continues, looking around the hidden little alcove.

you panic subsides and you immediately feel guilty. "oh shoot, i'm so sorry. i was looking for a quiet place to finish the book and i passed by here. i didn't mean to-"

akaashi is shaking his head immediately, hushing your apologies with a laugh. "no no, it's alright. i didn't mean to make you think i was angry about it. i don't mind sharing this spot. it works wonders when you need some quiet time."

maybe it's the tone of his voice or the way his eyes shine behind the frames of his glasses, but you find yourself relaxing before you can process it, giving him a half smile and a small shrug. "that's nice of you. i just...know how annoying it can be when people invade your space. especially when you want to be alone."

akaashi pauses, giving you a curious glance before his faces eases into a warm smile. he nods just slightly before shrugging. “that’s true. but…i don’t find myself all that annoyed right now.”

it’s obviously not meant in any other way but friendly, but that doesn’t stop his words from making your heart race. you only give him a shaky lopsided grin and try to take a leap of faith.

"well how did you feel about the ending monologue?" you ask, and akaashi chuckles, easing into the wall behind him as an invisible weight is lifted from his shoulders. he begins to answer your question, and a slight feeling of pride bubbles in your stomach.

you're actually talking to akaashi keiji. you took the leap of faith.

and it pays off because akaashi remains there with you for hours after that. you both take turns ranting about the novel, eventually drifting off into other topics that have the two of you easily conversing like you had been friends for years. by the time night has fallen and you both are packing your things, you're wondering why you were ever nervous to begin with.

“i’m glad that you found this place. it’s really peaceful.” you comment with an easy going smile and akaashi returns it almost immediately.

his tone is light when he speaks up. “you’re welcome back here anytime.”

you end up taking him up on the offer many times afterward.

a part of you worries that maybe he might find you annoying. but he always just gives you that soft smile, patting the ground next to him as he allows you to invade his space over and over again.

besides you don’t know this yet, but he only allows this for you.

because truthfully, akaashi keiji has thought you were pretty since the moment he first saw you in literature class. he’s not prideful enough to deny the way his eyes have drifted over to you during the lectures. to watch the way you tap your pen against your lips or to gaze at you when you doodle on the corner of your notes.

but he figured these feelings were something he'd keep to himself because god knows akaashi was nothing if not introverted. he would never have even dared to approach you and open his mouth since he knew in his gut that he would somehow fumble his words once he was in front of you. so why would he risk it? he wouldn't, he decided. he had made up his mind.

but then you're in front of him, curled up against the stone walls of his reading spot, all immersed in your book and his legs are carrying him forward before he can even process it. and then he's blurting out all these words while cursing himself internally because he can practically see the hesitation in your face as he basically forces you out of your comfort zone. why did he do it? he loved seeing you in your own little world, an easy smile on your face as you enjoyed your own company. now he's shattering your peace, dragging you out of it by the ankles and he wants to kick himself.

but you're always such a pleasant surprise, welcoming him into your space like it's nothing. and he knows it's not nothing. if there's anyone who can understand what a struggle it is to reach out a hand to someone, it's him. but he's grateful you built up the courage to continue a conversation with him. because now he finally has his foot in the door, and it's given him a confidence boost he sorely needed.

now that he meets you almost everyday in your shared little corner, talking about the most mundane and trivial things like it's always been a thing between you two, he feels better about what's to come. because he's dragged you into his space too, and you've become so integral to it that he can't imagine what it was like to be lonely in the first place.

but hopefully, you like being lonely with him too. because soon enough he's going to blurt out his true feelings in the form of a shaky jumbled confession, and all he can do is hope and pray you feel the same.

[sleepyomi]

quality time with the hq!! boys

a/n: hellloooo and welcome back to the love language series! other parts can be found in the series masterlist, physical touch was at 450 words and counting??? like holy shit y’all and then acts of service is like 2 away from 200. I’m literally blown away so here’s quality time!

up next is words of affirmation!

akaashi —

cafe dates, going to a new bookstore together, studying for an upcoming exam at the library. any miscellaneous task he could complete by himself is improved when he has you by his side. if you’re a more extroverted person, he’s happy to go with you to the park, or a game, but loves the tiny moments in between when you’re having dinner together or walking hand in hand after school.

kunimi —

loves to walk with you whether it’s because there is somewhere to be or just to enjoy each others company. to school, from school, after practice, before practice, early morning or late at night, he enjoys your presence. nap dates are a must. he enjoys getting snacks with you after school when he doesn’t have practice and going back to his place together after games even though he’s exhausted. loves getting a meal with you if he can during the weekends, but if not it’s cool! he’s literally just down to do whatever with you.

lev —

your own personal leech. he just always wants to be around you. will understand if you need your space, but if you don’t then expect him there. loves to train with you, and do your homework together even if it’s you tutoring him. he once jokingly only replied to you for a day in Russian after you scolded him for cursing and it became a thing. he started teaching you it as a joke but now loves the way he can speak with you in either language. likes to go to games together whether it be one he’s playing in or another teams. invites you over for family dinners, especially once you’re more fluent and is starry eyed the whole night watching you converse with his loved ones.

semi —

generally just LOVES being around you. likes to sit beside you at lunch even if it cuts down his lunch time to go find your class. always uses studying or homework as an excuse to spend extra time with you. calls even when your both busy or having a rough day and won’t say anything but just be there in silent support. will always FaceTime when he isnt with you and before a game. studying with you is one of his favorite pastimes, and he’s typically more productive during it as he always ends up thinking of what you guys could do together afterwards making him work quickly. like I said, just generally loves hanging out with you, no matter what, when, where, why, or how. he’s down.

hanamaki —

your built in best friend, whether it be teasing oikawa at lunch together, gaming on the weekends, or taking naps together after practice he is all for it. will take any and every excuse to hang out with you. he has to run an errand? suddenly a two person job. you came over to study? well that was exhausting so now you both just have to take a nap and YIKES that took a long time so I guess you need to stay for dinner too. will then walk you back home after. he’s both super low key about it and not, literally loves having you around. makes long days spent together seem like an accident due to bad planning, but it’s actually the opposite which you figure out quickly after the sixth time it’s happened.

do not copy, claim, or repost my works as per @sleepyomi

[flyingwargle]

another day of practice comes to an end. the players of itachiyama gather around their coaches, the head coach sweeping his gaze at each of them. “it’s rather sudden,” he says, “but i arranged for a practice match with fukurodani next week. we’ll likely face them in the qualifiers, so this would be a good way to see how we measure against them.”

nods answer him. “we haven’t had a practice match against them in years,” iizuna remarks.

“our schedules never aligned.” coach shrugs, nonchalant. “they’ll come to us. i’ll provide more details closer to the day. after you’ve cooled down, you’re dismissed.” iizuna leads the chorus of thank-yous and then stretches. afterwards, they begin to clean up.

sakusa approaches the net, komori joining him. “this’ll be a good opportunity to practice against their ace,” he comments. “did you see his straights during the last inter-high? they’re wicked!”

“any practice is good.” his cousin doesn’t have much to say. “especially before the qualifiers.”

“a top three ace against a top five ace will be an interesting match-up,” iizuna adds, joining them with a grin. “especially when that top five ace is our coach’s son.”

they steal a glance toward their coaches. bokuto takeshi towers over them, bulk and height reminiscent of his olympic career. he replaced their retired head coach a few years ago, using his expertise to maintain their powerhouse status. “why’d you think he didn’t come here?” komori says. “fukurodani is a powerhouse too, but if my dad is a coach, i’d follow wherever he is.”

iizuna is contemplative. “it could be pressuring, though, especially if he has high standards. maybe he didn’t want that? or his dad didn’t want to coach him?”

“motoya and i played against his little league once,” sakusa says. “his dad was the coach.” that was the first time they met. although their paths crossed occasionally over the years at workshops and tournaments, his prowess never seemed to leave much of an impression compared to ushijima. all he knows bokuto koutarou for is his horned owl-like hair and voice that carried for kilometers.

“do you think he’d tell us why?” komori prods. “maybe it’s an adult thing, like itachiyama offered him more money, so–“

“boys, let’s leave on time tonight,” coach calls out. sakusa starts lowering the net, iizuna heading off to scold some first-years. it isn’t long before the lights go down and they head out.

the week passes, and it’s the day of the practice match. sakusa arrives early to stretch, iizuna already present. komori bounces in, ten minutes later, along with the rest of the team. finally, their coaches arrive, including an unexpected guest.

“morning!” bokuto, dressed in his school’s track suit, peeks out from behind his father, grin wide despite the early hour. “wow, the gym is huge!”

iizuna stares in disbelief. “coach, why…”

“i told him to go with his team, but he insisted.” coach sighs, shaking his head. “you needn’t pay attention to him, he’ll warm up on his own.”

“let me hit your tosses, iizuna!” bokuto calls out to him. “i want to see if they’re better than akaashi’s!”

the cousins share a look. iizuna laughs, a challenge gleaming in his eyes. “i didn’t win the best setter award for nothing. you’re on!”

despite what coach said, bokuto does join them. sakusa observes him, notices how he’s much quieter without his teammates, but still cheers enthusiastically after every spike and receive. when it’s his turn to spike, it’s too a chorus of praise, along with bokuto’s awe.

“man, the way you snap your wrist is freakier up close!” he exclaims. sakusa clicks his tongue, though it’s drowned out with, “iizuna! send me one!”

bokuto tosses him a ball and makes his approach. iizuna sets to him, the ball meeting the heel of his hand in an instant. he spikes, a satisfying sound that echoes around them. “that’s some power,” komori whistles.

"all right, hey, hey, hey!" bokuto cheers, eliciting applause from the team. sakusa turns away, feeling a headache coming on.

they take a break before fukurodani is scheduled to arrive. “go ask him, kiyo,” komori urges him. “don’t you want to know?”

“i could care less. you ask.”

“i’m a nobody! you’re a top three ace! he’d listen to you.” komori snaps his head toward iizuna, who stands nearby with his water bottle. “iizuna-san! you ask him!”

“get sakusa to do it. they both have volleyballs for brains.”

sakusa glowers. “no, i don’t.”

“if you can approach ushiwaka, you can approach bokuto.” iizuna rolls his eyes in amusement. “he’s harmless. just look at him.” said wing spiker is chattering with his father, loud voice contrasting the older man’s quieter tone. if you didn’t know they shared a surname, you wouldn’t be able to tell they’re related.

“fine. kiyo, come with me.” komori grabs his wrist and pulls him along, ignoring his yelp.

coach moves away when they approach. “hey, bokuto-san?” komori pitches his voice higher, reserved for when he addresses upperclassmen. sakusa stands behind him. “do you mind if i ask you a question?”

“hm? oh, you’re komori! the libero, right?” bokuto chirps. “what’s up?”

“uh, well…” komori glances at sakusa, who only stares back. “we were wondering why you didn’t come to itachiyama if your dad’s the coach here. if you don’t mind sharing, that is.”

“oh! i get asked that a lot.” bokuto lowers his water bottle, glancing at his father, currently talking with his players. “he did ask, but i said no. i didn’t vibe with the school, that’s all.”

the cousins share a look. sure, itachiyama is a private school, but so is fukurodani. both schools have high-caliber academics and athletics, but itachiyama is just more. “in what way?” komori asks.

bokuto is about to answer when a chorus of shouts interrupt him. “thank you for having us!” his team has arrived.

“oh, guys! sorry, let’s talk later!” bokuto gives an apologetic wave before he jogs toward them, his teammates teasing him. he takes it in stride, glowing with laughter.

the match is underway shortly. itachiyama leads, although fukurodani is right on their heels, scoring consecutively with bokuto’s serves. sakusa takes it back, iizuna bringing them to match point with a setter dump. their opponents are unperturbed, even when they lose the first set.

by the second set, itachiyama has gotten into a rhythm, blocking bokuto more than once. by the third block, he falls dejected, his teammates slapping his back and ruffling his hair as a way to cheer him up, although his eyes remain dull. sakusa tries not to judge, simply sees it as an easy path to victory.

except it isn’t. they bounce back without bokuto scoring once for the first half of the set, and the setter lets their ace score the final point. his shouts fill the gym, once again.

“i think i know what he meant,” sakusa says to komori, as they take the court for the final set. komori opens his mouth to ask, but the whistle cuts him off. sakusa simply gets into position, ready to receive the serve.

itachiyama is rigid, like stone walls that guide them down tried and true paths. they attract the top talent in the region, masters of their position, to polish to perfection. fukurodani, however, is like water that flows between those walls, guided by tradition, but capable of flowing fast or slow, steadfast or erratic. and it’s because there’s no ceiling, it allows them to shelter against the walls before they spread their wings and fly.

that's what sakusa sees, as bokuto jumps, facing a three-man block. his cut shot lands within the attack line, a much more practiced move than in the past. fukurodani cheers, and bokuto raises his fist, victorious. “we’ll get the next one!” iizuna shouts. his team calls an affirmative, sakusa simply preparing himself for the next point.

if there ever comes a day he’ll be on the same team with bokuto, he wonders if his foundation will help bokuto fly, or he’ll be able to ride the same tailwind to launch himself further.

[cerisesakurainspring]

Aakashi Keiji x Reader

~~A warm place to come home to~~

The black-out curtain in the compact room did a splendid job hiding the early afternoon sun rays.

The dark room, lit only by a lamp, seemed to suggest that the day had passed, and the time on the digital clock sitting atop the desk was the only indication that night had yet to come.

Akaashi rested his head and arms at his work table, eyes closed, and his right hand still grasped a pen. He must have racked his brains for an idea and closed his eyes briefly to think clearly, but the exhaustion may have been far too overwhelming that he eventually drifted to sleep.

His days off this week were not much like one, for he ended up doing work at home anyway. The recent days have been a whirlwind of deadlines for your husband, and the chaotic state of his home office is a testament to that.

Three coffee mugs rested on the desk, two empty and one half-drunk, lying cold and unfinished. The work surface that would have typically been organized was adorned with stacks of manuscripts. Piles of books lay lazily on the floor. Sticky notes in bright shades of pink, blue, and green decorated the wall and computer, appearing to be the works of a child sticking out random scribbled papers for fun.

These busy times made him quite a paradoxical man. Akaashi is efficient in all aspects of his life and is a disciplined person by nature. However, since he became an editor for a shonen manga, his methodical way of doing things was often challenged, leaving him disorganized but still surprisingly orderly and systematic in his own way.

Your husband must be deep in slumber because your presence did not awaken his usual light-sleeping self. The indigo blanket behind his chair hung low, and you grabbed it to wrap around his slumped shoulders.

He must have felt the weight and comfort of the quilt as you saw him stir a little in his sleep, tipping the glasses on his closed eyes into an awkward position. You gently removed the frames from his alluring face and kissed his temple softly before turning off the lamp on the desk.

He had skipped his lunch today, but you did not want to interrupt his much-needed rest, so you carefully left the room to cook an early dinner meal. Once the door was closed, you walked across the familiar hallway adorned with photos of you and your husband, smiling along the way until you reached the kitchen.

The mossy green paint on the cabinets, the wooden floor, and the white-marbled granite countertops gave the kitchen a homely vibe. It was the one place that you and Akaashi spent the most time in as meaningful chatters filled the air during your late-night dinners and early breakfasts.

You loved cooking and always ensured there was a warm, fulfilling meal to welcome him home from work, hoping it would ease the stress of his high-pressure working environment.

Despite being busy at work, he always stayed connected with you. Even in your dating years, he remembered to send you messages of affection despite the time constraints at his workplace.

In the midst of the turbulent hurricane of deadline madness, you were Akaashi's anchor, keeping him at ease. He thinks you would probably never understand the depth of his love for you, but he still showers you with affection and care every day.

It's probably not healthy for the heart to always melt in ecstasy, but neither of you cared and continued to bask in it. The turmoil you went through before marriage was well worth the effort and sacrifices.

By the time you finished cooking for dinner, it was only a quarter to 6 p.m., and the sun was beginning to descend on the horizon.

While preparing the cutleries, you felt a strong pair of arms envelope your waist.

"Dinner smells nice," the man said in a muffled voice. His warm breath tickled as he snuggled his nose around your collarbone, and the sudden flurry of stimulation made you giggle in delight.

"How was your nap?" You untangled your husband's arms briefly so you could face him. As he encased you in a hug once more, you could not help but notice the faint lines of tiredness etching below his sapphire eyes.

Your hands reach up towards his temple to start massaging them, and a relieved hum escapes his supple lips. He fluttered his eyes closed, and you felt his body relax its weight unto yours. You almost toppled backwards, but his hands guided the small of your back to lean against the countertop.

"Nap was good. Now I am hungry." You hear him grumble with a slight rasp in his voice. His forehead leaned unto yours as you continued to rub your thumbs on his temple.

"I made your favourite."

A throaty chuckle reverberated in his throat, and he opened his eyes to look at your happy ones. "I really am fortunate to have you by my side, my shiawase."

"And you, my darling Keiji, is also my happiness." You kiss both his cheeks, indulging your craving lips with pecks on his very own.

"I don't think my heart can take this." You feel him whisper between kisses, and a small giggle escapes your lips.

"We should probably eat before the food gets cold." Your hands found their way behind the nape of his neck and continued to caress the skin underneath his curls.

His eyes closed once more. It looks like the exhaustion is taking a toll on him, but the slight smile on his face tells you he feels content.

"I'd like to stay like this for a few more moments, my love." He whispers before kissing you.

You were both enveloped with warmth and in your homey embrace, he found solace from the pressures of his career.

"Aishiteru wa."

"Aishiteru yo."

You and Aakashi expressed this at the same time. The short pause gave both of you a moment to admire the specks in each of your eyes. You both sighed in wonder at the love and bliss that danced in his and your irises.

Somehow, that moment made you both laugh in unison. Your soft giggles intertwined with his deep titters, and they reverberated so sweetly in your cozy home.

The same thought echoed in your and Akaashi's thoughts.

It's all worth it. Well worth it.

[akaripng]

A/N: Thank you to @mourambleson for the wonderful idea!

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The smell of sugar and spices fills the cozy space of your kitchen as the early autumn sun filters through the windows, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. You stand at the counter, gently rolling balls of dough between your hands, your dark skin dusted with flour and bits of cookie batter. Akaashi is beside you, his normally meticulous hands covered in sticky dough as he cuts out maple leaf-shaped cookies, his brows furrowed in concentration. It’s a sight that always makes you smile—your usually composed husband, lost in the process of baking for your daughter.

Speaking of Himari, she’s standing on a stool by the counter, a bright pink apron tied around her small frame as she “helps” by sneaking bites of dough and tossing flour around like it’s confetti. Her curls bounce with every giggle, the light catching the soft brown tones of her skin that matches yours. She’s practically vibrating with excitement, her brown eyes wide as she watches her daddy shape the cookies.

“Mommy, can we make more of the ones with the cinnamon?” she asks, her little voice filled with pure delight. You look over to see her licking the remnants of dough off her fingers.

“You mean the pumpkin snickerdoodles?” you ask, trying to hold back a chuckle. Her eyes light up, and she nods vigorously, little curls bouncing everywhere.

You exchange a glance with Akaashi, and his lips quirk into a small, knowing smile. There are already far too many cookies spread out across the counter—pumpkin snickerdoodles, chai cookies, cheesecake cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip… You’re not even sure how you’ll manage to eat them all.

“Don’t you think we’ve made enough, baby?” you ask Himari gently, but she shakes her head fervently.

“Noooo, there’s never enough cookies!” she exclaims, her arms flailing in exaggerated protest. Akaashi lets out a low chuckle beside you.

“I think she has a point,” he murmurs, his voice soft and smooth, filled with affection. He glances down at your flour-covered hands, then leans in just enough to brush a kiss against your cheek. “We can always give some away to Uncle Bo-kun,” he suggests.

“Uncle Bo-kun!” Himari cheers, throwing her hands into the air. “We have to give him the biggest cookies!”

You laugh, your heart swelling at how adorable she looks. “Alright, we’ll give Uncle Bo-kun the biggest ones, but we’ll need to save some for us too.”

Himari grins, her wide, gap-toothed smile melting your heart as she bounces in place. “Can I help?”

“Of course, sweet girl.” You wipe your hands on a towel and lift her off the stool, placing her beside the growing collection of cookies on the table. “But first, why don’t you help Daddy finish those maple leaf cookies while I start on the last batch?”

Akaashi raises an eyebrow, but the soft smile playing on his lips betrays his amusement. “I don’t know, Himari. Can you handle helping me?” he asks, feigning seriousness.

“I can handle it, Daddy!” she giggles, grabbing the cookie cutter and enthusiastically pressing it into the dough. You watch them together, feeling a deep warmth in your chest at how natural and effortless they are with each other. Akaashi, with his quiet attentiveness, and Himari, so full of life and joy, as they create their little world together. The scene is almost too precious, a moment of love and connection you want to preserve forever.

While they work on their maple leaf cookies, you return to your task, rolling out the pumpkin snickerdoodle dough. As you sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar coating over the dough, you can’t help but think back to the early days of your relationship with Akaashi—the long talks over coffee, the way he always seemed to understand your quiet struggles without you having to say a word, the way his presence always brought you peace. Now, here you are, years later, standing in a sunlit kitchen with the man you love and your beautiful daughter, creating sweet memories one cookie at a time.

“Mommy, look!” Himari’s excited voice pulls you from your thoughts. She holds up a misshapen maple leaf cookie with pride. “It’s a giant one for Uncle Bo-kun!”

You smile warmly, nodding in approval. “That’s perfect, sweetie. Uncle Bo-kun is going to love it.”

Akaashi gives you a soft look over the top of Himari’s head, his blue-green eyes filled with a quiet kind of adoration that always manages to catch you off guard. You feel a flush of warmth spread across your cheeks under his gaze, and for a moment, it’s like the world around you disappears, leaving just the two of you in the gentle stillness of your shared life.

As the afternoon wears on, the cookies continue to pile up. The kitchen is a mess, with flour covering every available surface, but it doesn’t matter. Himari is beaming, humming a tune under her breath as she helps you place the last tray of cookies in the oven, and Akaashi stands behind you, resting his hands on your shoulders, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head.

“What are we going to do with all these cookies?” you ask, glancing at the sheer number of them spread out across the counter. There’s a slight hint of panic in your voice as you realize just how many you’ve baked.

Akaashi chuckles softly behind you. “We’ll figure something out. Maybe you can bring some to work, and I’ll take a few to the office.”

“Or we could just eat them all!” Himari chimes in, clearly pleased with herself.

You shake your head with a laugh, scooping her up into your arms and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “If we ate all these cookies, we’d turn into cookies ourselves.”

Himari giggles, wrapping her little arms around your neck. “That’s okay! We’d be yummy cookies!”

Akaashi smirks, reaching out to poke at the tip of Himari’s nose. “You’d definitely be the yummiest cookie, Hima.”

And just like that, your heart feels full to the brim, overflowing with love for your little family.

[ ©𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐧𝐠. all rights reserved, october 2024. do not steal, repost, nor claim as your own! ]

[ninapi]

New to this (Akaashi version)

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Premise: Akaashi Keiji falls in love with a single mother and realizes she's all he wants for his life.

Word Count: 4528

Notes: Ok, so this story will be part of a series. It will be laid out like an otome game, meaning there will be three different routes for the same premise, different endings. The first story being with Akaashi.

Also I'm a bit rusty, so apologies in advance.

Chapter 1: Brighter days ahead

Spring season comes around once more, your favorite time of the year. Sunny days with unexpected rain, beautiful flowers everywhere. A light breeze heaves in through the kitchen window, making you shiver slightly at the unexpected cold and bringing back thoughts you normally throw to the back of your mind on most days.

Being a single mother isn’t exactly easy. Specially at such a young age. Being in your early twenties, you have been able to raise a very smart and gentle hearted toddler. You glance around the tight space, smiling as you see remains of the good life you have had with your son. A jar full of seashells that the two of you picked up on your last trip to the beach. Family portraits drawn by him when he was just three. Polaroid pictures littering the wall above your small tv, all smiles and blue skies, and of course, not to forget that blurry one of a beetle he found at the park the other day. Simple details, yet full of love.

Seeing all this makes you think how it all happened so fast, you can’t believe he’s already five, and thinking about the early stages of it all is still a thorn stuck in your heart. You can still remember being madly in love with the child’s father, waking up to his handsome face close to yours every morning, those tender kisses that you can still feel on your skin and even if time keeps moving forward, they still hunt you on your sleep.

You love your son, he is the best thing that ever happened to you, and you would do anything to see him smile. His eyes are beautiful, honey colored, soft, gentle, with long lashes and they crinkle when he smiles, always scrunching up his nose like a little rabbit, he is just adorable. You decided to let his hair grow a bit longer this year, he was starting to look just like a small version of his father and that was just too much for you, you couldn’t take it, not yet at least. Suppressing another shiver, you turn to your shared closet looking for warmth and silently wishing he never takes a liking to bleached hair.

In the same closet hung the uniform your son was to wear this morning, “Seiji” read on the bright yellow flower tag pinned near the sleeve. His first day of kindergarten, it feels like such an accomplishment for you to be standing here, proud of your son reaching another milestone, one he has been looking forward to for years now. It was difficult getting all the way here by yourself with no one’s help, but this felt like such a reward, he is growing up to be a wonderful little person and you were the only responsible for that. Always knowing you wanted kids one day, you assumed you’d be a good mother, but reality hits hard when you had to do everything by yourself.

The melancholic morning goes on as you push around your eggs with the fork, absentmindedly staring at your baby boy with a sour smile painting on your face as you think of the past. Your parents didn’t want to hear anything from you when you told them you were pregnant and haven’t seen them ever since. They didn’t even know where you lived nor met your son. Your boyfriend left you claiming he was definitely not the father of the kid, and that fact still bewilders you, how can he not be though? He was the only one for you and you thought he knew that. More images of old dates with Atsumu come flooding in, when he confessed to you on the rooftop of the school in your third year. Your first kiss. The first time he told you he loved you. How he used to hold your face in both of his hands and just stare into your eyes for hours. The sound of his shallow breathing when he was asleep. Tears threatened to come out and that’s your cue to get up and clean the table, urging your son to get up and dressed for school.

Turning to the sink, you discard your untouched breakfast and look through the window while rinsing the dishes with soapy water. More memories come, painful ones. “(Y/N), how can you cheat on me like this? Pregnant? Are you fucking kidding me?” said Atsumu getting up from the kitchen table of your shared studio. The cup he was drinking soda from shattering on the floor, making you jump from your seat. You were a nervous wreck, so confused. But most of all, hurt, from the way he was behaving. “I- I don’t know how this happened, but it did. Maybe that one night when I told you I felt a leaking…maybe the condom teared a bit?” you were now walking in circles, chewing at your thumb, “There’s no other explanation for this.”

“Oh, there is, (Y/N). Can’t believe you would cheat on me…” he scoffed, looking at you like if you were a miserable piece of garbage needing to be stepped on and thrown away. He then grabbed his jacket and left, slamming the door shut and causing a small planter to fall from its hanger on the wall. That was the last time you saw him. You waited for him to come back, he had to, all his stuff was still there. But you waited days, weeks even. You weren’t eating properly, barely sleeping thinking he would be back any second and you couldn’t miss it, but he didn’t come back.

Feeling dead in your own skin, you reached for your family thinking your mother would know what to do, having a baby was a lot of work and you didn’t even know where to start. But the first thing she asked was if you were actually having it. Hearing your mother say that to you was even worse than seeing Atsumu leave, of course you would have the baby, it was yours and a product of love, regardless of how things ended he was still the man you loved, your first and only boyfriend and a piece of him was inside of your now growing belly. Disappointed in your reply they gave you the cold shoulder, cutting off the money they would send you every month. “If you want to have that creature then work for it, a daughter of mine wouldn’t get pregnant so carelessly. Don’t ever call us again, (Y/N)”. You still remember how hearing that felt, you were alone, completely on your own. But that wouldn’t stop you.

You sit on the dining table once more, a simple looking Ikea table with just two chairs. Seiji has stopped needing his highchair a while back but still sits next to you and you can’t bring yourself to get rid of it. Gliding your fingers over the soft wood triggers more unwanted memories. When the child was born and you saw him for the first time, you knew you had to try and contact Atsumu again, it was impossible for him to think this was someone else’s baby. He looked just like him. Those beautiful honey colored eyes and tiny puff of dark hair on the crown on his tiny head. Even his sleeping face was like seeing him napping on a summer afternoon. But your attempts failed, most likely getting another number tired of seeing your missed calls and messages. Unnerved, you tried dialing his twin brother, Osamu was always so loving and supportive, he would certainly get you to him, but the same thing happened. How can they just disappear like that? Was it your fault? You were just so tired of this whole thing. So, once you got permission to leave the hospital, you took your son and moved to Tokyo. A bigger city full of new people, new beginnings.

You had to quit college, it was impossible to pay for rent, bills, food and college with a couple of part-time jobs. Besides you couldn’t get any job that would involve you leaving the house, otherwise you would need to pay for a babysitter and that was out of the question. It was rough, and probably the reason why you feel like you can’t throw away the chair you keep on staring at, you worked so hard to get everything you have now and even if it isn’t much, is home. Home for you and for your son, the true love of your life.

And today was his first day of school.

“Seiji, come on we gotta leave soon or you will be late on your first day!” you half yelled, sipping on the last remaining coffee in your mug, now cold and murky due to all your overthinking. And once again you think how beautiful spring morning it is, today will be a day you will always remember and you’re glad the weather is on your side. “Mama…” he looked at you with a not so amused expression on his face, making you look down at him and back from your little breakdown. He looks just like his father but reminds you more of his uncle most of the times and for this you were grateful, “You always tell me I can’t go out of the house without brushing my teeth properly. I need 5 more minutes.” he declared, climbing on his stool to reach the sink.

Your heart swell just a little with pride and suddenly that tightness in your chest just breaks, you have Seiji, you always had, even when all those hurtful memories were your day-to-day reality, he was already inside of you. And you realize, after all this time, that you’ve never been alone.

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Once the toddler finished getting ready, you two left the house in a hurry and you could see how nervous he was. Your son was fiddling with the straps of his backpack while he walked next to you in complete silence, something rare for him. You wanted to reassure him, but this was a new experience for him, there weren’t many kids his age around the neighborhood so being surrounded by kids was something he was both excited and terrified about. So, you settled for taking his smaller hand in yours and pointed all the little things you could find on your way to the school. “Seiji look!” you pointed to the only cloud lurking around a vast bright blue sky. “Doesn’t it look like the bunny we saw yesterday at the petting zoo?” you grinned at him happily, causing your son to grimace a bit, “Heeh? You think so, Mama? I think it looks more like a koala chewing on some leaves” you tilted your head to the side analyzing said cloud. If you were being honest, the cloud was just a blob that looked like nothing to you, you were just trying to distract him from his anxiousness. “Leaves? Hmmm…more like poop. Don’t you remember that show we watched the other day? They said koalas eat their own poop”. Your son looked at you puckering his lips out, simulating he was going to be sick, causing you both to laugh loudly at each other, the cloud long forgotten same as his worries.

And without noticing you were now staring at the gates of his school. Reassuring your son, you let him go inside the class with his teacher, “I’ll be back at 3, be a good boy!” you shouted after them and he turned his head to look at you, “This is it…” you thought, he was going to cry and run back to you, you’ve seen plenty of that in tv and you honestly don’t remember how your first day of school was but you were fearing this would happen to Seiji, but instead, he gave you his wide crinkled eyed smile, the one you love so much it hurts you every time. He would be just fine and so would you, you have each other after all.

Today was a complex day for you, full of mixed feelings and bringing out all your insecurities. Paying for his school tuition and all the things he needed for school was a difficult task with your current income, so you thought of looking for another part time, just one more, you can certainly have three now that he is in school. “I wish I could just get an actual full-time job with a good pay rate instead of needing three part-times…” you sighed, looking through the job listings in your phone. Everything was dreadful, long hours, low salaries, and on top of that you had to pick Seiji up at 3, there was no way around it. You found a bench near the closest convenience store and sat there after getting a bottle of tea from the vending machine next to it. You found a delivery job, for a flower shop, it wasn’t great, but it would definitely help. So, you called the phone number listed on the contact section and you actually got it without much hassle. The shop belonged to an old lady that had hurt her knee and wasn’t able to take the flowers on her own with her scooter. Since you knew how to drive one around and you mentioned your son’s school was very close from the shop, she just couldn’t say no to you.

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In a blink of an eye a month had gone by, you were exhausted but your son seemed happy. Today you made pizza toast for dinner since he has been begging non-stop for pizza and you were currently in no position to spend money on that, so that’s all you could give him right now, and he took it. You loved hearing him tell you all about his day in school. And he was now telling you about how he met this one girl who’s in the daycare section of the school, a year under him. “So, we read together during lunch break. Well, I read to her, she still doesn’t know all the words” he says between bites of toast, happily pulling it away from his face to look at the stringy cheese.

“That’s great, love. I’m sure she is very happy to have such a reliable upperclassman.” you chuckle quietly when you notice how he puffed his chest out at your words. He is such a sucker for this sort of compliments. He just can’t wait to be an adult, and you can just pray the time doesn’t go by that fast. You bring your hand to his face, swiping sauce off his cheek.

Seiji nods, beaming at you “She even shared her apple slices with me today! But they didn’t have bunny shapes, like the ones you do for me.” he pouts a little before shoving more toast in his mouth. You normally cut his apple this way as you know he loves animals, little things like this are his favorite and you could sense his sadness towards his friend not being able to enjoy them like he does. Such a gentle hearted boy.  “Well, maybe her mom is busy or doesn’t know how to make bunnies. If you want, I can cut bunnies for you two another day, I bet she would like that!” you try to cheer him up, his eyes lighting up at the idea and he hugs your arm “Thank you, Mama. I would like that very much.”

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The next day you received a very unexpected call that left you in quite a shock. “He did what???” you were taking your break sitting on the stairs of the back room. You couldn’t process what she was saying and asked for confirmation, needing the teacher to repeat what you just heard. “He pushed his classmate to the ground and his mother is making a fuss at the principal’s office. Can you please come?” you could hear the annoyance in her voice and loud screams on the background which you could just assume was the mother of the child yelling at the school staff. “I’ll be right there” you informed the teacher and explained everything to your boss. She told you to take the day off, she wanted to close early anyways to watch a parade in the tv.

You ran as fast as you could. It was about a 10-minute walk from the flower shop to his school, but you made it there in 3. Panting hard, you opened the door to the principal’s office, trying to catch your breath. And you noticed two adults and three children sitting on multicolored chairs, all looking at your unannounced entrance.

Your eyes darted immediately to your son who was jutting out a cut and bloody lip. You gasped at the sight and ran to his side, “Seiji, oh my god. What happened to your face? Are you ok, my love?” he nodded and buried his face on your thigh. Running your fingers through his silky hair you scanned the room. A very large woman with an expensive looking outfit, diamond rings, a designer bag with a tiny poodle inside of it and a large brim hat, huffing like a buffalo next to a just as large kid, with a band-aid on covering his elbow and a deep scowl on his chubby face. He couldn’t possibly be the same age as your son, “he’s gotta be at least 7…” you thought while moving your eyes to the chairs closer to you. There seated a tall handsome man, deep blue eyes, messy black hair, with what you assume is his daughter. A lovely little girl, who looked just like him big blue doe eyes, long braided black hair adorned with two hearts held by bobby pins. She was still crying, clearly scared by the whole situation, and you could see now what was going on.

You decided to sit next to the man, not looking at him but towards the little girl, “Are you Kimi by any chance?” you asked, smiling down at her, who scrunched up her nose to hold in her snot and nodded to you. “It’s nice to finally meet you, I’m Seiji’s mom. I heard you’ve been reading a book about butterflies.” you say trying to distract her and get her to stop crying; the principal clears his throat, snapping you out of the moment before the man had time to even introduce himself or thank you for helping.

“I summoned you all here to discuss the incident that transpired this afternoon” the principal says fixing his glasses up his nose without looking at any of you, whatever he was reading on his phone was clearly more interesting for him that this whole situation, “(Y/L)-kun pushed, Sakamoto-kun onto the ground, causing a scrap on his elbow. His mother here,” he signalizes grandly over to the fancy looking woman with an outstretched arm, posing dramatically “is looking for monetary compensation”.

That caused you and the man next to you to scuff loudly at the same time. “Seiji, did you push Sakamoto-kun?” you looked down at your son, rubbing soothing circles on his back to encourage him to tell the whole story. You were 100% sure that he did, otherwise he wouldn’t be sulking on your leg, but you know your son, he isn’t someone who would just hurt someone, he even avoids stepping on ants when you two play at the park.

He nodded and let go of your leg, stretching up to his full size and looking at you and Kimi’s father with a serious glint in his eyes, like he was about to give a speech and you knew what was coming.This would be interesting. “Remember when I told you this morning, I was going to finish reading the book we started yesterday?” you hummed in acknowledgement and your son continued, “Well, here I was, walking through the courtyard” his expression caused the man behind to grin slightly, very much intrigued by the toddler’s display, “I was looking for Kimi, who said would look for the book, and THEN” he changes his tone, making it more dramatic, causing everyone to be immersed in his story. This kid was something else. “I see Sakamoto-kun pulling at Kimi’s hair! I had to do something, mama. So, I ran to them and asked him nicely to please stand back from my friend as he was clearly hurting her. But what did he do?” he brings both of his hands to his face, pulling his cheeks down in despair and continues, “Instead of letting her go, he punched me on the face” both, Kimi’s father and you gasped at this bit of information and Seiji just nodded as if confirming how grave the situation was. “I weighed all my options and all I could do was push him to get him away from her. And that somehow got us all in trouble. I know violence is a bad thing, you say that to me all the time mama, but detective Connan once said” he air-quoted, “It’s not violence if you get struck first, its self-defense.” Satisfied with his recount of the facts, he sits on the chair next to his mother and crosses his tiny legs, closing his eyes and waiting for the adults to get to an agreement, he’s done his part.

The man next to you heaved an airy laugh, it was refreshing, you’ve only seen him scowl since you got there, “Seiji-kun, are you really just five?” he questions the child with an amused grin on his face and to this, your son only nods, opening one of his eyes in acknowledgement.

He is definitely something else.

“So let me get this straight” says the man beside you, now sitting up straight and glaring at the principal and the obnoxious kid across the room, “My daughter was being bullied by an older kid and this very brave young man stepped in to save the day. Why is this woman here requesting monetary compensation for a scrap? We both could sue the school for not being able to protect your students from bullying. Right…?” he looked at you, realizing he didn’t even know your name yet, “(Y/N)” you said with a small smile, looking straight into his eyes and ignoring the rest of eyes now all on you. “And yes, of course, I’m with you all the way. Kimi is 4, she shouldn’t even be allowed near older kids, is dangerous and totally the school’s fault.” Seiji let out a loud gasp, getting both of your attention and making you chuckle “Unless that older kid is my son, clearly. As he is willing to protect her no matter what” you said, glaring at the bald man behind the desk while patting your son’s knee, signaling not to worry about not being able to hang out with his friend.

But this was Kimi’s breaking point, she started bawling her eyes out again “MAMA!!!” she suddenly screamed and ran straight into your arms. This confused you, to say the least, but held her close, nonetheless. “I bet you were so scared” you said to her gently, rubbing her back while stealing a glance to her father who shut you an apologetic glance. “Let’s get your hair all pretty again, come here.” you lifted her small body over, getting her to straddle your lap. Pulling a wet tissue out of your purse, you cleaned her tear-stained face, and combed her hair, re-doing the braid that had been pulled by the violent five-year-old. “There! Now you look just like a doll once more.” smiling down at her, she returned your smile, proudly saying “Papa always makes sure I look cute, so he made my hair like this for me today!” a thought came right up to you “Papa, huh? So, this is why her apple slices aren’t bunnies. Her mother is probably very absent, that’s why she’s a bit confused right now, hearing I’m Seiji’s mom mixed with all the stress of the day probably triggered something inside of her.” in thought you beamed at her without making any unwanted comment and went to put her back down but, clinging to you for dear life she refused to leave your side and so, you let her be.

The man assessed the whole situation, how you looked at his daughter with such an adoring expression, like she was your own. He was also very impressed on how you managed to calm her within seconds, it always takes him at least an hour to get her to stop crying. And he suddenly was very aware of how beautiful your smile was and became grateful that you were there, otherwise he would probably have to take Kimi out of that school as he would of punch a hole in that ridiculous looking principal.

“So” he cleared his throat, “I expect Sakamoto-Kun to at least get a disciplinary action for his behavior if you don’t want us to sue the school or call the press. Now if you excuse us,” he held a hand behind your back, motioning for you to get up with both toddlers hanging from you, “We have better places to be at right now.” Following his lead, you excused yourself and held your son’s hand, walking out of the building.

Once you had picked up their backpacks, you headed over to the front of the school where the man was waiting for you.

“Akaashi Keiji” he said, looking at you like if it was the first time. You saw his eyes sparkle a little, the side of his lips curling up slightly. “Kimi’s father as you might have noticed.” he starts walking and you trail behind him with a nod. “I was thinking…what do you guys think of getting some pizza?” he looked back at both toddlers with a wicked smirk on his face. Your son letting out a screech now clinging to Akaashi’s leg, probably his favorite person in the world right now. “I think that’s a yes” you said, chuckling at your son’s excitement. “He’s been thinking about pizza for weeks now” you cradle the sleepy toddler in your arms and ask her softly if she would like to go to get some pizza with Seiji, this waking her up instantly and making her bounce excitedly, clinging to your neck.

“It’s a date then.” Akaashi mumbles quietly only for you to hear and begins walking towards the Pizza shop. You noticed the scowl on his face from before was no longer there, making you smile. Wait, what? “It’s a date?” you repeated after him, jogging a bit to catch up with the gang, now walking next to each other. You haven’t had a date in over 5 years, you start derailing with silly thoughts about your hair and make-up choices for today.

Anybody looking at you right now would only see the perfect family out for some fun, even if that was very much far from reality.

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Next chapter Masterlist

[purpleqilinwrites]

in every season.

a/n: i know i should be writing my cp2077 au fic, but i couldn't not write a fae thing with akaashi.

fandom: haikyuu!!

character: akaashi keiji

genre: fluff

info: reader is a faerie; akaashi is human; established relationship (akaashi is your lover)

warnings: -

synopsis: akaashi finds himself reminiscing on his life with you, by the sea.

word count: 0.8k

Akaashi Keiji

The early summer sea lapped at his feet, balmy in the gaps between his toes before retreating down the slant of the shore. Akaashi watched the white crests of foam on their march back to the sea, shouting your name to call your attention to the telltale divots in the sand before him. You quickly came into view from his left, the lower hems of your hakama now dark with seawater from when the fickle water caught you by surprise earlier on. Holding up a basket made of woven reeds to your chest, you gestured into it before starting off in the direction he was pointing at.

You lowered yourself to a squat with a grunt, using your magic to whisk yourself closer to where the water caressed the shore. He laughed, taking careful steps as he walked down the gentle incline of the shore and then mirroring your action with a more laboured sound.

"I'll take care of it, Keiji," you said, loud enough for his senior ears to pick up, meeting his eyes with a smile as you busied your hands with digging small brown clams out of the sand. The skin at the outermost corners of your eyes crimped with your smile, and he couldn't resist leaning over to caress your wrinkles with his thumb.

"I'd rather you left the chores to the hired hands, my love. You should be resting," he said, pressing a kiss to your shoulder and feeling his bones ache in protest. "We didn't leave so you could keep working to your old age."

It had been more than a handful of decades since the two of you left the Fair Realm. By mortal standards, he ought to be no more than a heap of dust and bones at his age. By contrast, the fae would consider you only a little more experienced in life than a child, since you weren't even two hundred years old.

Well, you and him both.

It seemed as though it was only a few days ago that the two of you were young, with no more than a large burlap sack of food and a considerably smaller one of gold, running from Alfheim with clasped hands. Years away from your native realm appeared to blot out the divinity in your fae blood, slowly but surely, and you were beginning to have a time-kissed form that was indistinguishable from that of a mortal, even without the use of magic.

You grew older outside the Fair Realm, time adorning your features the same way that it made its mark on his. Though, for argument's sake, you aged much more gracefully than he did. Your head only began to sprout grey hairs a few years ago. With your barely silver-streaked head and your wrinkles deepening to visibility only when you smiled, you were outwardly much younger than he was, even if the two of you were born in the very same year.

The swell of your cheek was nestled in his palm, and Akaashi felt extremely fortunate to be able to witness you reaching your golden years. It was a sight that would've eluded his mortal lifespan entirely if he remained in Alfheim. After all, the full breadth of days afforded to a mortal such as himself was nothing more than a couple of childhood summers picking fruit to the long-lived fae.

"I've yet to become too old and tired to court you with foraged clams," you said, playful, hands coming up off the sun-warmed shore to cup his face. He watched you pause, remembering that there was sand sticking to your summer-damp skin. With a chuckle, you dropped your hands back where the clams were hiding, nosing into the crook of his neck instead.

A sound of fondness came bubbling up from his heart and up out of his mouth. It brought to his remembrance that lively stream that ran along the home you used to share in Alfheim, teeming with fish that you took to catching with your bare hands, making sure to show them off to him as he watched from his perch on a rock alongside the water. He supposed that you scooping clams out of the sand was the equivalent action for you in the mortal realm. Even after all these years, you still enjoyed providing food for the table, in the same way that he would always enjoy preparing it and eating it with you.

"You already have me," Akaashi said. His mouth curved easily to the shape of fae-speak, knowing that the language of your home realm was sweeter to your pointed ears than any poetry breathed in the tongue of this mortal island that adopted the pair of you.