Notes

"Oh, I." Bokuto broke the silence, his mind going blank. His eyes were a little widened, as an expression of surprise. Akaashi gulped nervously. Each second of silence turned his expression into more and more stress. Bokuto caught a glimpse of Akaashi's eyes binding on the floor.

"I wasn't expecting it. Sorry for taking long. I just processed it," Bokuto reassured his friend. He chuckled lightly, and suddenly his lips etched into a fond smile. Akaashi's stare at the floor broke, as he looked at Bokuto's features for analysis.

"I'm both flattered and honored. I think we'd have a great first date," Bokuto finished his train of thought. He soon realized Akaashi was blushing. He nodded confidently to affirm his acceptance of the date. Akaashi beamed, before clearing his throat. He was happy, which made Bokuto smile wider

His heart truthfully warmed itself by seeing Akaashi visibly crushing on him. Akaashi looked oddly cute in the shy position as a mature man. Bokuto quirked his head to the side and stepped closer for no particular reason. Akaashi's eyes stayed on Bokuto's features, despite wanting to look somewhere else.

Soon, Bokuto crossed his arms in front of his chest. Akaashi withheld his urge to look at the outlines of the same muscles. He could only imagine the stretch in his head. He swore he heard his heartbeat in his ears. Akaashi's eyes glided over his face and the corridor behind his form.

The silence held no purpose or evolvement until Bokuto broke it with a cough. Yet, it wasn't awkward nor uncomfortable. The golden-eyed man contemplated a lot of things in his head. Firstly, he had thought of questions he should ask.

"So, about your crush," Bokuto asked without the intent of embarrassing Akaashi. In his head, there was a 20% chance of the crush being anyone else. He soon had a playful light smirk etching his features. Akaashi closed his eyes momentarily and cringed evidently.

"are you amused by my crush?" Akaashi dared speak up after a while. He hadn't confirmed it, and yet he had. Bokuto was fast to shake his head in reassurance.

"I'm humbled. Not to forget, honored," Bokuto spoke softly and dared gently reach his hand to touch Akaashi's shoulder. The gesture sparked fireworks in Akaashi's stomach, and the realization of not being rejected soon surfaced.

The echoes of the words strung the time-lapse of each sentence. Akaashi hadn't stopped looking at Bokuto for an indication of his feelings. Likewise, Bokuto kept his stare at the younger for a second evaluation.

The canvas of Akaashi's features changed, knowing he was Bokuto's future date. Bokuto obtained new lenses to look through, it seemed. Suddenly, some points of fine attraction drew Bokuto in for the first time. Bokuto's vision suddenly recognized beauty he once considered platonic. He had no reason

The rationality of time forced Bokuto to step back before he realized he should conclude the request.

"I think we'd have a good date. I. I was supposed to go a bit earlier, so I trust we'll fix the details soon?" Bokuto suddenly remembered he had a daughter to tend to.

Akaashi nodded confidently and concealed the radiating happiness of being accepted. He drummed his fingers against his leg out of habit, and finally prepared to let Bokuto leave the building.

"We'll fix the details. Thank you," Akaashi replied, only to rush the last thank you. It sounded more like formal gratitude, which didn't fit the circumstances. Before he could paraphrase or open his mouth, Bokuto beat him to it with a simple chuckle.

"I'm grateful you asked me out," Bokuto truthfully stated. He kept his humble demeanor. Oddly enough, Akaashi was
attracted by the laid-back behavior.

Perhaps it was childish, but Akaashi felt the anticipation of chasing his crush. Though, it wasn't as if Akaashi had the dishonor of wondering whether Bokuto was interested or not. At the second Bokuto waved farewell with a faked sly smile, Akaashi realized how reality took him by surprise.

Akaashi was practically dating Bokuto from now on. As soon as his well-dressed friend was out of the door, Akaashi closed the door to his apartment. He exhaled heavily before bringing his phone back into his hands. He conveniently had Sugawara on speed dial for situations such as these. The silverhead was aware of Akaashi's situation. Thus, Akaashi expected a response within three bells.

"Did you do it?" Sugawara dramatized his voice on purpose. Akaashi couldn't contain his proud smile from processing his own previous actions.

"You're asking as if I was supposed to commit a crime," Akaashi pointed out. He soon took the same seat on the couch. He didn't expect their phone call to be short.

"Did you ask him out?" Sugawara repeated for Akaashi's pleasure. He hummed with pride, and even confirmed it verbally.

"I did," Akaashi withheld any emotions from his voice. The element of surprise and anticipation silenced the conversation. Sugawara didn't dare ask how it went. The silent agreement let him know that he was supposed to elaborate already.

"We're basically started dating from now on," Akaashi confirmed. He knew the cruelty if keeping the conclusion in his claws. Akaashi was soon forced to pull his phone away from his ear to save his hearing from Sugawara's supportive cheering.

Akaashi failed to hold back his laugh. He laughed in an odd relief, but also due to surprise. The process of dating the built gentleman almost felt too easy, as privileged as it sounded. If it weren't for his intoxicating glass, Akaashi doubted he'd ask.

The effects wore out during the conversation with Sugawara. Sober Akaashi anxiously bit the insides of his cheeks upon feeling lost. While Sugawara's excitement still dominated the call, Akaashi's mind formed many questions.

Where was he supposed to take him? He was the one to ask Bokuto out. When should he text Bokuto to discuss date details? Was he supposed to flirt from now on? Akaashi's previous pride and excitement drowned with worry and confusion. Of course, there was no recipe or right answer to any of the questions mentioned. It was the chaos of free answers that itched his head.