Notes

"So, how did it go," Sugawara asked over the phone as if there was anything special. Akaashi just told him they had hung out again. There wasn't much room between each time they hung out. Akaashi stayed quiet for a second until he had the perfect response.

"We started making out in his car," Akaashi nonchalantly shared. Of course, Sugawara saw through his lies and groaned in frustration.

"I just asked a simple question," Sugawara whined before almost giving up on his best friend. Luckily, Akaashi did plan on sharing the details on everything.

"It went really well honestly. We went to the food hall, we got food. We talked about formal things. We also joked around and got inside jokes. He mentioned his daughter this time, in a very sweet way." Akaashi recalled the best moments and smiled lightly at the recollection of the day. It began to feel as if he had known Bokuto for longer.

"What did you guys talk about though?" Sugawara tried to delve deeper into the topics. Though it wasn't a date, he was still interested in his best friend's potential love life.

"Family, high school, manga, athlete life, and just chill talk," Akaashi tried to summarize the long time they spent talking. He almost forgot to mention the most important detail, which could cause Sugawara to freak out. Man.

"He invited me over to his for tasting his homemade cocktail recipe," Akaashi added, to which Sugawara started laughing hysterically. Either, it was the word choice, or it was something else.

"He's keen on you. Mark my words, you should prepare yourself for a move. As in, you're free to accept or reject it. This might be an invitation home to, you know," Sugawara gasped at the escalation of the situation. Akaashi stared dead-faced at the wall. No cells in his body believed it. If it were to come, it would be easy to reject it regardless. No doubt.

"I disagree," Akaashi spoke, and Sugawara let out a confused sound. He swore Sugawara purposely gave false advice just to take revenge.

"Have you never heard of newly made friends suddenly inviting each other home? That's where Daichi and I made out for the first time. Daichi, too, was just nice and invited me to his home for dinner. I promise you, mark my words, those home invitations are dangerous," Sugawara spoke as seriously as ever. He wasn't lying or exaggerating. Though it was his and Daichi's story, Akaashi scoffed at the details and shook his head to himself.

After that, the phone call didn't last long. Akaashi sat alone in his tipsy state, thinking to himself. He despised his rational self still being available. He had nothing to blame for his next thoughts. Bokuto was a newly made friend and more attractive than average. He was undeniably handsome, whether one was young, old, female, male, human, or animal. His traits were a recipe for attraction.

Akaashi was lucky not to fall but imagined he was about to witness Bokuto's love life. He had witnessed Daichi and Sugawara getting together, ever since they've known each other since high school. He did expect Bokuto to bring up potential partners, getting asked on dates etcetera. They were growing closer after all. Perhaps it would be a topic for next time.

He blamed his tipsy state for repeating the statement of Bokuto's looks. Yes, the man was attractive. What was Akaashi to do with such information? His mind stopped there, and Akaashi could breathe in relief.

He could only look forward to, or get nervous for the next time they hung out. Moreover, Akaashi did hate how Sugawara's warning made it to the back of his head.
-
The next evening, Kuroo required answers.

"How did it go, did you have fun?" Kuroo asked after letting Bokuto put Yuki to sleep. It was painful for Kuroo to leave Kenma at home, but the smaller needed to rest due to some circumstances.

"Could ask you the same," Bokuto raised his eyebrow and smirked playfully. Kuroo raised his hand as a gesture for letting Bokuto share first.

"Nothing more than friends hanging out? What is the interesting part to tell?" Bokuto shrugged his shoulders and took a sip of his glass of water. Kuroo nodded in understanding.

"True, but doesn't mean you didn't have fun. I just care about whether you enjoyed yourself or not. Is he a nice friend?" Kuroo inquired, to which Bokuto smiled fondly as a non-verbal response.

"I enjoyed myself. He paid for dinner, though I tried to. We had a few drinks. Well, he did. He chugged the Sangria like spirit," Bokuto snorted at the memory and caused Kurooo to laugh lightly too.

"Christ, did he get drunk?" Kuroo had to ask and widened his eyes in anticipation of the response. Bokuto shook his head, crushing Kuroo's dreams.

"It would be so fuckin' funny if he just got drunk after your second meeting," Kuroo laughed and slapped his knee at the pure imagination. Bokuto shook his head in disapproval but proceeded regardless.

"Your turn, how did everything go for you?" Bokuto asked. Kuroo chose what to share, and not to share. He was mostly very open. He saw Bokuto as a literal brother and a best friend in one. Kuroo had nothing to hide or tone down. He would only protect Kenma from any graphic details.

"I honestly snuck up to him while he was gaming. I was just sweet to him while he was shooting people, you know. After Kozu was done, I tried to look seductive you know. Like, wear that look. I failed completely since I was unsure. I was doubting whether it would work. The lack of confidence embarrassed me. Jesus, I blew it," Kuroo told the details, to which Bokuto nodded with an empathetic expression.

"Well, Kozu picked up on it. He was like, what's going on? I swear, my thoughts and insecurities were talking to me. Aren't you too old for this? What if you aren't hot enough to seduce him anymore? What if it's cringe? You know? I almost wanted to cry, I was fucking embarrassed. Kozume didn't even know my thoughts. Here I was, nearly crying. I didn't. I just gulped and had it together," Kuroo sighed heavily and shook his head in embarrassment. Bokuto placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder, before quietly listening.

"Anyway, instead of telling him, I just asked. I just asked, Kozume, have you had a low drive lately? I was like, should we take a pause from sex if you'd prefer that. I was so scared it sounded like I was blaming him, or guilt trips him. Honestly Koutarou, I needed to get it out that way. If I just know that we're taking a break from sex, I'll deal with it. I won't mind knowing, you know? Everything is easier when you have a yes or no," Kuroo explained. Bokuto nodded in agreement and would respond. However, it was Kuroo's turn to talk. Bokuto encouraged him to talk, and let it out.

"Kozume's expression changed. He just said no. I was so scared he disagreed just to please me. Who wants their partner to consent to sex just for their partner's sake? That's not how consent works. I want him to want it and enjoy it. Well, he took initiative. I was mentally knocked back. Well, then I looked back at him. I swear to you, I was frozen. I didn't expect him to have that look in his eyes. It was intense. He made me shut up, without saying anything. Kozume told me we would explain afterward. I didn't deny it, because we just went at it. We went at it," Kuroo narrated with raised eyebrows upon recalling every second of that night.

"Keep in mind, Kozume didn't know my thoughts or feelings. I just asked him whether he'd prefer a break from sex. It turned out to be... amazing. I thought I was high and shit. I can't put it into words. It was amazing because both of us went all in. Anyway, next. I just asked him whether it was okay still. Kozume knows me inside-out. He didn't hesitate to ask me what was wrong. We talked about it, I let it all out. I was basically sharing like, Kozume, am I too old to be as hot as I used to be? That was my main issue. Kozume made me feel stupid afterward, with his beautiful speech. He just debunked every single insecurity I had. I could just cry from how much I love him, to be honest," Kuroo ended the recollection with a heartfelt smile.

Bokuto was smitten and in admiration of how much his best friend loved his boyfriend. It was beautiful to watch his eyes gain the deep stare filled with love and devotion.

"I'm happy for you," Bokuto squeezed his shoulder again, to which Kuroo only thanked him nearly quietly.

"Tetsu, I have to be honest here. I'm just asking for both of you's sake. Why the hell haven't you proposed yet?" Bokuto didn't conceal or sugarcoat the question. His expression turned dumbfounded and confused, while Kuroo rolled his eyes.

"One can live with another without marriage. It's such a pain in the ass. Taxes and finances change. You should know how tough taxes are," Kuroo referred to the times when he helped Bokuto with it. Bokuto only shook his head at the heartless blackmail.

"I get it. The laws for married couples work differently with owning things, finances, taxes, joint bank accounts, etc. Still, you could make this an experience. I'm pretty sure poor Kozume has given up on ever thinking about marriage. Or else, he would've proposed to you a long time ago," Bokuto pointed out. Kuroo sighed heavily at the painful thought and frowned slightly. Could his boyfriend care about it?

"Is there anything you wouldn't do for Kenma? You already know you want to spend the rest of your life with him. Shit like finances and taxes are something you can figure out with him. You have lawyers, you have literal workers who help you through it. I'm not telling you you have to propose. You can just live together without being married. I'm just getting rid of your stupid doubts, so you can actually think about it. If you don't want a marriage, that's fair. Don't shy away from it for dumb reasons. That's all," Bokuto shrugged his shoulders. Kuroo kept looking down, and clearly, he was lost in his thoughts. Bokuto had many points, which Kuroo hated to admit.

"When are you hanging out with Akaashi next," Kuroo changed the subject 180, but Bokuto didn't mind responding. He scoffed at Kuroo's terrible attempt at shooing away the topic.

"I don't know, I'm thinking of inviting him here for homemade dinner and drinks. You remember the peach cocktail?" Bokuto referred to his homemade recipe, to which Kuroo nodded fondly. He was a big fan of Bokuto's drinks.

"Yeah, he's into trying it. I was thinking of leaving Yuki in your care, or some of her friends' parents, or my family you know. I don't think it's a good idea to let Yuki meet Akaashi so fast. Even if he's just a friend. What if we stop hanging together? Yuki's gonna be like, where is uncle Kaashi" Bokuto imitated her, though his voice was less cute. Kuroo chuckled but nodded in agreement. It was best not to let her get attached to individuals who might leave.

"True. I'll take her, and I do want to meet this Akaashi guy. I'll definitely be early to say hello, maybe," Kuroo hummed in thought. Bokuto rolled his eyes, but couldn't deny his best friend his right to visit.

"I'll text him about the visit and see when he's available," Bokuto nodded to himself. Kuroo agreed, and let the topic rest. After an evening of talking, they both agreed to watch a series for fun and zoning out.

Kuroo zoned out, thinking about his boyfriend. He admitted it felt wrong to call Kenma his boyfriend when he was more than that. Kuroo hated to be grouped with couples who were just couples. It did them justice to be fiances or husbands. If he were to propose, it would take a lot of thought and planning.

The TV's dialogues were left alone. Kuroo rested his head on Bokuto's shoulder, while Bokuto decided to text Akaashi.

Me: I'm not letting you off the hook by trying my cocktail B)

Me: You can answer this whenever, obviously. I do hope your notifications are off!

Me: Basically I was thinking this week. Wednesday and Thursday's practice, so Friday does work. It's a good day to have a drink too.

Akaashi Keiji: I'll remember to turn off my notifications next time,

Me: I'M SO SORRY I PROBABLY SHOULD'VE THOUGHT ABOUT THAT,

Bokuto hissed upon realizing Akaashi might have woken up from his texts. He surely was surprised at how early he went to bed but didn't complain about a good routine.

Akaashi Keiji: Don't worry about it! I was brushing my teeth before bed. You had good timing :)

Me: Christ, my heart was going to die. I'm happy I didn't wake you or anything.

Akaashi Keiji: No no, it's okay.

Before Bokuto knew it, Akaashi sent a random picture of himself with a toothbrush in his mouth. Bokuto chuckled at his expressionless friend