few months later, and bokuto and akaashi never talked again. when they pass by each other, they both keep their heads down, scared to make eye contact. students have wondered what happened to the two of them. months ago, they were inseparable. eating lunch together. walking home together.

bokuto has never seen the younger smile fully. he's only seen chuckles, grins. but never the sincere smile. and bokuto has never expected that the younger would like him, and confess it that easily. if it was him, he'd never leave alone the person he likes, but wouldn't properly confess.

-

"konoha," bokuto starts. "i got a problem." as soon as he says it, konoha starts laughing so loud that students outside class 3-1 can hear it. "i knew it!" bokuto hushes him, embarrassed that people might hear about his crush.

"he likes me too. but i haven't confessed, and it's been a few months. i don't know if he still likes me." bokuto sees his friend's expression. he looks like a fool, with his wide eyes and opened mouth. "i know, i'm stupid. but i just realized, like two months ago!" konoha shakes his head, from how dumb his friend is.

"just go to him, man. just talk, before he actually forgets you." bokuto nods, biting his fingernails from nervousness.

-

"hey. uh, is akaashi here?" bokuto approaches a second year. "oh, he actually called in sick today. he's not here." the second year responds. "oh, thank you." the third year walks away, only thinking about how akaashi is doing.

-

"good evening, mrs. akaashi. is keiji around?" akaashi's mom opens the door for the teenage boy and lets him. "yes, but he's sick. he's usually grumpy when he's sick, but go on up, sweetheart. just make sure not to get sick, alright?" akaashi's mom smiles at him. he really looks like his son.

bokuto knocks three times. when he hears the other say, "come inside." with a cough, he immediately goes inside the room. "bokuto-san?" the older sighs when he sees how akaashi looks. lying on his bed, it's obvious he's sick, but still so so beautiful. "akaashi." bokuto calls, with a frown on his face.

"how are you feeling? do you need anything? have you eaten? don't forget to take your medicine." bokuto ignores the look on akaashi's face. "you really are grumpy when you're sick." the older scratches his head. "water. water, please." the older rushes to get water.

bokuto sits at the side of akaashi's bed and fixes his pillow to sit him up. the younger stares at him, with furrowed eyebrows. "i've never seen you like that. you know, with that look on your face. it's like you hate me." bokuto laughs, but it's obvious it's fake. akaashi's face softens. "i'm sorry, bokuto-san." the other laughs, for real this time. "i miss hearing you call my name."

"are you turning red because you're sick, or because you got butterflies from what i said?" the older teases the sick teenager, earning a glare from him. "you're cute." bokuto teases more. "stop it. i'm gonna kick you out of this house."

"i missed you, keiji." bokuto says, now with a serious look on his face, looking directly into akaashi's eyes. "bokuto-san. stop playing with me just because i like you, okay?" akaashi plays with his fingers, coughing once or twice. the other takes his fingers and holds it like it's the most fragile thing ever.

"i would never play with you, pretty." bokuto whispers and kisses akaashi's hands. the younger shakes, a weird feeling in his throat. then he feels the older inching closer. "bokuto-san, you might get sick." bokuto holds akaashi's face, and stares at his lips.

"then i'd get sick. can i kiss you?" they stare at each other, before the younger nods. and their lips meet each other. bokuto moves his head to the right, akaashi moves his to the left. the younger's hold on bokuto's shirt tighten. they're both loving what they're doing. loving each others' lips. loving each other's love.

"i like you. please go out with me." the older whispers, still holding akaashi's face. the younger nods, "yes. yes." he smiles.

and that is the first time bokuto kotaro has seen akaashi keiji smile fully.