"Kouki, why don't you join my team?" Akashi asks, a lingering stare on him.
"I don't think—I mean, um..." Furihata stumbled his words, desperately wracking his brain for a reason to politely decline. It's not that he didn't want to, but rather it didn't feel right to him. It's only been a few months since he'd gotten a chance to get comfortable with Akashi and his friends. But there was only so much he can do and right now he's not confident enough in his skills to join them.
"I can't. I have to study for this upcoming test" Furihata says smoothly, hoping he was convincing enough. Though, the guilt was slowly creeping up from behind him. They were good company, no doubt and he didn't want to seem indifferent towards them.
"Oh?" Akashi hums in response. An excitement in his eyes began to form "I can tutor you, if you'd like..." he trails off, but his eyes still on him "...I'm sure I can be of help, no matter the subject"
Furihata stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the situation. Agreeing would mean a fifty percent chance of getting caught in his lie, and saying no would only make him look like an asshole. Especially towards Akashi, the guy has been nothing but be thoughtful of him. Already, his palms began to sweat under Akashi's expectant gaze. He had to answer, somehow.
Not really knowing what to say, Furihata began to speak only to be interrupted by an impatient voice.
"Oi, Akashi, hurry up already. We don't have all day" Aomine urges, his patience wearing thin as the seconds go by. "Just pick someone"
"I did" Akashi says, turning his head to face Aomine, an unreadable expression on him "But it's looking like a no so far."
Aomine turns to look at Furihata and smirks "him? Well, what'd ya expect?"
At that, Furihata frowns, he was about to defend his honor when Aomine continues his snarky remarks.
"Just cause you've been friendly with him, doesn't mean his fear of you will go away. You scared him shitless back then" Aomine snorts, the grin on his face growing bigger as his mouth runs off, his amusement clear as day "With the scissors and—"
"No!" Furihata shouts suddenly. Audible gasps were heard in response and soon a surging wave of embarrassment reached him, his face feeling hot from the attention he caught as murmurs around them began to increase in volume.
"You're wrong Aomine-kun" Furihata continues, his voice surprisingly even "I'm not afraid anymore..." His eyes quickly dart between the crowd and then back at Akashi, whose expression remained unfazed, save for slight part of his lips. "—and it looks like you're gonna have to find two other people because Akashi's leaving with me" he boldly states, his glare unwavering against Aomine's gaze. Aomine's initial shock wore off and soon his lips curved to a smile.
"Petty"
Furihata took quick strides towards Akashi, aware of the eyes on him but he couldn't stop now. Akashi kept his gaze on him, silently but the relaxed features on Akashi were all Furihata needed to know that Akashi didn't mind one bit and so he took hold of Akashi's wrist and gave it a tug.
"Right?" He says, almost beggingly and ironically.
But instead of a definite of course, Akashi burst in a laugh. Much to Furihata's dismay because it only intensified the embarrassment. He quietly pleaded to Akashi in a whisper that he is serious.
If they hadn't caught everyone's attention, they did now. Kuroko and his friends came into view, all eyes on Akashi as they drew nearer.
"Akashichii? Did we miss something?" Kise asks, wearing confusion on his face, much like everyone else.
"Sei-chan! I thought you were looking for someone to fill a spot." Momoi says exasperated as she pouts at him. "The match is coming soon, we—
"Satsuki, I'll be taking today off. I'll make it up in the next session" Akashi states, letting Furihata pull him close as the heat on his wrist reminded him of his friend's embarrassment. "We're off"
•••
"Kouki"
Furihata wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. It wasn't meant to be a scene, all he wanted was to leave unnoticed. But instead did something entirely different.
"Kouki"
His feet landed heavy on the ground, trying to shake off the nervousness that lingered. He just had to walk far enough and—
"Kouki!"
Akashi,
He forgot about Akashi, he forgot about the iron clad grip he had on his wrists as he dragged him along. He turns to face him, their eyes meeting instantly and Furihata's flustered face contrasted Akashi's composed look albeit concerned. Furihata's eyes lowered to his hand and instantly let go of Akashi's wrist. The faint outline of where his hand used to be made him feel worse.
"I'm sorry" He says quietly, casting his eyes down in regret.
"What for?" Akashi asks, his voice calm while his eyes seemed to be on him.
"For whatever that was back there..." Furihata tries to explain but couldn't find the words to describe it. He sighs, staring at the wrist he held hostage a moment ago "...and for practically dragging you with me"
Akashi walked closer only stopping to stand right in front of him, he rests a hand on Furihata's shoulder "It's nothing and I don't hurt that easily, Kouki" Furihata found the courage to lift his head and was greeted with a warm smile.
"Um—yeah" he replies, barely managing to answer without sounding like a mess.
It was a peaceful walk to the station but it was too quiet, even for Akashi. Usually, there is always something to talk about whenever Akashi was with him or rather, Akashi always made sure there was never a prolonged silence between them. But this time was different. Following in tow, Furihata could only see the back of Akashi. He wondered if something was on his mind. He also wondered how Akashi was so ideal. Anyone who met Akashi probably had their self esteem shattered; educated, dedicated, and handsome, just to name a few. Furihata knows this because he experienced it. The feeling of crushing defeat just by standing next to him. He sighs but his monologue interrupted as he bumps into Akashi, cursing to himself for not paying attention.
"Sorry—"
"The train should be here in three minutes" Akashi says, turning towards him.
Furihata nodded. He gave his nose a rub when a tingle lingered.
"Kouki..." Akashi started, his eyes watching him closely "You've been out of sorts lately, is there something on your mind?"
Furihata could only offer an odd look because nothing came to mind "No, not really"
•••
Furihata unlocked the door, offering Akashi to enter. Though to Furihata's surprise, Akashi stood silently, staring at the space in front of them.
"Where's your mother?" He asks, "She's usually home isn't she?
"Oh, her friends called her and said they wanted to hang out. So I have the house to myself for today"
"We should celebrate then" Akashi smirks, though Furihata was sure it held no ill intent. Not like Aomine. "But not before studying"
With that, Furihata groans.
Furihata and Akashi took turns in showering. When Akashi came over, he often stayed until the next morning. He even brought a few extras one day and asked Furihata to keep them for such occasion. It was easier for him too. He didn't have to scavenge through his clothes to find clothes that could fit Akashi. It came as a surprise to Furihata that Akashi couldn't fit in his clothes. He figured they were the same size but unfortunately he forgot to realize just how broader his shoulders were and although he looks slim, he had a solid, toned body, muscles and all. It was another reason to feel jealous about as his stares at his own body. Furihata was lean but even though he does the same sport, he wasn't blessed with the same genes that accentuated his muscles.
Walking into the living room, he is immediately met with scene of Akashi staring at his test papers, his expression blank and hair damp.
"Kouki"
Furihata startled, even though he saw him first.
"These test grades are horrendous"
"Th–those are practice tests" Furihata states, feeling flustered. It was bad enough that Furihata knew he was nowhere near Akashi's level but it's a different situation Akashi could see for himself. Though he might have known already. The fact was no secret after all. Furihata sat next to him, urging him to give them back but Akashi was relentless.
"Kouki, if you're having trouble remembering the steps, it's best to write them out each time until you become numb to it..."
Akashi began to lecture. Furihata did try his best to follow along but somewhere in the middle he got lost and was now left to respond with "oh's" and "okay's" He didn't want to bother asking Akashi because he doesn't even know what he doesn't know.
"...Look here, you were on the right track but forgot to follow the order of the placements of A's, B's and C's into the equation. And here, you could have easily—
"Akashi" Furihata interrupted, feeling his brain shutting down "um, can we take a break?"
Akashi stares for a while, then slowly coming into a realization "My apologies, I was too engrossed, I hadn't tried to ask if you had understood it, I forgot to keep tabs on the student" Akashi scoffs at himself, "I was suppose to be teaching, not rambling on"
Furihata shook his head, happily grabbing the papers and pencils from Akashi to clean them up, or rather to finally hide them somewhere in hopes Akashi would forget about the whole tutor thing for the night because his brain is done and over with.
"No, it's not your fault Akashi, I'm just not talented in academics" It was definitely something you wouldn't want to mention to a person you admire but it was the truth.
"This wasn't the reason for you declining earlier, isn't it?"
Akashi caught him off guard and he went still. Dead silence passed by them making the atmosphere increasingly uncomfortable. Furihata knew he could never get away with telling a lie to Akashi.
"No..." He starts, fidgeting in place and unable to look Akashi in the eye. "I-I just didn't feel confident enough to play with you and your friends"
"And why is that?" Akashi probes, his eyes continuing to boar into Furihata like daggers "are you still uncomfortable around me?"
"W-what?—n-noo, of course not—"
"I know my actions wasn't entirely civil back then, but I assure you, there's nothing for you to be afraid of"
Furihata could see the guilt ooze from Akashi, his eyes no longer gazing at him but on the ground. His hand fiddling around with his shirt seemingly out of nervousness. If he ever knew insecure in raw form, he was staring at it and he could only smack himself for making Akashi feel this way. Furihata never knew Akashi was still hung on his behavior back then, one he had already apologized for countless times. And seeing him continue to blame himself made his chest tight.
"I apologize, I—
Furihata quickly interrupted, a hand covering Akashi's lips "No, don't apologize..." Furihata starts, his eyes bore into Akashi as a sudden wave of confidence wash over him "If you apologize then you're apologizing for all those times we talked and had fun and became friends—I don't regret meeting you the way I did"
A nervous laugh escaped Akashi's lips, his brows knitting together as his eyes scanned Furihata's expression as though looking for a twitch to give away a facade "You don't mean that, you—"
And Furihata knew this all too well. Akashi always looked for signs to debunk his words, making it feel as though Akashi always second guessed a person's intention.
"Trust me" Furihata eased, a pitch in his voice that demanded to be heard while his arms tightened around Akashi from the hug he initiated "I appreciate you"
Furihata could feel the tension leave Akashi's shoulders, the atmosphere becoming fuzzy with every waking minute. He wasn't about to let go, afraid Akashi would use that opportunity to slip back. But also, because he couldn't let go. The ringing in his ears began to increase, feeling a blood rush at the warm contact. The smell of Akashi was apparent, crisp and clean and lightly sweet. It was pleasing be this close to Akashi, he always seemed to have this calming aroma around him that seemed to echo words of comfort implicitly. And Furihata loved to bask in it.
"Kouki" Akashi says lightly, almost in a whisper. His arms wrapped around Furihata and fingers lightly brushing against his back. "I don't mind this..." he says and Furihata cuddled closer afraid of letting go "...but aren't you hungry?"
Furihata sunk his face deeper into Akashi's neck where his scent was the strongest but he knew they couldn't stay like this forever and so he nods his head in agreement. Unwillingly, Furihata let go. His disappointment clear as day as the sudden rush of cold air replaced the heat on his chest.
"I'll make dinner" Akashi says to which Furihata nodded. Not trusting his voice to refrain from complaining. Instead, he was left to watch Akashi's form make its way to the kitchen.
It's been a while now since Akashi left and feeling lonesome, Furihata brought his knees to his chest. His thoughts stuck on the contact but it was abruptly put to an end as the vibration from his phone startled him.
A text message from Kuroko, it read:
"Furihata-kun please don't spoil Akashi-kun, we still need him for the upcoming match. I'm afraid I won't be able to escape momoi's wrath any longer if this continues"
Furihata grins. It wasn't his idea to pull Akashi from them but his interaction with Aomine left him a little sour. And so, wearing pettiness in all it's glory he sent a reply:
"I'll try but no promises"
"What's with the grin, Kouki?" Akashi's voice filled his ears, a heat slowly rising to his cheeks feeling as though he just got caught in some way.
"N-nothing, um..." Furihata trails off, but then a thought came to him, saving him from having to answer "By the way, who are you guys going up against?"
"Jabberwock" Akashi says, his voice suddenly dropping cold. He walked closer, placing the plates of omelette rice from his hand to the Kotatsu in front of them. Furihata offered a confused look and as Akashi saw, he continued " A rematch"
Feeling the atmosphere grow tense, Furihata swallows the lump his his throat, regretting he ever asked. He knew about Jabberwocky and how they rudely disrespected the effort and pride of team Strky's when they lost to them. He felt himself grow angry at the time too, it seemed they had no respect for the country at all as though they were the mightiest of men. Akashi may have suffered from something similar but in no way was Akashi ever condescending. Or atleast, he wasn't open with it, like the time when Akashi was faced before him during the Winter Cup. Not a word of discontent from him but instead an observatory stare.
And when he'd heard Akashi's team won against them, he was more than ecstatic despite being unable to attend to the game himself as he was stuck retaking a test. It sucked not having to watch Akashi play but their win was enough for him. It meant Akashi and his former teammates were finally able to play together after years of going against each other. And by Kuroko's text to him at the time, he figured everything went well.
"I'll make sure to be there this time around" Furihata manages to say, his hands playing with the fork in hand "I'm sure you'll win again"
Akashi's expression is unreadable but he was sure a smile was there "Yes, and perhaps even better this time..." Akashi turns to his plate, taking a bite off of the food " And I'd like to see you there as well..." Akashi lifts his gaze towards his "or else I'll hold you accountable"
Furihata went stiff at Akashi's tone. He didn't think Akashi minded his absence in the first game because he never spoke an ounce of complaint. But luckily enough, Akashi's expression grow soft, chuckling to himself as he watched Furihata's expression turn from grim to bewilderment and finally, relief "I was kidding Kouki, but I do hope you make it this time"
Furihata grabs the nearest pillow and chucks it at Akashi.
