Soulmates were irritating. Or rather, soulmates were fine, but people's notions about what having a soulmate meant was absolutely exasperating. Or at least Akaashi thought so.

A soulmate was a result of the soul identifying the person(s) most compatible with their own soul and manifesting in the form of that person's name appearing somewhere on their body. People didn't always get each other's names on both of them since what was perfect for one person wasn't always what was best for the other. But just because a combination wasn't absolutely perfect didn't mean that it wasn't still really good. That maybe there wasn't a perfect pair for everyone. Or that people could be perfect for each other in different ways. A concept that some people couldn't seem to grasp.

Akaashi frowned down at his volleyball uniform and traced the number 5 stitched into the fabric. Every time he looked at it he was reminded of the way that Bokuto had refused to take the #1 even though he was captain because he wanted their numbers to be next to each other. That he had convinced the team that Akaashi should be vice captain despite the fact that he was only a second year and that vice captains were typically third years because there was no one better suited to be by his side. And to Akaashi's embarrassment the whole team had agreed, though several of them shot him sly grins.

He wondered how many people on the team knew that Akaashi was Bokuto's soulmate. Bokuto certainly didn't know. You'd never be able to see it unless you were standing over him quite close staring at him from behind while his hair was spiked. Then, if you were paying attention and standing at exactly the right angle you might see the elegant black calligraphy of his name behind Bokuto's ear.

"Keiji, you need any breakfast?" asked Akaashi's father peering into his room from the open door, "I made some simple stuff for your mom before she leaves for work and there some extra if you'd like some?"

"That'd be perfect, thanks." Said Akaashi letting the frown slip from his face into a soft smile for his father. After he'd left, Akaashi finished gathering his clean volleyball gear and packing it into his bag. Taking a deep breath Akaashi hefted the strap of the bag over his shoulder and headed down the stairs. He had a feeling today would be a long day: Kenma texted him that Kuroo apparently was going to break the news of their somewhat unusual relationship to the owl haired boy, something that was sure to throw Bokuto off a bit… whether into a state of distracted giddiness or agitation Akaashi wasn't sure. Not to mention the conversation Akaashi planned on having with his parents this morning.

"Good morning Keiji." His mother nodded to him when he entered the room. Her face didn't change but there was a slight softening to her eyes that Akaashi had learned to recognize over the years. He took after his mother in many ways after all.

"Good morning mom, thanks for the food." Said Akaashi sitting down and quickly checking the clock to make sure that he was still on schedule.

"Thank your father. He's the one who made everything, he wouldn't let me do a thing." His mother told him as she sipped her tea.

"No need for a kitchen fire so early in the morning." His father teased setting down the food and settling between them. His mother shot him a look but did not disagree. Akaashi's father hummed happily as he began to eat winking over at Akaashi as his mother pursed her lips and began to serve herself as well. His father often joked that he must have been blessed by the gods of fortune to get to spend everyday with the two most beautiful people in the world and Akaashi's mother would send Akaashi an exasperated look when his father wasn't looking. But Akaashi had always known that his mother adored his father.

His parents were not soulmates. His father had been her shy neighbor who'd sometimes shared his home cooked meals and made sure his mom didn't perish from crappy instant food while she worked on getting her PhD. Akaashi's father joked that she'd fallen in love with his cooking long before she noticed him. Akaashi's mother would shrug and smile mysteriously. Both his parents had other people's names written on them but they had been happily married for years now.

"Trust in what is good in practice, not just theory." Akaashi's mother would always tell him.

Akaashi held that truth close to his heart.

"Mom, Dad, do you have a moment before you go?" asked Akaashi picking through his food.

"For you, always Keiji." His father said earnestly. His mother said nothing but Akaashi could tell he had her absolute attention.

"My soulmate's name has recently appeared." Said Akaashi touching the hollow of his collarbone where the name was printed under his shirt. His father straightened immediately but his mother's face remained unreadable, "I will be keeping it concealed for now, nor am I making it public knowledge, but I'd like you two to know all the same."

"Thank you for telling us Keiji, I am honored that you chose to trust us." Said Akaashi's mother simply tilting her head seriously, "Know that if you ever need advice or support we will try to be here for you."

"I know." Said Akaashi dipping his head in acknowledgment.

"Is it someone you know?" asked his father who was nearly twitching with curiosity.

"Yes." Nodded Akaashi continuing to eat.

"Is it someone we know?" pressed his father.

"No." said Akaashi simply.

"…are you going to invite them over?" asked his father in slight exasperation when he didn't offer any more information. The corner of Akaashi's mother's mouth twitched in the hint of a smile.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility." Akaashi vaguely. When his father heaved an obvious sigh Akaashi fixed him with a look, "I am not interested in a romantic relationship with them so stop fretting."

"Ah," said Akaashi's father looking relieved, "You know when you started talking Keiji, I thought you were going to tell us that you and that Bokuto kid were dating."

"That would be nice news." Agreed Akaashi easily, partially because it was true and partially because he enjoyed the way that it made his father splutter as Akaashi gathered up his dishes, "Thank you again for the food, you two have a good day at work."

"You too Keiji, and say hello to Bokuto for me." Said Akaashi's mother her face carefully composed but a smile in her eye.

"I will." Promised Akaashi letting himself out the door before his father could start whining.

The walk to Bokuto's house was not too far from his house so he always stopped by there first. Otherwise their captain would never be on time for morning practice. Surprisingly Bokuto's family was fairly traditional in comparison to Akaashi's. His parents were truemates and high school sweethearts to boot that doted on their children. He had two younger siblings and their house always seemed to be in some sort of happy sort of chaos.

"Akaashiiiiiiii!" screeched Bokuto's little sister throwing open the door before he even knocked and hugging him around the middle.

"Hello," Akaashi greeted her with a smile patting her head, "Your brother up yet?"

"Nooope!" she said popping her 'p' as she grinned toothily at him dragging him inside, "I even jumped on him to wake him up twice! He threw pillows at me!"

"I'd better go get him then, you go tell your mom I am here." Said Akaashi gently pushing her away.

"Okay!" she agreed brightly running down the hall in search of her mother. Akaashi climbed the stairs up to the captain's room wondering not for the first time if Bokuto had been like that as a child as well.

Bokuto room was as chaotic as the rest of his life. Akaashi didn't think any studying actually happened at his desk for it was pilled high with random knickknacks and household items. Dirty laundry was piled high in the corner and clean laundry was in a basket in front of his drawers but not quite in the drawers. Bokuto himself was sprawled face first on his bed in his boxers the sculpted form of his appearance apparent even at his most relaxed.

Akaashi contemplated throwing the glass of water that was on the bedside table over him, but decided that would be too mean. After all, he would probably murder someone if they ever dared to do that to him. Instead Akaashi shook one of Bokuto's bare shoulders.

"Bokuto, wake up. You're going to make us late again." Akaashi chided him.

"Frick! Akaashi your hands are cold!" Bokuto startled awake, jerking away.

"Don't go back to sleep." Was all Akaashi answered.

"Have mercy…" groaned Bokuto before sitting up and stretching shamelessly, the muscles along his upper body flexing in a way the was hard to look away from and made warmth creep to the tips of Akaashi's ears, "Hang on let me go to the bathroom then I'll get ready faster than you can blink!"

Akaashi nodded wordlessly and turned away. He was once again thankful that he could keep his face composed as Bokuto ambled away. Or at least that Bokuto hadn't noticed that he flushed easily pretty much everywhere but his face when he was embarrassed or flustered. Akaashi closed his eyes and tried not to think about how pretty Bokuto was like this, his hair down and messy with its white and black streaks. Tried not to wonder what it would be like to run his fingers through it before Bokuto geld it stiff. He bet it would be soft and feathery.

Akaashi frowned.

"Keiji, there you are! I am so glad you're here, I don't know what my son would do without you. Sorry our house is such a mess right now!" said Bokuto's mother bustling in to greet him without ceremony, her tawny eyes bright as her son's and her round cheeks flushed from a morning of trying to get her rowdy brood ready for school.

"It is no trouble." Said Akaashi politely. For some reason he always felt a little uncertain around Bokuto's mother. Perhaps it was the way that she seemed to adore him without reserve since the moment he'd walked through her door. Perhaps it was some apprehension about what would happen if she discovered who her son's soulmate was, what with the way she was so absolutely devoted to her truemate. Or maybe she already did know and that was the reason for the secret warmth in her smile.

"Mama are you harassing Akaashi again?" complained Bokuto as he wandered back in.

"Koutarou! Put some clothes on this instant! You have company." She scolded him immediately with her hands on her hips.

"Mama, it's Akaashi," said Bokuto rolling his eyes, "We all change in the lockers together it's not like it's anything new- ow!"

"Manners." Bokuto mother said firmly pinching his cheek. Akaashi tried not to chuckle and failed causing Bokuto to send him a betrayed look, "Now go put on your uniform, I've got it hanging in the washroom. You left in a pile on the floor and I had to iron it to get those wrinkles out!"

"Yes Mama." Bokuto pouted as he obeyed.

"Oh that little owlet of mine is so all over the place I don't know how you manage him Keiji." Sighed Bokuto's mother fondly. Akaashi wasn't sure how to respond to that but he was saved the awkwardness by Bokuto's little siblings loudly squabbling downstairs. She gave Akaashi a final smile and then hurried away.

Akaashi busied himself making sure that Bokuto had all his stuff for volleyball practice. And that it was clean, which was a harder task.

"Ah man, you didn't have to do that." Bokuto said when he returned, this time in his uniform with his hair spiked in its usual fashion.

"You need to do laundry." was all Akaashi replied. Bokuto grimaced in what was probably agreement as he grabbed his bags. Akaashi noted that his shirt was untucked and his tie so sloppily done that his fingers twitched with the need to adjust it… He refrained: his control wasn't the best in the mornings and Bokuto also looked half asleep still.

"Mama! We're headed off!" Bokuto hollered as they made their way out the door.

"Okay, have a good day!" they heard her call from the depths of the house. Akaashi took a deep breath of the quiet air as they started walking, his eyes drooping slightly savoring the way their shoulders sometimes brushed as they moved.

"Man, thanks for picking me up. I totally slept through my alarm." Bokuto groaned rubbing his eyes. Akaashi noted how dark the shadows were underneath them with concern.

"It's no trouble." Said Akaashi again in a much softer tone than the one he'd used for his mother.

"Hmm, me and Kuroo got to *yawn* talking way late." Said Bokuto yawning widely before staring unseeingly in front of him. Akaashi watched him closely trying to decipher his tone.

"I know." Said Akaashi finally. When Bokuto blinked at him in surprise he added, "Kenma told me."

"Ah right… I keep forgetting that you guys talk." Said Bokuto frowning before he licked his lips nervously, "So… Does that mean you know?"

"Know which?" asked Akaashi vaguely.

"About… you know, the soulmate thing and about them being official now." Bokuto said waving his head broadly.

"Pretty sure they don't want you spreading that around." Commented Akaashi looking away, "But yes, I did know."

Had known for a while now, but Bokuto didn't need to know that.

"Man… They're pretty brave. I am mean, I am really happy for them. Kuroo says they're not doing the normal relationship thing… kinda just how they've always been but now there's words to it. I am not sure I really get it, but it seems like it works for them so I guess it's all good… I dunno, they're just really brave." Said Bokuto and there was a hint of wistfulness about his tone that made Akaashi's chest a bit tight.

"Why?" asked Akaashi after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Why do you think that makes them really brave?" Akaashi clarified. He was pretty sure he knew, but he wanted to hear him acknowledge it anyway. Maybe he was masochistic.

"Well, you know… They're getting together when they don't know yet who Kuroo's soulmate is. What if it's not Kenma? Kuroo's my bro and I just want him to be happy… and I think he really loves Kenma. It'd really suck if it turns out he's supposed to be with someone else right?" said Bokuto uncertainly scratching his head.

"…I don't think it will matter much to Kuroo or Kenma if he ends up with someone else's name." said Akaashi putting his hands in his pockets so Bokuto couldn't see the way they were clenched. He knew this was the way Bokuto thought of the world, yet the hurt always seemed to catch him be surprise.

"Yeah, Kuroo said that too." Said Bokuto frowning. He glanced at Akaashi with a conflicted look, "but if they're not meant for each other then… then that that isn't it?"

"They care for each other, I think they will work though whatever obstacles they come across." Said Akaashi, and suddenly it didn't feel so much like they were talking about Kenma and Kuroo anymore, "Their relationship has always been very strong. I do not think there is much that could shake it."

"It got shaken when Kuroo found out about Kenma's soulmark." Bokuto pointed out in a soft tone that was slightly out of character for him. Akaashi held his gaze firmly, felt all the uncertain swirling emotions there. Reaffirmed in himself that he had made the right decision in not telling Bokuto about his own soulmark. He'd be thrown into utter turmoil by the knowledge.

"Yes. But that was for reasons other than it being a soulmark and more to do with the trust and openness of their relationship." Akaashi argued firmly.

"Maybe…" Bokuto said uncertainly licking his lips and looked away. Akaashi sighed.

He truly could not see a way forward that would make them both happy.

Unless he could somehow change Bokuto's mind before he figured out the truth.