Hello! This is my first Haikyuu! fanfiction ever, so I apologize in advance if it seems amateurish. Once I got involved and invested into the series and fandom, I felt compelled to write something that I could really devote to publish. With that said, I'm human, so any typos or grammatical errors are possible. I apologize in advance, as well.

I have a lot of the story mapped out and have a clear vision of where exactly I want it to go. I'll try to be disciplined when it comes to updates, along with trying to stay true to the characters themselves.

This will be a Multi-Chapter story arc along with a Multi-Pairing.

Rated M, for mature situations and themes.

And of course, I do not own Haikyuu! or/and the characters.

Please enjoy!

Spite & Dogma

Chapter 1: Certainty

Of past infatuations and future plans

December 18th

Kuroo

It was a beautiful ring, with a sleek white gold band and a small inner band of minuscule sapphires and diamonds at the center. Kuroo Tetsurou tilted and turned the shining band with puckered lips and a furrowed brow as Bokuto stood aside looking back and forth from his best bro to the metal in his hands. If anyone had decided to walk into the men's bathroom it might have been mistaken as the worst proposal in history. The former Fukurodani captain was in a cold sweat, waiting for Kuroo to give him his most honest opinion. The ravenhead was being thorough, trying to find any imperfection that might embarrass Bokuto when he decided to pop the question to his longtime boyfriend. Finding none, Kuroo raised his dark eyes to his friend's, a smile breaking across his face as he placed the ring back in its velvet box and into the Bokuto's hand.

"It's perfect," Kuroo said warmly, a loud stream of hoots erupting from the bulky man beside him as he took the box back.

"Right!? It's so fitting for him, huh?" The pepper-haired man squealed. He was so happy for his friend, grinning from ear to ear as his bro bounced up and down. Bokuto Koutarou was not only a prime member for the Japanese national volleyball team, he was a stone cold romantic. Kuroo's positive Bokuto's been dreaming about marrying his younger counterpart since meeting the setter back in middle school. He was happy for him—for them both—but Kuroo's excitement felt underwhelming.

"Bro, he's going to love it."

"Yeah?"

"Man, if you were so worried about it, why didn't you ask me to go with you to buy it?" Kuroo gestured towards himself. He watched a small blush forming on Bokuto's ears, contrasting against his black and white hair dramatically.

"Well, honestly, I wasn't even planning on getting a ring."

A long pause followed, the former middle blocker's deadpanned expression making Bokuto anxious.

"Explain," Kuroo finally replied.

"Uh," Bokuto started, "Well, I was just getting some takeout after practice the other day. Then when I got to the restaurant, the..there was a couple celebrating their anniversary," He laughed shakily, "Apparently they had their first date there. And I thought," he paused, smiling at the box in his hand gently, "I really wanted that." He shrugged his shoulders as he tilted his head.

"So, you spontaneously bought a ring?" Kuroo raised a brow.

"Well yeah! What else are you supposed to do when the universe gives you a sign? Ignore it?"

"The universe?"

"What else would it be!? Plus, I found the ring at a jeweler right across the street of the restaurant," he smiled slyly at Kuroo, "So yes, the universe."

"No, no, I was just wondering, is all. I'm," he smiled back, genuinely, "I'm so happy for you, Bo." Kuroo spread his arms wide open, waiting for impact. Bokuto hugged him fiercely, picking him up with his larger build. Kuroo hugged back with the same gusto, patting his friend's shoulder. "I'm beyond happy for you both. You two deserve this," Kuroo adds. Bokuto put him down and straightened his tie after patting his side pocket, making sure the velvety box hadn't disappeared.

"Well you better be, best man!" Bokuto exclaimed. Kuroo raised his brow again, almost questioning if he heard him right. Bokuto's expressive smile grew as he nodded his head towards him. Kuroo nodded, accepting the offer.

"Best man?"

"Best man," the wing spiker repeated.

"Hmm, I think I like the sound of that."

"That's what I'm talking about, bro!" Bokuto started bouncing again, shaking the dark haired man's shoulders with each jump. "Fuck man, I'm about to be engaged! I'm about to—" he paused, ceasing all bouncing, "Akaashi...is going to be my fiance."

Oh god, the glow. Kuroo almost had to look away from Bokuto who just radiated with joy. Instead, he clasped his hand onto the burly man's shoulder and silently wondered if this kind of bliss was contagious.

"Well, the best man says that maybe you should probably get back to your future fiance's side before they send a search party for the two of us, yeah?"

"Good idea," Bokuto nodded, shaking his limbs of any jitters and started walking to the door, then turned quickly back to Kuroo. "You really think he'll like it?" he asked, his nervousness sneaking back to the surface. "You think he'd want to marry me?"

Exasperated, Kuroo pushed him out of the bathroom.

They walked back to the main dining room of the restaurant then headed to a smaller private room to the side. Even from the main room, the pair could clearly make out their loud friends who had gathered for Akaashi's and Kageyama's joint birthday celebration.

Around the room, men and women laughed and cursed at high volume as others talked within small groups, everyone being acquainted with everyone else throughout the years of mutual friendships and volleyball. They watched on as their friends moved from one conversation to another; friends from different careers and once different teams. The two men looked around the splendor of drunks trying to find one in particular.

Then, Kuroo pointed to one end of the room where a small group was talking amongst themselves. Consisting of old and current setters, amongst them was the amiable dark haired beauty Akaashi Keiji talking to a shit faced Kageyama Tobio and a red Yahaba Shigeru. At that moment, Akaashi turned in their direction, a soft blush giving away how tipsy he probably was as well. Bokuto smiled at his direction as Kuroo watched the exchange.

They both looked so in love, so certain.

Remembering Bokuto's earlier question, Kuroo shook his head with a small smile.

"Honestly, I think that it was only a matter of time," Kuroo gave him a gentle push in Akaashi's direction, "Now go. Mustn't keep the birthday boy waiting."

Bokuto slowly started making his way towards his boyfriend, dodging and maneuvering past others stumbling through his path. Kuroo walked in the opposite direction, going toward the other end of the large communal table to where his small best friend currently sat next to his overly zealous orange haired boyfriend.

Kozume Kenma was currently on his phone, reading an article about some new game that was about to launch when Kuroo took his seat to his left. To his right, Hinata Shouyou was having a debate with Lev about predictions for this year's upcoming games with the national team. Kenma didn't even look up at his childhood friend, only raising a quizzical brow as he nodded his head as if asking what he wanted. Kuroo smiled at him, pushing the phone away from his face.

Kenma gave him a small sigh as he faced him with glassy eyes and red cheeks. Kuroo snorted, musing how a drunk Kenma was a temperamental Kenma, one you didn't want to piss off. His small friend kept to himself, but Kuroo had been a witness to an audacious Kenma before—one who isn't afraid to come out of his shell when intoxicated. Kuroo shivered slightly as he remembered the league tournament incident. Kuroo gave a defeated look and shook his head, muttering a soft 'nevermind,' allowing Kenma to go back to his phone.

He looked around the room again, wondering when he had made so many friends; people that impacted him or someone close to him in one way or another in a short span of a few years. He looked around and couldn't help but notice that the majority of his friends came as couples. Kuroo tried not to dwell on it, but couldn't help it. It probably had to do with the fact that two of his closest friends were about to be engaged while he was still going from one casual fling to another at an impressive rate.

He looked around to the cute couples that littered the small groups of conversations; Sawamura and Sugawara were talking with Kai and his girlfriend; Yaku held Lev's while ignoring most of his boyfriend's blabbering with Hinata; Inuoka had his cute date who he was smitten with; Matsukawa and Hanamaki were laughing at Oikawa getting hit by his best friend Iwaizumi (who were surprisingly not together against much speculation); and Ushijima calmly talking with Nishinoya, who was holding his liquor better than his partner Asahi.

There were a few more that the ravenhead didn't know too well, but Kuroo also took account of some fellow singles amongst the room. Tanaka and Yamamoto drinking together as they wallowed in their bachelor lives; Shimizu who seemed to amused as she listened to Shirofuku talk about her recent foodie experience; Konoha who came stag annoyingly glanced at his disgusting friend's PDA as he gulped down his sake.

And near the other end of the table sat a blushing Yachi sitting beside her long time boyfriend Yamaguchi as they talked pleasantly to the calm and collected—and very single—Tsukishima Kei.

Tsukishima Kei was by all accounts looking like he was having a decent time. Being someone that Kuroo recalled avoiding crowds and excessive group outings, he seemed to be enjoying himself amongst the splendor as he talked to his friends. Kuroo sipped his water as he watched Tsukishima cover his mouth when he chuckled at some joke his cute blonde friend had said.

He felt like it had been too long since he's heard him laugh.

Recognizing the slight haziness in his eyes and the easy smile he had temporarily decided to sport, Kuroo was confident the tall blond was well drunk.

Kuroo remembered the many times he'd seen the same look throughout the years since they've known each other. Sometimes in public at parties like this one, and other times in private, when they would end up at Kuroo's place and pull out old trivia and argue until morning. Back then they had become close with attending the same college and being on the same volleyball team, back when they'd stay late for individual practice and meet up to study—back when he called him Tsukki, teased him with witty banter countered by snarky comments, followed by soft touches and—

Kuroo was quick to glance away as Tsukishima turned his direction to their side of the room, hearing Hinata who was yelling loud enough for the entire room to hear him clearly. Kenma then yanked his boyfriend closer and told him to simmer down as Hinata looked sheepishly embarrassed while he giggled. Kuroo shook his head, looking up to see everyone going back to their own chats, except a certain blond looking right at him; his glasses sitting low on his nose as he gave Kuroo a pointed smirk and a raised brow on his astute features (no doubt questioning Kuroo for the company he kept).

The former Nekoma captain smirked back (somehow understanding he meant the loud redhead). They stayed still for a moment in their exchange until Tsukishima broke contact to turn to Yachi as she exclaimed something that made her eyes go wide and Yamaguchi put his arm around her while he smiled brilliantly.

And Kuroo watched on, taking in the tall blond as he readjusted his glasses with his nimble fingers, the tips of his digits grazing the golden curls that had grown passed the point when they were in dire need of a hair cut. He watched as he tilted his head closer to Yachi so she could whisper in his ear, exposing his long smooth neck to Kuroo's gaze. Tsukishima twisted back, giving a brief glance at his collarbone where his collar had stretched on his jumper. And then, he gave her another easy smile, his teeth bright as his whole face lit up.

How long had it been since he's seen him smile like that?

Kenma then nudged Kuroo on his shoulder, causing him to look away from his old kohai and to his friend's disturbed face.

"Do you really have nothing better to do the to ogle?" Kenma asked as Kuroo's face dropped. "You never struck me as someone who would gawk, let alone get caught in said gawking," he put bluntly.

Kuroo reminded himself to choose his words carefully, seeing as his friend is still inebriated to the point of no return. Before he can say anything back, Kenma gave him a pointed look. Kenma was Kuroo's oldest friend, growing up in the same neighborhood since childhood and being on the same volleyball team during most of their school years. If there was one person that could read his mind, smart money would be on the quiet blond to his side ( some people would be thrown off from realizing how disturbingly perceptive he was). Even after high school, Kenma still sported the dyed blond do, keeping it semi-trimmed yet still manageable (unlike Kuroo's wild bed head that he still dons). Appearance aside, Kenma was always right when it came to Kuroo.

"I thought we agreed that matter was put to bed?"

He sighed, unsure of what more he could do since he couldn't drink as much, being designated driver for a few of his friends. Kuroo looked submissive to Kenma, picking up his glass of water, then gestured to himself.

"C'mon Ken, it's me. Does that even sound like me?" Kenma looked at him more another moment, before looking back to his phone, muttering 'whatever' under his breath.

Not wanting to raise more alarms to his best friend, he figured he'd keep himself busy and decided to look at his phone wondering if he's gotten a new email or two. While rummaging through his phone, he thought about looking at some old albums he still had saved in his photos; most consisting of him and a certain dinosaur aficionado he shouldn't be tempted to catch a glimpse of at the other end of the table. Kuroo felt a bit dismal, never thinking that he'd be one to keep old sentimental pictures.

It was a hard thing to not dwell in the past, especially when it came to Tsukishima. However, it was indeed in the past, and it was all Kuroo's fault that it didn't transcend into the present. They had history a few years back, but it wasn't anything serious. They were acquaintances who fooled around, no strings attached—mainly due to Kuroo's insistence that he didn't want a relationship whatsoever in the beginning. That was, again, in the past.

He and Tsukishima were still friendly—even if they weren't as close or hardly spent time alone—there was no malice, no hard feelings. Tsukishima still gave him snarky remarks and Kuroo returned with witty banter. It was still nice, still organic between them. Except now Kuroo would sometimes sneak into old emails they shared, and look at his old albums of a sleeping Tsukki and stolen kisses between them. Kuroo shamefully was always looking backward, not really knowing why.

He supposed that's just how it always goes. It wasn't like he was unhappy...he just figured he could be happier. More content. As far as anyone knew, Kuroo was quite a playboy; going from one conquest to another, never going beyond a casual relationship. Everyone he hooked up with knew exactly what they were getting into; Tsukishima knew as well, sticking to said agreement. Kuroo thought it was for the best, so no one would think it was anything more than sex, to keep from anyone growing too attached.

He couldn't remember when he began yearning for something more significant.

Well, actually he could. He usually chose to pretend that nothing changed. He continued his charade as a casanova, continued to date casually, and continued to be perceived as a charming flirt. He carried on with his life, denying any feelings he had felt for Tsukishima Kei.

He didn't understand how he ended up being the one who kept looking at another full of bitter regret and keeping photos of an old flame. Kuroo figured it was because he seemed to be the only one between them who was disappointed that they ended; upset over being the one who had broken his own rules and fallen for the blond.

And time moved on and they grew apart, sitting at other ends of a table four years later. Kuroo moved on too, more than certain that all he felt was now was nostalgia. He was positive that he held no past feelings, that he couldn't still be infatuated with someone so difficult and salty—so smart and so suitable. He couldn't even humor the idea of love.

Bokuto

Bokuto loved seeing Akaashi smile. There was no greater sight than Akaashi being genuinely happy. Especially when the usually calm brunet beauty was raving on about his amazing boyfriend (Bokuto melted eternally) surprising him with the birthday party (what made it better was the fact that he was in a birthday hat and a glittery sash running across his torso). Akaashi wasn't too far gone that he'd actually be too touchy or too inappropriate, but Bokuto's heart soared when Akaashi took his hand, slowly intertwining their fingers as the soft glow on his skin surged.

Akaashi tells Bokuto that he needs to greet everyone properly since some might be leaving soon, and he leaves with Kageyama who's holding onto his sash as they made their way through the room. He stopped by the Fukurodani gang first, Kageyama making a terrible display of himself as he tried to start some small talk and thank them for coming. He saw Akaashi's hands grip Komi's shoulders and decided that his hands were much too bare, gripping the small box inside his pocket.

Bokuto hardly ever thought about marriage really, uncaring about being territorial or possessive of his boyfriend as if Akaashi were some piece of property. It had only crossed his mind a few times before; the last time was during Sawamura and Sugawara's wedding.

They had been slow dancing and Akaashi was feeling the aftermath of the open bar, and Akaashi told him he couldn't wait for their first dance of their own.

Bokuto was flabbergasted, never before hearing Akaashi talking about such things. Bokuto realized that the future wasn't something that only Bokuto had to eventually think about. His future was also Akaashi's future—their future—and he needed to step up.

He didn't want to rush anything after, figuring that he'll eventually get around to finding a ring, and then it just wasn't a priority. Akaashi never brought it up either, so he let it go. Marriage was also not that easy for two gay men, let alone a wedding. But now, he wanted the experience, and figured that they'd deal with the legality of it all in strides; whether they had a legit marriage license or wrote their own in crayons, he didn't care.

He wanted the tuxedos, overly expensive flowers, intoxicated great-uncles, his face getting slapped by wedding cake, and his favorite people there celebrating Akaashi's and his wedding. The more he kept thinking about it, the more surreal it felt, and the more anxious he felt about proposing. However, he figured that it was about damn time.

He looked around again, searching for where Akaashi might have wandered to. However, he was also starting to make a list of potential groomsmen from his friends who were present at the party.

He thought how he would have to split the Fukurodani group between him and Akaashi; how he would have to choose amongst his current teammates; and whether or not he'd get arrested with his candidates at his bachelor party (probably). The easiest decision was definitely the best man, knowing there was no better choice than his best friend and bro for life, Kuroo. Kuroo would handle everything with ease, and he knew just how to keep Bokuto in line. The real question would be who he would set his bro up with at his wedding.

He tried not to overstep or meddle with Kuroo's love life, but he worried. Akaashi has often mentioned how his nagging might be the reason Kuroo doesn't open much about dating to Bokuto. He knew Kuroo could be stubborn, but he was also aware of how guarded he was—or became.

Bokuto glanced at his friend who was preoccupied with his phone on the other end of the table, scrolling in a slow pace.

The wing spiker loved the feline man like a brother, he was family to him. But he didn't understand why Kuroo would be so against serious relationships, always jumping from one bed to another.

There was a time once, Bokuto recalled, that Kuroo wanted more. He remembered being at a bar together, getting wasted and having fun with just each other. Kuroo had told him that he finally understood the appeal of being exclusive with someone. Bokuto had begged Kuroo to tell him what magic spell was cast on him to say such blasphemy, and more importantly by whom. By the end of the night, Bokuto saw his friend finally take his guard down.

Kuroo never told him who his mystery person was, which was fine. He figured it wasn't too important to know yet, as long as his friend was happy. Kuroo was over the fucking moon.

And then he wasn't, and Kuroo left to America broken hearted and came back with thicker walls and less caution. Bokuto was all for having a good time, but he didn't understand the excessiveness. He didn't want Kuroo to be lonely, but he also wanted him to be happy. Maybe if Kuroo was Bokuto's best man he might see first hand how monogamy was better to the alternative. That was his plan anyway.

"Should we bring the cake out now?"

Bokuto turned to up his left to see Tsukishima standing next to him, waiting for his answer with a bemused expression.

"Huh?" Bokuto articulated. Tsukishima grinned, probably assuming that Bokuto was either drunk or invalid.

"The cake," he repeated. Bokuto finally registered what he said, frantically nodding and laughing at not hearing him the first time.

"Oh, yeah, the cake! Thanks, Tsukki!"

"Please don't call me that," he said. Bokuto just brushed off the response like he had been doing since they had first met. He watched Tsukishima nod, still wearing his expression, and walk out towards the entrance.

Bokuto was glad he asked Tsukki and Kenma to set up the party; especially after his birthday surprise for Akaashi last year. He knew they would be the two most likely not to mess it all up. Plus they knew the birthday boys well, Kenma being Hinata's boyfriend who happened to be Kageyama's best friend and Tsukki who recently began to hang out with Akaashi more often now that they worked near each other for the past year. Both were also strong picks for groomsmen, probably for Akaashi.

That was only if Akaashi actually wanted to marry him, of course.

He hoped he wasn't being foolish in thinking that their future plans weren't one-sided. He wouldn't want to risk losing Akaashi over a ring.

Akaashi

"The sash and hat are a bit excessive, though, huh?" Sugawara asked Akaashi while Kageyama was talking to Sawamura. Akaashi tried not to let it show that he agreed, but his current state didn't let it go by unnoticed to his ash-haired friend who only smiled.

"Yes, but it's much better than the surprise camping trip last year," Akaashi answered, face unsuccessfully hiding his dismay of the thought, "I thought I was going to freeze to death."

Sugawara giggled, covering his mouth slightly. "I'm sure," he said gently. And then something caught Akaashi's eye, and he saw the small wedding band around Sugawara's ring finger.

The pale-haired beauty caught his eyes, causing Akaashi to blush. Before he could apologize for staring, Sugawara puts a hand on his shoulder. Akaashi wasn't sure if it was his state of intoxication, but he started to get nervous that Sugawara could read minds.

"You know...I was actually starting to get nervous after a few years that someone," Sugawara—not so subtly—nodded towards Sawamura, "would never ask me to marry him. I thought he didn't want to, actually," he sighed, looking embarrassed as Akaashi gave him his full attention. "I had brought it up one time, and we never talked about it again; like he didn't want to talk about it. It started getting to me."

"What did you do?" Akaashi asked, unexpectedly. He immediately became embarrassed, figuring he should have held back with the wine. Sugawara could see that Akaashi was hanging on to every word he was saying at this point. Sugawara almost faltered but figured Akaashi should hear the story.

"Well, we kinda got into a fight."

"A fight?" Akaashi asked, wondering how a proposal could begin with a quarrel.

"Yeah, I got offered a job back in Sendai. I told him that I loved him, but I didn't know if I should go back. I told him that I needed to know if he still loved me too, that he wanted a future with me or I couldn't stay in Tokyo with him." Sugawara smiled at him, his kind eyes looking down to his ring."

"That seems," the ravenhead paused, trying to form the right words, "direct."

"Well, yes," Sugawara agreed, understanding what Akaashi really meant, "but I had felt like I had no other choice at the time."

"Then what happened?"

"And then he left the room. I thought he was going to leave me right then and there...but he came back into the room with a ring in his hand," He laughed, "Apparently he had planned his proposal for a whole month. I felt bad for ruining it, honestly."

Akaashi smiled.

"I'm not saying you should give him an ultimatum," Sugawara clarified, worried he might have given Akaashi the wrong impression, "It's just that sometimes you can't wait for him to do something first. You got to let them know what you want and take things into your own hands."

Akaashi wasn't sure about that. He remembered saying something once over Sugawara's wedding and then he and Bokuto never talked about it. And that was years ago.

Sometimes he wondered if Bokuto wanted a future with him too. Every once in awhile, Akaashi thought about whether they'll ever move towards the next step of their relationship or stay stagnant. Sure, they basically acted like a married couple, and Akaashi couldn't picture his life without Bokuto. However, Akaashi still felt uncertainty when it came to whether Bokuto felt the same sometimes.

Which sounded ridiculous, given all that Bokuto had given up to be with him. But still—

"Oh, look, cake!" Sawamura exclaimed, getting their attention. They turned and saw Tsukishima walk into the room with a large cake in his hands. Bokuto ran up beside him, motioning people to make room on the table.

"We should probably head over," Akaashi stated. The group made their way to the cake, where everyone was starting to crowd around with their plates and camera phones. The lights were getting dimmer as Kuroo started lighting the candles.

The cake was absolutely absurd. It was the image of a setting sun designed like a volleyball on a horizon designed like a volleyball net. There was also blue piping along the orange tinted sky part that read, 'Happy Birthdays to our SETTERS!' (which confused Akaashi, seeing as his boyfriend knew that had hadn't played volleyball since college) and two large candles sticking up from both sides of the cake. Everyone was taking a picture, and Akaashi could hear Oikawa tell Iwaizumi to get him something better for his birthday. Akaashi looked over to Tsukishima, who just pointed over to Bokuto, saying it was his idea.

It was… not his taste, but really sweet. It was just so Bokuto.

He looked at his boyfriend, who was taking pictures of the cake along with the rest of the guest. Kuroo then started singing 'happy birthday' to them, everyone else joining in.

Akaashi blew out his candle with Kageyama and was greeted with applause and boisterous congrats. It was it a great birthday. One of his most favorites by far.

After the cake, people began to leave, giving him and the genius setter final best wishes. In the lobby, where everyone had started to flock to before exiting the restaurant, Akaashi ran into Kenma who was waiting for Hinata to leave as well. He thanked him for helping with the party, which Kenma said he was happy to help—even though he said that Tsukishima ended up doing all of the work—that he was glad he enjoyed himself. Akaashi then mentioned how Kenma looked like he needed sleep.

"Shouyou's talking to Kageyama still, and it's not like I can drive right now, so I have to wait for Kuro, too." Kenma slurred. Akaashi sympathized, feeling like he was finally sobering up himself. "At least, this was better than camping. There was zero reception in those woods," the bottle-blond mentioned, making both boys shiver at the memory.

"He tries to be spontaneous. Sometimes it works out, other time…" Akaashi emphasized. "But it's his way of showing his affection, I suppose."

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Kenma agreed. Akaashi chuckled, realizing that he and Kenma had a lot in common, particularly in taste in men. If there was anyone who knew about the hardships and privilege of being with someone who was high strung, it was Kenma.

"How are you and Hinata, by the way?" Akaashi asked. Kenma looked at him with glazed eyes, taken aback by the question as a blush on the top of his ears began to form. He quickly composed himself from his surprise and gave a small smile, but the ravenhead noticed something in his face seemed forced.

"We're good, he's just been away a lot for work." Akaashi nodded, remembering a time when he felt the same.

"It's hard to find the time for each other, right?" Akaashi clarified. He watched the blush spill from the smaller man's ears to his cheeks.

"Sometimes."

"Yeah, that's how I felt about before Bokuto and I moved in together too. His games and tour dates would sometimes clash with my schedule and classes. Maybe you should think about getting a place together." Akaashi suggested.

He then immediately regretted it, seeing Kenma's wide eyes on him, all signs of his blush disappeared as he paled.

"I'm sorry," Akaashi started, looking down to shoes and placed his hands behind his back nervously, "I didn't mean to impose." Kenma still seemed tense, but he eased up a bit, probably realizing that Akaashi had meant no offense.

"It's fine...I've thought about it, to be honest." Akaashi raised a brow, surprised at Kenma's frankness. "I mean, I was bound to amuse the possibility eventually….I guess I'm unsure if Hinata and I have that kind of future."

Akaashi wondered if an open bar was a wise choice, seeing as the reason for how honest Kenma was being could only be liquor. Then he thought back to his earlier conversation with Sugawara and smiled at the shorter man.

"You know," Akaashi began, "Maybe it'd be for the best to take things into your own hands. Sometimes you can't wait for them to take the first step. Be bold, maybe."

There was a short pause, then Kenma nodded, acknowledging his words. He seemed to hear the sincerity of Akaashi's words. The ravenhead gave a reassuring smile, catching Hinata walking towards them from his peripheral. The small ginger motioned to Kenma that he's ready to leave. Both Kenma and Hinata gave Akaashi their goodbyes and final birthday congrats as they exited. Akaashi watched them walk to the end of the parking lot, where Kuroo was waiting for them.

Yes, he and Kenma had plenty in common, but they had one big difference.

Even though there were times he felt unsure about things, he never wondered about how he felt about Bokuto. It was time to stop having doubts and start being daring.

He waited for Tsukishima to finish his conversation with Kageyama before he offered to walk him to his car, much to Tsukishima's surprise. He accepted nonetheless.

"Thank you, by the way. I figured you were responsible for the party being practical and not over the top." Akaashi smiled, and Tsukishima returned one as well.

He and the tall blond had become close again over the past year or so. They had been good friends since they had met, and became even closer in college., Then after a while, Tsukishima had distanced himself from Bokuto, Kenma and himself, still hanging out with them occasionally, but much more reserved.

Akaashi knew why but figured it wasn't his place to pry. Over the years, he had ended up missing him, realizing that he had needed someone else with an easy temperament to balance out Bokuto and his partner in crime, Kuroo.

Then, Tsukishima had shown up to a local ramen stand that Akaashi frequented, apparently starting a new job not too far from former setter's own workplace. Their daily lunches began shortly after, along with occasional drinks, and next thing they knew, they had become good friends once more. One of the closest Akaashi had.

"Of course. Besides, God knows what would have happened if Bokuto was in charge," Tsukishima teased. They had finally reached his car when Tsukishima pulled out an envelope, handing it to Akaashi.

"Happy birthday."

The gesture was polite, but Akaashi had grown close enough to the blond to know that he cared. In his own way. He thanked him, accepting the card. With a nod, Tsukishima opened his door and was about to say his farewells, but Akaashi stepped closer, making the younger man stop. Then, Akaashi cleared his throat and asked him if he was willing to do him a favor.

"What sort of favor?" Tsukishima raised a brow.

"Well, I was wondering...if you had plans for this upcoming weekend?"

"Nothing important. What did you have in mind?"

If Akaashi wanted something to change, he'd have to take things into his own hands. He needed to be fearless. Courageous.

"I need help looking for an engagement ring."

Certain.

Aaaaaaaaand, there it is! I hope you enjoyed it. If anyone has any notes or comments, feel free to review. That'd be rad.~~

Also, if someone out there would be willing to be, in part, an editor, that'd be greatly appreciated. I really want someone who would not only be able to refine some of my writing, but also be a sort of fact checker when it comes to the character development. Next chapter will be up soon. (If anyone even reads this of course...)

Thanksh.