Disclaimer: I do not own KnB.

Pairing: Akashi/Furihata

*note:( Revised – Rewritten: 03/26/2014)


Upside Down


Chapter 9: Through the Night


Classes had just ended. There were no cub activities, and so, as a result, Furihata and Akashi walked home together. As always, no conversation struck up between the two. Both had something occupying their minds as they traveled from school back to their house. While Furihata was busy thinking about what to prepare for dinner, Akashi was preoccupied thinking about Furihata –he liked thinking about Furihata; he was interesting.

As their quiet journey continued, it was after they had passed a group of young teenage girls around their age talking that Akashi noticed that something suddenly changed about his brunette companion. If he was able to time correctly, from a pretty decent one, the brunette's composure suddenly dropped to zero after one of the girls said, "Oh yeah! Sayaka, isn't there going to be a storm tonight? It would be dangerous for you to be alone. Why don't you stay over at Yuuka's house? Her brother, that hottie's going to be there–"

Was able to take note of this, Akashi started analyzing which part of the girl's statement may have caused the sudden alteration in Furihata's behavior. Was it the storm? Or could it be that he knew one of the those girls and finds it disappointing that they found whoever's brother was that a 'hottie'?

Not really the type to just settle for assumptions, he decided to ask his companion straight on, "Furihata Kouki, do you by any chance know any of those girls?"

Akashi couldn't explain it, but there was a sudden nasty taste the exploded in his mouth after asking and assuming that Furihata actually liked any of those girls –or anyone at all. Unable to tell what it was and deciding that it wasn't as important as the brunette's answer, he set the thought aside and pushed through with his question, "Furihata Kouki, don't make me repeat myself again."

It was at that time when Akashi realized that Furihata had began spacing out, "Hah? Ahh! Uhmm, s-sorry! Uhh, no. I don't know them. Why? Are you interested in any of them, Akashi-kun?" he suddenly rambled.

Surely, immediately, Akashi felt a sense of relief upon knowing that the Seirin player was not interested in any of those people, but he couldn't help but to frown. Somewhat, it annoyed him how carefree was Furihata about him liking any of those girls. He didn't know why, but he actually wanted Furihata to be the very least disappointed when asking him such question.

Nevertheless, "I'm not." he honestly snarled, only answering the brunette's last question.

"Anyway," the topic about them liking anyone somewhat annoyed him, so smoothly, he diverted their discussion to another topic, "have you already decided what we're having for dinner?"

Furihata jumped a bit. This increased Akashi's suspicion that indeed something was going on.

"U-uhh, well, I was thinking. I-if we shopped for ingredients at this time, w-we would be caught in the storm so… uhm… maybe we should just order a takeout o-or, we c-can just go with the leftovers y-yesterday." he stammered.

The storm, Furihata said.

That was when it hit Akashi.

"Furihata Kouki, don't tell me you're afraid of a little storm?"

This earned him a twitch from Furihata.

'Bullseye.'


During that walk, Akashi learned that Furihata was indeed afraid of storms. His confession went along the line, 'Yeah, I am. Can we not push it though and just go home?'

Having Furihata imply so, the redhead knew better than to insist for further information. It was already something that he actually confessed.

Arriving home, the two settled for the leftovers –which, in Akashi's opinion, were even more delicious than it was before, and peacefully had their supper.

Finishing, Furihata, as always, took care of the dishes and Akashi, after stealing a glance at Furihata, retreated to his room to read. Hearing footsteps approach the stairs and a door slam close a few minutes later, he assumed that his stepbrother-to-be had isolated himself in his room. Oddly though, since then, he didn't hear anything else come from outside. Usually, he'd hear scribbling of pen, tapping of table and at times, the music player on speakers. But today, all he heard was dead air.

Somewhat, that bugged him.

'Furihata Kouki, what are you up to?'


It didn't take too long before it began to rain ferociously. Minutes after, lightning began to strike and thunder roared. Akashi was kind of expecting he'd hear Furihata whimper. To be honest, he also thought the brunette would suddenly come bursting in his room and ask him to stay over. But none of those happened.

No whimpering and no bursting happened.

The silence went on.

And so, Akashi assumed that Furihata didn't actually have it that bad.

It wasn't until later did he began to think that Furihata may actually be having it so bad that he couldn't even do any of those. Yes, that actually didn't cross his mind, not until he received a text message from his future stepmother and was struck up in a conversation with her:

[ Seijuurou-kun, this is Keiko. Are you with Kouki right now? If yes, then where are you two right now? If no, then where are you and where is he? ]

( He's in his room. I'm in mine. )

[ I see. Can you please check on him right now? I heard that a storm is going to hit Tokyo tonight. He reacts terribly at storms, so I'm worried. I've been trying to contact him but he wouldn't answer his phone. Please update me as soon as you can. If he's having panic attacks, just pat him on the head. Thank you very much. ]

Reading the latest message from Keiko, Akashi fidgeted a bit.

Panic attacks?

Just exactly how bad is the situation with Furihata?

Putting his book and phone aside, he walked to Furihata's room, from the door, he informed, "Furihata Kouki, your mother messaged me. Why aren't you picking up her calls?"

There was no reply.

"I'm coming in."

Saying so, Akashi reached for the knob and opened the door. Pushing the door and welcoming himself in Furihata's territory, he called for his name as he ran his eyes all over the place to detect where Furihata was, "Furiha–", only to be cut off midway by the sight of the brunette hiding at the corner of his room, wrapped in a cushiony blanket.

Although completely covered by the blanket, it was quite obvious that he was shaking underneath as it could clearly be seem from outside.

Akashi flinched. This scene, it was almost like those scenes in those manga his father keeps in his personal bookshelf. Really wasn't the type who's all in for fluffy moments, at first, he commanded in a threatening voice, "Furihata Kouki, get out of that blanket now and be a man. Don't make me get you out, because I can assure you, it will not be pretty."

He was answered by silence. It ticked him off.

"You dare defy me?" he pushed on.

Again, no response.

That was it.

In an irritated manner, he stomped his way to where Furihata was. Forcibly, he grabbed onto the blanket and detached it from the brunette. Just as he thought, sitting in fetal position, not making any other movement aside from his trembling, there he was, petrified yet shaking, Furihata Kouki.

God, just look at the boy. He couldn't even look up to him.

A sigh passed by Akashi's lips, "Were you planning on hiding there the whole time?"

The brunette remained passive.

He scooted to the level of the brunette and stared at him.

It was then when the advice Keiko left him flashed in his mind, [ If he's having panic attacks, just pat him on the head. ]

Was this Furihata having a panic attack?

Akashi's gaze softened, "You," he whispered gently.

Slowly, he raised his arm and rested his hand on top of the brunette's head, "You're troublesome."

Saying so, he began gently stroking Furihata's hair.

As if it was some kind of magic charm, Akashi finally felt a movement from Furihata. And before he knew it, they were already looking each other in the eyes.

'This feeling…again.' Akashi thought, not removing his hand on top of Furihata's head and not shunning his gaze away from his.

With slightly watering eyes, Furihata muttered his name, "A-Akashi-kun?"

Just then, the loudest thunder roared and the brightest lightning struck. The sudden boom and flash sent Furihata's heart racing and his body launching itself towards Akashi.

The next thing Akashi knew, they were lying on the wooden floor of Furihata's room, with Furihata's face buried on his chest, his arms tightly wrapped around Akashi's waist upward and his body on top of his.

"A-Akashi-kun…" Furihata breathed.

"P-please. S-stay with me."

Akashi stared at him. Slightly arching his brow, he questioned "Are you ordering me?"

Another thunder roared. Furihata's embrace only got tighter, "P-please. A-Akashi-kun."

Akashi sighed. Dragging his arm up, he allowed his hand to rest on top of Furihata's head. Softly running his fingers through the brunette's hair, he grunted in defeat, "Just this once. Do you hear me?"

"I'll spoil you just this once, Kouki."


To be continued…


Author's Note:

I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. :))

Anyway, thank you for reading. If you have anything you want to say, feel free to say it. Hope you look forward to the next chapter. Until then. See ya.