"Perfect! Well done, Akashi," cried out Akashi's violin teacher. Akashi's shoulders relaxed in relief. His father was watching, and anything less than perfect would simply be unacceptable.
His father coolly turned away and walked back to his study. His mother was smiling widely, as her eyes held a flurry of emotions. As she walked closer, her eyes turned from the kind warm brown Akashi knew, to a fiery red. She opened her mouth but the voice was of his father's, "That's it? That is the best you can do? I'm disappointed in you, Seijuro."
Akashi shot up. His breathing was erratic as his vision slowly cleared. He was in Midorima's guest room - It's just a nightmare, it's not real, he reminded himself.
Gradually, his heart rate evened out and he felt the pale, warm arms encircling him. Kuroko was holding him tightly, whispering, "It's okay."
"Kuroko? What are you doing on my bed?" Akashi asked, back facing the boy.
"I heard you screaming, so I came into your room." Kuroko's voice wavered and it seemed slightly less passive. Akashi dismissed this quickly as his morning voice, before thanking Kuroko and making his way to the bathroom to get ready.
When he got out of the shower, Kuroko had disappeared from his room so he made his way to the hall and along the corridor he heard Midorima ask, "Kuroko, did you sleep yesterday? I walked past your room in the morning and the bed looked completely neat."
"I did Midorima-kun, I always make my bed when I wake up." Kuroko lied smoothly without missing a beat.
"Sorry for being the latest, I hope I didn't disturb anyone else in the morning." Akashi said as he walked in.
Before the GOM could ask him what he was talking about, Kuroko interjected quickly, shaking Aomine awake and reminding everyone they had to leave in 30 minutes if they wanted to make it for the wood carving class.
When they reached the cultural centre, the snow was beating down on the car, and they trooped into the heated premises of the centre.
Each of them were given a block of wood and a chisel with patterns and designs to emulate. Akashi picked the classic bird figurine began to carve out the shape, crimson eyes focused only on the block of wood in his control. It was quiet, absorbing work, and when he looked up to stretch his stiff neck, he saw Kuroko carving out a shape that looked roughly like his dog Nigou, Aomine carving a basketball, Kise carving a figurine of himself, Midorima carving his lucky item - a goldfish - and Murasakibara carving the name of his favourite snack.
These were his friends - friends who were willing to spend time with him; be with him. You don't deserve their love, you don't deserve anything. Akashi picked up his chisel and pressed down hard on the wood. It reminded him of his skin, it was almost the same light, pale colour, and it would bend slightly from the pressure, before breaking, revealing a softer and paler wood inside.
The only difference was there was no blood, there was no pain.
He wanted to feel that pain, the itch growing like a monster and calling out his name. Akashi dug his chisel deep into the bird's neck -
With a snap, the head broke off.
Akashi snapped his gaze down, shocked, as the head of the bird rolled away from its body. He could feel multicolored eyes on him, and he bent down to pick it up, still holding his chisel. Flipping the chisel so the blade was facing him, he moved his wrist to reach for the decapitated head only to feel a slight sting from the blade pressed against his forearm - more, more, more, more, more -
"Akashi-kun -"
"Akashi, could I borrow your chisel please? I would like to try a different grip."
He looked up and saw Midorima ask, his face as impassive as ever. There was hidden concern swimming in the depths of his verdant green eyes. Akashi regarded Midorima coolly. There was a slight nick on his forearm, not deep enough for blood to flow.
He looked away, a wave of shame rolling through him. Stupid! Why can't I control it? Now my friends think I can't even control myself. He handed Midorima the chisel.
The tension that Akashi hadn't realised built up had dispersed.
"I'm really, realllly hungry guys, let's go out and eat," Kise suggested. Kise wanted to get Akashi out of this setting as soon as possible, as he mentally scolded himself for not realising that wood carving class was a possible trigger. The other GOM seemed to understand what he was doing and agreed at once.
As Akashi grabbed his coat and walked out of the room, he watched the head of his bird roll of the table and hit the ground with a tremor, before stopping.
Authors Notes:
Hello guys, finally an update! Have a great week and thank you all for your support:)
