Chapter 3: Date

Akaashi was nervous. It was almost six o'clock and Bokuto was going to be here very soon. He still couldn't believe that he was going on a date (it was a date, right?) with a professional athlete. A hot and well-known professional athlete. While Akaashi did have a lot of money nowadays, he still felt like the same computer geek he had been his whole life. Socially not very savvy or outgoing, shy and quiet. He was really feeling insecure about how this evening was going to go without their friends being there to provide a buffer.

Akaashi had debated about what to wear and settled on gray skinny jeans, a grey long-sleeved button up shirt with rolled up sleeves, a light grey tie, and a dark gray vest with black dress shoes. Hinata said he looked "hot" so he felt a little better. He was now waiting in the living room of Hinata's and Kageyama's house in Tezukayama, where he was staying for his short visit. Tezukayama was an upscale family neighborhood that the couple had chosen in part for its family atmosphere that they wanted for Natsu. Bokuto said he'd take the subway to pick him up since he lived in a different part of Osaka.

At just past six o'clock the doorbell rang and Akaashi practically jumped up from his chair. He tried to look calm and hoped he was succeeding as he opened the door to a smiling Bokuto. Akaashi's mouth might have dropped open since Bokuto was looking super hot in his black skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, a denim jacket with the sleeves rolled up, and white trainers. HIs hair was down framing his golden eyes again and Akaashi wanted to jump him right then and there. Gulp.

"Hi, Akaashi. You look really nice," Bokuto said while Akaashi was still trying to form words. In fact, Bokuto thought he looked amazing and, yeah, beautiful. The grey color scheme drew attention to his gorgeous face, his pale skin, and of course, those eyes.

"Oh, thank you Bokuto-san. You look really nice too."

"Are you ready to go?"

"Sure. Let me just tell Kageyama and Hinata that I'm leaving."

A few minutes later they began walking to the nearby Tezukayama subway Station. Bokuto said "I thought we'd go to Dotonbori, if that's okay with you. You can check out the canals and we can get some of the best food anywhere. Sound okay?"

Akaashi nodded, "Yes, that sounds nice, Bokuto-san." Bokuto only smiled at the formal way in which the dark-haired male addressed him.

They took the short, ten minute train ride south to Namba station. Bokuto told him that he had an apartment near the subway station, as did his teammates Miya Atsumu and Sakusa Kiyoomi, and that the shopping and food district wasn't far from the station either, though in the other direction. According to Bokuto, Namba was a lively and energetic place to visit.

As soon as they were close enough to see the bright lights and billboards of Dotonbori, Akaashi smiled. It was very lively and definitely buzzing with excitement. Lots of people, shops, food - there was food everywhere. Just the sort of place he'd expect Bokuto to like, but it was okay. He decided he liked it too.

At first they just walked around with Bokuto pointing out all of the sights and Akaashi was mostly quiet, content to listen to Bokuto's deep sexy voice while just soaking up everything around him. Bokuto was sort of bouncing as he explained to Akaashi about Osaka's obsession with food, that it has been called "the food capital of the world" and the expression "kuidaore," which means to eat yourself into bankruptcy.

"Are you hungry, Akaashi?"

"Yes, I could eat. What do you suggest?"

"Well, this region is famous for okonomiyaki, takoyaki and udon [a/n: pan-fried batter cake, octopus in fried batter and a noodle dish, respectively]. Want to try one of those?"

"Sure," replied Akaashi. Which one do you like?"

Bokuto replied with a laugh that lit up his face like a little kid about to get ice cream, "All of them! Let's see what we can find."

There were dozens of street vendors selling all kinds of different foods, so they decided to pick and choose here and there instead of going to a restaurant. Akaashi was delighted to try the foods Bokuto suggested and liked them all so much, he also had a hard time choosing which was his favorite. He was also delighted to just watch Bokuto as he bopped around, talking with his hands, excitement lighting up those golden eyes. He is so freaking cute, Akaashi thought, with his childlike energy and wonder. It is impossible to feel down when you're with him.

Meanwhile, Bokuto was also having a lovely time watching Akaashi, though for different reasons. He decided that Akaashi was not closed off, but that you had to know what to look for to read him. For example, his eyes sparkled when he found something amusing, and though only one side of his mouth turned up, Bokuto could tell it was a genuine, although subtle, reaction. And then when he was nervous or thoughtful about something, Akaashi played with his hands, which Bokuto found really cute. And while Akaashi didn't talk as much as he did, Bokuto found that he talked enough and was more than satisfied with their conversation.

They were near the Ebisubashi Bridge, so Bokuto suggested they go across to see the view of the canal from over the water. When they were just about to step onto the bridge, Bokuto noticed a hole in the ground in front of his date, so he grabbed Akaashi's hand and said, "Be careful, Kaashi."

Akaashi hadn't noticed the hole and was grateful and embarrassed at Bokuto's actions. Again, he called him "Kaashi" which made him feel, well, something he couldn't quite identify. Also, Bokuto was again being considerate and thoughtful, paying attention to him and looking out for his well-being. And third, he was now holding hands with the taller male and feeling some butterflies at the warmth of his touch. Akaashi sincerely hoped his blush was not noticeable in the evening lights. He felt like a school-girl when he was around this guy.

They stopped at the apex of the bridge to look out over the brightly lit canal, and rested their arms on the sides to relax and enjoy the moment. Bokuto broke the comfortable silence, "My family brought me here when I was younger. I remember taking a picture with my sisters on this bridge."

Akaashi smiled, thinking of how adorable a young Bokuto must have been. "You have sisters?"

"Yes, two. They're both older than me. One is married with kids and has a son and a daughter. I, of course, am their favorite uncle because I'm so fun!"

Akaashi smiled again. "I bet you are, Bokuto-san." Unbidden, images of Bokuto as a father flashed in Akaashi's mind. Yeah, he would be a great dad too, he thought. Wait, what? Why am I thinking of him as a father? I'm an idiot. First date, don't get ahead of yourself, Keiji.

Akaashi looked beside him to see Bokuto looking at him intently. "You look really nice when you smile like that, Akaashi. It's beautiful." Akaashi blushed again and turned back to look at the water instead of his date.

"I don't have any brothers or sisters," he mentioned, primarily to take the focus off the compliment he was just given.

"Oh? Did you like it? Being an only child?"

"I didn't really like or dislike it. It was just my life. I think that's why I'm on the quiet side. There wasn't a lot of playing or fighting in my house. It was always just pretty subdued." He was still looking out over the water and Bokuto nodded in understanding.

"So what did you like to do when you were a kid?" asked Bokuto.

"Well, I liked, I guess I still like reading, art and movies."

Bokuto inquired, "Do you mean you make art, like you're an artist? Or you just like to, you know, look at art?"

"Both. I mean, I sketch and paint a little bit, but I wouldn't say I'm an artist. And I do enjoy art and museums and all that."

"I'm not much into reading or art, but I bet I'd like your art, Akaashi," Bokuto said, shooting a wide smile at his date. Akaashi seemed to warm at the comment again and Bokuto's heart fluttered a bit in response. He continued, "But I do like movies. And I also like just hanging out with my friends and teammates. So it's mostly me, Sakusa and Miya, and sometimes Hinata and Kageyama too. We have a ton of fun when we hang out. Video games, movies, drinking," he laughed. "It's pretty chaotic. Well, mostly me, Hinata and Miya are chaotic. Kageyama and Sakusa, not so much. I sometimes wonder why Sakusa hangs out with us so much, considering how annoying he says we are, but I guess it's because all the other guys on the team are older than us and he doesn't really have other friends here. Hinata thinks it's because he has a thing for Miya, but I'm not convinced."

Akaashi smiled again, imagining the antics that the two men he knew would cause. He didn't know the third but figured if this Miya was anything like Bokuto and Hinata when they were pumped up, then the three of them must be a handful for the other two to control. Seems like it would not ever be boring, in any case.

They decided to depart from the bridge and, since it was getting late, started to walk back towards the train station. The short ride back to Tezukayama was pleasant, though Akaashi was flustered at Bokuto holding his hand again.

When they arrived back at Hinata's and Kageyama's house, they were both thinking about the same thing. Does he want to see me again? Will he kiss me?

Akaashi's heart was pounding as he turned in front of the door to face his date, who was standing less than a meter away. "I had a really nice time tonight, Bokuto-san. Thank you."

Bokuto noticed Akaashi playing with his hands again. So cute. "I had a great time too, Akaashi. I'd like to… do you want to do something again tomorrow?" Bokuto took a step forward and looked down slightly into Akaashi's blue-green eyes and held them for several seconds. Akaashi sort of forgot to breathe but managed to choke out, "Yes, I'd like that."

One side of Bokuto's mouth rose, but his eyes were serious. "Kaashi, can I kiss you?" Akaashi's breath hitched and he was unable to speak, but he nodded as Bokuto closed the remaining distance between them. Akaashi felt like there were electric currents pulling them towards each other. Bokuto gently put one hand on Akaashi's hip and leaned in for a soft, gentle kiss. Akaashi's heart was pounding so hard now, he felt sure his date could hear it. They broke away and stared into each other's eyes for only a couple of seconds before kissing again, this time more passionately. Bokuto lifted his hand to grab the back of Akaashi's neck as he assaulted his mouth. Akaashi was melting from the feel of Bokuto's lips and tongue and small playful bites. Fuck, this guy can kiss.

After a couple of intense minutes, Bokuto pulled back slightly and put his forehead against Akaashi's. They were silent for a moment as they both tried to regulate their breathing and calm their thudding hearts. With effort, Bokuto stepped back and away from Akaashi's warmth.

"I'll text you about tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay. Goodnight, Bokuto-san."

"Goodnight, Kaashi."

Bokuto turned and headed back towards the train station as Akaashi stood glued to the spot, watching Bokuto's broad back as he walked away, thinking, Holy Shit, that was amazing! He entered the house looking frazzled, he was sure, and was embarrassed to find Kageyama and Hinata cuddled on the sofa.

"So how did it go?" asked Hinata excitedly.

"Er. Um. Good." Akaashi answered evasively.

The other men looked at each other with a skeptical look, then back at their friend. Kageyama said, "Really, how was it?"

Akaashi couldn't help but grin a little as he thought about his date, but he tried to contain his enthusiasm, not wanting to appear too lovesick in front of his friends. "It was nice. He's really nice. I like him. We're going out again tomorrow."

Hinata and Kageyama shared another satisfied look, but didn't say anything further. "Anyway," said Akaashi, "I'm heading to sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," they both called as they went back to cuddling. "Told you so," said Hinata.

"Yep. You called it," agreed Kageyama.