Chapter 4: Texting

Bokuto was lying in bed on his back, one hand under his head, with his eyes wide open and staring at nothing in the darkness. He could think of nothing except Akaashi. He went back over their evening multiple times in his head, trying to recall all of his smiles and reactions, his words, the feel of his warm hand, the way he looked so beautiful standing there on the Bridge, looking wistfully at the lights and the boats in the canal. Bokuto sighed. He had it bad, no doubt about it. And he missed Akaashi already, even though it had been, what, only a couple of hours since they parted?

He reached for his phone in the dark and took a chance that the man he missed was not asleep either.

Bokuto: hey, akaashi are you awake

Akaashi saw his phone light up and leaned to the bedside table to check. He saw it was a text from Bokuto, who he had been thinking about non-stop since their date, and his heart skipped a beat.

Akaashi: Yes

As he laid back to get comfortable, Akaashi briefly wondered what Bokuto was wearing. Definitely doesn't have a shirt on, he decided as he imagined that toned chest and buff arms. Yeah, he was in trouble. In so many ways. Screwed, really. Or was that hopefully?

B: i had a really great time tonight 3

A: Yeah me too

B: is there anything special you want to do tomorrow

A: No, what do you suggest?

B: i have training in the morning and a game at night, but i have a few hours in the afternoon. can i surprise you? ;)

A: That sounds good

B: cool i can't wait !

Akaashi chuckled at the multiple exclamation points and imagined Bokuto speaking the words instead of typing. Is this stupid smile going to be stuck on my face forever? he wondered, and then decided it wasn't the worst thing that could happen.

A: Goodnight Bokuto-san

B: goodnight kaashi 3

They were both grinning like idiots in the darkness.

At 1:00 the next afternoon, Akaashi was again nervously waiting for Bokuto to arrive. Well, maybe today he wasn't so much nervous as excited. He had no idea what Bokuto had planned and it made him almost giddy with anticipation. All he knew was to dress casual, so he had on light wash skinny jeans and a dark blue button-up shirt that Hinata said brought out the blue in his eyes.

When the doorbell rang he again tried to be cool as he walked to open the door. Bokuto stood there with a huge grin looking handsome as sin in a fitted beige henley that showed all his muscles and black jeans with vans. Akaashi thought to himself, He takes my breath away.

"Hey, Akaashi. You look nice. Ready to go?"

Bokuto was excited to surprise his date and was sort of bouncing as he grabbed Akaashi's hand as they walked to the train station. "The train ride is a little longer, around 20-25 minutes. I hope that's okay."

"Yes, that's fine Bokuto-san. Are you going to give me any hints?" Akaashi asked, trying to appease his curiosity.

"Nope!" Bokuto's smile was ear to ear, which made Akaashi both mildly annoyed and happy at the same time. It was an uneventful train ride with mostly Bokuto talking about his morning training and the upcoming game that night. Akaashi listened and watched his date with interest. He didn't think he would ever tire of looking at and listening to this man. Sigh.

When they emerged from the train station, Bokuto got even more excited, if that was possible. "I really hope you like this, Kaashi," he said as his nervousness mixed with anticipation.

He led the black-haired male by the hand until they approached a huge metallic structure. Akaashi looked up with interest at what appeared to be the skeletal wings of an insect rising what had to be 30 or 40 meters off the ground. The building sprawled off in both directions and sported glass panels all across the front, with metal beams that criss-crossed, giving it a cage-like appearance. The sign read "National Museum of Art."

Akaashi looked at Bokuto with surprise. "Are we going here?"

Bokuto nodded excitedly. "Yesterday you said you liked art! Is it okay?"

"Yes, I'd love to go in. But you don't care for art as much, Bokuto-san. Won't you be bored?"

"I could never be bored if I'm with you, Kaashi," Bokuto said with a shy smile. Akaashi's heart skipped a beat and he thought yet again that he had it so bad. Can you fall in love with someone in three days? he wondered to himself.

As expected, Akaashi was enthralled with the exhibits in the museum, which housed permanent collections from prominent Japanese artists as well as a really interesting Takano Ryudai photography exhibit displaying the themes of gender and sexuality. He walked around slowly, examining many pieces as Bokuto trailed along, primarily watching Akaashi.

Bokuto loved the way Akaashi would study a painting and crinkle his nose when he was intrigued. Or the way his eyes would widen as he surveyed a particularly jarring work. A few times Akaashi had stared long and hard at a painting, only to turn to Bokuto with wonder and say "It's so beautiful!" And Bokuto would agree but really was thinking, No, Akaashi, you are beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

After a few hours they left the museum to head home since Bokuto had a game to prepare for. Akaashi was smiling softly, thinking again how thoughtful his date had been. Bokuto was also excited since he knew Akaashi enjoyed the museum. They were holding hands again.

"I'm sorry I can't see you tonight. Are you coming to the game?"

"Yes, I'll be there with Kageyama and Natsu again. I wouldn't miss it." Bokuto beamed with pride.

At Hinata's and Kageyama's doorstep, they said goodbye. This time Bokuto didn't ask, just put one hand behind Akaashi's neck and pulled him in for a heated kiss. Akaashi's breath hitched and he practically melted into the taller male.

"See you after the game?" Bokuto asked as he pulled away and looked into Akaashi's hooded eyes. Akaashi nodded and watched the gray-haired male walk away again, admitting to himself that kissing was not enough for him anymore. He really hoped Bokuto was thinking the same thing.

The volleyball match that night was much like the one they had observed two nights ago. But this time, Akaashi was purposefully watching every one of Bokuto's actions. First, when he was introduced and came onto the floor, he raised his arms and spun around, making the crowd go wild. Akaashi smiled.

Second, Akaashi noticed that he had his hair gelled up again in his signature style. Which was fine for the court, though Akaashi liked it better down when they were alone. When it was Bokuto's turn to serve, he got the crowd all riled up again, encouraging them to clap to his serve. Akaashi looked around the huge arena with wonder and amazement. The crowd loved Bokuto, no doubt about it. He knew the feeling.

Akaashi was mesmerized as he watched Bokuto repeatedly fly through the air as if he had wings, then slam the ball down with such force and power. Even those cut shots, which Kageyama explained were very difficult and could cause shoulder injuries if not done properly, were so potent that Akaashi was simply amazed at Bokuto's physicality, grace and power. And he realized again with a pang of lust that he wanted desperately to touch that body. Shit, I've got it bad.

After the game, they met Hinata as he was leaving the locker room with Bokuto. Kageyama hugged and kissed Hinata and asked if he was ready to go home. Akaashi and Bokuto stared at each other for a moment. Akaashi was thinking how much he really wanted to be with Bokuto, to go home with him, to do … things. But he wasn't sure if the taller male was thinking the same thing and he couldn't just invite himself, could he? As usual, Akaashi's insecurity prevented him from saying anything, from putting himself out there. He was disappointed, but not surprised with himself.

Bokuto was also thinking that he didn't want to say goodbye to Akaashi but he couldn't think of what to say that didn't sound too forward or too needy. They had just been together this afternoon, after all, so he should have had enough for today, right? But he didn't think he'd ever get enough of the dark-haired male. Still, despite that admission, he could find no words that seemed appropriate, so he reluctantly bid the four friends goodbye and went back to his apartment. Alone.

It was late that night and Akaashi couldn't sleep. He was berating himself for not speaking up after the game, for not having the courage to say what he was thinking and what he wanted. And he was having a hard time keeping his fantasies about Bokuto under control. In fact, his mind was filled with erotic images that just. Would. Not. Go. Away. Fuck, he thought. Remembering that Bokuto was up late last night, he grabbed his phone to text the object of his desires. Maybe over text he would have guts to say what he couldn't say face to face.

Akaashi: Bokuto-san, are you still awake?

Bokuto: hi akaashi yeah i am everything ok

Akaashi took a deep breath to gather his courage. He could do this.

A: Yeah, I just missed you

He pressed send and waited for a response with his heart thudding wildly in his chest. Within a few seconds he had a response and he was able to breathe again.

B: i miss you too, kaashi. :( can i see you tomorrow?

A: I'd like that

B: what do you want to do?

A: Well, I was thinking you said you liked movies. So maybe we could watch a movie. Maybe at your place? And have dinner?

A few tense seconds went by as he saw three dots appear in the text thread. Shit, he thought, was that too forward?

B: i'd love you to come here but kaashi i can't cook not even rice :((((

Akaashi laughed out loud, relieved and amused at the same time.

A: We could get takeout

B: okay ! i can't wait ! 3

After they said goodnight and put down their phones, Bokuto laid awake a long time unable to close his eyes. He was thinking sexy, maybe even lewd, thoughts about Akaashi. He was wondering how his face would look in the heat of the moment, when he was totally unreserved and uninhibited. How would his eyes look? What would he sound like? Would he lose control? Could he?

Fuck, I've got to stop this, thought Bokuto to himself. He couldn't wait for tomorrow. He wasn't going to make any assumptions about their movie night alone at his place, but a guy can hope, right?