Sudden sharp pain in between his ribs woke him up. Still half-asleep, Akaashi rolled in a ball trying to protect himself from future punches and felt his mind drifting into Dreamland once again.
"Akaashi! You're doing it again!" the boy heard his friend's voice up close and personal, screaming in his ear. Irritated, he jumped out of the blanket and glanced angrily at him.
"What the hell, man..." Akaashi pouted while massaging his temples, both to calm and also wake himself up. "I told you I'm sleepy but you insisted on watching the movie… Haven't you watched like 6 TIMES ALREADY?! And 5 out of those 6 were with me."
Bokuto's expression changed into a sad one. He sighed deeply and dramatically put one hand on his forehead, the other one clutched his t-shirt and with closed eyes he threw his head on the side. His hair, now let down since they were at Akaashi's place, swung and fell back on his face, framing it like a masterpiece of a drawing.
"Oh, Akaashi, my only friend" he monologued, now standing on his knees and his eyes looking up at the other boy "help me, Akaashi, you are my only hope."
"Bokuto, you're so cheesy, quoting the movie." Akaashi said and cringed slightly. He could feel guilt creeping behind his back. "I'm sorry I fell asleep, you know I love that movie too."
"You know, Alisa is very pretty and everything, but she doesn't like sci-fi and Star Wars especially." Bokuto said, a tone of sadness could be heard in his voice "That's why I insist on having at least one sleepover a week. I need to escape sometimes and be alone with my bestest friend." his lips curved up in a small smile.
Akaashi could feel so many things at one, his heart was going to burst out of his chest. God damn it, Bokuto…
"Don't worry, even if I fall asleep, I will always be ready to watch Star Wars with you, now let's go to sleep." Akaashi held out his hand to help Bokuto stand up from his dramatic pose from earlier and patted him reassuringly on the back. Bokuto turned around and embraced him in a tight hug.
"Akaashi you have no idea how much I've missed you this past week, since we couldn't see each other." Akaashi stiffened up at first but when Bokuto didn't release him from the embrace for a minute or two he calmed down. Instinctively his hand rested on the other's back to return the hug and slightly buried his fingers in his friend's t-shirt. Ah, of course, you smell like peaches, as always. Amd tomorrow when we wake up you will once again complain how I don't have your favourite shower gel and that it's about time I buy one, since you're sleeping over quite often. Akaashi held his breath for a second as if to cherish Bokuto's scent. Then rested his head on Bokuto's shoulder and closed his eyes, trying to hide the sadness.
"I love you, man. Sorry for breaking your ribs earlier." Bokuto said and patted Akaashi's head then released him from his embrace. Akaashi could feel his body shiver from the sudden lack of physical touch. And he knew he had no right to feel this way for his best friend. He slowly made his way back to his bedroom to make Bokuto's futon. He felt like there were weights attached to his ankles.
"I'm going to take a shower, Akaashi." Bokuto said and went into the living room in all his glory- naked with only a towel covering his private parts. Akaashi gulped nervously. He knew his attraction towards Bokuto wasn't just physical but he would lie if he said he didn't make his insides tingle every time he showed up before his eyes with his bare skin and sculpted body.
"Yeah, I'm going to make the beds." Akaashi said, avoiding the other's eyes.
Aaah, I'm so sleepy. Is Bokuto still showering? Akaashi thought and jumped on his bed and under his favourite blanket. So cozy… He felt himself ready to fall asleep, so he switched the white light to colourful so that Bokuto will not hit himself in something in the dark. For a couple of seconds before falling asleep he watched the colours change and reflect on the photo standing on the bedside table.
"So good to take a shower after a long day of sweating at home..." Bokuto exclaimed while drying his hair with a towel. "I wonder if Akaashi is asleep already." He poked his head out of the bathroom and saw the light in the bedroom changing colours. "Yes, he's asleep."
Bokuto smiled to himself. Akaashi always left the lights on after that one time Bokuto tripped in the dark and split his head open. It happened last year when Akaashi moved out to live alone. It was very frustrating for the both of them, since there was no adult around (and none of them could be called an adult still) and they panicked. Bokuto, the drama queen he is, told Akaashi to tell his parents he loves them and stuff like that while Akaashi almost died from the sight of his best friend's bloody face. He managed to call the ambulance and Bokuto got a few stitches on the back of his head.
Bokuto ran his fingers through his scar and smiled. How thoughtful of him. I know he bought that colour-changing light bulb because of me… Not that he would ever admit. Bokuto's eyes shifted down when he heard his phone vibrating on the sink. The name Alisa 3 stared at him from the screen, his phone slowly moving to the end of the sink from the vibration as if impatient for Bokuto to finally pick it up. Irritated frown appeared on the boy's face.
"Hi, Alisa. What's up?"
"Oh, hi, Bokuto. Took you long enough to pick up. Were you enjoying your ringtone that much?" Alisa said over the phone and Bokuto grew even more irritated. He clenched the end of the sink, took a deep breath and said:
"I was showering, baby. You miss me so much you're impatient when I don't pick up right away?" he was annoyed, a bit angry even, Alisa knew that was his and Akaashi's day, yet she always interrupted them. Nevertheless, he wouldn't give her a hint of his annoyance, so he was acting like his usual self- the cheerful and flirty Bokuto, who was always the center of attention and the heart of the party.
"Aren't you coming home tonight, I wanted to give you a special surprise."
Bokuto stood silent for a moment, his yellow eyes looking at him from the mirror. "No, baby. You know every Friday I am with Akaashi and I'm staying over. Boys' night, you know? I will make it up to you tomorrow." He could hear the girl sigh.
"Fine. I'll see you on Sunday. I'll be out clubbing with the girls on Saturday night."
"Okay, baby, I will call you when I wake up. Love you. Good night."
"G'night." Alisa said and hung up.
Bokuto tossed his phone on the side and rested both his palms on the sink and looked down. His wet bangs dripped down as he stared into nothing. What am I doing? When did I stop having feelings for her? His mind drifted far back in his and Akaashi's teenage years. The summer camp… That summer camp was the key to him having a hard time loving Alisa. Or was it just an excuse? Bokuto shook his head and slapped his cheeks.
"Time to get a hold of yourself and go to sleep."
He dressed himself and carefully went into the bedroom and closed the door. He smiled softly at the sight of his dear friend all curled up in his favourite blanket and sleeping peacefully. He felt warm inside, he felt at home when he was with his best friend. Bokuto quickly went under his own blanket. He looked up and saw that their photo was still on Akaashi's nightstand. The photo of them hugging and smiling widely in their summer clothes on the lake at the summer camp. Akaashi, you will never get rid of that photo, will you?
"Good night, Akaashi." he said to his sleeping friend and turned around ready to sleep.
