Chapter 6: Closer
Summary: In which Furihata babbles when he's nervous.
They have been meeting every day for the past three days, now.
Furihata doesn't know how he does it, but Akashi has ways of arranging meetings that makes it near-impossible for Furihata to refuse. For example, hanging up the phone straight after assuming that Furihata has agreed, or leaving a note by his door with only the time and location specified. And Furihata, being the ever-polite person that he is, can do nothing but turn up.
(Technically, Furihata can choose to call Akashi to reject the invitation, but a glimpse of something he'd seen in Akashi's crimson eyes tells him that wouldn't be wise. Also, Furihata gets weirdly nervous about calling Akashi first. Like he's afraid to interrupt and intrude on Akashi's very important life through a phone call. Which, when you put it like that, sounds ridiculous, but Furihata's fear is real and very apparent so he's not calling Akashi unless it is absolutely necessary, okay?)
When Akashi was six or seven years old, Furihata had thought that Akashi's little tricks of getting him to do things for him as clever and endearing. Things like finding reasons for Furihata to bring him tofu soup, or getting Furihata to carry him home that one time after the fireworks festival. Charming, really. But now that Akashi's eighteen, Furihata is starting to realise that what Akashi had in blossoms in his youth has bloomed into full-blown advanced level manipulation.
That being said, it's not like Furihata dislikes their little meetings. In fact, Furihata finds them rather enjoyable. He likes seeing how much Akashi has grown, likes listening to Akashi talk; his expansive vocabulary, refined mannerisms, and the smooth lilt of his voice pleasant as they converse about everything and nothing – from Akashi's still-alive horse, Yukimaru; to Furihata's old basketball team; to favourite seasons, colours, flavours; to the time they went to sleep and the time they got up this morning; to the dreams they remembered and the ones they forgot.
Often, whilst watching Akashi do simple things like answering his phone or pouring a cup of tea, Furihata thinks to himself that Akashi really has matured into a respectable, charismatic person. And he feels a swell of pride. Furihata would like to believe that some of the qualities of the man Akashi is now is partially influenced by him.
...that is, excluding some of Akashi's other rather- unique qualities. His manipulatory capabilities, for one. Or his habit of toying with sharp objects. Or the occasional manic gleam in his too-red eyes when he talks about victory. Furihata hardly thinks it's possible for those qualities to have come from him. At least he hopes not. Furihata is quickly becoming dully aware that Akashi, whilst serene and graceful, can be pretty damn scary – no, terrifying – when he wants to be. And is probably realistically capable of getting away with murder. But Furihata tends to push those thoughts to the back of his mind. 'See no evil, hear no evil', as they say.
Tonight, Furihata comes to Akashi's door at a half past ten, as inscribed on the tiny note that magically appeared on his breakfast tray this morning.
Akashi's eyes flash upon seeing him, thin lips curling into what Furihata have yet to decipher whether it is a smirk or just an extremely sly smile. A low murmur follows, "Ah."
In that one syllable rings a deep note, almost a purr, of approval: 'Yes. Very good. I like that you turn up exactly as I command, every single time.'
Furihata shivers and doesn't know why.
"Let's go." Akashi says and, without warning, thrusts a basket of soaps and shower gels into Furihata's arms before heading off down the corridor. Furihata only has a few seconds to gape in confusion before hurriedly scurrying after the trail of Akashi's yukata – charcoal black today, making Akashi's skin look luminescence in contrast.
Furihata catches up to him, having to take extra fast steps to keep in time with Akashi's long strides. This is new – usually they just spend the whole time in Akashi's suite, talking over late-night snacks with soft music playing from Akashi's laptop in the background. "Ano, Akashi-kun, where are we going?"
"The onsens, of course," Akashi says, like he expects Furihata to already know. "You haven't been to the outdoors zone yet, have you?"
Furihata shakes his head. Indeed, he hasn't been. How Akashi knew, like a lot of things concerning Akashi, remains a mystery. "Ah- but isn't it already past closing hours?"
"It is."
"Um, so..."
"I already told the ryokan's staff I'll be using the onsens after-hours. They keep it open for my private use."
"Eh? People can do that?"
"I can."
Furihata blinks. "Huh?"
"This ryokan is indebted to the Akashi group." Akashi shrugs, casual.
"...I- I see." Furihata sweat-drops. It is going to take time to reacclimatize to being around people of Akashi's caliber, definitely.
"Is something the matter, Kouki?" Akashi turns to look at him.
"Oh n-nothing! Nothing at all," Furihata smiles sheepishly, mini-jogging to catch up with Akashi again so that they can continue walking side by side.
They arrive at the dressing room area when one very important factor concerning onsens suddenly hits Furihata.
"W-wait a minute, Akashi-kun, are you taking off all your clothes?" Furihata looks down, nervous. Sure, he's been naked in front of other guys plenty of times – in public bathhouses, in the showers with his teammates – but that's in no way the same as being naked with just two people, one-on-one, in the onsens, together. Not to mention, he's only just re-met Akashi. After ten years of being apart, aren't they pretty much back to being almost strangers in terms of intimacy of that level? Surely, Akashi feels the same-
"Hm? What was that, Kouki?"
...apparently not.
Furihata has to remind himself to snap shut his hanging jaw when Akashi strides out from behind the lockers entirely in the nude – well, except from one small towel, which he isn't using to cover himself where it actually counts – pale, translucent skin all illustriously bared for Furihata's free-viewing. Everything of Akashi's is in plain sight; his long neck, broad shoulders and chest, well-sculpted arms, toned abdomen, not to mention a distinct v-line that dips like an arrow straight down to his-
Furihata's face burns tomato-red right to his ears. He averts his eyes. Akashi has grown, alright, if that one glimpse is anything to go by.
"You haven't undressed yet?" Akashi blinks at Furihata's still very-much-dressed state as though he's the one who's surprised and not Furihata who is still trying to dart his eyes anywhere but between Akashi's legs whilst struggling to contain his 'oh-my-god-he-is-completely-naked' facial expression.
Akashi walks over in all his bare-skinned glory and casually takes the basket of soaps from Furihata's hands. "I'll go on ahead, then. I'll see you in there, yes?"
"...y-yes," Furihata manages to find his voice, swallowing thickly, hands frozen in front of him like he's still holding the basket.
Akashi (and his perfect body) disappears out of sight, leaving Furihata to come to terms with the concept of nudity by himself. Akashi has got him feeling rather self-conscious, and a teeny-tiny bit jealous, if he is completely honest. The boy is eighteen for goodness's sake, yet Akashi looks like some sort of greek god whilst Furihata... he turns towards the mirror, looks at his own stripped-down form, and grimaces at the barely-there hints of muscle. He makes a mental note to visit the gym more often as he ties a small towel securely around his hips. Like hell if he has the sort of confidence to just walk around letting it all hang loose like Akashi does.
Akashi Seijuuro is not usually easily amused, but at the present moment, he can't help the impish grin on his lips. The look on Furihata's face when he saw him naked was priceless. The way his jaw dropped, gaping until he caught himself, those round brown eyes that widened innocently when they not-so-innocently checked him out from head to toe; the instant blush that followed, painting his cheeks bright red all the way to his ears, not to mention how desperately Furihata tried not to look but still stole glances anyways. Akashi finds it all too precious that Furihata still gives such genuine, honest reactions at the age of twenty-eight.
Furihata hasn't changed much after all, it seems – and Akashi cannot be more thrilled.
"Akashi-kun...?"
And there he comes, his adorable Kouki – still calling him with that irritatingly detached name, but he'll leave it be. For now. Akashi sinks down, completely submerges himself into the onsen to recompose himself, wipe the wicked grin off his face, before he re-emerges, brushing his wet hair back with his hand.
"Here, Kouki." He calls, voice smooth and tranquil, as though he hasn't been chuckling to himself for the past five minutes.
Furihata appears around the bamboo trees, arms hugged around himself, shivering in the chilly night air. "It's f-freezing..."
Furihata has a tan, Akashi notes – not in the obvious way that Aomine is tanned, but more like a subtle bronze of someone who's occasionally been in the sun. It suits him well, Akashi thinks.
Akashi invites him over to a hidden miniature cove within the onsen surrounded by rocks. It had been Takao who first found the spot, courtesy to his Hawk Eyes, with his chirpy voice calling 'Shin-chan, Shin-chan, look what I found!'. Midorima Shintarou, aka: 'Shin-chan' – Akashi is forever amused by the nickname – had narrowed his eyes at him, mumbling that Takao was being far too loud even as he went over to him anyways. Admittedly, it is a good spot for various reasons – which is why Akashi has chosen it now.
Only the best for his favourite, after all.
"Ah- this is nice," Furihata sighs as he slides to sit next to Akashi – just close enough to be within arms' reach but too far for any skin contact to be considered unintentional. "I've never been to an onsen when it's this quiet before."
"No?" Akashi tilts his head, interested.
"Mm. Public onsens are always filled with other people, I guess. It's a lot more peaceful like this."
"Indeed. I much prefer the privacy of the onsens after-hours."
"Hehh," Furihata sinks down further into the water, gazing upwards to the night sky as he muses, "Must be nice, dating someone like Akashi-kun."
Akashi sharply turns his head to stare at him. "What makes you say that?"
"Eh? Well, all of this-" Furihata spreads his hands out before him, "-exclusive-ness would be nice for couples, I think. I can imagine any girlfriend being happy with getting special alone time like this."
"Do you have a girlfriend, Kouki?"
"H-huh?" Furihata startles, turning to look at Akashi – only to be met with piercing red eyes boring straight back, unblinking. Furihata feels his throat going dry, "Um... n-not at the present moment."
"I see." Akashi nods, and there is that ring of approval again – a note of satisfaction – which makes Furihata feel slightly skittish.
"A-ano, what about you, then, Akashi-kun?" Furihata asks, curious.
"I'm not currently in a relationship with anyone, no."
"Wha-? How come?" Furihata blinks, surprised. "I would've thought Akashi-kun would be super popular!"
"Popular?" Akashi repeats, raising an eyebrow at him, "Why would I be?"
"Eh? Um, there's a lot of reasons..." Furihata shifts under Akashi's intense gaze.
"Oh?" Akashi's lips quirk, "I'd like to hear them."
"A-ano, well-" Furihata clears his throat, "Akashi-kun's very smart, for one. And also amazing at basketball. But I'm sure you've heard that plenty before."
Akashi nods, "The occasional comment, yes. Go on."
"Um, Akashi-kun is well-spoken, with very good mannerisms – a gentleman with the ladies, I'm sure," He pauses, thinking. "Oh, also, Akashi-kun's incredibly mature. With the vibe of a leader. Like, charisma, I suppose?"
"Mm-hm. Is that all?"
"E-ehh, I'm sure there are loads more, but at the top of my head- ah, there is one more thing, I guess."
"Yes?"
"Akashi-kun is, um, how should I say this..." Furihata's cheeks are the slightest bit pink at this point – but that might just be the heat of the onsen. "...like, handsome? Or, actually, I think 'pretty' is more accurate."
"Pretty?" Akashi repeats, incredulously. Now that was one he doesn't hear very often, or at all.
"Ah! I meant in a good way, really!" Furihata clarifies, "I mean- your eyelashes, and your skin, and eyes and lips and nose... just, your overall facial features, really. I think they're very pretty."
Akashi blinks, "...I suppose I shall take that as a compliment, so thank you."
"Um, you're also very manly, too, don't worry!" Furihata quickly says, "L-like, your body is unbelievable- um, not that I've been checking you out- I mean looking- I mean, I have looked, but it's not intentional- not because there's anything unsightly about it, of course! But, um, so I have seen it – but it's not in a creepy way, I swear! Ah-" By the time Furihata catches himself he is already blushing right down to the nape of his neck, "A-ano... I'm sorry, I've just made this very awkward, haven't I?"
"Not at all," Akashi shakes his head, amused.
Furihata buries his face into his hands, "Ahh- I'm so embarrassed!"
"Don't be," Akashi reassures him, chuckling. "I'm flattered you think so highly of me."
Furihata makes a squeaky noise in his throat, still too embarrassed too lift his face up to meet Akashi.
Akashi watches him and, after a moment, says, "I think Kouki is far more prettier, actually."
Furihata does lift his head at that, "H-huh? Wha- no way."
"I mean it," Akashi has moved closer, Furihata doesn't know since when, but all of a sudden Akashi is so close to him their knees are almost brushing. Close enough to feel the heat from his skin. "Do you not believe me?"
"U-um, it's kinda hard to believe-"
"Well, do. Because I think you're incredibly pretty," Akashi's eyes are locked onto him and Furihata cannot escape. "Your eyes are like goblets of butterscotch. Your skin is the colour of caramel milk, and when you blush, it turns the colour of red peonies. Has no one ever told you?"
"Ah- n-no, um..."
"Not to mention your smile is possibly the purest, most genuine thing I have ever seen," Akashi's gaze on him is intense, now, and it's a strange, almost-physical hold on him even though their skins aren't touching at all.
Furihata feels his throat constrict and tighten. "A-ano... p-please stop, Akashi-kun. Really. I'm not-"
"You're beautiful, Kouki." Akashi says – and it's a simple, straightforward sentence, like he's talking about something as natural as the weather.
And yet Furihata finds himself entirely unable to breathe.
"...Kouki, are you alright?" Akashi inquires when he notices the lack of response from Furihata, like he has frozen in place.
Furihata cannot answer immediately, dazed and overwhelmed – whether by the heat of the onsens, or by Akashi's words, or just by being looked at so vehemently through those crimson orbs, he doesn't know. His vision is becoming hazy, clouded by dark, rapidly multiplying flashing spots.
"Kouki?" Akashi repeats, concerned.
"I- I think..." Furihata manages weakly, "...I think I'm about to faint."
The last thing Furihata remembers is Akashi's voice calling his name before darkness overtakes his vision completely.
Furihata wakes up to find himself tucked in bed, wrapped like a cocoon in a duvet which smells distinctly like Akashi mixed with the clean scent of fresh laundry.
Across the room is Akashi in person, typing away on his laptop. At the sound of Furihata shuffling inside the blanket, his red eyes flit up from the screen.
"You're awake," Akashi observes, putting away his laptop before he comes over to sit on the bed next to Furihata. "How are you feeling?"
"Um- slightly dizzy," Furihata admits. "How- how did I- where are we?"
"My bedroom. I carried you back here after you fainted in the onsen."
Furihata feels heat rise to his cheeks. This is already the second time in three days that Akashi has to take care of him, and even worse this time since Furihata was likely half-naked for a lot of it. He suddenly becomes aware of the fact that he's dressed in a yukata which is not his own, and blushes harder imagining Akashi dressing him. "A-ano... I'm really, really so sorry for the trouble, Akashi-kun."
"Don't worry about it."
It's hard not to, but Furihata has learnt it's best to leave it at that. "Uh- what time is it, by the way?"
Akashi glances at his watch, "Just past two in the morning."
"Ehh?!" Furihata springs up to sit and instantly regrets it when he feels a rush of lightheadedness, making him woozy.
Akashi grabs his shoulder to steady him, frowning. "What are you doing?"
Akashi's hand is warm, Furihata thinks, unusually so. Looking at his frown, for a moment Furihata sees a double-vision of Akashi's younger self, with his little red brows tied together in a knot, before he blinks it away. "I- um, it's really late, I should get back-"
"Don't be ridiculous," Akashi reprimands, "You are not going anywhere with the state you're in. You're barely capable of sitting up straight, let alone walking."
"B-but I need to get up early tomorrow, and-"
"So I'll wake you."
"Eh? But I- I really shouldn't impose-"
"Hush. Lie down." The hand on Furihata's shoulder is squeezing down firmly.
Furihata rolls in his lips, "A-ano..."
"Kouki." Akashi's voice is strict, commanding. "Enough. Lie down." The tone permits no arguments.
Akashi's eyes are deeper in the light of the night, almost maroon when they look at him with such intensity, and Furihata can do nothing but nod meekly. "...o-okay."
The strong grip of Akashi's clamp on his shoulder presses him back down onto the bed. Akashi then readjusts the duvet so that it's properly covering Furihata to his neck. Furihata blinks up at him, watching him and thinking how ironic it is that Akashi is the one to tuck him into bed now when ten years before their roles were reversed. Seeing Akashi take care of people is a strange act in itself, actually – like watching a prince perform household chores; a rare privilege, and Furihata feels humbled to be treated by it.
"Akashi-kun," Furihata calls, just as Akashi is switching off the bedside lamp.
"Yes?" The room is dark, now, and it makes Akashi's serene voice seem much more pronounced. Louder. Furihata can hear more clearly the undertones, his breathing, everything.
"Where are you going to sleep, if I'm taking up your bed?"
There is a pause. Thinking, Furihata assumes.
When Akashi doesn't answer after a while, Furihata realises what Akashi's intention is – and frowns. "Please don't tell me you plan on watching over me all night."
He hears Akashi's sigh in the dark, "I will sleep in the morning after you leave."
"Eh? But, Akashi-kun, that's-"
"Sleep, Kouki." He cuts him off, and Furihata can hear sounds of Akashi's footsteps moving away from the bed.
Furihata lets the words leave his lips before he can stop himself, "You can sleep with me."
Akashi's footsteps come to a dead stop.
Furihata quickly speaks, realising what he has just said, "Ah-! That is- um- I mean, like, o-on the same bed, uh- i-if you don't mind, of course. I mean, it is Akashi-kun's bed, anyways, and- and it's big enough, and I wouldn't feel good about stealing your place to sleep for the night, and, um..." He trails off, chewing on his lips and feeling embarrassed even though he knows for certain his offer is innocent and not at all meant in a suggestive way – why would it be, anyways? That would be bizarre not to mention completely inappropriate for his position. He shouldn't even be thinking of things remotely related to that, where Akashi is concerned.
Yet, Furihata feels as flustered as though he has actually just given Akashi an invitation to 'sleep' with him – and the more the silence stretches out, the more awkward he feels.
"U-um... Akashi-kun?" Furihata mumbles, part-muffled by the duvet.
A warm hand touches his forehead, and Furihata jolts slightly, surprised by Akashi's unexpected proximity. The hand then gently strokes his hair once, twice, before the warmth leaves him altogether and all that Furihata has left of Akashi is the hint of his scent laced within the duvet, and his tranquil voice, speaking in the dark.
"Goodnight, Kouki."
...and Furihata squeezes his eyes shut, forcing himself to sleep – hoping that maybe it will calm the unexplainable pounding of his heart.
A/N: A belated happy new year 2015, everyone! I went through a massive writer's block and wrote about five different versions of this chapter until I was finally satisfied with it, so I'm very sorry it took a bit longer than it should have. The next two months is busy busy busy for me (which is why I made an effort to post this chapter this month before the craziness happens) so I apologize in advance because the next chapter will likely not be up any faster than this one ._. gomenasaii.
Thank you for all your reviews and support! :D I love reading about what you all think about the story so far. As I mentioned at the very beginning, this is a slow, slowww burn, right? Still, the rating will go up to M, eventually – promise! ;)