He wasn't sure how this had happened. How had this happened? How had someone he had known for a few hours been able to put pieces together that he himself had missed? He was confused and his mind was frantically trying to make everything slide into place as Kenma led him down a hall and into a now empty gym.

He slid down against a far wall and blinked up at the three standing boys. Kuroo sat instantly while Bokuto, who still seemed to be upset and was trying to figure things out, continued to stand beside Akaashi. Kuroo rolled his eyes, leaning forward to grab both of their sleeves and pull them onto the floor. Akaashi sat face Kenma, his arms coming up to cross over his chest defensively. Was – was this his fault? He had thought that the three of them seemed to be somewhat out of synch…was it because of him?

Was he the reason Bokuto was so upset?

He was. He realized that. He had seen the interaction between the three, heard Bokuto's words as he asked Akaashi about his soulmates. "Well," Kuroo finally said, his eyes flickering from Bokuto to Akaashi and then finally coming to rest on Kenma. "I guess there's some things we need to talk about."

Kenma sighed and shot his best friend that made it clear just what he thought of that statement. "I think that's obvious, Kuro."

"Just trying to start us off, Kitten."

Yet the conversation did not start. Akaashi was still trying to wrap his head around the events from the day while Bokuto seemed to want to be anywhere but where they currently where. He had his head buried in his hands and his shoulders were shaking yet he wasn't making a sound. Akaashi wondered if he should do something but he felt so…unlike himself he wasn't sure what to do. Kuroo was staring at Bokuto with a broken expression on his face. Akaashi didn't know what to do about that either. He just…didn't…know…

Kenma sighed once again and brought his knees up to his chest. His chin rested on his knees as his eyes flickered from Akaashi, to Bokuto, and then, finally, onto Kuroo. "Bokuto," he finally said, his voice soft as he turned those cat like eyes onto the still shaking boy. Said boy seemed to freeze as his name was said. Akaashi wondered if he had forgotten they were there. "I think we have some things to talk about. Do you want to tell us what you meant earlier?"

Kuroo was now staring at Kenma in wonder. Apparently he was just as surprised as Akaashi that the younger boy seemed to be talking charge of the situation. From what he had seen earlier, Akaashi didn't think Kenma was the type to do this. And, based on Kuroo's amazed look, he was right. He wondered what had made the other first year decide to do so this time. Was this that important to him?

Kenma ignored the looks he was receiving and had his attention completely focused on Bokuto. Said boy seemed to not want to answer the question. He had somehow managed to get his muscles down to the point that if Akaashi hadn't known better, he would think he was the close to the same size as the lithe Kenma. "Bo-" Kuroo started, his voice cracking on the name. He cleared his throat audibly and started again. "Did we do something that-"

"No!" Bokuto shouted, his head flying up quickly and his red rimmed eyes wide. He began to frantically shake his head. "No! You two are the best soulmates! It isn't…I just….you and Kenma…" he wailed loudly and once more buried his face in his hands as his knees came up toward his body. The words didn't seem to help Kuroo any. He looked even worse than he had previously and Akaashi was sure the boy was soon going to be joining Bokuto in a round of tears. He seemed to be fighting them back at the moment but even from where he was sitting, Akaashi could see them pooling in his eyes.

Kenma had tried to keep his face blank but Akaashi could see the worried frown between his brows. His hands were frantically twisting the sleeves of the too big jacket he wore. He seemed just as lost as Kuroo at the moment. But Akaashi knew what was happening. He had been thinking it all day. Kenma and Kuroo seemed to know every little detail about one another. Kuroo could pick up on every cue Kenma sent his way. It was something that came from years of friendship and a deep understanding of the other person. Bokuto wasn't there yet.

"I think Bokuto-san has been…questioning his place within all of this," Akaashi finally said softly. Every eye turned toward him, even Bokuto's, and he fought to keep himself from flinching. He stared at the wall above Kenma's head. It was easier than looking at any of them. "The two of you have known each other for a long time and it is obvious you know every detail about one another. To step in the way of that seems to be…an intrusion."

"He isn't in the way!" Kuroo growled out and Akaashi couldn't help the flinch this time. He swallowed hard and kept his eyes focused on the same spot on the wall. "We never thought that-"

"Kuro," Kenma cut in softly. Akaashi could see the golden eyes flickering between him and Bokuto once more. "I understand what they mean. It has been…difficult. I am not good with people," he admitted lowly and Bokuto made a sound of protest. "I do not like people. But I do enjoy spending time with you," Kenma told Bokuto with a small smile. "However, it has been a challenge trying to…let you in, I suppose. It is different with Kuro. He has always been more outgoing. The only reason he and I are so close was because he refused to leave me alone," this time it was Kuroo that protested. "I am not good at communicating what I want. I know that. But I can't just expect you to know. We don't know each other well enough yet."

"But we can learn," Kuroo said firmly as he turned toward Bokuto. "And I need to help you do that. We all do. Just like we need to learn more about you." He let out a deep sigh and clenched his jaw. "I should have known something was wrong, Bo. I just – didn't really think –"

"That's nothing new," Kenma muttered.

"Shut it, Kitten," Kuroo chuckled with a small grin. Bokuto had smiled a little as well at the words. Akaashi wondered if he should really be here for this.

He shifted slightly and instantly regretted it when every eye turned to him once again. He cursed inwardly. He should have kept silent. "Did you mean what you said before?" Kuroo suddenly asked. Akaashi's mind instantly ran through the various options. He had said many things, after all. How did the boy expect him to know which conversation he was talking about?

"That depends," he finally responded as Kuroo began to look impatient. "What are you referring to?"

"When you said that you would be willing to try," Kuroo clarified and Akaashi flashed back to the conversation in question. It had been something he said spontaneously to make Bokuto feel better but he couldn't say it wasn't the truth. He had said if he met his soulmates he would be willing to try, though he was not sure how well it would work. He was not lying when he said he was not sure how he would be in a relationship. And a relationship with three other people was certainly daunting. But would he be willing to give it a try if the people in question were Bokuto, Kuroo, and Kenma?

"I meant it," Akaashi muttered while still avoiding everyone's gaze. He felt…embarrassed for some reason. He didn't understand it. It was Bokuto. He did not know Kuroo and Kenma well enough to justify feeling embarrassed around them. And he had always felt safe and un-judged around Bokuto.

So why did he feel a slight flush overtaking his features?

"Shit," he heard Kuroo mutter. "Bo, you were right."

"Hmm?" Bokuto asked, sounding slightly distracted. "About what?"

"He is really pretty."

Well, there went every bit of self control he had left. He groaned and buried his face within his hands to hide his burning face. "Please don't."

Kuroo laughed and Akaashi tensed when he felt an arm slipping around his shoulders. He parted his fingers slightly and looked to see who it was that was touching him. He should have known. Bokuto pulled him closer as he smiled brightly. "Hey! Hey! Akaashi! Why are you embarrassed?! You are pretty!" Then, obviously thinking of the reactions he had received earlier, looked toward Kuroo and Kenma, "You guys are too! Pretty, I mean! Well, Kuroo I wouldn't say is pretty. But you're good looking! And Kenma is-"

"Stop," Kenma said instantly, scrunching up his nose. Kuroo's laughter increased as his own arm slipped around Kenma's shoulders.

"So, I guess we're going to do this?" he asked as he smiled down at Kenma before turning his attention to Bokuto and Akaashi.

Bokuto nodded frantically and Kenma nodded his head once to show his own agreement. "Right, right? Right Akaashi?"

"Yes, Bokuto-san. We will try."