Chapter Text
“I’m sorry, Shouyou. I just-”
“It’s okay. I know. I don’t think I’d be able to endure it either...” Hinata didn’t have to litsten to all of it. She already knew what Kenma was going to say. And she was aware that Kenma also knew that she had predicted what they were about to say.
“It’s just for the best.” Again, predicting what the other was about to say. Kenma and Hinata were often like this – when they weren’t, they’d be surprised by the other’s words.
“We’ll be together. As soon as the distance doesn’t separate us anymore. I promise.” Hinata couldn’t help but smile at those words. It was a promise.
When Kenma looked down, unconsciously hiding their own small smile, Hinata brought her hands to their cheeks, gently making them lock their eyes with hers before placing one soft kiss to their lips. Their last kiss before the distance would come between them yet again. Just when Hinata turned away from them to go back inside the bus, Kenma grabbed her hand, making her turn around and look back at him.
“Before you go, there’s something you need to promise me as well.” Shouyou shifted on her feet, facing them completely, encouraging them to keep talking. “Uh, before we... you know... we are still going to be friends... right?” She looked at them sweetly, smiling at them.
“Of course, Kenma. I promise.”
Kenma reached down to their pockets, in search of their PSP. Upon not finding it, it’d hit ‘em. They left their PSP in their bag. Which was at the locker room. Great. They let a painful sigh escape their lips, a long-suffering expression painted on their face as they got up and lazily headed to the locker room.
They walked through the door, heading straight to where their backpack was. They barely zipped the bag open, when...
“Kozume-” Kenma nearly jumped out of their skin. They abruptly turned around as soon as they heard the voice coming from behind them... only to see Akaashi approaching them, a puzzled look on their face.
“Holy shit, dude! You fucking scared me to death!” They said as the shock caused by the sudden noise died down, shoving their friend playfully.
“Sorry.” Akaashi said, scratching the back of their head. “I keep forgetting how easily startled you are... Also, you swear a lot.”
“You know I do. Especially when someone startles me like that.” That made Akaashi chuckle.
“Well, I said ‘sorry’, right? And you know I meant it.” Kenma sticked their tongue out at the other, who did the same. They spent a few seconds just staring at each other, smiling at their stupidity, until Akaashi spoke up.
“Oh, by the way, how did things go with Hinata? Did you talk to her? You still haven’t told me anything about it.”
“Well, things went fine, actually. It was even better then expected. She took it all very well and actually understood my point. She respected my decisions, saying there was no reason to rush and to push myself. It makes me happy that we’re still friends. Our friendship is very important to me.”
“See? What did I tell you? I knew there was no reason to worry about it... I told you you could do it.”
“Yeah, I know, I know... But-“
“Don’t even start that with me again. It doesn’t matter anymore, because everything is fine, and I’m happy for you.”
“Why’d you be happy for me, though?”
“Because you sticked up to what was better for you instead of getting in a long distance relationship, knowing that it wasn’t for you, just so Hinata wouldn’t hurt.”
“You know? I’m just glad to know that we can trust and count on each other.” Kenma said, smiling, making Akaashi do the same.
“So am I.”
They just stayed like that for a while, smiling, eyes fixated on each other’s as they sat on the bench – when did that happen, though? –, face to face. A couple of the things about them – and them alone – was the comfortable silence and the wordless communication that came with it. So, when Akaashi lightly bit their lower lip before taking a quick glance at the other’s lips, Kenma just knew what had gone through their friend’s head, and so that ecouraged them. They set their hand on the bench, fingers gently touching the other’s, and stared at Akaashi’s lips as they leaned in. Their fingers tangled around each other’s as soon as there was no distance between them.
“How long has this been going on?”
“I’m not sure... Maybe about nine months or something...”
“Akaashi!” Kenma yelled, playfully punching their shoulders.
“Hey, that’s too harsh! Besides, it’s not like I was completely sure of what I felt!”
“Still... why didn’t you tell... anyone?”
“Well, for the same reason no one really likes to talk about the possibilities of feelings they might have for their friend.”
“But we could’ve been together this whole time!”
“W- wait... What? You mean... you’d want that?”
“Of course I would! Of course I do! You fucking idiot! How many times have I told you I have a lowkey crush on practically everyone I’m close to, except-”
“Except for Kuroo, I know... But how would I know that I could possibly be within these people?!”
“You really are oblivious, aren’t you...?” Kenma sighed, smiling. Their heart finally stopped thumping against their ribs.
Kenma leaned towards Akaashi, wrapping their arms around their torso. They stayed like that in silence for a while.
“So, what are we?” They said in unison, making both laugh.
“Uh, should we... go out or something?”
“Like a date...? Nah, I’ve waited for this long enough.”
Kenma raised an eyebrow, chuckling. They looked down, biting their lip. They leaned in... but stopped, staring at the other’s lips. Akaashi brouth their hand to their shoulders, pulling them towards themself. Their lips met once again.
Kenma tensed up as Tsukishima approached, walking towards Yamaguchi, who stood nearby them. He glared daggers at them the whole way to his friend’s side, making Kenma reach out for Akaashi’s hand and squeeze it as soon as they were out of the tall boy’s sight.
“Why are you always so nervous around him?”
“He’s been so rude to me lately, mostly since he’s... well, pissed. And I’m sure that is because of us.”
“What?! Because of us?! Why’d he be pissed at you because of us?”
“Seriously, Keiji? He’s into you. He stares at you like you’re meat. For him, I ‘stole his meat, and, therefore he’s pissed at me, so he acts like an asshole to me every time he gets a chance to. And I just can’t deal with this type of situation. It’s too much for me.”
“I still doubt he likes me... But, well, do you want me to talk to him for you? Maybe he doesn’t know how much his behaviour actually impacts on you.”
“I guess that if you talked to him, he’d listen to you. Afterall he’s completely drooling over-”
“He’s not drooling over me.”
“Whatever you say... But hey, seriously... don’t do that. I... I think it’ll only make things worse. And also, he’ll be leaving soon. As soon as they’re gone, there won’t be nothing to worry about. Also, that way we can avoid possible tension in the future whenever we have another match.”
“You really fear this sort of situation, huh...?”
Kenma: how have you been doing in those tests?
Kenma: were you able to compensate for your previous grades?
Shouyou: Yes!!! Yachi and Yamaguchi have been helping me a lot since they came back from camp!
Shouyou: So I’ve been getting help from the bests! Heheh :)
Shouyou: I’ve even got to get 70% of my Math exam right!!!!
Kenma: that’s great, shouyou. i’m happy for you. :)
“So, uh... Do you want to know why I didn’t tell anyone?”
“Huh?” Kenma asked, distracted as their mind was completely immersed in the book on their hands. Akaashi’s head laid on their stomach, headphones popped into their ears as they laid on their side, fingers sliding through the screen of their phone. They sat up.
“I haven’t given you a proper answer when you asked me why I kept my feelings to myself. Of course, I didn’t want to risk you aknowledging them. But... the reason why I didn’t want that, even though I knew about your crushes and everything, was because... I thought you were actually in love with Hinata... and, even if there was a chance of you feeling the same way I did... I feared you wouldn’t let go of your feelings for her.”
Kenma seemed to reflect on Akaashi’s words for a moment. Then they smiled and hugged the other, speaking softly into their ear.
“You know, Keiji... My feelings for you weren’t easily ignored, unlike for anyone else. Even Shouyou.” They pulled away from the embrace to look into Akaashi’s eyes. “If I liked Shouyou that much, I would give the distance a shot.”
“But... if Hinata actually came to live here or something when she’s older and we were together... would you...”
“Keiji, I would never do that. Don’t worry about her. We both think we’re good as just friends.”
“You’re right... I knew you wouldn’t... I- I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t worry. You don’t have to apologize.” Kenma planted a quick but sweet kiss to Akaashi’s cheek.