Believer

13

Akaashi ended up passing out after finishing his daily dose of online school. His mother, sensing something was off and confronting him, had found out about the group hangout. She had quelled some of his anxieties but nonetheless she could tell he would continue to be anxious until everything went smoothly. 

She hadn't met Bokuto long enough to talk much, but she did know he was a good person. Akaashi seemed at ease with the other teen, and so Akia was fine with their friendship. Nonetheless, she was itching to meet him as well. 

She wanted the best for her son and his physical and mental health. 

Akaashi had passed out shortly after dinner at five, not even remembering to brush his teeth in his exhausted state. 

His phone was turned upside down on the opposite side of the room, where it had been all day charging. 

He had yet to check it, much less respond to anything. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was ten in the morning on a Saturday. 

The Saturday. 

Bokuto was bouncing up and down, excited to go to a local diner and mess around with his friends. He was especially excited for Roo and Tsuki to meet Akaashi. 

He felt like he knew for a fact that the three would hit it off. Even though they had slightly different personalities….and have never met before….

Bokuto felt as if a small bucket of ice water was dumped on his head. Akaashi must be so nervous! 

Quickly he scurried over to his phone and opened Akaashi's chat. They hadn't texted much since the hangout times dropped, and, looking back, Bokuto could piece together why. 

So he sent his friend a text. 

Bokuto: Heyyy! Wanna do something? We could go out and relax or you could come to my house and we do something? 

Being extroverted, yet emotionally detached from other people half the time, Bokuto didn't know how to deal with emotions in the sense of nervousness. 

Where people would be awkward and anxious, Bokuto would jump right in. In his current friend group and team, his personality balanced well and was a great icebreaker to make people comfortable outside of their nerves. But he often forgets that people aren't as eager to meet strangers and befriend them. 

So now he felt horrible begging Akaashi to meet his friends. He didn't want to force anyone to do anything. 

Now if Akaashi responds, Bokuto is determined to make things right. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

It was almost eleven forty when he got a text back. 

And the two teens decided that they would watch a movie at Bokuto's house around one. In the meantime the pianist got out snacks, movie options, and anxiously picked at the skin around his nails. 

Bokuto made sure to ask his dad how to put subtitles on the screen as well. 

His dad had met Akaashi through passing, having seen the two boys playing the Wii in the living room--Bokuto didn't have nor ever want a television or gaming set in his room. 

Nevertheless, he learned that Akaashi could kick his butt in Wii Bowling that day. 

By twelve fifty-two, Bokuto was sitting on his porch, leg bouncing as he waited for his friend to show up. His eyes were stuck on a couple birds sitting on a landline. Previously, two of them had been fighting each other for a spot to sit, but now they were relaxed. 

Bokuto squinted at them in an attempt to decipher their color. 

They were too far away. 

He was snapped out of his observations when a gentle hand tapped his shoulder. 

"Aka--AKAASHIIIIIII!" He couldn't hold back his yell, even though he knew his friend wouldn't be able to hear. Akaashi managed to understand though. Bokuto tended to yell his name a lot when they spotted each other, and the more it happened, the more Akaashi could discern what Bokuto said. Especially when he would snap towards the black haired teen and capture him in a massive bear hug. 

A deep "oomf" left Akaashi's throat as Bokuto practically pounced on him, strong arms wrapping around the artist's slender frame. 

Akaashi, as usual, took a couple seconds to regain balance before slowly returning the hug. 

Bokuto was a very touchy-feely person, Akaashi noted. Bokuto showed emotion via physical touch the same way Akaashi showed emotions through actions. 

It was weird getting accustomed to each other's friendship tactics. Nevertheless, they both pushed to maintain their random friendship. 

Akaashi patted the order's back, signaling for him to let go. Bokuto complied, a goofy grin plastered on his face. 

"Ready to watch a movie?" He attempted to sign and talk at the same time. He connected the verbal and physical Japanese to boost his comprehension. It worked, however he was still choppy. His fingerspelling needed work.

And he didn't know the signs for a lot of words, but he was trying. 

Akaashi smiled, letting out a small, airy chuckle before nodding.