well, merry Christmas guys! or happy holidays! or just happy day! Whichever you prefer!

(part 2 is being written slowly but surely)

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-lowercase intended-

akaashi was used to picking up bokuto's mess, it was the way their relationship had always worked. nevermind his rocky home life, he had bokuto to bring him the distraction of a happy day life.

bokuto was used to entertaining akaashi, it was the way their relationship had always worked. nevermind the posh lifestyle he had at home, he had akaashi to keep him in check.

the two worked to balance each other out, yet both were so unaware of how much their existences relied on the other to survive every day life.

at least this was how it had worked for the better part of eight years now. until bokuto started to have feelings for someone.

"akaashi i need your help!" bokuto whined as they made their way out the school.

"with what? i've already tutored you in every subject i could," akaashi coldly replied. he wasn't upset with the ace, he was upset with himself for letting bokuto down and not helping him enough. home could wait, it's not like he had a warm welcome to look forward to anyway.

bokuto led akaashi into a deserted alley without a word.

"i need help with flirting," bokuto simply stated. "i found someone i like, and i'm not sure how to get them to like me back. please akaashi, please."

akaashi sighed, he had been waiting for this day. the day his heartbreak would be finalized, when bokuto was out of his reach forever.

"who is it?" the second year finally asked.

"her name is miyazaki, and she's super pretty and her voice is really soft and cute and i just reaaaaaally reaaaaally like her. a lot."

damn, akaashi thought, he must actually like her.

"why don't you ask for her number first? that's a good place to start i believe," akaashi suggested, it was kind of obvious how evasive his advice was, but bokuto didn't seem to notice.

"thanks, akaashi! i'll do that tomorrow!" and the third year ran off.

akaashi slowly made his was home, hoping for anything but another neglectful night.

〜♡〜

"you fucking disobedient—" akaashi's mom yelled as her belt collided with his bare skin once again. the boy winced in pain, but no sound escaped his lips, he was determined to not show weakness. if he did, she would only hit him harder.

"were you out with that rich gay kid again?! what did i tell you, huh? if you stay with him you'll become even more disgusting than you already are. i don't want to hear you're with him again, got it keiji?" each word that registered in akaashi's brain was a bullet. gay, rich, disgusting. if anyone was disgusting, it was her.

"he's not gay, and he's not disgusting," akaashi managed to choke out.

"what was that boy? did you speak against me?" she snarled, gripping the belt tighter.

"yeah, i did."

he had put it with enough, without a second thought, akaashi ran out of the house, not even glancing back.

〜♡〜

"a-akaashi?!"

the boy in question panted in response, too out of breathe to say anything. he quietly stood up to stare into the curious but concerned eyes that were set on his. there must have been a trace of tears in his eyes, because bokuto wrapped his arms around akaashi without warning. it was warm in his arms, something akaashi hadn't felt for a long time.

"are you okay..." bokuto finally asked the obvious question. akaashi simply shook his head in response, there was no use in lying.

"well let's get you inside!" a feminine voice said cheerily. suddenly, a lady with raven black hair that curled slightly at the end was standing behind of bokuto.

"mother, can he stay here tonight?" bokuto meekly asked, glancing back at the woman who must be his mom.

"of course, koutarou." she smiled, nodding her head. "he can stay in the guest room upstairs."

"th-thank you for your generosity," akaashi bowed in gratitude. so he would have somewhere to stay tonight... that's good.