"Akemashite-omedetou-gozaimasu! Happy New Years!" cried Hinata, running in circles. He was wearing a floral yukata and traditional sandals with little flowers on the straps. Kenma watched him until he looked a bit dizzy. Lev clasped his hands together standing before the shrine, as instructed by Yaku, and bowed his head in prayer. Kiyoko and Yachi went out of town to celebrate, and Yamaguchi and Tsukishima were in Okinawa. Bokuto had an unmarked cup filled with whiskey, and he took turns sharing it with Oikawa.

"Whew! That bitty strong ain't it!" Bokuto laughed, shaking his head. Akaashi still could never get used to his hair sitting flat around his head even then. It was just strange.

Kuroo slid his hand around Akaasishi's shoulders, before pulling him into a hug and resting his chin atop his head. "A new year, yeah?" He whispered.

Akaashi turned his head a bit, resting his cheek against Kuroo's chest. His hands were around Kuroo's waist tucked beneath the backpack he wore. "Yes, and we're gonna make this year beautiful." He muttered in return, a small smile forming on his lips.

"We're gonna start it right, too!" Oikawa hummed, taking the cup from Bokuto. He took a gulp, and his face pinched a bit from the taste. "You got the good stuff in there right, Tetsurou?"

"Yeah, weed and fireworks." Kuroo grinned, stepping out of the hug. "It's almost midnight so let's sneak into the park."

Akaashi felt giddy, and quickly corralled Hinata, and Yaku eyed Kuroo carefully. "I take it you know what you're doing with those, huh?"

Kuroo stuck his tongue out, and Lev got wide eyed. "Kuroo-san, you're a lowkey criminal!"

Akaashi raised an eyebrow with a smile, and Tetsurou shook his head laughing. "Maybe so, maybe so."

🎇

They found a clearing in front of a stair case on concrete. Akaashi almost didn't want to know why Kuroo knew exactly where he was going but he didn't mind. Fireworks were dangerous if handled wrong, but he trusted Kuroo and Bokuto. Oikawa already had a packed bowl, and he looked to Kuroo. "Hey, can I get a light?"

"Yeah, hold on." Kuroo said, setting his bag to the ground. He fished through it, pulling the mortars out and setting them down, as well as sparklers. He pulled out a black lighter, tossing it to Oikawa. He dipped the flame into the weed, taking a few hits before passing it to Kenma, who had quietly sat next to him. Bokuto set his cup down, and Akaashi joined Oikawa at his side and brought the cup to his lips.

They watched quietly as Hinata almost burned his hand lighting a sparkler while Lev, Bokuto, and Kuroo busied themselves with the rest of the fireworks. Akaashi scrunched his nose a bit after taking a few sips and setting the cup back in it's place.

"Ne, Aka-chan," Oikawa said thoughtfully, bumping him with his shoulder. "I know I've already said it, but I'm glad you're home. We were falling apart without you."

"I didn't realize I was so important to you, Oikawa-san." He teased, earning a blush and scowl from Tooru. "Where's Ushijima?"

"He's at the club running a special poker night upstairs, like a reunion thing for Shiratorizawa." He sighed, and was silent for a moment. A small chuckle came then, and he muttered, "I told him I would punch him if he said, 'You should have came to Shiratorizawa.'"

Hinata ran up to them, his hand clutching a few sparklers. "Get up and dance with me!" He cried in elation, handing them each a sparkler. Akaashi smiles, and hoisted himself up off the ground, waving the sparkler in circles, before writing out names and random things watching the red glow whirl. Kuroo, after finishing setting up for Bokuto and Lev, appeared next to his side with the sparkler.

"You mind giving me some help?" He asked, holding the sparkler up for Akaashi. Keiji nodded, touching the flame to Kuroo's, watching it illuminate and flare. It it up their faces with warm reds and yellows, and Akaashi couldn't help but grin. He started to giggle with pure happiness and Kuroo looked on quizzically before joining him. Once again, they found their pure love in a simple form.

Lev chased Hinata around with his sparkler, joking that it matched his hair and he wanted to put it next to his head. Hinata, of course, panicked, due to the fact that it could burn his face and hair. Kenma rolled a joint and it sat cherries between his lips as he and Yaku watched the mischief. Bokuto was still trying to get the mortars to shoot when Keiji and Tetsu's sparklers died out. Soon, Bokuto began to light off the fire works. He did them one by one, running up and down the lined up cylinders, and the sound was almost deafening. Akaashi flinched each time, and Kuroo pulled him into his arms as they watched the blooming colors in the sky.

Kuroo poked him lightly in the ribs. "Babe." He said, between bursts.

"Yes?" Akaashi asked, cringing again as a mortar boomed and launched into the sky. He glanced up to Kuroo, whose half lidded eyes bore into him. He nestled closer to Kuroo.

"Is it alright if I kiss you right now?"

"Huh?" Akaashi asked, tilting his head. "Yeah, why not?"

"You just seem jumpy. I didn't want to make you relive anything." He murmured.

Akaashi considered his words, and shook is head. "It won't bother me anymore."

Kuroo's face lit up with purple hues as another firework shot off. Akaashi could see his lips moving as he leaned in, but Bokuto's "Grand Finale" of fireworks drowned his voice out.

Akaashi just pointed to his ear, shook his head, and kissed his boyfriend.

🎇

A few days later, Akaashi was tossing around in his bed. He didn't understand why he was antsy, but he grabbed his cup off the nightstand and went to get some more water. Elara bounded after him, batting at his heels as he walked. Akaashi stepped over him, around him, just trying to avoid stepping on him, and he nearly fell into the kitchen. His hand slammed onto the table when he caught himself, and thankfully the cup was plastic and empty. He glared at Elara, who sulked before getting distracted by her own flicking tail. He hoped the racket didn't wake Kuroo, but anything less than the apocalypse couldn't wake him once he rolled into his face.

He filled his cup quickly, before picking Elara up and pressing her to his chest. She batted at the ends of his hair, tickling his neck, and he shut the door behind him. He turned to face the bed to see Kuroo sitting upright, looking troubled.

"What is it, love?" Akaashi asked, setting Elara down and taking a sip of his water. "Did I wake you?"

"No, no, I just had a weird dream. Why are you awake?"

"Just couldn't sleep, nothing to crazy. I'll just cuddle Elara and she should do the trick."

Kuroo pouted. "What about the chopped-liver-lover boy right here in front of you?" He gasped.

"Elara is prettier, and softer."

"Akaashi Keiji, are you cheating on me with Elara?"

"Ew, don't be gross Kuroo." Then he shrugged. "Actually, Pain-in-the-Ass Kuroo-san," Keiji emphasized the name. "You're pretty close to a cat so, would it even count?"

"Hey! That is just—" Kuroo exclaimed, but he cut himself off and stared at the door. His eyes were narrowed, a questioning look on his face. "Yamaguchi and Tsukishima aren't here today, are they?"

     "What? Why do you ask that suddenly?"

     Elara's ears perked up, her tail flicking anxiously. Their eyes fell onto her slowly, glancing to each other. "I'm gonna go look around really quick, I thought I heard something weird. It might've just been the refrigerator rumbling since you got water earlier." He said lightly, turning to slip out the door. Akaashi nodded, his eyes trailing after Kuroo and watching the door carefully. He sat on the bed, and Elara pressed herself against him. Her eyes never left the door.

After a few minutes, Elara hissed lowly, leaping off the bed and slipping beneath. "Elara? Come here, kitten." Akaashi cooed, getting onto the ground. She continued to hiss, and Akaashi sighed. "Kuroo! The cat is acting weird." He called, then he heard the footsteps. "Kuroo?"

They walked closer and closer to the door. He padded over to in front of the door, reaching tentatively for the doorknob. Why didn't he just answer? It was only Kuroo, and Elara was freaking out for no reason, and therefore, he was a bit anxious. Why didn't Kuroo just say something?

He grasped the doorknob, and swung the door open.

Teru stood before him, his hair wild and eyes pinned. He giggled. "Kei-ji-kun," He dang, scratching the back of his head. Akaashi was frozen, and his eyes darted to the knife in his hand. It was bloody and dripping. "It's been a while, ne?"

     Akaashi staggered back a step, his lungs not working. "Not long enough," He choked out, before Teru slapped him across the cheek, sending Akaashi to the ground.