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Akaashi hated noise. He hated when things got too loud around him: multiple people talking at once, a loud restaurant, or a coffee shop. Hated hearing people whisper behind him while he tried to pay attention to his professors. Sometimes, even music was too loud and noisy. Annoying him into silence, forcing him to surround himself with nothing.
The solid drum hits continued, keeping the song's rhythm at a consistent pace. He hated noise for the most part, but sometimes, when he chose the time and came prepared, he loved it. Loved the sound of loud instruments playing. Loved the people who sang along. Loved the way the wooden sticks hit the drums, the way the guitar strings noisily surrounded the room. Even loved the singer who screamed the lyrics with their whole chest. It was a nice kind of noise, filling his body with something exciting. His heart thumped in time with the drums, his head swaying, light reflecting in his glasses.
He never really had a favorite instrument in the past, always enjoying how they all came together more than how they sounded separately. That changed, however, after he started attending his university's little band. A group of three that created a space for those who enjoyed live performances to escape their school stress for a few hours. Occupying a small performance hall, a tiny bar in between buildings in the town near their university, and becoming a sensation for those who knew where to look. Each week, they bring in a new singer, allowing some wannabe stars to show off their skills. The lead guitarist, drummer, and bassist stay the same, allowing the singers to shift constantly. They play covers of well-known songs, sometimes taking the time to do songless solos, playing their instruments to the best of their abilities.
Oikawa Turoo, an acquaintance of Akaashi’s (a classmate, really), is the lead guitarist in the group. Always eager to show off his skills during performances, he plays and dances the most. He has a whole wave of fangirls trailing him everywhere he goes. As much as he likes to gloat, he is very skilled, Akaashi has to admit. A good candidate for being the “best” performer and Akaashi’s chosen favorite.
Kuroo Tetsuro, main bassist. Tall, somewhat laid back, cocky, and teasing. Akaashi had only a few unfortunate run-ins with him, and each time wanted to strangle the man. He is certain that Kuroo provokes people on purpose, trying to see how far he can push their buttons. And as patient as Akaashi can be, he has a bit of a short fuse with the man. He tries to avoid him like the plague. Aside from his charming personality, he is quite skillful at what he does, though not a good enough candidate to be Akaashi’s favorite.
Bokuto Koutarou, main drummer and perhaps, as some would call him, the star of the show. Always demanding attention, playing loudly and aggressively, but not without skill. In fact, Akaashi would argue he has the most skill, usually seen during his solos when the group allows him to shine to his brightest potential. As of now, he is the top candidate for the title of “favorite,” though Akaashi is hesitant to admit it.
Leaning against the railing, Akaashi watches the performance from the second floor. He prefers to sit up high, away from the crowd, where he can see the band better. Where he could see Bokuto better, not that he would admit it to anyone. Drummers usually hide in the shadows of vocalists and guitarists, being so far away from the stage, hiding behind large equipment. But Bokuto has always demanded attention, from his introduction before each performance, where he usually does backflips to get the crowd excited, to when he starts playing, loud, aggressive, and so, so good. Akaashi had no choice but to find a comfy spot somewhere up high, giving the star drummer the attention he demanded.
Another thing Akaashi would never admit is how highly he thinks of himself when it comes to the drummer. It’s not like he was the first one or the only one that ever noticed Bokuto, but his popularity didn’t run as deep as Oikawa’s or even some of the guest vocalists. Not until recently, that is. Someone (probably Kuroo) got the bright idea to install an above-view camera over Bokuto’s drums, projecting the video on a small screen off to the side of the stage. Now, everyone who chose to watch got to see the perspective of their excitable drummer. The way his arms flew over the tom sets and cymbals. The way his hair went from a neat pulled back spiky style to a ruffled mess from consistent head banging. The way his muscles flexed and moved with each hit was fully visible once his shirt was removed (and he removed it often).
Akaashi wasn’t upset. Wasn’t even a little annoyed that now everyone seemed to fawn over the drummer. It’s not like he was the first to notice him, or pay attention to him, or go out of his way to sit high above and fully observe his performance, something he deserved to begin with. No, no, this new influx of attention was fine. He wasn’t upset.
The song finishes, and everyone claps. Akaashi does too, not that it would be heard from where he sits. He watches the little screen off to the side as Bokuto looks up and gives a toothy, closed-eyed smile. Dimples visible, freckles dusting his hooked nose, cheeks rosy from the energy. Akaashi leans his cheek on his knee. Maybe the little camera wasn’t the worst idea. The band does its final announcements, thanking everyone for coming out and cheering for them, giving a shout-out to today's vocalist, and then to each other before ending the performance completely. A line of people stands in place, waiting to take pictures with the members and chat. Fangirls squeal loudly when their beloved Oikawa approaches. Slowly, the comfortable noise of the music shifts into the unbearable noise Akaashi hates. With one last, final look at his favorite member, he sneaks out of the bar and goes back to his quiet dorm, keeping that sweet smile in his mind the whole way through.
–
Akaashi sits comfortably on the grass, his back to the big oak tree in the courtyard. A collection of people is scattered around the grassy field, lying on blankets, talking or working. A group of friends throws a frisbee at each other off ot the side. Several students walking by on the sidewalk, some running, clearly late for class. The day is bright and beautiful, and the shade from the tree is just perfect, keeping him from overheating in the sun. He brings his attention back to his book, pencil wedged between the pages. Opening it up, he tries to focus on his reading, only to be interrupted by a sudden thumping. Looking around, he doesn’t see anyone who could be making the noise. Perhaps someone on the other side of the tree, he thinks. It’s fine, he could handle some noise.
That was a lie; he couldn’t. Because the noise didn’t stop, not even for a few seconds. Consistent and irritating, it sounded like someone took two pencils and continuously smacked them against a hardcover book. Akaashi gave himself another two minutes before he would get up and tell whoever was making the noise to take it to some other tree. His luck, however, didn’t allow that because a single, beige drumstick suddenly flies into view, landing right next to Akaashi’s shoe. He grabs at it quickly, thinking up a way of how he can use it to convince the person to leave. Maybe he can just throw it and hope that this intruder is more akin to a dog.
His anger, and practically every thought he ever had, immediately evaporates as soon as he makes eye contact with Bokuto. The Bokuto Koutarou. Lead drummer, not his favorite member. And especially, not Akaashi’s months-long crush.
“Sorry about that!” Bokuto smiles as he extends his hand, “Didn’t mean to lose my grip on that.”
Akaashi couldn’t move, couldn’t even breathe. There was absolutely no way this was happening. What in the meet-cute twisted crap is this? He was not about to properly meet his “celebrity” crush like this.
“Can I have that back, please?” he laughs, still keeping his hand out. Akaashi hands it over and faces away from the boy. His breathing was quick and ragged; he didn’t know what to do. He was just about ready to pack up and run away when Bokuto scooted closer and continued talking.
“What’s your name?” golden eyes crinkled from his smile, staring directly at Akaashi.
What the fuck is happening, “Akaashi Keiji.”
“I really like your glasses, ‘Kaashi!” he says loudly, taking his pointer finger and playing a bit with the chain attached to them. Making the small beaded star twirl around.
“Thank you.” This couldn’t actually be happening. Not to him. These kinds of silly things only happen in movies to the protagonists. They don’t happen to quiet kids that are behind on their homework because they spent their weekday evening listening to a little band play songs they could listen to on their phone. And yet, Bokuto was sitting next to him, smiling sweetly and playing with his glasses chain and the little colorful beads on it.
To hell with it, his chance was right in front of him, and if the universe wanted to throw a good thing his way, who was he to deny it? “Do you play drums?”
“Yeah!” Bokuto’s whole demeanor lights up even more, “I play in a band, actually! You should come check it out one day!”
“I’ll see if I can find the time.”
Bokuto smiled brightly in return, his golden eyes getting all squinty. Akaashi looked away. He may not have been sitting under the sun, but it looked like the rays still found him. They chatted for far longer than he expected, conversation never wavering. There were days in the past when Akaashi wondered who this boy was outside of the stage and the cheers of people, and he was finally getting his answer. The real Bokuto, the one right in front of him, was far better than any idea he had made up in his head. As energetic, chatty, and cheerful as always, he was also determined, bold, and a little simple-minded. He was incredibly emotionally intelligent and kind. He reeled Akaashi in without trying, always has if you think about it. And Akaashi didn’t bother fighting it, falling into this completely. Allowing Bokuto to envelop him in light.
They chatted for quite some time until they had to part ways. Bokuto didn’t allow Akaashi to escape without getting his number (something he was very willing to give). Separating for the day felt disappointing for only a moment, until Akaashi’s phone buzzed into the night with an influx of messages from the boy. And when they had time at the very end of the day, they stayed on call for many hours, until Bokuto gave a big and dramatic yawn. After several minutes of whining about having to hang up, the two ended the call with a promise to talk again come morning.
In an instant, Akaashi’s daily life changed so drastically. Somehow, the fate of a protagonist found him under that oak tree. He relished in his luck, in what this could mean for his future. He went to bed that night with the memory of a sweet and silly boy circling his mind.
–
Akaashi wasn’t trying to hide, not really. But he did anyway, keeping his head low as he watched the performance below. He didn’t quite know why he lied to Bokuto when he said he couldn’t make it to the show. A few girls below pushed their way towards the stage, extending their phones, hoping for a picture with the band. Okay, maybe he knew why he did it. This whole situation he found himself in was alarming, so much so that he didn’t believe it was as good as it felt. Maybe Bokuto was playing with him, maybe he has a whole army of pretty people that he’s been chatting up. Though Akaashi didn’t know how one person could make the time for so many people when the boy had spent hours upon hours taking up Akaashi’s time. He locked himself on like glue since day one. Asking to call, video call, or hang out somewhere every day since (Akaashi wasn’t good at saying no to him just yet).
But a twinge of fear still held on to him, even with so much attention, what if Bokuto was different on the stage? What if, when he knew Akaashi wasn’t around, he would flirt with anyone who smiled at him? Akaashi knew why he was hiding; he just didn’t want to admit it.
Though it looked like the universe was set on being kind to him. During every break in songs, Bokuto looked around frantically, searching the crowd for someone. At the end of the show, he even asked Kuroo to help. Akaashi watched as Bokuto moved his arms around while giving out his description, moving his hands towards his eyes, outlining invisible glasses and a chain. Akaashi squished his face into his knees, allowing the warm pull in his chest to roam free. Perhaps he had nothing to worry about after all. He snuck out of the building without being spotted.
‘Wish you could’ve made it :(( I played super well today! But I’ll play even better when you’re there to watch!!!!’
Akaashi stared at the text for a long time until he couldn’t keep his eyes open any longer.
‘I promise I’ll make it to your next one, Bokuto.’ And he meant it.
–
“Let’s grab dinner after the show!” Bokuto exclaims as they walk out of the bookstore.
Akaashi looks over at him while shoving his book into his backpack, “Okay.”
Bokuto leaps up, and something flies out of his bag. Akaashi shakes his head, a fond smile on his face as he walks away. Bokuto picks up whatever it is that he dropped and catches up to Akaashi, still smiling and bright. He leaves early to go and set up with his band, begging Akaashi to text him when he arrives. And he does, just not immediately. Something about watching the boy frantically look around the crowd captivated him. Like a lost puppy looking for their owner after running off. After he sends the text, ‘Look up’, he watches as Bokuto bends down and picks up his lit-up phone from the duffle near his drum set.
After taking a second to read the message, his head flings up, locking eyes with Akaashi. Bokuto waves excitedly, putting his whole body into the movement before clicking a few buttons on his phone. A call goes through, and Akaashi answers, an exasperated smile on his face.
“Why are you all the way over there!?” Bokuto yells into the speaker. Akaashi moves the phone away from his face for just a second before replying.
“So I could see better.”
“See what?”
“You.”
Bokuto’s smile stays put, but something in his eyes shifts. Before he says anything, the other band members yell for Bokuto to focus and get ready. Acknowledging them quickly, he turns back to Akaashi and says, “Keep watching then,” before hanging up and getting into position. Akaashi holds his phone tightly, licking his lips and preparing for what is about to be the best show.
Bokuto plays better than Akaashi has ever seen. Banging on his drums with all his might, keeping the energy up throughout all of it. His smile is contagious, and Akaashi can’t help but mimic it. At some point, he loses count of how many times the boy down below makes eye contact with him. All he cares about by the end of the night is that most of Bokuto’s attention was on him.
Right as the band finishes up their performance and announcements, Akaashi gets another call, “Kaashi! Stay until everyone leaves! I wanna give you a VIP tour.”
“Okay,” he laughs lightly. Bokuto’s eyes crinkle before he hangs up and goes to chat with the fans. Akaashi makes himself comfortable, knowing it will take a while until the whole area is cleared. And he was right, it was about an hour or more until everyone was finally convinced to leave, fangirls and bandmates alike. Akaashi leaned against some cushions he stole from a couch nearby, watching as the last of the staff hid away in the back. Bokuto suddenly appeared on the stage, arms extended outwards, beaming brightly.
“All cleared!” he cheers, “Come downstairs!”
Akaashi does, making sure to put the cushions back and make the workers' lives slightly easier. Going down the stairs, he watches as Bokuto bends his body sideways, trying to get a glimpse of Akaashi coming into view. It’s impossible not to smile at the gesture. Coming closer to the stage, Bokuto extends a hand to help him climb up.
“So!? How was it? Did you love it!? Are you a fan now? Am I your favorite player? Are you gonna keep coming to the performances, holding up a sign saying how much you love my playing!??”
“A sign?” Akaashi gives him a side eye, “Like hell.”
“Oh come on! How else is everyone gonna know that I’m your favorite member?” He asks, getting back into Akaashi’s field of view.
Making a point to look at everything but the boy, Akaashi says, “Who said you’re my favorite?”
A loud, dramatic gasp escapes him, “Akaashi! You don’t mean that!”
“Oikawa plays very well,” he teases, “I think he might be my favorite.”
A string of incoherent noises escapes Bokuto, “Drums are so much cooler! How can he be your favorite!?”
“Many would argue that the guitar is better,” Akaashi looks around, relishing in the thrill of being on the stage. It was nice standing here when there wasn’t a crowd of people waiting for him to be good at something. The stress of that was slightly unbearable.
“Drums are far superior,” Bokuto says, jumping in front of Akaashi and grabbing his hand, “I’ll show you.”
Pulling him quickly and somewhat violently, Bokuto forces Akaashi down into the drummer's seat, placing two wooden sticks in his hands, “Just give it a try, you’ll see how exciting it is!”
Feeling awkward and very flustered, Akaashi just sits with the sticks in his hands, staring down at the toms in front of him. Bokuto laughs softly next to him, hands on his hips.
“Just hit the drum, Kash,” he says.
Akaashi does as he’s told. He bangs the sticks on a few different drums, making noise as he goes. Bokuto laughs hardily next to him before coming in closer. Far closer than Akaashi expected, his body tensing as Bokuto's chest overtakes Akaashi’s back. The boy moves his hands down and grabs hold of Akaashi’s, holding them tightly.
“Here’s how you do it,” his breath hot next to Akaashi’s ear. A shiver passes over him as he waits in anticipation. Bokuto begins using his arms and hands the way they were meant to, banging on the drums with much more skill than Akaashi displayed. Starting slow, then gaining speed in seconds. Akaashi can’t help but smile, relishing in the warmth from the boy’s body, feeling his muscles flexing against him.
“Put your whole body into it!” Bokuto exclaims loudly next to his ear. Akaashi squints at the noise but doesn’t dare move away. The boy at his back pushes against him in sharp, quick movements, imitating a head bang without much oomph to it. Akaashi starts laughing at the energy. Bokuto, always with his wild ideas and ways. With each forward movement, his glasses begin to slide down before they fall completely, avoiding the floor thanks to the chain he had around his neck.
Bokuto stops immediately, letting go of Akaashi and picking up the dangling glasses, “Oh no! Thank goodness for the chain. I would’ve gone crazy if I accidentally broke them!” He says all this while gently placing them back on Akaashi’s face. He looks at Bokuto during it all, noting how focused he is. Looking cautiously as he tucks the glasses behind his ears. After he’s done, his gold eyes lock with Akaashi’s. Both take a quiet moment, looking at each other from such closeness.
Eventually, the intensity of the moment forces Akaashi to turn away, putting the wooden drumsticks down on the big drum in front of him, “You were right, this was exciting.”
He stands up and moves away from the instrument, Bokuto following half a second later, “So, dinner?” he says quickly.
Akaashi looks down at the drum set, willing it to give him some courage before he says, “Only if it's a date.”
He glances back at the boy, trying to gauge his reaction. Bokuto looks at him with slightly wide eyes before his face morphs into a wide grin. Eyes closed and hands extending out at his sides as if he was stretching, “God, Akaashi, you’re so cute! I could just kiss you!”
“Why don’t you then?” His hands were definitely not sweating. He kept them behind his back for good measure, just in case.
Bokuto opens his eyes, arms dropping to his sides. He looks at Akaashi, really looks at him, eyes roaming around his face. He didn’t know what kind of face he had on him right now, but whatever it was was confirmation enough that he was serious. Because Bokuto moved in closer, until their faces were only inches apart. Akaashi’s heart thundered in his chest, louder than any drum could ever be.
“May I?” Bokuto whispers, eyes locked onto Akaashi’s lips.
He’s only able to breathe out a soft yes, barely audible even to himself. Bokuto takes another second, running his hands up Akaashi’s arms before gently kissing him. They fall into each other immediately, like two starved animals finally getting a taste they’ve been dreaming of. Akaashi raises his hands, gliding them along the boy’s torso and up to his chest, taking advantage of the moment and feeling every part of him. Bokuto pulls him in, kissing him stronger and harder in the process.
Taking a moment to breathe, they part ways for just a second, not moving far enough to split up from their grips on each other. They breathe deeply together, listening to each other. Feeling their chests sync up as they stay close. Akaashi allows himself to be brave again.
“Can I tell you a secret?” he whispers. He feels Bokuto’s smile appear.
“Of course,” voice hoarse and quiet. Quieter than it has ever been in Akaashi’s presence.
He pulls back only a little, enjoying seeing Bokuto chase after him. Not wanting to separate even for a moment, “I’ve attended these shows long before you and I started talking.”
Voice quiet, low enough for only Bokuto to hear, “You’re my favorite member.” Allowing himself to smile softly as he stares at Bokuto’s lips, “It’s why I’ve always sat up above. There, I have the best view of the best performer.”
Bokuto pulls back slightly, looking at Akaashi directly, his eyes heavy, pupils dilated. Searching for any hint of deceit. There was none; this was the truth. One that Akaashi wasn’t afraid to admit anymore.
To emphasize his point, he moves his hands from Bokuto’s chest and up to his neck, wrapping them around it and pulling himself closer. Bokuto smiles as he moves his own hands towards Akaashi’s waist. Pulling him in completely before kissing him once more. Tongues moving together, hot breath mixing. Both smiling somewhere in the middle, excited and happy at this lovely development of events.
Akaashi thought himself silly for being so resistant to admitting his feelings before, even if it was just to himself. Who knew how good it could be if he was just brave for a few short seconds? Now, he wasn’t upset at the little camera or the fangirls because he knew that his favorite drummer looked only for him in the crowd. Smiling brightly and, on occasion, devilishly during every song.