samegawa | for vowlyball

for vowlyball

[ it's half past two in the afternoon on a friday when akaashi finds himself in his office sitting directly across from bokuto, tokyo's newest and brightest star in the music industry. he'd been discussing the paperwork for bokuto's guest appearance on a show for the past hour and akaashi realizes that that is a ridiculous amount of time spent on something that should be relatively simple, especially since this is not the first time bokuto has appeared as a guest on the show. the paperwork is still between them on his desk, untouched an unsigned and akaashi feels a migraine beginning to form between his eyes.

he loosens his tie, feels kuroo glance up at him from his magazine across the room, and sighs. ]

Bokuto-san, please allow me a moment to be frank, [ he doesn't even wait for bokuto's agreement before continuing because he has, quite honestly, Had Enough. ] This guest appearance is relatively simple and honestly does not require very much for you to do. This is also your third time collaborating with us, so I'm certain you still remember the details. I know you are very busy with your schedule, so all I ask is for you to look over this document, sign it, and we can continue on our way. If you have any questions or concerns about this agreement, you can always call my office or email me.

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from: k.akaashi@aceentertainment.com
re: OWLS ARE THE BEST

If you'd like.

[ and then he opens the attachment and regrets everything.

of course akaashi listened to bokuto's music. of course he watched some of his music videos. in fact, the cd in his car currently is bokuto's latest album. akaashi's taste in music was wide yet particular, and when he did manage to find something he liked, he played it constantly. it was something not very many people knew about him, and now after having met bokuto himself, he's not sure if he's embarrassed by it or something else entirely. like this attachment he's watching.

it's no surprise that bokuto is famous and it shows in the video. he's talented and confident and has great screen presence. he moves with a graceful fluidity that makes something in akaashi's stomach flutter and he is so thankful that he is alone in his office, watching bokuto dancing on his computer screen.

he forces himself to close the tab and tries to figure out what to say in a way that is not completely obscene and inappropriate. ]

I think it's an impressive representation of your growth as a singer and dancer since your debut.

[ nailed it. ]

Edited 2016-09-19 07:17 (UTC)

from: k.bokuto@fukurodani.com
sub: YOU REALLY HAVE A WAY WITH WORDS

of course i would like to! one day i hope that i can get your personal number too! you seem like a person worth getting to know, and my instincts are pretty good!

you're way too kind! but i have been trying to work hard so i don't disappoint my fans! there's always ways to improve, so if you have any tips i'd listen! i'm sure you've seen a lot of performances so you know what's the difference between a good and a great star!

from: k.akaashi@aceentertainment.com
re: YOU REALLY HAVE A WAY WITH WORDS

Thank you. I hope I'm able to meet your expectations.

[ his face is warm and he knows he's blushing again. it's hard not to, when bokuto says these things so simply and honestly. ]

I'm only stating the truth. Your hard work shows in your performance and I think your fans will love and appreciate your dedication.

I'll withhold judgement until I've seen it for myself, but I feel it's safe to say that you should just continue what you're doing.

from: k.bokuto@fukurodani.com
sub: ACK PRACTICE BRB

you'll do just fine!

thanks akaashi i'm glad you think so! sometimes it's hard to know what people outside my circle are saying so it's always nice to have an outsider's perspective!

anyway gotta go back to practice for a few hours, but you should come see the rehearsal then! we're stopping by in two days at one! see you there!

[About three hours later the paperwork will be sent to him.]

from: k.akaashi@aceentertainment.com
re: ACK PRACTICE BRB

That's true. If you'd like, I wouldn't mind giving you feedback on your future performances.

I look forward to it.

[ and that's it, that's all he sends. but he does show up to rehearsal as promised, definitely not for any reasons other than the fact that bokuto asked him to come. he stands near the back by the cameras where the stage director is sitting, out of the way but with a good view. ]

Edited 2016-09-21 04:44 (UTC)

[Despite how it may seem, Bokuto knew his strengths and weaknesses. He knew that he might come on too strong and that some people weren't cut out to put up with his constant mood swings, loud voice, or general bombastic enthusiasm. Which was fine with him, most days. After all, he couldn't put up with English in anything other than small doses, he didn't like foods with certain textures, and music he couldn't dance to was music he wasn't interested in. People were different and had different likes and dislikes. But it didn't mean he wasn't eternally optimistic about things turning out his way.

So even though Kuroo told him repeatedly that just because he had 'bonded' with Akaashi over liking owls, he shouldn't expect too much. It didn't help the small squeeze of disappointment when he didn't see Akaashi's face among the workers who were readying the stage.

Since he'd been to this stage before, it was easy enough to get used to it again, it only taking the first few steps into the song before he fell into the flow of it. Even if he was an idiot, as Kuroo would fondly remind him, at least his body seemed to be smart. Well, unless he got hung up on a particular move, but that had only happened once on TV and it had only endeared people to him as he had laughed about it for months afterwards.

People who didn't know much about him might call him a natural born performer, but for Bokuto, it was more a relentless drive to get everything right and perfect. To become better and better until even old grandmas in the countryside knew who he was.

After a few rounds of practice, he sat down at the side of the stage, feet dangling, guzzling down water, still looking around hopefully. Maybe he should stop one of the stage hands to ask-]

Hey, hey-

[ watching bokuto's performances in person was a completely different experience compared to watching him on tv or online. akaashi had expected this, of course, and he was not disappointed. once again he's reminded why bokuto was so popular -- his energy was contagious and people couldn't help but be drawn to his charisma. akaashi was not an exception.

he decides to congratulate him during the break, grabbing a towel on the way just in time for bokuto to stop him. he blinks for a moment in surprise before offering the towel. ]

Good job today.

Ah, Akaashi!

[Bokuto's face broke out into a delighted grin, before he realized what the other man was holding. With a small nod of thanks, he took it from him, wiping at his face as he spoke, so some of the words were probably lost and garbled.]

When did you get here? Did you see me perform? What did you think?!

I came by when you started. I was sitting in the back near the cameras.

[ he pauses when one of the assistants comes by to ask him a few questions and then joins bokuto in sitting on the stage. ]

I saw. You've been practicing lot. Your movements are much more polished compared to the video you showed me a few days ago.

Eh?! Why didn't you say anything!? You should have sat front row, it's the best!

[Slightly despairing, Bokuto watched at the other man become swarmed by other assistants, impressed despite himself. He'd been in the business long enough to know that so many people stopping by to ask Akaashi for direction meant Akaashi was highly capable and intelligent. It just meant he was all the more curious to hear his opinion.]

You're pretty popular, huh?

[He said it with a small grin, nudging Akaashi with his shoulders before beaming at the observation. Most people would call it a compliment, but from Akaashi it just sounded like a fact. He liked it.]

Yeah! It's been nonstop which is why I haven't been able to email! Texting is faster.

[It came out as a slight whine.]

I didn't want to disturb you.

[ he didn't expect so many of the assistants to consult him, but most of them were new faces so akaashi assumes they just needed some extra advice. he wouldnt really consider himself as particularly intelligent or popular, but he does admit to being capable at least. he has to be in order to maintain his status as the youngest producer. ]

So the truth comes out.

[ this whole thing was just a ploy to get him to give bokuto his number. of course. despite what he says, there's an amused look on his face as he takes the nudging. ]

[That only made Bokuto turn to look at Akaashi seriously, eyes narrowed seriously, bright gold underneath the heavy lighting.]

You'd never disturb me Akaashi, so next time sit in the front row!

[Though the moment was broken as soon as Akaashi had caught onto him, and he jerked away slightly with a small noise of panic and surprise.]

It's the truth! I was going to send you videos of owls being awesome and cute but that's not business and I didn't want to get you in trouble!

[ he sees that look, just for a brief moment, caught off guard by bokuto's seriousness. he knows bokuto means it, that he isn't just saying it to be polite, and that thought makes something swell in his chest. ]

I'll remember that next time.

[ there's a small, amused huff at bokuto's panic, shaking his head. ]

I don't have anyone checking my email, Bokuto-san.

You better!

[That promise was enough to make Bokuto grin happily though, the look only widening when Akaashi all but gave him his blessing to spam his inbox.]

Oh good! Kuroo's always checking mine because sometimes I forget to, but look!

[He sure was going to be pulling up his phone to show Akaashi cute owls cooing and being pet videos on his phone because he had no chill and no game plan on how to woo someone.]

[ he's probably going to regret giving bokuto permission to spam his email, but he'll deal with that later, when he's not sitting next to bokuto watching cute owl videos on his phone. ]

... I shouldn't be surprised you saved so many videos of them on your phone.

[ but he is. it's kind of endearing. ]

Is this what you do in your free time?

They're cute right? There's nothing wrong with liking owls.

[As Akaashi should well know.

The question made him glance up at Akaashi's face, huffing slightly.]

Sometimes! [Was that so wrong?] But when I get the chance I like eating out at new places and playing volleybal! What do you do?

Yes. [ he watches the world's smallest owl settle down in the palm of someone's hand and falls a little bit in love. ] They're very cute.

[ the way bokuto gets defensive about it pulls another soft laugh from him. ]

I take pictures sometimes. Eating out at new places is nice too.

Oh? Pictures of what? Can I see?

[He paused the video for later, tucking his phone away. He could watch videos any time, but seeing things that Akaashi was into didn't happen every day.]

What's your favorite kind of food?

[ since bokuto showed him the owl videos, it's only fair if akaashi shows him his pictures. he takes out his phone and pulls up his instagram account, which mainly has pictures of food, birds, and the skyline of the city from his apartment. ]

It's not a lot. I don't have much time to get into photography, but, [ he selects one of his bird photos, turning it to show bokuto. it's not an owl, but some type of small finch, captured in mid flight. ] I try to, when I see something I like.

[ he keeps telling himself to get an actual camera one of these days, but just doesn't have the chance to, yet. ]

Boiled nanohana with mustard.

Edited 2016-10-15 11:05 (UTC)

Oh! You really have an eye for movement, huh?

[Bokuto leaned in closer to get a better look at Akaashi's account, beaming.]

You take really good pictures! Can I follow you?

[Then, turning so he could yell at Kuroo:]

Kuroo! Can I follow Akaashi's instagram?

[It was met with a deadpan look and then ominously, 'Remember the zookeeper'. Gulping, Bokuto instead turned back to Akaashi, apologetic.

Though that look immediately fell into a surprised squawk.]

Really?! But what about meat?

It was a lucky shot, but thank you.

[ but still, the compliments are nice. it's nice to be acknowledged even for something that is just a hobby.

he was about to say "sure", but then kuroo's comment makes him pause, tilting his head at bokuto. perhaps a story for another time, then. ]

Meat is also good. Do you like barbecue?

No way! It takes dedication to get these kind of shots. Are these from outside your place?

[He was pointing to the pictures of the skyline, eyes wide with interest.

It was better not to speak of the zookeeper so soon least Bokuto scare Akaashi away, and he was grateful the producer didn't seem keen on asking.

The mention of barbecue was enough to make his stomach rumble as if to answer the question. Bokuto laughed lightly, rubbing his stomach.]

Yeah! Yakiniku is my favorite! Are you hungry?

Yes, the view from my balcony.

[ it takes dedication to get these kinds of shots. akaashi blinks a few times, one hand idly rubbing his nose. it's funny how bokuto has a knack of saying just the right things at the right time. ]

I can eat. [ he loosens his tie a little, slanting a thoughtful glance bokuto's way. if he asked him that, then, ]

Would you like to go after this?

Your place must be really nice! I'd only get pictures of bugs or billboards if I looked outside mine.

[He had to do a double take when Akaashi agreed so easily, eyes widening in shock. He had been expecting to have to really wheedle and whine and offter to pay, but maybe Akaashi was just as hungry.

Once the shock wore off, he beamed happily, laughing.]

Yeah! I don't know this area really well, so anywhere you recommend would be fine so long as it has meat! [He got to his feet, holding his hand out to help Akaashi if he needed it.] I'll be done in half an hour.

[ he takes bokuto's hand, pulling himself up with a quiet thanks, dusting off his slacks. he's a little surprised himself by how easy it was to ask him to dinner, but it's too late to take it back now. besides, bokuto looks pleased, and akaashi finds himself liking the way he smiles at him like that. ]

Alright. There's a place nearby that would be suitable, [ he pulls up the number to the restaurant as he speaks. ] I'll meet you downstairs when you're done? Please feel free to invite Kuroo-san, if you'd like.

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vowlyball - 2016-10-18 03:55 (UTC) - Expand

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