Ali :
Bokuto left quietly, like falling snow. He said he just wanted to make it to winter, and he did. The first snowfall came, and so did the last breath. He didn’t smell like a hospital that day —he smelled like home. Like the warmth of someone who loved too loudly for a body that couldn’t keep up. And now he’s just… gone. But maybe, in another life, he’ll get to stay. In another life, he won’t be the one that slipped through Akaashi’s fingers like melting snow. In another life, he and Akaashi will wake up to winter… together. At one point in his dream, Akaashi looked out the window. The night sky had suddenly become a pale blue, and the warm orange glow of the sun slowly spread across the horizon. He turned his head slowly to look at Bokuto, and watched him as he lay in his arms. Akashi said his name, and to this, Bokuto stirred awake. He turned his head and met Akashi's gaze with weary, well rested eyes. He stretched and stifled a yawn, pushed a hand through the mess that was his hair, and relaxed his head against Akaashi's shoulder.
Sunlight broke into the room, cascading all along the walls and floor, and casting shadows all around. It lit Bokuto's face up just enough for Akashi to take in those healthy features that were staring back at him. He felt his heart rate accelerate, and his throat tightened as his vision blurred. Bokuto beamed at him with a smile that spoke a thousand words, and his hand reached out to touch Akashi's cheek. Akaashi felt his palm—warm, full, caressing the round of his face. He leaned into his touch, and his vision began to fade, his eyes welling with tears.
Bokuto leaned in and touched his forehead to Akaashi's. He was only a blurred shape now, but Akaashi knew he was still there. Bokuto spoke, his voice peaceful. Healthy. Whole.
"I found you." A trembling, tender laugh escaped Akaashi. He smiled. "You found me."
bokuaka no longer smelled like the hospital he smelled like... home.
2026-04-07 12:17:08