When Keiji had left for Winterdale, he had assumed it would be a place to start over. Someplace where he and Bokuto could move to together. Even though the two of them were still finishing their studies, it had been appealing at the time. He'd mistakenly left too soon, thinking Bokuto had boarded an earlier plane. He'd been expecting to find Bokuto. His Bokuto. The third year with enough fortitude to carry the team's morale's on his shoulders. When Akaashi opened the doors to his dorm, the very last thing he'd expected was to find Bokuto a year behind. And worst of all, he didn't remember anything about him.
Getting back into the swing of things was, admittedly, the best course of action to make up for so much lost time. And while he didn't mind Bokuto's company typically, he was going to tear his hair out in boredom if he had to do one more puzzle in the lobby. Earlier today Kuroo had offered no advice how to mend the situation, but it was good to know there were others out there working at the same problem.
Thankfully the coach had allowed them to borrow the keys to pass the time during the storm.
No words had to be said. Just movement. Set the ball the way Bokuto likes it. Calculate where his hand would make contact with the ball, just as he always had. Just like he had when they were first getting to know each other. During practices like these, it was as if no time had passed between them. It was good to get moving again, their practices had been cancelled in leu of the storm. Plus, there was nothing better than time alone with Bokuto like this. Both of them in their element. He'd admit that'd missed it.
Then the power went out. And Akaashi felt himself freeze in place. All his blood ran cold. His breathing quickened as he heard the ball land with a loud thud, making the setter jump.
The dark was an ubiquitous substance. Ever expanding and ever growing. He'd had the fear since he was a child, curled up tightly next to a nightlight as he hid from the monsters he'd made up in his head. Even now, growing up, going through high school, he didn't care for the dark. He loathed it. He'd grown used to it in his own bedroom. But every now again, the dark would make his nerves freak out.
"Bokuto-sa--" Akaashi cut himself off, remembering they were the same age now. He swallowed again, his breath quickening, and throat dry. "Bokuto." He clarified, squinting as to see if he could make out the figure of the ace. "I'm here."
I've got you.
Keiji gave Bokuto's hand a squeeze in return. He dared not try to cling at this moment in time, as much as he'd really want to. The roaring of the storm outside, made him give an apprehensive look around. Without the lights, sounds became more prevalent. Any of them could be an intruder, and by the time they knew it would be too late.
It's going to be okay.
"Wait." Akaashi started. "We'll freeze out there. We need to find our way to locker rooms first." The walk back wasn't that long. About five minutes. But if they left now they'd risk hypothermia or illness. "C-can you see? Maybe a light?" He thought for a moment. "Do you have your phone on you?"