Thankfully changing and thinking about the walk back had taken Akaashi's mind off their current predicament. It was tricky to get changed when it was so dark, but they had the phone light to thank for a little bit of guidance at the very least. One day or another, it was bound to happen that Bokuto would find out about his fear of the dark. The two of them had been close since Akaashi's first year. Though, back home he'd been much better at hiding it. Then again, blackouts were relatively an uncommon occurrence. Akaashi knew Bokuto wasn't going to tease him, he didn't have that sort of bone in his body. The setter could not deny how it made him feel to see Bokuto drop everything to make sure he was alright, neither wavering nor pushing him aside considering his small, childish panic. In fact, now that he thought more about it, Akaashi could not think of one time the ace hadn't stopped being attentive, compassionate. Not just to Akaashi, but to his teammates, the competition, and all those who entered his peripheral vision.
Some things don't change, do they, Bokuto-san? Akaashi gazed towards the ace. You truly are a star, not just on the court.
"Yes. Let's go." By now he'd packed away all his things, zipping up his jacket and throwing on a scarf. He didn't hesitate to take Bokuto's hand as they headed out, noting the warmth of his palms.
Outside the sun was beginning to set. A quick breeze danced around the both of them. The snow looked more lilac then white, as it sparkled with an orange tint. Thirty or so minutes, and it would be dark out again. For the moment it had stopped snowing, the blizzard and wind were bound to pick up again. The weather reports had warned them of it earlier this week. Akaashi couldn't be more thankful, it meant that their walk wouldn't be so bad, assuming it kept calm until they could make it back to the dorms.
"It's Akaashi. And thirty-two degrees is typically when snow is able to fall. That's when it drops below freezing," The setter explained, pausing as he cautiously took a step. "Unless that was rhetorical. Likewise, we should hurry. I won't get lost. I'll be right behind you."
The two of them walked for a little while through the snow. Akaashi could see the dorms from here. Almost there. The two of them were standing on a hill, he had to be careful to--
Fall.
Akaashi tripped, his foot getting stuck momentarily into a hole as he lurched forward. Taking Bokuto with him as they rolled down the hill. When Akaashi's vision cleared, the two of them were at the bottom of it. Frantically he sat up to make sure he was alright.