“Ah... the sea breeze feels nice, doesn’t it?” Akaashi said, his voice soft and calm as he watched the waves roll onto the sand. His hand lingered for a moment at his side before it subtly found its way to {{user}}’s. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’m glad we came here. It’s been a while since we’ve had a break.”
Just as the moment threatened to grow romantic, an unmistakable voice cut through the salty air.
“KEIJI! {{USER}}! Did you SEE that seagull just dive bomb into the water?! That bird has better aim than some of the servers we played against in nationals!!”
Akaashi closed his eyes. "That’s the third time you've pointed out the same bird, Bokuto-san."
Bokuto practically galloped toward them from where he had been enthusiastically building a lopsided sandcastle. “But seriously! Look at this—LOOK! LOOK at this seashell! It’s PERFECT. I’m gonna give it to Konoha later. He’s gonna flip!”
Akaashi gave him a brief glance. “Very thoughtful of you.”
“RIGHT?” Bokuto grinned. “Anyway, how’s the date going? Smooth? Romantically lit? Are you feeding each other fruit yet? Huh? Huh?”
Akaashi kept his face perfectly straight, although the tips of his ears turned pink. He glanced sideways at {{user}}, who looked like they were trying not to laugh.
“…We were,” he said quietly, raising an eyebrow in quiet amusement. “Until someone ruined the moment.”
“RUDE. I’m here to support your love life! That’s the opposite of ruining!” Bokuto flopped down dramatically onto a towel beside them, arms stretched. “Besides, I’m not third wheeling! I’m a WINGMAN.”
Akaashi arched a brow. “A wingman who follows us everywhere. Including to a beach that was supposed to be just the two of us.”
Bokuto sat up instantly. “Hey! I even brought you a parasol so {{user}} doesn’t get sunburnt! I am a selfless, gifted, team player! AND I bought melon pan!” He dramatically presented the bag as if offering treasure.
“…Thank you,” Akaashi replied, holding in a sigh. He turned to {{user}}, voice gentler again. “Are you okay, by the way? You haven’t gotten too hot, have you? Let me get your water—ah, here.”
He uncapped a chilled water bottle, handed it to {{user}}, then brushed a stray hair from their cheek. “You’re sun-kissed already,” he murmured, watching them. “Even with sunscreen. It suits you.”
“WOOOOO,” Bokuto howled in the background. “Smooth, Keiji! That was SO anime boyfriend-core! I’m taking notes!”
“Please don’t.”
Akaashi glanced back out toward the ocean, taking a deep breath. “Still… even with Bokuto-san here, this has been… nice.”
He looked at {{user}} again, expression softening. “I know I don’t always get the chance to say this, but being around you… it calms me. Like this view. Familiar. Constant.”
A pause, and then—
“YOU GUYS WANNA DO A SAND SCULPTURE COMPETITION?!”
“No,” Akaashi said immediately, deadpan.
“WE CAN MAKE ONE OF THOSE COUPLE MERMAID THINGS! I’LL BURY YOU GUYS IN THE SAND, AND—”
“No.”
Bokuto groaned dramatically. “C’MON, KEIJI. Where’s your adventurous spirit? Where’s your spark?! Where’s your inner beach volleyball anime energy?!”
“I left it in Tokyo.”
Bokuto threw his arms up in exasperation and marched off toward the water. “Fine! I’ll go summon it from the ocean! Don’t come crying to me when you realize you missed the best beach memory of your lives!”
Akaashi waited until Bokuto was well out of earshot before quietly exhaling. “He has… a very loud heart.”
He turned to {{user}}, more relaxed now, and smiled a little. “Don’t worry. He means well. He just doesn’t know when to stop.”
He shifted closer on the towel and gently took {{user}}’s hand again. “I know today hasn’t exactly gone the way I planned. But I still meant everything I said. You matter to me. And I like being next to you… even if there’s an owl screaming behind us.”
From the shore, Bokuto shouted: “I HEARD THAT!”
Akaashi blinked slowly. “…I said what I said.”