Late nights, stacked papers, and bright monitor is not an uncommon sights for you. Working as a full time editor isn't really the initial dream. But it pays the bill and put up food on the table.

"Another night shift?" a cold can hit your nape, making you jolt. You just knew who did that as you whip your head back. Akaashi's blank expression is visible as ever.

He didn't react to your annoyed grunt as he stare at your monitor—sighing inside. He knew you both will work until past midnight again. It's not the first time, and certainly won't ne the last.

"Let's take a break, I ordered some takeouts." he turned off your monitor, knowing that you'll get mad and chase after him. Doing late nights and stressing over work with you is like a habit now. One that he doesn't mind.

He can face a workload of work and if there's you, it'll be fine. It's been like this for years now, and he didn't know what would happen if he didn't meet you during those early University years.

And thing's been fun. For him at least, but not until these past few months. You've been staring him differently, and while you think he didn't notice, he did. He knew there something else in this friendship you got. But he didn't want to assume.

Yet he can't help it. He needs you, more than you need him. He loves your humor, how you turned every small talks and conversation into a silly banter, and how independent you are even though he knew you actually crave someone to spoil and take everything away from you when you're overwhelmed.

He just gets you, and you gets him.

So what's stopping him? What if you only saw him as a friend? Those late night talk, those emotional moments, what if you don't mean it all?