(A/N) I apologize for any weird formatting. If you catch a mistake of mine, point it out so I can fix it! Possible triggering content: Akaashi has a panic attack and talks about fears and insecurities.
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Metathesiophobia

(n.) the fear of change
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"I crave change, and I fear change."
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Akaashi tapped his foot, fidgeting constantly. His eyes darted around, taking in the clean mirrors and the silver walls behind them. He stared at the slit of the door, praying for the moment they open to come sooner. He considered once or twice stopping the elevator and taking the stairs. He mentally tallied each small bleep, wanting to be out of the metal death trap already. When Yamaguchi, Hinata, and he were nearing the floor, he muttered the last few floor numbers in an audible countdown. When the loud ding resonated through his ears, he practically dove through the widening space, and waited. Akaashi reacted before they even processed the opening door.

They exited easily, and shook their heads at Akaashi, both snorting lightly. "What is with you and elevators?" Hinata questioned, and they fell into step side by side.

Akaashi shrugged. "I'm a little claustrophobic... But only a little bit. At least I'm less panicky than my mother, she would've used the stairs." He kidded.

"You usually do," Yamaguchi smiled, they entered the main hallway. The cream walls were much farther apart. Hinata's brows drew together. 

"Ne, I've only counted six doors. Aren't there normally like almost thirty per floor?" Hinata said.

Yamaguchi pursed his lips. "Maybe they're bigger hotel rooms for longer stays. Like with two bedrooms and a small kitchen and living space."

"Well, these are actual keys, I'm assuming they're apartment suites. I mean, the penthouse is right above us after all." Akaashi said, reaching into the pocket in his jacket, and pulling out the three keys. He shook them lightly causing a soft jingling.

"Ah, that makes sense." Hinata hummed. "What rooms do we have?"

"We have rooms five and six, across from each other at the end there," Akaashi said, gesturing at the three doors at the end.

"That lonely door on the wall facing us is probably the staircase going upstairs." Yamaguchi said.

"Yep, and we have a key for that," Akaashi said as he nodded in agreement, but his steps stopped and he tilted his head. "But the question is why we have two rooms."

"For Yachi and Kiyoko, obviously." Yama said, peering at the keys in Akaashi's hands.

"No, no, Kiyoko got a room for free because she comes here so often, she like racked up points or something like that. So they're staying in a room with a queen." Akaashi said, glancing up from his hands when Hinata laughed nervously.

"No, actually... It's for me and Kenma..." Hinata averted his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck.

Akaashi grinned with his brows raised up. 

"Hinata's giving up some booty tonight?" Akaashi laughed nudging Yama lightly with his elbow, waggling his eyebrows at Hinata.

"Oh yeah, Hinata's gonna power bottom his way through the night..." Yama smirked, air thrusting.

Hinata flushed, but smiled, and put a hand up. "Actually, Kenma and I agreed to no sex tonight because I'd wear him out. So, execute yourselves," He laughed.

"Self-serve," Akaashi said, grabbing the back of his neck. He took a few steps back as Yamaguchi dodged the swing from Hinata. He chased Yama up and down the hall, yelling and jumping. Yama put himself in a bad position, for in moments he found himself cornered.

"Hey, stop it! That's not fair I need to neck you and you're taller!" Hinata cried out.

"Okay, okay, alright..." Yamaguchi chuckled, seconds after pretending to contemplate his options. He bowed his head, allowing Hinata to have full access to his neck. Hinata drew his hand behind his head, as if holding a bow and arrow, and swung his hand down, resulting in a loud smack.

"Fuck Hinata! That hurt geez!" Yama complained, palming the back of his neck.

"Good, I'm not about that pussy shit." Hinata teased, putting his hands on his hips and sticking his tongue out, and Akaashi held his stomach and wiped away tears as he watched their interaction.

None of them noticed the silent opening of the door and scuffling of feet.

"Sho, you're not about pussy at all..." A low voice said.

Akaashi's laughs drowned away, and Hinata's head jerked around and Yama glanced up. Akaashi blinked his happy tears away like a car's windshield wiper.

His eyes definitely were deceiving him.

"KenKo!" Hinata exclaimed, turning fully around, sprinting to him. He leaped into the air, flying into Kenma's arms and wrapping his legs around his waist. "I missed you so much!"

Akaashi leaned forward as if closing the distance a bit would allow him to see more clearly. Kenma, overall, didn't really change much. He might've grown an inch or two, but everything else remained untouched save one incredibly drastic change. Kenma's hair was kept cut and unkempt just at his chin but the coloring is what seriously threw Akaashi off.

Instead of blonde with brown roots, his entire head of hair was chocolate brown with bleached tops. Kenma had grown out his hair dye again, but almost completely.

Kenma laughed. And then smiled. Freely, without much redness of the cheeks

Akaashi's eyebrows furrowed together. It was awful different to see him smiling and with his more natural hair. The last he saw of him, he had bleached it and still had his nose in his PSP with few smiles offered, and only for Hinata.

Kenma waved at Yamaguchi quickly, before returning his hands to support his precious Hinata. They embraced a few moments longer, and when the initial excitement of seeing each other withered away, Kenma released Hinata. When Hinata's head moved out of the way as he dropped him back to his feet, he laughed in confusion.

"Long time no see, stranger," He chuckled, strolling up coolly. They clasped their hands together, and Kenma pulled Akaashi into a boyish hug. Akaashi's uncomfortable emotions buried themselves in a laugh and in the cement that held his lips in a confident smile.

"How long has it been? Since we graduated from college?" Akaashi asked, merely to fill the air with words.

Kenma nodded. "Yeah, guess so. Well, Hinata, our stuff is already in this room." He gestured to room six, walking back through the door.

"Oh, alright!" Hinata said cheerily, bouncing in behind Kenma, and he shut the door behind them.

Akaashi's friendly smile fell away quickly. "Is it bad that I feel like I could die?"

Yamaguchi smiled sympathetically and gestured for the door. "C'mon, let's get in the room before you absolutely meltdown from mental overstimulation."

Akaashi's laugh was short and hysterical. He moved to their door and unlocked it, fumbling a bit with shaky hands. Leaving the keys in the lock for Yamaguchi to retrieve, and took a few steps into the room, his breathing shooting in and out of his lips. He barely made it out of the entrance hall. His sporadic breathing painted black fuzzy spots in his vision, and he braced himself on the wall before sliding onto his knees.

He put his face in his hands. "I can't see them anymore, I don't really want to see anyone else. What if they're all different? I don't want my fragile memories and hopes be crushed by the disappointment that everyone's lives are materialistic and cold, or so good that mine causes them to look down on me in pity. Holy wow, I can't handle this Yams, I really can't." Tears rolled down his soft cheeks slowly.

"Change is good for everyone, Akaashi, whether we don't see it that way or not. Tsukishima hasn't changed at all, and Bokuto is just far more blatant than before. But he's a little more considerate afterward instead of continuing on obliviously. Kenma talks frequently, and he's been loud, Keiji. I never thought I'd hear that, and Oikawa is quieter and a bit less arrogant." Yamaguchi listed, rambling a bit as he intentionally avoided mentioning Kuroo.

Akaashi bit his lip, completely catching the dodge. "It's not bad at all... I understand that... But I'm terrified of the changes, Yamaguchi. Everyone's changing, mostly for the better, and I'm slowly fucking fading away into nothing. Fucking Bokuto noticed, for fuck's sake. The king of the people who couldn't find a snake if it bit them. I feel like I'm being left behind and I fucking hate it."

"Keiji, it's okay," Yamaguchi said, mimicking Akaashi's position. He wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, feeling the silent sobbing wrack Akaashi's body, as he pressed his cheek against Akaashi's back. "Everyone's changing, for the better, and even sometimes for the worst. And so are you, Keiji. You're someone brand new, totally evolved." His voice picked up a cheerful tone. He crawled around Akaashi, so he could see his face. Yamaguchi wrapped his fingers around Akaashi's thin wrists, removing his face from his hands, forcefully making Akaashi's passive gaze fall to Yams determined one.

"You've changed for the best, Keiji, you've come this far and you're successful and happy. Sure, you're timid, but you're polite and calm and you have facial expressions!" Yama teased.

Akaashi sniffled and rubbed at his cheeks. "I'm still scared out of my mind... I'm nervous to see Kuroo... Especially with what happened the last time we saw each other..." He trailed off, looking away shyly.

Yamaguchi raised his brows, tilting his head. "What? You mean, that little kiss? I thought you said it was a friendly goodbye?"

"I said it was on my forehead... I never really clarified whether or not it was platonic..." Akaashi trailed off, recalling the last conversation Akaashi ever had with Kuroo. "But I'm sure there are no more feelings like that, I mean, it's been six years. But besides, that doesn't even matter." Akaashi said as if trying to convince himself. He hiccupped as he took a breath, continuing. "I'm sorta seeing Terushima, anyways, so I shouldn't worry about it at all. Right?"

Yamaguchi nodded immediately, a somewhat pained expression drifting in and out of his eyes. "Yeah, don't worry about it. Kuroo sleeps around a lot, so I'd prefer if you avoided any of his manipulations..." He rubbed the back of his neck with a smile. "Getting your cheeks clapped isn't worth catching the clap." (A/N: Gonnorhea)

"Does he now?" Akaashi perked up, curiosity energizing him. If he were an owl, his head would be cocked with wide eyes.

"Why does gossip always distract you from your own worries?" Yamaguchi shoved Akaashi's shoulder jokingly.

"I'm secretly a girl, with a great taste in guys. Fight me."

Yamaguchi shook his head and checked his phone. It was 9:00, and with the traffic, if they left at 9:15 they would be on time. But, frankly, neither of them were even close to properly ready anymore.

"Let's clean up your pretty little face, just in case someone catches your eye and steals you away from Terushima."

Akaashi fake gasped, throwing his hand up to his lips for extra effect, but his otherwise blank expression read sarcasm. "What am I, a prostitute?"

"Oh, shut up, you know you secretly want to look extra good. So we'll be fashionably late."

"You know me to well, Yams, but I don't know if I should wear this shirt anymore because it's just tie-dye."

"Akaashi Keiji, knowing you, you probably have another shirt perfect for this outfit. Let's check out what's in our bags." Yamaguchi stood, brushing off his pants. He held out a hand, and Akaashi took it. Yamaguchi, with surprising strength, dragged Akaashi up and into the hallway. It had three doors, on the left and right were shut doors. Yama checked the left, Akaashi peeped in the right.

"They're in here, Yama." Akaashi said, swinging the door completely open. They stepped in, and the queen bed had their luggage placed neatly next to it.

"I mean, the only other shirt I could wear with this is just like cropped and white with a hand with a peace sign over the pocket." Akaashi said, grabbing his bag and heaving it on the bed. He unzipped it quickly, beginning to toss clothes out.

Yamaguchi bit his lip. "Put it on, it might look good."

Akaashi complied wordlessly, pulling his jacket and t-shirt off, and sliding the white t back on. The hem was perilously close to showing his nipples. "Yes? No?" Akaashi turned slowly in a circle.

"Put on the jacket..." Yamaguchi said, circling around him with. "Do you have a body chain?"

Akaashi dug through the bag a bit more before finding his jewelry case. He slipped the chain on and spun around.

"Perfect!" Yama signed 'okay' with his fingers.

"Are you wearing any makeup? I feel like it's necessary to fit into this setting." Akaashi asked.

"Is that an excuse to wear it?" Yamaguchi teased. "Because I'm totally okay with that." He said, unzipping his bag and waving a small bag in the air.

"I'll do yours and you'll do mine," Akaashi suggested, and they moved to the bathroom attached to the room. The LED lighting created the perfect lighting, illuminating their faces.

They rummaged through the small bag, pulling out all their palettes and such, both deciding on what they would like to have applied. Yamaguchi left, and when he returned, he heaved in a stool from the kitchenette. He set it down and dropped onto it with a sigh.

Akaashi started on Yamaguchi's face, brushing on his cheekbones and eyes a faint shimmer, lining his eyes gently to make them more emphasized, and curling his lashes and using the mascara to lengthen and thicken his them.

When Akaashi was done, Yamaguchi handed him his facial stars. Shakily applying the stars, Akaashi smiled at the entire finished look.

Yama turned tilting his head up, shifting it to the left and right. "Simple but hot, Kei likes it when I shimmer." He winked. "Okay, now lemme work my magic."

Akaashi pulled the stool under himself, and let Yamaguchi work. His hands working in a flurry, Akaashi's makeup was done in about five minutes.

He mimicked Yama's motions, admiring the job. "It looks amazing, Yama."

He didn't have any foundation or cover up, but he didn't necessarily need it. His porcelain white skin resembled a China doll, and rosy pink dusted over his cheeks with shimmer as well, accentuating his cheekbones so they were sharp and sexy.

His eyes, defined and sharpened by the eyeliner, resembled a turquoise stone. On his lower lid, a neon yellow eyeshadow dusted around the outer corner, contrasting and bringing the darker greens out in his eyes. His lashes, already thick and long, were dark black and framed his eyes wonderfully.

"Akaashi, why are you so pretty?" Yamaguchi whined, stomping his foot. He huffed.

Akaashi shrugged. "I'm not even."

"Fuck you, you're just pretty in general. And your feminine qualities just add to it."

"You're just as pretty as me so, don't worry. You have cute little freckles and big, doe eyes. And you look alive compared to me." He joked.

Yamaguchi shrugged. "Yeah, yeah, just because you're ignorant of your own beauty doesn't mean every single guy in the damn club will be."

Akaashi laughed and rolled his eyes. "Well, we should go now, right?"

Yamaguchi squinted at his watch, counting by fives slowly, trying to figure out the time. "It's like 9:45. We should definitely leave. The traffic should have died down by now, too."

"Alright, you should really get a digital watch. And, are you bringing your backpack?" Akaashi asked.

"No, but I'm gonna grab my velvet choker and flower crown, I'll meet you downstairs."

"Alright, see you there, I'll be waiting in my jeep."

He left the keys on the counter by the door for Yamaguchi and walked down the hallways to the elevator.

He stepped in apprehensively, and when it lurched into motion he grasped at the wall. He held his eyes shut until the elevator door audibly opened and there was a ding. He peeked open his eyes and slipped out. He sauntered through the lobby briskly, weaving in and out of the crowd. He exited the building and asked for someone to get his car, giving his card to the man at the desk.

"White Rubicon Jeep, right?" The man asked, looking over the card.

"Yes."

"Alright, someone's getting it for you now."

Akaashi nodded and stood with his arms crossed waiting. He heard the doors open behind him, but didn't acknowledge it until he heard Yamaguchi.

"Hey! Where's the car?" Yama was adjusting his flower crown. Akaashi looked through the sea of cars, coming and going and waves. Soon, he spotted his car.

"Actually, there it is," Akaashi said, pointing to the car as it rounded the curve.

Yama rubbed his hands together. "Let's go fuck shit up."