Akaashi, for the second time in his life, was completely starstruck. Kuroo was an excellent blocker and the way he would yell 'one touch' with such enthusiasm, with such confidence that his team would be able to connect, it stunned Akaashi. He had to lean himself against the railing as he watched, not having the strength to keep himself upright. All his energy was going towards analysing the play-by-play events, and he knew that Bokuto was scrutinising him. Bokuto's eyes were constantly checking if he was still interested in the game, or rather, if he was watching Kuroo.

Akaashi thought it interesting how Bokuto had introduced Kuroo; calling him the hottest man he'll ever know but to be fair, anyone with eyes will be able to see that. He had half expected Bokuto to be cheering loudly and interrupting every second play the teams made, but he was surprisingly quiet. He seemed to soak in every moment he could from watching the game and Akaashi's reactions to every time Kuroo did something with an extraordinary flair.

Akaashi could tell why Kuroo had managed to catch Bokuto's attention like he had; they seemed to be on the same kind of wavelength.

And if Akaashi and Bokuto had clicked, that's probably why Bokuto thought he and Kuroo could click too and brought him here.

"How do you guys know each other?" Akaashi eventually spoke, turning to Bokuto with great question in his eyes.

"I met him two years ago at a tournament. We were across the net and we really liked each other's playstyles so we hit it off immediately. He's..." Bokuto breathed in deeply before casting his eyes to the man in red. "One of the most important people in my life. He's extraordinary," he spoke softly, his words full of nothing but the truth and absolute certainty. Akaashi was stunned to hear that Bokuto even had somebody he thought so much of.

It hurt him. It hurt Akaashi so much to hear that and he didn't exactly understand why.

But Bokuto turned to look at Akaashi, giving him the same grin he had been regarding Kuroo with.

"I hope you'll be someone like that to me too!" Akaashi didn't have the first idea what Bokuto actually meant, but that didn't stop his heart from skipping with glee.

"You're already special to me, Bokuto," he whispered softly, and then turned to continue watching the game, leaving the owl absolutely stunned and with his heart in his ears.

Both teams were strong but Nekoma only began showing their strength in the second set, and they've been dominating all the ones after. They played up to five sets in the end. Somewhere during the middle, in the third set, Akaashi felt that intense stare he felt before the game and made eye contact with Kuroo. Akaashi readjusted his position against the railing, leaning forward to get a better look, not wanting to shy away from Bokuto's friend.

The sly cat smirked and licked his lips – slowly – and even Bokuto whimpered. Akaashi couldn't help his cheeks from reddening and he felt like he had just been caught red-handed by Kuroo – like a deer in the headlights.

"Is he always like that?" he whispered to Bokuto.

"I think the new blood is making him excited. He's definitely peacocking more than usual," Akaashi wanted to shy away. This was a new feeling for him, being the centre of attention of two equally attractive men. "He's been wanting to meet you for quite a while now," Akaashi peaked up at this, two equally interesting questions forming in his mind.

"You've talked about me?" Bokuto look at him with a questioning expression.

"What are you talking about? Of course, I talk about you, Akaashi. I talk about you a lot," Akaashi could definitely see the different type of confidence Bokuto was carrying himself around with, and it wasn't difficult to see why. The Bokuto that had Kuroo in his life... this was just another side of Bokuto Akaashi didn't know yet.

"So he's interested in meeting your other friends then?" he nodded his head towards Kuroo.

This was the first time Akaashi outright called himself Bokuto's friend and he though the owl would mention it, but it seemed Bokuto never saw him as anything else. He wasn't just a close teammate.

"Well, yeah, and other reasons... I also want you to meet Kenma. I don't know if you two will click or not, since I don't know him as well as Kuroo does, but I think he'll definitely like you better than me," he pointed over to Kenma, the unmotivated two-coloured haired boy. Akaashi hummed in thought.

"Does he even like volleyball?"

"I don't know if he likes playing, but he definitely likes the sport. He's very smart! Nekoma's brain. He does all the strategy and stuff. He always kicks my ass at video games too," and Akaashi could see what he was talking about – the way Nekoma began playing in the second set, that was all Kenma's doing.

Akaashi began to feel a bit inferior to the other setter.

The game was one of the most interesting ones he had seen yet, just because of the vastly different dynamics that took place between the middle blocker and setter. Kuroo and Kenma were a duo that shouldn't be messed around with on the court, he could tell.

The way Kuroo played to protect the Brain was beyond elegant. Bokuto had mentioned that Kenma was a first year and how glad he was to see the two play together again, like they had the final year of junior high when they all met.

Akaashi felt a bit lighter when the game was over more than two hours after they started. The Fukurōdani players headed outside the gym where they waited for the Nekoma team to clean up and pack up. During this time, Bokuto headed to the washroom and on the way got distracted when he spotted the team that played against Nekoma and realised he knew one of the benchers – then he got held up and took his sweet time.

Akaashi felt uncomfortable just sitting on a railing close to the gym, seeing the players scurry inside to take down the net and what else. He wished Bokuto would return quickly, if for nothing then to have a personal owl GPS on him.

Kenma excited the gym, water bottle rack in hand as he headed to the outdoors taps. The two setters obviously made eye contact and it was weird. Kenma diverted his eyesight almost immediately, his hair curtaining his eyes. Akaashi didn't say anything either and the few silent seconds turned awkward quickly. Kenma peaked through his hair.

"Bokuto talks about you a lot," and turned to the taps to wash out the bottles. Akaashi hopped off the railing and headed over.

"So I've heard. Nothing bad, I hope,"

"I don't think he has mean bone in his body," Kenma squatted at the taps and turned to look at Akaashi, his analysing eyes examining the young owl – after all, that was Fukurōdani's mascot.

It just fitted Bokuto so perfectly, so much more than Akaashi.

"That's certainly true," he could agree. "Can I help you with that?" he motioned to the water bottles and Kenma wasn't going to say 'no thank you' to people doing some of his work for him.

"Sure,"

"I'm Akaashi Keiji... but I'm sure you already knew that, then,"

"Kozume Kenma," Akaashi nodded. "What did you... what did you think of the game?" Kenma didn't make eye contact with Akaashi and instead tried to avoid the gunmetal blue eyes.

"It was one of the most intriguing I've seen, I admit," he had heard of how Nekoma did their plays, but it was still a sight to behold.

"Interesting... because of Kuroo?" Akaashi hummed at this.

"And you. Setter-to-setter, I'm a little jealous of how smart you are," Kenma hid his eyes behind his bangs at the compliment.

"I didn't really do anything. The team are the amazing ones,"

"Nekoma really is strong," Akaashi smiled at him, Kenma looking slightly strong. "And you're a part of that. Be proud," the Nekoma student just looked away.

"I guess..." he helped Kenma finish the rinsing of the bottles. He figured sticking with Kenma would be better than just being on his lonesome in a campus he didn't know. Bokuto was nowhere to be seen and he couldn't understand where he could've ended up. At the end, after Nekoma had started to leave, Kenma headed over to him. He had his tracksuit on and gym bag swung over his shoulder.

"Come on. Let's go," and started walking, not offering Akaashi any immediate explanation.

"I still don't know where Bokuto is though," he commented, following the cat.

"I got a text from Kuroo. He found Bokuto talking to the other school. He really is unpredictable sometimes..."

"He does that. During practice matches if he's ever impressed by a play then he'll basically stop the game and want them to explain it to him," Akaashi sighed, past games flooding his mind.

"Kuroo once dragged me to the zoo with them. Bokuto saw the owl enclosure and didn't want to leave until he found the bird handler in order to hold the owl," Akaashi turned to Kenma with interest. Stories of Bokuto before he knew him was uncharted territory for him.

"Did he end up holding the owl?"

"He did. It looked like they could've been twins," Akaashi snickered, Kenma having a small smile. Not much was spoken between the two, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

They headed to the front gate of the school, a beautiful lawn stretching out on the sides of the brick walkway. Nekoma was beautiful he had to admit.

What was even more beautiful was the sight to behold on top of the lawn.

Two separate voices of laughter flowed together like a liquid, the different colours spiralling around each other to create the perfect hue. Red was on top of white and then white was on top red as the Nekoma and Fukurōdani students wrestled playfully. They were like wild animals, trying to tame each other with soft touches, gentle words and a lot of tossing and turning.

Kuroo's lips captured Bokuto's Adams apple in a suction kiss and Akaashi could swear he turned as red as Nekoma's jacket. Bokuto groaned in frustration that we losing and attempted to flip their wrestling position over, his teeth catching Kuroo's earlobe as he tried to pull him onto his side. Kuroo groaned straight out of his throat.

"Guys, I am hungry. Can you please sort out who's the more dominant one later?" Kenma let out a frustrated huff, both larger men stopping in their tracks and regarded him. They were frozen for a second before Bokuto pulled himself out of Kuroo's arms, standing up and wiping the dirt and grass off his pants and ass. He smiled brightly, as if nothing had just happened. Behind him, Kuroo's eyes seemed to lock onto Akaashi, still frozen in his dishevelled position. He let out a long huff before rising onto his feet as well, immediately heading over to Akaashi's position.

He was frozen himself, still not quite believing what he had just seen. They were... extremely close, it seemed.

Akaashi had to look up at Kuroo. Even though Bokuto was taller, it still seemed as if he was watching a mountain move closer to him. He had a huge presence, but it was... different.

Bokuto's presence had a sun gleaming behind him, highlighting his every feature and making Akaashi feel a warmness every time they were close. Kuroo... Kuroo's presence tickled the senses, sent thrills up the spine and demanded undivided attention. There was no looking away from him.

"Kuroo Tetsurō. It's been way too long," he introduced himself, grinning slyly down at curious setter.

"We've never met before," Akaashi wondered.

"But we should have," he sent an evil eye towards Bokuto. "Akashi Keiji, yeah?" he nodded in confirmation. "You hungry? I'm sure Kenma's starved. Can you two go for something?" he looked between the two Fukurōdani students.

"I'm always hungry! Yeah, let's go!" Bokuto began running out the school, all the others just looking after him. Kuroo sighed and scratched at his hair.

"I'm too tired to run. Not even for that ass," Akaashi had to look away at Kuroo's words and snickered. Kuroo didn't let Akaashi's amusement go unnoticed and laughed along, sounding like a cackling hyena. Kenma just sighed and started to head out, too tired to deal with Kuroo. Akaashi followed him, Kuroo having to finish his laughing fit first before jogging to catch up with the rest.

They headed to a street vendor, Kenma and Kuroo getting some buns to fuel up on while Akaashi and Bokuto just got some popsicles for the sweet teeth. Kuroo was taking the time to tell all the embarrassing stories about Bokuto, showing Akaashi pictures he took while Bokuto was arguing grudgingly.

"I don't look good on that picture! Don't show that to him! Only where I look good!"

"You look good on every picture! It's like a superpower, stop stressing!" and then Bokuto would try to wrestle the phone out of his hand anyway. Kenma began walking slightly ahead of the group, as if he wanted to convey to the public 'please don't associate me with these people'.

Akaashi... didn't want to admit to himself that...

That Kuroo and Bokuto were a thing.

He didn't want it to be true, but it was like a deity sat down with different ingredients and didn't make any measurements, just tossed in all of it.

Volleyball passion. Huge presences. Sculpted muscles. Captivating eyes. Enchanting personalities. Alluring voices. Ravishing bodies. Irresistibility...

This world does cruel things to him, to place him in the middle of these two Greek gods who were made for each other.

There was no place for Akaashi in the lives of these two; he could see that now.

"What do you think, Akaashi?" he was snapped out of his thoughts, the four of them seated on the grass at a park not far from the vendors. Kenma had started to play a game on his console, lying on his side away from the rest. Akaashi figured it was because he didn't want to be social and was tired, but Kenma decided to stray from the conversation away as he knew this was Kuroo and Akaashi's first meeting.

Or, as Bokuto would call it, their first date as a unit.

Kuroo did not call it that. Kuroo called it a moment he would never get nor want back because he got lost in Akaashi's angelic presence. His eyes roamed over his body far more times than he would care to admit and he tried to get him to speak as much as possible, just to listen and drown in that voice.

And god, what a cynical sense of humour Kuroo sometimes managed out of him. He was an angel with a bit of a naughty side to him.

"Would you rather go the past or future?"

"Definitely past! I want to be a knight and fight people with spears on top of horses!" Bokuto answered, standing up and lifting his popsicle stick into the air.

"Clearly the future is the logical choice. We live in a world where technological advancement is happening left and right so I want to see if there's ever an end. Like, where we get to a point where everything is as easy as can be and everything that needed to be invented, has been invented. How would a world like that look like? Would robots be cleaning up our trash and do everything for us while we just sit and do nothing?" Kuroo had genuinely thought about it, clearly. He sat lazily on the grass, legs spread out in an open position as he took op the most space.

"Wasn't a movie made about that?" Kenma's quiet voice chipped in.

"If I had the choice, I would go to the past to meet my favourite authors," Akaashi answered, Bokuto assuming a 'victory!' pose. "I would love to know their daily routines and what they do if they're stuck,"

"You like to read then?" Kuroo asked, leaning back on his elbows.

"And write, occasionally,"

"HUH! Agashi, you write?!" Akaashi was about to comment on Bokuto's – yet another – butchering of his name, but Kuroo beat him too it.

"Bo, I'm pretty sure that's not his name. But what was it again?" Kuroo placed his hand on his chin, trying to visibly look as if he was thinking hard as he spoke with such a sly devil tongue. "So can I get your name or should I call you mine?" Bokuto lost his shit at that, whistling and throwing his body around, Kuroo grinning like a mad dog. Kenma groaned loudly at the bad pun and if his face were visible to them, they would see his cringe. Akaashi chocked on his own words at that, having to shake his head to not get affected.

"How long were you practicing that one, captain?" Akaashi shot back.

"Oh, I'm a captain now?" Kuroo sat forward, closer to Akaashi, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"Yeah, pretty sure you would name it after yourself too. The SS Kuroo – it was truly a sinking ship," Akaashi snickered, allowing his eyes to shoot a playful glare as a mischievous look overtook him. Bokuto fell to his knees at that look.

Kuroo puckered his lips with a sad look.

"Aww, don't be like that. I have mad skills," he spoke with a mockingly sad voice. Akaashi huffed.

"Like what?" Kuroo looked like the devil he was.

"Can I read your palm?" Akaashi lifted a brow at that.

"Oh, so your psychic now? Go for it," Kuroo took Akaashi's hand into his own, turning his hand palm face-up and traced his fingers down the creases. His fingers were cold; Akaashi feeling small tingles from where he touched.

"Ahhh I see...I see something in your future," Kuroo spoke with his eyes closed, other hand moving through the air as if he was performing magic.

"Oh yeah? What is it?" Kuroo's other hand came down, enclosing Akaashi's between his two large palms. He leaned forward, face closer to Akaashi's and looked straight into his eyes.

"Me,"

Akaashi blushed.

Bokuto hollered.

"That's my cue to leave," Kenma stood up faster than he could ever run and headed off, not wanting to know first-hand if this leads to anything or not.

He's sure to see Kuroo come knocking at his door later today to speak about Akaashi and how his knees had been made weak.

Akaashi couldn't help but wonder – why was Kuroo openly flirting with him in front of Bokuto? Weren't they... together?

"Is he going to be alright alone?" he instead asked, referring to the retreating figure of Kenma.

"We live close by,"

"We?"

"Kenma and I are neighbours," Akaashi hummed and nodded, mind still quite disorientated.

What were they? What was all this? Was it even... anything?

Why was Kuroo still holding his hand?

He was reading too much into Kuroo and Bokuto – he was just seeing what he wanted to see.

"You two still need to do some travelling though. And it's getting late..." Kuroo sounded disappointed at his own words, pulling away from Akaashi scratching at his head.

"Tetsurō, no!"

"Bo," Bokuto stopped at the nickname, focusing on Kuroo intently. Bo was what Kuroo always called him when he required his absolute attention. The cat showed his teeth. "We have a training weekend next week!" The owl peaked up at that and nodded enthusiastically.

"I can't wait!" Kuroo turned to look at Akaashi, their two presences coming close to touching, close to mixing their different colours together and spilling into their own beautiful hue.

"I really can't wait to see you again, Akaashi~"

Neither did he.

Bokuto video called Kuroo later that day, upset that Kuroo had gotten to hold Akaashi's hand – even just for a second – when Bokuto hadn't even gone that far yet.

"I didn't want to start anything in case you didn't like him! Now you've met him and I already feel behind," Bokuto pouted, puckering his lip as his hair deflated.

'Bo, he's amazing. You're amazing for waiting for me,' Bokuto perked up at that. 'Thank you,'

"Of course I waited for you! We should all go into this – together!"

'You're jumping the gun a bit. I just met him and even though I feel I practically know him through everything you've told me already, I still want to have a personal relationship with him – like you do. He doesn't know me. And then... Kōtarō, he might not want to be in a relationship with two people. He might not even be gay. We should take it slow,'

Slow. Slow.

That wasn't a word any of the three seemed to resonate with. Akaashi's mind definitely wasn't running slow when he saw the hyper duo, and instead, it was almost always in overdrive. The first training weekend came, and Bokuto was beyond excited for the three of them. The training camps seemed to hold a special place in their hearts, and Akaashi began to understand that feeling on the very first day.

Playing against Nekoma, Bokuto at his side and Kuroo on the other side of the net was riveting. He quickly understood why it was a match that made the two interested in each other. It was so much... fun.

He was having the time of his life on this court.

When he got dragged that night to their special training, he felt what it was like to play with Kuroo on his side as well. The entire day was full of new experiences, and he enjoyed it immensely. After the second day of practice, Kuroo had somehow managed to slip past Bokuto to have a private conversation with Akaashi for the first time.

From this, he felt he understood Kuroo a bit more. Bokuto was definitely an influence on him. When the owl was around, the cat's liveliness seemed to raise and they would feed off each other's chaotic energy. Without him to fuel that side of him, Kuroo actually had a quite... calming gesture to him. He was soft and careful around him at first, and Akaashi could see he was just testing out the waters. His confidence around Akaashi wasn't as much as when Bokuto was there to be the catalyst.

That's why when Kuroo began their conversation and it flowed naturally, it just all felt so right. That they just knew that they needed each other in their lives. Kuroo could talk with Akaashi about things he couldn't with Bokuto: literature, dramas, academia. All thinks artistic and simplistic was something they could ponder over together. Akaashi even opened up to him and showed him some of the poems he wrote, and Kuroo was in love.

Akaashi and Kuroo could have a relationship of their own without Bokuto having to be their middleman, and that was fucking brilliant. For the both of them.

The training camps turned into Akaashi's favourite thing in the world. This was a love all three of them shared. They spent time together during the rest of year as well, either raiding the Bokuto household or relaxing at the Kuroo household – added bonus of dragging Kenma over if they so wished.

Akaashi was particular about not wanting them to hang out at his house, but wouldn't give much a reason as to why. They didn't push the issue and respected his privacy.

There was a time soon after they first met when Kuroo had invited Akaashi out – and only Akaashi. That was when they truly got under each other's skin and Akaashi realised he began feeling about him the same way he did Bokuto.

And that was a problem.

He would stay up late at night to scroll though their social media pages, the recently posted images that included Akaashi in the mix would warm his heart. He was a part of their aesthetic now.

But it felt wrong.

It felt so wrong to him to be involved with them when he himself was just... nothing. He was worth nothing. He never once felt like he deserved the attention they were giving him, and it drove him to tears some nights. He kept to himself about these feelings and would try to just get lost in Bokuto and Kuroo's presence when he was with them but some days, it just wasn't enough.

Kuroo had unwillingly discovered Akaashi's feelings he had when he used his phone to look up a recipe the three of them were attempting one weekend, and made his way into the notes app – where he knew Akaashi kept all his poems.

The poems Akaashi had showed him before.

Save for one. The latest.

Kuroo was shattered.

I never believed men could wear a halo

never believed in the power of a say-so

but somehow, against all these humanly bounded odds

I came face to face with two of the Gods

I had not even attempted a search

yet here I am, bounded inside their church

I would never guess if they were Greek or Roman

but their presence alone was enough of an omen

I was not worthy to be at the foot of their throne

let alone to hear their loving moan

I am rotten, repulsive and so incredibly plain

what were these two trying to gain?

open me up, cut me, and toss me aside

use me, I don't care, not even if you lied

I am blessed enough by having witnessed your love

for each other, so holy, so innocent as the dove

so if I could have one simple request

please do not hold me close to your chest

your beating hearts I cannot endure

to me it is nothing than an irresistible lure

I am nothing, I am man

I am a piece in your game plan

hold me at arm's length for I am in love

with two of the Gods that came from above

Kuroo messaged the poem to himself and then cleared the chat on Akaashi's phone. He knew he would be questioned about it, but he could always make something sly up like he sent a picture of himself that Akaashi took to his phone and didn't want to appear greedy for good pictures of himself.

Akaashi did take amazing pictures though.

Kuroo couldn't keep his mind off of the poem for the rest of the night, even as their baking extravaganza turned into a flop and they instead ordered pizza to watch a movie with.

All that he could think about was that Akaashi had feelings for the both of them, and he didn't feel like he deserved any love back.

Kuroo's mind turned the end year break of the previous year, when he discovered Bokuto's weak side, and realised that both of them were hiding their emotional sides from each other. A relationship wouldn't be able to blossom between the three of them unless they tackled this invisible obstacle and somehow, Kuroo felt that Bokuto needed to be the one to bring it up.

They couldn't lie to Akaashi, and they shouldn't. He probably suspected the two of them were together but they specifically didn't kiss or were openly affectionate around him – afraid it might scare him off.

Kuroo excused himself to the washroom – but actually went to go calm his heart. He brought his phone along and reread the poem several times, not quite believing how tossed-around Akaashi felt. He felt they were toying with his love since the two of them were together, but he didn't understand that that didn't matter to them. They wanted more than just the two of them. They wanted Akaashi and only Akaashi.

Kuroo loved him. Bokuto loved him.

And they had just assumed their love of him was just taken up in the way they intended? Akaashi was different to Kuroo and Bokuto, in all ways that made him perfect.

But that meant miscommunication was a huge thing and just like what the two had gone through, the only way to accurately convey their feelings, was just to outright say it.

Easier said than done. How the hell did Bokuto summon up the courage to have done this with him? Confess to him?

He headed back into the living room, the light from the TV shining upon Akaashi and Bokuto like they were heaven-sent. Kuroo's father wasn't home, and Kenma hadn't come over today. It was just the three of them, alone.

Kuroo felt something claw up his throat, and the others seemed to notice it. Bokuto paused the movie and the two turned to watch over the spine of the couch.

"Tetsurō, what's wrong?" Bokuto questioned with concern, the emotion replicated on Akaashi's delicate features. The two of them, the four eyes staring at Kuroo had him choke on his own words and he sunk onto his knees, hands touching the floor as he lowered his head.

"Kōtarō... Keiji... you two are so fucking beautiful," and he cried. He cried as he thought about all the emotions – all the signs - he missed from Bokuto the first year that ended him up having to go to therapy again. He thought about how Akaashi felt used and abused by them and didn't understand their love. He thought about himself and how scared he was that one of them might leave him - that his father might not approve of something like them and drive them away. He thought that there might come a day when he wouldn't be enough for them; when he wouldn't be able to help them the way they helped him.

He just wanted to show them how much they meant to him.

"Are you okay?" and there was a hand on his face, cupping his cheek and making him look up into those worried, blazing eyes of Akaashi. Bokuto was by his side, rubbing his hand up and down Kuroo's arm in support.

"Hey, we're here. You're not alone," he whispered into Kuroo's side, his voice nothing but calming and smoothing.

The looked between the two and he couldn't help but think that Akaashi had been wrong. Kuroo wasn't one of the gods that were here tonight, it was all Akaashi and Bokuto. They were his Utopia; his heaven; his home.

He pulled them both down into his arms, pushing them into his chest as he huddled over them. He could feel Akaashi slowly relax into this hug and allowed himself to cling onto Kuroo for dear life, the heat radiating between the three making him high off a different type of ecstasy.

"I love you guys. I love you ­so fucking much," and Bokuto just knew, knew that this was different than all the 'I love yous' the two had shared in the past, even when they were intimate and couldn't ever feel closer to one another. Somehow, that very thing had just happened.

Kuroo made them a whole.

"Kuroo-," but he cut Akaashi off.

"Tetsurō," he nodded towards Akaashi with tears still in his eyes. "Please, Keiji; use my name," and Akaashi was stumped. The window to Kuroo's emotions was vast and beautiful. This was... all of this, to him... it made him feel...

"Keiji," he repeated his name, moving forward and cupping his cheek, placing his forehead against Akaashi's. "Perfect, divine Keiji," he continued to stare at Kuroo with shock, even though they were so close. He felt Bokuto move in behind him and wrap his arms around his waist, digging his head into his back.

He was trapped, and he felt safe.

"Keiji," and this time, it was Bokuto who had whispered into his back. His lips were soft against the exposed flesh above his collar, making him tremble at the feeling. "We love you, Keiji," and he whimpered, eyes starting to release tears as he stared into Kuroo's soul and felt Bokuto's tender touch on his back. The repeated use of his name had him also feeling all sort of emotions – he felt that close to them.

"B-but-,"

"Keiji, we want you," and he forgot to breathe at Kuroo's words. "We've always wanted you, but we were afraid – afraid that you might not want to be in..." he moved his head away from Akaashi's, eyes cast down to the floor beside them. "This type of relationship. With us," and even Bokuto stopped as he heard Kuroo's words. "We never intended to make you feel strung along by us," Akaashi looked up, confusion in his eyes.

"You-,"

"I read your poem, I'm sorry," and Akaashi went stone-cold. Kuroo shakily gripped his forearms, bringing his head into Akaashi's chest. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. You're perfect, Keiji, and we never wanted to make you feel anything less,"

And then Bokuto knew. He trembled as he pulled himself closer into Akaashi's back, hugging him so tightly. He had no idea about what the poem was about, but hearing Kuroo's words, the way he said his apology...

It was all too familiar to Bokuto.

"Keiji, have I ever told you how much I hate myself?"

Akaashi's world stopped as he turned to look at Bokuto, the owl completely deflated as he sunk into the floor.

"Don't even joke like that,"

"I'm not," he looked up at Akaashi, so much emotion in his eyes, so much naked and raw truth. "Sometimes, I don't feel like I'm worth anybody's time and I'm just a waste of space. I feel like if I'm not on my best, then everyone will just leave me. That I'm only useful if I'm at the top of my game all the time. I get, weak, Keiji, you know this. You saw me. I can't... I can't help myself from falling into a dump when I'm playing and I'm not able to bring my absolute best. I feel like I bring down the team and that... I don't even deserve to be on the court.

And I initially thought it was just volleyball that made me feel both the highest highs and the lowest lows, but I was wrong. I hate my body. I hate it every single time I look in the mirror. My muscles are uneven, my skin is full of callouses, my body is out of proportion – I can't even dye my hair right. I use this body to fight for others and love others, but I can't accept love myself. I don't feel like this is the body that can be deserving of anybody.

I go to therapy, sure, and I don't take my meds all the time – Kuroo gets really fussy about that – but I don't want to be reliant off of something as artificial as pills. I-I I know that's not how it works, but still I... I can't bring myself to taking them. It feels like I'm admitting defeat then and I... I don't want to be that weak.

But I allow myself to be weak around you, Keiji; and Kuroo because I know I can trust you with my dark side. I know I can find love with you two, even if I don't feel like I always deserve it. And it's because of you two that I try, and try, and try to look after myself. It's definitely better, I mean, Kuroo saw I real bad side of me last year that I don't want anybody to ever see again. Even I don't want to see it again.

I love you, and that's why I can be happy. That's why I can be strong," Bokuto nodded through his tears, all three of them having red-stained cheeks now. Akaashi saw Kuroo's arm sneak his body and to Bokuto, lifting up the owl's face to look at him. Kuroo tried to convey all the respect and pride he held for Bokuto right now through his eyes, but he felt that wasn't enough. He leaned forward, past Akaashi's shoulder, and connected their lips together.

Akaashi felt all oxygen leave his system as he watched his two stars share an intimate kiss right in front of him. He could see all the passion and emotions Kuroo tried to convey to Bokuto – how tender he was and how softly he raked his fingers op Bokuto's exposed arms. Bokuto ever so delicately held onto Kuroo's face, drowning and sinking in all of the love he was receiving. Akaashi got goosebumps just watching and even though it wasn't a moment he was partaking in, he still couldn't look away. He felt as if he was a part of that kiss just as much as they were.

He didn't even allow enough time for this mind to start overthink and pull him away, and instead, Akaashi got closer to Bokuto's side. He placed his hand over Kuroo's and joined in the grazing of Bokuto's arm, the feeling of both Bokuto and Kuroo's skin so, so perfect. Summoning up the most courage he's ever had, he rose onto his knees and leaned forward to place a soft kiss beneath Bokuto's ear.

Bokuto breathed in deeply at the feeling of the foreign lips against his skin and Kuroo separated their kiss, lidded eyes staring at Akaashi's action. He pulled himself away from Bokuto's neck – but not too far – and went to remove his hand from his arm but Kuroo grabbed it in his and held it in place. Four eyes were on Akaashi, and he was suffocating.

But it was them.

So it was okay.

"I... I felt like I was being blessed and cursed at the same time when I got to know you two. I could see how beautiful you two were and how flawless you two were together. I could feel all the love you two had for each other just from being near you, and I was falling, falling so hard for you guys and..." Akaashi breathed in deeply, shooting his eyes downwards. "I didn't feel like there was a place for me in that love. That I wasn't worth the effort," he shook his head. Two hands took hold of his face and made him make eye contact with the both of them, the absolute warmth conveying to him was sensational.

"Keiji, look at us. Look at our eyes. Look at how we are looking at you. Look at our exposed hearts and see us. See our love for you. See how much we have fallen for you. See how much we've been craving to hold your hand, to feel your tender touch, to feel your warmth, to be by your side, to support you," Kuroo spoke, taking Akaashi's hand and placing it on his own cheek, closing his eyes as he sunk into the touch.

"Keiji," Bokuto spoke, leaning closer to Akaashi's form. "Let us show you how you're worth the entire world to us," he very gently closed the distance between them and placed his unmoving lips against Akaashi's. The younger boy trembled at the feeling and had to readjust himself, gripping exactly to terms what was happening.

Bokuto was kissing him.

Bokuto was actually kissing him.

And he took hold of Bokuto's collar, and kissed him back. The smile that came etched onto Bokuto's face he could feel in the kiss made his heart skip a beat. Bokuto pulled Akaashi into his lap and continued their slow make-out session, trying to convey with each movement exactly how much he thought of Akaashi.

It was working.

Kuroo positioned himself behind Akaashi and let his lips leave butterfly kisses all over his neck and shoulders, his fingers slowly curling in underneath his shirt to feel the skin on the small of his back. Bokuto copied the motion and let his own fingers began to draw circles into Akaashi's hips, his breath hitching every time Kuroo's fingers would brush against his own. Bokuto groaned at how amazing, how perfect, how unbelievable it was to be in such an intimate moment with both of his loves that he had to pull away from the kiss. He positoned his lips against Akaashi's Adams apple and breathed deeply.

Akaashi trembled as thinner and colder fingers took a hold of his chin and turned it to the side. Kuroo was right there and looked into Akaashi's eyes to ask permission.

Is this okay, Keiji? Are you okay with both of us?

And it was Akaashi that closed the gap between them.

Kuroo's kiss was less sloppy than Bokuto's and it was definitely slower. It was a kiss that teased and prodded at Akaashi's insides, making him want more, more, more. Kuroo pulled at his lower lips with his teeth and Akaashi groaned straight from his insides. Bokuto whimpered at the sound and had to take a breather from kissing Akashi's neck, instead laying his head on his chest. Kuroo pulled away from the kiss, knowing that it might not be too smart to go any further with Akaashi tonight, and wrapped his arms around both of them. Akaashi rested his head in Kuroo's shoulder, taking in the deep scent he carried.

The three of them just rested against each other, out of breath as the atmosphere they created surrounded and took hold of them.

"Keiji," it was Bokuto that was the first to speak, lifting his head from his chest as he looked at Akaashi with such devotion. "We promise to make you happy. We promise to love you and stand by you with every demon that comes at you, together. That is, if you'll have us in this way. Well, I mean, even if you don't want to be with us in that way then we'll still love and support you like you're never getting rid of us, either way, so like-,"

"What I think Bo is trying to say here is," Kuroo took a hold of Akaashi's hand. "Will you be our boyfriend?" and Akaashi's demons went to die, having been killed by the ecstasy.

"Yeah. I would love that," and he was crying tears of joy, Kuroo smothering the two of them in a chug.

"What's with us and doing the kissing and then the asking? I don't think this is how it's supposed to go," Bokuto spoke softly, kinda ruining the moment.

"Wait, what?" Akaashi chuckled, sitting up straight to regard the owl.

Hah.

Straight.

"He's talking about how our relationship started," Kuroo answered with a sigh.

"I would love to hear the story," Akaashi spoke, hoping that a little sense of realism would come back to him with a normal conversation. He was still on cloud nine.

But the story of how Bokuto and Kuroo came to be a thing made him laugh. It was so them. So chaotic. Eventually Bokuto asked if he could read Akaashi's poem and he allowed him after a moment's hesitation. He thought Bokuto would comment on how Akaashi saw himself, but instead he just turned to Akaashi and said 'You're writing is beautiful. I hope from now on our love will only produce even more beautiful poems' because Bokuto understood. He understood that every feeling someone has ever had - past, present and future – was valid and shouldn't be ignored. That they had made Akaashi feel like this by not being open from the start so now, he hoped the poems would turn to highlight all of them together.

And they did.

Two Gods became three and after that – later, the future - three became four.

But before their relationship could advance, another issue arose.

The telling of the families.

Kenma was first on the list. Kenma was always first on the list. He was so far on top of that list that the very same night they headed over to tell him. Since it was late – an hour to midnight – instead of yelling up at his window, they just texted him to look out. And he did, only a few minutes later, to see the three below. Bokuto and Kuroo were flanking Akaashi's sides, holding on so gently. Kuroo lifted up his phone and sent a text to Kenma: 'We're all one heart now.' and by the time Kenma was finished reading the message and looked down again, both the owl and the cat had their lips planted on Akaashi's red cheeks. Kenma sent a text back: 'I think he'll be your control tower. Congratz,' and as an afterthought, he added: 'Does he know about Trampoline yet?'

The Bokuto household was open to new experiences and welcomed the relationship with a pinch of salt – wanting to see it progress a bit further before they would make up their minds about how they felt. Kuroo's father was... a challenge. It took weeks of prep work. Kuroo would speak to him in hypothetical tones, trying to gauge his father's feelings towards the subject. He already knew Akaashi so that shouldn't be the issue, but one does not simply have more than two in a relationship. Kuroo made him watch a movie with him where there was an open couple – not quite the same as what they were, but it got the job done – to hear his opinions.

There wasn't anything bad about Kuroo's father's opinions, just that he kept it at a distance. Unfortunately, that distance became infinitesimally smaller when Kuroo sat him down one night to tell him that he was dating Akaashi as well. They felt it would be best if Kuroo handled this confession alone.

It took two weeks for Kuroo's dad to come around and they spoke every night, his father now in turn gauging his reaction to see how serious he was. How much he loved the second boy. Inevitably, his father accepted the relationship, although it took months for him to be comfortable seeing the three of them together.

The real issue, the thing Akaashi's been avoiding since day of meeting, was the thing he was so scared would break them apart.

His family.