synopsis: locked in a library while its raining. oh, and did i mention that you’re alone with a hot dude too?
notes: pure fluff. mentions of prominent literature figures. akira used instead of ren. no spoilers, just the 'i am thou..’ speech :)
a/n: yall. i wrote this two years ago. TWO YEARS AGO. AND IT HAS BEEN GATHERING DUST FOR THAT LONG. i revamped it to the point where it’s basically unrecognisable to the first draft, but i just wanted to share some of my old writing w/ u all!! u can definitely see the rookie mistakes still </3
The feeling of the bonded leather made a smile tug at your lips. It had always been like this: with the countless rows of spines facing outwards, the smell of dusty parchment and coffee filling the air - the bookshop in a secluded corner of Shibuya had been your home; your sanctuary.
The atmosphere was unparalleled - there was no other place as calming as here. South-facing windows made light leak through; rays of comfort lining your face.
Time passed by, and those rays of comfort disappeared - replaced with dreary rains as the melodious tune drifting through the air stays consistent. A puff of cold escaped your lips, leaving a trail of disappointment in its wake.
‘So much for going home…’
The rain continued, wed thuds echoing into the quaint bookshop. They were like bullets battering against the roof. You could tell that in order to avoid getting your books wet, going home had to wait a bit.
‘H-Hey guys. You gotta leave soon. I know it’s raining and all, but I gotta wrap up my shift in a bit…'
A meek voice caught your attention. There was no way she actually expected you to go outside in this weather - right?
You opened up your mouth to protest, but a masculine voice beat you to it. ‘With all due respect, there’s no way we’re going out there.’
Immersed in your own world, you failed to realise that there was another person in the cozy shop that wasn’t the shop-keep. You expected to see no one impressive, maybe just a face that blended in with the remaining crowd – a normality, even - but you instead lock eyes with the prettiest boy you have ever seen. You were openly gawking. And doubled with the fact that he rendered the poor worker speechless with just a singular sentence? It was almost comical.
Looking at him closer, you were able to pinpoint why exactly the worker was speechless. The blush on her face said it all. Staring shamelessly, you struggled to keep your eyes to yourself as you studied the stranger’s features. With framed glasses and tousled hair that looked like it hadn’t been brushed in years, he could easily be mistaken as your average passer-by. But he was enchanting. There was something endearing about his plain look; his aura leaking with pure confidence. He could captivate even the strongest people with just one look.
What a piercing glare. The thought wandered into your mind carelessly, foregoing any prior thoughts about the man.
Unable to continue the staring contest, the worker averted her attention to you. ‘By the looks of things, I’m guessing you’re not leaving either, right?’ Giving a hesitant nod in return, the girl groaned. ‘I don’t get paid enough for this. Seriously,’ impassively gesturing to the counter, all previous sense of her nervousness dissipated. ‘This is where the keys are. Lock up when you’re done, and not a word of this to anyone, okay? You’re putting my job at risk here.’
Walking over to the entrance to make her leave, the girl spared one last look over to you two, hands briskly unwrapping the only umbrella from the rack. ‘I’m only doing this because you’re attractive… The boy. Akira, I mean.’
Wait. They know each other?
And just like that, three became two.
‘The girl has no shame, huh? Totally into you, dude.’ You gave a little smile to your side, in hopes of removing the tension between you and the boy, Akira, if you recalled correctly. Oh, why won't the rain just let up already? ‘Seems like it’s not gonna stop any time soon… So much for going home, I guess.’
His stare was too much for you. Suddenly, the window seemed more interesting than the hundreds of books you were surrounded by. Yet, in the midst of the window's reflection, you swore you saw Akira’s eyes crinkle up in amusement at your pity party. His smile was cute; his name was cute. He was cute.
‘Well, if we’re stuck, we might as well get comfortable, right?’ You walked over to the couch at the centre of the store, gesturing him over with a wave of your hand. Encyclopedia of Thieves was left askew. A childish name filled with equally immature drawings. A teenager definitely left it here.
Oh screw it, literature is literature. Might as well give it a read, right?
Mimicking your actions, Akira grabbed an obscure book off of the horror shelf, before proceeding to sit on the furthest end of the couch you’re on. The novel in question, however, caught your attention.
‘No Longer Human? As in, Osamu Dazai’s?’ That’s one of my favourites! I know it’s cliche, but it’s fantastic nonetheless, really!’ In the midst of your excited sprawl, his mouth hangs open for a bit. Oh no, did you get too carried away? ‘Sorry, I tend to get a bit… Excited over these things.’
‘It’s alright.’
So, he was a man of very little words, huh? That’s alright - it adds more mystery to his persona. Maybe that’s why you’re attracted to his charm in the first place.
You two pause, and with the initial rush of adrenaline and excitement gone, the chatter slows down into a lull of nothingness, replaced with the melodious piano music that drew a line between the tranquillity of strangers. The silence was one you would have with an old friend - it wasn’t awkward whatsoever; it was calming.
That’s when a realisation hits you.
‘Ah did you realise--’
‘We’re alone, aren’t we?’
Completely neglecting the fact that that’s the longest sentence he’s said to you, you stood up in excitement, ‘Don’t you realise? We’re in a people-free bookstore! This is like… the coolest thing that has ever happened to me! W-Wait here! I’m going to get something.’
You excitedly browse through the collection of novels and eagerly grab some until a pile forms within your hands. While you dump them onto the couch - spreading out like falling dominoes as a result - he smiles at your excitement. You were like an excitable cat. Adorable.
The not-so stranger stands up and does the same, picking up novella and putting it on the couch tentatively, creating a tower of books.
You sit down and urge him to follow suit through your smile alone. ‘Here! Look, this is my favourite at the moment. It’s Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, and the plot is fantastic. The author actually takes risks, which is like, something none of ‘em do nowadays. A feat in itself, if you ask me.’
He nods - and this is when you realise, even after everything that has occurred – Akira’s an awesome listener. A stark contrast to your talkativeness.
‘I’m reading this one at the moment,’ He pointed at the cover that read Snow Country, and you questioned Akira’s taste in literature right then and there. ‘The story is just as bleak as the cover implies.’
You laugh at his comment, and the impromptu book show-and-tell begun.
Deep within his mind, Akira heard it.
‘I am thou, thou art I. Thou hast acquired a new vow. It shall become the wings of rebellion that breakth thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Page of Pentacles persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.’
Two people, alone, in a bookshop. And with the smiles and laughter filling up the bookstore, the smell of petrichor fails to reach your noses; coffee and parchment, the scents of home, settled in its stead.
The fact that it had stopped raining almost an hour ago failed to dawn upon the duo. But you two didn't care; you were busy basking in the limelight that had been meticulously crafted.
Maybe something more than just a confidant has been formed: a relationship that surpasses the boundaries between acquaintances and lovers.
𝐚.𝐧 first post on this account then i have some treats in store ;)
𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝗼 @rancidc4m you’ll see why soon
it was something you didn’t expect, a hand written letter. he would always told you how much you meant to him via text. but this this was something completely different… he’d taken the time out of his day to write this by hand and send it off hoping it would reach you. for some reason this felt special.
i don’t know when or if this will reach you, my love. i want you to know that even though we can’t spend time together often nor look like we have anything to do with each other in public just know that i love you with all my heart. i long to hold you in my arms once again, my love.
i miss you. is it strange that all i can think about is you when we have so little memories? i know that this distance hurts us both, my love, but i’m just trying to keep you safe and keep the stress of my life off of your shoulders. we will be together soon. i promise.
i promise you the world. i will keep you safe, i will keep you happy, i will keep you fed, i will make you feel loved, i’ll give you whatever you want, my love.
i cant help but think about our future and what it will look like. will we have kids? will we just be a couple that lives out the rest of their days travelling the world and seeing what it has to offer? or will you come to fear me? that’s my biggest worry. that you’ll fear me.
there’s reasons why i keep things from people, my love. i’m terrified that you will not accept certain parts of me.
many see me as a beast but you, you love me. i don’t know why, you’re so perfect. many idolise you and i am no different. you never fail to sweep me off of my feet and snatch my breath. there was so many things about you that i can’t help but adore. here’s not the place to worship you, my love.
i’d rather do that in person. stare at the moon tonight and think of me, i shall do the same, my love.
desc || akira never thought he would fall for his childhood best friend, but here he was, knee scraped and all.
warnings // disclaimers || swearing, pining ig, minor injuries // blood, mention of iwaoi, my kunimi brainrot going so hard rn he just cute, okay-
word count || 2.1k
taglist || @crystal-lilac [you can send me an ask or dm to be added !!]
KUNIMI AKIRA FELT LIKE HE knew Y/L/N Y/N better than he knew himself. He could always tell how she was going to react to any given situation, knew every little thing she about her from her favourite ice cream flavour to people she complained about the most.
For Akira, Y/N was always completely predictable.
But he was not.
He didn't know when or how it happened, but on one of the days that was the exact same as countless others before that particular one, walking home with Y/N who'd waited for him after volleyball practice, she laughed at some sarcastic comment he made.
Akira didn't know what it was about the particular joke, something about an easily forgettable event from practice, but Y/N's laugh enthralled him. She threw her head back as they walked, making a loud noise of pure happiness, her eyes and nose scrunched up from the motion. He couldn't breathe, couldn't see anything but the girl by his side, and found heat rising to his cheeks.
Blushing. Stoic, unemotional, quiet Kunimi Akira, was blushing. What in the ...
"That was funny, Aki!" Y/N gasped, turning to him with a wide smile.
He was completely unable to respond, finding himself just staring at her, her e/c eyes still sparkling in amusement.
Finally, he managed to force out a laugh of his own. "Ha, thanks, Y/N."
It wasn't lost on Akira how robotic he sounded, how fake, but she still smiled anyway, turning back to the road in front of her with a spring in her step.
He cursed himself a thousand times, all but stumbling through the routine of walking Y/N to her house that was always the first stop, waving goodbye to her awkwardly as she slotted her keys into the lock and disappeared, until he was finally alone again.
Akira wasn't sure if alone was a feeling he enjoyed - though he presented indifference on the matters of almost everything, including his passion for volleyball - but he was sure it was an emotion he was destined to suffer through.
Why was I watching her? When did I start to notice her? When did she get so ... so ...
He scoffed to no one, arms wrapping around himself as gusts of cold wind blew across the sweaty, mint-green volleyball uniform he wore.
When did she get so pretty?
"She's always been pretty," Akira said to himself, well aware that there was something just slightly idiotic about talking to himself on an empty suburban road. "But why did it take me so long to realise."
Y/N wouldn't leave his mind the entire walk home, as though she'd never left his side, and his questions remained unanswered. By the time he actually reached his house, he was ready to slam his head into a wall from the effort of attempting to figure out what he was feeling.
How had it come on so suddenly? How had it only taken the girl he'd known since before he could talk moments to render him incapable of speech, enamoured by her every movement.
"Uh oh, that's not a good look," his older sister teased as he entered the house, slipping off his shoes and dropping his bag on the floor. "Akira. Spill."
He glared at her, embarrassed to have had his turmoil showing so easily on his face that she could read him like a book. Opting out of dignifying her with a response, he made straight for the kitchen, desperate for a snack and possibly to hide amongst the pantry shelves for a good couple millennia and avoid all questions, including his own.
When his sister followed him and wouldn't stop pestering, Akira finally caved and spilled the problem that had been plaguing him all afternoon.
Except it wasn't a problem, because Y/N never could be, in his eyes.
Akira viewed himself to be the problem. He was too quiet, too sarcastic, too indifferent for most people's liking.
He wasn't the right fit for his cheerful, kind, witty best friend.
To his surprise when he finished his rant about 'what's happening?' and 'she's just so ... ugh-', his sister laughed, her raven hair the same shade as his spilling over her shoulder as she leaned forwards to pat his head.
"You're so clueless Akira," she chuckled, finally standing to move, but not without one last comment thrown back at him. "You've been in love with Y/L/N for years."
He froze, his dark eyes flying wide open as she sashayed away, leaving him alone at the kitchen counter, attempting to process what she'd said.
In love ... years?
The longer he stayed there, his thoughts flying a thousand kilometres an hour, the more sure he was that his older sister was right, and he really was clueless.
That ... that emotion was the reason he'd always made an effort to be nicer around Y/N, why he smiled at her and didn't offer the same gift to anyone else, why he hadn't pushed her alone away of all his childhood friends.
Kunimi Akira had loved Y/L/N Y/N since before he even knew the word, and all he knew was this e/c-eyed girl who meant the entire world to him
"Fuck," he groaned, dropping his head into his folded arms on the counter. "Fuck."
"Kunimi-chan!"
The yell reverberating across the Seijoh gymnasium brought his attention up from his lap, where he had been staring at his hands for an indeterminable period of time. He tilted his head upwards to look the speaker in the eye, who positively towered above him (sitting on the floor) with his six feet of pure brat.
"I get that you're normally lazy at practice, but this is ridiculous," Oikawa Tooru pouted, a volleyball spinning on his finger and his head tilted to the side with a childish frown. "Is it my sets? Do I need to bribe you again?"
"Kunimi!" the coach yelled, somewhat less delicately. "Get up and get going!"
Akira obliged, though the thoughts of Y/N, sweet, pretty, Y/N, that had taken up residence immovably in his mind over the past week, couldn't take precedence over volleyball.
Somehow, Oikawa picked up on his distracted behaviour (stupid genius setters), and approached the black-haired boy again after practice. "Got something on your mind, Kunimi-chan?"
Akira opened his mouth just slightly, preparing the ready excuse of 'just studying for finals, senpai', when Oikawa spoke again.
"Or someone?"
He was glad his water bottle was clenched in his right hand rather than raised to his mouth, because he was sure he would've choked and sprayed liquid everywhere. "P-pardon?"
The captain fixed him with the kind of look that gave Akira the distinct impression he was being studied under a microscope, a thousand unreadable emotions inn his eyes. "We have a match tomorrow. Get it out of the way - confess, whatever - and be focused."
Akira blinked as Oikawa clapped him on the shoulder. "Take it from your senpai that-"
"Are you trying to give Kunimi relationship advice, Shittykawa?" Iwaizumi yelled across the gym, a volleyball in one of his large hands primed to be thrown. "Because I seem to remember you-"
"Sh-shut up, Iwa-chan!" Oikawa fired back, flushing a deep red as he abandoned the poort fist-year in favour of chasing after his ace. "Hey-, wait, Haji-"
Akira stifled a quick giggle, though he sobered rather quickly as a glance at his phone revealed that morning practice had nearly concluded.
Get it out of the way.
He shook his head so his parted hair fell into his eyes like curtains, kneading his hands as he stood and made his way to the club room to change, his mind buzzing.
How the fuck am I meant to do that?
Akira was staring again, and he knew it, he just ... couldn't look away.
Though practically every first-year at Seijoh knew how close he and Y/N were, they never sat together at lunchtimes, and over the previous few days, he'd been watching her.
Seen the wide stretch of her smile as one of her friends made a joke, the shine in her eyes as she spoke animatedly, one hand covering her mouth stuffed with food.
Heard the laugh he'd always been in love with.
Despaired to himself at the remainder that Y/N was as far out of his reach as the years of their childhood. He'd never felt this way over anything, anyone.
Get it out of the way.
Akira didn't know what struck him, but he found himself standing from his lonely eating spot in the school's stone-cobbled courtyard, and walking ever so slowly over to Y/N.
To his conflicted observation, she noticed him almost immediately, bursting into a goofy grin and waving her arm in a haphazard greeting. "Aki!"
It was then that anything that could've gone wrong, went wrong.
The combination of his nickname falling from Y/N's lips, and Y/N herself, sent Akira into a blushing mess as he suddenly became shy, raising a couple fingers in a greeting as he continued to walk.
This distraction, paired with a loose stone, caused him to stumble, and sent him flying forwards in an almost comical trip, the fact that he was clad in a short-sleeved uniform for sport the next period not making anything better. He hit the ground with a flare of pain not too serious, but enough to shock him as he dimly registered panicked footsteps rushing towards him.
"Ah, shit, Aki, are you okay?" Y/N's fearful voice asked, just above him.
Akira peeled himself off the ground, climbing to his feet and numbly taking into account the fact that his right knee and both palms were weeping blood.
However, he was more focused on the girl right in front of him.
"Did you hurt yourself just now?" she frowned, reaching for his hand and taking it between both of her own in a movement that sent butterflies swarming through his stomach.
I never had much of a filter, anyway.
Throwing all his principles regarding recklessness out the window, Akira shyly replied to her question.
"Uh, no ... but I think I hurt myself falling for you."
Immediately he wanted to clap a hand over his mouth, be whacked so hard in the head by a volleyball so hard he experienced short-term memory loss, die, or all of the above, wincing at the shocked and blank look on Y/N's face.
Suddenly, she laughed, reaching into her pocket with one hand, the other still holding his. "Good thing I have a Band-Aid, then."
This time, it was him who was shocked. Never, in a million years, would he have thought his childhood friend liked him back.
Yet, here she was, nervously stepping forwards and kneeling in front of him, pressing the bandage to his knee with a soft touch.
"There," she said timidly, remaining on the ground and avoiding his eyes.
Surprising himself again, Akira reached down to grab her hand and pull Y/N to her feet. She stumbled, those beautiful e/c eyes of hers wide as she landed in Akira's arms, staring up at him with evident shock.
"Aki?"
"Y/N," he replied, his voice wavering just a little. "I kinda like you. Can I, uh ..."
She began to smile at his shyness, making him fall for her all over again. "Can you what?"
"May I please kiss you?" he rushed out, nervously waiting for her response as she clung to his forearms, his hands having somehow found their way to her waist.
"Kunimi Akira," Y/N smiled, the name full of nostalgia and affection. "Of course you can."
He was unable to stop himself from bursting out into a cross between a grin and a smirk as he closed his eyes, leaning in until his lips brushed hers.
The kiss was clumsy at first, their noses bumping, and Akira breathed a laugh as he held onto Y/N like she was the only person in the world.
In a way, she was.
"Aki," she giggled as she pulled back, her hands sliding up to his shoulders and winding their way around his neck, even as her friends cheered and teased from the other side of the courtyard. "That was the most stupidly cheesy pickup line ever."
"You chose me sixteen years ago," he smirked back. "Guess you're stuck with me now."
Y/N leaned back in, a smile curving her lips, which Akira was desperate to meet with his own again. "I guess I am."
akira kurusu x gn!reader | self indulgent since im really going through it right now HAHA
akira comforting you is one of the things he can do best, hes happy he can be there for you when no one was there for him. he lets you cry it all out, talk to him about it—even if it lasts for hours and hours. hes there, and hes there for you.
his hugs are comforting, warm and tight, reminding you he isnt letting go anytime soon. akira lets you rest near his chest all the time, you can hear his steady heartbeat, letting you know that hes here whenever you’re going through something.
akira knows when you’re sad, sometimes locking yourself in your room or not being as expressive as before. he knows what it feels to lose hope, to be hard on yourself, he knows that feeling all too well. and he doesnt want you going through it, he wants you to be happy, without a single worry to think of.
so, he takes it upon himself to protect you from these feelings, constantly reminding you that you’re amazing, that you arent some horrible guy—but the most loyal and beautiful person he has ever put his eyes on. and he is proud to be with someone like you.
