Awaited Encounter

Part 25

At some point, an answer slipped from my throat. Everything began to blur as I stood up to leave my home. I don't think I even hung up the phone before leaving my house. A rush of adrenaline filled my body. Which is how I ended up in front of Bokuto's apartment, shivering from my lack of clothing.

The outside hallways leading to the door were brightened by soft yellow lights. Icicles hung from the edges of the building and down the banister of the metal stairs.

At first, I tried to stay quiet to hear any conversation that might be taking place. But I was interrupted when the door next over snapped open. Two boys came walking out, one with short light blue hair and the other with messy red hair.

Both had bandages around their faces, which I found weird, but chose not to say anything. Not that I knew what to say, I haven't talked to another human being in a while. It's only been me and my hallucinations for weeks.

When my knuckles lightly tapped the door, I knew there was no going back now. There is a high chance Bokuto isn't home, but that wasn't a thought in my mind. In all honesty, I missed Kuro too.

At some point, I grew attached to the roommate, making him one of the few I trust. That goes for everyone I've met over this last year. Oikawa, Kenma, Iwaizumi, Ai, Meg, I have grown close to all of them.

The squeak of the doorknob made my back stiffen. The door opened at a slow rate from the frost growing on the hinges. Kuro wore his usual red hoodie, but with sweatpants over his lower half. His complexion was paler than I remember, and his face was sunken in.

His cheek bones looked prominent as the shadow of the door lifted from his face. Somber eyes flickered to me, one healing from the scar that etched through it. Next came a nervous smile. "Hello, Akashi."

I could only reply with a sharp cough before lazily pressing my naked hand on the wall to steady myself. Kuro reached out and pressed on my forehead. "You're burning up Akashi!" The ravened hissed in a more urgent tone.

The words didn't register, I only let him drag me inside with haste. My body fell on the familiar couch, almost going limp from the comfort. Kuro left the living room for a moment but returned quickly with a blanket.

Warmth engulfed my shivering body; it made a whimper leave my dry lips. Kuro pressed his hand on my forehead again while his gaze directed around the room. "Kuro... it's okay. I'll be fine." I mumbled groggily.

The best friend looked down at me with a glare, "let me take care of you, ok? I can't belive you let yourself go this much."

Kuro's statement repeated in my mind as he stood up. I did let myself go, didn't I. To think I didn't even realize I was sick till it became too much to bare. Is it because I haven't been taking my medications? Or did I really entrust my will to live to one person?

A thin metal probed my lips. I took the thermometer in with little resistance, letting it swirl in my mouth before it settled under my tongue.

It felt like years past before the thermometer beeped. Kuro gently pulled the tool from my mouth and checked the numbers on the small screen. "Yep, a fever, but it's below the amount needed for us to go to the hospital. Are you allergic to anything Akashi?"

My fingers gripped the edges of the blanket, pulling it up right underneath my chin. "No." I croaked. Kuro noticed the strain in my tone and took something from the coffee table.

The flashlight of his phone flickered on with a popsicle stick pushing my lips open. "Say ah, I want to check something." I opened my mouth, letting my tongue out to make the noise.