Somewhere Only We Know

Akaashi adjusted his tie and looked at himself in the mirror. He didn't understand why his family always hosted royal balls on all of his birthdays. He would've preferred to stay in his room and read for his 16th birthday. It was a lot better than putting on a facade of false enthusiasm.

He let out a tired sigh and exited the bathroom. Then, he proceeded back to the ballroom and immediately took note of someone he hadn't seen before.

This unknown man looked to be slightly taller than Akaashi and had white-grey hair with black streaks. At that moment, he was dancing with a lady and he looked like he was making small talk with her as well.

Said man could feel eyes watching over him and turned to the direction he sensed it from. He locked eyes with Akaashi before looking him up and down.

He looked slightly shorter and younger than him but his greenish-blue eyes showed wisdom beyond his years. It intrigued him.

After his dance with one of the princesses attending, he approached Akaashi with a kind smile.

"Hello there. My name is Bokuto Koutarou. Could I ask for your name as well?" The man now known as Bokuto asked with a bow.

"My name is Akaashi Keiji. Where do you hail from?" Akaashi greeted, bowing as well.

"The Strix Kingdom."

"It's nice to meet you then."

"You really don't talk much, do you?" Akaashi raised an eyebrow at Bokuto's statement so he continued. "Your conversational skills are horrible."

"That's quite accurate. I don't have many friends but I do have a declining social life." Bokuto laughed a bit before reaching his hand out.

"Well then, I'll be one of your few friends."

Akaashi hesitated at first but after seeing Bokuto's bright smile, he took Bokuto's hand and shook it for a second before retracting his own hand.

"Could you take us to a less populated area of the castle please?" Bokuto requested. Akaashi nodded and guided him to a balcony that overlooked the kingdom.

Bokuto looked around in awe before clearing the snow that piled on the ledge of the balcony. Then, he sat down facing Akaashi.

"Be careful. You might slip." Akaashi said.

"No need to worry! I can take care of myself." Bokuto exclaimed.

Akaashi moved one of the chairs present so he could sit down close to Bokuto like a 'normal' prince would.

"What would you like to talk about?" Akaashi asked.

"Jeez, no need to be so formal! Nobody's here to watch over us or anything."

"Could you elaborate?"

"Is this seriously how you speak with everyone?"

"I suppose."

"You're no fun!"

"I suppose."

"Is that how you're gonna answer all my questions?!"

"I suppose." Akaashi replied while trying to suppress a smirk. He could see Bokuto pout before an idea popped into his head.

"There's a game that I always play with other people to get to know them. Do you wanna play it?"

"I suppose." Bokuto's eyes narrowed at that answer along with the slightly teasing tone that came along with it.

"We basically just ask each other random questions. They can be anything as long as the other is comfy with it, like, it can just be asking about somebody's favorite color or their opinion on monarchy."