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With final exams only two weeks away, it's definitely irresponsible of them to spend the evening throwing back beers instead of hitting the books. But it also didn't take very much convincing to get everyone gathered at Kuroo's apartment, either, so Bokuto doesn't feel too bad about skipping a study session.The excuse for this gathering is the Spring Tournament, because even though they've been out of high school for two years, they still have attachments to the underclassmen leaving their blood, sweat, and tears out on the court. Sawamura and Sugawara have come down from Sendai to watch Karasuno play, and even though Nekoma lost to Itachiyama in the qualifiers, Kuroo had to be in the stands to see what became of his disciple, Tsukishima. Bokuto had shown up for his kouhai from Fukurodani, but he couldn't miss Karasuno's semi-final match against Itachiyama, either."Ahhh, they got so close," Sugawara laments, not for the first time that evening, throwing his arm over his eyes. He has a can of beer in his other hand, which Sawamura slowly coaxes out of his grip."I think you've had enough to drink, Suga.""Let him be, Sawamura," Kuroo insists. "I think he's just getting started!"Sugawara snatches back his drink. "Third place! They were totally robbed! They could've had it all!"Azumane puts a hand on Sugawara's shoulder, though he looks to Bokuto like he's trying to hold back laughter. Kuroo doesn't even make the attempt, cackling out loud."I know what'll take your mind off things," he drawls. "Let's play Never Have I Ever."Azumane looks outright reluctant, and Sawamura is definitely wary, but everyone else is eager enough that it doesn't matter; they all end up sitting around Kuroo's secondhand kotatsu, beers in hand."Alright, I'll start us off with an easy one," Kuroo says in a lazy drawl. "Never have I ever had a crush on my volleyball coach."Bokuto's gaze darts around the table, as does everyone else's, but no one moves to drink. Bokuto isn't that surprised; all of his coaches have been guys his dad's age, if not older. Yaku is similarly unimpressed, and clicks his tongue."What kind of stupid question is that? This isn't the time for softballs!" he says.Kuroo gestures towards the former Karasuno crew. "Their coach was like, 30! And he's hot! I thought for sure I was going to get one of them."All three of them laugh to varying degrees; Azumane politely smothers it in his palm, but Sugawara and Sawamura don't bother holding back."You had a crush on Ukai-san?" Sugawara gasps between guffaws. "Want us to put in a good word for you, Kuroo?"Kuroo huffs and hides his face behind his can of beer. "Forget it. Your turn, Yaku.""Alright," Yaku says slowly with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. "Never have I ever had a crush on my best friend."Everyone looks at Kuroo, whose ears have turned Nekoma red, and he wordlessly tips his head back and finishes the rest of his can of beer. Bokuto cheers, as does Sugawara, only for Kuroo to look pointedly at them both when he's done."Well?"Bokuto pauses. Does he have a crush on his best friend? "Does it count if I don't have a crush on him anymore?""The question is whether you have ever had a crush on your best friend, Bokuto," Kai explains patiently. "Even if you don't right now, if you ever did, you have to drink."Given that, Bokuto thinks back to the butterflies he used to get spending time with Akaashi, and there's a fond smile on his face as he sips his drink.He isn't the only one. When he looks back around, Sugawara, Sawamura, and Azumane are all mid-sip."Wow, all three of you?" Yaku comments, eyes wide. He looks pleased with himself for getting so many of them with his prompt. "There must be slim pickings up in Miyagi, huh?""I wouldn't say that," Sawamura responds sheepishly, but he doesn't elaborate. Bokuto considers this with a thoughtful frown."So... it's just that there are so many hot guys in Miyagi, and you're all irresistible?""Oh, yes, let's go with that!" Sugawara agrees. "And I want to go next. So, never have I ever... sent a dick pic."The game goes on in that vein, with the prompts alternating between raunchy and funny depending on whose turn it is to challenge the group.When Sawamura's turn comes around, he takes on a thoughtful expression."There is something I've always wondered..." he muses under his breath, his stare fixed on Sugawara. "Never have I kissed a guy with a beard."Sugawara immediately tenses up as though he's been doused in ice water, and Azumane's face becomes an alarming shade of red. They both have wide eyes, and no one moves for a long moment.Then, reluctantly, Sugawara lifts his beer can and takes a small sip."I fucking knew it!""It's not like that!" Azumane stammers, though it's pretty obvious from his scarlet cheeks and general demeanor that it is very much Like That. To Sugawara, he hisses, "You said it wasn't obvious!""It sounds like there's a juicy story here," Kuroo says with his sly smirk. "Care to share?"Sawamura is all too happy to share, and he launches into his account of a training camp they attended in their second year of high school. Sugawara interjects a few times to set the record straight, but truthfully Bokuto isn't paying either of them much attention. He doesn't really care about who kisses who, as he's kissed his fair share of teammates and friends over the years. Instead he's focused on Azumane's beard. It's not even a full beard, because his cheeks are clean-shaven, but what is around his chin and jaw isn't scruffy or sparse. He doesn't know too many people with facial hair, but Azumane's had his since high school, and it really suits him. Actually, Bokuto can't imagine Azumane without it, despite his best efforts."What does it feel like?"All eyes in the room turn to Bokuto, and that's when he realizes he's spoken out loud."What?""To kiss someone with a beard. What's it feel like?"Sugawara blinks at him for a moment, before a huge grin takes over his face. He claps his hands, then smacks Azumane's shoulder."Why not find out for yourself?" he offers, smiling wickedly.Bokuto's gaze darts to Azumane, who is gaping at Sugawara, cheeks still furiously red. But then Azumane turns to look at Bokuto, and his eyes are wide and a little watery.He's really cute."Yeah!" Bokuto decides, because kissing Azumane is a great idea and he's almost mad he didn't think of it first. He gets to his feet, and Azumane squawks inelegantly."Now?" he stutters. "Here?"Bokuto looks around, and sees that all of their former teammates and friends are watching this unfold with amusement."Kuroo," he demands. "Let us use your bedroom!""Absolutely not," Kuroo huffs. "There's a balcony, so take it out there.""It's literally snowing!"Kuroo's unimpressed stare turns into a leery smile. "I'm sure you'll find a way to keep each other warm."---Azumane doesn't actually fight against joining Bokuto out on the balcony, though he does insist on them both wearing their coats before they leave the warmth of the apartment. Bokuto came with his university team's athletic jacket, but Azumane has a real coat; it's beige and long, hitting his mid-thigh, the kind of style with two rows of buttons. It makes him look really good, or maybe it's the streetlights reflecting off the falling snow and making everything sparkle, Azumane included.Or maybe Azumane has always looked good and Bokuto just never noticed.The wind hits his face with icy sharpness, and so Bokuto steps closer to Azumane, seeking his body heat."So you wanna kiss me, huh?"Bokuto is taller than Azumane, as he is taller than nearly everyone, but Azumane is close enough to his height that their faces are perfectly level without any neck craning. This means he gets to see, and feel, the color and heat rising in Azumane's cheeks."I came out here," Azumane agrees softly. "Right?"Bokuto grins. He brushes his thumb over Azumane's chin, tracing his facial hair along his jaw."Oh. It's softer than it looks," he comments, and Azumane grins."I do my best."Bokuto laughs. "Are you any good at kissing?"With a cheeky smile, Azumane repeats, "I do my best."Bokuto decides it's time to test that best. He leans all the way in, and is surprised by how soft Azumane's lips are, even though it's winter and his own are brutally chapped. Bokuto tilts his head so that his chin brushes Azumane's and, oh, it kind of tickles in the best possible way. The brush of soft hairs sends shivers down Bokuto's spine. It's not entirely different from kissing any other guy, but there's just more. More sensation, more masculinity, more immediacy.Bokuto fists his hands in Azumane's coat, and pulls their chests flush against each other's. Just like Kuroo said, they have no trouble keeping warm. Bokuto loses track of how long they kiss, slipping easily into a hazy makeout headspace. Azumane is a great kisser.Azumane is the first to pull away, panting softly. His wide eyes search Bokuto's face, pupils so wide that the honey brown irises are hard to make out."Well? What do you think...?" he murmurs softly, as though his lips aren't swollen from all the kissing. Bokuto chuckles and strokes his thumb along Azumane's goatee."I think maybe I wanna grow a beard, too."