Chapter Text
2 years later
“Taiga, you really need to expand your wardrobe. You can’t wear basketball shorts and Air Jordans to a graduation ceremony,” Tatsuya shook his head as he flicked through Taiga’s coat hangers with tangible frustration.
“I know that! I wasn’t gonna go that far! I’m not that dumb, y’know,” Taiga growled back at him, throwing his basketball up in midair and catching it, doing it over and over again since he was so bored.
Kuroko had finally graduated from university, and he had invited Taiga to come and attend the ceremony in Japan. Of course, Taiga had jumped on the invite, saying he would’ve come over anyway even if he wasn’t invited, which made Kuroko laugh. Going over there was the easy part, but finding an outfit for the ceremony…that was not something Taiga could do on his own. Which is why he’d asked for Tatsuya’s help. His brother was staying in L.A. for three weeks, and they’d already played so many games of street ball and cooked up a storm together. Tatsuya had always been more fashionable than him, or pretty much anyone Taiga knew, so he was the person to go to for advice about this kind of stuff.
“Not jeans, either,” Tatsuya added with narrowed eyes, and Taiga drew back in shock.
“…Wait, really? Are you sure, Tatsuya? I have a pair that are like, formal jeans. There’s no rips in them or anything. That counts, right?” he asked, hoping Tatsuya would nod, smile and say ‘of course, Taiga’.
But no, he did none of that.
Instead, Tatsuya sighed heavily and had this forlorn, distant look on his face as he shook his head, “Ah, poor Kuroko-kun. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he dresses properly and won’t get kicked off the campus for looking like a street gang member,” he said hopelessly.
“Hey! Tetsuya likes how I dress!” Taiga retorted, as he dropped the basketball and flopped down on the bed tiredly. He didn’t get how people got joy out of choosing outfits for special occasions. It was just a nightmare to him, having to put so much effort into what he wore.
“Of course he does, he loves you. But if you wear nice clothes for him at his graduation, I think he’d really like it. It would show him how much you care and that you see it as something really important. Dress to match the occasion, as they say,” Tatsuya said, humming as he sorted through Taiga’s clothes again and again.
“That’s why I asked for your help, so I won’t mess this up! I want this day to be special for him, so I’ll definitely do my part,” Taiga claimed, springing up from the bed with renewed enthusiasm. He cast a glance over to his dresser, where framed photos of Kuroko on his own and with Kagami were sitting.
“Well, looks like we’re going shopping. I can’t work with any of this,” Tatauya gestured to the mess of clothes littered around Taiga’s room.
“Come on, let’s get ready and go soon,” Tatsuya announced, stepping out of Taiga’s room to get his things ready.
“Alright. Can we get somethin’ to eat when we’re done? I really feel like some Thai food today,” Taiga asked as he followed after him, to which his brother just rolled his eyes with a smile and agreed.
*
It was Tetsuya’s graduation day. Finally, after 3 years of studying, work experience and exams, he had all the qualifications to officially become a teacher.
Kagami had travelled over to attend his graduation ceremony. Since he was allowed four guest tickets, he had invited his parents, his grandmother, and had offered the last one to his boyfriend. He had barely been able to say it was alright if he was too busy to attend when Kagami had loudly and excitedly declared he would be there and wouldn’t miss it for the world. Even though Tetsuya had tried to play it cool, he was secretly elated that Kagami could come. Since Kagami was a big part of why he had decided to go to university in the first place, it meant a lot to Tetsuya to have him there at the end and for him to see all that Tetsuya had accomplished.
After the ceremony was over and he’d walked across the stage with his diploma, the graduates moved outside in the sunshine to catch up with friends and family, as well as enjoy some refreshments that had been laid out.
While Kuroko’s parents had slipped away to get them all some food, Kagami stayed with Kuroko, the two of them finally had time to talk and see each other since the ceremony had started.
“You look…you look so great. Shit, sorry for starin’ but I can’t help it. I feel like your misdirection isn’t gonna work today, you’re so bright it’s impossible not to look at you,” Kagami told him, in that effortlessly sweet way of his as he took in Kuroko's outfit.
He would never be able to get over how Kagami called him bright, no matter how many times he heard it. Tetsuya had been a shadow his whole life, but to Kagami he was someone that glowed and didn’t fade into the background.
“Thank you. Kagami-kun is handsome as always, and you look especially dashing today,” Kuroko returned the compliment, admiring Kagami’s appearance. As charming as ever.
“Thanks. Tatsuya helped me out, and it ain’t half-bad. I wanted to make sure I looked my best for you, and seeing you now, I’m really glad I went all out,” Kagami grinned, looking down at himself then back up at Kuroko.
Thank you, Himuro-san. You did well, Kuroko silently praised the man, because he had hit the target dead on. More than a few heads turned in his direction, and Kuroko couldn’t blame them. After all, Kagami was too bright and too warm most of the time - today he was radiant. It was impossible to ignore him.
“Ah, these are for you,” Kagami extended his arm that was holding the bouquet out to Tetsuya.
“I know I said it already, but congrats. Finishing uni is a big deal and you’ve worked damn hard to get here. You’re just, you’re amazing, y’know?” Kagami congratulated him, cheering Tetsuya on and lifting him up like he always did.
“Thank you, Taiga-kun,” Tetsuya accepted the flowers, hoping that his trembling hands weren’t too obvious. Oh no, he was starting to get emotional.
“I dunno much about flowers, but when I was in the shop these ones really caught my eye. The lady said they’re not that popular and a lot of people can overlook them because they’re so plain, but I thought they were pretty,” Taiga explained, as he pointed to the flowers and bounced up and down on his feet eagerly.
“Anyway, the lady told me that cotton flowers mean to cherish people around you and represent well-being in your life. Perfect for you, huh?” he smiled all warmly at Tetsuya, and he could feel the way Kagami adored him. It was such a precious feeling, especially because Tetsuya felt the exact same way.
You’re the most perfect one for me.
“HEY! YOU GUYS!”
The two of them looked over to see it was Takao who had called out, one hand cupped around his mouth and the other holding a professional camera. He started to walk over, and a grumpy Midorima came with him, trudging along in tow.
“What’s a graduation day without photographs, am I right? Well, never fear because I, Takao Kazunari, a fully-fledged photographer fresh out of his own graduation ceremony, will kindly take the photos!” Takao announced proudly, and Midorima scoffed.
“You and your photos, you find any excuse to whip that camera out,” Midorima muttered, pushing his glasses back up his nose. He hadn’t graduated, still going through med school, but had come to support Takao and Kuroko’s graduation - even though he’d never admit it.
“We’re talking about memories to last a lifetime here, Shin-chan!” Takao said brightly, not losing any spirit. He turned to Kagami and Kuroko with a sly grin, Now let’s start by getting some pictures of the world’s greatest couple, Kuroko and Kagami!”
So, he and Kagami moved to stand in front of the available cherry blossom trees that weren’t being used by other people for photos. The two of them smiled at the camera, with Kuroko holding the bouquet of flowers against his chest while Kagami’s arm wrapped around him. Then, Kagami turned and pressed a kiss to his cheek. Surprised, Kuroko let out a small laugh and crinkled his eyes.
“Ah, I got it! How good am I? That was great timing too, Kagami! Here, take a look,” Takao grinned, as he pulled up the photo on his camera and went over to show them.
Tetsuya already decided he would frame that picture and put it on his bedside table, so he could look at it every night before he fell asleep. He looked up to find his boyfriend already smiling down at him, his ruby red eyes glowing with a warmth that always melted Tetsuya. He smiled back at Kagami sweetly, and in his heart, he knew this was a moment he would treasure and remember for the rest of his life.
*
After graduation, Kagami stayed with Kuroko to spend some time with him and celebrate the end of his studies. Kuroko had moved off campus during his final year and found a cosy little unit apartment in one of the quieter suburbs of Tokyo. Since Kuroko was planning to stay and live in Tokyo to start his new teaching job, he’d invested in his own place, which meant that now Taiga could stay with him whenever he came to visit which was so great.
One morning, the two of them had slept in and were up now having a late breakfast. Taiga had pulled together some fancy omelette, with some side dishes like smashed avocado and grilled tomato. They were just having a lazy day at home today, just enjoying each other’s company and maybe having a Netflix marathon later on.
Once they’d finished eating, Kuroko had insisted on washing up everything since Taiga had cooked it all. Of course, Taiga tried to protest and help, but Kuroko jabbed him none too softly in the ribs and basically ordered him to sit and relax.
He was watching Kuroko, his skinny arms working to scrub and clean the dishes. His mind then went back to graduation a few days ago. There had been a few couples around, and one thing Taiga had noticed was that most - if not all - of them called each other by their first names. It got Taiga thinking about him and Kuroko, and how they still called each other by their family names. They had been together for three, nearly four years. They had confessed their love to each other, slept in the same bed, did all those intimate things…yet saying each other’s first names hadn’t happened yet.
“Hey, Kuroko,” he called out to his boyfriend, tapping the wooden table as he waited.
“What is it, Kagami-kun?” Kuroko asked, glancing over his shoulder quickly to show Kagami that he had his attention.
“Would it be okay with you if I started calling you by your first name?”
Then, Taiga heard the sound of dishes and plates crashing around inside the sink, and water splashed everywhere.
Taiga jumped up from his chair and rushed over to the sink, standing next to Kuroko, “Whoa! You okay? Here, let me help clean up-”
“Is Kagami-kun being serious right now? Because if you are only joking around, please stop it immediately,” Kuroko’s face was tinted red and his voice was a little shaky, but he looked at Taiga with resolved eyes in that serious, determined way of his.
Taiga wasn’t naive. He knew it was big, and he meant a HUGE deal for Japanese people to call each other by their first names. It was pretty much only common with childhood friends or lovers, and even with married couples it could take years before they even utter each other’s first names. Sometimes, they didn’t even make it that far. But, he didn’t want to take that route with Kuroko. He wanted that deeper level of intimacy with him.
“Of course I mean it! I know what it means to say your first name, and you know what? That only makes me wanna say it more,” Taiga retorted, a slight flush on his cheeks as well, but he was serious.
Kuroko seemed to see his sincerity, since he exhaled with a sigh and gave a decisive nod.
“Once. I am giving you permission to say it once and then I will decide how I feel about it,” Kuroko said, stingy as usual.
Taiga pulled a face, eyebrow twitching in frustration, “You’re really putting me on the spot huh? It’s supposed to sound natural, now it feels like you’re waiting for it!”
Kuroko shrugged, unbothered, “I cannot do anything about that unfortunately, Kagami-kun.”
Fine, then, Taiga thought, and a sadistic smirk tugged at his lips as he moved in closer. If Kuroko was waiting for it, then he’d make sure to use his name with a set of words that would make it so much easier for Taiga to get his way.
“Man, you’re a pain in my ass the way you get all strict with me like this. But you know I love you so much, right, Tetsuya?” he murmured in a low, sultry voice, reaching out a hand to brush some of Kuroko’s hair away from his eyes.
And just like that, Kuroko’s blush from before returned and was even redder than before.
He abruptly turned away, embarrassed, “That is unfair, Kagami-kun did that on purpose.”
“Shut up, you didn’t say anything about what words I could use with your name,” Taiga grinned obnoxiously, then held onto Kuroko’s shoulders and spun him around to face him again, “so how was it?”
“It does not sound bad, so I’ll allow it. But, if you are going to call me by my first name, then I request to be able to do the same to you,” Kuroko answered, and Taiga’s rub orbs widened in surprise.
“Wait-really? Are you sure you’re ready for that? I don’t wanna pressure you, I mean, you can keep calling me like you usually do for as long as you want,” he said reassuringly, because he really didn’t mind if Kuroko still called him by his family name. It probably held more meaning for Kuroko, since he grew up in Japan all his life.
But, Kuroko shook his head, “You are not the only one who wants more intimacy between us, Taiga...kun,” he said, his nervousness taking over and making him tack on the honourific at the last second.
Taiga burst out laughing, “Pfft-ahaha! What’s with that? You really had to add the honourific, huh?
“Please allow me at least this much, or else I’ll be too embarrassed to say anything at all,” Kuroko mumbled despondently, then went back to washing up, seemingly ignoring Taiga now.
Taiga wasn’t having it though, and leaned in closer so their arms were pressed together, “What? Are you mad?”
Kuroko leaned away from him, an annoyed little pout on his lips as he scrubbed vigorously at the glass, “Kagami-kun was laughing too much, but I don’t think anything is funny right now.”
“Hey, we’re back to Kagami-kun already? C’mon, I want to hear you call me it again,” and then,. Taiga moved to stand behind him, and trapped Kuroko against the sink, bracketing him in with his arms.
Kuroko didn’t turn around and kept cleaning, as he shook his head, “No, I don’t think I will.”
Kagami suppressed an amused laugh, and instead moved his arms to hug Kuroko around the waist, pulling his back against his chest, “Sorry for teasing you, Tetsuya. I couldn’t hold back when I saw you get all shy. That like, rarely ever happens so I got too excited,” he said softly.
Again, Kuroko blushed at the use of his first name, and turned his head away to hide it. Damn , he was so freaking cute like this.
Then, Kuroko put the plate he was washing down, took off his rubber gloves, and turned around in Taiga’s arms. He looked up at Taiga with his big eyes, and a small smile bloomed on his lips as he reached up to cradle Kagami’s face in his hands.
“You are a big idiot, Taiga-kun,” he teased back at him, and this time Taiga smiled warmly at hearing his name and leaned in.
“That’s more like it,” he said, speaking the words against Kuroko’s lips, before he pressed them together in a tender kiss.
*
It was Taiga’s second last day in Tokyo, and he and Kuroko had been out all morning on a date in the city. There was a food stall festival in Harajuku, and once they had finished up there they had headed to a nearby cafe for some much needed coffee and to sit down and rest for a while. Kuroko had gone to order their drinks and a muffin for both of them, and Taiga waited at the table.
Another milestone had passed in their lives with Kuroko’s graduation, and it made Taiga wonder about the next step for them. Now that Kuroko would start teaching, he’d get a lot busier and they’d have less time to speak to each other. Not to mention that now Taiga was a starter on the Chicago Bulls, he was pretty much training almost every day and played in every match they had, which made him busier as well. Being apart and trying to align their schedules over and over again was so hard, and all Taiga could do was reassure himself that it wouldn’t last forever.
Thinking about his future had never been difficult for Taiga. One thing always came to mind: basketball. As long as he had basketball, it didn’t matter where he was because doing what he loved was all he’d really wanted in life.
Now, it was different.
When he imagined his future, he still saw basketball. But now, he had someone special in his life, and he wanted to stay by that person's side for as long as he could. Most importantly, now he knew that two things were certain: basketball, and Kuroko.
Taiga imagined life with Kuroko a lot. If Kuroko wanted it, they could move permanently to Japan. Taiga would gladly do that for him, after all Kuroko had moved to America to be closer to him and help support his basketball career. And Taiga would have no problems moving to Japan, having developed a real connection to his home land many years ago. If it was Tokyo or Kamikatsu, either would be fine. Buying a house together, living together and sharing everything with each other.
Taiga was aware he would be very well off financially by the time he decided to retire, which wouldn’t be for another 15, maybe 20 years at least. He would save all that money away, and wait until he could use it with Kuroko - not only for their life together, but so Taiga could spoil him, too.
Screw buying a house, we’ll build a house instead. Just for us, and then it’ll be ours forever, Taiga thought, and he could feel the dumb smile on his lips that just wouldn’t go away.
“They didn’t have any chocolate chip muffins left, so I bought you a blueberry one instead,” a familiar monotone voice spoke up across from him, and Taiga jolted in his seat when he saw Tetsuya sitting their, with their drinks and muffins on the table.
“T-Tetsuya! Where’d you come from?” he asked, as he rubbed his chest. Yep, even after all this time, Tetsuya could still scare the shit out of him. Not as often as he used to, but it still happened.
“I came back with our drinks five minutes ago. I tried to get your attention, but you seemed distracted,” Tetsuya explained, as he stirred his vanilla latte with a spoon. Then, he glanced over at Taiga with that curious glint in his eyes, “What were you thinking about, Taiga-kun?”
“Ah, nothin’. I mean, I’ll tell you later. For now, I’m starvin’, so let’s eat!” Taiga dug into his own coffee and muffin with gusto, and tucked away the thought in his mind for later.
He would definitely come back to that one.
*
7 years later
The air was as fresh and crisp as ever, on the rice fields covering the mountainside of Kamikatsu. Taiga still felt nothing but love and warmth when he was in Kamikatsu. This was the place he had met Kuroko.
Sunrise was just about to pass over the little town, and Taiga hadn’t wanted to miss it. There was also something they were on their way to see, and Taiga had wanted them to be the first ones to see it.
“It’s too early to walk like this. Why did I agree to such a stupid request?” Tetsuya’s soft, sleepy voice complained at his side, and Taiga rolled his eyes as he tugged him along. Honestly, their joined hands was probably the only thing keeping Tetsuya from falling asleep on the spot.
“Seriously? This comin’ from the guy who used to get up at 5 AM to tend to the rice fields?” Taiga jokes, rolling his eyes as he navigates them around a muddy puddle.
Kuroko yawned and shook his head, rubbing his eyes as he tried to wake up properly, “I am out of practice, that’s not my fault.”
“Aww, come on. You wouldn’t make your husband walk all alone this early in the morning, would you, Tetsuya?” Taiga pouted at him, but grinned cheekily when Tetsuya grumbled under his breath. He lifted their hands to press a kiss on Tetsuya’s knuckles, the cool metal of his wedding ring brushing against Taiga’s lips.
“I think I spoil you too much,” Tetsuya sighed, but squeezed Taiga’s hand back warmly.
“Not nearly enough. You could actually spoil me a bit more, y’know,” Taiga told him, which made Tetsuya roll his eyes but smile too.
“Of course you would say that, you’ve always been the greedy type, Taiga-kun. And not only when it comes to food,” Tetsuya said, his eyes getting brighter as the first few sun rays came over the horizon.
“You make me greedy, ‘cause I just can’t get enough of you,” he said, fully aware he was being a total sap, because Tetsuya just groaned and shoved at him weakly, which made Taiga laugh.
He loved being married to Kuroko. Married life came surprisingly easily to them and they adapted to the change well, and most of their friends told them it wasn’t really a change at all - that they had been unofficially married for years already so it made sense. Still, calling Kuroko his husband and hearing Kuroko call him the same thing, it was an indescribable feeling. A kind of warm, content happiness that never went away.
“Look, we’re here. It’s finally finished, after all these months,” Taiga stopped at their destination, with Tetsuya falling into place right beside him. They looked out as the morning sun fell over the new, pristine basketball court.
Taiga had spent the money to build a proper, full length basketball court in Kamikatsu. Now that he was retired from professional basketball and living with Kuroko in Kamikatsu, Taiga wanted to bring the sport he loved to the placed he loved. There was no denying he’d built it for his own benefit (even though he was no longer pro, Taiga would never stop playing the game he loved), but he’d also built it for the kids who would grow up in Kamikatsu, both now and in the future.
He’d talked it over with Tetsuya first, of course, and though he’d been initially hesitant and worried about Taiga spending so much of his hard-earned money, Taiga had reassured him.
.
.
“First of all, it ain’t my money, it’s ours. We’re married, so what’s mine is yours, idiot. You get a say in this as much as I do, and I wanna know what you really think,” Taiga had told him, in the living room of their home. It had been built two years ago, and was a perfect mix of a modern Japanese house with a warm, traditional atmosphere.
Tetsuya nodded, instantly in agreement, “Of course I think it is a wonderful idea that would benefit the town. I would truly love it if we had a basketball court here. I remember how much I wished for one when I was growing up," he said, the wistfulness clear in his voice.
Taiga reached over the table and clasped his hands in a tender hold, “Then it’s settled. As long as you’re okay with it, I’ll build us a court. Then everyone can play basketball together and have as much fun as we do. I really wanna do it,” he grinned, excited at the thought of it.
“As always, you’re a very kind person, Taiga-kun,” Tetsuya smiled so sweetly at him, with the exact same excitement mirrored in his face.
.
.
“Remember when we first met and we played on that strip of bitumen?” Taiga asked, as they walked down the slope and onto the court together, still holding hands.
“And used milk crates for basketball hoops? Yes, I do. How could I ever forget?” Tetsuya replied, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes that took in the magnificence of the court.
“Even though I’m so glad to have a real court here, does it sound stupid to say that I’ll miss this?” Taiga asked, a sheepish grin in place as he faced his husband, hoping he’d understand.
And as predicted, Tetsuya understood him straight away, “No, it’s not stupid at all. I feel that way too. Sometimes, I even long to go back to that time, back before when we knew nothing about the future ahead of us. I feel like we took some of those simple, bright days for granted,” he said, the early morning wind ruffling through his hair, making him look just as beautiful as he had all those years ago.
Taiga smiled fondly as he gazed up at the sky, “We acted like we had all the time in the world, but time already passed like this. But, you know that we still have a lot to look forward to, right? Things are waiting for us that we have no idea about yet.”
“Mhm, I know,” Tetsuya nodded, and Taiga tore his gaze away from the sky to look at his husband.
“I can’t wait to make so many more memories with you,” Taiga’s voice was gentle, as his hand drifted up to cup Tetsuya’s cheek and softly rub it with his thumb.
Tetsuya gave a single nod, and reached up to hold Taiga’s hand in place, “We’ll never stop, no matter how old we get.”
“No matter what,” Taiga echoed, and their foreheads pressed together in a sweet embrace.
Then, after a few long seconds, Tetsuya pulled back and tugged on Taiga’s hands, staring up at him with a knowing smile, “I already know that you want to play 1:1 here, but I must insist before we do that you make me breakfast first, Taiga-kun.”
“‘Course! Can’t play on an empty stomach, right?” Taiga grinned at him toothily, and Tetsuya returned it with a smile of his own.
“That’s right.”
“Let’s go,” Taiga said, and they walked off the court together, the sun having fully risen and casting a golden light over the rice fields ahead of them.
There was honestly no place in the world that Taiga would rather be.