Chapter Text
1//
Kuroko Tetsuya isn't sure how he ended up in front of Akashi Seijuro's flat at 2am in the morning but at this point he has nowhere else to go.
"I'm sorry, Kuroko, it just wasn't working out...I barely have any time for a relationship anymore"
When Kuroko first had received the phone call, it was all shouting and cursing into the cell phone. After a brutal 2 minute over-the-phone breakup, he had finally unleashed the pain of being dumped in the nicest way possible. Kagami's a nice guy, it wasn't totally his fault, Kuroko thinks as he knocks on the door. Which leads him to think as to why in the world he's knocking on a random person's door.
Akashi isn't a stranger, he's just a person Kuroko would smile at occasionally or say the 'hello' now and then. But other than that, Kuroko hasn't said anything to the guy. BUT, he's seen the stoic red-head during his lunch period. While Kuroko sits with his friends from other classes, Akashi is usually seen with elder classmates, opting to read a book rather than talking. Kuroko has spied on the red head one too many times.
Kuroko exhales as he waits before knocking on the door again. Honestly, what are you even thinking. It's 2:34 am. On a Monday, Kuroko thinks bitterly. He's about to turn away, hands in pockets when the door opens. He's a little surprised when Akashi speaks up.
"Kuroko?" He says, eyes wide. Kuroko takes a moment to take in his tired eyes and bathrobe before shamefully speaking. "Can I come in, Akashi-kun?" he says quietly. Way to go with first impressions, Tetsuya.
Akashi nods, still surprised and Kuroko walks into the flat, holding his breath. While Akashi's back is to him, he takes in his surroundings. Just as he expected from the great Akashi Seijuro, his flat reflects his wealthy status. Kuroko is pretty sure the vanity he just walked across from is worth more than his oven and microwave together.
Akashi leads them to his kitchen, modernly designed, and Kuroko takes a seat across from them. Akashi offers him tea which Kuroko graciously accepts and that's when he feels the dull ache in his heart because Kagami used to cook for him and Kagami would always come over at 2 am to cheer him up.
He feels petty and disgusted at himself for feeling bad but he misses his boyfriend- er- ex-boyfriend. He sighs.
"Here you go," Akashi says, surprising him with the cup of warm tea.
"Thank you," Kuroko mumbles, taking a sip of the blissfulness. He's grateful that Akashi opened the door to him but he figures the poor guy deserves at least an explanation but Kuroko doesn't know how to tell him about his situation without sounding like the biggest loser ever.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion," he says at last, trying to stall. He feels Akashi's scarlet eyes boring into his skull and the nervousness sinks in because this was a man most uni students feared.
"It's no problem, I was awake, anyways," He replies without missing a beat and Kuroko swallows down his tea. He has no idea what to say. Should he lie and say his mother died or - even better- he can tell him he's been in love with him all this time and wanted to see him. Rejection, as fake as it may be, is better than the embarrassment of admitting a break-up. Honestly, Akashi is probably the straightest person he's ever seen, he probably wouldn't react properly to Kuroko being gay.
In the end, he figures, the truth always prevails. "My boyfriend just broke up with me," he says in one breath. Just his luck, Akashi starts a coughing fit, across from him, face going red and tears pricking his eyes. Kuroko, panicking, runs to his side and awkwardly pats his back. Arghh, I knew it. He's a homophobe!
"Sorry, I guess that was too much information," Kuroko laughs nervously, already inching towards the door.
"No-No it's fine. I don't care much about sexualities. It was just...a surprise," Akashi says, voice strained. Kuroko is quiet and the tension in the air is so thick he thinks he might be able to cut it with a knife.
"I-I think I should go," Kuroko blurts out in sheer tension and gets up, bowing but Akashi grabs onto his arm. Aah fuck you Akashi! he curses internally, facing the red head again, shamefully.
"Stay, I'll listen," Akashi says, leading Kuroko back into his seat. Kuroko is a bit quiet at first because whenever did someone listen to him? He was always the black sheep of his family. He had nothing to give to the world. He was your most normal person ever and nothing worthwhile came out of listening to him. Akashi intrigued Kuroko. If it was any other person, he would've backhanded them so hard for even laying a finger on him. Maybe it was because of Akashi's social status or his attractiveness but Kuroko stayed.
He found himself spilling everything about Kagami to Akashi. He found himself spewing long exxagerated tales of times when Kagami used to ditch on him going on with every look of disbelief and pity on Akashi's face. He found it enjoyable to talk whilst having someone to listen to him.
In the end, when Kuroko is ready to leave, he surprises himself (and undoubtedly Akashi as well) with a hug. He's pleased when Akashi complies, tightening his grip around Kuroko's slim waist.
"Thanks for listening, Akashi-kun," he says, sincerely. He smiles when he notices the blush on Akashi's cheek. "No problem," Akashi mumbles. Kuroko leaves, minus one boyfriend but plus one new best friend.
2//
The most beautiful discovery Kuroko finds about friendship is with Akashi, he learns they can grow separately but not grow apart. After that one night, they're inseparable. During his years before college, any friendship Kuroko got himself into drove him mad, leaving him alone and depressed, taking care of their problems himself. His problem was that everyone took him from granted although Kuroko never understood why he let that happen. He liked to think of himself as strong and independent.
Even so, he enjoys his time with Akashi, they study together, talk about everything in the world, eat together and stay up until 4 in the morning watching old Japanese horror films together. It's comfortable and Kuroko feels at ease with the redhead. They're an odd group together. The wealthiest ,most popular student together with the university's most normal student. It's a rare pair but they don't get bashed for it.
"You know, you never told me why you came to my house out of everyone elses that one night," Akashi speculated, on top of Kuroko's twin sized bed. It's a small bed in the fairly large room but the rest of the room is filled with book shelves and large pillows, made to be a man cave although as Akashi had said so many times before "a giant pillow palace". He's over at Kuroko's house to study but so far all he's been doing is playing with Kuroko's stuffed animals and being on his phone.
Kuroko opts to amuse himself by pretending not to notice Akashi and turns back to his textbook. But Akashi catches the smile itching to reveal itself on Kuroko's lips and leans over to flick him across the forehead. Immediately the smile is replaces with a frown as he sticks his tongue out at the redhead. "That hurt," he mutters.
Akashi looks at him, waiting for an answer. It's not that Kuroko won't tell him, it's that he doesn't know how to. Frankly, it's pretty embarrassing itself.
"Fine, I'll tell you," he says, rolling himself over on the floor to look up at Akashi. "You seemed like a good listener,"
Akashi scoffs in disbelief. "That's it?"
“What? Were you expecting something like “Oh! Akashi-sama will save me from the depths of my despair! He’ll be my knight in shining armor!””Kuroko laughs. It's true though. He admits, it was kind of creepy that he used to watch Akashi during lunch but he found himself mesmerized by the intense concentration Akashi put in certain things.
Akashi frowns and throws his favorite Hello Kitty plushie at him. "Quit it with the -sama," Kuroko laughs again and soon its a comfortable silence.
Akashi looks through his notes, humming a catchy Korean song that Kuroko had heard on the radio a couple of times. Kuroko himself looks over his ethics notes as well. He's reading over a passage on love when he realizes he had never told Akashi about Aomine.
Aomine Daiki was a freshman in college, the best power forward in college basketball and rumor had it, the NBA was going to recruit him the second he turned 22. Kuroko found himself crossing paths with the tall man during one of his lunch periods. One slip up and a messy "I'll pay for your t-shirt" later, they were having a date at a local coffee shop. It was nothing serious but Aomine's fierce dedication to basketball had Kuroko get all dreamy and heart eyes. He figures he ought to tell Akashi before it really does get serious.
"So," he starts, catching Akashi's attention at once, "I've been talking to someone lately," Akashi catches Kuroko's eyes, eyebrows raised. "Someone, huh?" he adds in a tone of voice, Kuroko can't recognize.
"Aomine Daiki. He's on the basketball team. He's really nice," although to Kuroko it's more of a confirmation to himself. It's quiet and Kuroko's about to burst until Akashi speaks up again.
"Don't hurt yourself," he says finally and Kuroko exhales.
"I wont"
>>
Aomine takes him out on a date the next week. Kuroko is absolutely elated, his plans were to watch a movie at 8 and then grab dinner and play some basketball. He had spent the day at Akashi's stuffing his face in his pillows, squealing like a teenage girl.
"Yesterday, he said my eyes were beautiful, Akashi-kun. Are my eyes beautiful?" Kuroko sighs, curling up with one of the pokemon plushies. Akashi smiles at him, crosslegged on the floor. "They are"
Kuroko plops down on the bed again. He'd been ready since 7, deciding to wear a simple t-shirt and white jeans. He didn't want to be too flashy.
"And he has this adorable nickname for me, he calls me Tetsu, isn't that cute, Akashi-kun?" he says, eyes glazing over thinking about Aomine.
"Very cute,"
"Isn't he just the perfect guy, Akashi-kun?"
"Very perfect,"
Kuroko sits up. "Tell me the truth, Akashi-kun, is he really a good guy?" he asks, fidgeting with his hands. He wants to know if he's making a mistake.
Akashi is quiet. "Tetsuya- this guy waits an hour to pick you up from uni because he finishes class early, then drops you home even though he lives an hour away from the college," he says, raising an eyebrow but his tone of voice is small and unrecognizable, "he really is the perfect guy for you,"
Kuroko smiles, feeling heat rush to his cheeks. "He is, isn't he?" he says, looking at Akashi. Akashi looks back at him for a while before chuckling and turning back to his work.
"What about you?" he asks. He wonders if Akashi had a special somebody he was hiding from him.
"What about me?" Akashi hums. Kuroko scoffs, he's hiding someone from me, his best friend? He grabs a charizard from the bed and chucks it at him. "You're lying to me, Akashi-baka!"
Akashi laughs. "No, i promise, if i even remotely thought someone was attractive to me, you'd be the first to know," he says, although his eyes tell another story,
Kuroko opens his mouth to speak but his phone rings. "Oh! That's Aomine-kun. Wish me luck, Akashi-kun," he waves to Akashi and runs out the door.
>>
Kuroko watches Aomine as he spoons the ramen into his mouth. He holds the chopsticks right up to his mouth, which Kuroko finds amusing since AKashi holds his chopsticks from a mile away, saying it was traditional.
"Aomine-kun knows Akashi-kun right?" he says, toying with his own ramen. Aomine nods his head, face stuffed with noodles.
"He always holds his chopsticks like this," he says, holding his chopsticks an arm length away, chuckling. Aomine cocks his head to the side.
"Weird guy," he mumbles, shoving plate after plate of noodles into his mouth. Kuroko thinks about Akashi and all his weird antics, and his eyes glaze over.
"Yeah,"
>>
Finals weeks shows up and Kuroko feels really bad about dubbing Akashi all the time but he doubts Akashi really means all his complaints since he's always seeing Kuroko off with a smile on his face but how can he sit still when Aomine Daiki is taking him out to nice dates every other day.
He's finally happy with someone and he isn't an asshole. It makes him cry with happiness, really.
Kuroko looks at his appearance in the mirror one last time before fidgeting with his shirt again. He's wearing black jeans that hug his legs neatly and a really nice white dress shirt he didn't know he owned. Aomine had told him they would be going to a night club that night and he wanted to look his best. Akashi and him were not the biggest fans of night clubs. They were too lewd and loud for their taste and alcohol and him were not the biggest of friends.
Honestly, he's a little nervous but he trusts Aomine. He's known him for a little over three weeks but he's dedicated, loyal and extremely handsome. Maybe it was his looks or maybe his inviting personality but he had Kuroko hung on every word.
His phone buzzes, interrupting his thoughts.
Aomine-kun
tetsu! Im outside ur flat cum out when ur ready <3
Kuroko giggles at the heart emoji but grabs his wallet and keys before running out the door. He slows when he's in front of Akashi's door but realizes it's better if Akashi doesn't know-he would only try to stop him anways.
He smiles again when he sees Aomine's audi parked in front of the apartment.
"Hey," Aomine breathes, eyes wide when he takes in Kuroko. "You look good," he says, leaning over to kiss Kuroko's cheek. Aah I feel like I'm going to melt, Kuroko thinks. "Thank you, Aomine-kun, you too," he says, his voice coming out soft.
"So this is 'tetsu', huh?" an unfamiliar voice speaks up and Kuroko turns around in his seat. He'd been too love-struck about Aomine to realize there were more people in the car. In the backseat sat three elder people Kuroko recognized from uni. They usually hung out in shady places and frankly, they didn't look like nice people. He laughs, nervously while glancing at Aomine who nods at him reassuringly.
"Relax, they're just friends," Aomine murmurs, eyes trailing up Kuroko's body in a manner that makes him feel more like an object rather than a person.
"So, Tetsu, did Aomine take you yet?" one of the men ask, he had thick eyebrows and menacing green eyes that scrutinized Kuroko even in the dim light of the car.
"I'm sorry? Aomine-kun takes me out in a lot of dates," Kuroko answers, a little confused.
The men in the back immediately burst into howls, clapping their knees. Their actions make the blue haired boy visibly uncomfortable but he stays quiet, waiting their response. Aomine keeps his eyes on the road.
"Dates? So that's what you call them now huh, Daiki. Is that what you called them when you were with Akira, or Noshiko?" another one laughs.
"Chill," Aomine calls back, but even he has a slight smile on his face. Kuroko feels uneasy now.
"We mean fuck, Kuroko-kun. Did Daiki fuck you yet?" the guy says, a lewd smile on his face. Kuroko feels awkward and uncomfortable in the car and the men in the back make it worse.
"No," he says, voice small and strained. The men continue laughing and Kuroko tries to make eye contact with Aomine but he looks straight ahead. He's quiet, ignoring the other men's questions until they reach the bar. He's the first one out, waiting by Aomine's side, reassured by the firm hand in his. His first mistake is thinking Aomine is a good guy because he shouldn't have trusted the guy who buys him the drinks.
Two shots in and Kuroko's half gone. He's dizzy and his stomach is doing somersaults. He feels the same way he did two years ago when he went to Japan's disneyland and went on the space coaster. His insides felt like someone was running through their finger through them and he groans, holding onto Aomine.
"Aomine-kun, I-I don't feel so good, Can we go home?" he shudders, eyes not focusing correctly in the low lighting.
"Relax, Tetsu, the fun is just starting," Aomine smirks, grabbing him and leading him further into the club. The pounding music isn't light; it's harsh and it feels like someone is battering his eardrums. He groans again, until Aomine puts a cup up to his lip and hands him a small pill. He can't see it correctly, his vision is making him see doubles.
"What is it?" he manages, weakly, dousing the pill. "Just some advil," Aomine says and Kuroko faintly hears laughing in the background before he's out.
>>
Kuroko wakes up but doubles over in pain immediately because his stomach hurts like hell. His head has a dull ache and he briefly remembers last night. Flashes of people laughing, the feel of rough, unfamiliar hands on his legs and waist, drinks being handed to him forcefully. He remembers things he really doesn't want to. He realizes he's in Akashi's room when he sees the red-head on the floor. He briefly remembers Akashi in the club with him.
"Ah," he moans, bringing a hand to his temple. Just thinking about it makes his head throb. He manages to get up and walk out the room into the kitchen. He pours himself a glass of water and sits down in the table when he notices an orange bottle. He fingers it and reads the label. rohypnol.
Kuroko isn't stupid. He knows what date rape is. He struggles to hold in his tears but he can't help it. He tried so hard to be strong. In the end, it's always the same- spluttering like a child. It's gross and he hates himself. He hates himself so much.
He screams and cries and screams some more. Akashi is by his side at some moment and he holds him and rubs his shoulder, prying the bottle away from his hand.
"I tried to be strong, Akashi-kun," he cries into Akashi's arm. Akashi nods and blows onto his hair, rubbing through sticky strands of blue hair.
"It's okay to not be strong for awhile, Tetsuya," he murmurs and Kuroko is so grateful to have met Akashi. Akashi, who doesn't lie to him so he decides to not be strong for more, simply crying and exhausting himself in the red head's arm.
It takes some time for Kuroko to forget, even more for him to return as the same person he was but Kuroko isn't too sure how long that might last.
3//
It's a month later, when they're into their summer break does Akashi suggest visiting his home in Kyoto. At first, Kuroko is hesitant, he argues that Tokyo is much more cooler in the Summer but Akashi is persistent, promising him there are milkshakes made with real vanilla in Kyoto and that's what finally brings him in.
He packs little, two or three kimonos (akashi's pestering) some t-shirts and shorts and his necessities. He had boggled when Akashi had asked if they wanted to take his private plane, going after him across his flat with a stick of bamboo and instead they had decided to take the train. It was nice and most of the ride was spent with him napping on Akashi's shoulder.
He marvels at Akashi's house- no, mansion. It's huge and Akashi offers a tour which Kuroko respectfully declines, he doubts that he'd get through the house in the week they were planning to stay at.
Akashi's room is large and airy, windows that run the length of the wall. They make Kuroko feel small and he loves it. What he doesn't love is the heat wave happening in Kyoto at the moment.
"Akashi-kun, you promised this would be fun," Kuroko breathes, lying down on the cold, wooden floors. The floors are getting warmer due to Kuroko's body heat and he doesn't know how much longer he can stand it. He hears Akashi's annoyed huff from the king-sized bed and feels the air from the fan disappear. He lets out an annoyed groan and looks up from the floor.
Akashi smiles at him evilly from the bed, where the fan is facing. He huffs and plops down on top of Akashi, sighing in the blissful air.
"Sorry," Akashi says, looking down at Kuroko who's stretches alongside Akashi's lap. Kuroko cracks an eye open at Akashi, smiling. "Don't be sorry,"
He looks at Akashi's features clearly for the first time. His face is triangular, every part of his face chiseled to perfection. No. Akashi isn't perfect. No-one is. If he looks closer, he can see the eyes bags and wrinkles near his eyes, the rawness of his lips from chewing on them too many times, the scar near his chin from falling off a bike when he was younger. Kuroko smiles again. Akashi really is beautiful.
He lifts his head as the red-head swings his legs off the bed to head to the bathroom. Once Akashi disappears into the washroom, he sighs. He's never found the time to talk to Akashi about what happened that night at the club, ever since then Akashi had tried his hardest to help him through it. He never had the chance to thank him.
Quietly, he tiptoes out of the bed and in front of the bathroom.
"Akashi-kun?" he whispers, although he's not sure why. The entire mansion is empty, safe the maids and butlers who are all down in the first level. Akashi's parents are away at a business trip so technically it's really only the two of them alone in the house.
"Yeah?" Akashi's voice calls out not too long after. It comes out small and soft and Kuroko feels a motherly instinct to go inside and cuddle Akashi in his arms.
"I never really got around to it...but thank you," he says, fingers drawing circles on the bathroom door. He doesn't bother elaborating because they both know why he's thanking him. Akashi is quiet, but it's a nice type of silence.
"It's fine," his reply comes soon after. Kuroko smiles and walks away but he can't help but feel something was off.
3//
The start of their second year in college started slowly. Akashi stayed over at Kuroko's more often, not that Kuroko minded, Akashi always helped him study and also gave amazing back rubs so he kept Akashi around. And until just recently, Akashi had started calling him by his given name.
>>
"You should take a break, Tetsuya,"
Kuroko drops a plate into the sink, eyes wide as he turns around to Akashi, scoffing. His eyebrows raise.
"What did you just call me?" He says, head cocked.
"Tetsuya~," Akashi drawls, a smirk on his face. Kuroko feels heat rush to his cheeks so he turns away, immediately, steaming.
"Alright then, Seijuro," He says, testing out the name in his mouth. With no reply from Akashi he turns around to find Akashi, absolutely steaming, face red. Seeing this, Kuroko gets more embarassed and he hides his face in his hands.
"Akashi-kun..why is it the person who spoke so proufoundly before is now embarassed?" he whines.
"Shut up"
>>
There were times when they would have study meets and Kuroko had to dig his nails in his palms not to squirm under Akashi's heated gaze.
Kuroko starts looking at Akashi more often too. Maybe it's because Akashi was going through another puberty at age 21, but he was getting more beautiful by the second. Every time they would walk through lunch, Kuroko would defend him from blushing college girls. Akashi would laugh but Kuroko knew that any girl (or guy) would steal Akashi from him in a heartbeat. It was truly platonic, he made himself think.
It's a sunny day when he meets the blonde.
"Akashi-kun, I'm going to buy a milkshake, save me a seat?" he asks Akashi at lunch. Akashi nods, face full with french fries- honestly it was getting to be a binge food for him- and Kuroko walks toward the cafeteria.
The university campus is alive with students passing by and chattering like magpies. It's a nice day so everyone is mainly outdoors eating. During the walk, Kuroko counts his change. $4.30, $4.40....$4.41. Kuroko internally groans, he was short 19 cents. Just my luck, he thinks bitterly.
And he can't even go back to get more change because next to him, Akashi was probably the worst at keeping spare money on him. As expected from the wealthiest person on campus, he scoffs. He decides the best thing to do at the moment is to pray the lady at register will cut him some slack and let him off with $4.41. He smiles weakly and drops the coins and dollar bills on the counter. The lady gives him a suspicious look before counting the money.
She raises her eyebrows and opens her mouth to speak. Damn!! How cruel!! How can she out me in front of all these people!!
"I got it,"
Kuroko cracks an eye open to marvel at the tall, incredibly hot, blonde that leans over and adds a quarter to his change. The lady raises another eyebrow, eyes the two of them but reluctantly hands the milkshake to Kuroko.
Kuroko decides to hang out until the blonde finishes his order before thanking him. He observes him while he's on line. He's tall- incredibly so for a Japanese person, and he has this incredibly familiar face-he looks like he belongs on the cover of a magazine - Kuroko's eyes widen. No kidding, he recognizes the blonde vigilante.
Kise Ryota was notorious as being a child model. He was always surrounded by paparazzi and girls alike, and here he was, offering to pay for Kuroko's artificial and very mediocre milkshake.
"Thank you," Kuroko says to Kise when he walks over. Kise smiles, brightening up. "It's no problem!," he holds out a hand, "I'm Kise Ryota!,"
"I know, Kise-kun," Kuroko says, taking his hand and immediately wanting to slap his face. Now he thinks you're a creep!!
"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya," he offers and they both walk out of the cafeteria. "Lunch ladies are so cruel, nowadays, huh Kurokocchi?" Kise speaks up.
Kuroko wrinkles his nose, Kurokocchi? "Yes, I suppose so,"
"Where are you sitting? I'll sit with you!,"
"Alright, I'm over there,"
"Aah, what a nice spot! You know this reminds me of something...."
>>
"Hey, Kurokocchi, you should really think about having more than one air conditioner in your home," Kise groans, spread out on the floor of the bedroom. Kuroko's heart skips a beat when he peers down at Kise, who's sweaty and his shirt has ridden up to reveal a sharp hip bone.
"Too expensive," Kuroko says, holding out a cup of water to Kise. The blonde mumbles his thanks.
"Kurokocchi is too good for me," Kise says, holding an arm over his face. Kuroko feels his heart thump rapidly in his chest. He chuckles, nervously. He doesn't know how to tell Kise he likes him but he thinks today might be the right time.
"Kise-kun-," he starts, the same time Kise's phone rings. "Oh it's Kasamatsu-san, I have to take this, Kurokocchi, I'll be back!," he says, getting up and rushing out the room.
Kuroko nods, exhaling.
>>
Kuroko doesn't know how long he's supposed to stay waiting for Akashi. The redhead had told him to wait for him in his flat for a study date but Kuroko had already been in the livingroom for about half an hour now. He sighs, scrolling through his phone, chuckling softly at texts Kise had sent him.
The opening of the front door had him nod his head toward the foyer, ready to give Akashi a piece of his mind when he notices who walks into the room. At first he sees Akashi but then he notices who's with him and his eyes widen, face heating up soon after because Akashi is currently having a very hot makeout session with Mayuzumi Chihiro from ethics. Kuroko doesn't know what to do because from the way Mayuzumi's hands are grabbing Akashi's ass, he has to do something quick before it leads to something worse.
He clears his throat, fidgeting with his fingers and immediately, Akashi rips himself away from the grey haired student. His eyes widen and he pushes Mayuzumi away from him. It's the most awkward silence ever and Kuroko has no idea what to say.
"S-sorry, I'll leave," he blurts out, making a beeline for the door.
"Wait, Kuroko, I'm sorry," Akashi says, startling him because why should Akashi be sorry? Kuroko feels like an idiot, he should be happy for his friend! Instead, he dashes out the door, closing it behind him to leave the two of them alone.
Once inside his own flat, he tries to open his textbooks and study but a strange peculiar feeling leaves him unable to focus. It's not anger-but more jealousy? Which is laughable, because why should he be jealous of Akashi? He doesn't even know Mayuzumi! Unless... Kuroko stops. He cant be jealous of...Mayuzumi? But for what reason, he's happy Akashi is dating someone! Maybe now in the near future they could double date. But for some odd reason that doesn't sound reassuring.
Three sharp knocks on his bedroom door rips him from his thoughts. "Yes?" he calls out.
The door opens and Akashi walks in, head down looking like a shameful puppy. Kuroko smiles at that.
Akashi plops down on the floor and grabs a Rilakkuma plushie and starts to coddle it. “Listen, I’m really sorry you were there during that…incident. I broke up with him so-," Kuroko breaks his sentence by throwing a pillow at him. How dare he?
"Hey!," Akashi frowns but Kuroko levels him with a glare. Why is Akashi throwing away an opportunity for him? He can't believe this guy.
“How could you Akashi-kun? Why are you so selfless?" Kuroko starts, clenching his hands into fists, "You’re not giving yourself a chance to be happy. I don’t want you to stick nagging over me, I want you to grow up and get married and be happy okay!” He's so mad at Akashi, his face is going red. He's in the right mind to go find Mayuzumi and bring him back to Akashi's flat but one look from Akashi stops him. Why does he look so heartbroken?
“You think I’m nagging over you?” he starts, quietly. Kuroko bites his tongue. That might have come out harsh. “No- wait, I don’t-,”
“Kuroko, everything I’ve ever done, I do for you,” Akashi says making eye contact with Kuroko and Kuroko thinks he could die right there because why does Akashi look so helpless? There's a deep pain hidden in his scarlet irises and it hurts to even look at Akashi right now so he opts for silence.
“Give him a chance, Akashi-kun. Even if he’s not the one, there are more fish in the sea,” he says, trying to change the mood because he's never seen Akashi look this lost before. Akashi nods before leaving the room.
He remembers Akashi telling him one night that he only ever smokes when he feels like his life is falling apart so with that in mind, Kuroko can't sleep because the smell of smoke from next door keeps him up physically and emotionally.
>>
There's no apologies in their fights so they remain normal, no talk about the previous night. Kuroko doesn't question Akashi about Mayuzumi, making him think it was more of a one time thing (which for some reason makes Kuroko happy).
Him and Kise have a weird thing happening. They act more and more like him and Akashi and Kuroko has yet to grow a pair and tell Kise he likes him.
He's in the kitchen taking the cookies out of the oven and humming a Korean song he's heard lately. It's miss A and he has yet to find another artist he can invest in so easily. He can hear Kise and Akashi speaking from the livingroom and he smiles to himself. While the cookies are still hot, he piles them onto the plate and walks to the livingroom but stops when he hears his name in the conversation.
“So, Kise, Kuroko’s nice right?” he hears Akashi say and Kuroko chuckles softly, waiting for Kise's response.
“Kurokocchi is soo nice! Like how today we were at the café and he offered to pay for our food, but of course I was like ‘No way Kurokocchi! I can pay for us’ and then he blushed it was so cute,”he gushes and Kuroko blushes, despite himself. He hears the familiar ringtone of Kise's phone and listens as Kise talks on the phone.
“Hi, Kasamatsu-san! - Yeah I’m fine…ooh tonight? Yes!- love you too bye!,” he says and Kuroko feels himself shatter into a million pieces. He feels like his mind is 5 steps behind his body's movements.
“Kise was that your boy-“ Kuroko walks into the room, plastering on the fakest smile he can.
"I made cookies for all of us!," he says, forcing the lump in his throat to go away. He sits down next to Kise and his fingers are shaking. He almost wants to laugh because he's been played this entire time. It hurts so bad he feels dizzy. He looks at Akashi who looks at him with the all mighty I-told-you-so look. He looks away as fast as he can toward Kise. He feels tears prick his eyes but he blinks them away in favor of smiling at Kise.
He holds it in when Kise talks and even when he takes another call from Kasamatsu. When Kise's at the door and Kuroko says his farewells he turns to Akashi, lips shaking.
"I heard," and it disgusts him that his voice, even after all this time, comes out rough and harsh. Akashi nods and Kuroko slides down onto the kitchen floor, putting his face into his hands and shaking his head. He's so tired. Why can't he find happiness?
“Am I incapable of finding love?” he says, straining his voice. Akashi shakes his head. Maybe he is. Maybe it's because he's so dull and boring that everyone doesn't find any interest in him and leaves him. “Am I ugly?” Akashi shakes his head. No, maybe he is. “Am I not good enough?” he says, the tears finally finding their way onto his face.
"There are more fish in the sea," he hears Akashi say but Kuroko hides himself from Akashi, he wants to be alone for tonight.
4//
There's a boy that sits on the other side of the outdoor lunch tables that keeps looking at Kuroko. If Kuroko recalls, his name is Ogiwara Shigehiro and just about the friendliest guy ever. Not to mention he is very cute.
“Well? Aren’t you going to talk to him?” Akashi says, flicking Kuroko across the forehead. Kuroko whines, glaring at Akashi and feeling a strange flutter across his stomach when he notices Akashi's smile. There's bits of onigiri on the side of his mouth so Kuroko unconsciously leans over and gently brushes Akashi's lips. It's a familiar gesture but somehow now, his heart beats 500 a second and have Akashi's lips ever been this soft. Slowly though, realization hits and he blushes, leaning back. "Sorry," he mumbles.
Akashi still has a startled look on his face so Kuroko looks away to save himself from further embarrassment.
“I just think he’s cute…I know nothing about him,” he mutters, finding Ogiwara in the distance, laughing to his friends.
“Just go up to him, you’ll never know someone if you don’t talk to them.” Akashi says, his voice sounds strain and he wonders if Akashi is telling him the truth nowadays. He nods, numbly and gets up toward Ogiwara. It dawns on him that this is almost routine to him. It's probably worse for Akashi to know his best friend keeps falling in and out of love every single god damn day. Kuroko instinctively clenches his fists together. He needs to stop these silly feelings for Akashi and try to make the both of them happy through Ogiwara.
"Hey, Ogiwara-kun. Do you mind if I sit here?"
>>
"Ne, Kuro-chin, what if Aka-chin likes you though?" Murasakibara says lazily on the floor of Kuroko's room. Kuroko's exhausted, he's just told Murasakibara every single thing that happened to him since their first year of college and the purple haired giant was all ears to him.
"Not possible," Kuroko replies, instantaneously. His fingers start to fidget even more. "Oh god, Murasakibara-kun, only you're able to get all deep with me"
"Yep~," Murasakibara drawls. "But anyways, Aka-chin always looks at Kuro-chin like how I look at my maibo."
Kuroko runs his hands over the Rilakkuma in his hands. "I wish," he mutters, soft enough so that Murasakibara can't hear him but loud enough so that Kuroko can hear himself say it.
>>
It's been two months and Kuroko is not happy. Ogiwara gives him the world but he can't be happy with it. His kisses don't light a fire in him like they did with Aomine or Kagami, in fact, he thinks he might have been happier with the two of them. He knows why he's not happy and he tries so hard to not believe it because it's not possible.
Because every time Ogiwara smiles at him, he sees Akashi's half smile. Every time Ogiwara touches him, he yearns for Akashi's warm hands. And whenever Ogiwara kisses him, he wishes, just for a second, that they were Akashi's lips instead. It has him thinking things he had never thought about his red haired neighbor before.
He hides the feelings and stores them away, deep inside. He goes out with Ogiwara more and he feels terrible, a huge sting when he sees Akashi waving them off because he knows he's hurting him even more. It's a terrible and unhealthy relationship he has with Ogiwara but he needs it.
"Oi, Kuroko you're zoning out," Ogiwara says flicking him across the forehead. Kuroko narrows his eyes at him. "Stop that," he snaps, slapping his hand away. Ogiwara smiles at him, hand going up to caress his jaw and Kuroko's heart hurts because he wishes that it was Akashi instead.
>>
The first time Kuroko has sex is not like what they describe in the movies. It wasn't romantic nor was it pure ecstasy.
It hurts, he had thought when he felt Ogiwara inside him. It hurts It hurts It hurts.
It doesn't get any better after that so he squeezes his eyes shut, keeping out the tears pricking them and pulls Ogiwara into his neck because all he's thinking is Akashi-kun Akashi-kun Akashi-kun.
>>
"I lost my virginity yesterday," Kuroko says, feeling the ache of his heart again. Akashi looks at him, eyes etched with pure sadness and looks away. Kuroko digs his nails into his palm so hard they leave crescent-shaped marks.
"That's great, he didn't hurt you did he?" Akashi says, not even trying to hide the fakeness and Kuroko wonders how much he hurts.
"No, it was fine," he lies. It was fucking horrible. God, he can't physically take it anymore. He can't take Akashi who looks like a sad broken puppy every time Kuroko comes home with a new boyfriend. He can't take the sadness he feels when he's with someone and he wishes it was Akashi instead. He can't take away that he loves Akashi.
"Akashi-kun, I want to break up with him," he says at last, voice filling up with emotion. Tell him tell him tell him.
"Kuroko, why? You're happy with him. You've been the happiest with him," Akashi says, but Kuroko doesn't miss the waver in his voice.
“I know, it’s ridiculous and Ogiwara-kun is amazing but- I’m not happy,” Kuroko says, pulling his knees to his chest. He sounds like a dick right now, stomping over everyones feelings. Maybe this is why everyone keeps leaving him.
“How can you be so selfish?” Akashi snaps at him and Kuroko's eyes widen because he sounds so angry.
“Don’t you know there are people who care about you? That there are people who want to see you happy? How could you let them down?” Akashi says so hurtfully that Kuroko can't retaliate.
"I know, but I don't think he's the one," he mumbles instead, unable to look at Akashi.
Akashi is quiet and Kuroko feels an involuntary lump rise to his throat. Don't cry now, you baby.
"You're a real heartbreaker, Kuroko Tetsuya," Akashi says bitterly, voice heavy with emotion. As soon as Akashi leaves, Kuroko collapses on his bed and dies. Sob after sob leaves his mouth, hands going up to grab at his chest. Why does it hurt so much? His eyes throb after he’s done, leaving the aftermath of a storm in it’s’ wake. It’s dawned on him that it’s the first time Akashi hasn’t held him through a heartbreak.
>>
Kuroko dreams that someone is pushing him. It’s persistent and soon his eyelids flutter open to find Akashi’s red ones staring at him. He immediately gets up, eyes wide, but soon he looks away, feeling small. “I feel like shit, Tetsuya,” Akashi murmurs, looking downcast. Kuroko’s heart opens up to him and he moves over in bed to give room to Akashi.
He holds the red-head to his chest, squeezing his eyes shut. Akashi’s arms wrap around his waist and their legs are tangled in a messy heap. He feels warm and secure but his heart is throbbing away.
“I’m really sorry for today. I’ve been a terrible person to you, I always take you for granted and I’m so sorry if I’ve ever made you feel bad,” he whispers, taking his time to run his fingers through Akashi’s hair. It’s soft and smells of the expensive cologne he wears, pungent of leather and new books. Akashi nuzzles at Kuroko’s throat, sighing and Kuroko feels like his heart might explode. His arms instinctively wrap tighter around Akashi’s.
“Akashi-kun has such nice hair,” Kuroko sighs. He wishes he could stay like this forever. He wants to wake up with Akashi every day. Right now, he’s lost in the bliss and warmth of Akashi’s arms.
“You’re a really good friend, Seijuro,” Kuroko says, feeling his lips twitch. I love you. He closes his eyes, letting sleep overtake him.
>>
“Ogiwara-kun, It just isn’t working out,”
“…”
“I’m really sorry, hopefully you will find someone better than me in the near future,”
“It’s that Akashi guy isn’t it?”
“What…are you talking about,”
“I can see It whenever you’re talking about him, Kuroko, you’d never look at me like that,”
“Yeah. I’m sorry Ogiwara-kun,”
“I’m going to miss you, Kuroko but Akashi will treat you right,”
“Thank you and goodbye,”
5//
Senior year of college starts hectic, with graduation just around the corner and the time for Akashi to finally be an adult with degrees, and he can take on his family business. Him and Kuroko have rarely seen each other in the last few months, what with tests to study for and Kuroko taking up several part time jobs. Tetsuya, Akashi thinks as he walks to the café. He was never going to give up his love for him. There were times when Akashi had thought to himself that him and Kuroko was all but a dream but he’s decided he doesn’t want that. He wants to be with Kuroko.
It’s late, almost 11 when Akashi silently walks through the doors of the café. It’s a local coffee shop, and serves mostly college students and local middle schoolers. He whistles softly and looks around for Kuroko and wonders if it’s the right café because it’s totally vacant.
He walks toward the cashier and smiles warmly at the sight. Kuroko, in his silly apron, dozed off on the counter. He moves to flick the sleeping boy but stops, admiring Kuroko like this He looks vulnerable and at ease, something Akashi hasn’t seen in so long. In the end, he taps the soft blue hair and watches, amuse as he comes back to life.
“Yes! How can I help you!,” he says loudly as Akashi laughs. Kuroko has gotten so beautiful over the past few months. His big blue eyes don’t take up most of the space on his face anymore so he looks older, more mature. His cheeks are rosy, and his skin is the same milky pale it has always been. His hair, which Akashi had been pestering for ages, is long and curls right below his ears.
“Aaaaah, Akashi-kun, have you come to pick me up from my despair,” Kuroko says, smiling and working at the register. Akashi feels his heart flutter. If only you’d do me the honor. “I actually came to order a drink, but I can work with that too,” he jokes and Kuroko leans over the register to flick him across the forehead but Akashi had already predicted that so now they’re lips are a millimeter away from each other. Akashi’s eyes fall down to Kuroko’s pink lips and he feels his face heat up when a pink tongue darts out from Kuroko’s mouth to wet his lips.
He leans back, laughing nervously and Kuroko does so too. Akashi looks away, tapping his feet nervously. It’s awkward a little so he orders a lemonade to try to bring up a conversation.
“How do you come into a coffee shop and order a lemonade,” Kuroko murmurs. “I do what I like!” Akashi yells from his seat, smiling already. He wonders what it would feel like going up to Kuroko right now and kiss him. How it would feel to pick him up from work every day, greeting him with a kiss, buying him dinner, taking him back to his- no their home.
“Sh! Keep it down, this place echoes,” Kuroko says, shooting him a playful glare. Akashi smirks, taking a deep breath and belting out the opening to one of his favorite animes. He’s loud and his voice cracks but it’s worth it when he peeks to see Kuroko hunched over, laughing, a pretty pink blush decorating his cheeks.
Kuroko joins him in on the second chorus as he plops down on the seat across from him with two lemonades. “Are you gonna charge yourself for that?” Akashi asks, gesturing to the free drink he made for himself. “It’s on the house,” Kuroko smiles, sipping at the sour beverage. Akashi takes a sip of his own, smiling at Kuroko. He wish he could overdose on Kuroko’s smiles. It would be the best way out, he thinks.
“How’s economics?” Kuroko asks. Akashi makes a face. He doesn’t really want to think about college right now. “Horrible, but I’m at the top of my class so its whatever,” he shrugs playfully. Kuroko giggles. “You’re so conceited,” he says, slapping at Akashi’s hand. And it’s at that moment when something in Akashi decides to take a risk and grab Kuroko’s hand. He feels Kuroko tense and relax and Akashi takes a moment to mend their fingers together, awed at how nice it feels to have Kuroko’s slim fingers together with his long ones.
“Akash-kun,” Kuroko starts, voice shaky and Akashi’s heart is beating so fast, he’s scared he’s going to die of a heart attack by the time he gets to talk. “Tetsuya, you know what to call me,” he says, swallowing. He’s so fucking scared.
“Seijuro-kun,” he says again, voice strained. Akashi looks at him, eyes wide and he can’t ever deny that he loves this man with his entire being. Kuroko, who changed Akashi for the better. Kuroko with his open heart and arms. Kuroko who was the only person to make Akashi smile since forever. Kuroko, who Akashi has loved since the first day they met.
“I love you,”
The words come out of Kuroko’s mouth, sending a never ending wave of pleasure down Akashi’s spine. It’s as if those words are a sign but he can’t move, his body is shaking and his eyes are wide, staring at Kuroko not sure if this is a dream or reality. Kuroko is crying, holding a hand over his eyes, face scrunched up and trembling.
“Oh God, It’s always been you, hasn’t it? Since that very first day, Ak- Seijuro.You were always there,” His voice is wobbling and his chest is heaving. Akashi pulls Kuroko into his arms, feeling the first sting of tears in his eyes because yes, he has. “I love you, Tetsuya,” he gasps, “God, I love you so much,”
He pulls back away from Kuroko, so that their foreheads bump against each other. Kuroko is crying, still, loud sobs ripping from his throat, one hand reaching up to cup Akashi’s cheek. Akashi takes in a shaky breath because there is a huge lump in his throat and it’s not going to go away any time soon. He takes his hands and rubs away Kuroko’s tears, caressing his jaw.
“I love you,” he says once more before leaning in to Kuroko’s mouth. Their lips are wet and he tastes salty tears but their mouths move together, Kuroko angling his head so that Akashi can get better leverage. “I love you, I love you,” Kuroko says in between kisses. They pull away, both of them panting. Akashi’s heart is beating in his chest, throat and head. He’s so dizzy with love he can’t think correctly.
Kuroko breaks the silence first, giggling before turning into full out laughter and since Akashi is currently drunk on Kuroko’s happiness he joins in, pulling Kuroko back into his arms and laughing some more. Pretty soon the laughter turns back into more crying but it’s perfect and Akashi feels like the happiest man on Earth.
//5 years later//
Akashi’s arms hoist Kuroko up, lips still hungrily on Kuroko’s mouth, and drops him onto the bed. “Aah, Seijuro, shouldn’t we,” Kuroko says stealing more kisses from Akashi, “save this for later,”
Akashi’s hands are everywhere, unbuttoning Kuroko’s shirt, pulling at his hair and cupping his groin, relinquishing the sweet moans that come out of Kuroko’s mouth.
“Can’t wait,” he replies, smirking before attacking Kuroko’s mouth. He makes quick work of Kuroko’s pants before his hands-
“Couldn’t you guys wait until after you got married?”
Akashi squints at the light being turned on before Kuroko squeals and grabs a blanket to throw over them.
Momoi stands in the doorway, angry and hands on her hips. She marches over to the bed and grabs a red faced Kuroko by her side.
“Now, I’m bringing Tetsu-kun with me and you two are not allowed to see each other until after the wedding,” she says, glaring at Akashi who laughs, blowing a kiss at Kuroko.
Kuroko laughs back, being pulled away by Momoi. “I love you, Seijuro,” he says, smiling.
“I love you too,” Akashi smiles back before sighing and falling back onto the bed thinking about their wedding day until he realizes he’s still stuck – with no fiancé- and with a raging hard boner.
“Fuck.”
Fin.