Akashi sighed softly as he brushed his blood red hair so it was silky to the touch, his pale skin glowing in the dim light in the room. He checked himself in the mirror with narrowed rose red eyes, one a contact that covered a golden eye.

Content with his appearance, Akashi slipped on an elegant black kimono, wrapping an ash grey obi around his waist. He checked himself in the mirror once more before he began making his way downstairs to the Japanese Tea restaurant his parents owned and managed.

It was evening so people were already there, being served by other kimono clad people. Lewd eyes immediately went to him and he plastered a fake smile on his face as he moved from table to table, making small chat and pouring tea. He avoided touchy hands skillfully and easily maneuvered around the conversation whenever someone made a perverted comment.

A light blue haired male who goes by the name Kuroko sighed slightly to himself. He ran a hand through his short blue hair before dropping his hand, smoothing his face from any emotion as he walked.

He was currently a bit frustrated with his job. He took pictures for a living as a professional photographer. Not like the camera he always had either in its bag or around his neck gave it away. He just got done a huge selection of pictures with the topic of fashion, original really. He never liked the fashion ones, he was more on the nature side.

Though now he had to come up with his own topic. Something new and something he hasn't done yet, and it was only due in a few months. He had no idea what to pick since he did a lot before. From fashion, sports, nature, models, culture, you name it. He was stressed on what to pick.

Kuroko passed by a tea restaurant but stopped as soon as he saw it. The thought of sitting down and having some tea seemed relaxing and who knows, maybe it will help him find inspiration. He slowly walked inside, looking around for a moment before moving to an empty table and sitting down.

Akashi smiled at an old elderly man who shakily thanked him and Akashi gently touched his old wizened hand before moving on. He saw an unattended table with an eccentric colored hair male and he moved there.

"Hello." Akashi said kindly as he sat down and gracefully poured green tea for the man, his kimono slipping a little to show off his wrist.

Kuroko was patient which was a good thing about him for his job. He was used to being unnoticed with his small presence. So he was surprised when he saw someone come over and serve him some tea so soon. He bowed his head slightly, thanking the man for the drink.

Remembering he greeted him, Kuroko nodded slowly. "Hello. Are you enjoying your day?" He asked, trying to be polite.

"I am, it's a nice day today." Akashi said amiably, smiling at the man. "How about you sir, how has your day been?"

Kuroko nodded in understanding, slowly sipping at his drink. "..It's been well. Nothing too bad." He said as his thoughts wondered to his job. What could he possibly take pictures on? What was something he hasn't done before? No, this was the time to relax.

He slowly closed his eyes for a moment and forced himself to relax.

"You seem to be troubled." Akashi said, doing his job.

Kuroko lightly shrugged. "It's nothing, really. Just some job troubles is all, so it's nothing."

Akashi nodded sympathetically, a small look of understanding on his face. "I wish you the best then. Hopefully you come to a solution soon."

"Thank you, but you should focus on your job so you don't get in trouble." He said softly, not harshly despite his words.

"My job is to spend time with the customers." Akashi said with a slow blink. "If I presence is unwelcomed I shall move on."

Akashi made to stand up to move on to the next table, running a hand down his kimono to make sure it remained unwrinkled.

Kuroko looked at him before bowing his head in apology. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way. I just didn't want to keep you while you are working."

He said, watching Akashi. He had to admit, this man did look nice in his kimono. It suited him.

Akashi paused before nodding and settled back down on one of the pillows around the table, folding his hands on his lap. He rather liked the man on this table, he seemed polite and a bit reserved. It was rather refreshing from the other men he had to serve.

"My job is serving tea. Usually I make the tea in front of the customers but there was an accident with the tea whisks." Akashi said apologetically gesturing to the premade tea in the pot.

Kuroko was a bit surprised to see him sit back down but said nothing. He was glad for the other's company. He shook his head. "That's alright. I understand." He said before pausing. "If I may ask, what is your name?"

"My name is Akashi Seijuro." Akashi replied. "What's your name?"

"Kuroko Tetsuya." He replied, tilting his head slightly. "Your name fits you, as I'm sure you're told a lot."

"I have been told that." Akashi said as he considered Kuroko's name, finding that it suited him. He bowed his head politely. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Tetsuya Kuroko."

Kuroko nodded and bowed his head again. "It's nice to meet you as well, Akashi Seijuro.." He said politely.

Akashi smiled at him gently, a smile not completely false this time, before he poured a little more tea for Kuroko. He brushed some of his hair out of his eyes before folding them back onto his lap.

"I have never seen you here before." Akashi said conversationally.

Kuroko found himself softly smiling back before he dropped the smile. He took the cup again, sipping some of it slowly, making sure to thank Akashi afterwards.

"I just saw this place as I was walking by and decided to come in and relax." He explained, setting his cup down.

"I see. Well I'm glad you did." Akashi said. "I hope you come again."

"Thank you." Kuroko said, looking at him. "It's quiet here and I haven't had a decent conversation like this in a while, so I will probably come back here."

"I do hope so." Akashi said before he turned his head a little to see someone bringing an old wooden biwa to the stage and he turned to Kuroko apologetically. "My apologies, but I am due to perform. I do hope to see you sometime again."

Kuroko looked at the stage when Akashi did before looking back. "Don't worry about it. Good luck on your performance." He said, smiling softly.

Akashi bowed politely before leaving the table. He accepted two beautiful traditional fans that had been in his family for generation before stepping onto the stage. The regular customers immediately hushed, knowing what was going to happen.

Someone began playing the biwa, the sound echoing through the restaurant, before Akashi began to dance with the fans. It was a traditional dance, usually done by geisha's in the past.

He moved around the stage with elegant graceful movements, swinging and swayed his hands with the fans, timing the moments when he opened and closed them. At one point he threw a fan in the air and did a small spin, catching it with a hand behind him without even looking.

Kuroko watched Akashi get up and walk away. Well, it was a nice talk while it lasted. He took another sip before continuing to watch. He noticed almost everyone was hushing so he did the same. Not that he was talking anyway.

He was a bit surprised that Akashi was dancing, especially with fans. Though he watched closely with interest, tilting his head slightly. Akashi was graceful yet skilled at it. Kuroko was impressed. His hands twitched a bit before he slowly reached for his little bag that held his camera.

Slowly and as secretly as he could, Kuroko took pictures of Akashi dancing with his fans. It was a beautiful dance with a very attractive male doing it. He wouldn't pass up on it if he could take pictures.

Akashi continued to dance, smiling his little fake smile that had everyone smiling and clapping back. His feet barely brushed the floor as he moved across the little stage to the music. His hands moved with flourished movements, the fans snapping and closing open or flying in the air just to be caught easily.

Then the music stopped and with it, so did he. Applaud broke out and Akashi bowed, his smile getting tight as he got lewd catcalls but he made sure it didn't fade.

He stepped off the stage and gave back the fans to be put away for safe keeping. Without wasting a moment, Akashi waved goodbye to the patrons and went upstairs where he lived.

Kuroko caught a lot of good moments in Akashi's dancing, barley getting any blurry pictures. He was a professional, wasn't he? He would probably keep these photos as they seemed to be good from what he saw. Plus it had someone like Akashi in it.

He was a bit upset when he noticed Akashi heading upstairs but did nothing else. He just slowly put the camera away carefully.

As soon as Akashi entered his room, he pulled off his kimono and carefully put it away. He pulled on casual clothing, sweats actually, before he grabbed a basketball that was sitting in the corner of his room.

The next thing he did was removed his contact, the one covering his eye, revealing a golden eye. The contact was bothering him, making his eye sting and besides he doubted anyone would see it. It was dark now after all.

Not wanting to be noticed, Akashi pulled open his window and jumped out, landing on the fire escape outside. Without a backwards glance, Akashi began jogging to the basketball courts.

After a little bit when he was certain Akashi wasn't coming back, Kuroko paid and left. He would try to come back tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. He suddenly likes this tea restaurant.

He sat down on a small bench on a side walk to open his bag and pull out his camera. He looked back at all the photos, deleting the ones that where too blurry to use.

Akashi jogged for a short while, the park being surprisingly nearby, before he came to the fortunately empty basketball court. With a small smile, Akashi began dribbling the ball and shooting it in the basket with practiced ease. He used to be captain of the basketball team when he was in high school and he still retained the skills, practicing them at night after his shift.

Kuroko was going through the photos mainly because he was looking at Akashi as he danced rather than taking out the blurry photos. He would certainly go back to that restaurant.

After a little bit, he finally put his camera away and scowl began heading home.

Akashi began to try shooting the basketball further and further, testing out just how good he still was. Soon he was at half court and a small smirk curled his lips as the ball still sailed into the hoop. As much as he didn't mind working at the tea place, he still loved basketball and was still glad he could do it.

"Maybe I'll develop them and make them into actual pictures." Kuroko said to himself as he walked. It wasn't a bad idea, he just hoped it wasn't weird. Well, he had lots of pictures hanging in his room on the wall or anywhere, all of different things.

He then stopped, blinking slowly. He thought back to the pictures then to the restaurant, the dance, and then Akashi. Could that be his topic? Akashi maybe? He would have to see. Atter all, they just met.

Akashi began packing up, figuring it was getting late and he needed his rest. So he pulled up the hood the hoodie he was wearing to hide his red hair and began dribbling the ball towards home.

Kuroko shook his head, walking on until he got home. He unlocked the door, walking inside and shutting it behind him. He just lived in a decent two story house, nothing much. Just regular decorations too.

Though going into his room, it was pretty normal besides all the pictures. Pictures of animals, forests, flowers, clothes, people, everything were on his wall. There was barely any space left to hang anything up.

Akashi entered his room through the fire escape, knowing that it was busy downstairs. After eleven at night they switched tea to sake and he never worked at that time, finding working with drunkards too tedious. So he went to bed and waited for the next day to come.

Kuroko set his bag down neatly on his desk which also had a few pictures from his last topic on it. Slowly he flopped onto his bed, planning to go to sleep. He only hoped that after a while of getting to know each other, Akashi would agree to help him. Unless he found another topic.

Akashi didn't wake up until late noon, his usual time since he generally stayed up later, and the first thing he did was get ready. He slipped on his contact once more, wincing when it didn't go in right away, before he slipped on a kimono. This was was a brilliant red to match his hair and eyes, an embroidered black dragon dancing along his back.

Only once that was done did he go down stairs, a smile on his face as his day began. He would work an afternoon shift then work another one in the evening.

As soon as Kuroko woke up, he began to work. He spent a long time getting the pictures from the camera to develop them into real pictures like the ones on his wall.

The reason he took a long time was because he didn't want to ruin them since they were very good pictures. Akashi did look well in a kimono. Kuroko shook his head, placing the now developed pictures onto his desk. He kept one with him when Akashi was dancing. You know, in case he met Akashi again at the restaurant.

For most of the day was errands. Meeting with his job to explain that he is still looking for a topic. A bit of shopping for the week. The usual. He didn't get to the tea restaurant until the evening, same time around yesterday.

With little hesitancy, Kuroko walked inside.

Akashi walked down for his evening shift having spent a couple of hours resting, and he was immediately pushed to perform early. Something about the biwa player having to go somewhere for an emergency.

So he accepted the fans once more and walked up the stage, a small plastic smile on his face. The music started as did his body, both perfectly in sync. This time he had to dance faster, his feet and hands practically flying as he danced with the fans to the quick rhythm of the music.

Kuroko took a seat at an empty table again, seeing Akashi on the stage already. He was glad to see Akashi dance with the fans again but was a bit wary about the pace. He just hoped Akashi had done it before so he didn't get hurt.

Once again he took a few pictures since he always brought his camera everywhere. This time he mainly focused on the kimono, the fans or Akashi himself.

The song ended with the music stopped just as Akashi caught one of the ends of a fan with his mouth. It was a extremely hard move to do and it had taken him a ridiculous amount of time practicing it to perfection. It was worth it to hear all the applause he received.

He dropped the fan into his hand and bowed politely before he stepped off stage. He took a moment to recollect himself, smoothing his kimono down, fixing his hair and such, before he got the tools to make tea and made his rounds.

He went to the old man who often visited everyday first. He listened to him ramble on about his past as he made the tea. He put the matcha powder in a small bamboo bowl, added hot water and began whisking it with a bamboo whisk.

Kuroko was honestly glad that Akashi didn't hurt himself or anything. He didn't know how long he has been doing it for so he was just worried.

He managed to get a picture at the end of the dance before clapping lightly himself. He then settled down and instead of putting his camera away, he kept it around his neck. He didn't feel like putting it away plus he wanted to take make sure he didn't miss anything worth of a picture.

Akashi skillfully finished making the tea before pouring it in the old man's cup, smiling genuinely when the old man sincerely thanked him. Leaving the man to drink in peace, Akashi exchanged the tea tools for clean one's before he moved onto the next table, blinking when he saw that it was the same man from yesterday.

"Hello, it's nice to see you again." Akashi said amiably.

Kuroko had managed to get one or two pictures of Akashi making the tea for the other table before he let his camera rest around his neck again. Seeing Akashi come over and sit down, he nodded slightly. "Hello, and it's nice to see you as well."

"How has your day gone?" Akashi asked as he began making the tea for Kuroko, using graceful hand movements that he had learned since he was a small kid.

"Tiring, but it's been a good day." He replied as he watched Akashi. It was nice to actually see him make the tea up close this time. "How long have you known to make tea?" He asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Since I was a little kid." Akashi replied as he whisked the powder and the hot water in the bowl. "This tea house has been owned by my family for generations."

Well that was interesting. "Ah, sounds fascinating." Kuroko said, watching him the whole time. "You seem talented at it and also at dancing."

"Thank you." Akashi said with a small prideful smile before he poured the tea into Kuroko's cup. He put away the tea instruments before he folded his hands on his lap. "Do you enjoy taking pictures? I see that you have a camera around your neck."

Kuroko nodded towards him, picking up the cup. He thanked Akashi before taking a sip. Setting down the cup, he lightly touched the camera with his fingers. "Yes, I do enjoy taking pictures. It's my job, actually."

"Oh? Do you work for a magazine?" Akashi asked curiously.

Kuroko shook his head. "Well.. Kind of. I am not set onto one permanently. I am hired for many magazines or for just small jobs to take pictures of certain things. It's tiring sometimes despite it being just taking pictures."

"That sounds interesting." Akashi said sincerely. Then he remembered Kuroko's words last night. "Has your job troubles been solved?"

Kuroko shrugged slightly, taking another sip of tea. He wondered if Akashi was able to drink any tea that he made since it as delicious and calming. "I have to find a topic or certain thing to take pictures of but I don't know what. Though I think I have an idea but it might not work out..."

"I'm sure if you try it, everything will work out." Akashi said with a small smile. "There's many things you can take pictures of, surely you'll find the right subject."

"Hopefully. It has to be something new too." Kuroko explained. He then remembered the picture and began to carefully look through his bag. "I actually have something that I want you to see. Don't get mad." He didn't know if Akashi would be kind to realize he took a picture of him.

"For me to see?" Akashi repeated with a hint of surprise as he watched Kuroko carefully, a bit of wariness in his eyes.

"Yes." He replied, getting the picture out. Kuroko made sure it was okay before setting it on the table for Akashi to see. "I hope you don't mind.." It was the picture he took yesterday when Akashi danced.

Akashi blinked in surprise before he delicately took the picture, studying it carefully. He knew some of the patrons took pictures of him time to time but he never actually saw them before. It was a beautifully shot picture as well, he found himself liking it.

"You are certainly skillful with the camera." Akashi said as he set the picture back down on the table.

Kuroko looked at him and even though he heard that a lot, he still smiled at the compliment. "Thank you. You can keep the picture if you wish." He said, making no move to pick it up.

"If your sure." Akashi said a little hesitantly before he picked up the picture, running his hand down the glassy surface, before he pocketed it in his kimono.

"Yeah, I have more anyway." Kuroko said before pausing, just realizing what he said. "I mean, I... Sorry, I took pictures without your permission." He said, bowing his head embarrassingly and also apologetically. He hoped Akashi didn't think he was some creep or stalker now...

Akashi chuckled a little, hiding his mouth with his hand before he looked at Kuroko with a bit of amusement.

"It is fine." Akashi reassured gently. "It isn't the first time I've had pictures taken of me from a customer, although it is a first to get a picture taken from a professional."

Kuroko still didn't look up until he heard him speak. "Ah, I see... I'm surprised, it's a nice place here with some nice people and good service. I would have thought that a professional photographer came here before."

"This tea house isn't particularly well known." Akashi explained. "Our customers are usually regulars who had stumbled inside by chance."

"It's a good tea restaurant, I like it." He admitted, tilting his head. "Kind of like me? I came in here seeing it as a place to relax."

"I'm glad to hear that." Akashi said with a small smile. "Yes, exactly like you."

"Well it was tea so I thought I could just sit down, drink some tea and figure out what to do for a topic." Kuroko explained, looking at Akashi. "Are you ever allowed to drink the tea you make? During work, I mean."

"No, it wouldn't be professional." Akashi replied with a small tilt of his head. "We can drink the tea after hours though or when we're not with a customer."

Not that Akashi would. In actuality, he hated green tea after drinking it for most of his life. Now, he drank different flavored tea, his favorite being fruit tea.

"I guess you are right. I was just wondering." Kuroko said, lightly tapping the cup of tea. "It's very good tea, something else that's great about this place."

"I'm glad to hear that." Akashi said. "We make the matcha powder for the tea ourselves. Everything is fresh so that's why the tea tastes so good."

Kuroko smiled slightly, nodding his head. "Fresh is usually always better." He said, looking around the place slowly.

Akashi nodded as he also looked around. He had spent a long time with Kuroko, longer than he was meant to with a customer. He was supposed to make rounds and chat with everyone but his shift was already almost over. As soon as it was over he would head over to the basketball court.

"My apologies, but I must be going." Akashi said with a bit of regret.

Kuroko turned his attention back onto Akashi. He was a bit upset that he had to go but they have been talking for quite a while. He nodded slowly. "I understand but if I may ask, what do you do after working here?"

Akashi hesitated a little, his eyes narrowing just a fraction as he studied Kuroko. He was used to customers asking but for less than innocent reasons but Kuroko genuinely didn't seem like the kind of person.

"I play basketball every so often." Akashi said, lying just a bit since he played it every night.

Kuroko tilted his head, smiling just softly. "Really? I used to play basketball as well. Though I shouldn't keep you since you must go. It was nice talking." He said, not wanting Akashi to get in trouble.

Akashi nodded before he gracefully got on his feet and took away the tea instruments, once again exchanging them for clean ones. He only had time to meet with one more table before his shift was over, although the conversation wasn't nearly as interesting as it was with Kuroko.

Once his shift was over, he quickly went upstairs. He went through the usual routine on taking everything off and putting on his casual clothing. He took out his contact out again since it was beginning to bother him. Perhaps it was time to get a new one.

Without wasting another moment, Akashi jumped out the window onto the fire escape and walked off.

Kuroko watched him walk off before sighing slightly to himself. He hoped he didn't make any mistake in that conversation. He didn't want to scare Akashi away.

Not long after Akashi left to another table, he decided to head out now. He could develop the other pictures he took of Akashi today. He gathered his things, paid once more then headed out.

When he got home, he developed the pictures again himself. He had to do it himself since it would be a waste of time and money to have someone else do it.

Akashi stayed pretty late on the courts, his mind on Kuroko. He was an interesting person, certainly different from anyone he had met before. Akashi made one last hoop before he packed up.

Instead of going home he began wandering the neighborhood idly, just having restless energy that playing basketball hadn't gotten rid of. He kept his hood off, figuring it was too late for anyone to see and recognize him.

Kuroko set to work on the photos, being careful once again. Half way through his work, he felt a soft cold breeze and looked over at the window. He saw it was slightly opened since he always left it like that when it gets warm out.

Walking over, he looked up into the night sky and saw a few stars. "A beautiful night." He said before looking down. He saw someone walking and even though it was dark, his red hair was obvious. He couldn't tell if it was Akashi or not, so he decided not to worry about it.

Instead, he brought his chair over and set it by the window. He laid his head on his arms, enjoying the breeze and watching the person walk by until he was out of view. "It's not like it's him. I doubt he'd be out this late.."

Akashi walked around for a a long while until midnight came and he began walking back to the tea house that should be closing soon. The moon was now high in the sky and Akashi looked up at it as he walked, hardly paying attention to where he was going.

Kuroko looked up at the moon before he looked around his room. He saw a picture on the wall of a full moon and next to it was another of the full moon into his room. Sighing, he laid his head down again.

Without planning to, he fell asleep on the chair by the window.

Akashi walked back home, barely managing to avoid a bumbling drunkard as he came out of the tea house and got back into his room. He fell asleep instantly, making a note in his mind to go to the mall the next day to get another contact for his eye.

When Kuroko woke up, he didn't feel refreshed at all. His back felt horrible from the position he slept in and he just felt tired. At least his face was cold from the wind last night.

He got up slowly, heading over to the pictures. Rubbing his eyes, he set to work on finishing developing them.