The sky was bathed in the red and gold rays of the setting sun. Kuroko was sitting blissfully in Kagami's lap, the taller man's legs on either side of him. The view from the balcony of apartment 413 was something the couple was very familiar with. The wind caught Kuroko's powder blue hair. It had a calming effect on him. Kuroko was once again grateful that Kagami had a place of his own. Having a place with guaranteed privacy was nice.

The bluenette was nibbling a piece of the watermelon that he sliced for them. He tilted his head back to look at Kagami's face. The redhead's crimson eyes were staring intently into Kuroko's blue ones. The smaller man lifted up a watermelon chunk to Kagami's lips, his eyes asking, "Do you want some?" Kagami smirked and allowed Kuroko to feed him the fruit, not missing the chance lick at his fingers. Kuroko snatched his hand back in embarrassment, scolding Kagami. The redhead just laughed, completely unabashed. "I thought that you were offering yourself too. Was I wrong?"

Kuroko snorted at Kagami's explanation. "I would say so." The smaller man's scolding was proven to be halfhearted as reached up to kiss the redhead. Kagami leaned in to kiss him back. Kuroko would always lose himself when he was kissing Kagami. Today, the redhead had the sweet taste of watermelon and lemon lime soda on his lips. It was exceptionally addicting.

Without breaking the kiss, Kuroko turned in Kagami's lap to face him, wrapping his legs around the redhead's muscular torso. Kagami secured one hand at Kuroko's waist, teasing the exposed skin near the hem of his shirt. The other was at the back of Kuroko's head, deepening the kiss. In the midst of their moment of passion, Kuroko noticed that something was different. Surprisingly, Kagami was never the type to rush a kiss. He made a special effort to savor being with Kuroko, usually staying in control of himself. Today, he wasn't anything like that. The kiss was a little too eager, almost frantic. Kagami was kissing him as if he was trying to commit the feeling to memory. The familiar sensation of the redhead's tongue exploring every corner of his mouth was definitely pleasing but Kuroko could tell that something was weighing on Kagami's mind.

The smaller man finally broke the kiss, dizzy and breathless. Kagami was undeterred as he refocused his attack on Kuroko's neck. Kuroko gasped and a shiver ran down his spine when Kagami sucked hard at the sweet spot on his collar-bone. He clutched at Kagami's shoulders and tilted his head to give him better access. Kuroko's thoughts were hazy but he knew he had to focus. If he let Kagami have his way, Kuroko would never get a chance to ask the redhead what was bothering him.

"Kagami…" the smaller man began. He cursed how needy his voice sounded. It sounded more like encouragement than an attempt to get the other man's attention. "K-Kagami, hold on a sec," Kuroko tried again. Kagami stopped his onslaught but his lips never really left Kuroko's neck. "What's wrong Kuroko?" Kagami pouted a little at the smaller man's slight protest. "You worried about the neighbors? Anyone who can actually see us from here doesn't care what we do. I promise."

Kuroko's face flushed. He hadn't given any thought to them being seen. His powder blue hair ruffled when he shook his head. "That's not it. Is something bothering you, Kagami?" The redhead's red eyes hardened marginally but Kuroko saw it. "So there is something wrong." The smaller man confirmed. "What makes you say that?" Kagami muttered. Kuroko narrowed his eyes, clearly annoyed. Knowing how persistent his companion could be the redhead gave up trying to deny that something was wrong.

With one last peck, Kagami straightened and looked down at Kuroko. The smaller man was unnerved by the way that Kagami wouldn't meet his eyes. Kuroko slowly reached out and cupped the redhead's cheek. Kagami had often done this when the smaller man was upset about something. The corner of the taller man's mouth quirked up at the familiarity of the gesture, but the smile quickly faded.

Kuroko could feel his stomach start to knot. Whatever was bothering Kagami had to be really serious for him to act this way. Kuroko steeled his nerves and tried to coax the redhead into telling him what the problem was. "What's wrong, Taiga? You know that you can tell me anything." Kagami was still looking off to the side, chewing his lip anxiously. He was obviously debating if he should really tell Kuroko what was wrong or if he should keep quiet.

Kuroko reached out to cup the redhead's other cheek as well. "Please look at me, Kagami." Kagami took both of Kuroko's slender hands into his large ones and finally met his eyes. His expression was somewhat pained. Kagami took in a deep, shaky breath before he began to speak.

"Tetsuya, you know that I love you more than anything, right?" Kuroko nodded silently. Kagami continued tentatively. "You know the promotion that I've been waiting for? The fire chief offered me a better position and I decided to take it." Kuroko's reaction was subdued. "That's a supposed to be a good thing, isn't it?" The smaller man asked. "What's the catch?"

Kagami swallowed as he braced himself for the heart of the matter. "In order to take this new job I'd have to transfer." Kuroko's anxiety was at its peak when he asked, "Where would you have to go?" The redhead sighed and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "California." Kagami felt Kuroko's body stiffen in his lap.

"You would have to go back to America?" Kuroko echoed. Kagami nodded. "Do you know how long you would be gone?" the smaller man asked nervously. Kagami felt uneasy answering Kuroko's question when he saw the man's calm mask begin to slip. "I would have to work at that branch for a minimum of five years before I could transfer again."

The bluenette sat for a moment, lost in thought. "That's…a really long time for you to be coming and going." Kuroko said measuredly. Kagami nodded once. "So what you're telling me is that as far as our relationship goes we only have two options: try the long distance route or break up." Kuroko said bluntly. Kagami didn't answer right away. The sun had set a while ago. The only light was from the soft glow of a lantern and the stars above. Kuroko waited with bated breath for Kagami's response. "I've already taken the job and set up living arrangements there. I don't want to break up but I don't know what to do."

Kagami's announcement hit Kuroko hard. He didn't want to imagine Kagami ripped out of his life entirely for five whole years. The smaller man-made an immense effort to keep himself together. He couldn't cry now. He didn't want to make things any harder for Kagami. This was a once in a lifetime chance for the redhead. There wasn't a lot that Kagami cared about other than basketball but his job was definitely near the top of the list.

"When would you have to leave?" Kuroko asked softly. "In three months," Kagami answered quietly. Kuroko wasn't exactly sure when he started crying but before he knew it, tears were flooding down his face. Kagami pulled Kuroko into his embrace with crushing force. The smaller man's body was wracked the sorrow. Kuroko could hear him softly chanting "I'm so sorry" and "I love you, baby" over and over like a mantra.

After Kuroko had calmed down a bit and the crying had died down to the occasional sob, Kagami began to speak softly. "I know that this is hard for you. Believe me I've wrestled with this for months. If I can rise in the ranks I'll be able to take care of you the way you deserve to be taken care of." Face still buried in Kagami's neck, Kuroko protested. "I don't need anybody take care of me." Kagami hushed him. "I know you don't, Tetsuya. Just hear me out, okay?" Kuroko nodded, refusing to lift his face from the crook of the redhead's neck.

"This is just something that I have to do. How can I truly call myself a man if I can't protect and provide for the people I love? Whether they need protecting or not doesn't matter. I know that five years is a long time so I'm not gonna ask you to wait for me." Kuroko bolted upright at that. "Of course I'll wait for you!" the smaller man declared. Kagami gave him a sad smile and shook his head. "We're still young, Kuroko. You're still in school to become a teacher. These are supposed to be some of the best years of your life. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I forced you to throw them all away because you were waiting for me to come back."

Kagami held up a hand to keep Kuroko from interrupting him. "I can't say that I like the idea of you being with somebody else but you have the freedom to be with whoever you want. It doesn't matter anyway. The second I come back, I'll make you fall for me all over again," the redhead said with a slight smirk, "I just want you to be happy, Kuroko."

Kuroko thought for a moment before he spoke. He looked Kagami straight in the eyes, wearing the most serious expression that the redhead had ever seen him make. "I'll never love anybody as much as I love you, Kagami." Kagami leaned down and kissed Kuroko's tear-stained face. The pair remained in each other's warm embrace, savoring their limited time together under the stars.

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Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Reviews would be greatly appreciated.