December finally came. The wind will definitely be unforgiving these times around and soon snow will fall. Most of the people going outside now wear heavy furred or leather jackets to keep themselves warm; however, one phantom by the name of Kuroko Tetsuya does not seem to mind the cold weather of December. Or so he thought.

The lamps of Tokyo are fully lit in the night sky and people are crowding the streets, probably busy finding the right gifts for Christmas. Kuroko was supposed to be warming himself up inside his out with the warm air emitted by the heater inside their house, but the urge to find new books to read for winter break suddenly came to the mind of the blue head; and so he got out of the house and wandered outside the city wearing only a thin jacket that he hastily grabbed from the rack and his school uniform.

Kuroko regretted his decision however and now he just wants to find the nearest bookstore and get it over with. When the street lights finally paused at red, a sea of people struggled to get to the other side of the road without bumping on each other, a skill that Kuroko is so used at doing. The teen dashed at the sight of the bookstore at the intersection but he didn't see his surroundings and the approaching body that is also approaching the bookstore. The blue head didn't have time to evade and so the both of them collided, making him fall down on the concrete floor.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't see you—Tetsuya?"

At the mention of his name, Kuroko looked up to face the person that he just collided with and was surprised to see the person that he least expected to be at the streets, nevertheless, Tokyo. Kuroko abruptly stood up and brushed his clothes before greeting his former captain that is in front of him.

"Akashi-kun. What a surprise seeing you here."

Kuroko stated monotonously and the red head nodded. He then walked past Kuroko, which wondered the blue head, before opening the door to the bookstore and then he looked back at the phantom.

"It's best to catch up to each other inside, don't you think?"

Kuroko nodded and entered the bookstore, followed closely behind by Akashi. The two didn't speak for a moment not until they were at an aisle the two are most familiar about. They both like reading but their tastes are different, however they could both agree that they enjoyed reading classic literature.

"What brings you in Tokyo, Akashi-kun?"

"I'm here because of family business. We're celebrating Christmas at a relative's."

They conversed as they both scan through countless books and taking the ones they think they'll enjoy reading.

"What brings you on a cold night and just for a bookstore?"

"I just want to stock up on my reading materials for winter break so I don't have to constantly go out to this cold weather to buy books."

Kuroko stated simply. Akashi raised a brow as he turned to look at his former teammate.

"You went for all that trouble just for that?"

Kuroko also turned to Akashi when he was picking out books, which was a pile that reached up to his chin.

"It is not 'just for that' Akashi-kun, books are a really nice company. Considering that my friends also have their own winter break to take care about, I'll busy myself with books."

Akashi picked out a random book at a shelf before approaching the blue head.

"The way you phrase it makes me think that you're lonely but your tone tells otherwise."

The red head said in an amused smile. Kuroko shook his head and went on to pay for all the books that he held in his hands.

"I'm not all that sad—"

Kuroko felt the weight of the books that he was bringing lessen as Akashi lifted some to bring with his own hands.

"You know that I can carry those, Akashi-kun."

Kuroko said in a flat disappointed tone. The red head only hummed he kept on carrying the few books Kuroko intend to buy. Once the both of them were at the counter, Kuroko laid down all of his books and got the ones Akashi was carrying so that all of them could be scanned. Kuroko turned to face Akashi as his books were being scanned and smiled a little,

"Thank you for helping me though,"

Akashi nodded and waited for his turn.

"Thank you for buying sirs!"

The cashier bowed to them as they both exited the store. As they were walking outside, Akashi noticed the lack of layer Kuroko was wearing to properly keep him warm in this weather.

"We're you in that of a hurry to buy these books?"

Kuroko looked at his former captain with a confused look. Akashi then pointed at the thin jacket he was wearing and then he got what the red head was trying to say.

"Well, I really want to start reading soon"

Akashi sighed. He grabbed the plastic bag Kuroko was holding which surprised the blue head and set his and the other's bags on the ground. Kuroko stared at the red head questioningly before feeling a warm thing wrap around his neck.

"There; and take these, your hands will need it."

Kuroko felt up the warm red scarf that the red head wrapped around him with a bewildered expression and stared at the equally red mittens that he took off and held it for the blue head to take.

"I- I can't take these, Akashi-kun. It will just be a quick walk back home and—"

"Tetsuya."

Kuroko gulped as he heard the commanding tone that he cannot refuse. He then took the mittens and wore it on his hands. He found out that it was a size bigger than his own hand so it was loose around his palm and fingers.

"Thank you"

Kuroko mumbled as he buried his face at the scarf. Akashi seems pleased as he has a smile on his face. The red head grabbed the bags again from the floor and handed Kuroko his bag.

"I cannot take you home for now, can you manage it?"

Akashi said jokingly but concern is also there. Kuroko frowned at the red head.

"I can take care of myself Akashi-kun."

Kuroko defensively said. The red head only nodded and patted Kuroko on the head, before turning around and walking to wherever he's going to.

"Ah, Akashi-kun, how can I return these to you?"

Kuroko suddenly said. Akashi stopped but did not bother to turn to look back; he then waved his hand as if dismissing the subject.

"It's yours now. Treat it as a gift."

Before Kuroko could protest, the red head already moved on farther away for Kuroko to catch up on with all the heavy books he's carrying.

'The mittens are a size bigger though…'

Kuroko brought the scarf closer to himself and examined it. He noticed that it was the same as what the red head wore to keep himself warm when they were still middle schoolers. Kuroko sighed as he grabbed his phone from his pocket and texted the very person he spent time with a few moments ago. Once he was done typing, he pressed 'send and head on towards his home.

He felt accomplished. who knew that he would meet his 'friend' earlier than expected? He was also contemplating on buying the books that the other chose himself but then that would be going to the extreme. At least he gave a scarf and mittens to keep him warm.

As Akashi was walking with a small smile on his face, his phone buzzed which made him think who would text him at this time of day. He fished his phone from his pocket and smiled when he saw the name of the one who sent him a message.

To: Akashi Seijuuro

From: Kuroko Tetsuya

Thank you for lending me these, although the mittens are a bit bigger than my hands. I'll return them to you when I see you again. I know that it's something that you hold dear, considering that these look like the same scarf and mittens that you wore in middle school.

How Kuroko can still remember what he wore during winter during his stay in Teiko is beyond him,but he was happy that his former teammate remembered that minuscule fact about him. Akashi smiled as he typed down his reply. when he was satisfied, he pressed send. He's sure that the blue head will definitely be happy.

Kuroko felt his phone buzzed in his pocket. He just crossed the road and the red head already has a reply for him. Fishing his phone out of his pockets, he kept on walking and waited to be under a shop's roof so that he would not be bothering others before he flipped his phone open and read the message,

To: Kuroko Tetsuya

From: Akashi Seijuuro

I'm surprised to know that you still remember that it was just the same but as I said earlier, I want you to keep it. Until we meet again, Tetsuya.

P.S I forgot to tell you this earlier; I love you.

Kuroko blushed as he read the last bits of the message. They rarely show any forward actions regarding their relationship. They usually just act like when they were still friends but they know that the affection was always there. Both do not really express how they feel through words and actions but they can just feel that the fire of their relationship is still there. Kuroko smiled and pressed the reply button, his day really became better. the blue head placed the phone back in place when he pressed send. He then snuggled closer to the scarf that was put to him, feeling the warmth of the other user before walking towards his home.

To: Akashi Seijuuro

From: Kuroko Tetsuya

Of course I remember, thescarf almost never came off your neck then. I will still give these back to you until next time.

P.S. I love you too

Akashi smirked as he read the message. He then placed the phone back in his pocket and did not bother replying the blue head for he's sure that they'll just meet again.

Both their day just got a little warmer.