_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._

| DECADENCE |

頽唐 -

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._

"Kuroko."

Dark lashes fluttered against pale skin as Kuroko Tetsuya woke up slowly, powder-blue eyes hazy with sleep. He blinked a few times, and then he was aware of the warm hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently.

"Kuroko," Akashi whispered once again, his warm breath tickling the inside of his ear. It made him shiver outwardly, and even without looking, he was sure that the redhead was grinning at his visible reaction.

"What is it, Akashi-kun?" he asked, rubbing at his eyes. He sat up from his futon and in the dim light of the room, he saw the slumbering figures of their friends curled up in the comfort of their own beddings. The rest of the Kiseki no Sedai plus Momoi were all there, not one of them willing to miss this rare reunion getaway at a hot spring resort owned by Akashi's family. Sure, they have seen each other during the Winter Cup days ago, but they have missed each other so much that even the usual complaints from Aomine and Midorima were nowhere to be heard when Akashi proposed that they spend the rest of their winter break together.

He frowned. Yes, he missed Akashi very much, but does he really have to miss his sleep as well? "What time is it?" he asked, wincing as his sore muscles protested after playing basketball earlier the whole day.

"I want to go to the hot springs," Akashi said in a whisper, totally ignoring the bluenette's questions. Kuroko suppressed a sigh when he caught a glimpse of the digital clock on a nearby table, the numbers 11:49 glowing in green neon light.

Kuroko hid his yawn behind his hand as he glared at the redhead half-heartedly. Akashi's eyes were dancing with mirth, and Kuroko cannot help as his lips quirked in a small smile. Seeing Akashi like this was such a rare treat, and he was not one to waste any opportunity to make Akashi act his age and make him forget his problems even if just for one night.

"The hot springs? At this time of the night?" he grumbled, even though he was already scrambling out of his futon, a hand on top of his head as if to hide the hideous bed hair from view. Akashi's silent chuckle behind him though was indication that it was a futile attempt.

After changing into the bathrobes provided by the inn, the two went out to the hot springs out back. Akashi was holding his hand while his other held a traditional lamp to light their way in the dark hallways. Kuroko did not speak up for fear of breaking the illusory calm of this silence between the two of them.

The chilly evening breeze brushed their faces gently as they set foot outside, and Akashi set down his lamp on one of the stone benches, illuminating the space around them. Above them, the night sky was littered with millions of stars. Akashi looked up and gazed at the solitary moon, and Kuroko followed his gaze as they stood side by side, when the redhead spoke.

"Thank you."

The words were something Kuroko did not expect him to say in that moment. "Uh, for what?"

Akashi flicked his now crimson eyes to him and another smile graced his lips. "For giving me back myself."

Kuroko blushed and looked down, afraid that the redhead will find the truth if he looked in his eyes. "I was only doing my part as Akashi-kun's friend..." He trailed off when he dared to glance at the redhead and saw him staring blankly at the steaming pool before them. Hesitantly, Kuroko reached out to tap him lightly on his upper arm. "Akashi-kun..?"

The redhead turned, and Kuroko found himself in a tight embrace, with Akashi nuzzling the side of his neck, his warm breath making him shiver. Kuroko stiffened when Akashi said in what sounded like a pained whisper, "I missed you, Kuroko."

The way the redhead spoke reminded him of memories he'd tried to forget to shield himself from the pain they brought him; of stolen kisses inside Teikou's locker rooms and the countless nights spent in darkened room. "Akashi-kun, I – "

And then he was cut off when soft warm lips descended on his, and his mind went blank as Akashi's hands slid down his sides, coming to rest on his hips. He gasped when he felt the redhead pull him closer to him, and Akashi took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, sucking the bluenette's tongue and stealing Kuroko's breath away.

Kuroko did not know when he had lifted his arms to wound them around Akashi's neck; all he knows is that not once did he thought of pushing him away. Why would he, when he had been waiting for this moment since the day that Akashi shook his hand after they beat him at the Winter Cup tournament?

Which is why he was greatly disappointed when Akashi finally pulled away for lack of air, both of them panting, their faces tinged pink. "Akashi-kun– "

"You can slap me now, Kuroko," the redhead said, closing his eyes as he waited for Kuroko to shout at him or hit him.

Kuroko was surprised. "Why would I do such a thing, Akashi-kun?"

Akashi's eyes opened in surprise. He looked at the boy before him in disbelief as Kuroko shook his head, and Akashi stared when the bluenette blushed even more. "What would you say if I tell you that I missed you, too, Akashi-kun?"

"But surely, after everything that I've done to you...Surely you must not want to do anything more with me," Akashi said but instead of commenting on his words, Kuroko only laughed as he laid a tentative hand on Akashi's cheek.

"We never said goodbye to one another, did we?" Feeling bold, Kuroko raised his head and kissed the corner of Akashi's lips, smiling when he felt his breathing catch in his throat. He must have surprised the redhead by his actions once again, since he never was one to lead in this kinds of situations. He moved downward and traced the curve of Akashi's jaw with his lips, licking occasionally with his tongue. It was not long before Akashi groaned deep in his throat and moved his hands to cradle the back of the phantom's head as he leaned down to capture the bluenette's lips in his once again, determined to take back some control of the situation. He nipped gently on Kuroko's bottom lip, smirking as the boy whimpered in his arms. "A-Akashi-kun..."

"Call me by my name, Tetsuya..." Akashi murmured as one hand made its way under the phantom's yukata and touched bare skin that was steadily growing warm beneath his fingertips.

"Seijuurou…!" Akashi's finger had found his nipple and was pinching it lightly, sending a jolt of pleasure along Kuroko's body. Kuroko had thrown his head back and Akashi immediately latched his lips on his exposed throat, sucking the soft pale skin, and soon, Kuroko was panting and moaning at the redhead's minstrations.

"Tell me to stop, Tetsuya," Akashi murmured in his ear. He did not miss the way Kuroko's hips grinding into his own, and he had felt the boy's hardness underneath the thin yukata, and he was certain that Kuroko had felt his arousal as well.

"Don't...don't stop, Seijuurou," Kuroko whimpered, and the words sounded both like heaven and hell to Akashi.

_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._