A/N: I realised my grammar is atrocious, as I haven't written anything for about 2 years. When I re-read chappie no. 1, it has so many errors. Do forgive me. (=_=;)

There are side-pairings in this story that I would highlight once in a while through the eyes of Kuroko Tetsuya, who has accepted his friends' quirks without being too judgemental. Good kid. :D

UPDATES: This chapter is proof-read by IAmTheAnon! :D

Weremanity Glossary

The Female: Referring to the side of the mating partnership who bears the children/on the submissive role in the relationship, even if they are biologically male. The modern generation is not happy with such degrading title, although the more traditional ones still refer to their submissive partners as such.

Heat Week/Heat Season: A twice a year annual biological condition when the Werepeople reach their peak of fertility; the symptoms include rushes of uncontrollable sexual urges that are barely tolerable, causing the ability to perform daily activities rendered null. Rationality is overridden when a wereperson is in heat. At this time, they would even lose control of their True Forms. During the Heat seasons, Werepeople retreated to Heat Rooms for a duration of a full week until the symptoms run out naturally. Each country has different schedule for the Heat Seasons, it usually coincides with the changes in weather and climate, Spring and Autumn are decidedly known to be a universal time for Werepeople to schedule Heat Week holiday. The government has constant monitoring of these important dates and its changes, informing the community weeks before its arrival, as it is important for the Werepeople to take advantage of these schedules.

Heat Rooms: Sound-proofed rooms built for the necessity of dealing with the worse parts of the Heat state, every Werepeople family is required to have at least one within their household. The Heat Rooms are typically furnished with beddings or couches, with shelves stocked with food supply and tools necessary to help dealing with the Heat. The doors of Heat Room have special locks that can be operated from the inside and the outside, allowing older family members to survey the younger ones during the heat seasons.

Mating Donors: Werepeople has a tight knit community that values the importance of family, thus they encourage their people to breed young and as much as they can, to create an even larger community. The practice of Mating Offers and hiring better quality Seeds as temporary mates is considered an achievement. Heavy Seeds are highly desirable as Mating Donors, despite their high costs and low success rates. Hiring female Mating Donors is much more expensive compared to the male counterpart, as it is required for the employer family to take care of the Donor's needs from pregnancy until birth of the child.

—

Beastly Call

—

Chapter 2: Bite Marks

—

"Not. Apologising." Kagami pouted, crossing his arms. The sting in his gut had dissipated.

"Even if it's only until Heat Week's over, you are my mate, Kuroko. I can put my scent on you, so other males can see you are mine and they can't take you away from me." He had glared at Kuroko with hunger and a strange kind of wildness.

Oh my. He even growled the end of his sentence like some wild animal.

Kuroko sighed exasperatedly, massaging his temples.

How would he explain this? The main cause of this issue didn't even feel the slightest guilt. Kuroko somehow got a feeling that Kagami didn't understand why he was being reprimanded in the first place, he'd sounded like it was a completely natural thing to do. Had Kuroko really been unreasonable, or was he the only one with an actual common sense here? Or right. He did lack the common sense of a wereperson. That still didn't excuse Kagami's behaviour.

"First of all, Kagami-kun. I am not a girl, nor am I so attractive to warrant such propositions from men. I am quite sure nobody is intent on 'taking me away,' as you have eloquently put it." He started. "And second, it is impolite to 'mark' someone without permission. Even I know that there is such thing as consent among the werepeople, Kagami-kun."

Kagami grumbled something that sounded like, "… smelled so damn good … I can't help it." He continued glaring holes through Kuroko, stubbornly insistent.

"So if I ask for your permission, I can mark you right? I can deal with that." He growled. Again. "Come on, Kuroko! Let me mark you, you bastard!"

"… very smooth, Kagami-kun."

Dear God, this was not working.

This was one of the things Kuroko had no freaking idea how to deal with; dating a wereperson. Or dating in general, really. But he was pretty sure the latter would be much easier, as a 'normal' person did not possess the heightened instincts of a wild animal like Werepeople. And Kagami was a tiger; a very territorial beast. He should have known. Even if he thought of it as very inconvenient (and very embarrassing; he couldn't look straight at their teammates because they stared and sniggered so much), he admitted it might have been his fault for letting him do whatever he wanted. He should have set some limits.

His neck hurt. It was still aching from Kagami's bites and the bruises would take days to fade.

And Kuroko did not have a lot of shirts with turtle necks in his closet.

"Ah, young love."

Koganei and Mitobe announced their arrival in the locker room with knowing sniggers and an apologetic smile. That blush did not help the situation, o quiet one, Kuroko mentally commented. He fidgeted slightly, as the two seniors approached their lockers, which happened to be close to where Kuroko was standing. Koganei kept his kittenish grin as he walked over the lockers.

"What is it, Kuroko? Kagami can't take his hands off you?"

He laughed, glancing at his juniors back and forth. He grinned wider when he spotted the bite marks that Kuroko's jersey collar couldn't cover completely. He gave a playful glance at the redhead, nodding like a wizened sage as he continued.

"Hmm, hmmm, I understand the approaching Heat Week must've triggered this, yes? Increased urges and such. But you should listen to your mate, Kagami. Look, Kuroko's as red as tomato! So cute! Right, Mitobe?" He laughed merrily. Mitobe only offered a sympathetic smile.

Kuroko refused to acknowledge such claim. He still had his masculine pride intact, dammit.

By that time, most of their teammates had become aware of their relationship — even though they weren't really dating. Curiously, nobody seemed to have been seriously surprised. Kuroko noticed. There had been surprise, yes, but they recovered from the initial reaction a bit too fast as they had so good-naturedly congratulated them with the teasing and the giggling (like a bunch of gossiping fishwives, Kuroko swore), as if they'd known for ages and was only acting surprise to be polite. The lack of rejection had been increasingly unnerving.

As Kuroko thought of this, Kagami in the other hand, reacted to his seniors with overreaction.

"Koganei-senpai, Mitobe-senpai, get the hell away from Kuroko," He snarled. He paused for a second, before adding quietly, " — please."

Koganei blinked twice.

"Oh man, he's hopeless!" he let out a bark of laughter.

Oh God.

They couldn't resume their conversation because there were two too many people in the Locker Room Forum for his liking (and it was just so, so embarrassing), so Kuroko resolved to put on hold of their talk about the Marking subject. Morning practice full of gossips and teasing giggles aside, Riko — on a rare occasion of pure kindness — had felt sorry for Kuroko's predicament and graciously lent her makeup for his marks. She also taught him the steps to flawlessly conceal the marks with the liquid foundation, concealer and loose powder.

In his curiosity Kuroko had let slip a question, how could Riko knew so well about this? The female coach had blushed and glanced at Hyuuga, who was still practicing with the Second Years, and that was how Kuroko learnt the answer. Whoa, when did that happen? Then again the Captain was always the first one to bravely sample Riko's deadly cooking despite its consequences. Huh. He wondered if Coach Aida knew about their relationship? Better stay quiet for the sake of their team Captain's longevity.

Looking back, he never had much interest in romance. Momoi's interest in him was obvious, but Kuroko thought it was impolite to return the sentiment when he had no romantic feelings for her. Probably why he didn't notice their seniors were involved with each other.

His attention was then switched when the teacher entered the class, Kuroko cleared off his thoughts as the first period started. Next week was the exam week. Kuroko's brain abruptly stopped functioning.

Less than two weeks before the dreaded Heat Week.

Well, fuck. Quite literarily, he might add.

He felt chill risen in his belly, then Kuroko started to furiously — and a bit too obsessively — jot down notes of key questions for the exams to distract himself. Meanwhile Kagami was snoring on his desk, waking up ten minutes later to the homeroom teacher's Ruler of Punishment.

He was so focused, that when the bell commencing lunch time rang throughout the building a few hours later, Kuroko had dreaded it.

He usually spent his lunch time with Kagami. Sometimes with the other Seirin First Years — but he did not feel he wanted to be alone with Kagami right now. Whenever there were just the two of them, Kagami would make advances towards Kuroko. And while he had let him do it, it had mostly been innocent before. The touching, the hand holding and the snuggling - they did not have any sexual connotation to it, he could've chalked it at platonic things you could have done with friends and family.

But the biting and the bruising and the necking. He didn't have to have dating experiences to know what the hell that was. He must admit, it freaked him out. Even if he didn't show it on his face. It wasn't unpleasant, but still. Only that much and it had shaken him up, how would he handle more and beyond bite marks?

"Kuroko, let's get some food." Kagami glanced over his shoulders.

Kuroko couldn't refuse for no reason.

When they were walking down the school halls to reach the cafeteria, Kuroko had suggested to invite the First Year teammates to eat lunch together. Which Kagami didn't seem to mind at all — to his relief. But apparently those trio went missing from their respective classes. Usually when they didn't look for them, they would just pop out of nowhere. Getting increasingly desperate, Kuroko followed Kagami to buy lunch for just the both of them. They headed to their usual spot on the roof right after.

Kagami was eating a mountain of yakisoba breads, while Kuroko had a cream-filled bun and a carton of milk. While they ate, Kagami gave him another of his long looks, he was sitting very closely. They sat at the side of the roof that was shaded and set them apart from other people. Kuroko realised —it was as if Kagami had done it purposely. His suspicion caused a tight swirl in his belly.

"You covered them, huh." Kagami's voice sounded annoyed as he looked intently at his exposed neck, now neatly covered with the help of Riko's makeup expertise.

Kuroko chewed his food and swallowed before he could reply.

"Coach was kind enough to let me borrow her makeup kit." He answered, casting his eyes at nowhere in particular.

"… I like them on you. I like looking at my marks decorate your white neck."

As if to emphasise his words, he brought his hand to trail one cold finger where the jugular vein must've been. He dragged the digit up and down, in a lazy pace.

Kuroko shivered.

He fought hard to control himself, but failed miserably. Heat had risen to his cheeks traitorously. "Kagami-kun, please, it's inappropriate." He hoped at least his voice wasn't breaking.

The cold finger stopped on its track.

"You don't like it?"

Kuroko could feel Kagami's hot breath closing in, the rush of heat brushed against his right cheek. He kept his eyes looking straight, he couldn't help shaking under the weight of Kagami's Heavy Seed pheromone starting to seep out of the redhead. The heady haze his scent caused had sucked some of his rationality down the drain, Kuroko had to work hard to remain logical and composed, if he wanted to solve this issue.

"It's not… about liking or not liking it, Kagami-kun," He tried to find the right words. "Please, stop doing this kind of thing."

Kagami didn't look pleased at all. The aura around him took a change for the worse, it felt dark and heavy. Snarls slipped out of his lips, Kuroko could see black stripes beginning to appear on Kagami's face, almost distinctly apparent around his eyes and upper part of his face. His nails grew into sharp tips. Kuroko fought not to cower under the intimidation. He couldn't help the tiny tremors that shook his body.

"In two weeks," he began, fuming. "We're going to have sex. No — that's not correct. We're going to mate. For a week, sacked up in a room god knows where, only the two of us. Locked away from the outside world. You get what that means?"

Kuroko wished he didn't know.

But he wasn't about to be beaten down easily.

"Kagami-kun, I—"

He heard a deep sigh being drawn out.

Kagami suddenly retreated.

Tiger stripes no longer adorned his sun-kissed skin, his claws retracted to normal size. He was back into his original position, scratching the back of his head nervously. Kuroko finally looked at him, confusion tinted his expression. The redhead had guilt written on his face, for once, it had surprised Kuroko seeing how stubborn he had been.

"Look, I don't wanna hurt you and I don't wanna scare you, but I'm bad at controlling myself around you. You're just so — your scent — driving me nuts!" He didn't look at Kuroko anymore, an angry flush forming on his cheeks. He turned to Kuroko again, glaring like a petulant child.

"I just keep getting greedy, okay? You never said anything when I touch you or hold you — I can never get enough of touching you, by the way — it's a like a drug to me. So I want more. I just didn't think… you'd hate it so much. You looked like you didn't mind. Sometimes I thought you actually enjoyed it. You could've just said something. I just wanted to — I didn't want anyone else to look at you like I do. I want them to get the message, to get the fuck away from you. That's all!"

He sounded frustrated. But not angry. Thankfully, not destructive.

"You listenin'? You get what I mean?"

Kuroko didn't.

He could see the difference between their upbringings. Tetsuya, who was raised by Primate parents with their stiff set of moral values despite being a wereperson, and Kagami who was not only a purebred wereperson from a society that encouraged free-reign life, He was at the top of the pyramid, a wealthy, desirable Heavy Seed who was used to a particular lifestyle, without knowing boundaries and limitations smaller people like Kuroko were used to. Common sense taught by his family and by a different sort of environment.

Kagami must be used to people who'd begged for his attention, various lovers who'd wantonly offered themselves to him with abandon ever since he was young, and who'd delight in having his marks all over their body. He couldn't understand why Kuroko would be embarrassed by such bold public display of affection. He probably thought it would make Kuroko happy.

Actually that pissed him off a lot. The selfish rich bastard.

As much as his attitude irritated him, Kuroko felt the need to clear the misunderstanding, as the older one of the two of them.

"Kagami-kun, I am aware of what will occur in the next two weeks," He paused to take a deep, calming breath. "It is just that, you must know that I have no experience in the matters of… the flesh. I had not dated anyone before, nor had I the chance to indulge in romantic escapades. I know you are much more experienced than I do, Kagami-kun. But I hope,"

He breathed slowly. He was cooling down a lot quicker now.

"I hope you can bear with my inexperience and take it slow. I hope you can understand. And I… I actually did not hate it. I do not hate what you did, to me." He flushed at the end, hoping Kagami wouldn't notice the clear crimson that scattered over his cheeks. "I just hope you wouldn't forget to mind our situations, we are still students, after all."

He could dream, at least, because Kagami hadn't missed out on anything.

"Y — you liked it? Really?"

Kuroko really hoped that bit wasn't the only thing Kagami heard. Or he'd get more pissed than he already was.

He brought both of his palms up until Kagami's head was in between the gap, then he closed them together with a force, clamping at Kagami's face with a singular slap. Kagami had a dazed look on his face like he hadn't realised what just happened, blinking his eyes several times. Kuroko leaned forward until their faces were inches away from each other.

"But," he sternly said, eyes narrowing. "I absolutely dislike it that you'd forgone asking for my opinions when you did something out of line. I'd rather prefer to think that our personal affairs must be kept behind doors, Kagami-kun. I am not as open as to let everyone to learn of my business."

He breathed in cool air when he'd run out, then resumed.

"What I think, Kagami-kun, of these bites. Or marks. Whatever you want to call them. They are inappropriate because I had a hard time trying to cover them from others' prying eyes — I even needed help from a third party. Other than that, we have an agreement, yes? I have accepted your offer and I have no intention of accepting others' even if the uncanny chances presented itself to me — although I highly doubt it — and dump you. If you still, really insist on doing it, then please, do be mindful of where you want to place them. Somewhere I can hide them with ease would be much preferable."

Kuroko could see the sparkles forming in his eyes.

"You mean it?"

Kuroko nodded.

"I can mark you, then? It's a deal?"

"… inappropriate places are forbidden." He repeated.

Kagami tsk'd. But he grinned happily anyway.

Kuroko sighed as he withdrew his hands. He wondered if this was how it felt, having a younger sibling.

—

After school and afternoon practice were over, they continued the discussion in the private space of Kagami's flat. Kagami had taken Kuroko's constructive criticism to heart, but he adamantly refused to give up on the marking subject. The area around neck and collarbone were an instant no from Kuroko. It had too high risks of exposure, accidental or not. No matter how much Kagami tried to persuade Kuroko it was his most favourite area — it was out of the question. When Kagami suggested the inner thighs and Kuroko's butt, he had another romantic encounter with Kuroko's Ignite Punch.

"… then! Your shoulders? Arms?" Kagami clutched at his sides, eyes welling up.

"They'll see it during practice."

"Shit — fine! Your stomach. Waist."

"I'm ticklish."

"Hmm, noted."

Kagami looked pleased for some reasons.

"Calves?"

"We wear shorts during practice."

"Fine then. Chest. Nipples!"

"… do you fancy another serving, Kagami-kun?" The Heavy Seed actually winced.

"— everywhere's forbidden! Were you even serious when you said you'd let me mark you?" Kuroko shot him an irritated look. "Fine! What about your back? It's always covered anyway, right?"

"Ah," Kuroko cocked his head to one side, he couldn't seem to find any loophole in that. He rarely exposed his back, only during changing for gym and baths.

"That is true."

Kagami's grin was so wide, it was actually blinding. The Light and Shadow roles they held were supposed to be metaphorical, not literal. Well, he supposed it was fine. They finally managed to find a common ground that Kagami was happy enough to be content with.

Out of habit, Kuroko took a look at the clock hanging above the TV set. 9 P.M. He'd told his parents he was at Kagami's as usual, but didn't tell them he'd stay for dinner. The discussion had stretched too long. He went to grab his school bag that was lying on the floor by his feet, but he didn't manage to do it when Kagami caught a hold on his wrist. He looked up at the redhead questioningly.

The goofy grin was replaced by a stiff, serious look.

"Don't go home," Kagami told him. "stay over for the night. Stay with me."

"Kagami-kun, I told you no more sleepovers until — "

"You said we can't during exam week. It's not exam week yet."

Kuroko knew that. But he tried to argue anyway.

Then Kagami was eerily quiet. "I told you… I wanna touch you. If you'd let me — that is." He paused to think of his next words, he looked mindful of his language. "I also want to… to mark you properly. Now that we've established the deal. Are you — are you okay with that?"

So many desires.

Kuroko wasn't sure if his body could handle the entirety of Kagami's lust, even more so after he had taken a glimpse at it. There was only less than two weeks until the Heat Week. If Kuroko couldn't handle this, how would he handle the raw, true primal nature of Kagami's desires during the Heat? Even if Kagami had promised to make it painless to help him with his peculiar condition. The anxiety was still there somewhere at the back of his mind. The fear of the unknown.

This was to familiarise himself with the touches, he'd reminded himself. It was for his own sake that he'd do this.

He could do it.

"Kuroko?" Kagami called him again, looking slightly dejected. "So — are you willing, or…?"

Kuroko cleared his throat. "Yes, I am willing to, Kagami-kun."

Once he got confirmation, Kagami then led him to his bedroom by the hand, gently tugging him along.

Kuroko had stayed over more than a bunch of times, seen the room just as many times, but somehow tonight was different. Kagami didn't make a move to spread the extra futon on the floor like he did whenever Kuroko stayed over. Instead, he'd drawn Kuroko towards his bed. Kagami's bed. He dropped his weight onto the mattress whilst Kuroko still stood by, his hand still in Kagami's.

The redhead looked up at him, beckoning Kuroko to sit next to him. Finding no better option, Kuroko did.

They were both seated calmly next to each other, Kagami began fiddling with Kuroko's hands, pressing pads of his fingers against the smaller boy's calloused palms. Kagami stared at them, turning them around at different angles. "Your hands are rough," He commented, brushing his fingers across the ragged surface of Kuroko's hands.

"Yours too," Kuroko had replied. Rough hands that were full of tiny, hardened bumps resulted from thousands of hours of Basketball practices. The prove of their passion.

Kagami chuckled as if he'd agreed with Kuroko's silent sentiment.

"I love them — these hands create such amazing passes. Passes meant for me." Kagami's eyes were gentle and loving as he looked at them, he started leaning down.

And pressed his lips against the pale surface.

Kuroko's breath was suddenly caught in his lungs.

The taller boy looked up at him with heat swirling in his eyes, full of intent, in contrast of how soft his voice when he asked.

"… okay?"

Kuroko didn't say no.

When Kagami touched the edge of his Gakuran, Kuroko found himself complying to the direction. He unbuttoned his uniform, and it was off within the minute. Kuroko folded it neatly and shoved it into his school bag, when Kagami went ahead and tugged at his shirt. He let Kagami help him rolled it over his head. He shivered slightly when so much of his skin exposed to the chilly air of the night, automatically reached to rub some heat into his forearms.

He didn't notice until later when he caught Kagami staring.

He felt a rush of heat rising up to his head, self-consciously drew his arms close to his torso, in a futile attempt to hide himself, or make himself smaller. He suddenly felt embarrassed, even though they'd seen each other in nude a bunch of times before. Why would tonight be any different? … it didn't make sense. Kuroko couldn't bring himself to return the stare Kagami kept holding for him.

"P — please stop staring so much," Kuroko felt it was unfair only he had taken off his clothes. It must be why he felt shy. "You're still wearing your clothes."

Kagami seemed to snap from his dazed, entranced state. "Huh? — oh yeah. Right." He stripped his shirt off easily.

It didn't really make Kuroko felt better in the least.

It actually backfired on him.

He had completely forgotten that Kagami's physique was amazingly unreal; full of lean, long and hard muscles that seemed to be sculpted out of pure marbles. The dim lights of the room seemed to dance over his features, accentuating every curved line and every hollowed valley of his flesh. Kagami's body hadn't fully matured yet, but it was already near perfection. Even for a Heavy Seed, Kuroko had yet seen anyone with physique as impressive.

A chuckle.

"Like what you see? You're staring." the redhead teased.

"… I was only returning the sentiment." Kuroko retorted, his face traitorously flushed.

"Heh. Whatever lets you sleep at night, baby." Kagami let out a satisfied bark at Kuroko's reaction. "We should take off our pants too, by the way. It's getting too tight."

Kuroko raised one eyebrow. "What was getting too tight?"

Kagami gave him a look.

Then Kuroko realised what it meant. "Oh. I… I see."

Kagami laughed. Out loud.

"Sorry, sorry! Hahaha!" Kagami clutched at his sides, laughing offensively. "I — I didn't realise how — how innocent you are! Oh man, what am I gonna do with you?"

"Please excuse my inexperience that you found so amusing." Kuroko glared, fuming.

"Nah, that's not it." Kagami's laughter died, he reached out to cup a hand on Kuroko's jaw, his thumb stroking his chin apologetically. "I must have scared you, huh."

Kuroko leaned to the touch.

"You did."

He saw Kagami's jaw tightened.

"I won't do it again."

His tone rumbled in tension, stern and tight.

"I know, Kagami-kun."

"You spoil me, you know."

"… Yes."

"… … c'mere."

He grabbed Kuroko's arm and pulled him towards himself, and the two landed on the bed with Kuroko sprawled on top of Kagami. He was caught by surprise. A hand came pressed the back of his head and started stroking lazily. He looked up, finding Kagami was also looking back at him. He'd expected Kagami to start doing something else, but he didn't.

"Kagami-kun?" He'd tried to ask.

"We're not doing anything. Let's just stay like this tonight. No rush." He could feel Kagami's body rumbled as he spoke, an arm around Kuroko's hips. Their bodies were flushed together, skin to skin. It felt vastly different than when they were snuggling clothed. It was much warmer and felt more embarrassing. But it was also alarmingly pleasant.

He shifted Kuroko into a more comfortable position on the Queen-sized bed, placing him next to the wall. They were staring into each other's eyes. Kagami used his elbow to support his body sideways as he loomed over Kuroko, watching him. The bedsheets smelled thickly of Kagami. The scent was lulling Kuroko into a state of relaxation, Kagami's gentle strokes on his head felt very nice. It comforted him.

"Go to sleep, Kuroko. It's been a long day."

Staring back at Kagami for a few minutes, Kuroko complied to the offer and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

—

He woke up next day with a massive bed head that earned a weird look from Kagami ("You didn't move around much, so why's your hair so epic in the morning?"). They had breakfast together. Kagami's cooking was as flawless as usual.

When it was time to go to school, Kagami lent the smallest shirt he had — which was still fairly big on Kuroko — and they went to school together. They entered the club for morning practice, and everyone seemed to notice that Kuroko was wearing Kagami's shirt and reeked of him even more than he did yesterday — much to Kagami's delight. Too tired of questioning glances and girlish gossips, Kuroko left them with their active imagination.

—

The week was coming to end quicker when everyone was stressing over the exams.

The rest of the school days were uneventful. Kagami was leaving him alone, at least until the weekends — Kuroko didn't even need to ask this time — but the two still spent most of their time together at school, club and off school. Their study sessions intensified and they weren't able to be alone anyway, there were always people joining them until the evening. Kuroko couldn't spend so many nights staying over at Kagami's, so he went home when it had gone late, and Kagami had all but insisted on walking him down the neighbourhood.

On a Friday night, Kagami walked him until the train station as he had been doing for a while. It was late, around 10 P.M. and the street was mostly empty. Kagami had taken Kuroko's hand in his and shoved their tangled fingers into his jacket's front pocket. When they reached the front of the station, something out of ordinary happened.

He leaned in and kissed Kuroko.

It was a brief and chaste affair, lips pressed against lips for a few fleeting seconds. But it was still Kuroko's first kiss. The vivid blush on his face wasn't due to the cold night air, and Kagami certainly didn't miss anything. The bastard had actually grinned wolfishly (tigerishly?) and leaned to kiss him again, whispering to him that they should get together on the weekends — alone. The second time was a kiss with more force to it, he had his tongue brushing along Kuroko's lower lip. But the other boy was too stunned and stiff to respond to it.

The implication of his invitation hadn't gone unnoticed. He knew Kagami wouldn't leave him alone for too long.

And Kuroko was uncertain whether he'd seriously object to it.

The next day, he packed his duffel bag with some clothing and text books. He told his parents he'd be staying over at Kagami's place to study ('various studies', Kuroko mentally added), he reminded his mom not to forget to feed and walk Nigou before he left the house. On the way to the station, he texted Kagami he'd come over at noon. The phone rang five minutes later and a text from Kagami said he'd cooked him lunch and he'd prepared another of his homemade Vanilla shake.

Kuroko wondered if the meals was a part of calculated, laborious plan to get into his pants.

They had lunch together after his arrival, joking around and conversing about Basketball and their team. Kagami had kept his eyes on him all the while. He loved to watch him, Kuroko noticed — he rarely took his gaze away whenever Kuroko was in his line of sight. Being a Light Seed under the heavy observation of a carnivorous Heavy Seed Tiger, he still felt somewhat intimidated, but Kuroko had come to get used to it.

After lunch, Kagami dragged him to the couch. As soon as he sat, he pulled Kuroko onto his lap and trapped him in a cage of long arms. Kuroko had sighed and reminded him they were there to study first. Kagami grinned at the way Kuroko put it, looking very pleased. It had come to a new level of creepy how the Bakagami who was completely, utterly hopeless at studying, started enjoying it just so he could have Kuroko around. Flattering, but creepy.

So they spent the next five hours solving Math problems and testing Kagami's memorisation for Japanese History and Kanji language. They took short breaks every two hours, then continued until dinner time rolled in. The dinner was superb just as much as the lunch was.

Kuroko had a look of pure bliss written on his usually expressionless face and Kagami had just finished his tower of rice.

"It was really delicious. Thank you for the food, Kagami-kun." He thanked the host after putting the chopstick down, clapping his hands together in gratitude.

"Glad you like it." He heard Kagami said. "The bath's ready. You wanna go in?"

Kuroko refused out of politeness. "I don't mean to impose. You can go ahead first, Kagami-kun."

After all he was the guest. It was only right.

"Or. We can both go in together."

Kuroko almost chocked on his green tea.

Kagami was grinning widely. "The tub's big enough. We shower together at the club anyway, we even went to the hot springs with the whole team. No big deal."

Kuroko pushed out the urge to retort that Kagami had cheated by wearing trunks at that time.

Oh God. How did he keep getting himself into this kind of situation?

He must be blushing, because the tiger bastard's stupid grin grew wider. It annoyed Kuroko how calm he was acting. "Kagami-kun, you're such a player." He uttered the words venomously.

A chuckle. "So will you join me?"

Familiarising, Kuroko chanted wordlessly, like a mantra in the fortress of his mind. This is to familiarise with the touches. This is to help the Stunted Heat. He knew this would happen even before he came to Kagami's place, he had braced himself with the possibility.

"Yes."

He told Kagami to go first because Kuroko wanted to do the dishes, he would join him later. Kagami had let out a low growl to express his displease, but didn't argue. Kuroko needed few minutes to prepare himself after all. Washing the dishes on a leisure pace helped calm his nerves somewhat, but it was over too soon. He couldn't keep Kagami waiting as he'd given his words — Kuroko chuckled to himself. He could have refused and left, he had plenty of chances to, but he didn't. He really wondered why he'd stayed and kept accepting the redhead's advances, despite not feeling entirely comfortable about them?

Because of his Stunted Heat condition could prove fatal during his First Heat? Because Kagami was his closest friend? His reliable Light in the court?

He wished he knew the reason why he hadn't grabbed his duffel bag and just leave. But he couldn't deny that because it was Kagami himself that he chose not to abort the mission, else he'd have sought treatments for his condition much earlier.

… That was an unnerving thought.

After he was done with the dishes, Kuroko headed to the bathroom. He took off his sweater and jeans then slipped out of his boxers and socks, folding everything nicely before putting them on to the shelf. He stepped on a slip-resistant mat in front of frosted glass door that leads to the shower and bath tub, inhaling several deep breaths. Gathering his wits about him, Kuroko reached for the handle and slid the door open.

Kagami was already soaking in the tub when he entered and had greeted him with surprise written on his face. Like he didn't expect Kuroko to actually go with it.

Kuroko snorted. He might be smaller and a Light Seed, but he was no coward.

The silence stretched for too long, so Kuroko went ahead and helped himself with the showers. As he washed and scrubbed the delicate-smelling soap over different parts of his body, he could feel Kagami's gaze lingering at his back all the while. He couldn't see the redhead's expression because Kuroko had his back on him. But he could feel the intensity by the smell of the musky scent that hovered in the air of the small space that wasn't his own.

He finished up quite quickly. He rinsed the soap off of his body and hair, before turning to face the tub and Kagami's baffled expression. He resisted the need to shiver at the way Kagami gazed at him from head to toe, licking his lips unconsiously.

"If you would kindly scoot over, Kagami-kun, I'd like to join you." His voice was surprisingly calm as he leaned over, hands gripping the edge of the smooth ivory surface of the tub.

Kagami visibly gulped and shifted, his position told Kuroko to slip himself to sit in between his legs. Oh my, he caught a glimpse of Mr. Spectacular seemingly swaying beneath the rippled surface of the water. It was almost funny. Careful not to trip on the slippery surface, Kuroko stepped into the tub. The lukewarm water overflowed with his added weight, making splashing noise as it spilled onto the ceramic floor.

Kuroko adjusted his position to snugly fit in; he arched his back and hugged his folded knees. His limbs bumped with Kagami's, but the tub really was big enough for the both of them. The water temperature was cooler than he expected because he had joined late. It was still warm enough, however, pleasantly so. He started to relax, gathering water in his palms to splash it over his face.

Then he heard a sigh came from behind him.

"Oh man." He heard Kagami's murmur.

Kuroko twisted his head to look over his shoulders. Kagami's head was rolled backwards, a hand covered his eyes.

"I didn't think — I wasn't serious. God, Kuroko. You really shocked me. I thought you weren't coming. I thought you got —" red eyes peeked through the gaps of his fingers. "Sorry. I didn't mean for you to do this." Was what slipped out of his mouth.

Well, that was insulting.

Kuroko was getting irritated. He had gone all the trouble to prep his nerves for the past few days. And Kagami was only fooling around.

" … I'm insulted that you think I wasn't serious about this arrangement, Kagami-kun." He deadpanned, betraying little of his rising temper.

"If you'll excuse me, I think I am quite finished." He braced himself to get off of the bath tub, when Kagami stopped him in panic.

"N — no dammit! Don't go!"

A hard yank on his forearm and Kuroko slipped, falling backwards into Kagami's hard-lined body, head hitting the taut muscles of his chest.

"Shit! Sorry! Sorry, you alright? Kuroko, are you alright?"

Kuroko blinked away the stars behind his eyelids, he could see Kagami's face entering his blurring vision. He felt arms wrapped around his body and Kagami's face above him twisted mournfully, a shadow cast on his features from where Kuroko was looking up at him.

"I'm sorry alright? You — you are always so poker faced. I can't help but want to tease you." He saw Kagami's lips trembled as he spoke, the movement fascinated him for reasons unknown.

"I admit I like looking at these reactions I only get to see when I embarrass you, because you'd only show them to me. So I — shit, Kuroko. I'm sorry I'm so bad at this whole… thing. I tried. I couldn't sleep when you were in my bed, but I tried so hard. To hold back. I didn't want to frighten you." Kagami ducked his head and Kuroko could feel his breath on his neck.

"It's not that I'm belittling you alright? I was honestly shocked."

His breaths were harsh and irregular, low snarls escaping the gaps between sharpened fangs. Kuroko looked at Kagami agape, stripes were beginning to appear on the redhead's exposed skin. Kuroko could see the minute twitch of the drenched flesh, heat radiating out of one Kagami Taiga. Claws were beginning to protrude against his skin, the grip tightened almost painfully.

"When you stepped into this room, naked, I thought I lost my mind — I can't think right now with all of you displayed in front of me like this. I can't let you go with this kind of shitty —" He was shaking now, growls rumbling from the insides of his chest.

"Kagami-kun, calm down." Kuroko brought a hand to tentatively brush the red hair in several calming strokes. "I'm not leaving. You don't have to hold on to me so tightly."

A gasp and the grip loosened.

"Oh shit, sorry — Kuroko, I — "

"It's alright. You didn't hurt me. Calm down."

The stripes vanished gradually as Kuroko continued stroking Kagami's hair. He had his body twisted halfway to look at Kagami, who still held his head down at the crook of Kuroko's shoulder. They continued like that for a while, Kuroko's back was flushed against Kagami's chest as his arms laid around the smaller waist loosely. Kagami breathing down his neck tickled him a bit, but it was bearable.

He let the moment stretch until Kagami's breathing descended into a steady rhythm.

Kagami's head moved from beneath his fingers, and they stared at each other.

"… the marks …" Kagami's gaze fell to his neck. "They've faded."

"It's been a while."

Kagami brought a hand to his neck and touched the area delicately. "Can I…?"

"My neck is off-limit, Kagami-kun." Kuroko reminded him. "We have an agreement."

Kagami fell silent, staring longingly at it. Any minute now, the star-crossed lovers would declare their undying love for each other and elope into the sunset hand in hand, both Kagami and Kuroko's neck. Not if he could help it though, Kuroko decided.

"We don't have practice during exam week, right."

Kagami's voice snapped him out of his running imagination.

Kuroko knitted his eyebrows slightly. "That's right. We don't."

"Can I mark your shoulders?"

Ah. He knew that would come up somehow.

Kuroko sighed.

"Under these circumstances… I suppose it can be allowed." Kagami's whole expression lit up like a kid who'd been given a new toy to play with. How the heck did he manage to persuade Kuroko yet again? Kuroko didn't know.

"Could you turn around?"

Kuroko paused, but did as asked without much of a fuss. He'd soon regretted his decision completely, as this new position where he was required to straddle Kagami with his legs wrapped around the taller boy's waist, was beyond embarrassing to him. He couldn't look at Kagami with a straight face. Kagami led him to put his hands on the redhead's broad shoulders to steady himself, looking mighty smug at Kuroko's embarrassment from how suggestive this seemed.

And boy Kagami was staring hard. His hands gripped Kuroko's waist as his gaze drank in the sight in front of him greedily. The only comfort Kuroko was allowed, was the fact that their lower bodies were still hidden underneath the bath water. Kuroko wasn't sure how long he could hold up under the hungry gaze of the Heavy Seed.

"I won't do anything you don't like." As if answering his worries, Kagami assured him. "Can I kiss you?"

Kuroko gaped.

"You didn't ask for permission before…" He grumbled.

Kagami laughed. "Is that a yes?"

"… Shut up and do it."

With an animalistic growl, Kagami closed the gap between them and went for it, kissing Kuroko as if wanting to devour him. Kuroko gasped at the sudden wildness and the strange, wonderful sensation that unleashed a rush of heat from the depths of his belly. Kagami licked and nipped, sucked at the bottom until Kuroko's lips were red and moist, stinging with pain and sweet tang of pleasure.

"Open your mouth," He could hear the redhead breathlessly whispered.

Kuroko — with logic slowly swirling down the drains — parted his lips obligingly and let Kagami slipped his tongue in, tasting him, eating him. He began slipping out soft moans when their tongues found each other and mingled, trails of saliva flowed out of his lips down to his chin, unable to swallow them.

Kagami's hand was roaming across his torso, another hand still clutching his hip.

He could feel the surge of heat started flowing down in a rush, gathering in the pit of his stomach with a vengeance. Kuroko was made aware of what was happening under the rippling surface of the water as Kagami detached from his lips and down his neck, nipping and biting at his shoulder.

He was getting hard — Kuroko felt the familiar tightness on his crotch — he felt some of the heat rushed up to his face again.

"Kuroko,"

He gasped when Kagami bit down, then sucked at the spot he sank his teeth in. His hand had reached Kuroko's chest, its digits stroking the pink bud they found there. Kuroko felt a sharp chill climbing up his spine.

"I can't hold myself back. Can I?"

Apparently, Mr. Spectacular had also stood up. Their hardness brushed against each other under the lukewarm fluid.

Kagami's hand dropped into the water, hovering unsurely before the stiffening flesh. The lack of friction was becoming painful and Kuroko was too swept off by the sensation to refuse such tempting proposition.

"P — please," He breathed out in a choke. Kagami's ragged breaths hitched faster.

"Please do it."

He felt a hand wrapped both of them flushed against each other. When Kagami started a pace, it was frustratingly too slow. Kuroko bucked his hips for more friction, a deep moan tore out halfway when Kagami's lips were on his again.

It was a heady mix of heat and scents mingled in a cocktail of heavenly sensation. He heard himself making indecent moans and mewls he never knew he could make, and Kagami's erratic inhales and exhales sounded like seductive song to his ears.

His dick twitched when Kagami started lapping at his earlobe, finding a spot that made him squirm.

"You like that?" He heard Kagami breathed, voice thick with lust.

Kuroko found himself clinging to Kagami, arms wrapping around his neck with a tug. The pace became faster, harder and wilder, and Kuroko felt himself reaching to a higher ground. He was so close and he knew it. And he knew Kagami was close, too.

He bit his lip as he spilled, swallowing deep breaths.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Kagami's eyes flashed golden. His pupils shrunk into vertical slits, when the redhead claimed his lips again, growling into his throat. His teeth sharpened into jagged fangs, he bit into Kuroko's lips until it drew blood and he sucked. Sun-kissed skin flared with beastly stripes when he came, a deep groan tore out of his windpipe.

The noise of their erratic breaths lingered in the air, as they leaned to each other in the aftermath. Kuroko had never felt so boneless.

"Sorry," Kagami murmured, licking the blood that trickled down Kuroko's chin. His bottom lip had stopped bleeding.

He made a noncommittal noise. Too spent to complain. He laid his head on Kagami's shoulder, limply lying there, arms dangling at his sides. The redhead gathered him into his arms gently, cradling him closer. It felt nice and warm, he felt sleepy.

"Did it feel good?"

Kuroko blushed. His first time with another person, doing… whatever this was called.

"Yes."

Kagami's chest rumbled.

"Next time, I'll show you more."

Kuroko turned his head to look at the other boy. "…there's more to this?"

Kagami had looked conflicted. "Well… there's oral. And penetration… and other things."

The smaller boy's eyes widened.

"Umm, who will… you know?"

"Mine, in yours." He squeezed Kuroko's ass to show what he meant.

"… Are you planning to kill me?"

Kagami barked out a laugh.

—

After their first shared moment, there was barely any more chance to fool around when the all-important exams were just around the corner. Kuroko was determined for Kagami to get passing grades, while all the redhead wanted to do was spoon with him and sleep the Sunday away — Kuroko slapped him awake with a ruler every time he found Kagami fell asleep on the desk, his drool soaked the textbooks.

Despite days of effort, Kagami's Japanese Language was still severely lacking — dangerously so. They might have to borrow Midorima's magic pencil again in the earliest chance they get to meet him — ignoring Kagami's personal protests. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

One more week until the Heat Season.

—

TBC.

—