Seize Spin-off OMAKE #1 - "The Rakuzan Captain"
BEGUN ON: 01.05.15
FINISHED ON: 01.05.15
(NOTE: Australian date, thank you very much :'D }} DD/MM/YY)
RATING: T
WARNINGS: Fluff. And brief making out.
"Kotarou, your dribbling is sloppy today. Fix it, and avoid the same mistake in the match. Are you feeling well?"
"Ah, sorry, Akashi." The male in question scratched his head, flashing his captain a sheepish, toothy grin, "I think I might be down with a little cold."
"I thought idiots didn't get sick," Eikichi let out a boisterous laugh. Kotarou whipped around with a frown, "What did you say, you gorilla?"
"Oh, thank-"
"Eikichi. Your timing was off when you dunked, earlier." Akashi stated whilst rummaging through his bag.
"Sorry, I didn't eat enough before practice. I'm a little hungry."
"You still made a disgusting mess in the cafeteria," Kotarou pointed out, raising a brow. Reo nodded on the side, closing his eyes with disdain. Eikichi's throat rumbled with laughter. Akashi zipped his bag closed before handing Kotarou a few pills and a few disposable heat packs, "Take these with water now. Go sit down and use those if you get cold. Inform me immediately if your temperature starts dropping. If your condition gets too unstable, go to the nurse's office and go home. In that case, I'll call one of my drivers to send you home. Reo, your form was slightly off. Take extra care when you jump. Fix it by the end of tomorrow."
"I'll have it fixed by the end of today, Sei-chan." Reo promised, a smile playing on his lips. Oh, how he adored their little, vicious and motherly captain. Kotarou chuckled, taking the goods, "Thanks, Akashi."
Eikichi grinned, patting the shortest male (lightly as to not anger him) on the back. Reo's eyes softened fondly. Their number one player was too precious for his own good, despite not attempting to be.
(He made it a point to not openly express his affections too much, though. He had a feeling Sei-chan would not appreciate being picked up and cuddled.)
The first string absentmindedly watched as their beloved leader walked across the gym to correct members of the second string. The third string watched in wonder, their own supervisor (a separate coach had been chosen for third string - Rakuzan did not want to trouble their captain to that extent, and also, having Akashi personally train the higher two strings was an excellent motivational factor to try harder. After all, no matter how feared he was, the respect that Rakuzan had for the redheaded emperor was deeply ingrained in their very natures. And their basketball instincts) being nowhere near Akashi's analysis level. This was one of their full house practices - they would savour watching the school's top basketball player in action. After all, these practices with all three strings only occurred three times out of six a week; Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Other than that, the third string would be in their own gym, with a different training regime to strengthen themselves in time for the string advancement tests.
"Doesn't Sei-chan seem a little different, today?"
"It's not that big of a deal, so I didn't really pay attention to it." Kotarou shrugged, canines glinting as he smiled. Eikichi imitated the gesture, "His advice and training is still good, so..."
Reo frowned at how blasé the other two were.
"Where's Hanamiya this time?" Akashi asked flatly. It was more of a threat than a question, with the concealed contempt lacing his tone. All three first string members glanced at each other before Eikichi scratched his head, "I don't know. Probably breaking some poor kid without getting his hands dirty like usual."
"No, I think he's smart enough to avoid that. Akashi really did a number on him, last time." Kotarou grinned smugly, sharing a chuckle with the large center.
"Want me to call him, Sei-chan?"
"No. I will personally deal with him." Akashi stated. "The more practices he misses, the worse it'll get. Perhaps you should pass that message on."
His scarlet locks fell in front of heterochromatic orbs, shadowing them menacingly. His eyes narrowed, and the other three starters shivered slightly. Their captain was downright frightening when he wanted to be, after all.
"Regardless, practice ends here. Keep training, everyone."
It was interesting to watch how every member of the club soaked in Akashi's casual address like sponges, despite how trivial they were. He had a charming way about him, attracting everyones' attention like metal fillings to a magnet simply by opening his mouth. His presence, both off court and on court, was simply big. Perhaps too big, Reo mused. However, the amount of terror and reverence that people attached to his name was not without reason. Au contraire, it was well placed - Akashi Seijuurou was most likely the only captain to know the name, potential, position (or desired position), statistics (physically and mentally - even their test results) and abilities of every single member in his club. Including third string.
'And don't forget that Sei-chan learned and memorised all this in under a month.'
But oh, what none of the other basketball members were aware of was that, that same absolute emperor in question was facing a dilemma with a certain member.
One he had never seen before.
"Akashi seems awfully motivated at the moment." Kotarou mumbled, mostly to himself. Reo glanced over, "I agree. I'm surprised you noticed anything."
"Are you calling me dumb, Reo-nee?"
Reo allowed himself a tiny, tiny smile at the Raijuu's mock-whine.
"Perhaps he's going somewhere after practice."
"Where? Actually, what do we even know about our captain? Does he even do anything in his spare time besides work? Wait; does he even sleep?" Kotarou raised a brow, and Reo rolled his eyes.
"Of course Sei-chan sleeps. But, aside from working and athletics..."
"I've never heard of him doing anything else, either." Eikichi chimed in, "Huh. Maybe he's visiting someone."
"Do we stalk?" Kotarou grinned widely, and Reo bopped him lightly on the head as a mother would.
"No, we don't. Sei-chan's privacy should be respected."
"Maybe he's meeting his girlfriend!" Eikichi let out a loud laugh, prompting winces from the other two. They glanced at each other.
Akashi Seijuurou, dating someone?
No way.
(Reo absentmindedly ignored the way his heart ached a little.)
Akashi's eyes narrowed slightly at the lithe body shrouded in white. It had been two days. The school hadn't even realised one of their students' had been hospitalised, much to his disgust.
How incompetent.
Pushing a few teal locks back, Akashi let out a tiny breath.
Who was this boy, Kuroko Tetsuya? Why did he jump at the time? He had been wearing one of the numberless Rakuzan basketball jerseys, which meant he wasn't in the first string - but how had he slipped past Akashi's notice? He knew every member on his team, no exceptions.
Kuroko mystified him.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't physically attracted to him - the boy really was quite easy on the eyes. He had an ethereal air about him, a false sense of fragility. He was refined, dignified. But oh, more than that-
He was beautiful.
More so than any female Akashi had ever seen. Even Momoi Satsuki, surrounded by males, paled in comparison. Though, he supposed, he couldn't really compare the two - they were differently gendered, after all.
He wasn't in love, of course not. But this not-so-innocent, clear-as-day physical attraction wasn't something Akashi had experienced before, either.
He hadn't been aware that he was attracted to the same gender.
(Then again, no female ever caught his eye. Dating one of them had never even crossed his mind. Although, as all people do, he had wondered if he'd marry out of love some day - or for his father's business. It was all the same to him at the time, he presumed.)
A kiss on the forehead as he had done that day he discovered the sleeping male's name, and Akashi was gone out the door again.
It wasn't that he was in love, and he knew that perfectly. But, brushing lips against the other's forehead had caused a slight feeling to stir in him the first time, and he decided that, in order to discover what the strange sensation would lead to, he'd have to pursue and repeat his actions. It was very peculiar, Akashi noted, how the unconscious boy had somehow wormed his way into his mind.
He was very curious about this turn of events.
He wanted to unravel the mystery himself, and watch everything come undone with satisfaction.
(And perhaps unravel the boy, himself, too.)
"What do you think about love at first sight, Sei-chan?"
How very convenient that Reo chose this moment to ask the question. Akashi glanced over, feigning disinterest. Kotarou let out a small snicker. Was Reo honestly asking Akashi about romance?
(Eikichi just continued stuffing himself, paying little heed to their conversation. He did listen to it, though. Just in case. He ignored Reo's incessant scolding at the mess he was making.)
"It doesn't exist," Akashi responded stoically, "because you can't fall head over heels for someone without knowing them. If you do, it's just based on their appearance. I believe that's more of a physical attraction rather than 'love', Reo."
Reo hummed, as if he had expected the answer.
"Any morons who claim themselves to be in love within a few days most likely have an unhealthy obsession. What's the point of asking me this?"
"As expected of Sei-chan." Reo replied nonchalantly. He casually eyed the redhead, who had an elbow propped up on the desk, chin resting on his palm as his other hand turned a page in his novel. Akashi glanced up, deciding to ignore how Reo had dodged the question.
"Worrying about me is unnecessary."
Reo sighed.
"How'd you pick up on that, Akashi?" Eikichi asked, swallowing a mouthful of rice. Akashi refrained from rolling his eyes and instead opted for answering flatly, "you're all spending time with me in the clubroom. Nobody comes into this clubroom except for me. You all eat in the cafeteria."
"Oh, sorry. Were you lonely? Eikichi grinned, and Kotarou chuckled. Akashi shook his head in exasperation at the two jokers.
"Are you visiting someone after school, Sei-chan?" Reo asked, anticipation evident in his voice, before quickly composing himself again. A sudden outburst was out of character. Akashi raised a brow.
"Perhaps. But that matter does not concern you all, yet."
"Yet?" Kotarou and Eikichi echoed, baffled.
"Yes." Pausing for a moment, Akashi decided to continue, "It's a member of our basketball team. I've never seen him before."
"...What? We have a new kid?" Kotarou raised a brow. Reo shook his head, "No, there aren't any students who could possibly make it in right before Inter-High. No matter how good they are, they'd have to wait until tryouts again."
"Exactly. He's been in since the start of the year." Akashi said. The three Uncrowned Kings froze for a moment, before Kotarou burst out into laughter.
"I didn't know you joked, Akashi. You remember every single student..." He trailed off, faltering at Akashi's steely expression, "Seriously?!"
"Sei-chan..." Reo breathed, "What's his name?"
"Kuroko Tetsuya."
"...I've never heard of someone like that. What does he look like?"
"Teal hair, sapphire eyes. Has a lithe structure - almost deceptively fragile. However, he's quite decently muscled, so it's evident that he's been training for quite a while." Akashi mentally pictured Kuroko's patient file, "57 kilograms and 168 centimetres. I found his student file, and his basketball form, earlier. He attended Shouei Middle School, but stayed in third string for three years. He's one of our third string members, too. His stamina ... Is quite appalling. His dribbling and basic basketball skills all seem fine, but I won't know his skill nor potential until I see it. His Shouei coach noted that his shooting was disastrous." Akashi finished smoothly.
"Kuroko... Tetsuya, from Shouei Middle," Kotarou echoed, before his eyes widened in recognition, "wait, isn't that the school we were in?"
The three exchanged a look.
"I never noticed a kid with light blue hair - and we even attended a few third string practices. Is that even possible?" Kotarou's brows drew together in confusion. "Does this mean he's really badass? He could be an invisible superhero or something!"
"Maybe he's a ghost." Eikichi joked, sneaking up behind the bright orange-blonde haired male. "OooOoh."
"Stop that, you sweaty muscle-man!" Kotarou shrieked, and Reo huffed lightly, "Stop being such children, you two. Even your insults are compatible to that of a five-year-old's."
"Well, sorry, Reo-nee!"
"Back to the point, why have you been visiting this member? How come we never noticed him?"
Akashi's eyes narrowed, "We simply never noticed him on the court. And," he paused for a moment, "he jumped off the school roof three days ago. I called the ambulance."
"Are you serious?!" Kotarou shouted, eyes wide, "What the hell?"
"He jumped off the roof?!" Reo swallowed. Akashi nodded.
"He's in a coma at the moment."
"Can we-"
"No." Akashi cut Kotarou off. The latter instantly wilted.
"Awwh! Why not?!"
"No," Akashi repeated firmly. He felt strangely overprotective thinking about the vulnerable boy in the hospital bed, despite knowing that his team wouldn't do anything to the male; much less harm him.
He calmly decided that it must've been connected to the warmth he felt around the boy. The Rakuzan team members stiffened simultaneously, looks of disbelief on their faces. Akashi raised a brow, "What?"
"Y-"
"Nothing, Sei-chan. Let's get to basketball practice." Reo cut Kotarou off.
"...Ah. I do have to improve all your results before the Inter-High." Akashi spared them a glance that was cold enough to let them know that he expected an answer soon as to why they were acting so strangely before turning away.
Eikichi and Kotarou let out breaths they didn't realise they had been holding as the group walked out of the room, lead by the shortest male. It would be a somewhat comical sight if not for the overwhelming, almost stifling sense of authority seeping from the redhead. Eikichi threw his pile of plastic bento boxes away into the nearest bin, before he frowned again in thought. The Uncrowned Kings trio shared a look that was a mixture of both unease and shock before turning back to their leader.
They inwardly agreed on the fact that Akashi must not have noticed. It was something instinctual, something that had occurred on its own accord - but, why? Was that natural? They hadn't questioned that before; not when he'd destroyed them during middle school, not when he'd easily claimed captain of the famed Rakuzan basketball team. They had believed that it was like that from the very start.
However, replaying that scene over and over again in their minds, they found themselves to be more than a little confused. Perhaps the rumours in middle school did have some credit, after all. Perhaps the famous captain of the Generation of Miracles had experienced a dramatic change in both demeanour and playing style during middle school like a few people had said. Perhaps something had happened in middle school; a 'dispute between teammates', if they recalled correctly; that prompted him to turn to ice, to deem camaraderie and teamwork worthless in Teikou's first string.
Because, albeit unknown to the teen in question, Akashi's golden eye had not sparkled with malice like usual that time - instead, it had bled into a warm crimson, shimmers of light saffron circulating inside the orb. His eyes had been ... Strangely congenial. They weren't sure whether it was a pleasant surprise, or one that promised more terror. At the same time, all three had one thought running through their minds:
'Who was that?'
A fortnight had passed since Akashi had seen the angelic figure jump off the school building. Three days under a fortnight had passed since Rakuzan's first string - excluding one Hanamiya Makoto - had come to the revelation that there was a mysterious, unseen third string member in their basketball team that had caught their ruthless leader's eye.
"Do you think Sei-chan's alright?"
"He left straight after our first preliminary match - well, not like it'd matter, anyway. We're getting into Inter-High without a doubt," Kotarou yawned, stretching lazily. Reo rolled his eyes whilst Eikichi just shared a grin with the small forward. None of them denied the statement.
"I wonder if he's visiting Kuroko-kun again." Reo mumbled. He didn't have to hear an answer to already know it, though.
"Of course he is, Reo-nee!"
"Without a doubt," Eikichi agreed. Reo's smile turned imperceptibly tighter, but he shook it off and shrugged.
"Akashi's been getting more restless lately. Hopefully, the Kuroko kid wakes up soon." Kotarou commented, "I mean, if we can notice the change in our captain, then there's definitely something wrong."
"Sei-chan's only human, though."
"A human who's never shown any signs of attraction to anyone." The Raijuu reminded lightly. Reo let out a chuckle. Kotarou noted that it sounded a little forced. The usually hyper male looked out the window absentmindedly, all traces of his childish disposition gone.
'Captain, what are you doing?'
Unbeknownst to the others, and much to Akashi's satisfaction, the powder-blue haired male was no longer unconscious in his hospital bed. Akashi gazed at the boy with curious, calculating eyes. He was the first to openly defy him - or rather, not submit to him.
"Why did you send them out?"
It was more of a statement than it was a question. Akashi smirked at the tealhead's perceptiveness.
"Why did you jump?"
Akashi mentally noted how Kuroko's eyes darkened, turning void. He was being wary.
"Kuroko Tetsuya."
"...Just Tetsuya is fine. I thought you'd continue calling me that."
"Ah, so you were conscious enough to remember, after all."
Akashi observed the light pink staining Kuroko's cheeks with no little amount of smugness. Kuroko held back the urge to shudder at the predatory shine in the redhead's mismatching eyes. His blush intensified once Akashi leaned in to whisper teasingly, "So I'm sure you remember... Everything else, too?"
"Akashi-kun-"
Perhaps it was because he had done it several times already, but it was a natural, fluid movement when Akashi leaned in to press a soft kiss on Kuroko's forehead.
"I'm kidding. I won't bully you whilst you're injured."
Kuroko viciously eyeballed the male, huffing, "You've already violated me."
Akashi chuckled, and Kuroko's eyes widened slightly. He had never heard, nor seen, the male laugh even once.
'How long has it been since I laughed?' Akashi wondered.
The two continued conversing, Kuroko revealing his lack of presence to Akashi, who only frowned, clearly disappointed in himself.
And when Rakuzan's infamous basketball captain grinned and leaned in, cupping Kuroko's pale cheek whilst murmuring a seductive promise in his smooth, sultry voice, he found he was telling the truth.
He really did desire to get to know all of Kuroko Tetsuya.
(Absentmindedly, Kuroko recalled when he had jumped. Perhaps it had been his imagination, but in the few seconds before he fell, the infallible emperor's eye had most definitely appeared to be a beautiful, deep, Venetian red. Of course, his current eye colour was just as captivating - who wouldn't be mesmerised by that rich, golden-amber orb?)
Kuroko made a mental note to look into it further when he had the chance.
"Sei-chan seems happier today." Reo observed with a smile playing on his lips. Kotarou bounded over, throwing an arm around the taller male, "I know, right?! Aren't you happy, Reo-nee?"
Reo turned over, his smile frosty, "Yes, I'm happy. Now, get your sweaty arms off me."
"Ouch!" Kotarou raised his palms placatingly, flashing a nervous grin at the shooting guard, who sighed.
"Reo, Kotarou. Concentrate." Akashi called out, and the two stiffened, quickly returning to their training regimes. Despite reprimanding the pair, Akashi was guilty of the same crime. He found a part of his mind wondering what the finally-conscious male was doing.
Oh, well.
He'd find out soon enough.
(And upon arriving at the familiar hospital room, Akashi stifled a laugh at the sight of a comfortable, sleeping Kuroko with an atrocious bedhead that resembled a cluster of natural, spiky crystals.)
"..."
Akashi opened the door quietly, a thick novel in hand, only to discover Kuroko sitting on the bed as usual, staring out the window with his back facing the entrance. He closed the door and silenced his steps as he approached the hospitalised male. Without looking, he knew that Kuroko's eyes were misty, gazing into the sky and reliving a past he'd never be able to change. Akashi's expression softened and he lifted the novel, lightly tapping Kuroko on the head with it. The latter instantly tensed, barely refraining from jumping up in surprise. He twisted his body around, eyes bright with anticipation. Akashi felt the corners of his lips tug up subtly, but he ignored it.
"Tetsuya," he greeted, "good afternoon."
"Hello. How was your match?"
"A breeze." Akashi responded easily. Kuroko shook his head lightly, brows slightly furrowed.
"Akashi-kun..."
"We didn't hold back, this time."
"Good. The finals were today, after all."
Akashi wondered for the nth time why the boy was so adamant on refusing to hold back. Perhaps it was because he had an unpleasant experience with such before?
'However, he's never participated in an official match.'
"Victory..." Kuroko mumbled. Akashi's eyes hardened.
"Victory is everything. And of course, we claimed first place in the Inter-High as usual."
"..."
Kuroko stayed silent, lips stretched into a thin line. Feeling the atmosphere turn slightly sour, he reached for the book in Akashi's hands. He looked at the spine, and his eyes instantly lit up at the familiar author.
"How'd you know?"
"You underestimate me, Tetsuya." Akashi's smile was brimming with confidence. Kuroko's lips upturned at the sight.
"Sorry, Captain Akashi."
They exchanged banter until the visiting times were over, much to their dismay. Silently, Akashi wondered if he'd gotten too attached to the younger male. The goal of satisfying his curiousity about that strange sensation, which he had now accepted as a strong physical attraction - which he still doubted involved love - had started to blur.
(Subconsciously, he realised that he'd started to develop an attraction to the tealhead as a whole. He would have to address that.)
At the time, Akashi hadn't noticed that by "addressing" his emotions, it would end up leading into an uncanny, unfamiliar sense of unease and - dare he say - fear, of rejection.
Three months had passed much too quickly. It was nearing the time for Kuroko's release from hospital - albeit, in a wheelchair - and Akashi wasn't sure what to feel. Was he supposed to make a move, now? He was absolute, and he knew all- but, what the hell? How was he supposed to know how to court the younger male?
He nodded to himself, deciding to wing it.
He was the infallible emperor, after all - he would succeed.
(Repeating this in his mind, he nonchalantly attempted to ignore the sinking feeling in his gut. His Tetsuya always blushed around him, didn't he? That was enough proof of attraction to Akashi.
...Yet, somehow, it didn't calm his nerves one bit.
No, no, no - what? He wasn't nervous. He wasn't like some pathetic schoolgirl.)
Steeling himself, Akashi began walking through the hospital corridor. He reached Kuroko's room within thirty seconds. He inhaled deeply before exhaling, straightening up.
'Is a request of commitment always this agitating?' His brows furrowed. Forcing his expression into a neutral state, he walked in.
"Good morning, Tetsuya."
"Akashi-kun. Hello."
Did his heart just beat a little faster?
"It seems you'll be dismissed by the end of this week. Albeit, in a wheelchair."
"So it seems. I look forward to troubling you."
'Oh, you have no idea.'
Perhaps it was due to the light, teasing, mirthful tone that Kuroko had adopted, but he sounded terribly seductive.
...And he looked downright delicious. Kuroko probably hadn't realised, but although his bedhead had been seemingly brushed down, he hadn't been able to flatten it properly. Surprisingly, it had worked in his favour - a few tousled locks sticking up, a few framing his face messily; and to add to that, his white hospital top with the first three buttons undone, revealing a pale expanse of chest...
Was Kuroko purposely trying to seduce him?
To top it all off, his morning voice was huskier, and undoubtedly, sexier than usual. With this overload of appeal, how could Akashi hold back? A devilish smirk spread across his lips as he dipped the bed down, arms on both sides of Kuroko, trapping him effectively against the headboard. Kuroko visibly tensed, simultaneously trying his best to look relaxed as the redhead towered over him.
"Oh, but Tetsuya would never come off as a trouble to me."
Did Akashi just purr those words to him?
Kuroko swallowed thickly.
'His looks should be illegal...'
The older male's eyes were half-lidded, narrowed in a dangerously seductive manner. If he didn't stop here, then-
"A-Akashi-kun, too clo-"
With that, Akashi leaned forward, capturing Kuroko's lips in his. Kuroko let out a small gasp, providing the perfect opportunity for Akashi to slip his tongue in. Not wanting to lose, Kuroko fought back. His cheeks flushed as their tongues intertwined, and after a minute of heated passion, the tealhead pushed his captain away, a thin strand of saliva connecting their tongues. Kuroko was positively red, eyes wide, breathing laboured, concealing his mouth with the back of his left hand. His locks were even more disheveled than before; sometime during the makeout session, Akashi had reached up, tangling his hand in the silky field of sky blue, allowing him deeper access in the boy's mouth.
"A-Akashi-k-kun, I couldn't breathe-"
"Then don't," Akashi's whisper ghosted over his ear. He felt the younger teen flinch lightly. He barely registered the slight stab of pain before he continued, "Tetsuya, don't be afraid of me."
Kuroko's eyes widened imperceptibly. Was his captain honestly afraid of rejection? Seriously?
'How stupid.'
Kuroko caressed Akashi's cheek gently, pulling him in for another kiss after wrapping his arms around the back of his neck.
"I'd never."
Kuroko felt Akashi's smile against his lips as his arms snaked around his thin waist, and he very nearly melted into the redhead's embrace.
God dammit, he knew he had no reason to be nervous.
(What? He hadn't been feeling distressed at all. Of course not.)
...Well, maybe he had... Who was he kidding, he had been pacing in his own mansion.
-Hey, wait, did he even end up asking Kuroko for his consent in courting him?
'...Oh well.'
SPIN-OFF OMAKE #1 - "THE RAKUZAN CAPTAIN" FINISHED