Hi, here's chapter 1! And by the way, please don't take the religious talk too seriously, this is a work of fiction and it was just a way to start an awkward conversation... I know, it's just to make up for my lack of imagination when it comes to "royal socializing" - was listening to some (anime) music when I was like: Have to write this, I just can't stop urgh-

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Disclaimer: ...First chapter...

Enjoy the ride (full of AkaKuro of course)!

That was exactly what he had seen in those seemingly cold eyes – coloured rich red and gold – he could only pity who or where those eyes were looking at.

And they were looking straight at him – or in normal cases, straight through him.

Kuroko Tetsuya never really had much presence anyway – if his powers were not shown to others, he would merely resemble that of a neglected flower blooming among many – but in truth, this benefited the Teikou kingdom immensely, for this prevented their prized prince to go to other kingdoms – many had sought him out – however none even succeeded in managing to notice him in the background.

They treated him like a prized possession for his abilities – never as a person.

"Tetsuya," Mayuzumi nudged, and Kuroko had noticed that Akashi Seijuro was talking to him – and he hadn't been answering for a while now.

"...I apologize for my rudeness, I am Kuroko Tetsuya – second prince of the Teikou kingdom and humble worshipper to the powers of nature... it – it is a pleasure to meet you – Akashi Seijuro."

"Ah, yes... I never really was a believer of the gods of nature – after all I am not of it – I might never be – after all, if all worshippers of nature are liars, then why would I be of it?"

Akashi Seijuro had seen through him, just like that. Put aside warning glances from his stepbrother and the absence of his father – his behaviour from earlier was inexcusable – had he done that out of fear?

...What exactly did he fear?

"...I'm terribly sorry Akashi Seijuro-san, but I trust that was not a lie but a simple act of courtesy – in fact, aren't you the one who's lying – not being a believer of the gods of nature if your power is of nature itself?"

Suddenly, Akashi Seijuro grimaced – looking terribly amused – what was so funny he didn't know, perhaps he had made a fool out of himself once again, he looked at Mayuzumi who gave him an equally confused expression – also telling him to keep his mouth shut – for in many ways, laughter could be dangerous.

Very dangerous.

"What a laugh Tetsuya," Kuroko slightly winced at the sudden first name basis, as if he had just triggered a red flag, "My power is that which gives nature life itself, the nature could not live without the light –it is absolute, unwilling to fade away – the only thing that could truly devour it – is darkness."

Kuroko had once again seen something he had seen before – that the light in Akashi Seijuro's heart had partly – almost wholly - been devoured by darkness itself – no wonder he could speak of such sounding so sure.

"The light does not bow down to anything except darkness – and that is why it is considered hope when a single spark – how trivial and typical it may be – is found within the complete darkness in our lives."

"...I see – I truly am sorry for saying those things without knowing the truth – Akashi Seijuro-san."

How could he keep himself ever so firm and unwilling to give in to emotions... when there's so much sadness hidden within that playful smile of his?

Which is the true Akashi Seijuro?

I expected more from him – I thought he would put up a better fight than that.

Yet what is it I see in him... that sets him apart?

He was indeed a spectacle, in Akashi's eyes – a jewel in his own way. He reeked of innocence, as if you just wanted to touch his heart with your own – you wanted those innocent blue eyes which wandered off to somewhere far away to just look at you and only you.

It was the first time Akashi Seijuro had wanted someone so much – it was the first time he had taken interest in something – in this case someone again.

It had been a while since he had bothered to even look at the beauty of things – he had everything, he had a palace, a life to be reckoned with, servants to attend to his every need, wealth, looks, talent – victory – he always aimed high, but he had never aimed higher – and such was what he felt in Kuroko Tetsuya's case.

He's mine for the taking.

Kuroko doesn't know why – but judging Akashi's current expression – it was as if it had already been decided, and he doesn't have a good feeling about this, he felt something in him twist, his spirit reaching its downfall – yet that was a lie.

After all – his heart was pounding so fast.

"Well then – let us get to the point. Let me ask the two of you – Chihiro and Tetsuya," Akashi catches his attention alright, "Are you willing to be mine and only mine – or are you willing to abandon your whole future, your whole life and devote yourself to me by becoming my marriage partner– if everything goes well?"

If everything goes well.

"Chihiro?"

Kuroko strikes a worried glance at his stepbrother – but the look in Mayuzumi Chihiro's eyes made it evident that he wasn't backing down, it was as clear as water – that he had already made up his mind.

"I am willing – in every way possible."

Kuroko doesn't know how people could submit themselves just like that without a second thought – what made them feel so? Was it ambition? Desire for power?

Love?

He thinks – though Akashi Seijuro was indeed steps ahead of others in everything just like how they had heard, even if the value of his heart weighed hundreds – even if his riches meant the world, they had just met him today.

"And you, Tetsuya?"

"I... I bend to your will Akashi-san, whatever you wish to do with me is yours to decide."

"Oh?" Akashi stands up from the opposite couch and draws even closer, Kuroko had wanted the distance to be kept in all honesty – and he was feeling more uncomfortable than ever.

"So... if I make a move on you here you wouldn't mind... at all?" His lips purse into a smile, they are close – and true, Kuroko pities those who see those eyes up close, so knowing yet failing to understand the fear in the eyes of those it locked on.

Or maybe Akashi knew – only he didn't care, perhaps it was a sight he was used to.

"No one could stop us here – unless your brother is willing to defy my will?" Akashi turns to Mayuzumi who merely bows his head, not wanting to keep eye contact.

Kuroko internally screamed – only he didn't know who he was screaming to.

He feels fingers rest on his nape, fondling and wrapping it in warmth, he shivers – his face is facing Akashi's, and he feels a forceful pull draw him ever closer to Akashi – fabric from his robe's sleeve now partly torn – yet thankfully, let go of. He fell to the couch once again – panting and trying to collect his thoughts.

"I apologize for your robe being torn Tetsuya – but as you know, fabrics can be mended, scars cannot." Akashi feels triumph in the earlier happening – even more so by seeing the boy's helplessness in front of him, "And as for you Chihiro – if you truly are willing, then you wouldn't look away, you would be capable of controlling your emotions – you would be capable of watching me go with others – no matter how uncontrollable emotions may be."

Strangely, when Kuroko feels Akashi's hand touch his beneath all the fabric – he feels it soothe his spirit, but he is not deceived, he couldn't be. He had been unwilling from the start – but now?

He had nothing to say anymore – he didn't even know how he could describe the fear in him.

"I hereby proclaim Kuroko Tetsuya as my chosen partner."

Short? Yeah, I know... hehe xD As I said, these chapters won't be long... for now. Next up, the departure! How's Kuroko going to take it? What's his first impression of Akashi? Find out next chapter! Reviews are much appreciated (but I'm not forcing you of course ^_^)

-BerryBliss