A/N
Okay, so this has been just sitting idly on my computer for over a month now, so now that i had a bit of time, I decided to proof read it and finally post it. Sorry for the wait!
This is the extra chapter I promised, featuring
Scars: a take on Akashi's thoughts when he saw Kuroko's scars taking place after they made their little agreement to spend more time with each other.
Priorities takes place before Kuroko came across Haizaki. Akashi confronts his father about Kuroko... kind of.
Lessons is the take on Aomine's and Kise's relationship, taking place after Kise jumped off the roof. No oe requested this, but I wrote it anyway, sue me.
Epilogue is... well, the epilogue. I think the title is kind of self-evident.
More notes at the bottom! Enjoy~
Scars
Kuroko… was not particularly good at shogi.
He knew the rules and basic strategies, but somehow he simply didn't seem to be able to gaze quite as much ahead as the game demanded. Well, admittedly, when put against someone like Akashi, who had played since he was old enough to understand the rules, the comparison wasn't exactly fair. To be more exact: Kuroko was moderately good at shogi. With a bit – or a lot – of practice he would have gotten good enough to participate in contest no doubt.
Unfortunately Kuroko held no such ambitions.
Akashi still appreciated the fact that Kuroko wanted to take part in activities Akashi found interesting.
It was Kuroko's turn to make his move and Akashi found himself carefully watching as his soul mate leaned forward, his t-shirt – well technically it was Akashi's t-shirt which Kuroko had deemed as his – hanging loosely over his slender form. It was one of the t-shirts Akashi had made slits on when his wings had just broken out from under his skin and he watched with a smile the way Kuroko absently flapped his wings. It was a slow motion, barely creating any air currents at all, but still Akashi could spot a few down feathers fluttering down every now and then.
They would have to do a small clean up once they had finished with the match.
Kuroko made his move after some consideration and Akashi immediately countered it with a move he had calculated three turns ago. He barely hid a smile when Kuroko frowned at him. Adorable.
Akashi mentally scolded himself for that.
Kuroko moved one of his pieces again, this time a confident smirk on his lips, which he probably thought Akashi wouldn't notice. Kuroko leaned back as if to stretch his back and flinched. Then he frowned and proceeded to roll his shoulders in an attempt to cover his reaction. Akashi knew Kuroko didn't really feel pain while stretching or flapping his wings, but rather, the stretching of the scars was enough to remind him of the pain and sometimes he reacted as if he was expecting it to hurt, before remembering it wouldn't. Akashi did his best to keep his face blank. It would be better for both of them if Kuroko thought Akashi hadn't seen it.
Akashi still remembered the feeling of running his fingers over Kuroko's scarred back as if it had been just moments before. Midorima had told him some of what had happened of course, but most of it Akashi had gathered from the way Aomine, Kise and even Murasakibara had just looked at him. They hadn't been all that angry at him, they didn't really even blame him for it, but there had been that look as if they had been… As if they had felt sorry for him.
Akashi could still admit that he couldn't fully understand how they had felt, what had made them look at him that way, but when he had felt the scars for himself… He understood it a bit more.
Akashi countered Kuroko's move without hesitation, though his mind was already wandering backwards in time.
He could so clearly remember the day he had found some books from the library on his desk that he had apparently forgotten to return. They hadn't been late, but neither had he had any use for them anymore. The forecast had promised rain, so despite it looking fairly clear outside, Akashi had taken him umbrella with him. The trip had been rather uneventful, until it had started pouring just before he had reached the library. He had been glad he had taken umbrella big enough to cover his wings.
Not that it had been all that much use, since his wings had still ended up drenched when he had spotted the male with light blue hair about to dash into the rain.
And, well, as Kuroko was his soul mate, he couldn't just let the other get himself sick when he could help it. It had been a logical decision to bring the male to his apartment. Besides, it offered Akashi a golden chance to see if his preening skills were any good on someone other's wings than his own. He had to make sure his preening skills, along with any other activities he took to, were top notch.
Kuroko's feathers had been soft, the few small primaries seeming like they were silk. Akashi could have spent hours just running his fingers through the feathers. Then he had been sitting behind Kuroko, his fingers running over the small feathers on his back and he remembered wondering how they were still so small, when he had remembered.
Midorima had described the injury to him. Midorima had told him Kuroko had ripped of all his feathers, but Akashi, despite trying to be considerate of the injury, hadn't really acknowledged it until then. It had made his fingers stiffen and his mind go numb, realizing his soul mate had done it to himself willingly. Stiffly, he had retreated his hands and started preening the wing feathers, though his mind never stopped wandering over the injury.
And the curiosity had been driving him insane.
Before he knew it, he had found himself feeling the skin himself, his fingers running over the uneven skin. They had softened already, no hard scar lines left, but Akashi had felt them anyway. And each, however small, bump on the skin had caused a painful twitch in his chest which he had done his best to dull. He didn't feel guilty over the scars, no. Kuroko shouldn't have been there. Those words had not been meant for him, but then again, maybe that was just Akashi's arrogance speaking for itself. Sometimes he had difficulties identifying his motives.
As it was, he had never stopped to consider just how much those wings had meant for Kuroko. Akashi had always seen wings as had Kuroko, but unlike the smaller male, Akashi had always known that one day he would find the one he would most likely spend the rest of his life with. It had never been under any doubt. So when Kuroko appeared, it had been just a fact come true. Akashi had found his soul mate, the end. He knew who it was, he had seen him and he had deemed he had no need for him. He existed even if Akashi was not there to see it. The raven black wings on his back had been proof of it.
Akashi had simply never thought that for Kuroko, they meant so much more. For Kuroko, the wings were the bond he had with his soul mate, Akashi. For Kuroko the wings were his dream come true, because people like him didn't always get what he had suddenly found in his hands. For Kuroko, the wings were a proof that there was someone who would love him just as much as he loved them. That there was someone he didn't always need words to explain how he felt.
And when Akashi had rejected him, the wings he had adored had suddenly become a burden. Instead of offering him love and safety they were supposed to symbolize, the wings had become a representation of Kuroko's deepest fears: that no one would ever love him with all their heart. The representation of Kuroko's dream had become an evil mockery and Akashi…
Akashi hated himself for being so shortsighted.
He hated that his words had been the reason these scars were covering the back of his soul mate. That his words had hurt the only person in the world who would love him unconditionally. The only person who would love him as he was not as the person he could be made to be. The thought had scared him and made the feeling of the scars on Kuroko's back almost unbearable. He had felt sick, he had wanted to run away, but he had stopped himself.
Because even as painful as those scars had been, it proved how much Kuroko was ready to sacrifice for their bond, how much he would sacrifice for someone like Seijurou.
And as much as Akashi hated the way it hurt Kuroko, he couldn't honestly say he hated the scars.
Akashi almost jumped at the sound of someone coughing, but relaxed when he realized it was just Kuroko's attempt of catching his attention again. Akashi glanced at the shogi board in front of him. His eyebrow twitched slightly, though his lips twisted into an amused smile.
"You can't use misdirection in a shogi match, Tetsuya."
"…I can try, Akashi-kun."
-O-
Priorities
"I know it's selfish of me to say this, but I think Akashi-kun should figure out where his priorities lay."
Akashi frowned to himself while straightening his sweater. It had been a week and Akashi simply couldn't get those words from his head. Akashi remembered the way Tetsuya had avoided looking at him and when he finally did, he had that steely edge in his eyes that Akashi had learnt meant this was something Kuroko would be very stubborn about. Then his soul mate had closed the door and Akashi had been left behind to an empty room, accompanied only by his thoughts.
He knew where his priorities lay, Akashi would have liked to say back, but he had long since found himself unable to lie to his soul mate. Because did he really? He had been raised to be the CEO of their family company. He had been taught that the company and their reputation went above everything else. Soul mates and things like that were only to add to their existing possessions, to make sure the wealth continued. That's what Akashi's father had told him and Akashi respected his father.
For so long, his father had been the only thing he had that reminded him of family. His mother had passed away when Akashi was six and from what he had heard, his father had almost followed her by his own hand, but had slowly gathered himself again and from then on, the company and their reputation had been the only thing that mattered to him. Aside from Seijuro of course, their servants would rush to add.
When he was smaller, it had made him relieved, but nowadays, he wondered. Akashi couldn't imagine living without Tetsuya, now that he had met him. Akashi couldn't imagine waking up one day, stretching his wings and then remember Tetsuya was gone. But just thinking about it made it all the more understandable why Tetsuya had attempted to rip off his wings when Akashi had refused to meet him.
Akashi's father still had his wings. They were almost as big as Murasakibara's and gold and red in color. Akashi remembered his mother's had been the exact same color. And he wondered if his father had tried to rip off his wings. All Akashi remembered from the time after his mother's death was isolation. He hadn't been allowed to see his father for months and when his father had then invited him to breakfast and asked him about his studies, Akashi had been happy.
From then on, Akashi did everything he could to be perfect. He excelled in shogi and basketball as well as any other sports or hobbies he took part in. His grades were almost of top class and when he was given some problems to solve for their family company, he solved them with precision many CEOs could only hope for.
Akashi did his all to be the best and even if he was being modest, for which he had no need of, he could say that he had succeeded in that. Then one day he had woke up to a stiff back and realized he had yet another thing to excel at. He had done his training and stretching and waited for his wings to grow, patiently. He had no expectations for his to-be soul mate as he had no way of knowing. It was just another task he would have to accomplish. Another expectation he would have to fulfill to reach his goal.
When he had sat down to eat his lunch with his friends, his eyes had immediately landed on the short boy with pastel blue hair. He had felt a tingling feeling in his back and his heart had made an odd skip.
He had found it curious how hard it was for him to read the shorter male and he wouldn't deny he had been intrigued, but by the end of the day, he had already mapped out his future. He had run through all the options, much like he did when playing shogi, and picked the most efficient outcome. As a CEO, he would become much like a celebrity, as their company was well known and had influence over many areas and subjects. As a norm, it was almost certain having a soul mate of the same gender would be frowned upon. It was not an image their company needed. So Akashi disregarded his soul mate as a useless piece for his plans. Marrying someone who was not your soul mate was not unheard of, but the public seemed to find it more appropriate to stay single than to marry someone who didn't have the set of matching wings.
Adopting someone to be his heir was an option too, but as of now, Akashi decided it was best to wait. He was not a CEO yet, he could ask his father about arranged marriages or if he preferred something else.
He had not expected to fall so undeniably in love with Tetsuya.
Over the months, Akashi had found himself consciously forgetting the fact that he had made the decision to cut off their relationship should it end up influencing his to-be company's reputation. But the summer was approaching and while Akashi's father didn't expect Akashi to visit on any other holidays, summer was different. It was a mutual agreement that summer's would be used to familiarize Akashi with the duties he would take up once he finished his studies.
Akashi made himself ignore the dread growing inside him as the summer approached.
But it was only when Tetsuya closed the door behind him after he said those words that stayed with Akashi for long after, that Akashi realized it.
He would not be able to live without ever seeing Tetsuya again.
It was a fact. A variable in his calculations he had not expected. Something he would have to adjust to.
The following week, Akashi avoided seeing Tetsuya, but he found his eyes trailing after couples, laughing and just spending time with each other. One day he found his eyes following Aomine and Kise as they were fooling around in the campus area, apparently arguing over something, until Kise silenced Aomine with a sudden kiss to his cheek. Aomine had seemed baffled, while Kise had laughed it off. Akashi had found it curious one kiss on the cheek had affected the other so much as Akashi had many times seen the love bites covering each other's necks, hinting that there had been something more serious than kisses happening behind closed doors.
But the next thought that had hit him, was that aside from Akashi, no one else seemed to be paying any attention to the duo. There were more couples walking around, wings almost brushing. Sure, some were of the opposite genders but others… A lot of them weren't. And no one looked twice.
Was it because they were at the campus and thus everyone pretty much knew each other? But even if they went to public, how many would actually try to hide it? And how many of those who had learnt to live in this kind of atmosphere would frown, in the future, when they saw two children grow out matching pairs of wings despite their genders?
Akashi had huffed a laughter, scaring Midorima, who had been sitting beside him, enough so the other dropped his toy shovel, his lucky item of the day.
"Of course", Akashi had muttered to himself, his eyes closing briefly. Their country was one that that valued traditions, but learning business had taught Akashi that for success, one had to be able to adapt. And with enough "minorities" sharing the same mindset, the "minorities" would soon become "majority".
It was, Akashi realized, a rather idealistic way of thinking. One that Akashi wouldn't have been capable of just few months prior. Having a soul mate… really was something different.
And so Akashi found himself walking down the luxurious entrance of their family manor, his head held high and his wings slightly spread out. His father was there to greet him of course and Akashi noticed with satisfaction that his eyes lingered on the raven black wings Akashi carried with pride.
They had exchanged pleasantries as expected, until they proceeded to the dining hall.
The table, as always, was far too big for just the two of them, but Akashi paid it no mind as he waited for his father to say what he had in his mind, already having an answer n the tip of his tongue.
"I see you've grown your wings, I expect you've already perfected the art of flying?" It really wasn't a question, but Akashi nodded slightly anyway.
"Of course, father." His father nodded.
"So? Will I be meeting your soul mate soon?" Akashi restrained from smirking.
"Perhaps", he stated instead, his expression not changing, despite his father raising a curious, and maybe slightly disapproving, eyebrow at him. Only months ago it would have made Akashi bow his head, however slightly, but now he continued to take a sip from the glass of water.
"It depends if we can reach a mutual understanding on some matters regarding the future of Akashi-corporation", Akashi told him. It gained him another curious look from his father, but neither of them brought up the subject again that evening. It wouldn't be proper to talk about business so soon after Akashi just arrived after all.
Almost a week later Akashi had all the paper work he needed for his small "presentation" finished. He made his way to his father's office and barely stopped to knock as his father was already expecting him. He laid the papers on his father's desk as soon as the Akashi senior had cleaned some space for them.
"And these are…?" his father asked even as he flipped through the papers, a frown forming on his face.
"Some modifications and estimated calculations I made of the company's income and expenses as well at the end profit, which out company products and services would product once the modifications would be applied", Akashi stated confidently. His father's frown deepened as he scanned through the papers.
"Most of these 'modifications', do not include, or even disregard, the elder generation. I cannot see how your calculations on this part can be correct, if I understand these right", his father's voice was stern and disapproving, but Akashi had been expecting it. His father, of course, would be included in those "elder" Akashi was seemingly disregarding. In one childish impulse, he decided to go for the quickest explanation, though he knew it would only rile up his father.
"Most of these modifications would take at least decade to execute, in which time I'm fairly sure I have already taken over the company, in which scenario the example my soul mate and I would be showing would no doubt gather enough support from the supposed 'younger generation', to counter the possible, however unlikely, loss of profit we would make of the elder generation", Akashi filled in and as he expected his father immediately lifted his eyes from the papers, his eyes hardened.
"'Your soul mate'. So that is what brought this on. It's a foolish suggestion from love struck teenager. My answer is no", and he dropped the papers on the trash can beside his desk. Akashi would have liked to sigh, even if this had been expected.
"As you can conclude from the papers you just discarded, this is not simply a suggestion made of on impulse. A major factor in company's success is not only influence, but its ability to adapt. In many western countries, relationships between-", Akashi's father rarely got angry and it was even more rare to see him cut anyone off. Even his son.
"But this is not one of those western countries. We, unlike many others, understand the wisdom of keeping up the traditions…" Akashi didn't exactly cut off his father, but he was determined not to be brushed off.
"But even we found the 'wisdom' of adapting after the example of what happened during the-", Akashi reined in his anger at being cut off twice during one conversation, even if it was his father he was talking with.
"We're not conversing about history, Seijuro", his father's reprimanding tone stung, but Akashi gathered his pride, stopping his wings from spreading under the scrutiny of his father's eyes.
"No, we are not", Akashi agreed, "but it is a good example on what will happen if you refuse to adapt. It's one of the basic lessons when taking care of successful business. Innovation and ability to adapt." Both of them recognized the words as something Akashi echoed from years before, of what his father had taught him. A silence spread between them and for once, Akashi took the initiative.
"I am your only heir and you no longer have wife to give birth to another. Even if you disown me, the fact that my soul mate is, in fact, a male, would come to the public's knowledge. Only then you would lose the support of those I'm attempting to influence and you would no longer have an Akashi to succeed you. I will make sure of the survival of this company and the only thing you can do is to slow down the changes I'm trying to initiate", Akashi finished with a seemingly respectful bow, his golden eye flashing, before dismissing himself.
He had never before stood up to his father as he had now, but what he had said was true. He knew, in time, his father would come to follow his wishes, one way or another. No doubt it would take a lot more convincing, but they would get there. After all, Akashi Seijuro was always right.
He briefly wondered if Tetsuya would have disapproved of the way Akashi talked back to his father. Akashi would refuse to be ashamed or guilty though. Not when this was the only way he could spend his life with Tetsuya.
He reached his room and changed his clothing, grabbing a clean red t-shirt to go with his hoodie. When he looked at the mirror, he noted with a small smile the way his eyes matched the color of the shirt.
The sound of his phone ringing shook him from his thoughts and he reached over to pick it up.
Murasakibara was calling him, curiously enough. Maybe he had another one of those strange cravings of exceptionally expensive sweets.
With a sigh, he answered the call.
-O-
Lessons
"Sometimes I can't tell if you're really as dumb as you like to make people believe you are, or if you're just very impulsive person. Though in your case they might be synonyms", Aomine finished with a groan as he loosened his grip from his idiotic soul mate's shirt. Of all the people in the planet, this guy had to be my soul mate, Aomine thought to himself and unconsciously, he rubbed a hand over his forehead.
His heart was still beating fast from the one panicked moment he had seen the blonde fall and what if he had missed or been even a step farther away or-
"…Are you mad?" Aomine blinked and lowered his hand as he looked at his soul mate. Kise had a small frown on his face and had Aomine been anyone else – aside from Tetsu or Akashi of course – he would have deemed the look cute. With a huff, he hit Kise's shoulder.
"Ouch! What was that for? You already hit me on the jaw!" Kise whined loudly gathering a few curious glances. As soon as they saw the blonde, they went back to their business, already used to the model's antics. They finally reached the dorms where Aomine lived.
"You deserved it", Aomine told him and dug into his pocket for the key. His hand was shaking slightly and he snarled silently.
"…Aomine?" Aomine ignored the blonde, practically ripping the door open, before forcefully pulling the blonde inside, slamming the door shut. The next second, Kise was pressed against the wall while Aomine hovered close to him. Close enough that Kise could feel his hot breath against his skin and the warmth seeping from the other's body.
"Don't ever do something like that again", Aomine hissed at him and Kise felt himself stiffening, his body unconsciously responding to the challenge. He breathed in between his teeth, forcing himself to relax. Aomine had the right to be mad, he had been unnecessarily reckless just because of his impatience to be able to fly with his soul mate… Immediately all the anger left him and with a small smile, he pecked a quick kiss on Aomine's lips.
Aomine froze, blinking slowly as he stared at the golden eyes shining with mirth.
"No need to be so worried, Aominecchi, I won't do it again until my primaries grow in", Kise told him cheerily and immediately Aomine's frown was back, though the tension had left. Aomine huffed and leaned away, giving Kise more room to breathe. The blonde tried to snuff out the disappointment the action caused. He guessed this was not the right time to start a make out session with his hot soul mate.
"Well, that was a touching moment. I almost want to ask what happened to make Aomine go all mushy", a new voice piped in and Kise almost jumped when he noticed the black haired male with glasses and fox like features sitting on one of the beds in the room.
"Shut up", Aomine grunted at his roommate even as he pulled off his hoodie, leaving only a black t-shirt that could have been a bit looser, but Kise was glad it wasn't. The other chuckled and picked up some books from his nightstand before making his way to the door.
"Relax, I'm going to get a few things from Hanamiya, I hope you'll be done with your business before I come back", the male, Imayoshi, Kise's mind finally supplied, was about to close the door, but stopped.
"And if I see one wrinkle out of place on my bed, I swear-"
"Yeah, yeah", Aomine slammed the door shut before the other could finish, a bored look on his face. Kise held in his laughter.
"He noticed that from the last time?" Kise asked and Aomine narrowed his eyes at him.
"That was your fault", he accused. Kise held a hand above his chest dramatically and made a face.
"Aominecchi is so mean!" He exclaimed. "I only gave a bit of incentive", he admitted meekly, though the grin somewhat ruined the effect. Aomine grunted and settled to lay on his bed, closing his eyes. Kise narrowed his eyes at being ignored and sneaked closer to the bed.
"Aominech- Oof!" Kise closed his eyes at the impact, however soft, as Aomine swiftly pulled him on the bed, rolling them around so he was straddling the rather baffled blonde. He didn't give Kise much time to gather his thoughts, before his lips were over Kise's, rough and demanding. Kise's eyes fluttered shut as he responded to the kiss, forgetting the way his wing was awkwardly splayed half beneath him.
They separated to breathe and Kise took the moment to stretch his wings, reminding himself to not lay too long on his back, when Aomine slumped over him. Kise almost jumped out of the bed in surprise. Aomine snuggled his face to Kise's neck and it took a brief second for Kise to realize the other was taking in his scent.
…that was… rare.
Usually Kise was the one to initiate snuggling and his soul mate complied to his wishes, though Kise knew Aomine enjoyed those moments too. Kise felt a bang of guilt as he realized how worried he had made Aomine. With a silent sigh, he brought his hands around Aomine's back.
"I'm sorry Dai", he muttered, his breath hitting Aomine's ear, making him shudder slightly.
"Don't do it again", Aomine muttered against his neck.
"I won't", Kise promised.
Despite Imayoshi's wishes, they were still in the same position when he wandered back in half an hour later. He had been immediately met with a murderous glare from Kise and the intelligent person he was, he had taken in the warning and not said a word for the rest of the evening as Aomine slept, using Kise as a pillow.
The pain in his wings and upper back due to lying on his back for so long lasted for two days, but if you asked Kise, he would have told you it was definitely worth it.
-O-
Epilogue
Kuroko, Akashi had learnt, was not an early riser. Still, he managed to amuse Akashi to no end with his morning antics.
Akashi, as usual, was the first one to wake up. Kuroko woke as well, as Akashi got off the bed, but instead of getting up the shorter male moaned and buried himself under the covers again.
"Five more minutes", his soul mate muttered and Akashi huffed a soft laughter. He pulled on a loose shirt and trousers and made his way to the kitchen to make some breakfast. He kept close track of time and when five minutes had passed he gave into their morning routines and stilled his cooking for a bit.
"It's been five minutes", he called out to their bedroom and grinned when Kuroko groaned in response.
"Give me fifteen more minutes", the soft muttering would have been left unheard if Akashi hadn't been expecting it. The red head turned back to his cooking.
Fifteen minutes later he had a proper breakfast ready and the table set. He made his way back to the bedroom.
"It's been fifteen minutes, love", Akashi stated from the doorway. Kuroko barely moved.
"Half an hour…" the shorter male muttered, his wings splayed on his sides, completely relaxed. Having expected the response, Akashi sneaked closer to the bed and carefully crawled under Kuroko's white wing, his folded wings brushed against the other, resulting into a shuttering breath from Kuroko, as he had been unprepared for the contact.
"It's half past nine", Akashi muttered, his lips close to Kuroko's ear, "Tetsuya." Kuroko shivered as Akashi breathed out his name, the warm breath tickling against his ear. Kuroko buried his face further into the pillow, muttering something Akashi couldn't make out. He smiled.
"It's time to get up, love", Akashi murmured against Kuroko's neck. Slowly, he pulled away the cover Kuroko had wrapped around himself. Kuroko shivered and when he realized what Akashi was doing, he slowly pushed himself to his knees, tugging the cover back around his shoulders. Seeing as he was making progress, Akashi let him. Kuroko yawned and rubbed his eyes in a way Akashi could only describe as adorable.
Kuroko was glaring at him, but his groggy expression and extreme bed hair ruined the effect somewhat.
"Tired?" Akashi asked, a playful smile tugging at his lips. Kuroko's glare intensified.
"It's Sei's fault", he muttered and with another yawn, he pushed himself off the bed, dropping the cover on the floor. He picked up some comfortable clothing from the closet, much like Akashi had done, before stumbling off to the bathroom. Akashi, not bothering to deny the accusation, returned to the kitchen. Kuroko joined him a few minutes later and they ate mostly in comfortable silence.
"When will the car come to pick us up?" Kuroko asked as he picked up their empty plates.
"In about two hours. We have time", Akashi responded. Kuroko hummed in agreement as he filled the sink with hot water. Akashi had tried to convince him that even if they did get an apartment in the city and did not hire a maid, they could still get a dishwasher. Kuroko had agreed, but he still preferred to do dishes by hand when they didn't have guests. He was just putting away the dried plates, when Akashi wrapped his arms around him from behind.
Instinctively, Kuroko spread his wings out halfway and relaxed when they brushed against Akashi's. Even now, the feeling of warmth and love never failed to leave him breathless. Kuroko smiled as the redhead rested his chin on Kuroko's shoulder. They didn't move for a while, and Kuroko gripped Akashi's hand. Then he turned his head just enough to drop a quick kiss on Akashi's cheek, before pushing away from the embrace.
An hour and half later they were both putting on their suits, Kuroko moving around uncomfortably. He couldn't imagine having to dress like this almost daily like Akashi did. Though, Kuroko thought as he sneaked a look at the red head through the mirror, it would be a crime not to wear a suit when one looks as gorgeous in it as Seijuro does. Akashi seemed to notice his eyes on him and looked right back at him with a confident smirk. Kuroko hurriedly turned away. They finished dressing up quickly and then waited for the car to arrive to pick them up.
By the time Akashi escorted him to the car, Kuroko was a nervous wreck.
"After this, am I allowed to go get a milkshake from Maji's?" Kuroko asked softly, more in order to calm his nerves than anything. Akashi smiled. The last month or so had been pretty chaotic as Akashi had been officially made the CEO of Akashi-corporation. Akashi was willing to admit that he might have been slightly over protective by limiting Kuroko's ventures outside in fear of someone somehow recognizing him as the new CEOs soul mate and pester him for interview or worse. Even though Kuroko had mostly forgotten, Akashi still remembered the burning rage when he had come to see Kuroko on his knees, overwhelmed by what Haizaki had done.
He could have skinned Haizaki then and there, but the distressed state Kuroko had been in had been his priority. And Akashi was not willing to let anything like that happen ever again.
"Yes, after this we can go both go get midnight meal from Maji's" Akashi agreed. He took Kuroko's hand and brought it to his lips. Kuroko glared at him half-heartedly.
"I bet the cameraman won't even notice me", he muttered and Akashi chuckled. It could be true, not that Akashi could say he minded all that much. It had taken a lot of preparations, but with this interview and the cocktail party that followed, he could finally let go of all the stress that had been gathering on his shoulders. The chances of this backfiring were close to nothing, thanks to the swift modifications they had been dropping in on their products and services. Akashi's father still didn't approve, but he had come to agree that even if it wasn't a direction he had wanted the company to take, it was productive.
Finally, the car stopped and Akashi could see, even through the tinted windows, the cameramen and journalists waiting for them. He turned to his soul mate to find Kuroko staring back at him. He smiled fondly at the slightly nervous expression on his face. He leaned in to press a soft kiss on Kuroko's forehead.
"I love you", he muttered softly. He knew he didn't have to, Kuroko knew all the same. But he wanted to. His confession was rewarded with a soft smile and Akashi's heart skipped a beat as he looked at his soul mate. So beautiful.
"I love you too, Seijuro", Kuroko told him. Then their driver opened to the door and the air was filled with frantic shouting and intrusive questions. Ignoring the audience, Akashi offered his arm for Kuroko, who took it, embarrassed but thankful for the comfort.
Their wings spread out slightly, the duo moved towards the door and as they passed, people behind them fell silent, gazing at their wings. The tips so close together it seemed as if the black color slowly fading to pristine white or the other way around.
Almost as if the wings were connected to each other.
Fin.
A/N
I don't really have anything to add on Scars... I supposed to have Akashi be more distant and not as... compassionate? But realized that it wasn't possible in the setting I had created and I wanted to explore the more "human" side of Akashi.
Priorities was kind of hard to write since I kept wanting to make historical references as well as references to other cultures, but also wanted to keep the story light and distant from the "real world". Some concepts are somewhat superficial and shallow, but as I said, I wanted to keep it light. I'm not sure how well I did there and I'm sorry if I ended up offending someone, It was not my intention as I'm merely writing these for enjoyment.
Lessons was supposed to be a lot longer, but I figured since no one requested for it (despite me trying to advertise the idea *cough*) I should keep it short. As a result Kise comes up as kind of meek and Aomine lacks his usual... let's just say demeanor. Sorry about that.
As for theEpilogue, I have nothing to add. I had the same problems as with Priorities, and did no research whatsoever so it seems to be taking place in some western country rather than in Japan, but as this is a fantasy setting anyway, I hope I can be forgiven.
Anyhow, this is the end of Feathers, though I might use the concept for one shots for other fandoms, like DGM. Or I might re-use it on KNB again, just focusing on Aomine and Kise or something. Who knows.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed and thank you all for wonderful reviews and for favoriting/following!
Until next time~