This story's chapters are really short. Haha...

Chapter 4

Akashi soon found himself by the tealhead's doorstep on a regular basis. There had been a knowing look on Mayuzumi's face, as if whatever is currently going on had already been analyzed and looked forward to by him.

Akashi had already known that Mayuzumi had been aware of his intentions. Still, he started contemplating, was he that easy to read? Or is there simply something with Mayuzumi that his way of thinking on things simply is beyond ordinary?

"So this is the reason why you cancelled practice" Mayuzumi made his greeting as he opened the door, letting the other in.

"If I say no, you wouldn't believe me. It's a yes anyway" Akashi made no further comment with those words and the other wasn't really bothered with the lack of it. A thing came to mind however.

"By the way, just a head's up, Shuzo will soon know of your little romantic feelings with Tetsuya. Expect a call from him soon"

"I understand" Akashi gave a nod before heading his way towards the balcony where he had noticed Kuroko was when he had arrived earlier. Mayuzumi just let him be like usual. He's quite enjoying the progress of the blooming story after all. So he'll simply stand by the sideline for now, watching as each chapter progresses and act his part of the seemingly unaccredited side character. However, if the situation calls for it, he'll jump into the fray without second thoughts.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

"How is he?" Mayuzumi had a knowing glint on his eyes as he spoke to his stepbrother on the other line. A plan formulated in his mind. Sure, by fandom terms he 'ships' his brother and his captain but that simply doesn't mean that he would deprive himself with having a little fun on the way.

"Getting better, look Shuzo, there's something I need to talk to you about" Mayuzumi nonchalantly played with the phone cord but a different kind of tone was present on his voice. The kind of tone that practically screams he knew something that the other does not."It concerns Tetsuya and I think you need to hear it."

"I'm listening."

"So remember how your former teammate from Teiko ended up being my captain in Rakuzan?"

"Akashi Seijuro, yes I remember that brat. How does he concern Tetsuya?"

"You see, I think Akashi has got the dibs on precious little brother" The monotonous tone Mayuzumi had on his voice didn't help to appease Nijimura's reaction.

The next thing Mayuzumi heard from the other line was the sound of something crashing and a loud thud. Maybe he should have said things in a calmer, slower manner to minimize the incoming shock? Nah. He's quite enjoying it so why cut the fun?

"Shuzo are you still there?"

The line went dead.

Oh well. He'll get over it. Maybe.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

"Good morning, Tetsuya"

"Good morning, Akashi-kun" Akashi sat beside the other. "Why not just call me Seijuro?"

"I can't. That would be disrespectful to you" Akashi tsked.

"I call you by your name. Does that sound like I'm disrespecting you?"

"No! I like how Akashi-kun calls me by my name" Akashi smirked at that. "Then it's the same for me. I want you to call me by my name, Tetsuya"

"But..."

"Just give it a try first"

"Fine, you win. Ah, Seiju... Seijuro-kun" Kuroko unknowingly licked his lips causing the other to groan at his actions. Akashi, managing to compose himself asked "So how does it feel calling me by my first name?"

Kuroko smiled deciding to tease the other by adding a bit of 'sexy undertone' to his voice "It felt really natural, Seijuro-kun~"

His action however did not sit well with the other. Akashi growled, standing. That's it, he's had enough. Not able to further control himself, Akashi had one hand placed on Kuroko's chin, tilting his face a little. "You have no idea how much you're torturing me right now, Tetsuya"

"Akashi-kun what are you-" Kuroko's words were cut off when he suddenly felt something warm pressing on his lips. Preventing the words that were supposed to come out of his mouth and sending jolts of emotions on his entire being.

Then everything clicked. Akashi is kissing him.

Having realized so, Kuroko who had been in shock had widened his eyes and by instinct had pushed the other away making Akashi go back to his own senses. The redhead's eyes widened as he stepped back, guilt dancing on his heterochromatic orbs. What had he done?

"…I'm sorry, Tetsuya. I shouldn't have done it" Kuroko ignored the other, still not quite sure on how he should react.

"I want to be alone for now. Can you please, leave?"

Akashi nodded without a word, picking his coat from where he left it and walked out of the room. After his little stunt, it wouldn't do good if he would try pulling himself towards the bluenette or he might risk himself being pushed away.

Gently closing the door, Akashi leaned against the wall, sighing heavily and in full hopes that his reckless act won't have Tetsuya taking him out of his life. Because he knew it himself that he won't be able to live with that.

Kuroko meanwhile still remained sitting by the edge of his bed, fingers touching the pair of lips that had been kissed mere minutes ago.

True, what Akashi did had been shocking but now that the initial surprise was gone, it actually felt really good.

Before he knew it, Kuroko was smiling.

...iOiOiOiOiOi...

Three weeks had passed and Akashi Seijuro avoided going to Kuroko's house. Mayuzumi watched by the sidelines with a frown on his face. Had he been wrong? Was that spark he saw between his brother and his captain just imaginary? But he was so sure; he knew something is up the moment he walked into the piano room that day.

He had seen it. It was there.

Then realization hit. Things wouldn't turn this way unless something had happened, right? If that is so, he'll just have to get to the bottom of things and do his 'job' in helping to fix things up. No one is going to destroy his ship, dammit! Most especially if it's the main characters.

Besides, it's his brother that is playing one of the main roles.

Mayuzumi thought deeply however. Yes, maybe he's associating Tetsuya's love life with a few romantic novels he had read and even manipulating things a bit his own way to get things a bit more on his preferred side of things but if Akashi ends up breaking him in any other way, he'll be the first to break any sort of connection between the two.

Ship or not.

It had suddenly came as a realization to me that the brotherly encounters between Nijimura and Kuroko for this fanfic is actually lacking. I'll edit this at one point and try adding more brotherly NijiKuro but for now I'll leave this as it is.