3. Love is an Open Door

"Oi, Nijimura. It's a little too early to be drinking." Says Shugo, well, after taking a sip of what seems to be a wrapped wine bottle. The king of Teiko however took it back and hugged it protectively. True it wasn't like him to get drunk, but the situation drove him to it. Well, not that he minded though the wine bottle was sent anonymously for Tetsuya and for sure, the prince is not ready to get drunk. He was simply doing the teal head a favor. "Shuddap! I just feel like it today!"

Honestly, he didn't know what part of the situation made him want to get drunk. He just found out that Kuroko Tetsuya and Akashi Seijuro are part of that horrid prophecy which his secretive father protected and the real reasons of the teal head's actions in the first place. Should be crystal clear that the two should not cross anymore yet he tried acting superior and this… THIS got him! He stated that he feels that it should be Seijuro to crown Tetsuya to simply show that the red head had no signs of remembering his powers, let alone use it. But now knowing that Tetsuya was the trigger to the prophecy; he had just placed the whole kingdom into a dire situation. Thus he recalled their conversation at the throne room;

'Don't worry, Heika. The gloves your father gave him will help suppress whatever sensation he feels.'

'Gloves? I do remember him using these white gloves everyday…' A matching pair with light blue crystal forming an emblem. He once questioned if Seijuro had OCD when it comes to germs and what not.

'Yes. Your father gave it to him after his last… departure. Rest assured that I will no longer hold anything against you for making that unnecessary request.'

He cringed at the memory of the teal head's demon aura. Good thing he wasn't that much expressive and he be glad that Shugo took the mean punch for him. (Who knew Tetsuya could punch hard?) Suddenly he felt sick when his stomach turned, looking green as if he was to vomit.

"AH! NOT ON THE FLOOR!" says his king's guard, making his leave to get a bucket. Shuzo tried to hold it in, stumbling to the nearest window for some air. But his eyes then caught sight of the Seirin prince's dog running at full speed before lunging at the certain red head.

This wasn't good; the dog kept licking Seijuro and the Rakuzan king kept pushing the Alaskan malmalute away. The dog however was already chewing on his gloves, trying to remove it. This made Shuzo jumped, and then holding in his stomach. If the gloves were off, Seijuro's powers might unleash and in public no less! But then someone clad in familiar black and red clothes ran towards them.

He clenched his teeth; damn it. Fate must be playing with him; to have them meet up like this.

"Oi! Haizaki! Where's that bucket?!"

"I'm sorry, that would be my dog."

Seijuro flinched when he heard someone behind him of a familiar voice. "Nigou, come here now."

'Tetsuya Nigou!' A flash of memory invade Seijuro's thought, and then a small head ache.
"Ugh." He groaned when the dog jumped from his stomach and towards his owner. "I'm truly sorry about that, Sir. Can I help you with- Akashi-kun?"

Heterochromatic eyes met with surprised aquamarine eyes. How they both have grown. "Tetsuya." He had grown accustomed to calling the teal head by first name, but for Tetsuya to not do the same thing anymore… "I apologize for this mess. I shall call someone to fix your suit." The surprise emotion was gone and was replaced with the same old blank one.

Seijuro sighed, dusting himself up. "No, I'm fine. Though I am quite surprised that you'd be an owner of that… dog." Considering the fact you don't let any living thing near you. "Ah, I just found him somewhere in Seirin when Kagami-kun was kicked out by the steak store." He lifted the dog and gave him a disapproving look for pounding on strangers again. But silence followed.

Silence.

Silence.

Stare.

More silence.

And the heavens made the chapel bells ring. "Ah, the coronation's in an hour. I should get going." The teal head went to turn to his heels but the red head caught his hand. "Can I walk you back?" the teal head was reluctant to say yes but temptation had its peak. One walk won't hurt, right? For old time's sake. "I'd be honored."

Catching up like they were friends of the past seemed natural for the both of them, like years of barely talking to each other was behind them. They made it back to the castle and Tetsuya insisted on changing the dirtied coat of Seijuro into the shade of light blue and white. "Somehow, this color suit you better than red." Tetsuya bluntly and the red head was not in the slightest offended. Seijuro was forced to sit after styling his hair to be gelled backwards to avoid the long bangs while Tetsuya began to decorate his chest with the medallions and the red head controlled all whiffs of his emotions to not stiffen or blush. "Done." Says the teal head, looking at him in the eye. "I still apologize for Nigou's action." As if on cue, the dog jumped on Seijuro's lap and gave him a long lick.

Seijuro felt a vein popped in his head. How he hated dogs, disobedient ones no les but this was Tetsuya's, and the teal head warming up to him was a chance he cannot let pass by. He then caught aquamarine eyes staring intently at his hands. "Does the gloves not suit me?" he asks and Tetsuya knew he was caught red handed. He shook his head and stood up from his kneeling form. "No, it suits you. I just never saw you take it off."

"Ah, that's because Heika gave it to me." he laughed, putting the dog down. "But don't worry; I will remove it when I crown you."

The flinch did not go unnoticed by the red head.

But Tetsuya smiled and immediately dumped the golden crown adorned with light blue and ruby crystals at Seijuro's head. "Best we be on our way, Akashi-kun." For a moment he saw a silver chain wrapped hidden around the teal head's neck, with what seems to be a ring or red snowflakes.

The teal head had truly developed a strange case of odd taste.

"This feels like a wedding-su." He sighed dreamily, only to be whacked more on his poor abused head.

"Gah! Kise you bastard, you're scaring kids away."

The generation of miracles (minus the blonde with bandages) were forced to sit at the back of the chapel for creating a ruckus at the ballroom. They were on the verge of making noises again but an angry red head shut them up. He claimed that the celebrations was done perfectly by Tetsuya and if they pull another stunt like that, they might as well see hell.

Though they trembled, they also grew suspiciously of their sudden closure. But their thoughts were interrupted when the choir began to sing and two mahogany doors opened. The teal head clad in red and black suit and white cape opened his aquamarine eyes to be greeted with the sight of guests in their best silks and red roses decorated at the aisle.

This was how he exactly wanted it. A bonus was the red head by his side. He should probably thank Shuzo later. Speaking of the Teiko king, where were he and that trumpet mouth of a king's guard? Surely he had not taken seriously to act sick so no one will question his actions of using Rakuzan's king to coronate the young Seirin prince. He held the red head's hand and together they walked the aisle with their heads high of pride.

"Dearly beloved people today, we have gathered to witness the ceremony of union for these two, loving couple-"

Is what Seijuro wished he heard until his 'fantasy' was disrupted with the bishop awkwardly separating their 'intimate' touches. "Dearly beloved guests of today from all the 6 kingdoms surrounding Teiko, we are greatly honored and humbled that you have graced your presence to witness," the old sacred hierarchy gestured for the young Prince to step forward. "the coming of age of this young man to take the new step into becoming the rightful king of Seirin."

Seijuro stepped forward and unsheathe the sword given to him. "By the power vested in me by his majesty of Teiko, King Nijumura Shuzo, I redeem thee that you have become worthy of your title," Tetsuya kneeled down and the sword was lightly pressed on both sides of his shoulder blades. "I dove thee, the first born son of his highness the late king Kuroko Kazehaya and his queen Mizune of the Seirin Islands, second of his name," his hands beneath the gloves were tingling again. "To step in line in your kingship alongside your trustworthy knight, Kagami Taiga."

The nervousness continued when he removed his gloves to take the scepter and the silver rounded object, not noticing the red frost emitting from his trembling hands. Though he masked it; Tetsuya had already noticed and stood up from his kneeling position.

The red head gasped when he felt warm palms under his and tingling sensation were gone. The audiences were a bit surprised of the Tetsuya's unknown sudden actions. When Seijuro regained his composure; he sighed and let his serious façade on. "Your vows?"

Tetsuya nodded. "I accept full responsibilities of whatever my actions will lead. I shall deal with my kingdom with kindness, justice and love. To lead as a great example and as for the rest of my bloodline to follow." His fingers grasp on the rod and ball and gently takes them away from Seijuro before facing the crowd with a straight face on.

"I present your king, Kuroko Tetsuya of Seirin!" says the bishop before placing the silver crown of red and black jewels on his head. Everyone stood up and applaud while Seijuro put on his gloves. Though the merrymaking began; he could not help but wonder why his hand felt a familiar surge of warmth when Tetsuya's touched his.

The ball was warm and welcoming and everyone was obviously having a great time. The rest of the generation of miracles though were under probation for the stunt earlier, save for Atushi munching on the chocolate goodies. But the real sight to see was the two once distant childhood friends talking casually over the food table. That is until the arrogant king of Kirisaki Daichi intervened with the two.

"Kuroko," his tongue rolled at the mention of that name. "As your partner in trade, I think it is only right that I ask you for a dance." He bowed but his predatory opaque eyes still made its contact with aquamarine ones, making Tetsuya shiver in disgust. Seijuro glared and wrapped a protective arm around the Seirin king's waist.

Hanamiya Makoto, current king of a violent but lush kingdom of Kirisaki Daichi. True they had been in trade with Seirin so they are considered an ally but according to Chihiro, he had been suspiciously asking around for why Tetsuya's actions were somewhat… secretive.

"Sorry but Tetsuya don't dance." He answered for the teal head and without a glance; he grabbed the shoulder of his henchman. "But Chihiro does."

"What-?!"

The silver head dressed in dark brown suite was already taken by hands. "Hmm, lucky you then." And he sweeps a blood drained Chihiro to the dance floor. Luckily it wasn't unnatural to see people of the same sex going around together after the 5 years' war since all kinds of human rights were approved.

The two laughed at the silver head's drained features while Makoto dances in a weird kind of way, no two left feet but was he imitating some sort of an animal. "Best we head outside." Says Tetsuya upon noticing people coming their way.

They slipped without anyone noticing (thanks to Tetsuya's presence less ability) and into the spacious garden. The night was young that they continued to chatter on among random topics, though careful not to bring upon the death of the late Teiko king.

"Your eyes…"

"Ah, this?" his gloved fingers covered it. "Something happened before when we fell off the cliff. I just woke up like this. Daiki once joked that it was kissed by a troll." He cringed and Tetsuya laughed softly. "Aomine-kun was probably trying to cheer you up."

They reached a gazebo and sat down, gazing at the moonlight. How Seijuro longed for this moment but curiosity, the feeling ignorance crept evaded his mind. He didn't want another door in his face, but he had every right to question the teal head's sudden actions of closure. Or perhaps this was another one time thing? Panic surged at the thought of Tetsuya leaving. No! He just can't! Not after when he finally talked to him!

Aquamarine eyes caught sight of the trembling hands beneath the white gloves so he grasps it without thought; emitting small waves of unnoticeable blue flames. He had done it in during the coronation and had hoped that Seijuro didn't notice and took it as a sign of simple comfort. "Sei-kun?"

They both gasps at the sudden sound that escaped Tetsuya's lips. Heterochromatic eyes looked at him bewildered while Tetsuya did his best to stay composed of the slip of his tongue. "Akashi-kun," he corrected himself. "Is something the matter?"

"We were really close back then, really close." Seijuro says, his hand tightening against Tetsuya's. "Then all of the sudden, you just shut me out. I never knew why."

"I'm sorry." Was the safest answer.

"For what? Tetsuya, I don't know what happened to us, to you!"

"Please don't bring this up now." The Seirin king begged in whispers and then was grateful that the red head dropped the topic with a sigh. "Fine." He stood up and Tetsuya closed his eyes shut, prepared for him to walk away. But gloved hands dragged him to stand up and they sprinted to the pillared halls of Teiko and into the castle. "But you owe me an adventure!"

How childish.

They glided through the wooden floors of the painting room in their socks before hiding by the frames when the guard came to check them up.

How uncharacteristic of the stoic Seirin king and absolute-proclaimed Rakuzan king.

Seijuro who laughed while clutching his stomach at the cake with a head stone figure while Tetsuya denied that it wasn't his design at all. After an ungraceful dance waltz around the ballroom, though no one bothered to correct their etiquette upon seeing the joyful expressions they made, and finally out of breath, they walked to the balcony.

"I hadn't had this sort of fun in years." Seijuro says, loosening his collar a bit.

Tetsuya had the shade of red coloring his cheeks before nodding and fixing his unbalanced crown. "Yeah."

"I wish it could always be like this."

"Me too." Then ugly flashes of his young red head friend being swallowed into the depths of the water while forms of shattered red frost took over his left eye and he, trying to reach and reach had conquered Tetsuya's thoughts. No, not again. Never again. "But it can't." he says firmly, now taking a turn to leave.

"Tetsuya-"

"I just can't, okay!" was his sudden outburst.

"Love is an open door." Was all the silver head could say upon spotting the two figures at the balcony under the moonlight.

"What?"

Chihiro shrugged. "Just a line I'm reciting from the L.N I read."

"L-L.N?"

Chihiro sighed tiredly. His foot was sore and the only escape was sitting next to the king of Teiko who had finally shown up, yet looked very much green. Makoto had finally decided to leave him (in peace) upon not wanting to get infected by the king's unwell condition. However he did not sign up to entertain the Shuzo's obliviousness of Tetsuya's and Seijuro's obvious chemistry. There was a limit of course of how dense a person can be.

"Light novel. It is a newfound genre in the kingdom across the sea-

"I just can't, okay!" the voice of the Seirin king caught the attention of everyone in the ballroom, save for Daiki wolfing on hard meat. Great, Seijuro had upset his supposed to be reconciled friend (and maybe in the future something more?).

That said until he caught sight of a certain orange head making his way through the crowd with a dog in his hands. "Have you seen my fiancée?" he asked Riko and all blood drain from Chihiro's face once more.

'It can't be-?!'

So yeah cliffhanger heheh, the only things I could say for this chapter is thank readers for the support ;) u guys make my day which surprisingly drove me into writting faster XD another is that I don't really know much about crowning ceremonies so whatever happened in that scene during Tetsuya's coronation was made up by me.

Tune in the next chappie which will reveal more of Shigehiro calling Tetsuya 'love'

Oh and last thing: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AKASHI SEIJURO!