TW: Abuse, Panic.
Chapter III: Nightmares and Coffee
"Tetsuya-chan," I heard the voice of my mother yell from inside the house. "Come out from wherever you are hiding." Her voice sounded friendly as she spoke, but I knew it was an act. "Come out soon, otherwise your father is going to be upset." I heard her loud footsteps as she began to climb the stairs. "You wouldn't want to burden your own, dear father, would you?" I clamped my small hands around my mouth in attempt to hide my breathing as I heard her footsteps grow louder. She was approaching my spot. "Tetsuya-chan," her voice grew louder and louder as she spoke. "You need to be a good boy now." Her hand began to twist open the doorknob of the closet I was hiding in. "Your father just wants to see his precious, baby boy."
Tears began to fall from my eyes as she spoke those lies. Please, Don't Make Me Go. I silently began pleading with the gods. I don't want to go! Don't make me go! No! The door to the closet opened slightly, and I began to see the long blue locks of my mother appear. I pressed myself closer against the wall as I tried to lower my presence even more. Please, Don't See Me. Tears continued to fall from my eyes.
My mother opened the door wider as she came in full view now. She wore a fake smile on her face that to anyone else would have seemed genuine, but to me only increased my pain since I knew just what was waiting for me behind it. "Tetsuya-chan, be a good boy." She spoke as her eyes began to search around the floor for me.
Please. Don't. Find. Me.
"Tetsuy-, oh," she reached down in front of me, grabbing ahold of my small wrist and pulling it away from my mouth. "Found you."
"No, please." I began to plead out loud as I cried harder. "Mother, don't."
"Now, now, Tetsuya-chan," She began to pull me from my no longer safe place and into the hallway. "You wouldn't want to be a burden, would you?"
She pulled me up to my feet. "Mother, please." I begged.
"Be a good boy, Tetsuya-chan and go see your father now." I cried as she began to lead her barely seven year old son down the stairs.
I shot straight up in bed, panting as tears still streamed down my face. My hands instinctively reached for my face, as I hastily wiped away my tears. My heart was pounding, and my lungs, no matter how much I tried, wouldn't work. My chest began to tighten and the pounding from my heartbeat resonated throughout the otherwise silent room. Even more tears began to flow down my face as I tried to choke down the sobs. The too real nightmare began to stir up even more unwanted memories in my mind. Calm down. I yelled at myself. I sat up even more as I began to frantically look around. They aren't here. I'm safe. They aren't here. I mentally reminded myself. My heartbeat still pounded, while I tried too hard to take a deep breath. I choked out and coughed when my lungs failed once again. I brought a shaking hand to the nightstand and reached for the glass of water, spilling some over with my unsteadiness. I brought it to my mouth and greedily began to take massive gulps. The cold water going down my throat slowly began to bring me back into reality. My heart began to slow ever so subtly, and I placed the now nearly empty water glass back on the nightstand. Tears still fell from my face as I began to take somewhat deep breaths. My eyes began to look around, inevitably ending at the clock on the nightstand.
4:22 a.m.
I sighed loudly as I threw myself back onto the pillows, wiping away the tears with the back of my hands. It's been awhile since I've remember that one huh? I closed my eyes, letting my mind process my nightmare. How long ago was that? Nine? Ten Years Ago? I shook my head. I'm safe. I reminded myself as I focused on breathing. More unwanted memories began to flood my mind. "I don't want to remember. . ." I softly choked out as I continued to lay in the dark room, shaking and tormented by my ghosts.
It was hours before I managed to get myself up again.
"Good morning." Akashi looked up from the morning paper he was reading when I stumbled my way into the kitchen some hours later. He took one look at my state and immediately rose from his seat, placing the paper and tea cup on the counter and began to walk towards me. "You look exhausted, Tetsuya. Are you feeling okay?" The redhead began to look me over. "Shintaro will be up soon; do you need me to go get him?"
"No," I softly muttered. "That isn't necessary, Akashi-kun."
"Did you get any sleep at all?" A slight frown broke across his face when I shook my head. "Well, that is understandable given what happened last night." My former captain released me, and started walking towards the cabinets, opening up one to get a coffee mug. He placed the mug down on the counter and grabbed the coffee pot, pouring some of the liquid into the cup. He poured a couple more ingredients in as well, and then began walking to the bar, motioning me to sit with him. He placed the glass in front of me and sat down, picking up the paper he was reading.
"I don't like the taste of coffee, Akashi-kun." I stated blankly.
"I am aware, Tetsuya. Just drink it, it will help." Akashi responded as he flipped the page. He took another sip of his tea and looked up at me. "Drink." He simply stated.
I took a deep breath before picking up the glass. The heat began waking me up as I placed the cup to my face, inhaling the unexpected scent. This is supposed to be coffee, right? I looked over at him uncertain, before taking a small sip. The sweet taste of vanilla instantly filled my mouth. I looked over at him completely shocked. "I can't even taste the coffee."
The redhead just chuckled briefly, and gave me a smug look. "Did you forget that I am always right Tetsuya?"
I flashed him a deadpan look, and took another sip, enjoying the sweet taste. "Is everyone else still sleeping?"
"Well, everyone except Shintaro. Good Morning."
I looked around the room just as Midorima entered.
"Good Morning." The green haired teen greeted as he made his way to the refrigerator. "You really do have terrible bed hair, Kuroko." He spoke again, taking out a carton of juice and grabbing a glass from the counter.
Akashi chuckled slightly at his comment, immediately causing a pout to cross my face. "It isn't that bad." I muttered under my breath, as I ran my fingers through my hair attempting to tame my bedhead, resulting in another look on the redhead's face.
"Shintaro," Akashi spoke, shifting the conversation back to him. "I have been meaning to ask you, are your extra classes going well?"
"Extra classes? . ." I muttered softly, confused.
"I recommended to Shintaro some months back about taking a few beginning medical courses, so he could get ahead in college. He finally accepted my offer to pay for them a couple months ago."
"They are going well. Thank you Akashi."
"No need to thank me Shintaro. I figured with both of your parents being doctors, you would find the classes fairly easy at first." A small chuckle escaped the redhead's mouth, before he picked up his glass and took another sip. "I do have another reason for asking though." Midorima merely nodded his head as if he wasn't surprised by the redhead's true motive. "Tetsuya didn't sleep well last night, and is still affected from last night's encounter. Would you mind looking him over before his morning practice?"
Morning Practice? I looked at Akashi, and then shifted my gaze to the calendar just behind him, suddenly realizing that today was in fact Saturday, and we did have morning practice; which, I had forgotten about until just now. I looked up at the clock, momentarily thankful that I still had plenty of time until then. Akashi lifted his tea glass and took another sip, as he noted my internal freak out. An amused look appeared on his face once again as he spoke. "Relax, Tetsuya. I wouldn't let you miss practice. You still have three hours until then."
"I can." Midorima spoke up finally, drawing our attention back to him. "If you'd like, Kuroko, I'm available now." He sighed.
I looked up to the teen and nodded. "Yes, Midorima-kun." The teen glanced over to Akashi.
"Bathroom cabinet, first shelve on the left." Akashi answered, despite not even being asked the question yet. He took another sip of his tea, not even bothering to look up as the other walked out of the room.
"I forgot what it's like to have Akashi-kun here."
"And what do you mean by that, Tetsuya?" The redhead's eyes glimpsed up from the paper he was reading.
My gaze wandered around the room. What did I mean by that? "It's different with someone who can practically read everyone's mind."
Akashi chuckled as he put down the paper. "Practically?" The teen played on. "Who says I can not fully read minds?"
I deadpanned. "Not even Akashi-kun is that powerful."
"Hmm. . . That is an interesting notion to say the least."
Midorima returned carrying a metal red box with a handful of different medical equipment, colored with a white cross on the glass lid. He made his way to me, and placed the small container on the table. "Face me." He muttered, as he began to open it up and take out various medical tools.
I complied and turned my chair towards him. "When did you go to bed last night?" The greenette asked, as he took out an otoscope and began to look at my eyes.
"Uh, around two, maybe?" I responded, trying to make as few movements as possible.
"When did you wake up?" Midorima continued to question, moving from my right eye to my left.
"4:30, I guess." The greenette looked surprised, but nodded nonetheless, accepting my answer.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." I said in my usual neutral tone, hoping he'd move on.
A sigh escaped my former captain's mouth almost instantly after I gave my answer. "Tetsuya, you should not tell lies." Akashi folded the newspaper and placed it next to him as he turned towards Midorima and I. He cleared his throat, and began to pay closer attention to us.
"I'm tired." I sighed, slightly annoyed that my bluff had been called out.
"That's not what I meant Kuroko." Midorima sighed a moment later, as he moved from my eyes to my ears.
"I am tired though, Midorima-kun."
"I meant about your mental state." He pushed up his glasses before continuing. "Anyone with half a brain can tell you are tired."
I gulped slightly before hesitantly nodding, knowing that he wouldn't move on until my answer was acceptable. "I'm still scared." I lowered my eyes, refusing to meet Midorima's gaze, as he listened intently. "I kept having nightmares last night." I spoke faintly, hoping for the slight chance he never heard my answer, even though it was fruitless.
"Kuroko . . ." The greenette winced slightly before nodding softly, looking visibly unsure of what to say, as he placed the small light on the table and picked up another instrument.
"Tetsuya, you could have told us," Akashi spoke. "If that was the case, we could have had someone share that room with you for the night, or you could have shared a room with any of us, so you were not alone." Midorima nodded faintly agreeing with the statement of our former captain.
"Kuroko, not that it really matters to me one way or another, but a person like you needs sleep."
A small breath escaped my lips; "I didn't want to worry everyone." I don't want to burden you guys more than I already have.
Akashi nodded his head. "No, stop that Tetsuya. What happened last night wasn't your fault." He shook his head lightly and closed his eyes before speaking again. "If anything, it's mine for thinking they would leave you alone after so long."
"No one thought they'd be back Akashi." The greenette muttered softly with anger very clearly shown in his expression.
"Midorima-kun. . ."
"Well, there's no point worrying about it at the moment." Akashi let out a small breath before he continued. "I have already come up with a plan on moving Tetsuya, but first, finish your examination, while I go wake the others." Akashi took one final sip from his tea glass and proceeded to leave the room.
Midorima shrugged before continuing the rest of my examination in silence, only speaking to give me small commands. Within a few short minutes, my examination was finished.
"I'm done, Kuroko." Midorima spoke as he carefully started placing things back into the small box. "Overall, you seem to be okay, but I suggest taking it easy during your practice, not that I care, I just think it would be bothersome if you overdid it again."
"Yes, Midorima-kun." I stood up and gave a small bow. "Thank you."
The greenette began to clear his throat, as a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "You're welcome." He murmured before picking up the box and leaving the room as well.
Another few moments passed before my comfortable silence was ruined by the very loud stumbling of three teenage boys entering the room. A chorus of yawns and morning groans from stretching engulfed the space.
"Huh?" Murasakibara spoke lazily, as he was the first to notice me sitting by the table. "Good morning Kuro-chin," the giant took a couple steps in my direction, eventually coming to a halt behind me. He reached up, and with one hand, began to ruffle my hair.
"I am not a dog, Murasakibara-kun." I tried to swat away his hand.
"Huh? Kuro-chin isn't a dog." He took a seat next to me, and immediately placed his chin on the table. "Kuro-chin is just fun to pet." I shot him a deadly glare, while the other two teens sat around the table.
"Good morning" Momoi spoke to the entire room as she entered alongside Midorima and Akashi. Her cheerful greeting was met with the loud groans of Aomine and Murasakibara, who were very clearly not morning people like her.
The rest of the group settled into their chairs, as we all began to wait for Akashi to start the speech we all knew was coming. Said redhead carried a few small, white phone boxes to the table and began distributing amongst the group.
"I figured with the events of last night, now would be a good time to replace everyone's phones and have your old ones destroyed. The last thing I want is for someone to get ahold of our information." He placed a sky blue version of the latest iPhone in front me. "Besides, it is time for an upgrade anyways, since the last time I gave you all phones was during Teiko."
I didn't even know they made iPhones in these colors. I thought as I stared at the bright red phone now in my former captain's hand.
"I took the liberty of ordering these last night while I was on the train, and when I got them from my courier this morning, I reprogrammed each other's numbers, as well as the important people, like coaches, parents, siblings." His expression hardened, as he turned to face Kise. "And Ryota, Daiki, please do remember that since I am the one who pays your bill, I have final say in how you use it. Be smart here."
Kise visually gulped. "Yes, Akashi-cchi" he spoke timidly.
"Good, now that that is all taken care of, I am going to go over today's plan." He refocused his attention onto me. "Tetsuya," I looked up to meet his gaze. "I was thinking about where to buy you a new apartment, and then the thought hit me. Rather than buying a new building, which would take much longer, I am going to move your things here, so this will be your new place."
My mouth hung open, I was shocked by the words coming out of his mouth. This was Akashi's home. His space. The first building he bought with his own income during middle school. The home where his father had no control over him. This was his sanctuary. I shook my head no. "I'm sorry Akashi-kun, but I cannot impose. This is Akashi-kun's space."
A small smile appeared on his face. "While I am delighted that you care so much about my space, I am insisting." The redhead crossed his arms. "Logically speaking, it makes the most sense to move you here. I own the entire building, and all the staff on site was handpicked by me. Only the six of us will know where you are, and no one would dare try something while you are here. I am even increasing the amount of security tenfold as we speak." The redhead spoke as he pushed a couple buttons on his phone.
I opened my mouth to try to protest. Ten times more than before? That's way too much! Akashi-kun shouldn't have to do something like that just for me! "Akashi-kun has already done so much for me."
"Tetsuya," Akashi chuckled. "We've already been through this. It is not an imposition. There's more than enough space, and I only stay here when I am in Tokyo." His eyes met mine as he continued to speak. "Besides, this will give me further reason to visit more often, and I am sure it will give everyone peace of mind knowing that you are safe while you are here."
I looked around the room as they all nodded in unison at the redhead's logic. "Tetsu-kun, what Akashi-kun is saying makes sense, and the last thing I want is for something to happen to you." Momoi spoke softly.
"I don't want to be a burden." I whispered, "I didn't mean to make everyone so worried."
Aomine's hand slammed down on the table. "Tetsu, stop. Don't think that. You aren't a burden."
"Aomine-cchi is right. We will always worry about you, Kuroko-cchi because we care about you. It doesn't make you a burden for us."
I sat there silent, shocked by the outburst of the two. I am a burden though. I don't deserve you guys.
"Tetsuya," Akashi's voice pulled me from my self loathing. "We want you safe. Agreeing to the move will make things much easier."
I gazed around, carefully observing the looks of each teen in the room. Everyone had the same worried yet caring expression in their eyes. My eyes finally reached those of my former captain, and I nodded before putting back on my blank expression. "If Akashi-kun and everyone thinks it's best, then I agree." Across the room, the worry seemed to fade as relief took it's place.
"I'm so glad, Kuroko-cchi!" Kise yelled, and if it wasn't for the table in the way, he would have pulled me into a hug. An irritated tick mark appeared on my former light's face as he began to scold the overthetop actions of the copycat, causing a small argument to start between the two.
A small smile swept across my cheeks, relishing the comforting moment the group was sharing.
"Excellent," Akashi spoke, instantly ending the bickering that was currently happening between Aomine and Kise, and regaining control of the room.
Only Akashi-kun could control a group as unique as we are.
"Now that's out of the way, let's talk about how today is going to work out." He cleared his throat, catching the attention of the other Miracles before speaking again. "In case you were unaware, Tetsuya has morning practice today, and we have to move his things here as well, so today is going to be quite full. I want a few of us to accompany Tetsuya to Seirin, while the rest of us will move his things here. The moving shouldn't take too long, so we will be able to meet up towards the end of his practice."
"I want to go with Kuroko-cchi!" The blonde immediately declared, causing annoying looks and scoffs across the room.
"Oi, Kise. If anyone is going with Tetsu, it's me."
"Eh?" Murasakibara reached up and placed his hand on my head, ruffling up my hair once again. "No fair, I want to go with Kuro-chin." He removed his hand and reached for a stick of Pocky.
"I would not be against going with Kuroko." Midorima pushed up his glasses.
"Enough," an amused smirk appeared on Akashi's face as he began to rub the bridge of his nose. "I already decided on who is going where so that there would be no more fighting. Now, as much as I would like to go with Tetsuya, I will be staying here and moving things accordingly. Shintaro, Ryouta and Satsuki will be helping me, while Atsushi, and Daiki will go with Tetsuya." Kise opened his mouth to protest, but quickly stopped once the redhead shot him a death glare. The blonde sunk further into his seat. "I trust this is fair enough." He spoke assuredly. When no one else dared to comment, a pleased smile swept across his face. "Good, now let's get ready. Tetsuya's practice begins in roughly three hours, and you all know how he hates to be late." He chuckled.
Author's Note: Hey everyone, thank you for the continued support on this story. It really means a lot to me, this story is not abandoned or anything, it's just that with this story, I want to take my time and work on each chapter until I'm completely satisfied with it. So, I apologize for the delay. With that out of the way, hope you enjoy! Please remember to read/like/favorite/follow/review all that jazz!
