Story Warnings: GoM x Kuroko; Kagami x Kuroko; mature content
Chapter Warnings: language; sexual content; ultimate uke Kuroko; minor angst
Disclaimer: I do not own the Kuroko no Basuke series and claim no profit from this work of fiction.
Part 4: Kuroko Has to Pick
Tetsuya took precious time talking over the phone with Kagami. The blonde and bluenette already found a decent place to have their talk. So now it was down to when the fuck Kuroko would – preferably – hang up on Kagamicchi.
Of course, that wasn't about to go down.
So how was Kise going to make Kurokocchi get off the phone? It's not that Kise was pissed, but he wasn't smiling as he heard Seirin's first year duo drag on and on about nothing that had ANY relevance.
"You miss me?... I don't know if I miss you back... I guess I might... Maybe I thought about you..."
Kise came to the conclusion that Kagamicchi only called to sweet talk. And that wasn't okay because that's what HE wanted to do with Kurokocchi right now!
With a cute, jealous boyfriend pout, Ryota kicked the table next to them with the tip of his toe. They were in a vacant foreign art shop that sold cheap knock offs of great old age paintings. Or whatever. They were just in some store where they could talk with each other and have some form of privacy.
Kise was eavesdropping hard on Tetsuya's conversation. Although it was only possible to hear one side of it from Kise's end, Kagami did eventually mention the significance of his call.
'Everything is taking longer than I expected.'
Like 3 hours had passed since Kuroko left his place. The red head had made a grand total of 1 percent in progress.
"Good luck completing it by tonight."
'What if I can't finish?'
"I won't be happy with you."
'Fine, tonight then…. but it's going to be late when I finally get done. So I got an idea. Listening?'
"Hai."
'You should stay over.'
"But we have school tomorrow."
'I'm not about to keep you up, Kuroko. I promise I won't do anything you don't want.' His thoughts were jumping around just like his sentences.
"But the surprise tonight..."
'I'm not planning something that'll take hours. I'll tuck you in on time.'
Kuroko covered his mouth to stop the big smile forming there, and the small laugh that wanted come out.
Both still happened.
"In your bed?"
'Yeah. Want to sleep next to me?' Kagami smiled on the line with him.
"Yes... I guess I want to."
'Tch, I guess I don't want to roll over and hold you in the middle of the night.'
"You can."
'Promise I can?'
"Promise." His little heart wanted to leap from his chest and land right in the palm of Kagami's hand. Kuroko only understood it as excitement for whatever Kagami-kun was doing for him tonight.
'Ne, Kuroko... it's really cold out.' It would be below zero later, around the time Kagami finished with everything.
"You're right."
'We're just going to hang out at my place. Sound alright?'
"All three of us?"
'Yeah.' He hadn't hesitated on responding, even realizing Kuroko was inviting Nigou to the surprise.
"Okay. You're being so nice." It made Kuroko want to cuddle on him.
'Like always.' He was kidding. 'I just... since yesterday I...'
"Let's wait before we talk about that."
'Fine.' It wasn't disappointment. He respected that Kuroko wasn't ready to talk about what they did the other night.
"I have to go, Kagami-kun."
'Alright, I'll let you go then.'
"Call me when you're done."
'And before that?'
"When you want… I don't mind." Kuroko thought that his best friend didn't want to let him go. But liked how Kagami tried to hold on to him.
'I'll just get back to work. Next time I call, it'll be all ready.'
"I can't wait." Now Tetsuya felt a little shy.
'See you tonight Kuroko.'
'Ha-hai.' Kuroko hung up first. He worried about how he stuttered. Then took a moment to recall how great that phone talk was. He liked how Kagami talked to him.
Would he be the one to give in and call his friend first? He really wanted to know. His thumb positioned to do it.
A sudden embrace interrupted his temptation.
"Kise-kun?"
"What were you saying with Kagamicchi?" Ryota wasn't expressing his friendly social vibe. He was maybe glaring slightly.
"I'm going to see him tonight."
"What? And why's that?"
"To hang out."
"You said something about his bed."
"I didn't." He was embarrassed about the fact that Kise caught him mentioning that.
Ryota didn't call him on his lie.
"I must have heard wrong. Ready to talk? I am." The blonde miracle ushered Kuroko from behind further into the store. Tetsuya tripped a little over his feet, but the taller teen had a pretty firm grip on him. Kuroko was grateful that the miracle wouldn't let him fall.
"Kise-kun, I think this is a good place to stop." Yet Ryota kept gently pushing him until they turned a corner, not able to be seen by the cashier. Who was some old man who hadn't bothered to care about them, looking through some catalogue the whole time.
Kise decided to wait and stare at Kuroko. Patient for him to begin explaining some things. Or start somewhere. True, Kise had quite a few things to say. But he wanted to listen to Kurokocchi first.
Just like a good boyfriend.
"Is this a good place for you?" Kise probably stopped here for a reason.
"Yeah. When you're ready though." He was pretty content to simply hover until the talk was ready to happen.
Perhaps he was trying to prolong Kuroko returning to Akashi. But even Kagami seemed to be a competitor too. Kise couldn't accept a defeat from either of the red heads that he respected. And envied.
Kuroko let himself think of how to begin. His baby blues maintained eye contact with Kise's golden lion irises.
Kuroko didn't realize he was potential prey.
"Thank you for buying me so many presents yesterday." It was a different approach than with Aomine and Akashi. Kise-kun had always been kind, so he wanted to be the same. Beginning this talk with a thanks seemed like the best way.
His small body was pulled back in Kise's arms after he said that. Still as a statue while Kise hugged him fully.
"If you mean that let me buy you more presents." He wanted to spoil him. Though it was rare that he just blew all his money on another, even if he was dating them.
"You don't have to-"
...
...
... ... ...
Their mouths were busy. Kise kissing him deeply. Tetsuya didn't have any spunk to break away. He was conflicted too. Perhaps they shouldn't stop.
It definitely shocked him, but Ryota stayed focused despite how well Kurokocchi was sliding along with the blonde miracle's tongue.
They were ensnared.
Then, only because Kise wanted to speak, he stopped it.
"You're so yummy." He put a soft smack to Kuroko's lips for emphasis. "I don't blame Akashicchi for trying to keep you away from me."
"Kise-kun…"
"I'm starving for you. I want to hold and kiss you like he did. Be my boyfriend."
"...oh…I..ah" Kuroko was making an attempt to continue their conversation. Yet with Kaijo's miracle unzipping his coat to softly tease the nipples over the top of his thin shirt, it seemed as if their conversation would stay side tracked. Kuroko was becoming timid before Kise's eyes.
It was turning him on.
"You played good with me yesterday. Kurokocchi… I want to make you cum again."
"Mmm," Kuroko had to keep himself quiet as they did this in public, no comfort of being behind closed doors like last time. He was fondled between the legs by Kise's hand and thigh. And if this kept on, he'd be wet. It was so very easy to arouse him.
"I know how to make love, Kurokocchi. I'll do it to you again and again. As long as you're conscious, as long as you're begging me to." Then Kise decided to press Tetsuya right up against the length of his body. The thing that made him moan was with Kise-kun's palm squeezing his bottom, he grinded into the blunette's until there was an erection.
Kuroko couldn't stop any of this.
His desperate moan echoed from around the corner.
"When we get together, I'm going to make so much love to you. You want that?"
"I...ah…" Kuroko was breathing with difficulty, being held on his feet by the Perfect copy player.
It was at this point that the blonde miracle let his skilled hands begin to wander beneath the clothes of Seirin's 11th player. The light brush and static from Kise's finger pads was all it took for Kuroko to fall all over him, greedy for familiar and erotic touch.
Sex was such an intense connection; it let Tetsuya be closely connected with someone. Plus his body learned to love and yearn for it after all that happened on his birthday.
"Want to touch me back?" Kise unzipped his own coat next. The sound of it screeching, able to disrupt the moment. Just enough for Kuroko to resist.
As he'd done with all the miracles encountered so far.
"Please... can I ask you something first?" Tetsuya didn't know why he phrased the sentence that way. Was he expecting them to pick up where they left off afterwards?
No. If Kuroko allowed his head to clear, he regained knowledge of his true motive. He didn't want to succumb to his basic desires now… he had to discover what it is that he wanted from these guys. It probably wasn't smart to do things like he'd done yesterday.
The urge to resist must be a sign that there was more to do.
"Sure…"
"Why... did you fuck me yesterday? Please tell me, Kise-kun. Please don't lie..."Kuroko pleaded with his expression too.
Tiny tears (from his arousal) were pooled in the corners of his eyes. Ryota lovingly wiped them away. And made sure to kiss over Tetsuya's pink lips before he gave a response.
What he said next wasn't a lie.
"'Cause I really care about you. I wanted us to share something special on your birthday." And forgot to mention how he wanted to stroke his ego a bit. He thought that if he took that intimate step with Kurokocchi, then the bluenette would remember their date well. Kise knew his sex was memorable. It was widely confirmed.
But now there was something else. Tetsuya equated sex with genuine affection in his mind. He was for the first time getting an idea about how the two related. He didn't understand what sex with any of these guys symbolized the other day. Except desire to reach orgasm.
"Kise-kun... do you love me?" He asked like earlier, the conversation now familiar.
And Kise was surprised. Though for Kise, you don't have to be in love with someone to make love to them. As long as you cared about them, and valued them enough, then you could give that to them.
Kise's perspective was similar to Akashi's.
"I do, Kurokocchi." He answered softly.
Kuroko processed one thing. Two miracles said they loved him.
"I really love you Kurokocchi. So go out with me again. Be my boyfriend."
But only one asked for a relationship. Out of five.
Akashi-kun maybe wanted one. He seemed to want Kuroko to be attached to his hip. Did that mean Akashi-kun was holding onto him because he didn't want them to separate? If someone couldn't bear to let you go, then did they loved you? Did they want to have a relationship too?
Kuroko was trying to think carefully about this.
"I love you." Kise repeated. The words felt so free. They could come out without Kise making a conscious effort to form them. He must actually be in love.
It wasn't the I'll die for you love. But Akashi's love for Kuroko wasn't that either. And did it have to be? Tetsuya was unable to describe the kind of love that he wanted for himself.
But it was the kind that consumed. Especially one's time. He wanted endless attention, I'll go out of my way for you, I want to make you laugh and smile every single day, I want to always stay with you love. Where two people came together as a bud in the soil and blossomed into a tall, undying flower. Not wilting in unfavorable conditions. In two words: consuming and undying. That's what Kuroko wanted. Deep down. He just didn't know it.
Which is why he said this to Kise.
"Thank you. For loving me." It made him feel so important. That both Kise-kun and Akashi-kun grew to care about him like that. He felt light hearted.
It's not like Kuroko had self-esteem issues. It was just that yesterday he was new to sex. Today he was new to love. It all happened quickly for him. And Kuroko was just trying to make sense of it all. Both seemed harmless so far.
And things were not ending badly with the miracles. Even though it could have happened that way. It wasn't a smooth sail with Aomine-kun, but Tetsuya believed they made up before he left. And that was relieving. He wasn't expecting for any of these guys to hurt him... yet he didn't want to hurt their feelings either.
Everything would be alright.
The teen model watched Kuroko for some time.
He was trying to figure out why Kurokocchi thanked him for something like that, and not throwing himself into Kise's open arms. Didn't Kurokocchi know what it meant for someone to say they loved you? The phantom sixth should be filled with joy, and he should want to try a relationship with the person that confessed. That's what Kise did when someone confessed to him. For Kise, there was hardly a such thing as rejection.
He gave everyone a chance with him. And of course, no one turned him down either.
But now Tetsuya's phone was going off. Kuroko tried so hard not to rush to check the caller ID and answer it.
Maybe Kagami-kun was trying to reach him?
Kise was quicker. He was the top priority right now. Or at least he should be. Never would he just pick up a call with Kurokocchi right in front of him, and (if their roles were switched) trying to ask him out!
Kurokocchi was being so oddly unfair to him. What happened to their close friendship since middle school?
He stole the cell from Kuroko. And once he held it out of reach, Kise looked to see who it was.
Man. His old captain just would not ease up on the cock blocking. Akashi was brutal.
"Kise-kun?" Kuroko's eyes were wide.
"It's Akashicchi."
"I should take it." He opened his hands to allow for it to be returned, seriously hoping Kise-kun wasn't about to do this to him.
"Is now really a good time?"
"Yes it is. I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize, alright? Just let me have my turn and then I'll give it back."
Yet Kuroko grew more distraught. To him, this wasn't a good idea. What if Akashi was calling because he had to leave Tokyo earlier than expected? Kuroko probably went over the time they agreed on, he hadn't been keeping track. Maybe Akashi-kun grew tired of waiting too. But if he needed to leave soon then Kuroko wanted to get back to him asap! He'd be gravely upset if he couldn't properly say goodbye. And thank you. He needed to thank anyone who treated him as well as Akashi had.
"Please... Please, Kise-kun." The phantom sixth had nothing against begging when desperate.
Though Kise couldn't bear the sound.
"Hush now, Kurokocchi." He smiled, though there were very ugly and foul emotions inside of him. He would maintain his pretty face and easy going personality in front of his love interest.
"I can't... give it back, please?"
"In a second."
"Now, please..."
Kise tried to kiss and hug him tightly when Kuroko began to shake. And Tetsuya pushed him with as much strength he had. It wasn't a whole lot because he was using all his energy to keep the phone in his sight and trying to reach for it even as he was no match for Kise's height.
This couldn't be happening.
"Kise-kun..." Kuroko choked out.
"Are you..." Kurokocchi looked sad!
And right when Kise noticed the distress present, that's when the cellular stopped ringing. Either Akashi went to voicemail, or he gave up trying to reach Kuroko.
Whichever the case, Kise messed up badly. Tetsuya sniffled. Then started to hiccup. The water works were near. For the both of them.
Despite having sympathy for Kuroko, he held his tears back. Only cause he wanted to be tough right now!
"It's okay..." He began to cheer up.
"Please..." Kuroko was still panicked. But even though Kise was the cause of it, Tetsuya buried into the blonde's broader chest, and he moaned softly. Sadly.
It produced pain in Kise's chest.
"It's okay." He planned a kiss to make it all better. Kise was glad for one thing: Kuroko needed his comfort.
Then the phone began ringing again… and it was the same damn miracle calling.
He heard a scream of frustration from somewhere.
Now Kise was the one needing comfort. He didn't attempt to hold the phone away from Kurokocchi, whose blue head quickly popped up at the blare of the ringtone. His big, watery eyes stared in longing at the hostage phone he couldn't rescue.
Crap. Kise didn't even want to do this to him anymore. He had enough!
He coughed the device over with a deep, guilty sigh.
"Akashi-kun." Kuroko said right away. Hoping there was an answer.
'You sound upset.'
"I'm not." By default, he was saying this to avoid there being concern about him.
'You are. Should I come meet you?' It should be noted that – even as Akashi was concerned about Kuroko's mood – he was just as displeased by Kuroko's lie. The Rakuzan captain wondered what should be done to bring back the teen from yesterday. Who was less willingly to hide things from him. Even if Tetsuya eventually did open up about what happened with the other miracles yesterday, would he have done that today? As this boy that was continuously dishonest with him?
Akashi needed to act fast. If he was to keep this decided love for Tetsuya from ending prematurely.
From Tetsuya's side of things, there was a good feeling. He was glad that Akashi-kun seemed to always search him out. That must mean Akashi experienced separation anxiety. Kuroko would kiss him as soon as they reunited. To calm the miracle captain.
'Are you still there?'
"Yes. I'm sorry…" How could he not have heard Akashi-kun speaking?
'Tell me where you are so I can come.'
Seijuuro didn't particularly give a fuck if Kise and Kuroko were through talking.
Of course, Kuroko had to make sure things were settled before he moved on.
"Please hold on, Akashi-kun."
'…How long?'
"Just a little while, Kise-kun and I…"
As Kuroko tried to convince Akashi to wait on the phone, the teen model beside him recalled how Kuroko acted just now. All for a call that didn't seem so serious, you'd think Akashi was in danger somewhere, or injured and in the hospital.
It's not like Kise was trying to bully Kuroko, but his instincts guided him. Then he became human again after feeling bad about how Kurokocchi expressed sorrow. Which also seemed kind of extreme.
For whatever reason, Kurokocchi wasn't easy to allure. Props to anyone who managed to do it!
Yesterday, Kise was sure of himself. That he'd be the one to kick off Tetsuya's birthday in such an awesome way - no one else could compete. An unforgettable date. Sex or no sex. Kise had a back-up should Kurokocchi not seem too attracted to him (which was highly unlikely, Kise had to remind himself whenever he considered that alternative). Yet Plan A had been a success. Here they were today. Kise wondering: had he also missed a shot?
That was difficult to determine. He didn't have many experiences of rejection. And in this one, he couldn't even tell if he was being pushed aside.
"Kise-kun... are we okay?" Kuroko briefly thought about how he almost "stormed" out of Aomine-kun's house earlier. That would have been such a huge mistake. Kuroko didn't want to burn bridges with anyone. No matter what. Forgiveness was the first option.
Meaning no, Kise-kun was not a jerk for not letting him talk to Akashi earlier. That's how Tetsuya saw it.
Kaijo's miracle shrugged with one of his humored faces on. Kise wasn't the most mature guy, but he wasn't about to lash out worse than stealing Kurokocchi's phone. As he admitted, he cared for the bluenette and just, in the end, would let him pick.
"Akashi-kun, please wait there. I'll meet you soon."
As for his own decision, Kise was picking temporary defeat. Temporary because he would still be around. Which he should mention to Akashicchi just so Kise could feel like he'd gotten a win after all.
It was easy, if Akashicchi broke Kurokocchi - all Kise had to do was put him back together. And if Akashicchi did everything perfectly, who was to say Kuroko still would be happy and want to stay with him? Kise just had to hang around. It's what a good future boyfriend would do.
"See you soon." Kuroko ended the call. Turning his attention back to Ryota, the blonde miracle was already taking him into a suffocating, firm hug
"I'm sad you're not picking me," he pretended with a small whine.
"It's difficult to breathe." Kuroko said with a tiny smile, also trying to embrace Kise-kun back.
"I know, Kurokocchi. I know." He eased up a little.
"I really want Akashi-kun to enjoy the rest of his time in Tokyo. We can hang out another day." They lived in the same city, Kuroko considered. He didn't immediately get that Kise was talking about being dumped as a suitor.
"You're just so thoughtful." He kissed Kuroko's cheek. "Will you call me later?"
"What do you want to talk about later?"
"Your plans after school tomorrow."
"That's fine." Tetsuya didn't think about whether calling Kise later would affect his and Kagami's time together. Kuroko just wanted to positively respond to Kise's flirting. It was all friendly at this point. And Kuroko had to make sure that any remaining tension between them was crushed to dust.
-Part 4-
"Wow! Murasakibaracchi, you're still in Tokyo?"
Yosen's miracle nodded while chewing sweet, sticky candy. His violet irises chose to land on the phantom sixth next to Kise, then he said-
"Muro-chin wanted to shop before leaving." Every damn body shopped in Tokyo.
Kagami-kun's childhood friend was close beside Atsushi, observing the blonde and sixth miracle with interest. Though Kise was pretty enough to have everyone looking at him when he ran his mouth, Himuro wasn't too affected by his model presence. He secretly watched Kuroko.
"Domo." Tetsuya was able to easily detect it.
"Hello. Sorry I couldn't wish you congratulations yesterday." It was a missed opportunity. Tatsuya felt no need to say it the day after. Oh well.
Kuroko nodded in understanding. Then his light blue eyes regarded Murasakibara.
"Murasakibaracchi, why didn't you call me!" Kise cried. He found it hard to believe that the purple haired teen didn't want HIS company. Akashi, for obvious reasons, refused Kise's offer to spend time together before he left town.
Since no one was going to ask what he brunette ace was doing in Tokyo, Himuro volunteered the explanation.
"I kept him busy. I showed up unannounced yesterday evening so Atsushi had to accommodate me."
He arrived in town after Kuroko and Murasakibara had their date. At the station, he called for the center to come pick him up, Tatsuya more than welcomed at Atsushi's sister's house, where he stayed overnight.
"You came all the way here just to shop?" Ryota finally asked about Himuro's strange attendance.
"I told myself that it would be too cruel, and not smart to let him ride the train back all alone. He shouldn't be left on his own." Tatsuya maintained a look at his teammate while he said this. Clearly Murasakibara's weirdness entertained him.
"You might have a point." Kise joked, though the relationship the ace duo had made him feel a bit awkward. It was like... Kise felt he shouldn't picture it. He was practicing not being the nosiest out of all the miracles.
"Kuro-chin." Murasakibara called after he rummaged around and got a snack to share with yesterday's birthday boy.
Kuroko was extending his palm to accept it when Himuro began to speak again.
"We were in a candy store for a while. He wouldn't stop looking until he found the perfect treat. I hope you like it." Or choke on it.
"Domo." While he wondered about eating it, Kise was delighted that Murasakibaracchi was sharing. Atsushi had a tiny smile, and Tatsuya indifferent, a frown in place. Everyone wondered what Kuroko would do now.
Today's objective was back on his mind, but only after he was grateful for his candy gift. It was a dilemma. Now didn't seem like a good time, but when would he get this chance again?
Kuroko needed closure. He didn't want to wait any of this out. Especially not when it concerned the Generation of Miracles. They were an immediate concern.
So was this thing about "picking" someone. But Kuroko hadn't caught on to that part of his goal yet.
"Can we talk about something, Murasakibara-kun?"
"Hai."
"But it should be alone..." Because Kuroko didn't want distraction. It was less the fact that his question felt private, maybe humiliating in some way. There were so many new emotions inside of him that he couldn't be sure.
"Before that," Himuro spoke again. "Do you mind giving Taiga a message for me?"
The mention of Kagami's name electrified Kuroko. It made his head full of thoughts about his light partner, and how he was so excited to see him later on. All Kuroko did was wait for Tatsuya to continue with what he wanted to say.
"I feel sorry for not coming to visit him later last night… I didn't have time because I was truly busy. Though I'm sure he was as well." A smirk was on his pretty boy face.
His face and words turned Kuroko's gut into mush.
"I was exhausted as well. It was hard to move… the only thing I could do was lay in bed. Atsushi had to take care of me for a change."
What was Himuro saying? Kuroko was oblivious but his eyes were wide as he hoped the dread inside his stomach didn't mean what he thought it did.
"But you look full of energy today. Your birthday must not have been very eventful. Except you and Atsushi at the park…"
Murasakibara-kun couldn't meet Kuroko's eyes when the bluenette tried to catch his focus. So now Kuroko felt some anxiety. He couldn't understand exactly what was upsetting him. Though he did understand something. Maybe… maybe Himuro-kun knew what the miracle center and the phantom sixth did the other day on the Ferris wheel.
"I can only say I'm sorry that I missed out." His smirk stretched.
Right next to Kuroko, and beginning to notice signs of distress, Kise chose to be the knight in shining armor for him.
"Me and Kurokocchi should get going, we-"
"Murasakibara-kun." The phantom sixth finally managed to get the center's attention when he addressed him. And Atsushi stopped eating candy some time ago. Himuro's words rang with him as much as they had with Kuroko.
Murasakibara was not happy about what Himuro was saying. Predictably, he wasn't going to put in the effort to stop him either. Murasakibara's passiveness was making itself known at the worst possible moment. Kuroko needed him to stand up to Himuro.
Tatsuya was quiet, interested to know what Kuroko had to say to his teammate.
"Will you… will you please let me talk with you in private?"
"Kuro-chin…" It was all he could say while witnessing Kuroko's anxiety. Murasakibara didn't have a single word of comfort to provide. He only knew one way to cheer up Kuroko… and he couldn't do that right now.
"I'm sure talking won't do any good. It's interesting that you want to follow up about all that happened, however, we don't have time for a talk that will go nowhere." Himuro had no leash. He took a big bite out of Kuroko.
And managed to hurt him.
"Murasakibara-kun…" He wanted the center to answer him. It really mattered right now.
"Murasakibaracchi…" Kise offered support. He could have did more, but whatever Kurokocchi wanted, the bluenette was adamant on doing it independently. Kise wasn't going to mitigate whatever hope or strength Tetsuya had. Even if it was small.
Tatsuya was prepared to crush his competition. He had no empathy for the phantom sixth, it didn't matter a whole lot that this was Taiga's new best friend. Himuro had remorse for no one who tried to come between him and his current partner. Yosen's ace duo was not dating, just regularly hooked up. So Himuro was not formally betrayed by Atsushi's sexual intimacy with Kuroko. For Tatsuya, it was all about being patient until Murasakibara asked for something more. If Himuro took the first step in getting them together as a couple, it would have little significance. If Murasakibara did it, then Himuro could be sure that he was desired more than any other person the miracle might have involved himself with.
But if Kuroko Tetsuya continued with whatever his purpose was, he was getting in the Tatsuya's way of obtaining a romantic relationship with Atsushi. And Himuro wouldn't accept Murasakibara having any more casual sex. Yesterday was the last time the center was sexually involved with anyone else.
He would have to figure out a way to tell this to the absent minded miracle that he crushed on. The first task was getting rid of… a pest before him.
"Taiga and I are still in contact. If you wish, perhaps I can busy myself with talking to your best friend about the other day, while you talk to mine's." And that seemed to be the best way to get him to back off.
As Kuroko was struggling to keep himself together – fear and sadness unfolding within him – Tatsuya chose to shut up and evaluate his effect on Kuroko. The mirage shooter called his sharp words a success.
"Muro-chin… we should go."
"Yes."
Ryota picked his jaw off the floor, momentarily in disbelief at the sheer disregard for Kurokocchi by the miracle center. What the actual fuck? This thought was on Kise's and Kuroko's mind.
Tetsuya had to wonder why it was possible for Murasakibara to turn away from him and simply be with someone in the same way – or more than – he'd been with Kuroko on his birthday. How was it possible? He hoped to figure out how you easily walk away from someone who you'd shared so much passion with.
Murasakibara had been passionate with him the other day, right? Maybe even… romantic?
"Murasakibara-kun… wait." Kuroko was attempting to reach out for a final time.
"We really don't have time." Himuro explained, but he did come to a stop just to study Kuroko, and became quite satisfied with how defeated he looked.
"Kuro-chin, I can't." The rejection felt like poison to his system. Not lethal. The kind that would paralyze or cripple you.
"It's alright, Kurokocchi. I'm still here." Kise-kun's words were an antidote to this state of paralysis.
He no longer felt ailed by Murasakibara's and Himuro's insensitivity. Kuroko didn't know Tatsuya well, but after the other day, Kuroko thought he could correctly conclude that the miracle center had changed.
Like Akashi-kun had. Even Aomine left a better impression on Tetsuya. Midorima seemed less tempered than usual yesterday. None of the miracles seemed like bad people anymore. And maybe they still weren't.
It could be that… Tetsuya was the one who was terrible. For how he acted yesterday with everybody. Now was the time to get the hell out of here. Kuroko wanted to save himself from the stress of this situation.
He booked. Himuro and Murasakibara kept talking about their hurry to go, but Kuroko beat them, dashing out of the store. Kuroko wished he hadn't seen Murasakibara. The only miracle that he regretted his encounter with thus far.
And now, he was concerned with was returning back to the miracle captain.
Akashi-kun… He needed to get back so that he could make sure the scarlet haired teen enjoyed the rest of his time in Tokyo. Tetsuya wanted to be there with Akashi-kun.
And after that was all over, he wanted to see his best friend. Kagami and his surprise would make it all better. In the end, he could have stayed with his friend the whole day and not have went through any of the hardship he'd faced so far. Asking the miracles why'd they had sex with him (or whatever it was they did to him) proved taxing. Even though things ended well with everyone but Murasakibara-kun. Kuroko hadn't been 100% sure of the outcome when picking to go out and find everyone.
They were intimidating. And each of them had ignored Kuroko's wishes in the past. Approaching them took a lot out of Tetsuya…
As of now, he was running past Murasakibara and Himuro before the ace duo could walk off and leave him behind. The model miracle chased right after Kuroko, though Kise had way more trouble maneuvering through the crowd.
It was a walk in the park for Kuroko. He barely saw what was right in front of him, everything just a blur. It was thank goodness that he was a shadow. Tetsuya seemed to be phasing through his surroundings. He was like a ghost. No one even noticed him there. As he fled by them.
How insignificant. And now it was like Kuroko didn't remember what it was like to be treated as if you were special. When would the feeling end? It wasn't always good to be invisible.
He was ambiguous about seeing Midorima-kun – the only guy he hadn't seen today – and about meeting back with Akashi-kun.
Kuroko just wanted to be in a bed. But not his own bed, or at least not alone. He didn't want to be anywhere with solitude. He needed company and someone to interact with him. He required for someone to take care of him as he was now. Feeling not okay.
Tetsuya was damn near impossible to catch for Kise. However, Midorima didn't do such a bad job as a human net. Tetsuya shot right into him. It was more like a crash. Midorima strong enough to not fall down, only having to move a couple steps back from the collision.
"Woah!" Takao gasped as Shin-chan held tight onto the phantom blur that was Kuroko. Takao almost didn't recognize him. The boy looked worse for wear.
"Kuroko." And so did Midorima, his glasses crooked from the impact.
"Midorimacchi!" Kise was still further behind, caught in the crowd.
Kuroko was just taking time to breathe while in Midorima's arms. He knew who he'd bumped into as he recognized the voice. He was a bit stunned to have run right into Shutoku's miracle, and the least affectionate miracle was holding his old teammate steady in his arms.
"Midorima-kun…" he finally said after filling his lungs. And without much to do with himself at this point, a little flustered, he wrapped his thin arms around Midorima's tall body. Midorima-kun a valuable source of heat. Even with Aomine-kun's heavy coat on his body. Kuroko was just grateful to be wrapped around a body. Body heat is what he relied on.
"What's the matter, Kuroko-kun?" Takao asked in an unnecessary candy sweet voice.
"Takao." Midorima growled. He hated when the point guard did that.
Ryota was finally able to get over to them.
Kise tried to take Kuroko from Midorima's long arms, but was failing. Shutoku's miracle loosely returning the embrace, while Tetsuya was tucked against his chest. Thinking that he no longer recognized true affection, Tetsuya searched for signs that the green haired miracle was the one he wanted snuggle against more often. Maybe Midorima-kun was the right one… Kuroko still didn't know what this meant.
"You must've did well on your date the other day, Shin-chan."
"It wasn't a date, you fool."
"Are you kidding? You were asking me all sorts of things, like what you should wear, where you should take him-"
"No I didn't."
"Midorimacchi you're trying to steal Kurokocchi away from me?"
Midorima just stopped arguing and scowled, as neither Kise nor Takao listened to him. They even began to talk actively at each other. Neither actually hearing what the other was saying. Shin-chan could not believe how fucking airheaded they were.
"Midorima-kun." Kuroko said again when Takao and Kise were hardly paying attention to them.
The green haired miracle heard Kuroko's voice with his keen senses. Tetsuya spoke very softly. The other two guys couldn't hear him over their idiotic ranting.
"Please… are you…"
"I don't understand broken sentence language, Kuroko."
"I just… please give me a moment." Kuroko's goal for today now felt like a 100 pound sack of potatoes. He just wanted to let go of all of the weight. He didn't care about achieving anything anymore.
Now he tried to think about what else he wanted. There was something… because Kuroko heard nagging at the back of his mind.
Midorima decided that he was going to hear Kuroko out. He hadn't witnessed this level of emotional distress in Kuroko on many occasions, but whenever he got like this it must be pretty serious. Midorima was not overly insensitive, and he was curious about what was wrong with the phantom sixth.
His emerald irises concentrated on the top of Kuroko's blue head. Shin-chan patiently waited like Kise had until Kuroko began to communicate.
"I'm supposed to return to Akashi-kun…"
"He's still in town?"
"Yes. I think he wanted to take me on a date again."
"That's likely." Midorima retained a clear picture of how Akashi "courted" Kuroko yesterday at the miracle shooter's house.
"I let him take me out again. But I left off with Kise-kun to talk. Akashi-kun called and wanted me to come back. I made a deal with Akashi-kun… and I saw Murasakibara-kun, but he… he ignored me. I think I'm upset… I think I want to go back…"
Shintarou was quiet. Kuroko's statement hung in the air, noise from the surrounding area filling Midorima's ears instead of the blunette's speech.
But it was more like Kuroko was venting to Midorima. And the miracle comprehended this. Midorima was compassionate enough to lend an ear in this moment.
"Kagami-kun… I can't wait to see what he has planned for me."
"You're going to see Akashi off, then you're going to see Kagami later on?" Midorima found this both normal and strange.
"I don't know…" Kuroko's head was going to explode. His conscience said a million different things all at once, and Kuroko could only hope to understand what inner Kuroko was trying to tell him.
Shintarou understood Kuroko's conflict.
"You seem indecisive Kuroko. It's not easy to determine what the future has planned for you. Yet you cannot wait on the side line and allow something like this to simply solve itself."
"Midorima-kun…" Tetsuya thought he liked what Midorima-kun was saying. And he imagined a knife stabbing his heart. It was a visual metaphor, and meant that Kuroko needed to cut open his armored heart to let someone inside. It was room for just one.
"Think of it this way. You're trying to pick an item at a store, you don't have time to stand there for a long time weighing the pros and cons of each option. You don't have days, weeks, or months to choose, so you have to pick."
At times, life called for more immediate action.
"Some of your options are obviously better than others. You have two items in your hands already, while several more are out of your reach."
"What do I do?"
Midorima randomly became his relationship consultant. Tetsuya wanted to learn about how to carefully pick who he had a long term relationship with. How do you pick the right one?
"One item may cost more than the other. But in the end, you cannot make a good case for picking one over the other. They are almost equal, if not exactly. But there is more to this than costs and benefits."
Midorima was secretly glad for the opportunity to speak in riddles. Yet he was making a point. One of his long fingers tapped Kuroko over the left side of his chest.
"Your heart will let you go deeper. I cannot be the one to explain to you how to pick with your heart. But you already know. Don't think about it."
Relationships weren't just disposable products you purchased at the market. He wanted to walk away from today with someone. But he wanted a deeper connection just like Midorima-kun said. And he wanted it to be lasting…
"Shin-chan! You're just going to hold Kuroko in front of me?"
"Midorimacchi, give me back my cute Kurokocchi!"
Both Takao and Kise were half joking, half serious. They finally shut their traps and noticed the slice of life conversation that Midorima and Kuroko were having with each other.
"Okay. I won't think about it Midorima-kun…"
"Think about what?" the blonde miracle suspiciously asked, looking directly at Midorima.
"Shin-chan, are you going to cheat on me again? I thought we were on an apology date for what you did yesterday?"
"Quiet." Midorima let go of Tetsuya just to cross his arms and turn away from the group. He wouldn't let anyone see his tiny blush on his cheeks. He disliked how big Takao's mouth was.
"You're so abusive!" Kise couldn't help but laugh at Takao's words.
"It isn't cheating if you encouraged it." Shin-chan was briefly forgetting that his past teammates were within hearing distance. He didn't intend for them to see this side of him.
"Oh yeah? I wondered if you would do it, that's all."
"How did you expect me to know it was some sort of test?"
"I don't know. I thought you weren't stupid, so you would get it!"
"I'm not stupid."
Their lover's spat entered the background. Kuroko was able to visualize one significant detail. Midorima and Takao were inseparable. They were together yesterday, together today. And mostly when Tetsuya saw Midorima, Takao wasn't far…
"Okay, guys. It sounds like you both hurt each other's feelings yesterday." Kaijo's ace mediated their argument (which Kuroko hadn't bothered doing the other day).
"No way! I nearly cried when Shin-chan didn't want to take me to that stupid play."
"You're lying. Besides, you gave up the ticket as if it was worthless to you."
"Oh whatever!" The brunette smirked despite what he and Midorima were doing.
"You're carelessness pissed me off." The miracle hardly looked upset.
The Shutoku pair were good together. Complimentary.
For Kuroko, finding out about why Midorima did that to him yesterday no longer mattered. Tetsuya remembered that they hadn't even fucked, and what that really signified was that Midorima probably hadn't meant anything by it, maybe he didn't care about what he did. Just like Murasakibara. Kuroko's goal of having a talk with everyone just seemed fruitless, of little importance. People were moving on from it. So should Tetsuya.
Without saying any goodbyes, he disappeared off the scene.
-Part 4-
After fleeing from Midorima and Takao, Kise chasing behind him again, Kuroko ended up finding his desired destination relatively quickly.
Akashi saw Kuroko first, the bluenette heading directly towards him, not paying attention to his surroundings. He was in front of Kuroko, right in his path of fleet. The miracle spread his arms just wide enough to allow the shape of Kuroko's body into them.
When Tetsuya finally sensed Akashi ahead, his elation increased. Short legs picked up speed. Feet ached as they pounded the ground in hurry to get to his date.
He dived headfirst into Akashi's solid body, instantly feeling valued again as he clung tightly to Akashi's muscular, cologne perfumed person. Kuroko wanted to fuse into the pleasantness of this situation. He didn't even pull back the tiny amount required to glance up and meet the Rakuzan captain's gaze. He was content being glued to his date's front.
Akashi kissed the top of his blue head.
Once Kuroko was wrapped back into Akashi's arms, Kise caught up again.
"I'll take over." Seijuuro informed. But it was his way of dismissing the Perfect copy ace as politely as possible.
Akashi was more than upset after he'd patiently waited for almost an hour. Although he was much, more angry at Ryota for returning Kuroko in this state, and less angry at his phantom sixth for being gone so long. Long enough to have been sexually involved with the blonde miracle.
He was still going to question Tetsuya about it. And would force Kuroko talk to him if that's what it took. Seijuuro didn't have much time left, it needed to be spent wisely.
Once Kise was gone – not wanting to incur Akashi's wrath by trying to reach for Seirin's 11th member, who didn't mind Akashi's territorial treatment – the pair allowed themselves a moment to bask in silence.
At the end of it, Tetsuya realized that Akashi-kun's body heat failed to keep him warm like before. With the evening approaching in Tokyo, the sane folks decided to get indoors.
"Can we go back to your car?" He was glad he left Nigou to the shelter of Akashi's vehicle. It was much too cold for his small puppy.
Finally hearing Tetsuya's voice caused Seijuuro to tighten his arms around the bluenette.
"Yes, but we need to talk."
Kuroko didn't ask why. Akashi vibes explained enough.
They journeyed back hand in hand, keeping their eyes straight ahead the entire time.
And their silence wasn't thick. They were just saving words until they got inside.
Kuroko entered the passenger side while Akashi held the door open, again acting as a gentleman and escort. Though there was a certain amount of displeasure he didn't formally convey. Seijuuro maintained composure, Kuroko looking him right in the eye before taking a seat inside. He jumped when the door on his side slammed.
And the door on Akashi's side slammed after he got in as well.
"Nigou." Kuroko called for the pup to come sit up front with him and Akashi. Kuroko held tight to him as he focused back on the teen beside him.
Akashi gave Number 2 a long stare, and as a dog, it might be difficult to understand how Nigou could be intimidated, but he was. He shut his blue eyes and tried to relax while lying on the lap of his human twin.
"Do you hold him often?"
"Hai. He used to be a stray puppy so I like to pay him a lot of attention."
"You shouldn't. It might be good to ignore him once in a while."
Tetsuya shook his head with a small smile.
"I won't ever do that."
The scarlet haired miracle blinked slowly. He and Kuroko maintained eye contact as their conversation escalated.
"Does that have something to do with how you were treated?"
"Yes."
Akashi's next words began with a scoff.
"That's hardly the case now. Is it possible for me to count how many times someone has been attentive to you since yesterday?"
"Akashi-kun... I don't understand. "
"Let's begin with your dates. Your first one."
"But we talked about it..."
"He cooked you breakfast. He took things off your bed. That is the extent of my knowledge. What else was there?"
"... Aomine-kun...fucked me."
"For how long?"
"Akashi-kun.."
"Answer me with honesty, Tetsuya."
"Two.. hours."
"Haha," It was only a chuckle. "He amazes me. And still manages to be out of control. But it seems that you liked it. Is that the kind of attention you desire Tetsuya? You only want to be fucked every which way and by everyone?"
"No... Aomine-kun surprised me."
"And what of Ryota? Did he give you that sort of attention as well?"
"Hai."
"I see." Akashi's smirk was wide. So far, he could tell that his phantom sixth wasn't deceiving him. Tetsuya better keep it up. "Atsushi?"
"No."
"You didn't spread your legs for him?"
"Yes..." Kuroko's chest began to hurt.
"Meaning he didn't go inside of you. Well done. You've exceeded my expectations."
"Akashi-kun-"
"Shintarou?"
"Wait..."
"I'll be returning to Kyoto soon Tetsuya. Now is the time to stop hiding things from me."
"I'm not."
"Very well. Did Shintarou fuck you?"
"... let's stop, please. I don't want for us to separate this way."
"Tetsuya, the sooner you reveal everything to me, the sooner we move on."
"But-"
Akashi Sat back comfortably in his seat, hands in his coat pocket as he asked Kuroko again about Midorima.
But Kuroko didn't answer.
"You're disappointing me. I want one thing from you Tetsuya. And that's the truth."
"I..."
"It's not wise to lie to the person who loves you. I need to know so that I can save our relationship."
"A-Aka..shi-kun," Kuroko was swallowing tears. He'd proven weak enough times today already. Why now too?
Seijuuro decided to wait until they were over this hurdle before providing his phantom sixth with some comfort. Until then…
"Tell me what you did with Shintarou." At this point, it was obvious that he was asking about sexual behavior.
Kuroko was having an increasingly difficult time responding to Akashi. He needed a break from miracle talk today.
Which is why the spirits of good grace blessed him by causing his cell to ring.
Akashi looked more than livid when Kuroko pulled it out and answered. Because it was Kagami calling, and not anyone else.
"Domo," Kuroko's upset tone was well concealed, but it was odd to the red head on the other line that Kuroko had answered him in such a friendly way.
Kagami wanted to be past that.
'Hey, just called to give you an update. I know I said next time everything would be done, but I got excited to hear you... anyways I got good news.'
"Okay."
'Uh, yeah... I've got everything nearly set up. But I had to run out to the store, so there's still some stuff to do. I need a couple more hours. But I can come get you sooner than I thought.'
"Okay."
'You alone?' Kagami was beginning to sense something amiss. Otherwise he couldn't tell any clues from Kuroko, his shadow partner sounded pretty normal.
"No."
Beside him, the miracle captain was watching intently. To him, Kuroko was trying to be discreet and deceitful. He made an effort to hide who was on the other line. Akashi created a mental checklist and began evaluating the possibilities of who called.
'You don't have a lot to say... you still excited for tonight?'
"Yes..." Kuroko's wished he had said more. Kagami-kun's surprise hadn't left his thoughts at all. He was so glad that his light partner was doing something for him tonight. Kuroko still hoped to make it.
While Akashi had narrowed his mental checklist to: Kise, Aomine, or Kagami. In any scenario, the point guard and captain would be far from overjoyed about who called.
'I can't wait to see you tonight. Don't feel awkward when I say this alright? But I cleaned and cooked for you. I got something in store for Nigou too. Just wait till you see it. You wouldn't be able to turn me down even if I asked you to marry me.' he was joking with that last part, but oddly sentimental.
Kuroko loved it.
"I would never say no to you." He couldn't help those words coming out. Kagami-kun was too charming right now for Kuroko to think correctly. Just like had been the case with Akashi. Actually, all the miracles had charmed him to some extent.
But Kuroko may have been making the beast inside of Akashi return. The words he said over the phone caused the miracle captain to see red. And seize the phone against Kuroko's ear.
'Then would you-' Kagami's question silenced when the phone was snapped closed. But before ending it, Akashi heard and recognized the voice over the line. He was angry for not realizing sooner that Tetsuya was talking to his teammate.
"Akashi-kun-" Please don't be this way, he thought to say next.
Seijuuro was quiet after pocketing the small blue cell.
Kuroko and Number 2 looked sad about how Kagami got hung up on, but also by how Akashi's next words sounded.
"You're willing to talk with Kagami while I'm here with you? We don't have much time left together."
"I know. Let's spend it more positively." They were beginning to upset one another. That was no way to say goodbye.
"I cannot think or do anything until I know you won't lie to me."
"I'm sorry Akashi-kun." Tetsuya half wished he could be like the birthday boy from last night. But after waking up today, well rested and in the clear about a few things, Kuroko could not just give away all his secrets like he had yesterday. He wanted and tried to give the truth to Akashi earlier, before Kagami-kun called. But the anxiety from it proved to be too much. He wasn't ready to talk about everything!
"Don't you want to stay in touch with me after I leave? If we are to have a relationship, I need answers." Seijuuro couldn't move on in the way Kuroko was asking. Not while he chose to love the bluenette. Making a decision to just love Kuroko was an error in of itself.
It showed how Seijuuro still didn't quite understand his feelings. He'd fallen in love with what it was like to fuck Kuroko slowly and passionately. He hadn't fallen in love with Kuroko's character. If they hadn't had sex last night, Akashi wouldn't attempt to hang on as tightly as he was now.
"Tell me only the truth from this moment on, Tetsuya." For Akashi, a relationship needed a hundred percent trust. He would let go of the times Kuroko lied already. But from here on out, he would enforce honesty. He wasn't going to shut up about it unless Tetsuya gave him enough reasonable doubt that they would not be together.
Which Kuroko did the opposite by saying this-
"About what?" Kuroko wanted to see if Akashi would remain on what happened with Midorima-kun. Kuroko was willing to talk about that if that's all it took to salvage their relationship.
Though his old captain moved on from the Midorima business. To things that mattered more.
"How are you going to feel about me leaving Tokyo?"
Without Emperor Akashi trying to stake claim, the original Akashi came forth once more. He was more concerned about how his phantom sixth would carry on without his guidance and concern.
Akashi's time in this city was almost up.
Now everything they'd done together up to this point became bittersweet. It made Kuroko sad.
"I know Akashi-kun has changed... and now there is a side of you that I can't look past. That I care about." He wasn't finished there, but while transforming his feelings to speech, Akashi said this next.
"I have to take you back home. Tell me about it on our way there." And while one hand took the wheel, the other opened in request for Kuroko's smaller, white hand.
Asking about this thing and that thing no longer mattered. Because there were two sides of him. And the side that Kuroko had grown to know more and care for didn't desire to manipulate or humiliate him. Like Akashi said.
The true Akashi just wanted to be himself. Not try to dominate, conquer, or win. Not someone that Tetsuya hated. But someone that would be missed by the phantom sixth.
Kuroko was content with this side of Akashi Seijuuro.
-Part 4-
The hardest thing for Akashi to do, as he said, was allow himself to leave Tokyo. He didn't want to leave Tetsuya behind in this city. But he had to get a move on. He had Sunday appointments in the evening that were nearly impossible to get out of.
But there was a slight chance for him to stay longer.
Akashi only needed to convince himself to make some sacrifices. He wasn't far from it. As each time Tetsuya put his hand on the door to get out, Akashi pulled that hand away, back into his own, and proceeded to tongue kiss Kuroko.
Number two was a bit smothered between them. But even his dog brain wondered what was going on. He hoped to hurry inside because he wanted water and food.
"I won't wait long to come visit again."
"Please don't. Let me know when you want to."
Akashi was one of the busiest teens in Japan.
"I'm going to do my best to make arrangements." He'd find time.
"Thank you for your kindness, Akashi-kun." Because through Akashi, and well, all of the miracles, Kuroko felt like he'd learned quite a bit. The past two days for him were rollercoasters.
"Tetsuya," he was back to sifting through Kuroko's blue hair. "You were kind to me as well." And he was back to kissing Kuroko tenderly on the lips.
Nigou's doggy tummy growled. No one heard it though.
Because he was sure Akashi-kun forgot, Kuroko asked for his cell phone back. After his precious device was returned, he pocketed it. Briefly he considered how he had to call Kagami-kun as soon as he got back inside his house.
"Goodbye."
"Until next time, Tetsuya."
Akashi still tried to pull him back inside, though with less persuasion this time. The miracle captain hand stroked Kuroko's sleeve as the phantom sixth exited the car.
Now Kuroko started the long trek to the front step of his home. So began the long distance between him and Akashi. It would increase as Akashi-kun drove away.
When Tetsuya looked once over his shoulder, the car had not moved. Kuroko only checked that one time.
At the front door, Tetsuya did not turn around again. He decided to retain the mystery of whether Akashi-kun would step out into the cold afternoon and take the phantom sixth into his arms again.
-Part 4-
Final Part up next: Kuroko Has Happiness
AN:
This was the most time committing part of this fiction (and not sure if it's at it's best), I seriously have the last part more than halfway complete, which I worked on whenever I had no idea how to piece things together in this part. I'm excited to share the Final. Chapter warnings section of the next part will reveal who the couple is. I hope everyone enjoys it despite who Kuroko ends up with.
Thanks if you read and enjoyed :D
Final Part 5 will be out way soon.