Kuroko snuggled close to Akashi, but he still couldn't sleep. He didn't want to see that side of him again. His eyes just became dull, and he got a bit tired as he waited for night to come, for Vlad to take him away again.
Akashi watched over him but his eyes were just as dull as he stared at the chain. Everything he prided himself in being, the very person he was, was chained away.
Kuroko just leaned against him and held onto him, until Vlad came in. He saw their state, but didn't question it. He just came over, after making sure Akashi wouldn't attack, and freed Kuroko. "Are you wanting to help tonight, Akashi?"
"Fuck you." Akashi said clearly, not even glancing at him.
"That's not very nice." Vlad said, reaching into his pocket. Though Kuroko grabbed his arm, stopping him. "Please don't, he's just grumpy. He didn't get much sleep.."
Vlad hummed, before standing up, grabbing Kuroko's collar again but not so roughly. "Fine. But grumpy or not, he needs to know manners."
"Because it's such good manners to lock two teens in a basement right?" Akashi said with a snort, uncaring of the consequences.
Vlad frowned irritatingly, shaking his head. "I bought you, and those are the consequences of being owned. I am not arguing now, but I will give you a few words when I get back." He said, starting to drag Kuroko off.
"I'm pretty sure it's still bad manners to buy kids. At very least illegal!" Akashi called with derision. He smirked to himself knowing the worst he acted out, the better Kuroko would be in Vlad's eyes. If things worked out, maybe he would drop his guard and Kuroko could steal the collar keys.
"You'll definitely be getting punished." Vlad said quietly, before dragging Kuroko out the room and shutting the door. Soon after that Vlad had taken the remote out, even as Kuroko tried convincing him not to.
He shocked Kuroko for a moment, just to make him stop pleading, before he pressed the button for Akashi's collar. The remote could work even if it was say 50 feet away from the collar. He held the button, letting the collar go on for a few minutes as he kept walking with Kuroko.
Akashi was fortunate however since he passed out after the first minute, his body too weak to cope with the pain. Severe burns appeared on his neck but he slept in a dreamless sleep, unable to feel the pain.
Kuroko didn't want Vlad so mad when they went home, but he didn't want to steal either. But once he felt the electricity in his throat, he began to move. He stole a lot more from each house a bit quicker then he normally would. It was for Akashi.
When he was finally done, breathing heavily, he was glad that Vlad was at least satisfied. He even got a
"Good job." Which made him feel a bit guilty. He was soon taken home, nearly passing out once he entered the basement.
Akashi woke up and looked at Vlad, wondering if he was going to get more punishment. He glared at him as he chained Kuroko back up and he would have talked if he could. As it was, he gave him a defiant look.
Vlad didn't shock him this time, but wasn't stupid enough to walk closer. "You're lucky Kuroko did a good run." He said, before walking out of the room. Kuroko just laid on the floor, panting and tired.
Akashi smirked, knowing his plan was just beginning to work. He wanted to comfort Kuroko but his body still hurt, it was all he could do to just sink back to the ground.
Kuroko looked at Akashi, wanting to do nothing but sleep, but he knew if he did alone his other side would probably play another visit. So slowly crawling over on his stomach, he moved close enough to Akashi to where there bodies touched.
"You have to play along and then find the keys." Akashi croaked brokenly, coughing from the pain in his neck. He patted Kuroko and pulled him close, his eyes sliding shut.
Kuroko looked at him, and just nodded. He didn't want to argue, and hurt Akashi's voice further. He just closed his eyes, beginning to fall asleep.
Akashi fell asleep, his body weak from him not taking care of it. Even in his sleep he kept jerking his leg though, wanting freedom.
Kuroko slept close to Akashi, feeling safe and comforted close to Akashi like this. He didn't wake up until late morning, and even then, he stayed close to Akashi the whole time.
Akashi woke up and stayed still, his eyes either on the door or window. He sighed wearily, wondering how long it would be for Kuroko to be able to gain Vlad's trust.
Kuroko noticed Akashi woke up, and looked up at him. "...Akashi-kun? If.. I continue doing good runs to make him happy, do you think he'll trust me?.."
"Just do what he wants but keep fighting your thief side." Akashi said flatly.
"How can I do that? I'll be doing what they both want; Stealing. It's.. what awakens him... It makes him stronger." Kuroko said, laying his head down. "Lately I felt like I've been losing myself, and I don't know if it's him or what."
"You have to fight it. If you love me Tetsuya, you'll fight it." Akashi said.
Kuroko blinked in surprise, before snuggling closer. "I do love you. I love you so much. When you tried to leave when we were in that house, it snapped me out of it, because I didn't want you to leave me... You're the only thing keeping me from practically going insane."
"I won't but you can't give in Tetsuya. Not now." Akashi said seriously.
"...I won't Akashi-kun... I promise." Kuroko said, before leaning a bit and softly kissing his lips.
Akashi kissed back before nodding. He had to trust Kuroko, he just had to.
Kuroko stared at him, before remembering Vlad's punishment for him. He looked at Akashi's neck, and he didn't even have to move the collar to see the skin a bit black on the edges. It looked like the skin was burnt.
Akashi covered his neck, hiding it from Kuroko. He would piss off Vlad over and over, making Kuroko look better.
"Akashi-kun... He's hurting you so much, isn't he?" Kuroko asked, looking up at his face.
"No." Akashi said shortly. "Tetsuya, you can't worry about me, worry about getting his trust."
Kuroko looked at him, frowning slightly. "But... You're getting hurt..."
"Then don't let it be a waste Tetsuya. Get those keys." Akashi said. "I'm doing my part by making you look good so don't waste it."
Kuroko continued to stare at him, before slowly nodding. "I'll try... I'll do it. I'll get the keys, I promise."
"Good." Akashi said simply. He didn't mind the pain, just so long as Kuroko didn't give in.
Kuroko just cuddled up to Akashi, until a man came in to give them food. Once he left, he gently tugged on Akashi's arm. "You aren't eating too much... You eat more this time. I see how much you usually eat."
"No, just eat your share Tetsuya, I'm not the one who needs the energy." Akashi said, the sight of food honestly sickening him.
"You need to eat too. You won't have the energy to keep dealing with the pain if you don't eat." Kuroko said, moving away and slowly crawling to the food, not bothering to waste energy by walking.
"It's fine, it's actually better." Akashi said as he turned away from the food and faced the window with a wistful look. Still, he preferred to be here than forced to steal.
"I won't eat unless you eat." Kuroko said, frowning slightly. He crawled back, trying to give Akashi the food.
Akashi stifled a sigh and began nibbling the food, not eating a lot but enough for Kuroko to eat. His stomach rolled and he felt like puking.
Kuroko watched him, making sure he ate, before he moved back to the food, slowly beginning to eat a little.
Akashi ate as much as he could stomach before sliding the plate away from him and he touched his neck gingerly. It would only get worse.
Kuroko didn't eat much, since it pained his throat to swallow. He wasn't hungry anyway. He crawled back to Akashi, slightly rubbing his head against him as if he were a cat, before looking at him worriedly.
Akashi curled an arm around him and sighed. As was all their days, it was just a matter of waiting for the man to come and collect Kuroko.