Come Sunday
Author's Note: This is it the last chapter. I'm not sure I captured Akashi very well or any of the characters along the way but I certainly hope you've enjoyed the story.
Warning: Well Kaiba became more of a shadow character in this than I first expected.
Day: Saturday
"I don't see the problem Momoi we found a sponsor and he doesn't care about our relationship." Akashi smiled unconcerned at the protest the pinkette was making. It mattered little to him about what the media thought as long as Kuroko was still his. And the bluenette didn't seem to have any issue with having 'Property of the Generation of Miracles' written in henna along his collar bone. At least he hadn't made it complaints to him personally last night when he had done it.
"That isn't the point Akashi." Momoi countered glaring heatedly. She was the only one among them to ever lodge a complaint or argue with the red head, that however didn't mean she ever won. But she wouldn't just sit back and not put up a fight just because he was in charge did not always make the red head right.
"Well I already scheduled the conference with Mokuba backing me. He agrees that hiding our relationship is counter productive." Akashi smiled as the pinkette sighed in defeat. "It won't hurt to be open about the way we care about our sixth player, it's not like we can hide it forever so we might as well have it out and open before it becomes some big scandal." Akashi assured her calming down just a little as he ran his fingers over the pair of scissors in his pocket. It might be an ungodly hour in the morning because the pinkette couldn't sleep knowing what he had in mind but he would be damned it if were caught without at least one pair of red handled cutting tools.
"Do you have a plan on how to go about this? And how not to make it a scandal?" Midorima asked entering the kitchen with a small smile. It was his turn to cook breakfast and he had been so surprised at finding Momoi and Akashi arguing he had stood eavesdropping for five minutes. Of course he wasn't surprised that his captain and now acting manager were butting heads. It was something most of team accepted must happen even if they had never witnessed it. With this he would be collecting from both Kise and Aomine who had bets to the contrary. But he was also intrigued by the idea of becoming public it was starting to strain their relationships with each other to be constantly around when their lover was on a date with his other lovers. Not being able to at least act like a couple outside of the house was driving them all crazy.
"I don't yet but isn't that where you and Momoi come in?" The know it all smile had never left the captain's lips like he had fully expected Midorima to enter the room at this time. And with his perfect eye he might just very well have.
"When is the conference?" Midorima asked by way of answer pulling an apron out of a drawer as well as a tiny raccoon mitt and shoving it in the pocket of said apron as he put it on. The mitt would have to do until after breakfast when he could raid his already purchased raccoon collection, because lucky item or not he couldn't part with most of the raccoon or frog items and found they would come up more as his lucky item than any other kind of item.
"The first day of the tournament. after our first victory in it that is." The mismatched eyes never left the table where they had taken to staring, a plan forming slowly in his mind's eye. Even though it's considered the biggest tournament in all of Japan and they hadn't played even half the teams neither he nor his teammates felt any doubt at their victory. It was almost like middle school all over again in some aspects only now that they played like a team and enjoyed the game they handed teams even more crushing defeats and the few close calls were only close by a ten to twenty point margin. College had given them what they wanted from the game but it wasn't enough, there weren't enough serious teams for them to compete with. And those that were worthy ended up so scared they fell short. It was too boring thus their constant search for a sponsor. And now that they had one he was not going to let it ruin his love life. He loved Kuroko and having to hide the fact he did had never sat well with him or any of them. Kuroko especially wasn't into hiding his love having been the one to personally tell most of the team that he was indeed sleeping with all of the Generation of Miracles, their manager, and his new light. That had been quite the headache at the time but eventually everyone had calmed down and accepted the fact that it was something that was not going to change. "I don't know what I'll tell the press yet but I can't hide this anymore."
"I think we should discuss this with everyone first especially Kuroko." Momoi countered before Midorima could get another word in. She wasn't happy about this idea but as the only one able to act lovey dovey with the powder bluenette beyond closed doors she figured her opinion on the matter didn't really have much sway. "I can't stand the idea of keeping him out of the loop and you know just as well as I do that Kise will cry buckets if he isn't involved and Aomine will sulk for a week." She was pretty sure Kagami and Murasakibara wouldn't mind as long as they were informed by one of their team members and not the press.
None of them had even been that excited about the news of their sponsorship, of course that could have been partly because said sponsor's little brother had followed her home to walk in on a 'make-out session' between all seven members of the Generation of Miracles, Kagami and Kuroko. That had been hard on the poor little guy but he had been warned and was quite supportive even confessing his brother was not entirely inhuman and had a blonde haired male he liked to refer to affectionately as Mutt for a lover. Of course he couldn't reveal his name because said blonde was still reeling over the idea of going public. It really wasn't something everyone could do and he would back them one hundred percent should they choose to do so.
"I don't think that's such a bad idea." Midorima agreed from the fridge where he was deciding what to serve for breakfast. It wasn't like the conference was later today or something they had time to sit and discuss this like reasonable adults. And considering the repercussions that could be had from telling the press it seemed like a logical conclusion. It wasn't like any of them would ever leave Kuroko but not all of them were keen on dealing with reporters who pried too closely into personal matters, something that was happening more frequently as they year progressed and the tournament approached.
"You don't think what is a bad idea?" Kagami asked entering the room scratching his stomach. He was so accustomed to waking up to make breakfast on the weekends he had forgotten Midorima had promised to make it today. Something about making up for something or other. He rarely kept track of who was making what when anyway he enjoyed cooking so he didn't mind doing it for his lover and his friends.
"We might be going public." Momoi answered with a sigh. She was regretting ripping that rules list up already. If she hadn't informed them of Mokuba and Kaiba's support of their love life, or should she say lack of interest in the elder's part, she wouldn't be in the situation now.
"Oh." Was all the tall red head had to say before joining the green haired shooter at the fridge asking him what he was planning to make and if he would like some help. He wasn't concerned who knew of his love for the shrimpy but cute sixth player. It might be a scandal but in his eyes if they had survived six months living together and sharing the same lover without killing each other they all deserved medals or something because that was more than some housewives could boast without having an affair. Or at least that's what Alex had told him when he had written her about it last.
Momoi looked at him incredulously she couldn't believe that was it. "Is 'Oh' all you have to say?" She finally asked when he didn't add anymore but continued to discuss breakfast quietly with the green haired giant. Did any of them think beyond the moment? What if no one approved? Legally they weren't breaking any laws but that didn't mean people wouldn't find their lifestyle morally reprehensible and accost them. She could still remember the way Kimi, a once close friend of hers had been treated for being gay. She knew it wouldn't hold a candle to way they would be treated for having a polygamist gay lifestyle. How could they act like it was nothing?
"What else is there to say?' Kagami shrugged helping Midorima with the ingredients and getting them ready. "I don't care what anyone outside this house our team thinks of our relationship. It isn't there business and if they want to gossip or throw stones at me I don't care. I love who I love and I will continue to love him regardless." He said not looking back at the fuming pinkette he knew she wouldn't understand a man's mentality on this level. It was same principle as when a guy liked a girl his friends didn't. You dated her anyway and ignored them and their opinions on the matter. It wasn't their opinion that made a difference it was those of the people involved.
"I agree with Kagami." Midorima added the only one he was worried about in all of this was the powder bluenette who held them all together and would end up under the most fire about this. As men sharing the same man it wasn't that odd just the fact that they knew about each other was strange, stranger still they lived together. Surely they would be questioned but they all loved the same person and Kuroko loved them each equally making him the bigger target. "Unless Kuroko is against it I will be completely fine with going public."
"What are you talking about?" Aomine ambled into the room followed by a much more awake Kise. They had been standing in the doorway for the better part of three minutes trying to make heads or tails of the situation unsuccessfully, well at least in the case of the darker bluenette. He took one look around the room and decided it was too early for this serious atmosphere but he had asked them what was going on so he had better be prepared for the answer.
Kise being the early bird he normally was had already understood the situation and was trying to wrap his head around the possible repercussions that could affect his job. He would have to discuss it with his own manager much like he would have to in length discuss it with Momoi. After all there were several changes made with the acquisition of a sponsor key among them being that Momoi was an acting manager and would only teach Mokuba how to manage the team with her as his co manager while she went through the courses in school. Riko had been replaced by her Dad for the time being as their coach so she could take a crash course with some of the world's finest coaches. Kaiba had seen no reason to fire either of them since he knew he wouldn't find anyone else with as much love and an equal amount of talent for the team or the team members. Of course he also didn't plan to do any trading unless it was required either so he was fully prepared to make sure that everyone was qualified completely by them they left college. Another of the bigger changes was that Kaiba had insisted that Kise would model under one of Kaiba's personal modeling companies. It would pay more and allow them more freedom with their money but he still hadn't discussed details with his manager. He was pretty certain that their new sponsor already had and most likely bought his contract as well. But even if that were to be the case it could still negatively affect his career as a model.
"Mokuba Kaiba has endorsed us in going public and I have set up a conference to do just that." Akashi's face echoed a smile as he looked smugly at the pinkette who still hadn't quite calmed down. He knew that to her things were spinning out of control but he knew better. Fate had brought them together and fate would keep them that way even if the whole world were to know. He was certain of it. More certain than he had ever been of anything.
"Oh..." Kise frowned taken a bit off guard beside him though he saw Aomine blush at the thought. It wasn't like the darker male didn't leave enough hickeys on their lover but now he was blushing because people would be told? He couldn't help but smile at the ironic thought. "Well if our sponsor is backing us there can't be that many issues with it right?" The blonde smiled in understanding if it were such a bad thing there was no way that Kaiba of Kaiba Corp would let it out of the bag. There must be some spin he was going to take that would make things work to their advantage.
"Good morning." Kuroko walked in a few minutes later to find Momoi glaring daggers at Akashi, while Aomine was looking over Kise's shoulder at the newest model magazine, at the counter Midorima and Kagami were putting the finishing touches on breakfast while shooing Murasakibara to his seat.
"Good morning Kuroko!" Momoi smiled wider hoping that everyone else would keep their mouth shut like she had asked until after breakfast. Kuroko was the least likely to be awake enough to understand the magnitude of the issue they would be discussing until at least noon. She was relieved when all she heard was good morning echoed back by six different voices though she was worried when Akashi just stood instead of returning the greeting.
"Good morning Kuroko." Akashi smiled as he stood moving around his chair towards the sleepy bluenette wrapping his arms around his waist slowly moving his lips to the tender ones just centimeters lower than his own. He could almost feel the want rolling off the only slightly shorter male as he pulled away smiling like the cat that got the canary. There was no way any of them would speak against him even if was pushing the rules between them. But he had other reasons in mind. "I want the world to know I love you." He whispered into a pale ear nibbling it just a tad before returning to his seat a different kind of breakfast in mind.
A bit confused Kuroko took his seat by his favorite pinkette and smiled sheepishly at her. He knew that Akashi liked to push the rules but he couldn't bring himself to stop the red head. It wasn't like he didn't enjoy the attention and it wasn't like the others weren't as bad on their own days, or whenever he thought he could get away with in Aomine's case. As breakfast continued though he realized that he was missing something and when Akashi took his hand and led him towards the meeting room they rarely used he understood whatever it was he wasn't in on he was about to find out. He wasn't worried despite all the changes being made after their finding of a sponsor. He was inwardly ecstatic at the support Mokuba had shown them.
"I'm sure you realize that this must be a serious matter for us to come into the meeting room." Akashi started after making sure that everyone was seated around the large table that had originally been intended for use in business. It was a place they liked to hold their more formal or Momoi would put it argumentative e meetings. Simply for the reason that everyone was able to seat at least a chair away from everyone else and was encouraged to do so. "The reason we've come in here is because I'd like to go public with our relationship."
Kuroko looked around the room at all the eyes that were staring at him and he realized they expected him to make the decision. It was something he had thought about all of these months and something he couldn't deny any longer. He wanted the world to know he loved them, all of them. But he couldn't risk it hurting him. "Tell me more about it?" He asked more than stated unsure that he would like what he heard.
It was two hours later and he had only just made a decision. They would go public. It had taken much persuading on Momoi's part and after many phone calls with Kaiba himself and the company Kise worked for as well as Midorima's family it was settled. The media would be gagged almost right the news broke. It wasn't important to the sport at all and after winning the whole tournament it would be a good way to shut them up as well. All that was left was fine tuning the details.
"Now that we've finally decided..." Akashi smiled at Kuroko lecherously and pulled him into a fierce kiss. "Why don't we celebrate?" Neither protested when Murasakibara came up behind the shorter bluenette and began caressing his thigh. Aomine wasn't far behind nibbling at a pale neck while Momoi and Midorima over took his hands pressing themselves into him like they could become one. Kise was already at pale feet taking off his shoes slowly so as not to unbalance anyone Kagami just smirked pulling out a pair of handcuffs he had gotten in the habit of stashing around the house because no one really followed the rules. And what was the point with sound proof rooms?
End Note: Well I hope you enjoyed. I'm sorry it took me so long to get this done I hadn't the foggiest where I was heading after like chapter three. Somehow it seems I made it to the point, sort of. Well R & R?