Holy fuck it's been 6 months since I've last updated. This one is dedicated to hitsugaya-tomome, who requested for cute Kuroko x Riko + milkshakes! Hope you enjoy, this one's to you.

Disclaimer: Yeah well.

Pairing: Kuroko x Riko

Warning: Tooth-rotting, check for cavities. :)

Kuroko was an enigma to Riko, more often than not. He was a silent, perceptive presence that one would easily overlook, but when he chose to speak, his words were blunt and surprisingly accurate. Despite being on the same team and working in close quarters, her long-time teammates distracting and rowdy enough that they didn't need to interact much at all. Which was why she was more than shocked when he asked her, in straightforward seriousness, if she'd like to accompany her to the newly opened café in Shibuya. Alone.

Riko felt strangely touched. Kuroko probably knew that she liked this sort of stuff, even though she was usually a hardened exterior, which much love for tactical brilliance and roughhousing. Plus, she had been interested the café anyway; the fact that Kuroko knew of its existence was a huge plus in her books. Therefore, an agreement slipped passed her lips with ease, and Kuroko sent her a rare, warm smile that painted rosy warmth onto her cheeks.

The coming Thursday, it was hard to know what to expect. Dressed warmly for the cooling season, she tottered out of the station, surveying the crowds before her eyes landed on a familiar figure. It was easy to notice him, she realized, with a surprised jolt – his presence was blown, somehow, enhanced by his non-uniform clothing, gesture or stance; she wasn't quite sure. Venturing towards him through the throngs of people, she tapped him on the shoulder, drawing his attention.

Surprised shock flitted into his gaze, 'hey.'

'Hi,' Riko answered, reply stout. The awkwardness between them was palatable, but he merely smiled at her greeting.

'How've you been?'

'I-? Er, I've been good. I've been reading up on recent editions of Basketball Monthly; can you believe it? I found the 2011 edition, and Midorima-kun looked, well…' She chuckled.

He laughed, dryly, 'I don't think neither of us were at the peak of our maturity. Puberty tends to be…'

'You should have seen Huuga.' She snarked, a grin lingering on her face despite the puffs of white air she blew out due to the cold.

Though it was a fifteen minute walk through the elaborate streets, it was filled with conversation, surprisingly easy to uphold. Sooner than later, they rounded the corner and the shop was in sight. The wooden sign hung unobtrusively, but there was a sort of welcoming air that exuded the atmosphere upon sight of the cheery café.

Upon entering the shop, the sharp gust of warm, coffee-infused air had Riko sighing in warm relief. Unbeknownst to her, Kuroko smiled slightly at the exhalation, and inched closer towards her, his shoulder bumping his.

Riko looked up, a little startled at the unexpected contact, but he was already with his back to her, her arm clutched warm within the curl of his fingers, and leading her to a nearby seat, facing the window. He turned to her, and the smile donning his lips was a little wider, speaking genuine tones of enjoyment. She marvelled.

'Isn't the view great?' Kuroko grinned, boyish in his excitement. The roads were filled with people, some bustling and hurrying, no doubt immersed in the busy insignificance of corporate life. 'I've always wanted to come to a coffee shop in Shibuya. Never had the chance to.'

Riko sees the appeal and nods wordlessly, eyes still glued to the monumental view beyond the glass pane. They sit, listening to the chatter of the café and watching the traverse of strangers for a few silent beats.

Then, a menu is offered to them, and they both startle, turning an abashed gaze to the waiter and to each other. At least, Riko does. She's not sure what Kuroko feels in that moment, but the gaze he offers her is insidious and heavy.

Taking a brief glance over the menu, he jabs a finger, almost as if random, and orders, 'a vanilla milkshake, extra foam please.'

She raises a brow. 'You know, if that counts as a lunch for you, you're going to lose your muscle mass.'

He shrugs, smiling enigmatically, 'low metabolism.' He looks at her expectantly, 'you?'

'I'll have a cheesecake and a coffee.'

The moment of waiters bustling in between them pause their conversation, but as soon as they're gone, Kuroko leans back, knees unlocking. His lax attitude is surprising, especially for one who seems so proper all the time. Riko bites her lip. She doesn't know how to address this, how to talk to him. She wishes she does though.

Despite her brutal admonitions of the team about their derisive attitude towards her offer of kisses, she knows that there's a reason why they lust after Momoi as opposed to her. She's…girly, nice, easy to talk to. She's defensive, rational, not at all the type of girl that high school boys would shoot for. Being invited on this date (non-date?) has her realize that fact more painfully than before.

As if knowing where the line of her thoughts was taking her, Kuroko observed, 'you seem nervous.'

'I,' Riko's knee-jerk reaction is to refuse, but it's all too obvious already, 'yes. Of course. We, you – you invited me out alone, to a café. In Shibuya, no less. And you're treating me to this? I mean, you have to know that this is somewhat similar to a date.'

There she said it. Her cheeks are burning, and Kuroko is still reclined, motionless in the fluff of the armchair. Instead of looking ridiculous, it looks kind of endearing, really. She sends a mental curse towards the Gods for testing her like this. She chuckles, feeling extremely awkward in the silent face he offers. Couldn't the kid give her some mercy and laugh it off? Seriously, this was the worst.

'Look,' she offered weakly, 'I was just-'

'What do you think I'm doing?' He voices such in his trademark monotone, but there's a hidden seriousness to the curve of his words, 'I'm not as socially inept as you think I am, Riko-san.'

Riko doesn't know what to say, so wisely, she keeps her mouth shut, instead, choosing to offer a helpless shake of her head.

They don't talk, but then Riko realizes there's a helpless smile on her lips.

Their drinks arrive at this point, and they eat, the silence between them now tentative, more than anything. Kuroko dawdles with his milkshake seemingly awkward for the first time since their…since this. She doesn't want it like this, she wants…

She looks down, and notes, without any ulterior motive, mind you, that there's enough cheesecake for the both of them. She blushes, eyes downcast, 'you should have some.'

He smiles, and it conveys a brightness that has Riko's insides flip, 'after you.'

(The way back to the station is warm; her hand is cupped in his, and so is her heart.)

Review on the way out? :)