Kuroko didn't know what to make of the girl in front of him. He had gained some information about humans from Aomine and Kise, and of course he had shattered pieces of different memories of them, but he hadn't learned much. After all, Aomine only knew that they were usually cowardly things, selfish for the most part as well and Kise only offered that some of them were very beautiful and warned against their charm. His memories didn't offer much help either, as he was trapped in Akane's stare, he couldn't find anything of use to guide him through the situation.
Though, Kuroko observed, Kise may have been accurate in his descriptions of humans if Kuroko solely based them on this girl. Her skin contained a delicate softness that conflicted with the strict and powerful atmosphere she radiated. Her eyes were what particularly captivated his attention. Golden eyes shone, the water reflecting, almost dancing in her eyes, as curiosity held her gaze to Kuroko's horns. Kuroko let his horns slowly dissipate into the atmosphere and left his appearance mirroring that of a human's.
When Kuroko let her hand fall from his, it took him a few moments of watching the strands of red falling from her shoulder and framing her face to realize that he was meant to reveal his own name. Instantly fear struck through Kuroko. Among demons, despite their shared agony over their painful memories, was the fear that a human might discover their true name. Even as young demon, Kuroko understood that if a human knew a demon's true name, the power they possessed over the demon was overwhelming. They would have the ability to make the demon do whatever they pleased and would be able to kill the demon if that's what they truly wished.
Akane's eyes gentled when Kuroko refused to answer at first. She outstretched her hand and Kuroko tried to not to flinch as her hand came to cup his face. She gently caressed his face and studied his pale blue hair and his teal eyes and Kuroko was taken aback when she spoke gently towards him.
"Do you not have a name? Or are you like the faeries that the oracle spoke of? They like to keep their names secret so that humans cannot summon them or use them to do whatever they'd like," Akane said softly, continuing to stroke Kuroko's face, occasionally pushing back a loose strand of hair.
"I-I cannot speak my name," Kuroko replied, voice hoarse. He hadn't had to mimic anyone's language before. With Aomine and Kise they all spoke a mutual demon language that humans couldn't understand, and often they could communicate without words, not needing their actual voices.
"I see…" Akane whispered tracing Kuroko's jaw, fingers brushing against his skin with caution, "Then," she paused her touch under his chin, "Can I give you a name?"
The notion confused Kuroko, it was a genuine question not laced with malice but rather a delicate kindness. It was in its own way selfish, after all it wasn't Akane's right to give Kuroko a name, but to ask to give him a name, respecting his inability to speak his true name, was something innocent and selfless. Kuroko gently brought his hand to touch the back of her head, pale fingers intertwining with red hair. Akane was surprised at first, the touch sudden and unplanned, but smiled after the fact.
"You may choose a name… if you truly wish to do so," Kuroko decided, petting Akane's hair and marveling in her kind's beauty.
"Kurou-kun then," She proclaimed with a smile.
Over the course of several weeks Kuroko developed a deep understanding of what a human actually was. They weren't durable like demons were and definitely would die in most of the situations Kuroko was used to putting himself into. He also learned that with their lack of durability came an urge to commit dangerous acts, becoming daring and reckless. Akane personally embodied a lack of concern for her safety. Kuroko on multiple occasions had protected Akane from dying. There were times when she wanted to go adventuring through the forest behind her estate. She would slip on the river rocks or accidently provoke an animal and Kuroko would come rushing to use his magic to keep her alive. Often times he found his body moving on its own, having an unquenchable desire to see Akane safe and within his grasp…
Akane would laugh at how flustered he got trying to protect her. She told him that she never expected demons to be so shy or so caring about an insignificant human life. Kuroko would often blush at that and it would only make Akane laugh harder. She would then describe the weird traditions that her family and other humans often went through to keep demons away; saying she never really understood necessarily why her people did it- especially not after meeting a demon like him- and why they hated demons so much.
Kuroko couldn't help but be infatuated and captivated by her stories and the way she spoke. He also couldn't help but be fascinated how nice her warm hand felt in his own; how nice it felt to be this close to a human. Aomine and Kise were comforting to be around, they provided guidance and a sort of understanding and love that any other species could provide him with. However, it was interesting and refreshing to be around someone totally clueless about his situation who was genuinely curious about him. Someone who was so fragile yet determined… Since the minute he saw her he found himself slowly enjoying her company more and more as the days grew longer, slowly becoming more intrigued by the things she said and did.
He especially came to enjoy the name that Akane had gifted him. At first he feared it, as if she were to say it she would suddenly know his true name and would say that instead. However, soon enough it became relaxing to hear her call from him and as it was amusingly similar to his demon name, a fact that made Aomine quite nervous, it was also a reminder of how smart and cunning she could be. The name was so soft and delicate when it left her lips that it kept Kuroko in a trance and many times he felt himself ponder were times when he debated with himself if it would even be that bad if she were to know his true name. He had the utmost faith in her that she would not abuse the ability that came with knowing his true name. Besides the thought of that name passing through her lips made Kuroko strangely excited and happy.
Kise, Kuroko concluded, much to Aomine's dismay, was certainty correct in his accusations of how beautiful humans could be. He also came to the inclusion that it wasn't so bad to be charmed by a human like Akane.