Kuroko didn't exactly dislike Akashi Seijuro. The blue haired boy simply found him a little too...aggressive? Assertive? Entitled? All of the above. At school, Akashi would always make it seem like he was running the whole show. He would order people around as if they were peasants and get rid of people he did not need.

But he sure was intelligent and handsome.

Akashi was the popular, smart, loved by teachers and students, honor student. He never really paid attention to someone as insignificant as Kuroko. The blue haired boy was simply someone who was constantly picked on by other students because he was quiet and looked weak. But Kuroko was stubborn as a bull and Akashi was always intrigued by that. It made Akashi want to constantly tease him.

Their friends didn't know how to fix the tension between the two boys but they did see that there was an underlying chemistry between them if they could just look past their differences and not argue whenever they talked. They thought that now being in university would have put some distance between them but they were terribly wrong.

"Tetsuya, can you pass me the paper?" Akashi said bitterly while looking at the other expectantly.

Kuroko scoffed, "Why don't you do it yourself, you have two functioning arms and legs."

The redhead sighed and snapped at the other, "You know, you could at least show some manners and just get the stupid paper."

When Akashi went to place his hand on the blue haired boy's shoulder, Kuroko gripped the redhead's hand and stared him directly in the eyes as a warning to not touch him. Kuroko was able to feel the redhead's pulse and his heat travel up his arm. It was electrifying and it scared him. The blue haired boy was going to pull away but Akashi gripped his wrist hard and pulled him close.

"You will do as I tell you eventually, Tetsuya. I always get what I want."

"Keep struggling, Akashi-kun." Kuroko spat out before yanking his hand out of the other's strong grip.

Their professor always had to tell them off for arguing and eventually she gave up trying to split them up because it became obvious that no matter how much they argue, they always come back to each other. Like magnets trying to pull away.

Kuroko wasn't a bad student, but he did have subjects in which he didn't do so well in. His professor eventually suggested that he get tutored by the brightest student in class. Which unfortunately was Akashi. The blue haired boy pouted as he approached Akashi and said,

"I need your help."

The redhead let out a small chuckle, "Why on Earth should I help you?"

Kuroko felt his face heat up from the embarrassment but he gathered his courage, "Because I'm not smart enough to understand some of the content in this course and I'm politely asking you for help. Will you please help me?"

The redhead flashed a mischievous grin and shrugged, "Sure. I hope you can keep up with me."

They started their tutoring sessions at Akashi's apartment. It wasn't Kuroko's first time at the other's apartment but it always shocked him at how he kept such a large apartment to himself. The blue haired boy slowly took off his shoes and mumbled, "Pardon the intrusion." before following Akashi to his room.

Kuroko sat down and allowed Akashi to help him study. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until the redhead smirked and said,

"You really don't know any of this stuff, do you?"

The blue haired boy glared at the other and snarled, "You really don't know how to be tactful, do you?"

Akashi couldn't help himself, the blue haired boy was just too interesting and fun to play with. The redhead leaned forward and placed a hand on top of Kuroko's. The blue haired boy's face turned a pale pink and he stammered,

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just giving you what you want. You seem to want to get closer to me." Akashi said as he peered into those sky blue eyes.

Kuroko stared back like a deer caught in headlights. Then he carefully said, "Is this not just a reflection of what you want?"

The redhead shrugged and leaned back a little, a playful grin ghosting his lips, "Maybe. Want to test it out?"

"What...do you mean by that...?" The blue haired boy whispered.

Akashi's grin grew wider, almost predatory, as he tugged their bodies close. Their noses almost touching and he spoke with a low voice, "To be blunt, I'm asking if you would like to make out with me."

If Kuroko's face could get anymore red then it surely would have by now. The blue haired boy was inexperienced and never really dwelled on feelings such as love or lust for that matter. So when the redhead proposed the idea of kissing, his brain short circuited. After a minute of silence, Kuroko scoffed,

"Fuck off, you sick bastard and stop messing with me."

The blue haired boy moved away and started to pack up his bags. Akashi carefully watched him as his mind spun to make a decision on what to do. Kuroko stormed off and was about to let himself out when the redhead quickly caught him. The blue haired boy lost it then,

"Just leave me alone! Let me go! Why do you do this to me?!"

Akashi moved closer and closed the distance between their lips. Kuroko let out a noise of protest but the tension between the two had finally broken and the blue haired boy simply melted into the kiss.

The redhead let his hands gently roam over Kuroko's body until they finally settled on his waist. Akashi cautiously tugged the blue haired boy closer as to not scare him away. A light moan escaped Kuroko's lips as the redhead kissed him harder. Not knowing where to put his hands, Kuroko hesitantly placed his arms around Akashi's neck and allowed his breath to be taken away. The redhead began to slip his fingers underneath the hem of Kuroko's shirt when the blue haired boy's cellphone rang.

The shrill noise startled both boys from their embrace and Kuroko frantically pulled out his phone to pick up the incoming call.

"Kise-kun? Hi, why are you calling? Yes, I'm with Akashi-kun, we just finished the tutoring lesson. We can meet you and the others at Maji Burger. Okay, see you soon, bye."

The blue haired boy hung up and avoided Akashi's gaze. Both of them were suddenly embarrassed by what had happened just a few minutes ago and couldn't look each other in the eye.

"Um..." The redhead started, "So..they want to meet at Maji Burger?"

Kuroko nodded and they stood in an awkward silence. Akashi then quickly grabbed his sweater and opened the door so they can leave together.

The walk there was even more awkward. They stood at least a meter apart and faced the opposite direction. Kuroko stared at the redhead's shoes as they walked and matched his pace to the other's while Akashi stared at the blue haired boy's hands as they walked. As the roads got more crowded, they walked closer and closer together, both feeling unsure and shy.

Akashi thought hard about his feelings for the other. He definitely didn't dislike the kiss that they shared and he was always intrigued by the blue haired boy. Kuroko didn't dislike the kiss either, in fact, he kind of wished to feel the redhead's lips on his own once more. But he couldn't conclude whether it was lust or if he was actually catching feelings.

Their fingers brushed together very slightly and the small contact scared both boys. They jolted and looked at each other and when their eyes finally met for the first time after that kiss, it was as if they couldn't breathe. Akashi slowly extended his hand to touch and potentially hold the blue haired boy's hand and Kuroko found himself doing the same.

"Kurokocchi! Akashicchi! Over here!" Kise yelled as he waved them over to where the rest of their group was standing.

Kuroko pulled away from the redhead's gaze and turned towards their friends. Akashi felt annoyed; he simply wanted to kiss the blue haired boy at this moment.
Akashi and Kuroko sat across from each other and stared down at the table, completely deaf to the world around them. The redhead constantly looked up to see what the blue haired boy was doing but the latter was still as a stone. Kuroko sipped at his drink while everyone else talked about basketball. Akashi couldn't stop staring at the blue haired boy and he gratefully took the time to admire his features.

I may actually be in love with this boy. Akashi thought to himself. The redhead then made the decision to swallow back his worry and doubt and he called out,

"Tetsuya..."

The blue haired boy looked up at the sound of his name and then Akashi leaned forward and locked their lips together once more.

Aomine and Kagami were completely in shock while Kise couldn't get enough of the scene. Midorima and Murasakibara didn't express any emotion towards it but they were equally as shocked.

Kuroko's eyes were wide. But he caved in because this kiss was all he wanted. Their memories rushed back and when Akashi pulled away, tears streamed down both of their faces.

"Oi Akashi, you can't just kiss Kuroko like that." Kagami said.

The blue haired boy shook his head, "It's alright, Kagami-kun. We both wanted it. We're going to leave a little early if that's alright, I think we have a lot to talk about."

The two boys stood up and hastily made their way out of the store. To the redhead's surprise, Kuroko grabbed his hand and yanked him into the closest alleyway.

"Tetsuya, where...?" Akashi started but was quickly cut off with the blue haired boy's lips. Kuroko desperately kissed the redhead and when he pulled away, Akashi noticed tears streaming down the blue haired boy's face.

"Tetsuya, why are you crying? Are you alright? Did I hurt you?"

Kuroko shook his head and rested his forehead on the redhead's chest. His small hands reached up and held Akashi close.

"I just missed you, Seijuro."

The redhead smiled gently and wrapped his arms around his smaller partner.

"I missed you too."

Kuroko and Akashi moved in together after a while and studied through university together. Their friends never really questioned the sudden change in their behavior because they always thought that they were meant to be. As they both grew older and spent every day loving each other, the fear of death also intensified. Before they went to bed, Kuroko always traced the tally marks on the redhead's back and Akashi would always flinch when the blue haired boy's fingers ran over the sensitive skin of their forty eighth tattoo. When they woke up, it was Akashi who was always tracing the tally marks. They were happy together; they were always happy together.

Fate seemed to be merciful this time around because when they passed, they passed long after and they passed together.