Akashi was now starting his second year of university at Seirin University and had decided this year he wanted to live on campus in a residence instead of travelling back and forth from home. The only thing the redhead worried about was having a roommate. Akashi wasn't particularly messy, but he struggled quite a bit to get along with others and tolerate their messes. The redhead prayed over and over again in his head for a good roommate as he made his way through the halls to his room.
He came to the door of his room, the number 233 labelled at the front. Akashi took a deep breath and walked in. The room was quite spacious for two people. The beds were on opposite sides of the room with small desks. One washroom right by the entrance and a small kitchen in the corner. Akashi noticed a couple of suitcases by one bed but didn't see the owner of said suitcases. The redhead walked towards the other bed and dropped his things to the floor.
Suddenly, a boy with blue haired popped out from behind the counter of the kitchen. The two boys surprised each other and flinched.
"Ah! Sorry, I didn't hear you come in." The blue haired boy said, "I'm Kuroko Tetsuya, it's nice to meet you! I wasn't sure which bed you wanted so I just put my stuff down. This is my first year at Seirin University, I'm studying physics!"
Akashi walked over to the smaller boy and shook his hand, "It's nice to meet you too. I'm Akashi Seijuro, second year biotechnology. I don't really mind which bed I get so you can pick."
Kuroko smiled, "Biotech, that sounds so difficult."
"I could say the same for your program. Physics isn't really my strong point, though I had to take it once during my first year."
He seems like a good kid, I think we'll get along fine. Akashi thought to himself as he unpacked his stuff.
The rest of the day was simply unpacking and organizing their belongings. They talked about each other while they cleaned up and by the end of the day, both boys were fairly comfortable with each other.
Akashi noticed that Kuroko was quite extroverted, the boy wasn't afraid to speak his mind. The redhead admired the stubborn and determined nature that Kuroko held. When the fall semester began, they both started to slowly learn each other's routines and habits.
Akashi kept a small mental list of the things he noticed about his roommate.
Number one of the things I noticed about Kuroko, I guess he's actually pretty shy in front of other people. Akashi thought to himself as he rushed to his next class. Occasionally, the redhead saw the other boy on campus briefly.
Kuroko seemed to be alone the majority of the time, either studying or walking to class. And whenever another student approached the blue haired boy, he seemed to get easily flustered.
It was strange seeing the blue haired boy so isolated and quiet on campus, because in their shared room, Kuroko was as outgoing as ever. He always talked with Akashi and asked him for help on certain subjects.
"Akashi-kun, can you help me with some chemistry stuff?"
"Yeah of course, Kuroko."
Akashi walked over to the blue haired boy's desk and leaned over him. The redhead read through the textbook and explained the concept as briefly but detailed as possible.
"Did you get that, Kuroko?" Akashi glanced down at the other and paused. The redhead held his breath. Kuroko's cheeks were flushed. The redhead quickly stood up straight and stumbled over his words, "Ah...if you need me to explain it again, I can."
The blue haired boy shook his head, "No no. I understand it now, thanks Akashi-kun."
Hold on, hold on. What kind of expression was that?! Akashi thought to himself as he returned to his bed to read through his lectures, What just happened? My heart is on a rollercoaster, Kuroko, what the actual fuck?
The redhead buried his face into his books, trying to calm the heat creeping up his face.
Number two of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he's much more stubborn and competitive than I originally thought.
Mid-way through the semester, Kuroko made a friend named Kagami. Sometimes, Kagami would come over to their room to work on homework together. Akashi didn't mind at all, he wasn't always in his room anyway. On the rare occasion that he was in his room though, Akashi simply put in his headphones and read through his textbook while Kuroko and Kagami worked together.
"Oi Kuroko, I got more right than you on this worksheet." Kagami teased.
"No, you didn't." The blue haired boy stated, "Look, you made more mistakes here."
"Yeah but overall! I still win because I got more right."
"I refuse to accept that." Kuroko said with a small smile.
Kagami reached over and ruffled the blue haired boy's hair. Akashi glanced up and felt his heart clench. Kuroko swatted his friend's hand away and his gaze met Akashi's briefly before the second year quickly looked away.
Although Akashi and Kuroko had become good friends and roommates, sometimes the redhead felt tense around the other. He didn't know what the reason was, he just simply felt tense.
Number three of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he's brave as fuck.
"Akashi-kun, I have something to tell you."
Their room was dark, it was probably one in the morning. The redhead turned over onto his side so he could look at his roommate. They faced each other in their dark room, their beds about 4 meters apart.
"What is it, Kuroko?"
Akashi heard the blue haired boy take a deep breath and then in the silence of their room, Kuroko spoke.
"I'm gay."
The redhead's expression softened, "Ok."
"It doesn't bother you?"
"Of course not. You're you, I accept you as who you are. Your sexuality doesn't define your entire existence."
The blue haired boy sighed in relief, "Thanks, Akashi-kun. You're the first person I've ever told."
"Thanks for telling me. I'm glad that you trusted me enough to tell me."
The silence engulfed them for a couple of minutes and then Akashi asked a question that was on his mind,
"Are you...and Kagami?"
Kuroko sat up on his bed suddenly, "No! No, no, no...oh my gosh, no. Me? Kagami? No, no-"
Akashi laughed, "Alright Kuroko, I get it haha, you and Kagami are not a thing. I'm just teasing you. Go to sleep, you have an early lecture tomorrow, don't you?"
The redhead could've sworn he saw his roommate blushing, but it was too dark to confirm.
Number four of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he sings to himself when he thinks no one is around.
The winter semester had just started. Akashi and Kuroko returned to their residence after their short winter break with their families. The redhead's winter schedule was much more busy compared to his fall schedule, so he usually got back to their room in the evening.
Sometimes Akashi would come back when Kuroko takes his shower and the blue haired boy would be singing to himself. The redhead quietly put his school bag down and made himself a small snack as he listened to his roommate sing wholeheartedly in the shower.
When Kuroko came out of the washroom, he had a towel over his shoulders and a baggy t-shirt on. Akashi eyed his roommate and watched the small droplets of water slide down his pale neck.
"Akashi-kun, when'd you get back?"
The redhead mentally slapped himself to get it together, "Just a moment ago."
Kuroko sat on his bed, his shirt sliding up a little to reveal his bare thighs. Akashi stopped himself from staring and focused on his snack instead.
The blue haired boy noticed his roommate's staring and smirked, "What's wrong, Akashi-kun?"
Akashi's mind short-circuited for a second before he collected himself, "Hm? Nothing, nothing's wrong."
"Ah so you weren't just checking me out when I got out of the shower?"
Number five of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he's a tease. No, he's worse, he's the devil.
"No, of course not. You think too highly of yourself. Shut up."
Kuroko grinned and dried his hair before jumping under his covers to sleep. After that incident, the blue haired boy was much more forward with Akashi. He took every chance he could to tease and flirt with his roommate.
When the school year came to an end, they exchanged numbers and kept in touch throughout the summer. They even met up a few times to hang out. Akashi drove across town to pick up the blue haired boy and a couple of other friends so that they could spend the day at the beach. Or Akashi, Kuroko, and their friends would go to the movies together.
Halfway through the summer, one of their mutual friends confessed to Kuroko. The blue haired boy had lightly rejected the boy and then told Akashi about it. They sat together on the cool grass of a park and watched the sun set. Akashi's feelings did a whole somersault and then he asked,
"What'd you tell him when you rejected him?"
Kuroko picked at the grass absentmindedly, "The truth. I like someone else."
They didn't make eye contact. The redhead's heart froze.
"I see."
Number six of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he's absolutely beautiful.
Nearing the end of their summer vacation, Kuroko asked Akashi if he would like to room with him again during the school year. They had the option to apply together as roommates and the university would guarantee their request.
"It'll be better than having to get used to a whole different person, right?" Kuroko had said.
"Yeah. I guess so." Akashi would be lying if he said his heart didn't drop a little. A part of him was hoping that the blue haired boy would want to room with him, not just because it was convenient.
The redhead met his roommates gaze and felt the air get knocked out of him. Kuroko smiled like the full moon in a dark sky, illuminating everything around him. Akashi smiled back. The redhead lifted his hand to run his fingers through Kuroko's hair but then pulled his hand back and decided against it.
"You can if you want." Kuroko said.
"Huh?"
The blue haired boy grabbed Akashi's hand and whispered, "You can pat my head if you want to."
It was barely audible, but it was enough for Akashi to allow himself to pat Kuroko's head. His blue hair was soft and slightly longer than usual. It was beautiful. Everything about Kuroko was beautiful.
Number seven of the things I noticed about Kuroko, he's- ah shit, I love him. I love him so much.
The school year started once again. Akashi was now in his third year and Kuroko was in his second year. They set up their room and went out for dinner together to celebrate the new beginning of the school year.
When they got back to their room, Kuroko threw himself onto his bed, buried his face in his pillow, and sighed out of happiness. Akashi closed their door and locked it up for the night. The redhead looked over at his smaller roommate and took a deep breath,
"Kuroko."
The blue haired boy didn't look up from his pillow but let out a noise to let the other know he was listening.
"I have to get something off my chest."
Kuroko still didn't look up but instead raised his hand, crossed his fingers and then said, "Is it your shirt? I hope it's your shirt, please."
Akashi's eyes widened and he stared down at his roommate. Kuroko turned his head to meet his red eyes.
Akashi let out a laugh. He laughed harder than he had before. The redhead doubled over, his sides threatening to split. The blue haired boy let out a small laugh as he watched his roommate in hysterics.
When Akashi finally calmed down, he walked over to the edge of his roommate's bed. This was the closest they'd ever been since he had pat Kuroko's head during the summer.
"Is that what you wanted?"
Kuroko turned over so that he was on his back. The blue haired boy reached out for his roommate and tugged at the hem of his shirt to drag him closer.
"For so long. You have no idea."
Akashi climbed onto the bed so that he was hovering over Kuroko, their room was dark now that the sun had set.
"I kinda like you, Kuroko Tetsuya."
"Took you long enough. I like you too." Kuroko confessed. The blue haired boy pursed his lips, "I wasn't lying about the shirt thing though."
The redhead chuckled as he let Kuroko pull him down into a kiss. Kuroko kissed as if he had been deprived of it for years and Akashi allowed his roommate to do as he wanted. The blue haired boy's nimble fingers travelled under Akashi's shirt causing the redhead to smile into the kiss. The redhead ran his fingers through Kuroko's hair, feeling drunk off of their kiss. Akashi pulled away to let his roommate pull his shirt off and then he whispered against Kuroko's lips,
"Anything for you, Tetsuya."
Their memories returned when they woke up the next morning curled up against each other. They continued to live together throughout university and when they got full time jobs, they used the money in their shared bank account, which they had been stocking up every time they were in a similar time period, to retire early. Akashi and Kuroko got their 55th tally mark before moving closer to the ocean to a small city.
Number one of the things I noticed about Akashi, he may have a strong outer appearance but he actually just doesn't want to be left behind.
Number two of the things I noticed about Akashi, he's very caring of his friends despite pretending that he doesn't.
Number three of the things I noticed about Akashi, he's effortlessly funny. Even though he can't make jokes and he thinks that I'm laughing at him all the time, he's still funny.
Number four of the things I noticed about Akashi, he believes in people's capabilities. He's always able to see so much potential in the people around him, including me.
Number five of the things I noticed about Akashi, he doesn't get flustered much but he always does when I catch him staring at me.
Number six of the things I noticed about Akashi, he never asks for it, but he actually likes it when I hold his hand or hug him or give him little kisses.
Number seven of the things I noticed about Akashi, he's just...he's like, he's- everything. My world.
Decades later, Kuroko passed away followed by Akashi three years later, dreaming of their next lifetime together.
Author's Note (June 1, 2020)
I can't believe it's been exactly 6 years since I started this fanfiction. I'm eternally grateful for all the people who have read my work and the people who are still reading it. You guys have always been such an amazing motivation to me and I truly could not have done this without you. All the prompts, comments, encouragement you have given me over the past years have made me feel genuinely happy while writing. I'm glad to have joined such a wonderful fandom and I'm looking forward to continuing to write about Akashi and Kuroko's lifetimes together.
See you in the next life ^^