Akashi met Kuroko through a mutual friend of theirs. Kagami had heard that both of them were looking for a roommate to rent a flat together as the cost of living alone was expensive, so he set them up and the two of them got along well enough to rent out a flat. Although Kuroko was 4 years older than the other, they had a lot of similarities in lifestyles so living together wasn't difficult.

Kuroko woke up early and got back home late from his full time job. Akashi was currently writing his thesis and working as well, but he was usually home by evening. Since Kuroko woke up earlier, he made breakfast while the redhead made dinner. They both cleaned the flat together every week and made sure to let the other know if friends were coming over. On the weekends, they usually sat in the living room together and watched a movie. They had a comfortable routine together.

They had been living together for a couple of years now and Kuroko developed a soft spot for his roommate. There was something about Akashi that made the blue haired boy want to melt into the ground. Something about him that was so familiar, Kuroko just wanted to dive into him as if he were a pile of blankets and pillows.

"Hey Seijuro, want to go grocery shopping later tonight?" Kuroko asked as he walked into the kitchen. Akashi was sitting at the table with his papers and laptop and typing away like a mad man; he glanced at the blue haired boy and smiled,

"Of course, Kuroko."

Kuroko sighed, "That's Kuroko-san to you, always so disrespectful."

There it is, my favorite Akashi Seijuro smile. Kuroko thought as he looked cleaned up the kitchen, an angel. Absolutely beautiful. How can one smile be so stunning? I felt so tired but now it's like I've been reenergized.

When Akashi finished up his work for the day, he grabbed his keys and wallet and walked to the store with Kuroko. Despite their age difference, Akashi still managed to be taller than Kuroko by a couple of inches. It miffed the blue haired boy to no end but at the same time, he loved it when Akashi would put his arm around his shoulder and give him a warm embrace that envelops his entire body.

So maybe Kuroko had a small crush on his roommate.

"Kuroko-san, do you have anything specific that you want to eat? Hey, Kuroko-san, what about tofu? Want to get tofu, Kuroko-san?" Akashi teased, their shoulders lightly brushing as they walked.

"Alright I get it, you can drop the formalities. We can get whatever you want, I'm not too picky about what we eat."

Akashi smiled. Kuroko felt his chest tighten at the sight, he held his breath and watched the redhead rush forward to grab a small basket as they entered the grocery store.

Okay, maybe I have a big crush on my roommate.

Akashi offered to hold the heavier bags during their walk home and Kuroko didn't complain. It was always like this, the redhead always treated the other delicately as if he were something to be guarded and protected. Kuroko soaked up the affection like a sponge, at this point he was happy with whatever small love kernel he got from Akashi.

They cooked dinner together and planned ahead for their week by meal prepping their lunches as well. Afterwards, they washed up, cracked open a can of beer, and sat in front of the TV together to watch a movie. Kuroko wasn't entirely sure how this became a weekly thing. Akashi watched movies on Saturday and Sunday evenings occasionally and the blue haired boy had just decided to stick around and watch with him. Eventually, it just became a routine for both of them to sit in the living room and watch movies together. Kuroko sat on the ground by the table while Akashi sat on the couch to pick out a movie.

Akashi picked a horror movie this time and stared blankly at the screen as the movie played. He sipped his beer occasionally and relaxed. Kuroko smiled as he looked at his roommate and let his thoughts wander.

It's times like this when he looks like a kid. How cute, he's so focused on the movie.

Akashi's head turned to meet Kuroko's gaze and the blue haired boy went into a full panic to hide the fact that he had been staring. The redhead didn't say a word, he simply smiled and motioned for the other to come up on the couch.

"The floor's hard, you should sit up here. Besides, a ghost might get you." Akashi said softly.

Kuroko still felt dazed from that dazzling smile and he felt a little lightheaded from the alcohol. He got up, plopped down on the couch, and curled up into Akashi's side before focusing on the movie once again. Akashi tensed up a little, he wasn't expecting the blue haired boy to cuddle with him. They generally put quite a lot of physical distance between each other but it seemed that gap had been closing little by little with every year they lived together.

Akashi's arm hesitantly wrapped around Kuroko's waist, I guess this is nice too…it's perfect.

Kuroko would gasp and flinch occasionally when something scary happened on screen and the redhead completely forgot to even watch the movie because he was too busy watching his roommate. By the time the movie ended, Kuroko was lightly sleeping against Akashi's chest, his fingers curled tightly into his shirt and Akashi didn't want to move. He slowly maneuvered their bodies so that he could lie down with Kuroko on top of him. The redhead then grabbed the blanket they kept on the couch and fell asleep with his roommate in his arms.

By the time morning came and Akashi woke up, Kuroko had already gone to work. He had made breakfast before leaving and left a small sticky note that read, "Work hard today!"

Akashi smiled and got ready for the day. He admitted to himself two years ago that he had a slightly small, but large, crush on Kuroko but he swore he wouldn't tell a soul. He wanted to do everything that would make Kuroko feel comfortable and happy around him. He was satisfied with just that. At least, he kept telling himself that he was satisfied with just that. Lately, Akashi had been craving for more. He wanted hugs that lasted a little longer, he wanted those lingering touches on his shoulder, he wanted their hands to brush against each other more. Last night, he had even snuggled with his roommate and slept together.

Ah...I'm getting too greedy, he's going to know that I like him. Akashi thought to himself as he made his way to the university, would he move out…? No, knowing Kuroko he would say he's fine with it. But would he be fine with it? Wait, when he woke up this morning, how did he feel when he woke up in my arms? Was he disgusted? Is he going to be upset when he comes home? Shit, I didn't even think about that. Yikes, I'm going to be thinking about this for the entire day.

When Akashi got to the university, he met up with his research team and did his best to focus on his work but his thoughts kept spewing out hypothetical situations. Kagami was a member of his research team and also Kuroko's childhood friend, he was clumsy sometimes but he got the job done when the team needed him. And if there was anything that he was an expert on, it was Akashi and Kuroko.

"What's up, Akashi? Something wrong?" Kagami asked.

"Hm?" He looked up from his microscope, "What?"

Kagami smirked as he approached his friend, "Something happened with Kuroko."

Akashi swore he almost dropped his research slides right then and there. He tensed up and refused to meet Kagami's piercing gaze. It only egged the other to continue. Kagami cleaned a couple of beakers as he continued to idly chat,

"You know Akashi, before you used to go on dates with people often. By before, I mean before I introduced you to Kuroko. Once you two started living together, you just kind of stopped dating."

"I'm just busy with research." Akashi muttered as he tried to focus on his work again.

Kagami gave him a look that simply said, stop lying you dumbass. He sighed as he put the beakers on a drying rack, "You're not busy on weekends. But you reserve them for Kuroko. At this point it's like you two are married, that's all I'm going to say."

Akashi stared at his hands, they were trembling slightly. What am I so scared of? Why are my hands trembling? Stop that. Stop. Stop. Stop shaking like a leaf! Get it together.

They worked in silence. Kagami didn't push any further and Akashi didn't have much to say. He was left to his thoughts for the rest of the day.

Kuroko was not having a good day. It had started wonderfully. He opened his eyes, barely remembering the movie from the night before, and focused on the warmth beneath him. When Kuroko fully woke up and took in his surroundings, he noticed he was sprawled out against Akashi's chest. As much as he wanted to just lie there for the entire day, he slowly detangled their limbs, crawled out of his roommates arms and got ready for the day.

It felt strange being so close to Akashi. They weren't usually touchy but Kuroko had decided to snuggle with him in his intoxicated state the night before. The blue haired boy quickly made breakfast before departing for work.

He didn't push me away though...In fact, Seijuro decided to just sleep with me on top of him. I mean, he is always really nice, he probably didn't want to wake me? Yeah, that's totally it. Nothing else. He's just nice.

At work, Kuroko kept getting in trouble with his boss. He was a great worker but today just wasn't a good day. He had missed a deadline, he forgot a document at home, he spilled coffee during lunch, the boss called him out in front of the other workers. It was a never ending day of exhaustion.

Kuroko slowly walked back home. His shoulder hunched over, his head hanging low, today was one of those days where he just wanted to sit in his sorrows. He just wanted to get home, sit in the bath and be sad. When he got to the apartment, he reached into his pocket to find his keys only to realize that he must have forgotten them back at the office.

Stupid, stupid, stupid… Kuroko groaned in frustration as he slammed his head into the door a couple of times. Tears were threatening to spill as he rested his head against the cold door. The door suddenly opened causing Kuroko to stumble forward.

"Kuroko?" Akashi quickly caught the other, "What was that noise? Are you alright?"

Not now… Kuroko thought to himself, I just want to be sad. Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it. Don't smile at me...I'll fall apart.

Kuroko looked up at his roommate, his tears welled up in his eyes. Akashi sighed, understanding that he probably just had a bad day, and then he gave the blue haired boy a soft smile. Kuroko felt his heart swell with emotion. All the exhaustion and frustration he felt was brought to the surface and he cried.

Akashi held him tight, his hands gently rubbing Kuroko's back as he led his roommate towards the couch. He sat Kuroko down on the couch and wrapped him in a blanket before going to the kitchen to make hot chocolate. The blue haired boy curled up and sniffled. It had been a while since the last time he cried; it felt therapeutic almost. And it felt even better to have Akashi there to take care of him.

The redhead handed Kuroko his mug of hot chocolate and then sat beside him. They sat in silence. Akashi kept pinching himself. He wanted to ask about this morning but he also knew right now probably wasn't the best time so he shut his mouth and simply waited.

"Seijuro…"

Akashi's ears perked up at the sound of his name. It was barely a whisper but how could he miss such a beautiful voice. His eyes met Kuroko's and he waited, nervous of where this conversation would lead. He started thinking of all the directions this conversation could go and how he would react to it.

If he knows that I like him and he feels disgusted, I'll just accept it. If he wants to move out, I'll offer to move out instead. If he says that he doesn't want me around for a while then I'll stay over at Kagami's place. If he says...

"Your smile is beautiful."

Well...This is not the direction I expected it to go. Akashi's eyes widened as he held Kuroko's gaze. The blue haired boy tapped his fingers against the mug and continued to talk.

"I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. You're just so wonderful and I don't deserve you as a friend. I feel like I've been taking advantage of you for years now. I stopped thinking of you as a friend long ago. I'm so weak to your beautiful smile that every time you smile at me I feel like all my worries disappear. I just...I'm sorry. I understand if you don't want me as a roommate anymore. I just felt like I needed to tell you. I'm in love with you."

Akashi went through a wild series of emotions as he tried to process what Kuroko had said to him. The blush rose on his cheeks and he felt relieved. Relieved that Kuroko didn't hate him, relieved that his roommate wouldn't move out, relieved that he wasn't disgusted. Akashi couldn't help but smile at Kuroko. A pure, genuine, smile.

"I'm in love with you too. I have been for years now, I was too scared to tell you."

Kuroko chuckled and reached out to grab Akashi's hand, "We're both idiots, aren't we?"

"I guess so."

They held hands in their dimly lit living room and enjoyed the feeling of love drifting in the air. Akashi shuffled closer to his roommate and mumbled,

"Can I...um, kiss you?"

Kuroko laughed, "Yes, please."

They touched their foreheads together to take in the moment and then leaned forward until their lips brushed in a soft kiss.

Their memories returned to them, sending chills down their spines. Everything seemed to fall into place. Kuroko pulled Akashi closer, his fingers threading through his hair.

When they pulled away to get a good look at each other, they couldn't help but crack a smile. It felt like they had been away from each other for so long, but they were always here by each other's side.

"Tattoo on the weekend?" Akashi asked.

"Of course." Kuroko replied while dragging the other to the bed.

After they got their 61st tattoo, they started going out for dates instead of staying in and watching movies all the time. Eventually, they adopted a little girl. They lived their lives to the fullest and gave their beautiful daughter all the love she deserved.

Decades later, Akashi passed away in an accident. Kuroko lived with their daughter in his old age and passed away a couple years later.