Author's Note: (More like Author's Excuse): This story will be a lovely 14.000 words that, in theory, can make nice 2.000 words for each chapter. In practice though, some scenes are longer than a chapter and have to be divided - and I don't like dividing scenes because it interrupts its flow of conversation, emotion and just everything I am trying to explain there.

The first date scene of this chapter is such a scene, unfortunately. This is one of the reasons why this chapter is shorter than others - the other is, real life. Today and tomorrow are ridiculously busy days and even if I managed to edit 2.000 words, it wouldn't satisfy me - and the scene would be divided anyway.

So, these two chapters will be shorter than the rest and I recommend reading them together after I publish the rest of this scene tomorrow.

With my excuse done, hope you'll enjoy this chapter. (And yeah, the prompt was flowers. Kuroko loves them.)

3 - Fancy Coffee Conversations

When Akashi reached the station after a train journey where he had plenty of time to imagine first date scenarios from horrible to wonderful, his palms were already sweating in nerves. It didn't help that the flowers he hid behind him attracted knowing looks and smiles from the other passengers.

When he saw Kuroko waiting for him close to the exit, just to the side to protect himself from the cold, his stomach managed to clench and flip at the same time.

His hair windswept and nose red, Kuroko did his shy smile - blush combo. "Hello, Akashi-kun."

"Hello, Kuroko," he said and then cleared his throat. He extended the flowers with a straight arm, feeling his face warm up. "These are for you!"

Kuroko's eyes widened. He took the bouquet with a wondrous expression, lifting it up to smell like the flowers were made of glass. His voice wavered when he said, "thank you, Akashi-kun."

"It's no - I'm -" Akashi wiped his sweaty hands to his trousers, rocked on his heels and coughed. "I'm glad you liked them."

Kuroko's answering smile was as wide and bright as the one on his birthday. Akashi felt one tugging his lips too. When he smiled like this, Kuroko's eyes looked lighter, like the summer sky -

Akashi stiffened and looked at the passengers walking by them - how many different types of people were there? How interesting! The station was too warm though - he loosened his scarf - maybe it was the crowd -

"What are we doing today?"

They changed their plans three times in the week; they knew no dating spots and expected all the known ones to be crowded one week before the Valentine's.

"I read about a place with the best vanilla milkshake in Tokyo," Akashi barked out a laugh. Kuroko's eyes crinkled at their corners with his smile. "It also makes the fancy coffees Akashi-kun likes. There is a nice-looking park next to it, afterward, we can walk around."

Akashi exited the station, knowing Kuroko will lead them in the right way. "Fancy coffees? I drink espresso - it is the most basic one."

"Yes, Akashi-kun. Double espresso macchiato with Arabica coffee, heated almond milk, sugar-free, preferably in a ceramic cup."

Akashi looked at Kuroko, walking next to him, in confusion. "I don't remember going to a coffee shop together."

"Because we didn't. I asked Mibuchi-kun if you like coffee and asked your favorite order." He gave his signature deadpan look. "I had to write it down."

Feeling warm and bubbly, Akashi laughed. This was Kuroko - why did he spend his time worrying about their date?

"You are the best."

"Second best is fine for me." He winked at Akashi's questioning glance. "Akashi-kun is absolute after all."

Akashi groaned and pulled his scarf higher, earning himself a chuckle. His other self was obsessed with that phrase, so much so that he even said it during games.

"I think the people I ankle-broke didn't gape at their fall, but at my audacity to say stuff like that to their faces."

Kuroko shook his head, though, Akashi noted his amusement, that his hair didn't follow the movement. With his wind-ruffled hair, Akashi was reminded of their training camps and Kuroko's gravity-defying bed hair. He gave a soft smile.

"Akashi-kun is Akashi-kun, even when he does melodramatic announces in games."

"Oh! Like the 'I am shadow' at the last second of the finals!"

"It busied Akashi-kun!"

"You can't make me believe that was the only reason."

They glanced at each other and started giggling. They were still smiling when Kuroko took a sharp right and entered a cozy coffee shop with a delicious aroma in the air.

With the warmness loosening their limbs, they gave their orders and settled into a corner seat. As Kuroko took off the last of his layers, placed his bouquet carefully and sat down, Akashi started playing with the sugar packets on the table. "You can ask about him," he mumbled, watching his hands idly.

"Him?"

"The other me."

Kuroko took a moment to take him in, understanding the weight of Akashi's offer. This consideration settled Akashi's nerves; Kuroko was the right person. For this relationship and for his story.

"I want you to know," he said, putting the packet back to its cup. He linked his hands together under his chin, leaned on them and looked into Kuroko's eyes. "I've accepted his existence and don't plan to keep him a secret, especially from you. I don't want to hide anything from you."

"Okay," Kuroko said, slowly. His eyes slid to the bouquet on the table; he turned it around so its other side would get squeezed. "I don't know what to ask though."

"Most people would be jumping in joy for the opportunity."

"I guess. I've always accepted Akashi-kun with all parts so - I don't know." Akashi didn't know how he deserved a friend - boyfriend like him. "What do you want to say to me about your other personality?"

He didn't need any more prompting. For the first time since he admitted to having another personality, Akashi opened his mouth and let his sob story pour out of him.

Since the beginning. A tiny Akashi's wish to play basketball and his mother's kindness to let it happen.

This was Kuroko, after all.

—

Akashi's favorite order might be a double espresso but he was used to only so much caffeine intake. Therefore, when they left the coffee shop after three cups of coffee with only small sandwiches in between, Akashi's heart was beating quite fast. His limbs also felt twitchy and his stomach wasn't thrilled with what it had to deal with.

Or - Kuroko's hand kept on brushing against his as they walked side by side and Akashi's focus was pinpointed to this contact instead of the lovely park he was supposed to sightsee.

They walked on aesthetic bridges over fake rivers, stone paths next to well-groomed flower patches until they sat on a bench in front of a sakura tree.

Of course, Kuroko sat a respectable distance next to him; Akashi knew his touching was accidental. Not that touching Kuroko should come as a surprise: They played a contact sport for three years in the same team. Akashi held him as he dry-heaved after a difficult practice countless times.

In the end, he shouldn't have drunk too much coffee. It made him jittery.

Kuroko positioned his bouquet on the bench like little girls sat their dolls next to them. Akashi threw him a fond look but unaware, Kuroko faced the leave-less sakura tree in front of them. "This place must be quite popular in the sakura season."

Akashi shrugged. "Everywhere is."

"Did you go to see Kamogawa river last year?"

"No. I wasn't," he glanced at Kuroko, "in such a mind-space."

Kuroko chuckled. Akashi smiled at him, feeling light and tired after their long conversation over coffee. Now he trusted Kuroko even more - a feat he didn't think was possible.

"We can visit it together this year," he said.

"That would be lovely," Kuroko said, slowly.

That was all. No promises.

Akashi knew their relationship's future was unknown. He watched his boyfriend as he was still staring at the tree bark. This wasn't the comfortable silence of his daydreams - he bet they needed more conversations and time together for that - yet it felt like nothing could damage his trust to Kuroko -

He touched Kuroko's hand, feather-light.

"I want this to work," he said.

Kuroko turned his hand over and held Akashi's hand, even if it was only for a moment before he put it back to his lap. "Me too."

Akashi nodded. "Then, this relationship will work."