Royal Colors and Muted Backgrounds

Chapter Two - Absolute

Not shock, but pain, ah..

Akashi looked down on the defeated giant, taking in his expression with his new mismatched eyes. It was strange indeed how half of Akashi reveled in the fact that Atsushi was making this expression for him and that the other was horrified that he'd caused him so much pain.

However, it was too late for any of these thoughts as he had already flipped the switch.

Why is he avoiding me..?

Perhaps it was pent-up frustration that caused Akashi to stay behind and help his center clean up after practice. Perhaps it was curiosity, but as he stared at the purple-haired giant's back, he found no answers as to why the man wouldn't look at him.

"Atsushi." He called, watching as the center reacted on instinct, turning and looking straight him straight in the eyes. Only to freeze and look away a moment later, guilt seeping into usually blank expression.

"Hai, Aka-chin?"

"Stop looking at me like that, I'm not dead." He accompanied that statement with a rather soft kick to the shin, refusing to look at hardheaded giant until he got over himself.

Again? This is beginning to get old..

Akashi knew what he was doing, he knew too damned well. He could see him out of the corner of his eye, mopping the floor as instructed and then waxing it. That was good, obviously, but so out of character for the lazy man. The red-head sighed and closed his eyes, focusing on the schedule he had to finish typing up. "Atsushi, when you're done, we'll go get you some snacks."

Perhaps it was stupid of him to lead on the giant, but he was useful. Not that Akashi would admit to growing fond of a mere pawn.

Separation is for the best, otherwise how will they grow..?

Akashi unconsciously checked his phone for the fifth time that day, as if waiting for a specific childish giant to call or text him and ask where he'd left his snack money. He was glad, of course, that he had free time to head to the gym more often and care for him. However, he found himself unable to move from the spot on his bed, his phone clutched in his rigid hands.

He was always flawless at following orders, and it seemed this was no different, but Akashi found himself unable to accept it. He couldn't ask if the giant was alright, it wasn't in his nature, and he had almost forbidden Atsushi from informing him, himself..

He lost.. He's crying.. Atsushi is.. It's because of you..

His face was expressionless, and his body language was as flawlessly contained as ever, but somewhere deep within him. His other half was howling and crying, it was the first time in nearly a year, he noted, that the more submissive side had truly surfaced. He knew it was because of Atsushi, and the guilt that he housed..

However, as he turned to Midorima and smiled, he ignored that side of him. There was no time for such things..

I am just so tired of losing pawns.. That's all this feeling is.. That's it.

He barely bowed to the other team, a formality that he grew tired of, after the game. His gaze lingered on Midorima for less than a moment, his dear broken knight truly was growing boring now..

However, as his hardened and poisoned gaze fell on Atsushi, he couldn't help that the venom transferred over. Kuso, it was terrible that he could see the center drop the crushed chips he'd been holding. Why could he predict his every move..!? It wasn't as if he had a connection to him anymore.

Why is Kiyoshi still an issue..!? Atsushi wouldn't have had a..-

Akashi cursed himself internally, plowing forward and scoring in less than five seconds. Focus, Seijuro, focus, this is a high school game and the team is different. Besides, he watched as his center quite capably handled the Iron Heart.

He was simply over thinking things. Akashi had to make due with the pieces he'd given given himself, and besides, he'd known that no one could match Atsushi.

He isn't betraying me.. It's because of the Americans, that's it.. Besides, why would I care..

He wasn't quite as happy as he should have been at half time, with the score. For as he had glanced around at the audience, he found that Atsushi, who had been forever loyal to him, was on Kuroko's side of the court.

There was no way that his.. That the center didn't realize where he was standing, simply no way, but then again, there was no way he would abandon him either.. Right?