Hello everybody! What I say now cannot express how surprised I was the next I opened my mail box. So many faves and follows. You made me so happy, everyone! Thank you so much for all of yours support. Also, thanks for pointing out the grammar and spelling errors in my work.

So here's a quick update. Seeing all your comments motivated me so much in writing and continuing this story. After this chapter, I don't think I will update for the next two weeks for I have some important business to care of. As soon as I finish it, I'll start writing immediately.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket for it belongs to Fujimaka Tadatoshi.

Enjoy the story. R&R, plz!

Chapter 2: Please take care of me.

Akashi had long resigned himself to the fact his parents were a couple of oddballs who might have lost a few screws during their youth but not once had he ever questioned their weird interests or unexpected odd proclamations. Well, today, that statement of his seriously needed to have a reality check.

"Mother, I think I may have heard wrong, but did you just say that I am engaged to Tetsuya?" Akashi Seijurou asked, masking his true expression by a cool poker face.

"Yup, Sei-chan. I'll repeat once more and I can repeat it as many times as you wish. Tetsu-kun and you are engaged. The Kuroko and our family had made an agreement that when both of you reached 13, we would arrange an occasion to introduce you two to each other and inform of the engagement", Ayumi explained, her eyes filled with sparkles.

"But mother, since when were we engaged?", Akashi enquired, unable to hide his desperation.

"Oh, about that, why don't you ask your dear father? He should be able to give you a proper explanation", Ayumi released Kuroko from her bosom hug and turned around to flash her husband a "lovely smile" which could be translated into "You'd better explain now or no watching wrestling for a month".

Akashi Sato immediately felt a chill down his spine when facing his wife's "lovely smile" (or smile of doom in his mind). Quickly regaining his normal composed self, he gestured his family and the guests to the sofa. "Okay, let's sit down first because it is gonna be a long story. It all started when… "

-oOo-

Flashback

14 years ago, in a yakisoba shop named "Red and Black"

Akashi Sato and Kuroko Takumi were sitting at their usual table, sipping sake and chatting merrily about random stuffs such as how their companies thrived on Japanese market or how annoying their wives were about their peculiar obsession with BL novels. It had been a while since they last got a chance to see one another like this because both of them were so immersed in their own work.

Last week, Takumi had phoned his friend and informed the other that his wife's pregnancy had entered its final stage. Also, Sato's wife was going to give birth to a boy in one month if nothing unexpected happened. Therefore, both men decided to celebrate their happiness of becoming fathers in their favorite yakisoba shop. Both expectant fathers had asked their wives to come along but it seemed the two women decided to have their own celebration in their own paradise (note: it was a secret underground organization which worshiped BL as their main religion).

Takumi had been Sato's best friend since their days in kindergarten and remained by his side until now. He was one of very few that Sato considered true friends who got close to him not because of Sato's social status. The redhead only expressed his true self and his passion for wrestling to a few selected people, notably his best friend Takumi. His blue-haired man was the one he usually came to in time of hardship and his friend never failed to make him at ease. Takumi had many personality traits that made Sato held him in high respect: the bluenette was independent, responsible and hard-working and he was knowledgeable at the marketing profession he chose. Sato had asked his friend many times to come to work at his company many times but the blue-haired man always refused.

Sato thought about it. If Takumi were to be a father, his child would inherit many of his good traits. Somehow, the effect of sake had blurred his usual clear-sighted mind and an idea popped up in that jumbled mind of his. He looked straight at Takumi, whose face was also red from the alcohol, and spoke with a husky voice.

"Hey hey, Takumi, I just have this brilliant idea~. You and I are gonna be father. We're gonna have children. How about uniting our two families through our children's marriage? Let's have our children engaged~."

Takumi pondered for a while. Apparently his mind was also affected by the sake like his friend. The two men had been knocking up quite a large amount of alcohol, so it was inevitable for those two to think straight and properly. As for Takumi, he thought about his friend's personality and somehow ended up on the same wavelength as his friend: if Sato were to be a father, then his son would definitely inherit his father's good gene and make a perfect spouse for his child.

"Uhm, not a bad idea~. Okay, let's unite our families through our children's marriage."

"Let's make a pinkie swear", Sato held out his pinkie finger.

"Okay", Takumi wrapped his friend's pinkie finger with his.

"I, Akashi Sato…"

"I, Kuroko Takumi…"

"…swore to unite our family…"

"…through our children's marriage…"

" Whoever goes back on their words…"

"…shall be struck by lightning."

Then both men flashed to each other their widest grin. How they managed to still remember making that pinkie swear and stay awake during their vow remained a mystery. What was in the mind of those two at that time was that someday they would be relative in law. The fact that they still managed to recount their vow in the drunken stupor the day later in their brains was nothing short of a miracle. However, what their brains failed to remind them at their get-together and much later until the doctor announced the gender of Takumi's baby was that his child could be a boy…

-oOo-

"And that was the story of how you two got engaged", Akashi Sato concluded his story, his chin resting on his hands, apparently deep in thought.

After Sato finished his story, there was an awkward moment of silence in the room as everyone at present appeared drowned in their own train of thought. The two men entered a staring competition, wondering when they could continue their wrestling match. The two women had this dreamy looks on their face, probably imagining their sons' upcoming wedding and what to prepare for such marvelous event. Akashi stared at his father with his eyes widened, trying to digest every piece of information while Kuroko kept looking at the vase of lilies as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

It was later that Ayumi decided to break the silence by speaking first, "You know, at first, I was so mad at you, Sato. How could you have such an outrageous idea? It's your son's marriage we're talking about. In business, you always plan everything perfectly before you act. How can you be so impulsive at that time?"

His mother's words immediately snapped Akashi out of his daze. His father stayed silent, his eyes filled with guilt. He glanced at his mother hopefully, waiting for his mother to put an end to such crazy thought from his father.

"Seriously, what are you thinking at that time? Making such rash decision without thinking properly". Yeah, you tell him, mom. "You're lucky that Takumi's child is a boy. If Tetsu-kun were not a boy, I would never forgive you for that"…

Akashi nearly hunched forward and hit his face at the table. "THE HELL? YOU WANT YOUR SON TO MARRY ANOTHER GUY. WHAT KIND OF MOTHER ARE YOU?", Akashi internally screamed at his unbelievable mother.

Unable to tolerate this whole outrageous situation, Akashi, for the first time of his life, retorted at his parents. "But mother, Tetsuya and I are boys. Though many countries in the world have allowed same-sex marriage, Japan is not one of them. How can we get married when it is illegal for both of us to do so?", Akashi hoped he could beat some sense into his mother's head, which was apparently full of nuts right now.

Of course, Akashi Ayumi's reputation as the formidable woman who stood at the top of hierarchy in Akashi household was not for show. She wouldn't step down because of anything, including government. "Don't worry, Seichan. Your papa has many underground connections, some of which will follow his wish unconditionally. And don't forget you still have me, your mother to support you. Should you know, I have many reliable friends and we can set up a petition to demand agreement to same-sex marriage. Not to mention, I have this great persuasive skills, which can be utilized in this situation. So, Sei-chan, have no fear. Your and Tetsu-kun's wedding will definitely be held when both of you have reached marriageable age", she thumbed up to support her son.

"You're nuts". Akashi turned his pleading glance to his father, hoping his father may come to his rescue. "Father, you're a man, too. Help me", he internally pleaded.

"Don't worry, son", Sato thumbed up, "Judging from Tetsuya's and your appearance, it's 100% that you will top Tetsuya", Sato never looked so sure in his father.

"YOU'RE NOT HELPING AT ALL!", Akashi mentally yelled at his father, looking completely distressed. "But father…."

"Seijurou, don't tell me you want to be bottom?", Sato asked while smirking at his son's terrified expression.

"NO. And you completely misunderstood what I were gonna say."

"Mou, Sei-chan, and I was so expecting you to be an uke, a really badass uke", Akashi's mother lost in her dirty dream land.

At this point, Akashi was rendered speechless as he didn't know any suitable word he could say to his hopeless parents. His father seemed to have no objection to this outrageous same-sex marriage, which came as an utter shock to Akashi because he initially thought his father expected him to marry a girl and have a child to continue the bloodline. Oh, the epilogue of Akashi family was drawing near! And there was no way that his mother would ever refuse this lovely opportunity to watch BL in live action. Akashi looked up at the ceiling, imagining it was the sky and mentally asked: "Please god, just one normal parent. Is it too much to ask?"

Letting out a sigh, Akashi decided to leave his fate in his parents' hands, which Akashi considered the worst decision he had ever made in his perfect life. He peeked over to take a look at his fiancé. The blue-haired teen had remained quiet, hands clapping on his lap, since they all took seats on the sofa, donning a blank look on his face. There was no deny that Akashi found the bluenette fascinating and captivating. Especially his lack of presence. Much as he hated to admit it, Akashi was taken aback the second time when the small teen spoke up his presence in the living room. He usually prided himself on his exceptional observational ability; nothing could ever hope to escape his eyes. However, Kuroko Tetsuya was an exception. Not only once but twice did Kuroko manage to go unnoticed by Akashi. Though a little annoyed at his incompetence, Akashi couldn't help but feel a bubble of excitement at the thought of having Kuroko as his fiancé. Who would have thought the person who you wanted to see again after meeting only once would be the one you would spend the rest of your life with?

Upon closer look, Kuroko was undoubtedly one beautiful boy, to Akashi's opinion. Baby blue hair looked so soft that Akashi almost allowed himself to pat the boy's head. The light color of his hair went strangely well with his pale flawless complexion, the skin that almost every girl would die to have. His wide azure eyes were heavy with thick long eyes lashes that brushed his cheeks every time he blinked. Pink delicate lips in shape of a bow parted slightly, giving him a gentle yet tempting aura. Small and slender with such polite manner, Kuroko looked pretty much like a lady. Suddenly, Akashi felt a strong urge to grab Kuroko and ravish those beautiful lips of his, wanting to see the boy's cheeks flushed and eyes glazed…

"Akashi-kun. Please stop staring at me like that. It makes me feel kinda uncomfortable", Kuroko averted his gaze but still retained his blank looks and monotone voice.

"Oh… I apologize for such rudeness. It's just that I want to have a closer look at you", Akashi quickly snapped back and apologized, feeling embarrassed at his behavior and outburst of such indecent thought about the guy in his mind.

And Akashi's mother, with her sharp eyes, didn't fail to notice the slight change on her son's face, a slight tint of blush on his cheek. Of course, she didn't waste that precious chance to tease her son. "Fu fu fu, Sei-chan. It's not like you to stare at others like that. Don't tell me you have fallen in love with Tetsu-kun?"

If the previous blush on Akashi's face was hard to notice, now it was clearly visible on his cheeks. Next to his father, despite his poker face, deep inside his mind, he found the whole situation interesting: it was rare to see Akashi's normally cool face slip off like now, not to mention his inability to utter a word since the beginning. "Interesting, interesting,…", he internally mused.

"No need to be shy, Sei-chan", Ayumi continued, not giving her son a chance to retort back, "Mother knows her son best. That's why I have had the maids prepare the room for you and Tetsu-kun. Also, there's no need for you to feel reserved or embarrassed tonight. Just go wild!", she said cheerfully, mischievous tone could be detected in her voice.

"So, tonight, Seijurou is gonna become a man, huh? Good luck, son."

Akashi's face couldn't possibly get any redder at the moment for realizing his parents' crazy implication. "YOU TWO WANT YOUR SON TO LOSE HIS CHASTITY AT THIS AGE. WHAT KIND OF CRAZY PARENTS ARE YOU?", the red-haired tried his best to refrain himself from yelling at his parents for there were guests at the moment. His parents just willingly engaged him to another guy (though a very beautiful guy but that was NOT the point) and then encouraged him to get on bed with his fiancé! He wouldn't be surprised if doctors suddenly barged into the room, announced there were two escaped patients from the mental hospital and transported them to their asylum. In fact, he could no longer get any more shocked than this if anything else happened. Even if his father stood up, proclaimed his undying love for Takumi-san and then two men proceeded to give each other a passionate kiss while passionately rolling on the floor, there was not a cat's chance in hell that he would ever be surprised. Oh wait, his dad could be secretly in love with Takumi-san but could not follow his true love, so the man decided to make his son continue his homo legacy. Yeah, that could be it!

Sitting across to Akashi, Kuroko was also embarrassed at the implication of what Akashi's parents just said. There was a faint red hue on his normally stoic face. He squeezed his hand slightly, trying to calm his mind down for fear of others noticing his rare blush.

Kuroko Takumi and Kuroko Terumi had been quiet since both of them sat down to listen to Sato's story. They had been watching their friends' family interacting with each other and they came to the conclusion that both Sato and Ayumi enjoyed teasing their son a little too much. Sensing the red-haired teen's embarrassment and discomfort, Terumi decided to break in the on-going conversation.

"Ayumi-san, you shouldn't say things like that. Seijurou-kun and Tetsu-kun are just 13 years old. You can't expect them to do that when they are still of that age. And besides, they only met today. Fiancé or not, they still need time to get to know each other", the blue-haired woman reminded her friend, much to Akashi's delight.

"Mou, you just kill the joy, Teru-chan. There is Shota-con manga you know". Ayumi's statement successfully earned her many blushing faces (excluding Kuroko's) in the room.

"Ahem, anyway, it's 8 o'clock already. Anyone care for dinner?", Akashi's father suggested.

"Oh yeah, that's right. I totally forgot about that. I have prepared my famous curry for all of us to enjoy together tonight. After we have finished dinner, your family must stay. We have a lot to talk today. Don't worry, you prepare rooms for your family. By the way, Tetsu-kun, your room is next to Sei-chan's one", Ayumi said, her eyes flashed with a mischievous glint.

Just when the group prepared to leave the living room, Akashi spoke: "Mother, father. I'm sorry but I feel a bit tired today. I think I'll skip dinner tonight."

Akashi bowed politely and quickly made his way out of the room. After closing the living room's door, he could faintly hear the voice of Mrs. Kuroko: "Ayumi-san, you've gone too far this time" and his mother's: "Oh, he'll go back to normal in no time."

To say that he was upset was an understatement. He was tired, exhausted and infuriated at his parents. Ever since he was young, he had always followed his parents' order and never defied them. He lived up to and even exceeded their expectation of him as the family heir. He constantly pushed himself over his limit, excelling both in academic and extra-curricular department. Much as he liked winning, he wished his parents hadn't push him around, ordering him to comply to every of their farcical whims. Freedom, he yearned for it, he yearned to be able to control his life, to do the things he wanted. And now, his parents had pried into his own future love life and forced this whole ridiculous engagement thing on him. Not that he found Tetsuya annoying- in fact, he felt at ease when near the teen-, he couldn't find himself to agree marrying with the bluenette in the future with the way his parent forced him to. Though he didn't admit it, he sincerely wanted to experience what his mother called "love at first sight" and the development towards the point both parties had understood each other. However, those things could never happen.

Akashi arrived at the outside of his bedroom and was about to open the door when he suddenly felt a presence behind him. He turned around and found Kuroko with his hand stretched forward, ready to touch Akashi's shoulder. Kuroko withdrew his hand, still looking at Akashi. There was a pregnant silence between them before Kuroko spoke.

"Akashi-kun. Can I talk with you for a minute?", Kuroko seemed hesitant to start the conversation with his fiancé.

Akashi looked at Kuroko for a while and then nodded, giving the other affirmative to continue.

"I know it must have been tough on your part to hear such news. I was also surprised when I first heard I was engaged to another boy so I can somehow understand you feeling right now. And I'm sorry…", Kuroko bowed as low as he could.

Akashi's eyes widened for a fraction of minute before back to normal. " Why are you saying sorry, Tetsuya? You haven't done anything wrong", Akashi was perplexed at his fiancé's action.

"I apologized on behalf of my parents. Even though Akashi-kun's father was the one who proposed the idea of engagement, my father was still the one who agreed to it, not to mention my mother", Kuroko gulped before continuing, "If Akashi-kun doesn't wish to continue this engagement, I'll try my best to convince my parents to break it off."

The red-haired teen stared at his blue-haired fiancé, astonished at the teen's thoughtfulness. Back at the living room, he did think he couldn't agree marrying with the bluenette but that was with the way his parents imposed the marriage on him and manipulated his life to their own will. However, the idea of breaking off the engagement never crossed his mind, partly because he knew his parents would never allow that and partly because he found Kuroko fascinating. He looked at Kuroko's eyes. Though the bluenette's eyes seemed blank and emotionless, Akashi could see slight hints of care, worries, anxiety and… hope. Letting out a sigh, Akashi ruffled Kuroko's hair and gave his reply.

"There's no need. I was just surprised when informed of our engagement and a little frustrated when my parents keep me in the dark for all these years", Akashi gave the bluenette his most sincere smile, hoping it would calm his fiancé.

"Then…", Kuroko seemed hesitant to ask but Akashi nodded to tell him it was okay to continue, "…does Akashi-kun hate me?"

The redhead stopped ruffling his fiancé's hair and stared at him bewilderedly. Then, to Kuroko's surprise, Akashi laughed.

"Akashi-kun, I'm serious", Kuroko pouted, looking totally adorable in Akashi's opinion.

"I was just… surprised that you would ask me that. What made you think I would hate you?", Akashi held back his laughter to regain his cool posture. "He's so cute."

"Well, firstly, you are forced to marry someone by your parents and secondly, your fiancé is a guy not a girl. Therefore, I think you may find me annoying…"

"But I don't find you annoying at all. In fact, I think you're really cute and adorable. I like you a lot, Tetsuya", Akashi chuckled.

And once again, Akashi found himself caught off guard by the bluenette. Kuroko, for the first time since Akashi met him, smiled. It was just a small smile but radiated so much happiness from his usually non-existent presence. The smile was accompanied with a slight flush, making the teen practically glow with such exotic beauty. At that moment, Akashi was like a moth in the night which was captivated by this beautiful mystic light and found itself dashing towards it, wanting to bask in that radiant happiness for eternity. And then…

BA-THUMP!

"I like you, too, Akashi-kun. Please take care of me from now on. I'll do my best to fulfill my role as your fiancé", Kuroko bowed down again.

"It's OK. I'll be in my room if you need anything else from me. Good night, Tetsuya", Akashi swiftly turned around, entered his room, closed the door and left Kuroko still standing in the hall in bafflement.

Inside his dark room, Akashi was leaning against the wooden door, trying to process what just happened. He unconsciously brought a hand over his chest. And there he stood, blushing hard like a high school girl who just confessed her love to her secret crush. His heart was also beating faster.

"What's just happened?"

-oOo-

Next to Akashi' room, Kuroko was sitting on his bed, seemingly contemplating something. He squeezed his hand slightly, feeling the soft linen material in his palm. Then, Kuroko looked out of the window at the beautiful moonlit night and whispered quietly.

"Sei"

TBC

I know, it's kinda slow but stay tune. Kuroko will soon join in Teiko school and start his own harem XD.

BTW, there are some questions I want to consult everyone.

1. Do you want lemon scene when Akashi and Kuroko's love has come to full bloom?

2. Do you want me to twist the story and add in characters like Kagami, Seirin high, Takao, Kamamatsu,... into the story?

3. Do you have any fan-service wish u want me to include in the story ;)?

Again, every comment is appreciated :D.