~ Thursday

Aomine oversleeps, as usual.

Unfortunately for him, Murasakibara has little qualms to drag him out of bed, half asleep and only vaguely aware of what is going on. Kuroko, bless his soul, sleeps through the whole thing without even so much as moving a muscle.

After waking up sufficiently, Aomine makes to gather his clothes and leave the room, not without giving Murasakibara a very dirty glance, the vocal complaint saved for later, as he would rather shoot himself in the foot than wake Kuroko up prematurely. Once Aomine's gone, Murasakibara pulls off his shirt and climbs into bed to cuddle with Kuroko until he deems to wake up.

Sometimes he takes a page from Kise's book and wakes Kuroko with breakfast, but usually he prefers slow mornings with lots of cuddling. Besides, it's so much more fun to cook when he can feed Kuroko the stuff he's making. Kuroko's tiny against his large frame, something that never ceases to amaze him. How can someone so small, have such a huge effect on him? One word from him, and Murasakibara would shove someone off a cliff. He's still not sure if he himself would actually jump, but hey, brutal murder is just as good.

He shouldn't go off on philosophical tangents with a half empty stomach. There's a bag of gummy bears in one of his pockets, among other things, but he doesn't want to leave the cozy and warm nest of their bed. Murasakibara presses his nose into Kuroko's soft but very unruly hair and inhales the scent. It's fruity, like his shampoo, but there's also a faint trace of vanilla. How Kuroko manages to smell of vanilla – no matter what he's doing, or where – is beyond not just Murasakibara.

Kuroko stirs slightly, eyelids fluttering, but he doesn't yet open his eyes. He nuzzles closer to Murasakibara, hands wrapping around his torso and sinks back into sleep with a sigh.

He wakes up completely about half an hour later, Murasakibara half wrapped around him as some crazy cross of an octopus and a scarf. One of his large arms is thrown half over Kuroko's face and he has some difficulties shoving it off.

"Kuro-chin." Murasakibara complains, now in his own state of half-sleep.

"You're heavy." Kuroko complains back and gives up the attempts of freeing himself. Sometimes, there's just no helping it.

"Kuro-chin is comfy." Murasakibara mumbles into Kuroko's hair. The strands faintly tickle his nose but he's too comfortable to do something about it. That is, until his stomach reminds him that it hadn't had its fill this morning.

It takes a moment for Murasakibara to collect all his body parts and unwrap himself from Kuroko. Akashi's bed is huge, more than enough space even for someone of his size, but the two of them are clingers, managing to clump together in about a fourth of the bed's size. It is quite impressive.

Once they've successfully untangle, Murasakibara pulls Kuroko in for a chaste good morning kiss.

"Morning Kuro-chin." He says with a soft smile. Kuroko yawns and pecks another kiss on his lips before shuffling into the bathroom.

Some cold water and a change of clothes later, Kuroko finally feels like a human being again. He's never been a morning person, but after Wednesdays he always needs extra-long to get going, courtesy most likely of one very enthusiastic but exhausting Aomine Daiki. Thank goodness Murasakibara always follows up with a delicious and invigorating breakfast.

"You still don't like coffee?" Murasakibara asks him on their way down to the kitchen.

Kuroko shrugs. "It's too bitter." Although he has to admit, he fancies some of Starbucks' vanilla coffee creations. If the amount of vanilla is right.

"It's an acquired taste." Murasakibara says gravely, but with a grin nonetheless. He couldn't have agreed more though, coffee is way to bitter. He'd rather inject himself with Red Bull than drink a cup of coffee. Kagami has way too much influence over him, he thinks idly.

"No, it's Stockholm syndrome." Kuroko gives back drily. Murasakibara just shrugs and ducks into the kitchen. As spacious as his house is, it's still been built for the average Japanese person and that means doors are generally hazardous.

Murasakibara pulls out a cup and sets to make Kuroko's morning cocoa, adding a generous helping of vanilla. He sprays cream on top once it's done and places it in front of Kuroko who's sit down at the kitchen table. Watching Murasakibara do any form of cooking is its whole subgenre of entertainment, even if it's something as mundane as buttering a piece of toast. And that's not because his technique is so extraordinary or anything. In actuality his technique is messy and all over the place, but that's precisely the reason Kuroko likes to watch. It has something of a religious experience, he supposes; watching how perfection is born from chaos.

The only one who can hold a candle to Murasakibara is Kagami, and Kuroko has long been in favor of a cook-off. So far, he's the only one though and considering the two's personalities, a cook-off would likely end up in a destroyed kitchen at the least. But who knows, in a world where Aomine Daiki would ask for a threesome with his arch rival no less, a cook-off between two crazy competitive men might just happen.

One thing is clear though, the one ingredient that makes this whole arrangement that much more awesome, is undoubtedly one Kagami Taiga.

"What do you want Kuro-chin?" Murasakibara has finished looking through the pantry and fridge and come to the satisfying conclusion that, as usual, Akashi's kitchen is perfectly stocked. Kuroko generally is an uncomplicated eater, but Murasakibara has found it best to consult him regularly.

Kuroko takes a sip from his cocoa, taking a moment to relish the taste. "Kise's been going for Western food mostly, so rice and fish?"

"It will take a while." Murasakibara says and opens the cabinet to retrieve the rice. Kuroko only hums in response. He doesn't mind waiting a bit, not with hot cocoa with vanilla and Murasakibara's pleasant company.

"There is a new pastry shop down at Shinjuku station." Murasakibara says he's set up the rice cooker. "They have cakes from Austria and Germany." He takes a moment to remember the sweet taste of Black Forest Cherry cake. Those Europeans know how to make some damn fine cake. Kuroko looks at him, with that slight tilt of head that shows he's interested. It took some time for Murasakibara to learn all the tricks of reading Kuroko's body language, for his face and mimic give away so little. He remembers thinking what a cold person Kuroko must be. Oh, how wrong he was.

"I can bring you some, next time." He offers and Kuroko's lips curl into the tiniest of smiles.

"I'd like that."

"Any preference?"

"Just bring whatever you think is delicious." Murasakibara's lips curl into a broad smile.

"Kuro-chin, that's everything." Kuroko just gives him a knowing look in return. While he certainly likes to eat, Kuroko's portion size is generally tiny; chance is he won't even be able to finish the piece of whatever cake Murasakibara brings him. Which makes this a very elaborate excuse for Murasakibara to indulge himself. Not that Kuroko would ever object to that.

"Maybe we should just go there today and Kuro-chin can pick whatever he likes." Murasakibara offers while preparing the fish. Talking about cake has made him hungry for cake. Kuroko just hums noncommittally, which basically means he's not yet decided on what to do. "They have this super delicious strawberry-vanilla-cream cake." Murasakibara says innocently.

"Let's go after lunch." Kuroko replies immediately. And with that, it's set.

Since they started the day late, breakfast serves for the first two meals of the day. Murasakibara makes extra-large helpings to compensate for that, or rather he makes one extra-large for himself and one slightly larger than average for Kuroko. There still needs to be space for some cake later.

They play a few rounds of Mario Kart after lunch to give the food time to settle. Murasakibara is the only one he can play this game with, Kise gets frustrated way too easily, Midorima is a sour loser and Aomine refuses to even touch the game as he's horribly inept at racing games. Murasakibara doesn't care if he wins or loses, so Kuroko thinks it's just as good as a pastime as any.

"I hate blue shells." Kuroko mutters when he's bombed from first place the third time in a row. "Where is the Super Horn when you need it?" They play online and he has the slight hunch that the one guy from Australia has a grudge on him. Murasakibara comes in last, too occupied with munching his chips than proper driving.

"I could cover you." He offers when Kuroko smashes the A-button a bit too hard when accepting the next race. Kuroko gives him a look, pensive, before he gives a curt not and turns back to the screen to select Rainbow Road.

Murasakibara puts down his chips and sits up straight. His hair falls into his eyes and he takes the time for the game to set up to tie it up into a pony tail. Kuroko is too occupied with glaring at the screen to notice. He'd probably be surprised to see Murasakibara get serious to this extent just for a game of Mario Kart. But there's little Murasakibara wouldn't do if Kuroko is involved.

The countdown starts and both Kuroko and Murasakibara lean instinctively forward. Kuroko manages a swift start, quickly putting some distance between him and his opponents. Murasakibara is right behind him, thwarting any attempt of anyone coming near Kuroko by crashing into them. Easy enough, considering he's the only heavyweight in the race. Still, he manages to stay behind Kuroko in second place throughout most of the race. He can be really fearsome when serious.

Kuroko squints his eyes until they are just slits, while he waits for that telltale sound of an incoming shell. No person should have the luck to get four blue shells in four consecutive games, but there are enough other players around to increase chance.

"Incoming." Murasakibara says from behind him and swerves right into the blue shell's path. The blue shell ignores him. "Ah shit. Sorry, Kuro-chin."

Kuroko presses the A-button down as far as it will go, which makes no difference at all, but the finish line is so close he might just-

Yoshi makes a triple back flip with his cart as the shell hits him right from behind. Kuroko mutters some very nasty curses into his nonexistent beard. Luigi whizzes past him, death stare and all and Kuroko sticks out his tongue at him.

"You should keep going Kuro-chin." Murasakibara says cheerfully and the next moment Luigi is upended by yet another blue shell. Kuroko just stares while his thumbs have already taken up the duty of bringing poor Yoshi over the finish line.

"Where the hell did you get a blue shell in second place?"

"I picked it up when I fell behind in the second lap." Kuroko puts down his controller after denying the next race. The scary thing about Murasakibara getting serous is, well him getting serious and owning just about anything he touches. There's a reason while they usually play coop. Even if the game doesn't offer a coop mode.

Kuroko doesn't even want to know how he managed to fend off all their opponents without using any items. Seriously.

"I'm getting hungry." Murasakibara pulls the band from his hair, letting his long hair fall back into his face. Kuroko side eyes the bag of chips on the couch. Murasakibara shrugs and gets up, reaching out a hand to help Kuroko stand. He's been sitting on his legs for too long and they almost give way under him. He leans against Murasakibara for the time it takes his legs to fully wake up, wincing throughout the whole process. Murasakibara seizes the opportunity to wrap his arms around him and rest his chin on top of Kuroko's head.

"Kuro-chin is comfortable." He says with a lazy stretch to his voice.

"I thought you were hungry?"

"Mhm." Murasakibara nuzzles his nose into Kuroko's hair. "I am, but I also want to stay like this."

"I think that's a problem. We can't exactly walk like that."

"I can carry you." Murasakibara offers.

"No, thank you." Kuroko replies immediately. It's one thing to occasionally allow Kise to carry him through the house; it's a whole different story to let Murasakibara carry him through Tokyo. Murasakibara hmphs into his hair but lets go either way, but not before pulling Kuroko into a short but sweet kiss.

"Shall we go then?" Murasakibara nods and that's that.

Since Murasakibara doesn't own a driving license and Kuroko hates to drive in a city as busy as Tokyo, they take the train. Kuroko usually doesn't like the stuffiness of public transport, but it's made significantly more comfortable by the fact he's with a two meter giant who generally has a safe zone of about three meters around him. It also most certainly helps that said giant likes to stick close to Kuroko at any times.

Murasakibara leads the way once they get out at Shinjuku station. It's easy enough for him to navigate the crowds and Kuroko just swims in his shadow. The shop is small and tucked away behind a clothes store in a side alley. There are a few chairs and tables grouped in front of the shop, mostly occupied by couples. Through the shop window they can get a glimpse of the delicious goods laid out inside.

The shop has specialized on pastries and baked goods from Europe, namely the German speaking nations as their bread culture is widely superior to anyone else's. Murasakibara doesn't favor bread, the taste and texture is just too weird but the cakes and other sweet goods are in a league of their own.

Kuroko orders the strawberry-vanilla-cream cake to no one's surprise, while Murasakibara orders three cakes at once. And a few more pastries on top. It's not his fault that he just can't decide what he wants. If he could, he would simply buy the whole shop and never leave but that would mean he wouldn't get to see Kuroko again, which is about the worst thing to happen, in Murasakibara's book.

"How do you like it?" Murasakibara asks after Kuroko has taken his first bite. He has already devoured half of his piece of cherry cake, but the stuff is simply too delicious.

"It's good." Kuroko says after he's chewed his bit. "Really good." Murasakibara can't help the warm smile that spreads on his lips.

Kuroko insists on getting cake for everyone so they end up buying whole of a chocolate cake that the clerk insists on being good even after a few days of storage.

Back at home Kuroko puts the cake in the kitchen, reminding Murasakibara that it's not for him to snack on. It's rather late in the day, but since they've just eaten a healthy dose of cake, Murasakibara decides on something light for dinner. Kuroko turns on the television and puts it on a news channel while Murasakibara prepares their food.

The news are a depressing affair as always, so Kuroko to something else when Murasakibara comes in with two plates. He puts the plates down on the small coffee table and sits down next to Kuroko who immediately leans against him. Murasakibara slings an arm around him, pulling him even closer and the sigh that Kuroko lets out is as telling as if he'd said it out loud. That's right; they've barely touched today, except for one brief interlude after the mishap with Kuroko's legs.

Murasakibara rests a hand on Kuroko's cheek and gently tilts his head up. They lock eyes for a moment before he pulls Kuroko in for a kiss. It's tender and soft, more an expression of their feelings than anything sexual. Kuroko's hand sneaks up to Murasakibara's neck, pulling him in even closer. Something warm prods against his lips and Murasakibara lets it in all too willingly.

He puts his hands under Kuroko's legs and lifts him up and into his lap. Kuroko wraps his arms around his shoulders, legs landing to either side of him and it doesn't take long for him to be slightly panting. Murasakibara breaks the kiss eventually, to give Kuroko some time to catch his breath, but mostly to savor the vaguely salty taste of his skin, underlined with that faint note of vanilla that's always there against all the rules of logic.

"Not here." Tetsuya groans, one hand burrowed in the excess amount of hair on Murasakibara's head. He's not sure if he wants to urge him on or stop him. Murasakibara reluctantly retreats from the smooth expanse of skin he'd just began to mark with soft red to look into Kuroko's hazed eyes. "Bed." He just says, and Murasakibara obeys. He lifts Kuroko up into his arms, something he'd usually object to but right now he's too busy latching on to every available part of skin he can find.

Halfway up the stair Murasakibara has to give up. His legs are shaking, not with the effort of strength but with the effort not to give in to Kuroko's ministrations. And then Kuroko licks over an especially sensitive part, right under his earlobe and Murasakibara has to lean against the wall as to not collapse right there.

"Mura-" Kuroko starts but Murasakibara doesn't let him finish. He pushes him against the wall and kisses him in the same motion. It's messy and even a bit forceful but then Kuroko's hand wind into his hair, tugging and pulling and it's all he can do not to fuck him right there against the wall. Kuroko however seems to have exactly that in mind, for his other hand is pretty much focused on divesting him of his shirt.

"Kuro-chin." Murasakibara's own breath is coming in ragged bursts, his blood is pumping fervently through his veins and he wants… he wants Kuroko so baldy it's almost impossible to form a coherent thought. Kuroko's breath ghosts over his face, hot and moist and he has to turn his head away to ward off the temptation.

"I need you." Kuroko groans, voice hoarse already and he's pushing all the right buttons now he's so close to just losing it. And then Kuroko somehow manages to squeeze his hand in between their bodies and around the bulge in Murasakibara's pants. All air leaves him at once, taking what little sense he maintained with it.

He lifts Kuroko higher, until his erection presses right into the heat of Kuroko's belly. Kuroko's breath is hot against his neck as his fingers hook into his waistband, fumbling until the button pos open. Murasakibara is just as frantic, trying and shifting until he finds a position in which he can hold Kuroko up and touch him at the same time.

Kuroko's legs clamp around him and finally, fucking finally, he has his hands free to do as he pleases. Pulling down Kuroko's pants takes some effort and it almost ends up in disaster when Murasakibara loses his footing, but thankfully the nearby wall averts the crisis. The pants are off though and Kuroko presses his now unclothed lower half against Murasakibara, grinding until his skin is flushed with the pleasure of it.

Murasakibara rubs a hand over Kuroko's ass, shifting him again until he gets the access he wants. Part of him finds the capacity to be immensely grateful for his foresight of carrying a travel-sized bottle of lube with him at any time. Kuroko's cock rubs against his belly, urging him on and on and it takes far longer than it should to slick up his fingers and press into the tight heat awaiting him. Kuroko moans as he enters; a short ragged sound that goes straight down to Murasakibara's cock.

Not that he'd need any more incentive.

He puts his hands under Kuroko's thighs until he can lift him, using the leverage to angle himself deep into Kuroko. It's a strain on his arms, but Murasakibara couldn't have cared less in that moment. All that matters is that he's in Kuroko where he belongs.

Kuroko's finger dig into his back and then he drops a hand and wraps it around himself, squeezing and tugging, just anything to release some of the pressure that's been building, up and up, until he can barely stand it. There's not enough space in between them, his hands gets squished every time Murasakibara thrusts into him, so he just wraps it around his cock and lets Murasakibara's movements do the rest.

He tries to hold on a little longer, tries to drag it out, but it's just too much and Murasakibara's considerable size is not something he can just take and not be affected. It does make a difference, only one that Kuroko pretty much enjoys. Still, he manages fine, until Murasakibara snaps his hips in a slightly rotating motion and the thread that kept together his self control tears right through. He clings on to Murasakibara's shoulders when his orgasm hits him; the world drowns out in white for a moment and everything is lost to the wave that floods through him.

When he comes to, Murasakibara is still holding him up, but he has ceased any movements. Instead he has his face buried in Kuroko's neck, breathing heavily as though he's just run a mile. From the way his shoulders are shaking ever so slightly, Kuroko concludes that he must have come moments after him.

"Murasakibara, you can let me down now", he says. Murasakibara grunts something unintelligible in response, but lets him down either way, albeit the motion is somewhat stiff and very careful. Kuroko, for his part, has to hold on to the wall, as not to fall right down the stairs. He sinks down slowly, sitting in the middle of the staircase and wondering if he's ever going to make it upstairs in this life. He certainly doesn't feel up to it.

"Isn't that cold Kuro-chin?." Murasakibara asks after a while. He's mostly pulled himself together by then, but Kuroko can see from his vantage point that his legs are somewhat unstable too. At least he's not the only one.

"It is." Kuroko agrees, and accepts Murasakibara's outstretched hand. How he has the strength left to pull him up, is beyond him, but Kuroko is all the more glad for it. Together they collect the discarded clothing, well, Murasakibara collects, Kuroko watches and hugs the wall. He doesn't trust his legs to bend properly right now, and he really doesn't want to fall down the stairs head first, or at all.

They take a bath together in Akashi's absurdly large bathtub. It's nice and refreshing up to the point when Murasakibara decides he wants to east Kuroko out, for no better reason than that he can - which is a perfectly good reason, obviously.

Afterwards, Kuroko happily drags himself to bed. It takes up most of his strength and it doesn't take long for him to fall asleep in Murasakibara's arms.