And the end is drawing near…
Chapter 10: Decision- A Few Weeks Later
Kuroko awoke, blinding sunlight entering his eyes.
He was on a bed. An all too familiar one. "Akashi-kun's… bed? I'm at his house…"
The memories began to overflow, causing fresh tears to spill.
A warm hand caressed his cheek. The blunette followed the trail of the bed and he peeked under the bed sheet. "A…kashi-kun?"
The redhead smiled as he continued to stroke Kuroko's face. "Good morning, Tetsuya."
Kuroko was at a loss for words. His heart was racing at an inconceivable speed. He thought that he hated the Rakuzan captain from the pits of Hell, but now…
He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that… I yelled at you and cursed you out and said that you never loved me–"
"No, I'm the one who should be sorry," Akashi said, shaking his head. "All the things I've done to you, Kagami, my past Teiko team, and Seirin. But I don't feel sorry. But I am sorry. I truly am."
Something in Kuroko's mind told him not believe the redhead. He couldn't risk falling for a liar again. But the look on Akashi's face was begging for forgiveness. He sighed as he slid off the bed. "I'll give it some thought."
The redhead remained silent and watched his lost lover leave the room. 'Tetsuya… I love you.'
Kagami couldn't make eye contact at all with Kuroko during school. If he did, he would end up spilling his secrets. If he didn't, his own black hole of despair would form.
Meanwhile, Furihata was the same way. His knee was improving, but his unrequited love wasn't. All he could think about throughout the school day was Akashi Seijuuro. Nothing more, nothing less. His mind would wander during class while the teacher was ranting about nonsense. His test results reflected his actions.
At the end of the day as he was heading home, Furihata spotted Kuroko waiting at a red light. He ran towards the teen. "Hi, Kuroko."
"Oh. Hello, Furihata…"
The blunette smiled unknowingly as they began to cross the street.
The brunette scratched his head at the awkward silence. He wanted to start a conversation so badly, but he didn't know what topic was most appropriate.
"So, do you like Akashi-kun?" Kuroko asked out of thin air.
The question struck Furihata's heart like an arrow. He stammered in the process of finding an answer. "Um… I-I-I would n-never like s-s-s-such a guy l-like that!"
Kuroko stifled a laugh. "I was just kidding, take a breather. Is it true, though?"
"… Pretty much."
"Why am I not surprised? I could've sworn I saw you blush when Akashi-kun came at you with a sword."
Furihata felt his cheeks burn. "Please d-don't talk about that. I'm trying to get over it as best as I can." Lies.
The pallid teen stopped walking as they reached Akashi's house. "I'm not mad at you for liking him. I'm just sad that it's unrequited." Looking up, Furihata was trembling from head to toe with his face red.
"Get in the house," a calm but stern voice said.
Kuroko resisted a pout. "Yes, Akashi-kun." He bowed to Furihata and walked inside.
The brunette attempted to tiptoe away without being noticed, but the redhead tapped him on the shoulder. "Where do you think you're going? Come on in."
'Gaaaaaaaaaah!'
Coming inside, Furihata took off his shoes and looked around in awe. "It's so big!"
Akashi motioned him to the living room where Kuroko, who already changed into his home clothes, was waiting on the couch.
Furihata gulped nervously as the Rakuzan captain sat next to him. 'So close…'
"Is there something we need to talk about?" Kuroko asked. "Otherwise, it would be rather strange of you to invite one of my friends over."
Akashi crossed his legs. "You're right. But it's for a reason. I'm sorry for what I've done."
Furihata anxiously shook his head. "N-No, it's okay! I accept your apology. You were so consumed in rage, so it was understandable."
"No, it wasn't," the redhead retaliated. "I've injured so many people just because Tetsuya slept with Kagami. I cannot be forgiven so easily. Is your knee…?"
"Yea, it's doing better." The brunette suddenly broke into a cold sweat. 'Wait, why are we the only ones conversing? Did I just talk informally? Did Akashi-kun have a personality switch or is it just me? Both of his eyes are red, but that's besides the point! Why is he acting so nice? Why do I feel at ease when I'm near him? Why am I talking to myself? Kuroko, WHERE DID YOU GO?! Why am I panicking?!'
Akashi cocked his head. "Is something the matter? You seem rather tense."
"Gaaaaah! Yes, I'm fine! Perfectly fine…"
Later that evening after Furihata left, Kuroko went to the bathroom and washed his hair. He just felt like it.
A pair of arms wrapped around his waist. He sighed. "Can't you see I'm washing my hair? If soap gets into your eye, I'm not calling the ambulance."
Akashi rolled his eyes as he pressed his body closer against Kuroko's. "I'll still love you anyways. We haven't done something like this in a long time."
"…"
The redhead placed butterfly kisses along Kuroko's neck.
"S-Stop it," the blunette complained. His heart tingled. He was getting excited again.
The kisses continued, making Kuroko shiver as he rinsed his hair.
"You got me wet," the Rakuzan captain deadpanned.
"Told you so."
The redhead grabbed a towel from the marble cabinet and handed it to the latter. "You're gonna pay for that. Watch."
"How?"
"Like this!" Akashi grinned as he picked Kuroko up bridal style and dashed to their bedroom, locking the door. He jumped onto the bed with the blunette below him. "So, you thought I couldn't do anything, huh?"
Kuroko turned his head away, his arms above his head. "… No. Go ahead. Do whatever you want with me."
"No. I don't want to do anything harmful without your consent. I… don't want you to feel uncomfortable like all those other times."
The pallid teen felt his face turn redder than a beet. "Fine. Actually… I've missed doing this with you. But ever since that happened… I began to despise love. It was just a spell that could be broken by hatred–"
He was suddenly cut off by a pair of warm but cold lips pressing onto his. He forgot to breathe…
"Akashi-kun, Akashi-kun!" he mumbled frantically.
The redhead immediately pulled away. "Tetsuya! What's wrong?!"
"I… couldn't… b-breathe," Kuroko panted, his chest rising and falling.
"Don't tell me you forgot how to kiss."
'It's not my fault it's been so long…'
Akashi slowly leaned closer and ran his hand through his lover's semi-wet hair. "Don't worry. I'll teach you all over again. From the very beginning."
Kuroko pouted. "Sei-chan…why are you treating me like a child?"
Akashi pulled the covers over their heads. "Because you are my little child, Tetsuya."
I'm so happy! You already know! I got no writer's block, from LA to Tokyo!