After Kuroko was released from the hospital, the three men headed back to the bluenette's apartment. With Kuroko sprawled across his sofa, Kagami and Akashi sat beside him on the floor.

"You don't have to be so close," the smaller boy mumbled.

Kagami sighed. "You downed twenty pills just this morning, Kuroko. We're not letting you out of our sight for a little while."

The bluenette frowned, only muttering, "Twenty-one…"

Akashi reached up to lightly brush Kuroko's fringe out of his eyes. "You're so beautiful…"

Kuroko's face instantly warmed to a bright red colour as he buried his face in the sofa cushions. The redhead chuckled lightly at him, until he was met with those blue orbs again. His smile fell from his lips as he noted the serious tone to their depths.

"Seijuro…"

"Yes, love?"

"… Why did you have to marry her?"

Akashi gulped, feeling very uncomfortable with the topic- especially now that he knew that was the very reason for Kuroko's hospital visit. "My father's company is going bankrupt…"

Kuroko tilted his head, curiosity ever present in his expression. "You said you didn't want anything to do with the company."

Akashi sighed, nodding. "I know. But… My mother's dying wish was that my father and I took care of one another. And, that company means the world to him. It's all he has left."

The bluenette turned his gaze to the floor for a moment, letting the words sink in. "So that woman, she was from a rich family that agreed to help?"

He nodded. "When the marriage idea was first presented, when I was thirteen, it was merely a joke. My father would never agree to such a thing, unless it was the last resort. None of us thought it possible."

"… So what are you going to do now, Sei? If that was the last resort…"

The redhead sighed, resting his head on the sofa, beside Kuroko's shoulder. "I don't know…" He instantly caught the flash of pain in Kuroko's eyes, and he shot up like a bullet, shaking his head. "Not that. I am not leaving you again."

Kuroko's eyes were wide, but his expression soon softened, a smile playing at his lips. "I'm not rich enough to help your family, Sei…"

He shook his head again. "I won't do it."

Kagami groaned, having been forgotten. "Don't you have some distant relative or something that could help?"

Akashi thought for a moment, before shaking his head. "The only relative even slightly eligible is a distant cousin of mine, but that branch of the family has been cut off for years." He paused. "Generations… I wonder if they still remember why…"

Kuroko tilted his head to the side. "Do you know why, Seijuro?"

"No, my father didn't even know…"

The bluenette smiled. "Then your cousin probably doesn't know either."

"… I have to go." Akashi stood up quickly, startling both men as he leaned down to press a soft kiss to Kuroko's brow. "I will be back," he whispered, his eyes ablaze as he stared into Kuroko's.

A soft blush dusted Kuroko's cheeks as he nodded. "Hurry back, love."

XXX

It hadn't taken long for Akashi to call his driver, make the journey to Chiba, and find his way to his long lost cousin's home. The redhead's cousin, Akira Takahiro, was more than glad to accept Akashi into his home.

As the two men sat in Akira's office, a cup of tea in their hands, Akashi explained his situation. When he'd finished, Akira 'hmmed' to himself before a smile graced his lips.

"I see why you've come to me, Akashi," he said coolly, taking a drink of his tea. "It is true that the dispute between our family's branches has long since been forgotten. And this, Tetsuya, he's very important to you?"

Akashi nodded. "Yes, he is my everything."

Akira smiled, leaning back in his chair. "Well who am I to extinguish love? Alright, Akashi. I will help you and your father."

The redhead leaned in, listening intently. "Thank you, Akira. What would you like in return?"

The man smiled at him kindly, shaking his head. "Your family is in no condition to offer me anything. All I want is to be acknowledged as part of the clan once more."

Akashi blinked. "That's all?"

"Well," Akira said, his smile widening, "And an invitation to your eventual wedding, if that's alright."

Akashi smiled as they both stood to their feet. He bowed his thanks, "Thank you again, Akira."

Akira returned the smile as he led the redhead to the door. "Anytime, Akashi. I wish you luck with your Tetsuya."

XXX

It seemed to Akashi that it was taking much longer to get back to Tokyo than it had leaving. He fidgeted in the back of the car all the way there, jumping out the door before the vehicle even came to a complete stop in front of Kuroko's apartment.

Akashi wasted no time knocking on the door, instead merely barging in as if he lived there. He paused as that thought crossed his mind, Kuroko and Kagami both looking up at him expectantly.

"Tetsuya, can I live here again?"

The bluenette blinked. "Are you going to be marrying anytime soon?"

"I hope so."

Kuroko's brows knitted together until a bright blush developed on his cheeks. "E-eh, what are you saying, S-Seijuro?"

Akashi grinned as he ran to his lover's side, falling onto his knees. He took Kuroko's hands into his own, peppering them with kisses. "Akira said he would handle everything. But I still want a wedding. With you."

Kuroko tried to pull his hands from Akashi's grasp, itching to hide his burning face away. "S-Sei!"

Akashi raised up slightly, becoming dangerously close to Kuroko's face as he looked him directly in the eyes. "Tetsuya, will you marry me?"

The bluenette blinked- once, twice, and then he averted his gaze, pushing the redhead away. "I-idiot!"

Akashi didn't budge, instead pulling Kuroko off the sofa and into his lap, almost as if he were about to sweep him off his feet and carry him bridal style. "Answer me, Tetsuya."

Kuroko smiled softly, his cheeks still as warm as the sun as he played with a strand of Akashi's hair. He twisted it between his fingers lightly, still avoiding his gaze. "I g-guess I could get used to being an A-Akashi."

And that's all the redhead needed to hear, as he pressed his lips onto his beloved's once more. He never wanted to leave this spot, his precious bluenette held safely within his arms.