It's been a while! This chapter is a little short, but it's setting up the stage for some Kuroko-Aomine action (finally!)
Thank you for being so patient, I know my updates are sporadic at the best. Again, thanks for all the lovely reviews and messages, follows and favourites! You guys are the best!
Chapter 10
A warm breeze floated through the open window, bringing with it mild relief from the stuffiness of the classroom. Kuroko swept a hand lazily over his fringe, and turned his bored gaze from the teacher to stare outside at the school grounds. It was the nearing the end of spring already, nearly four months since the Winter Cup, and he had yet to make any real progress with his former light. Glancing at his current light slumped in front of him, he couldn't help the small quirk of the corner of his mouth, Kagami's chin was precariously propped on his right hand and with each soft snore and gentle rhythmic dip of his head…BAM! The inevitable happened, the Seirin ace's face slammed into the wooden desk with a resounding thud that effectively woke the entire class up and brought the red faced teacher to the corner of the classroom.
"Kagami-kun. Am I boring you?"
Red faced, Kagami leapt to his feet, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck with a large hand.
"S-sorry, sensei. Won't happen again."
The older man sighed and turned to walk back to the front muttering, "That's what you said last time, and the time before that, and the time…"
As the monotonous droning that was supposed to be teaching resumed, Kagami discreetly turned in his chair, "Hey, Kuroko, wanna grab a burger after practice? Feel like I haven't seen you around since-"
The red head paused and coughed, blushing. Kuroko had no qualms about finishing that thought off.
"Since Kagami-kun became Akashi-kun's boyfriend?" the pale haired boy sang innocently.
Kagami growled lowly, his face now a flaming ruby, "W-we're not boyfriends! We're…seeing each other, that's all!"
This emphatic statement was punctuated by the shrill ring of the bell, signalling the end of the day.
Beginning to pack away his books, Kuroko shrugged and tucked away a smirk, "Is that what Akashi-kun thinks as well?"
Kagami paled and looked distinctly edgy as his eyes flickered around the room, half expecting his terrifying lover to materialise in front of him. His shoulders relaxed a fraction when no heterochromatic gaze laser beamed his body in half and he turned back to his shadow to continue their conversation.
"Yes Taiga, please, do answer Tetsuya's question," a silky smooth voice commanded.
Kagami groaned in resignation and dropped his head in defeat. He knew what was coming, what he had to do. Dragging his body reluctantly out of the chair, he approached Akashi cautiously before gently encircling the smaller boy in his arms and dipping his head slightly to meet the expectant lips of his "boyfriend," his mind helpfully supplied. All the while Kagami valiantly ignored the giggles, snickers and wistful sighs of his classmates. This had become a common occurrence since the incident in the locker room two weeks ago. Kagami would inevitably put his foot in his mouth and end up grovelling and apologising in a public arena with a grand gesture of affection. Akashi had demanded it.
Kuroko watched the scene with barely concealed envy. He wanted what they had. Someone to hold, to kiss, to adore and be adored by; someone to call in the middle of the night when he couldn't fall asleep, someone to hold his hand on dates that were carefully planned just for him; someone to sling a protective arm around him, claiming him in front of everyone, and above all; someone to see him, all of him, to the point where they would never lose track of him or forget about him, even if he had a weak presence. The blunette shook his head ruefully, no, he didn't want someone or anyone, he wanted Aomine Daiki.
Kuroko had appreciated his Teiko teammates' attempts to help rectify the situation but all that had resulted were for all of them to find their other half and Aomine to distance himself even further. And while he would never begrudge his friends of happiness, his mind couldn't help but sulkily pout that it was supposed to be him that was finding true love and all that jazz.
As the two red heads finally broke away from each other, both slightly out of breath, Kuroko wiped the bitter expression from his face and replaced it with his usual bland look. But Kuroko should have known better, even with Kagami's arm cuddling him and nose nuzzling his hair, and his usual fierce, cold eyes softened considerably, Akashi saw everything. His former captain pursed his lips slightly, analysing the passing specialists face before giving a short brief look, clearly satisfied with what he had found.
Leading his taller boyfriend by the hand, Akashi stated calmly, "I have spoken to your coach. Your practice is to be postponed until tomorrow. Now, let us go eat."
Sharing a bewildered look, the two Seirin players eventually shrugged their shoulders and followed him out of the school obediently. Kuroko had the distinct uneasy inkling that his ex-captain was up to something. Well, Akashi was always up to something, but this time he had a feeling that it had something to do with him, specifically. And despite his best attempts, he couldn't squash the small bubble of hope that had formed in his chest. Maybe Akashi-kun hadn't given up on The Grand Plan; maybe he still had a few tricks up his sleeve. Suddenly a thought came to him and a small frown marred his brow.
'Akashi-kun's plans have never failed before. I don't think it's even possible for that to happen. What was different this time? Unless…"
A dark blue phone buzzed insistently beside the napping boy. He sighed before reaching over and flicking it open and immediately proceeded to roll his eyes in frustration. Nevertheless, he dusted himself off before heading towards the stairs that led from the school roof down to the gates.
"Daiki, Maji Burgers in half an hour."
Well, hopefully that was worth the wait :)
There will be more, very, very soon! So stay tuned!