"Why don't we go somewhere for coffee to talk about things?"
Akashi felt like it was an unnecessary request from Kuroko, but perhaps the smaller male had simply felt the haul of the time in between their off-chance meet ups. He couldn't blame some as sociable as Kuroko for wanting to arrange these face-to-face meetings - but at least he wasn't as bad as Kise for it. Every week Akashi would receive an email filled with emoticons and stars and kisses practically begging the redhead to venture out of Kyoto and into the capitol city to hang out with the group of friends who clearly still had too much time on their hands...
Either way, though, he had accepted Kuroko's offer and was busy driving himself to a small cafe in his hometown. It was easier for Kuroko and Akashi to spend a day together than, say, Akashi and Kise, because the tealette had moved into Kyoto a couple of years back, purely for work, but it was still nice he'd considered the fact Akashi lived close by - apparently that made him feel safer. Although Akashi lived closer to town than Kuroko, the journey to their usual cafe never seemed to bother him.
When he did arrive and parked around the back it was surprising to see Kuroko already waiting at the entrance to the car park for the redheaded individual...
Maybe he'd already had plans to be around here? Perhaps that was why he arranged this day to meet up? With an answer already convincing Akashi of Kuroko's presence, he then saw no reason to question the other as he approached the 'phantom' dressed casually in jeans and a slightly large jumper. For all the teasing nick-name remained, Kuroko wasn't as invisible as he used to be during high school. He raised a hand for a stationary wave in Akashi's direction but remained as deadpan as always.
Always the master of the emotionless expression.
"Hello Tetsuya." Akashi offered with a smile to see if he could coax a response from his companion; he felt over dressed in comparison but that was nothing new. He wore a white cotton shirt under a knitted grey-black jumper, the collar, cuffs and hem making an appearance so it wasn't pointless wearing the shirt.
"It's been a while, Akashi-kun. How are you today?" The blue eyes that said more than his expression scanned over Akashi's features, as if trying to decode which Akashi he was speaking too. It was always quite silly and even Kuroko thought so, but he couldn't help his curiosity. He could count on one hand the times he'd spoken to this 'other Akashi' it was that minimal.
Before he could decide which it was, though, Seijuro started to answer him, finally at his side and leading the way to the front street to go to the cafe while his car keys returned to his pants pocket, "I am enjoying the sun, though it's still cold from winter... It's good to see Tetsuya wearing appropriate clothes." The elder of the two glanced back down at Kuroko as a car drove past but his attention remained focused on the other and his teal locks. His hair had grown longer... Long hair - even just to see - irritated Akashi. He could remember how it would feel to have strands brush against a shoulder and didn't understand how others could put up with it.
Meanwhile, Kuroko could tell he was being examined so he shifted his gaze away. Did Akashi forget how perceptive he could be as well? Surely not. It wasn't like Akashi to forget things. It seemed to distract him enough though because he was soon being asked how his work was going. Whether that was to return the general question or to try and focus only on Akashi fostering a child was something Kuroko couldn't guess.
He at least stopped avoiding Akashi to answer it though while his hand outstretched to click down the handle to the shop, and as he pushed open the door the bell atop was knocked and caused it to chime, "I was advised to continue with my line of work for the meantime... But the nursery I have been recommended have also encouraged me to volunteer as a helper before applying there." Akashi followed in after Kuroko and gently closed the door behind himself as he listened. He couldn't venture far inside though due to the fact Kuroko had stopped behind a couple waiting in the line to be seated. It didn't usually take long to be given a place and he was thankful for the pleasant warmth that filled the cafe.
"I see. It sounds like a plan worth sticking too. Also, if Tetsuya does not follow their instructions, they will understandably be less likely to hire you." At least he was still fighting and working hard for his dream job. For that, Akashi was slightly envious. He'd not been given the choice to forge his own path in life. If he could, he supposed it would be quite boring though... He would be the type happy to sit and play shogi all day. That was hardly work, though, it was just a hobby.
As Kuroko shuffled forward, the redhead also took a step so they weren't directly blocking the door, "Akashi-kun is right. They would prefer employers that do as they're asked."
A small drop in his features couldn't pass Akashi's eyes that still picked up on everything, but he at least gave Kuroko the privacy - he wouldn't ask too many personal question. Akashi knew how uncomfortable that could quickly become.
He was about to change the subject from it completely seeing as the powerful smell of the coffee distracted him a little, but his soft voice spoke up again, "I do enjoy working with the children at the orphanage, though. It's just sad sometimes."
Akashi blinked once and kept his gaze down at Kuroko. That was to be expected from him, but it still struck a chord. It made Akashi half glad that he never went into his own family history. Would that upset Kuroko...? Did he know anything about Akashi's past? The redhead guessed he wouldn't find out unless he sat down and told Kuroko, or if Kuroko confessed he knew something. People did gossip after all so maybe along the line it had been overheard.
The couple in front of them both looked up and Akashi noticed a waitress coming over to take them to a table, apologising in the process for the wait, "... The children can still have a bright future. Don't worry about them - encourage them instead." Akashi knew what it was like to be pitied. It didn't help in the end.
After they had taken up the space at the front of the line made up of only themselves, Akashi was given a faint smile that held understanding from Kuroko, "I know they are all capable of having bright futures. But children need a push in the right direction." Kuroko wasn't ignorant after all. He knew these kinds of things and could hear it in Akashi's voice that there was more too it than just words. Akashi also understood. But knowing the redhead, Kuroko had always decided not to bring up the past. Whether that was in the years he knew Akashi, or the years before that. But there was something that struck him...
"Akashi-kun, I wonder how much of a bright future your child will have." The sudden accusation snapped Akashi back to the present and he looked down with a slightly surprised expression; the look that followed was as if to say 'don't talk so publicly about it'.
"I'm not sure how bright it would be. I did not say I was expecting a child any time soon either." All he wanted was to try and get used to children, so it wouldn't be a shock to his system if he and Hana decided to have one.
The waitress who'd seated the couple before them came back into view holding plates on her arm, the occasional chink could be heard from her but other than that the room was filled with the sounds of busy feet behind the counter and the low level of conversations. It wasn't full because of the time and day but they were understaffed so it gave off the false impression of a busy atmosphere.
"Then, is Akashi-kun just preparing?" There had been a short pause in their conversation while the waitress had passed them by and Akashi gave a light shrug.
For it all it was mostly preparation, he figured it would have been most useful to babysit instead of foster...
"I suppose it is preparation." His heterochromatic eyes locked back on Kuroko's blue ones, "It seems we've finished most of our discussion before our coffee." By some odd coincident the same waitress rushed back with her rehearsed smile and apology for the wait, "Right this way sir!" She beamed and patted her apron - presumably drying off her hands.
Kuroko felt like it would be rude to agree to Akashi's statement while being shown a seat after the short wait so he thanked her politely and waited for the her to finish handing them the menus that were already stood up at the newly cleaned table they'd been given. It was situated by a pillar almost central of the cafe and meant the morning light from the window didn't blind them, "Please take your time to look through our menus - there is one for drinks and another for tea cakes." The smartly dressed woman smiled more as she dismissed herself with a bow. For all she was busy, she still managed to smile...
With the menus placed in front of them, both male's pulled their wooden chairs in to the edge of the table and begun to scan through the drinks. It was a bit redundant. Almost every time they'd order the same thing.
"If Akashi-kun has said all he wants too about the situation, then we can talk about general things." Such a suggestion caused him to look over the menu at Kuroko who remained as innocent as ever.
Kuroko was looking right back at him as well, having not even read through the menu but simply held it to look occupied. More often than not he'd be too cautious to directly ask anything from or about Akashi. He still had a reputation after all. But he was surprised... For once, Akashi openly started to talk more about the situation he was in, "I didn't tell you about Hana." His eyes had returned to the menu before he'd started talking and the tealette wondered if he was really comfortable bringing it up, usually Akashi was the type to maintain eye contact when it came to serious matters, "We've been dating for a while now. But neither of us are the family type so being encouraged to foster a child is more of a chore."
As soon as he'd finished his statement Kuroko huffed and held up the menu so his pout could not be seen by Akashi who blinked lightly, "Akashi-kun, that's mean. Children are people, too, not chores."
"Ah, then I can tell my father I was advised not to let children down by fostering them. Thank you for your help, Tetsuya." As if what he said was perfectly fine, Akashi smiled to himself slyly; he'd clearly planned for something like that to be said, just so he could give himself a reason not to start trying.
Although, perhaps Akashi had a point...
Kuroko thought more about how a child would feel if they spent a few days being spoiled by Akashi only to end up back at an orphanage. It would be upsetting for any child...
The new thought left Kuroko rather quiet but he realised he couldn't just sit there ignoring Akashi's remark. Instead, he tried to find a solution, "I would explain to the child the situation. Then they would know not to be let down, but would still enjoy a day out."
Defeat caused Akashi to sigh. It wasn't even refreshing because it was still Kuroko to hand him that defeat.
"It does not sound like it matters which child I foster, so Tetsuya could have easily prepared some day trip for me earlier." Saying that, it had only been four days since their phone call about everything. It wasn't as if Kuroko had been given ample time to organise something of the sort. Placing the menu down, the older of the two decided he'd stick to his regular coffee and locked his fingers together, the balls of his hands resting on top of the menu against the table while he crossed his legs.
"If Akashi-kun isn't really interested, it makes no sense to organise a day out for one of the children."
The voice from behind the menu was muffled. However, Akashi could still hear the meaning behind it. Kuroko was right. He left Akashi feeling like he ought to explain himself more, but what was he supposed to say? He had an /extremely/ controlling father? Nothing new there.
"Well, aren't we of that age? To settle down?" His rhetorical question at least caused the phantom to lower the menu - which he had actually been reading and not just using as a shield - but he didn't look too convinced, "Why hasn't Tetsuya settled down with a woman yet?" It was back to the unavoidable eye contact that pierced through the soul of the person dealing with the Devil. How unfair of Akashi to turn everything around?
Kuroko sunk back into the comfortable chairs created perfectly for the pair's average heights, "... I want to make myself happy before I have the pressure of keeping someone else happy." It was made out to sound like he didn't enjoy the common role men were given, but in actuality, Kuroko just didn't like conflict. He was the type of person who wanted to be stable before turning his world upside down. Before Akashi could focus everything on Kuroko, the smart man pushed to ask about 'Hana', "What about Akashi-kun's girlfriend? She must be very pretty..."
It was an odd question to be given, and despite knowing Kuroko's tactics of avoiding questions for himself, Akashi felt obliged to answer him. However, he didn't have to talk in circles for once. There was only one thing that came to mind when he thought about her, "Hana is cute."
There really wasn't much else to say. She had a small family business that had recently started up and was an average citizen. Nothing like the higher class women who wanted Akashi for his money and to be spoiled.
Kuroko blinked into even more of an expressionless feature while he found himself in a trance; just cute? He'd expected Akashi to have some curvy woman who wanted to be seen out in public with him. With fiery red hair that challenged Akashi's.
"It's lucky girls like to be called cute, otherwise Akashi-kun wouldn't be complimenting his girlfriend very well."
"Hmm?" A waiter from the counter looked across the room and decided he had time to help with orders instead of waiting for customers while Akashi's attention focused entirely on Kuroko, "Doesn't Tetsuya always like to be complimented by being called cute?" He sat back in his chair and a smirk lingered in his lips; it was small throw offs like that which unnerved Kuroko.
He didn't know whether he was being teased or whether Akashi was being deadly serious as always...
"I am not a girl, Akashi-kun. I do not like it."
His blue hues refused to look at Akashi at that point. His humor wasn't of good taste.
"... Ah, but Tetsuya is much more than that."
The words were smooth as always but spoken with some sort of poison that got inside one's mind. Kuroko felt like his cheeks were heating up from such a remark but he was left confused like always. Akashi commonly said such things... How come he'd been stuck with some innocent cute girl? It seemed wrong.
A sharp vibration was heard after seconds that followed the confident remark and Akashi's attention was finally diverted just as the waiter came by to ask for their drinks.