Gasp! What is this? Another chapter so soon?! Ehehe. Sometimes I like to surprise.

But really, this is going up so soon because like I said earlier, my schedule got thrown off, and so I'm making up for the lost time.

I slaved over this for the past five hours consecutively, so I sincerely hope you like this. Or I might just cry. ;-;

Anyway, thank you all for the lovely reviews! Bree's was insane, you made me feel like this was a crime drama wtf.

OH! Before I forget! YOU GUISE ARE ALL HORRIBLE. IT'S STILL INCEST IF THEY'RE LEGALLY BROTHERS.

"It has been confirmed that nothing was taken from the latest crime scene." Midorima and Aomine stood near a wall in their chief's office, a large whiteboard behind them pinned up with photographs of victims and crime scenes, and some scribbled notes and comments. The obvious increase in violence in their serial killer case had prompted their superiors to assign more policemen to the case, in the hopes of catching him soon and to be able to assure the public that something was being done about him. Thus, it had been left to the two detectives to pick a number of rookies to join the growing team, as other stations in the nearby vicinity offered their assistance. At the moment, they were briefing the newly established team, so that all of those present would be well acquainted with the material, and they would be able to cast a wider net around the city in search of him.

"Though, that seems to be the case only because there were no cameras there, functioning or otherwise," Aomine tagged on. "We're working on the assumption that the lack of a trophy was why he destroyed the apartment."

"Although he's shown violent tendencies in the past, his previous victims were either shot or stabbed once, meaning that he relied heavily on the element of surprise." Midorima said, a hand going up to readjust his glasses. "This new M.O. seems to indicate that there is something that is frustrating him, and this frustration is starting to build. He's looking for an outlet for his rage."

"His taste in women also seems to have changed. Before this he would target women who had been models at a point in their lives, current or otherwise, but never someone famous nor working in the field full-time," Aomine gestured to a photoset behind him. "The two girls he attacked, however, were not models. They were university students, staying in that penthouse by request of the owner, who is a well-known model while she shot a new ad overseas. We cannot say for certain yet whether he was aware of this information when he went there."

Midorima waved the folder he held in his hand at the audience. "Everything we've found out regarding our man is included in your packages. If there's anything more you need to know, our personal phone numbers are listed in there. The higher-ups have clearly stated that nothing is to be spared while we look for this man. That means information, time, or money. He's attacked half a dozen girls and gotten away with nearly all of them. He needs to be stopped."

xx

As one, the two tall detectives collapsed into their seats, loud sighs leaving both of them. Leaning his head back, Aomine stared up at the ceiling, thinking about the briefing that had just ended. "How many models do you know?"

In a position that mirrored his, Midorima replied, "Just the one friend we share. Why? Are you worried about all your ex-girlfriends?"

"Not really," he grimaced as he sat up straight, his back screaming at him. "But I think we should tell Satsuki, don't you?"

Green eyes studied him for a while. "I suppose so. There's really no point to trying to hide this anymore, is there?"

"Hm," Aomine pulled out his phone, blinking at the missed call that flashed on his screen. "Speaking of the devil."

"Oh, by the way," Midorima's voice made him pause before he hit the call button. "Takao asked me to give you this."

The navy-haired man frowned at the creamy white square of an envelope that was tossed onto his desk. "Do I want to know what's in there?"

"It's an invitation."

"Awfully fancy," he commented, picking it up by the corner as though he was afraid it would blow up. He had already fallen for it once before.

"It's supposed to be a congratulatory dinner for Satsuki on landing that big job with Dior."

Midnight eyes looked across the desks, eyebrows raised in askance. "Tie?"

With a nod, Midorima answered, "At least."

Groaning, Aomine dropped the envelope, no longer worried about it exploding. "You know how much I hate suit and tie events."

"It was Satsuki's idea. She's inviting all these important people, apparently." Midorima retorted, raising his hands in a defensive pose.

"In that case she won't miss a couple of cops, will she?"

"Takao already promised my presence." Midorima said, voice vaguely forlorn. "And I'll be damned if I have to go and you skip on me."

Aomine cursed. "Could you just say no to your boyfriend once? Just once?"

Midorima shot him a derisive look. "Can you?"

xx

The shrill cry of his phone woke him up with a jolt, and he cracked open faded eyes to glare daggers in the direction of his bedside table where his phone was. Struggling from under the surprising weight of the blanket and the arm wrapped tightly around his waist, he stretched out as far as he could reach and managed to nudge the cellular device close enough for him to grip it properly. Hastily, he answered it, wondering what could be so important on his day off.

"Hello?" he croaked, and then silently swallowed hard to clear his throat. "Aida-san?"

"Good morning, Kuroko-kun," he heard the amused voice of his boss on the other end of the line. "Aren't you coming in today?"

"Today?" He asked, forehead wrinkling with a frown. "Isn't it Saturday?"

The silence on the other side went on for much too long. "Kuroko-kun, were you out drinking last night again?"

Running a hand through his messy hair, he smiled ruefully, even though his boss couldn't see it. "I might have been."

"So I thought. Really, you'd be the perfect man if you could just stop these horrible addictions of yours."

"But it's my addiction that pays most of my rent," he chuckled slightly. Aida always hated it whenever he implied that he wasn't being paid enough, which wasn't true. They both knew that he would be able to live reasonably well off his teacher's salary, but his – for lack of a better word – alcoholism had prompted him to find other outlets of revenue so that he wouldn't find himself in debt.

"Yes well, you still need this job to keep you going, regardless of whatever you earn on the side." Aida's voice had turned brisk, and he could sense that the conversation was ending. "Today is Friday, just in case you're still drunk. There is still enough time for you to make it here by break-time. I leave it up to you to decide if you want to retain this job."

The line clicked, and Kuroko tossed his phone somewhere else on his bed. He had half a mind to crawl back under the blanket where the heat of his body had printed itself and was still warm. But he knew better than to refuse Aida. As he sat up, debating his choices, the other body stirred, and cat-like gold and red eyes blinked lazily up at him.

"Good morning, Tetsuya."

"Good morning," he said, a soft smile slipping onto his face. "I have to go to school."

Nodding, Akashi rolled onto his side, moving until his body was wrapped around Kuroko's like a snake. "Do you need to leave now?"

"Soon." He replied, absent-mindedly toying with the strands of ruby-coloured hair as Akashi nuzzled his side. "I should go get ready."

"Mm," Akashi's eyelids were already drooping. Kuroko had to bite back the smile that threatened to split his face. Akashi was not a morning person, despite popular belief. He was the only one who knew of his step-brother's weakness, as they had shared a bed through most of their years growing up. "Do you want breakfast?"

"If Akashi-kun is making it, I can't refuse," he replied, hint of a tease in his voice.

"That's decided then," With a bit of a struggle, Akashi unwound himself from around Kuroko and sat up, stretching his arms over his head with a yawn. He turned a mischievous grin towards the bluenette. "Where's my morning kiss?"

"Not until you brush your teeth," Kuroko retorted. He was sliding out of the bed when he froze, realizing for the first time that his body was completely bare.

"Akashi-kun." The latter hummed, staring off into space as his eyes were still having some difficulty staying open. "Why am I naked?"

Akashi shot him a strange look. "Because you're not wearing anything?"

Kuroko gave him a deadpan stare. And the redhead had the audacity to call Aomine cheesy. "No shit, Sherlock. Why am I naked in a bed with you?"

Akashi's grin made Kuroko want to throw something at him. "You seem to have come to a conclusion all of your own."

"But we're brothers!" He burst out, looking appalled.

"That's not what you said last night," Akashi replied with a snort. "Nor all the other times."

"Please tell me you're joking." Kuroko leaned over the side of the bed, eyes searching for his clothes. "Didn't dad tell you that it was bad to take advantage of people under the influence?"

"I wasn't the one taking advantage," Akashi leered. "And for the record, I tried to stop you from drinking so much, but you kept insisting that you had today off."

Tossing his step-sibling a narrowed glare, Kuroko finally located his boxers and quickly tugged them on.

"You're going to be late if you keep up trying to argue about what we may or may not have done last night." Akashi's pointed words stopped him before he even had the chance to begin. Mumbling under his breath he threw away the blanket and got out of bed, throwing another scowl at his brother for good measure.

When he got out of the bathroom, the steam from his shower followed him, making him shiver slightly as the droplets of water on his exposed skin collided with the cooler air in the rest of his apartment. From the kitchen he heard Akashi tinkering about as he prepared breakfast. Stepping into his bedroom, he glanced briefly at the clock, gladly noting that he still had plenty of time to have breakfast before he had to leave.

Fully clothed, Kuroko left his bedroom with a small backpack that he carried with him when he went to work that had all his essentials. Like a change of clothes, because you never know with toddlers.

The smell of cooking food wafted over him, and led him along to the kitchen where Akashi was standing in front of the stove, tossing something in a pan. Instead of going forward to inspect what he was preparing like his stomach was urging, Kuroko lingered in the doorway, taking in the dips and planes of Akashi's uncovered back. Even from behind it was easy to tell that the man worked out. With every roll of his shoulder as he moved the pan, the muscles around his shoulder-blade moved, drawing Kuroko's fascinated gaze. If it had been anyone else he would have given in to the desire to nibble a trail along the movements.

Sometimes life wasn't fair.

As Akashi reached for a plate and took the pan off the stove, clear blue eyes scrutinized every move of his back, thoughts of another, taller, tanner man standing in his place, in a similar circumstance pervading his mind's eye.

"Oh, Tetsuya," Akashi greeted as he turned around with the laden plate. "I hope you're hungry."

That question was unnecessary, Kuroko felt like pointing out. Like him being the only one aware of Akashi's trouble waking up, Akashi was one of a small group who was conscious of just how much food Kuroko could consume after a night out and about town. He sat down across the redhead, waiting patiently for him to place the plate in front of him. Kuroko cocked an eyebrow at the piece of toast and cup of black coffee in front of Akashi, but didn't comment.

Ankles bumping under the table, they both dug into their respective meals, the silence that settled around them comforting and familiar.

xx

"Dai-kun! I'm so sorry I'm late!" Aomine looked up from the game he was playing on his phone to spot his pink-haired friend waving exuberantly a few tables away. Her outburst had turned several heads, many of which trailed after her as she walked past to the table which he was seated at, his back facing a glass wall.

"Whew!" she huffed as she plopped down opposite him. "Traffic was insane today."

"I thought you had a driver," he said, pocketing his mobile.

"Yeah, but since I finished later than expected, I told him I'd drive myself. His wife is giving birth soon and he's been worrying about her." The model-slash-photographer slipped the camera bag strap off her shoulder and placed it under the table. "So! How have you been?"

Aomine shrugged vaguely. "Do you want to order some food first?"

"Sure!" He had barely raised a hand when a waitress appeared beside them, practically beaming at him. Returning the smile, he told her his order, and waited for Satsuki to do the same. After the server had walked away, his companion turned teasing eyes towards him.

"I see that charm is still going strong." She said, waggling her eyebrows in a way that was definitely not attractive. "How is your latest conquest? Had your fill?"

"We're still going strong," Aomine replied with a wistful quirk to his lips. "Kinda."

"I sense some sort of trouble in you," Satsuki said, deepening her voice dramatically and squinting at him slightly. "All things are not as they seem?"

Aomine burst out laughing at her expression. She was spot on, but he didn't want to tell anyone exactly what was going on with him and Kuroko. It had taken a lot of trust to confide in him how closely related he was to Akashi Seijurou. He wouldn't betray that trust easily.

"I met his brother," he offered instead. "He hates me."

"That shouldn't be a problem for you," she scoffed. "I remember when you met one of your girls' sister who would stare you into hell but eventually had the hots for you too."

The dark-haired man gave her a disbelieving look. "Are you saying I should hit on his brother?"

"Why not," Satsuki returned with a shrug. "You're too far gone after all."

"I doubt it'll work," he said drily. "Anyway, I called you because I needed to tell you something."

"What is it?" She could sense by the look on his face just how serious the topic they were approaching was. Putting all jokes aside, she leaned forward, elbows on the table.

"It's about this case that Midorima and I are working on. You've probably heard on the news, the serial killer?" Satsuki nodded, her ponytail bouncing slightly with the motion. "I need you to keep an eye out. He's bad news."

"I will," she said quietly. If Aomine went out of his way to warn her, something he had done only twice over the course of his years in the police force, she knew well enough to take it to heart. But she knew that something was bothering her childhood friend, and she didn't want the day to get dampened because of a faceless murderer.

Heaving a huge sigh, she sent him a crooked smile. "If only I had someone big and strong like Dai-kun to protect me from danger."

Taking the bait, Aomine cocked an eyebrow. "What happened to that dude you were dating?"

"It was doomed to fail. My schedule is too packed for someone like him, and I don't think he takes media attention very well."

"That's too bad."

"Isn't it?" She leaned forward conspirationally. "But I've got my eye set on someone else."

"Oh?" Aomine glanced up as their food arrived, and conversation stalled while they took their first bites. "Same line of work?"

"Yup, he's a model, too. I'm sure I mentioned him before, we did an ad campaign together some time back." She paused to take another bite. "He reminds me of Dai-kun, what with all the lame pick-up lines."

"Hey!" he protested around a mouthful. "My lines are classy."

She shot him a droll look. "In a seventies soap opera, maybe."

"If they are lame, then what are you for falling for his lines?" Aomine retorted, shooting her a challenging look.

She was about to reply when something over his shoulder caught her eye. Pink eyes widened until they seemed to permeate her entire face, and then her chair scraped against the tiled floor as she stood up abruptly and ran out, barely managing to say a quick, "Be back in a sec!"

Left blinking in surprise at the spot she had just vacated, Aomine snapped himself out of it and whipped his head around, craning his neck to try and catch a glimpse of what it was that had caught her attention. Outside, she stood just beside a pillar, talking excitedly to whoever it was behind it. A pillar, huh? How convenient, he thought sarcastically. He resumed eating, because whatever was happening outside was not worth letting his food go cold. He had priorities.

"Dai-kun, here's someone I want you to meet! We went to middle school together!" He looked up, halfway through his food, slightly irritated at the prospect of having a cosy meal interrupted by a stranger that his companion had recognized from eons ago. Satsuki pulled whoever it was she had clamped onto from behind her, so that he stood abreast with her. "I don't know if you know each other, but I dated him for a while in high school."

The two men stared at each other, recognition obvious on their faces, but definitely not because of any memories from their schooling days.

"Tetsu?" Aomine intoned just as Kuroko said dazedly, "Aomine-kun?"

"Oh, you know each other?" Satsuki turned a surprised look between the two confused men. "I didn't know you were friends."

"Satsuki," Aomine shifted his gaze away uneasily, wishing that he could melt into the floor right then. "He's the one I've been telling you about."

"Eh? I don't recall you talking about –" Suddenly, it dawned on her. This time, the look she tossed between them was very different. With an awkward chuckle she said, "Well, isn't this a small world?"

"What are you doing here?" Aomine directed at Kuroko who was looking extremely uncomfortable.

"I came with Kise-kun. He wanted someone to keep him company while he shopped." Dark eyes narrowed. That damn guy had better not be trying any moves on his man.

Satsuki squealed at his words. "Kise-kun is here? But I didn't see him with you."

"He had to go to the restroom. I'll go bring him over." With that, he ambled off, drawing every eye that he walked past.

"So, Tet-kun, huh?" Aomine tore his eyes away from Kuroko's ass. Satsuki was looking at him with a smile that he had learned, translated to trouble.

"Uh-huh." Plump lips pouted as she hummed and regained her seat.

With her chin on her fist, she studied him, a small smile playing about her lips. "I'm surprised."

"Why?" He asked, eyeing her cautiously.

"You have actual taste."

It's thanks to you lot that Akashi and Kuroko have become that sort of brothers. I HOPE YOU'RE HAPPY.