I don't even know where to start. Teiko Arc. You guise. Halp. Tell me that Kuroko and Akashi don't look like brothers on that last page. Tell me that, and mean it, and I will murder you in acid. Also, OMG THE FEELS. DID YOU SEE KUROKO LOOK SO DETERMINED URGH JUST. MUST NOT SPOIL. BUT REALLY!

And thanks for all that goading to try and get me to turn this into AkaKuro. You nearly succeeded. Nearly. But I persevered! *proud* Instead, I wrote a oneshot (insert shameless promoting here). My AkaKuro feels are held at bay. For now.

This chapter is over the course of just one day, because I didn't want all the revelations to keep happening, so we're toning this down a bit. I hope you don't mind!

As always, a humongous thank-you hug to all of you who reviewed, favourited, and followed this! And for the reviewers who reviewed later on in the story (mainly because of AkaKuro), teeheeheeheeeee.

Okay, I am done. Love you all! Do review more! I love hearing what you think ;D (and sometimes I may or may not steal your ideas. Insert relevant disclaimer here).

"So, uh," Kuroko looked up from the button on Aomine's shirt that he had been staring at. The dark-haired man looked decidedly uncomfortable. He couldn't blame him. When Kuroko had returned with Kise, Satsuki had suddenly decided that she, too, wanted to buy some sports equipment. Thus, Aomine and Kuroko had been left slack-jawed as their respective partners for the day happily went off, blatantly enamored with each other and completely unmindful of how annoying their atmosphere of floating hearts and shy giggles was.

"Do you want to eat something?" Aomine was looking everywhere except his face. It made his chest hurt. Fiddling with the spoon on the plate left behind by the pink-haired model, Kuroko shook his head wordlessly. Catching the movement out of his peripherals, Aomine nodded and resumed eating his meal, eyes focused on a spot on the floor behind Kuroko's chair. A small frown curved his lips downwards as he moved his gaze away from Aomine's determinedly unfocused eyes.

He wasn't a clingy person, or very demanding of attention, but they were supposed to be dating, and dates don't make it so obvious that they're uncomfortable around you; especially not one of Aomine's caliber. Impromptu as it was, he had been pleasantly surprised to have run into Aomine, and until then had thought that Aomine felt the same.

"Since you're so uncomfortable with me being here, I shall take my leave." He didn't mean for it to come out sounding so sharp, and he hoped that his companion hadn't noticed it. It didn't seem to be the case, however, when Aomine looked at him, alarmed. Unreasonably irritated as he was, he couldn't help but find the frantic look Aomine directed at him, laden spoon hovering just in front of his mouth that was partly open incredibly cute.

"You're not making me uncomfortable!" He burst out, forgetting the spoon he held. Kuroko raised an eyebrow disbelievingly. That, at least had gotten Aomine to look directly at him for the first time.

"You haven't looked at me properly since Momoi-san left." As the words left his mouth he felt slightly guilty. It wasn't like him to be so upset over something so trivial. It wasn't right of him to demand anything from the tan man, he knew. Despite it being mostly unintentional, he had failed to mention what his relationship with Akashi was, and he had expected that a meeting between the two would not end well, but well, Aomine himself had told him that he didn't intend on giving up on them yet. He really wanted to believe him.

There must have been something in his expression that told Aomine what was troubling him because the latter carefully laid down the spoon and picked up his glass to take a sip, scrutinizing the tabletop. Finally, he looked up as the glassware was set down with a soft thud.

"I'm not sure what you think of me right now," Aomine began, his voice barely audible in the din surrounding them. Kuroko leaned forward, arms crossed on the table to listen better. Briefly, Aomine's eyes flickered down and he paused his words as he looked elsewhere for a while, looking as though he was prepping himself for something before returning serious midnight eyes to Kuroko.

"But you're not making me uncomfortable." He repeated, sounding very sincere. "I'm happy you're here."

Kuroko let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. There was a foreign feeling in his chest, like his heart had sprouted wings and the feathers were tickling his insides.

"I just," Aomine continued, hand rubbing the back of his neck as he sighed heavily. It made him ache to see the taller man so troubled. "It's been a week, and I was feeling so bad for not being able to call you because work's been so busy, and then you turn up with that damn blonde looking ridiculously attractive as usual and then I find out that you used to go out with Satsuki and I –"

His speech had turned into a growl around the mention of Kise, and it was picking up speed when Kuroko laid a hand over his. He stopped and took a deep breath, giving Kuroko an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry if I came off weird." Aomine turned his hand around and pressed their palms against each other, thumb working lazy circles into the smooth skin on the back of Kuroko's hand. "I really missed being able to touch you."

The petite man felt a tremor run through him at the whispered admission. Aomine looked contrite, as though he had confessed to something that he thought Kuroko wouldn't approve of. This wasn't fair. He felt like the evil, self-serving bastard half of the relationship. He hadn't realized that meeting Akashi would ruffle Aomine so much. Squeezing the other's hand, Kuroko released him and waved at a passing waiter, signaling for the bill. He turned a questioning look towards Aomine who immediately picked up his spoon and finished the last bits of food on his plate.

When they walked out of the restaurant Aomine looked torn about something.

"Do you… want to buy something?" The taller of the two asked, looking so uncharacteristically awkward that Kuroko had to struggle against the urge to pull him down for a kiss right then in the middle of the crowded mall. Instead, he shook his head.

"I only came because Kise-kun wanted company. There's nothing I need." Aomine's expression darkened at the mention of his friend. Kuroko was reminded of the time Aomine had asked him along on a shopping trip under the guise of needing company. He chuckled slightly. No doubt the dark-haired man was thinking of that time, too, and probably thought that Kise was trying the same trick.

"So," he chirped, mood much lighter now that he knew he wasn't the only one being excessively desperate. "Where does Aomine-kun live?"

xx

"It's not as big as your place," Aomine said in warning over his shoulder as he opened the door to his apartment. "But I only come home to sleep and occasionally eat, so it works for me."

"It's lovely," Kuroko looked around in surprise. He wasn't very sure why, but he had somewhat assumed that Aomine's slapdash approach to situations would be translated into the way he kept his home. Instead, despite the compact size of the place, everything was neat, and in spite of his claim that he never spent any time there, it felt very cosy. He handed his coat to Aomine to hang up and gravitated towards the central part of the apartment. There was a large L-shaped sofa in the middle of the space, and a huge TV mounted to the wall in front of it with a coffee table placed between the two. To the left of that get up, a window opened up onto a balcony and the rest of the walls in the space were covered in shelving units containing odds and ends and a number of books.

"I'm not sure I like my home being called lovely," he heard Aomine's dry words from another part of the apartment. Spinning around, he padded into the small kitchen where Aomine was preparing a couple of mugs of tea. It had only enough room for a wall of cabinets and a small table that fit two easily and could be adjusted to squeeze four. Kuroko had half a mind to continue his exploration into the other part of the place, where he had spotted the door to Aomine's room, but held himself back. Stepping forward, he pulled out one of the chairs and settled into it, staring at Aomine's back.

"But it really is," he replied as he settled his cheek atop his fist and allowed his eyes to rove over the broad back. If only he was shirtless, he thought wistfully. He'd seen the other's back plenty of times, even spent a good portion of a morning exploring it, but it wasn't enough. He'd possibly never get tired of the sight. However, with that light coloured shirt that he currently had on, Aomine's shoulder blades stood out, and when the cloth rippled in tandem with his movements, Kuroko found himself not really minding it anymore.

It was when Aomine turned around partway to shoot him an inquisitive look that Kuroko realized that he had said something. Dragging his mind out of the gutter, Kuroko made a vague sound, earning him a lopsided grin that made his heartbeat skip.

"I asked, what makes you think of the word 'lovely'?" Aomine was amused, he could tell. Carrying the mugs, he turned away from the counter and sat down in front of Kuroko, the small table seeming to shrink even more with his bulk, and his legs were so impossibly long that their knees bumped and tangled underneath.

Accepting the proffered cup, Kuroko hummed in thought, trying to find a word that suitably described the small apartment.

"It's quaint?" He said, testing the sound of the word. Aomine crooked an eyebrow at him. "Cosy. Comfy."

"Are you describing my place or your grandmother's?" Aomine interrupted, a gorgeously silly smile brightening his features.

He gave up with a small laugh. "It's just so you. But not what I'd expected of you. It's like your personality."

"You think my personality is lovely?" Aomine asked, sounding skeptical. "That doesn't make this better."

Kuroko snorted, and stuck his tongue out at Aomine, his mind unable to conjure up any witty comebacks. They drank the tea in comfortable silence, playfully knocking their legs together and interweaving their ankles in a match ambiguously reminiscent of wrestling.

"What are you thinking about?" Kuroko broke the silence when he caught sight of Aomine's frown. The latter looked sheepishly at him.

"How to ask you if you want to check out the bedroom without it sounding dirty."

Kuroko laughed, nose practically touching the table top as he doubled over, body shaking. It took a while, but he straightened somewhat, biting his bottom lip to prevent another bout of laughter. "I guess that's as close as you'll get."

xx

After an official tour by the apartment's resident in which Aomine had tried hard but failed to hide his pride at the numerous basketball trophies adorning his walls, they had ended up sprawled on the sofa. Somehow, Kuroko had drifted from his spot against the opposite arm rest over to where the taller man had initially tried to keep his long limbs in check, but had eventually given up. Thus, Aomine lay on his back, stretched out along the width of the sofa with Kuroko nestled atop him. With an arm slung casually across Kuroko's back, he clicked through numerous channels on the TV until he reached the sports channel. On it, they were showing a basketball match between two up-and-coming teams. For a while, they remained like that, Kuroko just reveling in the steady rise and fall of Aomine's chest, as the other stroked leisurely up and down his back.

"I just remembered something." Kuroko took his time answering, savouring the feel of Aomine's chest rumbling with his words.

"What is it?" He asked, at last. A hand pressed to the other's chest, he rested his chin on the back of it, looking up as Aomine bent his head to lock eyes with him.

"I forgot to tell Satsuki that I was leaving with you."

"I'm sure she'll be able to do the math," he dismissed with a half shrug.

"Yeah, but she doesn't have a ride home."

"Kise-kun won't leave her there, trust me." Kuroko replied as he recalled all the excited phone calls that he had received from the said blonde at the most inconvenient times. "But I didn't know that Aomine-kun knew Momoi-san that well."

"We grew up together." Aomine returned with a wistful smile. Kuroko looked away, unsure what the tightening in his chest meant. It was turning to evening outside, he noted distractedly. Sometimes you could tell when the seasons were changing just by the feel of the sun's rays. Right then the sun was painful to look at, but it wasn't hot. The light was bright, and the sky was cloudless. That was the only source of light in Aomine's apartment, shining valiantly through the tinted windows.

Kuroko shifted his gaze back to the dark, dense pools that were Aomine's eyes when the tan man ran the backs of his fingers over his cheek.

It should be impossible for anyone to look so ethereal, he thought. With the clear light shining through his windows, Kuroko's alabaster skin seemed to shine, and the azure in his eyes glinted, deepening them inexplicably. His hair on one side of his head was flattened from lying against Aomine's chest, and the thought made him feel all tingly inside. He buried his hand in Kuroko's hair, enjoying the feel of the soft strands between his fingers.

"Beautiful," he whispered, almost unconsciously. Right at that moment, he was content. No, he was happy. He couldn't remember a time when he had laid down with someone with no intentions of doing anything with them other than to absorb the feel of their body pressed against his and the warmth that radiated from them.

The TV faded into the background, as both lost themselves in the other's gaze. Moving, Kuroko travelled slowly up Aomine's chest, guided by the soft pressure of the latter's hand on the back of his head. It was hesitant when their lips met. And apprehensive, like both were holding back, afraid of scaring the other away. Yet, it took only a second, before their lips molded together, like fitting pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. They kissed slowly, exploring each other's mouths like it was their first time meeting.

Aomine planted his hands on Kuroko's hips, hoisting him slightly higher so that Kuroko's arms could wrap around Aomine's head, providing a sort of cushion as the new position allowed him to feel more of Kuroko. He hooked a leg around Kuroko's shorter one and rolled them over so that they were on their sides with Kuroko pressed into the back of the sofa. Propping Kuroko's head up with his bicep, he curved his forearm over, letting his fingers brush over the side of the small face tantalizingly.

His free hand ran lightly along Kuroko's side, garnering a choked giggle. He watched, enchanted as Kuroko pulled away from him, face flushed and mouth curled upward in an endearing smile.

"That tickles," Kuroko tried to protest. Aomine's only answer was to repeat the motion, making him squirm slightly with a small squeal. Kuroko pushed at the hand stubbornly continuing it's journey back and forth, trying vainly not to let his laughter escape. "Stop it!"

Aomine finally complied, his hand travelling lower to wrap around a slim thigh and pull it up so that it bent over his own leg. He kissed Kuroko again to distract him from noticing his hand as it returned to his waist. By instinct the dark-haired man located a spot near his ribs that had his breath hitching on a moan. The leg over Aomine's tightened, and Kuroko pressed closer, fingers tangling in the shock of navy-coloured hair as the kiss turned demanding.

Aomine still had enough presence of mind to note that this wasn't turning out the way he had expected. Not that he had a problem with that, not in the least. He had been spending his time away from Kuroko worried, wondering about where this relationship was headed. He had been confident when he had reassured Kuroko, but the longer he spent away from him, the more ridiculous their liaison had seemed.

However, when Satsuki had dragged in Kuroko and once Aomine had gotten over the shock of finding out that they had dated at some point, he had noticed relief bubbling away inside him. He hadn't realized until Kuroko had settled down in front of him at the restaurant just how much he had craved the feel of his skin. He'd come to the conclusion that despite knowing that there were going to be some pretty hefty obstacles in the future, he was going to stick it out.

Mob boss brother be damned.

"Unf!" Kuroko's eyes flew open and they both jumped as the sound of a ringtone started up. Scrambling, Kuroko climbed over Aomine to grab at the phone he had put on the coffee table. "Hello?"

Aomine couldn't help the smirk that slid onto his face as Kuroko answered the phone short of breath. Crossing his legs, he allowed room for Kuroko to reposition himself, so that the pale man was sitting facing him, legs folded as well.

"What is it, Kise-kun?" He was saying into the phone, sounding irked. Aomine shared the sentiment. "Yes, I left with Aomine-kun."

Taking in the sight of Kuroko's tousled hair and well-kissed lips, he suddenly felt a spark of mischievousness. Leaning forward, he allowed his upper body to fall into Kuroko's lap and wrapped long arms around the slim waist.

"We went back to his apartment. I'm still here." Kuroko was intentionally ignoring him, he knew. He kept his eyes locked on Kuroko's moving lips, willing him to glance down. "Oh, is that so? I'm happy to hear that."

Pouting slightly, Aomine looked away, but nuzzled Kuroko's stomach. It was a partial victory as the move prompted Kuroko to slip the fingers of his free hand into his hair, playing with the strands absent-mindedly.

"I'm sure you had a lot of fun together," Kuroko said with a nod, even though Kise couldn't see him. Aomine found the action cute, but was also annoyed that he was letting the blonde babble on for so long. He could hear wisps of the excited voice on the phone. Kuroko hummed occasionally to show that he was listening while Aomine stared unseeingly at the TV.

"I'm sure she likes you, too." Aomine didn't like this. Not one bit. Things were moving along so fantastically, and then the blonde had to happen. Feeling unsatisfied, and foreseeing that the conversation would be going on for a rather long time, Aomine pushed his nose under the hem of Kuroko's shirt and nudged it up so that the creamy skin of his stomach was exposed. There was pressure atop his head and Aomine looked up to see Kuroko's eyes narrowed suspiciously at him.

"What are you doing?" He mouthed, as Kise continued talking, oblivious. Blinking innocently at Kuroko, he waited until the other said something in reply to the question on the other end and then ran his tongue over his navel. Kuroko gasped, hand fisting almost painfully in Aomine's hair.

"I—I'm fine," The petite man hastily answered. Kise had undoubtedly noticed the sound. Aomine grinned wickedly up at Kuroko and he began placing kisses all around the navel, biting at the soft flesh, thoroughly enjoying the reactions he incurred. Kuroko was squirming in an effort to get away from him, hand pushing uselessly at his head. His heels dug into the sofa, toes curling as Aomine's tongue dipped into the dent of his navel.

"Stop it!" Kuroko hissed at him, pressing the mouthpiece against his shoulder to muffle the sound.

"Not until you hang up," he retorted, emphasizing his point by plunging his tongue in again.

"Kise-kun," Kuroko brought the device back to his ear. His voice was snarky when he spoke. "I have to go. Aomine-kun is being an asshole because he's being deprived of attention."

"There," he huffed as he hung up and put down the phone. "Are you happy no – eek!"

Aomine had stood up suddenly, lifting Kuroko easily. The smaller man crossed his arms and glared at him.

"Yes I am," the tall man answered with a smirk. "Though I was fine the way we were."

"You're incorrigible," Kuroko muttered, wobbling slightly and balancing himself on Aomine's shoulders as he began walking towards the bedroom.

"Thank you," he replied amusedly. "And you taste really good."

Aomine burst out laughing as Kuroko smacked him on the shoulder.

xx

"Have you played cards before?" Aomine blinked sleepily at the ceiling. He lay on his back, with Kuroko curled into his side. He was starting an addiction to the feel of the pliantly warm body pressed against him.

"What kind?" He asked, pushing the sleepiness out of his head. Kuroko shifted, using his leg as a bolster of sorts.

"Poker?"

Aomine hummed thoughtfully. "I used to play when I was younger. I haven't touched a pack of cards in a while."

"How come?" Kuroko turned curious eyes towards him.

Shrugging, he replied, "I just don't have the time I guess."

"I see," the smaller man resumed his earlier position. "Are you free on Monday night?"

"Maybe," he didn't mean for the hesitation to show through, but he had a valid reason to be so cautious. Kuroko flashed him a knowing smile.

"Would you be free for a few drinks at Kagami-kun's?"

He let out a relieved huff. "Sure."

Kuroko grinned, pleased. "Oh, and bring some cash. It's Poker Night."

No wait, I'm not done! I found AoKuro fanart. With Aomine as a cop. Kuroko looking daaaaayum fine. GOOGLE IT. GOOGLE IT AND DROWN IN THIS MONSTER OF UNEXPLAINABLE FEELS WITH MEEEE.

Okay, that's it.