MONTH 2

When the day for the final cake tasting came, Kise had awoken the other man with a loud, excited shriek. "It's time, guys!"

Aomine groaned. "For the wedding?"

"No, the cake!"

The bluenette rolled his eyes and flopped back onto the bed as Akashi and Kuroko shuffled into the room. The redhead growled at his friend, obviously irritated at being awoken from his peaceful slumber. "Ryouta, we don't have to be there for another two hours."

The blonde rolled his eyes and danced out of the room. "I know, but I'm too excited~ There's so much to do today!"

"Like what?" Kuroko asked curiously.

"Well, there's really not much at all. But we have the cake tasting, and then Akashi-cchi and I will work on the seating chart~"

Aomine followed his lover to the kitchen, grumbling all the way. "And what are we gonna do then?"

Kise shrugged as he turned to catch Aomine off guard with a kiss. "Start writing the invitations for the engagement party?"

Kuroko sighed. "I'll write them."

Aomine blinked. "Wait, why? I can do it."

The smaller bluenette shook his head. "You can't write for shit."

Aomine's expression fell into a pout as Kise and Akashi laughed softly, the blonde nodding in agreement.

"Alright, then Kuroko-cchi will write them. Now, let's have breakfast."

XXXXXXXXXX

Once the foursome had arrived to their appointment, the samples came quickly, and they were in and out with a decision in less than an hour. They then made their way back to Kise's apartment, the recently acquired headquarters as it seemed. The blonde gathered some pens, paper, and his address book before seating himself at the bar. He copied down all of the names of his and Aomine friend's and family before handing the book over to the tan man. Aomine and Kuroko then took their leave to the main room, where they sprawled out on the floor and began making out the invitations.

Akashi took his place beside his friend.

"Akashi-cchi, how are you getting along with Kuroko-cchi?"

A slight blush dusted the redhead's cheeks. "You could say we've been better lately..."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Our friends are getting married."

The blonde smiled and shook his head as he drew out a series of tables on his paper. "That's admirable of you, but are you sure it's not because he's starting to like you again?"

Akashi's blush deepened. "What are you-"

"You two have been rather close lately."

"You're crazy, Ryouta."

"Am I? It's almost like, you're already together~""

Akashi stared down at the blonde's drawings intently. "No, we're not-"

"Or at least, maybe, in a sexual relationship."

Akashi's breath hitched in his throat, and Kise saw his body tense immediately as a knowing smile grew on his face. "I knew it."

"Shut up."

"When?"

Akashi shook his head. "It's only happened twice, he doesn't-"

"Twice? Shit, I didn't expect you to move that fast."

Akashi rolled his eyes, but Kise couldn't take him seriously with his cheeks rivaling the colour of his hair. "It was a mistake..."

Kise frowned then. "How so? You love him."

"No, I don't mean for me. But he told me... it was a mistake."

Kise's frown deepened as he rubbed what he hoped were soothing patterns on his friend's back. "He'll come around, Akashi... Come on, let's get back to work."

Akashi nodded and set to work, desperately trying to drown out the pain in his chest as Kuroko's words echoed through his mind. But what the two didn't know, was that the bluenette had been just around the corner, and tears of hope were beginning to brim in his crystal blue eyes.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next morning, Kuroko was awoken rather early by his large friend.

"Tetsu, get dressed, okay? Hurry, Ryouta's still asleep."

Kuroko groaned but obliged, though his eyes almost refused to open. Once the two were outside in the early rays of sunlight, Aomine explained why he was even awake at the hour.

"Sorry about this, Tetsu. But I wanted to surprise Ryouta."

"With what?"

"The rings. I figured I'd get them before he tells me to, and maybe that can take a little stress off his shoulders."

Kuroko blinked. Now that he thought about it, it only made sense that the blonde was stressed. He hadn't realized it was even a possibility with his constant bubbling excitement. "Okay, but... there's no place open right now."

Aomine nodded. "I know. I left a note telling him we needed a day off. So you and I can just hang out for a while, until the stores open."

Kuroko nodded. "Okay... Basketball?"

The tan man grinned. "Basketball."

XXXXXXXXXX

It didn't take long for the two's game to heat up, though they managed to have conversations between plays. They were used to playing each other, so talking didn't faze them. That is, until a certain topic was brought up.

"Why were you crying last night?"

Kuroko froze for but a second, but it was enough for Aomine, as he quickly dribbled past and shot a three pointer. Truthfully, Aomine hadn't meant to distract Kuroko, but now that he had, he knew something was up.

"Tetsu?"

The smaller male sighed and picked up the ball, spinning it between his fingers. "I heard them talking..."

Aomine's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Akashi? What did that shithead say?"

"He likes me..."

The large man's anger dispersed immediately, replaced with curiosity and confusion. "How do you know?"

"My words, when I said that night was a mistake. It hurt him."

"He could've been lying, Tetsu."

Kuroko shook his head. "Why would he lie to Kise like that? And he didn't even seem shocked. It was like... they'd already talked about it."

Aomine frowned, staring intently at his friend. "Well... Akashi has been a bit better lately... Maybe it was all an act to begin with..."

Kuroko blinked, confusion evident in his expression. "What are you saying, Aomine?"

The larger bluenette sighed heavily, as if bracing himself for his own next words. "I know you still like him, Tetsu. Nothing I say is going to change that. And... if Akashi isn't really the person I thought he was, and if he really does like you... I'd absolutely support you if you were to ever date him again."

Kuroko blinked at him repeatedly, a blank expression on his face until a small smile graced his lips. "Thank you, Aomine."

The large man's face suddenly darkened with a shade of pink as he averted his gaze. "Yeah, whatever. I'll still kick his ass if he hurts you again. Now come on, the stores should be open by now."

He walked off at a brisk pace, still refusing to look Kuroko in the eye as he passed by him. Kuroko laughed softly at his friend before turning to follow.

XXXXXXXXXX

The two boys arrived back at Kise's in the late afternoon, only to be greeted at the door by said blonde. "Daiki-cchi~ I've been calling all day~"

Aomine wrapped an arm around his love's waist, planting a kiss on his lips. "Sorry, babe. I forgot to charge my phone last night."

Kise rolled his eyes and smiled at him. "So, what'd you do today?"

Aomine grinned. "Well, we played basketball, I kicked his ass. We talked a little, and I bought these," he said, holding up a small plastic bag.

Kise's brows knitted together as he took the bag, peeking inside to find two ring boxes. A soft shade of pink fell upon his cheeks as he smiled sheepishly up at the bluenette. "I'm so glad you bought these."

Aomine raised a brow curiously. "Why is that?"

The blonde laughed to himself and rubbed the back of his neck. "I completely forgot about the rings."

Aomine laughed and hugged him tightly, kissing the top of his head. "You really are a blonde."

XXXXXXXXXX

At the end of the month, everyone gathered at Aomine's apartment, which had been freshly cleaned from top to bottom thanks to Kise. It was the night of their engagement party, after all, and everything had to be perfect. Kuroko was the last of the four to arrive, and he walked into a heavenly atmosphere of complimentary fragrances drifting from the kitchen. Kuroko had known Kise could cook, but he'd never dreamed he could cook on a gourmet level.

It wasn't long before the apartment was filled with both familiar and unfamiliar faces, sipping on light alcoholic beverages as they mingled with one another. Kise was having a blast, absolutely adoring the company. Kuroko sat at the kitchen's bar, having a light conversation with Midorima.

"Kuroko," the green haired man said, "Why does Akashi keep looking at you?"

The bluenette blinked as he followed Midorima's gaze to the redhead, just barely catching his eye before he ducked into the crowd, out of sight. "Hm, I don't know."

"Well I find it unsettling. If he ever hurts you, I won't hesitate to punch him again."

Kuroko ignored the comment until his words sunk in. "Wait, you punched him?"

Midorima cocked a brow at him. "Aomine didn't tell you?"

Kuroko shook his head.

"Oh. Well, yeah. Aomine said he took advantage of you."

Kuroko sighed heavily and covered his face with his hand. "That idiot..."

Midorima was obviously confused. "Is something wrong?"

"Quite the opposite really," he answered, looking back to the green haired male. "Aomine thinks he took advantage of me, but I'm sure if I'd told him to stop, and actually meant it, he would have."

Midorima blinked at him for a long moment. "You mean you actually wanted to do that? With him?"

Kuroko blushed softly, but he nodded. "I love him..."

Before Midorima could say anything else, Kise danced in, heading straight for Kuroko. "Kuroko-cchi, have you tried the food?"

Kuroko smiled up at him, grateful for the change of subject. "Yes, it's all wonderful. You did a lovely job, Kise."

The blonde laughed softly, leaning onto the counter as he took a drink from the glass in his hand. "Oh you flatter me, Kuroko-cchi, but I can't take credit for this one~"

"What do you mean?"

Kise grinned and nodded his head toward the crowd in the other room. "Akashi-cchi was in charge of the food. I didn't touch any of it."

Kuroko's brows knitted together. "Akashi can't cook..."

The blonde laughed again. "Oh, he can~ He taught me everything I know~" He bounced away then, leaving Kuroko to his thoughts as they overwhelmed him once more.

"Tetsuya, I'm hungry."

Kuroko had been flipping through a book as the redhead leaned against his side. "Then get food."

Akashi had frowned, pouting as he looked up at him. "There's nothing good though~"

Kuroko had merely glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "There's plenty of things you like. You just have to cook them"

Akashi had fallen silent, but he made his way to the kitchen. Five minutes later, Kuroko had been alarmed with a loud crash and a string of curses. Rushing into the kitchen, he'd found Akashi swatting at a rather large cloud of black smoke with a frying pan. Once Kuroko had successfully put out the fire and made sure Akashi wasn't hurt, he'd decided to question the matter.

"What happened, Akashi?"

The redhead had blushed deeply as he looked to the floor. "Well, uh, I guess the simple way to put it is, I can't cook..."

Kuroko had smiled softly, kissing his cheek. "You could've just said so. Go lie down, I'll fix you something."

XXXXXXXXXX

Later in the night, Kuroko finally found the opportunity to talk to certain redhead that seemed to have been avoiding him all night. But now that he was surrounded by a few handsy, drunk ladies, he shot a pleading gaze to Kuroko, as the bluenette simply smiled at him. Kuroko took his time in crossing the room, watching as Akashi became visibly more nervous as the girls became more adventurous with their touches.

"Excuse me, ladies. Emergency best men meeting," Kuroko said, reaching into their circle to pull Akashi away. Once they were alone in the privacy of Aomine's bedroom, Akashi sighed.

"Thank you. I honestly didn't know how to handle that without being rude."

Kuroko smiled and sat on the bed, looking up at him. "Why are you avoiding me, Akashi?"

The redhead frowned and looked off to the side. "I don't know what you're-"

"Is it because of Midorima?"

Akashi blushed, but his expression was incredulous. "What? That broccoli headed guy?"

"I talked to him. He told me he punched you."

The redhead sighed and took a seat beside him. "Fine. Yeah, it's not like I'm scare of him or anything. I just..."

"Didn't want to cause a scene?"

"Exactly."

Kuroko smiled and turned his gaze to the ceiling. "Since when can you cook?"

Akashi's blush returned as he scratched the back of his neck. "Uh, since middle school."

Kuroko's brows furrowed. "But you almost burnt my house down."

Akashi laughed, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "Yeah, uh... I started taking lessons right after that..."

"Well it paid off," Kuroko said, smiling at him before he closed his eyes as he lay back onto the bed.

Akashi was silent for a moment, contemplating. "Kuroko?"

"Hm?"

"I learned for you."

Kuroko looked at him in surprise as the redhead stared into his own lap, but before he had a chance to say anything, Kise waltzed through the door. "Oh, sorry to interrupt. Akashi-cchi, there are some people that would like to meet you."

Akashi nodded and turned back to Kuroko on last time before standing and leaving the room.