Day 3: Speeding Tickets and Nigou's Unknown Condition
Summary: Nigou's leg is injured, causing Kuroko to rush to the vet clinic and get a speeding ticket. It's unknown what Nigou's fate is and what happens when Akashi finds out about the whole predicament?
"I got a speeding ticket."
Glancing up from his morning newspaper towards the voice of his lover, Akashi couldn't help it when his eyes widened at the realization of those words. He had to admit that that was near the bottom of the list of things that he expected Kuroko Tetsuya to say to him today. Or really even ever now that he thinks about it.
"Kuroko, you're one of the most cautious, focused and careful drivers that I know, how could you get a speeding ticket?" Akashi posed the inquiry, curiosity taking over. The redhead was met with a blank stare, as if this rather odd predicament was nothing out of the ordinary.
"I was taking Nigou to the vet," Kuroko merely replied, almost nonchalantly.
Akashi had to take a moment to analyze the peculiar situation. Kuroko had taken Nigou to the vet multiple times in the past without incident, why now would he pulled over because of it? An annual check-up wouldn't spark such a reckless action in his lover, though now that he thinks about it, Nigou wasn't due for his check-up for another 5 months, which meant that there was another reason why he was brought to the vet.
"Kuroko, you rushed to the vet in so much haste that it cost you a speeding ticket. What exactly happened to Nigou to cause such haste?" he questioned, holding back on lecturing his lover about the issues of speeding for now, but the temptation still existed nonetheless.
"I'm not sure exactly. He started limping so I feared the worse and rushed him to the vet. In fact, he's still there," Kuroko responded, his face deadpanned though his tone of voice holding the slightest bit of worry.
"He's still at the vet?" Akashi asked, catching that extra detail in Kuroko's statement.
"He's spending the night," yet another flat tone courtesy of Kuroko Tetsuya.
Now that was a cause for alarm. Even though Kuroko claimed that Nigou was only limping, pets usually only spend the night at the vet clinic if it's for careful analysis of a potential serious injury, disease or medical treatments, or if one of the listed is confirmed and they require that special care. This bothered the redhead, remembering the last time that he saw the small pup that he appeared to be in picture perfect health. That was only this morning.
"Kuroko, why didn't you tell me this? I have access to the best medical that anyone, human or pet could even imagine."
"I didn't want you to make a fuss over it," said phantom muttered, a tinge of pink streaking his cheeks in embarrassment.
"So that you could make a fuss over it yourself which cost you that speeding ticket in your heightened state of arousal?"
Pink cheeks darkened to tomato red. Score 1 for Akashi Seijūrō, 0 points for Kuroko Tetsuya.
Though from another perspective, Akashi could understand Kuroko's predicament. He had been close with Nigou since the day that Kuroko first found him back in high school. Those two were inseparable and even back when Akashi 1st met Nigou, he could tell almost instantly tell that Kuroko would do anything for his beloved pet. Of course his significant other would worry so much about Nigou if something was off, of course he would rush to the vet clinic so that Nigou could get the care and treatment that he needs to get better again. It seems with the little stunt that Kuroko performed, was clear evidence that Kuroko would go so far as to break the law if it meant that Nigou was safe and sound. This thought made Akashi briefly wonder if Kuroko would do the same for him, but that was beside the point.
With that in mind, Akashi rose from his sitting position and drew Kuroko into a loving embrace, his hand stroking the soft, baby blue locks.
"Kuroko, the amount of love and care that you give to Nigou is admirable and touching. However, there are consequences if that care becomes reckless."
Kuroko frowned, luckily the embrace masked this facial expression from Akashi's view. "What are you trying to say, Akashi-kun?"
"I'm saying that you still need to go the proper speed limit, even in situations like these. I understand that you were worried and that's fine, but I don't want you to get Nigou and yourself killed in the process," Akashi lectured, eyes closing and hand still stroking Kuroko's hair.
Kuroko sighed in defeat. He couldn't compete with that kind of logic. Besides, as much as he didn't want to admit it, his lover was right…as usual.
"Alright, Akashi-kun. I'll be careful."
"Good, that makes me happy," the redhead smiled, moving his hand away from Kuroko's gorgeous locks and placing it on his chin, leaning forward to place a gentle chaste kiss on his lips. Accepting the kiss, Kuroko's eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around Akashi's neck.
The couple pulled away quicker than desired, such action provoked by a sudden inquiry.
"Kuroko, you said Nigou was limping correct? Do you know how that may have occurred?"
Baby blue eyes stared back at crimson ones. "I'm not sure. He was fine when I left for the grocery store this morning and when I came back, he was limping. I feared that something may have happened to his leg while I was gone," Kuroko replied, eyes downcast.
"Ah, let us hope there is nothing seriously worrying regarding his condition."
"Yeah…" a softer reply emerged from Kuroko, urging Akashi to stroke his lover's cheek in comfort.
"Do not fret, my love. I'm sure that Nigou will be alright. After all I am always correct," a serious reply turned into a slight tease with a mere wink of a ruby red eye, which in turn caused Kuroko's lips to form a smile.
"Of course, Akashi-kun."
Later the next morning, the couple received a phone call from the vet clinic. It turns out that Nigou was fine, merely stubbing his toe and creating a reaction similar to that of a drama queen. Kuroko was able to breathe a sigh of relief at the news. Though Akashi too was relieved at the news, he wasn't that satisfied that their dog was more over dramatic than he predicted.
Notes: The title of this chapter was actually too long for me to include in the chapter bar, so I had to include it into the fanfic itself. I will only do this if the chapter title is too long, otherwise I won't include it into the fanfic itself just in case anyone was wondering if I forgot to name this day/chapter or not. This is the reason.
Also, Comments, reviews and constructive criticism is highly welcomed and encouraged!