Day 30: Weird Feelings and New Chapters

Summary: These weird feelings that he gets whenever he sees Akashi...at first Kuroko thought it was a simple infatuation. But is it actually something deeper?

If you were to ask Kuroko Tetsuya what his feelings for Akashi Seijūrō were, at first he would explain that he wasn't sure.

If anything, he was intrigued by him, the middle school student couldn't comprehend the feelings he had for the man other than he was intrigued.

He was calm, composed, nurturing and radiated this aura that made girls swoon. He's been described as charming, a true gentleman and very mature and intelligent for someone still in middle school. Plus, he was an introvert, just like Kuroko.

Not to mention, that his crimson hair flew in the breeze like a burning flame and his matching crimson eyes gleamed like rubies. If Kuroko were a girl, he would definitely say that he was handsome and attractive.

But that's the problem, Kuroko isn't a girl. Yet he can't deny that Akashi really is handsome and attractive. The man was alluring with a devilish charm and Kuroko couldn't understand why he his thoughts constantly returned to the captain like a magnet, or whenever he talks about the man, his heartbeat begins to quicken, it was all things that he couldn't understand.

It wasn't until a little bit of internet surfing and vague conversations with the rest of his teammates until he could figure out what exactly he was feeling. The best definition he could fine was infatuation, an unreasoned passion or love for someone. Perhaps the feeling that he had for his captain was just infatuation.

According to the internet, infatuations only last for about 3 months before fading away. Kuroko wasn't sure how long he's had these weird feelings for his captain but he assumed an infatuation was the answer, and he knows it's only been like this for about 2 months. So he merely has to play the waiting game and if these feelings fade from existence, then he knows it was just an infatuation and that will be the end of it.

Unfortunately for him, that didn't happen. In fact, the opposite occurred; his feelings for Akashi Seijūrō grew even stronger than before.

After practice, he's caught himself staying behind longer than usual to clean the gymnasium, putting away basketballs and dumping out water bottles that were left behind. He's caught himself staring at the captain too many times to count and for too long, his baby blue eyes almost magnetically attracted to his fiery crimson ones.

He's found himself wanting to initiate more conversations with the man, he wants to get to know his captain more. He wants to be closer with him, and Kuroko couldn't understand why.

More than 3 months had past, and Kuroko knew that this wasn't some sort of infatuation. It must be something deeper than that, but Kuroko just couldn't put his finger on it. He was out of ideas and he needs to tell someone of these feelings for Akashi. Someone to answer his questions and give him solace so that he doesn't have to suffer in confusion as these feelings escalate until he can't handle it any longer.

Who would've thought that the person who would give him that solace would be the one man that Kuroko had his eyes from the beginning?

It was the last week of their 1st year at Teikou, the cherry blossoms were blooming, soon to reach their peak. Basketball practice was cut short and everyone had gone home for the day. Kuroko had stayed behind, wishing to practice for just a little longer. He thought he was alone, he believed that no one would notice him continuing to practice in the otherwise empty gymnasium.

"Kuroko."

The phantom stumbled, spooked at the sudden call of his name. He released the ball too early, watching as it barely rose in the air before bouncing on the gym floor on about a foot from where he stood. Kuroko turned around, already recognizing that voice anywhere. The voice that he could listen to on repeat forever if he was able to…no he can't think like that. He needs to focus!

"Akashi-kun," his tone deadpan, his expression surprised and his mind in a panic. Akashi was standing in front of him, already wearing his school uniform, his jacket unbuttoned but otherwise was adorned perfectly. Kuroko forced himself to blink a few times so that it didn't seem like he was staring.

"Practice has been over for more than an hour. What are you still doing here?" the vice-captain asked, one of his crimson eyebrows was raised in confusion. Kuroko just wasn't expecting him to be here, the one person that's been on his mind for months now and he's suddenly alone in the gymnasium with him. Everyone had gone home so he can't call for someone to get him out of this situation.

Kuroko was at a loss for words. The phantom tried as hard as he could to maintain composure, so that he wouldn't stand out and attempted to deadpan.

"I've just wanted the extra practice. What are you still doing here, Akashi-kun?" he asked, trying to steer the conversation towards Akashi than towards himself.

"I had a meeting with the coach," he simply responded. Akashi was just standing there, keeping to casual greetings and Kuroko was already in a mess. These weird feelings were all coming back full force and he just needs to tell someone about it. Even if it means he has to confess it to Akashi.

Yes…maybe he should confess to Akashi, maybe then he can get some answers.

"Hey Akashi-kun?"

"What is it, Kuroko?" Akashi responded, as if it was just any other regular question in the world.

"There's something…that I need to tell you," he began, baby blue orbs downcast, not really wanting to look Akashi in the eye when he says this. Even though he was just looking for answers, it still felt awkward to confess these weird feelings to Akashi.

"And what is that?" he asked. He stood there, a couple feet from Kuroko completely attentive and calm. He has Kuroko's full attention and he knows it. There's no going back now.

Taking a deep breath, Kuroko begins. "You see, I've been having these weird feelings that is hard to describe, and I only get them when I'm near you or if I'm thinking of you…" his voice trailed off, gaze flickering towards Akashi. Said redhead merely stood there, not moving and just as attentive as earlier.

"And what are those feelings like? Could you attempt to describe them?" the vice-captain asked calmly, unfazed and composed.

Taking that as an okay to keep going, Kuroko nodded, beginning once more. "Well umm, it's like whenever I see you, my heart begins to beat faster, and it does that even when I'm just thinking of you. Also I've noticed that I've wanted to spend more time with you, and get to know you more, but not like how I am friends with Aomine-kun or Momoi-san. And umm I think there's even more than that …"

That's when it hit him. It was more than that. It wasn't just that he wants to get to know Akashi more, he wants Akashi to be happy.

"I…I want Akashi-kun to be happy. Whenever you smile, I smile. Whenever you're upset, I get upset because you're not at peace. When you're sad, I get sad because I hate to see you upset.

"I-I just want you to be happy, Akashi-kun. So even if you don't want to spend time with me, or see me for that matter… if that's what makes you happy, then I'm fine with that."

The redhead was silent, crimson orbs calmly piercing into nervous baby blue hues. The nerves wouldn't go away, his heart was racing, and he didn't even know why he had nerves at all. The selfish side of him wants to stay with Akashi and always be with him, but Akashi's happiness comes at top priority.

Akashi smiled, catching Kuroko off guard. Perhaps the phantom was just being pessimistic, expecting the worse, or it could be the anticipation building up. His mind was a mess, even though he wasn't showing it.

Then, Akashi spoke. "So what you're saying is that you care about me and wish to be closer to me. Though overall, you just want me to be happy no matter what you would prefer, is that right, Kuroko?" Akashi clarified, eyes closing, and words pouring from his mouth as if they were rehearsed.

He was exactly on the dot and it was getting difficult for Kuroko to withhold his nerves. He swallowed a lump in his throat, nodding in response.

"T-that's right, Akashi-kun."

Akashi stared at Kuroko at his response, his crimson orbs hypnotizing and so alluring, Kuroko could stare at them forever, but he was too nervous to succumb to these feelings. The redhead smirked before taking a step forward, causing the phantom to widen his eyes in surprise, yet he felt paralyzed.

"Kuroko. There's something that I need to tell you, about those feelings," Akashi began, as he crept closer to Kuroko. This was the moment of truth and the feelings that Kuroko was feeling felt akin to when he first played in a Teikou match for the 1st time just a few months.

"And what is that, Akashi-kun?" he asked innocently, trying to act as if the redhead's approaching steps weren't affecting him at all, something that he's pretty sure he's failing at right now.

Akashi was flashing him a genuine smile that sent butterflies to his stomach, and it made a feeling in his heart that he could only describe as an ache.

"Those feelings that you said you have for me, simply put, I share those feelings for you," he simply replied, calm as ever as he stopped directly in front of Kuroko, only inches apart. Kuroko doesn't think he's ever been this close to the captain before and as the words he spoke sank in, Kuroko couldn't help but feel a flurry of emotions; relief, surprise, confusion, and that ache in his heart again that only grew stronger.

"So…if you share this weird feeling for me that I have for you, does that mean you know what it is?" he asked curiously. He's known Akashi for being intelligent, the knowledge that he has unlike anyone his age, so perhaps Akashi would know what this feeling is.

Akashi suddenly raised his hand, placing it on Kuroko's cheek, stroking it gently as if Kuroko was a fragile, rare gem, disturbing Kuroko's thoughts. His touch was warm, gentle and tender, and Kuroko could feel the blood rush towards his face, something that usually only happens when he's embarrassed.

"That's right. Would you like to know what this feeling is called?"

Kuroko began to shake, his mind a mess, heart beginning to pound from a combination of anticipation, fear and…something else. He nodded, not trusting his voice to be coherent and fluid.

Akashi's smile only grew, his other hand moving towards Kuroko's other cheek so that both of Akashi's face were holding Kuroko's face gently and tenderly. His face began to move closer and even though the scene that would follow would be their first kiss, the alluring whisper that occurred before it that truly began a new chapter in Kuroko's life.

"It's love, Kuroko."

Notes: Well here we are. Day 30. The final Day of the Akakuro 30 Day Fanfic Challenge. I know that I've mentioned confessions in previous Days however I've never really went too deep about what occurred. So that's where this prompt was born.

Anyways, there's so much I want to say because doing this challenge was very fun but also very challenging, hence the name 'fanfic challenge.'

I just want to thank everyone whose read my fanfics, even if you've only read one of them. And I also want to thank those who have given me comments, reviews, critique, etc... that have fueled me and supported me to keep going and finish this challenge. I don't think I would've actually finished this challenge if it weren't for all of you :)

Also I would like to clarify that just because I finished this challenge doesn't mean I'm done writing Akakuro fanfiction forever. There's no way that I'm going to do that anytime soon. I might write a longer one-shot sometime this summer but I obviously won't be updating anywhere near as frequently as 1 fanfic everyday.

If you have any questions regarding the challenges, feel free to message me and I'll answer them as soon as I can.

And as always, please continue to send reviews. Reviews, critique and comments will always be welcomed, encouraged and appreciated! :)