Day 3/AU 37: Falling Minds

Alternatively, the one AU where Akashi does something after the fateful Winter Cup finals (not exactly intentional, mind you) that costs him the ability to play basketball and, in extend, a part of his sanity as well. (Please note that I'm a little shit that makes her precious babies suffer so that she can feel better about some stuff.)

If there was one thing Akashi Seijuro absolutely loathed in his life was his father appointing himself a judge to his life, all against the teenager's will. His victories meant nothing, and his defeats were met with consequences. Victory was indeed like breathing; if he didn't win, he'd be forced to part with a part of himself; a metaphorical death.

"I heard you were defeated." Akashi Masaomi stated, uncaring. "Do you understand the consequences of your actions?"

The younger Akashi nodded. "I'm not to play basketball anymore."

"Prove it to me." he demanded, and seemingly without the slightest hesitation, Seijuro puts his hands over his left eye, pulling it out of its natural position, gently leaving it on the desk, walking out, unfazed by the trail of blood left on his path.

The horrified screams of maids and butlers alike at the sight of their 'young master' unconscious and covered in blood seemed to not reach the family head's ears.

(timeskip - two months later)

A certain shadow by the name of Kuroko Tetsuya was worried. He promised, right? That'd they all get to play again. So why, whenever he called or mailed the redhead, the reply he received was "I'm sorry, but I can't this time, maybe another day." every time? When, after two months, he decided enough was enough, he gathered his former teammates for a visit to Rakuzan.

What he didn't expect was to see the Rakuzan regulars on edge, muttering something about an important hospital visit and, seeing Kuroko and the other five (Kagami tagged along), insisted they followed.

It was a surprise, and not the pleasant kind of surprise.

There, on a rough hospital bed laid one who some referred to as the king (now somewhat 'former' king) of the (basketball) court, in the most pitiable position possible. Half his head was covered in gauzes, hiding from sight his hair and eyes befitting of his name, looking frail and weak, unmoving, a sight the former Teiko students could never imagine, not even in their wildest dreams or worse nightmares.

The group of ten was startled when they heard the voice of the redhead, addressing them. "If you're here to show pity, you can go. I don't need it, and it should save some of your precious time." the tone of his voice was venomous and cold, and gave a worrying feeling at the others.

"Akashi-kun."

"Kuroko." he muttered, recongising the voice. "Can you do me a favour? Take the gauzes off of my head."

"Maybe you should ask the doctor first." the shorter male suggested.

"You can take them off. I could have done so two days ago, to be precise."

"Akashi-kun...?" he asked again, confused.

"There's something I need to show you. So do it, please."

Not seeing another option than to obey his former captain's order, Kuroko did as he was told. Those few moments seemed to pass excruciatingly slow, but when the gauzes fell on the side and Akashi Seijuro opened his eyes, no one could utter a single word.

Akashi Seijuro had open his right eye, glaring at them. His left eye remained close. It was...

There was no left eye. Not anymore.

"Kuroko. Midorima. Aomine. Kise. Murasakibara. Kagami. Mibuchi. Hayama. Eikichi. Wasn't I clear when I asked to be left alone?"

"Sei-chan!" Reo was the first to react. "What have you done?! You didn't have to, you shouldn't!" he scolded his junior. "How are you going to play now?"

"That was the point of it." he replied, emotionless. "The proof that I will leave the court and never play again."

"Don't play games, Akashi!" it was Aomine who yelled. "What does it mean, never play again? Has being beaten messed your brain?!"

"It wasn't a decision I took myself, Aomine." was the reply he received and, by the looks of it, Midorima knew.

"It was your father, wasn't he." it wasn't a question, nor a guess, and the silent redhead was proof of it.

Why? was what everyone wondered.

"Leave."

No one moved from where they were standing.

"I said leave."

Again, no one did, not even Kagami, who had no reason to be there in the first place.

"Who told you to come? Go away! I don't need you! I don't need anyone, and most importantly, I don't need your pity!" Akashi screamed. "I don't want you here! What can't you understand? I don't want to be around you anymore! I have no use of you, so go away already!"

Without having much thought over their actions, they all moved to hug the smaller teen. It seemed to be working; after all that yelling, he started to feel more secure, allowing himself to lower his guard, and finally, cry.

No one knew how old those tears were; when they were made to be shed and he just swallowed it all. Was when their old team started falling apart? Back when his mother died? No one knew, no one dared to ask. After all, they didn't need to know, and didn't want to. They just wanted to allow their friend a moment when he could allow himself to show weakness, to be human.

"Go away..."

"No. You need us. So we'll stay here."

Minutes passed in silence, without no one saying a word.

"Thank you."

A month later, Akashi Seijuro returns to Rakuzan and the basketball team, this time, as head coach.

(end)

I swear my intention for today wasn't to write heavy angst like that. I was going for 13, which had some fluffy MuraHimu included, but ended up with 37 (Akashi having a mental breakdown was the original description) because a) I had a bad night and b) I had an argument with my sister, so it all went to my writing. I promise I'll be doing 13 next, after all, I promised it to Shadow and I'm not one going back on my promises.