When Akashi and Kuroko had finished bathing, it was almost midnight. Since Akashi and Kuroko were almost the same size (Akashi being only slightly taller than Kuroko), Akashi borrowed some of Kuroko's larger clothes.

Akashi had settled himself on the ground in front of Kuroko's garden, and was gazing blankly at the plants and herbs that grew there.

Meanwhile, Kuroko was brewing some tea for Akashi. When the tea was done, Kuroko exited his cottage and headed towards Akashi. "Here," he said, handing the cup of tea over to Akashi.

Akashi accepted the cup and thanked Kuroko. "Sit with me for a while, will you, Tetsuya?" he requested. "I have something to ask you."

Kuroko made himself comfortable beside Akashi. "What is it, Seijuurou-kun?"

Akashi coughed to clear his throat. "I don't know how to say this… I know that two men can't get married legally, at least not in Japan. But I know that I am hopelessly in love with you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, loving you and making you happy," said Akashi. "So… will you marry me? Symbolically, of course – we can't sign any papers, heck, I don't even know if you're a legitimate citizen with your age and all that… but I'll get you a wedding ring-"

Kuroko threw his arms around Akashi and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Akashi's lips to shut him up. "Seijuurou-kun, you talk too much," Kuroko murmured into the kiss. "Give me a chance to reply, will you?"

"Mmhk!"

Kuroko dislodged himself from Akashi's mouth. He smiled tenderly and reached forward to brush Akashi's bangs out of his face. "Before I give you a response, I have a question I must first ask you."

Akashi looked at Kuroko questioningly.

"What about your leave from your work?" inquired Kuroko. "I thought that you were going to move out of your grandfather's house and go back to your home in the city when you return to being an author?

Akashi pressed his lips into a thin line. He placed the half-empty cup of tea on the ground. "That's the thing," he said. "If you're not with me, it's meaningless. I don't want a life without you in it," he told Kuroko.

"What… what does that mean?"

"What I'm saying… is that I am going to make my grandfather's house my permanent home, and I'd like it if you would move in with me," declared Akashi. "It's close enough to the forest that Aomine and Kise can still hunt and play, and there's not much human contact either, so you don't have to worry about explaining your immortality. You can choose whether or not to talk to people."

"But what about your work?"

"Being an author, I can work from anywhere in the world," replied Akashi. "I just have to maintain contact with my editor, and everything should work out."

Kuroko's lower lip trembled; it was obvious he was trying his best not to cry.

"Tetsuya? What's wrong?"

Kuroko turned away from Akashi and rubbed his eyes furiously. "Nothing's wrong!" he said. "It's just… you're willing to sacrifice your life for me… I feel so unworthy!"

"Tetsuya…" Akashi took Kuroko's hand and pulled it away from his face. "I've said it many times before – I'd do anything for you. I couldn't imagine having anything more than you. You're my best friend. You're everything to me. Obviously, I don't want anything more," proclaimed Akashi. "Think of it this way – I'm not giving up anything, I'm just moving on with my life – I'm moving on to be with the man I love."

"Seijuurou-kun…"

"Knowing this, are you still willing to marry me?"

This time, tears did escape Kuroko's eyes. "Yes. A million times yes!" Kuroko cried. He slammed his lips onto Akashi's.

Akashi and Kuroko spent a quite a while kissing each other. Kuroko submitted to Akashi by opening his mouth and allowing Akashi's tongue to enter he mouth. When they finally broke apart, they found themselves reclined on the ground, with Kuroko on top of Akashi.

"Tetsuya?" Akashi asked quietly, looking deeply into Kuroko's eyes. He could drown himself in the depth of blueness in those eyes.

"Hm?"

"Can I make love to you?"

Kuroko giggled. "We are getting married; need you ask anymore?" he shyly questioned. "But I must warn you, though… I am a virgin – my past relationships have never lasted long enough for us to end up in bed, so I don't have any experience in the bedroom."

Akashi found himself gaping at Kuroko. To have lived a life for such a long time without fulfilling any of his carnal needs… Akashi found it very remarkable. "Seriously? But surely you must have… I don't know, pleasured yourself at some point?"

Kuroko shook his head. "No," he replied.

Oh, Kuroko was so innocent… "What about me? Do you ever think of me?"

Kuroko's cheeks turned pink. "Yeah… all the time. But I don't really know if I get… aroused, so to speak…"

Akashi wrapped his arms around Kuroko's waist, drawing closer to him and tilted Kuroko's head back, exposing his throat to Akashi. He ran a finger down Kuroko's neck. Akashi could feel Kuroko shudder delightfully in his arms. "I guess we'll have to discover that tonight, won't we?"

"Yeah," Kuroko breathed out.

Akashi got to his feet. Then, he gathered Kuroko into his arms and picked him up, bridal-style. "Let's take this to your room, shall we?"

"Y-Yeah."

Kuroko had his arms wrapped tightly around Akashi's shoulders as he was carried back to his bedroom. He buried his face into Akashi's chest. Kuroko wondered how Akashi could remain so calm at this moment. They were going to have sex for the first time! Kuroko's heart was hammering madly in his chest. He hoped that Akashi couldn't hear it – he didn't want to give Akashi the impression that he was nervous (even though he really was).

Akashi was quiet as he walked to Kuroko's room with Kuroko in his arms.

Kuroko only lifted his head from Akashi when he felt his back come into contact with the surface of his mattress. He unwrapped his arms from Akashi's body. Kuroko lay on his back and gazed at Akashi hovering above him.

Akashi leaned forward, sliding his hands underneath Kuroko's shirt. Because it had been rather chilly outside, Akashi's fingers were cold to the touch. Kuroko gasped and shivered a little as Akashi's hands came into contact with his skin.

Akashi smiled apologetically at Kuroko. "Sorry."

"It's okay," whispered Kuroko. "They'll warm up soon enough."

"Yeah… you're right," said Akashi. All the same, he blew into his hands to warm them up. Then, he spread out his fingers and ran his palms over Kuroko's stomach. Akashi's hands travelled upwards towards Kuroko's chest. He found Kuroko's right nipple and gave it an experimental pinch. Kuroko arched his back and took in a sharp intake of breath as a response. Even though he had grown accustomed to Akashi touching him, somehow, this time, everywhere Akashi touched Kuroko seemed to heat up intensely.

"You are so sensitive… it seems that every little thing I do causes such adorable reactions from you," murmured Akashi as he lowered his head to nibble at Kuroko's collarbone.

Kuroko blushed brightly. "Stop… stop saying such embarrassing things!" He wrapped his arms around Akashi's torso, running his hands down Akashi's back.

Akashi laughed lightly. "Can you feel how fast my heart is beating?" he asked Kuroko, manoeuvring Kuroko's hands to his chest. Kuroko could feel Akashi's heart beating in tune with his hammering heart.

"Y-yeah. I think… mine's the same way…"

Akashi gazed lovingly at Kuroko. He hooked his fingers over the hem of Kuroko's shirt. He lifted the shirt, pulling it over Kuroko's head. Kuroko lifted his back from the mattress to assist Akashi in removing his shirt.

Kuroko could see Akashi lick his lips. Then, Akashi kissed Kuroko passionately, submitting to his carnal desires.