Chapter 14: I Knew I Loved You

Summary: In which Furihata reaches over and cups Akashi's sun-kissed cheek.

Warning: There is an explicitly described sex scene in this chapter and unfortunately all the emotional fluffy stuff is interlaced within these scenes so you can't really skip it (unless you want to skip the fluff) so I apologize if it's not your cup of tea.

Touching Furihata is a form of addiction, Akashi is certain.

Not for the smoothness of his skin, or the unexpected firmness hidden under his supple flesh – those are pleasant, of course, and Akashi will not deny that they contribute to his craving to run his hands down the expanse of Furihata's skin and grab and squeeze and feel. Nor can Akashi deny how Furihata's subtle shampoo-fresh, soapy clean with a hint of vanilla scent makes him heady with desire; makes Akashi want to bury his nose in Furihata's soft hair, into the warm curves and folds of his neck and arms and thighs.

But the addiction, the true addiction, lies in Furihata's reactions.

The way his breath stutters and releases when Akashi drags his nails up the side of his ribs. The shuddering of his skin. The trembling of his fingers as Furihata trails them, uncertainly, along the back of Akashi's shoulders. His red-hot blush that blooms all over his cheeks right down his neck and to the tips of his ears. The tiny, surprised gasps with big brown eyes blown wide when Akashi's mouth covers his taut nipples and sucks. The choked-off moan when Akashi introduces a hint of teeth, and how Furihata's entire body quivers with it. The small, almost pleading whimpers swallowed in Akashi's kisses.

Gods, how he drives Akashi crazy.

It makes him want to bully Furihata more, to make him burn and writhe under his touch, to see those caramel eyes all glazed over and watery with desperate desire for him. Because that's the thing that gets Akashi the most – that all of this, all of Furihata's hitching breaths and muffled pleasure, is all for him. No one else. Him. Because Furihata is his, now, finally his, and all Akashi wants to do, all Akashi can do, is mark and claim and make a mess of Furihata, make him cry out his name, until all he can see is mine, mine, mine.

"Shhh," Furihata is hushing into his ears, his shallow breath on his cheek.

"Hm?" Akashi hums back, lips on his neck.

"It's okay," Furihata whispers.

Akashi doesn't understand. He pulls back to look at Furihata's face, "Kouki?"

Furihata's eyes are warm, half-lidded. The sun is coming up and the faint light of it reflects in the caramel of his irises and Akashi thinks to himself that he would gladly wake up to look into these eyes for all the mornings to come. They look deep into Akashi's own eyes, pupils dilated, as Furihata murmurs, "You're holding onto me like I'm about to fly away."

Akashi blinks. It is only then that he realizes the way his hands are gripping onto Furihata, iron-hard until he's almost down to the small bones of Furihata's wrists. His legs as well are trapping Furihata's own down, locking him onto the bed in a position where it is impossible for him to slip away.

"I don't mean to," Akashi says, though he doesn't move. Not an inch.

"Akashi-kun," Furihata says, gently.

Akashi grinds his teeth, "No."

"No…?"

"No," Akashi hisses, his eyes wide in something akin to mild panic, "You can't. You can't, okay? Not now. Not now, Kouki, not now that I've finally-"

"Akashi-kun," Furihata says, louder.

"No, I can't. I can't let you-"

"Sei-kun," Furihata is staring right at him. "Sei-kun. Sei. Stop."

Akashi stops. His grip on Furihata's wrists is tight to the point where Furihata's hands are starting to go numb. His red eyes are wide as they glare down at Furihata, wavering only just slightly.

"Let go of my hands," Furihata says, voice soft.

A wave of pure dread washes over Akashi and he shakes his head, gripping onto Furihata harder, "No, Kouki-"

I can't. Not this, not again. Not this, not when I finally have you, don't go don't go don't leave-

"Sei," Furihata says, "Let go."

Akashi Seijuuro has, for all his life, been raised to be strong. To be a leader, a commander, the prodigious heir to the empire that was his family name. He's perfect, they all say, he's got everything, he wins everything, and he's undefeatable because he is so, so strong.

But right now, right on this bed with Furihata looking at him and telling him to let him go in that voice that makes Akashi's chest feels like it's caving in on itself… Akashi has never felt so weak.

So he lets go, because his lungs feel like they're crushing, and he hasn't got the power to keep Furihata here. He's got everything anyone could ever want, but as Furihata's wrists slip out of his grasps, there is nothing Akashi has in him to make him stay; he is reduced back to the small eight year old who cannot stop Furihata from leaving because that's what Furihata wants.

Is it not enough?

Akashi closes his eyes…

Am I still not enough to make you stay?

"…!"

…and reopens them when Furihata throws both his arms around his neck and holds him close, hugging Akashi so tight that they can feel the rise and fall of each other's breath.

"Kouki…?" Akashi breathes, voice on the verge of breaking.

"I'm here," Furihata says, fingers trembling even as he runs them through Akashi's hair, "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Okay? So please don't touch me like you're afraid I'm going to disappear. I'm not. I'm right here, Sei-kun, and I'm not leaving you, I'm not-"

Akashi kisses him, and Furihata moans right into it, hand clutching onto Akashi's shoulders as he kisses back like it's all he's ever known. They fall back down into the bed, this time with Furihata's arms and legs free to wrap around Akashi bodily, to surround him with his presence and show him how much he is here, how much he wants to be.

"I'm sorry," Furihata whispers between kisses, "I'm so sorry. I never forgot about you, Sei-kun, I didn't want to leave you at all-"

Akashi briefly lets go of Furihata to sit up and pull his shirt off over his head, before he dives straight back down to kissing Furihata's lips, their chests now skin-to-skin, the heat between them burning that much stronger.

"Ever since Kinosaki I couldn't stop thinking about you. I've always wanted to be a part of your life, but I didn't realize how much I wanted-" Furihata breaks off into a gasp, arching his back when Akashi slid down and bit the soft flesh of his inner thighs.

Akashi's fingers were tugging down the waistband of his boxers then, and Akashi marveled at the smoothness of Furihata's skin, the tan lines that cut right above his hip bones than jut out like two tiny triangles. Akashi runs his thumbs over them and down his V-line, watching how it makes Furihata thighs quiver – doing it again, harder, lower, just to see Furihata's hips jerk up in shameless desire.

The front of Furihata's boxers were already soaked by the time Akashi pulls the whole thing off of him, revealing Furihata's weeping cock. It's bigger than what Akashi expected, but still cute, like the rest of him, and Akashi doesn't even hesitate to press the flat of his tongue over the head.

Furihata shuddered all through to his toes, breath catching in his throat, "Yes."

Just that one word makes blood rush down Akashi's body, desire cresting within him like a wave. Furihata wants him, he wants him, and Akashi is going to take him apart.

"…!" Furihata chokes back a whimper when Akashi opens his mouth and sinks down until his lips has covered him all the way to the base.

Then, with a flick of his red eyes up to meet Furihata's own, Akashi sucks.

The noise that Furihata makes is half moan and half scream, and his head tilts so far that it hits the back of his bed with a loud thump. His hands are shaking white fists, crumpling up the bed sheets within them.

"Here," Akashi says, throatily, as he pulls off Furihata with a wet pop. He takes one of Furihata's hands and places them over his head, closing his hand over Furihata's so that he fists it in his hair. "Do as you like."

"Sei, I-" Furihata is gaping at him, cheeks flushed and voice shaky, "I can't."

Akashi licks his lips, "I can take it."

"Sei," Furihata insists, even as he is obviously trembling for it. His hand comes down to cup Akashi's cheek, gently, like Akashi is the most precious thing he's ever held in his life.

Akashi knows what Furihata is thinking – how it must look like to him. Akashi, younger and the untouchable heir, on his knees between Furihata's thighs with his lips wet and hovering over his cock, telling him to fuck into his mouth in no uncertain terms. Like Akashi isn't the Akashi Seijuuro; like Akashi wasn't the child that Furihata did his best to keep out of harm's way, wouldn't even let a single scratch be laid upon him.

Honestly, Akashi doesn't care.

It doesn't matter who he is or what he used to be to him. Furihata Kouki is here now and Akashi wants nothing more than to give him all the pleasure in the world until he is shaking with it.

"I can't," Furihata is still saying, "I-I'm not deservi-AH-!"

Akashi ignores all his complaints and deep throats him once again in one go. Furihata yelps, his hand unconsciously gripping on to Akashi's hair.

"D-don't- Sei-" Furihata sounds like he is biting back tears.

It only fuels Akashi on. He grabs onto Furihata's hips with both hands and starts moving him, up and down, in time with the back and forth of his head as he swirls his tongue around Furihata's cock and feel it pulse inside his mouth. The salty bitter taste of precum is intoxicating – makes him suck harder, pull him in deeper until he is barely avoiding to choke.

"Agh-" Furihata is gritting his teeth, unable to stop himself from groaning and tugging on Akashi's hair. He bites on his lower lip, no longer capable of holding back when it feels so good, so hot, and Akashi's mouth is heaven and how could he be blamed for letting himself go?

"Mmpf," Akashi feels it, the moment when Furihata starts thrusting his hips of his own accord, and it makes his blood thrum with excitement. He hums around him, encouraging it, reaching up a hand to thumb over Furihata's hardened nipple.

"Fuck," Furihata hisses, nails digging into Akashi's scalp, increasing the rhythm of his thrusts, "S-so good, Sei…! I'm-!"

Akashi can tell that Furihata is close, by the stuttering of his hips, the hitching of his breaths as he moans Akashi's name. And so, with a complete and utter lack of mercy, he suddenly pulls off right at the moment before release and grabs the base of Furihata's cock and squeezes tight.

"Hnngh-" Furihata bites out a whimper, low and desperate. He is panting harshly, his cock leaking over Akashi's hand as soon as he relaxes his hold around the base. His brown eyes are wet as they look up at Akashi curiously.

"Not yet," Akashi says, as though answering Furihata's question. He gently brushes the hairs sticking to Furihata's forehead away from his face as he sighs. "It's not enough."

Something seems to strike a cord within Furihata, then, because his eyes become much more watery. The sight of it makes Akashi ache; makes him want to curl him up so he's safe from all the harm in the world.

Furihata sits up, slowly, his legs still shaky as he shuffles closer to Akashi and leans his head on his shoulders. When he speaks, his voice is tearful, "Sei-kun…"

"Don't cry," Akashi says instantly just as his arms automatically come around Furihata's shoulders. His chest feels tight. "Why are you crying?" He never knows what to do when Furihata is crying.

"Me too," Furihata muffles into his neck, "It's been too long, and it's my fault, it's all my fault, really, and I don't even deserve- So the fact that you're here at all even after all this time-" Furihata shakes his head, breath hitching. "But I- I've missed you, and I've wanted you, I tried not to, I really tried, but I still did, I still missed you and I still wanted you so badly and it's- it's not enough. It's not enough for me, too-"

"Kouki," Akashi's heart feels like it's going to burst. He pulls Furihata into his lap, cradling Furihata's head to his chest like a child. His own heart is thumping against his ribs, a thousands miles a minute, and he's sure Furihata can hear it well.

"I'm sorry," Furihata says again, tears falling now that he's being held in Akashi's arms, "For being selfish. For being stubborn. All those years, ten years I left, and then I made you wait even more..."

"Don't talk," Akashi murmurs against the top of his head. "Don't talk anymore, Kouki."

Akashi's chest hurts. It hurts. Has been hurting since that day, ten years ago, when a brown-haired boy took his heart and ran away with it. And he tried to numb it out, ignore that it was gone even when he needed it – when his mother passed away and he was breaking from the inside out; when he felt 'defeat' for the first time and crushed his own persona into a box and twisted and evolved it into something terrifying and unfeeling – because it was gone, stolen and gone right along with his brown-haired boy.

His Furihata Kouki.

But that's okay. It's okay now. Furihata is here and it's okay now.

Even though it's not the same – that gaping hole he left only grew with the years, and he'd wanted, been wanting and missing Furihata for too much and too long – but that's okay.

"It will be enough," Akashi says, kissing away Furihata's tears, "Because you're here now."

It takes all that Furihata has not to sob and fall apart in Akashi's arms then. Akashi can see it, in the way he sucks in a deep breath, then exhales, long and shaky. Instead, Furihata whispers, "…I missed you so much."

"I missed you, too," Akashi admits, quietly. "Not all the time. I didn't want to. It was easier not to."

Furihata nods. "I understand."

"It was harder after Kinosaki," Akashi says, "You were tangible, then. It made me want you so much more."

"Have you always…?" Furihata trails off. It was difficult to imagine. Akashi was so young when he left.

"No. Not like this, not in the way I want you now," Akashi says, trailing his hand down the curve of Furihata's waist. "I always knew I wanted to be the most important person to you, though. That has never changed. The physical side, however…" Akashi tilts his head, a quirk in his lips. "Maybe when I hit first year of middle school?"

"First?!" Furihata gapes.

"The captain of Teikou's basketball team back then, well. He was a third year," Akashi hums, "He gave me some ideas."

"Oh gods," Furihata pales, "What did he-?"

Akashi chuckles, "No, no. Nothing like that. He only showed me videos and magazines he probably shouldn't have been showing me."

"Oh," Furihata sighs, "Phew."

"Come to think of it though, he did kiss me quite a lot," Akashi says casually.

"What." Furihata snaps his head to look at Akashi.

"What," He grins, "Jealous, Kouki?"

"No." Furihata says. Then, with a pout, "…yes."

Akashi's grin widens, "You're unexpectedly possessive. It's charming. Especially with the whole Reo thing-"

"Don't talk about Mibuchi Reo," Furihata snipes sharply.

Akashi blinks. Then laughs.

"It's not funny!" Furihata huffs.

Akashi only hugs him, rocking him in his lap, still laughing openly, "If it's any consolation to you, you can kiss me as much as you want now."

"Onlyme," Furihata narrows his eyes.

"Only you," Akashi chuckles.

"Good," Furihata says, before he proceeds to kiss Akashi full on the lips.

It doesn't take long at all before the desire between them, having been built up for so long, comes roaring back like a flame.

Akashi doesn't really know what he expected Furihata to be like in bed. He's thought about it, of course, fantasized and dreamt, about how it would be. In his head Furihata is always naïve – an innocent, stuttering over his words, shy through and through, with the smallest hint of lewdness coming out only when Akashi has driven him to his limits. It would always be Akashi who showed him what to do, where to place his hands, and teasing him to let out his voice; and Furihata would probably afraid, probably nervous of it all, and Akashi would do his best to calm him. That, the blushing-almost-virgin, is the Furihata he thought would be the closest to reality; what he thought he would encounter.

Which is why when Furihata, the real one right in front of him, reaches over for a bottle of lube to squirt all over his fingers before he pushes Akashi back down onto the bed and straddles Akashi's hips as he reaches behind to finger himself open—well, Akashi is more than surprised.

Pleasantly so, because this Furihata is lewd, yet with all the innocent reactions of the one from his imagination, and it is glorious.

"You look shocked," Furihata pants, as he pushes two fingers in himself, lips parted and cheeks beautifully flushed.

"I am in awe," Akashi murmurs, still unable to take his eyes off him for a second as he runs his hands up and down Furihata's sides and delighting in the way it makes him shiver. "You are wonderful," he says, breathless.

Furihata blushes, adorably, and he averts his eyes, "Not- what you pictured?"

"Better," Akashi says, honestly, "So much better."

Furihata smiles, dimpling, and says through shaky breaths, "You thought- about doing this- with me?"

"Of course I did. A whole lot," Akashi says without an ounce of shame. His eyes are glued to Furihata's fingers and what they are doing, mesmerized, with the occasional glance back up to Furihata's face because that part of him is mesmerizing too. "And you didn't?"

"Had to- stop myself," Furihata pants, face bright red, "I'm a teacher." He says, indignantly, as he fucks himself with his own fingers.

"Is that so," Akashi says, a smirk crawling up his lips, "Then, should I call you sensei?"

"Oh my god," Furihata actually stops to glare at him. "No. Absolutely not. Please don't. I'm serious."

"Oh?" Akashi raises a brow, clearly enjoying this. "Is sensei going to punish me if I do?"

"I am going to push you off the bed," Furihata mutters under his breath. "And then flip it over you."

Akashi is grinning widely, "It's not good to bully your students, Furi-sensei-"

"Akashi Seijuuro I swear to- ah god-!"

The last bit is much less intimidating when it becomes a sharp whine as Akashi slips in a finger right next to Furihata's two already inserted inside.

"S-Sei," Furihata whimpers, "T-take it out…"

"Let me, Kouki," Akashi breathes, lowly. "I want to."

Furihata nods, shuddering as he removes his two fingers and immediately hissing when Akashi replaces them with his own. "Ah- your fingers- are longer…"

"Mm-hm," Akashi says, distracted, because holy wow Kouki is tight and it's so hot inside.

Furihata bites his lower lip, "If you- um- if you angle it just slightly forw- oh yes yes there there there-"

"Here?" Akashi presses his fingertips at the same spot and Furihata gasps loudly, collapsing forward to clutch hard onto Akashi's shoulders, his entire frame quivering like he's been struck.

"I think," Akashi is breathing heavily, enthralled by Furihata's reaction. "I can make you come, just like this."

"Mm-!" Furihata jolts, biting back a groan as Akashi presses directly on that spot again, panting harshly, his thighs shaking. "N-no… Sei, I want-"

"I know," Akashi says, withdrawing his fingers, marveling at the way Furihata clenches around them as he did, almost like he was chasing him, pulling them back in. Akashi swallows, throat dry with want, "God, Kouki…"

Furihata is already tearing open a condom and rolling it on Akashi. His hands are trembling, equally as excited, and Akashi absolutely adores it.

"O-okay," Furihata breathes, suddenly nervous as he hovers above Akashi's cock. His lust-glazed eyes flit up to Akashi's hooded ones, "R-ready?"

"More than anything," Akashi says, leaning over to peck Furihata sweetly on the lips. "I want you, Kouki. More than anything."

Furihata's chest blooms with that, and slowly, with Akashi's hands on Furihata's hips supporting him, he lowers himself down.

"Hah-" The first part is always slightly painful, but it's nothing he can't tolerate, and the pressure and press of Akashi's head, the heat of it, it's good, it's so good, and Furihata can't help but gasp and whimper as he is stretched out slow and sweet by Akashi's hard cock.

"You're doing great," Akashi murmurs next to his ear, kissing his cheek, sighing, "Kouki, it feels so good…"

Furihata shivers as he sinks down the last bit. His breaths are coming out short and shallow, "H-hold on, just a little bit."

"Yeah," Akashi wants to tell him he could hold on forever, but that would be a lie, because no, Akashi cannot hold on forever because Furihata Kouki is sitting on his cock and it's hot and it's so tight and wet and all Akashi wants to do is thrust up into him and make him scream and come and-

"Okay," Furihata is nodding, clutching onto Akashi desperately, "Sei, you can move."

Akashi doesn't need to be told twice.

They make love like they've known each other forever – which, in a way, they sort of do; but not like this, not in this intimate moving and grinding of their bodies in perfect tandem; not with their lips wet and kiss-swollen and panting each other's names like they cannot have enough. And it's exactly that – making love. Not just sex, not a simple fuck, because yes, it is raw and carnal but it is also so, so much more.

And it's a delicate, special thing, to have someone this close, to look into someone's eyes at their most open, most vulnerable, and think to yourself – yes. It's you. You're the one who's made for me, and I will show you all the ways I'm made for you.

"Kouki," Akashi groans, lifting Furihata before pushing him down on his back to thrust in him faster, harder, deeper. All the while watching his face, drinking him in like he is caught in a spell.

"Yes," Furihata all but sobs, legs clamping onto Akashi like a lifeline as he pushes his hips back to meet his thrusts; screaming when Akashi hits that spot just so. "Sei-!"

Somewhere amidst the heat of everything, their hands find each other, and Akashi presses his palm into Kouki's, their fingers intertwining – and it makes them feel so much closer, because isn't this what they've always done? Since the start, with no one else; Furihata took Akashi's hand into his own, understood what it meant when he squeezed it, and Akashi never ever wants to let go.

"Kouki, I'm-" Akashi sounds choked, his hips thrusting erratically, his grip on Furihata bruising.

"Yes," Furihata is nodding furiously, understanding exactly what he wants, what he needs. "Yes, you can, Sei, do it. I want it- inside-"

Akashi comes with a stuttered gasp, thrusting deep into Furihata, hands intertwined and gripping tight. Furihata watches him with hazy eyes and a faint smile on his face, pulling their joined hands towards him so he can kiss Akashi's wrist and feel the racing pulse on his lips.

Akashi crawls over Furihata after, body still thrumming in post-orgasm daze, and he kisses all over Furihata's neck and face like he worships him.

"Here," He whispers, taking hold of Furihata's still-hard and aching cock, "Let me take care of you, Kouki."

It only takes a few jerks of Akashi's hand before Furihata is coming all over his stomach. Akashi strokes him through it, kissing his shoulder as Furihata comes down from the orgasm, toes curled and body twitching.

They lie there like that, tangled limbs and holding hands as the sun rises fully and shines morning light onto them. And it's warm. So, so warm.

Like that first day Furihata woke up next to Akashi, to find the little boy already staring at him with those big red eyes.

There are birds singing, somewhere far away.

...

"H-hello. Akashi-kun, right?"

"Good afternoon."

"Ah-! How could I not remember? Heeh, sorry about that. You were craning your neck to look at me – that probably wasn't very nice, ne? Now you can just look straight at me. Is this better?"

"Yes. This is better."

"W-well, it's nice to finally meet you Akashi-kun. My name is Furihata Kouki."

"Akashi Seijuuro. It's a pleasure to meet you too."

...

"Don't go, Kouki."

...

"My eyes are starved of your sight and it's your fault. Take responsibility, Kouki."

...

"Being raised in my family, I never wanted for much, as there is little that I don't have… But ever since I was a child, Kouki, I never stopped wanting you to be mine."

...

"I'm not very patient. So hurry up and become mine already, Kouki."

...

"Give me a reason to stay."

...

The sunlight hits the side of Akashi's face, alighting just one of his striking red eyes. Still on Furihata, watching him, staring at him, even after all this time.

Furihata reaches over and cups his sun-kissed cheek.

"I love you, Sei," Furihata says, eyes watery, "I love you very much."

Akashi's eyes widen, pupils blown.

And Akashi doesn't remember the last time he cried, but as he pulls Furihata close and buries his face into his hair, his eyes are wet too.

It takes him a while, too choked by tears and heart too full in his chest to even say anything. Furihata only cuddles him close, eyes sleepily falling shut even as he rubs Akashi's trembling shoulders soothingly. Furihata doesn't need to hear it – he sees it in everything Akashi does, in every look and every stare, feels it in every hand-squeeze, and hears it every time Akashi calls his name. He doesn't need to hear Akashi say the words, because the way Akashi's eyes widened and teared up when Furihata told him is more than enough.

Furihata is already falling asleep when Akashi calls his name, voice throaty.

"Kouki," He says, "Are you awake?"

Furihata hums pleasantly, snuggling into Akashi's chest.

But he hears it. Drifting into sleep as he is, he hears it all the same, loud and clear even though Akashi is speaking barely above a whisper.

"You're all I ever wanted, Kouki," Akashi says, "I love you more than I can say."

Furihata smiles, and squeezes his hand.

Epilogue – 3 months later

Kyoto is beautiful.

Furihata hasn't been here in a while, and he's forgotten just how beautiful it is – not only for it's sights and temples and trees, but just the whole vibe of the city. There's a certain zen about the whole the place, an ancient sort of charm, all serene and calming and—

"Oh whoa, look who it is, it's Akashi's boyfriend! Heeeey! Furihata-san! Furihata-san, over here, over here!"

Furihata sighs. Somehow, he knew this would happen.

He waves back weakly at Takao Kazunari – who is waving at him with his entire arm it seems with how vigorous he is doing it, laughing like he has no care in the world – and makes his way over to The Group. Even though it's the last thing he wants to do. Because it's the polite thing to do; because these are Akashi's friends.

Even though they are also the Generation of goddamn Miracles (with some of their plus ones who are generally almost equally ridiculous) and also really, really tall and intimidating, the whole lot of them, and for goodness' sake are they really still high school kids? What the hell-

"Furihata-san! Long time no see!" Takao beams at him. The boy is wearing a strawberry-red headband today and still manages to pull it off looking quite considerably attractive. Unbelievable. "How are things? And when I say how are things, I really mean, how is the whole banging-the-one-and-only-Akashi-Seijuuro thing?"

Furihata blinks, "Um."

"Takao, don't be rude," Midorima Shintarou scolds, having the decency to look embarrassed for his boyfriend even as he carries a plushie that looks suspiciously like a phallus.

"Ah, hello, Midorima-kun," Furihata greets. And because he cannot stop himself, "Is that plushie a…?"

"Squid," Midorima says, sternly. "It's a squid."

"Interesting colour for a squid," Furihata says, eyeing the beige-colored doll. It's definitely a dick, right? Right?

"Aww, but Shin-chan, I wanna know the details! I didn't help them get together for nothing!" Takao whines. "Come on, Furihata-san, please, you gotta give me something at least. Is he aggressive? Is he into bondage?" Takao gasps, dramatically. "Does he use scissors?"

"Huh?" Furihata is very confused, "S-scissors…?"

"Takao, Shut. Up." Midorima grumbles as he drags Takao to the side to 'have words'. (Which, from where Furihata is standing, just looks like a lot of Takao whining and pouting at Midorima who is pretending to be annoyed not find it adorable.)

"I apologize on behalf of Midorima-kun and Takao-kun," says a voice behind him.

"Ah!" Furihata jumps, and turns around to see a familiar looking blue-haired kid. "It's you!"

"Good morning, Furihata-san." He says, bowing his head politely.

Furihata, feeling rude because he can't for the life of him remember this boy's name, bows his head back, "Ah- long time no see, um…"

"Kuroko Tetsuya," Kuroko says, and cuts in even before Furihata can apologize, "And don't worry, Furihata-san. It's not unusual to not remember."

"Eh? Kurokocchi, you met Akashicchi's boyfriend before as well?" Kise pipes in, looking as devastatingly sparkly as always.

"See, I knew they would fuck," Aomine says, yawning, "Called it. Told ya, Kise. Did we bet on it? You can buy me lunch if we did."

"Uh, Aominecchi, you always make me buy lunch for us anyway."

"You're a model." Aomine shrugs,"You smile and pose half-naked and people throw money at you. At least have the decency to share, Kise, damn."

That sounds more like a stripper than a model, Furihata thinks.

"Aomine-kun makes it sound like Kise-kun is a hooker," Kuroko says.

Kise gasps, "I am not a hooker!"

Aomine smirks, "Heh, I think you meant stripper, Tetsu."

"Oh," Kuroko says, "Sorry, Kise-kun. My mistake."

"I'm not a stripper either! Kurokocchi!" Kise pouts.

"I know your pouting works on a lot of people, Kise-kun, but I am not one of those people." Kuroko says, flatly.

Aomine leers, "Works on me when he wants the-"

"Ew, Dai-chan, don't be gross," says a girl Furihata has never met before. She has long pink hair that swishes in the wind as she turns around and- whoa, those are some real big- "Oh sorry, we haven't been introduced! I'm Momoi, nice to meet you, Furihata-san. I've been hearing a lot about you."

Don't look down, don't look down, don't look down… Furihata clears his throat, "Nice to meet you too, Momoi-san."

"See, Satsuki, he's surprisingly normal-looking, right?" Aomine nudges her.

"Dai-chan, he's standing right there!" Momoi whisper-yells at him.

"Ooh, what are we whispering about?" Kise joins in.

"Akashi's nanny-turned-boyfriend," Aomine says. "Man, Akashi has some weird tastes."

"Says Aomine-kun, who will stick it in anything with decent boobs." Kuroko says, not even bothering to whisper.

"Hey, Kise doesn't have boobs and I stick it in him just fine!" Aomine proclaims loudly.

"Aominecchi! Shhh!" Kise tries to hush him.

Furihata really wants to tell them that he can hear their entire conversation well and clear, thank you very much, but that just seems like it'll bring unnecessary attention to himself.

"Oi." Someone is poking him in the back with a… maiubo candy?

Furihata turns and finds himself accosted with a man with purple hair who is at least two metres tall, Furihata is sure, and it would be absolutely terrifying if not for the fact that this man is carry a mountain of candy. And staring down at him. And frowning. Actually, no, Furihata decides that he is still pretty damn terrified.

Where on earth is Sei-kun and why has he left me to deal with all his strange friends? The ceremony must've ended a while ago…

"Um, you are Murasakibara-kun, right?" Furihata tries. He can't be wrong, surely, there are only so many freakishly tall Japanese boys with purple hair hanging about.

"Yeah," Murasakibara says, sucking on a lollipop as he eyes him up and down. "And you're Aka-chin's puppy."

"Pup-" Furihata is bewildered, "Wha?"

He's only just recently come to terms with the word 'boyfriend' – he much prefers 'lover' or even 'partner' – and now Akashi is calling him a what?

It is that moment that Akashi Seijuuro decides to grace them all with his presence.

And damn, Furihata will save the whole 'puppy' deal for later because, goddamn, Akashi is looking handsome and immaculate as all hell in his full uniform.

"Atsushi. Ryouta. Daiki. Satsuki. Tetsuya." Akashi addresses them one by one with a nod, and then, he turns to Furihata and his eyes soften around the edges. "…Kouki."

Furihata's heart still races every time Akashi looks at him like this. There's no way he's ever getting used to it. He walks up to him, smiling warmly, "Congratulations on your graduation, Sei."

Akashi smiles, subtly touching his index finger to Furihata's little finger, "Thank you, Kouki."

And it still burns, still electric, even now, every time they touch – it's especially worse after they haven't seen each other for a while. But that at least will not be a thing for much longer. Akashi is moving to Tokyo for university, and that means they'll be seeing each other that much more. It makes Furihata giddy, his stomach fluttering with butterflies. He can't wait.

"Is it just me, or does Akashicchi and Furihata-san over there look like they have roses blooming in the background?" Kise stage-whispers.

Momoi sighs, dreamily, "Nah, there's definitely a pink aura all around them."

"Shall we interrupt? I mean, we're all here to congratulate him too, right? And then we can all go?" Aomine says, sounding bored.

"Aomine-kun, please read the atmosphere," Kuroko says.

"Aka-chin looks at him the way I look at chocolate-covered chips." Murasakibara observes.

"That- is strangely accurate, Mura-chin," Momoi says.

Aomine frowns, "You mean like he wants to eat him? I mean, I get it, like, if Kise wears lacy panties then I'd definitely-"

"That is your boyfriend, Kise-kun," Kuroko says, with no small amount of judgment.

"Oh shut it, Kurokocchi, your boyfriend is just as dumb." Kise says, sticking out his tongue.

"Kagami-kun is exponentially much less of a pervert."

Kise shrugs, blushing, "Eh. Well. It has its benefits."

Kuroko winces. "I take it back. Kise-kun you are just as gross as Aomine-kun and you both are much worse than Akashi-kun, which is saying a lot because Akashi-kun is dating a man who is at least three different fetishes in one person if you really squint."

Furihata is spluttering. Three fetishes? Really?

Akashi looks amused, "They do know we can hear them, yes?"

"You have weird friends," Furihata says, not for the first time. Then, since they are on the topic, "Sei, why does Murasakibara call me your 'puppy'?"

"Ah that," Akashi nods, far too casually. "It's Shintarou's fault. He and his boyfriend apparently think you're like a Chihuahua."

"A Chihuahua." Furihata repeats incredulously. "Your best friend thinks I look like a dog." He doesn't know whether he should be offended. It's offensive, right? But Chihuahuas are pretty cute.

"Not look like," Akashi corrects, "Behave like."

"How is that any better?!" Furihata huffs.

"It's because you're adorable," Akashi says, easily. "Where isShintarou, anyway?"

Furihata refuses to blush from that compliment. Akashi is changing the subject and it's working, damn it. Furihata points, "Over there with Takao-kun. They're having words, because Takao-kun was too overly enthusiastic about our sex life."

"Our sex life." Akashi parrots, blinking owlishly. "Not theirs?"

"Yes. Ours. Me and you."

"Huh." Akashi says. Then, after a pause, he frowns, "…is Shintarou carrying a penis plushie?"

Furihata gasps, "Right? That's what I thought! He said it's a squid but it's totally a dick!"

Akashi shakes his head, "Shintarou is an idiot. That is definitely male genitalia and not a squid."

Furihata nods, "Yes. Thank you. This is why I love you, Sei."

Akashi side-eyes him, "You love me because I can identify penis plushies?"

"Uh. Amongst other things." Furihata was planning to go with the whole 'it's how we see things the same way' corny business, but sure. Why not.

Akashi tilts his head, a quirk to his lips, "If it means you love me, Kouki, I'll take it."

Gah, Akashi just has to make it cute. Now Furihata will never be able to see penis plushies the same way again, and it's all Akashi's fault. Not that Furihata is complaining. He's the happiest he's ever been in these past three months. It's still early days, but Furihata is already starting to not be able to imagine being without Akashi. It's so easy between them, like it hasn't been with anyone else, and Furihata has laughed and smiled more than he's ever done – and Akashi has, too, those precious rare smiles of his no longer a rarity for Furihata, and he loves it.

And, yes, of course, there are still some concerns. Furihata's job security if people find out, Furihata's parents expecting him to marry, their vast difference in status, Akashi's father – who Furihata is pretty sure he made eye contact with today as he passed by on his highly expensive car right after the graduation ceremony ended – yes, there's a lot to think about, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. But it's still early days, and Furihata just wants to enjoy it whilst he can. When the time comes, Akashi and himself will figure it out. They'll find a way. Together. Because he's promised himself, ever since he looked into Akashi's wide eyes that first morning together as lovers, that he will never be the one to leave this man again. And if their history is anything to go by, they'll make it. Eventually, everything will be alright.

"By the way, Kouki, when am I meeting your friends again?" Akashi asks. "You said it would be soon. When I move to Tokyo?"

"When Izuki-senpai stops calling you my 'boy toy' and stops making puns relating to our relationship," Furihata says, grimacing. "Which doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon."

"And you say I have weird friends," Akashi grins.

"They are weird and you know it. All of them. Just when I think they're normal, they turn out not to be. Even the Rakuzan ones." And don't even get him started on freaking Mibuchi Reo because, no, Furihata is not over that. He is possessive, and he doesn't like it when a tall, pretty boy drapes himself all over his boyfriend and kisses him on the cheek like it's that casual. No. Furihata is putting his foot down on that one – it doesn't help that Akashi finds it adorable when Furihata gets jealous, either.

"They're not that bad."

"Your best friend is carrying a doll which looks like a penis." Furihata points. "Why."

"It's his lucky item."

"Sei," Furihata stares at him. Pointedly.

"Point taken, Kouki," Akashi admits.

A/N: Andddd finally they get there! Thank you so much to everyone who's been on this long, long journey with this slow burn AkaFuri (and all their weird and wonderful friends). I hope you've enjoyed reading it just as much as I had fun writing it! I will confess I didn't even ship AkaFuri at first (because I kinda liked Akashi as an uke, oops…) but then some fantastical RP happened and then this whole fic idea was born, so a lot of this is all thanks to that wonderful person (you know who you are, Aka-sama 3), and a lot of it is down to you guys supporting me and keeping me going! Thank you so much again!

The title of this chapter "I Knew I Loved You" is a song by Savage Garden which inspired a lot of moments in this fic (especially the final confession scene) – recommended to be playing in the background for that entire fluffy bit ;)

Ps. My next fic is likely going to be for Haikyuu, so if you're in love with the volleyball babies like I am (as everyone should be), then keep an eye out xx