Author's note: Hello everyone! And thank you for following this story all the way to the end! I'm kinda sad that I have to stop this here, but rest assured that I'll have some new ones pretty soon. I have an idea, and my dreams have been hinting that I try to write some AkaKuro so hmm, we'll see. Anyway, hope you enjoy this!

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke.

The basketball thudded a few times before smashing into the fence with an echoing clang. The six players on the court panted for breath, each one of them drenched in sweat. A small hand reached to pick up the basketball, tucking it against her hip while surveying the scene in front of her, smiling in exasperation.

"I think it's time for this game to stop," Momoi declared loudly, ignoring the objections of the players.

"Momoi-san, would you mind returning the ball to us? Our match is incomplete." Akashi's eyes flashed gold for the slightest moment, and despite that, Momoi tightened her grip on the ball, shaking her head.

"Tetsu-kun is getting tired, and it's his birthday today. Shouldn't you guys take it a little easier on him?" The teal-haired boy lifted his head at the sound of his name, saying, "It's alright, Momoi-san. It's fun playing like this. We haven't played together like this in so long." He promptly collapsed on the floor after that.

"Tetsu/Tetsu-kun/Kuroko/Kurokocchi/Kuro-chin/Tetsuya!"

A loose circle of people surrounded Kuroko in mere moments, with Aomine helping to prop up the smaller boy. "I-it's alright. I'm okay." Kuroko slumped against Aomine, smiling weakly up at the concerned faces.

"No, you are not 'okay'. We will reschedule this match for a time when Tetsuya feels better." Akashi declared, turning his fierce gaze on anyone who dared to complain. Everyone noticed immediately that his eyes had reverted to their heterochromatic state. There were no protests from the Generation of Miracles or Momoi after that.

A shaky voice spoke up in the midst of the silence.

"It is not necessary, Akashi-kun– "

"You wish to defy me, Tetsuya?"

A brief staring match ensued, and Kuroko was the first to break eye-contact, sighing slightly. "Thank you, Akashi-kun."

"You are always welcome, Tetsuya."

"Shiiiin-chan!"

Everyone turned to face the entrance of the court, where an ecstatically waving Takao, a disgruntled Kagami and an amused Himuro were standing.

"Oh, is that already the time? I am afraid I have to leave; I have an appointment to get to." A faint blush made its way onto Midorima's cheeks, as he watched Takao approach them.

"Wait, wait, Midorin! Let's all take a photo first! Pleaseee?"

"That's a good idea! I'll take the photo for you!" Takao offered, and Momoi handed him her phone, bounding over to where the GoM were hastily arranging themselves. They tried to be accommodating to Kuroko, who was still weak. Thus Kuroko ended up still sitting on the floor with Aomine next to him, while the rest of them aligned themselves behind the duo.

"This is such a bother," Midorima grumbled as he settled into place next to Akashi.

"Now, now, Shin-chan, don't be so mean to your old teammates! Everybody smile! One, two, three!" Takao took several shots in quick succession, grinning widely as he did so. Thanks were muttered, and as if on cue, each of them began drifting away to their next destinations.

"Takao, let us take our leave."

"Aww, Shin-chan, you tsundere! At least say goodbye to them."

"…we will be meeting soon enough. It is unnecessary."

"Atsushi, let's go. The buffet place is just down the street."

"Mmm, okay, Muro-chin. Bye Aka-chin, Mine-chin, Sa-chin, Se-chin. Get well soon, Kuro-chin."

"Thank you, Murasakibara-kun."

"Well, it's time for us to leave too. See you around, Tetsu."

"Bye, Kurokocchi! And Akashicchi! Aominecchi, wait for me!"

"Dai-chan! Ki-chan! Don't leave me behind! Bye Tetsu-kun, Akashi-kun! Let's meet again!"

The hubbub died down as they all took their leave, and then it was only Kuroko and Akashi left on the court.

"Tetsuya, it was good to play with you again. I have prepared a practice match between Rakuzan and Seirin, your coach should be hearing from mine shortly." Akashi extended a hand to Kuroko, pulling him off the ground and supporting him. One hand rested lightly on Kuroko's hip, but he was too disorientated to notice. Kagami approached the duo hesitantly at first, but seeing Akashi act as he did, his vision turned red around the edges.

Kuroko did not notice Kagami's furious approach, blinking blearily at Akashi's words. "Oh. I see. Thank you, Akashi-kun. That is very generous of you. I am sure our coach will enjoy the opportunity to collect data to put into our training menus."

"Kuroko!"

"Kagami-kun?" Kuroko did not understand why Kagami looked so angry, but then a hand tightened almost imperceptibly around his hip, drawing him closer to Akashi. Oh. Oops.

"Akashi-kun, thank you for helping me, but I am capable of standing on my own."

Akashi either did not hear him, or he was purposely ignoring him. The latter seemed more likely, since he was currently staring down Kagami.

"Kagami Taiga," Akashi stated coolly, returning the taller boy's glare with a calm, piercing look. "I have mentioned before that I do not appreciate people looking directly at me unless they serve me. However, I shall forgive your insolence again, for Tetsuya would not appreciate the ending of your life." Akashi glanced down at Kuroko briefly before removing his arm and taking a step backwards.

"Take care of Tetsuya, and you will find that I have no need to inflict greater misery upon you. You have been warned, Kagami. Kuroko." The boy in question turned to face his former captain, double red irises capturing his own. "You are always welcome if this fool does not appreciate you enough. I will see you soon." A small smile flitted across Akashi's face and was gone in an instant. Nonetheless, Kuroko caught the smile and the tender look in his eyes, a look that brought back memories of sweeter times.

Kagami spluttered incredulously at Akashi's retreating back. "What was he talking about? 'You are always welcome' and 'I will see you soon'? Who does he think he is, your mother?"

Kuroko sighed and leaned against Kagami, burying his face in his shirt. The impression of Akashi's warmth was still on him, and he felt strangely guilty about it. That and Akashi's special look, reserved just for him. He knew what Akashi was implying earlier, but it would be better for everyone if Kagami did not know. He did not return the sentiment, after all. Not anymore.

He tried to breathe in as much of Kagami as possible, attempting to block out all thoughts of Akashi. "We just have a practice match with Rakuzan soon. Akashi-kun thinks that he still has power over me, but I believe that that person is you, Kagami-kun. Can we go now?"

Kagami wanted to protest further, but seeing how exhausted Kuroko was – and how desperate he was to avoid the topic of Akashi - he decided to let the matter rest, for now. "Yeah. Come on, there's a Maji Burger around here somewhere. I'll get you a vanilla shake."

"Thank you, Kagami-kun. Can I get a recharge first, please?"

"What recharg- " Kagami was yanked downwards, and a set of soft lips met his own, effectively silencing him. He gave himself over to the kiss, a soft moan escaping him. He could feel Kuroko smiling, although all coherent thoughts promptly fell away as he indulged in the feel of Kuroko's lips against his. Damn, that boy was really good at kissing.

It ended all too soon, though. The pace slowed, and with a last gentle brush of his mouth, Kuroko pulled away from Kagami, blue eyes dancing. "It's getting late, Kagami-kun. Shall we go?"

"Yeah, let's. You want to stay over at my place tonight?"

"My parents are in town, so I have to refuse. You may walk me home, though."

"Gah, you sound as though I'm going to drag you home against your will and take away your virginity or something." Kagami mumbled as they walked hand-in-hand.

"Kagami-kun sounds as though that thought has never crossed his mind before."

"Of course it hasn't! Not in that situation anyway. You sound like you had thought about it."

"Mmm, perhaps once or twice."

"You are horrible. Why do I even put up with you?"

"Because you love me."

"S-shut up!"

They continued their walk, soon reaching Maji Burger, where Kagami treated Kuroko to the biggest vanilla milkshake available. The rest of their evening was spent teasing each other, joking, talking about everything under the sun. Kuroko almost didn't want it to end.

However, end it did, and before he knew it, Kagami was standing beside him in front of his apartment building. "Thank you for today, Kagami-kun. I really enjoyed myself."

"Tsh, it's the least I could do for you. Happy birthday, Kuroko." Kagami leaned down to give him a chaste kiss, careful about being seen by the neighbours. Kuroko caught Kagami's face before he withdrew, saying softly, "Tetsuya."

"Huh?"

"I want you to call me Tetsuya."

"Only if you'll call me Taiga." Kagami retorted.

"Alright then, Taiga." Kuroko pecked Kagami on the lips, shyly averting his eyes.

He was pulled in a crushing hug, and felt something on the top of his head. "Goodnight, Tetsuya. See you tomorrow."

Kuroko stood and waved until Kagami was out of sight before turning to go into his apartment. Kagami had kissed the top of his head. Somehow it was both demeaning and endearing. Despite that, he could not stop smiling, and his heart felt very warm.

It was as though the drama had come full circle, and their fairytale was only just beginning. Somehow, Kuroko thought whimsically, love had a way of transcending everything else.