Akashi and Kuroko walked through the graveyard silently. Akashi led the way by walking in front of Kuroko, but he was holding onto Kuroko's hand. Kuroko had never seen the place where Akashi's parents were laid to rest – every year on their respective death anniversaries, Akashi would make the trip to the graveyard to pay his respects alone. Kuroko had always offered to accompany him, but Akashi always said that it was okay and that Kuroko didn't have to trouble himself.

Finally, after walking a fair distance to the far end of the graveyard, Akashi and Kuroko reached a statue of an angel. Below it were two tombstones. Each tombstone bore a name and a photo: one belonged to an Akashi Shiori with the photograph of a beautiful woman with flowing red hair who bore a striking resemblance to Akashi, and the other belonged to an Akashi Masaomi with the photograph of a stern-looking man with whom Akashi shared some features. Also engraved on the tombstones were the years they were born as well as the years they died.

Akashi placed the bouquet of flowers he had bought earlier on in between the two tombstones. Then, he knelt down in front of them. Kuroko followed suit.

"Mother, Father," Akashi began. "I would like you to meet my life partner and my husband, Kuroko Tetsuya," he said before pausing and gazing at Kuroko lovingly.

"I realise that he is a man," continued Akashi, tearing his eyes away from Kuroko to face the tombstones. "But this man has made me happier than I ever have. He is everything to me, and I could not ask for anyone else. I am not asking for your blessing – it is too late for that as we are now happily married; I just want you to meet him and vice-versa."

Kuroko decided that he should say something too. "Ano, Akashi-san… and Akashi-san?" he said in a small voice. "I know Seijuurou-kun is your precious son, and he is a precious person to me too. So you can rest easy, for I will take good care of Seijuurou-kun, and I will continue to shower him with love and treat him like the king he deserves to be."

"Tetsuya," hissed Akashi. "Now you're the one saying embarrassing things…"

Kuroko didn't reply. Instead, he grinned at Akashi and Eskimo-kissed him. He turned back to the tombstones. "Thank you for bringing Seijuurou-kun into this world."

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew through Akashi and Kuroko. Kuroko inhaled the air deeply – there was a pleasant-smelling element to it that wasn't in the air before and that Kuroko couldn't quite place.

"Seijuurou-kun?"

"Hm?"

"I think your parents have given us their blessing," replied Kuroko.

Akashi smiled at Kuroko. He leaned forward to brush Kuroko's hair out of his face. Then, Akashi planted a kiss on Kuroko's forehead. "I think so too."

That night, Akashi and Kuroko lay in bed, spent from their love-making. Akashi scooted closer to Kuroko so that he could spoon him. When Akashi draped an arm over Kuroko's stomach, Kuroko didn't hesitate to grasp Akashi's hand with both of his hands, holding on like his life depended on it.

"Thanks for taking me to see your parents today," said Kuroko quietly.

"Oh, I just thought-"

"Your mother was really beautiful," continued Kuroko. He sounded wistful. "You look just like her."

"Yeah… I have been told that…"

"I don't remember my parents – it's been far too long and they died in a fire when I was very young… I don't even remember what they looked like," said Kuroko contemplatively. "But going to see your parents today reminded me of what parental love feels like. Not directly, but I could feel it through the love in their faces, you know?"

Akashi tightened his hold on Kuroko's body. "I'm sorry – I didn't want to make you feel sad-"

Kuroko shook his head. "No. I am glad," he said. "I'm glad that you got to experience their love and became the person you are today."

Akashi hummed. "I think… if they were alive today, they would have liked you. My mother especially."

Kuroko yawned. "That's nice to know."

"Tired?"

"Yeah. You wore me out," Kuroko told Akashi. There was a playful tone in his voice.

"Then you should sleep." Akashi curled his fingers against Kuroko's bare stomach.

"Okay. Good night, Seijuurou-kun."

"Good night," replied Akashi. "Sweet dreams, my darling."

It wasn't long before Akashi felt Kuroko's shoulders relax and his breathing evened out. He snuggled against Kuroko's body and buried his face into the back of Kuroko's neck. Akashi thought back to what he said in front of his parents' grave. When he said that he was happier than he had ever been, he really meant it. Over time, as Akashi had grown to love Kuroko more and more, he was feeling increasingly content with his life. Kuroko was a very important aspect of Akashi's life – he was Akashi's rock and pillar, supporting him when he needed it; Kuroko was Akashi's shoulder to cry on. Akashi could not ask for anyone else. Kuroko was the piece in the jigsaw puzzle of Akashi's life that made it complete.

Akashi closed his eyes and smiled to himself. He inhaled deeply, breathing in Kuroko's scent. Yes, Akashi truly was happy and he wouldn't change a thing about his life.