Hello! As I promised to a few of you, the second chapter/sequel! This one is from Akashi's point of view, and is back in my normal style of writing, because this would have taken way longer and been way too difficult to write if I had stayed with the first chapter's style.

PLEASE NOTE: I think I should mention that from the meeting with the GoM in the previous chapter to the end of this one takes place after they all enter their third year in high school. The little snippets before the meeting with GoM happen between January 31st (Kuroko's birthday) and April (the beginning of the school year in Japan). I say this because there is a moment in this chapter where Kuroko mentions their 'last Winter Cup': as in, not the first. Just to clear things up.

Also WARNING: There may be triggering content in this, I'm not sure, but it certainly is sensitive. I try to never make light of the things I make the characters I write about go through, and try to portray situations that can and do (I'm sure, with how insensitive humanity can be) happen as accurately as possible. So yes, please be aware that Kuroko is going through some rough stuff with parents that don't quite understand him and how to react to him.

EDIT: THE SEQUEL IS NOW UP, so please check it out...

Please enjoy!

BP

Crushes

Chapter Two

When Kuroko had returned from getting his second milkshake, Akashi still didn't quite know what to say. This appeared to be perfectly fine with Kuroko, who was content to merely drink his personal ambrosia and watch the people bustling around the restaurant, interspersed with glances at him. Kuroko pouted when the milkshake slurped empty and looked at Akashi for a moment.

"Akashi-kun?" Akashi blinked out of his thoughts and looks away from the window. "Would you like to come to dinner?" The redhead nodded.

"Okay, I'll let my father know." He quickly sent a text to his father and collected his things, Kuroko quickly following suit.

They were both quiet on the way to Kuroko's house, and it allowed Akashi some more time to think. He wasn't quite sure how he felt about the tealette, having never bothered to analyse their relationship beyond 'teammates' and later 'opponents'. He knew he enjoyed Kuroko's company, his quiet presence calming in comparison to the sheer energy of Aomine and Kise, and the competitiveness of Midorima, and the reliance of Murasakibara. There were many things he could talk to the tealette about, as their interests were similar, and even when their opinions were different they tended to have enjoyable debates about the subject before agreeing to disagree. What he most enjoyed is when one of them finds out new information about that subject, and then, no matter how much time had passed, bring it up again with the new evidence, sparking the debate again. It was something Akashi really treasured about their time together in Teiko – the proof that Kuroko had enjoyed spending time with him as much he had with the tealette.

After Akashi's change, Kuroko had continued to try to have those long conversations with him, but Akashi had brushed him off, stating that he was busy. It had hurt the boy, he'd known that, but that Akashi hadn't been particularly bothered – even if he was now. The redhead knew that his distancing hadn't helped Kuroko to cope with Aomine pushing him away, even outside of basketball, and only made him feel even more lonely, as his relationship with Murasakibara, Kise and Midorima was mainly basketball-centred. Of course, those relationships were also strained when their talents emerged.

Akashi supposed that he'd always been rather fond of Kuroko. He'd admired the determination the tealette held for basketball, even when he couldn't do much, merely pass and dribble. There was something so eye-catching about Kuroko's inner strength that Akashi couldn't take his eyes away, nor did he want to. And Kuroko was kind, so very kind. He forgives people easily, and merely wants the best for them, the biggest example being the Kiseki no Sedai themselves. Instead of wanting to beat them out of revenge for the hurt they caused, the tealette had wanted to do it so that they could love basketball again, in the way that they used to, rather than it be another chore they have to do alongside schoolwork. He brought the enjoyment of the sport back into their lives, and even restored Akashi to the self he was before the pressure he was under to be as perfect as a human could possibly be and the fear that he may be abandoned by his teammates as they were all developing their skills, becoming stronger, while he had stayed as he was, merely trying to keep the team together with teamwork.

He refused to overlook the fact that Kuroko would not have abandoned him, would have stayed with him, even if he hadn't relinquished his consciousness to his other, more ruthless self. Kuroko, who didn't have immense skill or talent, who recognise hard work over everything else, who eventually saved all of them, would have stayed with Akashi, and may have even brought the team back together again before Akashi broke the team… and slowly began to break Kuroko.

"… ashi-kun. Akashi-kun." Kuroko's voice interrupted his thoughts. The redhead looked at him, noticing the concern and amusement in the other man's eyes. "We're here." The tealette smiled. Akashi blinked and looked around. Indeed, they were standing in front of Kuroko's house, with the shadow holding the key in the lock. Cheekiness entered his expression. "I thought I should let you know in case you tripped over the doorway." Akashi narrowed his eyes in a playful glare as Kuroko turned the key and opened the door, letting himself and his guest enter.

"I would never do anything so undignified." Kuroko pursed his lips, clearly trying not to laugh as he turned away. The redhead couldn't find it in himself to be irritated by the mocking, and treasured the calm and relaxation that Kuroko always made him feel instead. He took his shoes off at the entryway, muttered "Pardon my intrusion", and followed Kuroko to the kitchen and dining room. He paused as he sat down at the table, looking around. "Where are your parents?" The room's temperature lowered a little as the tealette put down the pan he was holding.

"They… are on a business trip." Akashi frowned at the lightness of the answer, at odds with the tension lining Kuroko's back.

"How long will they be on this trip?" Kuroko shrugged casually and continued to retrieve ingredients from the fridge.

"It's coming up the third month. They didn't say when they'd be back." Kuroko got a knife from cutlery drawer, along with a spoon and a fork. Akashi frowned. This was another thing that he admired about Kuroko, as much as it made him feel sad. Kuroko was so strong, so self-sufficient and independent that he didn't tell anyone when he was hurting or sad, or even lonely, because he'd been brought up alone and took care of himself as soon as he was able to. His parents didn't really want a child, but didn't want to abort the unborn child, nor did they put him up for adoption when he was born. However, that didn't mean they cared for him. Kuroko was taught everything he needed to survive on his own in the house and for school before he was ten. His manners came from his parents, who had told him not to burden anyone else with his concerns and troubles, because no one wanted to hear them. So long as he kept out of trouble, his parents didn't care what he did. Hence why he was able to keep a dog he found on the streets with no problems, and Akashi had a horrible feeling that they didn't even know he had taken one in. They never really talked to Kuroko unless it was his studies (they couldn't have their only child disgrace their family with poor grades), his allowance, or to tell him they were going away.

Akashi had hoped that had changed since Teiko, but apparently not. It had appeared to get worse though, if the way Kuroko was holding himself was any indication.

"How did they react?" Kuroko paused, turning to Akashi with a confused expression. "To your romantic and sexual identity." The tealette's eyes went blank and he went back to chopping the vegetables.

"They were fine." Akashi sighed and stood. Deciding that he wanted to confront and comfort Kuroko while also testing how he felt about the other man, he hugged him from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder, eyes fixed Kuroko's hands that continued to chop. "Akashi-kun?" Akashi was half-surprised that Kuroko had no hint of suspicion or curiosity at his sudden action. Kuroko just appeared to accept it.

"Don't lie to me." The knife was put down carefully, making a slight noise.

"This is their third business trip this year." Akashi blinked. It was August. "I told them in November, just before our last Winter Cup. They didn't say a word to me for three weeks and left the country in December. They didn't come back until the middle of February." Akashi hugged him tighter. "When they came back, they told me that I was being ridiculous and that, to avoid being a complete disgrace, I was to conceive an heir when I was nineteen with a woman who I was to impregnate the normal way." Kuroko's voice lowered bitterly and his body trembled. "Akashi-kun, the only thing they allowed me was that I didn't have to marry her. They said that they, along with the mother, would raise the child, but that 'I could have visitation rights'." Kuroko bowed his head, one hand rising to his mouth, as if trying to stop himself from throwing up. "That's even assuming I can impregnate the poor woman in the first place." Akashi spun the tealette in his arms, drawing him into a proper hug.

"Kuroko," he breathed into his hair, "you are a fool if you think I'd let that happen to you." He smiled weakly to no one. "I'm your friend, remember?" Except, friendship didn't quite cover all he felt for the tealette. Kuroko shook his head.

"Akashi-kun, it's fine. You don't need to bother yourself –" Akashi shushed him.

"Didn't I say don't lie to me? You obviously aren't fine. Kami-sama, how did you play basketball?" Kuroko laughed wetly.

"There's a reason I love basketball, Akashi-kun. It's my escape and I make great friends through it." The tealette pulled away. "Now let me make dinner." Chuckling, but unable to push down his worry, Akashi let him go, sitting back down at the table. "Did you tell your father?" Kuroko asked after a moment of quiet.

"Yes." Akashi replied and continued without Kuroko needing to ask, "I told him straight out that if I didn't love the person he wanted me to marry, then I wouldn't marry them, as it wouldn't result in an heir anyway." He shrugged, resting his chin on his palm, fingers curled towards themselves with his elbow on the table. "He was remarkably blasé about the whole thing, surprisingly, and said that if needs must, he'd have me donate sperm for the purpose of an heir and he'd let me do as I wish, so long as I continue to work as his heir, and eventually take over the company." He snickers suddenly. "I may have shamed him into that, actually, by mentioning how much pressure he put on me when I was a child and in middle school, which really is healthy for no child."

"How sly, Akashi-kun." Kuroko commented, a smile on his face as he turned to the redhead. "I'm happy for you." And he truly was, Akashi mused, once again struck by the innate goodness in Kuroko. Anyone else would have been happy, yes, but that would have been over-shadowed by the envy and covetousness that they would feel, with someone else getting what they so wanted, which in this case was acceptance. Instead, Kuroko was really, truly happy that Akashi wasn't hassled or denied by his father, and allowed to do as he wished with his personal life. He smiled fondly.

"Thank you, Kuroko." He said, and watched as Kuroko put the vegetables in the pan, and quickly washed the chopping board before getting out some meat and another knife, while also preparing another pan and some rice.

You love him. Akashi blinked, not expecting to hear his other self's voice.

'What?'

You love Tetsuya. The voice seemed to huff. Akashi sent a thoughtful look to Kuroko's back.

'I do? Then what about you? Do you like him?' His other self bristled.

Yes, you do. And of course I don't. I lost to him. Akashi waited a beat.

'That doesn't mean you don't like him.' He got the impression the other was looking away sulkily.

It does.

'You care for him, don't you? I do recall the night you two met that you gave him a towel and told him not to catch a cold, despite your harsh words afterwards.' His other self cringed. 'Are you taking after Midorima? Are you a tsundere now?' Spluttering. In the privacy of his own mind, he grinned.

As if! I'm not afraid to express how I feel for Tetsuya! In fact, you are!

'How so?' He was interested to hear his other self's opinion. A snort.

Why do you think you were so embarrassed when he outright said that he had a crush on you, us. It wasn't that you didn't feel the same way, it was that you weren't expecting him to just say it. You knew what he was going to say, but you were still embarrassed anyway. A roll of the eyes, and his other self was gazing at him in contempt. Just because you're too focussed on your friendship with him, you don't want to try something else because it might ruin what you two have right now. The was a glint of wry self-loathing in heterochromatic eyes, and a mirthless smile. I doubt you could do worse than me. Akashi weighed this for a moment.

'I suppose that's true.'

Besides, neither of us know what Tetsuya is and isn't comfortable with, so that conversation has to happen, but even if the relationship does fail, why do you think that Tetsuya would let us go so easily. If it didn't work out, we'd still remain friends, just with more secrets between each other and more knowledge. In fact, we'd probably be closer because the relationship fell apart and Tetsuya wouldn't let us return to the distance we're at now. Akashi blinked.

'I thought you didn't like him.'

Haven't you been paying attention? I don't like him. I love him. Akashi chuckled out loud. Leave it to his other self to be so literal and exact.

"Akashi-kun?" Kuroko turned towards him, meat sizzling on the grill, and vegetables and rice boiling. "Would you mind setting up the table, while I dish up?" A small smile on his face hiding the fact that he was surprised that he'd been talking to his other self for so long that dinner was almost ready, he agreed, taking the chopsticks, condiments and plates and putting them on the table, setting them out so the bowls of food would be in easy reach.

Kuroko's appetite hadn't grown at all, a mystery that continued to confuse Akashi. The man played an extremely active sport four times a week. How did he have enough energy to play? Akashi's normally appropriate-looking serving looked huge compared to Kuroko's small amount. As if the tealette knew what he was thinking, he chuckled.

"If you think the difference between us is bad, the difference between Kagami-kun's portion and mine is terrifying." At Akashi's questioning look, he elaborated, "You know at Maji Burger I usually have a milkshake and maybe a small burger?" Akashi nodded. "Kagami-kun has at least twenty-eight burgers." Akashi promptly choked on his mouthful of rice. Kuroko eyed his choking and coughing form amusedly. "That's usually his reaction to finding that I'm suddenly sitting there too."

After dinner, Akashi insisted on helping Kuroko with the washing up, which the tealette reluctantly agreed to. It was only half-seven, so Kuroko made some tea for them both, which they took in the living room.

"Kuroko. Your crush…" A kind smile spread Kuroko's lips.

"I told you before, Akashi-kun. I'm fine, you don't need to answer." Akashi bit his lip and hesitated. Did that mean Kuroko didn't want a relationship with him, or didn't feel that way anymore, but merely felt the need to tell him just to get it off his chest? He felt his other self sigh and push to the front. He let him, knowing that he'd probably deal with it better than he would.

"Tetsuya." He said, sitting down next to the tealette. Tetsuya looked up at him, tilting his head.

"Yes, Akashi-kun?" He reached for his hand, which Tetsuya gave, frowning a little in confusion. "Is this still about –" Akashi smiled, widely.

"I love you, Tetsuya." And Akashi felt rather proud that he actually got Tetsuya to gape, his eyes wide in surprise.

"You what?" The polite speech was gone, which amused Akashi.

"I said I love you." He softened his voice, one hand reaching up to cup Tetsuya's cheek. The tealette unconsciously leaned into the touch.

"Is this coming from you, or both of you?" Tetsuya frowned. "Because it would be awkward if only one of you loved me, even if I have a crush on you both." Akashi chuckled liltingly, leaning forward and putting their foreheads together.

"Isn't it also awkward if two personalities in the same body love you?" The tealette appeared to give this actual, serious thought, making Akashi laugh. "Oh, you're precious, Tetsuya." He shook his head. "No, this is form us both, my other self is merely being ridiculously nervous about it." Tetsuya blinked.

"Why?" Akashi kissed his forehead in a friendly gesture, as neither personality had any idea of how Tetsuya would receive the affection.

"Because it's a little nerve-wracking, telling someone you love them, even if you know the other one likes you too." Tilting his head, Tetsuya's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Oh. Should I have felt nervous when I told you I had a crush on you, Akashi-kun? Looking back, I think I was excited that I finally knew what a crush was and how I felt about you. Is nervousness what I should have felt? Should I not have told you?" Akashi laughed, while both of him low-key cooed over how cute and clueless Tetsuya was.

"No. You feel how you want about telling me. If you felt it was okay, then it was. If you didn't feel nervous, then you didn't." He smiled gently at the tealette. "There is no rules about how you are supposed to feel about telling people you like or love them, merely what the media and society tell us is the norm, which doesn't exist because no two people feel the same way about a situation." Tetsuya nodded, smiling.

"Okay, thank you for telling me. Then, seeing as Akashi-kun feels the same way anyway, he can tell me when he wants." Akashi drew him into a hug, and let his original self take control again.

"Thank you, Kuroko." Akashi felt Kuroko smile into his shirt.

"It's okay, Akashi-kun."

"Seeing as we're going to be together, do you think that's close enough for you to start calling me by my name?" Kuroko chuckled.

"I do call you by your name, Akashi-kun. What else do you think I've been calling you all this time?" Akashi snorted uncharacteristically.

"Don't be smart. Call me Seijuurou." He entreated. Kuroko was quiet for a moment before pulling away and looking up at him. His eyes were serious.

"Are you sure?" Akashi nearly rolled his eyes, but playfully narrowed them instead.

"Are you defying me?" Huffing a laugh, Kuroko shook his head.

"No, I would never, Seijuurou-kun." Akashi grinned at getting the stubborn tealette to agree without much fuss, and decided he'd push his luck.

"Would you drop the suffix?" Kuroko's amused look told him he knew what he was doing and wasn't taking it seriously.

"No." Akashi was startled into laughter when he felt an extremely uncharacteristic whine travelling up his throat, but let Kuroko think that it was his blunt, monosyllabic response to the request.

And it's done! There will, for those who wish to read that kind of thing, be a slightly more mature version of this on AO3. I'm not going to tell you exactly what happens (mainly because I sort-of wanted to keep this quite clean, hence the T rating) but some stuff goes down. It will be up in the next two day. It will be this exact story, but with the higher-rated stuff happening straight after the end of this chapter.

My username is the same, so feel free to head on over there in the next two days (I'll hopefully have it up by tomorrow evening) for you to enjoy ;)

(Also, for those that really want it, I am debating doing an addition to this story, with two options: Kuroko and Akashi tell their friends/schoolmates that they are together or one where poor Kuroko is about to turn twenty-one and his parents start becoming an issue, well more than usual (this one would feature a protective and awesome Akashi, and if you want, awesome and supportive papa-Akashi) so I'll leave you guys to make your decision, if you want to make it at all)

BP