THIS IS A PREVIEW TO THE ACTUAL STORY. IT SHOWS THE NIGHT AKASHI WAS PLANNING HIS SUICIDE INSTEAD OF JUMPING RIGHT INTO THE PRESENT. FOR THOSE INTERESTED, HERE IT IS.
6:43 December 26th, 2013
Kuroko-kun, I need you to come over. It's an emergency.
6:44 December 26th, 2013
Aomine-Kun? Are you free? I bought you some of those magazines you like.
6:45 December 26th, 2013
Murisakibara-kun, come over ASAP. I miss you.
6:46 December 26th 2013
Midorima-kun, did you notice the update in Oha-Asa? I printed it out. Come over.
6:46 December 26th 2013
Kise-kun, with regret I have finally decided to accept your friendship request. Come over.
Akashi sighed and leaned backwards into his chair, wrapping gauze around the fresh wounds in his arms. He threw on a sweater with sleeves to cover the bandages up, wincing as he moved his arms in circular motions. As his eyes grazed his organized desk, he leaned forward and peered at his own handwriting. His eyes darted shamefully across the page, and in anger he crinkled up the page, opening a drawer and shoving the paper out of his sight.
He was stronger than that. He was not a God; did he forget his own place?!
What a SHAME he was to himself.
Words couldn't express how disgusted Akashi was. He had never sunk so low in his life. He was not someone he needed pity. He was not a man who would grovel.
The doorbell rang, and Akashi fixed his hair in the mirror.
Midorima.
He thought, opening the door to a fresh-faced, green-eyed man, looking certainly angry.
"Update? I didn't receive an update from—"
"Akashicchi! I'm so glad you wanna be friends!"
Akashi sighed. These fools were so stupid. Yet, he knew that they were the only ones he could depend on in these times, whether they knew he was depending on them or not. He opened the door wider for his guests, digging his toes into the welcome mat.
"In due time. Come in."
As Kise and Midorima settled onto his living room couch—and to Akashi's annoyance, Kise crinkling the plastic covers he had so meticulously placed upon them—the doorbell rang again.
Murisakibara.
He opened the door, his head already tilted up to meet Murisakibara's tall gaze.
"Aka-chin? I miss you too.".
"Akashi-kun, is something wrong?" Kuroko asked, coming up behind Murisakibara.
Murisakibara leaned forward to peek inside, his eyes falling when he realized that not only was Kuroko present, Kise and Midorima were also.
"Oh." He said sourly, pulling out a stick of maiubo he had purchased on his way over.
Akashi frowned but let the two of them inside, peeking his head out and counting to ten for Aomine to arrive.
3…2…1…
"Oi, Akashi! I was buying new basketball shoes, y'know?! These better be damn good magazines!"
Akashi smirked and crossed his arms, waiting with his arms crossed as Aomine barged into his home without waiting for an invitation. Such was Aomine Daiki, though.
Kuroko looked around as he realized what was happening. He sighed, wondering what Akashi truly wanted, since none of them even attended the same school anymore. And whenever the Generation of Miracles hung out, whether it was before or the present, Akashi was not usually around.
They all sat on Akashi's couches, white and uncomfortable, their heads buzzing with contempt. A quick glance around revealed that most everything in the household was colored white, save for the throw rugs strategically planted around the plush carpets. It didn't show Akashi's true nature at all—his complete originality. But at the same time, it perfectly showed how Akashi kept everything cool on the outside. He was like a stone-faced mystery on the outside, but inside, he was abuzz with overlapping thoughts.
"Akashi-kun? Why are we here?" Kuroko asked innocently, tucking his arm under his chin.
Akashi's face remained emotionless. He glanced back and forth at them. What could he say?
You're here to keep me at peace.
You're here to keep me from killing myself.
But the worst of his thoughts was that incessant buzzing in the back of his head.
they'llneverknowifyoutouchitstupi dstupidgoaheadwhocaresifyoug etintroubleNOBODYstupidworth lessjustjumpgoahead.
Troubling enough was the double talk in the front of his mind:
Are they stupid? Know your place. I can see everything. I am so intelligent. This intellect; it must be a gift from God. I have true talent.
Simultaneously, this tortured boy used his eyes to see the future of others. He was gifted; he was cursed.
"You are here because it was Christmas yesterday, and I have gifts for all of you."
They all wordlessly mumbled, baffled at Akashi's behavior, the behavior they could never seem to follow nor map out.
"Midorima-kun, a specialized alarm clock purchased from Oha-Asa—it wakes you up, then tells you your horoscope. You don't need to check your cell phone anymore,"
Midorima looked pleasantly surprised at the useful gift.
"Aomine-kun, your magazines—as promised."
Aomine smirked as Akashi handed him four copies of BUSTY BEAUTIES.
"Tetsuya-kun, free vanilla shake coupons for a month."
Kuroko thanked him as his eyes widened in pleasure.
"Kise-kun, I got you the outfit from your last modeling session, the one you wanted badly."
"Oh!" Kise cried.
"This was so expensive though, Akashicchi!"
"Murisakibara-kun,"
Slanted yet hopeful eyes looked up at him.
"…I got you… No, what do you want, Murisakibara-kun?"
It seemed like a challenge to Murisakibara. Akashi was asking him if he was willing to admit how he felt in front of the entire GoM. But, was he? He didn't care what they thought—honestly, half the time, he forgot their first names—but he longed for privacy, where Akashi wanted none.
"…Aka-chin."
"Hmm?"
"I want… to… play a game, with Aka-chin, and the others."
Akashi smirked. Murisakibara had lost.
"Fine then."
But honestly, he didn't mind. These teammates of his, the ones sitting in a circle with him the day after Christmas, were the ones keeping him alive. They were the ones… without them realizing it, they were the ones he depended on when he needed help. And he oh, so, desperately needed their help.
Please review! Let me know what you think, and let me know if you want more! Also, IMPORTANT: MuriAka or NONE? I can do no pairings, or if you suggest others to me, I may consent.