EPILOGUE

Last Gift

For so long Akashi had never felt in peace as much as he lay half asleep there, not even the heavens could have this effect on him. For so long he waited and wish for a day like this to come, but being an immortal, an angel back then it was like a bird's wish to swim, and a fish to climb a tree. Opening his eyes he saw the ceiling above him, this is…he smiled to himself a he turn to his side and found a certain brunette in his side curled up, sleeping peacefully. He would lie if he said he said he doesn't remember how they ended up like that, it was after dinner, he actually wanted to take up the couch or the guest room, but in the middle of the night Furihata woke up crying and looking for him. He went up and calmed him down, which ended up with him kissing the brunette. How can one blame him, it has been so long and seeing Furihata like that, crying and looking for him, just how cannot he? He didn't know what kind of self-restraint he had to actually stop himself from kissing the sunlight out of him? Whatever self-restraint he had back then, he definitely lost that last night. It felt like the best thing that has ever happened to him, Furihata is the best thing that had ever happened to him. His voice when he would say his name, that blush in his cheeks, the taste of his lips and his skin. He realized he would never get tired of those, of looking at him, holding him, and tasting him all together. Being human—it surely felt great, he didn't know how he lived all his life without knowing this.

He looked at Furihata at his side, tracing the outline of his bare shoulder poking out of the duvet, that beautiful tanned skin, and that small mark of he made there at the nape of his neck. He looked like…heaven. Of course, because, this is his heaven, he is his heaven. His long dark brown lashes and that small button nose, how can he not love him? He was everything that he ever wished to hold. The slender slightly calloused hand over his chest that belonged to him, radiated the faintest but gentlest heat.

He'll never leave again, he didn't want to miss every inch of this human life. He didn't know what he'll do anymore if he didn't spend it in the side of this brunette. He smiled and kissed the mop of brown locks making the smaller male stir in his lips and pulled Akashi closer for a hug, burying his face in his bare chest. He chuckled at the sight, Furihata always looked shy and reluctant but when they were just the two of them, just like this Furihata held him as much. He sighed and slowly and gently slid away from the comforting warmth. He took a quick bath and dressed.

He left the room and went down before he stood there in the kitchen, he wanted to do something for Furihata, maybe cook a breakfast…but he didn't want to burn the house either. If he gets things wrong Furihata will still eat them surely and he'd say it was okay when it taste like mud and dry leaves. He shook his head, he didn't want that. But what can he do? He looked at the kitchen, maybe he should…clean? Ah, yes, that one he can. He took a rag and started with the counter, he wiped the counter clean which wasn't very difficult because Furihata always kept the kitchen as clean as possible. He looked over the sink and ran the water to clean the sides of the sink. After getting those two parts clean he heard a faint scream then something falling, raising a brow, Akashi left his station only to find a poorly dressed Furihata coming down from the stairs almost tripping down on his feet looking in a hurry. Akashi found it funny how his hair was sticking out everywhere and his shirt was he sure he should be wearing something so thin in this weather? His pants were wrinkled as well. "Oh my, what time is it?" he asked Akashi.

Akashi smiled and turned to look at the clock, "It is eleven in the morning." He said. Furihata's eyes widen in shock.

"Already?" he asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Akashi answered puzzled, "Is…something you have to do today?"

Furihata nodded, "I-Its Christmas eve today."

Akashi's eyes widen, "You…celebrate Christmas?"

"No actually, its—Oh my!" Furihata exclaimed, "I haven't wrapped their gifts yet!"

Akashi wasn't getting any proper answer to his question, Furihata dashed pass him as he ran to the living room. Akashi followed behind him as he found Furihata pulling a few paper bags in the corner. Since when did Furihata started celebrating Christmas, and weren't those too much gifts? Who are they giving them to anyway? Furihata started running all over the living room pulling and grabbing all sorts of items. After a few minutes Akashi found him starting to wrap the gifts in colourful wrappers. Akashi sat next to Furihata watching him getting scotch tape all over his hands from wrapping that not so little stuff animal of a dog that looked awfully like—"It looks like Tetsuya." Akashi commented.

"Eh, you noticed too?" Furihatasaid as he continued with his work, "This is for him and Kagami."

"…Oh…him and Kagami?" Akashi chuckled, "As much as I hate to admit, he and Kagami Taiga does make quite a pair."

Furihata laughed, "I agree."

"So, let me guess, this is my brothers' idea, yes?"

"Yes." Furihata admitted chuckling, "I almost forgot about today."

"They'll understand if you did." Akashi said chuckling as he looked at that visible bite mark.

Furihata blushed as he found Akashi intense gaze on his neck, he quickly raised a hand over his neck, "W-What's in m-my neck?"

Akashi chuckled and shrugged, "Property of Akashi Seijuuro."

"No." Furihata pouted, "Y-You left a mark purposely?"

Akashi shrugged again, "Who knows?"

"Wha—" Furihata blushed even darker and decided he'll just return to his work. Akashi smiled at the other's reaction, he missed talking like this to him. Just being there next to him, hearing him speak, looking at him. "Y-You're…uhm staring."

"I can't help it." Akashi said, "I wanted to look at you, my senses missed you, my eyes most of all."

"Y-You were staring last night as well!" Furihata exploded in thpusand shades of red as he remembered the night before, Akashi kept whispering how much he missed him, loves him and how much he looked so beautiful right then.

"Oh that one is different."

"Eh!"

Akashi chuckled as he cupped Furihata's cheek and turned him to face him before kissing the corner of his mouth, leaving the brunette lost for words and blushing madly, "See, what I'm talking about?" he said in a low seductive voice just a few inches against his skin. He felt Furihata's hand grabbed the front of his shirt hesitantly, he was always a bit shaky about everything, well not that it matters, actually it made him look more endearing in Akashi's eyes. "You're shaking again." He whispered in his ear. He felt him shiver making his smirk wider.

"S-Stop t-teasing." Furihata said, the scissor was left in the floor and with the scotch tapes.

"Hm," Akashi hummed before pulling Furihata by the waist and burying his face in his shoulder planting soft kisses in the exposed skin. "I don't know what you're saying."

Furihata squeaked in surprise as he felt those warm kisses leaving a burning sensation in his skin, he pulled harder on the clothing in his hands. Damn all this supressed feelings. And Akashi's voice wasn't helping at all, his damn cool voice. Akashi's kisses started climbing to the base of his neck down below his jaw, he bit his lip to stop all those moans from slipping, but Akashi just know how to make him break. He traced his jaw with kisses to the back of his ear and gave it a lick, then he just—"Nghn—Aka—Sei!" he breathed out, keeping his voice down is much difficult that he originally thought. He heard Akashi chuckle, damn he was enjoying this too much, Furihata blushed.

"Too cute." He whispered before pulled away only to lean closer to Furihata's lips. Those quivering lips looks like they were begging to be claimed, when Furihata didn't show any signs of protest against his action he leaned in closer and kissed him in the lips. He inhaled his favourite scent, Furihata, he smelled of fresh autumn and fire, and all those addicting substance. He deepen the kiss prying his lips to open, and he did moaning, he cupped his face with both of his hands and he felt all that electricity coursing in his body. Furihata's hands unclenched and slid to his shoulder. His mouth tasted like something unique, something he'd say was his own flavour and he loved it. It made him giddy, dizzy, high all at once. He was drowning in the pools named Furihata Kouki, and he'd love to stay there. He slightly bit his plump lips, that felt so soft so…enticing before returning to kissing him open mouthed.

"Sei—Ahn!"

Damn, if he keeps moaning his name like that he won't be able to hold back and he'll surely strip him right here. It took everything Akashi had to pull away from the blushing mess of adorable brunette. He wrapped his arms around his waist again and pressed his forehead against his shoulder, "I think you got something to do?"

"I-I was a-about t-to s-stop you."

"Oh, you were, huh?" Akashi said teasingly.

"I-I was really!"

"I thought you were enjoying."

"I-I was n-not!"

.

.

.

Kagami sighed, why did he agreed to host the Christmas party again? His apartment looked like it was hosting a disco, there was just so much noise. After a few weeks of finding Kuroko he found himself a new apartment, since he didn't want to stay much in Alex's flat because she was teasing him every time she finds an opportunity and he swore the blush in his face will be permanent if they didn't move out. Kuroko got a part time job in the café Furihata works, even without saying the teal haired boy was concerned of the other after he told about Akashi. Kagami would lie if he said it didn't affect Kuroko as well, sometimes in the middle of the night Kuroko would have a nightmare, he would cry about his brother, or how about it was his fault. Survivor's guilt, maybe. He took a job in local library too since he likes books very much. But of course Kuroko never wanted his brothers to know of this, he wanted a normal life. And by normal was this. Kise was practically shouting at Aomine how he was doing the fruitcake wrong, and Aomine barking about how he knows what he is doing which apparently isn't really the case. Kuroko was busy putting the gifts under the Christmas tree, he was so excited to buy gifts for his brothers for the first time using his own salary, he bought Kise and Aomine almost a striking pair of shoes—which he based using Kagami's size complaining how they can't find much of shoes in that size. Meanwhile he both Midorima and Takao a pretty big brown rabbit stuff toy, Kuroko said he remember Takao saying something about how Midorima got a Hawk keychain in his mobile phone—surely it was because Takao's last name could be translated as such, Takao mentioned about how Midorima sometimes reminded him of a rabbit. Kuroko got Himuro a nice jacket while he got Murasakibara a limited edition green tea Pocky pack and that liquorice flavoured candy he requested to him way before. Lastly he got Furihata a simple black sweatshirt, Kuroko noticed how he only have two pair of sweatshirt he wore, sometimes he doesn't even bring one to work.

"Hey!" Kagami turned to the doorway and found Takao casually coming in with a bag of drinks in hand, "We got some—"

"We're underage!" Aomine said in the kitchen. Takao said something about beer while he pulled Midorima out to the store.

Takao chuckled , "Oh you and Kagami are, the rest isn't."

"I think Takao-kun has a point." Kuroko said.

"Oh no you don't!" Kagami was sure that Kuroko wouldn't be able to handle alcohol…he just know.

"Takao, shut up." Midorima said as he closed the door, "We didn't get any liquor do not believe this bafoon."

"Aww, you hurt my feelings!"

The two walked to the kitchen and settled the drinks in the counter, they got a few cola. Kagami wondered how the hell this tall stoic guy, with the habit of calling everyone an idiot except for Kuroko fell in love with a happy go lucky like Takao. It was just…strange. Well he saw Aomine liking Kise, well Aomine was a sucker for good looks honestly if he didn't know any better he'd be scared of this guy stealing his Kuroko. Oh well. "What time is it anyway." Kagami asked as he pulled his phone from his pocket, he blinked and found a message there from Himuro, as he clicked the message he heard a knock on his door.

"I'll get it Kagami-kun." Kuroko dashed to the door and he was welcomed by the sight of a beaming Himuro with Murasakibara behind him. Himuro was holding something that made Kuroko smile. "Congratulations Murasakibara-kun, Himuro-kun."

Himuro giggled before he pulled Kuroko in a hug, "Long time no see!" he said cheerfully, "Where's Taiga? Had he been treating you well?"

Kuroko nodded, "Yes, I missed you too Himuro-san, come in?"

Himuro smiled and stepped in greeting everyone, Murasakibara looked at his younger brother and smiled, "Merry Christmas Kuro-chin." He said as moved pass the teal haired boy with big paper bags in his hands. Kuroko closed the door behind him and joined the group. It was getting noiser, Kise ran to Himuro asking how the competition went, Himuro gladly told them. Kise borrowed the trophy and showed it to Aomine asking if the basketball trophy looks the same, Aomine shrugged saying it would be bigger. Takao congratulated the two and Midorima as well. Murasakibara asked something about the clinic which Midorima answered in technical sense.

"Its almost midnight." Kagami said as he walked to Kuroko's side, Kuroko blinked and turned to the wall clock, it was indeed close to midnight.

"Furihata-kun hasn't answered our calls since this evening." He said with a hint of concern towards the other, "Do you think he's…upset?"

Kagami pulled the other and kissed his head, "Stop worrying, maybe he's just caught up on something, you know him."

"But…he might feel out of place…Akashi-kun…if he was only here."

"Come on, you're sounding like you're blaming yourself again."

"Isn't it my fault anyway?"

"It is not, okay?" Kagami said, "How many times do we have to talk about this?"

Kuroko looked like he was suddenly reprimanded by his parents, he looked meekly down at his feet muttering an apology. "Maybe he's just caught up with the gifts, you know him, sometimes he does extra effort for small things." Kagami said ruffling Kuroko's head gently. "He'll be here soon. I'll ring him again if that's what you want."

"Ah, where's Furihata?" Takao suddenly asked, "Its almost time."

"Aww, yeah, I hope he's not gonna ditch our Christmas party." Kise said as he flopped down on the couch.

"I hope not." Takao said, he knew what the other felt, after confirming from Kuroko about Akashi's fate the boy looked like he had lost it all. And maybe he really did lost it all the moment Akashi left. It was sad, ever since then the spark in those youthful eyes was lost. They always wanted to help him, but Takao knows, even how much medicine was given if it is not the right one they could never heal or make him any better. Because they were not Akashi, they can never be him, and replace that hole the man punched in his soul.

"Should we prepare dinner already?" Himuro asked, "I mean in case Furihata comes, at least we're almost done right?"

"Alright, I'll check the fruit cake!"

Kise ran to the kitchen and checked the cake they were baking, he said something about how Aomine made a mess there and told him to help and clean there. Kuroko walked to Himuro asking how Akita is. "It was really cold there!" Himuro said sighing, "Really it's a bit too cold there."

"Oh, I hope it wasn't too much asking you to come here."

"Oh not at all," Himuro said, "We wanted to anyways."

"AH! GUYS ITS TWELVE ALREADY!" Takao exclaimed at the top of his lungs.

"Takao you do not have to shout."

"But I'm so excited Shin-chan!"

"Merry Christmas!" Kise exclaimed as he ran to the living room and hugged Kuroko. "Merry Christmas Kurokocchi!"

"Merry Christmas everyone!" Himuro said with a smile.

It was all laughs and giggle, but for Kuroko it was all muffled, he stood there staring at the door. It was twelve already, where was Furihata? He frowned. It would had been happier if Furihata was here. He must have been there all alone in his room…crying again.

Knock Knock

Aomine slid from the buzzling noise as he walked to the door. Opening it he found a brunette standing there in a brown coat and red scarf, his cheeks were red from the cold and he was smiling, in his hands were paper bags. Aomine smiled back, "We thought you're gonna ditch us, already." He said as Aomine moved to let him in. Furihata stepped in bowing his head at Aomine. When everyone saw the brunette stepping in, everyone stopped.

"Furi…hata-kun." Kuroko and as if on cue everyone practically ran for Furihata in a group hug.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS FURIHATA!"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS FURIHATACCHI!"

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

"T-Thank you everyone!" Furihata said as one by one they detached themselves, they spoke all at once making it difficult for the brunette to actually catch up on any of them. They seem all worried when he didn't come earlier than he usually does. Kise pulled him in the living room and helped him with his coat saying something about the fruit cake he baked and the recipe he got from a book in the library where Kuroko worked. Furihata settled the paper bags on the couch and listened to everyone talking about how they thought he would never come.

"Thank you for coming Furihata-kun." Kuroko said smiling, "I know it must have been a hard year, but…we really wanted to celebrate this. Thank you."

Furihata shook his head with a smile. "No, thank you for always being there. You and Kagami, and everyone else."

Kuroko smiled back.

"Let's open gifts Muro-chin." Murasakibara said in the corner.

"Murasakibara's right before we could all forget." Midorima said.

"Oh, uhm, can I uhm have my gift first?" Furihata said all of the sudden. Kagami raised a brow at the brunette. "I-I mean uhm…can you get my gift first for everyone?"

"Oh sure!" Takao said happily as he grabbed the bag in couch.

"Oh not that." Furihata said before he walked to towards the door.

"You left your gift outside?" Aomine asked.

Furihata smiled sheepishly, "W-Well its not my idea, it was his."

"His?" everyone asked in unison before Furihata opened the door and this time everyone's eyes widen.

Standing there with a smile they knew ever since, with the scarlet hair that they would never mistake for someone else's, and those heterochromatic eyes. Tears started welling up in those shocked eyes.

"Merry Christmas."

Kuroko moved quickly and hugged the man standing there outside the door. Kise started crying as he ran after Kuroko and hugged the man as well, Murasakibara walked towards them with a smile, Midorima was shock however relief was evident in his face. There were sounds of crying and muffled words all together. There was no questions asked, right then the only thing they understood was, for the first time in the long time, they were together, and they were happy. It was like dream they all once saw, a far of dream. But today, in that snowy day in December, with the cheerful noise of the Christmas, it was no longer a dream. And they were happy and contented, the tears that was shed that day were tears of joy, of a joyous celebration of a coming home, of coming.

It was the best Christmas gift they had ever had.

.

.

Carry on my wayward sons

There'll be peace when you are done

Lay your weary hearts to rest

…Don't you cry no more…