Well hello there. Welcome to the last chapter of this fanfic!

Honestly, I was ambivalent about how harsh I was on Miyoko. I thought about literally setting her on fire but then was like "nah, that's a little bit overboard… just a little" lolololol

Anyways, I won't keep you from reading if you've even bothered to read this. ENJOY!

2748 words

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Kuroko was stunned.

He didn't expect the wedding to blow up like this. He expected Miyoko to be the bitch she was and walk down the aisle, basking in the attention she would receive from showing off her extravagant gown then say her half-hearted vows that were probably going to be flattering herself and then be officially married and prance off to the reception while he stood at the venue's double doors, emotionless and heartbroken. Never did he expect Akashi to bait the women by declaring bankruptcy to see her reaction and have her reveal her true nature and make a large fool of herself.

Watching the wedding go down in flames made him ambivalent. Yes, seeing Miyoko embarrass herself was a dream come true but it started to feel annoying and he actually felt bad when she started downing a bottle. He knew better than to help her, but he did feel some pity and when she decided to get physical, he had to do something. She basically assaulted his friend/boss/mentor and he wasn't having that all.

But to be honest, the most surprising thing that happened was Akashi's actions. Sure, declaring that the conglomerate was going under was jaw-drop-worthy but the fact that the redhead, for once, protected him threw him off guard. Throughout the whole time he has known the man, never had he actually completely stood up for him no matter how hard Kuroko tried. When Akashi blocked the assault, he could feel his heart swoon a little and even though the man had an aura of anger radiating off him, he still looked at Kuroko with such kindness and moved him away with delicacy. It was curious and all he could do was stare at his back while he stood up to (more like destroyed) Miyoko in front of everyone.

When Akashi ordered everyone to leave, he wasn't really sure that he wanted to go but still left to stay out of sight yet listen to the aftermath before fleeing to the reception.

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"That. Was. Amazing!" Aomine guffawed as he gobbled down the entrees Kagami brought out from the kitchen. "I can't believe that actually happened!"

"Don't talk with your mouth full," Midorima scolded.

"I have all of it on video!" Momoi said proudly. "That bitch got what she deserved. But I wish I got the ending too! Akashi's just too terrifying to go against."

"Yeah, I got chills when he started going in on Miyoko and then demanded that we all leave," Kise added nervously.

"How are you feeling, Tetsu?" Aomine asked. He wrapped his arm around the smaller bluenette and shook him lightly. "I swear if Akashi didn't step up, I would've hit the bitch and then punch the douchebag before dragging you out of there."

"Of course you would take the brute way out."

"How sloppy," Kise snorted.

"No etiquette whatsoever," Midorima scoffed.

"Hey!"

Aomine ruffled Kuroko's hair until his baby blue locks stuck up in all different directions and Kuroko smiled lightly. The table laughed together (except one green haired human that was forced to sit in this table) as they continued to talk about everything that just happened and basically shared their favorite moments.

Kuroko only half listened to the group chattering and laughing as his eyes always seemed to go back to the entrance of the reception. He couldn't help himself but whenever he would catch someone walking in or out from the corner of his eyes, he would look over. He really hoped that he wasn't too obvious that he wanted to see the redhead.

"You're not hungry?"

Kuroko didn't peel his eyes away from the door. "You know I don't have a huge appetite like you Aomine-kun. Feel free-."

"That's too bad. It seems rather phenomenal."

An arm reached over Kuroko's shoulder and completely blocked his view of the entrance. He could smell the Acqua Di Gio cologne lingering over his shoulder and the warmth nearing his upper back. Whoever it was, picked up a piece of the chicken on his full plate and the arm bent to wrap around Kuroko's neck gently before lips near his cheek devoured it.

"Akashi-kun," Midorima greeted sternly.

Akashi-kun?

Kuroko had to take a second before he processed that whoever was leaning over him was the man he was looking for. He tried his best not to flail as he pushed himself away and turn around. His jerky movements made the table to make a sound and the utensils to move.

"What-? When did you get here?" Kuroko said calmly.

"Not long ago. If you want to know, I entered through another way," Akashi responded with an amused look on his face. "I'm not really in the mood to talk to any guests who feel like approaching me so I took the back door in."

"Akashi-kun, do you want to sit with us?" Momoi offered. "We can ask Kagamin to make a dish for you too!"

"No thank you. I don't plan on staying very long." The redhead smiled politely and then looked back at Kuroko. "Can we take privately?"

Kuroko cocked one of his eyebrows and then looked at the table. Everyone was watching the two of them with interest and a tad uneasy, especially Aomine.

He could see his best friend's arms crossed and his eyebrows furrowed. He already knew that Aomine and Kagami didn't like Akashi for putting him through all that shit and they both highly disapproved of him. They had every reason to want to kill Akashi especially when he came to them crying, and that was something he has never done.

"Kuroko?" Akashi asked interrupting his thoughts.

"He doesn't want to talk," Aomine growled. He got up from his seat and stepped between the two. He completely blocked their vision of each other.

"Was I asking you?"

"No but you have no right to talk to him because of all this bullshit. I'm just protecting my friend right here unlike you ever did before today."

Akashi didn't respond knowing that Aomine was right but the two silently glared at each, making the tension rise around them.

"It's okay, Aomine-kun." Kuroko got up from his chair and patted the other bluenette's back. Aomine looked and him and Kuroko returned a look with a small smile. "Thank you. But I'll keep our conversation short."

"Tetsu-."

"I won't be gone very long. If I am, you can raise some hell and get Kagami to help you." Kuroko squeezed through the two men and then began walking to one of the exits.

Aomine frowned and then looked at Akashi, silently communicating that he would gut him if Kuroko came back crying or upset or wasn't back at a decent time which Akashi rolled his eyes to before following the small bluenette.

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The sky was a darkened copper, purple hue as snowflakes fell from the sky and although there was no wind, it was terrifyingly cold. There were some people, mostly staff, outside smoking or some guests taking a breather or ready to leave the party.

Akashi watched Kuroko huddle into his scarf as he led the way to wherever was most private. He couldn't really tell if the bluenette was playing with his hands due to nerves or trying to warm up. The man was already in a large puff jacket, gloves, and a knitted scarf that looked very cozy and he would just love to wrap his neck around. Maybe pull Kuroko closer to him and they could-

"Akashi-kun, do you want to go inside or stay out here?" Kuroko asked.

The redhead cleared his throat and quickly erased his recent thoughts. In front of them was the church where the debacle occurred earlier and it looked grim. It wasn't even because of the fiasco that occurred but just looking at it, it seemed like the place was haunted by something supernatural. All the lights were turned off and it was completely secluded from the reception and parking lot. It was almost as if the place was avoided. "I think I rather stay out here if you don't mind. If you think it's too cold, we can go inside if you-."

"No, it's okay." There was a split second of anguish on his face but Kuroko just dug his face deeper into the scarf.

They sat on a somewhat clean patch of the steps that was covered by a roof. They were sitting about a foot apart but not making any contact whatsoever.

Kuroko focused on his warmth to avoid even peeking at the man next to him, scared that he would crack his calm facade. He was really nervous. Yes, he was searching for Akashi before and maybe he wanted to talk to him but that was wishful thinking and it wasn't like he really knew what to say. Half of him hated the redhead because of all unproclaimed baggage that came with him and managed to be forced onto Kuroko while the other half still had a crush and wants to see only the good and sweet relationship they had before.

"I'm sorry."

Kuroko's ears perked up. "P-pardon?"

"I want to apologize for everything that happened. I never expected to find someone like you nor did I expect everything to blow up and force everyone to get involved with the conflicts," Akashi explained. "Most of all, I didn't expect to meet someone like you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kuroko scrunched his nose and shifted uneasily.

Did he mean that he regretted ever talking or getting to know the bluenette? Was it that difficult to be near someone who didn't make more than six figures nor wore the newest not-in-stores spring collection? Was he disgusted that he got in the way of Akashi's possibility of an even more successful life?

"You have no idea what you do to me," Akashi continued. "I haven't felt content in forever. Satisfied, yes, but that's from materialism and focusing strictly on my business and only that. When I am- was with you, I wouldn't have minded to just stay by your side and forget about everything else."

Heterochromatic eyes looked at Kuroko.

"I don't expect you to forgive me for not telling you that I was engaged or that I decided to go on with our relationship despite supposedly getting married in two months. You shouldn't forgive me at all… but I don't want to lose you. It's selfish but I can't lose you. I don't want to lose my chance of actually being content but I don't want to force you into anything. I don't ever want to put you through-."

Kuroko stood up abruptly. He couldn't hear it anymore. "Please stand up, Akashi-kun."

"What? Wh-?"

"Please."

Although confused, he obeyed. The redhead stood up and brushed off any snowflakes on his pants. Kuroko wasn't looking at him but at the floor with balled up fists.

Did he push too far? Did he officially fuck up to the point of no return? Was he too late because he went with his head instead of his hear-

Before he could dodge, a fist slammed into his cheek and the surprise knocked him over and back down on the steps. He never expected that to happen nor Kuroko to use violence even after all of Miyoko's over-the-top, infuriating antics.

Kuroko was surprised too as he watched the redhead recover and a red mark formed on his cheek. He thought about punching the redhead many times but never actually thought he'd go through with it. He was just so angry and it had been building up for a while. He really did like Akashi and now he knew the other felt the same, but why couldn't he have been more sensible during everything that happened? He was hurting more than Akashi was ever and he wasn't sure what he wanted now.

Don't get him wrong. He still had feelings for the man but he didn't want to run back to him so easily even though that was exactly what he wanted to do. He didn't want to look more stupid than he looked today. He didn't want to follow the man around like a lost little puppy and forget that he had been hurt. Their affair was aired out in front of everyone and honestly, Kuroko was the naive one who thought that they could ever be together. They came from different worlds and he had to fight so hard to try to be recognized and even stay on Akashi's radar. He hated the stares and confused looks people shot at him whenever he was nearby. And he hated that he never felt protected, only always judged and had people waiting for him to be thrown aside.

"Kuroko, why are you crying?"

Kuroko looked up and met Akashi's gaze. His view was all blurry and he realized that tears were streaming down his cheeks.

"I-I don't know." He used his sleeves to wipe them away but they just kept coming down. "It won't stop."

He kept wiping them away with his sleeves trying to keep his composure. His face was pretty numb from the cold and he couldn't feel himself crying or cleaning after the wetness, only a blurred vision reminded him that he should get it together. He was sniffing and slightly hiccupping more as he realized that he couldn't stop the waterworks and stop embarrassing himself.

Akashi's hands caught his movements and stilled him from wiping excessively. He pulled the bluenette into his arms and hugged tightly. He allowed Kuroko to sniffle and cry on his shoulder while he tried to soothe him by rubbing his back and whispering assurances. They stayed hugging each other in front of the church with Kuroko's face smothered into Akashi's neck and Akashi inhaling the fresh vanilla scent while his cheek was slightly brushed against the soft blue locks.

When Kuroko's sobbing stopped, it was silent and they didn't let go of each other. They only parted from each other a couple inches to look at each other. The redhead cupped those cherubic cheeks and his thumbs gently swiped away any excess tears that stained his cheeks.

"I'm not sorry for hitting you," Kuroko said almost like a whisper.

"And I'm not angry that you did," Akashi responded. "I told you I deserved it."

"I don't know if I want to be with you after all this…"

"I don't want to force you into anything or pressure you to be with me." Akashi took a step back and looked disheartened. "I… I'd understand if you want nothing to do with me but if you let me, I want to win you back. I don't ever want to hurt you again and I just want a fresh start between us. It's up to you and if you say no, then I won't push this on you."

Kuroko just looked at him with his puffy eyes. "I'm still angry at you. Everything you did and didn't do ended up hurting me the most and you left me to pick up the pieces. I don't even know whether or not I can trust you nor if I even should. You fucked up my life and my reputation in front of my coworkers and strangers. You were an asshole that didn't believe me or trust me even though I kept thinking about the best for and of you."

Akashi's gaze from him didn't faze but he did wear a deeper frown and looked disappointed.

"However, I also don't want to deny that even as much as I want to run you over with a car, I do still care about you and have feelings. I'm willing to try but if I call it off, please respect my decision and I won't be afraid to punch you again or have Aomine-kun or Kagami-kun take a swing. You're on thin ice and if you screw this up, I won't stay by your side. I won't look at your good qualities anymore and I will drop out of your life as you will to mine."

Akashi nodded in agreement an Kuroko took a long inhale and then exhaled. He took two steps back until they were an arm's length apart to stretch out his arm and hold out his hand.

"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya, nice to meet you."

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Akashi was surprised but smiled as he stepped closer to grasp the greeting. "Akashi Seijuro, pleasure to meet you."

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WELL, THIS IS IT!

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR READING THIS AND REVIEWING, FAVORITING, and/or, FOLLOWING MY FIRST FANFIC!

I'm so happy that this story made you have all types of feels and sorry for the long hiatus! This story may or may not have a sequel (although it probably should since well, you read the ending) but I do have a new story in mind.

I can't really tell if this is a somewhat satisfying ending or not. I mean I did make Akashi less than the emperor/authoritative person that he should be and Kuroko more of a 'weak' character in this fic but I did label this as OOC so you knew there was something to it.

I know a lot of people wanted Kuroko to leave Akashi's sorry ass and forget about him but come on! This is an AkaKuro fic! However, I do understand the frustration so I set an ultimatum instead. Now it all depends on how Akashi does and if he succeeds!

Once again, thank you for reading and leaving such nice feedback!

Stay tuned for my next (probably also AkaKuro) fic! :)