Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Rain pattered against the two windows in the luminated bedroom. Kuroko rolled over onto his side, facing the darkened skies peeking through the glass. The chain around his ankles rattled with every adjustment he made. The blue haired boy ruffled his head against the pillow, making himself comfortable given the current situation.

“So fluffy,” Kuroko mumbled to himself, kicking the silky covers down, threading the material in between his legs.

The retired shadow, now at the age of 23, found himself in an unusual predicament. One moment he had been on his way to visit Kagami Taiga. His childhood best friend, light and current contracted Chicago Bulls NBA player from the recommendation of his mentor and retired WNBA player Alexandra Garcia. Kagami gave him tickets to fly to the United States and watch his games as he did for years. Kuroko would always go to support his light. So what went wrong?  

Kuroko could remember getting off the train with his suitcase in hand. He remembered walking down the bustling streets to Haneda International Airport. Kagami had been on the phone with him discussing their itinerary for when he landed. Then there was darkness. 

“I hope Kagami-kun isn’t worried…,” He yawned, “He better win that game.” 

He folded the pillow against his head, feeling the cold silky case against his cheek. Realistically, he should be panicking. Fortunately for him and his love of detective novels, Kuroko remained eerily calm, much to his namesake. He could take a guess on what had happened. Years of running away from a certain group of people had finally caught up to him.

It was a game and Kuroko finally lost, much to his dismay. An unspoken game of cat and mouse between each other. He never liked losing, especially to them. So when Kuroko decided to disappear after his second year of highschool, he tried his hardest to not be found. He was a shadow after all. 

Now he was locked away in a room, yet to meet his captors. He felt like a princess stuck in a tower awaiting a prince from a children's book. It peeved him slightly, Kagami would definitely be laughing at him if he was here. A bird in a cage.

“We searched for you for years, Kuroko,” A familiar deep voice reverberated against the bedroom walls, laced with annoyance, “And the first thing I hear you mention is about Kagami Taiga.”

Kuroko sat up in his bed, scooting to the back of the headboard taking the comforter with him. He placed a pillow in between his legs, shielding him from the sudden infiltrator. Lost in thought, he didn’t hear the person who strolled into the locked room. The man’s silhouette is tall. He kept himself in the shadows of the room where the dim light did not hit.  Kuroko rubbed his eyes trying to discern who it was.

Within a split second of Kuroko adjusting himself, someone yanked down the duvet covers and pillow, keeping Kuroko protected . The gray skies gave some light to his current appearance he chose to disregard earlier and was now regretting. He wore silk black shorts and a short sleeve button up. He wrinkled his nose, it was stuffy to his taste.

“You should be worried about your current situation, Kuroko. Not with what that idiot of yours is doing.” 

“Oh, Midorima-kun. Nice to see you.” Kuroko nodded his head slightly, greeting the green haired male. 

Wordlessly, Midorima yanked at Kuroko’s leg causing the male to slide down to the foot of the bed. Kuroko’s back hit the stiff mattress, his eyes unfocused from the sudden movement. Midorima stood at the base of the bed, wrestling with Kuroko’s legs. The chains hooked around both ankles rattled in agitation.

“Midorima-kun?” Kuroko felt a little nervous, struggling in his grip. 

Kuroko heard a pop of a cap open. Midorima propped one of Kuroko’s legs up over his own shoulder, towering over the latter. The chain was long enough to keep his other foot splayed out on the bed. Kuroko couldn’t see what was happening. He tried to sit himself up with his hands to no avail. The male in front of him had been stronger.

Delicate hands massaged Kuroko’s calf, poking and prodding his soft skin. His fingers squeezed between the metal cuffs and his ankle, kneading the bruised area. Midorima slowly moved down to his thigh, rubbing in circular motions. He dug his slender fingers into the knots in the shorter male’s muscle. The cold air in the room caused his skin to prickle whenever Midorima moved on to the next spot, the warmth of his hands followed.

Kuroko twitched and shivered, not knowing how to handle this onslaught of emotions. His mouth opened slightly, puffing out air. The feeling that rose up in him surpassed his current list of emotions he allowed himself to have. It was pleasing to say the least. He gripped on the fitted sheet as best as he could, grounding himself. Fingers danced around his sensitive points skillfully.

Midorima swapped to the other leg, repeating a similar motion, massaging back and forth. His hands slid down past his pajama shorts dangerously low, applying pressure enough to bruise. Kuroko could feel a syrupy texture rub against his thighs as he tried to pull away from Midorima once more. The male ignored his attempts and continued his ministrations. Kuroko ran his own hands down his free leg, spreading the substance all over.

“Is this lotion? Midorima-kun, what are you doing?”

The rain continued to splatter against the window. Thunder roared through the room. Midorima dropped the boy's leg back down, satisfied with his work. He maneuvered Kuroko to sit up, leaving his legs to dangle off the oversized bed. Pink dusted both of the male's faces. Kuroko glanced up at the man towering over him. Lightning struck the ground, flashing enough light for Kuroko to read the man's expression.

“Concerned? Worried? Why was he…” Kuroko thought to himself, pulling at his short sleeves.

Midorima adorned an apprehensive look. His brows furrowed, pushing his glasses slightly upwards. His nose scrunched in contemplation. He began recapping the bottles of ointment and lotion. The man ruffled Kuroko’s hair, before turning around to head to the door. Midorima stopped at the entrance, turning slightly back at the confused male.

“It’s just lotion, Kuroko. I put ointment to protect your ankles as well. Those chains can’t be comfortable, but.” Midorima hesitated, not finishing his sentence.

“You… They don't trust me enough to unchain me.” Kuroko mused to himself, completing his sentence for him.

“We’re about to have dinner soon. Akashi would like you to join us.” Midorima changed the subject, pointing to his glistening hands still drying from the lotion, “We’ll let you shower and change into a new set of pajamas after you eat. Head down the stairs on your left when you’re ready.” 

“How do you know I won't escape?” 

Midorima met Kuroko’s eyes, a smirk gracing his lips for the first time since they interacted. That look said it all. Try to escape if you dare. Kuroko made an assumption there were cameras everywhere that he could and could not see. Leaving this place would be no easy matter. Kuroko covered his face with his hand, a grin of his own slipping past his usual listless face. 

He watched Midorima shut the door, listening to the mixture of footsteps fading into the distance and rain pummeling against the house. It had been no secret the Generation of Miracles, including the shadow himself, were thrill-seekers in a way. Running from boredom and chasing the adrenaline that greets them in open arms. None of them were reckless by any means, unless it came to each other.

During his own disappearance, he made sure to keep tabs on his Miracles. Kagami, Momoi, and Takao kept him informed on their life decisions, while he kept to his own path. He watched Akashi graduate early on from a well known university, taking over his father’s conglomerate business, as he was born to do. Becoming a ruthless CEO was in his blood. 

“Too bad his father’s strictness reigned over his mother’s empathy most days.” Kuroko contemplated, “Though it might not be entirely true.” Only the miracles saw his mercy. His split personality had never completely been treated even after the events of the Winter Cup. Something like that does not heal overnight.

Midorima Shintarou followed his parents path as well, ending up in the medical field. From how Takao described it, Midorima had been aiming to be a neurologist. Though he always had been ahead in school, he still had many years to go to finish his field of study. Kuroko assumed Midorima picked his degree to help Akashi at some point. His own-created shadow, Takao followed a sisterpath in nursing and psychology, mainly because he worried about the spectacled man. They were a duo, like Kagami and him. Aomine and him .

The curse of being a shadow to a light.

Murasakibara Atsushi kept to his food passion. Managing to guest star in many renowned food channel shows and competitions, he quickly managed to make a name for himself. Culinary school had been a breeze for him. The giant male stood out amongst his competition and he became the most threatening critic of them all. It wasn’t hard to keep track of the purple haired male, his TV presence aired 24/7. He even managed to, with Akashi’s help, open several renowned patisseries. Kuroko certainly enjoyed his vanilla sweet treats from the local shop nearby.

Kise Ryouta, ex model and current high fashion media star. The blonde managed to create an online presence himself during the booming business of social media consumerism. Kuroko couldn’t search for any item that hadn’t been endorsed or sponsored by Kise in the past. He had become the It-Person in the world of fashion and vlogging. His luxury life and his ever changing looks brought in a huge fanbase of all genders from all over the world.

“If only his fans knew what he really thought about everyone around him,” Kuroko sighed. Kise thought everyone was easy. If the blonde man really wanted to, he could bed anyone, manipulate his way to the top, or start a cult if he felt bored enough. Akashi would never let him though, he held Kise’s leash and Kise seemed to be fine with that.

Aomine Daiki, his precious ex-light and best friend. Like Kagami, Aomine had been recruited to the NBA in North America. The only one in the Generation of Miracles to keep playing basketball as part of an official team. The Cleveland Cavaliers signed him during his university debut a couple years back. Kuroko adored watching him play with people at his level. When he visited Kagami in America to watch his games, he would sneak off on a flight to watch Aomine’s. When he couldn’t watch, Kagami kept him updated on everything.

Unfortunately for Kagami, the two lights butted heads whenever they met, following Aomine’s question of, “Where’s Tetsu?” That question agitated the redheaded light, but a sick part of him had been pleased that he knew where Kuroko was and not the Miracles. Kagami informed Kuroko a little less than a year prior that Aomine had stopped harassing him about the shadows' location. 

"So, how did they find me?” Kuroko brooded, standing up onto the floor. Momoi would not have exposed his location. She was on his side, most of the time, unless it came down to Aomine. A bond of childhood friends is no laughing matter. Momoi grew to be a beautiful woman, following Aomine into the sports world once again, becoming a sports newscaster. She could find out anything for Kuroko if she was asked. He didn’t think she would do the same for the Miracles.

The captee wandered over to the windows of his room, peeking out to the outside world. Kuroko couldn’t see anything at all between the pouring rain and fog that covered the horizon. He could make out the tips of trees, but the ground below was far down. It would be too risky to climb down. 

Kuroko resigned to his fate, headed to the exit, chains rattling behind him. He gave a once over of the room he woke up in. The bed laid center in the room, larger than a king size bed. No colors presented on the painted walls. Everything in the room had been consistently kept uniform to a black and white code. Kuroko could only guess the room may have been a guest room at some point. They would not keep him there alone.

The young male left the room, quietly shutting the door behind him. Tiptoeing down the monochromatic hallway, he stopped at the top of the spiral stairs. The entire house he had been trapped in felt unreal, almost similar to a celebrity-model home being sold. It held no life, no color. Kuroko silently walked down the stairs, void of any noise. He tested his abilities, blending into the nothingness. If his lack of presence withstood against the group of males, then he still had an advantage.

“Let the games begin, Akashi-kun. Everyone.”

Kuroko stopped at the bottom of the staircase, holding the chains tethered to his ankles with his hands to quiet the noise.. Idle chit chat rumbled against the room. Kuroko first saw an open space living room that led into the kitchen, only separated by the island counter. The living room was large, a giant sectional sofa had been placed in the center of the room, alongside a brick fireplace with a mounted flat screen. The sofa had a square coffee table too large to blend in, a simple black tablecloth covered it. The table looked out of place in Kuroko’s opinion. Who was he to judge when a fashion designer lived here?

To his right, Kuroko saw an extended doorless archway that revealed the dining hall. His heart began beating fast. He observed that the house resides no other humans besides the six of them. No maids, chefs, or bodyguards seen anywhere.

His miracles gathered together, side by side. He was shocked to see Akashi sitting in the middle opposed to the head of the table. Nobody sat at the head. The sight reminded Kuroko of their Teiko days. Akashi sat in the middle between Midorima and Murasakibara, their backs facing the wall. His presence dominated even after sitting next to the two tallest members. The chairs that sat by the entryway had Aomine and Kise on either side, leaving the middle seat open for him. A plate stacked with all sorts of food lay steaming in wait for Kuroko.

“Oi, Murasakibara, this might be the best thing you’ve made!” Aomine acclaimed, waving his fork and knife around.

“I made it for our special guest, Minechin~” Murasakibara replied, “He feels too light…”

Midorima chimed in matter-of-factly, stabbing at the food on his plate, “He no longer carries around muscle from his athletics.”

“Midorimacchi, stop rubbing it in our faces that you got to touch Kurokocchi already!” 

“I didn’t touch him inappropriately, Kise! I was putting ointment on him! Ointment!” 

Kuroko raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, “So where did the bottle of lotion come from, Midorima-kun.”

“Ha! Yeah that’s bull, Midorima. You came down blushing.”

“Midochin’s lucky item today is lotion.” Murasakibara aided, throwing him under the bus.

Akashi remained silent, an eerie smile masked his face. He was too calm for Kuroko’s taste. He couldn’t figure out which Akashi he was seeing. The Akashi who is absolute in dominance in all his tangible ruling or the Akashi that commands allegiance in rhetoric. Kuroko may have been able to watch them for years, but he would not know how they changed mentally. Their public personas were always a mask of what they could have been. 

“Would you like to join us, Kuroko? Or are you going to stand there and watch. ” Akashi’s voice rang, causing the room to go silent. 

All eyes turned to Kuroko. He had not had this kind of attention in a long time and he could not tell if he liked this feeling. On the plus side, it looks like he gets the calmer Akashi to work with. Kuroko unglued himself from the spot at the bottom of the stairwell.

“It’s been awhile, everyone.” Kuroko deadpanned, pulling out the open chair in front of him.

“Ah, Kurokocchi! Let me get that for you! Sit down, sit down.” Kise jumped up suddenly, taking the chair out of his grip and pulling it backwards.

Not wanting to question why, the small male quickly sat down on the cushioned seats. Kise scooted the chair forward with the smaller male on it until he was pushed far enough in he couldn’t leave the table. Kuroko gripped on to the side of the armless chair, nerves kicking in. 

“Welcome home, Kuroko. How many years has it been? Six, almost seven?” Their leader hummed. 

“So glad you’re finally home! We missed you, right Aominecchi?” Kise cried, wrapping his arms around Kuroko’s neck from behind.

Kuroko grabbed the blonde's arms, struggling to breathe, “K-Kise-kun, I can’t breathe.” He frantically tapped at the man's hands for release.

“Kise, let go of Tetsu!” Aomine shoved the media star from behind Kuroko. 

Kise landed back in his seat with a big sigh, “Rude!”

Aomine wrapped his own calloused hand around Kuroko’s neck, applying pressure safely around his airways. Kuroko froze at the contact. Aomine never was the type to show his control over him, unlike Akashi. Aomine scooped up his own food and shoveled it down his own throat, his arm remained draped around the shadow and the chair.

Kuroko observed the food in front of him, it was western food. A six ounce filet mignon is the main dish. Fries and asparagus resided on the side. Kuroko scrunched up his nose at the familiar sight. It was similar to Kagami’s and his go-to dish. Kagami preferred his steak rarer than Kuroko ever did. The two of them would go to a specific steakhouse chain restaurant every time they met up in America. They actually had a plan to go as soon as Kuroko landed in Chicago, Illinois. Steak filet and asparagus may have been a common dish, but this felt too coincidental. 

The sixth member of their little group whipped up his head and gave a scrutinizing stare to the leader, “What did you do to Kagami-kun?”

The grip around his neck tightened, Aomine paused his eating to stare at his shadow. 

“That birdbrained light of yours is fine, Kuroko.” Midorima shook his head. 

“We have not harmed Kagami Taiga. Just gave him a little warning for aiding in your disappearance.” Akashi declared, staring back at the youngest.

“Kagamicchi has too much of a TV presence now! We couldn’t do anything physical if we tried to!”

That’s a lie.

“Just wait until the Bulls are in my bracket again, I will destroy that bastard.” Aomine snarled, causing Kuroko to flinch.

“Oh, Minechin don’t scare Kurochin.” Murasakibara bossed, scooping another batch of fries onto the NBA players plate.

“Where is he, Akashi-kun?” Kuroko demanded, the food on his plate growing lukewarm.

“Now, now, Tetsuya, this is supposed to be a happy reunion. Look, we even brought you a gift.” A look flashed in Akashi’s eyes, Kuroko knew all too well. He no longer was dealing with the “reasonable” Akashi, but the domineering one. Kuroko felt a hand grip his thigh. He looked down to see Kise rubbing circles with his thumb, fingers indenting his soft skin. Aomine moved in similar fashion. The hand looped around his neck squeezed and unsqueezed, keeping the shadow from being distracted.

“-But Akachin,” Murasakibara whined, “They’re not allowed in the kitchen and dining room.”

Akashi patted Murasakibara’s head to comfort the male, shaking his head in amusement, “Just this once, okay? Atsushi, it’ll make Tetsuya very happy.”

“A gift?” Kuroko cocked his head. He is getting more confused. 

“We were afraid you’d become lonely when we’re not here, Kurokocchi!” Kise stated happily, wiping fake tears from his eyes with his free hand.  

“Shintarou, would you do the honor?” Akashi directed his attention to the green haired male,  

“Must I?” Midorima grumbled, getting up from his seat. Anyone who actually knew Midorima knew he was not genuinely complaining.

Midorima strided over to the living room, heading in front of the sofa. He grabbed onto the fabric covering the coffee table, sliding it off. Kuroko couldn’t see what else he was doing, the couch blocking his view along with Aomine’s loosened grip. He heard rattling sounds, similar to a cage.

“Wake up, your owner is here.” Midorima ordered, unlocking a clasp to the crate.

Two large dogs exited the cage in a calm fashion, walking on either side of Midorima as they headed back into the dining room. Kuroko recognized the dogs immediately. Pulling himself out of Aomine and Kise’s grip, he stood up and walked a few steps to kneel down. 

“Nigou and Kagami-Nigou?” He gasped softly, holding out his arms for the dogs to come to him. 

The two dogs stayed sitting still beside Midorima, waiting for a command. They were wagging their tails which temporarily calmed Kuroko slightly, not long before the unusual behavior made him uneasy. Tetsuya-Nigou was a street dog. Sweet and loving. Kuroko was not aware of Nigou’s genetics, but he always assumed he was a husky mix of sorts. Nigou was a larger dog compared to when he was a puppy. HIs black and white fur coat remained fluffy and shedded everywhere he moved. 

Meanwhile, Kagami-Nigou was a complete and total mutt. Bold and stubborn. Kuroko gave Kagami-Nigou to one of Midorima’s teammates back in the day, but eventually he ended up with him again once he graduated out of his own college and got an apartment of his own. The mutt had reddish brown fur, not too dissimilar to Kagami and if you looked closely enough Kagami-Nigou had Kagami’s eyebrows!  

Kuroko loved these two dogs more than anything. They were basketball playing dogs, who wouldn’t love that! Even Kagami enjoyed, albeit reluctantly, playing with them on the court, putting aside his fear of dogs. He remembered those days vividly. Those puppies were full of energy and shined. The dogs Kuroko saw in front of him now seemed different.

“I hope you don’t mind Tetsuya,” Akashi began smugly, “We made a pitstop to the people dogsitting your pets that you boarded early. They quickly surrendered them with a small incentive.” He rubbed his fingers together symbolizing the money he spent.

 “Kurochin needs to hire better dogsitters. What if we were strangers?”

Kuroko kept his focus on the dogs in front of him, ignoring the condescending voices behind him. 

“Nigou, Kagami-Nigou. Come here.” Kuroko demanded.

The dogs did not budge. Midorima lifted up a hand, a small dog treat appearing in the tips of fingers. Kagami-Nigou and Tetsuya-Nigou turned to face away from their owner, looking at the green haired man instead.

“Aren’t dogs fascinating, Tetsuya?” Akashi hummed, slicing into his steak, “It only took a few days, but with enough classical conditioning they will respond to our every word.”

“You don’t like dogs, Akashi-kun.”

“Yes, but these ones are different. Brilliant just like their owner. Well, maybe not the mutt that looks like your light,” Their leader continued, “Tetsuya-Nigou has been easier to train. Just like his human.” Like all of us.

Kuroko frowned, falling into silence. They were taking things too far.  

“Oi, Midorima let the dogs go, even I can tell Tetsu might cry.” Aomine pointed out. 

Midorima tossed a treat into each of the dogs' mouths, rewarding them for their behavior. The two dogs scarfed down their treats in seconds, remaining at a heel beside Midorima. Midorima gave a signal to Kuroko’s dogs, relieving them of their commands. Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou ran towards their owner, tackling him to the ground. Kuroko fell on his bottom, petting and roughhousing with the pair.

“Isn’t this nice, Tetsuya?”

Kuroko ignored Akashi, playing with his pets. He released soft giggles from his lips. His pets crowded around him, licking his face and ears. A chair screeched behind him, someone stood up from their seat. He chose to disregard the footsteps coming around the table, pausing a few steps away from the dogpile. Silence filled the room.

“Dogs, come.” Akashi ordered, snapping his fingers.

Kagami-Nigou and Tetsuya-Nigou stopped playing immediately, turning to the dominant figure and headed beside him. Kuroko glanced at Akashi, face apathetic, if not a touch bit annoyed.

“Why…?” Kuroko cocked his head to the side.

“I don’t enjoy being ignored, Tetsuya,” Akashi acknowledged, “Let’s try this again. Isn’t this nice, Tetsuya?”

Kuroko wanted to be speechless. Akashi’s behavior had always been demanding, but he couldn’t figure out what his objective was. There had been a point to be made here, and Kuroko did not understand it. He felt the eyes of his ex-teammates 

“This is nice, thank you Akashi-kun,” he remained seated on the floor, looking up at his ex-captain with big round eyes. 

Akashi signaled to Kuroko’s pets to roam around freely. It seemed as long as they remained out of certain areas they would be safe. Kagami-Nigou and Tetsuya-Nigou whimpered their farewell before taking off up the stairs. 

“How can I escape if they have my dogs…” Kuroko contemplated his thoughts.

“Good boy, Tetsuya.” Akashi praised, walking over to the sitting male. He crouched down beside Kuroko, holding his hand out, something rested in the palm of his hand. Not sure what to do, Kuroko stuck out both his hands forming a cup. The leader dropped a piece of candy in his hands. 

Kuroko looked at the candy in his palms. The candy was wrapped in thin rice paper, with a particular logo he knew well. It was some vanilla flavored sweet he came to love one day when he ventured into one of Murasakibara’s bakeries. The candy had his name written all over, it was simple and plain like him. Vanilla could never go wrong. He figured Murasakibara would lure him out with something like this one day, but this seemed offensive.

“Really, Akashi-kun?” Kuroko felt vexed. 

“Really.” Akashi grinned, his eyes flashed with anticipation. He adored their shadow, just as he adored each of the savant Miracles. This reunion was destined in Akashi’s eyes, whether he forced his fate or not. If only Kuroko paid attention to Oha Asa, he could have been safe. Their leader bent down, towering over Kuroko.

Kuroko squeezed the candy tight in his hand, holding his arms to his chest. He glanced halfheartedly at the CEO in front of him. Akashi’s presence exuded authority. The red-haired man opened his arms and crushed the latter in a deep embrace. Kuroko felt Akashi’s heartbeat accelerate in his arms. The smaller male hesitated before wrapping his own arms around the latter.

This felt right, but is it right?

“We really missed you Kurokocchi!” Kise chimed in from behind.

“It’s not the same when we’re all separated.” Midorima noted, nodding his head in agreement.

“Ha! You even made Midorima sentimental.” Aomine snickered at the medical student.

Murasakibara, partially paying attention while piling more food onto his plate, mumbled “If only Kurochin didn’t leave us to begin with…”

Akashi stood up, taking Kuroko with him and guiding the male back into his seat. He wrapped his arms around Kuroko in a similar manner to Kise’s hug, softly speaking, “Kuroko, I have one last gift for you, if you would like to open it?”

Kuroko was going to get whiplash at this rate, everyone's inconsistent emotions were overwhelming him. He nodded to Akashi, confirming his answer. The group leader handed over a gray, rectangular jewelry box. He flipped open the case, revealing a silver, iridescent flat banded bracelet with a hidden clasp.

“A bracelet? Akashi-kun it looks expensive, I couldn’t-”

“Nonsense, Kuroko. It’s our gift to you,” Akashi coerced, running his thumb in circles around Kuroko’s wrist. This action soothed Kuroko, but still unnerved him. He played with the bracelet around his fingers, feeling the smooth texture. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary with the jewelry piece, but he knew to trust his gut feeling.

Unluckily for him, Aomine took the matters into his own hands, coveting the bracelet out of his shadow's hand and placing it on his wrist where Akashi directed him too. The iridescent jewelry reflected off the chandelier light. It fit snugly around his wrist, like a watch band.

“It looks lovely on you, Kuroko.” Akashi smirked, still kneading around his wrist, “I worried it wasn’t going to fit.”

“Ha, why worry when Satsuki knew what size to get!” Aomine guffawed.

“So Momoi-san really…?” Kuroko muttered under his breath.

“What was that, Kurochin?” Murasakibara hummed, amused at the complex look plastered on the usual listless shadow’s face.

“Nothing, Murasakibara-kun… Akashi-kun, what is this bracelet for?”

“To keep you safe, Kuroko. We all have one.” Akashi pointed out his own jewelry. He adorned an iridescent band on his right ring finger. He took off the ring to show Kuroko. The blue haired male played with the ring, examining every inch. Six colored stones laid embedded on the inside of the ring, hidden to the public. 

“That’s endearing…” Kuroko noted, handing the ring back to Akashi.

“Kurokocchi! Do you like mine?” Kise flashed his one earring to his mentor. Kise always had that piercing since their middle school days. Too scared to pierce the otherside, he only kept the one hoop in. At some point he must have changed it to the small hoop earring that Akashi provided.

A leg suddenly swung up onto Kuroko’s lap. Aomine poked his slipper-covered foot against Kuroko’s stomach. The shadow really did not feel pleased to have this unwanted weight in his lap. He grabbed Aomine’s ankle to shove it back down, feeling a band of some sort underneath his sock.

“Mine’s an anklet,” The NBA player noted, rubbing his nose, “Looks pretty similar to yours, right Tetsu? Can’t legally play basketball with visible accessories without being penalized so this had to do.” 

Kuroko pulled down Aomine’s sock, revealing an anklet version of his own new accessory. It made sense he wore an anklet opposed to a bracelet. The league would flag him for such a thing, potentially harming other players by accident. An occupational hazard.

“It’s a miracle that the NBA hasn’t fined you for that yet, Aomine.” Midorima observed. Aomine shrugged in response.

“What jewelry did you get Midorima-kun? Murasakibara-kun?”

Midorima took off his glasses, pointing to the inside of the arm, six miniscule jewels lodged in, similar to Akashi’s. The frames remained the same style he always wore, the only difference had been whatever their leader implanted in the spectacles. Kuroko nodded his thanks, letting Midorima situate his glasses back on.

“Kurochin, Kurochin~ Look, mine is a chain.” Murasakibara unbuttoned his collared shirt, revealing a coruscating chain necklace. 

The jewelry held no pendant, looking empty. Kuroko glanced back at Akashi’s ring resting on his finger. Kuroko wondered if Murasakibara subconsciously picked the chain to wear to mimic Himuro Tatsuya and his own necklace. Kagami and Himuro, once upon a time, wore necklaces with paired rings.

“Very pretty, Murasakibara-kun.”

Murasakibara shot a lazy grin in response.

“On that note. Kuroko, you have responded well to us so far,” Akashi returned to his seat, commencing his next order of business, “Almost a little disappointed you haven’t attempted to run.” 

What are you thinking, my shadow?

Kuroko remained silent, picking his utensils back up. He prodded at the lukewarm food, disappointed he could not share this with Kagami. Like a second sense, Aomine grabbed Kuroko’s bare thigh, fingers indenting his pale skin. It’s like he knew he was thinking about his replacement.

“That, or he just wanted to touch me.” Kuroko debated to himself, wondering if he should take a fork to the hand wandering dangerously below. 

“Luckily for you, we will not keep you up too late tonight if you remain on your best behavior,” Their leader continued, “You may not show it on your face, but we know how low your stamina is.”

 “It’s in your best interest if you try to escape, Kurokocchi!” Kise jumped in. 

Kuroko felt another hand wander onto his skin, his other thigh being assaulted by thinner, manicured hands. Kise’s nails imprinted on his flesh, isolated dark crescent shapes appearing in each spot. Aomine, on the other hand, had kept to his ministrations. Teasing and rough, inching under his pajama shorts before sliding back down again. Kuroko shifted, his heart thumping suddenly. He felt a knot rise in his stomach.

“...And if I do try to escape?” Kuroko asked, poking the bear.

 “Try and find out, Tetsu.” Aomine retorted, pinching his thigh.

 Kuroko put down his fork and knife. Food would not be able to settle his stomach tonight, his nerves felt on fire. 

“Murasakibara, would you make us a batch of cookies and milk?” Akashi asked, squeezing the taller male's hand, “In celebration of Kuroko coming home to us, we should have a movie night and sleep in the living room.”

Soft pink dusted Murasakibara’s cheeks, squeezing Akashi’s hand back in response, “Of course, Akachin.”

“Meanwhile, Aomine and Kise will help Kuroko bathe while Midorima and I set up. Can I trust you to behave?”

“Throw me to the wolves, Akashi-kun. They would be gentler.” Kuroko mumbled.

“Oi, what’s that supposed to mean, Tetsu?” His light snorted, amused.

Kise slid out from his chair, pulling Kuroko’s chair back with him. The blonde lifted Kuroko up under his arms and dangled him over his shoulder. The model was stronger than he looked. Kuroko laid limply, surrendering to his fate. 

“Let’s go Kurokocchi! Aominecchi!” Kise shouted animatedly. Aomine stood up from his own spot, plate cleaned of all food. The pair plus Aomine staggered up the stairs, leaving the remaining three in the dining room to pick up and set up for their nightly affairs.

“Are you sure sending those two up with Kuroko was a good idea?” Midorima raised concern to Akashi.

Heterochromatic eyes flashed at Midorima, the mood changing abruptly, “Tetsuya has not been taking his current situation seriously. Sending those two up with him will be a wake up call.”

“Hmm… Kurochin’s going to be in trouble.”

Midorima sighed, adjusting his glasses. He worried for the shadow the most, but he too wanted to see Kuroko begging on his knees, tears welling in his doe eyes. Midorima felt his morals mixing. They all wanted Kuroko to repent for disappearing on them. After all, their sixth member up and left again after forgiving them? They finally became one again and he chose to abandon them again and again. 

They will get to the bottom of his reasoning sooner or later.

--- 

“Wow~ Doesn’t this feel nice?” Kise sang.

Kuroko rolled his stiff neck, sweat dripped down his face. Aomine and Kise had thrown him in an unnecessarily large tub that could hold two-to-three smaller sized people if they tried. Of course, Aomine and Kise tried. Kise propped himself on the porcelain tub, hugging Kuroko flesh to his body. Aomine sat opposite of the two, threading his bent legs with theirs. 

“Gah! My muscles needed this.” Aomine stretched his aching arms.

They were all in the nude like the day they were born. Kuroko settled himself deeper in Kise’s arms, cheeks pink from the heat of the water. His current plans to escape had been aborted. He could not leave without his two dogs, knowing that the Miracles would hold them ransom until his return.

It did not mean he could not test the waters though and try to escape.  

“Aomine-kun’s basketball has gotten really good.” Kuroko praised, reaching over to pat his light’s wet hair, “Kagami-kun has been jealous.”

 “As he should be!” Kise joined in, smugness radiating, “Aominecchi is unbeatable.”

 Aomine nodded, basking in the praise, “That idiot could never compare to me… He’s holding out well though.” 

Kuroko’s eyes widened, hands splashing water accidentally, “Have you finally acknowledged Kagami-kun after all these years?”

“Ha, no, don’t get your hopes up, Tetsu.”

Kuroko yawned, shaking his head in disapproval. He curled up closer into Kise’s arms, fading faster. He knew he could not fall asleep yet. Akashi prepared a movie for them to watch and he had escape plans to make, but he never felt more secure in the embrace of someone he feared and loved.

“Aw, Aominecchi. Look, he’s getting sleepy.” Kise cooed, brushing his hair away from his face.

The younger male ignored the blonde's comment. He needed to focus on his next course of action. He thought about contacting Kagami, Momoi, or his oldest friend, Ogiwara. Kagami would definitely help him, even though he believed Kuroko to be idiotic for disappearing on them. Momoi may or may not help. He was not sure after tonight. Ogiwara played a big role in his disappearance. He did not want to risk exposing him to the people he disliked.

“Come on Tetsu, let’s dry you off.” Kuroko heard his light say from outside his thoughts.

Kuroko could give many excuses as to why he disappeared from his old teammates. He doubts the Miracles would respond well to his reasons. One may say he did it for his mental health, his sanity, but anyone who actually knew the shadow, would know he lost that long ago. His other reasoning may have been that he wanted a final chase. A game he knew he could win for a while until they had enough. 

“Ah! Aominecchi! You’re dripping water everywhere!”

A sick part of him wanted revenge for the way they treated him. He knew it wasn’t the miracles fault either, but their unhealthy bonds tied them together in middle school and high school. Kuroko wanted to know how far he could stretch the bond tethering them together before it would snap, but they all knotted to each other. An unbreakable web, and Kuroko fell in.

“Tetsu should wear my shirt.”

“He should wear mine!”

“How about you wear mine then, Kise.”

Kuroko shivered in the aerated bedroom, naked down to his underwear. Kise handed him his shirt to wear, while Aomine gave Kise his. The NBA player chose to be shirtless himself. Kise had given him some designer shirt that hit right above his knee in length. Kuroko fidgeted with the hem. He began his search for the nearest door, looking around the room. 

“Kurokocchi, you forgot this,” Kise handed him his abandoned candy from earlier, “You should eat before it gets sticky and melts. Murasakibaracchi will be sad if you waste it.”

He unraveled the sweet candy in his palm. 

“It’s nice seeing you not resist us, Tetsu.” Aomine smiled, “Didn’t you miss this?” 

Kuroko placed the treat in his mouth, chewing softly. He felt subdued and leashed. His options were limited. Part of him enjoyed whatever this was. The pampering and attention he so rarely received. In a way, it felt like a reward, but he would be damned if he did not go down without a fight. His legs were not yet chained back together.

“It’s really nice to be around you all again.” Kuroko spoke softly, peering at the two.

The moonlight shimmered through the room. The nightly bugs chirped and sang, filling the quiet air. Aomine and Kise were joined at the hip, arms wrapped around each other's waist. They watched him like a hawk. Kuroko took one step backwards.

“Kurokocchi~ You were being so good,” Kise whined, “Akashi’s going to be mad we rewarded this behavior.”

“You shouldn’t do what you’re about to do.” Aomine huffed, he knew his shadow inside and out. That delicate body of his would not last long escaping from their home.

Kuroko took one more step, challenging the two. He knew they were fast, but this was his experiment. His first offense would not be a severe punishment, knowing Akashi. The blue haired male prayed that their retired captain still had a soft spot for him enough he would go easy. They wanted entertainment, so be it.

Kuroko took one last longer step back, hand reaching for the doorknob behind him. 

Chapter Text

Fire crackled in the fireplace, warming the lifeless-in-appearance living room. Midorima sat flipping through a hefty book. He rested on an oil stained rocking chair he pushed closer to the mantle. The green haired male rocked back and forth slowly, listening to the wood burning. Kuroko’s dogs rested by his feet, twitching ever so often to the sound of hissing wood. 

“Twenty minutes left on the cookies. Akachin, Midochin!” Murasakibara shouted from the kitchen. 

Cabinet doors and glasses clinked together, their chef clearly up to something, possibly unnecessary, in Midorima’s eyes. The aroma of sickly sweet cookies flooded the down stairs with a pleasant scent. His stomach growled in rebellion and desire as if he did not just eat. When it came to Murasakibara’s food, they all could not resist and the purple haired male knew it.

Midorima continued on his reading. He heard Akashi muffle an appreciation to their tallest member. The book he read had been interesting. It reminded him of his first year in University, joining the same class as Takao. Though heading in different career paths in life, taking psychology had been mandatory for the two of them, but the class had piqued his interest. 

“Ah, Midorima,” Akashi announced suddenly, appearing behind the rocking man.

“Akashi.” He replied softly.

Midorima felt warm arms wrap around his shoulder, hands locking at his chest. He gently pressed a chaste kiss against his second in command’s, temple. Akashi rested his chin on his shoulder, peering at the textbook in front of him. 

“Oh? Is this the book that little friend of yours lent you?”

Midorima nodded, turning another page, “Takao thought I’d find some parts interesting to look back at again.”

“Hm, how so?”

“This textbook… We needed it for our Introduction to Psychology class a while back, but there’s sections we had the option to skip over,” Midorima started, “I fathom it was due to the professor not wanting beginner students to study it.”

Takao at one point joked to Midorima that the professor made the lesson topic optional due to reading into Midorima’s true persona, not because the class had been a forced requirement on the first years. Takao quickly backpedaled that statement, but he was no fool.

“A topic such as this? Seems basic not to review? I suppose if the wrong person learns about it they may take advantage… Fascinating.” Their leader noted, his curiosity piqued.

“To do the same tricks on a human as a dog is dehumanizing.” Midorima shook his head, the bottom of his hair tickling Akashi’s nose.

Akashi reached a hand forward, pointing with his finger at the neon highlighted text surely done by Takao Kuzunari. The text reviewed the topics of Classical Conditioning. Specifically on the introduction to Pavlov’s theories of associative learning and behaviorism. His theories demonstrate how behaviors are learned by connecting a neutral stimulus with a positive and how he determined his theory with his dog.

Pavlov’s dog.

Ivan Pavlov demonstrated salivation in dogs. Starting with a series of experiments before, during, and after conditioning. The russian physiologist paired the sound of a bell— A buzzer— following with the bestowal of food. Eventually over time, the dog would begin to equate the bell with food and start salivating at the sound of the bell. Regardless if food was present or not.

“Not quite, Midorima. Types of classical conditioning have been installed in all of us since the day we were born. From our parents, to the schools… We do it to ourselves,” Akashi continued, “Such as associating a perfume or cologne with a lover, or having a morning coffee, daily. Technically with any positive or negative stimuli.”

“It took us no time at all in conditioning Kuroko’s dogs.”

“Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou recognized us as one of Kuroko’s, before Kuroko did himself,” the redhead noted, “Dogs tend to resemble their owners, whether it be with physical or mental traits.”

Midorima flipped to the next page, questioned back, “Are you implying Kuroko will bend to us sooner than later?”

“Who knows?” Akashi pondered with a knowing look in his eyes. 

He knew the answer, they all did.

The rocking chair suddenly tipped forward, taking along Midorima and Akashi with it. Midorima panicked, grabbing onto the arms of the chair. His borrowed textbook going flying off his lap. The two dogs dashed forward, fleeing in defense. Akashi had been crushed up against the wooden dowels and a body. Murasakibara decided to come up behind the two, crushing them in a tight hug.

“Akachin and Midochin~”

“Please let go of me, Murasakibara.” Akashi instructed, pinching the taller male's cheeks.

“O-oi, I almost fell!”

Murasakibara, wearing a sheepish grin, let go reluctantly, rubbing his cheek and muffling out, “What did I miss? Desserts about to be ready~”

“Murasakibara, are you familiar with Pavlov’s theory?” Midorima questioned, readjusting himself in the chair.

Akashi moved to sit on the outer hearth bricks of the fireplace, the fire warming his body. He picked up the fallen textbook, skimming through the pages himself. The aroma of the wood burning and cookies pleased the leader. Their house was finally becoming a complete home in his eyes.

The chef remained silent in response to Midorima, a soft smile graced his lips. A ringing sound echoed against the walls of the open floored house. The kitchen timer rattled, alerting that the fresh baked cookies were ready to be eaten. Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou whined.

---

Kuroko attempted to whip open the door as fast as he could. Unluckily for him, his light and mimic-pseudo-light were faster than he remembered. Aomine had him pinned against the door, knee pressed up in between the smaller of the three’s legs. Leaving him to dangle, Kuroko grasped onto the door, then onto Aomine for any semblance of balance. 

His light groped underneath his shirt, holding his waist in place. Kise came at Kuroko from the side, gripping his chin and pulling him up to look at his face. Tears welled in the models eyes, devastation showing on his face. Kuroko knew this was one of Kise’s masks, but he could not look away. Uneasiness rose in his stomach.

“Why do you insist on leaving us!” Kise viciously lashed out, “Kurokocchi, you have always been so desperately trying to leave!”

Aomine applied pressure on his shadow’s pelvis, grounding him. The door dug into his back as he hung there in his light’s grip. Kuroko wobbled, grabbing at Aomine’s bare chest and fisting Kise’s shirt unintentionally trying to steady himself. The media star stroked his thumb against Kuroko’s lips, grief and anger expressing in his eyes.

“I don’t understand you sometimes, Tetsu,” Aomine gritted out, “You love us, you hate us, and love us again. Sacrificing your little team to reunite us, then abandon us!”

“You love bomb us one second then give us the silent treatment the next!” Kise criticized, dipping his thumb past Kuroko’s lips. 

“That’s not-” Kuroko started to defend himself, accidentally biting Kise’s thumb in the process.

The blonde did not let go of his clutch on Kuroko. He pressed his thumb against the blue haired male's tongue, toying with the soft, fleshy muscle. Kuroko’s tongue danced in rebellion against the intrusion, hesitating on biting down on Kise. He didn’t want to hurt him.

“I can’t hurt him…” Kuroko thought to himself, eyes widening.

Aomine moved a hand upwards, palming the toned skin and muscle. He brushed past his chest in featherly motions, tracing and memorizing the smaller body. This was the shadow he knew and loved. Weak yet strengthened by his every move. Kuroko arched his back at the increased stimuli, attempting to throw his head back, but Kise’s hand limited any more movement.

“But Tetsu, I- No, we know you a lot better than you think,” Aomine leaned into Kuroko’s ear, deep voice reverberating, “Your fears of being forgotten and abandoned, your dreams of becoming a teacher that you threw away to disappear, or that you have plans on living with Kagami in America.”

“Ao-” Kuroko yanked down on Kise’s shirt, desperately trying to get a word in.

Kise crowded closer in on the two. He freed Kuroko’s mouth from his hold, interested in joining Aomine in his attention on the small frame. A hungry look flickered in his eyes. Tears vanished as quickly as they appeared. Kise crowded on the other side of Kuroko’s face, breathing into his neck. A manicured hand threaded through the back of the light blue hair, providing cushion against the door.

“The one thing we don’t understand is why you keep running when this is what you have always wanted, Kurokocchi.”

Balancing on the tips of his toes was harder than he thought. He was losing strength quickly from Aomine’s knee, keeping him from moving. Kuroko rubbed his bare thighs against Aomine’s own. The friction made his body quiver in unfamiliarity and desperation. He did not know his own body, but they did. Not having control when he was always the stagehand displeased him.

“Enough, Aomine-kun! Kise-kun!” Kuroko panted, cheeks flushed. 

“Aw man, that’s too bad. Kurokocchi we were just getting started too…” Kise whined, unhanding the blue haired boy. 

Aomine hesitantly let go of Kuroko’s waist, fixing his borrowed shirt. He kept his knee up against the shadows body and the door for assurance. Kuroko felt weak at the knees. He expected this, but not how far they would go. The small boy for some reason felt guilty now.

“This isn’t healthy, you know.” Kuroko whispered, making eye contact with his light and copycat.

Kise shrugged in response, “So?”

“You can’t keep me here.”

“Who do you have to go back to when we’re all here?” Aomine grilled.

Kuroko frowned, “Kagami-kun? Ogiwara-kun… What about my family?”

Aomine and Kise glanced at each other, chuckling. Kuroko did not understand what had been so funny. He was being held hostage and they were laughing. In that moment of distraction, Kuroko swung his leg over Aomine’s thigh, breaking free of their trap. He ran back to the center of the bedroom.

“Ah, Kurokocchi, don’t do anything rash again, we really don’t want to have to punish you.” Kise wiped his faux tears, holding onto Aomine's waist.

Aomine wrapped his arm across Kise’s shoulder and smirked, eyeing the bed behind him, “I don’t know, I think some punishments could be fun.”

They both stared down at the male who put a safe distance between each other. The small boy glanced around. He didn’t notice it before, but the room they were in posed a stark difference between the monochromatic architecture of the rest of the house. It looked lived in.

His body and mind were working overtime since his arrival to their home. Every interaction felt like a blur to him. Kuroko had not had the time to process everything in the short amount of time. From waking up in the guest room with Midorima, reunited with his dogs who were supposed to be boarded at a doggy daycare, and to whatever was happening now.

“This must be the master bedroom…” Kuroko wondered.

He wanted to sleep and the what-may-be larger than an Alaskan king sized bed behind him looked delightful. The bedroom itself appeared messy, but clean. Possibly due to Akashi’s and Midorima’s insistence. Floor to wall length mirrors lined as folding doors to the walk in closet took over one half of the right wall. Next the door to the master bathroom they just used.

“Isn’t it nice here, Tetsu?

Multiple windows adorned the left wall, leading with the glass balcony doors in the center. Kuroko could briefly see white painted cement railings. Everything had an art deco appearance. Some things stood out to him though, such as the display case of awards and photos of the group and their friends. He was shocked to see they allowed each other to have pictures with other people due to their notorious jealousy, but if that’s what keeps things in the bedroom, then Kuroko would not judge. 

“On the other hand, that balcony could be useful.” Kuroko mumbled under his breath, shaking himself from his intrusive thoughts. 

“If you’re done playing games now, I think I heard the oven go off. I could eat!” Aomine grinned, rubbing his stomach.

Kuroko submitted to his fate for now, walking back over to the two taller males, cautiously. Kise held out his hand, offering to hold his as they rejoined the others. Not impressed with their actions earlier, Kuroko stormed past the two. Kise cried out, drudgingly following behind the shadow. Aomine joined in after, patting the blonde on the head.

“Oh, one last thing Tetsu, we’ll have to tell Akashi of your misdemeanor.” Aomine announced at the top of the stairs. 

Kuroko hesitated, before making his way down the steps. He debated if throwing himself down the stairs would be an easier punishment then whatever their ex captain would do to him. He knew he was being dramatic, but he loved his theatrics. Causing an uproar could be amusing in his eyes.

The fresh baked aroma of cookies flooded the trios nostrils. They stepped foot onto the dark wood flooring, making their way into the living room. Akashi, Midorima, and Murasakibara had moved to the sectional couch, making themselves comfortable. An actual elongated coffee table had replaced where the dog crate had been, filled with all sorts of cookies. Kuroko looked around for his dogs though, worried about where Akashi may have hid them. 

“They’re fine, Kuroko. Your pets are lounging by the fireplace.” Akashi eased his worries, pointing to the dogs.

The group had turned on the flat screen TV above the mantle, watching some sort of rerun of an earlier basketball game. The game showed the date, airing a few days prior. He recognized the teams playing, one of them being Kagami’s. The notorious red blitzing through the players. Good to know Kagami was not mourning him just yet. Kuroko would be sure to yell at the red haired basketball idiot of his, once he got his hands on a phone.

“That bastard is too slow.” Aomine chastised, shaking his head. 

Aomine hopped over the couch, landing right beside Murasakibara who was busy stuffing his face full. The NBA player himself, reached over and grabbed a few cookies himself. Kuroko noticed the variety. Chocolate chip, red velvet, peanut butter, and some others he was not familiar with.

A separate plate, not connected to the tray with their cookies rested by the corner of the table. Dog bone shaped cookies stacked over each other. Murasakibara must have made some for his pets. Kuroko smiled.

“Come sit down, Kurochin, Kisechin.” Murasakibara garbled out between his bites of cookies.

Kise walked over to the otherside of the couch, curling himself next to Midorima, who in return wrapped an arm around the model's waist. Akashi, who sat in the middle of the couch, grabbed a small plate for Kise, filling it up with different cookies for him to choose from. The leader had to make sure the blonde ate, but he did not want him to unravel himself from Midorima. He enjoyed the sight.

Rocking back and forth on his heels, Kuroko felt a little out of place. Did they want him to sit next to one of them or was he to join Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou on the floor? He looked around, debating if he should tempt his fate once more and run out the entrance door. Only if he knew where the door was, the house was unnecessarily large. If Kuroko could live anywhere, he would pick a small cottage somewhere in a small community village or maybe an apartment like he was used to. He is still a city boy after all.

“Tetsuya, come here. Daiki and Ryouta said you attempted to run?” Akashi directed, his tone of voice changing.

This pulled him out of his thoughts.

Kuroko opened his mouth to retort, but nothing came out. He did not hear Aomine or Kise bring up his actions. They probably told Akashi when he was zoned out. The shadow hesitated, slinking his way over in front of him. The head of the group did not meet his eyes, but instead pointed at him to kneel down in front him. 

“Really, Akashi-kun?” Kuroko glared at the red-haired man, holding out in defiance. 

In a flash, Akashi stood up and pushed down on Kuroko’s shoulder. The action caught the shorter boy off guard causing him to fall backwards on his bottom. His back hit the coffee table, causing the glass top to rattle. Startled, Kuroko peered up at the looming figure. Their leader towered over him, scowling, as the rest watched the show they performed.

“You always were a disobedient one, weren’t you.” Akashi sighed, running his hand back through his red strands of hair.

“You wouldn’t have liked me if I was so docile, Akashi-kun.” Kuroko muttered in retort.

Akashi sat back down on the couch, manspreading his legs, “It’s only your first night Tetsuya, do not be difficult.”

“Kurochin, the sooner you listen the sooner you get to eat.” Murasakibara proclaimed, reaching over to ruffle the boy's hair.

Kuroko wanted to snap and tell them to quit treating him like a dog, but he was fading quickly. His adrenaline wore out. Taking a deep breath in, he turned his body to rest his back against the bottom frame of the couch, remaining on the floor. Akashi patted his head in response. Kuroko could feel the smugness coming from the CEO, but at this point he simply couldn't care less.

“Good boy, Tetsuya,” Akashi hummed in approval, reaching over the boy to grab another cookie.

Snuggling into Akashi’s legs was unintentional. He was exhausted. At least the floor had a faux fur rug with a bit of cushion. Kuroko laced his fingers through the rug, basking in the warmth of the burning fireplace.

“Isn’t this better?” Akashi leaned down, holding a hand over Kuroko’s shoulder.

A small chocolate chip cookie rested in his fingers being offered to the subdued shadow. Without arguing, Kuroko let Akashi drop the cookie in his palms. He held the cookie as if it was his last meal.

Kuroko replied monotonously, “Thank you.”

“Alright pipe down! The third quarter is starting.” Aomine hushed the two.

That earned him a quick flick to the forehead, courtesy done by Akashi. 

“Daiki.”

“Sorry, Akashi.”

The tamed boy nibbled away at his cookie. Much to his dismay, the cookie is delicious. Though he wouldn’t show it on his face. Kuroko hoarded the cookie as if somebody would take it away from him. 

Murasakibara proved himself once again as the best chef around. Kuroko could not vouch for the other cookies, but the one he received had been a mouthwatering balance of soft and chewy. The chocolate chips itself had been melted to the perfect degree of messy, but not too messy. Was that a hint of vanilla he tasted?

“Glad you like the cookies, Kurochin~” Murasakibara laughed.

Kuroko turned to look at the latter, wide eyed, believing they could hear his thoughts.

“We don’t need to see your face when you’re moaning like a—” Aomine had been cut off by Akashi flicking his head again.

“Language.”

“Aominecchi is so crude to our little Kurokocchi.”

Kuroko’s cheeks flushed. He could not even run and hide. Nor could he exact revenge on his light for embarrassing him. Akashi trapped him between his legs on the floor, so there he remained. The others kept giggling.

“Kuroko. Aomine was joking,” Midorima pointed out, a hand covering his own mouth to hide his smile.

Kuroko felt a hand brush the top of his head. Akashi attempted to ease the agitated boy to no avail. Though Kuroko could feel the switch back in Akashi, which means he may no longer be hostile to him. Being here with all of them is going to give him emotional whiplash.

“You didn’t make a sound,” Akashi soothed, “Your light is messing with you.”

Aomine snorted, “Ha! Sorry Tetsu. Don’t act like we don’t know you enough to know when you’re pleased. You’re as subtle as Murasakibara and his food, with your sweet tooth!”

Their laughing ceased to die down. Kuroko could feel himself getting more annoyed by the second, regardless of Akashi’s ministrations on his scalp. Unluckily for the other five males, they just sealed their fate for tonight. He will teach them a lesson. How, though? The only thing he could think about was the balcony, assuming he would sleep with them tonight.

Not to give any suspicion, Kuroko grumbled back to his light, “Whatever, Aomine-kun.”

“Aw, Aominecchi, you hurt Kurokocchi’s feelings!” Kise reprimanded, nestling his head further into Midorima’s chest. 

Aomine got up from his seat on the couch and picked Kuroko up under his arms. He settled in the spot where his shadow was, in between Akashi’s legs. He plopped Kuroko down in his lap, wrapping his arms around his waist. If this was Aomine’s attempt to appease Kuroko, he would not budge. 

The TV in the background continued to ramble between commercials and the game. The four males sitting on the couch migrated closer to each other in second nature, cuddling. Murasakibara splayed his arm out on the headrest, behind the three. Midorima held Akashi’s hand between the two of them, whereas Kise remained curled up on the bespectacled man himself. 

Kuroko at some point melted into Aomine’s bare chest. He was like a giant heater. The game tuned back on, the fourth quarter buzzer ringing. The blue-haired boy could feel every time his light shifted or waved his fists in anger at the game. Kuroko would pinch Aomine if he moved too much. He did not order such an aggressive bed after all.

“Stop moving so much, Aomine-kun. Beds aren’t supposed to move.” Kuroko criticized, listening to the snickering behind him.

He wondered if Kagami would be aggrieved since he was technically “sleeping” with his long term enemy and rival. Kuroko yawned, his vision began fading. The voices of the match fading into nothing. At some point he felt someone’s arms wrap around him, lifting his body up, but he was puzzled as too who. 

---

Waking back up in a dark room for the second time that day did not phase Kuroko. What phased him was all the limbs and torsos crushing him in his sleep. He could not see who, but someone smacked his stomach in his sleep and now he was peeved. Kuroko scooted back against the pillow cushioned headboard, careful not to wake the sleeping group of males.

The moon peeked faintly between the slotted blinds, creating limited light in the room. The balcony door had been covered with a blackout shade as well. Silence filled the room with the exception of Aomine’s snoring, and possibly Midorima’s if he listened closely enough.

“Now is the time…” Kuroko thought, making a mental map of the room.

Escaping from the oversized bed alone would be hard enough. He meant to ask Akashi earlier on what kind of dimensions he would have to special order for such a bed. It seemed ridiculous to Kuroko, but they were all ridiculous. He was sure though, they placed him in the middle to prevent him from leaving.

“At least they didn’t put the chains back on.” The captee flexed his aching ankles. 

If only he was intangible like a shadow, he could move with a little more ease. Assessing the situation a little more, Kuroko draped a long limb across the body that attacked him earlier, making the future victim a Kuroko-replacement. The two bodies pulled in to each other, giving Kuroko a short amount of time to gently crawl off the foot of the bed.

He only needed to be worried about Kise waking up, he was always an early riser. Quick to awake at the slightest of sounds due to his home-life and work-life. Akashi was technically an early riser as well, but he put up a fight, otherwise he had been a deep sleeper. Midorima, the neurotic man himself, slept fine depending on his lucky item of the day. Aomine and Murasakibara were self explanatory, though Murasakibara woke up whenever Akashi rose if they were together. Kuroko, the legendary sleeper himself, slept like the dead. His bird's nest of hair would show otherwise, but it freaked the others out, which amused him.

Kuroko tiptoed softly to the door, using the limited light as a guide. He felt around for the handle, fiddling with the turn locks. Hopefully, he was not being too loud. No bells or sensors could be seen from his earlier observation. This was an Akashi household, there must be a trick somewhere.

In all honesty, everything was going too smoothly for Kuroko’s taste. The door unlocked with a quiet click. He slowly opened the door a crack, listening for any squeak or chime, but nothing sounded. It was almost as if the door hinges had been oiled down recently. Kuroko opened the door about 45° degrees, enough for him to squeeze through and not let in too much light.

“Oh.” Kuroko gasped, the cool, fresh night air gracing his skin. 

Though he wasn’t sure how long he had been knocked out in the guest bedroom when he woke up earlier today, it felt like he had been here for a week. They must have kept him asleep longer than he realized. Especially considering the basketball game he was supposed to watch Kagami play had been a rerun on the television.

The balcony itself looked like it came out of an art piece. White as snow and well maintained. Flower boxes and vines lined the white balusters and brick walls. Akashi had outdone himself again. This was a sort of english-appearing mansion above Kuroko’s tax bracket or any regular civil servant in general for that matter. 

Pine trees and other foliage surrounded the house for distance. Nothing could be seen except the long winded driveway that faded into the woods. He was at the front of the house.

Kuroko walked closer to the cement balusters. The railing had enough flat surface for Kuroko to sit on top of. His lack of fear in heights would screw him over someday, but he felt free. He loved this. The wind blowing against his face, brushing his hair off his neck. The shadow used to do this at his nearby arcade he shared with Midorima, always intending to freak the latter out when he sat dangling his legs off the roof.

The home must have been several floors high and he has yet to be shown it all—

“Tetsuya!”

Kuroko jumped at the sudden voice, clutching onto the flat surface of the baluster. He twisted his body to meet Akashi’s stare. The red-haired male appeared wild, eyes sharpened and brows furrowed. If he didn’t know any better, he would assume Akashi had not expected him to do this, but he was not slow.

“Good morning Akashi-kun.” Kuroko nodded, swinging his legs.

Akashi and the rest crowded out onto the balcony, keeping a distance from the captive boy in front of them. They all looked worse for wear, a wild look shown on their faces. Akashi made the first step forward, gauging Kuroko’s movements. In return, Kuroko shifted barely half an inch forward.

“Get down, now.” Akashi demanded.

“Where do you expect me to go, Akashi-kun?” Kuroko prodded, “It’s not like I can run anywhere.”

Midorima started sidestepping into Kuroko’s blind spot, preparing to aid Akashi in restraining Kuroko. He had been waiting years to yank the male off from hanging around any ledges. He blamed Kagami for entertaining this behavior. Kagami used to post on his social media photos of the two of them, fooling around on cliffs and ledges, making “parkour” videos and those Seirin players encouraged it. This peeved Midorima for many reasons. Those reckless idiots.

“Kurochin, you’ll slip if you don’t come down.”

“Tetsu, this isn’t funny.” Worried sounding, even Aomine joined in. Maybe he was not like Kagami in some aspects. 

Kise remained emotionless, similar to his ex mentor. 

“Come here now and your punishment won’t be severe.” Akashi continued, taking another step forward.

Oh, this could be fun.

Kuroko rolled onto his stomach, his legs dangling off the ledge of the balcony. He swung his legs so his feet could touch the floor, while he adjusted his grip onto the thick banisters. The railing kept a distance between him and his beloved captors now. He created a wall.

“You idiot, Tetsu! What the hell?!”

“We’re not playing games, Tetsuya.” Their leader hissed out, “Don’t move, we’ll bring you back over.”

“Why though? It’s pretty safe right here…” Kuroko lodged his leg in the tight gap between two of the chunky banisters. 

Something shifted under Kuroko’s other foot. He did not realize he was standing on a mounted flower box, too busy messing with the other boys. The cement screws holding in the brackets started bending out of the hole due to Kuroko’s weight. In a flash of a second, the box fell causing Kuroko to fall back.

“Damn it, Tetsuya!” Akashi shouted, running up to the railing.

“Tetsu!”

Midorima followed in suit, hastily latching onto Kuroko’s arm. Which inadvertently caused Kuroko to twist his lodged leg in between the banisters, slamming the blue-haired boy’s body into the cement. Midorima could fix a broken foot and ribs, not revive someone from the dead. 

“Ryouta, work on dislodging Tetsuya’s foot… Atsushi and Daiki, when I say go, lift Tetsuya over the railing!” Akashi ordered hastily.

Kuroko saw spots, vision fading from the pain. He was out of breath from the air being knocked out of him. He wasn’t sure, but he definitely heard something crack, whether it be the railing or him. The shadow felt movement around him, working to free him from his own self doing. Only the ringing in his ears could be heard.

“Sorry, everyone.” Kuroko whispered, before blacking out.

The wind fluttered in the air as the sun began rising from its slumber. Pink hues casted the sky around them. Crickets chirped in the air, the mourning doves sung. The world stopped for no one, but it felt like it stopped for the five men in that moment as they surrounded the boy. His pulse and injuries were being examined.

The seasons don’t fear “Death.” Never does the wind, the sun, or the rain. The five of them feared it enough though. The world kept spinning and so must they. When one went down, they all felt the repercussions. Life can be controlled, death is unknown. Until they can be together in eternity, then they will simply live. 

When has living ever been simple?

---

“When will he wake up, Midorimacchi?”

“Soon, hopefully.”

“I’m going to kill Tetsu when he wakes up.”

“You will not. I will be handling things accordingly.”

“Let the patient heal, Akashi.”

“Maybe Kurochin will stop acting silly finally.”

“He’s the safest when he is in reach of us.”

Idle chattering echoed in the room. Black vision clearing to the lifeless walls around him. Kuroko sat up in his bed, stretching his arms. He noticed a splint of some sort wrapped tightly around his ankle. Lifting up his shirt, he checked the remaining damage. Bluish-purple bruises littered in splotches around Kuroko ribs, yellow haloing the healing areas. He tried stretching his back, but any movement caused him to lose his breath.

At least they didn’t chain him this time.

Oh, he spoke too soon. Kuroko rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn. He noticed a blob of red hair move closer to him with something rattling in his hands. His vision still blurred, he could only guess what the leader was about to do. In defeat, he held out his wrists, allowing Akashi to cuff him.

Not to Kuroko’s expectation, Akashi clasped something heavy around his neck. Before Akashi could pull his hands away, Kuroko grabbed them tightly. The last stubborn brain cell refusing to be chained again. It was heavy around his neck.

“Tetsuya, if you only listened.” Akashi chastised, pulling the chain connected to the collar forward.

“A-Akashi-kun, my ribs.” Kuroko gasped.

“Ah, oops.” Akashi hummed, allowing some give to the chain. 

Midorima walked over to the other side of the twin sized bed. The future medical expert examined his pulse once more, before flashing a tiny light back and forth in front of Kuroko’s eyes. He started jotting down notes on his tiny flip notepad. What a star student.

“Midorima-kun, what are you…?” A bad taste started to linger in his throat.

“The patient needs rest,” Midorima replied flatly, “You have a notorious history of concussions, and this certainly did not help.” 

Midorima prodded gently at Kuroko’s forehead, adjusting the bandages wrapped delicately on their precious person.

The room they resided in was one that Kuroko has yet to see. There were no windows, and a single door. There were plenty of vents not fitted for human escape, but good for aeration. White eggshell walls surrounded them, but the floors had a warm mahogany wood flooring. The cool toned light that shined down on Kuroko was inhumanely bright, much to his dismay. 

Wherever he was, it was quiet. Pictures hung in rich wood frames on the wall of the five older males, bringing some life into the room. Each picture had them in different poses, they all seemed to be in different countries, based on the architecture.

“We’re glad you’re awake, Tetsu.” Aomine griped, hanging close at the feet of the bed. He looked like he was about to tackle him if he dared to move.

“Kurokocchi was too reckless, is this the kind of thing you teach your ex-student?” Kise hummed, sitting on the arm rest of the sole recliner chair in the room. 

Murasakibara sat reclined in said chair, holding Kise’s hand. They both looked unimpressed with his current predicament. In his free hand, he held some sort of book, unusual for his type of character. Kuroko fell back against the pillows, sighing and wincing at the brash decision.

“Midorima-kun, did you do this alone?” Kuroko questioned one right after the other,  “Why not send me to the hospital?”

“You should be thanking me, Kuroko.” Midorima pointed out, ignoring his questions.

Aomine rolled his eyes, “Midorima’s sidekick has been visiting here to help.” 

“Takao-kun is here?” Kuroko’s eyes widened.

“Pfft, yeah that bastard has been pissing Akashi off since he got here.” 

“Something about almost getting Kurokocchi killed day one or so of kidnapping him.” Kise shrugged.

Midorima sighed, rubbing his temples, “Takao thinks it’s funny that you always manage to find a way to outbeat us.”

“If that was true, Tetsuya would be running free and not bedbound,” Their stubborn leader gritted back, “Tetsuya has not beat us in anything.”

“Well-” 

Aomine pinched Kuroko’s toes, “Don’t start, Tetsu. Akashi’s annoyed enough.”

Kuroko nodded, he still felt too drained to do anything in general. He felt fuzzy, in other words, he knew he was in some sort of brain fog. Yawning, Kuroko pulled on Akashi’s shirt, an unknown flash of uneasiness pitted his stomach. 

“Can I see Takao-kun?” He whispered.

“You cannot. Not now,” Akashi replied softly, “No, I’m not preventing you from seeing him, but you are far too injured at the moment to deal with that.”

Kise and Murasakibara snickered at the displeased tone of Akashi’s.

“Can you stay with me?” Kuroko asked suddenly to no one in particular, staring at the growing black shadow on the ceiling. Out of the blue, he felt an unjarring sensation, pins and needles riddled his arms and legs. The hairs on the back of his neck felt uncomfortably sensitive. He kept his grip tightly on Akashi’s sleeve. Kuroko felt hot one moment, then freezing the next.

“Shintarou!”

“On it.” Midorima responded, clicking a device that suddenly appeared in his hand.

Kuroko could hear Midorima speaking to a voice coming out of the walkie-talkie. He felt slightly bad for worrying his friends, even though they brought him here. Nothing they did to each other was ever normal, it’s who they were. Part of him could never be mad at them for this, the same way they could not be mad at him for running.

“Kuroko, I’m going to need you to take a deep breath in, on my count, hold and then release. Can you understand me?” Midorima instructed, concern threatened his voice.

Kuroko closed his eyes, and nodded, loosening his grasp on Akashi. He did as instructed. Deep breath in, hold, and release. Deep breath in, hold, and release. One more time. Repeat. He felt something pressed against his face, possibly a mask.

The door swung open, “Shin-chan, I’m here, I’m here!”

“Alright, his pulse is recovering…” Kuroko could faintly hear Midorima order, “Everyone will need to leave now. Immediately.”

The shadow felt something brush against the temple of his head, the bandage creating a barrier in between. Akashi bent down, pressing a soft, chaste kiss to his temple. He saw a flash of dark blue squeeze his free hand, pressing a deeper kiss on his palm. Kise and Murasakibara must have done the same. Quick pressure on his nose and cheek, gone within the same second.

“Sleep well, Kurokocchi.”

“Here, read this when you wake up, Kurochin.” Murasakibara placed a small book, a play, on the nightstand table, the title reading:

“Romeo and Juliet.”

Chapter Text

“So boring…”

Kuroko was already becoming exhausted by everything. Waking up in the same windowless, white room, he started to lose count of the days. His five captors refused to see him unless he was asleep. The only human interaction he had been allowed to receive was during meal times. A bell would ring prior to the arrival of food. Safe to say, he was getting irritated. They were being unfair. So what? He played a (not so) harmless prank on them. It was him who got injured, not them.

Food came on a tray through a wide mailbox-like slot on the lower part of the door. He never knew who dropped off the food for him. The mysterious pair of hands that stuck through the slot wore blue latex gloves. The meal menu rotated every day with something new. The only exception was the dessert. A single, small wrapped vanilla candy. Sometimes two, if Kuroko decided to be good that day.

“Akashi-kun is so cruel,” He whined to no one, but the ceiling.

Aomine recently revealed they all knew he was afraid of being neglected and abandoned. This was cruel. He figured Akashi would punish him after he healed. Maybe, set him free and go along with their lives. If Kuroko was in a good mood, maybe he would come visit the group or they could come to him! They could live in peace and harmony leading normal lives. Oh, what a fantasy.

He laid on top of the twin bed, staring at the popcorn ceiling. The sheets and bedding all adorned white. The walls white. The one other chair in the room was too. The bedside table and even the two doors. A bright, cool white light bulb in the center of the room, making it feel even more similar to a psychiatric hold. Everything was white. White, white, white.

Except the single, rotund camera that rested in the corner of the wall opposite of the main door and bathroom door. Kuroko knew he was being watched and most likely listened too. The days he was not in pain, he would try to raise as much damage as he could to gain their attention. The days he was in pain though, left him bedridden. 

“I want my dogs back, everyone… Anyone?” He voiced out, his thoughts were all over the place.

Fortunately for him, his ankle had not completely fractured. Unluckily for him, his rib partially shattered, leaving an indent. Midorima warned him of the healing process and he dreaded every bit. The last moment he saw Midorima when he was awake, the green-haired male monotonously explained the shadow’s injuries:

---

“Kuroko, you’re awake. Good.” Midorima pushed his glasses up, reading from a stack of papers in his hand.

“Midorima-kun…? What happened?” 

The medical student ignored him, reaching for his hand. He removed the IV cannula from his hand. Kuroko felt nauseous at the idea of Midorima putting a catheter in him. He wanted to trust his friend, but in any other situation then this. Was this why his memory was fuzzy?

Midorima began flipping through his papers again, ignoring the injured person. Kuroko was becoming offended. They put all this effort into kidnapping him, and now they are ignoring him? 

“Takao… These notes! I can barely translate this idiot's handwriting.”

“Mi-do-ri-ma-kun!” Kuroko emphasized each syllable, trying to gain any form of attention. He was beginning to feel like an actual ghost. 

The older male turned his back to Kuroko, sorting through the trolly-cart full of all sorts of medical devices he could not begin to decipher. Sighing, Kuroko fell back on the bed, kicking his feet around. He wasn’t necessarily throwing a tantrum, but giving them the silent treatment back would not work for once.

“For the love of- Kuroko, are you trying to hurt yourself more?” Midorima whipped around, exasperated.

“Please just talk to me, Midorima-kun?”

Midorima sighed, “Listen, Kuroko. You dislocated… Essentially, sprained your ankle. We were able to readjust it back into place and unfortunately you’ll need to keep it in a splint to heal appropriately.”

Kuroko nodded.

“You also managed to partially fracture your rib. If you feel around your false ribs you’ll notice an indent. Maybe some sharp pieces. We’ll be monitoring closely, you’re lucky you didn’t puncture a lung.”

The smaller male poked around the bruised area. His stomach looked like he got beat up badly. The pain felt mostly manageable, but he could feel the indent to where he must have smacked into the concrete banisters. Suddenly he keeled over, it felt like his rib was stuck, pushed in.

“Ah, Midorima-kun?” He winced.

“Hold on Kuroko,” Midorima hooked two fingers on the underside of his ribs, “I see… Due to where you injured your ribs, you may be experiencing a phenomenon called Slipping Rib Syndrome. This is a common occurrence to chest injuries, especially in the trauma area you have yourself.”

“This is uncomfortable.” Kuroko did not enjoy the feeling of Midorima pulling at his ribs.

“Then you shouldn’t have acted so foolishly,” Midorima retorted back, “I knew one day this would come back to haunt you.”

“If you’re still blaming Kagami-kun…-”

Midorima shook his head, “What did I say about bringing him up?”

“I’m sorry. So, how do I stop this whole slipping rib thing?” Kuroko questioned instead.

“There’s temporary options… Unfortunately, no real solution. You will be living with this-” The bespectacled man hummed, “Your actions have consequences, shocker. Which reminds me, you have another concussion, so-”

Kuroko tuned out his nagging.

---

He truly couldn’t know how many days had passed. The lights in the room were set on a timer, so when it was morning, the lights turned on. When it was night, they went off. Kuroko made a guess that he has remained here for a week or more, give or take a few days. Some days he woke up feeling as if he slept for almost twenty four full hours, missing entire days at a time. His Miracles did not seem opposed to drugging him.

Drugs scared the inner athlete in him. All six of the boys had been through countless doping allegations, being tested for all sorts of drugs and steroids. If they wanted to play, they had to test. At a point, the tests became offensive, though it stroked their egos. Playing so well to the point everyone thought they cheated. The irony of it all.

No, they were just monsters.

Kuroko swung his feet off the side of the bed, standing up. He stretched his arms slightly, bearing in mind his ribs. It was still morning, the lights turning on just moments ago. Breakfast would be coming soon. One of three only excitements to his day. He never bothered asking for any other type of mental stimulation. He knew he’d be ignored. Kuroko rather the five Miracles not think he was getting too comfortable being locked up.

The shadow had been going mad. The only other thing that kept him company was the play book, Murasakibara left him. A translated copy of Romeo and Juliet. He could sense the sarcasm from the taller boy. The play genre that represented deviation of a tragedy. Lovers for eternity. It really wasn’t Kuroko’s kind of story, he would prefer a detective or mystery novel over a play.

“Murasakibara-kun…”

Just then, the door slot opened, a pair of hands held out the piping hot breakfast tray. Kuroko hobbled over to the door, bending down to take the tray from the unknown hands. Today’s plate consisted of an omelet and rice, red apple slices, and a small croissant filled with chocolate. His drink option today was a carton of whole milk.

“Thank you.” Kuroko routinely commented, receiving no response.

The small door dropped back down with a smack. Kuroko sighed and wandered to a corner of the room, directly opposite of the camera and sat down on the floor. He poked at the food with the plastic utensils he received. The steam warmed up his face, giving life to his skin where he felt there was none. His breakfast was delightful as always, perfectly cooked by a skilled chef. Murasakibara knew how to outdo himself every time.

He eyed down the camera as he ate. Kuroko wasn’t aware if the Miracles were constantly watching him or not, but it temporarily filled the empty void he craved to be filled. He could pretend and it was becoming enough for him. Isolation isn’t for the weak. Neglected he may be, but abandoned he was not. They would not be taking care of him, even from a distance, if he was abandoned.

He still had his bracelet Akashi gifted him. That meant something, if anything at all. Each of the Miracles had one, including their leader. He could not be forgotten. It was his hope and current lifeline in his loneliness.

Nausea arose in Kuroko’s stomach. Dread washing over his body, the familiar sense of the unknown he came to accept. Keeping a fork in his hand, the shadow placed down his plate of food as gently as possible before walking over to the side of his bed, using the wall as support. He knelt down, shielding himself from the camera, the only part of the room he mostly knew the camera could not reach. Even the bathroom had a camera.

Here, he could hide himself, not wanting to cause them to worry. Whatever was happening, was possibly due to the concussion. Nothing to worry about, it will pass. He leaned his back against the metal bed frame, folding himself in an upright fetal position. Kuroko closed his eyes, pushing for the dizzy spell to fade in time for him to return the tray of food. They would punish him if he forgets to hand the leftovers to the pair of gloved hands.

“This is annoying,” Kuroko moaned, rubbing his temples, keeping a deathgrip on the utensil. His vision clouded. A heavy pressure consumed over his eyes. His nose started to sting. Kuroko prayed he wasn’t getting his signature nosebleed.

He rocked back and forth in the fetal position, squeezing his eyes shut. The blue-haired boy tried to focus on anything to rid himself of the nausea. Breathing in and out took a lot of him. Something casted a shadow over the male.

“Kuroko?”

Oh? Was he starting to hear voices? Kuroko pressed one hand up to his ear, blocking the sound, his other hand flipped the fork in an offensive pose, ready to protect himself from whoever was in front of him, deeming them a threat. It hurt too much to open his eyes. 

“Oi, hey, Kuroko? Takao get…”

A cold hand held his cheek. Kuroko pressed himself further into the intruder's palm. He grabbed onto the back of the strange hand, crushing the fingers.

“Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can.” The concerned voice echoed in Kuroko’s ears.

Kuroko constricted the man’s hand as hard as he could in his weakened state.

“Takao, assist me in lifting him up.”

“Of course, of course, Shin-chan! Hey, hey Kuroko, recognize my voice?”

Loudly, A grating voice reverberated in the shadows right ear. He'd recognize him from anywhere. His rival in shadow-dom. His foil. Someone who gave him a challenge. 

Keeping his eyes closed, Kuroko swung his fork randomly at the dark-haired male. Takao giggled, dodging slightly. In seconds he disarmed the shadow, and picked him up with the help of Midorima. They placed him on the bed.

“Ha! He definitely remembers me. That light of yours said you were asking for me? Did you miss me? Oi, Kuroko~” Takao teased.

“Hot.” Kuroko whined out. It’s hot.

Takao flashed a cheeky smile, “Hot? I know I am.” 

“Stop harassing him, focus please,” Midorima rolled his eyes, pouring a substance into a small paper cup, “Kuroko, I’m going to need you to sit up and drink this. Take your time.”

Kuroko felt a pair of hands drag him upright from under his arms. Midorima held the unknown cup of liquid to his lips, waiting for him to open his mouth. The shadow dropped his jaw slightly, letting the bespectacled man drop the medicine into his mouth. His tongue coated the chalky thick substance, a bitter taste left in his throat.

“M-Midorima-kun…” He whimpered, keeping his mouth open.

The medicine was strong and bitter. No fun, child-approved safe flavors to his dismay. He stuck his tongue out in disgust. White coated his tongue, Kuroko desperately wanted something to wash it off. Drool threatened to drip down his chin.

“Woah, that looks wrong.” Takao covered his mouth, snickering.

“Knock it off, idiot.” Midorima smacked the back of Takao’s head, “Go get Akashi.”

“Yessir~” 

Footsteps faded into the distance.

Kuroko squinted his eyes, focusing on the green haired blob in front of him. He reached out, searching to grasp onto the taller man. Kuroko will not let the man abandon him again. Fortunately for him, Midorima had no plans on leaving just yet.

“Kuroko…,” Midorima began, his voice deep, “How are you feeling now?”

Sluggishly, the shadow shook his head, “Water?”

Silently, Midorima left for the in-room bathroom, taking another cup with him. Running the faucet, the water trickled into the paperware. The green haired man hastily walked back and stopped in front of the ailing male. He needed to aid the delicate patient in front of him so he didn’t choke.

“Forgive me.” Midorima responded after a few minutes, pouring the water into his own mouth. 

Leaning across the side of the bed, he hovered over Kuroko, placing a thumb at his puffy lips. Applying further pressure, Kuroko submitted and opened his mouth. Midorima moved his thumb to trace his canines, feeling the sharp points. Then within a split second decision, he swirled his thumb around Kuroko’s tongue, collecting the remaining chalky substance. 

Kuroko gasped, pulling against Midorima’s shirt. He knew he was in a delirious state, whether it be due to the medicine or his recent attack, but at this moment he did not care. Midorima bent down, bringing his lips closer to Kuroko’s. The water still filled in his cheeks, sloshed around. His lips met the shorter, prying his mouth open with his tongue. 

The shadow accepted it all, the water entering his mouth, the domineering muscle, and the sudden hand gripping the back of his head. Midorima’s resolve deteriorated fast, deepening his tongue further in Kuroko’s mouth, feeding him the remaining water and reclaiming the remaining medicine back into his own orifice. Kuroko accepted the water, enticing the man back in with each tug to his collared shirt, desperately craving for more. 

Midorima separated himself from his patient. He pulled Kuroko’s head back, fingers threaded through the light blue hair. The future doctor knew if he didn’t stop now, he would be heading into a dangerous territory. The last thing he needed to be was punished by Akashi. In his defense, he was only hydrating Kuroko.

Nothing scandalous.

Kuroko gasped for air, opening his tear stained, doe eyes at the perpetrator, “More please, Midorima-kun.”

Maybe a little scandalous.

Pink flushed the older male's cheeks, “Y-You should be able to drink the rest yourself now,” He replied, losing his cool. He handed over the cup filled with the remaining water. With shaky hands, Kuroko accepted the drink. Water dripped down his chin as he drank, slowly quenching his thirst. The medicine flavor barely left his taste buds.

“You do realize we can see everything, don’t you? Midorima.” Akashi voiced out, seemingly emerging from nowhere.

Midorima spun around, cheeks fully red. At least Akashi referred to him as, “Midorima” and not, “Shintarou”. He’s safe for now. He could hear the amusement in Akashi’s voice, at the latters expense. A smile threatened the corners of his mouth. The leader of the group must have snuck in not too long ago. Another loud cackling echoed in the hallways, the door to the room opened.

“You put on quite the performance, Shin-chan!” Takao wheezed, “Who knew you had it in you!”

Akashi’s eyebrow twitched, his smile collapsed to a fake smile, staining his face.

“You certainly did. The others are jealous.” The redhead pointed out, moving to sit at the corner of Kuroko’s bed.

Kuroko pulled his knees up to his chest, eyeing down Akashi as if he was dangerous. He debated on throwing the cup in his hand at the man. They locked him up! As if Midorima read the shadows' thoughts, he swiftly removed the cup and placed it on the rolling trolley. Akashi faced him, back to being amused. Takao moved to stand beside Midorima, jotting down notes of some sort. 

“Were you just about to throw that at me?” Akashi flashed a wild look, twisting his body to cage the front of Kuroko’s bed, sizing him up.

Kuroko turned his head to the side, ignoring the man.

“So stubborn. You know we did this for your own good.”

“Akashi’s right, yeah Kuroko?” Takao unexpectedly chimed in.

The blue haired boy stared wide-eyed and shocked at the hawk-eyed player's response, thinking, “You’re supposed to be on my side?”

Midorima nodded in agreement, “Healing takes time, Kuroko. You're at high risk of doing something foolish again.”

“You all left me alone for who knows how long? Cause I sure don’t know,” Kuroko flatly responded, his head pounding, “-and you expect me not to be upset?”

“This type of behavior… Your actions cannot be rewarded, Kuroko,” Akashi hummed.

“Rewarded?” Kuroko, feeling belittled, leaned forward and crawled on top of the bed to go nose to nose with their leader. He clutched his ribs, wincing, but not backing down. Laying hands on Akashi was not his initial plan, but he wanted to make a point. Oh, but what was this feeling?

His heart sped up as he reached for the slightly taller man’s shirt collar. The initial adrenaline wore off in seconds, the strength to combat Akashi left him immediately. It had been the same feeling he got when he attempted to defend himself from Kise. He just couldn’t. He didn’t want to, deep down. His act-first, deal with the consequences later, high school self would be ashamed.

Akashi watched Kuroko’s mental battle, wordlessy. Allowing Kuroko to calm down himself before doing anything. Midorima looked ready to pull his patient back down, but one look told him not too. Heavy breaths puffed against the leader's face. Time seemed to slow for Kuroko. He settled his head on Akashi’s shoulder.

“It will be easier if you stay silent and do as we say from now on,” Akashi hummed, “Back in the shadows is where you belong, at our sides.” Follow us, aid us.

He pulled Kuroko’s body onto his lap, so the boy straddled him. Akashi wrapped his arms around his waist and squeezed. Calming Kuroko was easier said than done. The shadow wrapped his legs around Akashi’s waist in return. In all honesty, he was just happy to have human contact again.

“We’ll build your future for you, with you, and give you everything you ever wanted. All you need to do is be here with us.” Akashi continued.

Kuroko stiffened in the embrace. A milestone had been reached. Akashi, feeling pleased, started to rub his back, soothingly. The CEO knew Kuroko was motivated by money, he didn’t mind flaunting his wealth.

“Understand that I am trying to reach a middle ground with you.” He continued, “We don’t want to punish you, but if you remain agreeable, then everything will in fact become easier for you.”

The rustling of something being open sounded from behind him. 

“Why do any of this Akashi-kun?” Kuroko stifled a sigh, “None of this makes sense. I was never like any of you. How can I stand by your side?”

Two hands grabbed either side of Kuroko’s face. Akashi studied the pensive look his shadow wore. Thrilled with whatever he was seeing, he wiped the tears threatening to spill off Kuroko’s eyes.

“You should simply agree, Kuroko, they have money. You could live however you want,” Takao butted in, flashing a grin that did not reflect in his eyes, “Besides, you were made for them, is it that hard to accept the fact? Kagami thinks so.”

Kuroko whips his head up, narrowly head butting Akashi, “What do you mean-”

Midorima cut him off, muttering, “Takao, not right now!”

Rolling his eyes, Takao continued, “Don’t give me that look, I’m trying to hurry this up, Midorima.” He meant business.

“Takao-kun, what do you mean Kagami-kun-”

“Kuroko, focus.” Akashi redirected his attention back to him. Checking the time on his watch, he was starting to agree with Midorima’s pest of a shadow. The mere mention of Kagami could cause Kuroko to undo weeks of unaddressed progress. That untainted light of Kuroko’s was a catalyst, a hope for him. Kagami was created for Kuroko, where Kuroko had been created for them. They needed him. Kagami subconsciously knows that. Not that Kuroko has realized it yet, but he should be beginning to feel uncertain about where his morals lie.

Aren’t all lights tainted though?

Lifting one hand off Kuroko’s cheek, he held out an unwrapped candy. He usually received those at dinner time. Kuroko cocked his head in confusion. He heard Takao and Midorima discussing in the background with hushed voices. Akashi kept his focus trained on him alone. 

“Ah, I really shouldn’t reward your behavior today,” The domineering male emphasized, “You’ve been doing splendid lately, it’d be a shame to have it all undone. Everyone misses you, Kuroko. It’s not easy for us to have you down here.”

Kuroko appeared apprehensive, taking the candy from Akashi’s fingers with his teeth, chewing the vanilla sweet cautiously.

“You disappear from us for years, and now that we have you, you still manage to make it difficult to see you.”

Midorima and Takao continued to watch patiently. 

“Akashi-kun, you made the decision to lock me in here.” Kuroko hesitated.

“Did I?” The lion cornered the antelope, “You were the reckless one, no? If we stayed, you would’ve hurt yourself again. You left us no choice, but to leave you alone.”

“Playing with your life like that, Kuroko, is not fair.” Midorima commented, exasperated.

“That’s not…” The blue-haired boy shifted his gaze, “I didn’t mean too…”

“You made your ex-student sad.” Akashi egged on.

Kuroko flinched, “I’m sorry, but-”

Akashi picked Kuroko up from under his arms, moving him back onto the bed. Sheets tangled with his body as the redhead tucked him in. Midorima and Takao gathered on either side of him, suddenly pinning his arms to the side. Akashi turned his back to the shadow. Kuroko loathed when they turned their backs to him.

“You upset your first light the most, you know?” Their leader began walking to the door, “How do you think he felt that your replacement light hid you from him and lied.”

“Kagami-kun was just doing what I asked, it’s not his fault.”

“Exactly, it’s not his fault,” Akashi turned the knob on the door and opened it, pausing before stating one last thing, “The shadows influence the light more than you think. Sleep well, Tetsuya. Tomorrow will be a special day.”

“Wait Akashi-kun, don’t leave-” Kuroko squirmed in the vise grip from the duo on either side of him. He didn’t want them to leave again, if he slept now, he was not sure if he would see them again. 

“Close your eyes, Kuroko. You’ve had a rough morning.” Takao hummed, covering Kuroko’s eyes with his hand from the fluorescent white light.

“Takao, don’t touch him!”

“Yeah, yeah I’m not infecting Kuroko with whatever germs you think I have.”

“It’s not my fault…” Is it?

Kuroko yawned, losing the remaining fight to him. Midorima released his hold on Kuroko, opting to hold his hand as he drifted to sleep. The laced candy quickly taking effect in the latter. Courtesy of Murasakibara’s baking skills and his general knowledge of the pharmaceuticals, it was easy to create a drug that could knock someone out. As long as they weren’t doing anything degenerate, they were in the clear. They would never cross the line as those who use club drugs. No matter how morally gray the five acted.

“Sweet dreams.”

---

Sunlight shined through the windows, awaking Kuroko from his slumber. He spread his limbs out across the wide mattress, feeling the untouched cold sheets. The mattress sunk in as he rolled to a new spot. He had not been this comfortable in weeks. Idle chit chatting could be heard filling the air. Kuroko listened closely, keeping his eyes shut.

“Oh Kurokocchi, Kurokocchi! Wherefore art thou Kurokocchi~”

“Bahaha! Kise, what are you doing?” Aomine chuckled, stroking Tetsuya-Nigou’s fur.

“Knock it off, Kise.” Midorima scolded, “He’s still asleep.”

Murasakibara shook his head in amusement, watching the noisy group. The six of them gathered in their bedroom, all together at once.  Aomine took to a two seater couch across from the bed, Tetsuya-Nigou on his lap and Kagami-Nigou at his feet. Midorima and Akashi stood conversing quietly with each other near the balcony door, something metal dangling from both of their hands and the doorknob. Kise made himself comfortable besides their smallest member, bouncing in all his energy. Murasakibara sat at the corner of the bed debating if it was worth opening a bag of snacks on the bed. He didn’t want to deal with their nagging about crumbs.

Kise ignores Midorima, continuing his monologue, “Parting is such sweet sorrows!” 

Kuroko felt a presence hovering over his body, the once bright room now in shade. He still refused to open his eyes, fearing what Kise may do next. Kise threaded his fingers through the shadows' hair, brushing the knots.

“I don’t think that’s the next line, Kisechin.” Murasakibara pointed out, falling backwards on the bed and keeping his feet on the floor. 

“Ah Murasakibaracchi! You could’ve crushed us!”

“And you would’ve liked it, Kisechin~” Murasakibara hooked his hand around Kise’s slim ankle, squeezing.

Kuroko wanted to roll his eyes. He wasn’t sure the type of situation he was in yet. One moment he had been isolated in some basement room and the next he was back in the room that caused him to go down there. Whatever game they were trying to play, it made Kuroko more confused. The hand touching his hair was getting too feely though, he might as well start getting answers.

“Murasakibara-kun is right, Kise-kun,” Kuroko cut in, arising from his faux slumber, “Hm, but if we’re quoting random passages, here’s one from Romeo that I like myself.”

“Kurokocchi! You’re awake!”

“Tetsu!”

The shadow gently pried the hand off his head and sat himself propped up against the headboard, “I believe the quote goes: ‘Here’s an old saying that applies to me: you can’t lose a game if you don’t play the game.’ or something…”

“Very on brand for you, Kuroko.” Akashi voiced, void of any emotion. Subtle on declaring a challenge.

“Ha! Good one Tetsu!” Aomine snickered, Tetsuya-Nigou let a small bark in agreement.

Murasakibara looked upside down, smirking at the male, “So you did read the book I left you, Kurochin.”

“You and Himuro-san have an interesting choice in books.”

“Ah, you noticed it was Murochin’s book?”

“If I knew we were allowed to leave books for Kurokocchi, I would’ve left some of my magazines!” Kise whined.

Kuroko felt the wind knock out of him, Kise falling on top of the smaller boy, “Kise-kun! Kise-kun, my ribs...”

“Dumbass, he’s still injured!” Midorima yelled, walking over to the pair and smacking the backside of his head. 

“That hurt!” 

Aomine, still cackling away, said in between breaths, “That’s one way to get Tetsu to scream your name, but I can think of better ways of doing that.”

“Smooth, Minechin.”

Kise bowed his back where he wasn’t crushing his Kuroko. Tears welled in the blonde’s eyes, not intending on hurting him. Kuroko subconsciously leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to the underside of Kise’s chin. He wanted to calm him down and not make a show out of it.

Eyes widened all around the room, shocked at Kuroko’s actions. Quickly followed by pleased smiles. The shadow was shocked at himself too, unsure what made him move so boldly.

“Kurokocchi!” The media star dived back down again, puckering his lips.

Fluid like the shadow he is, Kuroko dodged out of the way, crawling over to Murasakibara who lingered at the foot of the bed, for protection. Murasakibara and his sixth sense for the smaller boy kneeled on the bed and formed a protective barrier around Kuroko with his arms, glaring at the predator. Moments like these, Kuroko wasn’t sure if Murasakibara saw him as weak or as food as he protected him in the same manner as his snacks.

Murasakibara rested his chin on top of the blue haired boy's head, pulling him closer into his lap. He could get used to this arrangement. Kise whined, childishly making grabbing hands at the two. If he couldn’t have Kuroko, he will have both of them!

“No you don’t,” Midorima grabbed the back of Kise’s shirt, pulling him away from the two cuddling, “Injured, remember?”

“Ah, but Midorimacchi! I’ll be careful!” 

Akashi wandered over to the otherside of the bed, climbing in beside Kise, the other two remaining in front of him. With his presence, it would deter the reckless blonde from attempting anything.

“Akashicchi! Midorimacchi is being mean~” Kise sang, draping himself over the redhead's lap. Midorima, forgetting to let go, fell on top of Kise, crushing the two below him. Instead of being mad, Akashi shook his head, smiling at the two human weights settling in. 

“Gah! You’re heavy, get off, get off.” The blonde shouted.

“How does it feel, Kise-kun.” Kuroko stuck his tongue out, enjoying the mutual peace between each other. 

“If you weren’t so-”

Aomine cut Midorima off, jumping on the last free corner of the bed, making everyone wobble. 

“Aominecchi!”

“Aomine!”

“What? Can’t leave me out.” Aomine digressed, settling in on Murasakibara’s side, while his hand was snaking through to touch his shadow’s thigh.

They all sat together in mutual silence. Unanswered questions threatened to leave Kuroko’s lips, but this predicament he was in would not make it easy for him to back out. Sitting in comfort or causing a fight, it was a hard decision to make. Every part of his body craved to submit to the group, accepting his fate. What would Kagami do in this situation?  

Kuroko let out a sigh, thinking, “Maybe not Kagami-kun… Could he trust him? Ogiwara-kun? He wouldn’t be in this situation. Maybe Nijimura-senpai?”

They plotted on kidnapping the older male when they were younger. Kuroko included, much later after the turning events of his departure. The only other person who ever treated Akashi as an equal and the one who kept him grounded, all of them grounded. Very few people were unnerved by the group.

It would embarrass Akashi to know, but Nijimura used to go around gloating about the two of them always walking to the convenience stores after school. That is, when he wasn’t keeping a certain Haizaki Shougo chained. Kuroko saw it all. Nijimura pushed each of them to participate in activities, socialize, and awkwardly humanize themselves among their peers. Tragedy spares no one unfortunately, making their beloved upperclassman the only one to successfully escape their circle. 

“So, what would Nijimura-senpai do in this situation?” Kuroko lost in his pondering, remained puzzled.

“Right, Tetsu? You must be excited.”

Kuroko snapped back to attention, cocking his head to Aomine, “Excited… Why?”

“Weren’t you listening, Kurokocchi?” Kise expressed.

“Look at him, Kuroko has been zoned out for quite awhile. Murasakibara’s lap is pretty comfy, no?” Akashi remarked, smugly. 

“You should stay focused on us,” Midorima commented, playing with Kise’s legs that gradually ended up in his lap. Kise remained nestling his head in their leader’s lap, said man himself, threading his fingers through the long blonde strands of hair. 

“Nothing good ever happens when Kurochin thinks too hard.” 

Kuroko pouted, “Not true.”

“Oh really?” Akashi raised an eyebrow, threatening a challenge.

“Woah, woah, don’t start you two.” Aomine buffered, “Satsuki promised to stop by for dinner.”

“Momoi-san, is?” The eager shadow straightened up at the information.

His first light rubbed the back of his head, brows furrowed, muttering out, “Something about us being too harsh on you. The crazy woman just wants to check in and see how things are going.”

“Be nice to Momoi-san.” Kuroko chastised.

“Oi, Tetsu, I wouldn’t be on her side if were you,” Aomine clapped back, “After all she-”

Murasakibara reached over and smacked Aomine’s mouth shut, “No more fighting.”

“You bast-”

“Alright, we need to start moving along.” Akashi noted, leaving Kuroko confused again.

Akashi, Kise, and Midorima untangled their limbs from each other, reaching an unspoken agreement with each other. They all crawled off the bed stretching, leaving the disheveled bedding and pillows behind. Cold hit Kuroko’s back as Murasakibara removed himself from Kuroko, following the others. Leaving Aomine and Kuroko to remain by themselves. 

The light and shadow duo looked at each other confused, Aomine breaking the ice, “Yo, what are we missing here?”

“What Aomine-kun said,” Kuroko jumped in, backing him up. 

The uneasy nerves settled in his stomach again. Not knowing bothered him just as much as the miracles turning their backs to him. Fisting the duvet covers, Kuroko glared down at them, demanding an explanation. 

“That look on your face is hostile, Kuroko.” Akashi admonished, “Relax, we’re just heading downstairs to get ready. Aomine will stay with you while you change into proper clothing for our guests.” See, if you’re good, we won’t leave you alone, was implied.

Kuroko dropped his shoulders in defeat, watching the four walk out of the room. Aomine, gracefully scooted off the bed, in all his maturity. He walked around to where Kuroko sat and held out a hand. The blue haired boy raised his eyebrow.

“Come on, I know you want to look nice for Satsuki.” Aomine grinned, “The three of us haven’t been alone together in years, let alone all seven of us.”

Kuroko nodded in reluctant agreement, taking Aomine’s hand to help guide him off the bed. The NBA player swiftly pulled him into his arms, tightening his embrace around the smaller. Kuroko squeezed back, unsaid emotions flooded between the two.

“You know how scared we were, Tetsu?” Aomine graveled.

“I know.”

“Do you? We were reckless together, but never that reckless.” He continued, “If your new light wasn’t so like-minded, we would’ve rid him early on. You both do some crazy stuff.”

Kuroko kneaded his fingers into the back of Aomine’s shirt, mumbling “I’m sorry.”

“Are you? You could’ve died.”

“It was a mistake…”

Aomine nestled his nose into Kuroko’s hair, breathing in his scent. The two of them felt right, all of them felt right to each other. Losing one, meant losing all and they tried their best to ingrain that in Kuroko’s head. Giving one last crushing hug, Aomine let him go. They looked each other in the eyes.

“Why did you run, Tetsu?”

“Aomine-kun…”

“You’ll have to tell us eventually, you know?” He urged, “We’re not as patient as it seems.”

Kuroko furrowed his brows, “Patient? You all just locked me-”

“Anyways! Satsuki will be here soon, let's go change.” Aomine saunters away, heading to their absurdly sized walk-in closet, leaving Kuroko to ponder alone. The shadow limped his way to the window, gazing at the outside. He noticed the chains and added locks to the balcony door and windows. He still wondered why they didn’t do this the first night. 

A car rolled through the driveway stopping in the roundabout. He saw blobs of rainbow hair specks greeting the driver. Momoi must have pulled in, a flash of pink popping out the rolled down window. Kuroko continued watching, debating on what to ask their ex-manager. Not that he could see much from his position, but Momoi changed a little since he last saw her. She adorned more formal wear, unlike her interview wear. She walked with confidence and demand.

Sun continued to bake his skin as he observed the interactions. The nostalgia rose in his body watching the familiar sights below him. His dogs managed to sneak out with the others, circling and sniffing at Momoi. She bent down petting them. Kuroko didn’t have to be down there to know how excited she was to see the dogs again. A blob of black hair joined in.

“Takao-kun is still here?” 

“Ha! Tetsu, if you don’t come here soon, I’ll be picking out what you’re going to wear.” Aomine shouted from the closet. 

He turned away, watching his light rampage around the closet. Kise would surely throw a fit if he saw the mess the man left in his wake. Clothes spewed everywhere. Hangers dropped seconds after he walked away. Kuroko swore he saw the mirror-doors shake, threatening to shatter at the aggressive actions if they weren’t tampered proof. The miracles certainly lived the life of luxury.

Kuroko feared whatever monstrosity of outfits his light was picking out.

Chapter Text

“Aomine-kun… I’m not going down stairs like this.”

“Come on, it’s not that bad!”

“Akashi-kun said to dress nicely… this is hardly nice…”

“You look fine. This shirt is one of mine, anyways!”

“This is embarrassing.” Kuroko bit back, staring down the steps from the top of the stairwell, “I’m not going down there.”

Aomine eyed his shadow up and down, observing his masterpiece. Adorning his slimmer body, Kuroko wore a pair of Akashi’s pants that he had to roll up the bottom cuffs. His shirt on the other hand was something Aomine bought as a joke to annoy a certain blonde man. The infamous shirt had the color scheme of the Cleveland Cavaliers, wine red, gold and navy blue, but much to Kuroko’s dismay, it wasn’t a jersey. It was an oversized long sleeve shirt with a basketball print on the front, and the words laminated in bold: “Best Ball Handler in Town.”

With a boyish grin, Aomine ruffled Kuroko’s hair, “You look hot, relax Tetsu.”

“You’re just saying that because I’m wearing your shirt.” Kuroko flashed him with a quick glare, his shirt sliding off his shoulder, “Akashi-kun will be mad.”

The taller man shrugged back, not caring what Akashi would think. Whatever punishment he would receive would be worth it. If Akashi wanted to dress Kuroko fancily, then he should have left nicer clothes out for him. Aomine would rather his shadow to be dressed more comfortably and casually. Besides, the less people to ogle his body, the better.

Especially since they had guests. 

“Tetsu. If you don’t start walking, I will pick you up and something tells me you will be more embarrassed by that.”

“Mean, Aomine-kun.” Kuroko sighed while testing out the first step with his good foot.

Staring down the back of Kuroko’s neck, Aomine sighed. His encounters with his shadow so far had not satisfied him enough. Tired of the endless back and forth, like the others, he just wanted Kuroko to settle beside them again, but the stubborn male would not submit easily. Aomine liked a challenge that kept him on his toes. He didn’t want a challenge like this though. His shadow was supposed to be at his side without a fight. Something like this was not something he wanted to exert effort into. They all were supposed to be at each other's side regardless of the situation.

After all, they were latchkey kids. All they knew was each other. The only ones who understood each other were themselves. Kuroko had to know that deep down. So why does he keep rebelling? None of it made sense to Aomine. He continued to stare down the pale skin peeking out of the oversized shirt. 

“Tetsu, I…” Aomine hesitantly began, sticking a finger out to brush against Kuroko’s neck.

Startled by the sudden intrusion of his personal space, Kuroko turned around awkwardly on the stairs. He wobbled a bit, finding his balance. He really should not be hanging around the steps any longer. Kuroko felt dizzy. The injuries and concussion did not help.

Kuroko grabbed onto the railing for balance, and cocked his head in concern, “Aomine-kun?” 

“You… Nevermind. Come on, everyone is waiting and you look seconds away from passing out again.” 

“Um, Aomine-kun.” Kuroko suddenly flushed, the panic feeling rising in his stomach again.

As if reading the poor boy's mind, Aomine shuffled closer to Kuroko and hooked an arm around his waist. Kuroko contently accepted the aid and shifted his body weight closer into his ex-light and embraced the warmth. He was not sure if it was the nerves from seeing Momoi again or the injuries. 

“I got you, Tetsu.” Aomine leaned into his ear and whispered, “I always will.”

Rubbing his face against Aomine’s arm in embarrassment, Kuroko tugged with a free hand to nudge him down the stairs. With a wordless understanding, Aomine guided his shadow down the stairs, slowly and one step at a time. 

The room began to open up and brighten as they made it to the bottom of the stairs. Familiar faces greeted them when they got to the bottom. Kuroko and Aomine took the last step carefully, with Aomine lifting Kuroko and plopping him on the ground. An amalgamation of rainbow heads shuffled around at the house entrance.

“Come on, Satsuki looks like she’s about to knock Kise over to get to you.” Aomine snickered, gently shoving Kuroko closer into the foyer where everyone gathered.

“Tetsu-kun!”

“Momoi-san.”

Blur of pink hair shaded Kuroko’s vision. Momoi constricted the male in a tight embrace around his neck, crushing his ability to breathe. Kuroko winced, his injuries not making it any less easy for him. He returned the hug awkwardly with delicate hands wrapped around her waist.

“A-Ah, that hurts, Momoi-san.” Kuroko flinched.

“Oh! Right!” Momoi apologized, loosening her grip, but still hanging around his neck, “Oops, I forgot about your ribs! You shouldn’t have done something so risky! Hope you learned your lesson~” 

She undoubtedly knew everything.

“Satsuki, careful.” Aomine directed, leaning against the wall.

Eight people stood crowded in the foyer. Tails wagged excitedly as the two dogs weaved in and out between everyone’s legs in complete excitement. Kise and Takao chased around Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou, roughhousing with them in their wake. Akashi, Midorima, and Murasakibara watched on in amusement, keeping an eye on the blue and pink haired trio ahead. A happy family reunion.

“Dai-chan is no fun,” Momoi stuck her tongue out, “You’ve kept Tetsu-kun all to yourselves, let me have this!”

Momoi tightened her grip again, rocking Kuroko back and forth, regardless of the shadow’s squirming. Kuroko tapped Momoi’s back, motioning that he could not breathe. His chest felt like it was on fire. 

Kuroko wheezed out, “Please stop.”

The pink-haired woman paused as if she was going to listen. An unreadable expression graced Momoi’s face. Kuroko greeted her eye contact with curiosity, but remained in silence and anticipation. When their ex-manager was planning something, they knew to be cautious. She was brilliantly lethal to those she deemed as her opponents.

“Kagami-Nigou! Kagami-Nigou! Come here, come here… Gah!” Kise broke the silence, wrestling the larger dog on the ground. In defiance, the reddish-brown dog plopped himself on the man's abdomen, knocking the air out of his lungs. Tetsuya-Nigou watched from the side, two hands playing with his ears. Takao couldn’t resist antagonizing the familiar looking dog.

“Ki-chan hasn’t changed one bit.” Momoi noted.

Laughter filled the halls. Momoi turned her head to the side, watching the antics beside the two of them, a faint smile lifting the corners of her mouth. Kuroko followed her gaze, joining in her bliss. Unexpectedly in everyone’s moment of distractedness, Momoi stood on her toes, leaning over to whisper in Kuroko’s ear. No one seemed to have noticed.

“Isn’t this nice, Tetsu-kun?” She whispered softly.

Kuroko’s smile dropped, “What do you mean?”

“Being with everyone here, silly!”

He was stunned. Trusting Momoi was a big factor in his disappearance. She aided him alongside Kagami for years, making him untraceable. The switch up confused him further. His Miracles had hinted that she helped them too, but to what extent? Was anyone on his side to begin with?

“Why did you help me?” Kuroko mumbled back, “What purpose did you do this for? Did you always plan on aiding them instead?”

Momoi pressed a finger to her cheek, mock-being lost in thought, “Oh, well, Tetsu-kun, I’m doing what’s best for you! You know?”

“How could you do this to me?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Kuroko bit back a resounding sigh. He was unable to get answers out of anyone and it was tiresome. Momoi raised an eyebrow at the usually listless shadow. The miracles had done a number on his resolve. His emotions ran visible. The shadow had always been looser around them, but hardened himself over the years in their separation. Until now.

“Momoi-san, why?”

“Hmm, cause I love you, and I want what’s best for you, of course!” Their ex-manager giggled, brushing Kuroko’s hair behind his ear, “-but I also love them~”

“So this is what you decided was the best outcome?” He angrily whispered back.

Momoi leaned in, pressing a soft peck to the corner of Kuroko’s lips. Her arms loosened around his neck to where she could rest her hands around his neck, indenting her slender, yet calloused fingers around his throat. Kuroko grabbed Momoi’s wrists, preparing to push her away, which made her squeeze tighter. Not wanting to hurt his friend, Kuroko yielded.

“Oi, Satsuki!” Aomine yanked his childhood best friend off of his shadow, “What the hell?!”

Murasakibara chimed in, tattling, “Satchin kissed Kurochin.”

“Kurokocchi!”

“Sorry, Dai-chan! Everyone,” Momoi flashed a cheeky smile, “How could I not? Look at him! You… guided him so well.” Waving her hands around, emphasizing Kuroko’s subdued nature. 

“Birds of a feather, flock together…” Kuroko thought to himself, fixed in his spot. He crossed his arms, shivering even in the warmed foyer. The bold action from his pink haired friend ruffled him. Realizing his mistake, he sometimes forgot how similar Momoi was to the rest of them. Being associated with one of the Miracles brought out the worst side in anyone. Some sort of madness that was contagious and Kuroko may have been Patient Zero of it all without realizing his importance.

“Haha! I should’ve thought of doing that earlier,” Takao snickered, promptly firing out, “Kuroko-come-give-me-a-smooch!” 

“Takao!” Midorima raised his fist from his side, peeved.

“Ah, you’ve upset Midorin~”

“Midorin?” Takao questioned, full body laughing, “Hey-hey Midorin, you have such a cute nickname~ Ah, but Shin-chan is way cuter.”

Murasakibara rolled his neck, displeased with Takao, and claimed, “I really will crush you, Midochin’s shadow.”

“So mean! How long have you all known me? I have a name you know.” He snapped back.

Akashi raised an eyebrow and responded, “You’d be long gone by now if we knew it wouldn’t make Midorima depressed.”

“Wow~ I see my place here,” Takao hummed, “Next time you need an underground ‘Doc.’ or to kidnap somebody, find someone else… Ah, oops.”

Kuroko whipped his head to stare at his rival, “Takao-kun, you-”

“Ahahaha… Nevermind Kuroko,” The raven-haired man chuckled nervously, “Oh, but Shin-chan you do care about me!”

“Keep digging your own grave.” Aomine growled out, dragging Momoi along with him as he went nose to nose with Takao.

“Ah, do you want a smooch too, Mister Light? Shin-chan’s the only ‘light' for me though.” Takao fake swooned, holding a hand to his heart..

Aomine let go of Momoi, raising his fist to punch the instigator. Momoi latched onto her best friend's bicep, failing to pull him away. Shouting between the three continued for several minutes as the rest watched in entertainment. Momoi and Takao were some of the few people who could get away with pushing the Miracles buttons and come out debatably unharmed.

“Alright, alright calm down.” Akashi commanded, centering everyone's attention onto him, “Let’s continue in the living room. Kuroko appears to be moments away from passing out if he doesn’t sit soon.”

“I-” Kuroko’s voice died out, all of the new information wearing him out. 

Aomine let go of Takao’s shirt, causing Momoi to fall off of Aomine. The three nodded a mutual truce to each other, for now that is. With the dogs by their side, the feisty trio headed out of the foyer. Kise followed quickly behind, not before sneaking a peck on Kuroko’s lips, overriding Momoi’s attempt.

“Midorima and Murasakibara, walk with Kuroko?” Akashi directed, shaking his head in amusement at the dazed and flushed shadow. 

Murasakibara walked over to Kuroko, scooping the small male up into a bridal hold. Kuroko wrapped his arms around the taller man, cuddling awkwardly into the nook of his neck. Midorima fell into step right beside the pair, keeping one arm linked around Murasakibara’s own arm. Was it necessary? No, but physical affection from Midorima was rare, even years after being together and Murasakibara would not let this moment go to waste. 

Akashi paused and observed all the people walking farther into his home. He created the perfect blend of family and friends. His only weaknesses, finally at the palm of his hands. If they have each other, they are capable of anything. No one can stand in their way again, not an outsider and not any of themselves. He was growing bored of the games. It was time Kuroko accepted the fact. His absolute control is word. 

“Dai-chan! I haven’t seen Tetsu-kun in ages! Why do you get to sit next to him!” Momoi pouted, attempting to shove Aomine onto the ground. 

Some of the group sat on the couch. Kuroko placed down on the edge of the seat with Aomine next to him, struggling to fend off the fury of pink. Kise and Murasakibara sat on the other corner cuddled up to each other, sharing some form of snacks. Midorima sat in his spot on the rocking chair, the dogs and coddled by his shoes as he rocked. Takao sat on the brick platform of the unlit fireplace, prodding and harassing the two dogs with his feet.

“Too bad, Sacchin, Minechin’s just too clingy.” Murasakibara shrugged, watching Momoi walk away in defeat. She sat herself next to Takao, albeit a lot more gracefully, scratching the underside of Tetsuya-Nigou’s chin.

Momoi pursed her lips, “I guess Nigou will do just as fine for now.” 

Akashi strided in, a cunning mood shift reflected in his eyes, “Well, Kuroko.”

Kuroko wordlessly glanced at Akashi.

“I expected you to be more… inquisitive? Ah, well given your current state, maybe not, but surely since you have Momoi-san and the other one here, you’d like to have questions answered?”

Kuroko pulled his knees up to his chest, turning to face Takao and Momoi, but no words left his mouth. There were many things he wanted to ask, to know. In general, just to confirm his theories. Part of him wanted the answers. The other half wanted to remain ignorant. Falling back into his old routine with the group. Whatever Akashi says. Whatever he wanted, goes without saying.

Ignorance is truly bliss.

Takao raised an eyebrow, “Well, Kuroko?”

Lost in thought, he thought to himself, “Curiosity killed the cat…, but satisfaction brought it back I suppose.” Though, he was none the wiser. Being stubborn was still second nature to him. Answers where needed.

“Tetsu-kun, would it help if we start?”

The shadow could only shake his head. Silence flitted the room, awaiting for his turn to speak. The air seemed to freeze around him, goosebumps dotting his skin. He grabbed onto Aomine’s hand and squeezed, looking for support. Aomine relented joyously, threading his fingers between his shadows. 

“...Why?” Kuroko coughed out, his tongue felt tied.

“Haha! Kurokocchi that’s all?” Kise tittered alongside Aomine.

“It’s not like any of you have given me answers.” He bit back.

Akashi walked over to Kuroko’s side, sitting down on the couch armrest, giving himself extra height against the group. Their leader held himself in a domineering manner. Brushing his fingers through the light-blue haired boy’s scalp. 

“Kurochin, we have though?”

“Murasakibara’s right, Tetsu. Have you not been listening?” Aomine snorted in disbelief.

Kuroko leaned into Akashi’s side awkwardly, muttering out, “Well, yes, but this doesn’t justify anything?”

Akashi grasped his hair pulling Kuroko up to look at him, “We made our intent clear. You are the one who played us along. For years, might I add.”

“That hurts, Akashi-kun.”

“On top of that, you colluded in Kagami Taiga to aid in your disappearance. Dragging Momoi-san along. Did you not think she wouldn’t say anything? What about your light, you so adore?”

“This is a game you started, Kurokocchi!” Kise bared his teeth with his faux smile.

Interrupted, Akashi voiced over the blonde, “It’s funny how far you placed your trust in him. The light you so beautifully created. Who you, alone, fabricated in our likeness. In Aomine’s likeness. Unfortunately for you, he became too much like us, but an incomplete version.”

“A failed copy-”

Akashi flashed Kise a sharp glare, silencing the model from interrupting again.

Wincing Kuroko squirmed, his neck aching from Akashi pulling his hair, “Kagami’s not…” 

Like you.

As if Akashi could read his mind, he responded, “Like us? He could never be like us, but he came close enough. If he awakened the same way we did, followed our path, no doubt he may be.”

“Then how? Are you implying he betrayed me?”

“Ha! That bastard could only dream of being me.” Aomine cut in, much to Akashi’s dismay.

“It’s a light’s destiny to be obsessed with their shadow, just as the shadow is to their light.” Akashi, the poetic man he is, continued, “You cannot have one without the other.”

All of the sudden, Murasakibara sneered out of nowhere, “Does that mean Midochin’s shadow-”

Takao lashed back, cutting the purple haired man off, “It’s Takao! You jealous piece of-”

Ignoring said man, Murasakibara continued, “-is obsessed with Midochin, like Kagami is to Kurochin…” 

Releasing his grip on Kuroko, Akashi crossed his arms, contemplating. Kuroko created Kagami, their teamwork came natural just as Kuroko was with them. Their friendship blossomed into something that bordered past friendship, but nothing like they had with him. The duo became codependent within months, forging an unforgettable bond that made the five of them violently jealous.

When it came to Takao and Midorima’s friendship, the four of them, even Kuroko, overlooked the bonds formed. Takao hooked his talons onto Midorima around a similar time to the Seirin pair, knowingly to Midorima’s dismay and (mis)fortune. Sensing the inner “shadow" within the man, Midorima was drawn to him, unintentionally allowing him to break down the green haired man's mental wall. Akashi kept his leash loose around his vice-in-command, trusting him. Whereas, Nijimura would’ve been proud of Midorima's evolved social life. 

“Maybe I kept it too loose.” Akashi mumbled, staring daggers down at Takao. He held out his hands, yanking at imaginary chains.

“Woah there, I come in peace!” Takao panicked, flailing his arms around in defense.

Kuroko debated on saving Takao from his own self destruction. The shadow watched his rival continuously dig his grave. Part of him was jealous of Takao. A shadow that’s not trapped by his light, but Kuroko knew that wasn’t necessarily correct either. Takao is trapped just as he was, moreso mentally than physically. He worried and cared for his best friend. Doing everything humanly possible to aid Midorima.

A moth to a flame.

There was something about being a light that made them drawn to their existence, a codependency of sorts. Kuroko also knew Momoi was similar to them in that aspect. He truly believed her to be another light like the Miracles back then. A light who shied away from the limelight. Socializing under her own terms and evading on becoming another victim of their youth. Undoubtedly, she was in a way a light, but how she watched over Aomine over the years may say otherwise. Their ex-manager sparkled in ways they couldn’t comprehend, always remaining in their reach. 

A controlled flame.

“Ha! You pissed off Akashi once in for all.” Aomine cackled.

The difference between Momoi, Kagami, and Takao was their set boundaries. No matter which Miracle (including Kuroko) lashed out or pulled away, they knew how to reel them in or take time apart when they needed to. Always coming back to a stronger friendship. Kuroko, the Teiko-born-shadow, knew nothing of maintaining healthy relationships. Raised in the same way as the Miracles. Nijimura could only do so much for his gaggle of children back then.

“Kagami-kun isn’t obsessed with me though?” Kuroko questioned out loud, drawing everyone’s attention away from Takao, “He would be offended being compared to those two.”

A hand wrapped around the back of Kuroko’s neck, causing the smaller boy to jump. Akashi smirked, lightly indenting the thin skin. 

“What makes you say that, Kurokocchi?” Kise hummed, kicking his feet up onto the couch cushions. The blonde laid his legs horizontally across the couch, the rest of him propped up in Murasakibara’s lap.

“I’m not obsessed with Midorima!” Takao all but yelled, “Shin-chan, tell them!”

Momoi laughed silently, covering her mouth.

Murasakibara rolled his eyes, “Whatever you say, Midochin’s shadow.”

“Can we please move on from this.” Midorima sighed, light pink dusting his cheeks.

Akashi cleared his throat, all eyes drawing to their leader, “Would you like to know if Kagami Taiga was a part of this?” 

Kuroko’s palms were sweating in Aomine’s handhold. Would Akashi feed him the one last answer he wanted to know? Did he want to know? Kagami wouldn’t betray his shadow. A light cannot outbeat a stronger light, but be consumed by the brighter, intensifying the glow. The weaker light aids the stronger, though it may not be as effective. Kagami helped them.

Kuroko dipped his head down slightly, his hair covering his eyes, murmuring, “After all this time, why did he give me up?”

Midorima clicked his tongue, “Simple reason really-”

“-He knew we were the better match for you, Tetsu.” Aomine finished, completing Midorima’s sentence.

“Kagami abetted in hiding you, Kuroko. You could say this was one last revenge plan from him against us and you provided him with that ability too.” Akashi continued.

“If what you’re implying is true, then Kagami-kun would have no reason to hand me over.” Kuroko, puzzled, closed his eyes, head pounding, “How is this revenge if he surrendered?”

“He cares about you.”

Soft ministrations of Akashi’s fingers massaged the back of Kuroko’s neck, releasing the knots in his shoulders. Dispirited and frustrated, Kuroko struggled to pull away from Akashi and Aomine’s clutches, simultaneously, but was unsuccessful. Aomine tightened his grip with Kuroko’s hand to the point where it felt like he was crushing his bones. Akashi wrapped his fingers around his neck and pulled up, straining the smaller man's neck into an awkward position. With one hand Kuroko attempted to pry the calloused fingers off to no avail.

The onlookers watched the show before them in impassive silence. Sun casted softly into the living room, inattentive to the mood in the room. Anyone looking in could see a bunch of young adults, sitting in casual conversation, unaware of the shift of emotions from the three on one side of the couch. 

“Don’t be so foolish, Tetsuya,” Akashi intimidated mockingly, “Truly this innocent act of yours must be exhausting, no?”

Kuroko squeezed Akashi’s wrist, “I’m not…”

“Tetsu, you can’t keep blaming your lights for everything.”

Midorima scoffed, “Really, Kuroko? You orchestrated this game. Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to happen?”

“Tetsu-kun, Tetsu-kun. There’s no use in lying to them anymore. There’s not a single one of us here that believes that you’re the victim.” Momoi ridiculed ever so delicately.

Takao patted the two dogs sitting up right by his feet, “Is it that hard to stay by their side? I stuck around for Shin-chan when you disappeared, yanno? You made him really sad.”

Momoi nudged his shoulder with her own, roughly hinting to the faux shadow to stop digging himself further into his grave. Though she agreed with everything he implied. The Miracles were crestfallen without their sixth man, and all she ever wanted was to see them happy together again. As did Takao, with Midorima. Even covertly, Himuro wanted the same for Murasakibara.

Kagami with Kuroko.

All the shadow wanted to do at that moment was sink further into the couch, but Akashi and Aomine had him locked down. 

Cracking his fingers, Murasakibara  added, “We could’ve crushed you early on and ended this silly game, Kurochin.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“You always look so happy when you thought you were winning, Kurokocchi! Why would we crush those feelings again? We really care for you.” Kise pulled his heartstrings. His student truly became the master. Though both Kise and Kuroko fell on either spectrum of the ability to control emotions, they both understood the power of it all. Kuroko controlled indifference, where Kise controlled reactionary emotions.

Pulling Kuroko’s neck to face him, Akashi stared down into the shadows eyes, “We allowed your freedom and we’ll admit that you put up a riveting game, but you lost all your pawns, your allies.” Their leader continued, “Unaware of everything on top of that, you would have never been able to end the game by yourself, so we decided to end it for you.”

Kuroko’s face shifted from disbelief to a blank expression, hanging limp in both of their holds. He really hated defeat, but he would not give them the satisfaction of showing it with his face. Not that any of them needed to see his face to know how he felt. They knew each other like an encyclopedia book. 

“Tetsuya, our brilliant little shadow. This game of cat and mouse has come to an end, don’t you agree?”

Kuroko continued to stare back at Akashi’s mismatched eyes, not making any attempt to respond or move about.

“C’mon Tetsu-kun! The sooner you agree the sooner everything can go back to how everything should be!” Momoi sung.

Aomine loosened his grip, letting the circulation flow back into Kuroko’s veins. His hands felt like pins and needles, a relentless stinging throbbed. Though it distracted him from the pain in his ribs and foot. His neck still suffered, Akashi never relenting his grip. A panging ache strained at his jaws.

He remained deadpanning a stare at Akashi, if not a little icily. 

“Very well.” Akashi took the silence as confirmation, releasing Kuroko and standing up from the couch. He looked around the room, his omnipresence directed all eyes to him, “Today should be a joyous day as we all are reunited. We should celebrate, no?”

“Haha! Of course, Akashicchi!” Kise cheered, swinging his body off Murasakibara.

“If something like this deems a celebration, then why not?” Takao responded backhandedly, but not without being jabbed by Momoi again.

Murasakibara rolled his neck, joining the blonde standing up, “I suppose that means we need food. Hey, Midochin, you're helping me.” The chef grabbed and linked Midorima’s and his arm together, taking him off the chair, while side-eyeing Takao as he walked by.

“Can I help?!” Momoi jumped in, hugging Murasakibara's free side.

“Hell no, Satsuki.” Aomine jumped off the couch, causing Kuroko to wobble in his seat. The dark blue haired man pulled Momoi off of Murasakibara, “Like you’re ever stepping foot into that kitchen.”

“What are you implying, Dai-chan?” She pouted.

“Don’t give me that look. You know why.”

“Dai-chan!”

“No!”

Takao inviting himself into the conversation, teased “Wow~ You two sure know how to fight like a couple-”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” Momoi threatened, “Just because I’m a sports newscaster doesn’t mean I can’t destroy everything you-”

“Woah, woah, woah.” Takao panicked, motioning her to calm down.

“Ha! You pissed off the last person on your side.” Aomine wheezed, pointing and laughing.

“You’re not safe either, Dai-chan!”

Kuroko watched the three bicker as they headed into the dining room. Midorima and Murasakibara escaped while they were distracted, pulling Kuroko’s signature disappearing move in evasion. Meanwhile, Kise walked over to Akashi whispering something to the group leader in privacy.

At that moment, Kuroko couldn’t care less. All he desired to do was lay back, his entire body ached. He zoned out the background noises, his eyes closed, reevaluating the past hour. Taking a moment to himself. Naturally feeling calmed in the presence of his lights, but stressed at their focus on him.

Oh, he really wanted to see Kagami again. His own rock, his stability. The one of two people who kept him sane. Ogiwara being his other person, but he vowed to never let the Miracles cross Ogiwara’s path again. Kagami was his pseudo light that maintained his unusual side. Ogiwara kept him human. He needed them, even if they betrayed him.

“Kagami-kun betrayed me.” Kuroko thought to himself, depressed, “He did it for me though.”

Tetsuya-Nigou and Kagami-Nigou removed themselves from against the fireplace, heading towards their owner. Kuroko scooted closer to the center of the couch, allowing the two dogs to go on either side of him, laying their heads down on his thighs. The shadow scratched and smoothed down the dogs’ fur, finding it calming amongst the chaos that surrounded him.

Tetsuya-Nigou’s tail wagged as he rolled onto his back, bonking heads with the Kagami look-a-like. Kuroko ran his fingers over Nigou's fur on his belly, triggering the dog's back leg to commence kicking in the air. On the other side of him, Kagami-Nigou let out a muffled bark into his stomach, causing Kuroko to giggle out of the blue. Unsuspectingly drawing the remaining two sets of eyes on him and the puppy pile.

Each of the dogs vied for his attention. Kuroko accepted it all, meeting them with rubs and pats as rewards. The two kept nudging each other out the way, reminding him how he and his light would act with each other, butting heads, but still never at complete odds.

Suddenly, a pit formed in his gut. His lips began to tremble, tears welling at the corner of his eyes. Kuroko’s vision began blurring, as a deep sob threatened to leave his lips. Everything was overwhelming him. The room spun nauseatingly. He cupped his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut, letting the stream of tears roll down his face.

Kagami-Nigou and Tetsuya-Nigou, realizing the abrupt change in their owner, whined. Rolling back over, Nigou stood on the couch, licking Kuroko’s cheek in comfort. Kagami-Nigou continued to whine, pawing and nosing Kuroko’s hands away in an attempt at distracting. This unintentionally caused Kuroko to sob out loud, drawing full attention to him.

“Tetsuya?”

“Kurokocchi!”

Kuroko flashed wild eyes at the two approaching him. He stood on the couch, crawling awkwardly over the head in an attempt to escape. His foot cast caused him to be unbalanced. The dogs jumped off, granting Kuroko’s counterparts access to him. 

“You idiot, you’ll hurt yourself, stop moving!” Akashi demanded and with their inhumane speed, the two caught his legs, pulling him back down onto the couch.

Startled, Kuroko started hiccuping between his tears. Embarrassed wouldn’t be the term he felt, but anxious he surely was. This wasn’t him anymore. Long gone were the days where he could cry alone. He was supposed to be a shadow, devoid and detached of emotions with a few exceptions and this was not one of those exceptions. It couldn’t be.

Kicking his legs in rebellion and thrashing his arms about, Akashi and Kise worked on pinning him to the couch. Kise worked on holding his legs, whereas Akashi embraced Kuroko around his waist, locking his upper limbs in place.

“Let me go!” Kuroko meekly cried out.

A cornered Miracle is dangerous.

“Tetsuya, calm down for a second.” Akashi hushed him, speaking in a soft, but in his autocratic tone.

“No! Please I-”

Akashi pulled him into his lap, chest to chest. They could feel each other's heart beating rapidly. Kuroko wrapped his legs around the red haired man, hiding his face into the nook of his neck, holding back heavy sobs. 

“Oh my poor Kurokocchi.” Kise’s voice graveled, mimicking his mentor with tears, “Let it all out.”

He joined their embrace, caging Kuroko in from his backside. The blonde rested his legs on either side of the two. With his longer arms he pulled them into a deeper hug, each of them taking in Kuroko’s cries. The three remained glued together for what felt like hours, but only had been a few dragged out minutes.

Everyonce in a while Kuroko could feel fingers brushing hair out of his eyes or someone rubbing back. Whispering soft words of affirmation in his ears, followed by bitter scolding. Sweat dripped off his skin, the heat from the two distracted him. Kise would press his lips against where his skin showed around his neck, pinching at his sides. Akashi joined in as well, whispering in Kuroko’s ears, but not before planting chaste kisses on his face, drying his tear stained skin.

“How are you feeling, Tetsuya?” Akashi questioned carefully.

Kuroko shook his head, squeezing Akashi in response.

“The others will be more worried if we don’t join them soon.”

“It’s not like they couldn’t hear and see everything… Open concept flooring, remember?” Kise pointed out.

Kuroko resisted throwing his head back and headbutting his ex-student. 

Akashi flicked Kise’s head for Kuroko, scolding him, “Ryouta. Really?”

“That hurt! Was I wrong?” He whined in response.

This time, Kuroko stifled a giggle, finally calming down. Akashi and Kise seemed to notice, smugly looking at each other in success. 

“Tetsuya, I think you should get yourself situated in the bathroom, can you do that alright? By yourself, that is.”

By himself? Akashi was going to let him move around the house by himself? Did Akashi deem him too weak to escape anymore? His injuries answered that question for him, but he was resilient. Or so he thought. If he managed to step foot outside, there would be nowhere for him to run. They all lived in the middle of nowhere and he couldn’t leave Kagami-Nigou and Tetsuya-Nigou.

Kise leaned back from the group cuddle, fanning his shirt, “Akashicchi, we should go change ourselves. Kurokocchi drenched both of our shirts!” 

And with that information out in the air, embarrassed, Kuroko twisted his body to reach out and aimed to throttle the blonde. Unfortunately for him, Akashi still had him restrained against his body so his attempts failed.

“Gentle, Tetsuya. You can strangle him later.” Akashi noted, smiling, “Ah, but Ryouta might like that.”

Kuroko choked.

“Akashicchi! Kurokocchi’s pure ears, he doesn’t need to know that yet!” 

“Akashi-kun, Kise-kun! Please!” Stop!

Smirking, Akashi released his hold on the smaller boy, standing up from the sofa, “Alright, we’ll stop for now. Do you know where the bathroom is? I suppose not, since in your perspective you’ve only been here barely a couple of weeks in one room.”

Kuroko shook his head slowly, a question he debated on asking nearly slipping from his tongue. He was acutely aware that they were drugging him, but how many days did they throw away from him. 

Luckily for him Kise partially answered for him as if reading his mind, “Kurokocchi spent so many days asleep, our little sleeping beauty. Our Juliet. Hope you didn’t mind!”

Silence was met with that response, even Akashi wanted to facepalm. 

Ignoring the blonde, Kuroko turned back to Akashi and asked, “...So, where is the bathroom?”

“We’ll show you before we head upstairs to change.” The CEO replied.

“Alright! Let’s go Akashicchi, Kurokocchi!” 

Kuroko nodded, joining the other two standing. He was growing excited. This was the first time he could walk around freely in what felt like eternity. The shadow followed Akashi and Kise past the stairwell to a tall black door that blended into the wall.

“Right here, Kurokocchi! See not far!”

Akashi opened the door for him and said, “Just shout if you need someone, otherwise your bracelet will alert us if something is wrong.”

“Akashicchi, maybe we should get another shirt for Kurokocchi while we’re at it. I can only ignore it for so long, but Aominecchi picked out such a tasteless shirt!”

“We should. I’m appalled you put that on.” Akashi raised an eyebrow, amusement written all over his face.

He really should've punched Aomine when he had the chance.

Pulling Midorima’s signature move, Kuroko turned away in embarrassment and with a pout, he muttered back, “You try pushing away someone who’s heavier than you.” 

He did try to fight back, but a determined Aomine outbeat a resisting Kuroko.

“My poor Kurokocchi! I knew I should’ve thrown those graphic shirts away when I had the chance.”

Red eyes sparkled, “Maybe we should throw them away now. We do need to make more room in the closet.”

“Ha! Perfect. Bye-bye Aominecchi’s ugly clothes. Hello, shopping haul!” Kise grinned like a madman, linking arms with Akashi.

Kuroko shook his head, opening the bathroom door. HIs eyes widened at the sight. It was spacious for a guest bathroom. The interior followed the same theme throughout the first floor. Both the floor and walls were made up of the same black and white granite, gold flakes adorned the intricate patterns. Only an Akashi could afford such a luxury. 

Watching Kuroko was amusing for the wealthy CEO. Coughing, he drew the awed male back to them, “Well, can you handle it from here?”

“Yes, Akashi-kun.”

“Akashicchi, let’s go!” Kise whined, eager to change and dress up.

The duo wandered off up the stairs. Kuroko could hear their footsteps fading into the distance, while the remaining household members' voices bounced off the walls in their mindless chattering. Kuroko shut the door behind him and headed to the bathroom’s abnormally long vanity mirror.

Safe to say he looked like a wreck just as he felt. His eyes were swollen, pink tear marks stained his cheeks and eyes in irritation. He felt sticky all over. Turning the cold side of the faucet on, he splashed water onto his face to make any attempt at easing the swelling. It took all of his energy just to breathe at this point. His body was in pain, and he could feel an oncoming headache. Bending over alone to splash the water on his face was difficult due to his ribs.

He hobbled over to an empty spot on the floor and sat down, leaning his head against the granite walls. The cold stone eased his head ever so slightly as he peered around the room. The tub had one elongated window in the room had frosted glass and standard locks. The upper hand corner of the frame revealed a possible door alarm sensor. Kuroko had no desire to hop the tub with his injured foot. 

If he was desperate enough, he would. In reality, he should take advantage of this time and follow through with his escape. Follow every cliche route in his mystery and romance novels. Running when they least expect it, followed by a great chase that leaves them to communicate their feelings. Not in Kuroko’s world. The sixth of them conveyed their emotions differently.

They proved if he stayed good, they wouldn’t abandon him again and with that knowledge Kuroko would rather stick to those odds. A deep part of him desired their affections. A small flame ignited in him and was growing larger by the day. As unhealthy as it may be. 

He worried he couldn’t stand beside his Miracles. Hidden from the spotlight made him feel like a fraud as the years passed. Kuroko ran away, disguising himself with the rest of the typical humans. Kuroko would never admit it to them, but the main reason he disappeared was to test their affection for him. He feared he would never be enough, perfect for them. So, if the group held their affections for him, then Kuroko would some day go back to them, but if they did not, Kuroko would remain void.

“Kagami-kun ruined it all.” The shadow complained in annoyance. 

One day he would like to ask Kagami why. His own creation turned him over to the “enemy”. Maybe there were a multitude of reasonings and not just what the rest implied. Whose sake did Kagami do this for? To protect himself? Maybe he knew how Kuroko really felt about the Miracles. His “light” side took over his human side and saw the cravings his shadow desired. Kuroko may never know. 

“Kurokocchi! Knock-knock, I brought you a new set of clothes!” Kise called out from behind the door, softly knocking, “Can I come in?”

“The doors unlocked!” Kuroko did his best to yell, he was too busy sitting on the floor to move and maybe he wanted to be a little bit selfish. He could play with the dramatics too, Kise wasn’t the only one.

“Oh! Kurokocchi! Why are you on the ground?” Kise threw the new outfit onto the bathroom countertop, scurrying over to the blue haired boy. The door shut behind him.

“Ah, nevermind it was nothing,” Kuroko sighed, holding his arms out, “Help me up?”

“Of course!”

“Thank you, Kise-kun.”

The brief exchange died down as Kise held the fragile shadow in his arms. 

“You need to tell us when you’re not feeling good, you know?” Kise scolded.

“I know, I’m sorry.”

“We’re not about to rehash this, Kurokocchi. I’m sure you’re tired of it. Let me help you change.”

“...Thank you.”

Kise beamed. Lifting his arms above his head, the blonde stripped Kuroko of his shirt, discarding it into the ceramic trash bin. While Kise did that, Kuroko stepped out of Akashi’s pants and picked them up to drop them on the counter. Now in the partial nude, Kuroko examined his body in the mirror, ignorant of the prying eyes behind him. He ran his hands down his body delicately examining the bruised flesh, and odd pink marks around his neck line he did not recall seeing prior.

Stepping forward, Kise wrapped his arms around Kuroko’s waist from behind, clothed skin meeting bare. The contact caused the shorter male to jump, falling backwards into Kise’s chest. A dangerous look glinted in the taller man’s eyes, licking his lips. Kuroko could only swallow the saliva build up, nervous. Fingers danced dangerously low around his underwear, tracing the toned skin and messing with the elastic band.

“I will yell, Kise-kun.” Kuroko stated monotonously.

Tightening his hold, Kise responded, “You’re no fun.”

“And I’m injured…” He watched his mentee pout, “When Midorima-kun gives the ‘okay’, you can do whatever you want....”

The media star perked up at that, “You mean it? Mark your words.”

Thinking the blonde was too eager, Kuroko crossed his fingers, “Ah, I was joking. See?” He held out his hand, showing Kise his fingers attempting to trick the man.

“So mean~ I watched you do that! The mirror tells all!” Kise stuck his head into the indent of Kuroko’s neck, sucking and nipping at the skin interchangeably.

“K-Kise-kun, Akashi-kun will be mad… Let me change.”

“Perfect!” Kise let go, examining the newer marks around the back of Kuroko’s neck line, finishing his work from earlier. He spoke again, more softly, “You’re perfect, Kurokocchi.”

Kuroko’s eyes widened, jaw slightly dropped. The look in Kise’s eyes was as if he was staring at his whole world. 

Adoration.

He knew he could never step on the same ground as they were in terms of strength or success. Afraid that someday they would turn their backs again on him, but that look said otherwise. In true defeat, Kuroko froze.

“I’m getting cold,” He whispered out as loudly as he could, “Can I change now?”

“Sure, here! Change into this!” Kise revealed the outfit. An attire that implied casual and quiet luxury. Subtle and simple enough for Kuroko, but still marked with the Miracles branding. 

“This is a lot better…” Kuroko commented softly, regaining his composure.

“Okay! So put this on first… Then this next!”

Chapter Text

Kise opened the door for Kuroko, like the true gentleman that he is. Fluffing his shirt down, Kuroko awkwardly walked out of the bathroom. His cheeks were visibly flushed. Akashi stood a few feet away from the door, donning a new outfit himself. A classic white designer button up shirt fitted to Akashi’s chest, carefully ironed to a crisp. Below the belt, he appeared to be wearing what Kuroko could only imagine was a hand tailored pair of dress pants and just below that-

“Ahem.”

Kuroko startled, staring wide eyed at the man. Akashi raised an eyebrow, a smirk settling on his lips. Turning away with all the subtlety he could muster, he faced the bathroom door. Kise stood in the way and blocked his escape route. A wild grin showed on the blonde's face. 

“You look splendid, Kuroko.” Akashi hummed, eyeing Kuroko’s back.

“Much better than that trash of a shirt Aominecchi picked out!” Kise chimed in, checking out his work of art.

Kuroko shook his head and replied with his head down, “Thank you for the change of clothes.”

“We promised we would take care of you!”

“It is the least we could do.” Akashi acknowledged.

Whether it was an attack at everything they did to him up to this point or just a genuine response, Kuroko did not care to know, but it did peeve him a little. To solve a problem, one must create a problem and the Miracle’s seem to enjoy creating new problems.

Kuroko shifted his gaze back to the blonde in front of him, pulling himself away from his thoughts. The brief anger dropped from his face when he stared at Kise. He didn’t really pay attention to the model’s appearance when they were in the bathroom together, too high alert and unsettled to digest his captors appearance.

Luxury looked good on the pair, Kuroko decided mentally. Kise flourished in his own flashy luxury. Not nitpicked and tidied like Akashi’s, but trendy and casual if one ignored the designer labels everywhere. 

“Kurokocchi, you’re looking a little hungry.” Kise chuckled. 

Flashing an irritated glare, he tried to walk away from the two snickering. Carefully with his injured foot, he staggered some steps away. Kuroko did not make it very far though, as a hand grappled onto his bicep and squeezed him into a halt. 

Kuroko huffed.

“Before you go off and sulk, I would like to speak to you privately.” Akashi directed with amusement lingering in his voice, “Kise, tell the others we will be with them momentarily.”

“Don’t hog Kurokocchi for too long! His meals are waiting for him.” Kise sang cheerfully.

“Kise-kun.”

Without a response, cheekily, Kise ruffled Kuroko’s head and gave Akashi a chaste kiss to his temple before taking off to the rest of the group gathered in the dining area. The two watched the blonde man head into the kitchen to terrorize his next victims. Akashi shook his head. Kuroko could only agree with whatever the red-haired man was thinking.

“Akashi-kun, what is it that you wanted to talk about?” Kuroko asked, getting straight to the point.

Releasing his grip on Kuroko’s bicep, Akashi began patting down and brushing out the new knots in Kuroko’s hair with his fingers.

“Ow, Akashi-kun.” 

“Honestly, he only touched your hair for a second and it became so matted.” Akashi sighed, fixated on undoing the damage, “Well regardless, Kuroko follow me for a moment. We still have some time before dinner is ready.”

Kuroko cocked his head to the side. Weighing his options was not something he could afford to  waste his time doing. Going along with their game seemed to be the easiest option for Kuroko at the moment. He knew deep down Akashi would not attempt anything. At least, that’s what he had to tell himself. 

“Let’s go.” Akashi smiled and held out his hand invitingly.

Worried or not, he had no choice but to follow Akashi.

“Okay.” He submitted, taking the calloused palm.

Akashi led him to a new area of the first floor. Each step of the way made Kuroko more and more nervous. His heart and his body could not take anymore life altering events. Already having enough shock for the day. Waking up back in the Miracle’s room, Momoi coming to visit, while said visitation turned into an intervention, his unproud moment of breaking down, and now this. 

Kuroko was tired.

The pair approached a darkwood door that appeared to be sturdier than the rest. A lot thicker and heavier, Kuroko could tell just by observing. Multiple hardened steel deadbolts lined the door and frame. A keypad next to the wall. It was like something out of a Sci-Fi film. A pit was beginning to form in his stomach. Having this heavy security was not normal. 

“Relax, it’s not as scary as it looks. Promise.” Akashi smiled again, squeezing Kuroko’s hand, “Watch this.”

Releasing his hold on Kuroko, he turned the knob to the room and opened the door. No locks were locked and no hightech retina or fingerprint scanners were required to unlock the room like the door appeared. It was unlocked and free for anyone to enter. Guests, relatives, partners… Intruders, or captives. Anyone could enter. The door appeared to be all bark and no bite.

“Oh.” Was all Kuroko could reply with, trying to remain as neutral as possible.

Though he had already lost plenty of his dignity. He still wanted to prove to Akashi and everyone else that he still had some fight left. Whether it was wishful thinking for himself. Taking advantage of his one-on-one time with Akashi was his priority now. No one could dogpile on top of him now.

“This is my office when I work from home. Nothing out of the ordinary.” Akashi began again, gesturing for Kuroko to step inside, “Please come in.”

Kuroko hesitantly stepped in, guiding his injured foot with care. The office seemed normal. A well crafted desk and chair centered the room with a window casting light from behind. A monochrome rug underneath. Bookshelves filled with all sorts of books and binders curated to Akashi’s interest had been placed neatly on the shelves. A few picture frames leveled to each other on the walls. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

“Come sit here. I promise this will only take a moment.” Akashi nudged Kuroko along again, guiding him with a hand against his back.

Akashi led him to a short, pillowed chair in front of his desk. Kuroko complied and sat down with no fuss. Getting comfortable in his seat, he held onto the arms of the chair and grounded himself. Appearing too curious might egg Akashi on and he did not want to give him ammunition.

“Akashi-kun has a lovely office.” Kuroko complimented sincerely.

“Thank you. The outside light really opens up the place, don't you think?” 

“It’s refreshing.” He idly replied.

Akashi walked around his desk to his own chair and sat down, responding, “It is. Natural light can be very good for the body, instead of these artificial fluorescent lights.”

“Midorima-kun used to say it was like taking in natural vitamins.”

“Indeed. Though I wonder if it is still safe to absorb the sunlight through the glass windows.” Akashi pondered, “Are we still receiving the good source of nutrients or only the bad parts? Does placing a barrier harm or help?”

Kuroko paused for a moment. Mindlessly chit-chatting had been unnerving him. The office was certainly lovely in his eyes for a book-junkie like him. The openness of the room from the sky casting in gave the eeriness from early some serenity. He wondered if Midorima would find himself, reading idly beside Akashi. 

“Taking in too much light can be dangerous.” Mindlessly, Kuroko spoke his thoughts out loud. 

Chuckling, as if coming to his own conclusion, Akashi commented, “I suppose you may be right. You would be an expert on lights, but tell me something-”

Flexing his wrist, Akashi opened the desk drawer in front of him. Even the drawer had no key to unlock. All the detective novels Kuroko oh-so adored has been failing him so far. He almost felt disappointed in that, but he felt more dismayed by the fact he was being entertained. 

“What would be the best way to deal with ‘An excessive amount of light’?” Akashi questioned while moving some papers around.

Kuroko cocked his head and quietly responded, “I’m not sure what you're implying.”

Akashi placed a few stacks of papers on top of the desk. Kuroko wasn’t quite sure of what the papers said, appearing to be in a foreign language unfamiliar to him. What startled Kuroko was the stains on some of the stacks of papers. The nauseous feeling was beginning to rise in his stomach again.

“Don’t be silly. You know very well what I mean, but if you like, I will give you some examples.” Akashi hummed, still rifling through his drawers fixating on whatever he was trying to find.

“Ah, is Akashi-kun talking about getting shades for the room? Or sunscreen recommendations? Kise-kun would know better about that stuff though.”

“You truly know how to feign innocence until the end, hm?” Akashi stifled a laugh, “You are on the right path though. Dealing with an excessive amount of light can be handled in a multitude of ways. Building a tolerance or letting your body adjust to the brightness could be an example. Covering it.”

Kuroko nodded, gripping the chair.

“Though, eliminating the source of light is the simplest way of dealing with the problem. Dimming it or removing it completely. Depends on how stubborn the source of light is.”

Kuroko leaned forward trying to get a closer view of the papers while carefully listening to Akashi’s words. That unsettling feeling was officially back. The brownish splatters on the paper was not easing his worries. He was able to peek at the drawer Akashi was shuffling through aimlessly.

“Akashi-kun, what if the source of light is the sun? No one can stop the sun.” 

Eyes dilated to a wild expression, Akashi paused his movements, “A little moon can stop a sun.”

A glint of something reflecting hit the corner of Kuroko’s vision. His pulse began to quicken as his eyes adjusted to the object buried in the depths drawer. He leaned forward trying to get a better look at the object. Akashi unfortunately stepped into the light where the object was, casting a shadow over the drawer. Kuroko lost focus.

“If that is the case-”

“Found it.” Akashi relaxed, cutting Kuroko off, “I’m not sure how this got in here, but I thought you would like to see this.”

Akashi held up a picture of the Miracles, Momoi and him. Even Nijimura and Haizaki appeared in the distant background. A nostalgic photo of their middle school selves. The serene faces of their childhood youth before they had to grow up before they were meant to. It was one of Kuroko’s favorite pictures of the group. Kuroko held out his hands to grab the frame.

“This was our first school festival together.” Kuroko reminisced.

“It was a good time. A world we could just be us.”

The picture had been worn down over the years, experiencing the brutalities of Akashi’s desk and the rest of Miracle’s manhandlings. The faded, brownish stains bled into the tears of the photo. Kuroko flipped the picture over, reading the words on the back of the paper. The past conversation of Akashi’s and his still whirling in his thoughts.

“It’s impossible to go back to those days, Akashi-kun.”

Eerily smiling again, Akashi tilted his head, “Why would we ever want to repeat that?”

“Isn’t that-”

Knock, knock.

“Akachin, Kurochin. Food.” Murasakibara alerted, walking into the room.

Kuroko turned his head to the door, watching the giant man come into the room. Sun bounced off Murasakibara’s skin, all eyes drawn to him. It irked Kuroko that nothing was adding up, but if anything it scared him more. How confident was Akashi and the rest of the Miracle’s for them to be leaving rooms unlocked and what could possibly be valuable information about. Let alone what Kuroko could have seen in the drawer.

It felt like no matter how much damning information he could learn or new ways to find an escape, it would still be impossible. They were going to leave things accessible to him, because they knew he couldn’t leave if he wanted to. Playing house was his only option and they know it. The complete opposite from how it was when he first arrived at this place of paradise.

He sighed, and forced a smile to his lips, “Murasakibara-kun, the food smells good.”

“It certainly does, as always.” Akashi chimed in, slamming the drawer shut. 

The red-haired man abandoned the papers on the desk in favor of helping Kuroko out of his chair. Kuroko put down the photo on the desk, in favor of taking Akashi’s hand up and out of the seat. 

“Kurochin is looking a little pale. I can carry him over.” Murasakibara hummed, walking over to the shorter pair.

Akashi eyed the blue-haired boy beside him. He knew his shadow had absorbed an excessive amount of information for the past day, but ripping the bandaid off was an Akashi’s specialty regardless of how frail or strong the person was. 

But if Akashi was straight forward, then what was Kuroko?

Balancing himself steadily, Kuroko leaned into Murasakibara for support and with the best of his ability to remain listless, he stared at Akashi. On the ranking of who was Kuroko’s favorite to least favorite, Akashi was certainly at the bottom. Akashi fifth, Kise and Aomine somewhere between fourth and third, Midorima at second for healing him, and Murasakibara at first. 

“Akashi-kun has something in his drawer I’d like to see.” Kuroko jumped in instead. 

If Akashi was straight forward, then Kuroko was needlessly blunt.

“What is mine, is yours Kuroko.” Akashi stated,  “We are about to eat though, so do you mind waiting until after?”

Kuroko wanted to debate him, but Akashi was right. It would be rude to keep everyone waiting, and it seems like Akashi did not care if he would go through his stuff. The blue-haired boy took one more look around and then nodded in agreement.

“Very well then, I’ll go corrall everyone.” Akashi pinched his nose, “Murasakibara, don’t mess with his hair. Kise already did enough damage earlier. Kuroko, the photo is yours, keep it.” 

Murasakibara nodded with a sheepish side smile while watching Akashi walk away. Kuroko remained silent. The unusual pair looked awkward side by side with each other. One having to strain his neck up, while the other down. The height difference peeved him the most out of everything, but at least it was only Murasakibara.

Running his fingers through his hair, Kuroko sighed. He knew everything was just getting started. Kuroko wasn’t that slow. The Miracle’s proclaimed they were getting tired of the games, yet started new games by dragging him around. If they truly wanted the domestic lifestyle, they could’ve come back into his life normally. 

“-But I ran away first.” Kuroko grimaced, his thoughts reverberating in his mind.

He felt a pair of hands wrap around his neck and on his shoulders, massaging into his pressure points. It felt similar to the ministrations that Midorima would do for him. He really shouldn’t let someone so close to his neck, but it felt so good. His thoughts slowed to a buzzing as he leaned into the body behind him and closed his eyes.

“Kurochin is thinking too much.”

Kuroko snapped open his eyes, and turned his head awkwardly back to look up at Murasakibara. 

“I have a lot to think about.” Kuroko bit back with a little more force than he meant to.

Realizing he upset Kuroko somehow, Murasakibara ruffled the smaller man's hair to comfort him. He will deal with Akashi’s annoyance later. Kuroko smacked the large hand away from his head and took a few steps back.

“What’s Murasakibara-kun’s opinion in all of this?”

Kuroko hadn’t really thought of it before. Murasakibara had seemed to be holding himself at a distance. Definitely not on his side, but his actions had not been unexpected. Though, he should have known that. Considering whatever Akashi says, goes. His word is above all, in Murasakibara’s eyes and it had always been like that.

He was no fool. Kuroko had described once to Kagami and his Seirin team that Murasakibara was for the most part a stereotypical “jock” of a student and player. Lazy and careless he may have appeared, but academically wise he was on par with Kuroko if not better. 

Oftentimes the Miracles had compared their Teiko report cards back in the day. Mainly to make sure they were still able to play basketball or not. Teiko Middle School had been strict in many ways. Whether or not he was still that way, Kuroko had to be cautious.

“Too much thinking…” Murasakibara drawled out.

“Is all this that simple in your eyes?” Kuroko frowned, hoping to dig out any answer.

“Kurochin still looks pale.” Murasakibara replied instead, rummaging around his pockets for something.

Once he found what he was looking for, Murasakibara stepped forward into Kuroko’s space again. Kuroko could run if he wanted, the open door was behind him, but curiosity got him. Murasakibara wasn’t entirely threatening in his eyes. Dangerous, but not threatening. Most days they got along well, way back in time. Only clashing when it was about sports or going against Akashi.

“Murasakibara-kun?” 

The taller man held out his hand, a spherical candy unwrapped between two of his fingers. He quickly pressed the candy onto Kuroko’s lips and forced it in. Kuroko’s eyes widened at the sudden intrusion. That was cheating, in his eyes. Using his moment of confusion to toss a candy at him, but it did taste good.

“Something sweet should help get your energy up.” Murasakibara chuckled, pressing his fingers against Kuroko’s lips to prevent him from spitting it out.

Kuroko played with the candy with his tongue, flicking it back and forth with his tongue. He was sure it was that weird candy they had been feeding him every now and again that made him drowsy, but he wasn’t feeling the effects yet. 

“It’s normal. Made it just for you.” Murasakibara appeared pleased.

Shaking his head to get Murasakibara’s fingers off his face, Kuroko mumbled out with the candy stuck in his cheek, “Thank you.”

The vanilla candy was dissolving slowly as Kuroko took a step closer to Murasakibara again. He wasn’t sure how long he could remain at his usual level of listlessness so he decided at that moment to bury his face in Murasakibara’s chest. It was the smallest victories that kept him going.

At some point it did occur to him that Murasakibara was the one lacing his food. Akashi was not shy in hiding the obvious. They all purposely made it obvious. Between his cooking skills and Midorima’s pharma skills, Kuroko knew he had no chance. At least it made him feel good, in a floating sense. He would take anything to calm his nerves, almost wishing his candy was tampered with.

“Up, Kurochin?” Murasakibara hooked his arms under Kuroko’s bottom, preparing to scoop him up.

“Please and thank you.”

Murasakibara lifted Kuroko up, letting the shorter male hook his arms around his neck. Kuroko did not enjoy being treated like a kid, but the feeling of being up high (safely this time), in someone else’s arms, was different. He propped his chin on top of Murasakibara’s head, feeling a bit mischievous. Not many times Kuroko could say he could prop his head on someone as tall as Murasakibara. He could feel Murasakibara’s warm breath puffing at his neck. The tickling sensation gave him goosebumps.

Given the current situation he was in, Kuroko basked in the peacefulness. It wouldn’t be long until Murasakibara and him would be thrown into chaos outside of Akashi’s office. True to his nature, he was going to break the moments of peace. Sometimes he really is no different from the others.

“Murasakibara-kun likes cooking right?” Kuroko began cautiously. 

“Hmm…” Murasakibara drawled out, as if truly pondering a groundbreaking question, “Does it matter? As long as I’m good at it.”

Kuroko scrunched his nose at the answer, debating if he should yank on Murasakibara’s hair or not. The answer was not unfamiliar to him. Whether it was Murasakibara or the others, that kind of response reminded him of their basketball team. The constant dismissal of his favorite sport and his friendship with them. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Continuing to prod, the shadow asked another question, “Is there any part that you enjoy about it?” 

He could feel Murasakibara pause again, as if really considering the question this time.

“Food is good, Kurochin. Being able to make things I like is good.” The chef replied matter-of-factly.

“Is that all?” 

Pulling Kuroko back a bit to look at his face, Murasakibara gave him a lazy grin. Kuroko quickly wrapped his legs around him and desperately grasped his arms for some semblance of balance. He forgot how strong the others were, not breaking a sweat from holding him in this position for so long.

“No one knows the outcome of dishes prepared by other people.” Murasakibara hummed, “If I make it my way, then it will always be how I like it.”

“You like being able to control how something is made?”

“Mhmm.”

“What if someone like Kise-kun or Aomine-kun made a dish?”

“I would eat it.” Murasakibara nodded.

“What if Takao-kun or Momoi-san made it?” 

Murasakibara raised an eyebrow. Kuroko wasn’t sure where he was aiming for this. Pointless information, but a possibility to be beneficial. An insight to how Murasakibara feels about anything in general was good information. He wasn’t aiming for an allyship with the man, but anyone who could meet him halfway was okay in his eyes.

“Would you eat something of Sacchin’s?” The purple-haired man gagged,  “Midochin’s shadow is… If it makes Midochin happy then yes.” 

Kuroko stifled a laugh at Murasakibara’s dismay for Takao, “What if Himuro-san made it?”

“I think Kurochin must be hungry with all this food talk.” Murasakibara declared, throwing Kuroko back over his shoulder with less grace.

“Mm, Murasakibara-kun’s stomach has been growling, not mine.” Kuroko weezed out.

Murasakibara patted Kuroko’s bottom, “Ah, sorry Kurochin.”

“No you’re not.”

“Let’s go before Sacchin adds anything to our food.”

“That would be bad.”

Murasakibara and Kuroko gave each other a worried look. The damage their childhood friend could do in seconds was astounding. Even if she had developed skills overtime. Nothing could let the Miracle’s forget the countless burnt cookies and protein powder mixes. There had been no coming back from that. 

They did not have a death wish and Momoi was a wild card.If she wanted to, she could wipe them all out. Momoi Satsuki could do it in a heartbeat. There was no doubt in that statement. 

Shutting the door behind him with one hand and Kuroko in the other, Murasakibara strided through the first floor of the house. He made his way to the dining room where the others had been residing, all spread out. Chatter ensuing among the chaos. The liveliness of the room calmed Kuroko down a bit, but not completely. 

“Oi! Careful you’ll break the plates if you set them down like that!” Takao reprimanded Aomine.

Dogs zigzagged between their feet as they worked on setting the table. The table extended longer, making room for more people. The new appearance of the table he saw before changed from a homey aesthetic to a board meeting table. Faux candles littered the tablecloth, surrounded by expensive looking dishware. ( Never again will they have real candles on their table.)

Aomine fired back, “I don’t go to your apartment and tell you what to do.”

“For the love of- I’m telling you to be gentle! Wait a second, where’s Momoi anyway?” Takao questioned the peeved male.

“Oh hell, did she sneak off into the kitchen again?!”

Murasakibara and Kuroko paused at the entryway to watch the rambunctious duo. Aomine and Takao had just finished placing the remaining dishes and silverware and were ambling over to their seats. At the head of the table, Akashi sat observing the antics around him. The remaining people must have been in the kitchen.

“Murasakibara-kun, put me down.” Kuroko remembered his position and flailed his legs in protest.

Murasakibara snickered, gently placing him on the ground, “Kurochin acting like he doesn’t like being picked up.” 

Kuroko turned his head to the side, pouting.

“It’s nice of you two to finally join us.” Akashi broke their little musings, “Kuroko, do you mind getting the rest to come out and join us? And Murasakibara, I would like to talk to you for a moment.”

Kuroko looked up at Murasakibara to read his expression, but the giant man did not have any emotion present on his face. Instead, Murasakibara stretched his arms over his head and walked over to Akashi. Twiddling his fingers behind his back, Kuroko nodded to the head of the household and hobbled his way into the kitchen. 

He was greeted to the sight of Kise, Midorima, and Momoi wrestling with each other, spatulas and other kitchen utensils in hand. From what he could only assume was that Momoi did in fact sneak in, and Midorima and Kise caught her at the last minute. Just by observing the odd colored pot of boiling food. Kuroko wasn’t able to guess what was in it prior. The greenish-grey water was splashing out of the pot. The aroma of burning toxins spread in the air.

“You dolt, what did you do?!” Midorima scolded while restraining Momoi from behind.

Kise was focused on disarming Momoi from the ladle she was wielding as a weapon. He couldn’t afford to get his face hurt, but he also valued living and not dying from her food. 

“Mukkun said I could!”

“He did not!” Kise cried back.

“Ki-chan! Let go.” Momoi kicked her leg out.

Midorima tightened his grip, but the woman was strong.

“Midorimacchi! Stop being gentle, hold her down!”

“I’m trying!”

“Let go, you idiots!” Momoi lashed back.

Kuroko debated if he should let his presence be known. On one hand, it might stop them from murdering each other, but on the other hand it drew attention to him. He really didn’t feel like getting tackled by Momoi or Kise. Not that accidentally getting hit with flying kitchenware projectiles was a desirable option either, if he remained a spectator.

“Someone is going to get hurt, Momoi if you could just-”

With all the grace and dignity she could muster, Momoi flung her head back and smacked Midorima in the chin. Midorima let go of her and stumbled a few steps back, holding his jaw. His glasses flung off, hitting somewhere unbeknownst on the floor. She was visibly annoyed, but she couldn’t contain the smugness in her successful escape. Holding onto her weaponized ladle, she pointed it at Kise.

“Now, now-”

“You better start running, Ki-chan!”

Kuroko took a step back. It was kind of satisfying seeing two of the five of his captors suffer a bit. Midorima could be seen fuming behind the pair. Kise waved his hands around in complete surrender. Only that did not stop Momoi, but enticed her to get closer, winding up her weapon. 

“D-don’t! Not the face!” Kise cried.

The pair got closer and closer to the stove, still not noticing Kuroko. Midorima, appearing to have recovered from his moment of weakness, snuck up behind Momoi and knocked the ladle out of her hand, sending it flying across the room.

Giddy now, Kise cheered and gave Midorima a thumbs up, “Yes! Midorimacchi!” 

Kuroko leaned against the island, continuing watching the antics unfold. The trio were lost in their bickering; they still hadn’t noticed him. Back and forth, shoving and grabbing. He was growing a little anxious with how close they were to the stove. The stovetop with multiple burners running.

Maybe he should step in.

He really was not feeling getting involved. Getting involved never ended well for him, and he really deserved a break. Looking around the kitchen for anything that could distract the trio from killing each other, Kuroko spotted another archway that led back out to the living room. A dangerous thought came to his mind.

Kise, Midorima, and Momoi continued the roughhousing, all sorts of limbs tangled up against each other. Hesitating for a bit, Kuroko kept staring at the other door. The one he was standing at would lead him back into the dining room. The new route could be his answer for finding his freedom. Even if only for a bit. If it’s the closest he’ll come to it, he’ll have fun with it and run.

“Oi, Kise, you hit me!” Midorima lashed out.

“Didn’t mean too, Midorimacchi!” 

Momoi cackled, “Hahaha! Midorin!” 

Midorima took a mostly playful swing back at the blonde man, which Kise dodged. Stumbling backwards a bit, Kise fell back into the stove knocking one of the boiling pots of an ambiguous broth over. The three scattered back, with Kise slipping to the side to avoid getting burned.

“Gah! That hurts!” Kise cried.

“Ki-chan!”

“Kise! Shit, get that under running water. Momoi, help me lift him up!” Midorima panicked, still blind from his missing glasses.

The pained expression on Kise’s face made Kuroko halt for a moment. Angry red marks covered Kise’s skin, inflammation around his arm. If it was him hurt, they would surely take care of him too. It would be wrong to not go to his friend now. Kuroko pinched his skin, doing his best to gain composure. They were distracted. 

Shadow or not he blended himself behind the kitchen scenery and quietly, but quickly made his way out. The living room greeted him with the monochrome patterns he was growing accustomed to. All he needed to do was make his way to the entrance. Akashi had seemed to allow little-to-none security during the arrival of his guests. All he needed to do was avoid being seen by the rest in the dining room.

He was not known as the phantom player for nothing. Blending into the shadows of the room took no effort, even if he was injured. His only worry was Takao. Kuroko did not pause for even a moment. If his rival-counterpart was searching for him, he would have found him by now. The shadow could only assume the remaining people in the dining hall rushed to see what was happening in the kitchen.

“The entrance…” Kuroko whispered under his breath as he got closer to the foyer.

But he stopped. He hesitated. 

It felt like strings were pulling him away, constricting his body. He could not breathe. Kuroko’s heart was beating fast and loud in his eardrums. Afraid that the others could hear, the captive clutched his chest, unable to steady himself. Vision blurred every time he focused on the door that seemed to grow farther and farther away the more he stepped closer.

In a split moment of panic and carelessness, Kuroko changed his course of path and took off down the living room. His new objective was Akashi’s office. Getting punished would be worth it if he could get even the smallest of information of the Miracle’s end game. Escaping would not be an option. He wouldn’t let Kise’s injury be for nothing.

“Unlock… Please be unlocked.” Kuroko mumbled, twisting the knob to enter Akashi’s office.

The door gave way instantly, still not locked. Kuroko entered quickly and with all the might he could muster to not slam the heavy door shut, he closed it carefully. The office room was as neat as it was not just moments ago. The picture of the Miracle’s and him still laying on the elegant desk.

Kuroko walked over and looked down at the picture. His eyes turned soft at the youths in the picture. Faces that were yet to be corrupted, or were in the process of- Kuroko could not remember anymore. All he knew was the children in the picture were the one he wanted to grow up with. 

It was not fair.

Anger suddenly flushed his skin. It just was not fair. He worked hard to bring his friends back to a normal state. He could not completely save them deep down then, so he left. Kuroko deserved to lead a normal life, did he not? So what if he had an NBA player as a best friend? So what if he disappeared and started a new life? He wanted to be normal. Did he? That was normal, wasn’t it? 

“But why do I feel so guilty?” Kuroko questioned to the abyss.

It was not his fault that he was not socialized appropriately in his youth, but neither was it the rest of the Miracle’s fault. It was all they knew and then it wasn’t. 

“Akashi-kun. Aomine-kun. Kise-kun. Midorima-kun. Murasakibara-kun.”

Kuroko took a deep breath in, moving his gaze to stare out the window. The sun was setting and the night was taking over. The light in the room continued to dim even darker. He walked around the desk and gripped onto either arm of Akashi’s chair. With the new forming adrenaline he picked up the chair and swung at the glass pane.

The chair ricocheted off the glass and smacked the floor with a loud thud. The glass did not crack though. Kuroko picked up the chair once more and flung it, obtaining similar results. He repeated his actions until his arms grew tired. The glass had begun taking damage at the target point, but it appeared to be impact resistant.

Giving up on the chair he began rifling through Akashi’s belongings. He searched for anything that would be heavy enough to cause damage. Stapler, no. Books, no. Trash bin, no. Nothing would do, but an idea came to mind while staring at his reflection in the spider web-like cracks in the window.

He remembered the object he was ever so curious about in Akashi’s drawer that he did not get to see. Kuroko tugged on the drawer as best as he could, but the drawer did not budge. There he noticed a small lockhole with no key. He knew it would be too good to be true. Akashi would not be that trusting.

Kuroko ran his hand through his hair, stressed. He turned back to the glass window and out of another bout of anger he went to punch the impact points. The shadow was never shy about turning to violence when he was angered or cornered. He wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling, but he did not care.

“Tetsuya.”

A hand shot out and restrained him, locking Kuroko’s arm behind his back. The shadow fell to the ground, trying to balance himself as the body behind him pinned him down. He struggled the best he could, but the person behind him was stronger. The adrenaline in his body was long gone. Kuroko felt more hands pinning his ankles down.

There was barely any natural light left in the room. Kuroko struggled to look up from his position on the floor. Only seeing the dim reflection and him kneeling on the ground. Faceless reflections of his friends body’s encircled his own as he submitted himself to his fate. A voice echoed in his ear:

“Only good boys deserve rewards.”

Chapter Text

He felt like he was floating. Light. As if gravity was nonexistent— Incoherent. He felt liberated. A feeling he hasn’t experienced in a long time. Wherever he was, he saw nothing, felt nothing. Kuroko wasn’t sure if he was even breathing. He became intangible. Like a ghost.

Kuroko looked around. No emotions came to mind. Was he here or there? There was no way of telling. Balancing on the fine line between eerie and serenity. His friends were gone, his dogs, and his life. He couldn’t remember why though. 

Surrounded by nothing but darkness, the only light was illuminated from his own body. Kuroko looked down at his hands. The light emanating off of himself was blinding, overtaking his vision. He squinted his eyes shut to block the light, but it was as if he was staring at the sun, piercing through his eyelids. Now he saw red.

“-ko… Oi, Kuroko. You’re a dumbass.”

Kuroko rubbed his eyes. Was it him, or did he hear Kagami just now?

“You can’t ignore me when you disagree with me.” The Kagami-like voice continued to berate.

Slowly opening his eyes, Kuroko looked up. He was startled. A mirage of his best friend stood in front of him. A faceless replica. Kuroko rubbed his eyes again to make sure he was seeing things correctly. Nothing changed though as the mouthless Kagami continued to speak to him. 

The figure in front of him was definitely Kagami. Kuroko could recognize the fiery hair and their old high school uniform. A basketball resting against his light’s hip. Even with not being able to see Kagami’s face, the rough voice was another major indicator it was him. He was slightly out of breath, but a seriousness lingered in his voice as he spoke. They must’ve been in the middle of a one-on-one.

All of his senses hit at once. Kuroko looked around, they were definitely at their local outdoor courts. The fences around the court shook as the wind blew. The blinding sun casted a wave of heat on their skin. The aroma of flowers and sweat filled the air. It was nostalgic to Kuroko for some reason.

“I’m beginning to worry. You’re acting spacier than usual.” Kagami grumbled, walking closer to Kuroko, “You dragged me out here to talk, and you just froze.”

Kuroko hesitantly took a step back as his friend got closer. 

The faceless Kagami continued, “You usually let basketball do your talking for you, but this seems more serious than that. If this is about that bastard Aomine, I told you we’ll beat him at the Winter Cup.” 

Ah, that’s right. This must be around the time they were preparing for the Winter Cup. Just after their run-in with Himuro Tatsuya and Murasakibara Atsushi. It wasn’t unusual to see this pair at the courts. He vaguely remembered needing to talk to Kagami about his Teiko friends. Nothing related to their matches though. There was no point in ruining the fun. 

Something wasn’t right though, he knew he lived through this, but why couldn’t he remember what happened after the Winter Cup? Who did they play against in their bracket? Who won?

“Why do you fight so hard against these so-called Miracles? Idiots, all of you, I swear.” Kagami dragged on as if he was a philosopher of sorts. His light lifted his free hand and placed it on Kuroko’s head and rattled it around. 

“Ah, Kagami-kun— Could you not do that?” Kuroko chastised, dizzily smacking the hand away from his poor hair.

“That’s more like it.” Kagami snorted, rubbing his sore hand, “Man. Running into that tall bastard really upset you, huh.” 

“Like running into Himuro-san did to you?” Kuroko snipped back. It was like words were being forced out of him. He felt like an RPG video game character with his dialogue being selected for him, “Ah, sorry Kagami-kun…”

“Whatever.” His light grumbled and if Kuroko could see his unblurred face he could imagine Kagami rolling his eyes.

A basketball suddenly smacked against his stomach. Kuroko caught it awkwardly and wrapped his arms around it. The spherical object seemed to always ground him when he was unsure of himself.

Kuroko found himself beginning to speak again with an unusual question, “What do you think about love?”

“Pfft.” Kagami snickered, “Is this about your middle school girlfriend? Did you two have a lovers quarrel?” 

“This isn’t about Momoi-san.” Kuroko sighed. He never denied the fact if Momoi and him were or were not dating. Rumors would spread regardless and it entertained the pair. The Miracles learned a long time ago that rumors come and go and that people will come up with their own assumptions. It was easier to be whatever they thought of him, even if he was just a kid.

“Then is this your angsty basketball schtick again? About time you talk about this bull-”

“Not that either…” Kuroko cut the crude man off, “Sort of anyway.”

The pair stood across from each other in a showdown. Kuroko could feel the weariness of the day setting in. The weird feeling in his heart he never learned to express overwhelmed him, but something in his mind told him it wasn’t the right time to tell Kagami about the miracles— Their story.

“So what is this about?” Kagami egged on, leaving Kuroko’s side to lean against the chain link fence. Kuroko fiddled with the ball in his hand. The mixture of rough and smooth textures on the ball showed how long the pair had been out practicing. His friend gestured to Kuroko to come beside him again.

Ball in hand, Kuroko walked over and settled beside Kagami again. It felt natural and nostalgic. For some reason he missed this, even though he sees Kagami every day, but that is not quite right though. It feels like he hasn’t seen Kagami in ages. With the chain fence rattling behind him, Kuroko slid down onto the concrete, sitting with his knees up and cradling the basketball in his arms. Kagami remained standing.

“Nothing in particular.” He replied mechanically.

“I think you’re overthinking.”

Frisky, but harmlessly Kuroko bit back, “-And you don’t think enough.”

“Oi, you! Do you want my help or not?” 

Kuroko nodded, hiding his face against the basketball.

He felt the chain shift behind him as Kagami slid down next to him, wrapping an arm across his shoulder. He missed this feeling, it reminded him of Aomine and himself at Teiko. It also reminded him of Kagami, the real Kagami. Not this faceless copy. It really felt like Kagami though.

“Love isn’t something to overthink, yanno?” Kagami continued, turning his faceless head to look at the blaring sky. 

Kuroko said monotonously, “It’s not that simple.”

“Do you love basketball?” 

He wasn’t sure. Yet.

“Do you love your friends? Your family?” 

“Mm…, of course, but that’s not right either...” Kuroko sighed.

“I should hit you for making me say cringy shit, but…” Kagami hesitated, “Love isn’t something that can be forced. It’s simple, if you find joy in it, then it’s love.”

“And if you fall out of love?”

“Ah, well I’m sure love can be imperfect. Experiencing hardship can make all the effort put into ‘loving’ worth it in the end.”

“Do you think some kinds of love are unsalvageable?” He asked softly.

Family, friends, his teammates, his pets… Of course he loved them. Then basketball was a hate-love deal. Milkshake? Love. Although those definitions of love were not the ones he was looking for, he was sure of that. Platonic or romantic. None of it was right. Ardent or harrowing type of love, maybe. 

Kagami squeezed his shoulder, and distantly replied, “I hope not.”

“So do you think you and Himuro-san…”

“Don’t.”

The pair sat in mutual silence. The sun continued to burn in the sky. The heat was becoming increasingly uncomfortable for Kuroko mixed with the weight of Kagami leaning onto him. It suddenly felt as if gravity increased, pulling him into the ground. The brightness of the sky grew closer. He missed the weightlessness of floating around nothing. A force was pulling him down. His breathing increased, conscious of his heart beating.

Kuroko knew this dream-like state he was in was coming to a closure for unknown reasons. He didn’t want this to end. He had more questions to ask this faceless Kagami. So many answers were left unsaid. What happens next? How does the Winter Cup end? Why couldn’t he remember? He was missing something important. Plus, he can’t just leave his friends to fight the Miracle’s alone again. Kuroko needed them, they needed him.

The attention he so long craved for he fixated on Kagami to ease the desire. He couldn’t just leave now. His friends, his fellow Miracles, long abandoned him after Teiko. That didn’t seem right either. He abandoned them too. He needed Kagami for answers. He couldn’t face reality alone again.

“Kuroko, let’s go home.”

[Local Missing Person Alert: Kuroko Tetsuya

The Police and the missing person’s family members are seeking local citizens help in locating Kuroko Tetsuya, who was last seen near Haneda National Airport; as of 20XX-xx-XX.

Height: estimated 168cm

Weight: estimated 57kg

Hair Color: light blue

Eye Color: light blue

Anyone with information in regards to Kuroko Tetsuya is urged to contact the Local Police at +XX (XXX) XXXX-XXXX or at [email protected]p.]

“Make sure he doesn’t see this newspaper… Shred it.”

“That bastard is getting involved, what do we do?”

“Anything that gets in our way should be eliminated. Even if it is him.”

“Home…” Kuroko mumbled to no one in particular.

Shaking off the remnants of his sleep paralysis, he rolled over to his side. 

“Kagami-kun…”

This was his reality and he would make the most of it. Kuroko was already missing the heat from that day with Kagami. He missed those days. The irony of his most treacherous days of high school ended up being something he craved for. Predictable, no, but tame compared to what he is actively undergoing. Sane and wholehearted competition on the court. 

Nothing like the emptiness of what he is currently experiencing. He had to rejoin reality. Kuroko had many mixed emotions about his current predicament. He wondered if his Dream-Kagami would make fun of him or give him advice. He should’ve asked. 

“…Love?” He shivered.

Reality sunk in.

The all-so familiar chains rattled against Kuroko’s neck and limbs. It was cold, losing the heat from his body. He was surrounded by nothing but the sound of the metal popping and pitch darkness. His captors blindfolded and bound him somewhere he did not know of. 

Detective Kuroko could only make assumptions as to where they stored him this time. Not their bedroom at the moment, nor a guest room. It was more than likely the Miracle’s stored him in that basement room with no windows again. He wasn’t able to move around too well to feel his surroundings. His wrists were bound tightly together.

There is a stake in the ground where the chain at his neck met, limiting the distance he could move. Similar to a tie-out dog stake and leed. It left him just enough length to reach the toilet and the bedding they left on the floor for him. 

In similar fashion to his last imprisonment, food was brought to him routinely, but he was barred from human interaction. Kuroko estimated it had been a few days since he’s been down there, only guessed by the type of meals he received. Breakfast was his only telling that it had become the next day. Right now it was only sometime between lunch and dinner.

Isolation made him antsy. Being bound to the ground like a dog made him angry. Out of everything, he was confused the most. He hated everything about everything, really. Though, he wouldn’t express it. No.

Like the shadow he was molded to be, he would remain listless. He continued on like the militant man he was. He couldn’t admit to his feelings, especially how lonely he was. Showing the Miracle’s how he felt was still defeat in his eyes, regardless of his moments of impulsive behaviors.

His behavior had been reasonable and justifiable in his position. Kuroko felt he was showing them the utmost decorum.  If it was anyone else becoming a hostage, he’d like to believe there would be a lot more chaos compared to him. He was unlike anyone else.

The daily silence was driving him crazy though. Considering his most recent dream. He figured the other Miracle’s, or at least Momoi and Takao would be in, talking his ear off. Kuroko pulled his knees up to his chest, sitting snugly in his dog-bed-like bedding. The worst part of everything was that he was bored. Not letting him play in the game they created for each other was unfair.

A knock on the door startled him.

Steady footsteps made their way over to Kuroko. Only stopping a foot length away from him. He felt the presence of someone leaning over him, though he couldn’t smell any food. It must not have been time for dinner then.

Fingers brushed against Kuroko’s face, delicately cupping his cheek. The fingers felt slim, but rough. Carefully calloused of a hardworking person. He could smell the bitter, alcoholic scent of the hand sanitizer.

“Midorima-kun? Or Kise-kun…” Kuroko thought to himself.

The hands moved to cup the back of Kuroko’s neck, threading his fingers up into his light blue hair. His fingers engulfed the back of his head and pulled back. The shadow leaned back into the hold, letting the man have full control. 

Kuroko let out a breathy gasp, mouth hanging open. He was forced to look up at the offender, but he couldn’t see a thing. He was blindfolded tightly. The presence in front of him was strong though, he could feel the Miracle up close to his face. The warmth radiated off his body. He felt the face move closer to his own, lingering teasingly close. Their breaths tangled with each other. 

But just as quickly as he was warmed up by the presence— he felt coldness. The hand unthreaded itself from Kuroko’s hair strands. The body in front of him left a draft in his wake.

Kuroko leaned forward, unintentionally and in desperate need for the warmth of the Miracle. They were all always so warm to him, all in their brightness and Kuroko was always so cold. 

Breaking one of his inner vows, Kuroko went on both knees and reached out with his locked wrists, grabbing onto nothing. He fell forward, catching himself on his forearms. Biting his lip, he held back a curse.

He disliked how coherent he was. Akashi appeared to have deemed it unnecessary to keep him sluggish while he was being punished. Kuroko almost wished he was drugged to pass the time. Being on his arms and knees was mentally degrading. He wanted to go back with Kagami. Did he?

“Don’t leave.” Kuroko whispered to the ground.

The echo of the door slamming shut answered him.

“My poor Kurokocchi!” Kise cried out, but his face didn’t match his words.

“That was cold, Midorima.” Aomine huffed at the green-haired man entering the room, “Leaving Tetsu hanging is just cold.”

“If only Kurochin saw what Midochin wore…”

Midorima rolled his eyes, making his way into Akashi’s office. Three Miracles stood surrounding Akashi’s chair, Akashi sitting in the middle. Midorima made his way over to his boys. 

“Hahaha!” Kise cackled, “Kurokocchi would not be begging on his knees if he saw that.”

“Honestly Shintaro, must you have been wearing your lucky item to see Tetsuya?” Akashi questioned, staring at the computer monitors in front of him.

Midorima reached above, removing the dog-ear headband. He couldn’t help that this was his lucky item of the day. How could he risk getting himself, the others, or Kuroko hurt if he didn’t wear it? It’s not like Kuroko would know anyway. Akashi made sure that the blindfold would not budge.

Not that he was going to correct Akashi in the state he was in. 

Kise grabbed Midorima's arm and pulled him closer into the huddle around Akashi’s computer screens. Aomine and Murasakibara huddling on the other side of Akashi. They all looked at the screen in front of them.

Security footage of different locations of their home displayed on the screen, but the main focus was the cameras that showed their beloved shadow. The grey footage filmed the male sprawled out on the floor, staring into the void.

It hurt them deeply to ignore Kuroko. Simple as that. They had no choice though. Their shadow was being disobedient. To get things back to the way it should, a bit of rewiring is required.

“How long do we keep this up, Akashi?” Choosing to ignore the others' teasing, Midorima fidgeted with his thumb, “Kuroko is not doing well.”

“He’s doing fine, actually.” Akashi corrected sharply.

“Tetsu will be crawling into our arms by the end of this.” Aomine declared, throwing his arms around Murasakibara and Akashi.

“Midorimacchi, you really have a soft spot for him, don’t ya!” Kise grinned wildly, “Kurokocchi is pretty durable. He can take a few hits.”

“Hah… That’s what I’m afraid of.” 

“Akachin knows what he’s doing. Besides, if Kurochin didn’t want this to happen, then he wouldn’t have disappeared.” Murasakibara yawned.

“Tetsuya’s few flaws of being a shadow is his fear of being alone, his desperation to not be forgotten and confidence in his position.” Akashi informed, “He is no fool, though. Our little shadow can pull the strings just as well to get his way, as we have seen with Kagami Taiga.”

Kise gushed, “He’s so cool! Hey Akashicchi, can I visit him next?!”

“Quit the drooling, Kise.” Aomine raised a fist at the blonde.

The frail body on the screen rolled over on his makeshift mattress, his back facing the camera now. The five miracles watched as their shadow fiddled with the chains out of boredom. They left nothing for Kuroko except the basic necessities.

“No, Ryouta.” Akashi denied, running his fingers through his hair.

“You would take advantage of Kuroko being chained down.” Midorima snapped in Akashi’s heed, “It’s only right if I go down there.”

Kise huffed. 

“Kisechin is tainted.”

“By default then, so are you Murasakibaracchi!” Kise lashed back, blowing a kiss.

In response, Murasakibara playfully stuck his tongue out at Kise. 

“Akashi, in all honesty…” Aomine hesitated, his eyes glued to the screen.

The rest of the miracles turned their heads to face Aomine, trying to read his face. Gloomy Aomine could mean one of two things and they did not like either of them. Preferring to see the boyish Aomine over the serious one.

Akashi cocked his head and asked, “Well, what is it?”

“Do you think Tetsu will hate us for this, instead?” He gestured.

“We will not let him…” Akashi responded calmly, closing his eyes in thought, “Love is fickle, he’ll come to learn. This is what’s best and Tetsuya knows it well.”

“How are you so sure, Akashi?” Midorima chimed in, awkwardly challenging their leader.

“I just know, Shintaro. Years later, and you still question me.” 

Murasakibara and Kise watched the three bicker while pivoting their attention to the screens in front of them. Something was off with the screen, or maybe it was the person they were watching that was acting more unusual than before. Kuroko sat at attention abruptly, facing an empty wall.

None of them could blame Kuroko for being bored. He wasn’t putting up much of a fight as they expected. Kuroko appeared to have been frozen in place as if he spotted an anomaly. It was hard to tell, but if they looked closely enough, their captive was moving his mouth. Talking to no one, but the cellar spiders in the edges of the room. 

“What if Kurochin really breaks?” Murasakibara added on to their enlightening conversation.

The rest of the Miracles’ glanced at Akashi, unsure of what to expect.

Akashi pretended to ponder for a moment, focusing his own gaze back on the fuzzy blue dot on the screen. There were many ways to break someone. For the Miracle’s, each of them desired for Kuroko to fall back into line at their sides. If it takes a bit of poking and prodding to get there… Crushing him just the right amount, then it was okay! 

They wondered how many times they would have to push Kuroko to his limits. What would be the last straw? Scaring him to submission wouldn’t be the route they wanted to take. Isolating was okay though. Physically harming him was definitely a no-go, but if he got accidentally hurt, then it would be a teaching moment. 

So how far would they go to crush Kuroko?

“Hm… Does it matter how his mental state is?” Akashi frowned, “We promised to not abandon him again. As long as he knows his place, we will take care of him— As I hope he cares enough to do the same for us one day.”

Midorima furrowed his brow, “So in sickness and in health…” 

“Until death do us part, yeah?” Aomine finished.

“Haha!” Kise giggled, “This just got more exciting!”

“Kisechin might be crazier than Kurochin…”

“Not sure about that.” Midorima exhaled, continuing to stare at the small figure on the monitor. Kuroko had been responding to the same wall for some time now. He was increasingly becoming concerned. Anyone in the situation would have broken a long time ago, but not their shadow. At least until now. Kuroko did have some flaws that made him more human on some days.

“Maybe we should give him something to calm down a bit, Akashi.” Aomine pointed out in concern.

Midorima added, “Is sedating him every time he acts out really the answer?”

“It’s worked so far… Considering how reckless he is.” Akashi hummed, “On that note, who would like to do the honors?” 

Akashi pulled out a suitcase under his desk and placed it on the table. With a turn of a few combinations on the locks, the peculiar suitcase clicked open. Several hands raised up quickly. The desire to see their desperate shadow was increasing.

“You go.”

“Kagami-kun…!” Kuroko smiled softly.

His faceless knight and shining armor appeared in front of him again, in his reality. Kuroko wasn’t quite sure if he was in his own reality though. The blindfold messed with his senses especially in his delirium. He felt heavy though— Mortal.

The faceless Kagami was silent unlike the one that quickly insulted him and his childhood friends. The ex-light, his best friend, stood there, quiet and collected. The eeriness of it all unnerved him, but Kuroko had needed answers.

“What should I do, Kagami-kun…?” Kuroko begged, seeking answers. At some point Kagami was the answer to many of his problems. Even if his light appeared to betray him. This Kagami in front of him was the innocent one, the one that could give him answers without conflicted interest. In the pitch darkness of his vision, this glowing array of an illusion would give him hope. 

“Why would you do this?” His voice dropped in sudden anger.

Did Kagami know what’s right for him? Handing him off to his captors like this. Part of him knew that it would happen sooner than later. Kuroko did trust Kagami though, all his decisions. Just like how he trusted the Miracle’s. It still hurt him though. When could he make decisions for himself? Everyone seemed to know what was best for him. They didn’t own him, did they?

But… “I can’t hate you—”

Kuroko reached a chained hand out, grabbing for the ghostly hem of his light’s pants, but something stopped him. A larger, stronger hand latched onto his arm and pulled him back into his lap. He pressed his back into the person's chest, startled by the sudden presence. It had to have been Murasakibara.

“Kurochin… Who are you talking to?”

Chapter Text

Kuroko flinched.

It wasn’t difficult to spot Murasakibara anywhere, but somehow he missed hearing the giant man coming into the room. The tight grip on his arm was going to leave some bruises. Murasakibara had wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him. It grounded him a bit. Somehow comforting. His blindfold was taken off, but his chains were left on based on the rattling. Kuroko snuck glances and noticed the change in expression on his friend's face: Concern, confusion, pensive.

He must be losing it for Murasakibara of all people to look at him like this.

“Who was Kurochin talking to?” Murasakibara repeated his question.

Kuroko fidgeted in Murasakibara’s lap. There were many things he could tell him. Like the fact that some ghostly amalgamation of Kagami was just across from them— watching. 

“No one, Murasakibara-kun…” 

“Hm… Were you talking to Kagami just now?” Murasakibara pushed. 

Brows furrowed, Kuroko kept quiet. Did his friends, his captors, think he snuck in a phone and was talking to Kagami? Would they believe him if he told him about this apparition in front of him? He didn’t want to lose the one thing that was just his though, even if it meant he appeared unstable to others.

“There’s no one here.” He pointed out steadily, “Am I not allowed to talk to myself now?”

Murasakibara frowned and pressed on, “What’s he saying to you?”

Now Kuroko was confused. Murasakibara was entertaining him. He hoped he wasn’t going to turn this against him somehow. The arms wrapped around him squeezed again, pulling him out of his thoughts. 

In all honesty, he wasn’t clueless. Kuroko was more aware than ever, he’d like to imagine. Anyone would go mental in a situation like this, but in the end it was part of their game. Each of them were some part disturbed since their childhood. The Miracle’s were making sure he became like them in a way. It was touching. 

“He’s saying nothing.” Kuroko was distracted and misspoke, “Ah, oops.”

The faceless Kagami was fainter than before. He lingered farther away against the wall. His arms were crossed and even without a face, Kuroko could sense the unrest. His living Kagami would probably look the same as if he was actually here and not this proxy. 

“Are his eyebrows still spiky?”

Kuroko would laugh if he could see his best friend's face. Instead, he gave Murusakibara’s arms a tug. 

“He was always a pain to deal with.” Murasakibara continued, “When your punishment is over, maybe we can convince Akachin to let us invite him over to play.”

Part of him still wants to punch Kagami, but Kuroko wouldn’t mind seeing him. He could do both. Violence and basketball settled many issues. Oh, but real-Kagami was okay. That was new information. It wouldn’t be shocking if his Miracle’s tormented him for any reason, or anyone else for that matter.

“That would be nice.” Kuroko responded with a whisper, unsure of the sympathy he was receiving from Murasakibara.

The faceless being in front of him nodded its head in agreement. Even ghost-Kagami seemed to be bullheaded. Which was unfortunate for Kuroko who was hoping for a saner, levelheaded Kagami. 

Murasakibara asked, “Kurochin likes Kagami, right?”

“More or less.” Kuroko tried to be vague.

“And Momochin?”

Kuroko nodded.

“What about me— Us?”

The stagnant air around them grew colder. The only warmth came from the body behind him. Murasakibara asked him the one question he couldn’t make his mind up on. This froze him on the spot. He didn’t know what to feel. Maybe it was easier to let others decide for him. 

He looked at the faceless Kagami in front of him for an answer. Love and hate were intertwined in his world. Like his love for basketball, he adored it, then hated it, but in the end Kuroko loved it. Was basketball another euphemism for his childhood friends? He treasured them, but loathed them. 

“Don’t let him make a decision for you.” Murasakibara muttered.

It took everything in him not to snap. Murasakibara placed his fingers under Kuroko’s chin and forced him to look at his face. His captor rubbed a thumb against his cheek in a soothing, but domineering manner. Their eyes met. Kuroko could visibly see the concern written in Murasakibara’s eyes. 

“I make my own decisions, thank you.” Kuroko snipped back, instantly. Shaking his head out of Murasakibara’s hold, he took his chained hands and shoved at the man’s chest. Chains echoed and rattled at the movement, the sound bouncing off the walls. Murasakibara let it happen, taking each hit like it was nothing.

Silently, Murasakibara pulled Kuroko forward again, chest to chest, and wrapped his arms around their younger member. Kuroko struggled in the grip, trying to pull away as best as he could. He was strong, Kuroko could take down Akashi and maybe Kise if he really tried. Murasakibara was another story.

A voice whispered in his ears, “They’re watching, Kurochin. Steady.” 

Kuroko paused from Murasakibara’s words. Of course they were watching. He knew that. Murasakibara had to remind him. Breathing filled the air between the jingling chains. Untensing himself, he settled back into Murasakibara’s arms. 

“They’ll look for any moment of weakness to crush you.” Me too . “Don’t make it easy.” 

He caught his breath. Of course Murasakibara wasn’t only comforting him, he was warning him. Their little game was never going to end. It’s how they were, how they were created— It was their life. A realisation flickered in his mind.

They would shove him back into the game no matter how many times he would try to leave. If he voluntarily came back to them, they would create a different kind of game. It was just who they all were, who he was. 

Kuroko shoved his face into Murasakibara’s chest and smiled. Wrapping his arms around Murasakibara’s back, he dug his fingers into the taller man’s side with all his strength. He was resisting the urge to laugh. He still had cards he could use. 

The shadow couldn’t play alone.

This was a game he forgot he could play. Especially with his ghostly-light by his side now. Not that it could equate to the living Kagami. Kuroko could now play on an even ground with the rest of the Miracle’s. Reusing old tactics was never against the rules. 

“Thank you, Murasakibara-kun.” Kuroko murmured in a disconcerted adoration. 

“Kurochin may be weak,-” Murasakibara began, “-And stubborn, but you aren’t dumb. Play with us properly this time.”

Kuroko rested his chin on Murasakibara’s shoulder and looked past him at the wall again. The faceless Kagami was there again, radiating. He couldn’t do this in solus, but someone at his side might give him the needed boost to continue. The Kagami apparition’s body language confirmed his decision.

Relaxing his hold on the giant, he leaned back again and cupped Murasakibara’s face with his smaller hands. The unusual pair stared each other down, reading each other's thoughts. It gave Murasakibara the confirmation he was looking for and Kuroko a start. With a chaste brush of lips against Murasakibara’s nose, Kuroko pulled back. 

He hoped the camera’s were watching. 

“Kurochin better be careful or we’ll eat you.” Murasakibara warned.

“We’ll— I’ll win this.” Kuroko corrected himself while balling his fist up in Murasakibara’s shirt.

“Until then…” Murasakibara mumbled, releasing a hand from embracing Kuroko and started rummaging in his pockets, “You don’t look like you’ve been sleeping well. Here, take this.”

His hand came back out in front of Kuroko revealing a familiar candy. Kuroko studied the candy and then gave Murasakibara a scrutinizing glare. Did he think he was this stupid? He was well aware by now what that candy meant and he wasn’t tired.

“Sugar keeps me awake… No thank you, Murasakibara-kun.”

Wordlessly, Murasakibara took his other free hand and squeezed Kuroko’s cheeks to force his jaw open. Dull, but a sweet flavor plopped on his tongue. His jaw was forced shut around the candy with the same pushy hand. Kuroko rolled his tongue and played with the sweet treat. They’ll never let him catch a break.

“That’s more like it.” Murasakibara lazily grinned.

“Hope… You’re happy.” Kuroko mumbled out, the candy melting in the side of his cheek. The body under him shifted, dragging the two onto the mattress on the floor. An arm wrapped around his waist. Murasakibara had laid themselves down to encourage sleep to overtake Kuroko— and much to Kuroko’s dismay, it was working.

Kuroko yawned, pressing back into the warm body behind him. Murasakibara engulfed him in size. His frame crushed Kuroko in a comforting way, much like a weighted blanket. He hated to admit it, but this was the most comfortable Kuroko had been in awhile since being trapped down here. It wasn’t too bad being embraced by one of his other halves.

“This isn’t too bad, right Kurochin?”

Kuroko resisted the urge to say, “Shut it,” and instead put his hand over the arm wrapped around his waist, squeezing it in confirmation. Their fingers interlocked.

His own skepticism and resentment was melting away with the candy. It was unfair that they could force him to sleep at their will, but Kuroko could use a dreamless night for once. Away from all drama. Being well rested was top priority. He had much to do and a game to win. This round was his.

Murasakibara's voice rumbled behind him, shaking him out of his thoughts, “Hey Kurochin, what was that catchphrase from your favorite detective novel again?”

The drugged candy was taking effect quickly, Kuroko yawned and buried his head into the pillow. His hair tickled Murasakibara’s nose as he shifted around. Tears weld in the corner of his eyes, shining like the diamond he was. 

“There’s many.”

“From your Sherlock Holmes books.” Murasakibara prodded.

Oh. Murasakibara was being cheeky. He knew exactly what the quote was. Kuroko turned his head into the pillow and smiled. They all surely know how to get on his good side. He let go of Murasakibara’s hand and rolled over to face the giant. They re-clasped their hands together and with a steady face, Kuroko quoted:

“I believe the game is afoot, my dear Murasakibara-kun.”

“Kuroko…”

“You bastard, wake up.”

“They’re calling for you.”

“Time to win the game.”

“Wake up.”

Kuroko startled awake. The voice of his ghost-Kagami rang in his ears. His sleep was dreamless and steady. Something the shadow hadn’t had in a long time. The cold air surrounded him, the more conscious he grew. Thanking his personal alarm clock-human, he stretched his arms over his head. Muscles tight. 

The captive sat up on his floor mattress. Alone again, Murasakibara was nowhere to be seen, neither was his friendly imagination. They abandoned him once again in the cellar-like space. It irked Kuroko. He was hoping that Murasakibara and his heart-to-heart would let him back upstairs, but apparently not.

“Good morning to you too, Kagami-kun…” Kuroko whispered, feeling more coherent than he has felt in days.

Ah, but what was it that his light said before waking him from his peaceful, serene slumber? That they were calling for him? But no one was here. Kuroko would punch faceless Kagami for waking him up for no reason if he knew where he was. Putting a fist in the air, he mimicked hitting the innocent Kagami Taiga. 

That’s when he noticed he was not bound to the floor. Chains and cuffs were absent. The newest (or oldest in this case) addition to his captive attire was the return of his tracker bracelet, which seemed to have been removed in favor of the handcuffs. He was never so happy that the bracelet was back. It was lightweight and didn’t rattle. That was enough to appease him. 

Another new addition was his change of clothes and his leg bandage was replaced. Kuroko ran his fingers up the side of his injured leg. Climbing over a high balcony certainly wasn’t his brightest moment in the past (whatever) amount of time they’ve entrapped him, but it was the least of his problems. 

“Good morning, Kuro~ Ko~ Cchi~!” 

Speaking of problems.

A loud, songful voice echoed in the room, reverberating against the walls. Kuroko covered his ears due to the volume. Whoever gave Kise a microphone would pay, Kuroko wanted to yell, but remained silent for everyone's best interest.

“Oi, you bastard, don’t scream into the microphone!” Aomine shouted next.

“You’re not helping if you yell either, dumbass!” Midorima lashed out, scolding the pair.

He continued to cover his ringing ears as the microphone played out the Miracle’s bickering. Kuroko searched for where the sound was coming from, only to discover that someone had installed speakers next to each of the cameras in his room.

“That’s overkill…” Kuroko mumbled to himself. 

“Well, seeing how you are reacting, then you can hear us quite well.” Akashi stated, making his presence known. 

Kuroko nodded with displeasure written on his face.

“Ah~ Kurochin, good morning. Sleep well?” Murasakibara chimed in.

He could hear the amusement in the childish man’s voice.

“I’m so jealous, Kurokocchi! Murasakibaracchi got to sleep with you! …And you got to sleep with him!” 

“You get to sleep with him every night.” Kuroko thought to himself.

Kise’s ball of energy was a lot to handle this early and he wasn’t even in the same room. Kuroko did have to admit though, he slept well next to others. Regardless of who it was. It was comforting knowing that someone would be there in the morning. That he wasn’t being abandoned. Though Murasakibara technically left him, it’s not like he completely deserted him. He was trapped in the Miracles’ home and was constantly being monitored.

Ignoring Kise, Akashi took lead again, and spoke, “For your little acts of defiance, you will remain down there until further notice. For your sake and ours. We do not wish to punish you, but you have left us no choice.”

Kuroko nodded again, unconvinced if they could hear him if he spoke. 

“Though this time, you won’t be in absolute isolation. Each of us will be spending some time with you… Down there that is.” Akashi recommenced. A screeching of a chair reverberated through the speakers. Akashi or someone must have stood up. The feedback from the microphone was piercing. 

“Isolation can cause long term health issues… Humans are social creatures after all.” Midorima tagged in. 

Kuroko turned his head to the side, avoiding making eye contact with the camera. Akashi would be irritated if he saw Kuroko rolling his eyes at them. He would like to see whatever other punishments lay in wake for him. If it got any worse, he wasn’t sure what he could do though.

In his evasion of the camera, he noticed his faceless Kagami had made his appearance. The fuzzy figure lurked in the corner of the room and waited for his attention. It took all of Kuroko’s strength to not sarcastically ask Kagami: “Are you listening to this?”

As if the faceless being was reading his mind, it nodded in agreement. 

“Kurokocchi!” 

“Pay attention, Tetsuya.” Akashi directed.

“Sorry, Akashi-kun.” Kuroko responded.

“Thank you.” Akashi bounced back.

So they could hear him. That was valuable information they should have told him earlier.

“Just like before, you will be monitored closely.” Their leader added on,  “We are here if you need us... This isn’t meant to be a prison.”  

“If you say so, Akashi-kun.”

A brief pause filled the air. Maybe they weren’t ready for a bit of sarcasm from him yet. The Miracle’s might regret putting a microphone in his room as well. They deserved it. A sharp click of the microphone turned back on.

“A couple of us will be down shortly with breakfast.”

Click.

And that was that. Kuroko could no longer hear Akashi or the rest of the Miracle’s chattering in the background. Just stagnant noise of the air coming through the vent. The room never felt more empty. Even with his ghostly hallucination looming nearby.

Kuroko took this opportunity to get up and stretch. No longer bound to the floor and his mattress, he could move with ease. It was relieving to be able to move on his own. The aggressive dog treatment was not appealing. All he was missing was a collar and a doghouse. 

The walls were still the same monochrome colors since they were when they first locked him down here. Everything was so gloomy. The only lights in the room felt clinical. The stark whiteness of it all made it feel like he was being interrogated. He turned to the faceless Kagami.

“At least your light is warm.” Kuroko whispered cheekily, cocking his head to the side.

The hallucination didn’t respond, but instead lifted a finger to point at the door. Kuroko followed the direction he pointed and stared, just in time for the door to open. In came Akashi and Aomine, sauntering in with all the dominating aura two young men can have. 

“Yo, Tetsu.” Aomine announced himself, a tray of food in one hand, and a concealed bag in the other.

“I hope you don’t mind some company.” Akashi hummed. 

“Welcome to my humble abode…” Kuroko slightly bowed his head, sarcasm dripping in every word.

He begrudgingly gestured for the pair to come in. Akashi and Aomine moved closer to him, crowding his space. Kuroko felt itchy. The closer the two got to him, the harder it was for him to breathe. The nauseating odor coming from the breakfast they brought was not helping.

Aomine was the first to sit down on the cement ground, taking the tray of food with him and placing it beside him. Akashi followed next and sat diagonally from Aomine. The pair stared at him, waiting for him to sit. Aomine patted the floor in front of him, encouraging Kuroko to come.

It was a sight to see: The one and only Akashi sitting on the frigid, gritty floor. He belonged somewhere that lavished him in luxury. Not this basement-dungeon-prison they were currently in. An heir like him belonged in the light. 

His ex-best friend and light also seemed out of place, but not at the same time. Kuroko figured there was a chance that Aomine would be lurking in seedy places one day, due to his gravure magazine addictions. He really matured over the years. The rest of his partners undoubtedly correcting his unsavory amusements. 

“Thanks for the food.” Kuroko spoke monotonously.

Kuroko slid down diagonally from Aomine, just across from Akashi, but that didn’t last. He was quickly manhandled into his light’s lap. Back to a firm chest and an arm wrapped around his waist, ensnaring him in a tight hold. Being tossed around like that made him dizzy. His head was already spinning constantly. The throbbing pulse of his headache was coming back.

“Really Aomine-kun?”

“Safety precautions.” His captive responded, while taking his free hand and grabbing the tray to place it in front of Kuroko. Without resisting struggle, he accepted the tray full of various well balanced breakfast foods. A nontraditional assortment. All variants of colorful fruits littered the board, alongside some sort of muffins. 

The fruits reminded him of his friends a bit. Kuroko poked at the kiwi, imagining Midorima’s face on it. Then the pile of blueberries reminded him of Aomine and his spiky hair that matched the top of the berries. Of course, there was the banana that was as vibrant and lanky as Kise— Okay, maybe he was officially losing it… Just a tiny bit.

In his daze, Kuroko shoved a blueberry in his mouth.

“Having fun there?” Akashi raised an eyebrow, a smug look appearing on his face. 

Replying halfheartedly, he kept prodding at his breakfast, zoned out, “Mm… Tell Murasakibara-kun I said thank you for the breakfast.” 

“I will, but… Surely you would have noticed your light groping you by now.”

“Ah.”

Kuroko looked down. The arms that were restraining him in Aomine’s lap seem to have migrated under his shirt. Calloused fingers traced his skin soothingly. One hand pinched and played with the bit of flesh on the side of his hip, while the other lurked closer to his chest. It made Kuroko’s stomach twist. He could feel his cheeks heating up.

Since he couldn’t pull away from Aomine, Kuroko in his moment of resistance, stared down Akashi instead trying to be as threatening as possible. This was not amusing. They offer him food, in return for his body. Rude.

“Akashi-kun.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going to punch him and you can’t stop me.” Kuroko gritted out.

Akashi rubbed his chin, clear amusement in his voice, “Your words speak louder than your actions as usual.”

Aomine continued his assault. There was no discouraging the man when he had something he wanted. The hand on his bare chest continued to move upward, leaving no skin untouched until he reached his neck. Kuroko swallowed, feeling the grip Aomine had around his throat tighten. His light’s hand stuck out the collar of the shirt, decorating him like a necklace.

His other hand was still exploring down below, jumping from playing with his naval, to running his fingers between his clothes and soft skin. Kuroko could feel Aomine’s shallow breathing in his ears. This was becoming dangerous. He gave Akashi a panicked look. The tray of food in his lap trembled.

It wasn’t that it felt bad. It felt good and that made Kuroko really nervous. Like his encounter with both Aomine and Kise when he first arrived. The common denominator was Aomine. Putting a stop to this behavior was a must, or else he would be finding another light. 

He certainly did not have the time to create a new light, best friend, and partner again, but third times the charm, right?

Speaking of his failed attempts at keeping lights, Kuroko whipped his head to the wall. Akashi and Aomine froze at the sudden change. Faceless Kagami had been watching him this whole time. He could feel the blood rushing to his face again. Even if it was just hallucination, it was still embarrassing to be watched!

“Aomine-kun!” 

“Tetsu.” The gruff voice responded. Aomine let his hand down from Kuroko’s throat and settled for wrapping his arms around his waist again. He felt his light’s head rub in between his shoulder and neck. Aomine had surrendered. The beating of both of their hearts resounded like a drum that only they could hear.

Desperate. Needy. Desired. These three words kept rotating in Kuroko’s head. The desperation Aomine was showing for him was sweet. The neediness of his touches made his stomach twist, not dissimilar to when he was in the final minute of a basketball game. Being desired was something Kuroko was growing to be used too. 

That’s love.

Kuroko startled from his position on Aomine, turning his head back to the hallucination observing them. Kagami was calling those three words love. That notion of love did not seem right to Kuroko either. Was desperation, neediness, and desire enough to keep someone from leaving? 

“You’ll spill your breakfast if you’re not careful.” Akashi conveyed, lifting the tray from Kuroko’s lap.

“Ah, sorry Akashi-kun, but-” Kuroko mumbled, snapping back to reality, “ Aomine-kun…”

He felt fingers pinch his side. 

“Tetsu.” Aomine changed the topic suddenly, “Do you remember when we used to catch crayfish together?”

Kuroko cocked his head to the side, his palpitating heart rate slowing. Apparently this was just another day for them. He, in fact, was not used to such physical contact. Deciding to distract himself he thought of the old days.

It was true they used to catch crayfish together, and even cicadas, alongside Momoi during their Teiko days. Not so much later with Momoi as she did not enjoy hunting for either. (Neither did Kuroko, but he would take one for the team for Momoi.) He did find it grotesquely interesting to an extent. 

“I got my hands on a blue one!” Aomine expressed enthusiastically, “They’re pretty rare to find!”

Akashi moved over next to the light and shadow pair, and leaned against Aomine’s shoulder. The tray of lukewarm fruit was casted aside on the ground nearby. Kuroko felt overwhelmingly warm, but he didn’t want to move. Not that he could.

“It’s vibrant, like sapphires.” Akashi voiced, “For something part of the arthropoda phylum, it is a beauty of its kind.”

Kuroko raised an eyebrow and chuckled out, “I didn’t know you were interested in crayfish catching, Akashi-kun.”

“Not particularly, but when it’s one of your partners’ interests, you learn to take note of it.”

Kuroko nodded.

“Haha, this bastard even let me set up my own aquarium room in this house.” Aomine grinned, tossing an arm around Akashi.

“Bastard? Dai-”

Saving Aomine from digging his own grave, Kuroko cut in, “Ah, you all let Aomine-kun keep pets and he’s managed to keep them alive?”

Akashi sighed, “It kept him occupied… Having something that required his control— attention, that is.” 

“I have all sorts of species! Once your… you know…” Aomine gestured with one hand, “Not running away, I’ll show you.”

“I would like that, Aomine-kun.” Kuroko hummed, entertaining the casual conversation.

“You should tell him more about the blue crayfish in the meantime.” Akashi pushed. 

Aomine furrowed his brows, figuring out what else he could tell about his beloved catch. Kuroko sensed the focus in his light’s head as he pondered. It was endearing listening to him ramble on his passions. It reminded him of all of their shared passion for basketball. It gave him that warm, fuzzy feeling in his heart.

Kuroko glanced at the faceless Kagami ahead of them. Trying to find another answer to that feeling that’s been flitting over his body. The apparition neither confirmed nor denied anything this time, but continued to face them, his arms crossed. 

“The crayfish is being kept in a forty gallon fresh water tank.” Aomine began his ramblings, “Planning to expand it soon and get it a partner, but they’re aggressive to anyone in its space.” 

Kuroko could picture it. A dark room illuminated blue by the rows of tanks Aomine has built. All sorts of sea life swimming around. The smell of wet sand and tank water permeating the air. Then one lone, colossal size tank to house his dear blue crayfish. Crawling around the sandy floor, in the shadows of the decor. It was trapped, away from its natural habitat. Enclosed to no one, but spectators.

Like you.

Like him. 

“Did you name it?”

Akashi snickered beside them, listening suspiciously, but remaining quiet. 

“No name yet, but Kise came up with a few ideas.”

“Mm, like what?” Kuroko asked, giving Akashi the side eye. 

Aomine hesitated, “Uh, it was something stupid like—”

Suddenly feedback from the microphone thrummed to life and a stiff voice called out, “Akashi! Can you come here? Now.”

Kuroko felt Aomine’s arms squeeze around him tighter, locking him into place.