Epilogue

Chapter Summary: The three reflected on their past and began planning for the future.

Six years later. Japan Airlines. Route: Tokyo-Washington.

Kuroko snapped awake from his sleep, hitting the foldable tray in front of him. Even in business class Kuroko's sleep was still as restless as before. 'I hate flying'. He unbuckled his seatbelt and scurried over to the lavatory, hoping he could wash away the sleep from his eyes and feel a little better about being trapped in a flying death box. 'At least I had a good dream.'

He took a good look at his own reflection, slapping his cheeks with water to chase away the remnants of sleep. When they took off from Tokyo, Kuroko was a bundle of nerves. Most of it was because he hated flying. But part of it was because he was finally going to see his partners. The last time he saw them was more than a year ago.

The three of them finished high school rather unceremoniously. Where other students were worried about their final grades, Kagami and Aomine had scholarship offers lined up from many prestigious universities. Kuroko also had a few offers under his belt, none of them as prestigious as the offers given to Kagami and Aomine of course, but they from respectable institutions that anyone would be thrilled to be invited to.

Knowing that those two would follow him wherever he went, Kuroko took it upon himself to get to the best university that he could. The meager offer of scholarship no longer held any merit to him. He wanted Kagami and Aomine to get best education possible while still playing basketball. It doesn't matter if he were rolling his dice by taking a difficult entrance exam. If it meant that the three of them could stay together, he would gladly take that chance.

With a stroke of luck from heave, the three of them got into Tokyo University.

College life was almost like an idyllic dream on it's own. They were going to classes in the most prestigious university in Japan, and in the evening they were playing against the best opponents on a collegiate level. They honed their skills with a renewed passion and drive, the existence of each other driving them to do better as an athlete.

One of the biggest highlights during college was the fact that they lived together. They rented a modest apartment with a big bedroom, and put three futons in it so they can always be close to each other. In the morning, Kagami would be the first to get up and cook.

Then came the second year. In an exhibition match against a group of foreign players, Kagami's and Aomine's skills shone bright enough to attract American scouts. The scouts had heard about the three miracles in Todai, and the game, offers started pouring in. Everyone wanted Aomine and Kagami to go pro in the US.

It was a bittersweet moment for Kuroko. He always knew that one day Kagami and Aomine would be good enough for the NBA, and the offers made him happier than anyone could imagine. Maybe he was a little sad on the prospect of being apart, but still, he encouraged them to take the best offers from the scouts.

The two men had a different idea in mind. For some reason, both Kagami and Aomine went through a phase of ignoring the scouts and talking big about staying in Japan for Kuroko's sake. If Kuroko was more selfish, he would've jumped for joy, but he wanted better for them. Missing out on their dream just because they're scared of destroying their relationship, but a good slap from Kuroko set them straight right away.

"I don't want to be together with some unambitious jock who doesn't have the balls to chase after their dream." He said, his words striking them where it hurts. "If you're passing up on the NBA because of me then the three of us might as well split up. I refuse to be a part of this stupid decision."

Aomine exploded in anger. Kagami looked like he could almost cry. After three years of perfect harmony, they couldn't believe that Kuroko would just throw everything away like that. They both walked out and didn't come home that night. Kuroko stood his ground and waited for them patiently. In his heart, he knows that this is what they wanted. By morning, Kagami and Aomine each had a contract singed and offered it to Kuroko.

Kuroko chuckled at the memory of it. He must've been especially harsh at that time. They both came back shaking like a leaf, did a full dogeza bow while offering their contract, and shouting their intentions out loud. "LET US STAY WITH YOU FOREVER." Any bystander must've thought that they're begging a yakuza to forgo their mounting debts or something, but to Kuroko, it almost sounded like they were proposing to him.

They each left him with two rings, a simple silver band they had scrounged up from what little savings they had. They gave one to wear on his right hand and one to wear on his left, promising to come back with a proper ring and take him to the states and make it official. Kuroko just nodded and told them both that he would be waiting for them, while knowing full well just how easily a long distance relationship could end.

Kagami left japan to play for the Lakers, and Aomine left to play for the Knicks. LA and New York. East coast Vs. West coast. Kuroko asked them why wouldn't they stay in the same team together, and they said so that they can prove to Kuroko which one was better in their own team. Kuroko chuckled at the memory of it. It's almost like they were destined to be each other's rivals.

And thus the three went on their own ways. Kuroko cried for a week, but when he had no more tears to cry, he found a new goal. He won't wait for Kagami or Aomine to come back to Japan. He'll just finish his degree and follow them.

With renewed vigor, Kuroko attacked his academics with a discipline that was unprecedented. Since he was taking pre-med classes, no other distractions could come between him and his studies. So he quit the basketball team and relinquish the captain's position that he once held. He applied himself in ways he never done before, taking extra classes and building a good relationship with his professors so they can recommend him for an early graduation. It was an exhausting year for him. The only time he took breaks were to sleep, eat, or talk with Aomine and Kagami in their nightly skype calls. When he wasn't studying, he was applying for internships, making mock exams for his MCAT, and taking EILTS classes. Never in his life had he remembered being so driven, and he did it all gladly. For the sooner he can graduate the sooner he would see Kagami and Aomine again.

Then, a month ago Kuroko received a letter of acceptances on a work program in Washington DC. It was a medical school that doubles as a rehab centers for athletes, the perfect job that brings together the world of medicine and sports. He might not play professionally in the NBA, but he wanted to still support Aomine and Kagami from the shadows.

Confident that the university would let him graduate, Kuroko walked into the Dean's office with a year's worth of extra credits and a folder full of recommendations in hand. He prepared an hour-long argument for the Dean so he would support his early graduation, but the meeting didn't even take more than 10 minutes before the dean agreed and signed his diploma.

That night he called Aomine and Kagami to tell them about the good news. They knew that Kuroko has been focused on his study, but they never knew that he would graduate on his junior year. They were ecstatic. Kagami congratulated him and wanted a play by play of his meeting with the dean. Aomine just sat back and smiled, looking very much like a proud dad. They made plans to meet each other soon, to live together again like they did in Tokyo.

Back then Kuroko had smiled and nodded, but inside he's trying to convince his heart from hoping for too much. Both Aomine and Kagami have been doing well in their respective team. They've been promoted from benchwarmers to starting lineup, clocking in time as a professional within the year. Most fresh recruits only stayed in the bench until they're traded off for a better player. Reporters are calling them the future of their respective team. For a moment, Kuroko felt both pride and despair. Nobody would leave such illustrious career to move to a city where the basketball scene isn't as prestigious.

Then the articles came out. Just after being made a starting lineup, Kagami announce his resignation from the Knicks and revealed his tryouts with the Washington Wizards. A day later Aomine release a similar announcement. Fans were in an uproar, articles came out calling them opportunistic traitors, but those accusations quickly died down after their coaches congratulated them and send them off with best wishes.

All the way back in Japan Kuroko read those articles over and over again, trying to make sure that his eyes were not deceiving him. Then, more article came out, claiming that both Kagami and Aomine has been accepted in the Wizards, taking a significant cut from their pay as a rookie player in the Knicks and Lakers, but securing a spot as the starting lineup.

Those series of brash and decisive move was all the encouragement Kuroko needs to pack his bags and get his affairs in order. If Kagami and Aomine was ready to put their career aside and prioritize their relationship, the Kuroko would gladly follow them anywhere.

After almost a full day spent on airplanes and airport, Kuroko was just about ready to pass out from exhaustion. He considered getting a hotel room for the night, but he was too impatient. He wanted to see Kagami and Aomine today.

He arrived in a nondescript house in the suburbs, a two story house with a big yard. On the driveway, a car parked outside with boxes and bags of groceries bursting out of the back. It had a California license plate on it. 'Kagami must've driven up here.' Kuroko peeked into the car and found it filled with Knicks paraphernalia. 'Yup, definitely Kagami's car.'

Unsurprisingly, the front door open by a sliver of a hair, allowing the familiar sound of two men bickering to escape from inside. Kuroko smiled, a seen wave of nostalgia washing over him. It's only been over a year, but now that he's just steps away from his partners Kuroko found his heart beating rapidly. He swung the door gingerly and found Kagami and Aomine unboxing Ikea furniture, debating where every piece of screws and dowel should go, looking like they're going to explode any second. Kuroko put down his bags and walked over to them, leaning down to see just what the fuss is about.

"Now there's where you're both wrong. You're reading the chart upside down." Kuroko took the paper gently from Kagami's hand and turned it for them.

The two read the chart again and finally something clicked. They hummed out in understanding, called each other their respective 'aho' and 'baka' nicknames, and began to flip over the charts, completely engrossed by it now. It took them a full minute to realize that Kuroko was sitting in front of them, watching them with a dreamy smile on his face.

"TETSU!" They both yelped, stumbling backwards as if they've seen a ghost. Kuroko laughed. He forgot how much fun it is to surprise them like that. Before he could reply back, they tackled him into the ground with a lot of commotion.

"I'm home." Kuroko said out loud with a big smile out on his face. Kagami and Aomine laughed, looking like the happiest people on the face of the planet.

"Welcome home." They greeted him in unison.

That night, they ate like kings.

They had no furniture or china ready to use yet, so they set up cardboard boxes as makeshift tables and used plastic cutleries to make do. Kagami had a pot of stock boiling on a portable stove, mountains of meat and vegetable was spread out on the table, ready to be cooked. Kuroko and Aomine waited with baited breath. The aroma of the stock was enough to remind them of home. After giving thanks for their simple dinner, the three dug in.

Kagami waited until the two finished scarfing down their first bowk before asking for feedback. "How is it?" He said, sounding uncharacteristically shy.

"Perfect." Kuroko sighed. "Nothing beats a jet lag like a good bowl of hot pot." he said, savoring a morsel of meat. "Just like our first meal, remember?" he beamed at his two partners.

"First meal my ass." Aomine scoffed. "The first real meal we had a meal together was at that Korean BBQ joint." he grumbled, recounting the awkward dinner and swearing under his breath.

"Oh yeah! Didn't you run out before we could split the bills?" Kagami snickered. "No wonder Tetsu didn't kiss you after dinner."

"Serves you right. No kisses for those who dines and dash." Kuroko joined in on the teasing. Kagami was already holding onto his sides, laughing uncontrollably as he recounted about how Aomine ate with such an angry look that the waiter wouldn't even come near their table.

"It wasn't my fault…" Aomine scowled. "You guys were getting along so well that I got jealous."

"You're always jealous!"

Aomine rolled his eyes. "Like you weren't."

"Sure I got jealous, but that was because you were pawing up Tetsu in public!"

"Say's the idiot who kissed him in a family restaurant!"

"Oh that was cuz you tried to skip on the bills. I had to pay your share with my body." Kagami laughed, enjoying the irritated look Aomine was throwing his was.

Amidst of his lovers' familiar bickering, one word caught Kuroko's ear and made him stop laughing.

Jealousy.

In their first five years of relationship, the three of them got on well. So well in fact, that Kuroko never really considered Aomine's past jealousies to be a problem. If he felt any, he must've hid it well.

Maybe it's because Kuroko made a point to treat them all equally. He never had sex without both men present. He always fills in Aomine on the conversations he had with Kagami at school, and he always made sure Kagami was there during most of it. Most importantly, they always play basketball together. When any of the three was angry at one another, they would settle things out on the court, and then made up in the bedroom until the only feeling they felt was the afterglow of sex and desire for sleep.

They only time they ever felt unhappy was when they were separated.

But it wasn't always been like that. Before the three of them got together, Aomine was always been the difficult one. Forget jealousy, the man was downright possessive. If he felt like anyone was trying to come on to Kuroko, he would blow up, and raise his fist to throw the first punch. He was just that volatile. The adult Aomine he knew today was a complete different person compared to that possessive, angry teenager Kuroko left in Teiko, and it both made him happy, but also apprehensive.

Kagami has never been like that. Sure, the redhead had his own bouts of jealousy, but they never been as ugly as Aomine's spectacular outbursts. At first, Kuroko attributed it to personality differences, but now that he had some time to reflect, he realized it was probably because he ended their first relationship so abruptly.

Aomine must've felt so abandoned. Of course he was insanely jealous of Kagami, who spent every second of school and beyond with his object of desire. Anyone in his position would develop that kind of insecurity complex. Hell, Kuroko wouldn't know what he'll do if the situation reversed itself on him.

With this newfound revelation, he scooted closer to Aomine and gave his hand a tentative little squeeze.

"Hm?" Aomine raised an eyebrow, his mouth still full of food.

"Daiki-kun," Kuroko asked, "Are you still jealous, now?" he asked very seriously.

Aomine put down his bowl gave it a good long thought. Sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, Kagami stopped stirring and waited on Aomine's answer.

"Nah," He finally said, shrugging off the question easily and began eating again.

"You sure?" Kagami sounded unconvinced. "You used to be suuuuuper possessive of Tetsu. If I can be honest with you, it was fucking unhealthy."

"Yeah, it was rather scary time back then." Kuroko admitted. "Now that we're starting anew… I just want to make sure that you don't feel like that again."

"I swear I don't feel that way." Aomine rolled his eyes, looking more irritated by the fact that he had to stop eating rather than by the pointed questions. "I was an angry and lonely brat back then. Now, I'm neither lonely, angry, or a brat anymore, so please, calm your tits and eat."

When neither Kagami nor Kuroko looked unconvinced, Aomine sighed and gave each of them a stern glare.

"Look here. I won't deny that I had my issues back then, but I swear, I've never been jealous ever since we got together. It sound fake, I know, but It's like… Huh, how do I explain it…" He trailed off, struggling to find the right expression to explain his emotions.

"It's like having a wife and a steady girlfriend at the same time. Whenever I'm lonely, I can have two people I can depend on. The same goes for them. They both just want to love me and love each other, so how can I be jealous over something that beautiful? They're both mine, so it doesn't matter if they also love each other?"

Kagami couldn't even formulate a proper response to that ridiculous explanation.

"Ahh, I see." Kuroko nodded, looking very satisfied by Aomine's answer. "It's almost the same as what I had in my head, except you're more of a husband figure, I think. I could never imagine you as a girlfriend."

"Yeah, husband seems right." Aomine said, sipping his soup and nodding in agreement.

Kuroko gazed at Aomine's bashful eyes with a gentle smile. They shared a second of silence together. "You've come a long way Daiki." Kuroko smiled. "I'm so proud of you." Aomine broke away and muttered a thanks. Sensitive touching moments have never been his strong suit.

"WAIT SO I'M THE WIFE?" Kagami slammed his ladle down and threw his apron aside, clearly unsatisfied by his role."ARE YOU ASKING FOR A FIGHT YOU FUCKI-"

"Taiga, more rice please." Kuroko held out his bowl, effectively stopping Kagami's from going on his infamous tirade. Kagami stared at the empty bowl, sat down, and refilled it dutifully. They sat in silence for a while before Aomine noticed just how strange it was when you're in a silent room with Kagami Taiga. He leaned over and laid his head on Kagami's shoulder.

"Why so quiet?" He asked, using this moment to steal a few pieces of meat from Kagami's bowl.

"Nothing!" Kagami turned away to hide his reddening face. "I'm just really happy right now. Tetsu finally called me by my first name." Kagami said, looking very touched and close to tears.

Kuroko raised an eyebrow, unsure why the small gesture suddenly bothered the man. "Does that bother you? I could be more proper and add a '-san' if you like, but I we should get used to calling each other by our first name if we're going to get married soon." Kuroko continued eating, completely oblivious to Kagami's reddening face.

"Ah yeah, that reminds me Tetsu, we'll need to decide who's name is going to be in the marriage license." Aomine said in a very businesslike tone. "I would really like be married as soon as possible."

"Marriage huh?" Kuroko took a second to consider the request. "I don't think they allow three people to marry here… Well, I don't mind if you both appear in the legal document as long as we three live in the same house and you both take my family name."

"Hmm, so I'll be Kuroko Daiki then?" Aomine mouthed the new name over and over again, looking more satisfied the more he said it out loud.

Kuroko nodded. "Or you can always hyphen it with your own, but Kuroko-Aomine Daiki sounds like a mouthful doesn't it?"

"Yes, it would be a bother to listen to a name that long. I prefer yours anyway. Kuroko is a fine family name."

"Thank you. My mother would be pleased to hear that. How about you Taiga-san? How does being 'Kuroko Taiga' sounds to you?" Kuroko turned to Kagami and caressed his cheeks.

"I…" Kagami coughed, looking both confused and happy at the same time. "Are you proposing to me right now?" He whispered. Aomine laughed. Only Kagami would throw fits about being called a wife and then blush when presented with a new family name.

Kuroko looked concerned. He didn't think that Kagami would hesitate like this, especially after exchanging rings before he left for America. Suddenly a thought popped into his head. "Ah, I forgot. In America you have to get down on one knee when you propose right? Ok give me a second-" He got up and got down on one knee.

"NOOOO YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT." Kagami held him down by his shoulder, flustered.

"Are you sure?"

"YES."

"I have the rings here." Kuroko revealed a little velvet box that he hid in his pocket.

"THAT'S OKAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET DOWN ON ONE KNEE."

"But I would like to marry you Taiga-san."

"JUST TAIGA IS FINE."

"… Would you rather have Daiki be the one doing the proposing?"

"NO THIS IS FINE –WAIT WAIT WAIT GET UP AHOMINE."

"Shut up Bakagami. I'm trying to marry you, you fucking idioooooot."

"… !" Kagami was lost for words.

Kagami groaned in embarrassment, the sight of his two lovers on their knees made his felt weak, so he slid down to the ground and hid his face. Kuroko chuckled.

"Hey. " He scooted close to Kagami and tucked his chin over his knees. Aomine ruffled Kagami's red hair and laugh again, enjoying making the man fluster. Kagami finally looked up to meet their expectant eyes.

"Kuroko Taiga sounds like a good name to me."

The End

A/N:

Hello! It took longer than it needed to, but we finally finished the story huh? I'm sorry if the ending is too saccharine for your taste, but I just couldn't bear giving them a sad ending haha.

At first the fic was going to be a completely different story. It was planned to be three chapters long, with Aomine as the main antagonist, and Kuroko ending up alone. It also supposed to have more sex scene (lol). However, the more I write, the more it became clear that these three should be together. Aomine's past mistakes shouldn't isolate him, and Kagami's jealousies shouldn't get in the way of him respecting Aomine as a person. Kuroko and his kind and forgiving nature was perfect in bringing those two big personalities together.

I'm aware that the idea of sharing a lover is unthinkable for some, maybe even perceived as selfish to others, but despite those notions, I wanted to write a story that is less about possessing someone and more about loving them. I hope I conveyed that well.

I might rewrite the whole stories just to fix some odd grammar and awkward wordings, but as the whole, the story is finished. Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it. Hope I'll see you in my other stories :)