This Time

Author's Note: Hello there. Um, yea. Life is a bitch and people said to live life to the fullest so… I acted like a grade A bitch and neglected this fic for months. I'm such an ass lol. Honestly, I suggest you reread the story because it will confuse you. Things are starting to unravel. LOL.

Tumblr is partially to blame. misskureijiotaku, if you want to check it out. I post KNB and SNK fictional chats. Hehe.

Also, yes. One particular scene here is what happened during the first chapter.

I tried to make it long. I think I failed haha. When did I not?

School is gonna start in August for me. Damnit.

Disclaimer: KNB is not mine. If it were, things would get steamy *wiggles eyebrows*.

Kuroko couldn't hear Akashi calling out to him, every word uttered turning to deafening white noise. Quivering hands clutched at the front of his shirt, attempting to calm the painful thrumming there. An imaginary weigh had been put over his shoulders and his legs started to tremble. He silently applauded himself for managing to stay on his feet. He couldn't think straight, his heart hurt too much. It was funny, in a way, really. How could he possibly forget?

Azure eyes immediately took purchase on the child innocently bubbling with joy on Akashi's lap. The tealhead almost felt bad for the boy. How could something so precious remind him of the day he greatly wanted to forget?

The older redhead felt his heart sink at the forlorn expression on Kuroko's face. He looked away, guilt scorching in his stomach. He knew what the other had in mind, he knew what the other was recalling. How could he not when his conscience recapped the happenings every time it had the chance to?

" I got a girl pregnant…" Kuroko stilled. Did he hear that right? That couldn't be. 'I'm just too exhausted,' he reassured himself. He glanced at his lover. Akashi was avoiding his gaze, staring at the tiled floor with great interest.

Something broke inside him. It wasn't true, right? Akashi would never do that to him, right? They were still in love, right? He wanted to laugh it off and tell the redhead that he wasn't fond of these kinds of jokes, but the look on the other's face left him unable to speak.

It was just supposed to be one of those rare days where he would catch a glimpse of his lover. A small spark of hope should have ignited within him, compelling him to feel faith in the relationship that would seemingly fall apart at any given moment. He thought that, in time, their love will be rekindled by longing. What the other had said suddenly made him feel that his waiting was all in vain. He felt foolish. How did it come to this?

"S-Sei, it's okay. We can talk about this," he forced a smile to somehow convince Akashi, to somehow convince himself that everything was going to be alright. Holding back his tears burned at his eyes and breathing became a laboring task but he will stay strong, for the both of them. "It's an accident, right?" he cursed under his breath when his question came out as a mere whisper.

He knew that Akashi was obligated to partake in social gatherings, it comes with his name after all. He must have gotten carried away in one of said parties. Maybe the redhead was forced to adultery by some spoiled heiress? It wouldn't be the first time someone had ask this of him, usually accompanied by various threats that may affect the future of their company. Akashi wasn't the type to comply though. Kuroko shuddered. Was it him? Has Akashi grown tired of him? Was he an unworthy lover to a conglomerate heir? Did Akashi do it willingly? He felt a tear cascade down his cheek. It was okay. Everyone commits mistakes. Akashi is just human after all. He wouldn't blame the other one if he felt the need to relieve his sexual needs. He believed that it was his fault. It was his fault for being a useless partner.

His lover, still not meeting his eyes, released a shaky sigh. Akashi's clenched fists tightened, "It wasn't". And just like that, Kuroko felt the world crumble under him. His knees felt weak and tears blurred out everything. He clutched his head, the pain was starting to get unbearable.

Kuroko failed to see the remorse that was present in Akashi's dimmed eyes. Guilt. Shame. Weakness. He didn't see the lone tear roll down the other's cheek and the way he mouthed 'I'm sorry. This is for your own good', as the coat fluttered behind Akashi when he reluctantly turned. Akashi forced his feet to step forward and walk out, all the while urging himself not to just enclose Kuroko in his arms and tell him that it was all a lie to get the other to hate him.

Akashi wanted to hold the hands that clung unto him. Keeping his hands by his sides felt like punishment, as if he were voluntarily forcing his heart to stop beating. He wanted to kiss Kuroko's tears away and promise the other forever…but he couldn't, not when Kuroko's life is at stake. He needed to leave now but why? Why was this so hard?

"S-Sei, was it me? Did I do something wrong? I can change please…please don't do this to me." Kuroko was on his knees, nails digging into the cloth of Akashi's coat. Akashi chose not to answer. "We can raise the child as our own! We'll be a family! Don't you want that?!" Kuroko continued, unable to keep his calm.

"Let go Tetsuya…" the redhead took the prying hands of the sobbing tealhead in a firm grip and put it down as gently as possibly could, "I need to do this".

"You have a choice, Seijuuro-kun…"

"Tetsuya, I don't think I do…"

"Tatsuki…" Akashi called out to the child, curiosity and amusement evident as he felt the boy jump off his lap and approach Kuroko, taking tentative little steps. The display of unusual behavior kept Akashi glued to his seat.

"A-Ano…" the squeaky voice pulled Kuroko out of his musings. A small hand found its way on his cheeks, the soft touch wiping away the wetness that he has unknowingly let flood his cheeks. After a few seconds of just staring in awe, Kuroko finally offered a small smile. "I'm fine…" he didn't quite catch the child's name.

"Tatsuki. Akashi Tatsuki. It's nice to meet you." The kid held out his hand and beamed a smile, warming Kuroko's heart. He shook the hand as he would a grown man. Surely, this child didn't want to be taken lightly. Akashi watched the events unfold with a faint smile. He was glad he convinced Tatsuki to play "play house" several weeks before. Their game had rules, 1) He is Akashi Tatsuki for the duration of his stay, 2) He is required to call Akashi "Daddy Sei" and 3) No questions are to be asked about Mommy and/or Akashi's love life. If Tatsuki loses, he doesn't get to eat junk food. Simple.

"You know, my mama always said that beautiful people should always smile," the child informed, oblivious to the fact that the word "mama" had struck Kuroko more than it probably should. Akashi's reaction was no better, his lips instantly pressed into a straight line. The conversation was starting to venture to unwanted territory.

Six months ago

"Please, Akashi, take care of our child," the drenched couple kneeled before him, a boy in peaceful slumber encased in the man's arms. "At least, until we resolve this problem".

"Please," the woman pleaded, her eyes bloodshot. Akashi was stared blankly. He just stood there, still trying to shake away the drowsiness due to the ungodly hour. He wasn't even fazed when the two people who disappeared a few years prior were now on his door step. What the hell was going on?

"Dry yourselves and explain," he stepped aside and let the couple enter.

The next day, he almost fell from the bed when he felt the small figure beside him shift, curled up in the sheets. He thought the yesterday's happenings were a dream. Regardless, he had sworn to protect the child at any cost and an Akashi never goes back on his words.

"Where are mama and papa?" the child rubbed his tired eyes. Akashi smiled and smoothed out the boy's bedhead with gentle pats.

"They're on a trip…"

He could only wish that the child's parents were okay; After all, they were dear to him as well.

"We need to talk, Tatsuki Kagami."

Feeling alert, the redhead braced himself for what was to come. "She must be a great woman" he heard Kuroko say, his voice mellowed with a hint of bitterness. The child, unaware of the current situation, brightened up and replied with much enthusiasm, "She is! And she loves me and papa very much".

Akashi knew from experience that Kuroko was a sharp person. Being an individual who lurked in the shadows for majority of his life, the tealhead had developed exceptional observation and analytic skills. He tensed up, if Kuroko had not changed then that would mean that he had picked up a crucial detail from the conversation. How Tatsuki said papa instead of daddy could potentially put the redhead on the spot and he would have to explain himself, betray the assurance that Tatsuki's parents had entrusted in him. A promise was not to be taken lightly and he wanted to keep it that way. To his luck, Kuroko's fuddled mind rid him of his usual sharpness.

As if on cue, the tealhead's phone rung, Akashi released the breath that he held. Kuroko paid no mind to who the caller might be and absentmindedly pushed the answer button. Ruby and golden met blue for a fleeting moment, Akashi conveying an unsaid thought he had wanted to say the minute Kuroko stepped into his home. I miss you.

"Daddy Sei…Can you accompany me to the restroom?" the child interceded. The eye contact immediately broke. The boy held the Akashi's hand and started to walk to the direction of the comfort room, dragging the older male along.

Kuroko looked at the scene, clearly impressed by Tatsuki's manners and speech practices while he waited for the caller to speak. There was a long silence before the other line was heard, "Kuroko".

"Midorima-kun?" Kuroko's voice was wary.

This caught Akashi's attention, stopping halfway down the hall. Tatsuki stomped his tiny legs, bare feet creating a gentle 'thump' against the carpeted floors. He sighed in defeat when the boy almost toppled him over by the sheer force of his insistent pull. 'This kid is as strong as his father and as persistent as his mother,' he noted.

Kuroko's voice faded in the background, leaving Akashi smiling. He was just glad that Kuroko was here.

'I missed him…'

A/N: Yes, it's not Akashi's child. He lied about having a girl pregnant to save Kuroko from his father (Check out chapter 5? If I'm not mistaken) and lived his years without Kuroko in vain. Also, shit will start to go down the drain. I guess. Midorima plays a really big part, he is not to be forgotten but I guess you'll find out sooner or later.

If you have questions, ask away.

Leave a review, it keeps me going.