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ontheotherside524 · 8 years

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the dead forest

Happy Valentine’s Day, @moontailor! You sent me such a detailed and well thought-out letter that I loved a lot, so I did my best to incorporate the things you said you liked! I’m really not sure how well it went, but...I hope you like these chocolates!

Rating: T

Pairing: Akakuro

Word Count: 6k

Summary: In a world full of hybrids, Akashi lives alone. One day, he decides to explore a land that has long been abandoned. There, he meets a boy with bare wings, and he becomes fascinated.

Warnings: None

The land known as Teikou is split into several smaller territories, all with different types of terrain to match the people who live there. For example, the people who live in the territory of Seirin are generally of the feline variety, so the area is split into a forest and a savannah-type field, with a river splitting the two areas in half. Of course, while not everyone who lives in Seirin is part feline, people will general live in a territory that suits their preferences, so there are more dominant groups in every territory.

Seijuurou is technically a ‘minority,’ as he is part dragon, and hybrids like him are extremely rare. He’s made his home in the territory of Rakuzan, which has no prevalent race. Rakuzan is home to people who aren’t comfortable settling down anywhere else. Due to Rakuzan being the largest territory and thus having many different terrains, it’s suitable for almost anyone.

Seijuurou himself resides in the mountains in the back of the territory, and is basically isolated since the mountains are, naturally, not the most hospitable place to live. It suits Seijuurou, though, for it’s easier for him to take off when he’s already at a high altitude. Additionally, the caves are cool and dry during the summer, and during the rainy season they make a good place to rest. There’s plenty of food nearby in both the forest and the river at the foot of the mountain, and the quiet is soothing. Unlike the bustling towns below, the mountains are silent and peaceful.

However, Seijuurou likes to adventure away from his small kingdom frequently.

Naturally, it is dreadfully boring to sit in a cave all day or climb the mountain repeatedly. Thus, Seijuurou often goes down to the towns to search their wares or visits different territories to observe how other people live. It is far, far more interesting than lazing about.

Though, there is one small pocket that he has yet to explore. It’s tucked in the border between Seirin and Rakuzan, and it’s known to be a ‘ghost area.’ It has no name, and most skirt around it due to a number of ridiculous, overblown rumors surrounding it. For example, people speculate that ghosts live there, or zombified people wait at the borders to kill anyone who enters. While Seijuurou will concede that the area is highly inhospitable, due to it being a burned down forest that’s perpetually surrounded by thick fog, he highly doubts any ghosts or zombies live there.

For one, both are technically not even counted as ‘living.’

The story of this inhospitable stretch of land is simple, quite honestly. Some years ago, during a dispute between Rakuzan and Seirin, a forest was set on fire and burned down within hours. Several inhabitants were caught in the chaos, and survivors were never counted. As if the universe itself was angered by the childish war that led to the deaths of innocent people, a thick fog descended on the ashen forest and never disappeared.

The dispute was over a small piece of land between Rakuzan and Seirin. The land was technically Seirin’s, but people from Rakuzan had settled there over the years, due to the favorable conditions and it being generally unused by Seirin. Both Rakuzan and Seirin deeply regretted their actions, and they settled the dispute after the forest was burned down. The forest would be declared as neutral territory, and the middle of the forest, where the skeleton of a hardy great tree stood, was the border between Rakuzan and Seirin. They split the land and left the forest alone, and have been on peaceful terms ever since.

Seijuurou has always wanted to visit the fog-covered area, but something or another has always stopped him from going. Today, however, there is nothing that can stop him from finally seeing the dead forest for himself.

It isn’t that far from his home to the edge of the forest. A dense fog slowly settles over his shoulders, making the air heavy. Seijuurou peers cautiously into the fog, careful not to misstep and trip over rocks or branches on the ground. Slowly, the green of the grass turns to a sickly gray color, crunching noisily beneath Seijuurou’s feet with every step. He becomes more careful, noticing that there is plenty of debris littered on the ground now. Burnt branches, scorched rocks, and even the occasional carcass of a dead animal are scattered across the ground. He notices the bones of the carcasses are picked clean. Scavengers, maybe? He looks up toward the sky but is unable to make out anything past the thick white fog.

Luckily, it isn’t all that difficult to breathe despite the thickness of the fog. He wonders why. At any rate, it’s technically good news for him. He can continue to press onward with little worries. As for the scavengers, he isn’t afraid. If anything attacks him, he brought his sword and dagger with him, and he’s wearing thicker clothes to protect from an initial attack. Naturally, he came prepared just in case he ran into something.

Through the fog, he just manages to catch the skeleton of a tree before him. He skirts past it, but as he does, he glances up out of curiosity. The branches are scorched, nearly entirely black in color. It stands eerily still, no leaves to be ruffled. As Seijuurou is turning to look back toward the ‘path’ in front of him, he spots something out of the corner of his eye.

A series of grooves are carved into the tree, all clearly made with a blade.

Seijuurou stops abruptly, turning to observe the odd markings closely. The tree is scored sixty-seven times, all lines the same length and matching perfectly. It’s clearly the work of someone who cared deeply about the purpose behind the markings.

Still, Seijuurou is unsure of what the markings mean.

Suddenly, he hears movement behind him. Pulse quickening, he swiftly reaches for his sword, whirling around and pointing it in the direction of the noise.

The first thing he notices is the bone white skeleton of something eerily wing-shaped stretching before him.

The second is the boy who has them attached to him.

Deep blue eyes widen at the sword being pointed at him, and before Seijuurou can get a good look at him, he turns tail and flees. Seijuurou, knowing that it’s a very idiotic idea, follows.

It isn’t hard to follow the outline of those… things on his back, anyway.

The chase is hard to follow through. Seijuurou has to rapidly dodge debris on the ground while keeping one eye on the boy running from him so he doesn’t lose him. It seems to stretch on for an eternity, his chasing the mystery boy through the thick fog. But, eventually, something appears before them. Something gigantic, nearly half the size of the largest mountain in Rakuzan.

The great tree in the middle of this area.

Abruptly, the boy calls for help. “Chihiro-nii-san, help!” He shouts up to the tree. Seijuurou pauses, unsure if he should go any further, and the moment of indecision saves him from a nasty wound as a dagger impales itself in the ground in front of him.

Seijuurou realizes that the fog is clearing slowly, but only in the area around the tree. When Seijuurou looks up, there is a very angry man sitting on a low branch of the tree, armed with at least a dozen daggers. His gray wings flap agitatedly behind him. “Are you chasing my brother?” He practically snarls, murky eyes glaring a hole right through Seijuurou.

Seijuurou, however, remains unfazed. “I was curious,” he says, simply. He notices the boy he chased swiftly climbing the tree, as if he’s been doing it for years. Seijuurou looks at his back more closely now that the fog has cleared. They’re definitely wings, but the wings have been stripped down to the bone, feathers gone. Seijuurou feels a small rush of unease. What could have happened to do this to his wings?

“Hey!” The other man snaps, standing up and clutching three daggers in his hand. “Stop looking at him unless you want to die right here!”

Seijuurou merely looks at him, unimpressed. Deciding to ignore his threat, he speaks up once more. “I thought that this area was uninhabited,” he says, calmly. The man bristles as the boy reaches his branch and sits at his feet, watching Seijuurou warily. He still looks young, with a pretty face and round eyes, but Seijuurou would wager that he’s at least a hundred years old.

Still young compared to Seijuurou.

The man scoffs, watching Seijuurou with guarded eyes. “Yeah, everyone does.” He doesn’t bother on elaborating why they’re here, which irks Seijuurou. He doesn’t particularly want to ask this arrogant man a question—it will probably just make him angrier.

Suddenly, a softer voice cuts in. “Would you like to know why we live here?” The boy Seijuurou chased asks, tilting his head curiously. He doesn’t seem as guarded as his brother; he’s obviously more trusting than the elder. Not exactly smart, but since it works in Seijuurou’s favor, he won’t criticize him aloud.

“Tetsuya!”

Seijuurou smiles. “I would,” he replies, noticing the gray-haired man glaring at him. He smirks, and ignores the outraged growl from the other.

The boy, on the other hand, just nods and repositions himself to face Seijuurou. “My name is Kuroko Tetsuya,” he says, introducing himself. “I’ve lived here for as long as I can remember.” Seijuurou is surprised, but he doesn’t show it. Still, Kuroko seems to catch on, and smiles slightly, the edges dry. Seijuurou doubts anyone less observant would have noticed. “Yes, that does mean that I’ve lived here before the fire devastated this land. The truth is, some of us survived, but not without injury.” Kuroko spreads his wings, glancing at them without emotion. “I was born with regular wings, but they were burned by the fire. Perhaps you know this, but the fire was of the supernatural kind. The feathers that were burned did not grow back, and eventually, all of them fell off to leave the skeleton of my wings.”

A chill runs down Seijuurou’s spine, but he ignores it.

Kuroko looks back at Seijuurou, shrugging his shoulders a little as if it doesn’t affect him. “If I may be honest, I do not care. My wings no longer hurt, and I’ve gotten used to being unable fly. And, I’m still alive. Even like this, I’m grateful for that.” Kuroko smiles again, just as small as the first time.

And that, really, is what captures Seijuurou’s attention.

The older man grunts, clearly displeased his brother decided to disclose all that information to Seijuurou. Even so, he doesn’t reprimand him in front of Seijuurou and instead snaps, “There, are you satisfied? Can you just leave already?”

Seijuurou looks at Kuroko and his wings.

“No, I’m afraid I cannot.”

The older man’s name turns out to be Mayuzumi Chihiro, but neither brother tells him why their last names don’t match. Seijuurou doesn’t particularly mind. He’s more curious about the fact that Kuroko invited him into their ‘village,’ since he made it clear he wasn’t going to leave just yet.

Seijuurou assumed their village would not be that far from the tree, but rather than leaving, Kuroko had climbed down the tree and beckoned Seijuurou toward it. By pulling away blackened vines hanging from the tree, Kuroko revealed an opening into the tree. Fascinated, Seijuurou followed him into it.

As it turns out, a part of the tree is hollow. In the hollow parts of the tree is everything you would find in a normal village—a well with clean water, houses, livestock, crop fields, and more. People buzz about, busily keeping up with their daily routines while laughing and talking as if this is normal. For them, Seijuurou guesses it is.

In the center of it all is the ‘real’ trunk of the tree standing healthy and strong. Seijuurou wonders if this tree is how all of these people survived that devastating fire. It certainly seems durable, and it still stands even after the fire.

There’s a slope from the opening that leads down to an outer road that circles the entire tree. All of the buildings and fields are within that road, and smaller paths connect to the outer road, leading inward. Everything seems well-worn, indicating that they have been living here for a long time.

Kuroko leads him down the slope onto the outer road, telling him along the way, “This tree has no name, yet has stood here for as long as our people can remember. It has grown on the outside throughout the years, but this hollow inside has always existed and been home to many. When the fire swept through this land, everyone else who lived outside fled for this tree.” Kuroko sighs almost inaudibly, glancing up at nothing. “Many of us did not make it, and most of those who did were hurt.”

And it clicks in Seijuurou’s mind. “Sixty-seven,” he realizes. Kuroko looks at him, slightly surprised. Seijuurou lifts an eyebrow. “That’s what the markings indicted, no? Sixty-seven deaths.”

Kuroko blinks, a pained expression flashing across his face. He eventually glances away, nodding. “Yes, that is correct. Sixty-seven people died on that day. To many, it may not seem like much, but this has never been a heavily populated area. Everyone here has always been a tightly-knit community.”

Seijuurou mulls over this information as they take a path leading inward. Certainly, most would consider sixty-seven a minimal loss of life in the grand scale of things. But, to this community who was close to each other, it must have been devastating. And while it does seem like they have been able to live here in this tree that is the only thing left after the fire…

“Why did you never approach the other territories for help in restoring your land?” Seijuurou asks, curiously. Rather than being forced to live forever in here, it would have been better to try to restore the land into its original state—or at the very least, something close to it.

Kuroko shakes his head as Mayuzumi scoffs behind Seijuurou. “Don’t be stupid. After the fire, everyone assumed we were all dead, and when we tried to approach the borders, anyone nearby would scream nonsense about zombies. We realized that we couldn’t rely on other territories to help us, so we decided to just give up on making the land better, since we couldn’t do it ourselves.”

Seijuurou doesn’t find himself very shocked at the new information, but before he can speak, Kuroko adds, quietly, “The earth here is incredibly damaged as well. Nothing will grow anymore. If we were to try to make the land healthy again, it would take a miracle.”

Seijuurou, recalling how the earth looked as he was walking earlier, knows that what Kuroko says is true. He doubts that anyone could help them replenish the land, which is disadvantageous for these people. Unable to live anywhere else, they have been forced to live here, and while they seem fine with it, Seijuurou doubts living out the same mundane routine is fulfilling for them.

Before he can ponder any further, a voice suddenly calls out to them. “Hey, Tecchan! Who’s this?” They sound surprised and cautious, and the source of the voice is coming from above them.

Seijuurou looks up and sees a man sitting on the roof of a hut, black wings spread as if ready to take off at a moment’s notice. When Kuroko sees him, a small smile appears on his face. “Ah, Takao-kun. This is Akashi Seijuurou; he’s from Rakuzan. He’s just visiting,” Kuroko explains, and Seijuurou notices Takao’s shoulders relax slightly, though the tension doesn’t ease completely.

“’Just visiting’?” Takao quotes, incredulously. “You know no one visits us, right?”

Kuroko seems to consider it for a moment and then shrugs his shoulders. “Akashi-kun is a special case, I think,” he replies, a bit of humor creeping into his voice. Seijuurou chuckles, and when Kuroko glances back at him, Seijuurou smiles at him.

It’s a bit strange. He doesn’t know why, but he’d like to get to know the other better.

It’s the first time he’s ever felt this way.

During Seijuurou’s extended stay inside the great tree, he learns several things. One of those things is that the tree has moss on the walls that is luminescent, so it’s a natural light source for what would otherwise be a dark hollow. Another is that, despite not seeing anyone outside their own territory for years, everyone here has been friendly and receptive to him. That is, except for Mayuzumi, who seems to have not forgotten about his chasing Kuroko.

“Were you really curious?” Kuroko had asked one day, sitting beside Seijuurou on a bench outside a pasture of cows. Seijuurou had glanced at him, observing the cautious expression in his eyes.

Seijuurou doesn’t look at his wings and holds eye contact with him, a smirk tugging at his lips.

“Yes.”

The people here have no name for their territory. Kuroko explained that it originally had no name, and everyone that came after the settlers didn’t bother naming it. It became a tradition, and so the territory has been left unnamed. No one cares, because they call it ‘home.’

Seijuurou finds his days spent here fascinating—much more so than his days in Rakuzan.

When Seijuurou mentioned that he was a dragon hybrid one day, Kuroko, who has been his primary companion throughout his stay, had seemed surprised; but he hadn’t seemed afraid like some people who find out what he is are. Instead, he seemed interested, and he asked Seijuurou what his distinctive features are, since he didn’t notice any. Amused, Seijuurou pointed out his slit pupils, and he showed him the red and golden scales lining the outside of his forearms. Kuroko had looked at his scales curiously and asked if he would transform outside for him. Seijuurou had politely declined, citing that he didn’t feel like transforming, which was true. Kuroko had understood and instead asked him what it was like to be a dragon hybrid.

“I’m just a bird hybrid, and since I’ve lost my feathers, when I transform, I can’t fly, so there’s no point. Although it makes me feel quite useless, I’ve learned not to mind it.”

Seijuurou has considered transforming for Kuroko, but he hasn’t come to a decision yet. He’s not sure why he’s even considering it. He simply doesn’t like transforming because being a large dragon feels too clunky, and even if he looks majestic, he doesn’t particularly feel that way. So why would he consider going through the hassle for this person he’s only known for about a month?

He still hasn’t found the answer, but perhaps it’s…

Well, he’ll consider it.

Seijuurou had asked one day whether Kuroko disliked him or not because he’s a part of one of the territories that was the cause of the fire. Kuroko had seemed caught off-guard, but he recovered quickly.

“Why would I dislike you just for that? You weren’t the one that started the fire.”

Seijuurou had conceded, and for some reason, he couldn’t forget what he said.

Kuroko has asked, more than once, when Seijuurou plans to leave and go back home, but Seijuurou has said that he doesn’t know every time. The truth is, he doesn’t. He doesn’t feel compelled to go back to Rakuzan, but he’s unsure if he wants to stay here either, because he’s infringing on them. Although Kuroko has reassured him that it’s no problem, Seijuurou has seen their limited food supply from their simple crops, and it isn’t as if they have much meat either because they have so little livestock. Seijuurou is sure that he needs to leave soon, but something is holding him back.

“Akashi-kun, thank you for helping me with my chores,” a soft voice suddenly says, shaking Seijuurou from his thoughts. He looks up and sees Kuroko approaching him, a small smile on his face. Seijuurou shakes his head, noting that Kuroko has dirt on his cheek.

“It’s the least I can do. Also, you have some dirt on your cheek,” he teases, watching as Kuroko frowns at him and then wipes both of his cheeks with the back of his gloves. He manages to wipe the dirt away like that, so Seijuurou doesn’t offer to help him.

“You don’t have to seem so pleased about it,” Kuroko says, a little irritated. Seijuurou chuckles; he always enjoys a little back-and-forth with Kuroko.

“I like to have my fun, Kuroko,” Seijuurou replies, smirking and crossing his arms. Kuroko’s eyebrow twitches, wings flapping slightly to match their owner’s irritation.

“I see,” he deadpans, unimpressed. Seijuurou chuckles again, shaking his head. He decides that’s enough teasing for now and nods his head in the direction of Kuroko and Mayuzumi’s home.

“Are we going back?” He asks, looking back at Kuroko. The annoyance (that wouldn’t be noticed by most) dissipates from his face as he nods.

“Yes, we already have food at home, so we don’t need to stop by the market. We should hurry and eat and go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day,” Kuroko comments, tilting his head as if he’s listening to the buzz inside the tree. Seijuurou’s seen him do this several times, but he’s not sure if he can discern anything or not.

Seijuurou lifts an eyebrow curiously. “What’s tomorrow?”

Kuroko smiles a mysterious little smile and shakes his head. “You’ll see tomorrow. Let’s go home.” As if without thinking, Kuroko reaches out and takes Seijuurou’s hand, pulling him along the path back to his home. Seijuurou lets it go without saying anything, finding that he’s enjoying being guided by Kuroko.

Halfway there, though, Kuroko lets go of Seijuurou’s hand as if it’s on fire, but he doesn’t say why he did so. Seijuurou just smiles and continues to follow him closely.

The backs of Kuroko’s ears are red.

Kuroko and Mayuzumi wake at dawn, which in turns means Seijuurou wakes at dawn, though he usually does. They all eat a single piece of rationed bread for their breakfast and then leave the house. Neither brother has said a word, and Seijuurou hasn’t tried to start a conversation, so everything has been quiet. Seijuurou is curious about what today is.

Everyone else is also flooding onto the paths, chattering quietly amongst themselves. Seijuurou catches a few mentions of ‘flight,’ but he isn’t sure what to make of that, since mostly everyone here is a bird hybrid. Kuroko stays close to Mayuzumi, who looks both agitated and reluctant, and keeps glancing down at Kuroko every few seconds. Kuroko himself seems unaffected, looking as neutral as ever.

Seijuurou realizes that everyone is going outside. ‘Everyone’ being forty-one people, as Seijuurou has discovered in his stay here. He’s met every person who lives here in his visit, and they all seem like good people. Most seem tired, but they never complain about this life they were basically forced into.

When they emerge, it’s nearly completely dark outside, due to the usual heavy fog and it being dawn. Most of the group break off and start to scale the tree, but Seijuurou notices a few staying on the ground, stretching their limbs. He can discern one big difference between the two groups.

The ones climbing the tree have wings. The ones on the ground don’t.

Seijuurou notices Kuroko and Mayuzumi scaling the tree. In a split-second decision, he decides to follow them, and neither tell him not to. Some people stop at lower branches while others climb higher. Kuroko stops at a lower branch, but it’s still relatively high up. Mayuzumi ruffles his hair affectionately and then leans down to whisper something to him before going higher. Seijuurou decides to stay by Kuroko.

“Today is our monthly day of the hunt,” Kuroko starts without preamble, dark eyes piercing through the fog. Seijuurou wonders if he can see anything through it. With the way Seijuurou has seen him move through the fog, he assumes so. “Everyone goes off to hunt the animals that have strayed into our territory. Flying is the best option—animals on the ground don’t notice you coming through the fog. However, hunting from the ground is effective as well, as long as you utilize the fog to your advantage and are fast enough to kill them before they notice you.”

A small crease appears in Kuroko’s brow. “Because we were only forced to do this after the fire, I’ve never been on a hunt before. I know I wouldn’t enjoy killing the animals, but somehow… I feel sad. Perhaps it’s because I’m being left behind by everyone,” he muses, sitting down. Seijuurou sits down next to him, silent. “I sit here and wait for them to get back. It’s lonely and cold, but… I wait here, every time.” The emotion in his eyes is distinctly sadness, but he’s smiling softly, which somehow makes his entire countenance seem… more depressed.

Seijuurou opens his mouth to say something, but no sound comes out. Realizing it’s the first time he’s been speechless, he sits in muted surprise for a moment. He’s never not known what to say. He always has something prepared.

Kuroko… is full of surprises.

Shaking off the uncomfortable feeling, Seijuurou says, softly, “I saw carcasses of dead animals when I was making my way here on that first day. Is that from…?”

Kuroko blinks in surprise, but he quickly shakes his head. “No, it’s not,” he replies, voice just as soft as Seijuurou’s, or even softer. “There are scavengers in the area who do that. Everyone brings back their catches, and we split it among ourselves.” Kuroko shoulders hunch inward a little as he looks down as if ashamed. “Chihiro-nii-san always hunts more so that the split isn’t unfair because of me. I wish there was something I could do to help, but the animals always notice my wings before I can get close to them because of—” Kuroko wiggles his wings a little, and they make a scraping noise when they inevitably hit each other. Kuroko sighs. “I’m unable to hold them completely still, as well, so they always hear me.”

Seijuurou absorbs all this information quietly, observing Kuroko. Kuroko is just watching as everyone takes off from their respective branches, spreading their wings and flying into the fog. His eyes follow Mayuzumi’s figure long after he’s disappeared into the fog, and Seijuurou wonders how far he can watch him go.

He decides then.

“Wait here,” Seijuurou commands, standing up. Kuroko looks up at him in surprise, but Seijuurou ignores his calls after him, swiftly climbing down the tree.

Ah… the things he would do for Kuroko really do point to that, don’t they?

When Seijuurou reaches the bottom, he transforms into a dragon in a flash, encircling the tree as he stretches his limbs and wings. Even though he dislikes transforming into a dragon, he’s used to this form, even if he hasn’t used it in some years now. He flaps his red wings once, twice, and then takes off, circling around the tree. When he makes it to Kuroko’s level, he swerves away from the tree, hovering at a distance but still close enough for Kuroko to see.

Kuroko is on his feet, eyes wide as he gazes at Seijuurou in shock. Seijuurou huffs out some smoke, staring him right in the eye. “A—Akashi-kun…?” He asks, hesitantly. When Seijuurou snorts in confirmation, Kuroko looks amazed. “I… don’t know what to say…”

Seijuurou feels a rush of pride at his speechlessness and slides up next to the tree, offering Kuroko a place between his wings. “Is it really okay?” Kuroko wonders, voice almost disbelieving. Seijuurou grunts impatiently; there’s only so long he can hover like this. As if sensing that, Kuroko scrambles onto his back, finding handholds in some of the looser scales on Seijuurou’s back. Seijuurou hopes he’s hanging on tightly, but even if he falls, Seijuurou won’t exactly have a problem catching him.

Seijuurou takes off at a roaring speed, and he barely catches Kuroko’s surprised yelp as he hangs on for dear life. Seijuurou goes a little slower but still incredibly fast. Flying is one of the few things he enjoys about transforming into a dragon, so whenever he transforms, he takes the opportunity to fly as fast as he wants. However, since he has a passenger this time, he decides to take it slower, even if it’s only a small amount.

He flies at a high enough altitude where he’s confident that he won’t run into any of the hunters; although, they may hear him soaring by above them. Honestly, he isn’t particularly concerned about that. All he’s thinking about is where he wants to take Kuroko.

He already knows where he’s going.

It isn’t long before they’re out of the fog and Seijuurou sees a familiar line of mountains looming before them. Seijuurou heads for the summit, and it only takes a few minutes to arrive. There’s easily enough room for him to land, and he does so in a tight circle, laying down his neck so that Kuroko can hop off easier. Kuroko slowly and shakily makes his way down, looking a bit pale in the face. Seijuurou feels apologetic, but since he’s unable to communicate that, he just huffs softly.

Kuroko looks up at him, and surprisingly, it isn’t fear in his eyes but awe. “I’m not sure of how to express it, but… you’re just as amazing as I’ve always imagined dragons to be,” Kuroko breathes, openly amazed. This is perhaps the first time Seijuurou has ever seen him clearly express his emotions. He knows he should feel flattered, but he can’t help but feel as if Kuroko is awed over something normal. Anyone that’s a dragon could have impressed Kuroko like this, and that somehow leaves a sour taste in Seijuurou’s mouth. Still, there isn’t really anything that makes him better than other dragon hybrids, so he settles for a sigh, closing his eyes as he transforms back into a human.

“Never mind me,” he reprimands, shaking out his limbs. They always feel a bit… odd after transforming into a dragon. Seijuurou gestures out to the scenery before them. “How do you like the view?”

Kuroko seems caught off-guard by the question, and he turns around. Before them stretches the deep green of the forests, and the crystal blue of the river that snakes around the mountain. Further are green fields and towns, and the rays of light just peeking over the horizon cast a soft glow over everything, making it seem ethereal.

Kuroko’s eyes widen, but he says nothing. As he stares at the horizon, speechless, Seijuurou decides that he’s satisfied, so he just stands there with him, watching as the sun slowly rises.

“I haven’t seen the sun in… years,” Kuroko whispers. Seijuurou pretends not to notice the tears in the corners of his eyes and hums in content.

“I thought you might enjoy this,” he says, honestly. A small, trembling smile makes its way onto Kuroko’s face, and that.

That, really, makes all this trouble worth it.

Really, this behavior is so uncharacteristic of me.

“… Thank you. Thank you for bringing me here,” Kuroko whispers, voice cracking a little. Seijuurou wonders what this strange feeling in his chest is. “We’re all afraid to leave. We’re afraid of being chased away again, hunted down with swords and spears… But up here, with you, I feel safe. It’s the first time I’ve seen the sun in years.” Kuroko lets out a tiny, watery laugh, leaning against Seijuurou’s shoulder. Seijuurou is surprised, but he doesn’t move. “I’m happy. Thank you.”

This feeling that’s connected to Kuroko—now is when Seijuurou realizes it’s dangerous. Because for Kuroko, Seijuurou knows he would do things he wouldn’t do for anyone else. The things he would do for Kuroko, who he’s only known for just a month, are things he wouldn’t do for people he’s known for years.

He supposes he can safely put a name to this feeling now.

Seijuurou nudges Kuroko slightly, catching his attention. When Kuroko turns his face up to Seijuurou, he lowers his own, their lips coming dangerously close to touching. Seijuurou stares into Kuroko’s surprised eyes, waiting patiently.

Understanding the silent question, Kuroko’s ears flush red, but he holds his reaction well. He gazes up at Seijuurou for a long moment, obviously struggling to make a decision. When Seijuurou is about to move away, Kuroko lifts his head, just a little.

Seijuurou smiles, and leans down to kiss him softly.

It’s simple, but means more to Seijuurou than any other kiss he’s shared in his many, many years of living.

He supposes that would scare anyone else, but Seijuurou has never been afraid once in his life.

He doesn’t plan to start being afraid now.

When they break apart, Kuroko seems flustered, but he manages to pull himself together, seeming to be fighting a frown. “But… you’ll be going home soon, won’t you?” He asks, voice even, but Seijuurou can detect the traces of disappointment behind his cover. Seijuurou looks out at the horizon, and then looks around at the summit of the place he’s called home for most of his life.

Seijuurou looks back at Kuroko and smiles. “I think it’s time for a change of scenery,” he says, simply. Pausing, he adds, “That is, if you’ll have me.”

Kuroko smiles—a full smile, unlike the small smiles he’s always given Seijuurou. He wraps his arms around Seijuurou’s neck, bringing him down so that their foreheads are touching. “Of course I will,” he laughs, eyes shining happily. Seijuurou smiles back at him, closing his eyes.

This has never felt like home, anyway.

“Then, let’s do this. I’ll go hunt for some food while you explore nearby. When we have enough, we’ll take it all home, and I’ll give you a ride again. How does that sound?”

Kuroko leans up to kiss Seijuurou.

That’s enough of an answer for him.

Seijuurou finds integration into the village simple due to already having lived there for a month previous. Mayuzumi isn’t exactly a fan of Seijuurou’s, but he loves Kuroko, so Mayuzumi tolerates Seijuurou for Kuroko’s sake. Seijuurou manages to build his own house with the help of some of the others, so he lives there instead of with the two brothers, but Kuroko comes over frequently enough for it not to matter.

As time goes on, the fog begins to recede, until it disappears completely. Kuroko speculates that it may have to do with Seijuurou—the fog only appeared when the land was burned and all communication with the other territories fell off. Kuroko says that since they began talking with Seijuurou, and since Seijuurou opened up a small communication channel with some friendlier villages from Rakuzan, maybe that’s why the fog finally lifted.

Seijuurou isn’t sure himself of what caused the fog to lift, but he’s grateful it’s gone. Since the fog lifted, life has been returning to this land, little by little. Plants have finally started growing with plenty of assistance from the villagers, and the land doesn’t seem as bleak as it used to.

“Thank you for coming here to find out the truth about our territory,” Kuroko—or, Tetsuya now, to Seijuurou—mumbles one night, when they’re both about to fall asleep. Seijuurou tightens his embrace around Tetsuya briefly, ignoring his wings scraping against his arms.

Seijuurou shakes his head, smiling dryly. “I was only doing what I would normally do. I would have never imagined it would lead to this,” he admits, resting his chin on top of Tetsuya’s head.

“But it did,” Tetsuya points out, poking him in his ribs. Seijuurou chuckles.

“Yes, you’re right.”

Seijuurou pauses, and then sighs, closing his eyes.

“I’m grateful I decided to come here, too. I think my life would have continued on in boredom until I finally died if I hadn’t.”

“That’s morbid,” Tetsuya comments, lightly. Seijuurou scoffs.

“I suppose.”

“… Honestly, I think the same thing of my own life.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose it really is a good thing that I came here, hm?” Seijuurou notes, teasing. Tetsuya pulls out from under his chin, wrinkling his nose at him.

“Yes, but you don’t have to be so smug about it,” he rebuts, poking Seijuurou again, this time in his cheek. Seijuurou rolls his eyes, chuckling.

“Alright, alright. Let’s go to sleep,” Seijuurou prompts. Tetsuya tucks himself under Seijuurou’s chin again, yawning.

“Can we go up the mountain tomorrow?”

Seijuurou smiles.

“Always.”

He never would have thought that he would be so grateful to have met a single person. But, even in all his years of living, he supposes that’s just because he had never experienced love before.

Really, he’s become soft recently.

But, looking at the man sleeping next to him, he doesn’t hate it at all.

Omake:

Sometime later, Tetsuya’s wings grow out their feathers again. Tetsuya’s feathers are a beautiful pure white color, which, surprisingly, no one else in the village has. Tetsuya has an odd number of down feathers but is still able to fly, but the many down feathers make his wings soft to the touch.

Understandably, Seijuurou was fascinated with them when they first grew in, but Tetsuya quickly grew tired of Seijuurou touching his soft feathers.

“Please stop touching my feathers. It’s annoying.”

“Sorry.”

“You didn’t stop.”

“…”

Tetsuya proceeded to kick Seijuurou away and hide behind Mayuzumi for the rest of the day.

well cheesy end is cheesy end, omake is...the usual I guess. I hope you enjoyed the fic Moonie ;w; I also hope it didn’t feel too rushed? Honestly I could have kept going to make it not feel as rushed, but I tried to compact it as much as possible so it didn’t become a monster of a one-shot while still making it feel complete. I don’t know how well that went ><

Umm, not many notes here. I took liberties with the world and everything as usual. Ah, and since there was no good place to put this in, if anyone was curious, Mayuzumi and Kuroko are half-brothers. Mayuzumi’s father was from Rakuzan, Kuroko’s father was from Seirin, and their mother was born in the territory they lived in. Now that I think about it....maybe some of you assumed that.....Also, if you prefer featherless Kuroko, you can pretend the omake didn’t happen. It was mostly for humorous purposes honestly.

If you’ve read up to here, I commend you for being able to read through my (as always) long author’s note. Again, happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I hope everyone had/has a great day!

#AkaKuroValentine2017 #Kuroko no Basuke #akakuro #Akashi Seijuurou #Kuroko Tetsuya #my fics #honestly I feel like I end all my fics the same I'm sorry ;w;

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