Chapter 1: Prologue - An Impossible Decision
Aomine sits on a park bench holding hands with Kise, while watching the sunset. The blond snuggles against him head resting comfortably on Aomine's shoulder. This overly sappy scene is ridiculously out of character for Aomine; however, Kise always manages to make the dumbest things fun.
After a few peaceful moments pass, Kise pulls away. Aomine frowns missing the warmth of the other boy pressed against him.
"Aominecchi, we need to talk."
Warning bells sound in Aomine's head. Although not particularly experienced with relationships, he knows a break-up line when he hears it. "You're not dumping me, are you?"
Kise refuses to meet Aomine's gaze. "Not exactly," he replies softly.
"What do you mean by that?" Aomine asks.
Exhaling loudly, Kise says, "You know how we're nearing the end of our last year of high school." After Aomine nods, Kise continues. "My manager has been working really hard to move my career to the international stage. I've been accepted into an American university, and I have clients that want me to play basketball there so I can be in advertisements run both there and in Japan."
When Aomine remains silent, Kise turns imploring eyes to him. "What should I do?"
"Have you talked to Akashi about it?" Aomine asks assuming the red-head wouldn't want to lose control of one of his pawns.
"Yeah," Kise replies with a torn look on his face. "Akashicchi says I can do what I want. I think he recognizes what a big opportunity this is for me. But your opinion is the one I truly care about. If you don't want me to go, I'll stay here."
Aomine's world crumbles around him. Every fiber of his being rejects the idea of college-life with Kise on the other side of the world. But at the same, he knows he shouldn't be making this decision for the other boy. "Kise, aren't you being rather unfair? This is your career. I can't be responsible for making this choice for you."
Kise's eyes take on a glassy sheen as moisture builds in the brilliant, golden orbs. "Aominecchi, you don't understand," he whispers. When he blinks, tears fall. "Distance can do terrible things to a relationship. I've seen it happen to several co-workers in the industry. They all make promises, sure that their love is true, but the distance is too much. And, I love you, Aominecchi." Kise's expression shows pure anguish as he continues. "I can't – no, I won't— go without your blessing." When Kise finishes, he turns away to dry his damp cheeks with a sleeve.
The weight of Kise's words puts a pressure on Aomine greater than any basketball championship game he has ever played. His heart constricts painfully in his chest, and thickness builds in his throat. With a deep breath to calm himself, Aomine manages one final question. "Can I have some time to think about it?"
Staring absently into the distance, Kise nods his head in a barely perceptible motion.
Aomine can focus on nothing but the impossible decision he has agreed to make for his boyfriend. The memory of Kise's tearful face causes a knot to gather in his stomach.
The easiest course of action would be to act selfishly and deny Kise his freedom. Aomine imagines a future where Kise's fame stays at the national level. He's almost sure that he and Kise will be happy together as they grow into adulthood. However, Aomine worries that if he refuses to let Kise leave, the other boy will come to harbor resentful feelings for having his wings clipped. Should Aomine do what's best for him, or what's best for Kise?
A year ago, he wouldn't have thought twice about being greedy. In the past, his rationale had always been that human nature tended towards avarice, but the peculiarities of love defy rationality. And Aomine does love Kise, perhaps more than he's willing to show or even admit to himself.
What were some idioms the stupidly infatuated prattled about involving love and distance – something about how if you love something that you should let it go and wait for it to come back, or how absence makes the heart grow fonder? These notions seem silly, as Aomine sees nothing wrong with cultivating an easy and comfortable relationship. However, he would be the first to admit that he's not the most romantically inclined person in the world. So perhaps taking a hint from those more knowledgeable about love is the right thing to do.
With a sigh, Aomine realizes he can't be the reason Kise is afraid to move forward; more specifically he can't insist that Kise stay only for his sake. If he does, Aomine knows he will spend the rest of his days wondering if his love is enough to make up for the fact that he forced the other to forgo a great career prospect. He needs to allow Kise his independence (while hoping the blond refuses to take it).
Picking up his cell phone, Aomine registers that the clock reads three in the morning. He calls Kise regardless of the time.
"—minecchi," Kise yawns into the phone when he picks up. "It's late… or early, I guess depending on how you see it. Miss me already?"
Aomine marvels at how quickly the blond perks up. Imagining Kise with bed-tousled hair, he smiles even as his heart aches. "Hey, you," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "I've thought about your opportunity."
On the other side of the line, Kise goes quiet.
"In the end, I don't think it's my decision to make. But if you need my blessing to consider both possibilities, you have it. Kise, you can go if you feel like you want to or need to. I won't hold you back. We'll make things work somehow." Aomine lapses into silence and waits for Kise's response.
After what seems like eternity, Kise finally speaks. "Aominecchi, I'm going."
"I know." Aomine feels like he really did expect this outcome.
"I love you." Kise's sweet words are marred by the despair in his voice.
"I know. I love you, too. Good night."
Author's Notes: So I've kind of been toying with an idea like this since my first KnB fic, really thinking about how both Aomine and Kise would act/react to certain things. This is the first time in a long time I've wanted to write a long-fic, so I'm feeling both a little excited and nervous. I hope you all enjoyed and will continue reading as I try to push drama to the max. As always, feedback is welcome and much appreciated. =)