A/N: A big hello to everyone reading this, and to the people who followed this and I made wait, thank you very much and enjoy this chapter!

Midorima's POV:

I notice the time on the clock on the wall of the gym and realise it's time for me to switch with Aomine. This last 20 minutes has been excruciating. Every time I turn around I see those two. The two 'best friends', the so called light and shadow. And even if that wasn't enough, a Virgo like Aomine has much better compatibility with Kuroko than me. Cancer and Aquarius aren't supposed to even get along. So why is it that despite all that, I still find myself drawn to Kuroko? I don't even know myself really, he should annoy me. I should look down on his style of basketball, he can't even score. Without a team to back him up he can't do anything. But despite those facts, I don't think badly of his basketball. I admire it. To dedicate yourself so fully to one aspect of the game, and to care more about helping teammates score than glory for yourself, that's what Kuroko's basketball is in my eyes. And that is why watching him playing with Aomine and being so friendly with him drives me insane. Why is that arrogant bastard able to get along with Kuroko so easily, when it's so hard for me? I try to be friendly with him, to not be so rude and curt when talking to him. But I always find myself judging my actions, and then being disgusted by them. Every time I try to be nice to him I can't help but be totally embarrassed. As if just being friendly with him is a sign that I like him, and that if I show off those signs he will find out my feelings, and will reject them. I know it's convoluted. I don't even quite understand my explanation myself. The one word which would probably fit me best would be tsundere, that's what people always call me anyway. But I would never admit that the word people use to tease me is actually an accurate description of the way I act. All these thoughts race through my mind as I walk over to Kuroko, the same thoughts that are perpetually bouncing around in my head every night before I sleep, and every morning when I wake up. Sometimes I don't even know why I bother, Kuroko is obviously straight, me liking him isn't going to change that. But even so, it's not like knowing that can stop my feelings for him. I can hear the beating of my heart start to pick up pace as I reach out to tap Aomine on the shoulder, to send him away so that I will be alone with Kuroko. Really? My heart is racing over something as simple as practicing passing with him? Am I really this bad?

"Midorima you bastard!" The moment I tap Aomine he spins around at an insane speed and screams out, pure rage painted on his face. He catches me off guard, I have no idea what has caused this extreme reaction. I stumble backwards, as if his voice had an actual physical force accompanying it that pushed me back. I notice that my glasses have fallen down my face in my stumble, I bring my hand up to push them back up, taking the time to calm myself and replace the surprised look on my face to a patronizing one.

"I don't know what your problem is Aomine but it's my turn to practice with Kuroko." I state matter of factly, a rude tone lacing my voice. I try to be nice around Kuroko, I try my very best. But I see no reason to give the same effort to this arrogant prick. I don't know if it was what I said, or if Aomine is just in a bad mood, but he doesn't take long to storm out of the gym, kicking the basketball in his hands at the wall with immense fury as he does. Either way, I don't care why he was so annoyed. All I care about is the fact that he is now gone, which means two things. First, I doubt he'll be coming back to practice today after that display, so I won't have to see or deal with him until at least tomorrow. And secondly, for at least the next 20 minutes until Murasakibara comes over and interrupts us, I will be able to train one on one with Kuroko. Just the two of us. The thought alone makes me blush, just slightly. But I hide it instantly, knowing I could never let Kuroko see me like this. I look over to him to see him calling out to Aomine, even though he's already walking out the gym door.

"I'll see you this afternoon Aomine kun." This afternoon? Did they make plans? Damn him! I am going to have to find out more about this. After seeing Aomine completely ignore his words, Kuroko turns to me with a worried look on his face.

"Sorry about that Midorima kun, he seems to be mad about something. Do you think he's all right?" He asks me in concern, his clear blue eyes looking up at me just like a puppy's. I feel my blush returning, even stronger this time. God dammit! Why does he have to make such a cute face? I really can't handle it! When he notices my face his look changes from worry to confusion, but it doesn't get any less cute. I turn my head to the door, as if looking for where Aomine went. But in reality, I'm just desperately trying to hide my blush. It takes everything in me to turn my face back to its normal hue before I am able to turn back to Kuroko and reply.

"Hmph, I wouldn't worry too much about that oaf. I'm sure he's all worked up about something stupid. Anyway, forget him for now. Let's just practice." I say, trying to convince him to forget about Aomine and focus on practicing with him. He thinks about what I've said for a second before nodding at me in agreement.

"Yes, you're probably right. I'm sorry for involving you in someone else's problem. Let's get to practicing." As Kuroko walks over to pick up the ball Aomine kicked away I easily notice the well defined muscles in his legs, pulsating with every step he takes. He's only a small boy, and despite his skill in basketball he's not all that athletic. But he still works hard every day in an attempt to be; trying desperately to raise his strength and stamina. And god damn it shows in those muscles. I can imagine touching them myself, running my hand down the contours of his legs, his thighs, until I reach just that little bit higher…

"Midorima kun? Hello? Do you want to start now?" I snap myself out of my indecent fantasy, my face turning red and my vision filled with blue. Kuroko is standing on his toes, trying to reach up to me. Waving his hand in front of my face in an attempt to gain my attention.

"K-k-ku-kuroko!" I scramble out, utterly mortified at the thoughts racing through my head. How could I think about that sort of stuff now? In the middle of basketball practice, why on earth am I having this smutty fantasy?

"You finally got the ball, took you long enough." I almost scream out, judgement heavily laced through my voice. Why am I saying this? I was the one not paying attention to practice and thinking dirty thoughts instead!
"Are you ever going to pass it to me, or did walking to pick it up take all your effort?" What the hell was that? Where did that come from? Get yourself together Midorima, now is not the time to act like such a damn tsundere! At this rate the twenty minutes will be up and all you'll have done will be insult Kuroko!

"Sorry Midorima kun, I'll hurry up and start." A look of sadness brings itself to Kuroko's face, I can tell he feels guilty. But he shouldn't feel bad over what I said. It was just a bunch of crap I spouted to hide my embarrassment. God, could I be a worse person? He swallows a breath and composes himself, before finally starting to pass. I catch the ball in my right hand, letting my hand linger over the surface Kuroko has touched before sending it back. We both run up and down the court as we pass, practice passing at all different angles. The monotonous movement calms me down a little, as the blush recedes from my face, my thoughts start to clear. I try to forgive myself for my words to Kuroko, but I know I can't. I can't forgive myself for stuffing up again, for being so damn rude. But I can at least try and make up for it. And get a bit closer to Kuroko at the same time.

"Hey Kuroko." I call out in the middle of a pass.

"Yes, Midorima kun?" He replies, perfectly polite, despite how I spoke to him earlier.

"When you were calling out to Aomine before, what did you mean about seeing him later today?" I build up my courage and ask him, wanting to know if it was him or Aomine who invited the other.

"Oh, that? Aomine asked me to come shopping with him, why are you interested, would you like to come?" Relief washes over me, I'm annoyed as hell at Aomine for trying to get ahead of me. But at least I know that Kuroko didn't invite him himself. They're good enough friends already. It's hard enough for me to try and catch up to Aomine and get closer to Kuroko than him. If Kuroko was asking Aomine to accompany him and not asking me, that would be a real problem. When Kuroko is still looking at me expectantly, I remember that he didn't just tell me who invited him, he asked me a question too.

"I-I don't have any reason to spend time with either of you outside of school." There I go again. Do I have to be such a jerk?
"But, I need to buy, … ah," Crap, think of something! "my lucky item! Yes, I need tomorrows, so I might as well go with you, maybe you'll be able to help me find it. Then you could actually be useful." I curse myself for my spiteful comments, but at least I managed to accept his offer. I can make up for my behaviour later.

"That's great to hear, Midorima kun. It should be fun helping you look for whatever odd item you need next!" A smile lights up his face and I swear my heart melts. Can… can something be this cute? Am I hallucinating? I pinch myself, the slight pain annoys me for a second, but nothing in my vision changes. Kuroko's smile is still shining in front of me. It's just a smile, just a movement of muscles in order to change a facial expression. That shouldn't be such a big deal, such a mundane thing. I shouldn't be getting worked up over this.

"I'm not saying yes because I want to be with you, so you don't need to be so happy. I'm just doing you a favour, I could find my lucky item on my own, I just thought you'd get all sad if I said no." I continue on in my rambling, trying to make sure he understands that I'm not saying yes because I want to, that I'm forcing myself to agree. Even if that's not the truth.

"I understand Midorima kun, thanks for thinking of me." And there's the blush, how many times is that today god dammit?

"I'm not thinking of you! It'll just be quicker!" I scream back, loud enough for everyone in the gym to hear. I am embarrassed, to say that is an understatement. I look at the clock to see that I only have 2 minutes left with Kuroko anyway. I start to walk away.

"I'm done practicing. I don't need to do this anyway, passing is already such an easy concept for me." I state as I storm off, tapping Murasakibara on my way and pushing him towards Kuroko, so that he can spend time with him, and get closer to my Kuroko. Mine.

"Thanks, Mido chin." I spit a dirty look at Murasakibara, he hasn't done anything at all, and yet I am infuriated at him, just because he will be near Kuroko when I won't. I need to get myself out of here and just cool down. This afternoon, this will be my chance. I take a deep breath, thinking about what I will do. I won't be rude, I will tolerate Aomine for Kuroko's sake, but after he leaves, I will try my very best to finally tell Kuroko how I feel. I can do this, I can.