When he woke up the next day, Aomine was alone. The blond beauty had apparently long left the love hotel, luckily, fully aware of his intoxication, Aomine had reserved the room for a whole day, so he didn't have to hurry. He was going to write it off as yet another one night stand with a person he did not even know the name of – not that he did it often but it happened sometimes – however only minutes later he found a stylish white business card with golden inked letters that read "Kise Ryouta" and a phone number underneath alongside an email address.
Not that he had any interest in calling the man, still for some reason, after inspecting the card as though it was a piece of lethal explosive, instead of throwing it away he decided to put it inside his blazer's inner pocket. Was it on a whim? Was it on a suspicion? Was it due to the still influential afterglow of the sensational sex he had the night before? He did not know, he did not even pause to inquire.
His next two days and nights were spent drinking at home, going through paperwork like a staunch believer studying their holy text, trying to find anything that might help turn the case around. It was futile and hopeless, he knew, but there was nothing else he could do; he was on an unofficial suspension of sorts and had to find a healthy way to direct his accumulating dissatisfaction rather than drinking himself to oblivion or randomly having one night stands with complete strangers. By the third morning he had gone through all the paperwork twice to have found, as expected, nothing. It was such a miserable loss despite being accurately predicted that he needed a fresh breath of air desperately.
It was a day after Kuroko's release from the hospital. He truthfully wanted to see his friend but was unsure how it would affect his own psyche; he was scared of his own hot fiery fury, the way he pummelled Haizaki so forcefully, breaking the guy's jaw thoroughly after the criminal had almost killed Kuroko... He still remembered his own murderous anger at the time. He was afraid of seeing his friend shaken and he was equally afraid of descending into some unholy rage and do something very stupid. Ever stupider than what he already had done. Momoi, who normally kept him on a leash at times like this, was too busy to take care of him now, in any case he could not rely on her again and again...
Still, hearing at least the good news and Kuroko's state would be godsend. So he took a shower, wore a light blue button up alongside a new pair of navy blue jeans and his good old leather jacket, and drove to the office.
The moment he entered to the headquarters of the Organised Crime Control Bureau, the stares started. He had always been well-known since his cadet days, for graduating with the highest ever achieved physical aptitude results, for having the best arrest record in the history of Tokyo Metropolitan Police, for making it into the much coveted Organised Crime Control Bureau and becoming an inspector at a young age, for being constantly wooed by other prestigious sections, including the Rapid Reaction Units, whose head in Tokyo has been in pursuit of getting Aomine to transfer since the officer ever made it into the Organised Crime branch... Aomine had always had to endure stares of idolisation or envy, often with a layer apprehension at his unabashed vanity; that day however, the stares he faced were completely of another kind. There was a specific ilk of disdain and shock, an apparent disappointment on everyone's faces, even the security guards at the entrance regarded him as such. A distinct pity, he felt in their gazes and a heaviness fell onto him, even breathing was barely endurable till he made it to his own desk on the third floor and saw Kagami trying to put together paperwork. The redhead had always been terrible at it, not that Aomine was any more talented. They always pushed the paperwork to Sakurai who seemed to excel at that particular task.
"Oi."
"Huh? Aomine?!"
"What's up? Surprised to see me?"
"Kind of. I thought you were suspended?"
"Not official yet. Nothing is official. Hell, I could be fired too."
"Don't be ridiculous. As much as I hate to say it, you are... pretty good for them to fire."
"Pretty good? I am the best. Well, except in this one. Even I can't deny that I screwed up I guess..."
"Don't say that... Like... I am grateful, you know. Not that you screwed up... but I mean, you literally saved Kuroko's life."
"Yeah and botched the whole operation as well... How is Tetsu doing by the way? He is discharged right?"
"Yeah. He is fine, in the sense that there is no permanent physical damage. Stab wound was shallow and a few ribs broken during the altercation. But he is a little traumatised. He also feels like shit because of you know... how it will affect your career and all and the mistake he did. He blames himself I think..."
"Jeez, tell the idiot to worry about himself. Who is he to think that he has the luxury to worry about my ass?!"
Kagami chuckled at that,
"Kind of already told him that. You know, I am not kidding when I say I am grateful... I owe you one."
Aomine rose an eyebrow in mock-serious intimidation,
"You do realise that before he was your... 'partner', he was my friend. He is my friend. So shut up."
"Daiki."
The third voice that cut through their atmosphere as though the air in the room was tangible. This voice was nothing like his own or Kagami's, not so low or boisterous but hauntingly calm, and the way his first name was pronounced so nonchalantly yet at the same time like an order... He sighed before he turned his back,
"Akashi."
"It is Deputy Prosecutor-General for you. We are in work hours."
"Yeah, Deputy Prosecutor-General. I am kind of suspended, so, I don't think it is my work hours right now."
He had no room to be cocky about it but he could not help it when facing Akashi, who seemed perfectly unperturbed at the inspector's arrogance,
"Exactly because you are on unofficial suspension that you should not be here and thus do not need to call me, anything. Why are you here?"
"I just came... to see Kagami."
"Taiga? How pitiful of you to even try to lie to me. If you wanted to know about Tetsuya's state, you could call him directly. Or better yet visit him. Same is true for Satsuki. Also, you should not be here, especially now."
"Why?"
"Because we have Haizaki Shuugo in the building right now. We are seeing what we can do about the situation, not that there is much we can. We are hoping to at least avoid a law suit against the department for misconduct."
"Are you kidding me? We're gonna be paying that fucking scum? He deserves to be behind the bars."
"We were about to achieve that, if you recall, until you quite spectacularly destroyed any and all chances of it succeeding as well as breaking his jaw."
Before he could control it, Aomine's temperature sky-rocketed and he yelled,
"It was Tetsu! He threatened to kill Tetsu! He would do it too, if I didn't intervene, you know that. So What? What in the hell were you expecting me to do? Perhaps you shouldn't have chosen him as the bait? Huh? What are you gonna say about that?"
Akashi gave a solemn look but there was pure spite in his gaze, though his silence seemed to only further infuriate Aomine,
"Or perhaps you wanted me to let him kill Tetsu so that you could try him for murder and have solid evidence to go with your prosecution?! Tetsu was going to die Akashi. That bastard literally restrained him, I could not see anything from my vantage point. The dirtbag had a knife on him. Even during altercation he managed to stab Tetsuya!"
"Carrying a knife is not necessarily against the law nor is using it when you are being assaulted. You had never seen the weapon but only jumped in because Tetsuya had felt it and thought it was a gun, which it was not. Tetsuya's initial statement also suggested there was a gun, but there was none, he was mistaken. A false accusation by a police officer. Another police officer assaulting a suspect based on that false accusation. Your series of conjectures and opinions do not change the fact that it was you who first attacked Haizaki and Tetsuya was stabbed only after that and Haizaki's use of his knife after being assaulted counts as self-defence."
"I am talking about Tetsu here! Did you see his face? No. But I saw it. I saw it that moment he felt the bastard was carrying something, was on top of him, the moment he whispered desperately 'you have a gun' and hearing that on the comm, knowing that for weeks the bastard had threatened Tetsu multiple times, what just what were you expecting me–"
"Daiki. Are you trying to tell me that you somehow care more about Tetsuya than I do?"
Aomine swallowed, suddenly aware of the position he put them in. Overprotective habits of Akashi Seijuurou towards all in the police force and prosecutor's office were well-known, even more so with his old mates, and even though Aomine had perhaps spent more time with Kuroko, Akashi had always been the one closer in terms of mutual interests and character. The two were so close, before Kuroko was involved with Kagami there had even been rumours that he had dated Akashi. But before Aomine could answer, or try to even answer, Akashi continued,
"If you think that, then you are sorely mistaken. Do also think about this: Haizaki Shuugo kills people, directly and indirectly. He has caused the death of many. You saved your friend, our friend, I am thankful for that as a friend, but in exchange for how many lives? How many lives will Haizaki Shuugo take before we capture him from this point on?"
Aomine felt pinned down in his spot and a tangible coldness sink in his stomach, his trachea closing in itself and suddenly breathing became painful, the guilt gripped his insides in a suffocating and frigid embrace... When he managed to utter the words that were screaming in his subconscious, there was a tinge of fear and hesitance in each syllable,
"Are you saying those lives will be on me?"
Akashi sighed, his piercing gaze and commanding voice softened,
"No. I am not. But I am saying that you will feel the burden of those lives. Tetsuya will feel it too. So be a little bit more thoughtful the next time. For your own good too. Also, I did not order him to be the bait. You do know it was your Lieutenant's decision."
"Even Riko wouldn't do anything without your approval, despite how crazy she is... Even the Superintendent–"
"Even the Superintendent, what?"
If Aomine had thought his life could not get any worse the moment he had encountered Akashi that day of all days, he had been obviously mistaken. He cleared his throat and lowered his tone in respect as much as he could,
"Sir."
Superintendent Nijimura Shuuzou, director of TMDP Organised Crime Control Bureau, did not even bat an eyelash to the rogue prodigy as he moved passed him and paused in front of Akashi,
"Momoi-san has got him to agree to your proposal. There will not be any law suits against the department and in turn we will drop the threat charges. Can we talk outside? Five minutes."
"Certainly."
As the Superintendent left, Aomine gave a sigh of relief. He had a more brotherly and perhaps mentor-like relationship with the man rather than a rigid hierarchy, regardless, except Akashi, this was the only other person who could still intimidate Aomine at times. As he watched his superior's back in distance, he murmured more to himself than Akashi,
"He is upset..."
"Yes. He is. He should be."
Aomine sighed, resigned to the accusation but still in need of some sort of confirmation of the opposite, even though it felt stupid and childish to wish so.
"So you are in the same opinion as him? About me?"
"Daiki, I knew you were not cut out for law and order. You are too careless, too impulsive, too overprotective of your dear ones to be a hallmark of justice. But I am the opposite of that. You are a perfect tool for me to use, thus I asked you to join to the Organised Crime Unit, because they needed you. I thought and still think that you are useful, so please do not disappoint me in that matter."
Akashi walked away as soon as he finished his sentence, not giving any chance for a comment or response; like always, determined to be the one to say the final words.
"That was harsh..." Kagami mumbled from his seat and Aomine realised the hurt in his palms – he had been holding his hands in so tight fists that little red crescents pulsing with pain had appeared due to his nails digging into his palms. He inhaled and exhaled deeply for once and without saying anything to Kagami made a beeline for the exit.
He had to get out of here. Get out of here fast, before coming across Haizaki or anybody else that could lead him to lose himself to the rage that wreaked havoc inside him.
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The reason why he had chosen the specific host-slash-hostess bar a few days ago for a drink was precisely because it was the closest place to drink from his home; there had been no other reason. Yet he was not so sure if he went there back again that night after visiting the office, because of that specific reason alone. Nevertheless, he did not want to think about the reason why he went there; too many thoughts seethed in his mind already. Instead he ordered a scotch and started sipping it lazily and by an hour before midnight, the mysterious blond whose name he now knew to be 'Kise Ryouta' hopped onto the bar stool near him.
"Missed me?"
"Fuck off."
"Ouch. And here I thought you came for more?"
"I just needed a drink."
"And you somehow specifically chose the bar where you picked up a gorgeous young man just three days ago?"
"This bar is the one closest to my place."
"Oh, should I assume you're planning to take me home then?"
Aomine sighed – and passingly thought that he had been sighing his life away the whole goddamn day like an old man. He had to admit the blond had been one of the most amazing fucks of his life (hell, if he had to be honest, outright the most amazing one), but he spoke too cheerfully for Aomine's taste and depressed state and talked too much in the first place.
"I said, fuck off."
"You are even grumpier today, I never thought this would be possible. You outdid yourself, wow. What are you, 'master of grouch'?"
"Guess we never cease to surprise each other, like how I'm surprised that you are still sitting near me. I think I told you to–"
"'Fuck off', as you put so eloquently – why don't you try that?"
"Try what?"
"Fuck me off out of your way?"
Aomine's eyes widened in disbelief, truthfully not expecting the raw invitation that was pronounced so nonchalantly. His body temperature rose in tandem with each lustful syllable that came out of the blond's pretty little mouth. He had certainly regarded the previous affair as a one night stand and the prospect of it turning into something else had never occurred to him. Add to that how the mercurial swings of Kise were so alien to him – one moment childishly playful, the next confidently wanton, Aomine was simply dumbfounded... a little. So when he spoke next, his query and curiosity were sincere,
"You want another round?"
"I wouldn't say 'no' to a couple more actually."
"Do you seriously have a police fetish or something?"
The blond moved away slightly and sized up Aomine cheekily, for a moment pursing his lips on one side as if considering a tough riddle, then grinned large and impish, his gaze openly scheming,
"Maybe I do. Not like it will hurt you. You did enjoy yourself quite a bit last time. And I must add, by the end, you had the most graceful and relaxed smile on your face; it obviously helped you relieve the stress."
Aomine chose to keep silent at that, a little vexed at the idea of lying just in case it could be read, nonetheless defiant about accepting the fact (that yes, he had enjoyed himself and relaxed a lot; 'quite a bit' was an understatement actually).
"Why?"
"Why not?"
Aomine's eyebrows furrowed in question and stare turned to scrutinise the host whose golden eyes peered as mischievously as ever and faint smile lethal and promising; how could one manage to look so threateningly enticing with such innocent facial features?
More importantly: why did this person insist on him? Could there be any specific reason? His mind often wandered to paranoia quickly, an occupational hazard, it was about to again when Kise leaned into him, his long fingers brushing Aomine's chest over the cloth – there was something about the blond's touch, Aomine decided then, it was electric, rousing all the nerves in Aomine's body to respond eagerly.
It was like the paralysing spell of a witch and if Aomine believed in such things, he would swear to God that Kise was one.
"You are over-thinking this Aominecchi. You are hot and I like it. It is that simple. I sleep through the day and spend almost all my time here at night. Do you see the kinds of women and men who come here? Look around you. Then think of yourself. It is not much of a surprise that I am hitting on you, you would realise. Plus you don't seem to be the clingy type, which is a huge bonus for me. Trust me on that: it is a big incentive. You would be shocked at how many creepy stalkers I have to deal with, women and men."
As he finished his words, still leaning onto Aomine, one elbow on the bar counter, the other arm stretched and fingertips lazily drawing circles on Aomine's chest, Kise winked. The wink itself was almost childish, like a small child's cheeky gesture after telling a particularly stupid joke. Aomine regarded him intently then, captivated by such effervescent swings and naïve gestures as much as the lascivious advances of the blond. The pale fingers fell down his chest to his waist and then lost contact as Kise stood up,
"I will be wrapping up in fifteen. Wait for me, will you?"
He did not even bother to wait for an answer, simply winked before turning away, confidently aware of his effect... and Aomine could not manage to tear his eyes away as the host hurried over to another corner of the bar, towards a table of various middle aged female guests.
If Kise Ryouta looked stunning from the front, he looked utterly tempting from behind.
So perhaps it was not a bad idea. Perhaps he indeed needed this kind of 'stress-relief' as Kise had put it the last time. If both parties agreed, after all, what was the harm?
None, as long as he did not spill it to Momoi, the guardian surrogate sister of sorts who surely was not judgemental but overtly protective at times.
Thus Aomine spent the next twenty minutes or so lazily sipping from his scotch as he waited for Kise to finish his shift.
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When he woke up in a room in the same hotel he had used with Kise just a few days ago, the sun was equally bright and his bed was equally lonely; however, there was no card this time and instead the noise of running water came from the bathroom alongside a joyful serenade... that scratched Aomine's ears like the cacophony of a dozen kittens mewling.
He closed his eyes and assayed his options for a bit. He was not particularly sure if he wanted to face Kise in the 'morning-after' but he was also too tired to leave then, plus the action could be deemed as running away, which kind of irritated him and itched on his overgrown pride that had already taken more than enough hits in the recent days. So rather than scurrying out, he stood up, ensured to have at least boxers on before lazily starting to brew himself a cup of coffee with the shabby coffee maker that was standard in every room of the hotel. It was going to have to do.
Just when he had poured his coffee and was about to handle the cup, a pale hand slightly smaller than his but of similarly strong grip, grasped the white, plain porcelain cup. Aomine gave an ired look at Kise as the blond first closed his eyes and smelled the coffee,
"Smells okay. I hadn't realised they had coffee makers in the rooms."
"I made that for myself you know."
"Yeah," Kise mumbled before taking a sip from the coffee, "so? It doesn't taste good by the way."
Aomine furrowed his brows, easily annoyed by the blond's childish antics though he couldn't help his eyes wander a little over his half naked body. Kise was standing there with a white towel loosely wrapped around his waist, hair dripping wet, chest and waist bare and full of little purplish carvings of Aomine's very own fangs. He shook his head very slightly to scatter away the whispers of desire and turned to brew another cup, Kise started then though, his voice as cheeky as ever,
"You know... This coffee reeeally sucks."
"You don't have to drink it, you goddamn thief."
"You don't have to either, because I could buy you coffee?"
"No, thanks."
"How about I add a brunch as well to it? Why do you drink coffee so early in the morning anyway? So very American-Cop-Drama of you!"
"I am not into dates and coffee is good in the mornings. What is more bizarre is you drinking it. Daring to steal mine is a capital offence in itself."
"Come on. It is not really a date. I just hate eating alone and today is my day off, won't you join and keep me company as I eat? I am really hungry. Also, I just like imitating people at times, so I wanted to try the coffee. I don't even drink it much to be honest."
"Whatever."
"Come on? I'll get you doughnuts too, if you want to complete that American buddy-cop image?"
Aomine raised an eyebrow, clearly ired but Kise only smiled sheepishly in return,
"Okay, not buddy-cop but badass-cop image?"
Aomine sighed in exasperation and opened his mouth ready to reject once again and more firmly this time, but as Kise lips moved to a particular gesture, Aomine's eyes simply widened in surprise. Kise was pouting peculiarly and unabashedly and Aomine was confused,
"Are you," he started, still in disbelief at the childish expression of Kise, "actually... pouting?"
"So?"
"Dear Lord. How old are you? Fuck, don't tell me you are underage."
Kise's lips dissolved into a laughter then,
"Haha... Jeez, Aominecchi, I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was an insult you stupid blond."
"Nah, it was your tsundere subconscious trying to compliment me subtly. Just how you noted my blondness now, probably another slip signalling your preference of blonds? Hm?"
After a second of irrepressible gaping at Kise's ridiculous vainglory, Aomine scowled sourly but the host did not even flinch under the hostile gaze directed at him,
"Come on, just as I was sure you definitely swung my way, I am sure you definitely are not one to reject free food."
There was some honest truth in that statement, Aomine had to admit internally, and when he took a sip out of the cup that Kise offered back to him, tasting the brown liquid that was anything but coffee, he agreed without changing his annoyed expression. Because honestly, getting the blond treat him to breakfast (or brunch, was it?) would be a fitting payback for enduring all his silly crap so early in the morning – or rather noon, now that he glanced at the clock for a second there, but it did feel like early morning.
"Yeah. You are definitely buying me food."
Kise smiled, a curious mix of mischief and naïve excitement, and Aomine's intuition was irked – there was something about Kise Ryouta... something deeply mysterious yet sincere, assuredly cheeky yet serious.
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As he made a beeline to the bistro where they were supposed to have their brunch, he was instead dragged to a nearby clothing store first:
"Your clothes smell booze, so do mine."
Apparently Kise Ryouta minded it a lot, Aomine did not so much and it wasn't as if they stank particularly, but he relented anyway, for the idea of refusing such common courtesy, he felt, would make him seem cheap. Perhaps he was cheap a little, or rather indifferent, but he did not want to stand out as such near the Eros in human form walking amongst the mortal men, after all. He paid for his own clothes though, as expected; buying clothes was different than buying food for another. Something Momoi had thankfully taught him early on in his life. The place they had brunch was quite lovely and while it was too posh for his style, the food was delicious and he was not the one paying. Kise was a nice person to chat, he knew how to navigate through subjects, never pushing too hard, never letting too loose, a masterful conversationalist, not that it was any surprise; the man's job was literally talk people into drinking and spending more and more.
He had planned to leave Kise right after the brunch but somehow he found himself walking around the neighbourhood with the blond instead in the calm of the Spring afternoons. When he realised how his initial plan had become undone, for a second he felt like returning to that initial plan, but they were in the middle of a conversation and he was a little bit curious about the specific story Kise was recalling then, about how once as a teenage model he had worked with Horikita Mai, Aomine's own personal goddess during his lonely and unbearably 'angst-y' high school years. So he did not take his leave and silently continued listening.
The second time during that day, he realised that he had spent just too much time with the blond than he had intended was when they came across the asphalt streetball court a couple of blocks away from his own neighbourhood. Some kids were playing, his eyes naturally wandered to the the ball and them; they were having so much fun despite how poorly they played.
Was there ever a time like that in his life?
That he enjoyed something so much despite failing at it miserably?
He could not remember. Not for basketball, nor for being in the force. It was not as if he chose both because he had been amazingly talented in them, still all these things he was truly interested in turned out to be things he was spectacularly skilled in. Sure, there was a time he was an amateur and failed more than he did now, never so pitifully talentless though. Could he savour his achievements better if he had been? Could he perhaps be more tenacious and hard-working if he had been? Perhaps, blunders like the one he just had would not terrify and shake him so much inside, if he had faced more of them in the past? Was his humongous self-esteem in reality too fragile, for lacking a history of trial-and-error? Kuroko always said that one learnt the most from their defeats and Aomine had only so very few of them.
His thoughts were interrupted by Kise's voice – for once, he did not sound playful but calmly interested,
"You like basketball?"
Aomine snickered at the question and though his eyes concentrated on a particularly weak kid desperately trying a three-pointer (of sorts – because the court was damn tiny anyway) only to fail again, he could see from his peripheral Kise's golden orbs focusing on him instead, scrutinising and intrigued,
"Hmm... kind of."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I almost became a professional player."
Kise chocked on the ice tea he was drinking then,
"And that's just 'kind of' for you?"
He couldn't help smiling at the blond's bewildered tone and somehow Kise seemed to be almost mesmerised then,
"Um... Want to play with me?"
"With you? Basketball? Do you even play basketball?"
"Nope. Not really. I tried it once in middle school and watched a few games later so I guess I know the basics."
"And you suddenly want to play with me after you heard I almost became professional at it?"
"Yes. You wouldn't believe, probably, but Aominecchi I can actually master any physical activity incredibly fast. So I should be good."
"You actually think you will be able to master this too? That you will be 'good' against me?"
Kise beamed, unflinching,
"Yeah, sure. Happened with all other sports I tried. In fact that one time I tried, I was able to match most players of our school's team."
"Well, Kise Ryouta," Aomine started as he moved towards the entrance of the shabby court, rolling up his sleeves slowly, "you have never faced Aomine Daiki on the court. Let's see if you're just a pretty boy talkin' big or can you actually deliver."
What Aomine did not see was the pair of cheerfully alight golden orbs behind him. He realised them just two hours later though, when they were both breathing hard (he was much less so than Kise Ryouta, the host extraordinaire and apparently basketball-loser extraordinaire as well now).
"One... more time, one more," Kise started. His face was red, his chest moved so fast as if he was still running, his voice was hardly intelligible. He was obviously consumed, thoroughly.
"No way. You're spent."
"Come on Aominecchi!"
"I told you to stop calling me with that dumb nickname."
"Should I call you, Officer Aomine Daiki who stole a basketball from middle school kids?"
"I did not steal it. I asked them to lend it to me."
Kise snorted,
"Come oooon... One more."
"No. Damn I sweated again."
"So what, you can shower. Plus, since you are already all hot and sweaty, why not another round? Or perhaps you are looking for another round of something else?"
A wink. A goddamn wink despite his laboured breathing and sweaty mess of a state. Aomine was left speechless though his lips curved into a grin unconsciously at the ridiculous enthusiasm of the other,
"Look pretty boy, I ain't gonna play you when you suck so much. And I'm not planning to fuck you again."
"Oh is that so? You told me you've been playing since you were a child right? You almost became a professional at it. So do tell me, have you ever seen anyone learn as fast as I did?"
Aomine rose an eyebrow and thought for a second, it was simply for show – he already knew the answer. That damn host.
Yes, so Aomine had never seen somebody who excelled so quickly in every little move he learnt. It was irritating and exhilarating at the same time.
"So, what? You still suck against me."
"It is acceleration versus constant velocity Aominecchi! I'm increasing. I'll catch up."
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
"Wow, now we at least know that you suck at sarcastic tone. So you really will not play any more, will you?"
"No..." Aomine said, reclining towards the fence that surrounded the court and that is when he finally became fully aware that it had become evening. When had the sun set? He had no idea. A hand reached for him and out of reflex he caught it up in the air. The face in front of him, as innocent and pretty like a youth's yet the subtle details of his features seductively mature and alluringly lustful, a small smile tugged to those lips baneful, the pale wrist moved on an angle and Kise grasped the dark wrist of the hand holding his calmly. He had not even flinched at Aomine's sudden move. As Aomine released his grip, pale long fingers started climbing up his wrist to his bare forearm, his sleeves already rolled above his elbow, then from his clothed shoulder to sweaty neck up to his chin. Kise cupped his cheek, sweetly and tenderly; the touch was so foreign to Aomine... He had been kissed and bit and sucked and hit, but never caressed so lightly, as if he was something fragile.
Normally it would make him mad but then, somewhere deep inside Aomine truly felt fragile these days. He had been feeling so since the incident with Haizaki and not confessing the fact even to himself did not change the reality. He was tired. He felt frail and that was terrifying in itself.
"Why didn't you become a professional basketball player? You could have made it big. You are damn talented. You love the sport."
Aomine's gaze only then wandered somewhere, off in the distant horizon, to flickering lights of the city,
"It is good to do something you love professionally but sometimes it can cause you to hate it as well."
"Hmm... I think I kind of understand. Well, I bet you are a great cop anyway."
He unintentionally snickered at the comment, as if his subconscious had wanted to move his facial muscles and reveal his current dissatisfaction with himself regarding his profession through that dry sound. He waited for Kise to ask more, to dig up more, then he could push the blond, slap that ridiculously tender touch away, tear down the unnecessarily sentimental mood, turn back and leave and never ever see Kise Ryouta, the bubbly blond host again... However, Kise simply repeated in a softer, quieter voice, gently reassuring and doubtlessly believing,
"I am sure you are a great cop."
His eyes were pulled towards the golden gaze of his company then and just how beautifully they shone under the dirty street-lights – that should not have been the case. There was no reason for them to glitter like that in the night but they did, he could swear they did. Aomine was intrigued and as if to find something, he searched on the other's eyes, lips, cheeks, chin... but he found nothing other than striking allure and mystery in those gleaming orbs, refined facial features and then the blond spoke, a tone so deliciously wicked that it was a velvet touch, cunning invitation to Aomine's sudden desire,
"Now... Are you really certain that you do not want to spend another night with me?"
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(A/N: So I hope this gave a bit of a background and also some ideas about the plot? By the way, I played around with the ages in this fic a bit. Aomine, Kise, Kagami, Kuroko, and Momoi are around 27-28, whereas Akashi is 30 and Nijimura is 32. More side characters will make appearances because plot requires it but this is mostly an aokise story.)
