Disclaimer: Kuroko no Basket belongs to Tadatoshi Fujimaki-sensei.
Trigger warning! Found in the first chapter. Please do read them.
The next morning found him bleary eyed with a powerful headache. He's not sure what time he was able to sleep. Judging by his current situation, it was probably at most two hours which was horrible.
He actually went to bed hoping the previous night's interaction with the stranger would somehow trick his brain from thinking about his reality. Apparently, the distraction was only good when he's distracted and wasn't alone. Just as he hit the sack, he felt the quiet and the chill was back along with the pain and the memories.
The incessant beeping of a machine. White walls. The smell of antiseptic. Fragile hands grasping his. A hint of a forced smile. A weak voice telling him something important. Him shouting angry and pained words but it sounded very much like a desperate plea.
Shaking himself from his lethargy, he pulled himself out of his room straight to his bathroom. He was never one to pay particular attention in appearances but even he almost cannot recognize the face looking in front him. Gaunt face. A week-old stubble. And more importantly, his eyes. Its navy color was almost as dark as midnight and filled with pain so palpable it almost hurt him to look at. As if the emotional pain was not enough, his knee was throbbing again. It did not help that he actually stayed out in the cold last night.
Limping towards his kitchen, he found his painkiller in the counter. He took two pills without any water, simply swallowing them whole.
After taking a shower, he found his thoughts drifting towards last night's events. Anything to forget the pain will help.
It wasn't the big events that actually derailed he from the heinous act he was going to commit last night it was the small details. Like the smell of lavender and mint faintly imbued in the scarf that gave him warmth until he arrived to the confines of his home, the way the shadows doesn't seem to succeed in dimming the innate brightness of the stranger, and the chill that was warded off as soon as the stranger got close even before the scarf was given to him.
(Meet me here tomorrow if you're really interested.)
He scoffed. No, he wasn't interested. Not at all but he needed the distraction and the stranger's scarf was still in his possession. Besides, he was curious as to what was the colour of the stranger's eyes or whether his blond hair would be more golden when hit by sunlight. Yes, that's it. Nothing more. It does not help in the long run to ignore one's curiosity after all.
As it was an early morning, not many people were present at the park. They were mainly people who are taking their morning run. It was an ideal place for exercise after all. The stairs up were more than enough to tire someone and it currently caused his knee to throb a little.
Making his way towards the promised place, he silently took in his surroundings. He was unable to last night due to the haze of the emotions that run high in his system. Vendors were still setting up their shops. The stalls ranged from little trinkets that served as souvenir, a tribal tattoo shop that looked really ethnic to food carts that filled the morning air with a delicious aroma as soon as you get close to them. He made a mental note to visit one of the food stalls later for breakfast. Benches lined the cemented pavement. And well-maintained flower beds dotted the whole park. Everything there evoked a peaceful atmosphere. He can't help but wonder why he chose the place aside from its elevation to do such licentious act or maybe his unconscious was telling him to find a haven before he gave in to the chaos of his mind.
His memories of this park were indeed full of happiness and innocence and more importantly it was probably the only place where he felt happy that he did not share with that person.
No, he cannot dwell on that thought. He might spiral out of control again. And now that he was able to take in the place, he can't possibly taint it with his cowardly actions.
Finally arriving at the promised place, he looked around for the mop of golden hair he saw last night.
"Hey, over here!" He heard someone call out from the direction of the gazebo. And there he was, last night's stranger, waving enthusiastically at him like he was a long-time friend and not a virtual stranger he met just the night before.
Even at the current distance, he can almost feel the warmth and energy the blond emitted. He was right after all, those blond locks looked even more golden in natural light almost giving the man a halo in his head. The matching smile that adored the even more handsome face, which he can fully appreciate now with the better lighting, was dazzling. The thought of finally finding the colour of the blond's eyes pushed him to walk just a tad faster. As soon as he reached the gazebo, he saw that they were twin pools of amber, bordering a shade between topaz and honey. It was so full of life. And just for that he knew he has to stay away from this person. He can't possibly get too close with him.
"You actually came! And your dressed for the weather!" exclaimed the blond, excitement lacing his voice. He actually wore his grey winter coat over his black long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans.
"Well, I had to return this to you," he replied gesturing at the paper bag in his hand where he crammed the said item earlier. Looking around, it seemed that the gazebo can now be fully appreciated with proper light. It has a trellis outside filled with climbing vines that gave an eerie feel at night but is actually appealing in the light of the day. Even the inside was surprisingly clean. An elevated plank that circulated along its inside perimeter served as seats and a circular table was placed its center.
"Oh, you didn't have too!" The blond actually clapped his hands in delight. He was still beaming at him, he didn't know what his reaction is supposed to be. Internally sighing, he got inside and left the bag in the table and walked out immediately.
When he reached the last step out, the blond realized his intent. "You're leaving already? But you just got here!"
"I returned it to you, no point in staying," he replied with a shrug continuing to walk away.
"Wait. Have you had breakfast?"
He did not deign him a response. "Its my treat! As thanks for returning my scarf?" He can hear hopefulness in the blond's voice.
"As long as its your treat!"
He felt the blond come in step by his side. What exactly am I doing?
The duo found themselves in the main plaza of the park where the food stalls he saw earlier were concentrated. The blond at his side was chatting animatedly. Something about the park's amenities and history. It was their second meeting but he instinctively learned to tune him out.
In the end they both chose to order omelette rice and ham and egg sandwich along with coffee which they ate in one of the nearby benches that came with a table for convenience.
"Do you know me?" he asked the stranger in front of him that was happily munching his food.
The blond gave him another smile. "How'd you figure it?" The question came with a small tilt of the blond's ridiculous handsome face. In any normal person, it would've pissed him off but the blond made it look endearing somehow.
He simply shrugged as a reply. The blond giggled at his action. "Well, wouldn't any Japanese basketball fan, know you? You're Aomine Daiki after all!" The way the blond said his name was akin to that of a five-year old that received his first puppy. *
"If you're a fan, then you've heard about the injury." Aomine did his best not to show any emotion on his face as he mentioned his knee.
Aomine was almost relieved with his performance when the blond spoke yet again, "What has that got to do with me taking the initiative to approach you? Did you seriously think that your fans would hate you because of an injury you didn't want?" Contrary to the almost vindictive words, the tone of his voice was simply curious. And somehow it made him release his breath which he didn't realize he was holding.
"What's the point in idolizing a player that can't stand in the court anymore?" Even Aomine himself winced at the depreciatory tone of his voice.
"Please, look at me Aomine-san." Just like last night, Aomine was compelled to follow the voice. Navy blue met amber. He saw sadness and determination in those golden depths and surprisingly, the sadness was directed for him.
The blond might act silly in the short span of their acquaintance but Aomine can now see the intelligence and the empathy in those determined orbs. Therefore he knew that the blond was aware of his plans last night and yet he didn't call him out for it.
"I cannot speak for everyone, I can only tell you what I think. Aomine Daiki is not an ordinary player for me. He isn't someone whom I admired because he's the first Japanese who played in the NBA. I admire him simply because he plays."
Taking a deep breath, the blond continued still looking at his eyes, "The injury was unfortunate and I would be lying if I didn't think it was a waste for you not to be in the best condition anymore but I know that it isn't the end. The Aomine Daiki that I supported and watched from afar wouldn't stop playing. Maybe I wouldn't be able to see him play in the big leagues anymore but as long as he's still standing in a court, that's more than enough."
Aomine was then surprised by the next action of the blond which was to burrow his face in his hands. "I can't believe you made me say that," whispered the blond. From the short distance, Aomine can see the tips of the blond's ear to be red. Was he actually blushing? Aomine inwardly chuckled.
Finally taking a hold of his emotions, the blond looked up back to Aomine. The handsome face was still painted with a faint blush which made the sight even lovelier. What exactly is happening to me?
"Just so you know, I don't think I'm the only person who thinks of you this way. Here," the blond then shoved his phone towards Aomine.
Looking in the screen, Aomine saw that it was directed to some kind of forum. "What's this?"
"It's a forum dedicated for you," the blond stated as a matter-of-factly. Aomine scowled. When the blond saw his reaction, he immediately defended his reason. "It's nothing creepy! I swear! It's just people, fans posting their opinions about you. Mostly about your career and currently it's about your injury."
In his three-year career as an NBA player, Aomine has experienced some unpleasant things which mostly involved his fans. He shuddered at the thought of what he might actually read in this forum.
"Just note the link. Its better if you read it in private." Aomine was still not sure but he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, Aomine might not show it outwardly but he appreciated the blond's sentiment on him as a player especially after his injury.
"Shall we go around? The dome they installed last month has an amazing view! There will also not much people since its still early."
The blond stood up and walked towards the pavement. When Aomine didn't immediately followed, the blond looked back at him tilting his head in question. There it is again. This blondie really knows how to use his appeal.
Aomine was once again drawn to the blond's plans. The dome the blond wanted to show him was quite a walk that Aomine worried if his knee would be able to take it but he was never one to back down from a challenge. Their walk to the dome was silent, surprisingly it wasn't awkward but rather a comfortable one.
It turned out that the dome he was talking about was an observatory. Aomine admitted that he hasn't visited this one yet. It was circular and painted pristine white. Telescopes lined in one side tilted upwards the closed ceiling which probably opens at night for star gazing. Informative pictures of planetary bodies from stars, constellations, satellites and planets were scattered around the place. One big door opened in their right led to a balcony where the few visitors are lingering.
The blond immediately went straight there upon entering the place while Aomine took his time both to observe and to rest his knee a bit. The long walk took a toll on him after all.
When he entered the balcony, the cold air greeted him. It seemed like it was even colder there probably due to its altitude. The park itself was already elevated but this dome was even more so most likely be clear from any obstruction in observing the stars.
Aomine found the blond sitting in one of the benches nearest to the wall of the premises. When he saw Aomine, the blond beamed and patted the space next to him as a gesture for him to sit on.
"Its really beautiful here, don't you think?" The blond's statement seemed like an echo to the last night's events. Except that Aomine was tethering at the edge of the balustrade at that time with no intention of appreciating the view. It only occurred to him that the blond might have chosen their seat far from the edge due to last night.
Now that he was actually clear-headed he can finally agree with the blond's sentiment. "Yeah, it is."
This time their silence was accompanied by the cold breeze that gently blew around them. The breeze carried a familiar scent of lavender and mint which calmed and soothed Aomine yet again.
They spent the rest of the morning in the observatory, only leaving the place when it came for lunch.
After a hearty lunch in one of the food stalls, the pair simply wandered around the park. Aomine discovered the new amenities that were installed there. The blond was naturally chatty so he served as a good tour guide. Always telling titbits of information on each place.
By the time they both found themselves exhausted it was already early evening. It was around this time when they met yesterday. And reality came crashing back. Aomine was more than ready to get into panic when he heard his companion address him.
"Did you have fun?" he asked with an encouraging smile. It was already night but the blond's natural brightness was still palpable or maybe it was due to the darkness that he stood out even better. The positivity from the blond prevented him from drowning in dark emotions.
When amber pools met his navy ones, he composed himself. "Well, you're not that bad as a tour guide. I guess," he replied casually.
"So mean, Aominecchi!" A pout was evident in the blond's face.
"Wha –what did you just call me?" Aomine embarrassingly spluttered.
"Oh!" The blond looked down suddenly finding his shoes interesting and quietly said, "Well, its sort of a nickname I usually call you in my head."
When he finally looked up his expression was one with hopefulness. "Can I call you that?" It was also paired with puppy dog eyes. How could he have possibly refused?
"Suit yourself," averting his face from that annoying puppy eyes.
"Yay! What an achievement!" the happiness in the blond's voice was enough to bring a hint of a smile in Aomine's face.
"Its later than I imagined, huh. I need to go now, Aominecchi. It was really fun!" The blond was then walking away from him with a wave.
As soon as Aomine saw the blond walk away, he remembered that he didn't know one vital information from his companion for the day. "Wait! Your name! You didn't tell me."
"If you come back tomorrow, I just might tell you~" the blond singsonged as a reply. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon~"
Aomine just heaved a sigh. Another day, huh?
Aomine was already laying on his bed when he remembered the blond's request to read the forum about him. He was still doubtful on what he might read there but he simply shrugged it off. I guess, there's no harm in trying.
Upon typing the said link in his phone, he was sent into a site that looked like a typical forum where people used usernames and discussed topics of interest. There was no doubt on what people talked about in the site. The words EVERYTHING ON AOMINE DAIKI was prominently displayed on its main page after all. Browsing through the site, he clicked on the topic that concerned him the most, Aomine Daiki's injury.
He wasn't sure what to expect in the site but what he saw definitely wasn't it.
[azura00489] I'm sure Aomine-san will come back!
[basketballis_life] ofc. as if he'd allow himself to lose like that
[12tora] come on. Didn't you guys saw the news? He's done for! there's no coming back for him!
[hiiiiro] shut up, 12tora you don't know anything about aomine-sama! he's been thru a lot given that he's the youngest player to ever made it to the big leagues!
[12tora] wat else can he do? He's always been criticized as a player anyways! People r totally waiting for his downfall! An upstart asain!
It was totally true, though. When he first entered the big leagues, the media never let him forget that he's not in his home court. It didn't matter that he's proved them many times over, they've been ready for this from the start, indeed. Aomine can't help but scoff and the heavy feeling was back.
[gold-locksrocks] Aomine-san always had to deal with the prejudice on being an Asian player! The media has always labelled him to an achievement 'despite being short and blah, blah' which is stupid! His lineage has nothing to do with his talent! Don't you dare say he'll be done for just because of this!
[kiraY] you do rock, gold-locksrocks! Doesn't matter what you haters think! Aomine-sama will stay strong!
[051809] you fanboys r simply dreaming awake! Didn't u hear d news? He's out of business!
[gold-locksrocks] maybe I shud take u out of business myself, 051809
Aomine laughed loudly upon reading the comment. Geez, fans really are quite something after all. He can't help it, he continued to scroll down the page. It was only because their reactions were funny. Definitely not because they made him feel good. No, definitely not, Aomine told himself.
[hiiiiro] yeah! Haters should just shut their traps! Aomine-sama, if ur reading this don't listen to those little shits! They just have nothing to do with their lives
[nitelyf] aomine-sama, we'll be waiting for u! big leagues or not we'll be here!
The last comment made him pause. It made him think and ponder on it. Will they really be there? Even though he might never play again? It was only then that he noticed the time.
Closing the forum, Aomine thought back to his day. Spending time with the mysterious blondie really worked wonders on his mood. Must have been that dazzling smile. The blond's smile was different from others. Each flash was pure happiness and Aomine can't help but think that if he can actually make someone this happy simply by existing then maybe not everything is lost after all. And there's also this forum. It also helped his mood. He didn't know the people on the other side of the usernames but he can feel their sentiments all the same. All he can say was that a day with the blond and words from his fans worked leagues better than the hours he spent with his shrink that didn't stop talking on guilt and moving on.
It was a good day, all in all. To think that he was ready to end everything just the day before. He would've missed a lot of things. Especially a certain someone with a smile akin to the midday sun. Not that Aomine would ever admit that to himself much less to anyone.
*if anybody noticed, it was only from this part that I began to use Aomine's name instead of 'he'. I guess I just wanted to somehow have an obscure view of the earlier scenes. I don't think I succeeded though but I like to think that I did.
a/n The part of the forum sucks. I know. I had a hard time on what to say there. I'm just not satisfied in how it turned out. The issue on the media labelling Ao due to his ancestry was sort of inspired from ninanna's fic, Glad You Came. I love it. I suggest to everyone not just to AoKise fans.
Reviews are love~