Disclaimer: This is an unbeta-ed AU fanfiction. I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or any of the characters, other than OCs if any. This fic is based on an idea adopted from cheripetalz.
Before he could raise a hand to push open the heavy oak double doors, they opened with a groan, revealing a man with a rather portly man with a thick beard holding them ajar.
"Aomine-sama, we have been awaiting for your arrival," he greeted, body slightly bowed and eyes dropping, his body language submissive to the young art mogul.
"Aah," Aomine grunted his greeting without sparing a glance in the man's way as he strode purposefully down into a rather dim-lit hallway, littered with many smaller doors that hid treasures of different values.
"An art auction this time huh," the young man mulled flatly to himself. Apparently his old man had some last minute issues to take care of back at the company, and had rung him up to request for his help in some matter.
Don't get him wrong - he had nothing against attending such events. He was simply a mindless figure for events like these, simply raising a bored hand – the hand that signified he would be the highest bidder for the piece of art that had caught his eye for the night.
It was just that the gaudy decorations and the uptight nouveau riche who attended such events that grated on his nerves; Uptight nouveau riches that had no tastes and held no interest in fine arts, simply here to show off the abundance of their wealth.
"It's rare to see you not put up a fuss, Dai-chan!" A woman with long, pink flowing hair fell into step beside him, her double Ds that seemed to defy every single last law of gravity bouncing with every step she took with those black classy thousand dollars slingback heels. "Anyway, here's the catalogue for the auction later."
"Satsuki," raising his brows at his childhood friend and personal secretary, he snorted as she waved the elegant, matte-white booklet in her hands. "You know I prefer to wait for the surprise."
Ignoring the childish pout that formed on those perfect sakura shaded lips and whines of 'wasted hard work', the tan-skinned male continued towards the furthest end of the hallway, the doors automatically opening for them upon their arrival, the butlers at the door dipping their heads in acknowledgement as the two of them stepped into the dimly lit ballroom.
Impeccably dressed, the men wore tuxedos and well-cut suits, and the women in evening gowns greeted his sights. Most of them had an overabundance of jewels and finery practically hanging off every inch of their exposed skin. It revolted him that the people here looked almost too desperate, too hopeful to seem cool and elegant, polishing and exhibiting themselves in a way that screamed for attention.
Breathing out a soft exhale, Aomine headed towards an empty corner that was devoid of the gossiping rich, his body lax, leaning against the wall as he watched the surroundings, picking out possible competitions for the night. The soft jazz music that played in the background was slow, throbbing and seductive, reminding him of tightly pressed bodies, swaying hips and perfect chemistry between two lovers whose bodies meshed perfectly, moving under the beauty of the moonlight.
The image he would carve and engrave on marble and limestone, freezing that moment for all of eternity.
"Aomine-kun, Momoi-san, it certainly is a surprise to see you two here." An aloof, emotionless voice reached his ears, piercing through the mist of his fantasy. The corners of his lips twitched into a small smirk even before he turned dark azure orbs upon the voice's owner, his memories instantly recognizing those deadpanned vocals.
"Yo Tetsu," Aomine returned the greeting with a casual wave of his own as he turned his gaze towards the young man with hair of a rare, powder-blue shade that approached him, his mischievous smirk giving way into a full grin. "I could say the same for you as well. Where's Kagami? I don't see him around."
With the regular blank expression mask plastered on his face, the shorter male nodded his head towards a general direction in the room, paying no attention to the girl that had started squealing and automatically attached herself onto him. "He's entertaining clients right now."
"Huh, tough life." Despite his word selection, his tone bore no sympathy for the plight of the maroon haired male. Kagami was the heir of a multi-million dollar company, and Aomine had met him through his boyfriend, Kuroko, during their high school days, where they were merely adolescent boys who were wet behind their ears, investing their youth and time in a sport that was a common love between the three of them; basketball. "Feeling lonely without loverboy?"
The only reply the dark skinned male received was a pointed glare from light cyan eyes in his direction, causing him to chuckle lightly, raising both his hands in a mock surrender.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, the auction will now commence. Here I have the first painting for the night…" Aomine casually flipped through the rejected auction catalogue Satsuki had offered him just moments ago, his eyes skimming through each richly colored page as the auctioneer droned on and on about the painting, the biddings moving on swiftly with each new bid being marked up by another hundred and fifty percent or something like that.
"And here we have, our last painting for auction tonight." Aomine yawned at the exact moment, hardly realizing that time had flitted by, mildly amused at the rich acting like housewives in a market on sale, except they were haggling for higher prices and not for discounts.
"Let's go, Satsuki," he drawled, shoving his hands into the pockets of his tailored black slacks, making his way to the exit, not expecting anything spectacular, only to cease his steps as he heard several gasps elicited from the audience, including Momoi, who had tightened her grip on his sleeve as she stood as still as a statue, preventing him from taking another step away.
Surely, there couldn't be a treasure that they hid in the middle of those shabby collection they had the galls to display?
With an exasperated sigh, he turned around to face the stage, his annoyance clearly expressed. "Look Satsuki, I don't think it would be anything…"
Deep navy hues widened considerably at the image that entered his field of vision. Although he couldn't say that the painter's techniques were anything near impressive, but he couldn't say the same for the model.
Thick, blonde tresses framed his face, his nose the cutest and most perfect one he had ever laid his eyes on, straight and long. His cheekbones were high and pronounced, lips full that he swore he could spend his life simply kissing and never tire of. His body was slim and lean with compacted muscle, making him look slender and a little feminine for a male.
But it was the eyes that caught his gaze in a strong lock.
His eyes were the color of molten gold and melting honey, as though the sun had decided to hide behind those orbs, intense and staring right back at him.
He felt as though someone had put a hand into his throat, and shoved another in his chest at the same time, squeezing the organ that rested there painfully.
"…magnificent." The last word left his lips in an incoherent mumble that sounded too loud even to him in the room that had fallen into hushed silence at the newest painting.
"Ten thousand!" His trance was broken by the voice of the first bidder – an English looking man that looked like the typical prim, proper, smart and well-bred. Aomine rolled his eyes at the meager amount he had offered. His angel definitely deserved more than that.
The bidding had gotten more and more intense, the prices each new bidder offered escalating quickly. Looks like he wasn't the only one that was after the beauty.
"Two hundred thousand! Do I hear two hundred and fifty?" The auctioneer announced the last bid from a rather portly old Matron, that looked smug at her offered price, seeing that people were starting to seriously consider raising the price any further.
"Two hundred thousand! Once!" The auctioneer's voice ringed in his ears as he counted down.
"Twice!"
In a flutter of long, tanned fingers, Aomine raised a single hand into the air, navy orbs twinkling in determination as he opened his mouth.
"Two million."
He could feel every single eye in the room scrutinizing him, the air heavy with tension with muffled conversations, their remarks at his insanely high bid falling upon deaf ears. Even Satsuki had whipped her head and stared at him as though he had grown horns atop his head, and Kuroko merely raising his eyebrow as an expression of amusement.
"T-two Million Dollars!" The auctioneer recovered the voice that he seemed to have lost, words forming a slight stutter at the unbelievable quote. "Do I have a higher bid?"
The room fell silent once more, the other bidders simply looking at one another nervously, wondering if there was anyone crazy enough to raise the price even more.
"Two million! Once! Twice!" A knowing smirk graced his lips. Even if anyone were brave enough to bid a higher price, he would simply comply, and raise the bid even higher. His angel was definitely going home with him tonight.
"Sold for two million dollars! Please head this way, Sir. You may collect your painting immediately."