Tanned arms ran up his stomach, feeling every ripple of the blond's well-toned physique. They wrapped around him and pulled him closer to...the very body they were attached to. That firm body pressed up against his, how perfect that alone felt, he couldn't help it when his hand went to meet up with the one running up his side. It paused, letting the blond acquaint himself.

'What a dream this is,' Kise thought to himself in his half asleep reverie. But it was one hell of a good dream, and it felt so real, so he wasn't about to question it. His hand moved backwards to feel up this dream man his mind had conjured, running up a firm thigh, a defined hip—his fingers gripped at an even more firm ass.

"Why does my dream have such a choice ass...?" He groaned as he felt himself waking up more.

"Dreams are supposed to be what your insides want," a deep voice whispered against his ear as a hand trailed up his chest.

"Damn straight they are," Kise yawned, his other arm going to meet the hand on his chest. The realisation of what he was actually doing hit him and his eyes snapped open. He choked. "I—I mean—"

"Sleeping beauty wakes up," the deep voice continued. His arms tightened around Kise's body, holding him in place.

Kise pried at the arms as his heart-rate rose. How embarrassing—he could just die from how embarrassed he was. No, this was not happening.

"Oi, Kise, after having not seen me in so long, this is how you treat me? What a shitty way to greet a guest." Aomine yawned obnoxiously. "Last night went well, I thought."

"Aominecchi, Aominecchi—" He swallowed and cleared his throat. "I don't usually wake up like this."

"Really? The famous model?"

"I have shit luck with keeping partners, really."

A snort.

"Go ahead, have your laugh. It's not like I care."

"But you and your 'Taiga'? Does Satsuki know you guys are naked around each other like that?"

A pained laugh left his lips. How could someone say something so insulting based off an assumption like that? "I literally feel offended right now." Kise scoffed."He's just a really good friend. It's been years, so we're comfortable like that. We're not in anything together. Besides, this is America. First name everything."

"But over that call..."

"We're comfortable. As in bros in the locker room comfortable. We met each other here by chance and since I had no friends, he literally was my first real friend here. We never went out of that 'friend' thing we've had. That's just how we work."

A grunt.

"Yes, I know, he was nearly naked. But think about it: if I was actually going to date him, wouldn't I be doing that by now?"

It was quiet, and Kise sat up as Aomine's arms retracted.

"Aominecchi, why are you here, even?"

"I was invited to Kagami's all-star match."

Of course he was. He knew that. Part of him was a conceited...selfish, ass and wished that he came because it would be a chance to meet once again. But. Those were just idiotic thoughts in the end. Kise couldn't even look at his face. "Right. You and Tai—Er, Kagamicchi are still friends, huh." He let a light sigh flow through his nose. 'But instead of going to the arena, you came to me. Sure, we kissed and everything, but.' Was he really starting to regret this over the course of one night? The thing he had wanted most, he was really doing it. He was making himself regret everything because he couldn't grasp the concept of not doubting one's self.

"Not really. We talk about some games and shit, but it doesn't go that far. I just know whatever from the tv. I didn't know he was your friend at all. Then again, I never really bothered to ask."

Ouch. "Aha, yeah, we've been friends for a while now, yeah. Yep. Yes. Just friends." The memories of last night flooded back into his head as his heart conjured feelings of regret. None of this was a dream. It was a very real reality he was a part of. Did he really want this? If he did, why was he doing this to himself? "Regardless, it's nice to see you, you know, after such a long time."

"You too."

'Before he leaves, I should show some respect and get to know him. This shouldn't be about me. It should be about him, right? It's been years and we're already getting sour because of...I don't even know what.' What should he even ask about though? Why was this so hard to reciprocate?

"What've you been up to after high school? You said you had a lowkey life, but you never mentioned your actual job." Kise asked, lying on his stomach, his attention completely on Aomine.

"Basketball...?"

"Dumb question." An awkward laugh left his lips. "I'm surprised you didn't join Tai—Kagamicchi when he was scouted for the NBA. You're NBA level."

"Eh. It was whatever. I didn't want to move here and not know anything."

"Hah. I feel you there." Kise averted his gaze. "It took me a while to learn. Not a fun experience, honestly."

"Why America?"

Kise blinked at the sudden question. "America...Well, it's easier for me to get contracts here. Most of my fanbase is here, all the opportunity is here and I mean...I just...I didn't really have anything tying me to Japan anymore." A more pathetic laugh. "It's not like I can just meet up with the old team and play basketball whenever I want to."

Aomine nodded. His eyes were trained on the ceiling. "Have you tried?"

"Tons of times." A ghost of a smile was on his face. "I hurt myself more each time. If Kagamicchi wasn't around, who knows when I would be found. I tried so hard one time, I gave myself the worst sprain."

"He's on that list you have?"

"Hm? Oh. To get onto my floor?" Kise nodded. "Yeah. Since it's...well, you know, my job. Not just anyone is allowed into this building, so."

"Right."

Kise planted his face into his mattress. This was so awkward. How had this taken an entire flip? They were laughing and joking around nearly all day yesterday, and now it was heavy and suffocating. Who cared about who was on his list or not anyway? He was on it now, right? Not that it mattered or anything, since he was going to be leaving...at some point.

"I'm a boring ass cop, by the way." Aomine seemed so blasé about it.

The model furrowed his brow and lifted his face off the mattress. "A what."

"I know. Not basketball related."

"A policeman though." Kise tilted his head. "I never would've thought...I honestly thought that basketball would be the route you would go."

"Surprise, I guess."

"...yeah. I guess." The blond laughed awkwardly. "You were my favorite basketball player ever, hands down."

Aomine snorted yet again. "Was I."

"Of couse. Aominecchi was always the coolest guy ever. Calm and collected on the court. You knew every move you were gonna make because you were confident that you were going to win." The model offered a smile to the other. Maybe if he made the situation light, the awkwardness would just dissipate on its own.

Maybe.

Just maybe.

But it didn't.

Aomine wasn't much of a conversationalist. He wasn't giving Kise much to reply back to, if anything. His replies were closed or nonexistent. Honey-colored eyes scanned over the other's profile in an attempt to read him again. Just once more, like he used to.

A pained smirk made itself visible as he realised just how much he didn't know Aomine anymore. A chuckle blew through his nose as he buried his face into the mattress once more.

"What is it?"

"I'm not friends with you anymore."

Aomine's brow furrowed as he rolled onto his side to look at the blond better. "The hell's that supposed to mean?"

Kise's jaw was clenched.

"Oi. Kise."

"I'm not. Nothing's the same. It doesn't feel the same anymore."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"It does though," Kise kept his face buried into the sheets. He could feel this awkwardness eat at him. He had admitted his feelings, and Aomine had admitted his in his own subtle way...they both liked each other from ages ago and it had come out, so Kise should be happy about everything.

He was happy, yes. Happy, but what was this other colder feeling? What was this extra sensation? Dread? What did he already start dreading when this chapter was—Oh right.

It was a new chapter.

This was the next step. He had chosen a route and this was the next bit. And he was on his own with this one. No Kagami to offer wise advice like he usually did. No Kagami to slap some sense into him. Christ, he was going to give himself a panic attack in due time, what, with the way he was going. He could feel his breathing picking up, his skin felt cold—He was actually scared of what came next.

This was the feeling. What was there to be so scared about though? Aomine was still technically the same person, he had just moved on and grown up as did Kise. But they were still attracted to each other. So long as the two of them both worked at it, they would work, right?

Right?

The blond felt his back muscles tense as Aomine's fingers pressed against him. "Kise. You're not hearing me again. You really need to control that habit."

"I'm sorry."

"Are you okay? Your breathing got...crazy."

"Yes, yes. I'm fine."

Aomine sighed.

"Can I continue? You said that us being the same as we used to meant everything."

"Because it does, Aominecchi. It really does. We were really good friends—and I just..."

Aomine sighed and rolled his eyes. He slid his other hand under the blond's face to cover his mouth. "It doesn't mean anything. Let me talk for once."

Kise stopped his fidgeting and merely nodded.

"There was a guy I knew in high school. He looked just like you. He was blond and had the nicest eyes. They were like honey. His hair and eyes matched perfectly. He modeled for fun and everyone wanted him. Hell, even I wanted him. But, he went to a rival school. Kaijou. He was their jersey number seven for...not even a year. Something horrible happened and he couldn't play anymore. I'm pretty sure that idiot was heartbroken. You could tell how heartbroken he was because he stayed away. He left basketball, he left everyone and everything that came to him from it behind." Aomine paused and let out a loud sigh. "No one really knew why, but at the same time, everyone felt like they did know. That guy just wanted to heal himself and forget everything so that it wouldn't hurt. If he kept those things and friends, they would be constant reminders of what he used to have."

Aomine turned Kise to face him. Kise's eyes were open, and they searched his face for some sort of reasoning for what Aomine was saying.

"That Kise doesn't exist anymore."

Kise stared.

"This Kise is the Kise that the other Kise became."

Oh.

"Aominecchi, I—"

He was shushed. "You're just lost. You trapped yourself in this memory from years ago and got so wrapped up in it that you forgot how to get out, idiot. You're not a teenager anymore. You're a grownass man."

And here I thought you were going to continue being all wise and shit.

Kise just remained silent.

"You can speak."

"...but that friendship."

Aomine sighed and brought his hand from Kise's back to his face; rubbing at it with a massive amount of pressure. It looked near painful as his skin pulled and stretched.

"Ryouta." He then said.

"Yes."

"Ryouta, I don't want to be friends with you. Because being friends with you would trap me in that area. I want more than that."

"...More than..."

"Are you seriously that dumb blond model now, because if you are, we're going to have some fucking problems."

"N-No—I just—I'm...I'm just..."

"Sentences, Kise."

"Right, right. Sorry." The blond quieted.

And it remained quiet for a bit longer.

"Do I need to spell shit out for you?"

"It would be nice."

"I want you."

"I want you also."

"Then why are you making things so complicated when they don't have to be?"

"Because I'm really stupid." Kise sighed as he let his eyes slip closed.

"...Well you said it."

"You're not supposed to agree." The blond drew closer to Aomine. "You're supposed to tell me that I'm not stupid; that I'm the smartest guy you've ever known."

"But then I'd be lying."

"Ahominecchi." Kise pushed at the other, shoving him from the bed. "You stay there."

"Hai, hai." Aomine instantly folded his hands behind his head and effectively made himself comfortable.

Kise peeked from over the bed. "You're not actually staying there, are you?"

"You just said—"

"You're such a dick, really." Kise buried his face into the sheets.

"Kise."

"Hm?"

"Let me be your boyfriend."

"Pfft—" The sound was muffled by the mass of sheets.

It grew quiet again, sans the sound of Aomine shifting his weight. Curiosity couldn't be fought and the blond lifted his head, only to be met with a kiss from Aomine. It wasn't longer than a second, and Aomine quickly pulled away.

"Wait, give me another one," Kise said, trying to crane his neck enough to reach those lips.

"Give me an answer."

The blond felt his face burn. It was both embarrassing and nice to feel. "I would love it if you were," he mumbled, trying to hide his face.

"I thought you wanted a kiss?"

His head perked. "I do, I do."

Aomine closed the distance between them again. To make it worth their while, he took his time with it.

"Wow you're a really good kisser," Kise whispered against Aomine's lips.

"Do you know who I am?" Another kiss.

Kise smiled at the line.

"Also, what's your plan? Are you going to kill Kagami and Satsuki?"

"Hmm, I wanted to kill Taiga, earlier. Like, yesterday, because he didn't tell me you were coming and he knew the way I felt."

"And?"

"But I can't be mad at him now."

"Damn."

"You wanted me to be mad?"

"Well yeah, it sounds hilarious."

"Aominecchi, you're horrible."

"Daiki."

Kise let his eyes flutter open. A smirk crawled onto his face. "Is it because I call him Taiga."

"No. I'm in America. First name shit, you know."

"Maybe I can just call you 'Dai-chan'. Or some cutesy shit." Kise laughed and pulled away, sitting up on his bed and raising his arms. A loud groan left him as his muscles were all woken up by the pulling.

"Maybe I can find a different boyfriend." Aomine was leaning onto the bed and yawning.

"Or I could just call you 'Dick'."