We get to see two more Miracles, the BIOPSY OF EVIL happens, and teenagers and technology don't mix

Chapter Warnings/Triggers: Swear words, IVs (like needles), mentions of medical drugs such as sedatives, mentions of insecurities, Haizaki (because this boy is a warning by himself man)

Hey, just to clarify! THERE WILL BE SLASH IN THIS STORY. THE MAIN ENDING PAIRING IS GOING TO BE KAGAKURO. I am sorry for not making this clear from the beginning. If that upsets anyone, I apologize. If you decide to stop reading my story, I completely understand and thank you for reading up until this point.

Enjoy this chapter! : )


Kagami settled down cross-legged on his bed, waiting for his computer to finish turning on. He stretched, tilting his head back until he heard a loud POP. He flopped back, staring blankly up at his ceiling.

His apartment was filled with a soft buzzing that could only ever be heard when it was silent, coming from the air ducts. Kagami's walls were thick, blocking out most of the noise from neighbors and the outside streets. He'd found it a blessing at first but the longer he stayed in the apartment alone, the more he had began to despise the silence.

His apartment was too quiet, too big for one person, too empty. There was no warmth, no smells of home clinging to the walls or in the air. There was none of the constant smells of his mother cooking up some new concoction, no sounds of his father's tone-deaf singing to the radio playing the newest pop song, no personality.

Kagami used to be embarrassed by his parents, always hesitant to invite Tatsuya over to hang out because his parents had no semblance of filter. His mother would take every chance she could to shove her newest recipe of Mexican or Italian food down Tatsuya's throat or whip out the baby photos. She'd make sure to show off the many pages of Kagami as a toddler when clothes were his mortal enemy. His father would sit at the table, chattering loudly with Tatsuya about the recent NBA game to broadcast or if he'd tried that new boba cafe down the street. Tatsuya would laugh loudly, recounting their daily training with Alex or how much food Kagami had managed to devour that day. Kagami would just sit there, basking in the warmth while also trying to burn his baby photo albums.

Kagami scrubbed his hands over his face and sat up again.

He adjusted, clicking on his Skype icon. Logging in, he quickly saw his dad was online. Clicking to request a call, he waited.

"Tiger!"

Kagami's face blossomed into a wide, all-teeth beam as his father came into view, his mother nestled against his shoulder as she matched smiles with her son.

"Hi mom, hi dad! How is everything?" Kagami asked, taking in how lively his mother looked. Today must have been a good day.

"Good as usual," Ryuusuke spoke, rubbing his hand up and down Ilyana's arm. "Ilya's platelets are fluctuating right now but that's to be expected as her body takes to the new medicine. You played Shuutoku today, right? How'd that go?" Ryuusuke lifted up a slice of pizza, biting into it.

"Please stop," Kagami groaned as he watched the grease dribbled down the slice. "I'm so hungry. I miss my greasy, artery clogging food!" Kagami slumped down, adjusting the laptop onto his chest. "Stop!" He was not whining. No he was not.

"You're avoiding the subject," Ilyana commented, smacking Ryuusuke lightly on the stomach. "Did your team lose?" Kagami scowled, looking away from his parents.

"Yeah," Kagami revealed, expression darkening. "We were so close too." Kagami squeezed his eyes shut tight and then opened them, blinking away the black spots that blossomed across his vision. "It happens though. Can't win them all."

"Did you have fun at least?" Ryuusuke asked, taking another bite of his pizza. "Did you enjoy your loss?"

Kagami snorted and rubbed at his eyes. He was tired and his stomach was already demanding more food, even though he'd ate through both his and Tetsuya's portions of hamburger steak.

"Yeah, it was fun." And it had been, no matter their loss. "It wasn't for a while...but then it was again. I think Kuroko was more devastated than anyone else though." Kagami scratched at his head and shifted the laptop again, propping up on his pillows.

"What makes you say that?" Ilya asked, eyebrows pinching up as she popped a grape into her mouth.

"He blamed himself for our team losing," Kagami explaining, recalling the red-rimmed eyes and blotchy cheeks. "I think he cried too."

"Why would he blame himself?" Ryuusuke asked, setting his pizza down with a frown. "You said he had a sickly body, right? Did-" Ryuusuke licked his lips with a smack- "did anyone explicitly tell this kid that his illness wasn't the cause of your loss? Did you guys make sure to let him know that him having a weak body wasn't the sole reason for your team losing?"

Kagami tilted his head to the side, frowning. "I mean, I told him. That it wasn't his fault. He had apologized to me and I told him it wasn't his fault."

"Oh Taiga," Ilya sighed. "That poor child may need more than that." Ilya fiddled with her fingers. "I absolutely hate it when I have to go to the hospital. I feel like a complete burden to my coworkers and I feel like such a hopeless failure when I miss so much work. My coworkers depend on me in our office and every time I'm out, it just pushes more responsibilities onto them. It's such an ugly feeling - feeling like you are causing others troubles."

Ryuusuke nodded, ruffling at his red hair with streaks of grey and white blotching through like tiger stripes. "You guys may need to explain to this kid that him being sick isn't a burden. The kid's probably constantly beating himself up over it. Ilya does."

Kagami nodded dumbly, unable to properly respond. God, why hadn't he thought of that? He'd seen his mother break down, frustrated and exhausted beyond belief over her illnesses and how much she felt she was getting in everyone else's ways. Even if people said they didn't mind, that it wasn't her fault, he knew she blamed herself.

Why would Tetsuya be any different?

"Thanks. I'll make sure to tell Coach that," Kagami spoke and yawned. He glanced at the clock and then gave a miserable expression. "It's getting late." He didn't want to hang up yet. He'd just started talking to them.

"Want me to tell you a story until you fall asleep?" Ilya asked as Ryuusuke moved out of view, rummaging sounding in the background. Kagami flushed but moved, rolling onto his side as he positioned the laptop on the side table next to his bed.

"I'm not a kid," he grumbled, flushing darker as Ilya just giggled softly. "You don't have to give me a bedtime story."

"Let me spoil my sweet child," Ilya spoke as Ryuusuke settled down behind her, hugging her around the waist. "So, once there was a prince who was born with abilities of the sun."

Kagami nuzzled down against his pillow, his eyes slipping closed to his mother's steady, soft voice blanketing him in a lullaby.


"Hey Coach," Kagami called as he parted from Tetsuya, his test papers clenched in his hand. "Can I talk to you?"

"What's up?" Riko asked, reaching a hand out for Kagami's tests. Kagami hesitated and then handed them over, flinching when Riko just gawked at his scores. "Kagami…"

"It's Kuroko," Kagami blurted before he could be pulled into a Boston Crab Hold. "I think - um - I think we all need to sit down for a moment and explain to him that our loss wasn't his fault?"

Riko stilled, lowering her fists as she stared blankly at him. "Explain."

"Um, Kuroko he - um, he apologized and said it was his fault we lost?" Kagami explained, casting his eyes over to the subject of their conversation. Tetsuya was talking with Mitobe and Koganei, showing them his test papers.

"What?" Riko reeled back, her tone almost a gasp. "What-how-why would he think that?" Riko turned to look at Tetsuya as well, eyebrows pinched. She lifted her whistle up, blowing it shrilly.

Tetsuya winced at the sharp noise and looked over as Riko and Kagami, trying to keep his expression void. His kidneys were throbbing today. It felt like two hands were gripping them in a tight hold, squeezing down with each step he took. The tightening was stretching his skin around his back thin, burning him from the inside out. Today was turning out to be a bad day. Tetsuya worried his lip as he shifted his footing, trying to ignore the squeezing pain erupting from his kidneys. He'd see if someone could put a pain relief patch on in a bit.

"Everyone, over here now!" Riko called out, hands on her hips. "Move it!" The players rushed over, pale over the thought that they were going to be drilled harshly. "It has come to my attention that someone on this team thinks that our loss against Shuutoku was their sole fault." As she spoke, Riko looked directly at Tetsuya.

Tetsuya jumped, eyes wide as she and Kagami stared at him. Kagami didn't...why-why would he say anything? Was...was she going to call him out, reveal his worst-sewn fear to the team? Was...was this the time when they'd come clean about their feelings for him - for his sick body?

"What?" Hyuuga gaped. "Who would think that?" Tetsuya shrunk back, trying to hide behind Koganei and Mitobe. Mitobe moved, resting a hand against his shoulder, keeping him in place.

"Kuroko," Riko called out, eyes narrowed. "Why do you think that?" All at once, everyone was staring at him and Tetsuya hunched up his shoulders, hands moving to grip at his shirt. His eyes were wide, his hands beginning to tingle with pinpricks of numbness that spread up his wrists and arms.

"I-" he swallowed, unable to grasp the words he wanted to say- "I. It's." Everyone was staring at him, waiting, and their gazes were beginning to feel like walls towering over him - caging him.

"Why do you think that?" Furihata asked softly, eyes gentle. "Kuroko-kun, you understand that none of us think you caused our loss, right?"

Why were they lying? Why were they so desperate to lie to him? Tetsuya shook his head, eyebrows pinching up.

"It-it was my fault," Tetsuya argued, his voice falling weak and warbled instead of steely and powerful like he'd intended. Mitobe's hand slid from his shoulder to his back, pressing between his shoulder blades. Tetsuya's body betrayed him by leaning into the comforting gesture and his face flamed in shame. "If...if my body hadn't been so tired, I-I could have been out and helping to give Seirin that final push to win but instead-"

"What was it you said to Kagami-kun?" Izuki asked, elbow propped up on Hyuuga's shoulder as his sharp eyes burned into Tetsuya. "'Basketball isn't a one-man sport'? 'You can't play it by yourself'?" Izuki leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "If basketball isn't a one-man sport, why should it be one man's fault?"

"B-but," Tetsuya stuttered out. Mitobe and Koganei shifted closer, offering comfort with their bodies, and Tetsuya just wanted to crouch down and hide from the world. "My body-"

"What about it?" Tsuchida asked, raising an eyebrow. "Kagami strained both his legs. Does that mean he cost us the game?"

"No!" Tetsuya immediately cut in, eyes wide. "Kagami-kun did the best he could! He-he wasn't at fault."

"But you were?" Fukuda questioned.

"Yes," Tetsuya breathed out. "I-I was a liability to our team. Because of me, we didn't win." It burned to say that aloud but at the same time, it seemed to comfort him in a way that cementing a fact would. He could finally hear their true feelings and know he was a burden without having to dance around the subject.

"When?" It was Koganei who asked that, nudging at Tetsuya. "When were you a liability?"

Tetsuya blinked, pushing into Mitobe to get away from Koganei's serious expression. When? When?

"Since I joined the team," Tetsuya answered honestly. Since he'd been selfish and demanded a spot on the team, trying to prove to them something unattainable.

"You honestly think that?" Kagami asked, eyebrows furrowed. "You honestly think that?"

"Kuroko," Hyuuga spoke softly and he ran a hand through his hair. "Look at me." Tetsuya looked up at him and Hyuuga gave a very small smile. "Who the fuck do you think you are to tell us that our loss was your fault?"

"CLUTCH MODE?!"

"I had thought that you'd been spared from being a self-centered asshole like the rest of those Miracles, but I guess you are the biggest one of them all." Hyuuga walked towards Tetsuya, smiling down at him. "Why the fuck would it be your fault? Do you believe you are the center of our team? Do you think you are our ace?" Kagami took a step forward, only to be stopped by Riko, who shook her head silently.

"N-no-"

"Then where do you get off thinking you are the sole reason we lost? Y'know, Kuroko, hearing that pisses me off. I feel like punching you." Tetsuya cowered back into Mitobe, who stared seriously at Hyuuga. "We all tried our hardest to fight against Shuutoku. We all gave it our all. You don't think we blame ourselves for the loss? Because we do. I can't see how anyone wouldn't."

Tetsuya's eyes widened.

"I don't know how Teiko dealt with losing a game, but here at Seirin, if we lose a game, it's everyone's and no one's fault." Tetsuya sucked in a breath. "Got that? We aren't assholes who hold one player accountable for everyone's mistakes. We don't look for a scapegoat for every game we lose, Kuroko. If you blame yourself, then I blame myself too." Hyuuga raised a hand and flicked Tetsuya in the forehead. Tetsuya rubbed at the red mark and blinked at him. "Dumbass."

"Like I said," Riko cleared her throat. "If we lost, it was because I didn't do my job properly as a coach. We know about your medical conditions. We know your limits, your weaknesses. If we can't face a opponent without having to rely on you for every single battle, then we don't deserve any of our wins. Kuroko, I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself for our losses. Basketball is supposed to be fun, right?"

Tetsuya nodded, ducking his head. He nodded again, his shoulders trembling.

"If this hasn't been fun for you, then what was the point of it all?" Riko finished with a sigh. "If you ever try to carry our failure on your shoulders alone, I'm going to perform a German suplex on you, got it?"

"Yes Coach," Tetsuya choked out, giving a shaky inhale. "I'm sorry." Riko nodded and smiled at her team.

"Great! Now that that's settled, lemme see those test papers! Just because we aren't going to the Inter-High doesn't mean you guys are allowed to slack off on your grades!"


"Hey Kuroko," Kagami spoke as he yawned, slumping into his desk. "That Kise guy texted me."

"I gave Kise-kun your email," Tetsuya responded, looking up from his novel. "He asked for it."

"Don't go giving away my contact info!" Kagami snapped, tugging on Tetsuya's cheeks. Tetsuya blinked sleepily at him. "Anyways, he messaged me to say his team is going to the Inter-High finals."

"Good for Kise-kun," Tetsuya yawned, rubbing at his smarting cheeks. "How was your studying?" Tetsuya hadn't been able to go to Riko's house to help Kagami study for their midterm, instead stopping at the hospital to get his prescriptions refilled.

"Murder," Kagami wheezed and flopped down, sighing. He eyed Tetsuya and gave a soft snort. "Doing good?"

"Yes," Tetsuya nodded. "Today is a good day." Kagami raised an eyebrow, twisting around in his seat to lean against Tetsuya's desk.

"Good day? You have flares?" Kagami asked, familiar with the phrase from his mother. Tetsuya raised an eyebrow, lowering his book.

"Kagami-kun knows they're called flares?" Tetsuya asked in turn, curious. Kagami nodded, rubbing at his neck.

"My mom doesn't have the greatest health," Kagami revealed sheeply. "She uses that term a lot so I understand what you mean." Tetsuya blinked, nodding slowly.

"Kagami-kun's mother is sick? Like...like me?" Tetsuya asked softly, glancing around them. Kagami shrugged, also casting a look around the classroom.

"I...I don't really know what's wrong with you," Kagami admitted and frowned. "She's got a few autoimmune diseases that really wrecks her body." Tetsuya's eyes widened and he opened his mouth.

"Here," Tetsuya suddenly spoke, holding out a pencil for Kagami. "For your tests. It was personally made by Midorima-kun during my second year. It'll help you a lot." Kagami blinked at the sudden change in subject and looked down at the pencil.

"Uh...thanks?" Kagami squinted at the pencil and took it, fiddling with it. "I'm feeling kinda confident about this test though."

"We're the same," Tetsuya disclosed and the teacher walked in, signalling the beginning of class. Kagami turned around and as the tests were passed out, came to the realization that Tetsuya's answer was a response to his mother's sicknesses.

Suddenly everything made a lot more sense.


"Well, you have shin splints alright," Keiko informed Kagami, glancing up from her clipboard to meet Riko in the eyes. "So that means ice, rest, and no strenuous physical activity for at least a few weeks, got it?"

"Yes ma'am!" Riko called, standing on Kagami's left side while Tetsuya stood on his right. "Thank you for working us into your schedule."

"No problem at all," Keiko smiled and set her clipboard down. "I wanted to talk to you about your recent defeat against Shuutoku." Riko grimace and Keiko gave a snort.

"What about it, ma'am?" Riko asked reluctantly, looking miserable by the thought.

"My son informed me that during their second quarter, Tetsuya here had muscle weakness?" Keiko asked, turning her attention to Tetsuya. "And that he was benched for the remainder of the game?"

"Yes," Riko nodded. "That's right. He was exhausted and his legs gave out on him. I pulled him out of the game."

"Smart girl," Keiko commented and then snapped her fingers to draw Tetsuya's attention to her. "Tetsuya, had that been a bad day?"

"Bad day?" Riko echoed, blinking cluelessly. Tetsuya opened his mouth to respond when Kagami beat him to it.

"Kuroko has good days and bad days," he explained simply. "They're called flares, and it's when his symptoms act up despite the medication's help." Three sets of eyes settled on him.

"Someone's been doing their homework," Keiko mused with a smile. "Concerned for your teammate?" Kagami flushed slightly and scratched at his head.

"My mom's got two autoimmune diseases - used to be three - so I've learned certain things about her illnesses." Keiko looked intrigued, leaning forward in her chair.

"Oh? What autoimmune diseases, if you don't mind me asking? Have you been tested for any of them?" At Keiko's questions, Riko gasped.

"You can be sick too?!" Riko cried out, eyes wide. Kagami shrugged.

"Some autoimmune diseases run in families, so there's a possibility that I have one or more of them," Kagami spoke and Keiko nodded seriously.

"Usually if you have one disease, you are likely to form another," Keiko explained. Riko looked pale at the thought.

"Ah, but, um, my mom's got...uh, what was it again? Anti-antiphos-antiphos-something syndrome." Kagami tugged on his hair, trying to recall the long title.

"Antiphospholipid syndrome?" Keiko guessed and Kagami nodded. "And the other two?"

"ITP," Kagami said with confidence, "and she had TTP until she got her spleen removed. Then the antibodies seemed to just kinda disappear." Keiko stared, eyes wide, taking in the diseases.

"Have you been tested for any of these?" Keiko asked seriously and Kagami nodded.

"I gotta go once a year to be tested. I'm due after I turn 16," Kagami explained and shrugged again. Keiko nodded again and leaned over, clicking rapidly on her keyboard mouse.

"When is your birthday?" Keiko asked, glancing up from the screen. Kagami pursed his lips.

"August 2nd…" Kagami slowly spoke, Riko elbowing him at his reluctance. Keiko hummed.

"I have an opening in September," she spoke and stared Kagami down. "Let's have you come in for a blood test then?"

"Uh," Kagami blinked. "Sure?"

"Midorima-sensei is very vigilant when it comes to people's health," Tetsuya spoke up. "You won't be able to argue with her." Keiko gave a proud huff and a smug smirk at Tetsuya. Kagami slumped forward and nodded.

"Perfect. Now, Aida-san," Keiko turned to Riko. "I have Tetsuya scheduled for a biopsy in two days."

"WHAT?!" Riko shrieked and before anyone could blink, had pulled Tetsuya into a Boston Crab Hold. "WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?!"

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts," Tetsuya whined out, smacking a hand against the floor as Kagami fluttered around them.

"Not in a hospital! This is a hospital! Hey!" Kagami cried out, looking pained just by seeing the wrestling move. "You could hurt him!"

Keiko sat back, laughing loudly at the three. Riko released Tetsuya and huffed.

"I'll keep him in the hospital for the better part of the morning," Keiko continued. "After that, he is on strict bed rest for two days and then he is not allowed to do any sort of physical activity for at least two weeks." Riko nodded seriously, jotting a note down in her phone.

"Is he still okay to walk around or does he need to be benched for long periods of time?" Riko asked.

"He will be fine walking. He's going to be sore for the first week but after that, he should be fine. But no picking anything up over 10 pounds, no bending down, no basketball, nothing. Got it?" Her tone was demanding and stern as she gave Tetsuya a look that showed her seriousness. Tetsuya nodded.

"I understand," Tetsuya spoke and Keiko nodded.

"Good. Remember, Kagami-kun, ice, rest, and no strenuous activity for a few weeks, okay?" Keiko frowned at Kagami and he nodded in agreement.

"Got it," he accepted and Keiko smiled at them.

"Great! I'll be seeing you in two days Tetsuya. I hope you feel better, Kagami-kun," Keiko bidded and the trio left.

"You guys leave without me," Riko stated, standing outside the door to Keiko's office. "I'm going to do some errands before heading home."

"Yes Coach," the two chanted and left, Tetsuya turning back to see Riko slipping into the elevator.

"Aida-san must be visiting someone," Tetsuya observed. Kagami hummed and stretched his arms out, their pace slow to accommodate both their bodies.

"Hey, you like Maji Burger?" Kagami asked, turning to Tetsuya. He jolted at the sparkling, wide blue eyes.

"I love their vanilla shakes," Tetsuya responded in a hopeful tone and Kagami laughed.

"I'll buy you a shake then. Let's go!" Kagami flung a arm around Tetsuya's shoulders and led him away from the hospital. Tetsuya allowed the additional weight, smiling softly.

They two walked in silence until Tetsuya decided to ask the question that had been nagging at him.

"Isn't Kagami-kun scared?" Tetsuya questioned softly, a mere whisper. Kagami blinked, looking away from the crosswalk signal to see Tetsuya staring at the passing cars.

"Scared? About what?" Kagami asked, nudging Tetsuya forward when the signal changed for them to walk.

"About becoming sick like your mother. Like-like me," Tetsuya shared, continuing to avoid eye contact. Kagami hummed and looked ahead, thinking.

"During the times my mom spends months in the hospital, sure," Kagami acknowledged. "It's a possibility that I'll contract a autoimmune disease. That's a real possibility and I'll admit that, yeah, I'm scared of that. But-" Kagami licked his lips- "you know what? It's also a real possibility I'll get cancer. It's a real possibility I'll get hit by a car or stabbed in a mugging."

His hand squeezed tightly against Tetsuya's shoulder and drew him closer to his side. Tetsuya was looking up at him as if he'd started speaking Latin or Portuguese.

"Those possibilities? They scare me a lot but it also motivates me." Kagami gave a vicious smile. "If I have so many possibilities for a terrible life, I gotta make the most of what I have, right? Until someone tells me otherwise, I'll live my life to the fullest, healthy and fearless. I don't have any illnesses right now, so why should the fear of the possibility of having one or more stop me from enjoying living?"

"That is...a very strong mindset," Tetsuya responded and Kagami looked down at him, expression unreadable.

"Are you scared?" Kagami asked as they got closer to the restaurant. Tetsuya's steps faltered and he swallowed, squinting his eyes against the building lights. "Are you scared about your illnesses?"

"Honestly?" Tetsuya murmured as Kagami stopped them outside of Maji Burger, right next to the door. Tetsuya stared at Kagami, taking in how the teen seemed to glow against the backlight from the restaurant. Dully, his back throbbed and his joints seemed stiff. "Yes. I'm terrified." Terrified that more could get thrown his way. Terrified that this warmth, this comfort from his team and family would soon dry up. Terrified that his hourglass was draining faster than he could accept.

Kagami nodded, as if deciding something, and untangled his arm from Tetsuya's shoulders. "Well, you know what they say." Kagami drew his fist up, holding it up to Tetsuya. "The shadows have nothing to fear when the light is shining brightly."

Tetsuya's mouth fell open as he momentarily forgot how to breathe. Shakily, he raised his own fist and pressed his knuckles against Kagami's.

"Kagami-kun is a sappy speaker," Tetsuya forced out, eyes wet as Kagami flushed dark red.

"Shut up! You know what, no vanilla shakes for you!" Kagami scowled and Tetsuya instantly made his eyes larger and seem to glisten.

"No shakes?" Tetsuya whined softly.

"GOD DAMMIT!" Kagami roared in English and marched into the restaurant, Tetsuya following behind with a soft laugh on his lips.

Tetsuya felt as if his steps were a little lighter as he found a table for the two, a warmth spreading in his chest as Kagami settled a large milkshake in front of him. Tetsuya latched onto the straw, taking a eager sip.

It tasted sweeter than he remembered.

Unnoticed, the gaping hole in his heart shrunk just the tiniest bit.


"We may have lost our chance at Inter-High," Riko called as the players paced the gym, "but that doesn't give us the excuse to slack off! We've still got the Winter Cup preliminaries to worry about!"

"Kuroko, don't sleep!" Hyuuga yelled out as he saw Tetsuya laying face-down on the gym floor, motionless. Tetsuya groaned loudly, drenched in sweat.

"Kuroko, over here!" Riko called, jabbing a finger at Kagami, who was restlessly tossing a basketball back and forth in his hands. Tetsuya struggled to get up, stumbling his way over to Kagami. "Since Kagami can't play until his legs are healed fully and you've got your biopsy tomorrow, I want you to relax for the remainder of practice, okay?" Tetsuya nodded tiredly and plopped down next to Kagami.

"How are your legs feeling, Kagami?" Riko asked, bending down to prod at his shins.

"Sore," Kagami answered honestly, leaning over to observe Riko touching his legs. "But better when I'm off my feet."

"I bet. Kuroko, how are you feeling?" Riko looked up to see Tetsuya slumped against Kagami, asleep. "Tired, I guess."

"He's probably scared about the biopsy," Kagami assumed, shifting to where Tetsuya was sprawled on his lap. "No matter the surgery, it's scary, y'know?" Riko nodded in understanding and stood up, sighing.

"I don't need you to come to practice tomorrow or Sunday," Riko decided and nodded to Tetsuya. "He'll be out until Monday and then he won't be able to participate anyways. I'll devise some stretches to help you two while you guys heal up." Kagami nodded and Riko turned to the remaining team members. "Solo training, let's go!"

Kagami shifted, staring down at Tetsuya. From what he'd researched, the biopsy was easy enough of a surgery with minimal pain. The worst part seemed to just be the soreness afterwards and any medicine they gave him before the surgery. Kagami could understand, however, the nervousness that came with surgery. His mother had experienced it enough and they'd had enough scares to know that surgery didn't automatically mean safe and easy.

Tetsuya blinked his eyes open, staring up at Kagami. Dark circles encased his baby blue eyes, testament to the sleep he'd lost to worry and overthinking.

"You have your surgery tomorrow," Kagami spoke as Tetsuya silently became fully aware of their surroundings. "What time?"

"I must be there at 6 in the morning," Tetsuya explained sleepily, slowly sitting up. He patted down at his mussed up hair and yawned. "It'll take roughly an hour and then Midorima-sensei wants me to stay there for a few hours to make sure there aren't any negative effects."

"Who's going with you?" Kagami asked as he tugged on a particularly stubborn clump of hair that decided to copy the famous Super Saiyan spikes. "Your mom?"

"My father. My mother and grandmother left yesterday to go visit family in Hokkaido. It was a family emergency," Tetsuya explained. "Why is Kagami-kun so curious?"

"Isn't it normal to be curious about your friends?" Kagami shot back and smiled at the stunned expression that slipped past Tetsuya's emotionless mask. "Besides, I wanted to know if you wanted me to, like, go with you?"

"..." Tetsuya opened and closed his mouth, shifting in place. "Go...go with me? To the hospital?" Tetsuya couldn't wrap his head around it. Why would Kagami waste a weekend with him when he could be doing more important things?

"Yeah," Kagami nodded and scowled at Tetsuya's disbelieving stare. "Or stay with you for the weekend, after your surgery?" Tetsuya's expression slackened and he seemed to be mulling the options over. "I mean, I'm used to hospitals because of my mom so…" Kagami's cheeks heated. Wait, did friends not usually do this?

"I would prefer if Kagami-kun came by after I got home?" Tetsuya requested and Kagami nodded seriously, as if receiving a sacred task. His face cooled, relieved that it didn't seem weird to the shorter teen.

"Got it. Just text me when you're leaving the hospital and I'll come over." Tetsuya shifted again to lean against Kagami, their arms pressing together, and he nodded.

"Thank you," Tetsuya spoke, his words heavy with how sincere he was. "I am lucky to have Kagami-kun as my friend." Kagami flushed again and nearly sent Tetsuya falling off the bench as he flailed his arms.

"You have no filter!" Kagami blurted and Tetsuya offered a small smile in response.


There was an echo of a child crying down the hallway. Every other minute, a weird melody would play over the intercom or a broadcast saying something about a code. The air had this weird, disinfectant smell that clung to the bleached blankets and the sterilized machines. The walls were an ugly green color, clashing with the white tiles and curtains and chairs that were positioned about the large room. Two rows of beds lined the walls, with Tetsuya and his father placed in the farthest corner.

Tetsuya laid in the uncomfortably lumpy hospital bed, clothed in only a thin hospital gown. His back was exposed in the gown and he tried to press deeper into the bed to contract some sort of warmth. A IV was hooked up to the crook of his elbow, taped down and pumping liquid into his arm.

From what he remembered Kino saying, it was something called 'contrast dye' and used to aid CT scans. Whatever it was, it was making Tetsuya have to use the restroom more than he felt comfortable with.

Tetsuya shivered as his father rubbed at his free hand, his expression soft.

"You scared?" Kyouya asked and Tetsuya nodded, his stomach doing flips as the pressure in his bladder pang again.

Tetsuya was scared. Tetsuya always got nervous with the idea of needles and sedatives and other medical procedures. It was just the idea of having to be worked on that made him uncomfortable.

"Yes," Tetsuya forced out, biting at his lower lip. "Um, Kino-san, I need to use the restroom again." Kino, who'd just walked into the room, nodded happily and wandered over to the bed. "I'm sorry."

"That's completely normal, so don't feel bad, okay? We're pumping you full of liquids right now to help the CT scan go smoother, so your bladder is probably hating us right now. Let me help you out of bed and we can get you to the restroom, okay?" Tetsuya nodded and Kino moved the IV cord around until it wouldn't snag on anything and helped ease Tetsuya up.

He'd been there for an hour already and he was growing impatient to leave. Tetsuya was quick to relieve himself and scurry back into bed, goosebumps racing up his exposed back. Kino hummed as she unhooked the empty bag from the IV, leaving the cords in his arm.

"After your biopsy, we'll hook you up to some more fluids to help get rid of all the nasty sedatives in your system, okay?" Kino explained and Tetsuya nodded, shrinking into the bed.

He hated hospitals. He hated surgeries. He hated this.

"I'll go see if the doctors are ready, okay? I'll be back." Kino turned and left, bowing briefly to Keiko as she walked in.

"You ready?" Keiko asked, shoving her hands into her coat pockets. "I just stopped by for a bit to see you off. It won't hurt and it'll be over before you know it." Tetsuya nodded at her words.

"I'm nervous," Tetsuya admitted, because he saw no reason to lie. Keiko reached over and patted his head in a quick, comforting cherish. His body wouldn't stop shaking, his nerves tensing in anticipation of what was to come. A layer of sweat was building along his brow, just near his hairline, as he continued to tremble. He was so nervous.

"Don't worry, Tetsuya. It'll be fine, trust me. I think the worst thing about this entire thing is all the liquids they put in you. You'll be fine." Keiko turned to the door as Kino came back in, carting a small white bed with her.

"Alright Kuroko-kun, hop on this bed here and we can go!" Kino patted the flat mattress and Tetsuya spared his father one last look before he climbed up onto the bed. He inhaled and laid down on his back, trying to supress the tremors that shook his body.

"We'll be back in roughly an hour," Kino informed Kyouya and off they went, the hallway lights blurring as Kino pushed Tetsuya towards the surgery room. If the room smelt clean, then the hallway smelled straight up like bleach. It burned Tetsuya's nose and he burrowed down into the bed.

"You cold?" Kino asked, noticing how Tetsuya's body was shaking.

"No," Tetsuya answered honestly and Kino gave a comforting smile.

"I have some blankets in the room. I'll put one on you when we get there." Tetsuya nodded and continued to shiver, his nerves on edge the closer they got to the room. Tetsuya's stomach clenched, both from fear and hunger. He'd been unable to eat after 6 the night before, having to fast for the surgery.

They entered the room and the first thing Tetsuya noticed was the giant white machine in the corner, looking similar to a hollow donut. Kino pushed the bed into the middle of the room, motioning Tetsuya up.

"Hop up here, okay?" Kino patted the flat board connected to the donut shaped machine and Tetsuya followed instructions, steps slow and dragging. He hopped up onto the hard surface and laid down, jumping when Kino dropped two heavy mats on him.

"Alright Kuroko-kun, I'm going to need to place these mats on you real quick," Kino spoke and adjusted the mats on top of his groin. She tucked them in between his legs and then situated his arms up over his head. She draped a blanket over him, making sure his IV was out of the way with a soft hum.

"Try not to move, okay? You may hear some humming, but that's normal." Kino finished making sure Tetsuya was in the proper position and smiled. She brushed his bangs back, her expression calm. "It'll be okay. You're such a brave boy."

Kino disappeared and Tetsuya was left staring up at the ceiling, trying to calm his beating heart. His breathing sounded too loud in his ears and he heard a faint humming coming from the machine. His palms were cold and clammy, clenching tightly to the top of the pillow Kino had given him. He heard a loud click and jumped. The bed began to move into the hole, the faint humming increasing in volume.

Tetsuya squeezed his eyes tight, trying to ignore the noises around him. He tried to leave his mind, detach himself, but somehow he kept getting drawn back by a sudden click or a hum that seemed louder than the rest. His heartbeat sped up, his arms and legs trembling as the humming died down.

"You did so well," Kino praised as she returned, helping Tetsuya sit up. "See, that wasn't so scary was it?" Tetsuya stared wordlessly at her and her smile faltered for a moment. "Here, let's have you lay down again." Kino guided him back to the bed, making him lay on his stomach. He hugged his pillow, stretching his IV arm out. Kino brought in a hook and a bag, hanging it up.

"The doctor is coming in now," Kino spoke and then bent down, lowering her voice. "He's very nice, so don't worry, okay? He may look mean, but he's a sweetheart." Kino straightened as the doors opened, three other people coming in.

"Hello there, Kuroko-kun," the man doctor greeted, face stern as he stared down at Tetsuya. His eyes seemed to soften at the almost haunted expression Tetsuya was sporting, clinging to his pillow like it was a shield. "I'm Morizune. I'll be the doctor performing the biopsy. How are you feeling?"

"Nervous," Tetsuya answered and the medical staff nodded in reassurance as Kino connected his IV tube to the new bag of liquid. "What's that?"

"This?" Kino jiggled the bag a little. "This is a mixture of medicines to help you. It's going to calm you down and may make you sleepy, but that's okay. We just want you to be as comfortable and relaxed as possible, alright dear?" Tetsuya nodded stiffly as a cold feeling began to spread out from his injection point.

"It's cold," he mumbled, blinking as his vision grew fuzzy. He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to squint to see clearly.

"That's the medicine entering your veins," Morizune explained and Tetsuya felt cold hands touching his exposed back. He felt something wet and ice-cold smear across his skin and he flinched.

"It's okay, sweetie, that's just the alcohol wipe to disinfect your skin. They are going to give you a shot of an anesthesia to numb the area they're going to be poking at, okay?" Tetsuya nodded. Or at least, he thought he did. Everything was growing fuzzy around the edges, his body beginning to feel weightless. Tetsuya's head lulled onto the pillow and he blinked, trying to keep his eyelids opened.

His body felt like it was made of static, the voices around him muffled as darkness crept closer to him. He felt a pinch in his back, a spreading numbness, more muffled voices, and he was gone.


"One minute break!" Riko called, settling down on the bench as everyone groaned, splashing around in the pool.

"Wow, you sure do drive them dead, huh?" A girl's cheerful voice teased. Riko looked over just as Hyuuga nearly drowned himself, eyes wide at the sight of the attractive girl crouched near the edge of the pool.

"Who are you?" Riko demanded, eyes going over the stranger's revealing figure. She scowled as she saw all the guys ogling her. Men. "The pool is closed to the public right now."

"Where's Tetsu-kun?" The girl asked, looking around curiously. "He isn't here? I thought he'd be training with you all."

"Tetsu-kun?" Riko repeated, something tight clenching in her stomach.

"Kuroko Tetsuya-kun, of course," the girl stated. "Where is he?"

"Why does Kuroko know you?!" All the guys cried out while Riko narrowed her eyes. The girl giggled, making sure to arch her chest out as she smiled sweetly at the players.

"Tetsu-kun is my boyfriend!" The girl revealed and clasped her hands together behind her back. Riko mentally snorted. She's seen that pose enough throughout the hallways to know what it meant. This girl was lying. Straight up lying. To their faces.

"WHAT!" All the guys cried out. "BOYFRIEND?!" Sadly, she seemed to be the only one who noticed.

"Where is he?" The girl inquired again.

Riko was beginning to get annoyed by her repetition.

"Are you a parrot?" Riko snapped, her eyes glaring daggers at Hyuuga, who she caught staring shamelessly at the girl's chest. "Stop asking about Kuroko. He isn't here. Who are you?"

"I'm sorry Aida-san," the girl apologized. "I was just so excited to see my love! I'm Momoi Satsuki! Nice to meet you." Momoi gave a wink and twirled her long pink hair around her fingers. Riko's eyes sharpened. How did this girl know her name?

"Kagami-kun isn't here either," Momoi continued. "Where are your first-year duo?" Riko bristled, instantly on guard.

"Who are you?" Riko repeated, voice holding an edge. Hyuuga must have sensed something was off as well before he was now regarding the girl with a calculating look. Momoi giggled again.

"I'm Touou's manager," Momoi explained, her eyes falling to half-lids as she smiled coyly at Riko. "I'm also Tetsu-kun's lover and his most important person. I also used to be Teiko's manager. Which means I know how to handle Tetsu-kun better than you seem capable of." That was it.

"Get out," Riko snapped out and watched with satisfaction as Momoi's eyes widened. "This is my father's gym and it is currently closed to the public. You are trespassing and I won't hesitate to have you removed from the premises." Everyone was gawking at her but Riko stood her ground. One thing she was finding about these Teiko graduates were that they were mannerless, self-centered assholes who thought they were above everyone.

Riko wasn't having it. Not in her gym. Not in her father's gym.

"I-I'm sorry," Momoi blinked, wrapping her jacket up over her bikini. "I-I just wanted to see Tetsu-kun. Where is he then, if he isn't here?"

"He had personal matters to take care of," Riko spoke, posture relaxing a bit as she saw Momoi backing down. "I'll be sure to tell him you stopped by." Momoi nodded and then unveiled her body again, winking flirtatiously at the guys.

"Thanks! I'm super disappointed that Tetsu-kun didn't beat Midorin but looking at you all, I can see why." Something snapped in Riko and she got in Momoi's face, fire in her eyes.

"Get. The. Hell. Out," Riko seethed, Momoi shrinking back as Riko advanced, the two awkwardly moving; one to put distance between them, the other to dominate any distance remaining. "If you ever - and I mean ever - come near my team again outside of a match, I will physically fight you." Behind them, they heard several of the guys suck in sharply. "I don't care who you are, or who you think you are." Momoi flinched back. "You will not come in here and insult my team. You will not belittle anyone on my team. You won't even comment on us holding Kuroko back. You will not come in here, to my gym, and act as if you are better than us. I don't care who you used to manage, or what school you came from. My team does not deserve to listen to your crap."

Riko stopped, seeing she had basically cornered Momoi into the hallway leading out of the pool.

"Nice to meet you," Riko spoke with a razor-sharp smile and slammed the glass door on her face. Izuki gave a long, appreciative whistle.


Kagami bounced the basketball, checking his phone every so often in case Tetsuya had texted him. It was breaching 8:30, and he hadn't received a single message yet from his friend. He scowled, shoving his phone back into his pocket after checking to make sure the sound and notifications were on and at the loudest volume. He bounced the ball one more time before tossing it at the basket.

It bounced off the backboard and dribbled behind him. Kagami turned, only to freeze as a tan teenager bent down to retrieve the ball.

"Let's have a one-on-one," the guy demanded, tossing the ball in the air leisurely. Kagami scowled, his hands clenching into fists. The guy had only spoken one sentence but already, Kagami wanted to curb-stomp him and his attitude.

"Who the hell are you? I'm not big on being challenged by someone who won't offer up a name," Kagami snapped out, only to stiffen at the resounding tune that came from his pocket. Kagami wasted no time in digging into his pocket, pulling out his phone and flipping it open.

"Who the hell cares how you feel?" The guy asked, leaning heavily on his one leg. "But I'll tell you anyways. I'm Aomine Daiki." He paused, waiting for some sort of reaction. His smirk faltered as he saw Kagami engrossed in his phone.

[08:45] Kuroko Tetsuya

Fuzz. Red. y. S.O.r.E. o.K co…,,,,, ho….,,,,me :)

Kagami stared at the screen, rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing thing or having a stroke. Seeing as that the text message was, in fact, correct in visuals, he quickly typed a response.

[08:47] Kagami Taiga

Dude what the actual hell? Are you okay?

Kagami looked up, seeing the guy had gotten closer and was snarling at him.

"Oh, did you say something?" Kagami blinked, taking a step back to put distance between them. "Sorry. What'd you say your name was?"

"Aomine Daiki," Aomine spat out, glowering.

"Okay?" Kagami stared, wondering why the guy acted as if his name meant something. "What do you want?" Something nagged at the back of his mind at hearing the name. Why did it some distantly familiar?

"Hey, hey! Stop asking stupid questions," Aomine taunted, bouncing the ball in his hand. "Just shut up and let's start already! You can't win against me, but I'd like to test you out anyways." Aomine's smirk was down-right vicious. "You can't be that strong if you lost against that weirdo Midorima."

"You're pissing me off," Kagami gritted out, trying to keep his building anger under control. "I don't know who the hell you are, but your attitude is pissing me off." Aomine blinked rapidly, his expression twisting.

"Tetsu never mentioned me?" There was a weird tilt in Aomine's voice. Kagami raised an eyebrow. Tetsu? Did he mean Kuroko?

Oh, Kagami knew who this guy was. He was Aomine from the Generation of Miracles.

"Oh." Kagami stated bluntly, only for their conversation to be interrupted by his phone going off with an incoming call. "I'm taking this."

"What-"

"Kuroko?" Kagami answered the phone, turning away from Aomine. He completely missed the wide-eyed stare Aomine sported. "What the hell, man? Are you okay?"

"We're 'n our 'ay 'ome," Tetsuya's drowsy voice slurred from the other end of the phone. "Are ya comin' o'er?" There was something in his tone that made him sound vulnerable. Well, besides his nearly incoherent slurring, that was. "Please?"

"I'm on my way," Kagami scrambled, rushing over to his discarded bag. "Do you need me to pick anything up? Can you eat? Want me to grab you a shake? Can you have a shake?" His bag slipped from his hands and he bent to grab it. A shadow descended and a tan hand snatched his bag away before he could pick it back up. "Hey you asshole, give me my bag back!" Kagami whirled to see Aomine glaring at him.

"'S Kagami-kun wit' som'one?" Tetsuya yawed and seemed to mumble something inaudible.

"A dick named Aomine," Kagami snarled, glaring right back with just as much heat. "I'll be over in, like, 15 minutes."

"Aomine-kun? Kaga-"

Kagami ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket. "Give me my fucking bag, dude. Don't make me fight you."

"Why the fuck is Tetsu calling you?" Aomine snapped, tossing the bag over his shoulder. It landed against the fence encasing the court and he crossed his arms. "Who are you to him?"

"I'm his friend," Kagami snarled and took a step forward. "And you've pushed my patience, dude. Who the hell do you think you are, exactly?" Kagami and Aomine stared each other down until a girl's voice sounded.

"Aomine-kun!" The girl cried, crashing into his back. "Seirin is so mean!"

"Satsuki!" Aomine hissed, trying to pry her off. "What are you doing here?!"

"I followed you," Momoi cied out. "Tetsu-kun wasn't at their practice so I went there for nothing!" Momoi sniffled and peeked around at Kagami. "Hi Kagami-kun."

"..." Kagami shook his head wordless and walked around the two, moving to his bag. "Kuroko is surrounded by crazy people."

"You going to go see Tetsu?" Aomine asked, eyes narrowed. "Tell him that his current Light is weak. Tell him he's weak and he made a stupid decision to choose you." Kagami's face fell and he gripped onto his bag straps tightly.

"You are lucky there's a girl present," Kagami decided to bite out, glancing at Momoi. "If she wasn't here, I don't think I'd be able to hold my anger in." Kagami wanted nothing more than to beat the crap out of this guy. But he had been raised on manners and with a sense not to cause a scene in front of women.

Kagami whirled and marched away, mood foul and his legs aching.


It had been...weird. He's been awake, but sleep at the same time. It was as he'd been in a limbo state, his eyes almost closed, but his brain still aware of what was shown from the slits of his eyelids. He recalled the in and out instructions to breathe in deep, hold, and release. He remembered the pinches that sent little shivers through him with each inhale. He remembered the cold, gloved hands poking at him, and then darkness.

Only to blink, suddenly back in the room with his father, nestled under a few blankets and with a new IV hooked up. A weird clip-like rectangle was connected to his index finger, the wire connected to a machine that also tracked his pulse from the arm-cuff on his upper arm.

His back felt numb, weirdly stiff, and cold. His head pounded and he couldn't remember getting into the room.

That scared Tetsuya, more than anything. The sudden shift in environment without memory of it. When had they taken him back to the room? When had he finished the biopsy? How long had he been sitting there, completely dazed and oblivious to the world?

"Hey," Kyouya leaned over, rubbing his thumb along Tetsuya's limp hand, "how do you feel?" Tetsuya blinked, furrowing his eyebrows up. The world was slightly fuzzy around the edges but other than that, he felt...relaxed. Exhausted, but relaxed.

"'M fine," Tetsuya slurred and let his head fall back against the pillows. "'Ungry." Kyouya chuckled softly and nodded, patting Tetsuya's hand.

"I bet. When we get home, I'll make you something light." Tetsuya hummed in agreement and saw his phone perched on the armrest of his father's chair.

"Can I 'ave m' phone?" Tetsuya asked carefully, trying to articulate properly. Kyouya hesitated before he nodded. Tetsuya gingerly grasped his phone and flipped it open, opening a new subject.

He tried his best to message Kagami to tell him they'd be leaving for home soon, but apparently his vision wasn't as clear as he thought it'd been when Kagami texted back.

"Kagami-kun 'an stay the weeken', right?" Tetsuya coughed, trying to get his mouth to work. He was so tired, though, that the energy to try and speech properly just wasn't there to muster up.

"Of course," Kyouya smiled softly. "I'm happy you found a friend who cares for you so much." Tetsuya smiled back, that warmth blossoming in his chest again.

"Kagami-kun ish my Light," Tetsuya state seriously and Kyouya hummed softly in appreciation. Kino came in then, looking as bubbly as usual.

"Well, everything looks good! Let me to grab a wheelchair and we can get you home, Kuroko-kun. You did such a wonderful job!" Kino praised and unclicked the device on his finger and took the arm cuff off. She went to his other side and gently removed the IV, Tetsuya looking despairingly at the giant bruise that stretched along the tender skin of his inner elbow. That would take at least a week to fade into that ugly shade of yellow-green that garnered more attention than the usual blue-purple color. Kino quickly bandaged his arm and then helped ease him up.

"Now, some things to know before you go home," Kino explained. "First of all, bed rest for the rest of today and tomorrow. We recommend you try and prop yourself up when you sleep. Don't lay flat on your back or on you banaged side. After that, no strenuous activity for two weeks. That means no sports, Kuroko-kun." Kino leveled him with a stern look. "You are allowed to eat when you get home. Also, don't be alarmed if you urinate more frequently than usual. You've been given a lot of liquids. If you see any bright red blood in your urine up to 24 hours, don't panic. That is normal. If it lasts for longer than 24 hours, then make sure to call us."

Kyouya nodded and Kino gave a nod of her own. She turned, leaving to grab a wheelchair.

"I'm-" Kyouya coughed- "I'm going to go pull the car up to the exit, okay?" Tetsuya nodded wordlessly and Kyouya left, leaving Tetsuya by himself. Tetsuya blinked down at his bandaged arm, moving to press a finger against it. It dully stung.

"Stop touching that," Kino ordered as she wheeled in a wheelchair, locking the wheels in front of Tetsuya. "Come on, let's get you in this chair." Kino practically lifted Tetsuya, lowering him down gently on the chair. Kino checked to make sure nothing was forgotten or left, and unlocked the wheels.

"Let's go!" Kino cheered and began to push Tetsuya out of the room. "Sadly, your friends aren't here today, so we can't stop and see them." Haizaki and Nijimura. Internally, Tetsuya deflated. Tetsuya blamed the medicine, making him feel so needy for contact. Maybe it was just the hospital in general.

They boarded the elevator, Tetsuya blinking up as he noticed another teenager in the elevator with them.

"Kiyoshi-kun," Kino greeted, "are you allowed to be walking around?" The teen, Kiyoshi, gave a sheepish laugh.

"Ah, you caught me. I went to go sneak a candy bar," Kiyoshi laughed, eyes fleeting as he glanced at Tetsuya. Tetsuya nodded his head in a silent greeting. Kiyoshi grinned back. The elevator dinged and Kiyoshi got off, an almost unnoticeable limp in his steps.

"You better be back in bed by the time I check on you!" Kino called and Kiyoshi waved cheerfully.

"He goes to Seirin," Kino gossiped, smiling. "He'll be back in a few weeks. He had a leg surgery. Maybe you'll see him around." Tetsuya hummed thoughtfully and their floor level came up. Kino stayed with him until his father pulled up and she helped buckle him up into his seat.

Tetsuya waved weakly to the woman as they drove away and decided he had to respond to Kagami.

Deciding that texting might not be his best option, Tetsuya decided calling would be the next best thing.

It rang two times before Kagami answered. Tetsuya was personally touched at how fast he was to respond.

"Kuroko? What the hell, man? Are you okay?" Kagami sounded irritated. It also sounded like he was trying to rein in his anger. What was he doing that caused such strong emotions?

"We're 'n our 'ay 'ome," Tetsuya slurred, his jaw just not moving the right way. "Are ya comin' o'er? Please?" He didn't want to sound needy but the idea of a friend coming to visit him when he was feeling at his lowest sounded absolutely wonderful. It made the warmth in his chest grow.

"I'm on my way." There was scuffling, the sounds of shoes on asphalt and fabric rustling. Was Kagami at a streetball court? Tetsuya wouldn't have been surprised. "Do you need me to pick anything up? Can you eat? Want me to grab you a shake? Can you have a shake?" The warmth was almost swelling up against the cage of his ribcage at this point. Kagami sounded so concerned, so worried on his behalf. God, Tetsuya had forgotten how nice friendships were. "Hey you asshole, give me my bag back!"

"'S Kagami-kun wit' som'one?" Tetsuya yawed and then mumbled under his breath, "B' nice." Had he been interrupting something? Was Kagami with someone?

"A dick named Aomine." The warmth in his chest froze over at that name. As if hooked up to the IV again, cold seeped through his veins. "I'll be over in, like, 15 minutes."

"Aomine-kun? Kaga-" the dial tone cut him off and Tetsuya lowered the phone, staring at it. Aomine? Aomine was there? Why? For what reason?

"Hey," Kyouya spoke and reached over without looking away from the road, snatching up Tetsuya's phone. "Rest. You can worry about drama later when you aren't drugged up." Tetsuya sniffed and laid his head against the window, his eyelids drooping.

When they fluttered open again it was to Kagami carrying him up to his room.

"?!" Tetsuya jerked up, only to freeze as pain laced up his back. "Wha-Kagami-kun?" Kagami jolted at the sudden movement but kept his grip on Tetsuya's legs as he hoisted him higher up on his back.

"Don't move!" Kagami ordered and fumbled to open Tetsuya's bedroom door. "I got here just as you guys were pulling up. You were completely out. Wouldn't wake up to your dad shaking you, so I offered to carry you." Tetsuya lowered himself back onto Kagami's back, the tip of his nose red as he took in the information.

"Oh. I'm sorry." Tetsuya hide his smile. "Thank you." Kagami huffed and gently lowered Tetsuya into his bed, making him sit up as he propped the pillow up to cushion him.

"Your dad's making you some soup," Kagami explained and set his bag down by the door. Tetsuya peered curiously at it, seeing how it bulged. Kagami caught sight of the stare and he coughed.

"I'm going to school with you Monday, so I packed my uniform and stuff," Kagami explained and settled down on the floor in front of Tetsuya's bed, fiddling with his hands. "So, how was it?"

Tetsuya blinked tiredly and burrowed back into the pillows, feeling the pain in his back. It was as if someone had punched him right in the kidney, leaving a sharp stab of pain that dwindled into a consistent ache.

"Weird," Tetsuya answered. "Can't...can't really remember it?" Tetsuya pursed his lips as he remembered something. "You met Aomine-kun?" Immediately, Kagami scowled darkly.

"How could you stand him? He's a completely jerk," Kagami snapped, sprawling out as he leaned back on his hands. Tetsuya bit his lip and peeled one of his pillows from behind him, folding it up beside him. Kagami raised as Tetsuya shimmied closer to the wall and pointed to the free spot next to him.

"Sit?" Tetsuya requested and Kagami's face spasmed with something.

"Uh, no, I'm okay on the floor," Kagami stuttered out and choked on his saliva when Tetsuya openedly pouted and pointed more energetically at the empty space.

"Sit," Tetsuya demanded. Kagami wavered for a moment before he clambered up, plopping down at the edge of the bed. He hung one leg off the mattress, pressing back against the pillow. Tetsuya nodded in satisfaction and sighed, picking at his cuticles.

"You're kinda demanding when drugged up," Kagami observed and Tetsuya gave a half-hearted glare. "And emotional."

"I will punch you," Tetsuya threatened. Kagami winced, feeling the phantom pain spiderweb over his cheekbone.

"Yeah, you would. How can you even pack that kinda strength?" Kagami asked, jiggling one of Tetsuya's arms like a limp noodle.

"Look at these guns," Tetsuya deadpanned, flexing weakly with his bandaged arm. "I'm packing some heat." Kagami snickered, turning away from Tetsuya to laugh into the open air.

"Aomine-kun wasn't always so...full of himself," Tetsuya suddenly cut through the laughter, looking back to his torn skin around his fingernails. "He was the power forward for Teiko." Tetsuya seemed to try and shrink further away from Kagami as he opened and closed his mouth. "He was my previous Light."

Kagami opened his mouth, remembering Aomine's parting words, only to lose his voice as a knock came to the door. Kyouya popped his head in, chuckling softly as he saw the two. Kagami's neck went red.

"Tetsuya is very clingy when he's sick," Kyouya said in explanation as he carried a tray over, Kagami catching sight of two bowls. "If he doesn't have his mom petting his hair, he's making his grandmother read him stories until he falls asleep. I should have warned you." Kyouya passed the tray over and Kagami saw there were two bowls of ojiya rice soup.

"Oh, um, thank you. For the soup. It looks delicious," Kagami stammered out, holding onto the tray tight. "You didn't have to make me anything." Kyouya settled a blank stare at Kagami and the teen had no doubt where Tetsuya learned it from.

"You are our guest," Kyouya spoke lowly. "I don't want you to think you are unwelcomed here. Tetsuya barely ever brings friends home and here you are, deciding to take care of him after he had a surgery he was terrified over." Kyouya raised a hand and ruffled Kagami's hair, ignoring his sputtering. "Consider yourself a part of this family, Kagami-kun. Tetsuya trusts deep and he's opened his heart up to you enough to letting you see him at his lowest point."

"I can see where Kuroko learned to speak so sappily," Kagami grumbled out and Kyouya snorted. "Ah, I'm sorry."

"No need. I find children who speak their thoughts are more amusing," Kyouya waved away and then reached over, brushing Tetsuya's bangs back. "Have fun you two. Don't be afraid to ask for anything. I'll check up on you guys in a few hours." Kyouya left them and Kagami turned to his bowl.

Tetsuya was stirring his rice soup up, staring silently at the dish.

"So," Kagami coughed. "What exactly happened in middle school between you two?" Kagami took a spoonful of the soup and popped it into his mouth, brightening at the taste. It was surprisingly good.

"...Kise-kun and Midorima-kun were not Miracles right off the bat," Tetsuya began, taking a small spoonful into his mouth. "Originally, we were all just above-average players. The title of Generation of Miracles didn't stick until second year. Aomine-kun though…" Tetsuya sighed. "He was the first to shine." Kagami gave a soft snort at that.

Tetsuya lowered his spoon, his appetite lost. He startled as a hand moved into his view, shoving his spoon into his face. Tetsuya reeled back, eyes wide, and turned to Kagami.

"Eat," Kagami instructed. "I will shove it down your throat if I have to." Tetsuya gingerly took the spoon from Kagami, placing it in his mouth with a glare. "So, what then?"

"Aomine-kun began to realize that the players around him could barely keep up with him," Tetsuya told around the spoon in his mouth. "He began to think that no one was stronger than he was. I was able to snap him out of that mindset." Tetsuya lowered his spoon again. Tetsuya remembered the panic that bubbled up in his stomach when he'd heard Aomine start to lose interest in the game. He'd been such a amazing player, and for him to feel burdened by his talents had made Tetsuya angry.

"But not for long?" Kagami questioned softly. Tetsuya nodded, swallowing down the lump forming in his throat..

"Not for long. During one of our games in second year, the opposing team just stopped playing. They'd lost all hope for victory. Because of that, Aomine grew to believe no one could beat him. After that, the other four began to change as well…" Tetsuya shoved his spoon into his mouth again and chewed. His words were bitter, the food on his tongue beginning to taste like ash as he dwelt on the past.

"Well," Kagami started lightly as he shifted in the bed. "We'll just have to work hard to make sure they know what's up, y'know?" Kagami bumped shoulders with Tetsuya. "Besides, I got beef with Aomine now. He pissed me off." Tetsuya snorted and focused on eating.

Kagami quickly scarfed down his food, jumping up to set the empty dish on Tetsuya's computer desk. Catching sight of the closed laptop, Kagami's face brightened.

"Hey, let's watch some videos!" Kagami clambered back onto the bed, making sure to not jostle Tetsuya as much. "You ever see any American music videos?"

"No," Tetsuya handed his half-eaten bowl over to Kagami to finish off. "Should I be scared?" Tetsuya's voice was weak, hesitant. Tetsuya rarely listened to music, much less foreign music. He briefly wondered what taste in music Kagami listened to.

"Oh boy," Kagami grinned deviously as he slurped down the remaining soup. "What are your thoughts on rap?"


[13:10] Kise Ryouta

Midorimacchi! Your mom's a doctor, right?

[13:25] Midorima Shintarou

As I've told you before, she is. What's wrong now?

[13:26] Kise Ryouta

It's about Kurokocchi! (;´Д`)

I think he's seriously sick!

He looked bad during your

match!

[13:30] Midorima Shintarou

If you are talking about his muscle

weakness and decline in health,

I've already talked to my mother about it.

[14:10] Kise Ryouta

∑(゚ロ゚〃)

EEEEH?!

Muscle weakness?!

Is it serious?!

Sorry for the late response! At a photoshoot.

ヽ(。ゝ∀・) ・゚:*

[14:15] Midorima Shintarou

Kise, please, PLEASE stop with the emojis.

They are very annoying.

My mother is

his doctor, it seems.

If we want to know about him,

we have to ask him ourselves.

[14:45] Kise Ryouta

(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

WE GOT THIS MIDORIMACCHI!

Well, I have to go finish my photoshoot now!

I'll message you for our plan when I'm done!

BAIBAI!

(ノ≧∀≦)ノ*.*.*.*.*

Midorima sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Takao leaned heavily against his back, peering at his own phone screen. They were settled on Midorima's bedroom floor, books and two bags of chips scattered around them.

"You finished texting?" Takao asked, dropping his phone into his lap, tilting his head back to see a glimpse of green.

"Yes. Forgive me for ignoring you to message Kise," Midorima apologized. Takako snorted, snickering as he moved off Midorima.

"No problem! I had to answer some messages of my own, anyways. Ah, Mika wants to know if Asami is still coming over for dinner tonight?" Takao asked, raising his phone in question.

"I believe so," Midorima explained. He scowled. "I do not understand why you are spending the night here while Asami spends the night with your younger sister."

"Because we get each other," Asami spoke as she leaned against the doorframe to Midorima's room. "Mom's back home. Takao-kun! Tell Shin-chan he's being weird!" Asami waved cheerfully as she shouldered her bag up higher.

"Yeah Shin-chan," Takao cooed. "You're being weird. Obviously it makes sense!" Asami and Takako shared a laugh while Midorima stared down at his phone screen in horrified realization.

"Oh my god," he breathed out. "My friend is a guy version of my sister." Takao and Asami shared a look before smiling widely at the green haired teen.

"No wonder we're so attractive," the two exclaimed in unison. Midorima hid his face in his hands and groaned loudly.

"Okay, okay, stop teasing Shin," Keiko spoke as she leaned against Asami. "You ready, hun?" Asami nodded and waved goodbye, Keiko giving a brief wave to Takao and Midorima.

"So~" Takao began. "How's that phantom 6th man of yours?" It had been a innocent enough question, but Midorima picked up on the undertone of concern. Midorima's phone pinged with a incoming message but he ignored it.

"Good," Midorima explained. "That day we defeated them, I ended up having dinner with his family."

A pause.

Takao howled, throwing himself onto his back as he hugged his stomach. He gasped for breath as he wheezed, tears slipping down his cheeks.

"Are you serious?!" Takao cackled. "Oh my god, I wish I had been there to see that dinner!" Just then, Midorima's phone pinged rapidly several times, almost sounding like a melody. He raised an eyebrow and opened the phone, stilling. Takao slowly quieted, seeing the growing tension forming along Midorima's shoulders. "Shin-chan?"

Takao scooted up onto his knees, leaning against Midorima's back as he peered over his shoulder, staring at the phone screen.

[15:00] Kise Ryouta

Wait Midorimacchi, how are we gonna have

Kurokocchi talk to us about him being sick?

[15:00] Kise Ryouta

Wait

[15:01] Momoi Satsuki

Ki-chan, this is the Teiko group chat!

[15:02] Kise Ryouta

WAIT NO GUYS IGNORE THAT MESSAGE

IT MEANS NOTHING

[15:03] Kise Ryouta

I'M TALKING ABOUT A COMPLETELY

DIFFERENT KUROKOCCHI!

[15:04] Momoi Satsuki

WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN

TETSU-KUN IS SICK?! WHAT KIND OF SICK

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?! A FEVER?!

THAT EXPLAINS HIM MISSING TRAINING WITH SEIRIN!

[15:05] Momoi Satsuki

KI-CHAN

MIDORIN

EXPLAIN!

[15:06] Aomine Daiki

? What's wrong with Tetsu? BTW

THAT KAGAMI GUY IS A FUCKIN

DICK! Why is Tetsu with him?

HE IS A PATHETIC LIGHT.

ANGRY REACTS ONLY

[15:07] Murasakibara Atsushi

Can you guys stop using this group chat?

I don't like my phone going off.

Muro-chin is complaining.

….

What's this about Kuro-chin?

[15:07] Kise Ryouta

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

Oh shit.

[15:08] Nijimura Shuuzou

At first I regretted being on this stupid thing

Because you guys never took me off after

I graduated.

But you know.

Now, now I REALLY like

that you never removed me.

Kise, you meant Kuroko has a fever, right?

:)

[15:08] Kise Ryouta

SENPAI!

[15:09] Haizaki Shougo

HOLY FUCK

JUST STOP FUCKING MESSAGING

THIS GROUP CHAT

SO THE FUCKING LITTLE SHIT

HAS A FUCKING FEVER

JUST

SHUT

THE

FUCK

UP

Remove me from this goddamn group chat holy shit

[15:10] Kise Ryouta

Kurokocchi just has a fever guys! You know me!

I'm always overreacting about Kurokocchi!

。(*^▽^*)ゞ

TEEHEE 3

[15:11] Akashi Seijuurou

I do not like people lying to my face.

[15:12] Aomine Daiki

This is a group chat tho?

[15:13] Akashi Seijuurou

Shintarou, you've been awfully quiet. Why don't you

explain to me what you two mean by Tetsuya being

sick?

Is it a simple fever?

Midorima looked ready to launch his phone across the room, either from anger or anxiety, Takao didn't know. Thinking fast, Takao grabbed the phone and typed out a message.

"Takao!" Midorima called out as Takao hit the enter button.

[15:16] Midorima Shintarou

New phone who dis

"TAKAO!" Midorima hollered as Takao threw the phone across the room and hid his face into his hands, howling in jittery laughter.

"I PANICKED!" Takao laughed out nervously, his voice shaking notably. Midorima shoved his face into a pillow and yelled. His phone began ringing, signaling a incoming phone call. Midorima scrambled for his phone and saw the caller ID.

Akashi Seijuurou was calling.


-kicks down door- WHO IS READY FOR SLEEPOVER FLUFF NEXT CHAPTER?! I KNOW I AM

Just to be clear: Kagami will NOT be sick. It's just with autoimmune diseases, some are hereditary and can run in families, so it's always a possibility for it to be passed on to offsprings.

So, a few things.

So IMPORTANT was there an exact year stated when this series was based in? I know it began serialization in 2009 and ended in 2014, and then the movie came out in 2017 so does that mean we can roughly pretend to have the time period be anywhere between 2009 to 2017 or is it, like, 2009 to 2010 that the entire series is based in or what? Cause if there is no exact date then well...I won't have to hold back

First, head canon that Teiko completely fucked Kuroko up. Head canon that when Teiko lost a game, they singled out players to blame for the entire team's loss and that mentality completely destroyed Kuroko to where he honestly thinks that any loss is entirely his fault, especially since he's sick. That just adds onto the blame. Taiko hurt everyone with its pressuring standards and it's gonna show.

Second, Kagami needs to be loved by his family, okay? It's probably completely lonely being in a apartment by himself when he's used to living with his lively family. I need him to be happy, ok?

Third, I wrote Tetsuya's hospital visit off memory and research when memory failed me. If there are any medical inaccuracies, I'm sorry and please correct me. Personally, after I got my biopsy done, I was so fucked up I tried to fight these teenagers that were throwing rocks as birds across the street from the hospital. Thankfully my husband and mom was with me to stop me lol

Fourth - on the characterization of Momoi: She isn't the nicest girl when we first meet her. First of all, she's got great self confidence and she knows how to flaunt her body to unsettle guys. LOL goals honestly but she's also kinda rude? She openly insults Riko and trespasses in the gym before opening hours. When you ignore her physical features, how she's presented is less that awesome. I was just playing on that and may have upped it a few levels because why not?

Fifth- head canon that Kise made them have a Teiko group chat that none of them ever really deleted it because secretly, all of them liked still having it. Nijimura was forced into the chat and dragged Haizaki into it because if he has to suffer, Haizaki does too, Haizaki just doesn't know how to remove himself so...

Sixth - Takao has a younger sister, Midorima has a younger sister -instant BFFs. It is law

As for the fast pace the fic seems to have, I'm guesstimating that this story is going to be 20-maybe 25 chapters total in length? And I honestly don't wanna dilly dally too long on having each Miracle find out, so I want it by chapter 15, for them to know. LOL Don't worry though, just because of the sudden reveals, or at least them finding out things aren't alright, doesn't mean it still won't take a while for Kuroko to actually spill the beans.

Also, one of my weaknesses in writing is pacing. So, I apologize that you guys are gonna suffer with my inability to properly pace a story. I'm trying my best not to rush in this story.

Our Miracles gotta suffer for their knowledge.

WELL THIS IS ABOUT TO BE A SHIT SHOW. FLUFF NEXT CHAPTER TO MAKE UP FOR IT