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Chapter 10: I Don't Mind Calling This Time L-v-
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"Was it broken?"
"Nah nah, just some weird bump, but can you imagine me with a huge nose for 3 days straight?"
Kuroko shook his head, hiding away his expression since Kagami was already smirking at how he was obviously trying not to laugh.
By this time there was no-one else on the beach, even the vendors had packed up shop and gone home and when they tried to find a place with ice cream they gave up after 20 minutes of walking and just came down to sit on the sand. The stars and moon were lighting up the space well on the cloudless night and the calming sound of the waves didn't interrupt their chatter. The reflections of far away lights on the surface of the water were a sight to behold and accompanied every moment of silence with a romantic feeling.
"Your teacher sounds very strong. And fearsome. I don't know of anyone who can do that with a basketball."
"Hell yeah she is, but she only did it because I pissed her off so, you know, don't do that. Legend has it she once broke the hoop 'cause someone said 'women can't play'."
"Really? That sounds kind of dangerous."
"Probably just a rusty screw loose or something. Man I wanna do that someday."
"Please do not hurt yourself doing it."
"I won't. Or maybe I should make you do it just in case."
"I think it is clear I won't be dunking anytime soon." Kuroko looked at him with a sarcastic stare.
"Oh yeah?" Kagami smirked. "How about I hold you on my shoulders for the next game?"
"I doubt it would be allowed."
"Doesn't mean we can't try. Besides, who knows if you're gonna stay a shortie forever?"
The red-head laughed and ruffled his head but Kuroko looked less than impressed.
"I will grow taller. And then I shall fell Kagami like a beautiful maiden."
"Eh?" Kagami was slightly taken aback. "As if. I'm more of a dragon than a maiden don't'cha think?"
"Perhaps. I suppose the knight saving the dragon would make for a good story."
"How about you put it into practice and save me from coach next time instead of slinking away?"
"I don't intend to change that much."
"Too much to ask for huh?"
Kagami laughed and leaned back on his palms, staring at the ocean. He didn't notice Kuroko keep his gaze on him. The ghost held his stare for a long moment before he looked away in jealousy of Kagami's look of confidence.
"I hope I can grow taller one day." Kuroko gazed at the sand that shifted in the breeze as Kagami turned his attention to him. "That way I can be more like Kagami-kun. I could do all the things I have wished to do. I could dunk in secret, but still help people and make people happy by being the phantom sixth in the open."
For a moment as Kagami stared at him. Some ants passed through Kuroko's vision, carrying sweets back to their home.
"You, really like to help people, don't you?" Kagami said in such a way that it was more of a statement than a question.
"I'm not sure if that is the way to put it. I suppose I enjoy the company." Kuroko paused for a moment before his wide eyes looked to Kagami again. "What about you?"
Kagami had to pause before replying.
"…Nah."
With a shrug he looked forward and after a moment Kuroko followed suit. It might be the fact that it was getting late but it seemed the conversation was dying now. Neither of them looked at each other and, though they weren't uncomfortable, the sound of the ocean was suddenly very useful as a distraction.
"I think you are much more generous than you realize." Kuroko said all of a sudden.
"What makes you say that?"
"Just the fact that you stayed here after you ran off. Even though you keep saying that I am a stalker child you welcomed me quickly enough. I think the you I saw on the first night and the you that has accepted me are very different people." Kuroko relaxed slightly but still didn't look into Kagami's now wide eyes. "The you I have gotten to know is… very admirable, in my opinion."
"Kuroko…"
What was he saying? Surely they hadn't known each other long enough to be saying stuff like that. But, if he took his word for it, wasn't he saying that really Kuroko hadn't changed him at all? In that case, these feelings really must be…
"Ah, sorry." Kuroko shook his head and looked back to Kagami with a normal expression. "I'm saying strange things. Please do not listen to me. I suppose I got a little sentimental."
"Uh, yeah…" Kagami shrugged and looked away before clicking it. "Wait, why sentimental?" He frowned.
Kuroko seemed to be uncomfortable for a second but didn't pause for too long.
"I'm a little jealous of Kagami-kun. That you can talk about your interesting past so easily. For me it is a little harder, my best times always remind me of my worst."
Once again he seemed to not care about his own words and pretend that he was doing nothing more than speaking his mind. Kagami wondered if sometimes Kuroko spoke without figuring out why he was saying it.
"…It's the same for me." Kagami responded as he caught Kuroko glancing back at him. "My past is… basically there's a lot that makes those times a little painful. I'm not gonna let those good times just fade away though. Those bad times aren't worth the pain."
Kuroko's eyes widened and he found himself staring at Kagami with wonder once again. But as soon as he realized what he was doing he shook his head and lowered his gaze with slight red on his cheeks.
"Once again you say such admirable things…"
Despite Kuroko acting like nothing had happened Kagami wasn't so fine with that. He frowned and pressed Kuroko's hair down onto his forehead.
"Don't try to distract me! You can't just expect me to ignore it after you keep talking about me like I'm someone better than you."
"I-It's not that vague…" Kuroko glanced up to him through his pushed down hair. "You are just… idyllic, I want to be more like you."
"Is that really what you mean?"
Kagami's expression was much more persistent than usual and Kuroko found himself almost slipping up. The smaller hit away the hand and tried to regain his composure.
"Of course it is. Let's talk about something more interesting."
"This is plenty interesting to me."
"It is beginning to get embarrassing for me."
"That makes me want to talk about it more."
Kuroko glared at Kagami who was smirking knowingly in return.
"You are very cruel."
"You're one to talk."
He didn't deny that part but he didn't say anymore either.
This time silence fell into a much more unusual tension. The exchange of wit between them had left Kuroko with a nervous smile that caught all of the red-head's attention.
Was it bad that recently he had been looking at his face in hopes that he might learn his expressions? That and seeing any difference in the guy's face was like a sight to behold. Either way the smile that he could see on Kuroko's pale lips was something he just couldn't ignore. No matter how hard his thoughts tried to push through, his body moved for him.
"Kuroko."
The smaller male looked up, expecting to see Kagami's confident gaze but what happened next was so unexpected that for a moment the situation didn't seem to be real. The words 'Don't change' briefly passed his ears, just before a warmth pressed against him.
All noise blended together.
All sights lost their importance.
All feeling changed completely.
All Kuroko could focus on was the hand on his chin, the warmth on his lips, and the sight through his wide eyes of the red-head's own calm ruby orbs.
For this moment time seemed to slow, but his heart beat stayed the same. In fact it beat louder than ever before, right in his ear. Even though there should be a million things running through his mind, he was taken body and soul by the simple action.
But like anything such as this it ended too soon.
Kagami released a shallow breath as he moved back from the kiss and slowly began to open his eyes. Such an awkward position, just comfortable long enough for them to share the sensation of touch, heat from their bodies, heart racing tension and everything else. Neither dared move an inch, Kuroko's eyes shining as he stared still while Kagami's gaze was gentle for once.
However as the silence between them continued the gentle gaze turned to one filled with embarrassment.
"S-Sorr-" The red-head moved back quickly, reaching for his things as he stumbled, trying to stand. "Err, I, that was…" His voice was shaky in the kind of way you would see a beast cower before a larger predator, but as soon as he got his bearings his voice became clear. "I got to go!"
Kuroko was quickly snapped out of his trance as he realized the situation.
"W-Wait, Kagami-kun!" He reached up towards him but the red-head was quickly out of his reach.
The sand splayed out as Kagami's feet thumped against it, the cold air turning into breeze as he ran as fast as he could. His fists clenched, teeth gritting, and his expression practically screamed 'don't bother me I'm swearing at myself in my own head'. His heart beat in time with his feet, all of his body letting out his rage through that one poor organ.
"Dammit…" He hissed through his teeth. "Dammit!"
His eyes were forced closed, burning and stinging to distract his head.
It was then that he noticed his stomps weren't the only thing making noise on the sand.
"BARK!"
"GAH!"
Kagami flinched, knocking himself off balance. His foot slid back in the sand and he landed on his back with a thud and a grunt. The footsteps only stopped a moment after his own and with a groan he shook his head and looked up to see that Nigou had run in front of him. The little bastard just had to pull this stunt now, just after they had made up too.
"You little…"
"Kagami-kun!"
The red-head froze up, hearing footsteps behind him as Kuroko finally managed to catch up. He stayed on the ground, sitting up and staring at his knees. He had to try and avoid the ghostly male's eyes as much as he could.
"Kuroko. I… that was-"
"I don't mind."
Kagami opened his eyes. He turned his head and looked up in surprise.
"You-GWAH!" The red-head got shocked again by Kuroko's face being a lot closer than he expected. "S-Stop doing that!" He sighed, winded.
"Kagami-kun." Kuroko stood up straight once more, staring at his friend with a more serious expression. "I don't mind that you kissed me."
"You don't, mind?" Kagami gulped while catching his breath. "What, what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means…" He started, but seemed to trail off.
The ghost closed his eyes and crossed his arms in thought. Kagami, who was kinda uncomfortable at this point, sat there staring at him with a nervous expression. He turned towards him and crossed his legs, trying to focus on staying calm and patient. It didn't last for long though.
"Come on already! If it's just me I don't care so hurry up and tell me I'm not right for you or something!" He was practically shaking; he wished he had never done something so stupid and reckless.
Why did he even do that in the first place? It was so dumb! He didn't even know the guy enough to assume that he wanted to kiss him. But, no matter what he said, the thing he hated most was that every part of his being had wanted that kiss.
Although Kagami seemed angry at himself, Kuroko remained calm until he finally opened his eyes again.
"It means it didn't feel wrong."
"…Eh?"
Kagami blinked, all of his nervous anger washing away as he watched Kuroko move to sit beside him once more – this time even closer.
"I mean it. In fact, I am glad. It was perfect." Even with his blank expression, Kuroko said that with 100% honesty. "But, I had always assumed you were straight."
"Y-Yeah, well, I presumed you were as well from the way you reacted…"
"I'm sorry. It must have been scary."
"Don't patronize me you bastard!"
Kuroko let out a small smile and closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"When you kissed me it was quite a shock, I can't deny that I felt confused at first. But neither can I deny that I have been confused about you for a while now as well. None of this feels wrong to me; right now I am more worried about it feeling wrong to you."
Kagami gulped and drew his eyes away. He tried to think of what to say but in the end just sighed and collapsed onto his back as he finally confronted these weird feelings that had been bugging him.
"It… doesn't really feel bad. Weird is a better word for it."
"Yes it is a little weird."
"We don't have to be lovey-dovey everywhere right?"
"Not at all."
"And… does this mean that we're like, dating?"
"Well…" Kuroko got up onto his knees and Kagami looked up in confusion as the ghost leaned over him with a surprisingly genuine smile. "Neither of us have asked each other on a date yet."
Kagami felt his nervous heartbeat return to him but tried to keep his cool.
"…Does taking you to the beach count?"
"I don't know. Does it?"
"Gah you-!" Kagami launched his hand up and caught Kuroko's head in his grip, turning over and throwing him over his body, head first into the sand. "Don't be one of those people!"
Without making any annoyed or painful noises Kuroko slowly lifted himself up as Kagami lay back down like a grump. He balanced himself with one hand and brushed the sand away – specifically onto Kagami's shirt – with the other.
"That still doesn't answer my question. Did you ask me here because you needed a buddy or because you wanted to come here with me?"
Kagami growled and made a face, but saw Kuroko looking at him through his sandy hair and just looked away with a blush.
"You kept talking about how you wanted to get away from your fancy lifestyle. Plus… I wanted to spend more time with you."
He sighed and took a breath, Kuroko's gaze softening as he took those words to mean he was being tsundere.
"Then yes." Kagami looked back to see Kuroko once again smiling at him, now even more on top of him thanks to the red-head's rage. "This counts as a date."
Kuroko's smile seemed to grow even more, the feelings it portrayed never to be spoken. With the moon shining on them both Kagami saw the shadow of the other above him, the pale light outlining him perfectly down to the specs of sand still spotting his neck. His hand tensed into a fist as he held back a gulp. Damn he was too young for this, these weird feelings that came to him every time he saw this guy nowadays. But he wouldn't know it was the same for Kuroko. He could see the usually tanned red-head now bathed in the pale light, every aspect illuminated as he always saw him no matter what the lighting. In a perfect situation like this he could stop and stare at every little detail.
Or so he thought.
Kuroko was almost caught off guard when Kagami's arm wrapped around the back of his neck. The red-head's expression didn't change but something about him seemed like a cat wanting attention. Kuroko internally laughed and balanced himself properly before leaning down more.
As if in unison their heartbeats sped up as they got closer, cheeks flaring up a shade of red as their lips met for something more tender.
Being so close, it was so warm. The sound of the waves filled their ears and blocked the outside world.
It really was a perfect moment. But, after that moment ended, Nigou got sick of being by himself and whined as he ran up to the two bigger beings. He came round to Kuroko's side as the ghost collapsed onto his back with a sigh and howled politely to get attention. Kuroko looked up and smiled with open arms, welcoming Nigou as the dog crawled onto his chest to receive his petting.
"Oh yeah," Kagami mused as he brought his arms behind his head and watched the two. "We never did get to go swimming."
Kuroko hummed in response as he continued to pet the puppy while paying attention to the tiger beside him.
"We can always come back tomorrow. Apparently it's sunny weather through the weekend."
"Is that so?" Again the red-head stared off into the starry sky as he nervously contemplated something. "In that case…" He looked at Kuroko out of the corner of his eye and sighed as he sat up. "Wanna stay at mine tonight?"
At this position now Kagami was the one who was shadowed. Kuroko stared at him with blue eyes that shined in the moonlight, his thoughts fleeting as he took in the shadow before him. Kagami-kun looked kinda cool.
"Okay."
Ah, when was the last time he had smiled this much? A thought they both shared in this peaceful moment.
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Chapter 10: End
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The little babus are finally together, I'm so proud of them TTuTT I like to imagine they've spent everyday since getting each other's number chatting whenever they're bored (and sometimes in boring classes too).
To celebrate the 10th chapter I made a Halloween Special just for you lovely people that is set in between this and the next chapter, I'm sure you will all enjoy that whether you read it after this chapter or right at the end.
So don't worry there's still more to go, after all we cant just leave these hopeless basket-heads to have a peaceful life now can we? Hope you enjoyed the chapter, see you guys on Hallow's Eve!