Thank you to: Kottori, sandy zanders, kurie-tibiti, Eigo, Akurai, skatingandcruzing, EmD23, Ver1o1nika, Catcrazzed, Akai Tenshi96, deltaepsilon004, UnderdogHero, Ajilika11, YamiAkane97, lexisis, AspergianStoryteller, innocence-creator, Monkey D. Writer, TomAndJerry, xDarklightx, sereneskydragonslayer, Amaya189, Cathtaku, Airka Yumeko, BashyBunny, EminaRukiax, Aoi Kitsune12, booklover1209, KaminikaSaffire, LeoInuyuka, EclipseKuran, love, Swtazngrl5, Independent Not in Love, xXxOtAkU 444xXx, Olympus' Blessing, greenwings33, clarit, Q-tea, AnetteRuby, yumikajima, hate1994, sparklybutterfly42, knb143, Kulaso1999, animefreak101, sakunokishimori, invisible-gurl, Finn Oxenstierna, Sailor GaOn Donut, Xdcx, sauara, Kerilu95, xXxPhantomxXx, Matsukaze Tenma, Sky Veneziano, Synck, xXToraUchihaXx, CheshireCat19, and four Guests for reviewing.
Double thanks to: skatingandcruzing and Kerilu95 for the nice long reviews.
After a little while, Kuroko's doctor came back to the waiting room to inform them that Kuroko could have visitors again, and that for now, they were lifting the limit on the number of visitors, provided that they didn't cause any trouble, and that Kuroko didn't show any negative affects to being in more peoples' presence. Akashi gave them all a strict reminder before they filed in about what could trigger a seizure. It was obvious that the ones he was talking to were the Generation of Miracles, many of whom still needed to have a serious heart to heart with Kuroko – him included.
But after hearing what Ogiwara had said about life and facing up to the things you've done or the things that are done to you, they all felt, well better. Like a weight had been lifted from their shoulders. Hearing Ogiwara forgive them, and use logic to absolve them of most of the rest of their guilt made things seem a lot less hopeless. A shadow of it remained, and probably would remain for a long time, but that was probably for the best. It would be a reminder not to backslide or become thoughtless monsters again.
Kuroko brightened when they all filed into his room. He looked a little bewildered to see so many people had come to visit him, but at the same time, everyone could tell he was pleased.
"Kuroko, thank God! Shin-chan wouldn't shut up about how worried he was about you," said Takao by way of greeting.
"What? That's not true! Shut up Takao!" said Midorima sharply as he turned red.
"He was crying manly tears of distress last night against our captain's chest. It was so bad that Miyaji didn't threaten to hit him with a pineapple for once, but actually offered to make him a pina colada!" continued Takao.
A thoughtful look crossed Kuroko's face all of a sudden, like he'd just remembered something.
"Last night, after Haizaki-kun was arrested, were some of you in my room? Ogiwara-kun, Kise-kun, and Midorima-kun?" asked Kuroko.
The three in question looked surprised, but nodded.
"Yeah. You remember? You heard what we said?" asked Ogiwara.
"It's a little fuzzy. But yes. I think so." Kuroko touched his forehead, just below his bandages, almost like he expected to feel something on his forehead. Then he nodded. "Yes. I do remember. And . . . thank you."
Kise was uncharacteristically quiet as took the seat closest to Kuroko and patted him on the arm, looking at him with watery eyes. Then he started to withdraw his hand, but Kuroko reached out quickly, if a little clumsily, and grabbed it. His expression remained blank as usual, and the effort of catching Kise's hand seemed to have exhausted him, because he let his arm slump down to rest on the bed. But he still held onto Kise's hand.
After that, the mood took a turn toward being less somber again. With Takao and Ogiwara both attempting to lift peoples' spirits, it was impossible for things to stay too serious. And surprisingly, they didn't steer the conversation toward basketball, even though the room was packed full of basketball idiots. A wide range of other topics were rotated through, from plans for the upcoming winter holidays, to promises for organizing a giant snowball fight in a park right outside of Seirin after Tokyo got its first snowfall of the winter. The rest of Shuutoku's regulars arrived in time to commit to that as well. The rest of Rakuzan, who arrived at the same time, sulked a bit that they wouldn't be able to make it. Aomine volunteered Sakurai's services for making hot chocolate and cookies for the occasion.
That started one of the few conversations that Murasakibara actually took an interest in – a conversation about cooking. It started off with Ogiwara and Sakurai comparing their homemade hot chocolate recipes, then Kagami throwing in his two cents about different ways of spicing hot chocolate up. Literally. He gave them his recipe for Aztec spiced hot chocolate, that he'd gotten from a grandmotherly Hispanic lady who'd lived next door to him for awhile when he was a kid.
Ogiwara then tried to mine Kagami for other Mexican recipes, and they ended up writing out recipes on the backs of receipts since that was the only paper they had. Murasakibara took an interest when the subject of fried ice cream was brought up. What seemed to interest him most, aside from the fact that it was a dessert, was the seeming absurdity of frying ice cream. That turned into a discussion about different methods of frying things, which turned into a conversation about building up heat resistance.
The high point of that conversation was when Ogiwara was trying to convince Kagami and Murasakibara that he could take a pan out of a 300 degree Farenheit over without an oven mitt, and that attempting to do so had been a regular occurrence in his school's cooking club.
"I still don't think that's possible," drawled Murasakibara, looking lazily skeptical.
"It is. I'll prove it to you sometime. I'll prove it to you now! Watch this!" Without thinking about what he was doing, Ogiwara took out his lighter, lit it up, and held his hand over it, letting the flame kiss the flesh over the heel of his hand. "I can do this for fifteen seconds."
"Ogiwara-kun, please stop," said Kuroko quickly.
Ogiwara took one look at the expression on Kuroko's face and stopped. "Er, sorry Kuroko. But I swear, it wouldn't have hurt me. Not until maybe the last four seconds or so."
Kuroko blinked quickly several times. "Why do you even have a lighter?"
"Found it," Ogiwara said without missing a beat.
"Dude, is everyone in your cooking club like that? No wonder they burned down your school," said Kagami, quickly, but not too quickly. It sounded like it could be the natural progression of the conversation, considering what had happened, and successfully distracted Kuroko from the subject of the lighter. Mainly because -
"What?" Kuroko blinked at him again.
"Who burned whose school down?" asked Hayama, his attention stolen from Izuki and his pun book, where they'd been snickering over in the corner.
"My clubmates in the cooking club burned down my school yesterdayy," said Ogiwara, and he gave Kuroko a crooked smile. "I forgot to tell you that. But, I'm planning to transfer to Seirin. As long as you don't have a problem with that."
"Why would I have a problem with it?" asked Kuroko, his eyes literally glowing.
"I have a problem with it," whined Takao, but good naturedly so they knew he wasn't serious. "Shin-chan and I are losing all our senpai. Kaijou, Touo, and Yousen are all losing two of their starters, and Rakuzan's losing their trump card. Seirin's only losing Iron Heart, and only for half the year. It's not fair! You should come to Shuutoku instead, Ogiwara!"
"Or Touo," said Aomine, looking calculating. "Then I could have two teammates to cook for me instead of just one."
"Wara-chin could always come to Yousen and cook for me," offered Murasakibara.
"Wara-chin?" mouthed Ogiwara silently as Riko stood up angrily.
"No poaching!" she shouted. "We already made the offer and he accepted! Ogiwara-kun is ours now! All you Miracles back off!"
Takao raised his hand. "I'm not a Miracle! So –"
"Freaky-eyed partners of Miracles back off too," said Kagami.
"I'd like to take the opportunity to point out that a verbal agreement isn't legally binding," said Akashi, looking mischievous, "so unless Ogiwara's committed to going to Seirin in writing . . ."
"Sorry to disappoint, but I've already made up my mind," said Ogiwara, smirking brightly. "Like Izuki-senpai said, it's Seirindipity."
That caused Hayama to laugh so hard he fell out of his chair and started to roll around on the floor, as Izuki high fived Ogiwara, while everyone else groaned.
"So, it looks like Seirin will be the team to beat next year," said Kise. "I didn't realize it until Takao said so, but all the rest of us are losing key players from our team. Seirin's only losing Iron Heart for half the year."
"If you're that worried then you should try even harder to do everything you can to ensure success," said Midorima, pushing up his glasses. "Shuutoku's lost more of our starters than any other team here, but we're not despairing."
"Yeah," said Ogiwara, a devious look crossing his face. "You just have to ride on, you know what I mean?"
His odd emphasis on those words made everyone pause for just a second, wondering if there was some hidden pun or word play in there that they hadn't gotten. So in the ensuing silence, everyone heard Kuroko's sharp intake of breath. It drew all eyes to him, right before a foreign but musical sound escaped his lips, and a helpless smile stretched over his face.
Then everyone stared, mesmerized at the sight.
Kuroko was laughing. He was trying not to, that was clear, but he was unable to stop himself. Even after he bowed his head and covered his mouth, the sound kept flowing.
"Kuroko knows what I mean," commented Ogiwara, slapping Midorima on the shoulder.
That just made Kuroko laugh even harder, curling in on himself a little as he tried to stop himself, but failed.
"What . . . how . . . ?" Aomine's eyes were riveted to Kuroko. Everyone's eyes were.
"An inside joke," Ogiwara said. "Sorry. I'll try to keep those to a minimum."
"No," Akashi said quickly. "Please, make as many as you like."
The day went on peacefully. If it weren't for the fact that they were in a hospital room, many of them would have forgotten this wasn't a social gathering. Being with everyone in a non-basketball situation for a change was fun. More than a few inter-team friendships were forged that day, and the ones that had already existed were strengthened.
Kuroko and Mayuzumi got into a discussion about light novels. Yes. Discussion. They talked. At length. To each other. Books are amazing things and can do that to people.
Ogiwara convinced Murasakibara to try his own hand at making sweets since he liked them so much, and promised him a lesson sometime when they were both in Tokyo. Sakurai and Kagami had acted like birds with their feathers ruffled until Ogiwara noticed and invited them too. Himuro invited himself along. Momoi and Riko tried to get in on that action, but Kagami and Murasakibara put their feet down before Ogiwara, Himuro, or Sakurai could, in their ignorance, invite them along too.
Aomine and Nebuya got into a trash talking competition, while Momoi and Mibuchi ignored their charges in favor of talking about makeup and fashion – a discussion which Kise cheerfully joined in on.
Hayama was kept in stitches by Izuki's puns, with Ogiwara occasionally contributing. Others watched them with confusion and resisted the urge to punch them in their faces until they shut up. Ogiwara redeemed himself, however, by making Kuroko laugh a second time, right around noon.
The rest of Kaijou's regulars dropped by for awhile and stayed most of the afternoon. The Crownless Kings were the first ones to depart, and not because they wanted to be, but because Akashi gave the order.
"But I wanna stay," whined Hayama. "I'm having so much fun!"
"You have a long train ride back to Kyoto. And you have classes tomorrow."
"So do you," Hayama shot back.
"But I, unlike you, do not need to attend them to pass my classes," Akashi said calmly.
"Winter exams are next week, Sei-chan," Mibuchi reminded him.
"I'm aware. I'll return to Kyoto on Wednesday, if I feel things here are in order," said Akashi. He looked back at Kuroko with a gentle expression. "After next week, our winter holidays start, so I'll come back."
"I appreciate that, but please don't feel like you have to," said Kuroko softly.
"I want to," said Akashi.
"Muro-chin and I are lucky," said Murasakibara. "Our holidays started on Friday."
"Mine start next Friday!" Kise said excitedly. "But since Kurokocchi's staying so close by, I'll come see you ever single day after school! Club activities have been suspended until after winter exams, so I'll have plenty of time –"
"You're supposed to be using your time to study, not goof off," said Kasamatsu.
"I can bring my stuff here and study with Kurokocchi! Kurokocchi can make sure that I study! It will be just like old times!"
Kasamatsu hit him. "Don't force the guy who's in the hospital to tutor you, you obnoxious brat! People in the hospital need low stress, and you, you'd try the patience of a saint!"
"Waaaah! So mean!"
The Crownless Kings and Mayuzumi departed shortly after that exchange. And after Mayuzumi and Kuroko exchanged phone numbers so they could carry on their conversation about light novels at a later date. If anyone was surprised to see the rival shadows getting along so well, they kept it to themselves.
Shuutoku's regulars, except for Midorima, left next, taking Sakurai with them. Takao protested, wanting to stay with Shin-chan, but was overruled by Midorima and his senpai. All of Kaijou's, regulars, sans Kise, trickled out, with Kasamatsu being the last to leave. Before he headed out, he walked over to the side of Kuroko's bed and stared down at him with an unreadable expression.
Kuroko looked uncharacteristically shy when he met Kasamatsu's gaze. "They told me you were the one who found me – that you saved my life. I'm sorry I didn't properly thank you before now."
Kasamatsu patted his shoulder and gave a slight smile.
"I'm glad you're alright," he said gently. Then his face contorted with anger. "But if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I'll hit you!"
He departed on those words, leaving a number of shocked stares and raised eyebrows in his wake. For a moment no one spoke. And then –
"Wow, Kurokocchi! You made a really good impression on Kasamatsu-senpai! He really likes you!" said Kise, looking delighted.
Kuroko blinked at him then finally said: "I see."
Seirin went to get dinner in shifts like they had the night before, half of them going together, then the other half going once the first group was back. And like the previous evening, they dragged the Miracles with them, and Himuro and Ogiwara this time too.
Akashi ended up being in Ogiwara's group, and he frowned his disapproval of Ogiwara chugging coffee all through dinner. After they returned to the hospital, he put his foot down.
"You need to sleep. How long have you been awake now, Ogiwara-kun?"
"I don't know. Awhile. But I'm good for a little while yet."
"No. You need sleep. You're going to the hotel with Iron Heart now."
"When I need to sleep, I'll just crash in the waiting room for a few hours," argued Ogiwara. "Trust me, I know what I'm doing. I do this occasionally when I go on a videogame binge."
"Do not make me get Atsushi to carry you."
Ogiwara tilted his head to one side, suddenly looking the definition of deviousness. "Any chance I could get the green one to carry me?"
That caused Kuroko to break down in helpless laughter again. For the third time that day. Akashi didn't know how Ogiwara was doing it, and he wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen and heard it himself. Kuroko really did have an adorable laugh. Akashi watched with some amusement as Kise fumbled to get his phone on to record it this time, having missed his chance on the previous two occasions by being too mesmerized. Everyone else stopped whatever they were doing or saying just to watch and drink the sight in, Kuroko's laugh was that amazing.
It was bittersweet for Akashi, however. He didn't think it occurred to the others that this was what they'd deprived Kuroko of for over a year. Akashi wondered if, when the two had been friends as children, if Kuroko had laughed every day? It was a little bit of relief to know that Ogiwara would be in Kuroko's life again, every day now. So maybe this could be a daily occurrence. Akashi hoped it would be, and that maybe Ogiwara could pass on the secret of how to accomplish this to some others.
In the end, Akashi did manage to get Ogiwara to go to the hotel. The condition? That Akashi himself had to go back and get some sleep too. The entire Generation of Miracles, plus Aida-san, Iron Heart, and the Seirin captain all ended up ganging up on Akashi to get him to agree. And Kuroko had used his damnable puppydog eyes, which in Akashi's opinion should have constituted a rule violation.
Though most people would have been kicked out after visiting hours ended, Akashi's influence allowed them to keep three people with Kuroko again through the night, despite Kuroko's protests that it wasn't necessary. Aomine, Kagami, and Kiyoshi were all ruled out this time. Kiyoshi wasn't in any better shape than Ogiwara when it came to sleep deprivation, and Riko put her foot down for Kagami and Aomine, citing how their physical condition would deteriorate from sleeping in such awkward positions repeatedly.
Murasakibara managed to claim one of the spots, logically arguing that he was one of the few who didn't have classes tomorrow and wouldn't have to run off. Hyuuga used his leverage as captain to get one of the spots for himself, though he would be leaving on the first train to get to school. Midorima won the last one in a game of rock-paper-scissors, though he too would be leaving on the first train. If not for the fact that he wanted to give Takao a ride to school in the rickshaw, so that Takao wouldn't have to walk on his injured leg, he probably would have skipped. But it was in his nature to do everything he could to ensure positive outcomes, and so he set the alarm clock on his phone in case he fell asleep, though he didn't plan on sleeping tonight, and sat down in the chair beside Kuroko's bed once all the others had left.
Murasakibara seemed to be asleep, and Hyuuga had stepped out to use the bathroom before trying to catch some Z's himself. Midorima had thought Kuroko had already fallen asleep, at least until the smaller boy called his name.
"Is something the matter?" asked Midorima, instantly worried.
"No," said Kuroko quickly. "I just wanted to say to you, about what you thanked me for last night . . . you're welcome."
Midorima swallowed hard and pushed up his glasses. "I'm aware it was rude of me to make assumptions, and perhaps I should have formally apologized for my wrongdoings before –"
"No. You don't need to. We're friends," said Kuroko. He looked exhausted, like he could barely keep his eyes open.
"Yes, well, you should sleep now," Midorima said. He wondered how long Kuroko would be able to sleep for, with his insomnia, but decided it didn't matter. He'd be awake when Kuroko woke up. He'd help the boy find sleep again.
"I wanted to thank you too," Kuroko said, doggedly continuing, even though he gave up on keeping his eyes open.
"Whatever for?" asked Midorima.
"Coming back. When I needed you. Being . . . friends . . . again . . ."
"You're talking nonsense," said Midorima, pulling Kuroko's covers up to his chin before sitting back down in the chair by his bed. "Those aren't things you need to thank someone for, Kuroko. Now go to sleep. And try not to be so ridiculous when you wake up."
Sorry if this feels like filler, but I can't have all the Miracles apologizing to Kuroko all at once, or I'd probably cause Kuroko to have a seizure and maybe some of you guys to OD on feels. So I've got to let Kuroko recover some and not immediately drown him in more apologies and emotions.
Please review!