Notes: I've got so many feels about this fic and about you guys, and I just really, really want to make it clear that I'm 1000% writing this for you. For myself, too, but I never would have gotten this far without your constant, unending support, your lovely suggestions, and your wonderful, insightful comments. You're the reason I try my best to keep to an update schedule, and you're the reason I've written over 100k words about this trash boy and his road to redemption.
I appreciate every review, every favorite, every follow, every fan art. I have so many graphs and charts and notes about his fic. I've poured so much of myself into these characters and this story, and I've mixed in as many of your ideas as I could fit, the bulk of which I've got planned for second or third year (in case anyone was worried their idea hasn't been used yet.) This fic is my baby, and I'm very happy to share it with such kind, creative, amazing people.
I just. Have a lot to say. And it's not even chapter 30 yet, wow, but I wanted to say it, and it's my fic. So whatever! Thank you for everything. I'm really excited to keep writing and receiving your feedback.
lol Anyway, I suppose if I want that, I should stop babbling and let you read. ;)
Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket or One Piece.
Next Update: May 12, 2017
LXIX. July 27, 2012 - Friday
He manages to beat Shion to the shower this morning, so he's in such a good mood that he only wastes about fifteen minutes soaking in the hot water before he gets out.
"Ugh, you're such an asshole," Shion mutters when Shougo steps out of the bathroom, skin almost red from the heat.
"You probably have some hot water left," Shougo smirks, tossing the damp towel he was drying his hair with at his grumpy sibling.
"Dick." Shion catches it, smacks him with it, and then shuffles inside before firmly shutting the door.
The pain on his arm is completely worth it. There's nothing like a scalding hot shower and pissing off his brother first thing in morning. Both are very beautiful, very necessary things.
When he gets back to his room, his phone is ringing irritably. He scoops it up and sees what was setting it off: a reminder from his calendar that says, 'movie is out today!'
He scrunches his nose in confusion, having absolutely no idea what his phone is trying to tell him (besides the obvious.) Although, it does sort of ring a bell.
The words offer no more information, so he closes the reminder and pulls up his phone's browser, curious enough to waste what little data he has to figure this out.
It doesn't take him long to find out what movie younger Shougo had been so eager to see. It's one of the first results. He remembers now, though. One of his favorite anime has a movie in theaters today, and he'd made sure to mark it in his calendar as soon as the announcement had been made. That was probably months ago.
Man, twelve year old Shougo had been kind of cute.
He'd really enjoyed that movie, too, and he hasn't seen it since. He bites his lip, eyes lingering on the tiny, digital movie poster.
...Well, it's not like he's got anything better to do today, and just how many chances does one get to re-watch movies in an actual theater years later?
Okay, he's convinced himself. Now that he has, he's kind of excited. He's forgotten enough of the movie that this might as well be his first time watching it.
He checks the times and decides to go for the one at eleven. That way, he has plenty of time to stop somewhere and get an early lunch first.
While he's at it, he responds to the barrage of messages on his phone.
Flashy Bastard:
7:37 - good morning, Haizakicchi~! (*^ワ^*)
7:39 - bet ur still asleep lol
7:40 - no worries! its a cute character trait! ( ´ ▽ ` )b
8:26 - u kno kurokocchi sends me gm texts bk
8:26 - not implyin anything just sayin (๑ˇεˇ๑)
8:49 - omg nijimuracchi finally replied ヽ(^Д^)ノ
8:50 - he basically said "wow so ur a morning person huh" & that was it
8:50 - do u think he was being sarcastic or nah
8:51 - cuz its rlly hard 2 tell w him sometimes
9:53 - r u up yet? ( ・◇・)?
9:55 - where is my cute tsundere haizakicchi?
9:56 - wouldnt
9:56 - wouldnt it be hilarious if u said "idiot!" whilw blushing (⁄ ⁄•⁄皿⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
9:57 - but inside ur heart u thought "i like him!" (/ω\)
9:57 - like in the cartoons
Me:
9:58 - Blocked
Flashy Bastard:
9:58 - there u r!
9:58 - pls dont!
9:59 - ull miss me! ˚‧º·(˚ ˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ )‧º·˚
Me:
9:59 - new phone who dis
Flashy Bastard:
9:59 - i cant beLIEVE ur using memes against me (๑•̀д•́๑)
10:00 - u dont even appreci8 them!
Me:
10:00 - Ugh.
10:00 - What do you want. I'm busy.
Flashy Bastard:
10:00 - ur love & attention
10:00 - wait! wat r u doin?
10:01 - its summer how r u busy?
Me:
10:01 - Going to the movies.
Flashy Bastard:
10:01 - with who? ヽ(´Д`ヽミノ´Д`)ノ
Me:
10:02 - I'm going alone.
10:02 - That's NOT an invitation.
Flashy Bastard:
10:02 - wat a coincidence! i am also goin 2 the movies 2day!
10:03 - we might as well go 2gether!
Me:
10:03 - How did I know you were gonna say that.
Flashy Bastard:
10:03 - silly haizakicchi (◕◡◕✿)
10:03 - u wouldnt hav told me if u didnt want me 2 go! (◡‿◡✿)
Me:
10:04 - I changed my mind. I'm staying home.
Flashy Bastard:
10:06 - r we gonna see the 1 that came out 2day?
10:06 - cuz its probably packed
10:06 - im gonna buy us both tics online k
Me:
10:07 - ...Fine
10:07 - I'll pay you back when we meet up.
Flashy Bastard:
10:09 - the only 1 available is at 12:30
10:09 - no need!
10:09 - were friends right?! (❁´◡`❁)
10:12 - bought em! we got a few hours u wanna hang out?
Me:
10:12 - I was planning on eating lunch first anyway.
Flashy Bastard:
10:12 - k! lets meet up at that rlly good bbq place
10:13 - dont tell kurokocchi or kagamicchi but im a lil sick of maji burger! (*゚д゚*)
Shougo snorts, imagining Tetsuya's disappointed not-pout and Kagami's angry/confused 'hah?!' and then tosses his phone on the bed in order to get ready.
He throws on some shorts and shoes, decides it's okay to wear his sleeveless shirt since it's hot as balls out, and runs a hand through his hair in a half-hearted attempt at brushing it. He then grabs his wallet, keys, and phone and heads for the front door as he types a quick message to Ryouta.
Me:
10:16 - I'm heading out now.
Flashy Bastard:
10:16 - k! i might be a little late!
10:17 - it takes a lot of love & care to look this gd haizakicchi
Me:
10:17 - Really? Cause it's hard to tell.
Flashy Bastard:
10:17 - i kno in my heart that u dont mean that
10:18 - & u def think im adorable dont lie to me ಠ_ಠ
10:18 - these eyes see all! (●ʘ̅ㅈʘ̅●)
Me:
10:18 - It's adorable that you think that.
Flashy Bastard:
10:19 - wat is w this clapback 2day?
10:19 - i didnt raise u like this
Feeling cheekier than usual, Shougo - of his own volition! - takes a selfie of the smirk tugging at his lips and sends it with the caption:
10:21 - I think I'd remember if you were my mom, man.
He doesn't get a response right away. While waiting, he makes it to the restaurant district. The BBQ place - family run and home-y - is at the far end, sandwiched between an ice cream shop and a ramen stand.
It's close to the entertainment district, too, which is a bonus. They won't have to walk far or rush their meals to make it in time for the movie.
A cheery ding sounds from his pocket, alerting him to the fact that Ryouta has finally deigned to respond.
It's too rude even for someone like him to just stop in the middle of a busy sidewalk to open a text (and he's not going to chance someone bumping into him and making him drop his phone), so he ducks inside the restaurant and asks for a table for two.
The hostess gives him a knowing smile, and he resists the urge to tell her he's not meeting someone for a date. He has a feeling his denial would just make it worse.
That's usually how these things go for him.
She leads him to a booth near the back before returning to the entrance. Two point five seconds later, a waitress appears and introduces herself as Yamada Haru.
He decides to go ahead and order a drink.
She writes it down and then asks, expectantly, "So where's your mother, kid?"
He looks up from the menu in genuine confusion. The hell does his mother have to do with anything?
"You're like thirteen or something, right? Are you here without a parent?" Yamada presses, suspicious.
Shougo blanches, suddenly forcibly reminded that he's actually physically twelve. Ugh. Still, he's not unused to lying through his teeth when caught; he used to sneak into places he was too young for all the time.
He puts on his best haughty expression and in a bratty voice explains, "Mom's in the store across the street. I'm not a kid anymore, and I told her I just wanted to hang out with my friend today, and we didn't need her watching us." He rolls his eyes, like every utterly aggrieved child when their parent is being overprotective, and goes on, "But she wouldn't listen, so she compromised by just hanging around nearby, doing her shopping while keeping an eye on us."
He finishes with a theatrical huff, and Yamada smirks, amused. "She's just looking out for you, kid. All moms are like that." She sort of looks like she wants to ruffle his hair or something, but luckily, workplace regulations prevent her from doing it. "Anyway, I'll go put your order in. I'll drop by again when your friend gets here. If you need me, just wave me down," she tells him.
He nods, and when she walks off, he pulls out his phone and reads his new messages.
Flashy Bastard:
10:30 - i ccant believe u
10:30 - giv me a warnign nex time geez
10:31 - a mans heart cna only take so mucb!
10:33 - i will counter your selfie w a selife of my own!
10:35 - [image received]
10:35 - thats me lookin at u in disapproval 4 ambushin me like that
10:37 - [image received]
10:37 - & this is me smilin softly in understanding bcuz i forgive u,,, we all make mistakes
10:40 - btw im almost there!
10:40 - c u soon! (*´∇`)ノ
Shougo rolls his eyes again - in real exasperation this time - and closes the messaging app to open Neko Atsume. He has cats to tend to.
Ryouta slides into the booth in front of him a few minutes later, and he grudgingly stops perusing the shop for a better toy in favor of socializing.
"Haizakicchi, you're looking happy to be alive, as always," Ryouta observes, propping his head on his hand with a dopey little smile.
"There's just so much to be grateful for," he agrees, dryly. "Like the guy who bulldozed his way into my plans for today."
Ryouta laughs. "So prickly!" Shougo snorts, and he adds, "I was supposed to go to a photo shoot today, actually, but it got moved to next Friday."
"Yeah? Do you know why?"
"Nope! The text I got from my manager only said that it was moved, not why." He shrugs. "Not that it matters. I mean, because I couldn't go to that, I get to be here with you," he says, and shit, Shougo was not ready for that.
He flushes, flipping Ryouta off when he just keeps looking at him all happily. It's creeping him out. "Ugh, I'm gonna need a few hours before we start making sappy declarations of friendship to each other."
That gets him another bright laugh.
"Speaking of friendship," Ryouta starts, sly, "did you know Kurokocchi and Kagamicchi are spending the day with Aominecchi? Honestly, they hit it off so well that I'm a little jealous."
"That's ridiculous," Shougo immediately retorts. "Also, what's with the new nicknames? What did he do to get one?" He asks.
"Oh? What's this?" Ryouta coos, smugly. "You've never asked why I give nicknames before. Heh, could it be that you're jea~lous?"
Shougo closes his eyes and asks for patience. "I. Am not jealous. Of anybody," he says, slowly, once he realizes that's never worked before. "You don't have to tell me. I don't even care. What the fuck."
"Heh, I don't mind telling you if just admit-"
"Drop it," he cuts in, rolling his eyes. "Why're you jealous of the puppy? He's really not as cool as he thinks he is. I don't understand why you- uh, I mean, why anyone would ever idolize that guy." He curses mentally for that little slip up and hopes Ryouta didn't notice. Or if he did that he won't think much of it.
Ryouta laughs but quickly schools his expression into one of worry. "I haven't gotten Kagamicchi to smile half as many times as Aominecchi has with just a few words! It's just unfair!" He cries. "We met him first! And as the group's cheerleader, it's my job to cheer everyone up! It's just- not right that Aominecchi can do that so easily, even if he is amazing at basketball!"
"Oh," Shougo says, utterly underwhelmed. "So it's not, like... an actual problem."
"How mean!" Ryouta pouts, "It's a serious issue!"
He snorts. "Like hell it is."
His friend opens his mouth to spout more bullshit, but fortunately, Yamada chooses that moment to return.
"Hi, my name is Yamada Haru, and I'll be your waitress this evening. What can I get you to drink? Are you two ready to order?" She asks, brisk and efficient, after setting down Shougo's soda.
They are. She adds the new info to her notepad and then takes their orders to the kitchen, sweeping away just as quickly as she'd arrived.
It doesn't take long for the food to arrive, and they start grilling right away. Shougo is absolutely fucking starving by this point.
"So you like One Piece, huh?" Ryouta asks, over the sizzling of their steaks. "Enough to go see it on opening day, even."
Shougo keeps his eyes trained on the grill. "Yeah. So what?"
Ryouta waves his utensil defensively. "Not judging! I like it too." He laughs a little, explaining, "I guess I just keep unconsciously making assumptions about you, and you never seem to fit them." At Shougo's Look, he clarifies, "Again, not a bad thing. I like being surprised. Keeps things from getting dull!"
He winks, and Shougo shakes his head. Sometimes, this kid avoids answering things like a fucking politician, and other times, he overshares like it's no big deal at all. He's the surprising one.
He is right about one thing, though. Things are never dull with him around.
LXX. July 27, 2012 - Friday
After printing their tickets and waiting in a long ass line, they finally make it into their designated viewing room.
There are some people awkwardly waiting in a line as other people climb the stairs and look for seats, but Shougo has wasted just about every last bit of his patience already today.
He rudely ignores proper etiquette by pushing past people and plopping his ass in a good seat - both high up and in the middle of the row. Ryouta follows along behind him dutifully, visibly amused even as he smiles apologetically to those with ruffled feathers.
"Not gonna scold me?" Shougo asks, stuffing popcorn in his mouth.
"I think we established earlier that I'm not actually your mom," Ryouta reminds him, taking the chair to his left and putting their drinks in the cup-holders on either side.
"Well, you're both really pretty," Shougo blurts out as he thinks it and then immediately regrets absolutely everything he's ever done in his life to get to this point, up to and including time travel.
Ryouta squeaks, clapping a hand over his face and turning away, but his blush covers his neck all the way up to his ears, making the motion pointless.
Shougo coughs, just as mortified, and then shoves more popcorn in his stupid fucking mouth in an effort to stop anything else from escaping.
Maybe he'll get lucky and choke on it.
"...You can't just- say things like that to me," Ryouta murmurs, barely audible over the pre-preview ads and other conversations around them. "It makes me think- well, you know?" He gestures vaguely with his free hand, but Shougo gets it.
He hasn't thought much about Ryouta's confession beyond being glad that it hadn't ended their friendship, and fuck, that's really fucking shitty and inconsiderate of him. Obviously, Ryouta wouldn't have gotten over him that fast (even if Shougo still can't quite understand why he likes him in the first place.) It's literally only been like a week.
Suddenly, this friendly outing seems a little... mean. Or unfair.
"Sorry," he says, just as quietly. "I didn't- Just, sorry."
Ryouta takes a deep breath and then removes his hand and gives him a small smile. "It's okay, Haizakicchi! I know my good looks can be quite distracting! I think I can find it in my heart to forgive you for this grave transgression."
"Thanks," he replies, tentative. "Hey, do you-? Should we not do this? I don't want to- to hurt you." He stumbles over the wording, awkward and out of his element, but this isn't about him.
Ryouta blinks in surprise before his expression goes soft and fond and definitely happy. "Thanks, but I'm a-okay. We're friends, ne? You're the best friend I've ever had, and I'm not gonna avoid you or push you away, not for anything."
He grabs Shougo's hand and intertwines their fingers, giving Shougo - who is staring at him, wide-eyed and breathless - a comforting squeeze that Shougo returns after a moment.
Apparently satisfied, Ryouta turns his attention to the quiz on the screen. Shougo bites his lip, eyes glued to their linked hands resting comfortably between them.
"Me too," he suddenly admits, and he can feel Ryouta's eyes on him. "You- Tetsuya has Aomine, had him before we even met, but you... You're mine." He looks up and meets Ryouta's bright, golden gaze steadily, adding, "And I'm yours. No matter what."
They share wide, sappy ass grins, and though they have to stop occasionally for things like going to the bathroom or getting a refill, they hold hands the entire time.
It's sappy and gross and not anything he'd ever have done at this age or any other without Ryouta's influence - without Ryouta. He finds himself thinking over and over again, in intervals and all at once, that he's damn glad he got a second chance just so he could meet and befriend this kid.
End Notes: kise bby earned this not-date ok?
haizaki likes one piece 'cause pirates can wreck shit and do whatever they want, and even the good guys are seen as 'bad guys' by pretty much everyone at first. boy can relate. ok it wasn't that deep when i chose it. i just looked up anime movies that came out in 2012, but it's a good enough reason, yeah?
also thank you to Fye for suggesting they go to the movies!
uh also i changed up the text format a lil. it now says 'me' instead of 'to [contact]' will go back and edit earlier chapters eventually.
Review Replies:[whoops, sorry about missing last week's! but i think i've got this new RL schedule down, so i shouldn't be quite so busy...]
icyng - Thank you~! I hope you get some sleep at least! And don't worry. The end game pairing is definitely NijiHaiKise. We're just taking the long road to get there. ;)
Guest 2 - Thank you, boo~! Glad you liked it! And that you're okay with the side pairings. I'm still testing the waters, seeing which ones I like/want to write and what works with the fic. We'll just have to see! Yes, absolutely everyone has the mother hen potential. lol
Guest - Thank you very much! ;)
