Aomine awoke with a jolt. The first rays of sunlight peeked out from the horizon. He rubbed his eyes with his right hand and made to stretch with his left, but was stopped when he felt resistance. He looked down at his hand and realization came rushing back.

Oh. Right. You're still asleep.

As if right on cue to his thoughts, the redhead started to stir.

Shit. I know I said I'm not letting go, Kagami, but I'm not ready yet! What the hell am I going to say to you?!

Desperate for even a little more time to think, Aomine eased back into his sleeping position and closed his eyes. He could feel the other man tense up, probably from seeing Aomine there. For a moment, there was no other noise or movement and Aomine could not make out what was happening. He could only hope for the best as his mind worked overtime to come up with what to say.

All of a sudden, Aomine felt another hand on the hand holding onto Kagami. He felt his fingers being unlaced slowly, as if Kagami was trying to not wake him. His hand was eventually pried off of the other man, followed by a soft rustling of sheets.

Shit. He's leaving. Do something, Aomine!

Aomine's hand shot out and grabbed Kagami's wrist just as he was starting to stand up.

"Ah. W-wait," Aomine managed to utter.

Kagami tensed up again, but his voice was steady, "so you were awake?" Kagami did not withdraw his hand, but at the same time, he did not turn to face Aomine. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.

"Yeah," Aomine answered, but quickly added, "I woke up right before you did."

"..so why were you sleeping here?" Kagami asked. The words "and holding my hand" seemed to have gone unsaid, but nonetheless understood.

Aomine wasn't ready for this question just yet. He hadn't thought of a proper line yet. So he figured the hard truth was all he could say. This was no time for pride and cover ups.

"I wanted to."

Kagami turned toward Aomine and eyed him suspiciously. "In other words..you were horny as fuck and wanted to attack me in my sleep last night? Even though you rejected me?"

Aomine flinched. Kagami had hit the bullseye. He gulped and confirmed it with silence. Kagami was definitely going to get upset. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as waited for a punch.

But none came. Aomine opened an eye slowly to peek at the redhead. Aomine flinched again. Kagami wore a stony faced expression.

"So you wanted to give me a pity fuck, huh?" Kagami's voice trembled as he asked the question. "Fine, I'll take it. I already seem desperate enough, don't I?"

Before Aomine could react, Kagami closed the gap between them and roughly nipped his neck.

"-ow!" Aomine cursed, but Kagami made no move to stop. He left bite marks down Aomine's neck and across his shoulder, drawing blood as he continued.

Aomine grimaced as he felt pain surge through his body. This was not what he had in mind. All of a sudden, Kagami stopped in the middle of another bite and Aomine could feel something other than blood rolling down his back and being soaked up by his shirt. Kagami was crying again.

"I'm sorry. I can't," Kagami whispered.

Aomine wrapped his arms around Kagami and pulled him into a tight hug. Kagami didn't deserve this. This was all wrong. If Kagami had the courage to ask last night, then surely Aomine could do the same. At least, he shouldn't be making Kagami suffer. He took a deep breath and collected his thoughts.

"Listen. Last night I wanted to attack you in your sleep, that much was true. But I also realized that you actually meant a lot to me. A lot more than I thought at first. So I sat here all night and this morning trying to come up with the perfect way to make sure you wanted me back again."

Aomine ran a hand through Kagami's hair, and he could feel Kagami calming down. There was no other response, so he continued.

"I know I was late, and I really shouldn't have given up the chance to be with you, but if you still want me, then I'm yours. Because I know now, that I definitely want you. Not just your body, but all of you."

Aomine eased Kagami back so they could see each other. He placed his hands on Kagami's face and wiped the teardrops away. A gentle smile broke out as he voiced his question, "so, Kagami, would you go out with me?"

Kagami wanted to say how much Aomine meant to him, how often he dreamt that this moment would come, how much he didn't mind that it took so long, but no words came out when he opened his mouth to speak. All he could was nod furiously.

Aomine's heart breathed a sigh of relief. So Kagami didn't give up yet. He thanked the gods for being merciful and made a vow to pray to them next year. Kagami was still nodding, but Aomine couldn't help himself and closed the space between them, landing a gentle kiss on Kagami's lips.