Notes: Sorry, I've been busy and stressed, and during all of that, writing this chapter was actually very stress-relieving. I'm tired, and my eyes are stinging, so I'm gonna post this and take a nap! If there are any mistakes, then it's because I'm dying- uh, very tired. I'll proofread this again when I'm actually a functioning person.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket.

I.

"Haizaki's not here again," Shuuzou mutters after another sweep of the gym, irritated but not surprised. This has happened a few times since club activities started, and it's not even been a month.

It's the very reason Shuuzou bullied the guy into giving him his phone number. Not that threatening his delinquent ass from a distance does any good. The only time Haizaki deigns to listen to him is when he gets violent.

His short temper and Haizaki's belligerence are really not a good mix.

He sighs, lifting a hand to rub impatiently at his temples in a futile effort to ward off a headache.

The little shit's been a hassle ever since he joined. Shuuzou doesn't understand why Haizaki bothered to join the team when he doesn't seem to even like basketball.

Then again, it's obvious he enjoys 'stealing' the moves of other players and proving himself to be better than even the first stringers. Haizaki's bad personality has already ruined any chance of goodwill between him and literally the entire team - but especially the other regulars.

Honestly, it's a pain in the ass dealing with him. If it were up to him, Haizaki would have been kicked off the team the first time he screwed over his teammates (and subsequently made the team weaker.)

Maybe the third - or possibly even first - time he skipped (because he's blatantly advertising his disrespect and lack of dedication.) Shuuzou's no babysitter, and he's getting sick of having to track the bastard down and drag him back.

It's not up to him, though.

Teiko's motto ("Ever victorious") isn't one he really buys into - after all, you learn more from losing, and losing doesn't automatically make you worth less - but it's led to a school known for its success in sports. And Shuuzou was drawn to Teiko for the sole reason of getting stronger and playing with a strong team. He practically thrives in the competitive environment; though not everyone does.

Case in point: he became captain in only his second year.

Unfortunately, that same unforgiving, 'always win' environment has also led to this predicament. Haizaki is good, and he can help win games. Thus, he stays. If he steals the moves of other players and fucks with their heads, well, they should just work harder to overcome him, or else get demoted and let someone else take their place.

So annoying. Even if he understands the intent.

Shuuzou sighs again, louder this time, and makes the players next to him flinch back in fear - though he doesn't notice. He's just caught sight of Aomine and Midorima going at each other in the middle of a game. Again.

"Oi! Idiots! Stop bickering like toddlers, or I'll kick your asses!" He warns, raising his voice to be heard over said bickering and the noise of ongoing practice.

"It's his fault!" Aomine immediately shouts back, pointing a finger accusingly at Midorima.

"I'm doing no such thing!" Midorima tells him, indignant, bristling like a cat.

"Hah?!"

Making captain at thirteen was certainly a great accomplishment.

But was it worth it...?

He growls and stalks over to the two of them, fingers itching to hit flesh, and thinks, 'Only about half the time.'

-o-

His ire only grows when Haizaki fails to show up entirely - ire and slight concern. Haizaki's never missed both morning and afternoon practice before, after all, and according to his classmates, he never even showed up to class.

Haizaki's an ass, but he's at least smart enough not to push his boundaries too much. Or he was until today. Something must have happened, and knowing the brat, it probably has to do with all the fights he's been getting into.

He was bound to piss off the wrong person at some point, and Shuuzou wouldn't put it past him to try to fight even if he were clearly outmatched, cocky shit that he is.

On the other hand, it's possible he skipped for an asinine reason, like sleeping in and deciding he might as well stay home. Or just enjoying a day out.

Either seems likely. Haizaki's mid-day text ("I don't feel like going") - the only one he sends despite numerous threats on Shuuzou's end - doesn't necessarily point toward a definite answer.

Shuuzou has him pegged for a guy who would be a smartass 'til his last breath. Sassing Shuuzou while injured fits what he's gleaned so far from the kid.

...Which is admittedly not that much. He tends to clam up around Shuuzou - and for good reason. Just about every time Shuuzou overhears one of his conversations, Haizaki's pissing off another teammate.

And Shuuzou always steps in, even though he usually wouldn't bother. With anyone else, he'd let them sort out their own issues. Like he's said before, he's not the type of captain to hold hands and force friendships, and Teiko's not that kind of a team.

Haizaki just rubs him the wrong way, though, and his words and mannerisms and expressions are so attention-grabbing and aggravating that Shuuzou can hardly ignore him - or the impulse to throttle him until he behaves like a normal person. Or at least, a decent one.

Half an hour into practice after school, Shuuzou gets pissed enough to go out and search for the idiot - again.

Haizaki isn't stupid enough to be caught in the same place twice, but Shuuzou was a delinquent himself until this year. He knows the usual haunts and has people all over the city who don't mind passing on information. Usually with half-joking laments that he's "changed" and that they'd be willing to look the other way if he ever went around kicking ass again.

He can't help but roll his eyes when they bring it up. They just want their entertainment back. Apparently, the way he used to make cocky newbies shit their pants with just a look was downright hilarious.

Well, he can't really blame them. He'd found it just as amusing.

He's got the twins to look after, however, and though he rarely allowed himself to get hit, he came home battered and bruised enough times that Taka and Tatsuo got scared. For him. Which was just unacceptable. Older brothers aren't supposed to make their younger siblings worry about them.

There was also basketball and his new responsibilities as captain to consider. So he gave it up willingly and has hardly missed it since. He gets enough trouble just trying to manage over a hundred kids with their own problems, even with the help of a manager, vice captain, and coaches.

(Haizaki's unwillingness to even pretend to play nice with the team is a major contributing factor to Shuuzou's dislike of him.)

Hina-chan - a former yankee in her twenties who refuses to answer to anything else - recognizes Haizaki from description alone, and she points Shuuzou toward his general location with minimal teasing. He bears it gracefully, not one to get flustered or embarassed easily, and then practically jogs in his haste to catch the little shit making both of them miss practice.

Shuuzou's gonna make him regret it.

II.

His first instinct is to interrupt the bastard who actually had the gall to skip practice at school to fuck around in some random court, furious he'd worried and that Haizaki had made him seek him out for nothing.

Then, well, he hears a sound he's never heard before, and it stops him in his tracks. Laughter. Not Haizaki's usual mocking chuckle or derisive scoff, but something more real, more unguarded.

Haizaki can hardly be considered anything but rough around the edges, and yet- Shuuzou slowly moves closer, entranced, and gets a good look at his face.

Soft.

Haizaki's face, his laugh, his whole demeanor is soft and... vulnerable. In a way Shuuzou wasn't even sure Haizaki could be, not with his carefully maintained walls, covered with spikes and traps meant to harm and wound.

This Haizaki is easy to read, face an open book. Unaware of his audience, he's like any other kid playing the sport he loves.

The sport he loves.

Who knew?

Shuuzou can't help frowning, utterly thrown at this sudden new side of Haizaki and unsure how to take it. Without anyone else to impress or else piss off, apparently Haizaki can play with a bright, happy smile - one, to his growing horror, that Shuuzou actually finds rather cute.

He dismisses that thought with a grimace, unwilling to consider it, especially when he's so wrong-footed. Instead, he again focuses on the boy in front of him - ignoring the cute-not-cute smile - and is bewildered by the level of skill on display.

Had Haizaki been holding back all this time? He watches Haizaki execute an incredibly complicated move, likely stolen, that he hasn't ever shown before and reluctantly concludes that that must be the case.

But why? He's the type of person who wouldn't hesitate to crush his opponents, who lives for showing off just how much better he is. His smugness after a win is one of the main reasons so many of the team dislike him.

Shuuzou continues observing unnoticed, musing heavily before he - thinks he has an answer. Perhaps Haizaki's public basketball skills are similar to his public persona - in that they're both wildly different behind closed doors.

When Shuuzou is playing at his best, he can hardly help his own happiness and satisfaction leaking out, especially when winning. It makes sense in a warped way that Haizaki would want to prevent that, would want to hide all perceived weaknesses that don't fit the uncaring, arrogant asshole personality he's crafted.

That explanation doesn't sit quite right with him, but until he has all the facts, it's the best he's got.

Shuuzou is broken from his musings when Haizaki sprawls out on his back on the ground, panting, apparently worn out from the intense practice. Having only seen the end of it, which was a workout by itself, Shuuzou can hardly blame him.

Shoving his concerns aside for now (but not dismissing them because he's determined to figure out the reason behind all this), he walks over to Haizaki, who still hasn't spotted him, debating on what to say, how he might get the answers he wants.

Intimidation? Blunt honesty?

He's startled when Haizaki lets out a weak, croaked, "Damn it." A flood of tears follow the outburst, and holy hell, Shuuzou is not equipped to deal with this.

One look at Haizaki's wet, crumpled, ridiculously vulnerable face, another, louder "Damn it!" which sounds horribly sad and self-deprecating and hurt, and Shuuzou's big brother instincts take over in an instant, drowning out any protests he might have had with its very loud, very insistent help him already!

"So you skipped practice to play basketball by yourself?" Shuuzou makes himself ask, letting exactly how he feels - felt - about that shine through in his tone.

Haizaki bolts up and turns away to crudely wipe his face, and the act is both childish and somehow kind of endearing.

"The hell's it to you?" Haizaki demands, and like this, when Haizaki won't even look at him, Shuuzou can easily tell the ire is faked.

He pauses, weighing his choices, whether or not he should use this moment to find out what he wants to know, but in the end, he decides to let Haizaki have this.

He brings a fist down on Haizaki's bowed head, exactly as hard as usual. Haizaki makes a pained sound, hops to his feet, and whirls around to glare at him. "Oww! Fuck! Why?!"

Shuuzou pretends he doesn't see the puffiness of his eyes, nor the wetness, and falls back on his genuine irritation. "I told you to come to practice, didn't I?" Haizaki huffs, looking away again, and Shuuzou crosses his arms, rapidly becoming more and more annoyed that Haizaki's so obviously avoiding meeting his eyes. "So? What's the excuse this time? Got a cold for third time this month? Or maybe you got lost on the road of life?" He asks, not really expecting Haizaki to give a real answer.

True to form, while rubbing what's likely already a sore spot on his head, he snorts and says scornfully, "I traveled back in time and didn't want to see you dipshits again."

Ignoring the obvious lie, there's a grain of truth in his words. 'You dipshits'? Not just him, but the team? Or... a few people specifically? What would cause him to purposely avoid any chance of bumping into... whoever they are?

Almost absently, he punches him again and watches closely Haizaki's cursing and flailing in return, cataloging his responses.

Maybe it's because Shuuzou caught him by surprise at a time where his emotions were high, but... Haizaki hasn't lunged at him once. His glare isn't even full of the same resentment and burning, hateful anger Shuuzou's used to having directed at him.

It's like everything's toned down - or maybe he's too drained physically and mentally (from both practice and whatever it was that drove Haizaki to tears) to keep up a front. Even if Shuuzou's sure most of his negativity is very real.

He withholds a sigh, suddenly certain that all of this is more trouble than it's worth.

He looks down at Haizaki, lingering on his faintly trembling fingers, the redness under his eyes, his mouth that can't seem to decide between a frown or a small smile and doesn't comment on any of it.

"...You're not wearing your uniform," he points out, again pushing aside his curiosity for Haizaki's sake. Now's not the time. "You didn't plan on going to school at all today, did you?" He accuses, much less angrily than he would have liked and- more worried than he wants to feel.

He grows awkward at Shuuzou's audible concern, shifting in place as he says, "S'not like anything happened." Lie. "Just didn't feel like going." Truth. Haizaki then turns around and waves a hand lazily. "See ya," he calls, with forced nonchalance.

Without hesitation, he grabs a handful of Haizaki's collar and yanks him back, unwilling to let Haizaki go when he's clearly... off. All sorts of warning bells are firing off in his brain at the idea of letting Haizaki leave in this state.

"Oh no. You're going with me even if I have to drag you there," Shuuzou informs him, intentionally omitting the fact that he's taking him home and not back to school.

Haizaki puts up a token effort to escape, but he's not really struggling, which worries Shuuzou more than anything else. Or perhaps it's just one more thing in a growing pile of odd, inexplicable things Haizaki's done and said since Shuuzou sought him out today. He saw the guy cry, for fuck's sake.

He's actually starting to feel fucking protective of this brat.

Once they reach Haizaki's house, Shuuzou drops him like a hot rock, enjoying the way Haizaki glares at him in return.

Shit. Rather than the irritating sneer Haizaki usually sports, right now, it just seems like he's pouting. And Shuuzou despairs because Haizaki is cute like this, cheeks puffed out and grey eyes narrowed. Remove the provocation and genuine ire in his expression, and you get an adorable kid.

"You'd better be at practice and school tomorrow," Shuuzou warns him, using his Captain Voice, careful not to let his thoughts show on his face.

That same regretful, disgruntled, sad expression from earlier resurfaces, and Haizaki breaks eye contact, huffing, "Yeah, yeah. I'll be there."

Shuuzou stares at him for a long moment, surprised at just how much he wants to wipe that awful look off Haizaki's face, no longer sure he can blame it on curiosity or big brother instincts.

Giving into the impulse, he reaches over and ruffles Haizaki's hair (which is as soft as it looks) and is pleased when that look gives way to bewilderment instead.

That done, he walks away, smirk growing when Haizaki calls out a belated "Bastard" from behind him.

If this is what Haizaki is really like - bright, happy smiles, casual, playful banter, and adorable pouts - underneath all the mocking and smugness and asshole-ry, well... Shuuzou wouldn't mind seeing this side of him again and finds himself idly wondering what it would take to draw it out of him.

III.

Except he doesn't have to.

This new, grouchy, anti-social but not antagonizing, not actively instigating Haizaki persists days afterward. He keeps his skill level hidden, but now it seems he's given up his daily taunting and sneering at absolutely everyone.

Shuuzou isn't the only one to notice. The regulars, who deal with Haizaki far more often than anyone else, take the sudden change in wary, uneasy silence, as if they're waiting for the other shoe to drop - but not overly concerned with someone they don't even like.

The others, though? After the first day, he has various members coming up to him in groups and alone, who ask after Haizaki's behavior, bewildered and also wary and nosy enough to bother him for details.

He sends them away without answering (not knowing himself; not that he would share if he did), tells them pointedly to worry more about themselves, and of course, that does little to stem the wave of rumors that arise.

Most of them believe Shuuzou threatened and/or beat him into submission - his reputation as a delinquent is well known - or that Haizaki skipped a whole day because a family member died or something equally awful, and he's depressed or in mourning. And there's plenty more where those came from, ranging from the somewhat plausible to the wildly unbelievable.

Really, you'd think his damn teammates were a bunch of gossiping old ladies the way they carry on.

That being said, Shuuzou is disgustingly, irritatingly just as curious. Because the old Haizaki was rage-inducing on a good day, but this one - he goes about practice like any other dedicated player, stays out of squabbles, doesn't cause said squabbles, and more importantly, he no longer closes himself off from Shuuzou.

Shuuzou can freely read Haizaki's emotions now and pick up on things he couldn't before.

Like the fact that Haizaki respects him.

That Haizaki, the one who gives him the most hell (or used to), who never listens to a word he says or takes his threats seriously- that guy respects Shuuzou, and it's- well, it's a heady thing, knowing that. Because Haizaki doesn't respect anybody. Not the coaches, not the upperclassmen, and certainly not the teachers.

No, that right is reserved for Shuuzou, and he has no idea how he came to be regarded so highly by this guy. Especially when their relationship 'til now consisted of constant arguing and insults. Still does, even if it's friendly now.

Knowing that, when he thinks back on just how much he didn't like nor want anything to do with Haizaki before, he can't help but cringe.

He doesn't waste time on guilt, prefers to resolve things in as straightforward a manner as possible, and he does so by returning that respect. By judging Haizaki for his actions henceforth and not those taken this last month or so. Haizaki's decided to change (or else simply drop the asshole persona), and Shuuzou can accept that.

Haizaki sees something in him to admire, has apparently one-sidedly connected with him on some level, and Shuuzou is willing to reach back, to make things even. As a helpful Senpai or Captain or whatever comes of this.

He isn't obligated to. He wants to. And that's all there is to it.

The fact that Haizaki is unexpectedly fun to tease is just a bonus.

IV.

With June comes his homeroom teacher, Tsuda-sensei, forcing him to take up tutoring. Not like he's got a whole slew of other responsibilities. Why not add one more to the pile?

When he says all of this - very sarcastically - to Tsuda, he just gets an irritating, obliviously cheerful smile and a warm, "I know you can handle it, Nijimura-kun."

Yeah, what follows is a pretty heated argument (on his part.)

Eventually, he gets the man to agree to a few terms. Foremost of which is that Shuuzou can refuse any students for any reason so long as he accepts at least one.

Their schedule and what they cover are all up to him as well.

After that, he gets a few files to leaf through, but only one actually catches his eye.

Haizaki Shougo, first year.

The corners of his lips quirk up in anticipation.

Since that day three weeks ago, Shuuzou's kept a close eye on Haizaki and as a result has somehow gotten attached. His feelings now are a stark comparison to what they were before - from genuine dislike to like, from irritation to fondness, from watching Haizaki only to prevent fights to simply wanting to look at him.

He likes Haizaki, likes being around him and teasing him, likes drawing out the smiles and laughter Haizaki guards with fierce protectiveness - especially when Shuuzou is the only who can manage to do so.

He gets an intense rush of satisfaction knowing that Haizaki lowers his guard around him, that he trusts Shuuzou enough to share pieces of himself, and that he believes Shuuzou won't betray that trust.

He feels flattered, too, that Haizaki has a crush on him. Shuuzou has little experience with romance, his reputation and 'scary face' turning off any who might approach him and confess, and he's never been interested enough to change that. This is the first time he's dealt with such infatuation, both as the receiver and in general.

He doesn't feel the same way, but- he thinks that he could.

Maybe most guys would be disgusted that another guy would harbor feelings for them, but Shuuzou had decided from an early age that people in general were stupid and quick to judge- and that he wouldn't be like them, would actually take the time to observe and form his own opinions, and he's tried to stick by that mindset ever since.

For him, things like love can't be so easily defined anyway.

So he'll continue to observe Haizaki and his own reactions and feelings until he's sure.

Tutoring the guy is a pretty convenient way to do so, and Shuuzou is hardly one to turn down opportunities when they're so nicely presented to him.

V.

He's probably a horrible person.

No, he definitely is. He's the worst.

But he can't seem to stop.

Haizaki is so nervous and antsy around him in his own bedroom. Shit, it's like. Really cute. If Shuuzou didn't already know Haizaki has a crush on him, he'd certainly have figured it out not five minutes into one of these tutoring sessions.

At this point, it's even more adorable that Haizaki thinks he's successfully hiding it.

They're currently seated at a table next to Haizaki's bed, books and worksheets and stuff laid out before them.

When they got here, Haizaki sat down on one side, and a little impulsively, Shuuzou took the spot right next to him, close enough for their legs to brush together.

Almost immediately, Haizaki whirled around in shock, a bright blush painted across his face before scowling and grumbling for Shuuzou to 'get the fuck away.'

Shuuzou ignored him, and Haizaki eventually relaxed as they got to work, though not without complaining.

Allowing that closeness is likely something Haizaki really regrets right now.

As he waits for Haizaki to finish a math problem, Shuuzou purposely twirls a pencil in his finger and pretends to lose control of it, making it land on Haizaki's other side.

"Oops," he says, leaning over Haizaki's lap to retrieve it. The sharp intake of breath he hears makes him smile.

Haizaki shoves him roughly away. "I could've given it back to you myself, asshole," he gripes, and Shuuzou feels extremely pleased by the flush on his pale cheeks.

He's made Haizaki blush six times in the last half hour, and he's very thoroughly enjoyed watching him get used to Shuuzou's presence and then become hyper-aware of him again.

At this point, Shuuzou can safely say that he's attracted to Haizaki, if nothing else. His happy, little smiles when Shuuzou compliments him and his flustered, grumpy faces when Shuuzou intentionally gets too close - no uninterested person would keep track of them, nor would they keep doing the things that got them those reactions in the first place.

He shouldn't keep provoking him like this, especially when he knows how Haizaki feels. But. It's fun and adorable and impossibly endearing that just him being near is making Haizaki react so strongly.

It makes something in his chest go weird and warm and gooey.

"Here. I'm done," Haizaki announces, sliding the paper over in front of Shuuzou. He watches expectantly as Shuuzou dutifully checks it over.

"Heh, you picked that up pretty quick," Shuuzou tells him, and he means it, just as he's meant every compliment he's given Haizaki. He's not willing to stoop to lying to get what he wants.

That honesty gets him another happy, pleased grin before Haizaki forces it into a frown, embarassed. "Of course I did, bastard."

"Then I guess we can move onto to the next lesson, and I'll leave all those problems to you," Shuuzou suggests, arching a brow.

Haizaki glares at him, aware Shuuzou is messing with him. "...Not yet," he says grudgingly, and even that is cute. "I still need you to make sure I'm doing it right," he admits, like it pains him.

"I guess I can hold off on the new material, then," Shuuzou replies, graciously. "Just until you're ready."

"You're such a dick," Haizaki complains under his breath, and Shuuzou snorts, smacking him on the back of the head in retaliation.

"I don't know why I put up with you," he says with more fondness than he knows what to do with.

'It's because I like you, too,' he realizes with a quiet certainty he didn't have until just a moment ago.

Huh.

End Notes: and here's the long-awaited niji pov. be warned that this is only part one of two. got too long, so i had to cut it in half. i'm going to sleep. hope you liked it. ;)

- it's always been my intention that niji didn't really like haizaki at all at first. he only gradually came to like him (in both canon & the fic)

- with this, i wanted to make it clear that niji isn't actually as cool and unflappable as haizaki makes him seem. he's just a lot better at hiding his emotions.

...which i guess does make him cool?

- was rereading chapters to help write this one and rediscovered one of my fave lines. "He's gotten used to this guy fluttering about like the world's most perverted butterfly." - in reference to kise. dunno why but the image is hilarious to me.

if you have fave lines, i'd love to know what they are! ;)

Review Replies:

will have to wait. sorry. but i sincerely appreciate that you guys take the time to review even without an account. it makes my day. ;)