Aomine opened his eyes to find the sun beginning to rise, illuminating the blank white walls slightly. He smiled softly as he tried to turn onto his side, only to discover a certain blond snuggling on his chest. The brute slightly and leaned over to kiss the pale forehead. This was nice. He could get used to this dream. It was much better than the others, that's for sure. The blond stirred slightly and raised his head with a sleepy smile.

"D-Daiki?"

The brute's heart fluttered in his chest. It was the first time he dreamt that the blond called him by his given name. Aomine smiled.

"Good morning Ryouta. I love you" he wasted no time in admitting his feelings all over again. Surprisingly, the blond chuckled and laid his head to the side, not breaking eye contact.

"I love you too Daiki" he leaned in to place a small kiss on the brute's lips. Before he broke away, the brute slid a hand on the pale cheek and brought him in for a deep kiss, one that the blond happily complied. Oh yeah, he could definitely get used to dreams like this, especially when the blond finally admits his love is returned. Or how this kiss feels so real, too real in fact.

The sudden noise of a beeping speeding rapidly interrupted the brute's thoughts. Especially when the blond broke apart laughing. "Daiki! You need to calm down your heart or else the doctor will come in and find us" the blond giggled. Aomine blinked a few times, finally noticing that this place wasn't familiar. It was too plain and uncolored, nothing like his apartment. He looked around quickly to see only a couch on the far end of the room and a few monitors to his left side, the beeping noise coming from them.

"Daiki?" he heard his voice again.

The brute looked around again and found a needle was sticking out from the top of his hand, like an IV. No. It was an IV. Finally, all the memories came back quickly. Seeing Kise getting onto the elevator, fighting his way to the top, getting beaten senseless, hearing the painful words coming from the blond, admitting his feelings to him, a bullet that was aimed-

The bullet.

"Kise! Kise! Are you alright? Are you hurt?" He practically sat up and forced the blond to sit in his lap, trying to raise his shirt so he could inspect. The blond laughed and gripped the brute's wrists softly.

"I'm fine Aominecchi. You saved me from that bullet remember..?" he tilted his head to the side. The brute nodded.

"I-I remember thinking I got to you in time but I just wanted to make sure. I-I couldn't afford to lose you. Not again" he croaked. The blond gripped the wrists tighter and placed one of his hands on his chest.

"I'm alive and breathing because of you" Kise paused before he slapped the side of his arm. Aomine flinched and looked at a pair of golden eyes. "Ow! What was that for?"

"For saving my life! You jumped in front of a bullet! You could've died! You! You idiot!" Kise began to weep. The brute smiled sadly and hugged the blond.

"I'm sorry for scaring you, Kise. I'm not sorry for taking that bullet for you though. As you said, You're alive and breathing because of me. Now that I know that fact, I can die peacefully."

"Yeah well, you're not dying. Not on my watch."

Aomine chuckled and broke the hug, wiping the tears away from the blond. They stayed silent, letting the sunrise increase with each passing minute. When the tears dried up, Aomine started to move his hand away before the blond leaned into the touch once more.

The memory of just a few minutes ago flashed in his eyes. The part where Kise admitted his feelings and called him by his given name twice. This is real. It was real.

The beeping increased.

"A-Aominecchi! Relax! You're about to give yourself-"

"You love me?" he blurted out. The blond blinked rapidly before smiling softly.

"Of course I do. I always have."

"Say it again. Say it so I know I'm not dreaming" Aomine took a deep breath and leaned back into the bed. Kise smiled and scooted closer so their lips were inches apart.

"I love you Daiki" he whispered. The brute's heart filled with joy. He gripped the sides of the blond's face and pulled him closer.

"Can I kiss you?"

Kise chuckled. "You didn't ask me a few minutes ago."

"I thought I was dreaming a few minutes ago."

"So, you dream about me then?"

"All the time" Aomine admitted before closing the gap once more, this time enjoying every second of the kiss. Kise hummed in approval. For minutes, all Aomine wanted to do was enjoy the sweet taste of strawberries that he tried so hard to forget. He slipped his tongue inside to get a better taste which Kise happily complied with. The brute's hands slipped from the blond's face to his hips and pulled the smaller male closer. In the distance, that annoying beeping started to pick up.

"A-Aomine-cchi" the blond stuttered, feeling his partner's lips on his neck. The brute ignored the pleading and kept going, enjoying at last what he's been craving for months. Kise moaned softly as he hovered over a sensitive spot.

"Aominecchi I-I'm serious. I-If your heart rate g-gets too high, t-the doctor will-"

"I don't care. Right now, it's you and me. I don't ever want to lose you ever again" he sighed as he gripped the pale hips. Kise gasped and put a finger to the brute's lips. Both males breathed heavily as faint steps were made through the hall. Neither spoke until they passed by through the room. Kise let out a deep breath.

"I'm not going to leave you Aominecchi. I'm staying right here, okay?" he turned back to look at the door. "There's something that you should know though" he bit his bottom lip. Aomine blinked and removed the finger from his mouth.

"Start from the beginning, Kise. I'm listening…" he softened, noticing how Kise shook when they heard the footsteps. The blond nodded and slowly made his way off the brute, disappointing him a little. Kise cleared his throat and took the chair.

"Well, after you saved me, you were rushed to emergency surgery. They said that the bullet ruptured your spleen and you were bleeding out. For hours, I waited in the waiting room to hear about what's going on with you. Pretty soon, your entire station came and waited with me. Even the guys came! Kurokocchi, Kagamicchi, Akashicchi, Murasakibaracchi, Midorimacchi, even Kaito came! The news spread like wildfire and the press were pushing down hard to hear what happened" he sighed heavily.

Aomine bit his bottom lip.

"Kise… I-"

"Finally the doctor came with the news that you were going to be okay. That you fought like a trooper and made it out of surgery safely. For hours, we took turns coming in and seeing you. I thanked your entire station for keeping me and my friends safe. They loved the autographs" the blond smirked. Aomine rolled his eyes but smiled.

"You've been asleep from the surgery for three days. We've all come to see you and Kagamicchi even left some flowers, saying that he has news about his divorce" Kise smiled sadly.

Aomine couldn't take it anymore.

"Kise… I wanted to tell you… back at the party. I don't love Kagami anymore. I mean, we kissed a while ago and I figured out that I didn't and I wanted you and-" he stopped when the blond started to laugh. The brute furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Hearing Aominecchi stumble over his words for the first time is music to my ears" he chuckled harder. The brute frowned and took away his hand. "Shut up."

Kise laughed again and set his hand on the tan arm in front of him.

"I know Aominecchi. You don't have to tell me." Aomine looked at him puzzled. "While we waited to hear back on your surgery, Kagamicchi and I got to talking. He told me everything, including you helping figure out his sexuality" he smiled. The brute's face turned a bit red. Kise laughed again and squeezed the arm. "He also told me how you were terrible after our fight and you even got into a bar fight?"

Aomine cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his head.

"H-He told you that, huh?"

"And more."

"Oh, brother."

Kise laughed. "What I focused the most was him telling me how much you love me," he said softly. Aomine smiled and gripped the two hands in front of him.

"Remember how you were asking a while back ago why I became an officer?" he paused while the blond nodded. "It was because of my mother. She was a famous detective that wanted to help people and stop trouble before it started. I wanted to do the same thing too. Instead, I felt like every time I tried to help, people around me got hurt, especially you."

The blond frowned. "Aominecchi…"

"I didn't deserve you. I hurt you twice and couldn't even protect you from that bastard. Deep down, I knew that I was just the same as him. It's why I pushed you away. I thought you would be better off without me." He took a deep breath and fell back into the bed. "Stupid I know but yeah" he looked up at the ceiling.

"Point is, I don't want to push you away anymore. I want you by my side forever. I want to take care of you and protect you. I want to come home to you every night and the nights you're away because of work, I still want to hear your voice. I want to have more breakfasts and late-night dinner. I want to play ball with you. I want you to be mine. Officially mine. I don't care what the press is going to say. I don't care if they stalk my every move. As long as I get to be with you, I can handle anything that is thrown my way" he closed his eyes, feeling a huge weight being lifted off of his chest.

He snapped them open when he heard sniffling. He gripped the hands tightly as he saw Kise's hair covering his face. "Look at me. Are you okay?"

The blond shook his head. "No! I'm not alright! Aominecchi! That was the most beautiful confession I've ever heard!"

"So, you've heard others?"

"Shut up Aominecchi!" the blond pouted as he was met with soft navy eyes. The brute chuckled and brought him in for a hug.

"I love you Ryouta."

"I love you too Daiki" the blond mumbled but hugged him back. Before they could separate to kiss once more, a knock on the door was made.

"Kise-kun! I brought some breakfast!" a lady spoke. The blond smiled. "Bring it in!" he replied back. The door was opened and the lady set the tray on a rolling table. She turned to find Kise, not the only one awake.

"A-Aomine-san! You're awake!" she jumped for joy. "Oh. Oh! Oh no! I only brought one tray! I'll go get another!" she started to leave the room.

"Wait Jun-kun!" Kise cried out. The lady stopped and turned around. "We don't need another tray. Can you actually call Rio-san? I haven't done that since he woke up."

"Y-Yes! Of course! I'll do that!" she fidgeted with her fingers. Kise chuckled. "You can get an autograph from him afterward I promise."

"Oh thank you Kise-kun!" she smiled brightly and left the room, almost slamming the door in the process. Aomine raised an eyebrow. "A fan of yours?"

"She's more of a fan of yours now."

"Huh?"

Kise laughed and walked over to the tray with tons of food. "People know that you're the one who saved me and my coworkers so they're huge fans of you." He walked back over to his chair. Aomine nodded slowly.

"Now, I'm a celebrity?"

"Yep! I hope you were being truthful about not caring about the press following your every move because that's going to happen sooner than you think."

Aomine groaned and slapped a hand to his forehead. "You hungry?" Kise asked casually. The brute sighed and nodded. "Well, open up silly," the blond said. Before Aomine could question, he saw a spoonful of pancakes being put near his mouth. He took the mouthful and smiled brightly.

They didn't say much after that. Just exchanging smiles and Aomine eating whatever Kise feeds him. When the tray was done, another knock on the door was made. The doctor came in to check on Aomine and the incisions they made during surgery. Since Kise did a great job of putting the ointment on and changing the bandage every six hours, Aomine nearly completely healed. The doctor signed the paper so he could be discharged later that day.

News of his release spread everywhere and the press was starting to pile in front of the hospital. It began to tick off Aomine's visitors. Especially a certain loudmouth redhead.

"I know that Kise has to deal with this all the time, but I wasn't expecting you to be so calm about it" Kagami crossed his arms over his chest. Kise and Kuroko left the room a while ago to see if there was any way they could sneak Aomine out quietly.

The brute chuckled. "I know eventually it's going to bug me, but I'm hoping it will die down quickly."

"Not a chance. I overheard them calling you "Kise's Guardian Angel" and "The Tan Savior" and weird nicknames like that" Kagami shook his head. Aomine shrugged his shoulders and glanced out the window.

"They could call me whatever they want. I have Kise and that's all that matters" he smiled. Few minutes of silence went by before Aomine looked directly at his best friend, who had a look of disgust on his face.

"What?"

"Dude. You reek of love."

Aomine rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up."

Kagami laughed and sat down next to the brute. "Oh! I haven't told you the good news!" the redhead smiled. Aomine raised an eyebrow. "The divorce is final. Since everything was under my name, I got to keep everything. I've been back in my apartment and back to work. The guys have been really nice and supportive with helping me get through this."

"Have you told them about…?"

"Me being bisexual? Yeah, they know and apparently there was a bet going on when I was going to come out. Supposedly, Kuroko won."

"That sneaky little bastard. I'm gonna have to talk with Tetsu when I get out of here."

"About that, go easy on him. It hasn't been a good few days for him." Kagami rubbed the back of his neck. Aomine raised an eyebrow and was going to ask why before the door was opened. Kise and Kuroko walked in looking defeated. "There's no use. We have to go through the front door" Kise sighed heavily and flopped on the couch.

Kuroko nodded in agreement and followed the blond. Aomine smiled and shrugged his shoulders again. "Oh well. It was going to happen eventually."

"Dude seriously. You've gotten soft as hell."

Aomine rolled his eyes again and punched his best friend in the arm, earning a laugh from all three former basketball players. A few minutes later, the doctor walked in to give the brute his discharge papers. He was needing to be on bed rest for the rest of the week and isn't able to go back to work until the following week, much to Aomine's annoyance.

Kagami and Kuroko offered to go first to get the car so they could make a run for it, leaving the two lovebirds alone. "Hey Aominecchi?" the blond asked sweetly as they started to make their way out of the room.

"Yeah?"

"Can I come home with you?"

Aomine smiled and pulled the blond into a tight embrace. "I thought that was a given." Kise laughed and kissed the tan male's cheek. "Just making sure we were on the same page."

The brute chuckled softly as he followed his partner to the front door. Before they reached it, Kise stopped both of them. "Just keep your head low and don't respond to any questions. Push them aside and get into the car as fast as you can, okay?" the blond took a deep breath. The brute smirked and kissed the top of Kise's head.

"Okay, babe. Whatever you said. No promises on ignoring their questions though."

The blond rolled his eyes but smiled. "Okay. Here we go" he said before pushing the double doors wide open. Immediately, Aomine was blinded by flashing lights and people yelling into his ear. Listening to Kise's advice, he kept his head down and started making his way to Kagami's waiting car.

"Kise-kun! Is it true that Aomine-san saved your life?"

"What does this mean for your career? Will you be taking a vacation?"

"Kise-sama! What about your relationship with Ito-san?"

"Is Ito-san okay with you spending so much time with Aomine-san?"

Aomine gritted his teeth as more reporters asked about Kise's supposed boyfriend. When they almost got to the car, a reporter stopped in the middle and practically smashed the microphone into the brute's mouth.

"Aomine-san! Why did you choose to save Kise-kun? Is it because he's a celebrity? Is it because it will give you fame? Is it for the police department to get more funding?" the reporter smirked, knowing the questions were getting under the brute's skin. Kise gripped tighter and tried to pull the tan male away from the crowd but with no use.

"Do you really think I saved him so you guys can follow me around?"

"Aominecchi…"

"I saved him because I love him. I've been in love with him since forever ago and when the person you love is in trouble, you drop everything to go save them" he furrowed his eyebrows and pulled Kise to his side. "Whatever Ito-san had with Kise is gone now. It was gone from the moment he ran away and left Kise to defend for himself. He's mine now" he snarled at the reporter and crashed his lips against the blond. It was a quick kiss, Kise didn't even acknowledge it happened, but people gasped and some even clapped.

"He's my boyfriend and I'll take care of him better than whatever his name was" he narrowed his eyebrows at the reporter and shoved through the crowd, pulling Kise behind him. Once inside the car, he let the blond go first, blocking the press from taking pictures inside the vehicle. Aomine quickly slid in and slammed the door in their faces.

"Fucking idiots."

"So much for being calm nowadays" Kagami joked. Kuroko rolled his eyes and began leading them away from the hospital.

The brute took a few breaths before shyly looking at the blond. "S-Sorry. I told you that I made no promises while ignoring the press." The blond sighed heavily and leaned into the brute's chest.

"I figured you would pull off a stupid stunt like that."

"Are you mad?"

"No, but Kaito is going to have a fun time dealing with Ito-san's manager."

"He had it coming. He left you with that bastard."

"He got scared and ran for his life."

"I don't care. He should've tried to fight for you."

Kise smirked and turned to face the brute. "Yeah, you're right. He should've fought for me and then we would be in his limo, drinking champagne and celebrating the movie premiere privately."

Aomine narrowed his eyes and pulled the blond close. "On second thought, let him run away like the coward he is. You only need me." The blond laughed as he leaned into the touch.

"I never thought I'd hear Aomine-kun being possessive over something other than with basketball."

"Quick Kuroko! It's the end of the world!" Kagami fake screamed. Kise and the teal-haired male laughed loudly while the brute rolled his eyes.

"Screw the both of you," he muttered and sat his chin on top of the blond's head. For the rest of the trip, everyone fell into a comfortable silence. When Aomine's apartment fell into view, they perked up seeing there was no press in the front.

"Hurry inside before they show up!" Kagami stopped the car quickly and bolted to the trunk. The other three laughed and slowly got out of the car. Kagami set the suitcase down on the ground.

"I know we can't stay long, but I'm really happy that you're not at the hospital Aomine-kun" Kuroko smiled. The brute smiled back and ruffled the teal hair.

"I'm glad too."

"Once the story dies down, make sure you come to visit Kurokocchi and Kagamicchi!" Kise smiled and took the suitcase from the redhead. Kagami smiled and nodded. "You got it. Come on Kuroko. Let's let the lovebirds be alone" he smirked and got back into the driver's side. Aomine rolled his eyes but waved bye until the car disappeared around the corner.

"Is that Kise-san?"

"With Aomine-san?"

"No way!"

Uh oh. The two males looked at each other before bolting up the stairs to the brute's apartment. Once inside, Aomine locked the door and burst out laughing, Kise soon following.

"You should've seen your face."

"You should've seen yours!"

Their laughter died down as they looked around the room. Everything was tidy and clean for once. The brute sighed with content and pulled the blond to his side.

"Well, what do you want to do now, Ryouta?" he whispered. The blond shivered. "I know exactly what I want," he whispered back. Aomine smirked and started to lean in for a kiss before the blond put a finger to his lips.

"I want to watch that American series you told me that you love!" Kise's eyes brightened. The brute laughed and nodded. "Whatever you want, princess. Let's change into something a bit more comfortable though" Aomine winked and led them to the bedroom, the blond's face flushed red. When they were changed into comfy sweats and oversized shirts, they walked into the kitchen to find a homemade meal already prepared for them.

"I'll have to thank Kagami for this."

"Mhm! This looks amazing!" The blond began serving two plates with curry and rice and sat down on the couch to start watching the series. By episode seven, Aomine was laying his head on top of Kise's lap, both still watching with much interest. When the credits rolled through the screen, Kise stretched and sighed.

Aomine smiled at the sight and leaned up to take a kiss from his lover. The blond laughed and ran his hand through the dark locks. "Are you going to kiss every chance you get?"

"Yes," the brute said without hesitation.

"My lips are going to be bruised" Kise whined.

"Then, I'll move somewhere else besides your lips," he smirked. The blond's face flushed. "You're such a pervert."

"Only for you baby."

Kise rolled his eyes but smiled. The brute smiled back, only for a thought to hit him randomly. "You know what I just thought of?"

"That I'm the most attractive person you know?"

"Besides myself. Yeah, I know."

"Hey!"

They both chuckled lightly before the brute shakes his head. "No. I was wondering whatever happened to the bastard? Did he finally got locked up?" He looked at his partner. Kise smiled and kept going through the dark locks.

"Yeah. Wakamatsu arrested Sh-I mean, Haizaki after he shot you. He's going to be tried in court next week. I'm not sure what else is going on, but I'm sure Wakamatsu will tell you tomorrow."

Aomine thinned his lips and looked up at the ceiling, wondering how the bastard's case was going to unfold. "Let's not think about that right now. You suppose to be focusing on me" the blond pouted. The brute laughed and brought his lover down to a kiss.

"You're right. I'm especially glad that you don't call him by his given name anymore."

"Nope. I only do that to one person now."

"Oh? Who is that?"

Kise snorted and looked down at his smiling brute. "My boyfriend of course. Aomine Daiki" he smiled. The tan male smiled bigger and brought the blond in for another kiss, this time savoring the sweet taste.

A gunshot was made through the TV, startling both males.

"Wait! What happened?! Who got shot?" Kise cried out.

"Oh, no one important. Just the main girl's boyfriend. Turns out she was having an affair and her husband was not having it" Aomine said coolly before trying to pull the blond in for another kiss.

"Wait what! She was having an affair?! Go back! Go back!" Kise frantically searched for the remote. Aomine laughed and sat up, replaying the episode again and bringing his boyfriend close to cuddle.

He never thought in a million years he would be this happy. Yet, here he was, holding the person he cares for the most. He thought back to that fateful day that brought the two of them closer together. The wedding that nearly broke his heart.

Remembering that particular night where both he and Kise were honest about the wedding, he smiled brightly.

Suddenly, the idea of a wedding wasn't so bad.

Aomine Daiki still hates them though. Everyone cares about the cheesy decorations, what flowers match with the curtains, and going as far as what the order of the utensils should be displayed.

Though, if it was his and he was marrying Kise Ryouta? That's a different story.

He likes the sound of that. He'd go through all of that just for his partner.

He'll go through all of that for Kise.

That's a wrap, folks! Thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement to continue on. Sadly, we are now at the end of the story. There will be a short spinoff about Kagami and Kuroko though so keep an eye out for that! I do have another story in mind but it will not be posted here because of graphic detail. It will be posted on Ao3. Follow me there if you haven't!

Again, thank you so much for the support and I hoped you enjoyed it as much as I did!