Chapter ten:
And then there were four.
''So, how do urges work?'' Takao asked after a while, figuring Aomine was done reading by now. They were still seated in the burger place, their stomaches well-filled. ''Mmm, not really.'' Aomine replied, putting his phone away. ''Urges are often considered desires, but then from the sub-conscience, right?'' Kise asked. ''I believe you are correct.'' Midorima said, stiffly, and most of them wondered how Kise knew all that stuff.
''So, we can't control them?'' Kuroko asked, sounding more shocked then they expected. ''They are, but it's really hard. After all, we can't say no to them, seeing that what possessed Haizaki controls it. But, you can distract yourself from what you want by focusing on something else entirely.'' Kise explained. ''Wow, did you look up this up?'' Kagami asked. ''No, but I distracted myself long enough from something I really wanted.'' Kise told him, and Kagami instantly felt bad. Obviously that was about Kise's feelings for him.
''Well, how does it work?'' Kuroko asked, trying to break the tense atmosphere. ''I'm not sure, but I tried focusing on other things, and that one thing, even though it was still there, just didn't seem as important.'' Kise explained. Aomine was certain he talking about how he's been abused in the past, and the effects it had on him. ''But, what if you can't unfocus on that you want to unfocus on?'' Kuroko asked.
Kise swallowed, ''Then this all is kinda difficult.'' a grave silence grew inbetween them. ''Maybe you shouldn't focus on it.'' Kagami offered, gaining some looks. ''Bakagami, this is serious.'' Aomine told him. ''I know, but this isn't the place to focus on that, and even it was, it isn't the time.'' Kagami said, referring to their situation. ''I suppose Kagamicchi is right.'' Kise said, and Kuroko agreed, somewhat.
''So, how long where you planning to hide it from me?'' Kise asked out of the blue, at least attempting to talk about something else. ''Ehrr, right. We didn't mean it too bad, you know.'' Kagami said, feeling kind of guilty. ''I know.'' Kise said with a smile. 'He's understanding, I'd be upset if they had kept it from me, on the count of being delicate.' Kagami thought fondly, and before he realised it, he was stroking Kise's hair.
Kise's cheeks turned red, as Kuroko stiffled a giggle. ''What are you doing, Kagamicchi?'' Kise asked, and Kagami's eyes turned wide with realisation. ''Sorry.'' he said, as he quickly withdrew his hand, blushing as well. ''Stupid urges.'' he mumbled incorohently enough for only Takao to know what he said. ''This is fun. Reminds me of the old days, when we hanged out, only Bakagami and Takao weren't there back then.'' Aomine said.
''As much fun as it is, I've somewhere I need to be. Takao, you too.'' Midorima said stiffly, probably referring to the fact that he wanted to collect certain lucky items for the day. ''Yeah, yeah, coming right away, Shin-chan.'' The both of them got up, as Midorima headed for the exit right away. ''Until soon.'' Takao promised, at least having the decency of waving them goodbye, before he followed Midorima.
''I should go as well.'' Kuroko said, taking a last sip from his milkshake. ''Homework.'' he added, before anyone could ask. ''I'll take you home.'' Aomine offered. ''I probably should go as well, I'm behind with homework as well, and Kasamatsu-sempai will surely scold me if I get behind even more.'' Kise added. ''Why don't we study together?'' Kagami asked, but Kuroko shook his head. ''That will end up nowhere. No offense, but you aren't all that smart.'' Kuroko said, a small grin on his face. ''Oi.'' Kagami said offended, but Kuroko and Aomine just waved them goodbye, leaving him alone with Kise. ''It was fun.'' Kise said, awkwardly. ''Yeah.'' Kagami said, before adding, ''You know, the fun doesn't have to end here.'' Kise frowned, ''What do you mean?''
''I know you don't being alone, the period after you guys split up did the most damage on you and Kuroko after all. The others may be busy today-'' he blushed furiously as he added, ''But I'm still here.'' Kise blinked a few times, ''You mean like an one on one match? I'm not sure about that, I usually only challenge Aominecchi.'' he asked. 'So innocent.' Kagami thought as he smiled. ''If that's what you want to do, then why not. I play basketball too, you know.'' he told Kise.
''But, my homework..'' Kise said, sounding unsure. ''Your homework will be still there when you head home, I'm here now. Surely, you must be aching to play some, it has been a while, and we didn't even practice today yet.'' Kagami got up, as he reached his hand towards Kise. ''Come on.'' he said. Kise glanced unsure, as he said, ''We shouldn't hang out together alone, after, well...'' he said. ''Kise, I haven't rejected you either, you know. You still stand a chance.'' Kagami said with a smile. Kise laughed, as he said, ''You're right. One match, Kagamicchi, and be prepared. I'm so going to beat you.'' he said, as he followed the red-head. ''We'll see about that.'' Kagami teased.
Kuroko and Aomine headed towards Kuroko's house in a comfertable silence, and the bluenette (Aomine) took his respectful distance as he enjoyed the nice weather. Kuroko, for the first time since long ago, felt really good too. 'This is nice. Usually I only relax with Akashi-san, or Kise-kun closeby.' He looked behind him, only causing Aomine to stop in his tracks. ''Something wrong? Did you forget something?'' Aomine asked.
''No.'' Kuroko deadpanned, before adding, ''It's weird. Usually I feel really tense around you, or the others, but this, well, this doesn't feel as weird. It's actually nice.'' Kuroko said. ''I'm glad to hear that.'' Aomine told him. ''Give me your phone.'' Kuroko asked. ''Ehr, what?'' Aomine frowned, had Kuroko snapped, was he going to use it for blackmail? He didn't even plan on telling anyone about this all, especially Kuroko's fears. What kind of asshole did Kuroko think he was?
''Trust me.'' Kuroko told him, ''I just want you to hand me something, to see if I actually do feel comfortable, even when you're that close.'' Kuroko said. ''You'll give it back right? Even if I give you the hives?'' Aomine asked. ''Yes, you idiot. You'll recieve it back.'' Kuroko told him. Aomine shrugged, as he took his phone from his pocket, and walked towards Kuroko before giving the device. ''Should I take my distance again?'' Aomine asked, as he gave the phone. ''No.'' Kuroko said, as he unlocked the screen and viewed Aomine's internet history. ''You weren't looking up urges at all, but remedies against a fear of man.'' he added. ''And you didn't want my phone to see him you're afraid of me.'' Aomine told him. ''Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. Why were you looking this up instead?'' Kuroko asked, handing the phone back.
''Because I care. You're my best friend.'' Aomine said. ''Kise is your best friend too, but I don't see you looking up abuse, or remedies for multiple personalities. Or, how to seduce a giant red-headed moron.'' Kuroko told him, his voice slightly raising at the end. ''Are you angry at me?'' Aomine asked, Kuroko seemed more upset than angry if you asked him. ''Yes, I am.'' Kuroko said. ''Hold up, you are angry at me because I'm trying to help you out?Why would you be angry at me?'' Aomine asked.
''Yes, I am angry for exactly that reason. If you help me out like that, I feel weak, and vulnerable. Do you have any idea how stupid it is I fear man, even though I am one? And you, one of my best friends, and whom I fear, will come with a solution with something I'm struggling for at least half of my life. I don't want that.'' Kuroko told him, somewhat frustrated. ''Well, not helping you is not an option either, you know.'' Aomine said.
''Why not? What makes this that important to you that you must help me out, instead of Kise or Akashi, or anyone else?'' Kuroko asked. ''Because I like you more.'' Aomine said. Kuroko's eyes widden, as he stuttered, ''Y-you like me?'' ''Well, duh. Of course I do.'' Aomine said. ''Oh, I see.'' Kuroko said, ''So you must be able to win me over, and this is just a complex situation for you to beat then.'' he added. ''I'm proud if I do, but no, that's not it. If we can't be together, that I can live with. But I can't live with the idea that you are scared of me.'' Aomine said.
''Oh.'' Kuroko said. ''Yeah.'' Aomine added. ''This feels very awkward, but you do stand a chance, you know. If anyone can gain my trust, it must be you. But, better put some effort in it, or we'll end up alike Kise and Kagami. And I don't wish for us to be as hopeless, you know.'' Kuroko said, before adding, ''I'm heading home now. You can try again tomorrow.'' Aomine nodded, understandingly.
''God, I'm exhausted. Your drive a hard bargain.'' Kagami said, as he laid on the hard ground. ''It's not like you're any worse.'' Kise said, before taking some water. ''You're right, but still. Oh well, it's to be expected, mr I challenge to Ahomine to an one on one everyday.'' Kagami teased. ''I'm quite persistant, alright.'' Kise said. ''Then, why aren't you trying that hard anymore.'' Kagami asked.
''What do you mean by that?'' Kise asked, wiping some sweat off. ''You like me right? You showed it before the accident, and the confesion on a daily base. I don't mind being flirted with, you know.'' Kagami said. ''You didn't say yes either, if I recall correctly.'' Kise said, as he putted his hand on his hip. ''I don't like being played around one bit, you know.'' he added. ''I'm not, I swear.'' Kagami said. ''Then what exactly are you implying, because you are confusing me.'' Kise said.
''I'm implying that I may like you as well, more then I thought. I don't want to say no, but I'm not quite there to submit myself either. But, I don't mind it when you pay more attention to me. I prefer it more, then you shying yourself away from me.'' Kagami said. ''I see, but I'm not the only one that has to take iniative. I like it more when one flirts with me. I've been chasing you for a long time, Taigacchi. Why not chase me, and see how you like that. I'm ready to answer when you ask me.'' Kise said.
''Ah, reversing our roles. That sounds good. But, don't expect me to hold back. After all, I can't, seeing that we are dealing with our urges.'' Kagami said. ''I don't expect anything less from you, even if we weren't dealing with this all.'' Kise replied. ''Want to get something to eat. There is a great place down the street.'' Kagami asked, as he got up. ''Nah. I had planned to make a stew at my place. I don't want the ingridients to go to waste.'' Kise said.
''Your place?'' Kagami asked. ''Yup. I moved into dorms around several months ago. Unlike what everyone seems to think, I can take care of myself.'' Kise said. ''Wow, cool. Can I see it?'' Kagami asked. ''You live by your own as well. You know what it looks like.'' Kise said. ''But, yours is probably different. Less of a dump, probably some cool designer stuff from your model gigs.'' Kagami argued. ''Can't say I can argue with that. But you shouldn't diss your own place. Alex is trying the best she can.'' Kise scolded. ''Just show me, pretty boy.'' Kagami said.
''Can I see Aka-chin?'' Murusakibara asked a butler, somehow he didn't believe that the smaller captain would be out of town. ''Master doesn't desire to see any of you currently. Please begone.'' the butler said. ''It's alright, Sebasu.'' Akashi said, as he headed to the door. ''I can handle this.'' he added, as Sebasu bowed, before heading off for his other duties. ''I thought you claimed to be out of town.'' Murusakibara said. ''Obviously, you knew better, otherwise you wouldn't be here, am I correct?'' Akashi said.
''You're not being fair to yourself, or any of us.'' Murusakibara said. ''What are you talking about?'' Akashi asked suprised. ''You're planning not to show, before this is over, because of some reason. And you do it when Kise-chin just returned. I think we both know what's going on.'' Murusakibara told him. ''Fine, I have a soft spot. I'm still human, you know.'' Akashi told him. ''You can get hurt, by ignoring this. Why not face this with us?'' Murusakibara asked.
''You're quite full of it. Imagine not being able to hold back, with my power, or with your for that matter, the others can get hurt. I don't consider us one of the more rational persons around. Whether they get hurt by me, or I get hurt by this, either way someone's going to suffer eventually. Am I still making the wrong choice here?'' Akashi asked. ''I think so.'' Murusakibara said. ''Then, you're not being honest with yourself. Anything else I can do?'' Akashi asked. ''No.'' Murusakibara said, as Akashi offered a smile. ''I'm glad you showed though. Don't tell the others about my problem, okay? I trust you.'' Akashi requested. ''I don't see why not.'' Murusakibara said, before Akashi closed the door. 'Aka-chin.' Murusakibara thought, before he headed back home.