Chapter 8:

The boys stumbled their way to their familiar home court, cracking jokes and jeering at one another the whole way. By the time they arrived, they'd sobered up enough that they could get the basketball out of the bag Kagami had been carrying with them, though that alone was still a struggle. "Can you even hold on to that?" Aomine asked, swiping at it and missing as Kagami pulled it swiftly out of his reach.

"Seems to me like I can hold it just fine. You, on the other hand, appear to be struggling. Did cumming inside that girl sap all your energy? A baby could've gotten the ball from this distance."

"I didn't cum inside her, I came on her face." He swiped for it again, this time managing to nick it with his fingertips, forcing it bouncing out of his hands. He dribbled it in front of him, eyes laser focused on his opponent's face. Kagami choked. "You have much to learn young grasshopper."

"Don't start that shit with me." Kagami barked, hazy eyes now clear. It was as if the game had the magical property to clear their heads, making it seem as though not a single drop of alcohol had ever even grazed their lips. "You caught one girl, I had four."

"Too bad you're already leashed."

Kagami stepped forward and licked his lips. A feeling, something feral, sparked in the air between them. A moment later they were standing toe to toe with Kagami reaching long arms for the ball he'd given away. Aomine leapt back, putting distance between them and dropped into a deep stance, knee's bent at almost ninety degrees, the ball pounding rhythmically against the pavement. He put his other hand out slightly in front of him to not only guard, but to egg him on as well.

"C'mon grasshopper. Gramps has better footwork than you do." He cut left, Kagami following swiftly after him, before cutting immediately back right, passing the ball deftly between the redhead's legs as he pounded down the court. He hardly got three steps before Kagami was at his side, arms spread out wide to block him.

"Is now the time for fancy footwork?" He taunted as he held him back. Every time Aomine stepped, so did he. "C'mon tadpole, Granny is gonna die before you make this basket."

"Then I'll see her in hell." He growled. Stepping in a wide circle, dragging his left foot behind him, he made a fast cut back to the right, blasting right past him. Reaching the paint, he lifted his arms and shot, the ball arching beautifully towards the basket. Just as it was about to sink in, a large hand appeared out of nowhere and knocked it down. In the blink of an eye, Kagami had the ball in his possession, and without a moment's hesitation was dribbling his way back. Aomine was on his ass, guarding him from behind. Kagami's elbow dug into his chest as he tried to maneuver around his body. Their shoes squeaked loudly in the silence of the night as they dragged their feet from one position to another, neither relenting or giving in a single inch.

Eventually Kagami was able to break away, desperately passing to an invisible person and reaching to get back in possession of the ball faster than Aomine could reach it. The two boys rocketed back down the court and at the mid-way point Kagami stopped, lowered himself into almost a crouch and leapt, the ball rolling off his fingertips like there were tracks made for it. The ball sailed through the air; hitting the backboard it dropped gracefully into the net, a soft swoosh as it fell. Kagami whooped and pumped his fist.

"There's nothing to get so excited about, Bakagami. It was one basket. You got lucky." Aomine nabbed the ball on its third bounce and set to dribbling again.

"You know that's bullshit." Kagami dropped into a defensive stance once more. "You're just made I scored the first point."

"You can have all the first points you want; it doesn't mean you're going to win." Aomine charged, going on the attack, dribbling circles around the other boy as though it were child's play. Much to his utter dismay the ball was stolen from him once again, the hand that took it so fast his eyes couldn't keep up. Just as Kagami went to throw it, again, he snapped it out of the air, took a heavy step backwards and threw, his body making a soft C in the air as the ball sailed, sinking straight into the basket.

"I'm still winning." Kagami pouted as the ball bounced, and then rolled across the court into his hands. "It's three-two."

"You're seriously going to keep score?" Aomine scoffed, putting his hands on his hips in disbelief. Well… Not like I wasn't going to but what is he, a child? The look on his face told him that he was also doubtful that Aomine wasn't going to nitpick every last basket to try and work it in his favour.

Both men dropped low, static crackling between them. Then Kagami was rushing past him, muscles bulging through his jeans as he powered forward, keeping Aomine at bay with a single arm as he dribbled. The two of them kept on like this for a long time, neither one giving the other even a single inch. When the score reached a tied total of 31 to 31, Kagami called for a break, collapsing onto the picnic table, sweat dripping down his face. He leaned his head back and sighed. It was hard for them hide their conditions, and although the game gave them life, it couldn't be helped that all their energy had been sapped clean.

Aomine collapsed next to him, using his previously discarded sweater to wipe his face of his own sweat. He'd rolled his shirt sleeves up but he still felt like he was being boiled alive, the starchy fabric giving his skin not micrometer of space to breathe. "Fuck." He breathed, head drooping into his hands.

"Sounds about right." Kagami responded, eyes squeezed shut.

"Tell me why we're out here doing this, again?"

"Do we need a reason for basketball?"

Aomine grunted in response. We don't but at some point we gotta be logical about our decisions. Right? Like that was going to happen. As Annie had once said, their brains were practically made up of basketballs so when it came to the game, logic wasn't even an option. The two sat there for a good long while, the sweat on their foreheads drying until it started making them chilly. There was a functional vending machine by the shelter behind the park that Kagami eventually gave up and went to, paying for two bottles of over priced Dasani water. He threw one to Aomine before chugging it down in just a few long dregs. The other boy drank a bit slower, relishing in the cool, refreshing taste as it cascaded down his throat. They sat in silence for a while longer before the itch to play reared its ugly head once more. Picking up the ball they bounded back to the court, victory on both their minds.

As the game continued, the handling of the ball began getting sloppier, and it would often slip out of their hands and roll away. They'd chase after it like the world was ending and try to wrestle it away, trying their hardest to stay in possession of the ball. It should have been the same this time. Nothing pointed towards anything different. Yet it was. The ball slipped through Aomine's fingers and rolled towards center court. Without thinking he chased after it, head bent in a crouched position. Focused on retrieving it he didn't even hear the fast-approaching steps from the other direction. That was until two hands grabbed for the ball at the same time, fingers brushing over the smooth, orange leather. Time stood still. Blue eyes raised to meet red, breaths heavy. Aomine's heart thudded. He could hear the blood in his veins slow as if hit by liquid nitrogen. Something was off. The way that Kagami was looking at him was causing his body some sort of distress, but why?

They straightened at the same time. Aomine swallowed, eyebrows furrowed. The air around them was still as death, not even an autumn leaf blowing in the breeze. His chest felt tight, each breath like moving stone. What the hell. The thought crossed his mind in a hazy fog. He couldn't think straight. Is the alcohol finally getting to me? Maybe it's time we stop- He stopped breathing. Kagami's long, calloused fingers reached out and stroked his cheek, resting with feather lightness against his chin. Aomine's heart thundered and the only coherent thought he could make was to wonder whether his basketball partner could hear it as loud as he did.

In that moment Kagami's face got closer, hesitating as the tips of their noses touched, hot breath washing over each of them, especially warm in the cool evening air. Aomine couldn't even be certain that he was breathing. That was exactly why when he felt a dry pair of lips on his he knew he had been, because suddenly he couldn't. His heart, and the world, stopped. Eyes widened in shock and he felt like he could hear the electricity in the air. His skin felt like it was on fire under Kagami's fingers, like when he let go he'd leave an imprint of his fingertips.

It lasted for no more than a second, but when he pulled back and the world started moving again, it felt like they'd been there for years. They stood there in silence, gazing at each other, and before Aomine knew what was happening, they were kissing again, much more fiercely than before. A large, warm, hand wrapped itself around the back of his head and pulled him in until their lips touched. He braced himself against the large body with his hands, mind going totally blank as he felt a warm, wet, tongue that didn't belong to him pressing against his lips. His mouth fell open as he accepted it in. He could feel every sensation as those his nerves had been exposed. A shiver ran through his body that he couldn't control.

Kagami's tongue wrapped around his, pulling on it until it was outside of his mouth and the redhead was sucking on the tip of it. Groping for air, all Aomine could do was let himself be manipulated as he felt that appendage wreak havoc. Even when his tongue was released, Kagami drove his back in and began tracing the contours of his teeth; he gave each one a through inspection, tracing along each and every edge. He traced meticulously over the crown of his molars, and dragged the flat top side of it along the edges of his teeth, taking extra time around his sharp canines. His hands roamed freely down his face until he had his jaw cupped in his hands, pulling him in even deeper. Despite himself, Aomine's eyes slid shut, blocking out the images in front of him as best he could. His mind was totally blank. He couldn't comprehend the situation even as he was being dragged along. At the moment he had his head tilted back as the redhead was aggressively exploring the insides of his cheeks, testing the limits of his lungs. Situation be damned, Kagami was an incredible kisser.

A light went off in his head. Kagami. Was an incredible kiss. Kagami. Kagami was… An incredibly good kisser. How did he know that? He knew that because… Kagami was kissing him. Right here. Right now. He currently had his tongue inside Aomine's mouth, assaulting his teeth and cheeks like he had the right to be there. And Aomine was just standing here letting it happen. His eyes flew open and with all his strength he shoved his friend away, sending him stumbling backwards until he fell on his rear end. The boy fought to catch his breath as he wiped his mouth with his sleeve. Drool dribbled from the corner of his lips in the most uncouth manner, but he was unconcerned with how he looked right now. Something unbelievable had just taken place and he was trying hard to process it. I was just kissing Kagami. I kissed him. My tongue was in his mouth. His was in mine. What the fuck? What the hell? I didn't know he looked at me like that. Oh my fucking God. His thoughts were as a mess as he tried to wrap his mind around the situation. In his own despair he didn't even notice the look of horror on the other players face as he sat on the ground, staring. Don't tell me that I've looked at him like that? There's no way. I'm not a homo. I don't want to fuck guys. Shit. His vision blurred as frustrated tears sprung into his eyes. He wiped them away, quickly. No matter the situation, he was no crybaby.

"Aomine-" Kagami finally spoke, voice weak as he reached out a hand as he moved to stand. Aomine stepped away, legs shaking.

"Don't." He hissed; eyes dark with anger.

"Wait-"

"I said don't fucking move." He yelled, voice breaking. He took another step back. He couldn't control his emotions right now. Things he'd never felt welled up inside of him, and his heart physically hurt. "Do you… Do you like me? Like that?"

"No!" Kagami was finally on his feet. For every step he took forward, Aomine backed away two.

"Don't fucking lie to me." He was hissing, face tight in a canine-baring snarl. "How long?"

"How long what?" Kagami asked desperately, confusion swimming in his eyes. He looked genuinely hurt, but Aomine was too caught up to even notice it.

"Why didn't you tell me you were like that? Does Whitney know? Have you been lying to her?" Aomine grabbed the front of his shirt; it was suddenly too tight and it felt like he was being suffocated. "Don't use her as your fucking beard."

"Aomine." Kagami snarled. "You're not making any fucking sense."

"Don't fucking come near me…" Aomine growled, turning as he prepared to run. "You God damn homo." With that he turned on his heel and sprinted away, nothing but the thought of getting away as far as possible in his head.

"Aomine!" Kagami called. "Aomine!" His voice trailed off. "Daiki!" One last pitiful attempt reached his ears before he was too far away to hear. And he didn't want to hear. He didn't ever want to hear that voice again.

Kagami watched him go, unable to do anything more than call out his name with desperation. When he was out of sight the reality hit him like a bag of bricks. He touched his fingers to his lips and recalled the warmth he had felt there just moments ago. They had felt different than Whitney's – hell, they'd felt different than any woman's lips he'd ever kissed – but not in a way that disgusted him. They were, in the end, just lips, but the fact that they belonged to a guy should have made him feel some kind of way. The fact of the matter was that they didn't. They had been incredibly soft, and smooth. Aomine actually took a great deal of pride in his appearance, and so he could be seen applying lip balm at random intervals throughout the week, though it's not like he always kept one on him. This allowed him to keep his mouth from getting torn up and peeling which added to his natural appeal.

The question Kagami faced, texture of his lips aside, was why he'd done that. Sure, they'd had a lot to drink, probably way more than they should have, but he'd had a lot to drink in the past and have never desired to kiss another guy in his life. The idea of it actually made his stomach turn a little, so why was this different? When he and Aomine had reached for the ball at the same time, and their faces had nearly touched, and his scent had wafted over him like a midsummers breeze, a part of his brain had seized him and taken control. A part of him had wanted to do it, and the alcohol had given it the opportunity to push through all his shields and allowed him to. But since when? When did he find himself looking at his friend like that, even if it was deep in his subconscious? Booze could do a lot of things but it couldn't make you kiss same sex friends that you hadn't wanted to kiss, at least a little, in the first place. He dropped his head into his hand, temple throbbing. "FUCK." He screamed, a guttural growl escaping through his lips. Dropping to his knees he pounded his fist against the court, his thoughts a turbulent mess of unknowns.

-x-

Aomine arrived back at his dorm, heaving for air. Without even stopping to think about it he climbed the stairs to the fourth level and made a beeline for Kaylee's room. He knocked, hard, several times. When she didn't answer immediately, he raised his fist to try again but stopped as the door swung open. She answered in her oversized sleep shirt, eyes cross-eyed with sleep. Rubbing at them she asked sleepily, "Daiki? What are you doing here? Do you even know what time it i-"

She couldn't even finish her sentence before he had wrapped himself around her, breathing her scent in as deep as it would go. He pressed his lips to her neck and suckled at it as if he were a child trying to calm itself with a pacifier. Shocked, it took her a moment to wrap her arms around him, lovingly stroking his back without speaking. She didn't speak as she allowed him time to calm down. Even without words she knew that he was stressed about something. He never came to her like this without good reason.

"Daiki. Do you know what time it is?" She stroked his hair, a loving, but reprimanding, smile on her face. When the smell of drinks finally hit her, she asked, "Were you out drinking?" He nodded. "Did something happen?" He'd laid his head against her shoulder, eyes closed with his eyebrows knit tightly together. He didn't respond to her question. "Did a girl dump you?" He still didn't reply, choosing to instead bury his face against her, arms wrapping even more tightly around her petite frame. She sighed.

"I don't want to think about it." His words cut through the silence. Anger, and hurt, were felt strongly through that one sentence.

"Well, we don't have to think about it but… it really is late. Do you want to stay with me tonight?" Since you came straight here instead of going to your own room. He didn't hesitate to nod.

Guiding him into the room, she shut the door behind them and crawled back into bed. Holding her comforter up, she waited patiently for her part-time lover to strip down before crawling in after her. Tucking him in, she turned on her side, closed her eyes, and let herself drift back to sleep.

That night, Aomine never let her go.