CHAPTER 11:

Some Surprising Things Were Left to Happen in the Dark

The pungent smell of cigarettes was what all Aomine could breathe in.

Inside the dark and empty place, Aomine felt one corner of the thick cemented walls behind him and on each of his side, no matter how he moves, he could feel its cold surface surrounding him. He isn't claustrophobic, but the minimum amount of air mixed with the sharp scent of nicotine made it kind of hard for him to breathe. Aomine then concluded that, with the polluted and minimum supply of air aside, the place would become suffocating if one more guy would be there with them. Yes, them.

Just a few seconds ago, someone pulled him inside this enclosed space. He didn't know who it was as the darkness was almost blinding, it was only until a heap of blond strands appeared right in front of him – as though it was radiating – that there's a thumping sensation in his chest whilst he caught onto the clue.

His guess was then confirmed when the blond itself lit a lighter between them and, in just a second, his pretty face came into the blue-haired man's sight.

"Hello, Aominecchi~" He giggled.

Aomine's chest beat faster then and he couldn't help but feel conscious of this weird feeling again. What more, he was quite nervous of the possibility that the blond might hear the pounding inside of him and the silence surrounding them aggravated him further. Not that he knows what the reason behind this sensation was.

"Kise…" Was what all Aomine could say. To be honest, he was surprised of the fact that the pretty boy was in front of him now, even though he had been looking for him this entire time. And, indeed, he had planned to pay no heed to Kise anymore, but this single meeting bathed him with unexplainable delight.

Kise gave him one of those laughs and pulled out a question to start, "How are you? Heard you had a fist fight with the skinhead dude and almost got yourself caught up within Kagamicchi's wrath."

Ever since the conversation with Takao and the others, Aomine has been meaning to talk to him. Of course, he doesn't specifically know what it would be about and, for him, any topic would do. That was why, Kise pulling him out in the dark was actually a great deal for him; even though he doesn't really know why the blond did it so. He cleared his throat as though he was getting ready for a grand speech and started speaking.

"Well, as you can see, I got my hand –" He said but was cut off then when the light died out between them.

"Oops! My bad! My hand slipped." Kise's voice was immediately overheard with the sparks of the lighter getting ignited. And after a few seconds, a small light was kindling between them again.

Aomine continued on his sentence, "As what I'm saying, I got my hand injured, which is why I got it in a splint. I just don't know how I ended up like this and how did Oshiro ended up like that. He just got on my nerves one time and that's it. I have no idea how that red-head Kagami suddenly was involved into this mess too. Just… fuck him."

Kise huffed out a laugh, "If the guys from block A heard that, I don't know how much more loathsome your image could be."

"I don't give a damn about reputations. In the first place, in this prison, the more notorious your image is, the more inmates will start to stay away from you. And that's what I want." The former cop pointed out.

"Right… You don't like people meddling with your business." The blond uttered with a dejected smile.

He bowed his head after realizing what the other man meant and sighed.

Fuck. Aomine forgot! He forgot that before he had a fight with Oshiro, he had a small one with Kise. It wasn't that much of a big deal for him and it must have been the reason why he forgot about it. But it doesn't matter now. Kise misunderstood things and he needed to fix it.

"Hey, Kise." He called out his name. "Listen to me, I was at my wit's end during that time that's why I said that. I didn't actually mean it that much you know. So I'm… very sorry…" Aomine wished to catch Kise's eyes with his. He believed that looking into someone's eyes can confirm a person's sincerity and that is his way to show Kise that his apology is sincere. And so, he put in an effort to face him and caught a glimpse of two misty yellow orbs as if these are topaz gems set on fire – melting. And before he could even react to what he saw, the tiny light spreading out from between them suddenly died out again. Aomine knew that, this time, it was intentional.

On the other hand, Kise got only got thing on his mind. Why did he do that? It was all because he doesn't want people – including this blue-haired man – to see his expression during these kind of times. He felt as though he's in a weak state every time he was cornered in dramatic moments. Well, not like he could complain much about that. In the first place, he was the one who pulled Aomine in this secluded space and, maybe subconsciously, deep inside him, he did want to talk things out with Aomine since he has been greatly affected by their petty fight a few weeks ago. He wanted to make peace with him; at the same time, he wanted no chance for the man to see the kind of expression plastered on his face – a pair of misty eyes, a big crease on his forehead, and a sad demeanor. Or else, the strong façade he has been putting all along will be shattered into tiny pieces.

Little did the blond know that Aomine already was suspicious of what he has been hiding in the dark.

"Did your hand slip again?" Aomine asked, seeing if he could play with Kise's game.

"…Yeah." He muttered after a few seconds.

"Then why don't you light it again?" The dark-skinned man dared.

Once more, it took Kise another few seconds to answer. Aomine couldn't see his expression but he somehow knew that the blond sure was pouting.

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"Just because." Stubbornness was evident on his voice.

But Aomine, of course, wouldn't let himself lose. He vied. "Hmm?"

"I… I don't want you to see my face."

Aomine smirked. It was a mistake for Kise to say that. Now the other man has confirmed his suspicions. However, Kise need not to worry as Aomine planned to play along with it. And now, both of them are playing with each other in one silly game – with the former police on the lead. Not until Kise realized, after a few seconds, the state he was in. Aomine was starting to dominate the whole conversation and that was no good for the blond.

Aomine said, "Alright. Then I assumed that you don't mind us talking in the dark, do you?"

"I don't." Kise replied with a firm voice. He decided that changing the topic would have been the best way to control things here. In the first place, they seemed to be in good terms again, back to normal just like what he wanted. "Anyway, I also heard you got a job at the kitchen. You're earning now, huh?"

"Yeah. Sakurai recommended me. And… You had your sources, I see." Aomine commented.

"Well, it's one of my perks." The blond huffed a laugh of arrogance and the mood of solemnity suddenly changed.

Why does he have to do that? Aomine wondered, thinking whether Kise is really the type to do something like that or he was just showing a bit of superiority in order to dominate the conversation.

"Perks of what?" A brow raised in the dark.

"A Bitch. Perks of being a bitch. You know it, right?"

Aomine was aware that, for some reason, he feels bad every time people named Kise as a bitch. He can't explained why he was greatly affected by such, knowing that Kise is merely just a prison mate or, probably a close friend for him – if he really has to label what is his relationship with the blond. And now that Kise himself named himself that, he can't help but to just sadly accept the word.

"Were you always so proud of being Haizaki's?" Aomine dared to ask.

Kise's mouth almost fell with what he heard. He knew that that is one of the questions everyone has been meaning to ask to him; but no one could be so bold to do it so, especially when it involved Haizaki's name. Only Aomine. The dark-skinned man never really ceased to amaze him.

It was Kise, this time, who had a fine smirk on his face. He has met Aomine for only like a month and each time they met, each moment they encountered each other, the former cop with a pair of sapphire-colored orbs always piqued his interests as though the man knows his sweet spots.

Daringly, Kise moved closely. Aomine couldn't, of course, see it but he knew. He knew that the blond's face was only inches away from him. He could feel Kise's warm breath all over the right side of his face and, just as he expected, his lips managed to get near Aomine's ear, whispering.

"Hey, Aominecchi. Wanna know something?" Kise uttered those words with a hint of seduction lacing his voice – sweet and compelling – and Aomine just shuddered in response.

"W-what is it?" Aomine was aware of what was supposed to happen next and yet, he barely muttered that reply as though the words were forcing its way out of his mouth. He couldn't help it. He couldn't control it. It was like Kise put forth a spell on him that impedes him to say no to the blond.

"Ever wondered why, these past few days, I won't look at you in the eye?" Still whispering, Kise questioned.

On such trivial questions, Kise was always an expert. He was so good at wrapping guys around his fingers, getting amused by them like puppets in a string. Aomine was very familiar with such tactics as he already experienced that with the same blond ever since the first time they met. He can read every move Kise does towards him in order to make him do whatever he wants; however, he doesn't really know why, but he can't do anything about it. A part of him wanted to open his mouth and tell Kise that Imayoshi already told him the reason why he won't bat an eyelash over him; at the same time, it somehow kills Aomine knowing that certain fact. However, another part of him, won't even let himself speak as he's fully aware that answering to Kise's trivial question will lead to his pride's demise.

Realizing that Aomine wouldn't respond, he still stayed cool and continued speaking. "It's because Haizaki wouldn't let me so. He once tried gouging out an eye of an inmate that kept on staring at me. Haizaki wouldn't notice if I didn't stare back though; but the man kinda bothers me."

Aomine remained silent. Aside from the fact that it was pretty brutal and horrifying, he just didn't know what to say. How savage can Haizaki be? How spoiled Kise is?

"But that's beside the point." Kise quickly continued, his voice more alluring, or rather more dangerous. "The thing is, I can look at whoever I wanted to and not get on Haizaki's bad side just as long as I use my charms. I could've stared at you for a long time and wouldn't mind you getting killed by Haizaki since I wouldn't give a damn about it. But I didn't. And that is because I care about you, Aominecchi."

Kise moved closer. Closer to the point that his lips could now touch Aomine's ear. Aomine, on the other hand, wouldn't deny that he felt the tiny hairs on his nape raising and his heart beating erratically. He gulped down a lump of nervousness on his throat and felt the gentle brushes of Kise's lips as he began speaking again. "Hey, Aominecchi, hear me out. I have something to confess."

He heard the mischievous sound of the blond's soft laughter before three bold words came out of a sly mouth. "I like you."

And then Aomine's frozen heart suddenly thawed.

But he wouldn't deny that it rendered him surprise. He didn't expect a sudden confession like that by a guy, moreover, by Kise. He didn't actually have the chance to say something as the other man completely startled him.

Kise moved Aomine's chin to face him and, slowly, cut down the very short distance bridging between them by pressing his face closer and closer to him. Aomine could barely see things in the dark but he knew Kise was moving closer to him. And all he could do was to widen his eyes in surprise as Kise's luscious lips came crashing over his.

This wasn't Aomine's first kiss. As a matter of fact, he had lost count on how many girls he had kissed way back his teenage years. Neither was he inexperienced with cunning girls who did aggressive moves just like how Kise did. Well, yeah, it was only just a kiss, however, this was his first time with a man. And, in normal circumstances, he would've already punched the guy in the face as he would've been disgusted by it. But the thing is, he wasn't even moving an inch of his fist. To tell the truth, he's actually basking in on the warm sensation on his lips.

It was only a light touch, yet, he felt the warm, fuzzy, feeling of it. He couldn't explain it. He couldn't fathom it really well. The only thing he could say is that it was just like a first kiss.

Well, it never was it. And a romantic first kiss wasn't supposed to be like that, yes, it's simple as it should be but it was somehow erotic.

The kiss lasted for several seconds but Kise's lips resting on Aomine's for that short period of time actually felt so long for the two. If only the lights were on and they could clearly see each other's faces, it wouldn't be surprising that the two men's faces are flushing in red, especially Aomine's.

The first person who started it was the first one to pull away. Kise moved his face away slowly and, in order to hide the blush on his face, though no one can actually see it, he buried himself under his own devious smirk.

"You like it?" Kise boldly asked, though he sure as hell knew that the former cop does.

But Aomine didn't say a thing. In reality, he wasn't listening at the blond. He was too busy digesting the fact that he liked the kiss. Shit knows what is happening to him right now.

After a few seconds of no reply, Kise continued speaking with a soft chuckle "Quite surprised, huh? Then get ready. I will be back for more."

Aomine noticed the heap of blond hair that was evident in the dark space slowly moving away from him. Kise was leaving and somehow, he wanted to stop him. He knew that it would be hard to speak to the blond again. Especially now that Haizaki was always around him. He tried calling out for Kise's name but before he could, the man beat him to it.

"Hey, Aominecchi!" He paused. "Do not forget my confession, okay? I will be sad if you did."

"A-as if I could forget that, Idiot!" Aomine managed to say, pretending to sound as though he wasn't completely affected by it.

A whimsical laughter echoed along the hallway and then Kise spoke for one last time.

"Next time, when I kiss you… it will be hardcore!"

The next thing that happened, was that Kise was completely gone from the dark place and Aomine was left with a rapidly beating heart within his chest.

Notes:

Hey, hey!

This chapter was shorter than usual, I know. But I have some things I'm still trying right now and I never expected that this one's going to be short XD Gomene!
Still, I hope that you will LOVE this chapter just like how I loved and enjoyed writing this~
Mischievous Kise is just so... / 333
hahaha
Anyway, if you have any suggestions or comments or reactions or reviews about this chapter, go ahead and feel free to speak! ^^
And yes, before I forget, I will be busy for a couple of days due to exams so...

Expected Update: January 29 (or earlier)