Chapter 13
Aomine has always been a man of his word, so when he told Kise he would try, he truly meant it. Although it's a bit disappointing to know that Kise is merely putting his career first, he can't bring himself to be wholeheartedly upset, because he is an adult, and as an adult he must understand that sometimes there are more important things in life than… relationships.
Nonetheless, it's difficult keeping things ambiguous when Kuroko is too observant for his own damn good. Aomine can always tell when Kuroko is talking about him, because he gets this judgmental look and begins glancing in Aomine's direction more times than usual. It's like watching someone gossip, except he can't hear the hushed whispers coinciding with the condemning stares.
As Kagami and Kuroko sit together on the couch eating a bowl of fruit as they pretend to watch television, Aomine decides to confront them. It's a spur of the moment kind of thing; something he didn't really think through until after his mouth opened.
"What're you guys talking about?" Aomine asks, stealing a few grapes out of Kagami's bowl. Both Kuroko and Kagami look at each other before looking back at Aomine, and that's all the confirmation he needs to know that they're talking about him. Kuroko shifts in his seat like he's preparing to say something important and Aomine begins to regret having asked because he's not in the mood for being interrogated.
The second Kuroko lifts his hands to say something, Aomine flings a grape at Kagami and begins backing away at a speed too quick for his own feet and ends up stumbling a bit. It's not exactly how he planned to change the subject, but it's good distraction.
You're an idiot, Kuroko says, and Aomine can see Kagami flipping him off in his peripheral.
"Do you hear that?"
No. And you're deaf, Aomine-kun.
"I think my phone is ringing. I'll talk to you two later." Aomine throws his last grape at Kagami and then begins hurrying out of the room. "You love birds stay out of trouble."
The moment Aomine makes it into his room, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and reads through the chain of messages he had received within the last ten minutes. It's not as though he was entirely lying; the whole time he was standing in front of Kuroko and Kagami, he could feel his phone vibrating against his thigh like it was happy to be receiving messages.
From: Kise
Thursday 13:02
Msg: Since we have nothing planned this weekend, you should start working on painting my wall ( ´艸`)
From: Kise
Thursday 13:03
Msg: Only if you want to, though!
From: Kise
Thursday 13:04
Msg: Also, Kurokocchi texted me earlier this morning. He wanted to know if I thought you were acting weird lately. He said he thinks you have a girlfriend or something (●´艸`)
From: Kise
Thursday 13:06
Msg: I just ate at this really good soup place! I should take you here sometime!
A picture of Kise's food is attached to the last message and it only makes Aomine scoff and roll his eyes. He wonders who Kise is eating out with… Damn tease.
To: Kise
Thursday 13:18
Msg: this weekend sounds good.
To: Kise
Thursday 13:23
Msg: he's so damn nosy… what did you tell him?
To: Kise
Thursday 13:40
Msg: looks like onion gratin. gross.
Aomine's eyes instantly pinpoint the sketchbook on his desk and reaches over to grab it. He's eager to draw. And not just because he has a request from Kise, but because he actually feels motivated to do so. Before his sudden incentive it felt as though he'd been forcing himself to draw; he'd just sit there and put meaningless pictures on paper because it's a way to pass time. It's not that he doesn't like drawing, if he didn't like it, he would have given up hobby by now. But he has a tendency to lose passion in things that don't give him a challenge.
It's the first time he's experienced the pressure of drawing something for someone. He's always drawn for himself; it's always been self-indulgent, even in classes when he's assigned a picture to draw. He's never felt as though he needed to impress someone with his artwork, because he's satisfied with it and that's all that matters. But knowing that whatever he draws is going to end up on Kise's wall, something Kise will look at every day, it makes him feel heavy and nervous and suddenly he's eager to come up with the perfect illustration. He wants to create something so spectacular that it'll leave Kise breathless.
What is Kise into, anyways? Dogs, singing, popsicles, and uh… onion soup? Aomine presses the end of his pencil to his chin and sneers, suddenly feeling guilty for not knowing much about the male he so casually admitted to loving the other day. After a few minutes of contemplating, he decides it's not about what Kise likes but more what he likes about Kise; things that remind him of the blond. A few texts from Kise spring his phone to life, but he ignores them for the time-being; too focused on coming up with an idea for Kise's sketch.
Soon, his hand just begins moving. It feels natural just drawing without thinking much into it, watching the shapes form into something evocative. The next thing he knows, a few hours have past and his hand is cramping beyond comfort. He tilts his head to the side marginally as he examines the drawing he started and he feels satisfied with how it's coming together. Seeing it on paper is one thing, but he knows it will look amazing painted on Kise's wall.
He falls asleep that way somehow, pencil in hand, sketchbook against his chest, and when he wakes up the room is unnervingly pitch dark. Aomine reaches around his bed until he finds his phone, anxious to read the endless messages he knows Kise had sent him. Of course, they're a bunch of texts about things he considers irrelevant, and Aomine doesn't even bother with any of them but one.
From: Kise
Thursday 13:55
Msg: Kurokocchi is not nosy, he's just curious! And I told him I didn't know anything… I feel bad for lying. Maybe you should tell them?
To: Kise
Thursday 21:30
Msg: i'm not too worried about it.
From: Kise
Thursday 21:32
Msg: That's your problem, Aominecchi. You're never "too worried about it" (;¬д¬)
Aomine scoffs. It's not the first time he's heard that one, yet why does it irritate him so much when Kise says it?
As much as he hates to admit it, he cares about what Kise thinks. And considering he's grown accustomed to indifference, this revelation frustrates him all the way to his core. It's so damn frustrating, yet he can't bring himself to do anything about it; he doesn't want to bring himself to do anything about it.
To: Kise
Thursday 21:45
Msg: yeah… anyways, ur distracting me from drawing.
From: Kise
Thursday 21:46
Msg: ~(‾▿‾~)Are you drawing for me?
To: Kise
Thursday 21:50
Msg: bye
From: Kise
Thursday 21:51
Msg: So mean… Well, I'm going to take a shower and head to bed. Talk to you later, grumpy.
On Saturday, Aomine walks into Kise's house with drawing utensils and a look of determination molded on his features. Kise doesn't ask questions, he only sits on his couch with a steaming cup of tea and watches as Aomine sketches an outline on his wall; his arm moving in long strokes and his wrist limp as his fingers create shapes. It all starts out as lines that seem to serve no purpose, but as time goes by the lines connect and create shapes that then create faint images.
It's beautiful in its own unexplainable way; watching how art transitions from a blank canvas to a masterpiece. And Kise finds solace in it, his cup raised to his lips and the steam brushing his faint features as he watches Aomine move in a graceful manner.
Kise has never seen Aomine look so focused doing something; never taking his eyes off of his work like his life depends on it. It's not until a couple of hours have past that Kise figures Aomine might be hungry, so he sets his empty cup down and shuffles out of his seat before making his way over to Aomine. He gently sets a hand on Aomine's shoulder as to not startle him, and Aomine looks like he's just been pulled to life, the way he stiffens and blinks at Kise.
Want to go get some ramen? Kise asks. Considering Kise's refrigerator is usually empty and he's not the best cook, they usually eat out. They try to find somewhere new every day, given there's a block of restaurants near Kise's apartment, but they've found familiarity at the ramen place around the corner. It's fairly cheap and the food satisfies them both; the bowls are large enough to order one and share.
"Yeah," Aomine says and stretches his arms out until his joints pop softly. "I think that's all I'm going to do for the day."
That's fine. Kise nods. What's it supposed to be? He tilts his head a bit to the side, examining Aomine's work.
Aomine smiles and kneels down to begin putting his art utensils away. "You'll see eventually," he says.
The moment Aomine looks up, Kise's lips spread into a bright smile that's followed by a dazed sigh. Kise is not the most patient person in the world, if he's given the option to cut to the front of a line, he'll always do it. But seeing how content Aomine is in that moment, like he's proud of what he has planned, Kise can't help but force himself to be tolerant. He can't rush these kind of things.
Can't wait, Kise says and then begins slowly backing away. I'll go grab my keys and phone, and then we can head out.
They walk practically shoulder to shoulder on the way to the restaurant, Aomine occasionally bumping into Kise and laughing when Kise loses his footing. Kise will huff and grumble, not as though Aomine can hear him, but he's sure his expression is enough display. Rough-housing isn't what Kise thinks to be a normal way boyfriends show their affection, but it's not as though Aomine was ever a normal boyfriend anyways. He's always been less affectionate yet more affectionate all at the same time. He's confusing, but in a way, Kise understands him. Or at least he likes to think he does. There's times when Kise is unsure of what exactly Aomine is thinking, like the times when he frowns and stares off into space as though he's trying to disconnect himself from the world or the times when he just stares at Kise's lips like he wants to kiss him and wants to punch him in the mouth all at the same time. And it's then that Kise questions if he truly understands him.
As they make their way passed the basketball courts, Kise notices the way Aomine keeps glancing at the hoops with a longing expression like he's itching to play. Kise laughs underneath his breath at how childish Aomine can be at times; how the smallest things can excite him. To grasp his attention, Kise hooks his pinky with one of Aomine's fingers, standing close enough so that the contact is not obvious to anyone around them.
Wanna play? Kise asks with his free hand.
Aomine is trying to maintain his nonchalant demeanor by shrugging his shoulders, but the way his eyes keep darting towards the court betrays him. Eventually Aomine stops walking, his finger still loosely hooked with Kise's and his other hand stuffed in his pocket. "We don't have a ball," he finally says and averts his gaze from the court to look at Kise.
That's not a problem… Kise says.
Before Aomine can question him, Kise lets go of his hand and begins jogging towards a group of people playing on one end of the court. He asks if anyone has an extra ball they can use, and a few minutes later Kise is running back to Aomine with a ball that's color is dull from having sat out in the sun. Aomine is smiling the slightest bit when Kise returns, and he reaches out to palm the ball straight out of Kise's hands.
"Alright pretty boy, you're on."
Kise hasn't played since graduating high school, so he doesn't expect to still have it in him. Surprisingly enough, he's able to keep up with Aomine's pace, although he's a bit rusty and his shots are off. There's something different about playing with Aomine that Kise never experienced during his high school years of basketball. Aomine moves so carefree and graceful, like the sport just comes to him naturally, and for once Kise feels as though he's being challenged and pushed to do his best.
They're both panting and glistening with sweat by the time they've finished three games, and despite having doubled over in attempt to steady his breathing, Kise feels like he still has about ten more games in him. Aomine sits down and balances the ball on his finger, shaking his head disapprovingly.
"No, I'm done," Aomine says.
With his hands still on his knees, Kise looks up with a playful pout. Aomine lets the ball fall off of his finger and onto the asphalt court before laying back and placing his hands behind his head. His eyelashes glisten beneath the moonlight, and Kise finds himself staring at Aomine blink. Even something as habitual as blinking fascinates Kise, simply because Aomine is handsome in a way that even more stunning up close.
It's not long before Kise joins him, pressing his sweaty back against the rigid ground and staring up at the dark sky. Kise's suddenly grateful for the slight breeze he usually curses for disheveling his hair, and he lets his eyes flutter close to relish the sensation. He can feel himself drifting unconscious, the peaceful aura of laying out on the court putting him at an ease he never knew he could reach. And just when his mind is going to draw a blank, Kise's stomach begins growling, and he remembers that they haven't eaten since lunch time. Just as he's about to sit up and tell Aomine that they should probably get going, Aomine says:
"Wish we could see the stars out here."
It wasn't something Kise really thought about until then; they way the city lights dilute the sparkle of the stars. And he begins to wonder when the last time he actually laid out and looked at the stars was. It's been a while, although the memory is still fresh in his mind like it had happened yesterday. Kise's older sister bought her first house a couple of years ago, and it's far away from the liveliness of the city to see the stars at night. Kise remembers visiting for the first time and sitting on top of the roof with his sister eating old boxes of pocky sticks they found stashed in one of the many packed boxes.
Kise turns his head to look at Aomine who's too busy staring up at the sky like he's deep in thought.
"Aominecchi…" Kise mutters softly.
And despite not being able to hear him, Aomine averts his gaze from the sky to look at Kise.
"We should get going, I'm starving," Aomine says and proceeds to sit up with a grunt.
My body is so sore, I don't think I can walk. Carry me, Aominecchi. Or else I won't make it. I'll pass out before we even get half way there, Kise over exaggerates, his face scrunched up into a feigned expression of pain.
Aomine rolls his eyes, then bends down to grab Kise by his ankles. "How about I drag you?"
Kise's façade instantly drops, and his eyes grow wide when Aomine tugs him softly once. Don't! You'll scratch up my back, idiot. He kicks his feet until he's freed from Aomine's grasp and sits up straight. He looks up to see Aomine grinning smugly, and he sticks his tongue out in response.
You really think I would drag you across asphalt? Don't think so low of me, Kise, Aomine says, and then extends a hand out for Kise to grab.
Well you are an asshole. I can never be too sure, Kise says before accepting Aomine's hand and letting himself be pulled up.
The people that had been sharing the court with them when they first arrived are no longer there, so they're accompanied with only the sound of crickets and cars occasionally driving by on the road outside the gate. Kise begins wondering if he should leave the ball or take it home with him, considering it's not his. And just as he's about to ask Aomine, he looks up to see him leaning in, blue eyes looking down at his lips with a craving glint. Kise sets a hand on Aomine's chest to stop him from proceeding any further and presses his lips into a straight line. As much as he'd love to kiss Aomine right then and there, he never knows who's watching, and it's unsettling.
Kissing behind trees is one thing, but out in the open where anyone can see them can jeopardize Kise's career.
"Right," Aomine says in a sarcastic yet understanding tone as he reaches down to grab the borrowed ball.
There's something about Aomine's expression that pains Kise; makes him want to risk everything and pull Aomine into a kiss that'll last for days. But they discussed the situation not that long ago and Aomine seemed to be understanding to his situation, no matter how against the idea he was.
"We should take this. I'll bring it back tomorrow."
You sure? I can bring it back, Kise suggests.
"Nah, you're usually busy," Aomine murmurs, "Besides, I come here every day."
Kise reaches out to touch the ball, but Aomine is quick to jerk it out of his reach, holding it above his head.
"This is my trophy for whooping your ass three consecutive games," Aomine says with a grin too smug for his own good. It's unnerving how quick Aomine can mask his emotions and return to his usual indifferent self.
I'll get better. And then I'll beat you. Just you watch, Kise narrows his eyes.
Aomine tucks the ball beneath his arm. Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, pretty boy. Let's go before everything closes and we're stuck having to eat something from your kitchen.
The hours Aomine isn't spending with Kise become tedious and drawn out, like a slow down button has been pressed three times. Using his time to draw usually helps get his mind off of the blond and his bright smile and the seemingly jovial voice he wants to hear so bad, but it's only so long before his hand cramps and his mind feels as though it's strained from the long hours of creative thinking.
Maybe he should get a job?
The idea makes him cringe, considering he's not interested in anything that doesn't have to do with basketball and art. But seeing Kise going after his dreams and doing something with his life makes Aomine feel a bit… undeserving. It's not often that Aomine feels incompetent, in fact, it's rare considering his ego is the size of a planet on its own. But Kise has this way of stirring up unwanted foreign emotions in Aomine like he's kryptonite.
"Hey, Tetsu. You know any places that are looking to hire?" Aomine calls out as Kuroko walks into the room.
Kuroko isn't all that expressive, so when he looks at Aomine like he's just been punched in the face, Aomine knows he made a horrible decision of asking him.
Are you feeling okay? Kuroko asks.
"You know what, never mind," Aomine raises a hand in a dismissive manner and goes back to training his eyes on the television.
It's not long before Kuroko is standing in his way, his expression back to its usual unreadable one. But I'm curious, he presses the subject.
After letting out a sharp breath, Aomine decides that it's probably best that he's honest with Kuroko. As much as it pains him to admit it, Kuroko can help him with these type of things; get him back on track. Aomine is sure Kuroko will know of a job or two that's hiring, and even if he doesn't, he might be able to provide some useful advice that can guide him.
Oh god, he must really be sick in the head. He never willingly seeks out advice from anyone given his superiority complex, yet he all of a sudden feels Kuroko's suggestions are necessary.
I was just thinking it would probably be good for me to get out. I'm tired of seeing Kagami's face all the time. And I don't know, I could help pay rent or something. Maybe go back to art school… Aomine begins. It's extremely damaging to his massive ego; having to reach out to his best friend for help like this, but he figures it's time he sucks it up… or at least try to.
Is this Kise-kun's doing? Kuroko asks bluntly.
What?
Kise-kun. Is this his doing? You've been acting different since you started hanging out with him. Not that I'm opposed to the changes, but I am rather curious, Kuroko says.
Yeah, well, you should be less curious. This isn't about Kise. Can you help me or not?
I can… How comfortable would you be working with people? Kuroko asks.
Aomine frowns and shakes his head. No. No customer service shit.
Kuroko looks like he's lost in thought, eyes staring off into nowhere. I think Kagami-kun can help. How about cooking, how do you feel about that?
He's not the best cook, but he can definitely put something together if he needs to. Though it's been a while since he last cooked a meal and it's not something he'd ever consider making a career out of. Not because he can't, but because it's not something he's passionate about. There's nothing exciting about standing behind a stove and cooking orders for hours at a time, and to think that he'd have to work all those hours next to Kagami is more off-putting than anything else. Though he supposes it doesn't matter, since he's only looking for a temporary job; something to occupy his time and mind, and provide him a little money.
I don't know. Why? Aomine asks.
Maybe the restaurant he works at is looking to hire. I'll tell you if I come up with anything else. But you better be looking too. Kuroko says.
Aomine rolls his eyes. Yeah. Thanks, I guess.
Also, Kagami-kun and I will not be here tomorrow night. Please do not burn down the apartment during our absence.
You do know this is my apartment too, right? Aomine narrows his eyes. I'm not a child.
Of course you aren't. But I cannot simply forget the time you flooded the whole bathroom when I was out on vacation for a week.
That was Kagami's fault.
Take responsibility for your actions, Kuroko turns on his heel before continuing, also, please remember to feed and take Nigou out for a walk.
Yeah, yeah, I got it. Aomine waves his hand dismissively.
The moment Kuroko leaves the room, Aomine pulls his phone out of his pocket and begins tapping his knee out of nervous reaction. Why is he nervous all of a sudden? All he wants to do is text Kise and ask him a simple question, yet he feels as though all his muscles have tensed and locked up.
To: Kise
Monday 13:40
Msg: are u free tomorrow night?
From: Kise
Monday 13:41
Msg: I should be free by evening. What's up?
To: Kise
Monday 13:50
Msg: want to come over here for once? kuroko and kagami will be gone, so…
From: Kise
Monday 13:52
Msg: Yes! You know, I wouldn't mind coming over even if Kagamicchi and Kurokocchi are there.
To: Kise
Monday 14:03
Msg: we don't have popsicles here
From: Kise
Monday 14:05
Msg: (_⌣")
To: Kise
Monday 14:27
Msg: knock it off with the silly faces. shouldn't u being working or somethin
From: Kise
Monday 14:28
Msg: Yes, but I haven't talked to you all day! (´;д;`)
To: Kise
Monday 14:40
Msg: we'll talk later, i promise. get back to work, pretty boy.
From: Kise
Monday 14:41
Msg: So quick to get rid of me… I'll text you as soon as I'm done!
The small smile that forms on Aomine's lips is completely involuntary, and he doesn't know he's even smiling until he looks up from his phone to see his reflection in the momentarily black screen of the television. His smile fades soon after, simply because he doesn't want to make it obvious that he's talking to someone important, and given Kuroko's stealth, Aomine never knows when he's in the room.
Aomine looks down at his phone to see he has another message:
From: Tetsu
Monday 14:43
Msg: What were you smiling at?
