Chapter 15

It never really dawned on Aomine, until that evening when Kise texted him about the great news of his possible record deal, that he's dating a soon-to-be celebrity. He thinks about the hundreds, probably thousands of people that would kill to be with Kise Ryouta, and suddenly he feels… lucky. And he can't believe how fucking lucky he is, he doesn't deserve someone so stunning.

The vibrations of Kise's song suddenly begin linger on Aomine's fingertips, like an aftertaste. He still remembers the vibrancy of his voice, the way it felt each time Kise hummed or sang a high note. It was almost like he could hear the music. And the way it sounds in his mind is beautiful and soothing and attractive, just like Kise.

Huh, Aomine thinks, struck by the thought as he sits on the couch observing his fingertips. Huh. Kise must be really good at this singing thing.

The thought resonates through his mind for the rest of the afternoon, at least until Kuroko and Kagami walk through the front door with Nigou on a leash. Kuroko gives a quick nod of greeting that Aomine returns after a few seconds of reluctance.

Good to see you didn't burn the apartment down, Kuroko says. And if he's teasing, his expression certainly doesn't show it.

"Funny," Aomine drawls out the sarcasm in his tone and rolls his eyes. Kagami plops down into the seat next to Aomine with a casual air that would usually piss Aomine off if he wasn't so lost in his thoughts. "Heard you're looking for a chef, fork brows." As if bringing this up right after discussing the mishap in the kitchen is a good idea, but Aomine isn't the type to bite his tongue when he has something on his mind. Which doesn't work in his favor most of the time.

Kagami narrows his eyes and says something that's indecipherable.

He said you can't cook, Kuroko translates simply.

"I can cook. Okay, asshole? Dinner would have turned out fucking perfect that night if I would have remembered to check the timer."

You should watch what you say to Kagami-kun, considering he's on the edge of helping you get a job, Kuroko says.

"Fuck that. Fuck Kagami," Aomine says shamelessly, then turns to Kagami. "Give me the job, I'm a reliable worker. Besides, you've been telling me to get a job for… how long now?"

Kagami gives Kuroko a look that reads is this guy serious? And Aomine scoffs, because yeah, he's fucking serious. He set a fire on the stove once, so what? Aomine can bet Kagami has burned more meals than he can count on two hands, but that doesn't stop him from cooking. Everyone screws up, right? That doesn't mean Aomine shouldn't get a chance at this. If Kagami doesn't help him get this job then that means he actually has to do tedious shit like… filling out job applications and going to blind job interviews.

"Look, I need this job. Do you need me to fucking beg? Want me to kiss your feet, or what?" Not that Aomine would ever do such a thing, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Kagami throws his head back against the couch and covers his face with a hand, and Aomine assumes it means he's frustrated with himself because he's actually considering it. And that's good. If Kagami is saying something beneath his hand, Aomine wouldn't know, but a few seconds later Kuroko's expression softens a little bit like it does when he's relieved.

He said he'll try to work something out, Kuroko says, and then reaches out to pat Aomine's shoulder. You're horrible, I hope you know that.

Aomine shrugs, because he can't necessarily disagree. Not now, anyways.

Did Kise-kun tell you the news? Kuroko takes a seat in the armchair next to Kagami.

He told you guys too? Not that Aomine should necessarily be surprised. Kise doesn't know how to shut up for the life of him, and Aomine can only imagine what he's like when he's excited.

Of course he did. Kuroko doesn't seem fazed by the question, though after a few seconds a crinkle of curiosity rests between his brows. Doesn't this mean he'll start going on tours?

Aomine hadn't thought about that much, but now that Kuroko brings it up he feels as though the world has just began spinning in reverse. So? It's all he can muster in response, because really? If Kise goes on tours, how long will he be gone? Months? Years? Aomine doesn't know how this shit works exactly, but he does know that it's supposed to be a long time. And then what? Kise can't possibly keep Aomine around when he's travelling the world and doing better things with his life.

You're thinking too hard, Kuroko says when Aomine meets his gaze.

Both Kagami and Kuroko are giving him that look—the one where they're silently judging and pitying at the same time… or not silently, Aomine wouldn't know.

I'm not thinking, Aomine denies. I'm just tired. I think I'm going to make some coffee. He slides out of his seat. He forgets that his drawing pad was in his lap until the second it drops to his feet, and Kagami's eyes go wide as he leans down to pick it up, saying something that falls to deaf ears. Then Aomine realizes it fell open to one of the many pages filled with sketches of Kise. Shit.

"Give that back, asshole." Aomine snatches his sketchbook out of Kagami's hand and closes it as quickly as he can. "You're so fucking nosy. Both of you are." And then he marches out of the room, not daring to look back; not wanting to see the reprimanding glares he knows they're most likely giving him.


Aomine hasn't seen Kise all week which wouldn't usually bother him, maybe, if he wasn't so worked up on the idea of Kise leaving for months at a time. He's busy, Aomine will tell himself when he's seconds away from losing his mind. Kise is busy, and there's nothing he can do about it except stay by his side and provide support.

Except, he can't even bring himself to go to one of Kise's concerts.

Not that he hasn't thought about it multiple times. He just… can't. There's some things he can't bring himself to do, as much as he loves the bastard. And the irony of it all, he met Kise at one of his concerts, despite Aomine's obliviousness to the whole thing. Kise had to come stumbling into his life all sparkling and sunshine, spouting apologies and seeking attention when all he wanted to do was enjoy his damn burger. He remembers looking up from his meal to see Kise for the first time and thinking What the fuck? Because seriously, what the fuck? Who stumbles over a seat like that?

Obviously Kise Ryouta does, but he's always seemed to be one for making grand entrances.

How was your job interview? Kuroko asks the second Aomine makes his way through the door, which is literally like, record's time.

"Uh, good?" Aomine doesn't sound too sure, which is surprising considering how self-assured he usually is. But then again, he hasn't had a job interview in years, so it was sort of like stepping onto a basketball court for the first time, except interviews don't come as naturally as basketball does for him. He's quick to untuck his shirt from the waistband of his pants and makes his way into the kitchen, Kuroko watching him the whole time. Which is unnerving. Not that Kuroko isn't always observant and curious when it comes to Aomine, but he literally just stepped through the door.

Good, Kuroko finally responds when Aomine turns towards him with a carton of milk in hand. Please don't drink straight from the carton.

"There's only enough left for one glass. What's it matter, anyways?" Aomine proceeds to unscrew the cap and raise the carton to his lips, and Kuroko watches him with this overly worried look that shows through the chill in his eyes. Is he upset over the milk? "I mean if it's that important to you, then I guess I'll get a glass."

You've been acting strange, Kuroko says, disregarding the subject of the milk.

"Hah?" Aomine grabs a glass from the drying rack, brows pinched together in confusion.

Is it because of what I said about Kise-kun? Kuroko continues.

Oh. Aomine pours the remaining milk in his glass, and then slowly brings the brim to his lips, hoping by some miracle of god that his expression isn't giving away all the thoughts running through his mind. "What'd you say about Kise?" He breathes into his cup, feigning ignorance.

Kuroko frowns, only slightly, but he definitely frowns and no matter how scarce it is Aomine instantly notices. About him going on tour.

Damn it, why does Kuroko have to be so damn nosy all the time? "What does that have to do with me?" Aomine sets his empty glass on the counter.

Seriously, Kuroko's eyes narrow in that way that makes people feel as though they've done something terrible. I'm not stupid. I don't know what exactly you and Kise-kun have going on, but I do know he's important to you.

Aomine swallows hard. Okay. And so, what's your point? It's not like he can deny it. But he can remain nonchalant.

This… him getting a record deal. This is huge, Kuroko says.

Yeah, I'm well aware of that. Aomine thinks about dropping the entire conversation and booking it. He's fast. Way faster than Kuroko. If he wanted to, he could run into his room and lock the door before Kuroko could even process what happened. But for some reason, his feet remain rooted to the ground and his eyes remain glued to Kuroko's face and hands.

And you are fine with this?

Aomine's jaw clenches, frustrated with Kuroko's persistence. As fine as I'll ever be, he says.

I find that hard to believe.

Well, it's none of your business. Aomine narrows his eyes. Stay out of this, okay? If I wanted your fucking advice, I'd ask for it.

The weight of Kuroko's glare is heavy, and Aomine immediately regrets snapping. But what does Kuroko expect of him? They've known each other since middle school, if anything Kuroko should understand how he is when it comes to relationships and opening up. And he knows that Kuroko is only looking out for him, but the last thing Aomine wants is to worry about his relationship with Kise, definitely when everything is fine between them. He just wants to indulge in the brief moments he has with Kise now and not worry about the future.

So can Kuroko just give him that much?

Aomine presses his palms against the edge of the counter, and shifts his weight into his hands, realizing that an apology is probably necessary. "Look, Tetsu…" He hesitates before continuing. "What I said was pretty rude. But everything is fine. Even if Kise does go on tour or whatever, I will be fine. Stop worrying about me."

Kuroko doesn't look convinced, the intensity of his stare never fading. Aomine knows that look, the one where Kuroko is silently scrutinizing because he doesn't deem it necessary to make the fact verbally known—which is a rare, because Kuroko almost always speaks his mind. It gets Aomine thinking. Is the situation that serious? Should Kuroko honestly be worried?

Easier said than done. But if you insist, then I will drop the subject for now, Kuroko says. I am going to take Nigou for a walk. Please do not burn down the apartment. It's routine for Kuroko to remind Aomine not to burn anything before leaving, and Aomine snorts and rolls his eyes every time.

This time he doesn't respond, though. He only averts his gaze and sinks in his spot, thinking that he could really use a fucking beer.

He doesn't know what it is about Kuroko's stare that makes him doubt himself. Just a few minutes ago, he tried to convince both himself and Kuroko that he was fine, pushed all distressing thoughts of his relationship with Kise to the back of his mind like sweeping dirt into a corner in order to clear the middle floor. And Kuroko just took a broom and swept it all back out, left the particles of worry and uncertainty scattered in his mind without a dustpan. Maybe he could have convinced anyone else, even himself for a little while, but Kuroko is too smart and perceptive for his own good.

Aomine grabs two beer cans hidden in the back of the refrigerator, hoping Kagami won't notice that a couple of them are missing, and makes his way into his bedroom where he can isolate himself for the rest of the evening. One empty can later, he's drawing what little memory he still has of Kise's sleeping face. He used to be able to draw Kise without much thought, like drawing Kise was the most natural thing in the world.

Maybe it's just the alcohol getting to him. Yeah, that must be it. Because a week of not seeing Kise shouldn't affect his memory this much, should it? Aomine picks up his unopened beer and examines the can. Five percent alcohol by volume. Okay, so maybe it isn't the alcohol—after all, Aomine has never been the type to lose himself after only one can.

…So he opens the second one and downs it as fast as he can, and thinks maybe another one won't hurt.


You should come to my concert this weekend, Kise suggests one night over dinner.

Aomine has his feet propped up on the coffee table, a takeout box in one hand and chopsticks in the other. "Nah… I got work stuff to do," he says.

Kise frowns slightly, but doesn't let his disappointment linger for too long. He's used to Aomine rejecting his invitations to his concerts, and he figures it'll be worth it when he finally coaxes Aomine into saying yes.

Oh, did you get the job?

"Yup."

That's great, Aominecchi! Congratulations.

Aomine shrugs. "It's nothing special. Just a temporary job until I can find a better one."

Something is oddly off about Aomine. It's the first time they've met up in two weeks, and what Kise thought would be an exciting and warm reunion ended up being too casual and slightly awkward. The first thing Aomine did when he arrived was make his way over to Kise's wall and begin working on his painting—which Kise doesn't discourage, considering the sooner it's done, the better. But Aomine didn't cast a single glance Kise's way, didn't even say Hi or I missed you, and maybe Aomine has never been that kind of person; someone's who's overtly affectionate or openly expressive, but he's never been this outlandish.

Kise asks multiple times if something is wrong, but Aomine simply avoids the question by changing the topic.

They have sex on the couch later, though. Hard sex. Like Aomine is finally letting out pent up frustrations with each slide in. He thumbs the outline of Kise's lips, watching him carefully, and every time a rigid gasp escapes Kise there's a shifting glint within his blue eyes.

"I think I'm going to go back to art school," Aomine says when they've found a place in each other's arms, ankles crossed. Kise has his cheek pressed against Aomine's chest, nearly drifting to sleep as Aomine traces the smooth bumps of his spine.

Kise doesn't try to lift his head or move his hands to respond. He feels like there's more to what Aomine is trying to say, so he remains still, ears open.

"Maybe I can work part time and go to school full time, I'm not sure yet," Aomine continues, "But, Tetsu told me you might start going on tours and stuff, so I thought it'd be smart to do something with myself instead of just sitting around and watching you rise as a star. I dropped out because I lost motivation to do anything with my skills, but I think I found motivation again."

Kise gulps when Aomine mentions the possibility of him going on tour soon. His career is piquing much faster than he expected it to, one day he's performing amateur gigs at small bars and the next he's in a record studio recording his first official song. Honestly, Kise doesn't think much into the future. Why think about not being with Aomine when he's currently with Aomine? It's better to enjoy the moments they have and deal with the moments they don't later.

But knowing Aomine is considering going back to school truly makes Kise happy. Kise knows just how wonderful of an artist Aomine is, and it's frustrating sometimes knowing Aomine is letting all his talent go to waste.

"That's good, Aominecchi," Kise mutters against Aomine's chest.

"What was that?"

Kise finally raises his head and lazily signs with one hand, Good.

Aomine brushes Kise's fringe out of his face. "I guess. So tell me, how has your past few weeks been?"


Somehow Aomine gets scheduled to work with Kagami on his first day, and though he'd originally been hoping to avoid such situations, he's somewhat relieved. Because it hits him the moment that he walks into the restaurant, Kagami by his side, that he hasn't worked with people in years. And even if Kagami is the biggest asshole alive, he's still a generous asshole. He tells Aomine he'll take him on a tour around the place and train him throughout the week. It's better Kagami does it then some random coworker.

The first place Kagami takes Aomine is the kitchen, where Aomine will be working majority of the time. It's a rather small restaurant, so the kitchen is the same, but Aomine doesn't mind because that means it'll only be him back there most of the time. Kagami carries around a pen and notepad so he can write what Aomine needs to know, and shows Aomine how to work the stoves. Kagami says he'll probably explain it more thoroughly later since they're just doing a walkthrough for now, and they still have other things they need to go over before they start the cooking.

Kagami looks up and smiles in the direction of the kitchen door while Aomine is messing with the knobs, and it takes Aomine a while to realize that someone else is in the area. He turns around to a familiar face—pink cheeks, voluptuous chest, flowing hair pulled back into a pony tail—though he can't quite put his finger on it.

The girl seems to recognize him, though. She points in Aomine's direction and narrows her eyes in a way that's playful and scrutinizing at the same time, a small smile gracing her lips. I know you, is all Aomine can make out, and Aomine points to one of his ears in response.

"Can't hear," Aomine admits, and she doesn't seem surprised with the fact.

Kagami writes down, She said you guys met at a bar once. And now Kagami looks curious—just what Aomine needs.

"Oh, that's right." Aomine snaps his fingers once like this will help reignite his memory. "Uh… it's…" Aomine can see Kagami writing something discreetly on the corner of his notepad, and he takes a brief glance before reading aloud like it'd just dawned on him. "Momoi!"

Momoi narrows her eyes in Kagami's direction like she wants to punch him in the face, and Aomine is not sure if it's because of something Kagami said or if it's because she's a lot more observant than Aomine had hoped. She grabs a tray, balances it on her right hand, points to Kagami with her left, and says something that makes Kagami tense up and smile nervously.

Try to stay off her bad side, Kagami writes down when Momoi struts out of the kitchen. She's really cool, though. I think you two would get along pretty well.

Aomine snorts, because both he and Kagami know he's notorious for getting on everyone's bad side. It'll only be a matter of time before the majority of their coworkers brand him as the asshole of the committee.

Kagami isn't half bad when he's under professional terms, and Aomine supposes he can deal with him during work hours. After work, they go to the shop next door and order takeout so Kuroko won't have to worry about cooking when they get home. And Aomine is content with this because that means Kagami's hands will be full of bags on the way back to the apartment, he'll have no way of communicating with Aomine.

Aomine actually takes a moment to appreciate everything that night. The way Kuroko casually questions him about his first day at work, the way Kagami loses his shit when he finds out all his beer is gone, the way Nigou sits by his feet and licks his toes. They all annoy the shit out of him, but they're there for him, and he guesses that counts for something. Even if he doesn't know what that something is.