Title: Art Appeal

Story: Set in an AU where there's no GoM and Kagami and Aomine go to university in America. Both of them get stuck taking an art course where they meet someone interesting and learn about more than just art.

Disclaimer: *I DO NOT OWN KUROKO NO BASKET OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS* Although I wish I did :'(

There actually isn't a good reason for why this chapter is so late, except that I am lazy, so yeah. I'm sorry!

So have you all heard the new KagaKise duet! It's soooo good! I've listened to it about like 15 times so far, and it makes me love our little babies even more! Proud mama is proud xD

In reply to the Guest who reviewed:

Jelibean: Yes, I'm sure everyone is a little curious as to what plans Akashi has in store for that painting…And don't mind Aomine, that's just his nature. But he always makes sure to find his stubborn way back into our hearts :3

Chapter 11: Of Pain and Glory

Kise's photo shoot had been rescheduled for tomorrow afternoon instead of today so he had been hoping to play some one-on-one with the blue haired ace after classes. But after his hurtful remark Kise just wanted to be alone. He knew Aomine was not the smartest when it came to certain subjects, but was he truly so dense as to believe his feelings of friendship for Kagami were something more?

Kise balled his fists in frustration and continued on his way to…to…where was he going exactly?

After making his dramatic exit from his aunt's class, he didn't know where to go, so he had just continued forward in the same direction for about the past thirty minutes. He now stopped and took in his surroundings. The area seemed vaguely familiar and he realized he had been there before, but the name of the area was lost to him. He noticed an empty basketball court a few blocks away and felt a sudden surge of energy and excitement overtake him. He set into a slow jog towards the courts with thoughts of the tanned ace egging him forward.

~ ~XxXxX~ ~

Once he was sure Akashi and Midorima were gone from the apartment building, Kagami quickly grabbed his gym bag and made his way outside. He needed some air and wanted to put together the odd string of events that had just occurred. Ok, so Akashi and Midorima had somehow broke in to his apartment. Yes, that did happen. Then Akashi had tried to talk to him about Kise, in which he refused to answer. Yes, that happened too. Akashi had noticed his seductively sinister drawing of Kise and paid him a decent sum in order to keep it for himself. But why?

Kagami let out a deep sigh and used his pointer finger and thumb to pinch the bridge of his nose in order to help his concentration. Why on earth did I do that? And why on earth did he want it so bad? Nothing was adding up, but he figured there was nothing he could do about it now. Releasing another sigh, he hurried his pace and tried to ignore the puzzling thoughts circling in his mind. When he finally reached the basketball courts a block or so from his apartment, he felt the whole week's tension disappear.

When he turned the corner and caught a flashing glimpse of gold, his heart stopped. There on the courts was Kise.

Kagami instantly started panicking, debating whether or not he should leave, but when he chanced another look, the blonde seemed a little down and despite his amazing lay-ups there was something off. The kind and neutral part of Kagami wanted to offer some friendly assistance and cheer the guy up, while the hurt and embarrassed part of him wanted nothing more than to turn around and run away. Still debating on which course of action would be the best, the model's eyes casually caught his own. Kagami swears he could note the precise moment Kise realizes it's him, when his cat-like eyes turn from initially distant, to sharp and hesitant.

Shit.

For a while both of them stayed in shocked silence until Kise decided to break the spell.

"Oh, hi Kagamicchi. I didn't notice you there." He nervously brought a hand up to the back of his neck and began to rub the sweaty skin. "Um how's it going?"

Kagami could feel the awkward tension surrounding them, and wanted nothing more than to be back in his apartment. He knew he was going to have to face Kise again someday, but he wasn't expecting it to be so soon. Yeah it had been about three days or so, but still. He wasn't over the embarrassing events that had occurred at their last meeting, but in spite of his hurt ego he could tell the blonde was being honest when he had asked how things were going for him. Heck, he even looked a bit concerned if Kagami was seeing things right. Sucking up his injured pride, Kagami decided now was the time to make amends.

"Uh yeah it's going alright." Trying his best to soothe his nerves, he copied Kise's motions and brought one hand to the back of his neck as well.

Avoiding direct eye contact, he noticed that the blonde was alone on the court. Spotting the ball that had rolled near his feet he picked it up and tossed it back to its owner.

"So you want to play some one-on-one?"

Upon seeing the blonde's breathtaking smile and renewed spirit, Kagami knew he had made the right decision.

~ ~XxXxX~ ~

They played four rounds and decided to call it a tie. Kagami had to admit, Aomine was right when he said that he and Kise were on the same level. At times he forgot he was even playing a model, and thought he was another college player like himself. The amount of progress the blonde had made in just one month was both thrilling and terrifying, and Kagami could feel his veins coursing with excitement.

Stopping to catch their breaths under a nearby tree, they rested in silence, both enjoying the feeling of exhaustion only an intense game of basketball could bring. This time it was Kagami to break the barrier. "Hey do you maybe want to get some ice cream?"

At the mention of ice cream the blonde's entire being perked up, like a puppy being offered a treat. Kagami couldn't help the laugh that escaped him; Kise was just too damn cute.

Kise seemed to take pleasure in this, and he began to laugh as well. His was much more light and musical, which only served to raise Kagami's spirits even more. After a few more tufts of laughter, they both stood up from their spots on the ground and gathered their belongings. Kagami wanted Kise to choose which ice cream place they went to, but he insisted it didn't matter to him so they ended up going to whichever place was closest.

After Kise finally decided on which flavor he wanted, (strawberry, of course) they headed over to the counter to pay. Kagami's hand was slapped away by the blonde as he handed the cashier his money. "No Kagamicchi, it's my treat." Kagami could feel his face catching on fire by the sentiment and hoped it wasn't too late to chalk it up to their recent game play.

He noticed Kise glance at him from the side, but the blonde said nothing. That was close, he thought, as he felt the heat ebb away in thanks to his cool treat.

They exited the store and had been walking in a comfortable silence for a while until they decided to take a seat on a nearby bench. Neither of them said anything, but Kagami felt a strong need to at least apologize for his rude behavior earlier that week. He was just about to open his mouth, when he heard a sniffling sound next to him. "I'm sorry Kagamicchi." He turned to see tears trailing down the model's face and watched as he quickly tried to wipe them away. The sight hurt him, and it hurt him even more to know that he was the cause.

Without giving it a second thought, Kagami turned and pulled the model into his arms. At first he felt the blonde tense, but soon his tears stopped falling and he relaxed into his embrace. He wasn't sure how long they remained that way, but he didn't care. He wanted Kise to know that it wasn't his fault and that he was here for him. He could tell the model understood his action without him having to say a word, but he still wanted to say it out loud.

"Look Kise, I'm the one who should be apologizing, you didn't do anything wrong. I was hurt and well, embarrassed when you rejected me before, and all I could think about was running away. I acted like a complete jerk, and I shouldn't have ignored you. I was so busy feeling bitter and sorry for myself that I didn't think about how my actions would affect others." He sighed. "I'm really sorry."

They were both quiet for a while and once he was sure his composure had returned he began to break away from the embrace. Needless to say he was shocked when Kise pulled him back in. "It's ok Kagamicchi, I can understand why you were upset." He began to rub soothing circles into the red head's back causing an involuntary shiver to rivet through his spine. "I was just scared that you were so mad at me that you were going to stop being my friend. The thought of losing you…it's something I can't handle. You're my best friend." Kagami's heart stopped. He had never been in so much pain in his entire life.

Kise continued to hold Kagami closely for a while longer, and then slowly let him go. When their eyes met again, Kise's were more clear and determined, while Kagami's were a bit shadowed and distant. Before Kise could say anything Kagami stood from the bench and gave an attempt at what he hoped was a convincing smile. "It's getting late we should start to head home." Kise also got up from the bench and offered a bright smile in return. "Thanks for today Kagamicchi." This time Kagami's smile was genuine. "Yeah I had fun. We should do it again sometime." As they began their journeys home, Kise began to tell Kagami about the school's art show and how everyone was really excited about it. The mention of anything art-related left a bad feeling in the pit of Kagami's stomach, but he tried his best to ignore it and gave the animated blonde his full attention. Little did they know, they had both gained the attention of someone else.

~ ~XxXxX~ ~

Aomine didn't notice them walk into the convenient store, being much to engrossed in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated in his attempt to forget about the day's events.

Way to go Ahomine! You always have to screw things up don't ya.

He gave a low growl and shook the displeasing thoughts from his head. He felt terrible for how he had treated Kise earlier, and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find him so he could, maybe, sort-of, not really, yet possibly…apologize. Since when was that word added in his vocabulary!?

The sound of a familiar voice brought him back to his senses and he glanced around the small store to find the source. He didn't have to look far, because a few feet in front of him were Kise and Kagami purchasing some ice cream. He was too distracted by the mere presence of the blonde that he hadn't heard exactly what was said between them, although he did notice his friend's face turn a shade of red that could rival that of his hair. What the hell could that idiot be freaking out about? Aomine was once again pissed off.

He waited for them to leave the store and quickly purchased the magazine, sticking his face back in its pages as he made his exit. Luckily for him they didn't go far, and he casually strolled onto the sidewalk path opposite them which was lined by large hedge bushes. Crouching behind the tallest one he could find, Aomine made a discreet hole in the patch of leaves to get a clear view.

At first it didn't look like much was going on and he suddenly felt silly for getting so upset, but when he saw the model begin to cry, he about jumped over the hedge ready to defend him in any way possible. As he began to clench his fists in preparation for his attack, the sight he saw next had him at a loss for words. Was…was Kagami hugging Kise? The thought of anyone having the nerve to touch the blonde set his blood boiling and it took all his strength not to pound his friend into a pulp. Calm the fuck down! Do you want him to think you're some kind of physco? Trying to ease his rising temper, Aomine focused his glare to his friend and tightly clenched his jaw.

The hug had lasted way longer than he was comfortable with, but he knew there was nothing he could do about it. Kise was still mad at him, and deep down he knew that he deserved it.

After what felt like an eternity, the two got up from the bench and began to walk down towards the bus station. Aomine watched as Kise began to talk quite animatedly to Kagmai about some art thing. The bluenette couldn't help the smile that overtook his face, and continued to watch the excited blonde until they were no longer in sight.

He then slowly got up from his crouched position on the ground and stretched his arms above his head, his smile still intact. He knew he'd have to apologize to the blonde soon, but he wanted to make sure he did it in a way that would make him just as happy as he had been with Kagami a few moments ago. Maybe he could do something for him at the art show? You can't draw you idiot! "Ah whatever." He grumbled to himself and finished his stretching before he began in the opposite direction towards his apartment. Either way he'd think of something, and Kise would love it.

A/N: I'm glad Kagamicchi and Kise are friends again! Well, at least to Kise they are ;p Don't worry Kagami's a big boy, he'll figure things out. As for Aomine, well I was just proud he didn't get into any physical altercations…for the time being.

Anyways let me know what you all think :D