Hiya guys!
My, my my. It has been quite a while, huh? I'm sorry about that - don't really have any excuses...
I am sorry though!
disclaimer: KnB is not mine :)
Kuroko carefully packed his things into a bag. He paused for a moment to stare out the window. He couldn't believe it had been a week since Ogiwara came back; a week since his old teammates were able to patch things up...well, for the most part. Though Ogiwara was able to explain clearly what had happened, there was too much pain and too many bad memories between them. While the Seirin team had apologized and Haizaki had accepted, there was no chance of the two sides ever becoming friends. But that would have to be enough, at least for now.
Kuroko was able to patch things up quite nicely with Haizaki. Haizaki had been unsure, at first. Unable to forgive himself for sending Kuroko to the hospital, twice. But Kuroko was kind and adamant about renewing their friendship. Since then, Haizaki had returned to the man Kuroko always knew him to be, and this time no one would dare to tell Kuroko otherwise.
The GOM had felt uneasy since Haizaki and Ogiwara came back in Kuroko's life. They tried to be understanding. They had been there, after all, when Ogiwara explained what had happened. They understood, logically, that Ogiwara and Haizaki would want to be around Kuroko as much as possible. Of course they understood. But logic plays merely a side role when it comes to love. They couldn't help but feel jealous every time Ogiwara would come into the room, and though he would keep an emotionless face, the GOM could see the light in Kuroko's eyes when his old friend walked in.
Kise walked in front of the rest of his friends around the hospital, slowly making their way to Kuroko's room. "There's definitely nothing between them, right?" He asked, mostly to himself. The other GOM looked at each other. Each feeling uncomfortable with the idea of Kuroko being swept away by someone else. "I mean...it would be really romantic, wouldn't it? Long lost friendship finding love? It's like something out of a romance novel" Kise continued.
"Life isn't a romance novel" Aomine spat.
"That brat isn't good enough for Tetsutya" Akashi replied calmly.
"But its not about being good enough, right? Its about making Kuroko happy" The GOM turned to find Ogiwara walking up to them.
"Tch. You're here again?" Midorima mumbled.
"Obviously" Ogiwara chuckled, "I see you lot are here as well. What a shame. I was hoping to have at least a few minutes alone with him today"
"Then you can just leave. We can look after Kuroko today" Midorima said, adjusting his glasses.
"Oho...you would like that wouldn't you. Sorry, but I'm Kuroko's ride. Or did you forget he was checking out today?"
"Like we'd forget something like that" Akashi lowered his eyes.
"Right, right. Of course" Ogiwara shrugged, "Shall we go?"
"You won't get Tetsuya"
Ogiwara stopped and turned stared at the short red-head, "I surely don't understand what you mean."
"You might have Tetsuya's attention now. Its understandable, regarding your past and all. But be assured, that will fade. You're a fancy dream but Tetsuya will wake up. I am his reality."
"Hehhhh, is that so? Since you were so kind to offer me advice, let me give you some too, Shorty. You are a child. You're all children. Do you really think Kuroko will ever see any of you in a romantic way? You can have a crush on him all you want. I'm not scared. I know there's no chance of anything happening. In the end, Kuroko will be by my side. And...by the way...reality will always pale in comparison to a good dream." Ogiwara turned around and continued headed towards Kuroko's room, leaving a stunned GOM behind.
"No ones ever talked to you like that Akachin...should I go crush him?" Murasakibara offered, gripping the snacks in his hands so tight, a bag popped.
"No" Akashi sighed.
"Really? Its rare for you to let something like that go" Midorima added.
"Because he's not wrong"
"You're really listening to that asshole?" Aomine growled.
"You will watch your tone, Daisuke." Akashi glared at Aomine.
"But Akashichi you really think that guy will end up with Kurokochi?" Kise asked, hoping for a better answer from his fearless leader.
"Of course not. He's right about us. We, who we are as of right now, will never gain Kuroko's heart. He's our housekeeper, afterall. He sees us as people who can't take care of ourselves...like children."
"What does that mean for us though, Akashichi?"
"You can do what you want. But from now on, I plan to make Tetsuya more aware of the man I am...while crushing that parasite along the way"
"Heh. Sounds fun. Besides, if I'm going to lose, its going to be to one of you" Aomine nodded.
"Sounds like you're conceding" Midorima smirked.
"Thanks for bowing out Aominechi!" Kise laughed.
"What a good guy" Murasakibara chimed in lazily.
"I'll be sure to inform Tetsuya"
"Hey! I never said-! Don't say a word!" Aomine blushed a deep red as he ran passed his friends.
"Have you given much thought to what I asked, Kuroko?" Ogiwara asked leaning on a wall and watching as Kuroko slowly gathered the last of his things. Ogiwara smiled when he saw Kuroko flinch slightly at the question. Kuroko quicky composed himself . "I have...but I think I need more time, if thats alright with you, Ogiwara-kun."
"Of course, take all the time you need, Kuroko. I'll wait patiently" Ogiwara smiled and moved to lean against the bed, to stand beside Kuroko. The blue haired man nodded. Ogiwara stared at him for a short moment before sighing, "You know those MiraGen are really attached to you..." Ogiwara drifted.
"Hm. They're good kids"
"Kids...right, definitely. They're young...fiery...passionate..."
Kuroko lifted an eyebrow in suspicion at his old friend, "They aren't legal yet, Ogiwara-kun. Making a move on a minor will be troublesome..."
Ogiwara laughed, "I meant that they seem to be quite affectionate towards you, Kuroko"
"I know. But they dont feel anything more than comradere towards me."
"Do you really believe that Kuroko? Just because they're young doesn't mean they don't know what they like"
"I happen to know they have their eyes set on someone else."
"Really?" Ogiwara cocked his head to the side and briefly wondered what the encounter earlier with the GOM couldv'e meant if Kuroko was right.
"Mm-hmm" Kuroko shrugged as he finished the last of his packing and zipped his bag.
"Who?" Ogiwara asked.
"It is not my business to say"
Before Ogiwara could press the issue any further, the door to Kuroko's door flung open and there stood a breathless Aomine.
"I got here before they did" Aomine panted, talking to himself, "good..."
"Is something the matter?" Kuroko asked as he made his way to the navy haired teen. Kuroko pulled out a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to him. Aomine burned a darker shade of red and gently took the cloth from Kuroko's hands. "Thanks...I'm good..." Aomine mumbled pressing the handkerchief to his face.
"The walk from the hospital entrance to my room isn't that far a walk, Aomine-kun. Could it be you're getting out of shape?" Kuroko asked, innocently staring up at the tall teen.
"Of course not! I'm perfectly-"
"Tetsuya might be right, Daiki. To think such a walk would wind you...I should increase your menu..." Akashi smirked. Kise shoved Aomine out of the way and happily wrapped his arms around Kuroko.
"Kurokochi~" Kise sang happily, taking in the decant smell of vanilla over the scent of the hospital. "I'm so glad to see you"
"I brought snacks" Murasakibara ripped Kise away from the small, pale man.
Midorima let out a small grunt of irritation and handed Kuroko his lucky item for the day, which happened to be a rather ornate vase.
Ogiwara watched as the GOM interacted with Kuroko and sighed...Kuroko was definetely wrong this time...
"Enough, enough. Just because Kuroko is getting out of the hospital today doesn't mean he's completely healed. It's time for him to go home"
"We'll go with you, Kurokochi!" Kise smiled happily.
"There's not going to be enough room in Ogiwara-kun's car." Kuroko shot Kise down immediately.
"Ouo...but Kurokochi..." Kise whinned, tears forming in his eyes.
Kuroko sighed and looked over at Ogiwara who just shrugged.
"How about you guys come over to my place for dinner?" Kuroko offered, not being able to stand the sullen looks of the GOM.
"Really, Kurokochi!?" Kise yelled, jumping into the air, ready to pounce on Kuroko. Luckily, Murasakibara was able to grab Kise's collar before he made contact.
"Good reflexes" Kuroko smiled at Murasakibara, "I'll see you all tonight"
"Ah, wait, Tetsu! Where do you live?" Aomine asked
"Akashi-kun has been to my place before. Let's go, Ogiwara-kun" Kuroko said as he walked out of the room, Ogiwara close behind.
"Akashi, may I ask why you were at Kuroko's before?" Midorima asked.
"It's none of your business" Akashi replied with a smirk.
Kuroko stared out the window as Ogiwara drove him home. Ogiwara watched Kuroko, careful not to get caught.
"Want to stop by the park before you go home, Kuroko?" Ogiwara asked, noticing how Kuroko's eyes were clouded over in a daze. When Kuroko didn't respond, Ogiwara sighed and pulled the car over.
"Where are we, Ogiwara-kun?" Kuroko asked, snapping out of his stupor. Ogiwara smiled and got out of the car. He walked over to the other side and opened Kuroko's door for him.
"I thought we'd get a milkshake and go for a walk before we go to your place" Ogiwara replied, offering his hand to help Kuroko out of the car. Kuroko took it, wincing a bit at the pain of the stitches as he stood up. "Are you O.K" Ogiwara asked with concern, not missing the slight show of pain.
Kuroko sighed as he gently closed the car door behind him, "Yeah, its fine. Let's go"
"Ne, Kuroko..." Ogiwara started as the two began to walk towards Maji Burger.
"What is it, Ogiwara-kun? Its not like you to be hesitant"
Ogiwara chuckled, "That's true isn't it...I just...wanted to say sorry"
"Sorry? For what?"
"Lots of things. For leaving you behind, for not contacting you, for asking something that...is causing you distress"
"Ogiwara-kun..."
"You don't have to try to hide it. I've known you for a while...I can read your face better than anyone"
"Ah..." Kuroko swung the door of Maji Burger open, "You don't have to worry about any of that. And...I'm not in distress. I'm just in thought"
"Well..I don't want you to stress over it"
"I assure you I'm not"
"...I mean you can stress a little"
"I'm not"
"That kind of hurts..."
"Thats my personality, Ogiwara-kun"
Ogiwara chuckled and ordered two milkshakes. He thanked the cashier and handed one of the milkshakes to Kuroko. "I suppose that's true. You're so mature, Kuroko"
"One of us has to be."
"Come on, I just bought you a shake!"
"You're right, I apologize. I was only teasing though, Ogiwara-kun"
"Still though" Ogiwara smiled at Kuroko as they made their way back to the car. They fell into a comfortable pattern of Ogiwara talking loudly and excitedly as Kuroko sat quietly and listened.
Once they reached Kuroko's place, Ogiwara once again went to help Kuroko out of the car when the door to Kuroko's home burst open and out ran a very panicked Kagami.
"Kuroko! Thank God you're back!" Kagami yelled as he swiftly found a way to climb on top of the car.
"This is a rental!" Ogiwara yelled in shock as Kagami's shoes squeaked on the shiny exterior of the car.
"This is my life!" Kagami barked back, "Control your animal, Kuroko!" He whined.
Kuroko and Ogiwara turned their attention back to the door and watched as a rather pleased looking Nigou pranced happily out of the apartment. "You're kidding me" Ogiwara laughed.
"Nigou, come" Kuroko smiled, slowly kneeling down to greet the dog as he bounced to see his owner.
"Don't call that monster over here!" Kagami yelled.
"When will you get over your fear of Nigou?" Kuroko asked, gently picking up the dog.
"When it stops being evil"
"Nigou is not evil, Kagami-kun"
"Say that to my pants!" Kagami turned around on all fours to reveal a rather large hole in the back of his trousers.
"That's indecent, Kagami-kun" Kuroko sighed
"Seriously, Kagami...kids live in this neighborhood..." Ogiwara stared in disgust.
"I DIDNT WANT TO LOOK LIKE THIS"
"If I looked like a gorilla, I'd be upset too" Ogiwara shrugged and put an arm around Kuroko's shoulders, leading him inside.
"THATS NOT WHAT I MEANT"
Well that was kind of short...oh well~
I feel like I update less when I have a deadline so...you know,...it'll come out eventually! :)
Sorry for the wait~