WELLLLLLLLLL it has been quite a while LOL
My bad, my bad - I hadn't noticed so much time had passed haha
I had the second half of this chapter written and then had to kind of build backwards, which apparently I suck at 'cause TRANSITIONS
Which is why is took so long...but hey, this chapter is a tad bit longer than usual so YAY :)
I wish there was a way I could keep y'all updated without making one of the "Hey look its a new chap- oh shit no...its just author's notes" kind of things?
I don't like keepin' y'all hanging but I also dont like those kinda pseudo-posts...womp...BUT ANYWAY
As always, I do not own KnB, my grammar and spelling are often absolute shit, and THANK YOU FOR READING!
"What with all the noise?" Haizaki yawned, scratching his belly as he walked up to the group.
"And why are all my groceries all over the ground?" Kuroko sighed, suddenly appearing, bent over the fallen groceries and slowly picking them up.
"Tetsu you...you're not going to America, are you?!" Aomine yelled, grabbing the little bluntette by the shoulders, causing Kuroko to drop the groceries he had just picked up.
"Let go of him" Ogiwara growled.
Kuroko nudged Aomine's hands off of him, "Indeed, your grip is rather painful". Kuroko said, cooly. Kuroko sighed and grabbed a bag of groceries, "We can discuss this later. Please pick up what you've dropped. I'd hate for the fruits to get more bruised than they are" Kuroko told the group before disappearing into the kitchen.
"But...TETSU" Aomine barked, swiftly grabbing an armful of groceries and running after the little, blue haired man. "Are you going or aren't you?"
"I don't see how its your business"
"You said we'd discuss it"
Kuroko shrugged, "I don't know if I'm going. There's a lot to consider"
"What things do you have to consider?" Midorima asked, gripping his lucky item for the day tightly in his grasp.
"If I were to go, how would Kagami-kun afford to stay in this apartment, what would happen to Nigou, what would do with my school, the fact that the vast majority of my friends are here..." Kuroko said, counting the various reasons on his fingers. Aomine placed the groceries on the counter in a huff, ready with a come back.
Before Aomine could say anything however, he was interrupted by Kise, who ran to Kuroko with open arms. "You can't leave, Kurokocchi" He whined, tightening his grip on the short bluenette, trying to force the phantom to stay by sheer physical force.
"I don't believe you have the right to tell me what to do. And as I said, I haven't decided anything"
"Though you do have to make a decision soon" Haizaki sighed as he started to put some of the groceries away. "We do ship out in a couple days"
"A COUPLE DAYS? HOW MANY DAYS EQUALS A COUPLE?" Aomine almost screamed
"Iunno...2?" Haizaki shrugged.
"Were you ever gonna tell us about this. Tetsuya?" Akashi asked, his eyes narrowing and focusing on the blue haired man.
"I thought you knew everything" Kuroko teased, trying, but failing, to ease the tension. Akashi brought his hands into tight fists. His arms shaking slightly with the effort to stay calm. If Kuroko decided to go, he would be gone in two days. Two days wasn't enough time to put together a plan to effectively change Kuroko's mind. Kuroko, being as stubborn as he was, would never give in to obvious ploys...a plan would need time...patience...a slow con. But two days? It would never work in two days...Akashi for all his knowledge now began to realize that he would lose his first love before it ever truly began.
"But Kurokocchi...I mean...you can't go..." Kise whimpered desperately
"All signs point to disaster if an Aquarius flies at all this week, nanodayo" Midorima added, attempting to look nonchalant and uncaring. But even Kagami, the densest and most oblivious person in all the world, noticed the way the megane's voice trembled.
"Alright, enough" Kagami sighed, stepping in. "This is Kuroko's decision. He's a grown...well sort of...man. He can do whatever the hell he wants. I mean I'd hate to see him go, but I don't really get a say, and if I don't get a say, you brats sure as hell don't either. Now shut yer traps and get yer asses to the living room. Kuroko needs room to cook and I'm freaking starving. Leggo, assholes. Come on."
"I want to stay and be with Kurochin..." Murasakibara whined
"Like I care!" Kagami barked, literally dragging the giant out of the room.
"I'll stay and help-" Ogiwara was cut of by a hand grabbing his collar.
"If we have to stay out of the kitchen, so do you" Aomine growled, bringing Ogiwara's face close to his.
"Fine, fine...you need a mint"
"And you need a personality"
"Thats not what your mom said last night"
"DO YOU WANT TO GO BECAUSE WE CAN GO"
"Back to your mom's house? Why? Want me to be your daddy?"
And with that, Aomine chased Ogiwara out of the kitchen to God knows where.
"What idiots" Mayuzumi sighed.
"Ah, it seems you evaded them" Kuroko smiled
"Lacking a presence comes in handy" Mayuzumi shrugged.
Kuroko chuckled and nodded, "I agree". Kuroko opened one of the cabinets and pulled out two aprons. One was a simple, solid blue one with no designs or extras, the other was a frilly white apron with a rather large red heart on the top. Kuroko looked at the two for a second, pausing to consider his options. He put on the plain apron, deciding it would be much more fun to make Mayuzumi wear the frilly one.
"I am not wearing that" Mayuzumi lowered his eyes at the frilly thing, "Its offensive"
"Its also the only other apron I have. It's either this or you go to the living room" Kuroko smiled. Just as he finished his sentence a loud crash came from the living room and a booming voice yelled, "WHO'S YOUR DADDY NOW?". Mayuzumi sweatdropped and quickly snatched the apron from Kuroko's hand and threw it on.
"I want to die..." Mayuzumi mumbled as he tied the apron around his waist.
"You're still young" Kuroko smiled, "You will experience many more embarrassing things in the future. Though..." Kuroko laughed, "This is pretty high up there"
"Give me the one you're wearing" Mayuzumi said simply.
"I'll pass"
"This is mortifying"
"This is my home"
"Look at these frills and lace!"
"I am looking. You look pretty cute"
Mayuzumi opened his mouth to reply, but quickly shut it. Cute? No one called him cute. He was a giant, silent, rude man who only ever did what he wanted. Heat slowly rose to his cheeks as he stared at the still chuckling Kuroko. It was quite a sight...Mayuzumi had spent hours and hours of his time staring at a TV screen following the movements of the Sixth Phantom player of Seirin High and through all that time he had always wondered about the man behind the legend. And here he was...laughing. When Mayuzumi first saw Kuroko he thought him weak and insignificant...but standing with him here and now...he thought...his whole view on him had changed. Kuroko Tetsuya was certainly something else.
"Its fine then" Mayuzumi grumbled, "let's get cooking. I'm getting hungry"
As Mayuzumi and Kuroko worked in the kitchen, the rest of the basketball players lounged leisurely in the living room. "Haizaki, Ogiwara, beers?" Kagami asked as he dug through the fridge in the living room. Haziaki and Ogiwara both voiced their agreements and Kagami tossed them the cold cans without looking. "What about you, Miragen? Beers?"
"We're underage" Midorima chastised.
"Your problems aren't. Hell, they're as old as time" Kagami smirked
"I want one" Aomine sighed.
"T-then me too! But...you don't have anything tastier than beer?" Kise asked, only to get tossed a can of beer with no response.
"Delinquents..." Midorima grumbled and folded his arms over his chest. He nearly jumped when he heard the pop of a can next to him. Akashi was drinking. "You too?"
"Is there a problem?" Akashi asked, popping the tab of his beer and raising an eyebrow at Midorima. Though his tone was light, Akashi's eyes shone a severity that dared Midorima to judge him. Midorima shuddered and shook his head.
"Me...too..." Midorima muttered.
"This isn't very tasty" Murasakibara stuck his tongue out in protest to the bitter brown liquid.
"Yeah, well, you're young. Come on fellas, drink up" Kagami smiled
After about an hour, Kuroko and Mayuzumi wandered into the living room holding plates of food. "The food is ready- what is going on?" Kuroko asked, walking into the living room with a scrunched nose; the foul smell of alcohol attacking his senses.
"They got a little drunk" Kagami smirked. The poor Miragen were all passed on the floor with the exception of Akashi, who was passed out on the couch.
"You gave them alcohol?" Kuroko asked, shocked, "on empty stomachs?"
"Yes, well, we didn't think they'd suck so much at drinking games" Haizaki chimed in, a red glow over his face and a sly smile on his lips.
"They have surprisingly terrible aim for being such good b-ballers" Ogiwara smiled.
"Are all three of you drunk?" Mayuzumi asked
"I think its just me" Haizaki smiled.
"Yeah I'm just tipsy" Ogiwara corrected, slowly waving his arms in the air in an uncaring fashion.
"And I'm perfectly fine" Kagami smirked, opening another can of beer, "Foods all done? Can we eat?"
"Do you think people who give alcohol to minors are deserving of food, Mayuzumi-kun?" Kuroko asked, his monotone taking a dark undertone.
"Nope. I do not" Mayuzumi smirked.
The smiles on the three older men's faces fell immediately
"You're not gonna give us food!?" Haizaki barked.
"I think Mayuzumi and I will eat it all ourselves" Kuroko said simply, placing the dishes on the dining table
"B-but...I'm hungry!" Kagami whined, "and theres so much food. You'll never be able to finish it"
"We can certainly try" Kuroko replied
It wasn't long until Kuroko gave in to the puppy dog looks of his friends. It took even a shorter time for Kagami to wolf down his food. "Come on, man! Save some for the rest of us" Haizaki barked, snatching a piece of meat from Kagami's plate. "Look! Kuroko and Ogiwara barely got any"
"There's plenty" Kagami replied, mouth stuffed with food.
"Please chew your food" Kuroko sighed.
"And don't talk with your mouth full. Are you an animal?" Ogiwara scrunched up his nose. In the midst of all the commotion, eating, and noise, Mayuzumi sat quietly next to Kuroko. Finding it much more entertaining to stare at him than eat. He felt like he couldn't look away. He wasn't used to this feeling. It was overwhelming, yet calming, and...strange. It was as Mayuzumi stared at Kuroko that he began to notice the way he was staring at Ogiwara and Haizaki.
"Oi, that's my chicken!" Haizaki stood up when Kagami took a giant piece of chicken from one of the plates.
"You weren't eating it"
"I was eyeing it"
"I was eyeing a jersey at the store. Doesn't automatically make it mine"
"Asshole!"
"Petty asshole!"
"Idiots" Ogiwara mumbled. While Kagami and Haizaki were arguing, Ogiwara easily took the chicken off of Kagami's plate and placed it on Haizaki's.
"HEY!" Kagami barked after a while, finally noticing his prize was lost. "That was mine!"
"You weren't eating it" Ogiwara mocked.
"This is why Ogiwara is my favorite" Haizaki laughed
Time passed leisurely...in a way. The GOM refused to leave the apartment. Mayuzumi stayed as well, finding everything, and especially someone, entertaining. Ogiwara and Haizaki stayed over as well as their hotel reservations had already come to an end. And throughout all of it, Kuroko sat quietly back in a corner, watching everyone interact, only chipping in when he was directly asked.
Could he leave? Could he really leave all of this behind? Not only these guys, but the rest of the Seirin team, Kasamatsu, Himuro, Takao, Riko, the kids at the day care...all the reasons to stay kept piling higher and higher. Kuroko's eyes wandered, once again, to Ogiwara. He was playing video games with everyone else. The living room was rather crowded, but Kuroko always knew exactly where Ogiwara was. Kuroko tightened his hands into fists. Ogiwara and Haizaki were leaving the next morning. He had to make a decision now. Was one person enough of a reason to abandon all this? Kuroko was snapped out of his thoughts when a controller came flying at his face. It hit Kuroko with a loud thump and Kuroko groaned as he fell out of his chair and hit the ground.
"KUROKOCCHI!" Kise hollared sprinting to Kuroko's side, "LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID, AHOMINE!"
"It wasn't me! It was Murasakibara! He's the one that tried to snatch it!" Aomine barked back.
"I was just reaching for the chips. You over-reacted" Murasakibara sighed.
"Bull! You just wanted Ogiwara to win so he'd ship you snacks from America!" Aomine snorted.
"You gotta do what you gotta do" Ogiwara smirked.
"Honestly, you both are so childish" Midorima sighed. Everyone stared blankly at this as Midorima was holding onto a life-size replica of the Blue Ranger from Power Rangers.
"It doesn't matter how you scheme" Akashi said, breaking the silence, "I would have won"
"Psh, yeah right. You were dead last" Haizaki laughed
"Last place gets the best items" Akashi corrected, his voice becoming icy and dark.
"Oh yes, I'm quite alright" Kuroko rolled his eyes,
"Oh, sorry Kuroko!" Ogiwara said, walking up to him, "You OK?"
"Yes. This is nothing" Kuroko smiled but winced when he went to touch his nose.
"You idiots should be more careful" Mayuzumi sighed placing the first aid kit on Kuroko's lap.
"Thank you, Mayuzumi-kun"
"Its my pleasure"
"Alright, whatever, break up this love fest. If Kuroko's says he's fine, he's fine. Now, we have a game to settle" Kagami smirked
Kuroko leaned back in his chair and struggled to find the right spot to apply the bandage. "Let me" Mayuzumi offered, taking the bandages from Kuroko's hands.
"Thank you" Kuroko sighed.
Mayuzumi stood above Kuroko, careful to apply the band aids at exactly the right parts. He slowly smoothed out the edges, trying very hard not to touch too harshly on the bruised skin. It was when he was finished and satisfied with his work that he noticed how close his face had gotten to Kuroko's and how Kuroko was staring right at him. "W-what?" Mayuzumi asked, feeling self-conscious and embarrassed.
"I was just thinking that you have very pretty eyes, Mayuzumi-kun"
"Y-you-!" But before Mayuzumi could say anything properly, Kuroko had backed up in his chair and stood up.
"Have you given any thought to transferring to Seirin?" Kuroko asked obviously oblivious to what effects his words had on Mayuzumi.
"T-that...I-I...haven't made a decision"
"You should decide soon. Riko-san will want to get a good look at you before the season starts"
"What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Have you...given much thought to leaving?"
Kuroko shrugged, "I've given it a lot of thought..."
"And?"
"I have no idea" Kuroko gently touched the band-aid on his nose and winced.
"Don't touch it" Mayuzumi chastised and grabbed Kuroko's hand, "And what do you mean you don't know? They're leaving tomorrow"
"Yes well, I guess being a phantom also means being indecisive" Kuroko replied with a smile.
Mayuzumi sighed and released Kuroko's hand, feeling utterly defeated. "I...I'll consider going to Seirin if you consider staying"
"Why?" Kuroko asked, blatantly unaware of what Mayuzumi's offer could mean.
"That...y-you..."
"Stop hogging my Kurokocchi!" Kise barked, appearing suddenly between the two phantoms. "I don't really like you, newcomer"
"I don't like you too much either copy cat" Mayuzumi shrugged.
This evolved into a full fledged insult fest in which Kuroko was easily able to escape. Kuroko returned to the shadows, watching as the others played their games and argued. His thoughts wandered back to whether or not he should leave. Staying would mean Mayuzumi would join Seirin...and Riko would be excited for the opportunity to train someone like him...plus Mayzumi would find life-long friends. The GOM would certainly be happy. Kagami would be able to stay in the apartment. Nigou wouldn't have to adjust to a new environment. Kuroko sighed. Then again...he'd also always wanted to go to the states...see the sights...see street basketball and a real-life NBA game. To have the opportunity to open a new daycare and have the privilege of teaching in a different environment...how could he decide?
The next morning, Kuroko stared at the small blue suitcase he had packed. The suitcase laid on the bed and Kuroko sat on the floor, staring at it for hours. Later, Ogiwara stepped into the room and sat next to Kuroko.
"So, you decided to come with us!" Ogiwara smiled.
"I packed a bag"
"...and you decided to come with us...right?"
Kuroko sighed, "I thought I did"
"...but?"
"I don't know."
"You can tell me, Kuroko. You can trust me"
"No, I genuinely do not know"
"Come on, Kuroko. You can at least tell me why"
"I do not know"
"That's not an answer Kuroko!" Ogiwara barked, tackling Kuroko to the ground and pinning Kuroko's hands by his head. "I know I said it was completely your decision, that no matter what you decide I would support you...but I thought...without a shadow of doubt you would want to come with me". Ogiwara's face was red with anger, but the tears in his eyes betrayed him. He wasn't mad...he could never be mad at Kuroko...he was hurt, heartbroken, devastated.
"When you first asked, I thought I would go with you"
"What changed?" Ogiwara asked, his voice breaking and his grips on Kuroko's arms weakening
"I think we just missed our time" Kuroko wiggled one of his hands free and wiped his sleeve across Ogiwara's face.
"We can go back"
"We can't"
"Why not?"
"I don't know why. We just can't"
"Dammit, Kuroko" Ogiwara looked away to take a deep breath and blink away the tears. He looked back down at Kuroko and moved his bangs off of his forehead. He leaned down and placed a soft, gentle kiss on Kuroko's head before getting up. "We'll keep in touch this time" Ogiwara gave Kuroko a wide smile before leaving the room...and leaving Kuroko.
Later that day-
"So, you decided not to go" Kagami said, handing Kuroko a can of beer.
Kuroko turned the cold beverage over in his hands, and sighed at the feel of the cold metal against his skin. "I don't drink alcohol, Kagami-kun" Kuroko said softly after a long silence.
Kagami shrugged, "Tonight, you do". Kagami knew Kuroko pretty well now. He could read the little nuances in Kuroko's face that no one else caught. He could see the small smiles, the slight furrowing of his eyebrows. After all these years together, Kagami would say he knew Kuroko pretty well. But he had rarely ever seen Kuroko like this. He had only twice before seen Kuroko this heart broken. The first time was when Kuroko had heard that Ogiwara was sent to the hospital and the second when Haizaki quit the team. And now, both people had come back and both people were going to leave again, together. Kagami took a long sip of his beer, and eyed Kuroko carefully. His bright blue eyes were dull and listless, staring off into space. Kuroko had a stong grip on his beer, clenching his fists tightly around the metal can. He seemed all too tense and all too empty at the same time. "Its ok, you know, to talk to me about this kind of stuff" Kagami sighed, scratching the back of his neck, unsure of what to say. Kagami sighed with relief when he saw Kuroko's shoulders relax slightly and a ghost of a smile playing at his lips.
"I suppose that's true" Kuroko said, a full smile slowly forming on his lips as he let out a soft chuckle, "If anyone knows me, its you". Kuroko looked down at the beer can and slowly popped the tab. He sighed and brought the opening to his lips and took large gulps of the bitter liquid. Kuroko slammed the can down and wiped his mouth. "I still can't stand the taste of beer" Kuroko sighed, his body shuddering.
Kagami shrugged, finishing his beer and grabbing a new can, "You get used to it"
"I'd rather not force myself" Kuroko sighed again, his cheeks flushing a bright red. Kuroko tapped the can against the balcony rail. He looked down at it and sighed, "Why do you think I stayed?" Kuroko said softly.
"How should I know?" Kagami shrugged.
"I don't know either" Kuroko paused, "You think I would, wouldn't you? I thought I would go...I leaning towards going the second he asked me, but when it got down to it...when it was almost time...I still couldn't give him my answer...something kept me back" Kuroko spoke in his normal tone, completely and utterly montone...but Kagami picked up a hint of sadness, a hint of confusion and heartbreak. A silence fell between the two friends until Kuroko let out a soft huff, "It felt like they were running off together, huh? Like they were lovers or something" Kuroko mumbled, the alcohol affecting more than he thought it would.
"There's not anything going on between Haizaki and Ogiwara" Kagami said, trying to comfort his friend.
"You're not observant, Kagami-kun" Kuroko sighed.
"Hey! I'm just trying to help"
"Lying benefits no one"
"Well, excuse me...the whole...thing is still new to me, ok?" Kagami sighed, throwing his fifth empty beer can onto the balcony floor.
"They'll make each other happy" Kuroko sighed. He leaned forward, folding his arms across the railing, and resting his head in the crook of his arms. "It could've been me" Kuroko sighed.
"What?" Kagami asked
"If he had called me, back then, I would have went to him" Kuroko clarified with a soft sigh.
"Kuroko...can I ask you something?"
"Of course you can, Kagami-kun" Kuroko replied
"Did you...I mean...were you...in love with Ogiwara?"
"Of course I am"
"Am? As in present? As in still?" Kagami whispered harshly.
"Then. Now. For all these years, for me, its always been him"
"Wait...then...WHAT? Why didn't you go?! You love him right?! You should've gone! You should've fought for him!" Kagami barked.
"In fairy tales..."
"WHAT ABOUT FAIRY TALES?!"
"This is important" Kuroko chastised, his words starting to string together in slurs, "In fairy tales, you have the lovers, right?"
"Right." Kagami said, still fuming.
"And then you have the one that tries to get in the middle of things right? Whether its a jilted lover, an evil witch, a one-sided love, a monster, beast, whatever. And you wonder to yourself, why do they have to butt in? Why are they getting in the way of true love?"
"I dont see your point"
"In the story of Ogiwara, Haizaki, and me...they're the ones with true love, and I...if I chose to be...am the monster that tries to break them apart"
"Kuroko...Ogiwara he loves you"
"He used to" Kuroko corrected, "He still thinks he does, probably. But the way he looks at Haizaki is the way he used to look at me...no...he's probably more passionately in love with Haizaki than he ever was with me"
"Bu-"
"I spend most of my time watching people, Kagami-kun, I am not wrong about this. Whether he knows it or not, Ogiwara's heart now belongs to Haizaki. If I were to go with them...then..." Kuroko trailed off, a slow realization making its way through the alcohol, "I would be in the way. I'd...in jealousy...try to separate them...then...what held me back was..." Kuroko let out a shudder of a breath, "my humanity?"
"Your humanity?"
"The part of me that only wants the best for both of them" Kuroko clarified with a satisfied sigh.
"I'm not following, but you seem to be better. Guess all you needed was to talk it out" Kagami nodded.
Kuroko let out a soft chuckle, "I was...heart broken, I still am I suppose when I decided not to go to America. I didn't understand, completely, why I'd let the love of my life just leave like that...but it was because somewhere in me knew I wasn't the love of his. Knowing that I let go because I wanted him to be as happy as he could be, even if it's not with me... made me...it feels better knowing I didn't give up on love, I let him go"
"If you truly love someone, you let them free and if they come back you'll know their love was true...or something like that"
"Exactly that, except I know he's not coming back" Kuroko let out another soft laugh. It was uplifting. He wasn't as horrible a person as he thought he was. It was a bitter-sweet feeling for Kuroko. On one hand, he knew Haizaki, with all his rough edges, would make Ogiwara happy. They both would live their lives slowly realizing their feelings for each other and once they are ready...they'd start on their happily ever after together. On the other hand...the person he'd loved so dearly for so long, the man he had romanticized in his mind, the one that Kuroko held so preciously, unyielding, in his heart for all those years, had moved on without him. Kuroko had waited for Ogiwara. He had waited patiently for years. He had bit back the loneliness for years in anticipation of Ogiwara's return. Yet...when Ogiwara came back...Kuroko found that the man he had loved, and who had once loved him, now had someone else in his heart. It hurt. It hurt like hell. It was crushing and debilitating. It sucked the very breath out of Kuroko. "It still sucks"
Kagami stood beside Kuroko, who let a couple tears fall from his sky blue eyes. Kagami reached over and gently patted Kuroko's hair. "Ha-ha you said sucks" Kagami said, fighting back a cheesy smile. A silence fell between the two friends before Kuroko jabbed Kagami roughly inbetween the ribs before bursting into laughter. Kagami grabbed his ribs in pain and soon laughed with his friends. After their laughter had calmed Kagami took Kuroko beer can and finished it. "You've obviously had enough and I'm not putting this to waste"
"Indeed" Kuroko smiled.
"You're gonna be OK?" Kagami asked as he picked up the cans of beer from the ground. Kuroko merely nodded in response. The loud clanging of the cans as Kagami clumsily dropped them made him wince in pain. He sighed and grabbed Kagami by the back of the shirt. "But the cans" Kagami whined as Kuroko opened the balcony door and shoved Kagami back into the living room.
"Its a tomorrow problem"
"Its a GOM problem. Look at these assholes. Sleeping all over our apartment like they own the freakin' place. The least they could do is clean up this mess" Kagami whispered harshly.
"You're the one who made them drink" Kuroko chastised.
"Yeah well...they needed it" Kagami sighed
"Are they going through somethings?" Kuroko asked cocking his head to the side.
"Oh-ho, who's the unobservant one now?" Kagami grinned.
"You're too old to be this cheeky, Kagami-kun. It's not cute"
"Screw you, I ain't ever tryna be cute"
YUP KUROKO STAYED
Though I REALLY was about to make him leave for the States
put ya know...things change
R&R if you want
THANK YOU FOR READING