Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basuke.

Rating: T for silliness, mild suggestive content between characters of the same gender, characters behaving oddly, and abnormal plane configurations that shouldn't be thought about too closely.

A/N: This chapter kind of wrote itself and I'm just as surprised as anyone else might be at the result, but maybe you'll like it anyway. :-) It's set to take place after the Winter Cup.

UPDATE: 9/13/2015: I forgot to mention this originally, and posted the note in chapter 4 as well since it just came up, but this story will only chronicle the flight portion. There will be a companion story with the tournament itself, however that won't be posted until this one is completed.

On the Dangers of In-Flight Entertainment

Chapter 1

Kuroko didn't know exactly how he had found himself in this situation but he was fully aware it was probably not going to end well for him. Every single member of the Generation of Miracles was on this plane, along with many of their teammates, and of course the Seirin team. They were on their way to an international championship in Europe so the flight was going to be a long one, and somehow he was squeezed in between Aomine and Kagami, in the middle seat of the middle row, both of whom looked as if they'd like to strangle each other right then and there.

"Why don't you sit with your own team Aomine?!" Kagami's question was a fair one, except this flight was completely full and Kuroko couldn't imagine anyone willingly trading seats to be among a crowd of rowdy basketball players. And it seemed all the other athletes were too amused at the seating arrangements to offer to trade anyway.

"I like this seat. You move if it bothers you so much!"

The two were practically seething with the urge to do bodily harm to the other and in the midst of a shoving match when one of them grabbed the arm rest, the button for Kuroko's seat was hit and suddenly Kuroko found his seat reclined and he was looking up into Kise's laughing golden eyes. "Hey Kurokocchi, having fun?"

"Not really, Kise-kun. They seem more agitated than usual." Kuroko's deadpan response was all the more adorable for his being upside down and his seatmates still arguing and insulting one another at an abnormally fast pace above him; apparently they hadn't yet noticed his change in alignment.

"Idiots. Sorry Kuroko, it looks like you're going to have a rough flight." This from Kasamatsu, who had the aisle seat behind Kagami and was to Kise's right.

Kuroko shifted his head to look at the Kaijo captain. "It's okay, Kasamatsu-san. I have a feeling this will be resolved soon."

A guffaw emerged from the person flanking Kise on the left-hand aisle, seated behind Aomine. It was Takao from Shutoko and he smiled easily down at Kuroko. "Do you have a plan, then?"

"He doesn't need one, idiot. He's fully aware the coaches can hear this foolishness." Midorima sat in the aisle seat across from Takao's, so they were separated by the walking space but still able to converse if they chose. Midorima sat perfectly straight in his seat with his lucky item of the day, a bedazzled elephant plush, in his lap. He was probably the only person in the whole world who could still manage to look aloof with such a cute quirk so prominently on display.

Midorima proved to be correct as Riko, the coach of the Seirin team, made her way toward them. It was nothing short of amazing to see the two powerful aces reduced to shame-faced teenagers by the rage of the young coach and a tenuous peace was established as all the players in their vicinity recognized her as a force to be reckoned with.

"Wow Kurokocchi…she's scary." Kise's voice piped up timidly from behind his former teammate.

"You have no idea!" chimed all the Seirin players collectively.

Kuroko smiled and settled back into his seat while listening to the announcements and safety regulations. There was a pointed reminder about ensuring the comfort and safety of those around you and to keep the seat belts fastened when the pilot had the appropriate light on.

They managed to wait until the plane was up in the air before another argument broke out, which was really quite longer than anyone had held out hope for, all things considered. It started when Aomine pulled out a gravure magazine and was idly flipping through it. Kagami looked over, then snorted rudely at seeing what the other teen was doing.

"I can't believe you read that trash, Aomine."

"At least I can read."

"What're you talking about? That's just a picture book for adults!"

"At least you're ready to admit I'm more mature than you are!"

Kuroko's emotionless voice interjected "Aomine-kun's magazines help him relax. Don't judge, Kagami-kun, or I'll have to tell him about your guilty pleasure, too."

Kagami froze and immediately seemed to deflate in terms of both intensity and physical space. He looked beseechingly at his teammate, silently imploring him not to reveal the secret to Aomine.

Aomine's eyes lit up at the smaller teen's words and Kagami's reaction to them. He HAD to know whatever this secret was now!

"What is it, Tetsu? I bet Kagami here is into some really weird stuff. Is he a stamp collector? Is he really a cosplaying otaku? C'mon you have to tell me!" His voice was laughing but it was clear from his expression he didn't intend to let this go.

"Shut up Aomine! Look, uhm, Kuroko, what if I apologize? Will you keep quiet then?" Kagami's face had turned astonishingly red at the threat of his own secret being revealed, it was far better to eat a little humble pie than have the other ace know something like that.

Kuroko's peaceful blue eyes looked a little mischievous, but he agreed "I think that would be very nice of you, Kagami-kun, and of course in the spirit of your sincere apology I would keep your secret."

Kagami took a deep breath, turned to look at his rival and with evidence of genuine apology alongside fear of discovery clearly apparent in his tone, stated, "I shouldn't have antagonized you over the magazine. It was rude and Kuroko is right that it was wrong for me to judge. Please accept my apology."

Aomine was intrigued. What could Kagami be into that he would be willing to apologize to avoid having it revealed?

Kuroko nodded in satisfaction and said quietly, "See, with the right incentives we can get along!" but heard from behind him a teasing voice saying, "Now that's not fair, I want to know Kagamicchi's secret too!" And immediately after that Kise had reached through the spaces of the seat and began tickling Kuroko mercilessly, "If I remember correctly, Kurokocchi, you give up after just a little bit of incentive yourself!"

Kuroko was squirming in his seat trying to evade Kise but with his seatbelt fastened and being trapped between his two larger seatmates it meant he didn't have much room to maneuver. His face flushed lightly and he was quickly running out of air from his quiet, but constant giggles at the sensation.

Aomine, who had more experience with Kise's specially designed "Kuroko interrogation techniques" and knew them to be fairly successful, grinned at the silliness but was secretly waiting for Kuroko to break. Kagami, for his part was dumbfounded to see his shadow so relatively expressive and found himself blushing again as he watched Kise's hands move over Kuroko, here and there revealing some of his pale skin as Kuroko's shirt was dislodged by his struggles, and he began feeling heat build in his groin as Kuroko wriggled around in his seat. He should stop this, shouldn't he?

But Kasamatsu beat him to it by roughly slapping his ace's head and forcibly pulling him back from Kuroko. "Idiot. Remember you've got a brain, okay? Don't be so immature!" The Kaijo captain unfastened his seatbelt, stood and peered over the seat at the Seirin phantom. "Are you okay, Kuroko? I know he can be a bit much."

Kuroko was still trying to catch his breath but managed to gasp out his thanks to Kasmatsu. Unknowingly, however, his hoarsely offered gratitude combined with his disheveled appearance sent dirty fantasies spinning through the minds of several of the athletes surrounding him, although most of them would have rather died than admit how attractive they found Kuroko. It didn't stop any of them from experiencing a sudden tightening in their pants however and there were several uncomfortable shifts as nobody made eye contact with anyone else.

Although he sensed the sudden tension, Kuroko had no idea he was the cause of it. But he did know that after Kise's attack he needed something to drink and since the seatbelt light was off he could grab his water from his bag in the overhead bin. He decided he'd go visit some of the other players for a bit as well and hopefully when he came back everyone would have settled down. He made to stand up and slipped past Kagami, stretching to reach his bag and unaware of the picture he presented with his arms extended and arched body straining to reach his belongings. After extracting his water, he simply dropped his bag in his seat. "I'll put it back later" he offered with a cheerful smile and headed up the aisle.

Aomine watched Kagami's expression as the redhead watched Kuroko and he got an idea for how to tease him later. This was going to be fun.