Takicchi wants to get married.

My baby girl wants to get married.

Married….

I… must have heard wrong…

Right?

Staring blankly down at the child on his lap, the blonde man could only blink at her words. Marriage… that… it wasn't that he had never thought about it but … for it to happen so soon was just….

In his mind, she was still so small, so young. It seemed as if barely a year has passed since she was no large than a basketball herself. Only a short time since she couldn't even support her own head, since she spoke her first word, took her first step – where had all that time gone? But even so, it wasn't as if she was an adult yet. At his age, she was like a baby bird taking its first flight away from home.

The girl's only fifteen going sixteen, Kise thought, cringing at the thought. Even if the law stated that she could marry, it was simply ridiculous. Shaking his head, he spoke with a confused tone.

"Takicchi, I think I must have heard wrong."

"No, papa," Taki said, once again with an unmoving firmness, "I want to get married."

Ah, damn it.

Still in disbelief, he tried to persuade her out of it, "But sweetheart, isn't it sort of too early?"

"I'll be sixteen. That's the legal age to get married so long as we have parent consent."

"Yes… but… you could wait a little longer…."

"I can't."

And that's that, Kise thought, inwardly panicking.

Looking into her eyes, he could see the stubborn look in her eye, a trait she shared with her tanned father. When she looked like that, it meant that she was going to be unyielding, until she got her way. Conflicted, the blonde continued asking questions, dumbfounded.

"You… you'll be marrying… whom?"

Rolling her eyes, Taki said sarcastically, "The prime minister of Canada."

"That's nice," Kise croaked, mouth on auto-pilot. Maybe the man was a nice fellow, he thought, brain clearly malfunctioning. Ah, but to be prime minister, the man would have to be pretty old.

Actually, it wasn't so nice after all.

"Damn it, papa. I was kidding," the teen scoffed, displeased by her father's lethargic behaviour, "The person that I'll be marrying… he's sitting right in front of you."

Following the girl's line of sight, Kise's eyes landed on the eerily motionless boy who sat a little bit straighter as their eyes met. Hands curled into fists by his side, Souta took in a deep breath before nodding at the two men. With a clear, determined tone, he opened his mouth.

"I'd like to first clarify that this isn't a joke. The two of us… we – "

"Don't fuck with me."

In a matter of seconds, an arm shot out, grabbing the boy by the collar. Automatically, Souta's hands gripped onto the toned arm, struggling to breath. Through squinted eyes, the boy couldn't help but cower slightly at the sight before him. Staring back with a murderous gaze was the tanned basketball pro. Muscles rippling, he held the teen by the collar, effortlessly.

Petrified, Taki dashed from her spot next to an equally shocked blonde and gripped her blue-eyed father, panicked, "Daddy! You're killing him. Let him go!"

To her horror, it seemed as if her pleas fell on deaf ears. Aomine remained unrelenting in his hold, danger gleaming from his cold eyes. It sent shivers down her spine… reminding her of how Kise had looked when he nearly killed the man who nearly killed her all those years ago.

"Daddy," she said once more, little more than a whimper, "Please stop…."

At her pained voice, his grip grew uncertain, wavering slightly. It wasn't much, but it was enough. Taking the opportunity, Souta swung his legs, connecting against the solid chest of Aomine's. Surprised, he man let go and the boy fell onto the floor, gasping for air. Understanding that he had just been one upped, Aomine approached the fallen figure, but Taki had moved more quickly. Flinging her arms around Souta, she placed her body between the two.

"Don't hurt him anymore," she glared, turning her head slightly to shoot her father a look of resentment. Then, she looked over to Kise, who finally gathered his bearings.

Tentatively, he walked over to his lover, taking his hand and calmly dragged him back onto the couch. While Aomine didn't make any moves, the blonde was on guard. After all, while both men were always fiercely protective, it was definitely the tanned man who was the more extreme in his ways. Once, during a school trip in which the basketball pro showed up as a parental volunteer, he had threatened bodily harm to all the male students who dared approach. The children had been in the second grade. After that incident, Kise never allowed the man to ever go on the trips again.

Honestly, even if he himself disapproved of the idea of early marriage, Kise found that he bad begrudging respect for the youth in front of him. Considering the sheer intimidation brought on by even dating their daughter, no boy had lasted as long as Souta had. But then again, the red-eyed boy had been along her side since they were young. Even now, after nearly facing death, the boy's eyes remained clear, determined. His courage remained unfazed, and he only looked towards the girl with kindness as she fussed over him. Kise watched with mixed feelings as he saw the boy soothe her worries.

That used to be me, he thought, wistfully.

Eventually, with the frantic girl finally settling down, Souta shifted his body. Getting onto his knees, he looked towards the fearsome couple without any fear at all, as if what had just transpired never happened. Chin up, hands on his thighs, he spoke out with a strong voice.

"In basketball… I know that I am no match for you. To Taki, I lose, meaning that I stand no chance against either one of you. Nor can I challenge you in knowledge or the arts I've learned as I'd have an unfair advantage. So, I guess this left me in quite the dilemma. After pondering what to do, I decided that I could only hope to talk you into this."

Watching her boyfriend speak, Taki got onto her knees as well, hand on the boy's clenched fist. Smiling softly, she looked at him with a reassuring smile. At the sight of the two, Kise felt Aomine's grip tighten and he flinched. Sighing, he took it upon himself to urge the boy to continue, lest the tanned man crush his hand before the conversation ended.

Nodding, the boy resumed, "I am not particularly talented. I am not a genius like Father, nor do I have any hidden talents like Dad. I know that Taki is too good for me, especially in your eyes. But for her, I always want to try harder. I don't have confidence in anything… but… I know that no one could love her more. So with that said, I'd like to formally ask for your daughter's hand in marriage."

His last words hung in the air, silence having befallen in the room. Each person was digesting the youth's words in their own way, with Kise not sure how he should react. Unfortunately, it seemed that he didn't have to.

Still wearing an irritated expression, the tanned man clicked his tongue and released his steel hold on the blonde's hand. Panicked, Kise reached out to stop the man as he stood up. Aomine only brushed him off though, walking towards the two teenagers. Visibly, Taki made an attempt to shield Souta once more, but he held her back. Instead, he made eye contact with the tanned man, showcasing his will.

After a moment of contemplation, Aomine's lips parted ever so slightly.

"How touching," he murmured, eyes hardening, definitely not meaning what he said. Staring down at the boy, he spoke, barely above a whisper, "If you have anymore sappy shit to spout, save it. Because this is happening over my dead body, bastard."

With that, the pro stormed out of the room, slamming his foot up the staircase. Stunned, the three sat for a while, unmoving, before they realized what exactly just happened. First to break the spell was Taki as she immediately began fawning over her lover.

"Souta," she murmured, concern spilling out of her ocean-like eyes, "Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? God, I'm so sorry."

"It's nothing. His reaction was to be expected, after all," the boy laughed, running a hand through his own cerulean hair. Smiling softly, he stroked her cheek, reassuring her silently.

Frowning and not entirely convinced, she leaned into his touch, nuzzling his hand, "I'll talk to him. You just sit here and relax, 'kay?"

"No, it's fine," Souta hugged her, "I'll leave for today. Might be better for him to calm down a bit, or else I might really end up dying."

"Don't joke about that…" she warned, lips falling into a pout.

"Wasn't a joke," he teased, twirling a lock of her long blonde hair around his fingers before planting a kiss on her forehead, "And I guess I shouldn't have done that. Ryouta-san looks pretty murderous today, too."

"He's not going to hurt you," Taki said, wrapping her arms around his waist, chin leaning on his shoulders, "Right? Papa?"

Flinching at her commanding tone, Kise raised his hand in resignation, face softening. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and relaxed a bit.

"Anyways," the ruby-eyed boy sighed, softly parting for the slim teen, "I'll be going now. Don't give your dads a hard time, all right?"

"No promises," she whined, face dejected, "I'll see you out."

"No need," he smiled, patting her head caringly, "You two… should talk it out."

Like that, the girl watched as his back disappeared from the room, heart dropping as the footsteps faded quietly until they ceased completely. An unnerving silence replaced the living room, and Taki couldn't take it. With Kise following her up the stairs, she entered her room, slamming it closed in anger. Quietly, her blonde father crept in, feeling awkward with the tense atmosphere.

Back against the wall and head stuffed into a pillow, the girl sat, face covered by her long, blonde hair. Through the silence, he could hear the muffled sounds of crying, stabbing his heart.

"I can't believe daddy did that," she whispered. Kise's heart broke from her heartbreak.

Feeling troubled on whether to follow his paternal instincts to comfort his baby or to stick up for Aomine, Kise tentatively approached the not so little girl with a calming tone, "Well, this was sprung on us rather suddenly."

"He didn't need to choke him like that," the blonde teen yelled, eyes welling with frustrated tears, "What if Souta hates me now…?"

Arrow through his heart, the man tried to push the guilt away, embracing the child in his strong arms, "Now, now, he wouldn't give up for such a thing."

"How would you know?" she cried, clutching onto his shirt.

"Because I love you very much, and I know that if he does love you as much as he claims, he wouldn't tuck his tail behind him and run away."

"…."

"Do you not trust him, Takicchi?"

"That's not it…."

"Then what makes you so afraid?"

"Afraid…" she thought for a moment, cuddling close for her father's warmth. It soothed her, the reverberations that shook through his chest as he spoke. He made her feel safe, "I just… don't know. Marriage… I brought it up first. I didn't want him to leave me…."

"And why would he do that?" Kise cooed, playing the role of therapist, albeit a rather intimate one.

"Because he really is…."

"Takicchi?"

"He plans to leave to study abroad, working with Sei-kun all the while he studies."

"Where exactly is he planning to go?"

"I don't know. He said that they won't be staying in one place for long, visiting the different firms of the Akashi Corporation."

"That…is well… quite impressive."

"I know…Souta…He's doing this because he doesn't have any self confidence. Papa, you saw right? Even if he's the top of the class, winning national competitions or claiming top prizes – for some reason he always feels like he isn't as good as me. But honestly, the only thing I can beat him in is basketball."

"That… well, you did leave quite an impression on him as a child."

"That's not it papa! It's like…like… ah, I don't know!"

Smiling forlornly, Kise sighed, "Well, it could be a side effect from his circumstances. Akashicchi, he is proficient in everything he does. It's quite taxing when people expect you to perform as well, if not exceed such a person. Considering how he insisted on following you to America and start all over, he must have worked hard to become such a talented person. It must have been hard to be pressured to excel even when everyone around him had such an advantage over him."

"He wasn't like this before…."

"Ah well, in Japan, you two were still very young. In the world, as you grow older, there will always be people better than you. That is something that I learned quite well when playing basketball," Kise laughed, reminiscing about his past.

"Still," she murmured softly, eyes staring out the window, clutching onto her basketball charm bracelet, "He should be more sure of himself. He's kind, sweet, gentle…always there for me… no matter where I am… he'll always come running."

Smiling gently, she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, as if remembering a warm memory. Somewhere inside, Kise felt a piece of him die off. The look on her face… it was certainly an expression of love. It hurt, when he realized that it was such a familiar expression. Almost, he thought, did it mirror his face when he was sixteen. How he had felt for Aomine, his little girl now felt for her own love. Watching her, Kise shook his head, giving in.

"Ne, Takicchi," he whispered, holding her tight as he had when she was young, "You really love him lots, don't you?"

"Yeah," she mumbled back, hiding her face.

"Even more than you do towards papa and Aominecchi?"

"That's different!"

"Mm, how so?"

"You two are my family, my precious dads. It's just... different, okay?"

Chuckling, he rested his chin on her head, "To Aominecchi and me, it actually makes no difference. Do you know the story behind walking a bride down the aisle to the groom? It symbolizes handing you over to your husband… that all the obligations and responsibilities over you would be transferred to him."

Taki frowned at this, "I'm not property to be exchanged."

"I know," he nodded, "But what my point is… is that it feels like Soutacchi is taking you away from us. That this will be goodbye."

"You know that that isn't what's happening," Taki murmured, absentmindedly tracing figures on her father's back. It calmed her, the feeling of his strong body holding hers. To her, he was invincible. A forever constant in her life, from birth until now, as she was in his. Now, with this idea of marriage, a monumental change would occur and Kise couldn't help but fear what this meant towards their constancy.

Wearing a solemn expression, he sighed, "Are you sure? When you get married, you'll be off to start your own family. You'll be leaving with him, and over time you won't visit as often."

"It won't, papa," she pleaded, eyes filled with worry as she looked into amber eyes. His anxiety reaching her perfectly, "I will visit, often. I'll call, I'll write – I won't let you be lonely."

"That's not exactly it, Takicchi," Kise laughed, but smiled a bit more happily than before.

"Papa, you know I love you and Daddy lots. Trust me…"

Disengaging her arms from his body, he gently left their embrace, "I do trust you, Takicchi. I just…worry. It can't be helped. As long as you are my baby, I will always be concerned over you."

From where her body once met warmth was now replaced by sudden cold air. Looking up, Taki sent the man a look of confusion and reached out to hold onto him.

"Once you leave us, there may be times when both Aominecchi and I won't be able to be there for you. Instead, it'll be up to Soutacchi to comfort you."

"Why?" Taki pouted, not liking the lack of warmth.

"We may be physically too far," Kise said, stroking her hair before beginning to walk away, "Or it may simply be because you'll need to be strong for someone else. One day, you'll have children of your own… and you'll need to be the wall that supports them as we do for you. You wouldn't be able to just run away to us, could you?"

Taking a moment, she considered that possibility. Kise could see that she understood now what this meant. This would only be the beginning of change… and once it happened, it wouldn't be so easy to return to her days of innocence. Sure, the changes may not happened right away, but not much would remain untouched by change as the years go on by. As she leaves for the real world, she will only grow and morph into the woman she was meant to be. Smiling with a mix of anticipation and nostalgia, he leaned against the door, hand on the knob.

"With that said, it won't be as if we won't do our best to be with you, Takicchi," he murmured reassuringly, "When you go through hard times, we will support you with everything we have. When you are happy, we will smile with you. No matter what, you will always be our precious baby girl. So if you think that this is the right choice, I will give my blessing."

"Papa…"

"But," he turned, opening the door slowly, "I'm not the one you still need to convince."

There, sitting with his back that was once against the door, was a familiar backside that Taki knew only too well. Broad shoulders that she used to cling on faced her, and suddenly she felt rather emotional. Despite his anger, he was there. Always, there. She knew that this was his way of apologizing. After all, after every fight, he'd always sit by her door, listening to her as she cried. Then he'd ask to come in, telling her that he was sorry and she'd believe him. Hugging, they'd make up. Now, he sheepishly turned, having lost all the anger on his face. This was the father she knew, with his chiselled features and warm blue eyes. Wiping away her tears, she watched him as he squirmed, embarrassed to have been caught.

Coughing, he shot a glare at the blonde man who towered over his sitting body, "Way to expose me, Kise."

"You should have just came in," Kise shrugged, coolly, "Mr. Eavesdropper."

"Talking as if it was that easy," Aomine scoffed, avoiding eye contact with the girl. Still feeling awkward, he hung around the doorway without entering or exiting.

"Whatever," Kise chirped, sending a wink to Taki, "Anyhow, he's all yours, Takicchi. Don't you try to run away now, Aominecchi."

"Who's running now…" the tanned man muttered, shifting his weight nervously.

Obviously, he was uncomfortable with the situation, and Taki sensed this. Even still, he didn't turn away – he was facing it, facing her, head on. Never did he run from her….

Exhaling slowly, the teen girl moved to get up, trying not to smile when her giant of a father winced as she approached. Hilariously enough, her tough as nails dad was more afraid of his daughter's scorn than anything else. Trying to be as nonchalant as possible, the blonde teen simply tapped his chest and smiled.

"Come on, daddy. Let's play one-on-one."

Having changed into exercise clothes, Taki reached up to tie her hair back as it'd get in the way with its length. Seeing her father approach though, she chuckled softly, reliving a certain memory. Grinning mischievously, she spoke, "Hey, daddy, I can't play basketball if my hair isn't tied up."

Canting his head to one side, the tanned men eyed her strangely, "Then tie it."

Just like her memory, his words came out exactly the same as it had over a decade ago. Faking a pout, the not so tiny blonde pouted, "I can't. Do it for me."

"Geez, what a pain. Don't you usually have your hair already in a pony-tail?"

Glaring playfully, she recited, "That's because papa always did it! But, papa had to go early today so he couldn't do it today, remember?"

"What the hell are you…" confusion plastered his face but was soon replaced with recognition. Slowly, the tips of his mouth tugged up slightly as he gave her a meaningful look. Exhaling exasperatedly, he shook his head as he looked towards the ground, hands on his hips, "Man, you still remember those things?"

"What do you mean 'those' things?" Taki frowned, "To me, they are all precious memories!"

"Yeah, yeah. I know," he laughed, feeling the tension in his body dissipate slightly.

"Besides, you remember them too!"

That, he did.

"Ew, you're smiling creepily again."

"Is that how you talk to someone you want a favour from," he growled.

"Owowow, you ganguro! That hurts!"

Where are your manners? Didn't your papa teach you better? Haaah, whatever happened to being respectful to your elders."

"I have manners. Taki is a good girl."

"I don't see them."

Both within his head and outside, her voice chimed, a lower frequency than in his memory but with the same innocence as before. There was also his voice, carrying different yet similar emotions as he had in the past. Eyes softening, he looked at her warmly. Man, where had the time gone? He could still remember the day they met, their second meeting, the fire in her eyes and the vulnerability of her young mind. Strong yet weak, immature yet precocious – he loved her so much and time only strengthened it. In his mind, she was still the three foot something toddler that could only grasp onto his pinky with the whole of her hand. But in front of him now, he had to face reality. No longer was she a defenseless baby. Now, she stood there with a mind of her own. A young adult who was to make decisions on her own.

"Please help me tie me hair," she grinned, holding out her hair tie. It was such a familiar action, and he felt reminiscence clench his chest.

"Who are you asking?" he asked, fighting off the tightness within his throat.

"Please help me tie my hair, Ahomine-sensei."

"Please help me tie me hair," she repeated, making eye contact, "Daddy."

Staring at her, he felt his chest ache, and tears form. Brushing them off, he approached her, and together they sat down. Wordlessly, he began to bundle her hair together into a pony tail, hands now moving automatically from years of practice. In his hands though, her hair was different. So much longer, much thicker than her hair before… and her height… No longer was she the tiny child he had held.

Suppressing his nostalgia, he muttered, "How's that? Does it feel weird?"

Turning to face him, she beamed, "Not this time. It's perfect."

Still wearing a content expression, she took the basketball from him, dribbling around. Following her, the pair met at the center, him easily towering over her. Readying themselves in their stances, their eyes never left one another. Quiet, not a sound in the courtyard of their property, the two lone figures stood, unmoving, testing one another. One wrong move, and they'd lose – both were well aware of that. The problem was, that Taki was so used to playing against him that she knew her too well.

On the other hand, that meant that he could easily see through her moves as well, like now.

Smoothly, he blocked off her path, not allowing her to proceed the way she wanted. That wasn't enough to deter her as she side-stepped him, dashing forward. Again, as if foreseeing that, he darted his hand back, successfully stealing the ball. Taking her moment of confusion of switching from offense to defence, Aomine spun and began to run, only to be surprised to find her standing in front of him.

"Tch," he clicked his tongue, "You let me steal it on purpose, didn't you?"

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't."

"You're going to regret this. Don't come crying to me when you lose."

"As if I would, idiot!" she shouted, taunting him by pulling her lower eyelid down and sticking out her tongue.

"Pfft," Aomine laughed, relaxing his body to prepare to rush past her, "You look so ugly right now."

"Rude," she pouted, obviously not offended, and then mockingly said, "If so though… I must have gotten my horrid appearance from you."

"Tsk, you're like a carbon copy of Kise. If anything, it's his fault."

"You fell in love with him."

"My taste is strange."

Rolling her eyes she threw the towel in as she knew that he could bicker forever, "Whatever. Get a move on, old man."

"Man," Aomine scoffed, "Still without manners as always."

"I guess you have to teach me them, again, ne?" she smirked, challenging him.

"Tch, yeah, yeah. Just watch me own your ass."

With that, he placed a leg firmly behind him, dribbling with a controlling hand. Crouching lower, he watched as his daughter moved slightly back, guarding him at a distance. Smirking, he dashed straight ahead, seeing as how she was already moving to her left (where he usually approached from).

"Hah," he shouted, "You're a hundred years too early to – oh shit!"

Digging his heel into the ground, the tanned man tried to break as soon as he could, basketball now lying forgotten to his side. Cursing, he couldn't avoid the girl who hadn't actually moved as he predicted. Instead, he reached out to grab hold of her, knowing fully well that it would either be a collision or a fall. Choosing the latter, he hugged her close to his body, whipping himself in the air so that he would fall first. Back onto smooth pavement, he let out a grunt as he felt the scorching pain rush as they landed, tearing his shirt. Grasping Taki close as if her life depended on it, he sheltered her body from the rough ground as they skidded across the basketball court until hitting the basketball pole. Groaning, the man slowly released the girl from his grip. As he raised his eyelids, his vision was slightly blurry as he blinked it away. Replacing the darkness were a pair of eyes that matched his own, looking at him with a frantic stare.

"H-hey…are you okay?" he said, brows furrowing as he reached up to wipe a drop of blood from her face.

"Yes, I am. And before you freak out daddy, this blood – "

"Let me guess," he chuckled, "It's mine?"

Looking at him surprised, she couldn't help but shoot a smile, "…Yeah. How did you know?"

"This sort of thing happened before, didn't it."

"Mm, you saved me once before too. At the zoo."

"Man, don't bring that up. I thought I'd die first of a heart attack."

"It taught me to never run out like that again though," she laughed, relieved that he could still think properly, "Cars are scary."

"S'okay," Aomine assured her, patting her head, "I'll protect you from whatever."

"I know," she whispered back, wrapping her arms around his neck, "You've always had. And I know for as long as you live, you always will. You...always put me first. You always protect me. It's always my happiness before yours."

Rolling his eyes, he hugged her back, surprised to feel tremors run through her body, "Isn't that a given? You're my little princess, after all."

That, she knew. She always knew, and felt that she probably took it for granted. Holding the giant of a man tightly in her arms, Taki could feel the warm tears fall. At this, he began to panic but she shook her head, telling him that she was okay. There was no physical pain, nothing was wrong… except that she couldn't hold back the love she felt for him right now.

"Daddy," she breathed, in between tears, "You know that alongside Papa, I love you two most in this world, right?"

Not skipping a beat, he replied earnestly, "I love you more."

Ignoring his attempt to make her cheer up, she buried her face deeper into his chest, "I know… I also know…that if you could, I'd know you'd give me the world."

"Of course," he soothed, "To Kise and me, you are our most important treasure after all, even though you are a brat."

"I know, I know," she continued to cry, trying her best to hold back as her hair stuck to her face, "That's why if I could, I'd want to do the same for you. But, daddy, this one thing…with Souta, I can't. What you have with papa... Our feelings – it's the same, you know?"

Taking in a moment to regard his daughter's face, Aomine looked away, dropping his hands.

"I know," he started, voice far off, face nostalgic, "I could tell, even when you were young that the two of you clicked, more than two people should as 'just friends.' I knew… that one day you'd be taken away from me…but I never thought it'd be so soon."

"Tsk. What's with you and papa and the me disappearing thing?"

"No matter how much we deny it, it'll happen."

Taking his large hands into her own, smaller ones, she gave them a gentle squeeze, "Daddy, I'm not going anywhere far away. Besides, Souta is going off on his own shortly after. It's not like I'll be going with him."

"Then why bother getting married now? Can't you wait for him to come back?"

"That…well," she said softly, eyes fallen downcast and shoulders slumping, "I know that our bond should be strong enough but I'm afraid. It's strange but…This meaningless piece of paper…I don't know, somehow I know that it'll make me feel relieved."

"That certificate?"

"Mm, I know it's stupid of me but…I don't know, I just feel that if I finalize this, if we make our vows, it'll be like nothing can break us apart. In reality, I understand that it's just a word on document – nothing but a phrase to say. But right now, it makes me feel like he'll come back for sure, to his 'wife,'…. To me."

Squeezing her hands back, Aomine let his expression soften, murmuring quietly, "I can't talk you out of this, can I?"

"No," Taki says, bringing her forehead to touch his, "But I would much rather go through with this with your blessing than without."

Boring into him were her young eyes, still wide and innocent despite the time that's passed. Now though, there was a spark of something else – determination, courage…strength. She had grown up, and that was something that he had to accept. Bringing a large calm to her cheek, he rubbed her ivory skin slowly.

"You know, no matter what, this still scares me. I don't want to lose you – my first child, my only child. I nearly lost you several times before. The day you nearly got run over, the day when you suffered that fever, the day I thought I'd leave Japan on my own, the day we took you to the beach and you got lost…not to mention when you had surgery to get your appendix removed – I didn't know what I'd do if you were taken away. There was a time where I lived without knowing you existed…but now that I've come to love you so much, I don't think I could ever go back."

"You don't need to, Daddy," the blonde teen murmured tenderly, cupping his face in her small hands, "Unlike those times, I have the power to come back. All you need to do is believe in me. I'll keep in contact, I'll come over… I'll always love you."

"I know, but still I…."

"Daddy," she said, clearly and definitely, "Forever and always, no matter what happens, I'll always be my daddy's little girl."

And they both knew that this wasn't just flowery words, she meant it. It warmed his heart, it really did. And at the same time, it made him feel sad.

"Geez," Aomine sighs, voice cracking as he pulled her close, "Forever and always, it seems I'm destined to be the baka dad who can never say no to his daughter."

"Daddy?"

Pushing her against his chest, not letting her see his eyes well up, he keeps babbling to cover his embarrassment up, "You'll stay with us until he comes back. Visit at least once a week. Move back in if you ever feel lonely. Don't ever leave the country without telling us first. Come eat a meal with us once in awhile…."

For a while, the tanned man continued to say anything that popped up, sputtering nonsense and repeating words he'd already said. But Taki couldn't help but feel warmth as her father gave his blessing in his usual gruff, indirect way. Wrapping her own slender arms around him, she snuggled close to her protector of more than ten years with a grateful smile on her face. Surely, even she felt that this was the end of something that had been a part of her life, but also, this was a new beginning.

[Back to the Present]

"…cchi…."

"…minecchi…."

"Aominecchi!"

Groggily, the tanned man awoke from his nap, squinting from the bright light that infiltrated the shade of the tree's leaves. Through blue lenses, the man had to blink several times before his blurry vision cleared. There, kneeling over him was the familiar sight of his partner.

"Aominecchi," the golden haired man said, dismayed, "Wake up now! It's almost time for Takicchi to walk down the aisle."

"Huh? It's already that time?"

Shaking his head, the model puffed his cheeks out, irritated, "What do you mean by 'already'? How long did you sleep for?"

"I don't know," Aomine sighed, leaning back against the trunk of the giant oak.

"Don't go back to sleep!" Kise shouted, pulling the pro who nearly fell flat on his face, "It's time to see the lovely bride for yourself."

"Ah, don't pull! I'll walk by myself, all right!"

"Hurry," he whined, skipping ahead himself.

Together, the couple entered the foyer, passing small gatherings of wedding guests with polite smiles as they climbed the stairs. Taking a left towards the teen's room, Kise knocked lightly to signify their entrance. Barely waiting for Aomine to catch up, he launched himself through the door, accidentally slamming the door on the tanned man's face. Irritatingly, the giant of a man pulled the door nearly off its hinges as he entered roughly.

"Hey, what's the big idea, Kise?"

"Ne, ne, shut up, Aominecchi and look!"

"Look at wh – "

Indeed, the sight before him shut him up involuntarily. Standing elegantly with her hands folded in her front and spine curved into a slight S-shape was Taki. While she usually was naturally pretty with even her bare face, her appearance now caused her typical look to pale greatly in comparison. Now, face framed by loose, romantic curls, made with natural looking makeup and donning her gorgeous ballroom style gown, she looked like a princess right out of a fairytale. Standing gape-mouthed, Aomine could only stare.

"Daddy?" she asked, anxiously fidgeting before him, "How do I look?"

"…" still surprised, the usually quick-mouthed man found it hard to put it in words. Finally, he stuck his tongue out, "Terrible."

"What – that's mean," she immediately pouted, flashing her long lashes at him pitifully.

Laughing, he reached for her hand and squeezed it, "I meant terrible… as in terribly beautiful."

"Daddy…."

"After all, you're my kid. Obviously you'd have inherited my good lucks."

"What good looks?" she giggled, "I look just like papa, not you. Thank goodness."

"What…you…" Playfully, Aomine reached to poked her in the side, causing her to squirm from the tickling.

Watching them, Kise perked up, relief coming over him in a gentle wave, "Now, now, don't cry, Takicchi. That's what all the boys in the world will be doing when they find out that you're taken."

"You're exaggerating," she giggled, but nonetheless was happy to be praised so much.

"I'm only being honest," Kise said in a gentle, low voice, stroking her cheek with a slender finger.

Dropping his hand, the blonde then adjusted his daughter's veil and smiled contently, "All right, Takicchi. It seems to be about time for you to walk down the aisle with Aominecchi."

"Hah? What about you, Kise?" the tanned man asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's okay," the model smiled, "I'll be watching from the audience."

"Nah, that isn't right," Aomine protested, "You should get to do this."

"It's okay."

"No, it isn't."

"Why are you being so stubborn?"

"I could ask the same of you!"

"Don't you want to walk her?"

"Of course I do! But you've been with her since birth. I'm sure she'd rather have you."

"That's irrelevant."

"You're irrelevant."

"Oh, so now we're making personal attacks?"

"Whatcha going to do about it?"

"Anyways, you should walk her."

"No, you."

"No, you."

"You."

"You."

"Oh my god," Taki exclaimed, rolling her eyes, "Both of you children, please, just shut up."

At her words, both men stopped quibbling right away, not wanting to be the one who ruins their princess' special day. As silence fell in the room, Taki shook her head and gave them both a shy smile.

"Actually," she mused, "I already have decided how I'm going to walk down the aisle."

"Oh," Kise replied, sheepishly, "Sorry, Takicchi."

Shrugging his shoulders, Aomine added, "So how's it going to be?"

"Well," Taki winked, linking one arm with Kise and the other with Aomine's, "I plan to go with my two favourite men, one on each side. Any objections?"

Bewildered, neither men could utter a word as they exchanged glances. Realizing that their little girl had singlehandedly come to an amazing solution, they couldn't help but break into laughter.

"So your brain actually works, huh?" Aomine teased, smiling fondly.

"Better than yours, actually," she quipped back.

"Our little Takicchi is all grown up now," Kise sighed, nostalgically.

"That's right," she grinned, "Now, off we go~ Until the end! The three musketeers!"

Arms linked together in an unbreakable chain, the three of them walked down the spiral staircase and through the double doors. Hand in hand, they made their way out into the bright sun, where their future laid just metres away.

Following the walk down the aisle, the two men handed the girl off without incident, save for a couple of threats by Aomine towards the young bridegroom. Afterwards, the rest of the procession went without a hitch, with the newly wedded couple sharing a quaint kiss, first toast and cutting the cake. After an early dinner, the traditional father-daughter dance(s), and a lot of silly club dancing (courtesy of Kise's sisters), the reception was nearing the end. Standing up, Taki, still stunning in her dress approached the rented stage and tapped on her microphone, calling for everyone to gather. Fidgeting were all of her school friends because they realized what was to come – the tossing of the bouquet.

Standing in the back, watching the girl peacefully were the girl's parents, hand in hand. Head on his lover's shoulder, Kise let out a contented sigh.

"She looks so beautiful."

"Mm," Aomine agreed, nuzzling into Kise's mop of golden hair.

"I was anxious at first, but today was worth all the worrying."

"Mhmm."

"Takicchi…she's really happy, isn't she?"

Pausing, the tanned man raised the blonde's chin, and kissed him gently, "Yeah. And I'm happy that she found someone to love."

"Just like you and me."

"Mm."

Gravitating towards each other, both men drunk in on their mutual love, bathed in contentedness. Wrapping their arms around each other, they pulled away slightly to absorb the sight of one another. As they were about to lean in once more for another kiss though, something lightly plopped down between their chests. Puzzled, they both glanced down and eyes widened at the sight.

There, nestled between the two grown men, was the bouquet that was shortly in the hands of the girl. Blinking, the disoriented men looked up to the stage to find a mischievously smirking bride.

"Ah," she said with painfully fake surprise, "Looks like I don't know my own strength. Teehee."

Playing along, Souta acted slightly better, "Oh. It seems like Ryouta-san and Daiki-san has caught the flowers. They are already married though. What should they do?"

"Hmm, why don't they say their vows again," Taki suggested, a devilish grin plastered over her otherwise angelic face.

"Oh, what a great idea," Souta chimed, waving his hand as if giving a signal.

"Hell no," Aomine growled, turning to walk back towards the house.

In this case, Kise agreed. He didn't want to embarrass himself in front of everyone.

Unfortunately, two pairs of arms had already grabbed hold of them and were dragging them onto the stage.

"What the - ! Tetsu? Akashi?! The hell!"

Winking playfully towards the struggling couple were the groom's own parents, mercilessly bringing the two up the stairs. Once there, the two men found themselves trapped by their daughter's stare.

It seemed to warn them that there was no way to escape now.

Giving up, Kise bit his lips, "Okay, fine. What do you want us to do, Takicchi?"

Beaming brightly at the two, she began jumping up and down excitedly, "Say your vows again!"

"How the hell would we remember them," Aomine snarled, "That was what, ten years ago?"

"Just make up new ones," Souta shrugged, "What was that saying? 'Out with the old and in with the new?"

"I'm not sure that really applies here," Kise mumbled.

"Come on," Taki urged, "Just say how you feel. Pretty please?"

"Tsk," Aomine sighed, "Kise, you start."

"Huh? Why me?"

"Because I said so."

"No way," the blonde whined, "You start."

"Nuh uh."

"Come on."

"Over my dead body."

"You start."

"No, you."

"You!"

"You!"

"Oh jeez, how many times has this been today?" Taki explodes, "Behave your age!"

"He started it!" Aomine pointed.

"No, he did!"

"Hush, you two," the bride scolded, bopping both on their heads, "Play rock, paper, scissors. Loser goes first."

"Fine."

"Whatever."

At this, the two faced off, hiding their fist.

"Rock, paper, scissors!"

Quickly, the two shouted the hand out, revealing their chosen weapons. As luck would have it, the goddess of victory shined on Aomine, having beaten Kise with rock to his scissors.

"Hah, you go first, Kise."

Blood draining from his face, the blonde gulped, palms moist with sweat. Noticing his apprehension, Taki gave him a reassuring pat as she whispered in his ear, "Don't be embarrassed. Say how you really feel. The sappier it gets, the more embarrassed he will be. Remember how shy he is?"

Smiling faintly, the model shook his head, slapping his cheeks. Taking in a deep breath, he turned decisively to face the tanned basketball pro and spoke loud and clearly.

"Aominecchi. Since we met, my love for you hasn't changed," Kise started, cringing at his own cheesiness, "I promise to cherish you, until even after death do we part."

Stone faced, the tanned man shivered slightly at the absolute corniness but refused to give in. Staring the yellow-eyed man intently, he sucked up his pride and grabbed onto Kise's hand. Blushing, he slapped the model's palm over his chest.

"U-um, Aominecchi…."

Despite his courage before, Kise felt himself turn red as he felt the other man's heart race beneath his hand. Unable to take his eyes away, nor make eye contact, he decided that the safest bet was to just stare at Aomine's chest.

Lucky for him, the basketball pro let him do so, continuing to speak at him.

"…For you, you said that your love hasn't changed," the blue-haired man started, azure eyes landing tenderly on the blonde's face, "But for me, it has never stopped changing."

"…Eh?" Kise looked up, surprised and worried. Immediately after though, he found his breath sucked away.

Bringing a hand up to cup the model's cheeks, Aomine chuckled, "It's never stopped growing, and I doubt it ever will. From the day I met you, I found myself loving you more with each passing day. Kise, you're an idiot, sometimes annoying, but you're an amazing dad and perfect partner. I admire you as you admired me, and nothing makes me happier than being able to call you mine."

"Aominecchi," Kise murmured, trying to look away shyly, "Geez, don't steal the cool parts for yourself."

Chuckling, he leaned down to plant a kiss on the leaner man's lips.

"Kise, until the day I die, I promise to love you more with each passing day."

"And I, you," the blonde smiled, falling into the other's warm embrace.

With that, they shared another chaste kiss, renewing yet another promise to love and cherish forever. Around them, the festive courtyard exploded into applause, cheering for their happiness. Noticing the tear filled bride, the two men pulled her into a hug alongside their new son-in-law. Entwined in a close embrace, they stayed together as the day drew to a close and the guests began to file out. Soon, the once vibrant yard was reduced to a rather empty area, with only the ghost of memories lingering in its air. Silently, the six remaining people gathered on the stage to watch as the sun set, bathing in one another's company in the warm glow, each occupied by their own thoughts. Yet as one, their feelings were the same. Surrounded by the people they loved, there wasn't one regret or complaint – just placid happiness.

After all, the passage of time stops for no one.

Closing his eyes, Aomine drifted off quietly as he laid his head on the shoulders of a familiar scented blonde. Hand held entwined with his partner's, he relaxed at the sounds of conversation.

"Ne, Takicchi," Kise's soothing voice rang, "Congratulations."

We all grow up;

"Papa, congratulations to you, too for renewing your vows!"

And we all grow old.

"Ah, Taki-san," Kuroko chimed in, "Would you like some leftover cake?"

"Oh, no thanks…"

"No way," Aomine shook his head, eyes widening, "The glutton is not declining food. I must be dreaming."

Seasons change and so do people.

"I just don't feel so good…."

"Oh, is your morning sickness getting worse?" Souta asked, worriedly.

Puzzled, Kise shifted closer, "Huh? What morning sickness?"

"Oh…shoot…"

But that doesn't mean that we have to hold on to the past.

Crimson eyes wavered, glancing at the newlywed bride guiltily.

Dismissing his concern, the girl sighed, sitting up straighter, "Well, this is probably not the best time to announce this but… since Souta brought it up…."

There may be times when we wish to turn back time, but nonetheless we'll always strive forward.

"Daddy, papa, Tetsu-kun, Seijuuro-san…" the girl smiled lovingly, placing her hand and Souta's entwined onto her stomach, "You're all going to be grandfathers five months from now."

With each new day we find that our old bonds strengthen, while new bonds are formed.

"Kise-kun," Kuroko teased, "Are you shedding tears?"

"Shh! Kurokocchi, you're crying a bit too."

"Akashi-kun is too," the smaller man pouted.

Akashi, displeased, quickly wiped away the tears, "Silence. I was doing no such thing, unlike a certain ganguro."

"What? I ain't crying!"

"Why are you all crying," the girl puffed her cheeks out, "Aren't you supposed to be happy?"

Laughing lightly, Kise patted her on the head, "We are happy, Takiichi. We're crying tears of happiness."

Kuroko and Akashi, both nodding in agreement spoke in unison, "May the child be born healthy."

"What he said," Aomine whispered, walking to join in as he kissed her on the forehead, Congratulations. Our little brat is finally having a brat of her own, huh?"

Frowning slightly, Souta walked towards the small crowd and pulled his wife away. Wrapping himself protectively around the mother-to-be, he looked defiantly at the four older men.

"Not her brat, but our brat. I fully intend to treasure not only my lovely wife but child too."

At his words, Taki began to flail, at a lost on how to react. Blushing furiously, she failed again and again to find the right words. Exchanging looks, Aomine and Kise burst out into full on, body shaking laughter. Falling over, they clung onto each other, heaving desperately for air between their fits of giggles, only causing the young girl to become even more flustered. Slowly, everyone joined in, filling the evening sky with the sounds of everlasting joy. Hands entwined, Aomine and Kise laid on their backs, chest rising with each breath. In the glow of the warm, orange sun, their laughter marked the end of another chapter in their lives, and the beginning of another. But no matter what, they had each other… and that was all that mattered.

To you who will forever have a place in my heart,

Thank you for always loving me,

Thank you for having been born in this world,

Thank you to you who has always been there alongside me,

Through rain or shine,

And until the end, I'll be by your side holding your hand,

I love you.

The End.

A/N: …and this is the real end. Sorry that this ended up being released a bit late but there was a reason (besides life being a bi*ch and throwing things at me). Looking at the date, I realized that today would mark exactly 1 year since published my first fanfic and in 2 days it'd be the one year anniversary of Taki. So it made me a bit emotional. Once again, thank you to all my readers, old and new for following me on this journey. I really enjoyed myself writing this, despite all the ups and downs. I hope that you enjoyed the ride with me and that the ending was satisfactory. Thanks you once again and I love you all ^^