Here is the latest chapter of this story. I was planning to write an epilogue but I did not have the time. Perhaps in the future. I actually have another different AoKi idea that I would like to start writing before though. And I also already started writing a MidoTaka story these days, I will probably start publishing it in the next couple of days. So, I think it is fair to say that this story is completed and will not have much of a follow up in the near future. I am hoping to write many more other AoKi stuff though, as this is actually my otp in this fandom.

I think I am satisfied with how this story turned out; I tried to illustrate how both Aomine and Kise would mature a little over the time, I hope I was successful in that. I still like them being a little childish and timid with each other though, especially within the context of this story.

So here, have some final fluff. I suck at writing comedy, so bear with me in those parts...

Aomine had affairs to handle and Kise had to attend a new magazine's launch party on Saturday, so they only met with others and each other at the evening when they all went out to have a late dinner together. They didn't want to stay too late though as the next day was the big day of the tournament. Apparently, a few of Aomine's team mates had very good connections; one had formed a team from several well-known college players with high potentials, another had formed it from his streetball bodies none of whom were pros but had great street cred for their talents, and another had a sister who played in WNBA and he had a few recently retired WNBA players in his team. It was going to be tough but all the joking and mocking he had received when he had announced his team mates that he would be participating with his old middle school team mates, had pumped Aomine tremendously. How dare they belittled Teikou?! Not that Aomine particularly cared about Teikou as a school, but he had to show and prove them the devastatingly talented basketball their school once had. The team was compromised of the regulars from back then; Akashi was the Point Guard, Midorima was the Shooting Guard, Murasakibara was the Center, Kise was the Small Forward, and Aomine was, of course, the Power Forward. Kuroko was the sixth man.

It was Aomine who dropped Kise off to his home on Saturday evening and when they reached in front of Kise's building, a strange silence engulfed both of them. Due to the never ending high tempo of the last few days they never had the time to actually sit down and talk about their relationship, just what they actually were to each other, or how to move forward. While they did have fun these days, the lack of a resolution and the uncertainty were bothering both a little. The one to break the silence was Aomine,

"This is stupid."

"Huh?"

"I mean... I was not this awkward even when I first went out with a girl. In middle school."

Kise laughed, he was not used to Aomine confessing his own awkwardness or weaknesses or feelings, "this" was new and he knew that it was Aomine trying his best to be more expressive about his feelings after the conversation they had the last Thursday.

"Well... it is new for both of us I guess. We are friends after all. It is different when you suddenly start... start dating your friend."

"Hmm... we haven't really gone to a date you know."

"I am hoping we will."

"Obviously, I am not that ignorant you know... but you know how it had been these few days it just has been crazy..."

"I know. And I am happy. You have been... very caring. And I see that you are trying your best. I am happy."

"Really? Are you?"

Kise looked at the sincerely concerned face of Aomine and at that moment realised fully that indeed it was not only him who was insecure and who worried endlessly about how diving into the adventure of being lovers could break their previous friendship... Aomine was insecure as well, Aomine worried too. He mostly did not show it but here he was looking at him with expectant and hopeful eyes that conveyed the fragility of the heart of a young man as well. Kise smiled, gently, softly, kindly, and though he himself was not sure if this was the right away to initiate a straight man, though he honestly had never dated a straight man before, he leaned towards Aomine and gave him a simple, almost innocent but a bit too long to be innocent kiss on the lips. When he separated their lips and their eyes were so close to each other, he could see the change in Aomine's gaze, a sense of security and relief as well as some kind of astonishment were born in Aomine's eyes. Kise loved this. He licked his lips, the way one would lick them right after eating honey, then he leaned his forehead to Aomine's and let them touch a little. He closed his eyes and said again, this time in a sweet whisper,

"I am happy."

Aomine did not say anything in return but the peaceful expression on his face told enough. It was Kise who broke the sensuous touch, then playfully winked as he opened the door of the car,

"I have to go and sleep now! Big day tomorrow! Go to build up energy!"

"Yeah... um, see ya."

"See ya, Aominecchi."

Kise walked to his building knowing full well that Aomine had not yet moved the car, stuck in the same place, watching him walk, then he entered his building and just a few seconds after as he started climbing the stairs, he heard the noise of the car's engine moving away. A painfully sweet yearning already crept up in his chest and he thought that he was being just too much, a little maturity would not hurt, he did not have to act like a teenager with the first crush of his life. But then Aomine was the first crush of his life, and this was for all intents and purposes Aomine's first real "relationship" too... So perhaps they were a little immature, perhaps they were a little too naïve, a little too bashful, a little too helpless at this. Perhaps it was the fragility of the situation and the concerns and worries that led them to this timidity; whatever was the reason, it felt a little like Spring, effervescent yet anxious, not Winter but not Summer either, a new beginning marking an end with great hopes that would need nurturing. He was deep in these musings as he entered his apartment and his phone vibrated, it was a two words long text from Aomine:

"Good night."

Kise smiled as he moved towards his bedroom...

The next day, it was Aomine who picked Kise up and they met rest of the "rainbow troupe" plus the tag along Takao for breakfast. Breakfast was delicious and Aomine would now and then add stuff to Kise's plate,

"You got to be kidding me... Stuff putting extra stuff on my plate Aominecchi. If I wanted to eat them, I would order them."

"You lost weight, didn't you? You should eat."

"I didn't lose much weight plus I already started gaining some back. And I am a model, I have to be careful."

"Yes, be careful, of your career and your health. Eat these fruits too."

"Now you are just giving me the fruits that you don't like."

"Whatever, just eat them."

Kise was about to reply but their bickering was interrupted by a loud laugh of Momoi,

"You guys are just too cute!"

Aomine almost chocked on his food,

"Do-Don't say... cute. We are not cute. I mean... I am not cute."

"Oh My God... look at him correcting himself! So you are not cute, but Ki-chan is huh?"

"Satsuki I swear to God..."

"But Momoi-san, it is normal that Aomine-kun finds Kise-kun cute. Why would he fall in love with him otherwise?" Kuroko cut off Aomine's cursing, Midorima snorted,

"Please, there is nothing cute about Kise."

Midorima said matter of factly, and Momoi instantly gave a death glare to him. Midorima seemed not to mind the glare from Momoi, however he did actually choke on his own food in the next second when Takao chimed in,

"I mean I wouldn't say there is 'nothing' cute about Kise, I think there are some things, his personality is like sunshine after all... but let's admit it, more than cute Kise is sexy. Damn sexy. I mean if Aomine is dating it must be because of that right?"

Midorima continued coughing, breathing hard, as he gulped down the whole glass of water in front of him to ease his throat and quickly yelled at Takao,

"How... How can you say something like that?"

"Oh... are you jealous Shin-chan? Sorry but you are not sexy like Kise. I mean good looking, handsome... but Kise oozes with sex appeal."

Kise was enjoying this as he giggled continuously, Kuroko was smiling, Momoi was laughing uncontrollably, and Akashi was silently eating his breakfast. A shocked and a little ticked off Aomine very much wanted to end this particular line of discussion though:

"Anyway, we should talk about the game."

"Aomine-kun, are you trying to change the subject because Takao-kun is right about Kise-kun's sex appeal alluring you, or is it because you do not want to discuss Kise-kun's sex appeal because you are perhaps jealous?"

"What is wrong with you people?! I hate you. I hate you all. I wish I was not supposed to play with you but against you so I could beat all your asses."

"He is not sexy." Midorima commented, as he stared at Kise intently, like a scientist observing his test subject carefully, and continued,

"I admit, he has a very symmetric face that most would deem beautiful. But I don't see how he is sexy. Does he secrete special pheromones or something?"

At this almost everyone lost it – almost part being the now helpless and pissed Aomine and the silent and calm Akashi. Then Akashi wiped his mouth gracefully and announced,

"While it is rather amusing to see Daiki teased by you all, I have to agree that we should talk about the tournament and our gameplay. We will be facing strong opponents and I know all of us train regularly but a good strategy is key to the victory."

This was what finally helped others to cease laughing, except Midorima, who was already not laughing but simply looking at everyone with a very puzzled way, and they started talking about various strategies and shared what they knew about their opponents. Momoi had apparently spent the night researching and she had come up with some perfect statistics and intelligence like always.

When they later moved to the venue of the tournament, the famous streeball court of New York, the Cage, Midorima and Takao took a taxi with Momoi and Kuroko tagging along them, whereas Akashi drove the large SUV he had rented with Murasakibara. Aomine drove Kise and it was obvious that the reason others, at least Momoi and Kuroko didn't tag along with them was to let the couple have some time and privacy, which was something very new in their relationship with their friends so both felt content but also a little awkward about it. They spent most of the drive silent or making small talk, a few minutes away from the venue though at a red light, Aomine could not help but ask,

"You are okay?"

"Huh?"

"My team mates... will be there. Many people will there. Some people from local media too."

"I know. I had realised this already."

"And you are fine... being there with me?"

"Others will be there too so I am hoping that they won't focus on us two a lot... but in any case, I am fine."

"Okay..."

"I trust you... you know Aominecchi... I agree with you, together maybe we can do this, we can resolve this, and we can endure them too."

Kise's hand slowly reached to Aomine's and even though neither looked at each other, their hands found each other easily and they held hands like that a few seconds, only breaking apart when the traffic light turned to green.

"I am assuming that this means we will be honest... with them... with everyone?"

"I still would like to keep our privacy to us but yes, I think we could... let them know that we are a proper 'we' now. I am already outed and it is hard for you any other way I think..."

"I could try it if you preferred to keep it a secret."

"Thank you, I know you would. But I think I want to try this too..."

"Okay."

Kise smiled to himself as he continued watching outside from the car's window and this city that had not been particularly lovely to him for quite a few months now looked very beautiful for some reason.

When they reached to the venue and started looking around, the first comment came from Midorima,

"But this is... too small."

"Yeah, no spectacularly long and high shots that take ages to complete, for you. Let's see how useful you can be in close combat."

"Shut up Aomine, just because you are a professional player now does not mean that we are any less talented."

"The court being small and not standard size is a problem but we have already thought about it when we devised our strategy, so we should be fine" Akashi said indifferently. They started talking about gameplay at their own corner while Kuroko complained silently, "it is too cold for this..."

A few minutes later two of Aomine's team mates, the ones he was closest to, Nate Johnson, the small forward, and Tim Stockton, the point guard and the captain came by to say "hi" and to meet with the team that everyone was the most curious about: "Generation of Miracles". Momoi had wanted to name their team "Rainbow Troupe" but Midorima had been vehemently against it and Aomine had thought it was too silly, so she had gone ahead and registered them under their famous nickname. Not that any of them liked this name much either.

"Hey Aomine! Aren't you going to introduce your team mates to us?"

"You will be introduced at the beginning of the games, won't you?"

"Oh stop being so grumpy, you know everyone is very curious. You boasted too much."

"Yeah well whatever, fine. Here is Akashi Seijuurou, CEO of Akashi Investment and a senior VP in Akashi International, he is our point guard."

Both of them were a bit puzzled at the long credentials of the young man in front of them who had a very youthful face.

"The next, green head, is our shooting guard, Midorima Shintarou. He is a neurosurgeon."

"I am not yet a neurosurgeon Aomine, I am only a doctor, I am still doing my residency, I have 4 years to be a neurosurgeon."

"Whatever Midorima, as if anybody cares. Anyway, the next is Murasakibara Atsushi. He is our center, well, I guess that is obvious from his size huh? He is a pastry chef."

Nate and Tim couldn't help but exchange glances; the idea of the 2.12 metres tall Murasakibara, who was happily chewing on a chocolate bar as he waved his other hand, being a pastry chef and making pastry or baking seemed a little bizarre to both.

"And finally, there is... well you know him right? From the commercial I did with him. Kise Ryouta. The model, small forward."

Aomine paused for a second then added,

"And my boyfriend."

Midorima rolled his eyes, Takao and Momoi giggled as they were sitting at the bench nearby, Murasakibara glanced at Kise, Kise smiled sincerely and hoped his anxiety was not showing – and it really was not, Kise was talented at not showing his feelings – and Akashi was, well, completely unperturbed and indifferent.

"Ah yeah... we did see him before. It is nice seeing you. Hopefully we'll get to see more of your play today; you looked pretty good in the commercial." Tim said warmly to which Kise cheerfully replied, "Thank you very much. It is wonderful to actually hear that from an NBA player. We are more than ecstatic to have a chance to play with you all today."

A second of silence passed after that and then somebody cleared his throat loudly and Nate jumped back at the sudden realisation of somebody standing right next to him,

"What the...?!"

"Ah... Tetsu... I forgot you?"

"That is really not nice Aomine-kun."

"Dude, if even I can't register you at all times, after all these years, the problem is really not me but your goddamn ghost nature."

"You are being rude."

Aomine laughed, and pointed Kuroko to his team mates,

"This is Kuroko Tetsuya. He is almost like a ghost so he can give you a heart attack by suddenly appearing near you, be careful. He is our sixth man and well... he doesn't really have a traditional position, he does his own thing. You'll see it in the game, it is pretty cool actually."

"Um... okay? Nice to meet you Kuroko."

"Nice to meet you both as well."

After the introductions were over, they made some small talk before leaving to go to their respective teams for the last minute discussions, especially now that they knew a little more about the mysterious and curious team that Aomine had gathered. "Generation of Miracles" looked more like a carnival troupe or a bunch of misfits than basketball players, to be honest, and the porcelain doll that Midorima was carrying around in his hand did not help much. Except Murasakibara, they were also relatively shorter than most other teams. All this caused some relief and underestimation which later proved to be fatal for other teams.

Before the games were to start, Akashi whispered to Kise, "Ryouta, do not overexert yourself. Since each game is much shorter than regulation games, I think your knee should be fine but if you feel that it is not, inform me or Daiki instantly."

"Sure Akashicchi." Kise said and as Kuroko patted his shoulder to go out there to be with the rest of the team, Kise felt his inside warming up despite the cool weather of the Autumn day.

As their names suggested, they were miracles on the court and caught everyone by the surprise. Near the end of the first game, Kuroko was subbed in, and everyone was further shocked at the strange ability of Kuroko's that almost made it look like he was teleporting around the already small court. Midorima was specifically grouchy as he could not show off his long distance shot skills but the fact that he did not miss any single shots confused everyone else but the Miracles.

At the end of the first round of games, all which the Miracles won, Aomine's captain, Tim came by Aomine and asked,

"That green head... it is almost as if he never misses a shot huh?"

"Yeah, he does not."

"Eh?"

"He seriously does not miss a shot. This is nothing. You should see him in regulation size courts. He can even score from the whole other side of the court. And his arc is so goddamn high, you cannot block and since ball takes so long to go down you just have to stand there and watch it."

"You can't be serious!"

"I am. But then I am also the best out of them so..." Aomine laughed but his laugh was interrupted with a sharp and loud comment from Akashi

"Daiki, stop being a fool and come over, we are discussing the strategy for the next round."

"Uh okay... see you around Tim!"

Even though the matches were not easy, the Miracles went through the rest of the tournament without overexerting themselves too much. The final happened between the captain Tim Stockton and his team which involved recently retired players from WNBA and the Miracles. It was quite tough and understandably the hardest game of the day; both teams were very tired but very enthusiastic and passionate. Kise could feel that this was the most his knee could take and he would need serious help when going home after the game but he did not mind a bit. A sense of euphoria consumed him as he moved inside the relatively small streetball court, the steals, the passes, the blocks, and the fast attacks... He would copy some of their opponents' moves now and then and that would throw them off a lot. Akashi's assists were flawless, Aomine moved unpredictably with a speed that seemed inhuman, Murasakibara was like a wall that could not be shaken, every single jump shot of Midorima was successful, and Kuroko, whenever he was in the game, threw off their rivals with his unstoppable passes and extraordinary playing style. When the game ended, it was their victory.

It was exhilarating, it was astonishing, and the moment they achieved and they achieved it together, knowing that they achieved it together, a surge of happiness filled Kise's chest and he loosened his body which by now was so tired and his knee had started hurting considerably that he couldn't help but kneeling on the ground.

"Don't tell me you are crying. We won. Even you shouldn't be that sentimental."

"Shut up... Ahominecchi."

"Yeah, yeah I am stupid."

"And you are mean."

"Yeah, I am. Come on up so that we can celebrate properly..."

Aomine said and offered his hand to Kise, when Kise looked up to the hand that was offered to him and Aomine's smiling face, a little shyly because he knew very well that Aomine knew very well just how tired he was and how agitated his injury was, Aomine winked,

"Come on... we are all team mates today right? You're making others wait... Akashi will be pissed."

Kise giggled and took the hand that was offered to him. Aomine pulled him up and then wrapped his arm around Kise's shoulder, sticking him close to himself,

"You were pretty good today..."

"Wow... hearing you say that. I never thought you would."

"Shut up. I am trying out this 'being a reliable and motivating ace' thing..."

"Oh... so that's the only reason you said it? Out of courtesy?"

"Not really and you know it, you don't have to make me spell it do you..."

"Maybe I do..."

Aomine sighed in a playfully reluctant manner and continued as they moved towards rest of their friends who were laughing and talking about the game near the benches with Takao and Momoi joined as well,

"You were great... you are always great. You are the only one against whom, when playing, I feel as though I can use my full potential. But I also feel so much towards you that I can't keep my feelings from interfering in my gameplay. And it screws things. And I am happy we were team mates today so I didn't have to worry about those... And you were stunning."

"Hah... now you are making me embarrassed Aominecchi." Kise leaned his head to Aomine's as he mumbled and in any other situation he would probably try to not act so affectionate with Aomine in presence of cameras and Aomine's team mates, and the public, but really, in that moment, he had forgotten about the existence of all of them.

"Oh is that so? Well then as a payback for the last two days, I should also add that you were absolutely sexy on the court. That damned Takao is right on in that you are very sexually attractive but he forgot to add that you are the most attractive when you are savagely attacking and dominating others on the court."

At this Kise's face truly turned red,

"I can't believe you are talking about this now... people will hear" he mumbled,

"Hmm... when should I talk about it?"

"Later. Later somewhere... at my house or yours."

"Oh it's a promise then?"

A bleep of a camera phone was heard before Kise could answer,

"Aren't they so cute?!" Momoi giggled as she looked at the photo she took,

"Aw, it is indeed so endearing... hey Shin-chan take a look at this." Takao held the phone to Midorima's face.

"Shut up Takao. It is not endearing... it is just blatantly improper. Can't you two be more self-conscious?! You are outside!"

"While I don't necessarily agree with Midorima-kun, I must admit that if you continue this way you will give all of us cavities. Too sweet. Unbearably too sweet."

"God... just shut up you guys. We are not being sweet! I...s I am not sweet."

"Oh but so Kise is?"

"Are we doing this again? Tetsu, are we really doing this again?" an agitated Aomine shouted while everyone else laughed, even Midorima included this time.

They were given small golden coloured trophies for their victory and spectators cheered a lot during the short awards ceremony; Kise speculated that some online fangirls of "Generation of Miracles" were born that day, probably. After the brief ceremony and Aomine bidding farewell to his team mates, the Miracles went to a relatively close by restaurant, and after that they also went to a bar to let some steam off and have fun. Kise was pretty tired already though so he excused himself a little early and unsurprisingly Aomine offered to drop him off. After they left Takao proposed also leaving to go to a particular night club he had read great reviews of and was very interested to see, Momoi innocently noted that they should send Aomine a text about their whereabouts then, in case he returned back to join them. Akashi, in a very calm voice replied as he asked for the bill,

"You don't have to. He will not be returning tonight."

Nobody commented on this but Takao did mumble a very suggestive "hmmm" and Momoi's face flushed a bit.

When Aomine stopped the car in front of Kise's building, neither moved nor said anything, and a silence similar to that of the night before fell on them. Kise, a little nervously, cleared his throat and suggested,

"Do... do you perhaps want to have a cup of coffee? Upstairs?"

"Huh? But you know that I don't like coffee..." was Aomine's puzzled answer which just really, made Kise lose it and he started laughing uncontrollably,

"God... Aominecchi... I cannot believe you..."

"What? Did I say something wrong? I mean I would like to come upstairs. But you know I don't drink coffee so I was confused why you asked that... I can drink tea though!"

This only exacerbated Kise's laughs and Aomine's confusion and finally a few seconds later when Kise could breath a little easier and tried his best to hold his laughs he uttered,

"You... you don't watch American films much, do you?"

"Not really."

"Yeah... well inviting your lover or date for a cup of coffee when they are dropping you off to your home at night actually in general means asking for a lover to stay the night or well... you know. It is suggestive."

"Oh... Ah... Oh..." Aomine's face going through the revelation was too adorable and funny for Kise to not laugh so he continued laughing but he opened the door anyway,

"So are you coming Aominecchi?" he said and gave a mischievous look,

"Oh hell yeah I am coming then." Aomine said as he quickly removed the key of the car and Kise started laughing even more. As they walked to the building, arm in arm, Kise really could not help himself but laugh and laugh...

"Stop laughing it makes this weird..."

"I can't help it... this is so funny."

"It is not funny."

"It is funny. You are acting like a teenager."

"So are you. Plus this is... kind of my first love... and relationship. So..."

Kise then unlocked his arm and wrapped it around Aomine's waist as they entered the building,

"You are so cute."

"I am not cute."

"Oh... right right, but I am right?"

"God Kise, you too?! Stop teasing me..."

"But it is so cute to tease you..."

"Please..."

"Fine, fine... but let me say this."

"What?"

"I think it is normal we are acting like teenagers. And I think it is cute. And it is probably fine as long as we keep ourselves in check and don't do anything crazy, like what you did before with your confession in front of the media."

"Oh that's what you wanted to say... fine." Aomine mumbled and for some reason he felt very conscious of himself and of Kise's warm arm around his waist... they were waiting for the elevator.

"And... you were my first love too. So I think we can say that we are both living our first love. So what's the harm in being a little childish and a little clumsy and a little shy... a little foolish?"

"I guess none..." Aomine said and giggled slightly as they entered the elevator that had just opened its doors in front of them.

"I concur" Kise said, with a much lower tone in his voice than usual, a sense of seriousness as well as a sense of allure, and reached to Aomine's chapped lips and licked them playfully before giving a chaste kiss.

"Aominecchi..." he whispered into the kiss again and the elevator doors closed.