Chapter Text
The Generation of Miracles. What a ridiculous title. That’s what everyone calls my friends. The boys that taught me to play basketball. The boys who fooled around at practice. The boys that got in fights over girls. The boys I had to leave to go study abroad. These boys…my boys.
I haven’t seen them in over a year. We’re all in college now. I wonder how they’ve changed. I wonder how he’s changed. This banquet is honoring him after all. Well, it’s honoring a lot of players. My boys have been busy this past year. All the teams that participated in the Winter Cup have been invited. I’m so proud, but I would expect nothing less from those five. We won nationals 4 years in a row with that line-up:
Akashi Seijuro – Captain and Point Guard
Midorima Shintaro – Shooting Guard and horoscope fanatic
Murasakibara Atsushi – Center and junk food addict
Kise Ryota – Small Forward and part-time model
And him Aomine Daiki – Power Forward and ace of the Generation of Miracles.
I went abroad to train so I could keep up with these talented players. Now I’m back to show this country and them what I’ve learned. But first I have to make it through this banquet thing.
The hotel hosting the party is nice. The committee spared no expense. It took some convincing, but I somehow booked my room in time. Some well-known teams have been invited. I hope all these college boys can keep their testosterone in check.
Well this is it. I told them all to meet me in the lobby to say hi after everyone got settled in. I don’t know the next time we’ll all be in the same place.
I step out of the elevator and there they are. Akashi staring at me in that strange way with his mismatched eyes. Midorima glancing at me through those glasses with that stupid superior attitude. Murasakibara literally looking down at me from his 6 foot 8 inch height looking bored as always munching on a candy bar. Kise, with his ever present smile, runs up and gives me a giant hug, tries to cop a feel, and succeeds. I break away and he’s there, with an actual rare smile on his tanned face. Aomine.
“Hey there, pipsqueak. Been a long time.”
“I told you not to call me that!” Really?! That’s how you open the conversation after a year apart! “I’m tall for a girl. I can’t help it if you all are giant monsters.” And it’s true. The shortest, Akashi, is still 5 feet 10 inches.
“Whatever.” Aomine smirks acting as if he’s above it all.
“Anywho, why’d you call us all here?” Kise says, quick to cut in when Aomine’s attitude gets in the way.
“I just wanted to see you all again! I thought we could hang out and do something like old times.” I could always talk to Kise. He was so easy to get along with. Maybe that’s why those tutoring sessions turned into…. No that’s in the past and I’ve moved on. “I heard a bunch of guys on the way down say they were going to play a pick-up game. That may be fun to watch!”
“Do you know who they were? What team? Because if it is some third rate nobody, why bother?” Midorima scoffs. I forgot how arrogant they can all be.
“This really tall guy said they were from Seirin or something.” I say trying to remember through the haze of excitement. I must have said something strange because all their shoulders tighten. Kise’s smile disappears. Aomine stiffens. What’s going on? Who is this Seirin? What had they done to my boys to make them react like this?
“That’s his team.” Aomine has this dark aura around him that makes me afraid. Where did my fun loving idiot go? Who is this person? He’s always been intense, but this....
They all turn to Akashi. Even after they’ve graduated and moved onto different teams he still seems to be the leader. “Sure why not?” He’s still staring at me strangely. I’m not sure I want to find out why he is looking at me like that. Out of the five of them he always scared me a little. I can never tell what he is thinking or feeling.
We head out to the hotel’s basketball court. I can already see a crowd starting to form. I wonder if this Seirin team is actually as good as they seem. I’m distracted. Kise slides next to me, “You should come by my room later,” he whispers close to my ear so no one else can hear. I glance around, but Aomine is up ahead looking like he’s on a mission. “You’re not still hung up on our ace over there? I don’t seem to remember you having any issues in high school.” His breath is warm on my neck. “I could ‘check your homework’ again.” His usual sparkling smile is replaced with a more sensual one. I try to break away. It’s not like I didn’t expect this to happen, but so soon, right out of the gate? Kise sure doesn’t waste any time.
“I told you that’s over.” I turn my head to try to hide the blush that is creeping over my face. Why can he still make me turn red after a year apart?
“No one would have to know.” He grabs my wrist and pulls me to a stop. He’s right behind me. His chest is pressed up against my back. I can feel his muscles through our shirts. The others pull farther ahead. “You can still chase after him. I’m just saying maybe you need a little relaxation after such a long travel day. I’m happy to help you out.” One of his hands is on my hip, holding me in place. The other is on my stomach. When did that happen? It slides down until it is just touching the top of my jeans. He starts playing with the button sending shivers over my body. My breathing is ragged. I’d almost forgotten about this side of Kise. I forgot he can be as intense as the others, his happy-go-lucky side only one facet that makes up his personality. My mind was so focused on Aomine, I totally forgot.
“No, stop it,” I mumble. Why does he do this to me? Why does my body respond to him like this? Why am I leaning back into him?
“It doesn’t look like you want me to stop,” he smiles. He presses closer to me. His fingers slip under the top of my jeans. My eyes start to close. “It’s been a long year, pipsqueak.”
That jolts me out of whatever trance I was in. My eyes fly open. I knock his hand away. No one calls me that but Aomine. “I said NO!” I storm off in the direction of the court. Get yourself together! I can’t let him do that! I don’t know if I can make him stop next time. I don’t know if I’ll want him to stop. I find the others gathered at the back of the crowd, the game is already half way over. My breathing is still heavy. I need to get that under control before someone notices. Kise runs up, gives me a smirk that sets my teeth on edge and stands next to Midorima well away from me. I try to focus on what is going on in front of me.
“Dammit, he’s not here!” Aomine spits.
“Calm down Mine-chin, he probably hasn’t got here yet. Jeez,” Murasakibara says through a mouthful of potato chips. Where is all this junk food coming from?
“Who is this person you keep talking about?” I ask.
“Kagami Taiga. That bastard beat each of us in the Winter Cup last year,” Aomine sneers. “He plays for Seirin. His team is here but he’s not.”
“He…beat…ALL of you???” What? My Generation of Miracles got beaten by this nobody. Who was this Kagami? He even beat Akashi? I look over at him and Akashi’s expression is flat.
“None of us like to admit that we were defeated by a common peasant such as him, but yes by some stroke of luck his team won the Winter Cup last year.” I can tell Akashi is pissed about this guy. His usual calm demeanor is fractured slightly. I don’t know how to diffuse this tension in the air. My boys rarely lost.
“Umm…” I turn my attention to the game. Or I try to. We’re so far in the back I can’t see over the heads of the people in front of me. Of course they are all tall enough to see. Hmmm… This may be an opportunity to… “Hey Aomine, let me get on your back so I can see these wannabees who supposedly beat you.”
“W-w-what? Get on my back?” He’s flustered. Good. That’s what I was going for. Hopefully he’ll forget his anger. I’ve always loved his intensity, but when he gets angry even I get scared of him.
“Yeah I can’t see,” I pout. “Please.” I give him my best puppy dog look.
“Um, yeah sure. Here.” He turns and I jump up. My legs squeeze his sides. His hands grip under my thighs. My heartbeat picks up. I hope he can’t feel it. My hands grip his shoulders. Have they always been this muscular? I see Kise roll his eyes and ignore him. “C-can you see better now?” he asks.
“Yes, much.” I know I’m smiling like a doof, but no one can see. Well I thought no one could see. Out of the corner of my eye I see Akashi say something to Murasakibara. He looks straight at me. Is that disapproval on his face? I still can’t read him. Those eyes are haunting. I was never really comfortable around him. That’s when I feel giant hands clamp down on my sides and I’m lifted off of Aomine.
“Oy, what are you doing?” Aomine looks as startled as I feel.
“If she really wants to see the game, don’t you think she would get a better view from up here?” Suddenly it’s like I’m 8 feet tall. I can see the entire court and all the players. Murasakibara has placed me on his shoulders. It’s true I can see better but…
“I feel like a child.” I try not to squirm. A fall from this height would surely kill me.
“I had her, she could see.” Aomine is almost yelling at Murasakibara. Is he upset that I’m on someone else’s shoulders? My heart skips.
“Mine-chin you need to calm down, dude. Here then have her back.” And I’m being lifted again. Now I’m angry. What was a fun chance to get close to Aomine has now turned into pass the potato and I’m the fucking potato!
“Stop this. Can you not see she is disgruntled?” Midorima steps in and takes me out of Murasakibara’s hands and puts me on the ground. I cross my arms and stare at all of them.
“Bahahahahahahahahaaa!” Kise is gripping his stomach laughing his ass off. “You should have seen your face through that whole thing. Hahaha.” That jackass has tears on his face from laughing. I tighten my crossed arms and try to look intimidating which only makes him laugh harder. Then they all start to chuckle. Then we are all laughing like idiots. It’s like it was back then and the awkwardness is forgotten.
The game has ended at this point so we all head back inside. I see Akashi staring at Aomine now. Wait, he said something to Murasakibara right before that game of hot potato started. Was he mad about me being on Aomine’s back? Did he make Murasakibara do that? What is going on with him? He seems weirder than usual.
We all pile into the elevator. I’m not claustrophobic, but being in an elevator with five really tall guys, four of which who are over six feet, is cramped. Luckily, Murasakibara gets out on the fourth floor. Sadly, Aomine is the next to leave at floor six. “See ya later pipsqueak, we should play some one on one before the party tonight!” My heart is in my throat.
“Yeah definitely!”
“Oops this is my floor too!” Kise pushes past me, pinching my butt in the process. “Later.” He winks as the doors close. I just roll my eyes. I should really have a talk with him.
With a nod to us, Midorima gets off on the next floor and the only ones left are me and Akashi. “What floor are you on?” I ask trying to fill the weird silence.
“Eight.”
“Oh me too, hehe,” I laugh awkwardly. Could this elevator move any slower?
“Was Kise not enough?” I can barely hear him.
“What?” Where did this come from? Does he know about what happened between me and Kise in high school? Of course he does. He knew everything that went on.
“I thought you had stopped fooling around with the commoners.” I turn to face him and he’s right behind me. How did he sneak up on me like that? I back up trying to put some space between us. My back hits the elevator door. Crap no room! “Shouldn’t you be aiming higher?” He’s getting closer. “How long are you going to keep me waiting?” His left hand slams into the door beside my head. I’m trapped. What is going on?
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about?” It’s all I can think of to say. We are mere inches apart now. He’s staring at me with those strange eyes. Who is this man? Was the boy I knew just a façade? It’s like he’s a completely different person. My body won’t move out of shock. I’m breathing too hard. What am I going to do? There is nowhere to run. I don’t know what to do! (Ding) The elevator opens and I topple out landing on my butt. (So graceful) I scramble to stand up. He’s coming out of the elevator. It must be my imagination, but he almost looks…like a predator stalking his prey.
“Did you think it was luck that got you a room at this hotel? You aren’t affiliated with any of the teams. How were you invited? Do you think it was a mere coincidence we happen to have rooms on the same floor? You aren’t meant to be with one of those low lives. You were always meant for me. I let you have your fun in high school. This is the grown up world now. It is time you took your place at my side.”
I’m frozen. I did think it was weird, but I assumed because I was their manager in high school the people in charge wanted me here. But what he’s saying makes sense. He’s so well-connected. Did he get me here? If so, why? Why am I here? I didn’t want to overthink the invitation because it was the perfect opportunity to see my friends, to see him, but if Akashi was the one that got me invited… ‘Meant for him!’ What does that mean? What is going on?
My eyes search for a way out. I can’t think anymore. I need to get away. I see a door marked stairs. I just have to make it down two flights and somehow find Aomine, maybe he’ll know something. I have to time this right. I burst past Akashi with a speed that surprises him. I guess that training actually paid off. I hit the first flight at full speed. I’m slamming into walls at every turn. I hear the door slam open and footsteps following me. He’s gotten over his shock and is in pursuit. One more flight. Half a flight. Five steps. I wrench the sixth floor door open and slam it shut. I can’t stop, he’s right behind me. I run down the hallway and turn right. I don’t know what his room number is. I hear the stairwell door open. I can hear him breathing. He’s slowed his pace because he knows there is no other way off this floor than to go past him. I duck into the doorway of a room, slamming into the door in the process. “I can’t run anymore. He’s going to catch me.” Suddenly, the door behind me opens and an arm reaches out and pulls me inside. The door slams shut behind me.
The arm circles my waist keeping me pressed against his warm body. His other hand covers my mouth as I try scream out. “Shhh. Shut up or he’ll know you’re in here.” Kise.
Kise looks out of the peephole in the door. He is still pressing me to him. I don’t move. My heartbeat slams into my chest. I can barely breathe. “Shit.” His eyes tell me not to make a sound. He lifts the hand away from my mouth and presses a finger to his lips. There’s a knock on the door. My eyes widen. How did he know I was in here? He’s going to find me!
“Whooo is it?” Kise practically sings. How can he be so calm?
“It’s Akashi, let me in.” I violently shake my head. Kise just looks at me like I’m stupid.
“You can’t. I’m naked. I was about to jump in the shower.” That’s when I notice that the only thing between me and him is the towel wrapped around his waist. I try to move away but he presses me closer to him.
“Fine. Whatever. Have you seen her?” He’s trying to act casual, but I can hear the strain in his voice.
“Why no, not since we parted ways at the elevator. Has our young lady friend gone missing? Oh dear me whatever shall we do?” He gives me a wink.
“Shut up you ass. If you see her, tell her… Just let me know if she shows up. I have to talk to her about something.”
“Yessir, Mister Captain!” I hear Akashi’s footsteps head back down the hallway. My body relaxes and my breathing gets under control. What was that? Akashi is jealous of Kise and Aomine? He wants me for himself? Where is this coming from? Has he had these feelings all along? Or is this new for him? Does he think he can just say a word and I’ll be his? That pompous, little… I take a deep breath. I’d have to deal with the Akashi situation at some point. But at the moment I have another problem to deal with… “So you came to me after all? What changed your mind?”