#aokawa

Oikawa observed horrified the reactions of that group.

Kagami slammed a hand against his forehead, sighing deeply and shaking his head. He really couldn’t believe Aomine had just done something like that.

A green-haired boy froze in the middle of a shoot, goggling at them dumbfounded, and the ball comically bounced on his head.

The violet-haired one with the arms full of food stopped eating, with a candy popping out from his mouth, and blinked at them, caught by surprise.

A redhead stumbled to his feet and looked up at Oikawa with creepy, inquiring eyes.

A cute girl with pink hair started crying, covering her mouth with both hands.

Fuck.

And in the middle of everything, Kise burst into a loud laughter.

“Ki-chan!”  Oikawa yelled at him, on the verge of a hysterical crisis, and the blonde ran towards him with his arms wide open.

“Oikawacchi!” he greeted the brunette cheerfully, jumping on him for a wild hug. Oikawa left Aomine’s hand and caught him, staggering a bit. “How are you?” he asked, bubbling.

“My idiot boyfriend has just introduced me to his former teammates, practically his second family, in the worst way possible. How do you think I am?” he replied in a hiss with a stifled, nervous smile; he was doing his best to not cause a scene or panic publicly.

Kise laughed again, letting him go but still keeping an arm around his shoulder.

“Sorry Oikawacchi!” he chirped grinning, “I didn’t manage to stop him!” he explained giggling, but Oikawa’s glare froze his blood.

“You knew it?” he asked with a dangerously sweet tone, and Kise gulped realizing his mistake, “You’re going to pay for this, Ki-chan, you're going to pay” Oikawa added with a sugarcoated smile that promised hell.

Before that the terrified blonde, he had recently discovered how dangerous Oikawa could be, could answer, Aomine, annoyed, shoved Kise away with a small kick in the back.

“Hands off,” he muttered narrowing his eyes and, on any other occasion Oikawa would have beamed, loving to see his boyfriend getting protective of him, but not now. Now he only wanted to punch Aomine square in the face.

“Hands off, my ass!” he hissed, staring angrily at him, “You didn’t even say my name, you stupid basketball head! Brute! That’s not how you introduce your boyfriend!” he protested with red cheeks, crossing his arms.

Aomine scratched his nape, averting his eyes embarrassed. Damn, he knew Oikawa was going to complain, but it hadn’t been easy for him either. However, he had wanted them to see the real Oikawa, the one he fell for. He knew that if he had told Oikawa about the meeting, he would have prepared himself and built again his charming, polite, composed and perfect façade for the occasion; he would have probably studied them beforehand to be sure to give what he thought it was his best impression. And Aomine couldn’t stand his fake smiles anymore, especially after they had started officially dating. His childish or excited ones were far better.

“Ah yes…” the tanned boy mumbled, noticing how all his friends had started to gather around them, “He’s-”

“Oikawa Tooru, volleyball player. Setter and captain. He had played with Kitagawa Daichi and then Aoba Jousai. Considered the best setter of the Miyagi Prefecture. Currently playing in his university team and training for the Japan Youth Team. Nicknamed The Grand King,” Akashi interrupted him, giving an extremely detailed explanation of who he was.

Oikawa paralyzed, looking at the redhead stunned. Was he a stalker or what?

“Is it normal?” he whispered worriedly at Aomine.

The boy sighed, rubbing his temples. That was exactly why he didn’t want to bring Oikawa with him. Obviously, his former captain didn’t give a damn about that.

“I’m Akashi Seijuurou, former captain of the Generation of Miracles. The Emperor. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Akashi introduced himself, stretching his hand to Oikawa with a polite smile, “I usually keep track of my friends’ life, however, I had unfortunately missed the most recent…even,” he added, far too interested in the boy.

Something in his tone or his choice of words, ticked off Oikawa’s pride. Straightening a bit and showing his intimidating, captain’ smile, he shook it confidently.

“The pleasure is mine,” he replied smoothly with matching politeness, their eyes both shined dangerously in a way Aomine definitely didn’t like. Emperor and King? Not the best match. Well, at least Oikawa beamed realizing he was taller than Akashi: he was up to the (undefined) challenge.

“Tooru-kun!” the girl who he had seen crying, suddenly throw himself onto Oikawa, who let himself be hugged, without knowing how to react, “I’m so happy to finally know you! Dai-chan always talked on and on about you, but refused to let me meet you! He didn’t send me a photo either! To think he had conquered a good-looking and talented guy like you! Thank you for putting up with him, I know he’s a bother but he’s kind. Deep down,” she complained with an adorable pout, dividing himself from him and showing a bright smile.

“I’m Momoi Satsuki, Dai-chan’s childhood friend.” At her words, finally Oikawa relaxed a bit. Alright, she knew her name and Aomine had talked about her too, so some pieces of the puzzle started getting in their place. A childhood friend, currently living in another city and frequenting an elite university, former manager with freaking skills about analyzing and predicting players’ development, the strategist of the team. Everything was under control. For a moment, Oikawa had feared she was some ex-girlfriend or something similar.

“It’s a pleasure, Momoi-chan!” he chirped happily, glad to finally know a person who held such a special place in his boyfriend’s heart. To be honest, he had wanted to meet all of them from the start, but not like that, okay? Not unprepared, not without having organized what to say and how to introduce himself in the best way, not while wearing his alien t-shirt. What if they didn’t like him and persuaded Aomine he wasn’t worthy? He loved being a drama queen, but he would have liked to avoid Romeo and Juliet’s kind of love story.  

“Talked on and on?” Oikawa then mused at Aomine, raising an eyebrow, and the boy coughed embarrassed, “So sappy!” the brunet mocked him playfully, but feeling a sparkly bubble in his chest. Well, Aomine wasn’t the gossiping or talkative guy: knowing he had talked about him with Momoi was important for Oikawa.

“I didn’t know you were this sappy too, Aomine-kun.” A quiet, sudden voice rose from beside Oikawa, scaring the hell out him.

He screeched, practically jumping into his boyfriend’s arms and Aomine chuckled amusedly at his exaggerated reaction. He was waiting for that from the start.

“Ah, sorry. I’m Kuroko Tetsuya,” The faint, calm guy who had appeared literally from nowhere introduced himself politely, “I’m happy to meet you in person.”

When did he arrive? Was he already there? What the hell?

Oikawa, embarrassed, elbowed Aomine, who was still laughing, and composed himself, shaking Kuroko’s hand with a polite smile. While he was doing that, a sudden thought crossed his mind and he turned to look at Kagami, dumbfounded.

“Tiger-chan! Is he your boyfriend? The ghost player?” he asked excitedly, with starry eyes. Finally!

Aomine scoffed, Kise laughed at hearing “Tiger-chan” and even Kuroko arched his eyebrow with a glint of amusement.

“Yeah, yeah,” Kagami huffed scratching his head, “Happy to see you Oikawa. Again,” he greeted him without enthusiasm. He had seen him only five hours ago when the brunette had busted into his room asking again how to cook curry rice because Aomine was outside and he was hungry. No need to add that, in the end, Kagami had cooked for him.

The guy ignored his exasperation and looked curiously at Kuroko, who returned the stare with the same interest. They only knew each other thanks to the respective boyfriend and friend and wanted to confirm with their own eyes if the other was as amazing as they described it.

“I’m happy that you seem normal, at least,” Oikawa exhaled gladly after some seconds, “Except for the ghost thing.”

“Sorry, they can be overwhelming,” Kuroko nodded, understanding where he came from. As if he wasn’t as crazy as them.

“Ehm, ehm,” the green-haired guy coughed to have Oikawa’s attention and offered his hand, “Midorima Shintarou,” he introduced himself briefly.

“Ah, Oikawa Tooru,” The brunette repeated, tilting slightly his head to the right; if he wasn’t mistaken, Midorima was something like a perfect shooter or…

“I’ve happened to see you playing on TV,” Midorima added, fixing his glass, “You’ve really an amazing aim to serve like that,” he complimented him, stiff and awkward.

Yes, he was definitely the shooter.

“Thank you, Midorima-kun,” Oikawa replied smiling, more relaxed when talking or even just mentioning volleyball.

“So this is Mine-chin’s boyfriend?” the violet giant towered over Oikawa, who shifted uncomfortably. Why they had to be that tall? He really felt like hiding behind Aomine in that moment. He was surrounded by giants.

“Yes. Oikawa Tooru,” he replied stretching out his hand.

The boy ignored it and patted his head.

“So tiny,” he commented before placing in the brunette’s hand a packet of gummy bears, “Eat them. I’m Murasakibara Atsushi,” he said expressionlessly.

Oikawa gritted his teeth, clenching his fist around the gift and with a vein popping on his forehead, and smirked surrounded by a menacing aura.

“Dai-chan, is your friend picking a fight? Is he?” he hissed with a dangerous glint in his eyes and Aomine hurried to wrap an arm around his waist to keep him calm.

“H-he isn’t. Calm down,” he huffed, trying to conceal his amusement, but Oikawa knew him too well.

“I’m not short, it is you guys who are monsters!” he pouted at him, puffing out his cheeks.

“Yeah, yeah,” Aomine smirked, proud of being taller than him, “Sure.”

Murasakibara just gave him a pitying glance.

Midorima, Kagami and Kise exchanged a guilty look. Well, he was shorter than them…

“I agree with Oikawa-kun,” Kuroko commented coldly, shooting what Oikawa thought it was a glare at Kagami, who shivered.

 “Same,” Akashi sighed, crossing his arms, and Oikawa beamed up.

“See?” The brunet taunted his boyfriend, lifting the chin, “Listen to your Captain, Dai-chan,” he singsonged mischievously.

Aomine grinned, tightening the hold around his waist and pulling him closer.

“Now you team up with him?” he purred in his low, deep voice; his hungry eyes lingered on Oikawa’s lips a second too much.

“Please, guys! Take a room!” Kise howled at them, smirking, and Kagami snorted.

Aomine rolled his eyes letting Oikawa distance himself a bit, with flushed cheeks. The brunette still managed to glare at the blonde. Oh, Kise was gonna pay for everything. However, seeing Midorima’s embarrassed expression and Momoi, Kuroko and Akashi’s definitely too curious and interested ones, he decided to postpone the kiss. It would have been like doing it in front of your cousins or brothers, no? And to be honest, those three seemed ready to take photos of the two of them like some sort of scary aunts.

“Okay, okay,” Aomine grumbled annoyed, deciding he had enough for that day, “The show is finished. You’ve met him and embarrassed us, happy? We can move on,” he growled, letting the boy go and taking off his jacket. Oikawa instinctively stared at the defined muscles of his tanned arm, blessing that black hoodie, but quickly averted his eyes when he heard Kise chuckling.

“Eh?” Momoi whined disappointed, “But I wanted to ask him a lot of things! The first encounter! How did you met, the first kiss…” she listed with heart-shaped eyes, but Aomine snorted pushing, gently, her way.

“Not now Satsuki,” he interrupted her, “We’re here to play," he reminded all of them, a sort of hunger in his tone. At his words, all the guys brightened up and returned on the court, joking with each other and discussing the teams with flames in their eyes.

“Ready?” then Aomine asked Oikawa, ignoring the pouting Momoi who went to sit on the border.

The brunette blinked and pointed a finger at himself.

“Me?”

“Yes,” Aomine stated firmly, before unzipping his boyfriend’s jacket and taking it off for him since he didn’t seem inclined to do it by himself; he also took off the scarf and the gummy bears from his hands, throwing everything on the ground beside Momoi. That got Oikawa glaring at him, but briefly, since he had a more compelling problem.

“Basketball. With the Generation of Miracles,” Oikawa articulated slowly, his brown eyes wide with surprise, “A group of monstrously talented players, half of them a whole head taller than me.”

“Yes,” His boyfriend repeated in a grunt, pinching his nose.

“I play volleyball. Setter, remember?” He shook his head, incredulous, gesturing at his body, “I can’t keep up with you guys,” he sighed dismissing his offer with a hand.

“We’ve already played together. You’re not bad for an amateur.” Aomine shrugged, without any intention to surrender. Even if he wasn’t going to admit it aloud, he liked playing with Oikawa. A different type of “like” from when he played matches or against Kagami or Kise, but still “like”. A bubbling, warm “like”.

“I know,” Oikawa scoffed proudly, aware that being complimented by Aomine regarding basketball was more worthy than any other praise, “I’m better than you playing volleyball, at least," he grinned, making him roll his eyes. He couldn’t argue with that.

“Come on! Oikawa!” Kagami yelled from the court, already a ball in his hands, but the brunette stuck out his tongue at him.

“Next time, we’re going to play volleyball,” Aomine conceded to bribe him, knowing how much Oikawa wanted it, “Or are you too scared of losing?” he challenged, lifting Oikawa’s chin with a finger. He grimaced averting his eyes.

“I don’t like don’t being good,” he admitted proudly and Aomine chuckled. Yeah, he knew Oikawa hated not being perfect at everything he did, but they we working on it. He needed to relax and enjoy himself more: dorky, clumsy Oikawa was the best. Except for volleyball player Oikawa.

“Don’t worry, idiot!” Aomine reassured him, flashing him a rare, bright and excited smile, “You’re playing with me. The only one who can beat me is me,” he reminded him playfully, before grabbing his wrist and dragging him towards the other rainbow guys.

“We’re going to win for sure!”

As expected, he found Oikawa in the garden at the back of their complex, looking thoughtfully at the iron, folded emergency staircase hanging from the wall, midway between the earth and the roof.

“Tell me you’re joking,” Aomine grunted, reaching him with long strides. Oikawa didn’t even bother to turn, he was sure Aomine would have followed him.

“Absolutely no, it’s the only other way to the rooftop,” he explained calmly, trying to understand if he could really reach the first step by jumping as higher as he could, and then use his weight to pull down and unfold the stairs. He had thought it was a perfect plan, but now that he saw closely the stairs, he was starting to doubt it.

“Can’t you look at the stars from the garden?” grumbled Aomine, exasperated by the brunet's antics, putting his hands in the jeans’ pockets. It was still a chilly night, even if the sky was clear. Part of him just wanted to turn on his heels, go back on the couch and resume enjoying his Mai-chan magazine; the other weak-willed part was mocking him because he damn knew that, lately, he just couldn’t leave Oikawa alone.

Oikawa looked at him wide-eyed as if he had just said a blasphemy.

“Tonight, it'll be possible to see shooting stars, Dai-chan. You don’t watch shooting stars from a small, badly illuminated garden,” he explained slowly, as if he was talking to a dumb child, and Aomine felt the usual desire to punch his pretty face.

“Shooting stars?” he opted to say instead, rolling his eyes.

“Exactly. If you manage to see one, one of your wishes will come true,” Oikawa bubbled excitedly, taking some steps back and scrunching his nose in concentration as he tried to measure the approximate distance. Yes, maybe he could do it.

“And what wish is worth a broken leg?” Aomine mocked him, glancing amusedly at his movements. That was going to be such a failure.

“That’s a secret, Dai-chan!” he smirked allusively, winking at him. Aomine snorted, shaking his head, and decided to let him fail in peace and then bring back the corpse.

Oikawa took a deep breath, closing his eyes, and when he reopened them, he wore the focused expression of the determined setter he was. The first thing about Oikawa that had struck Aomine and made him regret Oikawa didn’t play basketball.

The brunette took the same run-up he used when serving; crouching like a cat, he elegantly moved forward and then suddenly spread his arms like wings; he jumped high, hands stretching towards his aim.

But he missed the step, slamming face-on against the wall, and fell backwards on his butt.

Aomine burst into a loud, animal laughter that echoed in the garden.

“Shut up!” Oikawa whined, still laying on the ground.

Aomine was laughing too hard to help him, a pity he hadn't recorded it.

Oikawa, blushing furiously, stood up and brushed his pants, trying to find again his dignity.

“I’m not going to surrender,” He pouted, lifting his chin, and returned to his initial position.

“You can’t do it,” Aomine said chuckling, watching him running and slamming into the wall again.

At the third failed attempt, Aomine thought that now they could return home; maybe, to comfort his hurting pride, he would let Oikawa watch one his aliens movies with some ice cream, only for that night. Maybe.

But as always, Oikawa never ceased to surprise him.

He returned to his spot, but instead of running, he analyzed carefully the wall. An evil grin spread across his face.

“Dai-chan,” he called sweetly and shivers ran down Aomine’s spine, “Who lives on the second floor?” he asked pointing his index at the balcony near the staircase.

The other tilted his head, perplexed.

“Uh? Why do you need to-” the boy started saying when the sudden realization hit him, “Fuck no,” he roared, glaring menacingly at him.

Oikawa pouted, crossing his arms.

“Come on, Dai-chan!”

“I’m not going to ask our neighbors to let you use their balcony to jump on the stairs,” He refused, rubbing his temples, and Oikawa gave him a death look.

“Party-pooper,” he murmured disappointed, reaching the wall and standing exactly under the stairs, frustrated. He just wanted to see his shooting stars.

Oh no, the dejected look. Fuck, Aomine was weak.

Oikawa heard the other guy sigh and growl something, and thought he had run out of patience for that night and was going to drag him inside or, worst, abandon him there. Instead, Aomine finally reached him, scratching his neck both out of annoyance and embarrassment; he already knew that was going to be a bad idea.

“You’re really a child,” his roommate complained and Oikawa blushed even more, offended.

“Said the guy who asks my help to stuAAAA-“ Oikawa’s words melted in a loud screech as Aomine suddenly bent, grabbed him by the knees and lift him up.

“Shut up! You are waking up everyone!” Aomine hissed, face pressed against Oikawa’s tights, “We shouldn’t even be here.”

“What are you doing?” Oikawa panicked, swinging back and forth in his arm, in a precarious equilibrium.

“I help you to reach your stupid stairs,” And he was the dumb one, “Stand steady.”

Finally, Oikawa calmed down and straightened properly, soft giggles escaping his lips.

“You don’t have to do this, you know?”

“I wish that was true,” He replied in a low, annoyed but amused voice. And maybe, sometimes, he truly wanted to go back as it was before meeting the brunet, but it wasn’t possible anymore. He had fallen too deep.

“You softie,” Oikawa laughed petting his blue hair and he snorted.

“You're heavy, Oikawa. Move your ass.”

“First, I still can't reach it,” he pointed out, “Second, I'm not heavy.”

“You shrimp,” Aomine pinched his tight, making his squirming, and growled, “Put your hands on the wall.”

“I’m average height, tall even. It’s you who’s huge!” the brunet whined, puffing his cheeks, but did as he was told.

Aomine didn’t bother answering and slowly moved his hands under Oikawa’s feet. That was dangerous, but he trusted the player’s good reflexes.

“Alright, when I push you up, grab the step. Try not to fall, I’m not bringing you to the hospital,” he warned and Oikawa rolled his eyes.

“You rude guy. You’re going to see how amazing I am,”  he boasted, glancing fiercely at the stairs, “You let me go and move back immediately,” he added and the boy nodded.

“Ready?”

“Ready,” Oikawa replied with a smirk and Aomine pushed him up with all his strength.

Incredibly, everything worked out. Oikawa grabbed the step and Aomine moved out of the way before the stairs unfolded with a loud, crashing, metallic noise. The brunette landed safely on the ground and staggered. Aomine instinctively caught his arm to prevent him from falling.

Both looked at the stairs, the horrible noise still echoing, and then exchanged a horrified glance.

“Move, before they find us,” Aomine growled and shoved him forward.

“You don’t need to tell me,” Oikawa snickered, starting to climb in a hurry. He heard Aomine following him and a small smile blossomed on his lips. That idiot didn’t even like the stars.

 When they finally reached the rooftop, Oikawa emitted an excited and enthusiastic exclamation, bouncing around and spinning on himself with arms wide open. Aomine just stared at him, the corner of his lips curling up.

“See? It was worth it!” Oikawa told him, gesturing Aomine to join him in the middle of the rooftop.

“Yeah…” the other muttered, averting his gaze from him. Damn, he could see more stars in Oikawa’s eyes than in the sky.

They sat down together, in silence. Oikawa brought his knees to the chest, hugging them, and stared at the sky with a content, awe-struck smile. Without Aomine telling anything, he started listing name of the constellations and pointing them out for him, who merely nodded and followed his finger.

It had passed more than half an hour when Oikawa stopped his rambling to breathe.

“You’re not even listening, Dai-chan!” Oikawa sounded more giddy and amused than offended; he was already surprised that Aomine had followed him and remained silent.

“I’m,” the boy objected with an unusual quietness, but his eyes were locked on him instead of the sky.

Oikawa blushed under his stare, realizing that he couldn’t tell when his roommate had started watching him; a sort of soft warmth and resolution bubbled in his stomach.

He fidgeted, clasping more tightly his knees, and then mumbled something.

“Uh?” Aomine frowned, but Oikawa buried the face in his arms.

“I said I’m cold," he whispered a little louder, without his usual whining tone.

Silence.

“I told you it was still too cold to wear that jacket, idiot,” Aomine instantly blurted, bringing back a conversation about Oikawa’s clothes they had during the week.

The brunette's head perked up and he grimaced, glaring hard at him.

“You Ahomine!” He cursed, standing up with flaming cheeks, “You have just lost your chance to be a gentleman!” he hissed before moving to sit a bit further, showing the boy his back

Aomine laughed, enjoying the embarrassment and the dorky side of Oikawa, who whispered some more insults at him; then, in his slow-paced, feline way, he stood up too and walked towards him.

“I don’t need some cheesy, drama’s lines to be romantic,” he smirked, making Oikawa roll his eyes, “I can do better,” he murmured alluringly.

Catching Oikawa by surprise, he fell seated behind him and, before the boy could react, wrapped his arm around his waist; he pulled Oikawa against his chest and caged him between his legs.

“This is warmer…” he whispered in his ear, brushing against the earlobe with his lips.

Oikawa blinked once, twice and then burst into laughter.

“Wh-What are you laughing at?” Aomine pulled away from him, offended, but Oikawa leaned back again in his arms, covering his mouth with a hand to muffle the spontaneous laugh that bubbled from his throat.

“That was so damn embarrassing, Dai-chan!” he giggled with shining eyes and red cheeks.

“Shut up,” Aomine growled again, as the shame started to kick in, and buried his face in the crook of Oikawa’s neck.

“Good confession,” The brunet playfully mocked him.

“Who says I’m confessing?” Aomine replied.

“You are confessing,” Oikawa repeated in a quite menacing way and Aomine immediately corrected himself.

“I’m confessing,” he assured with a snort.

“Nobody is gonna believe me,” Oikawa sighed happily, thinking of Iwaizumi and Kise’s faces after would tell them about Aomine’s cheesiness.

“Don’t you even try to.”

Oikawa giggled again, caressing lightly his short, blue hair.

“This is your punishment for making me feel stupid and hopeless before,” he accused, poking his cheek.

“It’s just too fun messing with you,” Aomine replied with a smirk, “And why did you think I would follow you here, if not for this reason? And don’t answer “stars”, I don’t give a damn,” Aomine reassured him in that brusque and rash way of his.

“So rude, I love stars,” Oikawa whined, but was still smiling, “And you should have done this before.," he complained, gazing at his beloved sky.

“That wouldn’t have been fun. You’re cute when you’re hopeless. And damn, you tried your best to seduce me during those weeks.”

“Are you trying to make me blush?” Oikawa replied, thinking of all his “failed” attempt to understand if Aomine liked him or not. Unfortunately, his everlasting rival was a big breasted idol. Not the easiest person to defeat.

“I’m making you blush,” Aomine corrected him, grinning slyly, and Oikawa huffed.

“Don’t play the Latin lover, cicada-guy.”

“Shut up, alien-freak.”

“Make me.”

Aomine froze, pulled a little away and stared at Oikawa, who was showing him a confident and attractive smile.

“You were waiting to say this line, weren’t you?” Aomine grunted amused, arching an eyebrow.

Oikawa smiled angelically.

“From the first time you told me to shut up.”

Aomine smiled, tilting his head, and Oikawa could only think that damn, his eyes were the same blue as the night and seemed full of stars as he looked fondly at him.

“Then I’ve made you wait too long,” Aomine answered before leaning in and finally kissing Oikawa. A bit rough as his words, a bit goofy as his personality, definitely passionate as his playing style.

Oikawa closed his eyes and grabbed Aomine’s hair to pull him closer; he had desired this for some months now. And it was stupidly embarrassing and incredibly amazing as Aomine was.

He simply loved it.

When they divided, the brunette rested against his chest with a content smile on his lips and Aomine held him tight, savoring the warmth of his body.

“Oi, Tooru,” Aomine called him, making his heart jump.

“Yes, Dai-chan?”

“What is your secret wish? Except for volleyball related things,” he specified, knowing that his love for basketball could only be compared to Oikawa’s love for volleyball.

Oikawa giggled and gave him a peck on the lips.

Five days later, Aomine and Oikawa were walking together, directed to the meeting spot to meet the rest of the Aoba Jousai team of Oikawa’s third year. What he called the Golden Team.

The boys had since long designated as the perfect place an abandoned court in a run-down gym in the suburbs. There, they wouldn’t have to ask anyone for permission and their shouts and general chaos wouldn’t annoy anyone. Moreover, in the nearby, there was a delicious ramen shop where they loved to eat after the match.

“Are you nervous?” Oikawa grinned cheekily at his boyfriend, who kept an arm around his shoulders.

“Nah,” the other scoffed, “I have Iwaizumi’s approval, I don’t have any reason to be nervous,” he replied coolly, showing his usual indifferent mask.

But Oikawa arched an eyebrow, “Liar,” he sing-sang, poking his tanned cheek.

Aomine mimicked as to bite his finger off and growled, “Surely, I’m not as nervous as you.”

At his words, Oikawa sighed suffering and snuggled closer to him.

“You’ll understand,” he muttered ominously.

Aomine rolled his eyes and was ready to prong for more information when he heard someone calling.

“Ah, there’s the Captain!”

Raising his eyes, he realized they’ve reached an abandoned building, and in front of it there was reunited a crowd. Oikawa straightened a bit, his face swinging between an anxious expression and an excited one. Aomine wondered if he should put down his arm or not but, in the end, seeing so many guys together, he felt more comfortable leaving it where it was.

“Ya-hoooo!” Oikawa greeted waving his hand.

As they neared, Aomine tried to recognize the faces from the videos he had seen, but although they all looked familiar, he couldn’t remember much about any of them.

On the contrary, he was perfectly aware all the eyes were fixed on him with different degrees of curiosity and surprise.

“Hey guys, how have you been?” Oikawa chirped, “This is my boyfriend, Dai-chan!”

Aomine would have liked to scoff at the evident pride in his tone -what a dork-, but rolled the eyes at the nickname instead.

“Aomine Daiki,” he introduced himself curtly, “Nice to meet you.”

His gruff voice nearly made Oikawa snicker. He knew it, he was nervous!

“Ah!” a guy with impressive eyebrows, and probably the tallest there, tilted his head to scrutinize him. “So, this is the rumored boyfriend.” Something in his flat tone put Aomine on the edge, it didn’t match the mischievous light in his eyes.

“Finally!” A shorter guy with pinkish hair, leaning against Eyebrows, smirked widely at him, “The basketball player!”

“Uh…”

“Mattsun! Makki!” Oikawa pleaded with wide, scared eyes. Ah, the other best friends.

The two ignored him and continued grinning lazily.

“The dumb, lazy roommate who drove you crazy the first months!”

“Who sucks at doing the chores!”

“Who prefers cicadas over aliens!"

“Who’s always growling, scowling and calling you names like a brute!”

“Guys…” Oikawa lamented, burying his face in the hands.

Aomine half-glared at his boyfriend.

“Oi Shittykawa, what have you told them…” he growled, but the evil duo hadn’t finished yet.

“But also, the player with an amazingly hot body,” Makki recalled as Mattsun wolf-whistled, “So hot that you can’t focus when he takes off his tank top because Makki you should see him! He has the body of a god,” Makki imitated perfectly Oikawa’s whiny tone and Aomine, surprised, snorted.

“And his voice? His voice makes you melt, right?”

“And let’s not talk when he goes a little bit aggressive or passionate instead of his usual indifference."

“Yeah, it’s his fault that when you went to see his match for the first time, you were so mesmerized you missed a step and fell from the bleachers, right?” Mattsun added with fake innocence.

Oikawa was on the verge of combusting, while Aomine was cackling wildly.

“You said someone pushed you!”

“No, no,” Makki assured him, “In the endless phone calls he tortured us with, he clearly explained us the effects you have on him. The poor maiden here can hardly breath when you stare into his eyes.”  

The entire team was laughing and chuckling, Aomine louder than everyone else.

Oikawa pushed his boyfriend away and stomped a foot on the ground, pointing ferociously to his friends with bright, tomato cheeks.

“You had promised to behave! This is why I didn’t want you to meet him!” he yelled nearly hysterical.

Ah, now everything was clear. Aomine should have known.

“We’re behaving,” they replied in unison, angelically.

“We were just making sure he was the right one,” Makki added glancing at him with a grin, “Is it you?”

Aomine, with a catlike smile, met Oikawa’s gaze and purred, “I believe it’s me.”

And the brunet’s brain just disconnected.

“Then it’s a pleasure to meet you! I’m Hanamaki Takahiro,” the pink-head introduced himself.

“And I’m Matsukawa Issei. We’re the princess’ best friends,” concluded Eyebrow.

Aomine nodded in acknowledgment.

“I hate you,” Oikawa hissed venomously, but the boys pulled him in a hug and ruffled his head, deaf to his screeches.

“That’s your punishment for not introducing him to us sooner!”

“You thought you could escape us? Naïve. Thanks to your reluctance, we've had even more time to plan it.”

Oikawa was full-out pouting as they strangle-hugged him, but Aomine saw in the way his eyes crinkle that deep-down he was incredibly happy to be with them and less bothered than what he showed.

“Ah, it’s my turn!” From the group, bounced toward him another brunet that had something terrifyingly Oikawaish in the manners.

“Yahaba Shigeru!” He chirped offering a hand to Aomine. Light brown, pompous hair, a mischievous glint in the apparently innocent eyes, grin…must be a setter.

As Aomine shook it, Oikawa threw himself over the poor boy with a loud whine.

“Yahaba-chan! My favorite kouhai!” He hugged him tightly and squashed their cheeks together.

Another guy who followed Yahaba, with a strange haircut and dark eyeliner, glared the Oikawa and growled something.

“Ah, Oikawa-senpai!” Yahaba said with a cheeky grin, before loudly whispering into his ear “You were right, you really found a smoking hot boyfriend,” he commented, batting his eyelashes.

Aomine’s cheeks darkened slightly; even if he was more than happy to know Oikawa was so head over heels for him, it was still incredibly embarrassing. To think he had thought his friends were the embarrassing ones!

“Traitor!” the brunet screeched, playfully pushing him away, but he couldn’t hide a proud grin.

“Shigeru!” the boy with the strange haircut barked, pulling the boy towards himself.

“Ah yes! He’s my boyfriend, Kyoutani Kentarou.”

Something in the dark look he gave Aomine, ticked the boy’s pride off, and he glared back with the same animal intensity.

“’Nice to meet you,” he gruffly muttered.

And the other replied with a low, “Otherwise.”

“Maddog-chan!” Oikawa taunted, “Don’t pick a fight with my boyfriend! He’s gonna squash you!”

“Ah?” Kyoutani roared, now staring at Aomine as if he had been the one to pose the challenge.

“Oi Shittykawa!” The so-called boyfriend clicked his tongue, catching the boy by the waist and pulling him closer, “Don’t use me like your guard dog.”

“I am the one suffering here, bullied by my own family, my own children!”

At the same time, Yahaba scolded his own boyfriend with a loud, “Kentarou!” before pushing him away.

“Uhm…” A quiet boy interrupted Oikawa and Aomine’s banter, with a small bow “Watari Shinji. Nice to meet you,” he said politely.

Aomine replied with an awkward, “’Same.” So, there was someone normal.

“I’m glad you’re here today, the Captain was being incredibly secretive about you to prevent Matsukawa and Hanamaki from teasing him, but we were curious.”

The boy emitted a sort of calming aura that immediately relaxed him.

“I also wanted to meet you, sorry that this ass has delayed it so long,” he grunted, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

He couldn’t say anything else that Yahaba and Kyoutani started arguing and, with a smile of apology, Watari went to placate them.

The last two members were quieter, and Oikawa greeted them with a big smile.

“Ah, Kindaichi! Kunimi! How’s practice?” He asked with starry, avid eyes.

“It’s going well, Oikawa-senpai,” the smallest one replied in a low whisper, “The first-years are training hard.”

“I think we have great chances this year!” the other added eagerly.

Their former Captain beamed with pride and satisfaction, ruffling their hair.

“They are Kunimi Akira and Kindaichi Yuutarou, current Captain and vice-captain of Aobajousai!” Oikawa presented them happily, and the two bowed at Aomine.

Kunimi, tilting his head, stared at him with an unreadable expression.

“You’re tall,” he said flatly in the end, and Aomine scoffed.

“They told me often.” He smirked at his boyfriend, who rolled the eyes dramatically.

The other one, that resembled a funny turnip, seemed more nervous and just stuttered a “N-nice to meet you!”

“He’s not going to eat you, Yuutarou,” Kunimi deadpanned, and the boy grew even redder.

“I-I know!”

“You’re so tall yet so easily agitated.”

“Akira!”

Aomine watched them speechless, while Oikawa giggled. Nearby, Kyoutani and Yahaba were still arguing but now with Watari forcing them to hold hands, while Matsukawa and Hanamaki whispered something between themselves with sly smirks as they watched Aomine.

Amidst that chaos, an exasperated but fond voice rose.

“Ah, you’re all already here.”

Turning, they found Iwaizumi peacefully strolling towards them.

“Have Matsukawa and Hanamki already embarrassed you?” he addressed his best friend raising an eyebrow, and Oikawa tragically threw himself at him.

“Iwa-chan!”

Iwaizumi only gave him a pat on the back and let him hang from his shoulders, before turning to Aomine.

“Hey, Aomine, everything’s alright?”

Aomine finally felt at ease and snorted.

“Yeah,” he said, shrugging, as they fist bumped, “Your team is crazy.”

Iwaizumi grimaced, shaking the head, “Please, don’t remind me.”

“Iwa-chan! Don’t say that!” Hanamaki joined, still imitating Oikawa’s petulant tone, who glared at him.

“We know you love us,” Matsukawa added in a comically flat tone, faking to wipe away a tear.

The other kouhais crowded around to greet him too.

“Alright, alright!” Iwaizumi showed a crooked smile, “I’m happy to see you too, but shouldn’t we start setting the net and things?”

At his words, as if everyone had suddenly remembered what they were there for, they scattered and entered the gym eagerly. Aomine walked between Oikawa, happily bouncing around, and Iwaizumi.

“They love him more than you,” he teased his boyfriend, gesturing to Iwaizumi, who smirked.

“I can’t even argue!” They brunet complained resigned.

“That’s because I have a better personality,” Iwaizumi replied with a scoff.

“I agree,” Aomine deadpanned, and Oikawa let out an offended exclamation.

“You too, traitor!” He said dramatically, at which his best friend rolled his eyes and decided to go and tame his former teammates, leaving the two idiots on their own.

“Obviously,” Aomine grinned and quickly leaned to leave a small kiss on the pouting cheek of the brunet, before hurrying away.

“Dai-chan!” he exclaimed, giddy once again, but the boy was already inside.

As expected, the interior wasn’t in a better shape than the exterior. Still, it had something cozy and relaxing that made Aomine look around in appreciation. Or maybe it was the comfortable atmosphere they guys created with their jokes and excited smiles as they prepared the court.

“You stay here!” Oikawa took him by the wrist and dragged him to a rusty bench.

“Why so far?”

“Don’t want you to get hit in the face. It’s the only good thing you have.”

“Not the body of a god?”

Oikawa blushed, “Shut up!”

“Don’t you need a referee?” Aomine asked again, as the boy pushed him seated.

“Ah? No, don’t worry, just enjoy the match!” Oikawa assured him with a wink. Then, he threw his hoodie and the sweatpants beside Aomine, remaining in his old training uniform. He had grown a tad taller and his shoulder had broadened, but it still fitted him nicely.

Aomine followed his movements, glad for whoever had chosen teal: it looked good on his boyfriend.

With the last wave, Oikawa left him there and joined the other players, who had changed into their uniforms too. For a second, Aomine thought he was still watching one of the old videos Iwaizumi had lent him.

They divided into two teams, after some whining and failed attempts to separate Oikawa and Iwaizumi, and the match started.

Aomine, before meeting Oikawa, would have never imagined he could get hooked on another sport that wasn’t related to basketball, especially not volleyball. He had always thought it was too different, more static and with less instinct and energy involved. In a word: boring.

He had never been more mistaken, he knew now. Yeah, the style and rules were different but…the intensity? The connection between players? The raw power? The adrenaline and animal instinct that drove a person to take a step further? They were all there.

Maybe it was Oikawa making it all so interesting to him, but who could blame him? Aomine would have never admitted it, but “The Great King” fitted him perfectly. He moved on the court as in his natural habitat, he analyzed the adversaries with scary accuracy and lead his team to a merciless victory.

It was also his first time seeing him playing with Iwaizumi in real life, and it was incredible the bound they shared. They understood each other flawlessly, Aomine could understand why the others had tried to divide him. And, let’s be honest, if he hadn’t been more than sure that Oikawa and Iwaizumi were like brothers, he could have felt jealous. But he knew the truth, so he was just a tiny bit irked.

The other players were good too, and if Aomine was willing to recognize it -also thanks to Oikawa’s endless explanations-, then it was the truth. Matsukawa and his blocks were fairly impressive, he could feel the intimidating air from there, while Makki was more calculative but equally deadly in his spikes.  The one Oikawa had called Mad Dog, Kyoutani, played like a beast, as Aomine could have imagined, slamming the ball through the blockers thanks to raw power only; but he was more controlled of what he could remember from the videos. The setter too, even if not on pair with Oikawa, showed to have learned well from his senpai. The libero provided a reliable defense, and the two younger players gave their best to keep up, playing with more confidence than what he could have expected; he didn’t miss though the reverent and fond glances they reserved to their former teammates.

All in all, Aomine was enjoying himself, even if relegated to that lonely bench. The problem was that, as the game progressed, he grew more and more impatient. Not that he wanted to go away, but he felt more and more attracted to Oikawa as he continued to play. The way his long fingers curled and extended while he set, how his body moved before a serve -still one of Aomine’s favorite actions-, and the intense, fierce gaze he hovered over the court and the players. Oikawa’s focused expression alone drove him crazy.

Hell, he felt like a stupid crushing high-schooler. How embarrassing.

He hid his agitation under the usual blank scowl and kept watching in silence, hands stuffed in the pockets of the hoodie.

Finally, the first set ended, and they took a break to swap courts.

Oikawa was drinking from his water bottle and discussing some plays with Iwaizumi and Kunimi, when Aomine decided he had reached his limit for the moment.

“Tooru.”

Oikawa’s head immediately whipped toward his boyfriend, who stared at him with hungry eyes and the faint shadow of a smirk. Many of the presents couldn’t avoid glancing at them, startled by the sudden use of the first name.

“What, Dai-chan?” Oikawa chirped, jogging in his direction. For a fraction of a second, a satisfied, knowing smirk flashed on his lips.

Aomine gestured with a finger to come near.

“Do you want to compliment my skills? Did you fall for me all over again?” the brunet teased him, tilting the head.

But as soon as he was at reach, Aomine grabbed the collar of his t-shirt and roughly pulled him down to smash their lips together. Oikawa’s eyes widened in surprise and he wobbled, having to pin a knee against the bench, between Aomine’s legs, to support himself; his hands ended up on his boyfriend’s shoulders, clutching around the fabric.

He really, really, should have remembered they were in public, but Aomine had that special way of kissing him, with teeth, tongue and a passion that screamed “I need you”, that erased the rest of the world from his mind.

Matsukawa wolf-whistled, “Take a room!”

“There are children!” Makki screeched in false bewilderment, as he covered Kindaichi’s and Kyoutani’s eyes.

Aomine put the other hand behind Oikawa’s neck and pushed him even closer.

“Are they always like this?” Yahaba asked Iwaizumi, who was the only one completely unbaffled.

“Even worst. Aomine has no sense of decency, TPO or any kind of restraints,” he replied dryly, taking a sip of water, “And Oikawa is a weak-ass and unable to resist half of the time.”

Aomine flipped Iwaizumi off, smirking in the kiss he was enjoying with the brunet.

“The other half?” Kunimi asked.

Iwaizumi grinned.

“He gets hit by Shittykawa and has to sleep in someone else’s room.”

In the end, Aomine let Oikawa go, and he straightened with glassy eyes, swollen lips and rosy cheeks. Aomine took in the sight with great satisfaction and a hidden dose of adoration. That was cute.

“You’re the worst,” Oikawa scolded him with a giddy smile, and Aomine shrugged.

“I didn’t hear you complaining.”

“Yeah, I had your tongue stuck in my-”

“Shittykawa!” Iwaizumi called, at the end of his wits, “We have a match to play! Flirt later!”

“Yes, mom!” the brunet replied, ignoring the string of courses he received in reply, and flashed the sign of peace, “Wish me good luck.”

“As if you needed it,” his boyfriend scoffed, “Crush them.”

Oikawa’ smile sharpened in a sly smirk, “Watch me.”

The boy turned on his heels and trotted to the court surrounded by an ominous aura that clashed with the lovestruck expression.

Two sets later, Matsukawa let himself fall on the floor.

“Fuck it!” he cursed annoyed.

Yahaba, panting next to him, shook his head.

“We could have never won. Oikawa-senpai was set on showing off to his boyfriend,” he snorted.

Kindaichi shivered.

“I swear I thought he was trying to kill me with those serves.”

Kyoutani just growled, frustrated about the loss, while Watari distributed the water bottles.

The other team wasn’t less drained, but they all sported big smiles and satisfied grins.

The only one who was still standing on the court was Oikawa, playing with the ball in his hands.

“Dai-chan!” He called excitedly, and his boyfriend tilted the head. “Spike for me!”

Everyone looked astonished at Oikawa, except Iwaizumi, who scoffed with a “Show-off.”

The blue-head seemed to ponder it for some seconds before shrugging and slowly standing up. He cracked his neck, stretched the arms and then discarded the hoodie that he threw messily over the bench.

“Is he good?” Kunimi asked Iwaizumi as Aomine reached Oikawa with his catlike pace.

“You don’t even need to be good with that body,” Yahaba murmured, watching impressed the biceps that the black tank-top generously offered to the sight.

“I’ll fucking choke you, Shigeru,” Kyoutani growled.

“Only in bed, babe,” he replied with a smirk, making the boy become of different shades of red and his friends cackle widely.

“He’s awful at pretty much everything…” Iwaizumi revealed with a shrug, while Oikawa and Aomine discussed something.

Then, Aomine took his position as if he was a spiker, and Oikawa closed his eyes; when he reopened them, he was fully concentrated. He threw the ball in the air and moved the hands over the head, the toss flew higher than normal and with a lightly gentler curve.

Aomine took three quick steps and jumped, flying impossibly high; his hand made contact with the ball, and he slammed it against the floor with a wild smirk.

A perfect straight.

The loud thud echoed in the shocked silence.

“…except for spiking. He says it’s instinct,” Iwaizumi concluded amused.

“Fuck!” Kyoutani roared, but his eyes were now alive with admiration.

“Mattsun, I’m afraid he could rip my arms off,” Hanamaki flatly commented.

“Let’s try to stay on his good side, Makki.”

In the meanwhile, Aomine grinned satisfied and raised his fist in the exact moment when Oikawa cheered and raised his hand for a high-five. The two shared a surprised glance, before chuckling amusedly. Aomine gently rested his fist against Oikawa’s palm.

“Good toss.”

“Good spike, Dai-chan!”

Aomine threw his arm around the humming brunet’ shoulders, and they walked back to the rest.

Iwaizumi raised his fist with a “Nice!”, and the boy gladly hit it.

Kyoutani glared at him and grunted, “After dinner, let’s arm-wrestle.”

Aomine didn’t even know why, but he wasn’t going to back from a challenge and scowled harder.

“Fine.”

“Do you want to be humiliated, Kentarou?”

“Shut up, Shigeru.”

Oikawa raised on his tiptoes to whisper into his boyfriend’s ear, “It’s his way of saying he respects you. If you win, he’ll treat you like he treats Iwaizumi.”

“Oh, okay,” Aomine replied awkwardly. Better than being hated, right? And he truly felt the instinct to establish his dominance.

“Not that I don’t appreciate this display of manly testosterone,” Makki interrupted the group, “But I’m starving.”

“You’re saying it only because it’s my turn to pay,” Matsukawa jostled him. However, the boys started to get up and collect their things.

“Who loses, pay. That’s the rule!” Hanamaki sang happily.

“Can’t the boyfriend pay for everyone?”

“I didn’t even play,” Aomine scoffed.

“Then, the Captain and his right hand!” Matsukawa tried again.

“Not this time!” Oikawa chirped using his boyfriend as a shield.

“You try this shit every time!” Iwaizumi scowled, “If you don’t stop, I’ll order the most expensive thing on the menu.”

Matsukawa grimaced horrified, “You’re no fun, mom.”

They slowly left the gym, and Oikawa was peacefully humming one of his favorite songs, tucked under Aomine’s arm. His boyfriend seemed also relaxed and in a good mood, so the brunet was more than satisfied with how the day had passed. His more important people liked each other, he couldn’t ask for anything else.

“Ah, boyfriend-san!” Before Oikawa could understand what was happening, Hanamaki pushed him away and locked his arm with Aomine’s.

Matsukawa did the same on the other side.

“Are you ready for the most interesting night of your life?” Makki asked with a sly grin.

“Don’t you dare!” Oikawa complained horrified, but it was too late. The entire team glanced at him with pity.

“Why?” Aomine asked, both confused and wary.

“Because it’s our tradition to reminisce the good old times while eating…” Matsukawa explained as his boyfriend pushed his cellphone in front of the boy’s face.

A vivid picture of Oikawa pouting and…was that a hanger?

“…and Oikawa Hanger-Tooru is our favorite victim.”

“You’re demons!”

“Let them do, Shittikawa. They’ve planned it for months. They’ve ”

“I’ll never bring him with me ever again!”

Aomine’s laughter echoed in the sunset sky.