#uggggghh being human is so HARD

[atwitchyship]

argh. I know I should buy a suit for ~*reasons*~, and okay also my dad just told me that he wants something for xmas this year (before this he'd asked for donations-only), and yes everything is on sale now buuuuuuut....

I do not want to:

haul myself out of my home and go shopping (ugh)

go bother the retail workers in this, their hour of need

But I also need groceries. OH, THE HUMANITY!

[zevakritpel]

Hell-Bent: Chapter 2--Come on and SLAM, and Welcome to the JAM

<Chapter 1        Chapter 3>

Fandom: Kuroko no Basuke

Pairing: Aokise, MomoRiko, Kagakuro, MuroMura, more???

u can find this on AO3 lol

Summary: Adult AU, Criminal Underworld AU. Where Kagami Taiga is a young heir suddenly targeted by 6 rather dangerous members of the criminal underworld (each with their own set of personal troubles), and Kuroko is a bodyguard with a dark past.

Warning: Violence, Strong language, a lil dark and angsty sometimes

[Friday. 20:01. Best Friends]

Oh. This dream again.

The one where he's still a child, sprinting as hard as he can on his small feet. He doesn't know why he's running or where he's going to, only that he can't stop.

So bright, so bright.

He's moving all alone in this blank white space.

.....no. Little by little, the others join him, running alongside him in a flurry of bright colours and childlike laughter that paint the surrounding emptiness. None of them can stop, but it's okay since no one can stop them, either.

It's okay. Since they're together.

They reach out to link hands, tiny fingers stained carmine red.

Bleeding and broken, but it's okay. It doesn't matter, since it doesn't hurt.

It does hurt, but it's fine.

It's fine.

They don't let go, even as the light fades, even as the darkness envelops them.

They don't stop running. Even as they break and crumble.

It hurts. It hurts.

Where is everyone?

Where is...

.

"Dai-chan! I brought food."

Momoi's voice pulls Aomine out of his dream: she is perhaps the only person who can enter his room unannounced and survive the experience unscathed. Without waiting for a reply, she climbs on top of Aomine's back and plops herself down, rustling through the plastic grocery bag on her lap.

"Did you think over the letter?"

"Uggggghh..................ya know, Satsuki..."

Aomine grumbles sleepily, disoriented from having his sleep disturbed so unceremoniously. This  damn woman never lets him rest...

"Yesterday you said 'job offer', but this just a fucking mandatory summons, yeah?"

"Yesterday? That was two days ago, Dai-chan..."

Momoi shifts her position on Aomine's back. Aomine can't see her face, but he knows she's almost definitely wearing a criticizing expression.

"Whatever. Get your ass off me, you're heavy- MMMPH."

Not sure what he expected: Momoi uncrosses her legs to shove Aomine's face into a pillow with her foot. After a brief struggle, Aomine reaches back to swat Momoi's ankle out of the way, then pushes her off himself. He sits up next to her, resting his back against the wall.

"So? You're going to do it, right?"

"Not like any of us have much of a choice..." Aomine yawns openly, stretching his neck to the side and massaging a knot out of it with his left hand.

"But why's he makin' the call to the 'Miracles' after all this time? It's been like four years, so why now?"

Momoi is quiet for a few moments, her head lowered so her hair hides her expression. Before Aomine can ask what she's thinking, she giggles.

"Does it make a difference? Both the challenge and the reward are too good for you-...for us to pass up."

Hmmm? Aomine can tell there's more than Satsuki's letting on. He's not sure if it's bothering her, but from the tone of her voice, there's something she wants to say reeeal bad.

"How's offing some rich brat considered a challenge..."

"He's not just any rich brat, Dai-chan, he's the heir to the Kagami Empire, hidden from the public until this year. Do some research for once?"

Research...that's what he has Momoi for.

"Besides...yesterday, a personal guard was hired to Kagami Jr. in addition to his other shields. It was like his security personnel had been informed of the call to the 'Miracles', so of course I looked into it."

"And?"

Momoi brushes a lock of her hair behind her ear and turns to face Aomine, her eyes large and gleaming.

"It's Kuroko."

There it is.

"....Tetsu?!"

Momoi nods in affirmation, then narrows her eyes slightly as she mutters, almost to herself:

"That Aida woman must have hired him without realizing his full strength or involvement in all of this..."

The incredulity relaxes from Aomine's face as the young gun considers the meaning of this startling revelation.

So Tetsu's playing this game on the opposing side...?

Of course he is.

"That's quite the statement he's making. Is Tetsu planning on challenging us all?"

Momoi's lips curl into a soft smile, but her peachy pink eyes are glowing much more intently than Aomine has seen in a long time. She's still gonna hold back on speaking her mind, but it's fine. Aomine can pretty much guess what she wants out of this huge chore of a job.

Aomine can't say he's looking forward to this inevitable reunion, but it's not like he has anything better to do, anyways. And Momoi's all fired up as well, so..

"Oh, that's right!"

The information broker claps her hands excitedly and holds up her plastic bag.

"I thought we could celebrate the start of the new game together! Let me use your kitchen, I'll fix us up some-"

".....no that's okay, Satsuki. Let's just go out. My treat."

No amount of Momoi's pouting can convince Aomine to suffer himself through her cooking, so after a ten minute struggle, they both head out to the nearest steakhouse.

Halfway towards the restaurant, a thought suddenly hits Aomine like a punch in the gut.

"Geh."

"Uwaaah, why are you making such an ugly face?"

"No, I just realized...if Tetsu is involved, then that damn skank is going to be unbearable."

Momoi raises her eyebrows and opens her mouth to make a retort, then thinks better of it, and waits for Aomine to finish muttering.

"Ugh, I already have a headache. You know he's still carrying that fucking cross around like a scar...pisses me off."

"..........Dai-chan still isn't being honest with himself, how sad."

"Huh? Stop talking shit, Satsuki."

[ Friday 21:12 'That Damn Skank' ]

For someone who just learned some of the best news of his life some hours ago, Kise is not in a very good mood.

"You're not eating, Ryouta. Is the food not to your taste?"

Mr. C  asks this innocently, gesturing towards Kise's untouched lobster bisque as if he isn't fully aware that the young model's lack of appetite stems from his own company...

Kise responds with a cold, sullen glare. There are plenty things the young model would rather be doing with his Friday night (e.g. literally anything else), but right now he has no choice but to indulge this persistent bastard in his annoying conditions.  

"Ooh, unfriendly as ever, I see."

Kise doesn't gain a shred of benefit from acting 'friendly' with this human hemorrhoid.

Seriously. Dealing with most people in this world is a huge pain, so even sitting through a late dinner like this with C is a trial.

However, as there's no one in the weapons trafficking business that's quite as reliable under such short notice, and Kise's circumstances are a bit urgent, well...he'll just have to endure this 'date' before conducting business.

At least the restaurant is nice. Tasteful decor, gracious staff, and  an exceptional menu selection--Kise's not so testy that he can't appreciate this.

C grins and takes a small sip of pinot blanc, never taking his mocking gaze off Kise for a second. Kise doesn't bother averting his eyes either.

Eat shit, old man.

"Your fans would cry if they found out about this hostile personality of yours."

No doubt.

But who isn't two-faced and deceptive these days....heh.

Kise continues to ignore the illicit arms dealer leering at him from the other side of the table, devoting his attention instead to the phone in his hand, which has buzzed several times with new messages.

[M-san: You have a shoot early tomorrow morning, so make sur.....

K: Just hurry up, you trashy airhead. I'll be waiti.....

<3 <3 P-chan <3 <3 :  I'm looking forward to our next appointment ^_^]

C isn't just unperturbed by Kise's blatantly rude behaviour, he's enjoying it fully. He slices off another small bite of his steak, chewing carefully before piping up again with:

"Quite the popular one, aren't you... Was that your manager? A client from your other job, or perhaps one of your many patrons?"

All three, actually.

Kise slips his phone back into his pocket and crosses his legs. He rests his hands on his knees, under the table, resisting the urge to play with his cross pendant.

"Always so busy, never settling down to one particular owner. Are you sure that's profitable for someone like you? After all, I've heard around that you're something of a collector's item--"

"I'm sure you know that's none of your fucking business," Kise replies coolly, his first words since he got to the restaurant. He would chastise himself for breaking his silence, but several lines have already been crossed, so...

"You've got ten more minutes to waste my time. Don't push it."

C pushes it anyways. After another fifteen minutes of one-sided banter, he finally sets his cutlery down with a clink and wipes his ungodly mouth with a cloth napkin.

"Well, thank you again for the lovely company. I enjoyed myself, as always."

C slides an expensive paper shopping bag over, looking for all the world like a sugar daddy gifting his young model paramour a new toy. To be fair, this image is a great cover for an illegal arms trade off, but it still pisses Kise off.

"I'll forward you the rest of the money tonight."

Kise accepts the bag, looking inside briefly to confirm its contents. He can't take it out for obvious reasons (though their table position is conveniently placed in a more private part of the restaurant), but he's dealt with C enough to trust him for a fair trade.

"Oh, no need. I'm more than happy to accept...more exciting forms of payment from you, Ryouta."

NOT!! A!! CHANCE!! IN!! HELL!!

The model slaps down five thousand yen to pay for his uneaten soup, then casts C one last icy glare before striding out of the building and into the chill night air.

AaaaaaaaaAAAAAAH.

What a fucking pain... That sadistic lech knows way too much, far more than Kise is comfortable with. 'Collector's item', who told him about that, anyways?  Jesus, so in this city, even a useless gun-selling pervert is well- connected enough to be privy to decades-old trivia.

...And would it kill him to stop trying to get into Kise's pants??

Ugh. No. It was worth it...all of it: now that Kise's equipped, he's almost completely ready.

The downtown streets are still humming with life, all bright sparkling lights and chatter and car fumes. This ambiance soothes Kise; with each step he takes, the tension from the previous exchange relaxes.

It's okay now. He can focus all his thoughts on this newest game.

Just wait a little longer....

~Kurokocchi~

[Friday. 22:03. Blooming Romance].

"Master Taiga--"

"Can you cut it with the 'master' stuff, it feels sarcastic coming from you."

".......Taig-......Kagami-kun, then."

"What."

"I'll be frank: can you hit me?"

"HUH?!"

"You're obviously well above average when it comes to physical prowess, but I need to test your strength."

"The fuck are you talking about, I'm not just going to randomly punch you."

"Would you feel better if I initiated?"

"Wait, wha- BASTARD, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING"

"Oh, I'm impressed you managed to dodge that. In that case, I won't hold back."

"KUROKO!! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU"

"Please don't back away, Maste-...Kagami-kun, this is for your own well-being."

"STO- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU."

[Friday. 23:17. Nanodayo.]

Oh my god, Shin-chan...

Any misgivings Takao may have had about tailing Midorima all the way out to this sketchy ass bar have dissolved now that he gets to behold the beautiful sight before his famed 'hawk' eyes.

Look at him. Does he think wearing dark sunglasses in a dimly lit room is going to make him less noticeable or something? How can he even see, did he wear contacts-....No... holy shit, he's actually wearing prescription shades.

Takao silently congratulates himself for going through with this. Shin-chan has been acting so obviously suspicious these past few days that, but made it so hilariously easy to follow him, that there was really no choice in the matter.

Peeking behind a stray menu, the assassin watches with mounting amusement as Midorima sets a troll doll on his table--must be today's lucky item for Cancers-- and sits back a chair with unnatural stiffness. He's causing a lot of people around him to watch him with shifty-eyes.

So conspicuous.

He must be waiting for someone: Shin-chan isn't the type to frequent these types of places on his own time. He's so out of his element that it's almost sad...almost.

A server saunters up to Midorima and presumably asks if he'd like something to drink, causing the sniper to stare at her blankly for a few moments. Takao, flexing his lip-reading ability, watches Midorima first push his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, then reply  curtly with: "Oolong Highball".

PFFFF. How FANCY. Knowing Shin-chan, he probably wanted to order a water, but felt bad for the server's efforts. He's not actually going to drink it, is he...?

Takao does a quick scan of the room, making sure no one new has entered. Looks like Takao's meet up still hasn't arrived. Good, good.

The server ends up asking for Takao's order as well, so he quietly ask for a Caesar, while still hiding behind the menu, and continues to watch Midorima look oh so incredibly awkward. He's lucky this joint is so busy at this time of night, otherwise he'd really be standing out.

As he waits for his drink, Midorima rests his bandaged fingers on the table top, right next to that god-awful doll. Takao is faced with the real questions: where did he even find that thing...like, did he go out and buy it today, or did he always have something that weird in his possession...???

The lady comes back with the drinks and, for one fleeting, heart-stopping second, Takao is sure that Midorima looked directly his way. But judging from his lack of reaction, he still hasn't noticed. Takao takes a few cautious sips of his Caesar while keeping his gaze fully on Midorima. The important part is coming up right now....

After several minutes of hesitation, Midorima finally takes the glass into his hands. Slowly, slowly raises it to his lips. Takes a cautious sip. Slowly, slowly lowers the glass and pushes it a little too far away from himself. All the while, the sniper is keeping up a stoic face, but Takao's trained eye can tell how he really feels.

The assassin is so busy choking back his own laughter, he's almost startled by the sudden presence that moves past him, an average-looking middle aged man that sits right across from Midorima. He seems to have a slip of paper in his hands...?

That must be the meet-up. Well, fun's over: Takao has no intention of actually snooping in on Shin-chan's ~secret plans~. He quickly drains the rest of his drink, leaves some money on the table, then discreetly sees himself out.

The assassin shoves his hands into his coat pockets and strolls his way down the dark street. For about a couple minutes, at least,  until his honed survival instinct kicks in and he whips his head around to see:

"Shin-chan....?"

Midorima is standing at the entrance of the bar, holding a bottle firmly in his left hand.

"Hahaha, oh, no I wasn't-OK OK OK"

Takao takes off as soon as he comprehends the situation, but it's futile: Midorima never misses.

The bottle inevitably clips Takao's foot and brings him down onto the pavement.

"WAHA T_T "

This gives Midorima enough time to cover the thirty meter distance and grab his partner by the scruff of the shirt, pulling him up.

"Relax, Shin-cha--!! Ahh, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was worried about you, but I left as soon as that guy came to see you."

The sniper glares for a few moments (or Takao assumes he's glaring: he's still wearing the sunglasses), then releases Takao with a long sigh.

"It's unpleasant to have my personal life invaded."

Takao laughs sheepishly, but still pats Midorima on the back with his usual enthusiasm.

"You're right, you're right. that was my bad. But hey,"

Here, Takao stands on his toes so he can drape his arm over Midorima's shoulders and bring him down to a more reasonable level.

"I don't know what's been going on lately, but if you ever need any help, don't hesitate to ask me, 'kay?"

"................................................tha-......HMPH. Don't be ridiculous. Why would I need to-"

"Okay, okay. I get it, you just let me know when you need me. Come on, I'll buy you red bean soup as an apology."

Takao debates asking about the troll doll, but decides there are some things better left unknown.

[Friday. 23:24. Poker Face Part I]

"Well, well, now that I look closely...you're quite the pretty one, aren't ya?"

The gunman sneers menacingly, sidling up uncomfortably close to Himuro. He smoothes his ash-coloured hair back with one hand, and uses the other to grab Himuro's chin and turn his head roughly to face his own.

"Then why are ya hiding your face? Let's see here..."

He flicks his tongue over his lips before twisting them into a sadistic smirk, as he runs his hand up Himuro's cheek. Without hesitation, he brushes back the dark bangs covering Himuro's left eye.

"Haizaki...Shougo, was it?"  Tatsuya replies without flinching, deadpan as always.

Haizaki's mouth twitches a little and he takes a step back, clicking his tongue with annoyance. His previously shit-eating expression has turned into quite the impressive scowl.

He readjusts the collar of his black shirt before snapping:

"Huh. So what the fuck's a walking Ichimatsu doll doing here??"

Himuro has been likened to a 'lifeless doll' more times than he can count, but this is definitely a first.

He straightens out his own clothes and brushes them off.

"I wasn't looking for you, but I guess you'll do. I have a couple questions..."

[Saturday. 02:11. Poker Face Part II ]

Himuro is dead tired by the time he makes it back to the apartment. After ensuring all seven locks on the door are secure, he stumbles through the kitchen, down the hall, and finally makes it to the bedroom.

In the past twelve hours, it doesn't look like Atsushi's left the house at all, but at least he's moved himself onto a proper bed. An improvement from the kitchen floor, in any case.

Too exhausted to undress or worry about sleeping space, Himuro brushes the pile of candy wrappers off the sheets and flops himself down next to Murasakibara's sleeping form. He grabs the only pillow that isn't currently being crushed by his partner, and buries his face into it.

In the end, he still hasn't found out what he really wants to know. About Taiga and the Miracles....well, it's not really any of his business, is it? It's not, but he can't deny he wants to get involved for his own personal reasons.

A problem for the morning; for now, he sleeps.

............or not.

Without warning, Murasakibara's giant arm reaches out over Himuro's shoulders and turns his body towards himself, pulling him into his chest. Dangerously close.

Wh-wh.-whaA?!

"Atsushi...?"

As startled and confused as Himuro is, right now he's mostly struggling to think of something aside from the feeling of Murasakibara's long fingers pressed between his shoulder blades, or the fact that his face is mere centimeters away from Atsushi's chest.

"Muro-chin.....you went out...?"

"M-..mmm. I just got back."

So warm...

"You smell like Haizaki."

Of course he can tell; he might be a lethargic mess, but nothing gets past 'the Reaper'.

Himuro finds he's been holding his breath, so he exhales slowly before responding:

"Yeah, I met him by accident today, while I was trying to figure some stuff out. He wasn't very helpful, though."

..If the fresh bruise forming on Himuro's ribcage is anything to go by; damn, that Haizaki bastard packs a hard punch. Though he did end up revealing some interesting information later on, Himuro is starting to wonder if he should've talked to him in the first place.

It's difficult to gauge Murasakibara's reaction when he can't even see his face.

"Should I..not have?"

Perhaps it's just Himuro's imagination , but it feels as though Murasakibara's hold on him tightens a little.

As much as Himuro would love to relax in the arms of his precious Atsushi, the feat is too much. He squeezes his eyes shut and waits for an answer to his question. He can feel the blood rushing to his face (because of the warmth! It's so hot in here, haha, that's why!!), so he's glad at least his face is hidden.

After a long, long pause, Murasakibara finally mumbles:

"Muro-chin is really troubled by that Kagami kid, riiiight? .....I have to find him anyways, so don't.......go off.....on your............................................."

"Atsushi??"

Did he just.... in the middle of that crucial response.........

....fall asleep mid-sentence?!?

[Saturday. 04:01. *Mozart's Lacrimosa Plays in the Background Ominously*]

Akashi starts by unbuttoning his shirt, slipping the fabric off his shoulders and letting it fall onto floor.

Next: his pants, which prove slightly more difficult to remove with only one hand. Then his underwear (silk boxers, naturally) and socks (black dress socks). He leaves all his clothes in a pile on the ground and, finally, leaves his pocket watch by the bathroom sink.

Akashi's feet pad silently against cold tile as he steps into the shower. He sets the water to a cool temperature and lets it roll off his skin, washing away the blood from his hands and face. His head is bowed, and he watches the diluted red colour swirl and disappear down the drain.

After he's made sure to cleanse his body thoroughly, Akashi shuts the water off and heads towards the bath. The porcelain tub is already brimming with hot water, ready to go.

He tests the temperature with his foot once, twice, before stepping in and immersing himself in the dizzying warmth. He rests like that, with his wrists elegantly poised at either edge of the bath.

So.

Now that all the pieces are on the board, the long wait is finally coming to an end. It's been four years since they all left Hell, and now...it's time to meet again.

So close.

Akashi shuts his eyes for a moment and, even if it's only for a short time, he sleeps for the first time in weeks.

Notes (from AO3): 

Lmao sorry this took me longer to update, though I guess that's approximately the rate I'll be doing things from now on. (Kise was giving me grief and i'm still not 100% sold on the outcome but iT'S FINE I GUESS)

also Fun fact #1: Riko's informants are Mitobe and Koganei lmao. Idk if I'll put them in the actual fic, but just fyi all their report meetings are like

Riko: did you get the information on Satsuki Momoi like I asked?

Koganei: >:3C i'll let Mitobe handle this one

Mitobe: "...................................."

Koganei: and there u have it

Riko: ...just give me the fucking file.

Fun Fact #2: Akashi was using scented bathsalts because in my heart he's a dainty mafia princess