A Shadow's Nightmares

Night 2

The red head briefly wondered if he would ever know the story of Teiko fully.

After dinner it was still early, so Kagami put in a movie. They didn't really watch it. It was on for noise mostly. It was actually the first time Kagami felt truly awkward around his shadow.

After the movie credits began rolling he decided that it was best if they went to bed, since neither was wanting much company.

Kagami decided to not peruse why he decided to ask the other in the first place.

"You should go take a shower. I'll get your bed ready."

Mechanically Kuroko got up and walked to the bathroom, using deliberate movements, not taking more steps than he had to.

Kuroko. Kagami thought painfully, before standing up and heading to his room to make up the other bed.

After a little while Kuroko emerged, his hair dripping and his face still that forced blank and not his natural blank.

Kagami gestured towards the hurriedly made up bed and then headed off to take his own shower, hoping to give Kuroko some time alone, to sort out his thoughts. Then maybe actually speak to him and not about a ghost.

He left the shower after fifteen minutes. Slowly putting on his pajamas, and then making a quick stop in the kitchen to get two bottles of water. One for him and one for Kuroko.

Returning to his room he saw that the only light was the one from the moon. He could see Kuroko's pale skin almost shimmer in the light. He looked to already be sleeping.

Kagami looked at him sadly before setting the water by his head and climbing into his own bed.

Back turned, he found that sleep didn't claim his right away but took a few seconds. Soon enough he fell asleep, all too aware of the presence at his back.

He awoke suddenly, like water being dumped on him. He had heard a sob, turning over to the only other living thing in his room he wanted to see what the matter was.

Kuroko had managed to curl himself so tightly, that Kagami wondered if it was painful. He was trying to pull into himself further, trying to protect himself from something.

What though? Kagami asked himself.

Small tremors wracked the already small frame. Tears were steadily flowing down both cheeks. Unlike last time, the pain expression didn't fascinate him, it hurt him.

"Aomine-kun? You're serious?"

Of course it's about that bastard. Kagami mentally growled, a scowl making its way onto his face. He has to hurt Kuroko, even in his sleep.

Kagami was so caught up in his anger that he almost missed the next sentence.

"I know you can still receive my passes. Just try! Please!"

He's begging? Kagami's eyes widened as his anger grew.

"Aomine!" The name was screamed in a sob.

The sobs were so bad Kagami had a hard time figuring out what Kuroko said next. "Please don't leave me alone! I don't like the dark!"

Seriously that metaphor in the throes of a nightmare? Kagami asked more than bewildered. Or does he really not like the dark?

Pushing that thought to the side; Kagami watched and Kuroko pulled himself tighter. His tears were coming faster.

Without thinking, he's pretty sure his brain malfunctions whenever he's in the vicinity of Kuroko (or a basketball); he shifted himself closer to Kuroko. He reached out his hand and wiped a tear trail off of Kuroko's cheek. The spasming lessened slightly. It surprised him.

But at least it's helping.

With that thought in mind he moved his hand from his shadow's cheek up to his surprisingly soft hair. He stroked it, watching as the trembling and whimpering started to lessen, and eventually stop.

The tears however, hadn't stopped. They were slowed, which Kagami was thankful for. He remained petting his partner for a long while; eventually he was lulled back to sleep by the finally even breathing of his shadow.

Morning sunshine drifted through his window; causing Kagami to wake up. A lot more peaceful than the last time that he woke up. He noticed that his arm was hurting. He was aware that his had was still resting in the space that Kuroko's head had once occupied.

His face heated up. Kuroko had to have woken up with a hand on his head, and he knew that the shadow didn't like his hair messed with. Was he angry?

He heard noise coming from the main room of his apartment. A little curious he stood up, stretched, and headed out to see what the cause of the noise was.

Walking into the main room he saw that Kuroko was organizing. The phantom player hadn't noticed that Kagami was awake. Kagami noticed that there was an almost domestic feeling to this scene.

Heading toward the kitchen, he called out to Kuroko that he was going to make breakfast and wished the other a good morning. He revived no reply.

So he's still caught up over losing to Aomine? For some reason that ticked him off.

Breakfast, like last night was silent. Like last night halfway though the meal Kuroko spoke, but not to him.

"I broke my promise."

Kagami almost growled. Wondering why Kuroko was still so upset about that bastard and pink haired chick. A night he could understand, but not after sleeping on it.

He was almost glad when Kuroko bid his farewells and Kagami was left alone.

He didn't talk to Kuroko for almost a week afterwards, and didn't show up to practice.

The team classified it as a "lover's quarrel."

So, I can't write endings. I know this. So I hope you enjoyed this and I'll have three up soon. So... Later! ~IF