Chapter Text
Kagami had seen his partner cry far too many times already-- from stress and lack of will, to even tiny little things that caught him by surprise, allowing a few stray tears to fall unnoticed. Kuroko was hardly one to really express himself openly, so whenever he did, it was Kagami who was caught by surprise.
Tonight had been no different. Kuroko wasn't doing so well with the new drills Riko had ordered them to do; he had stumbled and crashed multiple times before Riko finally called for a short break. When Kagami went to take a drink from his bottle, he saw from the corner of his eye Kuroko leaving the gym.
He called out to his senpai, telling them he would be back in a few minutes and rushed out to catch Kuroko before he had completely lost sight of him. A few feet ahead sat his Shadow, curled up with his face nestled between his bruised up knees, body trembling with every new cry that came.
Kagami had been quiet walking up to the other and sat down just as silent beside him. Kuroko only had noticed the red head when Kagami had placed a hand upon his shoulder, gently working his fingers across his back.
“Oi, Kuroko…” Kagami called out, his voice breathy from their previous work out. Kuroko glanced up, looking rather defeated as he caught the others gaze.
“Kagami-kun…”
The other grinned at Kuroko as his hand fell from the other’s back to find his hand instead.
“C’mon-- tell me what’s wrong.”
And suddenly Kuroko could feel the tears come far worse than before and he held onto Kagami’s hand as he continuously messed up on his words and mumbled far too quietly for the other to hear without straining yet Kagami was there. He stayed with Kuroko and nodded silently and squeezed his partner’s hand whenever he felt like the tears would nearly drown him alive. And although Kuroko felt foolish afterwards, there was no more weight on his chest and his limbs were still shaky however secure because Kagami pulled him up to his feet and wrapped his arms around his broken bones and Kuroko could have sworn he had melted then.
Kagami couldn't fix him entirely, nor did he wanted to-- Kagami was there to help him back up, to stay close to him through out the way so that when time came, and Kuroko was ready to face his fears and become stronger still, Kagami would already be standing there with him.
While Kagami pulled away from the hug and lifted his hand once more to brush away the dampened hair, Kuroko felt nothing but gratitude. He was thankful for such a good friend and he was thankful for having this support-- they may argue more so than anyone else on the team and they both had their own faults and matters to deal with but Kuroko knew that no matter where life would take them, they would still be working hard to complete their mutual wish of becoming number one in Japan.
And as Kuroko felt the others lips press across his temple, he couldn't help but feel like that promise was nothing but strengthened once again.