Chapter Text
When Aomine first laid eyes on the new transfer student, he knew.
From the very moment he joined the basketball team and introduced himself, to the first time he played in an official game. When he felt that fiery passion and determination radiating from the redhead on the court, easily keeping up and even rivaling his own pace, and the way he cheered from the top of his lungs and hugged every one of his teammates when they came out victorious, in that language that he has yet to understand. He scoffed, must be an American thing, but he was surprised to find that he didn’t mind being squeezed by his overly excited teammate then.
It even became a habit soon enough, who knew Americans were so touchy-feely?
When he did attempt to speak Japanese, he often spoke in an overly casual manner which even came off as rude at times, however, the senpais could handle that much with patience and consideration to spare, pulling their newest teammate aside and quietly correcting him, making his cheeks flush a light pink and stuttering out an apology in a strong foreign accent, followed by a clumsy bow. The formless shooter thought the guy was kind of cute then, though he would never admit it out loud.
Then came the day he discovered they both had giant stomachs and a love for Maji Burger, and that's when the hanging out started. They would go together after practice every day and talk and joke around as much as their limited language skills permitted them, then proceed to stuff their faces in a relatively comfortable silence, aside from the occasional chuckle that escaped the redhead’s lips whenever the tanner boy " coincidentally spaced-out” with his eyes locked on the other's face (because no, he was not staring at his dumb, breadcrumb-filled face) and then muttered something in English that he couldn’t quite catch, he only hoped it was nothing bad.
The moment he truly admitted it was the moment they challenged each other to a one-on-one, and another, and another after that. Sometimes one would win, sometimes the other would win, yet most times their play was so intense, so wild and exhilarating that they didn't even bother to keep track of their scores, far too absorbed in the fun of it.
That night, was one of those nights. They had no idea who won, didn't really care either, as they carelessly lay down on the dirty concrete on their backs, catching their breath side by side, when the bluenette felt a light fist bump to his shoulder, and he turned to meet the other’s tired yet overjoyed gaze.
“That was awesome, Daiki.”
He understood that much, and he fist bumped the other back, muttering something about not calling him his given name, even though he loved how it sounded from the redhead’s lips, and besides, said redhead probably didn’t catch what he just said anyway.
Somehow they ended up engaging in a halfhearted nudge battle, and once his teammate started laughing, so genuine and content with the bluenette’s company, he felt his heart skip a beat and the muscles in his face working on their own, the corners of his eyes scrunching slightly as his mouth stretched into a smile so bright and happy and he was sure he hadn’t smiled like this in years.
Opening himself to Kagami Taiga came as naturally as oxygen came to his lungs and his chest was pounding at this realization, he could be completely at ease with this American whom he could barely have a conversation with, could spend hours and hours just enjoying each other’s company, and he knew this much.
Aomine Daiki needed this man in his life, he needed Kagami Taiga.
And it would be his biggest challenge yet.