Never ✧ KnB x Reader Oneshots

Kagami Taiga (2)

⚞ i think alex could've been a great character if she wasn't used as blatant fan service :( she's my character now idgaf ⚟

Nothing to Worry About

When it came to the matters of the heart, Alexandra Garcia was far from the best teacher. But who else was Kagami supposed to learn this from?

His dad? The old man can't even look him in the eyes without being reminded of his absent mom.

His teachers? It'll be a cold day in hell when he trusts the American school system.

Himuro? Jail, immediately.

That meant he could only look up to the infamous playgirl because at least he could learn something from her, even if it wasn't the cookie cutter nuclear family everyone harped on about.

Y'know. Alex. The same woman who came home every Friday night with one person wrapped around her arm and another's phone number tucked into the pocket of her miniskirt.

Alex, who never could keep someone around longer than a month thanks to wandering eyes and a penchant for getting bored.

Alex, who once told him in a drunken stupor that "people like us don't get romance movie love stories" because no one wants to be second to a sport.

Alex, who was now batshit terrified when Himuro made a casual comment about "Taiga and his partner" and wouldn't elaborate because it was none of her business.

It's not like Alex didn't know that she was basically the only parental figure Kagami had. She just didn't particularly care at the time to be a good one. Depression from retiring — and the unhealthy coping mechanisms that followed — do that to a person. Plus, it's one thing to teach a kid how to dribble a ball. It's a completely different game to teach that same kid that cheating on your girlfriend with her dad is a horrible idea, even if that silver fox was hot as hell.

Kids learn by watching, if you'd believe it. And God help Kagami, because he watched her.

Now after ten-ish years of biweekly therapy appointments, she knows better. A lot better ."I got a harsh reality check after my therapist slam-dunked me better than I ever could" better. Emotional maturity comes with admitting you've fucked up and have to right your wrongs. That's the reason she's standing in front of a familiar apartment, because inside could be one of her biggest wrongs she's made in her life.

Alex already knows the questions she's going to drill Kagami with. She's been considering them during the train ride from the airport. Are you treating them right? Are you being safe? Are you being a good man to them? It's the questions she would pay anything to lecture her younger self about.

If he's turned out the way she fears, she can already imagine his defensive response. Jaw tight. Fist clenched. Insistent words claiming she's just being paranoid, saying nothing is wrong when she can see that everything is falling apart. Just like Alex all those years ago. And if that's the case, she'll just have to beat some sense into him (with basketball, probably), just like she did when he was being a brat.

Alex means to knock, really, but the door is already unlocked. Everyone likes surprises, right? That's her rationalization as she pushes inside.

Soft conversation, domestic in a way she's not used to, and the sound of unsteady chopping drift from the kitchen. It covers her steps as she makes her way through the dark living room. She's about to announce her presence with a strategically placed kiss on Kagami's special someone's cheek when a series of events stops her in her tracks.

First, a yelp. A knife clatters against the countertop, and a half-diced onion rolls onto the floor.

Second, a chair scrapes back. He's on you immediately, hand tugging your own that's gushing blood, leading you to the sink. "Taiga, I got it, I got it!" you reassure him, voice shaky as he all but drags you over to bleed over dirty dishes.