MiRACLE (KnB Fanfic)

27.

"So, are you going to explain to me why Taiga just called me asking why he's being disowned?" Alex demands the moment they come back, equal parts exasperated as she is exhausted.

Tatsuya's smile is significantly brighter than when he left, and from the jittery curls at the edge of Hiroto's lips, they probably had quite a meaningful conversation somewhere in between.

"I decided that Hiroto's cuter than Taiga, so I'm keeping Hiroto instead."

"Oh, so it's Hiroto without the kun now? And I absolutely agree. Wise choice."

Hiroto, upon taking a second look, truly wonders just how these two don't have blood connections. Surely, they look nothing alike, but they have the same smile of the devil.

Tatsuya's hand is still on Hiroto's, as if he's trying to prove a point.

"So, did I manage to make Taiga cry?" Tatsuya asks, and Hiroto almost thinks there's a hint of excitement in his voice, like making a grown boy cry was going to be an achievement or something.

"Oh, he shouted 'I'm not crying' about three times to his dad on the other end, so I'm absolutely sure he wasn't crying," Alex says. "I'm gonna video call him tomorrow, so you can join me if you feel like making up with your brother."

"Okay!"

The conversation is so casual, spoken with tones used only in lighthearted, running jokes. They bat across context though. From exasperation, to sarcasm, to serious warnings folded between... Hiroto was impressed.

(No matter how you look at it, these two were close. Very close.)

Closer than Hiroto can see with just his eyes.

-

"Try saying my name."

Tatsuya stares right at Hiroto, face two inches away-- and the latter just combusts.

Making some sort of squeaking noise that sounded like "Myawwrrh!" he hops over the couch and curls up behind it, face buried in arms and flushed a hot red.

Alex and Tatsuya watch the whole scenario like an interested audience, no longer capable of being surprised by the painfully shy reactions.

"Stop releasing your gay pheromones in his direction, Tatsuya," Alex comments, turning back to her newspapers, "you're turning him into a cat."

"Ehhh," Tatsuya whines in response, "I'm just honestly trying to help him, though?"

-

KUROKO:

Hiroto-kun where r u
u can't just send us
dat pic and then
disappear again.

AOMINE:

Aisaka reply pls
Akashi is srsly going
to fly his ass over thr
n track u down

Hiroto's curled up on the couch. It's a lazy day of just nothing to do-- Alex went out on errands, and Tatsuya has prior engagements with his club or something.