The first time he sets eyes on Takao Kazunari is for a few small, precise and deep cuts on his fingers. The other explains that he was being clumsy while attempting to prepare dinner. At Midorima's blank look he laughs and tells him all about the frilly pink apron he was wearing and the headband to keep his dark hair back, with a flirty wink. As Midorima grows flustered and irritated Takao throws himself into learning all he can about the doctor. Purposely ignoring his inquiries, Midorima continues stitching up the wounds, until Takao decides to come up with his doctor's history himself. Midorima can feel a twitch as he goes from a secret-agent to Santa to a mafia boss.

"Ne, Shin-chan. You're going to get wrinkles if you keep frowning like that."

"Don't use my name so informally! And whose fault is that?!"

"What else am I supposed to think of such a tsundere guy? Much less one that doesn't mind carrying a giant stuffed reindeer around..."

He seems fascinated but altogether amused by Midorima's obsession with Oha-Asa's horoscope. Midorima had to reprimand him when his laughter threatened the neatness of the stitches. Takao whines and pouts about the mess he will have to clean up at home with no apparent discomfort at all as Midorima finishes up. Once Takao realizes that he is done, he becomes noticeably quieter and almost... nervous.

"Look Shin-chan, we match!" Takao proclaims, proudly displaying his bandaged fingers, as Midorima cleans up.

Midorima would snort, if it wasn't an undignified reaction for one such as himself. Instead he adjusts his glasses and looks down at Takao, "As if. I am not stupid enough to cut myself. These bandages are to keep my hands in prime condition for when I need to perform surgery."

"Hmm. That's true. I can't imagine Shin-chan being as clumsy as me..."

His smile never fell, but somehow it gained a bit of a sad tint. Something nudges at the back of his mind, but before he can make sense of it there is a knock at the door. Takao stops talking completely when his boyfriend arrives to take him home. Midorima thought he would appreciate the silence, if it ever came, but at this moment it disturbs him. The boyfriend, Akashi Seijuro, does not seem concerned however. Midorima blinks as Takao just falls into step behind Akashi and keeps his head down. Despite the fact that Takao is slightly taller, if only by a little bit, he seems to look up at Akashi when he murmurs quietly so only the two of them can hear.

As they walk out of the hospital Akashi turns to Takao, reaches up, and tightens the scarf around his neck. It almost seems caring [its winter, and very cold out there], except for the fact that Takao flinches and will not look him in the eye. Midorima freezes as he notices a hint of purple and blue before it is completely covered up.

He stands there, eyes wide, even after the door is closed behind them and they are no longer in sight. He wonders at first if he has it all wrong, and it was actually a tattoo. Or perhaps a necklace. Some men wear jewelry right?

Throughout the whole exchange, Takao's smile never once faltered. Midorima had no idea that Takao was one of those... But all the facts added up.

Midorima sighs sadly. Male domestic abuse victims are the hardest to deal with. They never want to admit they need help. He turns around to get back to work when another thought crosses his mind.

How did he know my name..? He shakes his head, and scoffs at himself. He is wearing a name-tag, just like all the other doctors. It isn't until later that he realizes the name tag merely states his name as S. Midorima.

"Wait...Shin-chan?"

Well... This is my first story. I've lurked a lot. But uh, never really thought I would write something. I kind of just came up with this throughout today. I was just really craving MidoTaka and couldn't find something like this yet. I doubt I will be able to do much with this. I am not very creative. But hopefully others will see this and get ideas for their own? ;p I might post a few more chapters. I have ideas. But I am still not all that creative, so it won't be great. xD And this chapter was so short... Hopefully the others will be okay. I will probably just go back to amv editing. Much less nerve-wrecking. D':

Ah also, I haven't really caught up all that much in the manga yet, so try not to spoil me? XD I cheated when I heard about the MidoTaka and Aokise moments but otherwise I am still quite a few chapters behind. Also I don't mean to make Akashi the bad guy, but er. He was the only one I could think of. I don't even know much about him yet. D: