High School, 2 or 3 year.
"I don't think we should keep on doing this."
These words echoed through Takao's head. He couldn't really see straight. Did Shin-chan always wear two pairs of glasses at once?
It wasn't like he wasn't expecting this. Their relationship had been rocky for weeks. Constantly getting into big fights over small things, spending less time together. Takao started to take more of his things home from Midorima's house.
But despite all their struggles, Takao still felt a painfully strong love for the messy and complicated boy in front of him.
Who apparently didn't feel the same way.
"Just don't let this affect the rest of the team. This doesn't come on to the court with us," He heard himself say, as from an outsiders perspective.
His voice was flat, detached. He had to be detached, otherwise he wouldn't be able to hold himself together. It was a single thread that could snap at any moment, and Takao would be sobbing on the floor, begging his Shin-chan not to discard him like a piece of trash stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
"I've never let it before," Midorima said, adjusting his glasses.
Takao flinched. Oh, that was a low blow.
"I'll get my stuff while your at your afternoon class on Wednesday. I'll lock up and leave the key under the doormat."
Was that him who said that? Him who was letting himself be thrown away? Giving Shin-chan up?
Midorima nodded. He turned to leave, but Takao grabbed his sleeve.
But Midorima was already too far away to be reached.
In a last-ditch attempt, Takao called out a desperate, "Do you still love me, Midorima?"
Already using last names again. Hopefully that would sting some sense into him.
The boy turned to face his ex.
"Of course, Takao."
But before the boy could leave again, the raven haired one asked one last question.
"Then why are you doing this to me?"
A beat of silence.
"I wanted to know if I was worth fighting for."
High School, end of 1 year
"That was weak," Someone shouted to the the speaker. Or did he imagine it? Midorima couldn't really hear right. Basically all of his senses were being decreased. Except his sight, of course. But all he could see was Takao, however. Nothing wrong with that.
"FIne by me. Shin-chan?" He asked, his voice as silky as usual. But Midorima knew better, and could see the uncertainty and nervousness behind those silver eyes.
But Midorima tried to play cool. "Will it count for my turn as well?"
He was met with laughs. But a few voices called out things like "Sure, why not?" "Anything to get you two together," and one "If that's what it takes."
So Midorima turned towards his point guard, trying to pretend like the thing he had been anticipating for months was finally coming true, right before his eyes.
"Just a kiss, right?" Takao said, before closing the already small space between their lips.
He tasted like fruit punch and sugar, just like he should.
It was sweet and short though, and once they separated, the two freshmans in the circle had huge blushes.
But a few turns later, Midorima had to answer a truth question.
"How much did you like kissing Takao?"
…
"A lot more than I probably should have."
He was met with whooping applause and turned a violent red.
Takao decided red was a good color on Midorima.
"Shin-chan, you're drunk," Takao giggled. He and his boyfriend were sitting at their kitchen table, downing shot after shot of tequila.
"Am...not, you jerkface," Midorima replied slowly, trying not to slur his words. He was leaning precariously close to the edge of his chair. At least it was close to the ground this time.
"Jerkface? Really?" Takao said, rolling the word around on his tongue. It had a funny feel to it. Jeeeeeeeeeeeeerkface. Ha.
"Shut it, jerkface. An alcohol addled brain is not one that can make up good insults." Midorima spoke really slowly, taking a few minutes just to get it out. He must have used a lot of effort to even remember the fact that the word 'addled' was in his vocabulary.
"But did you heaaaar, Shin-chan? Aomine and Kise are finally together." Takao changed the subject rather abruptly.
(Not that there was a topic, but still.)
"Hah. Aomine. Aaaaaaa-oooooooh-meeeeeeeeeeeeee-neeeeeeeeeeeeyyyy yyyy. Your friends have weird names," Takao said, laughing.
"R..really? Took them long enough. You know who should be getting together? Us," Midorima flirtedd. At the last part, he tried to get closer to Takao. But given his already precarious situation, he just fell to the ground with a thump.
"Nooooo, I made a mistake!" He yelled, his voice getting strangely high at the end.
"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin-chan. The only reason I got you drunk was so we can skip all the foreplay you're so insistent on. Buuuuuuuuuuut I think I can settle for cuddling on our floor," Takao purred, getting off his chair. Before he could take his place next to his boyfriend, Midorima whined, "The lights! They hurt my eyes!"
With a laugh, Takao turned off the lights. On his way back to Midorima, he tripped on something and fell into the other's arms.
But he still let out a loud, "FUCK!" out of surprise.
Midorima chastised in a serious voice, "No. We're doing that tomorrow."