Didn't think I'd be finishing this story, but here's the 2nd part. Thank you for the reviews. And again, we swerve from our light and fluffy mood to something that fits the season.
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The wind was harsh and strong, and Takao had seen no less than 5 people running after umbrellas or foldable shop signs. It turned the already cool October day into a prelude of winter. The brunette sneezed and hurriedly wiped his nose with his sleeve. His dark gaze landed on Midorima who was clad in pure warmth of a coat, a scarf and gloves. The tall shooter was even wearing a dark green turtle-neck under the thick trenchcoat. Takao on the other hand, only had a shirt and a thin jacket on. His hands were freezing and the brunette was trying hard to put frostbite at bay.
"Shin-chan~" he whined for the upteenth time. "Please let's hurry and get this lucky item of yours already! I'm hungry and my nose is turning into a snot-machine!"
Midorima merely gave him another eye-roll, as though Takao wasn't important enough for words anymore. The brunette was ready to resign himself to an onset of cold and chills when a length of fluff and warmth draped across his head. He looked up from his hunched mumbling and realized that Midorima had deigned to lend him the scarf.
At a loss for words and unsure as to how he should react, Takao took the scarf and silently wrapped it around his neck, fluffing the scarf so that it would cover half his face. The familiar smell of tea and something wood-like assaulted his nose instantly and Takao breathed in gratefully. The scarf was a godbless in more ways than one, now it was hiding the blush that had recently taken to show up at Midorima's every -dere gesture.
"-cky item..." he heard the shooter mumble as they continued walking.
"What was that?" he asked.
"We're looking for your lucky item!" the taller boy repeated in irritation before mumbling something that sounded like 'clean out your years'.
Takao knew that he should be insulted by the additional line but he was too struck by what Shin-chan said first. And like any surprised person, he couldn't help repeating his partner's words.
"MY lucky item?"
This time, Shin-chan didn't even stop to stare at him like he was a bug and instead turned into a small alley, away from the blustering wind. The smaller boy followed in a trance, glad to be out of the cold breeze's path. They turned a few corners more, before slipping into a small antique -slash- jewelry shop.
A small bell tinkled merrily and Takao crinkled his nose at the dry papery smell of old books and furniture. Midorima appeared familiar with the shop, striding straight to a glass case of silver items without even glancing at the other items on display. An old man with skin as papery as his old books gave Midorima a small nod in greeting before turning back to today's copy of the news in his hands.
Takao followed hesitantly, making sure that he doesn't hit something that would make so much noise. The place had a library-like silence to it, almost church-like without the magnitude. The brunette was nearly sure that a pin dropping in here can make as much noise as a bomb. He kept his hands close, and his movements small and sidled close to the greenette who had soundlessly opened the case and was now sifting through it, looking for something particular.
"...too big...too dark ...too small..." the greenette mumbled to himself before finally finding exactly what he was looking for. In the meantime, Takao had gathered enough courage to at least poke through the box of fake glasses, trying some on and snickering softly at himself when he saw his reflection in the mirror.
Midorima's dry gaze totally killed his fun and he dropped the fake glasses mustache back in the box.
"Take off the scarf," Midorima ordered. The brunette followed the order in a hurry and was about to hand it over to it's real owner when gloved fingers slipped past both sides of his neck and something cold touched his skin. He traced the fine length of silver on his neck, fingers faltering when it touched the pendant hanging on it.
Beryl, one of Scorpio's birthstone, a green shade that rivals Midorima's eyes and hair. A piece of it was hanging on the silver chain, shaped into an elongated teardrop. It was probably crafted for a woman, but Takao realized that he didn't mind it that much, especially since it came from Midorima himself.
"Shin-chan... this?" he managed to ask. His fingers turned the stone over and over, fingertips familiarizing itself with the smooth texture of the stone. It fell in a patch of light, and suddenly the two found themselves bathed in dancing spots of lime green.
"Oha-Asa said that for Scorpios, their birthstones will be their lucky item for today." Midorima answered in that matter-of-fact voice of his. A hand went up to adjust the glasses perched on his face and Takao didn't miss that spot of a blush on his partner's face.
"I don't know what to say... Wait, am I paying for this?"
"Of course not." Midorima answered with a tic. "This is all part of my plan to prove just how potent lucky items are."
"Oh... of course." Takao answered uncertainly. He nearly got swept away there, nearly thought that Midorima also felt something for him. But of course, it all comes back to horoscopes and lucky items. It always does, doesn't it.
The sad grace of a smile on Takao's lips didn't escape Midorima's notice, brows furrowed again.
"Don't you want it?" the shooter asked.
"Of course I do, Shin-chan. I'm grateful that you'd actually look for my lucky item, this early, on a Saturday morning, in a shop that's two train rides away from my house." Takao answered with a snap. He knew he had no right to be angry and should be grateful that Shin-chan would actually go so far. But the brunette was getting a bit frustrated, and just a bit impatient. Every day with the shooter was a roller coaster ride. It would sometimes feel like the best high of his life and then suddenly he'll be plunged into an ice-cold bath of reality.
Midorima merely stared at him in silence before turning on his heels and paying for the necklace at the counter. Takao waited for him outside, not once did he met his gaze. The pendant felt heavy and uncomfortable on his neck, like the guilt for getting angry at his partner for a girly reason.
They made their way back to the station, each wrapped up in their own thoughts. The scarf he had borrowed from Midorima was folded on his arm, unused and suddenly unwelcome.
Takao was mentally hitting himself over and over again, one side itching to pull Shin-chan aside to apologize profusely for behaving like a brat; the other, maliciously content to let the uncertain air simmer between them. As though somehow, the discord between them will turn into a miracle.
The brunette sniffled, not because of the cold, but more of guilt. Midorima suddenly stopped and Takao found himself walking solidly into the shooter's broad back. He bounced back hard and landed on his rump, nose red and aching.
"Ow, what was that for Shi- Midorima?!" he winced at his childishness. Really, using Shin-chan's last name? Did he think he'll get on the shooter's nerve if he suddenly changed the way he called him? Takao picked himself up from the sidewalk and consciously brushed the dirt from his pants. He was making a show of it, as though him bumping into Midorima was Midorima's fault.
But the vise-like grip on his wrist suddenly pulled him out of his petty revenge and into a nearby cafe. His ass landed again, on a soft chair this time. And suddenly a menu was thrusted in his hands, but he didn't even had time to read it.
"Tea, orange juice, and a plate of hotcakes for him, please," Midorima's commanding voice made Takao jerk his head up meeting the shooter's gaze for a moment before sidling away to stare outside through the glass window.
The waitress walked off with their orders, glancing every now and then in worry. Shin-chan's voice had been a touch too snappy for comfort, evidence of his irritation.
And once again silence reigned, but not after Shin-chan broke it.
"What's up with you?" the shooter asked normally, but Takao can feel the undercurrents anyway.
"Nothing." he answered stubbornly.
"Judging by the way you've twisted my scarf to shreds, it doesn't look like nothing." Midorima pointed out. Takao blinked at the mess he'd made of Shin-chan's scarf and started untangling his fingers from the wool.
"I'm sorry... I'm being a brat."
"At least you're aware. Now, I'll be the adult here and ask you. Did I do something to make you angry? Was it something I said?" Midorima pushed on. The waitress fortunately arrived, giving Takao a few more precious seconds to decide whether he'll give the unvarnished version of his reasons or the watered down version.
He decided on the latter.
"I'm just divided on something today. I didn't mean to snap at you, I'm sorry Shin-chan." the brunette answered with a whimper.
"Do you want to talk about it?" was Midorima's unexpected reply. It was certainly a surprise, especially since Takao knew that Midorima will always keep appearances and would pretend indifference especially since it was Takao talking.
His thoughts faltered a bit and he ended up stuttering.
"It's j-just that there's s-some-someone I like. And I don't know if I should confess to them... or keep my mouth shut. Like I should be doing now." Takao answered in defeat.
Midorima merely pondered over Takao's words in silence, fingers curling gracefully around his teacup. His next words made Takao choke on his orange juice.
"Why don't you try confessing? You have your lucky item, and it's a good day for Scorpios today. Especially in the relationships department," Midorima answered thoughtfully. He was seriously thinking about it, a rare for Shin-chan.
Takao recovered from his coughing fit and eyed Midorima in shock. The brunette laughed at the thought and shook his head in answer.
"I already know what they will say. It's a no-go Shin-chan... But thanks for listening." he smiled.
"You won't know till you try."
This time Takao's gaze was pure disbelief.
-Midorima's POV-
At first he thought it was one of Takao's usual shallow discussions. Something he can disregard and glide over with an disinterested glare or non-commital humph. But the sadness on his teammate's voice made him rethink his reactions.
"Do you want to talk about it?" the words were out of his mouth before he realized. He was glad he asked though. It was rare but sometimes Takao will have that apathetic look to him, Midorima had only seen it once or twice but here it was again. It was as though the shorter boy had already accepted the fact that his feelings will never bear fruit. Midorima couldn't help but continue their conversation.
"Why don't you try confessing?-"
Instead of apathy, crushing sadness graced Takao's face and Midorima's grip tightened. Takao was always laughing, he was never sad or seriously angry. The shooter wondered what kind of person can make Takao feel this way. He felt a bit irritated, as though someone was infringing on his territory.
The brunette's laugh was hollow. His smile wasn't happy. This wasn't his Takao talking to him anymore.
"You won't know till you try."
