A/N: I really got to start getting ready for my exams instead… Anyway, this is on a slightly more serious note, although nothing graphic this time. Also, the next chapter will probably take longer to get done.

P.S. Comments are deeply loved!

-xoxoxo-

The dining room is filled with Shuutoku zombies. Compared to yesterday's buzz of anticipation, today everyone is just dragging their aching legs quietly, still not recovered from yesterdays torture. The room feels more like a ward full of dying soldiers than a hot spring resort.

Takao wrinkles his nose at the picture and gets in line for his share of food. Midorima is right behind him. Takao can feel his presence linger over his shoulder and tries to fight off a blush. The morning was seriously screwed up. He somehow wiggled his way out of explaining the "meowing about riding" incident, but that didn't help the situation much. Cuddling in bed by himself, the soiled hands and boxers, the rapid breathing – even Shin-chan wasn't thick enough not to connect the dots. How he managed to convince Midorima that it was just a little accident of morning wood getting out of control (and had no relevance to either Midorima's bed or his person) was beyond even Takao himself. A stroke of luck, perhaps. 'Cause that was certainly not thanks to his own wits. What's with the "Sorry, Shin-chan, it's that time of a month for me."

Takao laughed lamely at his own joke. A hollow sound in the atmosphere filled with sudden tension.

Midorima's eyes narrowed dangerously, his hand now tightly gripping Takao's shirt.

"What do you mean. You are not a woman."

Oh, Shin-chan. How dense can you be?

Takao sighed. "No. Of course I'm not a woman." He didn't want to explain himself on top of it all. He wished Midorima would just punch him already, or yell at him, walk out on him, or at least look like he got it. "I'm a guy, Shin-chan. That's why. Get it already! You're a guy too, right? You have those moments."

Midorima stared at him for another moment. Then suddenly released Takao's shirt like it was a poisonous snake and went bright red.

Shit! Didn't he realize it even up until that point? Takao cursed himself inwardly for not holding his tongue. Was that what they called digging one's own grave?

"N-no I don't," Midorima stuttered, " Certainly not in someone else's bed. That's just disgusting!"

They didn't have much time to 'discuss' it further. Not with everyone rushing down the hall for their breakfast anyway.

Midorima looks royally pissed even now. Not that Takao would hold his breath for any other treatment. 'That's just disgusting' is still ringing in his ears. He digs through his warm rice wondering what Shin-chan would say of he knew the active role he played in Takao's morning fantasy. All things considered maybe he too should get one of those hideous lucky items they advertise in the daily horoscopes. As a token to the merciful kami for at least sparing his life.

They get the table by the windows. Some senpais are surprisingly accommodating to the Shuutoku's ace. The ace in turn chews on his omelet roll and stares at the beach outside ignoring the world around him.

Takao swallows a mouthful of rise and watches Midorima mutilate his bowl of pickled vegetables. He just can't leave him alone.

"That's no good, Shin-chan. Gotta eat your veggies to grow into a big boy."

"Shut up. Don't talk to me."

"Oh don't be like that! Here," against his better judgment Takao grabs a baby carrot with his chopsticks and stuffs it into Midorima's mouth, "open wide now, Shin-chan!"

Midorima looks so shocked his jaw actually does drop open. Then he snaps back to his senses and pushes Takao away like he'd stabbed him with those chopsticks in the eye.

Takao's smaller body rocks back.

The force of the blow knocks down some dishes in between them. The miso soup is spilled. Its bawl rolls along the table until it crashes to the floor.

"The fuck are you doing?" Midorima's eyes look scary.

Belatedly Takao realizes that the whole dining room went deadly quiet. The eyes of the whole team are on them.

Takao wishes they'd go stuff themselves and leave the two of them alone.

"Geez, you're still mad about this morning?" he says quietly. "I thought I told you, you could have my bed."

Midorima pushes up his glasses but doesn't look up at him.

"It's not just this morning. You are constantly like that. Don't be so weird, Takao."

He is still mad. It's no wonder, really. No matter how dense Shin-chan might be, cuming on their bed would make anyone feel weird out. Especially a stern guy like Midorima. Takao berates himself for not apologizing properly. But it's not like he can say, "Sorry, I just have this little crush on you" in his defense. And it's not like he can say it (or anything at all) in front of all those guys either.

"Will do, Shin-chan," he says finally, gathering the remains of his breakfast back onto his tray, "but you better eat the veggies anyway, rice alone is not good for your health. Here, you can have my share too."

Takao takes the tray to the used dishes area and flees before Midorima gets a chance to throw his bowl back into his face.

-xoxoxo-

At practice they are divided into two teams set to play each other. Takao is sent to mark Midorima, but is overpowered so completely even he feels disgusted with himself.

Midorima is at his best. It never ceases to amaze Takao how an outside shooter like him can be so good at defense. His long limbs are everywhere. His body might be big, but his movements are light and precise. He stops their captain's dreadful dunk like it's a child's play.

Takao can't help but stare. He manages to squeeze out "Good job," but the Midorima just walks past him like an iceberg. Such overwhelming presence. If they once were to become enemies, he wouldn't be able to lift a finger, hawk's eyes or no eyes.

Takao thinks all that and wants to strangle himself.

…

"You know, he actually did eat it."

It's three hours into practice. Shuutoku is relentlessly perfecting the basics and Takao feels like his legs are gonna fall off from the constant running around. His palms sting from hitting endless passes and his heart is beating somewhere in his throat.

So it's no wonder he doesn't manage to connect the dots straight away.

"Mhmpf..?" Takao mumbles around the water bottle in his mouth.

Miyachi plops himself on the bench for their five-minute break furiously rubbing his bleached hair with a towel and grinning at Takao from under its folds. "I'm saying your Shin-chan ate it all. The carrots and everything. Aren't you a good influence on our ace."

This guy's got way too much energy, prying into someone else's business. From his spot Takao can see Midorima drying his face and neck on the other side of the court. Since the training began he hasn't spared so much as a glance into Takao's direction.

"What do you mean my Shin-chan," he grumbles.

"Oh come on, man, don't be like that. Sure, you had a little fight, but it's not like you're a couple after a breakup. I mean, it's more surprising that he didn't kill you earlier."

This time Takao actually turns to face his teammate. The combination of 'couple' and 'breakup' having caught his attention.

"What?" he asks slowly.

"Heh, you know, our guys were actually making bets. How long it would take for that prick to run out of patience and kick your ass… or something like that. I mean, that guy's even scary to look at, but you tease him like he's a cute little puppy. Why the hell he hasn't murdered you yet is beyond me."

The whistle marks the end of the short break. Raising stamina is next on the menu. Which basically translates into death by exhaustion. But Takao's legs somehow feel lighter. 'Scary to look at' his ass. Those idiots might really see him as some kind of lion-tamer, but Takao knows better. Shin-chan is actually very honest and caring. He's just good at hiding it, sometimes even from himself. He eats vegetables that he hates just because Takao gives him his share and he goes to watch his former teammates' matches when he things no one is looking.

It's not just his looks that Takao likes.

"Hey Miyachi," he calls after the blond as they head back for the court, "how long was your bet for?"

"I gave you two weeks. The longest anyone bet on."

It's been about four months since the beginning. Gotta keep up the good work.

He'll go talk to Shin-chan after this. Maybe a little reward for a job well done on those veggies is in order.

-xoxoxo-

to be continued…

-lizette-