((A.N.: Not much to say aside from… CONTACT.))
Of all the things a concerned older brother could've done in such a situation, going out for a drink with his crush probably wasn't the best of them. That was, however, what Takao soon found himself doing, at the very same bar they'd been to together the previous time. Having recognized him as one of the new vocalists on the bar's band lineup, the bartender had been nice enough to give Takao a drink on the house; a timely little pick-me-up.
Some snacks later, Takao slumped into his folded arms, a gentle red flush steadily tinting his face. "So… Aren't you going to ask what happened?" He whispered, message clear though his voice was muffled by his arms.
Midorima merely gave a shrug. "It's none of my business."
"I'd tell you if you wanna know."
"I'd listen if you want to talk about it."
Even the rest of the customers were getting interested in the word-play, which was when the two decided to call it quits.
"Ne, Sensei..." Takao set his glass down after a long sip, blinking heavily and drawing in a deep breath. "Are you an only child?"
"I have a younger sister" was the calm reply, Takao's finger pausing on the glass rim.
He let out a chuckle, folding himself into a pile on the bartop again. "Heeeh. And here I was thinking you'd be an only child for sure." Within seconds, his drink was gone, several more soon following. Much owing to his job, Midorima couldn't help but pay close attention to the slightly alarming rate his drinking partner was going at.
"I live alone if that's what you meant." The doctor calmly replied, ordering himself another beer. At least both of them stayed reasonably nearby, should anyone become… Incapacitated. Curiosity gnawed relentlessly at the taller man, and it didn't take long of pondering the incidents outside Takao's apartment for Midorima to crack. "So… What happened back there at your place."
"Hmn…?" Takao played with a piece of food, head tilted to a side. "Well, first thing first that guy's my senpai from Highschool… And brother-in-law. Kind of. Not yet." A subtly raised eyebrow; Midorima hadn't expected that personal of a relationship. "Second of all, he had an argument with my little sister so he came over to my place. You arrived just when my sister called me to ask if he was there."
"He did seem rather pre-occupied." Midorima then recalled with a nod; the furious blond may have well gotten physical otherwise. That point seemed to nicely mark the extent of what little information Takao owed Midorima as an explanation for the situation they'd found themselves in.
The moment that Midorima noticed Takao was drinking just a little too much too fast to be safe, he shifted his own palette to snacks and green tea, silently reciting all the negative effects of alcohol; a habit from med-school. By the time the doctor decided to bring his drinking buddy home, Takao was barely able to lift his head.
"Takao, wake up." Midorima whispered, shaking the other man gently.
"Mnrrhhh…" Came the muffled response, Takao's nape and face red, his body radiating heat.
The taller man let out a sigh, an eyebrow quirked in amusement while reaching for Takao's arm and slinging it over his shoulder. The moment they stood however, it occurred to Midorima how their marked difference in height meant this was simply not going to work. Brows creased deeply, he switched to plan B.
Under flickering street-lights that eclipsed whatever stars there may have been, Midorima walked steadily home, Takao dead to the world on his back. The shorter man occasionally whispered things that may have sounded borderline coherent if Midorima was sober or awake enough to pay attention; clearly though he was neither.
There were several reasons pushing Midorima to walk towards his own home instead of where he knew Takao lived.
For one, there was a certain blond that he wasn't entirely enthusiastic on meeting again, for whatever reasons. It didn't take a genius to work out that Takao's senior was somewhat overprotective of his junior. Judging by Miyaji's behavior towards him earlier, it Midorima went back to the apartment with his junior in such a state, who knew how badly he'd flip out. The possibilities alone were unnerving.
For two, Midorima himself was rather worn out; having Takao shit-faced on his back didn't help. For three, doctor habits; he knew where the medication for hangovers and relevant remedies were in his own home.
Before long, Takao was lowered slowly onto the sofa in Midorima's apartment, a short distance away from the grand piano sitting in his living room. While Takao lay there sound asleep, the doctor quickly recalled that the recent few nights had been rather chilly. He headed into the further reaches of the apartment for an extra blanket, coming back out to the sound of an unfamiliar ringtone.
He hesitated for a moment, setting the blanket down on a chair. The ringing showed no sign of stopping, however, Takao showed no sign of getting up to answer it either. After an awkward moment of searching, the taller man found his guest's cellphone, peering quickly at the caller ID.
[Demon]
For some odd reason, Midorima had a pretty good idea upon whom his passed-out guest had bestowed such a pleasant title.
The moment the phone stopped ringing, Midorima quickly shut it off and set it on the coffee table, within reach, right next to a couple of aspirin and a glass of water.
Fin. 21 Oct 2013