Here is more fluff because, come on, I have made them endure so much silly angst, they deserve some more fluff :) I am planning to write one more chapter, perhaps an epilogue as well, though I am not sure.

"Come on Kise... We are going to be late. You yourself said that the event starts at 8."

"Okay I think I am ready. How does this one look?"

"Perfect. Just like others did. Come on, it should not be that hard to choose an earring?"

"I just want it to be actually perfect. Mm... Yeah, I think this one is it."

Aomine sighed as Kise gave one last look at himself on the large mirror of their bedroom,

"You are sure about this right?"

"Huh? Why do you ask?"

"There will be no turning back. I don't care about what others think... But you fuss over your fans and stuff. So... If you prefer to, as I said before, we can keep the marriage private."

"We don't have to. I want people to know too. I think it will help us both feel better about ourselves."

"Fine. As long as you are happy."

"I am."

Kise walked over to Aomine and hugged him once, then slipped one arm into his so that they were arm in arm,

"Let's go then! The night awaits us!" Kise cheered.

Honestly speaking, though he was certain in his decision, he was feeling very anxious and nervous. They were going to the gala event of a film he had played a role in. After Aomine's comment during the playoffs, confessing that he indeed had a lover, paparazzi had been keen on discovering who it was and they followed Aomine relentlessly. The couple endured it mostly and only went out together to places that they trusted the confidentiality of completely. It was Aomine who suggested, right away in the morning after his proposal, whether or not Kise would like to go public with their relationship. He said that he would prefer it but would not force Kise if he preferred not to. Kise agreed rather easily; he himself was surprised at the ease he accepted the offer. It was simple why he did though: he had been tired. He had been tired of living his relationship in the darkness, always running away from people... He did not believe in the least what he had with Aomine was anything shameful so the very act of keeping it hidden as if it was something shameful always irritated him and it had started bothering him even more as the years went on; these recent years, as he had realised how his life had started changing with him getting closer and closer to middle age, he had also realised how utterly stupid he had been, prioritising what people would say over what he felt was right. Was he going to live his life like this in the future? For how long, how many years to come? The idea of living a lie in front of the public had started bothering him a lot so he had not been reluctant in the least to Aomine's suggestion.

It was still terrifying though. After keeping it as a secret for years, here they were, getting out of their apartment arm in arm, each wearing a matching ring on their hands. It was obvious. When they arrived at the gala, people would surely ask, and he would answer, and what were they going to say? What was going to happen? Being sure of what you want to do and what you need to do did not decrease the fear and anxiety of doing it at all. With these thoughts he made it to the car, only then did their arms unwrap and immediately Kise felt himself just a tad bit colder, just a tad bit lonelier, despite the lovely summer weather, despite his lover being right near him, getting into the car. He said nothing.

But he did not have to say anything to be understood, as Aomine started the car with one hand, he reached to Kise's left hand with the other and gave it a slight squeeze,

"It will be all right" he said,

"It will be all right, I will be with you."

"Ah, take a look at this, Shin-chan! Don't they look great?"

Takao shoved his mobile phone to Midorima's face who gave it a glance halfheartedly; it was a picture of Kise and Aomine, they seemed to be at a formal event, both had dressed nicely in well matching colours and styles, they were holding hands and their rings were very visible. There seemed to be many comments under the picture, some cheering on them and wishing happiness, some bitter ones complaining that two very "yummy" men were off the shelves (and Midorima could not, for the love of God, understand just how and why Aomine or Kise could be "yummy" but he preferred not to ponder about it either), some men seemed to be complaining about how this insults the image of Aomine they had in their mind...

He did not say anything and decided to turn his gaze towards the TV, the commercials were still running. Takao had invited himself over to watch his favourite drama, claiming that Midorima's large TV provided a much better entertainment; Midorima was not sure if this was really the reason why Takao came over, but he did not mind at all, in reality he liked having his lover over but he often could not come up with proper excuses to invite him. So he silently appreciated how easily and frequently Takao invited himself over.

"Aw... Shin-chan, not even a comment? Come on... they are our friends. And they need our support!"

"I did not know they were planning to go public with their relationship..."

"Huh? What do you mean you did not? But I already told you about Kise's plans to come out like this, yesterday morning while I was over? You don't remember?" Takao asked as he focused on his phone to type a comment himself to the pictures of his friends that a social-media-buzz-tracking-slash-tabloid-like website had just posted. They were sitting on the sofa in the living room; to be specific, Midorima was sitting, Takao had lied over, putting his head and upper body on Midorima's lap.

"Ah... you did?" Midorima mumbled as his mind flew away to the morning day before; they had had dinner outside the night before and returned to Midorima's home afterwards, and Takao had stayed the night. Despite spending the whole night drenched in the pleasures of the flesh, right away in the morning Takao had commenced his attacks and Midorima had for the first time in his life had "such relations" so early in the morning, and in such an interesting combination of fleeting joy and cheeky tenderness too that he had truly lost himself... He did not really remember a thing Takao had said between the teasing whispers and brash remarks, though he could remember that Takao had talked a lot, so it was probable that he had mentioned something about Kise too. Midorima was sure that anything mentioned with Kise's name in it during that time would be the first thing he would forget and perhaps not even hear in the first place. His perception was quite selective and he actually appreciated that. Remembering that morning's events had brought the usually rare kind of timidity and its inevitable offspring: a soft blush on his cheeks. It was not such a rare occurrence these days though, thanks to Takao and his overt ways of showing love coupled with his seemingly limitless libido, not that Midorima complained about it...

Hearing no response from Midorima, Takao looked up and saw the man's face lost in thoughts, lovely thoughts, they must have been too, he believed, because he seemed to blush a little and seemed very happy and content. It took less than a second for Takao to realise "why" and he snuggled on Midorima's lap,

"Mmm... What? Hearing about yesterday morning reminded you something else?"

"N-No. I was not thinking of anything... special."

"Is that so? Do you really not remember me talking about Kise? And you call me forgetful. I mentioned it right before I started fondling-"

"Takao, be quiet. See, your drama started again, commercials finished. Just watch that. In silence."

Takao giggled and snuggled again which tugged at the heartstrings of Midorima but he was still awkward at these kind of moments, unsure what was the natural way of savouring them... As Takao silently continued watching his drama, Midorima closed his eyes for a second, sighed, and decided to do the first thing that comes up to his mind when he opened his eyes: this, he thought, would be the most "natural" response.

It turned out that the first thing that came to his mind after he opened his eyes was caressing Takao's hair. So he did that. Seeing Takao smile at the gentle touch made him smile a little too and he turned his gaze towards the TV too. If Takao was such a fan of the show, it would not hurt him to start to get acquainted with it as well.

All in all rather than a change, it seemed that becoming lovers brought them to how they were before. With one very notable exception: they had sex. Without any prior experience of what a "loving" relationship is, Midorima had soon left himself in Takao's guidance, though he would never admit that out, and now two weeks into this new phase of their life, they were both very content. There was just one little thing in the back of Midorima's mind that sometimes would pop up and disturb him but he preferred to ignore it.

That is, until the next day, when after a shift that ended late in the evening he decided to drop by Takao's apartment on his way home; that little thing he had been successful in ignoring till then was presented to him blatantly in the shape of a tall man with reddish brown hair who opened Takao's door instead of Takao himself. Midorima cursed his luck inside; he should have known something like this would happen, that day Cancer had only mediocre luck after all.

He did not bother saying anything but rush into the house with a loud conventional salutation of "Sorry for intrusion."

"Ah Shin-chan!" Takao excitedly replied from the kitchen counter; his hands were covered in some kind of white dust, it looked like flour or confectionery sugar but Midorima was not sure.

"You are coming from the hospital?" Takao queried as he moved towards Midorima, rubbing his hands on the apron to clean them off a bit.

"Uh yeah..."

"We were cooking with Yuki-chan! Well, not 'cooking' per se. I was learning how to make daifuku. They turned out pretty good! I am sure you'd love them. I am all sweaty and covered with sugary stuff though. Why don't you guys have a seat? I'll go quickly take a shower."

Takao gave a chaste kiss on Midorima's cheek then and moved to bathroom; Midorima stood there like that for a few seconds then he moved towards the tiny living room area and sat near the table, across Yukimura. They sat there for a bit saying nothing but sizing up each other. Yukimura sighed then,

"So you two are going out now."

"Yes."

"I really don't understand what he finds in you."

"Trust? I don't go around telling his secrets to others, for instance."

A look of guilt settled on Yukimura's face,

"Touché... You didn't tell him about that ever... Why not?"

"Because it would hurt him. If it was something he wanted to tell me, he would tell me. Well, he eventually did tell me too, much more than that, actually. But I respect his wishes and I also didn't want him to feel betrayed by a friend."

"So you... in a way protected my friendship with him?"

"Not because I like you. Takao seems to be fond of you as a friend though. I am not sure why."

Midorima gave an arrogant and inquisitive look at Yukimura after that but Yukimura just smiled,

"Well, regardless, thank you."

A pause later Midorima said, with a low threatening tone in his voice and the most intimidating look he could muster up in his eyes,

"If you ever kiss him again though or ask him to kiss you, I will... cut you up."

In all honesty, Midorima was a large man, he already had a rather stoic face and a cold gaze, he could be intimidating, he really could. The problem was that Yukimura had heard way too many stories of how Midorima sucked at fights, how Takao had fought multiple times – to "save Shin-chan's honour!" as Takao called them – and how Midorima simply and utterly lacked the tendency and skill of being violent. This was something Takao loved in him. In any case, as a result of this intimate knowledge, Yukimura could not take the threat seriously at all. On the contrary, past the initial surprise at Midorima knowing about the kiss, the whole statement seemed... so childish and dare he say "cute" that Yukimura started laughing. This though caused a huge flush on Midorima's face and an angry yell of,

"Why the hell are you laughing?!"

"I am sorry, I really am sorry."

"It is not something funny!"

"I know it is not. I am really sorry, I just couldn't help it. Midorima-san, Taka-chan already told me countless stories of how so inherently non-violent you are and how he took it on himself to 'defend your honour' many times in the past... I just couldn't help it."

Midorima's already pink face turned another shade darker and he mumbled,

"I... I may despise violence and not be particularly talented in it, but I do have friends who are quite talented in it and I am a doctor. I cut up people every day."

"That does sound scary." Yukimura quipped, half serious half joking as he tried his best to stifle his laughter, then he continued,

"You don't have to threaten me you know. I wouldn't ask of something like that from him now that he is with you; it would be very improper and cruel. In any case, if I did ask, instead of giving me a kiss of mercy he would probably punch me in the eye and tell me to never talk to him again. He is... that kind of a guy you know."

"I know."

They stayed silent for a second then Midorima muttered, with a quiet and calmer tone now,

"Still, do not ever ask him anything like that."

"I will not. I promise, I promise."

When Takao came back, scent of an ocean breeze emanating from him thanks to the shower gel he always used, he started making some tea to serve with the sweets. Yukimura was caught up in the serene sight of the man but realised his position and setting soon enough, when he turned back to Midorima, ready to be reprimanded, he instead realised that the green haired man was completely unaware and indifferent to Yukimura's existence now; he was watching intensely Takao, every small gesture as the prepared tea and hummed a foreign pop song. There was a peaceful appreciation on Midorima's face but the intent gaze of his eyes signalled a deep bond that made Yukimura feel almost inadequate in terms of love and emotions and this was a really awkward moment for him, for Midorima, if anything, seemed like an "ice queen". He remembered Takao to use this exact phrasing at least once, but surely Midorima's eyes when they landed on so passionately on Takao's figure were anything but "ice queen"-like.

Yukimura sighed and got up,

"Well, it is getting late. I better should get going."

"Huh? You are leaving? But you didn't even taste our marvellous creations yet?" Takao slightly pouted,

"I am sure they are very tasteful Taka-chan, I should be careful with my diet you know, not everyone is so naturally thin and fit like you."

"Ah, you know nothing; Shin-chan wipes the floor up with me every week when we play basketball. It is a gruelling exercise and as to be at least physically ready for it I have to work out twice a week in advance."

"Wow. That is quite an effort. Hmm Midorima-san has a better stamina than you?"

Midorima looked at Yukimura in an aloof manner,

"I run every day. I also regularly work out 2 hours every other day of the week."

Yukimura couldn't help but size up Midorima once more with his eyes, well, he did look very athletic. As he got ready to leave, putting on his shoes, Takao added,

"He even does it during vacation. Can you believe that? Crazy. His dutifulness knows no bounds."

Almost like a guard dog, Midorima also got up and sneaked up on them behind Takao, perhaps he was trying to ensure that no other last-moment parting-kiss would take place, Yukimura thought. Midorima did not trust him, obviously, not that he would blame Midorima for that.

"Well, good night to both of you."

After Takao closed the door behind Yukimura he turned to the tall man who was looming behind him with a chiding tone and critical stare,

"You are treating him unfairly."

"I am not."

"You are. Even the way you look at him is nasty. He is a nice person."

"He likes you."

"Good point. I am not asking you to like him, but you don't have bully him."

"I don't bully people."

"Oh yeah sure" Takao said, sarcasm dripping from his words as he placed two cups of tea and two pieces of daifuku on the table.

"It is normal that if I am bitter to him. He is an opportunist."

"Everyone is a little opportunistic. I have always been an opportunist with my feelings for you."

Midorima sighed as he took a bite of the sweet, it tasted quite good,

"I will not discriminate him. But don't expect me to like him."

"Yeah that's better..." Takao said as he took a bite from the other piece of sweet "Mmm... it tastes good. I mean who helps a friend they had a crush on to make sweets for his own boyfriend? He is angelic if anything and I might be more of an opportunist."

"He still... kissed you." Midorima almost whispered, but Takao had heard it,

"Oh My God... is that why you are so riled up against him?"

"There are... other reasons as well. But yes, it is one. Why shouldn't it be?"

"Come on... If you are going to be jealous of each guy I ever kissed, wow, we have a long list to go through." Takao chuckled but his chuckles were stopped by the tragic look on Midorima's face, he almost choked on his bite,

"Hey! Don't make that kind of a face. You know... I liked fooling around."

"I am not making any kind of... a face."

"Oh My God! You are! Shin-chan, wow I never thought you were the jealous type."

"I am not jealous! It just feels... strange. I always knew you went out with many people. It is a little awkward knowing that all the while you had feelings for me."

"Yeah, such a sob story on my part huh?"

"No, such a terrible tale of obliviousness on mine."

"Hmm... so you are blaming yourself? That's why you were sad? Such honesty too, I am surprised and delighted Shin-chan." Takao said, a particular playfulness had settled both on his face and voice; Midorima had known of this side of Takao for a long time, it was a charming cheekiness, he had only recently learnt though that this actually signified Takao becoming sexually interested, so this extra knowledge in addition to the content of his remark caused a slight blush on Midorima's face which as expected only further flamed Takao's interest and playful ways.

"It does not taste bad."

"Oh, trying to change the topic because you are shy? First jealous, than self-critical, and now timid? Shin-chan is being awfully adorable tonight."

"I am not being adorable! And for God's sake, anybody would feel... that way. I mean don't you feel or didn't you feel the least bit jealous with my past partners?"

"Partners? As in plural? Come on Shin-chan, you had only Azumi and sure, I have been jealous of her... but yeah, somehow I always felt I came first so I guess my jealousy was never very fiery towards her."

"Why do you think that I only had her as a partner?" Midorima asked a little puzzled and this caused Takao to almost choke on his tea,

"Wait... what do you mean?! You had other girlfriends and didn't let me know?"

"Well, not 'girlfriends' per se. I did not properly date them. But I have been with other women."

"You had one night stands?! You are joking."

"Why would I joke?"

"You weren't a virgin?"

"Not... too long, I guess."

"But why?"

"What do you mean why? Even I have bodily needs, though I was not particularly fond of them at the time."

"So all those times so many people mocked you for being a virgin... You actually were not."

"Well, early on, they were right, I was a virgin but some of the latter ones, yeah."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I don't think virginity is a significant matter as society makes it. It is a cultural obsession, a natural rite of passage turned into an impediment, if anything. So I was... indifferent to it, I guess? I did not care what they thought."

Takao was crushed under this new piece of information and sadly sipped from his tea, disappointment apparent on his face, his lips slightly pouting, and Midorima was thoroughly shocked at this reaction.

"Are you seriously moping because I, a 27 years old doctor, am not a virgin?"

"Well, I did thought that you would have slept with Azumi. But only her I guess..."

"You slept with god knows how many people and you are seriously disappointed over this?"

"I am I, and you are you; you are not like me. Aaaah, my pure Shin-chan was not so pure at all."

Midorima felt irritation and a slight anger creep up onto his own face,

"You are joking right? What is this thing with 'purity'? Why would abstinence signify any kind of 'purity'? It is bullshit."

"Wow. Okay, no need to get angry. I was just being a little melodramatic and teasing." Takao said, now smiling, he slowly leaned forward and moved away a few unruly strands of hair from Midorima's face, who felt calmer with the familiar gesture,

"This was really unexpected..."

"Tell me about it... I mean we have been so close and you didn't even tell me when you lost your virginity. And how did you lose it anyway? I want to know. With all the details. And all those women you slept with; who were they? How do you even pick up women? You minimise your human interactions. I simply cannot even imagine you picking up strangers. I mean, do you use pick up lines? Jeez, this is all so weird."

"Are you insane? Do you really think that I am the type of person who would come and cheerfully announce that I lost my virginity?! Do I look like Aomine Daiki to you?"

"Nah you don't. Not even a bit. I guess you are right... But you could at least hint at me! Argh... Do you know how much I fantasised about taking away your virginity? I was living a lie!" Takao made a dramatical gesture with his hand of mock despair and Midorima looked at him in bewilderment,

"You were fantasising. That is literally what living a lie is."

"Yeah... I guess. So, details?"

"No."

"Come on... Why not?"

"I will not talk about the details of my previous... intimate relations with my boyfriend. It is improper and rude."

"Even if it is that boyfriend who is curious?"

"Yes. Even then. Plus... I wouldn't want to know of yours... Why do you insist?!"

Takao sighed and smiled,

"Fine fine, I was half joking anyway."

They sat there in silence awkwardly a little then Midorima, now with a fully red face mumbled something, very quietly, almost swallowing half the syllables, regardless, Takao heard it but he still asked,

"What did you say?"

"You heard me!"

"No I did not."

"Takao!"

"I really did not hear it, what did you say?"

Midorima sighed and replied with a low and cold voice, glaring daggers at his boyfriend,

"I said that you were the first man I have been with so in a way you are my first. And you don't have to worry because you are the best bed partner I ever had. There. Are you happy now?! Idiot."

Takao stared at him with a huge smirk but Midorima simply sipped from his drink with an angry glare fixated on the man sitting across the table. The moment Midorima placed his cup back on table, Takao almost leapt forward onto his lap, pushing him down on the tatami floor of the tiny, tiny living room...