Jealous Beast

A Kuroko no Basuke oneshot

by mew-tsubaki

Note: The Kuroko no Basuke characters belong to Fujimaki Tadatoshi-sensei, not to me. Rereading some pages from Extra Game gave me certain feels I needed to address here. ;w; Read, review, and enjoy!

- ^-^3

Predicting it was coming and seeing it in action were two very different things.

That was Takao's thought from the moment Midorima and Akashi synchronized their actions against Jabberwock until the Vorpal Swords' victory against the American team. "Conflicted"—that was the word he'd chosen earlier when remarking to Wakamatsu and Hyuuga about Teikou's former captain and vice pulling off some epic teamwork once more…but somehow that word didn't quite do Takao's mixed feelings justice.

"Bothered"—yeah, that suited him better, he decided as he packed up his things while the crowd dispersed and the teams prepared to leave. And who could blame him, being bothered or—nah, "concerned," that kind of worked, too, didn't it? Seeing Midorima in action with Akashi, watching the two of them play so brilliantly together, it concerned him. And he knew why.

It was like looking at a polished form of Takao's own play with Midorima.

Takao gritted his teeth and willed a smile to his face. He was happy to see Jabberwock beaten and even to see the Generation of Miracles play together. And yet…suddenly he understood the unease others on the various Miracles' teams had. Perhaps he hadn't taken it so seriously before now, that the Kiseki truly were on another level.

"Damn, you're all set to go already?" Wakamatsu asked from Takao's right on the bench.

He snapped back to the present and blinked. "Ah, yes?" Takao glanced around Wakamatsu and saw Hyuuga walking back to them after having passed some bottles and towels out with Aida, Momoi, and Kuroko. "Since we never got to step in… How're the others?"

"Still cooling down," the blond answered. Wakamatsu glanced at the Kiseki, too, as Hyuuga joined them. "Absolute beasts on the court, but take them off and they're just human."

"Including Murasakibara," Hyuuga pointed out. "Kagetora-san's right. There's no way that wrist isn't broken." He sighed and pinched his nose above his glasses. "That means our first stop from here's the hospital."

Takao nodded with mild interest, tearing his eyes away from the Kiseki set apart from the trio. But Wakamatsu narrowed his eyes at the point guard. "Hey, Takao. You sure you're all right?"

"Mm? Why wouldn't I be?"

Wakamatsu had the good manners to avert his eyes as he prodded, "Well, you seemed so bothered earlier, during the game, when Midorima and Akashi…" He trailed off. But it didn't help that Hyuuga looked on with interest as he gathered his own things.

Takao willed another smile back to his face and waved the older teens' concern off. "Ah, no, that's nothing. Honest!" he said with too much force when the pair of third years settled him with equally unconvinced expressions. "It was…exciting, seeing them play."

Wakamatsu and Hyuuga exchanged a look, and Seirin's captain opened his mouth next—

—but Takao was saved any further friendly interference when Kagetora-san clapped his hands and Aida blew her whistle to gather the team together. "I want everyone to head straight home," the father barked at them. He glared at each player in turn before grinning. "We'll celebrate today's victory another time when everybody's in better shape to enjoy it. All right?"

"Yes, Coach!" the Vorpal Swords replied, although some voices were markedly softer, tired, given the day they'd had.

Kagetora-san turned his attention to Murasakibara, who shuffled reluctantly towards him. "Riko and I will get you checked out, Murasakibara." He huffed, adding in a grumble, "Either way, I now owe Masako one for not taking care of her ace…great, just great…"

With the focus on Murasakibara's injury (and Kagetora-san's injured pride), Takao seized the chance to make his exit. It felt a bit funny, sure. It was the first time…in forever that Takao hadn't thought to wait for Midorima, but he couldn't bring himself to seek out that pair of green eyes, not while it was still lost amongst an exceptionally colorful crowd.

But his fellow benchwarmers were still close enough by. Hyuuga did a double-take, realizing Takao went to leave first. "Wait, Takao—aren't you, uhhh—" He scratched his cheek but asked what was on his mind anyway with a furrowed brow. "Aren't you going to wait for Midorima? I thought you two usually—"

Takao shook his head, hoping to cut off any possible interjection from Wakamatsu, too. "Nah, I want to go on ahead and call our senpai," he fibbed, "just in case they hadn't been watching. Lots to catch them up on, you know!"

Hyuuga's mouth hung open slightly. But at least this time he nodded, and he and Wakamatsu waved goodbye instead of prolonging things.

For that, Takao was grateful. Really, he'd had his fill of seeing the Kiseki being so chummy, and they probably knew that. But at least no one was going to make him come out and say it.

The first few steps from the park were hard and took all his energy to push forward. But then it got easier the further away he got. Takao even debated turning his fib into the truth and calling up Miyaji or Otsubo; even if they and Kimura had had the chance to catch the match on TV or online, there was nothing quite like commentary from someone who'd been there to witness it in person.

…but, ah, he didn't call any of them. He couldn't. Takao had handled Wakamatsu's and Hyuuga's curiosity all right, but it'd be different with the Shutoku grads who knew Takao and Midorima well, too well. They'd know to ask, what to ask. And Takao didn't want to deal with that just yet.

Takao took some even breaths and turned off his brain. The train station wasn't far away. He was halfway there, in fact, by himself when his ears pricked up and he stopped zoning out. What the…? No, that was definitely heavy breathing and stomps coming up behind him. Takao turned around.

Midorima stampeded after Takao, glowering at him and red in the face. How he had any energy left after that exhausting game was anyone's guess, and fresh sweat plastered his fringe to his forehead again. As fast as his spurt of energy had appeared, it faded, and Midorima slowed to a shuffle within a meter of Takao. He kept shuffling forward.

Takao ignored the stupid skip of his heart, seeing the giant here with him. "Wha—did you seriously run all the way here?!" he asked.

Midorima nodded while he caught his breath.

"You should've waited longer with the others before moving, especially this much," he lightly teased his partner. "After all, you played quite the game there, Shin-chan." Takao raised his eyebrows.

"Then don't make me chase after you, Takao," Midorima snarled. He fixed his eyes on Takao.

Being alone with this intense Midorima or sitting on the sidelines during today's game—he wasn't certain which he found more difficult. He shuffled on his feet and set aside his own insecurities. "Look, Shin-chan, you didn't need to chase after me. You should return to the others. I heard what Kagetora-san said, but you should celebrate with the other Kiseki and Kagami. You guys played a great game and should enjoy the good mood a little bit longer tonight."

"We always go home together, and I can rest at home. Why change things now?"

"Well, yeah, but, Shin-chan"—he purposefully avoided Midorima's eyes—"you've fixed your old friendships. It's…it's all right to change a few things."

Takao sensed rather than saw Midorima furrow his brow. But Midorima caught Takao's arm as the latter turned away, to head again for the station on his own. When Midorima turned Takao back to face him, Takao discovered him frowning, though, not glaring, despite Midorima's irritated tone until that point. "It bothers you, some of the plays I made today," Midorima observed. "Those were our plays, yours and mine."

Hearing Midorima admit it made Takao tense. His heart began to sink.

"You understand that was to win the game?"

Takao nodded slowly and found himself gritting his teeth yet again today, but he didn't force a smile this time.

Midorima's shoulders slackened a fraction after Takao nodded, as though the shooting guard exhaled a tiny sigh of relief. "Takao, do you also understand that I could only play with Akashi, with the others today and in practice for today because of you?"

Takao blinked in disbelief and gawked at Midorima. "Wait, what. But—they're your middle school teammates!" he exclaimed. "You had three years with them. You've only had one and a fraction with me." Yet, even as he said that, his pulse quickened, because Midorima didn't let go of him but did draw closer to him. How unusual for the one who preferred his personal space.

Midorima released a long breath. "I don't discount those years…but you know by now how we were our own worst enemies towards the end. Choosing Shutoku—joining this team"—his hand slid from Takao's arm to Takao's hand, which he gave a little squeeze—"has been good for me, in ways both predicted and unforeseen."

Takao couldn't help it: He chuckled. "So Oha-Asa didn't warn you about this troublesome partner of yours?"

He swallowed the rest of his amusement when he saw the heavy way Midorima's eyes landed on him—a clear sight not hidden at all since that damned haircut. "I haven't called you 'troublesome.' …today," Midorima added with a playful smirk.

The rush of heat to his face was hard to ignore as his heart threatened to do a slam dunk at that sight. But Takao tried to play the suggestive turn in their conversation down so as not to get his hopes up. "I get it, I get it," he insisted with a gentle push against Midorima's chest to put a centimeter between them. "I've learned my lesson, Shin-chan. I won't compare myself to Akashi or to the other Kiseki again," he promised. He started walking again, trying to pull away from Midorima.

But Shutoku's ace was a sly one today. Midorima simply started ambling at a snail's pace beside Takao, having regained just enough energy to get moving once more. All the while, his hand was wrapped solidly around Takao's.

Takao debated pointing this out to him. If Midorima had issues with personal space, surely PDA would be an issue, too?

But Midorima opened his mouth before Takao could. "You are different from the Kiseki, Takao—"

Takao frowned. Agh, dammit, back to this topic again…?

"—but that's a good thing and that's the way I prefer you."

Such a switch! Damn this bespectacled bastard…! How many more times was he going to toy with Takao's heart today? … …well, Takao figured, Midorima would have plenty of opportunity on the train ride home….

- ^-^3

SO CUTE! XD Smthg shorter than "Less Is More," but the notes I scribbled down for this idea back in July this yr I think were better/more fully formed than the ones I had for my previous MDTK/TKMD fic. That, plus I know angst (and Takao, ngl) is just sometimes easier for me to write, *LOL*. XD Truly, tho, I was flipping thru the pages of Extra Game and stopped on the Takamido content and got hit with angsty feels, so I wanted to see Takao try to walk away for once. But ofc that only spurred his needy baby into action, *lol*. Also! I rly loved the benchwarmer trio for the VS. I mean, I adore Hyuuga and Wakamatsu individually, as well as Takao, so this trio just gives me the warm and fuzzies. I want more content with them? Idk. I do think what Mido said here is true, tho, for canon, whether people ship Takamido or not—he could only play so well with the Kiseki and Kagami at this point precisely bc he has Takao as his partner; that's a partnership that truly betters him, so yeah. ANYWAY. I have at least another idea or two for EG-insp'd fics for my OTPs, so pls look out for them~ And come check out my fanart, too! :3c

Thanks for reading, and please review! Check out my other KnB stories if you enjoyed this~

-mew-tsubaki :'D