Summer had come around, and with it came the awful heat and humidity that was especially prominent in Tokyo this year. Out of concern for the health of their student athletes, the school had declared sport club practice to be cancelled until the heat wave passed. However, despite having gotten out of participating in grueling practice, Midorima stayed to practice as always, Takao remaining back with him until they were forcibly chased out by Miyaji-senpai who was wielding a pineapple. After convincing Shin-chan that it was a bad idea to try and practice some more at a local basketball court, Takao suggested they take the day off as a gift from fate, and go get ice cream. Much to his surprise, Midorima agreed, so the two of them headed to an ice cream shop. Just buying the packaged one at the convenience store wouldn't do, Midorima had said. If they were going to fulfill their destiny of eating ice cream, they were going to have proper ice cream. Takao had a feeling Midorima was half joking, but he honestly couldn't tell.
So the two of them found themselves standing in front of the glass display case, peering at the various flavors available.
"What're you thinking about getting?" Takao asked coming to lean on Shin-chan.
"I'm debating if I should get strawberry or vanilla." he replied shortly, trying to push Takao off of him but failing.
Takao laughed, not just at Shin-chan's futile attempt to move him away, but at the choices he was pondering over. How like Shin-chan to like such plain flavors. At the almost offended glare he got in return, he patted his boyfriend's shoulder lightly.
"You're so cute." he chortled, and immediately, Midorima turned at least three different shades of pink.
"Where did that come from?" he demanded, turning his gaze back to the display case. Takao could see the tips of his ears were bright red, and he bit back another laugh.
"Just a thought that occurred to me." he shrugged. Midorima 'hmph'ed, but said nothing after that, intending to go back to thinking over his flavor choice, but Takao stepped up to the counter, detaching himself from his boyfriend.
"One strawberry and one coffee, both in cones please! " he said to the cashier.
"Takao-"
"You take too long. If I let you pick on your own, we're gonna be here all day." Takao chided. Midorima knew he was right, but the last thing he wanted to do was agree. Sighing, he let the cashier fulfill their order, and after paying, they stepped out into the heat once more, finding a bench under a tree nearby.
"How's your ice cream?" Takao asked, draping himself over Midorima's shoulder in what the taller teen could only consider obnoxious.
"It's satisfactory." He couldn't give Takao the upper hand by admitting that he was actually very much enjoying the flavor Takao chosen for him. Takao caught on anyway, and with a smug grin, leaned over to steal a small bite. He looked rather proud of himself until he made a face at the flavor.
"That's too sweet." he complained. Midorima rolled his eyes at the childish tone. Who was he to whine when he was the one stealing bites of someone else's ice cream? He watched with a dubious gaze as Takao took a bite of his own ice cream, and then nodded in what was likely approval.
"See, this is good." Takao said. "Not too sweet."
This time, it was Midorima who leaned in, stealing a taste not from Takao's cone, but from his lips. When he pulled away, Midorima was pleased to see the complete shock written across Takao's face.
"Bitter." was his only comment. It seemed to snap Takao out of his trance, and he made a sound of protest.
"That wasn't fair, Shin-chan!"
Midorima allowed himself a quiet laugh. It wasn't often that he got to catch Takao off guard like that. Going for ice cream had definitely been a good idea.