Sorry I was so long on the update! I've been working on my other fics and I had no ideas for another drabble. Thank the muses for dropping inspiration on me like a brick! Lol.


Tap. Tap. Tap.

Midorima thought the hallway would never end. His footsteps rung abnormally loud, his sense of hearing heightened by the fact he could barely see through his swollen eyes. Being a member of the Generation of Miracles, losing twice was crushing, especially against the one he had sword to show defeat to; that alone was enough to break his spirit. But this time around, he had been fully aware of his responsibility as the ace, the one who had to carry his teammates to victory. And he had failed, failed when they were so close to victory. He had gotten up from the fall, but he might as well have just stayed on the floor.

I'm sorry...I don't think...I can cheer you up this time...

Takao's face was supposed to be happy, supposed to be forever cheerful to bring life to the team; to Midorima. Seeing such a euphoric face reduced to tears was worse than falling short of his own expectations; seeing someone else, someone else he held so dear, fall because of what he should've done gave him such and empty feeling.

Midorima found himself standing in front of a vending machine. His hands shaking, he raised a taped appendage to punch in the number when a sudden thought hit him:

What did Takao like to drink?

The ace shooter found himself in a sinking hole of guilt; he'd never paid attention to the little quirks of his partner. His hands closed into a fist and he hit the wall next to the vending machine in frustration, not caring about his fingers at all.

"Dammit," Midorima muttered, tapping a few numbers and sliding several coins into the slot. He picked up the shiruko that fell out of the machine and headed out of the Winter Cup building, footsteps forever tap, tap, tapping. What would Takao say after this? He was incredibly dependent on the teen, he didn't think he could bare it if Takao quit the basketball team...or worse, leave him.

"Yo, Shin-chan."

And forever, Midorima was reminded how important Takao was to him and apparently, how important he was to the point guard.

"Takao..." Midorima said, his voice trailing away at the sight of his friend, faithfully sitting on the seat of the rickshaw. Takao smiled and, even though Midorima could see how forced it was, the ace was stunned by the attempt at cheeriness on his behalf.

"Thanks for today, Shin-chan," said Takao, tears starting to re-form in his steely grey eyes. "You caught all my passes! Well, except that last one...but still, only you could've done that. And when you stood up after that fall, man, I was so inspired! You know, we didn't win, but we kept our heads high and lost with dignity. All because of our shining ace-sama!"

The wind blew gently, rustling Takao's hair and team jersey. The weak smile blew up into a wide grin, the sun reflecting on his tears.

"I'm so happy I came to Shuutoku!"

Midorima stared at Takao, the little self-control he had regained crumbling under the tears of his friend. How, how was Takao able to smile for him in the shadow of their latest loss? They said Midorima was like Shuutoku's light and Takao was the shadow, but right now, looking at his friend, Midorima thought it was the other way around.

"Here," Midorima said, throwing the can of coffee which Takao caught, his eyes widening.

"What...?"

"Get off the bike, Takao," Midorima commanded, taking one step forward and wiping the tears off the raven-haired teen's face, off of where they didn't belong. A light blush played across the latter's cheeks and for once, words failed the point guard as his favorite ace pulled him into an awkward one-armed hug.

"Wh-Wha...?!"

Midorima couldn't help but smile as he put his other hand on top of Takao's head and pulled into his shoulder. He could feel Takao's erratic heartbeat against his skin which sent heat to his face. Reluctantly, he broke the hug and stared straight into those hawk eyes.

"I'll pedal today."


KYAAAAA! I HEART MIDOTAKA SO MUCH!

Oh come on, I know you guys do to.

Love forever!

~Joy Goldenpine