Title: The Outside Angle

Summary: An account of Midorima's and Takao's relationship through the eyes of their classmate. Foremost question: does Midorima ever smile? Acquired answer: apparently so.

Notes: Just a disclaimer that I do not know how school committees work in Japan.

"Hey. That's your crush," Miura Fumiko says, chin tilting up towards a figure in the distance.

All four girls turn to look in that direction, and the one whose supposed crush was in the vicinity did a 180 degree change in expression the moment she saw who it was. Previously sporting an eager glint in her eyes, she rolls them now and with a slight pout, says, "He's not my crush. He's my eye-candy. There's a difference."

"Whatever, you think he's hot," Fumiko shrugs and the tallest of the four, Hideko Asami, scoffs.

"What!" Ishimaru Kihara protests. "He really is."

Her eyes follow his tall frame, trailing after him as he slots a few coins into the vending machine to purchase a can of shiruko.

"Too tall," Fumiko comments.

"Too grouchy," Asami adds.

"But don't you think he looks absolutely dashing when he smiles?" she counters dreamily.

Matsuda Hanae listens in on her friends' conversation in mild amusement as she continues munching on her bento. While she agrees with her friends' sentiments about her green-haired classmate, she can't fault Kihara for selecting Midorima as her eye-candy. He was better-looking than the average guy. And Kihara did have a nerdy/future-doctor type after all.

Her ears are attuned to their banter but her eyes are trained on Midorima Shintarou, who's making his way back to the school block. It's surprising not to see a certain raven-haired boy next to him.

"Yeah, but have you ever seen him smile?" Asami questions, tone challenging and sceptical.

"I have."

It is not Kihara who speaks, but Hanae, and all eyes turn to her now.

"You have?!" Kihara exclaims, eyes as wide as saucers. "When?!"

Ah, maybe she should have kept that to herself. Kihara shakes her shoulders vigorously and Hanae almost goes dizzy with the way her head rolls back and forth.

"Tell me!" she demands shrilly.

Yeah, she really should have kept that to herself.

Matsuda Hanae shares the same class as Midorima and Takao. She knows they're good friends, best friends even, given their inseparability and uncanny synchronization with each other. She thought being classmates with them would be rather eventful, since Midorima's part of the Generation of Miracles (Takao was just sucked into the whole thing) but it turned out to be more…underwhelming than she expected.

It has to be because of the shooting guard's stoic and aloof personality. It made him unapproachable and in more serious cases, worked against his favour socially. Speaking of his personality, Hanae must admit she has not met anyone who wore such a sober countenance all the time. She wasn't the bubbliest, but even she could tell when it was too much. Midorima Shintarou is a case in point.

He gets all serious when he's answering a question in class, uptight when it comes to those lucky items of his and frowns even when he's doing trivial things like jotting down notes. (It's not like she was staring, but sometimes when you're drifting off because the teacher won't stop droning, that head of green hair makes him an easy target.) If he's so grumpy all the time, it made Hanae wonder when he's ever not. And more importantly, does he even smile?

Apparently so, as she came to discover one fine evening after softball practice.

She was on her way out of school after storing the ball cart back in the club room. As usual, she was one of the last to leave, together with her seniors, because dedication is one of the factors that helps you clinch that captain position next year. She had already parted with her seniors as she headed towards the bicycle stands to retrieve her ride.

On her way there, Hanae noted that the gym was still open and its lights switched on. She knew for a fact that it was being used by Shuutoku's basketball club, since she usually sees them training during her own softball practices. She barely registered the squeaks of sneakers and muffled voices from the gym as she admitted to herself that the basketball club was probably one of the most dedicated clubs in school.

As she walked past the opened doors of the gym, she wasn't surprised to see the familiar figures of her classmates. She was aware of their post-practice practice after all. What she was surprised to see instead was the barely-there, small yet genuine curve of Midorima's lips. She didn't stop to catch another look, but she was fairly certain of that tender smile in the split second of her witnessing it. So out of place on the usually-stoic expression, yet so natural to see it in that moment.

For some reason, it made her feel a little guilty. Like she saw something she wasn't supposed to. Maybe it was the affectionate pair of emeralds that accompanied the smile, or the mirthful laughter that came from the one it was directed at. It made her feel like she was intruding on an intimate moment. Which was weird, because the only other person present was Takao, and what could he have done to make him smile so tenderly?

Perhaps then, she should have not acted so astonished to catch them on the rooftop. After all, she already had a peek of what their relationship could be.

She didn't sneak off to the roof often but today, she needed some peace and quiet and the roof was a place that offered the luxury of both. So she didn't expect she'd have company. Or rather, she was the company, for the roof was already occupied. The occupants? The same two people she supposedly intruded on a couple weeks before. Except this time, she really felt she was intruding because Takao had his head resting on the taller boy's shoulder, seemingly asleep in the warm sunlight.

Which was probably why Midorima's smile was the first thing that popped into her head. And also why she didn't waste a single second in ducking behind an electrical cabinet.

That…did not look like something friends would do.

As much as she wanted to respect her classmates' privacy, her curiosity proved much more compelling. Surreptitiously, she pokes her head out and watches from a distance, relieved that she was behind the two and wouldn't get caught unless they turned around (who's catching who now?). They were leaning against the fence, bentos packed and stacked on top of each other by their side. Hanae could only guess Takao was peacefully asleep, by the way his shoulders rise and fall with steady breaths.

It was indeed a good day for an after-lunch nap. It was warm and breezy and so, so quiet. Hanae wondered if Midorima was asleep as well. She hoped not, because who'd wake them up for class? Certainly not her, she sure as hell would not be giving herself away. If it comes down to it, she'd just leave them here and wish them luck.

But then, Midorima stirred, pushing himself off the fence to turn to Takao. He sported a hesitant expression, as if grappling with himself on whether he should just go for it or not. It seemed like his impulsive/spontaneous-self won, for he dipped his head and pressed a chaste kiss to his friend's lips.

Hanae sucked in a breath, eyes growing wide at the secret now exposed to her. Midorima lingered for a few seconds before leaning away and Hanae darted back behind the electrical cabinet in tandem. She was not one to feel embarrassed easily but this time, she genuinely felt like she was intruding. She pressed her shoulders against the metal, heart thrumming in her ribcage. As much as she was surprised, she was…enlightened.

Oh…so they were like that.

A lot of things started making sense now.

It's no wonder Midorima doesn't flinch when Takao touches him, when he avoids physical contact with others if they so much as stand too close to him. It explains his markedly different attitude towards others, one that is less tolerable. Speaking of which, he seems to be able to endure Takao's antics, which should already ring a few bells given how serious Midorima is with just about everything. That wouldn't count as tolerance anymore, it'd be acceptance. And Takao must really be something to be able to achieve that. Turns out what he needed to be was Midorima's boyfriend.

Another puzzle piece fell into place when Hanae realized Midorima's seemingly lack of interest in the opposite gender. He never paid them too much attention, even when the boys were gossiping about them and egging each other on to confess to whomever. He never took part in any relationship-talk. And his eyes never once trailed after Shuutoku's beauty, a hazelnut-haired senior, when every boy's gaze would follow her until she sauntered out of sight.

Hanae scoffs as she thinks about how obvious it all is now that she has witnessed this.

She doesn't know if Midorima was blushing after stealing that kiss, or if Takao had woken up because she shakes her head and quietly leaves the roof.

For some reason, she protects their secret, even keeping it from her close friends. Something like this…it wasn't her place to divulge.

So giving away any hint of her knowledge of their relationship was entirely…unintentional.

It's been a few months since she was privy to their relationship when Hanae lets slip that she knew something the others don't. She was with the members of the health committee, which Takao was also in. During one of their obligatory meetings, they somehow veered off the agenda (which wasn't much in the first place) and started chatting about non-committee matters, like how Takao and Hanae should be glad they didn't have Kitagawa-sensei as their homeroom teacher, and how the couple from class 2-6 were caught hanky-pankying in the library the other day.

"So who caught them?" Takao asked, listening keenly to Hayashi and Ryoko, who heard of the incident first.

Hayashi snickered before answering, "Goto-sensei."

The five members erupted in all sorts of laughter, from guffaws to chortles and scoffs.

"Of all teachers," Takahiro wheezed out, "They just had to be caught by the most conservative one!"

"Shit," Hanae swears, amused as she imagined what the scene must have been like. Goto-sensei must have stuttered what an outrage it was. "What type of punishment did they get?"

"Two weeks of detention each," Ryoko answered.

"And they're not allowed to sit near each other in class," Hayashi added.

Takao scoffed at that, "As if that'd stop them."

"I know right?" Hayashi agreed. "They weren't even embarrassed or remorseful."

"I bet the only thing they're remorseful over is getting caught," Takahiro quipped.

"Well, they should have chosen a more secluded place," Takao commented.

Hanae laughed through her nose, "Yeah, you would know something like that."

The room grew quiet and Hanae curses internally as she met Takao's enquiring eyes for a split second. She was about to salvage the situation but before she could say anything, Takahiro cut in.

"What? Takao, don't tell us you have some girlfriend we don't know about!"

"Who?!" Ryoko exclaimed.

"I don't!" Takao denied, trying to play it off as nothing but a baseless assumption. Hanae must admit he was a natural when it comes to such things. If she didn't know better, she would have fallen for his deception. (Well technically, he really didn't have a girlfriend but the point wasn't the gender.)

"Then why would you know about secluded areas huh?" Hayashi probed, nudging Takao in the arm.

"Oh you know me," he answered flippantly. "Always exploring and finding new places for the heck of it."

"Yeah right," Ryoko said, not buying it yet. "You're always with Midorima-kun. And I highly doubt you go exploring with him."

Hanae held her breath and hoped they don't pursue this conversation topic. Because if they found out even a morsel of information regarding the dynamics of Takao's and Midorima's relationship, it's all on her. Hayashi made a strangled sound at the back of his throat and to Hanae's chagrin, said, "Ugh, you hang around him too much Takao. You might get some of his quirks just by way of distance."

Hayashi was a fun guy to be around, he just speaks his mind a lot. Hanae risked a glance at Takao, who was about to retort, eyes growing defensive. And without thinking twice, she interjected, "Like eating paper in the middle of class isn't weird."

"That was one time!" he exclaimed dramatically. "And you know if Hanazono-sensei saw what was on that paper, I would die!"

"That's for being perverted," Hanae taunted.

Fortunately, the conversation steered away from Midorima Shintarou once Hanae turned the spotlight to Hayashi. She released a sigh of relief when the others joined in to make fun of Hayashi and his repertoire of other weird habits. When she glanced at Takao and caught his raised eyebrow and questioning eyes, she slanted her own away.

It was only when the group dispersed and Takao and Hanae were on their way out of school that the point guard made an attempt to confirm his suspicions.

"So," he started, trying to keep his tone light-hearted. "How'd you know?"

"Know what?" Hanae feigned ignorance. She honestly didn't want to reveal that she knew.

"Come on," Takao scoffed, not buying it.

Hanae sighed. "I saw you guys."

"Doing what?" Takao was quick to ask. It made Hanae raise her eyebrows but she tried not to think about it.

"Nothing much," she said evasively. "I just saw you on the roof."

"Hmm…" Takao said pensively, sifting through his memories. Shin-chan and he did quite a few things on the roof, nothing too risky of course. They saved that for the more secluded areas after all. He figured Hanae must have caught them being touchy or kissing or at most, making out. It was a little bit weird to be walking next to the person who caught you being furtively intimate.

"And I saw the way he looks at you."

"How does he look at me?" Takao asked with a lilt in his voice.

"Just different," she answered vaguely. "It's the sort of expression you rarely see on someone like Midorima. Like it'll kill him to lose you."

There were a few seconds of silence before Hanae added, "Are you blushing?"

"Maybe," Takao grinned, covering his smile with the back of his hand. "You ever thought of joining the drama club instead of the softball club?"

"Shut up."

It had gone quiet between them until Hanae chose to speak up again.

"I won't tell."

"Hmm," Takao hummed and looked at her. "I know."

"So he was with Takao-kun," Kihara muses.

"Well he is pretty amusing," Asami quips.

Hanae wants to laugh because it was not the way they thought it was.

"Oh!" Kihara exclaims, an idea forming in her head. "If we get close to Takao-kun, we get to see more of Midorima-kun right?"

"Don't say 'we' like we'd agree to that!" Fumiko chides.

"But it makes sense right?" Kihara probes.

"I suppose…" Asami responds.

As her friends talked, Hanae couldn't keep in her laughter anymore. It would make sense but it would be equivalent to approaching Midorima through his boyfriend. In this case, Hanae thought it was absurd and the best thing is that they didn't even know it. (And it wouldn't even work in reality because she highlight doubts Midorima was gonna crack a smile if he wasn't alone with Takao.)

Hanae's laughing in earnest at this point, bentou forgotten and hand slapping against her knee.

"What's so funny?!" Kihara asks, utterly confused.

Hanae looks at her friend and continues laughing.

"Hey Shin-chan," Takao calls as he wraps his legs around Midorima's torso from behind, jostling the shooting guard as he tries to read. "What would you do if someone knew about us? Someone at school?"

Midorima frowns out of habit at the way Takao is entangling himself around him, but welcomes the warmth as his back meets his chest. He turns the page and says, "Does someone know about us?"

"Yeah," Takao's voice is right at the shell of his ear but it wasn't his warm breath that made him perk up and put away his book.

Midorima turns around and Takao has to unwrap his legs and stop propping his chin on his partner's shoulder.

"Who?"

"Matsuda Hanae," he answers simply.

"Oh," he adjusts his glasses. He remembers her as the rather boyish girl. "How did she know?"

Takao would be lying if he said he wasn't surprised with how calm Midorima was taking it.

"She saw us on the roof."

Midorima quirks his eyebrows, giving Takao a look that says, "I hope she didn't see us doing what I think she saw us doing."

Takao waves his hand dismissively and replies, "She probably just saw us kissing."

A simple, affectionate act but it still makes Midorima look away.

"She said she won't tell," Takao assures and scoots closer to Midorima. He starts to play with the hem of Midorima's shirt, tugging just a bit to reveal a sliver of his clavicle.

"You believe her?"

"Yeah."

"What makes you so sure?"

"She found out quite some time ago and she didn't say a word, at least not that I know of," he says. "But you don't see other people knowing about us."

Midorima releases a noncommittal grunt. He lets Takao play with his shirt for a while before pulling his hand away because it's going to stretch the fabric damn it.

"What if she does tell?" the shooting guard asks. The apprehension is not apparent, but Takao's perceptive enough to catch it. "Or even if she doesn't, what if people know?"

Instead of feeling glum at the change in mood, Takao looks at Midorima teasingly.

"Isn't that the same question I asked you?"

The way his eyes widen tells Takao he did not expect such a light-hearted response to an otherwise heavy question.

"I'd—" Midorima curses internally when his breath hitches. "—Still want you."

"Hmm?" Takao lets out a pleased hum. "Even when the world is against us?"

"Not everyone is against us," Midorima counters and fights the urge to roll his eyes.

"Even if the people who matter are against us?"

He doesn't need to name anyone to make Midorima understand. Midorima didn't exactly come from a liberal family. They had to be quiet and sometimes sneaky when Takao came over.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," he says firmly. "And you didn't answer the question."

"I'd stay," Takao answers in a heartbeat. "No matter what."

To know the truth of that statement is to rely on time itself, but for some reason, Midorima didn't need time to tell him how true that statement is. He doesn't realize his cheeks are growing pink until Takao climbs into his lap and closes the distance between them.

He's so warm, he thinks, and finds himself following Takao's lips.

End

Notes: Argh, sorry for the use of so many OCs in this one, especially when it's already the 2nd last chapter. I noticed there was a lack of MidoTaka fluff, that's why I added that last scene in. I also like to think that Midorima has admirers (I mean look at him, he's gorgeous), just wow, it's already the 2nd last chapter…thanks everyone for reading! I'm glad you guys enjoy my ideas. The last chapter's gonna be a little bit different, see you!