Chapter Text
Heartbreaks, Midorima thinks, are like death. They can change a person so much, it could pass up as a murder. It comes in all shapes and forms. He's sure what Kuroko felt during middle school was a form of heartbreak. What Takao felt when Teikou beat their basketball team in middle school was heartbreak. When Takao saw Midorima as a teammate was a heartbreak. When Midorima watched Takao walk away after graduation, where the entire basketball team got drunk at the back of Ootsubo-san's car and Takao whispered to Midorima, Shin-chan, I can't pedal today cause I'm drunk ! was heartbreak.
Heartbreaks can only happen if one lets the other person have the power to break their heart in the first place. Midorima unknowingly let Takao have that power. It was his greatest and biggest mistake.
Because until now, as he reads the invitation for Takao's wedding, he's still killing him.
#
"Are you going, Midorimacchi?" Kise asks the next day Midorima had gotten the invitation.
"To where?" Midorima asks back.
Kise sighs in the other line like he knows what Midorima is doing. "Takaocchi's wedding?"
Midorima is a doctor. He is beyond this kind of idle talk. "What's it to you if I come? Or don't come, for that matter?"
"You're going to make me say it?" Kise's voice is amused. "Which one of my reasons would you like to hear?"
" Kise ."
"Fine." Kise breathes. "Just so you know, you are going to be his best man."
Midorima's heart drops. He didn't think Takao could be this cruel. "Why?"
"Because contrary to popular belief, Midorimacchi, you are his friend and former partner. He likes you even when you're being a dick."
"I need to go, Kise."
"Kurokocchi is right. You are a coward." And Kise hangs up.
Midorima won't even deny that.
#
Here's how it goes: Midorima hasn't talked to Takao in years. Outside the social obligation in weddings, birthdays and other parties that their friends invite them to, there's no communication between Takao and Midorima.
It wasn't a fallout. They didn't have a fight. It's just that one day, they stopped talking. Whatever relationship they had fizzled out.
It's not like it was a big deal, then. They weren't Kagami and Kuroko who are too attached in the hip, that took the light and shadow title in a different level, even in a different level than when Aomine was Kuroko's light.
But overtime, when Midorima isn't busy in college, when Akashi, Kuroko or Momoi will hold a gathering for Teikou members, and the rest of them will bring their person, when Midorima is alone in his thoughts, it hurts.
It hurts.
It took him years to realise that what he feels is a heartbreak.
#
The first Miyaji calls him a week after he receives the invitation.
"We were thinking of going there together and we were thinking that you have to come." Miyaji tells him and his voice says there is no room for argument. You are coming. End of discussion .
And even if Miyaji-san isn't his senpai for years now, the feeling of Miyaji's authority in Midorima's person doesn't really go away. "Miyaji-san, I…"
"You're going to talk to me?" Miyaji asks. "You're going to tell me why every fucking time there's a gathering for Shuutoku members, you're always MIA?"
"I don't want to go, Miyaji-san." Midorima says. He's rarely honest. He doesn't want people to see his weak side. He doesn't want people to cut him open and find all his weaknesses but this is something he has to do. "I was in love with him."
" Were you?"
"I am ."
Miyaji sighs. "Alright, Ace-sama. I'm coming over to your hospital. What time are you available?"
"Why?"
"We will get drunk. Wait. Let me call Kimura and Ootsubo, too. We'll make it an affair. We won't tell Takao."
"But, why --"
"Midorima," Miyaji's voice is gentle. "Midorima, the man you love is getting married and you are the best man."
Midorima doesn't say anything but it's all Miyaji needs as a confirmation.
#
Midorima wakes up because of Kimura's loud snoring.
They all winded up in Midorima's apartment after they bar hopped. Midorima hasn't consumed that much alcohol for years. The last time he did it, it was graduation and Takao was already pulling away from him.
There was a notification in his phone. He checked it and it was Miyaji tagging Midorima, Kimura and Ootsubo in a picture. It was blurry but it was obvious all of them were drinking and minus Midorima who looked uncomfortable, the rest were of them screaming in excitement.
Takao commented: HEY! WHY WASN'T I INVITED? YOU EVEN HAD SHIN-CHAN THERE?!!!!
Midorima closes his phone and resists the urge to throw the phone against a wall.
Stupid Takao. Stupid, stupid.
#
The next day, a hangover hit everyone but none of them complained. Midorima contacted the only person he knows who wouldn't question his bad decisions.
The knock is gentle, Midorima opens the door and finds Kuroko, blinking at him.
"Midorima-kun, good morning."
"Kuroko." He looks at Kuroko's hands. "I said medicine."
"Taiga-kun insisted on cooking breakfast for you all. He said something greasy is recommended but if not, he also made soup."
Midorima gives Kuroko space to enter his apartment. In the living room, the other three are sitting with cups of steaming hot coffee in their hands.
"I smell breakfast." Miyaji announces.
"Yes, I bought some." Kuroko tells them.
They all look surprised at Kuroko's presence but too tired to react.
"Jesus. I haven't felt that in years." Ootsubo smiles.
"Kagami has come home?" Midorima asks Kuroko.
Kuroko puts the bags on the dining table. "Yes. Just last night."
Kagami and Kuroko got married years ahead from the rest of their peers. They were already engaged in college and when Kagami got drafted by the Chicago Bulls, they got married. Kuroko took Kagami's last name but it's not like Midorima is about to call Kuroko that.
It isn't until Kuroko hands Midorima the medicine he asked for that Midorima says, "He's getting married and he wanted me to be his best man."
"You are certainly the right choice for the job."
"I don't want him to get married." Midorima grits. "I'm selfish and greedy."
"And yet you do nothing to jeopardize his relationship." Kuroko tells him calmly. "That's why you are the right choice for this."
"I don't want it."
"Life isn't fair." Kuroko looks wistful for a moment. "When we were younger, I loved basketball so much but I wasn't blessed with the talent. Every weapon I had was created by hard work. I barely survived by the skin of my teeth but I still played and won matches and met the love of my life." He looks at Midorima, his face expressionless but his eyes say a thousand words. "So, maybe life won't give you what you want but it certainly will give you what you need and deserve."
Midorima closes his eyes. "If he asks, I'll say yes."
Kuroko doesn't say anything. Just hands him a glass of water and Midorima tries not to cry.
#
Midorima texts Takao, for the first time in years, to tell him that he's going to attend the wedding. Takao texts him back almost immediately, and then the expected happens.
You know you're the best man, right?
Kise had told me
He doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut.
I'd be honored .
Midorima is anything but honored.
#
Midorima arrives with the rest of Shuutoku members, and their coach who looks at Midorima like he's seeing him for the first time.
Takao welcomes them, with a smile on his face. He cut his hair, and he looks taller, more built, more mature. Beside him is a woman so beautiful, Midorima bites his tongue so hard, he tastes copper.
"Waaah! I haven't seen you guys in forever!"
The wedding will be held in a hotel near the beach. My fianceé likes the sea , Takao had said when he told Midorima the venue. I didn't ask , Midorima had replied. Don't be like that, Shin-chan!
"Well, not to me. I was with these rascals just a few weeks ago." Ootsubo grumbles.
Takao pouts. "That's right! Shin-chan even came out of his cave to drink with you guys! I wasn't even invited!"
"Because you're annoying." Miyaji comments. He wraps an arm around Midorima's neck and cuffs him. "Anyway, we need to take a rest. This guy has been complaining --"
" -- I have not --"
"Guys," their coach sighs. "Seriously. You're acting like children. You are already an adult."
But Miyaji just drags Midorima away. "Midorima, can you handle having to look like the world didn't fall apart for a few days more?" Miyaji whispers.
Midorima breaks. "I don't know."
"It's alright, dude. Relax." Miyaji replies.
#
Introductions were made when Miyaji and Midorima left the group in the entrance. The wedding is a three day affair.
"Her name is Seka Aya. They're co-workers." Their coach tells him. "Takao told her you're the best man."
"Yes. I accepted."
Their coach looks at him, incredulously. "That's not a good idea."
"Yes. I know."
"Oh, Midorima." Their coach sighs. "What are we going to do with you?"
#
More guests came, but it's mostly on the bride's side. It isn't until he sees Kagami that the rest of Shuutoku perks up.
"Yo, Shuutoku." Kagami greets them.
"Kagami Taiga, the ace of Chicago Bulls." Miyaji whistles. "I fought against an actual NBA player."
"I wasn't an NBA player then."
"Semantics."
"Hello." Kuroko says.
All of them jump. "Jesus Christ, don't do that!"
Kagami shrugs and holds Kuroko's hand. "We'll be going to our room now."
"Oh, hey! How about we play? It's getting boring here!" Kimura asks.
The rest of them nod.
"Sure." Kagami looks at Midorima. "I'll take you on."
"Don't be ridiculous." Midorima raises an eyebrow. "I have never stopped practicing my shots, Kagami. Even if you're a NBA player, I'll win."
"Exactly what I needed to hear!"
"Then," Kuroko bows. "We will come back shortly."
They do come back and before they start playing, they see Takao run towards the gym.
"GUYS! YOU GUYS ARE UNFAIR!" Takao yells. "Wait, wait, let me play! Where's Shin-chan's team?"
Midorima sighs. "Takao."
"Come on, Shin-chan! I'm your partner!"
Was, Midorima wants to bite out. I was your partner.
There's a bit of shuffling around then the game starts.
Midorima's team gets the ball and someone passes it to Takao. It looks like he's about to shoot it himself but Midorima knows better -- he knows Takao like the back of his hand, he is going to pass to Midorima. Midorima positions himself for shooting, and Takao accurately passes it to Midorima's hands and Midorima shoots. Even before it lands in the basket, Midorima starts going in the opposite direction to find Takao, already there, smiling.
You are killing me
, Midorima thinks