Chapter Text
It's been months since Nagi had a chance to fall asleep in the softness of Reo's bed, last time being before they separated for the second selection. There was a feeling of everything being right once again, but he was aware that they still lacked, there was a gap between them, so much to say. That would have to wait though, Nagi's priority was proving his ego to Reo, but how was he going to go around that, anyway?
Was ego something that could be shared? He thought that Reo's ego was his own ego, the way their dreams intertwined, because Nagi on his own had nothing at all, everything was Reo's who shared and made it theirs.
It was his turn to give something to Reo.
Answer to what that is most likely laid in tomorrow's match, and because thinking was a pain he decides that it's time to let himself fall asleep. Reo refused to speak to him till he claimed him back (Nagi knew that even if he doesn't do well Reo would still play with him, but he didn't want it to be that simple. For once the easiest way was something he wanted to avoid), or rather he was desperately trying not to, his eyes would shine every time he saw him, then he'd shut his mouth in an attempt to hold himself back.
Still, because it was Reo who could never keep his hands off Nagi, which Nagi adores and reciprocates with snuggling into him and tangling their limbs together, he was more than happy to drag Nagi under the covers with him (ignoring the baffled look they were getting from Chigiri).
The warmth he had missed so dearly was inviting, making Nagi slip close to dozing off at any second, but he was trying to stay up for a bit more, just to lavish in the weight of Reo's arms warped around his waist, in the smell only Reo had. It was nostalgic and calming and only now did he realize how badly he needed to have it envelop him once again.
He falls asleep, dreaming of Reo smiling at him, their times before Blue Lock, and Nagi wishes to see Reo that happy once again.
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Truthfully, the match was going horribly. Not too bad, but Nagi didn't do anything at all just yet. It was the second part of the match but the score was tied, 0-0 at that.
No matter what he tried to do, he'd get blocked or it wasn't enough, no good passes designed just for him, or he'd be too slow and Chigiri would steal the ball, trying to shine like the princess he was, but he also would get shut down. The opponents were in a similar position, they'd start, make it to the defenses which Reo led, and get shut down by him.
Nagi turns to face their goal, Reo at the center looking back at him, his gaze hard with a frown both from worry and his inability to do much from there. He knew how much Reo disliked playing the defense, he was undoubtedly good at it, but Reo was someone who liked to control the flow of the game at the front (and play next to Nagi, because he was the only one for him).
Both sides needed something to trigger their hunger, make it bigger, devour the entire field.
"Nagi–!!" Reo yells from the back, a reminder, a warning, a cheer. It was all of that. Nagi had to move, he had to win.
Seeing the determination behind Reo's gaze, feeling their dream shaking and quivering for him, he moves.
He steals the ball from Otoya, running at the goal when Bachira catches up to him, his quick footwork stealing the ball back and scoring.
1-0
He turns to Nagi, breathing out heavily, his pupils blown wide from excitement. He keeps his gaze at Nagi, dragging on and stabbing with each familiar word he says.
"How unlike you. Are you trying to throw the game?" Bachira wasn't smiling, it was a taunt, as well as something said out of concern for his former teammate that was in shambles. And also, he couldn't show his best sides and captivate the world if his opponent wasn't trying hard enough.
"You don't actually still think…" Bachira turns to Reo, "... That you will be chosen even if you lose? If I'm being honest–"
Then he glares back at Nagi, "The way you're right now, you will never catch up to Reo. He will get an offer and be out of your grasp." Bachira was evolving, for himself, for the sake of challenging Isagi once this was over and remaining by his side.
Nagi had to do the same, he had to get better, find his way to the goal, to Reo. He introduced him to the curiosity and excitement behind football, he was going to win with him, they were climbing their way up and he couldn't let himself fall behind. Otherwise everything he did, not playing at Reo's side, would all have no meaning.
"Yeah… You're right." 𝘙𝘦𝘰, "I'm getting serious." Bachira reminded him, he had everything he needed on this field, he needed to make use of it, he wasn't creative, but his body could do anything. He just had to move, that was it, move for Reo. Think about the goal, the victory, their dream. It can't be fulfilled if he doesn't try hard, and the mere thought of him and Reo not winning the World Cup, worse yet– Reo leaving him, fills him with immense dread.
It would have been fine at first, not playing with Reo and getting eliminated from Blue Lock; he'd simply play games and wait for Reo to become number one and come back, then they'd stay together after that. But it was different now, he wasn't simply going along, he wanted this dream too. Win with Reo, 𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘰.
It took him seconds to snatch the ball back, running at the goal, ignoring everyone else, it was him against everyone, a challenge that made adrenaline kick in together with the feeling of being a protagonist.
He was alone for so long, it wasn't lonely back then, but now he couldn't be without Reo. He will show everyone here, he was the one Reo chose, the only person who could be at his side. Reo was his, his dream.
1-1
It was the pose he did during the U-20 match, pumping his fist like just now, but next, his fist drops slightly, aimed at Reo.
The audience cheered, thrilled by the new development, that the game was finally starting but also coming to an end.
Reo didn't move from the back to run and jump at Nagi the way their other teammates did, it wasn't enough just yet. Nagi had to dedicate the winning goal to him. Both of them were hungry for it. A want, a need, it clawed at Nagi's guts, unfamiliar greed overtaking him. He never felt it before, but now it was directed at Reo.
One more, one more goal.
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The final victory goal was Nagi's, concluding the game at 2-1 for Manshine City.
His body crashes hard against the ground and he quickly scrambles himself up, not caring about the soreness of his body as he looks back to find Reo. His mind filled with him, if Reo had seen him, if he had proven to the world whose treasure he is.
Met with the sight of Reo running at him Nagi feels himself close to tears. It was a strange feeling, one he had experienced only once before when leaving Reo for the second time. But now it was different, his chest didn't feel heavy, his body wasn't shaking, he wasn't sad. He was overjoyed, Reo crashes him down again, making them both collapse on the grass.
"You…" For once it was Reo who lacked the words, and it was Nagi's turn to speak. It takes him a few seconds to find where to start, he wasn't good with words, he never had them so the time it took him to start was enough to calm their breathing down, their chest heaving up and down slowly against each other, in sync. 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰.
"I proved it to them… didn't I?" He feels a faint nod, Reo's nose brushing against his neck.
"Am I your treasure again?" Nagi continues.
A shake this time, and Nagi freezes.
"Always… you always were." Reo's voice was barely audible and Nagi could only hear him because he spoke next to his ear, his hot breath almost tickling. Good, he thinks, his body relaxing against the ground, his hand on Reo's back, caressing slowly, stroking up and reaching the soft purple hair to play with it.
Both of the teams, the audience in the stadium and everyone else who watched from their homes felt as if they were intruding on something fragile and personal. They couldn't hear what they were speaking about, but the softness on white haired boy's expression, the small smile, it was addictive but it gave them all a feeling that maybe they should look away. Let them be in their own moment.
"Can we… stay together even after you win the world Cup…?" Nagi's voice breaks for the first time, it was something he had realized but never asked about. The way he and Reo used to be was as if they won't ever separate, but coming to Blue Lock made him realize what Reo's dream was, and that he wanted to share it with him but he was scared that he didn't exist beyond that dream.
Reo stiffens, quiet.
"Shut up. It's we, not me only." Reo leans on his elbows and rises, his gaze makes Nagi hold his breath back, afraid that whatever was about to happen would scatter if he moves. Reo leans in.
Chigiri, who was not too far away from them, notices that Reo is about to kiss Nagi and drops his spare jersey on them, to prevent them from being seen making out on live television, shocking the world with that more than all of Nagi's super goals together did.
Nagi couldn't see anything, but he focused on the feeling of Reo's lips against his. "You're such a pain in the ass..."
"Is that a yes?" His voice was weak as he kisses back softly, breath shallow, cheeks wet.
"You can't live without me, so obviously." Reo sniffles, his tears also dripping onto Nagi's face. It was like finally their hearts laid bare against one another, a moment so vulnerable and emotional.
There was a moment of silence before they both laughed.
"Yeah, I can't be without you, Reo."
It was going to be alright, the top of Blue Lock, the World Cup, the end of the world together. They can get it all, side by side.