Work Text:
Time felt like it was moving in slow motion as the U-20 match drew to a close. Even though Reo had only been subbed in after the half, he was completely exhausted from guarding Ryusei Shidou for most of his play time.
Just before he was truly out of gas, the referee finally blew the whistle signaling the game was over. Time stopped again for what felt like the hundredth time that day, and then the crowd burst into a roaring mix of screams and cheers.
It was blue lock’s victory and the people of Japan, despite their home team losing, were ecstatic after watching that intense battle. Reo brushed hair strands out of his face and tilted his head to stare at the star filled sky above him. They had actually won. Everything around him was background noise as he began processing their victory and what this meant for their future.
His teammates were on the offensive side of the field celebrating their heads off. Meanwhile Reo stayed on the defense line perfectly content with knowing blue lock had succeeded. He noted that even Gagamaru had run off to join the others.
Reo smiled to himself and sighed heavily. It felt amazing to win, he wanted to keep experiencing this forever.
Suddenly, Reo was snapped out of his thoughts after hearing someone shout his name. Turning to face the call, Reo only had a couple seconds to register just what, or who, was flying at him.
It was Nagi, and he was running away from the chaos straight towards Reo. Before he could react, a 6’2 body crashed into him and the two of them collapsed backwards to the ground with a loud thud.
Thankfully Nagi had wrapped his arms around Reo’s head because the last thing they wanted was another player injury. Reo was sure Nagi had picked this trick up from Isagi and Chigiri. He couldn’t blame them honestly, he probably would have tackled Nagi too after a goal like that. Now Reo wasn’t so sure if he should thank them or curse them as his whole body ached from soreness under Nagi’s weight.
“We did it Reo,” Nagi finally said while leaning up a bit to look at the player beneath him.
Still speechless from the air quite literally being knocked from his body, Reo was even more surprised by Nagi’s use of “we.”
It was so bizarre reflecting back on everything they had been through. At that moment, their time in blue lock felt like a fever dream. How the hell did they even let football, the very thing that brought them together, drive them apart? And seeing Nagi so excited above him almost made all his internal suffering worth it. Almost.
For now, Reo was overwhelmingly happy. So he burst into a fit of laughter as a result. He laughed at their ridiculous situation and at the surreality of how far they had come. They traveled on separate roads, and it appeared that they had reconnected in the middle again.
It was a shame Reo laughed with his eyes closed, he happened to miss a different kind of flush coating Nagi’s face that wasn’t caused by the adrenaline rush of just finishing a football match.
“Yes we did. And there’ll be plenty more wins just like this one. We’re just getting started,” Reo finally responded after calming down.
Nagi only hummed in agreement and made no efforts to move. The other guys were too noisy, he liked it here with Reo.
“Also Nagi, I can’t breathe,” Reo added. At that Nagi finally noticed he was practically crushing Reo and shifted to stand up. Nagi reached out his hand for Reo to take and helped him up as well.
Reo began to brush himself off as Nagi scratched the back of his neck awkwardly and spoke.
“That was awesome what you did back there. When you copied me and stuff. We totally would’ve lost without you watching our backs.”
Reo cringed a bit at the mention of watching backs. Sure he didn’t hate playing center back, but what he really wanted was to be a striker alongside Nagi. Though from his position Reo was able to copy a lot of talented people and moves, it was actually pretty fun. He didn’t mind the experience as long as he was finally on the same field as Nagi again.
“Thanks, you were really great yourself. As usual,” Reo returned the compliment, but he noticed Nagi was very concentrated on the floor of all things.
No longer looking at Reo, Nagi was struggling to find the right words as if they would appear on the turf they stood on. It was a look Reo was familiar with, so he waited.
After a long pause, Nagi made eye contact again, and Reo knew he was being serious.
“Let’s play football.”
Reo found the air being knocked out of his body for a second time that day. Who would’ve anticipated that Nagi would revisit their old and broken promise?
Reo assumed he’d be chasing Nagi’s shadow for a while until he was worthy enough to catch up. He was fully prepared to evolve until Nagi acknowledged him again. All Reo ever wanted was to be enough for Nagi.
So was this his way of accepting Reo? Was this match enough for Reo to prove his worth? Nagi was never the best at words either, Reo knows him better than anyone.
All this time Reo realized he had it backwards. Nagi wasn’t a tool for him to use to achieve his own aspirations. They had to reach the same level to get what they both wanted.
Nagi was always shining above him, so Reo was surprised that someone as undeserving as him was qualified to play Nagi’s vision of football. And if this was the moment Nagi was letting him on board, Reo would take the jump without hesitation every time.
Reo chuckled and lifted a fist towards Nagi.
“Of course idiot, that was my goal from the start.”
Nagi smiled back and bumped Reo’s fist. Their new promise was now set in stone. This time, it would be different. The two of them were on mutual understanding about what they each wanted to aspire for.
Nagi would become one of Japan’s best strikers, and Reo would be there by his side supporting him as an equal. Together they’d guide Japan towards a World Cup victory. Something that used to be wishful thinking was now their reality.
The two blue lock players were once again on a path towards the same goal, hand in hand. Quite literally in fact, because while Reo was distracted Nagi had taken a hold of his hand and was dragging him towards their teammates.
“Come on then. Everyone is waiting for us.”
And all Reo could do was grin as he congratulated, hugged, and high-fived everyone in sight.
The rest of the night passed in a blur. They had returned to the locker rooms to change out of their sweaty uniforms. Since this was blue lock’s stadium, they were being escorted back to the blue lock facility to rest for the night. Reo suspected everyone was dead tired from screaming their lungs out previously because it was decently quiet while they all got dressed.
Even though he was exhausted as well, Reo felt lighter than air. Almost all of his stress had dissolved and several weights had been removed from his shoulders.
Reo shrugged his blue lock jacket on when he felt a light pressure on his right shoulder. It took him a second to realize it was Nagi’s head perched there. He had snuck up behind Reo and was beginning to wrap his arms around Reo’s waist.
“Reo I’m tired,” Nagi whined.
Reo caught Nagi’s wrists before they were able to circle all the way around. Nagi’s eyes were closed, and Reo could feel his drowsiness. He had just won Nagi back, but it was an old habit to take care of him. So Reo turned around to face Nagi and after a moment pushed him towards the locker room exit.
Reo knew Nagi was not his possession, he was a person with his own thoughts and ambitions too. But his feelings for Nagi couldn’t ignore the half conscious striker in front of him.
“We can sleep on the bus, not standing up. Let’s go home.”
This time, Reo made sure to sit next to Nagi instead of avoiding him and his own problems like he had been the past few weeks. Even though their relationship required a brief separation, Reo had to admit he was looking forward to getting along with Nagi again. They had to individually work on themselves before they could be together, and Reo really missed being together.
Once they were both seated Nagi got comfortable by leaning against Reo’s side. Reo adjusted to the weight and leaned on Nagi in return as the bus filled up silently.
“Thank you Reo,” Nagi mumbled. Reo intertwined their fingers as a response and finally let himself relax. It was the most peaceful nap he had in ages.