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His word appears on his skin when he is six.
The word tingles when it is appearing on his knee, and Tenma just looks at the letters that materialize. The word is simple: it’s soccer. As soon as it is written, Tenma just looks at it for a couple of seconds before running behind his soccer ball, the word is already forgotten on his skin.
He is six, and he doesn’t know what the soulmate's words are.
Tsurugi is seven when a simple phrase appears on his hip. Tsurugi is trying to take a nap when the skin around his hip tingles. Let’s play appears on his body, the letters are kind of sloppy like the words have been written by a child. He regains his consciousness when the phrase appears and he looks at it scared. Where does it come from? Has he written it in class or something? But Tsurugi can’t remember if he did it. Maybe some silly classmate, or his brother when he came to the hospital to visit him. When hours pass and Tsurugi doesn’t feel like it hurts, it’s when he finally relaxes. When he wakes up tomorrow, he’ll ask his parents and he is sure that they will know what this is about.
When Tenma is thirteen, he enters Raimon to play soccer at his club, befriend his teammates and be the best soccer player in the whole world. This has been a dream of his since that time when he was young and almost died, but a boy saved him with soccer, of all things. Tenma feels like he owns soccer his life, so he wants to play with Raimon, the school that won the Frontier tournament.
He enters the school and as soon as he reaches the soccer club, he feels his skin go cold. A boy, probably his age, is standing in the middle of the soccer field, hurting his teammates.
Of course, Tenma doesn’t stay still and confronts the boy.
When the other boy looks at him, he feels the skin on his knee tingle, the word feels like it is on fire. He looks at the boy, and he isn’t scared, not anymore. The word on his skin gives him that stupid braveness, while the other looks at him like he might stab Tenma.
When Tsurugi looks at the boy in front of him, his blood boils, but his mark also burns. It burns hotter the more he looks into his eyes. He sees his hands trembling, ones that don’t match the fierceness in his eyes. Tsurugi decides then that he doesn’t like that boy.
After all the mess, Tsurugi stays on the team, even if he doesn’t come to training. Tsurugi still feels his skin burn when he looks at Tenma, but he doesn’t understand why. He thinks that this is because he hates the other, so he must have a physical reaction to the boy.
When Tenma discovers about his brother, he can’t look at Tsurugi the same as before. It isn't pity, this, he knows. He just knows what the word helpless feels like, the hollow chest and the empty hands, but so full of wanting something.
Tsurugi doesn’t say anything to him and tries to forget anything that happened between that hospital visit and the next play they have to go to. But of course, Tenma is the first one to approach him after Tsurugi betrays the Fifth Sector.
They fall behind in the dressing room, Tenma looking at his hip when the other is changing his shirt. Tsurugi has seen Tenma’s mark too, but the two of them seem to have made the silent promise to not say anything. Maybe, they know the truth, but maybe, they don’t want to see it.
‘’I’m glad you finally decided to help us.’’ Tenma starts and offers him a tiny smile.
In return, Tsurugi stays quiet, almost breathless, as if it was the first time someone said a nice word to him.
‘’Okay.’’
‘’Now we are friends, right?’’ Tenma smiles and offers his hand for the other to take.
Tsurugi stays silent but shakes the other’s hand, unable to make eye contact. The feeling of Tenma’s skin feels heavenly, and he silently wonders how much time has passed since someone touched him gently. He isn’t a fragile thing for sure, but can someone like him be treated like he deserves something?
After that, Tenma sticks to him every day. At class, at training, and even sometimes he accompanies him home, chatting about the day or just talking about random thoughts. He also accompanies him to the hospital, and Tsurugi is absolutely not pleased when his brother and Tenma seem to get on well almost immediately. They do not talk about their marks, long forgotten since the last time they saw each other’s words in the dressing room.
Tsurugi feels at peace, now that he has a friend, someone who doesn’t judge him and sticks with him, even on the worst days.
‘’Shouldn’t you tell him about your mark?’’ his brother asks one day he comes alone.
Tsurugi touches the skin the word is in mindlessly; it doesn’t feel any different than the skin on his leg or his arm.
‘’I don’t know if this is for him.’’ he says.
‘’Do you know the word he has?’’
‘’Yeah, we have seen each other’s marks, but we never asked. I don’t think it’s for the other, though.’’ Tsurugi says after thinking.
"I see."
Then a comfortable silence stands in the room, the two brothers thinking.
Tsurugi doesn't think that his mark is for Tenma, even if sometimes, he would rather have that. Someone familiar, who isn't afraid to be near him at all times. Someone who comforts him without realizing it, someone close. Tsurugi thinks this and thinks about Tenma. Tenma, who is completely oblivious and only cares about soccer. Tenma, who he hopes, thinks at least the same of him as Tsurugi thinks about him.
"Did you do the history homework? I stayed up late playing and I do not have them." Tenma says the first thing in the morning when they meet at the school gates.
"I'll lend it to you." Tsurugi answers.
Tenma smiles brightly at him, and everything is easy.
When Tsurugi wakes up, he doesn’t feel anything strange, but his mark burns so badly against his skin that he has to splash water on it. He doesn’t know who his soulmate is, even though he has a feeling creeping under his skin that he might know them.
He goes to school, has his classes, and goes home. Every day, for a couple of days. His brother returns home and offers very vehemently to Tsurugi to play soccer again together.
‘’I miss playing with you, brother.’’ Yuuichi says, and Tsurugi can’t say no to his older brother. They both go to the river and play again like they are children.
Tsurugi has this feeling under his skin that tells him that something is strange but decides to ignore it and indulge his brother in his wish.
When he goes to sleep, his mark tingles but nothing else happens.
The next day he wakes up, Tenma has blown up his phone with messages. A warm feeling installs in his gut, and he smiles.
The Shogunate era has a light breeze that tastes like new beginnings. His teammates and he are resting by the riverbank, Tenma excitedly talking about this period.
‘’We should really be looking for Okita, we need him to help us.’’ Tenma says.
Tsurugi studies his face for a long time, deciding to tag with him in the search for the man. Kinako also tags with him, excitedly chattering about how excited she is to finally have some kind of power for herself. Tsurugi doesn’t mind being powerless; situations have always worked out in the end for him.
When Okita falls down, Tsurugi is the first to run. The determination in his eyes is hard to ignore.
You remind me of someone I want to protect is left unsaid, but he thinks the other man has seen it, too. Okita doesn’t hesitate to lend him his power, and Tsurugi feels warm. He misses his brother, and he misses home.
‘’Thank you for reminding me that I’m still alive.’’ Okita says to him after the match. Okita has a soft look in his eyes while he looks at Tsurugi, and Tsurugi doesn’t believe in reincarnation, but maybe this is the closest he will ever be to playing with his brother again.
‘’I’m curious about the mark you have on your hip. Is this some type of modern art I’m not aware of?’’
‘’This is called a soulmate mark.’’ Tsurugi simply says. He lifts his shirt and shows the word to him. ‘’Apparently, this is the word my soulmate said the first time they spoke.’’
‘’And you know who is that soulmate of yours?’’ Okita’s eyes are now on Tenma but he doesn’t comment anything.
‘’I have an idea.’’ Tsurugi says.
The thank you is left unsaid, but Okita can see it with the look in his eyes.
‘’I’m sure everything will work out in the end. I’m wishing you all good luck.’’
Tenma starts talking to Matatagi. It isn't a surprise per se; after all, they are teammates and they have to spend a lot of time together. It isn't difficult to see why Matatagi was appealing to Tenma: Matatagi reminds him of himself some time ago. Matatagi is always watching everyone carefully, but his expression doesn't waver. It stays cautious, weary.
Tenma spends a lot of time with him and Tsurugi kind of forgets how to breathe, without having someone at his side who remembers to teach him how to inspire and exhale.
Shindou notices, of course, and so does Ibuki, who instead of asking, just tells him to train together. Tsurugi plays and plays, until he doesn't have to breathe anymore. He just has to play, and everything on his mind disappears. Tenma watches him closely, the captain's band on his arm feels tight, but now that sees the eyebags under Tsurugi's eyes, it's tighter than ever.
Being a leader isn't easy for Tenma, but they have to save the earth, and every weakness they have is a point against them. So, don't cry, breathe, and scream.
Everything is quiet when they stop at the planet Sandorius. It's always red, and it gets less comforting at night.
It's late at night and dark, but the spot he is in is faintly illuminated. He is alone because Ibuki just gave some excuse to him to not train that night and left him wandering through the new planet. Tsurugi didn't mind that much, but now, he would appreciate some company.
And as the angel he is, Tenma appears next to him sitting on the floor, without saying anything.
The air is humid and heavy, but it does not feel that bad with Tenma at his side.
"Are you alright? I haven't talked to you for a while." Tenma says. His fingers are drawing random patterns on the floor, and his eyes are fixated on the ground.
"... I'm fine. Just tired from moving all day." Tsurugi decides on this answer because really, he is fine. He just can't say that his chest burns every time he sees Tenma with Matatagi and that his legs don’t feel strong anymore to walk away. He wants to go home and forget everything that's happening. But he is fine.
"Are you sure?" Tenma asks again, and this time he looks right through him. Tsurugi feels his breath hitch in his throat, his heartbeat skipping a beat, and suddenly, he does not remember how to talk.
Tenma seems to understand because he stops drawing and approaches him more, putting his hand on top of his. If Tenma feels his hand hotter than normal, he doesn't comment on it.
"This situation is stressful." he simply says, and then closes his eyes, breathing slowly. Tsurugi watches as his chest goes up and down with air and wishes he could do the same, but his hand is warm and he has also forgotten how to breathe when he is near him.
"But you are the captain. You are the best in the slot, and nothing can go wrong with you here." Tsurugi finally says. He doesn't know where he finds the strength, but he intertwines their fingers together. Tenma does not seem to mind, because he smiles and his shoulders relax. He slumps against him and hides his face on his shoulder, exhaling a shaky laugh.
"I wish I was the best for the team. But because I can't be the best, I have to fight with what I have."
But you are the best for me, Tsurugi wants to say. But the night doesn't feel appropriate, and it doesn't seem like Tenma needs to hear that. Instead, they stay slumped together, their fingers intertwined, and a lot of words in their throats.
Tsurugi wakes up in confusion in front of a girl he does not know who begs him to just do as she says. Of course, he says no. But he doesn’t know how but ends up staying at her side discovering more about the whole tournament. His heart aches because he misses Tenma, but he knows that this is his most important mission. Then, he can return home.
While he is away, his mark stings. It feels like hot iron is pressed every night when he isn't thinking. He touches the skin around and it doesn't feel bumpy or irritated. In the end, he thinks it is because he is away from his soulmate. He does not dare to say the name out loud, but he is almost sure that he knows who it is. If he thinks about Tenma, the pain goes away momentarily. At night the pain is more difficult to ignore. He thinks about Lalaya and his mission, and he wants to go home.
Tenma thinks Tsurugi is acting strange. After their conversation that night, the other acted more distant and barely talked. He barely plays, too, but he thinks he can understand. He knows the team is tired, but having Shindou there helps. Shindou helps him when Tenma can't think of another way to do things, and for this, Tenma is grateful. Shindou has noticed Tsurugi's act but does not comment on it. He is too busy picking up fights with Ibuki to realize that everything is crumbling and they can't do anything. Tonight, Tenma goes out and lays himself in a grass field in Sazanaara. This time he is alone, and he wishes he weren't. He has left his captain's band in his bedroom, he couldn't stand looking at it for more time. He wishes everything were easier. The skin around his knee has become scratchy too, and he knows what it means. Tsurugi is away, so his skin hurts. He has known for a long time what the mark meant, and who it was dedicated to. When everything finishes and they save the earth, he was going to talk with Tsurugi, so he can know if his mark is about him, too.
Tsurugi looks pretty in purple, Tenma thinks. His eyes seem a little bit dead, they are red and he has eye bags, but Tenma has missed him so much that he still finds him the prettiest boy he has ever seen. Tsurugi doesn't smile once at him, but he constantly touches the skin on his hip and Tenma knows. Tenma's mark is uncovered today, a thoughtful decision and completely on purpose because he wanted the other to see. He doesn't know if he can win this, but he has to. He has two missions: save his home and bring the boy he loves back.
Tenma is silently crying and Tsurugi hasn't hated himself this much since a long time ago. He has to do a lot of mental strength because his legs are pulling him towards Tenma unconsciously. Tenma looks the prettiest he has ever seen, even if he is crying and his hands are shaking. Matatagi is at his side and Tsurugi is happy that at least Tenma has someone to rely on right now, even if it isn't him.
The galaxy seems endless when they look at it. Their hands are intertwined again, Tenma's face hasn't abandoned his neck for at least five minutes since they have sat here. The room doesn't have any light, but the stars outside make it shine faintly.
"Do you know about the mark, right?" Tenma says. He kisses his cheek and looks at him, his hand still on the other hand. Tsurugi blushes, but nods.
"Mine has hurt for a long time. At first, I didn't know why, because you were at my side. But then, I discovered the fake Tsurugi and I understood."
He traces the word above the tracksuit, wrinkling the material. The touch is comforting, and he smiles when he remembers the word.
"You must have been a more soccer freak than me if I have this word on me." Tenma smiles and his shoulders relax as if telling a secret. He whispers, then." I think yours is stupider than mine. "
Tsurugi laughs because he is blushing like crazy and doesn't know what to do other than to kiss Tenma because he loves him and he has missed him, and suddenly the space isn't endless and he doesn't feel empty anymore. The mark on his hip burns for a moment and then a pleasant buzz is in all his body as if everything has been settled.
"My mark is cooler than yours." Tsurugi says smiling. His mouth hurts from smiling so much but he can’t help it.
Tenma’s eyes are glowing while looking at him and he is sure he is blushing like crazy but he just loves the boy that it’s in front of him.
‘’That makes us also stupid, don’t you think?’’ Tenma says. His eyes are closed while his forehead rests against Tsurugi, his voice a whisper among them, a secret shared only for the other to hear.
Tsurugi can’t help but feel loved. Having Tenma as his soulmate is the best thing that could have happened to him. A pleasant feeling navigates his entire body.
‘’Probably.’’ Tsurugi whispers and gives him another kiss, not having enough of the presence of the other after being so much time separated.
When they separate, Tenma is looking at him with so much adoration that he feels himself blush again, but instead of looking away he brushes his hand against Tenma’s skin, and that’s when he realizes that the feeling he is floating in must be love.