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"Isn't there anything in your life that you want? Just think of it." There was almost a 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 added at the end, the voice sounded so exhausted and so close to surrendering.
𝘏𝘦'𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦. Nagi noticed how this teacher is still trying, keeping his calm, not flipping off at him the moment he had said that there is absolutely nothing in his life that he wants to do, no friends or interests.
Oh right. Besides playing games.
"Games are fun." He corrects himself casually after a couple of minutes, the words come out quiet and drawn out, like it was so tasking for a teenage boy to open his mouth and speak.
The teacher sighs even harder, unconsciously pulling at his hair to calm his nerves. "Okay, we got one thing now but you have to try hard and—"
Yeah. No.
The moment he heard the words 'work hard' he tunes out, gazing at the window.
It's spring, the least bothersome season. A nap now would be nice.
It's a monotonous world that he was living in, nothing in it could spark his curiosity, make him 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵. He was accustomed to this solitary and listless routine, he didn't crave to be with someone so it was alright. There was no need for a sun to shine down and light up the corner he is keeping himself to.
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Passionate, admirable and gleaming so ever bright.
Nagi couldn't see what a person like Reo saw in him who was opposite in every way; lazy, unmemorable and dull. No matter how many times he says he isn't interested in football and tries to run away, the rich kid keeps on finding him and stringing him along.
And Nagi can't bring himself to refuse.
In fact, lately, he finds himself missing the boy's presence. It was unusual to not have constant chatter of his voice, or the comfort and peace that being carried by him brings.
With his head buried in his arms on the table he listens to the chatter, all the voice's but his friend's (was that the word that fits them? Nagi never had any friends before, besides maybe his parents having potential to be placed in that criteria) tuned out.
Reo has already made the teachers comply with his request of sitting right next to Nagi, their desks glued together the way they were physically nowadays. "I'll keep him focused in class." He said, like a liar.
He even got him a pillow to sleep on, top quality lunches and snacks to feed him whenever he asks.
Why is this person giving him so much? He observes, the proper way he carries himself contrasted his own sloppy and messy appearance. His eyes sometimes can't help but stray to that pretty face, bright and excited violet gems would always look back at him.
Nagi feels like he will get a stroke, this person smiled brighter than the summer sun. It doesn't make him draw back though, under the layers of indifference and aloofness it pulled on his unmovable heartstrings.
(Without him realizing Reo's smile gets added on the list of things Nagi likes together with games.)
Nagi was always the type to shy away from attention, it was bothersome and tiring, but he didn't mind Reo. It wasn't a pain if it's him.
"Reo…" It's inaudible, muffled by his arm but Reo immediately raises his hand, stopping the chatter of people around him.
"Nagi?" He glances at him, trying to figure out what he could have been called for. "Oh, you want me to get you a pillow?"
Nagi glances between him and the people that were visibly holding back a grumble because he interrupted their time with Reo. He couldn't care less what people thought of him, though he would listen sometimes and wonder why are they so curious about him who's just trying to be invisible. He himself didn’t know why the most popular person in this school was so interested in him and even went as far as to pamper him.
He didn't like it, the way Reo gave his attention to others and absurd things he gets asked for with such an ease. He did feel like Reo giving him things was more special, and he hasn't heard him call anyone else his treasure, but he wanted all of that reserved for him only. Why? He didn’t know.
But it was a pain. It made him irked. He misses Reo focusing on him.
"No, I'm hungry, take me to the yard." 𝘙𝘦𝘰, 𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦.
He moves off the table, his arms spread open, ready to latch onto Reo who glances at him and quickly nods.
Eating was a pain, he didn't want to move, the weather was perfect and his spot next to the window was the best right now and not taking a nap would be a waste.
Mesmerized by just how easily Reo’s expression changes around him– from a polite smile to an excited one– just at him reaching out to him, he couldn’t help but give all that comfort up.
With his face snuggled in Reo’s neck he closes his eyes to the feel of an even heartbeat. Unconsciously Nagi discovered what love was when his arms wrap around Reo’s neck, when Reo is simply 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦. It was enough if he was just being himself when Reo is by his side, it was becoming fun, the routine he built for himself was now broken in favor of feeling alive for the first time.
With Reo by his side, he wishes to always remain here, in the spring of his seventeens.
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"Deluxe bed acquired~" Reo beams, immediately jumping on his bouncy bed with Nagi joining him like the bed was his own.
"Yay~" Nagi feels like this bed was ten times better than the one he has, only a tier down from Reo's bed he had a chance to nap on a couple of times while Reo studied before they came to Blue Lock.
"I'll join too." He hears Zantetsu before feeling the bed dip under their united weight.
"Bahahaha! Damn you! You know that it's my bed right?" Reo scolds playfully.
𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨. Nagi wanted to point out but he was too tired from the last game, it was too much work and he'd rather go to sleep as soon as possible.
The moment discussion about the next game starts Nagi is deaf to the world. He believes Reo will work it out, he is amazing and smart so Nagi putting in effort wasn't needed.
He is at ease as he lets his body relax completely on the bed. Soon he feels pressure on his back and the energetic voice beams.
"The three of us are unbeatable!" Reo declares and everyone cheers.
The three of us.
Before it was always just him and Reo, this development was good though. Reo had more people appreciating him who were also good players who could help him with his dream. He was glad Zantetsu was with them.
Reo is truly amazing.
Reo rises up— still seated on top of Nagi with his legs on each side— and Zantetsu, who was pushed away by the suddenness of Reo's movement, falls backwards.
Oh right, Reo doesn't like people touching him. Nagi remembers how at first he thought Reo was just a touchy, physically affectionate creature like some other people horrifyingly were, but soon he noticed that wasn't the case. He avoided physical touch from others despite always initiating it with Nagi.
Nagi did as well, before Reo the idea of someone touching him was if anything, bothersome, maybe even unpleasant. But he couldn’t help but anticipate sleeping with Reo next to him. It seemed cozy in his mind, the slightly higher temperature than his own, and a refreshing faint scent of flowers that still remained despite the 13 in 1 Blue Lock shampoos.
"Reo, let's sleep." He offers and struggles to reach the pillow.
Noticing the movement Reo gets off him and claps his hands. "Alright everyone, sleep time!" He announces.
"Oh, I'll sleep on this side." Zantetsu moves to Nagi's right and Nagi immediately frowns, his arms thrown out to cover that part of the bed.
"No, I'm sleeping with Reo. Only I can, Dumbtetsu." The uncharacteristic grumble leaves the raven haired striker speechless.
"Whaa– Nagi?" There is a flustered cry when Nagi extends his arm and pulls Reo next to him on the spot Zantetsu was eying.
"Night…" He turns on his back and settles Reo on his arm on his side, eyes closing.
Having people see Reo’s worth and how good he was is one thing, but Reo being his partner was another.
Carrying, feeding, the arm that always draped itself around his shoulder or tousled with his hair was his only.
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“I’m not a slave. I’m Reo’s 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳.” 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.
He was the only person ever who will fit that label, him and Reo were together, and till the end will they be.
Listening to what Reo says has always been out of his free will, even if he was enchanted by his vibrancy and spiritedness. He wants to move for him when he needs to, and the urge culminates whenever Reo was in danger.
There was this proprietorial feeling whenever something that was exclusively reserved for him might happen between Reo and another person.
And there was also this need to protect Reo, not because he needs protection, but because Nagi couldn't imagine letting Reo get hurt in any way.
Yet, this person here almost made it happen. His blood was getting to his head, his breathing slightly heavier. 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳. Was he angry? Nagi didn't notice, it was an unknown feeling to him. All that mattered was that Reo almost got hurt, he couldn't allow that to happen.
“That outrageous argument and showing off Reo. So troublesome, you piss me off.” And Barou's response ticked him off more.
“Ah?” He wasn’t sure what this feeling was, Nagi before everything was a person that couldn't be bothered, a pacifist who never fought with anyone.
He felt like blasting this self proclaimed king’s face. He moves in closer, standing upright in an attempt to stare Barou down with his height.
There is now a hand on his chest, holding him back and without tearing away his gaze from Barou he attempts to listen to what Reo was saying.
He reaches out, his hand on Reo's to hold himself back, not noticing how Reo's cheeks flush.
“...” His eyes narrowed, the irritation didn't cool off but what Reo said was true. Still, it didn’t make Reo almost getting hurt better.
Alright, he will settle the score with Barou in the game.
“If you got fucked over by a slave then… You’re unfit to be a king.” It's like a death sentence, when he brings down the scythe and scores the goal.
King Barou… He wasn't a true king.
“Was that goal for me?” Reo beams next to him and he feels the familiar ruffle through his hair, it instantly washes away the remaining frustration he was feeling.
“Eh… Not really.” It was for himself. He was frustrated with Barou hurting what's important to him, and Reo said to settle it with a game so he did.
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Bachira flops on the chair, kicking his legs with a loud groan.
"Hwahh?" Nagi blinks, rubbing his eyes half asleep.
"I'm so frustrated!" Bachira turns to Nagi, "Listen, this one guy tried to kick Isagi!"
Even without feedback and Nagi’s eyes being closed shut he continues. “I feel… Ugh! I wanna beat him up!”
"Ehh, calm down. Didn't you say no to violence." The words were concerning so he finally responded.
"But–" He hears Bachira whine, "I thought you'd worry, he was the one who came with Reo."
Nagi nods, thinking that his part in preventing Bachira from commiting murder was done, then he pauses, "Wait, what?"
"The guy I'm talking about." Bachira says, nibbling on his thumb, still bothered by it.
"Oh." Nagi immediately springs up.
He didn't really pay attention to anyone. He was bad at remembering faces and he'd blur them all out, he was only seeking for Reo back then.
His eyes darken, the change in demeanor– from a lazy potato sack to incarnate of a reaper— startling Bachira. "Whoa! And I thought you were a pacifist?"
He was ranting to Nagi because he thought the laid back attitude of his would calm his nerves but instead he ignited a chance of possible Blue Lock murder scandal.
He really was a pacifist. Fights were a bother, he never got upset enough anyway so he didn't understand people who did.
"Reo…"
“I’ll tell Ego to call an ambulance…? Hahah… Don’t do anything bad Nagicchi!” Bachira mutters an apology, to Reo or even the rude player from earlier, he doesn’t know.
Wait… does Nagi even know how to fight?
Walking through the building complex helped Nagi calm down, but before he could turn back he saw him. Reo and eating a few seats away from him was probably the player Bachira had mentioned earlier.
Suddenly he remembers that one of their teammates was announced to be in medical care and Nagi’s vision darkens again, striding up to him.
“Have you hurt him?” He is leaning over the sitting Shidou, his frame casting a shadow down, his eyes bottomless black. 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨.
“Ha? Who the fuck are you?” Shidou looks at him, mouth open with a spoon close to it.
"You were with Reo, right? Did you hurt him?" He repeats slowly, voice dangerously deep.
Shidou takes a moment to register what this was about, and in face of danger adrenaline pumps him up. "Ohh~ my purple bun? He is useful, I wouldn't hurt him… Probably." He grins, his hands on the table as he strikes out, kicking at Nagi's side with his leg. But Nagi moves easily, dodging.
The commotion causes some of present players to gather, keeping a distance and chatting among themselves.
"Ah?" 𝘔𝘺, 𝘮𝘺, 𝘮𝘺… It goes through his mind, and Nagi decides he doesn't like it.
Only correct way to use that word was, "No, Reo is 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦." 𝘔𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳.
Wait that came out wrong. Or it didn't? Nagi brushes it off and focuses on more important issue, "Reo is a great player, and is great outside of Blue Lock too."
"Pfft, what are you on about? Who's yours?" The weird grasshopper like guy laughs, looking over Nagi's shoulder at someone.
"Just tell me if you did anything or not." He will keep an eye out, tell Reo to keep safe around him too. But that's not enough, his fist swings out, but Ryusei pulls back, the fist only grazing his cheek and nose.
"So the sleepy kitten has its fangs~!" He laughs, standing on the table before he swings back, right into Nagi's face.
"Ow…" Nagi whispers. He tries to strike back, then he realizes— it's the first time he is actually fighting someone. Fights were a bother and he never got mad.
Why was he mad? Why did what Shidou said piss him off?
"Stop–! Ego won't be happy to see you being so childish." Someone finally interrupts, coming in front of Nagi and he freezes.
"Aww, did you come for me?" Shidou grins and steps back, he was being restrained by Nanase and Zantetsu.
"..."
Reo doesn't answer so Shidou continues, "Oh, or is it for him? I thought he was a random ass tree since all he does is stand all passive. But I guess even he has his buttons."
"This isn't a place for this really, I'm sorry for what Nagi did." Reo decides to wrap it up and Nagi is confused by why was Reo apologizing for him.
"And you–" He turns towards Nagi sharply and Nagi blinks, taking his hand off his face.
"Reo, were you okay when—"
𝘋𝘳𝘪𝘱.
"Nagi?!" Reo extends his hands, holding on Nagi's nose and tilting his head up, "Sit down."
"That's dirty, Reo." Nagi states, noticing that his nose was bleeding and his blood was staining Reo's hands.
"I know, it is." He sounded irritated, but Nagi couldn't help but feel relieved at the hint of worry in it. Reo didn't drift away from him.
"Mhm…"
"You don’t make any sense, Nagi." Reo takes his appearance in and shakes his head.
"Eh?" Nagi tilts his head but Reo makes him look up again.
"Stop." He warns. "And… I just don't know what you are thinking about."
𝘠𝘰𝘶, 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶.
He doesn't say it, the words stuck in his throat and he blames the blood streaming down for clogging it.
"You always leave me behind, make me chase and then turn your back on me over and over." He goes on and Nagi can't help but notice how 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 Reo sounded. It suffocated him.
"..." Leave? He never left Reo, he always played with Reo at his heart. "I didn't leave you Reo, I just needed to get stronger for both of us."
"Huh…?" Reo looks up at him, and this time he doesn't push Nagi's face away when their eyes meet, "For us? What are you talking about?"
The answer to that wasn't clear to him because Nagi didn't really understand the question to begin with. So he takes a bit to answer, not noticing how anxious Reo was getting with each passing second.
He doesn't know the right way to express himself, how to put his words together– he never needed to. But because it's Reo he feels like he needs to say it, in any way he could, try convey this overflowing emotion he is nurturing for Reo.
"You're amazing Reo." Nagi whispers.
"I heard you the first time." Reo references to what he had said to Ryuusei.
"Yeah… so I'm sure you can make it. That you can climb up with me even if we aren't together. But I needed to go with Isagi… because he was the best I know so if I defeat him I'll be better for you."
He takes in Reo's expression, thankfully Reo was expressive so even to Nagi his emotions could come across, even if he doesn't always understand them.
He puts his hands on Reo's, peeling them off his face. He wishes to hold them but guesses that it would be gross, his blood was smeared all over them so he reaches out for the table cloth to wipe at Reo's hands.
"Nagi that's–?!" He looks petrified but Nagi is selectively deaf sometimes. Reo was too though, so you can't blame him.
"Did you think I left you for real?" There is something delicate in way he says it, "I'm sorry Reo, didn't know you felt that way. I…" his head feels empty yet overfilled, he doesn't know which words to pick, he always screws up.
"I only wanted to fulfill our promise, now I think football is interesting. But in the end it's only fun if it's with you. I don't want to play or be the best striker, to win the World Cup if you aren't there. I can only go on because I know how passionate you are, that you will catch up." That practically fries his brain, his lips feel so dry so he has to lick at them, and instantly he regrets when he tastes the metallic liquid.
"Yuck…" his eyes close in disgust and he hears Reo break out laughing, his hands still in Nagi, squeezing slightly.
"You're… An idiot." Reo groans, probably frustrated with the fact that he can't be upset with Nagi for too long.
"That's rude, Reo." He looks at him, relaxing. Yeah, him and Reo will be alright, he believes so.
It's that urge again, to lean in and press his lips against Reo's but he stops himself again.
Nosebleeds were such a pain.
He makes a note to do it next time he can.
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The moment game concluded his eyes went to Reo, who impressively almost defended that one goal orchestrated by Isagi.
Reo is truly strong. They can do it, next time.
They had to get even stronger for Reo, he will become the best striker for him.
Frustration of losing, satisfaction of winning. He had them both but that's not where he will stop, the reason he was getting stronger, chasing Isagi to defeat him, was Reo's dream.
At first he thought that even if he leaves Blue Lock, Reo and him can keep on being friends, but not anymore. Now he wished to stay by Reo's side till the end. He promised him that he would.
In reminiscence of their shared past, the happiness and the struggles, Nagi gets overwhelmed by the importance of Reo's existence of him. He tries to think of a life without Reo— he can't remember it, can't envision it. Instead, it's the future where they both win together.
Reo will surely smile the most happily when that happens.
His heart swells at the image and he takes a step forward in Reo's direction. He wanted to tell him, they got this, from now on they can do this together. Reo's dream has always been reality to Nagi.
"Reo–..." he reaches out and Reo doesn't turn to face him, his shoulders flinching.
"You saw it right…?" His voice comes out so broken. "We weren't the best Nagi. I wasn't. Isagi won again."
"... Yeah, we lost." He nods, they weren't the best. It was a fact, but it doesn't mean they can't be the best next time.
“Aren’t you going?” Reo questions, almost laughing at how fate was mocking him for choosing the same path once again.
"Huh?.. Where would I go? We are on same team." Nagi rubs the back of his neck, confused by the question.
"You—" Reo glares at him, frustrated.
Oh.
Nagi's mind fills with the image of when Reo shut him out for the first time, when he told him that he had abandoned him. He immediately opens his mouth, desperate.
"No, I'm staying with you Reo. We might have to separate again but at the end you're always the my goal I'll return to. I'll give you the World Cup Reo." Thanks to Reo, for the first time he felt like a protagonist of his own world, not simply an observer drifting about.
"What are you…?" It seemed like he didn't want to get swept by it again, "Why would you do that for me?"
"Huh?" What does that mean? "I'm doing it for me." Reo doesn't seem to believe him so he gets his mouth to open again, "I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 to be with you. That's why I'll always be with you, no matter which path life leads us to. At least that's how I thought before noticing why you find football fun." He sighs, talking was difficult.
"... What I mean to say is— now I truly want it too Reo. Your dream, please share it with me." He extends his hand out, it's awkward and an action that happened before his mind could process it.
Reo takes it quietly, there is something sad in the way he looks at it. It was painful to watch, seeing Reo like this.
"But what if… We aren't good when we play together? We always get read, Nagi." He says devastated.
"Reo–" Nagi squeezes his hand. He wishes to reassure him.
"No, Reo is right. You two aren't good for each other at all." Agi interrupts, his arms crossed in disdain.
Gaining their attention he continues, "You both did evolve, but you two suppress each other's skills. Killing the creativity, and killing the ego. Both of your egos are flawed to begin with."
"Hah, I thought you won't be coming back…" he tries to appear as usual, cheeky, but there was no bite in his words. "...So it's true, Nagi can't be the best with me." He says it like it devastates him, crushes his very being.
"What are you on about?" Nagi, the focus of this conversation, finally joins in. "We can't separate for real Reo. We can't break up just like that."
"Break up??" Reo and Agi ask in unison.
"Yeah…? We are together, the whole time??" It was pure shock to him. For Nagi, him and Reo were lifelong partners since the day they meet. He didn't realize it right away— till that day on their high school field— but it was how his thoughts worked.
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘦, 𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘯. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘯.
"Wait, what 'together', Nagi?" Reo asks serious, trying to get on same page as him.
"Uhh…" Wrong person to ask, Nagi didn't have an ounce of experience in relationships of any kind before Reo. Not even with his parents so what he could attempt to word is what he saw from the world around him (when he cared enough to notice it).
"Nagi…" Reo sighs, it was like a confirmation to him that he is the only one who loves here romantically, wants to kiss Nagi, make him a star, he was his treasure.
Nagi feels Reo's hand slide out of his, and he catches it again. "Ah uh…" he looks at Reo's face and does the thing he feels is right to do.
He leans in, eyes closed as he presses his lips against Reo's. He is unmoving because he isn't sure how it works, so he waits for Reo, who was frozen still, to react.
Eventually holding his breath back becomes tasking so he pulls back.
"Pwahh…" he takes in a deep breath. "That?" He hoped his actions were clear enough. Since his relationship with Reo wasn't something he could put into words.
Oh besides maybe that, "I want to stay with you til the end. And we promised… so I thought… Reo?"
He glances at his silent partner who was blushing, pointing at him "Wha… what?! Who taught you that??"
Agi, who is slowly stepping away wonders if a kiss like that can even be taught.
"Ehh? What are you talking about, Reo?" Who taught him what? "Oh, the kiss? Move we watched, some bypassers too." He shrugs.
"I… I just can't with you." He rubs his forehead, processing. "No wait… The partner you've been addressing me as… Was it like, as in 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥?"
"Oh, yeah that word existed too. You're my boyfriend Reo." He corrects himself and he likes it, how the word sounds rolling off his tongue together with Reo's name.
Reo's face flushes deeper, it was an discovery he couldn't catch up with. He wasn't single, he was dating Nagi— in Nagi's mind at least— all the while??
"Why are you so surprised. You were the one feeding me and taking care of me like a wife would." Nagi squints, it was his turn to be confused.
"A wife?! Don't be stupid Nagi, I was just…" He can't deny it, he was trying to pamper Nagi because he loves him.
"I'm not." He denies the accusation.
"That's not the problem!" Reo shakes his head, "I've… I loved you all this while. I thought you left me, broke my heart, and yet…" his voice cracks, the wounds still hurt, even if he knows the truth now.
Both of them hurt each other deeply.
"Reo…" Nagi whispers while watching Reo's figure shake faintly, pulling him into a hug.
Just before he could hug him back the background noise makes Reo realize where they were.
"Wait no-" Reo moves away and Nagi's heart sinks.
But he quickly continues, "Let's move from here, my treasure." Reo tugs at his hand, a familiar smile Nagi adores on his face as he leads him out.
"Mhm, my chameleon."
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“Is there anything you want? Now that you’ve won the World Cup.” The reporter tiptoes, trying to get her mic close to one of Japan's league representatives.
Seeing her struggle a beautiful man next to them smiles politely and offers to hold it for them.
“Ehh…” Nagi Seishiro looks at the camera and appears to think for a moment.
“I don’t really want anything. I have everything I could possibly need since I was seventeen.”
Hearing this Reo whips his head to look at him and the reporter's curiosity ignites.
“Football? It’s said that you started playing at that age. It’s amazing really, so late compared to your peers and yet you’re one of the top three strikers out there.” She sings praises and as always the chameleon couldn't help but join.
“Of course, he is the treasure I’ve found–” He starts the trademark sentence of his, there are video compilations of each time he says it, and they last for hours.
Nagi wasn’t listening to the second part or what Reo was saying, no, he scrunches his nose like he is listening to bullshit.
“Football? I mean, it’s fun now, I enjoy it and all. But I meant Reo.” He pulls his partner by his waist, kissing his cheek. “I only want to be able to stay by his side, always.”
Chigiri chokes on water he was drinking and Kunigami is trying his best to stop his laughter while reminding him to breathe. Meanwhile Reo is falling apart in Nagi’s arms like it’s the first time he’s been kissed and the reporter has to catch the mic he drops. He half wants to hide, his face buried in Nagi’s shoulder, and the other half wants to bolt out of here but not before headbutting Nagi who casually continues, suddenly remembering something.
“I heard Reo won the number one, uhh, what was it again?” He wrecks his brain for the title of the article Chigiri had shown him. It read something with Reo being most desirable to marry, with addition of many peoples comments who wanted a chance with him. “Anyway, he is even more amazing than you all say but he is my partner. You absolutely can’t have him.”
The press wasn’t sure what in the world could be an appropriate answer to an over 190cm young man holding his teammate's waist possessively with a cute pout so silence ensues, but not for long because Reo felt like he will die if he doesn’t get away from here.
“Stop, stop, let’s leave…” Reo pleads and Nagi looks at him, “...Yes, boss.”
He thinks that maybe Reo is tired, after all he is shaking in his arms so he uses his strength to lift him up with one arm despite their similar height, carrying him while ignoring his teammates rolling their eyes, Rin telling them to drop off the face of earth, and Reo who lets out a surprised cry.
Snapping out of it the reporter adds, “What is Mikage Reo to you?”
"My miracle." He answers without halting, the mess in his arms frozen still at those words.
A miracle, a partner, a sun, a dream, his ego.
All of that and more, and yet maybe none of those were appropriate. Reo made Nagi who he is, he was the bringer of colors and light in his dull life. Mikage Reo was the whole world to Nagi, and he adored that world and the dreams he gave him.
“I hate you, so fucking much.” Reo lifts his head up, cupping Nagi’s cheeks and he could see tears in them, threatening to spill, but before he could kiss them away Reo already leaned in.
Soft. It’s what he feels on his lips for a mere second and then a tug at his hair.
Nagi gets the sign of it and gets moving.
"I love you too." There is a ghost of a smile gracing his lips.
They stayed inseparable as they’ve been at the beginning, maybe even more now.