Archive of Our Own

Nagi adored when bustling crowds erupted in all their excitement. His chest was filled with immense pride, his arms were wide open as if trying to embrace the north stand in its entirety. Euphoric supporters were jumping on their seats right in front of him, some were hugging with one another, some were crying tears of absolute joy. The whole stadium was roaring his name and Nagi could hear the echo of every single voice reverberating throughout his sternum. His heart was racing, violently pulsating, climbing up the walls of his throat. He truly felt alive, every cell of his body seemed to be jolting along with the delirious enthusiasm surrounding him.

Nagi closed his eyes. His breath was still coming short after what had been a long run and an extraordinary result. Reo had gifted him with an overly perfect cross from the left and Nagi had intercepted it with ease, scoring a goal worthy of the clinical finisher role he was aiming at. The match had been stuck in a tie until then, until the very last minute when Nagi had the ball reach the back of the net.

Beads of sweat kept streaming down his face and he seemed to shine, beaming in glory, under artifical lights and camera flashes. He felt hands on his shoulders, so he turned around. Reo jumped on him, moved by pure exhilaration. Then, everyone else had followed and before he could realize it, Nagi found himself buried under a pyramid of ecstatic teammates. Nagi opened his eyes. It was chaos all around him, but when he looked up, he saw Reo and he suddenly felt conscious of how they were glued to each other and their faces were close too, to the point Reo's nose was brushing against his.

He was laughing, Reo, he was beautiful and he was happy and Nagi felt the urge to feel that happiness, lean in and cut the ridiculously small distance between them. He didn't do it, though. He couldn't do it.

But Reo was bolder than him and taking advantage of the many people around them hiding the two from the public, too caught on the general celebration to notice them, he placed one kiss on Nagi's forehead.

"We won." He then whispered, sounding thrilled. "You were amazing. Amazing." And when Reo's lips brushed against his ear, Nagi could only shiver in response, strangely captivated by the praise. Strangely enjoying the weight of Reo's body on his.

Then the reporters came and the interviews. That day, Nagi was a big deal. The game itself had been a big deal. With that victory and with those three points, Nagi and his teammates had succeeded into building a rather safe and satisfying gap between them and the runner-up for that year, bridging the path to the championship title.

And Nagi, former bench warmer, had been the one rewriting the fate of the match, proving his worth and letting everyone know that he was there and, at his young age, he could do even more than that.

However, as much as Nagi could appear impactful on the pitch, he never knew how to talk to journalists. He completely lacked the ability to elaborate his thoughts or maybe, to be fair, he lacked the desire to elaborate. So, whenever he was asked if he had any analysis over his team's performance, he never knew what to say, he never knew how to answer to that kind of questions. His replies always came out too brief, too dry, but the reporters didn't seem to mind, as long as he smiled for the cameras once or twice. And Nagi did smile for the cameras. He looked a little bit awkward while doing so, but still, he smiled. He was just a footballer after all. Nobody was expecting eloquence and brilliant insights from him. His main concern was to get the ball in when it mattered the most, that was all.

He liked the simplicity of it, he genuinely liked the actual simplicity of football outside of all those theoric notions he was trying to get a grip on anyway. He was still serious about studying, about elevating himself through knowledge and books. He hated to read, but he knew his efforts would pay off one day. They were paying off already. More or less.

On his way to the locker room, Nagi got high fived by people he had never seen, people he had never talked to, people who had always ignored him. It was weird, to be in plain sight all of a sudden. He hoped his good performance could guarantee him a more regular starter position for what had been left of the season. He needed that, he needed the consideration, he needed the experience. The World Cup wouldn't be handed him for free. 

"Good game." The team captain had playfully ruffled his hair as they crossed paths in the corridor, sporting bag on his shoulder, fresh out of shower. Shower, Nagi truly needed a shower. He bowed respectfully and his hands moved in order to open the door for the locker room.

"Oh, and... Seishirou?" His captain called him again, so he turned around. "I'm sorry, but... it's kind of a tradition here, so... I apologize on everyone's behalf." He said.

"Sorry about what? What tradition?" He asked, his right hand still palming the door.

"You scored a brace, didn't you? Your first brace of the season, right?" A smug expression appeared on his face and that one expression must have meant something, but Nagi didn't seem to be able to get its meaning, so he tilted his head, confused. "I really can't tell you anything." The older guy was clearly amused. "You'll have to see yourself." And then he left only for Nagi to feel quiet puzzled.

He shrugged it off, not thinking too much about the odd exchange and he finally stepped into the locker room. A very distinct smell of sweat mixed with shampoo and cologne made his nose itch. The chattering was unstoppable, the laughter was loud and the mood was high. Everyone seemed to be gushing with an uncontrollable excitement. Nagi looked around, his eyes fleeting, darting everywhere, searching for Reo. Then he saw him. He was there, sitting on the bench as he casually talked with one of their teammates. He was glowing, Nagi found himself thinking.

Two months. Two months had gone by since Reo had made it into the starters rooster. At first, just to replace an injured teammate, but then Reo had slowly started making a name for himself, finding his own identity. So, the position was his now. Permanently.

Everybody loved him: their team, their coach, their athletic trainers. Sports journalists always seemed eager to have him on their channels and Nagi was pretty sure he had heard him mention the chance of starring in a commercial. Since he had left the bench, their team had recorded a total of zero defeats. Reo was making a difference.

And Nagi was not falling behind. Dethroning their team's current striker wasn't easy, but he was working on it and now that everyone had seen what Reo and him were capable of, out there, on the pitch, paired together, he knew he was going to succeed. It was just a matter of time.

As for now, Nagi was just standing by the door. He could hear the water pouring from the shower stalls. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait too long for his turn. His muddy jersey wrapped around his chest was starting to feel uncomfortable and he definitely couldn't change clothes without taking a shower first. Then his gaze fell on Reo, once again, for no particular reason. It was a habit to look at him, to seek for his presence everywhere he went. It might sound weird, but Nagi simply liked to stare sometimes. He liked to stare at him and take notice of his every feature, of his every expression. It was calming, somehow.

As he quietly stared, Reo seemed to notice and their eyes met. His lips curved up in a warm smile. "Hey!" He said and everyone else turned around to look at him.

"He's here!" One of their teammates energetically announced. "The man of the match! The one who led us to win today!" And cheers and joyful shouts followed. Nagi was glad, of course, thankful, but he didn't know how he was supposed to react. So he just stood there as everyone vigorously patted on his back.

"Okay, enough, bring it here." The vice captain ordered and the guy next to him quickly disappeared inside an empty shower stall. The atmosphere was different now, he could feel it and everyone was clearly snickering. Nagi sensed danger.

"What's going on?" He asked, but he received no response and when he glanced at Reo, the latter mouthed a sincere I have no idea, so Nagi could only wait. Then, after a few seconds, the same guy re-emerged from the shower stall, holding in his hands what seemed like a huge bucket. Its contents unknown, but it was blue, definitely blue.

"What's that?" Nagi tried again.

"This is victory." Their vice captain answered truthfully. "A little sticky and unpleasant once it gets in your underwear, but still victory."

"What?" Nagi furrowed his brow, alarmed. Then, the vice captain grabbed his arm and raised it all the way up.

"To our new ace! Nagi Seishirou!" He uttered solemn. "And to his superb brace!" He added and let go of his arm as he moved back.

The last thing Nagi had seen had been the bucket and then everything had turned blue. He closed his eyes before the strange liquid could hit. Then it crushed on him and everyone applauded. He ran his tongue on his lips and he tasted whatever had been thrown at him. Blueberry. 

Nagi opened his eyes. Completely soaked hair was falling on his forehead and yes, it was true. It felt particularly sticky down there. "About the floor, just use the mop over there to clean up and you'll be fine." The vice captain recommended as he patted on his shoulder. "You did great today, so, seriously, congratulations. We'll be counting on you from now on." Nagi just nodded, his body kept shuddering because of how freezing the energy drink felt against his skin, but he was content.

An infinite series of good job, cool game, nice play, had Nagi bow endlessly as he kept standing there, dripping on the ground. Then, everybody left and Nagi was finally alone. Alone with Reo who was staring at him, laughing.

"You knew about this?" Nagi frowned at him as he tried to wring out his shirt.

"I told you, I had no idea." Reo assured him and Nagi couldn't do anything but believe him. "Go take your shower." Reo told him. "I'll take care of the mess here."

"Thanks." Nagi quietly replied as he took a step forward towards the stalls.

"Nagi." Reo then called.

"Uhm?" He turned around.

Reo was still chuckling, his grip firm around the mop. "I had actually been informed about this." He confessed.

Nagi took off his dirty jersey, he balled it up and he threw it right on his friend's face, but the latter promptly intercepted it. "Asshole." Nagi murmured.

"What? It's not like I could stop them." Reo tried to justify himself. "I could have told you and they would have done it anyway."

Nagi rolled his eyes, but he didn't complain further. He just wanted to get rid of that annoying viscous feeling. "Hey." Reo called again. "Can I keep it?" He asked, referring to the jersey he was holding. Nagi's jersey.

"Why would you do that? It stinks." Nagi immediately replied and Reo shook his head.

"I mean to wash it, obviously." He specified. That made much more sense, still...

"Alright, but why do you wanna keep it?" Nagi asked, genuinely trying to understand. "You can't even wear that. The size is wrong, I'm taller than you."

"I don't wanna wear it, I just wanna keep it." Reo clarified. "You think I'd go around with your name on my back?"

"I didn't mean it like that." Said Nagi swiftly as a strange feeling seemed to be twisting his insides. "You wouldn't look bad, though. Wearing my jersey." He dared to say.

"Are you serious?" Reo's eyes widened. Of course he was serious. Nagi never lied. Not to Reo.

"Yeah." He nodded. "I'm serious." He confirmed, his voice unfaltering.

If there was one thing Nagi knew it was that Reo and him were friends. Best friends, and that never changed. It hadn't changed when back in the days Blue Lock had put them up against each other. It hadn't changed when their professional careers had started. It hadn't changed when they had first kissed, two months ago, graced by the dim light of the moon, at Reo's house. Since then, it had been easy, natural. No rules, no pressure. None of the two had to think. There was nothing to think of after all. The dynamic of their relationship had stayed the same. Their friendship unchanged. In addition, they just kissed whenever they wanted to. Nagi liked Reo. He liked him as a friend and he liked the way his lips felt on his. Nothing more, nothing less.

Reo shook his head. "You're an idiot." He stated, but there it was in his tone that lingering affection. "Just go shower." He said and Nagi did as told.

His muscles seemed to finally relax under the comforting stream of hot water trailing down his body and his soul seemed to rejoice as tidy clothes, very much softer in texture, brushed against his skin. Nagi pressed a towel on his still damp hair, too tired to put the hair dryer into work. Once he was back to the locker room, to his surprise, Nagi found out that Reo was still there, leaning against the wall right next to his locker. "You still here?" Nagi asked as he reached for his jacket.

"Mh, mh." His friend simply nodded.

"I don't need a ride home." Nagi told him. It wasn't that late and his studio apartment was just a few bus stops away from the stadium.

"I know." Reo hummed as his hands went straight to the collar of Nagi's shirt, with the intent of fixing its last button and Nagi moved accordingly so he could do just that.

"Okay." He replied. "So, why are you still..." Nagi hadn't even been able to finish his sentence that Reo had pulled him closer, giving him a gentle peck on his lips.

"I wanted to do this." Reo whispered, kissing him again, softly.

Nagi instinctively looked back, as if monitoring the situation around. "I locked the door." Reo told him, his mouth still brushing against Nagi's.

"Good." Nagi replied and without thinking too much, he pushed Reo further towards the wall until his back hit its concrete and then he captured his lips, forcing them to part.

He was too impatient, he knew that, but Reo gladly welcomed his eagerness. And Nagi was fully aware that his eagerness was strange, because it didn't quite match his personality. His almost phlegmatic attitude seemed to disappear, fade away, whenever they were close. He felt restless, constantly raring to taste his lips, to explore every inch of Reo's mouth, to bask in its warmth and let their breaths intertwine. Nagi had never been a man of initiative, all the contrary. However, something within his soul always seemed to flare up at every single touch they shared.

And the noises.

He didn't know why, but Nagi had to say he was obsessed with every little noise Reo produced. From the imperceptible whines he made when Nagi's cold hands framed his face, to the literal moans he let out in between kisses. Especially when things got particularly intense.

Nagi broke into his defence, fierce, greedy, but his tongue was moving rather slowly, savoring the taste of Reo's mouth, deepening their kiss. Then, they both pulled away as they gasped for air. Reo clutched onto Nagi, his arms around his shoulders, panting heavily as he tried to catch his breath. Nagi, completely winded, buried his face in the crook of Reo's neck and he closed his eyes. His heart was thundering inside his ribcage and his head was spinning. It was just a kiss, Nagi had to remind himself. It was absurd how a mere kiss had him quivering. Ridiculous how one kiss could set his lungs on fire. He breathed in, deeply. Then he furrowed his brow.

"You smell... differently." Nagi noticed.

"What?" Reo sounded confused.

"You changed body shower." Nagi easily concluded and then he heard Reo quietly laugh.

"So what?" He said. "You don't like it?"

Nagi didn't answer, he just stayed still as he breathed in the new and peculiar scent Reo was giving off. It was pleasant, somehow sweeter than usual. He liked it, Nagi definitely liked it. "It's nice." He replied eventually and his lips accidentally brushed against Reo's exposed neck.

Reo shivered under what had been nothing but a light touch and Nagi, so close to him, had been hypnotized by the movement of his Adam's apple as he watched him swallow. All of a sudden, the air shifted and a strange electricity seemed to run through the many particles composing it. Nagi had kissed Reo, many times, on his lips, on his cheeks. He never thought about kissing him anywhere else, but things were different now and that led him to consider different options.

One kiss, only one. Light and quick, just to try. Reo's skin felt like silk against his lips. He kissed him again and Reo tilted his head, giving Nagi more space. His breathing was starting to increase, rapidly, Nagi could feel it. Was he nervous? Maybe they shouldn't be doing this, maybe...

"Why did you stop?" Reo talked, his tone almost imperative as his hand reached for Nagi's hair.

He considered voicing out his thoughts, but Reo anticipated him and said: "Don't stop."

And Nagi didn't stop. He kept placing kisses after kisses, tracing line after line, as Reo's fingers ran through his hair, feverishly. He could hear Reo's breath, heavy, irregular and shaky. Nagi placed one more kiss on the side of his neck, his mouth opened as his tongue moved to experience the flavor of his skin.

A groan. Reo groaned under his faint touch and it immediately haunted him. The raw sound haunted Nagi like a symphony. A symphony he didn't want to end. So he insisted on that one spot which had caused that reaction out of Reo and he started sucking on it, almost religiously. Reo's strong grip instinctively tightened around his hair, holding onto it as if trying not to fall. And Nagi was sure he had just turned crazy because he was enjoying it way too much. He liked how Reo was pulling his hair, he liked the slight ache he was feeling.

He felt enraptured, completely. The post game adrenaline and the way Reo was making him feel were subverting the ordinary transmission inside his brain. There was no blood in his veins, just thrill, desire and need. He wasn't used to it. Nagi wasn't easily overwhelmed.

As he kept torturing his neck, Nagi's hands moved on Reo's hips. A fleeting thought. His mind was suggesting him something else. Something more. And he would have listened if a screeching ringtone hadn't interrupted his flow.

"Nagi." Reo's phone. Reo's phone had ruined it all. "Wait."

"Don't." Nagi found himself saying. His lips still pressing onto his friend's skin. "Leave it."

"I can't. It's my father." Reo told him, out of breath, his head tossed back on the wall. His fingers still buried in Nagi's locks.

"He'll call again." Nagi made one last attempt as he climbed up his neck to kiss him on the mouth. Reo let him, readily parting his lips, but the phone kept ringing, demanding his owner's attention.

"Seriously, I need to take this one." He told him and Nagi just nodded, letting himself fall on a random bench as he watched Reo pick up the phone and walk outside the locker room.

Nagi closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then he stood up and started collecting his stuff. It wasn't late, sure, but it would turn late if he didn't hurry up and leave. He had to water his cactus, he suddenly remembered. He had priorities. He had to go home. He zipped up his jacket and he put his hoodie on, hoping fans weren't still around. He checked on his stuff once more and then he pushed the door.

Reo was there in the corridor, and judging by the still bright screen of his phone, he had just ended the call. "Leaving?" He looked at Nagi who nodded in response.

"Are you?" And then Nagi asked back.

"He said he watched the game." Reo told him, deliberately ignoring his question. He was excited. He was trying to hide it, but Reo was excited. Hopeful, even.

"Did he?" Said Nagi unimpressed, consistently lacking enthusiasm. It wasn't that he despised Reo's dad, he barely knew the guy. He just didn't like the way his behaviour was affecting his best friend lately. He didn't know much, except for the few pieces of information Reo had given him himself or for that one conversation he had overhead back at Reo's place two months ago. But he knew that Mr. Mikage was trying hard to get his son to cast aside his career and, mostly, he knew how every fight seemed to hurt Reo.

Reo, who always claimed to hate his father, but kept leaving the door open for him. It didn't matter how many times they argued, over and over again, about the same old things. He kept hoping his father could understand him and accept his decision. Someday.

Was he doing that because he cared about him and his approval? Was he doing that because he was stubborn and spoiled and he had to rebel and simply prove a point? Nagi had no clue. He just didn't like it, when Reo had his hopes up and then disappointment came to ruin his features, breaking his expression. He didn't like it and he always wished he could do something about it, but that wasn't his place, that wasn't his family and he never knew what to say. So he never said anything.

"Apparently." Reo replied, sliding his phone into the pocket of his coat. "You know what he told me?"

Nagi shook his head.

"Congratulations." Reo sounded surprised. "He congratulated me. He's never done that before. And he wants to have dinner with me. Tonight."

"Is that a good thing?" Asked Nagi.

"Who knows." Reo genuinely answered. "He said he's coming. With his car. It's been months since I last spent time with him. I mean, just the two of us." He considered. "I guess I'll have to call Ba-ya so she can come tomorrow and drive my car home. Since I'm not using it tonight and it's gonna stay in the private parking lot here, obviously."

He was bothered. All of a sudden, Nagi started feeling bothered and he hated to be bothered. Late. It was late. His cactus. The bus. He had to take the bus.

"Hey!" Reo called after Nagi walked past him. "I was talking to you!" He complained.

"I need to go home." Nagi simply shrugged.

Reo glared at him, but then he let out a sigh, defeated. "Fine." He allowed him. "Good night."

"Night." Nagi replied.

The light bulbs had gone out. The bus was deserted and the neon signs outside, beaming in the night, cast shadows on Nagi's face. He had his earphones on and a card game on his phone had kept him company for the entire ride home.

It was silent, in the street and around Nagi's neighbourhood, with his footsteps being the only perceivable sound. His backpack felt heavy on his shoulders, his body seemed to be giving in to exhaustion and a yawn escaped his mouth as he turned the key in the lock, craving already the softness of his own bed. When he stepped in in his studio apartment, he didn't even bother to turn the lights on.

He took off his shoes and he walked to the small desk by the window. He reached for the bottle on there to give some water to his cactus, but as soon as he bent his wrist he realized the bottle was actually empty. So he refilled it as he patiently stood in front of the sink of his kitchenette.

The room was pitch black, but something was still shining somehow. The gem set into the ring Reo had let him keep a couple of months ago seemed to be sparkling, even in the dark. Even if Nagi had abandoned it on a dusty shelf and never looked at it again. No particular reason, he had simply forgotten about its existence. But the ring was glimmering now. He shouldn't have forgotten about it.

A loud thunder rumbled outside and Nagi winced, his stream of consciousness abruptly interrupted. Then, it started raining.

He slipped into his pyjamas and he quickly slid under his blankets, a certain slumber seemed to be taking him over already. The storm was howling by now and his eyelids were surrendering to the fatigue. He laid down and drifted into sleep.

But the night wasn't actually over.

If someone had asked him how long his eyes had stayed closed, Nagi would have said no more than ten minutes. 

He thought he was dreaming, initially, when the sound first reached his ears, so he kept his eyes shut. The rain was still pouring outside. Then again, that same sound. He covered his ears, putting his head under the pillow, trying to ignore the noise. That wasn't enough, though. He was awake, Nagi realized, he wasn't sleeping and someone was knocking on his door. Insistently knocking on his door.

A lighting struck and illuminated the whole room and Nagi snorted as he grabbed his phone on the nightstand. It was 3 AM. Someone was knocking on his door at 3 AM. He chose to leave behind the comforting embrace of his mattress and he stood up, reluctantly, walking towards the doorway. His mind still hazy from sleep to be thinking about the dangers and risks of opening the door right away, without asking for the person's identity first.

He placed his hand on the handle and he pulled, and nothing could have ever prepared him for what he was about to see.

Another thunder, and the wind blew strong with no intention of simmering down.

Nagi's eyes widened at the sight of him. 

"Hey." Reo was standing right in front of him and he found it hard to believe.

Nagi pinched his own cheeks, but he was definitely wide awake. Reo was shaking, almost convulsing, droplets all over him kept falling to the ground as multiple shivers tormented his nerves. He was cold, freezing cold, soaked in rain, his fancy clothes completely drenched and his hair was a mess, sticking to his forehead, to his cheeks, to his face as Reo kept shuddering. His arms were crossed on his chest, as if desperately trying to hold back a warmth long gone already.

"Reo." Nagi breathed out, still in disbelief, unable to say more. Reo sniffled, his lips seemed blue under the lights of the landing and when Nagi looked at him better he noticed how his eyes were swollen. Had he been crying?

"I'm sorry." Reo exhaled, his voice trembling. "I know it's late and..."

"Weren't you with your father?" Nagi interrupted him.

"Yeah, but I left." Reo told him as the water kept dripping and a small puddle seemed to be forming at his feet. "I couldn't stand it anymore and I left."

He had questions, so many questions, but he knew Reo, in his state given, would be vague with his answer and Nagi wasn't gifted with the ability of reading between the lines, so he decided to keep his doubts on the matter at a surface level.

"But you didn't have your car." Nagi recollected. "So how did you get here?"

Reo's face twisted, attempting a weak smile. "I walked." He said and Nagi, with no further questions, let him in.

Then, Reo disappeared inside the bathroom to get rid of the stinging cold which seemed to be scratching his bones, while Nagi quietly looked around, searching for some things to lend him.

He wasn't used to have people over. He didn't even know if he had what was necessary to host someone for the night. In any case, he miraculously found spare sheets and a pillow he didn't even remember he owned. Also, he successfully put together a loose shirt and a pair of shorts to give to him since he obviously had no change of clothes. The whole outfit wasn't that fitting, but Reo had accepted it regardless and with no complaints.

Reo wasn't talking. Odd, but understandable and Nagi had no intention of pressuring him into opening up. Also, he was sleepy, very much sleepy. As much as he wanted to help Reo, his natural need for rest was getting the better of him. Nagi almost closed his eyes. Almost.

"Nagi." Reo called. "Why are you on the floor?"

To be more accurate, Nagi wasn't sleeping on the floor. He was sleeping on some blankets spread on the floor. Big difference.

"Bed's too small." Nagi replied. Sure, his back would hurt in the morning, but he could endure the ache for once. He couldn't ask Reo to sleep on the floor. He would have done it in a normal situation, but Reo had walked miles and miles under a heavy rain. He couldn't really have him lay on the ground for the entire night. It wouldn't be fair. It wouldn't be right.

Nagi had evolved into the altruistic type, apparently.

"You're gonna be a wreck tomorrow." Reo pointed out, a slight worry in his tone. "You can't actually sleep on the floor."

"I told you." Nagi didn't like repeating himself. "The bed's too..."

"I don't care, just come here." Reo cut him off, categorical.

Nagi didn't want to give in, he didn't want to let him win. He was still convinced that his bed simply couldn't take in two tall guys just like that, but it was true: the floor was extremely uncomfortable and if Reo didn't mind, Nagi wasn't going to mind either.

He slid under the covers, finding it impossible to adjust to such a narrow and confined space. He struggled a bit, until he decided to lie on his left side.

"You done?" Reo asked.

"Yeah... I guess." Nagi replied as he was now facing his friend's back.

"Cool. Good night." Reo told him and Nagi could have just taken the hint and fallen asleep, but he didn't.

"Reo." He said instead. "What happened?" He tried again, because it was strange. Reo was a clever guy and he always used his mind before acting. So for him to walk alone in the streets, during a storm, just because he couldn't stand his father anymore, was even stranger.

Reo seemed to tense up at the mere question. "Usual stuff." He replied dryly and even if usual stuff didn't mean much to him, Nagi realized Reo was not going to disclose anything. Not that night. "You were right, by the way." He suddenly added.

"About what?" Nagi asked, clueless.

"This bed's too small." Reo agreed eventually. "There's no space and I can literally feel your breath down my neck. It's disturbing."

"I told you." Nagi said back. "I can always go and sleep on the..."

"Would you hold me?"

The rain outside and the clock ticking on the nightstand were all Nagi could hear. As well as his own weirdly increasing heartbeat.

"I mean." Reo cleared his throat. "Can you just hug me? Or something."

Nagi had no problem hugging him. They did it all the time. Reo had the tendency of hugging him a lot, actually. Nagi wasn't a fan of the whole thing, he never knew how long a hug should last and he found it awkward overall, but he was good with it as long as hugs came from Reo.

It had been the hesitation in his request that had startled him. Reo never asked, he just took for himself whatever he believed belonged to him.

From new cleats to new friends, from a bit of Nagi's time to his entire life, present and future. He demanded, sure, but he definitely never asked.

"Never mind." Reo chose to withdraw, taking Nagi's silence as a sign of unease. "You don't have..."

"No, I'll do it." Nagi said swiftly. 

"Oh." He heard Reo say weakly, almost whispering. "Okay."

Nagi didn't think it through, he just did what seemed more... immediate and functional. He moved towards him, to the point his chest was pressing naturally against Reo's back and he wrapped his arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Nagi."

"What?"

"Your elbow. It's... hurting my back." Reo voiced his discomfort and Nagi promptly solved the situation by placing his lower arm underneath his pillow.

"Better?" He said, his usual calm tone hiding the light and peculiar agitation he felt at the pit of his stomach.

"Yeah." The other replied. "Better." And Nagi felt immediately relieved.

The bed was still too small and Nagi wouldn't say that particular sleeping position was ideal, but it felt nice. He buried his face in the back of Reo's neck and he breathed in. It truly felt nice. Drowsiness was coming back, his eyelids were falling already.

Holding someone in his arms wasn't actually that bad. He never imagined that it could be such a soothing experience. 

Then, Reo spoke quietly: "Thank you."

Nagi hummed in response and held Reo tight.

And so they fell asleep as the storm outside slowly faded away in a dream.