Work Text:
It has probably been more than four years since Ego Jinpachi's project ended successfully.
After the World Cup opening ceremony, a gala event was held for the most prominent characters in the world of football. Among all the guests, there were familiar faces and new faces, many of them accompanied by their partners, and some had even started families.
Isagi was still not used to this type of party; he was aware that he must greet all the players, coaches, and sponsors who approach him with a fake smile. After all, he was the star striker of the Japanese national team, and it was not surprising that they felt genuine curiosity about him. Although he has never been good at drinking in his life, he holds a glass of wine in his hands and sips it slowly, observing how people gather in groups while they talk. His friends and teammates do the same.
The music fills the huge room, encouraging everyone present. In the crowd, Yoichi swears that his eyes meet those of that man for the first time in a long time. They’re less than five meters apart, and time seems to stand still. The background sound disappears completely, as if the world had stopped spinning around them. Although Kaiser remains equally imposing, self-assured, and attractive as when they first met, his features denote a maturity that he was not there before. Soon a group of women surround him, and Isagi loses sight of him, letting out a disappointed snort and downing the contents of his glass in one gulp.
The place suddenly feels too suffocating; a bit of fresh air would be good for him. He excuses himself from the guests at his table and goes out to the huge balcony of the building. Fortunately, there is no one there, and he leans on the railing with both hands while admiring the beautiful nighttime landscape before his eyes.
He doesn't consider himself addicted, but he usually smokes from time to time to relieve stress or nerves. He takes out a pack of cigarettes and places one in his mouth while searching for his lighter in his pockets until a familiar voice interrupts him, "I would have sworn you didn't seem like a nicotine enthusiast."
Isagi turns around and sees that man taking the cigarette out of his mouth and throwing it on the ground, stomping on it. "This shit will affect your performance," he scolds. It has been several years since they last saw each other face to face since that competition, and the tension between them seems to remain the same as when they were 17.
"I didn't know you cared enough..." he responds without breaking eye contact. It feels as if time hasn't passed, and Isagi hopes that Kaiser doesn't realize how much he has longed for this reencounter.
The German quickly glances at the people inside that party and takes the black-haired man's hand to drag him to a place where no one can see them. Without asking any questions, he cups his face in his hands and leans in to capture his lips with his own. Isagi reciprocates the gesture, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around Kaiser's neck, allowing all his pent-up emotions from all those years to overflow.
"I missed you, Yoichi," he whispers inches away from his mouth.
"Me too, naked emperor..."
And it feels as if both have found their way back to each other despite the distance and the years.