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It was supposed to be just a simple patrol around the city, as they usually do. Just a walk during a nice day, helping people around with some more mundane tasks, maybe beating a few punks up here and there.
It wasn’t supposed to be anything special.
It wasn’t supposed to end like this.
They separated because of some runaway thieves, Suo caught up to one of them in an alley no problem.
“That’s not very nice, you know? Stealing from people.” He confronted the man, the usual smile present on his face.
“Shut your trap! You don’t know anything!” The man yelled. “You stupid kids think you’re all high and mighty, but you don’t know anything about the problems adults have!”
Suo raised an eyebrow. “Problems? Those aren’t limited to adulthood.” He avoided a poor attempt the man made to hit him with a bat in his hand. “Besides, someone who steals from kind, hard working people has problems merely made by their foolish idea of what’s right or wrong. Your problems aren’t real, but something you made up to feel better about yourself.”
“You little-”
He avoided the enraged man’s next attack and kicked him unconscious, effectively ending the battle.
“Suo!”
There was some shuffling behind him. Suo turned around, ready to strike, but instantly stopped at the sight.
“You talk big-” A man stood at the end of the alley, smiling wickedly, he was holding tightly onto the arm of none other than Akihiko Nirei himself. “-let’s see if you can deal with some real life problems then.” He pulled the boy into himself, spinning him around so he was holding onto him more firmly against his chest and with his free hand he pulled a knife. “I wonder if your little friend that oh so bravely tried to protect you from me, would scream loud enough to alert everyone, hmm ?”
Suo tightened his hands into fists.
Nirei tried his best to not show his fear and free himself from the man’s grip, but to no avail. You could read his expression very well.
Thankfully the man didn’t account for just how quick Suo can be, and just a second later he was lying on the ground.
Then again, it seemed both of them weren’t fully prepared for what could happen in this situation because the next thing Suo knows Nirei yelled his name again and then makes a sound that will probably haunt Suo’s dreams or more accurately - nightmares, forever, as the other man, that he thought he knocked out cold, plunged a knife, that he apparently had as well, into Nirei’s side.
Nirei, who yet again jumped in front of him, covering his back.
Nirei, who was now tightly holding onto the man’s arm so he couldn’t rip the weapon out of his body and possibly attack Suo next.
Nirei, who was bleeding all over his own hands and gritting his teeth as hard as he could, trying not to cry from pain, failing as his eyes teared up already.
And Suo was furious .
He wasn’t sure how exactly the man ended up below him, having his face being bashed in by his own fists, but he would have probably killed him if he wasn’t stopped by the poor blond boy himself.
“S-Suo that- that's enough...” He weakly pulled on Suo’s jacket with his free hand. His whole body trembled, his other hand tightly pressing onto the growing red stain on his white shirt, the knife still sticking out of his body.
His anger evaporated in an instant, dropping the guy and moving to turn to Nirei. “You didn’t pull the knife out, that’s good, we should inform Sakura and the others and go to the hospital so that they can check if the wound isn’t infected and-” He started murmuring, looking Nirei over, helping him to stand as somewhere in the meantime Nirei collapsed go his knees, and as they slowly made their way out of the alley he pulled his phone out, not concerned about being seen with it anymore.
The only thing that mattered was to get Nirei help.
Understandably, everyone was freaked out when they found out what happened and breathed a sigh of relief after it turned out the wound wasn’t that bad.
Still, they all gathered in the hospital room, asking if the boy was okay. At some point Nirei was sure the whole class and some visited his room. It wasn’t every day someone actually ended up in the hospital. Which says a lot considering the amount of fighting occurring all the time.
And Nirei was grateful to everyone, insisting it wasn’t a big deal, and how he just wanted to help, so it wasn’t any different than what any of them does all the time.
Eventually he was discharged within the same day, since it wasn’t really necessary for him to spend the night in the hospital and he ended up walking home with Suo.
Sakura got very reluctantly dragged away by Tsubaki who murmured something about leaving him and the eyepatch boy alone, because they clearly needed to talk. That was done with Sakura’s utmost protest and a face fully red by the end.
They walked in silence for a while, Nirei being a bit too nervous to initiate the conversation and Suo, who was seemingly processing the whole thing in his own way.
Since he brought the injured boy to the clinic he hasn’t said a word, simply observing everything with a blank expression.
And it’s not like Nirei didn’t notice it, he very much did and it wasn't the only thing, but he couldn’t really get a moment to speak to the taller boy alone before. He felt both proud of protecting his friend, as well as ashamed of causing even more trouble.
They were walking past a playground, when Nirei managed to ask. “Suo, can we uh…sit down for a little bit?”
The sky was already tinted orange and the place was empty, no sight of any kids still playing around.
Suo turned to him and simply nodded, leading them to a nearby bench so he could rest.
And as much as it was true that Nirei needed a second before he could continue walking, he also tried to get an opportunity to finally have any sort of conversation with his friend.
Enough running. He was going to be brave.
“Suo are you…are you okay?” He asked.
The other looked at him confused. “What?”
Nirei shifted in his seat. “You've been.. uh, how do I say it? Awfuly quiet? A bit more than you usually are?” He tried to look at his friend, but in the end he got too anxious and turned away, hands fidgeting with the edge of his shirt.” It- I'm worried that you… that you're upset with me. “ He finished.
Suo seemed stunned for a moment, before he shook off the surprise and spoke. “Why would I be upset with you?”
“... I don't know, you just… you act differently than usual. And I got hurt even though I promised I wouldn't be a bother anymore and yet it still feels like you have to protect me, but I really tried this time and still you seem-” Nirei was cut by Suo's hands gently grabbing his own, that were almost tearing through the material of his shirts from the nervous fidgeting. He snapped his head up, looking at the other boy and was taken aback by Suo's expression.
He looked… sad? Conflicted maybe? His gaze downcast, staring at their hands.
“That's not it, Nirei.” He started. “I'm not upset with you. You did nothing wrong. I'm… grateful. That you wanted to protect me. “ He seemed to be choosing his words carefully, worried about saying the wrong thing.
Nirei didn't dare to interrupt him. He couldn't. He wanted to hear what the other had to say.
“I think you were really brave out there.” He looked up finally, a strained smile on his face. “I don't want to diminish the fact that you jumped to help. That you wanted to help me. I know how important it is to you to be able to join in. To protect someone.”
Suo's stare felt unfocused, and it was such a contrast to what Nirei was used to he almost held his breath, waiting for him to continue.
“I…” He sighed shakily, his head bowing so his face was hidden under his hair. “I want to respect you and your choice to participate in the fight, but… “
Nirei could feel the grip Suo had on his hands tightening, and this time he did hold his breath.
“I selfishly want to keep you away from battle. I don't want to see you get hurt.”
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. This felt unreal to hear him open up about something, and Nirei didn't know if he wanted this to be a dream or not. But still, he didn't say anything. Suo clearly wasn't done and Nirei was scared that if he does anything the tension will break and he won't be able to see more of this Suo anymore. That he will go back to hiding behind his smile.
“When I saw you, with… with blood- all over you, it reminded me of KEEL. And I felt so angry I just-” He exhaled heavily, trying to control his emotions, but it felt like everything was finally hitting him all at once and Suo didn't know what to do with all of these feelings. His throat closed up and he couldn't continue anymore.
Nirei saw and felt how his body trembled, despite the fact he was sure Suo wasn't crying. But the sight absolutely broke him.
He didn't know.
He wasn't aware how much he meant to his friend.
To all his friends really.
Of course he knew they cared, but this whole thing really made him aware how serious today's situation was and how much, him denying that fact, hurt the other boy.
“S-Suo…” He choked out. Maybe the other boy wasn't crying, but Nirei sure as hell was. “I'm s-sorry.”
Suo looked up at last. “Nirei-”
“I'm-I'm sorry for worrying you Suo.” He said through soft sobs. “I-I know that I'm still weak… I really do! A-and- I know you can take care of yourself just fine. Suo is s-so strong after all.” He stopped, trying to take a breath. He was getting a bit worked out about all of it and it was slightly painful because of his injury.
“Nirei your side-”
“Let me-” He interrupted him. “Please, let me finish.” His eyes pleaded with the other, and he was seen.
Suo closed his mouth.
He took another breath. “I know… that me jumping to your rescue was… well kind of silly. Honestly now that I think about it, it was stupid. “
“Nirei…”
The blond boy huffed. “Don't deny it to make me feel better. I can see when I make mistakes.” He smiled bitterly, guilty for what he wanted to say next.” But my body just… moved. Because I wanted to be the one saving you for once.” He looked down, guilt creeping up his spine the more he thought about it. “I’m sorry.”
There was a longer pause between them.
Nirei lost all the bravery after his last words and was fearfully waiting for Suo to say something .
But nothing came.
The only thing he could see was their still linked hands on his lap. Nirei squeezed them lightly and his eyes moved up to glance at the other boy. Waiting for any kind of reaction.
Suo took a deep breath.
NIrei was patient.
“Can I…hug you?” He spoke finally. A troubled smile on his face as he looked at him.
And it took NIrei a second to answer, because he honestly wasn’t expecting that question.Because it didn’t feel like something Suo had to ask him for. “O-of course!” He stumbled over his words slightly, and freed one of his hands so his arm could extend and welcome the other boy into the requested hug.
With a bit of an uncharacteristic lack of grace Suo’s head fell onto NIrei’s shoulder, and his arms, very lightly, circled his middle, mindful of his injury.
NIrei returned the gesture.
It wasn’t the first time they shared personal space per say. Countless times Nirei hid behind his taller friend. They trained together, which required physical contact as well. A lot of it if you think about it, but in a different way.
But this was something gentle, which Suo always was, but at the same time it was a form of closeness that Suo never usually initiated and because of that it was very…new.
Suo never struck Nirei as someone who avoided being touched deliberately, but he never particularly seemed to crave it as well.
It almost made Nirei feel special, but then again the guilt overwhelmed it as he realised why all of this was even happening.
“Your heart beats so fast.” Suo broke the silence, startling the other.
“H-huh? Ah- Well- Um-”
“I hope I’m not making you uncomfortable.”
Suo started to move back, but was very firmly pressed back into Nirei’s chest.
“Ack- N-no! That’s not it I swear!” He stammered, flinching at first, because the force that he used definitely reminded him of his injury for just a moment. “I’m just thinking. Well overthinking? Probably?”
Suo hummed. “Then stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Thinking.”
Nirei frowned. “It’s not that easy…especially now because I know you’re still worried.”
Suo shifted. “Why would you think that?”
“Because we don’t- hug. Usually. And I don’t mind, it’s nice actually! But everything you said, and now this…”
“I told you I don’t blame you Nirei.” He moved back a bit, so he could see the other boy. “For anything.”
“But it’s bothering you.”
“ Yes . It is but- I…I just…don’t know what to do with it.” Suo’s gaze shifted around.
And Nirei realised something at that moment.
Suo was overwhelmed.
It seemed so obvious now, Nirei knew how it is to feel overwhelmed, but because of who Suo was, it never really occurred to him that the other boy could get overwhelmed.
Him and Sakura were really quite similar if he thought about that. Just dealt with it differently.
Actually, no they dealt with it the exact same way. Which was not at all.
They just ignored it in their own ways.
And Nirei wanted to almost groan, but he didn’t because of how Suo looked at him.
Because they were still partly in each other’s arms, Nirei pulled him back into the hug. “You can…cry.”
Suo flinched. “What?”
“Whenever I get overwhelmed with emotions I cry. And then I feel better.” He fidgeted with the back of Suo’s jacket. “I know it’s not the best solution every time, and uh…I probably cry too much, but-but it’s good…sometimes.” He attempted to explain his point. “And…I assume you didn’t-you haven’t cried in a while? So…so I think…it might make you feel better.” Nirei could feel hands around his back tightening slightly.
“I…should have expected that advice from you.” It wasn’t said with any malice behind it.
Nirei smiled. “Because I’m a crybaby?” He joked.
Suo chuckled, and there was a slight shakiness in it. “Because you’re clever.”
And if Nirei could feel the boy in his arms tremble, he didn’t say anything about it.
They just sat there in a comfortable silence.
Eventually his hands started to trace shames on Suo’s back as he stared into the distance. He wasn’t sure how much time had passed exactly, but the sun had already made its way to the horizon, soon hiding behind it.
As darkness slowly enveloped them, Suo stirred, snapping Nirei back from where his mind wandered. They separated, now sitting properly next to each other on the bench, their knees still touching each other.
Despite it being pretty dark already, Nirei could see the faint redness under Suo’s eye, and the overall tiredness that emanated from him, but he only smiled when their gaze met.
Suo smiled back softly. “It’s time we get you home already.”
Nirei nodded and finally they were back on their way to his home. Their hands somehow linked as they walked and they playfully swung them around.
It was a quiet and thankfully uneventful walk.
“Thank you Nirei.” Suo said when they reached their destination.
“For what?”
“Today.”
Nirei smiled widely. “I’d do it again.”
“Do. Not.”Suo stopped him immediately. “I am grateful, but I do not want to repeat today. Ever.”
“Noted.”