Work Text:
Eric found himself at the airport of Japan, it had been a year since he had seen Haru, but he still didn't forget about him. Eric would only be in Japan for a few months, so he had to get looking for Haru.
Eric confidently walked out of the airport and went on his way to the hotel he'd be staying at. It was near where the star festival was. Gosh, this made so many memories come back. It was like he was back at that day, the day him and Haru met.
When he arrived at the hotel, Eric quickly threw all of his things onto the bed and immediately left the room again, he didn't want to waist any time he could spend on finding Haru again. He wanted to be with him again, at least once more. Eric ran out of the hotel room, down to the lobby and out of the building.
He was on the streets of Tokyo now, all alone, but he still knew the shrine where Haru had hung up his wish, maybe he'd be there. Maybe Haru prays a lot. So that was the first place he looked for Haru, but he was no where to be found. Eric went to the third tree in the left side, a middle branch and a blue piece of paper is what he was looking for, but all of those were already gone. Damn it. Next place.
Eric ran around the streets, trying to find Haru, he went to the paper store next, but no Haru there was well. It was almost empty, then Eric remembered that Haru said to support the local stores, and Eric did that by buying a small piece of paper from the store.
Eric had been walking around so long that the sun was starting to set, but he didn't give his search up, he had to find Haru. He had to!
That was when the last place suddenly popped into Eric's head, the tea shop. Why didn't he think about that earlier? He quickly ran down the street to a small store in an alleyway, the same alleyway that Haru had dragged him to last summer.
He went up a small staircase, walked past some curtains and looked around the tea shop. He sighed in disappointed when he saw no one was there. But he decided to stay anyway and ordered some green tea. Suddenly, Haru appeared before Eric, but he knew this was the Haru from his imagination. "Go away, I'm looking for Haru" "but, I am Haru" Haru grinned at Eric, his smile as bright as the sun. Eric just sighed and held his head in his hand. He shook his head in disappointed. "The real Haru would react differently to me being here" "but-" before the fake Haru could speak, Eric heard the curtains behind him rustle and he turned around to see who could possibly know about this tea shop, probably only a local.
That was when Eric saw the familiar dark, wavy hair, the hazel brown eyes and a small scar on his eye brow that the imagination Haru didn't have. It was Haru, but he looked so different, he had a light stubble on his face now and slight bags under his eyes. Eric turned back around to see that the other Haru had disappeared, he smiled as he knew he finally found Haru. After a whole year, he found him.
"Haru!" Eric called out, which made Haru immediately look at him, and as their gaze met, Haru's eyes widened in shock. "Eric?" Haru came closer to Eric, he still looked the same even after a whole year as passed. Haru smiled at Eric and chuckled. "Why are you in japan?" "I was... looking for you" Eric admitted and blushed, it sounded stupid to come to a country only to look for someone, but here he was, doing that exact thing.
Haru hugged Eric, he suddenly started to cry on his shoulder, Eric had no idea why he was suddenly crying. Eric patted Haru's back gently, he seemed like he needed that hug, so he hugged back.
"Whats wrong?" "It's just..." Haru sobbed out, he had to catch his breath, "I missed you so much, you were the first person I ever really hung out with and then you left so suddenly. I missed you!" Eric's eyes widened and his eyes teared up, he didn't know why. "I'm sorry, Haru..." is all Eric said as he hugged Haru. "Do you want to come to my hotel?" "Yes... please" Haru sniffled.
...
They arrived at Eric's hotel and hour later, Eric threw all of the things on the bed on the floor so Haru could lay down. Eric held out his hand and took Haru's jacket, haru had a short sleeved t-shirt on and a pair of blue jeans, it was a simple outfit yet he still looked hot in it. But when Eric took Haru's jacket he noticed his arms, cuts everywhere. Both of Haru's arms were covered in them. Eric frowned but quickly tried to pretend like he didn't notice them.
"So? What happened the past year for you?" Eric tried to strike up a casual conversation, he fiddled with the red friendship bracelet that he still had from when he first met Haru. "I... I'd rather not tell" Eric frowned again, Haru changed so much, it almost hurt to see him like that. "That's alright, I'm here for you now" what Eric said made Haru tear up, but if also made him smile. Haru nodded and wiped away his tears. "Thank you, Eric"
Eric nodded and smiled too, he hugged Haru and pulled him extra close. Then he tried to make a joke "you know, I've been having hallucinations about you, I was hearing and seeing you with me all the time!" Eric tried to laugh it off but only got a weird look from Haru. Understandable, who wouldn't be weirded out by that?
Haru put his hand on Eric's shoulder and looked extremely concerned for the other man. "Did you go to a therapist about that?" Eric's face turned red out if embarrassed, he shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck "Well no, but-" "No buts! That's serious, Eric" Haru keep his hand on Eric's shoulder. He suddenly pulled Eric into a hug, this never happened with the fake Haru, touching the Haru in front of him felt... real. It finally wasn't fake. Eric hugged Haru back, and suddenly, Haru kissed Eric's cheek which made his whole face turn red. "W-what was that for?" Eric's voice was a bit shaky, but Haru just smiled. "It's what I wanted to do when you left me for the first time too." Haru responded and chuckled at Eric's reaction. Eric couldn't help himself but have the biggest grin ever in his face, he had to cover his face with his hands.
Eric felt Haru's soft hands move his own down from his face, and Haru leaned in to kiss Eric's lips, Eric felt Haru's soft stubble on his lips and kissed him back. It was like there was a spark between them that no one could take away.
But then Eric pulled back and reminded himself of Haru's arms, he had to bring it up, foe Haru's safety. "Why did you pull ba-" "your arms. Why?" Is all Eric asked. Haru looked down at his arms and frowned. "It was... my mental health got really bad because of college, and it was a stress relief for me" "did you stop?" "Yes" haru respond in seconds, his face was serious so Eric trusted him that he truly did stop.
Eric then leaned back in and kissed Haru's lips again, this time a soft peak. "Please never do it again" "Alright, just for you though" Haru chuckled as he said that and Eric nodded his head.
They were both extremely happy to have found each other again. It was like a dream come true, and they were both in love with each other too, even after a whole year apart they still loved each other like no other.