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Reo Mikage had planned it down to the second.
Not because he was obsessed. Not because he was in love. Not because he had spent the last three years watching his best friend stretch like a cat, say things like "running is a pain", and then proceed to outrun every expectation ever placed on him. No. This was about tradition.
Valentine's Day meant chocolate. Handmade. Thoughtful. Rich. And preferably gifted at the perfect moment for maximum emotional impact.
Which is why he was currently panicking in front of Nagi's door.
It was 7:03 a.m. He had wanted to be there at exactly 7:00, but he'd tripped over his own limited-edition sneakers while double-checking the ribbon on the box.
He held the box of chocolates like it was made of nitroglycerin.
"You got this," he whispered to himself. "He won't even realize what day it is. You can totally play it cool. It’s just chocolate between bros." He knocked.
A pause. A sleepy, self-indulgent and indecently loud yawn that made Reo tremble all over. Then shuffling. Then silence.
The door creaked open.
Nagi peeked out, a white t-shirt slouching off one shoulder, hair more cloud-like than usual. His eyes squinted at the box. Then at Reo. Then back at the box.
"You woke me up," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world that Reo should be in jail for his offense right now, not standing at the door like a picture of innocence.
Reo grinned too widely, trying to hide his nervousness. Nagi probably wasn’t in a state of mind to read people right now, even less than usual, so early in the morning. "Happy Valentine's Day."
Nagi blinked. Slowly, as if the cogs in his brain hadn’t woken up either.
"What?"
"It's Valentine's Day,” Reo said, a little too skittishly. “The 14th of February. Chocolates. Confessions. Heart motifs. Ringing any bells?"
Nagi yawned. It was offensive how adorable he looked while doing it.
"Never heard of it."
Reo's smile froze. "You're joking."
When it came to Nagi, it was, in fact, entirely possible. The man thought Messi was a famous pianist and would do things like microwaving an egg on a daily basis if he wasn’t too lazy most of the time.
"Do I look like?" Nagi tilted his head.
Reo wanted to scream into a pillow. Or throw the box out the nearest window. Instead, he handed it over, trying to look suave and not like someone having a slow internal combustion.
"Here. I-I actually made these."
Nagi stared at the box like it might be a math problem.
"They're edible. For you. Because I like you. In a completely normal, not some weird way! Like a teammate, you know, because we’re teammates now, so I thought—"
Nagi opened the box.
Inside were perfect truffles in glossy dark and white swirls, some dusted with cocoa, others shaped into tiny hearts.
"They smell good," he admitted.
"Because I know your taste profile! You prefer bitter-sweet with a soft center and minimal aftertaste."
Nagi gave him a long, unreadable look.
"You sure you're not trying to propose?"
Reo choked. "W-what? No! I mean… unless you want me to?” Reo regretted his words as soon as they slipped out of his mouth, and blushed furiously. “Kidding! Just kidding, haha! Unless you're not…"
"You're loud," Nagi muttered, but his lips quirked.
Reo crossed his arms. "You seriously forgot it's Valentine's Day?"
Nagi turned and wandered back into his apartment, barefoot and unbothered. "Don't see why it's important."
Reo followed him inside, indignant. "It's a cultural staple!"
Nagi collapsed onto the couch, truffle already in his mouth. "So?"
"So it's tradition! You give chocolate to the person you like to show them you appreciate them!"
Nagi stretched like a cat, limbs sprawled dramatically. "Hmm. Too much effort."
Reo huffed and slumped next to him. Nagi offered him a half-bitten truffle. Reo made a face.
"You’re not getting out of this. Next year, I expect you to at least pretend to know what it is."
"Maybe."
"You could at least fake surprise."
"I was surprised. You were here at 7 a.m."
Reo gave him a look. "I always show up early when I plan something for you."
"I know," Nagi said simply. "It's cute."
Reo blinked. Once. Twice. His brain short-circuited.
"Did you just call me cute?"
"Mm."
"Casually?"
"Yeah."
"Without warning?"
"You're blushing."
Reo scrambled to cover his face. "I am not!"
Nagi reached lazily for the next truffle. "Your ears go red first. It's obvious."
Reo groaned and collapsed into the couch cushions. "Why do I like you."
Nagi considered this, chewing. "Dunno. But I like that you do."
Reo peeked up at him. Nagi's face was unreadable, but he wasn't looking away.
"Wait. You know I like you?"
"Yeah."
Reo squinted. "Since when?"
"Since you started hiding chocolate in your sock drawer last week."
Reo bolted upright. "You what?!"
Nagi shrugged. "Was looking for your charger. Found the box. Labeled it 'DO NOT EAT.' So I ate one."
"You ate one?! Those were a test batch! You weren’t supposed to know!"
"They were good. Better than these ones."
Reo covered his face with both hands. "I'm going to die. Right here. On your couch."
Nagi leaned against him.
"If it helps, I like you too."
Reo froze.
"Like... like like?"
"Is there a different kind?"
Reo dropped his hands. Nagi was watching him, head tilted, like he did during matches—trying to figure out the right move, the cleanest path.
And then Nagi nudged another truffle into Reo's mouth.
"Happy Valentine's Day," he said.
Reo chewed, then swallowed. Sometimes, he had to be conscious of his every action when he was with Nagi. "So you did know."
Nagi smiled. "I was just waiting to see how dramatic you'd get."
Reo narrowed his eyes. "You're evil."
"You like that about me."
Unfortunately, he did.
Reo leaned back against the couch, grinning like an idiot.
"So... if I ask you out, that doesn’t ruin the vibe?"
Nagi yawned. "Depends. Can I nap after?"
Reo took his hand. Their fingers fit together un surprisingly well. It was nice to feel Nagi’s fingers twitch in response to the touch. Reo always took eliciting any action from Nagi as a small win. This was a big one, though, having Nagi’s hand slot comfortably against his own, and his fingers slide in between Reo’s. He could get used to that.
"Knowing you, you’ll nap before, during, and after.”
“You do know me well.”
Reo huffed. “How could I not. And you can nap, but only if it’s on me."
Nagi smirked. "Deal. You make for the best pillow anyway.”