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Reo is, to put it simply, a difficult person. Nagi knows that. He’s experienced first-hand how stubborn he is once he gets his eyes on something he wants. But at the same time, Reo is as easy as he is difficult. Nagi also knows that. Whenever Nagi so much as utters his name, Reo will come swooping in, cooing and ruffing his hair gently—Reo’s always gentle with Nagi, so gentle that it makes Nagi's heart ache.
He's always quick to accept Reo, to lean into his touch and snuggle closer. He's greedy—so unapologetically greedy. Always protests against eating so Reo can prod at him with food in his hands. And maybe it’s not correct to say Reo’s easy, but he’s definitely soft for Nagi.
And right now, Nagi melts into Reo’s shoulder as he laughs softly and scratches his head.
"You’re cuddly today."
Nagi lets out a confused "Mmmgh." He’s always cuddly, always seeking out Reo’s attention like he’s starving—and maybe he is. He can never seem to get enough of it. Of Reo. All Nagi wants is Reo—play football with Reo. Win the World Cup with Reo. It’s all Reo, and it’s always gonna be Reo.
"Practice is gonna start soon, Nagi." Reo whispers, short nails digging into Nagi’s scalp.
Nagi hums, burying his face deeper into Reo’s shoulder, sighing. "Can’t we just skip?"
Reo laughs again. It's light, carefree. Nagi wants to bathe in it—never wants to stop hearing it. "No way! Ego’s gonna kill us if we do."
Nagi frowns—honestly, do they really need practice? They’re already good enough players—Reo especially—so why do they need to continuously compete against desperate people? They’re so bothersome. Too scared to lose it all that eventually, they unintentionally make themselves fail. A lot of those types of people are in the facility. Ego seems to hate the ones that are too desperate, too dependent on others, so Nagi doesn’t understand how they even got in.
But Nagi doesn’t care that much. He doesn't know them, anyway. The only person that matters is Reo.
"Come on, treasure." Reo coaxes, poking his side. Nagi huffs and pulls himself off of Reo, who smiles as he gets up from the futon, extending his hand for Nagi to grab.
He lays his hand in Reo’s and lets him do the work.
Reo plays as if the field is all theirs. Nagi likes it, it's comfortable—Nagi doesn't need to do much. Reo passes the ball to him, and he scores in return.
It's never planned beforehand, it just happens. Reo knows when it's time for Nagi to score, and Nagi knows when Reo's ready to pass. He's always there, waiting for Reo to kick the ball his way.
Nagi's not all that interested in winning. But because Reo likes winning, he's automatically more inclined to get them to victory. Every time they win, Reo barrels towards Nagi, hands already reaching his hair before they even collide. It makes a nice feeling in Nagi swell up.
In a way, Nagi is forever indebted to Reo. It's something he accepts with open arms—anything that involves Reo is something that Nagi will always accept.
"Nagi!" Reo yells out, bending down and squishing Nagi's cheeks in his hands. "I had to score in your place again."
Nagi hums apologetically. "Sorry, Reo. I got tired." He mumbles, and Reo's little frown twitches into a half-smile. Not good enough—he wants to only make Reo smile full and bright—but Nagi takes what he can get. Reo will smile more later.
Reo moves his hands away from Nagi's cheeks to pinch them.. "Ah, you know I can't stay mad at you, treasure." He chuckles—and it's true. Nagi's noticed how Reo can barely keep his back turned to him before he gives into Nagi's whines, asking him what he needs so he can go get it for him.
Sometimes, he thinks about what he would do if Reo really ignored him, but then he feels his heart try to pump out of his chest, and he settles for turning into a pile of goo in Reo's hands instead.
"Are you still tired?"
"Mmmh."
Reo grabs him by his arms and pulls him up. "Well, we have to eat first, then you can sleep later!"
"Eating is a hassle, though…" Nagi falls onto Reo's chest, to which he yelps, trying to balance them both. In Nagi's honest opinion—which is the only correct opinion—Reo is the best pillow. Soft and firm, just like an actual pillow. Or maybe Reo's always been the real pillow, and everything else is a fake, knockoff version. But then again, no one else but Nagi should have a Reo pillow. The Reo pillow is an limited one-time only banner that started way too early for anyone else except Nagi to get.
Nagi sighs contently as Reo shuffles around so Nagi can lean on his back and not his chest.
"Come on, treasure, we have to eat."
Nagi raises his leg and wraps it around Reo's. "Can't we just eat another time?"
Reo shakes his hand, and his hair itches Nagi's cheek, but he doesn't mind. Any sort of contact with Reo is contact he'll store in the physical contact with Reo folder in his mind forever. Reo turns his head as much as he can to look at Nagi. "Absolutely not! If you don't eat today—"
Nagi watches his throat move as he talks, humming along to whatever Reo's saying. He raises his leg higher, laying it on Reo's hip. Reo notices, and he bends over slightly to grab under his knees and hoist Nagi up into a piggyback ride. Nagi closes his eyes and tunes back into Reo's voice.
"Look, I'll even feed you, is that good?"
Nagi nods into his shoulder, his heart aching at his words. "Mm, okay."
Reo smiles triumphantly—and yay, Nagi thinks to himself, he's smiling now.
Nagi has never been all that interested in ‘soulmates’ or whatever it’s called—it’s nonsensical, obviously—but recently, he's starting to think that he and Reo are intertwined. No matter what, Nagi always finds himself drawn back to Reo. Almost everything he does is for Reo. He doesn’t know why he would do anything for anybody—but he continues to surprise himself with the things he does for Reo, and he can’t seem to stop.
There’s a string connecting them. It’d explain why every time Reo heads off to go talk with someone, or leave him alone to win one of their matches when Nagi gets tired, Nagi feels something in his stomach twist.
Either that, or Reo is some sort of wizard-magician guy who cast a spell that bound them together for life. Or both.
And the first time their string tugs is when Nagi decides to join Isagi and Bachira's team. Nagi doesn't tug hard, and neither does Reo. Reo keeps his head down as Nagi walks away. It's not like they're going to be separated forever, so Nagi's not sure why Reo's acting so oddly, but he sums it up to Reo still being in shock by his sudden choice.
"Later, Reo." Nagi says, looking over his shoulder and at Reo. Reo's bang covers most of his face, so Nagi can't see his expression.
Before Nagi walks through the doors, he whispers, "…I'll be waiting for you." and turns back around. Bachira gives him a fist bump when he catches up with them.
Bachira clears his throat. "Hey, Reo seemed kinda sad, didn't he?" He blinks, and then his eyes go wide and he shudders. "You're not actually the cold type, are you?"
Nagi glances at him, feeling some weird surge try to pump its way out of Nagi's mouth. I'm not cold, and Reo's not sad, dummy. You don't know anything—but then he thinks back to Reo's words and his face when Nagi was able to actually see it, and his nerves calm.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel bad about it, but this seemed more exciting." Nagi bites the inside of his cheek and immediately stops when he remembers that Reo wouldn't like that. "Blue Lock is just that kind of place."
My heart is aching. Is that what excitement truly feels like?
Bachira laughs and pats Nagi on the shoulder. "Yeah, you're right! This is a place where only egoists survive."
Nagi hums as Bachira hops closer to Isagi. His thoughts are only about Reo until they reach the field.
"We're obviously going to play you guys." Reo deadpans, staring straight at Nagi with an expression that makes his body burn. He wasn't really paying attention to whatever Kunigami or Chigiri were saying that much—but then Reo spoke, and his eyes just snapped to him, disregarding Barou's tight grip on his arm.
Reo shouldn't look as different as he does. Nagi hopes he slept well, but it doesn't seem too likely, based on the darkness under his eyes. Nagi wonders if he plays a part in that. He hopes he doesn't, but every sign points straight at him. It makes Nagi want to grab Reo by his face and run his thumbs over his eye-bags until they lighten up and Reo breaks out into a smile.
"That's the only reason I teamed up with those two." He says, jerking his head towards Kunigami and Chigiri.
Nagi inhales and wiggles his arm out of Barou's hand, and he exhales out a shocked "Reo!"
Reo continues to stare at him blankly. Nagi doesn't like it. Or maybe he does, he doesn't know anymore, he's just glad Reo's in his sight again.
"It's been a minute!" Nagi blinks away his surprise, voice full and clear, just for Reo. in his head, he thinks—it's been too long. "Listen to this, Reo—" I did this for you. All for you. "I've been practicing a lot, and—" We'll work together better. We'll win the World Cup together, you said we will. He raises his hand, waiting for Reo to grab it.
Reo slaps it away. "Stop it." He snaps—and Nagi's fingers twitch. He holds his breath, swallowing down all the words he was going to say.
"You and I…" Reo starts, and Nagi feels a shiver of hope rush through his body—expecting, hoping, for Reo to proudly declare that they're still partners. That Reo still wants him.
Instead, Reo says— "…Are rivals, now."
Nagi finally lets out a breath, a real shiver running through him. This time, Nagi doesn't know what emotion follows it. He lets his hand slip back into the water.
"You didn't choose me." Reo narrows his eyes, and Nagi's hands clench into fists. I did, I did. I still do. "So I'm going to crush you." He spits out, words intending to strike through Nagi, make him falter and break. Nagi's head is still wrapped around his previous sentence, though.
Kunigami and Chigiri give their own responses, but Nagi tunes them all out. His gaze is locked onto Reo, and vice versa. Reo stares at him like a wolf would stare at a rabbit, waiting for the perfect time to pounce and dig his teeth into Nagi's neck. But Nagi knows that look was always there. Just less visible. Right now, it's so visible that it's making Nagi's heart grow big, stretching against his ribs until his throat clogs up and he can't breathe properly.
If this was their first time meeting, Nagi would associate the tingling in his chest with fear.
Fortunately, Reo's unlocked many emotions inside Nagi already, and he immediately recognizes it as excitement.
He should be frustrated that Reo's still pulling away—pulling at their string as if it's unlimited, and making Nagi trip. He should feel frustrated that Reo still doesn't get it—that he won't allow Nagi to explain himself. Despite all the logical reasons for him to feel frustrated, he feels his heart pound. Maybe he's having a heart attack, or maybe the fact that Reo is pulling and pulling away makes him excited.
It's probably not good that he's feeling this way, but he does. Reo always brings out everything Nagi has inside him, untouched and unknown by even Nagi himself.
One part of him wants Reo back—wants everything they had before second selection, before Blue Lock, back. He wants to grab Reo's hands and pull him back, caging him between Nagi's arms and returning everything they once had.
The other part of him—the one that takes over him, overflowing so much he can't even control it—wants Reo to continue whatever they have now. Nagi gulps, and watches Reo watch his throat bob. He kind of wants this to continue, this little cat and mouse chase—except Reo is the cat running away, and Nagi is a mere mouse scrambling after him, squeaking, wanting the cat to turn around and bite.
Reo, of course, never bites. He paws at Nagi, burying and sighing into Nagi's hair—but he never bites.
Reo sighs, getting up and walking away before Nagi can decide whether he wants to fall to his knees and wrap his arms around Reo or not.
While Isagi and Barou start having small banter on whether they should have Chigiri—"It'd be good to have Kunigami, but Chigiri has some amazing speed! We're gonna need that!"—or Kunigami—"He's buff, he can keep the ball long enough to pass to me."—all Nagi thinks about is Reo.
His fingers fiddle with the straw on his bottle, his gaze fixed on the wall between Isagi and Barou.
Chigiri and Kunigami are good players, but they're nothing like Reo.
Speed? Reo's pretty fast. Buff? Reo's broader than the average guy. And Reo can pass. He always passes to Nagi and he does it well, so that means he's perfect at it. He's a bit bitter, though, neither Barou or Isagi even thought about picking Reo, but then Nagi feels some sort of relief at the fact they didn't think about picking Reo. Reo's only for Nagi. Nagi will pick Reo.
"Reo would be good." Nagi cuts them both off. "We promised we'd be together." He mutters, more to himself than to them. Both Barou and Isagi stare at him with very different expressions, Barou sighs heavily, and Isagi stutters.
Nagi doesn't think he said anything weird.
The third time their string is tugged, Reo pulls at it so hard that Nagi falls over.
Reo still plays like he owns the field, but it's less defined now. Nagi doesn't need to wonder if it's because of him anymore—he knows. And it makes his heart sink just as much as it makes it swell. If Reo plays differently without Nagi—if he plays less freely, then he'll never find a new treasure, and Nagi's place at the top of Reo's priorities will stay the same.
Still, Nagi thought Reo understood. Understood why he wasn’t chosen—why they were even separated. It was for the best, they’d get better by themselves and then circle back to each other, more than ready to win the World Cup together. That was what Reo wanted—and, by extension, it was what Nagi wanted too.
Maybe Nagi doesn't really understand him all that well.
But Reo doesn't understand him either. That’s why he’s angry. Reo’s angry because of some screwed up thought that Nagi would somehow forget about their dream. Despite Reo's expressions back then, Nagi had thought Reo was upset about them having to separate so soon, not that Nagi was supposedly forgetting their dream. Their dream. Why would he forget about it? The dream Reo made for them is the only reason he’s still willingly staying in Blue Lock—doesn't Reo know that? Nagi was never the type who tries for anything, but he’s trying, for Reo.
Nagi's fingers fidget with the hem of his shirt. He's annoyed now—frustrated, even—but he's not mad. He doesn't think he can ever be mad at Reo—just the thought of it makes his chest tighten. But then again, being annoyed by Reo also makes his chest tighten. Maybe he should've stopped the cat and mouse chase, should've grabbed Reo by his shoulders back at the baths and shook—we're still partners, we're never gonna stop being partners.
Nagi still thinks he and Reo will be okay. Soon enough, they'll reunite, and Reo will realize that all Nagi wants is him, and then they can just go back to what they were before second selection.
But right now—since Reo's really, truly, upset with him and Nagi's not with him to clear up any problems, Nagi doesn't know what to do with himself.
Recently, Isagi's been muttering something about 'egos' before he falls asleep. Nagi's not sure what to do with such information—his ego is beating Isagi, and Reo. Isn't that enough? He should be good from now on.
I think you might have ruined me, is what Nagi immediately thinks when Reo walks through and into the crowded room. "Reo…" Is what he whispers out loud, his words muted by the sound of Isagi and Chigiri's sharp inhales. Kunigami still isn't here yet—that's who they're waiting for, but Nagi can only keep his eyes on Reo.
He looks different again, and Nagi wonders what—or who, he feels a pang of jealousy run through his veins—could've happened to make him look calmer. He's so bright, it makes Nagi's eyes hurt.
Nagi doesn't move from his spot, even when Reo settles near the doors. He presses his lips together and avoids Isagi and Chigiri's eyes as Isagi starts interrogating him. Nagi wants to walk up to him and hold him close. Maybe he can convince Reo to never find anyone more valuable than him, because Nagi should be the only person Reo wants. Nagi bites his tongue instead of his cheek. It won't bleed as easily.
Reo sighs as Isagi turns his attention over to the new guy who interrupted him.
This time they'll be on the same team. Nagi's skin itches at the mere thought that they may not be. Reo still hasn't looked his way, and Nagi's unsure if he should feel good about it or not. He feels weird, his hair feels greasy and his lips feel dry. Usually, Reo would help him out. He'd run his soapy fingers into Nagi's scalp, making it all nice and shiny. He'd hand over his own water bottle to Nagi, or he'd even just pour water into Nagi's mouth himself. Now, Nagi's left licking his lips and running his hand through his hair.
Nagi should just walk over to him. Pull the string and tug him closer—as close as possible. Until Nagi can wrap all of himself over Reo and never let go. But Reo doesn't look too comfortable, so Nagi doesn't know how well he'll take the sudden contact. Is he still mad at Nagi? He hopes he isn't.
To you, are we still partners?
Nagi only tears his gaze away from Reo when the screen on the wall lights up and Ego starts talking.
Nagi walks slowly, never straying far away from Reo as he walks up to Chigiri and Isagi, declaring proudly that he's going with England, with Chigiri. He's been smiling again lately, and Nagi sighs at the fact that not enough of it is towards him.
"And you, Nagi?" Isagi questions, and both Chigiri and Reo turn towards him.
Well, at least Reo is looking at him now.
Nagi stares straight at Reo. "What country is that one guy from? The one who's good at dribbling."
Chigiri snorts. "He's retired now." He twirls a piece of hair in between his fingers. "But he was in the England's League."
"Gotcha." Nagi nods, tapping away at his phone as he and Reo hold eye contact. "Then I'm going with England." To be with Reo, he doesn't say.
Reo's smile is gone. Nagi misses it already.
"So we're together, Nagi."
Nagi's heart flutters, and he takes two steps towards Reo. Reo takes two small steps back.
"What, Reo? What's the problem?" Are you still mad at me? What should I do to get you back?
Reo narrows his eyes, brows furrowing. He takes another two steps back, and shakes his head. "Nothing." He mumbles, and Nagi feels like leaning his whole body on Reo, trying to melt into him. Tell me, please, what can I do? I don't know what to do.
Maybe he sounds too heartbroken. He keeps his thoughts to himself. His heart is pounding rapidly in his chest, and only Reo can soothe it. Reo and his cute little eyebrows, his uneven bangs, the way he only finds sculptures and paintings interesting if they have weird patterns or shapes, along with the way his wardrobe mostly consists of weird clothes with crazy patterns. Reo's tastes are weird, and maybe that's why he's tolerated Nagi for so long.
Nagi considers himself lucky, if that's true. Reo's one of a kind, pretty, caring, strong—he's perfect. And Nagi needs to be the perfect treasure for him. If he can't do that, he won't be able to look at Reo without feeling shame because despite Nagi's lazy tendencies, Reo still wanted him. He still let him be himself on the field with little to no complaints.
Nagi puts the phone in his pocket and takes a few deep breaths. Reo bites his lip—which he shouldn't do. They'll bleed and ruin his perfectly soft and smooth lips. Not that Nagi would mind, Reo will always perfect no matter what.
He takes three slow, cautious steps forward and Reo's eyes snap to him. He doesn't step back.
During the match against Bastard Munchen, he knows his motivation is slipping away from him. Back them, football was just something he did for Reo, and it became something fun for him when he entered Blue Lock and met Isagi.
And now, it feels as if it's all slipping away. The way Reo makes football something enjoyable for Nagi, his need to play against Isagi and come out on top, his dream to win the World Cup with Reo—it's all slipping away. Nagi doesn't know what do to.
Reo's play-style is different for Nagi. It's the same as before but Nagi notices how he's not as confident passing to Nagi as he was before. It confuses Nagi.
He watches Reo tie his hair and he scratches his neck.
Reo freezes when Nagi starts talking.
"Hey, Reo…" Nagi blinks slowly. "I think I wanna…" Be with you. All of you. Everything's starting to get away from me. How do I stop it? You're closing off, too.
What's gotten me excited? Will that help me?
"…Beat Isagi."
Reo's arms drop, and he lets out a low "Huh?"
Nagi has the sinking feeling that he's said it all wrong, but he doesn't know how to fix it without Reo's help—so he keeps going.
"He keeps going beyond me, and I feel like I can't beat him right now."
Nagi doesn't dare to look at Reo, not until he's finished talking. "I'm doing the things Chris and Agi told me to do, but I really don't understand this 'creativity' stuff. It's not going well at all." He says, and hopes it'll get through to Reo. Reo always understands him.
"Right now, football isn't fun for me."
When he turns to face Reo, he has a scowl on his face.
Reo scoffs. "So what? You chose this path. It's got nothing to do with me."
Inside Nagi, something akin to panic twirls.
Ah, is this what you felt like back then, Reo?
"Yeah, I know…"
Reo cuts him off. "Don't come crying to me just 'cause things aren't going your way."
Nagi's breathing picks up. His heart aches and buzzes at the same time.
Is this still what excitement feels like?
"Yeah, but…" Nagi fidgets with his gloves. "Football was way more fun back when I played with you, Reo."
Reo flinches—that's bad—and he turns away immediately. "So what?!" Reo spits out. Nagi inhales sharply and refrains from tackling Reo.
"Please, Reo." He all but begs, stumbling a little closer to Reo. "Help me beat Isagi."
Let me stay with you.
Reo slows his pace, and Nagi knows he just needs one more push—
Reo, Reo, please, Reo— "I need you, Reo."
Reo freezes. Nagi knows he has him now. It's disappointing as much as it is delightful. The aching in his heart won't stop. The buzzing does.
"What the hell…" Reo mutters under his breath as he clenches his fists. "Don't you have any imagination when it comes to others?"
Nagi gulps. Reo doesn't look at him. "What do you mean?"
Reo looks at him. "You're not thinking about my feelings." He tells Nagi with such a firm voice. Nagi hasn't heard that tone from him since second selection. "I kept getting passed over, so I decided to fight on my own."
Reo steps closer to Nagi and points a accusing finger at him. "So quit saying stuff that shakes up my determination every time your mood changes!"
Nagi thinks his heart is gonna burst out of his chest.
A disgusting part of him thinks—ah, you're still so soft for me. He crushes that part of him and throws it far away. "That's not what I'm saying, Reo. Ever since you invited me to play football—" Nagi's voice wobbles. Only he hears it. "I've always been with you."
Reo's expression softens at his words, but a scowl is still visible. "We promised to win the World Cup together. I've just kept making the best choices to keep that goal. I thought I could get stronger with Isagi, and I thought I could learn from Agi and Chris. Now…"
Nagi stares deep into Reo's eyes. "It’s you. You're so much stronger now, so you and I can beat Isagi, unlike before."
Nagi sees multiple different emotions run through Reo's face before he lets his head fall.
"You're a selfish jerk, you know that?"
"Please, just try to imagine it—"
"You are such a pain. The biggest pain of all."
Nagi exhales shakily. I get it now. "No, you are, Reo. Don't you feel excited?"
That fluttering…
Reo scoffs. "Is that your ego, then?"
Nagi shakes his head and adjusts his loose gloves. Reo's already stepping closer to Nagi unconsciously. "No."
"It's my dream."
Reo raises his head and stares at him with wide eyes, and Nagi knows he's got him. The string tightens almost painfully, and the distance is no more. There's no more buzzing in his chest, which has always been there ever since Reo slapped his hand away—now, there's only a heavy ache.
It was desperation, wasn't it?
And the aching…
It's disappointment.
Nagi and Reo maintain eye contact, and in Nagi's head, he says—desperate, he knows this now—say no. Why can't you just say no?—But then Reo laughs, loud and full. "Fine, fine! I get it."
He all but jumps into Nagi's space, slinging an arm around his shoulder and pulling him flush against him—and suddenly all of Nagi's dissatisfied thoughts vanish.
Ah, how could I possibly not want this?