Archive of Our Own

Nagi likes Reo.

Like, a lot.

They’ve sorta (?) reconciled. At least, on the pitch during the U20 game.

Outside it? Not much progress…

Reo didn’t even tell Nagi that he was going to the hangout with all the blue-lockers in Shibuya.

Nagi doesn’t like the distance. He doesn’t like not being on speaking terms with his partner, he doesn’t like being kept out of the loop.

Ultimately, he’s partly at fault for this current predicament.

Forgive me, Reo. I have so much to tell you. I hurt you, but I don’t know how to fix it.

And, he genuinely, truthfully, doesn’t know what to do.

He can’t do anything but stare, as Reo happily smiles with other people, light-heartedly messing around with everyone as he sings karaoke.

“You okay there, pal?” Otoya speaks up, coming to lounge by his side as everyone is laughing and cheering for the next person about to go sing. “You look kind of scary, there. You’ll scare off all the chicks.”

Nagi doesn’t respond, peeling his eyes away from Reo’s silhouette, staring his bug eyes down at Otoya instead. A red handprint covers his left cheek, and for some reason, Otoya is left entirely unfazed, lazy confidence dripping from his relaxed body posture.

Otoya clearly doesn’t need Nagi’s help scaring off chicks, if the slap mark was any indication. And, Nagi didn’t care about chicks anyway.

He cared about Reo. His partner.

“Dude,” Otoya asks, looking him up and down. “Are you gay or something?”

“No?” Nagi responds, more a question than a statement. “Why?”

“Reosexual, then?” 

“What even is that?”

“You keep staring at ‘im.” Otoya casually segues. “It’s kinda wholesome. I’m guessing it’s just a homie thing.”

“I didn’t know people actually talked like this outside of twitter.” Nagi brings a hand to his neck. 

“Eh?”

“Y’know.” Nagi gestures awkwardly with his hand. “Your weird lingo.”

“Ok man.” Otoya says, his eyes closing, still casual. “I was gonna offer help, but you can forget about it with that attitude.”

“With Reo?” Nagi asks, tilting his head. “You know what to do?”

“Can’t be that different from winning over chicks.” Otoya shrugs. “I have a guide for these kinds of things, it’s a part of the ninja arts. Give me your number and I’ll send it to you.”

“‘Kay.” Nagi easily agrees. He needs all the help he can get, so what if it was ninja techniques? He needs to try something. He needed to be back together with Reo like yesterday. He gives his phone to Otoya, and there’s a slight ding of a message notification as Otoya fiddles around with their phones.

“Here, man.” 

Nagi takes the phone back, and all his hopes are instantly crushed.

“This is a quiz on whether or not a girl likes you.” Nagi bluntly says, very unimpressed.

“Anything for a friend.” Otoya claps his hand on Nagi’s shoulder. “It’ll come in handy, trust me.”

“This isn’t what I wanted.”

“You’re welcome, lazy boy.”

x

Nagi got home, opened up the document, saw that it was two thousand words and twenty three questions long, and promptly closed the document again, his resolve crumbling as laziness took him over.

It probably wasn’t going to help him anyway, Nagi concluded. Reo wasn’t some meaningless chick, and he wanted to patch things up with him, not do whatever mental evaluation Otoya gave him.

He didn’t need it. He made up with Reo by himself, he lost everything he cared about by himself, he picked up the pieces by himself and he reconciled with Reo again (by himself). 

It’s been a couple years since then.

Reo and him were still going strong. They were playing football together for Japan, they lived together, and things were honestly pretty good.

Reo. 

Reo was just as confounding today as he was back then. Nagi was no longer as naive as he was back in the Blue Lock days, and he certainly wasn’t as clueless.

He loves Reo.

Like. A lot.

He suffered, he painstakingly carved out his life, he worked hard for what he had.

And what he had was his best friend, Reo Mikage. Just friends, who lived together.

Even if Nagi so desperately wishes there was more between them.

And maybe he was going insane, but he thinks Reo might like him too.

He doesn’t know for sure though.

This sucks. What a pain.

And that’s when his brain clocks in, and the long forgotten file makes a reappearance.

Nagi checks through his phone, and eventually, he finds that old file again.

1. Does s(he) get jealous when you talk about other girls?

Nagi doesn’t talk to women, and so, he doesn’t even have the answer to the first question.

He’ll need to experiment and find out.

What a hassle.

This is for his long term benefit, so he’ll just have to suck it.

He grabs his phone and dials a number.

“Yolo?”

“How do I make someone jealous?”

i.

It’s when he’s out at a cafe with his friends that the opportunity is presented.

Bachira and Isagi sit across from him, lost in conversation about football and matches and goals (on their off day, seriously?) while Nagi sips his lemon tea and plays a random basketball game on his phone.

He’s dressed rather well today. Baggy blue jeans and a simple black sweater over a white T shirt dresses his body.

Because he thought he was going to the movies with Reo, but their plans had to be cancelled last minute as Reo’s parents needed him for something.

Ughh…

It’s not like he hates his friends’ company, he would just rather be with Reo.

It’s while he’s mourning the absence of Reo’s presence, that a random girl, probably thirty centimetres shorter than him, walks towards their table, sheepish and shy.

“Hello?” Bachira asks, tilting his head with a bright smile. 

Isagi awkwardly hovers in the back, while Nagi ignores her existence.

“Um,” She manages to get out. “White haired guy?”

Both Isagi and Bachira hum as Nagi hesitantly looks at her, their eyes filled with barely concealed interest.

There’s an awkward silence that stretches for a couple seconds, before Isagi clears his throat, his feet kicking his shin to prompt Nagi to respond.

“Yes?” Nagi drawls. “I’m Nagi.”

“Well, Nagi. I’m Hyacinth.” The girl goes beet red at being addressed directly, stuttering her words. “Can I have your number?”

Oh.

So, that was her objective. 

Nagi’s not interested. Clearly. Reo is the only one in his heart, and this random person can’t even begin to compare.

He keeps these thoughts to himself, though, because (contrary to popular belief) he isn’t an asshole. And he’s been asked out enough times to know that blurting out these words doesn’t end very well.

He’s about to politely refuse like usual, before he remembers.

“Ok.” Nagi says, and the girl's face lights up.

It’s nowhere near as endearing or cute as Reo’s expressions. 

“Here!” The girl thrusts her phone into Nagi’s hand, and Nagi dials a number and makes it a contact, as Bachira and Isagi watch on in stunned silence.

“Thanks.” She says, blushing. “I’ll call you later.”

“Sure.” Nagi says, entirely uninterested.

She flees back to a group of girls, all excitedly chattering and congratulating her.

So noisy.

“What was that??” Isagi asks, unable to remain silent any longer. “Did- did you actually—”

“I can’t believe it.” Bachira asks in utter disbelief. “I thought Nagiichi was far too in love with Reo-chan!”

“I am.” Nagi simply responds. “I’m definitely not interested in that girl, Reo’s much better and nicer.”

“Ok, well—” Isagi says, looking slightly nervous. “Don’t say that.”

“Why did you accept, then?” Bachira asks.

“I’m checking something.” Nagi vaguely says, ignoring how the two gape at him before realising that interrogating him isn’t going anywhere.

x

They hangout until it’s evening, roaming around the shopping district, before stopping at an ice cream place.

Bachira orders butterscotch, Isagi orders a simple vanilla, and Nagi orders mango.

“Basic taste for a basic guy.” Nagi remarks as Isagi is handed his ice cream.

“Vanilla tastes the best.” Isagi defends himself.

“Wrong.” Bachira chimes in, licking his own. “Chocolate is.”

“You aren’t even eating the chocolate one!”

As they eat, while exchanging jabs at each other's taste, Nagi’s phone starts to ring in his pockets.

“Is it the girl?” Bachira offhandedly asks.

“No.” Nagi answers, pulling the phone out with one hand as the other supports the ice cream. “It’s Reo.”

“Of course.”

“Here, hold this.” Nagi says, handing Isagi his ice cream, as his full attention is captured by the being that is Mikage Reo.

“Dude!” Isagi sputters. “What the hell?”

Isagi’s protests are drowned out by the sheer will of Nagi Seishirou. He presses accept on the call, anticipation clawing at his nerves.

“Reo?”

“Nagi!” Reo sounded very confused, which wasn’t the most reassuring of signs.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Why did some random girl call me asking if it was you??” Perplexion was evident in the statement, and Nagi could already tell that this wasn’t going to be the result he wanted. 

“She was asking for my number…” Nagi trails off, trying to hide his disappointment. 

“So you gave her mine??”

“So I gave her yours.”

“Nagi…” Reo lets out a sigh. “Why?”

‘Cause I wanted to see if you would get jealous.

Otoya had suggested this. Said it was a two in one sort of deal, showing the person that there were others approaching you (and thus making them jealous), while also showing your loyalty to them.

Unsurprisingly, in hindsight at least, it did not work. Reo was more confused than jealous.

“Did she say anything?” Nagi asks instead, closing his eyes.

“She thought I was your girlfriend and then started yelling.” Reo says, clearly unimpressed. “I blocked her after that.”

“Sorry about that, Reo.” Nagi says, as a wave of remorse washes him over. 

“Please don’t give my number out to strangers.” Reo sighs out, his words punctuated by the rhythmic tapping of the counter that he subconsciously does. “Do you want me to give her your number?”

Mission absolutely failed.

At least Reo’s voice sounds nice, like music to his ears.

“No, NPCs like that are a hassle.” Nagi sighs out, all his hope draining. “I won’t do this again, Reo. I promise.”

“Why did you do this in the first place?”

“Forget about it, Reo.” Nagi defeatedly mumbles. “I’ll be home by eight, do you want takeout or are you cooking?”

“I’m cooking.” Reo says, having long since accepted his cryptic partner. “I made your favorite, steak with lemon tea. Get home safe, okay?”

“Okay.” Nagi easily agrees. “I miss you, boss.”

“I miss you, too. Bye?”

“Bye.”

The phone cuts, and Nagi is left to deal with the fact that the answer to the question is ‘no’. 

What a pain.

“So…” Bachira says, letting out a soft whistle. “Want to explain what that was all about?”

“Give me my ice cream, first.” Nagi says, in a far more irritable mood. “Wha- hey.”

“Sorry, dude.” Isagi shrugs.

“You ate my ice cream?”

“You were on the phone and it was melting!”

ii.

Nagi still has twenty two more questions to go. All hope is not yet lost!

At least, that’s what he keeps telling himself on his walk back to his (and Reo’s) apartment. 

It does little to salvage his mood, but whatever.

He’s standing in front of the door in what feels like no time at all, bracing himself to face Reo.

What would Reo be wearing? Would he be decked out in the suit he had to hastily don to see his parents, elegant and confident, or would he be underdressed, in clothes he wouldn’t wear anywhere that wasn’t private, only for Nagi’s eyes to see, casual and effortless?

Ah, both options seemed appealing.

With his mind off the troublesome thoughts of earlier, and filled with just Reo being Reo instead, he grabs his own keys to unlock the door, not wanting to trouble Reo if he was doing something.

“I’m home.” Nagi calls out to the largely empty apartment as he enters past the main doorway and into the small hall connecting the entrance to the living room, tired and desperate to get his Reo fix.

“Welcome back!” Reo yells, his hurried footsteps carrying over the apartment, muffled by the stupid seal slippers that he insisted looked just like Nagi, finally coming into view.

The door closes behind Nagi, but that isn’t his main focus.

Reo’s dressed up, like he would have been if they were going out for dinner, not in a stuffy suit and tie, but in relaxed, black skinny jeans and a red shirt with the first few buttons undone.

He’s casual, his usual smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, his eyes shimmering with the easy excitement signature to him despite the obvious tiredness.

He looks breathtaking. 

“Woah.” He lets slip past his tongue, barely registering the corny sound of surprise, as Reo chuckles at his awe-struck face.

“I take it this suits me?” Reo says, flicking Nagi’s forehead in amusement. “I went out with Rin and Hiori after I got home, and then I didn’t have the heart to change.” He explains, knowing his partner well enough to tell that he was a little confused.

“It does.” Nagi shamelessly admits. “Reo looks gorgeous, like always.”

2. Does s(he) get all embarrassed or flushed when you flirt with her(him) or do nice things for her(him)?

Nagi had always been one to freely echo praise for Reo, always commenting about how amazing his partner was. 

Was it flirting? Nagi was just complimenting him, it didn’t seem like flirting.

In the beginning, Reo never seemed to understand how genuine he was being. After much effort, Reo finally started to understand, and he always lightened up at Nagi’s words, sparkling in happiness.

Even now, Reo brightens at Nagi’s words. 

He’s even prettier when he does.

“You’re so innocent, treasure.” Reo says, teasing and light. “You should watch what you say.”

Sometimes, Nagi wonders if Reo actually understands. He probably doesn’t, and it kills Nagi, bit by bit.

It’s time to actually try flirting. Maybe then, Reo will understand.

“Where’s my welcome kiss.” He blurts out, abrupt and more like a demand than a question, and he internally cringes super hard as he says it.

“Eh?” Reo’s eyes go wide, his happiness morphing into confusion. “What?”

“I just got home.” Nagi says, even if everything in him begs to curl up into a ball and die. “You should kiss me. So, where’s my kiss?”

“Did you hit your head?” Reo tilts his head, voice laced with concern, before coming closer to put the back of his hand on Nagi’s forehead. “I told them to take care of you.” Reo mumbles under his breath, clicking his tongue.

“I’m fine.” Nagi half heartedly mutters, already marking this down as a failure. “But, I’ll feel better if you kiss me.”

“You don’t seem hurt.” Reo says under his breath, ignoring his words to inspect Nagi. “You don’t have a fever either.” 

Ugh, mission failed again. Wow, he sucks at flirting.

Otoya, this is somehow your fault.

“That’s because I’m okay, really.” Nagi stresses his words, trying to calm Reo down before he goes into panic mode.

“No.” Reo insists. “You’ve been weird today. Did someone say something to you?”

“No, I’m fine.” Nagi asserts, but he lets Reo lead him to the couch anyway. Having Reo fuss over him isn’t a bad outcome, not at all. As long as it doesn’t get out of hand.

“Sit.” Reo commands, Nagi listens without a fight. “I should call Chigiri and cancel our plans for tomorrow.”

“I’m not sick.” Nagi says again, but he doesn’t push back too much. A whole free day with just Reo? Sign him up.

“My phone is in the kitchen.” Reo tells him, moving away. “I’ll be right back—”

“No.” Nagi catches his hand before he can move too far away. “Stay.”

“Stay?” Reo asks with a chuckle. “It’s just a second.”

“Aren’t I sick?” Nagi asks, raising his brow.

“Give me your phone, then.”

“Yes, boss.” 

Nagi hands over his phone just as Reo tells him too, without any argument.

The phone turns on in Reo’s hand, and Nagi sees Reo’s eyes go wide.

“When did you take this photo?” Reo asks, as he turns the phone towards Nagi.

Nagi’s Lock Screen is a photo of a soaked Reo holding an equally soaked cat in his hands, delight and excitement painted on his face, almost as if there were visible stars in his eyes, his clothes turned slightly translucent from the rain. At the edge of the photo, two fingers belonging to Nagi intrude.

It’s one of Nagi’s favourite pictures, just from the happy smile Reo wears.

“In that one park in Kanagawa.” Nagi says, confused. “Is something wrong?”

Reo’s cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink, his lips pursed at the answer. 

“No.” Reo says, averting his eyes in that absolutely adorable way of his. “Just— I’m your Lock Screen?”

“Your Lock Screen is the two of us.” Nagi counters.

“But, this one is just me!” Reo argues like it makes a difference. Nagi doesn’t see the issue. “And, did you have to choose this photo of me?”

“You look happy.” Nagi explains. “It makes me happy when I see it.”

Reo’s face just goes redder as Nagi says it.

“You’re such a…” Reo’s words trail off, his eyes closing shut. “You’re really sick. It’s more serious than I thought!”

“Eh?”

Reo’s really beautiful like this, glazed in red and pink, too flustered to speak. Nagi likes all versions of Reo.

But, for entirely unplatonic reasons, he finds himself liking this one a little too much.

Does this count as a win? He wasn’t really flirting, but he did make Reo flush.

He’d like to do it again, if he figures out how.

As it stands, the answer to the second question is a maybe.

All hope is not lost.

iii.

The first part of question three was a no brainer.

Of course Reo went out of his way to be nice to Nagi. He was his treasure (and partner!) after all.

And Nagi did the same, because Reo was his partner and treasure.

So, it came down to the next part.

3. Does s(he) ask you about your tastes and then start dressing to appeal to you?

Yeah, Nagi didn’t have high hopes for this one. 

Mostly because his tastes start at ‘Are you Reo Mikage?’, stagnate to ‘Reo is beautiful no matter the circumstance’, and end at ‘If you’re not Reo, then I’m not interested’.

He does have some preferences. He likes seeing Reo in white, because it’s his colour. He’s mentioned this to Reo only to be met with an eye roll and a flick to the forehead.

He also really likes seeing Reo in his clothes. Something about it feeds into the morbidly possessive part of his brain, and there’s a certain satisfaction drawn whenever he sees it happen.

That isn’t something he can just request, though. Reo only does it out of necessity, whenever he doesn’t really have any other reasonable choice.

That, and they’re also not dating. So, asking seems like a very embarrassing affair. In fact, Reo might look at him like he’s grown three heads.

“Pay attention.” Reo flicks popcorn at his mouth, pinching the side of Nagi’s cheek with his fingers, causing him to let out a small wince of pain. “You’re missing the good part.”

They’re lounging on their couch, feet tangled together as Nagi rests his head on Reo’s chest, while Reo lazily plays with his hair, watching a movie.

“Sorry.” Nagi says, nuzzling further into Reo’s chest, pressing his face into the soft fuzzy fabric. 

Reo wears soft fabrics when they’re home, perfect for Nagi to snuggle into and press himself against. When they first moved in, Reo didn’t have much of such clothes, and Nagi often found himself being unable to cuddle up with Reo.

Such an injustice could obviously not be tolerated. So, Nagi threw a tantrum until Reo took the two of them shopping to buy himself clothes that matched Nagi’s sensory issues.

He liked it. The top Reo was wearing, an oversized cropped white sweater with a wide enough collar to sometimes be considered off the shoulder, was something Nagi picked out.

“You look cute.” Nagi lets slip, mumbling the words, unintentional.

And he did. The material was soft enough to feel like a pillow and just teetering on the line of revealing yet comfortable, just the perfect mix of cloth and Reo’s skin. His stomach was visible, which Nagi lets warm his hands since his partner ran hot. His neck was exposed enough for Nagi to comfortably slot his face into.

“You should be paying attention to the movie.” Reo says, eyes focused on the movie like Nagi’s words didn’t even register, unaware of the nonsense that went on in Nagi’s brain. “What are you even thinking about?”

“World domination.” 

“Cool.”

“You’re my world.” Nagi says, lazily testing out the pick-up line Otoya had sent him.

“Aww!” Reo coos out, turning to face him, before the words actually click in his brain. “Wait, what—”

No blush, no fluster, just pure confusion. Once again, it fails.

Bummer.

“You should put your hair up.” Nagi says instead. “Your hair always tickles my face.”

“Which Redditor did you steal that one from? Do even know what that means?” Reo asks, only to be met with a blank stare.

“I’ll cut it, then.” Reo muses, dropping the topic easily, his hands gently carding through Nagi’s hair. “It’s too long for me, anyway.” 

“No.” Nagi interjects. “Your long hair is so pretty. Please don’t cut it, Boss.”

“Make up your mind!”

x

Nagi hates getting calls. 

But, he also hates putting in extra effort. And, for Reo, he’ll do just that, because Reo is that special to him.

So, alas, Nagi finds himself on the phone with a concerned bartender, actively keeping the conversation going instead of hanging up, all for Reo.

“He’s not hurt, is he?” 

“He’s really drunk.” The man says, almost disapprovingly. “All his, colleagues? Friends? Whatever, they’re all wasted too. I’ve called cabs for them. But, your friend is less drunk than them, and demands to see you.”

“Send me the address.” Nagi says with a sigh, swallowing back the bitter feeling of unpleasantness that he can’t quite explain. “I’ll be there in ten. Keep an eye on him till then.”

The phone cuts, and Nagi is left with an overwhelming sense of unease.

“I shouldn’t have let him go to that dinner party by himself.” Nagi mutters under his breath, almost irritated with his past self.

Reo had to attend some rich people gathering on the behalf of his family, and had initially invited Nagi to come with.

If Nagi had gone, they wouldn’t have been in this mess.

However, Ego (the stupid piece of shit motherfucker) had requested for Nagi to stay back so that he could ‘review his performance’ (insult him on the clock).

Fuck Ego Jinpachi, fuck the JFU, but mostly, fuck Ego Jinpachi. Everything is always Ego’s fault.

At least it seems like Reo had fun.

The drive to the place (a tucked away bar in the expensive part of Tokyo) is irritatingly slow, even though it realistically only took ten minutes or less.

Reo.

He needs to get to Reo. Who knows what state he would be in? Is he throwing up? What if he blacks out? What if someone just takes him?

Chill out.

It’s fine. It’s fine. Nagi won’t let that happen. He rounds the corner and is greeted with the entrance to the bar, and his legs instinctively move faster, hoping to reach him faster.

The place would be very pleasant, with the aroma of sweet wafting whiskey and wine and the well done decor, if it weren’t for the noisy crowd of dying adults doing dumb shit all over the place.

Nagi winces as he walks in, already over the place.

The bar is front and center, and a very flushed Reo sits and rambles (loud enough that Nagi can hear, something about the genius of sewing patents?) to the bartender as he ignores him and tries to help other patrons (read:stop them from thrashing the place).

Poor bartender-kun…

Nagi swiftly makes his way to Reo, tapping him gently on the shoulder so as to not startle him.

“Nagi!” Reo excitedly exclaims, whipping around to look at him, completely disregarding his previous one-sided conversation and causing his soft purple hair to slap Nagi’s face, clapping his hands together.

He’s far more disheveled than he would normally allow himself to be in public, and far too enthusiastic too. His face has the distinct red glossy sheen indicative of intoxication, his lips loose and his disposition buzzed.

“What did he drink?” Nagi asks the bartender, turning to face him as Reo ruffles his already unkempt hair (he had to get here in a hurry, after all), his usually gentle hands pulling at the strands, rough and impulsive. “And how much?” Nagi continues, unfazed, letting Reo do his thing.

“I’m pretty sure he downed two pints of hardcore whiskey.” The bartender replies, desperate to have the conversation over with. 

Reo hates whiskey. 

“A drinking game?” Nagi asks, because that was the only real explanation he could think of. 

“A drinking game.” The bartender confirms.

Of course.

Mikage Reo was nothing if not embarrassingly competitive.

“Nagi!” Reo yells into his ear, almost angry, and Nagi recoils heavily, almost taking a full step back if it weren’t for Reo’s hands wrapped around his neck, his thighs spread out on the stupid barstool so that they could cage Nagi’s waist. “Are you even listening to me?”

“Sorry, boss.” Nagi says, bringing a hand to the curve of Reo’s spine to beckon him off of the stool, supporting him in case his legs give out. “I’m listening now.”

Reo jumps off the stool instead, almost toppling over if it weren’t for Nagi bracing him against himself.

“Thanks for calling me.” Nagi tells the bartender, as Reo gets restless in grip, talking about something called Ethyl Cyanoacrylate and pushing Nagi to just move already.

The walk back home is, to put it accurately, a pain in the ass.

Reo jostles in his grip as soon as they walk past the entrance, swatting at Nagi’s face and putting an arm around Nagi’s shoulders, nearly dropping his purse. Nagi is resigned to put a hand around his waist, gripping tight, to make sure he survives and stays upright, while holding the purse in the other because it has Reo’s wallet and phone, and losing them is not a risk worth taking.

It’s for Reo, so Nagi can endure it, but he’ll also still complain.

Reo talks about some scientist woman who gave a whole speech on the benefits of investing into the research of super glue being utilised as a plastic, and how interesting the idea was, and other rich people things on the way back home, completely stripped of the usual grace and decorum Reo carried himself with as a ‘serious adult’.

Nagi liked this though, roughness and all. It felt like they were teenagers again, back in those Hakuho days, where no one else mattered.

They reach their apartment as Reo laughs, boisterous and unrestrained when it’s nearly the middle of the night, and Nagi Seishirou can’t find it in himself to be annoyed, soaking in the sound like it were an oasis and he was but a tired Bedouin.

Reo stands at his side, nearly slumping to the ground as he rests against the doorframe, as Nagi fumbles with the lock.

“We’re home.” Nagi says, and Reo pushes past him to run and collapse onto the couch.

“Welcome home…” Reo’s muffled voice comes across, as Nagi closes the door behind them, shrugging his shoes off, letting it scatter on the floor along with Reo’s.

“You have to change.” Nagi says, coming to stand next to Reo. “You’re in your nice clothes.”

“Why?” Reo asks, very out of it. “I’m tired, and I look good like this.”

Because sober-you is going to be upset at all the crinkles and he might even be upset with me for letting it happen.

Reo’s dressed in a floral black and white suit, perfectly tailored to hug and accentuate his appearance, complimenting the purple of his hair nicely, making him look almost otherworldly, the kind that you can just look at and tell that it’s expensive. Having it be ruined will be quite a shame.

“You’ll feel better in something more comfortable.” Nagi says, pulling at Reo’s arms.

“Don’t you like this?” Reo asks instead, far softer. “Nagi-kun told me he likes it when I wear white. Did you change your mind?”

Ah. 

Nagi thought it was impossible to fall even deeper in love with Mikage Reo.

It’s an innocent question, spoken by a very cute and honest Reo.

“You remembered.” Nagi says.

“Of course.” Reo responds with a scoff. “Nagi-kun’s weird likes and dislikes are important to me.”

It’s almost jarring. Reo doesn’t call him Nagi-kun when he’s sober. Not since those first couple months of Hakuho.

He likes it. He likes the sound of the words.

He likes Reo. Reo is too cute like this, annoying and too cute to be mad at.

Nagi never stood a chance.

“You look amazing,” Nagi utters, almost dazed. “Always. So pretty all the time.”

“You aren’t lying, right?” Reo asks, his head tilting slightly, far more in line with how Reo usually acts, and Nagi shuts it down instantly.

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.” Nagi asserts, hoping to banish the sad look from the previously happy Reo.

Reo laughs, sticking his tongue out. “I guess I don’t have to change then, if Nagi-kun likes it when I wear white.”

“I’ll give you something else that’s white to wear.” Nagi says. “I’ll like it even more if you wear that.”

“Ok!” Reo finally lets himself be pulled up, latching onto Nagi’s hand. “It’ll have to pass your boss’s inspection.” 

“It will.” Nagi says, with a certain hoodie of his in mind. Nagi isn’t letting the opportunity to see Reo in his own clothes pass. “You’ll look very pretty in it.”

“Call me hot, not pretty!”

That night, right before Nagi sleeps, he realizes that he’s got the answer to the second part of the third question. Shockingly, it’s a yes.

He didn’t even have to test it, this time. 

Nagi feels happy, as he comes to the realization.

iv.

No relationship is perfect.

It’s natural. Life will throw its hurdles at you relentlessly.

God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.

Nagi doesn’t know the validity of the statement, but he gets it in theory. 

Nagi knows he’s not perfect. He knows that Reo isn’t perfect either.

He loves Reo all the same.

Reo isn’t perfection, he’s just Reo. He smiles and laughs and cries and gets irritated and is irritating sometimes and he’s nice and he’s mean, and he says things that hurt. 

He’s human. Nagi knows all of Reo’s flaws, and he wants all of them, wants Reo in his truest form, all the same.

But, Nagi’s human too. And, unlike Reo, he doesn’t bother with pretending if he’s upset.

It’s a hassle.

And, it’s even more of a hassle to be jealous. 

Nagi doesn’t like it. Doesn’t like the feeling of bitterness coiling in the pit of his stomach, doesn’t like feeling shitty because of something incredibly stupid.

Reo deserves all the love in the world. It’s selfish of Nagi to want all of it to come from him, it’s selfish to be upset about something trivial when Reo’s super happy, it’s selfish to want all of Reo.

Just how Reo has all of him.

Over the years, Nagi’s dealt with jealousy, even though he didn’t really understand it at the time.

Now, he does understand it. And that doesn’t make it feel any different. In fact, he’s pretty sure that he’s worse off in this instance.

It’s a simple, innocent thing.

Reo went out with some of their friends, Rin, Kurona and Hiori, for a movie premiere about some horror film that Nagi knew he wouldn’t like. He wishes he went with them, anyway.

Because, for some bullshit reason, they got out of the theatre really late, and Reo ended up crashing at Rin’s place instead of coming back home, just shooting him a ‘I’m safe so don’t stay up ^-^’.

And he didn’t think to tell Nagi where exactly he was until it was 3 in the morning and Nagi had blown up his phone with concerned and worried texts.

He was already in a bad mood since then. It’s irrational and overbearing, and he knows that they’re not dating so Reo isn’t compelled to inform him jack shit, but he was really worried.

You don’t seem like the jealous type. Otoya had told him. Aren’t you too lazy for that?

No, Nagi never saw himself as such. Not until Reo. Not until losing Reo didn’t seem like a nightmare that would never come true but something that could actually happen, not until he wasn’t sure when the boundaries between friendship and something else started to blur.

But, he probably could have bitten back all his bitterness and frustration if that was it, if Reo had simply come back without any incident and eaten breakfast with him. He probably would’ve forgotten about the whole thing in a week.

But, because the universe hates Nagi, that’s not what happens.

Reo gets home at 9 a.m., wrapped up in distinctly not the clothes he left in, snuggled up too comfortably in presumably Rin’s jacket.

It stings. The breakfast that Nagi had ordered seems entirely unappealing as he stares Reo up and down.

Reo gives him a soft smile, the only good thing that happens, before immediately rushing to his room to pass out.

He ate breakfast at Rin’s, Nagi learns later. He’s wearing Rin’s clothes under the jacket as he sleeps, a stupid graphic tee of a grizzly murder scene and sweats.

It hurts.

He doesn’t like it. It’s stupid. But Nagi hates it.

He wants to rip the clothes up, get them off of Reo, separate them from his soft skin, and burn them for the sin of touching Reo’s body.

He’s angry in that sense. Reo doesn’t wear Nagi’s clothes easily. Nagi has to fight for the simple luxury.

But, he can wear someone else’s clothes without a problem? 

Rin probably didn’t look twice at Reo.

He hates it. He hates the stupid garments and he hates how Reo still looks good while wearing it. He hates that he’s left eating breakfast alone, cursed with his stupid feelings, as Reo sleeps blissfully unaware of his turmoil.

He’s angry. He wants to demand that Reo never do something like this again.

He can’t do that, though.

No matter how badly he wants to.

He’s stuck with the horrible feeling of unjustifiable betrayal, as bile rises up his throat and a sinking sense of emptiness claws at his nerves.

4. Does s(he) encourage you to make moves? Does s(he) make moves on you that seem romantic, that s(he) doesn’t with others? 

 x

“Are you okay?”

It’s afternoon by the time Reo wakes up, his normally perfectly done hair a mess from sleep.

Nagi’s playing some game on his phone, trying to ignore the clutches of his emotions, when Reo sneaks up on him, finally in his own clothes, ruffling the top of Nagi’s head.

Do I look okay?

No. Obviously not.

Nagi just shrugs, trying his best to be calm, because Reo didn’t do anything wrong.

“You seem tense.” Reo notes, sitting next to him, tilting his head to see him play. “Rough night?”

Yes. 

“No.” Nagi says, far less casually than he normally would.

“I’m sorry if I worried you.” Reo says, poking his cheek, as Nagi’s movements in the game become messy, his focus splitting. “I was kinda out of it. Really sleepy. It won’t happen again.”

“It’s alright.” Nagi says, even though he doesn’t think he believes his own words. “As long as you're safe.”

That’s what this should be about. It shouldn’t be about Nagi’s own jealousy. 

He should be happy that Reo was safe. Not sulking over something stupid.

But one can’t choose how to feel.

“I’ll make it up to you!” Reo declares, arms finding their way around one of Nagi’s, pressing himself against his shoulder. 

Did you do this with Rin too?

An idiot. Nagi’s a no good idiot.

“I’m busy tomorrow,” Reo says. “So, we can have a movie night the day after, doesn’t that sound great?”

“It does.” Nagi says, trying to force down his own feelings, his thoughts quietening to a whisper as he focuses on Reo. “What’s going on tomorrow, though?”

“Oh!” Reo excitedly says, brightening up. “I’m going to dinner with a new recruit.”

“Oh.” 

“He’s new here, apparently he’s from France?” Reo chitters as Nagi feels his mood sour again.

Of course.

“Said he needed some help getting familiar.” Reo says, almost like he was unaware of the implications of the request.

“That’s what they all say.” Nagi mumbles under his breath, his hands shaking slightly, as Reo rambles about this guy.

Reo’s been propositioned a lot. He’s amazing, after all. 

Ordinarily, Nagi wouldn’t be so upset. Reo’s someone who tries his best to ignore (or is genuinely unaware of) romantic undertones and flirtation. He’s just being nice.

Nagi’s long past rationality.

“You go out with all of our coworkers?” Nagi says before he can stop himself, abruptly cutting Reo off. “You’ll go out with anyone who asks?”

“Excuse me?” Reo responds, startled. “Nagi?”

“Is that all it takes?” Nagi bitterly lets the words through, his self restraint slipping. “You’re that easy?”

“What?” Reo dislodges himself from Nagi, moving away, his voice almost incredulous. “Nagi, what the hell—”

“Your coworker was asking you out.” 

“No, he wasn’t!” Reo says, almost like a defense. “Honestly, what’s gotten into you—”

“Do you like him?” Nagi says, utterly and completely bluntly, far too emotional to consider his words. “Is he your type? Is he cute?”

What does he have that I don’t?

“Nagi!” Reo says, standing up. “Are you hearing yourself?”

“You didn’t answer.” Nagi notes.

“Does it even matter?” Reo yells back, entirely affronted. “Why do you care?”

“Fine.” Nagi sternly says. “Don’t come crying to me if he breaks your heart.”

“What?” Reo asks. “What is this bullshit you’re spouting?”

“Or are your feelings reserved for Rin?” Nagi asks, lightheaded, and he regrets the words as soon as they spill.

Why aren’t you with me? Why do you give others what you don’t give me?

“Oh, fuck you, Nagi.” Reo all but shrieks. “How dare you—”

“What am I supposed to think?”

“I don’t know, maybe that we’re friends?” 

“That’s not what it seems like.”

“Where did Rin even come from?” Reo asks, shaking his head. “I know social observation isn’t your strong suit, but what the fuck?”

“You’re dodging.” Nagi says, even though he knows it isn’t true. “Rin’s an asshole, you shouldn’t be with him—”

“Don’t talk about him like that.” Reo cuts him off. “Who are you to tell me who to be with?”

Be with me. 

I love you more than I can understand.

“I’m just concerned.” Nagi lies. “I don’t want you to be sad.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it.” Reo argues. “You don’t think I can understand? You don’t think I’m capable of choosing someone good?”

“You’re twisting my words.” Nagi weakly protests. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

“Then why did you call me easy?” Reo says. “Please, explain to me what I should take away from this conversation.”

Be mine.

Nagi opens and closes his mouth, the earlier aggression that was carrying him through the conversation dissipating, speechless as to what to say without giving himself away.

I’m sorry, Reo.

“Well.” Reo says through gritted teeth, shaking from confrontation, his face twisted into one of anger and frustration, his brows furrowed as if begging Nagi to smooth them out, and Nagi wants to hug him enough to melt the hurt away, wants to grovel for forgiveness. “I don’t want to see your face right now. Don’t follow me.”

Reo turns around and leaves through the door, shutting it close and leaving behind a cold apartment.

Nagi fucked up. But what else is new?

Almost on instinct, Nagi finds himself curling in onto himself, shaking slightly as the aftermath settles in.

It feels worse than jealousy. At least, Reo was still happy with him then.

Reo deserves better. 

Deserves a better guy, someone who wouldn’t say cruel things out of selfishness.

No, Nagi’s really an uncool, disgusting guy. 

He shouldn’t have said those things.

Nagi doesn’t know how long he stays curled up like that.

He just knows that eventually, his phone rings, the Game Over screen being replaced by the caller id.

He picks it up from where it had fallen on the floor during their argument, as he reads the name.

Ba-ya san.

Nagi picks up, ready to be chewed out.

That’s what he deserves anyways.

“Young Master Seishirou.” Ba-ya’s calm voice greets. “I would’ve thought that you’d have at least some better communication skills at 23?”

“Ba-ya.” Nagi’s voice, far more raw than it had been in a while, calls out. “I think I messed up.”

“That much is apparent.” Ba-ya says, unassumedly. “Jealousy is a disease, get well soon, Young Master. Worry not, at the least, Reo doesn’t realize it yet.”

“That makes this worse.” Nagi says. “He just thinks I’m horrible.”

“No.” She says. “You aren’t horrible. Terrible at handling your feelings, yes, but not horrible. Reo doesn’t think so either.”

“You know I love Reo?”

“Everyone with eyes knows.” Ba-ya simply states. “Why else did I entrust him to you?”

“I fucked it up, though.”

“I’m not particularly pleased with this whole ordeal.” Ba-ya says, and even though it’s casual and not necessarily menacing, Nagi still feels a shiver down his spine. “But, no one is perfect. All you can do is try to make things right.”

“Reo’s angry.”

“He is.” Ba-ya agrees. “And, he’s also been left to his devices to jump to his own, typically wrong, conclusions. Maybe, you should try to clear things up, and tell him how you feel, so that he doesn’t have to guess.”

“I’ll just mess up our friendship more.” Nagi says, his voice small. “I can’t— Not if Reo doesn’t feel the same.”

“I think today’s incident is enough to show that this whole thing won’t stay under wraps for long.” Ba-ya says. “You’ll never know for certain if you don’t ask.”

“I—”

“Think about it.” Ba-ya cuts him off. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to go comfort my master.”

The phone cuts, and Nagi’s left with his thoughts.

You’ll never know for certain if you don’t ask. 

The list didn’t do much for him anyway. And he kind of gave up on the tests halfway.

+1

It’s around 8:30 when Reo gets back home.

The house is tidy, the TV set up with ‘The Truman Show’ ready to be played, blankets and popcorn already arranged.

Nagi knows how to ask for forgiveness, after all.

Reo opens the door, and instantly Nagi can notice the dried tear tracks on his tired face, the puffiness that remains, his movements tired and quiet, so unlike himself.

Nagi hates himself a little more for causing this.

“Reo,” He lets out, more like a whisper, like he was breathing the words instead of speaking them. “You—”

“Nagi.” Reo cuts him off with a tired sigh, dropping his shoes on the floor, not even bothering to straighten them. “I’m not in the mood to argue right now.”

“I don’t want to argue with you either.” Nagi echoes back, forcing himself to say put and not immediately rush to Reo’s side. “I was just— kind of, you know, worried.”

“Yeah.” Reo says with a soft huff, too weary to continue being angry, as if he expected the words out of Nagi’s mouth. “We both said things we don’t mean, and, I get it— Let’s just eat dinner already. What do you want?”

“Well,” Nagi says, cursing inwardly at not being able to say what he wants, for taking the out Reo was giving him. “I’m fine with anything, so we should order from that Italian place you like.”

“I’m cooking, dumbass.” Reo says with a soft groan. “What should I cook?”

“You’re not cooking.” Nagi says on instinct, letting out a puff of incredulity at the absurdity of the sentiment. “You can barely hold yourself up.”

Reo slumps against the wall, clearly proving Nagi’s point.

Under no circumstance, guilty and in the wrong or not, would Nagi let Reo cook in such a state.

This is how most of their arguments go, even though they barely happen. With them blowing up over something small, and coming back after cooling off, ignoring the elephant in the room and acting distant yet casual until the person most in the wrong apologizes, and all is forgotten.

Nagi and Reo don’t fight that much, maybe once in every six months, but, even then, this system feels a little flawed.

“It’s not good to eat out so much.” Reo rebukes, stumbling over his own two feet as he tries to nudge past Nagi, catching himself just in time. “Nagi, please—”

“Reo,” Nagi says, holding him gently back by his shoulders, just firm enough to where Reo would need to put effort into getting out of his grip, careful not to hurt him. “You must be stupid if you think I’ll let you—”

“Let me?” Reo echoes. “I didn’t know that you had to approve my every move.”

“Reo.” Nagi says with barely concealed hurt. “You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Nagi,” Reo almost pleads, his voice cracking on the name. “Please, Don’t—”

“Don’t?” Nagi says, his hands moving down to tangle with Reo’s, their fingers lacing against each other like they were intricately woven, designed with the other in mind. “I’m just telling you not to cook when you’re tired. If you really don’t want to order out, I can cook—”

“You don’t know how to cook.” Reo says, ceasing his attempts to escape past Nagi, but not entirely convinced yet. “You almost burned the water, once.”

“I’ll figure it out.” Nagi says, bringing his face closer to Reo’s, tilting his head down so that their foreheads touch. “You should rest. I made popcorn for us, we can watch that other Jim Carrey movie you like so much.”

Finally, finally, Reo lets out a small huff of laughter. 

“I guess it’s good to know you don’t see me as your house keeper.” He says, with a simple smile, closing his eyes, finally easing into Nagi’s touch.

It’s just enough to somewhat ease the blow the statement makes.

“That’s never been true.” Nagi says, more serious than Reo. “I’ve never seen you like that, please don’t tell me you ever believed it.”

“Treasure,” Reo says, with a soft chuckle punctuating his words. “I was joking. I know pretty well that I’m not your housekeeper, it’s just that, from an outside perspective—”

“Is that what people think about us?” Nagi asks, a soft whisper into Reo’s ears, like the words were a grave death sentence, vulnerable, intimate. 

“No.” Reo breathes out, opening his eyes to be met with Nagi’s troubled expression. “No, of course not. Not the people that matter, anyway.”

“What do you think?” Nagi asks, raw, like he’s afraid of the answer. “What do you think about us?”

“Is that a very necessary question?”

“You’re the one who matters most.” Nagi whispers into the air between them, and he hears Reo’s breath hitch, feels the slight tremble he lets out in response, before schooling himself into composure.

“You say the most embarrassing things.” Reo averts his eyes, the words far too resigned for Nagi’s liking. “We’re partners, aren’t we?”

“Don’t say it like it’s a question.” Nagi complains, because Reo still doesn’t seem like he understands. “We are partners. And anyone who doesn’t see it, is blind.”

“I guess.” Reo says, shrugging the words off. “We should go watch that movie before I fall asleep.”

It hurts.

It hurts a lot.

“No, I think we need to talk.” Nagi insists, because he can’t let this go unaddressed. “I’m sorry, Reo. About all the things I said, I let my anger get the better of me, and—”

“Nagi,” Reo lets out, freeing one of his hands from Nagi’s grip, bringing it up to cradle Nagi’s face. “Sei, it’s late. Breathe.”

“No, I can’t sleep like this—”

“You can always sleep, you lazy baby.” Reo says, moving back the slightest bit so that they could properly look at each other, never leaving behind Nagi’s touch. “We can talk tomorrow, I promise.”

Nagi’s free hand instantly follows its way up the curve of Reo’s body, landing at his waist, the fingers bunching up the fabric to meet skin.

He needs this. It can’t wait.

Even the minimal space Reo put between them feels like torture.

“Reo,” He manages to force out as his throat constricts itself, his stomach tying in knots, his grips tightening. “Reo, please let me talk.”

Reo sighs again, the soft breath tickling Nagi’s face.

Maddening. It’s maddening.

“Why did you say that?” Reo asks, and the exterior of anger and detached calmness (fondness, even) cracks, leaving pure, unadulterated hurt colouring his words. “What did it even mean?”

Nagi’s heart twists at the simple, almost naive question.

Why?

Because I’m selfish.

“I’m sorry.” Nagi repeats, his voice heavy. “I’m sorry, Reo. I-, I don’t know how to say it.”

“No.” Reo repeats, firm, fighting back in his grasp once again. “No. Explain yourself. I’m tired of guessing.”

“Reo, I was jealous.” Nagi finally spits out, the words sour and leaving a bitter aftertaste. “Obviously. You give me too much credit.”

“Of what?” Reo asks, disbelieving. “That’s not it, I don’t see any—”

“Reo.” Nagi repeats, the sound of his name being the only thing keeping him sane. “I know what I feel, it’s so obvious to understand, why aren’t you getting—”

“Why would you be jealous?” Reo asks, because he’s the most stubborn person on planet earth. “Do you want to be friends with Rin too?”

“No—”

“You had plans for us tomorrow?” Reo tilts his head as he asks, still not getting it. “That’s why you got upset?”

“Reo,” Nagi almost yells, only tampering himself down because he never wants to raise his voice at Reo. “Reo, I was jealous of them. Of how they were taking your time and space up—”

Of how you gave to them what you give to me.

Of how they’re taking and giving what was mine. What was ours.

“Nagi,” Reo’s hand travels to the back of Nagi’s head, threading itself into the hair on his nape, scratching gently into his scalp. “You’re you. My partner. You have no reason to be upset.”

I want more.

I want every inch of your soul. I want even the parts of yourself that you hide into the deepest corners of your heart and brain, no matter how revolting they are.

Don’t give to others, what you give to me.

“You don’t understand, Reo.” Nagi says, almost mournful. “You aren’t listening—”

“You’re not saying anything!” Reo insists, and Nagi winces at the intensity. “I don’t know what you want because you aren’t telling me!”

“I’m trying, Reo—”

“And I’m trying, too.” Reo says, almost exhausted, trying to pull away from Nagi. “But you aren’t giving me a whole lot—”

“You don’t give me much either.” Nagi says, refusing to let go. “I wonder what’s going on in your brain too, like how you refuse to accept certain facts—”

“You’re confused.” Reo insists. “They aren’t facts, you’re just experiencing things because I’m your first friend, but they aren’t real,”

“They are real.” Nagi says, bringing Reo closer to him. “You feel it too, that I’m not normal about you, that I want you—”

“You don’t!” Reo says. “That isn’t true, it can’t be—”

But Reo doesn’t push him away. He resists in his grasp, but never enough to dislodge himself entirely from Nagi.

Reo doesn’t let go, even though he has the power too, even though he might want to.

“Reo,” Nagi says like a chant. “Reo, I love you.”

The words escape past Nagi’s lips easily, not a hint of hesitation.

“I love you, Reo.” Nagi repeats. “I love you so much. It’s true, it’s real. Please, believe it.”

Reo might reject him.

Reo might never speak to him again.

But, now, the thing that’ll hurt the most is Reo not believing Nagi to be completely, utterly, hopelessly infatuated with him.

Nagi Seishirou is in love with Reo Mikage.

There’s no truer fact than that.

“You—” Reo stutters, stilling. “No, you—”

“Don’t deny it, Reo.” Nagi pleads. “I know what I feel. I’ve felt this long enough to know.”

“No.” Reo repeats. “No. Don’t lie to me, Seishirou.”

“It’s not a lie.” Nagi says. 

“Nagi, if this is a fucking joke—”

“Why would it be?” Nagi asks. 

“Because,” Reo says, closing his eyes. “Because you don’t show it. Not in a way I can understand, I don’t get— Why?”

“Do you not love me?” Nagi asks, his hands pressing deeper, desperate. “It’s alright if you don’t, just, please, don’t leave me.”

Reo stays quiet, his shallow breaths filling the room, like they were trying to calm him down.

“Reo,” Nagi asks. “Look at me. Please.”

“Nagi.” Reo keeps his eyes closed. “Who said this to you?” His voice was stern, almost angry. 

“No one said anything to me.” Nagi says, whisper-like. “The ocean is blue. And, I love you.”

“Are you making fun of me?” Reo asks, his voice shaking, his eyes opening, glassy, close to tears, vulnerable. “It’s not possible, I would’ve known, I wouldn’t have hated myself just for existing—”

“Why is this so hard to believe?” Nagi asks. “Please, don’t cry, Reo.”

The tears fall anyway, his eyes red around the rim, his cheeks flushing, his breath stuttering as he once again tries to get away.

Reo’s beautiful anyway. Pretty, with tears streaking his face, his sounds melodic.

But Nagi doesn’t like seeing him upset.

It hurts.

“I love you, Nagi.” Reo says. “Please, don’t do this to me. Please, don’t be cruel.”

I love you, Nagi.

Nagi’s imagined this moment a hundred times in his dreams.

It feels a little euphoric. A little bittersweet. Like fireworks setting off, only to release smoke along with light.

Because, he always imagined a happy Reo.

He can’t let his Reo continue on with so much self doubt.

So, he says everything he’s been thinking, everything he’s been holding back for fear of sounding insane.

“I love you too.” Nagi says, releasing his hands to cradle Reo’s face, taking in the shudder of Reo’s body. “I love you more than sunlight, I love you like you’re the center of my universe.”

“Nagi—”

“Reo.” Nagi says like a prayer, and Reo shakes in his grip, pupils blown wide, gasps of air coming out as he processes Nagi’s words. “You’re what makes everything worth it. I love you, so much that it hurts. And, I’m willing to repeat it over and over again until you believe me.”

“When did you get so talkative?” Reo says, raw, vulnerable, but pliant in his arms, quieter than before. “Nagi, if you’re being serious—”

“I am.”

“If we both feel the same way,” Reo breathes out. “Then, kiss me, already.”

Ah, now, this feels more like euphoria.

Bubbles burst beneath his skin, and Nagi instinctively leans in closer. The tips of fingers feel electric, his body lighter.

And, with a teary eyed Reo, flushed, gorgeous, with inviting, quivering, red lips asking, what else is Nagi supposed to do but oblige?

“Yes, boss.” Nagi whispers against Reo’s lips, before finally, finally, sealing them with his own.

Reo hums in disbelief, and Nagi swallows the sound, committing the feel of Reo’s lips to memory, the plush, soft aperture feeling a little like heaven against his own.

He moves his mouth in tandem with Reo’s own, as Reo finally melts against Nagi, closing his eyes, giving where Nagi takes, nibbling Nagi’s bottom lip, coaxing his lips apart.

Again, what else is Nagi supposed to do but oblige? 

Nagi lets out a soft sound at Reo’s insistence, as Reo’s tongue licks into his mouth, letting out his own little sounds, probably being the best thing Nagi’s heard in the world, something he’s going to dream about. 

His own tongue meets against Reo’s, sucking slightly on the appendage, greedily absorbing the whine Reo lets out, taking and taking and taking. 

Reo tastes like champagne and the concept of sparkles, as Nagi’s tongue breaches into Reo’s mouth, and the kiss itself tastes a little like salty relief and tears, and it’s messy and the only thing worth remembering in the world.

Reo pulls back, sucking in a long gasp as he catches his breath, his lips glossy and spit-slicked and kiss bruised and so, so addicting, and Nagi barely gives him a second before pulling him in for one more, drinking in the surprised moan Reo gives.

He looks perfect , wrecked from just Nagi kissing him, stabilising himself by threading his finger tips in Nagi’s hair, hands around his neck, his hair tousled and messy, red cheeks and the cutest expression, and it spurs Nagi on further and further.

I love you. Nagi hopes Reo can feel it.

I love you.

They have a lot more to talk about, but first, they have years worth of kissing to get on with.

++1

To absolutely no one’s surprise. Nagi hates parties.

Of course, Reo is the only reason he attends this one. 

It’s not horrible. The rest of the ex-blue lock players are there, with Chigiri and Hiori playing Mario Kart with him in the corner of the room.

It’s pretty chill. The party was a little reunion the Blue Lockers have once every two years, just to catch up.

They all went through that horrid program together, so, they truly do have a good sense of competitive camaraderie together.

It’s good to catch up.

Still, Nagi would be happier if it were just him and Reo, back at home.

“You’re sulking, Genius.” Chigiri points out. “And it's showing in your gameplay.”

“What,” Hiori questions with a cocky smile, clearly happy he managed to snag the first place spot from under Nagi’s toes. “You too busy internally gooning to your wife?”

“You know Reo’s here right?” Nagi says, wanting to snap Hiori out of his gamer talk. “You can go ask him.”

“God,” Chigiri says, groaning. “Don’t do that. Reo’s the loudest complainer in the world.”

Nagi just yawns at the words, letting his eyes wander around the venue, hoping to find Reo.

Instead, he accidentally makes eye contact with a leek-haired playboy and a crow man, that make their way towards the group.

“Yo!” Karasu says, immediately heading for Hiori to hit his arm. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“Missy.” Otoya greets with a lazy gaze and his usual supposedly cool aura. “And my faithful student Nagi.”

“‘Sup.”

“Ugh, it’s you again.” Chigiri huffs out. “Stay five feet away from me.”

“Karasu.” Hiori says, punching his shoulder. “Yer even more uglier than usual.”

“Missy!” Karasu says, ignoring Hiori’s words. “This guy’s gotten even worse over the years.”

“No homo, though.” Otoya easily adds on. “Though, my student Nagi has been very successful in his ventures with the ninja arts.” 

“The stupid ninja techniques worked on Reo?” Chigiri asks, tilting his head.

“Yeah.” Nagi absentmindedly agrees. “I guess so. But, it was mostly me.”

“You got the girl!” Otoya says in congratulations, ignoring the second half of Nagi’s response. “I’m proud of you man.”

“Once again,” Nagi responds with his usual indifference. “Reo isn’t a chick.”

“Oh,” It’s Chigiri who answers this time. “No, but he certainly acts like one.”

“A helpless maiden in love.” Hiori echoes as Karasu whistles in approval.

“The sex must be insane.” Otoya says, crass and vulgar as always. “I’m sure you’re a big fan.”

“Ew.” Nagi says, turning his nose up in disgust, as both Hiori and Chigiri let out similar sounds of distress. “Nope. Not commenting on that.”

“You’re not slick, dude.” Karasu smirks as he says. “A turtleneck, really? I guess someone was a little rough.”

“He was wearing your fuckass jacket too.” Chigiri muses thoughtfully. “Yeah, no, the turtleneck definitely was covering hickeys.”

“Wow, Nagi.” Hiori says with a huff. “Possessive much?”

“Once again,” Nagi repeats, over the conversation. “No comment.”

These guys didn’t need to know the truth, anyway.

So what if Nagi did leave too many marks on Reo’s neck that were well past the limits of public decency?

These guys had big egos already, no need to fuel it further.

“This guy’s enjoying himself too much.” Otoya says, running a hand through his hair. “How come my relationships never go this swell?”

“I wonder…” Chigiri says, totally not passive-aggressively.

“Only I’m allowed to be happy.” Nagi easily says. “Cry about all of your relationships.”

“What a douchebag…”

“You owe this all to me, bro.” Otoya says. “Like, completely.”

“No.” Nagi says, getting up from his spot on the floor, stretching out. “I owe Ba-ya, probably. But mostly me.”

“Oh, fuck you.”

“Yeah.” Nagi says, as his eye finally catches on his favorite person. “Later, guys. We’re leaving.”

Nagi waves them goodbye with a simple peace sign, before walking out to sneak up on Reo and convince him to let them leave for home early.

And, maybe steal a few kisses as well.

There’s nothing wrong with kissing your boyfriend, now is there?