Work Text:
I'm sorry
Eita catches the words before they can fall from his lips, even though the urge is powerful, even though he feels it with every fibre of his being.
Daiki carries him out on his back, shoulders his loss like it's his own. Because in his mind it is. Because in both their minds they were simply Not Good Enough.
I couldn't hold onto it.
I couldn't fight you for it.
Eita doesn't think he's worthy, doesn't understand why Daiki trusts him so much, why he looks at him the way he does, like he's the sun in the sky, not a shadow on the ground. He doesn't know why he reaches for him like he's some inspiring thing, or why he wanted so much to face him for that belt.
He never felt that important as a Junior, never saw himself as any kind of figure here. He still doesn't. But somehow, tonight, he found himself fighting like one, found himself pushing forward with such fire and determination, for that belt… For that person.
It was a mixture of emotions that came to him on that final three count. Pride. Disappointment. Relief.
Eita lay there, looking at the lights, with the pulse of his heartbeat and the crowd in his ears. He'd tried and he'd failed. He wasn't that wall, he didn't fit that mold, he wasn't that guy and this was the proof. Just holding a belt didn't make you somebody and in the end, when it had really mattered, he couldn't get it done.
It was almost a comfort to feel, that inevitable resignation. The thing he'd known all along was true.
Then Daiki was reaching for him again, calling him, rolling him onto the ring apron with a hand on his back, scooping him up and draping him over his shoulders, and Eita felt it in both of them, sudden and strong.
It was supposed to be you.
For a moment a fire had surged in himself so urgent, so intense, he'd wanted to push past the pain and keep going, even though he could barely move, even though it was too late, even though it was over. Then the adrenaline began to fade and he let his aching body settle over Daiki's back.
The relief and the fire fizzled out as one.
Right now he only feels sorry. Sorry that he can't be that champion for him. Sorry that he can't give him that moment. Sorry enough that he lets Daiki carry him out in front of everyone, lets him feel that weight at last.
He never would have before.
Before what?
Before this. Before them. Before he started to give a shit. Before he started to…
I'm sorry.
He doesn't say it.
Instead he just presses a little closer, making it seem like he's shifting his weight, and murmurs gently against Daiki's neck.
" You've gotten stronger."