Chapter Text
The band had chosen a small bar with an even smaller stage for their live gig. Fortunately, the size of the corresponding bar didn't predict low quality of drinks. In fact, Bajis Whiskey smelled heavenly rich. The scent mixed with those of cigarettes and beer and a hint of sweat.
They were currently playing their last song. Dedicated to a rather unfavourable romantic experience of their lead-singer about ten years ago. Or that's what he said. Baji was amused that the ten year anniversary of their first kiss deserved its own song. And even more so that Chifuyu found it 'unfavourable'.
But that's probably what you get for disappearing for a decade. Especially when you acted like an asshole and were supposedly killed for it. As a matter of fact Fuyu looked really handsome on that stage. Baji couldn't take his eyes off of him.
"You're staring."
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"Act less creepy, will you."
Baji huffed. "Fine." Amber eyes found Mikey's dark ones. "I just don't wanna lose him in the crowd."
"I don't think you will. Hold on." He checked his phone. "I need to step outside for a second. Don't do anything stupid."
"That's exactly what I'm here for."
"I figured."
With Mikey gone, Baji watched the band finish up in peace. They were good, loved by the crowd. As much of a crowd that fitted into the small bar anyway. Probably drawn in by Chifuyu -
Chifuyu, who turned out to be almost too much of a cliché: The handsome guitar-playing lead-singer of an indie pop band. His hair was black now, but the green eyes still sparkled without comparison.
How could he still be so fucking whipped? It's been ten years. And all Baji could do was watch from afar as they got off stage and far less captivating music began to play. A hard swallow sent the alcohol down his throat. Baji suddenly felt parched. It was probably now or never. Well, maybe there would have been a chance later or another time, but he really wasn't the person to just run away from a difficult situation. Not by his choice anyway.
So, Baji Keisuke watched Chifuyu, his ex in too many senses of the word - vice captain, friend, partner and so many more - make his way to the opposite side of the bar, a band member in tow.
That ... had been a load to finally shrug off.
Relief put the grin on Chifuyu’s face as they ordered drinks and finally settled in to relax a bit. He had been nervous about the gig - the whole band had been - but it went off without a hitch. Even some smaller technical difficulties were solved soon enough and their performance turned out to be a success.
"You really earned this one." His friend and keyboarder of the group handed him one of the ordered beers and patted his shoulder.
Fuyu accepted. "Honestly, we all did."
"Sure, but being up front's always more intimidating."
"Thrilling, you mean."
They laughed, downing a good portion of their beverages. Performing made thirsty.
Then there was another voice. The bar was loud enough to prevent him from recognizing it, but it did sound familiar.
"Sounds like your love life was shit ten years ago."
There was a presence behind him, too. Fuyu knew the drill. Boys and girls saw him on stage and wanted to try their luck. It's been a while since he entertained them, though.
So, this time, he didn't turn around.
He just turned his head enough to show there was a reaction.
"My love life was a fucking rollercoaster. And all the seats are taken, I'm not going to add to it tonight, sorry."
Besides ... he wouldn't think about- that. He took another sip, thinking about a topic of conversation to rope his bandmate into. But there was h e a t behind him, closer now. He noticed the keyboarder’s narrowed eyes.
Someone was about to get too close to him.
Chifuyu could feel the warm tickle of breath on his ear. Weirdly enough, he didn't immediately pounce.
"I had a ticket once. Does it expire after a decade?"
And Chifuyu froze.
He knew the voice. Of fucking course he knew the voice, but that was i m p o s s i b l e.
He didn't notice the air leaving his lungs - he did notice that they didn't have any motivation to breathe some of it in again. It couldn't be. Fuyu actually considered hallucinating, but his bandmate's reaction wouldn't be explained by that. Plus ... he hadn't taken anything.
Stiff as a board he slid off his stool and turned around ve-ry slowly.
Afraid. Anticipating. Disbelieving.
Amber eyes were on him and his lungs started to breath again.
"Everything alright, Fuyu?" The keyboarder.
"Yes. No." He couldn't take his eyes off him. "Yeah. I ... I might need a stronger drink."
This had to be some cruel, sick joke.
"I'd gladly pay for that", Baji said.
Baji. Fucking Baji.
"Only if you add a r e a l good explanation how you are alive ... and here."
"I can do that."
About five minutes and a bought bottle of whiskey later they left the bar through the staff exit into a small courtyard.
"Gimme that." Chifuyu took the botte and two, three deep gulps of liquid. Deep breaths. "Now talk." He tried to keep at least one eye on the achingly familiar figure. Now, after drowning the impulsive need to just hug him for minutes straight, he could actually try to wrap his head around what Baji was doing here. He looked healthy, good even.
Absolutely and utterly capable of contacting him - had a 'hey fuyu im not dead' really been too much to ask? Ten fucking years. That explanation better be good.
"Listen, my mom insisted on moving. There's a ... special clinic further north that offered some kind of treatment I needed. You know, the junkyard-"
"Are you shitting me right now, Baji, as if I could ever forget."
At least he looked a bit stricken. Unsure if his approach had been the right one, maybe.
Good.
"I'm sorry, Chifuyu. I should've- I don't know. Let you know somehow." Baji's fingers worked through black hair, pulled out the band and fixed a low bun. Then he wordlessly asked for the bottle. "I couldn't let mom down. You know how she gets. She was ... devastated. I didn't really have a choice."
Fuyu watched him drink. Contemplating. His insides reminded him that he didn't eat enough today und that too much of the spirit probably wouldn't end well.
"But you survived. Turned out fine, I guess." Chifuyu vaguely gestured at the very alive looking Baji. "There was time after", he added quietly.
Baji sighed and carefully placed the bottle on the ground. He came closer and Chifuyu fought the urge - any urge - to move.
"I have a lot to apologize for. I know. I still expected you to be happier to see me." There was a slight questioning tilt to his words and disbelieve painted Chifuyu's face once more.
"You're so ... unbearably pretentious." He's always been this way, his brain unhelpfully supplied. You just didn't mind back then.
Well, he minded n o w. "I really can't decide whether I want to hit or hug you."
And there it was.
That horribly beautiful smile, canines on display, cheeks full of mirth and arrogance.
"Why not both?"
Chifuyu felt his breath escape his lungs once more. Ten years ago he hadn't even been physically able to hit him. Later he hated himself for being so weak when it might've saved Baji's life. But now ... Now he let his gaze wander again, seizing Baji up, making a decision.
Slowly Chifuyu approached. Baji's smile melted into something more tender - dare he say loving? Not that it would mean anything, not after all those years and in his current situation, but the expression was so achingly familiar Fuyu felt it resonating in his core.
And so Chifuyu stepped into open arms and let himself be pulled into a soft embrace - one that he instantly put more pressure on, clinging to the other man as if he wanted to make up for lost time.
And maybe he did.
The arms holding him pulled him closer and Fuyu heard a stuttering exhale right beside his ear. Baji even smelled familiar, Chifuyu realized as soon as he buried his nose in the dark strands, traveling further to rest against his pulse point.
Alive.
And tension finally let go of him.
"I hate you so fucking much right now, Keisuke."
Fuyu sounded not as broken as he felt - not by far - but his voice was unsteady nonetheless. His eyes began to prick and he closed then firmly to ward off the unbidden tears.
"I know. You have every right to."
"But I'm so ... so glad."
"I know that, too."
There was a smile hidden in the words. Chifuyu let go of him just enough to manage a punch to his ribs. Not a hard one, but ... enough to earn a soft "Oof" that satisfied his hunger for vengeance.
Now Fuyu was the one smiling.