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From the things Seishiro expects to wake up to, there's a certain list that usually comprises 99% of probabilities:
- A phone hitting his face (when he falls asleep while gaming);
- NPC noise (especially now, in the teenager torture facility named Blue Lock, where he has to share a room with nine random guys and Reo);
-And welp, Reo shaking him awake. Either in one of his whims, having thought of a new trap he wants Seishiro to try, or gently, soft hands untangling his hair, whispering a sweet “time to get up, Nagi~” or “rise and shine, my treasure”. Ah, those were the best.
So safe to say, when he awakes to Zantetsu poking his arm repeatedly, Seishiro is considerably confused.
“I need my nap to function. Come back in two hours.” He mumbles, not eager to move to anyone who doesn't know his price, as giving up on a nap will take a lot more pampering. The idea of that coming from Zantetsu, though, is kinda weird, developing friendship apart.
“Oh, sorry for waking you up.” Zantetsu stares at him, appearing relieved.
“Weren't you trying to? Why were you poking me, then?”
“I was worried you were dead.”
Now that makes Seishiro shake away his laziness, as not even he is able to resist engaging in Zantetsu's odd antics. Kinda like watching a car crash, but instead of cars, it's brain cells. Oh, that's funny; he should tell Reo that later.
“Why would you even think that? I’m just a heavy sleeper.”
“The other guys were saying that you are spoiled rotten, and rotten people that can still move are zombies, right? I wouldn't want you eating my brain.”
“That would be impossible. And that's not what they meant, Zantetsu. It's just that Reo spoils me a lot, as in, he takes care of me. You won’t be starving a zombie to double death today.”
“Oh, that makes sense. Why does he do that, anyway? Are you sick? In a non-zombie way?”
“It's just a Reo thing.”
Seishiro shrugs, lacking a better explanation. After all, Reo has been spoiling him ever since the day they met, so it became a natural part of their dynamic. And as much as he was indeed putting too much effort into this soccer thing, at least the payment was pretty decent: Seishiro never thought he'd ride two limousines (Reo's and Reo), drink non-alcoholic champagne that cost the same as an average rent, or be loved for the entire eternity.
“So, shouldn't Reo spoil everyone in the team? To be far?”
“You mean fair. And no, he shouldn’t.” Seishiro doesn't like how annoyed his answer comes out, but it's kind of Zantetsu's fault for saying something so absurd.
As Reo's prodigy and the one who can make his dreams possible, Seishiro is the only person who is entitled to all the perks. You can call that his work benefits or future husband privilege.
“Reo is not interested in lame guys, and I'm the only one he ever thought was amazing, stupid Zantetsu. Plus, taking care of me and soccer are already full-time jobs.”
“But what if—”
“Oh Nagi, you're up!” Reo's arrival interrupts their debate. Judging by his hairdo and sweaty state, he was probably practicing, but Seishiro clings to his side either way. “What are you guys doing?”
“I was checking if Nagi was a zombie, and now we are discussing farness… fairness. I obviously mean fairness.”
“He's bullying me, Reo~”
“Oh nooo, my poor baby~” Reo laughs, clearly amused, yet his hand reaches for a peace offer in the form of a head pat. “If you're not that hungry for brains, Nagi of the dead, I was planning to take a bath. Want to come along so I can wash your hair?”
“Yes.” And just because he can, Seishiro adds, clinging harder, “I wouldn't eat Reo, by the way. Just bite you. This way, we can be zombies together.”
“That's sure one bold way to win the World Cup. I like the way you think, genius!”
They continue the conversation while making their way to the communal baths, Reo reviewing the rules that could possibly stop zombies from playing soccer while Seishiro ponders where he could bite Reo to better enjoy the opportunity. In zombie movies, it’s usually an arm or shoulder, and while Reo’s shoulders are really cute, his neck looks way more biteable. Isn’t that more in-brand for vampires, though? Ah, but Reo is so nice; he’d probably allow Seishiro to take his time deciding or even suggest which parts of his body are more biting-adequate. Going for his thighs would be the ideal world; would that possibility be on the table? Huh… Decisions, decisions.
Once they're in the bath, though, the zombie question gets forgotten, and Zantetsu's words come back to him. Reo certainly does spoil him a lot…
So on the course of the remaining day, Seishiro pays extra attention to all the ways that typically happen.
Gently massaging his scalp while washing his hair.
Getting his towel.
Cutting Seishiro's steak into manageable pieces and feeding him once he gives up halfway through his plate.
Petting his head. Saying good night with that gentle smile Reo only ever shows to him.
Allowing Seishiro to climb on his bed to cuddle, strange stares be damned.
It gets to a point when Seishiro's spoiling cup overflows, but not in a bad way: he just feels positively overwhelmed, by Reo and these warm feelings of gratitude, happiness, and things he still isn't able to name.
Seishiro is like a cloud being taken around a peaceful world by the comforting wind, one that smells like lavender and home. Fine, Reo used to smell like lavender, and now it's only the neutral, cheap, Blue Lock-assigned soap, but the home part still checks out.
And for the first time, Seishiro thinks that perhaps only scoring goals isn't enough: is it because Reo's dream has become his own? So winning is something he's interested in too? Who knows? Thinking is a pain, and he'd much rather use his short spare time completing his dailies. If his instincts are saying that he could do something nice for Reo once in a while, it can't hurt.
Worst-case scenario, Reo would be proud of his effort and reward him. It can make him happy enough to show one of his prettiest smiles, the ones where his eyes get crinkled and his cheeks all blushing. That would be nice.
I should add this to our promise, Seishiro makes a mental note. Not only does Reo have to stay with me until the end, never die before me, but we have to…
“Reo.” He voices out loud, not seeing a reason to have the same reflection twice. The Reo in question raises his eyes from the notebook he's scribbling on, eyebrows relaxing from the previous focused state.
“Hmm?~ Need something?”
“I was thinking about our promise. I don't want Reo to just be with me forever. Can we promise that we'll be together and happy?”
“S-Sure?” There's amusement and something Seishiro thinks is embarrassment in Reo's voice, although he can't understand why. “Where does that come from?”
“Dunno. Life is only less of a pain when Reo's happy, I guess. So be happy forever by my side, ok?”
Reo apparently tries to give him an answer a few times, until he realizes the other members of Team V are eavesdropping on their conversation. Seishiro doesn't really care, but Reo obviously flashes through multiple emotions, opting to show his annoyance by throwing a pillow at the closest target.
“If you morons have time to meddle in our business, go run some extra laps! I won't accept anything other than peak performance, Team V!!”
Seishiro thinks he lost the moment to the chaos, until, once most of their teammates get chased to the gym, Reo plops on top of his bed, lips curving in a small smile he never saw before.
Subtle and delicate, creating an itch that can only be satisfied by bringing him closer, so Seishiro does just that.
“Don’t worry. I'm happy, Nagi, the happiest. As long as my treasure is with me, nothing in this life can take me down.”
“Good.”
Huh, this spoiling Reo business is nice, Seishiro thinks, deciding to try again, this win-win dynamic change.
In the following days, he learns a bunch regarding the subject, all ending in a new section of his Reo database. Lucky for him, Reo doesn't seem interested in the more pain-in-the-ass acts of service; he prefers to cut his own steak and deal with both of their dirty laundry. Reo also seems upset when Nagi refuses his help to “give him a break”. That, of course, only reinforces the completely sane idea that they're perfect for each other, because blow-drying your own hair is annoying, and piggyback rides should be the Seishiro Nagi equivalent of a universal human right.
The things that Reo seems to like are different, more subtle.
Instead of the extremes of either doing his own laundry or staying behind to watch the nothing, Seishiro trails behind Reo, sitting around while he dutifully separates clothing, complimenting how neatly he folds their sweatshirts.
Pulling a chair while Reo carries both of their trays at lunchtime.
Keeping a hair tie inside his phone case, and handing it before practice. That particular one makes Reo's eyes widen so much that Seishiro almost forgets that they're about to run on the stupid treadmills, one of his more hated parts of practice.
However, it's the words that seem to do the trick. Now, Seishiro is not that much of a talker, as usually Reo's able to understand what he wants without words. But their telepathy must have limits, because Reo only seems able to access his basic needs and the soccer-related things, not seeing the many ways he's… Appreciated.
Maybe it’s for the best, considering the totally not frequent, more unhinged images that exist on that side of his brain.
So talking it is.
“That pass was really cool, Reo.”
“Your hair is getting longer. Looks pretty.”
“I like holding Reo, you know? It’s one of the few good things about this stupid place. Oh, once we’re done, Reo should just invite me to move in. Your apartment is not suited for human living, though, let’s get a regular one.”
The last one comes when they're once again back in bed, and there are far too many emotions going through his partner for a novice in emotional intelligence like Seishiro to understand. Reo shifts on his arms, facing Seishiro with a puzzled, yet fond eexpression;he knows that much.
“What's up with you these last days? Is there something wrong? Did the guys say anything weird? You can tell me.”
“Hm? Not really…”
“Don't hide things from me!!” Reo flickers his forehead, not being able to keep his attitude after Seishiro mumbles a “don't be mean” as if fatally wounded. “You… Don't need to change or anything, Nagi. I like you just the way you are.”
“Oh, I know that. But I like Reo too, so I should be able to spoil you once in a while, right?”
Now that next reaction even Seishiro can recognize, if simply by the rare appearance of tomato Reo.
“Is that what you've been doing?”
“Don't you like it?” Seishiro asks just to fish for compliments, adding a last-minute request that comes straight from a few mangas on his shelf back home. “Also, Reo should kiss my forehead better. No being cruel to your treasure.”
“You're such a…” Reo pauses midway through his sentence, and Seishiro can see mischief winning a battle with embarrassment before feeling a warm pressure against his lips.
Welp, that's way better than a compliment.
“How's that for kissing it better, my prodigy?”
Seishiro kinda feels like a fish out of water, once again caught in the overwhelming net of new sensations that has been his life ever since he met Reo Mikage.
It's precisely where he wants to be.
“I think Reo should spoil me even more.”
“And what if you indeed get spoiled rotten?~”
“Worth it.”