Archive of Our Own

“Ah, there's me!” Reo smiles as his finger taps his own portrait on the page. Lined among all the other students, with his perfectly neat uniform, striking purple hair, and the manner in which he held himself, Reo easily stood out among the rest. His picture perfect smile was etched onto his face, highlighting all his other features with the way it shined.

When the Hakuho year book arrived, Reo quickly grabbed Nagi to look through it with him. They sit on Nagi’s bed, said boy currently resting against Reo’s shoulder, completely slack even as the Mikage heir waited for his response.

“Nagi?” He chirped, fingers rapping against the paper again as he sneaks a glance at him. A sigh falls from his lips when Reo realizes he's fast asleep, for how long- he could only guess.

“Nagi!” He calls again, jostling his shoulder to which Nagi quickly jerks awake. The white haired boy dazedly looks around the room, then down at the year book and then at Reo before blinking back to the present.

“Wasn't sleeping, boss…” Nagi mumbles, immediately followed by a yawn that makes his statement all the more convincing. Reo rolls his eyes as Nagi nuzzles himself back onto his shoulder.

Following where his finger lay on the paper, Nagi's gaze lands on Reo's school photo.

“Reo looks perfect,” Nagi says, his voice heavy with sleep. “It’s like you're sparkling.”

“Of course I do! I am a super amazing elite after all.” Reo huffs, a cheeky smirk painting his face as he sings his own praises.

The Mikage heir turns the page, his finger running along the students until it stops atop the treasure hidden among them.

“There you are! You look so…” Reo trails off as he stares at Nagi's photo. His messy white hair, dark gray eyes and slouched shoulders are all there, not an ounce of care for the camera in front of him.

“So…?” Nagi repeats, his gaze moving up to watch Reo as he awaits his verdict.

“...Bleak.” Reo deadpans.

“Wow, so cold…”

“It's just…!” Reo quickly stammers, clutching the book as he brings it closer to his face. His eyes dart between Nagi and the student to his left, comparing the difference in their countenance and photo quality. Even the lighting in Nagi's photo seemed dull, making the eye bags that hung below Nagi's eyes blend right in.

The more he stared, the more out of place Nagi seemed. Really, Reo couldn't name what it was and it was beginning to eat away at him. Other than Nagi's clear nonchalance, what made his photo seem so empty?

Scanning the other portraits once again, Reo lets out a noise as it finally hits him.

“You're not even smiling!” He exclaims, his finger slamming on the frown on Nagi's face. Reo turns to him, eyebrows furrowed in a sulk, then asks, “Nagi, why didn't you smile?”

“Too much work,” Nagi murmured, spinning away when a determined glint swirls through Reo's eyes.

“Don’t be lazy! C’mon, Nagi, show me a smile!” Reo grins as he grabs the lazy boy's shoulders to force him to face him. When Nagi stubbornly refuses to look at him, Reo shakes him back and forth. “Nagi! One smile!”

“Reooo,” he whines as he rolls his head along his shoulder to pout at his assailant. “That's a pain. Don’t wanna.”

All that earns him is another violent shake.

Once Reo stops, Nagi conjures up the most pleading puppy dog eyes he can muster as he stares at Reo- a silent plea begging for mercy.

“Smile.” Reo demands, completely unaffected by Nagi's most powerful move. In any normal situation, Reo would fold at a single whine or two from Nagi. There was no defying him when he got like this.

With no other choice, Nagi sighs and complies.

He pulls back his lips in what looks nothing like a smile but was the best of his abilities. It was crooked and wonky and definitely not natural; it looked more like a pathetic attempt at growling, if anything.

“That's not a smile!” Reo shouts. He plasters a strained smile on his own face, pointing at it as he speaks through his teeth. “This is a smile.”

Nagi attempts to mimic him but there's no difference, looking the exact same as before. Reo huffs with a slight frown at his treasure's failure to show an ounce of happiness.

“Let me do it!”

And before Nagi has a chance to protest, Reo's hands are pulling at his cheeks, forcing them in all kinds of directions. His violet eyes squint with determination, concentratedly poking out his tongue as he tugs Nagi's face in every which way.

“Eeooo hatt urttss,” Nagi whines through the abuse his cheeks are enduring. Reo blinks before slowly letting his hands fall.

“Ah, sorry…” he mumbles, a frown overtaking his own face. After a brief second of silence, Reo brings a hand up to ruffle through Nagi's hair with a sigh. “Don't worry about it, treasure, it's fine if you don't smile.”

A moment passes, Reo watching Nagi closely as he leans into his touch. He wasn't smiling, but he looked completely content, relaxed and comfortable in a way that suits him more than a smile probably would.

“How about we watch a movie?” Reo offers as he places the year book off to the side.

“Yayy.”

—

After spending the entire next day mulling the situation over, Reo has come to this conclusion: it is not fine.

Because of course it's not fine! After thinking back through all the memories he has with Nagi, not once has he ever seen him smile! That's just completely unacceptable, is it not? Reo will not stand for this.

He's seen Nagi make all kinds of faces. A frown as his default expression, a grimace when he comes across something he dislikes, a pout when Reo nags him too much, a sulk every time he's dragged to practice; none of which ever resemble a smile in the slightest.

So that is how Mikage Reo comes to the new found goal of making Nagi Seishiro smile. He will stop at nothing to see this task complete. What Mikage Reo wants, Mikage Reo gets, after all.

—

“Nagi!”

Reo's voice echoes through the empty class room as he swings the door open. Once the bell had rung, signaling the day's end, all the students immediately left, that is, all students save for a certain white haired lazy boy who remained slouched upon his desk.

Reo strolls through the room, his hand mindlessly dragging along the empty seats as he makes his way in front of Nagi's desk. His face is nestled in his arms, drool pooled beneath him as soft snores fall from his lips.

Reo lets out a huff that resembles a small laugh before threading his fingers through messy white hair and crouching down beside the desk.

“Nagi, time to wake up, sleepy head.” Reo lulls, resting his head on the outskirts of the desk as he watches him stir. “Naaaggii.”

His stormy gray eyes slowly flutter open, looking through messy bangs to be met with shining purple ones. Processing that it’s just Reo, his eyes shut again as he shifts against the desk, mumbling a mopey “five more minutes.”

With an eye roll, Reo brings himself to his feet, his hands resting on his hips as he sighs dramatically.

Honestly, Reo doesn't get how he can sleep when the sun light so blindingly beams through the window as it is now. Maybe Nagi was sort of like a cat in the way the sun's warmth led to optimal napping conditions. Still, this was no time to be sleeping; not when the weather was so perfect for practice.

“If you insist… I guess I'll just have to go to practice now and you'll be left with no Reo limousine to take you there.”

Reo can't help the smile that creeps onto his face when Nagi stiffens in response. He slowly raises his head, an offended pout on his face as he whines, “Reo is so mean.”

It works like a charm, considering that Nagi lazily scoots back his chair as he stands, yawning in the process.

Opening his arms wide like a toddler begging to be carried, Nagi waits for his ride.

Perfect, Reo thinks as he takes a step forward with a smirk, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he strolls towards his unexpecting target.

Once within range, instead of crouching down to allow Nagi to climb onto his back, Reo suddenly reaches for Nagi's armpits, wiggling his fingers all over the boy's torso. His tickling is relentless in the way Reo doesn't give him a moment to defend himself.

Although… it doesn't seem like he needs any defending. Nagi only blinks in response.

“What is Reo doing?” He eventually asks with a tilt of his head, he stares at Reo like he’s doing something unbeknownst to him, as if being tickled was a foreign concept he's never heard of.

Reo's hands awkwardly freeze as he realizes this attempt was a complete and utter failure. Nagi didn't even crack the faintest of smiles, not even a huff of laughter after being tickled so ruthlessly. Reo feels his face flush when the embarrassment hits. He must seem like a fool; standing here like an idiot with his hands under an unbothered Nagi's armpits.

“You're just… not ticklish…at all.” Reo slowly mumbles as his head drops towards the floor, defeat weighing down on him. He had been awfully confident in this approach too; an easy one-and-done, but apparently he couldn't have been more wrong.

“I've never been tickled,” Nagi states, a quiet loneliness accompanying the words. The face he wears is one of indifference, like he hadn't just admitted to something that is awfully heartbreaking.

Reo brings his gaze up, eyebrows furrowing with a frown as he stares at the tall boy in front of him. Every child should experience the torture of being trapped in an endless tickle attack at least once. Reo remembers being a frequent victim of Ba-ya's, constantly finding himself on the brink of tears as she mercilessly tickled him until Reo's cheeks hurt from smiling.

“Not even once?” Reo still feels the need to ask.

“Nope…”

Reo falls silent after that, unsure of what to say. Learning this leaves an ache in his heart, but it also causes the desire to make Nagi smile increase a hundred fold.

“Is Reo ticklish?” Nagi eventually asks softly. He stares blankly at him, like he was simply asking about the weather.

“Of course I'm not,” Reo lies, his eyes finding anything other than Nagi to look at. He places his hands on his hips and points his chin up, as if to make himself seem more believable. “The elite Mikage Reo isn't ticklish in the slightest—pfftt!!”

Reo immediately clamps his mouth shut and wraps his arms around himself defensively when Nagi sneaks close enough to experimentally tickle his armpit.

“Not ticklish, Reo said,” Nagi monotones, a knowing stare painting his face.

“You caught me off guard, is all…” Reo attempts but Nagi's deadpan expression remains. Well, his expression was always rather deadpan, but Reo could tell this was his Reo-is-spouting-nonsense face.

Despite holding his arms as close to his torso as humanly possible, Nagi easily manages to pry his way underneath Reo's arms as he wriggles his fingers on his sides. And Reo, stripped of his defense, can only burst into laughter.

“H-Hey Nagi-” Reo pleads through a fit of giggles, his eyes squeezed shut as he weakly tries to push Nagi off of him. “Stop that!”

His pleas fall on deaf ears as Nagi continues his merciless attack. Reo’s laughter rings through the room, tears welling in his eyes as his cheeks begin to hurt from how wide he was smiling.

Not only did his plan fail- it completely backfired. He would sulk if he could, but he was currently a teensie bit busy being tickled to death.

Reo fails to notice the way Nagi’s eyes soften as his gaze remains glued to his beaming smile.

—

Despite how small it is, Nagi’s apartment was awfully comfortable. At first Reo was thrown off by the size, but he's come to see that as part of its charm.

Nagi lays on his stomach on his bed, idly kicking his legs while playing a game on his phone. Occasionally mumbling a “headshot” when he does good or a grumbly "they're hacking” when he loses. Reo is leaning against the wall, seated beside him as he closes a book he had been assigned to read for one of his classes.

Even when they aren't doing anything, simply being with Nagi is enough for Reo to have a content warmth in his heart.

“Reo, look,” Nagi lulls, flipping his phone towards him to show the victory covering the screen with loads of confetti around it. He leans towards Reo and offers his head to the boy. “Praise me Reo.”

“Good job, my treasure,” Reo easily chimes, running his hand through his messy white hair with a smile. Nagi hums his satisfaction and leans into the touch.

Staring at his partner, Reo realizes now would be the perfect time for his next plan. He grins as he moves his hand from Nagi’s head to his pocket, earning him a pouty huff and needy stare.

“Nagi, close your eyes for me for a moment.”

Expecting a bit of an inquiry, Reo is ready to convince Nagi without giving away his ploy but he quickly realizes he won’t have to. Nagi shuts his eyes immediately.

“Okay, boss.”

Reo blinks, a bit caught off guard by his easy obedience. He ruffles his hair with a cheeky smirk before giggling. “Good boy.”

Reo was already seated near the window, which makes this much easier. He takes the item out of his pocket with a grin then shuffles around for a few seconds, carefully assembling his masterpiece before holding it in front of his chest.

“Okay, Nagi, look!”

When gray eyes slowly open, Nagi blinks at the sight before him.

“Oh wow, Choki looks so handsome.” He murmurs with a hint of amusement.

The tiny cactus sitting in Reo’s palms has a little bow tie neatly wrapped around its pot, the black and white polkadots nicely complimenting the cactus itself. Nagi shifts his gaze behind it to Reo, who is smiling like a little kid showing off his art work. The look in Nagi’s eyes melts into something more adoring. “Reo is so cute.”

Reo quickly flushes, startling slightly and having to quickly balance Choki in his hold before it topples over. “This isn't supposed to be about me!” He cries with a groan.

Yet another failed attempt.

—

As always, Reo meets Nagi outside of his class after the school day ends. And as always, he carries him through the school until they reach the field for practice. It was their routine at this point. Bell rings, Reo appears in Nagi's class so quickly the latter sometimes wonders if he has the ability to teleport, then Reo piggybacks him to their destination before Nagi can make up an excuse to go straight home.

It's one of these days as usual, but for once, instead of turning towards the locker room, Reo walks past the field, ignoring the other Hakuho randoms who were already beginning to kick a ball around.

Nagi blinks as his gaze slowly bounces between the back of the Mikage heir's head and the field that was now behind them.

“Reo missed our stop,” Nagi mumbles, confusion lacing his tone.

“We can miss practice today!” He explains, tossing Nagi in the air to adjust his grip on the huge sloth. “I thought I'd surprise you!”

Now, for Reo, skipping practice felt akin to willingly cutting off one of his own fingers. It was an unthinkable crime that does nothing other than neglect his dream and delay his improvement. But. But, but, but! This was for Nagi's sake. Meaning, he can bite back the strain in his smile and resist the extremely tempting urge to spin around now before he wanders off too far.

If this will make Nagi happy, if this would make him smile, then it would be worth it. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made in order for Reo to get what he wants. And this, he really wants; no matter the price he has to pay.

Reo’s met with a tense silence as he feels Nagi boring holes into the back of his head. Then, with a small breath, he nuzzles his face into Reo's neck and mumbles “...okay. Yay.”

…that was it? Reo tries not to make his pout obvious at Nagi's lack of enthusiasm. For someone who constantly complains going to practice will be the death of him, he seems awfully unbothered towards being freed from his so called torture.

Well, Reo supposes that's alright. This was only the beginning of his plan for today, after all. His pout morphs into a cheeky grin as he imagines the look on his treasure’s face later.

The moment Nagi drags himself off his bed and leaves the room, mumbling something about needing to pee and being back in a sec, Reo immediately gets to work.

He discards the school work sitting on the table in front of him in favor of creating a scene hopefully from Nagi's dreams. Reo only has a handful of minutes but he's determined to make this work, hair already in a ponytail and everything as he jumps to his feet.

Reo wastes absolutely no time in turning this room into a paradise so heavenly Nagi couldn't possibly resist smiling at it.

When the white haired boy finally reappears, he stands in the frame between the hallway and his room as his gaze lands on Reo then slowly takes in the apartment around him.

Glasses of lemon tea sat on the table, Reo's laptop open with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on its screen, and on the bed behind him, Reo has somehow created the biggest pillow fortress Nagi's ever seen. In the middle of it all, Reo stands proud with his chin held high and hands on his hips as he huffs.

“What do you think?” Reo asks, a cheeky grin spreading across his entire face. He looks so proud that he might as well be sparkling. “A combination of your favorite things!”

Meeting his partner’s gaze, Reo’s smug expression falters. Nagi’s eyes are wide, swirling with an emotion Reo can't name. His mouth hangs slightly open, as if caught between saying a bunch of things or nothing at all.

Then, Nagi slowly drags his feet across the floor, trudging towards Reo until he's close enough to cling to him. Burying his face in his neck and wrapping his arms around his torso, Nagi mumbles a soft, “thanks, Reo.”

Something about the way he holds him so gently, the way his voice sounds so awfully fragile, makes a part of Reo ache with the need to give this boy the entire world.

His hand finds Nagi's hair, tenderly caressing the back of his head as if it were a jewel. Reo's voice is soft when he speaks again, as if dipped in honey. “Of course, my treasure.”

They stay that way for what feels like both an eternity and only a few seconds at the same time. It was like time flowed in its own special way just for the two of them.

Reo eventually shifts out of Nagi's hold (which was rather difficult with how firmly Nagi latched onto him) and plops down on the bed behind him. The mattress dips as he lands within the pile of pillows.

“Let's watch the movie,” Reo offers, patting the spot beside him with a smile.

The bed was small but they always made it work. Reo enjoys using it as an excuse to cuddle extra close to Nagi. He can't be blamed when the mattress is clearly the one at fault.

Nagi remains standing for a moment, taking in the numerous pillows that now cover his bed once more, before slumping himself at Reo's side.

“Where did Reo even get all these?” Nagi asks as he crawls onto the bed and nuzzles close to him.

“I have my ways!” Reo huffs as he sinks further into the soft pillows resting behind him. A content sigh falls from his lips as he's embraced with luxury fabric and a fluffyness like none other.

Reo reaches for his laptop then places it in front of them both, smiling as Nagi nestles his head against his shoulder.

“Comfy?”

Nagi hums, the vibration a pleasant sensation against his skin. “So comfy, Reo…”

They stayed like that the rest of the night: snuggled against each other, watching Nagi's favorite movie and drinking Nagi's favorite drink. In the end, Nagi didn't use the pillows even once. He snugly rested against Reo until he was fast asleep.

—

Reo wakes with a stir when his alarm goes off the next morning. In an attempt to adjust to the sunlight, he shields his eyes with his wrist and groans as he feels around for his phone with his free hand. That's when he becomes acutely aware of the six foot tall sloth wrapped around him.

Nagi's face is buried in his chest, arms holding him so tightly Reo struggles to move. It doesn't help that when he experimentally nudges Nagi, the boy only clings harder. Whether it's simply an unconscious reaction or him being needy, Reo's unsure.

Nagi enjoys sleeping in, that Reo knows, but the same could not be said for him.

“Treasure, we have to get up,” he tries, carding a hand through messy white hair.

He's met with silence, but the way Nagi shifts and his breathing picks up is enough to tell Reo he's awake.

“We have school.” Reo does his best to sound stern but affection involuntarily seeps into his tone; the indulging head pets he continues to give Nagi are not helping.

Nagi only whines, nuzzling his head further into Reo's chest. Although his face is hidden, it's clear he's pouting.

Reo attempts to squirm out of his death grip but to no avail. Nagi's embrace is awfully demanding, as if he'd die if Reo somehow broke free. Despite trying to be pragmatic, Reo finds it all extremely endearing.

And maybe, if Nagi wants to stay this way so badly, then maybe it wouldn't hurt to let him have it. If missing school in favor of cuddling is what Nagi craves, Reo could do that for him. One day of school is only one day of school, in the end. Seeing Nagi smile would be worth every day of Reo's life.

“Okay,” Reo eventually sighs. All his restraint melts away and he accepts his place in Nagi's arms. A bit sheepishly, he says, “Guess we're staying home today.”

There's a pause as Nagi's grip hesitates for a brief moment. Reo watches him expectantly as the boy in his arms shifts, lifting his head to meet his gaze. The expression that he's met with makes Reo frown.

Nagi has that weird look again; eyebrows slightly furrowed and a vastness in his eyes that makes him look far away. He almost looks…worried?

Nagi shifts again, hiding his face in Reo's chest. “Reo,” he mumbles, wrapping his arms around his waist as if to assure he wouldn't suddenly disappear. His voice is quiet, barely even a whisper when he asks, “Is something wrong?”

“Huh?” Reo blinks, taken aback by the unusual concern from his partner.

“Reo has been spoiling me a lot more than usual,” Nagi explains, his voice muffled with how close he's pressed into Reo. “I like it, but it's weird.” He pauses before slowly adding, “Did something happen? Did I do something wrong…?”

Immediately, Reo squeezes Nagi so hard, the latter huffs out a choked noise.

“Of course not, Nagi,” Reo murmurs into his hair, his grip now tighter than Nagi's had been. He takes a deep breath, inhaling Nagi's scent as if it were the most refreshing thing in the world. “I was trying to make you happy.”

Nagi lifts his chin and stares at him through his bangs with an affection so warm, so genuine Reo feels himself melt. “But, Reo, I'm always happy when I'm with you.”

Cuteness aggression is a very real and dangerous thing. Reo fights back the urge to squeeze Nagi until he pops. He settles for gently running his hand through Nagi’s bangs, lifting the hair out of his eyes so Reo can see him clearly. Staring into that beautiful enchanting gray, Reo softly admits, “I wanted to make you smile.”

“Oh,” Nagi mumbles as realization settles in his features. He blinks and then looks away, slumping into Reo as he whispers a barely audible, “sorry.”

Immediately, Nagi’s forced to face him again as Reo clasps his cheeks and glares at him with an intensity not to be challenged. “Idiot, don’t you dare apologize for that!”

Nagi whines when Reo shakes his face, as if trying to engrave the scolding through his thick skull. Reo's stare remains firm and commanding for a moment longer before he ultimately caves. With a relenting sigh, his gaze softens and he rubs gentle circles into the side of his treasure's face, sweet and delicate with all the care in the world.

“You're perfect as you are, my treasure.” And he means it.

From his genius talent to his lazy personality, Reo cherishes every part of him exactly the way he is because that's what makes Nagi Nagi.

Nagi basks in the attention, soaking it all up like a sponge. Reo's face melts into a smile when Nagi completely relaxes in his hold, his eyes fluttering closed as he allows his cheeks to be massaged. A content hum escapes him and Reo imagines it's the equivalent of a cat purring when being pet under the chin; the thought makes him giggle.

They stay that way for a while, content to lay in the other's arms as the sunlight peeks through the curtains and the birds sing their songs to signal the start of the day.

“Reo,” Nagi eventually breaks the silence. “I think…” he trails off, almost hesitant as he stares Reo in the eyes; his own reflection stares back and he continues, “I know one thing that would make me smile…”

“Really?” Reo immediately perks up, his eyes widening with interest. He waits for Nagi to continue then quirks a brow when he doesn't. “Well? What is it?”

Whatever it is, Reo'll do it in a heartbeat. All Nagi needs to do is say the word. The answer Reo's been searching for… he waits with anticipation buzzing in his veins.

Nagi stares at him, considering his answer before huffing. “Reo needs to figure it out on his own.”

Reo blinks, his mouth falling open dumbly as the words replay in his mind.

“You won't tell me!?!?” He shouts in disbelief, grasping Nagi's shoulders as if that'll change his mind. The white haired boy only stubbornly shakes his head.

“I can't tell Reo,” he explains, a hint of blush dusting his face as he continues, “Or it won't be as special.”

Reo groans, a frustrated pout as he puffs out his cheeks. A part of him wants to complain, but he also understands where he's coming from; some things lose their meaning when they need to be requested. And if that will make it lose its spark, Reo doesn't want to force it out of Nagi.

…but then again, he's half tempted to pester and poke and prod until Nagi spits it out anyway.

“...okay,” Reo reluctantly mutters. He runs his fingers through Nagi's hair, brushing back his bangs as he smiles gingerly at him. “I'll figure it out on my own for you.” Then, a cheeky smirk spreads across his face as his eyes flash with the excitement of a challenge. “I'll drop dead before I give up!”

Nagi simply hums, watching him through heavy lidded eyes. They swirl with such affection, such tenderness that he's almost glowing. Reo feels himself flush under the attention; it's like Nagi's looking into his very soul and finds every part of it worth admiring.

It's not a smile, but Nagi looks so content that Reo considers this a small win. At the very least, it's a step in the right direction.

—

A few days pass filled with multiple futile attempts. One thing after another, no matter what Reo tries, nothing seems to work. Nagi still hasn't smiled and Reo is nowhere closer to figuring out what it is that will make him.

Something that would make Nagi smile… Reo wonders as he sits in math, idly twirling his pen between his fingers as he listens to the teacher explain the problem on the board. His worksheet is already completely filled out, having gone ahead because it’s nothing he doesn’t already know.

Something that would make Nagi smile… Reo thinks as he politely returns his classmates' greeting; the girl squealing and turning to her friend, swooning “he smiled at me!!” Reo resists his urge to sigh and can only hope she doesn’t take the small attention as a sign to try and get closer to him. His popularity would be flattering if it weren’t for the fact everyone was drawn to his money and status; seeing him as Mikage rather than Reo.

Something that would make Nagi smile… Reo contemplates as he rides his bike, Nagi resting his head on his back as he sits behind him. The sun is beginning to set and the breeze roustles his hair, the smell of late autumn is refreshing on days like these. He takes a deep breath of fresh air, relishing in the tranquility of it all.

Something that would make Nagi smile… “Auuggh I don’t know!!” Reo yells as he rummages his hands atop his head, his thoughts a jumbled mess of pointless things that won’t work.

“Reo is thinking too hard about this,” Nagi deadpans at his side, phone resting in his lap as he clicks away at his game. They’re both sitting on his bed, definitely closer than necessary, while enjoying each other's warmth.

Really, this was beginning to feel like some form of torture. There’s an answer, Nagi made as much clear, but Reo can't figure it out no matter what he tries. This insatiable itch was beginning to feel like a parasite that was eating away at him. He’s been losing sleep over it.

“Nagi,” Reo says bluntly, gripping Nagi’s shoulders to make him face him. He squints at him, determined to get to the bottom of this right here and now. “What do you love most?”

There’s no answer right away, instead Nagi blinks at him.

“Reo…” He drawls then pauses, his gaze shying away as a blush creeps up his neck. His mouth closes and as the silence stretches Reo feels his own face begin to heat up. Reo’s heart is about to go into overdrive and burst out of his chest when Nagi continues, "...doesn't know?”

Nagi’s going to be the death of him. That unnecessarily long pause damn near gave him a heart attack.

Ah, but wait, he should know this, shouldn’t he?

Reo lets go of Nagi, resting a hand on his chin instead.

“Naps!”

“No.”

“Games!”

“No.”

“Lemon tea!”

“No.”

“Naps!”

“Reo already said that.”

“What is it then!?” Reo cries as he deflates, arms falling flat at his sides on the mattress. This was beginning to feel impossible.

He turns to Nagi and he's staring at him, really staring, with those big beady eyes that Reo finds so adorable. Reo shifts awkwardly and swallows the longer those gray eyes remain latched onto him.

There's a slight pink dusting his ears when Nagi tears his gaze away, his eyes instead flitting around the room. He glances at Choki, still wearing his fancy little bow tie; he looks at the pillows covering his bed, Reo had forgotten to bring them home; then finally his gaze falls back on Reo, who's anxiously awaiting his answer.

“I love you, Reo,” Nagi says, the faintest quiver in his voice.

Oh. Reo really was an idiot.

He feels warmth blossom and bloom in his chest as the words replay in his head.

Before he even knows it, Reo's leaning forward; eyes closed as he places his lips against Nagi's. They linger there for a fleeting moment, soft and sweet, before Reo timidly pulls away, a sheepish blush coating his cheeks. He glances at Nagi and his breath catches in his throat.

His gray eyes are wide and glistening, shining with so much joy and raw emotion he looks borderline sad. And he's smiling. Nagi’s smiling.

It's small, so small Reo was certain if he put a ruler up to it, he would still need a microscope to point out the slight curve of his lips, but it was there.

It's beautiful. Reo can’t help but fall for him even more. He wants to wrap his arms around his neck, pull him close and kiss him again and again, keeping that smile plastered there forever.

Reo got what he wanted and he’s never been happier.