Work Text:
On the morning of his 18th birthday, Reo Mikage is uncharacteristically excited for the day. That particular event had turned monotonous once he was around ten: after all, there's only so many years of being surrounded by unoriginal gifts and expectations that have nothing to do with your real wishes that one can handle before growing kind of sick of the day.
This time, though, was an exception. Because one of the few people who actually understood him had left Reo anticipating the day for over a week now, all with one simple sentence.
“I have a surprise ready for Reo's birthday.”
The ultra-lazy, good-at-everything creature Nagi Seishiro, is putting effort into preparing something for him? Instant death by cuteness aggression.
In the ten years that they've known each other, Reo was already satisfied with anything that his treasure would offer him: he still had the Pokesomething cards they traded on the day they met, a curious Reo approaching the lonely boy in the park because the adorable ugly monster on his deck was far more interesting than the apparently rare card Reo got from his parents.
From that day on, they became inseparable, and Reo's collection of treasures that came from his treasure started (aka his treasurelings), from plushies won at claw machines to matching keychains, all tokens of the part of his life he would never give up.
No matter what he had to handle as a consequence of being the Mikage heir, when he was with Nagi he was just Reo, the boy who convinced laziness in human form to start going to the same schools, to join a different club every year so they could experience everything life had to offer together.
Reo was simply a boy with a decade-long crush on his best friend.
Although unlike media tropes, those feelings brought him joy, not suffering a series of montage-worthy misfortunes: in the long list of gifts the universe bestowed on Reo Mikage, the reigning champion was and would always be Nagi; when the time was right (his current plan was waiting until their university entrance results), they would simply confirm the obviously mutual feelings that were nurtured for all these years.
After all, ever since they were tiny, Reo had promised to be Nagi's super elite caring partner (wife, the tiny Nagi in his head corrects), a fact that Nagi would highlight to everyone that could hear, whether they wanted to or not (the many girls who tried to confess to Reo over the years being definitely the latter). Even now, they commonly held hands, shared a bed, kissed each other (on the cheeks and forehead, but still). All that was left were the silly formalities, and for those they had all the time in the world. Today they would simply enjoy whatever surprise his treasure had prepared.
As if sensing his thoughts (their telepathy must be sharp today), Nagi's arrival is announced on the intercom by Mr. Cierge, a familiar pattern of knocking making Reo run to the door a few moments later. Ah, right, he still didn't give Nagi his new keycard after last week’s maintenance.
“I'm going, my t-” Reo's words get stuck in his throat the moment he opens the door, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through his face.
Only his treasure, to be able to make the Hakuho Prince blush before saying a single word.
And it is not without proper reason, by the way! The vision being presented is simply one fabricated to deliver critical damage to Reo's cardiac health: The Nagi standing on his door is not wearing one of his typical mendokusai sets, not even the silly game-themed shirts Reo gifts him sometimes; instead, he's wearing a dark grey cardigan with matching pants, that Reo instantly recognizes as a set they brought together a few months prior. He was the one who insisted on taking the clothes (and obviously paid for them), so Nagi would have more options for “special occasions”.
Beyond the clothes, his treasure is holding a small gift box, adorned with a purple ribbon, and a bouquet. Specifically, white roses. Reo feels his legs turn to jelly in slow motion, although his lips are already changing into a smile.
“Wow, that's what I call an impactful presentation!” His friendly tone does a poor job of covering up for his 100 times more intense giddiness, as Reo rushes the other to enter.
“Do I look weird?” It's not like Nagi, caring about such details, and it only adds to the mystery. Are they going on a date? An actual date? A romantic lunch?
“You look really handsome, my treasure! And the flowers too? Wow, care to spoil today’s plans?”
“Well…” Nagi tries his go-to nervous tick, aka scratching his neck, stopping midway through once he remembers the gift on his hand. Adorable. “I have something to tell Reo before anything. It's really important.”
“Well, I'm all ears!”
“Since today is a special day, I wanted to do my best to make someone happy. To me, more than a friend, than a lover even… this person means everything. I never want us to be apart, and will start working even harder for that goal.”
… What? Reo feels this throat burning but powers through, forcing a neutral expression. He wants to hear the rest of Nagi's earnest words, needs to.
Even if they kill him.
“Reo, I would like to spend my life treasuring the person I like the most.”
Reo reacts to that sentence like a traumatized soldier hearing a loud noise, and can no longer hold back his tears, pathetically trying to hide behind his hands and hair.
In a decade of being in each other's lives, didn't he know Nagi at all? Not only was he stolen away by some mysterious deity-like person right under his nose, but was Nagi always this cruel? As much as it pained him to use that word to refer to his treasure, there wasn't any other way to put it: being socially inept didn't excuse doing something like this during someone’s birthday. Showing them a gift meant for someone else, beautiful words and promises dangled like poisoned cake.
He could somehow be oblivious to Reo's romantic feelings (that until this morning he considered mutual), and still, still…
Why would you think losing us would be the type of news I want to hear on my birthday? Stupid, stupid Nagi…
“I'm glad Reo's happy enough to cry… I feel the same.”
“Huh??” The question comes out of his lips on a shrieky, choked-out noise, and it is hard to say who's more surprised when Nagi reaches for him and Reo slaps his hand, backing away like a cornered animal would.
Anger and sadness mix in a hysterical sea, drowning him from inside out, and if his heart was shattered in any other way, perhaps Reo could deal with it. Put on a smile, make a best man joke, offer a friendly handshake to whoever stole away his future, his dreams.
Or maybe that too was a lie, and he wouldn't be ready to lose this no matter how much prep time was available. So Reo holds himself, mindlessly adopting a self-soothing stance, the only way to stop his chest from ripping open and throw away the sharp shards that once beat as a heart.
“Reo…” Nagi calls out once again, quieter this time, placing the flowers and mysterious package carefully on the couch before approaching.
You see me like this and still think of the tokens dedicated to this mysterious person first. Ten years of love and dedication, and that's what I'm worth? A bouquet and a small box of whatever?
“Why is Reo upset?” Nagi asks, leaving half a step of distance between them, allowing him some space.
“None of your business!” Reo barks back, completely hostage to his own feelings. Seeing the pain on Nagi's face in reaction to his response is hurtful, but it does little to stop him.
We always did everything together, didn't we? For the sake of old times, before you throw me away, be in pain with me, Seishiro.
Does that person call you that? My Nagi, my treasure, is now someone else’s “Sei”?
“I thought… Reo would want this.” Nagi's voice has been reduced to a mere whisper, and even in that state there's a part of Reo that wants to break the distance, nurture him back to happiness. “That you'd want to be together forever like I did… And that if I took initiative, you'd really take it seriously.”
If human beings came with buffering signals, Reo's would be spinning like crazy on his forehead at that moment, because, erm, what the fuck? Overwhelmed by his feelings and the fact that Nagi now looks more heartbroken than he is, Reo's only able to formulate four words.
“You're not leaving me?”
Wow. Top-notch communication skills, single heir of the Mikage family. It does cause Nagi's face to change from desolation to confusion, though.
“Why would I ever do that?” Is an equally awful question, and yet Reo feels the tears increasing, strength leaving his body completely. All he can perceive in the blurry, wet mess that the world becomes is sitting on his cold floor, a warmer body pulling him closer, and the sound of his own, desperate voice.
“Who are you in love with? I don't want this… Why would you tell me this on my birthday? Why?”
“What is Reo talking about? Was my proposal that bad? I think you should at least let me finish before trying to throw me away-”
As they settle on the floor, two pairs of eyes scan the other person, making Reo realize that he's not the only one feeling lost in the situation.
“Nagi-” He tries again, voice still tinged with heartbreak. “My treasure,” the nickname helps them both to feel more at ease, apart from the lump in his throat. “Please explain this better. Why are you talking about a proposal? Who are you proposing to? Is it someone I know?” Would you choose them over me-
“I wanna marry Reo? Who else would I be proposing to?” Alright, the way Nagi crinkles his nose in disgust at the mere possibility does make Reo a little happier. That doesn't stop him from releasing his frustration by pinching Nagi's cheeks. “See, Reo doesn't listen to me and instead starts ending the world. If you wanna come up with stories, set up a fanfic account- ah, but if Reo writes about me being with another person, I’ll leave a bunch of spam comments.”
“Why would I do that??”
“It is what you're doing now.” Nagi sticks out his tongue, clearly mimicking Reo's habits in an attempt to use jokes as a peace offer. “Ah ah, Reo's breaking my poor heart~ after making all of those promises and saying you would be my prince, then my wife, now you ruin my proposal.”
Fair enough. Maybe he overreacted just a little.
“Well… Second time’s the charm. Or are you giving up on me already, mister pain in the ass?” Drying his eyes on his sleeve, Reo decides to join the joke while his brain cells are still buffering and absorbing the full weight of the situation. He bats his eyelashes dramatically, vision clearing now that the crying has ceased, and rests a hand on Nagi's chest…
… Realizing how fast his heart is beating, despite the impassive face…
“Na-”
“Reo.”
Nagi covers his hand with his own, pressing Reo's skin to the erratic heartbeat. His other hand reaches for the couch, retrieving the small package, which he clumsily places in Reo's knee.
“When I was little, I didn't understand a lot of things. Like why people cared about… well, everything. It all seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Then I met Reo. And you were loud and bright enough to make me dizzy. Reo was so pushy, selfish, and kind of a crybaby even…”
“Excuse me?”
“But now there was something in my life that wasn't just a bother. As much as Reo dragged me around, forced me to play complicated games or try weird food, it was fun. Every day we spent together was fun because I could be with you.”
Reo feels tears rolling down his face again, yet doesn't feel bothered.
This time, they're quiet witnesses of their dreams and brand-new promises. Nagi undoes the clumsy bow that decorates his gift, retrieving a silver-colored ring. There's something engraved on the inside, but Reo can't make out the text before feeling cold metal slipping on his finger.
“What I'm trying to say is that life was just a pain to me, and you gave me light. So everything that happened ever since I met you was the treasure of my life.”
Nagi holds his hand again, and only now Reo notices he's wearing a match to his own ring.
As if he knows the answer even before it leaves Reo's lips. But doesn't he? Don't they both know?
“But I'm selfish too, you know, Reo? And spoiled rotten. So I'm not satisfied with partners, best friends, not even being Reo's official boyfriend would be enough. I’ll accept fiancee for a little bit, just until you choose a pretty white suit, but I have to be Reo's husband. You made me like this, so there's no running away now.”
“You're surprisingly eager… What, you want me to go find something white in my wardrobe and ask Ba-ya to take us to get married now?” While the question is clearly made as a joke, Reo doesn't lose the way Nagi's gaze becomes more intense.
“Yes.” His treasure answers with zero hesitation.
“My father is going to kill us both if I accept this and end up marrying another man before I'm even twenty years old.” After all these years, his old man probably knew about his intentions for the future, yet he was still choosing to pretend that Reo was focusing on his studies and one day would have an arranged marriage or some stupid thing like that. As if.
Well, that was a conversation they couldn't ignore anymore. Perhaps-
“Oh, don't worry. Reo's papa Uncle and Reo's mama Auntie know.”
“Eh?!?”
“In the movies, they always ask for the parents’ blessings, right?” Nagi explains, resting his head on Reo's shoulder. “I said if he tried to get between us, I'd announce our marriage on social media and run away with Reo. And Ba-ya would help us too.”
Reo can almost imagine the damn old man close to passing out with that “sleepy creature”, as he called Nagi, audacity. Although, like Reo, he found Nagi's ability to master things without putting in effort interesting, he was far more resistant to the other charms. Not that it mattered much, as his dad had long ago realized that Reo was dead set on keeping Nagi around.
“So now, everyone has agreed but Reo. How long are you going to keep me waiting? That's mean, even if today's your birthday.” Nagi pouts, staring at him with those adorable eyes Reo came to love. “Happy birthday, Reo. I love you. Will you marry me?”
“Wouldn't want it any other way, my treasure.”