Work Text:
Reo had always been quick to jump from hobby to hobby, tackling an interest when it caught his fancy, and now he decided that the new issue was Nagi being single.
“What if you get lonely, treasure? You need someone by your side.”
“I’d never get lonely with Reo,” Nagi said earnestly.
Reo’s face had turned pink then red all at once, and suddenly he was pushing an open phone into his hands and saying he already made him a dating profile.
Now here he was.
The redhead sat down in front of him, crossing her arms just so. Nagi felt like he was being scrutinized based on the way he blinked.
“I’m Nagi.”
She stuck out her hand, “I’m Chigiri,” a distinctly male voice said.
Oh.
Nagi could only blink dumbly. Chigiri frowned, an unimpressed look shifting across his face.
“You didn’t read my profile, did you?”
Nagi didn’t think he read any of the profiles Reo offered him.
He sighed, leaning back in his seat. “Do you even like guys?”
“More than girls.”
“Right,” an unimpressed look.
“Ask him something back!” the Reo in his head encouraged.
“Do you…like guys?”
Chigiri stared at him.
The conversation died there. Not that Nagi expected him to talk much to his date either way.
“Well, this has been so fun,” Chigiri stood after a long silence, collecting his things, “but I’m gonna go.”
His phone fell from his grip and Nagi easily trapped it with his shoe.
Chigiri blinked at him. “How’d you do that?”
Nagi shrugged. He flicked the phone up with his foot and caught it in his awaiting hand, offering it to the other. Chigiri carefully took his phone, then wiped it off on his shirt. Rude.
To his surprise, the redhead sat back down, looking far more interested than before.
“Tell me about yourself, Nagi.”
Somehow, the conversation got easier from there. Chigiri worked in marketing and content creation, and Nagi in software engineering. They discussed hobbies, like video games and hair care (“How can hair care be a hobby?” “If you knew, you probably wouldn’t have all those split ends.”) They found out their childhood homes were near each others’, although they went to separate schools. They mentioned their brief stint in sports—Chigiri was a bit quieter as he mentioned his time on the track team, and Nagi told him how he was forced to play volleyball for a year.
Chigiri told him about his friends, Kunigami—who made his expression go softer at the edges—and Bachira, and Nagi talked about Isagi and Reo. And Reo. And Reo. And Reo and Reo and Reo and Reo until Chigiri’s smile grew brighter then dimmed all at once.
“There must be a reason you’re here with me instead of him, right?” he asked when Nagi finally stopped to breathe.
Nagi slumped a little, and Chigiri patted his arm gently.
“We really have a lot in common,” he said wistfully.
Nagi blinked up at the redhead, who stared down at his empty cup mournfully.
“Can I buy you another coffee?” he asked without thinking.
Chigiri’s lips quirked up.
When he got home, Reo was already in his apartment. The violette had tied his hair up for practicality while he cleaned. It was cute, like a little pom-pom.
Instead of voicing that, Nagi collapsed on the couch, waiting for the other to pay attention to him. As always, he didn’t have to wait long.
“How was your date?” Reo turned to him. “You were gone for a while.”
“He was nice.”
Silence.
Nagi glanced up to see Reo staring at him, slack jawed.
When their eyes met, a bit of life flickered back into his eyes.
“‘He’?” Reo repeated.
“Chigiri is a guy.”
“And you…liked that?” Reo seemed to be testing out each word like he was saying them for the very first time, “You like guys?”
“Yeah.” Seeing the other’s expression, his voice got a bit quieter, “Is that okay?”
Reo’s eyes widened before he nodded furiously, “Of course it is! I just wasn’t expecting it.”
He seemed to sense Nagi’s wariness.
“It’s great, Nagi, really. If anything, it doubles your chance of success!”
“It’s pretty much the same,” Nagi mumbled, thinking about the violette in front of him mournfully.
His head snapped up, eyes turning to the side as he thought.
“Oh. Oh!” Reo exclaimed. Nagi held his breath. Reo dropped his fist on his open palm. “I get it, you only like guys!”
Nagi shifted. “I guess so.”
Not ‘guys’ plural, just one guy. One guy who had stolen his phone and was already updating his dating profile before Nagi could stop him.
“Not to worry, Nagi. We’ll find you someone.”
Nagi wanted to say his “someone” was trying to set him up with a stranger, but instead just sat down and sighed.
“Move,” Chigiri flicked his fingers.
Nagi stepped back from the doorway as Chigiri walked inside like he owned the place. He whistled in appreciation. High ceilings, two floors, two bedrooms—unnecessary, since when Reo slept over they shared a bed—, and a gaming cove—all things Nagi had raised a brow at first but had gotten used to over time.
“You rich?” Chigiri asked, studying the marble kitchen. A waste, since Nagi didn’t cook.
“No.”
“You sure?” Chigiri asked, now poking around a guest bedroom.
“Yes.”
“Positive?” Chigiri asked, admiring his reflection in the vanity mirror in Nagi’s room.
“Why are you here?”
“Friends hang out,” Chigiri said, now back in his kitchen and digging through his fridge.
Nagi thought there was supposed to be more to it than that, but he did give Chigiri his address when he asked, and Reo always walked in without telling him, so it was probably fine.
“I want a lemon tea.”
“You’re supposed to ask nicely.”
“You’re supposed to ask before taking food,” Nagi countered.
His shoujo slice of life sims taught him that much.
Chigiri slammed the bottle in front of him.
They stared at each other.
“I want a straw—”
“No.”
They end up hanging out for the rest of the afternoon, and Nagi could admit he liked the redhead’s company, even if he made him get his own straw.
“Have you been on any dates lately?”
“No.”
Reo laughed, opening his profile. “You have to respond to them, treasure. Otherwise they’ll never ask you out.”
“I think I’m done with the dating app.”
“You are?” Reo looked down. “Does that mean things are going well with Chigiri?”
Nagi wasn’t sure how the two were related, but he answered anyway.
“I think so.”
He was over a few more times and dragged Nagi out with him more than once. Chigiri didn’t seem to mind how infrequently he responded to texts and would call until Nagi picked up, and even then he’d ramble on mostly to himself while he did whatever.
Nagi usually played games in silence, but he liked the background chatter. It reminded him of Reo.
Speaking of Reo, his face was unusually pinched.
“Reo?”
His expression immediately smoothed out, violet eyes searching. “Yes, my treasure?”
Nagi faltered. “Never mind.”
Reo patted his head.
Someone knocked on Nagi’s door twice before walking in. Nagi allowed it. It seemed like a very polite intruder.
A few minutes later, pink wandered into the corner of his vision.
“Have you moved all day?” Chigiri criticized.
“Bathroom,” Nagi said.
“You should do more.”
“You’re bossy.”
“You’re lazy.”
Fair enough.
“I got you a lemon tea, I noticed you were out last time.”
Chigiri dropped it onto the table next to him.
“I need a straw.”
“Then get one.”
“It’s my apartment.”
“So you should know where to find them,” Chigiri smiled sweetly.
Nagi frowned, “Ratty princess.”
“Stupid sloth.”
As good as the tea was, Nagi would rather let it become room temperature than move. After a minute, it seemed Chigiri came to the same conclusion.
“You’re ridiculous.”
Nagi raised his shoulder slightly in what Chigiri once called “The Lazy Man’s Shrug.”
The redhead sighed. “Color?”
“Purple.”
Always purple.
Nagi tapped away on his phone, as he rummaged through the kitchen.
Chigiri returned, a bag of chips in hand as he offered him the straw. “Why do you only have purple straws?”
“Don’t need another kind,” he grunted.
He quickly switched to one hand to open the bottle, drop the straw in, then continued playing without missing a beat.
Chigiri dropped onto the cushion next to him. “That was pretty impressive.”
Nagi did a half-shrug once more. Beside him, Chigiri picked up the remote and flicked through the programs, settling on a movie.
“Watch this with me,” he said, kicking his feet up into Nagi’s lap.
“No.”
“You’re being a bad host.”
“You invited yourself over.”
“You’re still a host.”
“You’re still an intruder.”
Chigiri lightly nudged him with his ankle, jostling his hands. The phone slipped from his grip. He caught it, but died in the process.
“You’re a shitty Princess,” Nagi grumbled.
Chigiri grinned. “I thought I was an intruder?”
A third into the movie—something about blondes in law school—the door opened and shut. Chigiri startled, but Nagi knew only one other person who would come by.
“Reo,” he called.
“Just a sec, Nagi.”
There was a bit of shuffling, and the sound of something being placed on the counter.
“Need any help?” Chigiri called.
The noise immediately stopped. Reo was by the couch in seconds.
“Treasure, I didn’t know you had someone over,” he said pleasantly, although his smile was tight.
“I’m Chigiri.”
A muscle in Reo’s jaw ticked. “A pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard about you before.”
“Same here,” Chigiri said. Nagi waited. “It’s good to finally put a face to the name, Isagi.”
Reo’s eye twitched. Nagi pinched Chigiri’s ankle, making him squeal.
“Shitty Princess,” he reprimanded.
“Lousy Netaro,” he replied.
Reo’s gaze was transfixed on Chigiri’s legs over Nagi’s lap.
“Reo?”
The violette startled. “Right. I’ll just put these away.” He straightened, “Nagi, I got you lemon tea. It’s not cold, but I can put in ice cubes—”
“No need,” Chigiri smiled, nails drumming against Nagi’s opened tea bottle. “I got him one. I noticed he was out.”
They stared at each other, pink digging into purple unkindly. Nagi glanced between them, unsure how lemon tea caused so much war.
Nagi broke the silence. “Thank you for getting more, Reo.”
Reo softened, “Of course, my treasure.”
With a final glance to Chigiri, Reo disappeared into the kitchen to put away the groceries.
Chigiri kicked him lightly. “So purple straws, huh?”
Nagi pinched him again.
Nagi didn’t particularly want to be out on a worknight, or any night really, but Chigiri dug his heels in and demanded it. And, as always with the people in his life, it was easier to give in.
Chigiri did insist he bring his friends though. Reo was off at some last-minute conference for the week, so he was out. Isagi allegedly had nothing to do, but since he was such an extrovert, Nagi wouldn’t be surprised if he canceled his plans to see what sort of event Nagi would invite him to.
Chigiri’s friends were nice enough. Bachira was like a bouncing bumble bee and full of too much energy to match. Kunigami was resilient and quiet, kind of like an oak tree. But ginger.
Nagi had never been praised for his observation skills, but even he was able to notice how Kunigami drifted to Chigiri’s side. It was strange how he felt like he just noticed he had been seeing half of a pair all along and didn’t notice until the completed picture was in front of him.
Meanwhile, Bachira had been pressed against Isagi’s side since they met two hours ago. He seemed a bit put off by the energy at first, but then Bachira mentioned he played soccer when he was younger and then Isagi was the one who couldn’t stay out of Bachira’s space.
Nagi liked the atmosphere. He could drift in and out of listening to either conversation. It would’ve been better if Reo was there, chatting with Chigiri.
Nagi hoped the two of them could get along soon.
“I’ll go grab us some more napkins,” Isagi said, standing.
Kunigami stood as well. “I’ll go too.”
They left, and Bachira’s eyes followed his sprout-haired friend, smile bright.
Chigiri nudged him, a teasing smile on his lips. “You got a crush?”
To his surprise, Bachira nodded eagerly. “He’s got that dog in him.”
Chigiri choked on a laugh while Nagi studied Isagi. He didn’t particularly look like a dog. Maybe a corgi? Nah, something plainer would suit him, like a lab. Reo could be a corgi though. His eyebrows matched.
A buzz on his phone made him perk up. He and Reo really were linked.
“Reo?” he answered, after walking to a quieter part of the bar.
“Nagi? Where are you?” Reo asked. “I came by your apartment.”
Nagi felt pleased, then a little disappointed. He wanted to be where Reo was.
“Chigiri wanted me to meet his friends.”
“Oh.”
Reo’s voice sounded weird. Nagi frowned, looking at his phone as if it could reveal the problem.
“Reo?”
“That’s—that’s really nice, Nagi.”
“I would’ve asked Reo to come, but you had the conference.” A pause. “What happened to the conference?”
There was a long silence, so long that Nagi pulled his phone back to make sure he hadn’t hung up.
“It ended early.”
“Oh.”
Another silence. Nagi wasn’t sure what to do. The violette usually talked a mile a minute, so there weren’t a lot of lulls in the conversation. Because of that, he didn’t have many opportunities to work on that skill.
“Isagi’s here too,” Nagi tried.
“Is he now?” The distortion was even weirder.
“Re—”
“You should get back to dinner,” Reo’s voice was quiet. “I’ll see you later.”
He hung up before Nagi could say bye.
“What’d you think of Kunigami?”
“I think you’re oblivious.”
Chigiri kicked him, making him wince. “You cannot be talking!”
He added a last coat to Nagi’s nails, blowing on them delicately. They were a soft blue.
“You should’ve done purple,” Nagi said.
“You’re lucky I didn’t paint them pink,” Chigiri smiled sharply.
Nagi didn’t get it.
“What’s Reo’s deal with Isagi?”
Nagi shrugged.
Chigiri rolled his eyes. “C’mon, give me something.”
He thought hard. “Isagi was my first friend since Reo, and maybe I talked about him too much or something.”
It was hard to know what upset Reo. He seemed eager to hear about his new friend at first, so Nagi brought him up more in hopes Reo would be happy, but the longer he did, the more Reo got upset.
“Do you like him?” Reo’s quiet voice had asked.
“Not as much as Reo,” he had said back.
After that, things went back to normal, although Reo still gets tense around Isagi. Nagi still doesn’t get it, but if Reo wanted him to know, he would’ve said something.
“And he thought you two were together?”
Chigiri was suddenly very close.
“I don’t think so.”
Chigiri scoffed, sitting back. “You don’t think much about anything, do you?”
“I think this is a pain.”
“You’re a pain!” he shot back.
Afterwards, they sat on Chigiri’s bed and watched a sitcom while the redhead badgered Nagi to text for him while his own sunset orange nails dried.
Nagi felt Reo’s eyes flick to his hands for the fourth time that day.
Self-conscious, he picked at his nails while continuing his game, chipping the soft blue polish. He knew Chigiri would scold him for it later, but that was better than Reo’s intense gaze right now.
“You’ve been hanging out with Chigiri a lot lately,” Reo said stiffly, the tone off. “I didn’t think you’d hit it off so well.”
Nagi hummed, tapping away on his phone. “He reminds me of Reo.”
A choked noise made Nagi look up. Reo’s head was turned away, his hand clamped around his mouth so tightly his knuckles were turning white.
“Reo?”
The heir cleared his throat, turning back to him with a perfect smile that looked wrong. “I’m happy for you, Nagi. Chigiri seems like a good fit.”
Nagi thought that was a strange way of putting their friendship, but he nodded. “He is.”
Reo swallowed hard. “Good.” His fingers flexed minutely. “Good.”
Chigiri invited them out again, and Nagi barely managed to convince Reo to join.
“I want my friends to get along with the most important person in my life,” Nagi had finally said, and Reo’s expression shuttered before he hesitantly agreed.
The restaurant was another hole in the wall spot that Bachira apparently swore up and down had some of the best food ever. Nagi had no reason not to believe him, so they went.
The six of them sat at a circle table, Nagi sandwiched between Chigiri on his left and Reo on his right. Isagi sat by Reo—not sure whose idea that was, but Reo made a face when Nagi offered to let him sit next to Chigiri instead, although Reo relaxed a bit when he saw Isagi and Bachira holding hands—and after that it was Bachira, Kunigami, then Chigiri again.
There was a bit of small talk as Reo introduced himself, but any formalities slipped away easily. Reo had always been good with people, and Nagi was pleased to know his new friends were no exception.
He tried to follow along with all the conversations, but got distracted and bored easily.
Chigiri kept him in the loop the most—leaning in to talk to him, sitting so that their shoulders brushed, and touching Nagi’s arm from time to time.
Beside him, Reo grew more and more tense, expression growing annoyed. Nagi glanced at him from time to time, but he betrayed nothing. Kunigami also had a shadow falling over his face, eyes darkening. Meanwhile, Isagi looked pained and Bachira looked amused, but they were the least of Nagi’s concerns so he decided to ignore them.
Finally, Chigiri emptied his glass. “I could use a new drink.”
He stood, pulling Nagi up and linking their arms. “We’ll be back.”
The glare Kunigami gave him as they left was nothing short of murderous. Nagi could only hope the Mikage bodyguards would save him if it came down to it.
Chigiri pulled him to the end of the bar, making sure his back faced the table before laughing.
“Did you see their faces?”
“You’re being mean on purpose,” Nagi accused.
Chigiri pinched his fingers together, “Just a little.”
“Stop bullying Reo.”
“Fine, fine. I’ll stop,” he promised.
They ordered new drinks—something pink and fizzy for Chigiri, lemon tea for Nagi, and a refill for Reo since he noticed his glass had been empty for a while.
“You’re so sweet on him,” Chigiri cooed.
The tips of Nagi’s ears burned.
When they got back to the table, Reo was sitting in Chigiri’s seat, talking enthusiastically to Kunigami. Nagi wordlessly put Reo’s drink in front of him, and he beamed before turning back to the strawberry blonde.
Nagi sat in his previous seat, pleased that Reo was still close by. Chigiri sulkily sat between him and Isagi in Reo’s abandoned chair.
“Why’d he have to take my seat?” Chigiri whined, voice quiet.
“You weren’t using it,” he returned, just as quiet.
The redhead glared at him. Nagi sipped his drink, used to it.
“He’s clearly doing it just to mess with me.”
“Reo’s not like that.”
“He totally is, do you not see what you’re wearing?”
Nagi glanced down at his purple sweater Reo recently bought him and insisted he wear tonight.
“It’s a coincidence.”
“It is not!” he whispered, accusatory.
“It’s your own fault,” Nagi whispered back. “You pushed too hard.”
Chigiri seemed to listen to that at least, frowning.
“I know, I know,” he admitted. “I just hated how sad you looked sometimes. I just wanted to mess with him a bit.”
“I get it,” Nagi said. “I’d hate seeing my best friend sad too.”
Chigiri’s eyes went wide as he gaped at him, face flushing pink. “Really?”
A slam! to their left made the table quiet. Kunigami stood abruptly, his chair squeaking.
“Excuse me,” he said gruffly.
He stalked off, and Chigiri quickly stood at the same time Reo did.
They stared at each other.
“Where are you going?” Chigiri shot.
Reo scowled. “Our friend is upset. I’m going to talk to him.”
“He was my friend first,” Chigiri hissed.
Isagi awkwardly shifted. “Maybe we could give him a minute?”
Both of them shot him a glare that had Isagi sweating. Bachira frowned, and held his hand.
“Chigiri, go talk to him. Reo, stay here,” Bachira said.
Chigiri stuck out his tongue at Reo—truly a ratty princess—and zipped off. Reo gaped at Bachira.
“What was that for?”
“It’s a boyfriend thing,” Bachira said.
“A wh—”
“Speaking of, can you and Nagicchi get together already? This isn’t fun anymore.” He patted a trembling Isagi’s head.
Reo sputtered. “What?” He stared at Nagi. “What?!”
Nagi was silent. Reo dropped into the seat next to him. Isagi pulled a giddy Bachira away from the scene.
Everything was quiet for a moment.
“Are you not dating Chigiri?” Reo finally asked.
Nagi blinked. “No?”
Reo’s jaw dropped. “You aren’t?”
His brow furrowed. “Why would we be?”
“So, all those times he came over or you two went out, were just…?”
“Hangouts,” Nagi said. “He likes dragging me places.”
“But you agreed he was a good fit and that you went well together.”
Nagi nodded, “We’re friends.”
Reo squinted, “Wait, what did you say to Chigiri earlier? Whatever you told him had him so red, I thought it was a confession.”
“I told him he was my best friend.”
He frowned, “I thought I was your best friend.”
“You’re Reo. That’s so much better,” Nagi said earnestly.
Reo stared at him for a moment before laughing incredulously, tears skirting the edge of his lashes.
Finally, he dropped his head in his hands.
“I thought I was too late,” Reo admitted quietly.
“Too late for what?” Nagi asked.
Reo tensed before sitting upright. He grabbed Nagi’s hands and steeled his expression.
“I love you, Nagi. I tried to get over it and encourage you to date someone else so I’d finally move on, but when I saw it happening, I panicked. I’m sorry.” Tears wet his lashes, and he choked on a laugh. “But mostly I’m sorry that I’m so happy right now because you’re not dating Chigiri.”
“I’m happy you’re not dating anyone either,” Nagi said.
Reo smiled, a bit confused.
Wait, wrong thing.
“I love you too,” Nagi said.
Nailed it.
Reo squeezed his hands, beaming.
Outside the window, Nagi could see Chigiri pull Kunigami in for a kiss. Bachira loudly cheered, and Isagi was once again trying to pull him away.