Work Text:
Nagi doesn't know why he agreed to come study at the library. It's both a waste of his time and way too much of a hassle yet here he is.
The library is mostly empty, safe for the four of them, the table they sit at is covered in open textbooks and highlighters. Nagi hasn't touched a thing, simply lying with his head in his arms, waiting for his chance to leave.
It smells of fresh books and sharpie ink. Isagi’s currently jotting something down intensely in the seat beside him. Nagi’s half tempted to kick his chair so he messes up; he does, and feels rewarded when the boy yelps.
Across from them sits Barou and Zantetsu—Nagi is a little glad that he's here, he definitely needs the extra help. The stupid four eyes couldn't even find his way here on his own. Barou had to go fetch him after they received a pathetic “I don't see you guys” text with a photo of an empty science lab attached. Seriously, how does someone mistake a science lab as a library?
Nagi supposes he shouldn't even be surprised by now. This is Zantetsu after all, he never fails to amaze Nagi. His stupidity truly knows no bounds, it's honestly a little impressive.
Barou has his nose in a book as he leans against the back of his chair. The notes in front of him are all neat and tidy, thorough in such a Barou-like way that Nagi finds it annoying.
Zantetsu's reading a book too, but Nagi's pretty sure it's upside down. His guess is affirmed when Barou silently grabs the book from his hands and flips it around before returning it. Zantetsu blinks before mumbling a quiet, “so that's why it looked like a foreign language”.
Why is Nagi even here? He should be at home laying in bed. Maybe with Reo there too, that would be nice. But no, he's instead stuck here with these losers.
He wishes Reo were here.
“Do you do anything other than be a waste of space?” Barou sneers, glaring at Nagi with furrowed brows as his book is placed on the table.
That came outta nowhere. Nagi was just about to start fantasizing about Reo too. What bad timing.
“I didn't even do anything.”
“Exactly. You're just lazy and inefficient. It's bothering me.” The stupid maid scoffs as he places a book atop Nagi's head. “At least act like you're studying. Seeing you drool is a violation of my reading immersion.”
Nagi jerks his head in a way that the book slides down and falls in front of his face. A quick glance reveals it's a history book that's thick and ragged; it looks about as interesting as a stick in the grass. Nagi has better things to do, like wonder what Reo’s doing.
If he remembers correctly, Reo said he was hanging out with Chigiri and Kunigami—something about a group project needing to be completed. Nagi doesn’t know Kunigami very well but Reo speaks highly of him. Chigiri on the other hand, Nagi knows far too well.
A comment the princess made the other day creeps into his mind and Nagi can’t help but wonder about it.
“Do you guys think I get jealous easily?”
Not even a beat passes before he gets three immediate answers.
“Yes.” Isagi says listlessly, not bothering to look up from the textbook on the table.
“Obviously.” Barou grunts with an eye roll, as if the question is the stupidest thing he's ever heard.
“Induboatly,” Zantestsu nods confidently. At his side, Barou mutters a grumbled ‘it's indubitably, idiot’.
Nagi blinks and drags his head up to stare between them. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Isagi leans back in his chair with an arched brow, taken aback by Nagi's audacity to even act surprised. “The last time I high fived Reo, you grabbed my hair so hard I thought I was gonna go bald.”
A lazy huff escapes Nagi as he says, “But you were asking for it.”
“I was there when you tripped Chigiri after he gave Reo a hug,” Barou scoffs, then, with a flick of his wrist. “Completely uncalled for, by the way.”
“That was an accident…” Nagi tries as he looks away, bringing a hand up to scratch at his neck. He doesn't have to see anyone's face to know they're all completely unconvinced.
“Reo said ‘good boy, Zantetsu' to me once and my body immediately froze.” Zantetsu begins, pushing up his glasses as if telling a horror story around a campfire. “It felt like there was an assistant planning to kill me, but when I turned around it was just you glaring at me.” The boy shivers, hugging himself as he recalls the memory. “I couldn't sleep all week.”
“I'm not an assassin, stupid Zantetsu,” Nagi deadpans before giving a stubborn pout.
Fine, whatever, they’re right, Nagi guesses. They all didn't have to go and use evidence against him like that. Nagi's guilty as charged, but who could blame a man for looking after his partner?
“Maybe I'm a little jealous, but it's not that bad.”
Nagi's eye twitches when Isagi breaks out into genuine laughter. He may be a pacifist, but these people were really getting on his nerves. Isagi's acting like his head isn't within grabbing range.
“Okay, I get it…” Nagi grumbles, sending him a half hearted glare as he sulks and hides his face in his arms.
They just don't understand. If they had a man as wonderful as Reo in their life, they would want to hoard him too. Actually, now that Nagi thinks about it, it's better this way. As long as people know Reo is his, it doesn't matter. He'll be jealous all he wants if it keeps NPCs off of him.
Hmm…what about Reo, though? Would he feel the same? Reo always calls Nagi his treasure (which Nagi very much takes pride in), Nagi can't help but wonder if he would feel a similar way.
“Does Reo get jealous?” Nagi wonders aloud, dragging his face up to perch it on his hand as he stares aimlessly at the books on the table.
Unlike his first question, his friends actually consider this one. In his peripheral vision, Nagi sees Zantetsu comically tapping his chin with a finger as he gazes at the ceiling.
“I wouldn't be surprised,” Barou eventually huffs, leaning back in his chair. “You're both insufferable when it comes to each other. On his own, Mikage is fine, but then you show up and he's all gross and doting.”
“Don't say that about Reo. I'll kill you—” Nagi lazily clears his throat. “I'll have to ask you to stop.”
Pacifism is hard to keep up sometimes. Especially when some of the most irritating people he knows are all gathered at the table. Well, Zantetsu is fine actually.
“Hmm, that's a good question…” Isagi mumbles, tilting his head to the side. “If he did, I wonder if it'd affect his soccer…”
See what Nagi means? Absolutely insufferable, these ones. Soccer wasn't even remotely relevant yet here’s Isagi's try hard ass.
Back to the very important topic at hand, Nagi doesn't think Reo is the type to get jealous very easily. Nagi already makes it painfully obvious he's Reo's after all. Reo's cheeky enough to know no one can take what's already his.
But still…on the off chance Reo were to get jealous, Nagi would wanna see it. His eyes languidly flick between the three people at the table and an idea flickers across his mind. It must show on his face because Barou lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Help me test if Reo gets jealous.” Nagi says with a determined lilt in his tone.
Barou immediately stands from his seat. “I’m fucking going home.”
—
Practice is thankfully over. It was as tiring as always, but Reo promised him a massage later so Nagi supposes it was worth it.
The locker room is clearing out, other players grabbing their things and offering polite goodbyes as they go. Nagi slumps against the locker behind him, the cool metal refreshing against his sweaty skin. Chigiri sits across from him, both of them waiting on Reo who stayed out on the field to ask Rin a few questions about his playstyle. Honestly, Nagi’s surprised Rin even agreed, but after enough persistent asking from Reo, the green haired striker eventually agreed to a measly five minutes with him.
The princess across from him is tending to his leg, rubbing what looks like a special lotion around his knee.
“Chigiri,” Nagi suddenly says, lazily staring at him with lidded, unbothered eyes. “Call me a good boy.”
“I’m just not doing that.” The redhead objects immediately, face twisted in disgust as he gives Nagi an incredulous look.
“When Reo’s here, I mean…” Nagi clarifies. “I’m trying to see if he gets jealous.”
“Ohh. Yeah, no, he definitely does.” Chigiri says easily, flicking a wrist as if the matter isn’t even worth discussing. It’s said so casually, Nagi can’t help but feel Chigiri knows more about Reo than he originally thought, like there’s something he’s unaware of that’s basic knowledge to the princess.
“He does? I wanna see…”
“Uhh…” Chigiri averts his gaze, reluctant to the idea. Yeah, he definitely knows something. Nagi would prod, but he has a feeling he wouldn’t get answers even if he did. After a moment, the redhead continues, “You do you, I guess. But I’m not calling you that.”
Nagi huffs. He didn’t really expect him to say yes, but it was worth an ask.
“Kay, just praise me then. Maybe that’ll work.”
Chigiri stares at him, studying him as he considers it. He looks close to rejecting, but the expectant hope in Nagi’s beady eyes must do some convincing because he sighs.
“Sure, whatever, but you owe me after this.”
When Reo appears, he’s shining like he just obtained a mountain of useful info, smiling and mumbling to himself about all the possible things he could try going forward. Nagi finds it adorable.
Reo greets them as he plops his bag on a bench, sitting down as he begins untying his cleats. His hair is disheveled after a long practice in the scorching sun, cheeks flush as his breathing still evens out. Purple eyes are fixed on his cleats, fingers tugging at an annoying knot as he struggles to get it undone.
“Wow, Nagi, you did really well today,” Chigiri says, then, his voice sounding as forced as it could come. Seriously, did he even put an ounce of effort into sounding genuine? It wouldn't kill him to give Nagi a single compliment.
Nagi shoots him a lazy glare, imagining his lackluster tone would be a dead give away. It's not, judging by the way Reo jerks his head up.
“He sure did!” Reo chirps, beaming as he stares at Nagi with starstruck eyes. Nagi feels his stomach grow fuzzy under that adoring gaze. “That goal you scored was amazing!”
The white haired striker stares at the redhead, waiting expectantly, which earns him an eye roll.
“You were very impressive out there,” Chigiri drawls, glaring at Nagi while his words remain kind. “You were sooo cool.”
Just as Nagi’s about to kick the princess’ shoe to let him know he sucks at this, he catches the way Reo’s gaze hardens. There’s something heavy in the air as he finally unties his first cleat and moves to sit beside Nagi, plopping down in front of the lockers as if it were his own personal throne.
“Yeah, my treasure is so amazing.” Reo brags, brushing his shoulder against Nagi’s as he begins untying his other cleat. He’s not looking at the shoe though, gaze fixed warningly on the redhead who now sits across from him.
A glint flashes through Chigiri’s eyes and Nagi can tell he’s enjoying himself now, amused as he rests a hand on his cheek mischievously.
“Nagi really is a treasure, isn’t he?” His tone is light, taunting even. “It’s so kind of you to share him with the world.”
“I show him off to the world.” Reo corrects, brushing his knee against Nagi's. The contact bubbles against his skin. When Nagi drops his head atop Reo’s shoulder, Reo rests his own head on Nagi’s in return. “I don't share him with anyone.”
Man, this is awesome. Nagi never thought Reo being possessive was something he needed in his life.
“Mm, tell him, Reo…”
At that, Chigiri blinks, offended. If ‘???’ could be turned into an expression, it would be the one Chigiri wears right now.
He scoffs, “I was literally doing this for—you know what. I don't even care dude.”
The princess stands, grabbing his bag and then making a spin on his heel to leave, mumbling a quick ‘I’m so sick of you two’ as he does so.
Nagi and Reo watch as he leaves the locker room; Nagi unphased, Reo sticking out his tongue mockingly. Once they hear the door swing shut, they turn to one another.
“Reo, praise me more.”
Within a second, Reo's ruffling his hair and showering him in affection and sweet words. It's the best.
—
“King, gimme a piggyback.” Nagi says, lazily dragging himself up from his chair. Class is over and Reo's supposed to meet him outside.
“Not a chance.”
“It might make Reo jealous…” Nagi tries, staring at him blankly as Barou neatly puts his materials in his backpack. Nagi had lazily thrown everything in his own, taking no longer than a few seconds.
This is the only class the two share, which Nagi is partially thankful for. Barou is a handful and loves to nag him, it's not even like Nagi does anything worth being scolded for. No, Nagi doesn't sleep during the lectures, Barou is obviously just making things up.
Deep down, Nagi doesn't mind the king's company—sometimes, that's a big sometimes.
You'd never hear Nagi admit it aloud, but he and Barou are friends. Even if they spend a good 100% of the time together bickering and annoying one another. That's just how they are.
“I seriously would rather die than have you make contact with my body, you disgusting sloth." See? They're friends.
The class is emptying out by now, most students chatting with friends as they leave while Nagi and Barou remain at their spots. Usually, whenever Nagi takes too long, Reo comes in to get him, assuming he fell asleep.
Barou is still putting away his different supplies, all sorted into different compartments like the neat freak he is. By the time he's finally done, Nagi can see Reo peeking his head into the room.
“Barou, carry me.”
“I'll kill you.”
Whatever, if the king won't help, he'll have to do it himself.
Nagi stops slouching, standing at his full height, and rests his chin atop Barou's shoulder. He doesn't miss the way Barou tenses, his eye twitching so harshly it looks like he might explode. Nagi feels the same way but he has more important matters than his own comfortability. A.k.a seeing if Reo gets jealous over this.
Reo's gaze finds them, near one of the corners of the class, and Nagi watches him go rigid, smile faltering at the sight. It's like a flip was switched and suddenly the air around him grew tense.
The Mikage heir makes his way into the room, quickly smiling and waving off the other students attempting to make small talk before reaching Nagi and Barou.
Once close enough, Reo cups Nagi's cheek and leads his head to rest on his own shoulder instead. Nagi happily complies.
“Nagi, don't go clinging to random losers,” Reo starts, voice velvety and sweet. A vein appears on Barou's forehead but they both ignore it. “You deserve nothing but the best; an elite like me.”
In response, Nagi droops himself over Reo's shoulders, nuzzling his chin into his neck.
Reo's right, no one else compares to this. Barou wasn't even comfy. The look on his face right now is funny, though—eyebrows furrowed, eye twitching and rage practically radiating off his body. Making Barou mad is one of Nagi's favorite pastimes.
Reo begins talking about something regarding his last class and Nagi obediently follows along as they leave the room. Each time Nagi lifts his chin—either to reposition it or look at something—Reo immediately cups a hand around his head, keeping it in place. It's pretty awesome, knowing Reo wants him there so insistently.
Nagi wraps his arms around Reo's waist and breathes him in. He's never letting him go. They’re gonna stay together forever and ever and ever and ever and…
—
“Zantetsu,” Nagi calls, his cheek laying against the library table, lazily staring up at the boy across from him.
After hearing Zantetsu complain about Barou being too strict and aggressive of a tutor, Nagi recommended Reo. It took a little convincing (an extra pleading sounding ‘please, Reo…’ from Nagi) to actually get him to help.
Reo doesn’t particularly like idiots (understatement), but Zantetsu has become an exception due to being one of Nagi's friends.
“That's me,” Zantetsu replies, promptly pushing his glances up his nose. He probably thinks he looks cool or something.
“Can you help me make Reo jealous?” Nagi asks innocently, because, really, it's an innocent question.
Nagi's seen it work twice so far, but he can never be too sure. Who knows? It could've been a fluke. And no, he's not just saying that cause he wants to see it again.
“Jealous? How?” Zantetsu asks, tilting his head to the side.
“Uhm…” Nagi thinks it over a bit, blinking lazily before mumbling, “just flirt or something…”
“Flirt…” Zantetsu repeats, squinting his eyes as if there were a hidden meaning to the world. Then, he perks up with a confident nod. “Got it! I won't let you up!
Nagi sighs. He already regrets asking.
No, actually, it should be okay. Zantetsu was given a simple task with a simple goal. He may mess up a lot of things, but this won't be one of them. Nagi has at least a little faith in his friend…kinda.
A few more minutes roll by before Reo finally shows up. He's holding a laptop along with a notebook and other papers in his hands, clearly having come straight from a busy class.
Nagi watches as he carefully places the pile of supplies on the table, smiling at the two as he does so. All he's doing is putting some stuff down,but Reo manages to make everything look cool. Nagi could watch him do random tasks like this all day.
“Sorry, I got held up, but I made it!” Reo says with a friendly little laugh, excellently starting up a conversation as always. He looks to Zantetsu who is already staring at Reo with a weird glint in his eyes that Nagi can't name. Reo's own expression shifts to one of slight pity. “You needed help with, uh, everything, right?”
Instead of answering his question, Zantetsu stands abruptly from his chair and takes Reo's hands in his own. It happens so quickly Nagi and Reo barely have time to react before he's speaking.
“Reo,” Zantetsu starts, staring him dead in the eyes. The Mikage heir simply blinks, stunned. With a determined air, he continues, “I love you, Reo.”
Then—then he has the audacity to turn towards Nagi with a proud grin and a thumbs up, as if this was some mission success worth celebrating.
“Thank…you?” Reo eventually chokes out, a sheepish blush dusting his cheeks as he scratches the back of his head awkwardly. It looks like the words haven't even registered in his mind, still blinking confusedly. He's about to say something else, when he starts, “Ah, I forgot my calculator in the classroom! Gimme one second, I'll be right back!”
With that, Reo quickly spins around and leaves the library in a rush. Zantetsu watches as he disappears from sight among the rows of shelves filled with books. Once he’s gone, he lets out an accomplished huff.
“How’d I do—” Zantetsu starts, spinning to face Nagi, but cuts off when he sees and feels the murderous intent radiating off of the white haired striker.
Nagi’s standing now, fists clenched at his sides as he glares at Zantetsu with dark, empty eyes, his skull aura flaring behind him.
“Uh oh, the assistant is back…” Is all Zantetsu says as he accepts his fate.
—
Nagi doesn’t really wanna be at practice right now—well, he never really wants to be here. He stands on the sideline, taking lazy sips from his water as the sun attempts to burn him alive. He’s been taking a ‘hydration break’ for the past ten minutes and has somehow gotten away with it.
Reo’s still on the field, passing back and forth with Karasu and Otoya. They’re talking and laughing about something but Nagi’s too far away to hear. His eyes are glued to Reo, captivated by his disheveled hair, passionate expression, cheeks that are flush from both heat and exhaustion. Reo’s always hard to look away from; he makes staring so easy.
Sadly, his viewing experience is ruined when a nuisance comes to stand on the side line with him.
Isagi, his own water bottle in hand, rests a hand on his hip as he takes a long sip, chest heaving. His blue eyes are pinned to the field, specifically on Bachira and Rin, who are currently battling it out for possession over the ball, Bachira laughing merrily as Rin grumbles.
Even while taking a break, Isagi’s mumbling to himself about plays and tactics, possible strategies that could work and all that soccer stuff that Nagi wouldn’t bother to give a second thought. Isagi’s so weird. Nagi wants to beat him so badly he cries.
That’ll have to wait for another day, though, cause Nagi doesn’t feel like putting in more effort than he already did during practice. Stupid Isagi can be spared for now, he guesses.
Nagi deverts his attention back to Reo—where it rightfully should be—when an idea comes to mind. Maybe for once, Isagi can be useful to him.
“Isagi, can you—”
“No. I don’t have the money for a lawsuit.” His answer comes so quickly Nagi just blinks. He didn't even get to finish his question.
“Huh…”
“Whatever you’re about to ask, Reo will take me to court over it. So no.”
“What if I ask nicely?” Nagi tries.
“Still no.”
Little bastard. Fine, if he’s gonna be stubborn like that, Nagi’ll just have to nag him until he gives in.
“Isagiii,” Nagi whines, turning to him from where he stands a few feet away.
“No.”
“Isagiii.” Nagi trudges forward in an attempt to intimidate him with his height.
“Not a chance.”
“Isaaggiiiiii.” Nagi whines again, taking a final step towards him. They’re now only a few inches apart; if he stepped any closer, they’d be touching. Nagi stares down at Isagi as he stares back up.
“Nagi, I’m not—” Isagi’s cut off as a ball flies past him at record speeds, just barely missing his head. All the color drains from his face and he’s stiff as a board as he turns towards where the ball came from.
Running off the field, Reo offers a strained smile and a polite little wave.
“Sorry about that! A little…miskick you could say.” Reo says, his tone sickeningly sweet as he stares at Isagi. He's not glaring, but it's like he's peering into his very soul, trying to strangle him with sheer ill intent alone. Isagi shivers.
Once close enough, Reo hooks a hand on Nagi's shoulder, his grip firm and absolute. “Nagi, can I borrow you for a sec?”
Before he has a chance to say yes, Reo's dragging him off to the side, away from Isagi and near a storage shed off to the side. As they're leaving, he sees Isagi shake his head and mutter, ‘lunatics, I tell you’ under his breath.
When they're hidden behind the shed, out of sight from the field and other players, Reo lets go of his shoulder. He’s staring down at the grass, expression hidden behind his bangs. Nagi can't help but frown, worried he may have gone too far.
Then, without warning, Reo steps closer and wraps his arms around him, squeezing him tightly as he rests his forehead on Nagi's shoulder.
“Reo?” Nagi calls wearily after a few moments pass without any change. Reo's grip hasn't let up even a little; actually, upon hearing his name he holds him tighter.
“You're mine, Nagi.” Reo declares, his voice slightly muffled in his shoulder but still spoken with utmost certainty, absolute confidence. He's not asking, not requesting, he's taking, claiming. “Only mine.”
And Nagi wouldn't deny him for anything in the world.
When Reo feels Nagi shift, his hands clutch on his jersey. Nagi's heart is racing. He hopes Reo can't hear it.
Nagi drops his cheek to rest atop Reo's head and his hands come up to return the embrace, wrapping around his waist gently.
“I'm all yours, Reo.” Nagi says. He relishes in the way Reo relaxes, melting into him with a content exhale. “Only yours. Always.”
It's a mutual agreement as much as it is a promise.
Nagi lets out a low hum, satisfied to stay here forever if possible. Reo makes feeling loved so easy, Nagi was an idiot to ever think to test it. He got his answer clear as day.
Reo's a bit crazy for him, but thankfully for Nagi, he's exactly where he wants to be.