Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Buzzz—

No answer.

Reo Mikage shifted his weight from one foot to the other, glancing around the dimly lit corridor of the apartment complex. It was nearly 11 PM, the streets outside quiet, the orange glow of street-lamps casting long shadows across the pavement. His suitcase stood upright beside him. The cool London air nipped at his neck.

Buzzz—

Still nothing.

With a soft sigh, Reo pulled out his phone and tapped Chigiri’s contact. The call rang twice before a familiar voice crackled through.

“Reo! I’m so sorry,” Chigiri’s voice came through in a rush, mixed with background shuffling. “I’m still at the boutique. I had to stay late…the client’s a celebrity and she came in last minute. I’m just locking up. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

“Oh, yeah!!!no worries,” Reo said, leaning back against the cool brick wall. “Take your time. I’ll wait.”

Fifteen minutes later, Reo heard hurried footsteps. A blur of crimson hair rounded the corner.

“REO!” Chigiri shouted, launching himself forward.

Reo laughed just before the wind was knocked out of him. Despite being smaller in stature, Chigiri’s hug was surprisingly strong, tight and warm, like a blanket after a long day. The cold melted away instantly.

“Chigiri!” Reo greeted, hugging him back, heart a little fuller.They pulled apart, Chigiri’s cheeks flushed from the cold and the run.Reo dragged his suitcase behind him as they entered the apartment. “Let’s get inside” Chigiri said.

As they made their way up the stairs, Chigiri fished out his keys. “Sorry again. That client is a regular actress, super famous. She wanted to browse privately, so we stayed open late.”

“No worries, I’m just happy your boutique’s doing so well,” Reo said, following him inside. Chigiri smiled to himself as he locked the door behind them. “You’re too nice. Let me make it up to you later.”

“How was the flight?” Chigiri asked, as Reo set his things down inside the spare room, the one Kunigami had used before leaving for Germany. Reo looked over his shoulder with a mock expression of horror. “I messed up, Chigiri. I booked economy. Economy.” Chigiri blinked. “You? Economy?” Then burst into a fit of laughter, clutching the doorframe for support. “The Mikage Reo? With the plebs?”“Shut up,” Reo groaned, chucking a rolled-up sock at him.

Chigiri caught it mid-air. “Was there…legroom? Did you… have to share an armrest?”“I made a mistake!” Reo argued, half laughing, half humiliated. “I was distracted when booking!” ,“And now emotionally scarred,” Chigiri teased, wiping his eyes. “Oh, I needed that laugh.”

After settling in, Chigiri looked over at Reo. “You hungry? I’m way too tired to cook.” Reo nodded. “Starving. Lead the way.”

Chigiri grabbed a jacket, and the two stepped out into the chilly night once more. Reo kept asking where they were going, but Chigiri only said, “You’ll see,” with a mischievous grin.

The place was called BS Dine and Bar, a cozy little restaurant not far from their apartment. The exterior looked like any small pub from the outside, but once they stepped in, the vibe completely changed.

It was warm, dimly lit, with rustic wooden walls decorated with ivy and fairy lights. The scent of fried food, roasted spices, and beer hung in the air. At the center, a large projector screen played a live rugby match, and the bar was packed with people in jerseys—young, old, all shouting at the screen like it was life or death.

Reo took it all in with a small grin. “Nice place.” Chigiri waved at someone behind the bar. “Yo, King!”

A tall man turned around, balancing a tray full of dishes. His dark spiky hair added a few extra inches to his height, and the sharp look on his face didn’t exactly scream “friendly.” “It’s you again,” he grunted. “Where’s the orange-haired one? Got a new boyfriend?”

Chigiri rolled his eyes. “This is Reo. Reo, meet Barou—he owns the place. Kunigami’s away, remember?”. Barou gave Reo a once-over and nodded. “Right. Hello..” Then went back to work.

“Is he always like that?” Reo whispered.“That’s his happy face,” Chigiri whispered back. “You don’t want to see annoyed.”

Over bowls of steaming pasta, the two friends caught up. Chigiri spoke animatedly about his boutique and the client, a famous actress preparing for her wedding. She’d ordered custom dresses for her entire bridal party. Chigiri looked both excited and exhausted. “It’s amazing,” Reo said, between bites, “but… are you okay?”.

“I should be,” Chigiri sighed. “I was really looking forward to this week with you. Now it’s just… busy.”“Hey,” Reo said gently. “Work comes first. I can stay as long as you need me. I like London. I’ll even help out…cut some thread or something.”, Chigiri smiled. “Good. I’ll need the help.”

A roar of cheers interrupted them as someone scored in the match. Reo glanced around at the crowd, then back at Chigiri, whose eyes were a little heavier now. When the game ended, the crowd erupted. Fans danced and cheered. Reo and Chigiri paid for their meal and stepped out into the crisp London night. The streets were nearly empty now, and the city glowed in the dark, soft lights flickering in shop windows, a bus hissing down the road.

Neither of them spoke much on the walk back. The quiet between them was easy. Back at the apartment, they exchanged sleepy goodnights.

Reo changed into his nightwear and lay on the bed. It was a small room, just enough for a single bed and a desk, but it was warm and quiet. The city noise was a distant hum outside the window.

He closed his eyes. But the moment he did, a certain white-haired boy filled his thoughts.

Nagi Seishiro.

Reo turned to his side, grumbling into the pillow. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four sheep, five sheep… sheep have white hair… white hair… Nagi!!!! ugh!

He groaned aloud and buried his face deeper into the pillow. Eventually, exhaustion won. Sleep claimed Reo Mikage.

Nagi Seishiro entered the hotel he’d be staying in for the next few months. The place was nice, nothing fancy, but modern and clean. Just how he liked it. He hated cooking, cleaning, so hotel room service was a big win. Even if it meant paying half the cost himself.

The check-in process was quick. Nagi barely listened. Once he had his key card, he headed to his room, dropped his bags, peeled off his clothes, and face-planted into the bed.

Perfect.

He had two days off before the project started, and he already knew how he’d spend them, doing absolutely nothing. Sleep. Eat. Scroll. Repeat.

But first things first he opened his bag and removed his cactus, who was wrapped thoroughly in plactic, Nagi inspected properly for any breakage in the cactus pot but there were none. 

He kept his cactus on the hotel desk near the window. “Chocki! I met someone amazing Chocki! I want to meet him again though…. Goodnight, Peace!” Nagi greeted his cactus.

  2 days later….

It wasn’t until the afternoon of his second day that Nagi got out of his room to get some snacks and other essentials. He wished he could see a certain purple haired, on his way.

He found a small convenience store nearby. After tossing in essentials, snacks, toothpaste, charger, his phone buzzed in his hoodie pocket.

He groaned

Caller ID: Isagi Yoichi.

Nagi stared at the screen for three seconds. Thought about ignoring it.

Then sighed and answered.

“Yo.”

“NAGI!” came the excited voice from the other end.

Nagi immediately pulled the phone slightly away from his ear.

“…You don’t have to yell, man.”

“Sorry, sorry. Just wanted to check in. You reached?”

“Yeah.”

“You sound dead.”

“I’m always dead,” Nagi replied paying for the stuff he bought in the store. “Jet lag’s annoying.”

Isagi laughed. His voice was warmer now, more familiar. “I figured you’d pick a hotel instead of the company apartment.”

“Didn’t want to cook,” Nagi replied honestly. “Room service’s easier.”

“Of course you’d rather pay more than heat a kettle.”

“Exactly.”

Isagi and Nagi had known each other for years—first as rivals in college coding competitions, then as teammates, and eventually close friends. Isagi had always been the energetic one, the overachiever who woke up early to finish bug testing. Nagi was the quiet genius who barely put in visible effort but still managed to outperform almost everyone else.

They balanced each other. Somehow.

“Project starts tomorrow,” Isagi said. “Excited?”

Nagi walking back to his hotel replied, “That’s a strong word.”

Isagi chuckled. “We’ve got the pitch meeting in the morning. 9 AM. Don’t be late.”

“…I’ll be there.”

“You better be. You’re the face and head of the software team, remember?”

“UGHH.”

Isagi said with a laugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Nagi ended the call, walking to his room, no luck finding the purple haired. He was finally here. In London. About to start a whole new project with the guy who talked way too much and still somehow made work tolerable.

But for tonight?

No alarms. No presentations. No effort.Just a soft bed, thick curtains, and silence.Nagi didn’t even bother changing.He flopped on the bed, turned on his side, pulled the blanket over him, and closed his eyes. Sleep came fast.