Archive of Our Own ^beta

His back hurt, and all his muscles were burning like hell, but he had to go on.

Lee had to fight, using his body as a weapon through it all, defeating enemies in the middle of the war– he couldn’t stop, wouldn't. Or he might die.

But still, he couldn’t turn a blind eye upon seeing one of his allies getting injured nearby, and he got closer to the scene to see who was it; Lee cared about his fellow ninja, though to see one of his closest companions on the ground, pale eyes somehow seeming even more ghostly than usual between all that blood… Neji had been the one struck by the attack, and he had fallen in mere seconds.

He held him between his arms, lips trembling while trying not to cry, to be stoic like a good ninja had to be– his throat hurt when he couldn't hold it anymore and screamed his name, panicking as the curse mark began to fade and his forehead became blank, his scent slowly being erased from the world without a single trace.

Tears escaped from his eyes as his rival died on him, as his arms and legs and soul became red with his blood, tainted by the reality of his profession; they were told of the massacres that could happen to their teammates at any time, but it had never been… like this.

Death had crossed through his mind, but never to Neji. His rival, his omega– they did everything together whenever possible, and now he was dead. The only reason he tried so hard to succeed was gone.

Lee didn't know for how long he cried, screaming until his lungs were empty and his throat was too swollen for any word to escape from his lips. He could say nothing as he let go of his most precious person, his other half, the only one who had won his heart for being himself and was not only a fleeting crush like Sakura had been.

Who had asked him out, finding him beautiful and charming for reasons unknown even if it went against his Clan’s values to find a mate who wasn’t deemed ‘important’ in their eyes .  

It was over, his boyfriend was dead, his body and soul were too broken to go on– everything was lost. How would he get up again without Neji by his side? Lee just wanted to curl up and follow him to a calmer place, to rest for the rest of eternity with him, if only to be with his partner again.

He would never see him again, hear his voice speak softly or tease him whenever he lost their spars even if alphas were supposed to be stronger… no more challenges. Nothing.

Life was worse than any nightmare could be, and Lee couldn't do a single thing to solve things– just curl up beside his cold body and let himself get killed, not caring about anything else.

Or that was the plan until he gasped, and his eyes opened only to find himself in a dark room, fallen beside a bed while someone curiously looked at him from the mattress– a hand extended towards him in worry. Pale eyes observed him, clear enough that the moon reflected on them as a mirror, and Lee felt like his soul trembled in confusion.

“Love, are you alright?” a familiar voice mumbled, different yet still recognizable. “You were fighting with the blankets, and then you just… fell. I think you had a nightmare.”

His eyes were still full of tears, making him unable to think about anything at all– apart from instinctively climbing to the bed again just to hug Neji, who seemed confused more than anything else, although he was quick to return the embrace without a single question.

Moving closer to him, if only to pretty much let Lee rest his head on the crook of his neck, knowing well that would calm him more than anything. Just being able to have him in his arms was enough, while his partner purposely allowed him to rest on his scent glands in silence, recovering from his own brain. From all those memories that haunted him still, years after the war had ended, after somehow Neji had been saved against all odds… he continued to be afraid of losing his omega, his other half.

“It’s alright, Lee. It was just a bad dream– I’m here,” the brunet mumbled, gently caressing his back as he spoke, holding him as close as he could. Never letting go.

Lee wanted to cry again, replacing sorrow with pure joy; he couldn’t help it but sob, nuzzling gently against his husband’s skin, who chuckled without pushing him away. Leaving some kisses on his cheeks and forehead, the gentlest of the smiles decorating his lips.

He was alright, and the fight had been over for a long time. So after being held by the other man for a while, his breath became even, slowly managing to fall asleep once more– knowing well that Neji would be with him once he woke up.