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š»š¼šš² : rlly old draft(iām still fixing some stuffšāāļø) that was written before Hamilton signed with Ferrari and iām too lazy to change that part
It started with confetti.
Silver, sky blue, goldāfalling like stardust over the stadium. The treble: Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League. A season carved into legend. The kind that ends with open-top buses, champagne-soaked jerseys, and drunk teammates.
But while the world watched them lift the trophies, the real story was unfolding off the pitchāin quiet corners, in shared glances, in the spaces between celebration and something softer.
Somewhere between Manchester and Monaco, they disappeared. A private plane. A coastline kissed by light.
It was a warm sunny morning around 7:00AM. The sun illuminated in through the closed blinds, casting an orange glow to the hotel room where Seishiro and Reo were staying. Reo was the first to wake. Yawning as he put his slippers on and made his way to the bathroom. Nagi tossed and turned a few times before deciding to get up too.
āMorningā he said, voice groggy from sleep.
āMorning, Nagi!ā The purple haired boy exclaimed with a soft smile as he sat down on the couch in the living room.
āHey, since itās your first time here, is there anything specific ya wanna see or do? I can show you a bunch of placesā Reo chirped, failing to hide his excitement
āHm? I dunno..itās a hassle to think this early..ā Nagi mumbled as he was brushing his teeth.
He was barely listening. For him it would be too troublesome to think this early, as he stated earlier, but since Reo insisted on going to Monaco for their end-of-season break he figured heād put up with it for the time being, besides Man City have just won the treble so a getaway to Monaco didnāt sound so bad after all.
āSo then I told him that itās a stupid idea to put Ćdegaard on defence and he went on a rant how heās the best player in the league and got madā Oi Nagi are you even listening? Nagii! Earth To Nagi!ā
Nagi was most definitely not listening, donāt get him wrong though, he loves Reo, but he was too busy looking at the cartier billboard that could be seen from where they were seated in the restaurant. The billboard itself wasnāt anything special, just a random model with an over exaggerated look on their face but what really got his attention was the pretty silver diamond covered ring. āIt would complement Reoās features so wellā ā he thought to himself before he felt a pair of soft hands on his face
āNagi, are you okay? What were you staring at?ā
Reo asked curiously as he tried to look at the direction to where Nagi was staring profusely just a second ago
āAh, itās nothing. The coastline is just really pretty.ā
āWanna go later? Oh oh wait how about we go on an evening stroll together?ā
Nagi gave him a microscopic, rare smile that could barely be seen by the naked eye but still a smile, a smile only Reo could see and even more it was paired with a subtle pinkness to his naturally pale complexion that was surprisingly starting to tan with the rise in temperatures lately. That mightāve actually been the first time Nagi tanned instead of burning like a boiled hotdog.
āCan I at least take a nap first? Evening walks are such a bother.ā
Treasure was something Reo often addressed Nagi as. It wasnāt affectionate or anything, but moreover it was coming from his soul. He thinks he might actually be his soulmate. Heās not in love with him or anything though, theyāre just really close friends, thatās all! Thatās what he likes to think at least. Itās painfully obvious to those around them that theyāre more than friends but just somehow not to Nagi and Reo. Barou used to tease Nagi asking him what he would do without his precious Reo. Chigiri often pressed Reo about Nagi and if they were were something more and Reo would just look at him as if heās just asked him the most outrageous thing in the world.
The white haired boy had just rolled out of bed from his 5 hour nap. How can anyone sleep so long AND still be tired at night?
āMm..getting up is so troublesome,ā the taller one groggily mentioned. Reo just sighed shaking his head with a soft smirk
āCome on you lazy sloth, get up,ā Reo said as he basically pulled Nagi out of bed with practised ease.
āHey if we hurry up, we can catch the sunset, come on, I want pictures!ā
The older of the two replied whilst lazily puting on a basic white t-shirt and some grey sweatpants paired with regular white shoes. And they went on their way.
The sun was just starting to set. Reoās eyes looked like amethyst crystals crafted by the gods themselves. Nagi was mesmerised to say the least.
āHey Nagi will you take a picture of me real quick?ā
The whitehead said in response. He was about to say it was too troublesome to take pictures but it was like as if something was stopping him? Perhaps it was the look Reo gave him? āEh, whatever lets just take the pictures and goā he thought to himself.
āAre you done? Can i see them?ā
Before Nagi could reply Reo was already in his face looking at the pictures he took.
āthis oneās perfect!ā
Reo exclaimed happily. There was an unexplainable warm feeling in the air, despite it being the start of summer. His arm swung around Nagiās shoulder.
The purple eyed boy spoke softly. His face was just inches away from Nagi now.
Reo had just woken up after a crazy first day at Monte Carlo. Honestly thatās the best heās felt in such a long time. It seems like just yesterday they were both 17 and he just so happened to stumble across Nagi on that staircase. So much has happened since then. If you were to tell him that heās just won the treble, his parents have finally accepted his dream of being a football player and heās living his best life, he would laugh in your face. Blue Lock ā the name sounds distant to him in that moment. Itās been 7 whole years since then. Both him and Nagi have changed and grown into the people they are now. And as much as Reo hates to admit it heās kinda thankful for it, because him and Nagi wouldnāt be as close as they are now if it wasnāt for Blue Lock.
Today was the kind of day that wouldnāt impress you. No fireworks, no champagne. Just sunlight pouring into their hotel room like honey, and the quiet hum of the city outside their balcony.
Later, they went grocery shopping ā mostly because Reo insisted they should at least pretend to live like locals. Nagi trailed behind with the basket, yawning every few minutes.
āIām just saying,ā Reo started as they passed the bakery aisle, āif we buy stuff to cook, we should actually cook. Not let it rot in the fridge like last time.ā
The slouching boy muttered. Reo rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway.
At some point in the afternoon, Nagi dozed off on the couch while Reo sat beside him reading articles about Man Cityās upcoming preseason tour. The race was only getting closer and closer making Reo more and more excited.
Wednesday was as boring as Tuesday. The highlight of their day was probably another restaurant they visited and the night spent on Reoās yacht.
Nagi couldnāt sleep. It wasnāt because he kept thinking about how him and Reo almost kissed after one too many drinks the other day. It was because of that damn Cartier ring.
It had taken over his brain. Ever since he saw it gleaming on that billboard on Monday, it had been there ā floating in the back of his mind like a glitch in a video game he couldnāt reset. He wanted it. Needed it. Which is why, now, in the blue haze of 4 a.m., he was quietly slipping out of bed and into yesterdayās hoodie, phone barely lighting the room.
The Cartier store was a 20-minute walk from their hotel. Ten, if he ran. And this time, he wasnāt running for football or Reo yelling āhustleā from the sidelines ā he was running for something he actually took initiative in.
The streets of Monaco were still half asleep. The moon was still out. But Nagi was already outside the Cartier boutique by 4:33 a.m., hoodie up, staring blankly at the locked glass doors, waiting. The store opens at 5:00. Every passing minute felt like an hour.
Just as he was about to head back a woman in a blazer and heels finally appeared, fumbling with the keys at the door, Nagi didnāt waste a second.
āExcuse me. I wanna buy a ring.ā
She blinked, gave him a very obvious once-over, and then opened the door without a word thinking what kind of psycho goes to buy a ring in the early crack of fucking dawn. He didnāt care if she thought he was insane ā rich people do insane things all the time. He walked in, eyes skimming through the rows of glittering rings like he was on a mission in a stealth game.
And then ā there it was.
Perfect shape. Not too shiny. Clean. Cool. Like it knew it didnāt need to try too hard. Nagi stared at it, then pointed as if he was ordering food.
āThat one. I want that one.ā
āYouāve got excellent taste, sir,ā the woman complimented, trying to make conversation. āThis oneās quite the hit. Just released too.ā
Nagi blinked at her. āYeah.ā
She kept smiling, professional but clearly wondering who this pale, sleep-deprived young man was. Still ā money was money.
āSo, is this for a special occasion orā¦ just a gift?ā
āSpecial, I guess,ā he mumbled, rocking on his heels.
āAlright. Would you like to engrave a date on it?ā
Shit. He hadnāt thought of a date. His brain short-circuited for a second, then rebooted. Sunday. The last day of their trip. The day he was planning to give it to Reo.
The woman raised a brow but didnāt ask questions. She tapped it into the system.
āItāll be ready by Saturday night at the earliest.ā
āā¦Yeah, thanks.ā Nagi nodded.
āAnd the total comes toā¦ 48,000 euros, please.ā
He handed her his card like it was no big deal ā which it wasnāt. Not for him. Not for Reo. He just wanted that ring.
Once the receipt was printed, polite but awkward goodbyes were exchanged, Nagi was already on his way back ā this time walking slowly, hoodie half zipped, ocean breeze brushing against his skin like the adrenaline was finally fading.
Back at the hotel, Reo was still asleep, hair a little messy, arm tucked under the pillow. Nagi stood there for a second. Just watching. Then he quietly climbed back into his own bed.
7:00 a.m. He finally shut his eyes.
He had the ring. Well almost.
A soft voice stirs Nagi from his mini hibernation, a pretty voice at that.
āCome one Nagi, youāve been saying that for at least 20 minutes already. You canāt sleep all day, you know,ā Reo says as he once again pulls Nagi out of bed.
Nagi goes to brush his teeth as Reo gets dressed before they head out. He throws on a lazy outfit as he follows Reo out the door and get their day started. Today was way more productive than the sloppy Tuesday and Wednesday. They went shopping. Reo bought a cool new watch as for Nagi, he was just happy to accompany Reo. The night was spent in another restaurant. La MĆ“me is a nice restaurant. It has a direct view to where people kept their yachts.
āI still canāt believe they had to cancel the race. But hey Monaco just screams a June race, right?ā
Nagi replied. He had never really been into formula 1, heās seen a race or two, knows the drivers but has never taken a big interest in the sport, he thinks itās cool that they at least get to sit while competing but all the other training would just be one big olā hassle as he likes to say.
āAlso, I heard Rosberg was going to be an interviewer, I hope Hamilton at least gets second or third place so Rosberg can interview him you know, old rivalry.ā
āYeah, hope so too,ā Nagi nodded in agreement, trying to sound invested.
Friday disappeared in a blink, and most of Saturday had sped by the same way. Nagi barely noticed time passing ā which wasnāt that unusual ā until it smacked him in the face with a memory:
He didnāt have it yet. Not physically. It was ready for pickup tonight.
His thumbs stilled over his controller. The video gameās music kept playing in the background, but Nagiās focus shifted completely.
He sat frozen for a moment, eyes staring past the screen, nerves crawling up his spine. Reo was just in the other room, stretched across the couch, engrossed in the friendly match between Liverpool and Arsenal.
The excitement buzzed under Nagiās skin. He wanted to give it to Reo. Desperately. But there was still that small, annoying voice in his head whispering:
What if he thinks itās dumb? Or too soon? Or weird?
He swallowed. Okay. Time to go get the ring.
But firstā¦ a distraction.
His voice echoed from his room.
āWhat?ā Reo called back, eyes never leaving the screen.
āThis new game just dropped, and I checked onlineā¦ thereās only two copies left. Thereās a store that has one. Can you go get it for me?ā
A pause. Then Reo laughed.
āI would, but the match is actually getting good. Go get it yourself for once.ā
Nagi groaned dramatically.
āā¦ Zombie Nagi mode activated.ā
He shuffled to the hallway like he was limping on purpose.
āYouāre so dramatic,ā Reo teased. āYou act like youāre running a marathon.ā
āI am,ā Nagi muttered. āAlright, Iāll go. But if I have to crawl back, itās on you.ā
Reo laughed again. āIāll keep the couch warm for your corpse.ā
Nagi left the hotel in a half-jog. The streets of Monaco were glowing under the early evening sky, still alive but less chaotic than midday. When he finally reached the store, slightly breathless, the same woman from Thursday was behind the counter.
āOh, hello again,ā she said, recognizing him immediately. āYour timing isā¦ precise. The ringās ready.ā
āYeahā¦ hi,ā Nagi mumbled, trying to play it cool. āThe dateās engraved in there, right?ā
She blinked. āYes, as requested. Sunday ā 02/05/25. Itās all set. Have a great night, I guess.ā
But Nagi was already halfway out the door, gripping the small Cartier box in one hand like it was some ancient treasure. He slowed down a few meters from the hotel, bent over to catch his breath, then slid the box carefully into the front pocket of his hoodie.
By the time he opened the door, his shoes were half off and his face was still a little red from running.
He kicked off his sneakers and ghosted past Reo toward his room, sliding the little square shaped box under the bedside table like it was top-secret classified material.
He plopped onto the couch next to Reo with a thud, still breathing a little too hard. His heart wouldnāt chill out. The ring was so close now. It was literally right there. It was really happening.
Reo looked over with a smirk.
āWhy do you look like you just got jumped?ā he said. āDonāt tell me you had to fight a kid for that game.ā
Nagi leaned back against the cushions.
āā¦Yeah. Pretty tough kid.ā
Reo laughed again, rolling his eyes.
Reo was scrolling through his photo drafts. A dump sat unfinished, filled with shots from their treble win with Man City. One photo of the Champions League trophy. One of Reo mid-celebration, mouth open, eyes shining. Another of him and Nagi at the team parade in Manchester, soaked in champagne.
But he hadnāt posted it. He was waiting. Waiting for something that felt final. Complete.
āDo you think I should post the treble dump before we go home?ā
āWait,ā Nagi said too quickly.
āBecause,ā Nagi said, stretching.
āYouāre gonna want one more picture for it.ā
āAre you spoiling your own surprise?ā
āNo,ā Nagi replied, deadpan.
āYouāre just nosy.ā
The early summer sun bathed Monaco in a golden glow, its light filtering through the curtains of the luxurious hotel rooms. In separate suites, both Nagi and Reo stirred awake.
Reo, ever the early riser, quickly got up, his excitement for the Monaco Grand Prix evident. He made his way to the bathroom, brushed his teeth and washed his face and then made his way over to Nagiās room, expecting the usual struggle to rouse his friend.
To his surprise, Nagi was already up, dressed in a casual yet stylish outfit, and finishing a nutritious breakfast.
āMorning,ā Nagi mumbled, stretching.
Reo blinked. āYouāreā¦ awake? And eating?ā
Nagi shrugged. āI guess.ā
They decided to go for a light jog along the marina, the crisp morning air invigorating. Reo couldnāt help but smile, seeing Nagi so engaged.
They returned to the hotel at around 2:20 p.m flushed and slightly winded, the sea breeze clinging to their clothes as they entered the cool marble-floored lobby.
Jogging with Nagi wasnāt something Reo expected to enjoy so muchābut seeing Nagi trying, truly trying, just for the sake of showing up with him, made something in his chest feel like it was melting.
Back in their suites, they showered and changed. Reo slipped into a light blue and white striped button-down polo shirt that was tucked in neatly with a cream knit sweater, that was tied at the front, draped subtly from his shoulders. As for bottoms he was wearing off-white tailored trousers that had a clean crease and were paired with a black belt.
His shoesāpolished but not flashyāwere just going on when he turned slightly, expecting Nagi to be loitering nearby.
But Nagi had vanished into his own room.
Inside, Nagi stood still for a moment. Dressed in a white dress shirt worn underneath a fitted black crewneck sweater, with the shirt collar and cuffs peaking out and loose-fitting white trousers that had a relaxed but elegant drape. he looked surprisingly put together. His usual lazy air was replaced with something more focused.
He reached under the nightstand , pulled out the small velvet box, and just held it in his palm for a few seconds.
It felt heavy. Not in weight, but in meaning.
āAlrightā¦ā he mumbled to himself, slipping it into his pocket carefully. āLetās go.ā
They were walking along the paddock now. Reo and Nagi waving politely at fans who called their names. They even stopped to take selfies with the fans that just didnāt seem to end.
The race started, and the two found their seats in the Mercedes garage, surrounded by engineers, team strategists, and camera screens showing every turn.
Reo leaned in toward Nagi, his voice soft beneath the roar of the engines. āIsnāt this insane?ā
Nagi blinked at the screen. āItās kinda like a video gameā¦ but louder.ā
Reo chuckled, and Nagi smiled.
By the time the race wrapped up, Lewis Hamilton had secured second place for Mercedes. The podium celebrations lit up the marina, and Nagi stared up at the streamers and champagne spraying into the sky like it was the finale of a game heād never expected to care about.
He was glad Reo had brought him here.
They returned to the hotel briefly to change again.
Reo was glowingāskin sun-kissed, smile still wide, laughter still caught in the corners of his lips. He pulled a casual outfit.
Nagi changed into an his casual but clean low-effort look in a way only he could make work. The ring was back in his pocket, burning.
REOāS YACHTā 10:00 p.m.
The yacht gently rocked beneath them, docked in the calm nighttime marina. Music hummed low from the Bluetooth speaker, something mellow and jazzy.
The city sparkled behind them.
Reo stood leaning against the steel rail of the yacht. His arms were folded over them, head tilted slightly as he looked out over the sea.
The wind tousled his hair a little.
Nagi stood beside him, quiet.
Reoās voice was low. āI donāt think Iāve felt this calm in forever.ā He exhaled. āLikeā¦ in my body. In my head.ā
Nagi nodded. āYeah.ā He paused. āIt was a good day.ā
There was a beat of silence.
āHey, Reo,ā Nagi said, breaking the comfortable silence.
āI have something for you.ā
Reo turned toward him, curious. āWait, what? You actually got me something?ā
āYeah,ā Nagi mumbled as he pulled the box from his pocket, staring down at it.
Reo blinked in surprise, and for a second, neither of them said a word. Nagi opened the box and held it out with both hands, not making eye contact.
Inside was the ring. Silver with small, elegant diamonds on the band. Underneath the lid was the engraved date: 02/05/25
āIs thisā¦?ā Reoās voice trailed off.
āItās for you,ā Nagi said, still not looking at him. āYou said you liked Cartierā¦ and this one looked like itād suit you. Andā¦ I wanted you to have it. Forā¦ everything. Youāre my treasure.ā
Reoās mouth opened slightly, like he wanted to say something, but couldnāt find the words.
āItās not a proposal or anything!ā Nagi added quickly, panicking. āI meanā¦ unless you wanted it to be? I just thoughtā¦ youād like it. Or whatever. You donāt have to wear it if itās weirdāā
āNagi,ā Reo said softly.
The white-haired boy finally looked up.
Reoās expression was unreadable for a second. And thenāhe smiled. The kind of smile that made Nagiās chest ache in a good way.
āYou remembered the date,ā Reo whispered.
Nagi blinked. āWhat?ā
āMay 2nd. Itās the day we met. On the staircase.ā
Nagiās eyes widened slightly. He hadnāt remembered that. But now that Reo said it, it made sense why the date had popped into his head like that. Somewhere, deep down, he had remembered.
Reo gently took the box and slid the ring onto his finger. It fit perfectly. Of course it didāNagi had guessed based on Reoās hands when he was sleeping.
āā¦You like it?ā Nagi asked quietly.
āI love it,ā Reo said. And then he added, āI love you.ā
Nagiās heart thumped. He wasnāt even sure if he heard that right.
āI meanāuhālike, as a friend, orā?ā
Reo leaned in and kissed him.
It was soft. And slow. And warm. When they pulled apart, Reoās face was flushed. Nagi looked completely stunned, but he didnāt pull away. His hand reached for Reoās again, intertwining their fingers.
āSo,ā Reo said with a nervous laugh. āDoes this mean you donāt think itās a hassle anymore?ā
āā¦Itās still a hassle,ā Nagi said honestly. āButā¦ youāre worth the hassle.ā
They sat there together, watching the city light up with the late hour . The ring glinted on Reoās finger, and Nagi couldnāt stop glancing at itāhis ring, on his person.
And for once, Nagi wasnāt tired. He didnāt want to nap. Not when the world finally felt just right.
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