Pairings. Isagi Yoichi x reader
Featuring. Isagi Yoichi, Bachira Meguru, Reo Mikage, Nagi Seishirou, Isagi's parents, OCs & reader insert
Tags. fluff, crack, angst, unrequited love, pining, estranged friendship, burnt house, forced proximity & marriage
Isagi was waiting in the car when you finally caught up with him.
His head was turned away, so you couldn't see his expression. Yet, your eyes lingered on him for a beat longer. You opened your mouth to say something, anything, but hesitation made your throat constrict.
"Let's get breakfast." Isagi said quietly, still not looking you in the eye.
You glanced at the side of his face. "...okay."
The rest of the drive was filled with silence. Just the soft tunes of music playing in the background. The only thing keeping your warring thoughts company.
Why had Isagi stormed off like that?
Had it been something you'd said? Had it been the campaign? Did he want to blow it off?
Doubt gnawed at you. If Isagi wanted to call things off, it would be a little too late now. Considering you already had received confirmation of their collaboration.
And Isagi wasn't one to go back on his word.
So maybe it really had been something you'd let slip.
Maybe a careless comment? An unthoughtful reply? A sensitive topic--
Ah yes. That must've been it.
You had noticed Isagi clamming up beside you when the matter of your moving five years ago had been brought up.
But why had he reacted that way? You thought he'd been relieved you'd left, with all the things he'd said during that fight--
You tightly inhaled, the vivid memories of that fight unbiddingly brought back to the forefront of your mind.
You shuddered, clenching your teeth as a wave of contrition, sorrow and regret hit you full force. Your heart panged painfully, throat constricting in a way that made it hard to breath.
Blinking harshly, you tried to rid yourself from these invasive thoughts, thoughts that were so spiral provoking that you'd rather leave it alone altogether.
So you distracted yourself by looking out the window.
The lively colours of the city blended together into a colourful tapestry, every person and every building another thread in the background. People were walking all about, milling in front of tea shops, talking on terraces.
Your stomach rumbled at the sight of food. Having not eaten breakfast this morning, coupled with an energy slurping elevator pitch, was not doing favours to your energy supply at all.
Blinking slowly, you leaned back into the cushions. Drowsiness made your vision blurry, as if you were on the precipice of giving out.
You must've still retained some side-effects of the fever and the weeks of non-stop working.
But now, things were looking up. Stress wasn't a constant factor in your everyday life anymore. Sleep came easily now, and wasn't disrupted by creeping deadlines and unbidden loneliness.
Here, in Isagi's car, or maybe everywhere Isagi was, you felt safe, warm. Alive.
You tossed around in your seat so you were facing Isagi now.
Isagi was looking straight ahead, a slight tension in his jaw, a miniature stiffness in his shoulders.
You frowned, the urge to reach out a palpable one.
But you didn't. Couldn't.
So you could only look. Look at the boy who had helped you, time and time again. To the boy who stood by your side through weather and wind, through success and hardship.
Looked at his blue eyes as if it were the first colour you had been acquainted with.
And that's how you fell asleep, too, with blue seared in your retinas and a boy carved in your mind.
It wasn't the most terrible thing to doze off on.
Isagi's gaze was staunchly locked with the road. He didn't dare let his eyes stray towards you.
Even being near you was just enough for a surge of emotion to well up. Looking at you would make the dam flow all over.
Hurt, pain, guilt laid like heavy stones on his chest, making every breath he took excruciating and choked.
His mind inadvertently strayed back to the revealing moment after exiting the JFU building.
"So maybe... I came this far not just because of my fiancé's name."
You sounded shocked. Surprised. As if the thought of achieving so much on your own had been an unthinkable one.
You hadn't ever known how exceptional you were.
You had left Japan and entered a foreign land with the thought of being unworthy.
Every thought was a punch to the throat, a kick to the stomach.
Isagi flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. How could you ever think that?
How could you ever doubt yourself?
Maybe he should've spoken up more. Should've told you how special you were to him, rather than carving his feelings into the gifts he'd left behind.
His eyes inadvertently strayed to you. To the necklace still clinging to your skin.
Happiness is not momentarily with you.
Isagi knew the words by heart. They haunted and reassured him in early mornings and late nights spent in solitude.
He sighed, eyes flicking to your face.
Head tilted backwards, arms lounging at your side. Hair swept up in your face.
A soft smile spilled onto Isagi's lips.
He stomped down the urge to reach out, letting his eyes wander over the ridges of your face instead.
And again on your neck, the necklace.
He'd never imagined that after all he'd done, all the wrongs and the irreversible sins, you'd still wear something of his, so close to the heart that Isagi hoped would beat just for him someday.
The necklace in his pocket felt like laden.
Isagi sighed, killing the engine.
You were there again, the quaint cafe that Isagi hadn't visited in years.
Isagi looked at you, askance. You were still sleeping.
His eyes silently surveyed you, his hand tugging a strand of hair behind your ear.
"I'm sorry." He murmured, quietly like a vow.
He lightly traced your cheek with his finger, his eyes holding a raw tenderness.
"I'm sorry for walking out like that."
Your eyes were still closed.
Isagi hung his head, his eyes remorsefully looking at your sleeping face. "I shouldn't have done that."
He shakily inhaled, his right hand balling into a trembling fist. "I'm just... it hurts, you know?" A humourless chuckle tumbled from his lips. "That your love for him was big enough to leave me."
Isagi's eyes turned misty at the admission.
Another tight inhale. "It's selfish. I know. But sometimes... I just wish that you'd chosen me instead."
A teardrop splattered onto your skin.
Isagi froze. He hastily wiped it from your cheek.
You tossed in your sleep, arms winding around his right one. Isagi shakily inhaled, swallowing past the clog in his throat.
"Y/n?" He called out, soft, unsure. He lightly shook your shoulder.
You murmured, but your eyes were still shut.
"Y/n?" Isagi repeated, a little louder.
Your eyebrows scrunched together, right before your eyes fluttered open.
"Yoi?" You called out, dazed.
"I'm here." Isagi croaked, feeling on the verge of crying.
"Isagi." You said again, now a little clearer. Isagi felt the disappointment twinging at his stomach.
"Are we... are we there?"
"Ah. That's good. Oh. Uh... I'm sorry for sleeping, I must not have been a very entertaining conversationalist."
But a beautiful sight to look at, is what Isagi didn't say. Instead: "It's fine. We're here anyway."
"Where?" You turned your head. Your eyes sparkled. "Oh, we're here!" Enthusiasm laced your voice, you tugged at his arm. "I love this place!"
A soft smile played on Isagi's lips. "Yeah. Let's go in."
Once inside, you ordered your favourite, while Isagi went for some waffles.
The quaint little cafe was still tranquil, not yet overrun by customers, like a hidden gem found by a few.
"So, how's training going?" You asked, breaking the silence.
"Good." Isagi answered. "I've got training today. Though I think Ego will have me run some extra laps for the previous one."
You tilted your head, curious. "How so?"
Isagi winced. "Ill performance. I hit the goal post a few times too many." Thought about you a few times too many.
A laugh. "I take it he's got something in store for that? Or is the teasing of the others punishment enough?"
Isagi groaned. "Don't remind me. They'll be telling that to my grandchildren."
A smile splayed onto your face. "Then you'll just have to get back at them during the World Cup."
"Yeah." Isagi agreed. "I want to be MVP."
A teasing edge to your smile. "The sky's the limit, right?"
Isagi laughed. "Pots, kettles?"
"Oh yeah?" You raised an eyebrow. "Please indulge me."
Isagi propped his head onto his hand, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You always aim high, too, you know? During NEL, U-20's World Cup, and now, with the finale, too."
"Well..." You flushed. Well, you didn't actually have much to say to that. "I just want Japan to win."
"Oh?" The corners of Isagi's lips ticked upwards. "Are you rooting for me, too, then?"
"Will you be worth it, to root for?" You countered.
"....touché." Isagi grinned.
I'll be worthy for you to root for. No matter what it takes.
You returned his smile with a beam of your own.
The atmosphere was light, banter was easygoing and fun. You were glad that the gloomy air between you two had been lifted.
"Excuse me, I've got your food at the ready." A waiter interrupted, holding two steaming plates.
"Ah, yeah. Of course!" You tore your eyes from Isagi's, straightening your back.
As the waiter placed your plates down, you chanced a look at your phone.
You opened your messages, noting it was from Miyu.
So how did it gooo?? Did you win their expensive hearts over yet???
A chuckle left your mouth. You shot a quick "we're in!!" back, before returning your attention back to your plate.
"Mhm. Looks delicious." You commented.
Isagi hummed in confirmation.
After you said your itadakimasu, the two of you dug in, and soon, the only noises pervading the air where the clinking of your cutlery and the clanking of your teeth.
Your phone lit up with another message from Miyu. You frowned, straining your eyes to read it.
Have you already asked Isagi bout the hotel?
Your eyebrows creased together. Right. You had forgotten to ask in the frenzy that was today.
You eyed Isagi who was bringing a bite of waffle in his mouth, his cheeks bolling up as he chewed on the food.
He looked like a bunny. Cute.
Ah right. Back to the matter at hand.
You were curious why Isagi had kept that from you. Asking it wouldn't hurt, right?
Yet you felt reluctance creeping in as you chanced another look at Isagi.
He looked so peaceful, a certain boyish charm to him, even while he was doing something as mundane as eating.
But you had to know. Even if it had to be at the cost of peace.
So you pushed the tight knot in your chest away, directing your gaze onto the boy in front of you.
"Isagi... I spoke with Miyu, and, uh." You hesitated, but Isagi's quiet, patient glance made you breathe a little easier.
What were you scared of? This was Isagi. Isagi who laughed brightly like the sun, who had seen you at your worst and best, who wouldn't even dare hurt a fly (if it weren't on a football field, that is).
"She said she hadn't told you at which hotel I'd been staying, so... how did you know?"
You finally lifted your eyes from the table, fidgeting with your fingers.
Isagi swallowed the bite of waffle down, pursing his lips. He looked away, avoiding your eyes.
The silence stretched on.
You continued to wait, letting Isagi gather his thoughts.
Then, after a few beats spent in stifling silence, Isagi finally spoke up.
"I'm... I'm sorry." Isagi's voice was throaty and rough. You blinked. You hadn't expected an apology.
Isagi tilted his gaze to yours, remorse, guilt, swirled in his deep blue eyes, before he ducked his head again.
"I was worried." Isagi said to his plate. "I... I had seen how your... your apartment had burnt down, so I... pulled a favour."
You raised an eyebrowed, puzzled. "A favour? From whom? And how had you even known that it had been my apartment?"
Isagi shakily inhaled, looking very much like a kicked puppy. "I... I made Reo tell me."
Yet it didn't manage to satisfy you, rather, it created more questions.
"How did Reo know though?" You frowned. "I've never told him."
A small smile flitted onto Isagi's lips. "It's Reo. He's got connections."
Well, guess that did explain it.
You heaved an exhale. "I must've checked in at one of Reo's hotel, then, or at the very least, bought something of Reo's brand."
"Yeah, must've been it." Isagi gave you a hesitant smile, looking like he'd want to sink through the floor.
You shared the sentiment, not wanting to have this conversation either, uncomfortable as it was, but there was just one question left unanswered.
"Why did you want to know?" You clarified, almost regretting letting the question spill from your mouth. But for some reason, you just had to know.
You anticipated Isagi's response with bated breath, eyes taking note of every minuscule movement on Isagi's face that could portray his inner thoughts.
But Isagi proved to be as indecipherable as ever, his eyes stayed neutral, his lips smoothened out in a line.
But his next words were anything but without emotion.
The admission was soft. Spoken with barely an audible decibel, yet, you caught it anyway.
Something tightened in your chest. Then unfurled, as if a noose had been loosened around your neck, a ticking time bomb diffused.
"You... you did? Even... even after... that?"
This was the first time you indirectly mentioned the fight to Isagi. Though even alluding to it made your breath hitch and your stomach plummet.
You waited for his answer, wondering if he would sweep it under the rug, or ignore it entirely.
"Of course I do." It was said simple. Soft, yet firm.
Your eyes were conflicted, flicking from left to right on your plate.
"Hey." A soft tap on your hand.
The air was punched out of your lungs.
Deep blue eyes speckled with hazel tones bore straight through yours, seeing, understanding. You felt naked under his gaze, as if a mere glance of Isagi could strip every carefully constructed wall away.
But for some inexplicable reason, you didn't mind. Not if it was Isagi.
"We've already established that, right?" Isagi gently reminded you, his hand softly taking yours, his thumb tracing a tiny circle on the skin of your inner wrist.
You nodded feebly. It had been yesterday anyway, in the parking lot when you'd confessed that.
But even if it had been months, years, maybe even decades, you don't think you would've forgotten that.
"I'll always care about you." Isagi continued. His thumb still tracing, your skin still feeling. "Then, now. Even if we're oceans apart."
Your bottom lip trembled, vision going hazy from the moist that gathered at the corners of your eyes.
These were just words. But the quiet determination, the silent vow, were loud even while they weren't visible.
"I..." You shakily took a breath. "I care about you, too. I would've done the same."
A tiny smile flitted onto Isagi's lips. "I know. You have. And," his other hand wiped underneath your eye, gathering a tear you hadn't noticed forming. "I'll always be with you, no matter what happens between us."
His other hand tapped lightly onto your necklace.
You frowned, confused, following his hand.
But you didn't get a chance to ask, as Isagi retreated his hand.
"I am sorry, though." Isagi spoke. "For violating your privacy. I should've asked. I won't do it again."
"It's fine." You answered, actually meaning it.
"You promise?" Isagi lifted your hand, his pinky finger intertwining with yours.
The childlike gesture extracted a laugh out of you.
"I promise." You tightened your pinky's hold.
"Pinky promise, then." Isagi smiled at you, before he dropped your hand.
Your hand also fell down to your side. Laid abandoned there, before your brain rebooted again and made it hold your fork.
"My waffle is delicious, you want to try it?" Isagi offered.
You smiled. It was almost scary how instant and sincere it felt on your face.
"Yeah, sure. You also want to try mine?"
"Well... if you don't mind..."
The rest of brunch was spent in idle chatter and light conversation.
But sitting there with Isagi, his bright smile, gentle eyes, you finally understood why people were immortalised into stone.
Because Isagi, with the two freckles underneath his right eye.
Because Isagi with the understanding thoughtfulness, the gentle reassurance.
Was an Isagi that you would've set into stone.
Driving to the training's centre afterwards was a quick affair.
Isagi fastened his bag around his back, telling you he should be done around five, but that he'll be back at half past five when he would take the bus.
You quickly proposed to pick him up, both out of curiosity and a magnetic pull in your chest that maybe was just your heart telling you to see him a little longer.
Isagi merely smiled, his eyes giving a light squeeze before he disappeared inside the building.
You watched him leave, a warmth in your chest.
You I asked him. Said Reo had done him a favour.
You pocketed your phone after pressing send at Miyu's contact, and stepped into the car.
With Isagi gone, and your being on temporary leave from work, you didn't have much to do.
Well... aside from planning your marriage.
But the thought of holing yourself up in your room, squinting your eyes at a laptop for napkin colours, wasn't an appealing one.
So you drove to the mall, mentally hashing a grocery list together.
Maybe you should get some fruit? Was Isagi short on vegetables? Did he have anything planned for dinner yet?
Or maybe... you could surprise him. With something delicious, something he'd like.
You surveyed the aisles, eyes going along the racks. Then, a smile spread over your lips as you noticed the product you were searching for.
But before you could grab it, another hand shot out and took it before you could.
"Oh dear! That has been a long while!"
In the flesh, Isagi Iyo and Isagi Issei.
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