soo, for a little modern au fic/scenario, i wanted to do a little bittersweet story abt the day Frodo was officially adopted and moved in with Bilbo and Thorin. Thorin had COMPLETELY forgotten that today was the day that a 6 year old boy would be officially under he and his beloved husbands care due to the fact that, while Bilbo was out, the entire company (who just didn’t know today was the day), decided to js drop by/ambush Bag-End. Bilbo had decided it would be best if he himself picked Frodo up from whatever center they keep foster care kids (i am NOT researching rn its 4:30am and i haven’t slept) and have a little one on one time with him before introducing him to Thorin, since Frodo was more familiar with Bilbo.
well, bilbo gets home with this sad, practically shutdown, grieving faunt, and as he’s driving up, he sees it…those damn motorcycles and cars in his driveway on a day they are absolutely not supposed to be! “Frodo, sweetheart, stay in the carseat, i need to…tend to some issues before i bring you inside, alright?” He walks inside, furious. Any madder, he’d be burning prints into the sidewalk. He swings open the door. Bofur is closest to the door and smiles, “Bilbo! Ya home-…” his eyes widens as he sees the look on Bilbo’s face. “He’s in the kitchen.” Bofur answers while trying not to stutter with fear. He knows that look. Thats the “upset with that damned dwarf” look. Not pouty enough to be cute, no, its the fury of a Hobbit. “Thorin, ‘Oakenshield’ ,the second, Durinson!” Bilbo locks eyes with a gulping Thorin. Thorin freezes. Dwalin shakes his head, giving Thorin a look of disappointment for whatever he did to irritate Bilbo this badly. “He’s all yours, Bilbo.” He takes his leave, allowing Bilbo and Thorin to be alone. Thorin’s eyes are wide with worry. “Why is today of all days the day you decide to throw some party?” Thorin shakes his head, “I-I-I-It wasn’t me! They just wanted to stop by, I-.” It finally hits him. “Oh shit…he’s coming today?” Bilbo sighs, composing himself. “Yes, Thorin, he’s in the car! I’ll go get him now…you tell everyone whats going on, I want them calmed by the time I walk in.” Thorin raised a brow, testing the waters. “Your not kicking them out?” Bilbo shook his head, “Of course not. It’s bad manners to kick out family. I just want them quiet enough as to not frighten poor Frodo.” Thorin nods as if he has been give a command from Mahal himself, stepping to the living room. Bilbo stepped out of the house to retrieve the sleeping faunt in the backseat. He carefully unclipped his carseat and gently lifted the boy into his arms. The faunt slowly awake at the contact, looking up at Bilbo with those sad doe eyes of his that even in the dimming sky were so obviously blue. Bilbo grabbed the faunts bag and carried him inside. Thorin had done as he was told, for the house was completely silent. Thorin peaked out from the living room door way. Frodo’s eyes grew nervous, hidding himself into Bilbo’s coat. Thorin’s eyes softened ever so achingly at the sight of such a precious thing emanating so much somberness. Bilbo’s hand fit the faunts whole head and neck as he stroked the boys curls, rocking him gently as he soothed him. Bilbo took Frodo to his and Thorin’s room, laying him down in bed next to him. Thorin walked back to the company, who all had been standing at the shock of the situation. “Where’s the lad?” Dwalin first spoke in a quiet voice. “Bilbo laid him to rest in our room. You’ll all be able to meet him tomorrow morning IF he is ready. He’s lost so much, I’m not sure if shoving new people into his life would be a good idea.”.
erm i lowkey gonna end it there cuz i ran out of ideas but PART 2 COMING SOON IF THIS DOES WELL🥹🥹.
Synopsis: Basically my 'unspoken' fic with no happy ending, you and Rin argue, he goes too far and you... don't come back?
Warnings: [angst] [pre established relationship]
w.c 580
The argument had been ugly—worse than any you had before. Rin’s words had been cutting, cruel even, and you didn’t know how to react. You’d never seen him so cold.
“I don’t need you hovering over me all the time,” Rin snapped, his voice harsh and biting. “I can handle my own shit. I don’t need someone like you watching every step I take trying to coddle me like some emotional invalid"
The words sliced through you. You had tried, tried so damn hard to be there for him, but no matter what you did, it was never enough.
You had tried to argue back, but it was pointless. Nothing you said could break through the walls he’d built around himself.
Finally, feeling your chest tighten with a mixture of anger and hurt, you turned on your heel and stormed out of the apartment, not looking back. You didn’t care where you were going. You just needed to escape.
The world outside was dark and cold, but the chill in the air was nothing compared to the coldness that had settled inside you. You couldn’t bring yourself to go back. Not after everything he had said.
You walked aimlessly through the night, not caring about where you were going, just trying to numb the hurt. You eventually found a small hotel and checked in, knowing you couldn’t face him tonight.
That night, you lay awake, staring at the ceiling, the sting of his words echoing in your mind. He had hurt you. And yet, the deeper hurt was the realization that you couldn’t keep doing this. You couldn’t keep loving someone who kept pushing you away, no matter how hard you tried.
The next morning, as the sun rose and the city began to stir, your phone buzzed incessantly.
Rinnie <3
I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean it.
Please come home.
Each message, each attempt to apologize, made your stomach churn. You wanted to believe him, wanted to believe that he was truly sorry, but you weren’t sure anymore. Was this what you’d always get? Empty apologies after he hurt you?
He didn’t stop. The texts kept coming, one after the other, each more desperate than the last.
Rinnie <3
I can’t believe I said that. Please, I need you.
I don’t want to lose you.
I’m sorry. I was an idiot. Please don’t ignore me.
But you ignored him. You didn’t know how to face him. Didn’t know how to untangle the knot of hurt and confusion inside you. So you just left him on read.
The silence on your end was deafening to him, but you needed it. You needed the space.
Hours passed, and the messages kept coming. He started calling, his name flashing on your screen again and again. But you let the phone ring out. You couldn’t deal with him right now.
You didn’t want to hear his voice.
The day dragged on, and as the night fell once again, your phone lit up with another message from Rin.
Rinnie <3
I don’t know what else to say. Please just answer me.
I love you
Your chest tightened, and for a moment, you thought about picking up the phone. But then you remembered the hurt, the words that had cut deeper than anything else. You remembered how he always seemed to push you away when you tried to get too close.
So, you ignored him.
You weren’t sure what you were doing anymore, but you couldn’t make yourself go back.
Synopsis: Rin having an argument with you? Usually doesn't end well and sometimes he says things he doesn't mean... can you forgive him?
Warnings: [angst] [pre established relationship]
w.c 1k
The slam of the door reverberated through the apartment, followed by the suffocating silence that settled in its wake. Your hands trembled as you sat on the edge of the couch, replaying the argument over and over in your mind. Rin’s words had been sharp, calculated to wound, as they always were when he felt cornered.
“I don’t need this,” he’d snapped, his voice colder than you’d ever heard it. “I don’t need you.”
The venom in his words stung, but it wasn’t what hurt the most. It was the look in his eyes—fear, anger, and something deeper, something raw that he couldn’t name. You knew that look. You’d seen it before when he talked about his brother.
Hours passed with no word from him. The apartment felt too big, too quiet, and every passing minute chipped away at your resolve. Part of you wanted to leave, to walk out the door and let him deal with the mess he’d created. But another part of you, the part that knew Rin better than anyone else, told you to stay.
Because Rin Itoshi didn’t know how to fight for people. Not anymore.
When the sound of the door opening echoed through the apartment, you startled. He stepped inside, rain-soaked and ddishevelled his hair plastered to his forehead and his shoulders tense. His gaze darted to the couch where you sat, and for a moment, he froze, his usually cold teal eyes staring into yours with surprise before they flickered away.
“You’re… still here,” he murmured, barely audible over the pounding of the rain outside now beating down on the windows.
You didn’t respond immediately, studying him instead. He wasn’t angry anymore; that much was clear. What replaced it was something far more vulnerable—an aching uncertainty, like he was bracing himself for a blow he’d already decided he deserved.
Rin dropped his duffel bag near the door and stood there, he must've been out training to clear his mind if he'd brought his bag with him, you hadn't even noticed. His fists clenched at his sides, his gaze fixed on the floor. The silence stretched on, and you realized he wasn’t going to say anything.
“Of course I’m still here,” you said softly, your voice breaking the stillness.
His head snapped up, his eyes meeting yours properly for the first time since he’d left. There was something fractured in his expression, as if he couldn’t comprehend the words, that they were a lie rolling off your tongue, just another lie.
“Why?” The question came out rough, almost desperate.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” you countered gently, standing and taking a hesitant step toward him. “Rin… what were you expecting? That I’d just walk out and leave because I was mad? That I’d give up on you?”
He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his jaw clenched. His lips parted like he wanted to respond, but no words came out. Instead, he looked away, his shoulders curling inward, the weight of his unspoken fears pressing down on him.
You closed the distance between you, reaching out to gently touch his arm. He flinched at first, but he didn’t pull away.
For a moment, neither of you moved, just standing there in the stillness of the room. Rin’s gaze flickered toward you, but his eyes were distant, unwilling or unable to meet yours fully once again. He wasn’t ready to speak, to form the apology you both knew he should say. His expression was fragile, cracked open in a way he didn’t know how to handle.
Without a word, you gently tugged at his arm, guiding him toward the bedroom, and he followed. There was no need to force him to talk, no need to make him apologize when the weight of his silence was already so heavy. Instead, you simply took care of him.
You pulled a fresh set of clothes from the closet, moving around the room with practised ease. As you helped him change into something dry and warm, his movements were slow, stiff, like he was afraid to move too freely, afraid that if he did, he might scare you off, and you'd finally leave. You didn’t rush him, taking your time, making sure he felt every touch. Your hands brushing against his as you helped him into a cozy sweater, the tips of your fingers dusting his sides.
When you finished, you guided him gently to the bed, tucking him in with soft, deliberate motions like he was a child, usually Rin would've scowled at this action, you were so certain of it you'd never actually even tried before. But now he didn’t resist, just let you move him with the kind of trust he never gave to anyone else. He lay there, still and silent, his eyes downcast, the weight of everything unspoken hanging between you. He did regret what he'd said, but he couldn't speak now, he couldn't even force the words out, so he promised himself he'd tell you tomorrow.
You sat beside him, your hand resting lightly on his. For a moment, neither of you said a word. You didn’t need to. There was something unspoken in the air—an understanding, a bond formed in that silence. You weren’t expecting him to say anything right now. You knew Rin didn’t know how to apologize in ways that felt real to him, and he knew that you knew.
So you didn’t push. You simply reassured him.
“You don’t have to say anything,” you whispered softly, your fingers brushing the back of his hand in a comforting rhythm. “I’m here, Rin. I’m not going anywhere.”
He didn’t respond, and that was okay. His body was tense, still carrying the remnants of the fight, but there was a quiet, almost imperceptible relief in the way he shifted closer to you, just slightly, like he was allowing himself to trust in the safety of your presence.
You stayed there, close to him, not expecting anything more than the silence that wrapped around both of you. His eyes fluttered closed, exhaustion taking over, his breath slowing as the weight of the day, the argument, and the walls he had built slowly began to dissolve in your care.
As you stayed by his side, your thumb tracing small circles on his hand, you understood. There was no need for words. This—you—was all Rin needed right now.
Synopsis: Reo doesn't love you, and you don't love him, right? But you're both liars to each other and to yourselves
Tags: [angst] [pre established friendship][shitty ending its comfort I just suck at endings][not a nice ending but not a bad one in terms of angst][You both being in denail][unknown mutual pining][miscommunication]
w.c 4.7k
a/n: I think this is the longest fic I have written so far and surprisingly it's for Reo.. basically saying the rest of my account is Shidou and Rin. It is NOT proofread and I do hate it but who doesn't like two friends that can't tell they love each other and also if you see this and like my writing, I'm doing a match up event for 100 followers starting on the 26th :D
It had always been so easy to be around Reo. No matter how different your worlds seemed, no matter the distance that existed between his wealth and your modest upbringing, there was a connection that felt natural, effortless. The laughter came easily, whether you were sharing snacks on lazy afternoons or getting caught up in competitive gaming sessions where the stakes were nothing more than pride.
You didn’t care about the lavish gifts he’d sometimes try to give you, the ones that were meant to impress. Expensive perfumes, designer clothes—it all felt like an attempt to buy your affection. But you’d never wanted those things. They never impressed you the way he thought they might. You’d much rather have a poorly written note that made him smile, one that carried his personality, than something shiny with a high price tag.
When you thought about the moments that meant the most, it was always the simple ones. The evenings spent binging on snacks that could only be described as “junk” food, yet they were filled with laughter and inside jokes. The way he would tease you for your competitive streak, then turn around and beg you for a rematch when you beat him. Or how, when you lost, he’d give you that grin of triumph, but it never felt like he was rubbing it in. It was just… fun. Simple. Real.
There were nights when you both stayed up talking, no agenda, just sharing pieces of yourselves. You knew about his pressures, the expectations that came with being Mikage Reo—the heir to a powerful family—and he knew about your dreams of independence. You had your whole life planned out. The university you were determined to attend abroad, the job you’d pursue once you finished school, the career that would give you the freedom you craved. No amount of wealth or grandeur could sway you from your path.
Sometimes, Reo would try to convince you to let him help, but you always politely declined. You weren’t interested in shortcuts. The hard work and grit that would get you to where you wanted to be was far more appealing than any easy way out.
“What’s wrong with a little help?” he’d tease, flashing a mischievous grin your way.
You’d roll your eyes playfully. “Because I can do it on my own. I don’t need anyone else to build my future for me.”
He would just shake his head with a chuckle. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”
And that was the beauty of your friendship. It wasn’t about what you could offer each other in terms of money or status. It was about something deeper. The way he respected your independence, your drive. And how you never once asked for anything he could buy. You valued his company, his time, and the moments you spent together. You didn’t need anything else.
The bond between you two wasn’t built on pretense—it was built on shared understanding, laughter, and the kind of genuine moments people only experience when they’re not trying to impress anyone.
-
It was one of those nights when the air felt thicker than usual, the world outside humming quietly as you sat beside Reo on the balcony, the distant city lights twinkling like stars scattered on the earth. You were leaning against the rail, looking out over the view, and he was beside you, feet dangling off the edge of the low wall. For a moment, the silence between you both was comfortable, the kind that only happens when there’s no need for words. But there was an edge to it, something that had shifted recently—neither of you could place it, but it was there, hanging in the space between your breaths.
"How’s it been going?" you asked quietly, your voice gentle but carrying a weight of understanding.
Reo let out a slow sigh, running a hand through his hair. "The usual," he replied, but you could hear the tiredness in his voice, the subtle cracks that slipped through the mask he wore so well. "The pressure to be everything everyone expects me to be… it's exhausting. I can't even remember the last time I felt like I could just… relax. Be myself."
You didn’t answer right away. Instead, you simply turned to face him, your gaze soft as you caught the faintest trace of vulnerability in his eyes. Reo Mikage was never one to let anyone see him like this, to share these moments of uncertainty, but somehow, with you, he always felt a little lighter. Still, he kept his distance, pushing himself to be the heir, to fit into that mold. It was as if he’d built a wall around himself, and you were the only one who seemed to see the cracks in it.
"I know it’s hard," you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. "But you’re allowed to be more than just the heir. You’re allowed to be you, Reo."
There was a quiet pause as your words hung in the air, and then he turned toward you. His expression softened, his lips curling slightly into a small smile. "You always know what to say."
You shrugged, trying to play it off, but inside, your heart was beating a little faster. There was something in his gaze, something that made you feel like he wasn’t just listening to your words, but he was seeing you in a way that was different from before.
And maybe that was why, when his fingers brushed against yours as he reached for the can of soda between you, the touch lingered a second too long. You couldn’t even call it an accident—it wasn’t, not with the way he hesitated, his hand barely leaving yours before he withdrew. The brush of his skin against yours felt like a spark, a tiny flame that started to flicker in the depths of your chest. It wasn’t anything monumental, but it felt… different. You couldn’t help but glance at him, only to find his eyes already on you, the faintest trace of something unreadable in them.
You didn’t pull away, though. It would’ve been too awkward, and somehow, in that moment, it felt like the right thing to do. Neither of you acknowledged it aloud, and yet, both of you were acutely aware of it, even if you didn’t say anything.
The rest of the night was quiet. But there were subtle things that began to shift. When you joked around, he’d laugh a little longer than usual, his gaze holding yours a second too long. And when you’d talk about your future—your plans to go abroad, to build your own life—he listened with a sort of intensity, the kind of focus he usually reserved for the most important matters.
Over time, your friendship with Reo began to shift in ways neither of you quite understood. The moments that once felt light and carefree started to carry a new weight. The way his hand brushed against yours as you passed the snacks or how he always seemed to linger a little longer than necessary when handing you something—those small, subtle gestures that had once been innocent started to stir something deeper.
It wasn’t anything overt at first. Just moments that seemed to stretch a little too long, a little too quietly. You noticed how he would sit closer than before during game nights, his knee occasionally brushing yours, and how, when you laughed too hard, his gaze lingered just a little longer than usual, like he was trying to capture the moment in his mind.
There were times when he would glance at you with something unreadable in his eyes, his lips curving into that smile of his—half-amused, half-wistful—and you found yourself wondering if there was something more to it. But you brushed it off, convincing yourself that it was just the comfort of your long-standing friendship. You were close. Maybe too close. But friendship was all it would ever be.
The more time you spent together, the more you realized how easy it was to slip into moments of closeness that didn’t seem to make sense. He would look at you after a silly joke, his eyes lighting up with that spark that made you smile back without thinking. You’d find yourself stealing glances at him when he wasn’t looking, your heart skipping a beat when your hands brushed in passing.
One evening, while watching a movie, you felt him shift closer to you. At first, you assumed it was because you’d both gotten too comfortable, but when his shoulder lightly pressed against yours, you froze. He didn’t pull away. Instead, he stayed there, his arm brushing yours once more. The proximity felt different. It was a closeness that wasn’t just physical—it was emotional, too. You tried to play it off, shifting awkwardly and pretending not to notice the way your heart was racing in your chest.
But you could feel his warmth beside you, and something in the air between you both shifted. There was no overt confession, no grand gesture. But in that moment, you both seemed to exist in a space where words weren’t necessary. The silence was enough.
Reo, as always, was the first to speak. But this time, his voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said, his eyes still fixed on the screen, but his voice carrying an undertone of something more. Something that felt a little too intimate.
You didn’t answer right away. Instead, you just leaned your head against his shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. You both had been through so much—him with his family, you with your plans for the future—and yet, this simple act of being together, of sharing this quiet space, felt like it was everything.
“Me neither,” you whispered, your voice barely audible, even to yourself.
And maybe that was the issue. Maybe you both knew, deep down, that this was something more than just friendship. But neither of you dared to speak it out loud. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
-
Reo was acting strange. Well, stranger than usual. You noticed it a few days ago, but it wasn’t until now that you started to realize something was different. He was still his playful, affectionate self, but there were subtle changes. He’d call you more frequently, texting to check in on your day, asking about the little things, the details that he never cared much about before. He started showing up at your place unannounced, offering to drive you to class, waiting outside after work to grab coffee—small gestures that, at first, seemed like his usual friendly acts.
At first, you thought you were just reading too much into things. After all, Reo had always been affectionate—playful, a little too clingy sometimes—but it was just who he was. You didn’t think anything of it. You didn’t want to.
One evening, you both sat at his place, watching some random movie that neither of you were paying attention to. Your legs were tangled together on the couch, your head resting against his shoulder. His fingers lightly brushed through your hair as he casually turned the volume up.
It was the closeness you were used to, nothing new. But the tension in the air was undeniable. His hand, which had casually landed on your knee, now lingered there. You shifted, and Reo adjusted so his leg brushed against yours. The small, gentle touches, the unspoken connection—it all felt so natural. So… familiar. Yet, in the back of your mind, a small voice kept reminding you that things had been different lately.
Reo cleared his throat. “Hey, you okay?” he asked, his voice unusually soft.
You turned to him, a little surprised by his tone. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired. You?”
He paused, his eyes flickering to yours before quickly looking away. “I’ve been thinking… about a lot of things.”
You raised an eyebrow but didn’t push him. “What kind of things?”
He hesitated, as if the words were caught somewhere between his chest and his mouth. Finally, he spoke, but it was quieter than usual, almost as if he was uncertain. “I don’t know. Just… about us. About how you always seem to know just what I need.”
You blinked, confusion flickering across your face. “Reo, we’ve been friends for so long. You know I’ve always got your back. You’re like family to me.”
Reo's expression faltered for just a moment. “Yeah, family. Right.” His voice trailed off as if he was trying to mask something deeper, something that wasn’t quite right. You didn’t catch it, though. To you, it was just another typical moment in your close friendship.
As the night went on, you both chatted and joked around, just like always. But your words stuck with him. Maybe it was his attempt at courting you—he wasn’t quite sure—but every time you responded with your usual platonic affection, it only reinforced his uncertainty. He didn’t know how to turn this friendship into something more, but he could feel that familiar warmth growing inside him every time you smiled at him. Every time you’d laugh, he felt that little spark. But when you called him “family,” it felt like a wall went up between you two.
The next day, you were hanging out at your favorite spot again, and Reo was acting more distant than usual. His phone buzzed, and he picked it up, reading something with a frown. He quickly stuffed it back in his pocket and shifted in his seat. You noticed, of course, but you didn’t mention it.
“What’s up?” you asked casually.
He glanced at you but then quickly looked away. “I’m fine. Just… thinking about a few things.”
“About what?”
Reo rubbed the back of his neck, looking more flustered than he usually did. “You know… maybe I’m just overthinking things. Forget it.”
It was as if a light bulb flickered above your head, and the pieces finally began to fall together. Reo was acting weird because he was interested in you. But the idea felt ridiculous, and it only made sense if you were misinterpreting his signals. You’d been friends for so long, and now suddenly, he was acting like he cared about you in a way that wasn’t just friendly. You shook your head, trying to push the thought away. No way.
You could feel the awkwardness stretching between you both now, as though there was some unspoken barrier that neither of you could cross. Reo’s attempts at deeper affection fell flat as you kept responding with the same ease, the same nonchalance. He was used to being loved and adored, used to being in control. But with you, it was different. It always had been.
That night, he finally said it—the thing that had been on the tip of his tongue all this time.
“I just… never mind.” His voice trailed off as he stood up, his frustration simmering. “Forget it, okay? I didn’t mean anything.” Only to immediately clam up, backtrack, regret.
You looked up at him, frowning. “What are you talking about, Reo?”
He didn’t respond at first. He just shook his head and muttered, “I’m sorry. I’m just… I don’t know anymore.”
The silence stretched between you, thick and uncomfortable, before he grabbed his jacket and walked out without another word.
Over the next few weeks, Reo threw himself into his work with Nagi, both of them pursuing their shared dream of becoming the best in soccer, and while it was mostly Reo's dream, it always has been, Nagi was his 'treasure' and key into the professional leagues. You noticed the subtle shift as he started spending more and more time with Nagi—long hours in practice, late-night strategy sessions. The calls and texts from Reo became less frequent, his absence more apparent. It left you with an uncomfortable emptiness you hadn’t expected.
At first, you were relieved. Maybe he’d gotten over whatever had been bothering him. But as the days wore on, you couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. And you couldn’t help but wonder if it was your fault. Maybe you had pushed him away without realizing it. Maybe his feelings had been more than you had given him credit for.
You began to notice how much you missed him—the laughter, the ease, the way he could brighten any room just by being in it. You missed his presence, his warmth. And it started to sink in that you might have missed your chance to admit that, perhaps, you felt the same.
But now, he was slipping away, and you were left wondering if it was too late.
-
The game had ended, and Reo was still riding the high of his win as you stood at the edge of the field, waiting for him. You had come to watch, not because you had to, but because you wanted to. You had always supported him, even when his focus was more on the game than on anything else. He always seemed to forget to acknowledge you at times like this, but you didn’t mind. That was just how he was.
When the game ended, you waited for him near the stands, feeling the cool evening air wrap around you. Reo found you quickly, as he always did, a smile on his face as he jogged up to you. “Hey, you came,” he said, a glint of surprise in his eyes.
“Of course I did. How else would I know if you’re any good?” you teased, smiling back.
“Of course, you know I’m the best,” he said with his usual cocky grin, but there was something behind his eyes. Something softer.
The walk home was quiet, an almost uncomfortable silence hanging in the air between you both. You’d gotten so used to the easy banter, the casual conversations, and now there was this strange distance. It wasn’t that you were upset with him—not entirely—but something was missing, something that had been there before. You glanced at him, watching as he kept his gaze straight ahead, hands tucked into his pockets, his face slightly tense as if he was trying to keep something from spilling out.
You couldn’t ignore the feeling that had been nagging at you for the past few days—the weight of the silence.
Finally, you couldn’t take it anymore. “Reo,” you began, your voice hesitant, but your heart felt like it was already halfway out of your chest. “I… I got accepted into the university I’ve been working for. The one abroad.”
His stride faltered for just a second. He stopped walking for a moment, turning to look at you, his expression unreadable. “You got in?” He asked, a mix of surprise and something else, but you couldn’t quite place it.
“Yeah,” you nodded, trying to keep the pride out of your voice. “It’s been the plan for a while now. I’m… going soon.” Your chest tightened, a mix of excitement and sadness flooding through you as the words left your mouth. It was everything you had dreamed of, but now it felt so heavy.
You looked over at Reo, and his smile was a little too tight, his eyes almost shadowed. He opened his mouth, but no words came out immediately. Instead, he turned his face away and began walking again, his steps slower now, as if weighed down by something.
“I’m… proud of you,” he said quietly, still not looking at you. “You deserve it.”
The silence between you deepened, suffocating almost, until Reo finally broke it again. “I’ve… I’ve been scouted,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “For a soccer program called Blue Lock. I’ll be leaving soon too.”
You froze in place, your breath catching in your throat. “Blue Lock?” you repeated, trying to make sense of his words you didn't know if that was good, but he always told you getting scouted by a big team or youth program was one big step towards his goal. “But… that’s huge, Reo. That’s amazing.” A part of you felt like your heart had just been ripped out, though you couldn’t understand why. Maybe it was the fact that you were both about to embark on separate paths—two dreams pulling you in opposite directions.
“I know…" he continued, his voice slightly strained. “I’ll be gone for a while. A long while. I don’t even know what’s going to happen after that. Things are just… changing, and…”
He trailed off, and for the first time in a while, you saw the cracks in his façade. It was the first time he didn’t seem sure of himself, didn’t have the answers.
Your stomach twisted painfully, and before you knew it, the words slipped out. “Reo, why didn’t you… why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
He flinched, his eyes softening for a split second, before he looked away again. “I didn’t want to… I didn’t want you to think I was just… going to leave. I didn’t want things to change, but they already are, right?” He stopped walking again, turning to face you, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re going, and I’m… leaving too.”
It was then that everything seemed to crash down on both of you at once. You stood there, facing each other, caught in a whirlwind of feelings that neither of you had fully processed until now. You had both been avoiding the reality of it, pretending that things would stay the same, even when they couldn’t.
The words started to tumble out of you, overlapping and colliding with his own. “Reo, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now, with everything changing—”
“I don’t want to lose you, okay?” Reo blurted out, his voice raw and desperate dominating yours. “I never wanted things to be like this. I—I don’t even know how to do this. I don’t know how to… let you go.”
Your heart stopped, and you stood there, frozen. His words echoed in your mind, but there was something more beneath it, something unspoken, hanging between you two like a fragile thread.
“I don’t want to lose you either, Reo,” you finally said, your voice barely above a whisper. “But we can’t keep pretending like things won’t change. They already are. We already are.”
You could see the hurt in his eyes, and for a brief moment, you thought he might say something more, something that would bridge the gap between you two. But the moment passed, and instead, he just let out a shaky breath, rubbing his face with his hand.
“I guess we’ve both been holding on to the wrong things,” he muttered, a bitter edge creeping into his voice.
And that was it. No more words. No more attempts at fixing things. The space between you had become too vast for easy fixes, and neither of you knew how to close the distance anymore.
Reo let out a breath and looked down, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I… I should go…. Call me later?”
You nodded, unable to find the words to stop him. The emptiness settled in quickly, and as Reo walked away, you felt something in your chest snap, even though you couldn’t quite say what it was.
It wasn’t just that he was leaving. It was that, for once, he was being honest with himself—about his feelings, about everything. But the timing, the way everything had come to light, made it too late.
-
The days after that evening with Reo felt like an endless stretch of time. You focused on your studies, your new life, and the overwhelming rush of excitement that came with your acceptance into the university abroad. It wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t perfect, but you were moving forward. Every day felt like a step toward independence, toward the life you had always planned, and you couldn’t afford to look back.
The first few days after your conversation with Reo were quiet. You couldn’t call him. You just couldn’t bring yourself to. Not when everything felt so raw, and not when his words, filled with uncertainty and bitterness, still echoed in your mind. You told yourself it wasn’t worth dwelling on. But still, it gnawed at you—why hadn’t he called? Why hadn’t he answered when you tried?
Eventually, the urge to reach out became too strong, and you grabbed your phone, fingers trembling as you dialed his number. The seconds stretched into minutes, but there was no answer.
You tried again. And again. Until the hours passed, your frustration growing with each failed attempt. Your chest tightened, and a bitter feeling pooled in your stomach. Was it something you said? Something you did? Had you been too abrupt when you told him about your future? Or maybe… maybe it was something else. His life was about to take a new direction too, wasn’t it?
You tried not to overthink it. You tried to tell yourself that it wasn’t your fault. That maybe, just maybe, Reo needed time to himself too. But even as you sat there, staring at the phone screen, the silence felt suffocating. Your mind spun in circles—why hadn’t he called back? You had been so close, you had been his constant, and now… now, he was gone. No word, no explanation. The uncertainty ate away at you.
And after that, you didn’t try again. Days turned into weeks, and then months. Your life was in full swing—uni life, dorm life, new friends, new experiences. It was all overwhelming and exhausting, but it was yours. And yet, every time you caught yourself thinking about Reo, you couldn’t remember why it had hurt so much back then. Maybe it had been the suddenness, the unfinished conversation, the realization that your paths were diverging.
But even as life carried on, you still found yourself replaying that moment—the last time you saw him. His words. The way he looked at you, like something had shifted, but neither of you had known how to face it.
That day, you were sitting on your dorm couch, textbook open in front of you, trying to study. You glanced up absentmindedly, the sound of the sports channel filling the background as white noise. It was just a game, something to pass the time while you tried to focus. But then the camera panned to the field.
Your heart skipped a beat.
There, on the screen, a match between the U-20 team and Blue Lock, the program he'd told you about, the feed was pre-recorded, this would have happened hours ago back in Japan but was only coming to you now. But there was no mistaking it. It was him. Your best friend.
You froze. Your heart thudded in your chest, the weight of emotions you had buried deep in your heart suddenly resurfacing, sharper than ever.
Without thinking, you grabbed your phone from the table beside you, fingers trembling as you flicked through your contacts. You stared at his name, sitting there on your screen, and the weight of the decision hit you harder than you expected.
You hadn’t called him in months. You hadn’t even thought about calling him after those first few failed attempts. But now, now you wanted to reach out.
You hesitated, then pressed the call button and let it ring.
Each second felt like an eternity. Your heartbeat matched the rhythm of the call, and just as you thought it would go to voicemail again, it clicked.
Reo’s voice, so familiar, so distant, crackled through the line. “Hello?”
What did you say now? 'Reo I love you and I know you haven't called me back since I left and we'd probably never see each other between my school life and your soccer career but I saw you on TV and almost balled my eyes out because I miss you so much? No.'
So you settled "Hey… It's me… You told me to call you back? But uh.. you never answered…"
"...I miss you"
Synopsis; You're getting bothered by some creep at the bar? Don't worry, your hero is on the way
Warnings: [forced to kiss not really?][dub-con kinda?][there's nonverbal consent][reader gives a nod as a form of consent]
w.c: 950
Kunigami leaned against the bar, nursing a soda, while his teammates and a few invited friends enjoyed their night out. He scanned the room, his eyes landing on you, one of his teammates siblings that had been invited to tag along after their recent victory since you were a big supporter of your brother and acquainted with most of the team including him. You were sitting a few seats away, trying to smile politely at a man who was leaning in a little too close, his words slurring as he offered to buy you another drink. Your discomfort was evident, but you seemed hesitant to outright reject him.
Kunigami frowned, his protective instincts kicking in. He understood the situation all too well—having a younger and older sister himself, he knew the signs of someone trying to avoid unwanted attention without causing a scene. He thought for a moment about just stepping in and telling the guy to back off, but he quickly realized that might only escalate the situation, he couldn't be sure if this guy would try anything violent since he was drunk.
Taking a knowing sigh, he decided on a different approach, he walked over with confident strides and a calm expression.
"Hey, babe, sorry I'm late," he said lovingly, resting an arm around your shoulders, the move was natural, without a hint of aggression, he made direct eye contact with the drunken man, his gaze hardening slightly. "I see you've already started without me."
You blinked up at Kunigami in surprise, but quickly caught on, your shoulders relaxing a bit. "Oh, hey... uh...." you said, a note of relief and confusion in your voice.
"Oh- uhm yeah, I was just waiting for you... babe?" The nickname felt odd escaping your lips sounding slightly unsure of yourself
The man frowned, clearly not convinced. "Really.. I didn' see you n' dollface 'gether earlier."
Kunigami didn't miss a beat. "I got caught up with my friends over there," he gestured towards the rowdy group of young adults in the corner. "But uh we were just about to leave and join the group weren't we sweetheart?"
You nodded, playing along. "Yea- I.. oh yeah I was just- uhm...just about to tell him that but y'know how I am always uh side- sidetrack."
The man scrunched up his nose in suspicion, looking between the two of you, noticing your obvious nervousness. "she.. she don' look like she's in a hurry to leave right, baby? Maybe you should'a min' yo..your own fuck- in' business buddy."
Kunigami tightened his arm around your shoulders, trying to maintain his calm facade as the guy continued to blabber on drunkenly. "Look, we're just trying to enjoy our night. Why don't you back off?"
He felt a pang of annoyance. He wanted to calm the situation, but it seemed this guy wasn't in his right mind. The man's eyes narrowed with a sadistic, gross grin spreading across his face. "If yo' two 're real' lovin' then proves it t'me kiss th'pretty lady."
You felt Kunigami's grip tense. He glanced at you, silently asking for permission. You gave a barely perceptible nod, trusting him. He took a deep breath when he leaned in. "I'm so sorry about this..." his voice coming out as a whisper, Kunigami's breath was warm against your cheek, he slid a hand under your chin while leaning in, pressing his lips to yours. The kiss was warm, firm, and surprisingly tender.
The world seemed to fade away, the noise of the bar, the leering gaze of the man—all of it disappeared as Kunigami's focus remained solely on you. When he pulled back, he kept his arm around you, turning to face the man with a steely gaze.
"There. Satisfied?" Kunigami's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
The man looked taken aback, his confidence deflating. He muttered something under his breath before slinking away, finally leaving you both in peace.
Kunigami sighed, the tension draining from his shoulders. He looked down at you, his expression shifting to one of concern. "I'm really, really sorry about that. I just thought it was the best way to get him to leave, even if it was super weird- I just... Please don't be mad I really am sorry, and your brother would actually kill me, I really didn-"
You shook your head, a small smile playing on your lips. "It's okay, Rensuke... it was kind of weird, yes, but I'm glad you did that I got a really bad vibe from that guy"
He nodded, but his eyes were still filled with worry. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable. I just didn't know how else to make him back off besides going along with what he asked- I should've just punched him..."
You took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline from the situation begin to subside. "Honestly, you handled it well. I was pretty freaked out"
Kunigami smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. "I'm glad you're not too mad... I just couldn't stand by and do nothing."
As the two of you settled back at the bar, the initial awkwardness began to fade. You found yourself appreciating Kunigami's kindness and the way he had looked out for you, even if the kiss still lingered in your mind. Conversation flowed naturally, and soon you were both laughing and talking as if the earlier tension had never existed.
"So," You spoke, a playful glint in your eye, "does this mean I get to buy you a real drink now? As friends, of course."
He laughed, nodding in agreement. "I'm driving tonight so nothing alcoholic but let's make sure the rest of the night is much better yeah?."
Synopsis; You can't seem to control your temper sometimes, good thing Rin knows exactly how to save the person at the other end of your wrath
Warnings: [Implied male reader] [established friendship] [pining if you squint]
w.c: 1.4k
Rin watched carefully as you sat on the bench during their break, hair clung to your forehead from sweat glossing your skin, the nozzle of your water bottle being brought to your lips taking greedy gulps making your adams apple bob with every swallow. His eyes raked over your face, taking in your body language with ease.
The two of you had been friends before Sea had left him meaning you were the only person he allowed to get so close with him, there was a time of falling out after his big brothers disappearance in his life where he tried pushing you away but instead of falling behind you pushed even harder, you even joined the soccer team to prove you could keep up with him and wouldn't vanish from his side.
With all your time spent together it wasn't hard for Rin to pick you apart piece by piece, besides the fact you'd confided in him plenty of times he didn't need your words to understand you, Rin often prided himself in his ability to dissect someone based off of a single glance but when it came to you, it took effort and time before he was able to meet your gaze and understand how you felt.
His sharp teal eyes laid locked with yours while you huffed dropping your water back onto the bench, it was easy to tell, you were, undoubtedly, pissed off.
Rin didn't speak, he knew exactly why you were angry, there was no reason to ask if you were 'okay' if he was already sure of the answer. The team you were up against wasn't good by any means, just another group of lukewarm idiots for Rin to use as stepping stones for his pro career, he didn't even bother to pay them any mind, not a single drop of his attention.
You on the other hand, Rin knew you were somewhat of a hothead, and it wasn't hard to rile you up, It's not like you had anger issues or anything you're just a little bit more emotionally oriented compared to him, you cared about other peoples opinions on you which could only be justified since you were an extremely social person.
Rin never understood how the two of you could even stand each other, you were loud, obnoxious, hell you knew everyone in their high school by name and were almost always surrounded by a group of people practically begging for your attention which you'd happily give them without a second thought, you were observant of everyone you spoke with and considerate enough to remember so much about those useless NPC's.
You were constantly doing the polar opposite of what Rin would, you were way too trusting he'd consider it naivety, but it's not like you were blind to people trying to take advantage of you, he would barely speak in class besides answering when called on while you would actively make stupid jokes and dumb answers for the audience of idiots considered their classmates.
When the two of you were alone it was an entirely different story, the emotional whiplash he got the first time he spent a whole day with you at school after you'd become popular and then walking home alone together later on, he didn't even recognize you with the difference. There was a soft-spoken gentle side that you'd reserved just for him, a vulnerable, frustrated, angry, hardworking kid always putting on a show for other people so they'd enjoy your company and in return Rin would be vulnerable with you as well.
He snapped back into reality when you got up now that the break was over, he felt a pit of worry in his stomach but trusted you enough to not throw hands with player '4' on the opposing team who'd been shoving around petty insults to all the players, the same player that'd leached onto you seeing how much you reacted to those meaningless words.
The first time one of your passes to Rin was blocked, and it'd costed them a point that lukewarm bastard started rambling on about your skill and how you seemed like newer player, he'd constantly been talking shit the entire game even if his team was losing 3-1, and it was affecting your ability to think clearly as you started messing up more and more which only fuelled the fire.
Rin stepped out onto the field his eyes only leaving you to glance at that shitbag who was grinning from ear to ear at you, their team only needed two more points before he could get you two away from each other, he knew he wouldn't have to coddle you afterwords or anything, but he also knew this was taking a blow at your self-esteem, and he made a mental note to take you somewhere to eat to cheer you up after he wins this.
-
The game was over quickly enough after all it wasn't hard for Rin to score two measly goals he was their schools sports prodigy as he made his way over to the sidelines where you followed not short behind him letting the rest of their team cheer amongst themselves in celebration, the two of you standing in silence.
He glanced over at you, frustration still evident on your features, brows furrowed, mouth pulled into a thin line along with a distant glare he would often see you take on when you were zoned out. Rin was about to grab the shoulder fabric of your jersey and tug, dragging you out of the trance that you'd nestled in, but someone else beat him to the chase.
Player number '4’ had somehow snuck over to the two of you without Rin noticing, pulling you out of the long stare only to glare at the player in turn.
"Didn't think you'd win, you're lucky you have that prodigy on your team, or we would have crushed you"
You huffed in annoyance turning to the boy "But you lost so stop bothering me douchebag and run back to your mommy"
"Wow, some defensive, did I hit a nerve? So you're aware of how much skill you lack, my bad I took you for an idiot newb-" He couldn't finish his sentence before you'd grabbed his jersey angrily, Rin was certain if you gripped the fabric any tighter you'd rip it.
"I think it's damn time you learn to shut your mouth before I make sure a cast does the job for me"
"Aw, you're really threatening me in front of a crowd?"
Rin almost felt sympathy for the boy as you went straight for a nut-shot, kicking him square between the legs before shoving him to the ground, Player ‘4’ even though in breathless pain had hauled you down with him. You'd efficiently straddled the guy's waist and clearly started getting ready to punch his face in before Rin firmly clutched one of your wrist's and secured your other shoulder, hauling you up.
"Just leave him, this NPC isn't worth your time"
Rin grunted as you struggled and thrashed against him, clearly not finished with the task at hand, it wasn't generally hard to hold you back, but he almost wanted to make it seem like he was struggling, seeing the fear in that boy's eyes when Rin almost let go.
Some of player 4's teammates had come over hastily helping him up and stringing his arms around their shoulders while Rin attended to you, he'd simply thrown you over his shoulder with a sigh and a hint of annoyance at the odd looks he was getting for doing so. You'd ultimately given up when he did this, making it much easier for him to carry you off the field.
"I can walk you know…"
"Like I'd trust you to not start attacking people on sight" There was no change in his tone, but he knew you'd understand he was teasing you lightheartedly, it wasn't only you that'd wanted to punch that nobody.
He'd finally gotten the both of you to the empty locker rooms their teammates still outside on the field or had gotten picked up by family already, he glanced at you only to see you were already staring while he slipped his jersey off.
"So are we still going to that place you love that serves 'the best' Sea Bream Ochazuke or…?" He perked up slightly at the mention of his favourite food before sighing.
The morning rush at the coffee shop was in full swing when Barou stormed in, his presence commanding attention even in the bustling crowd. You, the barista, had seen your fair share of intense customers, but Barou was a different breed. He approached the counter with a determined look, as if about to challenge you to a duel rather than order coffee.
“One double shot venti caramel macchiato with extra caramel, extra whipped cream, and a shot of vanilla,” he ordered, his tone as fierce and commanding
You raised an eyebrow, it's not what you were expecting, but you nodded trying to hide the dumbfounded look on your face “Coming right up...?”
As you prepared his drink, you couldn’t help but glance at him. He'd become a regular sometimes ordering more than one drink which is how you learned he had two younger sisters, one that really seemed to like pink-drinks and the other usually taking some sort of lemonade.
The rate he would drink caffeine was worrying though while his sisters seemed to get some of the less caffeine heavy drinks Barou's regular was some sort of double shot coffee with caramel, it struck you as weird, someone as masculine as him ordering some of the more 'femenine' drinks at Starbucks or maybe the government finally put a chip in your head to think like a sexist person.
“Hey, uh, are you sure you don’t want to switch to decaf?” you suggested gently, handing over the drink.
Barou glared at you, his intensity unwavering. “I need the energy. Got a lot to do.”
You nodded, trying to mask your concern. “Just… you know, moderation is key.”
He scoffed, taking a long sip of his macchiato. “Moderation is for the weak. I need to be at my best, always.”
You watched as he found a seat, the brightly colored drink looking almost comical in his large hands. Despite his gruff exterior, there was something endearing about his dedication—even if it was just to his coffee.
The next day at the coffee shop started like any other, with the usual morning rush of customers and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and fruity sugars filling the air. You were busy behind the counter, taking orders and preparing drinks with practiced ease talking with regular customers, sharing a few laughs here and there.
Just as you were wiping down the counter, Shoei Barou strode in, his presence as suffocating as ever. He approached the counter with a determined stride, though today there was a slight nervous energy about him that you couldn't quite place, he seemingly refused to meet your eyes.
“One… uh, surprise me,” he said, his voice a touch softer than usual.
You raised an eyebrow, noticing the departure from his usual specific orders. “Sure thing, Coming right up.”
As you prepared his drink, you couldn’t help but steal glances at him. He seemed to be lost in thought, his usual intensity tempered by something you couldn’t quite pinpoint, you decided it was time to give him a break from the large caffeine intake, making him an Iced Black Tea Lemonade.
When the drink was ready, you placed it on the counter. “Here you go.”
Barou looked at the drink, then at you, and hesitated for a moment. With a swift motion, he handed you the money for the drink. “Keep the change,” he muttered, his cheeks tinted with a faint blush, before quickly turning to leave.
You blinked in surprise, unfolding a piece of paper hidden amongst the yen, scrawled on it was a phone number, followed by a hastily written note: 'In case you ever need a break from coffee.'
Your heart skipped a beat as you looked up to see him heading towards the door, his usual confident stride slightly awkward now. He glanced back once, meeting your eyes briefly, before disappearing out into the bustling street.
A small smile graced your lips, it was a cute gesture, and you couldn't help but tuck the piece of paper into the pocket of your pants instead of the apron, completely ready to save it as a contact in your phone.
