ISAGI IS SO RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

ISAGI IS SO RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

5:40 pm - Isagi Yoichi

You're Yoichi's first.

The first person he's ever confessed to, his first relationship, the first person he's ever loved.

It's no surprise. On Valentines day he didn't receive anything, each year he passively listens to his teammates plan out and discuss how to reciprocate on White Day, unable to relate. Whenever his classmates brought up the discussion of crushes and who'd be the best to date, his name was never brought up.

Yoichi genuinely did not care. He's not interested in pursuing romance, and would much rather prioritise and focus on the relentless journey to achieve his dream of becoming number one. In fact, he perceived the lack of dating in his life as something to be proud of, he has more time to dedicate to his objectives as an athlete.

Yet here he finds himself, holding your hand in secret, skin drenched in sweat and face dusted with pink.

17 years of being ignored by love, the streak broken by you.

It all started when coach introduced you as the new manager, he didn't think much of you at first, just someone to appreciate for their help and time.

But before he knew it "Good morning" became a silent thought of "How do you look so pretty?". "I'll see you tomorrow!" turned into Yoichi changing his route home so he could be with you for a bit longer, even if he got home a lot later. The connection of manager and athlete was rewoven into lovers, by a bashful and stuttering confession from Yoichi.

And that was the initiation of his first relationship.

It's kept secret. At least for now. Not until Yoichi's ready, the concept of a relationship has always been so foreign for him. You're patient, you understand that it's all new and overwhelming for him.

His lack of experience never took anything away from the relationship. It's adorable despite his oblivion to what love is like. Behind the image of good friends hid sweet nothings uttered while no one was watching. Manager and athlete concealed the awkward yet sweet attempts to hold your hand. This 'friendship' of yours disguised the unfathomable love and adoration you possessed for each other.

"If I could share this little kindness, even a normal day like this will become a fantastic day."

The soft rattling of the bus accompanies the music, filtering out a bit of the noise from the rest of the soccer team.

He can hear his own heart beat too.

Even after getting together, something as simple as sharing earbuds with you is enough to make him blush.

He averts his attention from watching Bachira stealing stuff from Kunigami to his right, to you. And gosh, he swears his heart skipped a beat.

You're gazing out the window, he doesn't even have a full view of your face, yet he's so enamored with he's seeing. All of it's flawless, the sinking sun in the distance, pink hues mingling with yellow; the way the sky's remaining sunlight engulfs you, highlighting your features, cloaking you with radiance.

He's yours and you're his, it's been like that for the past month yet it still feels thoroughly unreal.

His hand reaches out to you, a gentle poke followed by an equally gentle pinch. It's an act of affection he learnt from you, after you begged to touch his cheeks after commenting how soft and 'squishy' they looked. Initially, he found it confusing, but didn't mind because of your satisfied reaction.

The action makes you turn towards him, slightly confused yet curious what he was doing, and it drives him insane how you're able to make him feel this way without doing anything at all.

"Just a bit more, just a bit more." The music continues in his ear.

"Yoichi? What's wr-"

Yoichi's lips replace his fingers, softly planting a kiss on your cheek. It leaves you dumbfounded, staring at him in disbelief. He's always been so shy, even holding hands was a big deal to him. Your fingers inch closer to where he kissed. "Wow..."

"Your lips are really moist."

He's caught off guard. "Shit, sorry, is that bad?" He tries to wipe his lips with his sleeve, but your hand catches his wrist.

"No, not at all." Yoichi's embarrassed at how you're laughing at his assumption, but he barely notices it, because the way you laugh is so pretty, everything is; but something about your laughter that makes him feel weak in the knees. "I liked it." The rosy colour appearing on your cheeks give him a sense of pride, though his face was probably a bright scarlet now.

"It'll be your lips next time." It's a mumble barely loud enough for you to hear, but his embarrassment is evident as he whispers out a flustered 'oh god'.

"I'll be looking forward to it." It's so unfair how your mere existence and words can fluster him so effortlessly. "Why all of a sudden though?" It wasn't too much of a risky move since everyone else was too preoccupied with their phones or each other, but it still piqued your curiosity.

"The music was really nice. And the sky was pretty. You were as well-, I mean you always have been and are-, yeah. It seemed perfect..."

"Oh god Yoichi, you always have and always will be perfect to me." As if your sweet words weren't enough, you rest your head against his shoulder, and his face somehow manages to heat up even more. "Oh we've arrived at the station, c'mon let's get home." Yoichi's not even sure if he's brave enough to venture out in public in such a flustered state.

The two of you patiently wait for everyone to catch their respective trains, after getting off the bus.

"Bye everyone, see you at practice."

"See ya." Bachira's always been a cheerful person, but this time his grin somehow entails more joy than usual. "Congratulations Isagi, thanks for the money."

"Huh? Money?"

Before either of you can ask for clarification, Bachira jumps onto Kunigami. "Hand over 1k! We win~!"

"You all owe us. Don't even try to hide from us I have a checklist." Nagi mumbles, and half of the team groan as they pull out their wallets.

"Um, Reo? Please clarify?" The soccer team was indeed odd, but this was inexplainable.

"They bet money on whether you were dating or not." Ah.

"Did you win?"

A smug smirk appears on his face. "Of course I did, I'm not an idiot." Why would winning a bet even matter to him when his family was the richest in Japan? "Isagi using too much lip balm?"

"Honestly I couldn't imagine Isagi pulling." Kunigami comments, the silent gasp and the look on Yoichi's face is absolutely priceless.

"Oi Kunigami, c'here." Yoichi almost pounces on Kunigami, who flees immediately. "And screw you Reo." He exclaims before chasing Kunigami.

"You owe me too, Kunigamikinnikun." Chigiri calls out. "I'll see you tomorrow, hope he doesn't give you a hard time." And soon he's off to sprint after Kunigami.

Well, there goes your 'secret'.

tagging. @kiyumiya

© kitorin : do not repost, plagiarize, change, or translate

Guys im okayv

Physical Touch

3 times that Hiori Yo learned that your love language was physical touch

Tags: Soccer team manager gn!reader x Hiori Yo, fluff with a splash of angst, pre-blue lock, ~2.5k words

"Can I sit next to you, Hiyori-kun?" You ask, pointing to the bus seat next to him. He raised his head from his phone to look at the only other open seat being next to the teacher/coach. Given that you were probably exhausted after the game, he understood that you wouldn't want to be sitting next to them for the whole trip back to school.

"Go right ahead." He slightly shuffled closer to the window to make you some room.

"Thanks. Good game by the way. We're moving onto the preliminaries because of you." You set your duffle bag under the seats like his before sitting down.

"It's only because of the game plan you came up with, manager."

"You flatter me. I was only creating a strategy that would put you in the best position to score. It was your skill that allowed those to come to life."

"I'm hardly anything special on my own." Though the two of you didn't speak much outside of practice, Hiori had a lot of respect for you as the team's manager. The same goes for you always admiring his skill from the sidelines. But sitting next to him you remind yourself again that he was not the same person he was on the field.

"Is that why you love passing?"

"What?" You shrug.

It was practically your job to watch him. Everything from his one touch ball control to his eyes scanning everyone, he never had any wasted movements. You lost count of how many times his calm demeanor spread to his teammates that received his passes. Not only did he have natural talent, he had the mindset to improve. Staying late to review drills and arriving early to warm up before everyone else. You've always watched from the sidelines.

"I know coach made you our main forward and striker but quite frankly, I think midfielder is more suited for you. The ability to make decisions while assessing the entire field with the high tension- I mean those are useful to be a good forward and put people where needed for you to score but you know Hiori-kun you have a very interesting habit when scoring. Do you know what that is?"

He thinks about it for a second then shakes his head. You turn your body to face him. Pointing a single finger to his eyes. "After you take the shot, you look away from the goal. Almost like you don't care about the results."

You weren't wrong. Winning a point was normal for him. On the off chance that his shot was blocked, it just meant he would have to train harder to make sure it wouldn't happen again. A simple yet somewhat pessimistic view. It wasn't like he had an attachment to soccer.

"So I can expect you to put me as a midfielder next game?"

"It means that you are an absolute monster of a player and I love watching you."

"With your eyes you would be equally good out there." He brushed off the compliment.

You chuckle at his light joke. "No way, I'm more of a watcher than a player. I know I'm partially responsible for the training regime but I really have no idea how you keep up. You must be exhausted all the time."

"If you know then give me more of a break." He sarcastically said. It was just small conversation you guys were having that he was only playing along with the joke.

"Sure!"

"Eh? That easy?" His parents never let him take breaks unless it was for exam season or he was very sick.

He didn't move as you suddenly placed your hand on top of his head. Giving a small rub with a smile. How long had it been since he had been touched? In such a childish way too. The weight of your hand soothing the headache he formed from playing in the blazing sun all day. Your fingers, unknowingly, giving a small massage through his thin blue hair. It felt nice.

"Come on Hiori-kun I'm your soccer team manager, not a dictator. If you want a break you can just say so. Be a bit more selfish."

He almost wanted you to return your hand once you pulled back. His hand flattening his hair back down wasn't the same. "Is it really okay?"

You pull out your clipboard from your bag and shuffled a bit closer to him. Flipping it open you pulled up to next week's training schedule. Taking a pen from the top you wrote 'Hiori Yo on break to rest. Approved by l/n, y/n.'

"See? All done. Enjoy your break. Nice and slow." You tucked your clipboard back into your bag. Still you remained close that he hardly thought you minded that his thighs were touching yours.

"Thanks l/n. I'll... I think I will enjoy it well." He leaned back into the seat at the same time as you. A break. A time to relax. Without soccer. Sounded like a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. He closed his eyes, hearing you giggle as you patted him once more on his head.

-------------

"Hiori-kun! Hiori-kun! Come over here!" You called out from the bleachers. He cracked a smile at you all bundled up in your winter clothes. The sun had barely risen and a particular cold wind kept blowing ove you that it was pure torture to your sniffling nose.

Coming back from his mandatory break, Hiori thought that his body would have become stiff. Instead it was the opposite. He never felt lighter and full of energy. Not only that but with all the time to play hours of computer games, he mentally felt better. Atlas, the time to return eventually came and he had to join everyone else for training. With you leading the team as per usual.

"Yes l/n?"

"Can you give me your hands for a second?" Confused, he held out both of his hands. You took both of them into yours so that his were inside your sleeves. Creating some weird tunnel with both the jackets as you held his hands.

A show of bliss gracing your face. "So warm! As expected of my hardest player."

He realized that you didn't have gloves on despite the cold weather. Relying on his heat radiating off of him to keep warm. He, himself, only having taken them off because he was starting to sweat a lot. "Why aren't you wearing your gloves? Are you using me as a human heater?"

"I couldn't find them this morning and maybe?"

"You could have asked to borrow mine. I should have an extra pair in my bag. Let me grab them."

You pouted. "You can get them in a moment. Let me warm up a little. Please?"

You are so strange. Normally people would only hold hands with people they were close to. Instead you swung your arms like it was nothing.

A squeeze of your hands making him sigh. "Fine. Just for a bit."

"A bit is all I need. But um how was your break? Did you do anything fun? Hang out with your friends or anyone- anything?"

"Not really. Kind of wanted to spend the time alone anyways. Played a lot of video games though. Not that my parents were happy with me skipping practice."

"Oh yeah, coach had to tell me that I had to get permission from them first before I let players go. Your parents are very scary when it comes to your training." Of course Hiori knew his parents called the school. How could he not when they phoned outside his bedroom door the moment he told them?

"What did you tell them that let me stay on break?"

"That I couldn't take it back my word so late. It was rude. Plus a little sprinkle of sweet talking too. Saying stuff like your son is the best on the team, I need to improve the others so they don't hold him back. And oh Hiori-kun is so finely tuned that a small break isn't even going to affect him. It's because he has such wonderful parents watching over him. Things like that."

That would explain why they were so lax with him during the week. He just thought they were playing the image for his sake. Turns out it was your influence that allowed him to leave soccer for a short time. Some team manager you were for letting your best player go.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that for me."

"It was no trouble. For you, that was nothing."

"Are you like this with everyone?"

"Only with you." You feel his hands twitch in surprise. You tucked yourself further into your jacket's collar. "You're really really warm and nice. Only for you, Hiori-kun."

Releasing him, you put your hands back in your pockets. "I should let you get back to training before anyone thinks I'm playing favourites. You had a whole week of rest; get back out there solider!"

He finally noticed how close the two of you were. His toes touching yours. He awkwardly cleared his throat with a cough. A blush warming his rosy cheeks. Taking a step back he quickly caught that you were equally flustered over given how you kept glancing elsewhere but him. Your jacket collar hiding the bottom half of your face to not let him see you holding back your smile.

"One second." He went over to his bag, quickly returning with his extra pair of gloves. You had forgotten about that offer as you were very distracted. Still you took it.

Slipping them on you chuckled at how rough they were. They were nothing like your normal pair of fuzzy winter gloves. Still, you liked how the two of you were going to be matching. Not that you would say that outloud.

"Thank you Hiori-kun!"

"You're welcome. Next time remember to have your gloves or ask me. Don't just sit here in the cold. It's not healthy."

"Yes yes I'll bother you every time I'm freezing. I should take a break from all these morning practices. Watch from a distance. Somewhere where I'm not getting frostbite."

"Then I wouldn't get to use the excuse of having me as a human heater to stop training."

"I can still be cold inside." You mumble out after he started jogging back to the rest of the team. You look down at his gloves. It wasn't the same as Hiori himself. You'll just have to make do with this.

_____________

Your heart pounded against your chest. Hiori noticing your hands shaking as you took the paper from him. As much as he wanted to hold them to calm you down, his only thought was to tell you the truth first. "I'm resigning from the soccer team. Starting next week."

You bit down on the inside of your lip. Forcing yourself to take the resignation letter. "Can I... can I ask why?"

"I was accepted into a special soccer program. My parents think it'll be good to further my career. You know, focus myself on honing my skills. To join though I have to leave school to live in their dorms."

"Is that so? Wow. What- that sounds like a great opportunity. And you're already so good. It's going to be- I don't know how you can even get better." The letter crumpled from your fingers harshly holding them.

"L/n-"

"I accept your resignation letter. And I wish you the best. Try not to forget me when you become famous." You hoped he didn't notice that how fast you were blinking back your tears. Nor the wavering in your voice.

Unfortunately, Hiori did. As much as he wanted to use Blue Lock as an excuse to escape his parents for some time, he knew that it would seperate the two of you. Just as you were starting to get closer as well. He knew that you would support him that he had to take on the offer.

"Thank you." He bowed his head.

"Can I ask you something before you go though?"

"Of course." Your fingers lightly touched his chin to raise his head.

"You developed a new habit when you shoot at the goal. Do you know what is?"

Before it was that his eyes adverted the goal. He had close to zero memories of the ball going into the net. He remembered focusing on the flatten grass. That the other team showed signs of defeat before it even went in. How tired he was. But now he has new memories of shooting goals.

It was of you on the sidelines. The way your eyes would shine with pride of his work. Your screams cheering his point on regardless of the result. The thumbs up always directed for him with the widest grin spreading on your face. He couldn't care less about the point. Hiyori just liked watching you.

"I look at you after a shot." Your arms wrapped around him. Holding him as tightly as you could. Burying your face into his shoulder to hide the tears you could no longer hold back.

"Then- then when you're there- I won't be there to- to- for you to see! And- and you're going to overwork yourself! And you're going to lose your gloves and you won't have an extra pair because I took them and you're too nice that the other players might be mean and-and-"

He soothingly patted you on the back. Taking in the last few moment he could have with you in his arms. Despite him being the athlete, you had an insane hold on him. Gripping the back of his shirt to pull him closer. It made him feel protected. Cared for.

Blue lock couldn't offer him head rubs or pats on the head the same as you can. Holding his hands on the excuse of warming up was probably a joke to whatever monsters were in there. And a hug goodbye that told him he was loved was unquestionable. He didn't want to let you go.

"I'm not giving your gloves back." You muttered into his shoulder.

"That's okay."

"I want a hug when you get out." He pulled his head back causing you to do the same. His light blue eyes meeting your puffy eyes. One of his hands caressing your cheek to wipe the dried tears.

Gently, his other hand that somehow landed behind your neck pulled you forward. Letting his lips land on your forehead. Finally all the tension from your hug leaving your body. Letting the two of fully relax.

"I'll give you a lot more than a hug when I get back." You buried your face into his chest once more to hide your embarrassment very apparent on your face.

"I take it back you're a big meanie, Hiori-kun." You could feel his chest rumble with his laugh.

Though the time that you two had spent together was limited, you made each moment last. Holding one another in small ways to remind each that they were still there. Encouraging the other to continue on even without being physically in person.

words i want to say

synopsis: four times itoshi sae wanted to tell you he loved you, and the one time he finally did.

pairing: itoshi sae x gn!reader | words: 1.6k | warnings: established relationship, fluff

notes: why hello! i'm back with this 4+1 prompt that i absolutely love, i wrote this in like an hour so this is definitely not proofread lol and istg i'm writing the kiss prompts so bear with me :((

masterlist

i. 

it was a game like any other. at a certain point in his life, sae didn’t really felt a huge thrill by entering a stadium, already knowing he would win easily and beautifully destroy his enemies. this time, however, there was electricity dancing through his veins and prickling under his skin — and it was all because of you, who was sitting in the stands, wearing his jersey, for the first time.

and sure, he could swear such a thing did not affect him at all; he was the itoshi sae, after all, and anyone would die to wear his original jersey at one of his games. 

but you weren’t just anyone. you were his partner of three months, and everything about your relationship was still fairly new, and for the first time in forever, sae really, really didn’t want to mess this up. 

you were beautiful, sitting prettily in the special section of the crowd, reserved for family, partners and very rich people. sae could distinguish your smile from miles away, because it shined like nothing he had ever seen. he felt his heart beating faster, and it was not from all the running around the field.

as expected, his team won, with sae scoring a gorgeous final goal that made everyone jump in the stands. though, he didn’t care about the pats in the back from his teammates, the thumbs up from his coach or the shrilling screams of the crowd — all he could focus was on you, hugging his neck and beaming like the sun. 

“you were amazing, sae!”

it was fucking early. he knew it. 

but as he hugged you back and buried his nose in your hair, the words i love you flew through his mind. 

ii.

“this is stupid.”

you giggled at his words. this sound always sounded more like a melody to sae, but he would rather die than admit that. instead, he just glared at you, sitting right beside him at a stupid photobooth. 

“c’mon, baby, it’s gonna be fun!” you said, completely unaware of how the word baby did bad things to his heart. he wasn’t brave enough to call you pet names yet, but you were always more outgoing than he was. 

“don’t wanna.”

“please?” you pouted, your eyes becoming googly like a puppy. he could only mouth a tsk, knowing he couldn’t say no to you even if he tried (he didn’t).

“fine. just do it already.”

you happily bent your body forward to click at the screen, starting the countdown for the pictures. then, returning to your place by his side, you lay your head on his shoulder and smiled for the first picture. sae did a simple peace sign, face still stoic as ever.

on the second pic, you waited until the last second to do fishy lips and cross your eyes, and that caused sae to snicker, which was fortunately caught by the camera. happy by that, you laced your arms around his neck, squishing your cheeks together in a cute pose for the third picture.

on the fourth and last one, you separated slightly, looking sae straight in the eyes with that sparkle that made his stomach churn. 

you smiled, and he kind of stood there, dumbfounded, barely listening to the click of the photobooth. an i love you was the only thing he could hear.

iii. 

seven months in and sae thought he had already seen all of you. despite his busy schedule, you saw each other quite frequently because of your flexible job, meaning you could travel along in his trips around the globe. he was used to your soothing presence and he loved every second of it.

but this — this was something that he wasn’t used to. 

he hated to attend gala parties just to appease sponsors and snobby people, but he had agreed for the first time because you said you wanted to see how it was, and that it would be good for his career. you were always so thoughtful, and that never failed to make his chest fuzzy. but he did not expect to almost have a cardiac arrest seeing you all dressed up. 

“do i look good?” you asked, bashful and uncertain. he wanted to scream. good wasn’t even close to what you were. you were perfect, divine, an angel on earth. 

you were everything he needed. 

“you look beautiful, baby,” he said, smiling ever so slightly in hopes of convincing you of the purest truth. his hands found home on your hips, and he gave you a little peck. 

“thank you.” you smiled. “you look very handsome, too.”

then, you proceeded to fix his tie like it was already muscle memory, despite it being the first time either of you did this. you smiled again, sweetly, once you finished.

“all done. you’re good to go, mr. itoshi.”

the domesticity hit him like a truck. a lump formed in his throat, and it tasted a lot like i love you.

iv.

the beach was his favorite place in the world. being around the calmness of the sea always brought him peace, much like when he was with you. so combining both of his favorites was a bonus sae couldn’t deny. 

the sand was warm and soft beneath his feet, and he sat on top of a towel, observing you standing nearer the ocean. the wind blew in your hair, and he could hear you laughing and squealing every time you tried to feed a seagull and they ran after you and your food.

“sae! help me, baby, they’re gonna kill me!”

“you can do it.”

“what if i can’t?!”

“i’ll cry at your funeral, don’t worry,” he answered simply, snorting when you gasped in pure offense. 

when you finally got tired of running around, you sat next to him, panting a little. though you didn’t stay put for long — you never could. you grabbed a stick and started to draw on the sand, doing little shapes and words. 

sae could only watch, mesmerized, as the orange hue casted a heavenly glow around your frame, almost like a halo. it complimented your skin perfectly, and he cursed himself for not having the guts to take a picture so that he could remember this moment forever. he wasn’t sappy, after all.

he casted his eyes down, only then realizing you drew the letters ILY inside a heart, looking at him with a fond gaze he didn’t deserve. 

i love you, too, was what he wanted to say. but itoshi sae was never good with words, so his hand reached for yours and he gave it a little squeeze, before bringing your knuckles to his lips in a tender kiss. with the way the corners of your eyes crinkled, he knew you understood. 

and he loved you even more for it.

v.

you worked a lot. despite your adjustable routine, you often had to bring your laptop everywhere, just in case your boss needed something more immediate. in sae's penthouse, it was no different, and that specific day happened to be one of those urgent matters. 

sae was grumpy. he wanted your attention for a while, but he would never stoop so low as to ask for cuddles, so he just sat by your side on the couch with his arms crossed. you’d say he was pouting, but that was absurd. itoshi sae didn’t pout. 

you were pretty, he thought, all focused and dedicated like that. you were like a painting that sae could spend a lifetime admiring, without ever getting tired. the slight furrow of your eyebrows, the curve of your nose, the crease of your mouth… oh, he got distracted. you were now facing him and saying something he didn’t catch. 

“what was that?”

“i said, let’s go.”

he grimaced, confusion etched in his face. “where are we going? i thought you had urgent work.”

“to bed, baby. it’s your nap time, isn’t it? i can finish this later. i know you sleep better with me in your arms.”

you grinned in a smug kind of way, but sae could barely register anything besides the three magical words that were hammering inside his heart, coming up to his tongue until all he could do was say…

“i love you.”

fuck, he thought. now the cat is out of the bag. he fucking loves you. 

your eyes widened slightly, as if you weren’t expecting such a declaration, but your expression softened and your hand came up to cup his jaw. your thumb did a small caress at his cheekbones, and sae felt goosebumps rising up his skin.

“i love you,” he said again, because now that the dam had broken, nothing could stop that phrase from flowing. “i love you so much.”

your smile could rival the sun and light up any darkness. he loved you like this. he loved you in all your ways.

“i love you, too,” you answered, all soft and giddy, and sae finally released the breath he didn't even realize he was holding. “so much.”

his hand came to meet with yours, and he interlaced your fingers, standing up and pulling you along. you stumbled a bit, but he steadied you by gripping your waist, as if scared you would let go. his lips met yours almost urgently, but they were still soft nonetheless — because with you, sae knew to be soft, to be gentle. it’s what you deserved, after all. 

when you parted, lips swollen and a little breathless, he showed you one of his rare smiles; the ones that always came easier when you were in the picture. you felt butterflies swirling in your stomach watching itoshi sae beam to you. because he loved you.

your fingers interlaced again, and he started to drag you towards the bedroom, ready for his 3pm nap.

“you’re right, by the way,” he confessed, and you looked at him, puzzled. “i do sleep better with you in my arms.”

© 2023 itoshiexx. do not plagarise, translate, or repost any of my work on here or other sites.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

starring itoshi sae!

synopsis: sae really likes having you in his lap, but doesnt know how to ask.

notes: ugh hes so smush

for whatever reason, sae loved having you in his lap.

he couldn't really figure out what was just so wonderful about it. maybe it was that he could bury his face into your back or neck, maybe it was that he could hug you closer while also being on his phone, maybe it was that you were so so close and he could smell your perfume, maybe it was that he liked how all of your weight was on him for whatever reason, maybe it was that you were just so warm and cozy that he could fall asleep on the spot, maybe it was that he felt that he could protect you with you on him like this easier, but regardless of why, he just loved it.

it only took him one time of doing it to fall in love with it. sae was just sitting on the couch, scrolling on his phone, when suddenly, you just plopped down onto his legs. you didnt say anything, you just... did it. it was small, but sae fell for you again that day, and he would continue to do so over and over again, everyday of the week, 24/7.

but back to the subject! you did it a couple times after that. one of the times, when he was gaming on his pc with a few friends, you simply crawled onto his lap all sleepy, straddled him, cuddled into his shoulder, and just... fell asleep? his heart was pounding so fast and he could feel his face burning up, but there was also something really relaxing about it. the way you just zonked out as soon as you got onto him was just so cute. he loved you. he really, really did. he gamed for another hour or so after that, before turning off his pc (carefully, as to not wake you) and falling asleep himself.

you'd only done it a very small handful of times, but it was easily one of his favorite positions with you. he wanted you to sit on his lap every single day, but as we all know, sae is not the best at expressing his feelings. so, he tried other, more subtle ways that would hopefully prompt you to do it yourself.

he would sit criss-cross applesauce or manspread in hopes that you'd just hop right on, but you never did. he would game with his chair a little further from the desk to make it easier for you to crawl on, but you never did. he'd sit down instead of lying down when he was on his phone in hopes that you'd come to sit on his lap, but you never did. it had been around a month since the last time you sat on his lap, (yes, of course he'd been keeping track. who do you think he is?) and he was growing desperate. what was this, mission impossible? he really, really wanted to hold you on his lap and just let time stand still, but alas, it didnt seem as though you were going to do it yourself. it would seem as though he would have to... ask for it himself. (he gulps at the thought) it really would be mission impossible now.

taking a deep breath, sae walked into the kitchen where you were sitting. you were lounging around in biker shorts and one of his hoodies, and you looked... so freaking cute. he just wanted to squish your cheeks and run his hands through your hair and - no! stay focused! just gotta ask. wait... how was he going to ask? was he just gonna ask for you to do it more? but what if you forgot? was he gonna ask for you to do it at that moment? but wait... you were sitting down and he wasn't. that wouldnt work! wait a minute... what if you didnt even like sitting on his lap and that was why you hadn't done it? he didnt want to make you uncomfortable! what was he gonna do?!

he pushed his thoughts out and left. he couldn't do it. he really couldn't. there was just too much at stake. and then what was he supposed to say, that he oddly really, really liked it when you sat on his lap? that sounded so weird! he couldn't do it. he collapsed on the couch, exhausted. at that moment, though, you walked in.

"hi, babe!" you said. "you wanna watch something?"

he smiled. "yeah."

you picked up the remote and stood in front of him, beginning to put on your favorite show. however, suddenly, you were pulled backwards.

"WAH! ...sae?"

sae had pulled you from the waist onto his lap and shyly nuzzled your neck. you were a bit confused, but didnt really mind.

hesitantly, he mumbled, "i really like having you on my lap like this. its nice."

you smiled. "alright. i'll keep it in mind."

you turned on the show that you two always watch together, and sighed contentedly as you leaned back into him, his arms around you tightening.

"i love you." you beamed happily.

"i love you too." he muttered back, snuggling into your shoulder. "i really, really, do."

he supposed it was mission possible, after all.

𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐈𝐈𝐋𝐄 ©𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 please do not copy or repost my work on any other site. interactions appreciated! 🤍

US, AGAIN .ೃ࿐

pairing. itoshi sae x gn!reader

genre. second chance (exes back to lovers!) | a bit of small town romance | a sprinkle of childhood friends to lovers (past) | angst with a happy ending 

content/warnings. 5.2k+ wc | characters are aged 25 in the present | pro-athlete!sae x coffee shop owner!reader | sae left for spain at 19 in here | mentions of sae’s vague past (especially the striker dream) | itoshi bros conflict never happened here let me be delusional | heavy in narration | minimal proofread

in which: itoshi sae returns to the only place on earth he vows to never set foot again.

💭 flashbacks are italicized and indented :>

Six years.

In those six long years of his absence, you couldn't deny that you rehearsed countless scenarios of encountering him upon his return. 

If by chance he still wanted to see you, or even look at you, you imagined giving him a small smile, a carefully crafted facade of composure, before gracefully walking away, as if life had moved on effortlessly for both of you.

That’s what you imagined. Just walk away, like how life went on for the both of you. 

But reality never seemed to align with your reveries. The sight of him wasn't remotely serene enough to prompt a composed exit. Seeing him made your throat tighten, and your heart danced in a rhythm only he could create.

Six damn years had passed since you last saw him on that balcony, and now, with him back in town, avoiding him seemed like the only right thing to do.

You don’t know how long he’ll be here, but it is now your life mission to avoid him at all cost. Today's encounter was just an unfortunate event—an inevitable twist of fate. Their house was literally right in front of your family's, making it hard to escape the nearness of the past.

“So, he’s back in town?” 

Hari's voice, your co-worker and now a dear friend, snapped you back from the reverie of yesterday's memories. The sound of her voice broke through the nostalgic haze, pulling you back to the present.

“What?”

“I asked if your childhood friend who is also a superstar slash professional athlete slash your only ex is back,” she mischievously asked, even miming quotation marks to emphasize each title she created.

You chuckled softly, shaking your head at her antics. Your gaze drifted to the freshly baked pastries, their delightful aroma greeting your senses like a warm embrace as you artfully displayed them on the shelves. The familiar scent of coffee and delightful confections used to calm you, but now it mingled with the storm of emotions inside.

“Yeah, it's basically the talk of the town. He's famous after all,” you replied, trying to sound nonchalant and still focused on your work, using it as a shield to hide your vulnerability.

But in reality, the sight of him earlier had caught you off guard, and you had turned the other way to avoid him. Your heart was still racing from the almost encounter, and the comforting ambiance of your coffee shop provided little solace.

“Did he see you?”

“I pray to all saints that he didn’t,” you deadpanned, your facade of composure beginning to falter.

“What did he look like now?”

You hesitated, your mind flashing back to that fleeting glimpse of him earlier.

Far from what was once mine. “Good.”

“That’s it? Good?”

No. He looked gorgeous. He looked painfully gorgeous.

“What do you want me to say?” you countered, throwing a side glance to her persistence.

In that fleeting moment, you caught a glimpse of how much he had changed. He looked undeniably handsome, lean, and with a certain maturity that hadn't been there before.

He… looked different.

And that's good—for you and for him. It meant that life there treated him well, and it eased some of the lingering guilt you carried.

You and Hari fell into a consuming silence, your backs turned away from each other. Even with closed eyes, you sensed that she wanted to ask something. You didn't want to initiate the conversation, but this suffocating silence had to go.

As you stepped behind the counter, you were met with Hari's concerned eyes and a voice laden with hesitation. “What are you going to do then?” she carefully asked.

You pressed your lips together, momentarily at a loss for words.

So you did what you do best: mask hurting with laughter.

“Is there anything I should do?” you paused, the sound of your fake laughter ringing in your ears. “It's been years. We made a choice.”

But Hari wasn't ready to let the matter rest, and you don’t know how to tell her you’re close to calling it a day. “You made a choice for him,” she countered gently, her tone filled with empathy.

Stunned was an understatement. Caught off guard would be an apt description. But speechless was exactly how you felt.

That, you couldn't mask with anything.

So you did what you weren’t best at: admitting the truth.

“And I’ll do it again,” you whispered in return. It was faint, because it was more for you than more of a reply to her. 

You were both young, and half oblivious to what it would be like outside, where the world wasn’t painted in golden hues and the gentle waves were replaced by blaring cars.

You were both seventeen, young and living for the hope of it all.

But you lived for days like those – days where both of you just had to be kids still. No worries, no voices of what might come.

“Tell me about your dreams, Sae.” “Tch. You already know about it.”

You did. All of it, you knew. Since you were kids, no one knew him like you did. You were his lover and confidant. You knew about it, all too well and all too much.

“Come on!” you persisted, giving him an enthusiastic look. “The sky looks so pretty in this sunset, I want it to know about us.” The setting sun painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, casting a warm glow over the beach as you and Sae sat side by side in the sand. The sound of gentle waves caressed your ears, creating a serene backdrop for your beach date. He hesitated for a moment, looking out at the horizon. Then there it was, a glint of determination flashed in his usually reserved eyes. “To be the best striker in the world.” You couldn't help but be captivated by the sight. It was the first time you had seen such an unusual spark in his eyes. Sae's gaze was often cold and impersonal, but now it was as if stars were hanging in his eyes, reflecting the infinite possibilities of his dreams. Sae is handsome, mysteriously beautiful even. But this, nothing will beat how dreamy he looks when he speaks of his craft. You liked this look on him - so ambitious, so driven. It made your heart flutter with admiration. Seeing this glint in his eyes right now, you knew you wanted to do anything in your power to let it stay there.

And you did, you held on and held out. Until you turned nineteen, when you had let him go to the big cities where he rightfully belonged. 

You smiled, a genuine, heartwarming smile, and leaned in to press a tender kiss on his cheek. “I’m sure you will be the best.”

Maybe you bit off more than what you could chew, but in the end, you’d do it all over again. Because what you did, the choice you made – it was for the best.

You were both nineteen, young and eager to grasp the world's offerings with hopeful hands. 

But despite the certainty you tried to hold onto, there were nights when the memories tugged at your heartstrings like it did now. You knew it was the right choice, that you both needed to chase your dreams separately — especially his dreams. But it didn't erase the whispers of what-ifs that occasionally crept into your mind.

But life — life went on. Life never waits for anyone, anyway. And so, you worked diligently to craft a future that no longer had room for regrets.

But love leaves echoes, and his presence back in town stirred those dormant feelings. With him being in the same place, you felt like a stranger in your own town.

It was easier when he was thousands of miles away, an untouchable star on a different horizon. But now, with the universe conspiring to bring you close again, you couldn't help but feel like a wanderer in the galaxy of memories you built together.

After all, everything here in this town is about you and him. 

Six years.

Was it that long? He couldn’t really tell. Maybe time really does pass fast when your life is falling apart.

It has been six years since Sae has sat on the balcony of his childhood home. And like the sick bastard fate was, he’s welcomed by the sight of your horrified yet still so damn fucking beautiful face.

Perhaps the saints you prayed to didn’t hear any of your pleas, because despite calling out to each one, Sae saw you.

There you were, a flicker in the periphery of his vision, desperately trying to avoid him. He was trained to be very aware of his field of vision, so there was no way he wasn’t able to notice your frantic leaving and the hurried closing of your house’s door as you noticed him. 

He let you be, holding back the overwhelming desire to call out your name like he used to when both of you were running late to class. He let you be, because if you were to ask him, he wouldn’t know how to look you in the eye without a thousand words reflecting on his own. 

[Attention, everyone. This is the final boarding call for passengers of flight 924 to Madrid, Spain. Again, this is the final –] “Sae, you’re going to miss your flight. They’re not coming.” No. “They’re not coming, Sae. You have to get on the plane.” No. No. Shut up.

He needed you there, more than anyone. A thousand people could cheer and show up for Itoshi Sae, but his eyes will always search the crowd for just one — just yours.

Yet, alas, you were nowhere to be found. And so, that very same day, Sae vowed to never come back to this place.

He hated this town and you, he’s convinced.

Sae had always been indifferent to a lot of people, everyone knew that. But never in a hundred years would anyone who knew you both think you’d be on that list. And deep down, he didn’t want to believe it either – until that day you decided not to show up when you promised you would.

He wasn't stupid. He had an inkling of why you did what you did. Yet, irrationality overpowered reason, and all he wanted that day was to run the distance between the airport and your house – to see your face, to remind you that he had plans, plans for both of you.

When Sae’s manager informed him that he needed to come home for a while to renew his passport, it was as if all of his suppressed recollections of this place – of you, came pouring out to his soul all at once.

Every street, every corner, every memory — they all threatened to consume him. His family, Rin, this town, and you – you were all the things he left behind for the dream.

Dream. Best Striker in the world. What did it even mean? Long ago, he thought he knew.

But it had to work. Everything had to work. He lost you for this dream. And if he loses it too, then what does that make him? A sore failure. And Sae was never known to be admissible to failing.

Whatever hell he encountered on the other side of the world, he swore he would never return home. Even when he was traversing across a path to ruin of being the person he thought he would be, he would never ever choose to come home.

Anywhere, but here. Anywhere, but home.

So there he was, the renowned glorious prodigy of japan. He was close to everything after countless mishaps. 

He’s getting closer and closer to the new dream yet getting farther and farther away from home.

Home. What does it even mean? Lately, he doesn’t even know. 

And after that day, no one ever mentioned your name to him. No one in his new world knew about you. No one knew how Itoshi Sae's world used to revolve around someone's soft smiles and easy eyes. 

He never asked anyone not to mention you; he wasn't one to ask, after all. But for some reason, no one dared to. Not even Rin. It was as if one mention of you in his presence was a carefully crafted brick used to make his castles crumble to the ground.

He hated that, but maybe they were right. Because with just a second's worth of a glimpse of you from earlier, Sae indeed felt his castles crumbling, piece by piece.

He hates you, for making his resolve crumble. For being the one person who can make his vow to never look back fall apart.

He hates you, because everything in this forsaken place is about you and him. Memories of your shared youth are etched into the very walls and streets, haunting him like ghosts of a past he can't escape.

He hates you, for not trusting you two would work it out somehow, and for giving up before the game even began.

He hates you, because it was easier that way. Easier to pretend he didn't care, that you didn't matter, and that you were just another soul he knows a little too much of.

Sae could go on and on listing a hundred more, and yet he knows, only one of it was true – and that he hates you for making him convince himself that he does, just to cope with leaving half of his heart to the only place he vowed never to come back to.

It was a jinx to say that yesterday’s encounter was already an unfortunate event, because today, you literally learned a whole new degree of unfortunate and unlucky – by having Itoshi Sae as your first customer of the day. 

“Welcome! How may I help you toda— S-Sae.”

And to even top it off, today was Hari’s day off. It meant that you’re currently alone in the same confined four-cornered room with the person you swore you would avoid like it’s your life mission.

Damn it, Hari. Of all days. Her day off really had to be today.

Itoshi Sae, in the goddamn flesh, is standing in your place two meters away from you, yet you’re having a hard time feeling your feet on the ground and your heart beating so damn loud. 

He wasn’t looking at you (thank god), and had his eyes exploring the place with a neutral expression playing on his face. Suddenly, you feel like sixteen again back when he was looking at the first set of cookies you’ve ever baked and you were dying to hear what he thinks of your craft.

“It’s yours?”

You gulp. 

You gulped down the urge to tear up with how much his voice changed. You gulped down the urge to cry because he assumed you had your dream turn into reality too.

“Yeah,” you replied in whisper, your eyes following where he was looking, trying to avoid any chance it will meet his, “it’s not much but —”

“It’s beautiful.” Even before Sae could hear your meek comment of yourself, he cut you off.

You were always like that —downplaying your hard work, belittling yourself even before someone does. He hated that about you. 

He used to get mad at you for it, especially when someone made fun of you at school and you didn’t defend yourself. He always makes you cry whenever he points it out, so he stopped. Instead, he made it his role to rebuild your confidence. Sae wasn't known for being generous in compliments. It would probably take one hand to count all the instances that he genuinely called someone along the lines of not dumb, stupid, lukewarm. 

But it was never the case with you. With you, to say beautiful was always a second nature to Sae's tongue.

And he wasn’t lying though. Your coffee shop was really charmingly cozy, and so like you. It’s so much alike to what you used to tell him how you envisioned it would be. 

The coffee shop was a quaint haven nestled right at the edge of the sandy shore. Its exterior, adorned with weathered wooden panels and soft, warm hues, exuded a rustic charm that welcomed passersby with open arms. Sunlight spilled through large windows, casting gentle rays that danced upon the vintage, mosaic-tiled floor.

It’s beautiful, and it’s in front of our place. He wanted to say to you, but he stopped at beautiful not wanting to make things more awkward than it should.

The coffee shop, it’s right in front of the beach. It’s in front of that one spot you and him used to call ours. 

It’s the first thing he noticed before coming inside, and it made him wonder whether you knew or he’s the only one who remembers it even now.

Bashful, you uttered a silent thank you to his remark, “What would you like to order?” you followed up, trying to maintain composure despite your heart racing in your chest.

Noticing that he’s been too silent for someone who’s about to order something, you looked up to your menu, and immediately, you understood his silence. If one were to point out, it is too immediate for someone who’s almost strangers to each other.

“We have non-caffeinated drinks too,” you hurriedly said to him, your voice quivering slightly as you tried to break the spell of awkward silence.

He gulps, his eyes locked with yours in a moment that felt like eternity.

He can’t drink coffee, it ruins his body clock, and you knew that. You still know that.

It appears that he's not the only one who remembers, after all.

A thousand emotions danced in his eyes, each one a testament to the love that once blossomed between you. The coffee shop, once a quaint haven, now felt like a crucible of emotions, and the atmosphere was thick with unspoken words, heavy with the weight of what could have been.

Your breath caught in your throat, and you couldn't look away, despite the rush of memories and unspoken words flooding your mind. It was as if time had folded in on itself, and you were once again those young souls who found solace in each other's presence.

But this was different, much more complicated. The past was a turbulent sea, and even though you had both moved on with your lives, there was still a deep, lingering connection that couldn't be severed.

Yet, you knew better than to let those emotions take control. You made a choice, you have to stand by it.

You were no longer the naive teenagers who believed love could conquer all. Reality had taught you both harsh lessons, and the wounds of the past still lingered, threatening to reopen with each stolen glance.

“I’ll have your best seller of it then,” he finally broke the silence, his voice steady despite the tempest inside.

With a nod, you turned to prepare his order, your hands trying to steady themselves. You couldn't help but wonder if he noticed the tremor in your fingers or the way your heart seemed to echo in every beat.

As you handed him his drink, your fingertips brushed lightly against his hand, and for a brief moment, the world stood still.

He took the cup from you, and for a fleeting moment, you both lingered, almost as if neither of you wanted to let go. He could stay in this, playing pretend. Pretend none of it happened, pretend he never left, pretend it worked out in the end.

But he can’t, not when you stepped back first, breaking the contact between you and reminding him of the choice you made.

“Thank you,” he managed to say, his voice softer now, filled with a hint of something even he couldn't quite decipher.

“You’re welcome,” you replied, your voice barely above a whisper.

And just like that, the moment passed, slipping through your fingers like sand. He turned to leave, and you watched him walk away, every step taking him farther from the life you once shared.

Perhaps, in some parallel universe, there existed a version of you who chose differently, who stayed intertwined with him in a tale of love that defied all odds. But here, in this reality, both of you were no longer who you used to be.

In this universe, you're just some two ghosts standing in the place of you and him, haunted by the memories of what once was while trying to remember what it feels to have a heartbeat.

After Sae’s visit yesterday, saying that you weren’t doing fine would be a gross understatement. 

Your emotions were all over the place, and you couldn't seem to find a stable ground for your thoughts. It didn't help when your parents casually mentioned that he was leaving town later today. Apparently, Mrs. Itoshi had a little gossip session with the neighbors, unknowingly revealing a piece of her oldest son's business.

He’s leaving, and that's good—for you and for him.

As you stood behind the counter of the coffee shop, you absentmindedly glanced out the window, your eyes drawn to the beach. The sight of the shore brought back a flood of memories.

Maybe in another life, the two of you could still dance along the sandy shore, playfully splashing water at each other. He would chase after you, catching hold of your waist as he sweeps you off your feet. And perhaps, just perhaps, you would have the chance to embrace him tightly once again, with your arms wrapped around his neck while you share a kiss as greedy and fiery as the sea’s yearning for the moon.

And maybe, in another life, your story wouldn’t end with both of you being strangers who know a little too much about each other.

Lost in your thoughts, you didn't notice the tears streaming down your cheeks until Hari whispered, “Y/N... you're crying.”

“Oh, I am,” you admitted, trying to regain your composure.

Your heart lurched as you tried to suppress the tears, but they kept flowing relentlessly. “Hari…” you whispered, shocked by your own emotional outpouring.

Hari's eyes reflected pity as she watched you, her voice soft and understanding. “Go,” she encouraged, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder, “Get your man. I'll take care of everything here.”

The words hit you like a lifeline, a spark of hope igniting within you. You quickly removed your apron and grabbed your keys, determined to catch him before it was too late. 

But before you could dash out, Hari's voice echoed through the shop, loud and clear, “Go! Be happy! And for the love of god, no more sacrifices as a love language!”

With one last glance at her and your coffee shop, you rushed out the door.

The airport seemed like a maze of bustling strangers as you frantically searched for the departure gates. Every passing second felt like an eternity, the fear of missing him consuming you.

Desperation and determination fueled your steps as you approached the flight attendant, your voice trembling, “Flight to Spain — I need to know about the flight to Spain for today.”

The attendant looked at you with sympathy, “I'm sorry, but all flights to Spain have already left. The last one left twenty minutes ago.”

Your heart sank, but you couldn't give up that easily. “Can you check again? Please. I-I need to see him. Please.”

The attendant double-checked, but the outcome remained unchanged. 

Twenty damn minutes. You lost him in just that short amount of time.

Your heart shattered as you realized you had missed your chance. The desperation in your eyes was evident as you felt your world crumbling around you.

In the midst of the bustling airport, you allowed yourself to grieve for what could have been and for the chances you never took.

Six years ago, you were supposed to be here. And maybe if you did, you wouldn't find yourself six years after, wishing you did things differently.

The drive back felt like the longest journey of your life. 

The sinking sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink as you approached the familiar place. As you got closer, you noticed that the shop was already closed, and you assumed Hari had taken care of everything. 

But what caught you off guard was the sight of Sae standing there, in front of your place, with a suitcase by his side, as if he were meant to be on a flight rather than standing there.

“You're here,” you whispered, your heart pounding in your chest as you got closer.

“I’m here.”

“Why didn't you leave?” you asked.

Because I’m done convincing myself that I hate you, Sae hesitated to say.  “Why did you go to the airport?” he countered instead, avoiding your question.

Because I’m done telling myself that I did the right thing. 

There were so many things you wanted to say, but the words were caught in your throat. You bit your lip, not ready to answer his question just yet.

Impatient and desperate, Sae took his chances to ask you the only question that mattered to him at this point, “Tell me you don't love me anymore. I will go. I will do as you please. I just need to hear it from you.”

Your eyes widened at his sudden question, but Sae wasn’t done yet. “Answer me. It’s a yes or no question.”

Lost in a whirlwind of emotions, you couldn't hold back the torrent of words that poured from your heart.

“A yes or no question, you say? Every night, I think of you.”

With each word, your voice wavered, and you couldn't help but express the worries that had plagued you during his absence.

“Were you eating properly? Does the food there suit your liking? You’re a bit picky. Is it too hot there? Were you taking your supplements? Were you being hard on yourself again? Is... is there someone new? There must be, right?”

As the words left your lips, you realized just how much you had been consumed by thoughts of him, wondering about every aspect of his life, even when he was miles away from you.

His reaction to you holding forth seemed to intensify at your last question, but right now, you weren’t ready to listen to him. He needs to listen to you.

“Every single night of the past six years, I yearned for you. I yearned to have you close. I yearned to hold your face just once more. And fuck, I would’ve traded all my tomorrows for just one yesterday with you.”

With those words, the floodgates of emotion burst open, and tears streamed down your cheeks. 

Fuck, six years. For six years, you held on and held out. Would it have been easier if both of you had tried, and along the way, lost? Would it have alleviated the pain of what-ifs and what could have been's if you had bargained, if you had gambled? Or would it all have led you right back to this moment, grappling with the same heartache and uncertainty?

Finally, meeting his eyes, you saw a reflection of your own emotions in his. But you weren’t done yet.

“And you dare ask me if I love you. Well, does that answer your fucking question, Itoshi?”

“Then, don’t cross it out. Don’t ever cross it out again.”

Cross what…out?

“I saw your letter,” Sae admitted, causing a momentary confusion to wash over you. 

My letter… Bewildered, you couldn't form the right words, and he took it as a sign to continue, and to close the distance between you to hold your hands.

“Tell me, how could I leave after reading that, knowing the only soul who truly knew me was here? You own me, Y/N.”

“I told you countless times before, you own me,” Sae reaffirmed, his grip on your hand tightening as he drew it closer to his lips, planting tender kisses upon your skin. 

“There was no one,” he continued, his words carrying a sense of reassurance. “And there's no other warmth comparable to yours that I'd ever let myself bask in. And if there's any, I'd be only fooling myself, pretending it was you instead.”

Sae's voice grew softer, yet resolute. “You own me, even when I'm on the other side of the world. You own me, Y/N. Even in the distance that separated us, even in the years that you claim I'm not."

He stepped closer, his eyes locked with yours, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. “No place can ever own me as much as you do. So, don't ever cross your I love you's to me. I want them – all. I don't want your sorry's.”

“But I’m sorry,” you whispered, for the last time. But Sae gently wiped away your tears.

“It's ‘I love you’ from now on.”

For a moment, you both stayed like that, trying to make up for the lost time. Sae, much like you, dreamed of the day he gets to hold you close once again. He dreamed of a day he gets to watch the sunset from the reflection of your eyes again.

Sae could go on and on listing a hundred more reasons why he shouldn't be standing here, and yet he knew, only one of it was true – and that he hated himself for convincing himself that he shouldn't be here – to you, in his hometown.

Sae may have vowed to never come back to this place, but it was always a lie, because for all he knew, it's the only place he truly belonged. Half of his heart was left here, with you.

“Come on,” Sae said, and you followed him, curiosity in your eyes.

“Where are we going?”

“There,” Sae pointed to the beach, your spot, specifically. “To our place. The sky looks pretty, and I want it to know about us, again.”

“Us... again?” you asked hesitantly.

“If you would take me back.” Sae answered, a hint of fear in his eyes, afraid that he might be assuming this second chance for the two of you.

You took his hand in response, and squeezed it three times. “I want nothing more than to be with you, again.”

Without any more words, Sae gently cupped your cheeks, his touch sending shivers down your spine. The touch of his fingers was both familiar and new.

In the fading light of the day, his eyes bore into yours with an intensity that made your heart race. The anticipation hung heavy in the air as you leaned closer to each other, your breath hitched as his warm breath mingled with yours.

His lips were soft against yours, and as they moved with a tenderness that mirrored the way he held you, it was as if he was trying to convey everything he had ever wanted to say to you in that one, passionate moment.

The kiss deepened, and you could feel the intensity of his emotions pouring into it. It was a kiss that spoke of all the words left unsaid, of all the nights spent missing each other, and of all the dreams of a future together.

Feeling the tears streaming down your cheeks, Sae pulled back slightly, just enough to look into your eyes. And in that moment, he knew that he was exactly where he was meant to be – here.

To you, in his hometown. 

💭 thank you for the request saetorinrin! (i owe you a lot for your patience i guess..)

note. hi. if you’ve been here before, you might know that i hate this trope with a burning passion, i just can’t write it for the life of me. i started this in may (and only had the guts to finish it this month lmao), i was so tempted to delete everything and start from scratch (for the nth time) but i think i owe it to myself to retain most of what i wrote when i was stranded on an island xd this isn’t my best, that, i know for sure. but i hope you’ll still like it ! 

💌 if you reached this part, and you want to know about reader’s letter that sae’s was referencing, here it is. you may or may not read this, it won’t really matter. but if you want to, click until the end :>

💭 back to: milestone event

okaaay soo hii

what about aiku oliver x m reader but the reader is opposite of oliver? (idk the genre😓)

ill keep leading you on, if you keep leading me into your room

hi :3 THIS TOOK SO LONG GRAAH

school au // oliver aiku x m!reader

warning(s): cursing, enemies to lovers troupe(?), slightly suggestive

you were the loner of your school. if not, then one of the loners. you didn’t have much friends and you weren’t very liked, but that didn’t bother you one bit. you were fine with your current friends and you weren’t bombarded with school kids trying to talk to you. your school life was easy; good grades, teachers liked you. school couldn’t have been better, right?

you were fine in school, if oliver aiku didn’t try to strike a conversation with you.

oliver was the womanizer of your school. rumor has it that he’s slept with half the cheer team! crazy, right? he’s popular amongst the entire campus. not only was oliver attractive, he was also athletic and flirty; what most school-girls would want in a man.

he could have almost anyone he wanted; he could’ve went for the cutest girl or the prettiest boy, but no. he unfortunately chose you as his victim. he’d always talk to you whenever he saw the opportunity to. it was annoying.

you were invited to a party— a frat-party— and you originally decided not to go, but who were you to miss out on an opportunity to have fun? and it was just for one night, as long as you didn’t participate in any alcoholic beverage consumption.

but what was so annoying, was that oliver was going to the party too.

everything was going well. you were on a soft, cream-colored couch which seemed awfully unfortunate if a drink would’ve spilled and ruined it. you were about to take a sip of your punch until you felt a pair of muscular arms wrap around your waist. the person let out a soft sigh; you smelt a hint of alcohol.

“(name)..” the person muttered. you recognized that voice; it was oliver.

you rolled your eyes and let out an annoyed sigh. this didn’t go unnoticed by oliver. “is (name) mad..? (name) is mad, isn’t he?” he teased, a soft chuckle coming out of his lips. “come on, pretty boy. don’t be like that..”

he leaned in closer to your neck, planting a soft kiss onto the nape.

“what do you want now?” you groaned, trying to pry oliver off of you.

“i want you, (name). let loose and have some fun with me, won’t you?” he pleaded, placing another kiss onto your neck.

oliver climbed over the couch and sat next to you. he held onto your waist tighter than before. “i promise i won’t do a hit and run.. i’ll stay with you— i want to stay with you, pretty..” he muttered, taking in your scent.

you bit the inside of your lip. you’d be lying if you said that you didn’t find oliver attractive at all. his words left a bittersweet feeling. “stop playing, oliver.” you sighed.

“but i’m not, pretty.. i like you— a lot..” he said as he slid his hand under your shirt. “i want you and only you.. please..?”

he sounded so genuine. he wanted to sound genuine— you weren’t just a boy to him. you stole his heart and he let you take it without a second thought. you gave him the fluttering sensation in his stomach that he’s never felt with anyone but you. he wanted to give you those butterflies; he wanted you to let him love you.

he kept leaving small kisses on your neck and occasionally your shoulder. “i love you, pretty. i love you so much.” he muttered into your shoulder. “my pretty boy.”

all his sweet words and sayings couldn’t go unnoticed. it made you shiver; it made you blush. he was so gentle— so genuine. you just had to give in to him.

he started sucking the pulse-point on your neck. he loved you so much and he was expressing it to prove it.

he pulled back after a few seconds; softly kissing the hickey that he just gave you— a hickey that you let him give you. “i wanna be yours, i wanna give you all my love. please..?” he begged as he pulled you onto his lap.

you hesitated a moment before muttering a small “okay”, giving him the consent to give you the feelings that you gave him. opposites really do attract.

i lof chase atlantic 😣