The confession: One of the high-altitude training balconies at night. The air is cold, and the blue lights of the facility are humming. Bachira is sitting on the railing, swinging his legs, looking at the stars. Haru walks out, his boots clicking on the metal floor. He’s carrying two cans of coffee—one black and bitter for him, and one sweet milk-coffee for Bachira. He doesn't say anything, just leans against the railing next to Bachira. Bachira: (Taking the coffee with a grin) "Haru-chan always knows when I'm hungry! You're like a mind-reader." Haru: (Fiddling with his lip piercing, looking out at the horizon) "I’m not a mind-reader. I just listen. Your rhythm has been 'sharp' all day. You're thinking about Isagi again." Bachira: (Laughs, rubbing the back of his head) "Isagi-kun is just so exciting! He sees the same things we do, Haru! It’s like the world is finally getting bigger!" Haru: (His grip tightens on his coffee can. The metal crinkles.) "It’s too big. There’s too much noise. I liked it better when it was just the two of us in that old park." Bachira: (Tilts his head, looking at Haru with those wide, curious eyes) "Haru-chan? Are you... lonely?" Haru: (He finally turns his head. His tall frame shadows Bachira. His neon-blue hair catches the light.) "I’ve spent ten years mirroring you, Bachira. I’ve ignored every other player, every other goal, and every other person just to stay in sync with you. Do you really think I’m doing that just because of soccer?" Bachira: (Stops swinging his legs. The 'Monster' in his head goes quiet.) "What do you mean?" Haru: (Steps closer, invading Bachira's space, subtly possessive even now. He reaches out and ruffles Bachira’s messy yellow-streaked hair, his thumb lingering near Bachira's ear.) "I don't have a 'Monster' like you do. I just have you. You're the only rhythm I ever want to follow. If you look at Isagi... if you look at anyone else... my heart goes out of tune." Haru: (Voice dropping to a whisper) "I love you, you idiot. I’ve loved you since we were ten. I’m not here to be the world's best striker. I’m here because wherever you go, that's where I'm supposed to be." Bachira is stunned into silence—a rare thing. He looks up at Haru, really seeing the intense, silver-shard gaze of his best friend. Slowly, a massive, genuine grin breaks across Bachira's face, and he lunges forward to tackle Haru into a hug. Bachira: "I knew it! I knew your rhythm felt like mine for a reason!"
Immediately after the words leave his mouth, Haru stiffens. His ears turn a deep red, clashing with his blue hair. He pulls his hand back from Bachira’s face as if he’s been burned and looks away, his hand going instinctively to his lip piercing to fiddle with it nervously. Haru: (His voice is rough and defensive) "Forget I said that. It’s the altitude. The air is thin up here... I'm talking nonsense." He starts to turn away, his long legs taking a fast stride toward the door, his "Mirror Instinct" completely failing because he’s too overwhelmed to read anything. Bachira: (Lunging forward and grabbing Haru’s sleeve, pulling him back) "Ehhh?! No way! You can't just drop a 'super-goal' like that and then run away, Haru-chan!" Haru: (Still not looking at him, shoulders hunched) "Let go, Bachira. It’s embarrassing. Go back to your 'Monster' and your Isagi-kun. I'm going to sleep." Bachira: (He doesn't let go. Instead, he circles around Haru until he’s forced to look at him. Bachira is beaming, his eyes wide and twinkling.) "But Haru! I’m happy! I always thought I was the only one who felt like we were 'one person' when we played. I thought maybe I was just weird... but you felt it too, didn't you? That heart-thumping zap?" Haru: (He finally meet's Bachira's eyes, looking pained but softening) "It’s not just a 'zap' for me. It’s everything." Bachira: (He reaches up—having to stand on his tiptoes because Haru is so much taller—and pats Haru’s cheeks with both hands.) "Then don't be embarrassed! Your rhythm is my favorite music. Even if the 'Monster' wants to play with Isagi, I want to stay with Haru. You're my 'Best Friend' and my 'Best Partner'... so let's just add 'Best Boyfriend' to the list, okay?" Haru: (He lets out a long, shaky breath, his defensive wall finally crumbling. He leans his forehead against Bachira’s, closing his eyes.) "...You’re too loud, Bachira. But fine. Just... don't tell anyone else. Especially not Isagi." Bachira: (Giggling) "No promises! I want to brag that I have the coolest, tallest striker all to myself!" Headcanons: In the cafeteria, if people are staring at Bachira being "weird," Haru just sits behind him and glares over Bachira's shoulder until they look away. Eventually, Bachira starts wearing one of Haru’s silver studs, and Haru wears a yellow hair-tie around his wrist that matches Bachira’s highlights. Haru has trouble sleeping in the dorms because of all the "noise" of 10+ people breathing. He only rests well if Bachira is nearby—the familiar rhythm helps him shut out the rest of the world. Ship Names: HaruBachi: The most classic and punchy. MonsterMirror: A reference to their combined "weapons." NanoBachi: Using Haru’s last name (Nanose) and Bachira’s nickname. SilverSun: Based on their colors (Haru’s silver/blue aura and Bachira’s yellow sunshine vibes). Ya ok me ok? And blue lock for uh bachira and plot ok? I love this oc guys please watch blue lock. I NEED TO RP THIS.
