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The last time Tooru had seen that smile had been at the airport, back home.
Home.
What an odd thought to have after all the years that had passed. All it took was that smile and Argentina melted away.
The first time he had seen that smile was when they were children, running around in his back yard, Iwa-chan trying to show Tooru the first bug he’d caught. It was a beetle, Tooru remembered well. It was black and shiny and had creepy spiky legs. Iwa-chan was so proud, so Tooru tried to stomach his panic. He failed spectacularly.
Now, he saw that smile again. Recognized it like he would an old address, constant and ever present in the back of his mind. Home.
“Well, if it isn’t Shittykawa,” Iwa-chan grinned, crossing his arms. Excitement thrummed in Tooru’s chest.
“Iwa-chan, that’s mean,” Tooru complained, but he couldn’t keep the smile off his face.
Something in Iwa’s face softened, like he’d missed hearing that name. “It’s been too long, Tooru.” He pulled Tooru into a fierce hug, one he easily returned.
“Hey,” Tooru greeted into his shoulder, squeezing tight.
“Hi,” Iwa-chan whispered close to his ear. It sent a shiver down his spine.
He’d missed Iwa, far too much to allow himself to think about it. He tried not to. He tried not to think of the boy that caught bugs and huddled under blanket forts with him, the boy that would bandage his scraped knees and scold him for being too clumsy, the boy who rolled his eyes at him and still couldn’t help loving him. He tried not to think about the boy who’d press him against the bed and kiss him until they were both dizzy, the boy who held his hand after they lost a match, the boy who stayed beside him until…until he couldn’t follow anymore. He tried not to, but always failed spectacularly.
And here he was now, no longer a boy, but a man. A man Tooru wasn’t sure would still return his feelings.
“Hey, Shittykawa?”
“Yeah, Iwa-chan?”
“I missed you,” Iwa said, pulling away, and reaching to hold his face. The words made Tooru flush, the thumb brushing his cheek making his heart thunder.
Tooru managed a strangled laugh. “I missed you, too.” He leaned into Iwa’s touch, relishing the warmth of his palm, committing it to memory.
Iwa leaned his forehead against Tooru’s, like he was waiting for him to pull away, to stop him. Tooru felt himself smile.
“Oh, Hajime,” he whispered, hearing how Iwa’s breath caught. He leaned forward, closing the distance. Iwa’s mouth was as warm as he remembered it, soft and patient. As patient as he always was with Tooru. Tooru smiled against his lips, half convinced he was being delirious. Delirious because the person his heart ached for the most was encasing him in his arms, like old, dented puzzle pieces that still fit together, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. His hands came up to Iwa’s face, running up into his hair. Every tug, every bite, every lick was a piece that’d been missing.
A soft sigh came from Iwa when he pulled away. Tooru bit back a whine.
“Fuck, I missed you,” Iwa breathed, looking as flushed as Tooru felt. Tooru grinned.
He leaned into Iwa, whispering in his ear, “That can be arranged.” He tugged on his earlobe lightly for emphasis. Not that he needed it, if the change in Iwa’s grip said anything.
“God, I hate you,” Iwa whispered back. Tooru pulled away to find Iwa a new shade of red, and his grin widened. He was beyond delighted. He’d missed this, too. Making Iwa-chan blush like there was no tomorrow. He wrapped his arms around Iwa’s neck, bringing him in for a brief kiss. Something in his chest settled. Like it decided the yearning was finally over. At least for now.
Even after all the years, all the matches, all the miles between them, Tooru still heard the words Iwa left unsaid. Time did nothing to change the way they could understand each other with few or no words at all.
“I love you, too,” Tooru said against his lips.
Home.