[aimiya] Once Again
TITLE: Once Again
PAIRING: Aiba Masaki/Ninomiya Kazunari
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Angst, romance
LENGTH: 1399 words
A/N: Written for rainbowfilling. Prompt was “Once Again".
"Kazu, do you remember the first time we took the train home together?" The older man whispered, ignoring the strange looks the kids sitting across from them gave him as they looked up from their iPhone8s. They were loud and ignorant, much like he and Nino had been on their countless journeys home together, he imagined. Barely anything had changed over the years, the trains which ran along the Soubusen still had their bright yellow stripes, still had their rickety exterior and interiors plastered with colorful advertisements promoting this seasons latest dramas, movies and books.
The train pulled in at the next stop and a group of schoolgirls joined their carriage, one of them suddenly squealing and gathering her friend's attention, pointing at the advertisement which hung beside the train doors. "Look, look! It's Marius-kun! He's so cute!!" She said excitedly, and there was a murmur of agreement before 5 cellphones were out and aimed at the colored poster.
He and Nino had once been up there too, Aiba thought, with their equally charming idol smiles capturing the hearts of thousands of Japanese fans. He wondered how many people whipped out their phones for them. Had they had the same effect? No-one would take a second glance at them now, they had long advanced and integrated into the bulk of Japan's aging society, becoming just another set of people others would bow lowly and offer their seats to. Sure nobody would argue that they hadn't aged well, but it wasn't surprising they no longer had the idol-factor. He clutched Nino tighter and continued to speak, glad that by now most of the passengers had alighted or were engrossed in their electronic devices.
"I asked you where you lived and when I realized your station was along the same train line as mine I got so excited that I started jumping up and down and then you turned away and pretended you had somewhere to be. Were you embarrassed, Kazu?"
He paused, recalling the scene clearly and seeing himself from the younger man's point of view for the first time. He must have looked like a maniac bursting out in excitement like that. It was no wonder Nino had slightly retreated and held an awkward grimace on his face. He chucked to himself briefly, stroking Nino gently.
"I'm glad that you still agreed to go home with me that afternoon though. I remember you didn't say much at all during the trip, it was mostly me talking and you nodding and agreeing, wasn't it? Were you shy, Kazu?"
Aiba remembered the train ride, remembered how much he had talked and how silent the younger boy had been. There'd been no awkwardness though, Nino's eyes were bright and questioning the entire way, somewhat like an eager lost puppy. It was endearing. He was adorable.
"We started going home together almost every day after that though, didn't we, Kazu? Remember all those times you made me buy you ramen? I guess you enjoyed my company. I'm glad."
Aiba smiled, feeling Nino's weight against his body. Feeling his presence. The silent comfort flooded through him just like it had all those years ago when they boarded this train and had finally found someone to talk to, a friend, someone who'd listen no matter how random his topics of conversation were.
The train rattled in to Aiba's stop and the two men alighted in sync, watching from the platform as the train doors closed up and the train departed. Aiba gave a weak smile and waved until the last carriage of the train disappeared into the horizon.
Nino would often get off at Aiba's stop and go to his house. Aiba always said it was because he liked him but Nino would always argue that he was actually more drawn to Aiba's family and food than the lanky hyena-voiced boy. Reasons aside, more often than not the Aiba household found themselves with an extra son, and Aiba found himself with an extra best friend.
They left the station together and started up the familiar journey towards Aiba's house, the older man's slightly wavering footsteps effortlessly kicking up light particles of dirt off the ground. Aiba continued to talk, and Nino continued to listen silently, just like he had done the first time they had navigated these streets together.
"Do you remember this hill, Kazu?"
They'd reached a green field, patchy in some areas but nonetheless refreshing to the eyes, a large expanse of nature splayed out in the suburbs of Chiba. There were flowers of all colors swaying gently in the afternoon breeze, and a gravel path which led up to a large oak tree at the top of the hill.
"You confessed to me here one afternoon on our way back to my house. You made me close my eyes and promise not to peek, and then you took me by the hand and led me up this hill. I kept asking what you were doing and where we were going but you just pulled and pulled. I was so confused, Kazu, but I trusted you, and let you guide me."
As Aiba retold the story he led Nino up the hill, the gravel beneath his feet crunching under each labored step of his soles.
"You said "We're here!" and clapped your hands. I was still blindfolded so I couldn't see, but you sounded so happy, Kazu, I could hear it in your voice. You told me to sit down against this tree so I did, and then you pushed something into my hands. I asked for permission to open my eyes and you giggled softly, saying "Duh, idiot!" You sounded nervous, Kazu, were you nervous?"
They'd reached the top of the hill, the spot where the grand oak tree stood strong and tall. Aiba's heart thudded in his chest, suddenly anxious. His breaths came unevenly.
"I opened my eyes and looked down into my hands. You'd given me a necklace, a simple silver ring on a equally simple chain. I asked what it was for, and you simply pointed at the ring, telling me to take a closer look. You had "Soubusen Pair: KN♡AM" engraved on it."
Aiba reached around his neck and produced the said ring, running his fingertips over the worn lettering once again. His hands were shaky, his lips trembling.
"And then, then you smiled and showed me the identical one which hung around your neck. Do you know how happy I was, Kazu?"
He hugged Nino tighter than he had ever hugged him before.
"Do you know how happy I am, Kazu? To have known, loved and been loved by someone like you. Do you know how lucky I am?"
The emotions spilled out like an ocean wave entering a bottle, and Aiba dropped to his knees, Nino held protectively in his hands.
"I love you, Kazunari: my best friend, lover and soul mate. Thank you for giving me a chance and for loving me too." Aiba said in almost a whisper, his voice cracking up as he let the tears flow freely down his face.
Kazunari,
I hope you enjoyed your last Soubusen trip as much as you did your first.
Until the next time,
Soubusen Pair: AM♡KN
R.I.P.
The simple plaque Aiba nailed on the tree shone gently under the setting sun, taking a fragment of the man's once-renowned smile with it. He placed the urn in the pre-dug hole by the base of the tree and covered it up carefully, doing his best to stop his fingers from trembling but it was difficult with the way his body shook from his now uncontrollable sobbing.
He clutched the two silver rings that now hung around his neck tightly as he lowered his head and knelt before the makeshift resting place. "Wait for me okay, Kazu?" His unanswerable question carried on into the darkening sky, and then there was nothing but silence and a slight gust of wind that briefly rustled the leaves of the aged tree.
The man bowed his head one last time and wiped away his tears, composing himself as best he could before forcing himself to get up and walk away, heading home alone for the first time in over 30 years.
Aiba Masaki never once boarded the Soubusen again, but they say he passed on at peace.
*~*
A/N: Well there you have it, my first angst fic. I really hope I did it justice... comments are loved! All due respects to Nino of course, this is entirely fiction.