Cover image credit to WaCorori on DeviantArt ((wacorori . deviantart . com))

This fanfiction is the third part of the Found You Again trilogy.

A/N: Hello, and welcome back! For those of you confused about what this fic is, I highly recommend reading the prequels first: Found You Again and The Blue Lady. Links are available on my page. Don't worry; even though the first one is kinda long, it's a light read, and the sequel itself is very short! I will try to make it so that reading the prequels is not necessary in order to enjoy this story, however, they will heighten your enjoyment considerably, and make the events contained within make a lot more sense.

Yuuji Norita is that one guy who developed a crush on Nagisa during the crossdressing episode/chapter in the summer island arc. Yeah, that two-shot character. Yeah, I did just dedicate over a year of my life writing stuff about Nagisa and him. I dunno, I thought he had potential. And so here we are.

NOTE ON THE TIMELINE: My Yuujigisa works are meant to kinda float outside of the canon timeline, but I loosely imagine all this as taking place *halfway* through the final manga chapter. Basically, the Class E kids are all adults and taking care of their mountain, but Nagisa did not go on to become a teacher right away. He made…a different career choice instead. Another 2 years went by, during which the Class E kids began to settle into their careers and enjoy their adult lives. So basically, this takes place during the time skip, but in a slightly AU fashion where the skip is more extended.

One thing was for sure. Ever since that day on the summer island, Yuuji Norita's life had been anything but boring.

Yuuji tried to swallow down his nervousness as the three of them walked up the short path. The fine gravel crunched beneath his feet, the path's decorative edges spreading back to where two other figures followed behind him at a respectful distance. It was a new day, and the sun already rose high in the sky above. The dull air of Tokyo hung on the breeze.

Quickly, Yuuji snuck a glance at the two men behind him—one Karma Akabane, and a certain Nagisa Shiota.

Karma strode lazily by Nagisa's side. The red-haired man was almost ridiculously tall now, only adding onto his intimidating appearance. As usual, every step he took seemed to speak of confidence and felt designed to provoke challenge. His hair was styled and cut short. He wore the same plain suit that he had back in the hotel. Karma's movements were graceful, even with both hands shoved deep inside of his pockets, but his amber eyes sparkled and his mouth ticked upward into a smirk as if ready to let out the perfect quip at any moment.

And then there was Nagisa. Yuuji felt his mind skip a moment, unable to come up with any way to define the young man. Instead it left a space, as if preserving a pocket in the world for him to fill. Nagisa was the same as ever—short stature, watchful gaze, unassuming presence as he stepped after Yuuji. The young man's hair was a gentle blue, in stark contrast to Karma's, and tied up in pigtails. His eyes were the shade of the sea. He kept his hands relaxed down by his sides, face open and expression polite. If one didn't know better, it would be possible to mistake him for a girl upon first glance. Upon second glance, though, any person would soon realize that they had been sorely mistaken. Yuuji knew this first-hand.

With some concentration, Yuuji managed to tear his gaze away. As always, the sight of the young man made Yuuji feel inexplicably better.

For a second, memories overtook him. Yuuji still couldn't believe what had happened in the hotel—Nagisa returning, returning after seven long years, from a career that had turned out to be exactly what Yuuji had guessed, and saying that he still wanted to see Yuuji, reminding the two of them about everything that they had done as kids, of everything they had felt for one another, still felt, rediscovering that their feelings hadn't changed. Then the political assassination. Yuuji assisting Nagisa through the ballroom. The resulting danger, and the delivery of the reward money. Their hotel room…

A warm feeling shot through Yuuji's heart. If it was Nagisa, Yuuji thought, he almost didn't mind using the word "boyfriends" to describe what they were. No, Yuuji realized. Actually, he didn't mind it at all.

At last, they reached the gate. "Alright, here we are," Yuuji said, keying in the security code and placing one hand on the handle. "Since I was the one who invited both of you here, I hope you're not too disappointed."

When he looked back over his shoulder, Yuuji found the two men fixated on some spot above him. Nagisa was silent, staring up at the building in front of him with wide eyes. Karma didn't say a word, but he was looking as well, chin tilted slightly upwards to take in the sight with one eyebrow raised.

"Wow," Nagisa breathed. "This is your house?"

Yuuji blinked. "Um, yeah."

Slowly, Nagisa moved his head side-to-side as if to get a better look. "But it's got multiple rooms, and a balcony, and such huge windows and stuff… There's even a tree out front. I mean, is this really all for one person?"

To the side, Karma stifled a laugh. "Nagisa, I'm pretty sure most houses have 'multiple rooms'," he sniggered.

Nagisa's expression turned sheepish. "You know what I mean!"

Yuuji watched the two of them, a slight confusion churning in his gut. "Well, yeah," Yuuji said. "It's not too much to take care of, or anything. I live alone, so it's not like stuff really piles up around the place…"

Privately, Yuuji's mind raced to think of what on earth they could be fixated on. He was a young adult, independent from his parents, with his own life to live, and had a steady, high-paying income, for which he needed to commute to and from the city. What was weird about that? Admittedly, this house was a little closer in design to those from Western countries rather than Japanese ones, Yuuji would agree. But that was it.

"Is it really...that strange?" Yuuji asked, voice timid.

The two men just looked at him. "I'm pretty sure most people don't buy a whole house right after graduating college," Nagisa supplied.

Karma was silent, but from his stare, Yuuji could tell that he agreed.

Yuuji felt his face turn red. Cursing his genetics for making him a person who blushed so easily, Yuuji turned the gate handle, stepping through and motioning for the others to follow. "W-well it was more like a graduation present," he stammered. "My parents helped out with buying it, and helped me set it up, but it's my name on the deed and everything. I mean, I'm pretty established in my job at the moment, so it's not like I'm going anywhere. Might as well have a strong base. Plus, land was really cheap when we were looking around here…"

He muttered further weak explanations as he led the two men to the door. Standing in the high-arched entryway, Yuuji squirmed uncomfortably. "It's not a big thing, really," Yuuji mumbled, wishing to god that this wouldn't embarrass the two men or make them feel uncomfortable.

Nonetheless, the three of them went inside. They paused in the entryway to take off their shoes, Yuuji opening up a small closet for their coats. The interior of the house was warmly lit, although sparsely decorated. The hallway surrounding them was made from wood paneling and cream-colored walls.

Eventually, they gathered around the low-lying table in Yuuji's living room, sitting down with a few scattered sighs. Karma brought out drinks and placed them on the tabletop, making Yuuji first feel embarrassed that he hadn't offered anything to his guests, then annoyed as he realized that Karma must have snuck into the kitchen and snagged them from the refrigerator when Yuuji hadn't been looking. When Yuuji glared, Karma's only response was a mischievous smile.

"So," Karma said, popping open a can of soda. "This is where life finds us after so many years."

"Yep," said Nagisa, accepting a can when Karma offered.

"Kinda strange, isn't it?" Yuuji joined, not wanting to feel left out. A wistful smile came to his face. "Feels like things went by so slow and yet so fast."

Karma snorted. "Yeah, but when some things are important, you remember them as if they were yesterday." He cast another glance around. "But for real, though. This is a nice place."

Yuuji scratched the back of his head self-consciously. "Thanks."

"I see you've been making quite the name for yourself."

"It's nothing, really," Yuuji said on automatic. Ah yes. The familiar, ritualistic patterns of adult conversation.

"And speaking of jobs…" Karma turned his attention across the table. "That reminds me of what we were talking about back at the hotel. Our dear Nagisa, becoming an actual assassin." Karma waggled his eyebrows at the man seated across from him. "Just couldn't stay away, huh?"

Nagisa's only response was a quiet smile. "Like you're one to talk," he replied. "Last I heard, you were in another line of business, Karma. Something rather similar."

"Only every now and then," came the smooth reply.

Sitting behind his drink can, Yuuji felt his blood run cold for a moment. Something similar? His mind raced. Had the top two members of Class E both ended up in the same line of work? And he had both of them just sitting casually at his table?

Karma waved at Yuuji. "Oh, I've been working as a hired bodyguard," he explained. "You would never believe the amount of paranoid fat-cats out there…or actually, maybe you would, hm? Anyway, once people hear that I was in Class E, they're usually only too happy to accept that as qualification. The jobs pay well, and it gives me an outlet for our more…physical skills."

"You mean it's a good excuse to beat someone up," Nagisa chimed in from the side.

Karma shrugged. "True, too true."

Yuuji shifted uncomfortably in his seat. So he was right to be uneasy around Karma. He could tell that the man had been slightly joking, but still. Wow. Yuuji let out a breath. These people really were incredible.

"Didn't you say something else in the hotel, though?" Yuuji blurted out before he could think. "I thought you mentioned other stuff, like the police force, or…I dunno, the military?"

"Oh yeah," Karma drawled, sounding bored. "I did look into the police, but it's not my kind of life. As for the military, honestly I feel like they've got enough of us suckers already. I need something with a little more…entertainment factor."

He grinned—a terrible, wolfish showing of fangs. "I'm currently scoping out another place. Seeing how it works, checking for cracks. Despite doing all this other stuff, I've still managed to keep my eye on an even bigger prize, y'know? And the entrance exams for government officials will be held soon."

Karma straightened up and held his head high. "I'm gonna be a bureaucrat. And this government will work for me."

Yuuji fought to keep his face neutral as a shiver slid down his spine. He took it all back. That was even more terrifying to think of.

But Nagisa just gave a short laugh. "As expected of Karma. Only you could have such razor-sharp focus, and keep up with your studies in secret for so long."

Then Nagisa's grin became teasing. "You know Karma, you talk big, but I bet it's all one big charade. Once you're in power, you'll be able to pull a bunch of strings from the shadows. That's what you've always talked about, right? And if it's you, with your brilliant mind, I'm sure you could change a lot of things for the better."

Karma's smirk faded into something almost self-conscious. "Tch. Who says I was gonna phrase it like that? I'm just doing what I know best, that's all. Just like that old octopus said, we all have to help the world with our own talents. And this is mine."

For a moment, Karma's expression softened as he looked back over at Nagisa. "Sometimes, after an awful lot of trouble, all you gotta do is return to your strengths."

Then Karma shrugged. "Y'know, I think all we need to know, we learned in middle school," he said. "Social stuff, how to navigate what other people think of you, how to keep up with your work, what kind of person you are, et cetera. Oh, and don't forget learning how to save the world." He said the last bit with a straight face.

Against Yuuji's best efforts, he found himself holding back a chuckle. "Hey, some of us learned how to save the world," he interjected. Yuuji shook his head. "Not all of us went to Kunugigaoka."

Karma returned a grin. He flourished one hand out toward Nagisa. "And what are you going to do, Nagisa? Are you just staying in Tokyo for a while before your next assignment, or?"

Yuuji's stomach twisted for a brief moment at the man's words, and he took a sip of his drink in order to hide it. This was the moment he had been fearing. Yuuji didn't want to admit it, but that was a question he had too. He gripped his drink. The two of them had just gotten back together, he reflected. Surely Nagisa wouldn't… So soon?

Nagisa looked down at the table. His fingers tapped lightly against the side of his drink can. "Actually," he said, "I'm…thinking of taking a break."

Out of the corner of his vision, Yuuji's saw Karma's eyes go wide. "What?" Karma exclaimed.

Nagisa gave a calm nod. "I mean, just taking it easy," he explained. "I've worked hard these past few years, and it's made me learn a lot about the profession. Either way, I've been thinking that it might be good to lay low for a while, especially after doing so much across so many different border lines."

"I know it's not common, especially in this line of work," Nagisa said, sipping his drink, "but I think I should have built up at least a little bit of a buffer with my recent jobs. Being back in my home country is… Well, it's a nice feeling. But also very strange. I want to enjoy it. And I've been thinking about what I want to do in the future."

Yuuji was too stunned to speak. His eyes felt frozen wide. It couldn't be. Nagisa, who had always shown such talent for the assassination arts, who had seemed bent on that track from day one of them meeting…he was taking a break from his work? But at the same time, Yuuji couldn't deny that he felt a light buzz of relief at the thought. Burning with shame, he stared down at the table in frustration with himself. Dammit, Yuuji cursed inside his head, if he loved Nagisa, he should support him no matter what, right? ...Right? God, why was this suddenly so difficult?

"Oh, I see," Karma muttered, slowly recovering from his shock. "Well, it's your life. I guess none of us can really force you into doing anything."

Then a thought seemed to occur to him. "Ah, whoops," Karma said, turning to Yuuji, his tone as casual as talking to a stranger on the sidewalk. "My bad. This has got nothing to do with you."

Yuuji blinked. "What?"

Nagisa frowned across the table. "Nothing to do with him? He's our friend!"

"But we're talking about, like, some pretty serious stuff here," Karma said. "I just mean that he- you-" he said, turning for a moment to Yuuji, "-shouldn't have to worry about it. It's not anything that's he's involved in. We gotta at least be considerate of who gets caught up in the fallout, Nagisa."

"He's not collateral!"

"Still, it is a bit dangerous, being involved with an assassin," Karma maintained. "Or with conspirators. He's not even a member of Class E, how would he have the background for this stuff?"

The two of them talked on and on, delving into terms and references to their shadowy other lives that Yuuji didn't understand. Yuuji found himself confined to the sidelines, trying time and time again to open his mouth and interrupt, but unable to ever find an opening. Irritation shot through his limbs once he realized he was being ignored. His fingers twitched with a sudden resolve. He wanted to do something. Needed to.

"I can help!" Yuuji burst out.

The two men looked at him with pure confusion.

"I can help you guys out," Yuuji repeated. "All of you, I mean. 'Cause of my job." Excitement bubbled up within Yuuji as he concentrated on talking, deciding to not think too hard about what he was doing at the moment. "Look, I might not be the strongest, or have any of your special training. But as a news anchor, that gives me control over something even more valuable: information. What the public knows, what perspective they're given on it, how they feel about it, how it's presented…all of that depends on the use of my voice."

He continued on, eyes flashing with passion. "Names and places changed, edited, and so on, I can do that. I mean, I couldn't cover up a murder, but I could at least affect what people think about it. And usually, that means a lot. It can mean the difference between people talking about something for a week or for only a day. If you need a certain event emphasized, de-emphasized, that's all a question of coverage. And coverage is what I give."

"Of course, that's only possible to a certain extent," Yuuji admitted. "I couldn't mess with things too much or I'd risk my job, but…it's something at least. That would help, right?"

Karma stared back at him, unblinking. For a few seconds all was quiet. Then Karma turned to Nagisa. "Huh," Karma spoke. "I guess he's not so useless after all."

Nagisa just gave a soft smile. "Told you," he said, his voice bursting with pride.

Karma snorted. "Hmph." He cast a glance toward Yuuji and took another sip of his drink. "Alright, then. It's your choice if you wanna be involved or not. I'm just letting you know that I can't guarantee your safety."

"That's fine," Yuuji said. Briefly, he noticed that his heart rate and breathing were slightly faster than before. He felt ablaze with victory, every centimeter of him alive. Stifling it down, he looked towards Nagisa. "I just want to help Class E."

Nagisa nodded. The young man's expression was grateful but apologetic. "That's awful generous of you, Yuuji."

Yuuji shrugged and tried to hide the small grin that he felt in response. God, how immature—one bit of praise and he was all aglow inside! Keep it together, he ordered himself. "Just want to do my part," he mumbled.

A few moments of calm fell over the room. In their hush, quiet seconds came and went.

Then, Karma clapped his hands once for attention. "So, let's discuss," he said in the ensuing subject change. "What are we gonna do now?"

He pointed one finger towards Nagisa. "You just stated that you weren't leaving Japan for a while. I assume that means you're staying here in Tokyo?"

Nagisa's face held a slight frown, but the young man nodded.

"Then you'll need a place to stay. Actually, we might both need a place," Karma sighed. "I do have my own digs here, but they're only temporary."

Nagisa looked down at the table, hands holding the soda can in front of him. "I…suppose I do have my parents," he said hesitantly. "But I don't think I want to live with one of them. Explaining things would be hard. And I don't know how long I'd be staying for. Plus-" his fingers tightened on the drink can, "-I…kind of want some time to myself."

Karma nodded in response. There was a period of thoughtful silence. Then Karma turned to Yuuji. "Hey. How long does your 'you guys can stay at my place' invitation last?"

"Huh? Oh," Yuuji stuttered, startled. "Well, I didn't really think of a time limit. I mean, it's no problem, I've got plenty of room…"

A thought dawned upon all of them at the same time.

"Y'know," Karma gave a smirk, an electric feeling of anticipation beginning to crackle around the room, "My apartment isn't actually too far from here. It'd be a cinch to pack up a bag 'n come over for a while. So…"

Karma cocked an eyebrow. "Sleepover?"

"Sleepover!" Nagisa agreed, his face brightening.

Yuuji watched the other men's enthusiasm, losing himself in their excitement for a moment. Then he smiled, feeling himself relax. "Sure," Yuuji said. "We could do that."

Briefly, memories flashed through his mind. One day many years ago, when a teenaged Nagisa had come to stay the night, the both of them setting up futons in Yuuji's room, and the soft glow of Nagisa's hair in the moonlight. And other memories, much more recent. Yuuji coming home to his new house after work. Alone. The lights always being off. Turning on the hall lights and whispering 'I'm home', to no one. The outside dark, cold and gray.

Yuuji smiled to himself. Yeah. After so long, it might be nice to have company.

"Welp, that settles it." Karma rose from the table. With a nod to Yuuji, he cleared away his empty soda can and turned toward the door. "I'll go get my stuff. There's just a few things I'll need. Be right back, you two."

"Thank you, Yuuji," Nagisa spoke, also pushing himself away from the table and standing. Yuuji guessed that he probably had to get his stuff too, from wherever the young assassin had stashed it. Then Nagisa paused for a moment. "Are you really certain we can stay?" he checked.

"Of course," Yuuji assured him, waving away Nagisa's concerns with one hand. "It's no trouble. I'm happy to have you guys here."

A thought suddenly struck him. "Also, I'm a lot cheaper than a hotel," Yuuji joked. "So it only makes sense."

Nagisa laughed, making Yuuji's stomach swoop. He always laughed at Yuuji's stupid jokes. He always did. "I guess so," Nagisa said. His eyes still speaking of thanks, the young man gave a short bow and turned to leave.

Yuuji stared after him. A warm, light feeling was buzzing around Yuuji's shoulders, and he never wanted it to stop. Clearing his throat, Yuuji suddenly called out before the young man could leave. Anything to see that face one more time. "N-Nagisa?"

Nagisa paused. He turned to look back at Yuuji, frowning in confusion.

At the sight, Yuuji felt something that he couldn't quite describe. A genuine expression rose to the top and shone across his face. "Please," Yuuji said. "You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like."

A moment passed. Then, slowly, a small smile pulled at the edges of Nagisa's lips. It was a thin crescent, curtailed at the edges, shy and warm and bright and completely unforgettable, stunning like the hint of a sunbeam. Nagisa nodded at him in acknowledgement.

Then the young man disappeared behind the doorway.

Yuuji sat there as he heard the soft rustlings of his two new houseguests leaving, the door swinging open and shut. But they would be back. He knew they would. Yuuji sat and thought, feeling so many emotions he didn't even know how to begin sorting out. He thought about that smile, so much alike and yet so very different from the one he had gotten in a club long ago. Yuuji was so glad he had given up denying his feelings, leaving himself free to just enjoy this moment. He held that gift of warmth within him like a spark, hoping it would become a flame.

Slowly, Yuuji took a deep breath and let it out. His house was a mess, his life had just undergone a very important interruption, and he had two guests to care for. He couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

One thing was for sure. Yuuji was happier than he had been in a long, long time.