Disclaimer: Free! and all related characters and concepts belong to KyoAni; I don't own or claim to own anything.
Summary: "Sunshine?" Nagisa poses the question sweetly, and Rei chokes, the book nearly slipping from his hands./ Giftfic for Kerah. Cross-posted from my tumblr account.
Back to You
"Sunshine?" Nagisa poses the question sweetly, and Rei chokes, the book nearly slipping from his hands.
"A-absolutely not," the bespectacled boy says hotly. He returns his gaze to his book, tucking his chin in in an attempt to hide the flush that has begun to creep up his neck.
"Darling?" The bed dips as Nagisa joins him on it. Rei keeps his eyes fixed steadfastly on the paragraph in front of him, because he knows that if he looks up those vibrant eyes will be watching him with mischief. "Precious? Dear heart?"
Rei shakes his head, and turns the page over. His ears are burning, and when he lifts one finger to push up the bridge of his glasses, he finds that his hand is unsteady.
"Love? Sweetheart? Dear?"
The pet names roll of his tongue with an eagerness that makes Rei waver, and the rustling of blankets announce that Nagisa is shuffling towards him. "Nagisa," the taller boy sighs, trying for disapproval, but the blond cuts him off before he can finish the sentence.
"I just want to have a special name for you, Rei-chan." A thin-wristed hand tugs the book down away from Rei's face, and he finally gathers enough courage to look up.
Nagisa is sitting just a hairbreadth away from him, his legs tucked up underneath him on the bedspread. His fair hair is tousled around his face, and there's a shine in his gaze that makes his cheeks flare with renewed heat.
Terms of endearment are foolish and a waste of time,he means to say, but what comes out is, "What's wrong with just calling me Rei-chan?"
Nagisa leans forward to kiss the tip of his nose, ignoring his spluttering in favour of pressing their foreheads together. "Yes, but anyone could call you Rei-chan," he says with a pout. "I want something that only I can call you."
His mouth skims Rei's blushing cheek, and the dark-haired boy can only sigh, his arms snaking up to wrap around his boyfriend's shoulders.
"'Dear' will work just fine."
