Sleep

The Words We Shared are All Still There to Show Us Where We'd Been

Beyblade Burst - Hae-Jin Oh & Akira Hinode

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Hae-Jin didn't understand the concept of a sun and moon relationship. That was, until Akira entered his life.

Akira, who couldn't be more different than him. Who was a guitarist while Hae-Jin hadn't even touched an instrument before. Who was too hyperactive for Hae-Jin's calm attitude. Who wore jeans and band shirts while Hae-Jin preferred button-ups and dress pants.

Akira, who Hae-Jin never thought he'd meet, but who he now couldn't imagine his life without.

Akira, who was currently playing the guitar outside Hae-Jin's house.

It was early evening, the sun halfway done its descent for the day. It casted a lilac and light pink sky over Beigoma, the town slowing down as less cars travelled the small city streets. The sky was interrupted by the occasional star, few visible until later. The air held a certain chill, but after the warm spring day, the cool breeze was welcomed.

Hae-Jin let out a small sigh before exiting his townhouse.  He knew the sleep-deprived Canadian who would be sitting on his front step, the soft strums of his guitar giving him away.

Hae-Jin stepped outside, locking his door as silent as he could manage. Akira didn't look at him despite the slight noise, his eyes fixed on the peach coloured sky above them. His hands gently brushed the guitar strings, having memorised what notes to play.

Hae-Jin sat down, Akira continuing to play his song. Neither spoke for the first few minutes.

"New song?" Hae-Jin finally asked, not recognizing the song Akira was playing. He knew it probably had lyrics, but it was rare Akira would sing along to what he was playing. The times he did were hyped on caffeine, sugar, or both. Those times were never enjoyable for either of them.

"New EP." Akira responded, twisting one of the tuning pegs ever so slightly.

Hae-Jin knew the band he was playing; it was always the same one. "You really are a Canadian at heart, you know that, right?"

"Yeah." Was Akira's response so quiet he could barely be heard over the sounds of his guitar.

Hae-Jin didn't pry Akira further, enjoying the breeze that blew through his hair. Akira often took time to find what to say, and Hae-Jin was always willing to give him as much time as he needed.

"I'm sorry." Akira said after a few moments, looking down at his instrument as he fidgeted with its strings.

Hae-Jin looked over at him, Akira's brown eyes not meeting Hae-Jin's concerned hazel ones.

Akira didn't specify what he was apologising for, but he didn't need to.

Hae-Jin spared a glance at his left hand, wrapped tightly in bandages from a broken wrist. The scrawled names of Aiger, Ranjiro, and Fubuki could be found on it, along with doodles from Naru. Akira's name wasn't there at all, nor the signature half moons he always drew.

"I'm not mad." Hae-Jin replied.

"I hurt you."

"You didn't mean it."

Akira didn't respond to that, looking in front of them at his parked Chevrolet Malibu. Small, but noticeable, tears pricked his eyes.

"M' cat's in there."

Hae-Jin stood without hesitation. "I'll grab her."

"I had the choice between her and my guitar." Akira stopped playing, slumping his head in his lap. "I keep choosing music over people."