Archive of Our Own ^beta

Nagisa paces around the outside of the airport. He looks at every face that passes by, and he keeps wiping nonexistent dust from his pants.

He's an anxious mess. Which he shouldn't be since he's just seeing his boyfriend. 

After more than half a year… 

When said boyfriend was off in America with all those (Nagisa imagines) smoking hot men, all probably looking to experiment with a hot-looking asian…

Nagisa knows what those Americans think; he knows they have sick fetishes for Asians because they know their men won’t be nearly as pretty, handsome, and perfect as Karma (In Nagisa’s imagination, he’d think that they all assume every Asian comes pretty and perfect like Karma, but that’s just wrong; Karma’s one of a kind). 

Nagisa knows Karma would never fall for someone like that, but he can't help but feel self-conscious

Someone goes to tap him on the shoulder, but Nagisa senses it before they can even lift their hand

“Karma?” Nagisa exclaims a bit too early, as when he actually takes another millisecond to look at the person, he realizes it’s just Rio.

“I know you haven’t seen me in a while, but that’s a crazy mistake to make.” Rio smiles at him

“Hi, Rio, welcome home.” Nagisa greets

“Tch, always so polite.” Rio chuckles, “Yet, I’ve been here for three days and I haven’t had any blueberries showing up at my front door.”

“S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to, honest! It’s just–”

“Shut it with the excuses, Shiota. I forgive you… for now”

Nagisa knows he’s in for a treat now… 

They must of both heard footsteps because almost in sync, they turn to the source of the sound

“Karma!” They both yell in tandem

They both blush as they realize who they’re really talking to.

“Karasuma sensei, Bitch-sensei” Rio says bashfully

“Nakamura, Shiota,” Karasuma greets coolly

“You’re fluent in English, you know what you’re saying now,” Jelavitch comments blandly, “How are you brats doing?”

“I travelled the world, I don’t think I’ve ever been better!”

“I’m getting promoted to a teacher!”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Irina laughs at the enthusiasm of her former students. “Things are going well for you. I’m proud.” Karasuma nods in agreement

“Dawww, Bitch-sensei~” Rio coos

“Don’t worry, Ms.Bitch! We’re proud of you, too!” Nagisa assured

“I mean, you scored gold with Mr.Karasuma. We should be proud,” Kaede chimed in. Wait–

“Kaede?” Rio and Nagisa exclaim, meeting the now black-haired woman’s eyes. 

“Why’re you here, shorty?” Rio questions

“For the same reason everyone else standing in this spot is, I’m here to greet Karma when he comes home. He’s already picked me up from the airport multiple times. I can’t keep letting him do that, or else he’ll eventually hold it over my head.” Kaede laughs.

“I’m happy you’re here.” Nagisa smiles at his old friend. Kaede smiles back, a bit solemnly but sincerely.

“I’m happy to see you,” she responds

“So you’re all here to welcome Karma home?” Itona sneaks into the conversation, “I’m actually here more so for Tereska, I hope Karma doesn’t mind that I didn’t get a gift for him.”

Nagisa doesn’t bother to act surprised at Itona’s sudden appearance. “I’m sure he won’t mind! I already got him something, so I’m sure he won’t feel left out!” Nagisa beams

“I didn’t even know Tereska left…” Kaede admitted, her smile growing a bit strained.

“He wasn’t gone for very long; he just went to work a small job for Karma. He left two days ago.” Itona stated. “I’m here because I missed him while he was away…”

“Ugh. Clingy people like you make me sick.” Gakushuu scoffs at Itona snidely.

“Saying that while holding my hand is quite hypocritical.” Ren laughs at his boyfriend

“You’re supposed to back me up, Ren, not contradict me.” Gakushuu side-eyes his lover.

“Asano-san! Nice to see you!” Nagisa holds his hand out for a handshake. Gakushuu looks at Nagisa’s hand, then back at his face, he raises an eyebrow as if to say ‘Really?’. Nagisa chuckles nervously, “When did you get back to Japan?”

“Last I knew, you were up in America with Karma,” Rio says offhandedly

“I returned for my three-year anniversary with this idiot.” Gakushuu raises his hand while it’s still interlocked with Ren for emphasis. “I thought I’d welcome Karma home since we were in the area.”

“It’s a two-hour drive from where we’re staying, and we’ve been waiting here for hours.” Ren corrects

“Ren.” Gakushuu says sharply.

“He was going on and on about how he was happy that this ‘anniversary thing’ matched up so perfectly with Karma’s visit back home, because then he’d have a reason to welcome Karma back home.”

“Ren!” Gakushuu shoves Ren, not hard or anything, but enough to get the taller male to shut up.

“Sorry, love.”

“I’m not sure I forgive you.”

“It’s okay, I couldn't wait to see Karma too, I might have overpacked our day with too many things, actually… especially since it’s only his first day back… maybe I should cancel a few things…” Nagisa pulls out his trying to look for things he can move to a later date, so Karma’s not overridden with plans. “I definitely went overboard,” Nagisa whined

“Ugh, being so smitten with a person should be illegal.” Gakushuu comments

“Tsundere people like you disgust me.” Itona comments snidely, face still blank as ever.

“That’s rich coming from you.” Tereska responds, coming out the airport doors, he looks like he could’ve been on vacation, but the fact that he was holding way more suitcases than one person needed ruined the image. What also ruins the image is the much more laid-back, relaxed redhead carrying nil but a handbag (most likely for style), sliding his sunglasses up to get a better look at the group waiting for them outside the airport.

“Really? I see Itona as more Dandere” Karma says naturally, before turning to the group of people, “So… miss me?” Karma says, blatant and plain, and so, so true. Nagisa runs into his boyfriend's arms, embracing him in a heartfelt manner. Itona follows suit, taking to simply cuddling up near Tereska instead of fully embracing him.

“I missed you so much, I was about to fly over there myself!” Nagisa announces into his lover's shoulder, holding him close

“On a teacher’s salary? I doubt it.” Karma joked, “If it weren’t for your work, I’d be happy to buy your ticket.”

“I know you would.” Nagisa finally breaks apart from Karma to give him a little peck on the lips. He hears someone gag behind them.

“Disgusting.” Gakushuu states plainly. “Get a room.”

“For a peck on the lips? That’d be insane, what I’m gonna do to him later, though, we will need a room.” Karma winks at a quickly reddening Nagisa.

“Thanks for that horrible visual.” Gakushuu narrows his eyes at his best friend before sighing exasperatedly. “Welcome home, Akabane.” Gakushuu smiles softly, wrapping an arm around Karma’s neck and pulling him into a brotherly hug. “I’m man enough to admit I missed.”

“Aww, you’ve grown so much since I last saw you~”

“Shut up,” Gakushuu responds, letting Karma go.

“Karma!” Rio goes up to Karma and they fist bump in greeting. “Look at you, you said you were off to college, yet you come back looking like you had a year's vacation!”

“Says the woman who’s been to over 70 countries? Tell me, how many people have you hooked up with?” 

“I agree with Asano for once,” Rio jokes, “Shaddup, you jerk!” Rio laughs

“Stop that, you'll hurt my feelings,” Karma fake whines.

“As if something like this could harm your blackened heart,” Kaede states with a smile on her face.

“OH, I think I remember you, weren’t you the one who called me up a few weeks ago, saying ‘Karma, I know you're kinda far, but my chauffeur canceled and I need to get to my hotel’ knowing damn well you have several chauffeurs for that exact reason?” Karma asks rhetorically.

“Weren’t you the one who knew I had several chauffeurs on hand yet still came to pick me up at the airport?”

“Touché, Akamatsu.” Karma smirks. “But just so you know, I’m not seeing this as payback for me picking you up so many times, so count your days, little one.”

“I’m older than you.”

“I said, little one.” Karma laughs at Kaede’s perturbed face

“As the people before me once said, Shut up.”

“Hah, just so you all know, I’m taking your ‘shut up’s as ‘I love you’s”

“What else are they supposed to mean?” Gakushuu sighs

“Welcome home, Karma,” Sakakibara smiles at him.

“Ren, thanks for showing up,” Karma says respectfully

“I see Ren gets special treatment,” Irina says

“I was looking for you!” Karma goes up and hugs Irina. “Where’s Tadai?”

“Tadaomi is bringing the car around. I think he’s trying to figure out what to say to you when he sees you.” Irina answers, giggling a little at the prospect of her husband being shy to talk to their adopted son. These are the minor problems that one yearns for in their life, especially after everything they’ve been through.

“I only need him to say one thing to me,” Karma smiles softly

“Oh?” Irina asks

“That he’s happy to see me.”

Irina can’t help the sappy smile that spreads across her face. “He’s ecstatic to see you again, and so am I.”

“Welp, I’ve stuck around long enough. I have a flight to catch.” Kaede says as she walks towards the airport doors

“The fact that you had to be here takes away all sentiment of you welcoming me home,” Karma states

“I’ll give you a proper welcome when you come back to America. I’ll even give you a ride home.” Kaede says as she enters the airport.

Gakushuu turns to Karma, “You’re just one chore checked off the to-do list. I’ve got other places to be… But you'd better clear your calendar for tomorrow.”

“What he means to say is, he’s happy to see you, but we’ve still got an anniversary to celebrate; he’s booked an extensive schedule for you tomorrow so you two can catch up.” Ren corrects

“Ah, I’ve always wanted a Gakushuu interpreter.” Karma smiles, “I’ll clear my schedule, I’m all yours tomorrow."

Gakushuu huffs at Ren, then takes his hand, and they walk off to their car, finally starting their anniversary activities.

“And you two,” Karma points at Nagisa and Rio, “Are coming with me.”

“You’re lucky I didn’t drive here,” Nagisa sighs

“I’m technically not allowed to drive, so this is supes convenient for me,” Rio says naturally.

“Why–... Why aren’t you allowed to drive…?” Nagisa stammers; he worries about the response.

“No way! I’m not allowed to drive in Japan! Not ever since I ran that one dude over on purpose.”

“YOU DID WHAT!?” Nagisa feels offended that he didn't know about this.

“I remember that quite fondly.” The familiar voice of Karasuma quiets everyone. “If I could, I’d make it so you were banned from getting a license everywhere.”

“Tadai! You wound me~ The first thing you say to me when I get back, and it’s a reprimand.”

Karasuma smiles, and Karma goes in for a hug. “I missed you, Karma. I’m happy to see you.”

“No way…” Karma looks at Jelavitch, who shrugs. “You’re like a mind reader.”

“Yes, I get that fairly often.”

Teresaka loads up Karma’s ridiculous amount of luggage, which seems to be the norm, as Karasuma and Jelavitch seem unfazed. Karma tells Nagisa and Rio they’re all necessary. When he secretly looks into a suitcase to see what’s inside, that’s so necessary that he sees souvenirs, each labeled with one of his classmates' names. 

Nagisa decides that all the suitcases are necessary.