[ They’re in the same boat there, though maybe for different reasons. Reki has to admit that it feels pretty bad for someone to act as if they may like him only to end up asking him to be a wingman with Langa. It hurts his pride a little even though he knows he’s nothing compared to Langa, but more than that, it hurts to think of the day when Langa takes interest in whoever is getting to him through Reki. ]
Yeah. [ He sips his drink, more for something to occupy his mouth than being thirsty. They have plenty more to go through, though, so no reason to hold back. ] Yeah? I mean, no, I don’t think so. It’s… complicated.
[ Fidgeting with the lid of his bottle, his stomach feels like it’s going to fall out as he tries to hype himself up for this conversation. ] Earlier, when you said you didn’t want to woo girls… Is it because you’re not interested in dating someone right now, or not interested in girls? And, uh, you really don’t have to answer if you don’t want! I just feel like it’s something you can talk to me about, since we’re best friends. If you want to. Talk about it. With me.
[Reki's not even halfway through the first sentence of his question when Langa freezes, turning to look at him with wide eyes. His own comment being brought up is enough to catch him off guard, sure, but he'd left himself open to it for a reason. But no, it's the implication that Reki not only came to that conclusion on his own, but brought it up so kindly, and maybe... just maybe somewhat willingly, based on his answer. "It's complicated." Is that too hopeful?
Langa sets his ice cream aside, stomach swooping from something he couldn't name if he tried.]
I want to. [Just barely, he scoots forward until one of his knees bumps gently against Reki's - a connection, however small.] I want to answer. And talk about it with you.
[The pause that settles between them doesn't last long.]
Because you're right. I'm... not interested in girls.
[ Those wide, pretty eyes don't exactly help Reki calm down enough to stop rambling. It's hard to tell if they're surprised, hopeful, or maybe even offended while he's stuck in his own head a little too deep to fully analyze the rest of Langa's face. For some reason, the fact that Langa is setting aside food in favor of conversation doesn't help loosen the knot in Reki's stomach.
He swears he empties out both lungs with his sigh of relief. No matter what the answer is, at least he hasn't ruined something by asking Langa, in a roundabout way, if he's gay. He wants to talk about it and give an answer, and Reki bites down on his lips to give him the room to do so. ]
Are you, uh, interested in guys? Or no one? I found out that's a thing! [ Hands seeking something to do, he begins peeling the label from his drink with nervous fingers. If he had a board to work on, it would be much easier to zone out enough to ignore the butterflies in his stomach and maybe sound a little cooler throughout this conversation. But Langa has trusted him this far, and Reki wants to return that trust and also get something off of his chest that he's hasn't told anyone about. If this leads to nothing else, at least it will deepen their friendship and give them a safe space to continue being themselves around each other. ] I like both. Girls and boys. I mean, I've liked girls and I've liked boys, not like I have a crush on a ton of people right now!
[Reki's little tells are so clear, familiar and comforting in a way that makes Langa involuntarily relax in spite of the difficult subject they've stumbled upon. But honestly, he's... kind of glad they did, especially when Reki is just as kind and receptive as Langa had always known he would be.
And like ebb and flow, it figures that Reki would beat him to saying... something he couldn't have ever begun to guess, but makes his eyes widen again all the same.]
...You do? [...] That's cool.
[What a dumb response. Heart surging, Langa scoots a little closer as if to wordlessly say that he realizes just how much courage it takes to talk about this. Reki is, Reki is... God, his heart's going to stop if he doesn't scramble to get his own words out right now.]
I like guys. [His words are a little clumsy, perhaps a little too earnest as he reflexively leans in just a touch.] But I'm usually not thinking much about relationships... since it would have to be the right person.
[It truly feels like a long barred dam has suddenly burst, a cup of unspoken feelings and questions bubbling up and overflowing, and he can't stop himself from asking the most pivotal question on his mind.]
So, um, that means... you have a crush on someone?
[ Langa doesn’t say anything, which is torture, but he also moves in closer and Reki is so grateful for the way they can communicate without speaking. Both of them can be rather physical beings, after all, and even when something difficult like emotions of languages barriers come up, at the end of the day, they have the brush of knees and swaying shoulders bumping together to keep them in harmony. ]
Cool? [ He has to laugh because he’s pretty sure that isn’t cool. Well, if Langa thinks so, that’s really the only opinion he cares about. Already formulating a response that doesn’t sound too disappointed, he’s surprised when Langa blurts out exactly what Reki had been thinking— wondering— hoping? ] Oh, cool! Both of us, then. And yeah, I get that, it’s never been on my schedule or anything like that to think about dating someone. Sometimes it’s… I try bringing it up since it seems normal for guys to do, y’know?
[ With a jolt, the label comes free of the bottle, and he’s left with a bit of sticky plastic in his hands. He starts folding it, trying for a crane but not really focused too much on the result. ] Uh, yeah, actually. Do you?
[This is enough for him - just the two of them sitting together in Reki's uncharacteristically quiet room, shoulders barely bumping together. All this time, he figured he would just say it if it ever became relevant... but there's something new tying them together now, and the fact that he'd been wholly unable to see it coming somehow makes Langa's heart feel that much lighter.]
I've never told anyone before. Not this directly, anyway.
[Accidentally coming out to his mom over dinner doesn't really count. And he's pretty sure his dad knew too, given how close they were... But they and Reki are the people who matter most, aren't they?]
I always thought this would be hard, but I should have known it would be this easy. Everything's easier when it's with you.
[Gaze softening, he can't help but smile. Reki trusts him enough to talk about this, and even when he looks away to begin folding the plastic label, Langa's gaze doesn't waver.
But his heart does. Just a little bit, a momentary hesitation before he ignores it to take the leap, just as always.]
[ Reki wants to say “wow, really?” and be surprised since Langa grew up in a western country that seems more accepting of queer people. A reaction like that would feel disingenuous, though. He hasn’t told anybody, not even indirectly, so he knows some of the apprehension that Langa must be feeling. ] You’re the first person I’ve told, period.
[ Feeling his cheeks heat up from the sweetness of that sentiment, he reaches out to pat Langa’s thigh and then wonders if that’s weird and moves his palm to his knee. ] Y-yeah, me too. I mean, it was kind of cheating for me to come out since you sort of did earlier. You’re always braver than me.
[ He pulls his hand away when Langa says that he, too, has a crush. It’s instinct really, that gut feeling that it can’t be him so he shouldn’t touch and make things weird. Swallowing thickly, he sets down the half-finished crane and takes up the bottle again to wash out the bitter taste in his mouth. He shouldn’t be jealous, and maybe he isn’t totally. Maybe he’s just scared of losing Langa to whoever his crush is since he’d have to be insane not to like him back. ] So is it someone at school? S? You gonna ask him out?
[It may have mattered more if he had any real friends in Canada, but he didn't. Divulging such a personal part of himself would be hard regardless of country, and though he isn't necessarily ashamed of it, it's something he wouldn't voluntarily share with just anyone.
When he's lying in bed tonight (whether he's going back home or staying the night), the full weight of what Reki said will surely hit him. But for now, he's simply grateful for the quiet understanding that blooms between them, Reki's affectionate touch almost too much to handle.]
It's not cheating. I'm... really glad you told me. And you're the one who brought it up in the first place. That's plenty brave.
[Really, it is. But when Reki takes a sip of his soda and asks those questions he isn't prepared to answer, Langa reaches for his ice cream again, staring down into the cup and watching the way it melts near the edges.
It's taking everything in him to stifle a sigh.]
I... don't think I have a chance. [God, his stomach hurts. Reki likes someone... Reki likes someone. And he really doesn't want to ask, but his voice quiets when he finally gets the words out.] What about you? What are they like?
I only brought it up because of how you said you weren’t interested in girls! I had to be nosy and find out why, most guys our age are horny as hell.
[ Not that he wants to think about that, not when Langa could be feeling that way about someone who isn’t Reki. It makes his stomach twist into knots and this throat tighten until he nearly chokes on his drink. Coughing softly, he sets it aside to reach for an ice cream that will both sooth some of the unpleasant heat of jealousy in his gut along with save it from melting onto his floor. ]
Are you kidding? You totally have a chance, I don’t need to know him to know that. There are guys at school who’d probably go gay just for you. [ Ripping open the ice cream packaging, he sticks it into his mouth before he says more creepy shit. ] Me? He’s so far out of my league it’s a different game. He… likes someone, and I can’t compete.
[Yeah, don't mind him suddenly taking this moment to shovel this ice cream in his mouth and very pointedly not mention anything that could induce further conversation about horny teenage tendencies. In Langa's eyes, that's well worth risking brainfreeze.
Except... damn, it hurts so much more than he realized to hear Reki say he has a chance. The sentiment is kind, and of course he's grateful for that, but then Reki casually says the person he's crushing on is a guy and Langa's pretty sure his heart's going to collapse in on itself if this nauseousness and undeniable jealousy don't do him in first. A guy? Reki likes a guy?!
Realizing that he completely froze for a few seconds, he sets his newly empty ice cream cup aside to shift and bring his long legs inward. He isn't quite hugging his knees to his chest, but he would if it wouldn't make him look and feel even more like a petulant child.]
Anyone who wouldn't date you is stupid. I mean it. [How deeply are his brows furrowed?] There's no way he's out of your league. Trust me... I'm the one who can't compete.
[ Maybe, deep down, there had been a glimmer of hope in Reki that they could be talking about each other. Neither of them had a ton of friends, no one they were as close to as each other, so there had been a possibility that he could be Langa's mysterious crush. That hopeful little flame is snuffed out, though, because Reki basically admitted he liked Langa, hinting at it so strongly that he even added on the fact that he liked someone. It should have been an invitation for Langa to connect the dots, but even if he has, clearly he isn't interested and doesn't take the bait. Reki feels the ice cream freeze him from the inside-out on its way down to his stomach. ]
You have to say shit like that, you're my best friend. [ He tries to go for a teasing tone, but the weight of his emotions makes it difficult to lighten his words. It's not that he thinks Langa would lie to him about being a good guy and all, just that he's obviously biased to think that. ] How can you build me up and put yourself down at the same time? You're the hottest guy in school, the coolest skater at S, but still sweet and humble.
[How many people does Reki think he knows? And really, compared to Reki, has Langa ever paid even 5% as much attention to anyone else? Sure, he's dazzled by all of the amazing skaters at S, but he's pretty sure he doesn't even know the names of more than 10 people at their school, and that's a generous estimate to begin with.
If he says anything more, Langa's positive he'll give himself away.
And as scary as that thought is, in some sense... he kind of wants to.]
Reki... [His voice drops down, softer than usual.] If you knew who I was talking about, you'd understand. He... he also likes someone.
[ Reki scoffs lightly, but he also knows that Langa is telling the truth. He doesn't have a dishonest bone in his body as far as Reki is concerned and he's only ever been honest and earnest. He does know, too, that he doesn't have many friends or even know that many people. Reki may rather unpopular, but at least he knows people and has gone to school with most of the other students for the majority of his life. He still marvels at how quickly he and Langa became close, not to mention how fast Langa became the heart-throb of the school.
The soft sound of his name draws his attention more than any shout, and he feels his stomach clench in anticipation of... something. His skin starts to tingle in apprehension, just like before he hits a crack in the road and has to bail off his board. Something is happening, but his brain hasn't quite caught up with what it is yet. ] Do... do you know who it is? Maybe he likes you but hasn't said anything about it. Could be mutually pining for each other. [ Or he could be totally projecting and about to make a fool of himself. ]
I don't know what to think anymore. I thought he knew how I felt about him.
[And no, of course he doesn't know who it is! Langa only just found out that Reki isn't straight, and the fact that he likes a guy on top of that is enough to give him a little spark of hope that he still has a chance.
The two of them are alone in Reki's dim, quiet room at midnight, talking about love and revealing new, deeply personal things about themselves, and now Reki's filling him with the type of longing that makes his heart constrict.]
Reki... You shouldn't say things like that.
[This is dangerous. So, so very dangerous, and Langa's impulse to suddenly move in close and lean against Reki's side isn't helping.]
There's too much at stake to risk it. And I'm... too afraid of messing things up between us.
[ That thought brings back a sinking feeling in Reki's stomach. He's nauseated from this roller coaster of emotions, of maybe thinking he knows that Langa is talking about—who he's talking about—only to have the rug ripped out from under him again. Half of him wants to take the plunge just to get it over with, regardless if it's a happy ending or a rejection. But in the end, he's a coward, and he'd rather cling to his one and only best friend rather than risk ruining things between them.
But that last statement... it feels too close, uncomfortably relatable and easy to put himself into that "us" that almost hangs at the end of the sentence. Swallowing thickly, he glances sideways at Langa and recognizes all of his emotions mirrored on his handsome face. ] Why not say it? Is it too much to hope for?
I haven't said it. [Not in the words he should, at least. Langa's voice is still quiet, trailing off as he speaks, but he has to ask...] Have you?
[But when Reki looks over at him and sincerely asks such a deep question when they're already close enough for their shoulders to be touching, it feels like the world stops turning.
Langa's never been good at holding back from the things he wants. And when it comes to Reki, everything just spills over, like he's been on the precipice this whole time. Because he has, really. It's just never been like this until now.
He wants to glance away for the sake of his own heart. He really does, but instead, he reaches out to gently place his hand over Reki's.]
Not exactly. [ He is, of course, in the same boat without realizing it. He's told his crush that he has a crush, just not that he is the crush. Even as he thinks it over, though, using that word to describe his feelings for Langa feels too small. It's far more than a crush, to the point that even someone inexperienced in such things can tell that it isn't a common high school infatuation.
Reki is so focused on Langa's face that he doesn't notice him reaching for his hand. It's startling, enough for him to flinch mildly, but just as quickly he relaxes into it. Something just clicks, and it feels right to turn his hand over until their palms are pressed together and Reki can slot his fingers between Langa's. Again his actions speak louder than words, body moving while his brain tries to catch up. ]
You! [ He blurts it out before he, too, can overthink this. The body language is all there, and the tingling nerves all along his arms combined with the tightening of his chest makes him think that he should go with his gut on this one. ] I like you! Really like you. And I really really hope you like me back or I'll feel like a huge idiot.
[Simply feeling the warmth of Reki's skin is enough to set him somewhat at ease, but the moment Reki turns his hand over and laces their fingers, Langa visibly jolts and reflexively tightens his hold.
If his brain shuts down and he lets his heart lead him, will Reki mind? It feels like his pulse has to be loud enough for both of them to hear, breath caught in his throat, but that's never been more okay than now. He didn't think that Reki would pull his hand away, of course — not when physical contact is often as important as words between them, but this? Langa may not be the greatest at picking up social cues, but he's pretty sure that this combined with the way Reki is looking at him means something special.]
Reki, I—!
[But then Reki begins talking at the exact same moment, as if they're bound to always be in sync, and Langa falls silent. The "but sorry, I'm in love with someone else" he's anticipating never actually comes, and once the words finally, finally sink in a little before Reki finishes speaking, Langa's already clumsily scooting in a little too close and talking faster than either his brain can carry him.]
I love you! [Not "like." Love. He's never been more sure.] Reki, it's, I... I meant you. It's always, always been you.
[ That little jolt nearly derails Reki, but the warmth of Langa's hand as it grips his tighter is as reassuring as the focused gaze of his best friend. He can do this without running away, both because he's learned to fight his fears and because he's never as scared when he's got Langa at his side.
That side is being pressed up against with the dizzying presence of Langa taking up the last of what little space had remained between them. Somehow, they've both angled towards one another, twisting like sunflowers towards the sun until their faces are so, so close. When Langa replies, when he uses the word that Reki had cautioned him against at the very beginning of all of this, his face bursts into a hot flush that he can feel up to his hair and down to his collarbones. Love? Langa loves him? Not the same way as a burger or friends or maybe even skating, but love... ]
Me too! I mean, I've been in love with you for a while now, a long while but— Well— Can I kiss you?
["Love." A word he's heard in Reki's voice, certainly, but not like this, with "you" following so close behind. Langa is so, so much weaker than he ever could have imagined, but he's never been more grateful to be smitten beyond belief with this boy who effortlessly breathed new life into his world.
They're so close now, distance naturally shrinking by the moment, and it's taking every ounce of Langa's faulty willpower to not gracelessly throw his arms around Reki and pull him in until there's not an inch of space left between them. The flush that dusts his cheeks is so effortlessly charming that it's easy for Langa to lose himself in it... But then Reki's words fully sink in, and he can't do anything more but stare at him in enamored, wide-eyed wonder.
Reki, the amazing, talented, ever-vibrant Reki he's been in love with this whole time, wants to kiss him, and Langa's breath catches audibly in his throat.]
...Yeah.
[Without letting go of the hand still held tightly in his own, he twists until they're facing each other even more, placing his free hand on Reki's shoulder. In his eyes, Reki's always been perfect. But right now, Langa can't help but think that he's never looked quite so lovely.]
Will you? [Dropping his voice just above a whisper, he switches to English for one word that he's certain Reki will understand.] Please.
[ Reki is sort of surprised they haven't kissed already just from the fact that their proximity is increasing by the second. It would feel so natural to just lean in and do it, but there's also a part of him that has the very loud opinion that he needs to ask. He can't help thinking about Adam and all the ways he'd touched Langa, the caresses bestowed upon him without asking. Maybe it was the jealousy, and one that Reki hadn't quite understood at the beginning, but he doesn't want to exude any of that same energy with one of the most important people in his life.
Even if Langa's initial response is maybe lacking in enthusiasm, what follows makes Reki's body shudder pleasantly. Langa turning even closer to him and reaching for another hold on Reki. Langa asking him, nearly pleading with him, in both languages. It makes Reki groan before he leans in to press their lips together, inexperienced as all hell but enthusiastic about his first kiss being one so easily shared with Langa. ]
[If Reki hadn't specifically asked, Langa would have already done it without thinking twice. It's just his nature to dive in headfirst once he has something in his mind. But his mind is nothing but Reki, and even in the heat of the moment, he's able to realize that he should wait since Reki asked. But that doesn't mean he isn't leaning in to meet him halfway, easily bridging the distance between them.
The way their lips meet is probably a little clumsy, but Langa couldn't care less. Rather, the way Reki had let out that little groan just before catches up to him, and a wave of chills lances down his spine as he angles in to try to press even closer.
They're both equally eager and inexperienced, yes, but he wouldn't have it any other way.]
[ Hands linked, body leaning forward, and lips pressed to Langa's, he should logically be uncomfortable. His brain isn't functioning normally, however, because the soft warmth of Langa's mouth against his is everything, and the fact that he's kissing his soulmate consumes every other thought in his mind. Langa is leaning in just as eagerly, too, and Reki is already dizzy without even holding his breath for all that long.
Reaching out, he grabs the front of Langa's shirt to keep him close and experiments with tilting his head more to the side. He can taste a hint of mint from him and instinctively darts his tongue out to taste more of that sweetness on Langa's lips. A second later and his brain catches up with his body and he jerks away, just a few inches, with a hot blush splashed across his cheeks. ]
[In so many ways, it feels like he's dreaming. Langa's thought about what it would be like to kiss Reki more times than he would ever admit, but Reki's lips are somehow far softer than he could have imagined, just as warm and inviting as the rest of him. The whole world is so simple when it feels like it's just the two of them, all shallow breaths and racing heartbeats and Reki's breath mingling with his own.
But as if they're perpetually on the same page, Reki pulls Langa in by his shirt at nearly the same time he begins to move his free hand, and then he's gasping shallowly, and... Oh. Oh.
The thrill that rushes through him as Reki's tongue licks at his lips is nearly palpable, and Langa's left somewhere between gaping and completely wonderstruck as Reki jumps back without warning.]
Reki...
[Soft, adoring. As Reki scrambles for an awkward half-apology, Langa takes the moment to fully, properly shift to allow them to face each other. And while he has to untangle their hands to do so, he throws his newly free arm around Reki as soon as he possibly can, pulling him in close until their chests are flush against each other the way he's secretly wanted from the beginning.]
Reki.
[Langa shudders, lips barely brushing against Reki's as he speaks. But without another word, he closes his eyes and presses their lips firmly together once more, not wasting another moment before parting his own and licking at Reki's lips in turn.]
[ Reki has always loved the way that his name sounds coming from Langa, but it sounds like the softest, sweetest music right now. It makes him warm in ways he's never felt before, at least not outside of his dreams and guilty moments in the dark hours of the night when he wakes up sweating and panting. To think that he doesn't have to feel bad about wanting to kiss his friend, that he doesn't have to pine for Langa anymore and can instead act on their mutual feelings, gives him the kind of high he's only ever felt while skating. ]
Langa. [ He mumbles it back, the second syllable lifting in a question when it feels like he's pulling away. Then he's closer, facing him properly and wrapping his arms around Reki in a way that feels like coming home. Reki's hands move lower towards Langa's hips to try and pull them in, to gather him into his lap so they can be comfortably close. Then they're kissing, and Langa's tongue presses to his lips and Reki parts them on a content sigh. He has absolutely no idea what he's doing, so he's running on the instinct to dart his tongue out, too, in search of the taste of Langa beneath the minty sweetness still lingering. ]
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Yeah. [ He sips his drink, more for something to occupy his mouth than being thirsty. They have plenty more to go through, though, so no reason to hold back. ] Yeah? I mean, no, I don’t think so. It’s… complicated.
[ Fidgeting with the lid of his bottle, his stomach feels like it’s going to fall out as he tries to hype himself up for this conversation. ] Earlier, when you said you didn’t want to woo girls… Is it because you’re not interested in dating someone right now, or not interested in girls? And, uh, you really don’t have to answer if you don’t want! I just feel like it’s something you can talk to me about, since we’re best friends. If you want to. Talk about it. With me.
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Langa sets his ice cream aside, stomach swooping from something he couldn't name if he tried.]
I want to. [Just barely, he scoots forward until one of his knees bumps gently against Reki's - a connection, however small.] I want to answer. And talk about it with you.
[The pause that settles between them doesn't last long.]
Because you're right. I'm... not interested in girls.
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He swears he empties out both lungs with his sigh of relief. No matter what the answer is, at least he hasn't ruined something by asking Langa, in a roundabout way, if he's gay. He wants to talk about it and give an answer, and Reki bites down on his lips to give him the room to do so. ]
Are you, uh, interested in guys? Or no one? I found out that's a thing! [ Hands seeking something to do, he begins peeling the label from his drink with nervous fingers. If he had a board to work on, it would be much easier to zone out enough to ignore the butterflies in his stomach and maybe sound a little cooler throughout this conversation. But Langa has trusted him this far, and Reki wants to return that trust and also get something off of his chest that he's hasn't told anyone about. If this leads to nothing else, at least it will deepen their friendship and give them a safe space to continue being themselves around each other. ] I like both. Girls and boys. I mean, I've liked girls and I've liked boys, not like I have a crush on a ton of people right now!
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And like ebb and flow, it figures that Reki would beat him to saying... something he couldn't have ever begun to guess, but makes his eyes widen again all the same.]
...You do? [...] That's cool.
[What a dumb response. Heart surging, Langa scoots a little closer as if to wordlessly say that he realizes just how much courage it takes to talk about this. Reki is, Reki is... God, his heart's going to stop if he doesn't scramble to get his own words out right now.]
I like guys. [His words are a little clumsy, perhaps a little too earnest as he reflexively leans in just a touch.] But I'm usually not thinking much about relationships... since it would have to be the right person.
[It truly feels like a long barred dam has suddenly burst, a cup of unspoken feelings and questions bubbling up and overflowing, and he can't stop himself from asking the most pivotal question on his mind.]
So, um, that means... you have a crush on someone?
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Cool? [ He has to laugh because he’s pretty sure that isn’t cool. Well, if Langa thinks so, that’s really the only opinion he cares about. Already formulating a response that doesn’t sound too disappointed, he’s surprised when Langa blurts out exactly what Reki had been thinking— wondering— hoping? ] Oh, cool! Both of us, then. And yeah, I get that, it’s never been on my schedule or anything like that to think about dating someone. Sometimes it’s… I try bringing it up since it seems normal for guys to do, y’know?
[ With a jolt, the label comes free of the bottle, and he’s left with a bit of sticky plastic in his hands. He starts folding it, trying for a crane but not really focused too much on the result. ] Uh, yeah, actually. Do you?
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I've never told anyone before. Not this directly, anyway.
[Accidentally coming out to his mom over dinner doesn't really count. And he's pretty sure his dad knew too, given how close they were... But they and Reki are the people who matter most, aren't they?]
I always thought this would be hard, but I should have known it would be this easy. Everything's easier when it's with you.
[Gaze softening, he can't help but smile. Reki trusts him enough to talk about this, and even when he looks away to begin folding the plastic label, Langa's gaze doesn't waver.
But his heart does. Just a little bit, a momentary hesitation before he ignores it to take the leap, just as always.]
Yeah... I do.
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[ Feeling his cheeks heat up from the sweetness of that sentiment, he reaches out to pat Langa’s thigh and then wonders if that’s weird and moves his palm to his knee. ] Y-yeah, me too. I mean, it was kind of cheating for me to come out since you sort of did earlier. You’re always braver than me.
[ He pulls his hand away when Langa says that he, too, has a crush. It’s instinct really, that gut feeling that it can’t be him so he shouldn’t touch and make things weird. Swallowing thickly, he sets down the half-finished crane and takes up the bottle again to wash out the bitter taste in his mouth. He shouldn’t be jealous, and maybe he isn’t totally. Maybe he’s just scared of losing Langa to whoever his crush is since he’d have to be insane not to like him back. ] So is it someone at school? S? You gonna ask him out?
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When he's lying in bed tonight (whether he's going back home or staying the night), the full weight of what Reki said will surely hit him. But for now, he's simply grateful for the quiet understanding that blooms between them, Reki's affectionate touch almost too much to handle.]
It's not cheating. I'm... really glad you told me. And you're the one who brought it up in the first place. That's plenty brave.
[Really, it is. But when Reki takes a sip of his soda and asks those questions he isn't prepared to answer, Langa reaches for his ice cream again, staring down into the cup and watching the way it melts near the edges.
It's taking everything in him to stifle a sigh.]
I... don't think I have a chance. [God, his stomach hurts. Reki likes someone... Reki likes someone. And he really doesn't want to ask, but his voice quiets when he finally gets the words out.] What about you? What are they like?
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[ Not that he wants to think about that, not when Langa could be feeling that way about someone who isn’t Reki. It makes his stomach twist into knots and this throat tighten until he nearly chokes on his drink. Coughing softly, he sets it aside to reach for an ice cream that will both sooth some of the unpleasant heat of jealousy in his gut along with save it from melting onto his floor. ]
Are you kidding? You totally have a chance, I don’t need to know him to know that. There are guys at school who’d probably go gay just for you. [ Ripping open the ice cream packaging, he sticks it into his mouth before he says more creepy shit. ] Me? He’s so far out of my league it’s a different game. He… likes someone, and I can’t compete.
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Except... damn, it hurts so much more than he realized to hear Reki say he has a chance. The sentiment is kind, and of course he's grateful for that, but then Reki casually says the person he's crushing on is a guy and Langa's pretty sure his heart's going to collapse in on itself if this nauseousness and undeniable jealousy don't do him in first. A guy? Reki likes a guy?!
Realizing that he completely froze for a few seconds, he sets his newly empty ice cream cup aside to shift and bring his long legs inward. He isn't quite hugging his knees to his chest, but he would if it wouldn't make him look and feel even more like a petulant child.]
Anyone who wouldn't date you is stupid. I mean it. [How deeply are his brows furrowed?] There's no way he's out of your league. Trust me... I'm the one who can't compete.
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You have to say shit like that, you're my best friend. [ He tries to go for a teasing tone, but the weight of his emotions makes it difficult to lighten his words. It's not that he thinks Langa would lie to him about being a good guy and all, just that he's obviously biased to think that. ] How can you build me up and put yourself down at the same time? You're the hottest guy in school, the coolest skater at S, but still sweet and humble.
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[How many people does Reki think he knows? And really, compared to Reki, has Langa ever paid even 5% as much attention to anyone else? Sure, he's dazzled by all of the amazing skaters at S, but he's pretty sure he doesn't even know the names of more than 10 people at their school, and that's a generous estimate to begin with.
If he says anything more, Langa's positive he'll give himself away.
And as scary as that thought is, in some sense... he kind of wants to.]
Reki... [His voice drops down, softer than usual.] If you knew who I was talking about, you'd understand. He... he also likes someone.
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The soft sound of his name draws his attention more than any shout, and he feels his stomach clench in anticipation of... something. His skin starts to tingle in apprehension, just like before he hits a crack in the road and has to bail off his board. Something is happening, but his brain hasn't quite caught up with what it is yet. ] Do... do you know who it is? Maybe he likes you but hasn't said anything about it. Could be mutually pining for each other. [ Or he could be totally projecting and about to make a fool of himself. ]
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[And no, of course he doesn't know who it is! Langa only just found out that Reki isn't straight, and the fact that he likes a guy on top of that is enough to give him a little spark of hope that he still has a chance.
The two of them are alone in Reki's dim, quiet room at midnight, talking about love and revealing new, deeply personal things about themselves, and now Reki's filling him with the type of longing that makes his heart constrict.]
Reki... You shouldn't say things like that.
[This is dangerous. So, so very dangerous, and Langa's impulse to suddenly move in close and lean against Reki's side isn't helping.]
There's too much at stake to risk it. And I'm... too afraid of messing things up between us.
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[ That thought brings back a sinking feeling in Reki's stomach. He's nauseated from this roller coaster of emotions, of maybe thinking he knows that Langa is talking about—who he's talking about—only to have the rug ripped out from under him again. Half of him wants to take the plunge just to get it over with, regardless if it's a happy ending or a rejection. But in the end, he's a coward, and he'd rather cling to his one and only best friend rather than risk ruining things between them.
But that last statement... it feels too close, uncomfortably relatable and easy to put himself into that "us" that almost hangs at the end of the sentence. Swallowing thickly, he glances sideways at Langa and recognizes all of his emotions mirrored on his handsome face. ] Why not say it? Is it too much to hope for?
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[But when Reki looks over at him and sincerely asks such a deep question when they're already close enough for their shoulders to be touching, it feels like the world stops turning.
Langa's never been good at holding back from the things he wants. And when it comes to Reki, everything just spills over, like he's been on the precipice this whole time. Because he has, really. It's just never been like this until now.
He wants to glance away for the sake of his own heart. He really does, but instead, he reaches out to gently place his hand over Reki's.]
I'm scared of overthinking this, Reki.
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Reki is so focused on Langa's face that he doesn't notice him reaching for his hand. It's startling, enough for him to flinch mildly, but just as quickly he relaxes into it. Something just clicks, and it feels right to turn his hand over until their palms are pressed together and Reki can slot his fingers between Langa's. Again his actions speak louder than words, body moving while his brain tries to catch up. ]
You! [ He blurts it out before he, too, can overthink this. The body language is all there, and the tingling nerves all along his arms combined with the tightening of his chest makes him think that he should go with his gut on this one. ] I like you! Really like you. And I really really hope you like me back or I'll feel like a huge idiot.
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If his brain shuts down and he lets his heart lead him, will Reki mind? It feels like his pulse has to be loud enough for both of them to hear, breath caught in his throat, but that's never been more okay than now. He didn't think that Reki would pull his hand away, of course — not when physical contact is often as important as words between them, but this? Langa may not be the greatest at picking up social cues, but he's pretty sure that this combined with the way Reki is looking at him means something special.]
Reki, I—!
[But then Reki begins talking at the exact same moment, as if they're bound to always be in sync, and Langa falls silent. The "but sorry, I'm in love with someone else" he's anticipating never actually comes, and once the words finally, finally sink in a little before Reki finishes speaking, Langa's already clumsily scooting in a little too close and talking faster than either his brain can carry him.]
I love you! [Not "like." Love. He's never been more sure.] Reki, it's, I... I meant you. It's always, always been you.
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That side is being pressed up against with the dizzying presence of Langa taking up the last of what little space had remained between them. Somehow, they've both angled towards one another, twisting like sunflowers towards the sun until their faces are so, so close. When Langa replies, when he uses the word that Reki had cautioned him against at the very beginning of all of this, his face bursts into a hot flush that he can feel up to his hair and down to his collarbones. Love? Langa loves him? Not the same way as a burger or friends or maybe even skating, but love... ]
Me too! I mean, I've been in love with you for a while now, a long while but— Well— Can I kiss you?
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They're so close now, distance naturally shrinking by the moment, and it's taking every ounce of Langa's faulty willpower to not gracelessly throw his arms around Reki and pull him in until there's not an inch of space left between them. The flush that dusts his cheeks is so effortlessly charming that it's easy for Langa to lose himself in it... But then Reki's words fully sink in, and he can't do anything more but stare at him in enamored, wide-eyed wonder.
Reki, the amazing, talented, ever-vibrant Reki he's been in love with this whole time, wants to kiss him, and Langa's breath catches audibly in his throat.]
...Yeah.
[Without letting go of the hand still held tightly in his own, he twists until they're facing each other even more, placing his free hand on Reki's shoulder. In his eyes, Reki's always been perfect. But right now, Langa can't help but think that he's never looked quite so lovely.]
Will you? [Dropping his voice just above a whisper, he switches to English for one word that he's certain Reki will understand.] Please.
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Even if Langa's initial response is maybe lacking in enthusiasm, what follows makes Reki's body shudder pleasantly. Langa turning even closer to him and reaching for another hold on Reki. Langa asking him, nearly pleading with him, in both languages. It makes Reki groan before he leans in to press their lips together, inexperienced as all hell but enthusiastic about his first kiss being one so easily shared with Langa. ]
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The way their lips meet is probably a little clumsy, but Langa couldn't care less. Rather, the way Reki had let out that little groan just before catches up to him, and a wave of chills lances down his spine as he angles in to try to press even closer.
They're both equally eager and inexperienced, yes, but he wouldn't have it any other way.]
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Reaching out, he grabs the front of Langa's shirt to keep him close and experiments with tilting his head more to the side. He can taste a hint of mint from him and instinctively darts his tongue out to taste more of that sweetness on Langa's lips. A second later and his brain catches up with his body and he jerks away, just a few inches, with a hot blush splashed across his cheeks. ]
Sorry— Uh, not sorry, but— I don't know.
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But as if they're perpetually on the same page, Reki pulls Langa in by his shirt at nearly the same time he begins to move his free hand, and then he's gasping shallowly, and... Oh. Oh.
The thrill that rushes through him as Reki's tongue licks at his lips is nearly palpable, and Langa's left somewhere between gaping and completely wonderstruck as Reki jumps back without warning.]
Reki...
[Soft, adoring. As Reki scrambles for an awkward half-apology, Langa takes the moment to fully, properly shift to allow them to face each other. And while he has to untangle their hands to do so, he throws his newly free arm around Reki as soon as he possibly can, pulling him in close until their chests are flush against each other the way he's secretly wanted from the beginning.]
Reki.
[Langa shudders, lips barely brushing against Reki's as he speaks. But without another word, he closes his eyes and presses their lips firmly together once more, not wasting another moment before parting his own and licking at Reki's lips in turn.]
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Langa. [ He mumbles it back, the second syllable lifting in a question when it feels like he's pulling away. Then he's closer, facing him properly and wrapping his arms around Reki in a way that feels like coming home. Reki's hands move lower towards Langa's hips to try and pull them in, to gather him into his lap so they can be comfortably close. Then they're kissing, and Langa's tongue presses to his lips and Reki parts them on a content sigh. He has absolutely no idea what he's doing, so he's running on the instinct to dart his tongue out, too, in search of the taste of Langa beneath the minty sweetness still lingering. ]
I'm so, so sorry for the wait! I've been dying to reply, but I passed out for 17 hours after work...
omg no need to apologize!! rest is important
You say that, but I completely slept another two days away?! RIP. I should be good now, though!
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I'm going to be a little slow for a bit, since I'm doing mobile tags until my laptop is fixed... RIP
no rush, I'll backtag forever! hope it gets fixed soon
One (1) new laptop acquired! I'm so, so sorry for the long wait!
yay! but honestly no worries, I'm not always the fastest tagger
Same, if how long this took didn't say enough.... I should be faster now, but take your time!
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Rises from the ether...
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