sk8 | open post

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.]

I'm scared of overthinking this, Reki.

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. ]

Sorry— Uh, not sorry, but— I don't know.

[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. ]

[If he stopped to think, maybe Langa would realize that he's likely being a little too eager for a first kiss. But when everything he's done has been met with an equally eager response from Reki, there's no reason to second guess himself or slow down. In the end, maybe they're both a little impulsive. And that's just fine.

This isn't the first time he's ever had his arms around Reki, of course, but holding him like this is wonderfully new. And when Reki's hands find his waist and pull him in so tenderly, Langa doesn't waste another moment before shamelessly scooting up into Reki's lap and closing the rest of the distance between him, shifting in order to bring one of the arms from Reki's waist up to splay his fingers in soft red hair.

Kissing Reki is just as exhilarating as skating with him, soft lips inviting him in with quiet sighs and clumsy laves of tongue, which he leans into in turn. As expected, Reki also tastes like ice cream, but Langa wouldn't be surprised if he always tasted this sweet, the feeling of their tongues brushing together decidedly new.

And truly, it feels so very right for them to be exploring this together for the first time, curiosity and want shoving aside their mutual lack of experience. If it's with Reki, Langa's sure he could do anything... and he's all too desperate to shower this boy in all of the love he's been holding back in name but not feeling, a soft groan slipping from his lips as he curls his fingers into Reki's shirt. It doesn't matter if he's not doing this right, because everything is Reki, Reki, Reki, and he's never been more eager to learn something alongside him.]

[ There is no doubt in Reki's mind about being too eager, not when they've apparently been mutually pining for one another this whole time. It makes him think of time lost, of opportunities wasted, of misunderstandings that could have been avoided. If they'd confessed their feelings earlier, would things with S have unfolded the same way? He has to remind himself that he came to terms with his love for Langa partially because of how things have happened, though, so for all the tears and drama, it's also led them to this point.

Reki's stomach backflips when Langa moves so easily into his lap. His weight is a welcome one, something to anchor Reki in place when all of the kissing threatens to launch him into the stratosphere. He's never felt this good, both mentally and physically, and he doesn't want to let go unless Langa makes the first move to pull back. The groan that comes from him boosts Reki's confidence that such things won't be happening, though, and encourages him to try nipping at Langa's bottom lip. ]

[Unless Reki pulls back or gives a clear sign that he wants to stop, Langa isn't planning to move away. Running almost completely on instinct is a dangerous thing, but his mind is too caught up on Reki to factor logic in. And honestly, he's just fine with that.

They fit together just as perfectly as always, a natural ebb and flow between them that feels so right. Langa's instinct to move in as close as possible is probably precarious, given that pushing Reki down to the floor isn't past him by any means, but he's just so damn smitten that it's hard not to unload all of the feelings that have been gradually building and flooding him since the first week they met. Does Reki know how beautiful he is? Does he have any idea how quickly he became Langa's entire world?

There aren't any clear boundaries of what he can or can't do, but when Reki suddenly nips at his lip, Langa finds himself gasping reflexively. The shudder that runs down his spine isn't something he can hide, but the sensation felt so new that he couldn't care less. Both of them are a little clumsy in the end, gradually feeling out what feels right and makes the other react... but like a give and take, Langa doesn't hesitate to nip Reki's lip in return as soon as the opportunity presents himself, experimentally moving the hand in Reki's hair up further to bring his fingertips beneath his headband.]

[ Langa's reaction to that tentative bite is everything and Reki soaks up the feeling of him shaking and the sound of him sucking in air. He barely has time to calm down from that before Langa is biting him right back, further proving himself to be such a quick learner when he can experience something with his body. It's overwhelming in the most pleasant way Reki has ever felt, flooding his body with warmth as he thinks about how it might feel for Langa's teeth to press into other parts of his skin.

The hand in his hair feels like it pushes him over the edge—of what, he isn't sure yet. But those long fingers inching beneath his headband, into thick hair and a sensitive scalp, makes Reki moan into the kiss far more loudly than he probably should. It makes him tense up as his face goes nearly as red as his hair, and he pulls away just far enough to bite his own lips and swallow back more embarrassing sounds. It's only his hair, it shouldn't feel so good to have Langa touching it, and it shouldn't feel like moving a hand beneath something as simple and innocent as a headband might foreshadow more touches under other garments. ]

[Reki has it right — being pushed over the edge is exactly what this feels like, and as a bit of distance is put between them, Langa pulls back enough to stare down at Reki with wide eyes. Hearing a noise like that is nearly enough to end him on the spot, and exhaling unsteadily, he's immediately positive that the sound of it will never, ever leave his mind. Reki made that noise because of him, and much like a switch has flipped, he wants to hear more.

Something swoops low in his stomach as he stares, trying to make out the colour on Reki's face in the dim light. But as the headband moves out of place with the movement of his fingers, Langa moves to shift it up and pull it off completely, allowing it to gently fall to the floor beside them.]

Reki... [They haven't even been kissing for that long, but Langa's voice is breathy enough to surprise even himself. He knows exactly what he's doing as he cards his hand through Reki's hair and leans in again as he speaks, but how is he supposed to help himself when Reki's looking at him like that?] Do that again.

[ The weight of Langa's gaze is nearly tangible, both exhilirating and terrifying in those moments when Reki can't read the emotion in his eyes. The shakey breath is somewhat encouraging, as is the fact that Langa hasn't pulled away from him yet, but still—this is brand new territory for Reki, and he doesn't even have the benefit of a ton of romance movies and television to give him an idea of how things work between two guys.

Something about the way he pushes off the headband feels like a good sign. If Langa was worried about drawing more weird sounds from Reki, surely he wouldn't continue what he's doing. Then he calls his name, soft and yet somehow also tense like it's holding something back with the simple syllables. He recognizes the tone as something he feels deep in his gut as well as his heart: want. They both want each other so badly, enough that the mere thought of withdrawing his hands feels like a monumental trial. Langa seems to feel the same way as he runs his fingers through Reki's hair, unimpeded by the headband now, and his fingernails just barely scratch over his head. It's amazing, enough to make him shiver bodily and moan again without trying to bite back the sound. ]

N-no fair, I already feel weak without you doing that.

[Maybe this situation is becoming more precarious by the moment, but Langa doesn't mind. He's wholly content to stay here in Reki's lap forever, kissing him softly and holding him in all the ways he's always dreamed of doing.

If he becomes addicted to these sweet noises, Reki is completely to blame, shuddering under his touch and looking up at him with those big golden eyes that seem to sparkle even when they aren't illuminated by the blazing Okinawa sun. But in many ways, maybe he's been addicted to Reki from the beginning.]

Then we're even.

[Testing the waters, Langa curls his fingers in that soft, unruly hair, tugging at it just slightly before moving on to skirt areas he has yet to explore. He's never really gotten to touch Reki's hair, not like this, but without the headband Reki always wears, this gesture feels... even more intimate, somehow.

Langa's cheeks may be a little flushed as he speaks, but he couldn't possibly sound more sincere.]

You have no idea how weak I am to you.

[ Even? The fact that Langa could ever think such things is impossible to Reki as he melts further under each touch until it feels like he might turn into a puddle of goo right there on the floor beneath Langa. How could Reki ever hope to make Langa feel like this with such a simple touch, something so seemingly innocent that feels sinfully good? He feels positively naked without his headband, too, vulnerable in the most preposterous way; it's not as if Langa's never seen him without it on, after all. ]

I'm barely touching you.

[ It's true, somewhat. His hands have turned to fists on either side of Langa's waist, clutching the fabric of his shirt. He feels like it's keeping him in place as much as Langa, maintaining a status quo of both remaining verticle and close. Yet now he's thinking of rucking that same anchoring shirt up around his wrists to put his palms on bits of warm skin rarely seen and never touched. ]

Can I do more?

[Is it really fair to call this "barely touching" when Langa's all the way up in Reki's lap, straddling him with long legs and pressing in close like leaving any space between them would be an unforgivable crime? Well... Reki's hands may not be all over him or anything, but he's grasping at his shirt the same way Langa's other hand is curled into the fabric of Reki's, and that's just fine.

Because honestly, he... doesn't really know how to do this, or what counts as "appropriate" or "too fast." There's relief in knowing that Reki would speak up if he didn't like something, but it's not like Langa has ever paid attention to romance movies or any of the other things the guys in his class would talk about.

Maybe he should care. But it probably says a lot about Langa that he really doesn't — not past Reki's comfort and what he wants. And given that question, Reki seems like he wants this as much as Langa does, which is far more exciting than anything else.]

Yeah.

[ Okay, well, maybe not barely touching, but barely doing any active exploration of Langa's body. There's no way that Reki could forget about how their bodies press together and share a warmth that threatens to catch fire into something far more heated. He should feel more cautious about it, but being with Langa makes him reckless in ways he's never been before. Maybe it's the unwavering faith that he's always had in Reki that makes him feel like he could be invincible as long as they're together. ]

Yeah? [ He chuckles a little and leans in to kiss Langa again because wow, he's never going to get tired of how good it feels and how amazing it is that he can do it in the first place. ] You'll tell me if you want me to stop, right?

[ Langa's comfort, physically and emotionally, is Reki's top priority right now. Even as he relaxes his grip on his shirt to tug it up higher, he's focused on how Langa reacts and the expression on his face. Slipping both hands under the hem of his shirt, Reki bites back a noise as the warmth of all the smooth skin beneath his palms. He wants to see it, but more importantly, he wants to make sure Langa doesn't have a reason to pull away.

Rather than watching like a creep, Reki leans back in to kiss Langa again. His hands wander over his torso, though, thumbs tracing over his ribs and fingertips pressing into the muscles of his back. Sometimes it's easy to forget how athletic Langa is from how thin he is and the way he dresses, but Reki can't help thinking about tracing the lines of muscle and learn every dip of his body. ]

[Oh, that little chuckle is incredibly sweet. Langa finds it so very easy to lean in toward that lovely smile and meet Reki halfway with every kiss, the timing of it already seeming like second nature. Just like skating and everything else shared between them, maybe it's natural to fall perfectly into sync with Reki.]

Yeah, as long as you tell me too. [Don't mind him stealing one more kiss, smiling into it even as they part.] But I won't want you to.

[Stop, that is. Being embarrassed simply doesn't occur to Langa, since he couldn't mean it any more sincerely. Of course he's yearning for Reki's touch against his skin, especially after being asked by him so directly.

It's not like Reki's hands are new to him. They DAP multiple times a day, and Reki's always easily throwing an arm around Langa's shoulders, clapping him on the back, or touching him in otherwise innocent ways. But this... can't be called entirely innocent, chaste and sweet as the touches that finally meet his skin may be. It's gentle, yes, but there's still a deep yearning bubbling up from within.

The warmth of Reki's palms makes Langa shudder, back arching a little as they make their way further up his torso, and he lets out a little sigh before their lips meet once more. Even these little touches are enough to make him feel like he's unraveling here in Reki's arms... And as much as he's ready to impulsively yank off his shirt right this second, he's perfectly content to let Reki explore as he pleases, reveling in the feeling of warm fingertips pressing into his skin.]

Langa! You can't just say things like that. [ Reki is blushing all over again, flustered by the simple sincerity of the sentiment. His hands tighten against Langa's sides, no longer exploring but holding on for dear life when it feels like he may keel over with the strength of his affection for his best friend—boyfriend? He shouldn't think about such things when they'll only add to the butterflies doing cartwheels in his stomach. ] I might go too far if you don't have, like, boundaries?

[ They've never set many of those together, though, even as friends. There was the drama of Reki trying and Langa not quite listening, but that's in the past now and Reki is determined to keep clear and respectful communication open between them. It felt like he lost Langa back then, even for a brief time, but he never wants that void in his life again. So he withdraws both hands and moves them up to cup Langa's jaw, holding him as delicately as he would if he had the world in his hands. ]

I really don't want to be too fast? With this. With you. You deserved to be, y'know, romanced and all that if you want it.

I've never thought about them.

[It's true! It hasn't even been ten minutes since they were sitting side by side, both carefully talking about their unrequited yet mutual crushes and silently pining. How is Langa supposed to help the fact that he really would let Reki do anything he wanted?!

...Well, nearly. They are in Reki's house, for one, with the rest of his family probably asleep in different rooms. And as impulsive as Langa has the tendency to be, he honestly isn't ready for them to clumsily try tackling every base at once right after confessing. But he'll totally take his shirt off. There's nothing unfamiliar about that.]

Reki... [Everything slows to a stop as Reki takes his face in his hands, and Langa's breath hitches softly in his throat. More careful than he is about a lot of things, he gently pulls his own arms back to bring his hands to Reki's cheeks in turn, gingerly stroking one with his thumb. He's kind of skipping around the conversation, but he should... he should ask, shouldn't he?] Will you go out with me?

That's why we need to think about them now, right?

[ Look, he's just trying to do the correct thing here! Talking about boundaries seems like a productive path to take even when he just wants to put his hands all over Langa and try to get more of those soft, content sighs from him. More importantly, however, he wants them to be given freely and happily and for both of them to know that it's okay to stop even if the other is very enthusiastic about, well, everything.

Reki tries to formulate these words when Langa mirrors his pose and holds his face so tenderly that it could bring tears to Reki's eyes. He sucks in a breath, startled both by the sudden shift in touch and his own reaction to it, and then nearly chokes on the air when Langa asks him out. Right, they hadn't even done that part! They went straight from confessions of love to sucking face. ]

Of course! [ He has to laugh, eyes disappearing into upturned crescents as he beams at Langa. ] If you agree to be my boyfriend, I mean.

[ Not waiting for an answer since he knows he's being silly, he uses his hands to pull Langa close for another kiss that lasts this time, slow and sweet as Reki tries to convey all of his emotions in the press of lips. His back is starting to ache from keeping them both upright, so he gives in to the temptation to lean backwards and lay on the floor—and of course he drags Langa right down with him. ]

[If Reki hadn't mentioned romance, there's a good chance that Langa would have forgotten to ask him out properly until they finally let go of each other. And considering that letting go of Reki is the furthest thing from what he wants right now, it's an awfully good thing that he remembered to bring it up.

Taking the time to try and comprehend that Reki not only likes him and has "been in love with him for a long time," but wants to properly date him is enough to make Langa's head spin... but the brightness of Reki's lovely smile as he holds Langa's face so sweetly is also to blame for how much he feels like he's going to melt on the spot. How is he supposed to do anything but grin brightly in return?

And although he tries to respond to those words, he's certainly not complaining about being pulled into a kiss, soft and tender in a way that sets his heart racing even more wildly as he leans into it. With his eyes closed, Langa doesn't realize what's happening until he's already being dragged to the floor by Reki, and unable to hold back the feeling that bubbles up from within him, he finally pulls back enough to erupt in rare, lighthearted laughter.]

I asked you first! [He's still close enough that his hair is falling around his face and nearly brushing Reki's cheeks, but that's just fine.] I'll be your boyfriend if you'll be mine.

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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