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[Use it in person... Rather than reply, Langa simply pockets his phone again, content to focus on skating rather than find a way to explain that no, he really isn't going to be saying anything like that to a girl.
Skating the rest of the way to Reki's place brings him calm, putting his heart at ease in its familiarity even as that last sentence lingers in his mind. That isn't... an invitation, is it? He's reading too much into this.
It's midnight, however, and he should probably be quiet. Hopping off of his board halfway up Reki's driveway and walking the rest of the way to his window, Langa very quietly (and perhaps a little awkwardly, long limbs not exactly an advantage at the moment) crawls in.]
Hey.
Skating the rest of the way to Reki's place brings him calm, putting his heart at ease in its familiarity even as that last sentence lingers in his mind. That isn't... an invitation, is it? He's reading too much into this.
It's midnight, however, and he should probably be quiet. Hopping off of his board halfway up Reki's driveway and walking the rest of the way to his window, Langa very quietly (and perhaps a little awkwardly, long limbs not exactly an advantage at the moment) crawls in.]
Hey.
[ Reki chalks the silence up to Langa focusing on his skating, given the late hour and dark roads that need a little more attention than just coasting along a sun-lit street. It's both easy and difficult to make his mind wander to other topics, anything other than the use of the word "love" and his own stupid decision to bring up the topic of girls with Langa. It's inevitable though, isn't it? They're teenagers with urges and fragile hearts that will fall for someone after a small smile and soft eyes behind icy blue hair—
Shaking his head, Reki smacks his cheeks to wakes himself from the musing. The house is quiet, enough to make it easy to hear Langa's arrival outside of his window even before he starts climbing through it. Reki can't help but smile as he reaches for Langa's board to hold for him—better than the instinct of grabbing his hand to help steady him. ]
Hey, welcome back.
Shaking his head, Reki smacks his cheeks to wakes himself from the musing. The house is quiet, enough to make it easy to hear Langa's arrival outside of his window even before he starts climbing through it. Reki can't help but smile as he reaches for Langa's board to hold for him—better than the instinct of grabbing his hand to help steady him. ]
Hey, welcome back.
[It's amazing, really, how simply seeing Reki's smile is enough to make Langa forget all of his stupid, wholly uncharacteristic worries in an instant. Reki surely has this effect on everyone, grinning like the sun itself couldn't compare if it tried, warm and familiar and comforting...
Or maybe it's just Langa, blinded by adoration that he doesn't care to hold back.
Once Reki takes his board, he's able to climb through the window more easily and set his feet on the floor, wasting no time reaching out to do their DAP with his right hand.]
Thanks for having me. Again.
[Grinning, he holds up the plastic bag in his other hand.]
It's not cream cheese, but I bought some stuff at the konbini for us.
Or maybe it's just Langa, blinded by adoration that he doesn't care to hold back.
Once Reki takes his board, he's able to climb through the window more easily and set his feet on the floor, wasting no time reaching out to do their DAP with his right hand.]
Thanks for having me. Again.
[Grinning, he holds up the plastic bag in his other hand.]
It's not cream cheese, but I bought some stuff at the konbini for us.
[ The greeting is so natural that he does it on instinct, only thinking a little bit about the first time they were figuring it out and it looked like, for a second, Langa was going to lace their fingers together. Now isn't the time to think about that when months have passed and times have changed and they talked about the L word earlier over a text.
Setting Langa's board down and propping it against the wall next to his own board, Reki comes close again to crowd Langa and the bag with sparkling eyes. ] Oh it's probably better! What'd you get?
Setting Langa's board down and propping it against the wall next to his own board, Reki comes close again to crowd Langa and the bag with sparkling eyes. ] Oh it's probably better! What'd you get?
[Oh, thank goodness that Reki's acting normal. Langa's back to his usual self immediately, just as excited about being with Reki (and eating food) as always.
Breezily taking a seat on the floor and waiting for Reki to sit beside him, he empties out the contents of the bag to reveal... a few ice creams, two bags of pizza chips, sodas, and several types of bread.]
I'll eat anything you don't want.
Breezily taking a seat on the floor and waiting for Reki to sit beside him, he empties out the contents of the bag to reveal... a few ice creams, two bags of pizza chips, sodas, and several types of bread.]
I'll eat anything you don't want.
Edited (It's too late here and my brain completely turned off... Sorry for the edits!) 2021-10-04 19:54 (UTC)
[ Reki folds to the floor next to Langa, bumping up against his side as he looks into the bag. Every item that's revealed makes him increasingly excited, and when the full feast is out on the floor for him to ogle, he grabs at Langa's knee and shakes him. ]
Dude, this is worth way more than cream cheese! [ Still, it all looks delicious and he reaches for his favorite bread that's tucked in with the others. ] Are you making up for embarrassing me, too?
Dude, this is worth way more than cream cheese! [ Still, it all looks delicious and he reaches for his favorite bread that's tucked in with the others. ] Are you making up for embarrassing me, too?
[Okay, so maybe he bought all of Reki's (and his own) favorite stuff on purpose... so yes, he knew Reki would like it, but that doesn't make him any less pleased by the reaction. It's nice to be close like this, his leg being shaken and all... but then Reki just has to prod at him, and Langa lets out a little huff that edges close to a pout, bumping his side in return before pausing.]
...Kind of.
...Kind of.
[ He has to laugh at how easy it is to read Langa sometimes. When it comes to food, it really is a way that he shows lo— care for someone. It's something that they can share a little more casually than skating, and even with this delicious spread in front of him, he wonders if maybe Langa will stay until morning so they can cook something together.
Reaching up to poke at one of Langa's pouting cheeks, Reki snickers and unwraps the bread before taking a bite. ] Good, then you know your place, or whatever. Save that pretty talk for wooing girls, dude.
Reaching up to poke at one of Langa's pouting cheeks, Reki snickers and unwraps the bread before taking a bite. ] Good, then you know your place, or whatever. Save that pretty talk for wooing girls, dude.
Edited (when I forget to refer to people like a Japanese teen and not my non-binary self... and a typo......) 2021-10-04 20:28 (UTC)
[Rather than a real meal, convenience store snacks suit them just fine for a late night hangout. They're kinder to his wallet than 10 burgers at A&W, at least. And Reki's happy, so that's all he can ask for.
But this feels just a little too on the nose. There's only one person he's ever wanted to woo, and said person just happens to be the one poking at his cheek and telling him to woo someone else.]
I don't want to. [Huff.] I was being serious, you know.
But this feels just a little too on the nose. There's only one person he's ever wanted to woo, and said person just happens to be the one poking at his cheek and telling him to woo someone else.]
I don't want to. [Huff.] I was being serious, you know.
Edited (You're all good! We can just edit back and forth forever.) 2021-10-04 20:35 (UTC)
Don't wanna save pretty talk, or don't wanna woo girls?
[ It's also too on the nose, but Reki can't stop himself from asking. At least it comes out more casually because he's not thinking about it—if he were really really asking, he would probably be a stuttering, blushing mess. ]
Serious about what?
[ It's also too on the nose, but Reki can't stop himself from asking. At least it comes out more casually because he's not thinking about it—if he were really really asking, he would probably be a stuttering, blushing mess. ]
Serious about what?
[...Ah. There it is. Langa falls quiet for a few seconds, just long enough to accidentally put a little extra weight behind his response.]
Both?
[It's such a simple answer, but Reki can interpret it however he wants.]
I mean... I meant what I said about thinking you're amazing and stuff.
Both?
[It's such a simple answer, but Reki can interpret it however he wants.]
I mean... I meant what I said about thinking you're amazing and stuff.
Oh. [ It's more of a surprise because he hadn't steeled himself for an answer. There are so many reasons for Langa to feel that way, but in the end, it just makes a little bit of hope flicker in Reki's chest. He shouldn't read into it when maybe he's just not interested in dating right now, or ever, or girls specifically, or girls in general because there's one he has his eyes on. Just in case it is a reference to being gay, though, Reki should say something reassuring, right? ] That's cool, man, whatever makes you happy.
[ Clicking his tongue a little, he stuffs more bread into his mouth and reaches for a drink. It makes it easier to think when he gives himself a little extra time like this, and in the end, he knows how to explain why it's embarrassing. ] I know you mean it, Langa, that's why it's embarrassing! From someone else, it'd just be a lie and I could brush it off, but you... really see me like that.
[ Clicking his tongue a little, he stuffs more bread into his mouth and reaches for a drink. It makes it easier to think when he gives himself a little extra time like this, and in the end, he knows how to explain why it's embarrassing. ] I know you mean it, Langa, that's why it's embarrassing! From someone else, it'd just be a lie and I could brush it off, but you... really see me like that.
[Oh.
It's not really the answer he was expecting, if he was expecting anything at all, but Langa's still a little grateful that Reki breezily brushed past any deeper discussion. He isn't planning on divulging any more info unless Reki asks (and it's probably bad that he would tell him without thinking twice) but... at the same time, a small part of him kind of wants to, since they're probably never going to talk about this again.
Reaching over, he takes a soda of his own. But rather than drink it, he's content to just look at Reki, turning the bottle idly in his hands.]
Good. Is it better that I didn't say it to your face?
[Because he would. The way Reki gets so flustered when Langa says nice things about him is endearing beyond words. But idly averting his gaze to look down at the soda bottle, Langa pauses for a few seconds before speaking up a little more quietly.]
You could have a bunch of admirers you don't know about... Maybe tons of people see you like I do.
It's not really the answer he was expecting, if he was expecting anything at all, but Langa's still a little grateful that Reki breezily brushed past any deeper discussion. He isn't planning on divulging any more info unless Reki asks (and it's probably bad that he would tell him without thinking twice) but... at the same time, a small part of him kind of wants to, since they're probably never going to talk about this again.
Reaching over, he takes a soda of his own. But rather than drink it, he's content to just look at Reki, turning the bottle idly in his hands.]
Good. Is it better that I didn't say it to your face?
[Because he would. The way Reki gets so flustered when Langa says nice things about him is endearing beyond words. But idly averting his gaze to look down at the soda bottle, Langa pauses for a few seconds before speaking up a little more quietly.]
You could have a bunch of admirers you don't know about... Maybe tons of people see you like I do.
[ Langa doesn’t say anything more, so Reki doesn’t push the subject. It’s one thing to be chill about someone potentially coming out to you and another thing entirely to prod them about it until they say it explicitly. Even if he’s curious as hell, both for selfish reasons and also just a little bit of yearning for camaraderie if nothing else, Reki doesn’t want to make Langa uncomfortable. ]
That’s what they call a loaded question, isn’t it? If I say yes, you might start doing it now! If I say no, you’ll think it’s totally fine to say it to me.
[ He says it teasingly, a sly little smirk on his face and eyes narrowed, just to make sure Langa knows that he’s joking. Sort of. It makes sense logically, but also Reki… doesn’t totally mind. Not when he can anticipate the onslaught of compliments that make his little heart thud in his chest until he feels dizzy. ]
I guess, but even if they see me the same, it’s not enough to be that kind of admirer! There needs to be that extra spark, something special about me, or whatever. All that mushy stuff.
That’s what they call a loaded question, isn’t it? If I say yes, you might start doing it now! If I say no, you’ll think it’s totally fine to say it to me.
[ He says it teasingly, a sly little smirk on his face and eyes narrowed, just to make sure Langa knows that he’s joking. Sort of. It makes sense logically, but also Reki… doesn’t totally mind. Not when he can anticipate the onslaught of compliments that make his little heart thud in his chest until he feels dizzy. ]
I guess, but even if they see me the same, it’s not enough to be that kind of admirer! There needs to be that extra spark, something special about me, or whatever. All that mushy stuff.
Is it?
[It probably is, honestly. And while Langa has a tendency to be pretty terrible at understanding how other people are feeling, Reki's so bright and open that it's easy to tell he's teasing.]
If it bothers you that much in Japanese, maybe I'll say it in English instead. In a way you can't understand.
[It's a meaningless threat in every sense of the word, and Langa knows it. But he isn't sure how else to tease back, and only huffs slightly to himself before finally taking a sip of his drink.
Why is Reki so dead set on the idea of no one having a crush on him?! It's borderline infuriating to hear, considering that Langa's pretty sure he could write an entire novel on exactly what makes Reki so special.]
...If someone liked you like that, what would you do?
[It probably is, honestly. And while Langa has a tendency to be pretty terrible at understanding how other people are feeling, Reki's so bright and open that it's easy to tell he's teasing.]
If it bothers you that much in Japanese, maybe I'll say it in English instead. In a way you can't understand.
[It's a meaningless threat in every sense of the word, and Langa knows it. But he isn't sure how else to tease back, and only huffs slightly to himself before finally taking a sip of his drink.
Why is Reki so dead set on the idea of no one having a crush on him?! It's borderline infuriating to hear, considering that Langa's pretty sure he could write an entire novel on exactly what makes Reki so special.]
...If someone liked you like that, what would you do?
[ Reki opens his mouth to argue but then snaps it back shut. Would it be any different if Langa praised him in English? He’d still know that he was doing it, and he’d have that same expression on his face where his eyes soften and sparkle and he looks far too charming to be focusing on someone like Reki. Plus, not that he’d ever admit it, but there would be part of him that would miss the compliments and hearing himself described in such a novel and adoring light—even if another part of him would pine all the harder. ]
Hm? [ He’s working on the last bite of his bread and halfway through opening a bag of chips, so his brain isn’t fully dedicated to the question at first. Of course he’s imagined what it would be like to receive a confession and to date and all of the stuff that would come with it, but it’s so complicated that he’s not sure how to answer for a minute. ] It would depend on the someone, right? I wouldn’t just date anyone who likes me, that wouldn’t be fair.
Hm? [ He’s working on the last bite of his bread and halfway through opening a bag of chips, so his brain isn’t fully dedicated to the question at first. Of course he’s imagined what it would be like to receive a confession and to date and all of the stuff that would come with it, but it’s so complicated that he’s not sure how to answer for a minute. ] It would depend on the someone, right? I wouldn’t just date anyone who likes me, that wouldn’t be fair.
[Feelings are so complicated. On one hand, Reki should have plenty of people who like him. How could he not? But whenever Langa sees a girl go up to Reki with flushed cheeks and a shy smile, it kind of makes his heart twist... and then drop at the same time when they ultimately ask something about Langa instead of Reki himself.
God. He's terrible, isn't he. Not truly wanting his best friend to date anyone earns him the "most terrible friend" award for sure.]
Yeah.
[What a boring answer. Unknowingly employing Reki's tactic from earlier of grabbing something to give him time to think (mint chocolate chip ice cream, in this case), he fiddles with the wooden spoon and opens the lid.]
Then... someone who's your type?
[He furrows his brows. The girl on the boat to Mikayojima is the only girl he's ever seen Reki show interest in, but...]
If you have one. [Dammit. He's taking this leap - this is the kind of thing the guys in their class talk about all the time, right?] ...Do you?
God. He's terrible, isn't he. Not truly wanting his best friend to date anyone earns him the "most terrible friend" award for sure.]
Yeah.
[What a boring answer. Unknowingly employing Reki's tactic from earlier of grabbing something to give him time to think (mint chocolate chip ice cream, in this case), he fiddles with the wooden spoon and opens the lid.]
Then... someone who's your type?
[He furrows his brows. The girl on the boat to Mikayojima is the only girl he's ever seen Reki show interest in, but...]
If you have one. [Dammit. He's taking this leap - this is the kind of thing the guys in their class talk about all the time, right?] ...Do you?
[ 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.
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.
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!
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?
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?
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.]
Yeah... I do.
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.
Edited 2021-10-06 03:58 (UTC)
[ 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?
[ 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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