Chapter Text
Reki opens the front door of the house, hearing his mom and koyomi arguing behind him while the twins cry hysterically. Yes, he was a good brother, but every good brother can get extremely tired of his siblings.
Snatching a rainbow umbrella, (probably one of his sister’s) Reki sets on his way, grabbing his skateboard as he exits the chaotic house. Of course he couldn't really ride it, because of the rain, but he just felt weird and incomplete without it.
Reki walked down to their usual meetup spot, where Langa was already waiting, leaning on the streetlight holding the purple polka dot umbrella.
𝘞𝘦'𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.
The sight of the streetlight gives Reki a cold sweat. The setting was eerily familiar to when they had had that big fight ages ago. It’s raining, like it was back then, but they were fighting at the time so Reki didn't need to feel so guilty.
Langa spots Reki and straightens himself up. He also brought his skateboard. Does he know they can’t skate?
“You know we can’t skate, right?” Reki says gesturing toward the blue skateboard.
Langa’s eyes widened like he wasn’t sure what Reki said at first, though Japanese was his second Language so maybe he had to auto-translate it in his head or something.
“Yeah I know…”
“Then why’d you bring it?” Reki asks as Langa's eyes wander down to Reki’s skateboard “Why’d you bring your’s?” Langa says.
Reki pauses for a moment and laughs, scratching his neck.“Touché.”
Langa smiles and raises his fist for them to do their signature handshake.
“Let’s go to school.” Reki says, bumping his hand into Langa’s.
_____________________
Reki and Langa shake off their umbrellas before heading into the building. After walking inside, they change into their school shoes and Reki greets a few classmates, Langa stays close behind avoiding eye contact with others until interacted with by a few girls. Langa half-smiles at them, gave simple good mornings and then retreated back to Reki.
“Prince Popular over here.” Reki says, turning around to face Langa as they continue to walk to class.
Langa groans. “Why do they even bother talking to me?”
Reki turns back around to face forward as they enter the room to take their seats. “Cuz you’re hot.”
Reki’s face flushes as he realizes what he said. “I m-mean, the girls think you're hot.” He stutters.
Langa lets out a squeaky sort of noise, looking away. Reki stares at his desk, scared to look next to him to see whatever possible face Langa’s making. What if he’s grossed out—or thinks I'm weird or is like “That’s kinda gay” or–
“Alright class! Settle Down!” The teacher walks to the blackboard and sets her book down on the desk. Reki’s tense shoulders ease and he settles into his chair to space out till lunch.
Well he was going to space out. Think about skating, Dinner, working on a new skateboard design, anything really.
The problem was that he was having a hard time space out, it was that he was so hyperfixated on the fact that just horribly embarrassed himself in front of Langa, about Langa.
The surprising part isn't that Langa is hot. He was right—objectively, Langa is hot, I mean look at all the girls at school drool over him—BUT WHY THE FRICK WOULD YOU SAY THAT TO YOUR BEST FRIENDS FACE??
Y’know maybe to get his mind off Langa, He should just pay attention to class for once—I mean that is what he’s supposed to be here for anyway. Reki turns his head from the desk to the teacher and finally decides to listen in to whatever she was talking about.
‘Now, on your own, solve this equation.” She says, pointing at the board.
Reki squints his eyes at the long and complicated equation with a chaotic mess of symbols and letters on the board. Were there even any numbers in this equation?
Oh forget it, he’ll just draw.
He grabs his sketchbook and sets it on his desk, flipping through pages and cringing at some old art. He eventually lands on a blank white page and his pencil hovers over the page.
He draws a few circles and figures on the page but quickly erases them and chews on his pencil, staring at the page.
Like the page, Reki's mind was completely blank.
Great so now he has art block, this is actually torture.
Reki groans, and quietly slams his sketchbook close, stuffing it back in his bag. He folds his arms on his desk and settles his head inside them and closing his eyes
Might as well take a nap.
He turns his head to each side trying to get into a comfortable position, after a while of settling down and then getting uncomfortable again, he opens his eyes when his head is facing towards the window. He looks at the trees outside but then his eyes adjust to the glass and he finds himself staring at Langa's reflection.
Langa is staring at the front of the room and it almost looks like he’s paying attention but Reki knows that blank stare and knows Langa’s up in the clouds, no thoughts whatsoever.
Reki smiles, closing his eyes once again, finally falling asleep.
_____________________
A bell rings and Reki slowly awakens. He blinks a few times and rubs his eyes. When his vision focuses he glances over at Langa’s desk, Langa’s desk with Langa missing. He was probably already at the rooftop stuffing his face with food.
‘That biggie probably started eating without me.’
Reki smirks to himself as he grabs his bento and heads to the rooftop.
The steep stairs are no match for eager Reki, and though he may have been out of breath a bit when he reached the top, it was all worth it cause he gets to see his best friend in the whole world and is free from academic stress for at least 30 minutes.
Reki–standing at the top of the stairs–frowns at the rain pattering outside, realizing they can’t eat out there. Langa is sitting impatiently against the wall, waiting to eat his food . He’s basically drooling at his PB&J and resenting the urge to stuff his face.
Reki walks toward Langa and presses his back against the wall, sliding down as the back of his uniform rises up from the friction, and falls back down when Reki plops himself next to Langa.
“Aww were you waiting to eat for little old me?” Reki says, fluttering his lashes and cupping his face with his hands.
“What? No! Well...yes–but only because you promised to share your bento!” Langa says, a bit flushed and biting into his cheek. “I just wanted your food.”
Reki laughs. “I think you love food more than me.”
Langa's eyes widen and then he looks away and Reki can't see his reaction. His lips pierce together and he crosses his arms atop of his legs that were pressed into his chest. “That’s not true…” Is what Reki thought Langa said but maybe he was just imagining things.
“A–Anyway! Uh, my mom packed me extra cold fried chicken so you can have some.” Reki says, cringing at his stutter.
Langa immediately turns his face back to face Reki and smiles hopefully, his eyes darting from Reki’s toward his Bento. “Really?”
“Course dude! Take as much as you want.” He says, opening his bento and pushing it towards Langa. And Langa devoures it–no surprise there–leaving Reki hungry, but after seeing that satisfied look on Langa's face, he couldn't help but leave lunch feeling contempt.
_____________________
The rest of the day was a blur. Reki can barely remember what happens after Lunch, the only time he clocks back into reality is when the bell rings, signaling them to go home. Reki’s slumped posture straightens up as he bounces out of the desk.
“Finally! Freedom!” He says in relief.
Reki turns his head toward Langa, who’s talking to a girl. Well more like the girl is talking to him, and Langa is sitting there half listening.
“So uh, Langa-kun, I was just wondering if you’re free after school tomorrow? N-No pressure.” She says, fidgeting with her thumbs and looking towards the floor and then back up at Langa nervously.
Reki’s heart throbs. Even though it happens a lot, he still always feels a bit upset whenever Langa gets asked out. It's probably just because they wouldn't be able to spend as much time together. He would be really busy hanging out with his girlfriend and spending time with her, walking each other home, going on dates, and hugging and–kissing–right? Oh hell no–Thinking of that stupid lovey dovey stuff is gonna make him hurl. Just thinking about Langa kissing a girl makes Reki react with a disgusted face. Because that's his best bud. No other reason.
“Uhhh…” Langa glances toward Reki, and Reki hesitates and shrugs. Just because Reki kinda sorta wants langa all to himself, that doesn't mean he’s not gonna try to be a good wingman, no matter how much it may hurt his heart. “I’m busy anyway, I have to babysit my sisters, so you might as well.” He whispers to Langa.
Langa nods, swallowing and Reki watches his Adam's apple bob. “Yeah I guess so. Um, what's your name again?”
The girl’s eyes brighten. “ Wait really?? Oh uh, Sayaka!” She grins. “O-Ok! See you tomorrow then!” She says, turning and waving as she walks away.
Reki groans, rolling his eyes, draping his arm over Langa's shoulder. “You’re lucky you're so handsome…” He says, forcing a laugh. He glances toward Langa, whose ears are tinted pink, was that because of Sayaka?
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨…
“Wanna go hang out at mine?” Reki says, removing his arm from Langa’s shoulder and poking his cheek. “Pleaseee??”
Langa gives Reki a small smile. “Sure.”
_____________________
Reki and Langa go to switch shoes and Reki walks over to grab their umbrellas when he realizes his rainbow umbrella is gone.
“Shit.” Reki says, just staring at the collection of umbrellas.
The curse catches Langa's attention as he walks over to Reki and also stares at the collection of umbrellas.
“Koyomi’s gonna kill me.” Reki says, clasping his hands to his face.
“Wait what happened?” Langa said, raising an eyebrow.
“Dude, my umbrella got stolen. Or rather my sister's umbrella.” He says explaining to slow ahh Langa.
“Ah. Well we can share mine.” Langa says flatly.
“That won’t stop my sister from kicking my ass.” Reki says with a frown. “Lets just head out, I'd like to get Koyomi's temper tantrum over with as soon as possible.
Langa nods and grabs his purple polka dot umbrella. He walks toward the door and opens his umbrella, gesturing for Reki to come closer.
Reki scratches the back of his neck. Maybe being an tightly pressed, shoulder–to–shoulder, against Langa, fending themselves from the rain is a bad idea, I mean he’s flustered just from thinking about it, It's not a very ‘best bro’ thing to do, and how he’s been acting lately in definitely NOT best bro behavior.
“Are you sure you're ok with sharing your umbrella, I could just wait a while and ask my mom to pick me up when she gets off work…”
Langa’s brows furrow as he frowns. “Of course I'm ok with it, I'm not just gonna leave you here.” Langa says it's the most obvious thing in the world.
“Right duh haha.” Reki laughs nervously, stepping closer to Langa.
They walk outside in the rain and holy crap they're so close. Langa’s shoulder is indeed pressed right into Reki’s and its so freaking warm and Reki’s face must be so freaking warm cause who wouldn't be blushing in this situation and Reki glances at Langa and he looks so focused, holding the umbrella just right so he won’t get any water on Reki and his pale nose is slightly pink since its a little cold outside from the rain and omg Reki’s gonna explode into a bajillion pieces but he would die happy because his last moment was being this close to Langa.
And then Reki realizes he’s staring and quickly reverts his gaze back to the ground. Awkwardly he tries to make conversation.
“So Sayaka, Are you interested in her?” Reki says, keeping his eyes in front of them and not staring towards Langa’s pretty face.
Langa hesitates for a moment. “I guess? I don’t know, I barely know her.”
Reki nods, biting his cheek. “Right, so uh do you think you would date her?”
Langa pauses and Reki finally turns to look at him just to find that his facial expression is unreadable. He opens his mouth like he was about to say something but then closes it again.
“I’m not sure.” He finally spits out.
“...I see.” Reki whispers, not sure if Langa heard him or not. Ugh. He should have just kept his mouth shut and things wouldn't have ended up so awkward.
Suddenly a car that passes them drives into a large puddle, splashing Reki and completely soaking his pants. Reki just stands there under the umbrella trying to process what just happened while Langa reacts with a concerned look.
“This day could not possibly get any worse.” Reki says, closing his eyes in defeat and shaking his leg to get any water off and then quickly giving up as he realized it wasn't doing anything.
Langa panics quietly, hands ready to help but not really sure what to do so he’s just standing there muttering to himself something in English.
At last, he decides to communicate and turns to Reki. “...Are you ok?”
Reki, who was currently staring at his soaking pants and muttering curses he would never say around his mom, turns to Langa who he forgot is still crazy close to him, so now their faces are just inches apart and Reki gazes in the cutest, pleading, blue eyes that he immediately loses himself in for a second and then snaps back, realizing Langa had said something.
“Oh! Yeah I’m fine! All good!” Reki says, then clasping his hands to his mouth after realizing how loud that came out. He jerks himself straight and focuses directly at the ground in front of him. Omg stop looking at Langa he probably thinks youre crazy cuz your looking at him so much you need to lock in–
“Good, that’s ah-good” Langa sighs in relief, his tense posture relaxes. “Uh anyway, we're almost to your house.”
Reki looks up and realizes they're already in his neighborhood. “Oh yeah! I didn’t even notice.”
They walk up to the house in awkward silence and Reki fumbles in his pockets for the key, after a half a minute of searching he finds it and fumbles again trying to open the door. After a full minute of failing to open the door, Reki turns to Langa and silently starts begging him to open the door. Langa grabs the key, and opens the door as Reki jumps inside rejoicing and his bluehaired friend follows close behind.
_____________________
After a few hours of video games and skating videos, Langa said his goodbyes and went back home, and Reki mourns his presence. As his mom calls him for dinner and he trudges out of his room, he knew he wouldn't be prepared for Koyomi’s scolding about that dumb umbrella.
“Does anyone know where my rainbow umbrella is?” Koyomi says and Reki avoids eye contact, whistling innocently. Koyomi groans at Reki’s obvious avoidance.
“Reki, what could you have possibly done with my umbrella?” Koyomis says, voice rising.
“Shoved it up my ass.” Reki said, shoveling kimchi in his mouth.
“Hey, Don’t curse.” Masea says, feeding the twins. “And apologize to your sister for losing her umbrella.”
Reki groans. “...Sorry Koyomi.” He mutters as quietly as possible.
“Wait, is that why you and Langa shared an umbrella like a couple?” Koyomi says.
“WHAT–WHO TOLD YOU THAT?” Reki said, his face slightly flushed, dropping his fork. “AND NOT ONLY COUPLES SHARE UMBRELLAS, BEST FRIENDS TOTALLY DO THAT TOO.”
“Uh huh, and best friends also cuddle together, feed each other, and promise to skate together for infinity.” Koyomi smirks.
“HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL THIS SHIT???” Reki shouts, standing up at this point, face fully red.
“Reki! Language!” Masea shouts, taking a bite of rice.
Reki slams his head into the table and mutters something incoherent that's probably not PG-13. “I hate you.” He says, retreating to his room.
“Love you too big brother!!” Koyomi says happily as Reki buries his hands in his warm face.