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*
Reki has been meaning to clear his head. He disappears into the night.
It's nothing but the constant and soft grinding of wheels on blacktop. Reki makes a grab, thrusting himself into an ollie when he jumps over what looks like dog poop, his knees bent. His landing goes as smooth as silk, or whatever—Reki unconsciously crinkles his nose.
Better than skating over THAT.
Langa, the goofy-foot, rides alongside him through the wide stretch of road. All of the neighborhood houses with their lights dimmed out. Insects chirp, filling the silence. Pleasantly warm air blows into Reki's face. Everything smells like orchids. It's nobody but him and Langa for a while.
He glances to Langa maneuvering himself into on Reki-LS2, leaping up and doing a perfectly executed kickflip.
Reki's gold-brown eyes smile.
They ride down into an empty intersection, swerving each other under the light-poles. Reki can't help but glance back at Langa and watch him. Admiring him. Langa's hair looks like pale blue and early morning shadows. Like Langa is winter moonlight over snow.
He glides a little past Reki, Langa's expression thoughtful. His eyes half-lidded. His tee flapping loosely over Langa's upper arms.
Reki has seen hundreds and hundreds of sunrises from never going to bed when he should, and they don't compare. He's seen museums and aquariums. A 720 rotation in real life at one of the parks. None of it compares. Langa is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen.
It happens slow, with Reki circling him in a parking lot, and Langa joining…
And… it feels they're lost to infinity…
A flush of hot heat travels inside Reki's chest. He brakes with his foot, meeting Langa's eyes and opening his mouth. A yelp escapes when Langa quickly takes his hands, pulling a stammering Reki onto Langa's skateboard with him. Everything teeters.
They're chest-to-chest, practically nose-to-nose, and Reki… doesn't…
It's difficult to breath with Langa's fingers gently on his. Both of their hands at their sides.
Reki remembers in the big Hollywood movies where the kiss is gonna happen, and you know it's coming—it's gonna happen between the couple, usually a boy and girl. They're gonna hold each other, and kiss, and live happily ever after when the credits roll.
He doesn't mind being the boy or girl, just as long as Langa kisses him—WAIT, WHAT IS HE SAYING?!?!—
Reki shrinks under Langa's intrigued stare. His nostrils flare.
"Melon soda," Langa whispers.
"Mm…?"
Reki blinks rapidly, growing profusely more confused.
"… …mhm… melon?"
Langa nods.
"I can smell it on your breath," he concludes, millimeters from Reki's lips. "You didn't brush your teeth."
Confusion drains out of Reki.
He flails, raising his voice, "NO—NO, YES!! I DID!! SHEESH!!!" and thoroughly embarrassed by how Reki's own voice cracks. Langa gets knocked with one of Reki's arms, crying out alarmed and falling off his skateboard onto his bottom.
"Oops," Reki murmurs, wincing. He rubs the back of his neck, hopping down.
Strands of Langa's hair flutters over his eyes.
"Oops?"
"At least you didn't face-plant, right?" Reki offers, grinning nervously and dodging when Langa kicks a bit of gravel at him. The other boy starts laughing on the ground, Langa's face brightening. It's much more than a sunrise, Reki thinks. He's… amazing.
Figuring this stuff out is hard. Reki has never been in love with someone else before.
Thankfully, he's not alone.
*