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Reki and Adam flew over the finish line and went sprawling across the concrete. The run had been vicious and Reki had taken the brunt of Adam’s attacks, but it was his name they were cheering. Not Adam’s. Langa didn’t have time to process how amazing that was because Reki was bruised and bleeding and Langa was at his side a moment later. Gently helping Reki get upright, the fear that had his heart tight and fists clenched the whole run melted away when Reki began to laugh. Langa loved that sound, even more now because it meant Reki was alright.
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Adam was making his way over towards them, but Langa’s eyes were fixated on the bright gold that stared back at him. Skating was fun for Reki, period. Skating was fun for Langa because of Reki. Cupping the red heads face, Langa leaned in and kissed him, tasting blood and dirt the noodles, they had eaten together earlier. The world around them faded away and Langa slowly pulled back to see the shocked expression on Reki’s face and the realization of what he had done hit him. Face turning scarlet, Reki’s was just as red but his eyes softened and raised a hand to Langa’s cheek and pulled him back in for another kiss.
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Miya had been scared for Reki, angry at him for accepting the stupid beef and then...so proud of what he had accomplished. Things he hadn’t even done. Reki would never stop surprising him he was sure, but he would have guessed he knew Langa pretty well, until the teenage was kissing Reki in full view of the entire S audience. Their faces hidden behind Langa’s curtain of hair but on the big screens there was no missing the way their lips touched. A movement in front of them had him turning to the murderous look on Adam’s face but Joe had stepped in front of him. Langa and Reki hadn’t taken any notice of Adam at all. A smile finally breaking across his face, Miya quickly threw himself at Reki the moment Langa pulled back. “You idiot! You could have died!” Reki had groaned in pain as Miya hit a bruise but he grinned back at him. “Thanks for cheering me on.” He said and then Miya joined the two in turning red. “I-I didn’t do any such thing!” Miya said scrambling to move away and play it cool. Langa betrayed him though, whispering to Reki that Miya had almost been in tears when they watched him go down.
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Cherry would have liked to have seen Reki pull ahead those final seconds and knock Adam off his high horse. He was also slightly jealous of the kid for his tenacity and how he had managed to adapt to hold his own against the monster that Adam had become. This was better though. Adam had won, but no one was cheering for him and he had humiliated himself multiple times on the run. It wasn’t over though. Adam didn’t just give up on something he wanted. Unable to step up and tell Adam to leave, Joe stepped in and made his body a wall between the kids and Adam. Cherry bit back a smile. ‘That huge body is good for something I guess...’ He thought to himself. Joe and he had gotten closer of the weeks since this had started. Not that they had ever been distant, but Joe had barely left his side since he showed up in the restaurant after escaping the hospital. Cherry wouldn’t forgive Adam for the way he had been attacked, but having Joe taking care of him had been a nice change of pace. Adam would have never, even when he was younger, been capable of being that selfless. His next more would no doubt be even worse than this had been.
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Adam was boiling. He had won, but just barely and Langa...Langa was further than ever from his reach now. Joe blocked his path as he walked towards the redhead and Langa, but Adam was still looking at them watching Langa’s eyes shine brighter than ever. He followed Langa’s gaze and he heard the blood rushing through his ears, drowning out Joe and Tadashi and everyone yelling the redheads name instead of the winners. Instead of his. It hit him then, like a punch to the gut. The light coming off the two. “Reki...” Adam let the name roll around his tongue, then his smile turned wicked. “Reki...” Saying it again seemed to get everyone's attention, even Langa’s finally. “Reki, I... I’ll make you, my Eve!”
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Reki felt sheer joy as he sailed over the finish line and he knew almost instantly he hadn’t won but it was alright. He had more fun than he had thought he would, especially after the last time he skated against Adam. That was what he wanted out of skating...just to have fun. Getting to get the better of Adam a few times had been fun too though. As soon as he sat up, he was realizing how sore he was. Would Langa be up for another trip to the beach? This might take him out for a bit, but he didn’t get a chance to ask because Langa was suddenly there and kissing him. Eyes wide open, it took Reki a second to recognize what was happening, but then...it felt so right. Just when he had figured out exactly how he felt towards Langa, the blue haired boy was pulling away but Reki could fix that. Another kiss. People cheering for them. Langa. He didn’t even think of Adam until he heard the man call his name. “Reki, I... I’ll make you, my Eve!” Reki stared in dumb shock, Langa looked equally bewildered beside him and Reki said the only thing he could manage. “Ehhhhhh?!?”