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The rain is pelting down on them, unforgiving and chillingly cold. It’s only the first few days fall, but Langa feels as though they could be in the middle of winter already. He would’ve been freezing even without the rain drenching them - Langa’s hurt Reki.
Reki’s mad. Rightfully so - Langa broke the promise he made to him. He knows how Reki’s been left behind by friends in the past, he knows how close they are to each other. They depend on another. Langa would never leave Reki behind, even if he did get hurt skating. He can’t imagine not spending each day with Reki.
Reki’s angry. Langa can see the hurt and betrayal in his eyes. Reki’s voice trembles and Langa’s heart plummets.
“Why do you have to skate with Adam?” Reki asks.
Langa can’t tell if Reki’s started to cry or if it’s the rain streaking down his face.
When Langa doesn’t reply, Reki asks, “Am I… am I just not good enough?”
To this, Langa doesn’t hesitate, “No! Reki, no.”
“Then what is it?” Reki isn’t looking at him anymore.
“It’s exciting to go against Adam,” Langa says - it’s the truth.
“Exciting? He terrifies me, Langa,” Reki snaps back.
His eyes are dark and Langa feels the shift. Reki doesn’t agree.
Langa doesn’t know how to respond again and Reki takes the opportunity to turn and leave. But, he can’t leave. Not yet, not before they’ve made up.
Langa reaches for Reki’s arm and pulls him back, as gently as he can to stop him from leaving.
“What?” Reki still doesn’t look at him.
“Don’t go, not yet,” Langa pleads.
“Why? Why shouldn’t I? We’re clearly not a good match anymore, Langa,” Reki fires back and Langa realizes he’s crying.
“Because,” a pause, “because I can’t do this without you,” Langa finally manages to get out.
“Yes you can,” Reki argues.
“I can’t. It’s not the same without you. I just feel… empty again,” Langa says, he wants Reki to just be able to see into his heart.
Skating is nothing without Reki. He loves it this much because of Reki. Can’t he see that?
Langa realizes his fingers are still holding onto Reki’s wrist, their hands caught in between them. He finally lets go and when he does, Reki looks down at his wrist, his arm still hovering in the air.
“Do you know how much I trusted you?” Reki asks.
Langa can see in this moment just how much he’s hurt Reki. He’s fully crying now, tears mixing with the rainstorm that’s still brewing. He looks lost and Langa doesn’t know how to make it right. He wants his Reki back - wants his trust, wants his smile back.
Langa doesn’t know what to do, so he does the only thing he’s left wanting of Reki. The one thing he’s never asked for. He’s almost completely lost Reki, so there is just this one thing left that Langa can think of doing in this moment.
Langa surges forward, grabbing the front of Reki’s hoodie, and presses their lips together. Reki’s lips are soft, covered in rain and tears. Dizzily, Langa thinks this was the best moment of his life, even if it was a split second.
He doesn’t realize he’s kissed Reki, really kissed him, until he’s pulling away, fingers still holding onto his hoodie. Langa prays Reki won’t hate him. He didn’t know how else to say he’s sorry.
“You just kissed me.”
“I did.”
“Do it again.”
Langa closes the few inches between them and presses his lips softly to Reki’s again. He doesn’t pull away after just a moment and this time Reki kisses him back. Langa thinks he would’ve melted if it weren’t for him holding onto Reki’s hoodie still. He tries to memorize the soft feel of Reki’s lips in case this is the last time he gets to do this.
“I’m sorry,” Langa whispers when they pull away, panting a little from the lack of air.
Reki drops his head onto Langa’s shoulder and sighs, “Langa.”
Langa takes one of his hands anchored onto Reki and tentatively threads his fingers through Reki’s hair. His hair is soaked through from the rain, but Langa loves how soft his hair feels, he wishes he can do this for an eternity. He doesn’t think anything can parallel the feeling of Reki in his arms. Except for maybe kissing Reki.
Reki pulls back to look at Langa again. His fingers brush gently across Langa’s cheek. Langa realizes he’s crying as Reki brushes a tear that’s escaped from his eyes.
“I can’t do it if it’s not with you. I need you there,” Langa whispers, quiet enough that Reki can only hear him because they’re so close.
“Make me another promise. Don’t break this one, though,” Reki asks.
Langa’s heart soars when he sees a small smile on the corner of Reki’s lips.
Lips he just kissed, twice.
Langa nods, eyes wide, waiting to see what Reki asked of him. Langa doesn’t think he could say no to anything Reki asks, especially when his amber eyes are so pretty, looking right into his heart.
“Don’t leave me behind, Langa. Even if you skate against Adam, just… don’t forget about me, ok?” Reki’s smile wavers.
“I won’t. I can’t,” Langa answers and it’s the truth.
Langa wants to kiss a thousand apologies into Reki’s skin.
He doesn’t know how he could spend a day in Okinawa now without Reki. Langa gets to see him everyday, see his smile, hear his playful jabs, and skate beside him everyday. How could he ever go on without Reki now that he’s had him?
Reki pulls away and Langa’s heart drops for a moment, until he realizes Reki’s reaching out his hand to do their handshake.
Reki laughs softly and Langa can’t help himself as he kisses Reki again. He can only taste the rain on his lips now, no more tears, and Langa smiles into the kiss. He hopes he can do this again. As often as Reki wants.
Langa pulls away to make sure Reki’s ok, but he realizes Reki’s hands are holding onto the collar of his shirt.
“Again,” Reki says.
Langa doesn’t have to be told twice. He tries to kiss all the hurt out of Reki, between their smiles and giggles.
It’s sweet and awkward and entirely perfect.