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Sia la Luce was busy after the latest S, just as Joe likes it. Before it would only be him and Cherry, and on some nights that’s still the case, but more often then not it’s their entire little skate group filling his restaurant with laughter and gossip. Langa was stuck to Reki’s side, as is the norm, but he was engaging in conversation with their youngest as Reki was rambling to Shadow about a new board design he was thinking about making.
Cherry was sitting quietly to the side, a smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Others may not notice it, but Joe likes to think he knows his friend better than anyone else - and ok, maybe that isn’t even a stretch. He does know Cherry best, just as Cherry knows him best. Setting a platter of drinks on the table, Joe took a seat beside his friend, “What’s wrong?”
“Reki,” Cherry hummed, speaking quietly enough only Joe could hear, “It’s been two days since his beef with Adam and he hasn’t brought up any pain. We all watched him bail, and we watched Adam drag him against the cliffside. He should be in excruciating pain now that the adrenaline has worn off.”
Joe hummed, “He seems fine.”
“Stupid gorilla, that’s why I’m worried,” Cherry grabbed his glass of water, taking a slow sip, “I’m going to keep him behind today and personally check over his wounds, so I hope you restocked your first aid kit.”
“Who do you think I am? Of course I did,” he’s learned, the hard way, how bad having an unprepared first aid kit is. Especially since they regularly compete at S, “Just don’t go all momma bear on him, ok? Take it easy on the kid.”
Cherry spluttered, “Excuse you? I do not go momma bear. I just… care. Shut up,” Cherry flicked his fan open, hiding his face behind it. It was rather endearing how flushed Kaoru gets over something as simple as showing affection, and Joe couldn’t even stop his smile if he tried. He rested his head on his hand as he stared at Joe, and he certainly believes Cherry deserves the ‘Mommy’ title he’s been given. He cares, despite pretending that he doesn’t. The funny thing is, everyone can see how much he loves them but him.
Though, that’s just part of his charm.
As the night continued on, Shadow, being the reasonable adult that he is, dragged a tired and grumpy Miya back to the car to finally bring him back to his home. The kid has school tomorrow, and Shadow has work. Unlike the other adults and teens present, some people actually need their beauty sleep. Langa and Reki stayed behind, determined to finish their post-S meals before heading home. It was the perfect time for Cherry to act.
Cherry cleared his throat, “Reki, pardon the intrusion but I must ask, how are you feeling?”
Reki quirked his eyebrow, “Uh, fine, why?”
“Your beef with Adam, he hurt you. Did you go to the doctors?”
“No, and it’s really not that bad!” Reki laughed, “It’s hardly a scratch.”
Joe watched Cherry frown, and he couldn’t help the little bubble of worry form in his chest, “Reki, do you really think your injuries aren’t a big deal? He literally threw you off your board multiple times. Hit you. I mean, you were dragged across rocks, for gods sake, kid! That’s a lot!”
They watched Reki brush off their concern, light blush on his cheek as he waved them off, “You’re over exagerating!”
“They aren’t,” Langa frowned slightly, brow furrowing, “Did you really not go to the doctor? That’s irresponsible.” Not that Langa really had room to talk, but it was easy to be hypocritical about health when it comes to a loved one.
Reki was, clearly, feeling cornered. He looked away, shrugging slightly as he pulled in on himself, “It’s really not a big deal. It doesn’t even hurt much!”
Heartbreaking, that’s all Cherry could think. Reki reminds him too much of himself, especially when he was younger and believed all the wicked lies his anxiety whispered to him. When he thought his self-loathing was more than just a deceitful demon living in his mind - when he trusted and accepted every hateful thought his subconscious told him; that he didn’t matter, that no one loved him, that he wasn’t good enough, or that he deserved whatever bad thing that happened to him.
If Reki is as bad as he was, then he was probably neglecting many of his skating wounds. His pain tolerance would sky rocket and… well, maybe the injuries he sustained with Adam isn’t actually a big deal to him. Maybe they aren’t as painful to him as they really should be. Maybe he needs more help then just a bandaid and a hug - psychological help.
Yeah, Cherry has plans to introduce Reki to his therapist soon. If Reki’s family can’t afford to send him, Cherry has all those savings he doesn’t know what to do with… yes, that sounds like a plan.
“Kojiro, get your first aid kit.”
“Way ahead of you, princess,” Joe smirked, already out of his seat and at the cabinets, pulling them open and grabbing the kit from inside.
“Reki, remove your shirt.”
“What?!” The teens face immediately went red, “No!”
Langa nodded, “You need to take off your shirt,” He reached out, tugging at the loose fabric, “I can help.”
“I don’t need your help!” Reki slapped Langa’s hands away, blush only deepening, “I can do it myself, but - but we don’t even need to do it!”
“Yes, we do,” Joe smiled kindly, “Come on, it’s not a big deal. We’re just helping.”
Reki mumbled something under his breath before reluctantly nodding. He slowly peeled off his sweatshirt, ignoring the sharp intakes of breath around him. He knows how he looks, and he did put some antiseptics on it. He’s not completely stupid. He’s also observed how the bruises grew over his back and shoulders, turning a vibrant purple and blue. He watched as his scrapes scabbed over and turned an angry red. He doesn’t think their infected, but none of them look pretty or healed. None of his skin really looks good right now.
“What the hell,” Cherry reached out, carefully trailing his fingers over the bruises, “Why didn’t you tell us it was this bad?”
“It’s not!”
Langa made a little pained sound, “Reki…” he frowned, eyes shining with unshed tears, “Please don’t say that. It’s, it’s so bad. Don’t hide this stuff from us. Please, please let us help you.”
Dammit, now Reki’s feels guilty. He looked between his best friend and then his somewhat adopted parental figures, apprehensive but still feeling strangely loved. These three people, they care for him. Hell, Miya and Shadow too, they all genuinely care for him, and its so odd. There’s no reason for them to be so attached, and there’s no reason for them to be so concerned, but they are. They want to help him, with no demand for a returned favor or benefit. They just want to help for the sake of helping. They just want to be there for him because they care. There’s no other reason, no ulterior motives and… it’s odd. It’s nice too, though. It’s really nice.
“Ok,” Reki ducked his head, smiling softly, “I think I’d like that.”
“Good, cause we weren’t gonna give you a choice,” Joe smirked, setting the first aid kit between him and Cherry, “Now sit still.”
Together, the two adults began to address Reki’s wounds. Langa reached out, grabbing Reki’s hand and giving it a squeeze, “You’re gonna be ok.”
“I know that,” and he does, sort of. Between the three of them, Reki doubts he could get away with not being ok anymore. He doesn’t know why the thought makes him so warm inside.
“Good,” Langa smiled, holding his hand just a tad tighter, “Next time talk to me, ok? I don’t want a repeat of this, or of you ignoring me.”
“Still not over that?” But Reki’s grin softened, “But I don’t wanna repeat of that either,” and he really doesn’t. He missed Langa. He missed Langa with all his heart - he missed all of them, “I’ll come to you next time.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
The two teens missed the way Cherry gagged behind Reki’s back, and the way Joe fondly rolled his eyes. But, well, Joe couldn’t begrudge them. He’s sure him and Cherry were that gross when they were that age too.
Cherry cleared his throat, “Now that you two are done… talking,” he made a little face again, “Reki, you’re not allowed to participate in any more beefs until you’re healed - don’t give me that look. It’s for your own good. From now on, after any beef, you’re to come here and get looked over by either me or Joe. Am I understood?”
Reki deflated, looking down at his feet, “Yes, mom.”
“Good, now I’m only being this strict beca - wait, what did you call me?”
Reki started to laugh, and his joy was contagious. Both Langa and Joe joined in with his laughter. Cherry tried to stifle their cheers, rejecting the title the boys have given to him, but they all ignored his protests. By the slight blush on his cheeks, Joe would even say he didn’t quite mind the honorary title.
Looking around at his little family, Joe felt content. He wouldn’t trade this for the world (is that cheesy? Oh well, Joe doesn’t mind being cheesy every now and again).