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Reki didn’t usually have the day off from work during the weekend, so he was very glad about it until he realized Langa was scheduled until five. Then it was suddenly less exciting. Langa had assured him they could see each other after he was done with work at the skatepark like they planned to do anyway. His boyfriend suggested they could all meet up at the park near Reki’s house, inviting Cherry and Joe. Langa had also asked Shadow, but he told them he would be working and he couldn’t be there. Then Miya had chimed in the group chat and said he needed some new clothes and he asked Reki if he could come with him to the mall before they all met at the park. Reki jumped at the chance of not spending the whole day alone and said yes.
That was how they found themselves at the mall on a Saturday afternoon; Reki following Miya to the stores the younger wanted to go to. Reki tried not to let it show that he was missing his boyfriend, but Miya’s stares let him know he wasn’t fooling anyone.
“You already spend all your time with Langa.” Miya told him as they entered a store that Reki could only describe as an emo clothing store. “It’s the last store I wanted to go to, so it’s not like it’s gonna kill you.” Miya added as he pulled Reki by the shoulder.
“But I miss him, what can I say?” Reki protested with a pout.
Miya rolled his eyes and sighed as he roamed the aisles, knowing that Langa was probably whining as well at Dope Sketch. The teenagers nodded to the employee that greeted them and they kept walking.
“You guys really deserve each other.” He said with a sigh.
Reki gasped with mock offence. “How dare you?”
Miya continued looking around the store, ignoring Reki and his whines for now. He trusted his friend to follow him. At least, the store wasn’t very big, so he couldn’t lose him. The younger one picked up a few things that he found interesting, some of them he knew he could wear at ‘S’. He needed a new pair of shorts and maybe a shirt or two. He turned around to tell Reki that he was ready to head for the register, but his friend wasn’t as close as he had thought. Reki was farther down the aisle, holding a piece of clothing in his hands. Miya frowned. He didn’t think this store would be Reki’s style. He walked up to the older teen to see what he had found.
Reki was looking at a red and black tartan pleated skirt. The skirt was cinched with a black belt and had a silver chain dangling at the hip, just like the one he usually wears with his pants. Judging by the length of it, it probably would be mid-thighs or shorter, since it was designed for girls. Miya observed his friend to see what was all the fuss about, but the poor boy looked in a trance. The black-haired boy wasn’t expecting his friend to be interested in that sort of clothing, but he wasn’t one to judge.
“Are you gonna buy it, or not?” He asked, genuinely curious.
Reki startled at the sound of Miya’s voice and almost dropped the skirt on the ground. His cheeks turned red instantly and he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Why would I buy a skirt?” He asked, looking anywhere but directly at Miya.
“Well, you seemed pretty interested in it.” Miya pointed out.
“It looks good. But I’m not sure I’m confident enough to wear it out in public.” He admitted looking back at the skirt.
“I’m sure you’ll look great in it.” Miya encouraged him, remembering the first time he saw Sora wearing one. “Since when do you care about what others think of you?”
“What if Langa isn’t into it? Or what if our other friends don’t want to be seen in public with me if I wear it?” Reki rambled his fears mostly to himself at this point. “Oh my god, what if my mom finds it?”
Miya had to hold his laughter. This was a serious matter and he needed to be here for Reki. The teen was genuinely concerned. He knew his family was more traditional and not as open-minded as his own. But as for Langa…
“You could wear a potato sack and Langa would still think you’re the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. And you’re really concerned about the others? Cherry wears a kimono daily. It’s kinda shaped like a skirt or a dress.” Miya tried to reassure him. “If you’re really worried about your mom finding it, you can leave it at my place. Sora often leaves her stuff at my place and my parents don’t mind it.” The younger boy offered. “The only question you need to ask yourself is: do you want it or not.”
Reki stared at Miya with wide eyes for a few seconds. Then he looked down at the skirt he still had in his hands, then back at Miya. Miya could almost pinpoint the moment Reki took his decision. His eyes lit up in a certain way and brought the skirt closer to his chest.
“I’ll take it.” Reki said firmly.
The redhead went quickly to the register as if he was scared he would change his mind if he waited too long. Miya followed his friend with a small smile on his lips.
A few minutes later, both of them exited the store with a bag in their hands. Reki had bought the skirt, but Miya had a feeling his friend would be hesitant to put it on. Miya shrugged. He had done his part, Joe and Cherry could handle the next step.
* * *
Reki and Miya arrived at the park a few minutes before five. Joe and Cherry were already there, leaning against the fence. Joe smiled at them and greeted them warmly. Cherry did the same if only a little less obnoxious. They were both wearing their skating outfits.
“I see you both bought a few things.” Joe commented, pointing at their bags.
Reki blushed at Joe’s words and shrugged. “It’s nothing.”
“Reki, are you ok?” Cherry asked. “You look stressed.”
“I’m fine. It’s no big deal, guys.” Reki assured them.
“He bought a skirt and is afraid to wear it.” Miya blurted out as if it wasn’t a big deal.
“Miya!” Reki exclaimed as he punched Miya’s shoulder with his fist.
When he saw Joe and Cherry’s reaction, the black-haired boy smirked.
“He hasn't even tried it on at the store.” Miya added.
“Maybe it’s the best moment to try it on.” Joe said. “It’s just the four of us, and we would never make you feel bad about yourself.”
“I can’t believe I’m agreeing with him, but Joe has a good point.” Cherry said.
Reki still looked a little unsure about the whole thing. Cherry pulled down his mask and took a step closer to the teen. He guided him a few meters away, letting Joe and Miya catch up on their upcoming beefs.
“Reki. Do you want to try it on?” He asked, putting his hand on the redhead’s shoulder and squeezing lightly.
Reki looked up at Cherry. “Yes.” He admitted in a whisper.
“Then go put it on. I’m sure you’ll look great.” The older man encouraged him with a warm smile.
Reki nodded hesitantly but put down his skate next to the bench they usually put their belongings on. He clutched the plastic bag tighter in his hands before heading to the little brick building that housed the public restrooms. Joe and Miya joined Cherry when the door closed behind Reki.
“Is he going to wear it?” Joe asked.
“Yes. He is.” Cherry gave the two a look that clearly promised hell if they said anything inappropriate.
“What are you guys doing?” A voice called behind them.
The three of them turned around to see Langa making his way to them with his skate under his arm. He looked a little bit out of breath as if he just ran to get there as soon as possible, which probably was the case.
“Where is Reki?” Langa asked as he looked around for his boyfriend.
“He bought something new today. He’s changing.” Miya told him.
Miya held back his smirk but it was gratifying to know he was right. Even if he tried to hide it, it was very obvious that Langa was just as obsessed with Reki and missed him all day long too. Miya was about to comment on it but stopped when the door opened. All attention turned on the boy coming out. If he hadn’t been scared to break the silence, Miya would’ve pointed out that once again he was right. Reki looked good in a skirt.
Reki came back slowly to where they were all waiting, his cheeks burning with a blush. He hadn’t dared to look up at his friends to see their reactions, so he didn’t realize that Langa was there yet.
“Hum… could someone say something?” He asked, his eyes still on his feet.
“Fuck, you look hot.” Langa blurted out first.
Reki looked up so fast at the sound of Langa’s voice he was almost sure his neck cracked. Langa was staring at him intensely, his blue eyes roaming up and down his body. Reki was still blushing, but it was for a completely different reason now.
“Ok, keep it in your pants, Langa. We’re in public.” Joe said with a smirk.
Joe’s voice broke the bubble that had formed around the young couple. They all looked at them with similar smirks, knowing damn well what Langa was thinking about. Langa had the decency to look sheepish.
“You meant that?” Reki asked his boyfriend.
“Of course, love. You look beautiful.”
“It does suit you, Reki.” Cherry added.
Joe agreed with the others and put a hand on his chin, deep in thoughts.
“It kind of looks like the one you used to wear in high school, Kaoru.” The man said after a moment.
“SHUT UP YOU BRAINLESS GORILLA, WE DO NOT TALK ABOUT THAT!” Cherry screamed in Joe’s face.
The usual banter did make Reki feel a bit more confident about what he was wearing. No one made a big deal out of it and Langa seemed to like it a lot. That was all that mattered. Even Miya didn’t make any jokes about it like he usually would’ve.
Reki tuned the others out when Langa got closer to him and looped his arm around his waist. Reki smiled as his boyfriend dropped a quick kiss on his temple.
“Looks like you had an eventful day.” Langa commented his mouth still near Reki’s ear.
“Yeah. It’s been an experience.” Reki admitted. “I’m ok now.”
“As long as you’re comfortable.”
Reki turned around in Langa’s arms to hug him properly. Langa’s hands went lower than his hips and he could feel his fingers stroke the fabric. Reki faintly heard the others saying they’ll start skating. That’s why they were here after all. Langa looked over his shoulder and told them they’ll join them in a bit. Reki was too comfortable in Langa’s arms to protest. Langa went back to stroking the fabric of the skirt between his thumb and index finger to get familiar with the texture. Reki knew his boyfriend almost better than he knew himself. He grabbed Langa’s wrist before the blue-haired boy dipped his fingers under said skirt. Langa looked down at him with the most innocent eyes he could manage.
“Not now, baby. We’re still in the middle of the park and our friends are right there.” Reki told him with a peck on his cheek.
Even though Miya now had a significant other, Reki knew the younger boy would totally yell at them for displaying affection in public. He also didn’t want to be caught by Cherry again. They didn’t want another conversation about safe sex in a public space. One time was embarrassing enough.
“Does it mean that later we could…?” Langa asked turning his hand in Reki’s hold so he could intertwine his fingers with his boyfriend’s.
“...Maybe.”