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Reki didn’t like being home alone. It was awful and way too quiet, it left him alone with his thoughts and that was a recipe for disaster. Granted, the thoughts about not being enough and the weakest link and that he was a bad skater had lessened after the whole situation with Adam but he didn’t think he would ever stop feeling that way, that just wasn’t how his mind worked.
The reason he was home alone was because his mother and sisters were visiting their father on the other side of the country, in Hokkaido. Reki and his father didn’t have the best relationship, with him being quite neglectful and not around much when Reki was younger, which was something that progressed even as all his sisters were born. So, he declined to join them and his mother must have felt him old enough to stay home alone considering he insisted on not missing school (or S).
So here he was now, alone in his big house and none of his friends knew. He didn’t want to tell them and have them be concerned for no reason or go out of their way to check up on him. He was fine. He was always fine. They didn’t need to worry themselves thinking about him.
It did get to be a lot sometimes, and he forgot to eat three meals a day some days or didn’t get enough sleep because he was busy working in his shed on skateboards and his mother wasn’t there to call him in when it got late. He often went to speak to someone or show someone something only to find emptiness beside him and the smile faded from his face.
Reki was a social person, he thrived around others. This wasn’t his element and he even began slipping away from his friends unintentionally.
It all got too much one day and he went down to the harbour at sunset with a blank sketchbook he had just bought and sat on the dock, legs hanging over the side. There was a boat always docked at the harbour, one that belonged to no one but that Reki knew kids would take out to sea occasionally, never going very far, but just messing around on days when the weather was good.
The weather was good right now.
Reki could man a boat, he’d done it before. It had been a long time though, but he used to go out on his father’s boat with him when he was still around, before he sold the thing and moved all the way to Hokkaido for work, leaving Reki and his mother alone and coming back once every blue moon.
With those thoughts in his mind, he hopped onto the boat and untied the rope, tossing it into the boat and directing the sails to let the breeze push him out to sea. It was quite pleasant, he realised, sitting in a boat surrounded by water, watching the sun go down, painting the water a myriad of beautiful colours. It felt surreal, Reki thought, he wished he could imprint this image onto his mind forever. He wished he had brought his phone so he could take a picture but he left his at his house when he went out.
The nice weather didn’t last.
It was almost as if someone flipped a switch and suddenly the wind picked up, yanking the boat to the side so viciously, Reki almost toppled into the sea. The waves starting raging and swelling and Reki didn’t know what the fuck he was supposed to do. Everything was fine just seconds ago! Where did it all go wrong.
Reki saw a massive wave surge over the little vessel he was in and crash down upon him. The next thing he knew, he was in the water, the cold shocking him and burning through his body. He flailed his arms, trying desperately to get to the surface but every time he thought he progressed, he would get pushed further down and slowly he could feel the breath in his lungs lessening and his vision growing darker. Just as his hand broke through the surface, his eyes closed and he went slack.
When Reki next opened his eyes, it was to white. Everything he could see was white and he went to lift his arm to cover his eyes but it felt awfully heavy. Every inch of his body ached and he groaned as he tried to move.
“Reki, hey kid, don’t – don’t move.” Oka’s voice filtered through the haze Reki felt and his vision focussed on the main sat by his bed, eyebrows pinched in concern and his hair messy as though he’d run his hands through it multiple times (he had).
“Oka –” Reki went to speak but all that came out of his mouth was a hoarse gasp and he coughed, closing his eyes as a wave of pain thrummed through his throat.
“Water, drink some water.” Oka brought a cup with a straw in it to Reki’s mouth, allowing him to drink and the red haired boy relaxed at the relief the cool water brought to his throat. “Better?”
“Yeah.” Reki’s voice was still hoarse but he could speak now without being in intense pain. “Where am I? What happened?”
“Reki, the lifeguard found you washed up on the beach with pieces of a boat. He did CPR, but you almost didn’t make it.” Oka said softly.
“What?” Reki whispered. “What do you – what –” His breathing picked up as his eyes flitted around the room. “Oka, I –”
“Easy, Reki – don’t work yourself up. You’re fine, you’re okay. They saved you and you’re in the hospital now. They called me because they couldn’t get a hold of your mother and I’m your second emergency contact.”
“She doesn’t have service in Hokkaido.” Reki muttered, feeling his heart rate slow down gradually. He linked his fingers together tightly, resting them on his chest.
“Hokkaido? Why’s she in Hokkaido?”
“Visiting dad with my sister. Didn’t wanna go. I don’t like him.” Reki said, his voice turning vulnerable for a second.
“Okay, and you’ve been home alone since she left? How long ago did she go?” Oka asked, his voice going softer.
“Yeah. Two weeks.”
“Reki… why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“’S not important. I’m fine. You didn’t need to know if nothing was wrong.”
“We all care, you know that right? That means we look out for you, and we can’t look out for you if we don’t know what’s going on in your life.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” Reki felt a shudder run through his body and he fought the urge to let the tears roll down his cheeks but Oka noticed.
“You can cry. You’re still a kid, you know? This wasn’t just anything that happened to you, it’s understandable you’d feel emotional.”
And Reki closed his eyes, feeling the tears slip down his cheeks as he bit his lip to stop himself from making any sounds, settling for tossing an arm over his eyes, despite the ache as he moved it, and his body shuddering as the sobs wracked through.
“There you go, kiddo. Let it all out.” Oka’s hand landed in Reki’s hair and he pet it gently before pulling away. He let Reki cry, silent the whole time through and when the younger calmed down after some time, he merely handed him some tissues and the water once more.
“Thanks.” Reki’s voice sounded thick.
“Anytime. You know, everyone’s worried about you. Can we send them a picture to let them know you’re alright?” Oka asked.
“Oh. Yeah.” Reki nodded. “Can I sit up in this bed?”
“Yeah, let me move it up.”
miya’s disciples (& cherry)
I found Reki guys.
[image: Reki giving a thumbs up from his hospital bed. His eyes are red]
Miya
IS HE IN THE HOSPITAL
??????????
Kaoru
Oka, is he alright?
Langa
IS REKI OKAY
CAN I COME SEE HIM
Kojiro
| Oka, is he alright?
Well, if he’s in the hospital then I assume not
Kaoru
Shut up, idiot gorilla.
Langa
OKA????????
He’s fine.
Well, not 100% fine but
It’s hard to explain over text
Yes, he is in hospital.
You can come see him whenever.
It is almost midnight though so maybe wait till the morning.
Langa
????
no i’m coming now
omw
Miya
i’ll convince my parents to drop me off
no school tomorrow
Kaoru
Be there soon.
Kojiro
I’m on my way.
Not long after they replied, a doctor knocked on the door and walked in, smiling when she saw Reki awake. “Ah Mr. Kyan, good to see you awake.”
“Good to be awake.” Reki nodded.
“We’re going to keep you here for the remainder of the night considering it is midnight, and you can leave in the morning.” She explained. “Nothing serious thankfully, the lifeguard saved your life on the beach and it was pretty smooth sailing after that. We got you warm but you might have a slight cold from the water and your body will just be sore for a day or so I presume.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything.”
Langa was, of course, the first person to arrive, and he showed up dressed in his pyjamas still with a jacket tossed overtop and a beanie on his head, wispy blue strands of hair peeking out from beneath it and wide-eyed. His eyes snapped to Reki the second he opened the door and he rushed over.
“Reki!” He stopped by Reki’s bedside, hovering. “Are you – can I –” he motioned with his hands.
“Yeah, you can give me a hug.” Reki chuckled tiredly. “My arms are a little too sore to lift though.”
“That’s okay!” Langa leaned over Reki and wrapped him in a hug so warm that the red haired boy almost let out a sigh of relief, dropping his head against Langa’s shoulder and closing his eyes as the arms tightened around his body. “I’m so glad you’re okay!”
“Mhm.” Reki hummed and then Langa let go and Reki felt so unbearably cold all of a sudden, but his best friend turned to greet Oka and then pulled a chair close to Reki’s bedside and sat.
“What happened?” Langa asked, concerned.
“Might be best to wait for everyone else to get here before he explains everything.” Oka replied gently.
As if on cue, the door slammed open once more and Kaoru stood there, his normally immaculate appearance just slightly off, some strands of hair out of place and the robe over his silk pyjamas untied. He marched right over to Reki and took his face in both of his own slender ones, tilting it left and right before he examined Reki’s body and seemed to be satisfied.
“Kaoru-san…?” Reki spoke softly, barely remembering to say his real name and not his S moniker.
“Are you alright, Reki? How bad is it?” Kaoru asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Um, I’m okay.” Reki replied, a tentative smile curling up his lips. “Just a little sore.”
“What happened?” Kaoru asked Oka who sighed and opened his mouth to say something when a blur rushed through the door, pushing Langa aside and leaning against Reki’s bed. It was Miya, and Kojiro wasn’t far behind, opting to close the door and lean his back against it, hands stuck in his pockets.
“Oi, you slime! What’d you do to end up in the hospital again?” The youngest demanded.
“Nothing on purpose.” Reki defending himself before coughing and groaning. “Oka –”
“Yeah, here.” Oka brought the cup of water and straw close to Reki so he could sip before the red haired boy let his head fall back on the pillow and took a deep breath. “Easy, kid.”
“Mhm.”
“What happened, Reki?” Kojiro asked, eyebrows furrowed. “Where’s your mother?”
“Uhm… my mother and sisters haven’t been home in two weeks. They’re visiting my uh… my father in Hokkaido.” Reki began explaining. “Didn’t want to go ‘cause we don’t get along so I stayed home.”
“And you didn’t tell us?” Langa sounded heartbroken and if Reki met his eyes, he would see there was a wet sheen to them. But Reki kept his eyes focussed on his hands, clenched atop the white bedsheets.
“Didn’t want to worry you. I was fine so…”
“Reki.” Kaoru said firmly and Reki’s head snapped up. “We worry regardless, might as well keep us in the loop.”
“And you’re clearly not fine.” Kojiro added, raising an eyebrow as he scanned Reki’s body.
“What did you even do?” Miya demanded, crossing his arms over his chest in an attempt to look tough, but Reki saw his lip quivering slightly.
“I went out on that old boat that’s always docked at the harbour near my house. The kids around the neighbourhood take it out a lot so I knew it was safe.” Reki paused to take a sip of the water again. “Weather was good. To start anyways.”
“What do you mean?” Langa looked concerned.
“It got windy. Really windy. Boat capsized.”
“Reki.” Kaoru inhaled sharply.
“Oka said they did CPR when I washed up.” Reki murmured. “I don’t remember anything.”
“CPR?” Kojiro looked alarmed, standing straight with his eyes wide.
“Oh my god.” Langa breathed and Miya’s eyes filled with tears.
“What are you doing, idiot?” He wailed.
“I didn’t mean to, Miya.” Reki spoke gently, frowning slightly. “Sorry for worrying you.”
“You’re so stupid.” Miya shook his head.
“I know.” Reki nodded, opening his arms and Miya wasted no time, throwing himself into them and tucking his head under Reki’s chin. The red haired boy winced but kept silent, leaning his head back when his neck began to ache and simply running a hand through Miya’s dark locks. He felt a hand on his own head and looked up to see Kojiro, ruffling his hair.
“Don’t scare us like that again, kiddo.”
“I’ll try not to. I don’t mean to do it.” Reki replied, his voice quiet.
“You’re never leaving my sight ever again.” Langa declared and Reki spluttered.
“Wh – Langa! That’s – that’s not possible.”
“Why not?” Langa borderline whined, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout as he crossed his arms over his chest.
“You… your mother would worry. I can’t take you away from home, it’s not fair on you or her.” Reki said softly, clasping his hands together in his lap and wringing them. “I’ll be okay, I just… moment of weakness.”
“And who’s to say you won’t have any more so-called moments of weakness?” Kaoru raised an eyebrow.”
“I… I’m not like… I didn’t do it on purpose or anything.” Reki spoke, linking his fingers together and squeezing his hands together until the knuckles turned white. “I can take care of myself, I’m responsible, I – I don’t need a babysitter, I can… I can take care of myself.” He repeated, his voice growing softer.
“We know you’re responsible, Reki.” Oka sighed. “It’s not about that. it’s about you being a seventeen year old kid who shouldn’t have to because you’re too young for that. You shouldn’t have to be alone or take care of yourself.”
“It’s not a big deal.” Reki muttered, his tone bordering on petulant.
“It is though.” Kojiro insisted. “Reki, you shouldn’t do everything on your own even if you can do it, and we know you can. You’re a good kid, responsible and smart and creative but you’re a kid. We, Kaoru, Oka, and I, are the adults. You can rely on us, you know?”
“You all have so much on your plates though, I couldn’t –”
“Reki Kyan.” Kaoru said firmly and Reki’s head shot up, eyes wide in alarm as he met Kaoru’s gaze. “You can and you should. Bottling things up and relying too much on yourself will only backfire, trust me on that one.” He gave Reki a meaningful look.
“Sorry.” Reki murmured, almost on instinct.
“Stop apologising. Idiot.” Miya scolded, frowning.
“Sor –” Reki cut himself off abruptly. “Whoops.”
“Stupid.” The youngest there snorted, the worried expression on his face fading slightly.
“Reki, do you think it would help to have one of us with you at the house?” Kaoru asked.
“I – oh no, I couldn’t ask that of anyone!” Reki shook his head. “I – I’ll keep you all updated and I’ll talk to anyone if I need anything, but we – you don’t need to do that. it’s fine… really.”
“That wasn’t my question. And of course we don’t need to, we want to.” Kaoru corrected gently, and Reki looked down again. “I’ll ask again, do you think it might help?”
“Maybe? I… guess so. I miss eating meals with people.” The red haired boy said wistfully.
“You have a guest room, don’t you?” Oka asked.
“Uh… yes?”
“And when exactly will your family be coming back?” Kaoru asked.
“In two weeks.” Reki replied, looking confused now.
“I’ll move in for two weeks.” Kaoru decided and Reki’s jaw dropped. “Do not try to spout any arguments about it being a burden and me not needing to do it because I can assure you they will fall on deaf ears. It’s pointless to resist.”
“I –”
“I’ll come around for dinner every day!” Langa declared.
“Every – Langa! What about your mother?” Reki asked in disbelief.
“Oh.” Langa seemed to consider something. “Every other day?”
“We can alternate. Reki, you cook right? I’ve always wanted to try some of your food after hearing Langa rave about it. Maybe I could learn a thing or two?” Kojiro said.
“You learn from me? You own a restaurant!” Reki exclaimed.
“I could always learn new things. Besides, it’s an Italian restaurant.” The green haired man shrugged.
“Free food? Count me in.” Miya chimed in.
“Well, I was planning on checking up on Reki every few days anyways so yeah that sounds good with me.”
“Family dinner!” Langa cheered quietly and Reki buried his face in his hands. “Oh hey, are those all scars on your hands, Reki?”
Reki dropped his hands and held them out in front of him, examining them. He usually had bandages somewhere on his hands considering he was covered in cuts from bailing very often but they must have fallen off in the ocean and his hands were bare for once. The tanned fingers were littered with scars, most of them small and quite old but some fresh cuts were scabbing in other places as well.
“Mhm, it took me a lot more falling to nail stuff than it does you.” He teased Langa, the heavy feeling in his chest that used to accompany comments like that in the past, whenever he compared himself to Langa, not present anymore. Thankfully.
“Looks cool.” Langa hummed, taking one of Reki’s hands in his own and lacing their fingers together and Reki’s cheeks flushed.
“It’s late.” Oka said quietly. “Reki, you should get some rest. You’ll be discharged in the morning and I’ll drive you home, okay?”
“Okay.” Reki nodded. “Uh, thank you for coming guys… means a lot.”
“Tch, whatever. Just stop landing yourself in the hospital.” Miya said, turning his head away from Reki. He got a fond head ruffle from Kojiro and a pat to the cheek from Kaoru who promised he would be over when Reki got home in the morning and Langa… Langa left him with a kiss to the forehead and bright red cheeks.
“So, you and Langa?” Oka wiggled his eyebrows.
“Shut up!”
Oka brought a fresh pair of clothes for Reki when he showed up in the morning and the teenager almost cried tears of joy when he slipped a hoodie on, relishing the feeling of soft fabric replacing the stiff hospital gown. He stuck his feet in a pair of trainers and ran his fingers through his hair, missing the feeling of his headband on his head, but it was in his room at home so it would have to wait.
“How are you feeling?” Oka asked as he signed the discharge papers. “Did you text your mother?”
“Okay, still a little tired and sore. I tried but she won’t have service so nothing sends. It’s fine.” Reki shrugged.
“Really sore? Do you need a doctor’s note for school?”
“No, it’s not that bad. It’ll fade during the day I think. I can go to class tomorrow.” Reki replied.
“If you’re sure.” Oka handed the papers over to the nurse and gestured for Reki to follow him to the van parked outside. “D’you need time off work?”
“No! No, please. Don’t – I can work.” Reki sounded a little panicked. “It’s… I like routine, the sense of normalcy. I don’t want to be treated like I’m fragile…”
“Okay, I get you. Sorry for assuming.” Oka turned the car on, putting his seatbelt on and waiting until Reki had his on as well before he moved the vehicle.
“It’s okay.” Reki murmured.
“You should text Kaoru and tell him we’re on the way back to your house.”
THE cherry blossom !!!
kaoru-san, we’re on the way back now
Thank you, Reki.
I’ll be over shortly.
Are you feeling better?
yeah
just a bit sore and tired
nothing major
I’m glad.
Reki fished his keys out of his pocket, and unlocked the front door, sliding it to the side and leaving it to the side. Oka had been holding onto them because they were in his pocket when he was found at the beach. He slipped his shoes off and tucked them to the side, putting on his house slippers.
“I’ll wait with you until Kaoru’s here.”
“You want tea?” Reki asked, itching to do something.
“Sure. Thanks, kiddo.” Oka nodded and Reki relaxed internally, rushing to the kitchen to put the kettle on and make two cups of tea, leaving some water in the kettle in case Kaoru wanted any when he got here, which was pretty quickly, so he made a third cup and brought them all out on a tray, resting it on their low table just outside the kitchen.
“Kaoru-san, you find the place without issues?” Reki asked as Kaoru took his own shoes off at the front door.
“Yes, it was no trouble. You have a lovely home, Reki.” Kaoru commented, looking around and tracing his fingers along the wooden panelling on the walls. “Very traditional.”
“Thank you. I made some tea if you want any.”
“That would be wonderful, thank you.” The pink haired man sat at the table, legs folded beneath him and Oka took the seat in front of him, leaving Reki to sit at the head of the table. “What does your mother usually do that you don’t, just so I have an idea of how to help out.”
“Uhm, well you don’t have to worry about waking anyone up because my mother usually wakes my sisters up while I make breakfast. I make my own bentos too. She does the chores and cleaning when I’m at school, but we usually make dinner together. And um, she calls me to bed because I get distracted in the shed after dinner.”
“Shed?”
“Oh… yeah… outside, it’s my little workspace. I make skateboards there.”
“You make skateboards?” Kaoru’s eyebrows shot up.
“They’re not very good.” Reki laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly.
“You’re lying, Reki. You made Langa’s board, for one.” Oka scoffed.
“You made his board?” Kaoru seemed very intrigued now, leaning closer. “It was a very good board, tailored exactly to his strengths.”
“I just… messed around. I watched him skate a lot so it was… you know, easy to just pick up on what he needed in a board.” Reki shrugged.
“You’re brilliant, Reki.” Kaoru said simply, sipping his tea.
“Thank you, Kaoru-san.” Reki flushed.
Kaoru banished Reki to his room to rest for most of the day but they made and had lunch together after Oka left. “Reki, S is tonight –”
“I’m good staying here, Kaoru-san.” Reki said softly. “I’ll be in the shed probably and then turn in early for school tomorrow.”
“You’re sure?” Kaoru asked, eyebrows furrowed in concern.
“Positive.” Reki nodded. “Have fun, beat Kojiro-san.”
“You don’t need to tell me to do that.” A rare smirk crossed his slender face and he ruffled Reki’s hair. “Don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll check the shed when I’m back, I better not see you awake.”
“I’ll try.” Reki laughed.
Sure enough, when Kaoru got back from S later that night, lugging Carla behind him, Reki was not in the shed. Kaoru peeked into his room and a faint smile curled up his lips when he saw the teenager knocked out in his bed surrounded by sketches for something and he retreated, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
langa ❄️💙
how do u feel about bentos
they’re cool
i’ve never had one
my mother’s cooking skills don’t extend to cute lunchboxes
cooollllll
good to know
??????????
for what
reki????
Read at 07:01AM
Reki always made his sisters bentos, along with his own. So, if he was making so many bentos, what was one more. For Langa. For his best friend that he definitely did not have a crush on! He packed them both and then wrapped them in cloths before tucking them into his back and slipping his shoes on by the front door.
Kaoru was still asleep so he wrote a note and left some leftovers from breakfast on a covered plate in the kitchen before he grabbed his skateboard and was out of the door, skating to meet Langa. The blue haired boy was waiting, as usual, where he always waited.
“Good morning.” Reki beamed and Langa brightened when he saw him.
“Reki!” He lunged to wrap Reki in a hug, almost sending them both to the ground had Reki not steadied himself and then hugged his best friend back.
“Hi.” Reki chuckled.
“I missed you at S yesterday.” Langa pouted when he pulled away. “Should you be skating? Is that safe?”
“I’m not hurt, Langa.” Reki assured him. “I was sore but that was yesterday. I’m fine. And I missed you too.”
A beam.
“Shall we?” Reki gestured to the road with his head.
“Mhm. Hey… what did you mean with your text this morning?” Langa asked as he put his own skateboard down.
“You’ll see at lunch.” Reki grinned. “Last one to school buys drinks!” He cried out before racing down the hill.
“Reki! No fair!”
“Reki, you’re a godsent.” Langa said reverently when Reki handed him his bento at lunch later, holding it in his hand so gently, almost cradling it to his chest like it was made of gold. “Oh my god.”
“No big deal.” Reki laughed. “Come on, let’s eat.”
“I got drinks.” Langa pulled two juice boxes out of his bag. “Bought them earlier.” He opened the straw packet of one of them and stuck it into the box, handing it over to Reki before opening his own straw.
“Thanks.” Reki sucked on the straw, popping the cover off his box, and taking his chopsticks in his empty hand, tucking into his food. They at relatively in silence and when Langa finished his rice, he picked up the tangerine Langa had put in and began peeling it before splitting it in two and offering half of it to Reki.
“Half?”
“Thank you.” Reki murmured, sticking a piece in his mouth, and enjoying the burst of flavour. “Good bento?”
“Reki, that was the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” Langa said seriously.
“It’s just a bento.”
“Just a bento?” Langa looked at him in disbelief. “Yeah, just like my skateboard was just a regular skateboard that you definitely didn’t customise for me.”
“I –” Reki blinked.
“Reki.” Langa said, turning to the side so he faced Reki. “You’re amazing and you do so much for me and I appreciate it a lot.”
“Where’s all this coming from?” Reki blushed, looking down at his hands in his lap.
“It’s always been there; I don’t think I tell you how much I appreciate you enough.” Langa frowned. “I’ll tell you more.”
“’S fine.” Reki dismissed, cracking his fingers absent-mindedly, only stopping when Langa’s paler hands covered his own, sending a rush of warmth through his body and startling him enough to look up and meet Langa’s eyes very close to his own. He made a sound of surprise but made no move to move away.
“I like you, Reki. I really like you. I thought you knew but maybe I wasn’t very clear.” Langa said, his gaze so intense that Reki felt an urge to look away because he couldn’t handle it. “I like you. A lot. Romantically. As in… I want to kiss you, and hold your hand and –”
“How can you just say stuff like that without being scared?” Reki breathed out heavily, his head hanging low and for once he wasn’t freaking out that it brought their heads closer. “Because… gods, I’ve liked you for so long and I could barely pluck up the courage to talk to myself about it much less tell you. I’m scared, everything scares me.” He whispered.
“You’re the bravest person I know, Reki. You’re also the coolest but that has nothing to do with this conversation right now.”
“Thank you.” Reki laughed wetly.
“You mean it though, you like me?” Langa sounded like he was in awe and Reki lifted his gaze to meet expectant eyes and one nod later, they filled with joy. “Really?”
Reki leaned in and quickly pressed their lips together, tasting the same tangerine on Langa’s lips that was on his. “Really.”
Langa wouldn’t let go of his hand for the remainder of the day, swinging it as they, for once, walked instead of skated back to Reki’s place. He got an intrigued look from Kaoru when they came through the front door but the pink haired man waved them away after greeting them.
“No need to cook dinner, Reki! Kojiro said he was bringing food. And Miya. And Oka.”
“Oh, okay!” Reki nodded, letting Langa drag him through the corridors until they were at Reki’s door, which he promptly slid open and pushed Reki down onto the bed before laying down half on top of him. “You’re like a big cat, you know that?”
“Hm.” Langa hummed, his eyes slipping shut when Reki’s hand landed in his hair and combed through the silky strands gently. “Wake me for dinner.”
“What about homework?”
No response. Reki shook his head fondly and tucked his earphones into his ears, holding his phone up with the hand not occupied with carding through Langa’s hair and watched some skating videos, following the motions with his eyes and rewinding every video about ten times until he was sure he had committed them all to memory. He could try out the moves in the weekend.
Before he knew it, someone knocked on his door and slid it open. Kojiro stood there with a fond look on his face as he saw the pair. “Hey kiddo, dinner. Might want to wake him up.”
“We’ll be there in a bit.” Reki nodded.
“And Reki?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m happy for you, kiddo.”
“Thank you, Kojiro-san.” Reki flushed. Kojiro shook his head with a soft chuckle and left the room, leaving the door open. “Langa, hey.” He patted Langa’s cheek but the taller mumbled, turning his head until it was nestled in the crook of Reki’s neck, nosing at his collarbone.
“Nooo.” He whined.
“Langa, it’s dinner time.” Reki laughed helplessly. “Come on, they’re waiting.”
“They can wait longer.” Langa’s voice was muffled.
“I’m hungry.” Reki pulled out the last card and it worked instantly. Langa sat up, eyebrows furrowed and stretched. “Food?”
“Food.” Langa confirmed, yawning. Reki almost cooed at how adorable he was after waking up, sneaking a kiss on his cheek before he got off the bed and helped the other boy up, tugging him along down the corridor to where everyone was gathered around the table, unboxing the takeout, and passing around plastic plates and cutlery.
As the pair took their seats and Reki got a pat on the knee from Kaoru and a gentle kick from Miya, he grinned, feeling warm all over. Maybe it wasn’t so bad relying on people.