Work Text:
Reki got hurt a lot. This was something everyone who knew Reki, knew to be a fact. He carried a first aid kit in his backpack every single day, and patched himself up as the sun fell below the horizon, bathing the skate park in a golden glow.
“Let me.” Langa offered one such evening, upon seeing Reki extract the bright red box from his tattered backpack.
“Hm?” Reki tilted his head, having not comprehended the question.
“Let me.” Langa repeated, more insistent.
“But… you don’t like blood.” Reki just sounded confused now.
“But… I like you?” Langa cocked his head to the side too, imitating Reki. The redhead’s cheeks flushed.
“Don’t say things like that without meaning them.” He muttered.
“But I do like you, Reki!” Langa insisted. “You’re my best friend.”
“Don’t I know it,” Reki’s lips turned downwards before he let out a deep sigh. “Fine! Fine. Here.” He held out the first-aid kit to his blue-haired friend, who’s eyes lit up as he grabbed it, their fingers brushing and sending a rush of warmth down Reki’s spine.
“Thank you for trusting me with this.” Langa said seriously, the expression on his face solemn.
“’S no big deal, dude.” Reki turned his face away, tucking it over his shoulder as he felt the blush spread to the tips of his ears, thankfully hidden under his bright red mop of hair.
“Yes it is,” Langa retorted but dropped the subject as he rifled through the first-aid box, eyebrows furrowed as he looked through the supplies and made a satisfied sound when he extracted a pack of plasters. “Is this all I need?”
“Uh –” Reki looked back over and shook his head. “You need to clean them first before you put plasters on. There should be anti-septic wipes. I can do it –” He reached out to the red box but Langa glared, holding it close to his chest protectively.
“No,” Langa said firmly. “I’m patching you up. You just sit there and look pretty.”
“Look pre –” Reki spluttered, eyes widening. “Langa!”
“I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true,” Langa said as he finally found the anti-septic wipes and opened a pack. “This will hurt won’t it?”
“I’m used to it, it’s fine,” Reki said, his face no less red than it was before, practically matching his hair. “Just do it.”
“Okay.” Langa nodded, pressing the wipe against Reki’s tanned skin and cleaning over the various cuts scattered on his hands and arms, frowning when he felt Reki tense and a hiss escape his chapped lips. “Sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It’s mine. I just have to get better.” Reki managed through gritted teeth.
“But… you are good.”
“Not good enough.”
“Reki.” Langa lifted his head to look Reki in the eyes.
“Langa.” Reki leaned back a little, flustered.
“You. Are. Good.”
“You’re better.”
“I didn’t know how to skateboard before you taught me.” The blue-haired boy deadpanned, giving Reki an unimpressed look as he dropped the wipe and grabbed the pack of plasters.
“You would have figured it out even if I hadn’t,” Reki shook his head. “You had a background in snowboarding too. Don’t give me so much credit when I didn’t do much.”
“But you did. I came here not knowing anyone, barely being fluent in the language and alone. And then you came along and I wasn’t alone anymore.” Langa said, sounding so sincere and earnest it left a little pang in Reki’s chest.
“You’re a nice guy, you’d have been able to make friends.” Reki mumbled.
“But I don’t want any other friends, Reki. I have you. That’s more than enough for me! Besides, I’m not like you. You’re always so happy and bright, everyone knows you and everyone likes you.”
“Langa…”
“You, Kyan Reki, are incredible,” Langa said, then paused. “Hello kitty plasters.”
“What?”
“Look!” Langa cupped Reki’s hands in his own and lifted them up to eye level, showing off the various hello kitty plasters all over his skin. “Cute.”
“The plasters?”
“I meant you, but yeah the plasters too.” Langa nodded.
“You shouldn’t say things like that. You might give someone the wrong impression.” Reki turned his gaze down.
“I don’t care what other people think of me. Just you,” Langa shook his head. “You know what I think of you, Reki? I think you’re really cool, and so bright and excitable and I admire you. And you’re pretty… really pretty.”
“You think I’m pretty?”
“The prettiest.” Langa nodded, eyes wide.
“I think you’re really pretty too,” Reki whispered. “And so talented, and you pick things up really easily; it’s so cool. I wish I could be more like you.”
“I don’t. I like you because you’re you, I don’t think I’d like you as much if you were like me,” Langa frowned in contemplation. “Then again, I don’t think I could stop liking you.”
“Liking me how?” Reki sounded cautious.
“Reki,” Langa gave him a look. “I want to kiss you. And hold your hand. And go on dates with you. And hug you lots.”
“What?” Reki’s voice rose, pitching higher. “You –”
“I really like you. Romantically. If that wasn’t obvious by now,” When Reki didn’t respond, Langa leaned closer. “Reki, Reki, Reki.”
“Hm?” Reki hummed, still in a daze.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Mhm.”
And so he did. Langa pressed closer, their knees touching and lifted one of his hands to Reki’s sun warmed cheek, fingers brushing the bright red locks as he brought Reki’s face closer to his own and pressed their lips together. When he pulled away seconds later, he saw Reki’s cheeks had flushed a deep red and his eyes were wide, lips slightly parted.
He decided then and there that that was the prettiest he’d ever seen Reki, and if this was what he looked like whenever Langa kissed him then he would definitely be doing that a lot more.
“You look pretty when I kiss you. Can I do that again?”
“Please.” Reki whispered, closing the gap himself this time.