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If you asked ten year old Langa where his favorite place was, he'd obviously answer the mountain. Same for thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, etc. In the winter it stood tall covered with powdery snow to enjoy with his father. In the summer it was off in the distance of the city with a cap of white while he spent vacation with his mother. It was always there. The most stable place in Langa's world. No matter how many times they moved around.
New schools almost every year. Never time to make real friends. It was lonely but Langa didn't blame his parents. They did their best. When his dad's medical bills started to pile up and he had to stop working, his mom took more shifts. One income meant they had to move to a smaller place. And when the rent was raised there, they were moving again. It was alright. Langa had the mountain and his family.
When his dad passed away, he lost his favorite place and his favorite person. Not that he didn't love his mom, he did so much, but everything was different. She got a little quieter and a lot more cautious. Langa shut down completely and any feeling of loneliness he should have felt was replaced by numbness. He didn't even care about the mountain anymore. Nor did he really care about moving again. It wasn't alright, it wasn't bad, it just was.
Little did he know the move across the world would change everything. Reki changed everything. With a reckless ollie over the top of a, let's be honest, scared shitless Langa.. Reki woke him from whatever hibernation he had entered with his bright personality. Reki had stood under the fully bloomed sakura trees with a smile like the embodiment of a summer day in the middle of winter. It's safe to say that's when Langa fell for him. Just going through the motions of life turned to actual excitement for it. The numbness faded to strong feelings. Some good, some bad. But Langa was feeling and it was all thanks to Reki.
Then Langa had so many favorite places. The skatepark by the ocean where Reki and Langa spent almost all of their free time. Dope Sketch, where work was barely work half the time with Reki always goofing off. S, most of the time it was one of his favorite places. There were a few nights that Langa would like to forget but they had made a lot more memories there that were worth the not great ones. Reki's workshop where the smell of wood shavings mixed with paint was just as comforting as the smell of pines had been back in Canada. Reki's bedroom, another space Reki held sacred that he shared with Langa. Sia La Luce, which included free food sometimes when the establishment closed and the whole gang was there. A&W, no explanation needed for that one, they had poutine.
However, all those places were only Langa's favorites when Reki was there. His actual favorite place was Reki. Reki was what made Okinawa home. He was what made all those locations so special. Reki wasn't just Langa's favorite person, loving him was Langa's favorite place to be. Anywhere they were together and regardless of how Reki felt about him. They had a promise of infinity. That mattered more than worrying about whether or not Reki loved him back.
He did, it was just definitely as a friend. Langa held best friend status for years. And not only did he hold the title of forever skating partner, and favorite co-worker, (Take that Sketchy, Langa barely ever bit Reki.) Langa also held roommate status. And that was surprisingly his favorite title.
Their apartment in Naha, Okinawa was theirs. His and Reki's. It was tiny and in a three story building painted pink for whatever reason but it was home. Conveniently located near the train to get both of them to and from university. Near a supermarket so they could continue their unhealthy snacking habits. Far away from Uruma and everyone back there but Langa had swapped his moped for a tiny car that he taught Reki how to drive. So they could easily make the trip back for S some weekends and family visits. Then after a quick trip back that same night, be at home.
The thin hallway at the entrance of their home held the genkan, the bathroom, and the kitchen. Which was one counter, a stovetop and a mini fridge that Langa practically had to sit on the floor to reach into. Past that was a door that led to their living area. Reki had picked out most of their second hand furniture, always randomly finding perfect items. There was a sofa that pulled out to a full bed, which he insisted Langa take due to his western sensibilities. That was kind of rude but completely accurate. Reki had a futon for the floor but they ended up trading or sharing both sleeping items. It just depended on who fell asleep first. Which was normally Langa.
They had a small table for two next to the couch that doubled as a desk with matching chairs. Langa had no idea why but those were one of his favorite parts. It was usually covered in paperwork but those were covered in Reki's doodles. There was a small dresser on the other side of the sofa to hold the stuff they couldn't fit in the closets. On top of that was a collection of their favorite items. Knickknacks from Canada and Japan blending seamlessly together. They had a tiny little tv that was mainly used as a computer monitor to watch videos online late into the night. Plus a bunch of blankets and pillows strewn around to bury themselves in.
Those were part of the reason it was so cozy. When the small space wasn't lit up by the sunlight from the never used balcony at the end of the room, it was doused in soft lights from Reki's decorating skills. The walls were covered in everything from tapestries to posters, artwork to twinkling lights, and other random things Reki thought looked cool. Langa always spotted the new additions to the collections on the walls and he loved it. He loved all of their apartment. It was kinda messy, very hodge podge, really tiny, and theirs.
The best perk of having a one room apartment for two people was that they had every night and every morning together. Unless Reki spent the night at his workshop when he'd get caught up in making boards (the first time it happened Reki apologized for days until Langa told him it really was fine a bunch of times.) And even though free time was few and far between with work and school, they still had some. Most importantly they had Fridays.
The best day of the week of wonderful days with Reki. It was the night Reki has dubbed "Funday." The night of the week neither of them had to work and were both home at relatively the same time after school. Reki got home first and Langa wasn't sure when the redhead planned all of their activities but it was never when Langa was around. It was always a surprise.
Like last week. Langa came back home at his usual time to be greeted with a post it note on the front door that just said "Good luck." Which.. was a little concerning. He had pondered it all for two seconds before he opened the door to be blasted with water right in the face.
The giggle that followed the splash was the cutest sound in the world. Reki stood with one hand on his hip and the other one holding a water gun. It was aimed directly at Langa but he paid no attention to the weapon because Reki's smile was so bright, it was all he could see. It took getting completely drenched in Reki's attempt to get Langa to look at the floor (where a water gun for him to use was) before he actually looked away from the cute boy.
However, it ended up being a clever strategy. As Reki had used his entire tank to gain Langa's attention (that he already had) and then Langa had the upper hand of a fully loaded toy to chase Reki around the apartment. Soaking him entirely before he could get back around Langa towards the bathroom to refill. It was insanely fun. Plus Reki drenched and laughing was insanely cute.
And the funday before that was pizza night. Reki had gotten the ingredients to make their own pizzas from scratch. The crust.. did not turn out. They were doughy and shaped like some abstract art piece. There was flour all over the kitchen and the floor. Not to mention the sauce that somehow stained the wall in the shape of a cloud. Yet the basic taste of pizza was there and Reki was so smiley. Plus the mess they had made sent Langa's heart soaring when he was given two dusty hand prints on his cheeks and a poke to his nose.
Langa was incredibly curious to see what Reki had planned for that night. He suffered through the last class of the day and threw his board down to the sidewalk with gusto in a rush to get home. Langa made the train just in time and during the ride he caught up on the never ending queue of videos Reki had sent him.
Once Langa made it to his stop, he hurried out the train doors in a rush to get back on his skateboard. The route home had a few spots for tricks but he ignored those. Reki was probably waiting, hopefully without a weapon. Although the bright sun was almost too warm and he wouldn't be opposed to another water fight even if it was the middle of "winter.” Okinawa didn't really have seasons.
Langa took the stairs up to the second floor two at a time. He struggled with his keys and the sticky lock but Reki opened the door for him with a wide smile.
"Welcome home." He chimed and grabbed at Langa's wrist. "You made it in like record time."
Langa followed the tug through their doorway. It was probably for the best that he was getting pulled along as he had frozen at the sight of the love of his life looking cuter than he ever had before. Which seemed impossible but there Reki was in a pokemon costume? Pajamas? A onesie? He was wearing something that looked extremely snuggly while he rambled on about skateboards or something. Langa had no idea. Reki had a tail. It was a little distracting.
"Flareon." Langa managed to remember the pokemon and forgot to say the returning greeting.
Reki snickered and let go of his hold on his wrist to quickly flip up the hood of the baggy outfit. He smiled all lopsided and tilted his head to the side, the ears on the hood flopped with the movement. "Whatcha think? Cute right. And super warm. Cause it's cold as hell outside."
"It's not cold. I'm not even wearing a coat." Langa's best defense to the onslaught of adorableness was arguing.
"Shut up, not all of us can be yetis." Reki giggled and spun on his heel. The tail followed him in a swish. Well. Langa had an unexpected new thing that he liked. "Don't think I didn't notice your- wait nevermind. It's pajama party night."
Langa watched him take the three steps to the kitchen and return with another flourished spin of his socked feet on their hardwood floors. Reki had a bundle of light blue fabric he shook out to reveal another pajama thing. Another eevee evolution.
"For you! Glaceon for my ice type um.. for you." He nodded and the hood covered his eyes before he pushed it fully off his hair. Which was extra fluffy from the static.
Reki had no right being so cute. Langa was almost mad. It took him a solid thirty seconds to process the fact Reki was shoving the pajamas at him and pulling his backpack off at the same time.
"Put it on." Reki commanded with a laugh as Langa's backpack fell to the floor and the skateboard was snatched from his hands.
Langa took the outfit when he realized they would be matching. Then his face moved against his will into a giant smile that Reki noticed immediately.
He pushed Langa towards the little sink park of their separated bathroom with a matching look of joy. "Had me worried there for a second. You looked kinda frozen which I guess fits the theme. I didn't even ask your favorite pokemon but I saw these and thought it'd be a good idea."
"It is a good idea. I like it." Langa confirmed with a nod. "I like all your ideas."
Reki gave a playful click of his tongue and a wink before he shut the door in Langa's face. Which was again, for the best. That way Reki couldn't see the blush that rushed to Langa's nose. He kept talking on the other side of the door while Langa looked a little closer at the outfit. He would have a tail too.
"So I may have borrowed, and by borrowed I mean asked until they gave in, a projector from a dude in class. It's a mini one but it works really well. Tested and everything-"
"Are you wearing clothes under this?" Langa asked as he tried to figure out what exactly he was supposed to be doing.
There was a thud and some stammering before Reki answered. "Uhhh.. um. I have an article of clothing on yes."
"Oh. Underwear. Got it."
"Oh my god Langa." He gave a pitiful groan and there was another thud. "Yeah Mr. Bluntslide. I'm wearing underwear. That would be real weird if I wasn't."
Langa looked at himself in the mirror for a moment. As if it was a camera he could give a blank look. Sometimes Reki's eastern sensibilities were so goofy. It was just a question and didn't deserve so much sass.
"Anyway. Away from that topic." Reki continued as Langa mentally agreed. No need to think about Reki in his underwear at the moment. He stripped and unbuttoned the pajamas at the same time. They were really soft and felt super nice.
"I picked up pizza for us on the way home. From that place that's a little out of the way but the one you like."
"The delivery splurge one. With the best cheese." Langa's stomach growled at the memory.
"Yup!" Reki chimed. "Except no outrageous fees because my clever mind thought ahead. And I got some popcorn too but I'll need your help arranging stuff since I didn't have time to yet. I wanted to uh.. make sure I caught you when you got home."
Langa had managed to get his long legs into the pajamas and was pulling it up over his shoulders when he accidentally made a strange noise at how comfortable the fabric felt.
Reki laughed on the other side of the door. "Super comfy right? So soft.."
"Yeah." Langa agreed with a hard swallow at the realization that Reki was covered in this soft fleece.
He was looking absolutely adorable and snuggly and Langa wanted to squeeze him until he squeaked. He could, kinda. Violent hugs were definitely a thing between them but usually only on special occasions. Reki was always affectionate. An arm around the shoulder, a little grabby with his hands. Very rarely a head on a shoulder when he was sleepy and they were sitting close. Never a full on cuddle. And holy shit did Langa want to cuddle him.
Langa finished buttoning the pajamas with another look at himself in the mirror. The color of it matched his hair and his eyes. Kinda cute. It was less baggy on him that it was on Reki. Thanks to broader shoulders and a height advantage but it was still oversized and very, very comfortable.
"Are you done yet? Damn dude. Taking foreverr." Reki whined and there was another thud. He must have been pouting on the floor.
Langa slid open the door. Reki fell back into the open space as his resting spot was gone. He smiled down at the redhead now laying on his feet. "So food? I'll pay for next week's."
Reki just blinked up at him for a moment before a grin spread across his face. Then he flew up to a sit and to his feet. Langa laughed at how quickly he ran into their living area. He scooped up his clothes to deposit those in the hamper before he caught up.
They made a nest on the floor in front of the couch with the futon as base and multiple layers of blankets and pillows. Reki took down some of the decorations on the wall above the TV so the projector would work while Langa made the popcorn and gathered the food. Reki hit the lights when Langa flopped down to the floor and the room was softly glowing from the movie now started on the screen.
"You haven't seen this one yet huh?" Reki asked without clarifying what they were watching beforehand as he took a very cheesy slice for himself.
Their backs were against the couch and they were already sitting right next to each other but Langa shifted closer. Their thighs touching could be under the pretense of sharing the box of pizza he had on his lap. He looked up from that to the wall to see the wide blue logo with Totoro on it surrounded by moved pieces of paper and posters.
"Which one on the list?" Langa asked while grabbing the biggest piece.
"Ponyo." Reki answered with a mouthful and an audible swallow in a rush to talk. "It's the twins' favorite and kind of more for little kids but I think you'll still like it. I do."
"Are you missing them?" His question didn't get an answer and Langa looked to find out why.
Reki's mouth was debating on answering as well as what expression it wanted to be. It settled on a sheepish smile. "I just saw 'em. I shouldn't.."
Langa knocked their knees together. " 's okay if you do."
"I know it's okay, I guess. I just feel like a sap." He admitted with a light laugh.
"And that's a bad thing?"
"Nah." The slowly ascending music of the movie cut him off and Langa resigned the conversation to be over knowing Reki really didn't like to talk about feelings.
He had just brought his second piece of pizza up to his lips when Reki surprised him with a question of his own. "Do you miss your mom?"
Langa gave half a shrug. "Not really. When we go back for work and S tomorrow, I have to stop over there."
Reki nodded and looked back at the wall. "Wanna stay in Uruma or head back tomorrow night?"
"Do you wanna stay?" Piecing together Reki's reactions and questions, Langa guessed he was a little homesick.
Reki met his gaze then. "Yeah but um.. I don't want to stay by myself. So if you wanna come back home then we can come back. It's no big deal."
Langa looked down at his pizza on its way to his mouth in contemplation. Reki was downplaying his needs again. "Wait."
"Wait what?"
"You want me there? Like specifically? To stay the night with you?" Langa set his pizza back in the box.
"Uh yeah? That's what I said." Reki snatched the piece Langa had put down with a cheeky smile. "Snooze you lose."
He hoped the furrow of his eyebrows conveyed the unspoken sass at the stolen food while he grabbed a different, slightly less appetizing one. "Sleepover in your workshop or in your old room?"
"Workshop." Reki shifted his position so their shoulders were touching as well. "We can both fit on the sofa out there."
They could not but Langa nodded anyway. Reki wanted to spend time with his family and Langa was invited. Just like in high school after late nights at S when he didn't feel like leaving Reki, nor sneaking back into his mom's apartment. That meant Kyan breakfast in the morning and as noisy as that was, Langa loved it.
Both of their attentions were grabbed by the movie for a while. Probably by the vivid colors and relaxing music. The kids were cute, Langa liked the boy's mother. She was compassionate and bold. And he could see why the girls liked this one, Ponyo was kinda like them. Rambunctious. The more Langa thought about it, the more he kinda missed the twins too. He'd never tell anyone that, they would squeal.
Once the food was devoured, Langa realized how close he and Reki actually were sitting. Completely flush against each other's sides. His heart did that fluttering thing and he tried to swallow it down. Then his mouth felt a little dry when Reki's usual constant movement was extra wiggly. He was rubbing their legs together in whatever he was doing and that felt super nice.
Reki caught Langa staring while he tried to figure out what it was he was trying to accomplish. "Don't look at me like that. I'm trying to get comfy."
"I'm not looking at you."
"Yes you are dude."
"Fine I am but not any specific way."
"I'm getting us drinks." Reki decided abruptly and stood.
The tail of his onesie smacked Langa right in the face when he spun around that time. Langa scrunched his face but the expression soon fell off. Reki returned just as fast as he had left and tripped on a stray pillow on his way back. Langa caught him, not in his arms but just by being in the path of the fall. Reki ended up sprawled across his lap and Langa was internally screaming.
"Shoot, sorry." Reki said in his bashful voice when he lifted his chest just slightly from its place atop Langa's thighs.
"You good?" Langa asked in a strained voice with hovering hands. Entirely unsure of what to do.
Why was Reki taking so long to push himself up? Why the hell did he have to be wearing the most comfortable thing imaginable? Was he trying to kill Langa?
Reki finally got off the top of him and slinked back to the spot he previously held. "Yup my bad! I think you'll probably wanna let this sit for a minute though."
Langa took the can that was handed to him as he mourned the loss of warm weight only a little bit. "Okay.."
That was an accident. It wasn’t Reki laying on him. He tripped and fell like a baby deer. Which was so cute but Langa didn't help him at all. He just sat there with wide eyes and a bubbling stomach like a dork. What a good friend he was. Langa needed a resetting breath. Then he popped the tab on the can and completely forgot the carbonated beverage had been shaken up.
Langa quickly shoved it against his mouth to try and capture the exploding liquid. He managed to drink most of it but some of the grape flavored soda dripped down his lips.
Reki quietly giggled and reached over to wipe Langa’s chin with the orange cuff of his sleeve. "I just told you to be careful, you goofball."
“I know.” Langa sighed but then Reki’s hand hesitated again.
Just resting on his chin and the bubbling was back. Casual touches were a thing. Reki was looking at the mess Langa made of himself, not at his lips specifically. The movie interrupted whatever moment was happening there with a loud shriek from one of the children in it. Langa startled and Reki snatched his hand back.
“Maybe I don’t miss the twins.” He said under his breath and shuffled himself to be leaning more against the couch.
Langa let the can sit in his lap and paid more attention to the movie. Less to his thoughts and the pretty boy next to him. He managed pretty well until Reki’s head rested on his shoulder. The redhead let out a sort of hum and nuzzled his face against the blue fabric under his cheek. Langa looked at him but Reki had his eyes closed and didn’t see the unspoken question.
He answered anyway. “Snuggly.”
“Yeah.” Langa agreed with a tug of his heart.
He wanted to throw the can across the room and wrap his arm around Reki’s shoulders. Pull him close and stick his snuggly body right against his chest. Langa imagined doing that so many times over the past two-ish years. He would daydream about how it would feel to have Reki’s warmth and weight against him for more than just a brief hug. It would probably feel like this cozy pile of blankets on their floor but amplified because then his heart could be right next to it’s target and not constantly aiming for it.
Impulsive thoughts won a small battle in the war of self control. Langa set his eyes forward and not on rounded cheeks dusted with freckles and feathery red strands. He switched to one hand on the can. The other one was the closest to Reki and Langa ended up smacking him with it. That was an accident, he meant to pet. To feel that soft fabric of the Flareon pajamas under his palm. Reki huffed a laugh and wiggled once more. Then in a move that sent Langa’s yearning heart soaring, he grabbed Langa’s hand with his own and set it firmly on his thigh.
“Permission granted.” Reki said with a smile Langa couldn’t see but could hear. If he looked he might explode. The next few words were a little soft and quiet. “Can feel how soft.. Guess you could on your own leg but.. Um.. pet me please? As weird as that sounds..It’d probably feel nice.”
Langa did not need to be told twice. He ran his hand over Reki’s strong thigh in a decisive movement. That way Reki wouldn’t rescind the offer with his tendency to back-track. He wasn't demanding, he was shyly asking for something. That meant he really wanted it. Langa was granting that without hesitancy and telling himself it was just for Reki and not himself. The convincing was easily done with the way Reki absolutely melted into Langa’s shoulder. He kept the touches right above Reki’s knee. A relatively platonic place to be caressing your friend’s leg.
The movie went on. The ramen they ate looked so good, like all Ghibli food. The kids used magic to make a toy boat big but then it got small before Ponyo turned back into a fish. Langa didn’t really understand the mystical parts of it but it sure was pretty. All the drawn scenes of the ocean and fish flowed like the water and creatures depicted. The giant sea goddess lady told the little boy he could restore balance to the flooded world if he loved Ponyo as a fish and as a human. He easily agreed as if it was a no brain decision and kissed a bubble.
Langa was a little emotional at that part for absolutely no reason. Then he glanced at the cute boy on his shoulder who was watching the ending credits and realized why. Langa might be a bit of a sap for unconditional love. Especially an unconditional best friend kind of love. The kind that Reki gave him.
Reki glanced up at Langa with his big beautiful honey colored eyes while a gorgeous violin song played. “What’d you think? Looking a little misty eyed there.”
“No I’m not.” Langa lied and nudged Reki’s cheek with his shoulder.
He regretted that moment of defense when Reki’s head left. Reki was quick to sit up and rapidly pressed up against Langa’s chest as he leaned over to grab the can from his other hand. He left wordlessly after stealing the beverage to set both of theirs on their little table. Langa was a little confused at the suddenness but that evaporated when Reki returned. No tripping this time, but he still landed on top of Langa. Who instantly returned the embrace even if he wasn’t sure why Reki’s arms had wrapped around his shoulders while the two of them fell into the blankets.
The battle was over, self control lost. Langa didn’t let go after a normal amount of time to hug. The damn pajamas were too soft. He had Reki in his arms, and Reki’s face buried in his collar bone. The embrace was warm, weighted, cozy, and snuggly. Langa squeezed Reki in his hold around his middle like he wanted to earlier. There was a hot laugh right against his skin and some mumbled words.
“You’re a sap too.” Reki teased but made absolutely no move to get up.
Langa seized the opportunity to savor the cuddle. Maybe empathy would lead to forgiveness for his lack of restraint. “I am.”
After a brief nuzzle of his nose into red hair, he rolled the two of them to their sides. Giving Reki a chance to move away, but he didn’t. Reki moved closer. Langa’s heart flew up into his throat at the reposition that left every inch of their matching onesies pressed together. There was a shuffling to get comfortable while Langa stayed completely still and let it happen. Reki’s arms just went higher. One under Langa’s head and the other wrapped around his neck. Their faces were so close that Langa could feel Reki's light exhales on his skin. One of his arms was trapped under Reki but with the way the blankets were underneath them, it was perfectly comfortable. He kept the other still wrapped around Reki’s waist.
“Finally.” Reki said softly before snuggling closer.
Langa was so confused by the word but once again, it evaporated. Reki’s chest was pressed into his and feeling the soft rise and fall of it was soothing. Langa’s heart was pounding in happiness while the rest of his body relaxed into ecstatic contentment far quicker than he expected it to. Like his entire being was meant for this. To be tangled up in his favorite place with his favorite person. The previous bubbling of love turned into a gentle stream coursing with warmth throughout his body. It accidentally flowed right out of his mouth.
“I love this.” Langa admitted in an exhale. It felt good to say and he didn’t regret it.
“Cuddling?” Reki asked in a sweet voice but didn’t give him a chance to confirm. “Me too.”
“I should have just done this earlier.”
“You really should have.” Reki moved his head just enough to match their gazes. His eyes were sparkling in the dim light. “Sorry for um.. Taking advantage of your emotions there Langa. Figured you could use a hug and now I don’t wanna get up.”
“You’re not taking advantage of anything.” Langa shook his head softly. “Don’t get up. You’re so warm and snuggly..”
His smile was cheeky and soft at the same time. “Mission accomplished.”
“The movie reminded me of us.” Once the flow started, it couldn’t be stopped. Like Langa had to just say everything he was feeling.
“How?” Reki asked with a slight tilt to his head.
"Cause that little kid loved her even though she was fish. He wanted to be her friend even though she was a magical little fish with chicken legs for whatever reason."
Reki snickered and his eyes glittered. "Which one of us has chicken legs?"
Langa paused in thought. "Neither of us. But that's not what I meant."
"What did you mean then?"
Reki's arm repositioned and his fingers found Langa's face. Reki was brushing his long hair off his face with his fingertips. Langa was dying and so alive at the same time. His heart skipped a beat and then pounded with an intensity that increased the flow of love.
"You are friends with me. You took the time to understand me. You wanna be around me. Even when I'm down. And that's not for long because you're so bright and you bring me back up. You'd be my friend if I was a fish.."
Reki's face softened and his hand paused its movements. "You do the same for me, you idiot.. you even said you'd be my best friend if I was an actual dog."
Langa would have frowned at the insult but instead he held on tighter to Reki. Bunching the red fabric of his costume up in his hand. "We both have chicken legs and we both kiss bubbles.."
His awful summary of feelings was met with a bright smile and a blush. Reki knew exactly what Langa meant and it encouraged more words.
"I love our apartment and living with you. It's the first place that's felt like home in so long and it's because of you."
Reki started to bury his face and Langa moved his arm out from underneath him to grab those round cheeks and keep their gazes on each other. The redhead gave a light whine but didn't fight it. In fact the hand above Langa's ear slid further back into his hair. That was a heavenly touch and it paused Langa's affectionate word vomit for a deep inhale and a light plea.
"Please don't hide from me.. I don't hide from you." Langa told him softly. "I don't have to hide with you.."
Reki's usual dramatics were so quiet. "Langa you're going to kill me by talking like this when we are all wrapped up on the floor.."
"It's easier to say when we are wrapped on the floor. I appreciate that our infinite friendship is unconditional and I think you should know that. You should know how much it means to me. How much you mean to me."
"How much do I mean to you..?"
Reki's pretty eyes looked back and forth between Langa's. Like he was searching for the answer to his barely audible question. He wouldn't find it there. Langa's heart decided to provide it with complete honesty. Everything else felt relieving to say, this probably would too. He gave Reki's warmed cheeks an experimental brush of his thumbs first. Red lashes dusted freckles at the light touch briefly before Reki's eyelids fluttered fully closed on the second brush.
"You mean everything to me." Langa admitted in a whisper. "You're my favorite person.. my favorite place."
Reki looked back up with a hint of disbelief as Langa continued. "You have been since the day we met and.."
"..And?" He prodded softly.
Langa paused for the first time. The flow caught in his throat, behind his teeth and parted lips, damned by an apprehension for change he hadn't felt in so long. Reki pushed past his hold and closed the distance between their faces in a single beat of Langa's pounding heart. His fingers in Langa's hair gripped lightly when their foreheads met.
"It's hard to say things." Reki nuzzled their noses together. "I don't know how you can just say stuff like that. It's easier to just do things and even then it's hard to take a step.."
"What do you mean?" Langa asked for clarification because wishful thinking was imagining Reki's lips brushing against his own when he said those words.
They would be soft and warm. Barely touching but every inch of them would be in some form of contact. Reki would taste a bit like pizza and sunshine. The way he tended to smell on Friday nights. The best night of the week that just got exponentially better with the addition of cuddling.. and now kissing.
Langa realized when his stomach exploded into tiny little pleasant bubbles. He wasn't imagining. It was actually happening. He may have met the light movement of their lips together far too eagerly at the actualization. Reki made a sort of oompf noise when Langa kissed him back. That dam of apprehension broke and he understood what Reki was saying completely.
It was hard to take steps but when the person walking with you matched your movements in their own way, it was a little easier.
"And I love you." Langa said against Reki's mouth.
A smile pulled those perfect lips away and Langa accidentally kissed the teeth revealed but it made Reki giggle. That laughter made his heart explode in endearment.
"I love you too.." Reki said quietly and met the next bit of affection just as eagerly. "Finally, you dork."
Langa had awful ways of defending himself against Reki's teasing. Especially when he felt so open and every emotion was just pouring from his heart and his mouth. The first thing to come to mind, he said. "Finally, my darling."
Reki sputtered and started to shift. Langa firmly wrapped him up in his arms and kissed the corner of his mouth gently before he opened his eyes to see wide amber with flecks of gold directly in his line of sight.
"No hiding." He demanded softly.
Reki's defense was so weak. "You just keep saying things that make me blush.."
"I love you didn't but darling did?"
"No it did but we were kissing so it was fine."
"Oh, okay." Langa leaned back in to capture those soft lips again. "I'll allow hiding in kisses."
"Gee thanks." Reki's soft laughter tasted so sweet.
"Anytime my darling."
"Laanga."
"Reki."
Reki kissed Langa much more forcefully at his name. Probably to shut him up. Langa loved this new way of being quieted. Pressed against Reki, wrapped up in his arms on their floor, loving him without holding back. What a place to be.. Langa's new favorite.
What was meant to be a pajama party turned into a fun night of figuring out how to kiss. There was so much laughter at misplacements, a few times of forgetting how to breathe, and a bunch of whispered I love yous. Once he said it, Langa couldn't stop saying it. And even though Reki didn't say it back every time, he'd meet it with a kiss or a squeeze.
They broke apart when Langa accidentally yawned right in Reki's mouth. He blinked open his sleepy eyes to be met with the most adoring look Reki had ever given him.
"All that stuff you said before.."
"I meant every word of it." Langa assured.
Reki smiled softly. "I've been planning dates for months…"
"Huh?"
He wiggled back a bit in Langa's hold and pulled the hood of his pajamas over face. Making the stitched eyes land over his real ones.
"I picked us out matching pajamas in hopes that you'd be unable to resist the softest fabric known to man and cuddle me.." Reki admitted with a strained voice.
Langa was flabbergasted. "Why didn't you just ask if you wanted to be cuddled? I would have cuddled the hell out of you. I was trying not to."
"It's hard." He whined and pushed the hood back up so Langa could see the pout. "I was a little desperate.. like I freaking fell on top of you and you didn't even catch me!"
"I didn't know." Langa laughed at the absurdity and pulled the hood back over Reki's eyes to plant a kiss right on his lips.
It was loud and messy and it made Reki giggle. The second one made Reki squirm, hopefully in delight. He pulled the hood up on Langa's onesie retaliation, it did nothing to stop the onslaught of affection.
"Putting you in a snuggly costume too backfired, I caved first..Should have known." Reki started to ramble as his cheeks reddened once more. Langa just kissed those too. "Planned all these Funday dates for my freaking best friend who I love with my whole freaking heart and is so oblivious.."
"We are both oblivious. You should have known I'd give you anything you asked for. I always do.." Langa argued but then realized. "Wait, are we dating now?"
Reki made a bunch of flustered noises instead of answering.
"Reki." Langa pulled and tugged on his pajamas in poorly contained excitement. "Reki, are we dating?"
"Oh my god Langa, you're too adorable." Reki whined and then revealed his full flushed face with a huge smile. "I just said I considered every Funday a date..We kinda need to agree on it though. Are we dating?"
Langa nodded more eagerly than he had at anything in his entire life. It sent his own hood down over his entire face. The ears attached went flopping. It was probably very silly. Reki held it in place with a hold on the sides of his head and laughed loudly before planting his own loud smooch right on Langa's nose.
That kiss made Langa actually let out a giggle. Like the pleasant feeling in his stomach burst from his mouth. "Now we can get an actual bed!"
"That's the first thing you're excited about?" Reki asked in disbelief.
"Yeah kind of." Langa confirmed and pulled back the fabric on his head to reveal his serious face. "We are gonna cuddle every night. Wait. We can fit on your couch at the workshop if you just sleep on top of me."
Reki snorted and then grimaced. "Oh my family is gonna flip tomorrow.."
"Are we telling them?" Langa asked with a tilt of his head.
"Pft." Reki playfully rolled his eyes. "I'm telling everyone. You're mine, finally, how can I not?"
Langa smiled so wide his face hurt. His heart was so full. "You're my favorite."
"You're my favorite too. And it sounds less sincere when I just say yeah, same but.. all that stuff you said before, I feel the same way." Reki got a little quieter the longer he talked. "Even if I miss my family it doesn't mean that our place doesn't feel like home. It does. It's our home.. you and me. And I appreciate your unconditional love too Langa, you mean everything to me too."
Langa met the soft sincerity with a light kiss. He kinda wanted to hide his own blush and his emotions and that was acceptable in kisses. For as much as Reki said at times, he rarely was so honest about his feelings and to hear it all out loud was almost overwhelming.
They wiggled and shifted once more in an attempt to get comfortable in their nest on their apartment floor. Langa pulled Reki onto his chest and wrapped up his shoulders in his arms as tight as he could. Reki returned the embrace with his arm snaked around Langa's middle as he nuzzled his face into his chest. Langa's pounding-in-happiness heart lay beneath Reki's cheek and their legs were completely wrapped around each other's. The soft fabrics weren't too warm and it was just the right amount of cozy. Finally.
If you asked nineteen year old Langa where his favorite place was, he'd obviously answer Reki. Who wasn't really a place but he sure felt like a stable home. Even if he made Langa's heart do kickflips in his chest and his stomach feel like a shaken up soda can. Reki was there with unconditional love. In the summer to playfully tease with a smile like the shining sun and in the winter to spend every night together wrapped in a warm embrace.
Reki was where Langa wanted to spend their infinity together. Uruma, Naha, S, A&W, Sia La Luce. Anywhere. Loving him was Langa's favorite place to be.