Frozen Rose (Langa x reader)

Chapter 8

(Y/n)'s POV

It was engrained in my body's memory. All these skateboarding moves were. I didn't need to think. I simply rode. The movements were carefree and nonchalant, the cool wind providing a small reprieve from the hot sun.

My body did a simple kickflip with the board before pushing off to execute a railslide. Reki held out a hand to which I fist pumped as we flew past one another. A smile found its way on my face.

"Langa, come on. You wanted me to teach you."

He rode past, earning a look of surprise from me and a loud, encouraging yell from Reki. What did I need to teach him exactly? His skating was almost flawless due to his experience with snowboarding.

My eyes trailed his body as I slowly skated to the side. Despite the simplicity of his moves, my heart pounded vigorously in rapid excitement. His was a skill not easily attainable. It was a conjuring of years of countless practice.

This time, a gasp of shock escaped my mouth as Langa gently took my hand and pulled me along. In no time at all, his hands were on my hips, his face achingly close to mine.

"You know, if you weren't my friend, I would've hurt you so bad you'd regret ever laying your hands on me."
"*blush* That wasn't- I didn't..." he stuttered.
"You're cute."
"(Y-(Y/n)!"
"*laughs* I'm just teasing you."
"...guide me."

I slid my hands to rest on his waist, leaning this way and that to avoid obstacles and odd bumps. He didn't resist my instruction nor did he question my guidance despite the fact that I could very well be wrong.

This level of trust he had in my abilities, or rather in me, warmed my heart. I had already eased away from his body, allowing him freedom in his style of skating. He had not done much and yet my heart was pounding, my blood was screaming for more.

"(Y/n)," he called.

I skated across to where he was, an overjoyed smile gracing his face. It seemed he was so enlightened he wished to pull me in for an overbearing hug. His hands came to meet mine once again.

"Oi guys, watch out!" Reki yelled.

A wall was coming up in front of us. Langa's hands immediately tensed under my grasp. Panic clouded my eyes. There was no time. I pushed him off his board as a soft patch of grass came near.

Doing so only made me step onto his skateboard. I hurriedly hopped onto his, staring at the looming wall getting closer. My ears blocked their desperate calls, my mind blanked.

His board was too different, it would be difficult for me to pull off a trick right off the bat. I jumped, using the skateboard to glide across the wall's surface before slamming back onto the ground.

My feet wobbled but I managed to stable it. The straps on his board had broken from the impact, making me skid to a sudden stop, stumbling off and falling to my knees.

"(Y/n)! Are you okay?" Reki asked worriedly.

My heart was beating too hard. I took in a few deep breaths as Reki gripped my hand. His gaze slid over my body, searching for injuries and finding none apart from the grazes on my knees.

"(Y/n), I'm sorry. I didn't mean to- I...I'm sorry," Langa apologised.
"Dude, she won't kill you for this," Reki joked.

I hid my face against Reki's shoulder before a large, cheeky grin tugged at my lips. A single giggle escaped my mouth, a flurry of laughter following soon after.

"I think you just broke her," commented Reki.

He pulled away, holding me at arm's length, his eyes searching for the sanity underneath my laughter. Langa's hand came to rest on my forehead, seemingly checking for a fever.

"Langa, thanks for that. I haven't tested my abilities like that since..."
"Eh? Why are you thanking me? I- you could've-"
"Skateboarding isn't the safest sport. I know...but thank you."
"Alright, enough of this. You guys wanna go grab something to drink?" Reki asked.
"Sure."

I allowed the two to pull me up before we retrieved our skateboards. The three of us walked in a tranquil silence, staring as the sun slowly descended to allow the night to blanket the earth.

My hands moved to take both of theirs, swinging them lightly against the gentle wind. Flashes of Langa's skating flowed through my mind, quietly decorating its bleak walls with trinkets of fun.

"You didn't need me to teach you much."
"...(Y/n), your skating is much better than mine," he replied.
"How long have you been snowboarding?"
"Let's see...around 15 years."
"Huh?!" Reki and I yelled.
"What?"
"Langa, you're underestimating yourself."
"I am?"
"Heh, anyway, you work with Reki? I heard that you couldn't even get to the interview stage for the job applications you put in."

The blue-haired male turned to glare at his friend, a light pink dusting his cheeks. Reki simply whistled whilst feigning interest in a rubbish bin.

"Do you have a part-time job?" Langa asked.
"Not exactly."
"She's an artist. She has a social media account where she uploads her stuff. People commission her," Reki explained.
"That's cool."
"It's nothing really. Just a hobby," I said dismissively.
"It's not nothing. She has 50k followers," Reki whispered to the male.
"Eh?!"
"If you're impressed by that, you should see Yuu's page. People are going crazy for his inventions."

I noticed Langa staring at our hands. I quickly let go, worried I'd be making him uncomfortable.

"*smirks* Is Langa embarrassed?" teased Reki.
"N-no, stop making assumptions," his friend retorted.
"Was I really though?"
"I have a question."
"Ask away," I replied.
"Are you and Reki dating?" questioned Langa.

The two of us stopped walking to stare at him. His expression was one of confusion and curiosity, making us further question his ability to discern friendship from relationship love.

"Damn, way to make things awkward," commented Reki.
"So...you're not?" Langa asked.
"No, we're just super close friends."
"Why do you ask though?"
"*blush* I-I was just worried," replied our blue-haired friend.
"Worried about what?"
"You know...when you were teaching me how to skate..." he trailed off.
"You mean when you grabbed me out of the blue?"
"N-no need to put it so bluntly..."
"Langa, you're hilarious! You really don't think things through," Reki exclaimed while laughing.

I joined in on the fun and laughter, feeling the enjoyment my heart ached for. As my gaze met Langa's, a large smile graced my face. His mouth mimicked mine until we were all smiling like there was no tomorrow.