Infinity, Taken Literally

Acceptance 13

The loud sound of horns beeping has everyone looking out the window at the line of cars in front of them. People are walking around them towards the entrance as workers direct them.

"What the hell?" Shadow groans.

"Somethings off, this isn't normal," Cherry looks around with a less than impressed look on his face.

"You'll have to walk it from here folks!" One of the workers calls out.

Reki glances at Langa worriedly. "I'll be okay, I'm sure they're making Adam walk too." He doubted it. A little unsure, everyone climbs out of the car.

The same worker waits to the side, he looks a little too excited to be this close to Snow. "I have been instructed to deliver Snow to the start line." Reki eyes the guy suspiciously. He hadn't expected to be parting ways so soon. Now that it was happening sooner than expected, anxiety was slowly creeping in.

"Good luck Kiddo," Joe's confidence helps to calm the nerves, but still, he hangs to the side to watch quietly. Anything he would say right now has already been said. Langa doesn't need him to give words of encouragement, to stand here and worry over him. It's a given, a mutual understanding.

"We will be waiting for you at the finish line, remember everything we went over and don't be afraid to bail." Cherry's posture is stiff to match his serious tone. But there is still a clear underlying concern that even he can't cover up.

"I'm not going to." Langa bows. "Thank you for all of your help. All of you"

"Just make it to the finish line in one piece." Shadow tries to cover up his genuineness with a scowl. It only makes him look more concerned.

"You'd better." Miya stomps up in front of Langa to glare up at him. "Don't do anything stupid Slime."

"I won't,"

Miya glares him down for a moment longer, making sure he gets his point across. "Good, I don't want to deal with Reki trying to murder Adam himself, or his breakdown if you get hurt." Looking away to hide his concern, Miya glares at the ground.

"I'll see you at the finish line." Copying a gesture he's seen Reki perform multiple times, Langa ruffles the kid's hair. Miya scowls with a 'tut' but doesn't pull away.

Reki stays to the side as everyone mutters good luck to Langa as they turn to leave. Watching the interaction puts a heavy weight on his heart. Part of him screams that this could be the last time they talk to each other. Langa could go out there and never make it across the finish line.

"I'm going to win." Langa stops in front of him, pulling him from his thoughts. Everyone else continues off to the finish line.

"I know." Nothing else needs to be said. Langa is going to win. He isn't going to let the voice in the back of his head win. If he pretends the voice whispering insecurities is Adam, it becomes a whole lot easier to scoff at.

Before he misses his chance, Reki grabs Langa's sleeve as he turns away, stopping him from going off in the other direction. He ignores the slight shake of his hand from the anxiety. Instead, he focuses on the way Langa looks back with a soft smile. "Promise me," He demands. "Promise me you'll come back to me."

The level of determination and seriousness on Reki's face is an expression Langa's only seen a handful of times. "I promise," Taking a deep breath, he lets go.

"I believe in you, Langa." Langa grips his board tighter as his face irons out in determination.

"Reki – ." He steps forward, gathering his nerves. Reki's heart jumps and, no matter how much he wants to hear what Langa has to say, he shakes his head. "Please, there is something I have to tell you," Langa begs, looking almost scared at the prospect of being turned down, of leaving this unsaid.