Renga Oneshots

Holding You Together

Langa noticed it first when Reki didn't bring lunch to school.

At first, he thought maybe Reki had forgotten, but then it happened again. And again. Then, he saw the way Reki's hands trembled when he reached for something, the way he spaced out in class, the way he pulled his hoodie tighter around himself like he was trying to disappear.

And Langa hated it.

Ever since their fight, things between them had been strained. They were talking again, but it wasn't the same. Reki wasn't the same.

Langa had to do something.

So, he showed up at Reki's house unannounced, climbing through his window like they always used to.

The room was dim, the only light coming from Reki's computer screen, which displayed an unfinished skate design. His bed was unmade, clothes were scattered on the floor, and empty snack wrappers littered his desk. The air smelled stale, like he hadn't bothered to open a window in days.

Langa's chest tightened.

"Reki," he called, stepping forward.

Reki, who had been hunched over his desk, barely turned. "Huh? Oh. Hey, Langa." His voice was flat, exhausted.

That was it. Langa snapped.

"This isn't okay, Reki."

Reki blinked at him. "What?"

"You're not eating, you're not sleeping, you're not even taking care of yourself! What are you doing?"

Reki's tired eyes narrowed. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Langa shot back, stepping closer. "You look like you're about to collapse! When was the last time you ate a proper meal? Or slept more than three hours?"

"I don't need you to lecture me, dude." Reki stood, shoving his chair back. "Why do you even care?"

"Because it's you!" Langa's voice rose. "Because I care about you! And it kills me to see you like this!"

Reki clenched his fists. "Yeah? Well, maybe if you had cared earlier, I wouldn't feel like this."

The words cut deep, but Langa didn't back down. He stepped right into Reki's space, eyes locked onto his. "I know I messed up. I know I made you feel like you weren't enough. And I hate that. But I don't want to lose you, Reki. Not like this." His voice cracked, frustration giving way to something softer.

Reki wavered. His lips parted like he wanted to argue more, but instead, his shoulders slumped. "I don't know how to fix it, Langa," he admitted, voice small. "I just... I feel stuck."

Langa exhaled, reaching out before he could second-guess himself. He placed his hands on Reki's shoulders, grounding him. "Then let me help."

Reki swallowed, his breath shaky. "I don't—"

Langa didn't give him a chance to pull away. He pulled Reki into a tight hug, arms wrapping around him completely. For a second, Reki tensed, but then he melted into it, gripping Langa's hoodie like it was the only thing keeping him upright.

"I'm sorry," Langa murmured into his hair. "I should have been there for you sooner."

Reki buried his face in Langa's chest, inhaling sharply. "You're here now."

Langa held him tighter, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of his head. "Yeah. And I'm not going anywhere."

And just like that, the weight on both of their chests felt a little lighter.

Heyyyyy, someone got a little boredd dont mind me 🥱