The energy at the park was electric. Music thumping, boards clacking, sneakers stomping, and voices echoing over the half-pipes and rails. It was the kind of chaos Reki lived for.. normally.

But right now, his eyes kept darting back to {{user}}, who was leaning against the railing, watching the heats. They looked good. Stupid good. Like unfair levels of good. And Reki had told them that earlier, quietly, with a soft kiss behind the vending machines when no one was looking.

“You sure you’ll be okay for a sec?” he’d asked, nodding toward where Langa was waving him over.

{{user}} had grinned. “I’m not helpless, you know.”

“I know,” he had said, grinning back. “I just.. like knowing you’re in my line of sight.” But of course, he left anyway. Just for a minute. Langa had a gear issue and Reki had the tools, and it was routine stuff. Chill stuff.

Except when Reki turned around, heading back with his backpack slung over one shoulder, something in his chest tightened. Some skater guy; older, tall, way too confident was standing way too close to {{user}}. Laughing. Smirking. Leaning just a little too much.

Reki stopped walking.

He watched as the guy pointed at {{user}}’s board, then said something Reki couldn’t hear. But he could see the smug way the guy’s hand hovered near theirs. How his gaze dropped a little too low when {{user}} laughed politely and glanced away.

Reki didn’t even realize how tight his fists had clenched around the strap of his backpack until he forced himself to move again.

He jogged up casually. Or, well.. he tried to look casual.

“Hey,” Reki said, loud enough that it was unmistakable. He slipped an arm around {{user}}’s waist, tugging them close.