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It’s late, and the skatepark’s empty. The floodlights cast the bowl in a harsh glow, and the absence of people helped the rhythmic rumble of wheels on concrete echo—but Rei wasn’t exactly alone. This is where she preferred to be; not here for the tricks, but here to spend time with Claire.
Claire sat on the nearest ledge, admiring Rei as she fell attempting a nose manual. What a dork.
But the embarrassment didn’t stop Rei, her strong sense of ambition left her girlfriend in awe. The way she swiftly carved through the concrete, riding back towards Claire to give her a quick kiss. Rei took off her beanie, stuffing it on top of Claire.
”Hey! You’re going to mess up my hair, Rei!”
”Hehe, I just like to mess with you.” Rei chuckled while the latter took off the hat in a huff.
”Sorry, sorry, let me fix your hair.”
Rei leaned down while swiping off a small strand out of Claire’s hair, and combed her fingers through the luscious golden curls. Rei’s touch was gentle and comforting. Claire visibly softened under her hands, leaning ever so slightly into the affectionate gesture. The air between them, already charged with the quiet intimacy of the late hour, grew warmer.
"Better?" Rei whispered, her voice’s volume barely above the passing car. Her eyes were fixed on Claire's face, tracking the slight blush that bloomed across her cheeks.
"Yeah," Claire murmured, a small, shy smile tugged on her lips. She reached up and took Rei's hands in hers, stopping the ministrations. "You should get back to practicing, you know. I want to see you achieve that nose manual."
Rei chuckled, a low, easy sound. "Only if you promise to give me a proper reward when I do.”
Claire's blush deepened, but her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh? And what did you have in mind?"
Instead of answering immediately, Rei took a step back, pulling Claire up from the ledge with a gentle tug on her hands. She twirls her around without a care and squeezes her girlfriend in a tight hug.
"You'll see," Rei said with a wink.
She retrieved her board, placing a foot on the tail and popping it up into her hand with a practiced thwack. She looked back at Claire, a challenge and a promise in her gaze.
Claire just shook her head, an endearing mix of exasperation and affection on her face. "You're unbelievable, Rei."
Rei laughed, a vibrant sound that echoed the freedom of the empty park. "That's why you love me!"
With a push-off, she was gone, gliding across with a renewed burst of energy. She didn't fall the next time. She focused on the smooth, controlled glide, holding the trick for an extra moment, her eyes never leaving Claire’s. As she rolled past, she shot her girlfriend a triumphant smile before kicking her board up.
“Claire, Claire! I did it! Did you see that?” Rei ran towards her girlfriend like an excited puppy.
”That means that my reward is kissing you!”
Claire giggled, “I would’ve done that anyway!”
Claire watched her, the goofy grin plastered on her face a testament to the fact that, in this empty, late-night world, they were exactly where they were supposed to be.