Shorties

There was something about an open highway that said freedom.  Fields on either side, green, and speeding by, the sky wide and blue above, the gray of asphalt below, and the wind roaring as the motorbike sliced through.  At least, that’s how Riku saw it, reveling in the rush of it all.

Lea, on the other hand, alternated between squeezing his eyes shut and holding them open wide, in terror, as he clutched at Riku’s waist for dear life.  There was no shell of metal around them, if anything happened.  He wasn’t paranoid, exactly, but a helmet and some leather seemed like little protection at this speed, surrounded by hunks of metal in the shape of cars and, worse, trucks and tractor trailers, all hurtling forward on either side of them.

But Riku had insisted that the motorbike was the best way to travel, had talked Lea into a day trip, and Lea had agreed.  Until he’d actually gotten on the bike, and by then it was too late.  What should’ve been a joy ride was more like a hurtling trip to death aboard a crotch rocket.

Still, Lea couldn’t maintain such a tight hold on Riku forever, and gradually, he relaxed.  Or rather,  he accepted that no matter how much he gripped Riku, whatever was going to happen, would happen, and really, it was enough to feel the firm body in his arms.

He still didn’t enjoy the ride, especially when Riku took them through a series of narrow turns cut into the mountain.

When Riku slowed the bike to a stop in a small car park, Lea was more than happy to climb off, legs wobbly enough that he stumbled.

Riku was chuckling as he pulled his helmet off, hair damp with sweat and sticking to his head.  “What’s the matter, Lea?  Did I take that last corner too fast?”

Lea shucked his own helmet and shot Riku a glare.  “My whole body feels numb.”

Riku grinned.  “Engine vibration.”  He accepted Lea’s helmet and stowed both helmets on the bike.  “Let me know when you’ve got your land legs back so I can show you what we came here for.”

Lea grumbled and steadied himself, breathing in fresh, still air.  He swiped a hand through his hair, even knowing it would do nothing for his helmet head, and then decided he didn’t care, anyway.  “This better be worth it.”

Riku grabbed his hand, leaning in to kiss him.  “Don’t be a baby.  It wasn’t that bad.”

“I did get to hold on to you the whole time,” Lea allowed.

Riku bumped his shoulder.  “See, not all bad.”  He tugged Lea’s hand.  “Come on, then.”

Lea let Riku lead the way, and, once he felt more or less normal again, began to take in their surroundings.  Riku was picking their way along a beaten path, trees on either side, and the air heavy with the smell of earth and greenery.  It was quiet, isolated as they were, and that brought a certain peace that Lea wasn’t used to.

But it was a good atmosphere, and he relaxed, leaning on Riku, both of them walking at a languid pace.

There was a low sound that grew as they followed the path, until it was a dull roar, and when they rounded a bend, Lea paused to take in the sight.  They’d come to a waterfall, tumbling down the side of a cliff; the path they’d taken halted at a landing about halfway up one side, overlooking the pool below.  A gust of wind carried a spray of water, and Lea closed his eyes, reveling in the refreshing mist.

When he opened his eyes again, Riku was looking at him, a smile on his lips and eyes crinkling at the corners.

Lea felt his breath catch, a little.  He’d always been a helpless romantic, and maybe this wasn’t Niagara Falls, but that didn’t make the view any less beautiful, especially with Riku there, looking up at him with those aqua eyes of his.  The same Riku that knew how much he enjoyed a rare sight like this.  Lea was warm, suddenly, his heart beating so hard he was sure it was audible over the roar of the waterfall.

“I love you, Ku.”  It came out in a breath of wonder, maybe lost under the sound of his pounding heart and the rush of water, and he realized it was true.

Riku wrapped his arms around Lea, pressing his face against Lea’s chest, and Lea bent his head to kiss the top of Riku’s head.  He was sure his cheeks were pink with a blush, but he decided he didn’t mind, if it was for Riku.