Gliding like Old Times
Miles ended up being right, with Hobie scarfing down everything down to the tiny grains stuck to the plate in less than ten minutes. It makes him feel bad for not bringing him more, he’ll make sure to start feeding the poor boy. He acted like he’s never had anything like it before, and he won’t stand for it. Everyone deserves food with seasoning and love! But mostly seasoning. And Miles has no idea what he eats while he’s by himself, but clearly it won’t cut it anymore. Seriously, when the dude thought he wasn’t looking he licked his fingers like it was his only sustenance.
When the cab finally came, honking to get their attention, Hobie looked at his plate sad before throwing it in the nearby garbage can.
“Guess you ‘ere right.” He smiled.
“Mhm.” Miles chuckled as they got into the car, with Hobie opening the door for him. How nice.
“Where to?” The driver asked. “Glide at Brooklyn Bridge” Miles said simply.
“That reminds me, can I take a butcher at it? Like a photo or something.” Hobie said curiously. He didn’t show him yet? Probably should’ve been the first thing he done but oh well.
“Yeah sure dude.” He grinned as he searched It up.
Since it was new, it didn’t have a lot of pictures and videos available of people going there and reviewing it; but, the few who did sounded like they had fun, so that’s a good sign. It looked small in the pictures, but the atmosphere more than made up for it. Under the bridge, they have a video of the city projected on one of the pillars right next to the skating rink, changing according to the time of day. Overall pretty cute, and maybe even romantic; fingers crossed.
“Woah, looks cool.” Hobie nodded, leaning closer to Miles to get a better look. “Yeah, might be crowded though so hope you don’t mind.” He said worriedly. There going at peak time, no doubt they’ll be people there.
“Nah you’re alright.” Hobie grinned. “The experience is what matters. Where I’ll probably bust my arse.” He sighed dramatically. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Miles smirked. “Do you think you’ll be fine?” Hobie rolled his eyes as he glanced at the boy.
“Eh, probably. I’ve gone skating before and was actually pretty good. So I might be rusty, but I don’t think I’ll fall over any time soon.” Yeah, he used to go ice skating a lot didn’t he? He remembers kid him was even able to do jumps and tricks. Maybe he shouldn’t mention that to Hobie, less he doesn’t have no idea what he’s doing anymore and embarrassed himself.
“Boo, so you’re just gonna leave me on my Jack? So cruel,” he playfully pouted as he leaned even closer to Miles.
“Hah hah, can’t really control that can I? Kinda hypocritical to call me cruel for something I can’t control, since you’re always on stuff like that?” Miles teased.
“Completely different.” He said confidently.
“How so?”
“You’re… you. Completely different from everyone else.” He smiled and his tone was… confusing. Like he was flirting with him.
Wait.
Was he flirting with him?
No, maybe, probably. Miles already came to terms with the fact that yes, Hobie does like him and yes, that is in fact possible. It can still gives him whiplash though.
“Well, thank you. You’re different from everyone else too, but I think you know that.” Miles chuckled looking up at Hobie, that caused there faces to be so close he can hear the punk’s breathe hitch. Score! “It’s nice to see someone just be themselves unconditionally, makes me think I can do it. Inspiring.”
“Oh, I’m inspirin’ aren’t I?” Hobie smirked, clearly not gonna flush and look away like last time. “Pfft- what’s with all the questions?” Miles chuckled, looking away. He wasn’t expecting his change of behavior from the last time they were close, and thought the adjacency would only last a couple seconds. All this was way too much for his heart!
“Where do you want me to drop you off?” They cab driver said dryly as they looked back and forth between Miles and Hobie, before seeming to take a look at their proximity.
“Uh! Right here is fine, thanks.” The boricua said awkwardly as he tried to not scream. He totally forgot they weren’t by themselves! Poor driver. He just had to witness the most disgusting attempt at flirting ever. Hopefully Hobie gives him a good tip.
——
“Oooo they have hot chocolate up there. Wanna get some after our hour?” Miles grinned. Hot chocolate sounded awesome right about now, but they’re already coming in close- only 4 minutes before 8. They’re on the line now and are just waiting for their bar code from their tickets to be scanned, so there not exactly late yet.
“Sure, does it taste decent?” He questioned while the other boy whipped around to stare at him in disbelief. “You’ve never had hot chocolate?!” He said gobsmacked. This poor boy, he’s only had arroz con gandules once just today and hasn’t even had hot chocolate before! Just what else is there that he hasn’t tried?
“Nope, never had the opportunity,” he shrugged.
“Well, you should definitely have some then! What about munchkins, or donuts themselves?? Have you tried cream puffs?” Miles said enthusiastically as he stared holes into Hobie’s eyes.
“Hmm, those don’t sound healthy mate. And I thought you weren’t in the mood for questions” He snickered, referring to his excuse in the car.
“That was in the past, now answer,” He waved him off before going back to staring at him intensely. He needs to make a mental list of these things. “Alright alright, I’ve donuts before but not whatever else you mentioned.” He surrendered.
“Damn, that’s so sad.” Miles frowned before almost bumping into a worker. Oops.
“Do you have your bar code?” She said kindly, not even flinching as they almost collided.
“Oh, yeah give me a second, sorry for almost bumping into him.” he chuckled awkwardly before holding out his phone with the barcode on it. “Here.”
“Okay good, hope you enjoy your time here!” She said, obviously not as enthusiastic as she portrays herself for work.
———
After renting skates- Miles’s old ones stop fitting ages ago- they finally let people into the rink. They waited until most people went in so they wouldn’t be bombarded and the two of them finally stepped onto the ice.
“Okay so, what you’re gonna have to do is-“ Before he can finish his sentence, he flinched as 6’5 Hobie almost fell on top of him. “Woah woah hold on stay still!” He says panicked as he quickly guides Hobie to the railing.
“…” they stare at each other before bursting out laughing. “How about you hold on to the railing and try to get your balance for now? No offense, but you’re too tall to be crashing into people.” Miles said giggling prior to calming down and holding a fist bump out.
“Tell me when you’re ready, and you can grab me while you attempt to not tumble while gliding around here.” He said encouragingly; knowing that when that time comes he’s gonna have to pray not to be awkward when he holds onto him for support.
“Alright,” Hobie grinned, returning the fist bump before determiningly trying to move forward. Looks like something put a pep in his step.
“Oh! Don’t forget to-“ Miles watched as Hobie almost fell backwards but luckily caught himself, “lean forward…” he grimaced.
“Nice advice.” He sighed.
Watching Hobie’s sad attempts at staying upright, Miles himself got used to the feeling of skates on his feet. Him and his parents used to go skating every year, he doesn’t know why they stopped. Or atleast doesn’t remember why, he remembers being sad about it though. But he can’t really blame anyone when he never asked to go back.
Initiative, something he’s always seemed to lack when it came to -well- anything. But he’s different now, not perfect- but better.
He asked for Hobie to come here, same with the ice cream parlor. And he won’t even say it’s because of Hobie. He was inspiring sure, but he did it on his own. With a little convincing (harassing) from friends.
It empowers him, makes him less likely to clam up or be obnoxiously awkward. Most of the time, he is Miles Morales after all. He thinks it runs in the family.
“Mind if I go around once, I think I got back into the groove of things now,” Miles grinned, doing a little spin that isn’t particularly impressive but makes Hobie’s eyes widen.
“Go ahead, I’ll be ready by then.” He says confidently as he finally is able to stand still without staggering.
“Ready already? If you’re sure.” He teasingly shrugged before gliding at a relatively fast speed. He’s not as good as he used to be, but he’ll be at the same level if he starts skating again. He might asks his parents to come here one day, just for memories sake.
The feeling is nice, gliding on the ice, maneuvering in a way so that he doesn’t bump into other people, and the wind on his face. There was also a little girl staring at him awestruck from her spot on the floor where she just fell. Heh, guess he does look cool skating huh? He’d better, with all the bruises he’s accumulated over the years from his attempts at tricks he should’ve known he wasn’t ready for yet. He’s just lucky he’s never broken a bone.
“Yo.” He waved at he glided over to Hobie, that’s still in the same spot. “Alright so, don’t lean all your weight on me, cause we’d fall over immediately. Just… hold my hand and if you’re about to fall I’ll try to catch you.” He said slightly flustered as he hold out his hand.
“… Alright.” He grabbed his hand and the only reason his wasn’t sweaty was because of the frigid air. And the reason his face was red was definitely because of the frigid air. “Just make sure to lean forward and just, go.”
“Whatever you say Sunflower,” he said casually, but he practically moved like a robot against the ice. From all his abrupt stops, he kept tripping himself; leaving Miles responsible for trying to hold his up.
“Dude, just loosen up.” He chuckled, having just had to grab the other boy fully by his arm to help him up. “I’m tryin’, we can’t all be amazin’ like you.” He said sarcastically as he desperately tried to get his balance.
“You’re one to talk.” Miles laughed. “Not really,” Hobie mumbled. “Don’t you think you put me on a pedestal?” He said blankly as he looked over at the boy next to him; and then turned right back to look at his feet cause he almost ate shit.
The boricua immediately went to refute, but then hesitated. “Do I?” He tilted his head. Cause, did he? He thought he was fucking awesome, but did that make him uncomfortable? Was it noticeable? Did Hobie know he liked him, too? Or more importantly, did Hobie even like him?
Did he do all that to be nice?
“Maybe, it’s your brain. You’re the only one that can figure it out. Though, it feels like it sometimes. Best not to make it a habit.” Hobie shrugged, unaware of the whole breakdown Miles is having. His brain… was it the same when it came to Hobie? It’s kind of condescending to just assume he likes him right? Is Hobie the only one that can answer that question? Why did Hobie say that like he was annoyed? What did he do wrong?
“Oh, I guess you’re right,” he said awkwardly, feeling stupid. Because well, he thinks he might be. Even his own mind doesn’t think he’s smart enough, how sad is that?
“You think you’re ready to skate without support?” He said teasingly. But honestly, he just did that so he could stop holding his hand.
The touch was intoxicating, but it was fogging his brain up. He needs to think.