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Dragging out his partner to the ice skating rink in a fit of energy is just like Ryoji. As always, he trails behind his more excitable counterpart, letting him chatter away as they lace up their skates. Even as Ryoji eventually hits the ice, twirling and gliding across the floor as if he was born to be there, he doesn't stop his rambling, making frequent stops to check on Minato resting on the sidelines. By the time he finally gets the courage to ask Minato to skate with him, his cheeks are rosy from exertion, but his eyes twinkle with glee.
Minato peers out into the rink not unlike a cat watching their owner prepare a bath. He hums before leaning back, unimpressed with whatever he finds. "Hm."
That simply won't do. Ryoji abruptly spins on the heel of the blade until he comes to a stop and skates over to drape himself over the wall near Minato. "C'mon~! It'll be fun," He bats his eyelashes, only half serious as his lover snorts and pushes his face away.
"No thanks," He says dryly. "You look like you're having enough fun for the both of us."
"I am! It'd just be even better with you here with me."
"Aren't I already with you?"
"Not like that," Ryoji puffs out his cheeks at Minato's cheekiness. He would reach out to pinch his if he could, but the boy stands just slightly out of reach. A calculated move, if he had to guess. He flails to catch his attention. "You didn't come to just watch, right? So come out here with me!"
Minato rolls his eyes up into his skull. He didn't come just to watch, true, but he could if he wanted. Watching Ryoji skate is a little hypnotizing, if he's being honest with himself. Maybe it was just because he had only performed simple moves, but he made it look easy, as light as a feather on the ice.
He doesn't say that, however, and just points out the obvious. "I can't skate."
"Not yet. I can teach you as we go," Is Ryoji's delighted reply, bright eyed and with windswept hair and that stupid yellow scarf tucked into his jacket to make sure it didn't get in the way. And who would be able to say no to that?
The boy stays rooted in place for a few moments, superstitiously glancing back and forth between the floor and his expectant partner. He bounces between thoughts in his head, weighing the pros and cons of remaining stubborn just to avoid looking like an idiot. But his partner brought him here to have fun, and he doesn't think it's really fair to not engage at all. Ryoji truly wouldn't mind in the end, because he always understands, but it would bother Minato.
Internal debate flickers across his face, before his nose scrunches up in annoyance upon the realization that yes, it really would bother him to seriously disappoint Ryoji. Which means he'll have to go along with it.
Minato stares at him long and hard. "If you drop me, I'll never forgive you."
"I'd never, dearest," Ryoji says with as much sincerity he can muster. Somehow that makes Minato even more suspicious, narrowing his eyes at him from his safe spot away from the ice. "I swear! Have a little faith in me, Mina-chan," He holds his arms out, wiggling his fingers for emphasis.
Accusingly, he squints at the other boy on the ice, as if it's his fault. (Which, to be fair, it very much is.) It's the kind of face Minato makes when he exaggerates for other people who can't read him like the back of their hand. Ryoji, like a bastard, just returns the look with a sly grin and another beckoning motion. Catching the signs of begrudging acceptance, he's already cheering mentally before Minato sighs, and sets one foot down onto the ice.
"You know," Minato starts, gripping onto the outer wall tightly. "I don't know where you would've learned something like this."
Ryoji hums, skating just a little closer to get ready to catch him. "Just recently. I was curious, since it was getting colder and all. It seemed like a must."
"You're pretty good at it."
"What can I say? I'm a fast learner," Ryoji sends him a blinding grin of pearly whites.
It's not like it isn't true—they both pick up on new skills quickly. But Minato doesn't need to know that he had seen a video on Youtube and spontaneously decided to take him on a date to the local skating rink before realizing he did not, in fact, know how to skate. It had taken a ridiculous amount of begging to get Kirijo to agree to teach him some of the basics.
Really, it's not his fault it had turned into a guilty attempt to impress his boyfriend. He makes a note to thank her again later.
Minato raises a delicate eyebrow, but doesn't comment, instead tilting his head towards him.
"And don't think I can't see you stalling," Ryoji teases lightly. Watching the boy's face immediately sour, twisting into something that is a borderline pout, he has to choke back a laugh. It's cute.
"I'm not," He huffs, finally placing his other foot into the rink, and almost immediately wobbles in place, other hand flying to cling to the wall like a lifeline. It doesn't help as much as he had hoped, judging from the mildly panicked look Minato gives him.
Ryoji huffs out an actual laugh this time, earning himself a heated glare, but it's only a little bit intimidating when he's a breeze away from getting knocked onto his ass. He gives Minato a moment to adjust before grabbing his hands—still holding onto the edges with all their might.
"Ready?"
"No," He deadpans, but lets Ryoji tug him forward until he's standing a bit away from his previous support, looking like a newborn fawn trying to walk for the first time. His fingers tighten around his partner's hands.
Ryoji can't help but giggle, moving backwards slightly. "Everything alright there?" Minato follows begrudgingly, taking short, stumbling steps after the taller boy.
It is, admittedly, a little exciting for Ryoji to find he's good at something Minato can't do yet. He wouldn't brag if he got the chance, but his boyfriend being naturally talented and amazing meant he was left playing catch up more often than not. It isn't something Ryoji minds at all. He would still get to admire the beautiful boy that decided to stay beside him in his full glory, but seeing him struggle with a new activity is a novelty that has him giddy.
He likes to see all of Minato; at his best, at his worst, and everything in between.
Watching him fumble across the ice is just a nice contrast to his usual cool demeanor, and he finds it endearing. Even when Minato gives a grumpy "yes" and continues to try to regain his balance. Especially then, perhaps.
Things go like that for a while; Ryoji leading Minato by the hand, whispering gentle encouragement and teasing as he trips over himself. It's not as bad as he thought it would be, though it might just be because he doesn't take very long to catch on. Falling into his boyfriend's embrace one too many times to be met with a cheeky smile served as a good enough motivation to push himself further.
Even if it was a little nice. Being in public is way too embarrassing. When he says so, Ryoji just laughs until he abruptly takes control, pulling them both back so fast they fall over into a pile of limbs like idiots. Needless to say, it leaves them both feeling all too silly.
Later, when they finally leave, exhausted from the thrill and buying hot chocolate on the way home to stave off the cold winter air, Minato tugs on his hand.
"Thank you," He says slowly, his gaze boring straight through Ryoji and warming his cheeks. The corner of his lips quirk upwards just a smidge, giving him the front row seat to one of the softest smiles he has ever seen. "It was fun."
Ryoji thinks he can turn into mush right on the spot, with the cozy heat of his drink seeping into his hands and his dearest staring at him like that. He settles for giving a wide grin instead. "I'm so glad! Heh, it's like you were falling for me all over again—"
When Minato rolls his eyes and presses a warm, chocolatey kiss to his lips, he thinks he's melting for an entirely different reason.