[September 1] [Haibane Renmei] Fly

Title: Fly
Day/Theme: September 1/a clumsy ersatz angel
Series: Haibane Renmei
Character/Pairing: Reki/Rakka
Rating: PG
Word Count: 409



Reki didn't ask what Rakka was hiding in the back room. Every night for a week she just watched as Rakka sneaked down the hallway carrying rags and tools. Finally one evening Reki saw her wheel a bicyle out the back door of Old Home. It shone with blue paint and looked almost new. Reki reflected that Rakka could always have ridden Kana's, but maybe she just wanted something of her own to use.

She smiled a little to herself as Rakka mounted the bicycle. She had said she remembered how to ride, and she did, but she still wobbled and nearly fell. Finally she rode a few yards, her elbows and knees sticking out awkwardly.

Reki went down the stairs and opened the door. Rakka looked at her and blushed.

"I just wanted to..." Her voice trailed off, leaving the sentence unfinished.

"Wanted to ride?" asked Reki.

"To ride fast. To know what it's like to fly. We have wings but we can't... well, you know."

Reki nodded. "I think I understand," she said, self-consciously moving her wings. She dropped her cigarette in the dirt and ground it out. "Can I get up behind you?"

"Sure," said Rakka. Reki sat down carefully, holding on to Rakka, pressed against her wings. Slowly, Rakka began to pedal. With two people on it, the bicyle couldn't go very fast, but then Rakka found a hill and rode down. They picked up speed and Rakka gave a soft excited shriek. Reki's wings streamed out behind her.

At the bottom of the hill the bike swerved sharply and they both fell into the soft grass by the side of the roadway. They had landed all tangled up together, pressed against each other.

"Are you all right?" Reki asked. Rakka only laughed in reply. Before she could get up, Rakka cuddled against her and pressed a small kiss to her cheek, then a more lingering one on her neck.

"I still feel like I'm flying," she whispered into Reki's ear.

Reki felt chills. "We should go back," she murmured, though part of her wished she could continue lying in the grass in Rakka's arms.

They walked the bicycle back to Old Home, not speaking out loud. But as Reki saw the sunlight on Rakka's face, she pictured it: Rakka flying through the blue sky with strong strokes of her wings, arms out to guide herself, and her hair still straining to touch her halo.