Skateboard
1:05 ───|────── 2:44
|◁ II ▷|

✘

By the time Oli showed up at Vivian's house, the sun was starting to set. He didn't expect to be leaving work so early and—actually—thought he'd be having dinner at his restaurant whenever Kellin showed up. But plans are always changing when it comes to Kellin, he didn't mind that though. He actually liked it a lot if he was being honest. It hasn't been that long since he's visited Vivian but he did have to admit he missed her—which, was really weird to Oli.

He didn't know her nearly as much as the rest but she was easy to love. A quality she shares with the boy she took in as a teenager. The same boy he could... see skateboarding?

Oli parked his car as soon as he could, behind Gabe's car. He got out just as quickly, right as Kellin skated past him without a care in the world leaving behind nothing but his giggles in his wake. "Kells!" He shouted after him and all he got was Kellin shooting his arm up in the air, waving.

"He's been at it for... an hour I think?" He heard, making him flinch and look over to see Gabe walking over to him, "Hey man, how was work?"

The two clasped their hands together before bringing each other in briefly—the typical bro hug. "Was fine, an hour?" Oli asked when he pulled away, turning to see Kellin skating back on the sidewalk instead of the street where he was on previously.

"Incoming!" Kellin yelled before meeting where Gabe and Oli stood. A giggle escaped him when Oli wrapped his arms around Kellin just before he could skate away from them again. He almost stumbled but found his balance and stopped his board from rolling away from him at the sudden stop.

"Calm down Tony Hawk," Oli chuckled and leaned in to briefly plant a kiss on his lips. Kellin grinned and threw his arms around his shoulders. It was a little funny how standing on the skateboard let Kellin be at eye-level with Oli, "You havin' fun?"

"I am," Kellin hummed before peering over his shoulder to where Gabe was standing behind them. Gabe was watching them with his own smile on his face—he couldn't help it. Love (even if Kellin didn't wanna admit it out loud) looked good on his best friend. "You heading out?"

"Yeah," Gabe said as he pulled his keys out, pressing the button to unlock it, "Kris is waiting to have dinner and talk about more wedding stuff."

"Sounds fun," Kellin grinned and pulled away from Oli to fully look at him, "Can you believe I'm someone's best man?"

"'Course," Oli hummed, keeping his arms circled around his waist, "Wouldn't expect nothin' less from my best b-"

"And that's my cue to leave," Gabe said, interrupting whatever Oli was going to say that would in fact make him never look at his best friend the same ever again. "Bye Viv!" He called out, waving towards the lady who was sitting on her porch watching the entire thing unfold.

Oli felt his cheeks heat up and looked over to see the wide grin on her face. "Come visit me again soon!" Vivian called back, waiving before her eyes shifted to the touchy couple, "It's nice to see you again, Oliver."

"L-Likewise!"

Gabe chuckled and shook his head, "Alright, I'll see you guys later." And then he was getting into his car as Kellin and Oli waved goodbye to him again. Once he drove off, Kellin hopped off his skateboard and kicked it up to grab it.

"Couldn't have warned me that your mum was watchin'?" Oli said and laced his fingers with Kellin's free hand.

Kellin laughed and shook his head, "Now where's the fun in that?"

The two walked toward Vivian who still had the biggest smile on her face. She couldn't help it, she loved seeing her kids at their happiest. "I hope you're not here just to take him away from me," Vivian said as Oli leaned down to hug her once they got to her, "The guys are making carne asada, you two should stay for dinner."

"Oli doesn't eat meat," Kellin explained, squeezing his hand when Oli went back to holding it, "Maybe next time."

"Oh, right," Vivian frowned, "Had I known you were coming, I would've had them prepare something for you too."

"It's alright," Oli assured her with a smile, "We'll have dinner together next time."

"I'll hold you up to that promise," Vivian grinned and started to get up from the bench she was sitting on. Kellin was quick to put his skateboard down and help her up, "Such a shame you two can't stay..."

"You should spend time with Jaime and Tony," Kellin helped her back inside the house—though it felt like she was dragging him along. For a lady going through one of her bad days, she still had a lot of strength.

Oli followed behind them, ears perking up at two unfamiliar names.

"That doesn't mean I can't also spend time with you," Vivian hummed as they made it to the door that led to the backyard. They went through the kitchen to get to it and Oli hadn't been in this room and he smiled at all the personal touches around the place.

Mugs with faded marker writing on them—mothers and fathers Day cups, an apron hanging with a sunflower patch in the middle, vases of (fake?) flowers, and even the chipped parts in the tiles let Oli know this kitchen was used with love. It almost reminded him of the kitchen in his parents house.

He couldn't look around more since Kellin opened the backdoor letting the loud music pour in and Oli could hear the sizzling of the grill. Oli followed after, not wanting to be left behind and once they walked out he saw two unfamiliar people alongside Vic and Mike. Unfamiliar guy #1 was by the grill—next to Vic—while unfamiliar guy #2 was lounging on a patio chair opening a beer that Mike just handed to him.

"Kells!" Unfamiliar guy #2 cheered and raised his bottle to him, "Take a seat, have a drink! Tony's almost done cooking."

Unfamiliar guy #1—'Tony'—waved the tongs he held over at them. Kellin shook his head and helped Vivian sit on the patio chair next to unfamiliar guy #2—'Jaime? Was that the name Kellin said earlier?'

The backyard wasn't large, but it was big enough that Oli was sure two kids could find a way to make it work. A typical white picket fence separated the houses and a line of flowers all along the bottom of it. The small patio area had chairs and a round glass table with a yellow umbrella that was opened to shield them from the hot sun.

"Hey Oliver," Mike greeted and handed him a beer bottle.

"Hey," Oli smiled politely, "No, thank you I'm driving."

"We're heading out anyway," Kellin said, smiling down at Vivian, and hugging her goodbye.

Oli stood by the door, a bit awkwardly, waiting for Kellin to finish saying bye to Vivian. He could feel people staring at him and wasn't sure if it was Vic or all of them. Oli didn't look since his focus was directed to Kellin. That didn't last long when Jaime stood up, setting his beer bottle down on the table, and walking closer to him to introduce himself.

"Hey man, I'm Jaime," he said with a big dimpled smile, shooting his hand out. Oli blinked, looking over at that man, and hurried himself to shake his hand. Once Oli's hand was on Jaime's though, Jaime pulled him in for a quick hug, "I'm one of Kellin's oldest friends! And that's Tony over there. It's nice to meet you, any friend of Kells is a friend of mine!"

Oli wasn't sure if it was because Jaime was an excitable person or he just talked overwhelmingly fast but he made him feel dizzy. Maybe both. It was like experiencing another Justin.

"Hey," Oli grinned when he pulled away, finally finding his words, "Nice to meet you two. I'm Kellin's-"

"Boyfriend!" Vivian chirped from her seat and just like that she opened up Pandora's box.

"Mom-"

"Oh! So you're the guy I've been hearing about," Jaime's eyes lit up and a grin rivaling the Cheshire Cat's replaced that friendly smile he had on his face. "This is even better, you have to stay now! Grab a plate- Tone, make him a plate-!"

"Um-"

"You're scaring the poor guy," Tony chuckled, unphased by his friend's antics. Mike sighed but was clearly amused, sitting next to Vivian and taking a drink of his beer while his eyes flickered over to his brother who was more focused, or pretending to be, on the grill than whatever Jaime was trying to do.

"Hime," Kellin suddenly showed up next to Oli, narrowed eyes thrown at the man. Oli felt Kellin's arm wrap around his waist. That instantly calmed his nerves, "Oli's vegan, plus we have plans."

"Bummer," Jaime physically deflated, his bottom lip jutted out. He tilted his head, eyes flickering between them and off to the side and it's like Oli could tell exactly when an idea entered Jaime's head. The grin still apparent on his face, eyes bright and filled with mischief, and suddenly it made sense how Kellin and him were friends. He spoke loud enough even the neighbors probably heard them, "So, this date... cute night out?"

"We're just going home-"

"You live together now!?" Jaime yelled and placed his hands on Kellin's shoulders, practically shaking him. It made Kellin stop holding Oli so he wouldn't suffer the same fate, "So you two are serious?"

"Very serious!" Vivian said in a sing-song voice. She loved seeing Oli nervously glance at Kellin and Kellin glaring at Jaime as he always did—even if Kellin tried hard enough, he couldn't stop the smile from appearing on his face. It was funny seeing Oliver, who Kellin swears to Vivian as this tall confident man, turn into a nervous mess when meeting new people.

"Now you have to stay and tell us everything," Jaime shook Kellin even more but Kellin smacked at his hands to let him go, "We'll buy something for your boyfriend to eat but-"

"Jaime," Vic's sharp voice suddenly shut him up. Jaime pursed his lips but looked even more amused at Vic's reaction, "Your plates ready."

These were Vic's bandmates, right? Oli was a little confused at Jaime trying to get under his skin. He glanced over at Kellin who also seemed to snap out of the back and forth he was having with Jaime. Kellin looked over, as if only now just realizing Vic was there, but he looked back at Jaime and shoved him off towards the grill.

"We should get going," Kellin said as he looked up at Oli.

Oli looked down at him and nodded, "Yeah, thanks for the offer but we gotta get back."

"Maybe next time," Tony said, a shy smile on his face, as he handed Jaime his plate. The complete opposite of Jaime, Oli noted.

"Don't forget your things," Vivian said to Kellin, "See you next time Oli!"

"Bye Viv," Oli smiled and waved at her before the two walked back into the house. Oli followed after Kellin back into the living and towards the staircase. "What did you forget about up here?" He asked as Kellin started to walk up it.

"Oh, mom had a box in the attic for me," Kellin said as they reached the second floor where he left the box and the bag with his helmet and knee pads. "I'm not sure what's in it but it's probably just random stuff I left behind."

Oli bent down to pick up the box before Kellin could, "It's pretty light."

Kellin crossed his arms and stared at him with a less-than-impressed look, "Why didn't you let me carry it then?"

"You got your hands full already, love," Oli shrugged, nodding towards the bag with a grin. Kellin rolled his eyes, picked up the plastic bag from the floor, and turned on his heel to walk back down the stairs. He chuckled and followed Kellin down the stairs and out of the house. Kellin grabbed his skateboard from the porch before they walked to Oli's car.

When they got to his car, Oli fished for his keys before pushing a button to open his trunk. Kellin was quick to put his skateboard and the bag in there and Oli put the box. After closing the trunk they both got into the car and Oli turned on the car. He looked over at Kellin, watching him put on his seatbelt and he couldn't help but think about what happened inside. "That was weird, right?" He asked making Kellin freeze on the spot.

Kellin was in the middle of connecting his phone to the aux as usual. He looked over frowning, seeing a confused look on Oli's face. "What was?"

"In the backyard," Oli said, "With that guy...Jaime?"

"Oh?" Kellin hummed and shrugged, "He's always been like that, sorry... Did he make you uncomfortable? I know he can be overwhelming."

"No," Oli shook his head trying to figure out how to explain why it was weird that Jaime was purposely trying to get Vic angry, "No it's... Isn't he Vic's friend?" Kellin continued to look confused over what Oli was getting at. Did something happen that he didn't realize? Kellin tried to think back to everything Jaime said and did but all he could remember was Jaime messing with him.

"Yeah?"

Oli shrugged again and started to drive, "Never mind, maybe I'm just overthinking it."

"Well," Kellin started and reached over to grab the hand Oli wasn't using to steer, "I can't agree until you tell me what's up, what about Jaime has you weirded out?... Besides his entire personality, because trust me, I know."

That got a smile out of him and shrugged, "I guess it's because it seemed like he was trying to make Vic jealous..."

"Jealous...? Jaime's straight-"

"No," Oli laughed, "Not like that, I meant with us- about us."

Kellin frowned again and thought about it for a second. Frankly, he didn't pay attention to Vic which—honestly was a big shocker even if he was actively trying to ignore him. Kellin is almost always aware of his presence even if he doesn't want to be. He was too preoccupied with Jaime poking fun at Kellin for having a new boyfr- having someone new in his life.

Truth be told Kellin wasn't sure about what happened after they all found out Vic cheated on him. That entire day was muddled in his brain now and that usually doesn't happen since Kellin's memory was a blessing and a curse the majority of the time. He just remembers what happened between him and Vic but not with the others. Kellin knows that Jaime stayed back to talk to Vic and figure out why Kellin was heartbroken.

Apparently, there wasn't anyone in there but Vic, and he was just getting ready to leave the studio to catch up with them. Or at least that's what Mike told Kellin before Vic came home that day. But it didn't matter if Jaime didn't see because Mike saw and Kellin saw and... well there wasn't much else to deny especially after the picture Gabe took.

Kellin didn't get the chance to see Jaime and Tony's reaction to the news. They're still friends—they've known each other forever—and still in a band together so, there's not much to say on that part.

"Maybe," Kellin shrugged, he tried not to care too much about that. Pushing buttons was one of Jaime's best talents and Kellin wouldn't put it past him to do it to Vic too. Whether he was angry about what happened or not. "Jaime likes messing with people—especially if he knows how to get under someone's skin but they're still friends."

"Interesting friendship..."

Kellin cracked a grin, squeezing his hand again, "Vic would be stupid to have a falling out with Jaime. He's the best bassist out there... Don't tell Justin I said that."

Oli laughed. He brought up their interlocked hands and kissed the back of Kellin's hand, "Your secret's safe with me."

✘

By the time they got to Oli's apartment, the sun was low enough that the pretty orange skies started to make an appearance. It cast an orange light into the apartment through Oli's opened windows just like how he likes it. Otto was asleep, curled up on the hammock of his dark grey condo cat tree that was placed by the window—he loves a good view. Kellin smiled big and kicked his shoes off before (basically) dumping his skateboard and bag onto the couch, making his way to Otto.

Kellin ran his fingers gently into his fluffy orange fur making Otto wake up and purr as he stretched. The sleepy kitty peered up at him letting out a meow—as if greeting him. "Hi baby," Kellin cooed at him, scratching the back of his ear which made Otto purr even louder.

Oli was placing Kellin's box onto the coffee table in the middle of his living room before walking over and smiling down at their kitty. "You didn't get into any trouble while we were gone right?" Oli asked, also petting Otto.

Otto was in cat heaven.

"Tsk," Kellin pouted as he looked up at Oli, "Trouble? Otto's an angel."

"You weren't here when he destroyed my recliner," Oli arched an eyebrow as he looked over at Kellin—his features softening the second he saw that pout on his face. He stopped petting Otto, who was already bored with getting pets, and hopped off the cat tree and wandered off towards his bowl.

"You needed a new one anyway," Kellin shrugged, walking back to the couch and plopping himself down on it in front of the box.

"New- Love, the one I replaced was the new one," Oli followed after him, sitting next to him, "Ya know? The one I got before you went off on tour?"

Kellin hummed, pulling the box closer to him, "That ugly thing? Otto was just trying to tell you that you needed a better one." Oli sighed, shaking his head with a smile and sitting back on the couch. He just never wins.

Kellin ran his hand over the top of the box and wondered exactly what was in there. He didn't think he'd leave much behind if he was being honest. A couple of pictures, his high school degree maybe, a couple of notebooks, maybe even some clothes that probably don't even fit anymore. His heart was beating nervously and he didn't know why. It was just memories, probably even less than that and it was just random trinkets.

"Can I have your keys?" Kellin looked back to see Oli watching him, he blushed slightly. Oli wordlessly pulled his keys out of his pockets and handed them to him, "Thanks."

"'Course, peach."

Kellin didn't think anymore because if he did he would overthink, make himself nervous, and never open the box. Kellin made sure to bury a lot of his memories from high school because they were all filled with Vic. His teenage years were a happy time—mostly—but they involved someone that hurt him and Kellin didn't want to think of him. Pretend none of it existed which did more harm than good. Ignoring those feelings and letting them build up never did him good, it never let him heal and properly move on.

He tore through the tape that was keeping the box closed and placed the keys beside it before opening the flaps more to whatever memories that were ready to hit him.

"What's in it?" Oli asked, sitting up to try to get a peak.

Kellin sighed a little and pulled the first thing out, "It better not just be my old clothes."

A black Copeland t-shirt that looked like it was one more wash away from disintegrating. "Didn't know you were a Copeland fan," Oli took it from Kellin after he handed it to him.

"There is absolutely no way you've known me for 5 years and you didn't know one of my favorite bands," Kellin's eyes narrowed as he looked over at Oli who was still looking at the shirt.

"Hey, that is not my fault," Oli laughed as he draped the shirt over his lap, fully ready to hold whatever else Kellin handed to him. "You're the one not tellin' me about it."

Kellin rolled his eyes and reached into the box again, pulling out a couple of more shirts, until he hit something. He frowned and looked into it and saw a tin box before pulling it out and shaking it. It sounded like there were papers in it. It was a decently sized box that almost covered the width of his lap. It was covered in random stickers, he opened it and grinned, "Holy shit."

Kellin pulled out a bright yellow paper and laughed softly shaking his head, "It's the flyer from our first show."

Oli smiled when he handed it to him and looked down at the silly logo they used to have as a band. He, personally, loved their current logo with the '/W'—the very same symbol tattooed behind Kellin's ear—but there was a certain charm to their old one. Oli couldn't help but laugh at the entry fee: $5 + drinks.

"Weren't you like 17 during your first show?"

"Mm, I think so... Maybe, why?"

"Plus drinks," Oli showed him and Kellin pursed his lips before shrugging.

"Don't judge, you were probably drinking when you were 15," Kellin continued to search through the box. Oli laughed and placed the flyer on the coffee table, "I know how you British kids get down."

"I guess... Probably not when I was 15, I was living here during that-"

"My first concert ticket!" Kellin shouted excitedly before he stopped and looked over at him with wide eyes processing what he just said, "Now that's a story I need to hear."

Oli smiled, not the big one that usually reaches his eyes, and shrugged, "Another time, I'm more interested in this first concert fiasco."

"That is so unfair but, fine you owe me a story later," Kellin handed him the ticket stub. Kellin went back to looking in the box and found a stack of pictures under all the random flyers and movie/concert ticket stubs. He was surprised Vivian didn't keep these, considering most—if not all—of the pictures she had of him were stored away in her large photo album.

Oli sat up again and peered over his shoulder to see the large stack of photos, "Damn, you guys took pictures every day, huh?"

"Nearly," Kellin smiled softly as he went through the pictures before stopping at one that had him giggling, "This was when I went to Mexico... I think it's been 9 years now?"

Oli took the picture when he handed it to him. The Mexico trip, the one that Oli's only heard about once but was still just as shocked to hear about. Oli did some crazy things when he was a teenager, he was a bit of a "troubled" kid—or at least that's what the adults in his life would say, he just didn't care most of the time. He did his boring work and went about his life—playing basketball or hanging out with friends, maybe broke a rule or two but nothing compares to Kellin running away to a different country.

At least his parents were aware and agreed to send him off to a different country when he was 15.

When he first heard the story it was when Kellin was drunk at one of his parties years ago. Going on and on about how he misses going to Mexico, which Oli thought was funny because he just finished their tour in Latin America.

The picture was just of Kellin. He was sitting on a fence made out of rocks, his palms on it to hold himself up. Kellin had a bright smile on his face, the one that made his eyes crinkle and shine. Oli smiled looking at the picture. Truly it doesn't even look like he's aged a bit the only difference was his baby fat disappearing over the years. He still couldn't wrap his head around this cute kid running off to a different country just because of his big heart.

'God, Vic was stupid.'

"This was when I just started skating," Kellin said.

Kellin handed the picture to Oli, who gladly took it, and couldn't stop the big smile on his face. In the picture, Kellin was 14? Maybe 15 years old standing on a skateboard with his right hand thrown up in a peace sign and a cocky smirk on his face. Whatever attitude he was trying to give diminished with the bright red kiddy helmet and knee pads he had on.

The helmet was clearly too small on him but he didn't seem to care at all. "Those couldn't have been as safe as they were meant to be," Oli laughed and Kellin shook his head.

"They were not," Kellin sighed and held up the plastic bag he threw on the couch early to show Oli, "The knee pads did work though."

"You only wore them once, didn't you?"

"Of course, don't you know me?"

Oli chuckled and kept looking down at the cute picture. It looked exactly like the front of Vivian's house, the familiar houses in the background clueing Oli in, "Did you learn on your own?"

Kellin set the stack of photos he was still looking through and looked back at Oli. "Uh... no," Kellin looked back at the photos and frowned, "No, they taught me. Well, mostly Vic... Mike didn't really care and just showed off all the tricks he could do."

He hated how sad he instantly got at the memory but he shook off the feeling immediately. Kellin went back to looking through the pictures, trying to see which one to show Oli next. Most of the pictures were just of Kellin, occasionally some with Vic and Mike. When he got to the next picture in the stack, after looking at a couple of him backstage in their high school theater, he froze.

'Oh.'

"Look, love you're wearing the Copeland shirt here," Oli grinned and looked up, ready to show him the picture again but he stopped midway. He frowned seeing Kellin's shoulders tensed, head looking down at the stack of pictures. "Hey, what's wrong?" Oli shifted, trying to sit up to see but in an instant, Kellin ripped up the picture he was holding.

The picture he found was one he didn't know existed- Well, that's a lie. Kellin knew it existed because he took the picture but he forgot about it. It was of them, of course, upstairs in the attic right where that stupid carved heart was after what they did. Kellin didn't know how they got away with it, being up there doing things, exploring each other. Their first time. Shy, uncoordinated, nervous giggling, and gentle hands.

Kellin used to say it was the best day of his life. And he wanted to save that memory, smiling at the camera with messy hair, rosy cheeks, and Vic kissing one of them, holding him close.

Kellin couldn't stop staring at it, the way they just looked so in love- Oli snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts and he didn't hesitate to rip up the picture. He was not showing this one to him, Kellin didn't even want there to be a chance of him seeing it. It wasn't like it mattered, Oli wouldn't have cared that existed because what could he do? It happened way before Oli ever met Kellin and all he could do was protect him now.

Still, Kellin felt sick at the idea of Oli ever seeing pictures of them like that.

"Nothing," Kellin said, internally cursing at how shaky his voice came out. He placed the stack of pictures back in the tin box before setting it on the coffee table. The ripped-up picture crumbled up in his fist, "That's enough going down memory lane, wanna have dinner?"

Oli frowned, wrapping his arm around Kellin's shoulder, and started to rub his bicep, "You sure you're okay?"

Kellin forced a smile and nodded, "I am. So... about that dinner?"

"I'm not hungry yet," Oli was still worried and he wanted to pry but at the same time he knew this time, at least, it wouldn't lead to anything. The least he can do is try to make him feel better so he leaned over and grabbed the skateboard that was leaning against the couch, "How about you show me how to do some tricks?"

Kellin's eyes widened, perking up almost immediately, and sat up to look at him, "You're serious?"

"Deadly," Oli was already starting to regret it. He had the balance of a toddler barely learning how to walk but, anything to make his love smile again.

✘

Kellin's been living in California for a couple of months already.

He already experienced the poor excuse of a winter all these kids were gearing up for. Throwing on hoodies and jackets—He swears he was about to experience another hell of a winter. But the most they got was a couple of storms and cold winds that had him wearing a beanie from time to time. Then it was March, nearing spring break and that winter weather was long gone.

The transition to school was easy, he was in a couple of plays already, made a ton of friends, and he's even been keeping up with his grades. His parents should be proud. They didn't care, Kellin thinks, but they should be proud of him.

Kellin had a routine now at least and it felt more solid than the other times they moved. He tried not to get too used to everything around him when he ended up in a new place knowing that sooner or later his parents would tell him to pack his things because they were moving again. Kellin's mornings always started at the god-awful hour of 5 am to start getting ready for school.

He didn't need to get up at that hour, he could get the extra hour of sleep in and make it on time for school if his parents took him. But after Kellin got familiar with the streets and memorized how to get to school he stopped asking because even if Kellin's newfound mindset of actually trying hard in school and making an effort, he would still rather spend as little time with his parents as he can.

Kellin entered that time in his teenage years when he stopped trying to get his parents' attention and just wanted them to stay away from him. Which made no difference since they never cared to give him attention even when he was trying. Now they're just hoping he doesn't cause trouble so they'd have to give him attention.

So, now he walks to and from school every day as part of his new routine. Then he'd get home and eat whatever he could find in the kitchen and then start on his homework. If he finished early enough he'd play video games or if he was bored enough he'd just leave the house again to find something to do. Anything but having to wait at home to see if his parents would actually come home.

On one of those particularly sunny spring days when he was walking home, his routine got interrupted by someone pulling his beanie off his head and skating away, "What the fuck!?"

Then he heard it. That familiar laugh that made his heart skip a beat and an immediate blush blossom on his cheeks. He turned around to see Vic skating up to him with a wide smile, "Hey Kells."

"Hey," Kellin said, an equally wide smile on his face before glancing over to Mike who was the one that took his beanie, plopping it on his head jumping off the sidewalk, and riding off farther ahead. "What are you guys doing on this side?"

Vic and Mike don't live far away from Kellin, only a couple of streets away but they were closer to school than he was. So, it was a bit odd seeing them around here. "We're heading to the mall," Vic kicked up his skateboard and leaned on it towards Kellin, "Wanna come?"

Kellin wanted to yell at his heart to calm down. Vic was just a friend. A really cute friend- That's not helping. He blinked and almost agreed but then remembered the important essay he had to write for his history class that was due the next day and he hadn't started on it at all, "Can't... I have to finish an essay tonight."

"Lame!" He heard Mike shout from far away, making Kellin roll his eyes.

Vic frowned and- Oh, Kellin be strong why does he look cuter when he's pouting? "You can't put it off? It'll only be a little while," Vic tried to convince Kellin, "C'mon, I'll buy you something from the food court."

Tried is a weak word to use here because Vic didn't have to try at all to convince Kellin. He made up his mind the second Vic was pouting but that didn't mean he couldn't pretend to still think about it.

"But you guys are on skateboards," Kellin shrugged, "I'll just slow you guys down."

"That's true," Mike, who was suddenly next to Kellin, said making him flinch.

"You need a collar," Kellin huffed as he glared at him, "With a bell."

"Nonsense," Vic put his skateboard down, "I'll teach you, get on."

Kellin blinked and stared down at the skateboard before back at Vic. "But then you won't have a skateboard," Kellin frowned and tested putting his foot on the board, it slid a little making him stumble forward.

Vic caught him by his hips while simultaneously stopping his board from rolling off. He chuckled softly, helping Kellin regain his balance, "That's okay, we can be slow together."

✘

"You sure this is safe?" Oli asked, voice shaky from the nerves as he held Kellin's hands in a death grip.

Kellin laughed looking up at the tall man in front of him who was currently standing on the skateboard with shaky legs. He looked ridiculously cute his shaggy hair poking out from under the too-small red helmet on his head. They're downstairs in Oli's apartment parking lot, they didn't wanna drive anywhere since this was just supposed to be a quick trial run.

It took Kellin a lot of convincing to get Oli on the board in general—even though this was his idea—and he didn't until Kellin went up to grab the helmet and knee pads. That helmet looked funny on Kellin when he was a teenager so now seeing it on a fully grown adult was making Kellin giggle.

"How old am I?" Kellin asked casually, keeping his hands in Oli's grip.

"Um... Uh, 25," Oli stuttered out when he moved forward—Kellin swears it wasn't even half an inch. "Why?"

"I learned when I was 14, and I'm still here in one piece," Kellin laughed, "You'll be fine, we'll go slow together."

"Alright..." Oli trailed off and forced his legs to stop shaking.

Kellin started to tug him forward along the parked cars. He walked beside him, making sure he didn't lose his balance. "See this isn't so bad," Kellin smiled up at him, trying to stop himself from laughing seeing Oli staring straight forward with a nervous look, "Wanna try it by yourself?"

"Absolutely not."

Kellin laughed and shook his head, "Don't worry, I'm not letting go."

Kellin took him back and forth along the parking lot a couple of times until Oli stopped shaking nervously. "How about now?" Kellin asked, "Wanna try it yourself?"

"Um..."

"Oli," Kellin giggled again—shiny eyes looking up at him—he was just too cute. Kellin genuinely couldn't stop his heart racing even if he tried. He shook his head, "You'll never learn if you don't try on your own babe."

The nickname made Oli's heart swoop and quite literally flipped a switch in his brain—Oli would rob a bank if Kellin asked at that point. "Okay, okay I'll try it," Oli said, suddenly sounding more confident than ever, and placed one foot down on the ground. He didn't teeter as much as he thought he would—his balance was horrendous when he was on this thing.

"Okay, I taught you how to stop it right?" Kellin asked, making sure he wasn't sending Oli off to crash into a wall. Oli simply nodded, making Kellin grin and pat his shoulder, "You got this, and there's no one coming so just go to the last car."

Kellin stepped back and watched Oli just stand there doing nothing. He almost went to encourage him again but Oli shook his arms out before pushing himself forward and stepping back on the board again. He teetered for a second before being able to ride a straight line down to the car Kellin said without falling.

"I did it!"

Kellin shot his arms out, cheering, "I knew you could!... Now come ride back."

"Isn't this enough-"

"Oli..."

"I'm going, I'm going," Oli sighed and turned around on the board to come back to Kellin.

He did that a couple of more times until he was comfortable with it. Kellin was sitting on the floor at that point with his legs crisscrossed watching Oli get to the end of the line of cars they were by before coming back to him. "I'm gonna try to make a full turn," he said as he looked back at him. His voice echoed through the parking lot making Kellin laugh and shoot his hand up with his thumb out.

"You sure you're ready for that?"

"Duh," Oli huffed, "I was born ready."

"I don't know about that but... you got this."

Oli grinned and skated off again, he reached the end of the line of cars and tipped back to start making his turn. Oli almost made the full turn but then he lost his balance and fell off the board as it rolled away from him. Oli landed on the ground in the middle of the road with a grunt just as Kellin shot up from the floor. Before Kellin could run towards him they heard a loud beep making him freeze and gasp.

"Oh shit," Oli said and rolled away from the incoming car trying to leave the parking lot. The car drove off when Oli was safely out of the way just as Kellin made it to him. Oli started to stand up with Kellin's help, "I'm fine. I'm okay."

"God," Kellin started to look over him, making sure he didn't have any bad scraps—or worse something broken, "You could've gotten hit, are you sure you're okay?"

"I am," Oli chuckled and knocked on the helmet that was still on his head, "This thing kept me safe." He was about to make another joke but stopped himself seeing Kellin still upset and making sure he didn't break something. Oli brought his hands up, cupping his cheeks to make him stop, "Love, I'm fine... it was just a fall."

Kellin sighed a little, instantly calming down when Oli ran his thumb over his cheek, "I thought that car was going to hit you."

"Thankfully, it was one of the residents that don't race down here," Oli said while laughing, "If it was we would've had more to worry about."

"That's not funny," Kellin pouted.

"It's not," Oli pursed his lips, trying not to laugh again. "It could've been worse if I didn't have a super pretty and cool skateboarding teacher."

Kellin sighed—rolling his eyes—and laid his head against his chest, holding him close, "That's enough skateboarding for today."

"Okay," Oli leaned down to kiss the crown of his head, squeezing his shoulder comfortably, "Let's head back up then." Kellin nodded, frowning when Oli was taking the ridiculous helmet off his head and saw him flinch slightly when he put his right arm up too high, "How much you wanna bet Otto's torn up my couches by now?"

Kellin continued to frown but the mention of their hyperactive kitty made him calm down. He snorted softly, "You have to give him more credit than that, Otto's an angel."

"Again, the recliner."

"Again, it's not Otto's fault you have terrible taste," Kellin said as he picked up his board from the floor. Oli rolled his eyes, draping his arm—the one that wasn't hurting—over his shoulder.

"Of course, love whatever you say."

✘

a/n;

Hello :D

Firstly happy October to everyone :> hopefully, this month is kind to you all. I'm updating a little later in the day than usual but it's fine 😌 I desperately wanted Oli to meet Jaime and Tony in some way so this is what this was.

Poor Oli and his tiny skating accident I fear he needs to learn how to stop falling except falling for Kells. Also the song for this chapter is definitely Kellin after he mastered skateboarding (it only took him a week!).

Anyway! That's all for this week, thanks for reading :) let me know what you think about the chapter. All your thoughts and concerns are appreciated <3

Stay safe and take care 💜