Hey there! So, I suddenly had an urge to rewatch the Air Gear anime, which then turned into me watching the OVAs again and rereading the entire manga. I actually forgot how fun this series was - shame on me! The end result is that I got a few ideas for some plotless Ikki x Ringo drabbles. Hope you enjoy!
Words: 693
Setting: post-series
Summary: Ringo reminisces about Sleeping Forest
Here With You
It was one of those crisp, breezy nights that made for perfect AT weather. A clear sky allowed the light from tonight's full moon to illuminate the minute details of the city landscape, creating a perfect environment to ride across the concrete terrain.
The metallic sound of ATs scratching against railing filled the empty park, as Ringo gracefully completed a trick down a flight of steps. She added a basic, mid-air twist before landing smoothly on the asphalt path below. It was a simple trick, but tonight, that was all she really wanted.
How long has it been since she could actually enjoy riding? Honestly, she couldn't even remember. The hectic events of the last few months made nights like these seem like a pipe dream; Parts Wars, Genesis, the potential crisis that nearly destroyed the AT world altogether, you name it. Adding in her responsibilities as the Thorn Queen, Ringo was sure that the adventure she once saw in the AT realm had come to an abrupt end. In fact, lately it became more like a full-time job rather than a hobby.
"You'll have to do better than that, Ringo!"
The girl in question turned around at the sound of his voice. "Is that a challenge?" she called jokingly, a warm smile spreading across her lips.
As if on cue, Ikki came flying over the same railing she just tackled, proceeding to grind down the metal in a similar fashion. Staying true to his remark, he did a marginally more impressive double twist after disconnecting from the rail, landing with a smug grin.
"How's that?" he smirked, his trademark sarcasm on full display.
Ringo rolled her eyes, playing along with his game. "Just because you're the Sky King doesn't mean you can beat me that easily, Ikki," she retorted.
"We'll see about that the next time we have a friendly competition," Ikki laughed in response, shuffling her hair with his hand. "Come on, let's roll!"
Ringo nodded with a smile, taking off after him. "Whatever you say!"
The two continued their run across the park and through the deserted city streets, simply enjoying each other's company. In Ringo's mind, it reminded her of simpler times when Ikki was just starting out riding ATs, and when she would look forward to going on runs with him to show him the basics. Back then, the cool night air ushered in carefree excitement; a time when they could soar high into the sky and not have to worry about the chains of reality binding them to the ground. Of course, all of that was long before that fateful night, when Ringo herself nearly tore the wings off Ikki's back.
Letting her thoughts overtake her, she felt a dull pain in her chest as she recollected those poignant memories. The distinct moment when Ringo realized that Kogarasumaru would eventually become Sleeping Forest's rival nearly shattered her world back then. She couldn't grasp the fact that Ikki, her lifelong childhood friend, and the person she would do anything for, had to be treated like just another one of her team's opponents. The very idea of losing him like that was something she couldn't even fathom experiencing.
"Hey, Ringo."
Knocking her back to reality, the redhead turned to look at Ikki, as the two landed on top of a tall building. Without prompting, the teen threaded his fingers with hers, holding her hand firmly. He smiled a smile that was only reserved for her and no one else, almost as if he knew what she was thinking about.
Ringo breathed a sigh in response, letting her troubles disappear with the wind. That's right, she had no reason to be anxious anymore. Ikki, the one person who she could trust with every fiber of her soul, took all of those worries away and made them vanish into thin air. He was here now, right by her side, just like he said he would be. It really was that simple.
She gripped his hand tightly, feeling his warmth spread throughout her body. Her eyes met his, conveying unspoken emotions that only the two of them understood.
"Ready to fly?"
"Always."