falling for you...literally
maki x gn!reader, 1360 words playlist - heaven by txt content warnings: best friends to lovers? mutual pining
(masterlist)
author's note: maki said on live he went snowboarding in january and I thought I could make something cute. also, sorry if this is a bit inaccurate, I don’t live somewhere where it snows and have never been snowboarding.
It was Maki’s first day off in weeks, and he was beyond excited. There was something about the crisp winter air and the smell of snow that made him feel alive. Today, he wasn’t an idol—he was just a guy about to hit the slopes for a bit of snowboarding. But, there was one catch. He wasn’t going alone.
You, his best friend who had never set foot on a snowboard in your life, had asked him to come along. The thought of seeing you try something new—especially something he loved so much—was a thrill he couldn't resist.
“Maki, are you sure this is a good idea?” you asked, your voice a mix of excitement and fear as you stood at the base of the slope, wearing way too many layers for your first time on a snowboard.
Maki smiled warmly, adjusting your beanie before pulling on his gloves. “Of course! Don’t worry, I’ll teach you everything you need to know. Plus, it’s gonna be so much fun. You’re going to love it!”
You swallowed painfully. His smile—always so effortlessly charming—made your heart skip a beat, but you pushed the fluttering feeling deep down. He was your friend. Nothing more. But still, being around him like this made everything feel…different.
You looked at the snow-covered mountains, the gentle fall of snowflakes stirring around you, and your stomach fluttered again. You’d always been interested in snowboarding, but the idea of falling flat on your face in front of Maki? Embarrassing.
But then, Maki gave you that grin—his signature mischievous, teasing smile that somehow made your heart race—and you couldn’t back out now.
“Alright, alright, I’ll give it a try,” you said with a laugh, trying to sound casual, though you were sure your voice gave away just how nervous you were. “But you better catch me if I fall!”
Maki chuckled. “Deal. I’ll be right there, don’t worry.”
He led you to the bunny slopes, a small, gentle hill filled with children. You couldn’t help but glance around—little seven-year-olds zooming past you with the ease of seasoned pros. Your face burned hot. This was where you were going to learn? Surrounded by kids barely old enough to tie their own shoes?
Maki seemed unfazed, though. He adjusted your helmet, making sure it was secure, before grabbing his own snowboard. “Alright,” he said, eyes bright, “let’s start with the basics. This hill is perfect for you. Nothing too crazy, just a lot of practice.”
You looked at the tiny children confidently carving their way down the hill and then back at Maki, his smile wide and encouraging. Despite the initial embarrassment, you couldn’t help but feel a little grateful. At least you wouldn’t be the only one falling flat on your face today.
“You got this,” Maki said, giving you a playful pat on the back. “I’ll be right here the whole time. If you fall, I’ll catch you.” His words warmed your chest.
With a deep breath, you stepped into your snowboard bindings. Immediately, your feet felt awkward and heavy, but Maki was there every step of the way—holding your arm, adjusting your stance, and offering constant reassurance.
“Okay, now we stand up slowly. It’s all about finding your balance.” Maki demonstrated with ease, hopping up effortlessly onto his board. “Like this. Don’t rush it.”
You tried mimicking his movements, wobbling and flailing as you attempted to find your footing. The moment you stood, your knees buckled, and you quickly fell forward into the soft snow.
“Whoops! First fall, but no worries,” Maki said, laughing and offering you a hand. You reached for it, feeling the warmth of his grip as he helped you up.
“You make it look easy,” you said, brushing snow off your jacket and feeling embarrassed. “How are these kids doing it so well?”
Maki chuckled, brushing snow off his own pants. “They’re just fearless. You’ll get there. The more you fall, the faster you learn.” He gave you a wink. “And you’ve got the best teacher, right?”
You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the little butterflies in your stomach his playful flirting (protein) gave you as you smiled back at him. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s see how good of a teacher you really are.”
The next few tries were… well, not graceful. You spent more time face-first in the snow than actually standing on the board, but Maki was there, laughing with you, encouraging you. He joked about your “snow angel” skills after each fall, teasing you in his usual playful way.
But then, something clicked. After a few more tumbles, you finally managed to stay standing for a few seconds. The feeling of accomplishment made your heart race.
“See? You’re doing great! You’re already better than those kids,” Maki said with a grin, giving you a high-five. Your face turned warm, wiping snow from your gloves, not sure if he was joking or if you really were improving. His praise made you feel like you were on cloud 9, even if you still couldn’t turn without falling.
“Okay, okay, I’ll take it,” you said, laughing as you steadied yourself. “What’s next?”
Maki gestured to the tiny hill. “Now we try the slope. Don’t worry, it’s real gentle. I’ll go ahead and you follow, alright?” You nodded, nervous but excited.
You pushed off, slowly making your way down the slope. It wasn’t graceful, and you definitely looked nothing like the little pros zooming past, but the rush of sliding down the hill—controlled and fast—was addictive. You were actually doing it.
“Maki!” you called, your voice bubbling with laughter as you reached the bottom, still wobbling but feeling proud. “I did it!”
He appeared next to you, his eyes gleaming with pride. “I knew you could. You’re a natural!” His grin was so genuine, so warm, it made your heart race for all the wrong reasons. “See? No need to be nervous.”
You smiled back, your chest full of pride—but also something else. Something that made the snow feel a little warmer, the mountain air a little sweeter. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Maki’s expression softened for a second, but before you could overthink it, he ruffled your hair in that familiar, playful way. “You’re doing amazing. Now, let’s do it again.”
The rest of the day flew by, filled with more falls, laughter, and moments where you couldn’t quite tell if your heart was racing from the snowboarding or the way Maki made everything feel so easy. As the sun began to dip behind the mountains, the sky turning pink and orange, the two of you found yourselves seated on the chairlift, calmly watching the view.
Maki looked over at you, his playful demeanor replaced with a softness that you hadn’t seen all day. “You really did great today. I’m proud of you.”
Your heart skipped a beat. That warm feeling in your chest was more than just the cold air around you. You tried to calm the fluttering inside, but it was impossible. “Thanks, Maki,” you said, a soft smile on your lips. “Honestly, I didn’t think I’d make it this far. But you made it fun.”
He looked at you, his eyes tender in the fading light. “It’s all about having fun together. I’m glad we did this.” He chuckled softly. “And don’t worry, you’ll be a pro in no time.”
You smiled, a little bashful but also feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the cold mountain breeze. “Yeah. Me too.”
As the snow continued to fall, you couldn’t help but feel that today had been about more than just snowboarding. It had been about the time spent with Maki—the laughter, the shared learning, the way he always seemed to be there when you needed him. Something about the way he looked at you now, softer than before, made you wonder if there was more to this.
Maybe these moments—these small, quiet moments—weren’t just coincidences. Maybe they were the start of something neither of you had expected. You caught Maki’s gaze, and for the first time today, you wondered if maybe the next step wasn’t just being friends anymore.