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It was wondrous how tears made the breeze feel much colder than it should have been that night. A 'conductor of heat' which absorbed the heat from the blood under his cheeks, beneath his bare skin. It was fascinating how water could manipulate heat and light... the spread of water beneath the ledge that he sat on rippled with the reflection of vibrant lights from each and every lantern above.
The water, which also built at the brim of his eyes, caused his vision to waver. Lights appeared to his left and right, soon to seep down his skin.
So cold and so lonely.
Another breeze would blow by, now and then, ruffling up his strands of deep blue, but the next breeze he felt was one of another's presence.
"Hey."
The soft whisper of the wind brushed against his back just as he felt its whole presence sit beside him. He faltered at a response, his eyes faster than his mouth, as the male revealed his silken white hair down his folded knees.
Kaedehara Kazuha.
“You followed me for?” his speech rather like a conference than a genuine question.
“Well, you did just run away from the rest of us back at the food cart.”
Scaramouche mumbled against his ‘running away’.
“I did not run away.”
Kazuha stopped mid-speech, just giving him a genuine smile. His claim was pretty funny. And untrue.
“You did, and you went quiet after we all got masks,” he took a moment to flicker his eyes up to look at Scara’s mask, still placed on the side of his head, before continuing.
”Are you alright?”
Silently, Scara stared across the island. He could see boats, either filled with couples or groups of friends, maybe families, too. His ears perked at the sound of laughter, metres behind them, and the overlap of a hundred other voices. At this point, he’d forgotten to respond, deep in thought- why was he here?
He could think back, of course. The night had began a few hours ago where he’d met his group of friends.. mainly Kazuha’s group of friends; he wouldn’t have made much on his own, if he were to be honest. Enjoyable it was, although he found himself looking across to Kazuha every now and then. He couldn’t help it.
He already knew he was close with Yoimiya. The way they always hung out, and the way he could tell how comfortable he was around her, just by the tone of his voice. He could even notice the genuine look in his eyes when he stared at her, and the hearty laughs in response to her… she was funny though, really.
And that evening, it was no different. Scara was used to seeing his close friend with another friend. It shouldn’t have bothered him. What he didn’t notice was the utter frustration and envy that had been brewing inside of him. Every, single, time he glanced at Kazuha or even had a moment with him, he seemed as if he were more interested in Yoimiya.
It broke him at the end. He’d watched Kazuha help her put on a mask, his arms almost wrapped around her as he adjusted it with upmost care. And the way she looked up to him with smiling lips and bright eyes- Scara couldn’t watch any longer. He was crazy to have been able to stay throughout it.
As he conversed with another friend, he couldn’t control the constant falter of his attention to Kazuha, over and over again. His lovely mumbles in response to the snacks they were having together; they were so precious. Maybe the ‘incident’ at the cart before was no deal? Then his eyes wavered again. Kazuha’s fingers were wrapped around the stick of dango, feeding it to his very best friend.
He couldn’t really describe his feelings in the moment, but he knew it wasn’t just… that moment. His presence with the others had ended shortly after.
“I’m great, thank you.” He finally whispered, out of appreciation for his concern; it’s the least he could say.
Obviously, the mood wasn’t settled between them and they were both simultaneously aware. Both pairs of lips opened to start a sentence, but immediately closed before a word was spoken. But as the loving heavens in the skies heard their minds cry, the fireworks began.
Fireworks shot into the sky and glitter poured out of its endless pouches. Following one another, each dart bore a hole in the atmosphere which bled its stars into the world below. Watching every star unfold before their eyes sent shivers down their spines, their lips agape as the thrill spoke for itself.
The picture didn’t last as tears finally spilled from his lids and words were forming from the pit of his heart. His heart ached; his throat strained to suppress the overwhelming rush of his longing.
“Kazuha- I’m .. I- I think I’m in love.”
Kazuha stared into the sky’s depths- the sky referring to the depths of Scaramouche’s blue eyes which held as much of a galaxy behind them. His stars trembled with unimaginable fear, frozen in time, whilst the fingertips of the platinum-haired boy held the chin of his tearful admirer. His thumb wiped away at his cheek and was met with a soft laugh which dried off the rest of his tears.
“Gosh, you don’t say.”
That’s all he had to say for his cheek to finally accept his sincere embrace; his eyes squeezed shut as he chased out the rest of his tears and chased out the rest of his emotions. He emptied the horrible cluster within his heart, forcing out the painful strain of his longing. His eyes bled with the same glisten in the sky. He’d never love him back that way.
Knowing that made him feel alright.
He grabbed at his own weak chest, his inexorable need to fall into his arms… met with another sob, then the world continued to turn.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to be.”