Work Text:
Minho stares at the small white piece of paper folded neatly in his palms and sighs.
A digit is the only thing written there and he reads it over and over again, tilting it at every possible angle until it makes sense.
He looks around the nearly empty hall where only himself and a few other people are left.
"Is this supposed to be a 6 or a 9?" Minho mumbles, tilting the paper so it looks like a six, then a nine.
The pianist looks at the tiny piece of paper again, trying to remember why he thought agreeing to meet Kim Seungmin was a good idea in the first place. He's not sure, to be honest.
All Minho knows is that a few days ago when they were both busy, Seungmin had asked if Minho would like to play a piano piece he composed specifically for him.
Minho had said yes without hesitation when he saw how shy Seungmin had seemed to request such a thing. When he asked him why he did so, his answer was simple enough.
"You remind me of someone."
"I do?" Minho had replied, "Who?"
There was a pause before the other boy answered, "Picasso."
Minho remembers feeling confused when he heard it. Why would Seungmin compare him to Picasso, the dead artist who made a fortune through his peculiar art?
"So, you want me, Lee Minho, a living pianist, to play a piece you composed because I remind you of Picasso, a dead artist?" He asked, incredulous.
Seungmin nodded, "Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I like him," He paused, then continued. "And you."
Minho stared at him with wide eyes, heart leaping out of his chest. "Are you saying you—"
"Yeah, but I'd rather tell you through the piano if that's okay." Seungmin had said.
And at that moment, Minho felt his soul leaving his body and flying towards heaven. The only thing remaining was love for the boy before him.
A smile stretches across Minho's face as he took Seungmin's hands in his own and squeezes them. "Of course, it is."
He shakes his head, trying to shake the thoughts from his mind. His eyes glance at the clock which reads 8:45 pm.
Minho chuckles. "So it was a 9 all along, huh?"
Taking another look at the piece of paper that he clutched in his hand tightly, Minho turns away and begins walking into the auditorium.
He walks quietly as he reflects on his performance in this exact auditorium two months ago. He had always loved listening to the audience's not-so discreet oh's and ah's while he played.
He always felt alive while playing the piano as it was an instrument that allowed him to express his emotions through various sounds. After all, it made him vulnerable in ways he couldn't express.
He thinks back to when he performed one particular piece, titled 'Für Elise' on the piano three years ago.
One particular stranger with sparkly eyes and round glasses had gathered in front of the stage and stared at him with adoration in his eyes. It made Minho's heart swell to see someone so engrossed in his performance.
The memory of those bright, sparkling eyes under round glasses was etched into his mind for weeks until one day, he found himself in the art gallery near the city.
He could still remember what happened after that; how that same stranger with round glasses approached him and asked whether he had been the pianist who performed Für Elise.
He remembered answering yes and receiving an enthusiastic nod from the stranger as if it was something that he knew all along.
How it made his chest tighten and his cheeks heat up. How all he could do was look at him with an embarrassed look as the stranger smiled and clapped his hands with joy. That smile seemed to be able to bring light and happiness to Minho's soul.
He remembers feeling warm and happy just by looking at that stranger whose eyes seemed to get brighter as his pretty lips formed words.
"Would you like to look at Picasso's paintings with me since, you know, we're already here—you don't have to! I just thought it'd be cool if we, you know—went together." Seungmin said, anxiously playing with his fingers.
Minho's heart leapt at Seungmin's request. He reached out to place a hand on his surprisingly broad shoulder. "I would love to." He said.
And then, "I'm Lee Minho, by the way."
Seungmin's heart jumped. "I'm Kim Seungmin," He replied, smiling widely and blushing lightly.
And that was it. That was the beginning of their beautiful relationship.
As Minho walks through different sections of the auditorium, the memories of numerous past performances come flooding back to him.
He steps onto the stage where the piano resides then looks down at the very front row. He remembers seeing Seungmin, sitting there clapping and applauding for him, his smile brightening the entire auditorium.
He remembers seeing Seungmin's face light up as he clapped for him. He remembers seeing Seungmin clapping louder than anyone else in the auditorium.
Seungmin's voice, high pitched and soft, fills his head, filling the space inside his heart. He hears his name being called sweetly, "Lee Minho."
He was lost in the sweet sound until a hand reached out and gently pulled him out from his train of thought. When he looks down to see who it belonged to, he immediately recognises Seungmin.
"Seungmin? When did you get here?" Minho asks, looking directly at him.
"Not too long, don't worry," Seungmin replies, pushing the music sheet towards Minho. "Here's the, um, piece I composed for, um, you."
Minho takes the music sheet out of his hands and places it in front of the pile of sheets on the music stand.
He looks into Seungmin's eyes once more, smiling sweetly. "What are you so nervous for, Kim Seungmin?"
"It's the first time I've ever composed a piano piece. I'm afraid you won't like it."
Minho scoffs, which makes Seungmin laugh and shake his head in a playful way. "As if. I'm sure it's beautiful."
"I hope so," Seungmin replies with his own small smile as he heads towards his usual seat in the front row. "Break a leg."
When he takes his seat and faces the front, he notices that Minho hasn't moved. Instead, he sits there, admiring Seungmin.
"Minho, are you okay?" He asks, getting up from his seat, "Minho?"
Minho suddenly snaps out of whatever trance he was stuck in. "Uh, yeah, sorry," he says sheepishly. "You can sit now. I'm going to start."
He clears his throat before memorising each note written on the music sheet. His eyes glaze over the title, 'This is Pure Love'.
He then looks up to see Seungmin watching him expectantly. "It's beautiful," Minho whispers.
Seungmin smiles softly and nods, slightly blushing.
As Minho continues looking at the sheet, his fingers simultaneously move to graze the keys of the piano. He starts playing the piece.
It flows easily off the page; the melody is smooth and melodic. Minho plays with ease, making sure he doesn't mess up any notes.
Seungmin watches him play, taking in everything about the pianist. The way he plays, how he looks when he plays, how he becomes one with the piano.
Every movement is practised and perfected, with ease. Every note is in perfect harmony.
The music sheet is open in front of Minho, and Seungmin knows the composition by heart. But what he sees next is beyond anything he could've ever hoped for in this life.
His mouth falls agape however as Minho moves his hand slowly to glide across the black keys. Slowly, softly, his movements become more confident and natural. Like a river flowing, he makes sure to stay in tune.
The piece comes to an end and Seungmin is so shocked that for a brief second, he forgets how to breathe.
He sits there, frozen to the seat, staring in awe at the person before him. Minho turns to look at him, their eyes locking on each other. The man smiles warmly; his smile reaches his eyes.
It reminds Seungmin of a summer day, sunny and warm, with butterflies dancing around. He can feel himself smiling back.
Seungmin looks at him with the affection of a thousand lovesick dogs. He says, in hushed tones, "Did you understand the message?"
Minho lets out a hearty laugh. "I did. I love you too, Kim Seungmin," He replies.
They looked at each other with pure feelings, like two swans swimming in a pond with orchestral music playing in the background.
Minho studied Seungmin's sparkly eyes and pretty nose. He looked joyful; his emotions raw like a purring piano.
"Minho," Seungmin finally says, his voice slightly strained from the excitement he feels. "Come here."
Minho chuckles. "Coming." He responds softly. He stands, gathering the sheets together and placing them neatly in his backpack.
Once done, he walks down the stage and takes a seat next to Seungmin. "Hi, pretty." He smiles.
"Hello, beautiful," Seungmin responds, still admiring the pianist before him. He looks like an angel; he has never seen someone so beautiful.
Minho raises his eyebrows in surprise. The colour pink dusts his cheeks and ears. "I didn't expect you to compliment me so freely." He laughs lightly.
"Well," Seungmin pauses. He thinks for a moment. His face heats up even more. "You are beautiful." He finishes with the last word quietly.
Minho laughs loudly. He shakes his head, unable to contain the grin that spreads across his face.
"Don't laugh!" Seungmin pouts slightly.
"You're adorable," Minho says softly. A wide smile stretches across his lips.
Seungmin groans. "Stop it." He whines and buries his head in his hands. He can hear Minho laughing softly again.
Minho grabs hold of Seungmin's wrists, gently pulling him out of hiding. He pulls Seungmin closer to him, holding both of his hands between his own. Their faces are only inches apart.
Their noses touch slightly as they stare into each other's eyes. Seungmin's breath hitches. He stares into Minho's eyes, trying to find some sort of emotion. He finds none.
There's nothing but pure happiness. Pure joy. Pure bliss. Pure adoration. Pure admiration. Pure affection. Pure trust. Pure serenity. And most importantly, pure love.
Minho's fingers move slowly over Seungmin's face, caressing every inch with his fingertips.
Seungmin leans into the touch, sighing softly. His heartbeat picks up pace. It feels like it's pounding against his chest. He can barely breathe, let alone speak.
Minho's eyes flicker down to Seungmin's lips. He wants to kiss him. He wants to taste him. He wants to feel him. He wants to love him. He wants to be with him. He wants to be with Seungmin. Forever.
So they keep their gazes locked onto one another. Seungmin's eyes are full of wonder, admiration, and passion. And so Minho kisses him. Softly, carefully.
His eyes close gently, closing all of his senses to Seungmin. Everything he does is filled with Seungmin. And it's heaven.
Seungmin is overwhelmed. He's being kissed by the one who has captured his heart. By the one who has captured his entire soul for the past three years.
Minho pulls away slowly, breaking the contact between them. Seungmin opens his eyes. He stares into Minho's.
Their eyes meet once more. This time, instead of Minho leaning in close again to kiss Seungmin, he rests his forehead against Seungmin's.
"This feels right." He whispers. "Being here with you."
Seungmin's eyes widen slightly. "Really?" He asks.
"Really." Minho places his hand underneath Seungmin's chin, bringing it up. He brings his face towards him. The tips of their noses are touching. Minho brushes his nose against Seungmin's. Seungmin giggles.
"What are you doing?" He questions softly.
"Do you want me to stop?" Minho inquires.
"No." Seungmin breathes. "Never."
Minho smiles. He presses a soft kiss against Seungmin's lips. Seungmin hums happily.
"I can't believe this is real," Minho says, his smile growing as he looks into Seungmin's eyes. "You're so lucky."
Seungmin chuckles. "Am I really?"
"Yes, you are. The Great Pianist Lee Minho is all yours." Minho leans in closer and presses his lips onto Seungmin’s again. He kisses him slowly and passionately.
When they break apart, Seungmin rests his forehead against Minho's. "God, you're annoying."
Minho smiles. "Yet you still love me." He answers softly, pressing a small kiss onto the tip of Seungmin's nose.
Seungmin wraps his arms around Minho's shoulders. It makes Minho feel happy and safe. Like nothing could ever hurt him.
The two boys have gotten so comfortable around each other. They understood each other perfectly.
Minho felt himself smiling. He wraps his arms around Seungmin's shoulders. "Thank you." He says simply.
"For what?" Seungmin says then squeezes him tighter. "You don't need to thank me."
Minho scoffs. "Of course, I do. You've been there for me since the start and I'm so glad we didn't stop talking after we met at the art gallery three years ago." He kisses the top of Seungmin's head.
Seungmin lets out a contented sigh. "Me too. It was such a relief when I got to know the person behind the piano. You were so amazing that day...and every day afterwards."
"Even today?" Minho asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Yes," Seungmin says with a smile. "Even today."
Minho just chuckles fondly at that, "You're so cute."
"So you say," Seungmin responds. They continue holding each other and Minho can't help but be grateful for Seungmin.
He feels completely at home and warm and safe. Just sitting here with him, he thinks this could be his life now. And maybe it's all too good to be true…but Minho knows for sure, that this is pure love.