Work Text:
"Since Mint and Herb were absent, can we do the project together today?"
Vamp looked up from where the voice came, a gorgeous blond guy was staring at him, strands of the sun, gold and the brightest of spring flowers. The sort of yellow grows from a homely hearth, the yellow of every sunny dream.
He's standing in front of him, holding his bag.
Sparkling and Vamp were best friends since elementary, but then Sparkling moved away after they graduated. Although they've already promised to go to the same middle school. Vamp was left alone, he couldn't even contact Sparkling for 2 years. Until one night, Vamp remembered very clearly, he was at grade 9 that time; his phone lit up with a notification from an unknown number, a message. One word, three letters. A simple 'hey'.
Followed by a pic of a familiar face, the smile Vamp has been looking around for 2 years. It's him. It's Sparkling.
They started talking to each other again. Sending silly pictures, late night calls, doing homework together; Vamp finds himself smiling at his phone screen oftentimes. He admits it was silly, why did his heart rush when he gets a notification from Sparkling? Why did he get all empty after every 'good night, see you tomorrow' texts? Well he just brushes it off his shoulder, assuming it's because he's excited to talk to his beloved childhood friend again, or he's just in denial;
That he is indeed in love with Sparkling.
"So?" Sparkling asked again. It still feels surreal, even though it's been a week, Vamp still finds himself pinching his cheeks, making sure if he's dreaming or not. A week ago, before Ms. Latte started the class, she welcomed a new student with fresh green eyes, sweet smile and bright yellow hair that matches his dreamy smile. He waved at Vamp, and he could swore the world stopped spinning at that moment, as there was a bubble wrapping just the two of them. Their eyes met, after years, their eyes, their soul, finally reunited.
When he waved at Vamp and Ms. Latte asked if he knows him, he nods, he smiles. "He is my friend." He said.
And it's been a week since that day, and Sparkling is very likeable, very social. It's only been a week but everyone in the class already gets along with him pretty well. Sparkling really trying hard to make himself fit in, Vamp could tell. But they haven't gotten a chance to be together, just the two of them.
Even so, it seems like the universe had pity in them; yesterday, Ms. Cauliflower created a group of 4 to do a science project, about the galaxy, about the stars. Vamp could just write 'Sparkling's eyes' in his note book, because he sees the galaxy in Sparkling's eyes. Stars so bright that it lit up his world .
And another unexpected thing is that Mint Choco and Herb were absent for a week, or more. The school sent Mint to an International Music Contest for high school level, and it's not a surprise to everyone that the principal chooses Mint. He is so good at playing beautiful music with his violin. While Herb is absent because recently her mother finally married to the woman she really loves, and that his mothers wants to bring him together to a heart full vacation. Family bonding, that just sounds simply beautiful.
So there's only them left. Ms. Cauliflower called them earlier asking if they're okay working only with each other, and to Vamp's surprise, Sparkling said it's okay. The urge to jump and kiss his lips at that time still lingers around Vamp.
"We could work on it today if you're free." Sparkling said again, hoping that he'd get a response from Vamp this time. The red hair finally turned his head up, the class was empty; everyone had left. Vamp usually is the one that would happily leave the classroom after the class was dismissed, but at lunch today, Sparkling comes up to him and says to wait in the class after class ends, of course Vamp agrees.
"Yeah sure, where do you want to work on the project?" He asked, hearing that, Sparkling's eyes lit up. "Library? Like, not the school library. I want to go to the town's library." He replied excitedly. Vamp smiled and he grabbed his bag, carrying it with one hand and standing up. "We should get going, then."
They both stepped outside the school, the wintry wind blows Vamp's hair into artistic swirls. He looked up, the sky is dark, it looks like it's going to rain anytime soon. They better hurry.
"We should get going before it's raining, let's go!" Sparkling exclaimed, as if he could read Vamp's mind and said it out loud. The blond took him by the hand, running to the nearest bus stop.
"Holy shit." Vampire thought, feeling his own loud heartbeat, hoping Sparkling wouldn't notice.
"It's been so long since I last visited the town's library." He smiled, staring at the sky.
He already told Vamp about why he left; he went 3 years away from his hometown due to his father's work. But he decided to come back, for now he is not a little kid anymore, his parents allow him to live in this town with his relatives. Coming back to the little town he grew up in, for a reason he couldn't tell.
Several minutes have passed and they had a small talk; about their classmates, about how scary Mr. Espresso is when he's teaching, about the ghost rumors that keep spreading around the school.
But not about them. Not about the way Vamp really liked Sparkling's smile, not about the way Sparkling tried not to stare at Vamp from across his seat when Ms. Latte is teaching, not about their loud heartbeat when they're next to each other.
They haven't got the chance yet, and then the bus arrived. They rushed inside, for the sky is getting darker. Vamp sat down near the window and Sparkling sat down next to him.
"Remember when both of us fell asleep on our way home after Cinnamon's birthday party?" Sparkling asked, Vamp smiled and nodded. They were in grade 6, they had so much fun at Cinna's house. "The bus driver has to wake us up." Vamp giggled a little, he isn't really good at remembering things, but somehow; all about Sparkling, memories with him is something he couldn't forget.
Sparkling smiled softly, somehow he still memorized the warmth of Vamp that day, the way their arms pressed to each other, he felt so safe next to Vamp. He smiled softly as he rest his head on Vamp's shoulder.
"Sleeping next to you feels nice." He whispers.
Vamp shivered, he could smell Sparkling's shampoo for how close he is now. It smells good, so sweet, so refreshing. Vamp gazed at the blond, his eyes were closed. He looks so relaxed and happy. The red hair smiled unconsciously, he could feel Sparkling's arm pressed to his. So warm and so close. For the next 20 minutes before they arrived at the town library, Vamp couldn't help but to smile widely.
✩彡 ・ﾟ✧*:・ﾟ✩彡
"Sparkling," Vamp called, raising his voice a little bit. The blond blinks his eyes, he moved a way about an inch from Vamp, his eyes locked to Vamp for a second, then he gazed outside the bus window. They're almost arrived.
Vamp is usually the one that fall asleep easily, last week, he fell asleep 4 times that Ms. Latte have to sent him to the principal's office. It's not like Vamp is the type of student that are rebel or fighter type, he's actually very relaxed, very chill, very... Lazy. But he is smart, both he and his sister is well known for being very smart. It's just he's too lazy to do anything.
"Sorry." Sparkling nervously laughed, you could see his cheek slightly turns red. Sparkling looked away; he fell asleep on Vamp's shoulder...
"Don't worry about it." Vamp said, with a relaxed tone somehow. "You can use my shoulder anytime you waaannt." he sang, Sparkling smiled, oh how he missed being together with Vamp.
The bus stopped, they arrived at the town library, Sparkling cheerfully jumped out of the bus followed by Vamp, his eyes sparkles as he stares at the building, the outside has slightly changed from the last time he visited, does the inside changes too? He wonders. "Come on." Vamp bumped his shoulder to Sparkling on purpose, the blond nods as he walks behind Vamp.
"Oh, wait i don't have my library card yet." Sparkling said as they entered the building, "Don't worry i got mine... i think," Vamp yawns and stretch his arms.
"Are you planning to borrow some books?"
"Um not really, i think we should just finish the project here today so we wouldn't have to worry about it in the next day." He smiled softly, Sparkling's smile always looked so charming. Vamp been seeing it on his phone screen, but it feels different, it looks even more ethereal when he looks at it directly. Seeing him is like his eternal night had finally over; the sun rises after the blackness of night. To Vamp, Sparkling is his sun, his moon and his stars.
"Alright then what book shall i search for?"
"Well, we're going to write about solar system so maybe we could search it on the science section." Sparkling pointed at the bookshelves, Vamp nodded slowly.
"Let's split." Sparkling turned to him, his green eyes looked so beautiful. Vamp clears his throat and nods again, returning the smile. Sparkling start walking towards the bookshelves while Vamp still froze for a sec, he then smiled again at the thought of Sparkling, he walked along the shelves and let the happiness soak right into his bones. He wanted the feeling to still be there for as long as possible. He hums as his fingers traced the books on the shelves, the old library has a few tall walls of ancient volumes, though mostly they are now a sort of decoration to set the scene. Shelves of books expanded over the wall, as if they had been planted as seeds and grown by virtue of the light that filled the room. It reminds him of when he and Sparkling visits the town library for the first time; Vamp bring his little sister with him and they have really hard time being quiet, the librarians would come up to the three of them to tell them to be quiet, he couldn't really remember what they are laughing about at that time, but he could feel the emotion insde his heart somehow; how happy he is when he's with Sparkling.
His slim fingers with nails that are decorated by black paint stopped tracing the books for it meets a soft, warm...skin?
Another finger touched his.
He gathers back his consciousness to find a slightly smaller figure in front of him, their fingers touched among the line of books. It's Sparkling, and neither of them let go of their hands, they just froze there, starring into each other eyes. Sparkling holds his gaze, if it were anyone else, Vamp would drop his gaze, but with Sparkling, he's drawn in closer, always wanting more.
"Oh, sorry." Sparkling chuckled nervously and put his hands down from the books. Vamp holds the urge inside him to say "no, it's okay. Please hold me forever", instead he just smiles softly. "You got the book?" he said as he noticed Sparkling already brings two books with him.
"Yes, um i think we can use these books for now, but if you had another book with you that'll be fine too." the blond said, fixing strands of hair that falls on his forehead back to his ears, Vamp holds his breathe, Sparkling is so gorgeous.
"We could use it then. And we're at the library so if we need more references we could get another books from these shelves." said Vamp, hoping Sparkling wouldn't notice his face that is turning a bit red. The other one just nods in agreement, they find a seat near the window, Sparkling sits across the table and pulls out his laptop from his bag, Vamp put down the books Sparkling has handed to him on the table along with his head and yawns. He could hear the sound of Sparkling's typing, he gazed outside to see the dark sky, grey cloud of soft owlet down cosseted a sleepy sky, the charcoal sky became a wispy silver, the rain could fall down on earth anytime soon now.
"Could you read out to me the first page of the book, Vamp?" Sparkling called, but not a respond from Vamp, he tilted his head away from the laptop screen to see Vamp looking outside, his eyes were deep, dark and strong hue of purple; mysterious, looks a bit lonely. It's the deepest, darkest grapes before the dust is rinsed away.
Was there something bothering Vamp?
Sparkling slide his laptop across the table then he got up to move, changing seat for he is now next to Vamp. He bumped his shoulder to Vamp on purpose, so Vamp would notice. The red hair jolted a bit then turned to Sparkling next to him.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah haha sorry, Sparky." He laughed, Sparkling sighed in worry. Seems like something is troubling Vamp.
"Can i sit next to you? Like this we could finish the project faster."
Of course they can, in fact, Vamp really wished to sit next to Sparkling again just like they did in the bus a while ago, and now here he is, next to him, talking with him. It was cold, gloomy evening, but with Sparkling next to his side, he feels warm.
✩彡 ・ﾟ✧*:・ﾟ✩彡
1 hour, and 30 minutes has passed. They finished the assignment. They wrote about a galaxy, they wrote about stars. They wrote about the universe that had to fall apart into dust first to become it majestic, incredible, infinite self. From one of the book they bring, it says that humans have calcium in their bones, iron in their veins, carbon in their souls, and nitrogen in their brains. 93 percent stardust, with soul made of flames, and that they are just stars with peoples names. And that explains how Sparkling is his star.
"Phew, it's done." Sparkling closed his laptop as he sighed.
It's done. They have to go home now. Honestly, he doesn't want it to be done yet. Sparkling still wants to spend more time with Vamp. He's actually very excited that he's back in this town, he's glad that he could see Vamp everyday now, and hear Vamp's voice for 6 hours each day for a week, even when it's only him speaking to their classmates and teachers, he's glad. And that he will see Vamp again tomorrow in the school, and next week, next month, next year. He wanted to be with Vamp, forever.
He just doesn't know how to exactly say it. Or express it.
And if Sparkling said those words to Vamp, will it ruin their friendships?
"Ah, look." Vamp's sleepy voice pulled him back to reality, he turned to the window where Vamp pointed at. "It's raining... Guess we're stuck here noww." He said relaxedly, hand is on the back of his head. Once again, the universe gave them a chance. As it rained outside, they listened to the patter on the windowpane and Sparkling watched as two raindrops chased each other across the glass. And it reminded him of a certain person, how he would follow him through every season. How they're still together even if days don't always stay the same. And how happy he is with him, even in the rain.
Sparkling slowly turns his gaze to Vamp, he's watching outside as the rain poured. He looks lost in his thoughts, what could it be he's thinking? Ever since they got there, Vamp looks worried about something.
"Remember when Ms. Blueberry Pie read us a story on the kids corner when we were in grade 5?" Vamp voice slips between the noises the rain made when it hit the roof. Sparkling smiled, yes, yes he did. He remembers everything about Vamp and what they did.
"That time when you were being so loud because after we checked our height in the measuring giraffe height, i was taller than you? You thought i was cheating about my height?" Sparkling giggles as he put his hands on his chin.
"Look at you now! I can't believe you beat me." He added.
"That's what you get for cheatingg..."
"You silly, how could someone 'cheats' their height!" Sparkling punched Vamp softly on his arms, causing him to groan in pain jokingly.
They laughed, their voice combined into a sweet symphony, softly, they must keep quiet this time, they're not a kid anymore after all. Sparkling stopped to steal a glance at Vamp one more time. It feels different like when they laughed at internet jokes during video calls, this feels real, feels so heartwarming. This is what he's been waiting for.
"I missed this so much, i miss you." Sparkling said, looking away. The red hair eyes widened, he moved an inch closer to Sparkling.
"Really? Even though we talked to each other almost everyday on phone?"
What was that question? Does Vamp think it's weird for Sparkling to still miss him? Was he being a weirdo?
Sparkling didn't move a bit, not even looking at Vamp. Scared.
"Because i feel the same, Sparky."
Sparkling automatically turned to Vamp, it surprise him to see Vamp with such soft expression, so loving.
"Did you come back to this town just to be with me again?" He teased, Sparkling rolled his eyes.
"Yes, Vamp. I miss you so much. I miss being with you so much that i traveled a thousand miles just to be with you again." He said, dramatically. Vamp chuckled, holding back his laughter because Ms. Blueberry Pie stared at them from across the bookshelves.
"But seriously... I miss us, you know... i'm just so happy we're together again. And i'm so happy that you still remember our times together back then, even though we were just silly kids..." The blond said with a soft smile.
"I don't think it's possible for me to forget anything about you." Vamp said to him, and he can't deny it anymore. About how he feels towards Sparkling. He watches as Sparkling turned to him with cute, curious, expression.
"I love you." He said confidently. Because that's the truth.
The words slip out of Vamp's lips and both of them stay silent. Vamp looked away, out the window. People ran for cover outside and umbrellas were opened as the clouds spat out their beads of water. Puddles began plinking as the rainfall became heavier. The roofs of the cars danced with spray and they could hear the murmuring of the rain through the window. It sounded like the buzzing of angry bees. Sparkling hasn't said anything yet, he just froze there, staring at the ceiling, processing what Vamp has just confessed to him. Was he happy? Yes, yes he is. He's very happy, he really didn't think Vamp will see him as something more than a friend, Vamp loves him. Even though they have been apart for 3 years. Sparkling took a deep breath, he is now back with Vamp. The distance has finally closed, there will be no more interference on the phone, no more sitting on the balcony wishing that Vamp is with him to share the beauty of the moon. They're together now. So close.
"you're just like a star to me." Vamp said, breaking the silence. Sparkling blinked and turned to him.
"gee, thanks Vamp. I didn't know I was a ball of gas to you." He laughed.
"wait nooo that's not what i meaaant...." Vamp whined, putting his chin on the table, making Sparkling giggles again.
"then what is it?"
"it's the way you travel a thousand miles away to get to me, Sparkling. It reminded me of the stars, their lights who are traveling a million lifetime just to reach the earth. To keep the night sky so beautiful each night." Vamp said with a very sincere smile, Sparkling couldn't help but blush. Vamp never said such things to him, or anyone else. He could feel his heart beating a million times too.
Sparkling clenched his fist on his lap. Love may need to take some time but it's enough for him, this is enough to prove their love to each other. They're young, but aren't exactly kids either. Just because they have years ahead of them doesn't mean their love is going to last a lifetime. Then again maybe they don't have years; everything could end tomorrow. That's why he will love Vamp anyway, everyday, deeply, wholeheartedly. Even if they are young, even if they are old. He just wants to share this love with him.
"i sit and think about time after each of our calls, i think of how quickly it passes. I think of all the things we could have done with our time and all the days and weeks if i was yours and you were mine." The redhair put his head up, fixing his posture.
"I know my memory is a little faded but my love for you never wavered. Time has moved on since that memory, and we will have these new ones to share." He turned to Sparkling whose eyes sparkled, staring at his.
"would you like to make other memories with me, sparky?" He finally said it with a smile. Sparkling sighed and returned the smile, he leans closer to Vamp and he rests his head on Vamp's shoulder once again.
"i would" he smiled.
Vamp hand reached Sparkling's hand under the table, together, their fingers loosely interlaced,
caressing the flesh
cuddling the palms
brimming with pristine emotions.
Sparkling could feel subtle touches
tender, warm, responsive.
Certainty intertwined
commitment gently placed. As he rested on Vamp's shoulder, Vamp put his head on top of Sparkling's head, inhaling the smell of his beloved. The universe made a way for them to be together, just like the way it did for the moon and sun to be together once in a while, but unlike an eclipse, their love wouldn't only last for today and be gone for another 100 years. They will be together for the next 100 years, they will have each other on the darkest day or during sunny dreams. An infinite dark sky with stars, to blossom together into old age. Sparkling opened his eyes, he gazed at his closed laptop and his notebook on the table, if he could write all of his love for Vamp between those lines, it would fill every page.