Work Text:
A Star Must Be...
Happy!!! A star is happiest when his friends are happy!
A star must be...
Polite! A star is always polite to our teachers.
A star must be...
Caring, a star does anything for his dearest sister.
A star must be...
Funny! A star must be funny to make his friends laugh.
A star must be...
Loving, a star loves his best friend.... PLATONICALLY OF COURSE!
A star must be...
Friendly! A star must be friendly even to those who look at you with disgust.
A star must be...
Smart. A star must excel in all of his subjects..
A star must be...
Talented. A star is gifted with many talents so why not I use it?
A star must be...
Brave... A star must be brave, why should I be afraid of a cold abandoned house?
A star must...
Put on a show... Who even cares if no one is there to watch it..?
A star.. A star must...
Smile... A star is only born to give the audience light, And then they die.
A star is...
Full of too much emotion. If someone gets close they will die.
So please don't come close. One more and I'll go supernova.
.
.
.
But that greedy alchemist didn't listen.
The selfish king was afraid, he didn't want to admit that he's hurt. He didn't want to see his loyal subjects make a pained face all because of his selfishness. He didn't want the clown to stop making jokes because of him. He didn't want the songstress to go back to not being able to sing because of him.
He didn't want the alchemist to spend countless restless nights to find a cure just for him.
.. But why did he still find it necessary to do such a thing?
.
.
.
"Tsukasa-kun, Be honest. Are you okay?"
Even him...? After being asked that by Saki who he had to painfully lie about not hearing. Emu, who usually doesn't care. Hell, even Nene. Who usually spares him no mercy at all.
"HA HA HA! O-of course..! Why even ask?" A forced smile and pose, one that clashes with how he tries to look anywhere that isn't where the taller man was standing, and the cold sweat forming on his face.
"... For the past week you've been spacing out and being more quiet. Everytime you break out of your trance it looks like you've seen a ghost."
"Ah..."
"If there's something wrong you know you can talk to me or all of us, yes?"
Why is he on the verge of tears? A star isn't like this. A star should be able to shine bright in any situation. A star doesn't cry, nor do they make their friends worry, nor do they feel fear.
... And suddenly the intrusive thoughts he so desperately tried to push to the furthest corner came flooding back. Words the man that he's talking to right now said to him a long, long time ago.
You're not a star. You'll never become a star.
"Oh sorry! I think Saki is calling on my phone." He looks down, forcing his voice not to quiver. "I better go check if everything's alright." He takes out his phone and pretends to answer it, not lifting up his head at all. "What's wrong my dearest siste-"
Rui grabs Tsukasa's arm.
Having been forced to turn his head up and drop his phone. Tears are shown on his face.
"Ah.. Um.. Sorry..." Why apologize? Aren't you the one hurt? Is what Rui thought.
"I thought so. You shouldn't pretend to be okay when you're not." The serious yet gentle tone of his voice gives Tsukasa a shiver down his spine. Although Tsukasa trusts Rui with any direction he gives him, Knowing fully that he cares about his safety. He's never really opened up to Rui or actually, everyone in general about this. He's so useless, he made Rui worry about him again. He's gonna tone down his directions again isn't he?
.
.
.
"Please open up to me, you don't have to bottle it up anymore. I'm here for you."
He deeply stares at him in the eyes with his face spelling out concern. Tsukasa now doesn't know if hes crying out of feelings that he shoved to the farthest corner of his mind resurging back, or crying because he feels so touched and safe by what Rui just said.
The star goes supernova. Sobbing out what's been on his mind the entire week on the Ferris wheel in Phoenix Wonderland. Rui had been the one to invite him there after practice. The one who's holding him right now as he listens to his cries. Listening to the loneliness he's been dealing with the entire time. Listening to how he thinks his dream of becoming a star is forever going to be impossible with all of these perfectionist expectations set by the mind of a child forced to grow up.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with all of that by yourself my star. But I still believe your dream is still possible."
Still possible? How? That's what he says in his mind.
"A star must be open, open to himself and to the people around him. Don't hide anymore, Tsukasa-kun."
"Rui...." Smiling through his tears. "Thank you, and.. I'm so sorry for worrying you all."
"Fufu, It's nothing my star. Oh and one last thing."
"Yes?" Tsukasa realizes how awkward their position is. They're both on one side of the ferris wheel, Rui holding him in his arms whispering into his ear. Calling him 'his' star? Thinking about it makes his cheeks go a shade of pink.
"A star also needs a fuel source to keep on shining.. Without it, it can't shine just like right now."
"Where are you going with this Rui?"
"Well what I'm trying to say is... Actually I think actions will better convey this than words."
"What? What are you oh-"
Rui kissed Tsukasa on the cheek, instantly making both of their faces red. Their lips slowly locking onto each other, kissing until they run out of breath. By now they're at the top of the ferris wheel and the sun is already going down.
"I want to be the one who keeps you shining brightly for eons, keeping my star forever happy by my side."
Tsukasa is stunned. But after wiping the last of his tears he replies back.
"Rui.. Of course, I'll be the star that will make, not only my dearest sister, but now you be the happiest you've ever been! I always give my 12,000 % after all!" Tsukasa smiles, but not the kind everyone has been seeing this entire time, a smile that's genuinely happy this time.
.
.
.
They stay like that before they're about to go down, none of the employees knowing what kind of stuff went down in that specific cabin with only Tsukasa's red puffy eyes and both of their bright red faces for a hint.
Looks like the alchemist's potion of love cured the king and broke him out from the invisible shackles he was placed in for years.
A star must allow themselves to go supernova, so that a new star filled with smiles can be born.