Chapter Text
Twirling around the dance floor left Rui with no thought, no mind left other than the muscle memory of his dance moves.
The entire night, he had been bored out of his mind. Countless political questions about his actions once he becomes king. Constant asks of who his queen will be.
“What will the fate of the moon kingdom be without your queen, Rui?” He had shrugged, saying he would find one.
But he knew, deep in his heart, he knew he didn’t need a queen. He had someone who, if everything went perfectly in his life for just a second, would be his.
Suddenly, Tsukasa twirls over, smiling as if they’re the only people in the world. Somehow, they danced to the middle. The only spot on the dance floor where dancers don’t trade partners mid dance.
He smiles at the thought, holding Tsukasa as delicately as ever, twirling him around without a care in the world.
“So, how is the host of the ball doing this fine social season~?” Rui smiles a catlike grin, his signature smirk.
“Terrible! Nene played a joke on me and said you’d be staying with her, not in the palace!” Tsukasa frowns at Rui playfully.
“Of course I’ll be in the palace. The room right next to yours, with the connected door, as always.” Rui’s smile morphs into something genuine.
“I know it’s the social season, and people will talk, but would you like to sit outside in the garden with me, Rui?” Tsukasa smiles, already pulling him along.
Rui nods, and lets himself be pulled to a set of trees at the edge of the castle property, far away from the music and dancing.
Without speaking, they know what they’ll be doing. Rui looks up to the sky, putting one hand behind his head to prop him up, and another out to feel through the grass.
To Rui’s surprise, this time is different.
This time, Tsukasa’s free hand holds his own, his fingers interlocked with Rui’s. He says nothing.
They both know that something has shifted.
“Rui, this set of stars kind of reminds me of you~!” Tsukasa smiles, turning his head to Rui.
“Why does it, Tsukasa~? Is it because they’re messy and disorganized~? Or the fact that they kind of look like a cat~?” Rui teases, squeezing Tsukasa’s hand.
“No, they’re bright. Just like you.” Tsukasa’s smile turns shy. “But yes, all the other things too.”
“Tsukasa, you remind me of the moon. I know you’re from the sun kingdom, but I feel like…”
Rui pauses, watching Tsukasa listen to him intently. His focus isn’t drifting, and his eyes are locked on Rui’s, his palm slightly sweaty.
“…you reflect light onto people when they’re in a dark place, Tsukasa. Miku knows you helped me out of one.” Rui giggles, subconsciously shifting closer.
“You’re like the sun, Rui. An impossibly bright star that gets a lot of the attention, but nobody really knows enough about you that they should.” Tsukasa smiles back, also scooting closer.
There’s a pause, a comfortable breeze shaking the air, some petals falling from the flowers on the tree to the ground. They both watch the stars, or each other.
Neither know where they’re looking anymore.
After a few minutes, or maybe an hour, Tsukasa speaks. “Rui, how bad would it be socially if a man courted another man…?”
And Rui’s face flushes, because he knows where this is going. They’ve both known somehow, but have never discussed it. Not until now.
“I wouldn’t care, at the very least. Although for their safety, they may want to keep it private.” Rui runs his thumb over Tsukasa’s hand softly, letting them sit in the moment they’ve created.
“Would you want to dance here, Rui…?” Tsukasa asks carefully, leading Rui up into a slow dance.
They make their own pace, Tsukasa’s ponytail whipping in the early night breeze. Rui steps on his feet a few times, he thinks, but neither would be able to count.
They twirl around happily, broad smiles plastered on both faces, coupled with a blush.
They’ve done this time and time again, every time gaining a new intimate factor. Every time realizing more and more that neither of them wants to be friends anymore.
Both are scared for the outcome though. Scared they read the situation wrong, or scared that the other feels nothing the same.
But with Rui’s admission to Tsukasa’s question, they both know now. There’s something in the air that they can’t take back anymore, no matter how they try.
The flower petals continue to fall in the breeze, a whole flower falling in Rui’s hair as the two pause for a breath.
Tsukasa smiles, and tucks it behind Rui’s ear with a careful hand. “A gift, Rui. For you.”
And Rui has never blushed so hard in his entire life, as Tsukasa’s hand stays by his cheek, hesitant, waiting for Rui’s permission.
And when Rui finally nods, the entire world goes still.
It feels so right, Rui leaning into Tsukasa’s hand. It feels so right, the two of them getting closer to dance even more intimately. It feels so right, Tsukasa, despite being the shorter, was the one to hold Rui first.
And neither could explain it. No words could voice the feelings, no sound could justify the bursting feeling as their faces get closer, Tsukasa’s eyes closing in anticipation.
And it feels so damn right that Rui leans in, and finally presses his lips to Tsukasa’s, lifting up Tsukasa in his arms in the process, so as to twirl him around as they kiss.
They break away, and Rui slowly lets Tsukasa down, ending the dance for the night, but more are soon to come.
They sit on the grass slowly, neither mount opening to dare make a word. Neither head thinking a thought in fear of it flying off the tongue.
And finally, Rui speaks first. “Would you like me to court you, at least in secret, Tsukasa~?•
“Oh please, I should court you! You’ve done so much for me recently, it’s the least I could do. Besides, you deserve so many gifts, Rui.” Tsukasa smiles, leaning in closer again.
Rui laughs, and grabs Tsukasa’s hand, pulling him even closer. “Please, let me court you. I want to make you feel loved, Tsukasa.”
“I feel loved being around you, Rui.” And the distance is closed, as it will be so many times after this one.
And the feeling is there, just like it will be decades after the wedding bells ring their sweet harmony.