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Tenma Tsukasa was a future star.
So why couldn’t he figure out how to make a simple confession to his dear director? Maybe it was because he was overthinking the entire situation. It needed to be just as perfect as Rui, he wouldn’t settle for anything less. He had the idea to confess on the taller’s birthday, but what if his feelings weren’t returned? Surely that wouldn’t be a good birthday present at all. He needed to know his love was requited before he made a plan like that.
He just didn’t know who to ask.
~
Around thirty minutes of thinking later, the perfect person popped into mind. Rui’s father. The director had said something about him being home for a while due to his raise, so Tsukasa had the perfect person to ask. Rui was hanging out with Nene for the day, so he probably wouldn’t have to deal with the director walking in on a conversation like that. Tsukasa got ready, throwing on his clothes, and running out the door before anyone could get the chance to ask where he was going. The troupe leader got to his director’s house a bit quicker than usual, a bit nervous but also excited, due to the fact Rui’s father may be able to help. He rang the doorbell, and surely enough, Suzume answered. “Who’s the- ah, Tsukasa! What brings you here today?” The troupe leader followed him through the door, sitting at the couch. “I kind of need your help on something, but I’m not sure how to word it,” Tsukasa admitted, feeling a pang of nervousness rush over him. Maybe he made a mistake, maybe he should just turn back. “Throw it at me, I promise I won’t mind,” Suzume replied, breaking the blond out of his thoughts. “I-.. I love your son, and I want to confess, but I don’t know how- !” he finally blurted out, the words almost too fast for Rui’s father to understand him, but he was used to the director’s rambles, so he’d grown an ability to understand fast speech. Then it clicked. “I told him!” he replied. The amount of times he’d reassured his son had him starting to second guess himself.
Tsukasa paused. “Wait- you knew..? Does that mean- what?” he was entirely lost, but there was a spark of hope breaking through the confusion. Suzume sighed. “You do not want to know how many times Rui has told me you probably don’t feel the same way, it’s a losing battle every time,” he admitted, exasperated.
Rui liked him back?
Rui liked him back.
Rui liked him back!
The future star had to ask and get a straight answer, a crevice of his mind telling him it was too good to be true. the shorter sighed, though his exasperation sided with amusement. “I just said he does, I can’t make that up with how much he rambles about you. Also, for the love of all things, please just confess. I can barely deal with his pining, I cannot deal with both hopeless highschoolers at once,” Suzume answered with a chuckle. Tsukasa’s hand went straight to his mouth, relief taking over him, as he finally relaxed. “You promise , right?” the blond asked again, knowing that would seal up his doubts. Tsukasa couldn't help but be sure, that's all he was doing. He didn't sound stupid, right?
“I promise, yes,” Rui’s father replied. “Alright. I’m planning to confess on his birthday, like a birthday present, which is why I wanted to know if he liked me back! I wouldn't want to do something that made him uncomfortable on his birthday,” he explained, and the shorter nodded. “It’s a great plan, he’ll love it. You won't make him upset, in fact he'll probably be overjoyed! My struggle now will be not telling him when he tries to deny there's any way you'd like him back..” Suzume grumbled, though it was more of a statement than a complaint.
For some stupid reason, the troupe leader was still nervous, but hearing Suzume tell him that it would be alright gave him the confidence boost he needed. He could make it work, now all he needed to do was wait.
It turns out that was a big ask.
Every day they did practice together, his feelings got stronger. How was he supposed to wait for his birthday? It was only a week before white day? June twenty-fourth felt too far away, how could he go on like this?
It was only a week before white day.
Tsukasa could confess on white day.
~
That night, Tsukasa planned for that. He picked out an outfit in advance, making sure he looked his best. Saki had to assure him fifteen times that he was fine. The troupe leader barely kept his composure when he walked up to the neighbors and asked Rui to meet him at the rooftop during lunch, before he promptly ran out of eyesight, and straight to his class.
“What’s up with him?” Nene questioned, a bit confused. “I’m not sure..” the taller replied, though he couldn’t stop a small tint of red to spread across his face the longer he thought about what the talk they’d have. At the same time, small twinges of fear spread through his mind. What if Tsukasa was upset with him? By the time he had said goodbye to Nene and was on his way to class, the director realized he couldn’t think about anything other than the upcoming talk.
It was white day, after all.
No, surely it was a coincidence, and it was something about the shows.. good, bad or indifferent.
Despite his denial, his mind couldn't seem to let go of the fact it was White Day, and Rui found himself sitting at the rooftop and staring at the sky. He was clearly way too deep in his thoughts to be of any use in school, so he’d just wait, and work on a few robots.
The director worked on a grand total of nothing. He instead spent the time spacing out and thinking of all the possible things Tsukasa could tell him. Some made him nervous, others brought back the shade of red to his face. Luckily, Rui was able to calm himself down by looking back at the view, and immerse himself in that.
By twelve, Tsukasa was standing in front of the rooftop doors, using all the strength he could muster to gain the courage to open the door and just admit his feelings. Suzume literally told him that the director liked him back, that he would spend time just rambling about him! This confession wouldn’t be unwelcome, so all he had to do was say the words he practiced.
He opened the door, and his eyes immediately went to the taller, leaning against the fence, admiring the view. “Rui, you’re here!” Tsukasa exclaimed. Why was he stalling? “Well you did ask me to come, right?” the taller replied, a hint of laughter lacing his words, though he seemed mildly tense. “I wanted to talk to you about something,” the shorter began, and Rui stood up a little straighter. “And what might that be?” he asked, curiosity piqued, yet his voice shook ever so slightly. —who was he kidding, his curiosity had been piqued since Tsukasa first asked to meet him at the rooftop.—
The future star pursed his lips, trying to remember the words he wanted to say, yet they had failed him. He couldn’t find them anywhere despite the fact he’d spent so long practicing them yesterday. Every improvised speech he tried to make seemed cheesy, or way too long. Tsukasa sighed, he’d have to just do this bluntly. “I don’t know how to word this right, even though I spent so long yesterday perfecting the words I’d say,” Tsukasa began, and his heart thumped faster, as he hoped he wouldn’t screw up his words more than he already had. “..but what I wanted to say to you was that I like you- not like a friend, well like I want you as a friend, but I love you, and I want to be more!" he blurted out, stumbling on his words and growing increasingly red. "I have for a while now, and I couldn’t keep holding off anymore..” the troupe leader finished, gripping his shirt like he was clutching his heart. He had to admit he was scared. Scared that he’d ruin this, scared that it was too soon.
Rui didn’t know what to do, what to say, how to respond, or how to just get out the words that he liked Tsukasa back. He wanted to tell his star at least that much, but words failed him every time he tried to open his mouth and speak for easily ten to fifteen seconds, until he could finally break the silence with a simple “I love you too, so- so much..” though he wanted to say more. Rui wanted to explain how long he’d felt this way, and the ultimate relief he was feeling, but it was all too much at once for his brain to know how to begin. He was just relieved he could get out those words.
Tsukasa felt giddy at the director's response, and he couldn’t help but watch him close. The troupe leader wanted to kiss him, to thank every god that could exist that his director liked him back. He didn’t fight the will to step forward, and cup his cheek, he simply let his impulse guide him, for better or for worse. He held Rui’s hand that was gripping the fence with his free one, and kissed his dear director.
It felt like all of time paused, like for a moment the world stopped for the two to share their moment. Rui had to admit he didn’t know what was happening, only that it was nice and it felt so right. When Tsukasa pulled away, the taller found himself yearning for that feeling to come back. That’s when everything processed, his troupe leader had confessed, and Rui had been able to reciprocate.
Tsukasa kissed him. Tsukasa loved him. Tsukasa saw him as someone good enough to love. He had people that cared, and now he had someone who saw him in the way of a lover, something that Rui had long since given up on, even with Wonderlands x Showtime, and his hopeless crush on his troupe leader.
Kamishiro Rui was loveable.
Kamishiro Rui was loved.
Tears slipped from his eyes, he couldn’t stop them in time. He had to admit he felt pathetic, and he couldn’t help but worry Tsukasa would think he did something wrong. Thankfully, words saved him. “Thank you, so much.. This means so much.. I don’t even know how to word it,” he rambled, voice most definitley shaky. Rui moved forward, practically falling into Tsukasa's arms and holding the shorter as tight as he could.
Tsukasa hadn't been able to explain the fear that washed over him when tears fell from his director’s eyes. He couldn’t help but panic, and regret doing what he had done. As he opened his mouth to apologize, Rui had he heard the words Rui had confirmed that the tears were from so much of so many positive feelings. The taller had ran up and hugged him, clinging harder than he had ever felt the director hug. He could hear the taller holding his breath, trying to stop the small cries that shook him ever so slightly. Tsukasa simply pulled just enough away to see his face, and brought his hand back to Rui’s cheek, wiping away tears.
“Don’t try to fight your emotions, you have every right to experience them, okay?” he stated, tone lightly scolding, yet so full of affection and care. Rui's breath hitched. “I love you.. I’m so glad.. I just-” the taller tried to explain, but he still couldn’t figure out how to word his feelings, so he settled for simply resting his head into the blond’s palm and followed Tsukasa's instructions, letting go of his attempts to stop his tears. The director couldn't help but relish the feeling of Tsukasa’s thumb wiping away the tears that fell in a comforting motion that made Rui feel like he was melting from one simple touch. “We should sit down, it should be more comfortable," the shorter stated, his voice also mildly shaky, though more confident than his director's, who moved a bit further from the hug, moving to the bench. When they sat down, Rui instantly moved to rest his head on the troupe leader's shoulder, closing his eyes. They sat in silence for a while, not wanting to move from the other’s comfort.
When the final tears streamed down his cheeks, Rui sat up, wiping them away. “..What does this make us now?” he asked, voice stronger. “I want us to be together.. as a couple, but what I want even more is for us to be what makes you comfortable,” Tsukasa explained, messing with the hem of his cardigan. The taller smiled, visibly relaxing a bit. “I’d like that, more than anything. I mean it,” the director replied. The shorter moved to cup his lover’s cheek again, leaning a little closer. "Is it-.. alright if I kiss you again?” he asked, and his lover's face was back to a flushed red, before nodding. “Of course.”
And with that, Tsukasa closed the space between them, and Rui reciprocated quickly, wrapping his arms around the shorter’s neck. He loved this, he loved Tsukasa, he loved the feeling of being cherished. The director couldn’t have been more glad he’d gotten better, and been saved as much as he was. What he would do to tell his past self it really would be okay.
It truly felt hard to stop smiling
Eventually, Tsukasa pulled away, needing to breathe, but went back for more the moment the two had recovered. Rui felt like he was in heaven, like he’d won something big. When they parted again a little while later, Rui moved to hug his lover again. “Happy White day, my star,” he muttered, closing his eyes. “Happy White Day, my dearest director,” the blond replied.
The two didn’t go back to their classes, and nobody caught them. For once, Tsukasa couldn’t care less about attendance. It would most likely be one of the only times that statement was true.
~
When Rui got home, he didn’t say much to his father. He wanted to explain it all, but he couldn’t figure out where to start, so the director simply left the topic to discuss later. He was quiet during dinner, feeling like he’d explode with all the words he wanted to say if he uttered a simple sentence more than a thank you when the plates were served. Surprising to the high schooler, he found the food he was served much easier to hold down. It felt like Tsukasa had cured him, in a way, bringing his mind to focus on his now lover, and distracting himself from his troubles. Maybe it would only last a few days, while his mind took a bit to process everything, but he’d cherish every second of however long that took.
By the time Suzume was going to bed, Rui still hadn’t said anything. Noticing the garage light was on, he decided to wish his son a good night. When he opened the door, the shorter of the two saw Rui curled in a ball on the couch. It wasn’t in a bad way, he had a positive feeling radiating off of him, he just looked.. shocked. Rui’s father moved to sit down next to him. “Alright kiddo, what’s going on? You’ve been looking starstruck ever since you got home,” Suzume asked, and the younger looked up, snapping out of his dazed state, and jumping back. "Don't just sneak up on me like that-!" he yelped, eventually calming down again. “You were right..” he admitted after a few seconds of silence, flushing red as he thought about that day. His father looked confused. “About what..?” Rui looked away making an effort to form the words. “Tsukasa kissed me. He- I- on the lips-!” he blurted out, burying his face in his hands. “And we’re a thing now-! We’re actually together! I feel like an idiot, crying when he kissed me, but for some reason he didn’t look at me weird when I did.. I really don’t understand him, dad,” he added. “He told me he was confessing on your birthday.. I guess there was a change of plans..” Suzume replied, a bit confused. Rui’s head shot up, and his eyes widened.
“Wait what-? You knew and you didn’t tell me?” he exclaimed, quite shocked and maybe a little betrayed. “To be fair I wanted to let Tsukasa do the talking, and I didn’t want to ruin the birthday present he was going to make for you, also known as the confession,” his father explained. That made a lot more sense to the taller. “Well I’m glad you know now, it must’ve been hard for him to keep quiet. To be fair, when I confessed to your mother it was quite a bit before I intended to.. I think that’s just a thing love does to a person, y’know?” Rui nodded, taking a longer breath to calm himself. “Anyways, it kind of scrambled my brain.. I didn’t want to just pour it out the moment I got home, I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m still processing what happened,” he admitted. “Every time I think of the fact we’re technically dating now, I just.. Lose my ability to think right, if that makes sense,” the director added.
“I understand kiddo, now you get how I felt when I met your mother. I have to admit I was a bit hopeless.. I quite literally forgot how to speak when she asked me out,” Suzume replied, ruffling his son’s hair a little. “To be fair you can’t get worse than me," the younger admitted, sheepish. “And? Don’t worry about it. We all react differently. Some of us just forget how to do basic things, such as talking, others laugh awkwardly because they don’t know how to deal with sentiment. As long as he knew you were happy, that’s fine,” his father replied. Rui closed his eyes, leaning a bit more on Suzume, who wrapped his arms around the taller. “I can’t believe you’re all grown up, getting a boyfriend and everything, soon enough you’ll be moving out and I admit I’m a little sad that you won’t be with us anymore,” the older mused lightheartedly, and the high schooler laughed a bit. He didn’t have a response, and he knew his father wasn’t looking for one, just thinking out loud more than anything.
“Dad?”
“Yeah, kiddo?”
“I’ve never been so glad to be wrong before in my life,” Rui stated, looking up at the ceiling. “At the same time, I have to admit I’m scared for what’ll happen if this ends,” he finished. “I don’t think they’ll leave, even if the troupe disbands. The care you have for each other goes all ways. For them to leave, they’ll have to hurt, so I don’t think they will. I can’t say for certain you’ll always be part of Wonderlands x Showtime, but I doubt as friends they’ll ever leave voluntarily,” Suzume offered, hugging a little tighter. The assurance seemed to relax the taller a bit. “I.. never really looked at it that way,” he admitted, his realization dawning on him. “I know, but it helps to look at them as friends above troupe mates. They’re not here because they need to be, they’re here because they want to,” his father replied.
He could get behind that logic.
~
After he said his final good nights, giving his father permission to tell Hibiki about the confession, Rui logged onto Nightcord, pulling up his private messages with Mizuki.
Rui: < You up?>
Amia: <Duh, what’s going on?>
Rui: <I don’t even know where to start tbh>
Amia: <Is that good or bad??>
Rui: <good, really good>
Rui: <Tsukasa kissed me>
Amia: <HE WHAT->
Rui: <THAT WAS MY REACTION.>
Amia: <VC ME RIGHT NOW I NEED THE TEA>
The pink haired picked up within the first ring, and the first thing he heard was them pacing. “How many times have I told you he liked you back?” they finally yelled, just as Rui opened his mouth to speak It was a lighthearted remark. “Way too many,” Rui replied, hanging his head. “God you really are hopeless, every time you denied me, “oh if he liked me back I’d know,” yeah right, we both know you’re too dense for that,” Mizuki teased. “Yeah well I know now that I was wrong, I’m already going to face no end of teasing from Nene, I don’t need anything from you too!” he retorted, but a laugh was evident in his voice.
“Fine, fine, but tell me everything that happened!” they replied, giddy. “Alright, relax! It started off when he asked me to meet him on the rooftop during lunch. I couldn’t really think about anything else, so I just spent the entire morning there,” Rui began, looking up at his ceiling decorations. “When Tsukasa came, he said that he wanted to talk to me about something, but he wasn’t sure how to word it,” the director paused, his mind flashing to the kisses almost instantly. “After a little bit of him thinking, he finally blurted out that he loved me, and that he had for a while. I couldn’t really speak, all I could manage was an I love you too. But then he kissed me, and I… fine, cried, which I am not proud of,” he quickly finished, curling up into a ball on his chair, embarrassed. “I was at least able to make it clear I wasn’t upset at all, and when we sat down, he kissed me again-!” the taller rambled. “I’m pathetic, aren’t I.."
Mizuki couldn’t suppress their laughter. “You know, I expected you to forget how to function when one of you confessed, but I didn’t expect you to cry-! I mean, I guess you don’t seem like the type to express that type of emotion so outwardly,” they admitted. “I have to say I was shocked too. I tried to get myself to just stop, but he kind of noticed and told me I shouldn’t push away my feelings like that..” the second year admitted.
“You know, if he keeps up with you on that, that’ll help a lot. I think a lot of your problems nowadays that aren’t school come from bottling up everything until it inevitably comes and kicks you to a new low.”
“..Point taken,” Rui eventually admitted, spinning a wrench.
~
Rui had intended on making his lover a gift, but the text that he got at around ten convinced him maybe he could try to be a little better with his habits.
<Good night! I love you, do actually sleep, alright? See you in the morning!! <3>
Rui hadn’t gotten ready for a proper rest so fast in maybe his entire life. Suzume and Hibiki, —cuddling in each other's arms— noticed. His father couldn’t help but laugh a little. “What’s up with him today?” Rui’s mother asked. “Hm.. I’d tell you, but I don’t want to spoil the sentiment. I’ll wait until the end of today to see if he says anything,” her lover replied, snuggling a little more against his wife.
“Did you work at the greenhouse today..? You’re warm..” Suzume mumbled, sleep definitely taking over his thinking. The taller laughed —that soft, sweet laugh that captivated her husband any time he heard it.— "Well, you’d be correct, hun. I’ll be working in that district this entire week,” Hibiki replied, moving her hand to run it through her husband’s hair. Suzume buried his head against his lover's upper back, before relaxing again and closing his eyes.
“Trust me, you’ll love the news. One hint, it’s about Tsukasa.”
~
The next day, Rui found himself waking up early with a newfound excitement, specifically a desire to see Tsukasa again. The director ended up opening the door right as Nene was about to knock just after taking the granola bar Hibiki offered with such haste that left her frozen in place. “Good morning, Nene! How was your morning?” Rui asked, shutting the door and locking it. “um.. good..? Did something happen?” she asked, a bit confused by Rui’s actions. “A lot, actually,” the taller admitted, closing the door, and walking down to the street, Nene following suit. “So.. what is it?” she asked, stepping a little in front of the director, who stopped dead in his tracks. He spent a few seconds trying to figure out how to ease into the statement, but finally decided if there was anyone to be blunt with, it was Nene. “Tsukasa kissed me!” he blurted out, face turning bright red. Nene swiveled around to stare at Rui dead in the eyes. “He what?” she exclaimed, obviously shocked. “Yesterday! He confessed, and he kissed me-! I might have cried, but we’re a thing now. I told Mizuki last night,” he rambled on, burying his face in his hands. The diva blinked at her neighbor a good five times before finally speaking. “ How many times have I told you?” she stated, crossing her arms. “A lot, but that’s unimpo-”
“How many times have you told me “I’m sure I’d know if he liked me back, Nene!” with a straight face?”
Rui sighed. “Easily a hundred.. I get it, okay? I know what you’re saying,” he responded, rolling his eyes. “I only think you do because that blond idiot got the courage to say something, you doofus!” she pointed out, before the director sighed and walked up to the crosswalk. “Well it’s in the past now, I want to go see my boyfriend!”
Rui’s recently regained calm expression did not survive his statement.
The highschooler had raised his hand to his mouth, stopping to think. “He’s my.. Boyfriend. I’m his boyfriend, we’re- I’m-”
The director looked like he had exploded, bright read and hand lightly shaking.
“Stop your gushing and get a move on, cars are waiting!” called out Nene’s voice, taking his hand and practically dragging him the rest of the way to school.
~
Tsukasa had waited exactly where Rui always walked in, the tint of pink on his cheeks deepening as he saw the director look up, and desperately pull away from Nene’s grip so he could run up and hug his lover. “How did you sleep last night?” the taller asked, after the two pulled away. “Honestly, quite well. I did actually use my bed this time,” he replied, sheepishly adding the end comment. Tsukasa stood up tall and kissed his lover’s forehead. "That's good! Do that more than once and you'll find yourself actually functional in the mornings!" he replied. The taller couldn't resist the flush on his face that formed from the simple display of affection. “Hm, you’re easier to kiss when you’re sitting,” The shorter commented, causing Rui to turn a peculiar shade of red. To be fair, Tsukasa hadn’t gone unaffected either, flushing a bit, and looking away. “I- I mean like- you're- I'm- height-” the shorter gave up, simply hugging his lover. Nene was staring at the two, face contorted into one of disgust, but anyone could see the relief in her eyes. Eventually, the diva walked off to her classes, and Rui pulled just far enough away from the hug to sit down and lean a little on his lover.
The director didn’t expect himself to not be clingy. It had always taken all of his sheer willpower to keep himself from constantly staying close to the blond, but he also didn’t expect to feel like this. Every touch felt like it burned for just a split second before it melted into the most addicting sensation.
Maybe it was how few people were close enough to hug Rui. He really didn’t let Mizuki hug him unless he was at a low where all he needed was comfort, and couldn’t stop himself from yearning for it. The taller had firsthand experience as to why he didn’t like being encased in other people’s touch. The moment he got that feeling, his mind became attached to it and the person along with. When they eventually left, the feeling would bring him to new and interesting lows he felt like he’d never leave.
Rui let himself give up on that fear yesterday, and the results were how much he longed for Tsukasa to never not be near him. The blond had moved his hand to Rui’s hair, combing through the tangles and small knots. “I’m glad you slept, I’ll admit you were starting to look a bit tired,” he stated. The director shrugged, sheepish. “I might have not slept if you hadn’t texted, I was kind of busy-” Rui cut himself off, face a shade of pink after having just calmed down. “Why am I even surprised…” Tsukasa grumbled, but there was no bite to the statement.
~
For a few months, they didn’t advance too much past cuddling and kisses, or going on little dates here and there. Their date that day was the first time they’d slept over at Rui’s house, but nothing new occurred, though Rui’s parents were home, and didn’t miss any opportunities to tease, while still taking care of their guest. The two were wrapped in each other's arms, watching shows and analyzing them together. They had gotten done watching a play, and Rui had already written down the script that he assumed the actors had to go from. The taller was quite skilled at predicting scripts.
“I think that we could make this fit our upcoming play.. The theme of home being a person, multiple people, or even a place you find your utmost comfort in being more important than one might imagine works quite well in tandem with our own theme,” the taller explained sitting up a little to read through the notes he’d added. Tsukasa sat up, wrapping his arms around Rui and reading through the paper.
The director didn’t have the best handwriting, and some days it was downright unintelligible to anyone except himself. He had gotten that trait from his mother. That day was one of the times his characters were sloppy and most definitely not neat, as one would expect from someone like the younger. “..And I’ll ask the same question I’ve asked so many times.. How do you even read that..?” Tsukasa mumbled, though the comment was filled with affection. “Ah.. it’s that bad today?” his lover asked, and the shorter simply nodded. Hibiki sighed. “I was really hoping you’d take after your father on that one..” she stated, a laugh lining her voice. “To be fair, if he completely took after you, his writing would never be readable, so don’t beat yourself up about it too much,” Suzume replied from the kitchen, working on a small snack for the four. Rui laughed, flipping through his papers. “Hm.. I guess they all look just fine to me.. I suppose I’ll have to type it out later tonight,” he replied, and Tsukasa nodded, before stopping. “While yes, I would be grateful for you to do that, it’s going to wait until tomorrow, after you’ve slept,” he explained. The taller pouted, looking back to his lover. “I’ll still sleep, silly, it’ll just be a moment,” he tried to defend, but Tsukasa simply shut the director up with a kiss, before pulling away to talk again. “No, you’re getting all the sleep your body needs,” he stated, leaving no room for debate. Hibiki smiled, her son’s troupe leader and boyfriend was truly perfect for him. The blond knew exactly how to get the taller to cave, but he never used that to his advantage.
~
“I have to admit, those two remind me of us when we were their age..” Rui’s mother stated, a few hours later, cuddling with her husband in their bed. She wasn’t quite ready to drift off just yet, wanting to relish the feeling of being in her lover’s hold for as long as she could, even if Hibiki knew she’d wake up in a similar position, if not the same one. “Now that you mention it, they really do.. I guess kisses shutting the other up won’t be something that’s just us anymore..” the shorter replied, bringing his hand up to comb through her hair, let down from her ponytail for the first time that day. The biologist smiled, melting into the touch. “To be fair, he is our kid.. I’m not surprised he picked up some of our traits.. Maybe I just didn’t expect as many actions between those two to be so familiar,” she replied, closing her eyes. “I’m glad Rui found someone so perfect for him.. After all this time, it’s good to see him by the side of someone who quite clearly has no intentions of leaving, under any circumstances..” Suzume added, kissing the top of his wife’s head. Just like we found each other..” Hibiki replied, moving to look at her lover.
With most people, more specifically, with everyone except Suzume, the biologist hated eye contact with a passion, yet when her husband stepped into her life, she couldn’t help but get lost in his features, eyes a subtle hazel, hair ever so slightly curly, especially when the shorter got a haircut.
Something about the engineer truly flipped something in Hibiki, in so many ways. She knew Suzume had saved her from herself, before something drastic could happen, but even past that, the unbridled affection she felt for him was enough to rewrite her brain. The taller wondered if Rui felt that way about Tsukasa.
Knowing her son, Hibiki made the fair assumption he did.
~
She was right.
Something about Tsukasa’s words made praise seem more believable, he truly felt like he might be good enough to stand alongside his troupe, and anytime that understanding slipped, his boyfriend would make extra efforts to explain how Rui was helping, considering the director couldn’t see it himself.
Rui was curled up into Tsukasa’s arms, the shorter already asleep and snoring. The noise, contrary to what the taller expected when he realized his lover was a loud sleeper, helped calm him down. It reminded him that he wasn’t alone, that he had his people. They genuinely and unashamedly enjoyed his shows. They enjoyed his works, and they most importantly enjoyed Rui himself.
Sometimes, in the early stages of the troupe, Rui forgot they were friends. The director knew they cared about them, and he cared so much as well, but he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that he could be seen as a friend to anyone other than Mizuki or Nene. Eventually, it started to rub in that above all else, Tsukasa, Emu, and Nene were his friends above all else. Before he knew it, he realized why the blond had felt so different, why the director was picky and wanted Tsukasa’s guiding light, even if he happily accepted the others’. Only shortly after he grasped the understanding of being a friend to many, Rui had the Tenma Tsukasa, the boy who saved him, as a lover, someone who the taller had eventually dumped all his trust into.
The purple-haired boy knew he’d do anything for his lover. He was lucky that taking advantage of Rui never slipped across the blond’s mind.
Snapping him out of his thoughts, Rui felt Tsukasa’s grip grow tighter, and the taller snuggled into the feeling. The new position was much easier to sleep in. Maybe it was because his bed was, at the moment, just Tsukasa.
Kamishiro Rui had truly won the lottery with his dearest star.