Archive of Our Own

“Good work today, everyone! See ya later!”

The Sons of Calydon filed out of the entrance after another successful show, waving goodbye to the live house owner. Lighter hoisted the guitar bag on his shoulder, stretching his body after a long night.

Caesar came up to him with a hard pat on his shoulder, grinning.

“Come on, it’s after-party time!” She exclaimed excitedly, “We got paid so let’s go drinking!”

Burnice was already bouncing around as she tugged Lucy and Piper, ready to celebrate another show when she noticed someone by the steps to the live house, stopping in her tracks.

The others stop as well, Lighter following their line of sight till he sees a familiar figure leaning against a wall, fiddling with something between his fingers. Strands of his silver hair glow around the edges, reflecting the bright neon lights from the streets beyond the stairs. His eyes, however, appear distracted, staring at whatever he was holding before he finally notices there was company.

Wise smiles casually and waves at them.

“Hey.” He greets, but Lighter picks up something off in his tone, “Got a minute?”

The girls, thinking nothing of it, just greet Wise happily as they pass by him and teasing Lighter along the way. They ran off to their usual after-show hangout spot, letting him know they were heading off first.

Once they were gone, Lighter approaches the lone man, concerned.

“What’s up, babe?” He asks, entwining their hands together.

Wise opens his mouth but hesitates, pausing before closing it back and shaking his head, “Nothing.” He answers, smiling, “I just wanted to see you.”

Lighter blinks then smiles back, bringing his hand up to kiss it. He steps closer till he has Wise trapped, an arm resting against the wall beside his head when Lighter leans down to kiss him.

Humming, Wise flutters his eyes shut and kisses him back.

There was a tinge of desperation in the younger man, seeking his warm lips with a pull of his leather jacket. Lighter complies, letting go of his hand to tilt his head up, pushing his tongue inside.

Thin and delicate arms wrap around his neck, pulling him down further. It didn’t matter if they were making out right by the stairs of the live house, people whispering as they exited the premises and passed by them in hushed whispers before taking out their umbrellas; Lighter only cared about the warm body in his arm, seeking his touches after what might have been a long while once he realized it.

As they pulled away, panting heavily and foreheads pressed together, Wise brought his hand down to touch his lips. Lighter kissed his finger tips, giving each one love and attention.

“Are you… busy later?” Wise softly asks.

Lighter briefly paused, frowning as he eventually nodded, “Yeah, Lucy wants to discuss some stuff with the band.”

“Oh.” Wise tried not to appear down but it clearly showed, “Then I guess tomorrow…?”

Again, he nods, “Busy. Rehearsals and stuff.”

Wise looked down, clutching the front of his leather jacket, “I see.”

There was an awkward mood, something that was becoming more of an occurrence between them lately. Lighter knew it had been a while since they last went out, only ever seeing each other in passing or whenever Wise went to watch his band perform. As they became more popular, finding the free time to go on dates and to see each other became scant.

All the missed calls and unanswered text messages, the apologies for postponing dates, the distance that had formed.

Lighter wanted to make up for them, for Wise. But finding the time was near impossible.

It was Wise who eventually lifted his head, hands shaking as he took a deep breath.

“Lighter.” He starts, voice shaky.

The grip on the front of his jacket was tight, silver strands swaying as it fell over his face when he shook his head, words suddenly becoming heavy when he ended up hiding into Lighter’s chest.

His body trembled, the sounds of quiet sniffles heard.

“Wise—”

“Let’s end this.”

Lighter froze, eyes widened.

“What…?”

When Wise finally lifted his head again, tears pool in the corner of his eyes, only pain reflected in the ocean color he always loved.

“I can’t… do this, Lighter.” He cries, broken, “I-I never see you anymore…!”

Had they really gone this long without ever seeing each other?

Lighter wasn’t sure; all he knew right now was he needed to wipe those tears away, he needed to make things right. His hands held warm cheeks, the tears slipping through the cracks of his fingers as he begs and pleads.

“Wise, no—!” Lighter begs for him, his own tears threatening to spill, “Please, you know I love you!”

“Then where are you?!” Wise shoots back, bitterness seeping out.

This left the man speechless, unable to answer him. It was clear to him now that the frustration and stress had been bubbling up inside for a long time, only that he hadn’t noticed them until it was too late. Lighter had no rebuttal for him, silent.

“I-It’s so hard to get ahold of you now!” He sobs, tears streaming down his face, “I feel like I-I don’t know you anymore! I try but you’re just… not here!”

“Do you… do you even miss me?”

Wise only shook his head after asking that, hands soon slack as he let go of the jacket.

“I’m done.”

His words were final, tearfully pushing something to Lighter’s hand then turned away to leave.

For a moment, Wise stops though keeps his back to him.

“Goodbye, Lighter.”

And the young man runs off into the rain.

Now he was left by himself, his heart in pieces. In his hand was the ring he had given Wise on their first anniversary, the chain dangling off his palm since his silver-haired lover would wear it around his neck instead of his finger.

I, Lighter, promise you forever.

The inscription written inside rings hollow, only the sound of the rain pelting the streets could be heard as he stands still.

Lighter was now alone.

Gasping, Lighter woke up in cold sweat as he sat up in bed, head aching after another night of binge drinking.

He groans in pain, holding his head. What was making it worse was the sounds of loud knocks and incessant doorbell ringing, forcing him to slink out of bed and wobble over to his door, throwing it open.

“What?” He snapped, but soon sighed when he saw it was just Lucy and Caesar.

The two of them gave him concerned looks, though Lucy quickly covered herself and huffed like she always did.

“Finally, you answered!” She crossed her arms, glaring at him, “Did you forget? We were supposed to meet up two hours ago!”

Caesar tried to calm the small girl down, a hand on her shoulder. Lucy huffed again, indignant but it was clear she was only putting up an act of normalcy, if to make sure their guitarist and vocalist functioned well enough without them adding stress to his already fragile state.

Lighter ran his fingers through his hair, “Sorry.” He mumbled, walking back inside his mess of an apartment.

With his back turned, the girls glanced at each other in worry before following behind him.

It had become their new routine to basically clean him up and bring him everywhere with them, especially with them living the closest to him. They had even stopped him from driving his bike now, the man often being too inebriated for him to be able to safely drive himself.

“Lighter…” Caesar called, carefully stepping over the cans of beer as she pushed him to freshen up in the bathroom, “Don’t you think maybe it’s time to move on?”

“I have moved on.” Lighter responded, his voice monotone.

“Lighter, it’s been months.” Lucy leaned against the doorframe, blonde hair falling over her shoulder as she shook her head at him, “You’ve only gotten worse since he broke up with you and blocked you everywhere!” The girl approached him, manicured finger poking his chest, “I get that you’re heartbroken and all, but there’s better ways to deal with it than… whatever this is!”

“What Lucy means is,” Caesar quickly interjected, cutting between the two, “that we’re worried about you, Champ.”

The band leader looks at him through the bathroom mirror; his face pale and unkempt, hair messy and eyes almost bloodshot. It was only by luck he had always worn sunglasses and a scarf, so no one usually noticed unless they paid close enough attention which people never did thankfully.

She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, smiling carefully, “I know there’s nothing we can say to make you feel better, but we don’t like to see you waste away like this either.”

Lighter felt a twinge of guilt, knowing he had been troubling his band — his family — for quite some time now.

They had been patient with him ever since he broke the news to them; of Wise finally deciding to end their relationship. That he knew everything had been his own fault in not finding time for the person he loved, the person who supported him when they were still just a small unknown little band.

The nights they spent together when Lighter would write silly little songs and Wise would listen to him sing, cuddled to his side as they shared a blanket to keep each other warm. How proud he would be whenever he sees Lighter on stage, living his dream. When Wise cheered the loudest when they landed their first big gig.

All the memories of when Wise would kiss him good luck before every show.

It all comes crashing down on him, a hand over his face as he silently cries and mourns the loss in his heart. Caesar quickly brings him in for a hug, Lucy patting his arm with a soft expression.

“We’re here, okay?” The leader assures him, “You still have us, no matter what. Me, Lucy, Burnice and Piper are always here.”

In their arms, he wept for what’s now gone.

The live house was bumping with activity, a mess of bodies jumping in tandem to the music and colorful flashing lights circling the crowd. The Sons of Calydon had already played their set earlier, the girls now chatting with the fans and signing autographs.

Lighter, however, avoided the spotlight, choosing to stay at the very back and far away from the pit. His fingers fiddled with the chain around his neck, rings glinting under the bright lights as he leaned back against the wall.

“Well, well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” A booming voice calls jovially.

Glancing up, Lighter relaxes himself when he sees Big Daddy approaching him, shooting him a small smile.

“Hey, Big Daddy. Nice place, as always.”

The big man laughs, standing beside him and watching over the band currently playing.

“You’re looking better.” He notes, voice now gentle, “Last time I saw you, it was almost like death was at your door.”

Lighter shrugs, his eyes over at the girls still with their fans, “Just had a few helping hands, that’s all.”

His heart softened when he remembered the girls helping him finally pick himself up again, cleaning up his disheveled appearance and the mess that was his home. They never complained, not even Lucy, when they came over to help straighten his life out after his relationship ended. Getting him back into shape and start focusing on being more productive with his life after everything.

The nights got a little less lonely once they started coming over to have dinner at his place more often and play video games, even though all of them sucked at it. The little things they did to brighten his life, to keep him company.

Even so, once he was in bed and everyone left for slumber, his thoughts would drift to the love in his heart.

The ache never truly left, not really. But he got better at handling it, for his girls, his family.

Big Daddy could see it in his eyes and smiled, patting him on the shoulder.

“You’re in good hands.”

Lighter chuckles, “I sure do.”

The live house boss soon left him to attend to other business, letting him know there was a free drink in his name at the bar before leaving. Taking him up on his offer, Lighter walked over to the counter, choosing something non-alcoholic since he was done with the unhealthy binge drinking.

Waiting for the bartender with his drink, Lighter stared off into space, back to fiddling with the rings again.

It was his most important memento, something he would always keep close to him even if his other half no longer existed by his side. Now he treated it like a good luck charm, since no longer will he receive those tender kisses anymore, instead giving the rings a kiss before every performance.

Lighter felt it was as if he was there, even for a brief moment, telling him everything will be fine.

“Bartender, can I get a soda please~?” Someone pipes up beside him.

His eyes widened when he saw who it was, with her bouncy dark blue hair and familiar orange hair clip.

“Belle?” He calls, incredulous.

The girl beside him turned her head at her name, equally shocked to see who it was then visibly cringed, the bridge of her nose wrinkling and her eyes narrowed.

“Shit.” She hissed, “Lighter.”

That did not sound good to him.

Obviously, he already knew he had hurt Wise and knowing how close the siblings were, there was no chance in hell that Belle didn’t already know how everything went down between them.

It more so surprised him that he never received any sort of message from her after the break up, with her always being the more temperamental one of the two. He chalked it up to Wise being his possible saving grace in keeping her from going haywire, but that luck has definitely run out since she was here in front of him.

Belle audibly groaned, flopping herself on the counter.

“Of all the people to run into, it had to be you!” She whined.

Lighter was equally uncomfortable, suddenly meeting the sister of the guy he had dated, “I-I mean, the band was part of the setlist tonight…” He trailed off, awkward.

That made her groan even more, hands on her face.

“Damn it, really? I must have missed it when I saw the post, ugh!”

Clearly, she had grown a distaste for him in the months that followed. Of course she would, not after he had hurt her beloved brother so badly.

Still, part of him was curious, even if he didn’t deserve to know.

“How have you… been?” He cringed at himself, his tone shaky and off.

Belle peeked at him between her fingers, glaring.

“You mean how has Wise been.” She called him out.

That sent a stab straight to his chest, unable to hide the curiosity bubbling inside since she was here right now.

“Okay, fine.” He sighs, resigned, “How… is he?”

“Total shit.“ Belle says bluntly.

“It’s like living with a zombie.” The girl continues, standing up properly to lean on the counter, fingers tapping on top of her other hand, “Pretending like he’s fine but then cries himself to sleep every night.”

“Belle, I’m sor—”

“Don’t you dare apologize to me!” She snapped at him.

Lighter winced, shutting his mouth tight.

“I’m not the one you should be saying sorry to!” Her voice shouted at him, hands turning into fists, shaking in anger, “My brother had his heart broken by you!” She took a step closer to him, poking at his chest, “And what I hate the most is he tries to act strong in front of me, telling me to go have fun with my friends while he’s home alone suffering!”

Belle trembles, soon taking a deep breath to calm herself down and lets it out with a shaky release, looking down at the floor.

Lighter tries to reach out, to try to comfort her but retracts his hand, putting it back down.

“But what’s even worse is knowing I can’t do anything about it.”

Her hands clench the bottom of her skirt, frustrated.

“I’m still his helpless little sister.”

The guilt and pain comes back to bite him, hard. Crawls up from where he had pushed it down, reminding him of what had happened that one fateful day. How Wise did come to look for him, waited for him, to at least find a reason to see him.

Maybe he was also trying to find a reason to keep seeing him.

Yet Lighter remained ignorant, having squandered that last chance Wise had given him. If he had only paid closer attention.

The bartender placed their respective drinks down, eyeing them both closely. Lighter had almost forgotten they were still in a public space, some curious eyes nearby peeking at the little scene they were causing.

Belle recovered quickly, taking her drink as she left him as sudden as she came.

She had said all that she needed to say, not wanting to be in his space any longer, disappearing into the crowd until he could no longer see her distinct blue hair.

Lighter fucked everything up badly, torn at the revelation he had messed Wise up so badly. How he wished he could run to him, to comfort him and be right by his side, to tell him how much he truly did love him.

As he leans on the counter, head down on the cool surface, he wished he was a better man.

It was sometime during the late afternoon, Lighter was sitting on the floor of the rented studio room the band often practiced in, guitar in hand as he strummed a few notes.

Pieces of paper were scattered around him, filled with musical notes and scribbled out lyrics.

Ever since he had run into Belle at the live house, thoughts swirled in his mind, keeping him occupied.

It had become noisy enough that he needed an outlet, the girls encouraging him to always put any negative energy into being productive for his mental health.

So he began writing songs, just random notes here and there, nothing concrete yet. There was a melody in mind, only needing that final stroke of inspiration.

“How goes the writin’, Champ?” Piper pops in, placing down a plastic bag of take-outs for both of them.

Lighter thanks her with a grateful smile, then keeps on strumming his guitar.

“Gettin’ there. Slowly.”

Piper lazily yawned, patting him on the head.

“Aww, you’ll get there, big guy.” She assured him, “Any idea what direction ya goin’ for?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know, was thinking something a little nostalgic. Retro, even.”

The petite girl hummed, taking out her food to eat, blatantly ignoring the ‘No Eating’ sign right above her head. She never did care for the rules here.

“Retro, huh?” She picked at her food, twirling her fork around, “Then make it a love song.”

“A love song?” Lighter raised an eyebrow.

Piper glanced at him from the corner of her eyes, a twinkle in them as she smiled lazily, “Yeah, a love song.”

Recognizing that look of hers, she was always good at figuring everyone out without having to spell it out, gently nudging him yet letting him figure things out on his own.

Still, insecurity has its hold in him, asking him if it was a good idea to do so when he had no right to yearn. His strumming comes to a slow halt, frowning.

“But what if…” He trails off, picking up a music sheet, “What if it doesn’t work out, Piper? What then?”

She shrugs at him, eating her lunch.

“Ya won’t know till ya try.”

She swallows her meal, waving her plastic fork around, “No use thinkin’ bout the what-ifs, Champ. Either ya do it or ya don’t.”

“But,” Piper points her fork at him, “whatever choice ya decide to go with, make sure it’s one ya won’t regret.”

With that, the blonde girl goes back to eating her lunch, leaving Lighter to contemplate on her words.

There was so much he wanted to say, so much he had left unsaid. Everything he felt from when they first met that one exciting night, finding out they had crushes on each other to finally going out, celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, their first night together when they became one, the promise made to one day get married.

The rings hanging on his neck clink together, picking up the larger band that belonged to himself.

I, Wise, am eternally yours.

It was something Wise had decided when Lighter first gave him the ring, letting him decide on what to inscribe inside the band. It didn’t take long for him to make the decision, especially after seeing what Lighter had written on his ring.

Lighter remembered how beautiful his smile was that day, beyond happy over their matching rings. Even though he didn’t wear it on his finger and instead wore it as a necklace, his reasoning for it had always left Lighter feeling warm.

“This way, the ring is closer to my heart!” Wise had told him, placing a hand on Lighter’s chest and smiling at him, “You’ll always be near and dear to me, Lighter. Right where you are.”

It was just like him to find such a way to make Lighter fall more and more in love with him. Having such a hold on his heart that even now, months later, Lighter still couldn’t forget him. How no one could hold a candle to how amazing Wise was, someone so intelligent and beautiful and downright amazing. Someone so brilliant that Lighter couldn’t understand why such a wonderful person had chosen to date him, practically a downtrodden loser when they had first met.

Yet, he did.

Wise chose him, loved him, gave him his heart and body, poured his soul out and nourished him with kindness.

And Lighter, one way or another, wanted to repay that kindness. To show him how serious he was in his love.

That it had been a mistake for Lighter to have let go someone like him.

So he took his pen and began writing stuff down on the music sheets, plucking the strings of his guitar and humming to an evolving tune. All while Piper watches over him, sighing in relief at seeing him finally start to figure things out for himself.

Even when the other girls come trickling back in from their own lunches, seeing Lighter so serious in writing, Piper only puts a finger up to her lips as to not disturb their band member too much.

And when he finally showed them his progress, filling himself up with the now cold take-out Piper had got him earlier, the girls could only sigh and smile at their bandmate, their brother figure.

“Need help figuring out the beat, Lighter~?” Burnice piped up, twirling her drumsticks between her fingers.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Lighter nodded, “If you would.”

Seeing his spirit lifting, slowly but surely, despite how uncertain his predicament was, they wanted to support him the best they could. If this was his answer after months of anguish, then they would be there for him, like they promised.

“Hmph, you better know what you’re doing, champ!” Huffed Lucy, turning on her keyboard and adjusting her settings.

Burnice giggled, bringing Lighter down with her arm and pinching his cheek, “That’s why he’s our champion, he won’t back down easily!” She patted the cheek after pinching it, “And it’s a good song, I know he wrote his little heart out for this one and I’m sure it will reach whoever it’s for~!”

Rubbing his face, Lighter watched as the band started discussing the song he had written, figuring out the beat and music, getting his opinions on how he wanted to convey it.

And he can feel Caesar’s hand as she patted his arm, standing beside him with her own guitar ready.

“No matter what.” She reminds him, smiling.

Lighter smiled back, “No matter what.”

“Come on, you two! The song isn’t going to finish writing itself!” Lucy shouted at them, tapping her foot.

The two laughed, Caesar heading over and Lighter right behind her.

“We’re coming, Princess.”

 Burnice

My sources say Belle is the one manning the store today, so there’s your chance!

You can do it, Lighter! Let me know if you need any help~

Lighter read through his messages again for the millionth, gripping the straps of his guitar case tightly. It had taken them a week or two to finish the song he had written, and another while for them to rehearse their new piece.

It was a little different from their usual style, good but different. Something the girls knew was on purpose because it specifically matched the preferred style of music a certain someone their lead singer was pining for.

A sound that was still their band’s sound but one Lighter wanted to dedicate to someone special, hoping it would reach him.

Which was why he was standing right around the corner from where Random Play was, his mind a jumbled mess. That he had a song ready and a gig to play it for tonight, trying to gather up the courage to approach the video store.

At the very least, he didn’t know if Wise would ever want to see him, so he wanted to at least pass the tickets to Belle, even if she might still hold a grudge against him.

Everything would be up to her at that point, whether to let her brother know or not, or if they would even go.

Either way, daytime was ticking and he needed to make a decision now, before it was too late.

All of this would be for waste if he didn’t approach the store now.

The girls had offered to do it in his place, but he didn’t want that, not wanting to be seen as a coward for needing one of them to pass on the tickets.

Sucking it up, he finally took a step out of the shadows, adjusting the guitar case hanging on his shoulder.

Entering the videotape store, it had been so long since Lighter had been here, the place still the same as ever. Thankfully, no other customers were around either. The only figure inside was a girl behind the counter, the one he was looking for.

“Welcome to Random Play, how may I—” Belle stopped once she raised her head, seeing who it was and glared, “What are you doing here?”

Lighter took in a deep breath, her intense gaze burning a hole into him.

He held up his hands, in some kind of way trying to appear as non-threatening as possible.

“I’m not trying to do any funny business, I’m just—” He quickly rummages through his pocket, taking the two tickets out and carefully walks over to the counter, “I wanted to give both of you this.”

Belle eyes him warily, distrustful of him. She picks up the tickets, seeing where it was for and then flipping to read the back as well.

“A show of yours? Tonight?” She questions.

Lighter nods, “Yes, tonight.” He holds on his guitar straps, staring straight at her, “It’s up to you whether to… come see us perform or not. With him.”

“But… But if you could,” The man stutters, taking another deep breath then exhales, “I would like it if you and him could come. Please.”

Belle studies him, trying to figure out what kind of trick he was hiding up his sleeve. There was nothing else he could do beyond this point, all of it up to her hands whether to dispose of the tickets or not.

“Why are you still so hung up over him?” Belle asks him, “You stopped visiting after everything and he even has you blocked on his phone. So why now? Why come now?”

She was right. Lighter never came to see him again and knew he was blocked, his messages remain unsent due to it.

But even so, his visage remained in his heart.

“Because I still love him, Belle.”

Lighter raised his head, eyes determined.

“I’m still in love with Wise.”

Her eyes widened, unblinking. For him to declare it so readily, without hesitating or stuttering. Voice confident despite how shaky it was when he first walked in earlier.

If there was at least one thing he was sure of, it’s that he would always be in love with Wise.

“I miss him everyday, how I could’ve made more time for him, the last thing I ever wanted was to make him cry.” Shifting his feet, the rings around his neck clinking together as Belle noticed it, “I know I don’t deserve his forgiveness nor yours, and that I messed up so fucking badly. But even so,” He tried to not tear up, not to choke, “I love him, and I want to make things right.”

With a sigh, he turns and heads over towards the exit.

“Just, please consider it.” Lighter opens the door, glancing back at her, “Even for just one last time.”

And then he leaves.

Once he was gone, Belle sighs, turning towards the stairs.

“What do you wanna do, Wise?” She calls out, waving the tickets in her hands.

Beyond the stair landing, hiding away just around the corner with his back to the wall and hands tucked behind him, Wise pursed his lips.

“...”

As always, the live house was filled to the brim with people waiting expectantly for the performances, mingling amongst each other as they discussed which band they were there for.

The Sons of Calydon were in their waiting room, relaxing since they weren’t the opening act or anything, being further down the setlist as a popular veteran band, a far cry from their nervousness when they first started out.

Of course, everyone was relaxing except for Lighter, nervously strumming his guitar but it eventually drove Lucy crazy, enough to click her tongue at him.

“It’s now or never, loverboy! Can you man up already?! This is unbecoming of you!” She hissed at him like a ferocious animal, hands on her hips.

“We practiced so many times and everything went well with rehearsal earlier, so can you just put that guitar down and start doing your vocal warm-ups already?!”

She threw her hands up at him, never one to let sudden insecurity get a hold of her and even punched him on the shoulder.

Lucy may not be as strong as Caesar or himself, but she had more guts than them which he appreciated a lot right now given his nerves.

“I could always whip ya up somethin’ yums to help with the jitters~!” Burnice suggested with a wink.

“No.” Everyone responded immediately.

As she pouted at them for not letting her have any fun, Lighter slipped out of their waiting room, heading over to the staircase and get some fresh air up on the rooftop. He can do his vocal warm-ups here and have some alone time; he knew when it was their moment to get up on stage, texting Caesar where he was too, just in case.

Once outside, he was greeted with the brightly lit neon signs and flashing lights, a mix of store jingles and drunk laughter colors the sounds of the street. Cars drove past in the distance, separated by the ocean just between the street he was on and the roads there.

It calmed his mind, staring at the moon reflected in the wavering waters, surrounded by the glitz and glamour of city nightlife.

Clearing his throat, he started warming up.

Somehow, it reminded him of a time when he and Wise had been dating for a while. They were relaxing in his apartment, Lighter with his guitar on the bed and Wise sitting on the floor, arms resting on the soft mattress with his head laid down, gazing at him.

“You have such a nice voice, Lighter.” Wise had complimented him, having been listening to him sing, “I know one day everyone will appreciate it more.”

Lighter had laughed, amused, “That so, sweetheart?”

“Of course!” He exclaims, giggling, “I’m your number one fan and your boyfriend!”

Wise would get up from the floor and crawl over to him in bed, cupping his cheeks gently and a smile so sweet, so tender. His lips pressed to Lighter’s forehead, soothing him.

“You’ll do great, Lighter. I believe in you.”

The memory was one he kept close to his heart, smiling as he reminisced. Something that motivated him when he felt down, remembering how Wise had truly believed he would get his big break, that the band would make it big.

And he did. He made it. All because he had the encouragement of the one person who believed in him the most. Truly and sincerely.

Lighter stayed on the rooftop, lost in his thoughts when he heard the notifications coming from his phone, checking his lock screen to see the girls calling for him to come down and get ready.

With a sigh, he gets up from where he sat and heads back downstairs.

Music blared loudly from the stage, guessing much time had passed while he was lost in his musing. He passed by the live house staff members and other bands performing, greeting some familiar faces before finally reaching the waiting room. Opening the door, everyone else had already gotten ready, quickly ushering him inside to also prepare.

“Ya ready, Champ?” Caesar asks, passing him his outfit.

Lighter took a deep breath, “Ready as I’ll ever be, boss.”

The girls patted his back as they passed by him, letting him get changed and closed the door behind them for privacy.

It was now or never, not even certain if Wise and Belle would be coming, if Wise even wanted to come see him. But it was too late now, all left up to fate while he took off his shirt. Wise was all he could think of, taking up all the space in his mind, all the love he had within him.

Whether or not they see each other, maybe it could at least be the closure they seek.

Stepping out of the waiting room and rejoining his band, they watched the current band performing their last song for the night, the crowds cheering. Burnice couldn’t help herself as she tried to peek into the sea of people, humming worriedly when she turned to the rest.

“It’s a little too dark to see!” She exclaimed, her high heels clacking on the floor backstage.

Lucy sighed, “Of course it’s dark, Burnice. It’s not exactly easy to see anything with all these bright lights on our faces.”

Caesar and Piper had also been trying to take a peek but to no avail, shaking their heads.

“I can’t tell if they came or not.” Caesar shot him an apologetic look, “You gonna be okay, Lighter?”

The current band ended their performance with a bow, waving at the cheering crowds as they ran backstage, wishing the Sons of Calydon good luck in passing.

Lighter held the rings in his hand tightly, nodding at Caesar.

“Yeah, let’s go.”

This was what everything had been leading up to, and whatever happens, Lighter won’t regret making this decision with everyone’s support and encouragement. That he was here, alive, picking up the pieces and hoping that it would eventually lead him back to the arms of the person he wished for the most.

The stage was dark, giving them time to prepare. The sound of guitars strumming and drums banging, a jingle off a keyboard, the little silly quips between them.

The whispers of an audience anticipating them, a few louder fans cheering their names in excitement.

In the mess of shuffling feets and sweaty bodies, a feminine voice rings out.

“We’re here!”

Lighter lifts his head as soon as the lights come on, hearing the voice loud and clear. His eyes quickly skimmed through the throng of people, shrieking and squealing to see them. He continued to search, heart pounding against his chest, hoping he hadn’t just imagined it.

“In the back!” Caesar whispered to him excitedly, pointing in a specific direction.

When Lighter followed her trail of sight, his dark green eyes widened, the unmistakable silver hair glimmering in the stage lights and eyes the color of the calm sea, staring right back at him in equal surprise. This was the first time in a long time Lighter had seen him, clutching the rings in his hand tightly and kissing it before he took a deep breath and exhaled.

Wise still looked so beautiful, even in the dim atmosphere of the live house. It was hard not to notice him, despite how he tried to hide at the very back with his sister.

How Lighter wanted to just run off stage and hold him again, kiss him, sing his heart out.

The love of his life was here.

His muse.

“Are you guys ready for the Sons of Calydon?!” Caesar shouts into her mic, a quick riff on her guitar to pump up the fans.

“Let me hear you ROAR!”

The crowd was sufficiently excited, jumping for joy and clapping their hands. The band leader nodded at Lighter.

Lighter nodded back, holding the mic in front of him, “Please stick around till the very end.” He says but unbeknownst to the audience, his eyes were trained specifically to Wise in particular, almost pleading, “We have a special song just for you.”

Burnice kicks things off with the drums, setting the pace for their first song, a popular crowd pleaser. It drove people wild whenever they performed, their songs always a mixed bag of unexpected twists and surprises, never knowing what kind of song they would get.

That was their band; volatile and unpredictable. Filled with exuberant energy and endless potential.

As they played through their songs, Lighter could feel it build in his heart, all the trepidation and anticipation. His sights lingering for far too long on Wise at times, all the way until it was finally the last piece.

“Did you enjoy the show so far?” Lighter asks into the mic, the fans responding enthusiastically.

He laughs airily, strumming absentmindedly on his guitar.

“Glad to know.” The man twists the knobs on his guitar, adjusting his wires, “Our next and final song is a new one, something I wrote with the help of my girls here.”

His band members smiled at him, a quick ‘you the man, Lighter!’ from Burnice which got a couple laughs from people and a shake of his head.

“It’s very different from what we usually play but,” When his sights meet with teal ones, the way it sparkles in the colorful stage lights, Lighter was determined to set things right, “I hope it reaches you.”

The lights darken, the space suddenly quiet. With one final breath, backed with the sounds of a smooth keyboard and low hum of a bass guitar, Lighter sings.

A love song, nostalgic and longing, written with the heart on his sleeve.

A sound unlike his own but one he was familiar with.

One he wanted to sing for him the most.

At the very back, being the wallflower he was, Wise witnessed the performance with a hand over his lips. His heart clenching, threatening to break free from the confines of his chest, the tears swirling within his eyes and pooling at the corners. The way his body wanted to just run over there already, to reach out at Lighter, to be in his arms again.

To see the man he had been in love with sing his heart out, pouring all his feelings into the song.

Their broken hearts in pieces, yet never forgetting each other.

Belle stood beside him, watching his reaction and saw how the two of them would never be able to live without the other. The heart wants what it wants, even if they tried to avoid it as best they could.

“I—” He chokes back a sob, wiping his tears away, “I’m sorry, Belle. I-I have to go!”

“Huh? Wise—!”

Wise slips away from her hands, reaching out for him as he slips between bodies, disappearing.

“Wise!”

Lighter raises his head at the name right as the song ends, eyes where Wise had been only to see he was gone. Instead, Belle was waving her arms at him and pointing towards the live house entrance, shouting to him about something.

A hand nudges him forward, turning his head to see the girls urging him to go, to chase after him.

“Go! Just go!”

His chest felt tight, wondering what he did in his life to be surrounded by amazing friends. With a quick thanks, he placed down his guitar and jumped off stage, weaving through the surprised shrieks and nodding at Belle as he passed by her.

Running up the stairs and into the streets, with the neon lights reflected in puddles of water, Lighter hastily scans his surroundings.

Desperate, yearning, longing.

He wanted to see him, to see Wise so badly.

Right as he thought it was too late, he saw it in the distance. Silver hair reflecting the colorful nightlife, in pinks and blues, reds and yellows.

“Wise!”

Lighter runs, clumsily bumping into a couple shoulders and trying not to slip on the wet pavement, his boots stomping hard into the ground.

He sees the young man stop, turning back only to see Lighter, the tears in his eyes falling down his flushed cheeks.

“Lighter…?”

Finally, finally, Lighter reaches his hand out, wrapped around a thin wrist and pulls the delicate figure to his arms.

Warmth spread through their bodies, flushed against each other. It had been so long, so damn long since they were together like this. How Lighter could feel the small body in his arms tremble, clutching his shirt tightly in a death grip. Nuzzling into that soft silver hair with his familiar scent of floral and mint, strands spilling between his calloused fingers as he weaves through them and his other arm, wrapped tightly around the thin waist.

“Wise…” He softly, tearfully cries, “I missed you.”

Wise hitched his breath, lightly hiccuping as he tried to not sob but failing, burying into the firm chest he had missed so much.

Eventually, he nods, hands sliding to cling to the back of his jacket.

“L-Lighter—!”

They held onto each other, uncaring of the glances of whispers of the people around them, walking by as they stood in the middle of the streets with its neon city lights and off-tune music, embracing one another.

When they finally pulled away, enough to see their eyes, enough to press their foreheads together, they finally felt whole again.

“Y-You’re here…” Says Wise, a hand caressing Lighter’s cheek.

The older man nods, nuzzling his palm, “Mm, I’m here.”

“This time,” He pulls Wise closer, how those beautiful teal eyes of his widen, “I’m not letting you go. Never again.”

Wise sniffled but his heart felt full, closing his eyes shut.

“Kiss me please.”

Lighter complied, closing the gap between them, slotting into place where it feels so, so right. Where he belongs. Parting those sighing lips, their tongues tasting a mix of salty tears and lemon candy, Lighter wiping those tears away with his thumb as they kissed.

The nightlife could be cold, cruel even. It never cares about the people that come by, only entertains. Only entices.

But even so, these two find home within the brightly colored lights; the reason that had brought them together and also the reason it parted them, only to come back running to each other despite it all. Despite how much time had passed.

As they pulled away, still in tears, they were together again.

Wise notices the rings on his neck, unable to push down the fond smile when he holds it between his fingers.

“You still have the rings.”

“I keep it with me always.”

Lighter explains, “Even when you weren’t here beside me, I kept it. As a good luck charm.”

Wise places a chaste kiss on the rings then to his lips.

“Then, is it okay if…?”

He didn’t need to say it, Lighter taking the chain off his neck and slipped it off the rings. A chuckle bubbled in his throat, red dusting his cheeks as he slipped the ring on Wise’s finger.

“I, Lighter,” He vows, smiling, “promise you forever.”

Even though he cried, Wise laughed as he remembered, admiring the ring on his finger.

The other ring slotted back into Lighter’s finger, with Wise kissing the finger and nuzzling into his palm, calloused and warm.

“I, Wise,” He gazes back from between his eyelashes, soft, “am eternally yours.”

Their fingers intertwine, no more words needed to be said when they lean in to kiss. There was nowhere else they would rather be than in each other’s arms, where everything felt right in the world, how nothing could keep them apart.

They had everything they needed right here.

Packing up their stuff, after another good jam session, Lighter zipped up his guitar case and hoisted it on his shoulder.

“Alright, I’m off.” Lighter waves at them.

Lucy huffs, “Are you going to be busy tomorrow?”

“You know it, Princess.” He grins, closing the studio door behind him.

The other girls chuckle while Lucy rolls her eyes, hands on her hips.

“Busy, he says!” She packed up her keyboard, looping the wires with her hands, “Hmph, just because of everything!”

Though she was acting all indignant, they all knew it was laced with fondness, hardly minding Lighter taking time off from the band more.

“Aww, come on, Lucy~!” Burnice piped up, “He’s just excited, that’s all!”

They knew he had been running around for a while, busy with his plans with Wise. It was almost adorable to see him like this, in a much better place than some time ago 

Said man was now leaving the lobby area when he saw Wise, leaning against the wall as he fiddled with the rings on his finger.

“Wise!” He happily calls for him.

Wise looked up, his face brightening when Lighter was finally done with band practice, running up to him for a hug.

“All done, Lighter?”

The older man nods, placing a kiss on his forehead then his lips.

“Yeah, I’m free now.” He takes Wise’s hand as they both step out of the building, “Did you go meet the florist with Belle?”

“Yep, they said everything should be ready on that date!”

“Awesome, you’re amazing, sweetheart.” Lighter kisses the top of his head, leaving the other in giggles.

Their rings shine, a promise to each other and another for their future. Their old ones — a little worn, a little scuffed — lay below the new pair, with inset gems the color of green forest and blue ocean, twinkling.

As they head somewhere for their date, the music in their hearts sing a song of love, together forever.