Archive of Our Own

Sakura drowned out the background noise of Class 1-1. Nirei seemed to be excited about something to do with the school, Sakura had zoned out before he’d said whatever it was and Suo seemed amused. He had that small smile he always wore, a mere curl of his lips that seemed to speak volumes on his statuesque appearance.

Sakura watched bored, chin rested in the palm of his hand, his other hand rubbed an eraser between his fingers absentmindedly as he waited for the bell to ring for lunch. His gaze wandered back to Suo, the way his eye crinkled as he gave a smile, the tassel of his earring swaying with the slight movement of his head. His hair seemed straighter, less of a wave at the ends. ‘Odd,’ Sakura thought to himself as he pinched the eraser between his fingers and flicked it toward Suo.

It was no surprise when it was caught and set neatly on the redhead’s desk as if it were his own. That only seemed to redirect Nirei’s attention in Sakura though, and soon enough he was being pulled out of his thoughts and back to the present.

“Have you ever done a school festival before?” Nirei asked.

Sakura hadn’t. He could have, maybe if he’d been accepted back in his old town and school like he was in Makochi and Furin.

“No, I can’t say that I have.”

Nirei’s expression dropped for a mere second before he was smiling again, “That’s alright Sakura! That just means you’ll get to experience it for the first time with us, won’t that be fun?” he asked, and Sakura knew better than to answer with anything other than positivity if he didn’t want Nirei attempting to get him excited about it for the rest of the day.

“Yeah,” he agreed, a smile tugging at his mouth.

As if on cue, the bell rang and Sakura rose from his seat, grabbing his bag with one motion and the eraser he’d flicked with another. He shoved the eraser back into his own bag before slinging it over his arm.

Lunchtime - or it would have been if the announcement speaker hadn’t come to life with a static crackle and Umemiya’s voice hadn’t boomed through the classroom like a call to arms.

“Good afternoon everyone! Can all class reps and their right hands meet with me asap please.”

And just as quickly as Umemiya had captured their attention, the speaker was silent once more.

Sakura let out a sigh, while Nirei seemed curious as he already started debating what Umemiya could want to talk to everyone about.

“Do you think it’s something fun?”

“It’s probably just the plan for the upcoming spring festival,” Suo said.

Nirei seemed immediately excited, clasping his hands together while he seemed almost overwhelmed with the thought of something to look forward to. Sakura couldn’t help but wonder if Nirei was this excited for every school event or just this one in particular, since he hadn’t seen any up to this point.

“I’m sure it’ll be something exciting, Nirei,” Suo said, a knowing smile on his face that Sakura had really only seen a scant number of people pull off so effectively.

It piqued Sakura’s interest, “You sound like you know something we don’t.”

Suo gave a serene smile, head nodding minutely as if to confirm the topic would indeed be interesting. 

“When doesn’t Umemiya plan something exciting to get the blood pumping,” he said simply.

His vague answer didn’t pacify Sakura’s nor Nirei’s curiosity but they were both rather used to Suo’s insights. Though, it didn’t stop Sakura from wondering what truly had been planned. He knew how Umemiya operated by that point and while he didn’t unders it most of the time, he still grudgingly respected his choices. There was no reason to doubt that whatever Umemiya had planned wouldn’t be as good as anything else he’d set up before.

The only issue Sakura had was that he was one of the ones called to the meeting and he had exactly zero experience with anything regarding school events. He’d much rather be tossed into another bloody fight. As it was, if it was about an event he’d just have to trust Suo and Nirei to have his back once again.

They made their way to the roof for the meeting. A few others had already gathered and it seemed like they were just waiting on them. A few whispers could be heard, mostly just words of wonder and speculation about why they were called there.

Umemiya had his head bent forward toward a couple other class reps, pointing to sheets in the folder he held open. Those that had been whispering stopped to listen in; but, as Sakura, Suo, and Nirei approached, Umemiya's head raised and a smile spread across his face.

“You guys arrived fast,” he praised. “I’m glad to see you all made it! Alright everyone come on over and listen up!”

Everyone situated themselves around Umemiya, a few whispers picking back up again. The excitement was palpable in the air as Umemiya seemed to relish in the building anticipation.

“Now that everyone’s here we can begin,” Umemiya said and a ripple of murmurs went through the group as if they couldn’t wait a second longer. 

It only made Umemiya smile wider to see their clear interest. He let the suspense sit there for a moment, his eyes roaming over their faces. Sakura could almost see the excitement thrumming under his skin, the way Umemiya’s fingers fidgeted with the sheet's edges, wrinkling the paper.

Finally he spoke, “Let’s talk about the upcoming school festival, shall we? I’ve got something planned for each class that I think you’re all going to love.”

As expected the students sat a little straighter, their curiosity thoroughly piqued even more than it had been moments before. It was obvious Umemiya was pleased to have them all on the edge of their seats.

Sakura didn’t doubt that whatever Umemiya had planned was going to be a hell of an event. It was all too on par with Umemiya afterall. He leaned forward in eager anticipation to hear what he had come up with this time.

Umemiya clapped his hands together, “Sugishita, if you would please.”

The lanky teen appeared from behind Umemiya with a scowl etched onto his face and a stack of paper packets in his hands.

“Sugishita here is going to hand each class rep their assigned event for the festival!”

As Umemiya said that Sugishita began to hand out the packets, eyes narrowing at Sakura as he shoved it into his hands before moving onto the next class rep.

“What’d we get?!” Nirei asked excitedly, reaching for the papers.

Suo put a hand on each Nirei’s and Sakura’s shoulders. “Now now, there’s no rush,” he smiled, calmly taking the papers from Sakura and flipping through them himself. A cheshire like grin spread across his face and his one eyes seemed to sparkle with mirth as he looked at the other two.

“Well this is indeed exciting,” he gave a soft laugh and Nirei was quick to snatch the papers away to read them himself.

“No way!” Nirei exclaimed.

“What is it?! Stop hogging the papers already,” Sakura groused.

“We get to put on a play!” Nirei said, handing the papers back to Sakura.

Sakura frowned reading over the details of what they were to do. They had freedom of choice over which play they wanted to do it seemed at least.

“Who the hell wants to sit and watch a bunch of punks put on a play?” Sakura snarked, making Suo chuckle.

“You’d be surprised. I’m sure there are many that want to see your acting skills.”

Nirei nodded, “Yeah Sakura, what if you have a secret talent for it!”

Sakura knew for a fact that he didn’t. He could barely hold a normal conversation, he doubted he’d be able to manage a scripted one either. People and their emotions were weird. How could he even fake feeling something that he wasn’t feeling?

“I’ll just leave it to the others,” Sakura said.

“We’ll see,” Suo said cryptically.

Sakura was going to ask what he meant by that but Umemiya had moved to them, smiling down at them like a ray of light.

“So what do you think? I volunteered your class for that event. I think it’ll be good for everyone,” Umemiya said.

Sakura couldn’t even pretend to smile back at Umemiya. His annoyance only magnified the longer he stared at him. He wanted nothing to do with putting on a play. Acting? Him? In front of an audience? Absolutely not.

Nirei didn’t seem to mind though, and Suo seemed to find the situation almost comical as he hid a laugh behind a polite cough.

“It’s great for any other class but ours,” Sakura said with an annoyed little huff.

Umemiya laughed, full bodied and deep. “Now Sakura, don’t be like that. Think of it like fighting; it’s just another way to express yourself. Don’t be so afraid to try new things.”

“That’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one doing it,” Sakura mumbled grudgingly.

“Thank you Umemiya! We’ll make you proud!” Nirei smiled, taking the spotlight off of Sakura for a blessed second that Sakura used to call himself. Umemiya never did anything without a reason, but even if those reasons didn’t make much sense to Sakura, Umemiya had earned his trust so he’d do as he was asked.

“Good, I'm glad to hear it!” Umemiya said, satisfied. He gave Sakura one last look before he moved on to the next class rep.

Nirei elbowed Sakura in the side and he jerked away, “What?” he grumbled.

“Don’t be so grumpy,” Nirei said, “It’ll be fun!”

“Yeah,” Suo agreed, “And who knows, you might be a natural at acting.”

Sakura huffed and looked off to one side, “I doubt it,” he said.

“Oh come on,” Nirei needled, “You’re just worried about messing up, right?”

Sakura frowned at that but didn’t say anything. That was part of it.

“It’ll be fine,” Suo said, his tone placating. “We’ll work through it together.”

“Yeah!” Nirei piped up, already eager to start. “What play should we do? Something about love or something else?”

“Anything but a love story,” Sakura groused. “I’d rather die than pretend to act in love with someone.”

“How about we put it to a class vote?” Suo suggested.

Nirei seemed to think the suggestion over before he was nodding his head enthusiastically. “That sounds like a great idea!” he said. He had always been easy to please but Suo had a way with him that even Sakura couldn’t explain.

He simply nodded in agreement, knowing that the majority of their classmates would more than likely vote for a love story. It was always popular. He’d just have to accept his fate.

The rest of the meeting went fairly quickly, Umemiya discussing the few other events that they had planned before dismissing them. Sakura, Suo and Nirei were the first to head out toward the stairs, Nirei still chattering about which plays they should do as they headed back to talk to everyone else.

By the time they had arrived Sakura was already dreading their inevitable class vote, predicting the results already. Everyone loved love songs, love movies, and love stories. It’s just how it was and so there was little doubt in his mind that they’d do a romantic play. He’d just have to grin and bear it until the day of the festival so he could get it over with. He just hoped they wouldn’t expect him to play a big part in the play.

It didn’t take long for the three of them to walk into class and for the rest of their classmates to pester them for details. How predictable.

“Well, what was the meeting for?!”

“Tell us! We want to know!”

Sakura let Suo take the lead, choosing to stand back from the group a little as everyone else seemed to crowd him and Nirei for details.  ‘Truly a pack of wolves,’ he thought to himself.

Everyone was listening intently to Nirei’s very detailed account of the plan of the school festival, including the parts where Umemiya had spoken. Sakura rolled his eyes, leaning back on a desk with his arms crossed as he watched.  Suo seemed to be holding back a laugh as Nirei’s gestures grew animated and he began to speak rapidly, everyone’s attention on him. 

“We get to put on a play!” Nirei finished with a grin, looking around at everyone’s reactions.

There was a beat of silence before the class seemed to all speak at once.

“A play?!”

“Like an actual play?!” 

“What the hell?!”

A few murmurs of excitement filtered through the group, people already turning to each other to discuss the news.

It was a typical class reaction and exactly what Sakura thought would happen. Romance always worked, and there was no reason it would fail this time.  Someone turned back to him, catching his eye.

“What are we gonna do?”

Sakura shrugged, “We’re gonna do a class vote to decide,” he said plainly as if it weren’t obvious.

That seemed to start the debates on what kind of play the class should pick, people already starting to argue over the different choices.

“Romantic comedies are better!”

“Tragedies are more dramatic though!”

Sakura pinched the bridge of his nose as he groaned. Of  course it was like this.

Suo chuckled next to him, “You knew this would happen.” 

“Yeah well, I was hoping for better,” he groused, watching as some of his classmates started to argue with each other as the debate went on.

“You won’t be getting that with our class,” Suo said, “No need to expect too much.” 

Sakura simply huffed in reply, his arms still crossed over his chest as he watched the class start to devolve. “I’m just concerned we’re going to end up with Romeo and Juliet or something.”

Suo hummed, “Is the story really so bad?”

Sakura looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “I’m not a romantic so yes,” he said, “Not to mention they’re like barely teenagers. It’s unrealistic, not to mention boring.”

Suo laughed, “Of course you don’t have a romantic bone in your body.” 

“And what exactly is that supposed to mean?!” Sakura asked, his back straightening as he looked at Suo who was now fully grinning at him.

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Suo chuckled. “You’re about as romantic as a fish.”

“Hey!” Sakura said indignantly, his arms dropping to his side as he looked at Suo, a look of offence on his face, “I’ll have you know I could be the biggest romantic if I wanted!”

“Oh really?” Suo asked, his amused tone making it clear how little he believed him.

“I could!” Sakura huffed, “I could do a better job than whatever love sick morons I’d be acting alongside of!”

Suo chuckled and Sakura had the distinct impression that he’d fallen for some unsaid trap.

“Do you hear that everyone? Shall we do Romeo and Juliet?” Suo asked the class.

One of Sakura’s eyes twitched when Suo called out toward the class. ‘That damn bastard!’ he thought to himself as he watched the class get riled up again.

“I swear to God Suo-!” he began to yell.

“Hey yeah! We should totally do Romeo and Juliet!”

“Sakura could play Juliet because of how much he blushes,” someone piped up from the group.

Sakura froze, the blood draining from his face at the suggestion. 

“What?!” he said, his voice a strangled sounding shout.

“Ohh yeah!” more voices piped up from the crowd, “He would be perfect for Juliet!”

Suo was grinning like the devil as he watched Sakura’s expression change, going from pale as a sheet to a bright red.

“I bet he’d be able to pull off the swoon,” someone else said.

“He’s a pretty guy after all,” another teased that sounded suspiciously like Kiryu.

Sakura let out a strangled noise, somewhere between a yell and a cry of disbelief. He was ready to strangle everybody who was talking, not to mention Suo for even instigating the idea in the first place.

“I’m not-“ he struggled to get the words out, “I’m not playing Juliet!”

“Ah-ah Sakura. The class voted,” he grinned.

“The class is full of crazy people,” Sakura protested as he gave Suo a withering glare. “I’m not doing it, there’s no way!”

More of the class spoke up, trying to convince him otherwise.

“Come on Sakura it’ll be fun!“

“We’ve already chosen the play, you can’t back out now!”

“Yeah it’d be great to see you in the part, think of all the fans you’d get!”

“And who would even play Romeo?! I'm not pretending to be in love with one of you guys!” Sakura said, face bright red.

A chorus of “Ooooohhh’s” filled the room and a few students started snickering as they realized what he’d said. Someone slapped a hand against his back, a solid thump that caused Sakura to grunt unhappily.

“You’ve got a point on that, we don’t wanna see that either,” the classmate said with their hand still on his back.

“Yeah we wanna see you in a dress!” another said excitedly.

“No way in hell you’ll be seeing me in a dress!” Sakura exclaimed.

“Why not?” Suo asked, looking far too amused with the situation. “I think you’d look great in it.”

Sakura was speechless for a moment and he could feel his entire face heating up even more as more of the class started to talk about it. And it wasn’t a second later that someone in the back spoke up, “Suo should be Romeo!”

There were several resounding hums of agreement and some whistles that followed. 

“Oh my god yeah! Suo has the look for it!”

“Suo would look like a total Casanova on stage!”

“Yeah! Him and Sakura would make a good looking couple!”

Sakura’s blood was roaring in his ears as he stared incredulously at the group. Was this all an elaborate plan to torment him?

“Hey, yeah!” Nirei said, “Suo and Sakura would be great!”

Suo hid a laugh as the class agreed with the idea, enjoying the fact that he’d pushed Sakura into an impossible to refuse predicament.

“Me and Sakura would make the perfect pairing,” he said with a smirk.

Sakura wanted to punch the smirk off his face but that wouldn’t solve the problem in the slightest. He was stuck and the class was already convinced on their casting. But he couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t.

“You’re all delusional if you think I’m playing a girl,” he snapped, “And I’m not going to stand there and pretend to be in love with this bastard for one second!”

“Aww come on don’t be like that,” Suo said, his tone mockingly sweet as he gave a fake pout. He was far too amused with the situation, and the rest of the class was no better.

“Yeah but it’d be such a fun time,” Nirei chimed in, “Imagine how much fun it’d be!”

“Not the point!” Sakura retorted, his voice nearly cracking with the effort of staying calm.

“Oh just imagine how cute you’d look in a pretty dress though,” Kiryu said as he walked up to Sakura. He put an arm over Sakura’s tense shoulders and leaned against him, “I could help with the costumes, and maybe if Tsubaki isn’t busy we could ask her for assistance with dress & makeup too.”

Sakura wanted to shove the other teen off, but instead he let him lean against him and made a strangled noise in the back of his throat. He didn’t want to imagine any of that, it sounded like pure torture.

“I don’t care, I’m not wearing a dress,” he said through tight lips.

Nirei pouted at Sakura. “But it’s for the festival,” he said, giving him big puppy eyes.

Sakura’s mouth was dry as he stared at Nirei. The brat gave him an unfair advantage when he looked at him like that. He knew exactly how to get under his skin to get him to agree. And it always worked. Damn it.

Seeing the effect it was having on Sakura, Nirei made his expression more pitiful. His bottom lip was poked out a bit more and his eyes turned even more dejected.

“Please please pretty please,” he whined, leaning into Sakura, “I know you’d nail the part as Juliet.”

A strangled noise came from Sakura’s throat as his resolve crumbled under the onslaught of Nirei’s expression and Suo’s smugness. He was done for. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed his temple with one hand.

“Fine, whatever, I’ll do it,” he said begrudgingly.

Cheers of victory rang out from the rest of the class as Sakura finally gave in. Some clapped their hands and few even whooped loudly.

Suo’s smirk grew even wider as he watched Sakura concede defeat. “Wonderful,” he said, “I knew you’d agree eventually.”

The following roles were handed out with ease. No one argued with the understudy choices, nor did they argue when Kiryu was put in charge of costumes and makeup. No one dared to try and claim they were better than him, everyone knew the only one who could outdo his fashion sense would be Tsubaki, but it wasn’t as if they could ask their upperclassmen to aid them when she had her own role in the festival with her class.

By the middle of the period the class had gotten everything all sorted out and they decided to start practicing as soon as possible. Sakura sat in his seat with his chin braced against his hand, still processing that he had agreed to the most absurd idea and now he got to deal with the consequences of it.

•

When the bell rang to signal the end of class, he stood and made sure to glare at Suo as he grabbed his bag and got ready to leave.  

“You did this on purpose, didn’t you?” he accused, still irritated despite having given in earlier.

“Me?” Suo asked innocently with a knowing smirk. “I would never.”

Nirei snickered behind him and Sakura grumbled. The two of them could be such little shits sometimes.

“Don’t fight you guys, how’s anyone going to believe you’re in love if all you do is bicker,” Nirei said, animatedly waving a rolled up script at them. It didn’t escape either of their notice that as they exited the campus Nirei steered them towards Pothos Cafe. 

Sakura groaned. The whole situation felt utterly ridiculous and now he was being subjected to a cafe date when he’d just gotten forced into playing the female lead of their school play. Everything was conspiring against him today.

“What are we doing this for?” he asked warily. This felt more like torment than anything else.

“Because,” Suo said, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as he placed a hand on the back of Sakura’s head and ruffled his hair, “If you’re going to be playing the cute, lovesick and swooning Juliet, you’re probably going to have to get into the role a little bit first.”

Sakura’s face flamed and he quickly put his hand up to his head, trying to fix his mussed up hair before it was completely ruined. “Don’t do that!” he said, annoyance seeping into his tone, “There won’t be any swooning!”

Suo hummed, unconvinced, as the group reached the cafe. The bell over the door jingled as they entered, the usual aroma of fresh coffee and comforting food wafting from the kitchen greeting them with it’s warm and soothing smell. It took all of 10 seconds for Kotoha to pop out the back room, a smile on her face as she did a quick assessment of who had just walked through the door. The cafe was empty other than a few patrons relaxing in the comfortable furniture.

Kotoha’s eyes landed on Sakura and Nirei and a wide smile broke out on her face, “Hello you two, and Suo as well. Welcome back,” she said as she came around the counter and toward them. Her gaze was warm and welcoming, as it generally was. Her attention turned to Sakura, “How did the meeting go?” It was no surprise that Umemiya had kept her in the loop. 

“It went well,” Suo said before Sakura could answer. 

“Did it?” Sakura asked with a hint of embarrassment in his tone as he shot a withering glare over at Suo, “Well, I ended up getting coerced into playing a damn love sick girl-“

“A princess, Sakura!” Nirei interjected in a chipper tone.

Sakura groaned, covering his face with one hand as he made a strangled noise. “This is going to be hell,” he mumbled through clenched teeth, “Not a princess, a damn lovesick idiot with shitty love poetry.”

“I think it’ll be good for you,” Kotoha said, a little glimmer in her eyes.

“Besides, it doesn’t surprise me that they chose you. They’d all fight for you afterall - a leader, a princess, what does it matter?” She said, matter of factly. 

Sakura could feel his face heat up at Kotoha’s words, “It’s not just that though, it’s playing the part itself,” he said in a hushed voice, “I hate having to act.”

Suo chuckled from beside him, “Oh but you’re going to look so cute in a dress.”

Sakura made a face at Suo, and his cheeks were tinged pink from the statement, “I’d look better wearing anything else,” he protested, “Anything but a stupid dress.”

“You’re just upset that you’ll have people wanting to look at you,” Suo said, that infuriating smirk back on his face, “All those adoring eyes on you at all times.”

Sakura bristled under Suo’s gaze, “I hate being looked at, that’s the entire problem you idiot,” he said, a frown on his face, “I don’t want a bunch of people ogling me when I’m dressed like… like that.”

“I think you’ll look great,” Nirei chimed in helpfully from his side, “It’ll be like magic! We’ll even do your makeup and get you all dressed up!”

“And it’s not like all the limelight will be on you. I’ll make sure to take up my fair share of the audience’s attention,” Suo said. Sakura wasn’t sure if it was a dig at him or a reassurance, but something about the look in the Suo’s eye that didn’t match the curl of his lips told him it was good. 

Sakura let out a huff at Suo’s words and turned his head to the side to avoid more of his smug grinning. He felt a slight twist in his stomach at the thought of having to dress up in a damn dress, as humiliating as it already was, and it being in public was even worse. 

“It’s still going to be awful,” he groused, trying to regain some control over the swirling anxiety in his stomach.

“It’ll be fine,” Suo said, a comforting hand on his shoulder that did nothing to actually quell the anxiety in his gut. 

“Just picture how it’ll look on you,” Kotoha said, her soft voice like a soothing balm for his nerves, “We could go shopping, maybe a pastel blue or even a dusty pink. It’s going to look darling on you.”

Sakura felt the heat rise to his cheeks and he couldn’t stop the involuntary shiver that ran down his spine at the thought. The image of himself in some sort of frilly dress was already playing through his head and now he had to deal with the idea of other people seeing him like that as well.

“This is ridiculous,” he grumbled, resisting the urge to run a hand through his hair out of sheer nervousness.

“Just give it some thought, maybe read over some of the lines tonight, and when we have rehearsal maybe it won’t feel so bad,” Nirei said, ever the optimist.

Sakura couldn’t stop the eye roll that the suggestion gave him but he knew Nirei had a point, the little jerk. 

“Yeah, I’ll look over my lines tonight,” he said with reluctance, looking anywhere but at his friends as he agreed, “Maybe it won’t be as bad as I think it’ll be.”

“Good,” Kotoha said, flashing him a reassuring smile that immediately set him at ease for even just a moment, “And don’t forget that if you need help with anything, all you have to do is ask.”

“Then help me by getting me an omelette rice, I need a distraction,” Sakura huffed, tacking on a quiet, “please,” making Kotoha laugh.

Sakura kept telling himself it wouldn’t be that bad.

•

Sakura tossed and turned in bed, tossing aside the sheets that clung to his legs almost as stubbornly as his thoughts about the upcoming performance did. He’d had to read through the script twice before he actually managed to remember the words. 

The play itself wasn’t anything amazing, a cliché love story. It was the fact that he was supposed to play in it that had him so anxious. He groaned into his pillow, wishing he could just forget about it.

Finally Sakura reached for the script and began reading through it more slowly this time. His eyes tracing over the words with a strange mixture of resignation and mild curiosity. He read through the first act, mouthing along with the words when he was able to.

His eyes skimmed over the words, his mind going over the script and picturing it, picturing himself on stage with dozens of eyes on him as he played up being in love with Suo - Romeo. His thoughts wandered and he sighed as the uncomfortable feeling remained in his stomach.

What was his life coming too? He would have never pictured himself agreeing to something like a play even a month ago, let alone dressing up like a girl to fulfill a part. But now here he was, willingly subjecting himself to what would be the most embarrassing thing that he’d ever had to do so far.

Sakura’s mind wandered to picturing what he’d look like. He’d be forced to wear a dress which was embarrassing enough on its own but he imagined he’d also have makeup on so that he looked “pretty”. He looked at the script and winced. He’d have to talk like a lovesick idiot. To Suo.

Suo, who he’d still yet to fight seriously. Suo, who he never could get a clear read on. Suo, who smiled at him like he knew something he didn’t. 

Sakura knew Suo would be able to play the part of Romeo effortlessly. He’d be perfectly charming and everyone in the school would no doubt be eating it up. There was no question that Suo could play the suave and passionate lover. 

But in spite of its reputation as the greatest love story known, Sakura still thought Romeo & Juliet was about as cliché as cliché gets. He groaned as he finished reading over the first act, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

It was too easy to imagine Suo saying such things - 

If I profane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this:

 My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand

 To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.

It was embarrassing to know that Suo would be taking his hand and saying those things to him. Smooth, there wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Suo would deliver the lines perfectly.

Sakura frowned at the thought, imagining himself as Juliet, standing there with his hand in Suo’s, listening to him say those words like he actually meant them. It brought back that awful feeling in his stomach, the heat of his cheeks growing the more he thought about everything that came with playing the role.

He’d have to stand there and stare intently at Suo while he said some of the cringiest lines in history, and he’d have to act like he enjoyed it! Or worse, he really would enjoy it. 

Sakura groaned, resisting the temptation to bash his head into the pillow. If all of his classmates were expecting, no doubt eager, for him to play the part then he had no choice.

Sakura tossed the script aside, turning over in bed and staring at the wall. A small part of him knew he was screwed. He was going to look into Suo’s gaze and he was going to fumble his role. How could he pretend to be in love with someone? Especially someone like Suo? 

The worst thing? That there was some part of him that he refused to acknowledge, that thought it might be nice to pretend just a little. It was something he absolutely wouldn’t admit to himself, and he was determined to ignore that small part that was secretly excited to do it.

He knew better. That part of him was just being silly. There was absolutely nothing that would be nice about any of it. Not the dress, not the makeup, and most certainly not pretending to be in love with Suo.

He just would have to endure it. He could do it. He’d stand there as Juliet, play his part and then forget the entire thing had ever happened. It would end, and he’d be able to look back on it and laugh, right? 

Sakura huffed, rolling over once more and trying to calm his swirling thoughts for the night. Everything would be fine.

…right?

•

It was only a matter of time before they all began their first read through.  They only had a few weeks to get ready, after all, so they were pushed to start practicing as soon as possible. That was how Sakura found himself in the theater room at the end of the school day, already nervous about it even before it had even begun. 

“Alright, everyone!” Nirei’s cheerful voice rang out, and Sakura winced slightly, “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Nirei was as cheerful as ever, and Sakura envied his ability to be so energetic. He would take that over his own current nerves any day. The others were buzzing with excitement too, unable to stand still. 

“I know you’re all eager to get started, but let’s wait for the rest to arrive first,” Suo said, cutting through the noise.

“Yeah okay, you’re right!” Nirei agreed, still looking like an excited kid despite it all. 

The room fell silent for a few moments before the front door creaked open, and all eyes looked up to watch as Tsubaki and Kiryu walked into the room. “Sorry,” Tsubaki said with a sheepish smile, “We got a little held up. But we’re here now and ready take measurements while you guys practice.”

Nirei looked relieved to see the two arrive. “It’s fine! We’re just getting started!” he said enthusiastically, and a round of greetings and hellos echoed through the room. 

While the others chattered together, Sakura looked toward Tsubaki and Kiryu, seeing them carrying bags with what he assumed was their tools and supplies for makeup and costumes.

Seeing them only reminded Sakura of what he was going to have to go through. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that he was actually going to have to wear a dress.

“Oh, Sakura!” Tsubaki called out to him when she looked up from the bag she was setting down, “Come here for a moment.”

Sakura tensed almost immediately, not looking forward to what he assumed was a body measurement check. “Sure,” he said through clenched teeth. 

With a heavy sigh he stood and trudged to the front, where Tsubaki was starting to take out various fabrics and measuring tapes.

“I need your measurements so we can start on your costume,” Tsubaki said, a sweet smile on her face. 

Sakura only nodded, and stood there with an annoyed look on his face as Tsubaki wrapped the measuring tape around different parts of his body, writing the numbers down on scraps of paper.

“Try to relax,” Tsubaki said, a teasing note in her voice that made Sakura roll his eyes.

“Yeah yeah, I’m trying,” he grumbled, feeling like a toy being examined as he stood there.

“You’re as grumpy as ever, Sakura!” Kiryu said with an amused chuckle, looking at Sakura from where he sat in one of the chairs, “What’s the matter with you, not looking forward to wearing a dress?”

Sakura shot Kiryu a withering glare, “Yes Kiryu I’m absolutely thrilled at the idea of wearing a damn dress,” he retorted. 

“You’re gonna look cute though,” Kiryu teased.

“Don’t worry, Sakura. We’ll make sure you look perfect!” Tsubaki said, rolling up her measuring tape. 

“I’ll look ridiculous,” Sakura huffed, trying to keep himself relaxed so Tsubaki could finish her measurements, “There is nothing cute about it.”

“Oh I don’t know,” Kiryu said, sounding thoughtful, “I’m imagining you in a little pastel blue number. It would be a great color on you, actually. “

Sakura’s cheeks were a brilliant shade of red as he listened to Kiryu’s words. Pastels? He tried to picture himself in pastels, to think about what he would look like. He wasn’t sure he’d survive the inevitable embarrassment.  “Shut up,” he said gruffly, “That’s going to be horrible.” But maybe if he did survive, maybe it wouldn’t be too bad, he thought. 

“Oh I think not,” Tsubaki said with a teasing grin, “You’ll look adorable.”

“She’s right, you know,” Kiryu said, still looking amused at Sakura’s obvious embarrassment. He leaned back in the chair he was sitting in, “You’ll be very cute.”

A strangled noise came from Sakura’s throat as he stood there, resisting the urge to try and cover his face for just a moment of peace. He tried to shoot Kiryu another glare but failed in doing so, not able to ignore the way his words made his face heat up.

“Alright, we got all we need for now,” Tsubaki smiled. “Good luck rehearsing lines,” she said.

Sakura let out a sigh of relief, glad to be done getting measured. 

“Thanks,” he said gruffly as he walked back to the other students, Kiryu’s words still in his head.

Everyone was gathered around in a loose circle around the stage when Sakura made his way back over, and Suo caught his eye. “How was getting your measurements?” he asked curiously.

Sakura grimaced slightly, “As annoying as expected. They said I’d look cute in pastels though.”

Suo’s gaze flicked over Sakura’s expression, amused at his red cheeks and averted gaze, “Oh really?” he said, trying to keep the smirk off of his face.

Sakura grunted in response, and Suo’s smirk grew, “You do look cute when you’re embarrassed,” he teased.

“Shut it,” Sakura grumbled. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked away, avoiding making any eye contact with the other boy.  It was already embarrassing enough just thinking about what he was supposed to be doing. He didn’t need Suo to make it worse.

Suo chuckled at Sakura’s reaction, and his face still wore that same damn smirk. It made Sakura want to punch him. Instead, Suo changed the subject, “Are you ready for the script read through?” he asked.

Sakura’s eyes flicked in Suo’s direction once more, “I guess,” he grumbled. The idea of reading through the script made him feel like a pit was forming in his stomach, but he tried to shake it off. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his expression.

“That’s the spirit,” Suo said, patting Sakura on the back. Sakura gritted his teeth at the contact. Damn Suo and his confidence.

It was a few minutes later when everyone was finally ready for the script read through. Sakura was trying to steady his nerves as much as he could. Everyone was starting to get into place, taking their spots on the stage. Suo was already waiting there,  calm and composed. He wasn’t sure why, but just seeing Suo and the way his expression was stoic seemed to drive Sakura’s emotions crazy. He couldn’t stand that damn composure, not when he felt like he was fraying at the edges. 

Sakura got his own script out and took a deep breath trying to center himself. He could do this, he could get through this. Just don’t look at Suo. Don’t even think about what he’s saying. Just ignore his existence.

Except it was impossible. They were the main characters. Star crossed lovers with a doomed romance from the very beginning. Maybe it was fitting; Sakura felt like he was doomed from the start too.

He fumbled over his lines. His words were stuttered and mispronounced, all because he couldn’t quell the beating of his heart. It almost drowned out the others as they spoke their lines. 

Suo was saying his lines with such an ease that it made Sakura angrier than anything. He should be able to do that too. He tried to force his mind to focus, to concentrate on the lines that he was reading and reciting, but somehow his mind was just focused on Suo’s voice. Even his damn lines sounded eloquent, effortless.

Sakura missed a line entirely and had to pause as the others kept reading, his eyes flicking from the script to the others on stage. He wanted to scream at himself for being so damn nervous. This was stupid, the nervousness, the embarrassment. Even with how many times he repeated the words in his head and the script he held, it did nothing to calm the fluttering of his heart.

These were his classmates, his friends- they looked up to him! He should be able to do this!

But his chest was tight from his anxiety, his mouth felt dry and his throat ached from the way it was constricting. It was as if his entire body was resisting everything about the play. He wanted to leave, to get out of that space that felt too small and too open at the same time. To get away from the eyes on him and the script in his hand.

The practice went on in a blur, Suo’s voice washing over him in a way that he simultaneously wanted to both listen to intently but also tune out. There were more embarrassing lines in the script than he thought there would be, and a few times he could hear some of the others snickering and whispering about how they thought the play would go. 

Sakura’s ears burned as he caught some of the whispers, his eyes still desperately trying to focus on the words in his script. It got even worse when it came time to do the scene at the ball, the scene that he’d known was coming, the one that made his heart rate pick up with each passing sentence leading up to it.

He couldn’t look up as Suo came over to him and he tried to ignore the fact that their friends were all watching while he read. Suo grabbed his hand and lifted it to his lips, acting out Romeo’s lines as if it was as natural as something they’d do daily. It was too much. Too real. Too damn real. 

Sakura’s heart raced as he tried to stumble through the words that followed, his cheeks burning so red that he felt like he might pass out.

Suo was standing too close to him for comfort, and it made everything worse. Sakura wanted to shove him away, but he was the one who played Juliet. He was the blushing, lovestruck one in this scenario. He had to play the part, to go through with the motions, to be the girl to Suo’s Romeo. 

He felt like the entire class was watching him and waiting in anticipation to see how he played the part, it took all of his willpower to even say the words as he was supposed to.

“Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims’ hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers’ kiss.” The words felt like sandpaper leaving his mouth. He was too embarrassed. They lacked the emotion needed, so unlike Suo’s own lines. 

Suo’s hand tightened in his grasp, a gesture that Sakura knew was meant to reassure, but it felt like it was anything but comforting. The others were just watching from the sidelines, and he couldn’t help but feel like he was letting everyone down. 

He was so distracted he could barely concentrate on the next line, but he somehow managed to fumble through it, just barely keeping the pace with Suo’s words. He still wasn’t making eye contact, focusing down on the ground or anywhere but Suo. But he could still feel his gaze on him, watching every tremble of his hand and shaky breath he took.

“Have not saints' lips, and holy palmers too?” Suo prompted, his hand tilting Sakura’s head up and forcing him to make eye contact.

Sakura’s breath caught and his cheeks flared up in a brilliant blush as his eyes met Suo’s. His expression was calm, and to anyone else it would be the picture of an infatuated man taking in his lover, but to Sakura, it felt like the world had just zeroed in. It was only them, the buzz of the others in the background died out and all he could hear were the words leaving Suo’s lips that looked far too soft. 

“Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer,” Sakura responded in a mere whisper as if entranced.

Suo’s hand trailed up towards Sakura’s face, cupping his cheek with a light touch. One of his knuckles brushed over the red of his blush, just a fleeting moment of contact that made Sakura want to melt. His heart was racing, he was sure everyone could hear it. 

“O then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do. They pray: grant thou, lest faith turn to despair,” Suo said, voice smooth and steady.

His words rolled so easily off of his tongue. He was playing the part with such perfection even Sakura was getting swept up in it. It should be acting, it should be nothing more than acting. And yet, Sakura was struggling not to let it become reality. 

His trembling hand was lifted again, held between Suo’s hands in a mockery of a prayer. 

“Saints do not move, though grant for prayers’ sake,” Sakura said, almost reverently.

Suo took a step forward, closing the space between them until they were only a breath away. Sakura’s eyes widened, and he wanted to step back, to break away and run from the emotions this was stirring in him. But he had to keep going, to play his part, but it was getting harder and harder when all he could see was Suo. Suo, with his steady gaze and soft touch, with his words that sounded so sincere. With his lips that were so very close.

This was too much

Sakura’s eyes were locked on Suo. His heart was pounding, beating so fast he thought it might burst from his ribcage. He was stuck, feeling like melted candlewax and about to give out at any moment. Everything about Suo made him want to lean in, to grab him and feel closer.

His knees were weakening, his body losing its will to do anything but give in. Was it the way Suo was holding him? His words, his eye? He didn’t know. All he knew was that it was Suo. But he could feel the eyes of the rest of the class on them, the way they were watching with rapt attention, and it made him suddenly aware of just how real everything felt.

Sakura was aware of the silence of the class, of the heat flowing through him, of how fast his heart was beating, of the way Suo’s breath was ghosting over his skin and how close they were. It was driving him insane, and the words that came next made him feel like he was falling.

“Then move not while my prayer’s effect I take,” Suo said. His voice a whisper, like the words coming from him were sacred. Sakura wanted to say something, anything, but found himself speechless. This couldn’t be acting. Every last word, every gentle touch, the way that Suo had him under his total control. It didn’t feel like acting. 

Sakura’s heart was beating so loud that he was sure everyone could hear it. He could feel the warmth of Suo’s breath on his face, the hand on his cheek that was like a brand, the way his body was so close to him, barely inches away. It would be so easy to close the distance, to let himself fall into the role and pretend like he was a lovesick fool for Suo. 

But it was an act, just a play. He wasn’t supposed to be feeling any of this, it was just supposed to be acting.

The press of their lips was real. So real. Sakura’s mind spun as the brief contact of Suo’s lips against his sent electric spikes through him. It was a mere moment, something quick and chaste and yet it left its mark. He could still feel the warmth from the kiss, a heat that was spreading through him leaving him flushed to the tips of his ears. He knew he was blushing, but he was powerless to stop it. 

He couldn’t focus, couldn’t do anything as his brain shut down, leaving him standing there reeling as the moment dragged on.

The noise of the class seemed to come rushing back all at once, and reality set in again like a bucket of water on his face. They had just kissed. Onstage, in front of everyone in the class, and it was supposed to be part of the play. Just like the script had said.

But it felt like so much more than just a kiss for the sake of the play. It felt like he’d been kissed for real. And before Sakura could think, he shoved Suo away with wide eyes. 

“I need to go to the bathroom,” he said, his breathing quick and shallow. 

His hand was still trembling from the touch, and he could still taste Suo’s lip on his own, which was sending his mind into a spiral. 

He didn’t wait for anyone to respond, instead turning and walking so fast it bordered on a jog. He didn’t look at anyone, didn’t wait to see if anyone tried to follow him. He needed to get out of there.

Sakura heard the sound of someone calling his name, but he kept going, forcing his legs to move as quickly as possible. He needed to get away, to have a moment to himself. He needed to get away and get his head together, to try to figure out what was real and what wasn’t. 

He pushed through the front doors and into the empty hallway, taking a deep breath of fresh air to try and steady his frantically beating heart.

The hallways were empty, the school almost eerily quiet, and Sakura leaned against the wall to try and calm himself. He was trembling, his breathing ragged and shaky, and he closed his eyes. 

“It’s just a play, it’s just a play, it’s just a play,” he repeated the words quietly to himself as if saying it would help. It would remind him that none of this was real, that none of it meant anything.

It was just a play. It was a script, and Suo was acting too. That’s all there was to it. There was no way that Suo had meant anything he said or had done. He was just a good actor, that was all. 

It didn’t matter if Sakura had wanted to kiss him for real. It didn’t matter how warm his mouth had felt against his own, or how warm it felt when his hand was on his cheek. 

None of it meant anything.

Sakura’s heart was still racing and he tried to slow his breathing to a normal rate. He ran a shaking hand up into his hair, pulling hard to ground himself. The thought of having to go back in and finish the scene was making him nauseous, and he didn’t know how he’d be able to act it out again. He didn’t think his heart could take it, not with how hard it was pounding still.

He pulled his phone out, shaky fingers typing out a quick text to Nirei that he was going home. 

Barely a minute, and a reply came back. 

Are you okay???

He grimaced, wondering how to even respond to that. No, he was definitely not okay, but he didn’t want to tell him that. He was going to be teased about this for months if he let it slip how much that scene affected him.

I’m fine, The response was sent without another thought and he slid his phone into his pocket, shoving off the wall and turning to walk down the hallway away from the theater room. He just needed to get out of there and get some space.

The walk home was a blur, the sound of his thoughts drowning out anything else, until he was standing in front of his house, unlocking the door and pushing it open. 

He barely managed to kick off his shoes before falling on his bed and letting the emotions run through him.

It was only until the play was over. He could do it. He had to do it.

The next weeks were spent preparing for the play. Props and costumes were made and tested. Tsubaki could only help so much since she had her own class event to help with afterall. That meant Kiryu chased after everyone a lot of the time to make sure everything was still fitting properly.

The rehearsals were hard on him, and he was more often than not a bundle of nerves and anxiety. On some days he was snappy, lashing out at anyone who dared to talk to him, and on others he was quiet, refusing to speak to anyone. The thought of having to rehearse the script with Suo always had him both excited and nervous in equal measure. 

The first few times their lines were read together, he’d freeze, stuttering and blushing as the words spilled out of his mouth like a waterfall.

It was embarrassing and it made him feel like an idiot, not to mention how infuriating it was that Suo stayed so calm through it all. His face was always so damn calm, like it didn’t effect him all to say the words or to hold his hand. 

Sakura hated it. He hated how he felt around the other boy, how his heart beat for him, how his stomach fluttered when Suo looked at him. He hated that Suos touch made his skin prickle with heat and his throat tighten.

He thought he’d get used to it eventually. The feeling, Suos words and the sound of his voice and everything. Except it didn’t get easier. It just felt like it got worse. Everything was always so vivid, like he could feel everything ten times stronger than he normally did. It was driving him up the wall, and he found himself avoiding Suo when he could because it was the only thing that helped. 

Sakura had never had a crush before. He wasn’t sure what to do.  

That was the worst part of it all. Sakura didn’t know how to deal with the feelings at all. Having a crush on this boy and the inevitable feelings of guilt that come with being in love for the first time was confusing enough on its own. 

But having to act with him and pretend that the words they were saying meant nothing? That was the hard part. 

He’d spent hours practicing the lines in his head, over and over again. The words should have been normal, they were just words. It was just part of the play, they didn’t mean anything and they were just acting like they were supposed to do. Suo was playing a role. 

Sakura was all to aware that he couldn’t be sure if Suos thoughts matched with his, or if the words he said were just acting too.

Sakura was really starting to hate acting.

Everything was happening so fast, as the show neared the students were getting increasingly busy. Rehearsals were practically running until sundown and Sakura had never been this exhausted in his life. His days were spent practicing, his mind filled with lines and stage directions.

And it didn’t help that everytime he saw Suo, the pit in his stomach grew. He’d find himself sitting next to Suo in the cafeteria, struggling to eat while sitting next to him. Occasionally their legs would touch, or their hands would brush together. And every time, it made Sakura’s heart race. It made him want to yell at him to stay away from him and at the same time, grab him and hold him close.

His hands would flex, wanting to reach out across the table to lay his hand over Suo’s. Just to hold it. Or to reach up and run his hand through Suo’s hair- anything. Anything that’d help him find out if this was acting or not. 

But he couldn’t. It was the worst kind of self inflicted torture.

He was so frustrated he thought he’d go insane with it. And his friends definitely noticed. Nirei tried to talk to him, but he just ignored his questions, brushing them off and changing the subject.

The thing was, Sakura didn’t know how to talk about it.

He was afraid to even try to explain it all. To explain the thoughts that kept him up at night. The way his heart ached and the feeling of wanting to kiss Suo so badly it became like a physical ache. He’d never felt like this before. 

And in a way, it scared him. He didn’t like feeling so…weak. Not even in the normal sense, but in the emotional sense. 

Emotional pain hurt in a way physical pain didn’t touch on. Getting hit was painful for the moment, it hurt and made him bleed. But after everything healed, he was fine afterwards. But the emotional pain of wondering, of trying to figure out how he was feeling, of not being able to tell if he was the only one going crazy, it hurt in a different way. A way that he didn’t know how to deal with.

The night before the play came faster than anyone was prepared for. Kiryu was stuck doing last minute costume alterations, never quite happy with the final design. Nirei had double checked each person with a role had their lines rehearsed. Tsuguera led a team to get the props set up for in the morning, more than happy to do the heavy lifting. And Sakura? Sakura was a mess. He didn’t feel ready at all. He’d gotten used to performing in front of his classmates, but the rest of the school was a different story. He’d have to kiss Suo in front of everyone, while having a major crush, and have to act like his blushing was all for the sake of the play. 

He felt like he’d puke just thinking about it. His stomach was doing flips, and his mind was a whirlwind. He was nervous, scared and excited. And so, so damn anxious. 

It was stupid, to let the feelings he had dictate so much of his focus. But he was just a teenager, a boy with a crush, and he had to kiss said crush. Maybe for someone else it wouldn’t feel so consuming; but, for sakura it felt a lot like his demise. He was falling hard and fast and each time they practiced that damn scene he just wanted to run until his lungs burned, until his head was empty of all thoughts pertaining to Suo.

But he’d have to go on and play the part of a flustered girl, head over heels for her “Romeo” and he felt sick at the thought of it. Everything would be happening live and, even worse, it would be filmed, and put up on the schools website.  Someone was taking pictures for the school newspaper. The entire school would see him pretending to be head over heels in love with Suo!

But he wasn’t pretending, and he wondered if anyone would be able to tell that for him it was so much more than just a play. 

Despite the fear, the excitement, his anxious energy was keeping him wide awake. He laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, tossing and turning in an attempt to sleep. He’d been trying for hours, but the thoughts in his brain wouldn’t turn off. It was driving him insane. 

His mind kept going in circles, to Suo’s face and the way he’d look when he said his lines. The feeling of his hand in his own during a scene, the pressure of his fingers pressing against his skin…

There was a knock on his door.

Sakura glowered, eyes squinting and looking at the clock. It wasn’t late per se, but it was still an odd hour to be getting a visitor. 

He groaned, throwing off his blankets and getting up to go to the door. It was probably Kotoha come to tell him to go to bed. 

He was still grumbling to himself as he opened the door, already formulating in his head the way he’d tell her off, but as soon as he saw who was actually outside the door, he froze.

“...Suo?”

Sakura was frozen, the usual scowl on his face disappearing as he stared at the boy in front of him. It was late at night, and here he was on his doorstep. For what? What was he doing here, and why now? Why was his heart pounding so hard in his chest? 

Sakura’s throat constricted as he tried to form words, staring at Suo in a surprised daze.

“Can I come in?” Suo asked, an almost neutral expression on his face. 

Sakura nodded, too overwhelmed to speak and opened the door wider. He stood and watched as Suo walked in, shutting the door behind himself. Sakura had never felt more nervous than he did in that moment.

“What are you doing here?” he asked after a few moments. 

He watched as Suo shrugged nonchalantly, seeming completely at ease, much different from the flurry of emotions going on in Sakura’s chest. It wasn’t fair, how calm he looked- it was like he didn’t care at all, that this moment was insignificant.

“I came to see you of course.” Suo said it like it was the most obvious answer, and Sakura felt his cheeks warm up at the words. He looked away, crossing his arms over his chest. “At this time of night?” Sakura huffed.

Suo shrugged again, taking a few steps into Sakura’s room. 

They stood there for a moment before Suo spoke again, “Couldn’t sleep,” he said. 

Sakura scoffed. “Neither could I,” He muttered in response. He was still avoiding eye contact, staring at a random spot behind Suo to avoid staring at him too obviously.

“Would you like to go over our lines one more time? Just you and I?” Suo asked, looking at Sakura over his shoulder. 

Sakura paused, looking surprised as his already pounding heart felt like it was skipping beats. It was just a simple question, but the words made him feel on edge. 

He was alone, with Suo.

His hands trembled, mind racing with the possibilities and he felt sick with the emotions that washed over him. 

He would be alone with Suo, in his own room….

The thought made him feel like he’d lose his mind, but he couldn’t say no.

His voice felt like it was stuck in his throat, and he swallowed thickly. 

“Ok,” Sakura said, the word almost sounding like a strangled whimper to his ears. He hated how easily he gave into the requests, how he could hardly ever say no to Suo. It was infuriating.

“Wonderful,” said Suo, turning to face him fully, smiling almost sweetly. 

Sakura’s heart stuttered in his chest. How could Suo look like that? How was it fair to look so damn charming when Sakura was already feeling like he was in free fall.

“Let’s start at the ball scene,” Suo said, walking closer to him until he was a few feet away. Sakura’s breathing hitched when he did, looking at the sudden lack of space between them. 

Suo was so close, and Sakura was suddenly hyper-aware of it. 

“You start,” he said gruffly, trying not to look as flustered as he felt.

Suo’s voice was steady, like always, as he started to say his lines. 

But Sakura was having trouble focusing on anything except for Suo’s proximity to him. He couldn’t pay attention to the words coming out of Suo’s mouth, the pounding of his heart drowning out everything else. 

He didn’t even realize he’d missed his line until Suo reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, the touch making him freeze. 

“Sakura, focus,” Suo said bluntly.

“I am focused,” Sakura grumbled, knowing damn well it was a lie. He refused to look at Suo, knowing exactly what he’d look like if he did. 

He didn’t need to see the look on his face to know he was obviously flustered, so much that they probably wouldn’t even need makeup for the performance tomorrow.

“No, you’re not,” Suo said, his voice soft but stern. “You keep zoning out.”

Sakura gritted his teeth, his cheeks feeling hot with embarrassment. He hated how perceptive Suo was, and more so how easily he could see right through him.

“I can’t focus when you’re so close!” he said, almost snapping, but not quite getting there. 

Suo raised an eyebrow at that, his mouth opening as if to respond, but he stayed silent instead. He almost looked amused, his eye narrowing as he stared at Sakura’s flushed face.

Sakura felt like squirming under the weight of Suo’s gaze, but he refused to back down. He was stubborn like that, even if the way he was looking at him made him want to turn and run. 

“You’re distracted because of me?” Suo asked, his voice taking on a teasing quality.

“It’s not like that,” Sakura said, a scowl forming on his face. His cheeks felt like they were on fire and he could barely even look at Suo, the way his eyebrow was raised and his gaze was intent on him making him feel like he’d combust on the spot.

“No?” There was an air of feigned surprise in Suo’s voice, “And here I thought you were embarrassed cause you have a crush.” 

Sakura felt like the wind got knocked out of him at the words. He was sure his face turned a brighter red as his heart started racing even faster. 

There was no way Suo knew. No way.

“A-a crush?!” His voice came out shrill as he sputtered, eyes widening in disbelief. “Don’t be absurd!”

His heartbeat was thrumming in his ears, and he was sure that Suo could see how red he was blushing. He wanted to hide somewhere, anywhere so he wouldn’t have to deal with this, but Suo’s face was still so close.

“Is it so hard to believe?”

He hated the way Suo kept his voice so calm, so impassive even in face of his very obvious embarrassment. It was so unfair. Why wasn’t he embarrassed too? Why was Sakura the only one who felt like burning red or felt like a damn train wreck?

“Why… why are you asking stupid questions?” Sakura forced the response out, trying to maintain the bit of composure he had left. 

He looked at Suo almost desperately, his heart pounding in his chest so hard it was starting to feel painful. His mind was racing, desperately trying to think of a way to change the conversation or stop Suo from looking at him that way.

“It’s not stupid,” Suo said. 

Suo was still so close to him, barely a few steps away, and Sakura didn’t think he could take it much longer. His heart was pounding in his chest, like a wild animal trying to beat his way out of its cage.

Suddenly, one of Suo’s hands reached out to catch his wrist in a loose but firm grip. The sudden touch of skin on skin made Sakura’s mind screech to a halt, and he almost jumped at the feeling.

He was frozen, his whole body feeling like it’d been lit aflame. Suo’s hand was warm on his skin, his fingers gently wrapping around his wrist and holding him still. He could practically feel Suo’s pulse through the contact too, and realized that it was just as fast as his own. But he couldn’t think about that now. All he could focus on was the sensation of Suo’s touch and the steady red eye that was staring at him intently.

“Sakura,” Suo’s voice was still so annoyingly calm, his hold on his wrist wasn’t too tight but also wasn’t too loose to be able to pull away from. 

Sakura looked at him a little wide-eyed, the redness still very prominent. He didn’t trust his voice, but his brain was fuzzy and it was like he was caught in a trance. Nothing could be processed except for the fact that Suo has said his name, and his fingers were on his wrist.

“You’re very easy to read,” Suo said, still holding him in place. 

Sakura sputtered, the words catching him off guard, “Don’t say that!” His voice came out more shrill than he wanted.

“It’s the truth, though,” continued Suo, the hand holding onto his wrist gave a small squeeze. 

“And I have a confession to make of my own- I’m glad we were picked for these roles. I’m glad I’m the one that gets to kiss you.”

The words hit him like a punch to the gut, and he felt his entire body go rigid. He stopped breathing, for a moment, staring at Suo with wide eyes in a mixture of shock and disbelief. The words left him breathless and his cheeks were burning under his gaze.

“It has to be me, right?” Suo asked, his voice lower. “Has to be me who gets to kiss you- otherwise, I don’t think I could stand it.” 

Something about his statement caught in Sakura’s throat, and he felt the air leave his lungs. His mind was still spinning a mile a minute, trying to process the words, but his body was reacting too rapidly.

“You…” Sakura could barely speak, too stunned to even form words. 

Suo’s eye was still on him, steady and holding him in its gaze. His hand was still on his wrist, an almost possessive grip on him, and Sakura was certain he was still blushing a brighter red than ever before.

“I know you’ll do amazing tomorrow,” Suo said, leaning forward until his lips pressed to Sakura's cheek and he leaned back.

“Maybe when the play is done, we can get a feel of our own romance? No more Romeo and Juliet, just Suo and Sakura.”

Sakura nearly melted on the spot, the feel of Suo’s lips lingering on his skin. He didn’t even know what to say, his mind completely blank of words. He just stared at Suo, his body trembling and his cheeks impossibly red as he tried to keep his composure.

Suo’s face was still close to his, and Sakura’s breath hitched as he tried to slow his racing heart. “I…” He trailed off, struggling to get the words out. He could still feel the feel of his mouth on his cheek, the heat on his skin, and the racing of his own heart, and he had so many questions.

Suo’s hand gently let go of Sakura’s wrist, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Get some rest, Sakura.”

He felt like he was in a daze, his head spinning as he stood frozen in place, still reeling from Suo's abrupt goodbye. He managed to nod weakly, his voice failing him completely. 

Suo gave one more smirk before he turned and left, closing the door quickly and leaving Sakura alone in his room. 

His heart was still pounding like crazy, and his cheek felt like it was throbbing where Suo kissed him.

There was no way he was getting any sleep that night. 

•

The next day brought forth the hectic start of the play. Kiryu had dragged Sakura into the dressing room the moment he’d stepped foot on campus. Hair extensions, makeup, and his dress; by the time Kiryu was done with him Sakura felt like he’d changed entirely. Curly long hair cascaded down his shoulders and back, and Kiryu had put something on his face, Sakura didn’t know what, but it made his eyelashes long and gave him a softer appearance. He almost looked…pretty. Not that he’d ever admit that out loud. His dress was a soft pastel blue, hanging off his shoulders, and a deep red gem was placed on the dipped collar above his chest.

Sakura marveled at it. It almost reminded him of Suo’s eyes. He found himself smiling. 

As the audience filed in and it grew closer to showtime, Sakura’s nerves were reaching an all new high. He still hadn’t seen Suo yet, but he knew when the show started, they’d be together. He felt jittery and anxious, the anticipation making him feel like he was going to throw up.

Sakura’s hands fidgeted with his dress for what felt like the hundredth time, tugging on it and pulling up the hem, then straightening it back out. He was so on edge, the nerves were nearly overwhelming. He tried to calm himself down, to still his hands and take deep, even breaths. It didn’t help, and he had to remind himself to keep breathing.

When the time came, he was ushered out to the side of the stage to wait for his cue to start. He stood near the entrance waiting and watching as the scene before him played out. It was already hard for him to stay still, but he forced himself to remain there while he watched the “party” on the stage. His heart was beating so loudly in his ears he could barely hear the words being spoken, but he watched and waited for his cue to start.

It felt like forever before it was finally time and he was ushered onto the stage. Immediately he was hit with the feeling of eyes on him, the feeling of being watched sending a sharp shiver through him and he was suddenly very aware of how many people were in the audience. The eyes of his classmates didn’t bother him, he could handle the thought of them, but there were other people. People he didn’t know, people he couldn’t avoid, and their eyes were all on him. It was almost like a physical weight on him.

But out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of red hair- Suo. His attention was immediately drawn in, and Sakura felt like he could die on the spot. Suo looked… he looked better than Sakura had ever seen him look before. His suit was black and white with gold trims, and his hair was coiffed. It looked softer than ever before. Sakura had the urge to run his fingers through it.

He had to look away, the feeling of weakness he got at the sight of Suo almost made his knees buckle. His heart was racing, and he felt the weight of the eyes on him even more- but he was also aware of Suo’s gaze, and that felt like it was pinning him in place. 

He stood where he was supposed to, the sound of his heartbeat drowning out his own thoughts, but he still found himself staring- completely enamored by Suo’s appearance. Suo’s words from the night before echoed in his mind, “-our own romance”, and Sakura felt a courage he didn’t know he had well up. He could do this. 

When Sakura was introduced and called forward, he met Suo’s eye, and stepped closer, holding himself as tall as he could manage. Sakura’s eyes locked on Suo’s, and he suddenly found the words spilling from his mouth far easier than he’d expect them to. He was still nervous- he was incredibly nervous- but now, there was something else there too. A determination to be as amazing as Suo expected of him.

But it was more than that. It was this feeling of wanting to impress Suo, of wanting to make him proud, and of wanting to be the focus of his attention. He wanted to be the one that Suo was staring at as if he was the only person in the room.  He was surprised at himself for it all, and at the same time, as he stared into Suo’s eye, he felt like it was something he couldn’t deny.

Every word of the script he said was like a promise to himself. Juliet’s words were no longer hers, but his. Each line spoken from his lips were filled with the torrent of emotions he felt. He hoped Suo could feel it- feel how he felt. He hoped Suo understood that he wanted to explore a romance of their own too. He was scared- hell, he was terrified! But Suo’s calm demeanor anchored him and as Suo took his hand, lips pressed to his knuckles, Sakura knew he couldn’t escape this.

And for the first time when their lips met, Sakura kissed back.

It was the best performance of his life. And he hoped the last, because he didn’t want this with anyone else.

When the curtains fell that day, a new door opened- one solely for Sakura and Suo. They had their own romance to write, and Sakura knew theirs wouldn’t end in tragedy.