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Rui loved stargazing. Whether it was gazing at the natural stars in the sky, or ones being projected on his ceiling by some doohickey he had created, he adored it.
He loved the way each star seemed to hold a promise of hope, sparkling in his eyes, piercing the dark abyss above.
He loved how they came together to form pictures, constellations, each one telling a story about the past, about what ancestors observed. Each one symbolising something, each one having a purpose.
Even when they burn out, when they die, when they collapse, they’re still something people love to study. They leave such a great impact on things around them, and things far away from them.
His love for stargazing was partially the reason why he now finds himself laid in a field, next to Tsukasa, looking up at the sky, talking about anything and everything.
The latter had sent him short messages of ‘are you awake? (ah, of course you are)’ and ‘I can’t sleep, there’s a lot on my mind.’
So, of course, Rui rushed to be by his side… then recommended they go lie down in a random field he discovered one day.
And, of course… Tsukasa went along with it.
Tsukasa reminded Rui of many things. One of those things, indeed, being stargazing, plus the stars in general. Which one would agree is a given, seeing as he wanted to be one.
(“Not a literal one!” Tsukasa would scream. Rui disagrees, what’s not to love about being shot into space?)
Much like planets with their star, many were dependent on Tsukasa. Troupe leader, big brother, an amazing friend, a top role-model… but. Stars are able to provide no matter what.
Tsukasa’s only human. And unlike the stars, he has difficulty providing for others sometimes, as much as he wishes he didn’t struggle. As a human, he also has to deal with emotions and feelings and mental pressure. He has to deal with not being able to do things.
“-and, I just! I feel like my next step is right in front of me, but I just. I can’t take it. It’s so frustrating! I shouldn’t be at a standstill, yet I am.”
“I’m not sure you should be anything. Not right now, anyway.”
“What?”
“I’m just wondering… that, maybe this ‘next step’ you’re set on is too big of a next step? You need to break it down.”
“No... no, I can’t do that. It’s not efficient enough, I-”
“It isn’t about being efficient, Tsukasa. It’s about what’s best for you and your health.” The grass rustles as Rui turns to face Tsukasa. “Can’t you consider that?” he softly says.
“…”
Rui turned back over and sighed. Tsukasa had a habit of doing this, holding himself up to something that’s just a tad bit too difficult for him to achieve at that moment. It’s good, great even, that he had high hopes and expectations for himself, but… Sometimes he bites off a lot more than he can chew.
Rui doesn’t blame him for being like this, not in the slightest. Often, he thinks similarly about the things he’s making, the things he’s doing. A very one-track mind they can both have at times, huh.
But, to him, it hurt a lot witnessing Tsukasa go through it. He wants to (and, that ‘want’ sprouts the need to) be there for Tsukasa.
Rui is more than happy to help him pick up the pieces when a hiccup happens.
“Tsuuukasaa-kuuun.” Rui turns in his direction again, and prods him in the arm.
“..Huh?… Sorry. What’s up?” Tsukasa turns, too, to face Rui.
Rui grins. “Heh. The sky.”
“What- no- RUI! You know what I mean.”
“Hehe. Well, I was hoping you could answer that question. About yourself.”
“Ah, well… talking about things, it. It helps more than I would’ve thought. Even though it is just talking… you’re getting it out there. But. I realised, you have a point. Maybe I do need to break things up a little. I just wish I didn’t feel so guilty, or.. so horrible about it.” Tsukasa frowned.
“Sometimes, you need to take things easy, and slow down a little. You’ll still reach your goal in the end..”
Tsukasa laughs and smiles, “Ironic, coming from you.”
“Maybe so, but,” Rui grabs onto Tsukasa’s arm fully, now, “we need you to look after yourself, no?”
Tsukasa looks away, but still keeps his smile. He hums in agreement.
“No one will ever think any less of you. You’re capable of so many things, and everyone will continue to love you whether it takes you 5 days to achieve something, or 5 years.”
Rui releases his hold on Tsukasa’s arm, and gently holds his face instead, making Tsukasa look at him. He runs his thumbs across his cheeks. “We’re all so proud of you. Hm. Forgive my selfishness, but,” he bumps their foreheads together, “me especially. I’m extremely proud of you. Always will be… don’t ever forget that, Tsukasa.” He pulls back.
Tsukasa stares into Rui’s eyes for a minute or two, then brings his hands up to cover Rui’s hands. His eyes fill up a little, and he gives a crooked smile.
“Rui… thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Tsukasa-kun. I’m always here for you. We all are.” Rui giggles.
Tsukasa nods shakily, and tilts his face a little into Rui’s hand. “I can’t promise I won’t forget though,” he lightheartedly jokes, chuckling.
“Hm. I’ll have to give you constant reminders then, Tsukasa-kun. Every morning as you wake up, everytime I greet you in person, every afternoon, every night, every-”
Tsukasa slaps his hand over Rui’s mouth. “RUI! THERE IS NO NEED!!”
Rui guffaws.
After talking about things a little more, they still lay in the grass in each other’s hold. Rui had the opportunity to talk Tsukasa’s ear off about the stars and planets, and other various tidbits he’d found out about random stuff. Tsukasa had the opportunity to tell Rui about a day out he had with his sister, Saki.
Half an hour of comfortable silence passes, and Rui hears a certain someone softly snoring while sprawled across his chest. He huffs out a breath and runs his hand through Tsukasa’s hair.
Truly, the best things come from stargazing, he thinks.