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The crowd cheered loudly when the main guests of the evening entered the open air stage. One of many at this festival, but you were most excited, waiting for that particular night for the past few months. Almost freshly arrived, you went straight to participate in this one.
First melodies started to pour through speakers. Your body followed the crowd’s hive-mind, starting to jump to the rhythm, words of song flown from your lips, joining the collective choir.
That was when you saw him - tall, lean, with furiously orange hair that stood out from the crowd, and you were positive that unlike many people here they were not dyed. He seemed to be as enchanted by the melody as you and the majority of the crowd, jumping and singing along.
But something made the man turn towards you. Maybe he was just wary of not hitting anyone with his elbow, maybe he was trying to see if there was any chance to get closer to the stage, to see the band better. It didn’t matter, really. What did was the fact that your eyes met, and you felt that weird but pleasant shiver under your skin. He was… Something. Certainly a guy worth meeting.
Apparently, his thoughts were similar as he started moving towards you.
It wasn’t an easy task - the crowd was lively, trying to snatch you both into the endless dance, but luckily for you both, the song has ended. The vocalist started to speak to the crowd, gaining an enthusiastic shout from thousands of throats.
Taking the chance that people around stopped moving, you two moved closer and closer, until your bodies almost touched each other.
Ichigo was his name, at least that you understood through the noise. You didn’t manage to learn much more, as the next song started, jamming any other sounds around. But neither of you for now wanted to move away to learn more. For now just a proximity was enough, and soon the proximity changed into something reassembling more of a dance than just chaotic jumping.
Yet the crowd got more excited with every song. And unfortunately, wild and unpredictable. Dancing and jumping began to be more chaotic; some people started using their elbows, and in the middle of the crowd a whirlwind formed - a moshpit for those brave enough.
It wasn’t for you, but you stood close enough to suffer as a random casualty. In one moment you were standing, jumping high to see the scene, in the next you were on the ground under a few other gig participants. Your ass hurt, and your ankle felt like burning, suddenly twisted unnaturally.
Strong hands helped you dig out from under a pile of people trying to do the same as you. Even if you tried to play it cool, your painful grimace didn’t go unnoticed by Ichigo. You didn’t protest when he guided your arm around his shoulders and his hand wrapped around your waist - you were in no shape of having further fun in the crowd, and help from the newly met man was appreciated. Slowly, limping on one leg you managed to move through the crowd, but instead going to your tent, like you wanted to, Ichigo insisted to lead you to paramedic’s tent, saying something about that his father is a doctor, and he has seen enough of injured people to know that it might feel like something would be harmless, but was opposite in reality.
Actually, this whole time the guy was really sweet to you, making sure that you’re comfortable, that you have a place to sit. He even managed to get you a bottle of ice cold water fairly quickly in the whole crowd that was passing through the tent.
Luckily for you, Ichigo was just overcautious. Your ankle was just bandaged, with a recommendation to be wary and not strain your limb.
As you moved out from the paramedic’s tent, you were about to say goodbye to Ichigo - after all, even if he was nice, and during this short time you’ve spent together you could tell he was boyfriend material, you couldn’t just impose yourself to keep him around a little longer… Yet he frowned as soon as you even started your farewell.
“Are you kidding? I won’t let you limp there alone, and at night. Come on.” Without waiting for your protests he threw your arm around his shoulder just like before.
“You really don’t have to. The gig is still on…” You looked at the crowd. From this perspective you couldn’t see the stage anymore, the sea of people was too vast. The music was still loud, but it was easier to hear everyone around already.
“So? Not my first, not my last.” Giving you a smile, Ichigo started to lead out away from the crowd. “So, where are you from?”
The road, slow and with lots of stops, was pleasant, filled with small-talk, easing the pain just a bit. Music still went on, but faltering the longer you walked. Finally, after lots of laughing and banter, you reached the area with trees scattered around, where you were lucky enough to find a spot.
“It seems like we’re neighbors.” Ichigo pointed at a well-lit spot between the trees. String lights hung from branches, colorful cloths shaded the area, making it feel cozy. Around there were few tents and campers, clearly belonging to a group that temporarily inhabited the camp.
“This is your camp? Seems comfy.” You pointed in the direction where your tent was, the one you shared with your friend, vaguely visible from the spot. “As you can see, we didn’t manage to do anything, and I don’t want to point fingers, but all I had to do was to bring a tent… And it wasn’t my task to bring blankets or something to hang between the trees-”
“Then we’re lucky we did.” Ichigo interrupted your rant. “Come on, there is space for everyone.”
“I’d love to. I’ll just grab something from my tent and I’ll be there any minute, okay?”
“You’ll manage on your own?”
“It’s just a strained ankle, not a broken leg.” You laughed. “I’ll be fine.”
“Alight.” Ichigo raised his hands in an innocent gesture. “Just call me if you need my help.”
It was a challenge to reach your tent, and with clenched teeth you pulled the bottle of wine; a good one, that you’ve been saving up for a special occasion that never came, so it felt fair to waste it with a freshly met stranger and your savior. It deserved someone to be enjoyed with, and who knows, maybe this would turn into a sort of special occasion in the end?
“I couldn’t come empty-handed. I need to thank you somehow.” You raised the bottle awkwardly when you came back, finding Ichigo exiting one of the campers, carrying some blankets and cushions. The moment he saw you, Ichigo put away all items he was holding, rushing to you, in case you needed aid.
“You didn’t have to. But that’s very nice of you.”
“Hey, it’s a good wine! I couldn’t let it sit in the bottle forever! There won’t be a better occasion!”
“In that case, I apologize for not having anything else to drink from.” He took cups from the table in his hands, showing off old-fashioned patterns and thick walls stained by time.
“They’re perfect.”
Ichigo smiled. He rolled out the quilt, and with little aid you sat down on a soft cushion. Your arms were soon wrapped in another blanket, keeping you warm. The wine disappeared quickly, keeping you even warmer. But the best was still Ichigo’s company. He was smart and funny. He listened, not only nodding and pretending to show his attention, but really engaging into the conversation.
You played cards, you sipped some more wine (this time, it was Ichigo who pulled out the bottle), you laughed. It was even better than the whole concert. Even if you waited for the event for a long time, this… This was different. Fun, but soothing. Engaging, but making you feel calm. You didn’t notice when the music stopped completely, the clear sign that the main event of the evening has come to an end were groups of people, coming in bigger waves each.
“Seems like the gig ended. Bet it will be crowded here really soon…” Ichigo’s eyes studied faces that passed, looking for those he knew. “So, gonna go back to your tent? Any boyfriend ready to fight me for helping you and sharing wine?”
You knew that it was supposed to sound like a joke, but in reality Ichigo was testing the waters, fishing for very important information.
“I don’t have a boyfriend.”
“Oh, really? You came here all alone?”
“With a friend. But I bet she will be partying the morning anyway. Maybe she will just drop by to make sure I’m here, but I wouldn’t count on her company.”
“Well, you can count on mine.” He took your hand into his. After a moment of pondering he raised it and left a gentle, small kiss on the top of your palm. “That is, if you want to.”
“I would love to.” You answered with no hesitation.
He didn’t let go of your hand that evening.