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Qin is trying his best to calm every bit of his nerves under his black long sleeves and washed blue jeans. It was Kim’s drunken idea that they should perform in an open mic event at a local bar near their university as a practice for their upcoming battle of the bands, with three bottles of beer in his system and adrenaline kick, he agreed. Now, the crowd standing too close in front of him is buzzing with anticipation, waiting for his next move. He can only wish that his heart is not beating as loud as Tong’s drum cue to start their first song of the night. With practiced finesse, he positioned his mic, and gave the crowd what they have been waiting for.
your’re the moon that glows in the sky, lighting up the world when it’s blue Stars they dance, though late in the night, don’t you know they dance just for you
The cheer he heard when he sang the first line of the song gave him confidence to scan the whole room and be with the crowd. He flashed his million dollar smile, all teeth and friendly, and continued pouring his emotions to the song. In the corner of the room, there's a pair of two sharp eyes, observing him in a distance ever since he tapped the mic to check if it's on.
————-
The room is dimly lit from neon lights that are hanging around the posters-plastered wall. The disco ball hanging on top of the makeshift platform reflecting the lights, casts colorful reflection onto the crowd that creates a perfect scenery to enjoy music with a very intimate crowd. Duang would definitely appreciate his surrounding better if he’s not here against his own will… and if there are chairs to sit on.
Duang should be at his room playing his Nintendo DS. That's what he has in mind while he’s standing at a local bar where Pae has bribed him with a new Valorant Skin in exchange of his company. They chose a spot at the back right corner of the room hoping that it will be less crowded and suffocating but, the side of his mouth twitches with annoyance when someone accidentally stepped on his shoes excusing their way to be in front. Honestly, the inconvenience of being surrounded by a lot of people in a cramped room is making him feel nauseous. He should ask for an additional gear later.
His said friend, who is standing next to him with obvious excitement with all the jumping and fidgeting, is meeting this, quote Cutie Drummer Bumble Match unquote and thought that it's a nice idea to bring him and Jamie (who ditched them before the program even started) incase he got catfished yet again. If only Pae used his better judgement and listened to his gospel to stop using the godforsaken app, he shouldn't be here sweating, getting his shoes stepped on, and —
thund thund
Like the five second montage in a romance film.
Duang felt the pause, the caesura before the staccato, and then a shift. The gravity under his feet has never pulled harder than this exact moment to put him in a perfect place to witness the collision of two stars in a small room. His lips parted to take a breath like he’s preparing to recite a prayer before the person that caught his eyes.
He has perfectly styled brown hair that reaches his nape, and he’s wearing a black polo with two buttons undone revealing a milky chest and a necklace that hangs around his neck. The spotlight casted the singer a type of glow that makes him look like the moon above is watching over him.
What a sight to look at.
Duang has forgotten all the complains he has in mind and got replaced with thoughts of how blessed he must be to marvel at the divine human being in front of him.
And then he starts to sing.
Duang knows what he likes specially the pretty ones. He has a strong penchant to beautiful things and owning them. Tonight, he saw a person so otherworldly that could rival all the pretty trinkets he has at home combined. He regrets why they did not opt to stand in front line of the crowd.
He also has a beautiful voice.
And he would love to know how his name would sound with that voice.
“That’s their band. Tong, the person I’m meeting is the drummer.”
He heard Pae whispered to him while nudging his arm giggling. He brought up his phone to capture the performance of the band.
“And who’s singing?”
He asked back without taking his eyes away from the singer.
“I don’t know. We can ask later.”
And Duang has never been this grateful that Pae is using Bumble to this day.
♪˚♬ooh, you’ve got me in a daze, yeah
No, it’s not another phase
You gave me one look and now I can’t get my mind off of you ♪˚♬
————-
Qin is never good at hyping the crowd so he let Tong introduce their band after performing their third and last song of the night. He’s grateful for the crowd’s energy and warm support. They definitely don’t know any of the song they performed but he’s happy they still gave them loud applauses and cheers.
“Yo, that was fun!”
Once out of spotlight, Kim, their lead guitarist, let out a soft cheer of celebration.
“We did great. I like the crowd.” He said back while smiling.
He was so nervous earlier he forgot how rewarding it felt to hear a crowd cheering for them.
“This calls for celebration!” And Qin can’t help but nod in agreement.
“Do you mind if some people join us?”
Tong asked while glued on his phone. He’s been with his phone the minute they’e out of sight.
Qin spares him an inquisitive look indicating of asking for more details.
“I am meeting a friend and he also brought a friend so..”
He didn’t privy for more. He just shared an understanding look with Kim.
“Okay so where are we meeting them?”
——————
“Hey, Duang. I’m meeting Tong at a bar nearby. If you want to go ho-“
“Is he with his bandmates” he cut him with a reply a second faster than he should.
“yeah. They’re celebrating.” Pae’s voice is laced with suspicions.
“then i’ll come with you.”
He did not pay a reaction the teasing smile Pae has sent his way and just hovered around to exit the place.
————-
♪˚♬ I see the galaxies when I look in your eyes
and I Can't speak no I Can't speak at all
I swear to Zeus you're Aphrodite in disguise
Don't think that you can hide it from me ♪˚♬
The bar they chose this time has chairs. Finally.
There are couches and high stools, and the bar is playing some music too loud. This is a familiar territory.
Duang tailed after Pae who is approaching a group of four people that he just watched perform earlier. He took his time to wave and exchange pleasantries with everyone before zeroing his attention to one.
There he is, the subject of his prose and prayer.
Duang sits right across Qin.
“Hi, I’m Duang.”
“Qin.”
Duang stares at Qin because of course he does.
With only few inches away, he can observe this beauty better this way. The bar lighting highlights his brown hair and with this distance, Duang can see clearly the details of his face. He has sharp jaw, tall button nose, soft eyes that reflects the lights you can mistake the whole galaxy in them, and plump lips. He wonders if they are also soft.
He did not look away when Qin stares back.
Duang is not a believer. But now, he believes that God presented itself in a shape of a man in front of him.
He felt his fingers itch with wanting to hold this beautiful boy. To stop himself from reaching out, he gave him a coy smile.
“Did you know, you have a habit when performing.”
“What?” Confusion takes over Qin’s face tilting his face to encourage Duang to elaborate more.
Duang cheekily smiled at him.
“You close your eyes when you sing the last line of the song then stare at the crowd for three seconds before looking down at your feet for another three.”
Duang said it with confidence like he’s reciting the right Doctrine during a graded recitation. He doesn’t mind. He has a pretty boy to impress.
He saw how Qin changed his expressions comically that made Duang feel a little arrogant.
He leaned back, put his left arm at the backrest of their couch and sip another drink. Without breaking an eye contact, of course.
♪˚♬ Oh, no I never thought I'd get this close to someone so divine
Oh, I can't breathe no I can't breathe at all
Aphrodite could you could you please be mine oh
Could you please be mine oh mine ♪˚♬
————
Qin is taking in what’s in front of him.
A guy who introduces himself as Duang, apparently a friend of Tong’s new boy, who told him he has a habit when performing, and is arrogantly sitting in front of him.
He’s hot.
For the lack of better word, Qin will admit that he’s hot and he’s sure this guy finds him hot, too with the way he can feel his glances linger on him way too long to say it’s casual.
They exchange conversations from conversations.
‘I have a dog’ ‘i also have a cat’
‘i’m studying law’ ‘i do arts’
‘i like my things pretty’ ‘i like my coffee black’
‘are you single?’
‘do you see someone?’
———-
The night went on with more drinks, stories, laughter, and lingering glances.
Kim has shared the story of how their band was formed out of necessity during a high school event, and how they managed to convinced Qin to be their lead singer.
On the other side of the table, Tong and Pae has decided to be at their own world, and Jamie magically appeared out of nowhere with a beautiful man in tow.
And Duang is looking at Qin who is currently smiling in a way that his eyes disappear.
Everything falls perfectly into place, like the universe has conspired for all of them to be in a same place at the same time, like souls that have been tied together, got lost, and finally meeting the other end of their string.
Duang can’t remember how many drinks he has taken but he’s drunk enough to stare at Qin and sober enough to know that Qin is looking back… at his lips. The weight of knowing almost knocks the breath out of him.
He’s studying him like he’s the most prized painting at the Louvre. Every stroke, blends, and color that makes everything in perfection that million dollar security system has to be installed to protect him. Thank god he’s not in a museum because he wants to kiss him. He wants to lean in, grab his chin, and kiss without a second thought. He wonders what beautiful sounds Qin would elicit while he’s kissing him.
But he won’t. Not now.
He accepted the realization wholeheartedly that he doesn’t want Qin to be just another boy from a random Saturday night.
The mere thought that it can be just a passing moment is enough to feel a pang in his heart. No, he won’t just let this, Qin, pass by. He will make sure he’s here to stay.
The night ends with a new contact on his phone, a promise to watch a certain band’s performance next month, and a name of a boy that Duang will whisper like a silent prayer to the universe to let this be the one for him.
♪˚♬ Here you are I've waited so long Hoping you would sit down to stay
'Cause with these stars I've been dancing along Like a fool so you'd look my way ♪˚♬
—————
It’s their battle of the bands and they are the last to perform so Qin felt the pressure to keep the momentum lasts and leave a really good impression to the crowd.
They just finished their second song and about to perform their last. They decided to sing ‘Aphrodite’ for finale this time because it seemed to be the crowd’s favorite last time. He scanned the audience looking for a particular guy with a black hair and a penchant for beautiful things. He said he will be late because he has a graded recitation today. Qin tried not to be affected by it too much. He has a battle to win tonight.
Qin was looking down staring at his feet when he realized that Duang is right. That bastard. He can’t help but smile.
Once he heard Tong’s cue and Kim’s guitar, he looked at the crowd again with his million dollar smile and started singing the first line of the song.
And there he is.
Right in front of him. Duang, who boyishly smiles back at him. He must have pushed himself to be at the very front.
The crowd keeps cheering and few people are actually singing along.
He avoided looking at Duang throughout the song because he doesn’t know what will happen if he saw how earnest and heavy Duang is looking at him.
But for the last line of the song, he doesn’t close his eyes.
Instead, he looked directly at the person in the middle of the crowd who has been watching him with a knowing smile, he pours his emotion into the song hoping to send the message.
Could you please be mine oh mine~