Work Text:
Today was going awfully.
He was one to keep his word when it came to appointed meeting times but out of all the days he had overslept his alarm.
The area where they were supposed to meet up was incredibly overcrowded so he wasn’t able to catch a taxi.
Now he was desperately running on foot in hopes he could somehow make it to the event at all.
Aaron: “I’m already so late…fuck.”
A few days prior, Kei and Noah were on a date when Noah had been scouted.
As expected for someone as good-looking as Noah.
Naturally, his response was going to be a firm rejection but Kei had somehow convinced him to try it out at least once.
That guy had always been weak to Kei and he still is.
Turns out the scout was from a very famous fashion company and at the moment they were quite desperate for a replacement model.
An upcoming runway show was happening soon and when the scout laid eyes on Noah, he was their ideal model for their clothing.
Even though Noah stated he had no experience, while also being mute and nearly deaf, they didn’t seem to mind. In fact, as long as he could follow instructions well it didn’t matter.
Noah only agreed in the end as long as he could invite whoever he wanted and that this would be the only time he would model.
That was when Aaron had been invited to go see Noah model in person as a guest.
Although he wasn’t terribly interested in seeing Noah on stage compared to Kei, he couldn’t pass up the offer to see famous designers and the upcoming trending fashions.
He was also bad at saying no to Kei.
Juliet and Joe were invited as well but Juliet had no interest and Joe was busy.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Aaron and he hated to admit it but he was grateful Noah had given him this chance.
Yet, here he was running late.
Aaron: “God, I think I’ve already missed the first half.”
He darted and sprinted for his life by taking every shortcut possible in hopes of getting there just a bit faster.
While running he heard screams and loud voices coming from behind him.
It was like a huge stampede of people getting closer as if he was getting chased.
He hid in a narrow alleyway just to see what was occurring. The last thing he wanted was to get wrapped up in something and arrive even later.
Aaron: “Was there another event happening nearby?”
He was surprised to see that the crowd was chasing after one singular dude.
The guy was refreshingly good-looking even while he was running from what looked like hoards of fans.
Aaron felt bad for the guy so when he turned the corner, Aaron pulled him into the narrow alleyway with him.
Aaron: “Shh.”
As he put his hand over the other guy’s mouth, the both of them watched as the fans ran past them.
“Phew, I thought I’d never lose them. Thank you!”
Aaron was flashed with a charming smile from a guy with dashingly good looks that it felt criminal.
Aaron: “No problem. You looked like you were in trouble.”
“You saved me back there! Let me repay you somehow.”
Aaron: “No need.”
“But…I feel bad for getting you involved.”
He was like a big dog that was now sad as his ears drooped. In the first place, he chose to get involved.
Aaron noticed there was a small tear on his sleeve. He was wearing such expensive clothing too.
Aaron: “Then let me fix your sleeve. Seeing it annoys me.”
“Ah! It must have caught onto something while I was running.”
Aaron: “Sit.”
Obediently the handsome fellow did as he was told as he sat down on a wooden crate nearby.
Aaron took out his miniature sewing kit that he always brought with him from his bag and began patching up the tear.
“Wow, you’re good at this. I’m not good with my hands.”
Aaron was focused on fixing the sleeve but he could feel a pretty intense gaze from the other person.
It was odd, he had never met this person before and he swore his life on this but this person felt really familiar.
Was this person perhaps famous? Maybe he had seen them in a magazine or something.
Either way, it was probably best to finish this quickly and not get further involved.
“Thank you! It looks like it never had a tear in the first place!”
Aaron: “It’s nothing.”
Fixing that sleeve was more for Aaron’s sake than for his anyway.
Aaron hadn’t noticed but while he was checking his watch that person had gotten up.
Since the alley they were in was narrow, it was almost as if that guy had trapped Aaron up against the wall.
“Are you busy right now? I’d like to treat you to a meal as thanks.”
Aaron: “Fixing your sleeve was enough. I have to go. You can stay here until the crowd chasing you loses interest.”
Just like that Aaron had left that person behind. Surely, that person would be fine, he was a grown adult after all.
Though out of breath, Aaron had finally made it to where the runway was taking place.
As he entered the fancy towering building, he quickly and quietly found his seat next to Kei.
Kei: “Where have you been!? I was getting worried!”
Aaron: “Sorry, some things came up. Did I miss a lot?”
Kei: “Luckily, Noah hasn’t gone yet.”
As if on cue, the lights dimmed all around them. All the voices immediately ceased.
And sure enough, Noah had emerged onto the stage.
All the lights were on him and the cameras kept flashing nonstop.
Despite his stoic and expressionless face, he walked down the runway very calmly as if he was a natural meant for the stage.
It was hard to believe this was the same guy who would be cooped up inside a botanic garden all day to study plants.
Not to mention, he was stunning as a model. It was as if he made the clothes look good on him and not the other way around.
It was no wonder the scout so desperately wanted him.
Once Noah had reached the end of the runway, he stood to show off the clothing when his expression suddenly softened into a smile.
It was as if you could hear the audience audibly gasp suddenly being shown such a face and pause before the cameras started flashing again.
Noah’s cold expression was nowhere to be seen and was now adorned by what could only be described as a beautifully innocent appearance.
In that moment, Noah was unbelievably breathtaking.
Perhaps Aaron was the only one who knew that among this large crowd, this gaze full of infatuation was reserved for no one else but Kei.
Kei’s eyes never left Noah’s and up until he had to turn back around to leave, Noah’s never left Kei.
Ah, how could he ever compete with that?
Aaron: “I never had a chance from the start.”
Kei: “Aaron? What’s wrong?”
Aaron: “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Today, he finally decided to let go of this unrequited love.
Ever since that day, when Kei had rejected his confession, time had stopped for him.
He was still in love with Kei to this very day.
It was hard for feelings to change after all.
But it was idiotic to think that he would ever have the chance to get in between the two of them. All these years seemed so fruitless now.
He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the fact that he even thought that their love was beautiful.
Aaron so desperately wished that he was the person on stage right now. That he could have been the one who had all of Kei’s attention.
Yet he knew it would never be him.
Once he had accepted this all, he felt relieved.
He was glad that he could genuinely support his friends and be happy for them from now on.
Nothing went right today, not even his first love but surprisingly it didn’t feel all that bad.
It was as if a weight had been lifted off his heart.
After the show was over, Noah was surrounded by photographers and model agencies but Kei had pulled him away.
Everyone somehow knew to back off once they realized Noah had happily allowed himself to be taken away and the rest of the staff dealt with the rest.
Now the three of them were sitting at a table outside of a cafe.
Kei: “You did great, Noah! Right, Aaron?”
Aaron: “Yeah, you were a real natural.”
Noah: “Never again.”
Kei: “You looked so handsome and you were so cool! I fell in love all over again!”
Noah: “Maybe doing it one more time wouldn’t hurt.”
Kei: “Thanks for doing this for me even though it’s out of your comfort zone…”
Noah: “No, I was the one who wanted to try it and I wanted to look good in front of you too…”
Kei: “Noah…!”
Kei had pulled Noah into an embrace right in front of Aaron. His eyebrows could only twitch as he watched the two lovebirds.
He had long gotten used to being the third wheel and now instead of feeling jealous, he felt nothing but slight annoyance.
Kei: “What did you think of the show, Aaron? Did you like it?”
Aaron: “It was eye-opening, a great learning experience. Thank you for inviting me.”
For him, perhaps it could even be considered a life-changing event.
Kei: “That’s good! But why were you late? Was it something serious? You didn’t answer my texts or calls.”
Noah: “Is everything alright? You can always ask us for help.”
Aaron: “Thanks guys but it was nothing like that. I just ran into someone and helped them a bit.”
Aaron began explaining about the person he had helped out and how they felt eerily familiar for some reason.
The more he described what that person looked like the more Kei kept shifting through a variety of expressions.
Then Kei got up and slammed his hands on the table loudly.
Kei: “YOU MET THE CHER AND DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE!?!?”
Aaron: “Huh, I knew he looked familiar.”
Kei: “I can’t believe you met Cher…I’m so jealous I wish I could have seen him too.”
Kei fell back into his chair.
Cher was the face and lead center of the very famous and top trending idol group. Ever since they were in college, Kei had been a big fan of them.
Especially Cher, whose popularity continued to skyrocket and is still growing to this day.
It was hard not to know about him but Aaron was bad at remembering faces despite how often Kei would talk about them.
Kei then went off on how Cher was incredibly good-looking and super talented like he usually does when he goes off about his favorite idols.
Meanwhile, Noah was oozing with jealousy by the minute.
Aaron couldn’t blame him though.
Kei was gushing over some other guy right in front of him.
Aaron: “Kei, maybe you should pay more attention to your boyfriend instead.”
Kei: “Noah! Don’t be sad! You’re the only one for me! I only see you in my eyes! I just admire Cher as a fan.”
Once Noah was reassured the stupid couple was back to their usual flirting.
As they ate, Aaron spotted something in the corner of his eyes.
Not too far away, Cher: the person from earlier was running from a bunch of fans again.
He couldn’t believe that guy was still getting chased even now. He was as popular as Kei stated.
But what he was more concerned about was how that same guy had just turned into a dead end. He was as good as dead if his fans got their hands on him.
Aaron was good at keeping to himself and straying away from other people’s business but for some reason, he couldn’t ignore Cher.
Aaron: “I’ll be back.”
Kei: “Huh? Aaron? Where are you going!?”
Aaron ran after Cher, while also staying out of sight from the many fans searching around.
When he turned the same corner where Cher had gone there was no one there and just a dead end.
Aaron: “I could have sworn he turned around here?”
He heard lots of footsteps slowly approaching until a door opened and a hand grabbed him as the door closed, he was pulled inside.
In front of him was Cher, completely out of breath but he still had the same pretty smile when they made eye contact.
Cher: “We meet again.”
Aaron: “I thought someone had kidnapped you.”
Cher: “Hehe it feels nice having someone worry about me.”
Aaron: “Looks like I was worried for nothing. Now let me go.”
Cher: “If you go out there, you might get interrogated by my fans. Just stay with me for a bit, okay? I own this building.”
Aaron: “You what?”
Cher: “It’s kept a secret though but I sometimes come here to relax and hide from fans.”
He was on another level that Aaron couldn’t comprehend.
Cher: “I can finally thank you for earlier. Please let me treat you to a drink at least.”
Aaron: “…”
Cher: “Unless you don’t want to?”
It was like saying no to a puppy which was excruciatingly hard for Aaron to do.
Aaron: “I never said that. I’ll come with you but would it be okay if I asked for an autograph too?”
Cher: “Yes! You know who I am? I thought you didn’t but if you do, that makes me happy.”
Aaron: “The autograph isn’t for me but for my friend.”
Cher: “I’ll sign as many as you want!”
Aaron: “No, just one is enough.”
Aaron followed Cher as they both stepped into an elevator.
When they got off the elevator, they had arrived at the top floor.
It was empty of people as if it was reserved for just one person.
He even had his bar and personal bartender already there waiting for him whenever he wanted.
They both sat down at the bar next to each other as the bartender began working on their drinks with no words needed to be exchanged.
Cher: “May I ask what your name is? If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine too!”
Things were already starting to feel a bit too surreal. He had never expected this to happen. If Kei knew he would pass out on the spot.
Speaking of which, he should respond to Noah and Kei and at least let them know he was okay.
It had been some time since he left and it didn’t look like he was returning anytime soon.
Cher: “Are you okay?”
Aaron: “Yeah, and my name is Aaron.”
Cher: “Is something on your mind?”
Aaron: “I was just thinking how my friends might be worried. I suddenly left them out of nowhere.”
Cher: “Is it the same friend you wanted an autograph for?”
The bartender had served the drinks. It was a beautiful hue of blue and purple. Aaron had taken a sip.
Aaron: “Yes.”
Thinking about Kei for a moment made Aaron smile but that smile was somewhat distant and forlornly.
Cher: “They’re lucky to have you. You must cherish that friend.”
Aaron: “Yes, he’s very dear to me.”
Cher had noticed and his gaze never left Aaron. Even he could feel the other’s eyes on him.
Cher: “Aaron, have you ever considered becoming a manager?”
Aaron: “What’s with this all of a sudden?”
Cher: “What do you think about becoming my manager?”
Aaron: “Yours? Shouldn’t you already have your manager?”
Cher: “We have a manager for our group but I don’t have a personal one. Though our manager has been nagging me to get one.”
Aaron: “Why me?”
Cher: “Because I’m interested in you.”
The wind blew and Aaron could see himself reflected in Cher’s eyes, his gaze even now unwavering.
Aaron: “That’s not a good enough reason for me to be your manager…”
Cher: “You’re a designer, right?”
Aaron: “You could tell?”
Cher: “When you fixed my sleeve, it was as if it was done by a professional.”
Aaron: “So what if I am? What does that have to do with me becoming your manager.”
Cher: “Are you already in a company?”
Aaron: “I have my own company, though it’s small and still growing.”
Cher: “How about a deal, Aaron? You become my manager and my group and I will promote your company’s clothing. I’ll even invest in your brand with my own money.”
Aaron: “How could you just invest in some company and brand you don’t even know about?”
Cher: “The clothes you’re wearing right now, you made them yourself, am I correct?”
Aaron: “Yeah.”
Cher: “Then I’m sure. I can invest in you with no regrets.”
Aaron: “You’re something else.”
Cher: “I just like following my heart and I feel if I were to let you go now, I’d come to regret it for the rest of my life.”
Aaron: “How can you confidently say something so cheesy? geez.”
Cher: “Hehe, I’ll even pay for all the materials you’ll need when designing our clothes and future outfits!”
Aaron: “Deal.”
Aaron was stubborn sometimes but he wasn’t stupid enough to reject a golden plate being served right in front of him.
This deal was almost too good to be true.
Cher: “In that case, starting today you’ll be moving in with me! I hope that’s alright with you.”
Aaron: “Say what now?”
Cher: “As my manager, you’ll have to stay by my side from now on.”
Today started awfully for Aaron. Nothing ever went right in his life either but for some reason, he felt that maybe with this person by his side, everything would turn out fine.
Cher: “I’m looking forward to working with you, Aaron!”
Aaron: “I’m… looking forward to it as well.”
But wasn’t all of this too sudden!?