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They met when they were teenagers, both of them fresh out of training.
He endeavored to be a soloist. It was a dream of his. To show the world what he could do. To show them what he was capable of. But companies enjoyed putting trainees together, to see what they were capable of, and how far they would go. It was natural for the company to see if putting trainees together in a group would make them shine and determine their worth.
For them, they were paired together.
It was difficult for them to get along initially off camera. Their personalities clashed at times and tempers were thrown. When the cameras were off of them, it was natural to ignore each other. Or, at least, for him to ignore the other. He hadn’t wanted to be paired off with another kid. Someone whose entire personality simply radiated sunshine and it pissed him off. Acting like they were friends was easy. Actually liking him was another thing.
But nothing brought anyone closer together than a life changing experience.
In their case, a life-threatening one.
They quickly learned fans were dangerous when they debuted. Someone had attempted to poison Ventus’ food by putting chloride in it and never before had Vanitas felt such panic. The way his chest tightened as Ventus choked, skin growing pale. The way he felt his hands grow clammy as he shouted for someone–anyone–to come help. The utter relief that spread throughout his body as he sat by Ventus’ bedside, stubbornly refusing to leave when the hospital staff dictated him to, and finding comfort in the rise and fall of his chest.
It was that moment he realized he felt strong affection for his partner.
Their dynamic changed afterwards.
They grew closer, though their jabbed words became teasing, filled with affection instead of venom.
Partnership turned into friendship…and friendship turned into something more .
Neither of them were willing to truly acknowledge it. Fans already believed they were together. There was something about this whole ‘fanservice’ thing that made fans crazy, and if they found out the true nature of their relationship, it would cause problems. Even behind closed doors, they had to be careful. It wasn’t unusual to have a fan creeping in their hotel room or stalk them, after all.
It was that period of time that Vanitas considered to be his brightest.
Finally, there was someone who he could open up to. Someone who understood far better than his own family. Most of their concepts revolved around being polar opposites–the sun, the moon, the light, the darkness–but he truly felt there was some truth to it. No one ever calmed him like Ventus had. No one understood him better. In a way, it felt like finding another part of himself that truly made him feel whole.
But alas, all things good would eventually come to an end.
Something happened. A scandal that broke the two apart, even though both of them knew the other was not at fault. But it resulted in Vanitas being kicked out of the company, and leaving Ventus alone. Their relationship broke, empty promises still left between them. And Vanitas left, bitter and enraged that everything eventually came down, turning to ashes in his hands. He turned his back, never once glancing over his shoulder to see if that light would follow him.
It didn’t.
Ten years had passed since then.
Vanitas was older now. Wiser, even if he didn’t feel like he grew wise. He was in his thirties now, which many people claimed to be the prime of their lives. He gave up singing, but his love for music was still there. He quit the idol scene, but he never stopped keeping up with what was happening. Vanitas was comfortable in his life now. A single man who worked in a cozy flower shop, away from the limelight and enjoying the anonymity that developed as people gradually forgot who he once was. He had no complaints.
Sure, he was angry once.
He wanted to tear everything apart, have others feel what he felt when he was much younger and a lot more to lose.
But now, Vanitas realized he didn’t need any of that.
No, what he really needed was the one person who he tried to forget about but never could.
The sunshine.
His sunshine.
They lost contact over the years. Really, it was neither of their faults. Vanitas, hurt and betrayed, ignored every message and every call since his departure. Eventually, it all came to a stop, and the silence was more deafening than the incessant ringing of his phone. No longer playing that annoying ringtone Ventus had set up for himself the one time he took his phone and played with it.
(It was a horribly upbeat song by one of their peers back then. Something about dancing or whatever. Vanitas didn’t keep track. He just knew he hated it, but didn’t hate it because it was his song.)
When Vanitas mustered up the courage to try to call, the number was disconnected. He still kept the voicemails on his phone even after these years, even if he begrudgingly got a new phone with his brother’s persuasion. During ten years, Vanitas never missed a show–variety or drama–when he learned Ventus was in it. He knew Ventus still sang. He had a voice of angels people would die for, but he no longer possessed that brilliance he had in their youth. The radiance that drew so many people in, but Vanitas knew it was partly his fault.
Ventus had always been sensitive.
But ten years have passed, and things were finally beginning to slow down.
Vanitas worked in a flower shop.
Ventus took a step back from idol life, only ever making appearances when necessary but had built up enough where he was content without doing music shows or appearing on variety shows anymore. He didn’t have to worry about promoting music or putting himself out there on display for everyone to see.
Ten years have passed and they were both older now, free to make their own choices in life.
And it was by chance that Vanitas finally managed to get Ventus’ new number from their old manager, who had retired some time ago but never stopped looking after them as if he was their parent.
And it took the courage Vanitas should have possessed years ago to not hesitate in calling him.
A date was settled, a place to meet was set.
No one in his new life knew too much about his old one. The idol Vanitas had withered like the flowers he cared for. No one needed to know he was about to meet with one of the people in his age group that set the standard for idol life, paved the way for newer generations to follow.
That was fine with him.
Because all that mattered was seeing Ventus again, and Vanitas despite his hard work, was not prepared to finally meet him face to face.
Ventus had grown, that was obvious, but he still had that baby face that didn’t seem to go away. His eyes were bright, a brilliant blue that never failed to remind Vanitas of a clear sky or the clear ocean waters whenever they went to the beach. He was still as beautiful as the day Vanitas first met him, perhaps more so now despite being in his thirties and the stress of idol life being a heavy weight on his shoulders.
Then he gave him that bright smile and Vanitas knew. He knew that he never stopped loving this boy turned man.
“Vanitas,” Ventus greeted warmly. His voice was deeper now, yet it never failed to withhold the warmth and utter adoration he detected from it. “It’s good to see you.”
Vanitas hesitated just a bit, fingers gripping the back of his chair.
No one would see them, he knew. Vanitas had been sure to book a private corner on the second floor of the cafe they both liked when they were younger. No matter the years, the owners knew them and were fond of them both. It had always been a safe place for them whenever they needed a break from prying eyes or shadows of paparazzi tailing their every movement. Yet, Vanitas felt nervous.
Far more hesitant than the brazen boy he once was.
“...Ventus.”
An acknowledgment, a greeting.
Vanitas slowly sat down. He felt like his heart was about to burst in his chest from how fast it was beating.
There wasn’t any bitterness between them. No lingering feelings of hate or betrayal. They were older now. Wiser.
They were no longer children.
“How have you been?” Ventus asked first, breaking the silence between them. His eyes were still gentle, warm as the moment they met. “It’s been so long.”
Vanitas slowly forced himself to relax. “I’ve been okay. What about you? Still singing?”
A soft hum. “Ah, not as much anymore. Only if it’s something important, though. What about you?”
There was a brief pause. Vanitas wasn’t sure if he wanted to answer that. He came a long way from a kid who wanted to sing his heart out on stage to a retired idol who was content working in a flower shop. The simple life wasn’t something he had seen for himself, but it was his life now. It was the kind of life he was content with.
“I work in a flower shop,” Vanitas eventually replied. “It’s not as exciting as idol life, but I’m happy with it.”
Ventus nodded slowly. There was a brief moment before he said, “I’m happy for you, Vanitas. I’m also happy to see you. Is it…okay if we can continue meeting like this?”
They were a duo once. Partners in crime against the world. It’s been ten years since then. Ten years later, he found it unfair that he still loved him.
Vanitas exhaled, relieved, and nodded. “Yeah…yeah, I’d love that.”
That smile he was rewarded with was worth more than anything else in the world.