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Ever since Torpe joined the orchestra, his stage fright calmed down. His little friends, who kept on coming back every night to hear him play the piano, helped him build up more confidence, permitting him to talk to the other members of the orchestra without running away or hiding his face in his hat. It was easier to play in front of an audience, his hands didn’t freeze anymore and he could focus on the music, letting his passion take control of him. It was truly freeing and his dream of performing on the biggest stage of the world was finally reachable.
Despite everything that happened, the timid boy never let go of his old stage, often playing in the same tavern at night when the only sounds made were those of drunken men and an exasperated but smiling barista. It was comforting to play here, nostalgia could be heard in each note. Sometimes, a lone soul would stop what they were doing to listen to the peaceful melody of the piano. They would either hum along or close their eyes, fully immersing in the moment. The pianist always noticed when someone listened to him and would start a new song that would best represent the emotions that could be seen on the listener’s face. At the end of the piece, there would be soft claps and a ‘thank you’ whispered before the stranger resumed their activity.
Torpe was content with what he had. He was forever grateful to his director, for spotting him and giving him the courage to try another audition. If it wasn't for him, Torpe would have stayed hopeless, being hard on himself at every single mistake he made and wouldn't have practiced with his friends. The blond had now somewhere he belonged, he was part of an orchestra and his piano could be heard by everyone.
Rui, the orchestra’s director, was quite famous in the country. He was known to be patient and comprehensive with everyone playing for him as well as for being a hard critic. As much as the man would acknowledge each person’s talent and practice, few were the ones good enough in his eyes to join him. When asked what his criterias were, Rui would respond “being able to play is one thing, there are countless talented musicians across the world. However, what I also need is someone playing with their heart. I want the pianist, the violinist, the flutist, or whoever else, to transmit their emotions to me through their playing. I want to understand them without talking.”
He pushed his musicians to give the best of themselves, never hesitating to stay behind when the rest got home to give advice to those who needed them and help them fix their mistakes. Nobody could leave with a frown or dissatisfaction with their own performance as long as he was here. Rui was admirable, to say Torpe was the only one to look up to him would be a big lie.
♡
“Where are you taking me, Rui-san ? And why must we go at night ?”
After two years of playing in the same orchestra, including a year and a half of pining for the other, the purple and yellow duo started dating. To everyone's surprise, Torpe was the one to confess his feelings. He suggested to Rui that he stays to listen to a new song he composed and give him some feedback. Eager to discover the pianist’s piece, and being a fan of his piano, the taller quickly agreed and sat in the audience seat, impatient eyes on the nervous boy standing alone on the stage. What Rui wasn’t expecting was the type of feeling he heard. The more Torpe played, the more a soft and warm melody resonated in the purple haired male’s heart. If he had to compare the music to anything, he would describe it as a comfy blanket enveloping him to protect him from any sort of negativity.
Once the song faded to silence, the smaller got up from his stool and faced his companion, eyes burning with a newfound determination. He screamed his love with a face as red as the stage’s curtains, taking a practiced pose to appear as confident as he could. If Rui wasn’t already smitten with the boy, he definitely was now. Not being able to contain his joy, the director laughed and laughed, bringing a hand to his eyes to wipe his forming tears. Torpe took a step back, not quite sure what to think of the reaction he was given but all his doubts faded when his love declared “ don’t you think this piece would sound better as a duet ? Allow me to accompany you, your feelings would be stronger with a response, won't they ? ”
The news of their couple spreaded like covid in 2020, people congratulated the two, some were even shocked that they weren’t courting before. Among the laughs, the teasing and the celebrations, a single thought resided in every members’ head. Rui was the happiest with Torpe and the latter was no different.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and months turned into years. Never once was the one intensity of their love questionable, one look at them and anyone could think they just started dating. They would still blush over a kiss, look at the other as if he held the world in his hands, talk endlessly about their partner as would a girl in a shoujo manga would and shower each other with gifts of all kinds.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore Torpe-kun. Now, be patient for me, we’re almost there.”
Torpe slightly pouted, resulting in a giggle from Rui, soon joined by the blond’s own laughter. His darling was so endearing, he sometimes wondered how his heart was still intact after all this year. Everything his director did with him would bring back butterflies in his stomach, it was like living in a fairy tale and having their happily ever after promised to them.
After some more time walking, they arrived at the edge of a beach. Torpe gasped as the cat-like man took his hand and guided him where a basket was waiting for them on the sand. Rui didn't wait to take out a blanket, placing it on the ground, a silent invitation for the other boy to sit. The latter nodded and sat down, watching his director bring out different food from the basket, fitting for a picnic.
He raised an eyebrow, when no watermelons, cucumbers or any vegetables appeared in his sight. His boyfriend would never change, he thought, bringing his hand to his lips, suppressing a smile. Torpe sighed and picked a cherry tomato, enjoying the taste as he watched Rui do the same.
The temperature was cool and the sounds of the waves were relaxing. The moon was shining brightly enough to let the couple clearly see their surroundings as well as the cloudless sky above them. The beach was empty, making Torpe feel like they were the only one in the world.
“Is this a beach date ? I must say, it’s very pleasant, as it always is when I’m with you, but I still don’t understand the necessity for it to be during the night. Is there something specific that we couldn’t have done earlier in the day ?”
Rui offered a mischievous smile at the smaller, letting him know that, yes, there was more planned than just a picnic. The director shifted, now standing next to his beloved and placed a finger under his chin in order to lift his head. Albeit a bit confused, Torpe knew better than not to trust Rui and stared at the sky. Everything he did had a purpose and only a fool would doubt his intentions. Satisfied, Rui gave a quick peck on Torpe's cheek, amusingly watching it turn into a shade of red before looking up too.
“It seems you’re becoming too smart for me, my dear, although I’m a bit disappointed you didn’t connect the dots yet”, at that, said boy hit lightly Rui’s arm, indignated by his comment, causing another laugh out of the culprit, “sorry, sorry. You should know by now that it’s impossible for me to not be proud of you, you progressed so much, be it in your playing and in your social interactions. It’s a pleasure to watch you grow by your side… Ah, back to what I was originally saying, you told me that watching stars brought you comfort so I hope that tonight’s show will not fail at making you smile.”
Torpe immediately brought back his attention to the scenery above him. He only had to wait a little before the beginning of said show.
In the starry sky, a line appeared. Then another, and another again, followed by numerous stars. Torpe was witnessing his first shooting star shower. The stars seemed to dance across the night sky, starting out from all sides, some shooting stars appearing at the same time as others, heading off in the same direction, while other shooting stars appeared on the opposite side, filling the sky with their light.
It was mesmerizing, the blond felt like a little kid again, a rush of excitement filling his body, erasing any trace of tiredness he could have had. He was smiling so much that his cheeks started to hurt but he couldn't care less, the stars hypnotized him. Torpe brought his hands together as he eyes were fixed on the show, thinking of a wish he could make. He realized quickly enough that nothing came to mind, he already had everything his past self wanted. He had friends, he wasn’t as shy anymore, his skills were appreciated by every audience he played for and he was right now with the love of his life who went out of his way to prepare a date for him.
Turning to his lover to ask him what the wish he made was, Torpe was surprised to see Rui looking at him with a fond smile and half-lidded eyes. The pianist’s blood ran to his head, painting his ears and neck red as well. A moment passed with neither boy speaking, too focused on the other to open their mouth.
Rui took a deep breath and invited Torpe to stand up with him. As soon as he did, the director got down on one knee, taking a small, black box out of his coat’s pocket and opening it, revealing the ring hidden inside.
“Torpe, ever since I first saw you in that tavern, I was immediately drawn to you. I first pushed this thought aside, thinking that it was only admiration caused by your talent in piano but it wasn’t just that. The more I got to know you, the more I would long to be by your side. Your kindness, your compassion, your patience, your shyness, the way your eyes lit up when you talk to me, the way your fluffy hair flows in the wind, the way your cheeks become red everytime I praise you.. I love everything about you. Your smile never fails to make my heart race and having the chance to call myself your boyfriend makes my sorrows disappear, knowing you’ll be there for me.”
Rui lifted one of his hands to grab Torpe’s, feeling the boy tremble from, what he hoped, joy before continuing.
“I want to be so much more to you my love. I want to keep on waking up with you in my arms everyday, I want to be fully yours and for you to be fully mine, I want to grow old with you. The only wish I have for those shooting stars is to seal our love forever. Torpe, would you make me the happiest man alive by marrying me ?”
Tears ran down the blond’s flushed cheeks like a waterfall. It was all so much, he resisted the urge to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming. Without thinking twice, Torpe knelt down and embraced Rui, soaking his coat with his tears. The latter gently patted his back, whispering words of reassurance in the other’s ear, along with ‘I love you's.
“Do you really mean it..? Yes, yes I want to be your husband. Words can’t express how much I’m grateful to you for everything you’ve done for me.. I’m sorry, I can’t stop crying.. I’m just so happy.. Marrying you is like a dream coming true, thank you for loving me Rui..”
Rui sighed tenderly and stepped back a little to place the ring on his now fiancé’s hand before going back to hanging, the urge to touch their lover too important to resist. They both looked at it, shooting stars forgotten, while they remained speechless. Neither of them could believe this moment was truly happening, it felt like they just met yesterday but here they are, promising each other a better future, one filled with endless smiles.
If they stayed on the beach longer, kissing and enjoying the other's presence, it was for them to know.
♡
“You’re getting what ?!”, “It’s about time…”, “I’m so happy for you !”, “Congratulations Torpe, you got yourself a good one”, “I didn’t expect you to actually propose to Torpe, director-san…”
The next day, the couple was encircled by the orchestra’s members, their comments and questions were near overwhelming but Torpe and Rui were glad their friends supported them all the way. After some discussion, everyone agreed a party in honor of the pianist and the director was needed.