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Tsukasa has known from the start. The moment he laid his eyes on Rui, performing such a majestic show all by himself, Tsukasa was convinced that Rui was someone he wanted to do shows with. Sure, they fought sometimes, but it was always resolved in the end, them understanding each other's quirks better and becoming closer. Then why, why was he so shy all of a sudden? Shouldn't they be more comfortable with each other?
It started from the little things that Rui noticed. The way that he immediately handed Tsukasa his water bottle after a particularly difficult stunt, the way he always seem confident that Tsukasa was able to play the exact actor and convey the perfect meaning, the way when Tsukasa managed to play said characters, Rui would always look at him with that awestruck yet proud gaze, like Tsukasa hung all the stars in the night sky.
“You’ve got it all down perfectly, Tsukasa-kun. Looking forward to seeing it the actual day, hehe.” Rui grins, leaning over the stage.
“Of course, I will deliver the best performance a star is befitting of!” Tsukasa barks out a laugh loudly, yet his heart is fluttering.
Wait. Fluttering?
No way. There was absolutely no way. No way that he had fallen for Rui, stupidly childish Rui, but also prodigally intelligent and creative Rui, drop dead handsome Rui with that incredibly refreshing voice…
Oh dear. Tsukasa might have fallen for Rui.
-
The childish Rui, with that stupid smirk of his, would tease him into doing crazy and maybe slightly dangerous stunts, all the while being confident in Tsukasa taking the bait. That infuriated him, and yet, he couldn’t help a fond smile creep across his face thinking about it. Rui, in the soft manner when he felt that Tsukasa was biting more than he could chew, dragging him around for surprise explosions that never failed to bring a slightly exasperated smile out of him, letting him ramble on about how cute Saki was, and this one he swears by (despite having no definite proof), Rui letting him sleep on his shoulder, after he has fallen asleep, only to be greeted with a smug Rui knowing that there was only 5 minutes of lunch left, which ultimately meant that Rui had stolen his tamagoyaki again. Not that he minded in particular, though. He would never admit it though.
Tsukasa smiled softly, poking at his food, with no particular appetite, head full of flowers just thinking of Rui.
Had he been reading too many of Saki’s romantic shoujo novels and manga? What was up with him?
That being said, said romantic interest had been eyeing him throughout lunch with a curious look.
“Hey, hey, what’s up, lover boy? Pining for someone?” Rui teased, shuffling closer to him, taking the chance to steal his karate.
“Huh- you, what?” Tsukasa flushed, a pretty blush overtaking his features, to which Rui just laughed at.
-
Little did Tsukasa know that Rui was secretly hoping that he’d say his name. Rui had long known that he liked Tsukasa, and not just in a friendly platonic way. The way the star glittered both on and off stage, the way his laugh resonated in his ears like the chiming of wedding bells, his large never-fading smile, his truly kind personality, along with his undoubtedly attractive and flexible body when he acted… Rui could go on and on about Tsukasa’s greatest features (read: all).
If you were to ask which part of Tsukasa he loved the most, Rui would have two answers. He loves stage Tsukasa, the star, the supreme actor who shone more like the sun than just a star, the stage lights hitting his hair making it shimmer, infectious smile illuminating the whole stage but he also loves normal Tsukasa, the one who went along with all his teasing, who cared loudly and proudly, wearing his heart on his sleeve, screams about bugs and cares for his bangs, with adorable pink tips that match his blushing expression. When Tsukasa calls his name, he feels so, so warm, and it fills with a sort of energy that drives him to do better, to show off his skills and impress this man.
-
Then again, there was Rui’s show-stopping attractive looks. The two blue streaks that complemented perfectly with his lilac purple hair, his glittery shiny golden eyes that seemed like it was looking into your soul, his gentle yet sly smile so iconic that you could imagine his laugh, his gorgeous serious low voice when he was giving show directions, his lovely soft humming when he was fixing up a new robot mechanic for the show, his steady and slightly nicked hands which shifted Tsukasa in the right direction, oh gosh…
He was definitely in love with Rui.
Alright. He could do this, make a list or something, how did romance usually go? Tsukasa read lots of plays, but this wasn’t a play, he had his feelings at stake here.
Step 1. Realise feelings. Check.
Step 2. Confess and desperately hope to whichever god that’s up there that his feelings would be reciprocated.
Step 3. Start dating????
Now here’s the problem. He’s stuck at Step 2. There was no for sure way that he could guarantee that Rui liked him back, hell even swung that way… Tsukasa sighed, laying his head on the table in defeat. Was he to keep his feelings a secret forever?
-
Turns out, not for long.
”Tsukasa-kun! Are you in love with Rui?” Emu shouted across the Wonderstage the moment Tsukasa entered.
Choking, and then falling on his face, Tsukasa blushed furiously, “Emu!”
”But-“ Emu pouted, still shouting.
”Emu, you’re too loud.” Nene clasped her hands over Emu’s mouth, eyes still sparkling with mirth.
Hurriedly running over to them, Tsukasa whispers frantically, looking around for any sign of Rui, “How did you know?”
”From the way you look at him, dumbass. You look like some lovesick maiden every time you lay your eyes on him.” Nene groans and rolls her eyes.
”Exactly! It’s so obvious that you like him! It’s so wonderhoy cute!! Are you gonna confess?” Emu affirms delightedly, making excitable actions.
“What?” Tsukasa colours, still taken aback and shocked at the fact that his feelings were out in the open to all of them. Had he been that obvious? Then surely, Rui…
”Rui’s not gonna confess, if that’s what you’re thinking. You’re gonna have to approach him.” Nene sighs fondly.
”So that’s why…da-dan! Bring him here and confess to the love of your life!” Emu shoves a poster, indicating a summer festival with a firework display in 2 weeks.
”A summer festival?” Tsukasa questions.
”Yes! It’s the most romantic date idea too!” Emu giggles gleefully.
”Enough mutual pining, it’s getting painful to watch.” Nene states simply.
“Go for it, Tsukasa-kun! You’re gonna be Rui’s knight in shining armour!” Emu twirls Tsukasa around.
Now, if only Tsukasa hadn’t been so stunned by the series of events and Rui’s timely arrival, he would have noticed that Nene had said “mutual pining”.
-
Was it just the nearing of the summer festival (along with his confession), but was Rui acting incredibly flirty recently? From small, tiny unnoticeable actions of tucking Tsukasa’s hair behind his ear, letting his hand linger a bit longer on his waist when directing his actions, purposely creeping closer and whispering comments into Tsukasa’s ear (which was incredibly hot, Tsukasa noted), but most of all his wording had changed.
From introducing Tsukasa as “our star” to “my star”, the slight change in pronouns made shivers go up his spine.
What the hell? The first time he heard it, he stared at Rui with such disbelief, that Rui just laughed.
The pet name continued, much to Rui’s mirth who also giggled at his embarrassed reaction, Tsukasa had just brushed it off as being flirty and teasing.
-
“My star.” Normal faces, an excitable grin and an exasperated roll of the eyes.
“My starlight.” Approving looks, alright, Rui hummed, adding that to his mental list.
“Honey, darling, baby…” Varying ranges of discomfort. Too straightforward, huh? Rui crossed it off his mental list.
“Rui, can’t you just confess to him?” Nene groans, tilting her head backwards.
“You’re really not gonna confess to him, even though you love him so much?” Emu queries.
A sigh. “I can’t risk our relationship if it goes wrong, though…” Rui mutters, a forlorn look shadowing over his features.
But it is quickly replaced by a gleeful look, “So, I’ll see if he confesses to me first, hehe.”
“So how about my love?” Normal faces, an excitable grin and an exasperated roll of the eyes.
-
The festival couldn’t have arrived faster. It was all the talk of the town, in the advertisements of summer festival specific goods in shops, everyday talks between families and neighbours, hushed conversations between classmates of who you were going to ask out to the festival.
Tsukasa naturally brought it up with Wonderland x Showtime, and strangely despite being the ones who brought it up with him, Emu and Nene both had plans.
Then it occurred to him.
‘So that’s why…da-dan! Bring him here and confess to the love of your life!’ Emu’s words echoed in his mind.
Right, right, that was the reason he was going to the summer festival in the first place. He had formulated a plan, confessing during the fireworks would be the best, if it went well, good, if not, he could just brush it off that Rui misheard him. Hopefully not though…
And man, Rui in yukata was nice. Simple casual is best after all, he did look quite dashing in the dark navy blue yukata, and oh god, did he just appropriately enough for a date with the Kamishiro Rui?
“You look nice, Tsukasa-kun. The yukata fits you.” Rui could have worded it many other ways, fetching, knockout, stunning, ravishing, desirable, seductive… especially in that maroon red yukata which brought out the peach tips of his blond hair wonderfully.
They stroll through the festival stalls, playing shooting games in which Rui wins a large dog plush for Tsukasa, Tsukasa getting a pair of goldfish for Rui from the fishing game. Laughing jovially at the cartoonish dog and cat masks that they adorned, sending a picture to Nene and Emu, replying with disgusted and gleeful texts. They follow the waft of food to every food stall, and soon are well fed full of yakisoba, takoyaki, grilled squid, buttered corn, chocolate bananas, candied apples, cotton candy, shaved ice.
Making their way to Rui’s so-called secret spot where they can see the fireworks clearly, Tsukasa and Rui chat about the festival and fireworks or anything under the sun, but mostly how they could implement fireworks into their show, laughter ringing in the air.
“Festivals are truly magical, aren’t they? Saki loved them, especially summer ones. And I agree.”
“Why do you say so?” Rui hummed, as they sat on a bench overlooking the festival stalls.
“There’s just something inexplicable about them, it’s like everything is in full swing and happiness is blooming from every corner. What about you, Rui?” Tsukasa sighs contentedly, leaning closer towards Rui.
“Me?”
“Do you like festivals?”
“Mhm. And it’s even better with you-”
“Ah, the fireworks started! Look, Rui! They’re so pretty! I wonder if they have designs…hmm…that one looks like a heart…”
Rui giggles, adoring Tsukasa being all excitable from a few colourful explosions, Rui was certain that he could do just as well, possibly even more. The way the fireworks light up Tsukasa’s face is ethereal, almost angel-like, and at that moment, Rui truly believed that Tsukasa was an angel sent down for him.
OH HEART Tsukasa reminded himself with a start.
“Rui.” Tsukasa turned around to face Rui.
“Hm, what’s up?” Tsukasa looked oddly serious.
“I…I love you, Rui.” Just then, a huge pink heart firework erupted in front of them. Tsukasa crimsoned, fidgeting nervously in his hands.
“Sorry, what?” Rui peered at him confused, slightly tilting his head.
Ah…he didn’t hear me. So, is that a no? Yes? What should he do now? Oh no, he didn’t plan for this?
Gradually seeing Tsukasa spiral into deeper embarrassment, turning redder by the second, Rui took pity and laughed fondly.
”Woah, what’s up, Rui?” Tsukasa’s surprised face brought an even greater smile to Rui’s face.
”Let me help you, my star. Once again, please go out with me.” At that moment, the last firework had erupted, the crowds cheering, as if they were cheering for the both of them.
Tsukasa flushed, eyes widening.
At his reaction, Rui giggled tenderly, holding out a hand.
Biting his lower lip, Tsukasa launched himself into Rui, tightly grasping onto the outstretched hand.
”Of course, I would love to go out with you!” Tsukasa cries, pulling Rui into a tight embrace, and in return, Rui wraps his arms around him.
Rui laugh wetly, tears also pooling in his eyes. “Tsukasa…”
“Don’t cry, dummy.” Tsukasa pouted, rubbing his unshed tears away with a thumb, still fixated on getting Rui to smile, despite the contradictory tears of his own streaming down his face.
“Tsukasa, I love you too.” Rui states factually, like how the sky is blue and the sun is bright, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
Tsukasa sobs at that, tears pouring out and Rui hurries to cup Tsukasa’s face in his hands, trying to kiss his tears away and failing, ultimately deciding on just peppering any place in reach with kisses.
“Wait - Rui - it tickles! Hahaha…” Rui hums contentedly when Tsukasa laughs, pulling away to admire his work. Tsukasa’s rosy face shone up at him, with such a dazzling smile and Rui couldn’t help but pull him impossibly closer and rest in the crook of his neck. He felt Tsukasa kiss the crown of his head multiple times.
”Rui, look at me.” Tsukasa smiles gently.
Shaking his head, Rui refuses, knows how hard he must be blushing right now.
Hearing Tsukasa laugh, Rui looks up, and just then, Tsukasa captures his lips in a kiss, smiling into it. Their first kiss is sweet, sweetened by all the sweet treats they had previously.
They break away to breathe, and for a moment their eyes meet, and both resonate the same thing: adoration, love, fondness, relief, pure, unadulterated happiness.
“I’m so happy, my star.” Rui wants to say more, but words fail him.
“Me too, my moon.” Tsukasa doesn’t think that words are necessary, when actions are far more effective, kissing him once more, holding onto the back of Rui’s head, tangling his fingers in his hair.
Rui wraps an arm around Tsukasa’s waist, another hand pulling his face closer.
The instant they part again, Rui dives back in for another kiss, moving them to sit on the bench.
When they get tired from all their kissing, both Rui and Tsukasa sighs contentedly and huddle closer together. Rui lazily throws an arm around Tsukasa’s shoulder, Tsukasa rests on Rui’s shoulder (now with real living proof), but all the while a pair of their hands stay intertwined in between them.
“This is the best summer festival I ever had.” Tsukasa smiles gently, holding their hands tighter.
“Watch your words, I’ll try my best next year. But still, this will be hard to beat.” Rui laughs lightly, bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss to Tsukasa’s hand.