Yukio found himself smiling at Rin again who was humming along while strumming the guitar he always carried with him. Yukio picked up his mug and sipped his green tea quietly not to distract from the lovely sound of the other boys voice. A thin layer of steam coated his glasses. He stood behind him in the middle of the kitchen while Rin sat atop the island with a foot resting on one of the stools. Normally Yukio wouldn't allow this kind of behavior in his house but it was different with Rin.
"Do you sing?" Rin said eyes closed.
Yukio stammered and shook his head "not really, I mean I do, but only around the house." He looked back at his tea embarrassed.
Rin opened his eyes and you could swear there were stars in them, navy blue hair bouncing around his face.
"Really? That's awesome Yukio, let me hear something!" Rin rested his hands on his guitar waiting for the taller man to sing.
"I-I don't think so" Blush crept on the others cheeks from such an excited expression
"Ah come on" Rin encouraged "I'll play something simple; you should know this." Rin put his hands back on the stings and began to play a song
"Black bird singing in the dead of night" he sung with ease and gestured towards Yukio to start singing where he left off.
Did Rin really expect him to sing in front of him? Just like that? Yukio fidgeted mouth open tugging on his collar. He didn't have a problem speaking in front of large crowds or at conferences but ask him to sing in front of his boyfriend in the comfort of his own home? Completely out of the question.
Rin was surprised by the lack of enthusiasm in the other boy. Instead of saying anything he put on a more eager smile and repeated the same cord making the same gesture for him to continue. Yukio squeaked out a note that Rin couldn't help but chuckle at, catching himself; he quickly apologized and gave Yukio a playful wink. "haha sorry! Here, we'll sing together, okay? I won't even look if that'll help."
"Rin I don't think so-"
"Please, Yukio." and Rin gave Yukio that smile that only he could do. It was reassuring and warm. It was like when they first meet. It was almost cruel for such a devious boy to have such an enchanting smile. Yukio took a deep breath
"Okay" he said on the exhale, pushing himself up Yukio sat on the counter beside Rin.
"I'm gonna play it again, okay?" though Rin's voice sounded calming he spoke with a triumphant expression.
Yukio nodded seriously trying to seek a way out of this at the bottom of his mug of tea. Rin closed his eyes and began to play the notes again. He took a quick breath to cue Yukio to start with him. Rin sung like he did the first time he asked but quieter to make sure to hear the boy next to him.
"B-black bird singing in the dead of night..." Yukio mumbled at the same time with Rin. The brunette sang so hushed it was hard to hear over the guitar let along someone else singing. Rin continued to sing in a softer tone. The curiosity of what Yukio looked like when singing was overwhelming especially when he started to hear Yukio harmonize with him. He peaked open an eye only to see Yukio's nervous faces. Though his voice was starting to steady, his eyes were shut tight behind his glasses and sweat appeared on his forehead. Rin kept his eyes open but focused on the guitar. He gently nudged Yukio's arm with his own and sang a bit louder for encouragement and a way of telling him 'you're doing great.'
Yukio opened his eyes when feeling the touch on his arm. He looked at Rin who was looking down at his guitar still singing and playing so effortlessly. They were on the last verse and Yukio wasn't nervous but he still couldn't believe what he was doing. He was embarrassed but in all honesty, proud of himself. Yukio nudged Rin back and finished the song strong.
"You're really good Yukio! I can't believe we've been dating for what, 3 months? And you've never told me!"
"Thanks...Ehehe well you never asked"
Rin scoffed dramatically."That's not something I should have to ask. That's like a hobby you list on your first date, 'Hello, I am a Doctor and I only have succulent plants because of their minimal maintenance. Oh I also happen sing like an angel around my house while doing the chores for my evil step mother and sisters.'"
Yukio looked unamused than roared with laughter Rin joining in quickly.
"I wouldn't say 'a voice of an angel', that's what you have, with your up and coming
music career. I've always enjoyed singing I was just too embarrassed to pursue it for anything other than a hobby; not that my parents would have let me be anything other than a doctor." Yukio tapped the tile floor with his heel while Rin's foot remained on the stool his other hovered over the ground, just too short to reach.
"I like hearing you sing; maybe someday you'll come on stage with me." Rin said longingly "not even anything fancy; just where I perform now."
Rin moved the guitar to his side slightly "I don't ever think I'll get anywhere fancy." Something changed in Rin's voice. Yukio could tell it wasn't asking for encouragement it was reviling.
"I wasn't any good at anything except signing, no motivation no drive and if I had any it went to playing my guitar. So I came up with this idea that'll become a rock star. Who needs good grades or people to like you right now?" he scoffed "When you're big and famous everything will be handed to you and you'll have people begging to know you then." He put on a fake smile, "it was the perfect excuse to stop caring... 'I'll become a rock star.' That's it. And now look at me, 10 years later and I'm no closer to that than I was then. Can't have all the parents wanting and helping their kids become doctors now can we?" Rin laughed with tears in his eyes "pretty pathetic, right, Doc?"
"Rin..." Yukio pulled the glassy eyed boy in tightly kissing his forehead.
"Ah, I don't need your pity" Rin's voice was thick in his throat but he still managed to sound playful.
He clung to Yukio's cardigan its soft beige marital melting in his hand, his guitar still around at his side hung awkwardly, resting uncomfortably on his thigh but Rin didn't seem to mind in the other man's arms.
Rin felt Yukio swallow hard.
Yukio opened his dry mouth
"S-spread those open wings - and learn t-to fly... All your life..." he croaked out desperately.
"Yukio..." Rin lifted his head looking into Yukio's cerulean eyes. "Don't sing when you're crying you sound awful."
"Oh s-shut up..." Yukio loosened his grip but Rin buried his face in Yukio's chest.
"I would still sing perfect even if I was sobbing." Rin nestled his face further in his chest, the cool button on Yukio's cardigan sweater touching his cheek "but it still is wonderful to hear, Yukio's voice is my favorite voice."
Tightening his grip again on Rin's shoulder Yukio felt the navy haired boy's warm breath on his skin through the thin layer of fabric on his shirt.
"I hope you know how special you are, I don't sing front of anyone."
"I'm not 'anyone'" Rin said into Yukio's stomach and the warm vibration of his made the taller one blush.
"I'm your boyfriend." Rin turned his head so his mouth wasn't buried in fabric "and I know how special I am." Rin put one hand around Yukio's back tugging gently and exposing some of Yukio's skin that he kissing softly.
"So is that our song then?" said Yukio placing a hand a top Rin's head.
Rin looked up confused. "Blackbird?" he turned his head muttering something putting his face down again.
"I...I don't even really like The Beatles everyone just knows their music that's why I suggested it..."
Yukio laughed and sighed reaching over and taking Rin's guitar off of him.
"Don't couples normally have 'songs?'"
"We don't have to be a normal couple" Rin shifted his body around, after being freed from the guitar, so his head was resting in Yukio's lap. "No song could compare to our awesomenss anyway. Music is dumb, who cares?" Rin crossed his arms stubbornly.
"Rin..."
Rin winked and flashed that striking smile "only kidding. Maybe we could write one together." Rin reached a hand to Yukio's face and pulled it low so his fingers intertwined around his neck.
Yukio kissed Rin's forehead "Let's just stick to Blackbird for now." he smiled simply and kissed Rin's lips, they touched lightly, the warmth calming them over like sunlight through the blinds.
