Music
It's close to pitch-black backstage, save for the light that spills through the crack of the open door. The glaring, almost harsh, artificial lights that stream in paint her features precious and golden; Chiaki's breath catches in his throat.
Her mouth is set in her typical determined, concentrated pout, slender fingers dancing in the air to a silent tune – even before she is seated before her beloved piano keys. From today's unusually neat bob to her blood-red dress, Nodame has morphed from weird but endearing to beautiful… and loved.
"Marry me." His mouth blurts before he can check it, and panic sets in instantly. His heart pounds so fiercely he feels as though it's going to burst through his ribcage; he doesn't even have a ring!
But she grins, brilliant smile lighting up her face more than the lights onstage do, and Chiaki's nervous heartbeats melt away to the tempo of bliss and satisfaction. She doesn't scream in ecstasy or swoon as she would have done before – both her character and music have matured immeasurably in these short months – but a 'Gyabo!' slips past her lips, and the sheer joy that widens her eyes and dilates her pupils is completely Nodame-esque.
Chiaki presses a kiss to her lips, dry and chaste – because they'll have all the time in the world to share hot, wet, passionate kisses after today's concert and every day after that – and swears he can hear a pink, fluttery Mozart – Rondo in D – floating in the air.
Nodame's arms twine around his shoulders even as he pulls away, but she doesn't try to initiate another kiss. Instead, she leans her forehead against his and murmurs, to his surprised delight and swelling heart, "It's a pink Mozart, isn't it?"
The orchestra is already assembled on stage; the audience is seated and eagerly awaiting. Nodame takes a deep breath and walks through the door that Chiaki holds open.
Now is the time for their music.
I don't usually do fluff oneshots, but inspiration just struck (which explains why I'm momentarily back in the writing arena). R&R :D
