The audience is already on their feet before the performer of the month draws her last note from between her scarlet lips. Boxer can barely hear her finale with the cacophony of joyful cheers, claps, and whistles that engulfs the Empty Set. However, that doesn't stop him from letting out some rowdy whoops of his own from his place just backstage. The fans' euphoria is certainly infectious, and Boxer is practically vibrating with their shared energy and adrenaline.
In the midst of it all, Red stands behind her mike, a goddess swathed in shimmering gold. She gazes about the auditorium as if in a trance, a humble and awed smile on her glowing face. Boxer can't help his grin as she is bathed in seemingly endless praise and adoration. She deserves every bit of it.
One zealous attendee in the upper seating area tosses a bouquet of colorful flowers at the stage. Red gasps and rushes forward, catching the arrangement in her soft hands before it can hit the floor. She takes a moment to appreciate the sweet scent of the blossoms, and Boxer sees more than hears the bashful giggles escaping her grinning mouth.
All too soon, the great stage curtains begin their journey to create an impregnable wall between the songstress and her audience. Red waves to her fans merrily, allowing her hand to drop only when the curtains snuff out the last of the Empty Set's flashing lights. She stares at the barrier in front of her, as if she can look right through it and see the members of the audience stumbling out into the night. Boxer allows her some space; Red tends to zone out a little after a satisfying performance.
Red's gaze falls to the flowers in her hands, and her dazzlingly white teeth flash in a new grin as she squeals in delight, clutching the bouquet close and jumping in place like a crazed rabbit. Boxer decides to step in before she breaks a heel. Picking up Red's lithe form easily, he spins her around and around, his deep laughter echoing throughout the stage as he joins in her jubilation.
"Boxer!" Red cackles, engulfed in the man's arms. "You made me drop the flowers!"
"And why are you so worried about a bunch of plants some ruffian threw at you?" he jokes, setting the singer down, but not yet freeing her from his embrace. "It seems my fiancee's got another admirer I need to pay a visit to."
"Of course you do, tough guy. Pick them up, please?" Red tilts her head up, piercing Boxer with a sapphire gaze they both know he can't resist.
"Alright," he sighs, releasing her and turning to the discarded bouquet. He makes a show of rolling his broad shoulders and bends at the waist, taking his time to gather up the flowers as a not-so-thinly veiled reminder of who and what Red was engaged to.
"Her Majesty's bouquet," says Boxer, straightening and thrusting the flowers back into his fiancee's face. Red crosses her arms and purses her lips adorably, eyes darting between her man and the blossoms in his hand. Boxer offers a hopefully charming smile and winks.
Mouth curling up in a slight smile, Red sighs and takes the bouquet once more, slender fingers caressing its velvety petals. "Why, thank you, kind sir."
Boxer takes this as a small triumph. Red never stays annoyed at him for long.
The singer moves closer to her fiance, leaning into his chest while toying with the flowers. Boxer holds her tenderly and rests his chin in her fiery locks, knowing she has something on her mind she wants to share with him, and only him.
"They loved me." Boxer can hear the smile in her giddy voice. "They really loved me."
"You were amazing out there," he murmurs huskily, a calloused hand taking Red's chin and tilting her mouth towards his. "How could they not adore you?"
They kiss, and the crew members packing up for the night melt into the background.
Boxer breaks contact first, staring into Red's brilliant irises. The fact that he alone has the privilege of beholding the sensational Red so shamelessly still sends a thrill down his spine and through his gut.
"Boxer," she whispers, raking a hand through his messy hair and letting it rest against his rough cheek. "This performance...was one of the most important concerts of my career. The Empty Set was anything but empty, and...I'm sure nearly everyone else in Cloudbank was watching it live."
Boxer hums lowly, nuzzling her hand encouragingly. "And that's great, right?"
"Yeah, of course it is!" she chuckles breathlessly. "This is a dream come true for me. It's just...my career's probably going to take off soon, and I may not have as much time to spend on other things...important things," she adds softly, rubbing her fiance's stubble with her thumb.
"What I'm saying is that," Red gulps, averting her gaze to a spot on Boxer's white button-up shirt. "I want us to get married soon. Like soon, soon. Before I get caught up with work and everything else."
He processes her request, nodding and taking her hand in his own. They haven't been engaged for, well, however long people think is acceptable for couples to be engaged. However, looking down at the beauty before him and imagining her in a flowing, white gown, he realizes he couldn't care less what the others thought.
"I think that's a great idea," Boxer concedes, certain he is grinning like an idiot. "Hell, if we do this fast enough, we'll have more time to spend on the honeymoon," he suggests, waggling his eyebrows.
"Alright, big guy," Red giggles, pushing lightly at his chest. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. We can start planning everything tomorrow, OK?"
"OK," Boxer replies contentedly, capturing his fiancee's lips in his once more.
He's never felt this "OK" in his whole life.