Anata ga Ita Kara
See disclaimer in 01
Theme: 36 – "Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt."
Rating: K+
Summary: With time comes wisdom and grace. Kumo only hopes that he and Kiri will be able to measure up, someday.
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"How did you know? That Aura was The One, I mean," Kumo clarified hastily, leaning back against the bar.
Fabula finished the exact arc of her pivot turn and swept into a perfect arabesque, pausing five seconds with her fingertips steepled with her toes, before she relaxed, smiled at him, and shook her long hair back. "Stars in my eyes. She scared me half to death, and she put stars in my eyes. Love makes us heralds, love makes us stupid, and love makes us brave. Given that I always hit three of three whenever she was around and that whenever she left the room I caught myself taking a deep breath like I'd forgotten I needed air in her presence, I doubted it could've been anything else."
"Really…?" Kumo sat back on the bar and watched a few other dancers practicing a few eight-counts in unison. "But, you'd loved people before, and it hadn't worked out, so…?"
"It's different for everyone, I think, but when the time comes, you know. You just can't picture the rest of your life without them. That's the way it is for you and Kiri, after all."
"But, that's different—Niisama's the first and only person I've ever loved," Kumo protested. "I don't think I could ever have the strength to do what you've done—and keep trying again and again until you find the right person."
Fabula gave him a brief wide-eyed stare, then shook her head and smiled.
"Love's worth it, dear. It takes that kind of courage—the kind that's in everyone, whether they know it or not. Finding that strength is a lot like learning to dance… and learning how to pretend that you and the mirror are the only ones there to see." She stretched. "Any mistakes you make are a lot easier to take that way, when you don't focus on how everyone must've seen."
"Really…"
"As for Aura, it probably helped a lot that my heart, hormones, and everything else had the good sense to fling me at a lesbian, for once. Many of the other girls I've liked have, unfortunately, been completely straight. I mean, it's a shame they've missed out on all of this—" she posed demonstratively "—but what can you do?"
Kumo covered a giggle.
"That's enough, now. Get those pointe slippers back on, and give me some turns and stretches." Kumo allowed himself a short groan, at which Fabula patted him on the shoulder and leaned in. "Think of it this way—it helps build your flexibility, and remember… no matter who you're in bed with, the more flexible you are, the better you can drive them crazy."
Kumo blushed, but laughed.
"Build up that self-confidence a little. You're going to need it with Kiri as much as you're going to need it onstage next month."
Owari.