He strummed his guitar nervously, leaning over to steal a peek at the cheering crowd. It was his first big gig, but the audience wasn't the one making him shake in his boots. He could handle large crowds, and had worse in the past. He figured that some of his regular fans would make their appearance tonight; they never failed to do so, the crazy fuckers. Hell, he wasn't even intimidated by the bigger name groups playing before him, some of them causing the crowd to roar in delight over their antics.
No, it wasn't not the audience or the bands making him nervous.
It was the small glow in the back corner of the auditorium that's making him tremble. That small little glow that he'd known since he was six, the one that seemed so far away that was suddenly so close. He gripped his guitar a bit tighter, gulping in sudden anticipation; tonight he would meet the one who was the source of that light; his own soul mate.
He almost couldn't believe how far he made it, having had others mock him for even daring to try singing for such a reason. Well, he thought almost gleefully. Here we are, who's the crazy one now?
He certainly felt a little crazier now as the band ahead of him finished their song, sweating and panting hard from the dance. This is it, now or never!
The curtain lifted, and he nearly gasped when the faint light grew, and he caught a glimpse of blue. Blue hair? He had to know for sure now. And he had just the song to use too!
He turned to the others, grinning in excitement. "Oi, forget this song, we're using the fun one!" He called, ignoring the surprised gawking the drummer and bassist shot his way. Oh yes, the fun song. He turned to the audience, strumming out a short sequence. "Oi, oi!" He called out, unable to keep the giddy grin off of his face. "Not that the last guys weren't fun, but we're about to do a bit of audience participation. Who feels like dancing?!"
The answering cheer vibrated the stage, and Gajeel couldn't help laughing when he saw the light bounce in the back. It was pushing its way closer, and a small plan began forming in his mind; he had to act fast.
It turned out better than he could've ever planned for, and he used the incredibly bouncy beat of the song to hide the tremors he could feel. God, he was so nervous! But he couldn't deny that he was having fun for once. Oh, he loved singing, and was incredibly grateful to the guys for putting up with him, but tonight, he was putting it all on the line. And there was no way he was stopping either; the person was finally close enough to see, even without the golden aura that surround her.
He nearly choked on a line, he was so distracted. Her golden eyes glittered in the flashing lights, capturing his in a near painful recognition. I know you!
Without a second thought, he jumped down, ignoring the other cheering girls that flocked him. Idly he remembered that he was supposed to be singing, and that his impromptu performance was nearly throwing off his band-mates. Oh well, he'd apologize later.
He reached out, grabbing her tiny hand and tugged her back to the stage amidst wails of disappointed girls. She didn't hesitate to follow; her warm touch sending zings of electricity up his arm as she tightened her grip in his hand. I found her!
And he'd never let her go.
They were soul mates, after all.