Miku-

I've never thought of a girl as beautiful before- cute, yes, stunning, of course, horrific, many times- but beautiful? I can honestly say the word never has crossed my mind when regarding a girl, or, at least, now in the way I thought it when watching Luka as she carefully freed her guitar from its' case. She held it delicately, only using the very tips of her fingers to hold it aloft before gently wrapping one set of them around the neck of the instrument. She stood under the glow of the floodlights above us, lightly and lovingly holding the guitar, her back turned to me. And, for a moment, I was spellbound and I, for the life of me, couldn't grasp as why. Only when she turned around did I regain my composure and tightly shut my mouth that I'd let hang open.

Luka looked back at me, a nervous look on her face and a blush that consumed her cheeks. Most of my fans approach me in the same manner: deer-in-the-headlights eyes and cheeks red as tomatoes, but this was different. The anxiety in her eyes and the warm hue on her face were more at home on someone moments away from confessing her love. She met my eyes and looked away several times- once to sling the guitar strap over her shoulder- her teeth lightly grazing her bottom lip. I was half a step away from teasing her over how she was behaving, but I held my tongue. I'd asked for this performance, I should have considered the pressure involved. I had forgotten for a second I was an idol, and she was a big fan- her nerves were all but unnatural.

"So, what are you going to play?" I asked her, leaning forward and resting my chin on my hands. I meant it as a joking gesture, trying to imitate the talent scouts who had scooped me up, but Luka took my question and my "make my day" posture very seriously and jumped a bit in surprise before standing up stick-straight. I did the same and sat up just as straight, feeling a touch guilty.

"I-It's an original song." Luka managed to stammer, a light squeak coming from her guitar as it slightly slid out of her grasp and her fingers ran along the strings. She stumbled in place and choked back up on the instrument. "I hope that's okay… I have a few of them, but this one is the most complete… it just doesn't have any words yet." She looked away in near defeat, her composure dampening just a bit.

"Hey, no biggie, I'm not asking for a lot- just a song. It doesn't have to have words." I tried to assure her, attempting to make my voice as warm and inviting as possible. The voice that could rouse a crowd to bellow confessions of love was just barely enough to draw Luka out of her shell- just barely enough to make her look up and actually hold my gaze.

Those eyes- damn, they drew me in. Maybe she didn't even know she was doing it, but it was like I was being hypnotized. I've looked into the eyes of famous TV personalities, world-renowned celebrities and personal role models alike, but none of them had the same sort of alluring gaze as Luka. I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe and no matter what I tried, I couldn't look away. Without any effort on her part, she stole every inch of will away from me- from my head down to my feet. I dared not say so, but if she asked me to do anything at all, I would have obeyed.

Instead, she broke the gaze that went on for a few long, crawling seconds and looked down at her guitar. She went rigid for just a moment, taking a long, audible inhale… and, before my eyes, transformed into an idol herself.

As a title holder of idol myself, I feel I have a level of being able to discern what and what is not idol material. You have to exude a certain air about you- you have to be approachable while at the same time keeping yourself just out of reach. You can't show a scrap of doubt and not even a hint of nerves. You can't be vulnerable- at least, not without meaning to be. And Luka, who had been paralyzed with the very thought of presenting me with a song as payment for board, suddenly transformed before my very eyes the very moment she strummed the strings of her guitar.

Her fingers that had been quivering suddenly became fluid, not messing up a single note of her brilliant song, and she gently swayed in time to her own music. And, even though she had said the song had no lyrics, it had a melody that she quietly hummed under her breath- a voice that cracked and wavered becoming as smooth as dark chocolate. My living room became her stage and I, her audience of one, was captivated.

The only qualm I had was those amazing eyes of hers didn't once look back at me. An idol should always keep eye contact with his or her audience. You're so far away from all of them, it's the only way to make a real connection. You can't reach out and touch them and hold them all, so all you can do it look back at them lovingly in the same way they look back at you. I wished that Luka would look at me as she played- it would have made everything absolutely perfect.

Please, just look at me, just once! Make that special connection with me.

Almost as if she heard my silent wish, she looked up, the final note of the melody floating into the air as the final note was held. Such determination and such overwhelming love- this was the look of an idol. It made my stomach do nervous flips of its' own. I've never actually gone and seen any show of another idol as an audience member. I've never seen the "look of an idol" as it was meant to be seen, and it occurred to me just then, as I basked in the glow of Luka's brilliance, that the look of an idol resembled the look one gives their lover.

"I love you," her eyes seemed to whisper. "Please, have me." It resonated in my heart and brought me to stand, arms ready to embrace her.

I got a hold of myself before I did anything so shameful, and disguised my action as the motions I'd take before applauding, which I did. Luka was quick to revert back to nothing but a blushing, overwhelmed fangirl, hands releasing her guitar so she could nervously throw them over her mouth as I clapped. She seemed almost shocked by my gesture (she would have most likely fainted at this point if I had given in to my urge and held her in my arms) and took a clumsy step backward.

"You're perfect!" I cheered, matching her step back with my own step forward. "I was pretty sure before, but now I'm completely sure- I made the right choice in picking you!"

Luka-

"P-perfect?" I stammered, my head swimming in confusion as I tried to make out what Miku was trying to say. I'd gone off to a whole different world when I played for her, and I'd been violently ripped out of it by Miku's applause- not that I didn't appreciate it. It was an honor to have her do something like that for one of my songs… an overwhelming, heavy honor.

"I was keeping it a secret from you because I didn't want you to freak out, but…" Miku explained, approaching me before reaching out and taking my hands that had fallen at my sides. Her hands were warm and soft as silk and grasped my own gently, but in such a way that I couldn't pull away. "There's a new song I'm putting out, and my managers are still looking for a singer to duet with me! I'm pretty sure I have some say in it, and you totally fit the bill!" She turned away a bit, a smug smile on her face. "I knew my instincts were right!"

"Fit the bill…?" Oh, god, I was going to faint. Was she saying she wanted me to sing a song? With her!? I lightly swayed, my guitar knocking against my body as the shoulder strap it hung by scrapped against my neck. I wanted to say so much to her, but all I could do was parrot what Miku said, like maybe I'd heard something wrong, and wanted to make sure she really had said such outlandish things. "…b-but, I'm not a famous singer or anything! I'm just…"

"Perfect, like I said!" Miku interrupted, her face drawing dangerously close. Her long, teal ponytails drifted against my skin, caressing my body and arms as she moved in. My body stiffened all the more, Miku's body being so close I could smell her perfume- a thick, syrupy, floral scent. "You look so mature, and you seem like an angel… so innocent and lovely…" Her last words came out slower, like she was deeply considering what she said. I noticed, as she spoke, a light blush on her cheeks. "The moment I saw you, I knew it had to be no one but you!"

I felt horrible for doing so, but I made sure to imprint her features and her words into my memory as material for my own, personal fantasies. Miku obviously didn't realize what she was saying, but it was boarding exploitable, and it was making my heart beat wildly. Every inch of willpower was being used to keep me from doing something I'd regret. She was wrong, I was no angel. I was a demon, just barely resisting the temptation of flesh.

"Please… sing with me?" Miku's eyes gleamed, brimming with hope as she looked to me. She tightened her grip on my hands and moved in all the closer- one more shuffle forward would cause her to press her body against mine. I considered closing the space between us myself, just to feel the warmth of her body against my own.

"I…" I began, having to pause to clear my throat. "I'd love you sing with you." Never had I ever spoken truer words. Miku gasped happily, a wide smile growing on her face as her eyes lit up. Maybe this would be an appropriate time for an embrace, or at least I hoped so- but instead, my goddess danced circles excitedly around me before spinning off to my bags still against the wall.

"And I'd love for you to think of this as your new home!" She smiled, grunting lightly as she lifted one of my bags off the floor. "I've had a spare bedroom ever since I moved in here, but I've never had the chance to loan it out!" She seemed awfully excited about welcoming me into her home- it seemed way too good to be true. I made sure to pinch myself several times while she wasn't looking as I went to pick up the other bag. There was no way to convince myself I wasn't dreaming- Hatsune Miku, my goddess, was offering me her spare bedroom. We'd be sleeping under the same roof, eating at the same table, washing up in the same bathroom…

"Here it is!" Miku announced happily, nudging one of the doors in the hallway open and revealing a modestly furnished room. There was just a bed, a dresser and a closet- nothing revealing that this was a room in the apartment of an idol. It reminded me more of a room at a hotel, all clean, simply decorated and waiting for someone to occupy it. "We both should probably get a little shuteye for tomorrow. My managers are always scolding me about getting bags under my eyes."

"T-Thank you so much!" I blurted out much louder than I needed to. I couldn't recall if I had ever thanked her, but I was sure I hadn't done it enough. Setting my bag on the floor I deeply and graciously bowed before her, the neck of my guitar thwacking me in the head as I did. I heard Miku stifle a laugh as I straightened back up and rubbed my injury. I could feel my cheeks burning, my blush threatening to burn away my very skin as I watched her shut her eyes in delight and press her delicate fingers to her lips. The very image of her laughing chased away the pain. "I-I can't thank you enough… for allowing me to stay here. I promise not to be too much trouble until I find my own place to stay!"

"It's the least I can do for my future singing partner." Miku softly smiled, leaning forward to playfully nudge me. "And, hey, maybe Crypton's newest star?" She winked at me, and I stammered from nerves and looked away. At the rate my heart was beating, I'd only be able to enjoy living with Miku a few moments more before I suffered a heart attack.

"I don't know about that…" I tried to nonchalantly laugh back and, without thinking, rested my hand on Miku's head (she was a little shorter than me, the perfect height for resting your chin on or leaning on). She looked up at me, a bit surprised by the touch but, for the life of me, I couldn't seem to pull my hand away- only manage to drive the moment further into stranger territory as I let me hand slide along her silky-smooth hair back behind her head, cupping it. "I… I don't think it will be that easy, is all." My hand drifted again, this time moving to her jawline and following it to her chin.

Oh god, what am I doing!?

A sudden gasp from Miku was what finally broke whatever spell I was under as I pulled my hand away. I grasped at my wrist, like I'd somehow managed to twist it, and rubbed it awkwardly as my eyes found the floor once again. The two of us stood in my new room in silence, the both of us probably looking everywhere but one another

"D-Do you need any help getting settled?" Miku asked, her voice audibly wavering.

"No, I… I think I can handle it." I assured her, looking to her bags. "You should head off and get some sleep- don't let me keep you up."

"B-But-" Her sudden beginnings of a protest to stay caught my attention and I finally forced myself to look at her- apparently at the very same time she decided to look my way as well. Our eyes met and both our cheeks reddened as Miku stumbled for words to say before shaking her head. "Never mind, forget I said anything." She tore her gaze away from mine and headed for the door, stopping in the doorway to look back at me one last time.

"Goodnight… Luka." She said, giving me one, last, warming smile that sent a new heat traveling through my body. She'd said my name so sweetly and softly, and with a smile that only an idol can give- so flawless and inviting. I gulped, trying to swallow back my newly spawned lust.

"Goodnight, Miku." I answered back, trying to give her my own smile- but I'm sure it looked more nervous than sweet. I was used to smiling for my school friends and parents, but not the object of my affections- my goddess. And, with a surprising amount of bravery, I waveringly added, "s-sweet dreams." Those words earned me a shy look, followed by a clumsily-displayed smile and a forced laugh before Miku vanished from my doorway, her footsteps quick and uneven.

My goddess had fled, leaving me alone to deal with my mistake. I shouldn't have touched her. I looked down at the hand that had caressed her hair and felt her skin. If I were to live in the same apartment, I'd have to control my urges, as painful as it would be. My love was of the unnatural sort, after all- me caressing her jawline and running my fingers through her hair would only be natural if I were a boy. I'd have to refrain from touching her and reserve myself to my fantasies, just as I always had.

How strange that I was finally in her presence and I still had to behave like she was separated from me by a screen. How strange… and painful. Before, I'd been overjoyed, but as I endured my first night in the city, my heart finally began to ache.

Miku-

I always reserve enough time so I'll get the perfect eight hours of sleep- no more, no less. If I oversleep I'll be lazy all day, and if I don't get enough sleep I'll be exhausted. When you're an idol, you have to be all perky and smiles, and every yawn must me snuffed out. But, lying in my bed, I'd be lucky if I'd be able to make it out of the night with a few hours of shuteye.

My heart was still beating furiously against my chest, even though it had been hours since the moment that set it off. I rested my hands over it, feeling it throb again and again and counting each beat as if I were counting sheep. But, as I tried to calm myself I, once again, reflected on what had happened between Luka and I before we parted for the night. The sensation of her running her fingers along my jaw was still vivid and tangible, and I could still feel the shiver that ran through me as they drifted across a sensitive spot.

I wasn't frightened by her actions, strangely. Whenever I appeared with a fellow male idol, they'd usually attempt to be suave and do things like Luka had done, or maybe take my hand and kiss it. Never once had my heart beat so hard when they had done things like that. I'd been so desensitized to showy forms of affection, I'd stopped being surprised by it. But, when Luka did it, I'd felt dizzy, and it had become hard to breathe… but not in a bad way. It reminded me of how I felt when I gave chocolate to guys I liked when I attended school, or when I wrote them love letters to leave inside their lockers.

I moaned in confusion and frustration as I rolled over, my hands still pressed to my chest. Somewhere, brewing in my body, was the warm, tingling feeling of excitement. Reaching up with one hand, I lightly brushed my jawline, trying to imitate how it felt when Luka touched me as I looked to the clock that unmercifully continued to allow time to move forward as strange feelings robbed me of sleep.

My love, my affection, and my voice- everything was for my fans as a whole. So I felt absolutely awful for suddenly having all my emotions focused on a single person. My hands that always were outstretched towards crowds of cheering and excited screaming wanted to reach out to just one person and I couldn't understand why.

And, when I did finally achieve the slumber I craved, I dreamed of Luka. She appeared before me, like an angel, bathed in light that I had to squint to see passed. In my dream, she reached out and held me, and I swear, I've never felt so comforted and safe. The frightening world at my back suddenly vanished, and all that remained was the warmth of her embrace. And then…

I awoke to the sound of my alarm, feeling like I'd only slept for a few, brief minutes. Listening to the blaring of my clock, I looked up at the ceiling and let out an exhausted sigh. I remembered the dream as clear as day, as well as my own feelings from the dream.

I remembered how badly I'd wanted to kiss her.

Luka-

"Miku… are you alright?" I dared to finally ask. All morning, she had the same look on her face: tired and confused. She looked sullenly as her toast, her cheek rested in her upturned palm. She'd said something about wanting to get sleep, but it was obvious that it had eluded her fantastically the other night. Her hair that she had worn in high ponytails the night before was now loose and fell straight around her slumped form, her bangs messily covering her eyes and hiding the brilliant gems in shade.

"H-huh?" Miku nervously mumbled as she sat up, a forced smile on her face. "I-I'm fine, I just couldn't sleep last night. I guess I was just really excited about today, that's all." She assured me, picking up her toast and eagerly shoving it into her mouth, ceasing any further comment. I nibbled at my own breakfast, not having much of an appetite.

The nervous feelings of actually auditioning for a part of a song produced by a major musical company were beginning to settle in, finally overcoming my heated thoughts of Miku but obviously not blotting them out completely. I probably looked just as bothered as Miku, but she'd been polite enough not to bring it up. My lips were already chapped from how much I'd been biting at them, and the very thought of actually going to Crypton to try and get a part in Miku's upcoming duet piece sent frightened shivers through me.

"U-Um… what kind of song is it that you want me to sing with you, anyway?" I asked, trying to fill the air with something and distract myself from the nervous fluttering building in my gut. Miku answered, much to my surprise and concern, with a cough, followed by several more as she clearly began choking on her toast. Her eyes were full of surprise and panic as she frantically reached for her milk, but once she'd swallowed down the mouthful that had gotten caught in her throat, the look in her eyes didn't fade. In fact, that look was joined by a heavy blush on her cheeks as her eyes waveringly looked down at the table.

"W-Well, lately homosexuality has been a really hot topic, and it's been becoming the new big thing to mix it into media to get the approval of the younger public and all that…" She nervously explained, drawing circles on the table with her finger. "So, my managers developed a song for me about… two girls falling in love. I-It's a really sweet song, they really outdid themselves…"

It was my turn to nearly choke on my food and blush crazily at the thought of what she'd just presented. A song about girl's falling in love was perfect, but at the same time made me horribly afraid. Singing that kind of song with her… I don't know if I'd be able to restrain myself if we did something like that. Whether or not those words were Miku's true feelings, they would be asking for me to repeat what I'd done the other night. The song was fake and fabricated- a ploy to move product to a more liberal crowd- but I'd sing it like it was real, and Miku was really my lover… and that would prove to be dangerous.

But, at the same time, it excited me. This would probably be the only time I'd be able to tell Miku my true feelings and all under the guise of a song. Miku probably felt nothing for me- just someone she wanted to sing with- but I had feelings for her that threatened to eat away at my very soul unless I set them free. This would probably be my only chance to keep from going mad under her roof, filled with emotions and desires that had to be kept bottled inside of my heart.

"I-I'm sorry, I should have told you!" Miku frantically apologized. "I didn't really think about whether you'd want to sing that kind of song!" Her blush was a deep, deep red, consuming her face as a slight pout showed up on her lips. "If you want to back out, it's fine." I held up my hand in response as I washed down my toast so I could speak to her.

"No, it's fine- perfect, actually. I don't mind at all." I told her, giving her a genuine smile. "I don't mind it at all." There was so much I wanted to say about how much I wanted to sing the song, but I kept my assurance short and to the point to keep myself from letting unnecessary things slip out.

"I'll gladly sing with you, Miku."