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A part of Rui was regretting putting in a stage kiss. Sure, everyone was aware that it was just for the show and no feelings would be harboured as a result, as the two pairs were very happy in their own little relationships. That wasn’t much of an issue anyway; Rui could be clingy and maybe jealous sometimes, but rarely of the girls in his troupe. Not only were they far from interested in men, but he knew that Tsukasa was plenty in love with him to not even humour the idea.
Despite all of this being taken into account, Rui was still nervous. He had never actually seen Tsukasa kiss anyone on the stage prior, and maybe, just perhaps, a little part of him was disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to be the one to kiss him. Sure, they could easily write in Rui as the love interest, but Emu had been so insistent on playing the role of the king who wanted to save his queen and he couldn’t refuse her wishes.
The other part of Rui, however, was curious. Sure, he hadn’t seen Tsukasa be kissed on stage, but he wondered if he had been kissed… at all before. They hadn’t been dating overly long yet, and Tsukasa was almost always too shy to participate in less intimate forms of affection like hand-holding and even hugs depending on the day. So forgive Rui for being a bit curious.
Asking wasn’t even an option either. Every time he tried to ask, the blonde would shut him down, mumbling how it wasn’t important and Rui noted how his cheeks flushed and puffed out a bit as if Tsukasa was pouting at the constant prodding. He was leaning on the side of Tsukasa having never been kissed before.
It seemed that his theory would be tested at rehearsal.
Up until the kiss scene, everyone had been performing extremely well for a cold read. While they usually did their first practice doing purely lines, Rui had insisted they performed the actions as well due to some technical moves Emu would have to perform within the second act. Additionally, a stage kiss would have to be practiced at least a few times to ensure nothing went wrong.
Well, fortunately (and unfortunately), something had gone wrong once they hit the kiss scene. Emu, ever the eagerly affectionate one, had already begun to lean into Tsukasa, standing high on her toes to reach the taller one’s face, but soon touched her lips against his script instead.
The second attempt was arguably better, but ended similarly, with Tsukasa turning his head at the last second. He made a noise of embarrassment at the contact and took a step back, almost causing Emu to fall forward with how much weight she put on her one leg.
The third time was the last try for the day, as Nene grew exasperated. This time, Tsukasa didn’t turn his head nor place anything in front of him, hands trembling at his sides in clenched fists, while Emu happily leaned up. It seemed that fate had other plans though, and instead of their lips touching, it was their foreheads colliding from Emu overestimating how tall she needed to be to meet Tsukasa.
“I- I’m sorry,” Tsukasa mumbled afterward, bowing at the three of them after rehearsal had ended. Emu was quick to reassure Tsukasa to not worry, grinning brightly that she understood how nerve-wracking it could be to kiss someone, even if there were no emotional boundaries in the way. Nene followed shortly after that despite his blunders during the kiss, everything else was fine enough, so there was no need to panic considering it was the first day.
Rui, however…
“Well, Tsukasa-kun, how about we practice instead?”
Cue a loud thump on the ground of Tsukasa collapsing, face flushed and eyes squeezed shut similarly to when he was trying to hold back on stage, but this time, it was clear that his embarrassment stemmed from a different part of him. Nene just groaned, muttering about how this was the fifth time this month of having to collect Tsukasa off the ground while Emu picked him up with ease to rest him on the bench instead.
Nene and Emu had wished them well and goodbye as soon as Tsukasa started showing signs of life once more, and soon it was just him and Rui. Absolute silence fell over the two of them before Tsukasa muttered something under his breath. It wasn’t clear enough for Rui to hear though, and he requested that he speak up.
“...IjustsaidIneverhadakissbefore…”
“Tsukasa-kun, you know how much I adore listening to you, but I cannot hear a thing you’re saying. Please speak up, just a bit more?” Tsukasa’s face flushed and he pressed his hands to his cheeks in futile attempts to cover up his burning cheeks.
“...I- I've never been kissed before, okay?!” Even if Rui had to strain his ears a little to hear him properly, the message had been received clearly, and he could just smirk a bit.
“You’ve never shared a kiss? That’s awfully cute of you, Tsukasa-kun. Though, I’m not surprised. We’ve shared a lot of your firsts, haven’t we?” Tsukasa let out a noise of defeat, hands covering his eyes as well now, but the tips of his ears and the back ends of his cheek were exposed, and Rui couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s okay. I’m more than happy to teach you.”
Tsukasa glanced at Rui from behind his fingers and the taller one gently slid his hands away from his face, intertwining their fingers instead. He gulped, averting his eyes and Rui could just melt from how red his face was. It was a tug on the heartstrings to see him be so cute! He just wanted to kiss him then and there, but he didn’t want to rush Tsukasa. This was practice, after all.
He released one of his hands, resting it on Tsukasa’s cheek. The warmth traveled to his hand, and Rui could finally feel his own face growing hot. It was embarrassing, all things considered. In the stories and plays they had seen together, the romance was always… candid. Everything flowed naturally and nothing was inherently forced. While they got together under their own unique circumstances, this was different entirely.
A kiss that was planned, albeit at the last second.
Still, Rui didn’t want to mull over the technicalities of if this counted as their first kiss. He just wanted to feel Tsukasa’s lips against his. He ran the pad of his thumb against Tsukasa’s bottom lip, which quivered gently under his touch. Tsukasa’s eyes fluttered shut one more, and Rui decided to close the gap as he leaned in closer and closer.
It was awkward, the press of their lips against one another. They weren’t at a good angle, with Rui having to strain his neck while Tsukasa tilted his head just a bit too far back. Their noses were pressed at all the wrong places on each other’s faces, and it was less of a kiss and more of just a physical connection of their mouths – but it was euphoric all the same. Rui was addicted from one taste.
He pulled back slightly to reassure himself that Tsukasa was okay and wasn’t getting too overwhelmed, but the other lifted his hands and forced him close soon after. It seemed they were both getting impatient and the second time was more comfortable for both of them. Rui let out a small hum of satisfaction between their lips as his hands adjusted to tilt Tsukasa’s jaw.
They moved back from one another after only a few moments passed each time, not wanting to push it. It was obvious that neither of them had the proper kissing experience, but it wasn’t a feeling that Rui disliked. It was warm and fuzzy, knowing they would share just another one of their firsts (He had teased Tsukasa earlier about it, but he had just as little practice with kissing. He just wanted to sound cool in front of his boyfriend, even if the girls were already aware of his bluff).
“So… Tsukasa-kun,” he chuckled, a small whistle of air leaving his nose. “I hope that… was a good demonstration of how to kiss, and you can woo anyone you want. Emu should be pleased.” Tsukasa glanced up at Rui at that, as if he had forgotten the whole point of them kissing in the first place and just shyly looked away.
“Uhm… uh… Rui…” Tsukasa’s voice was uncharacteristically soft. “I… I think I’ll need some more practice before I’m… comfortable. A star must give it everything he’s got, right? That’s if… if you want to keep practicing, of course!” He gave a sheepish smile, and Rui could only smirk in return, pulling Tsukasa closer to him.
“Why, if only you insist, Tsukasa-kun. There are plenty of techniques we could take advantage of. Let’s start with this first…”
Yeah, maybe a part of Rui was still regretting putting in a stage kiss.
But the other half couldn’t wait to practice with Tsukasa for the rest of their lives.