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The rain pattered against the glass window as the cooling weather settled in. The piano stool creaked against the weight as Coleus sat down, pulling up the piano cover and revealing the smooth wood keys that lay untouched since the last time he had visited the grand piano in his school's abandoned music room.
Despite how unused the room was by others, it remained its pristine state thanks to his boyfriend's efforts to clear up the dust with him. He drew a finger across the edge of the piano key, ready to press down with the urge to hear the acoustic, rich strings echo and bounce around the enclosed classroom.
Breathing in a deep breath, he caressed the keys he was so used to playing. "Coleus?" A sleepy voice emerges from the corner of the room where a soft plush sofa rested, against the pretty wood patterned wallpaper.
"Good morning sleepyhead." Coleus jabbed light heartedly. He was about to stand up but his companion's light footsteps stopped him from doing so. "Are you going to play the piano?" Silence stretched between them as Coleus looked away from the expectant yet gentle hand that rested on the back of his neck to the sea blue eyes that eyed him with inquisitiveness. "Yeah." He was once again rendered speechless by the tenderness of his lover's touch against his scar where the memories he could never forget burnt the back of his mind. "I'm scared Aethio." He confessed, his words trembling against his lips.
As if Aethio could hear his thoughts out loud, he wrapped his arms around Coleus's shoulders, one of his knees resting atop of Coleus thigh as Coleus's fingers instinctively wrapped themselves around Aethio's waist to keep Aethio balanced. The warmth they shared, Aethio's calm heartbeat seemed to mollify all of Coleus's troubles.
No words were spoken, yet Coleus understood everything Aethio was trying to convey. The lightest touch from Aethio sparked against Coleus, their breaths mingling together as Coleus looked up, their mouths meeting in the middle, the smallest hum escaping from Aethio's throat as he felt himself slipping down and melting into Coleus's embrace, the safest place that exists in the whole world. 'It will be fine' the unsaid words hung above them as Coleus's braid loosened slightly while Aethio tugged on it soothingly.
"Tio." Coleus murmured breathlessly when Aethio broke away for air. "Yes, Col?" Aethio muttered back. They sat there, Aethio's legs wrapped around Coleus's waist, his hand fully resting on the tip of Coleus's forearms that held him with security as Aethio rested his head against Coleus's chest. "I can hear your music." Coleus concluded. "And I can hear yours too!" Aethio beamed, making Coleus sigh and ruffle his hair, a small lopsided smile appearing on his face.
"I really can't win you can I?" Coleus chuckled as Aethio slipped from his arms. "You saved my life Col, with your music." Aethio pressed his palm against Coleus's heart, leaning down to hug the width of Coleus's back. He could feel Coleus's speedy breath appear for a moment but he didn't let go. "You saved me." Aethio gave Coleus another light push, brushing away a stray lock of hair that fell onto Coleus's cheek. "Now it's time to save yourself Col." Aethio whispered, sending goosebumps down Coleus's arms. He closed his eyes to watch the stage lighting fall apart above Aethio, snapping out of his trance when Aethio led his hands back to the piano keys.
Coleus's nerves shook but he knew that Aethio was there, breathing, next to him. The C note rang underneath his thumb as he finally pressed the keys, determination crossing his face. He could feel the key ring from his veins down to his soul, the familiar discern of strings unwrapping a rhythm that rang and strummed around them as he played, every notation coming together to tell a story of falling in love from the start, all over again.
Everything will be fine if they stay side by side, walking down the road of thorns together.