Archive of Our Own ^beta

It's communication - that's what theatre is all about.

Chita Rivera

Atsushi buried his head in his hands, the most mortified look on his face. He groaned, and felt rough hands slap his back jovially. "Why so glum, chum?" 

Another groan.

And a spiteful burst of words from Chuuya to his ever-loving boyfriend, Dazai. "The heck does that mean, bandage-wasting-device?"

He buried his face even deeper into his palms, cursing his luck. "Aww, whats so wrong with starring in this play?" Dazai grinned.

"Why do I have be Sleeping Beauty?"

Akutagawa didn't see what was wrong. All he did was ask Higuchi if she could ask Atsushi to star in their play, as their leading actress was receiving abrupt treatment in the hospital.

Atsushi did have a feminine complexion, or so he was told by Gin, Kyouka, Dazai and Ranpo.

So he was perfect for playing Aurora in this year's school theater production, which happened to be Sleeping Beauty.

And so, here was Atsushi, clutching the script with his lithe hands, and staring down at it with the most confused expression ever. 

"The play is in a three weeks, Jinko."

The other boy jumped nearly five feet into the air, whirling around to stare at Akutagawa as if he were insane.

"Three weeks?!"

"Yeah."

"B-but I'm an visual art student, not a theater student!"

"You agreed to do this didn't you?"

Atsushi stuttered, before he dropped his shoulders, curling in on himself. "Fine."

"Lets start rehearsals!"

He would admit, albeit begrudgingly, that if Atsushi had entered his school for theater and preforming arts, he'd do remarkably well. If it weren't for the fact that he was a skittish as a mouse and had a mild case of stage fright. But otherwise, in the span of two weeks he had to warm up to the script and performing itself, he did relatively okay.

Akutagawa was also wondering how Atsushi managed to get his own projects done in time, as well as homework and be able to come to afternoon practice on time.

He must had some kind of time-warping device.

But the third and final week, was when all the theater, music and visual art students really had to rush to get everything ready for the coming week. The set had to be fully completed by Wednesday to the theater kids could rehearse with the props and set in place. The music students had to be completely prepared by Tuesday so as to rehearse along side the actors, and to tune their accompaniment anyway they could.

Akutagawa, along with many others, were rushing through scenes at light speed, words and poetry flying from their mouths. Atsushi was otherwise occupied with getting the dresses he was to wear tailored to his form.

Luckily, like his face, he had a feminine body, though slightly muscular, which was unusual for a student who dedicated himself fully to his art. Slightly hourglass shape, with long, lithe limbs, and he held a regal grace with every step he took.

Needless to say, even before Akutagawa had been fully introduced to him by Dazai, his cheeky mentor, he'd watched Atsushi with careful eyes.

Today was the last performance out of three they had performed over today, Saturday and Monday. Almost the entire student body, as well as staff and family members would be attending this Monday night.

Covered in black and grey from head to toe, a long red cape swirled down his shoulders. His hair was groomed back, and his short bangs were gelled painstakingly to his scalp, but the makeup artists still managed to make it look fluffy. 

Other theater members complimented him, as the prince had to look perfect.

Akutagawa wouldn't call this perfect, but he couldn't do anything.

It was only a half hour before curtain, when he realized that he had yet to see Atsushi in the gown he was supposed to wear for the kiss and end ballroom scene. So far, all he'd seen was the shorter dress that would be worn by the younger boy for the majority of the performance. And in the previous two preformances, he had been forced out in a plain white dress by Naomi and Lucy, who said this night would be a very special night.

It's not like he cared.

Gin entered the stage, long black dress and cape cloaking her swathes of black. An eerie green light lit at her feet, and fog machines hummed softly behind her. Horns meticulously crafted by art students curled atop her head, and her hair draped down her back. In her hands she held the traditional looking staff.

Dazai, as king, and Chuuya,-begrudgingly-queen, played their roles as well as Gin did hers, and the performance ran as smooth as Akutagawa would have liked.

The narrators were dramatic, easily mixing their voices and tones to match the current mood.

He watched with stern eyes as Atsushi entered the stage, and he found himself blown away as the silver haired princess played his part so well, Akutagawa would say he'd been raised in a theater.

But even through the glaring lights, he could see power dusting off pale arms, and faint scars flickered over his skin.

He uncharacteristically bit his lip, but the crowd seemed to enraptured by the performance itself and paid no mind.

Akutagawa steeled himself as he always did before going on stage, and waited for his cue.

Atsushi dropped with unmatched grace, falling to the floor soundlessly. A small bead of blood ran down his dainty finger.

The lights became dark, and the stage was washed with darkness.

After tearing through his part with ease, he waited as footsteps pattered lightly across the large stage, and once more, he braced himself.

He had to kiss Jinko. The last two times, he chickened out and touched his lips to the very tip of Atsushi's nose. Dazai insisted that he do it properly this time around.

Why'd he ask him to do this again?

Light flooded over the stage, and in the center, lay Atsushi, still upon the bed of silk and pale flowers. He looked genuinely asleep, the soft rise and fall of his chest peaceful and slow.

Akutagawa stepped forth, breezing through his lines and approached the sleeping beauty.

He leaned down, and as he moved closer, he could clearly see every flawless detail on the younger boy's face. Atsushi really did have a beautiful, feminine face, for a male.

He stoppped and hovered when his nose was a mere centimeter from the Atsushi's own.

Then he pressed his lips to the Jinko's pale pink lips.

Soft and warm, was what he first registered, and then he pulled away before he lost himself.

Golden eyes fluttered open with ease, and a small smile tugged itself onto Atsushi's mouth.

Once more the stage was dark.

He tugged at the collar on his clothing, a prince's garb for what was a royal ball scene.

The stage hand students cued him and the others accompanying him on, and he stepped out from behind the curtain. As he walked towards center stage, Atsushi also came forth. 

He did a double take.

Had Jinko been turned into a woman without his knowing?

His body was much more curved than previous, likely a corset around his waist giving the boy a little more flare to his lithe hips and chest. Draped in silver and white, the dress he wore was tight fitting on the upper body, and flowed out in waves of silken fabric. The wig he wore throughout the performance, astonishingly the same shade as his natural hair, had a small golden tiara atop it, and satin covered what would have been bare shoulders as Atsushi had it laid loosely over him.

His face had been given a quick layer of extra makeup, and at the moment, Akutagawa could have sworn Jinko had a twin sister.

Golden eyes settled on him, and a faint blush worked its way onto Atsushi's face. 

They came closer together, taking Atushi's slender hand into his own, and the ending scene began.

As soon as he and the other boy took their steps into place, the rest of the students took their own spotlights as they poured onto the stage, dressed in long prom-like dresses and suits similar to his.

He swept the smaller boy onto the stage-now palace dance floor-with a flourish, the long dress flaring into the air elegantly.

The smaller of the two let out a quiet squeak, with Akutagawa privately noted as one of the most adorable sounds ever.

Slender fingers gripped his hand and shoulder tightly, and he could swear his mentor's coy nature was rubbing off on him as he tugged Atsushi closer to him. He wrapped his free arm around Atsushi's waist, the silken fabric having a pleasant warmth due to its contact with a warm body.

The silver two-inch heels that Naomi had undoubtedly forced on his small, dainty feet gave Atsushi a small height boost, as he nearly met Akutagawa's eyes evenly.

The blush on Jinko's face darkened, flooding across his cheeks, down his neck and to the tips of his ears.

A small smile slid onto his own face and they danced with seamless effort, running through steps and motions that had been repeatedly practiced over the previous weeks.

The song was beginning to slow, pairs sashaying discreetly off the stage one by one. Soon, it was only him, Jinko, and six other dancing pairs.

The melody had slowed more, and it slid into a steady sound, violins and piano remaining as the other instruments became silent.

They came to a gradual stop, and Atsushi gently pulled his hand from Akutagawa's. He could feel his heart clench strangely in his chest, was it really over?

No, not yet.

He was probably going to regret this, and Dazai would definitely hold this over head for years to come, but he didn't care at the moment.

Akuatagawa shot his hand out, his long finger clasping onto the retreating forearm.

Wide golden eyes met his silver when Atsushi spun around to face him, shock evident on his face.

The crowd stilled.

Pale lips opened, about the ask him an obvious question.

He yanked his arm back rather forcefully, and the silver haired artist in a dress stumbled, crashing into his chest.

Pulling his face from his chest, Atsushi had-an admitedly cute-pout on his face and he looked up from his place beneath Akutagawa's chin.

Confusing thoughted crashes through his mind when he looked down at the shorter boy, before he shook them away.

He took his free hand and tilted Atsushi's chin up, bewilderment flickering across golden irises.

He ducked down, and for the second time that night, he pressed his lips against the Jinko's own.

The crowd, which had remained silent for that span of thirty seconds or so, burst in cheers and catcalls, whistling and squeals of excitement also ringing through his head.

They separately quickly, and hurried offstage and out of the glaring spotlights.

The directors voice boomed trough the auditorium, congratulating the cast and stage crew. Akutagawa was fiddling with his hands, when a larger palm slapped his back heartily.

"Time to bow, adorable apprentice!"

"Dazai, shut up!"

"Aww, but Chuuu~ya!"

Once more, another hand, a slight bit gentler, shoved his back, forcing him to his feet reluctantly. "C'mon kid, time to greet the masses for the twentieth time tonight. Once this is over, grab a cookie at the after party."

For the last time that night, Akutagawa stepped over the threshold the was the line between open stage and the curtain he was behind.

Atsushi walked out, steps matching his evenly.

Time suddenly froze as Atsushi looked up, meeting his eyes.

Not entirly unwelcomed warmth swelled in his chest, threatening to burst. Jinko was the same apparently, as he broke into a quick jog across the stage, hands holding his dress.

Akutagawa met him halfway, and Atsushi unexpectedly jumped forward.

The crowd gasped as he quickly lifted the smaller body into his arms, hooking his arms under Atsushi's thighs and knees, the shorter boy now hovering over him. A delirious smile made its way onto both their faces, Atsushi's shaking hands on his shoulders. He was reasonably strong, and the Jinko was apparently as light as a feather, which was a bit concerning, but he'd ask later.

In Akutagawa'a eyes, Atsushi was the incarnation of an angel at that moment.

A feeling reminiscent to rose petals settled over his lips, he he blinked. It seemed Jinko felt the same as he did, considering the fact that he'd just jumped into his arms and pressed a chaste kiss to his mouth.

Hollering and clapping slowly made their way to both their senses, and they looked up from their place in the very center of the stage.

The director was smiling softly, the quirk of his lips making the elderly man look years younger. Dazai had a very sly grin on his face, eyes sparkling with excitement and slight pain as Chuuya jabbed him in the side, but the shorter senior was grinning brightly. Higuchi, Naomi, Lucy, Kyouka, and even Gin, his sister had stars in their eyes, Naomi practically swooning. Luckily, Tanizaki caught her, and gave Akutagawa a thumbs up. 

Atsushi had a brilliant blush on his face, but a happy smile was in place too.

Ranpo looked the picture of smug, even more so than Dazai-if at all possible-as he nudged his boyfriend, Poe, likely both of the them knowing this would happen. Yosano was nodding sagely, and Kenji was hopping in his place, smile as bright as the darn sun and eyes literally aglow.

Seconds later, he'd set Atsushi back down onto the ground with a soft thud, since he'd discarded the heels in favor for his bare feet. Soon enough, they'd crammed everyone onto the stage, clapping and roars of on-core shaking the great auditorium.

On the count of three, every student clasped hands, and bowed low, continuing the momentum by throwing their hands into the air.

As eveyone broke apart to congratulate each there, Akutagawa couldn't bring himself to let go.

Atsushi's hand tightened on his, and Akutagawa looked directly into his eyes.

"If I were truly fated to sleep one hundred years, would you wait for me?"

A strange feeling flowed throughout his body, and Akutagawa responded after a moment of silence.

"Of course. After all, it is the prince's duty to awaken the princess."

An overjoyed grin soared onto Atsushi's beautiful face, and he wrapped his slender arms around Akutagawa's neck, pressing another soft kiss to his lips.

This time, he returned it with true feeling.