Musical Roots of Pride

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The moon greeted the stars once again. The clock being prompt as always and reminding everyone that it was seven o'clock in the evening. The seats being filled with an awaiting audience, most were family members or those whose ears listened in to the music with no words but with a prominent language.

No, this wasn't a concert nor anything related to NCT. This was a recital for classical instruments and it was another home to Ash.

It was a place he had no words to speak yet still had a presence. He did not have to focus on anything else than the music. As his fingers glide unto the instrument and as his eyes instinctively close, not out of fear, but out of confidence. He could make himself proud even with his eyes closed.

It wasn't a lack of confidence that made him not invite anyone

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It wasn't a lack of confidence that made him not invite anyone. It was just something he picked up on over the years. Something he would never blame others because it was how he did this. No need to point fingers at the home with no people to take his tickets. No need to blame other people's too busy. If anyone was at fault it was himself. But he never delved into it because at the end of the day when he performed, he knew people were joyed they heard him play.

Most of all, he was glad to hear himself play and to be on that stage.

So when he was invited to be a guest performer on this stage, he took up the offer. He wanted to be proud of himself once again. This was the perfect opportunity. So he took out his well-loved classical instrument, that he once held his life unto.

To hear the emcee speak as they welcome in the young musicians of the night brought him back to the past. But he did not ponder there tonight. His ears lead him to paradise, listening to each and every person play. The only sounds that echoed the hall during the night were the silvery tones of harmony meeting with the moment. All so beautiful from the rich grand piano to the fragile yet independent violin. What made these moments more beautiful was when he himself recognized the presence of the young ones on stage, the pride they had when they stepped on and when they bowed.

So when it was his turn, he knew that he would go back to his younger self and play like his life depended on it. This and dance was what made him survive and he owes to do his best.

"We welcome a special guest for our recital. A man in the popular music industry who never let go of his roots in classical music. We present to you, Yun Kwangsun, also known as Ash."

He heard the applause, louder than usual. It was strange because most of the time when he stepped on stage, he only heard himself, his instrument, and the stage. But he did not let himself give less, he did not let this set him off. He was still to play at his heart's desire.

What he would soon find out later than in the audience, were a number of people who intended with the thought of hearing him play. He solely by intention and not just by coincidence.

His mind was there until his headspace entered the realm of sound.

After two songs, his soul returned to the physical world. His ears were the first to pick up on the sound of hands beating against the other. It was pleasant to his ears as it was not rich nor concise such as the music that invaded the night. But it was in harmony with emotion that made it all so beautiful.

His smile although small was something that shined throughout the venue. Anyone could just feel the happiness he felt.

Usually, when he was handed the microphone to speak, he would pause. He and the microphone did not see eye to eye usually but during nights like these, they became one. They were of use to one another.

"I would like to thank you for inviting me. It has been a few months since I've played for an audience. Besides this, I am thanking you for the euphoria you all gave me. To see every performer hold their fort on this stage and initiate a presentation was magnificent. I hope that music would be another way to channel your voice. I hope it will help you the way it did me. Finally, I thank you all for making all here fall deeper into music."

As his performance was last, people started going to other destinations. Similar to those who rode a train yet had different journeys to set off into. Some though stopped over and spoke with him for a bit. Who he loved talking to the most were the children whose eyes held magic and hands held care and hard work.

His calm though was startled when he was pulled into a warm embrace. A bouquet of flowers on his wake also. All his senses that were high from the pieces of harmony were trying to focus on what was happening and when it did, it brought weight to his heart. Although not heavy but rather a weight that took up the place he never knew was empty.

Praises from them meant the world to him. It is because he knew that they were once again the ones to take a step towards him. Something he never asked but they gave anyway.

To see all of NCT 2020 in the same hall he played at and to hear the news that they heard the whole show was like having nectar run down your throat when it was sore. It was soothing and it even made his stance stand taller yet at the same time coddled. This was something that they constantly gave him and he loved it.

"You didn't tell us you could play like that!"

A shower of praises and compliments came his way even as they got home after dinner. Each and everything they said and did and all that was something he knew would manifest in his passages of joy.

One that he could testify to right now was Taeyong's smile and his eyes. It was luminous in the hallways and it held a home in them. It held pride in them and it was all towards Ash. Maybe that's why he got a bit softer that night and was the one to ask his leader if they could cuddle for the night. Something that Taeyong loved and of course gave.

A/N: I apologize it came a bit late but I hope you guys enjoyed it. If you also don't mind, I have a few questions?

1. What more would you wish to read in this book? Where do you wish to see Ash at? 

2. Do you link Ash to anyone romantically? Or would you wish to? I'm game for monogamous or polyamorous but I hope it would be fine that of course they would be fitted for Ash

3. Do you have any NCT song that is just a go-to? I have Dear Dream on replay because of a decision I have to make soon hehe. But besides that, I'm always game for No Longer, Boom, and Regular hehe.

Also happy holidays to all. I hope that there was a light present this holiday at yours and if not, I hope that you would find that light when you need to. Also, I hope that 2021 is not just the next year but rather a year for you, whatever you need to do, want to do, who to be, and all. Let's get through this together. - Aid.


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