||Wattys 2022 Shortlist||
Kian Advani was a closeted queer in his high school. Always in denial of his true feelings and emotions. So much so that he did everything to blend in with the rest of the straight crowd. But that didn't mean he wasn't att...
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It was a full circle back at Brew Story Café. Right where Kian reunited with his crush after two long years of separation.
Kian never believed in magic, but as he watched Enzo on the stage setting up an old set of drums, which Simone pulled out from the backroom, he confirmed its existence.
Brew Story was once a frequent venue for open mics and Karaoke nights. That ended when Simone's boyfriend cum business partner cheated on him, and he had to look after the expenses of the café all by himself.
Except for today. Today was special. And all because of a charming drummer, Enzo Santiago. When Kian pulled Enzo for a quick kiss before their planned coffee date, his back hit the dust-ridden drums, and the musical instrument ended up on the stage. The stage was the corner of the café created by shifting the tables around.
However, with Enzo behind the drums and his midnight eyes sparkling with the raw energy of music, any corner could turn into a concert stage.
Enzo's attention was on Kian when he ordered their iced latte and settled on the couch facing the stage. It was a beautiful sight to watch Enzo playing the drums with those long fingers clad in silver rings. Ever since Kian confessed his true feelings to the boy, he felt less burdened. It's the freedom he had been craving for years.
He raised his hand, fingers fluttering alongside his stomach as Enzo gave him that devastating, charm-filled grin and then meandered between the tables, coming straight for Kian, raking a hand through his black curls.
"Wish me luck, Kiki. I'm going to play this track for the first time, and you know who I am playing it for." He winked, bending down to whisper into dazed Kian's ear.
"Guess I'm about to find out." Kian licked his lips, then let his eyes roam over the black shirt clinging to Enzo's chest. It was indeed for the best to make a quick detour to his music van and let him get ready for their coffee date. Kian's eyes sparkled when they reached the boy's face. "Also, you don't need luck, just those skilled fingers, and your spirit. The stage is yours, Enz."
Enzo picked up the iced latte, took a big gulp, and before Kian could reach up to wipe the line of sweat on Enzo's upper lip, he stalked back through the tables and finished setting up.
Taking a seat on the stool behind the dusty drums, Enzo adjusted the mic stand. "Hey, everybody. I'm Enzo, and the guy sitting at the front table is Kian. I'm gonna play this track for him and you, is that all right?" He had everyone's attention, followed by applause and weird glances towards Kian. Guess this world is not so short of homophobes after all.
"Yeah, I know he's handsome, guys, but he is off limits. Also, those mesmerizing dimples on his cheeks are only mine to kiss. Anyway, we're gonna play 'Strawberries & Cigarettes' originally by Troye Sivan. This arrangement that I'm playing though, is put together by me. I wish playing it over the soft drum beats will give it as much justice as possible, but this one is for one and only Kian Advani. So, yeah. It's kind of our music. Hope you like it."
