Was this… a Cinderella moment?
"A-ah… yeah. Looks… fine. Send me the bill. I'll transfer it."
Rock finally found his voice, but his eyes stayed glued to Star like he wanted to burn the image into his skull.
"Sure, sure~ fine enough. Oh, Rock DeeDee thinks Star's pretty white skin looks a bit empty. Shouldn't you find a nice shimmering collar or cuffs? Something that fits the vibe of a future executive's treasured eye candy~?"
Those sharp eyes snapped toward the giant stylist, jaw tightening, brow furrowing he knew DeeDee was good at this, but still, the meddling was too much.
"Move."
The short, clipped order was aimed at the small figure across the room. Star lifted his newly exposed face and gave a tiny smile. A smile from someone who scrubbed toilets and washed cars every day how could it look that sweet? Rock's eyes went wide at the sight, and he spun around to leave only to slam straight into the glass door.
THUD!
Oops~
DeeDee covered a grin as the big man yanked the door open and stormed out without a backward glance.
"Thank you, P'DeeDee. My head feels… lighter now."
"Heading out already, sweet pup? Bye-bye~ come back for a trim, okay?"
The stylist waved at the two who somehow looked ridiculously good walking together. Rock, towering in his favorite black suit and red shirt, slowed down to match the steps of the white-haired Star. He kept glancing down so often he nearly bumped into people on the sidewalk.
Those clear contact lenses were dangerous. for the first time, Rock could actually see. And the sight was throwing him badly off balance. Someone he'd ignored from the start maybe because his own vision was garbage, maybe because he'd never cared to look at anyone had now become impossible to overlook. The man with the awful temper kept lowering his gaze, again and again, until his neck was practically sore.
Once upon a time, little Star was like a tossed-aside puppy dull, gloomy, long tangled hair hiding the brightness in those beautiful eyes. His clothes were wrinkled, stretched out, shapeless. His spirit threadbare, drained of anything positive.
But now? Now he shone so bright that people turned to stare as he passed. Because Star means star and a star is meant to shine beautifully. That's just the way it is.
"Rock… does your eye hurt? Do you need drops?" Star touched Rock's arm lightly.. and the big guy flinched, jerking away like he'd been burned.
"Uh—yeah. Just… a little dry."
The usually stone-faced man stuttered, voice low and uneven.
"If so, maybe we should sit somewhere so you can put the drops in?"
"You're telling me you're carrying my damn eyedrops in that sad little bag of yours?"
"Uh… I didn't have money…" Star lowered his gaze, voice soft.
"Don't..don't look at me like that. Just move!"
Rock forgot how to use his arms and legs for a moment, stomping ahead in a weird stiff gait..arms and legs swinging on the same side yes forward but sneaking glances at the small figure hurrying after him.
"Where are we going?"
"Buying a bag."
At a luxury designer boutique The white-haired beauty stood frozen, mouth slightly open as he stared around the store..wide-eyed, stunned by the rows of high-end bags arranged like museum pieces. Everything looked so expensive he didn't even dare step too close. Someone watched that reaction carefully.
Then..
"Go choose."
Star blinked, hair shifting slightly as he looked left, right, then back at Rock like he needed help deciding. The store was huge but sparsely stocked every item displayed individually in bright lighting, paired with glittering accessories to enhance its elegance.
"I… I don't know how to choose."
"Hey! You yeah, staff! Come here!"
Star felt his ears ring for a moment Rock's voice shot through the quiet space like a cannon.
"Pick a bag that suits this guy. Quick." Rock barked the order at the sales associate before dropping into a plush designer sofa.
"Of course~ Your partner is small and cute but sexy. That pale skin and white hair go beautifully together. I recommend this cream-white one with rose-gold hardware. Try it on people with small frames look better with something not too big.
A thin strap like this will sit nicely on those slim shoulders~"
She rambled on enthusiastically, oblivious to the way both men stiffened and exchanged a startled glance. then immediately looked away.
"O-oh… okay…"
Star frowned slightly, taking the bag carefully as though it might shatter. He looked from the luxury piece in his hands…to the man who brought him here. He wasn't the one paying so he didn't know how to decide.
Meanwhile, the dangerous level of Star's prettiness had Rock acting like a malfunctioning robot standing up, sitting down, turning left and right like he was struggling with gravity.
"Rock… this one's really expensive. It's a hundred and fifty thousand."
Rock's eyes went wide when Star suddenly leaned in face close whispering that concern into his ear.
A debtor he used to bark at… now standing close enough to feel his breath.. clearer than any full-HD screen. So clear he forgot to breathe.
"Take this one! That one! And that! Just bring all of them!"
Rock shot upright, stumbling back from Star so fast the smaller guy nearly toppled forward. He jabbed his finger at random, not caring about the price tags at all.
"Wow~ excellent taste, sir! Please wait just a moment~"
The sales associate hurried off with three luxury bags in her arms, eyes sparkling. Star, meanwhile, stood there with his jaw dropped. One bag was over a hundred thousand… and he bought three?
"Rock… why do you need three bags?"
Star whispered, bewildered, staring at the man who looked like his sanity had just left the building.
"None of your business. Get out. Go away!"
FWIP!
The tattooed brute snapped, voice booming through the store before striding off to the counter, leaving his tiny debtor scratching his head in confusion.
thud thud thud thud—
"Rock… Rock! Why are you walking so fast? You haven't put in the eye drops yet!"
Rock stomped out of the boutique with the brand-name bags in hand, legs moving so fast Star had to practically run to keep up. The smaller man panted hard, trying to match those long strides face flushed pink, breath shaky, hand darting out to grab the edge of Rock's jacket.
T..
"Hhaa… w-wait… wait for me…"
Rock spun at the weak, breathless voice and froze. A hard swallow jolted down his throat. He stared down at the small figure gazing up at him with those pleading eyes that tiny pink tongue slipping out to wet glossy lips,
cheeks glowing,
hair messy from running and yet looking nothing like the timid, lifeless boy from before. His blood surged straight to the most important place of all his heart, hammering out of rhythm.
thump thump thump thump thump—
Today, Star shone brighter than every star made human, dazzling enough to shock life back into a numb heart. Sweat beaded along Rock's temples as he took in the sight that small frame in expensive clothes, striking makeup, impossibly pretty.
He couldn't look away.
Didn't want to look away.
Those big round eyes lined sharp, flicking up at him with a mix of defiance and fragility so irresistible it made his hands itch.
Star was just like those luxury car saluting, unique, something he wanted to claim as his own.
The first person he'd ever seen clearly…and felt something good.
.
.