The sound of the wind echoed faintly through the empty field as they stood together beneath the lights—two hearts finally finding the courage to face each other.
"You're overly confident," Rosette said, pushing him lightly before straightening herself.
"I just lost my balance because the lights came on so suddenly," she added, looking away.
"Really now?" Dranred teased with a grin. "You're blushing. If only you could see your—"
Before he could finish, Rosette clapped a hand over his mouth, her ears bright red. His smile widened as he looked at her, amused by her flustered expression.
"I already know! You don't have to say it!" she exclaimed.
"Hey!" she yelped again when she felt him press a soft kiss to her palm. Her whole body went warm, her mind spinning.
"That's not fair," she murmured, her face burning.
"What's not fair?" Dranred asked, still smiling. "I told you to prepare yourself. You're far too unguarded."
"You're so sly!" she shot back.
"Am I?" he said playfully, taking a slow step closer.
"Stop!" Rosette lifted a hand between them, her heartbeat racing. "Aren't you being a little rash right now?"
"I'm not that kind of guy," he said simply. "But honestly, this is your fault."
"My fault? How is this my fault?" she demanded, meeting his gaze.
"If you hadn't provoked me, I would've waited until I'd secured my spot in the Majors."
"Provoke you? When did I ever—?"
"Really?" he chuckled softly. "You told me during the All-Star Game that it would be the last time you'd 'recharge' me. But then you came to me today—on your own—and gave me exactly what I needed. In case you haven't realized it yet, my little light, I need you to keep me alive."
"Little… light?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. It was the first time she'd heard him call her that, and the words sent butterflies swirling in her stomach.
"Yes," he said gently. "You're my light." His hand lifted to cradle her face. "People call me a 'Shooting Star,' but the truth is, I don't have that kind of light. My path is fixed, but it's dark."
His voice softened, tender. "But then you appeared. You've always been there, guiding me forward, even when I was too blind to see it. You're the one who makes me shine. And now, I finally understand… I don't have to hesitate anymore. I know what I want. It's you."
Rosette could barely breathe. His hand on her cheek felt warm, steady. Her entire body tingled as she tried to find her voice.
"I—I don't know what to say," she stammered.
"You don't have to say anything," he whispered. "Just stay with me. Be my light."
For a long moment, silence wrapped around them. Then Rosette tried to break the tension with a nervous laugh. "You're such a smooth talker. How many girls have you used that line on—"
"You still doubt me?" Dranred interrupted with mock sadness, pulling his hand away. "Now that hurts."
But before he could move farther, Rosette instinctively caught his hand. She looked down, realizing too late what she'd done.
"You can't blame me," she said quietly. "You're a superstar—everyone looks up to you. You're the Shooting Star. And me? I'm just your fan. Your childhood friend. I've dreamed of hearing you say these things, but it just feels… too good to be true."
Before she could finish, Dranred pulled her gently into his arms and pressed his lips against hers.
The world went still. Her mind went blank.
By the time she realized what had happened, the kiss had ended—but her heart was still racing, her cheeks burning.
"Was that enough to convince you?" Dranred whispered, his lips still close to hers, his voice tender.
Rosette's breath caught. She covered her mouth with both hands, turning away in shock. "Why did you do that?!" she exclaimed.
He chuckled softly. "Because you were talking nonsense," he said. "I just told you you're my light—and you still doubt me. I had to stop you somehow."
Rosette's heart was still pounding. She could feel the warmth of his lips lingering on hers, and it made her dizzy. She wanted to speak, but her thoughts were tangled — a storm of disbelief, joy, and fear.
"Dranred…" she whispered, her voice trembling.
He said nothing, just watched her with that soft, steady look — the kind that stripped away every wall she'd built around her heart.
"You can't just… do that," she finally said, her voice shaking. "You can't just say all those things and then kiss me like that. Do you even realize what you're doing to me?"
"I do," Dranred replied simply. "That's why I'm doing it."
His words left her breathless. She wanted to argue, to push him away just to collect herself, but she couldn't move. Her heart refused to listen to reason.
"I'm scared," she admitted quietly. "You've always been this bright, untouchable star. Everyone looks at you, cheers for you. And me? I'm just someone standing in the crowd."
Dranred stepped closer again, closing the small distance between them. His voice softened. "Then stop standing in the crowd," he said. "You're not just anyone to me, Rosette. You've never been."
Her eyes lifted to meet his. For the first time, she saw what she had been too afraid to believe — the sincerity in his gaze, the warmth that reached beyond words.
"You're unfair," she said softly, tears threatening to fall. "You're making it impossible for me to stay mad at you."
A faint smile touched his lips. "Then don't. Just stay with me."
Rosette let out a trembling laugh. "You make it sound so easy."
"It doesn't have to be complicated," he replied. "All I need is your answer. Not right now, not today — but someday. Just promise me you won't run away anymore."
Rosette took a deep breath. The world felt quieter now — the echo of the stadium, the faint hum of lights above them. Somewhere in that silence, she found her courage.
"I'm not running," she said finally. "Not anymore."
Dranred's expression softened, the tension in his shoulders easing. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
"That's all I needed to hear," he said gently.
For a long moment, they stood there — the fading light wrapping around them like a quiet promise.
Rosette smiled, faint but sure. "You know," she whispered, "you really are impossible."
"And yet, you still came running back to me," Dranred said, his grin returning, warm and teasing.
Rosette rolled her eyes, trying to hide the small, shy smile that crept to her lips. "Don't push your luck, Shooting Star."
Dranred chuckled. "Too late. I already fell."
And for the first time that night, Rosette didn't look away.