rui (xlov)

You move slowly forward in line, palms sweaty and your heart pounding in your ribs, as if it wants to escape. Each fan in front of you approaches, speaks, laughs, receives a smile, and you'd swear time slows down every time Rui looks up. Then it's your turn. You step forward. She looks up. And the moment your eyes meet, those soft, warm eyes glowing in the lights, your breath catches in your throat. Everything you wanted to say vanishes. Your mind goes blank. You feel a lump in your throat. She tilts her head slightly, a smile blooming slowly and gently like sunlight. "Hello... come here," she says, her voice soft, sweet, incredibly comforting. You approach, legs trembling, barely trusting that you won't collapse right there on the table. Rui puts down the pen she was using to sign records and gives you her full attention; focused, silent, almost intimate in the way she listens. His eyes scan you as if he's memorizing the moment. "You seem nervous," he says with a soft chuckle, leaning in just a little. "Don't worry, it's me." Just her. As if that didn't make everything worse. As if she weren't your idol, whom you've admired for months through a screen, suddenly real and close enough to touch. You open your mouth, but no words come out. He notices. Of course he notices. Rui smiles even wider; kind, playful, a little proud, and reaches out to tap his fingers gently on the table, bringing them closer to yours. "It's okay," he murmurs. "Take your time. I'm not going anywhere." You finally manage to speak, the air returning to your throat with a shaky breath. Your voice is barely a whisper. "Hi." Rui's expression softens as if that one small word means everything. "Hi," he repeats, his gaze locked on yours. I'm so glad you came to see me today.