Ah yes the fandom thing I’ve never been in and have somehow never figured out via osmosis, despite having about 200 friends who have been sucked into the j-pop or k-pop vortex. ~485 words, G, marks do you ever get sick of moon imagery? Nope.

All previous fills on my tsukkiyamamonth tag.

–

Tadashi loves being on stage. He loves the lights, he loves the cheering crowds, he loves singing songs, and he’s been at it long enough now that he doesn’t even mind the dancing anymore. But what he loves more than anything is glancing off-stage and seeing Tsukki waiting for him in the wings. If he looks when Tsukki’s not expecting it, he might even catch him smiling or – blessed days – tapping his foot.

After his final encore, Tadashi runs off stage. Tsukki hands him a bottle of water and a towel, like always.

“Thanks, Manager-chan,” Tadashi says. He chugs the bottle and wipes his face with the towel, handing it back to Tsukki when he’s done. Their hands overlap and Tadashi might be imagining it, but he thinks Tsukki squeezes his hand when they do.

*

Two days later, Tadashi has a full schedule, running from dance practice to the studio to his weekly radio show and, finally, to a talk show appearance. The interviewers are friendly and ask politely about his inspiration for his new album, Songs for the Moon.

Tadashi has a prepared statement about that, one he and Tsukki wrote together. It talks about how the moon is something anyone on earth can see, even if two people aren’t in the same place at the same time. It talks about how the moon is simultaneously so close and yet so far away. It talks about how cold and grey the moon can seem, but how it’s the earth’s constant celestial companion and how interlocked they are.

It’s a good statement and they worked hard on it. It’s even all true. But it’s not what Tadashi says.

“Most of my inspiration came from my manager,” Tadashi admits. Every single song, in fact. He doesn’t look off-stage, even though he’s sure Tsukki’s surprised right now.

“Oh?” the interviewer asks. “Is that because he makes sure you stay on track?”

Tadashi flashes her a brilliant grin. “Something like that.”

“What a good manager!” she says, and claps her hands together. She’s right. Tsukki’s the best manager, the best everything. And now everyone will know it.

The hosts introduce the first single off the new album, and Tadashi walks into the spotlight, ready to show off his new choreography.

*

When the director calls cut and the cameras stop rolling, Tadashi heads backstage and braces himself.

But Tsukki just hands him a bottle of water and a towel, like always. The closest thing Tadashi gets to a lecture is Tsukki saying, “I’m so glad I stayed up until three in the morning with you to write something you didn’t even say.” The thing about it is, he does sound glad. And then he kisses the top of Tadashi’s head.

Tadashi looks into his face, surprised. That isn’t like always.

Tsukki smiles. “Thank you, Tadashi.”

And Tadashi feels like he could fly to the moon and back.