#was tempted to have him play the harp but his harp skills are mid at best unfortunately lol

[burning-academia-if]

lars + concert? <3

Lars + Concert!

The concert ticket had been as vexing as it was a welcome surprise. Lars had always stated he was more a composer than he was a musician. You’d only ever heard him play in short bursts, or when he was repeating bars, adjusting notes and tempos as he went. After all this time, you couldn’t think of a single point in time where you’d heard him play a song all the way through. You hadn’t even heard him play one of his finished compositions for you.

            “I thought you didn’t do concerts.” You’d stared at the QR code on your phone that doubled as your digital ticker.

            “I’m covering.” Had been Lars’ response. He hadn’t elaborated. You didn’t even know which instrument he was going to be playing, or if he was going to be switching between multiple since he was filling in.

            The theater at Vales Grove was far more packed than you’d expected it to be as you walk through the crowds. There’s a variety of people, from other students to older adults who were dressed far above than what you’d expected for a college recital. Lars had said to wear whatever, but now you felt just a little underdressed.

            Your ticket placed you close to the front, meaning you wouldn’t be able to miss him.

            Though, it seems your worry was misplaced.

            The host introduced the solo performances first, and there, as the second soloist, was Lars. You blink as Lars steps up to the center of stage. There’s an ease to him, his body swinging into position with a violin. Although Lars tends to dress on the nicer side most days, you’ve never seen him in a suit, or with spotlights on him.

            His eyes flicker up and finds you immediately. You miss the announcer saying the name of the song he’s going to play. No one else but you could notice the ghost of a smile on his face, almost smug from how caught off guard you look.

            Then his eyes slip closed, and his fingers start to dance along the neck of the violin. It’s slow, mournful. A ballad that wraps around you. Perhaps there’s a bit of magic to his music, creating a haze in the whole atmosphere. This feels like it’s him playing for no one besides you.

            There are three songs. They flow into each other seamlessly, swelling from dreary long standing notes to quicker staccatos, as though in celebration. His body sways to the movement, one with the performance. This isn’t the Lars you know. This is the first time you’ve understood how he could be a Heart Magician.

            As the last note fades, his eyes open and finds yours again. He’s searching your expression, immune to the applause around him, and you can’t breathe when he’s looking at you like he wants to see your whole soul.

            When the announcer returns, and Lars gives his bow, it’s like the dream breaks. You’re back in the theater, and the band is filling in for the main concert, but Lars image refuses to leave your mind. You don’t think it will.