kintsukuroi // 金繕い (japanese, n.) - “to repair with gold”; the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken
genre: bittersweet
note: this drabble was requested by shinee loving anon! using this list of words, please feel free to make a request! sorry for not coming out with something a little mroe cheerful on Key’s birthday! (there will be some Key comedy in the 4 O’Clock epilogue this weekend, though!)
"I've never really been the kind of person who tries to count the stars," Key says, feeling all at once that he is falling into the glittering night sky. "And I've never been able to map out any of their shapes. But lately--"
His breath is a white mist in the chilly autumn night.
"Lately, I have been trying more often; every night, this week. Lately, I've been squinting harder. Lately-- lately, I've thought about splurging on a telescope or something because I just can't see anything."
Quietly, you tiptoe around the suggestion: "Maybe you're trying too hard. Maybe you're not meant to count the stars. Maybe you're not supposed to find their shapes; maybe they're supposed to find you."
"Maybe." Key smiles, and he offers a smile unlike anything you have ever seen. Somehow, it is hesitant and eager, radiant and dampened, fragmented and complete. Somehow, it is haunting, heartbreaking, and the most beautiful light in the glittering night sky.
"Maybe," you say, feeling all at once that there has never been a sadder word spoken. There has never been a more hopeful word spoken.