curtain call - a Virtues Verse oneshot
here is a Riley-centric oneshot I wrote as a gift for the lovely @thatsapodium <3
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Riley couldn’t spot his family in the crowd, but just knowing they were there filled his heart with an excited, deep warmth. Dad, beaming in the suit he had bought just for this, Mom in the same navy dress that was always brought out for festive occasions. Grandma Sophie, Grandma Grace and Grandpa Joe, excitedly taking photos. His siblings and packlings, dressed up like he rarely ever saw them. Isabel and Leah with little Clara, who was looking adorable in her dress. Carlos and Lando were there, too, of course, and Papa, and Pierre. And Maman, whose eyes were shiny and whose smile was fierce and proud when he cupped Riley’s cheeks in his hands and told him, „I knew you would make it one day.“
„Three more minutes,“ Benoit, the conductor of the orchestra, said behind him, startling Riley away from the curtain.
„Okay.“ Riley exhaled slowly and smoothed down his dress.
Ben watched him with a thoughtful smile. „You will be amazing.“
„What are you doing up here?“ Riley asked quickly, trying to will himself out of blushing.
„I wanted to come see you,“ Ben replied, fixing his cufflinks, „For good luck.“
Now, Riley was definitely blushing. „Oh. Thank you.“ He didn’t know why, but he added, „My whole family is here today.“
Ben gave him a sympathetic grin. „Ah. Nervous?“
„A little bit,“ Riley admitted, shifting on his feet. The black dress he was wearing had a high neckline and felt like a hug. „Aren’t you?“
Ben gave a very french shrug. „Yes,“ he said, „Everytime.“
That was oddly comforting, because Benoit was a literal musical genius, one of the youngest conductors ever to work with this particular orchestra. He was a beta from France, in his early thirties, supremely talented and very handsome with thick dark hair, blue eyes and glasses.
Riley and him had been flirting for the past few months.
A low gong sound counted down the last few moments before the start of the concert.
„I mean it, Riley,“ Benoit said quickly, taking an urgent step forward, reaching for Riley’s hands. Ben’s hands were warm and strong around Riley’s when he squeezed them. „You are amazing. You will do amazing.“
Riley let out a breathless „Thank you!“ while his entire body felt like it was spinning.
Ben let go of his hands and gave Riley one last lopsided smile. „Bonne chance!“
„Bonne chance!“ Riley echoed, and then, quickly before he could change his mind, „Wait!“
He took two steps forward and kissed Ben on the cheek. „For good luck.“
Ben let out an adorable, surprised noise, half-stopping in his tracks, but Riley ushered him away, giggling. „You have to go! Quick!“
„I have to go!“ Ben repeated, a big, happy smile spreading on his face, „Yes. I have to- I’ll see you later!“
„Yes!“ Riley watched as Ben almost tripped over his own feet when he hurried towards the stage entrance. His heart was beating fast and hard in his chest, and he felt like he could do anything right now.
„Ladies, Gentlemen and esteemed others,“ the voice of the concert hall’s director sounded through the thick curtains as the crowd quieted down, „Welcome to Young Talents night at the Royal Concert Hall.“
Riley took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
The concert went perfectly.
Riley had to blink away tears in his eyes when the crowd cheered and clapped for them. Nothing could ever rival this feeling.
Well, maybe something could: the sight of his family in the foyer, Dad carrying a massive bouquet of flowers.
Jasper was the first to spot him. „Riley!“ he exclaimed, and ran at him, throwing his arms around him. He had grown a lot, and catching him forced a little „oof“ out of Riley. Nevertheless, he hugged his little brother tightly, and Jasper squeezed him back, going on and on.
„You sang so beautifully and you look so pretty and Dad cried but he pretended he didn’t-“
This meant so much more than any compliment from any professional he had received while making his way through the crowd.
His family descended upon him with hugs and kisses and compliments. Dad hugged him for a long time. Riley enjoyed being covered in Dad’s comforting, familiar scent. When they let go, there were proud tears in Dad’s eyes again that he wiped away with the back of his work-worn hand. „I’m so fucking proud of you.“
„Dad,“ Isabel scolded jokingly, covering Clara’s ears.
„Some occasions warrant foul language,“ Leah said, and threw her arms around Riley, pulling him into the next hug.
Several minutes passed until everyone had hugged him and told him how proud they were of him.
„Um, Riley, I think someone is here to see you,“ Luna said behind him when Riley was just in the process of getting squeezed by Grandma Sophie. When he turned, he saw Benoit standing there on the edge of his family circle, looking politely handsome with a glint in his eye.
„I just came to congratulate you briefly on your outstanding performance,“ he said.
Riley felt his already wide smile widen. He could tell his entire family was curiously watching them now.
„Thank you,“ he said as gracefully as he could; he knew Ben could tell he wanted to say much more. Do much more. „Congratulations on yours as well.“
So formal. A cheeky little grin tugged on the corner of Ben’s mouth. „Thank you so much.“
There was a slight pause, then Riley remembered to introduce Ben. He gestured behind himself awkwardly, „This is my… my whole family. …this is Benoit, the conductor.“ When he half-turned, he saw Maman’s knowing grin.
Grandpa Joe leaned over from behind Riley, holding out his hand to shake Ben’s. „Incredible work, young man.“
„Thank you so much,“ Ben replied, shaking Grandpa’s hand. „Lovely to meet Riley’s family.“
„You have cool glasses,“ Jasper said from where he was wrapped around Mom.
„Thanks!“ Ben grinned, „So do you.“
Jasper looked very satisfied with the compliment. „We’re going to have sushi now, because that’s Riley’s favorite.“
„Nice,“ Ben grinned, „That’s good to know.“ He gave Jasper a little wink. „Hope you enjoy your dinner.“
Jasper beamed up at him.
Riley felt like his heart was about to burst out of his chest.
„I’ll see you saturday?“
„Yes,“ Ben said, turning his attention back to him with a warm smile. „See you saturday.“
„Okay,“ Riley said quietly, trying not to completely lose it over Ben in front of his family.
„Enjoy your sushi,“ Ben told him, giving a formal, modest little bow before disappearing into the crowd.
It took his siblings exactly two seconds after Ben was gone to start making kissy noises.
Some things never changed.