*Chapter 4: Crescendo*
River had always believed emotions made you sloppy.
That was what his father taught him—feelings were distractions, and perfection was the only way forward. You play for the prize, not the heart.
But now, each time he sat at the piano with Skyler beside him, River could feel something shift. His music wasn't perfect anymore.
It was better.
It had life.
***
"You're coming to the composer's circle, right?" Skyler asked one Friday afternoon, fingers drumming against a cold coffee cup.
River raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that where you all sit around pretending you're tortured artists?"
Skyler smirked. "Exactly. You'll fit right in."
River rolled his eyes but followed anyway.
The group was surprisingly welcoming. One girl played an unfinished jazz piece on a saxophone, another recited poetry set to a lo-fi track. River didn't share, but Skyler played a new song—one River recognized instantly. Their song.
He said it was called *"Beneath the Noise."*
River's cheeks warmed. No one knew it was inspired by him, but he did. And Skyler did. And somehow that made it more real than any standing ovation ever could.
***
Later, as they walked back under the streetlamps, River spoke.
"You used our melody."
Skyler nodded. "It's yours too."
There was silence.Then River stopped walking.
"Why are you doing this?"
Skyler looked at him, genuinely confused. "Doing what?"
"Getting close."
Skyler tilted his head, serious now. "Because I like you, River."
It landed heavy. Honest. Unflinching.
"I've never liked anyone like this," Skyler added.
River's heart thundered, and for a moment, he thought about stepping back.
Instead, he stepped forward.
And kissed him.
It was soft, uncertain, and over in seconds—but it broke something open in both of them. A dam neither of them realized they were holding.
When they pulled apart, Skyler whispered, "Now that… that was a crescendo."
River smiled.
For the first time, he didn't feel like he was failing his past.
He felt like he was finally writing his own future.
—