Stars of My Heart

Matthew and Emily were leaving the packed stadium, where the vibrant lights and infectious energy of the 2024 LoL World Championship Finals still echoed in the surrounding streets. The giant screens scattered around the venue were starting to turn off, while the murmur of the fervent fans slowly faded, being replaced by the sound of the quiet night. Matthew tenderly tightened his arm around Emily, guiding her away from the commotion.

"Your brother got us into a bit of a... tricky situation," Emily commented, letting out a sigh. Her eyes still reflected the colorful lights of the event.

Matthew chuckled softly, an amused glint dancing in his eyes. "He's passionate about this world of electronic games, you know. When it comes to e-sports, he gets involved body and soul."

Emily gave him a confused and, perhaps, somewhat irritated look. "But then... why didn't he come watch himself? He would keep us company," she grumbled, crossing her arms in frustration.

Matthew pulled her slightly closer, the warmth of his touch comforting her. "Believe me, he would love to be here, but while we're on vacation, someone has to keep Lancaster Corp in order. And guess who accepted the mission?" He smiled playfully, but with a touch of tiredness.

She sighed, relaxing. "These people... they live these games so intensely. I, who don't understand anything, ended up rooting for players whose names I don't even know."

Matthew nodded, giving her a look of understanding. "I admit it was fun, but exhausting. Now I know what it means to be part of that crowd. But it's not an experience I'd like to repeat any time soon." --skip

They laughed together, and as they walked away from the place, Matthew intertwined his fingers with hers, guiding her to the car that was waiting for them.

As soon as the couple got into the car, the sound of the engine calming down was interrupted by the sudden ringing of Matthew's cell phone. He looked at the screen and sighed when he saw the name "Hugo" flashing.

"Time to collect," he said to Emily, with a half smile. She laughed, settling into the seat next to him, curious.

Matthew answered and, as soon as he said "hello", he was already swallowed up by his younger brother's euphoria.

"So! Did you get it? The official T1 shirt? With Faker's autograph? And... please tell me you got the limited edition cap and keychain too!" Hugo barely breathed between sentences, and Matthew had to hold back his laughter.

"Calm down, Hugo," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual. "Yeah, I got the signed jersey. As for the cap… well, it was gone before I even found the booth." He paused, knowing that on the other end his brother was probably holding back a scream of excitement mixed with frustration.

"You have no idea how much I wanted these items, Matt! The kids at school are going to go crazy! Oh, and Lara's already here asking if you got the exclusive team poster. Say yes, right?"

Emily raised an eyebrow in amusement, and Matthew gave him a knowing look. "Look, I did get the poster," he replied, "but… an autograph from the entire team is another story."

On the other end of the line, they heard the sound of Hugo huffing and then Lara's voice came in the background, slightly anxious.

"Matt! Did you get me any freebies too? Anything could be anything!" I just didn't want to be left with nothing…" Lara said, a little shyly. Hugo grumbled, as if he didn't want to share the attention of the items with his younger sister.

Emily chuckled and leaned towards Matthew's phone, saying in a teasing tone, "Hugo, if it's any consolation, Matthew really became a fervent fan today! I think he screamed louder than anyone in the T1 crowd."

Hugo laughed, clearly surprised. "Really, Matt? I never thought I'd see you like this!"

--skip

Matthew sighed, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes. "Yeah, maybe I got caught up in the spirit of the game. But let's keep it a secret, okay?" He smiled, and Emily looked at him, amused.

"Oh, okay," Hugo joked. "But seriously, Matt, I can't believe you did it! I can't wait to show it all to my friends!" Hugo's excitement was palpable, and on the other end of the phone, Lara's voice came again, anxious.

"And for me, did you bring anything special too, Matt?"

Matthew gave a slight smile and replied, "Oh, Lara, don't worry. I have a surprise for you too. I got a keychain with the championship logo and an exclusive bandana for the event. Now you and Hugo will have something unique."

Emily smiled, watching him with a loving gaze, clearly enchanted by the patience and affection Matthew had for his brothers.

With the two brothers' warm goodbyes on the phone, Matthew hung up and let out a sigh, leaning back in his seat. Emily laughed, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You really are the best brother in the world," she commented, admiring.

Matthew looked at her, a serene expression on his face. "Yeah... I just want them to enjoy these things while they're young. Hugo and Lara have an energy that even tires me, but it's good to see them happy."

Emily smiled, intertwining her fingers with his as the car glided smoothly through the nighttime streets, the memory of the event still fresh in their minds.

After a brief break to recover from the emotions of the event, Matthew and Emily decided to extend the evening and went to a cozy, dimly lit, elegant restaurant on top of a building with an incredible view of the illuminated city.

The host led them to a reserved table near a panoramic window, and they settled in. In the background, the soft notes of Ed Sheeran's "Perfect" began to play, creating a romantic and intimate atmosphere. Matthew and Emily exchanged a look and smiled, feeling the calm of the music and the comfort of each other's company.

They picked up their menus and quickly ordered. Emily chose a refined pasta dish with creamy sauce and grilled shrimp, while Matthew opted for a filet mignon in wine sauce, accompanied by truffled mashed potatoes. They also ordered a bottle of red wine to share.

When the dishes arrived, the conversation died down, and the silence between them became a welcoming companion. The aroma of the dishes and the taste of each bite took over the moment, immersing them in the experience. The music in the background seemed perfect for the occasion, like a soundtrack created especially for them.

Matthew watched Emily out of the corner of his eye, admiring the delicate way she held her fork, her gaze focused on the plate, but occasionally shifting to him with a shy smile. Without saying anything, he reached across the table, and Emily, without hesitation, placed her hand on his. They intertwined their fingers, letting the simple gesture speak louder than words.

Every now and then, they exchanged quick comments about the taste of the dishes or the wine that paired perfectly with the food. Emily took a sip of her wine and sighed in satisfaction, leaning back in her chair and looking at him with a knowing smile.

"So… this dinner was better than the entire championship experience, don't you think?" she said, winking.

Matthew chuckled softly, nodding. "Definitely. Having some peace and being able to watch you without a packed stadium around is much better." They continued to eat in comfortable silence, each enjoying the moment with a sense of completeness. Ed Sheeran's music in the background seemed to cradle every movement and glance, filling the space with a quiet, intimate peace. When they finished, they didn't feel the need to rush, just stood there, entwined in the silence, as if the outside world could wait a little longer.