The Greatest Showman #864 - Never Give Up

Light and flowing, gentle and graceful, sweet and playful. The agility of the guitar strings resonates softly, emotions quietly stirring in my heart. Each click, each note, each strum—a movement like the delicate steps of a ballerina. Soft yet strong, the music carries a beauty that pulls at the corners of your mouth, melting you slowly into its embrace.

From the first note of the prelude, Renly owns the world.

"The moment I met you in the dark, you shed light. No matter how many setbacks, you and I are enough. Dance until the night fades, drink deeply, and when you're drunk enough to vomit, I'll help you hold your hair."

This isn't an abstract poem nor an explosive rock anthem. It's a romantic, gentle narrative, softly unfolding. In the beautiful, tender melody, sparks of recognition, meeting, and falling in love burst forth—like the opening of "Flying House Ring", a simple story made profound by the passage of time, amplifying the intensity of emotion.

It was their first encounter, a fleeting moment of light in the dark, illuminating the world around them. Love at first sight—intense and fanatical, like a moth drawn to the flame. Though they were strangers, it felt as though they had always known each other, their souls intertwining in a quiet, mutual glow. Their eyes met, confirming what words could not express: they were already intertwined, before language even touched their hearts.

"You looked back at me and smiled slightly. At that moment, I had no desire to drink. I held you tightly, and then you told me to leave tomorrow. I told you, as I said before, that I feared you would be the one to go first."

The corners of my mouth rose involuntarily, my ears flushed, my cheeks slightly pink. Even my fingertips trembled in response. My heart too, fluttered uncontrollably. These fragments of memory—Anna and Jacob's first meeting—felt so real. In Jacob's eyes, the world seemed to fall piece by piece into place. It was a calm yet grand journey of love, quiet yet all-encompassing.

The sweetness of youth, the grandeur of love, the tenderness of first touch—careful, probing, but ultimately, a silent promise made in a single shared glance.

Renly sat quietly on the low stool, his fingers dancing across the guitar strings. No added embellishments—just raw, unfiltered emotion crashing through the air. His happiness poured out softly in his voice:

"I love you too deeply, but you never know. I fear parting and pretend not to care. I crave you, yet hide it. I want to stay with you, silently, until we both grow old."

Heather's tears fell unexpectedly, one after another. The intensity of emotion was overwhelming, leaving her standing still, eyes wide, allowing the tears to flow freely. The music, the words—this was her story, her truth.

Though the words were familiar, their new arrangement brought unfamiliar beauty. The melody gave them a new form, one that vibrantly expressed the deep, turbulent emotions hidden in her soul.

This was her story, her voice, now turned into music.

Even now, Heather remembers their first meeting so clearly. On that sunny, windy afternoon, she met him.

She had been like a hedgehog—sharp and defensive, hurtful even to those who merely passed by. After four years of illness, she had come to loathe the world around her, resenting the pity she received. She felt as fragile as a dinosaur skeleton, a relic of the past, destined to disintegrate with a single touch.

But he didn't pity her. He had said, "It's not just the sick who need help. Everyone does."

In that moment, the tenderness in his gaze broke through her walls. She fell in love with him for three years but never confessed, too afraid of losing him. Her love was so fierce, yet so quiet. She concealed it, pretending not to care, pretending the distance between them didn't matter.

Now, all those hidden emotions surge to the surface.

Her heart trembled, her fingertips tingled, and she felt herself curl into a ball, overwhelmed by the wave of emotion. She couldn't think, couldn't react, couldn't do anything except be consumed by it.

Then, she heard it—a deep, resonant cry, "Just say you won't let go. Please stay with me."

Don't let go.

The words struck her heart with violent force. She heard it—she heard it so clearly. It was a promise, a commitment to never give up, to never let go of love, of dreams, of life, of persistence.

Heather's gaze was fixed on Renly, bathed in the spotlight. His face, calm in the dim lighting, was a study in contrasts—the shadows softening his features, his eyes glowing faintly. His fingers, like magic, moved with precision, each note a carefully crafted declaration of love. The music swirled and resonated, creating a connection—a deep, soulful bond.

Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes wide, afraid of missing even the smallest moment. Everything around her blurred, but on stage, Renly's performance was clear, as though she could reach into his soul.

"I woke you up with breakfast, brought you coffee, kissed your forehead lightly, took the kids to school, waved goodbye, and thanked God for bringing me to you. When you look back at me, at that moment, I forget my age. I just want to dance with you, to promise that you will only grow more beautiful with time. You make me want to have a home."

For Heather, the future had always seemed unreachable—an impossible dream, like trying to hold light in her hand. She had never dared to hope for a future, especially one that seemed so far out of reach.

But now, it was real. It felt within grasp, like she could reach out and touch it. She longed to attend her graduation ceremony, to dance with him at the ball, to wake up beside him with coffee in hand, to build a home together.

The desire was so fierce it burned her chest, a pain so sweet yet so bitter. The lyrics, simple but profound, painted a picture of a happy, romantic future—a future she had never dared to dream of until now.

She had never hoped for such a future, but now it seemed possible.

Is this hope too greedy?

"I'm dazzled by love, and I want to tell you, my dear, your love is endless to me. You and I are in this together, looking back on the road we've traveled. I just want to stay with you until we both grow old."

Three years—just three years. So much had changed, yet nothing at all.

He was there to support her rehab; she was there to witness his dream unfold. He encouraged her to chase her own dreams; she waited for him to finish his album. Together, they ran toward the sun, finding strength in each other. The path they walked, though lonely at times, was no longer solitary.

The journey had been long and hard, but they had grown through it, side by side. Through thick and thin, never giving up.

For Heather, that was enough. He had accompanied her this far, and she had followed him. The memories they shared were precious, bright, and sweet—hugged tightly in her arms.

Now, it was time for her to let go of that small, quiet secret in her heart. It was time for Renly to know.

She stared at him, tears streaming down her face. In the light, Renly raised his chin, his eyes meeting hers. He sang softly:

"I just ask that you won't let go and are willing to stay with me."

The floodgates opened.

Heather could no longer hold back. All her strength, all her walls, crumbled in that moment. She opened her mouth, but no words came out—only silence. Deep inside, she screamed:

I won't let go. I won't let go. I won't let go.

Though no sound escaped her lips, Renly heard it. He heard everything. Her struggles, her loneliness, her fears, her dreams—everything she had buried in her heart.

This man—the one she loved so deeply, the one she had only secretly adored—had heard her, had heard her soul.

"I won't let go."

That was her promise.