Title: Cheer Session
Fandom: UTAU
Rating: K
Length: 754
Content notes: Features lyrics from the song Magnet by Minato.
Author notes: None.
Summary: Ritsu reminds Ted why Master doesn't use him that often, but Rook turns right around and tells his fellow Vipper the rest of the truth that Ritsu left out. All things take time, and everyone has something that they need to overcome. For Ted it's a lack of confidence, and for Rook it's chronic laziness.

Ted's voice crackles and quickly becomes hoarse when he tries to hit the absurdly low note again. He's been in the studio all morning, going over choral scales and trying to broaden his range. Vocal practice is something he does every day, but today's session is especially important.

"Master doesn't use you that often because your range is so limited," Ritsu tells him from across the room. He's sitting on the piano bench with Ruko and Teto. Both Utau frown and tell him to shut it. "Why lie to him? It's the truth," he answers nonchalantly.

A familiar signal dings and Ritsu rises from the bench to respond. Ruko casts a sympathetic look Ted's way, but Teto ignores the call altogether in favor of hugging her older brother and telling him to disregard what Ritsu said.

Once more, Kasane Ted is left alone at the microphone. His shoulders slump and eyes remain on the lonely instrument before him.

"Ritsu's right," he says in a quiet voice. "No amount of time or effort will extend my vocal range."

"Then stop trying so damn hard."

Ted whips his head around and glimpses fellow Vipper Rook at the corner table with a coffee mug in hand. A loud, long yawn escapes him and he stretches his arms above his head.

"Trust me, Ted," he says with a crack of his neck, "if anyone knows what it's like to feel unappreciated then it's me."

"Yes, well, coming from someone as laid back about his career as you are isn't very comforting." Ted sighs and pushes away the microphone. "Thank you for trying to cheer me up, though."

Rook bolts up from his chair, starting the other Utau, and marches over to him. "Oy, I wasn't just babying you or buttering you up! I meant what I said!"

Ted blinks a few times before reaching up to adjust his glasses. The only other time he recalls seeing Rook so worked up is when Teiru locked him in a storage closet for calling Kagamine Rin's voice 'obnoxious and squeaky.'

"I..." Ted struggles with his words. "I'm sorry, Rook."

"Argh. No, I'm sorry," apologizes the dark-haired Utau with a grunt. He sets his coffee aside and claps a hand on Ted's shoulder. "Look, all I'm saying is that you're already talented enough as is."

Ted offers him a rueful smile. "I wish i had half of the faith you have in me."

"So you can't hit a high note like the Drag Queen...Big deal!" Rook grabs the microphone and moves it into position again. "No one but you makes the decision to stop singing or not, and personally speaking, I like your voice."

"But Master - "

"Is still working all the kinks out!" Ruko's counterpart interrupts him again, sitting beside Ted in the sound booth. A crooked grin is all it takes to lift Ted's spirits. "We'll just have to find a song that suits your range, and when we do, I know you'll sing it great."

Ted's sense of self-confidence is still fragile at best, but Rook has introduced a glimmer of warmth amid the cold. "Shall we practice then?" he asks in a softer voice this time.

"Could we take a nap instead?" Rook waggles his eyebrows.

Teto's brother heaves a sigh again and deadpans, "After that grand pep talk and advice you want me to take a nap?"

"I was kidding!" The dark-haired Utau grins sheepishly and waves his hands around. "R-Really, though, we can practice if that's what you want."

"We?" Ted quirks an eyebrow. "Are you certain it won't be just me?"

Rook stands to press the play button on the karaoke and plops down beside his friend again. "Okay, okay. I can take a hint." He swivels the microphone so that it rests between them. "I'll try to take my career more seriously from now on."

The music starts and Ted almost chokes on his next swallow of water. "M-Magnet, really?" He narrows his eyes in Rook's direction in spite of the blush warming his cheeks.

"And?" counters the other Utau with a cheeky grin. "Who better to sing a cheesy love song with than a babe like you?" He clasps Ted's hands and leans in closer.

Ted can't help laughing. "I don't suppose I have a choice in the matter?"

Rook flashes his teeth and shakes his head. "Nope."

Without another word of protest, Ted closes his hands around Rook's and starts to sing, "There's a flame burning on the edge of my heart..."