Beneath The Surface (Barcode Tinnasit x Jeff Satur Boy's Love)

Blood in the Water

As Barcode twirls his fingers nervously within his lap, Ta's cocky gaze remains firmly planted upon his flushed complexion, devouring the boy with the heat of his eyes from head to toe. Even with his head slumped down, Barcode could feel those eyes burrowing deep into his flesh like a hot iron. Ta's gaze was dark, hungry, and practically demanding a response.

"I can see right through your act," a silent voice wagered, "You remember what happened, and I know part of you liked it."

"So, how are you holding up, Tinnasit?" Ta questions nonchalantly, his voice as smooth as ever.

"I'm fine," Barcode whispers aloud, hating how quiet and weak his voice suddenly sounded.

The truth was, he wasn't fine. How could he be? He loved Jeff so much the idea of being without him physically hurt. So why did kissing another man still arouse him? Even in his inebriated daze that wretched night, Barcode realized somewhere midthrough that he wasn't kissing Jeff. And yet, despite knowing this, he continued anyway. Could he blame it on the drug, or was it simply his own decision?

Even if he could remember the kiss, it hardly mattered. Although the memory spun in the back of his mind like a storm cloud, Jeff served as his umbrella. How could he focus on the rain with the promise of sunshine on the horizon?

After combating endless turmoil and pain, him and Jeff were finally beginning to work through their problems together.

I can't ruin all the progress we've made. Kissing Ta was a mistake. Besides, there's no way he can tell I remember...it's all in my head...I'll stick to the story that I can't remember anything, and that's that. It's better this way...for both of us.

The silence lingers for too long as Jeff carefully analyzes the difference in Barcode's tone, his eyes shifting back and forth between Ta's smug appearance and Barcode's anxiousness. After his past outbursts, Jeff was making his best attempt at maintaining his temperament around Barcode.

Although the discontent of the famous musician was invisible to the untrained eye, Barcode could see the growing agitation in Jeff's movements as he internally debated his next words.

While Barcode wanted to give his lover a reassuring look, he couldn't bring himself to lift his chin from its burrowed position upon his chest.

Pond's voice breaks the silence.

"Due to the circumstances, I've made the executive decision to delay our final tour performance for one week." The seasoned director proclaims, stepping forward to address all three men at once. With his arms crossed firmly across his chest, the familiar sense of authority radiated from his stature.

Barcode was grateful for the distraction from the growing tension in the room.

"Won't our fans be upset?" He questions, finally lifting his eyes from their burrowed position. For the first time since he began his tumultuous acting career, it was easier to look at his director than his colleagues.

"Some will be inevitably," the older man shrugs. "But all tickets currently purchased will still be valid. To make up for the delay, complimentary photos of the actors will be handed out to all guests. Naturally, limited edition autographed versions will be supplied to VIP ticket holders only."

Even under dire circumstances, Pond was as work oriented as ever.

"Do you really think one week is enough for Barcode to recover enough to perform?" Jeff questions, still attempting to conceal his mounting agitation.

"It will have to be. If we delay any further, we'll face major financial losses. Do you realize how expensive it is to obtain access to the type of stadiums and theaters we perform at? I'm already forking out more than initially planned for. If this keeps up, it will result in pay cuts. The last thing I want to do is lower anyone's salary, so we must ensure this is the last delay. Hopefully, the extended time for ticket purchases will make up for the financial loss."

While Jeff fumed a mixture of guilt and shame washed over Barcode as he absorbed Pond's words.

The cork on Jeff's temperament was on the verge of exploding.

"Tch," Jeff clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth as he glares at the duo. "Do you even hear yourself right now? If money is more important to you than your actors -"

Barcode interrupts Jeff's words.

"I'll be fine." he states, forcing his voice to sound more confident than he felt. "I'm already feeling a lot better than before. I should even be able to return to practice tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

This time, the question was echoed by both Ta and Jeff, causing the two men to exchange scowls.

"Excellent news," Pond smiles wryly. "I look forward to seeing you back on stage. Since you've been so helpful to the boy's recovery, I'll excuse that sharp tongue of yours, Jeff."

Pond takes a swift step in front of Jeff to place a firm hand on the handsome man's shoulder. "Let us let bygones be bygones, no? I would hate to see your, I mean, our final huzzah flutter out with a puff of smoke, hm? Let's not lose our temperaments."

The thoughts in Jeff's brooding eyes is unreadable as he processes Pond's underhanded threat, gritting his teeth together to prevent himself from bursting at the seams. Whatever he wanted to say certainly wasn't anything good.

"But what if he's not ready?" This time, Ta is the one to mutter his rebuttal aloud.

For a brief moment, Pond and Ta exchange a silent glance. While Pond neglects to state his intentions aloud, a silent message Barcode fails to grasp is exchanged between the two men. Ta diverts his gaze a moment later, choosing to stretch his arms above his head.

What was that?

"Whatever," Ta gruffs. "He practices a lot of his choreography with me, so I'll make sure he can keep up."

Pond flashes another satisfied smile in response.

"I'm glad we've managed to sort through everything accordingly." He states, taking a step backward.

"Jeff, if you'll come with me, I have a few words I'd like to have with you privately."

Before Jeff can pop off another rebuttal, Barcode outstretches his hand to graze the man's knuckles. It was a small notion but enough to make him falter.

"Will you come back afterward?" Barcode questions. "I wanted us to have dinner together."

Ta gives a low grunt at the affection, glancing at Pond once more.

"Ahem, well... let's get going, shall we?" Pond echoes sharply, turning his back on the men.

"I'll be back soon," Jeff promises, turning his palm to hold Barcode's hand in his. For the first time, it seemed as though he didn't care that other people were still in the room. With a gentle squeeze, he releases Barcode's hand to pursue Pond.

On his way out the door, however, his shoulder bumps forcefully into Ta's, causing the younger man to give a knowing smirk.

Ta was getting exactly what he wanted.

Barcode was finally alone.

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*Hello, lovelies!

A big thank you to all my loyal fans who have patiently awaited my updates!

As always, I hope you enjoyed this chapter of Beneath The Surface. 🧐

What will happen next? Find out next time! ♡