Your Anoying (Vessel x III)

4. Facade.

III helped Vessel get ready, his lips brushing Vessel's in passing. He was still riding the high of their connection and he wanted to make Vessel understand that he was the one.

Walking out of the dressing room, he made sure to be as close to Vessel as possible. He felt his heart beating in his chest as he watched him move, smiling softly.

Vessel put on his own ear pieces and connected his mice to the speakers. III took the chance to be close to Vessel again as he helped the singer connect his equipment. The pair of them were silent as each of them got ready for the performance.

A smile spread across III's lips as he finished connecting Vessel's speakers before he turned to his bandmate and pressed a kiss on his forehead. There was still a connection there and he wanted to work up to it again, but there was a performance to be done tonight that they needed to focus on.

They walked out together as they made their way onto the stage, a thunderous crowd awaiting their presence. The lights were bright on stage and Vessel took in everything as he got ready to sing.

He took a deep breath as he looked out at the crowd of people and made his way to the front of the stage. He was on the mic and a little buzz in his chest reminded him how close he had been to III. He was still riding that high. III took his place at the side on the stage with the band's Guitarist. Vessel looked up at him and smiled before he started the opening lyrics of "The Offering".

As they started performing, he watched III move around the stage as his mind wandered on the sexual deeds they shared together. His eyes kept drifting onto III, and he felt that same buzzing feeling come over him again, as if it was a reminder for him to go back to that moment with the bassist but at the same time he was scared to. It just felt so wrong to do with him, he was a man and a band member. There was a lot at stake.

Vessel watched the crowd as the band finished their last song. He breathed slowly, exhaling as the noise died down, a grin growing across his face as he felt the adrenaline wash over him. The crowd was still cheering for them.

The show was over and the band were back backstage, tired, but there was still an energy that filled the room as people celebrated the show being a success. III's attention was on Vessel, who looked nervous and his shoulders were tense.

He could see Vessel was still nervous but he didn't want this to go to waste. It wasn't something they'd be able to brush off so easily now, not after what they had done together. Maybe all that tension that filled the air between them was starting to weigh on Vessel. III walked over to his bandmate and spoke quietly.

"There's a coffee shop not far from here," he said, "mind if we go there to talk? I think we still need to... after everything" Vessel gave him a small 'yeah' while he nodded along.

III held Vessel's hand as they left the venue. Vessel seemed jittery and III wasn't sure how he could help the Singer to loosen up without making it awkward.

All the tension between them felt tangible, as if it was physically there in the air as the pair walked outside into the night. They walked in silence as their footsteps echoed against the pavement and the sound of the rain continued.

They found a small coffee shop on the high street. The place was quiet so they could talk. III and Vessel sat across from each other in the empty shop and III decided to break the silence.

"Vessel, I'll be honest-" Vessel looked up at him with big nervous eyes.

"That kiss meant something to me," III continued, keeping his eyes fixed on Vessel's.

III's fingers brushed the edge of Vessel's hand, his thumb rubbing over his bandmate's skin, wanting him to understand.

Vessel was the only one in III's life he was this open with, which was why he felt comfortable expressing his feelings. "It's not something I've had before. Sure, I've been with girls and slept around but..." His voice trailed and III could see the nervous expression on Vessel's face.

"B-But?" But I'm not a girl... is that it?" Vessel said pained.

III shook his head. "Do you think I care about that?"

"It doesn't matter to me that you're a guy. What matters to me is what I feel for you. You've made me feel more alive than I've felt in forever, Vessel, and I want you to understand that I want more from you."

His eyes met Vessel's and he leaned forward, his voice dropping. "I've never felt like this before. But I don't want to scare you or make you uncomfortable. There's something between us and I just want to explore that."

"I- honestly i'm scared..." Vessel said as he looked away from III.

Vessel looked as though he was going to push III away. III saw the fear in Vessel's eyes and it broke his heart. Despite how confident Vessel was on stage, III knew he still had a heart and this was hard for him.

III was one of the few people Vessel knew he could drop the mask with, show what was underneath. Yet, here he was scared of doing something new, scared of what might happen if they pursued this.

III let go of Vessel's hand and leaned back, putting his hands on his knees. This wasn't what he expected. Of all the outcomes that he thought could happen and of all the things Vessel could say, he didn't think scared was in his vocabulary. He took a deep breath and tried to process Vessel's words.

He had a feeling that Vessel felt the same way, and III didn't want to put him at ease. In fact, he wanted Vessel to be honest with him.

"Why is that, Vess?" His voice dropped again while he waited for Vessel to open up.

"Well, you know, I mean, you're a guy, I'm a guy, and, uh, considering the fans... there's this worry that they might catch on and not really be supportive. And then there's the whole band, what if they don't back us up? I just can't shake this feeling of, like, what if we go through all that risk and it turns out it's just a facade, like we weren't really meant for each other... What if..."

III nodded slowly as he tried to process Vessel' words. It was a lot to absorb. He didn't want to rush Vessel because it sounded like the singer needed some time to be comfortable with his feelings. But III couldn't help but be hurt by his words. What if we go through all that risk and it's just a facade? It hurt to wonder if something between them could be a facade, a fake connection.

Still, III put his feelings aside and smiled. He wanted Vessel to understand his position as well. "You don't sound very positive about this."

"I-I'm just, you know, a bit scared..."

"I can tell," III said softly. His voice had dropped to a whisper as he leaned forward towards Vessel. He needed the singer to understand that what they shared wasn't just an illusion, it was real. He took Vessel's hand in his again, squeezing it tight.

"Vess, all of that can be dealt with." He took a breath and his voice dropped again so only Vessel could hear him. "I'm sure how we make each other feel isn't a facade. And I'm certain you know that."

Vessel remained silent, absorbing the words of III. He found himself without a reply to the sentiments expressed.

III pressed his words together as he looked at Vessel. He saw the fear and nervous expression in the other man's face, and he was sure he felt the exact same way about him. III wasn't going to rush Vessel into anything, but he wanted to take things further.

He squeezed Vessel's hand tightly, rubbing his thumb against it. III didn't want to be alone anymore. He wanted to be with Vessel. He needed to have him and he had to do things the right way. He knew the feelings he was feeling weren't a facade.

"Vessel?" III whispered as he brushed his thumb. "I know you're scared but you can't let that stop what we have. The way you make me feel, as you've probably guessed, isn't something I've felt before." He squeezed Vessel's hand harder.

"This connection between us isn't fake. You might be scared but-" He paused as he bit his lip, a little uneasy as he chose his words carefully, "Do you have any feelings for me?"

"..."

. . .

Well one day to late...I hope you enjoyed and see you Saturday.