The Stage [BL]

A big break for Tristan

Flashback
When Lora tried to clinging over Joel he left from there after saying good night to them. Then he straight went to the bedroom which him and Tristan were sharing from months. He entered and stood in front of his Poppy's (grandfather) photo frame and started caressing that frame. His eyes welling up with tears. He whispered, "Poppy, I miss you so much. You're the only one who ever understood me." He took a deep breath, his voice cracking as he spoke.
"Mom's been threatening me for years, Poppy. She said if I ever try to find Dad, she'll stop his treatment. She said she'll let him die if I don't do what she says. I didn't see him from years."
Joel's gaze fell to the floor, his shoulders shaking as he fought back sobs.
"And Stanie...he's ignoring me, Poppy. I can't bear to see him, to see my love for him, and know that he's far away from me. He doesn't even look at me anymore."
He looked up at his grandfather's photo, his eyes pleading.
"Why did you have to leave me, Poppy? I need you now more than ever. I feel like I'm drowning in all this pain."
Joel's voice broke as he whispered, "I just wish someone would listen to me, Poppy. I wish someone would understand me."
He paused, collecting his thoughts. "Sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough, Poppy. Like I'm not worthy of love. Mom always criticizing me, and Stanie's ignoring me...it feels like I'm all alone."
He took a step closer to the photo, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm scared, Poppy. I'm scared that I'll never find happiness. That I'll never find someone who loves me for who I am."
Joel's tears flowed freely now, his body shaking with sobs. "I just want to be loved, Poppy. I just want to be loved and accepted." He paused and wiped his tears.
"Why does it hurt so much, Poppy? Why does love have to hurt so much? I feel like I'm losing myself, Poppy. Like I'm disappearing into nothingness. It's like I'm not even here."
Joel's voice cracked as he spoke.
"Sometimes I wonder if anyone would even notice if I was gone. If anyone would even care. I feel so alone, Poppy. So completely alone. Like I'm the only one who understands me."
Joel's eyes pleaded with his grandfather's photo. "Please, Poppy...please tell me I'm not alone. Please tell me someone loves me." He paused, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so tired of pretending, Poppy. Tired of pretending to be okay when I'm not. Tired of pretending to be happy when I'm dying inside." Joel's tears flowed freely now, his body shaking with sobs.
"I just want to be free, Poppy. Free to be me. Free to love who I want. Free to live my life without fear of rejection." He looked up at his grandfather's photo, his eyes begging for answers. "Is that too much to ask, Poppy? Is that too much to ask for?" His hands trembled as he brutally scrubbed away his tears. "Fine, even you're abandoning me now," he whispered, his voice cracking like shattered glass. "No answers, no comfort...just silence."
He went to the couch, his legs curling up towards his chest like a fragile, wounded creature. He wrapped his arms around them, holding himself together as if he might shatter into a million pieces.
Tears continued to stream down his face, a relentless river of sorrow. His body shook with sobs, his shoulders quivering like a leaf in a storm. As the anguish consumed him, Joel's eyelids grew heavy, his breathing slowed, and his tears finally began to dry. Exhausted, he succumbed to a fitful sleep, his body still curled up in a protective ball, his heart still aching with the weight of his emotions.
Present time,
As Tristan's hand reached for the doorknob, he hesitated, catching the faint sound of Joel's trembling voice within. He knew that Joel often confided in his grandfather's photo, sharing his deepest fears and desires. Tristan's curiosity got the better of him, and he leaned in, listening intently.
And after listening his words Tristan's heart broke into pieces like a mirror. He couldn't help but shredded some drops of tears. Joel's words cut through Tristan like a razor, each phrase a fresh wound that bled sorrow and despair. The words "No one will notice if I die" were a dagger to Tristan's soul, a painful reminder of his own failures and shortcomings. As Joel's sobs subsided, and his breathing slowed, Tristan knew he had to enter. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the emotional turmoil that awaited him. With slow, deliberate steps, he pushed open the door, his eyes locking onto Joel's fragile form, curled up and vulnerable on the couch.
He slowly went towards him and sat on the floor. The tears were dried on his cheeks also some fresh drops still welling up from his corner of eyes. He wiped them slowly by his thumb and pecked his soft cheeks. Without thinking, Tristan stood up and gathered Joel in his arms, cradling him like a precious treasure. Joel, still caught in the throes of sleep, instinctively snuggled into Tristan's chest, seeking comfort. Tristan's heart swelled with love and compassion as he held him close, his emotions threatening to overwhelm him.
With a tender gentleness, Tristan laid him on the bed, covering him with a soft duvet to ward off the chill of despair. Then, he slipped under the covers himself, pulling Joel close to his side. He wrapped one arm beneath Joel's head, cradling it like a precious jewel, while his other hand encircled Joel's waist, holding him tight. His gaze adored Joel's peaceful face, his eyes tracing the gentle curves of his cheeks, the softness of his lips, and the quiet rise and fall of his chest. With tender reverence, Tristan showered Joel's face with delicate kisses, each one a whispered promise of love and protection.
As he kissed Joel's eyelids, his tears fell like autumn rain, a helpless expression of his deep emotions. His lips brushed against Joel's forehead, his nose, and his chin, leaving a trail of gentle caresses.
Joel, lost in slumber, stirred, his lips parting in a soft sigh. Tristan's heart skipped a beat as Joel's lips instinctively sought his, their mouths meeting in a tender, sleepy kiss.
Tristan's breath caught in his throat as he deepened the kiss, his heart racing with excitement. Joel's lips were soft and inviting, a gentle whisper of affection that left Tristan's soul trembling. As they kissed, Tristan's tears fell onto Joel's face, mingling with their lips, a bittersweet expression of his love and longing. Joel's hands stirred, his fingers brushing against Tristan's chest, sending shivers down his spine, the kiss deepened, and Joel's hands instinctively reached up, his fingers tangling in Tristan's hair, pulling him closer. Tristan's heart raced, his senses overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. But just as Joel's grip on his hair tightened, Tristan hesitated, his mind catching up with his emotions. He hadn't confessed his feelings yet, and he couldn't take advantage of Joel's vulnerable state.
With a gentle but firm touch, Tristan pulled back, his eyes locked on Joel's. Joel's face contorted in a soft whine, his hands still clutching Tristan's hair, trying to pull him back. Tristan's heart ached at the sight, but he backed away, his hands reaching up to gently pry Joel's fingers from his hair. Instead, he pulled Joel into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around his chest. "I need to tell you something," Tristan whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. "I need to tell you how I feel." Like this both drifted into dreamland finding comfort in each other's embrace.
As the days went by, Lora's attempts to win Joel over became more and more desperate. She would show up at his office, unannounced, with lavish gifts and flimsy excuses. Talk with him late at night, her voice husky and seductive, trying to wear him down with her charms which was completely unnoticed by Joel. Meanwhile, when Joel was away at work, Lora would turn her attention to Tristan, trying to threaten him. But Tristan was completely unbothered. He knew that Joel loved him, truly and deeply, and no amount of intimidation or manipulation could ever change that. He knew that she was fighting a losing battle, that Joel's heart belonged to him alone.
And so, he would wait, patiently and lovingly, for the right time, his heart full of love and devotion. For he knew that their bond was unbreakable, it's true that there's their a big distance between them even after sharing the same roof but he knew that their love is strong enough to conquer all.
A random evening,
Tristan packed up his gear after another soulful performance at the hotel, he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. He spun around, expecting a familiar face, but instead, he was met with a mysterious figure shrouded in shadows. The man's overcoat, beanie, black mask, and glasses made him almost invisible, except for his piercing gaze. "Yes?" Tristan asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.