The Friendship You Needed

~={ Backstage }=~

TRIGGER WARNINGS:
INJURIES FROM SELF INJURING BEHAVOURS

-----_-----

Y/n's POV

I watch as Aaron gives me a worried look

"Sorry, I got excited," he apologies, his enthusiasm seeming to die down. I only have just registered that he is in full costume still, he must have come right up here after finishing. "Want to follow me backstage, I can let you in on all the secrets."

He begins to lead me back through a series of complicated hallways before leading me to a long looking stair well. The conversation while pleasent seemed slightly stained, whether that was my paranoia being high from the overstimulation of the show, or I messed up by flinching. Either way, I am enjoying this too much to ask.

"We are essentially going down to the basement of the building, because for some sick and cruel reason, they put me on one of the lowest floors," he jokes as he seems to almost skip down the stairs.

"Have you ever thought about riding this hand rail down the whole way. Must be easier than walking it right?" I ponder to him. Mainly to try and lighten the mood.

"One of the first days we were in the theatre, me and some of my friends did it because we had the exact same thought. We also learnt three other things that day. One, it's not entirely effective because you are gripping on for dear life; two, growing up in over rated; and three, the most memorable being that maybe a group of 3 middle aged men where not the best people to try because we all landed either on are faces or arses," he responds with a serious tone at the end. "We woke up pretty sore the next day and had to explain to the director why we were sore."

As he nears the end of his story we reach a room with his name on the door.

"This is my change room," gesturing at his door like a toddler who is proud of their art work. "Now if you give me 2 seconds I am going to quickly change out of this outfit, it isn't quiet my style." He opens the door before gently shutting it behind him.

In the crappiley light hallway, it was the first time that I could really see the damage that I had done to me hand. It is some messed up self soothing mechanism or something like that, but hurts like a bitch no matter that it is only the first several layers of skin. Like damn paper cuts.

Aaron ducks his head out the door, now emerging in the clothes he was wearing earlier that day. He seems to notice me looking at my hand before tucking it behind my back.

"You alright?" He asks, the joking tone no longer in his voice. Replaced now by a rather comforting one.

"Yeah all good," I shrug him off. "Just wacked my hand on something and kind of sore now."

I could tell he didn't really believe me, but didn't want to cross a line.

"Come on it, this is my home away from home."

I follow him in, taking everything around me in. The posters he had hung on his walls and next to his mirror. A pile of letters and art seemed to be piled up on a coffee table in the middle of the room, a table surround by a small couch and two comfy chairs.

"Wow, it's great in here. Love how you have made it a cozy space," I splitter out.

"Yeah, I've been pretty lucky that I have been able to do what ever I want pretty much. Makes coming in so much nicer," he adds, hanging his costumes that were once splayed across the room.

"Yo, A-aron, you stage dooring tonight?" A voice boomed before the door swings open relvealing the man who plays Santiago. "Oh shit man, didn't know you have company," he says while not really sounding really that sorry at all.

"Nah, you're alright man," Aaron says, stepping between the man and myself. "Ricky, this is Y/n. Y/n, this is Ricky, one of my pain in the arse friends." Aaron just looked tired signing shaking his head, not to anything in particular, but seemingly the world.

I offer my hand out to shake Ricky's out of instinct, thankfully, he pulled me into a hug rather than taking my hand. While I was taken aback at first, after is registered, it felt good. He gave me a pat on the back before turning to Aaron.

"Made new friend have we," he remarks giving Aaron a side eye. "When was I going to meet this fine Y/n had it not been for my lack of knocking."

"Today as it seems, you see, I know you too well, kinda had a feeling you would pull something like this. It happens most nights and I clearly made not effort to stop you."

"Guess so," Ricky resigns. "You didn't answer my question. Stage door?"

"Probably just for a second to say hi to people, then will just head home." Aaron replies. "Let me just finish the conversation with Y/n and then will come join you. Is Tam coming?"

"Nah, the stinky bastard is heading off. Coming about a wife or something." Ricky jokes.

"Dude, you are also married, give him a break." Aaron retorts before turning back to me.

"It was really good seeing you. Glad you could come along. Sorry for my friend rudess," Aaron says giving Ricky a pointed look. "I am going to the Stage Door, I don't plan on staying too long, I love my fans, but I am exhausted and want to go home to bed."

"I feel you." I sigh. "Not about the fans thing, you see I'm not bloody famous like you are, but after a long day's work nothing is more appealing than bed."

"Someone who gets me. Ricky tries to get me to come to the bar with him most nights. The guy doesn't have an off button." Aaron giggles.

"Oi, watch your mouth. I can still here you. I am right here still." Ricky rebuts.

"And that is why I said it Ric's. Which way are you headed, I know you must live around here, if we are headed in the same direction we should walk together. I'm headed to the train station up a couple blocks."

"Yeah I'm up past the station by a couple blocks. But I am also happy to just be on my way. I don't want you to feel like you have to," I say, not wanting to bother him any more. "You will just need to point the way out because I feel like I have been taken into a labyrinth down here."

"No, it will be good. Get me out of my own head. Plus the streets can be dangerous out at this time. Walking buddy would be good." Aaron jokes with a hint of seriousness hidden behind the smile he was giving. "If you want, just wait in here and make yourself comfy while I go stick my head out and I will come back and rescue you from the 'labyrinth' also known as the Al Hirschfeld Theatre basement."

"Instilling me with a lot of hope there," I call out as Aaron and Ricky leave.

I find myself lost. Not really sure what to do. Like that feeling you had as a kid when you went to a friend's house for the first time and you are too nervous to do or touch anything. I decide that it is probably a safe bet to take a seat on the couch.

My eyes get drawn to some of the art that is on his table and posted throught the room. It's really cozy in here. I like it.

I think this might be a good friendship. At alreast I hope it might be.

-----_-----

Two fairly decent parts in one day? Who am I?

Anyway. I have been really enjoying writing this so far, and I would like to thanks those who read it because somehow I am at #3 under the Aaron Tveit hashtag on here. So thanks.

I hope you are all doing well, remember to eat some food, drink some water, and take your meds(if needed). And most importantly remember you are loved.

Bye guys. Hopefully here will be a new part soon. 🤞