Fragile Tension (Alan Wilder x Martin Gore)

9: The Denial

Hand-in-hand, the couple walked into the venue. As they walked, Alan could feel Martin's hand tremble within his own.

And that scared him.

The venue was large in size, accountable for over six thousand people. It was dismally dignifying, giving the band vertigo to look at.

"Woah, this place is massive!" Alan said dumbfoundedly, looking around. "Wouldn't you agree, Mart?"

"Mhm." Martin nodded back as he stared at the floor, utterly emotionless.

"Still not feeling well, baby?" Alan sighed.

His partner could only raise his hand and shake his head as they looked into each other's eyes.

Hooking his arm around Martin, Alan kissed the side of his head before whispering into his ear.

"It's going to be alright."
~~~~~
"Fletch, look who finally decided to show up." Dave joked as he saw Alan and Martin walking towards them.

"Oh, hey, you two." Andy stood up from where he was crouching as he adjusted his keyboard wires.

"So sorry we're late, you guys." Alan apologised, his grip still firm on Martin's hand. "Mart started feeling unwell again in the car and he's still not quite right now; you know how it is." He then added quietly towards his bandmates as Martin left his side and walked up to his platform.

"Oh, right." Dave nodded. "That's such a shame and so unfair on him. We'll just have to see how things go."

"I'm hoping he'll just perk up again like he did this morning. He had breakfast and everything; in fact, he wolfed it down." He giggled, taking his place on his own platform which was situated next to his partner.

"I find that easy to believe, mate. He likes his food." Dave laughed.

"I know he does... but he felt really sick last night... I just don't get it..."

"Who knows." Dave shrugged his shoulders. "Let's just hope this is the end of it, eh?"

"Yeah..." Alan sighed, his brain aching.
~~~~~
Finishing their run-through of 'Everything Counts', everyone of whom was present in the venue applauded them.

"Great job, Depeche!" Juli clapped as she walked up the steps leading to the stage, which she struggled to do in her stilt-like heels. "You sound unbelievable. You all deserve a break now!"

"Thanks, Juli." Dave smiled as he attempted to gain his breath back.

"You sounded amazing, my love." Alan mouthed at his partner from afar, and for the first time in hours, he received a smile back.

"Are we able to eat now?" Andy asked, climbing down from his platform. "I didn't have breakfast this morning!"

"Neither did I, if I'm honest." Dave agreed.

"First of all, you should've." Juli raised her eyebrow, speaking in a motherly tone. "And yeah, we've got a mini buffet table set up over there; you can help yourselves." She added with a point, showcasing her baby pink painted nails.

"Oh, thank God for that." Andy didn't hesitate in quickly rushing over to the buffet table alongside Dave.

Juli looked down at her clipboard and then back up, her eyes meeting with Alan engaging in conversation with Martin. Squinting her eyes, she tried to pick up what they were saying without making it obvious.

Alan seemed as if he were trying to negotiate with his partner.

"Are you sure you don't want anything? It might be because you're hungry, baby."