Only Friends: Dream On.

Dean sobbed the entire way to the hospital. He had conjured up countless terrible images in his head of what could have happened to his friend, making him feel nauseous. But when he arrived at the patient's room, he saw Timmy lying motionless on the bed, with only his limbs in casts. His face was clean and bright, without the gruesome bloodstains he had imagined. Looking to another corner of the room, he saw Tua. Timmy sat quietly near the bed, watching over his friend, who also looked uneasy. He was irritated by the sudden relief on his friend's face.

 

"I'm not dead yet, Dean. You don't have to make that face."

 

"Is this the time to be joking, Timmy?" Dean glared. "So, what happened? How did it end up like this?"

 

"I went drinking with Jack, then we parted ways and went home. I got on a Grab motorcycle taxi, but a car crashed into us. That's why I'm in this state, but the driver walked away just fine," Timmy recounted jokingly.

 

Dean breathed a sigh of relief. At least his friend was safe, even if he was in a condition that resembled a mummy.

 

The door to the patient's room opened, and Jack paused for a moment when he saw Dean standing beside the bed. The young director announced the news.

 

"I already called your parents. They said they'll fly back from England"

 

"Just some fractured ribs and broken legs, nothing serious."

 

"Just a little more and you would be folded into paper, you idiot! You're lucky you survived. And you're saying it wasn't serious? It was a car accident!" Tua stood up, cursing!

 

"You know what? When the car crashed, and I thought I was dying, I saw my parents' faces and the faces of all three of you. I thought I was going to die as a result of my work. Is this really how it all ends up with so much drama?"

 

"Timmy, don't talk like that." Dean gently touched the injured man's hand.

 

"Anyway, you guys are still my best friends." The three of them looked at Timmy, then at each other awkwardly, but Jack said something to reassure the other person.

 

"Stop talking now. You need to rest. We'll be here. You don't have to be afraid."

Those words were very encouraging and grateful to the injured person, but he couldn't even cry because his whole body was aching.

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

Raffy stood with his arms crossed, watching through the clear glass of the matcha cafe as Rome busily set up his DJ station with a triumphant smile. He pushed the door open, walked straight to the counter, and tapped his fingers to attract attention. Rome glanced at the person in front of him for a moment, as if indifferent, until his friend, who was with him, joked about it.

 

"Is that your creditor?"

 

"No, just an acquaintance," Rome told his friend. Raffy chuckled before asking provocatively.

 

"Why aren't you answering my calls? Do I have to check Instagram myself to see if you're there? Where will you be working?"

 

"What am I supposed to do? I'm just hot," the young DJ replied casually. "I'm busy working."

 

"You need concentration for work. Next time, let me know so I can come and watch. Where are you going after you're done today? Shall we go have a meal together?"

 

"So, in short, you're just going to keep following me around? Don't you have anything else to do?"

 

"I'm using the same trick you used before, so now I'm doing it too. Understand? What about my feelings?"

 

Rome shrugged; everything the other person said was true. "Whatever you want. I don't care."

 

"Okay, then let's go eat when we're done. I'll wait here, and we'll go together," said Raffy.

 

Having concluded everything himself, Rome could only shake his head wearily. At the same time, a well-dressed male customer approached the counter. Initially hesitant and seemingly afraid to greet him, Rome watched him with unease until the customer finally spoke.

"Excuse me, are you the same DJ who used to play at Pink Pony Club?"

 

Does this happen often? It feels familiar. Rome raised his eyebrows before answering.

"yes"

 

"Actually, I used to go to that place often when I was in university. After graduating, I went to study in London, so I haven't been back to listen to music much lately. But I still remember how great your music was. I'm actually planning to open a club soon, an underground club, kind of like Boiler Room. You probably have an idea of ​​what I mean."

 

"Ah, yes, I remember," Rome, who was already in that circle, understood perfectly.

 

"I'm looking for talented DJs to add to my lineup. Are you interested? Why not try submitting a mixtape for an audition?" Rome was so happy that he couldn't contain himself.

 

"Yes, I'm interested! Very interested, sir!"

 

"May I have your contact information?"

 

Rome was about to speak, but Raffy cut him off. He handed him his business card. He never imagined that the business card his mother had made for him, which he considered overkill, would be useful now.

 

"Feel free to contact me. Rome is very busy with work these days, so he might not be available. I was afraid they'd forget, so I was the one who helped organise his schedule."

 

"Oh, that's good. It's easier to communicate with a manager, unlike with DJs. I'm really busy and don't have much time to contact you about work. Thank you," Raffy smiled proudly before turning to wink mischievously at Rome. The young DJ looked at him with exasperation until the customer walked away.

 

"Since when did you become my manager?"

 

"From now on," Raffy grinned.

 

"I never wanted a personal manager. I can manage myself."

 

"You heard that, didn't you? Clients prefer to speak with the manager. At least I can remind you when someone contacts you about work. You'll be so busy you'll forget to send the tape up."

 

"I missed the opportunity."

 

Rome was still displeased, but he was too tired to blame the person. He just kept smiling, clearly pleased. Raffy pulled up a chair, rested his chin on his hand, and watched the young DJ work while murmuring something to himself in a Good mood. 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

"You can never cut me off."Arnold was very surprised to learn that the Tua family owned the theme park business. When Tua said he needed help, Arnold thought it would be a regular household service matter. But it turned out Tua wanted him to help decorate the place for the upcoming festival. Arnold had to carry boxes of decorations for kilometres, but no matter how tired he was, he didn't complain because he wanted Tua to see his dedication.

 

Tua watched Arnold work with admiration, but couldn't help worrying because the weather was quite hot and humid today. There were several times he almost gave in because the other man looked at him as if pleading for sympathy, but he decided to wait until the work at the amusement park was finished, then make his decision. While Tua was helping to oversee the overall operation, his father, the amusement park owner, walked straight over. "That young man looks promising," Tua's father said, referring to Arnold.

 

"What did he do to you that he has to work hard to atone for?"

 

"It's a long story, Dad."

 

"Is this your boyfriend?"

 

Tua sighed, "Almost there, but then this happened." Tua’s father nodded, secretly glancing at his son with a knowing look, understanding his feelings for the other person. He beckoned Arnold, who was helping with some work, to come closer.

 

"I'll help set up the tent here, and then I'll help clean the clothes. And a mascot too!"

 

"Yes, Father." Tua's father didn't mind at all being called that; in fact, Still pleased, but had to suppress a smile because his son was watching him suspiciously.

"Don't you dare upset my son, or I'll lock you up in a haunted house!" That's true."

 

"Father!!"

 

"Definitely not, I promise," Arnold promised the adults before glancing at Tua to reassure him as well. Tua avoided his gaze, his face flushing red, unable to hide his embarrassment.

 

The workers needed help climbing a ladder that was ignited by fire right in front of the tent. Arnold willingly volunteered to help, and it's no surprise he became well-liked by the other staff members at the amusement park.

 

"Hurry up and decide, Tua. A good opportunity might slip away, and you'll regret it later," the amusement park owner instructed his son before walking away to inspect other areas of the business. The son sat pondering his father's words. He wasn't sure if he could fully trust Arnold again. Even though Arnold constantly insisted he hadn't kissed Dean, and he tried to believe him, the shattered feelings made him fearful of being hurt again. Perhaps what Dean said was true...it would take time, but who knew how long?

 

"Ouch!" The scream snapped Tua out of his thoughts. He looked and saw Arnold lying near the ladder he had climbed up to install the lights, clutching his foot. Tua's heart sank as he ran to check on the situation.

 

"What happened?"

 

"Mr Arnold fell down the stairs," one of the workers said.

 

"I took a wrong step," Arnold explained, holding his hand.

 

"Call an ambulance, please!"

 

"It's okay, I'm not seriously injured."

 

"No!" Tua yelled like a madman. "I almost lost Timmy! I don't want anything to happen to you, either."

 

Arnold saw Tua panicking, so the injured man had to comfort him instead. He hugged Tua in his arms and whispered softly in his ear to soothe him.

 

"I'm okay, Tua. I'm alright."

Both Tua and Arnold watched anxiously as the doctor read the ankle X-ray results. They had barely let go of each other's hands since getting into the ambulance until they reached the examination room. "It's a sprained ankle," the doctor told the patient. "I recommend resting. Avoid strenuous activity on your ankles and knees for about six months." Arnold, sitting in a wheelchair, immediately looked crestfallen.

 

"But I studied dance, and I have a job that requires a lot of dancing and using my feet."

 

"It's better to wait until the symptoms improve before returning to the activities."

"It's necessary to rest the foot; otherwise, the condition will spread and worsen."

 

"Will it have any long-term effects, doctor?"

"Yes, you have the right," the doctor said frankly to the patient, "but for now, I can't answer that."

 

"No, it's nothing. That's why I told you to rest and let your symptoms be monitored." A look of deep guilt appeared on his face. Seeing this, Arnold tightened his grip on his hand.

Just so you know, don't overthink it. But even so, there is still some hope.

 

"But if you take good care of yourself and strictly follow your doctor's advice, maybe the body can heal itself."

 

"Thank you very much, doctor."

 

The doctor smiled at both of them before leaving the examination room with the X-ray results. At that moment, Tua burst into tears, unable to hold back his emotions any longer. He was sorry for making the other person feel this way, and he would never forgive himself.

 

"You won't be able to dance anymore because of me, huh?"

 

"Come on, the doctor said I have a chance to recover," Arnold said optimistically. “It's not your fault at all. I'm the clumsy one."

 

"But it's still my fault. I called you in to test you."

 

"So, did I succeed? Are you softening your heart now?"

 

"Arnold! Is this going to take forever?" The boy sobbed again. He even buried his face in the injured person's shoulder, sitting in the wheelchair.

 

"I'd do anything for you, Tua."

 

"This is my way of repaying you, Arnold." Arnold looked at the person in front of him. He wiped away the tears that were welling up before giving A smile, hoping it would help heal another person's heart.

 

"Phu will definitely recover faster if he has a good person like you taking care of him."

 

"I'm really sorry, Phu. I shouldn't have done this."

 

"I told you it's not your fault," Arnold said softly, reiterating his stance. "But you said you'd take care of me. I'm all alone, and my leg's injured. So I guess I'll have to stay at your place for a while."

 

Tua wanted to smack the person in front of him for taking advantage of him, but he could only sigh and offer a faint smile in response. Then he reached out and hugged the other person tightly, as if to say... he truly forgave them.

 

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

Since the producer was hospitalised with a cast, Jack and Dean had to take on the role of directors and lead actors to thank the sponsors. Their last stop was their old friend, Yui. Jack would never forget her, because, in truth, Yui was partly responsible for all the trouble she caused for his beloved theatre troupe.

 

"It's good that you didn't listen to me back then, because the #ArnoldReturns ship trend is back."

 

"You're really boosting the engagement on P'Thung's product!" Jack really wanted to laugh out loud in her face, but he could only manage a polite smile. He was about to retort, but a well-meaning person spoke up first to explain.

 

"But actually, the drama is good and popular more because of the director's skill," Jack turned to look at the person next to him, intending to reprimand him for his impolite remark. But when he saw Dean's serious expression, which seemed to want to confirm what he said from the heart, he paused, instead feeling impressed.

 

"That's true, Jack is really talented," the investor agreed. "I've seen it, and I liked it too. His interpretation is deeply meaningful and reflects the feelings of this generation. Lovers should have a happy ending, not a tragedy like the original."

 

"Thank you very much," the director accepted the compliment. Yui looked at the two of them with admiration, without noticing that the two of them were tense with each other from the moment they entered the room.

 

"Now that you're feeling refreshed, have you celebrated with your friends yet?"

 

"Not yet. After the play is finished, we have to tackle Sis next," Jack said.

 

"How could I not? We worked so hard to create such a great project," Yui said, then wrote a check for a certain amount of money. 

 

"Take it. Consider it a treat for helping to promote my brand through the drama."

Jack and Dean's eyes widened when they saw the amount of money. If Timmy found out, they'd be in big trouble. He would scream loudly throughout the hospital.

 

After leaving Yui's room, they were both awkward and didn't know how to act. As they stood in front of the building, Jack was about to leave. When they got to the parking lot, he turned around and asked.

 

"How do you get back?"

 

"I've called a taxi," the Prince of Fine Arts said with a smile, but Jack didn't understand. 

 

"Isn't Gameplay coming to pick you up?"

 

"I'm not living with him anymore. I'm living alone in a condo now." Jack was quite surprised to hear that. He nodded in understanding and excused himself, but before he could go to his car, Dean fired off a question that made him stop short.

 

"You're not wearing the necklace I gave you anymore, are you?"

 

Jack touched his neck as if he had just remembered something, when in reality he was the one who had taken it off. The young director tried to find a reason to respond to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. The other person, however, could only nod and respond softly.

 

"Hmm."

 

Dean accepted it without complaint and stepped back until the car he had called pulled up in front of him. Jack watched until the car drove away and disappeared from sight.

 

Feelings are so fragile. Just moments before, there was love and affection, but in the blink of an eye, the person who was everything to you becomes nothing more than someone who once passed through your lif