Only Friends: Dream On.

"I give up."

Arnold spoke his lines after performing the sword duel and losing. He removed his mask, revealing a handsome face that was being...

The lights shone brightly.

 

Dean removed the sword from Arnold's neck before taking off his mask as well. Arnold, in his role as Romeo, froze, his face showing that the man before him was his first love.

 

"Do you usually practice swordsmanship here often? I've never seen you before."

 

"Not often. Only when I'm free," Arnold said, following his lines. "Good luck."

 

"It's such a good thing I'm free today, so I got to see you," Dean tilted his head, his eyes conveying a playful, charming expression.

 

"When will you be free again? I'd like to come practice with you." Just then, Romeo's friend, character A, walked onto the set. The actor acted as if they were scouting the area.

 

"Go, Romeo, before anyone sees us."

 

"I have to go now," Arnold said with a sense of déjà vu.

 

"If we're lucky, we'll meet again," Dean said professionally, until the actors walked off the stage and the many lights slowly dimmed until it was Pitch black. 

 

The theatrical lighting was replaced with white house lights. The crew erupted in applause, some cheering with delight. Timmy even shed tears, moved by his performance and relieved that the show had resumed without falling apart. Dean saw someone sitting in the audience seats.

 

"Brother Gameplay? When did you arrive?"

 

The name made Jack turn around. He saw the person being talked about stand up before and walk over to Dean in front of the stage.

 

"I bought some snacks for everyone."

 

"Wow, brother, please don't do that again. I feel bad. I already asked to stay with you, and now I have to follow you around?"

 

"You came all the way here to take care of me."

 

"Just in case Dean softens up towards me," Gameplay teased. "Today's the dress rehearsal. Isn't that right? They must be really excited."

 

"My actors are professionals. Nobody's nervous," Jack interjected as he walked in. Timmy, who had been scouting the area for a while, sensed something was wrong and quickly stepped in to intervene.

 

"Thank you so much for the snacks, sir. I'll take some to distribute to the team."

 

"That's it. You're done with your business. I think you can leave now. This isn't the actual performance. Outsiders have no right to interfere."

 

"Jack, watch your words!" Timmy quickly cautioned him. Gameplay, with a nonchalant smile, said goodbye to Dean before deliberately walking in front of Jack. Dean watched with unease as it made no improvement to the situation at all.

 

Tomorrow is the actual performance day, so Jack let everyone go home early to get some rest. Now, only the key crew members remain backstage. One of them is Boston, who has to upload all the photos from the SD card to the theatre team's hard drive. But while he's busy and swamped with work, a voice asks from behind him.

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"Can I talk to you about something?"

 

Boston knew who it was even before he turned to look. Since Tua kept avoiding eye contact, Arnold took the opportunity after everyone had left to have an open conversation with the other party. Another person to replace him. The photographer sighed irritably.

 

"I'm working, can't you see?"

 

"Give me a sec," Arnold didn't want to miss the opportunity. "Are you serious about...Is that you? You're not just looking for a casual relationship, are you?"

 

"What the hell are you talking about!"

 

"I'm asking if you're serious about Tua," the male lead emphasised, making sure his voice was clear.

"If you ever disappoint him again, I won't let you get away with it. If you don't want him to be sad, take good care of it."

 

Arnold was displeased. He lunged forward, grabbing the other man by the collar and glaring at him.

 

"He chose you. Can't you be nice to him?"

 

"You're talking nonsense. Rubbing against Tua doesn't mean we're anything to each other."

 

Arnold paused, even asking again for confirmation. "What do you mean?"

 

"Tua and I are not dating."

 

"And what about when you stayed at his house?"

 

"I just went there to keep him company, nothing more than that," Boston confessed. "He was drunk and called me, but I was sober enough to know what was right and wrong."

 

Arnold wasn't entirely convinced, and Boston smiled at that. Baring his fangs in a cheeky, mischievous style.

 

"Even though I used to want Tua, now's not my time. But if you hesitate, who knows? I recommend that if you still want Tua in your life, you should quickly find a way to sort things out with him before it's too late."

 

Boston's words made the young protagonist think twice. He decided to let go of the person in front of him.

 

"Thank you"

 

"Always," Boston shrugged, watching Arnold walk away before turning back to focus on loading the images onto the hard drive, as that was more important.

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Seeing Raffy going everywhere and giving Jack special attention irritated Rome all day. He could barely concentrate on his work while DJing at the Pink Pony Club. He tried checking Raffy's Instagram periodically, but there was no activity. Raffy hadn't posted any stories today, but that only made Rome more uneasy, thinking that the other boy was probably spending time with Jack and was too happy to share it with others.

 

Tonight, the bar was as crowded with drunk people as usual. They were enjoying the music Rome was playing and dancing to release the stress that had accumulated throughout the day. Rome encountered a familiar face who came over to greet him. Pete blushed and smiled sweetly as he greeted them.

 

"I thought you weren't coming, Rome. You don't usually work today, do you?" Rome wondered how the other person knew, but didn't ask.

 

"I switched shifts with another colleague," he said, before jokingly adding The polite way to say something like, 'Are you drunk? Your face is so red. Did you drink too much?"

 

"That's right, I can't go home. It would be great if someone could take me back, or Rome could take me to a hotel. I'll book a five-star hotel for you, and I'll make sure Rome provides excellent service."

 

Rome could pretty much guess what the other person was trying to convey.

 

"Try asking a friend to give you a ride home."

 

"Come on, Rome, I've given you enough hints."

 

"Pete, let's be honest with each other," Rome took off his DJ headphones and tried to speak over the music. "We don't really have any feelings for each other. Let's just remain friends."

 

Suddenly, Pete grinned mischievously, a look that clearly indicated he had been drunk earlier. Gone completely.

 

"Do you think I didn't see what Rome did and with whom during the outing?"

 

Those words sent shivers down the young DJ's spine.

 

"How did you see? Did you follow him?"

 

"If you don't go after them, you won't see anything good, will you? About Rome and Raffy, and other things too," Pete sneered. 

"Raffy's got it. Everyone in the group hates him because they think he's the one who exposed Dean and Arnold. Only you are."

 

"What the hell are you talking about!" Rome was starting to get angry. "What did you do, Pete!"

 

"I saw you guys having sex, and I saw other things too." Rome's eyes widened instantly. He gradually pieced together the events and eventually succeeded.

 

"You're the one who leaked the video of Dean and Arnold, aren't you?"

 

"I don't know," Pete leaned closer, hoping to touch his lips.

 

"You should thank me for everything turning out this way. Now Raffy can go find Jack, and you can have fun with me, Rome."

 

"I'm going to say this one last time. I don't like you. And look at what you've said. Do you really think I'm going to take you now?"

 

Rome pushed Pete's face away, left the DJ booth, and walked out of the club. In the meantime, he quickly called the person he most needed right now. [Hello?] Raffy answered the phone within a moment. "Are you with Jack?"

 

Rome expected a non-hurtful answer, and his wish was finally fulfilled. "[Why would I stay with Jack?]" Raffy replied. "[I just finished having dinner with my mother.]" Although pleased, Rome didn't waste any time. He quickly stated his purpose. Let the other party know.

 

"Can you come out and meet me? I have something important to tell you."

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And then the important day arrived: the first day of the stage performance. The story of Romeo & Romeo

 

Tua arrived at the theatre first. He had been arranging the costumes neatly since early morning to make the work easier. He hung Dean and Arnold's Romeo costumes side by side on the rack before sighing when he saw the names of both men attached to them, as if reminding him of what had happened.

 

Suddenly, Tua felt guilty and worried about Dean. If he hadn't kicked his friend out of the house, Dean wouldn't have had to wander around seeking help from the wealthy gamer. Tua didn't want Dean to get involved with the escort world again, knowing how much it had ruined his life. But on the other hand, he couldn't forgive Dean for what he had done to him, just as he could never forgive Arnold.

 

"You're here?"

Tua jumped at the sound before turning to see Arnold standing there.

 

"May I speak with you for a moment?"

 

"I'm busy, I have to work," Tua replied coldly. Arnold didn't want to miss the opportunity to be alone with him.

 

"I know you and Boston aren't dating."

Tua paused, pretending not to care.

 

"so"

 

"Whether you did it to spite me or to push me away, I don't care. But you need to know that Dean and I didn't do anything. I never kissed him. And that video was just someone with malicious intent secretly filming it and leaking it."

 

"How can I trust you?"

 

"You have to believe me. I was there, and I'm trustworthy."

 

"I've been with you all this time. Have you forgotten?"

 

Tua looked at Arnold with caution, though the glint in his eyes showed how confused he was.

 

"I admit I was drunk that day and got carried away, almost kissing Dean. But Dean stopped me and brought me back to my senses. He said there was someone waiting for my kiss, and I knew he meant you. He made me realise I didn't want to kiss Dean at all; I wanted to kiss you more." Arnold smiled faintly. "No matter how many actors I kiss in the world, no one will make my heart race like when I kiss you."

 

..."

 

"The only person I want to kiss, hug, and be intimate with is you," Arnold confessed from the heart. "I might be stupid for never having loved anyone before, or even stupid for not knowing what I like, but now I know one thing: I love you very much."

 

Tua was hesitated to buy into it, but deep down, he was still scared.

 

"I...I don't want to be heartbroken."

 

"You won't regret it, because you never needed to regret it in the first place."

Arnold promised, "I would never hurt someone I love." Tua allowed Arnold to step closer. 

 

The tall man gently and tenderly touched the face of his loved one before giving a kiss overflowing with the feelings he had confessed. It miraculously made Tua believe everything Arnold had said before. They both fell onto the pile of blankets. Arnold gently pulled Tua into his arms, having him straddle his lap. His lips traced kisses over Tua’s skin as if worshipping him. He held Tua tightly but didn't rush, allowing each touch to slowly unleash his heart and the pent-up desires until Tua could no longer resist.

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The first half of the play went well. The crew had a fifteen-minute break before the second half began. All the actors received feedback from the director, while other crew members received briefings from producer Timmy. Some who were very hungry quickly ate their meals in time for the show, while those who were free gathered in groups, chatting noisily. Most of the conversation revolved around gossip that Raffy leaked Dean's video to steal Jack from him.

 

Pete was chatting with the rest of the crew when Raffy walked in backstage. He glanced around before walking straight towards his best friend. When Pete noticed him, he stared back at his friend with a relaxed, unconcerned expression.

 

"Oh, you're here too? I haven't seen you in class lately."

 

"I came to help Jack with his work as promised," Raffy said, "but I also came to see you too"

 

The crew around them stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the two best friends. It's like they're looking for a fight instead.

 

"Why did you lie to me?"

 

"What are you lying about?" Pete still found it funny. "What are you talking about, Raffy?"

 

"Like, you always go around announcing that you've slept with Rome. That's not true. You're lying, aren't you?"

 

That sentence drew gasps of surprise from the people around him. Raffy didn't just talk; he also provided evidence. The actor's son played an audio clip he obtained from Rome, revealing to everyone what really happened that night.

 

"And then there's the matter of you being the one to leak the Dean and Arnold video, causing a misunderstanding. Blaming me again. Why would you do this?"

 

As soon as Raffy finished speaking, everyone backstage was in a panic. Timmy and Jack walked in. They happened to overhear that sentence and were all completely shocked.

 

"Why? I helped you as a friend."

 

"What kind of shitty friend does this? You've made people misunderstand me, and you're shamelessly lying to me!!" Raffy yelled in his face, his anger reaching its peak. 

 

"Do you think I don't know that you've been trying to imitate me, trying to copy everything about me—my style, my taste, my belongings—but I never said anything because I considered you a friend!! And look what you've done to me!"

 

Pete's face fell. He tried to avoid the gaze of the people around him, with disgust, until Timmy and Jack came closer.

 

"Tell your friends, Pete, where you got the money to buy all those designer things," Timmy jumped into the conversation. "Tell them you stole them all The budget of the theatre troupe.”

 

"I...me"

 

"You're such a jerk, you're never satisfied, are you? Hurting your best friend. And it almost ruined the drama completely."

 

Timmy's insults made Jack sigh heavily. As a director, he couldn't say anything but reiterate what he had told them since the day of the outing.

 

"Didn't we tell you, Pete, to find the money to pay us back before the show? This is ridiculous."

 

"The first round is almost over, Pete. Are you ready to return the money?" Hearing that, Raffy felt even more disappointed in the person he once thought he was. We're more friends than before.

 

"If you were in financial trouble, you could come talk to me; I might even lend you some. But look at what you've done. In the end, it's all just deception."

 

"Hey Raffy, I..."

 

"I'm incredibly disappointed in you," Raffy declared in front of everyone. "Good luck. It's my turn now that I don't need a friend like you anymore."

 

Raffy glanced at Pete, feeling a final pity, but when he turned his back, he found dozens of crew members watching him. He took this opportunity to make his own announcement.

 

"You guys know the truth now, right? So there's no need to gossip behind my back anymore." Then Raffy walked away with a smile, both as a winner and as someone who was cleared of all charges he had faced.

 

"Should I tell everyone about this? They should know the truth, too," Timmy asked Jack for his opinion. The director shook his head. He didn't want to panic, especially the actors who needed to concentrate.

 

"Let's wait until the drama is over."

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The play reaches its climax, with Dean's Romeo and Arnold's Romeo together. They have overcome obstacles to reach their final confrontation. The lights dim, creating a dreamy atmosphere, and romantic music plays in the background, enhancing the audience's mood. Dean slowly absorbed the character's emotions before allowing himself to cry. He then turned to deliver a dialogue to the audience.

 

"Throughout this time, I know I have been both your joy and your sorrow. I apologise if I have ever hurt your feelings, or at times forgotten or overlooked your emotions."

 

"That's not the script. Did Dean improvise?" Timmy, standing beside him, whispered to Jack. The director didn't answer, but he knew exactly what Dean was talking about.

 

"Thank you for always trying for me. Thank you for your help and encouragement. I have never regretted loving you, not even for a single day. If possible, I don't want us to ever become estranged. I want us to love each other with understanding forever."

 

Dean was using Romeo to express his feelings for Jack.  Arnold, knowing the other actor was going off script, handled it excellently as the character.

 

"I will love you forever. From now on, let's build a family together," Arnold embraced Dean. The two delivered a happy and heartwarming ending to the show, even though Dean felt the opposite in his heart. He was proud to have helped bring Romeo & Romeo to a memorable close. 

 

The stage lights slowly dimmed, the end credits music began to play, and the house lights lit up the entire theatre. The audience rose to their feet and applauded loudly. Dean and Arnold bowed in the centre of the stage as the lead actors, followed by the other supporting actors and the entire behind-the-scenes team who had dedicated their time and effort to this play.

 

Everyone cheered when Jack came onto the stage. The director stepped between Dean and Arnold, shook hands with both lead actors, and then led them in a final bow to thank the audience. Boston rushed over to take pictures to commemorate the moment. The audience started showering the actors and crew they knew with flowers and gifts. Dean, who didn't have family members with him, stepped back to make way for others. He was surprised to see Tua hugging Arnold, but he was happy for both of them that they were finally talking to each other.

 

Jack saw Dean smiling at the two of them, so he decided to walk over. They looked at each other, their eyes meeting amidst the lively atmosphere on stage. Dean's joyful smile transformed into one tinged with pain.

 

"I intended this ending for you."

 

"Hmm, I think I know," Jack nodded.

 

"So, do you believe it?"

"To be honest, not yet," the young director said truthfully, "I haven't met the person..."

"I've released your video. Pete is the one who did it."

 

That night was quite shocking, but deep down, he wasn't that shocked before.

Jack would then ask.

 

"But did you really kiss Arnold?"

 

"If I stand by my original answer that I never kissed Arnold, would you believe me?"

 

"Even I'm not sure about this," Jack's eyes were filled with pain. He was confused about himself. 'Why? I want to believe you, but it's like this has ignited a deep-seated fear I've always had of you. I'm scared. I'm afraid I'll end up getting hurt again. I can't do what it takes to forgive you and Arnold."

 

Dean listened attentively and finally nodded in understanding. "That means we've both got the answer: we'll never go back to being as before"

 

"I tried, but... I can't overcome these feelings."

 

"It's alright," Dean nodded understandingly again, tears welling up in his eyes. "Phu understands. You've got everything, Jack."

 

"Nong Dean"

 

The game player walked over with a large bouquet of flowers. He looked at Jack. After a moment of caution, the young director was the one who walked away.

 

"You will always be my number one actor."

 

Jack left one last comment as a director before walking away. Dean, dressed as Romeo, was weeping, holding a large bouquet of flowers that he received from Gameplay.