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The night of the film premiere arrives, and Kris stands in front of the mirror, his fingers nervously toying with the edges of the cream-colored, textured Dress he’d chosen. He’s worn plenty of daring outfits on stage, but this feels different. This time, he isn’t hiding under loud lights or the energy of the band; this time, he’s stepping out, soft and vulnerable, without the armor he’s built over years.
The long mirror reflects a version of him he barely recognizes—a version with hair brushing his jawline, slightly curling at the ends, a bow in his hair, his shoulders framed by soft fabric rather than a rigid jacket. He breathes deeply, feeling the nervous flutter in his chest, equal parts fear and excitement. He wonders, for a moment, if he looks too feminine, if people will see him and remember all the times they called him “girl” when he was younger. But just as his confidence starts to waver, Bojan steps up behind him, his face lighting up as he takes in the sight.
“You look… beautiful, Kris,” Bojan murmurs, a gentle smile spreading across his face as he meets Kris’s gaze in the mirror. Bojan’s sincerity wraps around him, easing his doubts.
Kris swallows, his lips curving into a shy smile. “You think so?”
“Absolutely,” Bojan replies, without a trace of hesitation. “You look like yourself. The you that you never let anyone see before.” Bojan reaches out, lacing his fingers with Kris’s. “And tonight, I want everyone to see you as I do.”
The weight of Bojan’s words settles over him, grounding him. Kris feels the warmth spread from Bojan’s touch, filling him with a quiet strength he didn’t know he needed. They make their way to the premiere together, Bojan proudly by his side, his presence steady and unyielding, a silent promise that he’ll be there every step of the way.
At the event, they meet Jan and Nace, who are already waiting outside, hands entwined. Jan’s eyes widen in delight when he spots Kris’s outfit, while Nace’s lips curve into an approving smile. Jan pulls Kris into a hug, his touch filled with warmth and acceptance. “Look at you,” he says softly, squeezing Kris’s hand afterward. “You’re stunning.”
Surrounded by his bandmates and the people he loves most, Kris feels the weight of his past judgments and fears begin to lift. For the first time, he stands there, fully himself, without the need to conform or hide. It’s freeing, almost dizzying, to know he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone.
As the night unfolds, Kris grows more at ease, the gentle, supportive glances from Bojan, Jan, and Nace giving him a newfound sense of security. He feels their love in every gesture, every word, a reminder that he is accepted exactly as he is. When Bojan finally pulls him close in the soft glow of the event lights, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, Kris closes his eyes and lets himself truly feel it all—the love, the acceptance, and the strength to embrace every part of himself.
As the night progresses, Kris finds himself more and more emboldened, caught up in the warmth and acceptance surrounding him. Between compliments and conversations, he notices Jan and Nace’s soft but stylish makeup—nothing overdone, just a little eyeliner, some shimmer that catches the light. They wear it with such ease, their confidence contagious. For a moment, Kris wonders what it might feel like to do the same.
During a quieter moment, Bojan catches Kris glancing at Jan’s subtle eyeliner and leans close, sensing the curiosity in his eyes. “You want to try some?” he asks, his voice gentle, encouraging.
Kris’s cheeks flush slightly. “I… I don’t know,” he stammers, uncertainty lingering in his voice. “I’ve never tried makeup before. It always felt like… something I couldn’t have.”
Bojan gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. “We can change that right now if you want,” he says softly. “Just a bit. See how you feel about it.”
They find a small, dimly lit lounge away from the crowd, and Jan quickly offers his eyeliner, excitement sparkling in his eyes. Nace joins them, giving Kris an encouraging nod, while Bojan gently holds Kris’s hand, steadying him.
“Close your eyes,” Bojan whispers, his tone tender, careful. Kris obeys, feeling his heart race as Bojan gently brushes the eyeliner along his lids, careful not to apply too much, just enough to define his eyes, adding a subtle hint of mystery. With each stroke, Kris feels his insecurities slowly peeling away, replaced by a growing excitement and the thrill of doing something so outside of his comfort zone.
When Bojan finishes, he hands Kris a small mirror. Kris opens his eyes, staring at his reflection, almost unable to believe the person staring back at him. His gaze is sharper, his face framed with a gentle but striking edge. It’s still him, but somehow, a part of himself he hadn’t fully known until this moment.
“How do you feel?” Bojan asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kris swallows, a smile tugging at his lips as he meets Bojan’s gaze in the mirror. “I feel… free. Like I don’t have to be anything other than this.”
Jan wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him into a half-hug. “You look incredible, Kris. And more importantly, you look happy.”
For the rest of the evening, Kris carries that feeling with him—each look, each smile, each laugh with his friends a reminder that he doesn’t need to hide. He has them, and he has Bojan, who sees him, truly sees him, in every way he’d always dreamed someone might. The feeling of freedom and self-acceptance lingers, warming him from the inside as they step back into the crowd, his hand safely intertwined with Bojan’s.
As the night deepens, Kris feels his confidence blossoming in a way he hadn’t thought possible. He’s no longer just wearing an outfit or makeup; he’s embracing a side of himself he had hidden for so long. He catches glimpses of himself in reflections—subtle, fleeting—and each time, he has to do a double take, struck by the softness of his look, the way the eyeliner makes his eyes feel like they hold secrets. It’s exhilarating and unfamiliar, and he can’t stop smiling.
Bojan, never far from his side, notices the shift. He watches Kris with a quiet, proud smile, his eyes alight with admiration. At one point, as they’re standing on the balcony to get a breath of fresh air, Bojan reaches out, brushing a thumb tenderly along Kris’s cheekbone. “You know, I think this is the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”
Kris chuckles, a bit shy but feeling his heart swell at Bojan’s words. “It’s… a lot to take in,” he admits, glancing away, his cheeks tinged with color. “But I think I’m finally starting to feel… comfortable. Like, really comfortable.”
Bojan wraps an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. “You deserve to feel that way, Kris. You deserve to feel like you can be yourself—all of yourself. I’ll be here to remind you every day if I have to.”
Kris leans into him, the weight of Bojan’s support a balm he didn’t realize he’d needed so much. He’s struck by how lucky he is, to have Bojan, to have friends like Jan and Nace who cheer him on without a second thought, who see him for who he truly is and love him all the more for it.
After a while, Jan and Nace join them on the balcony, bringing with them a round of champagne. “To Kris,” Jan says, raising his glass with a grin, “for being the bravest, most authentic version of himself tonight.”
“To Kris!” Nace echoes, his smile warm, steady.
Kris’s face flushes deeper, but he raises his glass, his voice trembling slightly as he thanks them. “I don’t think I could’ve done it without you all… you make it so easy to just… be.”
They toast, the clink of their glasses ringing softly in the night air, and Kris feels a quiet, overwhelming sense of gratitude. This night, this moment, feels like a memory he’ll hold onto forever.
As the night winds down and they make their way back to the car, Bojan holds Kris’s hand, their fingers intertwined in a familiar, comforting way. Kris leans his head on Bojan’s shoulder, feeling the calm settle over him.
When they get home, Bojan lingers in the doorway, watching as Kris carefully removes the eyeliner, glancing at himself one last time in the mirror before bed. Kris turns, catching Bojan’s gaze, a shy smile on his lips. “Thank you… for tonight. For everything.”
Bojan steps closer, wrapping his arms around him, pressing a gentle kiss to Kris’s forehead. “Always. This is just the beginning, Kris. There’s so much more of you to discover, and I can’t wait to be here with you every step of the way.”
And as they lie together in the quiet darkness, Kris feels, for the first time, truly at peace with himself, knowing that he’s loved exactly as he is.