Chapter Text
The lights backstage were too bright.
First was laughing — bright, open, animated — the way he always did when he got comfortable. His hands moved when he talked, fingers expressive, eyes shining under the harsh studio LEDs.
Tle was three steps behind him, talking to a staff member, but his attention was split in two.
Because someone else had stepped into First’s space.
A guest performer. Popular. Charming. Known for being a little too friendly during collaborations. Tle didn’t mind friendly. He minded proximity.
The guy leaned in slightly while First spoke, nodding, smiling in a way that lingered just a second too long. His hand brushed First’s elbow when he laughed.
Tle’s jaw tightened. Not visibly, Not dramatically. Just enough.
First didn’t notice. Of course he didn’t. First was warm with everyone — open, generous, unaware of how magnetic he could be.
That wasn’t his fault, But it meant Tle had to pay attention. The guest performer said something that made First tilt his head back in laughter, and then — there it was again.
That hand.
This time resting briefly at the small of First’s back as they shifted to move toward the stage entrance. Too familiar, too comfortable. Tle finished his conversation mid-sentence.
“Excuse me,” he said politely. He walked over: Calm. Controlled. Every step deliberate.He didn’t grab, Didn’t yank. Didn’t interrupt. He simply slipped into First’s space like he belonged there — because he did.
His hand settled naturally at First’s waist. Not tight nor forceful but Just there. First blinked, surprised, then softened instantly when he realized.
“Tle?” he smiled.
“I was looking for you,” Tle replied smoothly, eyes briefly flicking to the other man before returning to First.
It wasn’t a glare and It wasn’t aggressive instead It was assessing. The guest performer straightened slightly.
“Oh — hey,” he said. “We were just talking about maybe working together sometime.”
Tle nodded, polite. “That sounds interesting.”
His hand didn’t move from First’s waist. First leaned slightly into him without thinking — instinctive, natural. The kind of body language that spoke louder than any words could.
The message wasn’t possessive, It was clear. We’re together. The guest performer smiled — but this time, there was awareness in it.
“Well, I’ll let you two get ready. See you on stage.” And he left.
The second he was out of earshot, First turned in Tle’s hold. “You okay?” he asked softly. Tle’s hand remained warm against his side.
“Yeah.” First studied him. “You looked… intense.”
Tle huffed a small laugh. “Did I?”
“A little.”
He hesitated.
“I don’t like when people assume they can touch you.”
There it was. Not anger or accusation, just honesty. First’s expression softened immediately “Oh.”
“I know you don’t notice,” Tle continued gently. “And I’m not mad. I just—” He paused, searching for the right words. “I care about you. And sometimes people get too comfortable.”
First’s gaze warmed. “You trust me, right?”
Tle didn’t hesitate. “Completely.”
“Then you don’t have to worry.”
“I know.” And he did.
That was the thing — his jealousy wasn’t about distrust. It was instinct. A reflex born from affection.
First reached up and adjusted Tle’s collar absentmindedly. “You can just tell me when something bothers you.”
Tle’s fingers tightened slightly at his waist — still gentle. “I’m not trying to control anything.”
“I know you’re not,” First smiled. “You’re protective.”
Tle exhaled. “Maybe a little.”
First stepped closer deliberately this time, their chests nearly brushing. “Well,” he murmured playfully, “if you wanted to stand closer, you could’ve just said that.”
Tle’s ears flushed faintly. “That wasn’t—”
First leaned in and kissed his cheek quickly “That’s for being honest instead of sulking.”
Tle blinked. “I don’t sulk.”
“You absolutely sulk.”
“I reflect.”
First laughed again, but this time he stayed tucked close, one hand resting lightly against Tle’s chest.
“You don’t have to guard me like I’m fragile.”
“I know you’re not fragile.”
“Then what am I?”
Tle looked down at him. “Important.”
The teasing faded from First’s expression “Oh.”
Tle’s voice softened. “You matter to me. So yeah. Sometimes I get a little territorial. Not because I think you’ll leave. Just because… I want people to know.”
“Know what?”
“That you’re not alone.”
Silence stretched between them — not awkward, just heavy with understanding. First slipped both arms around Tle’s waist now.
“Then next time,” he said gently, “just come stand next to me sooner.”
Tle’s lips curved faintly “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I like when you’re close.”
That did something to him. The protective edge melted into warmth. “Careful,” Tle murmured. “You’re encouraging me.”
“Good.”
A stage manager called their names from across the room, Five minutes to live. First pulled back just enough to look at him fully.
“You good now?”
Tle nodded “Yeah.” And he meant it, Because the jealousy wasn’t a storm anymore. It was just a reminder of how much he cared.
As they walked toward the stage entrance, First deliberately reached for Tle’s hand in front of everyone with Interlaced fingers.
Tle glanced down at their hands, then at him. First squeezed once, A silent reassurance. When they stepped into the blinding stage lights, the crowd erupted in cheers.
But Tle barely noticed, Because First was still holding his hand. And no matter who stood near him…He knew exactly where he belonged.