Chapter Text
It seemed to Book that it was an absolutely ordinary day. He got up as usual, had breakfast as usual, got ready as usual, and drove to the GMM building to prepare for yet another routine event with Force. While driving, Book felt like listening to tracks from Force's playlist, just as he used to. To his great surprise, instead of the energetic tracks his stage partner might listen to at the venue, the most recently added songs in the playlist were incredibly sad: about a broken heart, unrequited love, and unspoken feelings. Book decided not to change his plans and played the tracks anyway.
With every change of song, the man's heart bled: how could someone as cheerful and joyful as Force listen to so many depressing and melancholic tracks? And all the songs were on the exact same theme—unhappy love. Book began to recall what had been happening lately, what he might have missed in his partner's behavior. Pulling over to the shoulder to slow down and avoid getting distracted from driving, he immersed himself in his memories.
It was November, a time when they practically lived at the GMM building. Daily behind-the-scenes shoots, trendy TikTok videos, vocal training—everything was as usual. And everyone they spent time with was acting normally. Except for Force. He would regularly leave right after filming wrapped; when colleagues invited him out somewhere, he would decline. Book tried to write it off every time as being busy at home or just not wanting to go. But what if it was much deeper than that? What if Force had needed help all this time, while Book carelessly assumed everything was fine?
His fingers automatically grabbed his phone and began almost frantically searching for his friend's contact. Seeing ‘Jirat🦊’ on the screen, Book hesitated. What could he even say? 'Hey, you have such sad songs, everything ok, BRO?' Running through scenarios in his head, the man's heart couldn't find peace. Maybe he was overthinking it all? Or was it already too late? Or would Book just be sticking his nose where it didn't belong? He started to shake. Why would it not be his business when they had known each other for 24 years, when they had been partners for 5 years? He had every right to know what was going on in his friend's soul.
Though it was already very hard to call it just friendship. Book could never find enough words to express how grateful he was to Force for all his efforts to get closer to his traumatized heart. Unfortunately, having been hurt in his youth by someone he mistakenly trusted, only to be betrayed at the very first opportunity, Book didn't want to let anyone close to him ever again. But then (once again, after their separation in university) he appeared. Force. The person who, time and time again, didn't give up and tried to invite his colleague out for a meal or a walk; the person who texted a lot and genuinely cared about his life; the person whose smile lit up everyone and everything, drawing people to him, which was undeniably captivating. And gradually, Book learned what it felt like to be truly valued, cared for, and most importantly, loved.
With every single one of Force's actions, the boy's heart opened up more and more. Force remembered his favorite song and asked to play it at karaoke. *Thump-thump*. Force noticed how uncomfortable Book was sitting alone, so he sat down next to him and started telling funny stories. *Thump-thump*. Force saw that Book was shivering a bit from the cold, so he lent him his sweatshirt. *Thump-thump*.
Book had realized a long time ago that his feelings had long since crossed the boundaries of ordinary friendship. To Book, Force was an irreplaceable support in the worst moments, a ray of sunshine who could always make him laugh and cheer him up, the person he wanted to share EVERYTHING happening in his life with. But voicing that frightening label for these feelings was terrifying. Book could no longer imagine his life without Force; he was terrified that one wrong move, one: 'I like you, Force, not just as a friend, but as...' could lead to irreversible consequences. Therefore, all these thoughts and feelings were buried deep, deep down in his heart. That was why ForceBook was just 'friends' and 'partners'.
Realizing how deeply he had sunk into his thoughts, Book didn't notice his hands starting to tremble uncontrollably. Nor did he notice his shaking fingers accidentally pressing the call button for the contact open on his phone.
"Hello, Book? Is everything okay?" a voice asked through the receiver.
Book started breathing rapidly, realizing the consequences of his overthinking:
"Hello," his hands continued to shake non-stop, "I called by accident."
"You couldn't have just accidentally called me, Book. Tell me, what happened? Where are you? I thought you were already in the rehearsal room, but I didn't find you there. Is everything alright?"
Hearing so much worry in his friend's voice, the tremor began to slowly subside, and his ears turned just a shade pink.
"Yes, Force, everything's fine. I'm five minutes away from the building, I'll be there very soon. But I'd like to talk to you when I get there."
A heavy breath was heard on the other end:
"You know I hate it when you do this. What happened? How can I just sit here calmly, waiting and not overthinking anything?"
"Force," Book smiled, "you really have nothing to worry about. I'll be there really soon, just wait for me."
"Alright." Book felt his cheeks flush with warmth as he heard a relieved exhale on the other end of the call. "Should I come meet you?"
"No, let's meet in the dressing room."
Ending the call, Book looked in the rearview mirror. Completely red as a tomato, he hid his face in his hands, taking a second to mentally prepare for the conversation about the playlist and Force's overall state of mind lately.