Apologies in advance, I was very uncertain about the factual correctness whilst writing this and therefore errors are highly likely.
“Are you insane?! You want to toast marshmallows on a volcano?! Couldn’t you just start a little bonfire down here and call it a day?” As always, Bear was questioning the safety of my decisions and, although it was probably safer to listen to him, I couldn’t resist trying it anyway. “C’mon Bear, it’ll be fun. Plus, I need you to come with me to keep me out of trouble~.” Dragging out my words, I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist nor disagree with me. We both know that if it wasn’t for him I’d probably have gotten myself killed years ago.
The ground was rough beneath our feet as we dragged ourselves up the steep path which, eventually, would lead us to the volcano’s ledge. “You’ve got the marshmallows and sticks, right Bear?” I checked with him, wanting to be sure before we completed the long journey upwards to be greeted with disappointment upon arrival. “Oh yeah uh huh definitely.” Bear huffed as he trudged behind me, grumbling the whole way. Suddenly, I became aware I hadn’t checked the time, nor removed something I should have before the trying expedition upwards. “Hey, umm, Bear, do you know what the time is?” I paused on a relatively even area of the path, turning to face him, unaware of how clear my thoughts were presented upon my face. “Noah, did you forget to take it off?” His question came slowly, although I knew that he knew the answer already. Overwhelmed by a sudden guilt, I simply looked down, embarrassed. Without saying anything, Bear took of his hoodie and pulled it over my head, it hanging off my body. “I’ll cover you, you try take it off.” Smiling softly at me, he placed a quick kiss on my lips then, being the respectful man he is, turned around to allow me some privacy, despite us being on a path up a volcano.
“You said you bought a gun!” “I bought some gum! How and why on earth would I have bought a gun at the poundshop? That wouldn’t be so manly.” “I don’t know. There’s some weird things going on these days!”
I’m currently sat at the police station, in a cell, my best friend talking to me from the other side of the bars. In a lot of our usual situations, we’d be together, but not this time. This time, it was Denki that landed me here.
“Kamibro, this isn’t so manly. But thanks for staying with me while Bakubro clears up the misunderstanding.”
Everyone has a fear, whether it be big or small. Well, my biggest fear is the moon. I’m not going to go into depth but it has prevented me from doing something all of my friends want to do, however won’t until I do too. Tonight we’re going stargazing. Tonight is also a full moon and I already know I’m going to see it.
Small time skip. They are now at the location where they shall be stargazing.
Breathing in deeply, I kept my eyes on the ground and started walking. Lost in thought I didn’t notice Bear slow down to walk beside me. Squeezing my hand gently, he snapped me out of the trance-like state I was in and brought me back to reality. “Don’t worry, doll.” He whispered, making sure the others didn’t hear him. “I’m here for you. Every single step of the way.” As we walked we kept our fingers intertwined and he kept reassuring me whenever he sensed I was becoming more nervous again. Soon enough we’d reached our destination. Placing our bags down, we all set out blankets and camping pillows. Bear was, as I’d hoped, next to me.
The stars were so beautiful that, after a while, I began to ignore the moon’s presence and focus only on the beauty of the stars, and Bear’s face as his pointed out different constellations and his eyes twinkled like the balls of gas we were admiring.
“I’m sorry Bear. I never meant for you to get hurt.” Sighing deeply, I slumped against the brick wall, Bear in my arms. His soft breathing was my only focus. Oblivious to the silent and curious crowd gathering around us, I slipped one arm from under Bear and, leaning my head back against the wall, pushed back my hood and raked a finger through my hair, revealing my face.
Astonished gasps echoed down the narrow alleyway. Snapping out of my trance, I turned my head in the direction of the noise. “Y-you’re Noah.” A voice spoke up. Unable to speak I simply nodded. “That explains why you’re so graceful we you kill.” Shocked by the voice I heard, I looked down and saw Bear’s hazel eyes looking straight at me. “Bear!” I cried, previously sure I’d lost him. Not caring about the audience I lent down and placed my lips on his, earning chuckles and numerous sound affects from the onlookers. “I love you, Bear.” “I love you, Noah.” Our lips met again as the crowd cheered and, eventually, began to melt away.
I give you love As you give me pain I water your crops As you simply complain I give you sun As you wish for rain The cycle continues Again and again
I give you life And you live it in rage I give you trees And they’re cut down for a page I give you your needs And you complain as you age The cycle continues Again and again
I was 12 years old when I quit the sport which, for 7 years before, had been my passion, my lifeline, my everything. That was 4 years ago now, and not a day has passed where I have not felt overwhelming regret. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let them win? Over time the regret turned into anger, and anger is what consumed me. Now, however, I was determined. Determined to train hard alongside college and ballet classes. Determined to be accepted into The Royal Ballet School. Determined to make my childhood dream come true and prove everybody wrong. Show those who laughed at me that I am more than what they think I am. That I am, indeed, capable of great things and that I will achieve success.
My baby brothers’ screaming snapped me out of my dream like trance, and brought me back to the real world. A world where, although I had these regrets, I had no time nor space to train. No space to practice turns and leaps. No money to buy ballet shoes or to afford classes, and certainly not to pay tuition and boarding fees at The Royal Ballet School. They’d all laugh at you anyway. Look at yourself. A gay, transgender male. You’d be the biggest joke they’d ever seen. Slipping back into my thoughts, I felt an incredible pressure placed upon my shoulders. It’s true. Why would o think I could be a dancer? And a professional one? Truly and utterly ridiculous.
(Time skip: 3 hours later.) With my chores finally done, I grabbed my bag, opened the front door, locked it behind me and ran. I’d done this countless times so I already knew exactly where to go without even having to think about it. After 15 minutes of running I’d arrived at my safe haven, the only place I could dance without being judged or found, the forest. Feeling warmed up after my run, I did some simple stretches and turned on my music. ‘Let It Burn’ by Citizen Soldier began to play and instantly my body began to move, the choreography engrained into my brain.
(Time skip: 30 minutes.) Finishing my 7th routine I paused. Snap A twig snapped behind me and I spun around to see a boy, a couple years older than me, looking at me. He looked like a deer in headlights, his cheeks flushed with obvious embarrassment of being caught watching me. Nervously, I spoke. “Who are you?” I asked him, unsure if I’d get a response. To m surprise, I did. “I-I um I’m Bear. I’m s-so sorry for uh disturbing you.” He stuttered, shifting his gaze to the broken twig in front him. “Noah.” I said simply. “Hmm?” “My n-name. I’m Noah.” Now I was the one stuttering. I took a moment to take a look at the man who stood before me. He had to be at least 6 foot 4, muscular but not extremely, ruffled caramel brown hair and stunning green eyes. I stood before him, 5 foot 7, hair dyed baby blue with dull grey eyes. He looked up at me, although he was having to look down to be looking at my face and not the trees behind me. “Care to dance?” He asked, a smirked placed upon his gorgeous face. “S-sure.” I stammered, nervously excited.
(Time skip: 2 years later.) Since that day in the forest, Bear and I have been inseparable. He turned out to be an amazing dancer and we now dance professionally and as partners. We were both accepted into The Royal Ballet School and are two of the most well known dancers in the UK, and the most well known ballet couple consisting of two guys internationally. I’ve never been happier and now, I believe in fairytales and happily ever afters, as cringe-y as that is.
