Travelling through worlds to heal hearts

The school event was fast approaching, and the tension in the air was palpable. Joey had always been good at blending into any situation, using his gentle yet mischievous nature to navigate the complexities of school life. But this time, his involvement in Rael's life felt deeper, more significant. He could sense the emotional burden Rael was carrying, and he knew this event could be a pivotal moment in his relationship with his parents.

Rael's parents had begun reaching out to him again, but their attempts were met with resistance. Rael's past pain was still fresh, and every effort they made to reconnect only seemed to push him further away. Joey observed with quiet empathy, his heart aching for Rael. He wasn't just a bystander in this situation—he was actively helping Rael find a way to reconcile with them. Yet, something within him had changed. What had once been a simple mission was evolving into something more personal.

"Hey," Joey said one afternoon, sitting next to Rael on a bench in the school courtyard. "I think your parents are making an effort."

Rael looked at him, his expression hard to read. "Trying to make up for everything they've done?"

Joey chuckled softly, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. "Maybe not everything, but they are trying. And that's a start, right?"

Rael's gaze lingered on Joey, as if he were weighing his words. The walls Rael had built around himself were slowly starting to crumble, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to let anyone in. Especially not after all he had been through with them.

"I don't know," Rael muttered, looking away. "I don't think they understand."

Joey smiled, his voice warm yet playful. "You don't have to forgive them all at once. But... you can try, right? Just a little at a time."

Rael hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. Joey's words had a way of breaking through his defenses, making the world feel a bit lighter. He wanted to believe Joey, wanted to trust that things could change.But the scars from his past weren't so easily healed.

"I guess," Rael finally said, his voice softer. "Maybe I could try."

Those words didn't mean everything was fixed, but they were a start. Joey felt a swell of something he couldn't quite identify—pride, perhaps, or something deeper. He wasn't sure, but the feeling lingered. He had made a difference in Rael's life, even if it was just a small one. And for the first time since arriving in this world, Joey wondered if he could be more than just a guide, more than just a part of Rael's mission.

At the same time, Rishi couldn't help but notice the growing bond between Rael and Joey. He had always been observant, but lately, something felt different. Rael, who had once kept everyone at a distance, now turned to Joey for everything—emotional support, advice, even just a quiet moment of companionship. Rishi had always been there for Rael, but now it seemed like Joey had taken that role.

Rishi stood across the courtyard, watching their interactions. He noticed the way Rael looked at Joey, how his posture softened whenever they spoke. It was subtle, but it was there. Something was changing, and Rishi didn't know how to feel about it. He had always known that Rael had feelings for others—there had been tension with his parents, the lingering sorrow of abandonment—but this was different. This was... new.

Rael had always kept his distance from others. He'd never needed anyone, never let anyone get too close. But Joey had somehow slipped past all of Rael's defenses, making him open up in ways he hadn't in years. Rishi couldn't deny it: Rael was falling for Joey. And that realization left him feeling confused, jealous, and more than a little unsettled.

Rishi didn't want to claim Rael for himself—at least, he didn't think he did. He cared for Rael deeply and had always been his closest friend. But watching Rael change, seeing him lean on Joey in ways he never had before, was tough. Rishi struggled to process these feelings, unsure of what to make of them.

"Hey," a voice called out, pulling Rishi from his thoughts. He turned to see Maya, the female protagonist, approaching him with a concerned look. "You okay?"

Rishi forced a smile, trying to dispel the tension that lingered. "Yeah, just... thinking."

Maya raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "About what?"

Rishi glanced back at Rael and Joey. "About Rael and Joey."

Maya followed his gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You think something's happening between them?"

Rishi hesitated, his thoughts swirling. "I don't know," he finally admitted. "But I can see that Rael has changed. And it's Joey. He's the one making a difference. I just... I don't know how to feel about it."

Maya studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "It's not easy, you know. Watching someone change right in front of you. But maybe it's for the best. Rael's been hurting for so long. Maybe Joey's the one who can help him heal."

Rishi nodded, though the words didn't fully ease his mind. He wasn't sure what he wanted anymore. Rael was moving on, becoming someone new, and he was happy for him. But at the same time, he couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.

Joey had done something Rishi couldn't—he had reached Rael in a way Rishi hadn't. And now, Rishi was uncertain if he still had a place in Rael's life.