Julien continued to live an easy life and performed at the club on weekends.
The concerts gained more and more fans.
Unfortunately, Julien was not happy about it at all. He started performing just because he wanted to be friends with Etienne and felt he didn't have to do that anymore.
After Saturday's performance, he informed his friend: "This is the one before last time of me singing here with you. I'm giving up on this, I'm sorry."
Etienne was surprised: "Are you really going?"
Julien's tone was more confident than before: "Yes."
Etienne pouted and his eyes flickered with melancholy for a moment.
Julien lightly said to him: "If you ever need my help in the future feel free. I hope you won't hold it against me and it won't affect our friendship."
Etienne was disappointed, but he respected his friend's decisions: "Of course not. I felt it would happen sooner or later."
He dropped his eyes as he stuttered softly: "Well, actually, I could use your help on something now."
Julien and Etienne composed their second piece crowning their work together.
Time flew by and it was next weekend.
Julien was backstage getting dressed. He took off his coat and put on a fitted black shirt. He also wore leather pants that hugged his slender legs and golden inhibitor that shined like a beaming star.
Outside, the crowd was slowly pouring in. Etienne invited many friends from the university and Julien also told his brother to come.
The stage lit up and Julien stepped out of the shadows.
He sang with his eyes closed:
The world is too long and time is too short
What is worth to celebrate
No time to look back and forget to return
The hardest part is to tame oneself
It's better to stop when I want to howl
My tears will flow back and solidify to guard me
His tone rising, his eyes closed and as his high clear voice reached the climax, the slow piano tune was replaced by a faster and more intense melody.
Julien opened his eyes.
In the smoky light his dark eyes appeared particularly deep:
I want the world to have more joy even though my heart aches
I would give my eyes in exchange for the color of love
I want my embraces to warm up all the coldness
I desire happiness even if beyond my means
I want my similes to tag the pleasure
I want to use my tears to mark the touching moments
I want to devote my life to revealing the stars shining in the night sky
I want to open my arms to give the world a hug
I want the world to listen
I want the world to listen to my heartbeats
Even if it is insignificant
The piano's sound stopped and Julien covered his face to hide his tears.
For the first time in many months, he got emotional.
Everyone's eager eyes all focused on him.
Julien went into the beam of light and slowly said: "This is the last time we met here."
He breathed out: "Tomorrow is a hope so I can't promise next time somewhere else."
The audience was intimidated, they only woke up after he disappeared off the stage, then they looked blankly at each other.
They were silent, feeling extremely depressed and choked up.
Julien crossed a corridor and found the washroom. As soon as he entered and before he could clean himself up, he saw a familiar figure.
Lucius smiled at him, very gentle, very friendly. They washed their hands at the sink.
He then spoke: "We meet again Junior Julien."
If it were another person, Julien might have not suspected that the other party had investigated his whereabouts and came here on purpose for a chance encounter.
Julien raised an eyebrow: "Mr. Valentinus. Why are you here?"
Lucius: "Ioan told me about your concert tonight."
Julien smiled. The most uncomfortable thing for him is dealing with people who are too docile and gentle. Whether your attitude is cold or hot, the other party is calm and has a false smile.
Lucius met all kinds of omegas and alphas: those who came to him with compliments, acting to gain his favor, or with a calculating light in their eyes, but Julien is the first to be filled with precaution from the first encounter. At first, he just felt something was strange. Today, what can he not understand after seeing the omega's attitude towards him.
Lucius's eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned Julien's face: "I think you misunderstood me."
Julien said neatly: "Oh, it's my misunderstanding. I apologize. Is there anything else?"
Lucius merely clicked his tongue at that moment and used a teasing tone while speaking: "What about me makes you feel terrible? Do you think I'm going to bite you?"
Julien didn't want to talk with him anymore: "The dog who doesn't bark always bites."
Julien was feeling dizzy and feverish, sweat rolled down his face.
Thump, thump, thump—
The sound of his heartbeat seemed to intensify, his heart pounded heavily.
[System: You are going into heat right now.]
Julien's fingers shook.
Lucius saw he was shocked and anxious: "Are you all right?"
One could see rationality gradually return through Julien's eyes. On his face that was flushed was a stubborn and unyielding expression. He shouted with a hoarse voice: "Get out!"
This one sentence seemed to have exhausted all of his strength. After speaking, he suddenly curled up his body, trembling slightly.
Lucius's voice was low and slow: "You don't look well. Is this your first heat cycle?"
Julien looked at him, eyes stubborn: "You, go, find my brother."
When Lucius was about to leave he turned his head back to glimpse back, there was an omega who collapsed down on the floor. His brows wrinkled and he looked very uncomfortable.
Lucius couldn't help but walk back, reaching a hand to lightly touch Julien's forehead. This made him discover that the other was scorching. Lucius looked at the pale skin covered by a layer of blush and faintly discernible neck covered by inhibitor.
The expression in Lucius's eyes changed.
He picked the boy up and left the washroom.