The night of the school event had finally arrived. The gymnasium was filled with students and faculty, the air buzzing with excitement. Joey stood near the back, scanning the crowd, his fingers absentmindedly playing with the edge of his sleeve. He had been preparing for this night for weeks, working alongside Rael to ensure everything went smoothly. And yet, as the lights shone down on the stage and the students began mingling, something gnawed at him from within. It was the same feeling that had been growing stronger each day—this unrelenting, uninvited sense of attachment to Rael.
Joey had been careful, at least at first. He knew what his role was: to make Rael happy, to heal the wounds that had festered for years. But somewhere along the way, his mission had started to blur with his emotions. Rael's soft smiles, his gentle laughter, and the way he would confide in Joey during quiet moments had all chipped away at the walls Joey had carefully constructed. Now, standing at the edge of the event, he felt the weight of his feelings pressing against him.
System Alert:
Mission Update: Ensure Rael's happiness. Objective to be completed within the next 48 hours. No deviation allowed. Proceed as planned.
Joey sighed inwardly, his heart tugging. The mission reminder was a cold reality that he could not escape. He had come here for one reason only—to make Rael happy—but now that he was entangled in these emotions, it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his focus.
Rael, of course, hadn't noticed. Not yet, at least. His focus was on the event—his parents were supposed to attend, and there was a part of him that wanted to impress them, even if he wasn't ready to completely forgive them. The conflict in Rael's heart was evident in the way he moved, in the way he fidgeted when his parents arrived. He wasn't sure what to expect from them, but he wanted them to see the person he had become. The person Joey had helped him to become.
Joey watched from the sidelines, his heart heavy. He had done what he came here to do—he had helped Rael begin to heal, to reach out to those who had hurt him. But as Rael's parents approached him, Joey found himself stepping back, unsure of his place in this moment. Rael had made progress, but that progress came with a cost. The deeper Joey's connection with Rael grew, the more it became clear that he was running out of time.
"Hey," Rael said, his voice low as he approached Joey. There was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes, the kind that Joey had grown familiar with. "I think... I think they're trying. My parents, I mean."
Joey smiled gently, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I can see that. You've done well."
Rael shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward his parents. "Do you think... it's enough?"
Joey didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step closer, placing a hand on Rael's shoulder. "You don't have to decide everything tonight. But just remember—you've come a long way."
Rael nodded, but his expression remained conflicted. Joey could see the internal battle raging inside him, the fear of letting go, of trusting again. He wanted to help, to make this moment easier for Rael, but he couldn't force it. Rael had to make the choice to heal on his own.
The night unfolded around them—dances, speeches, laughter—but for Joey, it all felt distant, as if he were watching it from a world away. Rael was changing, and Joey was changing with him. The mission was supposed to be simple: make Rael happy. But happiness wasn't so easy to measure, and as the night wore on, Joey's feelings only grew more complicated.
Rishi watched from a distance, his gaze fixed on Rael and Joey. He had noticed the way they interacted—how Rael turned to Joey for guidance, how he smiled at him in a way that was reserved only for Joey. It was subtle, but it was there. And Rishi could feel it, deep in his chest—a sharp, uncomfortable pang.
Rishi had always been close to Rael. They had shared countless moments of camaraderie, had spent hours talking about their dreams and fears. But lately, he found himself on the outside looking in. Rael had begun to rely on Joey in ways he never had before. He had always been distant, but Joey had somehow broken through that barrier. And now, seeing them together, Rishi couldn't ignore the growing tension in the pit of his stomach.
"Rishi," Maya's voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see her standing beside him, her expression curious. "You've been watching them for a while. What's going on?"
Rishi hesitated before answering, his gaze still fixed on Rael and Joey. "I don't know," he said softly. "But something's changed. Rael's different when he's around Joey. It's like he's... more himself."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you're jealous."
Rishi didn't respond, but Maya could see it in his eyes. "You care about him, don't you?"
"I care about him more than anyone," Rishi admitted quietly. "But I don't know how to handle this. Joey's... making a place for himself in Rael's life, and I don't know where I fit anymore."
Maya studied him for a moment, her expression softening. "Maybe it's not about fitting in," she said gently. "Maybe it's about letting Rael find his own way, with or without you."
Rishi looked at her, a conflicted expression on his face. "I don't know if I can do that."
Maya's gaze softened, but she didn't push him further. Instead, she turned her attention back to the event, her mind clearly elsewhere. But Rishi couldn't stop thinking about her words. What if this wasn't about him at all? What if Rael had finally found someone who could help him heal in ways Rishi never could?
Rael, standing beside Joey, glanced at him once more. The way he looked at Joey now was different. Less guarded. Less uncertain. Joey had been a constant presence in his life, and though he didn't fully understand the feelings stirring in his chest, Rael knew one thing for certain: he didn't want Joey to leave.
Joey smiled softly at Rael, sensing the change in him. The hesitation that had once marked Rael's every move was now replaced with something else—something raw and real. Joey couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction in that. But as the night wore on, a subtle sadness crept over him. He knew what was coming. His time in this world was almost over.
System Alert:
Reminder: Mission Completion Pending. Time remaining: 12 hours. Proceed to finalize emotional resolution. Prepare for departure.
Rael noticed the shift in Joey. The way his smile no longer reached his eyes, the way he seemed distant all of a sudden. It was a change Rael couldn't ignore, even though he didn't fully understand it. Something was different, and he didn't know how to address it.
But before he could ask, the night continued on around them, and Joey's time here slipped away, quietly, silently.
But as the time ticked down, Joey felt the pressure mounting. He was growing closer to Rael, and the closer he got, the harder it was to remember his true purpose. His mission was nearing its end, and soon, he would have to leave.
Joey found himself on the rooftop, looking out over the city as the sun began to set. The warm hues of orange and pink painted the sky, but it did little to ease the coldness inside him. He wasn't sure if it was his own heart freezing or the looming departure that made him feel so detached.
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Joey."
Rael appeared beside him, standing just a few feet away. He wasn't looking at Joey, but the weight of his gaze was heavy enough to pull at Joey's chest.
"Hey," Joey said, forcing a smile despite the tightening in his throat. "What's up?"
Rael hesitated for a moment before taking a few steps forward. His hands were in his pockets, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something raw. Joey didn't need to ask to know what it was—Rael had been struggling with the idea of loss for so long. Now, the feeling of impending separation hung between them like a thick fog.
"I don't know what's happening," Rael said, his voice quiet but firm. "You've been... different lately. It's like you're here, but you're not."
Joey's heart tightened in his chest, but he didn't let it show. He turned slightly, trying to focus on the fading sunlight. "Maybe you're just imagining things. I'm still here."
Rael gave him a look, one that was both uncertain and piercing. "I don't think so. You're pulling away from me, and I can't tell if it's because of me... or if you're just—" He stopped, unsure of how to finish the sentence.
Joey didn't have an answer for him. Not one that would make sense. He could only offer a soft chuckle, his voice strained. "It's nothing. Really. You've been doing great. That's what matters."
Rael's brow furrowed. "But it's not just about me, is it?" He paused, studying Joey's face, trying to find the answers hidden there. "It's about you too, isn't it?"
Joey wanted to speak, to say something, but the words stuck in his throat. Rael was right. This wasn't just about him making Rael happy anymore. It was about Joey's own happiness too—about the bond they had built, the friendship that had slowly turned into something deeper. But he couldn't tell Rael that. Not now, not when the time was so short.
Before he could say anything, a voice crackled through his earpiece. It was the system.
System Alert:
Mission Completion Pending. Time remaining: 6 hours. Proceed to finalize emotional resolution. Prepare for departure.
The reminder hit Joey like a blow to the chest. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as Rael stepped closer, his gaze still fixed on Joey.
"I don't understand," Rael whispered, his voice barely audible. "Why are you acting like this? What's going on?"
Joey turned away, his hands gripping the railing to steady himself. He couldn't look at Rael anymore. Not when it hurt so much to stay.
"You'll be fine," Joey muttered, his voice trembling. "You'll be okay without me."
Rael shook his head, his eyes growing wide with disbelief. "Don't say that. I—" He stopped, clenching his fists. He had so many questions, so many things he wanted to say, but none of them felt right. Instead, he simply took a step closer, his voice pleading. "Joey, please... don't leave me."
Joey's chest constricted at the words. He couldn't help himself. He turned, grabbing Rael by the shoulders and pulling him into a tight embrace.
"I won't leave," Joey whispered, though he knew it was a lie. He didn't want to leave, but he had no choice. His mission was coming to an end, and so was his time with Rael. He could already feel the tugging sensation of his departure, the weight of the soul-copy leaving him.
The world seemed to slow down around them, the only sound the soft rustling of the wind. In that moment, Joey let himself savor the feeling of Rael's presence, the warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart. It was all he had left.
Rael, sensing the finality of the moment, pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Joey's face for answers. "Why are you doing this? Why are you—"
The question was cut off by the soft beep in Joey's earpiece.
System Alert:
Mission Complete. Departure imminent. Prepare for final transition.
Rael felt the shift in the air, a subtle change that made the back of his neck prickle. Joey's face had gone pale, and his body was tense as if he was fighting against something only he could feel.
Rael didn't know what was happening, but something deep inside him told him that Joey was slipping away.
"I have to go," Joey said, his voice barely above a whisper. He stepped back, his eyes filled with sadness that he couldn't hide anymore. "Rael... I really did want to help you."
Rael reached out, grabbing Joey's wrist. "No," he said firmly, his voice trembling. "You're not leaving. Not like this."
But Joey gently pulled away, a soft smile on his lips. "I have to, Rael. But you'll be okay. You've come so far. Don't forget that."
With one last look, Joey turned and walked away, the tug in his chest growing stronger. As he moved through the crowd, he could feel the familiar pull of his departure. He was leaving Rael, leaving everything behind, but a small part of him remained in Rael's life.
And in Rael's heart.