AUTHOR'S POV  

Laurent has to find the strength from somewhere to get up from his own state of emotions after seeing Larry so upset. They have a workshop to get to and as much as he wants to call Larry over so they can have a heart to heart about this they have to get to it. Still, his heart aches so bad just at the thought of Larry's face right before he left his room. His mind is telling him that keeping quiet about this is the best thing because of everything they've worked so hard for being taken away from them...but his heart is saying that he wants the same Larry wants. To be free. Free to live, free to love each other, free to be who they are forever and never have to worry about what other people think or how other people feel about it. But, the world can be a mean place and Larry is right in saying that some people will refuse to see the beauty in their love because brothers being in a romantic relationship to include kissing and sex is not right and to more people than not it's just downright disgusting. Laurent finds himself getting more frustrated and confused about it all because he really wants to make Larry happy...but Larry is also the person he's trying to protect. Perhaps if he tells Larry that as well he will be more inclined to agree with Laurent. After all, protecting Larry only proves just how much he loves him. He makes the decision right then and there that as soon as he gets the chance to he will tell him exactly that. For now he has to get himself together so he gets up from his spot on the bed to get ready...

~meanwhile~

Larry has been struggling to revive himself from his emotional state as well. To think that he and Laurent went from a beautiful night of lovemaking to the following morning that resulted in their very first argument since their confessions. Revealing these feelings to each other was not only to relieve themselves of the burdens they had been carrying but also because it means that they aren't ashamed about how they feel so it only seems right to share that with the world. Why Laurent is so resistant to it is beyond his understanding and it hurts him so much that they don't see eye to eye on this. It seems as though they have literally taken three steps forward only to take five steps back and Larry just can't wrap his head around that. He simply can't but...like Laurent he has a workshop to get ready for and he's anticipating it being very awkward all things considered...

They're ready to go at the same time and also at the same time they grab their key cards then walked out of the rooms. The moment their eyes meet Laurent appears to get totally lost in Larry's. In fact, it takes several moments for him to even say anything at the mere sight of them. When he does he greets him softly and sweetly. He's not expecting the response in return...

Laurent: "Hi bebe".

*brief pause*

Larry: "Hey...Laurent".

Larry's eyes and his voice are completely cold and both practically makes Laurent's heart sting...but he doesn't stop there... 

Larry: "Is that normal enough for you"?

Laurent's face immediately twist into a devastated expression because he realizes that Larry's response is because of hurt more than it is anger. He watches Larry drop his head to look at his phone then he started walking in the direction of the elevators. Laurent is fighting back tears as he follows him. Even after he pushed the first floor button on the elevator Larry returns his gaze to his phone. He doesn't even have to look up to know that Lauren't looking at him and with a still cold voice...

Larry: "Take a picture. It will last longer".

This is absolutely killing Laurent which is why he thinks this is the perfect time to tell him that this silence is for his protection...

Laurent: "Larry, I...."

Larry: "You don't need to say anything Laurent. This is what you want and I'm giving it you so just leave it alone oki"?

The elevator opens and as they step on Laurent feels a huge lump forming in his throat now which means he's on the verge of crying because now he sees that no matter what he says Larry won't buy it. He knows him well and whenever Larry feels strongly about something he holds on to it. It starts to make him wonder what this means for their newly found romance. Will they end this before they even get started? Will Larry resent him because of this decision? This is complete torture to Laurent's soul. The elevator finally reaches the bottom floor and as they step off Laurent puts his shades on so his eyes, which he's sure are evident of his heavy emotions won't be seen. He's hoping that once they reach the venue for the workshop and he has to remove them that evidence will no longer be visible. Larry just keeps his eyes on his phone and only brings them up long enough to look for the car and walk over and get in. Laurent climbed in first and when Larry is seated he slams the door causing Laurent to jump at the force. As he takes in a breath he feels a single tear drop fall and he quickly wipes it away. What he really wants to do is scoot over directly next to Larry, look deeply into his eyes and somehow make his pain go away...but he can't do that. What he needs to accomplish now is making Larry see why it has to be this way...

Laurent: "Larry please. I need you to understand".

Larry: "I do understand Laurent. I don't know how many times you need to say it. I get it oki? So for the last time leave it alone". 

Laurent goes completely quiet as he just gazes at him. Larry may have said he understands...but he really doesn't and that's why Laurent wants to give him a different perspective. Larry just isn't trying to hear it right now. All Laurent can do is whisper "oki" before turning his head and looking out of the window...the tears he had been fighting so hard to hold back now escaping his eyes and rolling down his cheeks...

Now at the venue where the workshop will be held they get out when the car comes to a complete stop. Larry is the first one to get out as he really wants to get away from Laurent and once again he slams it in anger. Expecting it Laurent didn't jump this time but he does have to take some time to compose himself so people don't know he was crying before they arrived. He took in a slow, deep breath then gently blew it out. When he got out to make the walk inside he can see Larry smiling and laughing with some fans. Of course Laurent can't help but notice his trademark smile as he does...but that smile fades when he sees Laurent coming out of his peripheral. He tells the fans he will see them inside then quickly walked away. It's like he doesn't even want to be near Laurent at all. The fans don't pick up on anything as they're beyond excited that they're here so now they're talking to Laurent. He tried his best to put on the bravest face he can whilst smiling and laughing...but on the inside he's nearly falling apart. Like a huge piece of him is missing. Eventually he hears the organizer announce that the workshop will be starting soon and for the attendees to go in and hit the floor. Laurent walked in the dance space with them and knowing he has a few moments he decides to look for Larry. He looks to his right, then to his left and that's when he sees him standing in the corner so he quickly walks over...

Laurent: "Larry, I know we can't talk right now but when we get back to the hotel will you please come to my room"?

Larry: "When are you going to let it go Laurent? We don't need to talk anymore and if this is why you want me to come to your room I won't".

Feeling completely defeated Laurent simply let out a sigh then walked over to the sound system to get the music he's using set up. Now it's time to begin so he begins the customary call for the warm-up then splitting everyone up in two groups...

Shortly after getting started Laurent notices Larry acting as if he's happy and having the best time. He definitely loves workshops and interacting with the fans so he knows it's not a complete act but...considering how angry he was before he knows it hasn't completely gone away. It's just suppressed for the moment. After the warm-up they immediately went into their choreographed routines of which everyone loves. It isn't unusual for Laurent to forget his and sure everyone jokes about it, including him, but today it's seemingly worse because of what he and Larry are going through. Although they missed it earlier the fans can now tell something is off and it's not just with Laurent but Larry too. They practically feel it in the air. It's clear in the way they speak to each other whenever needed. Larry not only responded in French but the tone of it just screams anger. Laurent plays it off well but with each second of this it's eating away at him. At least their usual freestyle session will be at the end which is merely another way for Laurent to release all of his emotions and essentially leave them on the floor. Although he's extremely curious if Larry will react to his time as he usually does...

*****

The choreography segment is another success with both groups picking both routines up well and loving every minute of Larry and Laurent teaching them. Now it's the moment Laurent has been waiting for...the cypher. Larry goes first and Laurent makes it a point to cheer and scream for him the way he always does at what an amazing dancer Larry is. Larry never ceases to amaze Laurent no matter how times he dances and it's always the same for Laurent...except today. When Laurent hit center stage the main reaction came from the crowd. Larry who is always his biggest fan and cheerleader isn't doing much of anything. He watches him of course...but he may as well have been watching paint dry. That's how vacant his eyes are and it's really having an effect on Laurent. Larry's cheers always motivated Laurent and made him dance harder. Laurent doesn't freestyle just for the fans...he dances for Larry too and when he looks at him now he sees nothing. It caused him to end his dancing abruptly and raising a few eyebrows as a result. He sees this and he hates disappointing the fans but he just can't continue. After stopping he takes a bow then announces that's the end of the cypher...

The last thing on the agenda is the meet and greet where they talk one on one with the fans and take pictures. Many of them ask for hugs and kisses which is standard and as always the boys oblige them but as much as Laurent loves the fans he really just wants this time to end because his mind keeps going back to the blank look on Larry's as he danced. Even as brothers whenever they've had an argument Larry always cheered for Laurent so he really doesn't know how to handle not receiving that from him. The more he thinks about it the more his heart hurts. When the last fan picture is taken someone asked if she can have a picture of them together. The initial resistance is written all over Larry's face but like Laurent he will never deny a fan a photo request so walks the few steps over to Laurent...but as Laurent puts his arm around him Larry flinches slightly. He imagined it's merely going to be one of those pictures where they position their hands in one of their crew signs standing next to each other so Laurent catching the hint that Larry doesn't want him touching him he throws up the sign for Les Twins...as did Larry. Instead of smiles, their faces are rugged and matching that of their poses. It's a good thing too because Laurent just isn't in the smiling mood for he feels himself falling apart on the inside. Larry, his love, doesn't want him touching him and that is so hard to accept. He has to try and talk to him again. He needs to look in his eyes and help him realize that he's doing this to protect them...but to protect Larry the most...

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A/N: Hope everyone enjoyed! If so, please vote and comment! Love you guys. :)