At home they had to focus on Kim and Alison, but on tour they could finally be together. Both of them had tried to ignore their growing feelings for each other, they had been best friends for years and were both men after all. But after a certain point they couldn’t deny it any longer, John and Keith were in love. It was a struggle telling Pete and Roger while they were still in the awkward beginning of their relationship but, despite a few rough patches, the two proved to be loyal friends and kept their secret.
In public they kept of the façade of just being friends but behind stages and closed doors a different side of the lovers came through. They say that when a man falls in love he can undergo miraculous changes, and both Roger and Pete could vouch for this when they saw their bandmates. John’s normally stoic features would soften and look slightly more open when he was with the drummer. Keith’s high excitement and energy levels would even themselves out simply when the bassist’s hand brushed his own. In a way they completed each other, like yin and yang.
Sometimes they wondered if either of their wives suspected anything. Even though he wasn’t the best dad, Keith did worry about never seeing Mandy again if Kim ever discovered anything. With Alison, John was more concerned about the fact that his wife wasn’t a big fan of the drummer or his antics. Both knew they had to tell the women at some point, but reluctance and fear of judgment held them back. It wasn’t just their wives’ possible suspicion they worried about though, all four of them also wondered if the fans noticed anything. The lovers tried to keep the air of friendship when they performed or made appearances, but occasionally a look or brush against the other would result in a blush or stunned look. At these times Roger or Pete would put up a distraction while the other would help the bassist and drummer regain their composure.
Sure it could be stressful, what relationship isn’t, but it made the time they could spend together all the more enjoyable. In front of Pete and Roger it stayed simple, they would only intertwine fingers with a peck on the cheek or the two would sit slightly closer together, they didn’t want to make it to awkward for their bandmates. Alone though, emotions would run deeper with warm embraces and tender kisses, the world no longer existed beyond themselves. During this time nothing else mattered. Not the possible suspicion of their wives, not the worry of what the fans knew, not even if anybody felt embarrassed seeing them this way.
Because behind stages and closed doors only four words mattered…
Keith wrapped his arms around the bassist. “I love you, John.”
John kissed the top of the drummer’s head “Love you too Keith.”