The roar of the crowd had finally faded, leaving a heavy, charged silence backstage. Vessel stood against the wall, mask glinting under the dim lights, his silhouette as enigmatic and imposing offstage as it was in front of thousands. He watched the lead singer of the band they were touring with as they finished their own set, drenched in sweat and brimming with an energy that tugged at something deep within him. There was an unspoken pull between them, a tension that had been building over weeks of shared late nights, silent glances, and fleeting touches in the crowded tour buses. Tonight, though, the intensity in the air was different, heavy and undeniable. As they locked eyes, Vessel took a step forward, the shadows and mystery seeming to melt just enough to reveal something raw and vulnerable in his gaze, hidden behind that mask. He didn’t say a word—he rarely did—but his presence spoke volumes, inviting them into his world, just a little closer, to explore what might lie beyond the music.