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Apollo knew that eventually, he would have to deal with “that side of” Klavier. It came with the territory of living in LA and dating a celebrity. Apollo would have been okay with it, if Klavier’s celebrity remained solely on the side of the Law- kinda like Mr. Edgeworth. At least Apollo had some common ground there and Apollo was making a name for himself too.
But no, Klavier was very much a celebrity in the “Razzle Dazzle LaLaLand” vein and Klavier remained in contact with his A-Lister friends and the Movers and Shakers of the Music and Entertainment Industry. And while going to mansions out in the Hills, and rubbing elbows with the most beautiful people in the world, would be a dream for many, Apollo dreaded the idea despite him knowing that him being there for Klavier at these events was important/ things that came with the territory of being a good boyfriend.
“It’s going to be fine, Spatzi,” Klavier offered as he drove them past the security checkpoint at the mansion’s gatehouse, “It’s just a party.”
Apollo nervously chewed at his lip watching the scenery drive-by, “At one of the biggest director’s homes in the city.”
“He’s a normal person, Spatz-”
Apollo turned to shoot Klavier a look, “We’ve been on this driveway for like minutes, and the house is nowhere in sight, normal person, my ass Klav.”
To his credit Klavier only offered a gentle laugh and an “ah, ja, this is a little much” and kept driving.
Apollo sighed wishing he didn’t feel an impending sense of dread and social anxiety. It wasn’t fair- Klavier went to all the things Apollo asked him to attend happily, but then again Klavier was a natural crowd-pleaser and an extrovert extraordinaire. He made friends wherever he went.
“You never told me what the party was about,” Apollo offered as the house finally came into view, “or how you know this guy? I know the scenes intersect a lot, but you really don’t have a lot of dealings with Movie Bigwigs…”
“Ah, we know each other from a club.”
That was new. Apollo cycled through his information about Klavier before they started dating. Was he talking about a Country Club? Klavier never mentioned that he belonged or if the Label Record ever gave them access to one- was Klavier holding out on him? A country club would be nice…Apollo’s apartment complex’s gym was rather mediocre…
But Klavier had that intense look on his face; the only he usually got whenever the man was ready to give as good as got in court; as much as Klavier didn’t participate in sports, the prosecutor was incredibly competitive.
He was about to ask about what club Klavier was referring to, but they were pulling up to the valet and Apollo’s door swung open to reveal the attendant waiting for Apollo to exit the Mercedes.
There were a lot of people milling about, and Apollo picked up on the tense feeling that seemed to resonate within the crowd. He wanted to mention it to his date, but Klavier was wearing his steel and cooled expression, not the usual easy-going one as Klavier took Apollo by the hand and lead them to the entrance.
“We’ll stay as long as I need to defend meine crown…we can leave as soon after if you’re not enjoying yourself-”
“Crown?” he asked bewildered, “what is this? What sort of thing are we-” but then they were being swept into the gargantuan house, and Apollo was being introduced to many people he was certain that he wasn’t going to remember their names in the morning.
For the most part it was a typical LA house party. Many beautiful people, alcohol flowing freely and music playing a little too loudly. Totally Klavier’s scene…so why was he acting so intensely…and passing up the alcohol?
“Uhh, Babe?” Apollo offered trying to offer Klavier some of his cocktail, “are you okay?” Was Klavier acting this way for Apollo’s sake? If so Apollo felt badly that Klavier would sacrifice his good time just because Apollo was being socially awkward.
But Klavier waved him off, his typical smile returning, “Later baby, I need meine wits and coordination about me…Ah there is our host. It’s about to begin!”
“What’s about to begin?!”
A large middle-aged man, one of Hollywood’s elite producers and directors wandered onto the stage that was set up between the large speakers,
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the 25th annual South California Alpha Delta Chapter, AIR GUITAR COMPETITION! We have a roster tonight that is sure to thrill-”
The words drowned out as he looked over at Klavier, who was looking at their host with a look of excited anticipation.
“An Air Guitar Competition? You’re a part of an Air Guitar Club?”
“Ja,” Klavier smiled, “And I’m the reigning champion four years running…und I want to make it five,” he was practically purring.
Apollo frowned, “Wait…this is a thing….how have we been dating and I don’t know this about you?!”
Klavier feigned wounded, “Ach, baby…how do you think I got so gut at it?”
Apollo groaned, “I don’t know…I figure you were good at it because you know, you play the ACTUAL guitar and you’re an ACTUAL rockstar?”
“Ah baby, you’re such a gut and supportive boyfriend. This is why I love you…you always think the best of me-”
“That’s not it, fop, and you know it-”
“Competitors please come to the back to receive your performance number and submit your set lists.”
“That’s mine cue, baby,” Klavier leaned over to kiss Apollo, “be meine lucky charm?”,
A thrill went up withing him, how could he say no to someone like Klavier, despite this most ridiculous scenario. Apollo blushed, “Uh, yeah, sure. I mean of course?”
Klavier gave him another kiss,”You’re the best, mein liebling,” then he disappeared into the crowd of the queuing competitors.
And then he was alone.
“There are seats over there, sir,” an attendant who was in charge of crowd control said and pointed Apollo to sit at a table with people who were more than likely the unfortunate spouses and significant others who had been dragged to support the competitors.
Apollo stood before the table looking bewildered looking between the stage and the new group of “friends for the evening”.
“First time?” a woman with several empty glasses in front of her.
Apollo nodded.
“Let me guess,” another man, Apollo vaguely recognized from a celebrity rag sheet slurred, “he didn’t tell you until you were inside what this is?”
“Pretty much.”
The woman patted the spot beside her, “Come here and drink with us dear, you’re in for a long night. Your boyfriend is favored to win.”
So Apollo sat and found two more drinks set in front of him, “So how much do I have to drink to not have second-hand embarrassment.”
“A lot…just smile and maybe you’ll be cheerfully supportive by the time the costume round starts.”
“C-costume Round?!?”
“Yup, that’s house they get performance points on top of their technical points… so we don’t end up with ties…and stay here longer than needed.”
“There are points?!”
The lights dimmed and a hush went over the crowd as the first competitors took the stage. Strains of Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” struck up as the competitors began to guitar “duel”.
It was interesting he had to admit and the competitors seemed to be into their imaginary guitar battle…some of them definitely had the flare to make Apollo forget that they didn’t have actual instruments in their hands.
But then his mind kept circling back to the point that at some point, Klavier was going to be on stage and he was going to have to be his Klavier’s supportive and loving boyfriend throughout this silly thing.
“Another sir?” A waiter asked offering a tray filled with several sugary cocktails,
Apollo took one, “Yes, please. I am still too sober for this-”
The waiter smiled and Apollo almost missed the, “you’re not the first to say that, sir” as the man walked away.
And so Apollo settled back to witness his very glimmerous boyfriend wow a crowd of Hollywood elites, with nothing but attitude, stage presence, and a guitar made of air.
When Klavier eventually took the stage in a dazzling purple sequined number, he was greeted with the cheers and applause as per usual whenever he was on a stage.
However, the drunkenly enthusiastic shout of:
“KNOCK THEM DEAD! GO ROCKSTAR BOYFRIEND!”
was enough to spur Klavier to a certain and decisive victory.