Chapter Text
Eijirou had been listening to the band Heart-Throb Heroes ever since the beginning of middle school. They liked to call their fans ‘Sidekicks’ and he officially became one when he worked up the nerve to ask his mothers to drive him to their first concert.
He was a fan of how their lyrics truly melded into his own day-to-day life. His favorite song was ‘Go. Live. Thrive.’ because of the drummer, Katsuki.
He read in an interview that the producers gave him free-range to do what he wanted in the studio, and something about the way the bass thumped his chest and the craziness of each hit of the drum made him feel the music that much more.
He would spend hours staying up and screaming his heart out to the lyrics; to the point where he frequently got his speakers taken away for a week.
He made friends who enjoyed the band as well, but he was by far their biggest fan. From buying merchandise he had to beg his mother for one Christmas, to attending every concert he could, even the out of state ones.
His fanboy antics were endless. This band was his life. He’s cried, laughed, gotten angry, and bled to their music.
That was a phase he wasn’t all too proud of himself.
Now, being 20 years old and finally settling into college for his second year, he worried that he’d be too busy to make it to any of the concerts again. He needed to save his money for books, supplies, and classes.
As he hung the calender to his wall, he marked all the weekends The Heroes were playing. Then he marked all of his exam dates and when assignments were due. So many of the days overlapped, which worried him.
They had a new album coming out; Maybe he would be able to swing a few bucks on that.
Eijirou let out a muffled groan in irritation. He knew where his priorities lie, but he really wanted to go see them live.
“Guess I’ll just have to skip a few this year,” he grumbled to himself.
As disappointing as it was to him, he took a deep breath and came to terms with it.
‘At least I still have this weekend , he thought, grinning to himself.
He’d bought tickets almost four months in advance for this concert, and even splurged on a VIP pass to meet the members individually. But he only really spent the extra $200 to see Katsuki and get his autograph. All the extra night shifts he had to work at the diner just to be able to get enough money to afford the tickets, gas, food, hotel room, and VIP passes made him tired just thinking about it.
He started to pack for the weekend, making sure to put his tickets in the bag first. He was going to ask Katsuki to sign one of their first albums.
The band was only a few years old, and their first album, Fan-based Trauma, held a very special place in Eijirou’s heart. Of all the concerts he’s been to, he could never convince his moms to buy him backstage passes. He’s been to so many of their live performances, though. Even knew all the lyrics to all 13 songs on an album that didn’t sell as well.
While he drove a few hours to the hotel, he listened to as many songs as he could before reaching his destination. A few times, he nearly swerved off the road from being so damn tired. After safely reaching the hotel and getting his room, he hurried upstairs to go to bed.
The next morning, he was up and walking around by 9 AM. The concert didn’t start until 6, so he had some time to kill.
He walked downstairs in one of the band’s exclusive Patreon shirts, which featured all 4 men in really funny chicken suits, but having lyrics from one of their most played songs, ‘The Hate You Give’. They only sold them to the highest paying Patrons and then an extra 5,000 to normal fans.
The red-head was a little embarrassed to admit that he paid nearly $100 a month towards this band.
Eijirou walked passed the front desk, smiling at the woman behind it and greeting her with a ‘good morning’, making his way to the breakfast section of the first floor.
He was content with his bowl of cereal and scrambled eggs, but didn’t hesitate to keep going back to grab some bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, and a water.
Had to stay healthy, right?
He took a seat at a small table meant for two people, silently eating his food.
“Nice shirt,” a voice complimented from his left.
He had a mouth-full of food when he glanced to see Katsuki sitting right next to him, and nearly spit it all over the table when he saw him.
“Oh, fuck me -,” Ei said out loud and in shock.
He wasn’t expecting him to be here!
What was he doing here!? This is such a 3-star hotel. Why didn’t I notice him earlier? Where did he come from!? Ah, shit, you haven’t replied yet, idiot! Say something!
“Fank ‘oo,” he replied with food still in his mouth.
‘Swallow your fucking food first, dumbass!’ he thought to himself.
A small snort of laughter came from the other, finding his shock hilarious. Eijirou was so embarrassed. He was so caught off guard. He finally swallowed his food and tried to fix himself up and look more presentable.
“Wow, that was really embarrassing for me. Sorry about that. What i was trying to say was ‘thank you!’”
His face was so red, and his chest felt tight. He had so much to ask him and so much to tell him. But, was this the appropriate place?
‘I mean...he spoke to me first. It’d be rude not to keep the conversation going, right?’ he thought.
“Are you a fan?” Katsuki asked.
Ei nodded.
“Been a fan for a little over 8 years now! I’m one of your highest Patrons, so that’s how I got my hands on this shirt.”
“Wow, you’ve been a Sidekick for that long, huh? Impressive,” he smirked, leaning back in his seat with folded arms.
Something about the way he flashed that smug face made Ei’s chest tighten even more. He was so fucking cute. But Ei wasn’t in that bad of a mindset to say that out loud. He’d already done something stupid today in front of his favorite memeber of HTH.
“Yeah! I’ve been around since Fanbased Trauma; Possibly my favorite album to date. Of course, I love all of your songs, but that CD just...speaks to me more.”
Anytime Red got to talking about Heart Throb Heroes, he got this gentle daze about him, as if daydreaming and trying to run off with the fantasy.
“I have a ton of history with your music, and I’m just really grateful for all the times you pulled me out of places in my head that I had no business being in. Saved my life a couple times, and even changed my whole habit of living. I really owe it to you four for these past eight years. Specifically you. The way you play the drums makes me feel some type of way. Like, I can feel the emotion you put into how you play. That’s how I wanna be; I wanna be as confident and headstrong as the bass in your solos.”
There was a silence between them, and Eijirou thought he’d gotten bored hearing him ramble on and on.
“Ah! S-Sorry, I didn’t mean to get all sappy on you like that. You guys probably hear that alot, too, so I can’t imagine how annoying it is to hear it so early in the morning. Not to mention pouring my emotions out on you like that.”
Katsuki was listening intently. He hardly spoke to their fans because their lead singer, Deku, usually received all the attention.
“Will you be at the concert tonight?” Katsuki asked, leaning forward in his seat to engage in a better conversation with the red-head.
“I-...Y-Yes! I actually...bought a VIP pass...just to get an autograph after the show.”
His face was heating up again; eyes darting all over the place from awkwardness.
“Perfect. When the concert’s over, how’s about you skip the line and come right up front? I wanna give you something for being so loyal all these years.”
Eijirou was ready to shit himself. His redness definitely noticeable by now. Suddenly he couldn’t speak, and he just nodded really fast at Katsuki’s gesture.
Complete panic washed over him.
“Good,” Katuski smirked, “See you at the show, uhm...sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”
“I- uhm- er, well- I,” was all Ei could muster out, warranting another laugh from Katsuki.
“Dude, you’re so awkward. I love it. I gotta head out, but I hope I learn your name soon. I like remembering the Sidekicks who make me smile. See you there.”
Katsuki was already moving to stand up before shoving a hand in his pocket and waving Eijirou off. He’d turned the corner already before the nervous fan was able to speak again.
“My name is Eijirou!” he yelled from across the dining room.
Katsuki wasn’t too far to hear him, so he flashed a cute ‘thumbs-up’ from behind the corner he’d just turned.
‘Did he hear me? I hope he heard me. Fuck he’s so cool. Did I really almost spit food when he complimented the shirt? Wow, I’m an entire fucking idiot today.’
Eijirou stared at his food, probably already cold, before covering his face with the palm of his hand, mumbling to himself in annoyance.
“
GOD,
I need better communication skills.”