Chapter 1: Going Solo... by Force
Chapter Text
Gary stumbled out into the driveway, knees hitting the ground painfully with his palms following suit in an attempt to save his face. He could feel the sharp pricks of the gravel pieces pressing into the flesh, sucking in a sharp breath and slowly pushing himself back up onto his feet to face the doorway.
Two bulky aliens stood at the doorway, one baring his unfathomably large teeth. “Get outta here!” he bellowed. “Git, you low-life! We don’t need you!”
Gary huffed, brushing his dirty hands on his pants. “Hey, I came with a guita--” he barely finished the sentence when his other (former) bandmate tossed the beaten up case out the door. The blonde scrambled to save it with an ‘oof!’ when the full mass of the thing hit him in the face and chest and reeled him backwards, thankfully into the dead grass and dried up dirt of the front lawn this time.
“Thank you!” he called out, only getting a slam of the door in response. “Geeze…” he managed to mumble into himself and took a moment to open the guitar case. Everything was intact, though he did notice his cable and pick were missing. Predictable, but they could have done worse to the old thing. He closed up the case again and shouldered it, making his way down towards the sidewalk and making his way to his car down the street. He shouldn’t have been so surprised he’d get kicked out of another band-- hell, the fact that he lasted so long was more of a surprise than the actual kicking itself-- But here he was, out another group and the pool was only getting smaller.
He pulled his keys from his pockets and unlocked the back seat manually (the only way he could on the junker of a car) and slid the case in gently before settling into the driver’s seat. He didn’t feel exactly horrible about being kicked out, the guys were pretty shabby and the bars they played looked about as sad and dive-y as the band was, but what he truly dreaded was admitting it; this was the fourth band he was kicked from, and that never boded well. When he was in a band, it was great-- he was keeping out of trouble, which his therapist loved to hear; he was being an active member of society, which HUE was pleased about; and he was socializing with someone else, which his mother would probably be thankful for, if he could ever tell her.
The drive was short and quiet, the radio in the car having only static to offer to accompany the sounds of a dying A/C. Gary pulled into the driveway and came to a stop that was accented by squealing brakes and parked. He stepped onto the smooth, uncracked pavement and made his way through the expansive threshold. He set down the guitar case by the door and made his way to where the grand entryway opened up to a pathetically barren living room. The man sat on the arm of the old sofa and flopped back, legs dangling over as he sunk in. Gary shut his eyes, going over the made up points in the lie he was concocting in his head as to why--
“Gary. You have arrived back from practice early,” the voice enveloped him in a monotone that still somehow managed to sound like it was chastising him. Gary huffed and sat up to pull his legs over the edge and recline on the sofa in a more appropriate fashion.
“Yeah, HUE. We... cut off early today. Zeke had a uh… dentist… test…” he mumbled out-- he knew the house AI would never accept that.
And accept it, HUE did not, instead letting out a mild ‘hum’. “You were kicked out of another group,” he stated.
“No! No no, just…” Gary stumbled, sitting up straight and rubbing the back of his neck as it started to grow hot. Almost on queue, he could hear the arrival of a gentle pattering across the ground and a gentle jingle of a bell. “Oh! Oh, Mooncake! Little buddy!” he laughed nervously as the cat ran towards his voice and cleared the arm of the couch with a ‘mrrrp!’ and landed gracefully in his lap. Gary scratched the feline behind the ears as he began to purr, rolling over to show his shaggy black tummy and big green eyes looking up at him in some kind of gentle understanding-- just what he needed in that moment.
“Gary.” HUE pressed, albeit the volume of his voice much more quiet, “You were saying you did not get kicked out of your newest band?”
“Right! I wasn’t. I… I decided to go solo. On my own-- well, not ON MY OWN, on my own, but like…” he trailed off, rubbing his finger along Mooncake’s chin, “...my own band. I’m going to form my own band. Take control. Grab leadership by the nipples.” Mooncake mewled in protest when Gary stood up. “Yeah! I’m gonna put out an ad, find some talent, and make my own band! And we’ll kick it!”
“...Interesting.” HUE mused. “And if you do not find your band mates?”
“Then… I play it by ear.” Not his best Plan B, but HUE did not need to know it took five seconds to make.
“There is a 75% probability that ‘playing it by ear’ will end in you having nobody join,” HUE advised as Gary sat down, taking his phone. The blonde waved him off, tapping away. “It’ll be fine. I’ll put out an ad and vet people! It’ll work!”
“That will lower your probability to… hmm… 56%.” HUE advised.
“Better than 75, right?” Gary chuckled. “Don’t worry so much, it’s still being actively social, right? Auditions are tomorrow, we got this in the bag!”
--
Gary realized, with dismay, that maybe HUE was right about his chances at finding bandmates. The community center was usually empty, but was it possible for it to be MORE empty? It felt like it, Gary realized as he sat in an old metal chair with his chin in one hand and the other tapping a pen impatiently against his notepad.
“I believe our time is almost up, Gary, and we do not have anymore auditions coming in,” His watch buzzed and lit up as HUE’s voice filled his ears. He looked down to the screen as the AI spoke, the empty inbox HUE pulled up feeding the feeling of disappointment.
“Yeah, I guess we can start packing up early,” Gary agreed with a sigh and stood, Mooncake making a sound as if to complain about being forced from his resting place on the blonde’s lap, “We should clean up… get things back in order before we go.”
“We, Gary?” The watch asked him. Gary couldn’t help but smack himself on the head-- he forgot just how much control HUE lost for the sake of mobility. “Me, I will clean,” he corrected himself.
“Ah, I understand. I will leave you to your cleaning,” HUE replied simply and the screen went black. Of course he knew HUE was still listening, he was most likely trying to avoid any complaining which Gary would never consider, but that aside…
The door opened with a soft click and Gary turned expectantly to see a small and nervous looking alien standing at the door. “Yes! Hi!” Gary launched into a greeting right away, dropping the chair he was putting away with a bang that echoed through the room, making the alien flinch. “Can I help you?”
“U-uh huh, yeah… I’m with the Infinity Junior Choir, w-we have this area booked for 4:30pm--”
“It’s not 4:30 yet!” Gary protested loudly, making the alien squeak and recoil.
“I-I know, I know, we just wanted to make sure you were--”
“I’ll let you know when I’m ready!” He replied hastily, walking over and shoving the door back shut. “Geeze.”
He barely released the door when it began to open again, Gary forcing it shut. “I said, I’ll let you know when I am READY--”
“Uh, yeah I heard that,” the new voice rang through the door. “But I am here for the band audition? The one that needs a drummer? And a bassist… and a singer…”
“Oh!” Gary opened the door to the stranger, chuckling nervously. “Sorry, yeah! Uh, yeah, that’s me! I’m Gary.”
It took him a moment to realize the audition was not his height-- not even close. He glanced downwards to see the speaker.
The orange-furred felinoid smiled weakly, almost looking a little apologetic as he spoke. “I am so so sorry, I would have been here sooner, but I had to take the bus here and it was fifteen minutes late.” he stepped in, blue mohawk shifting fast as he spun back on his heel to face Gary. “Not that that’s an excuse! I swear, I’ll be here on time from here on out, I just didn’t have a ride today! Bike in the shop, no biggie.”
“I…” the blonde’s brows furrowed. “That’s... okay. We’re about to give up the space to the junior choir but… we can, uh… say, how old are you?”
The youth (very clearly a youth, from the backpack slung over his shoulder that was weighed down with what Gary could only trust was textbooks) waved it off. “Fourteen! But I am super dependable, I get my homework done during study hall so I don’t need to worry about after school, and band practice there is in the mornings. After school, totally free.”
“Right, uh…” Gary desperately searched his memory for his ad-- did he ever specify an age minimum? Oh god, he had to-- he couldn’t believe he would leave something like that up in the air, his usual gigs were fricking dive bars, no way he could take a 14 year old boy to a dive bar, parental consent or not! And where were his parents? Did his mom and dad know he was here, would they be okay with their son playing with a bunch of adults in a band? And what did he do if there were more teens coming to this audition? WAS HE GOING TO BE GARY AND THE BOYS, LITERALLY?
“Hello,” The kid waved at him from the stage, standing beside the centre’s drum set. “Are you good for me to start, is there anything specific I should be doing…?”
Gary snapped out of it. “Yeah-- no--I mean go ahead, just do uh… do what you know best, Mr. uh…”
“Cato. L-Little, Cato…” he boy seemed embarrassed about the name, and as weird as it was Gary merely smiled in weak encouragement. That seemed to be enough as the teen set his backpack down and fished out a pair of beaten-up drumsticks covered in various tiny stickers. Little Cato made his way behind the set and plopped down. In that moment his confident grin melted away into an unsure grimace, shifting in his seat.
“Go ahead,” Gary encouraged softly, settling down into the only chair not put away yet. Little Cato nodded numbly, taking a deep breath. He hit a couple times before flinching.
“Hit the wrong thing-- uhm, can I start again?” he asked.
“Yeah, of course,” Gary assured. Little Cato smiled his thanks before taking another breath, straightening up and starting again.
The kid was good. Not excellent, but damn if he didn’t give even some of the better drummers Gary had heard a run for their money. Hell, he was the best drummer all day!
Gary stood, applauding the youth as he finished his set. “That was amazing! Oh my god--” he ran his hands through his hair in disbelief.
Little Cato squealed, for the lack of any other word, curling in his seat and holding his face. “Does this mean I got the spot?!” he asked excitedly. “Oh my god--!”
Oh. Oh crap. Gary realized it with a pit in his stomach-- the kid was good, but he was still, well, a kid! He couldn’t take a kid into a dive bar. He looked back down at Mooncake, curled up under the chair, asleep. Wow, Mooncake, no help.
“Yeeeah, about that--” Gary started, but it was all he got out as Little Cato bounded off the stage, grabbing his hand.
“I promise I’ll never be late, I won’t complain about any late nights, I’ll practice lots-- oh my god, this is so awesome! My dad will flip!”
“Woah, slow your roll, little buddy! I-I should really talk to your dad first,” Gary interjected. “This is an adult band. That tours. And does bars and stuff. I can’t take a teenager into a bar, even if you don’t drink…”
In that moment, Little Cato’s face fell, ears folding back. “I...I didn’t get it? But you said I was amazing!” He shot back, annoyed.
“I know! I know, and you are! But--”
“Uh, hello? Arguing man and child?” a female voice echoed over them, accented by a couple knocks on the door. Gary and Little Cato turned to the woman standing in the doorway, looking a little tired. “Your time was up ten minutes ago, the choir needs this space.” she stated.
“Uh…” Gary’s jaw hung open slightly, only shaking it off when Mooncake brushed up on his leg. “Uh--oh! Yeah, sorry-- late entry. We’re just packing up,” he assured, moving to get his chair fast, but he couldn’t help but glance back at her again-- she was beautiful, standing tall with hair arms crossed, even despite a grimace her dimples showed. Silver eyes watching him before she looked back to the pouting Little Cato. “Is… everything okay in here?” she ventured, more to the kid than Gary himself.
“Yeah, ‘s fine,” Little Cato grumbled. “Like he said… just leaving.” He grabbed his backpack, shooting Gary a dirty look before stomping towards the door. She looked down at him as he passed before looking back up at Gary, who admittedly was still watching her from the pile of chairs. It took longer than honestly necessary for the realization he was caught to sink in, Gary quickly straightening himself with an awkward chuckle and scooping up Mooncake.
The group started to file in with a motion from the woman, pushing past Gary as he made his way towards the doors. “That was-- nothing, really, I uh-- I’m starting a band, and I forgot to specify that the audience was at bars--not skeevy bars, or anything! Just...yeah.” he cleared his throat and offered his hand. “I’m Gary.”
The woman arched a brow at him but took his hand. “Quinn. Are you going to be here usually?” she asked.
“Yeah! Yeah, every Tuesday and Thursday, from 3:30 to 4--” he gasped at his hand being gripped suddenly very tight, her grin becoming very forced. Mooncake hissed in response to the grab that made Gary tense, but it went unheeded.
“We start at 4:30. Sharp. Don’t hold us back again. This is a competitive troupe and we pay for this space so we can use every minute.” Quinn stated. “Got it, Gary?”
“Got it! Roger! Hear you loud and clear.” he squeaked. Pleased, Quinn released his hand. “Have a good night.” with that, she closed the door on the man. Gary stood in the dead silence, the low light concealing a blush on his cheeks.
“Gary…” HUE’s voice started.
“Yeah?”
“...You can take Little Cato on with signed consent from his parents.”
“Oh. Cool.” he murmured, “Very… cool.”
“...Gary.”
“Yeah, HUE?”
“...Should I contact him?”
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, let him know.”
“Very well. And breathe, Gary. Your heart rate has skyrocketed, it is not ideal.”
“Got it under control, HUE.”
Chapter 2: Forming the Band
Notes:
Apologies for the delay, I am trying to get a chapter finished before the next one is released, which is tougher than planned! The next couple chapters are fairly short but I promise, Chapter 4 is gonna get into the good stuff!
Chapter Text
The boy didn’t seem to hold any grudge for the time he believed he had been rejected, seeing as he texted HUE many variations of ‘thank you’ in a 15 minute span and a promise to bring them a signed paper saying he could join from his dad, whom Gary came to understand was the only parent available at any given time. Two out of the necessary four was a good start, a great one, actually-- he could manage this.
Unfortunately, one of the missing spots was a frontman, and the ones he met were… well…
“That one I believe punched a wall because you hesitated,” HUE reminded Gary as he leafed through the notes he took through his third round of auditions. The blonde winced at the memory. “I know.”
“You weren’t even telling her if she got the spot, you just paused to remember your phone number.”
“I know, HUE!” Gary replied, exasperated. He rubbed his temples, trying to think. “We’ve had no decent tryouts, and I am not asking the kid-- I do not need another teenage band member.”
A knock at the door of the hall rang out, causing Gary to jump and Mooncake to tense a little in the blonde’s grip. “Yeah!” Gary called, standing up.
There was a few seconds of silence before the door opened, Little Cato entering with a resounding “Yo!” that echoed off of the walls. But followed by him, was…
“Hey,” Quinn greeted. “I’m guessing nobody told you the doors are locked from the inside after 5pm.”
“Oh!” Gary stood, putting Mooncake down and brushing off his pants to look more presentable. “No, I should’ve known that, sorry-- distracted.”
Quinn raised a brow at Mooncake specifically, pausing to come inside and shut the door behind her. “Gary, I don’t want to be rude, but you can’t have pets in here.”
“Huh, pet?” Gary looked to Little Cato first, confused, only for the teen to redirect his attention to Mooncake. “Oh! Mooncake!” he laughed. “Actually, Mooncake’s working-- he’s a therapy cat.”
“A...therapy cat,” Quinn looked unconvinced, crossing her arms.
“Yeah--I know, usually they’re homebodies, but I couldn’t get ahold of a dog, and I’ve always liked cats! Even if they lick themselves which is kinda gross.” Gary shrugged before turning, picking up Mooncake and taking his tag between two fingers. “See? He has an ID and everything-- He usually has a vest but he walks weird in it, so I just kinda let him go commando-- you know, commando for a cat.”
“..Okay,” the response from the woman was cautious but she nodded. “He can stay. As long as you bring paperwork with you next time, I’ll let it slide.”
“Thanks, Quinn!” Gary plopped Mooncake onto a chair before clapping his hands together. “Speaking of being of the band--”
“We weren’t talking about the band-- what band?” Quinn interjected, brow cocking.
“The… the band I’m forming?” he explained meekly, a little hurt that Quinn did not remember.
“...Right.” She still looked lost, glancing back at the kid and back to Gary. “About that…?”
“Yeah! We’re still looking for a bassist and a frontman—n-not that I can’t sing, I am like, god of singing— w-we’re just looking for someone who is professionally trained, has that fire, that will! An edge,” he flourished dramatically.
“Uh huh… and you’re explaining this to me because…?” Quinn shrugged at him, watching expectantly.
“Because you said that you were part of the professional choir—“
“Actually I teach the choir, I’m in the Orchestra.”
“Well, maybe you have some time, need to release from that routine—“
“No. Nope. Not at all.” It was quick, firm and to the point, shutting the blonde down. Gary frowned, lower lip sticking out slightly.
“Not even an inkling to go a little wild?”
“Nope.”
“But you must be interested if you—“
“I’m not.”
“Why not?!” Gary exclaimed, arms spreading out. “Look at this! We’re free, and can sing and play wherever we want! Haven’t you ever wanted out of your routine? Felt like you were spinning your wheels?”
“No, Gary. Look, I’m flattered. Really, I am. But I only have time for three things: My job, my dog, and hours of practice with the orchestra.”
Silence ensued, Gary’s face screwing up as he tried to figure out another argument.
Sadly, nothing. Quinn gave him an almost apologetic smile. “Hope you find the rest of your band. But don’t forget the choir has this space in two hours.” And with that, he was out the door, the close echoed through the hall.
A few moments of silence, and Little Cato inhaled noisily through his teeth. “I might… have a bassist?”
“It’s not another kid, is it?” Gary asked, exasperated.
“No, but he’s kind of a tough sell, too.”
“I don’t-- have time for tough sells, I need someone willing and able,” Gary groaned.
“Okay! Okay, no problem, thought I would offer,” Little Cato put his hands up defensively. “Just sounded kind of desperate talking to Quinn there, but maybe that was just me.”
A moment of silence was all the answer needed, partnered with the pinkening of Gary’s cheeks. “Uh, yeah! You’re imagining things, bud! Little buddy! Need to uh… forget that, this is not appropriate conversation!” The human stuttered out.
The kid grinned as he was waved off, turning back up to the stage. “Maybe we should just get started.”
—
It was pouring rain by the time the practice was said and done. Gary was pulling off his jacket to cover the distressed Mooncake and shield him from the onslaught as he carried everything back out to his car. A stall before the engine roared to life, the thankfully functional heater hitting his soaked shirt and warming his wet skin. Gary took a moment, holding his hands up to the heater and directing one onto Mooncake before backing out of his space and pulling around.
Reaching the front of the doors, he glanced to the side to see Little Cato standing inside the lobby, the dull glow of the teen’s phone lighting up his tired face. Gary hemmed at the sight before pulling to the side and parking the vehicle. He stepped out and, cutting through the rain that drenched him again, opened the door to the lobby. Little Cato looked up when the cool air and noise from outside hit him, ear flicking.
“Hey, you’re still here?” Gary asked.
“Yeah, no bus shelters nearby, I got another hour before the next one shows,” Little Cato shrugged. “No big.”
“I mean, it’s just that it’s getting dark, shouldn’t be waiting around for the bus in the rain or the dark… can your mom or dad pick you up?”
Little Cato huffed, shaking his head and putting his phone away. “My dad’s at work late. Really, Gary, I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I mean, I can probably give you a ride, don’t want your dad worrying if you’re at home or not…”
“I don’t know—“ Little Cato started.
“Well I mean hey, I get it! Keeping safe, you’re a smart kid. Just wanted to see if you wanted a ride. That’s what band mates are for!”
“I thought band mates were for playing music together.”
“That too,” Gary grinned, giving him a finger gun. “But hey, if you want to wait for the bus, I get it! Stay dry out there, okay?” the man assured. “See you next practice, yo!”
Little Cato merely nodded, watching the man head back out into the rain and covering his head in vain as he power walked back to the waiting warmth of the car sitting off to the side.
Gary slid back into the driver seat, turning the heaters back onto him and looking into the back where Mooncake decided to move to, curled up on old blankets and coats Gary would leave in the car when he didn’t want to take them back in. A knock brought his attention to the passenger side door, Little Cato standing there with his backpack covering his head. Without a moment’s hesitation, Gary leaned across to unlock the door and in a split second the teen opened it a crack. “Hey, Gary, are the apartment complexes on West Street too far out of your way…?” Little Cato asked, unsure.
Gary shook his head and patted the vacated seat. “It’s on my way back, actually. Hop in.”
Little Cato lit up, opening the door the rest of the way and slipping in with a little ‘thank you’ and buckled up before sinking into the old, worn seat under the comfort of the heaters.
Gary turned out the overhead light and pulled away from the curb carefully, taking off down the street. “So, West Street… kind of a quiet place,” Gary mused.
“It’s okay, you can say it’s a dump,” Little Cato assured with a chuckle, opening up his phone and tapping away at the low-lit screen.
“I mean, it’s not as bad as it used to be! And there’s a good school in the area-- actually went to the public school there as a kid before…” he trailed off in that moment, brows furrowing. Before Little Cato could ask any followup questions, the blonde started again. “It’s just got a charm about it. But yeah, rather you didn’t walk home in this weather.”
A soft laugh left the teen. “Yeah… thanks again,” Little Cato mused, closing his phone and leaning back.
“Of course!” Gary chuckled. The sound tapered off into a silence that would last until the suburban houses became smaller and at last Little Cato would tap his shoulder and point to a building ahead. “Over here, you can pull into the parking lot over here and let me out.”
“This one? Well alright, then!” Gary slowed, putting his blinker on and turning into the parking lot of a small and simple complex,pulling past the cars into a space at the end. Gary could just barely see a simple and beaten-up swingset and ladder in the back as he turned off the car.
“One sec, don’t try and open it from the inside!” Gary told him, hopping out and jogging to the other side. He stuck the key into the door and opened, allowing Little Cato to step out. “Doesn’t open from the inside, gotta use a key on this door.”
“Geeze,” Little Cato mumbled under his breath. “Kind of a beaten up car…”
“I guess, but! It has charm!” Gary laughed softly, ushering the boy to the doors of the complex-- if they could really call it that, it was pretty small for an apartment-- and stopped on the steps.
Little Cato stepped up, retrieving his keys and opening the doors, pausing to turn and look at Gary. “See you at practice,” Little Cato told him.
Gary gave a nod and a single wave before turning as the teen headed inside, disappearing from sight. A turn around the corner and he made his way back to the car, slipping in and adjusting himself.
He slid the key in and turned it. The car sputtered. The man frowned and tried again, with another sputter from the vehicle. Another turn, another sputter. And another. And another.
Well crap. He was stuck in the parking lot.
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