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Murphy accepts the towel outstretched in Bellamy’s hand, and wipes down his face.
“Is it, like, a million degrees in here?” He asks his bandmates.
“I’m alright,” replies Monty, and he really does seem overly calm and collected. “Maybe if you spent a little less time jumping around and doing your fancy little twirls you wouldn’t look like a pig right now.”
“Oh shut up! They love it!” Murphy shouts back, and twists his towel up and begins to whip the keyboard player.
Before the assault reaches it’s peak, the recognizable click-clacking of heels comes from farther off stage. “Okay boys, I have some notes about the lighting.”
“Jeez Griffin, not even a congrats on the show?” Bellamy teases her, and she answers with a warm smile and a quick kiss to his cheek.
“Where’s my kiss?” Jasper asks, and Miller is not far behind him, “It was a group effort after all.”
Monty waves his hands in front of the bassist and drummer, dismissing them. “What about the lights?”
“Uh… I just don’t know if they like… work?” Clarke’s professional air drops and she visibly deflates. “You guys know I’m no good at technical stuff. I filmed some of it and maybe you can talk to your girl?”
Murphy finds his waning attention shooting up at the mention of Monty’s girl, but tells himself to knock it off. A couple of meetings at hazy parties should not be cause for the feelings she brings out in him.
“Yeah sure, I’ll text Raven. It sucks she couldn’t make it to the show tonight, ever since she moved home I’ve hardly seen her. I was hoping she’d be able to catch us on tour.”
Tour , Murphy thinks with chuckle. As if this was a fully functioning industry machine and not a bunch of college graduated nobodies stopping at a handful of half empty “indie and underground” venues before going home for the holidays.
Not that he’s complaining. It absolutely beats the endless void of 9 to 5s he thought he was destined for.
He owes it all to Clarke Griffin, and her flip-flopping between med school and arts and humanities. She met Monty and Jasper in one of her science classes, and the rest is history.
Monty Green and Jasper Jordan, or as Murphy likes to call them: Thing 1 and Thing 2. One didn’t really stray too far from the other so when Jasper impressed Murphy with his bass skills at a frat party (impressively drunk, which was honestly a positive), Monty and his keyboard weren’t far behind.
From there, Clarke met Bellamy Blake and they danced around their will-they-or-won’t-they routine for a couple of semesters but Murphy really couldn’t have cared less what they did. As long as Bellamy can still play his guitar.
Nathan Miller was an obvious choice for drums with the way he rattled his pens around during the Intro to Critical Analysis class Clarke and Murphy shared with him.
What started off as more of a joke than anything turned serious somewhere between practices in Bellamy’s garage and Clarke sketching up concept logos. Arkadia was born, named after their college city and a reminder of where they came from.
Right this second though, Murphy didn’t really care where they came from. He just wanted to sleep in his own bed for the first time in months.
He felt almost giddy at the fact that he’d be doing just that in just one single flight.
”What the fuck do you mean, all cancelled?”
Standing in a shitty airport in the middle of the Midwest, Murphy really didn’t care he was drawing attention to himself by yelling. Clarke, Bellamy, Monty and Jasper seemed to, however.
“It’s pretty self explanatory, Murphy. Now keep your voice down.” Clarke leveled a glare at him. “No need to get pissed at me about it. I don’t control the weather.”
Bellamy matched Clarke with a withering stare of his own before slinging an arm around the girl, and Murphy felt himself shrinking into his boots. They really could be scary when they wanted to; probably why they made such a good couple. Murphy shudders to think what they’re like in bed.
“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Do they have any idea of when the next flight out will be?” Not that he really had anywhere to be (other than his bed). Sure, it was almost Christmas but his family was six feet under either way you put it; under the dirt or under a mountain of booze.
Clarke shook her head, “They said this storm is really bad, like, freak storm level. Nate’s checking for a hotel right now and we can check tomorrow.”
As if on cue, Miller came jogging over to the group.
“Uhh… I didn’t really have any… luck.” He winced. “Seems like everyone else had this idea before us, and it’s not like there are many hotel options here.”
“Oh that’s just great,” Murphy’s voice threatened to break free of it’s inside voice prison again. “We’re like the Virgin fucking Marys of Ohio. Well, at least Jasper is.”
“Hey!” Monty (surprisingly) piped up. Which, okay… Maybe those lingering looks and playful touches between the two men weren’t Murphy’s imagination.
Silence overtook the group, all looking around in horror at the dirty airport floors that might very well be their bed for the night.
Monty pulled out his cell and began typing away, smiling a little when it let out a cheerful ding.
“I may have a solution for the night,” he says, holding the screen out for the group to see.
Monty
Hey again Raven! I know this is weird but you don’t happen to know if there are any hotel vacancies in Polis, do you?
Raven
Hey— uh I’m sure there is? Polis is a shit hole.
Murphy snorts, “You want us to go to the shit hole?”
Miller let’s out a laugh, and even Clarke has a slight smile on her face.
“This shit hole or that shit hole Murphy, pick your poison. It’s only a half an hour drive from here. We can rent a van from the airport.”
Murphy looked around for a quick confirmation with the group, receiving various nods and shrugs in response.
“Well Joseph,” Murphy says, clapping Monty on the shoulder, “I think you found our stable. Come on Mary!” The wink he sent Jasper resulted in the most obnoxious blush. That was going to be fun.
After a thirty minute car ride that really took about sixty because of the snow, they managed to find the sole Holiday Inn.
Booking three rooms was a breeze, it really was a bit of a ghost town. Clarke, ever the micro-manager, handed out the key cards. Perhaps Murphy was a bit unsubtle about volunteering to room with Miller rather than his usual Jasper, but no one said anything.
Settling into their room, Murphy fell face down into the first bed leaving the one by the window to Miller. Within minutes Murphy was dozing off, the post-show exhausting catching up to him.
However, he jolted awake when his phone began vibrating like crazy.
New Group: 7 People
Green (not that kind)
Raven! Thought I’d get us all together to say thanks for the heads up. We are safe in Sanctum. 💚
Maybe: Raven
that’s great! any chance you’ll be around for a quick hang tomorrow? i don’t work weekends
Momager Griffin
We have to check with the airport tomorrow if flights are back on, but with the current weather report I’m sure we will be around for a while longer.
This is Clarke by the way!
Bellboy
Bellamy Blake. I’ve heard good things about you Raven. 🤗
J.J.
i’m jasper, pleased to make your acquaintance
Maybe: Raven
ha ha, jasper. i’ve missed your annoying ass
Murphy
this is murphy. if you remember
the other number is miller, but i don’t think you’ll be hearing much of him tonight
Momager Clarke
He’s already asleep? It’s 9:37pm…
Green (not that kind)
Why are you even surprised?
Maybe: Raven
murphy, of course i remember you
but i’ll let you all sleep. text me in the morning if you are up for a visit. i could show you all the attractions of sanctum. it’ll take like 10 minutes lol
then you can tell me about your tour 😊
Murphy watches his phone as his friends sent out their good nights, but none of the words really sunk in. He was too busy fixating on what was said before that.
Murphy, of course I remember you.
Of course.
The next morning the snow was holding steady in the town over, so Raven invited them out to a local breakfast joint, Costia’s. It was small and homey, and decorated to the nines for the holidays.
It seemed like the entirety of Sanctum was, and it brought out a sense of warmness that Murphy didn’t even know he could feel. It was like stepping into a Hallmark movie.
Though none of that could compare to the way seeing Raven again made him feel. She was even more beautiful than his memory (and Instagram stalking) could recall. She was sitting right next to him and her hair was down, which was the first time he’d seen it that way and he had to fight the urge not to reach out and touch it.
Good lord he was going brain dead. The cheesy holiday music playing from the sound system was turning him insane.
“So, other than the lighting, how was the rest of the show?” Raven asks the band.
“Oh so good, Ray,” Jasper enthusiastically outlines the show, and all of the ones that came before it. “You gotta come to one someday.”
“Trust me,” Miller interjects, “We’re a lot better than we were in college.”
“Hell, you should just join us. We’d love to have your techie brain on the road.” Jasper says.
“You know I’d love that,” Raven replies. “But you know Sinclair. I’d hate to leave him.”
“Sinclair?” Murphy finds himself asking. He didn’t know much about Raven, and she was pretty private on her social media. He hopes against hope that it isn’t a boyfriend.
“My foster dad. He owns the machine shop I’ve been working at.” Raven replies with a shy smile. “I’d love to get out of here someday, actually put my degree to use, or travel the world. I’d really take anything at this point. I just would feel bad leaving him, you know?”
“You can’t think like that. You’ve got a life to live, your own life.” Clarke interjects. She doesn’t elaborate, but Murphy knows all too well how close to home this topic hits for her.
Monty looks thoughtful, taking a sip of his coffee before speaking. “I know this all sounds crazy, but we really would love to have you. I feel like I text you enough about all our technical issues, you already are a part of the team. Just think it over.”
“We have a show on New Year’s Eve on the West Coast. I bet it would be a hell of a lot more fun than whatever people do here,” Miller says. “No offence.”
“None taken,” Raven laughs. “Now, I think I promised you sight seeing.”
It really did only take about ten minutes.
“Here is where the Farmer’s Market takes place during the holidays. I have a little booth down there, I already set it up for this afternoon.”
Walking into a small but clearly updated barn, they reach the table in question. It was covered in little metal sculptures, all sorts of shapes and animals.
“My… uh, a friend of mine used to make these for me all the time. He passed away a few years ago and I guess it just helps me feel close to him.”
“That’s really beautiful. These are great.” Murphy says to her, genuine awe seeping through his words. The resulting smile she gives him sends an entire colony of butterflies through his stomach. The others echo his sentiments, Monty squeezes her arm in a knowing way. There must be a story there, but Murphy didn’t want to pry.
“Anyway, enough about that… emotional stuff. Have you heard from the airport at all?”
Bellamy and Clarke share a look, more of their weirdo brand of telepathy before Bellamy speaks. “They’re thinking Monday at the latest. Sorry guys, looks like we are stuck here for a bit longer.”
“Shit,” Raven agrees. “On the bright side, you’ll be here for the tree lighting! It’s being set up by yours truly this year.”
“Oh man, I hope that doesn’t mean it’ll explode or something,” jokes Jasper. “I remember what a little pyro you can be.”
“Hey! You’re the ones asking me to come work with you.” Raven sticks her tongue out at Jasper. “Which… I’ve been doing some thinking. Maybe I could come for the New Year’s Eve show? As a trial run? I know Sinclair would give me the time off.”
“Really?” Monty runs up to hug Raven. “That would be awesome Ray.”
“I will talk to him tonight. He’ll also be at the lighting tonight so… Now would be the time to make a good impression on him.”
“Meeting the parents?” Murphy jokes, “Jeez, take me to dinner first.”
“Maybe I will.” There she goes again, saying something so blunt it nearly knocks him off his feet.
From the look Jasper is giving him, Murphy is definitely not being very subtle about his reactions to the girl. Touché, since Murphy had been teasing Jasper and Monty all day long.
“Anyway!” Miller loudly interrupts, “If we have a big night ahead of us, why don’t we get back to the hotel and recharge.”
“Come on guys, Miller needs his nap. You know he gets cranky when we miss it.” Bellamy laughs.
Murphy felt claustrophobic in the sweater Bellamy lent to him. Something about making a good first impression, and bagging t-shirts not being that. It was itchy around his neck and Clarke kept having to swat at his hands to keep him from tugging at it.
“We’re going to go get some eggnog, do you want any?” She asks him.
“God no. That shit is horrible.” Murphy replies. “I might just… check out Raven’s booth.”
“Oh her booth? Is that all, Murph?” Bellamy laughs at Clarke’s comment, and Murphy gives them both the finger as he walks away.
So maybe he really wasn’t very subtle.
“Remember to impress Sinclair when you see him. Think about our game plan!” Bellamy shouts after him
He hovers around Raven’s booth a while, waiting for a lull in the crowd to go up to her.
“Hey, Raven. Thought I’d check out how business is doing.”
“Hi Murphy,” Raven smiles at him, and Murphy was sure that the tree lighting would have nothing against that damn smile. “It’s going good! See anything you like? Friends and family discount.”
Murphy took a quick glance at the small figurines.
“I’ll uh, I’ll take this one. It’s nice.” Murphy holds up a small bird.
“The raven? I have to say, it’s a good choice.”
Murphy blushes. “I didn’t know it was— Not that it’s not the one I want— I just… yeah.”
Raven’s smile turns into a smirk, and Murphy knows that she was pulling his chain on purpose.
“Heads up! He’s coming.” She suddenly announces.
Sure enough, a man approaches. His face brightens when he sees Raven, and Murphy already knows at least they will agree on one thing. Maybe this meeting wouldn’t be so scary after all.
“Sinclair! There you are.” She greets him with a quick hug. “This is Murphy, lead singer of the band I was telling you about. This is Jacapo Sinclair, my dad.”
Sinclair holds his hand out for Murphy to shake, and he is shocked at the firm grip.
“Hello Sir, I’ve heard all about you.” He hasn’t, but it seemed like the polite thing to say.
“And I’ve heard much about you too,” Sinclair sends Raven an unreadable look, and she slaps his arm. “I hear you want to steal my Raven away?”
“I— Oh okay we’re getting right into this.” Murphy stutters. “It’s just for the one show, we’d just really like for it to go well and Raven, well, you know Raven—“
“Yes, I do know Raven.”
“— Is the best there is and it would be really nice for Jasper and Monty to reconnect with her I think.”
“Son. Slow down.” Sinclair laughs. “I already told her she should go. She’s a grown woman! She can make her own decisions.” He says, pointedly at Raven, “Besides, I think I can handle the mechanic shop by myself for a while. It’s not like I haven’t before.”
“Oh. Oh! That’s great, you get to come!” Murphy’s arm surprises himself by wrapping themselves around Raven’s shoulders, and he’s even more surprised when Raven returns the favour.
“Oh shoot,” Raven exclaims, “The lighting is supposed to start soon. I’ll be right back!” Then she is off like a rocket.
“I’ll just… go find the rest of the band, Sir.” Murphy awkwardly points into the growing crowd.
“We’ll talk more later. Take care of my girl, but we both know she needs to spread her wings.” Sinclair points towards the small metal bird Murphy forgot he still had in his hand.
Murphy found Jasper, Monty, Clarke, Bellamy and Miller near the front of the crowd, near Raven and the tree.
A man who introduced himself as Lincoln made a speech that Murphy really didn’t pay attention to. Stuff about good cheer and warm wishes, garden variety holiday stuff. Murphy was too busy looking over at Raven, and watching the excitement in her eyes.
She looked over at the band and they all gave her a thumbs up, and then it was time to turn it on.
From bottom to top, the lights shone brightly, flickering to the beat of the Christmas song wafting from the speakers above.
It was beautiful, and Jasper couldn’t keep his awe in, “Wow… that’s, like, really pretty.”
Raven met Murphy’s eyes, and gave him another smile (how he wasn’t a puddle of mush at this point, he wasn’t sure). “Yeah,” Murphy agreed.
Raven walked over, a skip in her step. “So, was that enough for my resume? Will you all have me?”
“Wait!” Clarke exclaimed. “You’re going to come?”
“Yeah, I think I will. Just on a trial basis for now, but consider me the official techie for Arkadia: best band currently in the Ohio region.”
“Hell yeah!” Miller shouted, drawing a few odd looks from the crowd. Though their attention was drawn back to Lincoln when he spoke to the mass again.
“Thanks for coming out everyone! I have a few more parting words, though I’d suggest you all look up first.”
On cue, the crowd all slowly looked up and up and up.
High on the rafters, were countless springs of mistletoe. Miller let out a laugh, and covered his mouth. “You all know I’m taken, Bryan would kick your asses.”
Clarke and Bellamy smiled their way into a kiss, sickeningly sweet.
Jasper and Monty both looked at each other for half a second before Monty let out a quick “Fuck it, Murphy already figured it out.” before grabbing Jasper’s neck and pulling to his lips.
Bellamy, Clarke and Miller all broke out into shocked laughs and hollers, and Murphy shook his head at the whole affair.
He jumped when he felt a quick kiss land on his cheek. Looking over, he smiled when he saw Raven on her tip-toes.
She mused his hair a bit, “Maybe it’s a bit too early for planning, but how about a real one on New Year’s?”
Murphy let out a surprised laugh, and nodded his head.
Okay, maybe this was better than sleeping in his own bed.