Chapter Text
Raucous laughter filled the hall as the group of boys piled out of the club room, minor celebration fuelling their unabashed joy. Halfway to the exit, the leader of the misfit gang halted, frantically running his hands around his body, checking each and every pocket available in his ensemble. With a dramatic apology and farewell, followed by a bow and flourish, he spun and began sauntering back down the halls towards the room he’d spent the last few hours in. His footsteps filled the space, dirty white sneakers squeaking on the waxed floors. Without the energy and noise provided by the members of the Hellfire Club bouncing off the walls, the school seemed lonelier than ever.
As he got closer to his destination, music swept through the halls, familiarity tickling his senses. He raced into the clubroom, retrieved his abandoned notebook, and returned his attention to the recognisable chords of Aerosmith dancing around the hallway. Following the notes like breadcrumbs, he found himself outside a music room watching the solitary musician lose themselves in the music they made. He recognised the song as Dream On and fought to restrain his giddiness and the prospect of befriending such a talented musician; playing any kind of rock couldn’t be an easy feat when your instrument of choice was a violin.
His hand hovered a hairs breadth from the door as he noticed smaller details about you: the band-aids and bruises that decorated your hands – a map of determination and skill showing on your skin – to the tears that wound their way down your soft cheeks and the crease that had made its home between your brows, pulling up behind your caramel bangs. He could see that you didn’t look well even through the smudged and dirty glass of the window. The moment he resolved to enter the room and introduce himself, a sour note sent a shock running along his spine. All hesitation vanished as you started to sway, a paleness overtaking your features as gravity started to pull you to the ground. Before you could make friends with the waxy linoleum floors, the infamous leader of the Hellfire Club spurred himself to action, catching you and your precious instrument with remarkable ease. With the utmost care, he guided you toward the nearest wall; making sure you weren’t going to continue your losing battle with gravity before he returned your violin and bow to their care with the same care that one would a baby.
Concern laced his features as he turned back to you, stirring a jarring mixture of clam and confusion within you. He crouched in front of you, long wavy hair draping over his shoulders and chest, the bright logo of the Hellfire Club drawing your attention away from his face and giving you a welcome reprieve from the feeling winding their way through your chest and the intense gaze of your saviour.
“So, you normally play til you drop or was this a special occasion?” he kept his voice light, testing the waters. Last thing he wanted to do was startle you and leave you in worse shape than you already were.
“I’m fine, long day or something like that,” the lie was obvious to both of you, unconvincing in its delivery, “so sorry if I worried you. Please feel free to go back to whatever it was you were doing before,” a smile spread across your lips, but it stopped there, “I don’t want to waste anymore of your time than I already have.”
Shifting to your knees, you used the wall behind you to support yourself as you attempted to convince the charming stranger you were okay now.
“You, my dear, are far from a waste of time. I’ve never met a lady who plays Aerosmith quite so well, especially on a violin.” He rested his elbows on his knees, his hands supporting his head as he gazed up at you, awe, and something else dancing over his delicate features. Heat spread up your neck and across your face, mortified that he’d heard your little passion project. God, what if your parents found out, you’d be dead for sure.
“I, uh, I don’t…please don’t tell anyone,” Panic pulled at your lips, teeth finding purchase in the supple skin. Why fear crept its way into your expression, he didn’t know, but he couldn’t in good conscience let such a beautiful lady tear way at her lips. Ever so gently he rested his hand on her warm cheek, using his thumb to pull her lip from her teeth as he looked down at her from his full height.
“I saw a lovely maiden in need of some assistance,” the smile that graced his feature was soft, warm, and oh so welcome in her panicked state, “I’m just the lucky adventurer who happened to be around to save the maiden.”
Voice barely above a whisper, you expressed your gratitude, “You’re a regular knight in shining armour, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t saved my violin. My parents would kill me if I’d broken it.”
Tears rolled down your face as your knight held your hands in his free one. Thumb tracing a soothing arc over your cheekbone as he peppered barely there kisses along the tender knuckles of your trembling hands.
“Hey, it’s gonna be okay, okay? There’s no need for such a beautiful face to look so sad.”
You dropped you face to the floor, his hand tangling in your messy half-up half-down hair as your shoulders started shaking with barely restrained sobs. His other arm wrapped around your back, pulling you into his chest as his comforting warmth enveloped you. He smelt like cigarettes, weed, and cinnamon. Despite the unlikely combination, you found a sense of comfort in the cloying scent.
“Can I help a sweet girl get home, hmm?” the rough timbre of his voice sent pleasant warmth streaking through your chest and down your spine, “couldn’t bear to think about you getting hurt on your way home, especially after what I just saw, alright.”
“C-can’t go h-home.”
Silver darted across your vision as he gently lifted your face towards his own. A single eyebrow raised as he tilted his head to the side, studying your face as his eyes danced around your face, concern once more playing along his features.
“My, my parents are out of town for a few days you see, and I forgot to get the house key from them this morning before I left. Because I’m useless right? I totally forgot about it because I was running late, and I overslept, and I ran out before they could give it to me. I really can’t do anything right, completely, and utterly useless…” words melted together as they rushed from your lips until soft shushes and a surprisingly soft hand covered your mouth to stop your panicked words before they got to be too much.
“Look doll, I know you don’t know me from a bar of soap, but you’re welcome to crash at mine, just til your folks get back, yeah?” your head was nodding assent before you brain caught up to his words, his earnest expression offering comfort and assurance once more, “name’s Eddie by the way.”
You offered your name with a shy smile, glad to know the name of your unexpected saviour.
“Thank you, Eddie. I don’t think anyone has ever been this nice to me,” you tucked a few loose strands of hair behind your ear as the man in question picked up your violin case and backpack, bowing as he beckoned you toward the door.
“I simply refuse to believe that my dear. Let’s go, your chariot awaits and if I stay in school a moment longer, I swear I will break out in hives.” A giggle tumbled from your lips at his mock seriousness, some of your earlier panic melting away in the face of such an enigmatic character.