Work Text:
Big bold letters, plastered on the walls of the club, stared back at Lilia’s eyes. The words were shimmering in the dark, illuminated by the neon lights that flashed to the beat. They were only plain blue on the black-base posters, but something about the way that the green and purple and orange pulsing LEDs shined that made the words seem to change colors and glow.
Friday! SHROUD.
Saturday! SURPRISE PERFORMER.
NO TICKET PURCHASE NECESSARY!
Club entry fees apply.
Malleus and Sebek had begged, practically on their hands and knees, to go to a nightclub. Malleus was asking because he just loves nightlife. Meanwhile, Sebek was asking because he didn’t want Malleus to try to sneak off alone.
“We’ve done so good at our gigs these last few weeks!” Sebek had cried, hands clasped and face red. “We deserve a night of jubilation! Especially Malleus, for working so hard!”
“But we have another gig tomorrow !” Lilia cried, exasperated. “We can’t exhaust ourselves like that! And if Silver loses his voice! What then?!”
“I just want to dance.” Malleus was giving Lilia those big eyes, the puppy dog eyes, the eyes that always worked on him.
Lilia had no will to deny either of them. He crossed his arms and let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. But if we’re going, I get to choose where.”
So he chose the very club where their gig was going to be tomorrow. It was to prove a point, if nothing else. It was supposed to be a reminder to go easy tonight, to remember to go to bed early, and to not burn yourself out.
As if they would listen to that. The whole group was lost to the hivemind of the dance floor. And now Lilia was two shots in, staring at the posters on the walls and wondering what kind of club would book an anime happy hardcore DJ the night before a goth rock vampire band.
“This place is weird.” He muttered to himself. He turned around and looked at the sweaty, drunk crowd moving on the dance floor in front of the stage. The audience moved as one being - flowing back and forth like splashing water, pulsing like a heartbeat. Their mouths are all moving, but there isn’t a single sound that Lilia can hear over the bass. Everything anyone could say would get lost in the music, eaten by the big blue skull hologram projected on the stage.
The only vaguely quiet spot in the room was the bar, where Lilia found himself gravitating all night. Usually, he would be on the dancefloor with his three favorite people. Malleus was practically nocturnal, and Lilia loved dancing with him. Silver was always fun to be around, and Sebek was great when he finally relaxed. Lilia could keep up with them most days.
But right now, Lilia just wanted to hover in the corner and listen to the music as alcohol made his veins buzz.
“I’ll take another shot.” Lilia got on his tip-toes and leaned over the bar. “Just put it on the same tab.” He swayed to the music as the bartender brought over more Tito’s in a small neon pink glass. Lilia hit it back and grimaced as it burned through his throat. He stood for a moment and just looked down at the empty glass and tapped his bat-shaped rings against it.
Time felt a little too slow.
He slid the shot glass across the resin countertop and watched it skid to a halt right as the beat of the song changed. He slumped his shoulders and let out a dramatic sigh that no one could hear.
He just wanted to get on stage tomorrow already. Being at the venue made him itch to entertain. It didn’t feel worth it to waste his time here. He was never a fan of waiting, never the most patient person. Plus his jeans were too tight, his shirt was stuck to his back from the heat of the club. He didn't feel right being in the audience. He even considered taxiing out of there early and going to bed just to make the time go by faster.
That was until something finally caught and held his attention.
Some one caught and held his attention.
Some random guy, in a huge jacket and a glowing blue gas mask, hunched over himself at the bar, silhouetted by the flashing lights. That’s what woke Lilia up.
He was playing on an iPad, the game a series of weird buttons and sliders and faded colors. Lilia found himself drawn closer to that side bar the more he looked at this man, the only person to stand out of the entire crowd - both because of his anti-social demeanor and also because of his blue hair that cascaded in a home-cut mullet down to the backs of his knees, nearly dragging on the floor. That must have taken years of scene kid dedication. His roots were dark blonde and peeked out in certain spots, like he couldn’t have cared to apply the dye correctly however long ago he had done his hair. Something about the lackadaisical haphazardness of the hair mixed with the obvious and harsh distaste for being in public made Lilia want to know everything about him.
This was a guy that could totally ruin Lilia’s life, and he would let him.
And realistically, Lilia would never see him again. Which meant this was a great risk-success ratio for Lilia to make an utter fool of himself with minimal shame.
Weighing his options in his head quickly meant he was walking over before he realized it. His body was leading his brain. So Lilia decided to be bold. It’s what Malleus would want for him. Also, quite honestly, what else was there for him to do? Embarrassing himself in front of a hot punk guy would at least pass the time.
He tapped the shoulder of the stranger. He turned with a start, not expecting to be bothered at all - let alone by a short gothic boy so eager to infiltrate his personal space.
Lilia waved. “Not into the whole club thing?” He spoke over the music.
The guy looked blankly back. He was being swallowed by the hoodie he was wearing.
Lilia pointed up to the blue skull hologram on the stage behind them. “You only came for free music, yeah? That’s why you’re hiding over here.”
He hesitated, but he nodded. He looked very eager to get back to his iPad, eyes shifting back to the screen every few moments. Whatever complicated game he was playing must require constant care.
But Lilia kept talking. This boy was too pretty for him to stop talking. The vodka in his head wouldn’t let him. “I know the feeling. I used to do the same thing. I got used to the party part after a while though. It grows on you.”
No response. He turned to tap a few buttons on his screen. But his eyes stayed on Lilia, which he took as a wonderful sign that his annoying method of forcing conversation was working.
“So you’re a Shroud fan?” Lilia clambered up into a barstool a bit too tall for him. His feet dangled far above the ground, and he happily tapped them against the LED front of the bar to the beat. “I listen to him sometimes. He’s big on the happy hardcore circuit because of the whole faceless thing, right? Crazy. I don’t get the whole faceless hype. He’s probably just a super normal guy who could be, like, anyone here.”
The guy nodded. Lilia could have sworn he looked amused for half a second.
“I don’t listen to a lot of happy hardcore though. If I’m going electronic, I go hyperpop.”
The guy looked at his iPad and started to fiddle with more of his game. His shoulders were turned a bit more towards Lilia as he did so, but the fear of the conversation slipping was thick in Lilia’s mind.
“He’s better than I thought he would be live. Even if he’s like, totally not actually here.” Lilia said. “If you want to hear real music, though, you should stick around for my show here tomorrow. I’m in a band.” He usually never pulled this card. It felt dirty to use Malleus’ passion project to boost his dating life. But this guy wasn’t budging, and he was gorgeous. Even with half his face covered, it was obvious that he wasn’t just some random ravehead. And Lilia was just drunk enough to get a little too confident.
Or a little too cocky. Depends on who you ask.
The guy rolled his eyes.
“Look, I’m sure most people that are ‘in a band’ aren’t actually. But I promise you that if you come here tomorrow at nine, you won’t be disappointed.”
They stared at each other.
Lilia pouted. “I promise.”
He held up nine fingers, nails painted with clipped black and blue polish.
Lilia nodded. “Nine. I’ll see you there.” His face glowed with satisfaction.
That’s when Lilia noticed that the pulsing music around them had started to change a bit. There was a faster, higher pitched edge to the whole thing. The beats were a little less consistent. Everything was sharper, more disjointed, but still fun. The crowd seemed to love it, and Lilia did too.
The blue haired guy’s eyes shifted to the front. He had noticed the change too. He moved something on his iPad, then looked at Lilia expectantly. Like he was waiting for more of his drunk commentary.
It made Lilia’s already alcohol-flushed body even more warm. “See, that’s what I’m talking about. This is more my style.”
The guy smiled, just a little. Lilia could see the way his cheeks moved under the gas mask. It didn’t fully reach his eyes, but the point still stood.
“So, tomorrow. Tell the bouncer that you’re with the band. Come meet me backstage after the show.” Lilia grinned. “And don’t look up anything before you get here. I want our music to be a surprise.”
He gave Lilia a hesitant thumbs up.
“Cool. I’ll leave you alone to play your game now. I hope you win!” Lilia gave him a tiny wave before jumping off the barstool and quickly scurrying into the crowd to find Malleus. His adrenaline carried him through the sea of people, giving him the strength to push people out of the way and weave through couples grinding on each other until he finally ran into his friend.
“Malleus!” He cried. He got on his toes and Malleus leaned down, allowing the shorter one to speak directly into his ear. “You’re going to be so proud of me. I talked to a cute guy.”
Malleus smirked and turned to Lilia’s ear. “I am proud of you.” He chuckled. “Glad we came?”
Lilia punched him on the shoulder. He still wanted to go home, honestly. But now it wasn’t so much because he felt lonely or annoyed or like he was wasting time. Now, it was because he wanted to go to bed and get to tomorrow as fast as possible. He wanted another excuse to talk to that guy again.
He wanted to get on stage already and show off for him.