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Wilbur felt his chest heave as he peaked from backstage and watched the sizable audience wander out of the club. The audience wasn't all there for them of course but they did have quite a few people who made their way over to listen. And for a small band that was practically unheard of he considered that a total win.
"That was fucking amazing" he turned back to the rest of the band, grin wide as Jared spoke.
"I know. They liked us! I'm pretty sure some people were recording!" He cheered, unable to calm down as he heard his own heavy breathing and heartbeat. It was such an adrenaline rush to have people like them that much.
"Fuck, if people were recording then we'll be playing in better places than this craphole before we know it" Jared added, smiling as James patted his shoulder. Wilbur only gave a fond eye roll at the way fame was going to his head before they even got it. "We'll be getting paid the big bucks instead of begging people to let us play. People will be screaming our names!" He continued. "And the babes" he added, eyes shining. It was almost cute how excited the man was.
"Oh yeah, all the babes," Wilbur agreed with a small chuckle as he peeked out the curtains once more. The club cleared out quick, with even the bartenders and bouncers heading out. He made a small noise, feeling content with the night. "We better get cleaning, you have the closet key, right James?" He asked, taking one of the water bottles from his bag. James nodded, quickly fishing the janitor's closet key from his pocket.
The clubs janitor was on medical leave and all the workers had been pitching in extra to clean up a bit till some dumb teen took the temporary job. Wilbur and his band had only secured this gig by agreeing to clean the place up after and relieve the overworked crew for the night. Everyone but Wilbur was reluctant to take such a deal but they needed it so they did.
"Let's get started lads. I wanna get home and fucking sleep for a million years" Wilbur sighed. Jared only scoffed at the older man, arms crossed over his chest.
"Dude, did you not hear me? We're gonna be famous. Let's just blow this joint. Fuck the cleaning." Wilbur was quick to glare, hands on his hips like a disappointed mother. It was a stance he often took when arguing with the other man.
"Ugh, that's so like you" he grumbled. "We all agreed dude, and we can't risk fucking these people over. What if it takes a few more gigs here before we get big? What if we never get big" he pointed out, annoyed that he had to explain this shit to the man.
"If you're that worried, you clean. I'm gonna go shower" he explained simply. "You coming James?" He asked, and James just stared like a deer in the headlights. He glanced between Jared and Wilbur before sighing and reluctantly walking towards Jared. His expression screamed that he felt guilty and he really should have.
"I'm tired, Will. We can always find a different shit hole to play at" he reasoned, sounding more like he was talking himself into leaving. And he must have done a good job because they were gone in seconds, leaving Wilbur on his own. He sighed, rolling his eyes and going to the janitor's closet. Once he unlocked it he began setting up, putting a bag in the garbage can, pulling the mop and bucket out along with a spray bottle and some rags. After one more once over of the club's main floor he also grabbed a push broom and dust pan. He was in for a long night now that it was just him.
If it was all of them, they could get done in an hour and a half tops but he quickly shook that thought off. They had ditched him so there was no point in thinking about what it would be like if they hadn't. So with a clear head he began to clean, starting by dragging the bin around to collect any cups or wrappers thrown about on random tables as well as emptying the small garbage cans.
That part didn't take too long as the place wasn't massive, though he wouldn't go as far as to call it a shit hole like his friends had. Before he could get to sweeping a small tap on the entrance door caught his attention. It was a bit sad but there wasn't even a second where he thought his friends had come back to help, so he was pretty startled. He looked up to see a tall, thin man shivering in the cold, awkwardly waiting. Curiously he made his way over, pushing the door open slightly.
"Can I help you?" He asked, and if he was nervous it didnt show. The other man smiled politely.
"Hi, sorry.. I erm, left my wallet in the bathroom" he mumbled, cheeks flushing red in clear embarrassment. The bathroom was somewhere Wilbur had yet to begin cleaning, so he hadn't come across it. He nodded slightly, stepping to the side and letting the man step in out of the cold. Really he should have been more worried about letting a stranger in after closing but he figured most people don't politely knock when they go burgling.
"Go ahead" he shrugged, the blond heading straight back to the lavatory. After only a minute he returned, a simple brown wallet in hand and a bright smile on his face.
"Thanks so much.. You're the singer who performed tonight right?" He asked after a second of scanning Wilbur's face. Wilbur felt a little heat rise to his cheeks at the new feeling of being recognized. He could see why Jared and James were so quick to get big headed at their minor success.
"Yup. You enjoy the show?" He asked, wanting to soak in the feeling of slight fame. The blond was quick to nod, and an eager smile spread across his face.
"Oh yeah, you guys were great.. Did.. Did I interrupt you cleaning?" He asked after a moment, noting the large push broom in the man's hands.
"Yeah, in exchange for letting us play, the owner just wanted us to clean up a bit. Pretty good deal" he shrugged, and the blond gave a small nod of agreement. Though he glanced around tentatively after. It just seemed to be the singer.
"But it's just you?" He asked, hoping it didn't come out too awkwardly.
"Yeah, the guys somehow got mile high egos from one good show and ditched me" he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. Something like pity washed over the other man, and he did another once over of the club that was far from clean.
"Would you say no to a helping hand?" He asked after a moment of silent deliberation. Wilbur paused, raising a brow.
"That's a pretty kind offer, but I don't even know you.." He mumbled, making the blond snort.
"Hi, I'm Tommy. Please pass the disinfectant spray" he spoke, still keeping that overly energetic demeanor that Wilbur wished he could have. He paused, lips in a tight line as he considered it. It didn't take long for him to hand the bottle and rag over to the blond, mumbling his name in return. Tommy just took and as promised got right to work. Wilbur couldn't help watching every now and then, amazed that a stranger was being more of a help than his best friends had been.
"Thank you for this. You really didn't have to help" he eventually began speaking again, wanting to acknowledge the man who was wasting his free time so late at night. Tommy raised a brow at him, looking over his shoulder.
"Well I can't pretend my intentions are purely altruistic. I do wanna help but it's usually hard to find excuses to hang out with hot guys. So I kinda just took the opportunity that presented itself" he admitted, being very upfront. Wilbur wasn't used to people who laid their feelings out so clearly and he found himself blushing.
"You think I'm hot?" He questioned, feeling quite pleased with the easy nod Tommy offered. "Well, maybe I should take you to get some coffee tomorrow morning to say thank you for the help. And maybe my intentions wouldn't be very unselfish either. Just a good excuse to ask a cute guy out" he proposed, tone slightly teasing. Tommy bit back a grin as his cheeks flushed red.
"Well, for slightly unselfless reasons I'll have to accept" he answered with a shrug, wiping down the last table. Wilbur smirked, locking the janitor's closet back up and gently taking Tommy's hand.
"If you're comfortable with it you can crash at my place and we can go out for a late breakfast" he offered. Tommy let Wilbur lead him to the exit, heart thumping wildly at how well their hands fit together. Like two matching puzzle pieces.
"I think that would only work if you don't mind intense sleep cuddling. I'm a clinger" he warned in a joking manner.
"I was gonna take the couch to be a gentleman but that sounds way better." Wilbur laughed, locking the doors behind them and opening his passenger side door for Tommy. He was almost glad Jared and James had fucked off on their own.
His night ended much better than it would have with them there.