Work Text:
As the sun slowly sets behind the distant hills and begins to blanket the mostly empty auditorium in shadow, the backstage area is still bustling with life. Anti, the lead backstage technician is double-checking everything is in working order, meanwhile Marvin, the head costume designer, is last-minute sewing together outfits and snipping off any loose threads, while the rest of the band are either in their private rehearsal rooms or socializing in the kitchen over cups of coffee or tea and finger foods.
Jameson had just left the kitchen with his cup of tea in-hand and notebook tucked under his arm, retreating to his personal room with his name written on the door and a little hand-written note taped to the wood below his name that read;
“Please knock before entry! I will let you in when I am ready. Thank you!”
Awkwardly using his elbow to open the door, he managed to slip inside very discreetly and shut the door quietly with his foot behind him, immediately placing the half-drank mug on the dressing table beside the door, then taking a few steps forward before flopping face-first onto his messily made bed. Typically, the room isn’t in shambles like it is right now. Usually, it’s neat and tidy just like the man’s handwriting, but that wasn’t the case the past few days.
JJ had been a little stressed with his upcoming solo performance, scheduled in a week’s time. He’d been racking his creative mind for an original song to play on his keyboard for two days now, but he’d scrapped every idea as he felt something was missing, and he couldn’t figure out what it was no matter what he tried. Nothing was wrong with the instrument or his playing, but something was still lacking.
After the fifth time of writing sheet music and attempting to play it, finally giving up, he hunched over and dropped his head onto the keys, creating a cacophony of notes, chaotic and loud. He sighed, exhausted and defeated, just about ready to call it a night and try again in the morning.
– –
Meanwhile, Chase and Marvin had been working together on his outfit for the big day, and at last Marvin was happy with the look and allowed Chase to be free, so he could go socialize with the others or go back to his room, whatever he wanted to do. Marvin assured him the outfit would be all complete by the next morning, and Chase had full trust in him. Of course, there was no rush, but he knows how the magician prefers things to be organized and finalized early so it’s ready. He prepares for the worst case scenarios, and Chase has always been appreciative of that.
After saying his goodbyes to the rest of the band, he noticed one person in particular that had departed from the conversation early.
“Hey, Hen? Where’d JJ go? He left these behind so I thought I’d go give ‘em back,” Chase asked the second-in-command project manager, holding Jameson’s earphones and his spare pencil.
“Ah, right. JJ went back to his room,” Henrik replied, turning to face Chase. He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice, “he looked exhausted, so maybe paying him a visit is a good idea.” He smiled, then straightened up and patted his good friend on the shoulder heartily.
Chase nodded, muttering a quiet “thanks,” returning a warm smile before turning and walking in the direction of the mute ones’ room, clearly on a mission.
Halfway down the narrow hallway, the disturbing sound of notes clashing with one another rang through his ears. As he stood in front of JJ’s door, he knew it had come from his room for two reasons; 1. Henrik is the only other person that plays a keyboard-type instrument, and 2. the noise reverberated off the thin walls, though it was muffled by the heavy wooden door.
Chase cleared his throat, then knocked on the door rhythmically, mimicking the tune of Charlie Chaplin’s theme song.
“Hellooo? JJ, you in there?”
– –
Jameson’s head shot up at the sound of the familiar knock and voice, and a tired smile grew on his face as he rolled off the bed and made his way over to the door with a tiny bounce in his step. He already knew who was at the door from the knock alone, and he copied the knock before swinging it open. He waved a welcoming hand to let Chase know he could come in, then closed the door behind him as he automatically went to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Hi! What brings you here?” JJ signed, leaning back against the door.
“Just visiting, checking up on you!” Chase shrugged, smiling, then he held out the items he collected from the kitchen. “Oh, also, you left these in the kitchen so I thought I’d bring them to you in case you needed them,” he explained, and JJ took the items, nodding gratefully. Chase then glanced over his shoulder at the messy state of the room, which he noted was unusual, “What’cha working on?”
JJ placed the items down on the dressing table beside him, then looked at Chase with a nervous kind of aura, picking at his sleeve before signing a reply. “Um.. attempting to compose my solo for next week. I can’t get the notes in the right order and something feels like it’s missing. I don’t know what, though.” He furrowed his brows in thought and slight frustration, but a tiny smile remained on the corner of his lips.
“Ooh, I see. Hence why there’s a bunch of crumpled up paper on the floor, hm?” Chase teased lightheartedly, which received a chuckle from his closest friend. “Want some help? It’s no use stressing about it, especially not now, you’ve still got a whole week to work on this!”
“You’d really do that? But.. don’t you have your own songs to write? I wouldn’t want to impede on your time–”
“Nonsense, J! I’m happy to help! That’s what I’m here for,” Chase winked playfully, reaching out his hands for JJ to take.
“Oh. Alright! A second opinion would be wonderful.” Jameson grinned, taking Chase’s hands and proceeding to be pulled onto the bed, sat beside the generous man, both of them laughing for a bit before switching into ‘work’ mode.
“What have you got so far, music man? Something jazzy, or bluesy, or.. something else entirely?” Chase asked casually, reaching over to slide the keyboard onto both their laps, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with the shorter blue-haired man.
JJ didn’t sign this time, instead, he used the keys to get his message across, playing a few notes to make a soft yet jolly-sounding tune. Definitely jazz. That style of music was his strong suit, but there were still elements missing that could make the tune into an actual song. He stopped playing, then looked at Chase and shrugged, a helpless expression on his face.
“Huh, okay. I get your point now.” Chase got a shoulder nudge for that, and they both giggled. “Whaatt? I can just tell it’s missing something, like you said! Hm..” He thought for a moment, this newfound feeling of determination overcoming him, looking around for an instrument he could utilize.
Ahah! Conveniently, an acoustic guitar was hung up on the wall beside him, so he reached up and grabbed it down, quickly tuning it to his liking and strumming a few chords to get a feel for the instrument. “This could work! Play that again, pretty please?”
Jameson watched Chase fiddle with the instrument, then he did as he was asked and played the same notes again. This time, Chase joined in with the guitar, trying to match the rhythm and add to what JJ played. It worked! The song was already starting to come together, little by little.
“I liked that! Clever idea, C. There’s still something missing, but we’re getting closer.” JJ smiled, pleased with the outcome of the keyboard and the guitar instrumental. Then, he slid his notebook over, flipped it open to a blank page, and began writing down a few lyrics just off the top of his head. “Could you.. try singing this while we play?”
Chase beamed at the request and nodded, readying himself to play and sing at the same time. It’s no easy task, but he’s kind of got it mastered as he’s so used to singing for people nowadays, it’s basically something he can do on autopilot.
After a brief countdown, the two began playing the same tune, and Chase began singing in time with the music, his smooth vocals dancing and melding with the notes perfectly. That was the missing piece! Not only the guitar, but the vocals!
“That’s it!” JJ signed and mouthed excitedly once they stopped playing, and Chase looked at him with a raised brow and smirk.
“.. What?”
“That’s what was missing! Your singing!” The mute one explained, his smile widening. “The guitar, too,” he added, somewhat shyly.
“Are you suggesting we turn your solo into a duet performance? Was this your master plan all along, JJ?” Chase chuckled, folding his arms and resting them on top of the guitar.
“I- I guess I am. Yes! Is that okay?” JJ blushed, looking at Chase with almost pleading eyes, whether he realized he was doing that or not.
“Of course! I’d love to perform a duet with you!” The taller one of the pair replied enthusiastically, moving the guitar to the side to reach forward and seize the opportunity to ruffle JJ’s fluffy hair, seeing as it was exposed since he wasn’t wearing his hat.
Jameson giggled and hugged Chase, nuzzling his head into his shoulder. That was his way of saying thank you and showing his appreciation and excitement. Of course Chase returned the gesture by wrapping his arms around the smaller one and squeezing slightly.
They stayed in a comfortable and warm embrace for a few seconds before getting back to working on their song together.
– – Fin. <3 – –