Work Text:
i.
Their schedule has been absolutely crazy. Less than twenty-four hours ago, they were in a completely different state. Now, they’re in the green room of the new venue, waiting to be called in for soundcheck.
Amanda, who’s been napping all day in the bus, is faced down on the couch to get even more sleep. Angela is seated on the floor right by the couch, plucking some notes on her guitar when she hears the click of a door unlocking and the flick of a lightswitch.
Courtney has come out of the restroom giggling like an idiot. Angela looks at them incredulously, wondering what’s got Courtney in such a mood.
“The fans think we’re a throuple,”
Amanda, who they’ve both assumed to be sleeping, shoots up from the couch. Angela stops her strumming.
“What?” they say at the same time.
“Yeah, look at this post” she hands them her phone as Amanda sits up and joins Angela on the floor. Courtney takes a seat on the couch.
It’s a screenshot from Reddit, its heading in bold letters - Are Courtney, Angela, and Amanda a throuple?
Amanda and Angela start giggling along with her as they start scrolling through the accompanying meme replies.
“Oh my god!” Angela practically yells and cackles at the same time. “This is so fucking funny.”
“Wait, we kinda are though!” Amanda says.
It devolves into madness from there. Almost immediately, Amanda grabs Angela’s arm and drags her to join Courtney on the couch.
Amanda puts on a high-pitched voice and leans towards her. “Hey boo, my girlfriend and I saw you from across the bar and we really dig your vibe…”
“Stop!” Courtney exclaims, and tries not to notice the feeling of blood rushing to her cheeks.
Angela transfers to Courtney’s other side and tucks a stray hair around Courtney’s ear, wraps an arm around them and lowers her voice “Yeah…can we buy you a drink, baby girl?”
Courtney pretends to think for a moment, looks between them and purses her lips. This is how they’re gonna play? She decides to match their energy. “Hmmmm sure, but only if we get to fuck.”
Angela and Amanda’s faces redden in surprise, and they lose it. They scatter across the room as they laugh in breathless delight.
Their laughter is interrupted by the crackling of an old PA system overhead which they think sounds a little like “ Angela Giarratana, Amanda Lehan-Canto, and Courtney Miller - report to the stage for soundcheck please.”
They rush to compose themselves, and wipe away the tears from laughter. It’s time for them to be the professional band they are.
They head to the stage. The moment having passed and completely forgotten.
ii.
They come home to their hotel room late.
And there’s only one bed.
Well, a queen sized bed where they could all reasonably fit. They requested a room with two queens and an extra bed. It would’ve been really nice if their team had fixed this earlier when they checked them in, but it’s fine. It’s fine. They’re all friends here.
Press day is exhausting. Eight hours putting on their best selves for the world? It’s fun until the questions start getting repetitive. It’s fun until they come across an interviewer who doesn’t know their deal.
At least some press outlets were kind enough to send them some bottles of champagne.
So, they drink.
They seat themselves on the bed, still in their clothes from press day. Amanda refills Angela and Courtney’s glasses once it looks like they’re nearly empty. They recount the day, and make fun of some stupid thing Angela said earlier and go way deep into it until it becomes an idea for their next song. Because that’s just how they are.
Soon enough, the bottles have been emptied. There’s a warmth in the room that wasn’t there before. The lighting in the room is low.
Angela has slowly been creeping into lying down the entire night. She’s alternated between placing her head on Amanda’s or Courtney’s shoulder until she’s eventually positioned herself with her head on Courtney’s lap and her legs on Amanda’s. She’s still holding her glass, which Amanda gently takes away from her.
“That cannot be comfortable.” Amanda shakes her head affectionately once she’s noticed the change.
Angela giggles a bit at that. “Nooooooo, it’s great. I love you guys so much.”
“That’s sweet, Ang, but you need to get up and really get ready for bed.” chides Courtney as they cradle Angela’s torso and lift her slightly from her back until she’s sitting. Amanda gently moves Angela’s legs to the floor.
Angela pouts at the loss of contact and from suddenly being forced to sit up.
“Ugh, you guys suck.” she whines.
“Didn’t you just say you loved us?” Amanda interjects.
“Actually? You’re both terrible.” she deadpans.
Angela decides that she might as well get ready for bed, and gets up. She pulls at her top as she slowly walks to the restroom, until it’s completely off and it’s only her bottoms and black lacy bra showing.
Amanda and Courtney’s mouths are agape as she disappears into the shower. Angela’s back is toned . She looks…
“She’s ridiculous.” Amanda mutters, mostly to herself, ignoring whatever the fuck her heart just did right then.
“Mhmmm, mhmm” is all Courtney can say as she distractedly moves to pull her sleep clothes, toothbrush, and skin care from her luggage.
(They settle into the bed once they’ve all freshened up. Amanda at the center, Courtney to her right and Angela to her left. Alcohol is still coursing through their veins, and they acutely feel how close they are to one another without touching.
It’s Courtney who gives in first. She nestles into Amanda and reaches across her to bring Angela in. Slowly, their arms pile on to each other as their legs do. It is warmth. It is comfort. It is the best feeling after such a long day. They fall asleep that way.
They don’t talk about it the next morning. Or ever.)
iii.
The kisses during shows start chaste enough - a few soft pecks on each others’ cheeks. It was their way of wrapping up a song, their way of telling one another that they did a good job, no matter what. And it makes the fans go crazy, which always makes for a great show.
They don’t know who started it but they’ve started to give each other kisses closer and closer to the mouth right before the show starts.
It becomes a ritual of sorts. As their opening act comes to the end of their set and the fan hype builds, the band waits in the wings with Amanda’s arms wrapped around the two of them. Before they walk on stage, Amanda would press her lips against Angela’s lips, and do the same to Courtney. Courtney and Angela would share a kiss right after. Their energy always felt at least ten times more electric whenever they did it. And they swear, it really made for better shows!
(It’s not the only time they kiss though.)
(Courtney and Angela are often left alone to get ready while Amanda’s in the bathroom focusing on her elaborate hair routine. Courtney really likes to do Angela’s make up, and Angela likes it when they do it for her.
The finishing touch - a transfer-proof matte lipstick so the lights and the sweat don’t melt it off too quickly. Courtney leans forward to kiss her sweetly.
“Just making sure. It won’t come off, I promise.”)
-
(One venue had a fully-stocked pantry which Amanda frequented the two days they played there. Courtney walks in, looking for something to snack on, just as Amanda finishes steeping some throat coat.
She gestures vaguely to the tea. “You want some?” Amanda asks, and Courtney nods.
She pours them a generous amount, and brings the cup to them. She places a hand on their shoulder and gives her a kiss for good measure. Made with love.)
-
(Amanda likes to nap before shows, and Angela is often close by, either cuddling with her or playing soft melodies on the guitar as it lulls her to sleep.
One afternoon, right before she falls asleep, Angela holds Amanda’s chin and brings it closer to her face as she presses her lips to hers. Angela gently strokes her hair as they separate.
“Good night, sleepyhead.” Angela whispers as Amanda drifts slowly to sleep.)
It’s only a matter of time before those kinds of kisses, the intimate ones that linger, end up in their shows.
It doesn’t need to mean anything if they don’t want it to.
(The fans take videos and they go viral. They’re never beating the throuple allegations.)
iv.
Their friend and iconic lesbian film director Heidi agrees to direct a music video for them. They met years ago when they were still doing gigs. Heidi attended almost every single one when she was still serving as a production assistant for small film studios, before her short films ever made rounds in the film festival circuit.
She wants it to be a true collaboration, and so they brainstorm ideas for the video together. She’s a great director. They end up sharing about everything that went into the creation of the album, and before they know it, they come away from the session with plans for a visual album instead of just one video.
She’s been taking notes this whole meeting, a margin of her notebook dedicated to a preliminary checklist of elements to fulfill her vision. She’s willing to adjust to anything that they say no to as she runs through each of them one by one to see which ones they’re cool with.
So far the points of decision and its results have been as follows: Going out of town? No. Tour has made them want to stay put for just a little while. Pyrotechnics? Absolutely yes. Angela was particularly excited about that one.
“So, let’s get on the topic of kissing. Yes? No?” Heidi sways from side to side trying to gauge their opinion. “Only for your shows?”
Amanda turns to Angela and Courtney who are seated on either side of her. They give her their nods of approval.
“Yup, all good. We can kiss.”
Heidi pumps her fist and is practically vibrating with excitement. “Yes! We’re gonna give the gays everything they want!” She gleefully places a check mark on that item.
“Next…I mean, I’d understand if you want it to be private with you three being together - but are sexy scenes okay for y’all?”
Heidi senses a slight shift in the energy of the room. She doesn’t really know what it is until the silence which felt far too long is interrupted by Angela.
“Excuse me.” Angela leans in, her voice a little low “Together?”
“Sexy?” Courtney adds, high-pitched, a little unhelpfully.
“I’m guessing that’s a no then.” Heidi immediately crosses out that item. She’s not gonna push for it if it’s not an immediate yes for them. And she kind of expects the matter to be put to rest right then and there.
“Yeah, kissing is fine. No sexy stuff.” Amanda continues the line of thought and gestures to the two of them as comically as she can muster in the moment. These guys? Ha! No way!
Heidi nods. “Oh, totally. That’s completely fine.”
Angela suddenly feels like she’s just caught up to what Heidi said. “Wait, did you just say we’re together? Like all three of us?”
“Oh, are you not? I kinda assumed since gig days that…” She sees the look of shock on their face and decides not to go down that path. “Anyway, glitter?”
Amanda, Courtney, and Angela are all too eager to change the topic. (Yes, glitter, obviously. Duh.)
It was one thing for fans to see it. But this whole time, their friend thought they….
If the drive back to their studio is quieter than usual, they’re all glad to leave it that way.
v.
Five years ago.
Amanda fumbles with the strap of her guitar backstage at open mic night. She signed up almost at the last minute for it, trying to push herself to put herself out there after a long break from performing.
The emcee calls her name to the stage. The club is dimly lit but she makes out a few familiar faces in the front row. Two of the female solo acts she met earlier today. Angela Giarratana and Courtney Miller. The only other women who’ve performed that night. She immediately feels a bit more at ease. She gives them a small wave and they wave back enthusiastically.
She plugs her guitar into the amp and plays a few notes.
“Hey.” she speaks into the mic and it’s immediately met with whoops and cheers from the two at front.
“Whoah! Thanks guys.” She starts to strum the first few notes for the first song of their first set “Okay hi. I’m Amanda Lehan-Canto. Haven’t been here in a while and it feels good to be back. Hope you’ll be nice to me.”
The strumming gets a little more aggressive. The people at the tech booth have to be geniuses because they decide that it’s the right moment to switch the lights from bright white to ones filtered in red. Her hair goes wild as she bobs her head to the beat. The crowd goes insane. It’s a spectacle she does not see, but feels. There’s no better start to her set that she could have asked for.
The song transitions into a more quiet rhythm as she starts to sing out the words of her first song. Its lyrics describe the feeling of drowning and trying to swim your way back to the shore. It’s a song that yearns for someone to please rescue them, to lift them up until they can breathe again. She throws a little wink in Courtney and Angela’s direction when she sings that line.
Courtney flushes. Angela is dazed. They each take a generous sip from their drinks, not daring to look away.
(They get together at the bar after Amanda’s set. There’s a lot of chatter as they point out the little details of each others’ set, every guitar riff, and every chord progression. Angela and Courtney express being moved by Amanda’s first song, and she shares what it was like when she wrote it. It becomes an exchange of vulnerabilities and little hugs of comfort in between.
As the night wears on, it becomes clear to them that whatever is happening now is special. They exchange numbers and socials, promising to meet again before open mic next week.)
vi.
They’re back to making music in Angela’s home studio months after their last record’s tour. They didn’t really have a goal in mind. All they wanted was to be together, get back in the habit of creating, and maybe something would emerge. It’s late in the afternoon when they realize that they have been working for four hours straight so they decide to call it a day and head to the living room.
Angela lingers by the hall as Amanda makes a beeline for the kitchen where she grabs all the necessary equipment to grind whole coffee beans and start the pourover process of brewing it. Angela knows after it’s done, that it will have sugar and milk perfectly proportioned to each of their liking.
Courtney settles comfortably into the couch and dials for pizza delivery. She watches as they make sure to give clear instructions on the right mix of toppings for each side, even though it’s likely a losing fight that will result in each of them manually removing the toppings they don’t like and giving them to those who do.
Angela doesn’t remember the last time her living space felt like this. Like home. But she knows the feeling in her chest in this moment is the same feeling she had while she was on tour. It’s the same feeling she’s had every single moment she’s spent with these two beautiful women together.
It hits her like the end of a solar eclipse. As the moon continues its orbit, and sunlight starts to filter back in, it’s a revelation to realize that the sun has been there all along.
She’s in love.