Chapter Text
Crowds of people filled the Monster Dome, waving banners of their favorite boys high above their heads. Some had Zeg. Some had Stripes. And some even had Crusher. But tonight, in the Monster Dome, was not a race. Tonight, it was a concert!
Whistling began and the lights of some began to dim, and the crowd began shushing each other as the three rising stars appeared on the platform. The blue boy moved forward and put his lips on the mic.
“ It’s some kind of love… ” And by his voice, a wave of cheers erupted from the audience. “ It’s some kind of fire… ” He looked up from the crowd and grinned through his glasses. “ I’m already up,” he took the mic from his stand. “ And you take me higher .”
He stepped aside as the tiger boy took center stage. “ You know I’m not wrong,” and like the previous boy, cheers were as loud as the audience could offer. “ You know I’m not lying ~” He combed his hair back and with that action, he revealed his Chesire-like grin, making the crowd go crazy. “ We do it better… we do it better. Yeah .” The lights dimmed before showing the boys on their spotlights once again.
Now, Zeg’s voice was highlighted. “ And I don’t mind if the world spins faster, the music’s louder,” the boys rotated so that he could be the one dancing and singing in the middle and the others dutifully supported him. “ The waves get stronger .” He shot a smile to the crowd and his fans screamed his name with all the energy they could muster. “I don't mind if the world spins faster, faster, faster.
The three stopped walking before the music picked up again. “ Just let me take you to a better place,” they sang, their voices syncing, and Crusher slid in to be the middle one again, leading the group in the dancing. “ I’m gonna make you kiss the sky tonight .”
“ Yeah, if you let me show the way,” people screamed in the audience and they made waves with their arms because applause wasn't enough for this beautiful performance. “ I’m so excited to see you excited!”
The boys continued their chorus and amazed the crowd with their choreography– swishing their hair, giving the crowd practiced smiles, and winking for the cute girls in the background. All in all, it was a perfect night. It was their perfect debut.
That was how Crusher, Stripes, and Zeg were known as the SCZ, the star pop band of Axle City.
That was two years ago.
“CRUSHER, give me that back!”
“Not if you give me back my watch first!”
“Children, children!” Zeg pushed orange and blue away from each other and made them sit down on the ground. “We can settle this in a civil manner…” He turned to Crusher and glared. “Crusher, give Stripes’s book back.”
“NO WAY!” Crusher replied, glaring at the tiger hybrid. The said hybrid growled back and was about to pounce but Zeg was able to hold him back. “I am not giving his fantasy-know-how if he isn't giving me back my watch!”
“Stripes!” Zeg commanded.
“That watch doesn't even work anymore!” Stripes defended, rolling his eyes. “Besides, I threw that old thing out–”
“You WHAT?!” Crusher was enraged.
“It doesn’t! WORK!” Stripes repeated.
“Even if it doesn't work, you shouldn't have touched what wasn't yours, Stripes!” Zeg scolded as he moved to prevent Crusher from strangling his friend.
Stripes rolled his eyes and said, “Crusher deserved it for eating the last cake Darry made for me. Besides, why were you keeping that piece of junk, anyway? It's worthless.”
“It was a gift,” Crusher growled, clenching his fists and looking down frantically as the situation slowly sank in with the blue-haired boy. He pushed himself out of Zeg’s arms and moved to turn away from his companions. “It was a gift… from someone special…”
Someone special indeed. It was a gift from a man with soft red and bouncy hair who waved greetings to him whenever they were side by side on the track. It was a gift from the person with the most beautiful ocean eyes that Crusher had just loved so much. It was a gift from a person with so much passion and compassion that his heart melts every time he smiles. Crusher was always so blessed to have him smile at him. That watch was a gift from someone he could not possibly have.
Stripes seemed to understand the gravity of who that watch was from and why Crusher kept it for so long. “O–Oh…” he spoke weakly. He got up from his seat on the floor and tried to reach out to his friend. “Crush–”
“Don’t bother…” Crusher hissed. He threw the book towards Stripes, which the boy successfully caught, then stomped to his room in the apartment.
When he was alone, he didn't bother turning on the lights as he slammed his door shut. He sighed and breathed in the sight of his dark and lonely room. He didn't like its scent. It was just his own and not with the mix of his subtle lavender scent from his detergent. It had been five months since he had the scent of lavender in his room.
His heart slowly ached as he dragged his feet to his bed and then flopped down on the soft mattress. He tried not to cry as he gripped on his newly washed sheets. Curse Zeg for being so nice and taking the time to wash his bedding. Before, the lavender scent was so faint. But now, it was not even there. It was just blueberry wasting his nostrils that it made Crusher long for his red-headed angel more. But unfortunately, he couldn't even call him “his” anymore.
Where did he go wrong?
He turned over his back and looked up at the ceiling above him. Even though there was no music, he could hear it. And softly, it sounded like, “ It’s just another night… And I’m staring at the moon… ” He reached out into the space as if he was reaching out for something. “I saw the shooting star and thought of you.”
He got up and grabbed the blue guitar by his bed. He strummed a few chords before he continued, “I sang a lullaby by the waterside… and knew if you were here, I’d sing for you.”
He put his glasses aside because he didn't want them to get foggy with the way he breathed. You know, he always thought Crusher’s glasses getting foggy were funny. He didn't know how Crusher got to win glasses with that much fog in his eyes. He would always wipe them for him after the races. Crusher thought it was stupid, but now, he missed it.
“ You’re on the other side, as the skyline splits in two… ” Crusher loved him. He loved him so much. How could he ever love this much again? He loved it when he would caress his cheek when he thought he wasn’t feeling well. He loved it when he would bring him chocolates during the most mundane events like winning the cake competition or after a concert. He loved it when he was the only one who would laugh at his dry jokes. “ Miles away from seeing you…”
He loved him. He loved Blaze.
“ But I can see the stars… From America…”
And he would never get him back.
Blaze couldn't look at him. He couldn't look at Crusher staring at him with a disbelieving look. “What?” the taller one asked. He gently held Blaze’s hands and asked, “What do you mean? A–Are you for real, right now?” Crushed hated the way he stuttered when he was trying to laugh it off like it was a joke.
“I’m sorry, Crusher…” Blaze whispered as he pulled his hands away from the glasses-wearing blue boy. “I just… I can't do this right now. I hope you forgive me for this someday, and maybe then, we could be friends again.” That was the last thing he said before Crushed let him walk away. Because ho w would he dare make such a perfect person stay with him?
“I wonder do you see them too…”
Crusher gripped the neck of the guitar weakly as his fingers strummed the last chord. He doesn't think he could continue singing this with his mind on Blaze. His mind was always on Blaze for more than five months now. The only thing he was publishing online were songs for the broken-hearted, which wasn't a good image for the SCZ.
That was very much apparent to the other two members of the group as they watched from the doorway Crusher mope.
Zeg sighed as he closed the door softly to Crusher’s room. He turned to his friend who looked guiltily at his companion’s display of post-break-up depression. “We have to do something,” Stripes muttered as his ears pinned on his head. “We can't just leave him like this…”
Just then, both of their phones dinged and they both reached out to see what was sent to them. Starla sent them a link to a digital poster about a rock band performing in Central Park tonight. What odd timing.
Zeg and Stripes turned to each other with a small grin on their faces.
Crusher didn't know what his friends brought him into. One thing, he was napping on his bed and the next, he was being ushered by Zeg and Stripes to get dressed to go out tonight. Go out for what? Crusher didn't know and he didn't like it one bit.
“Can you at least tell me where we’re going?!” Crusher yelled, trying to match the volume of his surroundings as people began to yell and cheer to the music around them. What was this? Rock? Crusher couldn't really see because he was blindfolded.
“Just trust us!” Stripes said energetically, bathing in the neon lights of the concert. Even though they weren't the ones performing, it was good to be in this setting.
Finally, Zeg allowed Crusher to take off the blindfold and Crusher quickly took it off to see himself to be in the front and center before the stage.
The lights began to dim and the electric guitar sound could be heard. The crowd cheered at just the hint of their signature music before hushing down when the lead guitarist began making his way to the mic. He had green poofy hair and turquoise eyes and he had his green shirt ripped off of its sleeves before putting on a black and netted long-sleeve.
He put a hand on the mic and began to sing. “Till death do us part… Once again, the crowd erupted in cheers. “ But we’re already past that phase.”
Crusher watched from below as the stage began to slowly light up, revealing the other band members.
The one on the keytar was tall and had blue hair. He had black face paint on while wearing a blue shirt and a jean jacket with its sleeves ripped off. It was a simple style but he made up for it with a necklace and a choker overlaying his neck and studded bracelets.
On the opposite side of the keytarist was the bassist playing its soft and steady tune as the singer sang, “This is a brand new start .” The bassist had his long hair up with purple stripes (dye?) going down along the orange. He had markings on his face that didn't look like face paint and strangely, he also looked like a tiger hybrid. He wore a sleeveless black long-sleeve turtle neck, and a spiked collar and bracelet. When he would stick his tongue out, a tongue piercing would shine in the light.
“ And I think I deserve some praise for the way that I aaaaaam~”
Lastly, the drummer. The drummer did well highlighting the important notes with the rest of the band as the singer sang on stage. “ Despite having overdosed, and ended up comatose–” The drummer had blue hair with an undercut and a wide grin as he banged to the music along with his sticks. He wore a black tank top and the same black netted long sleeve the lead guitarist wore only with more rips, and golden piercings lined his ears with one star dangling on his right ear.
“I don't give a daaaaaamn!” The singer sang, shooting glances at his guitar and at the crowd. Crusher had a feeling this singer wasn't really that used to be the center of attention, which was strange because he was the lead. Was he not? “I let my emotions go. Fuck being a sober hoe.”
The dancing picked up and people began pushing Crusher forward. The blue boy panicked and tried to find his friends but found them just enjoying it. What was wrong with him? Shouldn't he be enjoying this too?
The crowd began to sing along. “ This is the mantra! This is my life !” The singer grabbed the mic and began to bend it forward. “ You’re playing with now till the end of the night!”
Smoke slowly began to enter the stage as the singer began to raise his hands. “ Surrounded by fire! My passion ignites! I’m hitting up heaven and hell in helluva high!”
There was silence as the crowd let the music play. “ I’m addicted… To this feeling~” The singer was not singing alone now. “ Getting higher, than the ceiling.” They were both male and Crusher looked towards the stage to see whoever else was singing along.
The keytarist had his mouth shut and only focused on his instrument. “ We’re forever wanna have this fucking feeling again.”
The bassist was enjoying the music and letting his tail swish along but he wasn't singing. “ Let’s concede and give in to our inner demons again!”
The drums picked up and that was when Crushed saw the drummer. The music picked up and his voice was highlighted as the microphone the drummer wore picked his voice. “ I’m addicted! To this feeling! Getting higher than the ceiling! And we’re never gonna have this fucking feeling again! Let's concede and give in to our inner demons again!”
Crusher found himself appreciating their talent as the instrumental began. His friends finally found him again and together, they encouraged Crusher to dance along, much to the blue boy’s enjoyment.
That was only until Crusher found himself listening to the drummer’s voice solo. “ Yeah, we fell in love…” Crusher froze. “But we fell deeper in this place.”
Crusher looked up and he swore that his and the drummer’s eyes locked together. The other man gave him a wink before continuing his set. “ And while death lays from above! So count your blessings cuz this is it.” The drummer raised his sticks. “ You’re not letting it–” Then he smashed them onto his set like his life depended on it, “ GOOOOO !”
The crowd cheered as the drummer reached his peak and Crusher wanted to scream as well, only that he found his voice caught in his throat. He didn't know what it was but the way the drummer moved made his heart beat faster than the drums he was banging on. “ So what if I misbehave? It’s what everybody craves!” the way he looked at the crowd was sexy and Crusher knew he knew what the hell he was doing and he couldn't help but applaud such showmanship. “ You already KNOOOOW! So come if you’re feeling brave! And fancy yourself a mate!”
Crusher wanted to climb on the stage and sing with the man. But why the hell was he feeling this way? He grabbed his chest as if he could grab the feeling and examine it. But the only thing he could grab was cloth.
“You want it? I got it. See what you like!” The drums beat and they were like summoning Crusher forward. “We could have it all by the end of the night!” And as Crusher observed the drummer’s features, he saw something pass his face, like a feeling he knew too well, but it was gone before Crusher could even take a good look at it. “No money and power, my sinful delight! I’m taking up heaven and hell on helluva HIGHHHH!”
As if the crowd couldn't get any noisier, it did. And Crusher had to cover his ears for this one, but his appreciation for the band stayed the same. Now, in this round, they all began to sing the chorus, but Crusher’s ears stayed on the drummer. His voice reflected back off of the others as if they were nothing but mere mirrors.
Crusher danced the night away with his friends, his eyes on the drummer and the way he performed. He enjoyed himself and the people cheering his name, and from the crowd, he could barely get their names. What was it?
“AAAAAAAAAH!!! STAAAAR!”
Ah. Star.
And that was how Crusher came to know the band “Ricochet.”
“C’mon, c’mon!” Stripes urged as he pulled Crusher past the crowd.
“What do I look like? A rag doll?!” Crusher yelped and almost tripped from the speed Stripes was going but Zeg thankfully caught him from behind. He gave Zeg his thanks before he turned to his uncharacteristically energetic friend. “Where are we going anyway?”
Stripes grinned and brought out three backstage passes. “I snatched these.”
Zeg gasped and quickly got one. “Stripes, where the hell did you get these?!”
“I had some connections~” Stripes laughed as he tossed one to Crusher as well. “Anyway, Ricochet is getting ready to show themselves to the VIPs. I know Crusher had been eying that one at the back,” Stripes teased and the blue boy began to fumble with his words.
“I–I WASN’T!” Crusher cried as he gripped the backstage pass. “I–I was just– Just! Just admiring his showmanship, that's all!”
“Yeah. Uh–uh,” Stripes nodded along and Zeg snickered as he stood tall beside his tiger friends. “Sure, lover boy.” He grabbed Crusher’s hand and winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you get laid tonight.”
“That is disgus– WOAH!” Crusher was dragged away yet again.
They made it backstage with not much issue as the people slowly began to file in. They saw different band members talking to the other fans and Crusher could see their appearances better without the distracting lights on the stage.
The first one they saw was the keytarist and the bassist standing side by side as they chatted and signed fans’ autographs. The bassist, Willow, had matching purple stripes on his tail and cat-like orange ember eyes. He was shorter than the keytarist, Izumi, who had Japanese features and deep ocean-blue eyes. On the other side of the room farther was the lead guitarist, Green, who was signing autographs left and right and was taking pictures with his fans. He seemed to be enjoying all of the attention, including gifts. Unfortunately, they couldn't see the drummer.
“C’mon!” Stripes urged his friends as they made their way to the first two.
Stripes went up to them with a grin and said, “Hi! I’m Stripes, and these are my friends, Zeg and Crusher! It's nice to meet you two!”
Willow paused for a moment as he looked at Stripes and began to slowly panic when he glanced at Crusher and Zeg. Crusher found this quite odd as he narrowed his eyes at the bassist, but Izumi came and blocked his friend’s view to go and shake Stripes’s outreached hand. He was rather tall, almost Zeg’s height, but he didn't seem intimidating as he replied kindly, “Nice to meet you, Stripes. Would you like an autograph?”
“Sure!” Stripes said and he was more than happy to receive a signed autograph from Izumi. “Thanks! You know, we’re a band too,” he happily shared.
“A band?” Izumi pressed on.
“It’s–”
“Is that SCZ?!” Izumi and Stripes were pushed back and the taller one almost stumbled as Green made his way to the three. His hair bounced on his every step and he held out a poster of his. “HI! I’m Green. You probably know that already. And I really like your band!! Been a fan since I saw one of your concerts a year ago!” He said enthusiastically, and Crusher had a hard time trying to catch every word the short man said.
“What an honor!” Zeg happily said as he signed the poster and Stripes too. They passed the poster to Crusher and he tentatively signed it.
“We actually thought of forming a band because of you,” Green happily said. “Your music is so good and maybe you could help us.”
The perked Crusher’s interest.
“Help you?” Zeg repeated, confused.
“Yeah, we’re actually–”
His mouth was clamped shut, and here appeared the drummer, Star, glaring down at the lead guitarist and then squeezing his shoulder in warning. “Sorry, sorry,” he laughed, turning back to the three. “My friend had too many sweets for the day.”
Crusher’s eyes widened at the sight of the drummer, but something from his vibe felt off. On stage, he seemed to be the most fun person out there, and he was essentially the life of the party. But right now, he was like a strict commander with his soldiers on either side of him. Crusher was not liking this change.
“No, no, it's fine,” Stripes said, glancing at the guitarist who was squirming his way out. Finally, Green made his way out of the drummer’s grasp and retreated beside Izumi. “It’s… It’s fine.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Zeg asked. “Your friend seemed in distress.”
Star laughed it off and said, “He’s always like that, don't worry about him.” He sent Green a glare, which Crusher caught, then turned back to the three guests. “Anything else we can do for ‘ya fellas?”
Stripes was about to respond, but Crusher grabbed both of Stripes and Zeg’s shoulders and pulled them back. “Nope. We’re good. Thanks for the night.” He pulled them back to the exit, much to the dismay of Stripes.
While they were driving home, Stripes was complaining. “What the hell was that for?!” He yelled. “We were having a good time! They were nice! And you didn't even say anything to that guy you were eying the whole night–”
“Well, sometimes, people aren't what they seem,” Crusher huffed, crossing his arms as he continued home with his friends.
Zeg was driving the car and he cast a worried glance at Crusher and Stripes on the rearview mirror. “Crusher, are you okay? What happened back there?”
Crusher sighed and he placed his elbow on the side of Zeg’s car. He waved his hand around and said, “Well… The music was good, yeah, and the performance was hot. But that was it. Apparently, the lead singer seemed to be a bit of a jerk towards his bandmates, and that's not something I wanna support.”
“Hey, don't judge someone like that so quickly,” Stripes said, leaning behind Crusher’s seat. “You might never know. Maybe he was just having a bad day.”
“Hm. Yeah,” Crusher nodded along, not really paying attention.
“... You know you were like that too when we first met,” Stripes recalled with a chuckle. “Wouldn’t even let us have a word with Pickle until Pickle begged you to. You were like an overprotective mother hen trying to act all cool.”
“I was not!” Crusher flushed.
“Yeah, you were!”
“No, I wasn’t!”
“Zeg, help me out here!”
Zeg laughed and remarked, “You totally were.”
“Okay, now you’re just ganging up on me!” Crusher pouted, and the other boys couldn't help but laugh.
“Darington, I’m sorry–”
“Shut up.” The blue-haired drummer breathed in a sigh before he turned to the shorter man who was slightly shaking, even with the comfort of his blue friend. He shook his head as he stepped away from them. “Just don't do that again, Pickle.”