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The city buzzed with electric energy, neon lights flickering in rhythm with the heartbeat of the underground music scene. Inside their studio, the atmosphere was jubilant. Kayn leaned back on the plush couch, a rare smile playing on his lips as the final notes of "Paranoia" echoed through the room.
"We did it, man," Ezreal said, clinking his soda can against Kayn’s. "Heheh, this track is blowing up!”
"Yeah, it’s all over the charts!" Sett added, his usual stoic demeanour softened by a proud grin.
Kayn glanced around at his bandmates—his friends—and felt a warmth he hadn’t known in years. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come,” he said, his voice tinged with awe. “But, I mean, of course it'd be a huge hit. Glad to see people nowadays still have taste.”
Rhaast hummed inside his mind, “Aw, look at our little Kayn getting all sentimental. You only made it this far because of my help, bitch-ass!”
Kayn rolled his eyes playfully at Rhaast's comment, “Nah, I'm certain we would have done just fine without your help. You just made our job slightly easier!” He replied, smirking.
Aphelios nodded, his eyes shining with quiet pride, while Yone gave Kayn a congratulatory pat on the back. The celebration continued late into the night, laughter and music filling the studio as they basked in the glow of their success. Honestly, they all deserve a moment of rest after the amount of work they put into making this band work.
Ezreal chuckled, "Dude, the fans are loving us. All those late-night practice sessions, the brainstorming for lyrics, it’s all paying off… This is just the beginning."
K’Sante leaned back in his chair, "I knew we had something special from the start," he said. "But seeing how far we’ve come, it’s surreal."
Kayn watched his bandmates, feeling a surge of genuine gratitude. He wasn't the type to really get emotional over such events, yet this whole thing feels like a huge relief. Rhaast can deny the other men's talent all he wants, but the rapper knows damn well each of them played a crucial role in this journey.
Aphelios, with his meticulous attention to detail, had fine-tuned their sound to perfection. Yone’s steady presence and deep understanding of music theory had grounded their compositions, bringing a level of sophistication that set them apart. Sett’s unwavering determination and leadership had kept them focused, while Ezreal’s infectious enthusiasm and knack for marketing had helped them connect with their growing fanbase. Not to mention K'Sante's straight-up angelic voice.
"None of this would have been possible without everyone's effort," Yone said, his voice earnest. "We all brought something unique to the table, and that's why we’re here now."
Aphelios nodded, his silent agreement speaking volumes. Honestly, if Kayn could ever use anyone as motivation (not that he needs to, he hardly doubts himself, really–) that would be Phel. Imagine losing your singing voice yet you still don't give up and find your place in the music industry. “He might not look like it, but this guy has some guts.”
‘Couldn't agree more. Being stubborn is a virtue I know very well, after all.’ Kayn replied inside his head. Rhaast chuckled in response, “Except if you had been in his place, you'd probably explode from being unable to bitch about everything. You're way too loud for your own good.”
‘Same goes for you, asshole. You don't know when to shut up either.’ Kayn accused him and the darkin only hummed this time, leaving him alone for now. The rapper shook off the internal banter and turned his focus back to the guys. "Alright, I'm starving. How about we order some take-out to keep this celebration going?"
Sett grinned. "I could go for some dumplings right about now."
Ezreal pulled out his phone, already navigating to their favourite late-night spot. "I'll get our usual. Anyone want to add anything special?"
K’Sante’s voice, always calm and steady, chimed in. "Just get a bit of everything. We’ve earned it." The group agreed, and soon, the smell of various dishes filled the studio.
Hours passed, and the city outside grew quieter, its frenetic energy winding down. One by one, the members began to drift out, heading home to rest. Aphelios was the first to leave, offering a silent wave of goodbye. K'Sante followed, his voice lingering in the room as he hummed a tune on his way out. Ezreal, still buzzing with energy, decided it was about time to go back home as well. Sett left next, talking about how ‘all of that food he ate made him sleepy so he better leave before he falls asleep in Yone's studio.’
Eventually, only Kayn and Yone remained in the studio. The night had settled into a comfortable silence, the kind that only close friends could share.
Yone stretched, his eyes heavy with exhaustion but filled with contentment. "It’s been a good day." he said calmly. “Will you help me clean up?”
Kayn groaned, dragging himself off the couch. "Fine, but next time, you're forcing someone else to do this.” He looked around at the mess, empty take-out boxes and soda cans laying around. "Damn, how much food did we even order?" He bent over to pick up a few of the trash off the floor.
Rhaast's voice chimed in his head, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, look at you, mama's little perfect boy, staying late to clean up. How responsible."
Kayn rolled his eyes, both at the mess and Rhaast's taunt. "Shut up, Rhaast," he muttered under his breath as he picked up an empty takeout box. "You know, you'd have been so much more useful if you just ate the trash in front of us instead of cluttering up my head with your nonsense."
Yone glanced over, raising an eyebrow. "Talking to yourself again?"
Kayn shrugged. "Just dealing with my internal critic."
They moved through the studio, picking up scattered containers and stacking them in the trash. The remains of their feast were practically everywhere– Kayn tossed another box into the trash bag, shaking his head. "I swear, we order more food every time we do this."
"Maybe," Yone replied, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But it's worth it for nights like this."
Kayn couldn’t argue with that. Despite the mess and the late hour, the camaraderie and shared victory made the cleanup feel almost... satisfying. Almost.
"You're too sentimental today," Kayn teased as he picked up another set of empty containers. "But I guess that's what keeps us all from going completely off the rails."
Rhaast’s laughter echoed in his mind. "Sentimental fools, the lot of you. But you, Kayn, are the worst of them all."
Kayn ignored him, focusing instead on the task at hand. He and Yone worked in silence for a while, the quiet broken only by the sound of crumpling boxes and clinking bottles. Finally, they stood back and surveyed their work. The studio was clean again, the remnants of their celebration cleared away.
Yone clapped Kayn on the shoulder. "Thanks for the help. It’s good to see you taking responsibility, even if you do complain about it."
Kayn smirked. "Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you, would I?"
Rhaast snorted. "How touching. Truly, you’re the epitome of reliability."
Kayn grinned at the irony, but there was a part of him that appreciated Rhaast’s jabs—they kept him grounded, in their own twisted way. "Come on, let’s get out of here before you make me clean the floors too."
Yone chuckled, turning off the lights as they headed out. The producer drove them back to their apartment, which thankfully wasn't too far from his studio, because now it was Kayn's turn to get sleepy. And Yone's ridiculously comfortable car seats did not help at all.
They entered the building and made their way up to their floor. The hallway was dimly lit, and the familiar creak of the floorboards under their feet was a welcome sound. They reached their door, and Yone unlocked it, pushing the door open.
"Get some rest," Yone said as they stepped inside. "Tomorrow's another big day."
"Yeah, you too," Kayn replied, feeling the exhaustion from the day settling in.
Kayn headed down the hallway to his room, sighing as he stepped inside. The space around him could be described as pure chaos but he really didn't have the energy to do any more cleaning now. He tossed his jacket onto a chair and collapsed onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling.
As he began to drift into the calm embrace of exhaustion, his phone buzzed loudly on his nightstand, jolting him awake. Kayn groaned and reached over to check the screen. The name that appeared made his stomach clench with anxiety, what the fuck could Zed want at this hour? And they hadn't talked in so long… Hopefully this time their call wouldn't turn into a fight.
He hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before answering. "Hello, father."
"Kayn," Zed’s voice came through the line, as cold and clipped as before. "I thought I should give you another chance to reconsider."
Kayn’s shoulders tensed. "Reconsider what?"
"Your path," The man replied, his tone unyielding. "You’ve proven tonight that you’re distracted by the superficiality of success. This band—this… Heartsteel—won’t last. You’re wasting your time on fleeting fame."
Kayn clenched his jaw, trying to keep his voice steady. "I finally made it big, I did well… and this is what you have to say?” He asked in disbelief, “It might look like a waste of time to you, but it means something to me.”
"Means something?" Zed’s voice hardened. "Is that all you care about? You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgement. This will end in disappointment, and when it does, you’ll have no one but yourself to blame."
Kayn’s grip on the phone tightened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I’m not going to let you dictate my choices. I’ve made my decision, and I’m sticking with it."
"Very well," Zed said, "But don’t come running back to me when this venture collapses."
The call ended abruptly, leaving Kayn staring at the dark screen, his father’s words echoing in his mind. He lay back on his bed, feeling the weight of the conversation settle over him. The doubt that Zed had instilled was like a shadow, lingering even in the quiet of his room.
He knew he was being foolish for letting his father’s words affect him so deeply. After all, Kayn had failed many times before. The sense of inadequacy had become a constant companion throughout his life. Each failure, each setback had seemed to reaffirm his fears that he was destined to fall short of expectations, no matter how hard he tried.
The weight of Zed’s disapproval pressed heavily on him. The memories of his father’s harsh judgments over the years surfaced, each one a reminder of how little support he had ever received. Kayn remembered the countless times he had sought validation, only to be met with indifference or scorn. Every dream he had pursued seemed to be met with disdain rather than encouragement.
He had worked so hard to carve out a place for himself, to find something that made him feel alive and meaningful. Heartsteel was his chance to build something from the ground up, something that wasn’t defined by his father’s expectations or failures. Yet now, Zed’s words made him question if it was all just another futile endeavour.
Sitting on the edge of his bed, Kayn buried his face in his hands, feeling the tears of frustration and sadness threaten to spill. It wasn’t just about the band; it was about a lifetime of feeling unsupported and misunderstood. The realisation that his own father had never once shown genuine support for his dreams was a painful reminder of how alone he often felt in his pursuits.
“Why can’t he just be proud of me?” Kayn whispered into the silence of his room. “Why does he always have to be like this?”
Rhaast's voice cut through his thoughts. "You worry too much, Kayn. Just let it go."
Kayn sighed. "Easier said than done."
He rose from his bed, the weight of his emotions still heavy, and headed to the kitchen to get some water. His eyes were still red and swollen, but he hoped a drink might help him clear his head. The apartment was quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the faint sounds from the city outside.
As he turned the corner into the kitchen, he nearly collided with Yone, who had been heading in the opposite direction.
“Hey, Kayn,” Yone said, his voice filled with concern. “Can’t sleep?”
Kayn’s heart sank. This was the worst possible time for anyone to see him in such a state. He forced a weak smile, hoping to mask his distress. “Yeah, just... having trouble.” Fuck, he even sounds like shit. How great.
Yone's brow furrowed in surprise. “You looked pretty tired earlier. I thought you’d be out like a light by now.”
Kayn’s mind raced, searching for an excuse. He didn’t want to break down in front of Yone, especially after the long day they’d had. “Just—” he began, but the words caught in his throat.
His eyes fell to the floor, and he felt a wave of embarrassment and frustration. The last thing he wanted was to start crying in front of someone else. His impulse was to turn away and hide, but he knew that wouldn’t solve anything.
Yone, noticing Kayn’s discomfort, took a step closer, his concern growing. He studied Kayn with a mixture of confusion and sympathy. “Kayn, you seemed perfectly fine just half an hour ago. What’s going on? You’re acting like something’s really wrong.”
Kayn’s throat tightened, the sudden shift in his emotions making it harder to maintain his composure. He glanced up at Yone, “I... I don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling overwhelmed.” Great save, Kayn, now he's definitely not going to leave you alone.
Yone’s brow furrowed further as he tried to piece together the sudden change in Kayn’s demeanour. “You don’t have to explain if you’re not ready, but if something’s bothering you, it’s okay to talk about it. And I know that you probably think it's embarrassing to talk about your problems, but still.”
Kayn’s heart ached at Yone’s genuine concern. The contrast between his father’s cold dismissal and Yone’s warmth made him feel even more vulnerable. He hesitated, feeling the weight of Zed’s words still hanging over him, unsure whether to open up or retreat into silence.
Then Yone reached out, gently stroking Kayn’s cheek. With a tender touch, he moved Kayn’s bangs aside to get a better look at his face. The intimacy of the gesture made Kayn’s cheeks flush, and he felt a wave of shyness. The warmth of Yone’s hand and the gentle touch were comforting, but they also heightened his vulnerability.
Rhaast’s mocking voice echoed in his mind. “Oh, look at you, all shy and vulnerable. How adorable. Maybe you should call Zed and tell him how much you’re crying over his opinion. I’m sure he’d love to hear about it.”
Kayn’s heart sank at the taunt. Rhaast’s words seemed to scrape against his already raw emotions, rubbing salt into the wound.
He blinked rapidly, trying to push back the tears threatening to spill. “Yone, can we... can we go to your room? I think I need to talk about it.”
Yone’s expression softened with understanding. “Of course. Let’s go.”
Together, they walked down the hallway to Yone’s room and as the producer closed the door behind them, the weight of the day seemed to lift, if only slightly, with the promise of a compassionate ear.
Kayn sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the soft comfort of the mattress beneath him. Yone settled into the desk chair, turning it to face Kayn. The direct, attentive gaze of his friend was both reassuring and intimidating.
The rapper felt a pang of uncertainty. He was tempted to shy away from discussing Zed and the doubts that plagued him, but he knew that talking to Yone, someone who genuinely cared, might offer a different perspective than Rhaast’s cruel mockery. He took a deep breath, struggling to gather his thoughts. “It’s... it’s hard to talk about,” he began, his voice trembling slightly. “It’s about my father, Zed. He’s always been so critical and dismissive of everything I’ve tried to do. Tonight, he called and... and he just made me feel like all my efforts are worthless.”
Yone’s expression softened further, his eyes full of empathy. “It must be incredibly hard to have someone you care about and look up to be so unsupportive. But you’re here now, and you’ve accomplished so much. You deserve to believe in yourself, even if he doesn’t.”
Kayn’s gaze dropped to his hands, feeling the weight of Yone’s words. “I’ve failed so many times before. Part of me is scared that this will just be another failure, and... and it’s hard to keep pushing when I feel like there’s no one rooting for me.”
Yone leaned forward slightly, his voice gentle. “It’s okay to be afraid, but it’s important to recognize the progress you’ve made. You have people who believe in you. I believe in you, and I'm glad you're not hiding your feelings from me.”
Kayn took a shuddering breath, trying to steady his voice. “I know Heartsteel is doing well. We’re succeeding, and there’s a lot going right. Logically, I know there’s little chance of failure at this point. But...” He paused, struggling to find the right words. “Even though I rarely feel like this, when my father says things, it shatters me so easily. I keep wondering if I made the wrong choices, if I’ll ever be satisfied with my life.”
His voice cracked as he spoke, the weight of his insecurities and fears finally breaking through. He could no longer hold back the flood of emotions that had been building up. Tears streamed down his face, his body shaking with the intensity of his sobs.
“I’m scared, Yone,” he admitted through his tears, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m so scared that no matter how much I achieve, it’ll never be enough. That I’ll never be happy, that I’ll always be haunted by these doubts.”
Yone’s heart ached seeing Kayn so vulnerable. He stood up from the chair and moved to sit beside Kayn on the bed, offering a comforting presence. He placed a gentle hand on Kayn’s back, providing a steadying touch as Kayn’s tears continued to flow.
“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed,” Yone said softly, his voice filled with compassion. “And it’s okay to be afraid. But you’re stronger than you know, and you’ve already accomplished so much. You’re not defined by your fears or your father’s words.”
Kayn buried his face in his hands, letting Yone’s comfort wash over him. The release of his pent-up emotions felt both painful and relieving. The safety of Yone’s presence was a small but vital source of solace, and Kayn clung to it as he worked through his feelings.
“I’m sorry for... for breaking down like this,” Kayn said between sobs, his voice muffled. “I didn’t want to burden you.”
Yone shook his head gently. “You’re not a burden. We all need someone to lean on sometimes, and I’m glad you’re trusting me with this. It’s okay to let it out, and it’s okay to ask for help.”
The man's words were a soothing balm to Kayn’s fraught emotions. He gently pulled Kayn into a warm hug, wrapping his arms around him in a protective embrace. The gesture was simple but comforting, and Kayn found solace in the steady presence of his bandmate.
Kayn buried his face in Yone’s shoulder, letting the warmth and security of the hug envelop him. The sound of Yone’s steady heartbeat and the steady rhythm of his breathing provided a steadying comfort amidst Kayn’s emotional storm. As his sobs gradually subsided, he took a shaky breath and spoke in a low, earnest voice. “Yone... I really appreciate this. But can you promise me something?”
Yone pulled back slightly to look at Kayn, his expression tender and attentive. “Of course. What is it?”
Kayn hesitated for a moment, “Just... don’t tell anyone about this. I don’t want people to see me as some... crying little bitch. I’d rather keep this between us.”
Yone rolled his eyes slightly, a soft, affectionate smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Kayn, no one’s going to think of you as a ‘crying little bitch’ just because you had a rough day. Everyone has their moments, and it’s okay to let it out sometimes.” He took a deep breath, “But don’t worry, I’m not planning on telling anyone.”
As if to emphasise his sincerity, Yone leaned in and pressed a small, tender kiss to Kayn’s forehead. The gesture was light but filled with warmth and care. Kayn’s eyes softened, touched by the genuine kindness. “Thank you, Yone. I guess... I guess I just needed to hear that.”
Yone pulled back slightly but kept his hands on Kayn’s shoulders, “Anytime, Kayn.”
The pink haired man nodded, feeling a sense of calm settling over him. The sweetness of the moment, coupled with Yone’s steadfast support, was a balm to his troubled heart. As they sat together in the quiet of Yone’s room, the connection between them felt deeply reassuring, reminding Kayn that he had people who truly cared for him.
As the comforting silence lingered, Rhaast’s voice suddenly cut through Kayn’s thoughts. “Well, look at you, all snuggled up and getting cuddled. What a sight.”
Kayn couldn’t help but feel a flicker of irritation at Rhaast’s taunt, but then the Darkin’s tone shifted slightly. “But, since you’re so worked up about failure, let me remind you—failure is certainly not a reason to lose sleep. You know, I’m here to make sure you succeed, not wallow in self-pity.”
Kayn looked up, a small, reluctant smile tugging at his lips. “Right… Ya always know how to rile me up.”
Rhaast’s hummed, “Exactly. So, don’t stress so much, you little crying bitch.”
Kayn wanted to roll his eyes but nodded instead, feeling a sense of relief mixed with the comfort of Yone’s presence. “Yeah, I guess I shouldn't. Thanks, Yone. And... thanks, Rhaast, I suppose.”