Chapter Text
Sweat dripped down the lines of his taut stomach, outlined by the black mesh shirt. His dark hair plastered against his neck, the gunmetal chains and necklaces swinging and jingling together. The final pounding of the bass drum reverberated in his chest. He strangled the last chord from his ebony guitar with one hand, his other hand gripped the microphone stand, supporting his weight. Heavily lined amber eyes lifted finally, gazing out at the crowd. Thick fog obscured all but the first few lines of people.
Cheers erupted.
Chest heaving, he smiled. He threw a fist into the air and his multitude of bracelets crashed together.
"Thank you!" His accented voice echoed in the space. "Thank you so much!"
He took the hand resting on his fretboard and ran it through his long locks, the blonde underneath peeking out before settling about his shoulders again. He bowed graciously.
Bringing black fingernails up to his mouth, he blew a kiss at the pressing crowd, eliciting more screams from the fans. Viktor meant to throw his pick further back into the crowd, but it tumbled from his long fingertips straight into the hands of a tall, clean cut man in the front row. No matter.
Viktor thinks he recalls this man from the last show. Nice to see a devoted fan, he notes.
He returns to standing and waves to everybody. Bowing again, waving over his shoulder as he turned to face backstage and the lights were turned out. His smile dissolved into a wince.
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Jayce's eyes dragged down the man's body. From his damp hair down to his painted on skinny jeans and boots.
He palms the pick and stuffs it in his pocket.
He didn't realize his mouth was agape until Vi punched him in the arm.
Wedding proposals and hollers were directed at the stage as the lights shuttered off, and Jayce mechanically started clapping with the rest of the concert goers.
Her blue eyes flashed at him as the crowd lighting came on, "Oh my God you are sooo down bad for this guy!"
He looked offended, "I don't know what you mean, I think he's a great performer and--"
"--and? Totally your type?" She smirked knowingly.
"C'mon, it's not like that!"
"Puh-lease." She rolled her eyes. "You've gotten front row pit tickets for the last six--"
"--Seven--"
"... Seven concerts for yourself, and you even sprang for both of us to get the VIP package today!"
Sheepish, he turned to face her directly as the crowd started to disperse. "I just think he's neat. And well, I mean I don't think I'm..." He trailed off and gestured with one hand hinged downward.
"Gay? It's 2025, you can say 'gay', Jayce! Also, it's almost time for the backroom to open, shall we?" She combed through her pink hair and shrugged her jacket on over her tank top.
His cheeks flushed in the track lights. Jayce scratched the back of his neck, then rested his elbow on top of her head, messing up her hair.
She swung at him and missed.
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Curtains were closed at the smaller venue, sweeping over the wooden stage.
Viktor turned the mic off and pulls his leg behind him, heading to where his friend sat behind the drum kit.
"Man, are you sure you wanna try to do the meet-and-greets tonight?" Ekko's brown eyes appraised him. "Looks like it's a bad day for you, you could just do refun--"
"-- We're doing the meet-and-greets." Viktor snapped. "We aren't exactly rolling in money right now and..."
Viktor sighed, tugging his studded belt back into place and leaning on a speaker. He pulled a flask from his back pocket and took a swig.
He shook his hair and revised his tone. "Sorry. But yes, we should do the VIP packages tonight that way we can try for social media and the other marketing you wanted to do. Ehh, I think it's a good idea."
Ekko leaned forward on his stool and grinned, "So you DO listen to me. Alright, just don't push yourself, we can bounce at any time."
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Warm light emanated from the chandeliers in the speakeasy next door to the venue. Ekko strode up to the wooden doors that housed the VIP section and let Viktor stiffly walk past him, knowing better than to offer his arm and get it slapped away like last time.
R&B music came from hidden speakers, but they were turned down to an intimate level. Soft leather seating booths were arranged against the outer walls, with smaller tables in the center. An upright piano was tucked into a dark corner. The itch to play it, no matter how badly tuned it was, was ingrained in him from a young age. His Slavic mother might be proud to see how far he has come with his music.
But then again, maybe not.
As Viktor settled into the expansive corner booth the bartender walked over his drink of choice: two fingers of whiskey. Eyeing his friend's sixth drink of the day, Ekko nursed at his mojito quietly.
"Alright," his manager came over, a short statured man with a white beard. "I know this is your first night doing meets, so here's what to expect."
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"Okay, you're next in. You're their last guests for the night so you can exit out the side door if you want, otherwise I can take you out the front. I'll be over by the bar when you're ready to head out." The snow bearded man looked up from his tablet and gestured as they entered the room.
"Nice, thanks." Her pink hair bobbed as she walked through and crossed the room to find the autograph table set up with the pair of bandmates right behind.
Jayce beat her to the table.
He shot his hand forward to Viktor, all but ignoring Ekko.
"Hi! My name is Jayce Talis and I've been a huge fan ever since you started! Even before your first album and you just had a few singles out on YouTube! Rune definitely started a fire under myself for my own music and I love the chord progressions and how almost ... mathematical the rhythms are! I really think the addition of a second guitar would really flesh out the sound and give it a more balanced feel! The studio sound..." When Jayce realized he was rambling it was already too late.
Viktor's eyebrows shot up, shrinking back slightly from this behemoth golden retriever of a man. He took the warm hand of the taller man and shook it, his fingerless glove being pressed into his large hand. Interest piqued, he squeezed. Vi's face twisted, peeking around Jayce's arm in a visage of apology.
Huffing a laugh, Viktor let go of his hand. "I see, Mr. Talis. And you've managed to get all of that out in one breath? Most impressive. Optimal lung capacity and timbre. I assume you play, I felt the calluses on your fingertips. Have you considered vocals as well?"
Meanwhile Ekko and Vi are wide-eyed and snorting trying to hold in their laughter, but looking at each other was only making it worse.
Jayce stared at his hand, looking back up at Viktor as if he could also divine the future.
"I uh, yes. And yes. And uh. The only singing I do is in the shower so I don't know if I'm any good or not." At the admission tall man fidgets with his fingers a moment, before looking into Viktor's eyes.
Almost gold eyes reflect back at him, warm amusement creeping across Viktor's features in the dark. His pale cheeks warming with color. Where on Earth did this man come from?
Viktor swirled the last splash of whiskey in his tumbler and poured it down his throat.
"I'm afraid to cut this meet short, Jayce, I've had an incredibly long day and have something to attend to." His tired accent rolled over his 'r's like the ocean over stones.
Jayce's face started to pinch, he almost looked like a hurt puppy.
"But," Viktor raised his hand before Jayce could protest, "I will have my manager get your information and refund you for your time here today. Consider it a vested interest, Mr. Talis."
Confusion warred for just a moment on Jayce's face, and suddenly the room felt dim as Jayce seemed to absolutely shine.
"I--of course! And there's no need to use my surname, you can just call me Jayce!"
Viktor nodded. "As you like it. Jayce."