Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was the beginning of 2022 when the three bands decided they should go on tour together; the fans had been begging them for years. Now here we are, almost done with the year, and the three bands are just starting to close in on the tour's final leg. Andy and Chris were hanging on the Motionless bus, chilling and playing video games together. This was a routine for them before concerts.
For the most part, the other bands did their own thing to give the two some space. Today, though, Spencer hopped on the bus in search of entertainment. He smiled when he saw Andy and Chris pressed together at the hips, leaning forward slightly and shouting at each other about something involving their game.
He sat next to the two, which caused Chris to glance over at him, giving Andy the perfect opportunity to destroy Chris's character.

"God fucking damn it!" Chris shouted, nearly slamming the controller on the ground. "I blame Spencer for that," he growled.

Andy laughed "Yeah, totally his fault, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you suck at this game."

"Oh fuck off, Andy, I do not suck!"

"Yeah yeah, sure you don't" Andy chuckled and looked over at Spencer. "What brings you onto the Motionless bus?"

"I was bored, and none of the guys were doing anything of interest to me, so I decided to come to see what you guys were up to"

"Well, I don't think we have any more controllers, but you're more than welcome to stay and watch me destroy Chris's ass."

"Not if I destroy your ass first, Biersack."

Andy laughed and shook his head, "If you say so."

Spencer giggled and looked at the two. "I'd love to watch if you don't mind."

"Of course! Make yourself at home."

"Andy, stop telling people that on MY bus," Chris rolled his eyes, "but seriously, make yourself at home. My bus is your bus."

"Thanks, guys!" Spencer said. He couldn't help but notice the weird tension between Andy and Chris. It was almost sexual but primarily romantic. Spencer was going to devise a plan to get the two to admit they liked each other because the more time passed, the more obvious it became.

After about 3 hours of watching Andy destroy Chris in their video game, Andy and his band are called to the stage for sound check. Chris whined softly in protest.

"Really? Soundcheck already?"

"Aww, hun, don't whine," Andy chuckled. "I'll be back soon."

"Yeah, but then it'll be my turn to soundcheck," Chris pouted.

"Would you feel better if I said I'd spend the night on your bus so we could play again after the show?" Andy asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'd say yes, but my bus is full; there's no extra bunks."

"That's not a problem to me if it's not a problem for you," he winked at Chris, leaving Chris blushing.

"Alright, if you really want to, I won't protest."

"Oh my god, just kiss already," Spencer said with a slight giggle, trying to make it seem like he was joking. Andy and Chris instantly turned to look at him.

"What was that, Spence?" questioned Andy.

"I uhh... I said why don't you two kiss."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you, Charnas?" Chris hummed teasingly.

"NO!" Spencer coughed. "I mean, no... I was teasing you guys."

"mmhmm, suuurreee you were," Andy giggled, kissing Chris's cheek before heading towards the bus door. "I'll see you two losers later; I gotta go before my manager kills me. Then there will be no kissing
of Andy to be done for anyone," he laughed, walking out.

Once Andy had walked away, Spencer began to head off before Chris could question him.

"I should go get ready for soundcheck, see what my band is doing. I'll see you around," Spencer mumbled quickly before stepping off the bus, nearly panicked. Chris chuckled and shook his head before
sitting down and placing a hand over the cheek Andy had kissed, smiling to himself. He knew he shouldn't feel this way; Andy was married, for fuck sake.
The way Chris felt was wrong on so many levels, but he couldn't help but feel so much love for Andy.
He loved his voice, how he ran his fingers through his hair when concentrating, and how he chewed gum while looking out at the audience. Who wouldn't love Andy? He was just scared to lose his best friend, but little did he know Andy felt the same way.

Chapter Text

I fucking kissed his cheek, what the hell was I thinking?!?! My brain screeched at me as I swiftly made my way to sound check. Yeah, I know that it was just a kiss on the cheek, I know I shouldn't be freaking out over this, but I have these feelings so buried deep within me that I fear kissing Chris's cheek will only make this burning desire for him spark back to life. When we first decided to create the Trinity of Terror Tour I never even thought about what the endless days on the road with Chris would do to me. I'm married and I love my Juliet, but I'm scared spending all this time away from her is causing those feelings to diminish. She was our opening act for the first leg of the tour and for a while I was able to just ignore how I felt about Chris, but the more I hang out with him, I almost feel like Juliet is my best friend that I just so happen to be married to and sleep with. 

During the entirety of sound check, I couldn't stop thinking about him and what it would be like to actually kiss him, to feel his lips against mine. I bet he tastes sweet and his lips are soft from the lipstick he wears. I wonder if he's in his dressing room now getting his makeup done. I long to be the one to do his makeup, just for the physical intimacy of it. I want to feel his skin against mine. It's just not fair to poor Jules. I guess I'm making it too obvious now considering Spencer had to put his two cents in. He was probably just making a Joke Andy, he definitely didn't mean anything by it. There's no way anyone could see how much you like Chris. I'm starting to psych myself out. I'm so paranoid about what others will think about my predicament. Maybe I should talk to my wife about this, maybe she can help me make sense of it all. We made a vow to be there for each other and if there was ever a time I needed someone, now would be the time. Not today though, I just don't have the time or the privacy to contact her. Not that I think she'd answer anyway. She's probably too busy in the studio or working on some other project to even begin to think about my predicament. We're stopping in our hometown in a couple of days, maybe I'll speak with her then. Maybe Jinxx can help me. Dude's been my best friend for ages. 

The second we step off stage from sound check I pull Jinxx aside. 
"Hey man, can I talk to you for a moment please?" 
"Is this another one of your psychological analyses of the Batman comics?"
"No absolutely not, but damn are those good comics. It's actually about Chris" 
"Oh man are you guys ok?" 
"Yeah, we're fine, why do you ask?" 
"Phew! I just thought that maybe one of you did something and your friendship was ruined. You two are so close and are basically the only reason we're all on tour right now." 
"Oh, no... I mean well not really?! Nothing happened per se... not yet at least? I mean I kissed his cheek earlier cause Spencer made a joke. God I hope I didn't offend him, did he say something to you?" 
"No, no one said anything to me." Jinxx paused for a moment to think about the words I just said to him "Wait you kissed his cheek?! Damn, I always thought Chris would be the one to make the first move. Guess I owe Morrow Twenty bucks" 
"Don't go counting your losses yet, I really wouldn't consider a friendly joke in the form of a kiss on the cheek a first move... You guys bet on who would make the first move?!" 
"Of course we do! You guys are practically glued to the hip, plus you're taking on each other's personalities it's getting weird." 
"I guess you're right Jinxx. I'm just so scared of leading him on you know. I do have feelings for the guy, but I'm married to Jules, and I guess that's my biggest issue right now. I don't want to hurt her, but at the same time, I almost feel like I'm drifting away from her. We rarely see each other anymore and I'm just getting so close to Chris now. I just don't know what to do and that's really why I came to you. I was hoping you'd have some advice." 
"Well Andy, my first bit of advice is to ask yourself who you're more committed to. Juliet is the one you're married to, not necessarily who you're committed to. Chris is becoming one of your best friends and he's always there for you, besides he hasn't done anything to hurt you. You should take some time away from Chris, we have a day off tomorrow and you should sit and reflect. Close your eyes and think about each person. Who sparks the most joy? When you're in an emergency who would you call first? When you go to bed at night who is the person you think of as you drift off to sleep? Where do you see yourself in ten years with these people? These are the things you need to ask yourself and things that I think will help you find the answer you're looking for. Me, personally, I'd go for Chris, but maybe I'm just biased" He chuckled before patting me on the shoulder and walking away, leaving me alone with my thoughts in the dark stage wing. I was only pulled from my thoughts when Chris came in smiling at me before taking his place center stage to start his soundcheck. Boy, do I have a lot to think about. 

Chapter Text

Walking on the stage for sound check I see Andy standing there talking to Jinxx. Before I even make it out, Jinxx is walking away flashing me a smile, leaving Andy alone in the dim lighting backstage. I smile at him and he gives a seemingly nervous smile back, before giving me a thumbs up and turning on his heel to head to what I assume is the greenroom his band is set up in. I sigh and take a deep breath before taking my place on the stage, trying to clear my head of all the thoughts I might be having. Soundcheck went well and I was soon being whisked away to get my hair and makeup done. I was especially excited because I had brought in some local talent to do my hair and make-up. Chit-chatting with the girl, Chelsea, we began talking about what it was like to tour with the 2 other bands, and somehow mine and Andy's relationship was brought up. 
"You and Andy, you guys seem pretty close. It must be nice having a good friend on tour with you, someone you can talk to and kill time with?" 
"Yeah, it's pretty nice. He and I became fast friends. We've been in a weird liminal space of 'kind of talking, but not really friends' for so long, unfortunately that's how this profession can be, but I'm very happy to have someone so similar to me on this tour so we can, as you said, kill time together and just talk about anything and everything with." 
"That's awesome! I'm glad you guys finally got to get so close, sometimes there seems to be a tension between you two, like there's something more than friends going on, the whole internet has begun speculating" she giggled as she swiped a makeup brush down my face. 
"More than friends?" I chuckle almost anxiously "The internet can be a wild place. No he and I are just best friends" 
"Yeah, the internet can be pretty wild. I knew there was nothing more between you, besides, Andy's happily married anyway, he wouldn't jeopardize his marriage with Juliet, especially after all they've been through" 
"Exactly! I'd never do anything to hurt his relationship" 

It was before long when my makeup was done and Chelsea was applying a last spray of hair spray to keep my hair mostly in place (it will be sweat out within the first 5 minutes of the show) and now I get to go sit in my green room and think about the conversation I just had with Chelsea. What does she mean the internet all assumes we're more than friends? I couldn't let those words escape my mind. The thought echoed in my ears and I was pretty lost in thought when all of a sudden Andy walked in and sat beside me. 
"Hey Chris, you look great!" 
"What? Oh! Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself" I murmured, being pulled from my thoughts. 
"Well thank you, that means a lot coming from you" 
"I'm excited to have you on the bus tonight, can't wait to get my ass beat again" 
He laughs and places his head on my shoulder "Maybe we can play something you're actually good at, or maybe we can watch a movie instead?" 
"We'll see after the show" I hum and instinctively run my hand along his back. "Careful I don't want you to get makeup on you" 
"It's fine, I don't mind" I could feel his body relax in content, his words becoming soft. 
"You know, when I was getting my makeup and hair done, Chelsea said the internet believes we're more than friends... this definitely wouldn't help ease those rumors" I chuckle, but keep my arm wrapped around him. He also lets out a chuckle.
"The internet ships me with like every human imaginable, I've read some interesting stories about me and at least every member of my band sleeping together" 
"You and me both. That's exactly how the whole internet is convinced I have a kid" 
"I forgot about that" he let out another chuckle "That's pretty imaginative. That's why I'm ok with us being shipped, cause it's all just internet speculation. We're nothing but two bros on tour together, nothing more" 
"Absolutely, you're married, I'm straight, there's nothing  more between us" 
"Exactly my point" he hummed and closed his eyes, just resting against me for a while, waiting for call time. I couldn't help but close my eyes and relax as well, enjoying the closeness we shared, and thinking about how my words to him weren't entirely true. I did feel things for him, but I would never act upon them due to his marital status. It really sucks because I know I'm slowly falling for this man, and it's eating away at me slowly. A part of me hopes he feels the same, the other part of me hopes he doesn't. I don't want to be the catalyst in the man's separation, but I also can't help but fantasize about what it might be like to be loved by him.