Archive of Our Own

A-SIDE

How can someone be so dazzling even behind the stage lights?

The model turned bouncer leans against the entry door frame, his arms crossed in front of his chest. 

Officially, the By the Beat members are supposed to be preparing for the live house’s opening hours. The other core members are bumbling about getting their sections ready while Kaelix, the ever efficient one, has already completed his tasks and has parked himself by the front door. There are still 2-3 hours left before they are set to open for the day. So unless anyone requires an extra two pairs of hands, he is quite content in his spot watching his colleagues go about their afternoon. If anything, his hands are much more involved in the tear down and clean up after hours. 

Today, he finds himself watching a specific colleague - one who prefers to stay behind the stage lights and stationed instead in front of a mixing booth. The By the Beat audio and tech designer is on stage right, fixing the angle of a light at the foot of the stage. Kaelix can picture the furrow in his brows and the slight purse in his lips as he concentrates. But even as he's standing behind the stage lights, Freodore seems to shine nonetheless. Kaelix never tires of watching that man do what he is so obviously passionate about.

“Take a picture, why don't you. It'll last longer,” Zeal, the sneaky bartender, comments as he passes Kaelix, a box of assorted wine in his arms.

Kaelix almost jumps. “Where did you even come from??”

Zeal only laughs. “So you don't deny that you're staring?” He asks before nodding to the boxes piled a few feet behind Kaelix. 

Seriously, when did those boxes get there??

“Shut your FACE!” Kaelix jokingly roars before grabbing a box of miscellaneous alcohol himself, following Zeal behind the bar.

If there are a pair of eyes watching him from the stage, he doesn't notice.

Kaelix blows on his hands right as he enters the live house, rubbing them together in an effort to warm them up. It's that time of year where the cold air leaves a bite on the skin after standing outside for too long. He swore he had a pair of gloves in his coat pocket when he left the house today, but when he was ready to open the live house doors to guests, they were nowhere to be found. It has been a few hours since they opened for the day and the line has dwindled down for now. Kaelix takes this chance to sneak inside for some warmth.

From his station at the entrance, he has a clear view of the whole live house. Towards the left is the bar, Zeal expertly mixing drinks for the patrons right in front of him. Towards the far right of the live house is a balcony where the VIP section and the live house offices are. He can see Seible, the eccentric promoter, peering over the balcony ledge and doing.. whatever it is he usually does. In the center of the room is the dance floor and, further in, the stage. There is a band performing a pop punk song and the dance floor is full of people jumping to their tune.

Kaelix loves seeing the place like this, so full of life. The music leaves a satisfying thrum under his skin and the lights only add to the energetic atmosphere. Freodore truly knows how to set everything perfectly. He looks towards stage right where he knows there is a rack the designer sometimes hangs around, but he is nowhere to be found. 

Frowning, Kaelix starts to walk away from the entrance and from the bar, intending to go to the DJ booth right beside the coat check. He doesn't really have a plan. If anything, he just wants to know where the elusive Mr. Freodore was. As for what he'll do when he finds him? He'll figure that out later. 

Maybe it'll be better to go up to the balcony and scan from a higher ground. 

He walks as he scans the bar area and the dancefloor one more time. As he does so, he doesn't notice the figure approaching him until the figure walks square into his chest.

“Ah! I'm sorry!” Kaelix holds onto the person’s shoulders immediately, trying to steady them and make sure they are ok. 

“Oh! Freo!” he lets go of the designer immediately. “Sorry, I didn't see you there! Are you okay?”

“Kaelix,” Freodore (or Freo, as the others call him affectionately) huffs and shoots him a sharp stare. “That better not be a short joke.”

“No no no!” he shakes his head animatedly, putting his hands up in mock surrender. “I promise it's not!”

The corner of Freo’s lip lifts up in a slight smirk, which made Kaelix’ heart soar in happiness. He'd do anything to make this man of so little laughs smile. He can confidently say that he accomplished something today.

“There's no line right now?” Freo asks.

“Yeah. It's cold out and it's nearly time to close anyway so I doubt we'll see anyone else,” Kaelix answers with a shrug. It's then that he notices a small crease in Freo’s brow as he looks between the gloves he's holding and Kaelix’ hands.

Are those for me?

“Whatchu got there?” He can't stop himself from asking. 

Freo’s eyebrows lift in surprise. So cute .

“Oh, uh, gloves. I noticed you didn't have yours on so I was going to lend them to you but,” Freo’s voice goes quieter, barely audible under all the music. “but I don't think they'll fit you.”

“Aww Furi-furi! You're so sweet! Were you concerned about me?” Kaelix asks teasingly, his mouth breaking into a grin. 

The crease in Freo’s brow deepens comically fast. He opens his mouth, likely in protest, but is cut off by a yell.

“Kaelix!” They both turn to the direction of the voice to see Zeal waving at them from the bar. It seems like new patrons have snuck in since the bouncer left his post.

“Well, that's my cue. I'll talk to you later Freo,” Kaelix pats the designer's shoulder as he walks past him. He feels the hair at his nape prickle and he fights his own urge to run back and have the smaller man’s attention for himself.

It's another day at the live house. There are roughly 3 hours left until opening and today, it's Kaelix' turn to sweep the stage. He sways to a tune he hums to himself, and he occasionally twirls his trusted dance partner, the broom. 

It's as he tilts the broom down in a dip that the rest of the team finds him. The three members pause and giggle to themselves. He sees Zeal lean in close to Freo to whisper something ( some super secret plan against Kaelix probably) and then to Seible ( it's for sure an evil plan against Kaelix now) , before they separate to their respective sections of the live house. Seible goes to the office on the 2nd floor, Freo towards the equipment rack near the stage, and Zeal to the bar.

“Don't laugh at me!” he whines, which only causes the others to laugh more. “You are all cruel and hold no love for Kaelix.” 

Kaelix is used to the teasing (it is never harmful) but he's still prone to getting flustered. But the sweet sounds of the others’ laughter are contagious, and he laughs as well.

Man, I love these guys.

“Oh, Kaelix,” Freo’s soft voice from beside the stage gets his attention. 

“Hm?”

“Since you're already up there, can you help me a bit?”

“You need help from me ? Little ol’ Kaelix?” he grips the broom tighter, conscious that he might just drop it in excitement. The bouncer can count on one hand the number of times Freo asked for his help. Timing, location and other circumstances always allowed the designer to ask one of the other members first. So this is a treat for him!

Freo appears at the top of the stage steps with a microphone in hand. “Here, can you help me with sound check and lighting?”

Kaelix gasps loudly. He all but runs to put the broom away and returns in front of Freo comically fast. “ Really? You want ME to help you with sound check?”

“You're the one I'm talking to right now, right? Do you see anyone else here?”

“B-but usually Seible -”

“Seible is already in his office doing Seible things. And Zeal is setting up the bar, so here,” Freo pushes the microphone into Kaelix’ hands. “Sing whatever song you were dancing to just now.”

The designer walks down the stage and to his equipment rack, procuring the tablet he uses to help with sound mixing. He then positions himself towards the back of the live house and nods at Kaelix to start.

The bouncer shakes his hands at his side, takes a deep breath, and brings the mic to his face.

“ To you, yes, my love to you - “

As he sings the next lines into the mic, his eyes sweep the club. He sees Seible standing by the balcony with papers in hand, no doubt listening to his performance while working out some paperwork. Zeal continues setting up the bar, but this time, there is a sway in his body. And when his eyes drift towards the center of the live house, he is greeted with Freodore’s eyes on him.

The gaze fills him up with a thrilling feeling, like a fire starting from the balls of his feet travelling up his legs, into his lower belly and into his chest where it bursts into a warmth travelling to the tips of his fingers. It fuels him as he croons the chorus into the mic.

“ Stay with me, 真夜中のドアをたたき -”

The stage then bursts with light, both the stage lights and overhead lights all point to him. The rest of the live house’s overhead lights start to move around in different colours. 

Kaelix' stares at the technical designer in shock. He hasn't gone under the spotlight since his modelling days. He's been far from the stage since starting this bouncer gig, but in truth, this is where he truly shines.

He grins at Freo as he sings the rest of the song, adding some sway to his body.

He'll sing his heart out any day if those eyes would watch him this intently for the rest of his life.

“Bold song choice for sound check,” the bartender’s voice says from somewhere above him.

Kaelix is slumped over the bar counter after tidying up for the day. The club has long been closed and cleaned, but he could not muster the energy to leave. And since the rest of the staff are still around, he thought he’d stay anyway.

“Mngh?” he answers somewhat sleepily. He was about 20 seconds to dreamland. “What are you talking about?”

“Stay With Me? Really” Kaelix hears more than sees Zeal wipe a part of the counter. “Also, you should head home if you're just going to block my counter.”

“Mngghh,” the bouncer protests. “But everyone is still here. I can't leave when you're all still here!” He whines, wriggling around on the bar counter exaggeratedly.

He doesn't see Zeal's disgusted face or hear his comment of “Ew, I haven't fully wiped down that area.”

“Who's still here?” This time, Kaelix hears Seible’s friendly voice from above him.

“Everyone apparently,” the bartender answered.

“Really? But I thought Furi-chan had already left?” the promoter asks, confused. 

To which Kaelix shoots up in his seat, almost losing his balance on the barstool in the process. “WHAT?! HE DID?!”

He looks between the other two for answers and he shrinks. They both stare at him with the most wicked smirks. “What are you looking at me like that for?”

“Oh Kae-chan,” Seible says, shaking his head.

Zeal on the other hand reaches over the bar and pats Kaelix’ cheek. “Oh my darling bouncer.. you are so precious. Please don't change.”

“What's going on here?” Just then, the designer’s soft voice startles the trio. Where he came from, the others didn't know.

Zeal retracts his hand immediately, raising them as if under arrest. Freo stares at Kaelix, crease between his brows, and then turns to look at Zeal. The bartender only shrugs.

Kaelix looks at the exchange with confusion. What just happened?

“Hm.. Kaelix, I need your height for a bit. Can you come with me for a sec?” the designer asks, his somewhat stern gaze lingering on Zeal a bit more before turning it towards the bouncer.

Kaelix perks up at this almost immediately. He follows the designer to the technical room/design studio, a bounce in his step. It's a room Kaelix tries to stay away. He wasn't entirely sure he was even allowed in there, but today must be an exception. 

He takes in the room as he steps in. On the wall immediately to the left of where they entered is a table with a computer and wires everywhere. Right next to it is a shelf with more devices and cables than he can understand, but it all likely related to the sound and lights around the live house. There's a big table in the middle of the room with papers and more fabric spread on it. On the far wall is another shelf, cubbies filled with various fabric. Lined up against the corner of the room is another table with a sewing machine and a cushioned chair on wheels. Right beside this is a loveseat with another pile of fabric on it. A few mannequins stand in another corner of the room, all different heights but wearing matching uniforms. Kaelix realizes they represent each one of them.

He could only stand in awe at the space. Here is where Freo does all his magic.

The designer grabs the pile of fabric on the loveseat and passes it into Kaelix’ arms. “Can you put these on the top shelf there?” He points to the highest cubby in the fabric shelf. Kaelix complies wordlessly, even when Freo gives him more fabric to tuck away.

The bouncer then feels a tug on his sleeve. Freo drags him gently towards the loveseat and pushes him until he is seated.

“You can nap here until everyone's ready to leave,” Freo says. He reaches for Kaelix’ face, turning it to one side and then the other, then settles his hand on the bouncer’s cheek. “You’re looking a little tired. It's not a good look for the first person the guests see before entering the live house.”

The designer slowly removes his hand from the other’s face. He walks towards his sewing machine and starts tidying whatever mess (what mess? Kaelix would ask) was there, his back turned to the bouncer. “This is my quiet place. You can take a nap in here whenever you want.”

And with that the bouncer drifted to sleep. He doesn't see the red tinge colouring the other’s ears.

Kaelix enters the live house to see the other three members gathered around the bar. The rain is pouring relentlessly outside and he does his best to shake off as much water as he could before walking towards them. It's as he draws a little closer that he notices the tense atmosphere around the group. Seible, the usual happy-go-lucky promoter, has a rare frown on his face. His arms are crossed in front of his chest, and his shoulders are just a bit tense. Freo has a hand on his hip, the frown on his face deeper than normal. Zeal just beckons Kaelix over to join them.

“What's happening?” He asks as he joins the others.

“The first few acts we have today cancelled because of the storm,” Zeal answers.

“The rest of the artists are still ok to perform though so we can't just cancel on them either. But none of them can come earlier to cover the open slots,” Seible sighs. “I'm not sure what to do. I don't think I can announce a later opening time on such short notice.”

“Can't we just play something in the background until the first act?” Kaelix asks. 

“We can only play something for so long though,” Freo chimes in.

“Zeal, can we play your songs for a bit?” the bouncer asks again.

“Yes but we've done that the last few times we had to cover for an artist cancellation..,” the bartender answers. “We can play it for a section but it'd be boring to play it the entire time. Unfortunately, I don't have anything new at the moment.”

“Come on Zeepaw, get on with the new stuff!” Seible interjects jokingly, making all of them laugh.

“What if we get Kaelix to sing for the time being?” Freo suddenly suggests, turning all eyes on him. Kaelix’ eyebrows almost shoot off his forehead.

“WHAT?!” He yells. “What do you mean? Wait, no no no. I can't.” He shakes his head.

Zeal and Seible look at each other.

“Hm, you do have a good voice,” Seible starts, tilting his head in consideration.

“And you do enjoy singing on the stage,”Zeal says, it was his turn to cross his arms.

“No no no! I'm a bouncer . I don't belong on the stage!” Kaelix argues.

“But you shine up there. And with all the time we see you dancing with a mop up there while singing to yourself, it's obvious you enjoy being up there. With or without the lights,” Freo answers back, his voice confident as he looks into Kaelix’ eyes. The bouncer feels his knees almost buckle at the others' confidence (but this he won't admit out loud).

“You like jazz right?” He asks, already walking towards the technical room. “I think I have some tracks you can work with.”

Kaelix can only stare at him in shock. After Freo disappears into the room, he feels himself being pushed towards the stage.

“Come on Kae-chan, no more dilly-dallying!” Seible says, voice gaining back its usual cheerfulness. “You only have so much time to do a sound check before the guests start arriving.”

“But the door -”

“Don't worry, Zeepaw can take care of the door,” the promoter says over his shoulder. He turns his head to look for the said bartender, who he sees raise a thumbs up from the corner of his eye. (Thank goodness for his height that he can see above Seible's head just a little bit. The Seible in his head protests at this).

When he's at the bottom of the steps to the stage, Zeal grabs a mic from the equipment rack and drops it into his hands. “Go get ‘em tiger.”

“Get WHO??!!!” he asks as he trudges along to the middle of the stage. The other two snicker at him before walking to the bar and he's left to stand on stage awkwardly.

Kaelix takes a survey of the room. In a few more hours, this place will be filled with a bunch of people. It will be less crowded due to the storm, but there'll be enough to fill up sections of the live house. It will be a decent-sized audience that he isn't used to singing to. He feels dread slowly flow up from his feet and it's like he is stuck on the stage, unable to move or run away. There's a chill running down his spine and a heaviness that settles in his stomach.

With a flash, the overhead stage lights turned on, focusing on him. The other ceiling lights start dancing in multiple colours. The sudden brightness breaks through Kaelix’ nervousness. 

He blinks and surveys the room. From the stage, he sees Seible and Zeal standing by the bar, looking at him with proud gazes. They eventually both wave at him, big smiles on their faces. This spreads warmth throughout Kaelix. Freo emerges from the technical room. When they lock eyes, the designer just nods at him. It's odd how much comfort there is behind that serious stare. He nods at him one more time as if to say, “ it's ok. Go ahead. I'm right here.”

Kaelix almost tears up. He can't fathom how much trust these three have in him, in thinking he can entertain a whole room of people. But seeing all of them encouraging him to go on, the coldness leaves his feet and there's a warmth enveloping him from the inside. He shakes his shoulders, takes a deep breath, closes his eyes and sings whatever note comes to mind. 

If they’re going to be watching him so intently, he might as well give it his best shot.

People are starting to trickle into the live house. Kaelix is behind the stage, peaking through the curtain, and watching as people meander about the place. It is Seible that ends up manning the door. Zeal tends to the bar as he usually does, and Freo - he's not quite sure where Freo is.

“You're going to do fine,” Kaelix jumps at the designer's sudden voice behind him. He lets go of the curtain and faces the other. As soon as he does so, Freo reaches for the lapels on his shirt, straightening them as he speaks. “You've got an amazing voice and great vocal technique. You're pretty serious about your singing and you make it very obvious how much you enjoy it.”

“You think I'm pretty?” he couldn't help but answer, hoping the joke would break the nervousness in his system. Freo playfully shoves him in return, but the slight smirk on his lips is unmistakable.

“You can still make jokes,” the designer only shakes his head. “Well,” he glances at his watch. “You've got a few more minutes before you need to go out there. How are you feeling?”

“Like I can't feel my feet,” Kaelix answers immediately with a laugh. “If I think too hard about it, I might cry.”

“You'll do great,” Freo says again, searching Kaelix’ face for something before peeking through the curtain himself. “If you don't want to look at the audience, you can just find us in the crowd. Direct the song to us.” He doesn't quite look at Kaelix as he continues this thought. He lets go of the curtain and turns his attention to his watch.

Kaelix exhales a breath he doesn't know he is holding. “Thanks Furi-furi,” he says, knowing full well this is Freo’s own way of comforting him.

Someone bounds up the stairs behind them. 

“How's our Kae-chan doing? Ready for your big debut?” Seible reaches over Kaelix’ shoulder as soon as he gets close to them, shaking him just a little bit.

The bouncer hunches over ever so slightly and pretends to bawl. “Seibleeee, I don't know what to dooooo. I can't do thisssss.”

“Oh Kae-chan, Kae-chan,” the promoter indulges him, rubbing his back softly. “What do you mean you can't do this? You're the best singer here! You're going to blow everyone’s socks off! And then you’re going to blow off their shoes! Then everyone will have to go home barefoot!”

The thought is so ridiculous that Kaelix can’t help but laugh. Freo shakes his head at their antics.

“OK but in all seriousness though, it’s time for you to go out there. But don’t worry, I’ll go ahead and introduce you first so you have a few more minutes to yourself,” Seible says, patting the bouncer’s arm before walking through the stage curtain.

Kaelix eyes the curtain where Seible disappeared into and takes a deep breath. He turns to give Freo a smile, hoping that it looked less nervous than he felt. The designer nods at him once before handing him a mic and leaving down the steps, no doubt going to his spot right outside the technical room. He rolls his shoulders, shaking them a bit and takes a deep breath. He listens to the last of Seible’s welcoming message and as he hears the cheers of the crowd, he steps through the curtain and into the dazzling lights of the stage. 

Seible smiles at him before disappearing behind him again.

He steps forward towards the mic stand placed right in the center of the stage. He clips the mic that the designer passed on to him, plasters on his widest welcoming smile and faces the crowd.

 “Welcome to By the Beat everyone!” he greets the crowd. “ Usually I am the first person you see before you even enter the live house. But today is a special day and I am honoured to sing for all of you. I am your most beloved bouncer, Kaelix Debonair! Let’s all have fun today!”

He finds Freo in the back of the crowd and gives him one more nod.

The stage lights dim ever so lightly, though there are a few directed right at him. The music starts and he feels it course through his veins. 

Birds flying high, you know how I feel

He takes hold of the mic stand and pulls it closer.

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

And slowly being in front of the crowd no longer gives him uncomfortable chills, but a warmth that feels right.

Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day

It’s a new life, for me

And I’m feeling good

The stage erupts with light and the crowd cheers.

He doesn’t quite notice the proud smiles directed at him by his closest friends, one in particular much wider than he usually shows.

The last band is now on the stage. The amount of people visiting the live house has slowed (or stopped maybe, Kaelix was never sure) for the night with the rain still pouring outside. The guests who have stayed from the beginning have greeted him with their smiles and compliments of his singing and the setlist. All of which make Kaelix feel endlessly warm inside and light to the point that he feels he can just float away. But the setlist, he cannot take credit for. That was all the work of their dear designer, who somehow knew that they were all songs Kaelix enjoyed to listen to and sing to himself when he thought no one was looking. The designer who seems to currently be missing in action.

Kaelix roams through the floor, swerving around the small amount of people still in the live house. He peeks into the technical room and he even ventures to the balcony, still no sight of the designer. Defeated, he sits in the corner of the bar where he still has a good view of both the door and the stage.

“Have you seen Furi Furi?” he asks Zeal as he sits.

“Haven't seen him in a while,” Zeal responds, shaking his head. “I thought I saw him going upstairs earlier. He wasn't there?”

“No,” Kaelix curls forward, resting his arms on the bar counter. “I didn't even see him leave.”

Zeal tuts at him before grabbing a rag and wiping the spot in front of the bouncer. “I didn't see him walk by here, so he's still in the building somewhere. He's probably somewhere with Seible.”

Kaelix sighs.

“That was a good setlist. Didn't know you worked on one with Freo. I especially enjoyed the last half of the set,” the bartender starts after a minute. “Sway and Misty? Right in front of our dear designer?”

“That was all Freo. I didn't even know he compiled a set like that for me,” the bouncer tugs at his sleeves. “How did he even know that I like jazz? I don't understand!”

The bartender chuckles. “You're louder than you think when you go up and sweep the stage.”

“What?! But you guys never said anything! I thought no one could hear me,” the bouncer sits up in surprise.

Zeal only shrugs. “It was entertaining.”

“You don’t love me!” he whines and promptly shrinks, suddenly embarrassed about all the times he sang while dancing with the broom on the stage during setup. He folds into his arms on the bar counter, hiding his face from the world. 

The band finishes the song they were singing. And though the vocalist talks through the intermission, Kaelix feels a silence stretch around him.

“Do you think he liked it?” he says into his arms.

“What was that?”

“Do you think he liked my singing?” the bouncer lifts his head and rests his chin on top of his arms.

Zeal pauses in steps. It’s only then that Kaelix notices how the bar is empty aside from him. All of the guests present must have gathered around the stage for the last few songs for the night.

“Oh my darling bouncer,” the bartender moves closer to him, removes one of his gloves and places his bare hand on Kaelix’ head. “Did you think about why our dear designer has tracks ready for your favourite jazz songs? Did you think about how he knew that you liked these songs? Did you think about why he wanted you to sing these songs in particular?”

Zeal removes his hand from the bouncer’s head. Kaelix lifts himself from the counter to look straight at the bartender, searching his face for answers he knows he won’t find. Zeal is good at concealing his expressions that way. Sometimes Kaelix loves it, knowing that the bartender will fill him in on details after the fact. But now that he's facing this solid wall, he doesn't enjoy it as much.

The bartender ruffles Kaelix’ hair. “Sorry bud. I can't help you with this one. Have a think and then I'll tell you when you're older, yeah?” He finishes with a wink.

Kaelix can only watch dumbfounded as the other walks away. 

The live house is now empty save for the four core members of the team. Kaelix finds himself sitting at the edge of the stage facing the audience, broom clutched against his chest. The conversation with Zeal has not entirely left his mind.

The bartender has been going back and forth between the bar and his storage room to do some restocking. He has spotted Seible pop in and out of the offices since he sat at the bar. At one point, he even stopped by the bar to compliment him on his performance. Freo, on the other hand, is still nowhere to be found. He wonders if it is possible for them to simply miss each other while roaming the building. There aren’t many places to hide here after all.

Kaelix’ shoulders droop as he sighs. The more time passes that he doesn’t see the designer, the more his confidence in his performance drops. What if he didn’t like my performance? What if he regrets letting me on stage? What if I ruined that set?  

He groans before swiping aggressively at the spot directly in front of his feet.

“Easy there. You’re going to break the poor broom,” Kaelix jumps at the voice, dropping the broom in the process.

“Freo,” he says, almost unbelieving that the other man is actually in front of him.

Freo picks up the broom and sets it aside before sitting on the stage beside Kaelix.

“You did really well today,” the designer starts. “The guests seemed to enjoy it a lot.”

“Hmm, it was fun,” Kaelix answers with a hum. He clasps his hands together, suddenly unsure where to place them.

He hears a soft chuckle to his side. “Good. I'm glad you had fun.”

For a moment, all that can be heard are the clinking of bottles as Zeal continues his inventory work.

“I'm sorry for pushing you up there if you weren't ready. The intention wasn't to pressure you into going up there or anything,” the designer says. “I just thought it was a shame that you're at the door when you've got this beautiful voice and this stage presence. But it's not up to me to say when you're ready for the stage. So, I'm sorry.”

Kaelix takes a chance to look at Freo. He sees the solemn look on the other’s face, brows slightly creased. His hands are clasped, right on his thighs. There is a slight stiffness on his shoulders and a slight tension on his jaw, like he's been mulling over this for the past few hours. Maybe ever since he brought up the idea.

“You really mean it?” the bouncer asks, breaking the tension in Freo’s pose. The designer turns to look at him so fast, eyes wide in surprise. Kaelix almost chuckles at how round his eyes got. But there's a warmth again in his heart, that allows all the dread he has been feeling for the last few hours to drain out of the soles of his feet. “You really think I'm meant to stand on the stage and sing for everyone?”

Freo’s eyes soften. “You shine brightest on the stage. The joy you have being up there is so contagious, that everyone listening gets an instant mood lift. It's easy to tell that every performance you'd have will be a special one.”

Kaelix has never seen this expression up close. He almost reaches a hand out to touch the other’s face, and he has to physically look away to not be drawn in further.

“Where did you go the last few hours?” the bouncer asks instead, trying to move the attention away from himself.

“Hm.. oh into one of the offices.”

“What were you doing?”

“Finishing a project.”

“How did you know which songs I like to sing?” Kaelix asks, this time not expecting to get any answers.

He hears more than sees Freo flinch beside him. It is the small sound he made that catches Kaelix’ attention. He turns his head just in time to watch as red blooms across the designer’s face, all the way from his cheeks to the tips of his ears.

“I - “ the designer hesitates, before sighing out in defeat. “It’s stupid.. and weird. I've been leaving one mic by the stage during setup. I turn it on whenever you're up there so I can hear you sing from the tech room. You sing these songs the most so… I started working on some tracks thinking you could sing them one day..” he trailed off. “Sorry...”

Kaelix grins. “You love me a lot don’t you, Furi-furi.”

Freo only blinks at him. “You're not mad?”

Kaelix shakes his head. “Why would I be? I spend so much time thinking of how to get your praise and undivided attention. And here you are telling me that I've had it all along? Just because I sing whatever comes to mind while cleaning? You've just sent me to heaven.” 

The bouncer wonders if his smile is conveying how happy he is by this revelation. This serious guy in front of him, who holds all he cares for close to his heart, shows more than talks about all his passions, thinks about him - HIM , silly little bouncer of the group that laughs his way through most things. He thinks about him so often that he created tracks for his whole setlist, just for him to sing? How could he get so lucky?

“Tell me, Mr. Furi-furi, since when have you enjoyed my singing?” he leans forward a little, enjoying the looks of surprise on the other’s face.

The designer’s face relaxes to a small smirk. “From the beginning.”

It is Kaelix’ turn to be surprised. “Wait, really?”

Freo presses an index finger on the bouncer’s forehead, and gives him a light push. “Yes,” he answers, not elaborating any further. “Also here, these are yours,” he presses some fabric into Kaelix’ hands, before getting up and starting to walk towards the technical room.

When the bouncer opens his hands to inspect the fabric, he finds the pair of gloves he thought he lost. Immediately, he stands and follows Freo. “Wait! Where did you find these?”

As he walks towards the smaller man, he almost misses the other pair of fabric that falls from his hands. He picks up the fabric and inspects them closely. It’s another pair of gloves, almost identical to the ones he lost. However the difference is in the added gold detailing that matches the ones on his button up shirt. Curious, he puts them on, curling and uncurling his fingers to test the fit. 

They fit perfectly.  

He marvels at his hands, still in awe of how great the gloves fit before turning his gaze towards the technical room. 

When in the world did Freo even have time to make this?

He sees the designer watching him from the open door of the technical room.

Has he been watching me like this all along? And I’ve never noticed?

Kaelix takes long strides to the technical room. He cannot control the wide grin on his face as he walks. He stops right in front of the designer, their shoes almost touching. 

Freo watches him carefully, likely unsure what to expect from his approach.

The bouncer opens his arms wide as an invitation. He’ll wait for the other to choose whether he will reciprocate or not. 

The designer searches his face for another moment before moving forward and resting his forehead by Kaelix’ collarbone.. The taller man loosely wraps his arms around Freo’s shoulders, squeezing once but careful not to hug the other too tightly.

“Thank you, Freo, for your attention. For everything.” He hears the other hum before feeling a pair of arms wrap around his back.

If this is heaven, well, he never wants to leave.

The two in the technical room do not notice the other two people watching them from behind the bar.

“Do you think I can ask Furi-chan to convince Kae-chan to sing for the live house more?” the promoter asks.

“I’m pretty sure that if you tell Kaelix that Freo wants him to sing more, he’ll do it every other day,” the bartender answers.

Seible gasps in return. “Gin-chan, you are a genius! Let me get some schedules made.”