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Don't forget to drink water, you goblin.
Vessel smiles as he plucks the sticky note from the screen of his handheld gaming console and places it directly on top of the small table before him. Obediently, he rises from his seat and pads the short distance across the tour bus’ aisle to obtain water from the mini fridge whilst III settles in at the table with his own console in hand. Vessel procures his favorite reusable cup with a smile, taking note of the secondary note taped onto it, before he once more approaches the table and sets it beside the other and once more takes up his seat across from the bassist.
Remember to take care of yourself, Ve.
"II really is a mother hen, isn't he?" III laughs as he reads the notes for himself, craning his neck awkwardly as Vessel thoughtfully sips his water before letting out a hum of agreement. "He's nice as hell to ya’, though. He usually yells at me for forgettin' stuff."
"Perks of being me, I suppose." Vessel muses, smiling to himself over II's care for his wellbeing whilst he boots up his console.
"He even barks orders at Ivy, Vess. What do ya' do to keep the little one sweet on ya’?" III bemoans before hurriedly glancing around them, as if terrified of reprisal from the drummer, only for him to sigh in relief when no retaliation comes his way.
"I think he just loves me," Vessel gushes in spite of himself, blushing slightly from his own words and the thoughtfulness in which his partner regards him with.
"He loves us too; that's not the point." III grumbles with a pout before selecting their appointed game for the evening.
Vessel cocks his head to the side, squinting over his console, just in time for a pillow to smack III in the back of the head as II peeks around the corner behind the bunks, glares, then slips quietly into the bus’ sole bedroom once more. III yelps upon the contact, panic seeping into his voice, as he whips his head back around to where the offending object had smacked him before he curses and returns his attention to the console's screen.
"See? Angry little thing," III scoffs, and at that, Vessel can only laugh, unable to disagree with his longtime friend.
-
"Three rooms again?" IV inquires, his brow furrowing, before the guitarist sighs dejectedly and slowly shakes his head. "How does this keep happening? We've told them countless times that every time that we go to a hotel, there's never enough rooms booked for all of us."
"Oh, it's fine. We're used to sharing," II says with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Are you sure, mate? III and I can rough it for a night and give you guys the other rooms," IV offers, words that Vessel and II exchange a glance with another over, before II languidly waves his hand once more. "If you guys say so. I feel awful, lads. You two always wind up stuck together."
"We don't mind, really." Vessel answers with a shrug, not quite understanding what the fuss is about, as per usual.
"We've got a sleeping arrangement that works well for us. Even being able to stretch out our legs is enough for us. The mattresses on the bus aren't exactly long, or wide for that matter." II comments before pulling a face when Vessel chuckles beneath his breath. "Don't you fucking dare, Ve."
"I'm not saying anything," Vessel teases with a broad smile, sharp canines poking out from beneath his top lip. "Besides, we only have one bag anyway. It's easier to keep track of everything that way."
"So, you knew that this would happen again, huh? I hate that for you two. Well, just let us know if you change your mind." IV concedes with a sympathetic look before gently kicking III in the shin, rousing the passed-out bassist from the hotel lobby's couch, before the duo grab their respective suitcases and head towards their assigned rooms.
"I don't understand why they always insist that we take up two rooms," Vessel admits as he grabs their sole duffel bag, ignoring the latter's look of protest in the process.
"You know why," II responds with another shrug and a look of sheer disbelief before attempting to swipe the bag from the singer, only for Vessel to hold it outside of his reach with a single hand before brandishing the room key with the other.
"Open the door for me?" Vessel asks, batting his lengthy lashes at II in a way that he knows that the drummer can't refuse, nor resist, before II seizes the key with determination and bounds down the hallway,
Vessel giggles excitedly as he follows after him.
-
"World's Okayist Drummer?" III questions with a raised eyebrow before setting his phone aside, his expression perplexed. "Vessel, mate...I know ya' can play just 'bout anythin', but ya' don't have to brag."
"What are you talking about?" Vessel responds, equally confused, as he shoots the bassist an incredulous look.
"World's Okayist Frontman?" IV calls from down the bus, garnering their attention, as II emerges from the bathroom with damp hair, clad in a pair of simple joggers and Vessel's own hoodie.
"I think the two of yous accidentally switched hoodies," III snickers, snorting, before unlocking his phone once more.
Vessel exchanges a confused look with II, eyeballing the way his hoodie hangs past his thighs, and smiling at the slight blush on his boyfriend's face before he shakes his head to rid himself of the lingering weirdness in the air. Once done, Vessel sighs contentedly and snuggles back up on the sofa, breathing in II's cologne that clings to the fabric, before his partner collapses on the couch beside him and settles into his side.
"III, can we get matching hoodies?" IV shouts from his bunk, poking his head out, as III looks up from his phone and laughs.
"Think those are for couples, Ivy." III responds, chuckling to himself, as Vessel squints at his band mates.
"I think anyone can have matching hoodies," Vessel tells them, his words met with a firm shake of the bassist's head and a brief, but panic stricken, glance upward from the other man.
"Couples and musical duos, sorry, mates. Didn’t mean nothin’ by it," III amends, his words earning him a tilt of the head from both II and Vessel, as IV retreats back into his bunk and III once more resumes his mindless scrolling.
-
IV cracks his neck before offering III a wild look behind his mask, giggling when the bassist's own eyes match his energy, before IV's gaze flits over to another, familiar, movement.
Vessel leans downward, pressing his forehead against II's mask covered face, and whispers something that they cannot quite hear over the thunderous roar of the awaiting crowd.
Nearby, a technician, a new face amidst a sea of familiar people, screeches to an abrupt halt at the peculiar sight.
"Oh, that's just how they sync their tempos, mate." IV tells him, well accustomed to the bizarre practice, before he shrugs and looks to III. "A relic from recording or something, probably. Right, III?"
"They're weird blokes, but ya' have to be, bein' a travelin’ musician and whatnot." III tells the tech, who looks a hilarious mix of petrified and confused as he nods his head. "II's like his emotional support human."
"You something of an expert on being a weirdo, III?" II chimes in, his pale blue eyes unimpressed initially before amusement surfaces in them.
IV laughs as the technician scurries off, busying himself once more, as Vessel approaches their small group with purpose and a smile still carved onto his lips.
-
"Tell your precious boyfriend that I said to take good care of you on the road. Love you both, and I hope to see you soon!"
"Bye, mum. We love you, too." Vessel smiles as he hangs up the phone, glancing over at II, who sits with a small smile on his lips. "We need to visit when we get home."
"Your mum’s hilarious. It’s like she actually thinks that II’s your boyfriend or something." IV chuckles to himself as he reaches for his tea.
Vessel gawks at him, confused, as II stiffly turns his neck to view the guitarist's nonchalance.
"He is?" Vessel asks slowly, stunned beyond belief, as IV laughs once more and nods his head, his mouth full of tea.
"Pretty much, right? He's always worried over you and doting on you. Sorry, mate. No offense," IV says, shooting a wink towards II, before the guitarist resumes his once paused video on his laptop and the sound of his film plays on once more.
"I told you that they're idiots," II grumbles softly as he encircles Vessel with his arms and buries his face in the singer's neck.
"They know, II." Vessel disagrees, but for once, he doubts the sincerity of his own words. "Don't they?"
The look that II shoots him as the drummer leans around to look at him is more done than Vessel's ever seen the other man.
"They're idiots." II deadpans.
"I think you're right; they are idiots." Vessel blanches.
-
"II, you didn't have to do this." Vessel gushes, beaming upward at his partner, as he slowly closes the precious handmade card in front of him and sets it on top of the custom-made, leather-bound notebook that II had procured for him from overseas.
"Happy anniversary, Ve. There's more, back at home, but...this was all that I could bring with me." II explains with a smile of his own, stepping into the open arms that Vessel greets him with.
"Did you like your gift?" Vessel mumbles into the fabric of II's shirt, shuddering as his boyfriend's hands find a place in both his hair and on his back, gently brushing against him.
"I love it, thank you again." II assures him, squeezing him reassuringly, as Vessel hums contentedly and slowly closes his eyes, merely happy to be held.
"Happy band anniversary, lads. You've both come such a long way," III sniffles with raw emotion in his voice.
Vessel can't help but balk into the fabric of his partner's shirt as II sighs out of sheer disbelief.
"Thanks, III."
-
"You're so damn pretty," Vessel groans against II's lips, cornering his partner in the bus’ sole bedroom, and slowly guiding his partner to the edge of the mattress. "Been thinking about you all damn morning."
"That so?" II teases back, his hands rising to guide Vessel's face closer to his own, as the singer nods gently against him. "What were you thinking about, Ve?"
"I was thinking of you underneat-"
They both jump the moment that the once closed bedroom door swings open, the sound immediately followed by a gasp, before IV curses under his breath.
"Sorry! Didn't realize you two were talking in here," IV says it like it's nothing. "I'd say secrets are no fun, but you two have way more obligations and work-related stuff than III and I do. We can leave if you all need to ta-"
"Do you mind?" Vessel huffs out, blushing furiously, as he turns his head towards the guitarist who throws his hands up in mock surrender.
"Whatever new music you're discussing, I didn't hear a word of it. Please don't find a new guitarist," IV snickers before quietly excusing himself and shutting the door.
"Do you think they'd understand it if I fucked you on the couch in front of them?" Vessel bemoans, bowing his head in defeat against II's own, as the drummer laughs and slowly drags his partner down on top of him.
"I think that they'd say we were doing naked yoga at this point," II snorts before reclaiming Vessel's pouty lips with his own.
-
"Why do Vessel and II use the same toothbrush?" IV asks III as the bassist takes a long drag from his cigarette.
"Vessel said it was communal between the two of ‘em, but it's proper fuckin' nasty." III answers, crinkling his nose, before smoke filters out of his nostrils. "What I wanna know is why II has a playlist on his account called Away From Ve, and it's all...sad songs and shit."
"Vessel has one, too." IV says as his brow furrows, his gaze rising once more to meet III's as the bassist hits his smoke. "Even has a favorite one called Car Rides With II, with a heart emoji, which is just...drums and bass music."
"II loves drums and bass," III chuckles before choking on smoke, coughing as his eyes fly wide open. "Wait...Ivy, I just thought of somethin' funny we could do."
"You, thinking? That's shocking," IV deadpans before cracking a smile. "Well, go on then."
"Firstly, fuck you." III says dramatically with a roll of his eyes before he points the burning end of his cigarette towards the bus. "Secondly, we should make duplicate playlists but fill 'em with dumb shit to mess with 'em."
"That's actually not a bad idea," IV agrees, the pair exchanging devious looks, before III throws his cigarette away from them and reaches for the bus’ door handle.
The moment that the door swings open, they both freeze, their eyes widening and their cheeks burning hot, before III shuts the door and once more silences the sound of two distinct voices moaning.
"Ivy?" III asks after some time spent in stunned silence.
"Yeah?" IV stutters out, his pale skin still kissed by vibrant crimson as he awkwardly shifts his weight.
III merely facepalms and groans.
"We're actual fuckin' idiots, aren't we?"