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Dylan’s heart was racing. His blood gushing in his ears. He didn’t know if the loud pounding was the crowd’s incessant applaud or his own pulse. He felt like throwing up and exhilarated at the same time.
He can’t believe they actually managed to pull it off.
There were so many things that could’ve gone wrong at absolutely any minute during the concert. And they wouldn’t have found out about it until after it was already over and they lost their last chance. He was getting progressively worried as the concert kept going.
It all came to a head when the documentary started playing. P’Po didn’t get the chance to tell them exactly how he edited it. When it started and everything seemed unchanged Dylan began going over every possible thing that could’ve gone wrong, and ask himself if they can still manage to go through with their plan.
What if P’Po was found out and Pemika had him locked up somewhere. What if P’Mick had a last minute change of heart and decided not to help them anymore. Or was it his plan all along to trick them into trusting him, so they can share their plan and he can stop it from happening. What if Pemika was orchestrating the whole thing all along, Dylan really can’t put anything past that woman, she’s very cunning when she wants to be.
No, no, he can’t think like that right now. Nothing was ruined yet. Worst case scenario, after the old version of the documentary they’ll just say everything they want to say to Thame on stage, but it’ll be much trickier and make the next part of the plan virtually impossible. They’ll probably get caught right away and-
But then the screen glitched and the lights went out. The next few seconds was the first moment of silence Dylan has heard the entire day. It felt like the calm before a storm, probably because it was exactly that.
And then their new video came on for everyone’s bewilderment and shock. The next couple of things that happened were a complete daze. They brought Thame to the right floor panel on the stage so he can meet P’Po, and then they started running. At first he was just following Pepper, but at some point they had to get separated to avoid getting caught and later arrive at the rendezvous point to meet Thame for a quick debrief before their final song.
The problem was, it’s too dark under the stage and he couldn’t see where he’s running off to. He completely forgot the layout of the venue they’ve been going over for days while planning their little sabotage, and during meetings with the staff for blocking, and in the car on the way here. Now, instead of a detailed map he swears he could’ve drawn from memory mere five minutes ago, there was a blank canvass with no directions of where to go. All he knew, he had to get to the dressing room where they kept all the outfits for the show, no one would be there at this point into the event and they can have a few moments of reprieve.
Somewhere on his way Dylan got lost. He really didn’t know where to turn anymore and where he’s supposed to go. He can’t believe he was about to ruin their plan. MARS won’t get to stay together because of him now. Nononononono.
He needs to take a breath. He needs to stop, calm down and figure this out as quickly as possible. They had a time limit for their bold stunt and it was running out.
Dylan leaned against the nearest wall and started taking deep breathes, the tiredness from all the worrying and dance performances started catching up. It felt like an adrenaline crash. It wasn’t as dark in the hallway backstage as it was under the stage, his eyes weren’t working properly because of the sudden contrast. He started thinking when was his last ophthalmologist check up. Probably been too long, but he doesn’t have time to ponder on this now. He has to find his-
Voices. He heard voices approaching and footsteps of several people that were definitely in a hurry. And were definitely not his bandmates. Oh god, the staff was probably frantically looking for all of them now. And they were about to see him.
He needs to hide. But where. He can’t see any doors or openings nearby. The footsteps are getting closer. Dammit, he ruined the whole thing. It’s all his fault.
Before the spiral can turn into a whirlpool, suddenly, someone grabs his hand and pulls him into the closest maintenance room. He’s too out of it to protest.
The person quickly locks the door from the inside and pushes Dylan against it, covering his mouth with a warm palm.
When his senses come to, he finally recognizes the person in front of him.
Jun.
He’s pressing him against the door, the free hand coming up to his own mouth indicating to keep quiet. They can still hear the hurried steps and loud voices from the hall. A measly door between success and failure of their plan. Dylan wants to laugh at the absurdity, but then someone is tugging at the door handle. The rapper startles, gasping into Jun’s palm and surging forward in an attempt to make himself as invisible as possible. Jun moves his hand from Dylan’s mouth to the back of his head and pushes it into the crook of his neck hoping to muffle the noises, the other hand circling around his waist holding him tight.
Dylan breathes in for what feels like the first time since the main screen glitched. Something flowery with undertones of coffee and citrus, but also sweat from performing for nearly two hours and something inherently Jun.
After what seemed like an eternity they could finally hear the staff moving on down the hall. Dylan could feel his heartbeat slowing down with each retreating step.
When they couldn’t hear anything for ten consecutive seconds Jun eased his grip around Dylan and brought his face back so he could look at him. His uncharacteristically tentative fingers moving to the silver head’s cheek, Jun’s thumb brushing his cheekbone hoping the movement has a calming effect. He could feel the hurried pace of the other’s heartbeat even through all the layers of their clothes.
He waits until he actually catches Dylan’s eyes.
“Hey, listen to me, you’re all right, yeah?” Dylan doesn’t think he’s ever heard Jun’s voice sound this soft. He starts nodding in response.
“Okay, good. We’re not out of time yet, we can still make it to our spots”, Jun helpfully informs and Dylan releases a heavy sigh. He didn’t ruin everything completely after all. He also never thought Jun would be the bearer of the best news he’s received in the last year. Even bringing the whole band back together didn’t compare to the relief he felt right that moment.
Jun was still tenderly brushing his cheek. His eyes holding something unspoken. Something that hasn’t been shaped into words yet.
“We should go now, Dylan”, Jun says and reaches beyond Dylan’s back to unlock the door.
Dylan isn’t sure what he’s thinking. He certainly isn’t, because the next thing he knew was the feel of his bandmate’s lips against his own. Jun froze up mid movement, his eyes going cartoonishly wide. But before he could process what was happening Dylan was already pulling away. Jun instantly missing the weight of his lips.
“Thank you”, Dylan said breathless, eyes still on Jun. “I- uh, I got a little lost, so please lead the way”. He says as if he didn’t just completely shook Jun’s world. But whatever crisis he desperately wanted to spiral into would have to wait. They had their band to save first. So, as much as he hated to lose the body heat, Jun stepped away from Dylan and pushed the door open.
“Come on, this way”, he started down the hall in the opposite direction from where ONER staff went.
Dylan followed suit. Still not entirely registering what just happened. He kissed Jun. And instead of the bafflement and confusion he should’ve felt, it felt like the most normal thing in the world. Like they’ve done it a thousand times before and would do more so in the future.
Dylan definitely wanted to do that again some time soon.