Work Text:
Corroded Coffin was just finishing up their world tour.
And just like in the beginning of the tour, they are scheduled for a variety of press meetings right before their final three day sold out shows begin.
With one of the members deciding to settle down half way through the tour and popping a ring in the middle of a show, the group is celebrating the engagement of their rhythm guitarist alongside their successful tour.
It’s been the topic of every discussion.
Eddie sits in the center of the table on the elevated platform, smiling over at Jeff who’s being asked all about his engagement. He doubts the other will ever be over the excitement of marrying his best friend, the girl of his dreams as he says.
With all the attention on his bandmate, Eddie leans back into the chair and basks in his friend’s happiness. For once he allows himself to relax, his shoulders relax from their tensed state and he simply sits and listens. He nods along to the words being said and laughs when he sees his friend get shy at certain romantic questions, like the one about their honeymoon plans. His fellow bandmates join in on teasing him and Eddie feels glad the other’s are having a moment of spotlight.
After a long questionnaire, the attention shifts back to Eddie. He’s unprepared for the question, too caught up in being an observer for once, smiling to himself at his band mate’s playful banter regarding the wedding that his head snaps forward once his name gets uttered out, an instinct that’s been instilled in him from media training.
“So Eddie, tell us, is there a special someone in your life?” One reporter asks just as another speaks right after. “When can we expect you to get married?”
And then another breaks through from the back with, “Will you ever settle down?”
Eddie lets out a nervous laugh and shakes his head before looking over at Jeff, “Shit, see what you started, man?” He jokes, but his shoulders raise from their relaxed position as he sits back up and leans forward pulling the mic on the table closer to him.
A small smile lingers on his face as Jeff tries to hit his shoulder playfully from where he sits. He leans forward in his seat, “Um, well, to answer the first question: No, I don’t have a special someone at the moment. So I guess that automatically answers the second question that was thrown out there. No wedding bells will be ringing for me anytime soon, sorry folks.” A handful of laughs scatter the press room and his bandmates look over at him and smile just as he shrugs and continues.
“As for the question of will I ever settle down, well, if someone can tame me then, maybe yeah, I’ll settle down.” He says with a grin looking over at the reporter who had asked gaining a smile from her. He nibbles on his bottom lip before continuing, “But uh, no I—I don’t think I see that anytime soon.” His voice becomes much more somber and his expression changes to one that is pensive. He scrunches his face then, “I might just grow old with my music, see where that takes me.” He finishes up with a small smile and nods just as the reporters fall quiet, an unexpected response.
There is a moment of silence afterwards, his members all giving each other a look before Jeff puts a hand on Eddie’s shoulder giving him a reassuring and comforting squeeze. A reporter off to the side stands up then raises a pen in the air to signal he’s got a question. Eddie smiles at him and gives a nod.
“Is it because it’s a part of the rock and roll lifestyle? Or do you find it hard to find someone to love you for just you and not the fame and persona?”
Eddie tilts his head in consideration before looking over at the reporter, “Umm, you know I’ve got to say it’s a little of both, I think? Touring makes it hard to have a stable relationship and well sometimes you do have run ins with people who want to be with you for the name but, I don’t know it can be a gamble.” He shakes his head and gives another shrug, “I think eternal love from another human may not be easy to find for some.”
The reporters are quick to jot things down after his response, the answer seeming to pique new interests. Cameras suddenly start to click again and the flash flickers.
“What about the few ballads you’ve put out? Most, if not all, seem to have undertones of love and romance. As the main lyricist, do those songs come from past love experiences?”
Gareth looks over at Eddie and gives him a nod just as Eddie briefly looks over at him. “Well, the few ballads we’ve got have been written by Gareth and I just tend to come in and tweak them here and there but, Gareth, you wanna?” Eddie looks over to his bandmate gesturing towards the reporters, his hand pushing his own microphone away from himself.
The other is quick to swoop in and leans forward to answer the question through his own mic, “Yeah, so the ballads are mostly written by me. Kind of stem more from past high school sweethearts than from recent lovers,” he says with a laugh making the members smile, “But, Eddie’s very good at piecing words together. He’s a great writer and visualizer so he usually rewrites and reorders my jumbled up messes.” He says with a smile just as Eddie smiles over at him in thanks for taking the question.
The reporters nod along then another stands and directs his question to Eddie.
“Many fans have noticed pronouns switch when you sing some ballads live, are you purposely referring to someone in specific or is it just mistakes of live singing?”
The members glance at one another again just as Eddie leans forward to respond, “Honestly in the heat of the moment I don’t tend to notice the switches. I think the songs can be seen from multiple perspectives so it’s more of an open interpretation kind of thing.” He nods and gives a smile indicating he’s done with the question but the reporter continues.
“Bouncing off that, some fans have connected certain song lyrics to an old acquaintance of yours, a Hawkin’s native by the name of Steve Harrington who’s now known for being one of the best players off the Indianapolis baseball team.” Gareth glances over at Eddie worryingly before turning over to their publicist just as the reporter continues, “Is he the infamous heartbreaker fans have continually asked about? What is his true connection with you?” Eddie nervously shifts in his seat, his eyes glancing over to their publicist off to the side of the stage.
She gives a small nod in acknowledgment before turning on the mic in her hand and bringing it to her lips. “If we could get reporters to lead back into questions concerning the tour finale, please and thank you.”
Three more interviewers stand, one of them asking about their thoughts on their hometown closing shows but the previous reporter insists. He speaks loudly and speaks over the other’s words, “Is he the rumored ex-boyfriend who left you so heartbroken you fell back into addiction? How long were you in rehab after your breakup?”
The cameras begin to flash at a blinding rate just after the question is asked, all eyes on Eddie expecting a reaction and response. Jeff leans back in his chair and looks over to his publicist whilst Gareth leans forward to grab Eddie’s mic away from him, “If we could keep questions strictly on the tour please or we will have to ask you to leave, thank you.” He says firmly before turning off Eddie’s mic and moving it forward on the table away from his reach.
Eddie’s body tenses at the question, his fingers fidgeting with his rings below the table. Gareth throws an arm over the back of Eddie’s chair giving his arm a quick squeeze. It’s a comforting touch that eases him to lean back into his chair, his body bumping with Gareth’s arm that lays firm on the backing of the chair.
The questions are guided back to the tour, but the damage has been done. Eddie remains silent for the rest of their press interviews, only giving responses when absolutely needed.
At their finale stop he’s seen leaving the radio station with black shades and a reddened nose. This was followed shortly after a band of paparazzi’s who managed to enter the building shoved a magazine into Eddie’s face.
Written in bold letters:
Indianapolis All-Star player Steve Harrington and his new chapter: Marriage and family.
Just below the headline is Corroded Coffin, the success of their world tour and their invite to throw the first pitch at the Indianapolis Hawks home game before their all-star pitchers wedding.