Chapter Text
Soft tunes played in the live house, volume low to not bother the neighbours late at night – sweet melodies that accompanied them after the place closed its doors to the public. Freodore checked the lights for a third time, making sure they didn't overheat and that they'd be ready to use the next day. Seible had been the first one to go home, hurried steps after letting them know he had an appointment early in the morning. Kaelix fell asleep on the couch closest to the entrance, Freodore had covered him with a blanket they kept in the back for emergency naps.
That only left one other person awake in the whole place.
“Finished?” Zeal asked as Freodore approached the counter, sitting down while watching the older man cleaning empty glasses.
“Yeah. Everything should be fine, I double checked just in case,” he took a sip of the water Zeal handed to him.
They fell into a comfortable silence, the music and the clinking of glasses being the only thing they could hear. Freodore started humming without noticing, his head resting on his hand and his eyes closed. His fingers tapped lightly on the counter, following the rhythm of the song playing.
“You don't need to stay if you're tired,” the voice sounded closer, his eyes opened to find Zeal leaning over the counter, one arm on top of it while the other threw a rag over his shoulder.
“I’m fine,” he blamed the drowsiness in his eyes to the melodies in the back, lulling him to sleep.
“Are you sure?” Zeal studied him, looked at him from top to bottom, slowly, as much as the counter between them allowed him to.
“Yes. Don't worry, I can wait until you're done,” Freodore closed his eyes again. This time, Zeal said nothing, going back to his task.
A loud yawn was heard closing by, a sleepy Kaelix showing up to mumble a goodnight and leave the blanket on the stool next to Freodore.
“Will you be okay going home by yourself?” Freodore asked. Kaelix's smile was small but as bright as ever, even when feeling like falling asleep again.
“I’ll let you guys know when I get home. I promise,” he waved at them and left, the entrance door closing behind him.
Freodore got up to put the blanket away, the music cutting off as he went back to the bar. Most lights were turned off and Zeal was putting his hat on when Freodore got close.
“Done?”
Zeal nodded, a tiny smile on his face. Before they could reach the door, Freodore felt his hand getting grabbed and gently pulled back. As he turned around, Zeal got his hand close to his face, kissing his knuckles and staring at him in the eyes.
“Thank you for waiting. You didn't have to but I appreciate it.”
Something tugged in his chest, a thread he didn't know was there. It lasted a second, a very confusing second, so it was easy for Freodore to ignore it.
“I wouldn't like you to be all by yourself this late,” was his explanation.
Zeal found it amusing, Freodore didn't understand why.
The door of the live house closed behind them, the keys turned and the night welcomed them with open arms and gentle beating hearts.