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Jean-Loo was confused, if anything. He had been getting closer with his roommates, especially in the downstairs bathroom, but he would never expect this to be the question he’d get asked. Amir told Jean-Loo about the show tonight at the Breaker Box, saying it would be a hit. Jean-Loo was familiar with the bar, of course he was. He used to perform there, before he decided he was ‘too good’ for the small speakeasy. It totally wasn’t because he did an ill received diss track about someone… Totally not. After some convincing, Jean-Loo agreed to join the bathroom crew at the bar that night.
It was growing dark quickly, and Jean-Loo spent his small amount of time getting prepared for whatever was planned. He knew it would be loud and unwelcoming, the owners not quite liking the blue-haired man. Last time he went, he was forced out by Dorian not long after getting yelled off stage. Jean-Loo noted that the bathroom was empty, other than a jarred Sinclaire. He was, as usual, mumbling to himself about nothing that truly mattered. The room being vacant was unusual, but not unwelcomed. Jean-Loo just assumed the group had already met at the bar for the night. He left, realizing that if he had taken any longer, the crew may assume he bailed on the plan.
He made his way upstairs, into the closet to the dark and ear-piercingly loud Breaker Box. His eyes quickly stumbled onto the table hosting his friends, if he could call them that. Amir was grinning up at Jean-Loo, the rest of the group were talking amongst themselves, seemingly not noticing the new man's arrival. He sat down, peering over to the busy bar. He would get a drink, but he's already pushing it by simply being here. So, he sits back, and waits.
Jean-Loo still has no idea what he's sat for. He can hear murmurs from his tablemates, talking about the big event of tonight. Apparently, it started as a dare from Bathsheba, she insisted that Amir should ask Johnny. Jean-Loo didn’t know the question, it was never spoken - it felt like they were purposely not telling him. All he has gathered is that it's something to do with the shower, and silently noted that the man wasn’t sitting at the circular table. Maybe they gave him a stupid song to sing on stage? Jean-Loo would say most of Johnny’s songs were stupid, but that's not important. He would never admit out loud that some of the tunes made him swoon for the other.
Eddie walked over to the table, holding a tray of drinks. He slowly passed one to each person sitting, leaving the last one for Jean-Loo. When he passed it to the man, he gave the most mischievous smirk, then quickly walked back to behind the bar. All Jean-Loo could do is stare, concerned with whatever is about to happen. If the bar was also in on the mystery performance, then this could go bad. What if Johnny wrote something to takedown Jean-Loo? He didn’t seem to hate him, and they’ve been very close as of recently, but even Eddie is in on it? Jean-Loo is scared.
The crowd just kept growing, the whole Breaker Box being packed. This made Jean-Loo’s nerves much worse. He has never been the anxious type, but right now all he wants to do is leave and go back to the quiet bathroom. Back to where he can’t be seen by this crowd of people that are all too familiar with his name, knowing he shouldn’t be allowed here. But, he took a deep breath, and stayed. Stayed for his closest friend and whatever stupid new thing he’s trying with his music.
Seconds later, all the lights went down, other than a bright spotlight over the stage. The room went silent, waiting for whatever would emerge from the curtain next to the lighted area. After a moment, he walked out. Johnny Splash, full face of makeup (no doubt done by Barry), standing in a gorgeous blue dress. He seemed nervous, flushed. Whether it was from embarrassment or the perfectly done rose colored powder coating his cheeks, Jean-Loo didn’t know.
Johnny stumbled over his own feet, standing in front of the microphone stood in the middle of the stage. When he started singing, it was… beautiful. It was a new song, and his voice was on key and perfectly crafted for the lyrics being sung. The crowd went silent, amazed by the performance. It was the first time the bar wasn’t immediately booing Johnny off stage. The lyrics of the song flowed flawlessly, romantic words making Jean-Loo’s mouth dry. Johnny made direct eye-contact with the other man, winked, and seemed to giggle through the next verse. He was being sung to.
The performance was short, ending in an impressive vibrato note that shook the crowd. The second the song ended, the bar erupted into cheers. Jean-Loo couldn’t find it in himself to cheer, his body stuck in awestruck admiration. He didn’t blink, he wouldn’t dare to break the eye contact that hasn’t stopped since the wink moments ago. Johnny bowed, and stepped off the stage into the backroom next to him. The crowd didn’t stop cheering, going from praise to conversations about the show.
All Jean-Loo found he could do was swirl his barely touched drink, and think. Think about the death-stare he received, and how it was filled with something other than hatred like usual. He didn’t know how to feel, Johnny looked incredible. I mean, he was aware of his obvious attraction to the other, but he's never felt like this. If he was crazy, he’d say he was in love. Maybe he is crazy. Jean-Loo wondered where the other man was, how he was reacting.
Little did he know, Johnny was panicking backstage. His makeup smudged, his dress messed up, hands in hair. His mind was racing, going over every single possibility that could occur when he went back to his room. The judging stares, the giggles from randoms, the words Amir or god-forbid Jean would say. He couldn’t pull himself out of his own mind. He felt stupid, he did all this for a stupid gag that of all people Bathsheba came up with, they will all hate him when he leaves-
Suddenly, Volt appeared from the backroom. He quickly noticed the frazzled Johnny, and sat next to him on the beat up leather couch. In a small attempt to comfort the man, he placed a hand on the top of his back, rubbing in small circles. “Hey, Johnny…” he started, quietly, breathlessly. “You did amazing. We all loved it. I’m sure he loved it.”