Work Text:
Tick.
Close my eyes, there’s a rumble forming under my feet.
Heart is pounding with the sound, try’na sync up with the beat
in the darkness of the backstage, like a still and moonless night
half a second from igniting in a blaze of colored light.
The lyrics haven’t started on the set list’s leadoff track,
but my stomach’s doing somersaults, sweat dripping down my back.
A few more heartbeats now, and I’ll be pure exhilaration,
but all I have ‘til then’s a buzz of raw anticipation.
Tick.
Nervous glances from Hitomi as the band steps into view,
and the countdown in my soul drops from a three down to a two.
But instead of fire erupting from a rocket bound for space,
it’s a cold sweat try’na to wash away the makeup from my face.
The boys in the control room check their knobs and flip their switches.
The goosebumps on my skin are so pronounced, it almost itches.
Just waiting on the launch pad after days spent on the road.
Please, someone, push the button, ‘fore this rocketship explodes!
Tick.
Announcer tries to quell the crowd - or hype them; it’s not clear.
Em tries to tell me something. Not sure what, ‘cause I can’t hear.
The frenzy building in the stands, ten thousand voices strong.
I try to take it in, because it never lasts too long.
And then they start to organize, ‘til everyone’s the same.
The language makes no difference when they’re all chanting my name.
The lights are on. The stage is set. The curtain’s pulled away.
The music starts. My heart ignites.
Game on. It’s time to play.
Boom.