Downright Iconic

rower John plus singer Gale

John who rows at U Wisconsin (what the fuck is a badger) on scholarship after the coach saw his rowing in high school, basically his entire life is consumed by rowing and he has no free time to do anything for himself, let alone get in a relationship

Gale who sings at universities for some money, is hoping for his big break so he can actually make a living, hasn't settled down in one place long enough to form a connection

maybe one of John's teammates drags him to a performance, says it's good for him to do something other than rowing for once in his damn life, and John reluctantly goes, complains the entire time because it seems like a waste of time

but as soon as Gale gets on the stage, John is entranced

he commanded the room, both with his dancing and his deep, rich voice, caressing and holding the microphone like a lover, still choosing to dance with a stand even when a cordless was handed to him, eyes piercing as he locked eyes with girls in the crowd, beckoning them towards the stage and grabbing their jaw to kiss them, smirking when they shrieked in delight afterwards

John could feel heat in his stomach, something he's not quite used to, and felt it turn into an inferno when Gale locked his eyes on John, reaching out that same sinful hand and pulling John towards the stage, his teammates wolf whistling as John stalks forward, stopping in front of Gale who was on his knees, spread wide with the microphone stand between it, John could feel that same flame in his stomach starting to roil

and he almost falls to his knees when Gale grabs his head with both of his hands, bringing him in for an almost painful press of their lips together, teeth digging into his lips as Gale presses their faces together

when he pulls away he grabs the mic stand, but leans in to whisper in John's ear before bringing it to his lips

"meet me backstage, after the show" Gale says, voice almost shy as he asks before he stands back up and goes right back into performing

John doesn't know what he should think, can't believe that the singer had invited him backstage, but it's all he can think about as Gale finished his piece, bidding the audience a good night as it roared, all standing and cheering excitedly as he ran backstage

John honestly didn't know what to expect when he eventually found the stage door, but he did not expect Gale to almost be wringing his hands together with nerves as someone gave him water, scrubbed a towel on the back of his neck, his eyes perked up when he saw John and he stood up, a small smile on his lips

"so, what is this all about? can't have been the best kiss of the night for you," John says teasingly, shoving his hands in his pockets and biting his lip at the pretty flush that spreads across Gale's cheeks at the words

John finds it endearing how shy he seems to be off stage, considering how confident he was while he was performing, but John could see how he and Gale were similar, hopelessly devoted to their craft

"well, maybe you were," Gale whispers and John smiles, leaning forward to kiss him again, crowding him against the backstage curtain