Kiss immortals Ace

The snow outside fell heavy against the windows of the McKagan house, thick and silent flakes covering the garden and the trees, turning Seattle into a Christmas postcard. Slash was leaning against the living room window frame, a glass of mulled wine between his fingers, his dark curly hair tied in a messy ponytail that left a few rebellious strands escaping and framing his face. He watched the flakes dance in the darkness, his full lips slightly parted, his dark eyes lost in some thought he dared not voice aloud.

Inside the house, the chaos was absolute. The McKagan family was large, loud, and warm, exactly the opposite of Slash's idea of a Christmas dinner. There were aunts and uncles scattered across the sofas, cousins running between the adults' legs, a white-haired grandmother knitting in an armchair and smiling with her toothless mouth. The smell of roast turkey, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, and something sweet he couldn't identify hung in the air, mixed with the sound of eight different people talking at once. Christmas music played softly on an old record player, Bing Crosby, perhaps, or Frank Sinatra, Slash wasn't sure.

He didn't know exactly why Duff had invited him.

"My family is big, no one will notice one extra," Duff had said a week earlier, sprawled on the couch of the apartment they shared in Los Angeles, his bare feet propped on the coffee table. "And you need a real Christmas, Slash. No empty bottles, no groupies, no Axl yelling at someone. Just… family. Food. Snow."

"Snow," Slash had repeated, his voice drawled, a cigarette between his lips. "You know I hate the cold."

"You hate everything that isn't a guitar or a bottle of Jack."

"And you."

"And me." Duff had smiled, that crooked smile that made his blue eyes shine, and Slash had felt his stomach clench. "So come. My mom makes an apple pie that will change your life."

Now, here he was. In the middle of the McKagan family chaos, with one of Duff's aunts offering him more mulled wine ("You're so thin, sweetheart, you need to eat more!") and a red-haired cousin with bright eyes who seemed to have very specific plans for the night.

The cousin's name was Vanessa. She had curly red hair, an easy smile, and wore a red turtleneck sweater that hugged her curves in a way Slash would have appreciated in other circumstances. But not today. Today, he could only look at Duff.

Duff was on the other side of the room, leaning against the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He wore a blue and gray plaid shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms and the tattoos Slash knew by heart. His blond hair was loose and messy, some strands falling over his face. His lips were thin and pink, a contrast to his white skin, and there was a nose ring that shone in the firelight. His blue eyes were brighter than ever, and there was a gleam in them, a gleam Slash recognized. It was the gleam of someone who was secretly having fun, of someone who knew something no one else knew.

"So you're Slash," Vanessa said, approaching with a smile that showed perfect teeth. She positioned herself between Slash and the window, blocking his view of Duff. "The guitarist. My cousin talks about you a lot."

"Does he?" Slash adjusted his ponytail, a nervous gesture. His hair tied back made him feel exposed, without the dark curtain of curls to hide behind. "Only good things, I hope."

"He says you're the best guitarist in the world. Better than him on bass."

"Duff is too modest."

"Duff is a sweetheart." Vanessa tilted her head, her green eyes sparkling with a malice Slash recognized immediately. It was the kind of look groupies gave him backstage at shows. "Do you have a girlfriend, Slash?"

"No."

"Boyfriend?"

The question caught him off guard. He blinked, his full lips parting. "No. I don't have… anyone."

Vanessa smiled, a predator's smile. "Interesting."

She walked away, swaying her hips as she walked toward Duff. Slash watched her go, feeling a pang of something he didn't want to name. Jealousy. It was jealousy, and he hated admitting it. He wasn't Duff's boyfriend. They weren't a couple. They were just… two friends who sometimes fucked. Who sucked each other off. Who scratched and bit each other and moaned each other's names. Who slept embraced afterward, their bodies sweaty and their breaths still ragged. Two friends who did everything that couples did, but without the name, without the rings, without the promises.

Vanessa touched Duff's arm, leaning in to whisper something in his ear. Duff laughed, that loud, easy laugh Slash knew so well, and put his arm around his cousin's shoulders. Slash downed his wine in one gulp.

Dinner was an endurance test.

The dining table was enormous, dark wood, covered with a red cloth and lit candles. The plates were full, sliced turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, homemade bread. The McKagan family sat around the table in organized chaos, and Slash was placed between the knitting grandmother (who smiled at him with her toothless mouth) and a mustached uncle who wouldn't stop asking questions about Guns N' Roses.

"So is Axl Rose as crazy as they say?"

"Worse," Slash answered, shoving a piece of turkey into his mouth.

"And you play guitar with a top hat?"

"Sometimes. Not today. My mother said it didn't go with the sweater."

The uncle laughed, and Slash allowed himself a small smile. But his eyes kept searching for Duff on the other side of the table. Duff was sitting at the head, next to his mother, a blonde, elegant woman who looked at him with adoration. Vanessa was strategically positioned beside him, touching his arm whenever she laughed, leaning close whenever he spoke. At one point, she brushed a strand of blond hair from Duff's face, her fingers grazing his cheek, and Slash gripped his fork so hard his knuckles went white.

Duff caught his eye across the table. There was something in that look, an apology, perhaps, or a promise. Slash looked away first.

After dinner came the pies. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie. Duff's mother insisted Slash try them all, and he obeyed, because saying no to Duff's mother felt like a crime. Then came coffee, then liqueur, and then someone suggested they all go to the living room to sing Christmas carols around the piano.

Slash escaped to the porch.

The snow continued to fall, thick and silent, covering the garden and the trees in a white blanket. He lit a cigarette and watched the smoke dissipate in the freezing air. He was tired. Tired of the family, tired of the questions, tired of watching Vanessa rub against Duff like a cat in heat.

"You're hiding."

The voice came from behind. Slash didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "I'm not hiding. I'm smoking."

"Same thing." Duff approached and leaned against the porch railing beside him. He wasn't wearing a coat, just the plaid shirt, the sleeves still rolled up, his bare arms goosebumped from the cold. His nose ring shone. "You're quiet tonight. More than usual."

"I'm fine."

"You're lying."

Slash took a long drag of his cigarette. "Your cousin is coming on to you."

"Vanessa? She comes on to everyone. It doesn't mean anything."

"It means something to her."

"And why do you care?" Duff turned to Slash, his blue eyes fixed on the dark ones. "Huh? Why do you care who comes on to me?"

Slash didn't answer. He just took a drag of his cigarette and looked at the snow. Duff stepped closer, his cold fingers touching Slash's chin and turning his face to face him. "You're jealous," Duff murmured, a smile on his thin lips.

"I'm not."

"You are. You're all pouty. Biting your fork. Drinking wine like it's water." Duff laughed softly, a low, teasing laugh. "You're a terrible liar, Slash."

"Go fuck yourself, Duff."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Duff moved closer, their bodies almost touching. He was taller, Slash always forgot how much, and had to bend slightly to whisper in Slash's ear. "You'd like to take me to your room and fuck me until I forget her name. Until I forget MY name. But you won't do that because my family is here. Because my MOTHER is here. Because you're a good boy."

Slash swallowed hard. His cock was already hard inside his jeans. "You're a son of a bitch."

"I am. But you like it." Duff stepped back, the smile still on his lips. "Good night, Slash. Don't stay up too late."

And he went inside, leaving Slash on the porch, his cigarette burning between his fingers, his heart racing.

The guest room was small and cozy, with a double bed covered by a patchwork quilt, a yellowish lamp, and a window overlooking the snowy garden. Slash was lying in bed, his eyes on the ceiling, his hair still tied in a ponytail. He couldn't sleep. The house was silent, everyone had gone to their rooms after midnight, but his mind was noisy. Full of Duff. Duff's crooked smile. Duff's muscular forearms. Duff's low, teasing voice whispering in his ear: "You'd like to take me to your room and fuck me until I forget her name."

The door opened.

Slash sat up in bed, his heart racing. It was Duff. Closing the door silently, his back against the wood, his blue eyes shining in the dim lamplight. He still wore the plaid shirt, but the buttons were open, revealing his smooth, pale chest. The tattoos on his arms. His blond hair falling over his shoulders. He was beautiful.

"What are you doing here?" Slash whispered, his voice more aggressive than he intended.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Then count sheep. Go away."

"No." Duff moved away from the door and walked slowly to the bed. "Do you really want me to go away?"

Slash opened his mouth to say yes, but the word didn't come out. Because it was a lie. He never wanted Duff to go away. He always wanted Duff to stay. Duff sat on the edge of the bed, his thick thighs covered by his jeans, and reached out to touch Slash's face. His fingers were cold, but the touch was warm, a paradox only Duff could be.

"You're still wearing the ponytail," Duff murmured.

"I am."

"It's cute. Different. But cute."

"You always say that."

"Because it's true." Duff pulled the elastic from Slash's hair, releasing the dark curls that fell over his shoulders. "This is better. Now you look like you."

"Duff…"

"Shh." Duff leaned in and kissed Slash, a soft, teasing kiss, his thin lips against the full ones. Slash moaned involuntarily and grabbed Duff's shirt, pulling him closer. "You want this," Duff murmured against his lips. "You want to have sex with me. I know you do."

"You're an idiot."

"I am. But you like it." Another kiss. "You like me."

"Unfortunately."

Duff laughed, and then the kiss deepened. Their tongues met, Duff's invading Slash's mouth, exploring, teasing. Slash's hands went up to Duff's shoulders, pushing the plaid shirt up, exposing more skin. He ran his fingers over his smooth chest, finding his pink nipples and pinching them lightly.

"Fuck," Duff moaned.

"You like it."

"I do." Duff pulled away enough to take off his shirt completely, tossing it to the floor. His blond hair fell over his shoulders. He was beautiful. His blue eyes shining in the dim light, his nose ring, his crooked smile. Slash wanted him so much it hurt.

"Take off your clothes," Slash ordered, his voice rough.

"You too."

They took off their clothes quickly, tossing them to the floor in shapeless piles. When they were both naked, Slash leaned back against the pillows and let his eyes roam over Duff's body, his broad shoulders, his defined chest, his thin abdomen, the line of blond hair descending from his navel to his groin. Duff's cock was completely hard, the glans exposed and shiny with precum. It was big, it had always been big, and Slash felt his mouth water.

"Come here," Slash said.

Duff obeyed. He climbed onto the bed and knelt over Slash, his knees digging into the mattress, his thick thighs framing Slash's body. The height difference was evident, Duff covering Slash with his larger body, his blond hair falling over both of them.

"You're so short," Duff murmured, a teasing smile on his lips.

"Go fuck yourself."

"You like it. You like that I'm taller than you. You like that I cover you."

Slash didn't answer, just pulled Duff into another kiss, his hands grabbing his buttocks, squeezing hard. Duff moaned and began to rub against Slash, their cocks brushing against each other, their pubic hair tangling. Duff's was blond and trimmed. Slash's was dark and curly, natural. The contrast was obscene.

"I want to suck you," Slash murmured, his voice drawled.

"Then suck."

Slash reversed their positions. He pushed Duff against the pillows and went down his body, his full mouth kissing his chest, his abdomen, the line of blond hair. When he reached his groin, he stopped. He looked at Duff's cock, big, hard, the purple, shiny glans, and licked his lips. "Do you want it?"

"I do. I want it a lot."

"Then ask."

Duff let out a rough laugh. "Are you teasing me?"

"I am."

"Son of a bitch." Duff grabbed Slash's curly hair and pulled. "Suck me. Now."

Slash obeyed. He lowered his head and licked Duff's glans, a long, slow lick, his tongue circling the tip. Duff moaned, his fingers tightening in the dark curls. Slash took the cock into his mouth and sucked, his full lips making a seal, his tongue sliding along its length. He sucked eagerly, his head bobbing up and down, saliva running down his chin.

"Yes… fuck… your mouth…" Duff moaned, his words broken. "You're so good at this…"

Slash sucked deeper, the tip of Duff's cock hitting his throat. He gagged a little, his eyes watering, but he didn't stop. Duff pulled his hair, guiding the rhythm, and Slash let him. He liked it. He liked being guided by Duff. He liked choking on his cock.

"You're going to make me come," Duff warned, his voice trembling. "Slash… fuck… I'm going to…"

Then Slash stopped.

He pulled his mouth off Duff's cock with a wet pop, his lips swollen and shiny with saliva, and looked up. His dark eyes sparkled in the dim light, and there was something in them that wasn't just desire.

"Did you like it? Did you like her rubbing against you?" Slash's voice came out low and rough, drawled as always, but with a hint of venom. "The little hand in your hair. The way she touched your arm every time she laughed."

"Vanessa?"

"She touched your fucking cheek, Duff. At the dinner table. In front of me." Slash sat up a little, his dark curls falling over his shoulders, his mouth still shiny. "And you smiled at her. You smiled."

"Slash…"

"Did you like it? Her touching you like that, in front of everyone, as if you were hers? As if…" He stopped, his voice catching for a moment, and then he snarled, "As if I wasn't there."

Duff was silent for a second. Then a crooked smile began to form on his thin lips, that smile Slash knew all too well. "You're jealous."

"I'm not."

"You are. You're dying of jealousy." Duff propped himself on his elbows and tilted his head, his blue eyes shining. "You spent the whole night biting your fork, drinking wine, watching me from across the table… and now you're here, with my cock in your mouth, and you're still thinking about her?"

"I'm not thinking about her." Slash squeezed the base of Duff's cock hard, drawing a moan. "I'm thinking about you. About how you let her."

"I didn't let anything."

"You did." Slash licked the glans, a slow, teasing lick, his tongue circling the tip. Duff moaned and let his head fall back. "You smiled at her, Duff. In front of me."

"She's my cousin…"

"She was looking at you like she wanted to eat you."

"And you?" Duff grabbed Slash's curls again, pulling hard. "Are you looking at me like you want to kill me or fuck me?"

"Both."

Duff laughed, a rough, excited laugh. "Then suck me. Stop talking about her and suck me already."

"No." Slash licked again, just the tip, teasing. Duff moaned and tried to push his hips forward, but Slash held him firm against the pillows. "You're going to apologize first."

"Apologize?!"

"For smiling at her."

"Slash…"

"Apologize." Another lick, even slower. The tip of his tongue pressing against the opening of the glans. "Apologize, and I'll continue."

Duff gasped, his fingers tightening in the dark curls. "You're a jealous son of a bitch."

"I am. But you like it."

"I do." Duff swallowed hard, his blue eyes fixed on the dark ones. "Fine. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have smiled."

"You shouldn't have."

"But you know she doesn't mean anything."

"I know." Slash lowered his head and sucked Duff's entire cock in one go, a deep thrust that made Duff scream and grab the sheets. "But I wanted to hear you say it."

"Fuck… Slash…"

Slash didn't answer. He just kept sucking, his head bobbing up and down, his full mouth making a perfect seal around the head of Duff's cock. Now it was different, there was possession in every movement, in every lick, in every time he gagged and kept going. It was as if he were fucking Duff with his mouth. As if he were saying, without words: She can touch you all she wants, but it's my mouth you moan for. It's my name you're going to scream.

"You're going to make me come," Duff warned again, his voice trembling, his thighs tense. "Slash… fuck… I'm going to…"

"Then come." Slash pulled his mouth off the cock and looked up, his lips swollen and shiny with saliva. "But not yet. I want you inside me."

Duff moaned, frustrated and excited. "You're a torturer."

"I know."

Slash came back up and kissed Duff, his mouth wet and warm. Duff's hands found his buttocks and squeezed, his fingers parting the flesh. "Are you ready for me?"

"No. But I don't care."

"I do." Duff rolled Slash onto his side and got up from the bed. He went to the backpack he'd left in the corner of the room and took out a bottle of gel, the same one Slash used in his hair. "Hair gel. It'll have to do."

"You're going to fuck me with hair gel?"

"Unless you prefer dry."

Slash thought for a moment. "Dry."

Duff blinked. "What?"

"I want it dry. No gel. Just you."

"Slash, that's going to hurt…"

"I want it to hurt." Slash knelt on the bed, on all fours, his dark curls falling over his shoulders, his hands gripping the pillow. "I want to feel you. All of you. With nothing."

Duff stood still for a moment, his blue eyes scanning Slash's body, his broad back, his thin waist, his brown, round buttocks, his curly hair falling in a cascade over his sweaty skin. "You're crazy," he murmured, but there was admiration in his voice, and desire, and a reverence that made his voice tremble. "Completely crazy."

"You like it."

"I do." Duff climbed onto the bed behind Slash and knelt between his spread legs. His large, calloused hands grabbed the brown buttocks, his thumbs parting the flesh, exposing the tight entrance. He stared for a moment, the darker skin there, the dark, curly hair surrounding the entrance, the small ring of muscle that contracted involuntarily, as if anticipating what was to come. "Fuck, Slash. So tight. So beautiful."

"Stop staring and do something."

"You're impatient?"

"I am."

"Good." Duff raised his hand and slapped Slash's right buttock, a dry crack that echoed through the room. The brown skin immediately turned pink, and Slash moaned, a low, guttural sound he muffled against the pillow. "That's for being impatient," Duff murmured, and gave another slap, this time on the left buttock. "And that's for teasing me at dinner."

"I didn't tease you."

"You did. You kept staring at me across the table. Biting your fork. Drinking wine like it was water." Another slap, harder. "You think I didn't notice?"

"I was… fuck…" Slash moaned when Duff lowered his head and spat, a generous glob that landed exactly on the exposed entrance. The warm saliva ran down slowly, and Duff used his thumb to spread it, massaging the ring of muscle with slow, lazy circles. Slash felt his entire body shiver. "Duff…"

"Shh." Duff spat again. And again. The saliva ran, mixing with Slash's sweat, and Duff continued to massage, his fingers now pressing against the entrance, testing the resistance. "You're so tight. So dry. It's going to hurt."

"I want it to hurt."

"Then take it."

Duff pushed in one finger, just the tip, his nail scraping the inner wall. Slash moaned and pushed his hips back, offering himself more. Duff pushed his finger all the way in, feeling the heat and pressure of the muscles contracting around it. He moved it slowly, in and out, the friction increasing because there was no lubricant, just the saliva, which was already drying.

"More," Slash begged, his voice muffled by the pillow.

Duff pushed in a second finger. The resistance was greater now, Slash's body refusing to yield. Slash moaned, a louder, broken sound, and Duff felt the internal muscles contract around his fingers. "Fuck, you're so tight. So hot. Even dry, you're so hot."

"Push in another."

"You're going to hurt yourself."

"I don't care. Push it in."

Duff pushed in a third finger. This time, Slash screamed, a scream he muffled against the pillow, his teeth sinking into the fabric. The pain was searing, a burning sensation that spread from his entrance to his abdomen, but there was also pleasure, a dull, throbbing pleasure that came from the pressure, the invasion, the sensation of being opened by Duff. Duff's fingers moved slowly, making way, and Slash felt every centimeter, every knuckle, every fingernail scraping his internal walls.

"Look at you," Duff murmured, his eyes fixed on his own hand buried inside Slash. "Three fingers and you're already moaning. Imagine when it's my cock."

"Just push it in already…"

"No. First I want to play." Duff pulled his fingers out slowly, and Slash moaned at the loss, feeling the emptiness. But before he could protest, Duff lowered his head again and pushed in his tongue. A long, wet lick that traveled the entire entrance, the tip of his tongue pressing against the ring of muscle and then pushing inside. Slash moaned loudly, too loudly.

"Shh!" Duff lifted his head immediately, his hand covering Slash's mouth. "My family is sleeping, remember? My mother, my grandmother…"

"I don't give a shit about your grandmother."

Duff's eyes widened, and he let out a muffled, incredulous laugh. "You're a bastard."

Slash licked the palm of his hand, a slow, teasing lick. "And you love it."

Duff covered Slash's mouth more firmly, but the smile escaped on his thin lips. He lowered his head again and pushed in his tongue, sucking eagerly, saliva running down Slash's perineum. The sounds were obscene, shlck, shlck, shlck, and Slash moaned, but now the moans were different. There was surrender. There was teasing. There was a satisfied smile that Duff couldn't see but could feel.

But the moans were still too loud. Duff pulled back and looked around the room. His eyes found the t-shirt he'd worn to dinner, left on the floor beside the bed. He picked it up, rolled it into a bundle, and shoved it into Slash's mouth. "Bite this. And don't make a sound."

Slash bit the shirt, his teeth sinking into the fabric. The taste of Duff's sweat and perfume filled his mouth, and he moaned against the cloth, a muffled, desperate sound. Duff went back to sucking him, his tongue pushing in and out, and then his fingers again, three at once, finding that exact spot that made Slash see stars behind his closed eyelids.

"Ah… ah… fuck…" The words came out muffled by the shirt, unintelligible.

"What's wrong? Did I find your G-spot?" Duff massaged his prostate with circular movements, his fingers curved, and Slash moaned loudly, even with the shirt in his mouth, the sound escaped. His entire body trembled, his cock hard and dripping precum against the mattress. "You like that? You like when I touch you here?"

Slash nodded frantically, his dark curls swinging.

"Good." Duff kept massaging, his fingers inside Slash, his other hand sliding down his body, up his spine, his ribs, until he found his dark nipples. He pinched them, pulled them, rolled them between his fingers, and Slash moaned and writhed, his entire body on fire. "You're so hard," Duff observed, his hand going down to wrap around Slash's cock. His long, calloused fingers closed around the warm length, and Slash let out a muffled scream against the shirt. "So hard and so wet. Look at that, it's dripping."

Slash pulled the shirt from his mouth with a rough gesture, his lips swollen, his breath ragged. "Just push it in already, fuck, or I'm going to come."

"You're not going to come until I let you."

"Duff…"

Duff squeezed Slash's cock hard, a sudden squeeze that cut off the blood flow and drew a moan of pain and pleasure. "You're going to come when I tell you. Understand?"

"Go fuck yourself…"

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Duff squeezed harder, his palm wrapping around the glans, his fingers pressing the urethra. Slash moaned and grabbed Duff's hand on his cock, his nails digging into the skin of Duff's hand. "Does it hurt?"

"Yes… fuck…"

"Do you want me to let go?"

"I want you to fuck me!"

Duff smiled, a dangerous, satisfied smile. He released Slash's cock and positioned himself behind him. His own cock was completely hard, the glans red and purple and shiny with precum, the blue veins pulsing beneath the skin. He spat into his hand and spread the saliva over his cock, a minimal, insufficient lubrication. Then he positioned the glans at Slash's entrance and pressed.

The first pressure made Slash moan. The glans forcing the entrance, the ring of muscle resisting, refusing to yield. Duff pushed harder, and the glans entered, just the tip, and Slash screamed against the pillow, his hands gripping the sheets so hard his knuckles went white. It hurt. It hurt like hell. The sensation was of being torn in half, a burning sensation that shot up his spine and exploded behind his eyes.

"Okay?" Duff asked, his voice trembling, his body still.

"Don't stop… keep going…"

Duff kept going. Centimeter by centimeter, his cock entering, the friction increasing because there was no lubricant, just the saliva that was already drying. Slash felt every vein, every pulse, every centimeter of warm skin sliding against his internal walls. It was dry and rough and painful, but it was also incredible. It was Duff. It was always Duff.

When he was finally fully buried, Duff stopped. He stayed still, his heavy testicles pressing against Slash's ass, his trimmed blond pubic hair brushing against the brown skin. He leaned over Slash, his chest pressed to Slash's back, and kissed his nape. "Do you feel me?"

"All of you… I feel all of you…"

"You're so full of me. So full."

"Duff…"

"Shh." Duff kissed his shoulder, his spine, the curve of his neck. "Now I'm going to fuck you. And you're going to stay quiet. My family is sleeping."

"Then fuck me already."

Duff began to move. Slow thrusts at first, his cock pulling almost all the way out and then pushing back in, the friction drawing muffled moans from Slash. The sound was different from usual, not the wet shlck of lubricant, but a drier, rougher sound, the rubbing of skin against skin. The bed creaked beneath them, a low, rhythmic creak, nhec, nhec, nhec, that mixed with the muffled moans and heavy breathing.

Slash was drooling on the pillow, his mouth open, his eyes rolling back. The pain was diminishing, replaced by a dull, throbbing pleasure that grew with each thrust. Duff found his prostate repeatedly, and each touch to that spot made Slash see stars, his entire body contracting. "There… fuck… there…"

"You like it?"

"I do… I like it a lot…"

Duff sped up the rhythm. The thrusts became stronger, more brutal, the sound of flesh slapping against flesh filling the room, pah, pah, pah, muffled by the snow outside and the silence of the house. He grabbed Slash's dark curls and pulled, tilting his head back, and Slash moaned loudly, too loudly.

"Fuck, Slash, be quiet!" Duff covered Slash's mouth with his hand, but Slash bit his fingers.

"I can't… I can't be quiet…"

"Then let's change position."

Duff pulled out of him, and Slash moaned at the emptiness. But before he could protest, Duff turned him onto his back, with surprising strength for someone so thin, and laid him on the sheets. Slash looked up and saw Duff above him, his blond hair falling like a curtain, his blue eyes shining in the dim light.

"Face to face," Duff murmured. "This way I can see you."

"You're being romantic?"

"I am. Is that a problem?"

"No." Slash pulled Duff into a kiss, his full lips against the thin ones. "Not at all."

Duff positioned himself between Slash's legs and lifted them, folding them against his chest. Slash let out a rough laugh. "Do you think I'm a groupie? That I'm elastic?"

"You're more elastic than you look." Duff kissed his calf. "And much more beautiful."

"Are you comparing me to groupies?"

"No. Groupies don't come close to you." Duff pushed Slash's legs higher, until his knees almost touched his shoulders. "You're Slash. The best guitarist in the world. The man who drives me crazy."

"You're talking too much."

"You like it."

"I do. But I prefer when you fuck me."

Duff obeyed. He positioned his cock at the entrance, open and red and still sore, and pushed. This time it was easier, Slash's body was already more open, more adjusted, and he pushed all the way in in one movement. Slash moaned, his head falling back, his dark curls spreading on the pillow. Duff began to move, deep, rhythmic thrusts, and the new position allowed him to go even deeper.

"Look at me," Duff ordered, and Slash obeyed. His dark eyes met the blue ones, and for a moment, the world stopped. They were sweaty and panting and smelled of sex, but there was something in that look, something that was more than desire, more than lust. "You're beautiful," Duff murmured.

"So are you."

"You're mine."

"Yours."

"Yes." Duff sped up the rhythm, the thrusts becoming stronger, more brutal. The bed creaked, nhec, nhec, nhec, and Slash moaned with each thrust, the sounds escaping his full lips. "Do you like being fucked by me? Do you like taking my cock?"

"I do… fuck, I do…"

"Do you like me filling you up? Leaving you full of me?"

"I do… I like it so much…"

Duff leaned down and kissed Slash's neck, his teeth scraping the brown skin. He went down to his dark nipples and sucked them, one by one, his tongue circling, his teeth nibbling. Slash moaned and arched his back, his hard cock pressing against Duff's abdomen.

"You're almost coming," Duff observed, his hand going down to wrap around Slash's cock. "You're so hard. So wet."

"Fuck, Duff…"

"Are you that desperate?" Duff slowed the rhythm, the thrusts becoming deep and slow, almost stopping. His blue eyes met the dark ones. "Are you so desperate to come on my cock that you can't even wait?"

Slash moaned, his nails digging into Duff's back. "Stop talking… and fuck me…"

"You like it when I talk."

"I do… fuck, I do…"

"Then say it." Duff held Slash's face with both hands, his thumbs stroking his sweaty cheeks, the thrusts resuming the rhythm, deeper, more intense. "Say you're mine. That you're mine."

"I am… yours… fuck, Duff…"

"Are you going to come for me, baby?"

"Yes… yes…"

"Then come. Come with me."

Slash came with a scream he muffled against Duff's shoulder, his semen spurting in hot jets over his own abdomen and Duff's chest. Duff moaned and came inside him, the warm waves filling him, running down his thighs. They stayed like that, Duff still inside, Slash trembling beneath him, their breaths ragged, for a long moment.

"Holy shit," Slash murmured, his voice drawled and satisfied.

"That was better than holy shit." Duff propped himself on his elbows, his blue eyes scanning Slash's face, his swollen lips, his dark curls stuck to his sweaty forehead, his dilated pupils. "That was the best fuck of my life, and I've fucked you many times."

Slash let out a rough laugh. "You always say that."

"Because it's always true, baby. Every time I fuck you is better than the last. Have you noticed that?" Duff leaned down and licked a drop of sweat running down Slash's cheek. "You're like wine. The older you get, the hotter you are."

"Are you calling me old?"

"I'm calling you hot. Pay attention." Duff bit Slash's earlobe and pulled gently. "And you got me all full of cum. Look at that." He ran his fingers through the semen covering Slash's abdomen and brought it to his mouth, licking slowly. "Hmm. I needed a decent Christmas dinner."

Slash rolled his eyes, but the smile on his full lips gave him away. "You're disgusting."

"I am. But you like it." Duff lay on his side and pulled Slash close, his long fingers drawing lazy circles on his brown hip. "Actually, you like it a lot. You were moaning so loud you almost woke up the whole neighborhood. My grandmother must have heard."

"Fuck your grandmother."

"She's ninety-two, Slash. Respect."

"I respect her. I just don't want her to hear me moaning." Slash turned his face on the pillow, his dark eyes meeting the blue ones. "You're the one who doesn't know how to fuck quietly."

"Me? I don't know how to fuck quietly?" Duff raised an eyebrow, his nose ring shining. "You were the one on all fours screaming 'more, more, more' as if I was going to stop. As if I could stop."

"I didn't scream 'more, more, more'."

"You did. You screamed 'more', you screamed 'there', you screamed 'fuck, Duff' about fifteen times. I counted." Duff kissed Slash's shoulder, his lips lingering on the warm skin. "You're very loud for someone who gets embarrassed afterward."

"I'm not embarrassed."

"You are. You're all flushed." Duff touched Slash's cheek with the back of his fingers. "You look like a bride after her wedding night."

"Go fuck yourself, Duff."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Duff laughed, a low, rough laugh. "But not now. Now I want to stay here, with you sweaty and smelly and full of cum, because you're the best thing that's happened to me this Christmas."

Slash was silent for a moment, his dark eyes studying Duff's face. "You're being romantic."

"I am. Is that a problem?"

"No." Slash looked away, his hand going up to brush Duff's blond hair from his forehead. "It's just strange. You saying those things."

"What things?"

"Those things about… I don't know. That I'm the best thing about your Christmas."

"It's true."

"Your mother gave you a new bass."

"The bass doesn't moan. The bass doesn't scratch my back. The bass doesn't look at me with that face of wanting to fuck again even though you just came." Duff tilted his head. "You want to fuck again, don't you?"

Slash didn't answer, but his eyes answered for him.

"You're insatiable," Duff murmured, a smile on his thin lips. "Lucky me."

"You are too."

"I know. We're both insatiable." Duff kissed Slash's forehead, his lips going down his nose, his cheek, the corner of his mouth. "Two insatiable people smelling of sex in my mother's house, with the snow falling outside and the whole family sleeping."

"Your family doesn't suspect?"

"Of what? That I'm fucking the hottest guitarist in rock in the guest room?" Duff pretended to think. "I don't think so. My mother thinks you're a sweetheart. My grandmother wants to give you more apple pie. Vanessa…" He stopped, his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, no. Vanessa we don't mention."

Slash narrowed his eyes. "You just mentioned her."

"Did I, didn't I?" Duff smiled, that crooked, teasing smile. "Sorry, baby. It was an accident."

"It was fucking accidental." Slash grabbed Duff's chin and turned his face to face him. "You like teasing me."

"I do. I love it." Duff licked his lips. "I love seeing you jealous. I love seeing you bite your fork. I love when you're angry."

"Then you're going to love tomorrow morning."

"What's tomorrow morning?"

"You'll find out." Slash released Duff's chin and settled against the pillow, his dark curls spreading. "But it's going to hurt."

"You're a son of a bitch."

"I am. But you like it."

"I do." Duff snuggled against Slash, his arm wrapping around his waist, his lips brushing his shoulder. "I like it a lot. More than I should."

"Define 'more than I should'."

"More than anyone. More than the new bass. More than my mother's apple pie." Duff closed his eyes, his voice becoming lower, more serious. "More than anything."

Slash was silent. Then, slowly, his fingers found Duff's on his abdomen and intertwined with them. "You're a romantic idiot."

"So are you."

"I'm not."

"You are. You're here, aren't you? In my house. In my bed. With my cum running down your thighs and your hand in mine." Duff squeezed Slash's fingers. "That's very romantic."

"It's sex."

"It's romantic sex."

"Romantic sex doesn't exist."

"It does. We just had it." Duff kissed Slash's shoulder. "And we're going to do it again. And again. Until the snow melts."

"The snow will melt tomorrow."

"Then we'll fuck all night."

Slash let out a laugh, a genuine, tired laugh that vibrated against Duff's body. "You're unbearable."

"I am. But you love me."

Slash didn't answer. He just turned his face and kissed Duff, a kiss different from the others, slower, deeper, his full lips lingering on the thin ones. When they parted, his dark eyes were softer.

"Merry Christmas, Duff."

Duff smiled, that crooked smile that made his blue eyes shine. "Merry Christmas, baby."

"Don't call me baby."

"Why not?"

"Because you're already conceited enough."

"And you love me conceited."

Slash rolled his eyes, but didn't argue. He just snuggled against Duff's chest, his dark curls spreading over the pale, tattooed skin. Duff put his arms around him and kissed the top of his head, his lips brushing the curly strands.

Outside, the snow continued to fall, thick and silent, covering the garden and the trees in a white blanket. Inside the room, the smell of sex and sweat mixed with the smell of cinnamon and apple pie that still hung in the air. Somewhere in the house, a clock struck one in the morning.

"Hey, Slash?"

"Hmm?"

"Next year, will you come again?"

"You haven't even finished this Christmas and you're already thinking about the next one?"

"I am. Because if you don't come, I'll have to spend Christmas with Vanessa rubbing against me, and you'll be at home biting the furniture with jealousy."

Slash gave a weak slap to Duff's chest. "Shut up."

"Are you coming or not?"

"I'll think about it."

"Think fast, because my mother has already adopted you. You're part of the family now. There's no escape."

"Part of the family?"

"Yeah. You're the favorite son-in-law."

"Son-in-law?"

"Or daughter-in-law. Whatever you prefer." Duff kissed the top of Slash's head. "The important thing is that you're mine. And my family knows. Or will know. Eventually."

Slash was silent for a moment. Then, softly: "You're an idiot."

"You've said that about ten times today."

"Because it's true."

"But you like it."

Slash sighed, a tired, satisfied sigh. "I do. Unfortunately."

"Unfortunately nothing. You're lucky to have me."

"You're lucky to have me."

"Both are lucky." Duff closed his eyes, a smile on his thin lips. "Good night, Slash."

"Good night, Duff."

"Dream of me."

"I'm already dreaming."

"Good answer."

"Shut up and sleep."

Duff laughed softly and pulled Slash tighter against his chest. Outside, the snow continued to fall. Inside the room, two sweaty, smelly, satisfied men slept embraced, not caring about anything else in the world.

Katherine glanced around the new music store her uncle had been working in. After he finally arrived at St. John's, he has been hard at work, setting up new instruments, sheet music and more across the little store, including a small room dedicated to music lessons in the back of the building. Katherine simply sat by the large guitar section of the store, a variety of electric, bass and acoustic guitars were displayed on the walls and on guitar stands. She watched Veena scurry around the guitar section, searching for cords for her guitar

"Man your uncle has everything here!" She exclaimed happily, checking each cord. "I mean of course this place has high quality stuff. I go here all the time"

"Even before my uncle got here?" Katherine asked curiously

"Yep! This place is pretty much filled with everything a musician needs." She added. She finally grabbed long silver cord from the selection and plugged it into her white Les Paul electric guitar, slowly strumming it

"Yeah except for a Fender Bass. That's the brand I wanted." She muttered annoyed

"Wow picky much?" Veena remarked jokingly

"It's the brand I've been looking at for ages! I've seen so many bassists use it and recommend it!"

"Doesnt your uncle get new guitars every week for the shop?"

"He does but... I just need it now. It's November now and I still need one desperately. The contest is a few weeks away and we haven't even started rehearsing with a guitar that doesn't sound like a dying toaster!" She slammed her head into her hands and Veena immediately wrapped an arm over her shoulder, pulling her closer to her

"Kath, I think you might be putting too much pressure on yourself."

"No I'm not! I'm being realistic here! If we don't get it, we'll lose and I don't want to upset you or Tanya or Cassie!"

"Girl, we don't expect you to be perfect!" Katherine shot up frustrated and walks towards the door, her eyes pooling with tears as she marched out. Sitting on the curb of the building, she tried to level her breathing, her fingers digging and gripping her hair tightly in frustration, her worries heightened to a huge extent as she started to hyperventilate on the ground

But as she continued to struggle, she heard rustling noises behind her, like someone or something was rummaging through the dumpster leaning against the wall. And then a whimper came out from the dumpster, confusing her further. She got up slowly, sneaking closer to the dumpster, cautiously peaking inside hoping to see what was happening.

Inside was a small stray Boston Terrier puppy, snooping around looking for any leftover food. She focused on the puppy roaming around inside before they both made eye contact, tilting his head as he looked up at her curious face. He happily barked and clawed at the wall of the dumpster, hoping to be let out.

"Kath! Your uncle wants you!" Veena called out, looking around the area for her

"Down here!" She called back, before she immediately remembered something. "To your right!" At those words, Veena turned and spotted Katherine leaning over the dumpster and rushed to her side

"Listen I know you said you felt like garbage but I didn't think literally?" She joked before looking inside and seeing the puppy. "Oh. Oh! Oh I see what you mean!"

"Here get in the dumpster and get them out!" She ordered. Without another second, Veena immediately grabbed the dumpster and hoisted herself inside, her brown boots clapped against the faded metal. The puppy looked at her curiously as Veena kneeled down to scoop him up

"Here grab them!" She said, holding the dog up and Katherine immediately grabbed it and placed the puppy down, the dog immediately nuzzled up around Katherine's legs, panting happily. "How long were they in there?"

"I don't know but at least they look happy." Katherine stated, kneeling down to play with the puppy, happily rubbing his stomach as he rolls on the pavement

"Katherine? What are you doing?" Eric asked, looking down at her as she played with the puppy. He soon kneeled down and took a look, seeing the dog's tail wagging and his tongue sticking out happily. "My boss told me about this little guy." He murmured happily, taking the puppy into his arms.

"They come here often?"

"Yes actually. My boss says that he comes by here often. However, this dude doesn't really have a home. My boss was gonna take him in but he doesn't have enough space in his apartment to take care of him." Katherine looked at the dog and started petting its head, the puppy turning to lick her hand.

"He's adorable." Katherine murmured as she continued to pet him. Eric watched his niece as she let the dog chase around her before happily climbing onto her lap, almost forcing Katherine to lay back onto the ground.

"Well..." Eric started, taking the puppy and bringing him up. "We better get this little dude home. Who knows how long he's been out here alone."

"Really? But won't mom and dad not like this?"

"I'm sure once we tell him, they'll understand. Besides your mom loved dogs since we were kids." Katherine gave her uncle a huge smile, Veena similarly smiled at Eric's gesture and she jumped up and hugs her uncle tightly.

"Thank you so much!" She cried excitedly.

"No problem kiddo. Let's go and get this little guy home and some food." He responded, petting his head, passing him over to Katherine for her to hold him. "Veena do you need a ride home?"

"Yeah might as well." She answered, walking alongside Katherine who was still laser focused on the dog. "So what are you gonna name him?"

"Not sure. Maybe I'll ask my parents to see what they wanna name him." She replied, getting inside the car, letting the puppy run around in the back seat as Eric started up the car, driving off away from the music store, Katherine looking back contemplating on her own guitar on the long ride home.

—————————————————————————

Allison cuddled up with their new dog on the couch, the sound of her tv show playing in the background as she happily rubbed his stomach. Mitchell looked over happily as he brought in a bag full of dog food and toys, Katherine grabbing a couple of food bowls and started pouring water and food into them.

"I think bringing Weston home was a good idea." Mitchell commented.

"Weston? That's cute." Katherine replied, watching the dog happily run off the couch to eat his food.

"He's a lot more active than my childhood dog. I'm actually really glad that Eric brought him here." Allison said, watching him

"Yeah. I just wish there was a Fender bass for me at his shop though." Katherine mentioned, sitting down on their faded brown couches. Mitchell and Allison looked at her defeated expression, her fears were heightened more than usual. They both turned to each other and Allison nodded, prompting her husband to rush out of the room, intriguing Katherine. Mitchell rushed back inside, carrying a large metallic guitar case, struggling to place it down on their wooden coffee table.

"Well about that, we kinda saved up for this occasion." Mitchell answered excitedly, she gets up to take a closer look, feeling nerves and excitement flowing through as she gingerly opened up the case, seeing a large silver bass guitar inside, perfectly polished and smooth with four strings and white brown guitar neck

"We're sorry darling. We wanted to get you a purple one but there wasn't any we could find. And most of the guitars were-"

"I love it." She whispered happily, interrupting her mom. They looked at her confused before she spun around to embrace both of them. "It's perfect! Thank you!" Her parents sighed with relief over her excitement as they hugged her back

"Oh thank god! We were worried you were gonna be upset that it wasn't purple!" Her dad joked

"Are you kidding! I don't care if it's orange! And I hate orange!" She shouted excitedly before noticing her dad's offended reaction to her statement. "No offence dad. But yeah, I didn't care if it was an ugly shade of brown, I'm just so glad I finally got a bass! It's perfect!"

"Well I'm sure that on the 12th, you will be incredible at the music contest!" Allison reassured her, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you guys so much! I hope this wasn't too expensive!" She replied

"Oh don't worry about the price! The only thing you should worry about is hitting the right notes." Allison joked, receiving a playful smack from Mitchell

"Ally!!" He playfully scolded. Katherine interrupted their playful banter by embracing them once again

"Thank you so much..." Silently, her parents embraced her back. Even Weston ran over, nuzzling up against his new owners legs, joining in on their tender moment, with Katherine smiling down at his big smile

Finally, everything's coming together

——————————————————————————

Tanya twirled her drumsticks around as she watched Cassie pace back and forth in the music room, her white boots clapping against the white tiled floor, her expression laced with worry. Veena kept plucking her guitar while checking her phone, waiting for a response from Katherine

"Where is she? She should be here by now." Cassie asked confused

"Don't worry Cass. Remember she just got a puppy off the streets. The poor dude probably doesnt want her to leave." Veena responded

"I guess but still, we're so close to the competition and we need the original song started soon!" Cassie added, fear rising in her voice, freezing up on the spot

"Hey Cass, we're gonna be fine!" Tanya replied in a nurturing tone. "Just try to sit down and relax. However she did say that she has a big surprise."

"Imagine shes bringing in the dog just for funzies." Veena joked, receiving a few laughs around the rooms, helping Cassie calm down, her shoulders dropping in serenity

Suddenly, the large door swung open and they turned to see Katherine beaming from ear to ear, holding the silver rectangular guitar case.

"Hey guys!" She greeted happily and loudly. The girls got up, surprised by her big smile and bright energy. She opened up the case, showcasing the fender bass guitar laying inside and their eyes widened at the sight of it

"You got it?!" Veena shouted excitedly. She pulled it out, letting the lights shine against the bright surface

"Yep! Now let's take it for a spin!" She replied, plugging it into an amplifier, a buzzing noise filling the room. Veena pulled up her black Les Paul and flicked out a guitar pick for her and Katherine. Tanya slid back into a stool and Cassie turned up the volume on her keyboards, increasing the buzz sound in the music room

"LETS ROCK!"

——————————————————————————

We start off with a lore dump because of course we do. For context, the intro talked about how Dr. Durand Durand got his ass whooped by Barbarella who is played by our lord and saviour Jane Fonda lol. For context, this character is how the band got their name and this will actually be important to the story don’t worry lol. And in the movie he came from, Barbarella, he is basically trying to use a giant weapon called the Positronic Ray that will basically destroy the universe. No pressure or anything lol

But this is where it gets confusing cause it says he woke up three eons later but Barbarella took place in a way distant future and the video took place in 1984 so did he time travelled? I’m assuming that’s what happened but still how would that work? And then later he said he is 2000 years away from home so I guess he did time travelled but… oh god this is gonna give me a headache isn’t it lmao

I can’t really describe what happens next. All I can say is it looks like Dr. Durand is time travelling while being high as fuck, getting flashes of the band that “stole his name”. Well my good sir you should’ve put a copyright on it lol. No seriously, the first few minutes of film is full of crazy edits of random travel footage and Duran Duran music videos which makes me wonder what kind of Time Machine did he developed. And can I please get in it, I want to see 1984 Duran Duran lol

Not gonna lie, Dr. Durands workshop looks really good, I love the chains everywhere, the vibes are killer, the giant acid tanks that’s filled with those weird fucking creatures are cool, the cages, the lighting is nice. Like man, the budget for this building is incredible! Also the computer area he set up as well, it looks so good! And the flashes of the Barbarella movie playing the background? Excellent very good stuff. I know most of this is meant for the Wild Boys music video, but fuck it, it looks awesome lol

Oh yeah, Dr. Durand has some little dudes working with him, I think their names are Kismal, Snalt and… I don’t know the last one I’m sorry lol. I tried to decipher what his name was but I can never get it. Did they ever get him a name? Justice for that one nameless freak lol. I’m gonna call him Kerbacket because I have a Star Covers storyline based on this video and that’s a phrase I heard in all that distorted audio in the beginning so that’s the name I gave him in the story. I’m actually not that creative guys lol.

“And now all this spaceships leaking, we must’ve hit someone’s plumbing. You know it reminds me of a club in Birmingham?” What kind of club have you been to Kismal? Well frankly you sound British so I’m gonna assume you and the rest of these little aliens are British now lol. Also love the nod to the rum runner club Duran Duran performed at when they were starting out lol

Also, completely forgot to mention, the original actor for Dr. Durand, Milo O’Shea, returned to reprise his role for this video and I have a shit ton of respect for him for it. Imagine Russell Mulcahy, the director of this movie, (absolute legendary music video director btw) presenting this to Milo and he goes “yeah I’m down” lol. Also the stuntman who is playing Dr. Durand on the stilts is so cool! His stuntman is Hugh Spight and he did an amazing job in this video and deserves his flowers on this piece of art! Stuntmen deserves more recognition and respect lol

I gotta say, the fact that Dr. Durand set up an entire workshop underneath the California Colosseum in order to destroy this band is honestly peak levels of petty that I wish I could have one day lmao

Concert Time baby!! Is There Something I Should Know is such a banger opening song for a concert and I love the way the stage looks here! The pillars that light up look great! And also that cool video screen above the stage that plays cool videos and shit, it’s awesome! And I love the outfits of all of the members they are deeply iconic lol. Roger is chilling in this nice black tank top look and also the headphones look even though it’s to protect his ears. Nick looks so suave in this fedora and suit look because it’s Nick the fashion icon lol. I don’t know what this sash shirt is that Johns wearing but it’s so iconic and this hairstyle he has is his best hairdo. Andy looks great in this red jacket with the white lining and even when he takes it off, the blacks look great. And Simon’s whole outfit is 10/10, that jacket I want it so badly lol.

Man the crowds are so loud and chaotic, it makes me wonder how crazy popular they were back in the day, it’s awesome. I so wish I was in this era. Although I don’t know if this is me or not, but I keep hearing the same scream over and over again and I think it’s really weird how it’s the same thing that probably git edited in this video. But hey at least I can actually hear the audience this time around instead of on the album where you can barely hear it lol

Ok but unironically I love how those three little dudes are secretly fans of Duran Duran and singing their songs together behind their boss back. Honestly them being British makes sense now. They listened to Duran Duran at the Rum Runner club and have been fans of them since lol

Nick, you didn’t noticed this weird moustache man just creeping through your computer screen? Did none of you noticed the fan getting yeeted up from the trap door placed conveniently in the arena? That’s the one thing I don’t get about this video, all this random shit is happening and Duran Duran just remain blissfully unaware of it. I get it it’s a concert film and they just edited the video they recorded but you couldn’t do an extra bit for this video? Maybe they saw Kiss meets the phantom and decided “maybe let’s not act actually cause we might suck.” Looking at you Vegas City of Dreams lol

Also there was one fan who was just chilling on the floor just eating snacks but gets annoyed by the aliens pushing against the trap door placed conveniently underneath him. This video has subtle comedy throughout it and I respect that lol

“But do they know who the real Durand Durand really is?” Well thar movie came out in 1968 so probably not, these are teenage fans were talking about here lol.

Hungry Like The Wolf, I do like this song but it gets way too overplayed in my honest opinion, but it is catchy so I can understand why lol. Oh great Dr. Durand is sending out a tiger to maul the audience oh fuck yikes, whoever called the police thank the lord lol. But I mean it’s not killing anyone and it keeps swapping between a woman with tiger print tattoos over her… I don’t know ok? No sober person made this lol. However the editing does slay, and so does Simon look at that outfit lol

Also, Simon disappeared and goes into this massive prismatic temple of some kind with other weird ass animal like humans and trees and everything. Low-key this looks pretty cool, I wonder did they actually made a massive set for this song in particular? Actually no they used this for New Religion and The Chauffeur. Regardless it looks cool!!

Next up we have Union of the Snake, not gonna lie that’s a badass song title lol. Oh and Dr. Durand is doing energy extractions that’s not fun. But I do wonder if the robots in the acid bath is a part of it. From what it looks like, it’s just making the whole thing go on overload with all that text and code filling up the screen but I’m no scientist so what do I know? Oh wait it did? Well fuck me I guess lmao

Ok but Simon is legit being a doofus just fooling around on stage with John. Those two had a thing for each other I’m just saying lmao. Oh and the energy extraction is literally sucking the will to live out of everyone and caused most of them to faint or pass out. And potentially migraines because he sent out deadly sound waves. Dr. Durand, I get your upset but literally you can’t just torture these people, it’s not the bands fault theyre better than you lmao

Save a Prayer, legit is beautiful. I think this is genuinely one of the most beautiful songs ever. The melody and lyrics are perfect, the instrumentation is beautiful, the background with the sunset is lovely, Simons voice is great, everything is gorgeous. What else is gorgeous is John Taylor, I fucking love this man so much and this video made me obsessed with him when I was 7 lol. I know he’s drunk as fuck here in this clip but still. Wait, why is he backstage anyways? There’s bass in this song why aren’t you performing? Why are you chilling backstage?

Oh wait because there’s a girl Who’s just casually backstage somehow? She doesn’t have a backstage pass how did she get here? I know Dr. Durand is trying to nab her but still how did she get here? And can she teach me her ways so I can see John in person I’d love that so much lmao

Minor detail but I noticed that when the audio for the song cuts out when the girl is taken, if you continue to sing Save a prayer over it, the audio will end up at the part of the song that comes up next if you know what I mean? I don’t know how to explain it but it’s so cool and such a nice little detail! Also that guy basically grabbing Johns neck and pulling him back onstage is also pretty funny I like that lol.

Also minor thing but as aesthetically pleasing as using the lighters to light up the arena but also I’m very terrified that someone would accidentally light their hair on fire from these things. But still aesthetically pleasing lmao

Well good luck to this fangirl who is now probably gonna die inside that stupid cage because of Dr. Durands high levels of pettiness lmao. And get ready for me to gush over Wild Boys soon

The night was crisp and warm, the wind gently blowing through the small circular garden outside, a marble fountain in the middle of it all, sculpted to have 12 young princes engraved in it. The water had small leaves floating on the surface, as well as some small white petals plucked off by Melissa

She sat along the edge of the fountain, picking off each petal, staring at it in dead silence. Her head kept on saying the same things over and over again. He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not. This kept going until she picked the last petal off and sighed in annoyance and discontent

He loves me not

Throwing the empty flower onto the faded red brick driveway, she stared at it. It was empty and soulless, just like her heart. Her mind felt lost since she arrived at Magic Mountains. Sam disappeared and now she had no one to look out for her, no one to tell her what to do. It was a fun experience at first, but soon it became suffocating to have so much freedom for only one day. Lifting up her hand, her eyes met with her ring finger, her engagement ring, one that she accepted not out of love, but out of fear of rejecting him.

“Melissa? Don’t you want to come in? It’s gonna get cold.” She turned over to see him.

Paul Stanley

Strangely, when Sam went missing, Paul had looked out for her, he and the rest of Kiss has been nothing but supportive and loyal to her. Ace kept cheering her up, cracking jokes about whatever was on his mind, never a dull moment. Peter would try to calm her by making tea or talking about movies. Turns out Hes really into gangster and crime movies, really old ones in fact. Gene was sometimes a bit grouchy and even unapproachable but he did showed his soft side. His love of comic books and horror movies was second to none.

And then there was Paul. She could quite put her finger on it, but Paul seemed different around her. He didn’t spoke much to her, being mysterious towards her, he spoke at lot about his laser eye and his mind powers. She found out they had powers the night Sam went missing and since then, Paul seemed quite protective of her, constantly checking her. For some reason, it made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.

“Oh yeah. Just needed some air.” She replied, plucking another flower out of the small grass patch growing around the fountain. Paul walked closer to her, his platform heels clanking against the brick road as he came to sit next to her, watching her mindlessly pick off each petal

“I take it you’re still worried about Sam.” He suggested

“I know it’s silly but I can’t stop thinking about him.” She admitted

“Hey now, it’s not silly. He’s your boyfriend, obviously you care about him.”

“Well yes but here’s the thing. Ever since he disappeared, things have been confusing for me?” She turned to Paul to see him looking at her with sympathy, leaning closer to listen. “Let me guess, you can basically tell whats on my mind with your weird mind powers you got there?”

“Maybe. But still, you can tell me if you feel comfortable. From what I’ve gathered, you and Sam are… complicated.”

Melissa looked down at her flower, half of the petals gone. She started to regret bringing him up, hoping Paul would move onto a different subject. But the fact that he wanted to listen despite already knowing, made her feel heard for once. It was all new to her

“Ok, I will admit. For the last few months, I was debating on breaking up with him. He is just… too much.”

“Too much? As in, he smothers you kind of thing?”

“In a way. He honestly has no sense of personal space. Many times when I came over, he would go with me everywhere I go. He’d always be breathing down my neck everytime I did my makeup or was dressing up. And each time he says “whatever we’re dating it’s no big deal””

“He really did that?”

“Yep. And not only that, he has always been rude to my friends. I have two friends, Betty and Claudia and they have never liked him. He was constantly talking about them to me, saying how he thinks Claudia looks like a slob or Betty talks way too much and too loudly.”

Paul simply listened to her, keeping his eyes on her as she slowly gets up from the fountain.

“And the fact that he constantly tells me what I should do and shouldn’t do. Like my job for an example and he told me to quit it.”

“Did you actually do it?”

“Well yeah I did. But maybe it just wasn’t good enough for me, career wise.”

Melissa saw his face twist for a second, of confusion and worry, trying to think of the right words to say, immediately bringing in worry for her

“What was your job?” He asked calmly

“I did photography.” She answered

“Well, it’s a pretty high paying job so if anything, I think that’s the perfect job. I don’t know what he’s going on about.” He admitted

“I guess so but still, Hes always looking out for me so maybe that job was pretty bad or the people would be terrible. He says that you can’t trust anyone.”

“You can’t trust anyone?”

“Yeah that’s what he said. I mean, it did caused a lot of problems for me financially but he said that once we get married then it won’t be an issue anymore.”

“But what about right now?”

She stared at him confused, seeing his eyes darkening. From what, she wasn’t sure

“I mean, you had this well paying job and he just told you to leave it all because of the possibility that your boss might be an asshole”

“Yes but Sam cares about me! I help with whatever he needs. If he’s happy then I’m happy, itll work out in the end. I just need to trust him.”

“Sweetheart, if you aren’t trusting him now, then how can you trust him later?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You just said that you just need to trust him. But that to me feels like you don’t trust him enough.”

Melissa rolled her eyes, tears starting to pool up

“No… no Paul you don’t understand. He just is under a lot of pressure right now. He’s busy with Devereaux or something and I don’t know how difficult it will be for him with that promotion and he really needs it”

“I understand but he should let you help by keeping that job! Did you enjoyed it?”

“Of course I did! But… i don’t think I was good enough for it.”

Those words made the whole world silent for a second. Paul glanced at her face, her eyes were glassy and empty. Melissa could only bow down, staring at the lone petal left on the flower

He loves me not

Suddenly, Paul swiftly came close, getting off of the fountain and embraced her. His stage costume rubbed against her soft pink top and cream cardigan and blue jeans, his hands sprayed across her back, his chin resting delicately upon her shoulder. Confused by this sudden gesture, all Melissa could do was gingerly lay her hands onto his back for support. One foot slipped back, feeling herself slightly leaning back, Paul’s height in the platform heels making him more taller than usual and it showed.

“Paul? Why are you doing this?” She asked, worry coming through. Despite her worries, she felt her heart pounding in excitement. Something about his sudden movements felt so warm and full of comfort. She didn’t wanted it to end. He immediately noticed her awkward stance on her feet and pulled her back up.

“Sorry I… did I went too far?”

“No I’m just confused? Why were you hugging me?”

“Because I care about you. It’s clear you’re going through a lot. How long have you been feeling like this?”

“Like what?”

“You know, you seem like you can’t trust him, he made you quit your job, he won’t let you help. And honestly, I can just tell that he makes you feel worthless.”

Melissa eyes widen at those words, barely looking up at him

“You just said “I just was not good enough for it.” Was that you talking or Sam? Does Sam say that often? That you’re not good enough?”

“Well… sometimes yeah. But he always apologizes for it each time. Plus he’s going through a hard time like I said. His new promotion has a lot of pressure and-“

She was interrupted by Paul simply pressing a finger against her lips, freezing her for a moment, suprised by his gesture. Afterwards, he takes her hands, his thumbs slowly and gently rubbing against her knuckles, sending chills down her spine. It almost made her knees weak. A million thoughts came through her mind, but one thing she knew, she found this gesture to be soft, soothing, dare she say, romantic. This gentle feeling calmed the nerves in her mind slowly but steadily

“Yes. He does. Quite often.” She answered. He sighed annoyed

“I knew it. It makes more sense now.”

“What does?”

“That you were so desperate to get him back. He made you feel like you weren’t good enough without him.”

Melissa continued to stare down at his hands, baffled by his words but more so baffled by how accurate it was.

“I guess your mind powers already told you everything after all. So why did you needed me to bring it up?”

“You had to get out of your system. You were so frantic back at the concert last night. My mind powers aren’t always perfect, but I do know one thing on my mind. It’s that you want to leave.”

“Yeah I do.” Slowly Paul smiled as her voice grew in volume.

“And also between you and me, once I see that man, I’m gonna give him some choice words.”

“What? You gonna mind pollute him? You gonna give him nightmares?”

“Honey, I can read thoughts, I can’t give this whack job a nightmare. At least, I don’t think I can.”

She smiled at his words, feeling a sense of relief around him.

“Question, have you ever used your mind powers with your girlfriends or whatever?”

“No of course not! If I did, they’d be running away from me and call me weird and I don’t want that!”

“Oh wow you poor thing.” She giggled softly and he tried to hide his smile from her sarcastic comment

“Don’t be like that. Mind powers are actually horrible. You wanna know I see in Genes headalmost every day? Him with at least 5 women. It’s not a good sight.”

“Youre one to talk.”

“Hey!!”

She playfully slaps his shoulder, making him jump a bit in response as she continues to laugh. Paul simply watched on in amusement

“You know I’m joking with you right Paul?” She asked sweetly

“I know sweetie.”

She blushed at the nickname. Something about it made her feel warm and happy, combined with his voice made her feel more relaxed than before. As he sat down on the fountain again, he patted on the spot right next to him. She got down and sat beside him

“Paul? Do you think I should leave him?”

“I feel like, from what you’ve told me, that it might be the best option. And honestly, this might be me being too pushy here but… if you want, you can take pictures of me and the boys.”

“You mean that?”

“Yeah. I don’t mind. And the rest got pretty well accustomed to you.”

“This is accustomed to you?” She quickly took his hand, her fingers intertwining with his, watching his face light up with a pleasant smile, surprise coming over his face

“Listen Melissa I…”

He paused. She glanced at him, patiently waiting as he struggled to speak

“Look Melissa. I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know if Sam will come back but I can assure you that no matter what happens, we’ll keep you safe. We trust you to keep our powers a secret. And I know you won’t let us down. You just gotta be strong now cause I don’t know what Abner is capable of. Ok?”

“I’ll try Paul.”

Melissa glanced at his smile, his eyes gently lowering to focus on her hand, planting her knuckles with a light but beautiful kiss. Her cheeks grew even hotter. It was so warm and affectionate, something she had dreamed of for a long time. And someone like Paul made her feel the warmth she has been craving for months unexpectedly. She was so lost in her thoughts she didn’t notice Paul getting up, letting go of her hand

“I know you will. Now why don’t you come inside? We can put on a movie or something?”

She came back to reality, slightly shaking her head as she realized Paul was talking to her again

“Oh yeah. I’ll be there in a minute. I just needed to clear my head.”

“Of course. Take your time love. I promise everything will be alright. Just don’t stay out for too long

She blushed again, the nicknames were enough to make her melt. Watching him leave, she felt a sense of longing, wanting to reach out and hold him again, or another kiss on her hand. She was desperate for these little things for a long time but felt she didn’t deserved it.

She leaned down and pulled out another flower off the ground, once again picking off the petals one by one, the same thoughts circling her head once more. He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not. Then the last petal came and she felt her heart pounded harder than before

He loves me

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