#friend stuff

The venue Queenie had booked for them was huge. He'd never played in front of that many people, and no matter how many times he told himself that it was just like playing at The Aerie, he couldn't make himself believe it. There were giant screens to show them playing. There were going to be absolutely amazing pyrotechnics, because Tal and Queenie were geniuses, and the concert was going to be so awesome.

If only Rook could force himself to step out onto the stage.

Taash and Lace were already there, setting up their instruments, and they looked a little nervous too, but they were out there and doing things and throwing worried glances to where he was hiding backstage, because they really needed to start –

"Rook? You're supposed to be out there. Highness is already bitching about losing daylight," Tal said as he walked up to him. He'd been checking the pyrotechnics again, because he cared so much about Rook having the best time, and here Rook was, hiding behind a curtain.

"I know," Rook said quietly, peeking out at the giant crowd out there. "Too many people."

Tal wrapped an arm around Rook's shoulders and peeked out too. "Want me to call it off?"

"What?! No!" Rook nearly shouted, turning to Tal to give him a horrified look. "I want to do it, I just…I can't –"

"Edwin's down by the stage," Tal said, pressing Rook closer to his side. "Bull and Dorian are too. You can sing for them. No need to give a shit about the rest."

"I can sing for all of them, I just can't get out there," Rook sighed. He'd already tried so many times before Tal came, and his legs just wouldn't listen.

Tal turned to give him a considering look. "Got everything ready?"

Rook's guitar was already there on the stage, in a stand right next to his mic, and he so wanted to get to them and do this, but he had no idea how. "Yeah," he nodded, resting his head on Tal's shoulder.

"Did you drink water?"

"Mhm."

"Ate something?"

"Yep."

"Alright," Tal nodded and caught Rook by the hand to drag him out onto the stage.

"Tal, what are you doing?" Rook hissed, giving the giant screens a wide-eyed look. They stopped showing their logo and Lace appeared instead, waving at the camera and blowing a kiss that was definitely for Eris.

"Helping," Tal shrugged as they stopped in front of the mic. Taash was on the screen next, grinning and raising their hands as they gave the crowd a rock sign. People started cheering and Rook turned to Tal, who was adjusting his mic.

"Love, I –" Rook started, and couldn't help but cringe when his horribly blushing face appeared on the screen. Fuck, he usually loved seeing himself. He was hot. He looked perfect tonight, and he was absolutely amazing, but this was too much.

"Shut up, little bird," Tal whispered and pulled him in for a kiss.

Rook only caught a glimpse of his own stunned expression before closing his eyes and melting into Tal, catching him by the shoulders to steady himself. Tal cradled his face in his hands, stroking his thumbs over his cheekbones, and the applause and cheering that followed nearly knocked Rook off his feet.

"Better?" Tal mumbled into the kiss, and Rook cracked his eyes open to see Tal's absolutely burning face. He never liked showing off in front of people the way Rook did, but he did it for him anyway, because he loved him so much.

And Rook was going to do the show for him. For all his loves.

"Mhm," he hummed with a smile, stealing another kiss. "Thanks, love."

Tal nodded as his ears turned even pinker, and Rook couldn't help but look at the screen to see how amazing they looked together. His lace top was absolutely killer, and the white leather jacket he was wearing over it was doing some great things to his shoulders. And Tal was so hot.

Still cradling Rook's face and giving him that sweet smile that hardly anyone besides the four of them ever saw – and now several thousand people too. "Love you, little bird," Tal said, resting their foreheads together. "Can't wait to hear you sing."

"Love you too," Rook grinned and caught Tal's gorgeous face to make out with him properly for a moment. It got him a surprised grunt from Tal and excited screams from the audience, and he was so ready.

"You're such a little shit," Tal groaned. "You good?"

"So good," Rook purred. "You can stay if you like."

Tal gave the giant screen a horrified look. "Nope," he shuddered, catching Rook's hand to kiss his knuckles. "Be down there, yeah?"

"You know where to find me if you change your mind, gorgeous," Rook winked at him, raising their joined hands to get himself even more cheers. This show was going to be killer.

^ logo by @mushrooms-x-moss

Eris belongs to @grand-crow and Queenie belongs to @lycheecatee <3