This is a crossover band AU in which Charles, Alex, and Sean are in a band called Violent Femmes (based on the actual band of the same name). All lyrics are written by and belong to the Violent Femmes, NOT ME. I wrote none of these lyrics or are claiming to have written them. All lyrics are taken from the following songs: Gone Daddy Gone, American Music, America Is, Prove My Life, Out The Window, Add It Up, Blister In The Sun, I Saw You In The Crowd, Black Girls, Lies, Ugly, and Johnny.
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Erik was here by mistake. He was new to town and the directions he had gotten were vague. It was dark and cold and he just wanted to sleep. He must've been driving in circles for hours until he came across an old building. There was a loud commotion and kids his age were stumbling out. Erik figured he should go inside and ask someone for directions.
He parked his car in a vacant lot just outside and stepped out, locking his car with a push of a button. The people milling around outside were laughing and being obnoxious. When he got to the front door he pushed it open with a loud creak. The hall was long and dark and crowded with people. As he went further inside the noise got louder. There was a beaded curtain hung up in the only doorway. His hands came out and parted them delicately and then he realized what this place was for.
There were a bunch of teenagers and people in their twenties jumping around wildly to the band that was on stage. The place smelt faintly of cigarettes and alcohol and Erik almost felting like throwing up. The atmosphere was distasteful to his senses and he just wanted to get out of there. He went to turn around and leave, but froze. The band stopped playing and then started up after a few moments.
He looked to the stage and studied the band. A blonde boy in his teens was picking at his bass, a redhead was poised behind a bass drum and a xylophone, but Erik's eyes stopped on the brunette with an electric guitar. He looked a little older than the other two. In his twenties perhaps. He must be the singer, Erik thought.
He started to walk towards the stage as if he was being drawn to it. Erik pushed his way threw kids in a dazed stupor. When he reached the front of the crowd the brunette started to strum and sing.
~Beautiful girl love the dress,
High school smiles oh yes.
Beautiful girl love the dress,
Where she is now I can only guess~
And the other two joined in on the chorus. Echoing the words "Gone Daddy Gone" as they each played their chords. It was an odd sound and song so far, but Erik couldn't move if he wanted to.
~When I see you,
Eyes will turn blue.
When I see you,
A thousand eyes turning blue~
And Erik was entranced. As the guitarist sang those lines he swore they locked eyes. He smiled giddily at him and the brunette smiled back around his words. He was hooked. And as the song progressed the percussionist did a xylophone solo. It was kind of edgy and after the song was over Erik stayed.
The band played two more songs, the whole time Erik listened and watched the guitarist. He didn't normally engage in events like this, nor did he like music much. He preferred staying home and watching mind numbing amounts of television. But since he didn't know where the hell his house was he was stuck out in the middle of nowhere, watching this obscure band that he didn't even know the name of.
"Well, that's all the songs we got so far. So thanks for coming out. Cheers," said the guitarist after their last song had finished.
People cheered and clapped as the band took a bow and walked off stage. Erik felt himself smiling and clapping. He felt his heart drop a little at the fact the show was over. He hung around a while longer to wait for the crowd to thin out and when it did he exited the building. The night air nipped at his face and he stuck his hands into his pockets.
He got to his car and noticed the brunette and his band loading up their equipment into the back of a van. He approached them nervously, not knowing exactly what to say.
He cleared his throat and they all turned around. The blonde looked him up and down suspiciously and the redhead rubbed his nose.
"Can we help you?" The blonde said.
"I was wondering if I could get some directions," Erik said and he looked at the brunette who smiled at him warmly.
"You're not from around here?" The blonde asked.
"That's usually why people ask for directions, Blondie," Erik said flatly.
The redhead squealed out a laugh and "Blondie" scoffed, his face turning pink as he walked around to the driver's side and shut the door with a huff.
"Don't mind him. He's just a little edgy after shows," replied the brunette.
"Yeah, thinks the whole world's against him or somethin'. I think it's cause he's the bassist," chuckled the redhead.
The brunette stuck out his hand and said,"Charles."
Erik took it in his and shook it gently. His hand was freezing but soft to the touch.
"And that's Sean," he pointed towards the redhead.
"Erik," he replied.
"It's a pleasure," Charles winked. "Now where do you need directions to?"
Erik reluctantly let go of Charles' hand and rifled around in his pockets. He retrieved a crumpled up piece of paper. Erik eyed it warily and handed it over to Charles. Charles took it and gazed at it for a moment. He held it back a little, but couldn't decipher it. He looked up at Erik and frowned.
"Sorry mate. I can't read it."
Sean snatched it out of his hand and gave it a try, but it was no use. Sean handed back to Erik.
"Too messy," Sean said.
Erik sank a little inside and said it was alright. He stuffed the scrap of paper into his jacket pocket. Sean walked to the passenger side and Charles hopped into the back.
"Sorry I couldn't help," Charles murmured remorsefully.
Erik waved him off with a hand and turned around to walk back to his car. He stood for a moment. Halfway into his car and turned his head towards Charles. And as Charles was about to shut the double doors in the back Erik called out.
"What are you guys called anyway?"
"Violent Femmes!" Charles shouted back. And he shut the doors.
Erik sat in his car as they drove off.
Violent Femmes? Really? What an odd name for a band of guys, Erik thought.
He looked at his watch and noticed it was well past midnight. The sky was black and the engines of cars could be heard in the background. Erik reclined back in his seat and felt so exhausted. He just wanted to sleep. And after awhile the noise died down. The world around him was quiet and his eyes closed shut.
When morning came Erik's eyes fluttered open and adjusted to the blinding light. He grumbled and groaned, stretching out his tired limbs as far as he could. Erik rubbed absentmindedly at his eyes, discarding any remains of sleep and yawned.
What the hell happened last night? Erik asked himself.
And he remembered getting lost. And stopping. And a show? The brunette that smiled at him during that song. He remember Charles. And Sean. And Blondie. But...
What the hell was their band name? He puzzled.
He couldn't, for the life of him, remember. It had something to do with girls. Or maybe femurs?
Violin Femurs?
Forget it, Erik thought.
He didn't care for music and that band, from what he could tell, was mediocre at best. But he was still lost and a little hungry. Frustrated he grabbed his keys off the passenger's seat and put it in the ignition. Erik clicked on his seatbelt and turned the key. For a moment his car refused to start and he scowled. He hit the steering wheel and the horn went off. Erik's forehead rested against it and waited a beat. He turned the key again and his car finally started.
He pulled out of the lot and drove east a few miles. And when he reached the town 15 minutes later he was relieved and perhaps a little pissed.
He asked a few people around town for directions and when an old lady was actually able to read his friend Hank's horrible writing, he silently cried tears of joy. Erik drove through downtown and turned down a few blocks and he finally reached his destination.
Erik thanked Hank several times over the phone for suggesting he have his things delivered there before he arrived. He didn't have much, but unpacking for him was always a nightmare.
"So, are you coming over to help me unpack?"
"Unpack what? Your lonely little suitcase?" Hank mocked.
Erik chuckled heartily and shook his head. "I may be poor, but I'm not that poor."
"I'll be over in two shakes. Seeya!"
Erik hung up his phone.
"Weren't you suppose to be here last night?" Hank asked.
"I sorta got lost." Erik reached into his pocket and threw the paper at Hank. "Your writing is horrid," Erik added.
Hank caught it and peered at it. He blushed a little and said sorry. Boxes were stacked on the kitchen counter and Hank dug around, putting silverware, plates, bowls, and cups away in random shelves. Erik cut the tape off a few more boxes labeled "Bathroom" and "Mementos".
"So where did you sleep last night?" Hank called out from the kitchen.
Erik hung out the bathroom door and replied,"The Holiday Inn... Where do you think?"
"I guess it wasn't to your liking," Hank chortled. He paused to sort out the silverware. "Anything interesting happen?"
Erik hesitated for a second. The brunette's smiling face and english accent filled his head.
"Yeah," Erik said almost dreamily. He walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen. He sat on the counter in front of Hank and grinned widely.
"Ohhh," Hank nodded knowingly. He finished sorting the forks and turned toward Erik. "So, what's his name?"
"Charles." Erik couldn't stop himself from smiling so much. And yet, he didn't know why or when he began to feel so giddy. "I met him after a gig last night. He was the guitarist."
Hank raised an eyebrow. "A gig?"
Erik shut his mouth but it was already too late. Hank wouldn't let him stop now.
"I thought you weren't into the music scene?" Hank inquired. When Erik didn't reply Hank asked,"Are they any good?"
Erik thought momentarily. "Ehhh, could take some time getting used to."
"What are they called?"
"Ummmm... I don't exactly... Remember," Erik said embarrassed.
Erik's new apartment was finally looking a little inhabitable. Sure there was a shortage of furniture, but once you get past that it's actually quite cozy.
Thankfully, Erik's T.V. was set up and his cable was installed later in the day. He plopped down on his ratty old sofa and zoned out on Spongebob for awhile, even though he should be out and exploring the town. But Erik wanted to be lazy and save it for tomorrow.
He flipped the channel to Mtv. He didn't care for the music, but he wanted to see if it would feel like last night. When he was hypnotized by Charles' voice. And when the feeling didn't spark, he frowned. He turned the T.V. off and slumped further into the couch.
Having a crush on Charles from that obscure band seemed a little silly. He'd probably never see him again. Then again Erik going out with Hank was silly too. And he kind of enjoyed being with Hank. He was attracted to Hank sexually and platonically. It was all backwards with him.
But Charles was different. He was the opposite of what Erik liked. He liked brunettes, sure, but the music thing was different for him. Erik couldn't tell you why he despised music, he just did. But if he went to see Charles and his band perform again, he'd make an effort.
It wasn't all that bad, he supposed. It could've been worse.
That first song he heard them play rang in his ears.
~When I see you,
Eyes will turn blue~
For some reason the lyrics made his skin heat up and tingle. Erik flushed bodily. He remembered the way Charles stared at him as he sang those lines. The words leaving his lips almost sinfully. He wanted his lips against them. Erik wanted to take Charles home and keep him in bed forever. Kissing every inch of his body. Take him-
"Violent Femmes!" Erik shouted to his apartment. It echoed around in empty space and Erik laughed to himself. He remembered their name.
Erik picked up his cellphone and dialed Hank's number. After a few rings Hank answered with a groggy,"H-Hello?"
"Violent Femmes!" Erik said chipperly.
"What?"
"Charles' band. They're called Violent Femmes."
"Okay... Super. Can I go back to bed now?" Hank said irritably.
"Sorry! Sleep tight!" Erik rushed out and hung up.
So he was a little overly excited, shoot him. But Erik never felt this way before. He had a schoolboy crush on a guy he didn't even know and he couldn't be happier.
Besides, he had to admit, the music was kind of catchy.
