Oh man this chapter is drawn out and soppy. I'm sorry about that, but hopefully you can enjoy it. I'm so happy to see some of you are still following, and also delighted to get some new readers! It's so nice to see people enjoying this story. All your reviews are really appreciated and it spurs me on to write more so thank you! ^o^ I hope to update again tomorrow, so please look forward to it~
Warnings: Yaoi and emotional fluffy crap. You should probably know the whole story's warnings by now.
Song to listen to while reading: Quiet by Lights
School passes quickly and soon the bell rings, signalling I can finally leave. I make my way out of the gates, but instead of turning left like usual, I carry straight on ahead. My mind has been whizzing since lunch, and I need to have some clarification of whether this "Speíra" thing has any significance.
After about ten minutes I reach an off-cut, and past a few large industrial looking buildings I see my destination. "The Garage" is the town's main gig venue. It's not huge, but big enough to hold several thousand people. Besides it's the only one of a decent size for several towns around so any touring bands have no choice but to book a date here.
I push open the dark wooden door, the warm musty smell of alcohol and sweat hitting me as I pass over the threshold. I've only been here a few times, as however much I like music, most of the bands I listen to now have members 6 feet under the ground or rocking back and forth in an old people's home. I walk through the empty reception area until I reach the desk, ringing the bell to bring someone to assist me.
"Hi, can I help you?" A small woman with mousey hair comes round the corner, taking a seat in the chair in-front of me.
"Yeah, I was wondering if you had any information on Speíra?"
She looks confused for a minute before realising what I've said and opening a draw in the desk, rifling through before bringing out an A5 piece of paper.
"Here. It's the official leaflet. Anything you need to know should be on there."
"Thanks." I reply, taking the leaflet and turning around, walking slowly out as my eyes scan the page. It's mostly promotional garbage, but it confirms my suspicions. Speíra consists of one member, who plays guitar and sings. The outline fits, and I scribble a reminder on my hand to purchase a ticket before shoving the paper in my pocket and heading home.
Two weeks pass and I'm in my room, flipping my ticket over in my hands one last time before folding it and putting it in my wallet. I pull on a loose navy jacket and my docs and call to Itachi to let him know I'm going out. Pulling the frontdoor shut behind me, the wind whips at my face and I pull my jacket up tighter in an attempt to block out the cold.
It's a twenty minute walk from my house to The Garage, but I'm so occupied with my own thoughts that it seems like only a few seconds before I find myself pushing open the heavy wooden door and being greeted with that familiar atmosphere. I take off my coat and head to the cloakroom, paying for a peg and leaving my jacket and bag. I push through a small gaggle of girls in the doorway and make it into the main foyer. There are a few groups of people hanging around in groups, presumably waiting for doors to open so they can get a good place at the barrier. Since I'm alone, I go to the bar and order a sprite to pass the time.
Ten minutes later and someone comes out and signals that we're allowed in to the main venue, and after the initial rush from the people wanting barrier I pay for my sprite and make my way in. There are more people than I thought would be here, but it's certainly not full. I position myself at the back of the mosh pit, out of the way of the crowd but close enough to have a good view. More people filter in and I see a few groups taking seats on the upper layer of the venue, but other than that it seems everyone is here.
Another ten minutes passes and the lights dim, and the crowd cheers. A technician walks on and places a chair in the center, followed by another carrying a microphone. After a few tests and adjustments, they disappear off stage and the spotlight glares, flicking to face the crowd cheers again, but I can barely hear them with the sound of my own heart beat drumming in my ears as a lone figure walks slowly onto stage. His face is covered by the hood of his sweater, and he carries a guitar in his right hand. He takes a seat and reaches up to adjust the mic, sliding his guitar strap over his shoulder and quickly tuning the strings.
"Hi everyone."
My heart stops for a minute, before it comes back in full force, banging in my chest as if it was on fire. That voice. The voice I know so well, the voice I've grown to care for more than anyone. The voice that I've been searching for is finally here. I focus my vision on his figure and time seems to slow as he reaches up with both hands and slides his hood off and looking out at the audience, eyes like million dollar sapphires gazing over a sea of people.
He's tanned, but in a golden way, like rich sand rather than fake orange; you can tell it's natural. He's got a mop of messy hair, sticking out in all directions but somehow looking good. It's a bright rich blonde, and compliments his skin tone greatly. Short ruffled bangs frame a harsh jawline, a face with a sharp straight nose and full, pink lips. And suddenly, it's like I've been blind my entire life. Everything about him makes the rest of my surroundings seem so dull, as if nothing could ever be as beautiful as the person before me, and I feel like I need to catch myself before I fall head over heels in love with Naruto like some teenage blogger does with a movie star.
"Thanks for coming tonight." he speaks up, smiling a little but somehow lighting up the entire room. "I'll mostly be playing songs from my album, but I thought to start I'd try something a little different. I've only ever played this song once before, but I feel like it might be nice to try it again." He adjusts the instrument in his lap and sits up, positioning his hands on some chords. "This is my cover of Smother, by Daughter."
Before I know what I'm doing I find myself pushing through the crowd, shoving people out the way as I make my way to the front, hesitating only slightly before hooking a leg over the barrier and lifting myself over, ducking under the arm of the bouncer who tries to get me. I hear Naruto's chords stop as he notices the scene below, and his brows furrow slightly before a look of fear takes his features as a jump onto the stage and walk quickly towards him. He looks as if he's ready to try and defend himself from me when I grab his wrist and grab something from my pocket, placing it in the palm of his hand.
"I'm sorry folks but I'm going to have to take a short break." his voice is low and raspy and when I look into his eyes I can see they're full of tears. I grab his wrist again and pull him off stage, ignoring the sounds of the crowd behind us. A bouncer comes towards me, venom in his eyes but Naruto puts his hand out and signals it's okay. Once he's gone, the blonde opens his other hand and slowly begins to cry, a tear falling on the spiral on the cassette in his hand.
I stand in silence, astounded at what I just did, and a little embarrassed at the first impression I'd given him. I'm knocked out of my thoughts though as a warm hand touches my face and tilts my head until our eyes meet, and all other worries are eradicated as I find our faces getting closer and the feel of a pair of soft lips on my own. I stand almost motionless as he presses our lips together, holding for just a second before pulling away and wiping tears from his cheeks, a huge smile on his face.
"I'm sorry if you don't, y'know, swing that way." He rubs the back of his head with his hand. "I'm just so happy!"
I still say nothing, my mind whirling at 3000 miles an hour as I try to take in everything that just happened. Then, as if without thought, I lift my arms and pull him in, wrapping him in a hug closer than I've had since my parents died.
"I found you, Naruto."