Author's Note: So good news! I finished the story last night, so you're gonna be getting an update each day until Friday (17 is the last chapter). So I hope you all enjoy the surprise update and, more importantly, the chapter itself.

I'd post the entire thing now, but I still have to proofread and refine, and I don't want to overwhelm you guys~

So enjoy and I'll see you all tomorrow!

xxx

Chapter 14: Returning the Favor

As weeks passed, Totakeke enjoyed a steady stream of adoration every Saturday. Chet continued handing out singles and running the sales, Cinder continued to fawn, and Zircon continued to stew in the background, playing random tunes in between the famous musician's performances. Unfortunately, he had faded into mere ambiance, and K.K. Slider stole the spotlight.

Totakeke noticed Zircon's attitude on Saturday nights. Cinder did, as well, and continued inviting the two to her place afterwards as a form of damage control, though she didn't outwardly call it that. She just felt a good movie and a hot cup of coffee would help tame Zircon's temper.

For a while, she was right. They walked together to her apartment, sunk into her couch, and sipped coffee while watching crazy action packed movies filled with blood and gore. Totakeke didn't care much for them, but they were certainly interesting. Zircon seemed indifferent. They were candy for the cat's eyes, though. She would often jump around and act out the scenes. She, unlike them, was pumped full of energy at night, and she couldn't help but flail around and show off some of the moves herself.

"And he does a roundhouse kick all HYAH and BOOM and IN YO FAAACE!" she'd cry as she moved, and Totakeke would instinctively sink into the couch for fear of her feet connecting with his face. Zircon, whom he would expect to be irritated by this behavior, would actually chuckle at the cat's childlike wonder and not say a word against it.

For as much as they picked on each other, he certainly had a soft spot for her.

That didn't seem to matter during this week's session, though. Totakeke set up like normal, Cinder fawning as usual, Zircon moping about in the background, feeling useless. Totakeke was no longer his responsibility. He could DJ well enough, and he had slid into performing quite well. So he would just hang around silently, unable to find a productive word to say.

It didn't bode well with him. He had hoped the rising star's popularity would fall off, that the Saturday nights would end. But it seemed more and more people came every week, and tonight was no different. Packed, as usual, and Zircon was doomed to backdrop once more. He leaned against the stage, not taking in any of the cheering or words or celebrations unraveling before him.

He missed when it was him.

He missed the early days of the venue, back before they came to Marble. He missed being Miss Trunks' star, remembered how much she had doubted him at first, how hard he had worked himself to impress her. He had earned her respect with months upon months of hard work and dedication.

Now, he watched this newcomer, armed with a guitar and a goal, playing circles around him.

It was maddening.

"We're gonna take five," Totakeke announced in his smooth K.K. Slider voice, "Enjoy some tunes from my pal over here."

He gestured to Zircon, who looked less than thrilled at the introduction. Regardless, he climbed onto stage, receiving only a mediocre applause, and he started to play some songs while Totakeke signed some albums and had some short chats with his fans. This went on for the rest of the night until they closed, and Cinder, as usual, was pep talking the star after the patrons had left.

"Perfect as always," she cooed as he cleaned off his guitar, "It's amazing how many people you're still pulling in."
"Yeah, tell me about it," Totakeke replied modestly, "I figured they'd be sick of me by now."
"Lord knows I am," Zircon grunted, packing his things away.

Cinder pouted at him, her arms crossed.

"The first thing you say all night, and it's that negative?" she spat.
"You're surprised?" Zircon countered, smirking.
"You're getting really snotty lately," Cinder muttered.
"Oh, get over yourself…"

He shook his head and continued packing up. Cinder and Totakeke exchanged furtive glances, and he packed his guitar away.

"So, we headed to my place again?" she asked, trying to ignore Zircon's sass, "Coffee and movies? Or do we wanna spice things up?"
"I don't mind," Totakeke answered with a shrug, "If you're tired of hosting…"
"Oh, no, I enjoy it!" Cinder replied hurriedly, waving the notion away, "I'm just worried you two are getting bored!"
"Not bored at all, Cinder."

Totakeke flashed a smile at her.

"Still though, I don't want things to go stagnant," Cinder sighed, "How about we go to your place, Totakeke? We've never seen it."

Zircon's eyebrows perked up.

"My place is nothing special," Totakeke shrugged, "I just have some old movies, and my TV's barely half the size of yours. I'm not a good host, really…"
"Oh, but it'll be fun to see where you live," Cinder cooed.
"I agree," Zircon chuckled, "I'd love to see the home of the famous K.K. Slider."

His tone was snide, and Totakeke felt like he should be insulted. He gave Zircon the benefit of the doubt, chalked it up to a longer than usual night, and shrugged in defeat.

"I guess if you two really want to…"

They finished packing and walked in the opposite direction tonight, towards Totakeke's apartment. He felt kind of uncomfortable. He never cleaned much, and he didn't have much food. Hopefully, he could scrounge up enough snacks to satisfy them. Maybe they should stop somewhere…

"Hey, I'm actually sorta doldrums on food," Totakeke murmured, "Maybe we should buy some snacks and drinks?"
"Sure. There's a market over there," Cinders said brightly.
"Get whatever. It's on me."

They walked into the market and Cinder immediately grabbed the first big bag of chips she found. Zircon moseyed about, picking up whatever caught his eye, loading his arms. Cinder eyed him angrily.

"You shouldn't take advantage of people like that," she lectured, glaring.
"Hey, he said get whatever," Zircon replied, grabbing some chocolates.

Cinder looked to Totakeke, who merely shrugged it off and grabbed a few things he liked. They picked up a few bottles of soda and walked up to check-out, he and Cinder depositing around three items each, and Zircon unloading at least ten. Cinder shook her head disapprovingly, but Totakeke paid for it all without a word and led the two to his apartment, feeling a bit better now that they had some food.

"Yo, we gotta get something else," Zircon announced, "Follow me."

He led them a few blocks astray to a liquor store.

"Buy some beer," he said.
"Zircon," Cinder grunted in a warning tone.
"It's cool. Six pack enough, or should I grab two?" Totakeke asked, smirking.
"Get two. I'm pretty thirsty tonight," Zircon replied cheerfully, smirking right back.

Totakeke obliged and emerged moments later with two six packs under his arms. He led them back to his apartment, enlisting a little help in carrying the alcohol while he fished out his keys.

"Be forewarned, it's small," he said as he opened the door.

He led them into the kitchen, and they set their bags on the table, which nearly took up the entire room. Zircon leaned against the counter and looked around.

"I would think you could afford to live a bit larger," he observed smugly.
"I could, but I have no need to," Totakeke replied, maintaining a calm demeanor, "I live alone, and I don't have many guests. More space would be useless."
"I think it's cute," Cinder said joyfully, smiling, "It reminds me of my first apartment back when I was just a bartender. Oh, those days…"

Zircon opened a beer and trotted into Totakeke's living room, falling heavily onto the couch and downing half the can.

"So what are we watchin' tonight?" he asked loudly, "Oh, and bring those beers in here."

Cinder winced at the attitude and turned to Totakeke.

"What's up with him?" she whispered.
"Just ignore it," Totakeke sighed, "He's probably just trying to get a rise or something. Classic Zircon."
"Not classic Zircon. He's never this bad."
"Even so, just ignore him. He'll get bored."

Cinder scowled and hauled some of the snacks and drinks in, and Totakeke brought the beer. Cinder snagged the corner seat (he had one of those L-shaped couches) and Totakeke searched through his small DVD collection.

"Any preferences?" he asked, "I don't have much, but…"
"Lemme look," Cinder chimed, hopping up and searching along with him, "Wow, you're right, you really don't have much…"
"Ha, I was never much of a movie guy," Totakeke sighed, "Most of my movies are uh…"

He scratched his head. Most of his movies were the ones he and Lyric had watched together in theaters.

"…I dunno, they're just kinda random ones I like," he finished with a shrug.
"Lots of animated stuff," Cinder giggled.
"Just throw in something with guns and blood like always," Zircon sighed, chugging more beer, "Or is your little girl collection too innocent for that?"

Cinder frowned and snatched the beer out of his hand.

"I think you've had enough," she growled, "You were drinking at the venue, too. Knock it off."
"Hell, woman," he sighed, "We bought two six packs. You don't wanna waste precious K. 's riches, now, do you?"

She wanted to kick him in the face, but Totakeke laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Just give it back," he said softly.
"But…"
"Cinder, let the man drink."

She heaved a deep sigh and handed the can back to Zircon. He downed the rest and reached for another can, and she gazed uncomfortably at Totakeke before searching through the movies again.

"Ghostbusters?" she asked, "What a classic."
"Ah, yeah, that one…"

Lyric's favorite…

"Let's watch it," Cinder said brightly, "If that's okay with Mr. Zirc over here…"

Her tone went flat, and Zircon chuckled in amusement.

"Sure, throw it in!" he cried joyously, "Just don't cross the streams!"
"Ease up there," Totakeke sighed, putting the DVD in, "Here, set it up, Cinder" - he tossed her the remote - "I'll grab some bowls and cups."

When he returned, Cinder was set to press play. He set everything down on the coffee table and sat between her and Zircon.

"Go ahead and play it," he said, filling his bowl with chips and sinking into the cushions.

xxx

Surprisingly, the night didn't erupt in fury, as Totakeke had expected. Zircon calmed down about halfway through the movie, supposedly giving up on pulling anything more than a sarcastic smirk out of Totakeke. If anything, he had better success riling Cinder up, and would have succeeded if she hadn't been so bent on holding her own temper in front of her idol. By the time the movie ended, Totakeke and Cinder were pleasantly tipsy, and Zircon was hanging on the edge of drunk.

"Well, that was fun," Cinder said, smiling, "I should get home. Big morning tomorrow. Huge sale."
"Yeah. You gonna be alright going home?" Totakeke asked.
"Oh, I'll be fine, but I'unno about him," Cinder sighed, pointing towards the bathroom.
"Oh, Zircon? I'll get him home."
"Y'sure? I could probably handle 'em."
"Nah, Cinder, go home. I'll make sure the grouch reaches his trash can."
"Ha, Slider, you're terrible."

She slapped his shoulder and cackled as she left his apartment. Totakeke lounged about until Zircon re-entered the living room, belching loudly.

"Yo, man," Totakeke said pleasantly, "Ready to head home?"
"Ah, I guess," Zircon sighed, his voice slurring, "Kinda late, huh?"
"Come on. I'll get you back."
"I don't need your escort, man."

He waved Totakeke off and stumbled over to the door, fumbling with the handle. Totakeke rolled his eyes and turned it for him, pulling it open and shaking his head.

"You're drunk. I'm walking you home," Totakeke said flatly.
"Hell, man…"
"Just deal with it."

He led Zircon outside and back towards his apartment, vaguely remembering where he lived. The bluejay had a beer clasped in his feathers, still chugging as Totakeke walked beside him.

"So what's with you today?" Totakeke asked, keeping his tone as level as he could so he wouldn't incite Zircon's temper, "I know you like your beer, but it's not like you to drink so much."
"If you're that worried, why you tell Cinder to gimme it back?" Zircon muttered.
"You're an adult. What you do is your business. I'm just wondering what gives."

Zircon rolled his eyes and chugged another gulp.

"I guess part of me is hoping I can drink you away," he muttered irritably.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah. I'm really sick of you."

Totakeke masked his emotions. The two continued walking, him throwing an arm out every now and then to steady his stumbling friend.

"I'm just a has-been now," Zircon sighed, "All they care 'bout is you now. All Miss Trunks cares 'bout is you now. All Cinder likes is you now…"

He took a long gulp after mentioning her.

"Cinder been all over you," he grunted, "Know the last time she got like that? When I started working with her and ol' Trunks. That used to be me. Now I'm all old news and those two can't get enough of ol' K.K. Slider…"

Totakeke's ears drooped, but his face remained neutral. In truth, he couldn't bring himself to blame the bird.

After all, he had been just as hopeless in the past.

"Really, man…I've gone from hero to zero…"

They reached his apartment. Totakeke helped him find his keys and opened the door. He half dragged the bluejay inside and dumped him onto the couch. He stared at the ceiling for a moment in a daze.

"Zirc, listen to me…" Totakeke said, sitting in front of him, "You're not nothing. Sure, you're not the talk of the town right now, but that doesn't mean you never will be…"
"I don't need your sugared up words, kid," Zircon sulked.
"Zirc, I'm serious."

Totakeke thought for a moment.

"Look…tomorrow, when you sober up, we'll figure something out…"
"Figure what out?"
"Figure out how to share that stage…"

Zircon gazed at him warily.

"I promise…I'll drop by tomorrow and we'll talk."

He walked into the kitchen and filled a tall cup with water. He set it before Zircon.

"Drink that before you sleep," he said, "It'll help you not feel so cruddy in the morning."

Zircon blinked at him as he headed for the door.

"Why do you even care?" he muttered.
"Because I was in this position many times," Totakeke said, glancing back at him, "It's a direct result of my fame. I should, at the very least, share the spotlight with the person who enabled me to remain in that venue…"
"You did it yourself…"
"No. I never could've stayed if I couldn't DJ. You're the reason I was able to stay. So…I should repay you."

He opened the door and glanced back.

"Also…you're my friend."
"I ain't your friend…"
"Right…you're my friend, Zirc, whether you like it or not. I'll be here in the morning."

He shut the door without another word.