Luka closed his blue eyes and took a deep breath and held it. Pre-show jitters were normal and nothing some meditation couldn't fix. He slowly released his breath. As he did, the tension in his shoulders released. He smirked to himself.
"Alright, guys! We're up! Let's get out there and put on a great show!" The lead singer called to him and the others.
They huddled and stuck their hands in for a group cheer. It was still dark when they entered the stage and Luka began the first chords of their setlist. Cheering erupted all around them as the lights on stage slowly came on. Next, the bass player joined him and the drummer beat the kick drum.
Their set was only twenty minutes but they rocked it out. The crowd was high energy, giving him a bigger adrenaline rush. Especially when he could hear her cheering for him from the side of the stage. Down there, close to his amp, a pretty brunette girl screamed his name.
"Luka you're sooo hot!" She shouted at him. He winked at her, causing the other girls around her to swoon.
She took a picture of him in his power stance, shredding his riffs. The smirk on his face was more than evident and lit the picture as much as the guitar. He danced around the stage and she moved to photograph the others.
Sooner than he would have liked, the show ended but the rush still pulsed in him. Hot and sweaty, he high-fived the others, packed his guitar, and went in search of that pretty little girl.
He came up behind her at the merch-table and grabbed her by the waist.
"There you are." He hummed in her ear, smirking at the shiver.
"Luka..." Her voice was soft and sensual.
"OH MY GOD! IT'S LUKA!" some girl shouted.
Instantly, Luka was bombarded with people asking him to sign their CDs and shirts and if the others would be coming out.
He handled them all with the grace and niceties he showed his close friends. He smiled at each person as if they were an old friend. He smiled for every photo and signed everything. All the while, the girl he was there for stood patiently. Occasionally, she was asked to take a photo of a group or join them in the photos. She smiled graciously and did as requested.
Eventually, the crowd died back down to see the other bands and they were left alone.
"Hey, pretty girl." He called to her.
"Hey sweaty man." She replied, smiling.
He couldn't help the smile that stretched his face as he pulled her into a hug. Even though sweat dripped from his teal-blue hair, she hugged him back.
"How was the set?" He asked.
"Why bother asking? You know you guys are awesome." She replied. "I got some great shots tonight. I can't wait to get back to the apartment and start editing."
He held her hand as they walked back to the band area.
"You know, I heard you." He grinned at her.
"Oh? You heard me what?"
"Oh, Luka, you're sooo hot." He mimicked and she smirked.
"I was playing up to the crowd. You saw how those girls swooned when you winked? I'm pretty sure they almost pissed themselves."
Her laughter made him hum. Still holding hands, they made their way to the van. Luka let go to put his equipment in the back.
"You look amazing. I don't think I've told you today." He smiled softly at her.
"M. Coffaine, if I didn't know better, I would say you were flirting with me." She threw him aside glance.
"Only if it's working." He laughed.
"Come on," she laughed back, "Let's get back there before they send a search party."
He pulled her toward him.
"How about," he kissed her ear, "you lead the way so I can stare at your ass?"
He laughed when he felt her shiver a second time.
She laughed with him and threw a smirk over her shoulder. She winked and told him to enjoy the view.
She threw in a little extra sway of her hips as she walked. Though he was teasing, he couldn't help but admire the way the black skinny jeans fit her.
They made their way to the back where the band was hanging out. The backstage area was cramped and the boys were finishing packing up their stuff to head to the van.
"I got some great shots of you guys!" The brunette called out.
"Yo, I was wondering where you ran off to!" The lead singer greeted.
Mattie had long black hair with red tips. He stood a few inches shorter than Luka and had broader shoulders. His winning feature though were his eyes. He had a brilliant shade of ice-blue eyes.
"Mattie! You did great! The girls almost liked you more than Casanova over here!" She teased.
"Awe, what about me?" Jeremy asked.
Jeremy was the tallest in the group, standing two inches over Luka and was just as skinny. His blonde hair was cut short and his eyes were dark, woodsy brown, similar to Niki's. Though her eyes had a bit of gold flakes in them.
"Dude, you're the bass player. No one cares." The drummer, Alex, laughed and punched the bassist. "Hey sweet cheeks, don't let him hog you. We need you to get some good pics of us so someone else besides him can get laid."
Alex was the red-head in the group He was shorter than the others and broad. His green eyes contrasted against his pale skin. Alex was the musclehead in the group.
Luka laughed at them. "Maybe if you guys had decent personalities, you could find someone to put up with you."
"I think I saw Rose and Juleka by the bar!" Niki said. "Marinette and Alya were there too." She told Luka.
"Sweet! I'm gonna go say hi! I'll be right back." He winked at her.
Niki turned to the others and smiled.
"Alright boys, pretend to be busy so I can get some 'candid, behind the scenes' shots!"
She snapped off a bunch of photos before the guys decided they needed to be silly again. After making faces at each other and trying to hold the craziest pose the longest, they decided to carry their stuff to the van.
She bagged her camera and grabbed some of their gear. Since they didn't bring anything for the merch tables, she didn't bother heading back out to the crowd. After getting everything loaded back into the van, the foursome made their way into the bar.
Alex pulled Niki back to walk with him.
"Hey," his low voice held a serious tone, "why aren't you and Luka dating?"
"It isn't like that between us. We flirt a lot, I guess, but that's how it's always been. You know that."
"I know, but it just seems like there is more between you than just teasing and flirting."
He linked their arms so they wouldn't get pulled apart in the crowd.
"I guess, from the outside it looks that way, but remember, he's in love with Marinette. I'm not wanting to be tied down to anyone."
Alex gave her a look. "I mean it. I'm married to my work. Plus, I have my hands full taking care of you guys."
"Nik, if taking care of the band is ever too much, just tell us. You can always take a break when you need to. We would never hold that against you."
"I know, Alex. I enjoy the work I do for the band. Besides. Y'all would be as helpless as Jagged without Penny if not for me." She stuck her nose in the air playfully.
Alex laughed and clapped her on the back.
"Don't we know it, babe!"
"I do enjoy it."
"I know, but what about you and Luka though? Is there anything between you? I would have thought you guys would have been dating for ages."
She laughed at the drummer.
"I used to have a crush on him. When we first met, I mean. I was new here, could barely speak the language and he was so nice and patient. We ended up becoming best friends and yeah, our friendship is kind of weird I guess, but it works for us. I hate that Marinette doesn't feel the same for him as he does for her. She would be good for him."
Alex laughed again. "I don't think-" he was cut off by Luka.
"There you are! Niki, I got your drink. The girls were waiting for you. Marinette said something about you photographing some outfits for her website?"
Niki smiled and thanked him for her whiskey.
"Yeah, I volunteered to help out with the web page, as I do with the band. Get some great photos of the set, some behind the scene shots, and whatnot."
Alex, Luka, and Niki edged over to the table the rest of their friend group commandeered.
"Look at all, you pretty ladies! Want me to beat these two creeps away?" Alex pointed at the singer and bassist, who flipped him off.
"Hey girls!" Niki chirped as she slid into the bench, Luka and Alex sliding in beside her.
"Hey!" They chorused.
"Marinette, are we still on for tomorrow?" Niki asked.
"Yes! I appreciate your help! With your photography skills, the photos for my website will be amazing!" Marinette smiled at her.
"Sweet! I'm excited to add them to my portfolio." She smiled back.
The conversations carried on into the night and the friends enjoyed themselves. Eventually, conversations led to drunk questions.
"Niki!" Alya half hollered. "I have the perfect guy to set you up with!" She giggled.
"Alya, I don't know about that. You know I'm married to my work." Niki laughed.
"I'm not taking no for an answer." Alya wiggled her finger at the brunette.
"Alya, you NEVER take no for an answer." Marinette giggled.
Alya smirked. "It's part of my charm. Seriously though, this guy's a real sweetheart. He's super into art and stuff like you."
"Alright, sure. I guess I can make time for one date. No promises though, Alya." Alya squealed.
"Girl, you won't regret it!" Alya whipped out her phone and began texting. "I sent him your number. He will probably text you soon."
Niki smiled and shook her head. It wasn't the first time their friends had tried to hook her up with someone. Unfortunately, she usually just never had the time. Or she would forget to message or call and they assumed she ghosted them.
Being a freelance photographer, Niki made money by the number of jobs she took. She ran her own business, ran the band's social media accounts, managed their gigs, and helped them at every show. It was a time-consuming deal, but she thrived on it.
Luka and the band were her family. She knew their talent and knew they deserved all the exposure they could get, and she would do what she could to get them out there.
Alex leaned in over Luka, interrupting her thoughts.
"I'm proud of you, girlie. Don't miss out on love because you were stupid enough to get attached to us."
She rolled her eyes at him but smiled.
"I've met him before," Marinette told her. "He is nice. He's cute too."
"Thanks. Hey, Juleka, are you modeling Marinette's clothes tomorrow?"
"Yeah." The other dark-haired girl nodded.
"Sweet! You're my favorite to photograph. Is Adrien going to be there?" She asked her question to Marinette this time.
"No, Adrien is out of town right now. He's in Milan working on a photoshoot there for his father's brand."
Niki nodded her understanding. Marinette and Adrien had been tentatively dating for a few months now. With everyone fresh out of university or finishing up their last years, it had been easier for those two to spend more time together without her falling apart.
Niki didn't bother to look at Luka. She knew he still had feelings for the blunette and didn't want to see the look of hurt flash in his eyes. Though she respected Marinette for being upfront with her feelings to Luka, she still wished the girl could have given him a fair shot. But you can't help who you love.
That was one thing Niki understood too well. Despite the years that have passed, deep down, she still harbored her crush on him as well. Though it was dimmed by time and the understanding that he never felt that way for her, still, a little ember of 'what if' held on.
She took her whiskey glass and chugged the rest.
"Alright, lovies, I'm done for the night. Got lots to do tomorrow." She nodded to her friends.
"Niki, did you forget you rode with us? You can't leave till we do!" Alex whined.
"Yeah, it's not safe for you to be headed out by yourself." Jeremy pitched in.
"Guys, I really can't wait around for you to finish getting shitfaced." She swayed a little on her feet. "Oops, shouldn't have chugged that last bit." She giggled.
"It's alright, we all need to begetting gone soon too. Let's just close out our tabs and head out, yeah?" Luka said.
She looked up at him and smiled brightly. He returned the gesture with a warm smile of his own. Rose snapped a pic.
"You guys are too cute! I'm sending this to you." She squealed a bit. Juleka smiled but shook her head at the lovely blonde.
"Alright, everyone! Lean in for a group photo before we all have to leave!" The little blonde commanded. She managed to wrangle some poor passer-by into snapping a few pictures.
Alex, Luka, Niki, and Jeremy squeezed in over Mattie, who had fallen asleep on the table. On the other side of him, Alya, Marinette, Juleka, and Rose squeezed together. They smiled broadly and then made ridiculous faces. Rose thanked the stranger for taking their photos and forwarded them to everyone.
"Alright, guys! We need to get Mattie home and Niki needs to get some beauty sleep too. We'll see you guys later." Luka waved at everyone.
Jeremy and Alex hefted the sleeping Matt and half drug him back to the van. Luka and Niki walked behind them.
"I'm proud of you, Niki," Luka told her softly.
"For what?" She asked, confusion evident.
"For getting out of your comfort zone. You haven't been out since you dated Jay. I know, that ended disastrously, but you deserve to be happy." He gave her a soft smile.
"Thanks, Luka. I appreciate it." She replied, just as quiet.
They made it to the van and got everyone loaded up. Luka drove since he didn't drink that night and Niki got shotgun. They dropped off Matt first, basically dumping him on his couch, then Jeremy and Alex. Luka pulled up to Niki's apartment and parked.
"You coming in?" She asked through a yawn.
"Yeah. Let me grab my guitar."
She nodded and shuffled her way to the door. Luka followed shortly after. They made their way up the elevator and onto her floor. They kicked their shoes off at the door, Luka set his guitar down by the couch and went straight to the kitchen.
He grabbed a bottle of water from Niki's fridge and followed her into the bedroom, leaned against her doorway, and tossed her the bottle.
"Here. Drink some of this so you won't be as hungover tomorrow."
She laughed at him.
"Don't worry, Luka. I'm not drunk. I only had the two glasses and they were spaced apart." She still accepted the water bottle and chugged some of it.
She twisted the lid back on and tossed the bottle to him and moved to her dresser. Grabbing her shorts and a tank top, she started stripping. Luka watched, eyes smoldering. To him, she looked beautiful in anything she wore, but right here, when she was bare before him, she was art personified. Her soft, tan skin, the litheness in her muscles...
He inhaled softly as she shimmied out of her jeans, drawing attention to her ass.
"Have I ever told you, you have the most amazing ass?"
"I think it's been mentioned once or twice, though I'm not opposed to hearing it again." She drawled.
"You have the most amazing ass." He told her again, voice low and sensual. She shivered and her hair stood on end.
"Luka." She breathed his name.
"Come on," he said as he removed his shirt. "Just rest."
She nodded and stepped into her pajama shorts. He kicked off his pants. Like they have been doing for years, they crawled into bed together and fell asleep.
AN: Hey guys! I'm just practicing my writing and pacing with fanfiction while I write my own original stories too. I love feedback! Let me know what you think. Is it too early to add a little fwb action?