Opening Night

Levy took a deep breath, her legs trembling as she carefully picked her way across the stage in almost complete darkness, thankful for the reassuring way Gajeel was squeezing her fingers as he helped her find her place. Having seen her safely to her spot to start the show, Gajeel left her with one final, blazing kiss, moving to pick up his shiny black bass and giving her a nod. She did one last look around, getting the ready symbol from everyone and exhaled slowly, giving the signal to the stage manager. The entire stadium was dark, only a solitary light shining on her, and as soon Natsu began to strum, she wrapped her hands around the microphone stand and began to sing.

"Weep for yourself my man, you'll never be what is in your heart. Weep little lion man, you're not as brave as you were at the start. Rate yourself and rake yourself, take all of the courage you have left. Waste it on fixing all the problems that you made in your own head." The crowd roared as they realised what was happening, Levy almost couldn't hear herself through her in-ear monitor as Natsu signalled for them to be turned up just as he changed his chord progression.
"But it was not your fault, but mine. And it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear?" And with that, the entire band came alive, the entire stage lighting up as the overheads flashed in time with the music. And if Levy thought the audience was loud before, it was nothing compared to the level of noise they were currently making.
"Tremble for yourself my man, you know that you have seen this all before. Tremble little lion man, you'll never settle any of your scores. Your grace is wasted on your face, your boldness stands alone among the wreck. Now learn from your mother or else spend your days biting your own neck." Levy grabbed her microphone free from its stand, moving to stand next to Natsu as he thrashed his guitar, grinning as he sang right along with her through her key change.
"But it was not your fault, but mine. And it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear? But it was not your fault, but mine. And it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear". She stood back, arms extended on either side as she gestured to the various band members around the stage, leading them through the instrumental bridge. As the stand-in keyboardist upped his volume, Levy moved back to her spot, replacing her microphone in its stand as she harmonized to the music, taking a breath as the music stopped momentarily and she sung, bringing them towards the end of the song.
"But it was not your fault, but mine. And it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear? But it was not your fault, but mine. And it was your heart on the line. I really fucked it up this time, didn't I, my dear? Didn't I, my dear?" As the guitar faded away, Levy opened her eyes and took in the cheering, letting it wash over her like a wave as she stepped back, moving to take over from their part-time keys player as Gajeel moved to the front of the stage, the reaction his appearance got had her smiling as she shook her head.
She didn't have a moment to rest though, as the band almost immediately launched into the next song, Natsu practically yelling with joy as he jumped straight into the opening chords for "Hit or Miss".
As Natsu held the ending reverb, Gajeel stepped back up to the microphone, beer in hand as he started to interact with their audience.

"Hey! How y'all doin'? Yer good?" He stopped, waiting for the screaming to subside. "How many of yer seen us play before? 'Bout half, okay, okay. Y'all are in frr a treat t'night." he paused, taking a swig of his drink. "We're gonna play some old stuff, we're gonna play some newer stuff, we're gonna play some shit ya won't have even heard yet, that's how new it is." He laughed down the mic, fiddling with his ear piece while he waited for the noise to die down. "Y'all wanna meet some friends of mine?" He yelled, putting his hands up to his head as if to amplify the sound. "Oh ya do, yer wanna meet 'em? Alright! Back there on the drums is Wendy. Say hey to 'em all, Squirt".
"Hello, Bosco!" She leant forward, speaking into her microphone, waving at the camera tracking her set so it could be projected onto the screens either side of the stage.
"Wanna show 'em a little somethin'? Go on, give us somethin'." Laughing, Wendy sat back and proceeded to smash out a minute long drum solo, not even stopping when she broke a stick, seeming to pull a replacement from thin air. Crashing the symbols, she stood and bowed, laughing at the applause.
"She's pretty good, hey? Over here on lead guitar, we got the musk stick ya know as Natsu!" Natsu absolutely shredded a solo, tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth as he concentrated, waving his arms for more cheers.
"Tch, he's alright. Now" Gajeel gestured for quiet. "Yer mighta noticed we're missin' someone. See, we left Gray back home with his girl an' his brand new baby boy" he paused, waiting for the joyous cheering to settle into silence one again. "So, we needed a replacement. I'd say she's an infinitely better singer, an' damn if she ain't a sight fer sore eyes. Yer already met her, ladies and gentlemen - Levy!"
She stepped up to the front of the stage, stopping at the microphone next to him as she waved out at the crowd. "You're gonna ask for a solo, aren't you Gaj?"
"Whatcha think everyone? Wanna see what she can do?" He winked, gesturing to the violin tucked away behind a monitor, as the crowd roared their agreement.
Smoothly, she bent down to gather her bow and violin, giving the front of the pit a brief glimpse down her shirt at the smooth skin it contained, before she stood and launched in a high energy solo that had the audience cheering. Without stopping, she began to play the intro to one of their new songs, only stopping when Gajeel started to sing.

"I know you're wonderin', I'm sure you must be scared. I won't stop turnin', but the clocks don't seem to care. Don't give up, don't back out on me. Enough's enough, if we stay we'll never leave". They put down their instruments, encouraging everyone to clap in time as Gajeel sang unaccompanied.
"You know I'd go with you anywhere. Just get me out of here. You know I'd go with you anywhere, you gotta get me out of here." They began to play again, the crowd still keeping the beat and Levy echoed his vocals.
"You know that even if we lose it all, We'll have somethin' beautiful (have somethin' beautiful). You know I'd go with you anywhere, so just get me out of here (yeah)." Picking up her violin, Levy drew her bow across the strings, replaying the same melody from the start of the song as she swayed in time, tapping her foot while she smiled brightly at Gajeel who's eyes were fixed on her own.
"We don't need promises, of countless miles of new. To live our lives the way, we always thought we could. We can hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on). We leave in a moment. We can hold on (hold on), hold on (hold on). We leave in a moment, we leave in a moment". Levy was glad she wasn't singing, her breath catching in her chest at the way he was looking at her, red eyes shining even under the glare of the lights. She was both relieved, and a little disappointed when he turned his attention back to the audience as she once again lifted her instrument into position, adding to the growing crescendo as the chorus started again.
"You know I'd go with you anywhere (jst get me out of here). You know I'd go with you anywhere, you gotta get me out of here. You know that even if we lose it all, We'll have somethin' beautiful (have somethin' beautiful). You know I'd go with you anywhere, So just get me out of here, (yeah)". As the other instruments petered out, it was just Levy and Gajeel left at the front of the stage, lit by the overheads, as the rest of the stage grew dark, only the sound of her strings and his voice echoing through the stadium.
"I'd go with you anywhere. I'd go with you anywhere. I'd go with you anywhere". As the audience clapped and hollered, Gajeel swung his bass behind him, meeting Levy halfway between their posts and kissed her senseless, her violin held down by her hip and the hand still clinging to her bow was thrown around his neck. Pulling apart, they laughed at the almost impossible level of noise drowning out Natsu's cheeky guitar riff.

Levy made her way over to the keys section, passing her violin off to the waiting stage tech and picking up her water, downing the whole bottle. Her mouth was still dry from the nerves of earlier, and it was sweaty work, performing with so much enthusiasm under the sweltering heat of the stage lights. Blissfully, she had a reprieve for a few songs, and she took the opportunity to perch on one of the monitors and watch her boyfriend in action. It was easy to see this was the thing Gajeel was made for, what he lived for. His performance was high energy, a smile dancing behind his eyes the whole time, and there was something about him that drew everyone's attention, and then held it, even while he was standing completely still. Her time for staring didn't last, however, because before she knew what was happening Gajeel had appeared in front of her, taking her hand in his own sweaty ones. They took the few steps to the front of the stage together, Gajeel picking up his beer and taking a swig, heading over to the wings, as Levy spoke to the crowd.
"Can I get the house lights up please? I wanna see the people! Oh hey, there you all are! All the way up there too! Hi everyone! Are you having a good time? Yeah, you are?" She laughed at the raucous cheering she got in response. "I'm glad to hear it! I thought I might come hang out up here for a bit, you guys don't mind, do you? How about we do this - you can turn the lights down, thank you - let's give Gajeel a breather, and what do you say you and I sing a song together?" She swung around, shouting at Wendy away from the microphone, who just nodded and started beating out the rhythm, knowing the rest of their musicians would catch on. Levy held her microphone stand with both hands, letting the audience shout every second line back at her.
"Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking (when you fall everyone stands). Another day and you've had your fill of sinking (with the life held in your). Hands are shaking cold, these hands are mine to hold." Wendy joined her for the chorus, singing as she continued to play, seamlessly picking up a new stick as she broke yet another. Natsu came back to the stage then, drenched shirt swapped for a dry one, picking up his guitar and playing along like he'd never left.
"So a day when you've lost yourself completely (Could be a night when your life ends). Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving (All the pain held in your). Hands are shaking cold. Your hands are mine to hold". Levy looked over to see Gajeel watching her, his arms crossed over his chest as he bobbed his head in time to the music, a soft smile on his face - her smile. Shooting a wink in his direction, she turned her attention back to the sea of people in front of the stage.
"Speak to me. When all you got to keep is strong, Move along, move along like I know you do. And even when your hope is gone. Move along, move along just to make it through. Move along." She hardly took a breath, moving seamlessly into the bridge as she felt, more than saw, Gajeel move up to stand beside her, microphone in his hand as his voice provided her backing vocals.
"(Go on, go on, go on, go on). When everything is wrong, we move along. (Go on, go on, go on, go on). When everything is wrong, we move along. Along, (along). Along, (along). Along, (along). Along, (along)". As the rest of the band quietened, silent behind her vocals except for the sad piano chords, Levy put an arm in the air, waving it to the tempo of the song, smiling when she saw the audience do the same, hands filled with the twinkling lights of their phone torches, the air filled with the sound of voices singing along with her.
"When all you got to keep is strong, Move along, move along like I know you do. And even when your hope is gone, Move along, move along just to make it through". Natsu smashed out a riff, bringing the entire band back in, and Gajeel stepped back, content to just watch his girl work the stage, admiring the way she moved in sync with the beat, not at all awkward like he felt when he couldn't hide behind his bass.
"When all you got to keep is strong, Move along, move along like I know you do. And even when your hope is gone, Move along, move along just to make it through. When all you got to keep is strong, Move along, move along like I know you do (Know you do). And even when your hope is gone, Move along, move along just to make it through. Move along." Levy reached across, holding Gajeel's hand and pulling him over to share her microphone as his voice naturally fell into harmony with hers, his rough and husky voice contrasting with her bright and clear vocals.
"Right back what is wrong, We move along (Go on, go on, go on, go on). Right back what is wrong, We move along (Go on, go on, go on, go on). Right back what is wrong, We move along (Go on, go on, go on, go on). Right back what is wrong, We move along." As the last strains of guitar faded, Gajeel slung an arm around her shoulders, gesturing with his free arm to the crowd as if to say 'look at my girl'.
Before the applause had died completely, Gajeel had his guitar in his hands and the opening chords for 'I Don't Wanna Know', the crowd screaming at the familiar refrain. From there, they swung immediately into another new song, with no intro or pre-amble, just Levy and Gajeel standing lit on the stage, a guitar slung around her shoulders.

"Everyone still havin' a good time?" Gajeel was taking advantage of the slower energy in the venue, enjoying the chance to interact with his audience once again. "What? We're havin' a fuckin' great time up here, thanks for askin'! Listen, y'all have been such a great crowd, whaddya say to hearing somethin' so new, half the crew up here don't even know it?" He paused, listening to the roar from the audience, waiting for it to tail off. "Well, alright. Tell us what, kitten, git up here. Park yer incredible ass - seriously, have y'all seen that thing - right here, I'm 'bout ta embarrass ya. Guys, this one's called 'Levy'." Levy flushed crimson from her perch on the monitor just in front of him, fighting the urge to bury her head in her hands as he began singing.

"I met Levy on a moonless night, Her starry eyes could make the world look bright. Young and perfect, and full of life, she said, "we're gonna make it out one night". We're gonna make it out one night. As time passed, we both got old, From the bar she lived above, she sat and wrote. By the light of blue and yellow neon signs, She wrote, "we're gonna make it out one night". We're gonna make it out one night. So go on work all your angles out, Get a plan together, get your demons out. 'Cause Levy the world wants to bring you down, But don't you let 'em".
'Gods above, Gajeel!' she thought to herself, well and truly embarrassed at the details about their relationship he had poured into the song. Shaking her head, she turned and shrugged at the people pressed up against the barrier at the front of the pit.
"I ran into her in Union Square,Her starry eyes were looking dim and scared. With a cigarette providing all the light,She said, "we're gonna make it out one night", We're gonna make it out one night. It rained the night I said goodbye, When I lit her candle I never thought to cry. 'Cause Levy, you never were the staying kind, You were gonna make it out one night. You were gonna make it out one night". She turned huge amber eyes up to him, sparkling with unshed tears.
"Stupid Gajeel" she whispered under her breath, knowing he'd heard her when he smirked down at her.
"There's a moment that we change, And we fall along the way. 'Cause we're not looking when we run, And if that moment never comes. Save your breath, we only get so many trips around the sun. And there's no lucky stars. So go on work all your angles out, Get a plan together, get your demons out. 'Cause Levy the world wants to bring you down, But don't you let 'em".

Taking his offered hand, Levy stood smoothly, crushing herself against him in a tight hug, vaguely registering the hoots and hollers from the crowd, before moving back to her keyboards to start their final song of the evening. As she began to play through her note progression, she couldn't help but think about the first time she had played with them, on this very song, and how far she had come - she'd left behind a stable, if somewhat boring, career in academia. She'd written songs that were on a top selling album. She was on tour, covering the continent, performing said songs with the people who has become family to her, and she was spending the entire time with the man she loved. 'A long way from that awkward night in the bar' she thought to herself as the song ended, and saying their good nights, they walked off stage to thunderous applause.
As they took a breather backstage, both Levy and Wendy making a quick dash for the bathroom, the applause and the shouts of "encore" only grew in volume, until five minutes had passed and Cobra was sternly staring them down.
"Thought you didn't do encores?"
"Guess we are this time!" Natsu whooped, already launching into an extended opening as they ducked back onto stage under the cover of darkness. The second the lights came up, they jumped straight into a cover of 'Sex on Fire' following it in quick succession with 'Vicious Love'.
"Ya have been such a fuckin' brilliant audience to kick off our tour! Thanks for comin' out tonight, we're gonna leave ya with a brand new one. We call it 'Strike Back'

"We might not have the chance to change it. The way the world attempts to cage us in. But if there is the slightest possiblity we can still win. No, I won't be hit by pain because I know it's me and you create it all, only rise to see the future that we built, let's go". Natsu stepped up, voice low and growly and he semi-screamed the next verse.
"Bring it on, 'cause I'm just gonna grow up in the battle, hey! I will protect these skies, I'll burn like fire. I can hear the rolling thunder, I will erase this nightmare. The future goes on around me. Hearing your voice from a distant tomorrow, I ain't scared of my past, I won't end up in sorrow. Screaming out for my pride!" Levy stepped up to her mic then, hands strumming on her own guitar as she sang along with Gajeel's raspy voice.
"Don't wanna see your shining tears, so I will fall down to my knees and scream... Your smile is what I need to save, so let's spread our wings to rise away and soar... For ever more!" She kept time with the song, hair falling around her as she bobbed her head along, enjoying watching the people down in the pit in front of the stage, jumping and having a great time, even if they didn't know the song yet. Shaking her hair back from her eyes, she took a breath to join Gajeel on the second chorus.
"Light up the flame in our hearts, so now I will never fall apart, no more... One chance to never hesitate, to keep on moving 'til the end of days... So take my hand". She stood there, having taken her in ear monitor out, content to just watch Gajeel and Natsu, to listen to the roar of the crowd, to feel the thud of Wendy's drumming.
"Don't wanna see your shining tears, so I will fall down to my knees and scream... Your smile is what I need to save, so let's spread our wings to rise away and soar... Light up the flame in our hearts, so now I will never fall apart, no more... One chance to never hesitate, to keep on moving 'til the end of days... So take my hand".

"We've been th' Dragon Slayers! G'night Bosco!" Gajeel shouted, slinging one very sweaty arm around Levy's shoulders as they made their way backstage, the first show of the tour done and everyone buzzing from the adrenaline that came with putting on such a great show. Levy was practically bouncing on the way short walk through the corridors back to the dressing rooms, barely waiting for Gajeel to close the door behind them before she was on his, legs around his hips and her fingers sunk into his sweat dampened hair and she was kissing him fiercely, tongues dancing against one another.
"Mmph, Levs, much I really want ts do this right now" Gajeel muttered as he pulled away from her lips, resting his head on her sticky shoulder. "Th' only way I'm gettin' out o' these jeans is if I'm steppin' into a shower, an' not havin' ta put 'em back on afterwards."
"I see your point... I don't think I could even get out my mine right now" she giggled, dropping down from her perch to stand on her suddenly very sore feet. "Let's get outta here, 'Jeel." She pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, tangling their fingers together as they gathered their few belongings and went to find Erik to see about a ride back to their hotel.


Songs -
"Little Lion Man" - Tonight Alive
"Hit or Miss" - New Found Glory
"I'd Go With You Anywhere" - Bird of Tokyo
"Move Along" - All American Rejects
"I Don't Wanna Know" - New Found Glory
"Mary"- Bayside
"It's Not Your Fault" - New Found Glory
"Sex on Fire" - Kings of Leon
"Vicious Love" - New Found Glory
"Strike Back" - Dima Lancaster