Standing backstage at a Dethklok concert had never been more exciting. Dick and the high-fiving Klokateer team were thrilled with the sound, the vibe and the reaction of the audience. Hell, even the doomstar blazed magnificently above as Toki and Skwisgaar's guitars dueled in perfect harmony.
But with the absence of Charles, none of that seemed to matter as much as it would have before.
The triumphant return of Toki Wartooth felt somewhat hollow because the band – the world – had been irreparably changed. Sure, Dethklok had a new manager in Abigail (and Dick was once again rightfully the producer and engineer) but the former CFO had left a void that none could fill. There was also the Metalocalypse to consider.
William ducked backstage between the first and second encore, hot and sweaty and smiling.
"Doing great," Dick said. He snatched for William's right hand before the man could protest and checked the bandaging on his wrist. He let go when he was satisfied. "This one's going in the record books for sure. Need anything, babe? Quick drink? Pill? Bump? I've got your back."
William rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "Nah, I'm good. Just riding the wave."
"That's love out there, Willy. They love you."
"Yeah," said the bassist, "and aw piss, gotta go!"
The roar of the crowd intensified as the band emerged for their second encore.
The celebration lasted well into the next morning. Dick made his rounds throughout, patting backs and stroking egos like a certified professional. There hadn't been a gathering that large at Mordhaus since the release party that had ended in the Revengencer attack.
Right in the middle of a detailed explanation of what exactly a producer did, Dick was pitched forward as William bumped him hard from behind. The malty scent of beer overpowered him as his white suit was drenched. William took a step back to survey the damage.
"Sorry 'bout that," he said, though he was anything but. Dick raised an annoyed eyebrow but his lips quirked upward regardless.
"Well, ladies, looks like our boys are starting to reach their limits tonight!" Dick said to his small audience with a breathless laugh. "You're gonna have to excuse me while I clean this mess up, okay."
"Lemme help with that," William said.
Both the remainder of Dethklok and the Klokateers alike pretended not to notice as the two of them vanished down a torch-lit hallway.
Later, in bed, William's snores drowned out what sounds of the party Mordhaus's excellent insulation did not dampen. Dick couldn't even hear the mechanics of his eyes as they roamed in the darkness.
Dick prided himself on his ability to see and notice every little detail. He knew perfectly the details of William's bedroom: every tarnish on the blade of the guillotine that served as the bed's headboard, every bit of rust on the ancient weapons and torture devices mounting the walls and every identity of the embalmed items throughout.
But as his eyes powered down for sleep, Dick could not see the black lines of corruption crawling up William's arm from beneath the bandage; and when William opened his bloodred eyes, Dick didn't see that either.
