“Plus most of the men into Voltage just argue over who’s better, them or another band. Pick a band, any band, and they’ll argue that Voltage is better and it’s just downright annoying.”
“Don’t you agree with them?” August asked, then pulled into a spot.
Luka leaned down to grab his wallet and phone off the car floor. “No. I like a lot of bands and a lot of different types of music and think in some ways Voltage is better, and in other ways different bands are better than them. Every group has their strengths and weaknesses. In fact, I think sometimes Voltage can get too nonsensical. Like, just doing stuff to be heavy without fully considering the form of the music. It’s a hell of a lot of fun, but it comes off as immature at times. I will say, their newer releases are gravitating away from that, however.”
“Oooh, don’t let Reno hear you saying that about his writing.” August shoved their stuff into a clear backpack.
“Why not?” Luka asked. “I think his ego can take it. And, it’s honest. I think he’d rather me be honest than a suck up.”
“Shit, I’m sure he’d love for you to suck up,” August laughed then hopped down out of the Jeep.
Luka sighed at the bad joke then followed them out of the garage towards the venue. They’d been driving for a few hours and he felt stiff and grateful to be out of the car. The night was crisp, not too cold, though with a breeze that promised a week of high 60s and sunny skies. He had August wait while he went to will call.
“Show’s sold out.”
“Got tickets under Luka Fischer.” Luka raised a brow at the girl’s rude attitude, but figured on second thought she was probably sick to death of having to turn people away. He was proven right when she perked up and gave him a smile.
“Oh, Luka? Let me go dig ‘round for those, darlin'. ” She left for a moment before coming back and slid an envelope under the glass. “Sorry ‘bout that, glad you could make it. Reno was real serious ‘bout making sure you were taken care of. Wristband is for you. Go ahead and head to the doors, they’ll let you in.”
Luka’s eyes widened before he agreed. He stepped away after saying, “Thank you," and peeked into the envelope. Inside were two VIP lounge tickets and one bright blue, sparkly wristband. He returned to August and handed them their ticket and asked for help putting the plastic wristband on. August snapped it into place and they were waved in through the front doors ahead of the line as soon as they approached. Luka made sure none of his hair was falling free from his beanie and pulled his sleeves down over his forearms to hide his tattoo. The large, black and grey, floral tattoo would be immediately recognizable if someone who saw Reno’s post spotted him here.
Their IDs were checked and then they walked through the metal detectors, the chains on Luka’s pants flagging the alarm like usual but the venue staff waved the wand over his waist and told him to go inside. Tickets were scanned, then they were in the lobby, where only a few people were milling about since doors didn’t open for another twenty minutes.
“Wanna check out merch?” August pointed to the booth where they were doing last-minute preparations.
“No,” Luka said, not wanting to waltz into Reno’s dressing room or the greenroom or his bus or wherever they were going tonight with one of his band’s t-shirts half tucked into his pants’ pocket. “I’d rather not embarrass myself.”
“You won’t. Stop fretting.” August motioned to the bar. “I’m getting something, you should too for your nerves. Just one though, be good.”
“Just one,” Luka said, feeling like a panic attack might come at any second. “I’ll be good.” He grabbed August’s sleeve andwalked with them to the bar. August ordered for them then paid for the drinks and handed one to Luka, who took a gulp or two and felt his chest warm. His nerves would settle soon enough, he figured, and August found the sign pointing to the lounge and ushered them towards the stairs.
Upstairs, there was a private bar, a few couches, high tops with seats, and an impressive view of the stage from the balcony. August gladly took a stool at the high top by the balcony railing and waved for Luka to follow suit. Luka sat down across from them and from there he could see the entire stage clearly.
It felt odd to be in VIP. He’d never paid for a VIP ticket or a meet and greet experience, and usually, he only allowed himself to buy general admission tickets to save money. He loved being in the thick of it anyway, his body bouncing against other excited people while the music pounded at them from speakers too close to really be safe for their ears.
The doors opened and people started filling in, including a few more people in the VIP lounge who kept largely to themselves at other tables and the couches. The volume in the venue grew and Luka watched the time on his phone, waiting for 8 p.m., when the show would start.
[Unknown Number]
[image attachment]
fit for the night, hope you like it :)
extremely so <3 just waiting on the show to start now. Got the tickets and such
The ‘…’ for Reno popped up, then disappeared and didn’t return. The clock hit 7:50 as a roadie came on stage for sound check. Luka watched the crowd press in tighter, people hurrying to try to get a spot near the front. The roadie left the stageand the houselights dimmed while the stage lights popped on, flashing in different colors as the crowd went wild.
Zana walked on stage, arms lifted, his hair loose and curly around his face and his arms bare to show off the angels and eyes tattoos that went from his knuckles to under his chin. He raised his arms higher, palms up, rings flashing in the lights, and waved for the audience to yell. And they did, louder than Luka could remember hearing a crowd at a concert before. The lights went pink and purple as King and Reno took the stage, the audience somehow getting even noisier. The yells shook the air and Luka could feel it in his chest and throat. Next to him, August was putting earplugs in before joining in on the noise.
When T-yan came on, his drumstick spinning over his head, August leapt up from the stool and went to the bannister to get a better look. Luka stayed at the table, watching Reno prowl the stage, bringing the audience to move into a chant as he cocked his hip and struck a pose with his guitar, and even from the balcony, Luka could see the way his nails and eyeshadow glittered in the spotlights.
T-yan sat at the drum set and blasted everyone with double bass, then King joined in, making the venue vibrate. Zana went to Reno, held his mic away from them, and said something in his ear.
And Reno looked directly at the balcony at Luka. When their eyes locked, Luka felt a jolt of electricity roll down his spine. Reno flashed a smile, something cocky and filthy in the way his teeth glimmered in the light, to turn away right as Zana growled into the mic to kick off the first song without an introduction.
Luka had two hands around his drink as he stared, frozen.
Slowly, he lifted the drink to his mouth and drank through the straw, his eyes never leaving the stage.
