Work Text:
Kyle listened to the truck turning off, and the sound of Stan taking out the key, but he didn’t move.
“You’re sure it’s an all ages show?”
“Yes, I’m sure, they won’t even be checking IDs.”
He looked out the window, eyeing the surrounding brick buildings skeptically. It was 7pm, and now that late October had come, it was getting dark early again. The sun’s last rays cast long shadows on the street.
“And it’s not like, illegal? Not in an abandoned building or something?”
“No! Come on, man. It’s in an art studio with like, a little stage.”
Kyle glanced back down at his hands, nails painted black by Stan for this occasion. He was also wearing one of Stan’s rings, a silver one with a big black stone, onyx maybe.
This was his first emo show, and he had wanted to look the part. In all black and grey, he’d even foregone his favorite hat and had his ginger curls on display, much to Stan’s delight.
Kyle released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Okay, let’s go.”
He could see Stan grinning as they got out of the car and started down the sidewalk. Surprisingly, there were quite a few cars lining the street, and they’d had to park a couple blocks away from the venue.
Kyle didn’t mind. It was a beautiful night, despite a brisk wind, and walking around with Stan when they both looked so coordinated made him feel particularly fired up. Despite his nerves, Kyle felt undeniably good.
He glanced sideways at Stan. He looked really good, his hair freshly washed and combed, face clean shaven, and eyeliner darkening his waterline. Stan had done Kyle’s eyeliner too, and having his best friend’s hands all over his face had been a very intimate experience.
Stan even smelled good, some woodsy cologne— gifted by Sharon— that he had doused both himself and Kyle in. The thought of them smelling the same made Kyle’s heart race. He needed to get a grip.
“So, do you want to know who’s playing? You actually really liked the headliner last time I played them for you.” Stan spoke up as they moved along. “And they’re one of my favorites.”
“Mmm, I kinda wanna go in blind, I think.” Kyle replied. “Since the show itself was a surprise to begin with.”
Stan had actually surprised Kyle with the tickets, and the biggest surprise was that there was no special reason for it— Christmas was months away, and Kyle’s birthday had been months before. Stan’s birthday had just recently passed, but they had thrown a low-key party for that.
On one hand, Kyle couldn’t help but feel like maybe Stan had planned to go with someone else who cancelled. Wendy came to mind, though they had broken up about a month earlier.
On the other hand, this did feel a bit like a date, didn’t it? Just the two of them in Denver, seeing a surprise show paid for by Stan, and they had both put in an extra effort to look good. It wasn’t that unusual for them, but when he considered it from another angle, Kyle spiraled
Stan was nodding as he replied, “For sure, for sure. There’s an opener that I think is starting…” He paused and checked his phone. “Any minute now, actually, but we can miss a little bit of it for this!”
With dramatic flair, Stan withdrew a single joint from his pocket and presented it to Kyle.
“Rolled by yours truly for this special occasion!” He smiled devilishly, but then raised his hands in surrender. “No pressure though.”
At this point Kyle was still just dipping his toes into the world of weed, but the excitement from Stan each time he agreed to partake was utterly infectious.
Kyle rolled his eyes, but he was smiling too. “Well, how could I possibly resist?”
Stan immediately lifted the joint to his lips and cupped a hand to light it. A stiff autumn wind repeatedly snuffed out the flame, so Kyle stepped up to help block the breeze.
The pair made eye contact, much closer together than Kyle had intended, and Stan winked at him just as the joint finally caught on. Kyle backed off, feeling flustered.
They started walking again. Kyle watched Stan exhale a few big clouds, the plumes of smoke trailing behind them.
“Is it fine that we’re missing the opening act?” He wondered aloud, “It’s not considered rude?”
“Trust me, for little shows like this people often come just to see the headliner. Quit worrying about everything.” Stan responded, his voice partly soothing and partly chiding. “We won’t miss much anyway.”
Satisfied that it was burning evenly, Stan finally offered the joint to Kyle, who had been nodding gently but resolutely to his words. Kyle reached for it immediately.
He pretended not to feel that little spark in his fingertips as they brushed against Stan’s during the handoff. That had been happening more and more lately.
He wondered if Stan felt the electricity between them too.
They passed off the joint a few more times as they approached the venue in comfortable silence. Kyle was frankly growing apprehensive about the whole situation, worried about the rowdy crowd and the harsh vocals that he knew were common at emo shows. In addition to pervasive thoughts about Stan, he kept quiet.
Stan must have noticed, as he bumped Kyle playfully with his shoulder when he gave him the joint again. The echo of guitar and drums suddenly became audible; the show was starting.
“Have you played the openers for me?” Kyle asked thoughtfully as he smoked, not recognizing the riff he could hear.
“No, they’re a local group from Denver though. Not bad, but not crazy good either.” Stan answered, pausing on the sidewalk a short distance from the venue.
“I’m still curious to hear them.” Kyle replied, offering what was left of the joint to Stan.
He took the roach and finished it off in another couple puffs. They listened to the band in silence for a few seconds. The beat picked up, and Stan started to move his feet, shuffling around just a little.
“Both bands have some good songs to move to!” Stan proclaimed, tossing the filter and grabbing Kyle’s hand. He tugged him towards the venue entrance.
“Ready to go?”
Kyle laughed, his face flushing as he gripped Stan’s hand and followed him up to the door. Like he had said, the building seemed to be an art studio of some kind. There was a college student taking tickets at the door.
The pair handed off their tickets and stepped through the front door, where the music suddenly got much louder. There was a little table with a bowl of earplugs, and Kyle gratefully took a pair, pressing them into his ears. They passed through a heavy black curtain, and into the main room.
That joint seemed to hit him right as they entered, and Kyle felt delightfully hazy and excitable. He could still hear the music through the earplugs, but it wasn’t as piercing. He adjusted his grip on Stan’s palm and took in the venue and the crowd.
The first thing Kyle noticed was the stage at the back center of the room. Unlike the stages at other venues he’d been to, this one was only raised a couple feet off the ground. Couldn’t just anyone climb up there?
Then, of course, he watched the opening band. A group of four greasy looking guys, already pumped up, surrounded by a decent crowd, and absolutely rocking it. Fog drifted across the stage and into the audience, strobe lights flashed, and Kyle’s chest vibrated with the beat of the drums and the low hum of the bass guitar. It felt amazing to be so close to the music.
He pulled on Stan’s hand to stop him and say just that. When Stan turned to look at him, Kyle realized they were wearing matching grins.
“This is so cool!” He shouted excitedly, but Stan clearly couldn’t hear. He shook his head, laughing, and leaned in close to Kyle instead, cupping one hand delicately around his ear.
“It’s really loud by the way.” Stan stated loudly, his warm breath fanning over Kyle’s ear. Despite the temperature in the room, a shiver ran down his spine.
Kyle brushed it off with a chuckle at Stan’s comment. He copied Stan, leaning up just slightly to shout in his ear.
“That’s why I got earplugs!” He tapped the side of his head with a haughty look.
Stan smiled cheekily at him and started moving again, pulling Kyle closer to the crowd. He was shifting to the beat of the music, bobbing his head, and squeezing tight to Kyle’s hand as they navigated to a clear spot on the edge of the circle of people.
Kyle had never seen a pit like this before, or at all really, but their new position gave him a clear view of this prime example. Young adults, mostly his age and older, jumping and thrashing around, running into each other— running into the crowd— Kyle knew about moshing, but it was still a bit of a surprise.
He looked sideways at Stan, whose eyes were glued to the vocalist as they belted a particularly passionate line. Does he usually mosh?
Stan caught Kyle’s eye and squeezed his hand. In all the excitement of the show, Kyle had practically forgotten they were still clasped together. He felt his ears burn as he gave a cautious squeeze back.
Stan cupped his ear. “Is this all okay?” He asked, a note of apprehension in his voice.
Kyle nodded rapidly. It was loud, and some spots in the crowd were wild, but it was also absolutely electric. All around him people were jumping, dancing, shouting. Kyle was a part of the writhing mass, and everyone’s energy flowed through him.
If Stan was asking about the hand-holding, that was more than okay with Kyle.
“It’s awesome!” He shouted back, lifting both of their hands above their heads.
Stan was grinning again, and his blue eyes seemed to flash with each blink of the strobe lights. Their hands felt clammy, but Kyle never wanted to let go.
A short time later, the first act finished up. Kyle and Stan screamed their hearts out in support as the band stepped off the little stage. The intermission was only a few minutes before the main act quickly took their places.
The band didn’t announce themselves, they simply started playing with a riff that immediately drew cheers from the crowd. Kyle was shocked to find himself recognizing it.
The drums and vocals kicked in, and Kyle was sure of it. He tugged repeatedly on Stan’s arm, shouting, “It’s Christie Front Drive! It’s Christie Front Drive!”
Stan laughed, “I know! I told you you liked the headliner!” Kyle could barely hear him over the music and cheering.
Stan didn’t know the full story, though.
In an effort to show an appreciation for Stan’s interest in emo music, Kyle had been listening to a slew of his favorite artists in his own free time over the past few months. A lot of them sounded the same, and only a few really stood out.
Christie Front Drive, especially their album ‘Stereo’ had become a genuine favorite for him. The meaningful lyrics, the heartfelt vocals, and the powerful instrumentals had truly struck a chord with Kyle.
It helped that their music was heavy in Stan’s driving rotation. Kyle fondly remembered them screaming the lyrics on the way into school, eight o’clock in the morning and already angst-ridden. He had built heavy associations between their music and his relationship with Stan.
He had wanted to slowly reveal his newfound favorite to Stan, but this was so much better.
Kyle went from slack-jawed with shock to grinning, utterly thrilled. No way I’m seeing Christie Front Drive, with Stan. He thought quickly, This might be the best night of my life.
As the song carried on, the crowd came to life again. The moshing had calmed down, but it seemed like everyone was dancing, and suddenly Kyle wanted to join in.
Somewhat regretfully he loosened his grip on Stan’s hand, who looked over at him in surprise. Imitating some members of the crowd, Kyle broke into a sloppy shuffle.
Sober Kyle could never do this, humiliate himself like this, but he was comfortably high at this point, and Stan was watching him with a blitzed look on his face.
He could really feel the music, too. Why not get into it?, Kyle thought as he tried to dance along.
After another moment, Stan giggled and followed suit, though with a little more skill. High or not, he always had been better at dancing.
They bounced around their little corner of the crowd, gently bumping into each other every now and then. Sometimes, Stan would take Kyle’s hand and spin him around once or twice.
Kyle didn’t think that was exactly befitting of an emo show, but he wasn’t going to argue.
Stan let out a little “Woop!” as the second song ended and the band quieted down to introduce themselves. Kyle watched them, enraptured. After months of listening to the band on repeat, he revered them.
Not long after, they launched into the next song, and Kyle practically squealed as he recognized the opening riffs to ‘Seven Day Candle’. He convinced himself that Stan couldn’t have heard him over the crowd’s rising volume.
Thinking of volume, Kyle remembered his earplugs. How could he possibly miss out on the full impact of this band? Quickly, he took them out, immediately being battered by sound.
The clatter of drums, grating melodic vocals, blaring guitar and humming bass washed over him as the song truly began. Kyle loved it.
Hands in the air, Kyle sang along with the first verse. Stan watched him with an awestruck expression.
“You actually know this one that well?” He shouted near Kyle’s ear.
Kyle couldn’t help his massive grin of satisfaction at seeing Stan so impressed.
“I’ve been listening to them a lot.” He replied, as coolly as he could while still trying to be loud.
Stan’s smile was positively glowing as he grabbed Kyle’s shoulder and shook him jovially.
“Dude!” Stan crowed, with such volume that Kyle easily heard him, “You’re emo!”
Kyle burst out laughing at that, but he was actually genuinely pleased. He was normally one to resist stereotypes, but coming from Stan, it felt like a label he could wear with pride. At least for tonight.
The band played on and on, with the crowd’s energy never seeming to die down. Kyle kept up too, screaming along to every lyric he could remember.
Fittingly, the band eventually played ‘Fin’ as their last song. Kyle wished the show would go on forever. Being up close with the band, the passion from the crowd, and having Stan at his side had made this an unforgettable night. He closed his eyes and tried to drink in the last few moments.
Christie Front Drive finished their set, and stepped off the little stage to screams and cheers. Kyle’s face stung from smiling so hard, his throat was wrecked from shouting, and it felt amazing. He made eye contact with Stan, who looked similarly elated, and held his gaze.
Stan pointed to the merch line and Kyle nodded in agreement, leading the way over. There were only about eight people ahead of them, and Stan turned to face Kyle in the line.
“So, you know they’re like, one of my favorite bands right now?” Stan asked, deadpan.
Kyle jokingly rolled his eyes, “Duh. Of course, dude.”
“And you just like, learned all their songs or something?” He questioned.
“Or something!” Kyle echoed, smiling cheekily.
“Just because?”
“Just because! I mean, definitely partly because you like them, but I’m genuinely super into them, too.”
Stan stared at him for a moment, a little dumbstruck, as Kyle was generally more into artists like Joy Division and The Cure. It clearly meant a lot that he would pay such attention to an artist just because Stan liked them.
“Man, I was supposed to be surprising you tonight!” He finally said, throwing an arm over Kyle’s shoulders.
Kyle smiled, his face warm. Getting to connect with Stan like this always felt so good.
“Well, I was pretty shocked to see Christie Front Drive up there!”
“And I was shocked that you were shocked!” Stan laughed.
“Still,” Kyle went on, “I have you to thank for this show. They were amazing! And dancing…”
Stan laughed more. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you move like that!”
Kyle punched him lightly. “You danced too! And actually, what was with you spinning me all around?”
Stan’s cheeks suddenly looked a bit pink, and his laugh took on a nervous lilt. His arm slipped off of Kyle’s shoulders.
“I don’t know, dude! I was just having fun with it!” He averted his eyes, smiling apprehensively. “Sorry, I know it was like, weird-”
Kyle put a hand on his arm. Seeing Stan like this was what was weird, not the dancing.
“It wasn’t weird, it was fine! It was fun! I brought it up ‘cuz it didn’t seem very emo to me, but I was just kidding!” Kyle quickly reassured him.
Stan gazed meekly at Kyle through his dark bangs. “You sure?” He questioned.
Kyle nodded emphatically. “This whole night was perfect.”
Stan’s smile instantly returned, and they reached the merch table a moment later.
“Let me top it off by buying you a t-shirt!” He exclaimed as Kyle stood behind him, looking at the designs.
“I’ll pick one for you too.” Kyle added from over his shoulder.
After Stan stepped aside with black shirt in hand, Kyle took his place, choosing one with the same design but in white. He paid, and turned to find Stan already waiting with his shirt on display.
Kyle held up the shirt he got for Stan, who smiled happily when he noticed they matched, but then clicked his tongue.
“Seriously, white? You know I’m gonna spill something on it.”
Kyle laughed, “Well, was I supposed to get black and have us be perfectly matching?”
“Yes!” Stan had an exasperated tone, but he looked pleased as he grabbed the white shirt from Kyle, who reflected his smile.
“Can we get out of here?” Kyle looked towards the door.
Stan nodded and took the lead, grabbing Kyle’s hand to guide him through the crowd.