𝖍𝖝𝖍 𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖙𝖘

in the flesh

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Summary: It's been three years since Chrollo packed up his bags with his guitar and voice, heading to California along with his band, leaving you and your memories in his dust. What happens when he finally returns?

Author: toruro (on ao3)

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The night was young. Oranges and pinks painted the sky, tinting your windows as you drove to work. You worked at a diner, which despite being in the middle of town, always seemed to be just a little too short of customers. It's a miracle the place was still holding up.

Your boss was an old man with a bit of a hearing problem, and patience that could reach the moon and back. If he wasn't asking for you to repeat your words, he was chatting with anyone and everyone, no matter how long it took. You liked your job. You worked your night shift with another boy around your age (maybe a tad younger), the both of you just trying to make ends meet with the limited opportunities in your small town. Tonight was no different than the rest.

At least that's what you tried to convince yourself.

When you walked into the restaurant, the clock had just hit 7. The bell on the door which was usually crisp and clear was now muffled by an excess of chatter. You tried to act surprised. You tried to act like you didn't know why there were so many customers, even asking Kurapika, "What the hell is going on here?"

"You don't know?" he asked in disbelief, balancing two large platters on each side.

"No, I don't," you lied. "Here let me help you with that," you offered, quickly slipping into your apron and taking one of the platters off his hands.

"Thank you," he sided. "Take that to table 12. You came right in time—things are just starting to speed up even more." You nodded, the two of you making your ways through the tables and booths to your respective tables, serving the people who probably hadn't set foot in this diner in years. As you headed back to the kitchen, Kurapika joined you by your side. "You seriously don't know?"

"No." Lies again. Your eyes drifted off into the crowd of the customers as Kurapika spoke, observing the increasing number of teen girls in the seats.

"You know the Phantoms right? That rock band?" Kurapkia started off excitedly. "C'mon, you gotta know about them! I know you live under a rock but there's no excuse for not knowing about them. The lead singer was in your year! Chrollo Lucilfer!"

You didn't like your third period. Your teacher, as sweet as she was, was terrible at explaining, and you weren't exactly fond of your seating arrangements. It was a small class, and both seats next to you were empty—the cons of having a seat in the back. School days were mundane as is, but this class seemed to place the cherry on top.

That is, until one day through the second semester. A knock on the door, a quick shuffle of feet to get the door, a pair of new footsteps making its way in. "Hi," he smiled through bright white teeth, and all you could think was 'holy shit he looks happy'. He introduced himself to your teacher, and then waved to the rest of the class. The two shared some quiet words before the woman pointed to one of the seats next to you.

This was sure to spice things up.

"Hey," he grinned, taking his spot next to you. "I'm Chrollo. Chrollo Lucilfer."

"The name doesn't ring a bell," you murmured, turning back to the line of orders you had to bring out. "They can't be that big of a band," you reasoned.

"Oh come on! Why are you being so negative. They've gotten huge recently! They're going on tour now, which is why they're stopping by here. They said they'd do a small pop-up concert in the drive in down the street as a special little treat for the hometown!" he cheered. "Even Pops said we can shut down early tonight and join in for the end of show."