Sweet little thing called love

Car ride jam session

The drive was crowded. As one would expect from the entirety of a boy band being shoved into the back seat of a Camaro on a hot summer drive in the early morning.
"Ugh, it's so hot!" David exclaimed shifting in his seat.

The leather of the car became sticky in the heat, and the closeness of the bandmates made the humidity even more damp. Marian's hair even pulled back in a bun accumulated a waterfall of sweat. Gazing out the window he watched as the lights and skyscrapers of Sapphire City faded into a long tree-lined highway. Roman of course was at the wheel. The only one responsible enough to even get his license. Marian's hand traveled back to his pocket which in a moment of forgetful panic was devoid of his wallet, which he soon remembered was in Nix's possession. Marian although slightly forced into this arrangement was excited. He hadn't left Sapphire City since he ran away. His scenario wasn't too unlike the one he was in now. A small car filled to the maximum human capacity, sticky seats, and high humidity. He found a sick nostalgia and longing making a nice nest in the very pit of his stomach. A longing for acceptance. It must have shown on his face because Scott raised his left eyebrow and nudged him with his elbow.

"You okay?" he asked as sweat dripped down the bridge of his nose

Marian just smiled softly and nodded his head before pulling out his phone to look down at his messages. Nix had sent him the directions to the venue where they were performing. Roman had moved to Sapphire City from Westhaven after graduation, so he pretty much was following the path he had long worn into the pavement in his 22 years of living.
"What song should we play guys? Like do we even know the kind of clientele we're dealing with at this bar?" Scott asked as he pushed his blue bangs out of his eyes.

"Does it matter the clientele? Scott, we broke into that club last night and most of the people were rich snobs, and they loved the hell out of us. If Mari over there doesn't lose his sparkle because of his boyfriend, we should be fine."
David said with a big cheesy grin plastered on his face leaning over the seat to wink at Marian.

"Wha-Oh my god Scottie he's not my boyfriend!" Marian groaned an annoyed flush spreading from his nose to the tips of his ears.

"Yet." Roman chimed in.

Marian could see his sarcastic smile in the rearview mirror.
"If you guys are just going to bully me the entire car ride, I'm throwing myself out the door. I know the locks don't work back here." He said with a loud breath out his nose.

The bandmates chuckled at Marian's dramatics. Although he was the second to youngest in the group, he was considered the "child" of the band. Scott and David found it funny. But to Roman, they pretty much were all the equivalent of three 6-year-olds in a trench coat. Scott could see Marian's pout that he made when feigning being upset. He began digging through his duffle bag until he managed to grasp something. He looked over towards Marian.
"Hey, Mari. You wanna make some music?" he asked almost as if it was a code.

Marian's eyes lit up.
"Scott did you bring your ukulele?" he asked with a small snicker

"Damn right, I did!" Scott hollered triumphantly as he pulled his ukulele out of his duffle bag and began strumming a familiar tune.

David joined in making a beat using his drumsticks to tap on the back of Scott's car seat. Marian started tapping his feet to the melody and Roman began humming along.
"Come on Mari~" David cooed with a small wink.

With that, Marian began singing.

Hey, hey, hey, hey
Your lipstick stains
On the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn't forget you
And so I went and let you blow my mind

"Yeah!" Scott whooped from the front. Marian couldn't help but let loose and laugh.
The band was like his family. They had been roommates since the second year Marian had been there and they started the band half a year after that. They were like older brothers he'd never had.

Hey, soul sister
Ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo
The way you move ain't fair you know
Hey, soul sister
I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight

Scott stopped strumming with a small riff and David gave a final few taps to the car seat.
"Damn, bro! you sing like that tomorrow and we'll be famous by the next morning!" David exclaimed wrapping his arm around Marian's shoulders.

"Yeah, you guys just have to play that good tomorrow night and we're set." Marian jabbed back pinching David's side playfully.

They all erupted into laughter. This wasn't going to be so hard after all.

Up in the divine domain, Nix found himself pleading with his brother Vox once more.
"Ugh, Vox! I need you to come along with me as a plus one!" Nix cried hugging his brother by the collar.

"Nix come on. You know I don't like going to bars." Vox said trying to get out of his brother's grip.

"But I can't go alooooone!" Nix begged.

"You've gone alone hundreds of times before and haven't minded." Vox pointed out.

"Yes, but that's because I was going to flirt and have fun! I can't flirt with anyone this time! Please!" Nix pleaded.

Vox sat silently pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
Nix leaned into his brother.
"Please! There's going to be a live band!"
Vox seemed to consider it before sighing dejectedly.
"I'll go. But you can't ask me again for the next century." Vox said with a look of defeat.

"Yes! Just wait here I'll pick out your outfit!" Nix exclaimed jumping up.

"I'd like an actual shirt this time please!" Vox called after him.