Assorted Character Oneshots

Thanks for the Memories - Gareth Emerson

Summary: YN is supposed to open for Corroded Coffin a few years after they make it big, but their band bails on them last minute. Devastated, they look for any possible way to work things out when the drummer for the main band offers their services. 

Triggers: swearing, sexual tension, smut.

I know the songs in this fic didn't come out until mostly recently, I don't care.  Also this ones long to make up for yesterdays. 

Word Count: 4,173

___ frantically punched the numbers into the phone over and over, listening to it ring, and quickly becoming frustrated as they received no answer. Where were they, they went on in less than twenty minutes and they hadn't set up yet. Their hands shook as they dialed up the last of their band mates. One ring, two rings, three, click. "Hello?"

"Zack? Where the hell are you guys? We have a gig tonight, remember?" 

"Oh, yea, no we didn't forget. We just.. um.."

A bout of poorly hidden laughter came from somewhere in the distance behind the drummer they were speaking to. "Did you all get drunk before the show, again?" Their tone was snappy, pinching the bridge of their nose between their thumb and forefinger. "You know what? Fuck you guys. I'm so sick of you doing this to me. I'm coming by tomorrow for all my shit. Find someone else to fuck over," They slammed the phone back onto the receiver, scowling as they squeezed their eyes shut.

"Great. Great. Great." They mumbled as they made their way backstage once more. A stage manager stood by the stairs leading up to the main stage. The main attraction, Corroded Coffin, as ___ knew them, was standing off to the side with their equipment. They seemed to just be talking, waiting for the opener so they could blow away the audience. ___ caught the eye of the drummer as they walked past, on their way to the back room. His eyes didn't leave them until they were completely out of sight. "You okay, Gareth?" Jeff waved his hand in front of the shorter male's face, regaining his attention. "Look like you've seen a ghost, dude." Kenny added on with a snicker.

"Did you see them?" Gareth pointed at the end of the hall, seeing no one there anymore. "Maybe he did see a ghost."

"No! They turned the corner. You didn't see them? Oh, gods, they were hot." A lopsided smile appeared on his face, head lulling to the side as the stage manager seemed to pick up on the conversation, storming off after the vision he had just seen. "I'll be right back, guys." He followed after the burly man, making sure to stay back just far enough to not seem conspicuous. The man pounded his fist against the door, startling Gareth and ___. They sighed, opening the door and finding themself face to face with the greasy man. "Where are they? You're on in fifteen." 

"They bailed, but I'll figure something out, I promise. I can sing on my own, it'll be fine, I just need to finish getting ready." 

"You promised a band, not a solo act. You're done for. Get out." 

"Actually, we could help!" Gareth's mouth seemed to move on its own, the words fumbling off of his tongue before he could catch them. Both figures turned to face him, a sheepish grin plastering itself to his face. "We've got a bass, two guitars, and drums. We can play if you have the sheet music with you." 

The stage manager, Tony his name tag read, nodded. "Get set up, now." With that, he left the two younger adults alone in the hallway, ___ staring at Gareth with a confused awe. "Why?"

"What?"

"Why do you want to help me? You're already the main attraction, you don't need an opener anyway." Gareth smiled softly, moving to stand in front of the doorway. "Maybe we just want to help." ___ watched his movements cautiously, nodding slowly before handing him the sheet music. "It's only a few songs and they're pretty easy, I think. What do I know, I'm just a singer." They smiled, eyes leaving the paper and meeting Gareth's as he took the sheet from them gently. "We'll be awaiting you." He smirked before leaving around the corner of the hall.