Overkill

13 | triple dog dare

Performing in front of friends was daunting enough, even without the added pressure of a certain friend being a performer herself. (Not yet confirmed whether Axel had played any shows, but even if he had, his greasy hair made it easier for Moxie to not let his potential observations get in her head.) (Not in the way that she didn't take him seriously as an artist, regardless of his level of experience, but in the way that he was a man first and foremost and she cared less about their opinion overall.) (She was not a hater. Nope.) The events that had unfolded the night before—technically that morning; technically three glorious times—set Moxie ablaze with unstoppable energy, floating across the stage with effortless ease. Mick shared in the undeniable enthusiasm that made for a great show if she did say so herself. Nothing could stop them. Nobody would even dare to try.

It was hard to look at anyone else in the crowd besides Cruella, for more reasons than just the development in their relationship. She looked every bit like an artist completely in the zone, appreciating their shared art form. It only further inspired Moxie to put on an even better show just for her. For too many moments, Cruella was the only woman in the room that night. The only woman whose face Moxie wanted to see in every crowd.

Although, for one brief moment, Moxie caught a snapshot view of Axel staring at Eddie. Like the mental picture he snapped of her whenever she was around was the pièce de résistance of his career.

Mick whistled as he waltzed past her, smiling at the same view he was admiring. (Either he accepted that Axel registered a negative five on gaydar levels, or he hadn't realized that the couple in the crowd included someone he thought he knew.) Watching people fall in love was a special thing. Like when Mick had spotted the greasy-haired love of his life during a show in the Bay Area some time ago, or when Moxie met literally any woman ever.

Their mood didn't drop, even once the show had ended. They had made a mental note to not spend too long getting ready since their friends were waiting outside for them. Moxie was much quicker about getting the grime from the stage off her body. She even had time to ask Lana if she wanted to join them, but she had declined citing brutal period cramps as her reason. No other explanation was needed.

Moxie peeked around the corner of Mick's dressing room door just as he tugged a raggedy Queen shirt over his head. She had gifted it to her brother for his twenty-first birthday.

"Ready?"

"Where are we going again?" Her brother asked.

"Cruella said she has a surprise."

Mick suppressed a smile rather poorly.

"Don't say it."

"I wasn't gonna say anything."

"Yeah, but you were thinking something."

"I'm always thinking something."

Moxie fastened the pink and orange ombre carabiner to the belt loop of her jeans. "And what would you be thinking if I said I might have seen Bay Area greasy-haired boy in the crowd tonight?"

He had never moved so quickly in his life. She found it mildly impressive. Who knew he had it in him?

"What?"

She crossed her arms. Checkmate. "You heard me."

"There's no way."

"I'm not saying it is him, but if it isn't, it might just be an evil twin."

"Okay but how confident are you really?"

Moxie pretended to think it over. Her brother was going to lose his mind once he realized what was happening.