Heartstopper Inktober 2K24

16 - Grungy (Band!AU)

It all started with an email, surprisingly enough.

They had all been in the studio when it did. Sal, him and Christian were arguing over the order list for the new album that they'd been saving to put together for months when Otis, like a cat on a hot tin roof, burst in frantically.

"You lot won't fucking believe this, but Queer Intentions want Horizon Drive to open for them!"

How he manages to get it out in one breath sounds Nick, but it pales in comparison to the information just given as he looks around the room, everyone wide eyed.

"Queer Intentions?" Sal squeaked out, tipping his head to stare in Otis's direction. "As in the internationally famous, just performed at Glastonbury, fully LGBT grunge band?"

"Look at the email!" Otis's phone sails through the air and is grabbed out of it by Christian. Everyone, including Nick, hold their breath as Christian's eyes scan it and then, suddenly go very wide. "Holy shit."

"We /have/ to say yes!" Otis is still babbling, starry eyed and completely off his rocker. "This could lead to so many deals for us, we can pay off the rest of the album, maybe even find management-"

"Hang on there, Mr. Futurist." Christian finally speaks, clearly having read through the whole email by now. "We have to deal with Ajayi Entertainment first, given this email is actually from them and who knows how that might go even if we do say yes. It could be another cattle call situation like with Dua Lipa and James Arthur and we know exactly how those both went."

"But it's fucking Queer Intentions!" Sal jumped in before Nick could even open his mouth. "We at least need to reply and see what's happening! This could change everything! We would be on tour! An actual tour!"

Nick couldn't blame them for pushing as hard as they were, if he's being honest. They really did need the money. Their first album hadn't done the best and they had barely scraped together enough money to pay that process off, let alone this new one in progress. A tour slot would not only get some new fans, but it would get them paid and possibly, music royalties.

"Maybe we should think about it, Chris." He finally piped up, earning looks from all the lads of varying emotions. "If it's a scam or an open call, we don't have to do it, but if it's real, like Otis thinks, we could at least pay our bills."

Christian didn't look too pleased, but sighed after a moment, shaking his head. "Fine, okay, but all of you need to pull your heads in. This still could all be for nothing and we might get laughed out of the industry."

"Fine by me." Nick scratched his arm as he watched Christian type away on Otis's phone. "At least I kept my day job."

————

In awe. That's what Nick was when he first stepped into the O2 arena. In fucking awe.

It was massive, bigger than even some of the bars and concert halls they'd played in so far in Horizon Drive's fledgling career from high school till now. It practically dwarfed their 4 man crew as they walked onto the stage, taking it all in.

"How the fuck did we get here?" He hears Sal ask from his side, only to see Otis shaking his head in disbelief at the question.

It was true, however, how did they get here?

Turns out the email was real and was literally from the real Tao Xu and Elle Argent of Heartstopper Records who explaining after some back and forth (as well as some serious reassuring they weren't scam artists) needed an opening act for Queer Intentions for their British tour dates before they jetted off to the US.

In fact, the lead singer herself, Sahar Zahid, had requested them personally. Telling Mrs Singh at his teaching assistant job (he was going to miss those kids while he was gone) had sure foot tongues wagging around the school. Not that he cared right now, given Sahar herself had suddenly materialised out of nowhere and was in front of them. "Hey, you made it!"

All of them, speechless and sputtering, looked at each other until finally, Nick got his words, holding out a hand in greeting. "Sahar, right? I'm Nick, the guitarist."

"Oh yes, I know exactly who you all are." Sahar almost shook his arm off his shoulder. "You have a big fan in our bassist, Aleena, let me tell you. Come on, she and our drummer Charlie are backstage - we were discussing our set list before we got here and we'd love some more opinions as we're very close to a final order."

"Of course - love to help." Nick could feel the others buzzing with excitement, but tried to temper his own down along with his racing heart. At least, that was the plan, until Sahar opened the green room down and he met the loveliest pair of eyes he'd ever seen.

This guy must have been the drummer, Charlie Spring if he remembered correctly and Nick would never admit it out loud, but he was even more beautiful in real life. Most people, obviously, would call Charlie handsome - but he was so different, he almost looked...ethereal, in a way, with the eyeliner and the black lipstick. Hence Nick using the word beautiful despite its injustice.

Seems Charlie felt something similar, as he seemed awestruck looking back at him. Nick nervously grinned, a few ticks short of a smile and nodded his way. "Hi."

"Hi." Charlie managed to reply back before there was a squeal and another girl in a hijab excitedly turned up before them from the nearby dressing room,looking extremely excited. "Oh my god, you're Horizon Drive!"

(Later on, when Nick watches from the stage as everyone sings along with them, Charlie's all that he can see, up there in the lights as they shine on him only.

He also finds out Charlie likes post concert sex about 3 tour dates in, so that's even better.)