The concert was over, and the dimmed stage lights hummed softly as the last echoes of applause faded away. The crew bustled around, packing up equipment, while the members of The Kings slowly began to unwind. The adrenaline of the performance was still running high, but the band members knew they had to rest up for the journey ahead.
Maury wiped sweat from his brow as he wrapped up the last of the guitar cables. "Man, what a night," he muttered, stretching his arms.
Angelo tossed his drumsticks into a case and leaned against a stack of speakers. "You said it. I feel like we poured our hearts out back there."
Uno finished packing away his guitar, his face still showing traces of the weight of the tribute they'd played earlier. He looked at his bandmates, each of them quiet, still processing the impact of what had happened. "Hey," he called softly, gaining their attention. "You all were incredible tonight. Thanks for giving it everything."
Lance gave a half-smile, lifting his bass case. "No one else I'd want to be up there with," he replied, and the others nodded in agreement.
They continued packing in relative silence, the usual post-concert chatter replaced with quieter conversations. Denise stood by the stage exit, watching the band with a thoughtful expression. Olivia, Zoey, and the rest of the honorary members lingered nearby, their faces tired but relieved.
"Guess we're crashing here in Doncaster tonight?" Zoey asked, raising an eyebrow.
Uno nodded as he secured his guitar case. "Yeah, we've got an early drive to Manchester tomorrow. But we'll make a quick stop in Swindon to finish recording the new tracks."
Jada yawned, stretching her arms. "Swindon, huh? Feels like we're always on the move."
"Life of a rockstar," Avva joked, nudging her. "Swindon should be fun, though. We're almost done with the album."
Denise caught Uno's gaze and walked over to him, her voice soft as she spoke. "You alright?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Uno managed a tired smile. "I think so. Just... that song, the news, everything hit harder than I expected."
Denise gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder. "You handled it well. Everyone felt it, and that's what matters."
After a few more minutes, the venue was cleared, and everyone made their way to their hotel. The members of The Kings and the honorary members each had their rooms, while Uno and Denise shared one. It was a modest hotel but cozy, and everyone was too tired to care much about the accommodations.
Denise shut the door behind them and tossed her bag onto a chair. She glanced at Uno, who was leaning against the window, lost in thought. "Penny for your thoughts?" she asked with a small smile.
Uno turned, shaking off his distraction. "Just thinking about everything. About tomorrow, Swindon, and... that weird feeling from tonight."
Denise walked over, resting her hand on his arm. "We've had a long day. Maybe some rest will clear things up."
Uno sighed and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Let's get some sleep."
They changed into more comfortable clothes, and after some time, found themselves lying side by side on the bed. The room was quiet except for the distant hum of city traffic and the occasional murmur of passing hotel guests. Denise turned on her side, facing Uno, and he did the same, the two of them finding a familiar comfort in each other's presence.
Uno reached out, hesitating for a moment, before gently wrapping his arm around Denise. She nestled into him, feeling the warmth of his embrace. "This feels nice," she murmured, her voice heavy with sleep.
YOU ARE READING
The Kings: A Band's Tale
RomanceStory about a band called The Kings. Most names are similar in previous stories, and this is non canon to the others.