Surprise Duet - M. Shadows Oneshot

A/N: So it's been about 8 years, and I still have a crush on M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold. This idea popped into my head one day, and I just couldn't seem to get it out. Whaddaya gonna do? I hope you enjoy reading this oneshot as much as I enjoyed writing it! It's just over 8000 words long, making it the longest thing I've ever written. So grab a snack and strap in for the long haul! Please leave any feedback you may have in a comment or message! :)

Also, let's just pretend everyone is magically single here, okay? I ain't no home wrecker!

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The year was 2008. After holding on to my ticket for months, I was finally on my way to see Avenged Sevenfold on the world tour for their self-titled album. A friend had introduced me to the band in junior year of high school, way back in 2003. And to be honest, I'd been hooked on them ever since.

I sighed aloud as I approached the venue, slowing my old Mustang down as I started to hit the first signs of concert traffic. I'd been driving for about three hours at this point, and was relieved to almost be there. I had a few friends who were also fans of the band, but no one who lived close anymore-our high school group had all scattered for college. I'd kept in touch with the friend who'd first introduced me to the band, though. He'd asked me to report back on how the show was tonight, so he could prepare to see it played in Las Vegas next week.

Regardless, for whatever reason, I was attending the show alone tonight. And, to be honest, that may have been for the best. Jumping around singing and screaming at the top of my lungs wasn't exactly the most flattering way to be seen by my peers, and if I was alone, I'd be free from any potential judgement. Besides, this way, I'd be able to fangirl in peace.

I had fallen in love with Avenged Sevenfold's music before I ever saw a music video or a picture of the band. But, let's not kid ourselves: these guys are gorgeous. And while I was mostly excited to hear them live, a part of me that I wouldn't have admitted to anyone else was also excited to see them live.

After a few more minutes of slow-moving traffic, I'd made it to the venue entrance and been directed to a parking space. It was in a dirt lot, about a ten-minute walk from the stadium, but that was definitely preferable to shelling out $20 for a "premium" spot.

I made my trek to the stadium with the rest of the crowd, waited in line for security, scanned my ticket, and was finally in! Having been a fan of the band for quite a while now, I'd gone all out on my ticket. I was in the fourth row behind the pit, with the pit being directly in front of the stage. I squealed internally with excitement when I realized how close I would be to the band.

Seeing as the show wasn't slated to start for another twenty minutes, I looked down to review my appearance. Same black converses I'd been rocking for the past half-decade, dark skinny jeans, and a black deathbat t-shirt. It seemed appropriate for this setting. I'd applied a layer of black eyeliner today, but not so much as I used to use back when I'd first heard about the band. It was probably best that my 16-year-old self hadn't been in charge of today's makeup. I only hoped that if the band noticed me in the crowd, I'd look like a fan without looking too much like the crazy fangirl that I may or may not have secretly been.

After spending a bit of time examining the venue around me-a standard football stadium, currently devoid of any of its sports-iness, and quickly filling up with music fans-I returned my gaze to the stage. The sun was just beginning to set, and I figured it should be all the way down by the time the opening band finished playing. It should make a perfect nighttime backdrop for the main act's performance.

I continued to waste time, exchanging quick introductions with the people who ended up filling the seats on either side of me, and finally, the pre-show background music faded out. The opening band-not a group I'd ever personally heard of before-ran out on stage together, and their guitarist struck the first chord of the night.