Fragile Tension (Alan Wilder x Martin Gore)

1: The Concert

"Boys! We're on in 5!" Juliane, the band's touring agent, hollered down the hallway.

Dave, Andy, Martin and Alan were all in their individual dressing rooms, preparing to go onstage.

"Be right with ya Juli." Dave answered as the makeup artist finished applying bronzer to his face.

"At least someone's acknowledging me tonight," Juli continued. "Everyone except Dave, we haven't got long!"

It was at this moment that Alan stepped out of his dressing room.

"Sorry J; my hair just wasn't cooperating with me." He joked, running his hand through his gel-layered hair.

Juli rolled her eyes before letting out a short chuckle.

"It's alright Al." She patted him on the shoulder, bringing her wrist watch up to eye level. "You've got about 3 minutes to spare so anything extra you wanted to get done, I'd suggest you get it done now."

"Hmm, yeah... I've got one thing to do." Alan smirked.

"Let me guess... Mart?" Juli responded as he began to walk away.

"You know me so well." He shot her a smile once more before making his way over to Martin's dressing room.
~~~~~
A knock of a distinct rhythm sounded off against Martin's door. He could recognise who stood behind it from a mile away without even having to look them in the eye.

"Come in!"

The door opened and his partner edged inside.

"Heyyy." Alan giggled as he walked over to where he sat in front of the light-up mirror.

"Hey, love." Martin greeted him with a smile.

Alan pecked him on the lips as he sat down beside him.

His attention was instantaneously drawn to the empty beer bottle lying on the desk. Trying to forget he'd ever noticed it, he continued the conversation. 

"S-So," He stuttered. "You ready for tonight?"

"Yeah, I'm excited. Hopefully this crowd isn't as dead as last night's though." Martin laughed. "How 'bout you?"

His question was followed by a deep sigh from his partner before he answered.

"I'd say I'm feeling pretty ready. And you're right; they really weren't fussed last night, were they?" He chuckled, thinking back to the night prior.

"I'm glad you're ready, because I'm almost certain I can hear Juli nagging Fletch now as well. I think it's showtime!"

"I think so too. Let's do this!" He took Martin by the hand and helped him to stand, kissing him once more.

The couple exited the dressing room and joined Dave and Andy who were waiting for them; they lined up one behind the other and anticipated their entrance to the stage.

Watching as their support band for the night finished their set and left the stage, Juli began to count down on her fingers.

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... And you're on guys!! Have fun!!" She announced, making sure the band would enter with accurate timing.

Dave immediately burst onto the stage as his charisma and stamina took over completely. His three bandmates joined him with slightly more serenity as they headed in the direction of their keyboards.
~~~~~
"Let me see you stripped down to the bone,"

"Let me hear you speaking just for me,"

All Alan could focus on was Martin's soothing voice and how he and Dave made singing look so simple. It made it difficult for him to play his instrument; he was utterly distracted.

On occasion he would glance over at his partner, who would shoot him a glance back. He could feel his heart thumping and he knew it wasn't the adrenaline, rather it was him. Martin.
~~~~~
"THANK YOU! GOODNIGHT!" Dave yelled, fully bringing Alan out of his trance.

The crowd screamed until they were hoarse in response.

Dave proceeded to place his microphone back into its stand whilst Andy, Martin and Alan got down from their platforms and before long they were back in their dressing rooms once again.

Where Alan initially noticed it.

The empty bottle.