Your heart's a mess

[wounds]

Who: Genos, Squalo & YOU
What: A performance
When: Feb 12
Where: On stage at some club
Warnings: ... Squalo?

[Check those sweet top levels]

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PRE-PERFORMANCE

[wounds]

Genos, open

[wounds]

[So the label's been pushing him to do more, to sing more to make up for his massive fuck up last month.

And so he does. He's grateful to them, isn't he? Even if he hates almost every song on this album, they've saved him from being with Saitama for the rest of his life.

... Or at least that's what the brainwashing says, though perhaps it's more faulty than they'd like.

Once again, he can be found at the back of the stage fussing with his guitar, going over the notes to his performance piece.]

[blindfoldcode]

Will you stop checking everything? If you keep doing that, you're going to mess it up and you'll only have yourself to blame?

[Can you imagine snapping a string ten minutes before a performance, Genos? Like can you imagine that? It probably wouldn't be great.

Of course Kido is going to show up for encouragement. How... encouraging she will actually be is still on the table.]

[wounds]

[Kido's asking him to stop fussing? That's impossible.]

This are new strings, they need some wear anyway.

[Not to mention, he's not entirely sure if he wants to be performing.]

[blindfoldcode]

It's frustrating to watch. Did you eat? [Performing with you once has turned her into a complete worry wart.]

[wounds]

I ate, don't worry.

[He doesn't really want to be here, after all.]

Squalo, open

[sharktrash]

[ As usual, he's been invited to the other's performance. Or rather, he probably offered to help out himself. Genos had looked positively distraught over the fact that he was expected to promote his EP rather than just rip up the lyrics and forget it ever existed. With Squalo by his side, hopefully he'll be able to have at least a little bit of fun performing. Feel more comfortable emitting the most sappiest of songs and adding more angry ones that may or may not have been on the album, since everyone expects angry to some extent when they see the silver-haired cellist onstage. Hopefully, this'll be more bearable -- ]

[ And even though it's not his show, he feels in his element. He darts back and forth between the stage and the back, tuning his cello and popping up in front of the mic to cheer on the audience. Or just talk some. Things like, "Yeah, this isn't exactly my genre, but if you were hoping you could blackmail me about it, fuck off, 'cause this just shows how much I love my family," or "Think the Metal Prince has gone soft? Think again, he just wants you to finally have some good music for your extra romantic sex weekend", or "If I see anyone not having a good time I swear to fuck I'll find you after the gig," (which will probably be met with laughs since MANTICORE's regular public apparently finds Squalo's threats and swearing endearing or something), and eventually, right before the start, "SO HOW MUCH DO YOU WANNA SEE HIM TONIGHT? LET US HEAR IT!!" ]

PERFORMANCE

[wounds]

[wounds]

[The lights dim as he comes out on stage, and then they slowly focus on him and Squalo at center stage. There's no need for complicated effects, when it's a relatively direct song, from the heart- or the core, now.

He starts strumming the first few notes, certain Squalo will back him up.]

Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take, I'll be watching you
Every single day and every word you say
Every game you play, every night you stay, I'll be watching you

[Every bit of his music sounds like all the devotion in the world. And perhaps more than that, the people in attendance suddenly have the urge to start following around their crushes, significant others- the people they love in their lives.

After all, shouldn't they be watching over them?]

[sharktrash]

[ Of course he will. He's always there to back him up, isn't he? As much as he can, anyway. This song might not be quite in his usual style, but it's genuine, raw enough for him to be able to get behind it. ]

[ He's dropped the tuning of his cello for this one. It sounds better lower. Could've even gotten a bass, but nah. He takes pride in his ability to play anything on a cello like it's always had been supposed to. The melody's gentle, almost melancholic, but the rhythm stands firm. ]

[ For some reason, that feeling of devotion Genos is... inspiring all around seems to resonate in him. He leans towards a microphone, and his eyes seem to be fixed on something in the distance, his voice unusually gentle though there's still some of that signature hoarseness to it. ]

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
I will make you bleed if you ever leave

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

[wounds]

[The problem, perhaps, with Genos is that he's always emotionally genuine. To a point where some, or most, people would say that he should dial it back.

But certainly nobody would say that when he's on stage.]

Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying, "Baby, baby, please"

[An intense pang of loneliness with the feeling of being groundless over the audience. What is he supposed to do, how is he supposed to think about anything other than Saitama now? The strongest desire to be by their lover's side washes over them. A wish to be in their bed, in their arms- he wants everything, and that's reflected right back on to anyone listening.]

Oh can't you see
You belong to me
You would make me bleed if you ever leave

[His version of that verse is slightly different- a little more true to himself. He needs Saitama- needed Saitama- If he were pushed away he has no idea what he would do with himself. Like this, he's exceedingly vulnerable.]

Every fight you take
Every bone you break
Every lie you state
Every claim you stake
I'll be watching you

[The flash of a memory, vague and muddled when it's distributed between so many people. In it, a bald man in a yellow jumpsuit punching out what seems to be a gigantic sea monster.

A flash of him confessing that he was taking credit for someone else's work.

And at last the feeling that the caped man was definitely, absolutely lying. The only reason that monster went down was because of that man.]

[sharktrash]

[ He probably should, in daily life, at least. Otherwise he might get hurt. And we don't want that. ]

[ For the chorus, he'll sing together with Genos, their voices pitched just differently enough to harmonize as usual, making each other stand out more. If he was still feeling any scepticism before, it's gone now; he believes every word, and vaguely wonders if it's Genos' doing. ]

Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace
I dream at night, I can only see your face
I look around but it's you I can't replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace --

[ Oh yes, he can definitely feel a face. Feel a warm presence. He refuses, though. Refuses to look at that face or acknowledge it. ]

[wounds]

[The feelings that are coming through- it's entirely Genos' fault.]
--I keep crying, "Baby, baby, please"

[Come back to him, let him be with you again. The label has a firm hold on his head, his heart- well that's a little more iffy.]

Oh can't you see
You belong with me
You would make me bleed if you ever leave

[Please, please don't leave him- don't make Genos leave either. Just keep their loved ons by their side, and hold on to that relationship as tightly as they can.]

POST-PERFORMANCE

[wounds]

Genos, open

[wounds]

[Once it's over he can be found backstage for at least a few minutes. There he just looks half lost and half dazed. The song felt real still, even if he's not sure if he really meant a word of it.

Still, he's eventually shuffled out to a table to do a meet and greet with his fans... He'll seemingly happily shake hands, sign merchandise- the usual things celebrities are asked to do at public functions like these.]

BACKSTAGE

[agains]

[ Keith, never the master of subtlety, had been making a very considerable effort to be open about his presence lately. Everyone spooks so easily (and for that matter, so does he). He's careful to not take anybody by surprise out of politeness and... also the desire to not take a fist to the face, if anyone reacts poorly.

Of course, he doesn't know the story behind what Genos went through. He can't know. He didn't want to know much, hasn't talked extensively to his... his rival. They are in competition. Still, Keith can't forget their friendship, even as he remains fearful of Blanche's influence.

He only means to greet Genos. But the sight of his friend and the overwhelming sound of the performance -- "sound", sight, feeling! all on that subconscious level -- makes him act out.

INITIATE SILENT BEAR HUG, perhaps a moment too long for bromance, even though it's totally platonic. ]

[wounds]

[Genos isn't afraid of his label- unlike so many others. But he was brainwashed a little differently than most. Still, he has no desire to disobey them- at least for now.

He has no idea how strongly his performances tend to affect people- so he's surprised when he's suddenly wrapped into a bear hug. If Keith notices, his torso is considerably less pliant than before- maybe he's worked out since they've last seen each other?

Nevertheless, he lets out an embarrassing noise of surprise.]

... Gonna let go in the next century?

[agains]

[ Still reeling from the performance, Keith is the pliant one. He feels very protective, and a little on the verge of tears himself. ]

A few more years, Genos. [ ...Okay, now he'll let go. ] I'm sorry. Your voice has only gotten better since I last heard you perform. Was it for someone special?

[ open can of worms because you're an oblivious teddy bear, y/n? ]

[wounds]

[He seems to pale immediately when Keith asks if it's for somebody special.]

I've no idea what you're talking about. It's just a Valentine's romance song.

[heroforfun]

[Saitama didn't exactly approach, nor did he show up to this gig on time. But he did show up, hoodie tugged over his head (it's chilly, okay).

Something about Genos' performance, though... normally, he's pretty sure he'd be kinda weirded out by a song like that. Wasn't that song used in one of the horror movies about stalkers he watched? But he gets it, this time.

He wasn't going to necessarily walk up to Genos, since things are still risky apparently... but hey. A few minutes wouldn't hurt. He tugs out the CD that Squalo gave him, and that he had Roy sign.]

Hey, Genos. Squalo's there, too?

[He has no idea what's about to hit him.]

[wounds]

[Genos practically freezes as soon as he lays eyes on Saitama.

This is the person he put on a pedestal for so long, the person he would have done anything for. He said, right to his face, that no matter what happened he would follow him.

It rings true in his heart, but false in his mind.

Instead of perking up at the sight of him, he backs away. He has no idea how he wants to approach- or even if he wants to approach at all, and so-]

Leave me alone.

[heroforfun]

[Whoa. What? Saitama blinks, surprised.]

Whoa. Is it not safe?

[He looks around, assuming that the guards are on to him.]

[trn451]

Hi, hi, from the label, sorry, excuse me. [So it turns out you can bullshit your way to the front of any line and behind any table as long as you're confident about it, and besides, it's not like Parker's really lying. She's from a label, after all.

She very casually insinuates herself next to Genos, leaning sideways against the table as he signs things.]

That was...gentle. Branching out?

[wounds]

Parker?

[He signs the next CD they side over to him without much thought.]

Yeah, it's still rock after all. Why? Did it sound too weird coming out of me?

[trn451]

A little. [She shrugs.] I tried to put something subtler together a couple weeks back and I still think I went too hard on the chorus, but. [Another pause.] Mostly I wanted to ask who the lucky guy was.