EIGHTH STRING INSTINCT
#kimchay | AU, no mafia |🔞
Porchay accidentally ends up tour managing one of his favorite bands. At first, Kim had fought Chay's addition to his band's road team tooth and nail, but now finds himself drawn to Chay.
Too bad Chay thinks Kim hates him.
#8SI
#kimchay | AU, no mafia |🔞
Porchay accidentally ends up tour managing one of his favorite bands. At first, Kim had fought Chay's addition to his band's road team tooth and nail, but now finds himself drawn to Chay.
Too bad Chay thinks Kim hates him.
#8SI
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It had gone something like this:
When Chay was finishing up the last semester of his undergrad degree in sound engineering, Porsche had landed a spot in the dance troupe for the Howl World Tour with multiplatinum global pop artist Bambi Jackson.
It had gone something like this:
When Chay was finishing up the last semester of his undergrad degree in sound engineering, Porsche had landed a spot in the dance troupe for the Howl World Tour with multiplatinum global pop artist Bambi Jackson.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It was an insane opportunity, the kind of thing that dancers in the hypercompetitive Los Arcos talent market may spend 25 years or more working toward and never get.
It was an insane opportunity, the kind of thing that dancers in the hypercompetitive Los Arcos talent market may spend 25 years or more working toward and never get.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But there has never been a single human alive willing to work harder for what they want than Porsche Pachara Kittisawat, at least when he’s confident that he 𝘤𝘢𝘯 without neglecting his brother.
But there has never been a single human alive willing to work harder for what they want than Porsche Pachara Kittisawat, at least when he’s confident that he 𝘤𝘢𝘯 without neglecting his brother.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
So when Porsche had come to Chay the day after his last exam and told him the news, Chay didn’t 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 run straight into Porsche’s room and start packing his bags for him, but he didn’t 𝘯𝘰𝘵, either.
So when Porsche had come to Chay the day after his last exam and told him the news, Chay didn’t 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 run straight into Porsche’s room and start packing his bags for him, but he didn’t 𝘯𝘰𝘵, either.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Porsche had endured this with as much grace as he could, considering his level of anxiety over leaving Chay to fend for himself was visible from space. But Chay had an answer for this too.
“Hia, I’m 21. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
Porsche had endured this with as much grace as he could, considering his level of anxiety over leaving Chay to fend for himself was visible from space. But Chay had an answer for this too.
“Hia, I’m 21. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
When Porsche’s face had fallen at this, Chay had quickly continued so as to get ahead of Porsche’s incoming wall of self-deprecation:
“And it’s not because of you. It’s because I’m not a kid anymore, I’ve had to grow up the same way you did.”
When Porsche’s face had fallen at this, Chay had quickly continued so as to get ahead of Porsche’s incoming wall of self-deprecation:
“And it’s not because of you. It’s because I’m not a kid anymore, I’ve had to grow up the same way you did.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘣, says the current of meaning beneath Chay’s actual words. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥.
𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘫𝘰𝘣, says the current of meaning beneath Chay’s actual words. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
A long beat fell between them. Porsche’s eyes started to water, even though he was smiling.
“Oh no, hia if you cry I’m going to cry too—”
Porsche scooped Chay into a bone-crushing hug so fast Chay hadn’t even gotten his hands over his brother’s shoulders.
A long beat fell between them. Porsche’s eyes started to water, even though he was smiling.
“Oh no, hia if you cry I’m going to cry too—”
Porsche scooped Chay into a bone-crushing hug so fast Chay hadn’t even gotten his hands over his brother’s shoulders.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“I’ll call every day.”
“Don’t you dare,” Chay said when he could breathe again, his voice thick with tears now too. “You’ve earned this. You’ve 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 than earned this. I want you to enjoy it.”
With one last squeeze, Porsche let Chay go.
“I’ll call every day.”
“Don’t you dare,” Chay said when he could breathe again, his voice thick with tears now too. “You’ve earned this. You’ve 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 than earned this. I want you to enjoy it.”
With one last squeeze, Porsche let Chay go.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He was still smiling when he wiped his tears off on the back of his hand, planting a kiss on Chay’s temple before booking it up the stairs of their family home in Palomino Hills to go tell his manager the good news.
He was still smiling when he wiped his tears off on the back of his hand, planting a kiss on Chay’s temple before booking it up the stairs of their family home in Palomino Hills to go tell his manager the good news.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay had only just started moving again when Porsche came back downstairs.
“When do you leave?”
“About a month, I think? We’ve got some rehearsals, plus there’s some stuff like visas we have to get for some of the stops in South America.”
Chay had only just started moving again when Porsche came back downstairs.
“When do you leave?”
“About a month, I think? We’ve got some rehearsals, plus there’s some stuff like visas we have to get for some of the stops in South America.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢. Porsche wasn’t kidding, this really is a world tour. Still, with Porsche home until just after new year, the fact Chay was about to be on winter break meant they got to spend most of that time together when Porsche wasn’t training.
𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢. Porsche wasn’t kidding, this really is a world tour. Still, with Porsche home until just after new year, the fact Chay was about to be on winter break meant they got to spend most of that time together when Porsche wasn’t training.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
About a week after Porsche leaves for the tour, Chay will begin his final semester at the University of Calafia – Los Arcos, where he’s on full scholarship. It’s a bit of a hike to get to campus from here, but living in the house his parents had left him
About a week after Porsche leaves for the tour, Chay will begin his final semester at the University of Calafia – Los Arcos, where he’s on full scholarship. It’s a bit of a hike to get to campus from here, but living in the house his parents had left him
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and Porsche when they died does mean he doesn’t have to pay rent.
And when he’d seen the email in his inbox informing him that he’d landed his top choice internship, it had been all Chay could do 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to get on Porsche’s motorcycle and chase his plane down
and Porsche when they died does mean he doesn’t have to pay rent.
And when he’d seen the email in his inbox informing him that he’d landed his top choice internship, it had been all Chay could do 𝘯𝘰𝘵 to get on Porsche’s motorcycle and chase his plane down
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
on the tarmac and wave a printout of the good news for him and Macau to see.
Macau was the other catalyst to this whole thing, Chay thinks, though he’s never confirmed it. Macau is Chay’s age, but he dances with Porsche,
on the tarmac and wave a printout of the good news for him and Macau to see.
Macau was the other catalyst to this whole thing, Chay thinks, though he’s never confirmed it. Macau is Chay’s age, but he dances with Porsche,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and they teach classes together and get booked for enough of the same jobs that Macau has become his friend, too, not just Porsche’s coworker. In fact, Macau is probably 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 his friend than Porsche’s, if Chay had to guess.
and they teach classes together and get booked for enough of the same jobs that Macau has become his friend, too, not just Porsche’s coworker. In fact, Macau is probably 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 his friend than Porsche’s, if Chay had to guess.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
That Macau is also the nephew of the CEO of one of the biggest music labels in the city, if not the world, is not lost on Chay either.
In the end, it may have been both of them who’d done it.
That Macau is also the nephew of the CEO of one of the biggest music labels in the city, if not the world, is not lost on Chay either.
In the end, it may have been both of them who’d done it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Porsche’s boyfriend works at that label, and Kinn has been absolutely besotted with Porsche since they first met on a dance set. The kind of besotted where if Porsche asked for a ring made of crystals only found on the moon, Kinn would find a way to get them.
Porsche’s boyfriend works at that label, and Kinn has been absolutely besotted with Porsche since they first met on a dance set. The kind of besotted where if Porsche asked for a ring made of crystals only found on the moon, Kinn would find a way to get them.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Probably Porsche had dropped a hint to Kinn that Chay is studying sound engineering; probably Macau had had to 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬—
Probably Porsche had dropped a hint to Kinn that Chay is studying sound engineering; probably Macau had had to 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘣 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘤𝘬—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥, then taken Chay on an hour-long tour of the record label’s main headquarters even though A) it was a Saturday and B) Macau isn’t even signed with them.
𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥, then taken Chay on an hour-long tour of the record label’s main headquarters even though A) it was a Saturday and B) Macau isn’t even signed with them.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Like every other professional LA dancer who is any good, he’s signed with one of the smaller dance houses: Cube, the same one Porsche is signed to.
Like every other professional LA dancer who is any good, he’s signed with one of the smaller dance houses: Cube, the same one Porsche is signed to.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Because of the way Thai names work, he’s known Macau is of the Theerapanyakuls of Theerapanyakul Music Records—TMR, as it was known, since Americans are allergic to long surnames—from the moment Macau had introduced himself to Chay
Because of the way Thai names work, he’s known Macau is of the Theerapanyakuls of Theerapanyakul Music Records—TMR, as it was known, since Americans are allergic to long surnames—from the moment Macau had introduced himself to Chay
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
after the dance class Porsche had been letting him film as part of his final project for his visual media minor. Even so, Chay had still had to hide his shock when Macau turned onto one of the most famous mountain roads in Los Arcos,
after the dance class Porsche had been letting him film as part of his final project for his visual media minor. Even so, Chay had still had to hide his shock when Macau turned onto one of the most famous mountain roads in Los Arcos,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
drove them nearly to the top, then stopped in front of an ornate golden gate.
“Holy shit,” Chay had said.
drove them nearly to the top, then stopped in front of an ornate golden gate.
“Holy shit,” Chay had said.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Right?!” Macau was grinning again as he waited for the gate to open. “I 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘶𝘱 here and it’s still never stopped being cool.”
𝘈 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦.
“Right?!” Macau was grinning again as he waited for the gate to open. “I 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘶𝘱 here and it’s still never stopped being cool.”
𝘈 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But it had only gotten worse from there. With his father overseas on business at the old family house in Thailand for a couple of weeks, Macau left his car off to one side of the carriage rotunda in front of the main entrance to the house,
But it had only gotten worse from there. With his father overseas on business at the old family house in Thailand for a couple of weeks, Macau left his car off to one side of the carriage rotunda in front of the main entrance to the house,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and had had to grab Chay’s wrist and tug him inside so he wouldn’t just stare at the house.
Once inside, Macau had taken the half-spiral stairs two at a time, nearly running until he stopped suddenly, apparently sensing Chay wasn’t following him.
and had had to grab Chay’s wrist and tug him inside so he wouldn’t just stare at the house.
Once inside, Macau had taken the half-spiral stairs two at a time, nearly running until he stopped suddenly, apparently sensing Chay wasn’t following him.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Come on, you don’t have to just stand there! I’m assuming you don’t have swim shorts with you?”
And so it was. The two of them changed, then Macau tugged Chay back downstairs and presumably toward the pool, though Chay couldn’t have had any idea otherwise,
“Come on, you don’t have to just stand there! I’m assuming you don’t have swim shorts with you?”
And so it was. The two of them changed, then Macau tugged Chay back downstairs and presumably toward the pool, though Chay couldn’t have had any idea otherwise,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
stopping only to grab a vaguely guitar-shaped bottle of reddish liquor off a bar cabinet halfway down a short hallway.
stopping only to grab a vaguely guitar-shaped bottle of reddish liquor off a bar cabinet halfway down a short hallway.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And then he’d taken off at a run with two crystal glasses in one hand and a three-figure bottle of liquor in the other and hip checked the door open, spun on his heel, and disappeared out into the daylight.
And then he’d taken off at a run with two crystal glasses in one hand and a three-figure bottle of liquor in the other and hip checked the door open, spun on his heel, and disappeared out into the daylight.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay followed, but slower, quieter—as though his mere presence in the house might break something. When he got outside, Macau was shooing away a bewildered poolhand while he dragged two huge lounge chairs together on either side of a small magazine table.
Chay followed, but slower, quieter—as though his mere presence in the house might break something. When he got outside, Macau was shooing away a bewildered poolhand while he dragged two huge lounge chairs together on either side of a small magazine table.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Pinky promise you’re not going to get sucked down into the underworld if you lay down on that chair,” Macau said after about half a minute, without otherwise moving at all.
“Pinky promise you’re not going to get sucked down into the underworld if you lay down on that chair,” Macau said after about half a minute, without otherwise moving at all.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay sat, then, and when he stretched his legs out on the chair and toed his sandals off, he heard Macau exhale a contented 𝘩𝘮𝘮𝘮𝘮 as he threw an arm over his eyes to block the sunlight. A few beats later, Macau kicked off his sandals too.
Chay sat, then, and when he stretched his legs out on the chair and toed his sandals off, he heard Macau exhale a contented 𝘩𝘮𝘮𝘮𝘮 as he threw an arm over his eyes to block the sunlight. A few beats later, Macau kicked off his sandals too.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“God I love being home. Too bad it usually comes with a side of being around my father.” Macau pulled his hat down over his face. “Though my youngest son I-don’t-give-a-fuck-about-you privilege does spare me most of it I guess. But anyway,
“God I love being home. Too bad it usually comes with a side of being around my father.” Macau pulled his hat down over his face. “Though my youngest son I-don’t-give-a-fuck-about-you privilege does spare me most of it I guess. But anyway,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
enough depressing stuff.” Macau had turned a bit onto his side so he was facing Chay. “Porsche said you’re looking for an apprenticeship next semester?”
“More of an internship, not quite that formal,” Chay had answered, climbing slowly onto the chair.
enough depressing stuff.” Macau had turned a bit onto his side so he was facing Chay. “Porsche said you’re looking for an apprenticeship next semester?”
“More of an internship, not quite that formal,” Chay had answered, climbing slowly onto the chair.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Macau had grinned over the edge of his. “Oh? Tell me more.”
So Chay had—for the next couple of hours, in fact, long enough for Chay to learn that while Macau was always eager to fill any silence with noise, he was also a surprisingly attentive listener.
Macau had grinned over the edge of his. “Oh? Tell me more.”
So Chay had—for the next couple of hours, in fact, long enough for Chay to learn that while Macau was always eager to fill any silence with noise, he was also a surprisingly attentive listener.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And he seemed genuinely interested in Chay’s studies.
“It sounds like you’re looking to be a producer,” Macau said after a while.
“Mm, kind of? I’ve always been drawn more to live music. How to bring out the best form of the sound in a space.”
And he seemed genuinely interested in Chay’s studies.
“It sounds like you’re looking to be a producer,” Macau said after a while.
“Mm, kind of? I’ve always been drawn more to live music. How to bring out the best form of the sound in a space.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Like the purest form of a sound.”
Chay smiled at that, even though Macau’s eyes were closed again. “I guess you could say that.”
“That’s meta as fuck.”
“Like the purest form of a sound.”
Chay smiled at that, even though Macau’s eyes were closed again. “I guess you could say that.”
“That’s meta as fuck.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And then, before Chay could elaborate, the door they’d come out of earlier had opened as someone walked briskly out onto the pool deck.
“Macau, where’s Vegas? I’m picking up an Orange Squeezer from him and he said to meet here rather than his place.”
And then, before Chay could elaborate, the door they’d come out of earlier had opened as someone walked briskly out onto the pool deck.
“Macau, where’s Vegas? I’m picking up an Orange Squeezer from him and he said to meet here rather than his place.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Hello to you too, dear cousin. That sounds like something you should ask the kitchen staff about.”
“It’s a guitar pedal,” both Chay and the newcomer said at the same time.
One of Macau’s brows about disappeared into his hairline.
“Hello to you too, dear cousin. That sounds like something you should ask the kitchen staff about.”
“It’s a guitar pedal,” both Chay and the newcomer said at the same time.
One of Macau’s brows about disappeared into his hairline.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
When it became obvious the newcomer wasn’t going to elaborate, Chay did. “Small Dan Armstrong unit that plugs right into a guitar. Super smooth compression.”
“I have no idea what that means, but sounds important,” Macau said to Chay.
When it became obvious the newcomer wasn’t going to elaborate, Chay did. “Small Dan Armstrong unit that plugs right into a guitar. Super smooth compression.”
“I have no idea what that means, but sounds important,” Macau said to Chay.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He glanced at his cousin again. The itch to turn around and do likewise was almost unbearable. “Did you try calling him?”
“Obviously. It took me over an hour to get here, do you really think I’d just—”
He glanced at his cousin again. The itch to turn around and do likewise was almost unbearable. “Did you try calling him?”
“Obviously. It took me over an hour to get here, do you really think I’d just—”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Kim,” a new voice said from the same close door, this one entirely new. “I’ve got it. Let them be.”
𝘒𝘪𝘮—?
Chay’s curiosity slipped its leash just as Macau’s cousin turned and walked back toward the person now holding the door—Vegas, if he’d heard right.
“Kim,” a new voice said from the same close door, this one entirely new. “I’ve got it. Let them be.”
𝘒𝘪𝘮—?
Chay’s curiosity slipped its leash just as Macau’s cousin turned and walked back toward the person now holding the door—Vegas, if he’d heard right.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But 𝘧𝘢𝘳 more importantly—
“Macau, was that Kim from Arch Revival?!” Chay asked as soon as the door was closed.
“What?” Macau pushed his hat back enough to look at Chay fully while still blocking the descending sun, his face incredulous.
But 𝘧𝘢𝘳 more importantly—
“Macau, was that Kim from Arch Revival?!” Chay asked as soon as the door was closed.
“What?” Macau pushed his hat back enough to look at Chay fully while still blocking the descending sun, his face incredulous.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Fuck, I didn’t take you for a heavy metal fan. Yeah, that’s my cousin who’s too cool for us mainstreamers, why?”
Chay didn’t answer. Kim didn’t know this, he 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 know this, but he was basically the one who taught Chay to play guitar.
“Fuck, I didn’t take you for a heavy metal fan. Yeah, that’s my cousin who’s too cool for us mainstreamers, why?”
Chay didn’t answer. Kim didn’t know this, he 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 know this, but he was basically the one who taught Chay to play guitar.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay picked up his first guitar at ten. By 12, he’d discovered the online forums and guitar tutorials that had made Audiotap user @/WIK, then perhaps 18 or 19, into a known entity in the technical guitar community.
Chay picked up his first guitar at ten. By 12, he’d discovered the online forums and guitar tutorials that had made Audiotap user @/WIK, then perhaps 18 or 19, into a known entity in the technical guitar community.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
By 14, Chay could play along with about half the Creative Commons-licensed tracks WIK publicized on his Audiotap account.
At 17, he saw Arch Revival live for the first time.
“No reason,” Chay answered.
By 14, Chay could play along with about half the Creative Commons-licensed tracks WIK publicized on his Audiotap account.
At 17, he saw Arch Revival live for the first time.
“No reason,” Chay answered.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It’s one thing to explain music production and acoustic engineering to a complete layperson. It’s quite another to try and explain the taxonomy of heavy music genres to someone who doesn’t know anything about them, since none of them sound like anything else.
It’s one thing to explain music production and acoustic engineering to a complete layperson. It’s quite another to try and explain the taxonomy of heavy music genres to someone who doesn’t know anything about them, since none of them sound like anything else.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And considering Macau just called Arch Revival a heavy metal band, Chay would bet—maybe not his 8-string Prestige, that one is his baby, but maybe the Iron Label that had been his main axe before that one—
And considering Macau just called Arch Revival a heavy metal band, Chay would bet—maybe not his 8-string Prestige, that one is his baby, but maybe the Iron Label that had been his main axe before that one—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
that Macau couldn’t explain the difference between hardcore and djent at gunpoint.
“Ah? No?” Macau was fully on his side now, his head propped up on a hand. “That wasn’t a reaction that gets away with ‘no reason.’ I’m onto you, sir.”
that Macau couldn’t explain the difference between hardcore and djent at gunpoint.
“Ah? No?” Macau was fully on his side now, his head propped up on a hand. “That wasn’t a reaction that gets away with ‘no reason.’ I’m onto you, sir.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
After that day, though, Chay hadn’t seen Macau again during break—and by then, by the time the letter from TMR arrived in his inbox, Macau and Porsche were both on their way to São Paulo.
× × × × ×
[ 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 ]
“Chay!”
After that day, though, Chay hadn’t seen Macau again during break—and by then, by the time the letter from TMR arrived in his inbox, Macau and Porsche were both on their way to São Paulo.
× × × × ×
[ 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳 ]
“Chay!”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Porsche greets him around a mouthful of food as he video calls Chay one day while Chay is getting ready for work. Chay props his phone up against a bottle of lotion so his hands are free.
“Where are you? It’s dark.”
Porsche greets him around a mouthful of food as he video calls Chay one day while Chay is getting ready for work. Chay props his phone up against a bottle of lotion so his hands are free.
“Where are you? It’s dark.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Brisbane!” Porsche finishes his bite and swallows. “Then Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and I think that’s it, then we’re home for a bit. 𝘎𝘰𝘥 I miss my bed.”
“Not me? I see how it is.”
Porsche laughs.
“Brisbane!” Porsche finishes his bite and swallows. “Then Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and I think that’s it, then we’re home for a bit. 𝘎𝘰𝘥 I miss my bed.”
“Not me? I see how it is.”
Porsche laughs.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“That’s a given. But enough about tour stuff, it’s always the same. How’s your internship? You’ve gotta be getting close to the end, right, finals are in like a week—”
“Yeah, it’s going really well. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 well.
“That’s a given. But enough about tour stuff, it’s always the same. How’s your internship? You’ve gotta be getting close to the end, right, finals are in like a week—”
“Yeah, it’s going really well. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 well.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
They’ve got me producing a couple of debut singles completely on my own, with just the final approval of the VP.”
“I’m so proud of you, Chay. Not surprised at all, but still. You’re good, you work hard, and you care.”
“Guess who I got that from.”
They’ve got me producing a couple of debut singles completely on my own, with just the final approval of the VP.”
“I’m so proud of you, Chay. Not surprised at all, but still. You’re good, you work hard, and you care.”
“Guess who I got that from.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
There’s a beat, and Porsche bites his lip as he fights a grin and changes the subject. “It’s really late here. I have to go to bed. But I have it on good authority you’re going to get a really good assignment today.”
There’s a beat, and Porsche bites his lip as he fights a grin and changes the subject. “It’s really late here. I have to go to bed. But I have it on good authority you’re going to get a really good assignment today.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay’s brows cross. “Why would they be giving me another assignment? I’m only there a few more days and these tracks are going to take all of that time.”
“Trust me, they hand-picked you for this,” Porsche continues, interrupting Chay’s train of thought.
Chay’s brows cross. “Why would they be giving me another assignment? I’m only there a few more days and these tracks are going to take all of that time.”
“Trust me, they hand-picked you for this,” Porsche continues, interrupting Chay’s train of thought.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“It’s live music you prefer making, right?”
“I mean, yeah, but that’s hard to do during business hours. Live shows are always at night.”
“Don’t I know it,” Porsche says through a huge yawn. “Anyway, be sure to act surprised, I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
“It’s live music you prefer making, right?”
“I mean, yeah, but that’s hard to do during business hours. Live shows are always at night.”
“Don’t I know it,” Porsche says through a huge yawn. “Anyway, be sure to act surprised, I wasn’t supposed to tell you.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Go to sleep, hia.”
Chay’s voice is fond but firm. Porsche smiles and nods.
“Love you, nong.”
“Love you too.”
—
Chay doesn’t have to wait long. The surprise Porsche had mentioned is waiting for him in the lobby of TMR headquarters when Chay gets to work.
“Go to sleep, hia.”
Chay’s voice is fond but firm. Porsche smiles and nods.
“Love you, nong.”
“Love you too.”
—
Chay doesn’t have to wait long. The surprise Porsche had mentioned is waiting for him in the lobby of TMR headquarters when Chay gets to work.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Big is wearing a smart suit, like he usually does, though something about it is just a hair less formal than usual. Might be the lack of a tie. His hair is half up as usual, though, showing both sides of his undercut. This time it has lines cut into it.
Big is wearing a smart suit, like he usually does, though something about it is just a hair less formal than usual. Might be the lack of a tie. His hair is half up as usual, though, showing both sides of his undercut. This time it has lines cut into it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Immediately Chay is on edge.
“Porchay, I have a favor to ask.”
𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴, Chay thinks. His technical boss is Ken, the production manager over the sorts of nascent pop stars Chay has been producing for.
Immediately Chay is on edge.
“Porchay, I have a favor to ask.”
𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘴, Chay thinks. His technical boss is Ken, the production manager over the sorts of nascent pop stars Chay has been producing for.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But Ken’s boss is Vegas, who is a VP at the label, and who has taken a special interest in Chay after seeing both his work ethic and product. Chay has seen more of Vegas than Ken these last four months.
But Ken’s boss is Vegas, who is a VP at the label, and who has taken a special interest in Chay after seeing both his work ethic and product. Chay has seen more of Vegas than Ken these last four months.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He’s seen Big maybe a dozen times. Big is a booking agent, and his entire job is to build tours for artists that hit the right venues on the right days in the right order for a price that makes the label and the artist happy,
He’s seen Big maybe a dozen times. Big is a booking agent, and his entire job is to build tours for artists that hit the right venues on the right days in the right order for a price that makes the label and the artist happy,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and to beat everyone else who is gunning for those same slots. It’s a job that requires a lot of travel, a lot of good business relationships, and a specific brand of industry tact that Chay can recognize on sight but which he completely lacks himself.
and to beat everyone else who is gunning for those same slots. It’s a job that requires a lot of travel, a lot of good business relationships, and a specific brand of industry tact that Chay can recognize on sight but which he completely lacks himself.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Okay??”
The statement comes out a question.
“I’m told you want to get out from behind a desk,” Big says. “A good friend of mine is in a bind. His tour manager abruptly quit about three weeks ago and they have a US/Canada tour slated to start on Thursday.”
“Okay??”
The statement comes out a question.
“I’m told you want to get out from behind a desk,” Big says. “A good friend of mine is in a bind. His tour manager abruptly quit about three weeks ago and they have a US/Canada tour slated to start on Thursday.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Thursday like three days from now.” Big nods. “Are they on TMR?”
“No. Unsigned.”
“They need a tour manager.”
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵—?!”
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?! Tour managing could not possibly be further from what Chay’s current music job is—
“Thursday like three days from now.” Big nods. “Are they on TMR?”
“No. Unsigned.”
“They need a tour manager.”
“𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵—?!”
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵?! Tour managing could not possibly be further from what Chay’s current music job is—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“They also need a sound tech. They’ve been relying on venues to provide them and they deserve better, but Kim is stubborn and won’t listen to me.”
Wait. 𝘒𝘪𝘮—?
“You’re not—hang on. You’re not talking about Kim from Arch Revival, are you?”
“They also need a sound tech. They’ve been relying on venues to provide them and they deserve better, but Kim is stubborn and won’t listen to me.”
Wait. 𝘒𝘪𝘮—?
“You’re not—hang on. You’re not talking about Kim from Arch Revival, are you?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Big pauses. There’s a beat.
“And if I were?”
“Oh my god.”
And yet, two days later, Chay is alone in a café he doesn’t even remember the name of, pouring over stacks upon stacks of emails and contracts Big had sent him in a zip file.
Big pauses. There’s a beat.
“And if I were?”
“Oh my god.”
And yet, two days later, Chay is alone in a café he doesn’t even remember the name of, pouring over stacks upon stacks of emails and contracts Big had sent him in a zip file.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay can’t even concretely remember saying yes. But he does remember the way Big had smiled wider than he’d ever seen and clapped Chay over the shoulder, promising to send him every last thing he needs to be able to handle Arch Revival on the road.
Chay can’t even concretely remember saying yes. But he does remember the way Big had smiled wider than he’d ever seen and clapped Chay over the shoulder, promising to send him every last thing he needs to be able to handle Arch Revival on the road.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Because that’s essentially his job. In a very real way, he’s about to become his guitar hero’s boss.
Chay sits back in his café chair with a long sigh.
—
—
—
—
[ end of part one. ]
Because that’s essentially his job. In a very real way, he’s about to become his guitar hero’s boss.
Chay sits back in his café chair with a long sigh.
—
—
—
—
[ end of part one. ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
jump top-of-thread navigation post:
jump top-of-thread navigation post:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625640607698788352?s=20&t=ZE_ozfyKUl8F_OrNdmMBQQ
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
- [ part two. kim ] -
To say Kim was furious with Big when he’d found out about his meddling was the 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 generous way he could possibly put it.
Helping him get another tour manager, fine. But the kid hasn’t even graduated college yet.
- [ part two. kim ] -
To say Kim was furious with Big when he’d found out about his meddling was the 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 generous way he could possibly put it.
Helping him get another tour manager, fine. But the kid hasn’t even graduated college yet.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Sure, he’s technically about to, but he’s also 21 and has no idea what the fuck he’s doing. That alone would be enough of a reason to completely veto this.
But plucking that tour manager from the 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 of TMR’s nepotistic core?
Sure, he’s technically about to, but he’s also 21 and has no idea what the fuck he’s doing. That alone would be enough of a reason to completely veto this.
But plucking that tour manager from the 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 of TMR’s nepotistic core?
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Porchay works for Vegas and is friends with Macau. He’s his brother’s boyfriend’s brother. Short of an actual blood relation, Big couldn’t possibly have picked anyone more thoroughly TMR to be his tour manager,
Porchay works for Vegas and is friends with Macau. He’s his brother’s boyfriend’s brother. Short of an actual blood relation, Big couldn’t possibly have picked anyone more thoroughly TMR to be his tour manager,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and Kim hasn’t spent the last decade of his life hauling both himself and his band out of his family’s enormous shadow just to get lassoed back in like this.
Kim has never wanted his family’s help.
and Kim hasn’t spent the last decade of his life hauling both himself and his band out of his family’s enormous shadow just to get lassoed back in like this.
Kim has never wanted his family’s help.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘏𝘦’𝘥 built this band, scouting people with the right mix of talent, creativity, and willingness to chase a long shot as far as they could. Progressive metal is among the hardest genres to find mainstream commercial success in,
𝘏𝘦’𝘥 built this band, scouting people with the right mix of talent, creativity, and willingness to chase a long shot as far as they could. Progressive metal is among the hardest genres to find mainstream commercial success in,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and he’d needed people who liked each other and who believed in the music hard enough to fight their way out of the morass of prog and metalcore bands that all sound the same.
And they’d done it.
and he’d needed people who liked each other and who believed in the music hard enough to fight their way out of the morass of prog and metalcore bands that all sound the same.
And they’d done it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Now, Arch Revival is known as one of the best bands in their scene, pioneering an entirely new style of heavy music that dozens of upcomers have imitated but never matched.
Now, Arch Revival is known as one of the best bands in their scene, pioneering an entirely new style of heavy music that dozens of upcomers have imitated but never matched.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘈𝘯𝘥 they’d done all this without ever signing to a label, producing and releasing everything they make themselves.
So when Big called him the morning he’d offered the kid the job without Kim’s consent, Kim picked up on the first ring.
𝘈𝘯𝘥 they’d done all this without ever signing to a label, producing and releasing everything they make themselves.
So when Big called him the morning he’d offered the kid the job without Kim’s consent, Kim picked up on the first ring.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“You’d better have a 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 good explanation for this.”
“𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.”
Kim rolled his eyes, even though Big couldn’t see. There was a smile in Big’s retort.
“Blow me away, then.”
“You’d better have a 𝘥𝘢𝘮𝘯 good explanation for this.”
“𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.”
Kim rolled his eyes, even though Big couldn’t see. There was a smile in Big’s retort.
“Blow me away, then.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳
“𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘝𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴. 𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺 40-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘷𝘦𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰.”
𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴. 𝘏𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺 40-𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘷𝘦𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘒𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘰.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim is onto Big, though. They’ve been friends for too long.
“Did you finally propose to Lyra?”
Lyra, Big’s girlfriend, is the younger sister of one of the more prominent agents at TMR. They’ve been dating a long time.
Kim is onto Big, though. They’ve been friends for too long.
“Did you finally propose to Lyra?”
Lyra, Big’s girlfriend, is the younger sister of one of the more prominent agents at TMR. They’ve been dating a long time.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It’s also been nearly ten seconds and Big still hasn’t answered the question.
“Big,” he prompts again.
There’s a quick huff of air on the other end, and then:
“𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬.”
There's a long beat.
It’s also been nearly ten seconds and Big still hasn’t answered the question.
“Big,” he prompts again.
There’s a quick huff of air on the other end, and then:
“𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬.”
There's a long beat.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“You did not,” Kim answers, but already he feels the smile overtaking his face. “Mother𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳, and you didn’t even tell me? Your oldest friend? The one who still supports you despite your defection to TMR?”
“You did not,” Kim answers, but already he feels the smile overtaking his face. “Mother𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳, and you didn’t even tell me? Your oldest friend? The one who still supports you despite your defection to TMR?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦.”
There’s nothing but joy behind Big’s words, though. Kim knocks a fist edge-first into the metal of Arch Revival’s equipment trailer and laughs.
“𝘐’𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘦.”
There’s nothing but joy behind Big’s words, though. Kim knocks a fist edge-first into the metal of Arch Revival’s equipment trailer and laughs.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Get the fuck off the phone and go be with your 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦. You owe me about this.”
“𝘞𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰.”
“Oh, you think 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 compensation—?”
“Get the fuck off the phone and go be with your 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦. You owe me about this.”
“𝘞𝘦’𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘥𝘰.”
“Oh, you think 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 compensation—?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But the line is already dead. Kim rakes a hand through his hair and pockets his phone, his mood already souring again.
—
The next couple of days are a blur.
But the line is already dead. Kim rakes a hand through his hair and pockets his phone, his mood already souring again.
—
The next couple of days are a blur.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
As with the start of any tour, both the band and their road crew are running all around the city, tracking down what equipment is stored where, making sure it works, getting the bus inspected, making sure everyone’s passports aren’t expired.
As with the start of any tour, both the band and their road crew are running all around the city, tracking down what equipment is stored where, making sure it works, getting the bus inspected, making sure everyone’s passports aren’t expired.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Because the trailer is also in one of Kim’s garages, Kim had already tested and loaded most of the equipment he could carry by himself into the back of the trailer. There’s still about half of it to go by the time Game, Arch Revival’s rhythm guitarist,
Because the trailer is also in one of Kim’s garages, Kim had already tested and loaded most of the equipment he could carry by himself into the back of the trailer. There’s still about half of it to go by the time Game, Arch Revival’s rhythm guitarist,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
is backing his pickup truck holding another small trailer’s worth down Kim’s cobbled driveway.
Kim is sitting on an amp with a cigarette as Game gets out of his truck, immediately looking at Kim with disapproval.
“I thought you quit.”
“I did.”
is backing his pickup truck holding another small trailer’s worth down Kim’s cobbled driveway.
Kim is sitting on an amp with a cigarette as Game gets out of his truck, immediately looking at Kim with disapproval.
“I thought you quit.”
“I did.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Then what the fuck is that?”
Kim takes a drag and exhales a long line of smoke.
“Me trying not to think too hard about how we’re going to be training a new tour manager 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳.”
“Then what the fuck is that?”
Kim takes a drag and exhales a long line of smoke.
“Me trying not to think too hard about how we’re going to be training a new tour manager 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Game’s hands are in his back pockets as he and Kim stare each other down for a few long seconds. Game breaks first, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
“Whatever. It’s your throat. And hey, if we’re lucky, maybe the kid can sing, too.”
Game’s hands are in his back pockets as he and Kim stare each other down for a few long seconds. Game breaks first, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
“Whatever. It’s your throat. And hey, if we’re lucky, maybe the kid can sing, too.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim puts out his cigarette on the side of the amp and stands in a whirl, making immediately for Game’s trailer.
Kim and Game make pretty quick work of the rest of the gear in this haul, stacking in amps and soundboards and all manner of other equipment.
Kim puts out his cigarette on the side of the amp and stands in a whirl, making immediately for Game’s trailer.
Kim and Game make pretty quick work of the rest of the gear in this haul, stacking in amps and soundboards and all manner of other equipment.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
By the time they’re done, they’re both sweating. Game wipes his forehead off on the back of his hand.
“Want to come in?” Kim offers.
“Nah. I want to catch a few more hours of normal with Amanda before I leave my pregnant wife alone for seven weeks.”
By the time they’re done, they’re both sweating. Game wipes his forehead off on the back of his hand.
“Want to come in?” Kim offers.
“Nah. I want to catch a few more hours of normal with Amanda before I leave my pregnant wife alone for seven weeks.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Are you ready?”
Kim doesn’t mean for the tour. Game knows that.
“Ha. Not even close.”
“Good.” Kim claps his friend and bandmate across the shoulders and shoves him lightly toward his truck. “Now get out of here. I’ve got the rest.”
“Are you ready?”
Kim doesn’t mean for the tour. Game knows that.
“Ha. Not even close.”
“Good.” Kim claps his friend and bandmate across the shoulders and shoves him lightly toward his truck. “Now get out of here. I’ve got the rest.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Of course you do, fucking control freak—”
But Game is grinning as he climbs back into his truck. Kim seals the door on his trailer and flips him off over his shoulder, but he’s smiling, too.
—
“Of course you do, fucking control freak—”
But Game is grinning as he climbs back into his truck. Kim seals the door on his trailer and flips him off over his shoulder, but he’s smiling, too.
—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It’s late in the evening by the time his bandmates and road crew check into the hotel they’ll be leaving from in the morning. As the years have gone by, Kim has found it’s easier this way—less running around and fighting traffic or waiting for people
It’s late in the evening by the time his bandmates and road crew check into the hotel they’ll be leaving from in the morning. As the years have gone by, Kim has found it’s easier this way—less running around and fighting traffic or waiting for people
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
to be dropped off or find a place they can safely park their car for a month and a half.
Kim and Meridian, Arch Revival’s front-of-house lead in charge of their merch sales and accounting books, check the band and crew in just shy of 11 pm.
to be dropped off or find a place they can safely park their car for a month and a half.
Kim and Meridian, Arch Revival’s front-of-house lead in charge of their merch sales and accounting books, check the band and crew in just shy of 11 pm.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Nearly everyone goes right to bed. Most of them have spent at least the last day or two hauling gear around and getting their lives in order so they can pick up where they left off once the tour ends, and this is also the last time they’ll be in actual beds
Nearly everyone goes right to bed. Most of them have spent at least the last day or two hauling gear around and getting their lives in order so they can pick up where they left off once the tour ends, and this is also the last time they’ll be in actual beds
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
until they get back.
Kim has just confirmed the morning handoff with Meridian and is about to walk out to the bus when he sees a bewildered-looking kid in a UCLA sweatshirt with a gig bag and backpack over his shoulders,
until they get back.
Kim has just confirmed the morning handoff with Meridian and is about to walk out to the bus when he sees a bewildered-looking kid in a UCLA sweatshirt with a gig bag and backpack over his shoulders,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
a large duffel bag at his feet, and what is possibly the most deer-in-headlights expression he’s ever seen on a human face.
Kim barely restrains himself from swearing aloud.
“Kim…?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m—”
“I know who you are. You’re late.”
a large duffel bag at his feet, and what is possibly the most deer-in-headlights expression he’s ever seen on a human face.
Kim barely restrains himself from swearing aloud.
“Kim…?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m—”
“I know who you are. You’re late.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The boy frowns at this. “I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow? Even though Big said to meet you guys here tonight—”
Kim is going to throttle Big next time he sees him. Kim blows by on his way out the door, pausing with his forearm on the latch.
The boy frowns at this. “I thought we weren’t leaving until tomorrow? Even though Big said to meet you guys here tonight—”
Kim is going to throttle Big next time he sees him. Kim blows by on his way out the door, pausing with his forearm on the latch.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Go check in with Meridian. You’re the last one unaccounted for. After that, I don’t care what you do.”
The boy’s frown deepens. “I was headed that way, but there’s something I need to talk to you about—”
“Ask her.”
“Go check in with Meridian. You’re the last one unaccounted for. After that, I don’t care what you do.”
The boy’s frown deepens. “I was headed that way, but there’s something I need to talk to you about—”
“Ask her.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Then he blows out the door, already feeling around in his pocket for a cigarette.
—
—
—
—
[ chay ]
When Chay’s alarm goes off at 5:45 am the next morning, he’s not entirely sure where he is.
Then he blows out the door, already feeling around in his pocket for a cigarette.
—
—
—
—
[ chay ]
When Chay’s alarm goes off at 5:45 am the next morning, he’s not entirely sure where he is.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Once he turns his alarm off, it takes him about a minute of staring up at the dark ceiling before the red numerals of the hotel clock blink back at him and the past four days hit him all at once.
Once he turns his alarm off, it takes him about a minute of staring up at the dark ceiling before the red numerals of the hotel clock blink back at him and the past four days hit him all at once.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Meridian had been as nice in person as she’d been over the phone a couple of days ago. As she’d said, when he arrived, all he’d needed to do was show his ID and the front desk gave him both his room key and her room number,
Meridian had been as nice in person as she’d been over the phone a couple of days ago. As she’d said, when he arrived, all he’d needed to do was show his ID and the front desk gave him both his room key and her room number,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and told him that everything was already paid for, so for now he should just try to get some sleep.
Chay has been studying the materials Big, Eris, and Meridian had sent him over the past few days as though he were about to have to take a final exam on this.
and told him that everything was already paid for, so for now he should just try to get some sleep.
Chay has been studying the materials Big, Eris, and Meridian had sent him over the past few days as though he were about to have to take a final exam on this.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And, having never done it before, he wasn’t sure how long it would take to set up the day, so he’d built a buffer of several hours into the morning to handle whatever of the day’s logistics needed handling before it was time to set up the first show.
And, having never done it before, he wasn’t sure how long it would take to set up the day, so he’d built a buffer of several hours into the morning to handle whatever of the day’s logistics needed handling before it was time to set up the first show.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And Kim’s bandmates are nicer than Kim. He especially likes Game and Tate, the two guitarists besides Kim, both of whom had appeared across the hall when Chay stopped by to talk to Meridian. Game in particular was pleased to see a guitar over Chay’s shoulder.
And Kim’s bandmates are nicer than Kim. He especially likes Game and Tate, the two guitarists besides Kim, both of whom had appeared across the hall when Chay stopped by to talk to Meridian. Game in particular was pleased to see a guitar over Chay’s shoulder.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“You play?”
“I do,” Chay had answered.
“Let’s see it.”
He’d seen Meridian roll her eyes and mouth goodnight to Chay before shutting her door. Chay put his backpack and duffel bag down and got out his Prestige.
“You play?”
“I do,” Chay had answered.
“Let’s see it.”
He’d seen Meridian roll her eyes and mouth goodnight to Chay before shutting her door. Chay put his backpack and duffel bag down and got out his Prestige.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Oh, shit, yeah, you really do,” Game said immediately.
“Can I see it?”
Tate. Chay nodded and handed it over.
“God this is sensitive, what pickups are these?”
Chay hadn’t lingered, though.
“Oh, shit, yeah, you really do,” Game said immediately.
“Can I see it?”
Tate. Chay nodded and handed it over.
“God this is sensitive, what pickups are these?”
Chay hadn’t lingered, though.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He’d had as long a day as the rest of them and was quickly falling asleep on his feet now that the adrenaline of first meetings with his heroes was flooding out of him.
He’d had as long a day as the rest of them and was quickly falling asleep on his feet now that the adrenaline of first meetings with his heroes was flooding out of him.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“People will probably start to get up around eight or nine,” Game had said once Chay had packed up his guitar. “Tate and I like to practice in the afternoon if we have time between the end of the drive and setup.
“People will probably start to get up around eight or nine,” Game had said once Chay had packed up his guitar. “Tate and I like to practice in the afternoon if we have time between the end of the drive and setup.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And no matter what Kim tries to tell you, tomorrow’s pretty chill until we go to the venue, so you’re welcome to join us.”
Chay uses that as his motivation as he plans out the day’s logistics, the checklist Big had given him close at hand.
And no matter what Kim tries to tell you, tomorrow’s pretty chill until we go to the venue, so you’re welcome to join us.”
Chay uses that as his motivation as he plans out the day’s logistics, the checklist Big had given him close at hand.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He opens his email to find several forwards from Game from Arch Revival’s booking agent, Eris, along with a reminder that Chay didn’t even realize how much he needed to hear:
He opens his email to find several forwards from Game from Arch Revival’s booking agent, Eris, along with a reminder that Chay didn’t even realize how much he needed to hear:
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The way Kim had snapped at him last night, Chay is pretty sure Kim hates him. Still, Chay smiles at this.
The way Kim had snapped at him last night, Chay is pretty sure Kim hates him. Still, Chay smiles at this.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
For the next couple of hours, Chay takes notes, makes quick sketches of which merch tables should go where, maps out the route from the hotel to the venue. He reads through a few more sample day plans from past tours that had been in Big’s file
For the next couple of hours, Chay takes notes, makes quick sketches of which merch tables should go where, maps out the route from the hotel to the venue. He reads through a few more sample day plans from past tours that had been in Big’s file
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and looks up the venue on Street View, comparing it with the venue floorplan from Eris so he’ll be able to tell Meridian exactly where they should park the bus to align the right equipment and merch with the right doors.
and looks up the venue on Street View, comparing it with the venue floorplan from Eris so he’ll be able to tell Meridian exactly where they should park the bus to align the right equipment and merch with the right doors.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And while he’s at it, he does the same for the rest of the week’s shows, figuring out drive times and planning stops and other logistics while he waits until a polite hour to call Big to help him vet what he’s doing.
Big picks up on the second ring.
And while he’s at it, he does the same for the rest of the week’s shows, figuring out drive times and planning stops and other logistics while he waits until a polite hour to call Big to help him vet what he’s doing.
Big picks up on the second ring.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰?”
His voice sounds dry, like he’s just woken up. But it’s 8:30. He’s usually at work by now.
“If I send you a few days’ worth of tour plans, can you vet these to see if I’m even close to right?”
“𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰?”
His voice sounds dry, like he’s just woken up. But it’s 8:30. He’s usually at work by now.
“If I send you a few days’ worth of tour plans, can you vet these to see if I’m even close to right?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦,” he says after a beat.
There’s a sound of moving fabric, then like someone walking through a house without shoes on. Already, Chay feels bad for calling, especially when he hears what sounds like a soft female voice in the background,
“𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦,” he says after a beat.
There’s a sound of moving fabric, then like someone walking through a house without shoes on. Already, Chay feels bad for calling, especially when he hears what sounds like a soft female voice in the background,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
but then there are loud keystrokes on Big’s side and the sound of clicking and scrolling with a mouse—
“𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵.”
“What?”
More scrolling and clicking, and then, after about half a minute:
but then there are loud keystrokes on Big’s side and the sound of clicking and scrolling with a mouse—
“𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵.”
“What?”
More scrolling and clicking, and then, after about half a minute:
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧.
“𝘗𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘐’𝘮 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”
𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘢 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay smiles at this. “So I’m not wildly off-base?”
Big laughs, and Chay hears him sit back in his chair.
“𝘕𝘰. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦,
Chay smiles at this. “So I’m not wildly off-base?”
Big laughs, and Chay hears him sit back in his chair.
“𝘕𝘰. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘬𝘦,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧.”
𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘺 𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘫𝘰𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘵 𝘶𝘱 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.”
So Chay does, and Eris more or less echoes what Big just said.
“𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘴𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴.”
So Chay does, and Eris more or less echoes what Big just said.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
She promises to send him her contacts list for the venues so he can confirm logistics with them a few days ahead of each, then leaves him with a promise and a warning:
She promises to send him her contacts list for the venues so he can confirm logistics with them a few days ahead of each, then leaves him with a promise and a warning:
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
—
An hour later, once Chay has made his calls, he goes downstairs for breakfast
“𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘩𝘰𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘣 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
—
An hour later, once Chay has made his calls, he goes downstairs for breakfast
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
to find the entire road crew sitting around a table off to one side of the hotel lobby.
“Porchay!” Meridian calls. “Come on over, come meet everyone!”
There’s an open seat at the side of the table nearest Chay, next to Meridian, so Chay sits down slowly,
to find the entire road crew sitting around a table off to one side of the hotel lobby.
“Porchay!” Meridian calls. “Come on over, come meet everyone!”
There’s an open seat at the side of the table nearest Chay, next to Meridian, so Chay sits down slowly,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
very aware of the fact he’s currently the center of their attention.
“Porchay, this is Tau, Petra, Leon, Pax, and Kratha—lighting tech, driver, my front-of-house minion, guitar tech, and drum tech respectively.”
“You can call me Chay,” he says to everyone.
very aware of the fact he’s currently the center of their attention.
“Porchay, this is Tau, Petra, Leon, Pax, and Kratha—lighting tech, driver, my front-of-house minion, guitar tech, and drum tech respectively.”
“You can call me Chay,” he says to everyone.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Chay, then,” the person on Meridian’s other side—𝘛𝘢𝘶, Chay thinks—says. He looks like he’s about the same age as Porsche, with dark brown skin and long hair that’s halfway back in a ponytail and a complicated geometric tattoo down his entire left arm.
“Chay, then,” the person on Meridian’s other side—𝘛𝘢𝘶, Chay thinks—says. He looks like he’s about the same age as Porsche, with dark brown skin and long hair that’s halfway back in a ponytail and a complicated geometric tattoo down his entire left arm.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“You ready for this?”
“No,” Chay admits. “But I’m already here.”
Tau and a couple others at the table laugh, but it doesn’t feel mocking. Tau reaches behind Meridian and claps Chay on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. You’ll do just fine.”
“You ready for this?”
“No,” Chay admits. “But I’m already here.”
Tau and a couple others at the table laugh, but it doesn’t feel mocking. Tau reaches behind Meridian and claps Chay on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit. You’ll do just fine.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
While Chay eats, the others share stories from past tours, both with Arch Revival and with other bands they’ve worked with, that give Chay a bit of a glimpse into what he’s in for. All of them wear multiple hats: Tau, for example, runs lights and effects,
While Chay eats, the others share stories from past tours, both with Arch Revival and with other bands they’ve worked with, that give Chay a bit of a glimpse into what he’s in for. All of them wear multiple hats: Tau, for example, runs lights and effects,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
but he’s also the stage manager, making sure equipment and instruments are in the right place and hooked up correctly.
It's then that Eris’s last statement on the phone that morning makes sense.
but he’s also the stage manager, making sure equipment and instruments are in the right place and hooked up correctly.
It's then that Eris’s last statement on the phone that morning makes sense.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Part of why you specifically are here is because you know production, so you’re going to be on sound, too,” Meridian explains.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to thoroughly induct you,” Tau says with a wink. “Want to see the bus?”
—
—
—
—
“Part of why you specifically are here is because you know production, so you’re going to be on sound, too,” Meridian explains.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to thoroughly induct you,” Tau says with a wink. “Want to see the bus?”
—
—
—
—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ kim ]
Kim finishes the last pieces of their tour prep the morning of their first show. It’s been a while since Arch Revival’s last tour and everyone is rusty on the mechanics, so Kim shows up at the venue at around two in the afternoon ready to help unpack.
[ kim ]
Kim finishes the last pieces of their tour prep the morning of their first show. It’s been a while since Arch Revival’s last tour and everyone is rusty on the mechanics, so Kim shows up at the venue at around two in the afternoon ready to help unpack.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Except when he gets there, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 is already done. There’s also no one around except Mint, their drummer, who is reskinning a snare drum in the venue because he’s completely insane.
“Where is everyone?”
Mint barely glances up.
Except when he gets there, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 is already done. There’s also no one around except Mint, their drummer, who is reskinning a snare drum in the venue because he’s completely insane.
“Where is everyone?”
Mint barely glances up.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Pax and Kratha are in the back, everyone else is at lunch. Go easy on the kid, by the way, he’s frighteningly competent.”
Pax and Kratha being in the back makes sense, as those two are the band’s guitar and drum techs.
“Pax and Kratha are in the back, everyone else is at lunch. Go easy on the kid, by the way, he’s frighteningly competent.”
Pax and Kratha being in the back makes sense, as those two are the band’s guitar and drum techs.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
After a couple of seconds, Kim hears a kickdrum as Kratha works her magic.
Kim pulls out his phone and fires off a message to Game.
Game responds nearly immediately.
After a couple of seconds, Kim hears a kickdrum as Kratha works her magic.
Kim pulls out his phone and fires off a message to Game.
Game responds nearly immediately.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim pauses. He’s feeling many things. The first is shock: Gil is one of the best Mexican restaurants in LA, and it’s not cheap.
Kim pauses. He’s feeling many things. The first is shock: Gil is one of the best Mexican restaurants in LA, and it’s not cheap.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The second is frustration, white-hot in intensity, both at Game’s laissez-faire attitude toward the afternoon before their first show, but also at—
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺? A gentler voice in Kim’s forebrain asks.
The second is frustration, white-hot in intensity, both at Game’s laissez-faire attitude toward the afternoon before their first show, but also at—
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺? A gentler voice in Kim’s forebrain asks.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The insult inherent in Game’s certainty that he was going to bitch about sound check?
Or was it that he hadn’t been invited?
Just as Kim is mulling over whether to ask to join them, Game messages again.
The insult inherent in Game’s certainty that he was going to bitch about sound check?
Or was it that he hadn’t been invited?
Just as Kim is mulling over whether to ask to join them, Game messages again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
At this, Kim lets out a breath and accepts defeat.
Joy was their last tour manager, and she was the reason Big had been scouting around for a replacement for the last few weeks. She’d quit a few weeks ago because Kim had snapped at her one too many times—
At this, Kim lets out a breath and accepts defeat.
Joy was their last tour manager, and she was the reason Big had been scouting around for a replacement for the last few weeks. She’d quit a few weeks ago because Kim had snapped at her one too many times—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
which he knew because she’d basically told him that when she quit.
Kim takes another breath, then answers.
Game’s response is quick.
which he knew because she’d basically told him that when she quit.
Kim takes another breath, then answers.
Game’s response is quick.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
That stings, but Game is right.
Kim has often forgotten in the last few days that Chay is Porsche’s brother. And while Porsche and Kinn aren’t actually engaged yet, anyone with eyesight who has met them can see they’re headed that way.
That stings, but Game is right.
Kim has often forgotten in the last few days that Chay is Porsche’s brother. And while Porsche and Kinn aren’t actually engaged yet, anyone with eyesight who has met them can see they’re headed that way.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Which means that Chay is likely going to be a fixture in his life far beyond the end of this tour.
He probably 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 make more of an effort to at least be civil.
—
In the end, the three of them are back around five.
Which means that Chay is likely going to be a fixture in his life far beyond the end of this tour.
He probably 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 make more of an effort to at least be civil.
—
In the end, the three of them are back around five.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Game, Tate, and Porchay are all laughing as they come in, clearly in a good mood. Tate has an arm across Chay’s shoulders.
Chay glances up at Kim and his smile immediately drops.
Game, Tate, and Porchay are all laughing as they come in, clearly in a good mood. Tate has an arm across Chay’s shoulders.
Chay glances up at Kim and his smile immediately drops.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim watches as Chay stars to shrug quickly out from under Tate’s arm.
“I’d better get to the sound board. Thank you so much for everything today.”
Game looks over at Kim, and is still looking at Kim as he addresses Chay.
Kim watches as Chay stars to shrug quickly out from under Tate’s arm.
“I’d better get to the sound board. Thank you so much for everything today.”
Game looks over at Kim, and is still looking at Kim as he addresses Chay.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Give me your guitar, I’ll make sure it gets stowed respectfully.”
Kim feels another flash of irritation at this, but when Chay hands him his guitar, Game turns and makes for the green room without another word.
“Give me your guitar, I’ll make sure it gets stowed respectfully.”
Kim feels another flash of irritation at this, but when Chay hands him his guitar, Game turns and makes for the green room without another word.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
That was 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 a dig. As Chay makes for the sound booth, Tate flashes Kim a warning look before going off to video call his wife and kids before the show.
That was 𝘥𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 a dig. As Chay makes for the sound booth, Tate flashes Kim a warning look before going off to video call his wife and kids before the show.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And yet, Kim’s irritation peters out faster this time, even though he also doesn’t know what to do with himself right now. Chay is clearly taking his job seriously.
So, without anything better to do, Kim watches Chay run sound check.
And yet, Kim’s irritation peters out faster this time, even though he also doesn’t know what to do with himself right now. Chay is clearly taking his job seriously.
So, without anything better to do, Kim watches Chay run sound check.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
With the lights still out, the bar in the back of the venue is dark. Chay’s back is to him as Kim sits down there on one of the black stools in front of it. After a couple of minutes behind the board, Chay darts backstage and returns with Pax and Tau,
With the lights still out, the bar in the back of the venue is dark. Chay’s back is to him as Kim sits down there on one of the black stools in front of it. After a couple of minutes behind the board, Chay darts backstage and returns with Pax and Tau,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
then watches as Chay and Tau get the lighting squared up and synced with the backtracks, a process Tau also walks Chay through step by step.
When that’s done, Chay pulls out his phone. His fingers aren’t moving, though. He seems to be scrolling down a list.
then watches as Chay and Tau get the lighting squared up and synced with the backtracks, a process Tau also walks Chay through step by step.
When that’s done, Chay pulls out his phone. His fingers aren’t moving, though. He seems to be scrolling down a list.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Pax is connecting effects pedals. While Chay is looking away, Kim makes for the stage.
“Go get something to eat. I can finish sound.”
Pax is connecting effects pedals. While Chay is looking away, Kim makes for the stage.
“Go get something to eat. I can finish sound.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Pax looks up at Kim from where he’s configuring one of Tate’s boxes with the same kind of look Game and Tate had earlier. Still, Pax heads backstage without another word.
Pax looks up at Kim from where he’s configuring one of Tate’s boxes with the same kind of look Game and Tate had earlier. Still, Pax heads backstage without another word.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
What the 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 has everyone been saying about Kim behind his back?! Kim has to actively suppress his irritation, though thankfully it’s another half minute or so before Chay puts his phone down again.
What the 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬 has everyone been saying about Kim behind his back?! Kim has to actively suppress his irritation, though thankfully it’s another half minute or so before Chay puts his phone down again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Where’d Pax go?” Chay asks.
His tone is more than a little alarmed. Now Kim just feels bad, because this is absolutely his fault.
“I told him to get dinner. You and I can finish.”
“Um. Okay, just let me—”
“Where’d Pax go?” Chay asks.
His tone is more than a little alarmed. Now Kim just feels bad, because this is absolutely his fault.
“I told him to get dinner. You and I can finish.”
“Um. Okay, just let me—”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He cuts himself off and goes back to the sound booth.
Pax had brought one of Kim’s guitars out for testing, and Kim plugs it into the compressor he’d gotten from Vegas a few months ago, and from there directly into an amp.
He cuts himself off and goes back to the sound booth.
Pax had brought one of Kim’s guitars out for testing, and Kim plugs it into the compressor he’d gotten from Vegas a few months ago, and from there directly into an amp.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He’s tested it at home but this is the first time he’ll be hearing it in a venue.
All of this takes Kim about ten seconds, which leaves plenty of time to take a seat on the amp he’s connected the compressor to and watch Chay in action from the stage.
He’s tested it at home but this is the first time he’ll be hearing it in a venue.
All of this takes Kim about ten seconds, which leaves plenty of time to take a seat on the amp he’s connected the compressor to and watch Chay in action from the stage.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
As Kim had seen before, when he’d been sitting at the board, it’s like the entire outside world falls away when Chay is behind the monitors and effects boards. He doesn’t even seem to remember that Kim is there. And this, Kim finds, is a relief.
As Kim had seen before, when he’d been sitting at the board, it’s like the entire outside world falls away when Chay is behind the monitors and effects boards. He doesn’t even seem to remember that Kim is there. And this, Kim finds, is a relief.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He flicks on the amp and runs his thumb gently down the strings, testing Pax’s tuning and making a few small adjustments before launching into the opening riff of their new single.
“𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵!! Wait, let me adjust that—”
He flicks on the amp and runs his thumb gently down the strings, testing Pax’s tuning and making a few small adjustments before launching into the opening riff of their new single.
“𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵!! Wait, let me adjust that—”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay’s shout stops Kim in his tracks. He stops playing and looks up ad Chay, who is staring at the sound boards now like he’s a heart surgeon in the middle of an operation. After a few adjustments Kim can barely even see him make, he looks up at Kim again.
Chay’s shout stops Kim in his tracks. He stops playing and looks up ad Chay, who is staring at the sound boards now like he’s a heart surgeon in the middle of an operation. After a few adjustments Kim can barely even see him make, he looks up at Kim again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Try it again now.”
Kim plays the same riff again, pauses. Looks down at the Orange Squeezer. Looks back up at Chay.
Chay is looking at Kim like he’s waiting for a verdict, blushing a bit. Kim closes his eyes and huffs a breath, shaking his head once.
“Try it again now.”
Kim plays the same riff again, pauses. Looks down at the Orange Squeezer. Looks back up at Chay.
Chay is looking at Kim like he’s waiting for a verdict, blushing a bit. Kim closes his eyes and huffs a breath, shaking his head once.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He can tell he’s smiling.
Big is going to be 𝘴𝘰 fucking smug about this.
Chay is still blushing. It would be adorable if he didn’t look so troubled.
He can tell he’s smiling.
Big is going to be 𝘴𝘰 fucking smug about this.
Chay is still blushing. It would be adorable if he didn’t look so troubled.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Still, he acknowledges Chay with a nod and puts his guitar on a stand, then goes backstage.
He’s going to fix this.
—
—
—
—
[ end of part two. ]
Still, he acknowledges Chay with a nod and puts his guitar on a stand, then goes backstage.
He’s going to fix this.
—
—
—
—
[ end of part two. ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
jump to table of contents/top of thread:
jump to table of contents/top of thread:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625640607698788352?s=20&t=5ahz8rnYEURdKQkg73pGwA
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
- [ part three. chay ] -
The first couple of weeks of the tour are a blur. The kind of blur that also feels like a dream, though. At first Chay wasn’t sure how much he’d like road life, but the band and road crew had fallen into routines pretty quickly,
- [ part three. chay ] -
The first couple of weeks of the tour are a blur. The kind of blur that also feels like a dream, though. At first Chay wasn’t sure how much he’d like road life, but the band and road crew had fallen into routines pretty quickly,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and now the days almost feel like they’re over before they start.
The layout of the day depends on how long it takes to get from place to place. Daily drives are usually between three and eight hours, and if they go longer, Eris had planned in a day off.
and now the days almost feel like they’re over before they start.
The layout of the day depends on how long it takes to get from place to place. Daily drives are usually between three and eight hours, and if they go longer, Eris had planned in a day off.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And even if the cities were close, they still got a day off every five or six shows.
On long drive days, they pretty much get to the venue and have to set up immediately. On short drive days, though, there is often time to wander around and explore.
And even if the cities were close, they still got a day off every five or six shows.
On long drive days, they pretty much get to the venue and have to set up immediately. On short drive days, though, there is often time to wander around and explore.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay and Meridian hang out a lot when they can, especially while they’re both doing work on the administrative side of the tour, as do Chay and Tau.
Chay and Meridian hang out a lot when they can, especially while they’re both doing work on the administrative side of the tour, as do Chay and Tau.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Tau in particular is a troublemaker, and even though he’s only 26, he’s been working in live music production in various capacities for a decade. He’s also basically always on tour.
“I don’t 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 work for Arch Revival,” he’d explained.
Tau in particular is a troublemaker, and even though he’s only 26, he’s been working in live music production in various capacities for a decade. He’s also basically always on tour.
“I don’t 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 work for Arch Revival,” he’d explained.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Who else have you worked for?”
Tau grinned at him over a line of smoke from his cigarette. “Want me to answer that alphabetically or chronologically?”
It was an 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘦 list, Chay quickly learned.
“Who else have you worked for?”
Tau grinned at him over a line of smoke from his cigarette. “Want me to answer that alphabetically or chronologically?”
It was an 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘦 list, Chay quickly learned.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And while Chay has been getting a crash course in road crew life from Meridian and Tau, Game and Tate have also taken Chay under their wing, including him when they practice, playing video games with him in the lounge in the back of the bus, things like that.
And while Chay has been getting a crash course in road crew life from Meridian and Tau, Game and Tate have also taken Chay under their wing, including him when they practice, playing video games with him in the lounge in the back of the bus, things like that.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Tate’s kids also apparently adore him, because they ask for Chay more often than not now whenever Tate video calls them.
Besides that, though, Chay just tries to do his job well and not take up too much space.
Tate’s kids also apparently adore him, because they ask for Chay more often than not now whenever Tate video calls them.
Besides that, though, Chay just tries to do his job well and not take up too much space.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Especially because every so often Chay finds Kim looking at him in a way he doesn’t really know what to do with, like he’s waiting for Chay to slip up or something. So Chay just takes Game’s advice, doing his best and trying to stay out of Kim’s way.
Especially because every so often Chay finds Kim looking at him in a way he doesn’t really know what to do with, like he’s waiting for Chay to slip up or something. So Chay just takes Game’s advice, doing his best and trying to stay out of Kim’s way.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
That’s a little harder to do in the close quarters of the bus, especially on long drives like the one they’re on now. They’ve just now stopped for gas after three hours on the road and have about five more to go, and Chay and Game are talking in the back.
That’s a little harder to do in the close quarters of the bus, especially on long drives like the one they’re on now. They’ve just now stopped for gas after three hours on the road and have about five more to go, and Chay and Game are talking in the back.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay had waited until Game was off the phone with his wife before wandering back there. Game’s wife, Chay had learned, was pregnant with their first kid, and they’d found out about a month before Arch Revival left on tour.
Chay had waited until Game was off the phone with his wife before wandering back there. Game’s wife, Chay had learned, was pregnant with their first kid, and they’d found out about a month before Arch Revival left on tour.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Is it hard to be away from her knowing she’s dealing with that?” Chay asks as he sits down.
Game lets his head fall back on the headrest. His arms are stretched out in both directions over the back of it.
“Is it hard to be away from her knowing she’s dealing with that?” Chay asks as he sits down.
Game lets his head fall back on the headrest. His arms are stretched out in both directions over the back of it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“It’s hard to be away from her at all. But yeah, I can’t help but feel kind of guilty. This was easier when we were all younger and less attached.”
Game keeps his arms where they are but turns to Chay.
“It’s hard to be away from her at all. But yeah, I can’t help but feel kind of guilty. This was easier when we were all younger and less attached.”
Game keeps his arms where they are but turns to Chay.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Do you have a girlfriend waiting for you at home?”
Chay blushes a bit at this and looks at the floor.
“Um. Actually, I’m gay.”
“Boyfriend, then?”
Chay looks up again. Game is smiling and there’s absolutely no judgment on his face. Chay laughs once.
“Do you have a girlfriend waiting for you at home?”
Chay blushes a bit at this and looks at the floor.
“Um. Actually, I’m gay.”
“Boyfriend, then?”
Chay looks up again. Game is smiling and there’s absolutely no judgment on his face. Chay laughs once.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Ha, no. Until TMR I’ve been too focused on school and taking care of our parents’ house while my brother is gone, and then this job happened.”
Cure, Arch Revival’s bassist who has just come onto the bus to grab an energy drink,
“Ha, no. Until TMR I’ve been too focused on school and taking care of our parents’ house while my brother is gone, and then this job happened.”
Cure, Arch Revival’s bassist who has just come onto the bus to grab an energy drink,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and he hangs off the entrance frame with one hand and leans in toward Chay and Game as though he’s sharing a secret.
“Look. Don’t do it on the bus, but you’re allowed to have fun on tour, okay?”
and he hangs off the entrance frame with one hand and leans in toward Chay and Game as though he’s sharing a secret.
“Look. Don’t do it on the bus, but you’re allowed to have fun on tour, okay?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Cure’s face is all business as he all but directs this to Chay as an order. “Safe, sane, and consensual, but don’t let our resident killjoy scare you into not living your best life.”
Cure’s face is all business as he all but directs this to Chay as an order. “Safe, sane, and consensual, but don’t let our resident killjoy scare you into not living your best life.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Says our resident fuckboy,” Game says, shoving at Cure’s shin with his foot.
“No me tachas de puta, Alvarado,” Cure barks back in Spanish, calling Game by his surname.
“Nunca diría una palabra en tu contra, 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘢.”
“Says our resident fuckboy,” Game says, shoving at Cure’s shin with his foot.
“No me tachas de puta, Alvarado,” Cure barks back in Spanish, calling Game by his surname.
“Nunca diría una palabra en tu contra, 𝘔𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘢.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
There’s no malice in this exchange, and all three of them know this, even though Chay has no idea what they’re saying. Still, Cure slaps the frame of the lounge entrance and winks at Chay before heading back out of the bus.
There’s no malice in this exchange, and all three of them know this, even though Chay has no idea what they’re saying. Still, Cure slaps the frame of the lounge entrance and winks at Chay before heading back out of the bus.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Once they’re alone again, Game rolls his eyes. But he’s blushing a bit.
“I mean, it’s not off-limits,” Game says before Chay can ask. “I actually met my wife on tour like that. She was the last person I ever slept with on tour.”
Once they’re alone again, Game rolls his eyes. But he’s blushing a bit.
“I mean, it’s not off-limits,” Game says before Chay can ask. “I actually met my wife on tour like that. She was the last person I ever slept with on tour.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“She locked it down that quickly, huh?”
Game’s smile is fond. “I mean, my ho phase wasn’t as insane as Cure’s, but my wife knows what she wants. Sometimes you just know.”
Chay laughs again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
—
—
—
—
“She locked it down that quickly, huh?”
Game’s smile is fond. “I mean, my ho phase wasn’t as insane as Cure’s, but my wife knows what she wants. Sometimes you just know.”
Chay laughs again. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
—
—
—
—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay is avoiding Kim. Kim is sure of it.
He’d overheard part of Chay’s conversation with Game on the bus during an eight-hour drive at the end of their second week on the road. For some reason, it had made him really irritated.
Chay is avoiding Kim. Kim is sure of it.
He’d overheard part of Chay’s conversation with Game on the bus during an eight-hour drive at the end of their second week on the road. For some reason, it had made him really irritated.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim already knew Chay was gay, but the whole rest of the day, the thought of Chay hooking up with someone while they’re on tour got under Kim’s skin.
It hasn’t gotten better, though. In fact, if anything, it’s gotten worse.
Kim already knew Chay was gay, but the whole rest of the day, the thought of Chay hooking up with someone while they’re on tour got under Kim’s skin.
It hasn’t gotten better, though. In fact, if anything, it’s gotten worse.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
They’re about to enter week five, now, and Kim can count on one hand the number of times he and Chay have been alone together.
Now, it’s the tour’s fifth week as of tonight.
They’re about to enter week five, now, and Kim can count on one hand the number of times he and Chay have been alone together.
Now, it’s the tour’s fifth week as of tonight.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
They’re in New Hudson, they have a day off tomorrow, and Kim is going to talk to Chay tomorrow no matter what, because there is absolutely no reason he should have to keep feeling so on edge around Kim.
They’re in New Hudson, they have a day off tomorrow, and Kim is going to talk to Chay tomorrow no matter what, because there is absolutely no reason he should have to keep feeling so on edge around Kim.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And he knows it’s his fault. No one has said anything since the first week, but they haven’t had to.
Kim smokes three cigarettes in a row during the set change between the second opener.
And he knows it’s his fault. No one has said anything since the first week, but they haven’t had to.
Kim smokes three cigarettes in a row during the set change between the second opener.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
They’re young and promising and have everything it takes to do very well in their scene, and Kim had hand-picked them for this tour and usually tries to watch their set. Tonight, though, Kim’s skin feels two sizes too tight,
They’re young and promising and have everything it takes to do very well in their scene, and Kim had hand-picked them for this tour and usually tries to watch their set. Tonight, though, Kim’s skin feels two sizes too tight,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
he’s restless in a way he hasn’t been before a set in close to a decade, and the absolute 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 thing he wants to do right now is listen to someone else perform.
he’s restless in a way he hasn’t been before a set in close to a decade, and the absolute 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 thing he wants to do right now is listen to someone else perform.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
His hands are shaking when he takes the stage in the dark as the backtrack to their set’s first song, 𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦, starts to flood the room. It sounds impeccable.
His hands are shaking when he takes the stage in the dark as the backtrack to their set’s first song, 𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦, starts to flood the room. It sounds impeccable.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The sinister red lighting behind Mint’s drum kit is angled against their band logo backdrop in a way that makes it so all the audience can see of them are their silhouettes.
Then Game’s opening guitar riff on the track thunders into the room.
The sinister red lighting behind Mint’s drum kit is angled against their band logo backdrop in a way that makes it so all the audience can see of them are their silhouettes.
Then Game’s opening guitar riff on the track thunders into the room.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The crowd yells, the floor lighting kicks on, revealing the band, and it doesn’t matter that Kim feels half out of his body right now. He has to be 𝘰𝘯.
The growl that rips itself out of Kim’s throat feels especially feral tonight.
The crowd yells, the floor lighting kicks on, revealing the band, and it doesn’t matter that Kim feels half out of his body right now. He has to be 𝘰𝘯.
The growl that rips itself out of Kim’s throat feels especially feral tonight.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And maybe the crowd knows this, because halfway into the first verse a pit opens up like a sinkhole and immediately there are arms and legs flying everywhere, the crowd control-types in the audience forming a human wall around the pit to protect those
And maybe the crowd knows this, because halfway into the first verse a pit opens up like a sinkhole and immediately there are arms and legs flying everywhere, the crowd control-types in the audience forming a human wall around the pit to protect those
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
in the crowd who 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 at this show to get kicked in the face.
Kim completely ignores them.
It's almost entirely muscle memory and mental autopilot that carries Kim through the first few songs of their set.
in the crowd who 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵 at this show to get kicked in the face.
Kim completely ignores them.
It's almost entirely muscle memory and mental autopilot that carries Kim through the first few songs of their set.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 fine, but he’s out of it enough that he catches a sideways look of concern from Game in his peripheral vision between two songs.
Game arcs a brow. Kim shakes his head once.
𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, is what it means.
He 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘴 fine, but he’s out of it enough that he catches a sideways look of concern from Game in his peripheral vision between two songs.
Game arcs a brow. Kim shakes his head once.
𝘓𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳, is what it means.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The few times in recent years Kim has felt like this onstage, he’s pulled out a trick from his earliest days of performing. You pick someone or something in the crowd as an anchor, and you keep re-directing your focus to that point
The few times in recent years Kim has felt like this onstage, he’s pulled out a trick from his earliest days of performing. You pick someone or something in the crowd as an anchor, and you keep re-directing your focus to that point
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
so that your nerves don’t knock you out to sea.
Tonight, his anchor picks itself: Chay in the sound booth, practically glowing in the backlight from the computer monitors in his white Lightbearer shirt, smiling down at his hands as he works the controls.
so that your nerves don’t knock you out to sea.
Tonight, his anchor picks itself: Chay in the sound booth, practically glowing in the backlight from the computer monitors in his white Lightbearer shirt, smiling down at his hands as he works the controls.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He looks happy, relaxed—like he’s having fun.
Which is when Kim notices the platinum-haired, heavily pierced venue tech in a shredded black tank top practically draping himself over Chay, and a flash of white-hot rage floods through Kim like a power surge.
He looks happy, relaxed—like he’s having fun.
Which is when Kim notices the platinum-haired, heavily pierced venue tech in a shredded black tank top practically draping himself over Chay, and a flash of white-hot rage floods through Kim like a power surge.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim practically rips the mic off its stand as the chorus hits, ignoring another concerned look from Game before wheeling around on his heel toward Mint’s drum kit, trying to put the sight of that twink all over Chay out of his mind.
Kim practically rips the mic off its stand as the chorus hits, ignoring another concerned look from Game before wheeling around on his heel toward Mint’s drum kit, trying to put the sight of that twink all over Chay out of his mind.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But that idea immediately presents itself as worse, and as the chorus to 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, one of Arch Revival’s most famous, most aggressive songs hits like a bomb, the tech wraps an arm around Chay’s waist and leans into his ear, and Kim stares him down
But that idea immediately presents itself as worse, and as the chorus to 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, one of Arch Revival’s most famous, most aggressive songs hits like a bomb, the tech wraps an arm around Chay’s waist and leans into his ear, and Kim stares him down
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
like a raptor with its prey and delivers the chorus like a threat to the tech specifically until he sees Chay freeze, look up at Kim, and brush the tech off himself, a look of alarm now in place of the smile Kim has wanted to see him wear since day one.
like a raptor with its prey and delivers the chorus like a threat to the tech specifically until he sees Chay freeze, look up at Kim, and brush the tech off himself, a look of alarm now in place of the smile Kim has wanted to see him wear since day one.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
It's 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 anger that animates Kim for the rest of the set. He feels like he’s been plugged into an electric socket, ignoring so many of his guitar parts that eventually he just leaves his axe on the stand, trusting Game and Tate to make up the gaps.
It's 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 anger that animates Kim for the rest of the set. He feels like he’s been plugged into an electric socket, ignoring so many of his guitar parts that eventually he just leaves his axe on the stand, trusting Game and Tate to make up the gaps.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
The tech doesn’t touch Chay again—when he isn’t helping with his actual job, he’s mostly leaning back against the metal barricade around the sound booth, watching the set—but Chay never relaxes after that,
The tech doesn’t touch Chay again—when he isn’t helping with his actual job, he’s mostly leaning back against the metal barricade around the sound booth, watching the set—but Chay never relaxes after that,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and it isn’t until the end of their set that Kim realizes how much his throat hurts.
Kim 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 offstage after their last song ends. Arch Revival never does encores, and their longtime fans know this,
and it isn’t until the end of their set that Kim realizes how much his throat hurts.
Kim 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘴 offstage after their last song ends. Arch Revival never does encores, and their longtime fans know this,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
so the few anemic cries for 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 peter out before Kim reaches the back door of the venue, cigarette already lit. It apparently rained earlier, because the ground is wet, though it isn’t raining now—
so the few anemic cries for 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 peter out before Kim reaches the back door of the venue, cigarette already lit. It apparently rained earlier, because the ground is wet, though it isn’t raining now—
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
it’s just unseasonably cold enough that little wisps of condensation are rising up off the pools of water behind the venue like fog. When Kim exhales, the line of smoke from his cigarette adds another.
it’s just unseasonably cold enough that little wisps of condensation are rising up off the pools of water behind the venue like fog. When Kim exhales, the line of smoke from his cigarette adds another.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim steps back into the wall, one foot kicked up on the worn brick. A few leftover raindrops from the roof overhang hit his hair. After a few drags, Kim’s heart rate starts to settle again, and by the time he’s done with it he still feels like he’s
Kim steps back into the wall, one foot kicked up on the worn brick. A few leftover raindrops from the roof overhang hit his hair. After a few drags, Kim’s heart rate starts to settle again, and by the time he’s done with it he still feels like he’s
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
running through with electricity, though he’s not in imminent danger of punching someone.
The three bands’ combined crews are extremely efficient by this point, and as the last of the show’s attendees clear out,
running through with electricity, though he’s not in imminent danger of punching someone.
The three bands’ combined crews are extremely efficient by this point, and as the last of the show’s attendees clear out,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim heads back onstage to get his guitars more out of habit than because he thought they hadn’t been packed up yet. But the soundboards haven’t been, and the tech is still hovering around Chay as Chay tears down for the night.
Kim heads back onstage to get his guitars more out of habit than because he thought they hadn’t been packed up yet. But the soundboards haven’t been, and the tech is still hovering around Chay as Chay tears down for the night.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Though at least he’s a respectful distance away.
Eventually, the sound tech heads off in some other direction, and Kim lets out a breath as Chay darts backstage for help with carrying things and then comes right back out,
Though at least he’s a respectful distance away.
Eventually, the sound tech heads off in some other direction, and Kim lets out a breath as Chay darts backstage for help with carrying things and then comes right back out,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
freezing in his tracks when he sees Kim standing by the equipment.
“Who was that?”
Kim’s voice is low. Raspy. His throat hurts. He should have had something to drink before going right for a cigarette.
freezing in his tracks when he sees Kim standing by the equipment.
“Who was that?”
Kim’s voice is low. Raspy. His throat hurts. He should have had something to drink before going right for a cigarette.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“I—one of the venue sound techs, I don’t know him.”
“What does he want?”
“I don’t know? He was just being friendly—”
“He was trying to sleep with you, Chay. Is that what you want?”
“I don’t know??”
“I—one of the venue sound techs, I don’t know him.”
“What does he want?”
“I don’t know? He was just being friendly—”
“He was trying to sleep with you, Chay. Is that what you want?”
“I don’t know??”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“If he did something inappropriate to you, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦—”
“He didn’t.” Chay’s brows cross, the question appearing on his face before it leaves his mouth. “Kim, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 is this coming from? I thought you hated me?!”
“If he did something inappropriate to you, 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦—”
“He didn’t.” Chay’s brows cross, the question appearing on his face before it leaves his mouth. “Kim, 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 is this coming from? I thought you hated me?!”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
𝘕𝘰, Kim wants to shout. 𝘕𝘖, 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳—
The panic hits Kim like a slap, and before he even realizes what he’s doing, he’s tearing through backstage and past his crew and bandmates and out onto the streets, already feeling for another cigarette.
𝘕𝘰, Kim wants to shout. 𝘕𝘖, 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺, 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳—
The panic hits Kim like a slap, and before he even realizes what he’s doing, he’s tearing through backstage and past his crew and bandmates and out onto the streets, already feeling for another cigarette.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
—
—
—
—
[ chay ]
Chay turns in before everyone else that night.
Outside the bus, Chay can hear a few people shouting, laughing, and smoking a lot of weed as they play some game that involves a lot of body movement.
—
—
—
—
[ chay ]
Chay turns in before everyone else that night.
Outside the bus, Chay can hear a few people shouting, laughing, and smoking a lot of weed as they play some game that involves a lot of body movement.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
They’re on one side of the bus in a parking lot. But the bus is parked by the beach, and most of Arch Revival is on that side of the bus, as are the more senior members of the road crew like Meridian, Pax, and Kratha.
They’re on one side of the bus in a parking lot. But the bus is parked by the beach, and most of Arch Revival is on that side of the bus, as are the more senior members of the road crew like Meridian, Pax, and Kratha.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay had joined them for a while, sharing occasional eyerolls with Kratha next to him while Cure made it his personal mission to find a beer Chay liked. About ten barely-sipped bottles in, Cure handed Chay a dry-hopped cherry sour that did the trick,
Chay had joined them for a while, sharing occasional eyerolls with Kratha next to him while Cure made it his personal mission to find a beer Chay liked. About ten barely-sipped bottles in, Cure handed Chay a dry-hopped cherry sour that did the trick,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and Kratha had closed her eyes and shaken her head, the smile on her dark features indulgent.
Kim was looking at him. He felt it. Kim was sitting across the circle from Chay, the drink cooler and growing pile of beer bottles between them.
and Kratha had closed her eyes and shaken her head, the smile on her dark features indulgent.
Kim was looking at him. He felt it. Kim was sitting across the circle from Chay, the drink cooler and growing pile of beer bottles between them.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He was sitting on his jacket on the sand, hands around his knees, looking vaguely like someone had just diagnosed someone he loved with terminal cancer, though he’d angled himself half away from everyone else so that the dark cloud over him didn’t spread.
He was sitting on his jacket on the sand, hands around his knees, looking vaguely like someone had just diagnosed someone he loved with terminal cancer, though he’d angled himself half away from everyone else so that the dark cloud over him didn’t spread.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But still, Kim was looking at him. Game knew it too, and he’d met Chay’s eyes across the circle a couple of times in silent questions that Chay couldn’t answer before Chay finished off his drink and went inside,
But still, Kim was looking at him. Game knew it too, and he’d met Chay’s eyes across the circle a couple of times in silent questions that Chay couldn’t answer before Chay finished off his drink and went inside,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
quickly drawing the curtains and changing before going to bed.
He knows the sound tech wanted to hook up with him. He also knows that he’d said no, and that the guy had respected that after Chay initially rebuffed him,
quickly drawing the curtains and changing before going to bed.
He knows the sound tech wanted to hook up with him. He also knows that he’d said no, and that the guy had respected that after Chay initially rebuffed him,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
though Chay could also tell he was hanging around Chay waiting to see if Chay would change his mind.
Chay knows he’s clueless sometimes, but he’s not 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 clueless. Especially not since the sound tech had asked Chay in words.
though Chay could also tell he was hanging around Chay waiting to see if Chay would change his mind.
Chay knows he’s clueless sometimes, but he’s not 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 clueless. Especially not since the sound tech had asked Chay in words.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
So, after about ten minutes of pondering what had gotten into Kim that night and getting nowhere, Chay texts Game.
Game’s response comes about a minute later.
So, after about ten minutes of pondering what had gotten into Kim that night and getting nowhere, Chay texts Game.
Game’s response comes about a minute later.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay stares at that message for at least half a minute, his brain full of static.
“Pardon the fuck?!” He says to the empty bus.
There’s no way he’s sleeping after that. Not yet. But lying in bed and speculating about this is not a good idea,
Chay stares at that message for at least half a minute, his brain full of static.
“Pardon the fuck?!” He says to the empty bus.
There’s no way he’s sleeping after that. Not yet. But lying in bed and speculating about this is not a good idea,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
so Chay changes back into a clean-enough pair of jeans and heads back out to the group in the parking lot, who greet him with riots of yells.
—
It’s weird like that for the rest of the tour. Instead of coldness or hostility toward Chay, Kim seems depressed.
so Chay changes back into a clean-enough pair of jeans and heads back out to the group in the parking lot, who greet him with riots of yells.
—
It’s weird like that for the rest of the tour. Instead of coldness or hostility toward Chay, Kim seems depressed.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But why is lost on him, so Chay tries not to let it get to him and throws himself into his work, though before long he runs out of tour days to plan.
On one scalding hot day at their stop in Pradera during the last week of the tour,
But why is lost on him, so Chay tries not to let it get to him and throws himself into his work, though before long he runs out of tour days to plan.
On one scalding hot day at their stop in Pradera during the last week of the tour,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay wanders onto the bus to find the band, Meridian, and Kratha all gathered in the lounge in the back.
There’s no room unless he sits next to Kim, and Kim already kind of looks like he isn’t breathing.
Chay wanders onto the bus to find the band, Meridian, and Kratha all gathered in the lounge in the back.
There’s no room unless he sits next to Kim, and Kim already kind of looks like he isn’t breathing.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
In the end, Chay props himself against the end of one of the rows of bunks, his feet kicked up on the support beam. Kim seems to let out a breath.
In the end, Chay props himself against the end of one of the rows of bunks, his feet kicked up on the support beam. Kim seems to let out a breath.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And anyway, before long, the time arrives for their group to meet event staff behind the stage they’ll be playing and help coordinate setup. Kim is the last to get up as everyone files off the bus.
And anyway, before long, the time arrives for their group to meet event staff behind the stage they’ll be playing and help coordinate setup. Kim is the last to get up as everyone files off the bus.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay stops Kim with a light hand on his forearm that makes Kim’s head suddenly snap to Chay’s.
“Do you mind if I call Porsche before sound check?
Chay stops Kim with a light hand on his forearm that makes Kim’s head suddenly snap to Chay’s.
“Do you mind if I call Porsche before sound check?
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He’s about to leave for a few weeks on the dance convention circuit and we’re going to miss each other by like, three days.”
“You don’t have to run sound today. The event staff is handling it.”
He’s about to leave for a few weeks on the dance convention circuit and we’re going to miss each other by like, three days.”
“You don’t have to run sound today. The event staff is handling it.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
This is the one unusual stop of the tour. All three bands are playing Whatever Fest, the first festival of the summer, and Chay hasn’t been sure how to plan it, so he’d just drawn up plans for the day that were the same as every other stop as best he could.
This is the one unusual stop of the tour. All three bands are playing Whatever Fest, the first festival of the summer, and Chay hasn’t been sure how to plan it, so he’d just drawn up plans for the day that were the same as every other stop as best he could.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Oh,” Chay answers.
Kim’s voice sounds pinched, but he isn’t looking away. For a long beat, Chay holds his gaze, until he realizes his hand is still on Kim’s arm and lowers it, blushing a bit. He looks down.
Kim still doesn't move.
“Oh,” Chay answers.
Kim’s voice sounds pinched, but he isn’t looking away. For a long beat, Chay holds his gaze, until he realizes his hand is still on Kim’s arm and lowers it, blushing a bit. He looks down.
Kim still doesn't move.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Okay. Is there anything you do need me to do, then—?”
Kim’s stare is so intense Chay feels it boring into his forehead before he looks up. Kim doesn’t answer immediately, and he looks to be possibly literally biting his tongue.
“Okay. Is there anything you do need me to do, then—?”
Kim’s stare is so intense Chay feels it boring into his forehead before he looks up. Kim doesn’t answer immediately, and he looks to be possibly literally biting his tongue.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Only if you feel like helping Tau,” he says after a beat.
It’s Kim who looks away first this time. His hand makes a motion, almost like he’s starting to make a fist, but he relaxes it and moves past Chay, making for the door.
“Only if you feel like helping Tau,” he says after a beat.
It’s Kim who looks away first this time. His hand makes a motion, almost like he’s starting to make a fist, but he relaxes it and moves past Chay, making for the door.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“If you’re sure,” Chay says.
Kim pauses halfway down the aisle and looks back at him.
“You don’t have to work yourself so hard, Chay. I should have told you that a long time ago.”
Chay frowns a bit at this. “I don’t mind, though. I’m happy to.”
“If you’re sure,” Chay says.
Kim pauses halfway down the aisle and looks back at him.
“You don’t have to work yourself so hard, Chay. I should have told you that a long time ago.”
Chay frowns a bit at this. “I don’t mind, though. I’m happy to.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“I know.” Kim’s smile is small, almost sad. “I’ll see you after our set.”
—
Chay ends up not calling Porsche right away at the festival. His encounter with Kim on the bus had put Chay in a headspace where for once in his life,
“I know.” Kim’s smile is small, almost sad. “I’ll see you after our set.”
—
Chay ends up not calling Porsche right away at the festival. His encounter with Kim on the bus had put Chay in a headspace where for once in his life,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
he 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 want to talk to his brother. So he makes up for it by video calling Porsche before their show the next day, though the fact that show came after a long drive means he doesn’t have as much time as he’d like.
he 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 want to talk to his brother. So he makes up for it by video calling Porsche before their show the next day, though the fact that show came after a long drive means he doesn’t have as much time as he’d like.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“How’s tour life since we last spoke?”
Chay doesn’t recognize where Porsche currently is. Nine times out of ten, that means Porsche is on a dance set somewhere, which is Chay’s guess now based on how many people are milling around in the background.
“How’s tour life since we last spoke?”
Chay doesn’t recognize where Porsche currently is. Nine times out of ten, that means Porsche is on a dance set somewhere, which is Chay’s guess now based on how many people are milling around in the background.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“It’s great, but it’s a 𝘭𝘰𝘵.”
Porsche smiles. “I get it. Believe me. Everyone’s still getting along?”
“Yeah, mostly,” Chay says after a beat.
“Mostly. That’s a different answer than last time.”
“It’s great, but it’s a 𝘭𝘰𝘵.”
Porsche smiles. “I get it. Believe me. Everyone’s still getting along?”
“Yeah, mostly,” Chay says after a beat.
“Mostly. That’s a different answer than last time.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay bites his lip and glances away from his phone for a sec, making sure there’s no one immediately within earshot. He’s at the venue, now, and it’s hot enough that he’s had to make this call inside. The best place he’s found is in the green room backstage.
Chay bites his lip and glances away from his phone for a sec, making sure there’s no one immediately within earshot. He’s at the venue, now, and it’s hot enough that he’s had to make this call inside. The best place he’s found is in the green room backstage.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Stuff with the road crew and the band as a whole is awesome. And I like everyone I’m working with.”
“But,” Porsche prods.
“𝘉𝘶𝘵, Kim hates me for some reason.”
Porsche rolls his eyes. Macau sits down next to him, then, leaning into the frame.
“Stuff with the road crew and the band as a whole is awesome. And I like everyone I’m working with.”
“But,” Porsche prods.
“𝘉𝘶𝘵, Kim hates me for some reason.”
Porsche rolls his eyes. Macau sits down next to him, then, leaning into the frame.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Yeah, that’s Kim. He’s too cool for the rest of us. Don’t take it personally.”
Chay laughs. “That’s what Game told me the first day of the tour.”
“And?”
Chay feels someone looking at him and looks up to find Kim in the doorway. Chay checks the time.
“Yeah, that’s Kim. He’s too cool for the rest of us. Don’t take it personally.”
Chay laughs. “That’s what Game told me the first day of the tour.”
“And?”
Chay feels someone looking at him and looks up to find Kim in the doorway. Chay checks the time.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Oh, shit, it’s after three. I need to go run sound check.”
“Chin up, man. Just another week,” Macau says. A beat later, though, his eyes light up. “Oh, speaking of—I hear Tate put in a word for you at CR Records?”
“Oh, shit, it’s after three. I need to go run sound check.”
“Chin up, man. Just another week,” Macau says. A beat later, though, his eyes light up. “Oh, speaking of—I hear Tate put in a word for you at CR Records?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay looks back at Kim and holds his gaze for a beat. Then, Kim walks off.
—
Before Chay knows it, it’s the last night of the tour. They’re back in Los Arcos now for a second hometown show, though at a different venue than the first,
Chay looks back at Kim and holds his gaze for a beat. Then, Kim walks off.
—
Before Chay knows it, it’s the last night of the tour. They’re back in Los Arcos now for a second hometown show, though at a different venue than the first,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
this one a legendary former theatre building on Sunrise Boulevard that had been gutted and turned into a concert venue.
Chay had actually had tickets to this show. He’d set an alarm and had bought them during his lunch break at work at TMR,
this one a legendary former theatre building on Sunrise Boulevard that had been gutted and turned into a concert venue.
Chay had actually had tickets to this show. He’d set an alarm and had bought them during his lunch break at work at TMR,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and he’d been planning on dragging Macau so he could start educating Macau on the various heavy music genres. After the show had sold out, once Chay was on the 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 with Arch Revival,
and he’d been planning on dragging Macau so he could start educating Macau on the various heavy music genres. After the show had sold out, once Chay was on the 𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘥 with Arch Revival,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
he’d given them to his two friends in the crowd who’d missed the initial release with no comment but that he’d had something come up and couldn’t make it.
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 is where you’ve been?!”
he’d given them to his two friends in the crowd who’d missed the initial release with no comment but that he’d had something come up and couldn’t make it.
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 is where you’ve been?!”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
As the second opener finishes, the venue quiets a bit and Chay hears a female voice aimed at him from somewhere to his right and looks over to find Mako and Tea, two of his good friends from school, at one side of the metal barricade around the sound booth.
As the second opener finishes, the venue quiets a bit and Chay hears a female voice aimed at him from somewhere to his right and looks over to find Mako and Tea, two of his good friends from school, at one side of the metal barricade around the sound booth.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Tea, who is a head and a half shorter than Mako and probably half his weight, is climbing on one of them and leaning in toward Chay, bracing on her elbows.
Chay should probably tell her to get off, but he won’t. He’s too happy to see them.
Tea, who is a head and a half shorter than Mako and probably half his weight, is climbing on one of them and leaning in toward Chay, bracing on her elbows.
Chay should probably tell her to get off, but he won’t. He’s too happy to see them.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And anyway, Tea isn’t done.
“This explains all your cryptic Mediagram posts from all over the 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺, man. I can’t believe you kept this secret!”
“Would you have believed me?”
“I—no?? That’s not the point?!”
And anyway, Tea isn’t done.
“This explains all your cryptic Mediagram posts from all over the 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺, man. I can’t believe you kept this secret!”
“Would you have believed me?”
“I—no?? That’s not the point?!”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Tea swats Chay’s arm with a tattooed hand when he steps back from the soundboards. She can just barely reach.
“What’s it like being on that side?”
Mako. Mako is actually his ex, but they’ve stayed friends, especially since they weren’t together very long.
Tea swats Chay’s arm with a tattooed hand when he steps back from the soundboards. She can just barely reach.
“What’s it like being on that side?”
Mako. Mako is actually his ex, but they’ve stayed friends, especially since they weren’t together very long.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“It’s a lot. It’s not as glamorous as it looks.”
“It doesn’t look that glamorous to be honest,” Tea quips. “Nothing that seems glamorous ever is when you’re in the thick of it.”
“But you like it?”
“It’s a lot. It’s not as glamorous as it looks.”
“It doesn’t look that glamorous to be honest,” Tea quips. “Nothing that seems glamorous ever is when you’re in the thick of it.”
“But you like it?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Before Chay can answer that question, his phone lights up with a text from Kim.
Chay feels something in his temple and looks up to see Kim watching him from the backstage entrance. He answers quickly.
Before Chay can answer that question, his phone lights up with a text from Kim.
Chay feels something in his temple and looks up to see Kim watching him from the backstage entrance. He answers quickly.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim doesn’t answer. He’s still just looking at Chay, and Chay cannot read the look on his face at all.
So Chay runs sound like usual, though he gets side-eye from the venue tech for letting Mako and Tea into the sound booth.
Kim doesn’t answer. He’s still just looking at Chay, and Chay cannot read the look on his face at all.
So Chay runs sound like usual, though he gets side-eye from the venue tech for letting Mako and Tea into the sound booth.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
But Tea is also barely 5’ and Mako is taller than him, and it really is better this way—Tea can see, and Mako isn’t blocking anyone.
But his friends fade into the background as Arch Revival takes the stage.
But Tea is also barely 5’ and Mako is taller than him, and it really is better this way—Tea can see, and Mako isn’t blocking anyone.
But his friends fade into the background as Arch Revival takes the stage.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay has staged this opener exactly 39 times in the last few weeks. All the lights but the reds against the band logo backdrop are cut as fog from the smoke machines rolls into the room, covering the stage in a thin haze as Chay hits play on the backtrack
Chay has staged this opener exactly 39 times in the last few weeks. All the lights but the reds against the band logo backdrop are cut as fog from the smoke machines rolls into the room, covering the stage in a thin haze as Chay hits play on the backtrack
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
to 𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦, and the band walks out to face a roaring crowd in silhouette before Game’s opening guitar riff rumbles into the room.
Then the floor lighting kicks on, and Kim is in the center of the stage looking right at Chay.
to 𝘏𝘺𝘱𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦, and the band walks out to face a roaring crowd in silhouette before Game’s opening guitar riff rumbles into the room.
Then the floor lighting kicks on, and Kim is in the center of the stage looking right at Chay.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
He isn’t holding his guitar.
Chay’s breath catches. No one had told him Kim wasn’t going to be playing. For a moment, Chay feels panic well up before he forces himself to breathe and shuts off the control to the guitar Kim normally uses for this track,
He isn’t holding his guitar.
Chay’s breath catches. No one had told him Kim wasn’t going to be playing. For a moment, Chay feels panic well up before he forces himself to breathe and shuts off the control to the guitar Kim normally uses for this track,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
anchoring himself back to the present.
There’s a long build of Kim’s ethereal clean vocals before the chorus drops, and Kim has his eyes closed as he sings it, one hand in the air in front of him, the other curled gently around the mic stand.
anchoring himself back to the present.
There’s a long build of Kim’s ethereal clean vocals before the chorus drops, and Kim has his eyes closed as he sings it, one hand in the air in front of him, the other curled gently around the mic stand.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
When he opens his eyes at the end of the verse, he’s looking at Chay again.
He feels an elbow in his side as Tea throws him a questioning look.
But it doesn’t stop. More often than not, whenever Chay looks up toward the stage from his controls,
When he opens his eyes at the end of the verse, he’s looking at Chay again.
He feels an elbow in his side as Tea throws him a questioning look.
But it doesn’t stop. More often than not, whenever Chay looks up toward the stage from his controls,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim is looking at him. It’s not 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 constant—he does eventually go get his guitar, and Chay has switched it on again by the time he even picks it up—but it is often enough that about two thirds of the way through the set,
Kim is looking at him. It’s not 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺 constant—he does eventually go get his guitar, and Chay has switched it on again by the time he even picks it up—but it is often enough that about two thirds of the way through the set,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay feels Tea elbow him again and nod down at his phone.
Tea has texted him.
Out of all of his friends from school, Tea is the one most likely to be secretly clairvoyant. When Chay glances back at her,
Chay feels Tea elbow him again and nod down at his phone.
Tea has texted him.
Out of all of his friends from school, Tea is the one most likely to be secretly clairvoyant. When Chay glances back at her,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
one pierced brow is halfway to her hairline in silent question.
Chay waits for a part of the song where he doesn’t need to change any sound or effects before he texts her back.
And Tea's response is quick.
one pierced brow is halfway to her hairline in silent question.
Chay waits for a part of the song where he doesn’t need to change any sound or effects before he texts her back.
And Tea's response is quick.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Fuck. Chay hadn’t even thought about that. It’s the last night of the tour, but through all of the last seven weeks, no one in the band or road crew has actually told Chay what happens when it’s over.
Fuck. Chay hadn’t even thought about that. It’s the last night of the tour, but through all of the last seven weeks, no one in the band or road crew has actually told Chay what happens when it’s over.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Kim 𝘩𝘢𝘥 said before their set that Chay doesn’t have to help tear down tonight. Still, the thought of just leaving with the rest of the crowd after the set and not saying goodbye to everyone seems really weird.
Kim 𝘩𝘢𝘥 said before their set that Chay doesn’t have to help tear down tonight. Still, the thought of just leaving with the rest of the crowd after the set and not saying goodbye to everyone seems really weird.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And Chay doesn’t know how long he’ll be here after the set. It isn’t really fair to make his friends wait like that.
Chay waits for another lull in the track before answering Tea.
Once again, Tea’s response is nearly immediate.
And Chay doesn’t know how long he’ll be here after the set. It isn’t really fair to make his friends wait like that.
Chay waits for another lull in the track before answering Tea.
Once again, Tea’s response is nearly immediate.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay looks back and nods at Tea before turning back to the controls.
Once the set is over, after his friends have left and the venue is clearing out, Chay shuts off the sound boards and dismantles what he can by himself, then waits by the stack of equipment
Chay looks back and nods at Tea before turning back to the controls.
Once the set is over, after his friends have left and the venue is clearing out, Chay shuts off the sound boards and dismantles what he can by himself, then waits by the stack of equipment
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
until someone he recognizes comes over to start packing them up.
In the end, since no one has actually told Chay he could leave yet, he does end up helping with tear-down. After a couple of minutes, he spots Tau carrying an amp and follows his lead.
until someone he recognizes comes over to start packing them up.
In the end, since no one has actually told Chay he could leave yet, he does end up helping with tear-down. After a couple of minutes, he spots Tau carrying an amp and follows his lead.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Once Tau deposits the amp in the trailer, he claps Chay on the shoulder and pulls him into a hug.
“𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 tour, man. Hope to hit the road with you again,” Tau says before he pulls back.
Chay smiles. “Hopefully.”
“Yeah? You liked road life?”
Once Tau deposits the amp in the trailer, he claps Chay on the shoulder and pulls him into a hug.
“𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 tour, man. Hope to hit the road with you again,” Tau says before he pulls back.
Chay smiles. “Hopefully.”
“Yeah? You liked road life?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“It grew on me.”
“Good. You’re a natural, you know. ‘Til next time.”
Tau salutes Chay over his shoulder with a grin, then leaves.
Pax hauls a piece of equipment Chay can’t identify at a glance into the band trailer,
“It grew on me.”
“Good. You’re a natural, you know. ‘Til next time.”
Tau salutes Chay over his shoulder with a grin, then leaves.
Pax hauls a piece of equipment Chay can’t identify at a glance into the band trailer,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
disappearing inside to strap it down before heading back inside. Then Leon, one of the front-of-house crew, comes out the same door, surveys what’s in the trailer, and closes and locks it before heading back in as well.
disappearing inside to strap it down before heading back inside. Then Leon, one of the front-of-house crew, comes out the same door, surveys what’s in the trailer, and closes and locks it before heading back in as well.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay is about to follow when he turns around to see Kim standing beside the bus.
He’s in different clothes. His hair is wet. He walks up to Chay slowly, his brows drawn low over his face in confusion.
“I told you you didn’t have to help tear down.”
Chay is about to follow when he turns around to see Kim standing beside the bus.
He’s in different clothes. His hair is wet. He walks up to Chay slowly, his brows drawn low over his face in confusion.
“I told you you didn’t have to help tear down.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“I know. But I wasn’t sure if I was free to go. I really don’t mind.”
“You’re not—”
Kim’s voice is barely audible. He cuts himself off.
“What?” Chay asks.
“You’re—please don’t go yet.”
Now Chay is just confused. It’s really late.
“I know. But I wasn’t sure if I was free to go. I really don’t mind.”
“You’re not—”
Kim’s voice is barely audible. He cuts himself off.
“What?” Chay asks.
“You’re—please don’t go yet.”
Now Chay is just confused. It’s really late.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
And it looks like they’re done packing up, because people aren’t really coming and going out of the venue anymore.
And it looks like they’re done packing up, because people aren’t really coming and going out of the venue anymore.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
“Kim?”
“I—” Kim runs a hand over his face, then sighs, clearly frustrated about something.
Then Kim closes the gap between them in a few quick strides and kisses him.
“Kim?”
“I—” Kim runs a hand over his face, then sighs, clearly frustrated about something.
Then Kim closes the gap between them in a few quick strides and kisses him.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay gasps as Kim’s lips meet his, his only thoughts a swirling refrain of 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 until Kim steps in even closer, bringing a hand up under Chay’s face and angling him
Chay gasps as Kim’s lips meet his, his only thoughts a swirling refrain of 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 until Kim steps in even closer, bringing a hand up under Chay’s face and angling him
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
gently to one side.
And he doesn’t stop. He isn’t being pushy about it, either—Chay could pull back at any time. Suddenly, though, the mystery of Kim’s behavior and moods the last few weeks all makes sense,
gently to one side.
And he doesn’t stop. He isn’t being pushy about it, either—Chay could pull back at any time. Suddenly, though, the mystery of Kim’s behavior and moods the last few weeks all makes sense,
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
and Chay draws a shaking breath against Kim’s lips and brings a hand up to Kim’s shoulder and steps in a bit closer still, kissing him back.
and Chay draws a shaking breath against Kim’s lips and brings a hand up to Kim’s shoulder and steps in a bit closer still, kissing him back.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
When they’re close enough that their bodies touch, Kim reaches for Chay’s hand not on his shoulder, interlacing their fingers with his palm to the back of Chay’s hand.
When they’re close enough that their bodies touch, Kim reaches for Chay’s hand not on his shoulder, interlacing their fingers with his palm to the back of Chay’s hand.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay has guitar callouses too. But Kim’s hands are rougher than his, and after a couple of beats Chay feels Kim reach through his fingers, stroking against Chay’s palm with a fingertip.
Chay has guitar callouses too. But Kim’s hands are rougher than his, and after a couple of beats Chay feels Kim reach through his fingers, stroking against Chay’s palm with a fingertip.
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
When they break apart, Kim’s eyes are closed, and once again he looks like he’s in pain. He has not lowered his hand.
“Kim.”
He opens his eyes, runs his thumb just under Chay’s lip.
“If I were to ask you to come home with me, what would you say?”
When they break apart, Kim’s eyes are closed, and once again he looks like he’s in pain. He has not lowered his hand.
“Kim.”
He opens his eyes, runs his thumb just under Chay’s lip.
“If I were to ask you to come home with me, what would you say?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay feels himself blush. “I’d ask you how far away it is.”
“About half an hour.”
“How’s the view?”
Kim smiles, meeting Chay’s eyes. “Beautiful.”
Chay arcs a brow. “And our gear is accounted for?”
Now, Kim laughs, soft and amused. “Yes.”
Chay feels himself blush. “I’d ask you how far away it is.”
“About half an hour.”
“How’s the view?”
Kim smiles, meeting Chay’s eyes. “Beautiful.”
Chay arcs a brow. “And our gear is accounted for?”
Now, Kim laughs, soft and amused. “Yes.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
Chay covers the hand Kim still has on his chin with his own.
“Then okay.”
—
—
—
—
[ end of part three. ]
Chay covers the hand Kim still has on his chin with his own.
“Then okay.”
—
—
—
—
[ end of part three. ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
jump to table of contents/top of thread:
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https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625640607698788352?s=46&t=slhRhFrgxMLID9lkAOxNgA
[ MINORS: it's time to go home now. ❤️everything from here down is 🔞]
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞 ]
- [ part four. chay ] -
Kim brings Chay to his house in Verona Beach. Kim lives there alone, and they’re barely in the door when Chay is toeing his shoes off and practically flying to the windows on the other end of the living room.
“Oh my god.”
- [ part four. chay ] -
Kim brings Chay to his house in Verona Beach. Kim lives there alone, and they’re barely in the door when Chay is toeing his shoes off and practically flying to the windows on the other end of the living room.
“Oh my god.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim wasn’t kidding about the view. Not ten meters from the window is the world-famous Verona Beach boardwalk, quiet and empty with the late hour. And on the other side of the boardwalk is a wide expanse of sand sloping gently down to the Pacific Ocean,
Kim wasn’t kidding about the view. Not ten meters from the window is the world-famous Verona Beach boardwalk, quiet and empty with the late hour. And on the other side of the boardwalk is a wide expanse of sand sloping gently down to the Pacific Ocean,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
framed on either side by a few swaying palm trees.
There’s enough moonlight outside that Kim hasn’t turned the lights on. There’s no need.
Chay feels more than hears Kim come up behind him slowly, curling a hand over his hip.
“Is this okay?”
framed on either side by a few swaying palm trees.
There’s enough moonlight outside that Kim hasn’t turned the lights on. There’s no need.
Chay feels more than hears Kim come up behind him slowly, curling a hand over his hip.
“Is this okay?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim’s voice is barely above a whisper in his ear. Chay nearly shivers.
“Yeah.”
Kim pulls Chay into his chest from behind.
“Stop me if I do something you don’t want me to.”
Chay turns his head around, trying to catch Kim’s eye.
Kim’s voice is barely above a whisper in his ear. Chay nearly shivers.
“Yeah.”
Kim pulls Chay into his chest from behind.
“Stop me if I do something you don’t want me to.”
Chay turns his head around, trying to catch Kim’s eye.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Kim, I came home with you.”
“It doesn’t matter. What you want matters.”
Chay covers Kim’s hand on his hip, smiling at the window. He can just barely see their reflections in it.
“How’s the view from upstairs?”
“Kim, I came home with you.”
“It doesn’t matter. What you want matters.”
Chay covers Kim’s hand on his hip, smiling at the window. He can just barely see their reflections in it.
“How’s the view from upstairs?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim smiles at this and steps back, taking Chay’s hand.
They move slowly as Kim leads Chay upstairs. Kim seems nervous as they go, so when they get to the top of the landing, it’s Chay who kisses Kim first this time.
Kim smiles at this and steps back, taking Chay’s hand.
They move slowly as Kim leads Chay upstairs. Kim seems nervous as they go, so when they get to the top of the landing, it’s Chay who kisses Kim first this time.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim takes hold of Chay with both hands this time, one hand around his back, the other tipping his chin up like he had at the venue. After a beat, that hand slides back into Chay’s short black curls.
“I thought you hated me,” Chay says when he pulls back.
Kim takes hold of Chay with both hands this time, one hand around his back, the other tipping his chin up like he had at the venue. After a beat, that hand slides back into Chay’s short black curls.
“I thought you hated me,” Chay says when he pulls back.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim makes some kind of noise that’s almost desperate at this. The hand in his hair tenses.
“𝘕𝘰, Angel. Never.”
“Are you holding yourself back?”
“Yes.”
Chay waits for Kim to open his eyes, then smiles softly.
“You don’t have to.”
Kim makes some kind of noise that’s almost desperate at this. The hand in his hair tenses.
“𝘕𝘰, Angel. Never.”
“Are you holding yourself back?”
“Yes.”
Chay waits for Kim to open his eyes, then smiles softly.
“You don’t have to.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
There’s a beat. Kim closes his eyes, and Chay watches as something long held tense seems to fall away from Kim like water off of melting ice.
When Kim stops holding back, it’s like a wave.
There’s a beat. Kim closes his eyes, and Chay watches as something long held tense seems to fall away from Kim like water off of melting ice.
When Kim stops holding back, it’s like a wave.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
In one breath, he has his hands in Chay’s clothes to pull him closer, and in the next Kim’s mouth is on Chay’s again and he’s hitching Chay’s hips up from under his ass, banding one arm across Chay’s back and crushing them together.
In one breath, he has his hands in Chay’s clothes to pull him closer, and in the next Kim’s mouth is on Chay’s again and he’s hitching Chay’s hips up from under his ass, banding one arm across Chay’s back and crushing them together.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
But his hands are moving everywhere, like he doesn’t know where to touch first.
Like he’s afraid Chay will just leave.
One of Chay’s hands is between them. He works it under Kim’s shirt, and Kim makes another noise at this and grabs roughly at Chay
But his hands are moving everywhere, like he doesn’t know where to touch first.
Like he’s afraid Chay will just leave.
One of Chay’s hands is between them. He works it under Kim’s shirt, and Kim makes another noise at this and grabs roughly at Chay
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
before breaking their kiss and practically ripping his shirt off. But he’s right back, stepping into Chay forcefully enough that Chay has to take a half step back to catch himself. Kim steadies Chay around the waist with both hands
before breaking their kiss and practically ripping his shirt off. But he’s right back, stepping into Chay forcefully enough that Chay has to take a half step back to catch himself. Kim steadies Chay around the waist with both hands
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
and catches his mouth again, his lips hungry and insistent.
It's dizzying. Already Kim has practically backed Chay into the landing wall, and Chay falls backward into it when his heels hit first, this time catching Kim around the waist to steady himself.
and catches his mouth again, his lips hungry and insistent.
It's dizzying. Already Kim has practically backed Chay into the landing wall, and Chay falls backward into it when his heels hit first, this time catching Kim around the waist to steady himself.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
And as soon as Chay starts touching his bare skin, Kim surges forward, running his tongue along the seam of Chay’s lips until Chay opens his mouth, then licking his way in, tasting of mint and cigarettes.
Kim is rucking up Chay’s shirt.
And as soon as Chay starts touching his bare skin, Kim surges forward, running his tongue along the seam of Chay’s lips until Chay opens his mouth, then licking his way in, tasting of mint and cigarettes.
Kim is rucking up Chay’s shirt.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
His hands are greedy on Chay’s skin, more and more desperate. And yet somehow, the more Chay touches him, the more Kim seems to melt into him, covering Chay’s body with his own, drawing him closer and closer until it’s like he wants to bring Chay inside him.
His hands are greedy on Chay’s skin, more and more desperate. And yet somehow, the more Chay touches him, the more Kim seems to melt into him, covering Chay’s body with his own, drawing him closer and closer until it’s like he wants to bring Chay inside him.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay breaks off with an audible pop when it gets hard to breathe, tipping his face toward the ceiling as his head falls against the wall behind him. But Kim doesn’t step back, just dips his head down and licks a stripe up the entire length of Chay’s neck.
Chay breaks off with an audible pop when it gets hard to breathe, tipping his face toward the ceiling as his head falls against the wall behind him. But Kim doesn’t step back, just dips his head down and licks a stripe up the entire length of Chay’s neck.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“I want to mark you,” Kim says to Chay’s skin.
His voice is so rough it’s almost like a growl. This time Chay 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 shiver.
“You can,” he says, breathless. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”
“I want to mark you,” Kim says to Chay’s skin.
His voice is so rough it’s almost like a growl. This time Chay 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 shiver.
“You can,” he says, breathless. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim does pull back, now, giving Chay a look that might be petulance as easily as a warning. Chay isn’t sure. But when Chay starts tracing the outline of the huge gryphon tattoo on his chest, Kim’s eyes flutter closed
Kim does pull back, now, giving Chay a look that might be petulance as easily as a warning. Chay isn’t sure. But when Chay starts tracing the outline of the huge gryphon tattoo on his chest, Kim’s eyes flutter closed
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
and he draws a sharp breath through his nose, suddenly stilling in Chay’s arms.
They’ve seen each other in various states of undress by now. It’s hard not to on the bus. But it’s different this time, Kim’s skin hot and flushed under Chay’s hands
and he draws a sharp breath through his nose, suddenly stilling in Chay’s arms.
They’ve seen each other in various states of undress by now. It’s hard not to on the bus. But it’s different this time, Kim’s skin hot and flushed under Chay’s hands
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
despite the gooseflesh that forms in his wake. Chay smiles as he trails his fingers down the gryphon’s back and over its wings, pausing at the tip of Kim’s shoulder.
Kim opens his eyes.
despite the gooseflesh that forms in his wake. Chay smiles as he trails his fingers down the gryphon’s back and over its wings, pausing at the tip of Kim’s shoulder.
Kim opens his eyes.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Your tattoos are your songs, aren’t they,” Chay says, studying the lines of them down his right arm. “I recognize them. The skull eater, the machinist, the monster, the hypnotic eye.”
Chay’s hand sweeps down each as he names them.
“Your tattoos are your songs, aren’t they,” Chay says, studying the lines of them down his right arm. “I recognize them. The skull eater, the machinist, the monster, the hypnotic eye.”
Chay’s hand sweeps down each as he names them.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
One of Kim’s hands on Chay’s waist dips up across his back again, fingers digging into Chay’s skin as he goes.
“Yes,” Kim says.
The one on Kim’s hand, Chay isn’t sure about.
One of Kim’s hands on Chay’s waist dips up across his back again, fingers digging into Chay’s skin as he goes.
“Yes,” Kim says.
The one on Kim’s hand, Chay isn’t sure about.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
It looks like something between a snowflake and an eclipse, but also somehow like a supernova, and it’s the largest one on his arm, stretching from just below his elbow down onto his hand.
“What’s this one? I don’t know this song.”
It looks like something between a snowflake and an eclipse, but also somehow like a supernova, and it’s the largest one on his arm, stretching from just below his elbow down onto his hand.
“What’s this one? I don’t know this song.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“It’s never been released,” Kim answers, voice still rough and low. “The dark star.”
“Can I hear it?”
“Yes.”
Kim is smiling now when Chay meets his eyes again.
“How do you want me, Kim?”
“How 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 I want you,” Kim says as he grabs at Chay’s skin.
“It’s never been released,” Kim answers, voice still rough and low. “The dark star.”
“Can I hear it?”
“Yes.”
Kim is smiling now when Chay meets his eyes again.
“How do you want me, Kim?”
“How 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 I want you,” Kim says as he grabs at Chay’s skin.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
His hands are shaking a bit. “I want you in my bed, my studio, the terrace on the roof.” He leans in close again, trailing his nose up the line of Chay’s throat. “I want to map your body with my tongue.”
Gently, he pulls Chay’s earlobe between his teeth.
His hands are shaking a bit. “I want you in my bed, my studio, the terrace on the roof.” He leans in close again, trailing his nose up the line of Chay’s throat. “I want to map your body with my tongue.”
Gently, he pulls Chay’s earlobe between his teeth.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“I want to blow you for half an hour before I go on stage.”
Chay is holding both of Kim’s shoulders now for balance so he doesn’t just slide to the floor. “So you’ve thought about this,” he says.
“Yes.”
“I want to blow you for half an hour before I go on stage.”
Chay is holding both of Kim’s shoulders now for balance so he doesn’t just slide to the floor. “So you’ve thought about this,” he says.
“Yes.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
He draws back enough to look at Chay, his eyes night-black and blazing. “And right now I want to wash off the grime from this tour in your choice of my four enormous showers and lay you out on my massage table and work the stress out of your body myself.”
He draws back enough to look at Chay, his eyes night-black and blazing. “And right now I want to wash off the grime from this tour in your choice of my four enormous showers and lay you out on my massage table and work the stress out of your body myself.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay’s heart gallops. Now it’s him who is breathless.
“Do you want to fuck me there?”
“Maybe.” The corner of Kim’s mouth turns up in a sly smile. “The first time I think I want you in a bed.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
Chay’s heart gallops. Now it’s him who is breathless.
“Do you want to fuck me there?”
“Maybe.” The corner of Kim’s mouth turns up in a sly smile. “The first time I think I want you in a bed.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim thumbs at Chay’s lower lip, watching his own hand for a long beat as he does. “Which one do you want, Angel?”
This nickname is new. It’s cute. Chay likes it. He catches Kim’s hand when Kim tries to pull it back.
Kim thumbs at Chay’s lower lip, watching his own hand for a long beat as he does. “Which one do you want, Angel?”
This nickname is new. It’s cute. Chay likes it. He catches Kim’s hand when Kim tries to pull it back.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Having seen none of them yet, the one closest to the massage table,” he answers, all business. “Because I’ll be honest, the bus is definitely livable, but I’ve had knots in my shoulders for weeks."
“Having seen none of them yet, the one closest to the massage table,” he answers, all business. “Because I’ll be honest, the bus is definitely livable, but I’ve had knots in my shoulders for weeks."
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim pulls the hand Chay is holding to his lips, kissing Chay’s knuckles. “Say no more.”
—
Kim leads Chay back downstairs. Further down the hall Kim leads him through, Chay sees a corner of an in-ground pool and what looks like a sauna through a huge,
Kim pulls the hand Chay is holding to his lips, kissing Chay’s knuckles. “Say no more.”
—
Kim leads Chay back downstairs. Further down the hall Kim leads him through, Chay sees a corner of an in-ground pool and what looks like a sauna through a huge,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
But Kim tugs him into a bedroom before they get there, closing the door behind them even though there’s no one else in the house.
Chay follows Kim into the bathroom, his back to the counter as Kim turns the water on and a wide rainfall showerhead starts up.
But Kim tugs him into a bedroom before they get there, closing the door behind them even though there’s no one else in the house.
Chay follows Kim into the bathroom, his back to the counter as Kim turns the water on and a wide rainfall showerhead starts up.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim’s nerves seem to be back. Chay watches as Kim’s eyes sweep up his whole body. Hoping to reassure him, Chay looks him in the eyes as he starts to take his shirt off.
Only for Kim to immediately crowd Chay into the counter, covering his hands.
Kim’s nerves seem to be back. Chay watches as Kim’s eyes sweep up his whole body. Hoping to reassure him, Chay looks him in the eyes as he starts to take his shirt off.
Only for Kim to immediately crowd Chay into the counter, covering his hands.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Let me. Please.”
Chay nods.
Kim peels off his shirt, and Chay sees Kim take a breath as he looks at Chay’s naked torso with permission for the first time.
“Let me. Please.”
Chay nods.
Kim peels off his shirt, and Chay sees Kim take a breath as he looks at Chay’s naked torso with permission for the first time.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim is cut like a statue, of course, but Chay has put on quite a bit of muscle over the course of the tour with the amount of time he’s spent hauling heavy equipment around. He’s not vain, but he knows he looks better now than he basically ever has.
Kim is cut like a statue, of course, but Chay has put on quite a bit of muscle over the course of the tour with the amount of time he’s spent hauling heavy equipment around. He’s not vain, but he knows he looks better now than he basically ever has.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
And Kim can’t stop touching him. He’s watching his own hands as though they’re being animated by some outside force, tracking all over Chay’s newly-defined abs and chest, drawing up and over Chay’s nipples from his fingertips to the heels of his palms.
And Kim can’t stop touching him. He’s watching his own hands as though they’re being animated by some outside force, tracking all over Chay’s newly-defined abs and chest, drawing up and over Chay’s nipples from his fingertips to the heels of his palms.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
This time, when Kim kisses him, he cups Chay’s face in both hands and draws himself in, the kiss deep but insistent as Kim coaxes Chay’s mouth open, lowering one hand only when Chay drops his to the closure of Kim’s black jeans to do likewise.
This time, when Kim kisses him, he cups Chay’s face in both hands and draws himself in, the kiss deep but insistent as Kim coaxes Chay’s mouth open, lowering one hand only when Chay drops his to the closure of Kim’s black jeans to do likewise.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
When Kim has Chay’s open, Chay raises a hand to Kim’s bare chest to slow him, pulling back enough to be able to speak.
“Is this why you looked at me the way you did while we were on tour?”
Kim lets out a long, slow breath before he answers.
When Kim has Chay’s open, Chay raises a hand to Kim’s bare chest to slow him, pulling back enough to be able to speak.
“Is this why you looked at me the way you did while we were on tour?”
Kim lets out a long, slow breath before he answers.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“The sound tech in New Hudson? I wanted to break his fingers for touching you.” Kim dips all four fingers of both hands below Chay’s waistband and underwear to the third knuckle, grabbing at his bare ass before curling around his hips,
“The sound tech in New Hudson? I wanted to break his fingers for touching you.” Kim dips all four fingers of both hands below Chay’s waistband and underwear to the third knuckle, grabbing at his bare ass before curling around his hips,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
his thumbs digging a bit into the sensitive skin inside the bones. “I also knew if I let myself get too close, I wouldn’t be able to stop.”
“Why—?”
The look Kim gives Chay cuts him off before he says anything else.
“You captivate me, Chay. I want you.”
his thumbs digging a bit into the sensitive skin inside the bones. “I also knew if I let myself get too close, I wouldn’t be able to stop.”
“Why—?”
The look Kim gives Chay cuts him off before he says anything else.
“You captivate me, Chay. I want you.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay’s brows draw in confusion. “You have me.”
“No.” Kim pauses, lets out a breath. “Chay, I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 you.”
There’s a beat.
“Oh.”
Game’s words on the bus suddenly come back to Chay.
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸.
Chay’s brows draw in confusion. “You have me.”
“No.” Kim pauses, lets out a breath. “Chay, I 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 you.”
There’s a beat.
“Oh.”
Game’s words on the bus suddenly come back to Chay.
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
There hadn’t been any concrete moment, Chay thinks. But this time, when Kim dips back in to kiss him, Chay understands.
They undress each other the rest of the way, then Kim pulls Chay into the shower and reaches for a bar of black soap on a corner shelf.
There hadn’t been any concrete moment, Chay thinks. But this time, when Kim dips back in to kiss him, Chay understands.
They undress each other the rest of the way, then Kim pulls Chay into the shower and reaches for a bar of black soap on a corner shelf.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Can I do it?” Kim asks.
“Yes.”
He doesn’t start right away. For a few beats, Kim just looks at him, his gaze dropping lower and lower as his eyes rove over Chay’s body, his hand not holding the soap tracking all over Chay’s wet skin.
“Can I do it?” Kim asks.
“Yes.”
He doesn’t start right away. For a few beats, Kim just looks at him, his gaze dropping lower and lower as his eyes rove over Chay’s body, his hand not holding the soap tracking all over Chay’s wet skin.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim is reverent as he washes Chay off. Since he himself already showered after the show, he takes his time with Chay, running the bar over every inch he can reach while standing, following with a washcloth. When he’s done, he moves Chay back under the spray
Kim is reverent as he washes Chay off. Since he himself already showered after the show, he takes his time with Chay, running the bar over every inch he can reach while standing, following with a washcloth. When he’s done, he moves Chay back under the spray
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
as the water falls over both of them, folding himself around Chay as he tucks his face into the crook of Chay’s neck.
Again, he’s touching Chay everywhere. He runs his fingers up Chay’s abs, this time from behind,
as the water falls over both of them, folding himself around Chay as he tucks his face into the crook of Chay’s neck.
Again, he’s touching Chay everywhere. He runs his fingers up Chay’s abs, this time from behind,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
then that hand skates down his side and traces down the line of his groin, then up the other.
And when Kim flattens his hand on Chay’s lower abdomen and presses him back, Chay feels the tip of Kim’s cock start to slip between his thighs.
then that hand skates down his side and traces down the line of his groin, then up the other.
And when Kim flattens his hand on Chay’s lower abdomen and presses him back, Chay feels the tip of Kim’s cock start to slip between his thighs.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay draws a sharp breath. He’s been slowly getting hard for the last few minutes, but suddenly there’s a rush of blood down his whole body and Kim bands his arm around Chay’s whole front, pulling Chay back into him. He takes another breath into Chay’s skin.
Chay draws a sharp breath. He’s been slowly getting hard for the last few minutes, but suddenly there’s a rush of blood down his whole body and Kim bands his arm around Chay’s whole front, pulling Chay back into him. He takes another breath into Chay’s skin.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
They stand like that for at least a minute, until Kim’s breaths are no longer shaking and Chay’s heart is no longer racing under Kim’s hand.
When Kim steps away to grab shampoo from the corner shelf, Chay immediately feels the loss of Kim’s solid warmth
They stand like that for at least a minute, until Kim’s breaths are no longer shaking and Chay’s heart is no longer racing under Kim’s hand.
When Kim steps away to grab shampoo from the corner shelf, Chay immediately feels the loss of Kim’s solid warmth
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
behind him until Kim is in his space again, this time in front of him as he washes his hair, then behind him again as he conditions it with something herbal and expensive-smelling, then brings his arm across Chay’s front again.
behind him until Kim is in his space again, this time in front of him as he washes his hair, then behind him again as he conditions it with something herbal and expensive-smelling, then brings his arm across Chay’s front again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Two options,” he says, his hand skating lower. “I can take care of that now, or I can take care of that after your massage.”
“I’ll fall asleep on the table if you do it now,” Chay admits.
“Two options,” he says, his hand skating lower. “I can take care of that now, or I can take care of that after your massage.”
“I’ll fall asleep on the table if you do it now,” Chay admits.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim is already kissing down the back of Chay’s neck and shoulder, and Chay feels Kim smile against his skin. “After, then.”
Kim steps away from Chay just enough to turn the water off, then bundles Chay into a towel and himself into a black satin robe
Kim is already kissing down the back of Chay’s neck and shoulder, and Chay feels Kim smile against his skin. “After, then.”
Kim steps away from Chay just enough to turn the water off, then bundles Chay into a towel and himself into a black satin robe
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
As Chay climbs onto it on his front and rests his head on his forearms, he sees Kim turn the heat in the room up a bit and pull a few things out of a tall linen cabinet before coming back to the table.
As Chay climbs onto it on his front and rests his head on his forearms, he sees Kim turn the heat in the room up a bit and pull a few things out of a tall linen cabinet before coming back to the table.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
And then Kim climbs on behind him, sitting carefully astride Chay’s thighs just above his knees, and Chay smells sandalwood and orange as Kim warms the oil in his hands, then runs both thumbs up either side of his spine from the dip of his back to his neck.
And then Kim climbs on behind him, sitting carefully astride Chay’s thighs just above his knees, and Chay smells sandalwood and orange as Kim warms the oil in his hands, then runs both thumbs up either side of his spine from the dip of his back to his neck.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay is powerless against the long, needy moan that comes out of his mouth, and he hears Kim huff a laugh before lowering himself down just behind Chay’s ear.
“I like that sound.”
Chay is powerless against the long, needy moan that comes out of his mouth, and he hears Kim huff a laugh before lowering himself down just behind Chay’s ear.
“I like that sound.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
But before Chay can say anything in retort, Kim sits up again and makes a similar motion in an arc up Chay’s shoulderblades, and then it no longer seems worth it to argue.
But before Chay can say anything in retort, Kim sits up again and makes a similar motion in an arc up Chay’s shoulderblades, and then it no longer seems worth it to argue.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim’s hands are firm and skilled as he works Chay, stopping every so often for more oil, listening as Chay points out troubled spots and finding many on his own that Chay wouldn’t have thought to look for.
Kim’s hands are firm and skilled as he works Chay, stopping every so often for more oil, listening as Chay points out troubled spots and finding many on his own that Chay wouldn’t have thought to look for.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“How did you get so good at this?” Chay asks at one point.
“I’ve been a touring musician for a decade.”
“𝘔𝘮𝘮𝘮𝘩,” Chay says as Kim digs down hard with the heels of his palms. “Let me guess, this is the first thing you do when you get home?”
“How did you get so good at this?” Chay asks at one point.
“I’ve been a touring musician for a decade.”
“𝘔𝘮𝘮𝘮𝘩,” Chay says as Kim digs down hard with the heels of his palms. “Let me guess, this is the first thing you do when you get home?”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim keeps working him for a moment before answering.
“Yes. Usually it’s me on the table, but I like this too.”
Eventually, time blurs, and Chay floats in a sleepy, liminal space for what could be ten minutes or an hour, Chay doesn’t know.
Kim keeps working him for a moment before answering.
“Yes. Usually it’s me on the table, but I like this too.”
Eventually, time blurs, and Chay floats in a sleepy, liminal space for what could be ten minutes or an hour, Chay doesn’t know.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
When Kim’s lips replace his hands on Chay’s skin, though, Chay starts to wake, and as Kim’s lips meet the top of his sacrum, Kim sits up on his knees, reaches beneath Chay, and unwraps the towel around his waist, letting one end of it fall.
When Kim’s lips replace his hands on Chay’s skin, though, Chay starts to wake, and as Kim’s lips meet the top of his sacrum, Kim sits up on his knees, reaches beneath Chay, and unwraps the towel around his waist, letting one end of it fall.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay hears Kim open another bottle, then the sound of him running something thick and wet-sounding between his fingers, and then one calloused fingertip is prodding at his rim and Chay tenses for a second as Kim bends down over him again.
Chay hears Kim open another bottle, then the sound of him running something thick and wet-sounding between his fingers, and then one calloused fingertip is prodding at his rim and Chay tenses for a second as Kim bends down over him again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Is this okay?”
“Yes,” Chay says, breathless. “𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.”
For a few long moments, Kim barely moves, just works that ring of muscle until even Chay’s hole starts to relax under his hand, patient as he plays Chay’s body like one of his guitars.
“Is this okay?”
“Yes,” Chay says, breathless. “𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦.”
For a few long moments, Kim barely moves, just works that ring of muscle until even Chay’s hole starts to relax under his hand, patient as he plays Chay’s body like one of his guitars.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
When he slides one slick finger in, Chay instinctively clenches around the intrusion, and Kim stills without withdrawing his hand until the tension inside Chay releases, then slowly begins stroking in and out.
“Relax, Angel. I’ve got you.”
When he slides one slick finger in, Chay instinctively clenches around the intrusion, and Kim stills without withdrawing his hand until the tension inside Chay releases, then slowly begins stroking in and out.
“Relax, Angel. I’ve got you.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
The second is easier. Kim slicks up his hand even more, and this time Chay lets out another long moan as Kim’s long musician’s fingers work him open from the inside.
With this, too, he takes his time, turning his wrist so he works all sides.
The second is easier. Kim slicks up his hand even more, and this time Chay lets out another long moan as Kim’s long musician’s fingers work him open from the inside.
With this, too, he takes his time, turning his wrist so he works all sides.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Once Chay is melting into the table, once again boneless, Kim sits up over Chay again, one hand firm between his shoulderblades as he presses down with that hand and hooks the fingers inside Chay forward, their tips skimming along both sides of his prostate.
Once Chay is melting into the table, once again boneless, Kim sits up over Chay again, one hand firm between his shoulderblades as he presses down with that hand and hooks the fingers inside Chay forward, their tips skimming along both sides of his prostate.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay whines, high and needy, and Kim pulls out for more lube before adding a third finger, this time without fanfare, just slow, gentle strokes interspersed with maddening circles around his prostate which have him nearly crying into the table in pleasure.
Chay whines, high and needy, and Kim pulls out for more lube before adding a third finger, this time without fanfare, just slow, gentle strokes interspersed with maddening circles around his prostate which have him nearly crying into the table in pleasure.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim has a whole forearm across the middle of his back and is holding him down while he works Chay with single-minded concentration, and it’s so much. Chay feels like liquid and like his nerves have been electrified, and he can’t move. He just has to take it.
Kim has a whole forearm across the middle of his back and is holding him down while he works Chay with single-minded concentration, and it’s so much. Chay feels like liquid and like his nerves have been electrified, and he can’t move. He just has to take it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Until Kim slows, once again leaning down over Chay.
“You still with me, baby?”
Chay is not sure what noise he makes in response, but it isn’t a word. He tries again.
“M’somewhere.”
Kim huffs a laugh.
“Then let’s go to bed.”
Until Kim slows, once again leaning down over Chay.
“You still with me, baby?”
Chay is not sure what noise he makes in response, but it isn’t a word. He tries again.
“M’somewhere.”
Kim huffs a laugh.
“Then let’s go to bed.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay nods. Kim climbs off him, and Chay hears Kim pad around the table until he’s drawing the towel back around Chay’s hips, securing it as best he can.
“Can you walk or should I carry you?”
Chay’s next words don’t quite make it out right either.
Chay nods. Kim climbs off him, and Chay hears Kim pad around the table until he’s drawing the towel back around Chay’s hips, securing it as best he can.
“Can you walk or should I carry you?”
Chay’s next words don’t quite make it out right either.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“I’m going to need you to repeat that,” Kim says, clearly amused.
“Why are you so hot, it’s not fair.”
Kim laughs softly at this. “Well, if carrying you to bed is all it takes to impress you, Angel, turn over for me.”
“I’m going to need you to repeat that,” Kim says, clearly amused.
“Why are you so hot, it’s not fair.”
Kim laughs softly at this. “Well, if carrying you to bed is all it takes to impress you, Angel, turn over for me.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay rolls over, meaning to stand up—but not even a second later, one of Kim’s arms threads under his knees, the other under his back, and Kim lifts Chay in a bridal carry, huffing in amusement when Chay yelps and throws an arm around his neck for balance.
Chay rolls over, meaning to stand up—but not even a second later, one of Kim’s arms threads under his knees, the other under his back, and Kim lifts Chay in a bridal carry, huffing in amusement when Chay yelps and throws an arm around his neck for balance.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
They don’t go far. Kim carries Chay back into the bedroom they’d passed through after they showered, lowering Chay gently to the floor. Chay turns around to face Kim again.
They don’t go far. Kim carries Chay back into the bedroom they’d passed through after they showered, lowering Chay gently to the floor. Chay turns around to face Kim again.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
The emotion in Kim’s eyes nearly knocks Chay’s feet back out from under him. Far from the sexy, teasing rock star he expected to find, the man in front of him looks rent open, all the secrets he’d sooner die than tell anyone just right there for Chay to see.
The emotion in Kim’s eyes nearly knocks Chay’s feet back out from under him. Far from the sexy, teasing rock star he expected to find, the man in front of him looks rent open, all the secrets he’d sooner die than tell anyone just right there for Chay to see.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Chay cups a hand under Kim’s face and smiles. “I understand,” he says, and kisses him.
It’s Kim who lets out some indiscernible noise now as he surges forward into the kiss, gathering Chay close again with one hand and unfastening his robe with the other
Chay cups a hand under Kim’s face and smiles. “I understand,” he says, and kisses him.
It’s Kim who lets out some indiscernible noise now as he surges forward into the kiss, gathering Chay close again with one hand and unfastening his robe with the other
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
as he walks them back to the bed, following Chay down when the backs of Chay’s knees hit the mattress. He unwraps the towel around Chay’s waist and snatches a pillow from the head of the bed, laying the towel out over it.
as he walks them back to the bed, following Chay down when the backs of Chay’s knees hit the mattress. He unwraps the towel around Chay’s waist and snatches a pillow from the head of the bed, laying the towel out over it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Slowly, reverently, Kim guides Chay down onto his front, then Chay watches as Kim stands enough to let the robe slip off his shoulders, pooling on the floor at his feet.
Slowly, reverently, Kim guides Chay down onto his front, then Chay watches as Kim stands enough to let the robe slip off his shoulders, pooling on the floor at his feet.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
He has already seen Kim fully naked. They were naked together in the shower just a little while ago. Still, seeing the black satin robe slide off his skin like liquid shadow is one of the most singularly erotic things Chay has ever seen,
He has already seen Kim fully naked. They were naked together in the shower just a little while ago. Still, seeing the black satin robe slide off his skin like liquid shadow is one of the most singularly erotic things Chay has ever seen,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
and Chay’s whole body flushes hot as Kim climbs over him again, straddling the backs of Chay’s thighs like he had on the table.
Chay feels rather than sees Kim start palming at his ass.
and Chay’s whole body flushes hot as Kim climbs over him again, straddling the backs of Chay’s thighs like he had on the table.
Chay feels rather than sees Kim start palming at his ass.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“I want to eat you out on the terrace while you watch the sun set,” Kim says.
𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬. If Kim keeps talking like this Chay is going to burn to ash. He catches Kim’s wrist.
“Tomorrow.”
“I want to eat you out on the terrace while you watch the sun set,” Kim says.
𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬. If Kim keeps talking like this Chay is going to burn to ash. He catches Kim’s wrist.
“Tomorrow.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“I’ll hold you to that,” he says, and sinks inside.
It’s so much. It’s 𝘴𝘰 much, even after Kim spent so long opening him on the table. Kim is thick and long, the stretch just barely on the pleasurable side of burning until Chay’s body,
“I’ll hold you to that,” he says, and sinks inside.
It’s so much. It’s 𝘴𝘰 much, even after Kim spent so long opening him on the table. Kim is thick and long, the stretch just barely on the pleasurable side of burning until Chay’s body,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
so recently worked boneless, relaxes around Kim completely. But Kim doesn’t seem to know this as he pushes in slowly, letting Chay adjust—and before he’s even halfway Chay is keening back looking for more, nearly whimpering with need.
so recently worked boneless, relaxes around Kim completely. But Kim doesn’t seem to know this as he pushes in slowly, letting Chay adjust—and before he’s even halfway Chay is keening back looking for more, nearly whimpering with need.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim drapes himself fully over Chay, bracing on one arm while he bands the other around Chay’s chest, and Chay feels Kim’s forehead against his shoulderblade, his breath hot against Chay’s skin.
“𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺.” Kim says his name like a prayer.
Kim drapes himself fully over Chay, bracing on one arm while he bands the other around Chay’s chest, and Chay feels Kim’s forehead against his shoulderblade, his breath hot against Chay’s skin.
“𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘺.” Kim says his name like a prayer.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Baby, I’m not going to last long.”
“That’s okay. I like feeling you like this, you can take your time with me in the morning.”
Chay feels Kim nod against his skin. Then he gathers Chay close from beneath and sinks forward, burying himself to the hilt.
“Baby, I’m not going to last long.”
“That’s okay. I like feeling you like this, you can take your time with me in the morning.”
Chay feels Kim nod against his skin. Then he gathers Chay close from beneath and sinks forward, burying himself to the hilt.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Fully seated now, Chay moves with Kim as Kim sits back onto his knees a bit, pulling Chay with him without separating them, and Chay stretches out over the pillow on his front like a cat as Kim pulls out about halfway, then sinks back in.
Fully seated now, Chay moves with Kim as Kim sits back onto his knees a bit, pulling Chay with him without separating them, and Chay stretches out over the pillow on his front like a cat as Kim pulls out about halfway, then sinks back in.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim sets a slow, rhythmic pace like this, grabbing Chay by the hips and practically hauling Chay back onto his cock before pulling out and doing it again. His breath is hot against Chay’s neck, his hands greedy for Chay’s skin as he rocks into Chay in long,
Kim sets a slow, rhythmic pace like this, grabbing Chay by the hips and practically hauling Chay back onto his cock before pulling out and doing it again. His breath is hot against Chay’s neck, his hands greedy for Chay’s skin as he rocks into Chay in long,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
slow arcs, and suddenly Chay is back on the table, losing himself anew to the feel of Kim working him from above and from inside, this time both at once.
Kim’s cock is heavy and insistent inside him, the drag of him inside exquisite as 𝘒𝘪𝘮 seeks more.
slow arcs, and suddenly Chay is back on the table, losing himself anew to the feel of Kim working him from above and from inside, this time both at once.
Kim’s cock is heavy and insistent inside him, the drag of him inside exquisite as 𝘒𝘪𝘮 seeks more.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Before long, Chay is on his forearms clawing at the headboard, his vision going white and hazy, and as Chay hitches his hips back even further, Kim reaches under him and wets his hand on the lube that’s collecting between Chay’s thighs and
Before long, Chay is on his forearms clawing at the headboard, his vision going white and hazy, and as Chay hitches his hips back even further, Kim reaches under him and wets his hand on the lube that’s collecting between Chay’s thighs and
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
threads Chay’s cock through his fingers, wetting his hand even further.
Chay hears himself make some high-pitched noise as Kim gets his hand on him. A beat later, that hand closes around Chay and Kim shifts his angle, raking his cock across Chay’s prostate
threads Chay’s cock through his fingers, wetting his hand even further.
Chay hears himself make some high-pitched noise as Kim gets his hand on him. A beat later, that hand closes around Chay and Kim shifts his angle, raking his cock across Chay’s prostate
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
and when a feral shout suddenly rips itself out of Chay’s mouth Chay hears Kim huff in satisfaction and tighten his grip, flicking his wrist down like he’s palm muting, and within less than a dozen quick strokes Chay is spilling into Kim’s hand.
and when a feral shout suddenly rips itself out of Chay’s mouth Chay hears Kim huff in satisfaction and tighten his grip, flicking his wrist down like he’s palm muting, and within less than a dozen quick strokes Chay is spilling into Kim’s hand.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim doesn’t last much longer. Kim holds Chay against him as Chay’s orgasm rips through him like floodwater, and a few beats later, Kim follows him over, turning them both onto their sides and locking Chay against him as he shakes with the force of his own.
Kim doesn’t last much longer. Kim holds Chay against him as Chay’s orgasm rips through him like floodwater, and a few beats later, Kim follows him over, turning them both onto their sides and locking Chay against him as he shakes with the force of his own.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Eventually, they both still, and when Chay turns around as best he can to face Kim, Kim’s next exhale is suddenly cold enough that gooseflesh immediately breaks out on Chay’s shoulders and chest.
Eventually, they both still, and when Chay turns around as best he can to face Kim, Kim’s next exhale is suddenly cold enough that gooseflesh immediately breaks out on Chay’s shoulders and chest.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim's face is tucked into the crook of Chay's neck.
There are tears rolling down the back of Chay’s neck, into his hair. They’re not his. One pools in the dip of his clavicle, and Chay catches it on his fingertip as Kim tracks his hand up over Chay’s throat
Kim's face is tucked into the crook of Chay's neck.
There are tears rolling down the back of Chay’s neck, into his hair. They’re not his. One pools in the dip of his clavicle, and Chay catches it on his fingertip as Kim tracks his hand up over Chay’s throat
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
then takes Chay’s entire jawline between his hand, kissing his neck.
A minute or so later, Chay pulls off of Kim’s softening cock and turns around to face him, shuddering a bit at the spend that follows.
then takes Chay’s entire jawline between his hand, kissing his neck.
A minute or so later, Chay pulls off of Kim’s softening cock and turns around to face him, shuddering a bit at the spend that follows.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
He works the towel out from under himself, cleans them both off as best he can, then tosses the towel gracelessly over Kim and off the side of the bed before settling back down, tucking himself into Kim’s chest as they kiss for a long time,
He works the towel out from under himself, cleans them both off as best he can, then tosses the towel gracelessly over Kim and off the side of the bed before settling back down, tucking himself into Kim’s chest as they kiss for a long time,
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
until both of them are having trouble keeping their eyes open.
When they start to slow, Kim kisses Chay’s forehead. That, Kim’s thumb under his lower lip, and Kim’s hand and arm curling around his waist are the last things Chay feels before he falls asleep.
until both of them are having trouble keeping their eyes open.
When they start to slow, Kim kisses Chay’s forehead. That, Kim’s thumb under his lower lip, and Kim’s hand and arm curling around his waist are the last things Chay feels before he falls asleep.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
—
The next morning, Kim is up before Chay. Chay comes upstairs to find that Kim has had breakfast delivered to them. He makes Chay’s coffee and once again can’t keep his hands off Chay, for which Chay teases him.
“Someone is handsy this morning.”
—
The next morning, Kim is up before Chay. Chay comes upstairs to find that Kim has had breakfast delivered to them. He makes Chay’s coffee and once again can’t keep his hands off Chay, for which Chay teases him.
“Someone is handsy this morning.”
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
Kim’s smile is soft.
“You are so beautiful in the morning. Especially in my clothes.”
Chay tucks his face in the crook of Kim’s neck. Chay had put on Kim’s robe in absence of any other clean clothes, as his bags are still in the trailer somewhere.
Kim’s smile is soft.
“You are so beautiful in the morning. Especially in my clothes.”
Chay tucks his face in the crook of Kim’s neck. Chay had put on Kim’s robe in absence of any other clean clothes, as his bags are still in the trailer somewhere.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Can we stay here today? I don’t want to leave yet.”
Kim kisses Chay’s temple. “𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦. As long as you want.”
That’s a tempting offer. They’re probably not there yet, but Chay can see it.
“Can we stay here today? I don’t want to leave yet.”
Kim kisses Chay’s temple. “𝘗𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦. As long as you want.”
That’s a tempting offer. They’re probably not there yet, but Chay can see it.
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
“Good. Because we didn’t clean up last night, and I hear there are three other huge showers in this house.”
Kim’s hands close around Chay’s waist under the robe as he pulls Chay in close, his voice low in Chay’s ear.
“Come with me.”
—
—
—
—
[ 𝘧𝘪𝘯 ]
“Good. Because we didn’t clean up last night, and I hear there are three other huge showers in this house.”
Kim’s hands close around Chay’s waist under the robe as he pulls Chay in close, his voice low in Chay’s ear.
“Come with me.”
—
—
—
—
[ 𝘧𝘪𝘯 ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI🔞]
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https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625640607698788352?s=46&t=slhRhFrgxMLID9lkAOxNgA
@SaturnCodelove @Nielle102295 @MeghaKP5 @Cloudburst_Ink @misti_violet @sdw3636 @_JBC64 @pluemonacute @littlepeachnv17 @iza774367228824 @vaneiouuu @armypedia15 @trxnfe @idabalingit4 @codefortin @Baek164 @LynnCastiel_ @jeffthinker_
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@itsashmohan @glrusherharrie @baehyuuck1 @MaryLovesJeffy @barchaychay @TehObengAnget @pinkspurr @FORTHEBRAVE @4vodkashots @bliracle @Fluteyberry @buffjelly99 @loveleighalissa @Reipersecutoria @mswanJeffy_ @hammiehyung @sumettawin @fangrl30 @santhymail
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@Vivianlv9 @Kavi77332610 @GareemaRanga @Mandisa_Sabah @abookstn @rasgonza @tawanannyaTay @xinnnnnyiin @EmilyWaters312 @justdinusha1 @BBBibleBuildBBB @barcodeism @asxveelaZy @gago86698824 @ImInTheBandomss @bluepiphanyy @Narcepriv @leagueoffish
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@_not_a_fairy @Suparna8759 @Illa4320 @Ekta_OTB @YogitaTanwar17 @SweetTaetae00 @petalsatur @ivy_nyerere @NJPKQ @biblebiu__ @Misty2319 @burnAbby1 @RandomQuotesAnd @snkyyss @cosyrae_shin @Kimchination @kimchayloveu @Innomicogni @pasta_saturdays @uptoapo
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@grayidiphyllei @chillipaddii @chimchimjimins @SamEllipants @imyehetic @NigrideNox @abira_og @YoogiBoongi @Ksenhen @wasntintocoffee @Zhen1ya @tkymnjjjjrl @dee_ksh_i @PrssilaRm @manlyseok @dropsoflove17 @halliwell_roman @Abbie_Stary @Desiree_archive
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@Sumett_property @bannaba85 @twilightzone72 @Unnamedhedgehog @dreamzente @peachy_hyuck @WIN4BBRIGHT @urdecember30 @ohpreciousgirl @TylAshke @Anastasiamensh5 @Jungkoo90073850 @jolo_97 @baby8ttalgi @RevaSha42510474 @sumettdean @ybbuiii @owlhong @ecinaj32
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@rhaa010802 @Evelyncrltte @enricutieee @arikiezel @KimChay_Archive @mswanJeffy_ @smiling6_ @jsaturbf @Lightsa29028068 @figliaru @YuriTWL @xingmiddae @felixstronaut @shawtycazi @Bcodetherapy @code_jsy @kalicocat013 @abiiii5555 @365_scrolling @littlecrepe
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
@ssarajj_ @wincyxkpts @satur_sunflower @FAplal @ngodcode @Sheeranosor @IkoBlue7 @kim_forlife @icy_cubic @cuteintrovertme @hellgbt @AugustinaMasih @BoutouhaLinda @manci4705 @_itsmeiamhere_ @marcusluvshelly @qselasie @Akszaaaz @charliewillerva @Axelle_Baudino
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
hit the heart on this only if I did NOT tag you in this thread and you DO want me to tag you next time
hit the heart on this only if I did NOT tag you in this thread and you DO want me to tag you next time
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
hit the heart on this only if I tagged you on this and you DO NOT want me to tag you next time
hit the heart on this only if I tagged you on this and you DO NOT want me to tag you next time
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
TOP OF THREAD:
TOP OF THREAD:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625640604863500290?s=46&t=slhRhFrgxMLID9lkAOxNgA
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
AO3 VERSION: DIRECTOR'S CUT
( 8k longer, has alternate ending )
(( my preferred version 😉 ))
AO3 VERSION: DIRECTOR'S CUT
( 8k longer, has alternate ending )
(( my preferred version 😉 ))
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625612748171124755?s=20&t=4GDBF-AgABzecLWiGdfYMA
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
landing for chapter 2:
landing for chapter 2:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625649242785079296?s=20&t=UJ47_5MjfCMMcw1sH2qoVA
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
landing for chapter 3:
landing for chapter 3:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625662477986922496?s=20&t=ZE_ozfyKUl8F_OrNdmMBQQ
[ #kimchay | #8SI ]
landing for chapter 4:
landing for chapter 4:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625683407597363200?s=20&t=xBF5BPT0H5R9GynE1eS-hw
director's cut AO3 version (8k longer, alternate ending)
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1625612748171124755?s=20&t=4GDBF-AgABzecLWiGdfYMA
sequel, of sorts, because I apparently cannot help myself:
https://twitter.com/_venagrey/status/1627043819127701504
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