funny_herman | The day after.

The day after.

Danny's bed was not so uncomfortable after all... Now why on earth did I even doubt that?

I could not help but straighten things out a little, just a bit. Just some items on his table and on his dresser. That was all. And I made the bed even though I know full well that it will promptly be unmade once Danny returns.

On the way back to the Klub, I stop at a nearby café for a late breakfast of coffee and a danish. As I eat at a window table, I wonder if Fraulein Kost is all right. Should I pay her a visit? I highly doubt that she would be pleased to see me, of all people. I pass on the decision for the time being.

Hopefully Ophilia is feeling better today. Hopefully Frankie's neighbors were not kept awake all night. And hopefully Victor... Well, I'm not sure what I hope for Victor just yet. I try to keep from smiling as I think of his smooth American drawl. ...Quite honestly, it makes me want to melt.

Shaking myself free of all that, I finish my breakfast and leave the café. It is a brisk day and I walk quickly with my hands deep in my pockets. Upon arriving at the Klub, I push the door open, and the sound of piano notes hits my ears before they abruptly stop. I close the door and make my way through the room, shedding my jacket, and I see Victor alone on the stage.

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*he returns the wave in greeting*

Ah, no, I was just messing about there. Not playing anything. It's been a long time.

*he shrugs and slips his hands into his pockets wondering where all his courage went. He hangs back, almost hiding behind the piano feeling shabby and unpresentable in his old clothing. He strokes an absent finger over one of the keys, pressing it down lightly, but not enough to strike a string.*

It's ah, not really my instrument, this. More of a brass man, myself.

*He peers down at Herman from his vantage point on the stage and smiles at the very pleasant view*

I see you made it to your friend's flat ok.

*smiles and nods, absently running a hand through his hair* Oh, yes, and I had a rather restful night, too, even though I'd never slept in his bed before. *inadvertently turns a little pink at his own word choice, but lets it slip with a very slight smirk*

*he makes his way past the tables and chairs toward one side of the stage* Hmm, brass, you say? Do you have an instrument of your own? If not, there are some old instruments backstage that somehow got left behind. Maybe there's something that can be salvageable.

*At the mention of the instruments, his brown eyes brighten and he comes from around the side of the piano, moving closer to the edge of the stage. *

No, I don't have one. The last one I had was my uncle's and I haven't a clue as to where it is now. But, it would be really swell to see what you got. Will you show me?

I have to admit, when you told me about your band I got really excited. I never played in a band, but it shouldn't be too hard to go from solo to a group, right?

*he plays with the coins in his pocket, flipping them about with his fingers*

And, I guess that you're gonna be looking for an audition from me, yea?

*he casts a pointed look at Herman from the corners of his eyes*

I don't know about playing for you right now, I'll have to practice a little, get my fingers back, but I could um... you know... sing a little.

*he opens his hands, spreading them out in front of him a bit hesitantly and adds hastily.*

I mean, if you want to. I don't want to hold you up from what you have to do.

*flashes him a lopsided smile* Well, first let's see if we have anything you can play, shall we? Come this way.

*as he walks past the stage, he motions for him to descend a short flight of steps hidden in the wings, and then leads him to the area backstage; it's dark, so he flicks a switch that turns on a dim, yellowed bulb, revealing disheveled racks of costumes, storage chests, and an array of instrument cases*

You can have a look through these. I suppose we'll have some sort of audition, but nothing formal, just so I can see what you can do. Can you read music, by any chance?

*He follows without a word, and stands behind him as he turns on the overhead light. Highly aware how close he's standing to him beneath the dingy light, he can't help grinning to himself, wondering what would happen if he just slid his fingers into the waist band of Herman's slacks where the shirt rumples up just a little at the curve of his spine. But, he stops himself and covers his leer by coughing lightly into his fist.*

Yea, I can read music. Dabble a little in writing too. I'm definitely no Mozart though. But, I can't wait to show you what I can do.

*He clears his throat, studies the costumes and then lets his gaze fall over the haphazard pile of graying handled cases. Moving around Herman, he kneels before the piles and searches through the larger ones. To his surprise, after flipping open the third one, he finds a tarnished trumpet.*

Hell, yes. I found it.

*he murmurs to himself, running his fingers over the valves. The bell is slightly dented and the mouthpiece looks like it's seen better days, but he picks it out of the red velvet lining anyway. The scent of stale saliva hits his nose and he chuckles and glances over his shoulder at Herman*

Smells just like my old one.

*He works the three keys up and down. They move stiffly at first and then more easily as he depresses them, making that familiar muted clacking sound. The spit valve is stuck closed, but he's sure it'll open with a little oil.*

*Picking up the mouthpiece with his other hand, he licks his lips and blows lightly into the small hole there. It vibrates slightly in his hand and he closes his palm about it. He holds it for a moment, and then feeling self-conscious with someone standing behind him, he replaces the instrument and closes the lid of the case.*

That one'll do.

*He straightens and gives Herman a slow pleased smile. He then turns to investigate the costumes again, intrigued by the sequins and feathered boas.*

*he stands with his jacket casually draped over his shoulder, his other hand in his pocket, as he watches Victor sort through the instrument cases, smiling when he finds a trumpet he can use*

Excellent, then. I trust you to get it into working order, as I have no experience with instruments you blow. *smirks*

As for your stage costume, I think you ought to know that the men usually wear black trousers and very little else, except perhaps a bowtie or suspenders for effect. Oh, and makeup. But we'll get to all that some other time. I don't think we're going to have a rehearsal today anyway because most of the band probably haven't recovered from last night.

*he turns around to face Herman, a half-grin quirking the corner of his mouth thinking that finding the trumpet was good, but still half wanting the cornet. He mulls over "instruments that you blow" and is loath to twist something that came out of such an innocent mouth*

*Besides, he thinks, Ophilia told you to put a leash on it.*

Makeup!?

*he says after a moment, a bit startled*

I have to wear makeup? How do you think I would look in makeup?

*grins at his reaction, and reaches up to take Victor's chin, tilting his face left, right, and back a bit, eyeing him in the dim light* Oh, I think you'd look quite nice. And don't worry, it won't be too much, just some eyeliner and a bit of white cream, and a little red for your lips. *he lowers his hand and slips it back into his pocket* Actually, the only man in the band who doesn't wear stage makeup is Danny, our bass player. If you came near him with any of the stuff he'd very well knock you down.

*without meaning to, he leans forward a bit as Herman takes hold of his face, and he can't help smiling as he does. His touch sends waves of heat radiating through him and he swallows hard*

*he is disappointed when Herman's hand falls away*

Well, Danny sounds like my kind of guy. I can't say that I've ever thought about indulging in the stuff. Let the ladies have it.

*he chuckles, letting his gaze roam over Herman's face, before coming to rest on his lips. His fingers itch to stroke them, but he clenches his hand into a fist at his side.*

But... I'd venture to guess you'd look pretty sexy in it too.

*his grin lengthens as he teases.*

That is, if you don't have a shiner from Danny. Though, you'd probably look good even with one.

*playing along, he bobs his head in a nod, smiling crookedly* Hmm, bruises and makeup. It'd give me that perfect balance I rarely achieve of looking like both a tough guy and a wanker.

*amused, he laughs and reaches forward to punch him on the shoulder*

Awright, awright... drop the shiner.

*he lightly brushes the skin beneath Herman's left eye with the back of his index finger.*

Keep the colored lips.

*chuckling, he blinks slowly and briefly lowers his eyes to watch Victor's finger stroke his skin; raising his eyes again he meets his gaze, his smile turning into a slight smirk*

That I can certainly still keep.

*encouraged, he lets his hand linger near to Herman's face for another moment. He returns the smirk and strokes his thumb down the center of Herman's bottom lip before touching his chin. He feels the stubble there, thinking that it would be easy to just curl his fingers around the back of his neck and pull him closer. He drops his hand.*

Good.

*he flushes slightly when Victor's thumb grazes his bottom lip, and his jaw inadvertently goes a bit slack at his touch; as he watches Victor's hand fall to his side, he absently runs the tip of his tongue over the spot where his thumb had just brushed against*

Well. *with a faint smile, glancing up into Victor's eyes before he coyly turns away and resumes speaking as if nothing had happened* In addition to being a band member, you would have to take up some duties around the club. *he slowly wanders back out into the main room of the club* Mostly just tending the bar, or cleaning up after closing time.

*never one to back away from such a clearly stated challenge, he doesn't bother to supress his wolfish grin. He narrows his eyes, watching the pink tip of Herman's tongue flicking over the place where he'd touched him, wondering if he can taste him. But he remains standing where he is as Herman turns to walk towards the main room. Sliding his hands into his pockets, he leans against the pole holding up the bar upon which the costumes dangle from their hangers, feeling it curve and roll over his spine as he shifts slightly. He can hear Herman talking about extra duties, noticing that he's moving as a slower pace than normal. He stays there for a moment longer, watching him walk away, waiting*

*Herman turns on his heel, his voice trailing off when he notices that Victor hasn't followed him out; he cocks an eyebrow at him*

Are you listening? Remember what I said about earning your keep. It just will not do if you can't follow orders. *he clearly enunciates the last three words, pausing between them, emphasizing them slightly, all with a cool look in his blue eyes and a curl of his lip*

*he hangs his head, chuckling to himself, but he doesn't let Herman see. Bending, he snags the handle of the trumpet case and carries it along with him and he approaches him. Coming to stand within inches of him, he meets that level blue gaze with his own. He pauses, breathing in his breath, slowly measuring him with his eyes.*

You'd be surprised how well I follow your orders.

*with his voice husky, he quirks a brow to underline the word "your".*

In fact, you won't have any trouble out of me, unless you wanted it.

*he cants his head just so, as if indicating that he might kiss him squarely on the mouth.*

And, you might just want it.

*his eyes sweep over the lines of Victor's face, the angles of his cheekbones, the stubble on his chin and over his upper lip; with a small smile, he tilts his head the opposite way*

*in just above a whisper, his breath warm against Victor's lips* If you give me trouble, Herr Biologist, I'll be sure to give it right back.

*his lips part into a inviting smile and for a brief moment, he contemplates his situation. He wants to be rational. He wants to fight through his raging arousal so that he can think clearly. But looking into those beautiful blue eyes, he's already lost. He puts the instrument case down with a solid clunk and moves back a half-step. With his face burning, hot with excitement and anticipation, he reaches forward and slides his hand lightly over Herman's flank, right above where his shirt is tucked into his slacks. He curls his fingers slightly. He breathes a long sigh and his eyes are soft when he looks up again*

Then I want trouble...

*he says very softly, and pulls Herman closer*

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The day after.

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