Musician Age Gap AU Pt 12
Lena's entire body seems to buzz as they hover in the wings offstage, waiting for the cue to proceed. She bounces on the balls of her feet, fingers twisting together with uncharacteristic nerves, completely unlike the staid presence she'd run into under the National City arena.
"You okay?" she asks hesitantly.
"I've never shared new music live before," Lena confesses. "What if they hate it?"
"Nah," Kara dismisses. She smiles. "They'll love it, cuz its you."
If nothing else, the novelty-- the privilege-- of witnessing a live performance of a never-before-heard song would ease any negativity the song itself might earn down the line. Even Kara herself hasn't had a chance to hear it.
The nearest stagehand motions one minute to go. Finally, Lena stills, taking a moment to breathe deep.
"You've got this," Kara promises, before stepping away.
The lights dim, then go out entirely as the pre-show music quiets. In its place lifts a deafening roar from the crowd. Its so dark Kara doesn't see Lena move into position. One minute she's there, and the next an overhead spotlight snaps on to illuminate Lena centerstage, arm stretched high.
She waits for the din to just start to fall away, and then she's off without a single shred of her anxiety from just moments before. Her movements are strong and confident as she strides across the stage, playing to the crowd in just the right way to get them pumped and engaged for the next two hours.
Her first song is the same from the National City show, as is the second, and third. Kara doubts anything has changed, no doubt so rehearsed Lena could do it all in her sleep, singing included. But watching it again feels an all new experience.
It steals her breath away, and she only comes back to herself when Lena slows, reaching for a mic stand. This is it.
"I know you guys came here prepared to sing along with every word," Lena begins, even her speaking voice rich like velvet. "Which I'm sure you can sing better than I can at this point."
She earns a raucous burst of laughter, and prompts a giggle from Lena.
"But I'm afraid this next one is going to be all me... cuz I've a little something new for you tonight."
Kara thinks she might have lost her hearing, ears ringing in the answering explosion of cheers. Lena patiently waits for the opening to continue, grinning all the way.
"It's pretty self-explanatory once you hear it, but here's the thing: you know that ex who keeps reaching out? Believe it or not, I have one."
Another round of laughter, and a little bit of hollering.
"I thought I blocked him on everything, but I must have missed something, because guess what I got?" Lena pauses for comedic effect. "A cashapp payment for three dollars and thirty three cents."
Laughter fills the arena, and Lena joins with a delighted giggle. "The note of course asked me to call him, but... I don't know. What do you think?"
Cries of No! and Don't do it! echoed from various areas of the audience, and Lena nods.
"I think we're on the same page then. Three dollars and thirty three cents doesn't earn you a phone call..." Lena leans in close to the microphone. "But it might just earn you a song."
The audience laps it up, eliciting even more whooping cheers. Lena nods, half to herself, and half to the audience.
"Let's hit it!"
As soon as the music starts, Lena shifts effortlessly back into performance mode. Kara listens, bopping along to the bouncing beat and playful lyrics. Playful but scathing, it turns out, listing off all the reasons this mysterious ex will never see her again.
From her spot in the wings, Kara sees the crowd dancing, not singing but cheering and spinning and bouncing and absorbing it all with reckless abandon. She registers Lillian's approach beside her, but doesn't so much as glance at her. Whatever Lillian thought about Lena's plan, it was working. Tomorrow, all the world would care about is getting their ears on this new song-- and they would love it.
"You have no idea the bullet she just dodged for you."
Kara does look over at that. Her brow furrows sharply, and Lillian smirks as she watches her daughter perform.
"This time tomorrow, the world is going to be so busy sleuthing out which of her ex's this song is about, they won't even remember your name."
Onstage, Lena finishes her song with a boisterous laugh, letting the fresh cheers roll over her. Lillian turns to Kara, leaning in close.
"So when you ultimately decide this fantasy isn't for you, remember that a twenty four year old is the reason you'll still have a real life to go back to."
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