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slightlystupidhun · 3 months ago

Text

Niente

Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5

A band AU I’m writing! Sorry if it’s bad! There is no magic in this universe, just music! @puffin-smoke did an amazing Redacted Band AU that you should check out too!

TW: mentions of grooming and substance use and abuse, Quinn

Niente; To nothing; indicating a diminuendo which fades completely away…

Tank walked into the Jazz club and sat down at one of the tables near the front of the stage. They ordered themself a coffee and sat and waited for the Vampz. Thats when they saw the band walk out. They had heard quite a bit about the band and had done some research which is how they could tell who some of the members were. The keys were played by someone who went by the name of Vincent. He seemed charismatic and he was pretty handsome. Their drums were played by a spitfire named Lovely who had a great groove. They had two horn players, one named Bright Eyes and the other named Fred. They had a lead treble vocalist named treasure and a bass clef vocalist named Porter, treasure would also play lead guitar and occasionally Porter would play Sax. Then the last member walked onstage and Tank felt heat rise up to their cheeks, he was an attractive man, more rugged. He was their bass player named Sam. They were infatuated by his brown eyes and his dressy flannel.

The first song they played was an original of theirs called “Turn Your Love Around. It was funky and groovy. Many people in the jazz club got up and started dancing. Porter had a good smooth voice. Tank couldn't help but move their head to the beat a little and give a soft smile. They completely fell into the song as the They were grooving and very inspired. The minute the chorus started their world exploded. The trumpets, the dancing. All with the added bonus that the entire band sang parts of it with Porter really inspired them. As soon as they sang the lyrics “Turn your love around!” They had found their new favorite song, They also could have sworn they made eye contact with the Bass player.

The next song they played was their song “What You Won’t Do For Love.” Tanker absolutely loved this song. Its vibe was unmatched and they absolutely fell into it. The lyrics were so enthralling and the instruments really encapsulated the emotion. They took a sip of their coffee. Oh they definitely had to come back to this club again.

The next morning they were making coffee, alone in their kitchen, they started humming the song waiting for their coffee to brew. Before they knew it they were doing a mini little dance and singing. “Turn your love around, Don't you turn me down, I can show you how, Turn your love around!” They didn't even realize the entrance of David and the individual whom he was seeing. He called them Angel and they had been around the house quite a bit. Tank thought they were funny, and very good for David. Anyways they hadnt realized they had intruders until they turned around, their coffee now freshly made and starring David in the eyes. He had a lazy smile on his face and his arm around his partner. “Oh- Fuck…”

“Thats a good song, never heard it before… Did you write it?” Angel spoke up, their eyes gleaming.

“No! I uh… I just heard it at this jazz club I'm going to. Lasko suggested it so I went there to drink coffee and listen to some good music.” They knew they were over explaining but they felt it was necessary.

“Is this place safe? Should I go there with you?” David said his features hardening a little bit.

“No… Its fine, its a good environment…” Their cheeks heated up as they thought about the bassist that they definitely didn't want David to see them drooling over.

“Thats great! Oh and super cute dance moves by the way!” Angel beamed up at them and they let out a groan.

They found themself going to this club every wednesday to listen to the music, have a good coffee, and eye fuck the bassist. Wait, scratch that last part. They were not doing that. They just liked to appreciate good looks and talent. Yeah. Thats all. Today they even brought out the upright bass as they played a Louis Armstrong and Duke ellington classic, “It Don’t Mean A Thing.” They sipped their coffee as they listened to the swung rhythm and tapped their foot to the beat.

The next song they performed was Dinah Washington’s “What a difference a Day Makes.” Treasure has a glorious voice that they had grown to swoon to. It was so gorgeous and smooth and they loved every line.

As the music came to an end and the next band went on they decided to stay for a little longer and get themself a coffee. The barista knew them well at this point.

“Glad to see your Bassist today?” He asked. They both loved and hated Guy. He was funny but he had this terrible habit of cracking the wrong jokes at the wrong time.

“Shut it Guy.” They glared at him. “He’s not my bassist and I am pretty sure he doesn't even know that I exist. Besides, a guy in a band can mean no good for me.” They sighed.

“I wouldn't say that he doesn't know about you. And besides he is a good man. Quiet, stubborn, sometimes a bit of an old soul…” Guy continued on.

“Isn't he only 23?” Tank questioned at the mention of him being an old soul.

“Only 3 years older than you.” He smiled at them, “Happy belated Birthday by the way.” He slid them the coffee.”Speaking of the Devil, brace yourself.”

Before Tank could react a man was at their side. A very familiar man. It was Sam. Oh God were they blushing, they were blushing. Crap. They decided to just drink their coffee. “Sam this is Tank, Tank this is Sam.” Guy said as he left to go take more orders. “I think you guys would make great… friends.” Then he was gone. Guy just left them with Sam.

“Hi, Nice to finally meet you.” Sam said Drinking the tea that Guy left out for him.

“What do you mean?” They said looking at Sam.

“Well I’ve noticed you coming to our shows for the past three months. Just thought I’d say ‘Hi.’” He shrugged.

“Oh, I didn't think you would notice.” They looked at him being completely honest.

“Of course I'd notice.” He looked at them and smiled. “Besides I have to admit that I am quite the fan of yours… I saw you play at the D.A.M.N concert and I have to say you were pretty fantastic. Been checkin out your music since then… Its pretty good.” He said, his thick southern drawl igniting something deep inside of them.

“You like my- our songs? You’ve… wow, that's.” They paused, clearing their throat. “That’s cool… Which one is your favorite?”

“Hmm, ‘For What It’s Worth’ Is definitely one of my top picks…” He said, he was really contemplating this question. Tank was surprised he chose this song as one of his favorites. This was one of the first songs they ever wrote. It had a special place in their heart and he definitely wasn't lying about liking their music. “Gold Dust Woman…” He said, finality in his tone. He really seemed to like this song. “The harmonies just blend so well together, and the way the instruments tell the story with the vocals, it's just amazing. Also the lyrics hit close to home…” He smiled at them. They knew that they hadn't written this song, David had, but the fact that he liked any song they performed made their cheeks flush. “So… you’ve been listening to us for a while… Do you have a favorite of ours?”

“That's so difficult! I mean they’re all so great!” Tank said running a hand through their hair trying to think of their favorite. “The first song I heard of yours was Turn your love around so that one will always have a special place in my heart. However, I think Cry Me A River hit close to home. I definitely can't get it out of my head.” They ran their finger along the rim of their coffee cup.

FLASHBACK

“Thanks for meeting me here, Precious.” Quinn gave Tanker one of his signature smiles that before now would have melted their heart. Now it simply pissed them off.

“What do you want? And be fast, I have somewhere to be.” They checked their watch as they leaned against the railing of the bridge they were on.

Quinn did not like being rushed, even worse he hated when people seemed disinterested in him rather than fawning over him. He leaned in closer to them. “Well I asked you to meet me here Precious because I just hate how things ended between us. You know how sensitive Vega can be.”

“No. I don’t. Still looking for a bassist?” They asked knowing that it would push his buttons. They now took to examining their nails. He gritted his teeth and pulled out a box of cigarettes. He offered them one.

“Want to smoke with me?” He titled the box down to them.

“No thanks. I don’t smoke anymore.”

“You don’t do a lot of things anymore. You’ve changed. Someone has changed you haven't they? Listen, you cannot still be mad at me for what went down.” He tried to sound sweet but to them it was just suffocating.

“I’m not mad, just not stupid. I don’t have to be mad at you to not like you.” They smirked at him. “Is that all you had to say?”

“I want you back, Precious. You were a great thrill to have around and without you life is boring. Besides you need me don’t you? I mean who will give you as much fire, passion and talent as me?”

“I don’t need you. You don't miss me at all. You miss having a play thing. You don’t really feel things quinn and I believe that with my whole heart.” They said standing up and beginning to head back to their bike.

“That's a shame. I hope everything ends well for your one friend's partner… The stagemanager one, you know the one dating Lasko.”

“What do you want Quinn?” They turned, their eyes deadly.

“I want you to give me one night to prove to you that you need me. Or they can kiss their job goodbye.” He smirked at them as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“If anything happens to them Quinn, I'll beat your brakes off myself and feed you to starving lions for fun.” They headed back to their bike.

“This isn't the end, Precious.”

“I know. You need me.” They spat back at him driving off.

END OF FLASHBACK

“Hmm That's one of the ones I wrote, quite some time ago.” Sam said with a small smile as he took a sip of his tea.

“Well then you’re something of a lyrical genius.” They smiled into their coffee cup.

“Thank You Darlin.” He said, his southern drawl thick. They knew there was nothing behind the pet name but they couldn't deny the way their heart started racing. Still they shrugged it off.

“No problem.” They had now finished their coffee. They looked at Sam again as they heard his name be called from across the jazz club.

“Sam! Stop flirting and get over here! We wanna go home!” It was Fred yelling out. Vincent smacked him on the back of the head as the rest of the members slightly chuckled. Porter, though, was too busy trying to mess with Treasure to realize what was being said.

Sam sighed heavily and shook his head, grabbing his tea. “I hope to see you around again.” He offered Tank a soft smile. They smiled back at him and waved as he walked off.

________

Turn Your love Around- George Benson

What you won’t do for love- Bobby Caldwell

It Don’t Mean a Thing- Louis Armstrong/Duke Ellington

What A Difference A Day Makes- Dinah Washington

For What It’s Worth- Buffalo Springfield

Gold Dust Woman- Fleetwood Mac

Cry Me A River- Ella Fitzgerald