#glee tour | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

artofalyksandr · 1 year

Photo

Forever yours, faithfully

Accompanying ficlet below the cut. Please be kind, I haven’t written fanfic in like 8 years, and I have no beta

Journey was playing from Gareth and Eddie’s room, again. Eddie at least had the decency to turn it down when Gareth walked in, but he didn’t bother changing the tape.

“Hey, Eds. How ya feeling?”

Eddie was quiet for a while, sitting on his bed staring into the middle distance. Gareth sat gently beside him, accustomed to Eddie’s quiet moments and willing to wait.

“I want to add something to the set list.”

“Okay,” Gareth nodded. “Whatcha thinkin’?”

Instead of answering, Eddie turned the stereo back up. An introductory instrumental began and soon enough, Steve Perry started crooning through the speakers.

Highway run, into the midnight sun

Wheels go ‘round and ‘round, you’re on my mind

Oh, the situation was worse than Gareth thought.

“Sure, Eds, we can totally do that.”

Eddie seemed to relax at Gareth’s lack of protest. “Thanks, Gare.”

Gareth nodded and patted Eddie’s shoulder. He left Eddie to his dissociative moping and headed down to the reception desk to use their phone.

It wasn’t a secret how much Eddie missed Steve. The two had been nearly attached at the hip since the awful events of Spring Break ‘86. Gareth didn’t know what all went down in that week but when Eddie showed up nearly dead after a town-wide witch hunt, Steve hardly left his side. They hadn’t been apart for more than two weeks since. The longer they were apart, the grouchier Eddie got.

Gareth loved Eddie, he did. Eddie was his brother in all the ways that really mattered, but even he had his limits. And it turns out his limit was Journey.

The line rang once, then twice. Halfway through the third ring, the other end picked up.

“Harrington residence: this is Steve.”

“Hey, Steve. It’s Gareth, is Robin at yours?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Can I talk to her?”

Gareth heard a muffled conversation and some shuffling on the other end before he finally heard Robin pick up the reciever.

“Go for Robin.”

“Hey, Robin, it’s Gareth. We’ve got a problem.”

“Tour life kicking your ass?”

“No, actually it’s been really good so far, we’re all having a blast. But I’m worried about Eddie, really worried. A few nights ago I caught him listening to Journey. Journey, Robin! And when I came back to our room tonight, he just turned the tape down instead of changing it. He want’s to add ‘Faithfully’ to the set list.”

“Shit, that’s bad.” Robin hissed. “Do you think it’s time?”

“Yeah, I think it is.”

Before Corroded Coffin left on tour, Robin and Gareth had agreed that they could call if their respective best friends seemed to be spiralling without their partner. Without question, or justification, they would fly Steve out to whichever city the band would play next so he and Eddie could meet up.

“Okay, we’ll be there. What’s your next stop? ”

Gareth let out a sigh of relief. “Next up is Boston, day after tomorrow.”

“That’s perfect actually, I’ll coordinate with Nance. I’ll just tell Steve we’re going to visit her.”

That’s right, Nancy Wheeler was going to college in Boston.

“Thank you so much, Robin.”

“Don’t worry about it. Eddie’s not the only one who’s been having a hard time with the extended separation,” Robin sounded tired on the other end of the line. “I’m just more used to Journey on repeat than you are.”

“Steve’s been listening to it too, huh?”

“He keeps it to once a day, for my sake. But, yes. Frontiers is part the daily music rotation.”

Something clicked in the back of Gareth’s head. If he could pull it off, he’d be the best friend/pseudo-brother ever.

“Hey, Robin? I’ve got a kind of crazy idea.”

Gareth pitched his idea to her.

“Holy shit, that’s brilliant! I’ll take care of everything until we get to Boston.”

“I’ll give your names to security and set it up with the road crew. We’ll see you guys in Boston.”

When Gareth hung up the phone a few minutes later, he had Nancy Wheeler’s Boston phone number in hand and a lighter much lighter heart. He and the guys could deal with Eddie as he was for another 48 hours.

On the way back to the room he was sharing with Eddie, Gareth stopped by Jeff and Frank’s room to let them know about the addition to their set list and the surprise for Eddie.

*****

Rehearsal and sound check went as smoothly as they could have. They played through “Faithfully” a few times to make sure they had enough of a handle on it that they wouldn’t make complete fools of themselves during the show. They followed up with a few originals, and some of their favorite covers just to loosen up.

When Eddie stepped aside to check a couple of things with their sound engineer, Gareth took the opportunity to fill in the other two on the last bit of his plan. The Hawkins crew were set to arrive any minute and Gareth was going to need Jeff and Frank’s help if he was going to keep this a surprise until show time.

One of the guys from the venue’s security team waved Gareth down when the band broke for lunch.

“We’ve got some folks up at the front waiting for you. Asked for you, specifically.”

“Yeah, I’ve been expecting them, thanks.”

He nodded at Frank and Jeff and followed the burly security guy towards the front of house. When he stepped into the mid-day sun he saw Steve, Robin, and Nancy waiting for him and grinned.

“Would you look at what the cat dragged in,” Gareth laughed as he pulled Robin into a hug. He shook Nancy’s hand cordially and gave Steve a brotherly one-armed hug. “It’s really good to see you guys.”

Gareth held the door and beckoned the three of them inside. As they made their way back through the arena, he filled Steve and Nancy in on the plan, with intermitent comments from Robin. Nancy’s face lit up and Steve’s softened.

“Gareth, if we can pull this off, its going to be incredible. I seriously owe you.”

“We can talk about repayment later, Harrington. Let’s get this thing moving. Nancy, you’re up.”

Nancy nodded and followed the security guy towards the green room to drag Eddie offsite for lunch. Gareth brought Steve and Robin to the stage where Jeff and Frank were waiting.

“There he is!” Jeff called jovially, jogging over to the three of them. “The man of the hour.”

“Hey, Jeff, Frank,” Steve accepted the friendly hug from Jeff and returned the stoic nod he got from Frank. “I hear it’s going to be quite the show tonight.”

“That’s the plan,” Gareth said clapping him on the shoulder.

“Alright, dinguses, let’s get started. We don’t have a whole lot of time and we’ve got a laundry list of things to get done before Eddie and Nance get back.” Robin called to them from where she’d perched herself on one of the speakers.

Gareth nodded. “You heard the lady, let’s get started.”

*****

The show was going incredibly well, especially considering Eddie’s recent mood. The crowd was absolutely insane, feeding into the band’s adrenaline. As their current song came to an end, Gareth glanced into the wings where, sure enough, Steve, Robin, and Nancy were waiting for their cue.

Eddie shook himself out at the mic stand and looked back at Gareth. Gareth returned the look with a supportive smile and a thumbs up.

“Alright everybody. The energy tonight is insane, but I’d like to bring it down for a sec. Then we’ll be right back to the usual shit for the big finish with some crowd favorites.”

Jeff and Frank checked the tuning on their guitar and bass respectively and gave a few experimental strums, then gave Eddie matching thumbs ups.

“This next song isn’t our usual sound, like at all, but it means a lot to me. If I’m being honest with you guys tonight, the last few weeks of tour have been a bit hard for me. There’s someone back home who I’ve been really missing and this song reminds me of him. So, Stevie Boy, this one’s for you. I love you.”

Eddie pulled the microphone from its stand and stepped back, turning his back to the anticpating crowd. Jeff and Frank began the opening instrumental with a quick coordinating glance and one last reassuring nod from Gareth where he sat behind his drum kit. Eddie let out a deep breath and brought the mic to his mouth.

Highway run, into the midnight sun

Wheels go ‘round and ‘round, you’re on my mind

Eddie bounced on his toes and spun to face the crowd.

Restless hearts, sleep alone tonight

Sendin’ all my love along the wire

Gareth turned to the wings. Steve gave him a nervous smile, but he nodded nonetheless. They were all set and ready to go. At the front of the stage, Eddie continued the ballad.

They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family

Right down the line it’s been you and me

And lovin’ a music man ain’t always what it’s supposed to be

Gareth watched from behind his drum kit as Eddie’s shoulders began to shake.

Oh, boy, you stand by me

I’m forever yours

Faithfully

As Jeff and Frank picked up the pause in the lyrics, Gareth gave a meaningful nod into the wings and watched Steve step into the stage lights.

Standing on stage with the other members of Corroded Coffin dressed in their cut-off band tees, leather, chains, and torn jeans, Steve stood out. He was dressed in a weird cross of Eddie’s style and his own. He wore a black polo with thin red stripes, dark wash jeans, sneakers, and Eddie’s old battle vest. Someone, presumably Robin, had lined Steve’s eyes with a touch of kohl, and while Gareth couldn’t be sure, it looked like Steve might be wearing lip gloss. Nice touch, Buckley.

Steve stepped further down stage and picked up the next verse without missing a beat, matching Eddie perfectly.

Circus life under the big-top world

We all need the clowns to make us smile

Eddie’s head whipped around and he stopped, microphone still raised.

Steve, God bless him, kept going like this was nothing out of the ordinary.

Through space and time, always another show

Eddie’s brain seemed to reboot just in time and he took the next line.

Wonderin’ where I am lost without you

Steve met Eddie at center stage and took his hand gently. Eddie’s grin was unmatched, his eyes glistening. Watching the two of them from his vantage point, it occured to Gareth that Eddie and Steve were passing the song back and forth between them. Like they’d done this before, just without an audience.

And being apart ain’t easy on this love affair

Two strangers learn to fall in love again

I get the joy of rediscovering you

Eddie moved his hand to Steve’s cheek, his touch so gentle and full of love. Steve dropped his now empty hand to the “S” tattoo that sat on Eddie’s hip bone, just above the waistband of his leather and mesh pants. There was so much love between them, and just witnessing it took Gareth’s breath away.

Oh, boy, you stand by me

I’m forever yours

Faithfully

Eddie and Steve let the crowd sing the vocalizations, taking the moment to absorb each other before Eddie brought it home.

Faithfully

I’m still yours

I’m forever yours

Forever yours

Faithfully

Jeff and Frank played out the final notes to an awestruck crowd. Eddie launched himself into Steve’s arms, his shoulders heaving and the crowd roared with applause. Steve cradled Eddie’s face in his hands. The two of them seemed to be having a conversation and the world outside that conversation didn’t matter.

Gareth let them have their moment before tapping the kick drum a few times to get their attention. Steve looked up at Gareth atop his raised platform that housed his kit and gave him a half-hearted apologetic smile. He squeezed Eddie’s hip, running his thumb over the tattoo and muttered quickly to Eddie. Steve kissed Eddie’s knuckles and took his leave, retreating into the cheering arms of his best friend and his ex-girlfriend.

Eddie turned back to the crowd.

“Holy shit, you guys.”

The crowd cheered below him.

“Well, that was our surprise guest, Steve. At least, he was a surprise to me. But you guys came for a Corroded Coffin show and with the time we’ve got left, that’s what you’re gonna get! Let’s rock this!”

*****

After the encore, Corroded Coffin poured off stage, buzzing with adrenaline. Eddie ran to meet Steve, sweeping his boyfriend into a fierce hug.

“Holy shit, Stevie! The hell are you doing in Boston?”

“Robin said we were coming to visit Nancy, but apparently she and Gareth were scheming behind our backs.”

Eddie looked over to Robin, who shook her head pointed at Gareth. “Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this one. The whole thing was his idea.”

Gareth twirled his drumsticks nervously.

“Gareth?” Eddie prompted.

“Look, dude, I love you but I couldn’t stand listening to Journey for another three weeks. And when you said you wanted to add “Faithfully” to the set list, I knew it was time to call my emergency back up. So two nights ago, I called Steve’s place and talked to Robin. And it all kind of spiralled from there.”

The awe on Eddie’s face was unmatched and Gareth couldn’t look directly at him. Eddie pulled into a hug and let out a quiet sob into Gareth’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

If asked later, Gareth would deny his own watery eyes as he hugged his brother.

“Of course, Eds. Any time.”

57 notes · View notes