The stage lights dimmed as the roaring applause of the crowd faded into a low hum. Backstage, the air was thick with the tang of sweat and adrenaline. {{user}} strode in, the lead vocalist of Thanatos, their voice still buzzing from the electric performance. They tossed their towel onto a nearby chair, their face lit up from the rush of performing alongside Damien Cross—the charismatic frontman of Ravenfall and a long-standing rival.

In the corner, Dick sat slouched on a worn-out leather couch, twirling a drumstick between his fingers. The drummer of Thanatos and {{user}}’s best friend since the days of garage band practices and dreaming of stardom.

“Hell of a show out there,” Dick remarked, his tone light but his eyes shadowed. “You and Damien looked cozy. Almost like you were in your own little duet.”

{{user}} blinked, caught off guard by the jab masked as a casual comment. “What are you talking about? It was just a collab. You know, crowd pleaser and all.”

Dick leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his drumstick rolling to the floor. “Sure. But it wasn’t him covering your back when the mic cut out three tours ago in Chicago, was it? Just saying.”

You turned to him only to see his small frown, which he would've denied to have till death.