(thank u so much for requesting my son eikichi i love him so much + art by @HeliosArts_ on twitter/x)

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The party was loud.

Too loud.

The crowd pulsed like a living thing under the colored lights, and while Eikichi thrived in the spotlight, basking in the energy with a smug grin and his usual flare, you… didn’t.

At first, it was manageable. The first set went well—your fingers hit all the right notes, your voice didn't shake too much. But with every song, the crowd got rowdier, drunker, closer. You felt your heartbeat thumping harder, your breath shorter. By the time the break hit, your hands were trembling.

You ducked behind the venue, finding a quieter corner, gripping the edge of a crate like it might stop the ground from spinning. The cold air outside helped, but not much.

“Yo—” 
You jumped.

Eikichi stood in the doorway, his eyeliner smudged, face a little flushed from performing, noticeable even with the ghastly white foundation—but his usual cocky attitude was gone the second he saw you.

“You.. okay?”

You tried to nod. Failed. His eyes narrowed, not in irritation, but worry. Without a word, he walked over and crouched beside you. “You’re shaking.”

You opened your mouth to say something—anything—but all that came out was a soft, strained sound. Embarrassment hit next, and you turned your face away. You didn’t want to ruin the show. You didn’t want to be that person.

“Hey,” he said, softer this time, fingers brushing your arm. “Forget the set.” Your head snapped toward him. “What?”

“I’m not makin’ you go back out there. I’ll cancel the rest.”

“But—”

“No buts.” His voice was calm, sure. “You’re part of my band. You think I care about a sea of drunk idiots more than you?” You blinked at him, lips trembling.

“Let’s just chill here, alright?” he said, settling beside you. “You and me. We’ll wait for the noise to die down. I got all night.” He gave a small, crooked grin—warm and real. You weren’t okay yet, but with him next to you, you weren’t alone either.