Fic: In this together
Mar. 10th, 2010 03:28 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
munninTitle: In this together
Pairing: The Robins
Fandom: DCU Band!AU
Rating: PG.
Disclaimer: All fun, no cash
Author’s notes: 100% organic. May contain minor flaws and imperfections that beta-treated slash wouldn’t.
Summary: a rough night before the Robins hit the big time. When the crowd starts to lose interest and the band starts to lose cohesion, Tim knows how to pull all back together.
Band!AU back-catalogue
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
modestroad Comment_fic prompt that started it all
Perils of rocking the big time with my The Star That Burns Brightest
faile_neume ’s perfect Bass Porn (Dick/Tim)
modestroad ’s fantastic tour tee-shirt design.
faile_neume 's painfully beautiful Together (Tim/Steph)
Followed directly by my Repairs and Re-plans
Please, please, please come play if this AU inspires.
It would have been an understatement to say the night was going badly. From the point they’d arrived at the venue, it was clear it was not their night. The owners of the club were rude and the venue was set up all wrong for their rig, their hotel booking had been messed up and there was nowhere close to park the van so they’d had to lug their gear several blocks.
When they got back to the van to grab the second load of gear, some guy was trying to break into it. That at least gave Jason a chance to blow off steam as he gleefully kicked the shit out of the guy before Tim and Steph dragged him away. Having to fill out a police report would just add an extra level of trouble to their day they didn’t need.
The slow set up and the fact Alfred was busy finding them a new hotel meant that none of them ate lunch and without regular meals Tim became cranky and unreasonable.
By the time they got on stage, things were already spiralling out of control. Damian knocked Jason’s beer with his heel and spilt it everywhere. Jason had been drinking since midday and saw fit to retaliate by striking Damian up the back of the head with a drumstick. Only Steph’s hand on the back of his neck stopped the youth from dropping his nay flute and launching himself at Jay.
“We’re losing the crowd.” Dick whispered, leaning into Tim’s shoulder as Jay and Steph belted into the rift. The audience was edgy and restless and in the wrong mood for what they were playing.
“I’ll take it.” Tim replied, nodding to the others.
Jay and Steph wound up the song; recognising the signals Tim was giving them. Even completely off their game they were still a family and use to reading each other’s body language.
Tim left the hidden corner behind Dick which he usually played from and dragged a chair to the centre of the stage. He sat down, cradling the bass into the right position, stretching his fingers around the neck, feeling the slight burn. His bo staff felt like this too but in a different way. He closed his eyes, remembering the way he felt in the Robin suit, on the rooftops of the city, at Bruce’s side and the words flowed.
Tim’s voice was never as strong or as clear as Dick’s but the song was his own and he sung it low and slow, plucking at bass’s strings in time to rhythm of his word.
He sang of Gotham and its endless nights. He sang of the wings of its champion and of the shadow he cast. He sung of longing and love and loss, and everything they’d left behind.
“But we turn away to face the day,” His voice cracked at the last line caught on his lips, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “Farewell to Gotham’s shadows.”
There was silence over the club but for the odd quiet sniffle.
Dick crossed the stage, slinging an arm around his brother and hugging him warmly. “You didn’t have to.” He whispered in Tim’s ear, knowing the emotion toll the song took on the youth.
“We needed to remember.” Tim sighed, wiping his face. “He’s why we’re together.”
Jason got up to clasp Tim’s shoulder as the audience found its collective voice, screaming and cheering their approval. The whole club rose in applauses as Tim, rather wobbly, found his own feet and moved back to his usual spot.
Damian caught his eye for a second, granting him a tight, fleeting smile and a nod of approval.
Steph planted a quick kiss on Tim cheek as he passed before kicking out a power cord from her guitar. “So you lot ready to party?” she called, smirking as the crowd roared with her.
Later that night, the older four found themselves crammed into the single double bed Alfred had managed to find them. Dick hummed the tune of Gotham’s Shadows as he stroking Tim’s hair, planting soft kisses on the top of his head. Steph curled up against Tim’s other side, her head resting on his chest. Jason reached over the sleeping girl between them to brush his fingers over Tim’s stomach.
Sometime during the night, Damien gave up the couch he had so fervently fought for and crawled in with them, tucking himself against Dick’s side.
Dick rolled over, sleepily hugging his often aggravating youngest brother. They were together; they’d be ok.
Pairing: The Robins
Fandom: DCU Band!AU
Rating: PG.
Disclaimer: All fun, no cash
Author’s notes: 100% organic. May contain minor flaws and imperfections that beta-treated slash wouldn’t.
Summary: a rough night before the Robins hit the big time. When the crowd starts to lose interest and the band starts to lose cohesion, Tim knows how to pull all back together.
Band!AU back-catalogue
modestroad Comment_fic prompt that started it allPerils of rocking the big time with my The Star That Burns Brightest
faile_neume ’s perfect Bass Porn (Dick/Tim) modestroad ’s fantastic tour tee-shirt design.faile_neume 's painfully beautiful Together (Tim/Steph)Followed directly by my Repairs and Re-plans
shiny_glor_chan ’s awesome The Fame
the_protagonist ’s ungodly beautiful “Untitled City-riff” lyrics
Please, please, please come play if this AU inspires.
It would have been an understatement to say the night was going badly. From the point they’d arrived at the venue, it was clear it was not their night. The owners of the club were rude and the venue was set up all wrong for their rig, their hotel booking had been messed up and there was nowhere close to park the van so they’d had to lug their gear several blocks.
When they got back to the van to grab the second load of gear, some guy was trying to break into it. That at least gave Jason a chance to blow off steam as he gleefully kicked the shit out of the guy before Tim and Steph dragged him away. Having to fill out a police report would just add an extra level of trouble to their day they didn’t need.
The slow set up and the fact Alfred was busy finding them a new hotel meant that none of them ate lunch and without regular meals Tim became cranky and unreasonable.
By the time they got on stage, things were already spiralling out of control. Damian knocked Jason’s beer with his heel and spilt it everywhere. Jason had been drinking since midday and saw fit to retaliate by striking Damian up the back of the head with a drumstick. Only Steph’s hand on the back of his neck stopped the youth from dropping his nay flute and launching himself at Jay.
“We’re losing the crowd.” Dick whispered, leaning into Tim’s shoulder as Jay and Steph belted into the rift. The audience was edgy and restless and in the wrong mood for what they were playing.
“I’ll take it.” Tim replied, nodding to the others.
Jay and Steph wound up the song; recognising the signals Tim was giving them. Even completely off their game they were still a family and use to reading each other’s body language.
Tim left the hidden corner behind Dick which he usually played from and dragged a chair to the centre of the stage. He sat down, cradling the bass into the right position, stretching his fingers around the neck, feeling the slight burn. His bo staff felt like this too but in a different way. He closed his eyes, remembering the way he felt in the Robin suit, on the rooftops of the city, at Bruce’s side and the words flowed.
Tim’s voice was never as strong or as clear as Dick’s but the song was his own and he sung it low and slow, plucking at bass’s strings in time to rhythm of his word.
He sang of Gotham and its endless nights. He sang of the wings of its champion and of the shadow he cast. He sung of longing and love and loss, and everything they’d left behind.
“But we turn away to face the day,” His voice cracked at the last line caught on his lips, a single tear rolling down his cheek. “Farewell to Gotham’s shadows.”
There was silence over the club but for the odd quiet sniffle.
Dick crossed the stage, slinging an arm around his brother and hugging him warmly. “You didn’t have to.” He whispered in Tim’s ear, knowing the emotion toll the song took on the youth.
“We needed to remember.” Tim sighed, wiping his face. “He’s why we’re together.”
Jason got up to clasp Tim’s shoulder as the audience found its collective voice, screaming and cheering their approval. The whole club rose in applauses as Tim, rather wobbly, found his own feet and moved back to his usual spot.
Damian caught his eye for a second, granting him a tight, fleeting smile and a nod of approval.
Steph planted a quick kiss on Tim cheek as he passed before kicking out a power cord from her guitar. “So you lot ready to party?” she called, smirking as the crowd roared with her.
Later that night, the older four found themselves crammed into the single double bed Alfred had managed to find them. Dick hummed the tune of Gotham’s Shadows as he stroking Tim’s hair, planting soft kisses on the top of his head. Steph curled up against Tim’s other side, her head resting on his chest. Jason reached over the sleeping girl between them to brush his fingers over Tim’s stomach.
Sometime during the night, Damien gave up the couch he had so fervently fought for and crawled in with them, tucking himself against Dick’s side.
Dick rolled over, sleepily hugging his often aggravating youngest brother. They were together; they’d be ok.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 04:39 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 04:41 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 04:43 am (UTC)The Fame
Date: 2010-03-10 04:35 pm (UTC)For once, the band got to sleep in. The boys definitely enjoyed this, but sometimes Steph would slip out, and this morning, they heard her squealing from the other room. Jason growled unhappily, shifting and trying to use Tim as a way to block out the noise. All it got him was a kick, even though, Tim didn't move away.
Dick groaned, taking his pillow and putting it over his head, but it didn't help since Damian came barreling into the room, clearly agitated. “Get that harpy to shut up!” Damian shouted.
Tim peeked out from under the covers blearily. “Damian, you're being just as loud now,” he grumbled, shoving away from Jason to roll out of the king-sized bed.
Grabbing for Tim, Jason glared at Damian when he noticed Tim was gone. “Brat, just knock her out and go back to sleep,” Jason muttered only to receive a glare from a sleepy Tim.
Dick's head popped up from beneath his pillow. “No fighting,” he announced as Jason rolled his eyes, about to get up and diffuse any fights about to happen, but Steph tumbled into the room with a grin plastered on her face.
“Did you hear yet!?” she shouted making Tim cringe.
“Can you shut up already?” Damian asked irritably.
Steph shoved Damian out of the way and jumped on the bed, jostling both Jason and Dick. “We're opening for Lady Gaga!” she announced giddily.
“Since when?” Tim asked with a yawn as he grabbed Damian's arm before he could attack Steph.
“Since now! We got a phone call this morning, and there was no way I was going to say no!” she exclaimed bouncily, hugging Dick and Jason. “Isn't it great?”
Dick laughed a bit, hugging Steph back. “Well, she does have a good following,” he agreed then grinned a little. “Her fashion is pretty cool too.”
Jason snorted as he pulled away from Steph's crazed fangirl hug, letting her fall on top of Dick. “Of course you do, Dick. Your fashion sense was developed at a circus,” he muttered as flopped back on the bed. “I just wanna know if those rumors are true.”
“What rumors?” Damian asked curiously, pulling his arm away from Tim, silently promising not to pummel Steph, for now.
“Nothing you need to hear,” Tim stated, cutting off what Jason was inevitably going to say about hermaphrodites and dick-girls. “Tell Alfred we'll be down for breakfast.”
“I don't take orders from you,” Damian stated, standing his ground.
“Damian, we're all hungry. Just go tell Alfred we're awake?” Dick asked as nicely, blowing Steph's hair out of his face as she crawled off him to hit Jason for making her fall on Dick. “Please?”
Damian huffed, muttering under his breath as he left. Tim sighed in relief as he fell back onto the bed which lead to Steph gluing herself to his side. “It'll be great! We'll hit it big-!”
“And you'll get to see Lady Gaga,” Tim cut in, ruffling her hair.
Steph huffed as she sat up and smooth her hair. “Timmy, this is for the band,” she said with emphasis.
“Heh, you just want play dress up,” Jason interjected lazily.
Steph looked back and forth between Jason and Tim, but it seemed they both agreed on that, so she looked to Dick. “Don't look at me!” Dick announced, hands held up in the air in defense.
“Because he just wants to play dress up to,” Jason drawled, earning him a smack from Dick and a held back chuckle from Tim.
“Ooh,” Steph cooed, perking up. “I could dress you guys up too!”
Jason and Tim shared looks that spoke many levels of 'hell no,' but Steph was already halfway out the door with a grin. Dick started laughing as Jason and Tim scrambled off the bed to chase her, shouting after her. With a laugh, Dick rolled out of bed to check on breakfast and make sure he wasn't short some band members by the end of the morning.
Re: The Fame
Date: 2010-03-10 09:51 pm (UTC)And I suspect one of them will find out if the rumours are true...probably Dick, it just won’t matter to him either way!
Thank you SO much! That’s just so fantastic.
Re: The Fame
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Date: 2010-03-10 05:19 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 05:20 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 09:49 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 10:06 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 11:25 am (UTC)(no subject)
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From:It's ok if you don't like it, but maybe it'll spark some ideas?
Date: 2010-03-10 11:30 pm (UTC)The city casts her shadow,
another disappearing day.
Reappearing into something,
from nothing.
I used to take these photographs,
The stage was set with buildings tall,
And I can't forget the sense of fate,
the night, it seemed to call (me).
The night would breathe so tragically,
now it fades into just fiction.
The streetlights blinked with disregard.
Nothing short of an apology.
And the sound of pain,
sounds just like the rain.
Its starting to burn like
a constellation.
Ugh. I'm a bad song-writer. This is why I only play covers. I can work on it more, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
Again, no pressure! I just know that when someone starts to write, even something that doesn't work for that situation, it can be helpful.
Re: It's ok if you don't like it, but maybe it'll spark some ideas?
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From:Sparks flying!
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From:Re: It's ok if you don't like it, but maybe it'll spark some ideas?
From:Re: It's ok if you don't like it, but maybe it'll spark some ideas?
From:Together Part One
Date: 2010-03-10 11:39 am (UTC)~
"Steph?" Tim asked, looking out onto the empty stage.
Steph was standing alone with her violin hanging loosely in her hand. The stage was set up for their supporting band, and a Baby Grand piano was sitting in the centre of the stage, Tim made his way towards it, and sat down on the stool.
Steph turned to him and smiled, but her cheeks were streaked with tears.
"Oh Steph," Tim said softly.
"She'd be two now," Steph replied.
She tilted her head back and took in a shuddering breath to steady herself, and then she tucked the violin under her chin.
She touched the bow lightly to the strings and looked to Tim. He smiled and placed his hands on the piano, finding the chords he needed.
He started playing softly, a low melancholy song and Steph picked up the rhythm easily, despite the fact she'd only recently started learning the violin.
The song wasn't anything they had played before, or anything they had written, it was just Tim observing Steph's mood and turning it into music.
Steph was swaying with the beat, her knuckles white where she gripped the neck of the violin. She was humming along with the music, and Tim found himself humming along, slowly increasing the tempo of the song.
His fingers sped up, and Steph moved with him, her movements growing sharp and frantic as she scraped her bow across the strings. She danced around the stage in little half steps, her body arched back and her eyes squeezed tight shut.
Tim could see tears brimming in the corner of her eyes as her playing increased in intensity. She ran the bow along the strings, until, with a sharp stroke, three of the strings snapped.
Steph fell to her knees and clutched her hand to her chest. Tim knocked the stool over as he ran to her and gathered her in his arms. He gently took her hand in his and uncurled it, inspecting the deep cuts that the lashing strings had made. Tim grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and tore it off. He wrapped the fabric around Steph's hand to stem the bleeding.
She looked at him with bright, wide eyes and he kissed her hands and wrists. Then he held her face in his hands and pattered kisses across her cheeks and brow. She sobbed and pulled away, then leaned forward to bury her face in Tim's shirt.
"Tim? Steph?" Dick called from the side of the stage.
Tim looked up to see Dick watching them with his arms wrapped tightly around himself. Tim nodded to him and he approached them, crouching down so he could hold both Tim and Steph in his arms.
They sat together for a few minutes, the silence broken by Steph's broken sobs. Eventually she stopped crying, and Dick was the first to stand.
He pulled Steph up and then picked her up in a princess carry. She tucked her head against his shoulder and held onto him tightly. Dick headed back to their dressing room and Tim followed behind.
Together Part Two
Date: 2010-03-10 11:40 am (UTC)"Is she okay?" He asked, reaching out to take her from Dick.
Dick handed her over with a soft smile, "She'll be okay."
Jason took Steph to one of the couches in their dressing room, Damian was curled up asleep on there, but Jason nudged him with his foot until he woke up.
"What happened?" Damian asked blearily as he rubbed at his eyes, then he frowned as he saw Steph.
He reached out for her and pressed his palm to her cheek, she turned to him and smiled at him despite her red-rimmed eyes. Damian scrambled up onto the back of the couch and motioned for Jason to put Steph down.
Steph curled up in on herself when she was laid down, and Tim sat next to her and then laid down beside her, shifting them both around so that they were as comfortable as possible. Steph relaxed a little and allowed Tim to hold her.
Damian bent down to brush the hair off Steph's face and she reached up to grab his hand. He watched her with intent eyes, as if he was searching for something. When she squeezed his hand he smiled at her and then flipped off the couch and disappeared out the door.
Jason knelt down beside the couch and pressed a kiss to Steph's hair, and then followed Damian out the door.
Dick remained for a few minutes, watching as Steph and Tim entwined themselves around each other. He moved to stand by the side of the couch, and both Steph and Tim turned to face him.
He leaned down and kissed Steph softly on the lips, she responded by stretching up to him and kissing him back. She sighed when he pulled away. He moved to Tim next, and kissed him more passionately, licking into Tim's mouth and kissing until he was breathless.
When he moved back he saw Steph watching them and he winked at her.
She chuckled briefly before sighing again and curling back up with Tim. With a final kiss on Tim's lips, Dick left them alone.
Tim let Steph wrap her arms around him and press against him. He moved his hand to gently stroke her hair as exhaustion over took her and he felt her breathing even out and she drifted to sleep.
Tim stayed awake to watch over her.
Re: Together Part Two
Date: 2010-03-10 11:58 am (UTC)I love you. *whimper* So perfect.
And Damien! Perfect!
Sorry for the slow reply, I had to hand it to my housemate to read so she could understand why I was whimpering.
Re: Together Part Two
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From:repairs and re-plans
Date: 2010-03-10 01:34 pm (UTC)“You break it; she’s going to hurt you.” Jay growled, crossing to double check the drum placements.
“Unlike you Todd,” Damian growled in return, twisting the pliers viciously, “I happen to know how to handle a real instrument.”
“Then what are you doing assaulting the Blonde Terror’s fiddle like a mad dentist?”
“I’m replacing the broken strings. I want...” he trailed off, going quiet for a moment.
Dick eased out of the shadow and crossed to stand in front of the youth. “What is it you want Damian?” he asked gently, resting his hands either side of Damian’s knees.
“I want to fix it for her.” the boy mumbled. “I know she won’t be able to play it tonight but...”
“That’s very kind of you Damian.” Dick whispered, gently touching his forehead to his little brother’s. “I’m sure she’d appreciate the gesture.” He reached out to hold the violin still as Damian removed the torn wires.
Jay wandered over to join them, “So can the Girl Wonder play tonight?” He asked, untwisting the replacement string and handing it to Damian.
“She seems to think so but I’ve asked Alfred to have a look at her hand when she’s ready.” Dick mused, “We may need to re-jig the set list – drop Twisted Smile and No Mans. I don’t want her to risk hurting herself on the solos.”
“I can do it.” Damian jutted out his chin. “I can handle the solos.”
Jay cocked his head at Damian disbelievingly. “I know you’ve done alright with the backing guitar but-”
“He can do it.” Steph called across the stage as she and Tim crossed to join them. “I’ve been working with him and Little D’s got the hooks down perfect.” She met Dick’s eye. “Damian takes the lead guitar tonight.”
Dick nodded to the hand she was cradling against her chest. Her wrist and hand were hidden by crisp white bandages. “What’s the verdict?”
She shrugged. “Alfred stitched me up but...” she trailed off, shrugging as Tim wrapped a comforting arm around her. “I’m not allowed anything more complex that a tambourine for a least a week.”
Dick shot her a dazzling smile. “One tambourine, coming up!”
Re: repairs and re-plans
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From:Re: Together Part Two
Date: 2010-03-10 03:05 pm (UTC)Re: Together Part Two
From:(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 02:48 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 09:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 03:47 pm (UTC)I kind of imagine Tim's voice like the guy's from Bon Iver (http://www.playlist.com/searchbeta/results/385179153). Have you heard of him?
I love this AU so very much and I'm so glad that it's going strong with collaboration.
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-10 10:00 pm (UTC)I’m so glad people are getting into it too. It’s really fun. You should join us!
(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-12 09:38 pm (UTC)And Dick's voice would be strong, like the dude from Muse? I don't know... or maybe David Bowie? Something strong and very rock and roll?
I kind of can't stop thinking about this AU, lol.
My contribution:
Date: 2010-03-12 06:06 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2010-03-12 10:33 pm (UTC)Prologue: A Career in Transcendence (http://the-protagonist.livejournal.com/23954.html)
(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-28 04:25 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-03-29 10:40 am (UTC)May I ask how you found this story? I'm always curious as to how people find their way to my stuff.
Thanks again!