Work Text:
In Brendon’s free time he attends a part time job at his old uncle’s record store.
It’s family, it's fairly easy money, and it fuels Brendon’s love for music.
Also, the store isn’t the most busy — Yes, they get quite a few customers since the store is located in the more part central of Las Vegas. But it’s the kind of busy that’s bearable. A busy you can breathe in those few times a week.
Usually, Brendon can actually manage to sit down in the back of the store for a bit, quietly strumming on his beloved and well-used acoustic guitar. Quietly humming some random rock ‘n’ roll tune he’s got stuck in his head all day.
Other than attending his part-time job and college, Brendon is in a two-man band with his great friend and roommate, Jon.
Jon plays the bass and Brendon keeps busy with two instruments: the guitar and his vocal chords.
Jon does some backup vocals where it’s due as well. He’s got a nice voice.
It’s a Saturday afternoon and Brendon has promised his uncle to pick up an extra shift. He doesn’t usually work Saturdays.
Brendon is currently sitting in the mildly uncomfortable chair behind the cash register with his right leg bent to rest on his left one. He’s got one earphone in his ear, the other one dangling down his side, blasting ‘Losing A Whole Year’ by Third Eye Blind from his iPod. His eyes are quietly scanning over the pages of a random rock magazine that was laying on the counter when he got there.
The shop is surprisingly empty for it being a Saturday.
The college student, feeling rather content, lets his hand sneak its way to the packet of already-open twizzlers laying on the counter and sticks one in his mouth. He munches down on the sugary item like it’s something he’s been desperately in need of.
And at that moment the shop door bell rings.
The sound automatically makes Brendon’s eye relocate in the direction of the storefront door. They settle on the sight of a slender guy with warm brown locks of hair. The guy, honestly, dressed like someone straight out of a niche fashion magazine — He’s dressed in black pinstripe trousers, paired with an elegant and fitted floral vest.
A long-sleeved white shirt tastefully showing underneath.
Sure, in Vegas you see your fair share of people wearing extravagant clothing, dressing to impress. It’s not something that Brendon tends to eyeball (even though he, himself, does enjoy fashion to a certain extent).
But something about this male customer in front of him makes Brendon do a rare exception to his usual staring habits. He looks to be around his age as well, he notes.
The guy catches Brendon peering in his direction and decides to cast a shy wave in his direction, lips molded to a straight line, before browsing the store’s content.
Brendon takes this as his sign to go back to his date with the rock magazine in his lap, only now nibbling at the skin on his thumb instead of his piece of twizzlers.
Noticing his continuation with skin picking, he goes on to organise the cd corner-section to keep his hands and mind busy. He’s been having the intention lately to stop that act.
As he hands in front of the store’s cd selection he thinks to himself that the section could use a round of dusting.
Though Brendon still has music playing at an adequate volume in one of his ears, he still manages to catch the sound of someone clearing their throat behind him. He pauses the music and turns around in one go, and locks eyes with the softest eyes he's ever seen.
The eyes have this golden syrup-esque colour with an olive hue. And brendon finds himself tantalised by them, and how well they seem to fit the features of their owner. The fashionable customer from before. Though, the guy in front of him seems to look indifferent to the attention Brendon is paying his facial features. Instead he just draws attention to the few vinyl records he’s got in his grasp. The words "Hey. I’d like to pay for these, please.” leaves the boy’s mouth and Brendon feels his knees wobble.
How perfect can a human be?
Snap out of it!
Managing to keep his swarming thoughts at bay he signals for the too-charming customer to follow him to the cash register. And so he does.
Doing his job ringing the customer, he can’t help but peek at what the guy actually bought. Almost like an unconscious attempt to get a bit closer to the guy, who has shown himself to be quite an enigma to Brendon.
His hand brushes over a ‘Taking Back Sunday’ record, and with a beaming white smile points his index finger down at the item.
“You’ve got great taste, ya know? Big fan of this band myself.”
The comment seems to plaster a slight frown of disinterest on the fellow male’s face.
“Oh yeah? That’s cool.” Adjusting his choppy fringe as he answers. His answer makes Brendon feel stupid.
Of course, he’s now thinking I’m the weird cashier trying to strike up an awkward conversation, he thinks to himself. So instead of trying to continue the conversation, Brendon lets it die like that, focusing on his job.
Brendon sighs as he watches the intriguing male leave the store; the sound of the bell signaling his departure.
“I’m sorry I’m late, man!” Brendon exclaims as he, that evening, enters Jon’s parents’ basement. The place where they have the duo practice together.
Jon’s parents are the kind of laid back parents Brendon wishes he, himself, had.
He’s met with a sight of his bandmate already jamming on his instrument. Cocking his head up at the sudden roar of sound coming from Brendon’s vocal chords.
“Where have you been, mate? I figured you ditched me or forgot since you didn’t pick up your phone.” Jon asks.
“Oh— I'm so sorry ‘bout that. I missed my bus and then my phone died so I couldn't call you.”
Brendon scratches the back of his head while looking apologetic. Though, his demeanor quickly shifts in a more positive direction.
“But I’m here now, so shall we rock it out?”
Jon, in his non verbal way of agreeing, smiles like all is forgotten. Brendon’s upbeat energy tends to have that effect on Jon.
He waves him over and within no time they start rehearsing their few musical projects.
At about 10 o’clock at night they decide to wrap it up for the day.
Jon apparently forgot he had an impending (and so conveniently not-yet-written) paper he had to turn in tomorrow.
Which means the poor guy has to cram it overnight. While his roommate’s head spins from his sudden realisation of his responsibility, Brendon feels himself growing eager to crash in his own bed after his long and eventful day.
“Hey B, I was thinking I might stop by the record store one of the days this upcoming week. You know, maybe pick up a sweet record to impress the ladies,” Jon wiggles his eyebrows in a silly manner.
“I mean, you do you, Jon. But for the love of god please don’t embarrass yourself too much at my workplace.”
Jon chuckles at Brendon for jokingly acting vexed.
And so, they pack their musical gear away before turning off the lights in the basement.
When they finally get home to their flat both the guys retreat to their own separate caves.
Brendon passes out right as his head hits his used and flat pillow.