Emery leaned back against the headboard of Jett’s bed, mindlessly plucking the strings of his guitar as he stared up at the ceiling while lost in his own thoughts.

Jett’s ceaseless pacing and adjustments to his outfit as he strutted in front of the standing mirror grabbed Emery’s attention.

“You look fine, dunno what you’re so pressed about. It’s gonna be dark in there, you know that. And it’s just Anon,” Emery insists with a tilt of his head and an unamused expression.

“Yeah— I know. It’s just I’m excited! It’s our first time bringing them, we’ve been wanting to bring them forever!” Jett breathes out in a mixture of anticipation and trepidation as he stops pacing.

“But we won’t let anyone bother them, we’ll have them right between us,” Emery insists with a softening of his gaze and a lazy half-smile.

A ring of the front doorbell has both of the boys jumping to their feet and making their way to the door, eagerly peering out to see Anon.

“Ready to go? You better stay close,” Emery says with a nudge to Anon’s side as he exits the house.

“Yeah, stay right by us. We’ll show you how to have a good time,” Jett agrees with a toothy grin and wraps his arm around their shoulder to pull them close as they walk.

—————————————

The venue is as busy as ever when the group arrives, people moving about to buy snacks or drinks from the counter. The walls are painted black, adorned with different band posters.

Emery leads the way as one of the staff members glances down at Anon and quirks a brow.

“They’re with us,” Emery says with a protective look as he grabs Anon‘s hand. It grated his nerves to see a skeptical gaze on them just because their clothes weren’t as edgy.

“C’mon— let’s find a booth and get some drinks!” Jett insists with blatant eagerness as he ushers Anon and Emery forward.