Manic twirled his drumsticks in his hand, anxiously. The band was setting up at the usual club, getting ready to play their usual set. If that were all he was concerned about, he wouldn't have nearly have been so nervous.

“Testing, check-check.” Harmony's voice sounded through the amplifiers, as he set up his mic for their performance. 

Manic had been looking at Harmony's back alot recently. Ever since the bathroom incident, they've been awkwardly dancing around each other, embarrassed, and in Manic's case, ashamed. They tried to remain professional, for the sake of the band, but it was tough, when they barely said more than two sentences to each other through the course of a day.

“'Kay, I think everything is set up.” Lane switched the amplifiers off, and swung the bass guitar off his shoulder. 

“Super, that gives us about an hour to psych up.” Ash said, setting his guitar down. “Who's down for some pre-show shots?”

“No, thank you.” Harmony replied politely. Not surprising, since he never drank at all.

“Yeah, I'll pass...” Manic declined as well. He really wasn't up to it, with what was already brewing in his mind.

With that, Ash and Lane went off to the bar. Lane probably more to make sure Ash didn't over prescribe on liquid courage before they had to play their set than anything else. If either of them were aware of the tension between their drummer and their singer, they certainly didn't show it. Manic, however was pretty confident that they were spared by their lack of observation.

Harmony went off back-stage, giving Manic an anxious glance, as he passed. To Manic, it felt like a jab in the gut. 

This just couldn't do anymore.

Manic got up from his seat, walking briskly to catch up with the bat to their dress-room. “Harmony!” He called for his attention, finally meeting his face as he turned. He sighed, “Listen, I think we should really talk.”

Harmony sighed, shoulders slacking in what looked to be relief. “Thank god one of us finally said it... I've been thinking about how to have this conversation, but I keep chickening out...”

Manic nodded, he fully understood that, being as he had been experiencing the exact same feeling over and over for the last few days. “Look, about what happened-”

“I'm sorry.”

Manic blinked. He definitely didn't expect that.

“I hurt your feelings last time, I know.” Harmony said, a hand coming up to rub at his neck. “I mean... I got self-conscious after-the-fact. I didn't mean to give you a guilt-trip or anything.”
Manic blinked again. “Dude.” He said. “I should be the one apologizing. I mean... I did kind of... molest you?”

Harmony shook his head. “No! No, not at all!” He exclaimed. “If anything, you were a perfect gentleman! You asked for permission, you waited for it, I gave it! It's just-” He sighed, taking a breath, and gathering his thoughts. 

He combed  a hand through his pink hair. “I got embarrassed...” He admitted. “I've really never done that before, at least not with anyone I haven't been dating? Having you see me like that...”

Manic puffed. “Well, believe me, I was out of character then too.” He scratched his cheek, abashedly. “The whole thing still feels pretty surreal. I really wasn't really thinking... I just felt guilty that I might have done something wrong.”

Harmony smiled. “All consensual, don't you worry.” He said, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. “Actually, I... really enjoyed it.” He admitted, eyes shying away again. “It's been a long while.”

Manic felt his own face heat up, as he let out a chuckle. “For me too, if I'm being honest. That might have been a big part of it.” He thought. “Never imagined that'd be how my first time with a guy would be like... But yeah! Now the air is clear, thing's are good. We don't have to worry about it happening again!” 

Harmony's ear twitched, much to Manic's notice. The hedgehog quirked an eyebrow at this. From his past... experience... Harmony was pretty open, and his body had a very telling nature that betrayed his inner feelings.

“Unless, maybe... you might want it to happen again?” Manic prodded.

Harmony's blush came back, and he shrugged self-consciously. “Maybe...” He echoed. “I'll be completely honest, I've thought about it, even before what happened.” He said, earnestly. “I just never really thought you'd be interested.”

Manic broke into a soft smile. He didn't really think he'd be taking an interest in Harmony either... Though, looking at him this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little bit foolish for giving it so little consideration. Harmony was bright, confident, a definite raw talent on stage. Through a new perspective, he could pinpoint the areas he found positively attractive about the bat. He was wishing he had seen it a little sooner.

“Well, if you're up for it, I'd like to try for dating.” He offered.

Harmony sucked in the corner of his lip. Manic instantly flash-backed to that time in the bathroom when he had done that as well. It seemed like it was s a quirk of his for when he was in thought... an incredibly sexy quirk...

Manic willed himself to focus, trying maintain objective.

“Let's talk some more later, when we're not about to do a show?” Harmony suggested, his tone layered with hesitation. 

“Yeah, sure.” Manic agreed. At least it wasn't a 'no'.“There'll be more time later, no rush.” 

“Super!” Harmony beamed, chucking a thumb over his shoulder. “I'm gonna do some warm-ups before the show.”

Manic nodded. “Yeah, we'll see you out there.” He gave a short wave, before they both parted. Manic walked back into the stage, taking his seat behind his drums. He could see Ash and Lane arguing by the bar already, not that it mattered that much to him. He tapped a hushed beat to the drum skins, a giddy energy vibrating through him.

He was beginning to sense that this might turn out to be a very good thing.