Nyx

[just_hex]

The moon would be full in two days and Hex was coming out of his skin. He knew Nyx could take a lot, but Hex had genuine concerns he might fuck him to death. Or pick a fight. He was so agitated that he decided to hit the gym hard and let Nyx get some much needed rest. His plan was to come home with dinner. He was on the treadmill having sick fantasies about a rotisserie chicken and a baguette.

When he felt a bit better, a bit of energy burnt off between a run and a lot of weights, Hex hit the shower and cleaned up to head home to Nyx. He stopped on the way to buy some flowers from a street vendor for Nyx and was admiring them when a woman came close. He heard her, then smelled her, then turned to look into frightened eyes.

Help me she mouthed at him and his senses went on high alert. All that time in the gym was for nothing. He gave her a nod and started scanning behind her. He didn't need to search. A chavvy bloke with stubble and a stupid hat walked up boldly, not even half Hex's size.

"You dumb bitch, get back here," he said, close enough to reach for her. Hex remembered strong arming her behind him and stepping forward...

* * *

Nyx's phone rang, the ID flashing Police. Hex sat by the sergeant's desk in cuffs, wrists and ankles, and those connected by a chain so short he needed to lean forward.

"I can try Dess again, Hex," the man offered. "I think it might go to voicemail. Do you have a third try?"

Hex heard the tone ring again, his stomach squirming.

"No, he'll answer," he wished.

Comments

[willysilver]

"Yeah, okay," Willy scoffed.

He sat up and kicked his legs off the bed so he could grab his clove cigarettes.

"In, what, five years?"

[tempting_the_fates]

Nyx watched him a long moment.

"Or next month," he said. "I already have nearly a full album ready to go. Label even picked out a single. I put them off though, said we came first. Me and you, that we were a team."

[willysilver]

"Shut up. You're not serious," he said, his voice growing colder.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Why do you think Vince had me back at the studio? He heard that one of mine you rejected. Said I should lay it down anyway. ...Then I found a few more you never liked. Next thing I knew we had a full album," Nyx shrugged.

[willysilver]

"You're fucking serious," he realized. "What the fuck, NYC? Were you going to say anything? Ever?"

[tempting_the_fates]

"Why would I? It wasn't coming out. But maybe it should. It's all shit you said you hated or didn't work for you. Why shouldn't I put it out? You're not the only bloody musician here," Nyx huffed, getting up and vanishing into his room for a moment, only to return with a flash drive.

"That's the single," he said, dropping it onto the bed.

[willysilver]

He took it and immediately plugged it in, pulled it up, and put on his headphones. He closed his eyes and listened, then began it again.

When he finally stopped and looked at Nyx, there was real, deep hurt in his eyes.

"I can't believe you let him produce you," he said, his voice soft with pain.

[tempting_the_fates]

"When I tried playing it for you, you said there was nothing there!" Nyx argued. "He saw something in it, told me he thought it was good. So I brought him everything you said was no good, and... And I think it's a solid album. I think I'm better than you give me credit for."

[willysilver]

"Than I give you credit for? What are you talking about? We have equal credit. Since when have you wanted to go solo? What in the fuck is going on?" he asked, tearing his headphones off his ears and shooting to his feet. "Is that what he's telling you? You're a talent on your own? You could be your own star? Did he suck your dick, too, or was he just blowing smoke up your ass?"

[tempting_the_fates]

"You treat my contributions like the scribbles of a child! Like they're nothing until you've done something with them," Nyx snapped. "And I don't need him to tell me shit. I could go solo. All the tracks you never liked... They're good. They'd do well, Will."

[willysilver]

"Not with HIM they won't!" he shouted. "If you want a solo project, fine. But, Nyx, if your lyrics are going to be shit, you're going to need to go pop. And if you go pop...I can't."

He threw up his hands.

[tempting_the_fates]

"Excuse me?" Nyx snapped. "My lyrics are good. Sometimes they're better than yours, you twat. You know what? If my lyrics are shit, you can stop performing them. See how small the catalogue gets without my words in your mouth. Because I'm done. I'm over it. Enjoy promoting our music by yourself, because I'm going solo. And that track isn't going to be the first song, I have something better. I have a fucking hit. I'm going to release something so good it's going to haunt every step you take in this fucking city."

He turned to go, ready to call Vince and make this happen.

[willysilver]

"Mm-hmm," Willy intoned, watching Nyx walk off.

As he crossed the threshold, Willy's voice came from behind him.

"I wish you all the luck."

The air shuddered with the power of it.

And then Willy's bedroom door slammed behind him.