Em let his eyes drift back open and, as always, was swept away by the enthusiasm of their fans. Even if they got to be too much sometimes, even if they got a little yped up, he'd always adore them for all the love and support they'd given the band. "Thanks a lot, Jimmy." He wandered over, shaking Jimmy's hand respectfully. "It's been a pleasure to be on the show tonight, and thank all of you! We'd never be where we are if we didn't have you here supporting us every step of the way!"
(I literally just realized so many talk show hosts have the name Jimmy… when I chose that name I was specifically thinking "Oh, I don't think any irl talk show hosts have that name, perfect." Lol)
Atlas nodded, he couldn't have said it any better. He pulled out of his hug with Jimmy. The host thanked them for coming again and let them go, their portion being over. Atlas reached for Emrys' hand, it being a habit at that point and the band left the stage after a few waves to the audience.
(oh lol I thought you picked it because so many talk show hosts are named Jimmy)
Cadmus crushed Jimmy in a hug before they left and Harley gave him a respectful handshake and then Em was lacing his fingers with Atlas' and the bit was all finished. Maggie was waiting behind the curtain, tossing a hand over Em's shoulder and ruffling his hair. 'Oh hell yeah kid, you kicked ass up there!"
(My mind blanked so hard at that moment I guess lol)
Atlas giggled, beaming over at Maggie and Emrys. Hailey walked up next to Atlas, nodding to agree with Maggie. "Yeah great job, both of you. I've never been in that situation, but you both handled it very well. I'm not sure how you guys felt internally, but great job. Obviously you both looked nervous and stuff, but that's more than expected."
(happens to the best of us, I swear I spontaneously lose all my brain cells every 10 seconds.)
Em laughed and pushed her away playfully so she left to give Atlas an affectionate but still painful noogie. "I mean sure you were a little still but Atlas, you did great man! Always breaking it up with the humor, the crowd was eating out of the palm of your hands the entire time." She pulled away, giving them both a proud smile. "You kids are gonna be icons, I just wish you'd stick around for long enough to let me help you deal with it."
Atlas giggled, wincing slightly at the noogie, but trying not to show it. "Oh thank youu. But hey, whatd'ya mean by that?" Atlas asked, smiling. From what he knew, no one had mentioned leaving the company in front of management, they'd always said it in private.
"Oh come on, you think I don't see the way Em curls in on himself when the suits rail you? That I don't know you'd do just about anything to make him happy and you never liked the company much anyways?" She snorted, shaking her head. "I'm not blind, kid. I know you're ditching when the tour's through, I just hope you'll keep my number so I can help you get a better fit next time."
"And there goes being discrete, about leaving I mean. Basically everyone knows I fuckin' hate management. But of course, you two are the only decent people in the company. Obviously I'll keep your numbers… but you won't tell management before the tour's over right?" Atlas responded. He leaned his head on Emrys' shoulder, tired again.
Em leaned his head up against Atlas' with a soft yawn, tired out by all the public speaking. Talkshows left him anxious and the anxiety always dripped away into heavy layers of exhaustion. Maggie laughed and ruffled their hair, Atlas and then Emrys and then she pulled away. "Course not, kiddo. I've been rooting for you since the beginning, I'll not tell a soul."
"Thank you, Maggie. That means a lot." Atlas gave her a sleepy smile. Hailey checked her phone after getting a text.
"Well, let's get going, the car's here. Cadmus and Harley are in already." Hailey said, already heading out and motioning for them to follow.
Em hummed, leaning on Atlas as they stumbled over to the car. Maggie hopped in to tease Casmus and Harley, scooting everyone over to the side so Atlas and Em could squeeze into the back of the limo where there was room to spread out with some degree of privacy. Em was so slumped over Atlas pretty much had to shove him into the back, but once they made it he sprawled out, tossing his arms around Atlas' neck. "Mm, love you."
Atlas slipped his arms around Emrys' waist, pulling his close. "I love you too." He smiled, pecking his boyfriend on the lips. "Really good job out there. I know I was super nervous and anxious, so that was definitely harder than I expected it to be."
Em snuggled up against Atlas' chest, giving a sleepy peck in return and tightening his arms around his boyfriend to yank him close. "Mm, thank you. I thought I was gonna die, but… it really wasn't so bad once I got used to it. People're real nice sometimes."
"Yeah, they are. It's sometimes surprising how nice some are." Atlas smiled then softly rested his head on top of Emrys'. "Oh man, I'm gonna fall asleep right here if we don't get to the hotel soon…" He whispered with a giggle.
Em snuggled closer with a hum of agreement. "Yeah, I'm only holding on 'cause I know Maggie'll make Hailey carry us up to our rooms 'n I don't wanna do that to her." He sighed dreamily, pecking Atlas on the cheek. "We'd be so heavy. That'd be mean."
"Mhmm, that would be pretty mean." Atlas hummed, yawning at the end. "You know what's great? We can hug and hold hands and kiss each other and act like a couple in public now… we don't have to hide it." He lifted his head, softly smiling as he looked into Emrys' eyes.
"Oh boy!" Em seemed to wake a little, excitement glimmering in his eyes as he scooted himself up onto an elbow. "Oh we can, can't we?? That's gonna be great, That's gonna be… amazing. I'm gonna kiss you onstage at the next concert!!"
"And I'm gonna kiss you at the one after that, and after that, and after that. Is this was normal couples feel like? Probably not since they aren't part of a multi-million dollar band. But whatever. The fans better be ready, they've got a lovey-dovey couple to deal with now." Atlas giggled softly. He kissed Emrys with a smile still on his lips.
Emrys laughed and leaned in to kiss Atlas back. Even though it would definitely bring some backlash, he couldn't be happier about their decision. It felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, like the whole world was open to him the way it had been when he was just a little kid. "Please, the fans have been rooting for us to get together since day one."
"Oh man I was rooting for us as much as they all were…" Atlas admitted with a giggle. It was amazing how freeing something like this could make him feel. The only other time he felt this good was probably the first time one of their songs appeared on the Billboard 100 Charts..
Em blushed, hiding his face in Atlas' shoulder. "Me too," he admitted quietly. "But way before I even actually met you. I had the biggest crush on you in high school it was… embarrassing, actually." He laughed softly at the memory. "But then I joined and I met you properly and I was fucking gone."
Atlas giggled and rested one of his hands on Emrys' head, playing with his hair. "That's kinda strange but cool. Like do you know how often a fan of a band bot joins the band and gets in a relationship with one of the members? That's so many people's dream."
Em shivered happily as Atlas played with his hands, blushing hotter with a soft whine when Atlas said it was strange. "Don't make fun of me: I was a teen and you were really cute. And… and then I talked to you and you were so sweet and you cared and… I dunno, I guess I am kind of living the dream."
"Ohh I'm not making fun of you, love. It's absolutely amazing and adorable. I wish I had known you in high school. But at least I know you now, and that's all that matters." Atlas smiled and kissed Emrys on top of his head. "I don't mean strange, I guess what I meant was it's rare and almost too perfect to be true, but it is."
Emrys relaxed a little at the reassurance, though his face still felt like it was on fire. He'd always been terrible at accepting compliments so when those compliments came from Atlas he was a mess. "I wish I'd known you in high school too. You would've done me a lot of good back then, and I would've adored you."