Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: The outro of the old life
Garroth Ro’meave could only watch as the speaker fell from the ceiling and onto his girlfriend.
Garroth’s POV;
“KIMMY!” I yelled as I dashed towards the fallen speaker, dropping my drum sticks with a loud clack. “BABE? KIMMY? KIM?!” Tears fell from my eyes as I realized my girlfriend was under the speaker. My girlfriend-the lead singer of our band-was gone in a second. And I couldn’t save her. I was terrified, I screamed for police or security, anybody to help her. Even though I knew she was long gone, I didn’t want to accept it. The lead guitarist, Aaron, ran towards me and Kim attempting to comfort me as he called 911. Reese and McCloud helped evacuate the panicked crowd until there was pure silence except for my silent sobbing.
——————
Laurance POV;
How does it feel to be in love with your best friend? Not so good. Especially when they have a girlfriend. Well that’s how my life is like. The third wheel in a group where I wanted to be the couple. I really love Garroth for many reasons, he’s talented at practically everything; baseball, learning, drums, socializing…. I’m getting carried away. Speaking of Garroth, I haven’t heard from him in a while, I wonder if he’s okay. Maybe I should text his brothers instead.

Messages:
Silly Boi (Laurance) Hey Vylad, Zane, is Garroth okay? He hasn’t responded to me for a week.
Actually adopted (Vylad) Weren’t you at the most recent concert?
Silly Boi (Laurance) I had a game that day so I didn’t go, did something happen?
Actually adopted (Vylad) How do I put this in the least shocking way possible…
Emo Nugget (Zane) Garroth’s girlfriend was flattened by a speaker and has traveled to the afterlife.
Silly Boi (Laurance) OH MY IRENE! WHAT!
Actually adopted (Vylad) Well, that could have been put more peacefully and less shockingly, but yes.
Silly Boi (Laurance) I’ll brb…

What in Irene’s name. How did I not hear about this. Even though I wanted to be with Garroth, I loved Kim as a great friend. She was sweet and made Garroth smile all the time. She was always putting others first and was the lead singer of Garroth’s band. No wonder Garroth was not responding, he must be devastated. Oh no, Garroth.

Messages;
Actually adopted (Vylad) Laurance, are you okay?
Silly Boi (Laurance) Have you guys checked on Garroth?
Emo nugget (Zane) We’ve tried but he won’t open the door.
Silly Boi (Laurance) Can I come over to see if he’ll respond to me?
Actually adopted (Vylad) That might work, you guys are childhood friends after all.
Silly Boi (Laurance) Okay, I’ll be there in 10.
Actually adopted (Vylad) See yah.

I grabbed my soccer bag and threw in some food and water and ran out of my house and towards Garroth’s.

Chapter Text

Laurance’s POV;
*ding dong* I rang the doorbell as I caught my breath from running so fast. Even though I often ran in soccer, I was really exhausted, most likely because of the heavy water bottles in my backpack.
“Oh great, you’re here!” Vylad opened the door and let me inside. As I stepped in I could smell cupcakes, Zane must be making some again. I was one of the only people who knew Zane liked to make cupcakes, that he wasn’t “as bitter as black coffee” on the inside. And in all honestly, I wish Zane told everyone because his cupcakes are absolutely delicious, maybe I could go grab one. I mentally shook my head, I was here to help Garroth, not cupcakes.
“His room is-“ Vylad started.
“I know!” I ran upstairs to Garroth’s door and knocked. Garroth’s room was silent for a second until I heard a small voice.
“Vylad or Zane, go…go away.” The small voice said, I could instantly recognize that it was Garroth.
“It’s Laurance, can I come in?” I asked. It was quiet again until I heard the door click unlocked. I grabbed the door handle and pushed it open. The light was off and there was a huge lump of blankets on top of the bed. As soon as I walked in the strong smell of his cologne flew into my face. I took a breath and turned on the light to get a better view of his room. Tissues were scattered across the carpeted floor and a picture frame was lying in the middle. I picked it up to make sure neither of us would step on it and propped it on the bedside table. The frame contained a photo of Kim, Garroth, and myself. It was from the time they had just become friends at Phoenix drop high school. I sat on the bed and patted the lump under the blankets. “Hey..”
“Hi, Laur.” Garroth said quietly. I never really liked when people called me ‘Laur’ but for some reason it didn’t bother me when Garroth said it. I really am hopeless.
“So, about… Kim.” I started.
“You weren’t even there. You had a soccer game. How did you know?” Garroth asked, his voice was brittle.
“Your brothers.” I answered. Garroth was still under the pile of blankets, and I patted his head again. The blankets were as soft as a cloud. Well, what I think a cloud would feel like. “Come out from under those blankets so we can talk easier, please?” The blankets shuffled and I saw his blonde head poke out. His eyes were red and puffy and there were tears stains on his face.
“Hm, so why’d you come.” Garroth asked. I stared at him dumbfounded. Was he serious!?
“I came cause I care about you, and I knew you would be depressed about it.” I replied.
Garroth chuckled, “You know me too well Laurance.”
“We’re childhood buddies, are we not.” I laughed.
“Hah, yah.” Garroth joined me in laughter, his smile made me feel warm inside. He stopped and looked at me with a sad glint in his eyes. “What am I gonna do Laur-” he sighed, “-we don’t have a singer anymore, I lost my lovely girlfriend. Can the MOTH continue anymore?”
“Well, I can help you find another singer for you. Aphmau or Katelyn might be up for it. If they don’t, we can put up posters for tryouts.” I suggested. Since when did I have good advice?
“That’s a great idea Laur! Thanks, I owe you one.” He smiled and gave me a hug. I smiled and hugged him back. He pulled away first and stood up. “Let’s go eat some of Zane’s cupcakes.”
“YES!” I grabbed his hand and ran out of the room with him downstairs. I’m glad I could make him happy again. Sometimes I wish I could do more than that. No, Laurance he’s your best friend. Keep it that way. I said to myself.

Chapter Text

Garroth’s POV;
-3 week time skip (brought to you by my writers block)-
The cafe was pretty cozy if he did say so himself. Laurance knew a lot of places in the town, it was like he had a mental map of the whole area. Speaking of Laurance I wonder what’s taking so long.
Messages
Door breaker: Laur, where are you man?
Silly Boi: Ah! I’m almost there, my eta is 3 minutes!
Door breaker: Oh okay!
Laurance really was always late to things, he was like that since childhood. I chuckled as I remembered how adorable he was when we were kids. I can’t believe we still haven’t found a replacement for Kim, maybe we should just disband the MOTH…. I heard the door to the cafe open and the bells on the door ring.
“Garroth?” I heard a voice ask, it must be Laurance. I got up from the booth and waved at Laurance as he walked over to me. “Hey Garroth! Sorry I’m late, I didn’t notice the time and I was helping Cadenza pick an outfit.”
“Oh it’s fine. I thought you cancelled on me for a second.” I laughed.
“What-what! No I would never do that to you Garroth!” Laurance stammered and sat down. “But anyway, sorry we haven’t found a good candidate. I know we’ll find one soon.”
I stirred the coffee I ordered earlier and stared at Laurance, “Ah, I don’t know Laur. I haven’t been able to think straight since then… it’s hard, you know. I don’t really like to talk about it.”
Laurance’s eyes softened, “I get it but we gotta keep going Garroth. We’ve been friends since childhood, we can get through this like we got through everything else.”
“I know… sometimes it feels wrong to replace her, I feel like I’m betraying her memory.” I sighed and placed my spoon down.
“You’re not betraying her, we all loved her but… we need someone to fill the role. For the MOTH and her.” Laurance replied.
“We’ve been auditioning people for weeks, and no one’s right. No one has that voice, that energy.” I returned. Kim was a one of a kind singer, she could sing all the highs and all the lows and her words always flowed in a melodic arrangement. I had never heard of anyone who could match her amazing vocals, never do I think I will again.
“What about… me?” Laurance said. I jerked my head up from starting at my coffee, blinking in surprise.
“You? But Laur, you’ve never-“
“I know, I know. But I mean I’ve sung along with Kim during practices for years. I’ve always been there. I can do it Garroth, and I want to.” I stared at Laurance, he was pretty good at singing. Maybe it would be a good idea. But did he really want to, or was he doing this for me like he always does.
“Laur, I don’t want you to feel like you’re doing this just for me.” I saw Laurance shift in his seat his face a mix of nerves and something I couldn’t quite decipher.
“I’m not doing it for you… well not just for you. I’m doing it because I believe in the future of the band.” He broke out into a short bit of laughter. It was obvious he was nervous about telling me. I wondered why. “And I want to be able to help you keep going. Of course for Kim too.” I stared at Laurance for a while until I finally decided maybe he could have a chance. I leaned back into the cushions of the booth and sighed.
“Okay, let’s see what you got at the last tryouts tomorrow.” I finally stated.
Laurance’s face lit up and he opened his mouth to say something. Instead he closed his mouth and smiled. “Thanks Garroth.” I nodded and took a sip of my coffee.
Half smiling I spoke again, “Let’s see if you’ve got what it takes to fill her shoes”

Chapter Text

Garroth’s POV;
Today’s the fateful day for auditions. I was sitting in the rehearsal room as Laurance was talking with Aaron about what he should get Aphmau for Valentine’s Day, and Lucinda was calling her girlfriend, Melissa. So I decide to stare at the wall as I waited for the auditions to start. After what seemed like an eternity, all the contestants had arrived. In the crowd of contestants there was a girl with hot pink hair near the back of the line that I knew I had seen somewhere. I just couldn’t place my finger on it. I shook my head to clear my mind and stood up. Aaron was already at the “judging seats” with Lucinda. I sat down and grabbed the clip board that Laurance had prepared earlier with all the names. He really was a great and handy guy, I’m lucky to have him as a friend. I clicked the pen on the clipboard and called the first name on the board.
-Time skip (after a bunch of people sing and two people are left)-
“Alright second to last is…. IVY?!” I jerked my head up from the clipboard and stared at the hot-pink haired girl in front of me. It really was her… now really is not the time Irene. I shook my head, I’ve got to calm down; “What are you doing here, Ivy Brook?”
“Oh~ can’t I see my handsome ex sometimes? Really a shame you lost the worse girlfriend, Kim. Told you, you should have stayed with me.” Ivy teased.
“Ivy, respectfully, get the heck out of here, right now.” Lucinda looked at Ivy, disgust was not even remotely hidden from Lucinda’s face.
“Aw~ you won’t even give my amazing self another chance babe?” Ivy looked at me with her ‘puppy dog’ eyes. I coughed. “What~? Miss being called babe by me?”
“In your dreams Ivy, leave now or I will call security.” Aaron picked up his phone to call for security.
“I’m not leaving until I get a chance to sing.” Ivy had the audacity to sit on the floor and grabbed the mic. She stared at me again. “Speechless babe~?”
Before she could sing security ran up and dragged her off the stage. I continued to stare blindly at the stage where Ivy had stood lost in thought as millions of questions ran through my head. How did I not notice? How did Laurance not notice? Did he notice? Why didn’t he do anything? What was she even doing here? Was she trying to get back with him after what she had done?
“Garroth? Garroth?! GARROTH?! GARROTH ROMEAVE I SWEAR TO IRENE FOCUS!” I blinked and saw Lucinda staring down at me with her hands on her hips.
“Ah! Sorry, just lost in thought… let’s continue.” I replied and shook my head out of my daze. Garroth’s thoughts were interrupted by the next name on the list—Laurance Zvhal. “Laurance Zvhal, it’s your turn.” Laurance stepped forward with a nervous yet determined look on his face, and Garroth felt a mix of pride and uncertainty wash over him as his best friend walked toward the stage.

Laurance’s POV; (while Ivy was there)
“Speechless babe~?” I heard Ivy taunt. I knew I had recognized the name, I just couldn’t quite place it until now. I couldn’t believe she had come. Before Kim, Garroth had dated Ivy to try and rid of the fangirls in Highschool. It was all fake but Ivy hadn’t known, and even when she found out and they broke up, she kept stalking Garroth. She had attempted to kidnap him, kidnap Kim, and even tried-
“Laurance Zvhal it’s your turn!” I heard Garroth yell in a cheery voice. I guess he was feeling better now, that was the only thing I needed to hear for confidence. I stepped onto the middle of the stage and grabbed the fallen microphone. “So, what song are you singing for us today?” Garroth looked up from the clipboard I had prepared earlier. He stared up me with such intense eyes I wouldn’t be surprised if I fell over.
I cleared my throat and answered, “Hello, I will be singing ‘Crazy for love’ (all credits to Mondays and Lucy)”
“Okay Laurance, go ahead.” Lucinda motioned with her hand for me to start.
I shifted my feet and closed my eyes. I can do this. “You got a smile that makes the sun rise…” (not typing more cause copyright lol) I continued to sing the rest of the song getting more confident as I went. When I finished I took a deep breath, “That’s all, thank you.” I bowed and walked off the stage.