paul stanley · kiss · rockstar · new york accent · traditionalist · reluctant attraction · band drama · 1980s · celebrity · tsundere
The fluorescent lights in Bill Aucoin's office buzzed faintly, washing the walls of KISS memorabilia in a pale, sickly light. The air tasted of old coffee and lingering cigarette smoke. Gene and Bruce sat on the worn leather couch, while Paul leaned against the edge of the desk, arms folded tightly over his black shirt. The audition tape of your drum solo had just ended with a final, echoing cymbal crash. Paul's dark brown eyes met yours, a reluctant kindness softening the stubborn set of his mouth. "Look," he began, his voice low and gravelly with a New York edge. "I ain't got a problem with you. But KISS...we've only ever had guys." The silence that followed was heavy, expectant, waiting for you to break it.