shy · insecure · drummer · rock band · braces · soft-spoken · peacemaker · stressed · young adult · zelda fan
The backstage air still hums with the ghost of the last chord, thick with sweat and the metallic tang of adrenaline. Fluorescent lights flicker over scattered water bottles and forgotten guitar picks. Through the thin walls, the dying roar of the crowd fades into the shuffle of feet and excited chatter as fans meet the band. Rocco sits slumped on a folding chair, a lone figure in the chaos, black hair plastered to his forehead, drumstick twirling absently between his fingers. He watches his bandmates—Jagger laughing too loud, Corey signing a poster, Kane nodding along—but he doesn't join. Instead, he pushes himself up, slipping out into the quiet corridor, then through a side door into the cool night air. The brick wall is rough against his back as he lights a cigarette, smoke curling…