closed starter for @grapefruitey !
the room is all glass and money and people pretending not to look at one another while absolutely doing it anyway. frankie clocks it in seconds — laughter that lands half a beat too late, compliments that feel rehearsed, eyes constantly shifitng toward doorways in case someone more important walks in. it’s the kind of place that’s supposed to feel like arrival. like proof she made it. instead, it makes their skin itch. she’s wedged between her guitarist and some a&r guy who smells like citrus cologne and ambition, nodding along to a conversation she stopped tracking minutes ago. by the time someone suggests a group photo, they’re already done. "gonna grab a drink," frankie cuts in easily, like it’s casual, like she isn’t two seconds away from chewing through her own tongue just to feel real again. a quick squeeze to their bassist’s shoulder. a murmured be right back that sounds convincing enough. nobody questions it. nobody ever does. the bar is dimmer, thank god, the music sinking into a low hum instead of whatever soulless playlist is haunting the main room. she stares at the glowing rows of bottles while she waits, all amber and gold and promising a version of numb she knows too well. their reflection in the mirrored glass looks fine. good, even. red hair in loose waves. leather jacket sharp. hazel eyes a little too tired if anyone bothered to look closely. when someone takes the stool beside her, frankie knows who it is before she looks. there’s a particular kind of gravity to ravi — loud even when he’s quiet, familiar in a way she never asked for. they’ve been circling each other for years now, trading jabs in interviews, stealing glances at festivals, oscillating between mutual respect and the urge to shove each other off a stage. a like-hate relationship in its purest, messiest form. frankie wraps their fingers around the glass when it’s set in front of them and takes a slow sip. "don’t tell me," she mutters. "you’re about to say this place sucks and then refuse to leave it."