Copyright 1999 by Dazzababe
"Hey, hey HEY! Another round in this direction, will ya?" Ben yelled to the bartender above the din that passed for sound in the posh Sydney hotel bar.
"And it's on me!" Steve Hewitt, drummer of Placebo, tripped over Ben's feet to get to the bar, slapping down a mess of dollars. The bartender rolled his eyes before moving the money toward him, counting it before refreshing the drunk musicians. "And step on it, as they say in the States!" Steve added for dramatic effect.
It was the making of strange bedfellows--Savage Garden and Placebo playing a one-night show for charity in Sydney's Entertainment Centre. Triple M was extremely hesitant to put them together, fearing a clash of egos and musical tastes between the two bands. They needn't have--most who brought tickets for the sold-out show were enthusiastic fans of both, and as for Savage Garden and Placebo themselves, they immediately hit it off upon meeting, discovering they had many things in common. Such as drinking.
"Okay, okay!" Lee announced, banging on the glass to get the attention of the group of seven. All the male musicians from the two bands were in attendance, minus Darren, whose absence almost nobody seemed to notice. "I'd like to, uh, make a toast."
"To what?" asked Stefan Olsdal, Placebo's bassist.
Lee mulled this over for a second before replying, "Ummmm....beer! And babes!"
"Stefan's gay," Steve pointed out, jabbing a thumb in Stefan's chest. In response, Stefan good naturedly conked him on the head.
"So whichever Stefan prefers, I don't wanna know. Beer and babes then!"
"Beer and babes!" the group toasted. "Beer and babes!"
Daniel took his glass and retreated to the corner of the room, shaking his head. Normally, he'd happily join in a celebration to alcohol and women, two of his favorite things in life after his music. But he just wasn't in the mood tonight; he had heavier things on his mind. He found an empty stool and enjoyed a large gulp.
Brian Molko, Placebo's guitarist/vocalist, noticed this and followed him. "To, um, alcohol!" Ben bellowed out behind him, bringing out another round of cheers, not taking note the group was now short two.
"Hey, mate," Brian said, pulling a stool up beside Daniel, "what's on your mind?"
Daniel looked up from his now half-empty glass. "Just personal things."
"Your girl?"
"No!" Daniel said more harshly than he meant. "I'm sorry. No, it's not her." Which completely untrue--it didn't involve Michelle, not directly at least.
"I'm the one who should apologize for prying." Brian cocked his head to the side as he changed the subject. "Where's Darren?"
"He doesn't drink. No reason for him to be here." Daniel looked over to his friends, who were pinning down Karl, trying to convince him to have a shot of Goldschlagger. Daniel laughed, turning his attention back to Brian.
"He could still socialize with us."
"Nah. Darren's a homebody." But Daniel was worried about his best friend lately, especially since his separation with Colby. Darren was becoming withdrawn, a trait he wasn't known for having, and he refused to discuss it with anyone. Daniel respected this, so he didn't push, but the thought nagged him day and night.
Sensing Daniel's somber mood, Brian attempted to lighten the conversation. "Think I could seduce him?" It came out a statement more than an inquiry.
"Who? Darren?"
"Oh yeah. He's just my type. I bet I could get him easily, like that." Brian snapped his fingers for emphasis.
Daniel smiled for the first time that night. "I bet you can't. I know you can't. Darren's straight; he loves his wife."
"Who he's divorcing, if I'm correct." Brian took a sip of his own beer. "Would you like to wager with me?"
"Why bother? You won't win. You can't seduce a straight man." Which was only half-correct. Daniel honestly didn't think Brian could lead Darren to his bed, but if past encounters mattered, Darren wasn't exactly known as "straight" either. This brought Daniel back to his problem. Since the middle of last year's world tour, he had started having feelings for Darren. Again. And he wanted Darren. Badly. This wasn't information he wanted to share with anyone, least of all Brian.
Daniel finished his beer, leaning on his elbow, reflecting back. Back when things were much more simple. Back when they were sharing that flat in Sydney, recording the album, not knowing how big it would become...