WC: ~2.5k

AU: Modern (never with the real people)

This fic is quite literally a year in the making. I've been chipping at it for ages because I've been determined to nail strangers to lovers and I think I did an okay job? Idk you tell me you're the reader 

-

It was late afternoon, the sun shining brightly on the large, open field and stage, though Doc knew by the time the main event began the sunlight would be long gone. Other fans of the artist were trickling in, some laying out blankets on the large hill behind him, others leaning against the barricade like he was. One arm was crossed on the railing, the other dangling over the side and the light jacket he brought hung over the barricade. Crew people were moving about on the stage, most likely doing final sound checks and other such duties.

More people began to join which meant inevitably people were closer to him. He took note of the stranger to his right.

A short man with bright, mismatched eyes. He knew one was green, and through brief glimpses, he knew the other wasn't the same, though the color he was yet to be sure of. He was acting like a kid, bouncing on the balls of his feet and excitedly staring at the stage. It was cute, how bright his smile was and how that single tuft of hair fell over his red bandana, refusing to be held back like the rest of his brunette head.

Realizing what he was thinking, Doc returned to looking at the stage as well. This guy was a stranger. Was thinking he was cute... weird? It's not like he knew him.

At least, he knew a part of his music taste.

Doc's brief panic session was interrupted as he noticed the stranger had stopped bouncing and instead took a smaller step closer to him, practically brushing his arm. He raised an eyebrow, seeing as the area wasn't so packed yet.

But then he saw it all.

The stranger's dwindling expression, and the person beside him, who seemed uncomfortably close to him. He was also talking at the guy, though Doc didn't care enough to listen to him. "You alright?" He whispered, leaning down a little to reach the handsome stranger's ear.

"Sorry," he mumbled with a small smile.

Looking over to make sure there was plenty of space on his left, Doc slid down and motioned for the stranger to follow. "My name's Doc," he introduced with a small smile. He hoped if they engaged in conversation, the other guy would leave him alone.

Thankfully, a genuine smile seemed to crack on his face. "Bdubs."

"So, how'd you find the artist?" He prompted, resting his chin on his arm which he propped up on the barricaded.

"Ah, actually, I've known about the opening act for around a year or so, and when this tour was announced I gave the guy a listen and basically fell in love with it all, so here I am!" Bdubs explained, his bright energy returning.

This eased Doc, though he wasn't so sure he understood why. "That's honestly really cool! I found one of his songs on a playlist online last winter and ended up listening to his whole discography."

The more they talked, the more relaxed Doc felt. Bdubs had begun rambling about the opening act and how much he loved their lyrics as most tended to have double meanings.

Perhaps it was the excitement delicately woven between each word, or perhaps it was the pure sunshine radiating from his smile.

Regardless of what it was, something about Bdubs kept Doc smiling so much that his cheeks were beginning to hurt. He felt drawn towards him like Bdubs was a magnet, eager to latch onto the metal pieces of him. His new friend then began to slip into a story of when he and his friends snuck into a concert back when he was in high school.

"You're quite the daredevil aren't you?" The hybrid lightly teased.

Surprisingly, the other one shook his head. "Nah they just dragged me into it. Sure, sometimes I can be spontaneous and reckless, but that was a bit outside my comfort zone. Totally worth it though!"

Their attention was diverted with the idle playlist faded, and the lights around the field dimmed. "It's starting!" Bdubs exclaimed as he bounced on the balls of his feet. "I bet you'll love them!"

Much to Doc's surprise, Bdubs linked his arm with his bionic arm, leaning on the barricade as well. He didn't mind in the slightest though, as the spotlights lit up the different areas of the stage where band members emerged from the darkness.

As they launched into their first song, Doc's eyes wandered to Bdubs. Watching him eagerly sing along only made him want to believe it more.

Perhaps love at first sight was a real thing.

Perhaps it was happening to him.

When he was caught staring, Bdubs simply smiled at him.

-

Holy shit I want to kiss him, Bdubs realized, refocusing on the band playing. He considered snaking his arm around Doc's to be bold enough, but maybe, just maybe, he could do something bolder by the end of the night. Somehow, he was going to end up with the man's number.

However, he encouraged himself to not think about it all and instead keep his mind on the reason he ended up at the concert. With the creep having lost interest in him ages ago, he was able to fully relax. The band finished their first song, only to announce their next.

His favorite.

He was sure to relay the excitement to Doc, despite having already rambled about his favorites mere minutes prior. Clinging to the hybrid he lightly shook him. Despite the music booming through his chest, he heard Doc laughing at his antics and found his reaction endearing. His cheeks were sore from smiling, but he continued anyway, singing at his new friend who was grinning right back.

I could kiss him now. It's a love song I could kiss him right now.

The thought attacked his brain like an unstoppable bullet train. Heat pricking at his cheeks, he looked back up at the lead singer. Although his attempts to not pay attention to Doc or his gorgeous face were proven futile as the moment he realized he was picking up the words, his eyes snapped right back to him.

His face drew closer, causing Bdubs to freeze. He wasn't sure what to do or how to brace himself, but then found he completely misread the situation when Doc leaned towards his ear. "I think it's safe to say that this one's my favorite too," he revealed.

It took everything in him not to jump, let alone think about how close his lips were to his skin. If his racing heartbeat couldn't be heard, then the way his smile somehow managed to grow wider would surely give away how flustered he felt. "I'm glad you're liking the music!"

Doc nodded with a wide grin of his own before looking back up at the musicians on stage.

By the time they finished their setlist, the hybrid was touching the back of his hand.

Bdubs knew they had time before the opening act began, which meant he only had so much time to still talk to the hybrid until it became too difficult to do so. "So do you live around here?" He prompted.

Much to his delight, the other nodded. "Yeah, I live in the city! What about you?"

"So do I! Who knows, maybe we'll bump into each other from time to time." The words slipped from his mouth, but it seemed Doc was more than happy by the idea.

He leaned a bit closer as his smile grew. "Maybe sometimes on purpose?"

Pursing his lips, he felt his face grow warmer despite the summer air not rising in temperature. "Maybe," he echoed with a small nod.

"So, what do you do for work?" Doc didn't move away when he asked, but he didn't move closer either.

Bdubs felt like he couldn't move in either direction either. "I own a garden store. Literally built the place from the ground up myself," he explained with a grin.

The way Doc's smile grew, the way his eyes lit up, it was all too much yet just right at the same time. "That's awesome!" He breathed.

Daring to hold onto him a little tighter, Bdubs parroted the question. "So what do you do then?"

"Oh, I'm an engineer but all I've really been doing recently is digging big holes and making them useful." He had to laugh at the explanation, his head dipping for just a moment. When he looked up again, he found Doc's smile had softened. Yet, when he opened his mouth to make a stupid joke, the stage lights dimmed and he whipped his head. "Oh, it's starting!" The hybrid realized as well, squeezing his arm.

-

Doc was a muddled mess of emotions.

Of course, he was beyond excited to see the artist come onstage and immediately jump into his second favorite song. The way Bdubs was screaming with him and the rest of the excited audience, his jumping inadvertently tugging his arm made it tempting to ignore the music and just stare at him. He had to fight back the thoughts creeping up, daring him to hold him closer, to press his lips to any part of his head. It occurred to him that he had never dealt with the form of longing he was feeling.

The urge to kiss somebody.

Before he knew it the song was over, and the lead singer formally introduced the band members. As they began to talk more, he looked back to Bdubs, catching his eye.

"It's barely started but this is already insane!" Bdubs exclaimed, the hybrid leaning closer with the silent excuse to hear him better.

He leaned a little closer. "Best night ever?"

He didn't need to be so close to hear the other. Doc could hear just fine. However he wanted to be a little selfish, take away as much space between them as he could to help contain how he felt, as ironic as that might be. When the other eagerly agreed, the hybrid had to look back at the stage, as another second maintaining eye contact would've led to Doc doing something he might've regretted.

When the next song of the night began, it didn't help his situation whatsoever.

The message of the song was all about not being afraid or holding back; diving in with no hesitation.

Much to his dismay, Bdubs let go of his arm in favor of raising his arms, cheering with the rest of the crowd. He returned to bracing his forearms on the barricade, adding to the cheers and lyric screaming.

It was driving him crazy how he felt more inclined to look at the guy he just met rather than the reason he was even at the venue in the first place. When the aforementioned lowered his arms, he realized Bdubs was slightly shivering. Doc had expected it to be cold, as the forecast predicted the night would be cooler and accompanied by a breeze. However, he was feeling just fine.

So he took the jacket he brought with him just in case and draped it over his shoulders. Yet he kept his focus on the performance, not wanting to know how Bdubs was looking at him.

-

Bdubs wasn't feeling that cold. He had hoped that with enough jumping around and being surrounded by a lot of people he'd warm up eventually. But the moment he felt cozy fabric engulf his shoulders and back, even his face began to burn. His excitement paused as he stared at Doc. In hindsight, the gesture was simple, and he could only assume it didn't mean anything, yet there he was, clutching the jacket around him and staring with wide eyes and a stupid smile. He followed his gaze to the stage as he took a small step closer to him, pressing their arms together.

Now, the artist had quite a few popular love songs.

Although the one they began singing wasn't their most well-known, it was arguably Bdubs' favorite and he had learned it was Doc's too. It was a more mellow, slow song but it was a nice break from the hyper energy.

A hand touched the small of his back.

When his head whipped back to Doc, he found him still watching the performance, mouthing the words. He pursed his lips. If there was ever a time to be bold, it would be right then.

So that's what he did.

"Hey," he breathed. Surprisingly, the hybrid heard him and hummed as he glanced at him. Bdubs touched his arm, giving a light tug.

With a wide smile and flushed face, Doc eagerly complied and leaned over.

They shared a simple kiss, though he hoped it wouldn't be their only one. Bdubs closed his eyes as he squeezed his arm. The hand on his back pulled him closer. His heart was pounding alongside the bass guitar and drums as he dared to peek. "We should do that more often," he teased with a smile.

Doc's smile grew. "Take me on a date first then we'll talk."

-

By the end of the concert, Bdubs was pressed against the side of Doc's chest, and he had a hand on his waist. The band had left the stage a few minutes before, but the two didn't feel like moving at the moment. The hybrid never found himself as one for spontaneity when it came to relationships, but he had quickly realized how fun it seemed to be.

A small sigh escapes Bdubs. "I should probably call for a ride now." But Doc didn't want him to go. As impractical as it was, he wanted to stay there, replaying the events of the concert in his mind, wishing foolishly to relive the night.

"I mean, I could give you a lift home?" He dares to suggest, hesitantly pulling his hand away in case he made him uncomfortable.

Thankfully, the other only hums and thinks for a moment. "Well, either I get a ride from a complete stranger or a ride from a stranger I just spent a few hours with and have kissed. Honestly, you're the lesser of two evils," he teased.

Doc laughed. "I promise to not let anything happen to you."

Bdubs then suggested they exchange numbers before either forget and then it was off to find where the hybrid had parked. On the walk there, they discussed date ideas. By the time they were in the car, they settled on meeting at a coffee shop and seeing where the day would take them.

When they got to Bdubs' apartment, he climbed out of the car with him to give him a proper goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow then," Bdubs said before kissing his cheek. "Oh, I still have your jacket!"

He stopped him before he could hand it back. "You can hold onto it for now." Squeezing his hand, he dared to kiss him. "Goodnight," he murmured against his lips.

The other echoed the sentiment.

And with that, Doc left for home. He couldn't remember the last time he enjoyed a concert so much. He couldn't remember the last time he was so excited for the sun to rise.