In for a Long Haul

[thisisgroundcontrol]

For this Nexus Prompt: 5. How does your character handle long trips? Do they Have to be the one driving? Are they more content to be in the back sleeping the whole way? Do they want to stop every hour to take pictures?


Robert was packing the final things into the front seat of the limo. With Antheans on the trip flight wasn't always an option. He would have to drive this stretch of the tour. 17 hours to be exact which wasn't the longest drive he'd ever taken. It was going to be the longest one he'd driven with a group of rockstars though, especially one this large. This too without Tom's voice of reason to keep them in line. He would be on his own.

The bikes started rolling up, while he'd packed all the luggage in the trunk; the Dane, the Fin, and the Norwegian were going to drive with their partners. Damien was on the Dane's extra bike, presumably the drummer riding along. They'd slept most of the previous day in prep, resting up. It at least lightened the load of people in the back. The group had grown from 12 to 16, or more, and there was no way even this spacious limo was going to be able to contain that many for this long of a drive.

The goal was to drive most of the way in one go so they could get in and rest before another run of shows. The equipment and the crew were already gone on a semitruck and plane the night before. It was a lot to coordinate and more than he had managed in years, not since he was running recon missions years ago. He did get a laugh thinking about the rockstars as young airforce cadets, too rowdy and cocky for their own good. Maybe that is why he could deal with them so well. Practice.

He had some time, twenty minutes before they were due to leave. There was a breath to lean against the car and watch the sunrise while drinking a bit of tea. Time to wonder how he was going to fare being in charge of this lot for a week on the road. The group on the bikes already rowdy and tormenting each other over something or another. Robert watched them, listening to all the languages. The Scandinavians still surprised him with the sheer number of languages they spoke with decent to native fluency. More amusing was the Brits being totally lost ninety percent of the time when they got to harassing and yelling in someone's native languages. The tables turned though when the Brits started slinging around slang. Aarne had a good grasp but the others lagged, Vars would get angry if no one explained. Someone was going to get a busted lip for the trip at this rate.

The others had come down and climbed quietly into the back. The division made sense now that he saw it so starkly. The calmer Spiders, Jack, Hunter and Gloria in the car. Another snorted laugh thinking about Hunter as 'the calm one'. Mouka and Diamond hopped in the back before Ziggy offered Robert the cage with Bonne. She couldn't ride in the back or Gilly would spend the whole trip screaming like he was about to die. No one needed that. Robert didn't mind riding with the rat, often letting her out to spend some time on his shoulder while he drove.

Setting the small cage on the seat Robert was again struck by the sheer volume of things to manage. People, pets, instruments, bags, and that ignored all the equipment and instruments the crew took. It was enough to get a heavy sigh from the older man while he tried to ensure everything and everyone was where they belonged.

The Norwegian screaming at him for being a slow old man was enough to force him to give up. If something was left Tom would catch it on a final sweep of the rooms. The important things were all loaded up. Robert climbed in finally, glancing at Erik who had taken Tom's usual place as co-pilot and company on a long haul like this. Bonne was already curled up in her cage for a sleep. He had to admit the rat grew on him over time. Never as scared as Gilly, Robert simply hadn't been fond of them at the start of this tour. Now, he was as bad as the Dane about letting the rat run free or hang around on his shoulder.

The bike gang took off. Each giving him the finger in turn as they drove by. He laid on the horn in response. It wasn't even an insult any more but a wave, of sorts. The things he got used to in all this madness. He briefly checked in with the ones in the back who were already settling into a conversation. Seventeen hours. He could do this.

Another glance at Erik and then the mirrors before he pulled away and headed toward the highway. The sky was only now turning to the reds and blue of the sun breaking the horizon. This was his retirement and Robert found it better than sitting around. Who else could say they retired into rockstar circles. Usually it was the otherway around. People retired out of it.

Comments

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"He sits in the back with his face buried in it while they talk." He knew how each couple cuddled up when they were alone. It was something he knew as a driver, saw it from time to time. "They're real sweet on each other like two young school boys."

There was a romantic quality to the childishness of the two guitarists that always reminded Robert of someone's first love if it went on past school years and stayed alive. Hope, maybe that was it? Whatever the reason the two always made him smile.

"I hear there may be a few more joining us." That was all they needed, more crazy people, but that was the joy of his job. "I know Damien is staying on with us. He's all but glued to that drummer."

[rockandroll_swede]

"That's really cute. I like Billy, he seems a nice young man. Rik, I've known since he stayed at Hunter's mansion those years ago when the Hammers were young. I know my brother was behind their meeting the sly old fox."

Erik knew how sly Hunter could be at matchmaking people and on this occasion it seemed to have worked with Billy and Rik clicking. They were two young men in love and the Swede found it endearing.

"Oh? More people? Double the craziness. Who are these people might I ask?"

He was genuinely curious about who was about to join the crazy tour. As for the drummer? Zack? His hair was cute and he had a nice smile. Much too young for the Swede though since he was a boy. Erik preferred older mature men. Damien had a sweetie there for sure.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"Oh they are darling." Robert really saw the two young men as a really adorable couple. They were always laughing and close. "Ziggy started this all when he pulled the groups together. I suspect he knew when he chose which bands to bring along."

There were several matchmakers in the group. Aarne was trying so hard to get someone with Robert and he knew about Aarne encouraging the drummer, or harassing him.

"Vars was talking about someone he wanted to see." That one Robert didn't know about who but the punk had been talking about an old friend. Maybe that wouldn't be until they were back in Europe. "My brother lives out on the west coast. I was thinking of inviting him down for a visit when we play California."

Robert hadn't seen his little brother in awhile because their visits were sparse now that he lived in the US full time.

[rockandroll_swede]

"Darling indeed. Ziggy is a sly little bitch and I love him for doing this for everyone. Bringing the Hammers, Angels and his Spiders altogether. The best kind of craziness. He knew what he was doing."

Erik thought the matchmaking was cute and everyone had their special someone. It was perfect. Almost. The younger Swede was still out to find love and it seemed the man with the curly hair in front of him was tugging at his heart strings right now. Was he attracted? Oh yes.

"I wonder who it is. We'll find out soon enough I suppose. California? That sounds like fun! I'd love to meet him and I wonder if he's as cute as you."

A playful flirt of course.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"I'm sure he did." Robert laughs while glancing over at Erik briefly. "You wouldn't think it now but his father was a hellion as a young man. He still can be sometimes, just like his kid."

Robert needed to focus on the road but the conversation was a welcome distraction from the monotony of driving.

"A friend from Norway?" Robert hazarded a guess since the punks were making a trip there. "Maybe someone from Vars' old band?"

That was also a possibility. Then that comment had Robert stare at his passenger for a long moment before sighing. "I suppose he is. We look quite a bit alike but his hair is redder."

[rockandroll_swede]

"Tom was a hellion when he was younger? I had no idea. He seems quite a sensible man to me but to know this---it's fun. I bet you know how to let your hair down once you relax."

Erik wasn't being presumptuous but friendly. He was trying to break up the boring factor of the drive by talking to Robert, finding more about him by the minute. As for Vars' friend, the Swede had an inkling but he couldn't pinpoint as to who it was right now.

"It could be yes---"

Suddenly there was a soft thump against the back of the barrier between the driver and the seating compartment. What the hell was going on back there? It was a mix of muffled squealing and screaming as Hunter drunkenly tickled Gilly, who was against the screen. The sound being louder now that both of them were right up close to the driver's compartment. Erik knew his brother's laugh anywhere. The craziness had started already it seemed. All they needed now was for Joe and Aarne to ride up next to the window and offer up lewd gestures.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"We grew up together. I've known him all my life." Robert continued laughing and glad for the nostalgic thoughts. "He and my younger brother used to get in fist fights and my mother would have at them for it."

Robert was no angel either but his trouble ran a little different than the other two who had hot tempers and a bit more arrogance than Robert. "I'm not much for the city. I grew up in London but I always preferred the countryside."

He just shook his head at the noise in the back. "That didn't take long."

Coke might be involved for the racket but he had learned to ignore it. The others were around, Vars and Viktor not far a head of them but the other three bikes, who knew. The three driving; Rik, Aarne and Damien all had a daredevil and adrenaline seeking demeanor as far as Robert could tell. They were probably racing around or something by now.

[rockandroll_swede]

"That's cute that you and Tom grew up together. Your younger brother sounds like a load of fun! I'm sure he and the bands will get on like a house on fire."

At the mention of Robert being more of a rural man this pleased the Swede who grew up with tribal people himself away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities. This was until his parents moved to gain better jobs as actors in Stockholm. Then Erik and his brother had to adapt to a new more modern lifestyle.

"I grew up in a city called Kiruna. We were amongst tribal people known as the Saami. Aarne's people. We were less tribal than those in neighbouring Finland but we were still taught the old ways from our ancestors. How to hunt, fish and survive off the land where everything is made of ice throughout most of the year. You learnt or you died of starvation. My father used to take me out ice fishing at 5am every morning to get our breakfast. Hunter, the lazy tik---bitch, he always laid in bed until 8 when all the fish had left the fishing hole. I was the one to get our breakfast. My brother did help around the house though and my mother was grateful for that."

Erik smiled thinking about his life with his people before they moved to the bright lights of the city.

"Then, when I was about 7 we moved to Stockholm. My parents are actors now, famous ones. They are in Swedish language films and adult movies."

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"He'll probably hang out with the punks. He's more heavy than glam at least when he played. He still does sometimes but the band he was in broke up a few years ago."

Robert listened attentively to the background. Genuinely interested in hearing what made people who they are. "Aarne was similar. He moved to a city when he was a kid too." The driver smiled at the thoughts of his own home that a friend was looking after while he was gone. "I went the other way, from city to rural. I like being connected to the land and people more than you can do in a place like London. I still visit often to see Tom and his family."

The adult films comment got a glance but nothing more. It was just as legitimate as any other means of making a living as far as the Brit was concerned.

[rockandroll_swede]

"More metal than glam is he? Interesting. I do like metal but I prefer glam rock, just something I've always wanted to get into. Meeting Ziggy was sort of like meeting an idol for me. Mick is a hell of a guitarist and I like his finger work on his fret board."

Erik could talk guitar all day. Him, Mick and Rik would be talking guitar until the cows came home. Listening to Robert talk, he nodded, interested in where the Brit grew up and how he came to become Stardust's limo driver.

"It's good you still visit London to see Tom's family. Keeping roots is important I believe. Although, I have not been back to my place of birth in a long time. Near on ten years now. Stockholm is where I've been based since becoming a guitarist."

Going back home was something he wanted to do one day. Maybe to take his new friend with him. It could happen.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"He did it to rebel against our sister and parents, I think, and then he was good at it." Robert was proud of his brother despite their personalities grating sometimes. "He's into playing for speed. I used to stare at how fast he could play. Now, he focuses mostly on making guitars."

Robert nodded but let out a breath thinking about the Dane. "Not all roots should be kept. Some people are better off never going home or avoiding family. My brother is one of them."

[rockandroll_swede]

"A rebel? Ah. Unlike you then. Are you the sensible brother, Robert? I don't think Hunter or myself are sensible at all but we are both level-headed where it counts and loyal to friends and family. That is bred in us all."

He was curious about this crazy brother now, wondering just how much of a rebel he really was. Speed playing? That sounded like something worth looking at in detail. As a guitarist, Erik loved seeing how other guitarist's played their instruments.

"I wouldn't mind taking a look at his speed playing. It sounds fun. I tend to play more focused and heavy, long riffs. Just the style of how I play."

As for not wanting to hold onto your roots? It could work that way if you had a bad experience with your family or the place you were born from. Erik sighed and nodded slowly.

"This is true. He does sound an interesting man though. The bands should get on with him."

[thisisgroundcontrol]

Robert started laughing immediately and brings his hand up to try and stop the snorting in his laughter. "You don't know me well enough to say that. Before I went into the Air Force, Rekker and I ran around together with Tom." The laughter calms and Robert shrugs. "He's sensible enough to make it in LA with his own business but he's like the punks in some ways. Belligerent sometimes and arrogant but he's not hard to get along usually."

Robert digs around in the console and pulls out a tape. "I've got this that he wrote recently with some other musicians. Rekker is very focused on the music but he likes the technicality of playing faster notes."

Robert put in a tape with a couple of his brother's songs.

"I'm concerned about him and the punks but the rest should be fine." Then they wouldn't be speaking for a bit because his brother's music was loud and fast.

[rockandroll_swede]

"You know I'm right, I don't know you well enough....yet. But I'd love to know more about you, Robert. This--us, what we're doing now? This is having good times with a new friend I've never met before Aarne introduced you into my life. A road trip with a difference."

Watching Robert pull out the tapes and continue to play his brother's music was something Erik was into a lot. Hearing how Robert's brother played was a good experience and the Swede smiled, loving the fast pace of it all. Definitely different to how glam rock played out.

"His rhythm is good. Fast, erratic and aggressive. I like it. Now for some of mine."

He winked at Robert before pulling out a tape of his own which he liked to keep inside his jacket pocket. Always good just in case a band wanted to hear your stuff before possibly recruting you. Offering the tape to the driver, it contained most of his recorded solos.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

The word US gets a bizarre look from Robert. He's not sure if he likes the sound of it or it makes his skin crawl, maybe both. Looking out at the road, focusing away from Erik helps. "Friends do make a long drive better."

That is as much as he can muster. Erik rattled him sometimes though he was growing fond of the younger man's company. Maybe that was the issue that plagued him. His brother's music let his mind wander a bit in the silence and he tried to sort out why that word bothered him so much.

"His music is like hearing his personality. It's not the usual music I would listen to but I think that's why I like it, it sounds like Rekker." The music talk was a good distraction and soon he's listening to Erik play. More music meant more time to let his mind work out what felt so wrong or unnerved.

"It's bluesy." Robert commented about Erik's work. "I think Tom would like this too."

[rockandroll_swede]

"They do. Especially having decent company and good music helps too."

Erik sensed that Robert was looking away slightly. Had he said the wrong thing? The Swede was trying not to dwell on it as he smiled fondly and nodded. This Rekker? He sounded like a rebellious man and could play the guitar well too. Wait until the others heard the way he played.

"Rekker is a good guitarist. A bit more heavy and fast than the style I am used to but he's good. Yes, I do like playing in the blues style mixed with rock. Perhaps I could offer Tom a tape if he likes this sort of music too."

That got the Swede smiling broader since he wanted more people to see how he played, often being overshadowed by his older brother's successful career in the Hammers. Erik still wanted to make it big one day.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"Music is a necessity when driving this far." Robert liked music and aside from mucking around a little on a guitar here and there or singing sometimes he didn't do much but listen.

"Those tones he pulls you can't get from a standard guitar. He makes all the ones he plays, has since he moved to California. I think he built his amps too. I can't keep track of everything he makes." Robert nodded. "Tom is always looking for more music."

Robert relaxed again as his internal self rebalanced, but Erik cause him turmoil on and off ever since they had met, or well Aarne just dumped the young guitarist on him in the middle of the night.

[rockandroll_swede]

"Oh goodness yes! I could not drive this car without listening to music if I were the limo driver. You must get so bored otherwise if you are not listening to the craziness from behind."

Talking of that, Erik turned his head to glance back and then realised the screen was still up. Of course. No noise except maybe the odd scream or loud high pitched laugh. This was all normal of course.

"He builds his own amps? I am sure the other guitarists in our group will be interested in what Rekker builds. Ronno, Billy, Rik---I am sure they would love to meet your talented brother."

Who wouldn't? Erik himself was curious as to what he built. Then, he found himself gazing up at Roberts as he drove. Those luscious curls causing his fingers to twitch a little in want. His tongue sliding over his lips wanting to kiss that handsome jaw....

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"If I'm driving the country I prefer quiet but these interstates or the city needs music." Robert loved the countryside and a country drive was enough without sound.

"I'll have to warn them about his personality. He's a right arrogant bastard and not the most sociable until you get him distracted with music or something he's interested in."

He could feel the gaze on him and glanced over at his passanger. He felt that unease again in the pit of his stomach but kept it bottled behind a smile as he drove.

[rockandroll_swede]

"I don't like silence it unnerves me a little. Even background noise of birds or insects can be quite pleasant since they too make their own music. When I was small I used to like the noises the reindeer made in our camp. The grunting and huffing. Hunter thought I was odd but I used to tell him they make their own music too!"

Erik blushed a little because he might sound a little odd or eccentric to many. Maybe he was but he felt like opening up to Robert because he liked him. Oh, did he like him.

"I am sure Rekker can't be any worse than the punks with attitude. He sounds a very talented man."

Thoughts of wanting Robert were now dominating Erik as he tried to think of anything except kissing those full lips of the Brit. Knulla! Why was it so hard? Erik swallowed and looked out of the window, feeling sparks of desire igniting within him. No, not here. Not on the road. Gods.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"The farm I like that for me, and the countryside in Britian." Robert understood and didn't think he was strange for feeling comfort in the sound of animals. Then Robert laughed more.

"He's going to give the punks a run for it. He's got Vars' readiness to fight and Viktor's hair trigger temper but like both of them he has a sense of brotherhood and friends, in his own way and on his terms."

Robert could feel the electricity in the front seat and tried to ignore it before there was knocking in the passenger side of the limo. Robert knew what that was as the Fin came into the passanger window, sucking lewdly in his fingers right in front of Erik's face. Of course. He looked in the mirrors and saw the Dane and Damien coming up on them too. Where the hell they had been? Who knew, some side trip.

[rockandroll_swede]

"You like animal noises in the country too? At least you don't think I'm an eccentric Swedish nuthead. My brother thinks I am sometimes. He blames too much coke."

Erik began snorting in laughter but then his eyes went wide when he noticed Aarne and Joe pull up next to his window knocking on it and---well. The trash had arrived. The lewd gesture not helping the poor Swede's "predicament" at all. Oh fuck. Gasping, the guitarist then giggled and rolled his eyes.

"Aarne! You dirty bitch you. Where the hell have they been?"

Turning to Robert, the Swede had his cheeks tinged with pink because he was now aroused and crossing his legs trying to hide the obvious bulge in his tight pants. Why did he pick his tight jeans for the ride?

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"I choose to live on a farm away from people." That had been, partially, a spiritual choice to connect more with the earth and nature.

Aarne laughed and started screaming so he could be heard over the Ducati.

"Fick du en titt på hans kuk än?"

Robert started laughing because he has no idea what the Fin was on about but he was obviously harassing Erik from the look and flushed cheeks.

[rockandroll_swede]

"I did not live on a farm but I did live around animals in my homeland."

Then, Aarne was screaming through the window as he rode with his crazy bassist. The language easily picked up by the Swede, causing him to giggle and wipe his hand over his face. Of course he would ask that. How could he not? Trying to not fluster himself, Erik offered the Fin a middle finger and shouted back through the glass easily using Aarne's own language.

"Mikset ime brittiäsi?"

That should keep him amused. Erik, however, probably should aim for a toilet break since the rowdy lot in the back probably needed to stretch their legs too. Turning to Robert, he sighed and smiled rather awkwardly.

"I need the bathroom. Any chance we can stop at the next pit stop?"

[suomi_thunder]

The Chaos continues over here