He's a Part of It, Too by Caro
Charlie likes it when Lex comes to practices.
Usually, it's just him and Franny with the band. Franny always brings her sketchbook and doodles ideas down for fliers and stuff while they rehearse. Charlie considered bringing a book once, but then it seemed rude, like he wasn't actually paying attention to the band. And he is.
When Lex comes, they both sit in the back.
Lex leans over and makes comments during the rehearsal. Just little observations that most people wouldn't expect him to make. Ethan says that Lex doesn't really get what they're about. Charlie shrugs and nods. Sometimes he's not sure he knows what they're about and with Lex there, he feels less left out.
Before Astrid, Charlie's knowledge of music was limited to the top 40 played over and over on KMET. The first time he came to rehearsal, he was nervous that they'd recognize him as an outsider. He doesn't know this stuff like Ethan does. Ethan goes on and on about music, about who's a whore for airplay and who's actually true to the muse. Charlie never knows what to say so he's just quiet. Astrid laughs at Ethan's theatrics but Charlie can see that she actually values his opinions a lot.
His first date with Astrid was a gig. They were playing at a club not too far from the University, and he'd been eager to go out with her, so when she said she was performing, he'd just invited himself along.
He remembers being really impressed. While she plays, Astrid's in this zone. Charlie knows about that. He feels it sometimes when he's in a game, that moment when he knows whatever move he makes down the court will be the right one.
He wants to be cheesy and say that's when he knew he loved her. But they haven't said *it* to each other yet, so he keeps quiet.
He wants to ask Lex when he knew he loved Clark. And he does love Clark. Charlie can see it. It's cute, which is a strange way to describe a man Charlie previously only knew through articles in the Daily Planet. Every so often there are moments when Lex is just watching Clark on stage, and you know there's nobody else in that room for Lex.
Clark's the same way, much to Ethan's chagrin. He whines about how they're this old married couple, but sometimes Charlie thinks Ethan, for all his talk about how the loneliness is the best inspiration, wishes he had that. Clark and Lex, despite all their differences, fit together. Charlie wants him and Astrid to be like that one day.
Rehearsal's coming to an end. Charlie can tell. Ethan's getting twitchy and he either needs food or alone time so that he can write. They're mostly goofing off at this point.
"The show on Saturday starts at 7, right?" Lex asks. He's got his PDA open and he's making a note.
"Yeah." Charlie grins. "I had someone ask me if I was a groupie last time."
Franny looks up from her sketchbook. "I think you have to be sleeping with the entire band to be considered a groupie." The music has stopped in the background. "That's Ethan's job."
"Hey!" Ethan scowls at them even as everyone bursts into laughter.
"He wishes," Astrid says. She gets up, stretches, and walks over to Charlie for a kiss. Charlie wraps his arms around her.
"Diner?" Clark asks. Everyone nods their assent and starts gathering their stuff together. They all start filing out of the garage; Ethan's in front. Clark, Astrid, and Thomas are arguing with him over what they're going to play Saturday. Franny, Lex and Charlie are in the back. They're just listening as always but Charlie feels oddly connected to them.
Even if they don't perform, they're still part of the Spectacles.
05/02/03