"Strings Between Us"

Ch.1-"From Fan To Flame"

The studio smelled like nerves and guitar polish.

Y/N stood at the edge of the rehearsal room, fingers twitching at her sides, her worn guitar case slung over one shoulder. Her heart pounded, but she kept her chin high. The reality of where she was hadn't fully sunk in yet. This wasn't just any audition-it was Tokio Hotel's rehearsal space. She was about to play in front of the band she'd admired since she was thirteen. Posters still lined her bedroom walls back home, faded by time but never by love.

"Y/N?" a voice called out from the hallway. It was one of the managers, clipboard in hand, Bluetooth in ear.

She nodded quickly. "Yeah. That's me."

"Follow me. They're ready for you."

Her legs moved before her brain caught up. Each step echoed through the hallway like a countdown to a dream-or a disaster. When the door opened, her breath caught in her throat.

There they were.

Tom Kaulitz sat on a black leather couch, sprawled out like the throne was built for him. His hair was braided back, and his expression unreadable as he scrolled on his phone. Bill Kaulitz, vibrant as ever, was deep in conversation with their drummer Gustav, while Georg tuned his bass quietly in the corner.

Y/N swallowed.

Bill was the first to notice her. "Oh! You're the guitarist?"

She nodded, managing a small smile. "Yeah. Y/N."

Bill stood, offering a warm smile and handshake. "Nice to meet you. Tom, this is the one from the L.A. video-remember?"

Tom glanced up. His gaze swept over her like she was another piece of equipment in the room-something to be tested, judged. "Right. The fangirl."

Her cheeks flushed. "I'm a musician first. Being a fan came after."

Tom raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see."

Bill gave her an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "Ignore him. Let's hear what you've got."

Y/N didn't waste time. She pulled her guitar from the case and plugged in. Her fingers found the frets like they were home, and when she started to play one of the band's older tracks-a deep cut only true fans would know-even Tom looked up, just for a second.

She played with fire in her chest and precision in her fingers. By the time she finished, the room was silent for a beat too long.

Georg gave a low whistle. "Damn."

Gustav nodded. "Clean. Confident."

Tom leaned back, arms crossed. "You can play. Doesn't mean you can handle us."

Y/N met his gaze, steady. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't think I could."

For a second, something flickered in his eyes-approval, maybe. Or challenge.

---

Later, after they'd wrapped rehearsal and the others drifted out, Y/N lingered by the amps, coiling her cable. She felt Tom behind her before he spoke.

"You played well," he said, voice low and casual. "For a fan."

She didn't look up. "You keep saying that like it's a weakness."

Tom moved closer, close enough for her to feel the heat of him. "Maybe it is. Or maybe it makes you easier to control."

She turned to face him, her chin high despite the thundering of her heart. "If you think I'm here to fall all over you, you're wrong."

Tom smiled-slow, infuriating. "We'll see."

---

That night, Y/N lay in her new hotel room, replaying everything. Her audition. Bill's kind eyes. Tom's arrogant smirk.

She was in.

But something told her this tour was going to be more than just music.

It was going to be a firestorm.

And Tom Kaulitz was holding the match.

|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

Before you continue please consider following me on here or on my tiktok @ash182190 Thanks! :) mention a user