His Bread and Butter

Good Brandy

[Fluff]

It's been a fucking week. Normally, you would just say "that's life" and carry on," but you couldn't fake a smile through it this time. So you did what anyone else would do - made a trip to the liquor store to pick your poison and at least live up a little. You contemplated between a bottle of Malibu and a six-pack of Coors Banquet, when your train of thought was interrupted by a heavy sigh.

You looked to your right and notice a well put together man holding two different bottles of whiskey close together and mumbling to himself. You couldn't help but feel he looked... out of place; lean muscle, 5'11", maybe 6'0", wearing a suit and tie with combed hair and glasses  He looked like he was having a hard time deciding. "Eh, what the hell, I'll help a fellow decide," you thought to yourself.
"Get the apple brandy one," you suggested, looking over his shoulder. He looked surprised that you were speaking to him.
"You think so?" he asked, holding the bottle closer and rereading the label.
"Not too burny, not too sweet, just enough to get the job done and still taste nice," you responded. He glanced to you and and slowly nodded.
"Hmm, ok, yeah... thanks!" he said.
"No problem," you replied with a smile, before looking back at your options. You could still sense his eyes on you
"You look like a Malibu girl," he said, looking right to you.
"You'd be right," you laughed, plucking a bottle off the shelf. Your overshirt opened up just enough to reveal your Dethklok t-shirt.
"Wait, you like Dethklok?" he asked
"Yeah, I recently started listening to them after their new album dropped. My friend gave me this shirt," you said. You watched him transition from a seemingly unassuming man to pure excitement.
"I'm their manager, you know," he said, a small smile on his face.
"You're pulling my leg," you responded. He let out a playful scoff and dug in his pocket, giving you a sleek looking business card.

"Charles Foster Offdensen - C.F.O., Band Manager"

You look at the card in shock as he smiles and holds his hand out to you.
"I'm Charles," he introduced. You slowly reach out to shake his hand.
"I'm (Y/N)," you responded. You had no idea what to say - the man behind one of the biggest metal bands of your time is right in front of you, buying smooth apple brandy.

"I bet you have a hard job, then," you smiled.
"Oh, you have NO idea, Miss (Y/N), it's like having five toddlers stuck inside big grown men's bodies," he joked. Something about his tone, his smile, even his voice made you feel comfortable and safe.
"I'm sure you're very good at what you do, though," you assured, looking up in his eyes. His eyes were a pretty muted shade of green, like moss agate, or maybe even money; he did look over finances after all. It was a green you wouldn't mind getting lost in time and time again. Something in your subconscious told you he felt the same about yours.

"Well, um... Dethklok has a surprise gig in town tomorrow. Not gonna be revealed until day-of. Don't tell anybody," he said, a small blush on his face.
"My lips are sealed," you promised.
"Would you, uh... like to maybe come? I can make sure you have a spot... anywhere you want," he stutters. "Aw, he's so cute and sweet!" you thought to yourself.
"Hell yeah!" you agreed
"Ah, really? Great! Uh, just come to the amphitheater at noon tomorrow... I'll, um, get you taken care of," he says with a sheepish smile. You can't help but giggle at how he's both confident and awkward.
"Alright then, tomorrow, noon, amphitheater. Got it," you confirmed. You both waved to each other before parting ways. You were already pre-plannjng your outfit for tomorrow.

You met him exactly when and were he said the following day. He looked surprised to see that you actually came, before giving you a small smile that says "I knew you would show up."
"Ah, (Y/N), you came. Perfect," he said, nodding toward the stage being set up.
"I hope this place is packed tonight. I think you guys will really knock it out with this one!" you assured him. He faintly blushed at your compliment.
"Oh, well... thank you, I appreciate that. Not a lot of people can get behind what it takes to put something like this together," he said.
"By the way, how was the apple liquor?" you asked. He let out a sigh of contentment.
"Oh, yeah, it was fantastic. Good brandy," he went on, "Really good brandy. Very good."
"Glad to be of service," you said, following him down the aisles of theater seats.

You sat in one of the front rows together. You don't know how or when it happened, but eventually, you and Charles started yapping nonstop while the band fucked around onstage trying to set things up. You vented about your week, and he told you some fun stories about being on the road with Dethklok. He seemed to listen intently about your frustrations. He simply loved to hear you talk.

"Hey, (Y/N)?" he asked, fidgeting with his cufflinks.
"What?" you said.
"Do you believe in predestination? For example, certain people being brought together from certain situations because they were made to be around each other?" he mumbled. You thought about it for a moment
"Maybe a little bit. Why?" you responded.
"Well, you're just so... lovely," he admitted, "You're obviously compassionate for other people, you like the music that I'm sort of in charge of, and you're easy on the eyes... I just, uh, well..." he trailed off. You were stunned. "Oh my God," you thought to yourself, "he actually likes me?" You got over your initial shock and filled in the blanks for him.
"And you just want to spend some moe time with me and get to know me better, yeah?" you questioned. He smiled and nodded.
"Yeah... exactly," he answered. He slowly and subtly placed his hand over yours, earning a pink blush from you and causing your heart rate to rise.

People began to fill the empty seats, and soon this quiet and romantic moment would be replaced with Nathan's harrowing vocals and Skwisgaar's guitar shreds. You smile and look up at Charles.
"I think that could be arranged," you replied.
"Really? Oh, wow... (Y/N), I'd love to see more of you," he sighed, pushing back a stray lock of hair behind your ear. "After this, do you think I could take you out somewhere? See where things go?" You feel like the clear decision is right there.
"Absolutely," you said. And with that, the two of you leaned closer together in your seats as the drums began to play like heartbeats.