Apartment Melodies (ch3)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $10+ PATRONS!!

Just a quick little thing I did after seeing the latest episode. Honestly, I just had to write something cuz it's canon that Carole calls her "Tues" and that's such a cute and good nickname I wanted to write it a little bit.

Disclaimer: I do not own Carole & Tuesday.

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															Chapter 3.

It isn't every day you get to be backup singers for a beloved idol, then proceed to get booed off stage by angry fans, only to then be shut down and kicked off the stage by the fickle singer himself.

All that antsy anxiety and jumbled enthusiasm about performing had been twisted into a burning tangle of disappointment, frustration, and guilt.

It's no wonder Tuesday had cried, and Carole herself had come close.

But then again, it wasn't every day a famous and well-respected singer witnesses that struggle and proceeded to personally congratulate and hug you.

Carole and Tuesday had never experienced so many extreme emotions in such a short span of time, from crushing devastation to giddy excitement in mere minutes. I

t's no wonder the train ride home finds them entirely wiped out. It's easy to forget that, after a big event such as a late-night concert, you still have to get home.

They'd barely managed to wander their way on at Gus' call, and by that point it had been well past midnight. Hungry, tired, and emotionally compromised, the pair had found the first open seats available and slouched down, while all the other musicians who had performed tonight have the comforts of personalized limos and luxury.

Carole still isn't entirely sure what she's feeling at this point in the night. There's still a lot of disappointment, but just that tiny spark of inspiration and accomplishment remains kindling as well. She's already planning new music for an updated version of their latest song, eager to give another spin to the dancing laundry.

Beside her, Tuesday slumps against her side, guitar still in-hand since she'd been too tired to even bother with a compartment. Her eyes are already closed, and her expression is neutral enough to be unreadable.

Carole shifts a little, allowing her shoulder to more fully support her partner's head. She leans over and presses a gentle kiss to her hair.

"Tues? You okay?"

A raspy voice replies.

"Mm. Carole, what was that stuff you gave me? It definitely wasn't water..."

"Oh yeah. M-My bad..." Chuckling, Carole slips an arm around her back and pats her shoulder. "Sorry."

But Tuesday shakes her head, yawning.

"No. Thinking back on it, that's probably the only way you would've gotten me out there without me collapsing or chickening out."

"I guess I'll have to ask Joshua for the brew."

Tuesday giggles and snuggles closer as the train begins to move. The lurch causes a little heave in the back of her throat.

"Geh-"

"Hey, if you're gonna barf, lemme know."

"No... I think I'm okay..."

"Just don't think about that audience and all those potatoes you had to eat."

"Carole!"

"Sorry, sorry!" Carole ruffles Tuesday's hair gently and starts rubbing her back for her.

The ride back to the city is about half an hour, and Carole chooses to rest her eyes as well. When they reach their stop it takes some effort to get them both on their feet long enough to walk off, then say their goodnights to Gus and Roddy.

Then it's another bus ride back to their apartment, and by the time they stagger off, it's nearly 3AM. The city is both livelier and quieter at this hour; where the usual rush of vehicles and planes are absent, there's a plethora of distant music beats coming from behind the walls of half the buildings and all the bars on the street.

Carole helps Tuesday with her guitar, and the two girls stagger their way up the steps. She fishes for the key and they push in with a mutual sigh.

"Home sweet home," Carole yawns.

"We're back, Ziggy." Tuesday gives a half-wave to the owl in the rafters as she turns on the lights, but it's way too bright and she yelps before shutting them off again. Carole puts on a lamp instead as the two go about gathering clothes to change into.

It's honestly a miracle they're both able to manage the feat before collapsing onto the couch. Tuesday curls up on her side, her head only barely touching the edge of a pillow as she reaches up above her head for Carole. Carole frees her hair and lies down on the opposite side of the couch, head-to-head with her, and takes her hand.

"What a night," she sighs. "How're you feeling?"

Tuesday curls up into a tighter ball.

"I'm... actually really thirsty..."

"Say no more." Carole sits up slowly and begins getting back to her feet, but Tuesday rolls over to try and stop her.

"N-No Carole, it's okay! I can get it-"

"I don't mind, Tues. Consider it compensation for the stuff I gave you earlier."

Carole pats her head, then makes her way over to the kitchen. Grabbing a bottle of water for Tuesday makes her realize just how parched she is too, so she takes a second back for herself. Tuesday blearily sits herself up and accepts the water.

"Thank you."

"No sweat."

The pair sit up for a moment and drink all they can, finishing together with a satisfied sigh.

"That hit the spot." Carole tosses the empty bottle onto the nearby chest. It almost lands upright and both of them gasp, but then tips and falls over and they end up laughing. Carole leans against her partner a little. "How're you feeling now?"

Tuesday nuzzles into her shoulder, eyes already closed again.

"Much better. I still can't believe Crystal hugged us."

"I know, right?"

"I really need to shower in the morning, but I don't wanna."

"I feel you."

A moment passes, and it's the quietest they've known yet, given the general stillness of the hour. Carole eases them both back slowly, keeping Tuesday supported against her side. She yawns, and is about to suggest actually going to sleep this time when Tuesday speaks up, barely in a murmur.

"It's strange... I was really upset. Really frustrated. I even felt hopeless... but at the end of the night, and even now, my heart's still racing."

Carole feels a chill run through her, but not the cold kind. It's the other kind – the kind that comes from something you can't really explain. She coaxes Tuesday back a pace, urges her to open her eyes for a moment and look up at her.

"I know what you mean. Like... I know exactly what you mean, Tues."

And they're both so tired beyond the point of words now, but they don't need words to understand feeling. Eyes close, noses brush, and their lips come together softly.

Carole finds Tuesday's hand in her lap and laces their fingers together, giving a gentle squeeze. She can feel Tuesday's other hand on her arm, tracing up to her shoulder to pull her closer. The kiss is slow and tired, but full of emotions, most of which they can't properly explain.

When they finally ease apart, Tuesday bows her head for a moment. Carole thinks she might've fallen asleep right then and there until she feels the hand in hers tugging. Tuesday lifts Carole's hand and holds it against her chest softly. Carole can feel the slightest movement beneath her palm, the flitting drum of Tuesday's pulse. She tilts her head a little, reaching out to cup her cheek.

"Tues?" she whispers. "You okay?"

Tuesday looks up with a sweet playfulness in her eyes.

"You made it worse. It's going even faster now."

Carole cracks a smile and kisses her cheek.

"My bad."

"You're... forgiven." This time Tuesday's eyes close for good.

Carole helps her lie down and gets them back into their prior positions. She leans over her girlfriend, her loose hair now spilling over to tickle Tuesday's face as she kisses her forehead.

"Night, Tues."

"Night, Carole..."

Tuesday just barely has enough consciousness left to reach out her hand, a silent plea Carole happily answers with her own hand.

As they lace their fingers together, Carole lies down with her and squeezes. Tuesday is out in seconds, and Carole is close behind.

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A/N: I don't know, I just needed to write more of them. This might become a weekly thing at this rate...