Title - Getting Away 22/24

Author - Lena

Pairing - Harry/Ron, Harry/various OC's (slash and het), Ron/OC (slash)

Rating - this chapter - PG

Feedback - [email protected]

For warnings, disclaimers, etc. please see chapter 0/24 - msg#11257

Chapter Twenty-Two - Saturday/Sunday

The concert started at nine, but Ron had said the band wanted him there no later than seven to do a little practicing. They took a taxi, instead of the bus to South Beach, where the club was, just because it was easier.

The taxi pulled up to the club, which at this early time was relatively quiet and Harry and Ron got out. Ron and Harry started to walk into the club when a large man stopped them at the door. The man said in brusque voice, "It's not open yet!"

Ron said, "I know. I'm with the band."

The large man looked at a paper on a clipboard. He said, "What's your name?"

Ron said, "Ron Weasley."

The large man didn't say a word, just glanced down his piece of paper. "Oh, here and guest. Okay, go ahead."

Ron and Harry walked into the club and saw it was small but nice. It had about twenty tables with two or three chairs each around a small stage and a bar off to one side. There was space in the back for people to stand as well. The band was on stage tuning their instruments when someone holding a guitar said, "Hey, Ron!"

Ron looked up at him and called out, "Hey, Daryl!" Ron and Harry continued walking towards the stage. When he got to the edge of the stage, Ron pulled himself up and reached down for Harry hand and pulled him up as well.

Ron said, "This is my mate, Harry. Harry, this is Daryl..." He pointed to the guy he had said hello to. "This is Lewis..." He pointed to the other guitar player. "...And this is Greg." He pointed to the drummer.

Harry lifted his hand in greeting to all and said, "Hi."

The three band members murmured various greetings to Harry. Daryl then said, "Hey, you're famous now."

Ron said, "Oh, great. Everyone has seen it."

Daryl said, "Yeah. Still got the black eye?"

Ron sighed, pointed at his eye and said, "It's going away."

Daryl said good-naturedly, "Oh, it adds character anyway."

Ron asked nervously, "Do you still want me to sing for you guys?"

Daryl looked at him oddly and said, "Well, yeah, why wouldn't we?"

Ron said, "Oh, dunno. Just if people don't like...well..." His voice trailed off.

Daryl laughed and said, "What? They're gonna say 'oh, that's the guy who’s dating that babe Robinson'?"

Ron looked surprised but pleased and said, "Cool." Ron turned to Harry and said, "Wanna just sit and watch us practice?"

Harry said, "Sure." Harry jumped down from the stage and sat in a chair by the stage. A guy walked over to him from behind and said, "Hey."

Harry jumped and looked up at him. He said, "Hi!"

The guy said, "I'm setting up the bar for tonight. Want something to drink?"

Harry said, "Sure. Can I have a beer?"

The bartender said, "Sure." He walked away.

Harry put his attention to the stage and watched as the band continued to tune their instruments. Daryl told Ron to test the microphone. Ron said, "What do I say?" His voice boomed out throughout the room and he startled himself.

Daryl chuckled and said, "That's good enough."

Daryl said, "Okay, Ron, let's try 'Reaching Out.' Did you learn that one?"

Ron said, "Yeah"

Daryl said, "Okay, we're going to start the riff, then you come in when I nod my head."

Ron said, 'Kay."

Daryl plucked at his guitar and they started playing. After a moment, Ron chimed in. Harry was amazed. It was a slow song. Ron voice was intense, but youthful. It might have been a little rough around the edges, from lack of professional practice, but it was sweet sounding, as well.

The bartender came back and gave Harry his beer. Harry didn't look up, just kept his eyes on Ron. Harry said, "Thanks."

The band continued practicing for the next hour. Ron sang a faster song, which made his voice sound rougher and it suited him. Daryl moved to the microphone, to sing a couple of songs that Ron wasn’t. Ron stood off to the side watching and tapping his foot to the beat of the music.

Just after eight, the band stopped practice and decided to go back stage to relax before the show. Ron motioned Harry to follow. Harry hopped back up on stage and followed Ron to a room behind the stage.

They walked in and there were bottles of water, sandwiches and other food, and candy. Daryl said, "Help yourself." Ron grabbed a bottle of water and a chocolate bar. He sat down on a long couch. Harry followed suit. The drummer, Greg, grabbed a sandwich and plopped down in front of a television that had a video game console hooked up and started playing. The other guitarist, Lewis, pulled out a pack of cigarettes and went back out the door.

Daryl sat down on the other side of Harry and said, "We're a boring band. We like to play music, but don't really get into all the stuff, you know, sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Well, at least when we are playing..." They all relaxed for a while, until someone opened the door and peeked in. A guy said, "Hey, you guys got about ten minutes!"

Daryl said, "Okay." He said to the rest of the band, "Come on guys. Let's go."

All the guys stopped what they were doing, got up, including Harry and Ron. They walked out the door and towards the stage. They could hear people talking and glasses clinking. Harry glanced at Ron, whose eyes were big as he heard the noises.

Harry said, "Good luck. You'll be great!"

Ron whispered, "Thanks, I'll need it."

Harry said, "Ron. You're good."

Ron said, "Thanks."

Background music started and Daryl turned to Harry and said, "You can sit back here and be able to see." He gestured to a chair just off to the side of the stage. He said to Ron, "Okay, I'll sing the first one, then introduce you for the second. You can sit back here with Harry, whenever you aren't singing."

Ron said weakly, "Okay."

Harry and Ron sat in their seats backstage and watched as the band was waiting to be introduced. The background music got louder as a man went on stage and yelled, "Hey! Now, what you've been waiting for! Welcome again! Razor's Edge!"

The crowd went crazy. Harry tried not to look at Ron, but knew he was tense. Harry didn't know how to calm him. The band ran out to the stage, grabbed their instruments and immediately began playing a hard rock song. Daryl ran up front and sang loudly into the microphone. The crowd was standing and dancing at their seats. Ron, seeing this, said, "Oh, my God, I can't do this!"

Harry shouted over the music, "I thought you did it before?"

Ron yelled back, "It was a lot smaller and I knew a lot of the people!"

Harry shouted, "You can do it, Ron."

Ron mumbled to himself and Harry couldn't discern what he was saying. Suddenly the song was over, and they jerked their heads up as they heard Daryl say, "As a lot of you already know, poor Steve still has strep, so he's out right now, so we have a fellow who is helping us out the next couple of weeks..."

Ron sucked in his breath and whispered, "What? A couple of weeks?" Harry knew Ron thought he was just helping them out tonight.

Daryl continued, "...So please welcome our friend, Ron!" Daryl looked back towards Harry and Ron. Harry pushed Ron off his chair and Ron walked on stage towards to the microphone. Harry held his breath for a moment while Ron stood there nervously. The crowd applauded and cheered politely.

Daryl started the band on the first song they had practiced. Harry closed his eyes, hoping Ron would be okay, when he heard his sweet voice come through loud and clear. He could that Ron was a little shaky, but as the song progressed, he became more confident.

Harry listened and when the song, ended he clapped and cheered along with the crowd. There was a slight pause, as the band got ready for the next song, which was a rougher tune that Ron was going to sing as well.

Harry could hear a buzz of voices in the crowd. Although he was backstage, he was close to the nearest table at the edge of the small stage. He could not hear distinct words except one - Robinson. Harry's heart leaped. He hoped that no one would do anything to upset Ron, but no one did. As the next song started, the buzz died down, and with people still standing, they cheered to Ron's singing. Ron's voice during this song had a much more heart wrenching soulful sound to it.

The harder the rock of the song, the better Ron's voice got. Harry pondered on where his voice had come from. His singing voice in school had been down right awful. It had only been in the past couple of years, that it had seemed to mature fully.

Harry cheered at the end of that song as well and then Daryl said, "Thanks, Ron. He'll be back later to sing some more!"

Ron left the stage to go to Harry's side, as the crowd chanted, " Ron! Ron! Ron!" Ron smiled as he looked at Harry. He was sweaty from the lights and his nervousness but sat down with relief.

Harry said, "Ron, you're so good!"

Ron leaned back in the chair and said, “Thanks, mate! You know, once I got over my nervousness, it was actually fun!”

Harry said pleased for Ron, “Good for you!”

They sat back and listened to the band play a few more songs, before Ron went back out. He sang two more songs and as the crowd got into it, so did Ron. He wrapped his hands around the microphone and really belted out his voice leaning into the pole of the mike. The band finished with a bang and Harry yelled for more, like the rest of the audience.

Daryl yelled out, "Thanks! See you again later in the month!!" They walked off stage. Harry could tell they were all exhausted and had drops of perspiration on their face.

Ron grabbed Harry and gave him a quick hug. Harry was so pleased for him. "Ron, you were brilliant!" Ron smiled so wide. He looked so happy.

The band members walked to their room and told Harry and Ron to come with them. They relaxed in private for a moment, until the door burst open and people of all kinds came in. Harry recognized one as Paul. Paul came up to Ron and said, "Man, you're great!"

Ron said, "Thanks!" Many other people that he knew congratulated Ron. He was in a whirlwind. Harry stood off to the side watching it all. Daryl said, "Hey, Ron, we're staying here for awhile, then going to Paul's for a party!"

Ron said, "No, that's okay."

Paul said, "Come on! You gotta party after this!"

Ron shook his head and said, "Nah, thanks, but Harry's leaving tomorrow. I'm staying, so I'll catch up with you guys another time."

Daryl said happily, "Staying? So you're available next Saturday?"

Ron grinned and said, "Yeah."

Daryl said, "Good! Thanks for coming tonight. It was great, man! Bye, Harry."

Ron said pleased with himself, "Thanks!" Harry said his goodbyes, and then Ron walked over to Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder. Ron steered him through the crowd towards the door.

When they were on the other side, Harry said, "Ron, if you want to go to that party, we can go. I won't act like an arse again."

Ron laughed and said, "No, that's not it. I really don't want to go. I really want to hang out with you!"

Harry smiled at him and was happy. He hadn't really wanted to go.

It was nearly midnight when they got home, but Harry got his suitcase out of the closet. Ron pulled some of his own clothing out of the dresser drawers. They attempted to do a little packing before bed.

They hadn’t accomplished very much in the hour that followed. Clothes were scattered around and both Harry and Ron were lying next to each other with their heads on pillows at the bottom of Ron’s bed watching television. Ron had the remote in his hand and was flipping channels incessantly. Harry said, “Ron! Stop it! Pick a channel!”

Ron laughed and said, “I know. I’ll turn on that movie again!”

Harry said laughingly, “No. No.”

Ron said with an evil grin on his face. “Come on!” He lifted the remote so it was even with the television and pushed the movie button.

Harry buried his head in the pillow and heard Ron push more buttons, until Harry could hear people moaning. “Ron!”

Ron laughed and turned up the volume. Ron continued watching, as Harry move his head so it was still in the pillow, but he could see with half an eye the people on the screen.

Ron’s mouth was hanging open, as he stared at the television. Harry couldn’t take this. He was getting warm and uncomfortable. He heard Ron gulp. Ron turned off the television and said very quickly, “I can’t watch this.” Ron got up and headed for the bathroom. Harry heard the door shut and the shower turn on. Harry wanted to laugh, but didn’t as he wasn’t in much better condition.

Harry could've come very close to walk into that shower after him, but now Ryan was in the picture and Harry knew that it would've been mean to do that to Ron. It made Harry a little sad, thinking how they probably would never love each other like that, but he had to except it. It had been his decision.

Harry pressed himself up against the bed and forced himself to think of Laura for a while. He finally got up and changed out of his clothes and into a pair of boxers for sleeping.

Ron came out a little while later, hair wet, towel around him. Harry couldn't resist. "Ron, so how many showers have you taken today? When is Ryan getting back?"

Ron glared at him. "I'm sure while I was in there, you were out here doing something repulsive." He looked at Harry and his boxers. Ron had Harry there.

Harry said, "Well, someone was hogging the cold water in the shower!"

"Uh, huh. And thinking of Laura while you were doing it? Or was it someone else?"

Harry opened his mouth, and then shut it. He opened it again to say something, and then shut it again. Ron knew him so well sometimes it was frightening. Harry finally said, "Okay, okay!" Ron snorted out a laugh.

Ron changed and they both sat on Harry's bed, eating candy and watching a late night show on the television. After awhile, Ron's eyes fluttered in sleepiness. He leaned back his head on Harry's pillow. Harry watched him as he drifted off to sleep.

Harry was drifting off as well and vaguely thought about going to sleep on Ron's bed, but he was too tired to move, so he turned on his side and tugged a part of his pillow away from Ron to lay his head on.

His own eyes fluttered with sleepiness as he was reminded of Ron comforting him from nightmares when he was younger. Harry didn’t want to remember all those memories of comfort and love and regret it. He wanted to look back on all those memories fondly. So he remembered those intimate moments with his best friend and having feelings of total security in Ron‘s arms.

Harry woke first and felt a body next to him. The last time this had happened he had been horrified. This time, he knew it was Ron and a warm loving feeling wrapped around him. He was facing away from Ron, so he turned and placed his hand on Ron's chest and his head on Ron's shoulder.

Ron was lying on his back with his arms all over. When Harry moved, Ron snorted and moved an arm up around Harry. Harry knew it would be a long time, if ever, they would be able to lie together like this, like when they were children, so he stayed that way for a while.

Then, because he knew it wasn't fair to Ron, he slowly moved away and slid off the bed. He looked at Ron and wished he could love him like Ron wanted him to. He might have been able to, but Harry knew that wasn't good enough for Ron and while he felt the way he did, couldn't. Ron deserved more than a maybe.

Harry sat on Ron's bed, turned on the television quietly and waited for Ron to wake up. After a while, Harry turned at the sound of Ron yawning and stretching his arms out above his head. Ron said, "Hi ya, Harry!"

Harry smiled at him and said, "Hi!"

They lazed around for a bit, as Harry didn’t need to be at the airport until one o’clock. They went downstairs to eat breakfast.

They ordered a hearty breakfast and ate until they were stuffed. They then headed back upstairs to finish packing.