..

Third Person P.O.V

Buster walks home, unable to fish his bicycle out of the lake. Water drips off his suit, his shoes squishing with each step along the side walk. People were exiting the theater, the show over as the sun begins to set.

...

He looks up at the theater, spotting (Y/N) waiting for him in front of it in her usual (outfit) and Johnny waiting with her.

When are you gonna come down?

"Buster?" she calls with concern, Johnny's face falling.

When are you going to land?

Buster's shoulders slump as he looks down to avoid her gaze, walking past her and Johnny and into the theater.

I should have stayed on the farm, I should've listened to my old man...

Johnny and (Y/N) glance to one another with concern, (Y/N) managing a small smile as she leans up and presses a kiss to his cheek. He smiles warmly and leans his forehead against hers for a moment, nodding towards the theater before turning and walking down the sidewalk to head home to their apartment nearby.

(Y/N) smiles as she watches him, her smile dropping as she turns to the theater.

You know you can't hold me forever... I didn't sign up with you

Buster enters the bathroom, sighing and running his hands through his wet hair as he stares at his disheartened expression in the mirror. He grabs a paper towel, aggressively rubbing it against his hair to dry it off.

...

Buster exits the bathroom, his hair disarrayed but dried.

I'm not a present for your friends to open, the boy's too young to be singing...

Some people were still chatting in the lobby about the show, others heading towards the exit and walking past Buster.

The blues... ah, ah-ah, ah...

(Y/N) moves past people exiting as she follows after Buster through the theater, Nana entering the lobby and searching around for Buster or (Y/N).

"Mr. Moon? Ms. (Y/N)?" she calls, glancing around with a frown.

...

So goodbye, yellow brick road...

Nana checks backstage, no one in sight.

...

She checks the costume closet, moving aside costumes to search for them.

Where the dogs of society howl

...

You can't plant me in your penthouse

Nana walks up the stairs to the office, perking up when she spots (Y/N) inside Buster's office through the glass.

I'm going back to my plow! Back to the howling old owl in the woods, hunting the horny-back toad--

"Okay, that's enough of this, Buster!" (Y/N) reaches over, slapping her hand on the radio and halting the song.

...

(Y/N)'s P.O.V

"Is he here?" Nana questions quietly, making me turn and nod with an exasperated sigh.

I silently point down, Nana's brow raising curiously as she moves around the desk. Nana frowns as she moves the swivel chair, rolling her eyes at the sight.

"Oh, for Heaven's sake!"

Buster was curled up under his desk, looking over his documents with sadness before jumping at the sound of her voice.

"What can I say?" Buster's voice shakes as he sighs, climbing out from under his desk and sitting in his chair. "I'm a failure. I failed you, (Y/N)."

"Oh, poppycock!" Nana groans and shakes her head, walking towards the window where the blinds were shut.

"You didn't fail anything, Buster," I say for the tenth time, slamming my hands on his desk.

"I was reaching to high, and put too much on everyone!" Buster buries his face into his hands, spinning his chair so he faced away from me and Nana.

"Honestly," Nana clicks her tongue, tapping her fan into the palm of her other hand. "One negative comment and it's all, Woe is me!"

She feigns dramatic sadness, fanning herself as a snicker escapes me.

"He's always been like this. Has thousands of amazing reviews, but focuses on one negative comment," I agree, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against his desk.

"Guys, come on!" Buster whines, turning his chair back to us. "She said I'm not good enough. I-- I mean, heck! I've just been told that our destiny, all of our hopes and dreams, uh, they all end right here, (Y/N)!"

Nana rolls her eyes and huffs. "Well, what did you expect? That she would drop to her knees and declare you a genius?"

She walks over to the blue sofa, gesturing to the framed posters of previous shows we have done.

"Roll out the red carpet for the great Buster Moon, and his talented sister (Y/N) (L/N)!" Nana dramatically calls, waving her fan around.

I can't help but laugh, muffling it behind my hand as Buster frowns.

"She-- She ran me off the road into a canal!" he argues, gesturing to his still damp suit and crazy hair.

"Hey, you lived, right?" I question with a soft chuckle, reaching over and patting his head twice teasingly.

"Precisely!" Nana approves with a firm nod. "You are still in one piece, aren't you?"

Buster pouts, slowly rising from his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. "Well, yeah, but..."

"This is just a part of being in show business, Buster! You know that," I cut him off, rising from the desk and gesturing around the room. "I mean, remember the setbacks we had trying to keep this place open last year? Now look where we are!"

Buster looks around, frowning in thought at my words.

"Anyone who dares set out to follow their dreams is bound to face a lot worse than a dip in the canal," Nana softly adds with a chuckle, the door opening and revealing her butler, Hobbs. "Ah, Hobbs! I found them. Uh, bring the car around, will you? There's a good chap."

Hobbs nods and disappears from sight, leaving the three alone.

"I--I..." Buster sighs, his shoulder slumped. "I just thought she'd at least see we deserved a shot."

"Never mind what this person you don't even know said," Nana shakes her head, frowning and pointing to Buster. "Do you think you're good enough?"

"Of course! But--"

"Then you must fight for what you believe in!" Nana firmly replies, cutting him off with a pointed look. "Guts. Stamina. Faith. These are the things you need now! Ms. (L/N) has them, but do you?"

Buster doesn't reply, his brows furrowing as he looks down.

"If you don't... well," Nana shrugs lightly, turning and walking towards the door. "Maybe that scout was right. Maybe you're not good enough."

She nods in farewell, leaving me and Buster alone in his office.

"Well," I sigh, stretching and yawning as exhaustion from the show starts to seep in. "I'll leave you with that then, doofus. See you tomorrow."

With that, I turn and head out.

...

Third Person P.O.V

Buster lies in bed, tossing and turning with his eyes squeezed shut. Cars drive past his apartment, making him grumble at the sound and drag his hands down his face. He grabs his pillow out from under his head, shoving it over his face with a groan at the 11:45 p.m on his alarm clock.

His brows furrow and his face hardens with determination as he removes the pillow, sitting up in a swift motion.

...

He gets dressed, grabbing his chest suitcase and gathering costumes for the show. He also creates a props for it, tucking them safely inside as well.

...

He slams his knuckles against the apartment door, his foot tapping rapidly in urgency as he hears rustling from inside.

The door was cracked open with the chain still connected, Johnny peering through the small opening with a scowl. His scowl drops when he sees Buster, quickly closing the door and unchaining it.

"Who is it?" (Y/N) questions sleepily, walking over with a yawn as she rubs her tired eyes.

"Mr. Moon," Johnny replies, opening the door and revealing the man.

(Y/N) wakes up instantly, blinking rapidly with a confused frown at the sight of Buster's excited grin.

...

"Oh, I-- No, I know, Rosita," Buster reassures on the phone, briskly walking down the sidewalk with (Y/N) "But trust me on this! It'll be totally worth it. And listen, we're outside her place now, so can you call the others and have them meet up in half an hour?"

He waits for a moment for her to reply, smiling. "Great! Thank you."

He hangs up the phone, grinning childishly as he turns to (Y/N).

"Johnny packing for you guys like the love sick man he is?"

"Oh, shush!" (Y/N) shoves Buster playfully, huffing. "And yes, he is, because he is a gentleman!"

Buster laughs and shakes his head, and the two enter the club where Ash was playing.

"Off, off with your head!" Ash sings out, strumming her guitar as the crowd sing along with her.

The crowd cheers as they sing with her, Ash jumping up and down to the beat as she plays. Red lights lit up the area, some white ones flashing around the stage around Ash.

"Dance, dance till you're dead!"

The crowd copies her, jumping to the beat as they scream cheers and sing.

"Heads will roll! Heads will roll!"

Ash wore a bright red leather jacket with a red shirt, and had a red plaid skirt on with black torn leggings.

"Heads will roll!" Ash sings, pointing to the audience for them to sing as she laughs. "Heads will roll! Heads will roll! On the floor!"

She strums her guitar with a wide grin, "off, off, off with your head!"

The same j-pop group that auditioned for Buster's show all that time ago were in the front of the crowd, singing and cheering for Ash.

"Dance, dance, dance till you're dead, dead! Off, off, off with your head!"

Ash nods her head to the music, her eyes shut as she plays.

"Dance, dance, dance till you're dead!"

She finishes the final chorus, strumming her guitar once more and pointing to the sky as the audience roar with cheers and applause.

"Thank you so much!" Ash thanks the crowd, laughter in her voice as she waves. "Goodnight!"

She turns and runs backstage, handing a stagehand her guitar as he hands her a soda. Ash looks up as she sips on her drink, spit taking at the sight of Buster and (Y/N) as she gasps happily.

"(Y/N)! Hey!" she greets with a smile, setting her soda on some instrument cases and running over.

"Hey, Ash!" (Y/N) mirrors her smile, the two embracing for a moment.

"And Moon!" Ash turns to him, squeezing him tightly as he yelps in some pain from her bone crushing hug.

"Wow!" he chuckles, patting her back lightly as she pulls away. "You were great out there!"

"Totally amazing!" (Y/N) agrees, nodding enthusiastically.

Ash smiles as she grabs her soda, bouncing between her feet. "I got to go back out for an encore."

She sips on the straw of her soda, grinning as she hears the audience yelling and cheering for her to do an encore.

"Okay, but hey-- what are you doing after the show?" Buster questions, making her eyes flick back to him.

"Uh, nothin," she replies with a nod, shrugging as she looks down at her drink.

"Well, listen," Buster clears his throat, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "I know this is crazy short notice, but you always said you'd come back to work with us when the time was right."

Ash smirks with a raised brow, "of course."

"That's a relief!" (Y/N) sighs, placing a hand on her heart. "Cause now is that time. If you're ready, that is. See, Buster here--"

She grunts lightly in surprise as a man shoves past her, Buster quickly stabling her as she stumbles to the side.

"Hey!" Buster protests, scowling towards the man as he approaches Ash.

He ignores this, focusing on Ash. "Here. Your paycheck."

Ash glares silently at Rick as she drinks her soda, Rick holding out her paycheck.

(Y/N) rolls her eyes and shakes her head, Ash taking the paycheck.

"Anyways, as I was saying," (Y/N) continues, Ash nodding to show she was listening with a small smile. "We're gathering everyone together to go and audition for..."

Ash looks at her paycheck, her smile dropping. "Sor-- Sorry, (Y/N), hang on just one second."

Buster and (Y/N) glance at one another, blinking in sync as Ash storms over towards Rick.

"Hey, Rick!" she calls, her voice low and intimidating. "How come you're only paying me half what the other acts get?"

Rick snorts and rolls his eyes, the woman he was currently leaning over on the wall looking between the two uncomfortably. "I pay what I think you're worth, sweetheart."

"Oh, okay," Ash feigns content, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. "See, I have this rule about not letting guys like you tell me what I'm worth, so, you know, unless I get paid like everyone else, I'm out of here."

Rick chuckles, rolling his eyes once more with a sneer. "This is the only club in town. Where else are ya gonna play?"

"She can play with us," (Y/N) chimes in, making the two look over as she smiles smugly with her hand raised.

Ash chuckles with a smirk, nodding as she tosses her empty soda can away. "Yup. Sounds good. Let's go."

Buster giggles with a mocking grin towards Rick, him and (Y/N) following after Ash as he wheels the chest of supplies behind him.

"Whoa-- whoa! Wait a minute!" Rick stammers as Ash grabs her guitar case. "You-- You gotta do the encore!"

Buster walks ahead with (Y/N), (Y/N) holding the door open for him and turning to Ash as she walks after them.

"Hey, Ash!" Rick shouts, gesturing towards the crowd with wide eyes.

Ash looks over her shoulder, two finger saluting him with a wink. "Deal with it, sweetheart!"

(Y/N) waves with a mock pout, following after her and slamming the door behind them.

...

"Redshore City Bus Five leaving from park 15..." the loudspeaker announces, Buster rushing out of the Bus Terminal with the tickets in his hands.

"Okay! I got the tickets!" he waves them around frantically, the tickets crinkled in his hands.

(Y/N) sits on the chest Buster brought, turned away from Johnny with furrowed brows as she hugs her bag to her stomach.

"Anyone seen Miss Crawly?" Buster questions, the others shaking their heads. "Here you go, Johnny--"

"Mr. Moon," Johnny quietly interrupts, clearing his throat and sighing. "Uh, uh I'm sorry, but I'm really having second thoughts about this."

Buster's face falls, and his eyes dart to (Y/N). She shrugs and shakes her head, turning and looking back down at the floor.

"What-- no, no, no, wait!" Buster laughs nervously, shaking his head.

"All right," the bus driver leans out, peering towards the group. "Last call. Let's go."

"Just a second!" Buster replies, opening his mouth to speak to Johnny.

"Johnny's right," Meena agrees, sighing as she hugs her satchel to her side. "I mean, that theater scout... (Y/N) said it didn't matter what she said, but she said she didn't think we were good enough."

Ash frowns at this, her eyebrow raising. "She sounds like a jerk."

"Yeah, total jerk!" Gunter nods, huffing with a frown.

"(Y/N)'s right, it doesn't matter what she said! She's wrong, dead wrong," Buster gestures towards (Y/N) with a nod. "There's a reason our show is sold out every night! And I'm telling you, her boss is gonna love it."

"Thank you!" (Y/N) thanks with a hint of exasperation, rolling her eyes. "At least you're on my side. Unlike someone."

She gives a pointed look towards Johnny, making him deflate and rub the back of his neck as he looks away.

"Ooh!" Gunter lights up with an idea, raising his hand enthusiastically. "Or maybe we could just, like, do a different show, you know?"

"Gunter, please, I got this," Buster reassures, his tone holding a hint of annoyance.

Gunter's excitement doesn't waver, "Seriously, I have this idea for, like, a space musical!"

The driver honks the bus horn, peering out once more. "All right! We're rolling out here."

He ducks back in, the doors of the bus slamming shut.

"Oh, great," (Y/N) sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "Now we'll never know if we could've made it."

"Sorry..." Johnny murmurs softly, frowning as he looks down.

(Y/N)'s annoyance falters, a sharp sigh leaving her. "You don't have to be sorry, but I just wish you were on my side about this, Johnny. You know, like a power-couple thing? Maybe?"

Johnny winces, nodding. "Sorry!"

(Y/N) sighs as he apologizes once more, smiling with fond exasperation. "Johnny--"

"... You don't want to hear about the space musical?" Gunter questions Buster, (Y/N) and Johnny indistinctly speaking in the back.

Buster gestures to the bus with a sound of protest, "Guys! Come on!"

(Y/N) huffs and tosses her bag down, running after Buster as he runs after the bus. Johnny watches with a frown, sighing as he picks up her bag from the ground and loops it over his shoulder.

"Wait!!" Buster screams desperately, waving the tickets.

"He's not gonna stop, Buster!" (Y/N) calls after him as she runs alongside him, shaking her head. "Unless someone literally throws themself in front of it--"

(Y/N) was cut off by the bus tires squealing, the air brakes hissing as the bus stops. Rosita was standing in front of the bus, her arms outstretched as she pants lightly from running ahead of it.

"Listen, you guys!" Rosita manages out, the bus driver opening the doors and peering out with a flabbergasted expression.. "I have dreamt of performing in Redshore city since I was a little kid!" she points to the bus, breathing out deeply to catch her breath. "Besides, I just convinced by husband to babysit for the next 24 hours, and I am not gonna waste an opportunity like that! So, come on. We've got nothing to lose!"

She tosses her bag onto the bus, giving them an encouraging smile as she climbs on.

(Y/N) smiles at this, jumping lightly as a hand was set on her shoulder. She looks up at Johnny, Johnny removing his hand and offering it to her. (Y/N) raises her brow with a small grin, taking his hand and squeezing it lightly, walking to the bus with the others in tow.

...

"Here, Ash!" Buster hands her the script, "you come in on page two."

Johnny tucks (Y/N)'s bag away up top with his, smiling as he sits besides (Y/N) at the back of the bus. She turns to him looping her arm around his and leaning her head against his shoulder as she looks over her script while he looks over his, his hand resting on her knee as his thumb gently brushes against it.

"Wait," Ash blinks rapidly, glancing around the back of the bus. "We're just gonna rehearse this here at the back of the bus?"

"Yes, we are!" Buster enthusiastically replies.

"Of course we are," Johnny chuckles, unsurprised as he rolls his eyes in amusement while squeezing (Y/N)'s knee lightly, (Y/N) snickering softly.

"Yep!" Buster grins, turning in his seat to face the others. "We got to get this show in the best shape ever."

Meena and Ash sit on the other side of the seating of (Y/N) and Johnny in the back, Rosita and Gunter across from Buster.

(Y/N) looks down the bus aisle, blinking rapidly and rising as Johnny removes his hand from her knee. "Oh! Miss Crawly, let me help you with those--"

"Ah, you made it!" Buster greets warmly. "Good! You are an angel, and we're sure gonna need that--"

He shrieks in surprise as (Y/N) grabs the box of materials from Miss Crawly, revealing her orange, fancy wig with a flower tucked behind her ear. She was wearing a bright pink dress as well, and bright lipstick.

"What the--?!" Buster stammers, gesturing to her in question.

"Looking good, Miss Crawly!" (Y/N) compliments, walking the box down the aisle and setting it on the ground by her seat before sitting back down as Johnny wraps his arm around her shoulders.

"Well, Mr. Moon did say dress to impress!" Miss Crawly giggles, adjusting her orange silk scarf as she smiles.

...

Time...

Buster talks to the group, addressing each person on what they do for the show.

All the long red lines

...

He sits with Ash, filling her in on the script and what show they're putting down as she reads over it with a soft smile.

...

That take control

The bus continues down the long road, driving around a winding mountain.

...

Ash tunes her guitar, then strumming along as Rosita sings.

The other bus passengers start to take notice of the group, peering over with some confusion and interest.

Of all the smoke like streams

...

The passengers start nodding along to the song, (Y/N) singing her part with Rosita as they use empty juice boxes as microphones. Johnny laughs heartily and claps, blowing her a kiss.

That flow into your dreams

...

Johnny wears his Mad Hatter hat, Meena wearing her bow and Gunter wearing his caterpillar glasses as they sing their part.

(Y/N) cheers with a grin, the other passengers watching with smiles as the bus driver watches them in the rear view mirror with his own smile.

...

The big blue open sea

Gunter sings and motions for the vegetables to rise, Rosita and Buster waving them around besides him to make them dance with him.

They hide Gunter with the props, Gunter still singing as the passengers move closer to get a better look.

That can't be crossed...

They start nodding along and dancing along with Gunter, Johnny sitting besides (Y/N) with his arm resting on the seat behind her.

...

That can't be climbed...

The group sing together for one of the songs, the passengers cheering.

...

The sun starts to rise, the bus continuing down the long road for Redshore city.

Just born between...

Most of the gang was resting from the long night, (Y/N) leaning her head on Johnny's shoulder with her arm looped around his as she slept. He was fast asleep as well, resting his cheek against the top of her head.

"Absolutely right, just cut the line and have you just play the guitar part through the whole scene," Buster agrees with Ash as they look over the script, making adjustments for her part.

Meena yawns as she opens her eyes, peering out the window and gasping at the sight.

"Guys! We're here!"

(Y/N) stirs and sits up while blinking harshly in confusion, Johnny yelping as he was startled awake from his head falling. The others wake up, all looking out the windows and gasping in awe at the sight of Redshore city.

The buildings were taller than they had seen before, their town not big on large sky scraping buildings. A rollercoaster ran in between some of the bright, colorful buildings, other rides around it as people walk along the sidewalks in swarms.

A Ferris wheel decorated with lollipops catches (Y/N)'s attention, making her gasp and shake Johnny's arm in excitement as he laughs while nodding.

The group move towards the front of the bus as they near their stop, still looking out the windows in delight at the sights as they chatter excitedly. Billboards of performers and dancers were along some buildings, other models and news hosts.

Buster grins widely as he presses against the window, the bus coming to a stop with a soft hiss.

...

They climb off the bus, still marveling at the city as they hold their bags in their arms.

"All right!" Buster claps his hands together once, rubbing them with a grin. "Let's go spread a little Moon Theater magic!"

The group cheer at this, (Y/N) eagerly grabbing Johnny's hand and pulling him along as he watches her with a light blush, squeezing her hand and following.

...

..

.