"You're going to try harder if you even want to compete!"

 

With that, Karl was off again, launching himself off the end of the stage and into the isles leading through the seats. He heard a sudden huff to his side as he changed direction, darting quickly to the left to avoid the shortcut sneak attack.

 

He laughed to himself, falling into a skip until he reached the back doors. As he bust through the double doors, the cleaning staff rolled their eyes as he gave a wave before darting off again.

 

The second figure who appeared through the doors was starting to loose his breath, shaking his head sadly at the game he'd been suddenly pulled into. He could understand Darren being hyper as hell after a show, but never Karl.

 

"Karl, I would like my keys back now..."

 

"It was dumb of you to lock your dressing room door!"

 

"You calling me dumb?!"

 

With that, he was off again, dashing down the wide corridor that had earlier been filled with numerable amounts of bodies, all waiting for the best show of the tour. Karl turned around, running backwards so he could watch his companion try to gain on him. Growing cocky with himself, he put his thumbs in his ears, stuck out his tongue and pulled a face. Suddenly, he felt his footing slip, pulling him quickly to the short carpeting. He curled himself, letting the force of the fall tumble him back to his feet, stumbling as he picked up his pace again. His chaser slowed to a stall, his mouth hanging open in amazement.

 

"How in the hell do you do that?"

 

"Easy BennyBoy...You just duck and roll. Now are you going to get your keys back, or what?"

 

Ben shook his head, wondering if all this was really necessary, or if he could just go find one of the cleaning staff to open his dressing room for him, as this game was tiring him.

 

"It would be more to your benefit to just hand them over, Karl, before I decide to do something drastic with a set of your drumsticks..."

 

"Oh, I'm sure Darren would enjoy that site...You trying to shove a set of drumsticks down my throat...You know, this band needs me!"

 

"Yeah, about as much as a nice kick in the arse!"

 

Karl folded his arms across his chest, huffing at Ben's remark. As much as he tried, things always got to him easily, and this was just another occasion.

 

"I swear, you never appreciated me..."

 

"You're right...You're a whinny little bastard. If Darren wasn't our Diva, I think you would fill the part quite well. 'Oh Mr. Lewis...Can we get you anything else today???'"

 

Ben started laughing to himself, seeing Karl's eyes turn bright in anger. Somehow, he just couldn't imagine Karl putting up much of a fight when it came down to it. However, it seemed like the moment he could use to his advantage.

 

"I'm very insulted Mr. Carey. I don't think I shall talk to you any longer..."

 

"Oh what? Is Diva Boy giving up his game before it even gets anywhere?"

 

He huffed again, turning away from the guitarist. Ben smiled to himself, knowing exactly what he was going to do. Creeping closer, he struggled not to make any sound as he came closer to the sulking form before him. Taking one last step, he pounced, Karl letting out a strangled yelp as he was thrown onto the floor.

 

"Now give me back my keys!"

 

"NEVER!"

 

Karl pushed up, rolling himself over to try and get Ben. Ben held on, letting out a soft groan as Karl landed on him, wriggling as much as he could to get away.

 

"Let me go Ben!"

 

"Hahaha...NEVER!"

 

Karl grunted, planting his elbows down as hard as he could, catching one in Ben's ribs. Ben instantly buckled, trying hard not to let go of the drummer.

 

"Damn you Ben...LET ME GO!"

 

"NOT UNTIL YOU GIVE ME MY KEYS!"

 

Ben focused his breathing, pushing the pain away from his mind as he planted his feet solidly on the ground, kicking up with one until he rolled them back over. Karl snorted, bits of carpet being shoved up his nose as Ben rubbed his face into it.

 

"Come on...Give me my keys!"

 

"Not until I can't fight back!"

 

Karl struggled to move, almost impossible as Ben sat on his back, pulling his arms back so he could hold them with his knees. Grinning triumphantly, he leaned down across Karl's back to get closer to his ear.

 

"Well now...Looks like you have a bit of a problem, Mr. Lewis..."

 

"Why do you want your keys so bad anyway? What happened...Didn't get

your 'before show' wank?"

 

Ben chuckled, pushing himself back up to a sitting position. Reaching for Karl's pockets, he couldn't help but to laugh a bit louder.

 

"No, but it feels like you did..."

 

Karl grunted, trying to move his legs so he could climb to his knees. Feeling his trying to move again, Ben moved his hands to Karl's hips, tickling him until he was kicking around to dislodge him again.

 

"Ben! I'm not playing with you anymore!"

 

"Why not Karl? Mad that I'm not playing your way?"

 

Karl thought for a moment.

 

"Ah, Ben, hate to be a bother to you...I really do, but it's not that you're

cheating or anything..."

 

Ben stopped, leaning back over again.

 

"Then what is it?"

 

Taking a breath, Karl kicked hard, dumping Ben up and over his head and onto the ground. Getting to his feet, he brushed off his pants, straightened his shirt, and kneeled down to Ben.

 

"Number one, your room is unlocked, and has been since you started chasing me. Number two, you are way too easy to distract. And number three, I've really got to pee. So if you don't mind, I'm going to go and take care of some things while you do whatever it is that you were going to do..."

 

"You mean I chased you around this place trying to get something that you don't have?"

 

"Exactly."

 

"And you didn't tell me?"

 

"What fun would there be in that?"

 

"I can't believe you!"

 

Ben pushed himself up as Karl bolted again.

 

"And Ben? Work on your stamina...I think you're going to need it this tour!"

 

Ben sighed deeply as Karl dove into his dressing room, looking quickly for a lock on the door. Karl panicked, pushing himself against the door so Ben couldn't enter.

 

"You can't get me now Benny Boy!"

 

He laughed nervously as he heard Ben stop outside the door. He waited in silence until he heard the quiet sound of a lock being slid into place on the outside of the door.

 

"Now Karl, when you figure out that they always give you the converted janitor closets for your dressing room, I think you'll quit running for them."