Broken Notes - A Two and a Half Men Fanfic

It was a cool Sunday afternoon in Malibu, the kind where the breeze off the ocean sneaked under your jacket, making you pull it tighter. Nero walked beside Charlie, clutching his guitar case as they approached Malibu Notes, a small, laid-back music bar that had quickly become their regular Sunday spot.

Charlie, wearing one of his usual bowling shirts, the top buttons undone, grinned as he nudged Nero with his elbow. "Nervous, kid?"

Nero shook his head, though he couldn't deny the nervous energy buzzing inside him. "Not really. I think I'm getting the hang of it."

"Good, 'cause I've got a hot date later, and if you bomb, I'll have to skip out early to 'console' you." Charlie made air quotes, grinning wider. "And that's a terrible look for me."

Nero shot him a side glance, unimpressed but amused. "Yeah, we wouldn't want that to ruin your perfect night."

"Exactly. My reputation's already hanging by a thread."

The bar itself was unremarkable—dim lighting, sticky floors, and regulars who seemed permanently glued to their seats, drinks in hand. But to Nero, it had started feeling like home—a place where he could let his music out without worrying too much about who was watching.

Inside, the low hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses and soft jazz playing in the background. The usual crowd filled the tables, chatting and laughing, but their eyes occasionally flicked toward the small stage in the corner where musicians set up. Charlie nodded at Mark, the burly bartender and event host.

"Nero, Charlie! You two here to take over the joint again?" Mark's grin peeked through his scruffy beard.

Nero shrugged, trying to stay cool. "I'll give it my best shot."

Charlie slung an arm around Nero's shoulders. "Don't listen to him—he's been killing it. By the end of the night, they'll be naming cocktails after him. 'The Nero'—probably comes with a dash of quiet brooding and a twist of teen angst."

Mark let out a laugh. "Hey, if it draws a crowd, I'll put it on the menu."

They found their usual table near the back, where Charlie could relax with a beer and pretend this was just any other Sunday. Nero fiddled with his guitar, tuning it while his mind ran through the songs he'd prepared.

"So, you've got three lined up tonight?" Charlie asked, sipping his drink. "'Demons,' 'Let Her Go,' and what's the other one?"

"'Iris,'" Nero replied, fingers adjusting the strings, though his stomach flipped at the thought of performing.

Charlie made a face. "Oof, you're really going for the emotional jugular tonight. Gonna have the whole crowd crying into their whiskey."

Nero smiled a little, relaxing into the rhythm of preparing. "It's what I feel like playing."

"Hey, no complaints here. Just means I'll need a stronger drink."

Mark stepped up onto the stage, tapping the mic to get the crowd's attention. "Alright, folks, we've got a special performer up next—someone you've seen here before. Give it up for Nero Caruso!"

Applause rang out, not overwhelming but genuine. Nero took a deep breath, grabbed his guitar, and made his way to the small stage. The lights dimmed slightly, casting a warm glow over the space. The familiar nerves kicked in, but once he hit the first chord of "Demons", they began to melt away.

Nero settled into his spot on stage, took a breath, and strummed the first few chords of "Demons" by Imagine Dragons. His fingers found their rhythm as the familiar melody filled the room.

♪ "When the days are cold

And the cards all fold

And the saints we see

Are all made of gold..." ♪

The soft start grabbed a few people's attention. Nero's voice was quiet but clear, and heads turned toward the stage. A couple at the front put down their drinks, glancing up with interest.

Charlie, sitting at the back, leaned forward, eyes focused on Nero. He didn't have to say anything, but his proud smile said it all.

♪ "When your dreams all fail

And the ones we hail

Are the worst of all

And the blood's run stale..." ♪

The room grew quieter, with the soft murmur of conversations fading. Nero's voice gained confidence as he let the words roll out. A man sitting by the bar set his glass down, giving a small nod of approval.

Nero hit the chorus, his voice swelling as he poured more emotion into each word.

♪ "Don't get too close, it's dark inside,

It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide..." ♪

The bartender, wiping down glasses, paused to listen. The crowd, now focused, seemed to sway with the haunting rhythm of the song. Nero strummed a little harder, the guitar echoing in sync with his voice, which was now louder, more powerful.

♪ "When you feel my heat

Look into my eyes

It's where my demons hide, it's where my demons hide..." ♪

As Nero's voice trailed off into the final note, the room fell into a brief but loaded silence. Then, as if on cue, the crowd erupted into applause, a genuine appreciation filling the space. A few cheers even rang out from the back, and Nero, flushed from the performance, gave a small, shy bow before setting up for the next song.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, Nero transitioned smoothly into the opening chords of "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls. The room, now fully engaged, waited for him to begin.

♪ "And I'd give up forever to touch you

'Cause I know that you feel me somehow..." ♪

His voice was soft, but this time, there was an intimacy to it. A woman sitting near the stage smiled, her fingers tapping gently against the table in time with the song. Nero's voice carried easily over the crowd, drawing them in with each note.

♪ "You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't wanna go home right now..." ♪

A few people exchanged glances, clearly caught by the emotion in his voice. Even those who had been half-listening before were now fully focused, their eyes locked on the young performer who was pouring his heart into the song.

Charlie, still leaning back in his chair, nudged the guy sitting next to him. "Told you, the kid's got something."

Nero hit the chorus, his voice lifting with the familiar lyrics.

♪ "And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand..." ♪

The couple at the front leaned in closer, the music pulling them deeper into the moment. The bartender, usually unfazed by the live acts, even stopped mid-pour to glance over.

Nero's fingers moved across the strings with confidence, his voice rising as he built toward the next verse.

♪ "When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am..." ♪

The room seemed to breathe with the song. The once casual atmosphere had shifted, with everyone now fully engrossed in the performance. As Nero strummed the final notes, the room burst into applause again, louder this time, with a few enthusiastic whistles from the back.

Nero adjusted his guitar for the final song, strumming the gentle opening chords of "Let Her Go" by Passenger. The room settled into a quiet, reflective mood as the soft melody floated through the air.

♪ "Well, you only need the light when it's burning low,

Only miss the sun when it starts to snow..." ♪

His voice was almost a whisper, pulling the crowd in. A man near the bar uncrossed his arms, letting himself sink into the music. A woman sitting by herself nodded along with the lyrics, clearly moved by the tenderness in Nero's voice.

♪ "Only know you love her when you let her go..." ♪

The words lingered, hanging in the air as the room listened in near silence. Nero's fingers moved with precision over the strings, the soft strumming filling the small space with a bittersweet calm.

Charlie, usually one to crack a joke, stayed quiet, a hint of pride in his eyes as he watched Nero own the stage.

♪ "Staring at the bottom of your glass

Hoping one day you'll make a dream last..." ♪

Nero's voice grew slightly stronger, but it never lost the vulnerability that made the song hit home. The bar, which had been loud and busy earlier, was now completely still, with the patrons fully immersed in the performance.

♪ "Only know you've been high when you're feeling low,

Only hate the road when you're missing home..." ♪

As the final chorus came, Nero's voice hit the perfect note, soft but powerful. The crowd, lost in the moment, gave him their full attention until the very last strum of his guitar.

With the final notes ringing out, the applause that followed was immediate and loud. Nero, clearly moved by the reaction, gave a small bow and stepped off the stage.

As Nero returned to the table, Mark appeared by his side, clapping him on the back. "Nero, you keep this up, and I'm gonna have to book you for actual gigs. That was incredible."

Nero, still catching his breath, smiled shyly. "Thanks, Mark."

Mark leaned in a little closer. "Listen, kid, I'm not just saying this—you've got something special. If you're interested, I know some people in the industry. I could make a few calls, see if we can't get you a real shot."

Nero blinked, surprised. "Wait, like… professional?"

Mark nodded, serious now. "Yeah, professional. You've got the talent. If you're up for it, I can help."

Charlie, overhearing the conversation, raised an eyebrow and leaned in. "See? What did I tell you? Rock star in the making. Don't forget who believed in you first."

Nero's heart raced again, but this time with excitement rather than nerves. Going pro? He hadn't even thought that far ahead. It seemed like a dream—one that was suddenly within reach.

"I… I don't know," Nero stammered, glancing at Charlie for reassurance.

Charlie gave him a playful nudge. "No rush, kid. Think it over. You've got time."

Mark gave Nero a final pat on the back before heading back to the bar. "No pressure. Just let me know if you want to take the next step."

As Mark walked away, Nero sat down, his mind racing. The possibility of going pro was overwhelming, but the idea was exhilarating.

Charlie lifted his beer in a mock toast. "To the future, kid. Whatever that looks like."

Nero clinked his water glass against Charlie's bottle, feeling the smile spread across his face. 

-----------------------------

Author here: 

Hello everyone,

A lot has happened over the past few months, both personally and professionally. That's why I unfortunately haven't been able to write or post any chapters. This one was already finished as a draft.

During the Christmas season, if time permits, I'll try to write more chapters, but I don't want to make any promises.

If this chapter resonates with you and you feel like reading more, let me know in the comments—it might just boost my motivation to write more.

Until then, have a wonderful time, and I wish you all the best!

~Cheers