After the show in Chile where you told the band that Johnny just needed to go over a few things in person before continuing with tour, the next couple of shows seemed to fly by. One night you were in Bolivia, then Paraguay a couple days later, and finally landing in Lima, Peru, but the show wasn't for a few days, so that meant time off to rest, rehearse, and explore the beautiful city. You loved going out and just walking around, your band splitting up to explore the same way, and really just getting a feel for places that you were lucky enough to travel to for however short amount of time.
So, you threw your stuff in the hotel, slipped on some trainers, a jumper, and leggings, and decided to go for a walk around. You weren't going to go out in anything that made you stand out and it was still cold enough out that it wouldn't look like you were hiding, but sunny enough that wearing shades wouldn't earn second looks.
Bucky and Atlas came with you, strolling around and grabbing a coffee at a shop near the hotel before going to see some of the sights.
"It still blows my mind that we get to see all this," You nudged Atlas, and they sent you a knowing smirk, "Who knew two dumbasses flunking stats at uni would be travelling the world in a couple years. Fucking wild."
Bucky let out a quiet chuckle and Atlas added, "We were living off ramen and easy mac while googling how much caffeine was too much at four in the morning trying to become mathematicians over night for our exam in a few hours. We had no idea."
You smiled to yourself, glancing over at them, "Any regrets?"
"A few tattoos," They hummed, and you snorted a laugh, remembering the cartoon tuba with human lips you got on your upper left ass cheek that says, 'Pucker up and blow' while they got a Shrek's Swamp tramp stamp – classics, really, "Other than that," They eyed you again with pursed lips, thinking about something, but then, "No, not really – I'd follow you anywhere if it means we could play our music like we get -"
"Is that – oh my god, hi!"
You paused and slowly turned around, not sure someone was talking to you, but by the way Bucky stiffened, you were pretty confident. Only more so when you met the eyes of an excited few girls who were staring at you with grins on their faces. You lit up, surprised they recognized you out and about dressed as you were.
"Hey, how're you guys doing?" You asked and they squealed quietly, their suspicions confirmed.
"We love you!" The one blurted and you chuckled while another scolded her for it before the third stepped forward.
"Sorry to bother you, but do you mind if we get a picture?" Then her eyes went to your bass player, "With the both of you? We're massive fans."
"I love your song, Just in Time," One told you as Bucky took the phone to get the photo after you nodded and they all huddled up around you, "It's one of my favorites."
You were more than a little surprised by that, so you just smiled, thanked them, and asked them if this was their first time in the country since they said they had travelled for your concert.
Thing about that song is that it was kind of an inside joke of sorts because you had been dating your boyfriend at the time, Justin, and it felt so empty and hollow the whole time you were trying to find love in something that was missing so much. It was unintentionally your coming out song, but no one knew who Justin was and thanks to an NDA, they never will. It was a slower song that you rarely played live and nearly didn't make it onto the record, but you slid it in anyway because it was significant to you.
After walking around some more and meeting some more lovely fans, you felt good and tired going back to your hotel. Content, even. You showered, changed into a cozy knit jumper and some cotton shorts with knee-high socks and decided to cuddle up in bed with a rom-com. You hummed along to the opening credits' song and had just reached for your cup of tea off the nightstand, thinking you might call up for something to eat, when there was a knock at your door.
You groaned, considering not even getting up to answer it because you were so comfortable, but then they knocked again, and you grumbled as you threw back the covers to get up.
You peeked out of the peephole because you were cautious by nature whenever staying at a random hotel and with furrowed eyebrows, you opened the door a moment after, "Hey, Nat, what's up?"
"Are you going out tonight?"
She didn't seem angry with you over anything, even though she hasn't spoken to you more than necessary since the conversation on the plane about Johnny and your coming out, so it didn't surprise you much that she wasn't in the mood for small talk.
"Uh, no?" You were a bit confused by the question, "Why?"
"The band's going to a club," She told you like that would explain it, "I assumed you'd go with? Any chance you can get to drink and – ?" She took in your clothes, knowing it was past seven now and you looked ready for bed, "You're staying in tonight?" She quirked an eyebrow, amusement and something else lacing her tone, "That's new."
It wasn't though. Sure, you loved going out partying with all sorts and being up on stage just did something to you where you became a wannabe rockstar that let go of everything and danced the night away. Sure, your lyrics told stories of late nights, fast cars, fast food, and fast men and women in your life, but most of the time you loved cuddling under the blankets with a cup of tea and a good movie. Or hanging out with a few friends and playing board games or video games.
You shrugged, "Not really."
She studied you curiously for a long moment before she looked over your shoulder to see the television paused and the steam coming out of your cup, "Are you alone?"
"Yeah," You smirked, "Not unusual."
Because it wasn't. Truth was, you spent most of your nights by yourself. And you've grown to prefer it. Mostly.
She searched your face for something, but you were an open book to those close to you and after everything, you felt like you didn't really have to hide. You didn't know a lot about the redhead, but she already knew more than most did about you, so there was no point in trying to pretend you're something you're not.
"Can I come in?"
