"Give a massive round of applause for your faves – Leo and Selene! Send them off right, you beautiful bastards!" You threw your arms up, pointing the microphone towards the audience, and everyone went ballistic before you pulled it back to say, "They're always gonna be a part of our family, we all love them to death, and can't wait to see what they do in the future – beautiful, beautiful people! Best people I know! One more cheer for them, come on, give it everything you've got!"
The cheers and screams were deafening, the news of the departing band members surely going to cause a stir as you all disappeared for the most part from the limelight for a while, but that was to be expected. The Oscars were next before you could really settle into this whole holiday you've managed to carve out for yourself.
"We love you all so much!" Selene called from her mic stand, both her and Leo taking a bow together before you all lined up to give a group bow, tears in your eyes as you grinned back at the fans.
"And you'll be hearing from us again soon, I'm sure!" Leo added, winking, and you really were happy for them. Bit jealous too.
You all blew kisses, collecting some bouquets, and ran down the aisle off stage together with hops in your steps, a bittersweet taste on your tongue, and full hearts.
Then, right backstage, you all got around in a circle, arms around hunched shoulders, a proper group huddle.
"Guys," You started, because you needed to, because you should, and you looked up at all of them, seeing them already looking back at you with watery smiles – so much love radiating off them, along with sweat, but still, you knew, "We did it. We did this," They chuckled, knowing you didn't mean the fans they could still hear screaming or maybe it was the ringing in all your ears, you meant something else, something bigger, "And I wouldn't change it for the world. No matter what happens next," It felt like the beginning of the end and maybe that's okay because, "We've got each other's backs and I'll love you all until I stop breathing. Or you name your future child Brenda. Then you're dead to me."
"Right," Wanda cleared her throat and you shrugged, making Atlas and Selene chuckle, "Stay in touch, you assholes."
"We will." Leo promised and then you all got closer, hugging as best as you all could.
"I'm going to miss you idiots." Atlas sobbed and that broke you, taking you all down one by one until it was a sobfest that earned some looks as the crew passed by.
You were vaguely aware of Rory taking some photos and you sent a pathetic smile that probably made you look like more of a mess than you did to Natasha who hung out by a doorway as people buzzed in and out. She sent you one back, her arms crossed as she leaned back against the wall with her knee bent, her foot flat behind her.
Only Atlas seemed to notice your attention drifted, nudging you with a smirk, "Enjoy your holiday, Stark."
"If you guys ever wanna get together to get smashed and write some shit, lemme know," You told them shakily and they pulled you in tighter, "Or just...hang out. I don't care what we do."
Everyone had bags to pack and planes to catch. You were attached to Selene's hip until she was supposed to go outside with Leo because their car to the airport had arrived. You hadn't packed a single thing and your jet planned to take off in two hours. You were a right mess by the time everyone was gone from the hotel, sitting in the middle of your bed with your clothes and toiletries spewed across the room. You were sobbing into one of the shirts you kept that a fan gave you on the way out.
"Princess?" Accompanied a light knock onto your barely shut door – Paul came by earlier with threatening words that was meant to be a kick in the pants to get your shit and meet him downstairs, obviously he sent a new tactic instead when his plan didn't work, "Oh, sweetheart," Her laugh wasn't with malice, more fond and pity, as she came into the room, standing about five feet from the end of your bed, "We really need to get going."
You quickly gathered up all the clothing on the bed you could reach and put it all around you like a weird nest, frowning, "No."
She shook her head, "You're acting like a child."
"I am not acting!" You blurted and then sighed in defeat as your shoulders slouched, huffing, "It's just...like, I like this, you know? It's fun. I don't want...this is hard."
"You'll be on tour again soon," You didn't even realize she had rounded the bed and barely felt it dip before she was pulling you into her, but you went willingly, "But at least you get to see your family and have a bit of a break now."
"It won't be the same if we tour again, not without Leo and Selene."
"'If'?"
You watched as she slowly started folding your clothes, thinking you wouldn't notice, and your heart swelled as she attempted to take care of you in her own way, so you didn't mention it, "I've got a lot to think about during this holiday." You murmured instead and she nodded, understanding for the most part.
And then, by some miracle that is probably named Natasha Romanoff, you found yourself on the plane, heading for New York with a blanket wrapped around your shoulders, cup of tea in hand, scrabble board half-filled in front of you and a footie match playing in the background that Bucky was quietly cursing at under his breath.
Life was-
"Bullshit! That's not a word!"
"It is so a word!" You scoffed loudly, "How dare you?"
"How dare I? You write lyrics for a living and you're trying to tell me 'naddles' is a word?? Try again, sweetheart," She shook her head, but you could tell she was trying not to smile, "No way in hell you're getting away with it this time."
"This time?" You repeated in disbelief, "This is the first time we've ever played this game together! You're being ridiculous!"
"I let it slide when you put down 'scrumpy' and it was only your second go!" She argued and you kept scoffing, "Oh, real mature!"
"You're just mad I'm winning and you're a sore loser, obviously!"
"Ladies," Bucky called over, eyes still glued to the screen, "Stop fighting."
"Shut up!" You both yelled back in unison, and he grumbled something, but when you met her eyes, neither of you could keep your smiles from spreading, laughing lightly at the whole thing.
"Give me a definition of 'naddles' and maybe I'll consider-"
"Urban dictionary defines it as," You cut her off, having already googled it while you guys were still arguing, "A surprise back-slapping of another man's nads in the vain attempt to provoke an overzealous response that can be used against them'...huh," You pursed your lips, pocketing your phone as you muttered to yourself, "Not my definition but tomato, tomato I guess."
"First off, that definition is disturbing and second, you said tomato the same way twice," She shook her head when you just gave a look that said what's your point, "What's your definition of 'naddles' then?"
"It's a deep cut – you probably wouldn't get it."
"Hey, guys, twenty minutes until we land," Paul interrupted, coming into the section of the plane that was at the back – the engine noises kind of freaked you out and it was the quietest back here, "Might want to wrap up that game."
"I'm winning, so I'm surprised firestick hasn't flipped the board yet," You told him pointedly and Natasha made a disgruntled noise, "What? It's not my fault you can't-" She flipped it before you could finish, the wooden letters flying everywhere – one even landed in your cup, and stormed off, pushing past Paul, but you just grinned up at the confused man, biting your lip a little so it didn't split your face, "Do you believe in soulmates, Paulbert?"
