Angel (Fuenciado)

Epilogue

* * * * * SIX MONTHS LATER* * * * *

I hum a C major scale softly to myself as I hear cheering and singing and excited crowd chatter outside. My voice is already warm, but those customary pre-show jitters are making my vocal chords tighter, so I have to work harder to keep them operating.

"On stage in ten, Vic," Zack calls, walking past me whilst munching on what appears to be a protein bar or some such snack. I nod.

"Okay."

I hear the sound system begin to blare Teenagers by My Chemical Romance, and the crowd waiting outside cheers and then starts singing. This kind of thing never fails to make me smile - thousands of people united by one song.

This is Cardiff, Wales, UK, the first show on the UK tour list. In a week and a half this Europe tour will be over, and I'm having conflicted emotions. Half of me can't wait to go home; to throw myself at my brother; to kiss my boyfriend again. And the other half is sad this experience is ending. The first tour I've been on in years, it's been fun, and exciting, and refreshing. It's reminded me just how damn much I love music.

Which is why, as soon as I get home, I'll be getting us all back in the studio for Pierce the Veil album number five - despite being one man down. Jaime and Mike, while I've been away, have been practising their respective parts for fifteen completed songs I've written. In the studio, three of those songs will not make the cut - fifteen is just too many for an album. But with any luck the producers at Fearless won't be opposed to releasing a deluxe edition with a B-side, so those three songs won't go to waste. A title for the album is still in the making; but so far, 'Ashes' is a popular pick.

And that isn't the only thing I look forward to about going home. I'm also pretty excited to get all of my stuff unpacked in a new apartment before driving down to the animal shelter and taking home a dog. As Jaime promised, a Labrador puppy whom we have decided we are going to call Lucky.

Mike's relationship with Alysha works perfectly into this equation. When, eventually, we start touring again, the dog can live with her in my old place, where she and Mike will live together, an independent couple. Just thinking about it makes me a little teary.

Yet another thing I'm excited for is a two week holiday Jaime has booked for us in a beautiful hotel in the quiet rainy-ness of Seattle.

I clear my throat and hum a D major as I look over the back of the set at Jack and Alex, who have just appeared arm in arm. They split reluctantly, both of them going to their respective guitars, making sure each one is in place. They don't have to be on stage for another hour and a bit, but their preparation, as always, is essential. Seemingly satisfied that everything is in order, Jack nods to himself and makes his way over to me. "Ready?"

"Ready," I confirm. I glance down at his hand and smirk. "Don't forget your ring."

He looks down at his hand and grins at the gold wedding band that fits perfectly onto his ring finger. "I won't."

"That's what you said last night, and you almost went on stage with it."

"Accidents happen," he scoffs. "I won't do it again."

"Yeah, okay," I say incredulously. "Dude, are you ever going to tell your fans?"

He shrugs, and we both laugh. I check my watch. Seven minutes to stage time.

"You look a bit lost in thought," Rian says as he walks towards me, drumsticks in hands. He's followed closely by Alex, and Zack isn't far behind. I nod.

"I guess. I always get a little homesick before going on stage."

Alex walks around me and over to his mic stand, checking the picks lined up down the stalk. "You miss them, huh?"