I remember when I first met (Y/n).
My band mates and I were signing things at a relatively large table. We were sat in a line and people would go down the line, getting us to sign things and take photos. It was nice getting to interact with the people who pay for my wellbeing and the least I could do was try and act interested.
I, however, couldn't.
I had a plastered on smile that was wearing out by the minute and all I had to occupy myself was a sharpie. I casually doodled on my palm between each fan interaction, begging for time to quicken so I could rush back to my tour bus and figure out what was wrong with me. Before I could finish drawing a chubby bear on wrist, a heard somebody sniffle from in front of me. 'U-Um...I'm sorry to bother you but...could I maybe take a picture with you?' I looked up, finally meeting the eyes of a pretty girl who was about 19-20 years old. I couldn't deny how pretty she was, warm (Y/e/c) eyes that sliced through my guard like butter. I couldn't help but let my breathing hitch at the sight of her and the tears welling in her eyes.
'Of course but...why're you crying? Aren't you happy to meet me?' I asked, throwing caution into the wind.
'Of course...I'll remember this moment for the rest of my life.' She huffed, trying to calm herself.
'Than why do you look so sad?'
'Because you won't.' She frowned, those pent up tears beginning to spill down her cheeks.
'...can I see your hand?' I asked, holding my own hand open for her to take. She nodded, gently plopping her trembling hand onto mine. I looked around for a moment before biting the cap off the sharpie in my dominant hand and writing the address of a local bar on her palm. 'If you're not busy, lets talk. Don't tell anybody though, alright?'
'O-Okay, sure.'
I was a strange mix of confused, concerned and exited. I didn't know what to think as I stood outside the almost deserted bar, staring intensely at my palm. I read over the address multiple times, wondering if he was just messing with me or not. I knew enough about him to know what kind of person he was and a prankster certainly wasn't it. He was more asocial than anything else. I kept telling myself that he was going to show up but some voice in the back of my mind kept snickering and reminding me that he was way too important to waste time on me. But still...
The way he looked at me just made butterflies surge through my stomach.
It got to about midnight and I was still curled up in a ball outside of the bar. The concert only ended an hour prior and my hand was scribbled on about fifteen minutes afterwards. Forty-five minutes isn't too long, is it?
Just as I was beginning to give up, I heard his voice sigh from beside me. 'S-Sorry, I got held up. Why're you curled up like that?' He asked, bending over and panting for breath.
'I-I got tired...s-sorry, I didn't mean to look weird.' As I spoke, he placed his hands on his back and stretched, his bones cracking underneath his porcelain skin.
'Nah, you look fine. I was just worried is all. A lot can happen in 45 minutes. Did you still want to talk?'
'Uh-hu.' I replied, lifting myself to my feet and dusting off my bum. For some reason, I was more anxious while he wasn't around. While in his presence I was calm, tranquil. I knew I had nothing to worry about. He was more gentle than everybody else I knew but I didn't mind.
We ended up wandering through the city, not paying attention to the world around us. He was so interesting. Whatever topic came up, he had a million stories to add to it. As if I couldn't admire him enough, he even offered to walk me home once the sun started to rise. 'Sorry, I've just been rambling on haven't I?' He scratched the back of his head nervously as I giggled and brushed him off.
'No, no. I actually love hearing your stories. I'm almost disappointed that the sun is coming up...' I replied.
'Yeah, same. I'm really glad I got to hang out with you. I was so bored just sitting at that table.'
'Appreciate the life you have, Ryan. You're living the dream. I'd kill for a life that interesting. All I get to do it wait tables and clean dishes.'
'At least you get to sleep in a warm bed every night. I have to sleep in a bunk.' Ryan replied yet not in a hostile sort of way, but in a lonely sort of way. His head hung down at the reminder that he was forced to leave his home for months on end. 'Its...it's not that I don't love my job but...I just wish I could lay down with somebody and not have to stress about making an album or going on tour. It'd just be nice to relax.'
'I can agree with that...' I began, letting my eyes wander up to gaze at the sunrise. 'I work almost every day and would just kill to have someone to come home to...even if it's just once...' We stepped up the street and towards my door, the realisation that our interaction would have to end finally dawning on us. We both stood on my doorstep, genuinely unsure of what to say or do. I could tell he didn't want to leave just yet and nor did I.
'I should...probably get going...'
'Did you...wanna sleep here? It's a pretty far walk back, at least an hour and you're obviously tired...' I offered, plucking my keys out of my pocket and unlocking the front door.
'I don't want to bother you...'
'You're not bothering me at all. I just listened to you talk for six hours, I don't think sleeping is going to bother me. Plus, I have work soon and I could bring back some coffee afterwards.' I stepped into my house, a sudden insecurity punching me in the chest as I realised I had not cleaned up prior to his visit like I did for most guests.
However, Ryan wasn't exactly "most guests".
'If you don't mind then I guess I can't really oppose. You did stay out until midnight just to see me.' I giggled happily, shutting the door behind him and showing him to my room. 'Aren't you going to sleep too?'
'I have work in less than an hour. I don't think I'd be able to fit sleep in but I'll be fine.' I brushed him off, not wanting him to worry about how much working was wearing me out. Instead, I let him pass out on my mattress before slipping out of the house once more.
