Devil in the Details

Change For the Better

Ashley rolled over in his bunk and let out a groan as his spine cracked because of the small size of the bunks they had on the bus. He pushed himself out of his bunk and grabbed his toiletries bag, heading to the bathroom to fix his hair and apply some light eyeliner.

After finishing in the small bathroom and letting Jinxx have at it because no matter how much that man showered he still smelt disgusting. He made his way to the kitchen starting to make a coffee to wake himself up more. Smiling lightly when he remember his conversation with Alex last night. He had never felt this way for anyone ever in his entire life.

He stirred his coffee adding some milk and sugar sipping it while he let his mind wander, still lingering on the conversation he and Alex had the night before, his fans missed him being open with them. While he was admittedly more closed off with them now because of previous incidents with insane stalker like fans Alex was showing him the better side of the army, the ones that just wanted him happy and healthy. Maybe it was time to open up a little to them, start to connect with them again. He smirked, the perfect idea popping into his mind. They still had 3 hours to sound check and there was a pretty decent lineup outside already.

He walked back to the bunk area grabbing more show styled clothes to wear instead of his sweatpants and hoodie. After quickly changing into a pair of ripped black skinny jeans that has lace covering part of the holes and an old Black Veil shirt he cut up himself plus his signature cowboy boots and a leather jacket he grabbed 6 sharpies out of his bag, 2 black, 2 silver, and 2 gold so he would be able to sign on every colour.

He grabbed his cowboy hat and a pair of sunglasses before heading to the bathroom, retouching his makeup and adding a bit more, along with the two lines of warpaint that he usually had under his right eye. Giving himself one last once-over in the mirror and grinning he put on his cowboy hat and sunglasses before heading out of the bathroom walking back to the main part of the bus and taking one last swig of his coffee.

"Why are you all dressed up, we have like, 6 hours till the show." CC laughed seeing Ashley.

"I'm gonna head out and talk with the fans for a bit, sign some things too." Ashley shrugged with a smile.

"You, interacting with fans, did you fall off the wagon or something?" Jake questioned staring at Ashley in disbelief.

"I can want to interact with fans without being high Jake." Ashley rolled his eyes glaring at the guitarist, he wasn't proud of his past and he particularly didn't like it when his band members brought it up, he had confided in them in secret and had expected them to not chastise him for it.

"Dude what the fuck?" Andy smacked Jake upside the head, "He can interact with fans if he wants to. Jesus Christ." Andy rolled his eyes, glaring at the guitarist. He was the first person Ashley had confided in about his past struggles with drugs, mainly because at the time Ashley didn't want the young singer to follow in his footsteps and thankfully Ashley managed to keep Andy away from the hard stuff and only to cigarettes and alcohol. Ashley had been so venerable because he was still getting out of it, still suffering withdrawals, but he had made a promise to himself because he had predicted Black Veil would make it and he had to be a positive influence on both his bandmates and their fans. He could live the rock and roll lifestyle but he didn't need to sacrifice his own health for it.

"Well I'm gonna go." Ashley grinned walking off the bus with sharpies in hard, the screams of fans soon filled the air as Ashley started his way down the line, having casual conversations with fans after an initial freakout, signing shirts and arms, and taking a ton of pictures with fans. He had to admit it to himself, he missed this and was happy to be doing it again.

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As soon as Ashley walked off Andy turned to glare at Jake. "What in the ever loving name of fuck was that? Just because Ashley is starting to trust fans again you accuse him of being on drugs. He's been clean for almost 10 years!" He was beyond pissed at Jake.

"It's weird for him, he's usually so quiet and so distant with fans I didn't know what else to say, what else could explain his sudden mood swing towards fans?" Jake defended himself.

"So then you're on drugs too?" Andy questioned pointedly

"Why the hell are you asking me that?" Jake scoffed.

"Ashley's not the only one that's changed his attitude towards fans, I recall you and Inna bullying quite a few and blocking some for no reason." Andy pointed out, "You've been a dick to fans Jake, so I suggest you get off your high horse and focus on Black Veil, we're out here doing what we love and to perform for the fans. I'm not talking about Andy Black constantly or wearing Andy Black stuff on stage. Stop trying to promote your fucking side project on a goddamn Black Veil tour. If you want promotion advice go to Ashley because he actually knows how to market shit unlike you." Andy glared at Jake, his displeasure with Jake attempting to promote his side project during tour finally showing. "Although he may not talk to you anymore because you just accused him of being back on drugs." Andy huffed in annoyance before getting up and heading back to the bunk area, beyond frustrated with Jake.

"Maybe Ashley is acting differently because he's actually happy in life and not bitter because his side project is failing." CC suggesting glaring at Jake from over his phone.

"You don't need to take your frustrations out on Ashley just because you're angry, he's gone though enough this year." Jinxx joined in also giving Jake a pointed look.

"Eyes on the prize Jake, Black Veil is what we're doing for good, either get on board or give us good guitarist reconditions." CC gave Jake one last glare before getting up and heading to the kitchen, Jinxx quickly following him leaving a stunned Jake behind.

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"He's suck a fucking dick, oh my god." CC groaned leaning against the counter.

"Something's changed in his and I don't like it." Jinxx sighed, looking out the tinted black windows seeing Ashley with the fans, a big smile on his face.

"Ashley's look happier than ever out there." Jinxx smiled seeing the bassist happily talking with fans.

"We need to meet the girl that's making him this happy, and thank her." CC smiled, his best friend was acting like his old self and he couldn't be happier.

"We really do, I've never seen this side of Ashley before, but I'm really liking it, he's more open with us. He's letting his barriers down." Jinxx smiled, mentally thanking the girl that had managed to connect with the bassist on a deeper level than any of them could ever dream of, if Ashley continued on being this happy Jinxx was predicting Ashley having a wedding ring on in the near future.

"Should we join him out there?" CC questioned.

"Yeah, it'd be nice to be with the fans again." Jinxx smiled.

"We should go a little more extra with out clothes like he did then." CC laughed.

"Chuppy, we can never be as extra as fashion man himself." Jinxx laughed.

"Trust me, I know. But let's go I miss the fans." CC grinned excitedly before bounding down the bus to where they kept their stage clothes, Jinxx on his heels already grinning at the thought of being with the fans again. Ashley's happiness was reminding him of how the band was back in the early days and he couldn't be happier about that because those were some of the best tours because of the closeness they had with fans, and he couldn't be more happier that it was happening again.