The Assistant | Scavi

An Interview

A few days later, they arrived in Boston for their third concert day in a row. "I just want to sleep..." Kaleb said. "Just a nap in a real bed somewhere. It's too bad that we don't have a hotel room for the day.

Scott chuckled. "I get that," he said and finished his tea. "Honestly, a bed to nap in between soundcheck and show would be heaven." 

"Mmhm, but you're working, right? The interview?" Noah asked.

Scott shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't call it work per se. I just need to make sure that Avi arrives on time and that nothing happens. That's it. Avi has to do the talking."

"Talking about Avi, should we wake him up? We'll be at the location in fifteen" Noah spoke up.

"I'll do it," Scott said and got up after finishing his cup of tea. He went to the back of the bus, closing the door behind him. He walked up to Avi's bunk and smiled when he saw his boyfriend still asleep. He wanted to get in next to him, wanted to get into the bunk and kiss him so bad, but he knew that he couldn't. Still, he squatted down and caressed Avi's face softly. "Avi... it's time to get up, we're almost there."

"Come cuddle..." Avi mumbled and Scott chuckled.

"We will, eventually. Tomorrow we'll arrive in New York, we'll have three nights in a hotel room there" Scott whispered these words, so no one would hear them.

Avi opened his eyes and sighed as he looked at his boyfriend. "Four nights on the bus and I am missing you like crazy" he whispered back and stretched out his arms. "Time to get up, hmm?"

Scott nodded. "Yes." He leaned down and kissed Avi's lips tenderly. "Now come on, I'll have your tea ready, we need to hurry once we're at the location you have an interview.

Avi nodded. "I know, I'll get dressed. Thank you for waking me up. Could get used to it." He kissed Scott once more and then watched as he disappeared. Ever since the night they spent together, Avi felt even closer to his boyfriend. He didn't know if it was because they talked so much or because they had gotten closer physically. Probably a little bit of both. Avi sighed softly and then got up, put on a pair of jeans and a flannel and combed his hair quickly, deeming himself ready for the interview.

~

"You don't need to come, Scott, I'll be fine on my own" Avi said as he walked into the club with Scott by his side.

"I know, but this is part of my job. And I might just learn something new here" Scott pointed out. "So I am coming."

The interview would take place in an empty dressing room. It was only a journalist and a photographer who were waiting for them there.

"Hi," Avi said as they entered the room.

"Oh hello, I am Kyle and I brought our photographer Keira" the journalist spoke up.

"Awesome. I'm Avi and this is Scott, my personal assistant" Avi introduced himself and Scott.

The blonde shook hands with both people. "Nice to meet you."

"So, I just want to ask some questions, Keira will take some pictures during and then if she may, she would like to take some during soundcheck, too?" Kyle asked.

Avi shrugged his shoulders. "I don't mind. Do as you please. Soundcheck is in twenty minutes, though, we're on a tight schedule due to traffic."

"Of course, we'll make it quick."

Scott stepped aside and watched as Kyle asked Avi about his music, his tour and everything while Keira took her pictures.

"So, Avi. You're on tour for two months now?" Kyle wanted to know.

"Yes. Two months all over the states, then we have a break before we're headed to Europe for a month" Avi replied dutifully.

"I am just wondering how you manage all this. I mean you're away from home for so long, from friends and family..." Kyle prodded further.

Avi nodded. "I am away from my family, that's true. But I have some of my friends with me. Kaleb and Noah, for example, my band and Scott. The four of us share a tour bus and it's just a little bit like a road trip we're doing here. It's fun."

"Mmhm, but what does your wife think of you being away? Is she visiting you? Are you calling her every night? I mean it is certainly hard to make it work on such a long distance..." Kyle asked.

Scott suddenly felt cold. He watched Avi closely, how he started to fidget before making fists, how he drew in deep breaths to calm down before he could start to speak: "It is hard" he said. "But we make it work. She knows my job. And of course, we talk a lot on the phone and via video call. It's tough, but it is bearable."

Scott noticed that Avi's voice was a little wooden. He rubbed the palm of his hands over his thighs but managed to smile at Kyle nevertheless. Scott saw that it wasn't an honest smile, but he hoped that the other two wouldn't notice.

"Wonderful," Kyle said. "That's it."

Avi chuckled. Good thing, because I definitely need to go to the bathroom. I came here right from the bus. Scott, could you?"

The blonde knew that Avi just wanted to get out of the situation and nodded. "Sure," he said and smiled slightly when Avi excused himself and hurried out of the room. "So..." he looked at his watch. "We'll have the soundcheck in about five to ten minutes, maybe a bit later. If you want something to drink, just help yourself and-"

"Scott? Avi is asking for you. I'll take care of our guests, just let me know when we're starting on soundcheck."

Scott was surprised when he saw Kaleb standing in the room.

"Kaleb, I..."

But Kaleb just shook his head. "Go" he mouthed so Kyle and Keira wouldn't notice.

Scott nodded and without saying anything else, he rushed off towards Avi's dressing room. He found his boyfriend pacing through the room. He was breathing rapidly.

"Avi?"

No reaction.

"Avi, please. I'm here" Scott tried again and then just stood his boyfriend's way.

The bearded man looked up to him and then sat down on the sofa, hugging himself tightly.

"Avi..." Scott said once more as he sat down next to his boyfriend and carefully put an arm around him.

Avi flinched but then melted into Scott's embrace. "I... I'm sorry," he said and started to sob.

Scott was surprised by that, he had expected a panic attack. "No need to be sorry," he said softly. "I am here for you. I've got you. You're not alone."

Avi just sobbed and held onto Scott for dear life as he cried.

Scott didn't understand this sudden break down of his boyfriend, but he was glad in a way because tears were hopefully easier to deal with than a full-on panic attack and with the upcoming show, he knew that he needed to get Avi stable enough to get through the evening as soon as possible without rushing.

"I'm sorry..." Avi said once more between sobs. "I... I..." He couldn't speak so Scott just shushed him and held him.

"Don't speak, just take your time, calm down, then you can tell me everything."

~~~~~~~~~~~