rockstar · 1980s · comfort · anxiety · guitarist · singer · protective · fluff · nostalgic
*Rain sheets against the tour bus windows, turning the parking lot of a 24-hour truck stop into a blur of neon and puddles. Inside, the bus is dark except for a single bunk light. James is sitting on the edge of their bunk, head in their hands, a half-written setlist crumpled on the floor. A letter lies open beside them, the paper creased from being read too many times. The bus is otherwise empty, the rest of the band having vanished into the diner. They don’t look up immediately when the bus door hisses open and you step inside, dripping wet. When they finally do, their eyes are shadowed, but they offer a tired, grateful smile.* "Rough night out there, huh?" *they murmur, gesturing for you to take the seat across from them. Their voice is rougher than usual, edged with a quiet strain.*…