Human After All.

It's been a couple days since we all fawned over Ashley's niece. And I noticed Alistair's reaction when he saw the little one, his eyes went far away as they did when he told me about Elijah. His muscles tensed, and he started tremoring. I didn't dare ask him what caused it, because he was already going through enough and I didn't want to drag him through more memories that he obviously wasn't ready to share.

Although it hurt my heart too know from what I seen that it had to do with a baby. Nothing good could have come from that. No matter the scenario, I found none that wouldn't be heartbreaking.

“Whatcha thinking about?” Blake snapped her fingers in front of my face. “I swear you're spacing out more than Al does.”

“What can I say, he's rubbing off on me.” I grinned, thinking about how spaced out Alistair gets.

“You didn't answer my question.”

“Stuff.”

“Mhm, yeah stuff.” For some reason, almost on instinct I knew she was thinking of her girlfriend Lizzie. Blake and I have gotten a lot closer these past few days, considering the one thing we had in common was her best friend and my boyfriend Alistair. “Missing Liz?”

“Hoo, boy you have no idea.” I learned that when she up and left her job for Alistair, she left behind a girl she was getting to know. Apparently things were getting hot and heavy over the phone at night, well so she tells me. I seriously didn't need too know. I told her so repeatedly. “Seriously, why do you tell me such things.”

“Because you're hilarious to watch when you get flustered.”

“Yeah that's not going to work forever, I'm already getting a tolerance for it.” I raised my eyebrows too her haughtily, further proving my point.

“Yeah well, I'll enjoy it while it lasts.” She crossed her arms.
I chuckled, “You do that.”

I looked down at my phone and started playing through a few apps and checking my private accounts. Suddenly Blake fell down into the chair beside me. I jumped when she slammed down her hands on her lap, making a loud slapping noise.

“Okay seriously, how can a man make himself look hotter than a woman in women's clothing!?”

I looked down at my skirt and the black and red tights. I had my hair pulled back and enough makeup on too make people question my gender, not like they didn't do that anyway, but so it goes.

“Just the way my body goes.” I grinned, laughing threw my teeth.

“Supremely jealous.”

“Awh, muffffinnnnn.”

“Shut it.”

“You know you love me.”

She laughed then, “Yes, I suppose that's true.”

“Let's go find your boyfriend!” She exclaimed, jumping back out of her seat.

“He's working right now, you do know that, right?”

“Yes, and?”

I put my hands up in defeat. Not like I wouldn't want to see him anyways. So we began our trek around the grounds trying to find Alistair, on our way around I got stopped a lot to get pictures with fans and signing t-shirts all the way too people's arms.

“Jesus, I don't think I've ever took that many stops too get too where I'm going.” Blake mused once we were on our way again. I shrugged, “Sorry, I just don't like too be rude.”

“I wasn't commenting on that for your information. I'm assuming talking to fans is part of the job.”

“Well yes, it's because of them we got this far. So stopping and giving them an autograph or a picture sometimes feels like we're giving a small part back.”

She gave me a small smile and grinned, “You know everyday, you seem to show me more and more why Alistair loves you and honestly never shuts up about you.” I felt my face catch fire. “I shudder to think what he tells you.”

“All good things I swear, he hasn't been like this in a long time and I savour it.”

I felt my insides twist painfully, “Was it really that bad?” Referring to when Elijah had beat him too the point his back was horribly scarred. Alistair had told me I could ask Blake anything I wanted that had to do with that night, and asked Blake vice versa until he was ready to tell his side of the story. She frowned slightly, “Yes, it was terrifying.” I had held off asking on anything that I didn't already know, because I was afraid to hear it and this just made it worse; so I went silent not wanting to hear anything else. “You're still not ready to hear it all, are you?”

“Considering I seen the scars, I don't think I'm ready to hear how they looked when he first got them, or more accurately how he would have looked.” Too be honest, I was mad. Mad thinking his ex hurt so fucking badly for no reason other than him being completely fucking insane. “I have a feeling you might be thinking what Alistair and I have mused over the past four years.” I raised my brow at her accuracy. “Yeah, and the fact that Elijah is a complete and utter psycho.”

“And you want to know the scary part? He was actually very sweet too Al. A little sketchy sometimes but generally seemed to care for Al.”

“Sketchy?”

“I had a working theory that he worked for the mafia.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, we used to hang out with some of Elijah's friends and too say they seemed shady was an understatement.”

“So you guys had some interesting friends.”

“Ha, not anymore. As soon as I found out who hurt Alistair, we lost all contact with them, considering they were friends through Elijah. We didn't trust them before and after what happened we didn't trust even more so.”

“Are you saying that more than Elijah hurt him?” She shook her head. “No, but I went with the logic that psychopaths hang out with other psychopaths, so..” She made a hand gesture that said ‘who cares’. “We made a new start, moved to Washington and we looked out for each other. No one came after us, so we moved on from it. Alistair went through some dark times in his life, I will tell you that.” She sighed.

“Some of them, scared me because he wasn't himself. Like at any moment he would disappear.”

“Fuck..” I paused for a minute. “You guys really are best friends.” I laughed. “How'd you guys meet anyway?”

She gave me a sly smile. “How'd we meet?” She repeated. I gave her a confused stare. “Yes, that is what I asked you..?” I couldn't say anything else because I was confused. She pinched her sweatshirt and fluffed it out, giving me a smug look. “Ha!, please…” and walked a few steps ahead of me, leaving me extremely confused. We walked around one of the stages, and a couple of stagehands. Blake asked one of them if they knew where Alistair was and they pointed up around where the instruments trailers where. We headed up behind them where a few of the stagehands were on their break and a little ways away from them was Alistair sitting on a trailer hitch scribbling in a notebook. He leaned back and I watched as he sang slowly and deliberately, keeping his eyes focused on his paper. When we got closer I caught the end of it, before he went back to writing.

“Don't tell me, tell me how it changes
It's you I can't replace…”

“You're songwriting again!?” Blake squealed. I watched as he jumped and barely catch himself as he tried to right himself again before he landed on the ground. “Jesus. Blake scare a guy why don't you?” He let out a startled breath. “What are you guys doing here anyway, not that I don't want you here, it's just that it's a surprise.”

“We apparently missed you so much, that we needed to stalk you at work.” Staring at Blake pointedly. He looked at Blake, “Yeah, she has separation anxiety, poor thing.” He shook his head slowly, making a show of it.

She glared at us.“I'm gonna separate some things in a second if you two don't quit it.”

“Oooouuu, so scared.” I laughed.

“Laugh it up, girly boy, while you still can.”

I raised my middle finger and pulled my bottom eyelid down. Her phone rang and she hurried to answer all the while giving me the finger as well.

“Such love you two have for each other.” Alistair commented. “I'm almost jealous.” He winked at me. “Yeah, so jealous knowing who sleeps beside you.” I winked back and he laughed. We watched Blake talk animatedly over the phone. “It's probably Liz.” I commented. “She's been going on about her with you to?”

I gave him a droll look. “What do you think?”

“Me thinks yes.”

“That's what me is thinking yep.”

“You sound like Ducky from the Land Before Time.”

I sighed and shook my head, letting out a little laugh. “Oh by the way, since I didn't get an answer from her, how did you two meet?”

“Why, what did she say?”

I pinched the front of my shirt as she had done and pretended to fluff it out. “Ha! Please…”

He snorted. “She's been watching How I Met Your Mother. That's something Barney always says when they ask what he does for a living.”

“As for the story of how we met, it's not a very dramatic one. Or secret one, you could ask any of our friends and they would tell you.” I looked at him surprised and then felt guilty for being surprised. Of course he has friends before he met me and the others. He put his little black notebook in his pocket, laughing. “By the look on your face, you seem to be surprised I have friends.” I shook my head as I walked closer to him. “No, I guess I never gave it a proper thought. Apparently in my mind you where friendless besides me and the guys.” I gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”

He got up from where he was sitting and stood in front of me. “No, it's alright. I like to keep you on your toes.” His grin was infectious, and I couldn't help the smile I had for him back. “So how's your day been going?” I nodded over to Blake who looked like she was becoming very twitchy. “Your looking at it.” I chuckled.

“I did not know I could handle someone who doesn't really have a social filter sometimes.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I learn something knew everyday. Or every minute with her. But I shouldn't judge, I do to.”

I stepped over to him and wrapped my arms around him. “How's work?” He put his arms around me and gave me a squeeze. “Eh, it's okay. Feels like the only thing I can enjoy is seeing you and Blake and the guys.” I tucked my head under his chin. I knew he was worried about his ex showing up again and threatening all of us, which felt next to nothing from what I felt if that man went around him again. Alistair had to wear a bandana around his neck ever since Elijah tried to choke him to death. I never thought I had it in me too threaten someone's life, but that's exactly how it was going to go down if that asshole had not backed off. It was an overpowering rage when I went to meet Al that night and saw that, one I won't soon forget.

I pulled my head back up and gave him a kiss. He gripped me tighter and I knew he definitely needed some love right now. “I miss you.” I murmured when I pulled back. “I miss you too, love. And I wish all this shit wasn't hanging over your head or anybody else's.” I moved my arms around his neck and we pressed our foreheads together. “So, might be the wrong time too mention this but now I'm curious. Blake mentioned that you had friends with your ex.” I saw him grimace. But he let me continue.

“And apparently her working theory back then was that your ex and his friends were in the mafia?”

He groaned. “She still won't let that go?”

It was my turn to snort, “You tell me.”

“Well too be honest there wasn't a lot of evidence too not support that idea. When I was with Elijah, there were hints of it, and for all I know he could have told me and I don't remember. But that doesn't matter anymore.” He stared at me. “You and our friends matter too me right now. I can't let any of you get hurt because of me.”

“Baby..” My tone warning him not to go there again. He's been so worried that something was going to happen to us that it's become a constant reminder every day since. “Sorry, it's just a very scary thought.” He let out a deep breath. “Maybe after Warped I won't worry so much.”

That popped a question into my head. “How is this going to work anyway?” He pulled back and looked at me, shocked and confused. “How's what going to work?”

I blushed, “Us living so far apart.”

“Oh!” I watched his lips form an ‘0’ shape. “Oh, yeah that.” He shrugged. “We can talk about that later if you want, but I'm assuming that we're going to work it out in time.”

“That's true.” I pondered it for a second. “Yeah, let's talk about it later. Too many variables too needlessly stress over. We've only been dating, what almost a month?”

“Yep. September first, we will officially be dating a whole month.” He laughed. “Mmm, we're not going to be like those couples that celebrate every month are we?”

“Good god no. I celebrate the years not months.” He kissed my forehead and I felt my cheeks get hot. “So you can count on something special when our first year together roles around. Promise.” I tried too engulf him in a hug, but he was slightly bigger than me, instead I got engulfed as he picked me up and held me too him.

“Jesus,” I laughed. “How strong are you again?”

“Stronger than people think I am.”

“Well considering that wonderful six pack you're hiding, I'm inclined to believe you?”

“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.” he grinned sheepishly. “It's not much indication of strength.”

“In the rest of our world, it is. I’m envious.” I pouted. “I never seen you work out before either..”

“Call me bashful, I’m funny that way.”

“I'll catch you one of these days.”

“In what way are you insinuating this, you beautiful creature, you?” He winked at me. I giggled, “That's a surprise.”

“Well I like surprises.”

“You guys aren't going to fuck here are you?”

He looked over at her, giving her the evil eye. “Well we're not now.” He glanced back at me and I started laughing, knowing he didn't mean it. Although sometimes it was very tempting.

“Well good, because seeing your best friends dick is awkward enough, seeing your best friends boyfriends dick is even worse.”

He set me down while commenting, “You know now that you mentioned the filter thing, I'm seeing it all over again from when I first met her.”

“You think, try it from my perspective and I thought the guys were bad. Hell I thought I was sometimes, but yeah wow.”

“Fair point.”

“When you two are done talking about me, I'm going to steal your boyfriend away.”

Alistair put the back of his hand on his forehead, “Must you?” He groaned dramatically.

“Yes, you drama queen.” She snapped; but I seen the laughter in her eyes as she bantered with her friend.

“Alright,” he leaned over and kissed me, my heart picked up its pace as it was gentle and warm against my lips. “I'll see you guys at the next venue; at your guys bus, right?”

“You got it. I love you.”

“I love you to, beautiful.” In the corner of my eye I seen Blake making gagging noises.

“If you guys get any sweeter, I'm gonna throw up.”



~



“Okay, so that shower was definitely worth it.” I murmured as I walked back to our bus where everyone was waiting. We had parked in a parking lot outside of a hotel. Since we were actually going to stay at a hotel tonight Alastair had come with us and Blake took the RV too the next venue, which was about fifteen minutes away. I guess that's who we were waiting for anyway. I saw Chris standing outside the open door, talking on the phone, I guess he finally told everyone about his little secret, which in reality wasn't really a big secret, since everyone on the bus is naturally nosy. “They found out?”

He mouthed the word ‘yup’, noiselessly making a popping sound. I don't know why he kept secrets like his love interests from us; I mean I understood keeping it from the public but not from us.

“Everyone inside?” He nodded, I walked inside saying “Tell your girl I said hello.”

“Ghost says hi.” I heard him tell the person over the phone before he went out of earshot. I walked over to the table and sat down beside Ricky since Alistair and Ryan were across from us, and Josh had pulled up a chair at the end of the table so they could play cards. Alistair looked up at me from his cards. “Have a good shower?”

I sighed contentedly, “Yes it feels like forever since I took a decent shower. And not have to fight with five other men too get actual hot water.”

“That sounds about right, since you guys argue about makeup half the time I'm around you.” He laughed, putting down a card. “Hearts.” The others groaned, and I assumed it was bad for them.

“What are you playing, anyway?”

“Crazy eights.” He laughed childishly, making the others grumble more. “Hey it wasn't my idea to play crazy eights, you can get after Ryan for that one.”

“The only reason we're playing it is because Josh tried cheating in poker.” Ricky pointed out.

“Yeah, he's not very sneaky.” Ryan added.

“Hey!”

“Yeah, well thanks to your stunt and Chris up and leaving too talk too his girlfriend, we're sticking to these games.” Ryan argued. “No more gambling-ish.”

“Ish?” I commented, “What the hell were you betting.”

“Food.” They echoed.

“And I'm not surprised because…?” I laughed.

I watched as they continued to put cards in the pile Alistair put a hearts card on, and pick up cards from the facedown pile if they couldn't play. Blake soon showed up later and we switched places since she wanted to play cards with them and apparently wanted to wipe the floor with them. So I went back to my bunk and grabbed the book I was slowly reading through the tour, and went back out to sit on the couch, only stopping to grab a bottle of iced tea in the mini fridge. When I finally got myself in a semi decent position to start reading, my phone started ringing. It was Endlessly, She Said by AFI, which alerted me that my ex was calling. Why I still had that as her ringtone I have no idea. The last time I talked to her was about how my cat was doing, since I guess while it was a mutual breakup; she got my cat. Or our cat as she had put it and I didn't want to argue over it. I answered, “Hello?” Confused, really at why she was calling me now.

“Hey Devin. So I guess long story short, it turns out I can't look after Cassy anymore and I thought you would like to have her.”

“Well yes I'd love to have her back. I'm in warped right now though, I could come get her after it's all over, since I have some time off.”

“Well I'm not going to be here then, so it's either now or never.”

“What the fuck, why? You know I can't do that, I don't even know where you're living now!” My temper getting the better of me.

“Well I have to leave in a week and I can't take her with me.” She spoke loudly.

“If I remember right, it was you that wanted to keep her whether she was yours or not. And now all of a sudden you don't want her anymore?”

“Look the reason I called because I knew you would be in MIchigan, which is why I called in the first place.”

What the hell, is she fucking with me right now? How the fuck am I supposed to get too her place at this time of night. Let alone get my cat and take her on tour with me. Alistair appeared in front of me, with his phone up to his ear. “It's Roy, he's going to let me borrow his truck, where do we need to go?”

“Where are you?” I asked her, trying to be calm.

“I'm in Landsing. It's about an hour away from Detroit.” She replied. “I'll text you directions.”

“Alright, I'll see you in an hour then.” Then she hung up, and I just glared at my phone after I took it away from my ear. “What was that all about.” Chris asked.

“Honestly I have no fucking clue.”

“What's happening with Cassy?” Ricky demanded.

“I have too go get her, otherwise I'll never see her again apparently.” I put my hand over my eye and groaned.

“Fuck sakes, why is she pulling this crap now.” So much for a mutual breakup, no hard feelings, no drama. Ha, it was enough to make me laugh. I looked up at Alistair, seeing he was still on the phone with Roy. He looked down at me with sympathy on his features. All I could think of was my little Maine coon, wishing I would have just taken her back in the first place. But here me thinking since there was no bad blood, she would look after her or at least give me more of a chance to get her too a safe place, instead of what I think she was suggesting.

“Alright, we'll be right over, seriously thanks a bunch man. Alright, yep. In the truck, alright. Bye.”

I gave Alistair my attention. “Ready to go? Did she give you directions?”

“Yep let's go.” I sighed.

“Tell me as soon as you get her!” Ricky yelled as we walked out of the bus too walk too get Roy's truck.




“Baby, for the last time you look perfect. I wouldn't worry about you looking like you got dressed up in the middle of the night just to get your cat.”

“It's not about that.”

“Then if it's about looking good for your ex, then I'm pretty sure it won't matter too much considering how long you two dated.”

“You're probably right but still, it just seems too planned, she knew we were going to be here tonight, so she decides to pull crap?”

“Besides that,” I continued. “Next to you, I want too look as sexy as you do.”

“You're trying to win the breakup.” He accused, chortling as he did so.

“I'm trying to do what now.” I dead panned.

“How I Met Your Mother. Without even realizing it, you're trying to win the breakup.”

“Okay, I seriously need too watch this show because it's obvious I'm missing a whole lot here.”

“Basically after a couple breaks up, whenever they see each other again it's a ridiculously unspoken stupid rule, in my opinion, that they compete to see who's better off since they broke up.”

“Wow..I'm doing that?”

“I think so, either that or you're so mad that you want too make sure you look perfect so as not to look like you just got out the shower.”

He gave me an approving once over, “Which you kinda did, not that I'm complaining.”

I looked away, my smile stretching too a goofy grin.

I heard him let out a airy laugh. “Is this it right here?”

I looked out and saw a grey duplex. I looked down at my phone and reread the text.

-Its apartment 446-

I read the number on the apartment number on the building. “Yep, that's it.” He pulled up beside the sidewalk and put it in park. “Did you want me too wait here?” He asked softly. “Sure,” I looked over too the apartment building and saw several faces looking out the living room window. “Actually, can you come with me? Some of Kylie's friends and some really like to start drama.”

“Sure thing beautiful.” We jumped out of the truck and headed up the walkway, I watched the front door open and saw Kylie there with her friend May. Cassy’s carrier was between them. I walked up to them as Alistair held back enough that he wasn't intruding but close enough that I was reassured that he was there. “Kylie, May.” I nodded to them both.

“Devin, how are you?” May asked.

“Lovely, just here too pick up Cassy and then be on my way.”

“Yes, I heard you guys were playing Warped again this year. Sorry I missed it.” I wasn't sure if she being nice or forcing it. Either way, Kylie had yet to say a word. I looked over to her, she still looked beautiful and wonderfully dressed but like months before, I didn't feel that attraction I once did for her. None at all. It was so strange. She wasn't looking at me, but at Alistair. I cleared my throat. “Does Cassy have everything she needs?” I asked her, her head whirled over too me; and I could see anger in her eyes. “Yes! She does!” She snapped.

“Alright,” I took a step forward and picked up the carrier that was beside her. “Thank you.”

She suddenly pointed at Alistair and practically screamed, “Is he the reason you weren't in love with me anymore!?”

Oh boy…

“No, Kylie he wasn't the reason, I met him long after-” she cut me off.

“That's fucking bullshit. I thought you were straight when I met you! Dressing up as a girl is one thing, but you said you only liked girls!”

I sighed, not knowing how we got to this so quickly. “I only recently found out I was bi, I never knew I was.”

“You asshole!” She screeched and I shook my head, “Look I didn't come here too fight or make anyone understand my sexual orientation. I came here too get my cat and that was it. I'm going too leave now.”

“Come on Kylie, it's not worth arguing over when you're this upset and you'll say something you'll regret.” May have me a look of sympathy and tried too take Kylie in the house. I walked back towards the truck with Al at my side, I took my free arm and wrapped it around his waist. He did the same and pulled me close as we got to the truck. He took the carrier from me and set Cassy in the backseat of the cab. She looked less than pleased to be inside the carrier but wasn't making much fuss.

I felt sad, sad that Kylie made such a big fuss over something that wasn't even true, and I felt sad that she couldn't be happy for me. Alistair must have sensed my mood because once he closed the door he came back over to me, saying, “Come here.” He murmured pulling me close and squeezing me tightly. I snaked my arms up his back and locked them so he wouldn't let go. He didn't say anything, he just held me until I could breath properly again.

Notes

Enjoy! :3