Let Love Bleed Red

It wasn't long until the guys were called in for their meet and greet. I could already hear the kids lined up outside, waiting to go in. I sat down across the room, staying out of the way. Management brought the guys some markers to sign whatever the fans brought in, and left a bag at the end in case of any gifts. And from Kellin's stories, I knew there would be gifts.

"I still don't understand why you want me to sit in on this." I laughed, finding a spot far enough away from their backdrop. It really was a big production.
"Because, I want you to see what it's like and what you should be expecting one day. And don't worry, none of them will suspect a thing. They won't even see you over there when they walk in. Most of them forget their own names." He laughed. I rolled my eyes.
"Don't make fun of them, they're here for you." He smiled.
"I'm not, it's actually happened before." Jack and Gabe nodded in agreement.
"Just be nice. They're nervous." I said.
"I'm always nice."
"That's not what the internet says." His cheeks got red.
"...What does it say?" He asked, now concerned. I giggled.
"Just be nice."

Their team got everything else set up, and went down the line, checking everyone in, giving them their lanyards and t-shirts, and explaining the rules of the meet and greet. I listened in.
"So, are these your rules?" I asked him. Kellin shrugged.
"Here and there. It just makes the experience a lot less awkward if we tell them up front what they can and can't ask for."
"Like what?" I asked.
"Like we won't pick anyone up, and we won't kiss fans. Mainly because a lot of them are underage and we'd just like to avoid all of that. And I have you, I don't need to kiss fans." He laughed. I could feel my cheeks burn, but a smile escaped my lips. He did have me.
"Do fans really ask for things like that?"
"You'd be amazed, Kira." He scoffed. I guess it had happened with him before.

Then the doors opened. I looked over to see the line start walking in. I tried to blend into the background as much as possible. I saw their eyes get wide as they got closer to the backdrop. I couldn't help but be excited for them, and I was excited to see this in motion.
"First!" management called out, and the first fan ran up to them, grabbing Kellin first and pulling him into a tight hug. He laughed nervously, patting her back. She looked to be about 13. After finally letting him go, she quickly made her way down the line, telling them all how much she loved them. It seemed as though the longer the meet and greet went on, the deeper the fans got. Some brought artwork, others brought them bracelets or stuffed animals. I wondered what they'd do with those. Soon, they started rolling up their sleeves, showing off their scars and telling the boys how they had saved their lives; how without their music, they wouldn't be alive today. That really hit me. How does one even comprehend that? I watched Kellin's face as he would quickly glance at their arm, and then back at them. I could tell he was uncomfortable. I wondered if this was normal. One by one they poured in, some screaming, some starting to cry before they even got to speak. All of it was overwhelming, and that was just from an outside prospective. I could only image what Kellin was thinking. As the photos went on, his smile faded more and more until eventually it was nonexistent.

"And that's the last one." I heard. They all thanked her, capping their markers. Management helped the rest of them back out into the venue where they rushed to find their spots on barricade. Kellin picked up the few pieces of art he was given and placed them in the bag. He then looked over at me, giving me a small smile, motioning me over. I got up and made my way to him.

"How are you doing?" I asked. He shrugged, examining the artwork again.
"It drains you, that's for sure." He sighed, gently placing the gifts back into the bag. I wrapped my arm around his waist, pulling him closer to me. He leaned in, gently kissing the top of my head.
"I just don't understand..." he began. He slipped his hand into mine and led us back to his dressing room. "Where are there parents? Why do they put so much of themselves on us? I couldn't image my daughter coming to one of these, telling 5 strange men that they saved her life. I'm there, why couldn't she just come to me?" I sighed, leaning my head on his shoulder.
"Not everyone will be lucky enough to have a dad like you." He heard him let out a quick sigh, I could tell he was smirking.
"That's a good point. My daughter won't be coming to any of these anyway."
"So, you think you'll have a daughter?"
"I'd like to." I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him being a dad. He would be great.
"What about you?" He asked, now looking down at me. I shrugged.
"You know, I haven't really thought about it that much. This is what I've wanted to do. I haven't really thought past this."
"Well, now you're doing it. So what's the next step."
"Not babies" I laughed "Not yet."
"Well, you're not getting any younger." He joked. I shoved him playfully.

He lead us back into the dressing room, shutting the door behind us. I sat down on his couch, gently patting the seat next to me. He plopped down, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. It was only a matter of seconds before there was a knock at the door. He sighed.
"God forbid we have any alone time.." he mumbled. "Come in!"
"Hey you two." Jeremy said, flashing a smile.
"Hey Jeremy, what's up?" Kellin asked. He looked over at me.
"Actually, we need to borrow Kira. We're on soon." I looked up at Kellin.
"Are you gonna sing with us again tonight?" I asked. He smirked.
"Will you be able to handle that?" My cheeks burned.
"Yes, I can handle that." I said, messing up his hair, then pushing myself up off the couch.
"Thanks again!" Jeremy called, shutting the door behind us.

"So, what do we need to do?" I asked.
"Nothing, we're all set. You've just been with him all day, you're in our band remember?" he laughed. I rolled my eyes, smiling back at him.
"If it makes you feel better, I told him I'm staying with you guys from now on. He wasn't happy." Jeremy laughed.
"Good. You were ours first." I nodded. I was in this with them before anything else. This was our journey.
"You're not moving too fast with him are you, Kira?" He then asked. I peeked back at him confused.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, a relationship in itself isn't like you. Now you're with this guy. Who's huge, need I remind you-"
"You don't have to remind me." I said quietly.
"I just don't want you getting your feelings hurt."
"I know, Jeremy." We got quiet for a minute.

Everything was going well. Maybe a little too well? Was it too good to be true? Jeremy had me thinking now. I wasn't here to date the headliner. I had said that on the first day, and yet here I now was, following him around like a lost little puppy. This wasn't me. But, Kellin was different. He isn't that same guy I thought walked through our basement door that first night. My head was caught in a whirlwind of emotions and over thinking. Now wasn't the time. We were going on soon. I needed to focus. The last thing I needed to be thinking about was having a boyfriend on tour. We worked too hard to let anything come between us and our big chance.

But what if Kellin was my big chance?