#brpara18: new york new york

[ryanclaremont]

new york, new york

Home.

It feels like it’s been a whole year since they were back in their city and they’ve made it. Cross country tour, a festival, meet and greete, turmoil and happiness. Ryan wasn’t sure if they were going to make it out the other side but they did it. Coming home is refreshing and Ryan collaspses onto her couch leaving all her bags by the door until the next day where she slowly begins to pick herself up and get things sorted out.

One more big show, hometown show. It’s sold out too.

Not only is that on her mind but… August. Everything from beginning to right now and where they stand. They’re not awkward or on any bad terms at all, just… some kind of content limbo. But she invites him over for breakfast, kind of feels nice to really cook again in her own space too.

[ryanclaremont]

"No, no," Ryan says, making sure she's got a hold of August's arm again so he doesn't go anyway. "We don't need his dad who is a lawyer dissolving the band because he thinks his son is incapable of doing terrible things." She breathes out, a short one but she's trying to let it go because it's not going to be worth it if August gets in some sort of trouble.

"Um," Ryan shakes her head, pulling out her phone. "Did we figure out where we're going, might be nicer on your side of town." and away from where Nico could be lurking.

August knows that Ryan is fully capable of defending herself--he's watched her stand her ground plenty of times, not to mention he's been on the other end just as many. But he supposes she shouldn't have to, that's his thing. She should have to stick up for herself when it comes to this dick trying to drag her all over New York when she's come so far.

He's about ten seconds away from throwing a punch. A great idea on Ryan's part when she pulls him down the street.

Dick.

He sighs out through his nose, looking down at Ryan as they slow to a stop. "Definitely pathetic," He agrees, shaking his head, "It's really not too late for me to turn back, hit him," And he's half kidding, giving her a small smile, "I can catch up." Not to mention it'd worth it.

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden's arms go around Luci, keeping her close as he moves them through a few people working backstage. He smiles down at her, squeezing her back. She doesn't need to thank him when it's the right thing to do. "Come on, think there's some champagne and cake in the dressing room," he says and smirks. "Might have overheard Jackson talking about it."

Ryan gets herself off stage, letting out a deep breath as she needs a moment to collect herself. What a ride. She thanks a few people who pass her saying it was a good show, then in return thanks them for everything that they've done too.

"You're good, you know," Rob says as he passes by and she smiles a bit, thanking him as she begins to the dressing room only to feel herself leave the ground and she almost yelps.

Luci can't help but wrap her arms Aiden in an honest hug when they get backstage, her tiny form wrapped around his tall one. She squeezes him, pressing another kiss in his neck as she closes her eyes,

"Thank you." She whispers, because he has no idea what this means to her.

August can't help but be happy for his brother--putting Luci front and center like that in front of the fans, so there's no confusion or speculation about their relationship. He knows that probably means a lot to Luci, who's always somehow been on the inside as well as out when the band started.

He lingers on stage as long as he can, taking everything in--definitely a bittersweet moment when it's all said and done.

He smiles as he catches up with Ryan, scooping her up into a spinning hug.

[augustcastle]

It goes off without a hitch and maybe they didn't need to be wished that much luck because, without surprise, they're doing amazing. There's this small lull where Aiden does a drum solo and him and Ryan are able to grab some waters and watch. He claps along with fans and takes a long sip of his water, glancing over at Ryan and bumping hips with her,

always one of the best parts.

Luci, from the photographer line, takes photos and videos and puts any screen down when Aiden does this. She likes her gaze uninterrupted from him, clapping and jumping herself, just as excited as any fan.

Aiden strolls his way out into the hallway, hanging in the door area as he talks to a few people that pass by. He takes another sip of his water as he turns back brief to say something to August then stops, seeing a small interaction between him and Ryan. It's sweet, something so simple and he looks away, not wanting August's moment to be spoiled. Aiden steps into the hall and walks down towards backstage, happy for his brother.

Ryan smiles at August, humming warmly at his comment and there's a small laugh that accompanies it. She reaches for him and kisses him twice, "Twice for good luck," she tells him and it's something she remembers her dad saying to her mom before shows. Seems to feel right too. She squeezes his cheeks and gets up, stepping into her boots as they go to the stage to get set up and ready to go.

The crowd it loud on the other side of the curtain and it gives Ryan goosebumps. Here goes nothing.

[augustcastle]

August huffs lightly but also wouldn't want to cause a scene that Ryan doesn't want. But he feels like it'd definitely be satisfying to wipe that look off Nico's face. He playfully rolls his eyes but stays put, leaning into Ryan just a little so she knows he's not about to take off running.

"Yeah, we can go wherever you want." He says, pressing a kiss to her temple and tugs out his phone to resume trying to find an uber. They're not about to let Nico ruin their night.

"No, no," Ryan says, making sure she's got a hold of August's arm again so he doesn't go anyway. "We don't need his dad who is a lawyer dissolving the band because he thinks his son is incapable of doing terrible things." She breathes out, a short one but she's trying to let it go because it's not going to be worth it if August gets in some sort of trouble.

"Um," Ryan shakes her head, pulling out her phone. "Did we figure out where we're going, might be nicer on your side of town." and away from where Nico could be lurking.

[ryanclaremont]

Ryan laughs and nods, feels like everything is moving fast around them but it feels okay at the same time. Cliche but Ryan thinks it doesn't really matter because she wants to spend it with August.

"Come on, you're gonna miss the cake," Jackson motions as he makes a b-line for the dressing room down the hallway.

Ryan's brows raise as she looks at August with a grin, taking his hand to tug him along as well. Walking in, it's fill with their families and the others, a good mixture with Ryan's dad already in a conversation with Leo? Good sign.

First cake, then... wherever the night takes them.

August smiles down at her, running a hand through her big curls that are slightly a bit more frizzy from the warmth of moving around on stage. There was really a moment where he thought this band was better off without her, that he was better off without her.

Can't picture that now, not even if he tries.

He takes in a soft breath and nods, "Next?" August asks, "We celebrate--wherever you want. Then museum tomorrow--if we're feeling up to it."

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden strolls his way out into the hallway, hanging in the door area as he talks to a few people that pass by. He takes another sip of his water as he turns back brief to say something to August then stops, seeing a small interaction between him and Ryan. It's sweet, something so simple and he looks away, not wanting August's moment to be spoiled. Aiden steps into the hall and walks down towards backstage, happy for his brother.

Ryan smiles at August, humming warmly at his comment and there's a small laugh that accompanies it. She reaches for him and kisses him twice, "Twice for good luck," she tells him and it's something she remembers her dad saying to her mom before shows. Seems to feel right too. She squeezes his cheeks and gets up, stepping into her boots as they go to the stage to get set up and ready to go.

The crowd it loud on the other side of the curtain and it gives Ryan goosebumps. Here goes nothing.

Thing is, August waits until he's sure Aiden isn't looking to lean down and tell Ryan that she does look beautiful tonight--it's right before they're set to go on stage...but his brother is looking. Sees the whole thing, right down to the soft kiss August places on the corner of Ryan's mouth.

"Good luck," He tells her, even though he knows she doesn't need it. None of them need it. They're going to absolutely crush this because it's what they do best. The end of the tour somehow always ends up being the best.

[aidenoconnell]

"Yep," Aiden says just as simply as August asks the question. "Quite the surprise to me as well and yet not at the same time." He smiles because he knows Luci, it's her being cute but making a point at the same time. He really doesn't mind it, he thinks it's funny actually. Aiden folds his other shirt and puts it back into his bag, nodding.

"Yeah, all or nothing," he replies as he gets up to grab a water and twists the cap off to have a few sips. Aiden glances over at Ryan comes out of the bathroom all dressed, sort of slinking around them.

"Sorry, don't mind me," she says.

Aiden shakes his head, "Just talking about the show," though he is curious about Leo's comment but he won't make it weird.

August kinda blinks as Luci goes because is she--was that a--

"Did her shirt say 'I prefer the drummer'?" He laughs but it's something warm and amused because it's so Luci that it's almost painful. Of course that's something she'd be wearing--for Aiden and for the fact that it's their last show. He shakes his head, running a hand through his hair as he looks over at his brother.

He lets out a breath and nods, "Yeah, I think so--always feels good to go into the last place of the tour, you know? Like it's all or nothing."

[aidenoconnell]

Aiden laughs a bit as Luci leads his parents like they're on a guided tour in Rome or something. He smiles to himself as he goes over to his back to take out a few things and sits on the couch, breathing out as he looks at August. "Are you ready?" He asks which is probably a silly question because it feels like August is always prepared.

Aiden takes off his shirt and swaps it with a minimal designed Almost Midnight one with a little moon on the pocket on the t-shirt. Subtle but nice, he always wears it because it's so soft as well.

August smiles as he watches Ryan leave to change her clothes, letting out a slow breath that flutters a few strands of hair that's hanging over his forehead.

"Thanks dad."

Leo shrugs in a very 'innocent' what stance. Luci giggles, her arm slipping around Aiden's waist, breathing in the soft scent of his cologne and skin.

August shakes his head and smiles at his brother, "Yeah--Luc, you mind showin' them the way before you get settled in the photography row?"

"Of course." She smiles, pressing herself up on her toes to kiss Aiden. "Good luck, you're going to be great. As usual." She's very matter of fact on that, grabbing her sweater to slip on over her t-shirt before motioning to the O'Connell-Castles the way.

[lucifitzgerald]

August smiles as he watches Ryan leave to change her clothes, letting out a slow breath that flutters a few strands of hair that's hanging over his forehead.

"Thanks dad."

Leo shrugs in a very 'innocent' what stance. Luci giggles, her arm slipping around Aiden's waist, breathing in the soft scent of his cologne and skin.

August shakes his head and smiles at his brother, "Yeah--Luc, you mind showin' them the way before you get settled in the photography row?"

"Of course." She smiles, pressing herself up on her toes to kiss Aiden. "Good luck, you're going to be great. As usual." She's very matter of fact on that, grabbing her sweater to slip on over her t-shirt before motioning to the O'Connell-Castles the way.

Ryan smiles and excuses herself to go grab her close, looking back at the door when August strolls through. She gives him a brief smile as he great his parents and Ryan just catches Leo's comment that has her face flush a bit. Did August really say that? She hums and excuses herself to pop into the bathroom to change, hoping for the best.

Aiden glances at August as he comes along which is good because they should all probably get ready soon too. "You guys saw the balcony that has a spot for you? Ryan's parents and Vic's too." Aiden tells them as his one arm slings around Luci's shoulder. "Jackson made a whole section."

Which is nice of him to do, kind of like a VIP area but they don't have to be in the middle of the bodies in the crowd.

[ryanclaremont]

Ryan laughs softly and hugs Leo in return which feels kind of nice too. It's more personal anyway and it's nice to see people she's heard a little bit about as well. Kim is the same, goes right in and hugs Ryan as well with a little bit of a squeeze. Ryan needs to know what kind of genetic lottery this family won.

"Thank you," Ryan nods with a small smile. "I will try my best," she jokes lightly as takes a step back. "Nice shirts, as well."

"Luci made them," Kim says and Ryan catches Aiden almost rolling his eyes because it's peak child embarrassment yet at the same time he probably deal with it because 1) Luci made them and 2) his parents are incredibly supportive.

Luci looks up at her boyfriend and he...doesn't seem like he doesn't like it. Something warm and genuine in his eyes and she's so glad, relieved. The last thing she wanted was for him to not want her to wear it. She'll put a sweater over it, of course, let it be something personal for the both of them but,

"Of course," She grins, "I'm an 'all out' kind of person, as you know." She leans up on her toes and presses a kiss to his pink cheek. Not to mention the statement on her shirt is very true.

Leo looks over at Ryan and he smiles, a soft laugh leaving his lips as he shakes her hand. "We're a family of huggers so, hope you don't mind." He leans in and gives her the same hug he's given Luci--warm and welcoming.

He feels like he's heard a lot about Ryan at different times from August, knows a lot about her,

"Lookin' forward to hearing you sing in person," He says, sticking his hands into his jeans, "You've got quite the voice."

[lucifitzgerald]

Luci looks up at her boyfriend and he...doesn't seem like he doesn't like it. Something warm and genuine in his eyes and she's so glad, relieved. The last thing she wanted was for him to not want her to wear it. She'll put a sweater over it, of course, let it be something personal for the both of them but,

"Of course," She grins, "I'm an 'all out' kind of person, as you know." She leans up on her toes and presses a kiss to his pink cheek. Not to mention the statement on her shirt is very true.

Leo looks over at Ryan and he smiles, a soft laugh leaving his lips as he shakes her hand. "We're a family of huggers so, hope you don't mind." He leans in and gives her the same hug he's given Luci--warm and welcoming.

He feels like he's heard a lot about Ryan at different times from August, knows a lot about her,

"Lookin' forward to hearing you sing in person," He says, sticking his hands into his jeans, "You've got quite the voice."

Ryan smiles, getting out some clothes and she's thinking these pleather shorts and maybe some tights underneath them with her boots. She looks up as Aiden strolls in with his parents, August's parents. Of course she knew this was going to happen but there's a bit of a shift with her and August that she'll keep tucked away.

She watches Luci's embrace with Kim and Leo, happily brought into the warm of them. Then Aiden catches the shirt and he kind of laughs softly, turning Luci around so he can read it. He blinks and smiles to himself, also a flare of pink to his cheeks.

"You really went all out," Aiden comments to her, pressing a kiss to the side of her head before looking over at Ryan. "This is Ryan," Aiden motions for her to join.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she says, shaking Kim and Leo's hands.

[lucifitzgerald]

Luci smirks and actually, she kinda likes the fact that Ryan's keeping the bracelets. She's not sure what the rest of the band does with them (wouldn't be surprised if Vic was doing something like throwing them away or to fans) but she creates a shadowbox for her own. She likes documenting the tour that way.

"Or a time capsule." She smirks as the door to the dressing room opens and Aiden walks in with his parents.

Luci grins, standing from the couch, "Hi," And it feels like she hasn't seen them in so long, instantly going for hugs. Leo always squeezes her tight, "It's so nice to see you guys--I'm glad you could come."

"Us too," Leo laughs, glancing at her shirt. "Love a good statement piece."

She blushes before glancing at Aiden, "Yes, well...me too."

"Crazy," Ryan says and puts the bracelet on her wrist, looking at it. "I put all the other bracelets in a mason jar and labelled it. Definitely something to pass down to my great grandkids," she jokes with a smile but it's definitely a keepsake forever. Ryan smiles at Luci and places her hands on her hips. She doesn't know where they're going to go from here, maybe some more shows, one off, or thoughts on more music.

She'll take it in stride, enjoy the ride and the down time as it comes, They've all accomplished a lot over the last half year and it goes to show hard work pays off.

[lucifitzgerald]

Luci smiles and playfully bumps their shoulders-- doesn't want to jinx anything for her, so she'll let it go for now. She hopes Ryan gets something out of August though--she's known him for so long and Luci thinks he just needed the right person to be with. Not just to see him, but to test him, to balance him out.

She's very pleased that her powerpoint turned out to be true.

"I know," She laughs softly, "Kind of hard to believe." She takes the bracelet off her wrist and hands it over to Ryan, "And in typical fashion...here is your last tour bracelet."

Ryan kind of laughs as she looks at Luci because was there some kind of sign following them along? There was a lot of uncertainty for a good portion of the tour and now they're starting to figure out themselves what where they're going to go from there. But there's this look in Luci's eye like she had been wondering about it. Interesting.

"Sparks... there were definitely some different kinds there," she laughs because some were not friendly fire at all. Vegas especially, what a blow to both of them. She sighs contently and looks at the time as it inches closer and closer to the show. "Last show," Ryan says, getting her bag of clothes. "Feels surreal."

[lucifitzgerald]

Luci grins--something bright and honest because she knew it. She doesn't completely freak out or put Ryan on the spot or anything like that, but she knew something was going on. And she's happy for them? That's her bottom line--she just wants her friends to be happy and man, did she call this one.

She hums and thinks about what to say so she's not overwhelming anyone,

"Testing some waters is good. I thought maybe I saw a few sparks but, wasn't sure if they could cause a fire."

Ryan moves to try on the shirt in the mirror to see if she needs to make any further adjustments, turning around and such. She takes the scissors and cuts the neck a little lower but she thinks it looks pretty good from there, will work well with the rest of her outfit. She turns back just as Luci asks about August and well, she ponders it for a moment.

"We're... testing some waters," Ryan says which is true but she doesn't want to spotlight them either. Not yet? Once they get their footing and stability, Ryan's sure they'll be more open about it. But she offers Luci a smile as she fills her water bottle up and sets it to the side, sighing lightly.

[lucifitzgerald]

Luci smiles, her stomach fluttering as she thinks about Aiden seeing the shirt. She hopes he likes it and doesn't think she's been silly or something like that. She knows he doesn't prefer the spotlight or anything like that but...truth is, Luci loves Aiden. She loves being with him, she's happy that they've managed to find their way...and she doesn't want to be in the shadows about that, about how she feels.

But she also...hasn't told him that sometimes the fans make her a bit uncomfortable. She's totally fine with the whole 'drummer in a band thing'--she knows it comes with a certain separation that these fans can't claim her boyfriend no matter how hard they try.

But does she want them to know Aiden is hers? Maybe.

"Hope so." She hums, sitting down next to her friend, "So uh..." She's gonna dive in, "What's going on with you and August?"

"Yeah," Ryan laughs softly as she moves some scraps of fabric to the trash and stretches out the raw hem of the shirt. "He'll probably love it anyway. He was here a few minutes ago but said he was going to wait for his parents to come, think they're gonna do a tour or something," Ryan says and takes a drink of her coffee, looking at her phone to see about her own family.

Ryan can only imagine what chaos would ensue of people saw Luci walking around in that shirt. In one way, Luci deserves to mark what is hers in a way because some fans have been a little creepy online. But it's nice that Aiden and Luci have figured out their flow, maybe one day that could be her and August.