Together Burning Bright

It was hot back there in the tent that had been set up for the band and Dess felt like she was going to sweat off ten pounds just being there. They were on day two of Soundwave and Dess was starting to feel exhausted. The first day had been fun enough-she had mostly stayed around the guys and went to their interviews and meet and greets, but she knew that today she needed to get away. Andy was becoming way too over protective and it was driving her bonkers. Dess sighed as she rested her chin on the palm of her hand, looking out around her to see what everyone else was up to.

Andy and Ash were standing over by the dressing table both laughing at something that one of them had said and Dess couldn’t help but smile as she looked at the two best friends. Mended bridges were always a good thing and it made Dess happy to see that Andy had gotten his best friend back. Both guys looked comfortable in their ripped skinny jeans and of course Ashley was shirtless, while Andy was going with his old standby of cut up tank top. Jinxx and Jake were over with their guitar tech Mike, all three guys discussing which pieces they wanted to use. CC was off somewhere, probably talking to fans as per his usual. Dess was just standing there in her shorts and baggy tank top-sweating her pregnant ass off.

That was one thing about being pregnant that Dess hadn’t known about-she was always hot and almost always uncomfortable. Now that she was at the tale end of things it had intensified and she constantly felt like she had to pee. Her lower back felt like someone had shoved a knife in to it and her feet were so swollen that she could only wear sandals at this point. Thankfully they were in the warmer part of the world-if they had been home in Virginia Dess would have had to run out and gotten new shoes because none of hers fit anymore. As she stood there, her pudgy hands on her swollen belly, Dess knew she wouldn’t change any of this for the world. Everything was ready for their little girl to enter the world and now it was just a waiting game.

Dess smiled, the guys were going to head to an interview soon and she knew that that would be her time to sneak off and walk around a little bit. She had been cooped up in hotel rooms and in backstage areas ever since they got over here and she was tired of it. The guys weren’t happy with her wanting to ‘wander off’-their words, not hers-but Dess couldn’t stand it any longer. She was tired of being tended to, she was pregnant, not terminal.

She watched as Jon walked into the tent, approaching the guys with a smile on his face and she knew that this was her chance to get out before they could say anything. Dess began to slowly walk towards the huge flap in the tent, careful to not draw attention to herself as she walked slowly and avoided eye contact with everyone, even Toby who was currently folding shirts.


“Where do you think you’re going Odessa?!” Fuck! Dess turned around, a wide smile on her lips as she was met with six pairs of eyes, five of which were filled with concern and irritation. She said nothing as she stood there, kicking her feet around as dust and dirt swirled up around her ankles.

“Not out into that crowd…” Andy said as he came over towards her, wrapping a strong arm around her waist as he led her over towards the collected group. Somehow CC had walked in and was standing there, his hands on his hips as he looked down at her with a concerned look. They all were staring at her and Dess felt her face flame red-both with embarrassment at being caught and from frustration.

“Well yeah. Come on guys! I’m bored and need to walk around-it would be good for me to walk around and get some exercise…” She was batting her eyelashes at them all, hoping that the cute look on her face would convince them that she would be okay. Andy was looking at her, his blue eyes disappointed and she knew that he would never go for it. He was too paranoid that she was going to get kidnapped or something.

“No, absolutely not.” Andy said, his hands on those skinny hips of his.

“Not gonna happen D.” CC chimed in.

“I don’t think that’s such a great idea doll.” Jinxx said, his voice sad.

“Probably not the best idea momma.” Ashley was looking at her and Dess rolled her eyes.

“Why not just stay back here where it’s cool?” Jake suggested and Dess had had enough. She huffed stamping a foot in the most childish way possible but she was fed up with their shit.

“I don’t care if the five of you don’t like it-I am going to go walk around, stretch my legs and watch some bands. I love you Andy but you are being way-WAY-too controlling. I’m going now.” Dess said as she walked over to Andy, kissed him on the lips lightly and then turned to walk out of the tent. A hand on her arm stopped her and as Dess turned she sucked in a breath. Andy was standing before her with tears in his blue eyes, but she wasn’t giving in on this one.

“Babe please don’t go…I don’t know if I can play knowing that you’re out there by yourself…” Andy said, his voice low and scared sounding. For a minute Dess felt terrible, but then she knew that this was just Andy’s way of guilting her in to staying. He would play with or without her on that stage because he loved what he did and he would never let his fans down. Nice try Biersack, nice try.

“Andy, love of my life. I am going to go walk around for a bit while you guys play and do some interviews. I will be back in this tent by seven o’clock, I promise. You have to let me go…you are suffocating me right now and in my state I will cut you…” She smirked at him, her moss green eyes playful and Andy let go of her hand and watched as she walked out of the tent.


Dess felt free as she walked around, the slight breeze blowing her blonde hair around her face. The people here were so friendly and it was nice because not a lot of them knew who she was. If they had been in the states, Dess knew she wouldn’t be able to walk around like this-they had learned that at the tail end of Warped Tour.

At the beginning of the summer festival she had been able to be at her tent and was treated like everyone else, but towards the end fans of the band and fans of her own kept coming by and would hang around for an hour just to try and talk to her. Kevin finally posted one security guard by her tent who was there to shoo people away so that Dess could do some business.

But here-no one stopped her except when they wanted to tell her they liked her tattoos or her shirt. She walked around, stopping at the main stage when the guys went on, but of course Dess stood off towards the back of the crowd. She hadn’t watched them from an audience’s point of view in years and it was such a different experience than being on the side of the stage.

The guys had improved so much from that first time she had ever seen them-Andy more than anyone. He knew just when to scream at the crowd and when to let them sing. He joked around with CC and made faces with Ashley and Dess couldn’t keep herself from singing along with everyone in the crowd.

She walked around, looking at all the different tents and merchandise that everyone was trying to sell. The thing she liked about being in Australia is that everyone was just so nice, compared to people in the United States who treated her and the guys like outcasts. Dess stopped by Asking Alexandria’s tent, saying hello to their merch girl and she couldn’t help but wonder if Danny and Andy were going to get in to any trouble tonight at the party.

Walking around she came across AFI’s tent and Dess couldn’t help but stop and buy Andy a shirt-she knew he was probably on the side of the stage that very moment waiting for them to take the stage. Dess couldn’t wait to catch Greenday later that night-the one band she had been looking forward to seeing the most.

As she had been walking around, Dess couldn’t help but notice one thing-there was a woman following her around. She was small, almost a head shorter than Odessa and while she looked friendly enough with her big smile and red hair, Dess couldn’t help but feel slightly intimidated. This woman had literally followed her around for hours, standing behind her at all of the stages and keeping a safe distance but it was always obvious that she was there. Now the two of them were staring at one another and Dess felt her heart beat speed up. Suddenly the woman began to walk towards her and Dess stood completely still as she put a smile on her face and cleared her throat.


“I just wanted to tell you that I am such a huge fan!” The woman said as she walked right up to Dess, grabbed one of her hands and brought her in for a huge hug. Dess patted the woman’s back softly, keeping that smile plastered on her face. She didn’t mind fans, but ones who followed her around for three hours straight always gave her reason to pause.

“Thanks. What’s your name?” Dess asked as she pulled out of the hug and then her eyes grew wide. The woman before her had placed her hands on Dess’ stomach and suddenly Dess became kind of scared. What was this woman doing?

“Oh my name’s not important! What’s this little ones name going to be?!” The woman was practically screaming at her, her hands still on Dess’ stomach and she only wished she could run away. There was no running while pregnant-there was walking or waddling.

“Oh um-well…” Dess stuttered. She didn’t want this woman to know her name, let alone the name of her unborn child. Dess moved to the right slightly and finally the woman dropped her hands but she still held a slightly manic smile on her face.

“Haven’t decided yet?! Well that’s okay! I wanted to tell you that I am such a fan of your work and I just admire you so much! Gosh-you’re really pretty in real life!” The woman was still shouting at her and Dess only smiled tightly as she took in the woman before her. Her red hair was messy and tangled and her clothes were nearly falling off of her body. Dess looked to the left where she noticed a set of security guards and she wondered if she could get their attention without the woman noticing.

“I um…” Dess stopped as the woman had placed a hand against her cheek. Now she was scared-shit she was terrified and Odessa was suddenly getting all of these visions running through her brain. Was she going to be kidnapped? Was this some crazy Army member who loved Andy and the guys so much that she was going to kidnap Dess to get their attention?

“You’re so shy in real life! Every time I see an interview with you you’re so fun and bubbly!” The woman sounded disappointed and suddenly Dess felt her heart stop. If this woman began to get violent or louder than she already was-who was going to come to her rescue?


As Dess thought this over, the woman just kept going on and on, talking about how much she loved Dess’ work and the guys and Batman. Dess looked over her shoulder and she sighed in relief as she caught site of Yanni walking towards her. He was huge-Andy constantly teased him about his overly large arms and muscles, but he came in handy with fans like this. The woman had her hands on Dess’ stomach once again and she was laughing about something. Dess waved at Yanni, giving him a ‘thank God you’re here’ look as he approached. He stopped just behind the woman and Dess smiled brightly as he cleared his throat and the woman’s head spun around to take him in.


“You doing okay Odessa?” Yanni asked, his voice low but friendly sounding. He reached out a hand and Dess took it quickly as he pulled her over towards him and now the woman was just standing there looking at the two of them with a dejected look on her face.

“Fine. Thanks for coming to get me. Well I have to head backstage now, but it was nice meeting you…” Dess was lying through her teeth and she knew this woman could tell. Her crazy hair was flying in front of her wild looking blue eyes as she looked Dess up and down and then smiled a contrite smile.

“You too sweetheart. Tell that Andy I said hello…” She said before walking off and Dess couldn’t help but slump her shoulders in relief. That had been utterly terrifying and thank God for Yanni and his perfect timing.


The two of them walked through the crowd, Yanni never letting go of her as he led Dess with a hand to her elbow. Hopefully they could just keep this little incident between the two of them-no need for Andy or any of the other guys to know about any of it. Slowly they walked through the crowds and a few times Dess got stopped and was asked for pictures, but Yanni just told them no, they had to go because the guys were waiting for her.

Dess felt terrible-she loved the fans and wanted to give them what they asked for, but after what had just happened she felt vulnerable and scared. Finally they made it to the backstage area, flashing their passes to the guard at the gate as Yanni pulled her in the direction of the guy’s tent. As Dess entered, she sucked in a breath and put a huge smile on her face. Andy was there, laughing with Danny and Ben from Asking as he held a red solo cup in his hands.


“Babe!” Andy called out and Dess smiled as she walked towards him. Their disagreement from earlier was obviously forgotten and Dess melted against Andy as he held her tightly. She had been scared, but she still didn’t want to tell Andy because deep down she knew that he would look at her with that ‘I told you so’ look on his adorable face.

“Dess! You want something to drink?!” CC called out from a table and Dess only smiled up at Andy as she left his side and walked over towards where CC and Ashley were standing. She wanted water and a nap, but she would settle for just the water in that moment. As she uncapped the top and turned to face Andy, Dess felt her face fall as she took in the site before her.


Yanni was next to Andy, whispering into his ear and by the look on Andy’s face Dess could tell that he knew everything. Shit. Fuck. Son of a bitch! Dess sucked down as much water as possible and then turned towards the flap of the tent. She was going to just go back to the bus, lay down on the couch and text Kit so that she could walk Dess through this whole thing. She wasn’t going to talk to Andy or any of the other guys-she was just going to leave and let Andy continue hanging out with his friends and hopefully calm down. She almost made it to the entrance, but someone calling out to her stopped Dess in her tracks and she slowly turned around.


“Where are you going Dess?!” As she turned around, Dess faced Andy who was standing there-Danny and Ben forgotten as he rushed towards her and brought her in to his arms quickly. He held her tightly and kissed her head softly, but somehow Dess wasn’t feeling comforted.

“I was just going back to the bus babe…it’s not a big deal…” She said, a blush creeping across the bridge of her nose. She pulled away from him, holding a hand up to her face to rub across her nose to try and get the redness to fade. Andy just looked at her, shaking his head as he gained a look of sadness.

“It is a very big deal babe…I don’t think you fully understand what could have happened to you…” Andy said. His voice was soft, but Dess could hear the threatening tone behind it. She knew that if he had it his way, Andy would keep her locked in a tower like Rapunzel.

“I do understand Andy…now can I please just go back to the bus?” Dess asked as she pulled away from him and yet he wasn’t letting go. He had been drinking and when he drank Andy became overly emotional and completely stubborn.

“No! No I want you to stand here and tell me that I was right and that you aren’t going to run off like that again!” He was being childish and Dess had had enough. She huffed, yanking her arm away from his and Andy grunted as he set down his cup and moved towards her again. Everyone was looking at them and Dess knew that word had gotten around about her encounter.

“I’m not going to do that babe. It was scary-yes, but things like that could happen to anyone and I’m not going to shelter myself just because you have become so overly paranoid!” She was yelling and everyone in all of the other tents could probably hear her but Dess didn’t care. She was tired-so completely done-with Andy and the rest of the guys treating her like she was a doll that needed to be placed on a shelf.

“As the mother of my child you will do as I ask and help me take care of not only that child but yourself as well Odessa!” Andy was in her face and suddenly he was being pulled back, Yanni having grabbed him by his arms. Dess felt someone come up beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder and as she looked she noticed that not only had Ashley come over to her, but CC and Jinxx as well.

“And as a human being and a woman I am going to stand here and tell you to go FUCK yourself Andrew! Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time and doing so without much medical help. If they can do it then I can certainly go out in the world for a few hours and enjoy myself!” She was crying-when had she started crying? Ashley was whispering in her ear now, telling her to calm down before she forced herself in to hysterics or worse-labor.

“As my wife you will do as I ask because you love me and respect me! I just want what’s best for you Dess!” He was so red in the face Dess didn’t know how he hadn’t had a stroke yet, but somehow Andy was still going. Danny was at his side, his hands on Andy’s face as he tried to get his good friend to calm down and stop making a scene in front of everyone.

“As your wife I’m going to walk away and we can continue this conversation when you haven’t been drinking. I love you Andy, but grow up and call me when you do…” With that she walked away, leaving Andy behind.


As Dess walked back to the bus she couldn’t keep the tears from running down her cheeks and suddenly there were flashes going off. Great-just fucking fantastic. Now her crying face was going to be in every magazine and their fight had probably been heard by a lot of people. Ashley was on her right side, with Jinxx on her left and Dess could hardly hold it together as she finally made it to the steps of the bus. She changed quickly and smiled as she walked out towards the front and noticed that Ashley and Jinxx had both left, but not before getting her blanket from her bunk, a hot cup of tea and someone had put a movie into the player.

As she laid there Dess couldn’t seem to stop crying, the sobs racking her swollen body. She couldn’t do this anymore-she couldn’t be caged for the rest of her life just because she was a wife and soon to be mother. How much longer could she put up with this and what was going to happen to her marriage when she decided she had had enough?

Notes

What?! Did they...did they just break up?!

Want to know what happens?

Review and I'll update on Friday<3

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