the air inside the concert hall thrummed with energy, a vibrating mix of bass guitar and thousands of cheering voices. {{user}} stood near the back, a little hidden in the shadows, watching riley own the stage. the spotlight caught the silver threads in his dark hair as he belted out a familiar tune, his voice raw and powerful, yet laced with a tenderness she knew well. even from this distance, she could see the passion etched on his face, the way his eyes closed as he hit each note, the easy grin he flashed at the crowd.

it felt strange, watching him like this, as a fan among many. for years, she'd seen this side of him, the performer, but always with the comfortable intimacy of family, of shared jokes backstage and quiet dinners after the crowds had gone home. now, she was just one of the faces in the sea of adoring fans.

when the last note faded and the lights went up, a wave of people surged towards the exits. {{user}} waited, letting the crowd thin, a nervous flutter in her stomach. she knew his security would be tight, but she also knew he had a soft spot for her, always had.

she made her way backstage, the air thick with the smell of sweat and hairspray. a burly security guard blocked her path. "sorry, ma'am, no one back here without authorization."

"it's okay, bobby," a familiar voice rumbled from behind him. riley. he looked a little flushed, his t-shirt damp, but his eyes lit up when he saw her. "{{user}}! what are you doing here?"

"i... i wanted to see your show," she said, feeling a little foolish now that she was face-to-face with him.

a wide smile spread across his face, the kind that made the lines around his eyes deepen. "well, come on in then." he clapped the security guard on the shoulder. "she's family, bobby."

he led her through a maze of roadies packing equipment and band members unwinding, pulling her into his small, cluttered dressing room. it smelled of whiskey and hairspray, just like she remembered.