For the average person, the light muffled thudding and cheers just outside the room would create a sense of longing. After all, who the hell stays inside during a concert with some of the most famous bands around?

Rui does. In all fairness though, he still is on the job. And that job at the moment requires him not to be filled with longing, but to be looking at all these bottles. Well, it doesn't exactly require him to. But it's something he wants to do.

Rui carefully turns the glass of champagne in his hands, brown eyes narrowing as he carefully scrutinizes the label. The overhead light causes the golden liquid to glint enticingly, the deep color hinting at it being a luxury product.

If there's one thing to say about RezeeW, it's that their hospitality is excellent. It's rare for bands to provide such high-quality amenities to their opening acts. He thinks to himself, glancing at the other options one last time before deciding to keep the bottle. Typically, Rui would discourage the band from indulging in alcohol- especially with all the trouble they caused the last time he let them loose- but tonight was a big night for them, they deserved to celebrate. And he wasn't a monster, no matter how much they insisted otherwise.

Rui's musing was interrupted by the sound of the door slamming open. Jessi, one of the band's members stood in the doorway, looking nervous before their eyes lit up upon landing on Rui.

"Rui. I- we- the lead singer needs you." The girl murmurs, her voice unusually hesitant.

Rui's brows furrow in response, a light frown gracing his face. "Did something happen on stage?"

"No, no. Nothing happened on stage. But backstage..." Jessi trails off before clearing her throat. "You see, they saw... him. You know. The guy. And none of us know what to do..."

The guy. Rui tenses up, concern welling up inside of him at the mention of the lead singer's ex boyfriend. When he agreed on behalf of the band, he hadn't been aware that Wipeout would also be playing as an opening act as well, otherwise he would have rejected the offer. Rui was more than aware of the complex feelings they had towards Mason, given their history and the fact that he had kicked them out of the band. Perhaps some would dismiss their reaction since the conflict had happened years ago, but Rui has had seen firsthand how Mason affected them. Even just mentioning his name brought a faraway look into their eyes.

"I see. Thank you for informing me, Jessi." Rui hands Jessi the bottle of champagne as he walks past her, making his way to the group's designated room.

**

Luckily, it doesn't take him long- mainly due to the fact he had memorized the mapping of the place beforehand.

Rui knocks on the door, only waiting a few seconds before opening it. His gaze instantly finds the lead singer curled up on the couch, frown deepening at the sight. Quietly, Rui closes the door behind him as he steps into the room, dress shoes tapping lightly on the tile as he walks over to their hunched form. For a moment, he simply stands at their side, trying to figure out what they need right now.

Unfortunately, he can't see their face at the moment, which limits his options. Rui sits beside them, the faux leather dipping slightly as he moves closer to them.

"Would you like to talk about it?" He asks, his voice is soft, completely void of its typical exasperation.