Better Throw the First Punch

1: What Would I Do Without You

I followed my bodyguards through the hallway and rubbed my face, sighing. "You do know I can handle myself fine, right? This isn't my first rodeo, guys," I said, speeding up a bit to reach the guy at the front of the line. "I can take care of myself."

"This may not be your first rodeo but it is your first convention, and you have no idea what these people will do to see the people they love," the guy replied, putting a hand on my shoulder. He was a giant compared to me but I knew I could take him down with a twist of his wrist and a foot on his ankle. He may look strong but he'd never hurt anyone unless absolutely necessary.

"Allen-" I placed two hands on his chest and tilted my head. "-I know how to handle this. I-"

He shook his head, cupping his hand over my mouth to silence me as he gave me a small smile. "Don't bother, we're not leaving. Now go get seated and we'll start arranging the line, alright? Here." He handed me a pack of Sharpies and patted my back before going through a side door, two men staying behind.

I huffed and headed out to my table, seating myself and opening up a Sharpie to sign the sheet of paper behind me, sticking my tongue out at the bodyguards who gave a disapproving look. I sat back down and toed at the heel of my boot nervously, slipping my foot in and out as I waited to hear the click of a door and a lot of excited voices rushing towards me. The longer I waited, the more anxious I got.

There was a loud click and a couple orders shouted over voices, then the room started to fill with excited people of all ages. Some were small, others were tall, some look scared shitless. All of them were here to see me.

I smiled brightly at the first person and uncapped my Sharpie again, taking the item from them. "And what's your name, cutie?" I asked the small girl, watching as her eyes lit up and her tiny face filled with joy. She told me her name was Lucille and I signed quickly, handing her the tiny piece of paper back. "Got anything you wanna ask, sweetheart?"

She shook her head and bounced excitedly as she squealed and started running off. Her parents thanked me and I smiled at them, turning my attention to the next person.

Half way through the signing, or at least what I thought was halfway, I was met a few guys who wanted to get a photo. Despite that being against the rules, I wrapped my arms around their shoulders and made the goofiest face I could make, signing all of their game cases and saying goodbye. I was about to move onto the next person when Allen leaned in.

"Can't take pictures, Q, takes up too much time," he whispered, squeezing my shoulder in apology as he backed up a bit and gave me more room.

I sighed and continued on, signing item after item, taking secret photo after secret photo. I eventually reached the end of the line and stopped to talk to a few fans who hadn't been able to get into the signing on time and really wanted to meet me. 

One of the girls, who was around sixteen, handed me a wooden box and smiled. "Sorry, my friend has really bad anxiety but this is from her because she was too scared to come today. She just wants to let you know that you're her inspiration and the things that forces her to do stuff every day."

I took the box gently and held it close to my chest. "Oh my God...I've never really heard that from someones mouth so it's kind of unreal, thank you for being a messenger owl for her. Do you have her number or something? Maybe she'd be more comfortable on the phone?"

The girl nodded and pulled out her phone, dialing a number and handing it to me, smiling wildly. Her friends whispered excitedly next to her as the phone rung.

"Hello?" a voice asked nervously.

"Hi! This is your neighbourhood alien!" I greeted, shifting to lean against a pillar behind me. My intro was well known by everyone