**TW: Use of the R word**

The tour bus rumbled down the highway, the engine humming a steady rhythm that was almost hypnotic. It was late at night, and Aerosmith had just finished another show. Steven lay sprawled out on one of the sofas, still coming down from the buzz that he got from performing. Rick-Bobby sat cross-legged on the floor beside him, headphones on and flipping through a fat stack of polaroids he'd brought with him.

Across from Steven, Joe sat with his legs kicked up on the table, idly strumming his guitar. The others were scattered around the bus – Tom and Brad playing a card game - and Joey flicking through a music magazine.

"Hey, Uncle Stevie, look," Rick-Bobby held up a photo. It was slightly worn around the edges from being handled so much. "That's when we went to see Queen. Remember?"

He adjusted his headphones so he could hear outside of the music that blared into his ears.

Steven looked down, looking at the picture with a grin. "How could I forget? They absolutely killed it that night."

"Freddie's the best," said Rick-Bobby softly, his voice laced with admiration.

Steven chuckled. "You've said that about every musician."

"Yeah, but Freddie is special. No one could ever replace him."

Steven smiled warmly. It wasn't easy for Rick-Bobby, not with his condition, but music... music was the bridge. It was where he connected with the world and where he found comfort. There was never a moment where he wasn't wearing headphones, except when he was with his tutor doing schoolwork. He practically lived and breathed music. Steven couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that his nephew was just as invested in the world of music as he was.

"Too right, bud. Hey, whatcha listening to?" he asked when he saw the sparkle in Rick-Bobby's eyes.

Rick-Bobby held up the cassette case, a smile forming on his lips. It was Van Halen. "Van Halen."

Steven grinned, shaking his head fondly. "I swear you're obsessed with them. You've had Little Dreamer on repeat for the past week."

"I like Little Dreamer. But I hate having to keep rewinding the tape. And I like other bands too, Uncle Stevie, not just Van Halen."

"Yeah, I know, but you listen to them more than anyone else. What is it about them that you like so much?"

Rick-Bobby thought for a moment. "They're just... they're just so loud and intense. It's electric. Every lyric is fire - they get me pumped up and make me feel alive. And Eddie..."

"You've got a crush on Eddie Van Halen," Steven teased.

Rick-Bobby blushed. "Yeah," he muttered, looking down at the cassette cover. "He's just an incredible guitarist, y'know? And he always looks like he's having the time of his life when he's playing. Like, he loves music as much as I do. He's like the best ever."

Steven nodded in understanding. Eddie was one hell of a guitarist, so he wouldn't be a bit surprised if Rick-Bobby had a bit of a crush on him.

"Well, who wouldn't love the guitar god himself? But don't forget, he's a bit older."

Rick-Bobby groaned, holding his reddening face in his hands. "I'm not stupid, Uncle Stevie. I'm not gonna try and hit on him or anything. I just like his music a lot."

"I'm just teasing, bud. But you know, there are plenty of other musicians out there who are young and single."

Rick-Bobby rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and I'm sure they're all dying to date a disabled kid."

Steven's playful smile faded into a more serious expression.

"Hey, hey, none of that," he said, putting his hand on Rick-Bobby's shoulder. "Don't put yourself down. You're a great person, Ricky, and you've got a lot to offer. Your condition doesn't define who you are." His voice was soft but firm.

"You say that, but it doesn't change the fact that most people see me as a charity case."

Steven ruffled Rick-Bobby's hair affectionately. "Anyone who sees you that way is a complete idiot. You're not a charity case. You're my nephew, and I love you. And there's nothing wrong with you, got it?"

Rick-Bobby sighed and nodded, leaning back against Steven's arm. "Yeah, I know. I just get so frustrated sometimes. I want to be treated like a normal kid, not some fragile little kid who needs to be watched all the time."

"I get it. But you know why I have to be so protective of you, right? It's for your own safety."

"I know, I know," Rick-Bobby muttered, his headphones falling around his neck. "But sometimes it feels like you're treating me like I'm retarded. Like you don't trust me to take care of myself."

Steven felt a pang of guilt. Perhaps he was too overprotective sometimes, but it was only because he cared. He loved Rick-Bobby so much. He was very important to him, and the thought of something bad happening to him was too much for Steven to bear.

"It's not that I don't trust you, bud. I just worry about you. Your condition makes things more complicated, and I want to make sure you're safe. Remember what happened when I took you to see Kix?"

Rick-Bobby sighed in resignation. "Yeah, I remember. I swear I won't wander into another mosh pit. I just got... distracted. And it looked like fun."

Steven couldn't help but chuckle. "I know, bud. But I don't think mosh pits are really your thing, are they?"

"It wasn't fun when that guy slammed into me and I fell over and got a nosebleed if that's what you mean. But I get it. I know."

Joe spoke up from across the bus. "He's just lookin' out for you, kid."

Rick-Bobby groaned. "I know, but everyone treats me like I'm fragile when I'm not. I just want to be a normal kid, goddamnit."

Joe looked up from playing his guitar, his hand hovering over the strings. "Well, there's no such thing as normal, bud. Everyone's got their own quirks and differences. You're just dealing with a different set of challenges than most people."

Rick-Bobby pressed his forehead into his palm feeling his frustration building. He got this type of response all the time whenever he confided in people, and though it was half true, it didn't fail to irritate him every time. No one seemed to understand the extent of his struggles that he had to live with every day.

"I guess so, but it doesn't stop me wishing. I just wish I didn't have to deal with everyday challenges that everyone else sees as stupid or that I'm being difficult. And I'm not quirky," he huffed. "Quirky is fun, and having special needs is not fun."

Brad piped up from the front of the bus. "Hey man, maybe try thinking of it as less of a challenge and more of a... unique experience? You see the world differently than other people, and that's not a bad thing."

Rick-Bobby rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'm 'unique' and 'special' and all that bullshit. But it doesn't make it any easier when I can't do things that everyone else can do without even thinking about it."

Tom joined in the conversation. "Maybe instead of focusing on what you can't do, you should focus on what you can do. You're smart, you're into music, and you've got a killer sense of humour. Don't sell yourself short, bud."

Rick-Bobby huffed. "Well, most people don't get upset when their hyperfixation meal isn't there."

Steven grinned, knowing exactly what Rick-Bobby was referring to. "Is this about your fried chicken and mac 'n' cheese again?"

Rick-Bobby pouted sulkily. "Yes. They forgot to give me my macaroni cheese when we went to that fast food place and I got upset. It goes so well with fried chicken! It's like yin and yang."

The other guys chuckled.

"Ricky, it's not the end of the world if you don't get macaroni every time. You've gotta try new things."

"I don't like trying new things. I like sticking to food I'm familiar with. If it smells weird, looks weird, or feels weird, it can't be trusted."

Brad snorted. "Like when we tried to get you to eat sushi?"

Rick-Bobby shivered at the memory. "Ugh, don't remind me. It was slimy and gross."

"I thought you'd like it," said Joe with a smirk. "You like fish, right?" 

"Not like that!" protested Rick-Bobby. "I like fish fingers and fried fish and regular, non-slimy fish. Not sushi."

Steven laughed, sitting up on the sofa. "You've gotta broaden your horizons a bit. If you keep sticking to what you know, you're never gonna experience anything new or exciting." 

Rick-Bobby huffed in annoyance. "I don't like new or exciting. I like familiar and predictable. It's comfortable."

Brad leaned back in his seat. "Comfort is good, but too much comfort can lead to stagnation. You gotta push yourself out of your comfort zone every now and then. Who knows, you might actually enjoy it."

Rick-Bobby crossed his arms and slumped down further in his seat. "Coming out of my comfort zone is like bringing a fish on land - it's not enjoyable."

Steven chuckled. "I don't think that's the same thing, bud."

"But I don't see why I should have to push myself to do things I don't want to do just to... to broaden my horizons, or whatever. I'm perfectly happy doing things my own way."

"Of course you are, kiddo," chimed in Joey. "But there's a whole world out there that you're missing out on if you only focus on what you know you like. It's like only ever listening to one type of music when there's an entire world of different genres out there to discover."

"That's not the same thing, Uncle Joey. Food is... boring food. And music is exciting and fun. They're two completely different things."

The bus was quiet for a moment.

"Y'know, we need to tighten up on the setlist, man," said Joe suddenly. "I was thinking of opening with 'Toys', but we might wanna pull back on 'Train Kept a Rollin'. We've played it almost every damn night."

Steven frowned. 'Train' was one of his favourites. "What's wrong with 'Train'?"

"Nothing's wrong with it, but we need to switch it up and give the fans something else that will liven up the set a bit more."

"Well, what song do you have in mind?"

"I was actually thinking of doing a cover."

Steven's eyebrows shot up, his interest immediately peaked. "Oh yeah? Cover of what?"

"I was thinking Stairway to Heaven."

There was a collective groan from the band.

"Are you serious?" said Tom, incredulously. "That song is way too long. The crowd would get restless."

"Come on, guys. It's a classic. And we could just do a shortened version," Joe insisted, getting defensive.

He'd listened to Led Zeppelin all throughout his teenage years, they'd influenced him and the rest of the band as musicians, so he couldn't understand why his idea was being turned down.

"Everyone has done a cover of 'Stairway' by this point. And let's face it, we're Aerosmith not Led Zeppelin. And only Zeppelin themselves can pull it off," Brad pointed out.

"I'm not saying that we try to be like Zeppelin, I'm just saying it would be a great idea to pay tribute to one of the best and biggest and most influential bands in the music industry."

Steven nodded. "I get what you're saying Joe, but we can't just throw in a song like that without consideration. Besides, it needs to fit with the rest of the set list and won't kill the flow."

Rick-Bobby perked up at the conversation, forgetting about his cassette at the mention of a cover song. "Perhaps you could do a cover of Getcha Rocks Off?" he suggested.

The band all turned their heads towards Rick-Bobby, a little bit surprised that he'd been paying attention to the conversation.

"You want us to do a cover of a Def Leppard song?" said Tom.

Rick-Bobby shrugged. "They're my second favourite band after Van Halen, and it's one of my favourite songs of theirs. Pete Willis and Steve Clark absolutely kill it on guitar."

"I never thought you would be a Lep fan, kiddo. I thought you were more of a Metallica person."

"I like Megadeth more. Dave is funny."

Joey chuckled, shaking his head fondly. "You're not afraid to state your opinions, are you?"

"Can't blame him, though. Dave is hilarious," added Steven.

Joe, still determined to perform Stairway to Heaven, spoke up again. "Can we at least consider my idea? It would be a great way to end the show." There was a hint of pleading in his voice.

The band members all exchanged weary and irritated glances with each other. Joe's insistance was starting to wear their patience thin.

Tom's voice was soft, but his face was stern. "You want to pay homage to a classic, we get it. But think about it from a practical standpoint. How long would the setlist be if we added Stairway to Heaven in there?" He was the most level-headed of the band, but even he was getting annoyed with Joe's constant nagging.

Joe hesitated. "About... I don't know, ten minutes runtime? Give or take."

"Exactly. It's way too long. People would start getting antsy."

"But -"

Joey shook his head. "No, man. No Stairway. Denied. People have heard it way too many times and we need to liven up the set like you said. And it'd kill the mood."

Joe shrank down into his seat, his pleading expression turning into one of bitterness. "Fine. Forget about Stairway to Heaven. But we need to do something besides playing the same old songs we play every night."

Rick-Bobby piped up again, his eyes full sparkling with excitement. "Can't I pick a cover? You know, a fresh perspective."

Steven mulled it over for a moment. It wouldn't hurt to hear his nephew's suggestion. Perhaps it'd even be a realistic one that they could pull off. "Well, why not? You've got a good taste in music. What's your pick, bud?"

"Getcha Rocks Off."

The band all chuckled at Rick-Bobby's persistence. It was rather endearing that he was such an avid rock fan at such a young age.

Joe groaned, still not over having his idea shut down. "Of course it is. But we're Aerosmith, kid. Not a pretty boy band like Def Leppard." He folded his arms tightly across his chest as though trying to make his point.

Steven felt his anger flare at Joe's rude response. "Joe shut up. Let the kid have his Getcha Rocks Off fix."

"They're not a pretty boy band, Uncle Joe," insisted Rick-Bobby, seeming not to care or recognise Joe's rudeness. "They're cool. And they have cool accents, too. One day, I'm going to meet them, and maybe even move to Sheffield."

Tom chuckled, finding Rick-Bobby's excitement adorable. "You're raising a very ambitious kid, Steven. I know I wasn't that ambitious when I was thirteen."

Steven grinned, his heart swelling with pride. "It's in his blood. He takes after his uncle, right bud? Ricky?" he repeated when he got no response.

He looked over to see Rick-Bobby occupied, squashing a beer can, bending it into strange shapes, seemingly not having heard any of what Steven said.

Steven chuckled. "Earth to Ricky. Uncle Stevie is talking to you."

Rick-Bobby's head shot up, snapping out of his own little world. "Huh? Oh, uh, yeah, I take after you, being ambitious... and stuff. Totally." 

"Looks like we have a Def Leppard-Van Halen super fan on our hands," said Joey, trying to steer the conversation into a different direction to avoid another argument. "But why Getcha Rocks Off?"

"It's one of their most underrated songs and it would get the crowd pumped up."

"Hey, he's got a point," pointed out Brad. "They may be young, but they're a damn good band. And it would definitely bring some variety to the set list."

Everyone looked to Joe, who was still in a bad mood, trying to gauge his reaction to the pending decision.

Joe groaned, finally giving up on persuading the band into going through with his idea. "Ugh, fine. Getcha Rocks Off it is."

Steven nodded in approval, relieved to have Joe's bitching put to an end. "All right, it's settled then. Getcha Rocks Off is on the list. Can't wait to see how the crowd reacts to that one."

"By the way, I have some news to share. I'm seeing someone," he said rather casually.

The band, and even Rick-Bobby, turned his head to look at Steven in shock. Dating was the last thing they'd expected Steven to announce, especially during their first tour together in years. They all started chiming in at once.

"Wait. What? You're dating someone?" asked Tom, incredulous.

Brad couldn't help but laugh out loud. He shook his head. "Woah, way to spill the beans, Steven. Who's the lucky guy or girl?"

"You know the singer from Skid Row, Sebastian Bach? Him."

Joe's face immediately darkened, his guitar letting out an angry twang as he paused his playing. "Sebastian Bach. Really?" There was an edge to his voice, but Steven pretended not to notice.

"Oh my god, Sebastian Bach? He's insanely successful!"

"And he's super easy on the eyes and talented."

"Sebastian is super cool. He's like the coolest of cool," said Rick-Bobby, looking amazed that his uncle was dating someone as cool as Sebastian. 

Tom snickered. "Looks like you've landed yourself quite a catch, man."

Steven shrugged, picking at his cuticles. "I didn't want to make a big deal out of it. We're just seeing where things go."

"Maybe you could release a single together one day," said Rick-Bobby eagerly, already picturing the collaboration in full swing. Steven and Sebastian sharing a microphone, and a mixed line-up of the Skid Row and Aerosmith members.

"That's not a bad idea. I'm sure Seb would be down for a collaboration."

Tom grinned when he saw Joe's expression. "C'mon Joe, don't look so bummed out. Steven just found a hot new partner."

Joe huffed, the news feeling like a slap in the face. He hadn't expected Steven to move on after they promised to make a commitment to each other. He especially hadn't expected the new partner to be Sebastian Bach.

"I think that's exactly why he's bummed," snickered Joey.

"I'm not jealous. I just don't think dating someone in a different music scene is... professional."

The drummer snorted with laughter. "Oh, come on, man. We all know that's a load of horse shit. You can't expect Steven to stay single forever. What's the real reason, dude?"

"You're just upset that you're stuck in a shitty marriage hating your wife, whilst Steven is in a happy relationship with a new, hot boyfriend," said Tom, an edge to his voice.

Joe glared at him, his arms folded. He knew deep down that it was true, but it still tore him up inside that Steven - his best friend and almost had-been boyfriend - was getting his happy ending, whilst he'd been stuck in a nightmare relationship for 5 years and marriage for 3 years with a woman he couldn't stand.

Rick-Bobby, who was still grinning from ear-to-ear, stood up and hugged Steven. "I like Sebastian. He's really cool. I saw Skid Row last summer and met him."

"Of course you do."

Brad turned to face the ecstatic kid, his interest peaked. "Lucky you. Have you got a picture?" he asked, a growing curiosity forming within him.

"Yep." The teen rifled through his pictures before finding the one he was looking for. He happily presented the photograph to Brad. "Look. There's me and there's Sebastian."

Joey and Tom gathered around to look at the picture. Their faces were ones of pleasant surprise and shock.

Joey grinned. "Damn, that's an awesome picture. And Sebastian looks absolutely stoked to meet you."

"Lucky fella," said Tom, patting Rick-Bobby on the shoulder.

“Sebastian’s great with kids,” said Steven proudly. “I’d say you made a good impression on him, Rick-Bobby.”

Rick-Bobby smiled sheepishly, his face turning pink. "I don't know about that, Uncle Stevie. But he looks happy in the photo, so that's good, right?"

"Yeah, of course that's good." Steven paused. "You're really okay with me seeing Sebastian, bud? It's not weird or anything to you for two men to, uh, be together?" Uncertainty mixed with pleading laced his voice.

Rick-Bobby shrugged, settling back down onto his place on the floor. "I don't care. If you're both happy and not hurting yourself or each other, then it's cool. Besides, Sebastian is the epitome of awesome! He's got the best hair, the best vocals, and he's super nice. And he looks super cool every time he's on stage. He does the best performances ever."

Steven couldn't help but laugh at his nephew's obvious fondness for the Skid Row singer. It was comforting to know Rick-Bobby approved of the two dating. But he was right. So long as they were happy and in love and not hurting themselves or each other, then why should it matter who he dated?

"He looks like a peacock strutting around on stage," snapped Joe, angry and slightly offended that Sebastian was receiving so much praise.

"You're not wrong. He definitely knows how to rock long and blonde," said Steven, ignoring Joe.

Joe scoffed. "His hair is ridiculous if you ask me."

"You're just upset because of that receding hairline of yours." Joey's eyes blazed, feeling defensive over his friend and his new partner.

The other band members snickered. Joe's hair had not exactly aged gracefully since he'd departed the band, choosing an unflattering hairstyle that made him look older than the ripe age of twenty-seven.

Joe scoffed. "I don't have a receding hairline! I'm simply stating my opinion." He looked at his reflection in the window, touching his head. "Damnit."

"Sebastian looks like a Disney princess."

They all immediately cracked up laughing. Even Joe managed a chuckle.

"Oh my god, you're so right!" laughed Joey, leaning against Tom for support as laughter kept erupting from him. "Steven, your nephew has some serious observation skills."

Steven snickered, his face red from laughing so hard. "I'll have to tell him you said that. I'm sure he'll get a kick out of it."

"Hey, Uncle Joe. Why don't you like Sebastian?"

"It's not that I don't like him per se. I just think he's too over the top and dramatic."

Brad snorted, amused at Joe's admission. "Oh, so like Steven. Admit it, Joe. You're jealous of all the attention he gets."

Joe was immediately offended by Brad's statement. "What? I'm not jealous of his stupid hair or how he loves being the centre of attention! He's... too flashy and egotistical is all. Steven needs someone down-to-earth, someone who can keep him grounded, not someone who'll just inflate his ego and make him even more of a diva."

"Hmm, someone down-to-earth who can keep him grounded. I wonder who that could be." Brad mock put a hand on his hip, pretending to think. "We're not stupid, Joe. We all know you're referring to yourself."

Joe's wavering composure finally completely broke. "So what if I am? There are plenty of better candidates out there that aren't Sebastian."

Steven sighed, tired of hearing Joe's obvious disdain. He stood up and sat next to his fuming bandmate, determined to nip this in the bud. He gently placed a hand on Joe's shoulder.

"Look, Joe. I'm always gonna love you, but not the way you want me to, okay? We might have messed around and been in love years ago, but we're older now, and things have changed - we've changed. And I'm with Sebastian now, and I love him." He looked into the guitarist's eyes as he spoke, making sure it was loud and clear to Joe. "You can't stay hung up on the past forever, man. You need someone like yourself. And I'm not that person, I'm really sorry. The boyfriend ship sailed long ago; we draw the line at friendship. That's all we're going to be."

Joe hung his head, his shoulders slumping in defeat. His voice was quiet when he finally found the words. "I know, man. I know. I just thought there would be a chance even if the drugs hadn't completely fucked with our heads and made us have this weird high-off-our-asses romance, y'know?"

Steven nodded, knowing what Joe was referring to. All their little touches, hugs and kisses. All the nights spent getting high together and getting drunk at bars and clubs.

"Yeah, it was just the drugs running our lives. But we're clean and sober now and we know better."

Joe looked up at his friend, his face one of defeat, sadness and acceptance. He nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"You gotta find your own happiness now, alright? We're always going to be friends and brothers no matter what. Till the end, yeah?"

"Yeah... Until the end. I..." Joe swallowed thickly. "I love you, man."

Steven chuckled; his heart warmed by Joe's rare heartfelt declaration. He hugged Joe tightly, resting his chin on Joe's shoulder. "I love you too, you idiot. But you're my idiot, and nothing will change that."