♆𝕴 𝕹𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝕬 𝕸𝖎𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖑𝖊♆

———

After only three days, their time together already came to an end. Despite the weird situation on the couch the night before everything still felt surprisingly easy with Liv. Most of their time they watched some horrible movies, talked to each other for hours and made out…a lot. For anything else it seemed like Noah stood in front of an invisible wall he just wasn’t able to break down completely. She never pushed or demanded too much from him which made Noah appreciate her even more.

So sure enough it was hard for the both of them when Liv had to go home again because of work. They agreed on trying to see each other again as soon as possible and wanted to make sure to chat and call each other whenever they found time for it.

Once she left, Noah went back to his normal routine: wake up, write music, discuss things with the band and management so things kept moving forward, eat, sleep and repeat. There wasn’t as much time for Liv like he hoped for but they tried to make it work because they both cared a lot.

A few weeks went by when they finally found another date when Liv was able to visit again, at least for the weekend. There was a meeting with the whole band scheduled in that time for new recordings but since all of them knew her already, Noah figured it wouldn’t be this big of an issue.

That was until he had the whole band on a video call to sort everything out for their meeting. They were just wrapping up their call when Jolly asked: “Sooo when we’re done recording on Saturday we’re getting dinner together, right?” Everyone instantly agreed with “of course!” or “wouldn’t have it any other way” - they were first and foremost friends after all. Noah answered thoughtfully: “Yeah of course I’m down but Liv ‘s coming to visit for that weekend, I hope you guys are fine with her joining us?”

Everyone agreed, reassuring him that it’s not a problem and that they’d love her to join.

Everyone except one.

Nick.

He said nothing, just pulling himself out of the conversation as soon as Liv was mentioned. Noah’s heart felt heavy and it nervously fluttered in his chest, when he looked at Nicks closed off expression on the screen before he asked, trying to sound easy going: “Uhm, Nick you also fine with that?”

With that the older one just clipped: “Oh, sorry. Yes of course, all good.” without even properly looking into the camera.

Soon they ended their call and it left Noah with a weird feeling that settled in his stomach. Nick always said that he liked Liv…they don’t even really know each other so why would it suddenly be a problem? Chloé always joined the guys for dinner and no one saw it as a burden either. So what the fuck was happening right now?

The more Noah tried to think about what the actual reason for Nicks weird behaviour might be, the less he came to a good conclusion. So for now he just tried to shove his thoughts on the topic to the back of his head again.

Maybe he just had a bad day…who knows.

———

When another two weeks later Liv arrived at Noah’s and Jolly’s shared flat, she was greeted by the both of them, Noah embracing her in a tight hug before he pulled her into a long unhurried kiss. Before she could say something, Jolly made sure to display his disgust at the scene unfolding in front of him by acting as if he needed to vomit, clearing his throat and laughing seconds later: “Okay, okay!! Damn get a room…”

Only then Noah looked up to flip him off before he brought Liv’s backpack into his small room.

They only had the rest of the Friday night before Noah had to record almost the whole Saturday with the boys. So they quickly decided to eat dinner before cuddling under the warm blanked on Noah’s bed, once again watching a bad horror movie. At this point it became kind of a tradition to watch all the horrendous horror movies together.

It also became natural that their kisses quickly turned more heated. Hands started to explore a little more and before either of them dared to blink, Noah found himself with one of his hands slipping beneath the waistband of Livs joggers while he towered over her.

Breathing heavily he asked: “ ‘s that okay? Tell me if you want me to stop.”

“It’s okay, please don’t stop.” Liv whimpered when he searched for her clit in hesitant circles.

Taking mercy on him, she softly guided his fingers with her own, so she could show him what she liked.

Noah was so fascinated with all the noises he was able to pull from his girl that he almost forgot to move his hand after a while. His heart hammered so loudly in his ears and his chest when he asked her: “I’m…I’m not sure what I’m doing. Is it good? What do I do?”

She cupped his face and pulled him into a feverish kiss before she smiled against his lips: “Just keep going exactly like that, and don’t stop until I say so.”

So that’s exactly what he did and a few minutes later her breathing became more intense before she moaned against him: “Fuck Noah, I’m gonna…faster please.”

He watched her face in awe when he moved his hand little faster, applying a bit more pressure before she tightened her grip on his arms again and moaned his name.

A few seconds later she had a death grip on his wrist breathing: “okay…ah stop.”

He instantly stopped moving his hand and dove in again for a long kiss, before he sheepishly asked her: “You just came, right? At least it looked like it.”

“Yes! Yes that’s exactly what happened.” she smiled up at him, still out of breath and it looked like a soft glow suddenly surrounded her face. She really was beautiful, Noah thought to himself.

When she reached her hands out to his crotch though, her face slightly fell. He wasn’t hard.

Noah instantly felt a heaviness on his shoulders and sputtered: “I’m sorry…I uhm…I was just so focused.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Liv reassured him and pulled him into a hug so his head was nestled directly on her still clothed chest. “I know it’s all new to you, so don’t worry about something like that. I can imagine it’s all very overwhelming for you.” she softly spoke into his long hair, letting her hands caress his back in the meantime.

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” Noah sighed, curling further into her, listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat before he slowly drifted off to sleep.

Maybe that was a better discussion for another day.

———

On Saturday he woke up pretty early because he promised to make Liv breakfast when she visited him. So when he went into the small kitchen he was greeted by Jolly, only in a shirt and his boxers, standing in front of their coffee machine, waiting for it to finish.

Noah grumbled: “Bro, could you maybe wear more clothes when you already know that she’s here…”

Jolly spun around, a bright grin plastered on his face: “You know for someone who clearly had fun last night, you act rather grumpy.”

Oh no.

Noah instantly flushed and averted his eyes when his roommate mused again: “Nothing to be ashamed of, honestly. It was long overdue, dude.”

Noah kept his voice down when he pulled out all the breakfast utensils and honestly answered him: “we didn’t…you know. Not yet. So please chill the fuck out.”

Now the swede looked truly baffled: “You didn’t? I thought…”

He couldn’t finish his sentence because just then he was interrupted by Olivia clearing her throat while standing in the kitchen door: “I’m sorry to interrupt but I was promised breakfast.” she sweetly smiled before she hugged Noah from behind who couldn’t help but chuckle at her gesture.

Jolly just politely smiled at her, raising his coffee towards her before he made his way into the living room.

Only then Noah asked her: “Sorry about that. Slept well?”

“Oh yeah, especially after you were done crushing me under your weight.” she teased before she let go of him and continued: “So since you’re busy today I was planning on going to explore the city a little bit. And we’ll see each other again at dinner, right?”

Noah turned around and planted his hands on either side of hair waist before he quickly gave her a peck on the top of her head: “That’s right. I’m sorry, I’d rather spent the day with you but…you know how it is. I’ll text you immediately when we’re done recording so we all can meet up for dinner, yeah?”

“Alright, and now stop worrying about it, I already knew you were busy today before I even decided to come here.” she reassured him again.

When Noah finished their breakfast all three of them ate together in their living room before Noah and Liv said their goodbyes for the day and the boys headed towards the studio.

———

The studio was business as usual and after a short greeting they went straight to work.

About three hours in, they agreed on a break and Nick as well as Noah made their way straight out the door to go smoking. Besides the weirdness from their call a few weeks earlier everything between them seemed business as usual. At least that’s what Noah thought.

Nick took a drag from his cigarette before he asked: “So Liv’s here now? What she’s up to all day when we’re in the studio?”

“She wanted to explore the city a little” he answered truthfully.

Nick had a questioning look in his eyes when he asked again: “And she’s okay with that? I mean she’s come such a long way for what? A few hours at least?”

Noah was taken aback a little by that. So what? It was their decision after all… “ Yeah…I mean It’s shitty that I can’t spend more of the day with her but gladly she gets it. And I would to the same the other way around so I don’t really see the problem.” Noah defended.

After a long break Nick spoke again, a little quieter this time: “Wasn’t meant to come off as rude. I just want what’s best for you.” He didn’t even look at Noah when he talked to him and for some reason that made a new kind of anger flare up in Noah’s chest, which he quickly tried to push aside before he finished his cigarette and mumbled: “yeah whatever.” before he went back inside without looking back.

When Nick entered the studio again a few minutes after Noah, his best friend looked at him with an unreadable expression which made Noah’s stomach drop. They never really argued until now but since their first tour they barely talked to each other. Noah slowly started to feel judged by him whenever he talked about Olivia.

For now he just wanted to finish their work in the studio, giving his best to not let out his irritation on the others.

———

It was a few hours later when they finally wrapped everything up for the day and made their way down the street for dinner.

Nick stayed a little behind and called Noah back when the others already went ahead.

Noah suspiciously glanced at the older man in front of him and was met with sad eyes when he explained himself: “Look…I didn’t want to come of as mean earlier. I just…Noah I really miss talking to you.”

Noah was taken aback by the pure honesty he was met with and before he was able to form a coherent thought, Nick just continued: “I really love seeing you happy with Olivia…but we barely spoke to each other in the last few weeks. I mean…just please don’t forget me on the way.”

The weight of the words broke down on him and he realised that he really neglected their friendship for the last few months. He was so caught up in getting to know Liv and trying to sort out his feelings that he pushed Nick away completely. A wave of emotions bubbled up underneath his skin and quickly pulled his best friend into a tight hug that was instantly returned.

He was greeted by the familiar scent of cigarettes that lingered in Nick’s hair and a subtle woody cologne Noah had known for years - he smelled like home. After a long moment the singer whispered against the long hair that he knew all to well: “I could never forget you Nicky…I’m sorry.”

After a long pause the others were already far gone, Nick pulled back from the hug to study Noah’s face.

To his surprise where sadness was settled only two minutes ago, now there was a mischievous sparkle in his eyes when he let him go: “So tell me…how far have you two-“

“Oh we haven’t, I mean we did stuff but not…Yeah.” Noah blurted and he couldn’t help but nervously laugh now.

Nicks eyes softened again and he patted against the younger one’s shoulder when he started walking again.

“Just take your time and everything will turn out alright. I can tell that you really like her and I told you already she seems like a good one.”

Noah’s heart ached by the softness of their whole conversation. He realised that he also really missed his best friend.

———

When they saw Liv, already waiting at the Mexican place where they liked to go, everyone greeted her with handshakes and hugs, talking their usual shit. When Noah finally got to her, smiling brightly he pulled her into a demanding kiss before he asked her about her day.

They quickly went inside and ordered their food and easily fell into sync with each other. The whole group just vibed, enjoyed their food and had a great end to their day.

Finally Noah felt like a weight was lifted off his chest when he felt Nick softly smile at him while he pulled Liv close to his side, pressing a kiss to the side of her head.

For the first time in forever Noah was sure: everything will turn out alright.

———