Chapter Eleven

First I would like to thank @Sian-The-Writer so so much for the shoutout!! She's the one who gave me the inspiration to write this story. Also thank you for all the lovely comments. And finally, don't hate me for the ending please

Julian's heart broke at the sound of Nova's sobs as he shook and clung onto his shirt like he was afraid of Julian disappearing.

"Shh," Julian cooed softly holding Nova close to him with one arm, his other hand resting in the smaller boys hair. "I'm right here Nova, it's okay. I got you," he said softly stroking his hair gently.

Nova whimpered and buried his face more into Julian's neck. "J-Julian?," he stuttered out quietly, but Julian heard him since he was so focused on him.

"Yes baby?," Julian said looking down at him with concern. He hated seeing Nova like this, and would do whatever he could to make him smile again, or even calm down. He rubbed his hand down Nova's back gently making sure he was as close as he could be.

"C-Can you sing to me?," Nova whispered out looking up at Julian with tears in his eyes. He never expect to see Jack again in his life. Even though it had been years, the mere sound of his voice still made something in Nova snap, then all of the sudden he was back in that kitchen with Jack.

Julian pressed a gentle kiss to the top of his head nodding. "Of course I can." The song he thought of wasn't originally his, but he thought it fit the situation.

He took a deep breath in and began to sing quietly to Nova.

"I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go." "When all those shadows almost killed your light."

Nova tried to focus on the sound of Julian's beautiful voice as he continued.

"I remember you said, 'don't leave me here alone'," Julian said squeezing Nova's waist gently. "But all that's dead and gone and past, tonight."

Nova kept his tight grip onto Julian but could feel his shaking easing a little as the other boy sang.

"Just close your eyes. The sun is going down, you'll be alright. No one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound."

Julian starting rubbing Nova's back with both hands rhythmically as he sang the next lines.

"Don't you dare look out your window, darling everything's on fire. The war outside our door keeps raging on." "Hold on to this, lullaby, even when the musics gone."

Julian repeated the chorus before finishing smiling lightly when he realized Nova's shaking had completely stopped and he seemed to being close to not breathing as heavy as he had earlier.

"You okay?," Julian asked quietly with a light frown on his face.

Nova slowly released his grip from Julian's shirt and reached his hands up to wipe his now stinging eyes. Julian stopped him by taking his hands gently and leaned down kissing away his tears before planting kisses all over.

Nova laughed softly and this Julian grin. "Thank you," Nova said looking up at him and smiling warmly.

Julian shook his head, waving off his thanks. "You don't need to thank me Nova. I just wanna make sure you're alright," he said softly with a frown. He cupped the side of his face and Nova leaned into his hand. "Who was that?," Julian asked rubbing his thumb over Nova's cheek.

Nova bit on his bottom lip hard then let it go, opening his mouth to speak but was cut off by someone.

"Come on, lets get inside," Nate said from the now opened door.

The boys both blinked and looked out the window to see they were back at the hotel.

"Okay," Julian said speaking for both of them.

Nova reluctantly untangled himself from Julian so the other boy could get out.

Julian slid out and stood there, waiting for Nova who got out immediately. The smaller boy stood closely to Julian, knowing that they couldn't hold hands, but he wanted to feel the protectiveness of the other boy.

The two got inside and Mark was waiting and narrowed his eyes at the two boys, noticing the tightness and Julian's jaw and that Nova was practically glued to his side.

When the boys got to him Mark didn't hesitate. "What happened?"

"I don't know exactly, but I don't really wanna talk about right now," Julian said resting a hand on Nova's back. "How long until my interview tonight?"

Mark wanted to push him for more information, but decided against it. "In a couple hours, why don't you two go rest in your room till then," he suggested looking between them.

Julian felt happy that he didn't ask anymore and just gave him a nod before guiding Nova towards the elevators. Once they got in and the doors shut they immediately took each others hands.

Nova let out a breath and felt himself relax again, squeezing Julian's hand tightly. "I'll t-tell you who he is when we get in the room okay?," he whispered softly.

Julian looked down at him with worry and nodded his head slowly. "You know you don't have too if it'll cause you to get scared again right?" He didn't want Nova to become panicked again just because he wanted to know someone.

"It helps me better if I talk about it. I knew I would have to someday, but I-I didn't expect to see him again," Nova said shakily gripping tighter onto Julian's hand.

"Hey,hey," Julian said pulling Nova into him by his hand and wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.

Nova shut his eyes as he buried his face into Julian's chest and hugged his torso, gripping onto the back of his shirt lightly.

The elevator doors opened again to their floor and Julian kept an arm around Nova's waist as they walked towards their room.

Julian opened the door and shut it behind them, pulling Nova over to the couch and they both plopped down onto it. He pulled Nova into his lap, hugging his waist tightly.

Nova couldn't help but blush lightly and curled up against him, snuggling his face into Julian's shoulder.

They both just sat there for a minute or so, Julian playing with Nova's hair while Nova focused on the sound of Julian's heart beat., trying to let it calm him down before talking.

Julian spoke first though. "I wanted to punch that guy in the face," he admitted stopping his hand.

Nova sighed softly and looked up at Julian who was already watching him. He liked that Julian's eyes didn't hold any anger even when he spoke about punching Jack, they just looked at Nova with concern.

"You would've gotten in trouble and maybe even arrested," Nova said shaking his head. "It would've ruined your image."

"I don't care," Julian said with a snort. "He was scaring you," he said softly squeezing Nova's waist gently. "I don't think I've ever seen someone so scared in my life."

"You probably haven't," Nova said. He wasn't looking up at Julian now, but just looking at the couch.

Julian noticed and held out his hand to Nova and allowed him to take it and play with his fingers. He smiled happily when Nova started to play with his fingers and visibly relax.

"He's my ex, and the only boyfriend I've ever had," Nova began.

Julian frowned softly at knowing the guy was his ex boyfriend, and he was a little bit afraid to know why Nova was so scared of him.

"We dated for about two years and they were the worst years of my life. I regret every amount of time I spent with him," Nova said trying to focus on Julian's fingers to keep himself calm.

Julian noticed him getting a little tense and leaned down pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek causing an immediate smile to appear on Nova's face.

"From the way he seemed to be, I would regret my time with him too."

"Do you ever wonder why I have such bad anxiety problems?," Nova said randomly, looking up to Julian who was already watching him.

Julian shrugged his shoulders lightly, tilting his head a bit. "I just figured that you inherited them from a parent or something like that."

"Well you can thank Jack for the reason I'm so fucked up," Nova said looking down again. He waited for Julian to speak but he didn't, and Nova got worried when seconds turned into minutes, until Nova felt a finger underneath his chin.

Julian lifted his face to look at him and he had a serious look on his face. "Nova, you are not fucked up." "There is nothing wrong with you, no matter what Jack said to you then and there, none of it is true. You are beautiful, funny, kind, and one of the most amazing guys I've ever met."

Nova listened intently biting on his bottom lip.

"I should've punched Jack when I had the chance. Knowing now that he abused you honestly makes me sick to my stomach," Julian said shaking his head. He hugged Nova tightly to his chest pressing his cheek to the top of his head, "god I should've just beat him." "You more than anyone never deserve that Nova."

Nova couldn't help but tear up and hugged Julian back just as tightly burying his face into his neck, taking a few shaky breaths.

Julian couldn't help his next words, they just came out of him, but he didn't regret them.

"I love you Nova."

Nova gasped softly against Julian's neck and pulled back looking up with him wide eyes. "W-What did you say?," he asked in disbelief.

Julian bit on his lower lip then let it go, getting a soft smile on his lips. "I love you," he repeated.

Nova just sat there shocked, not really knowing how to react. A million thoughts ran through his head in that moment. The main one being.

Julian really loved him?

"It's okay," Julian reassured him. "You don't have to say it back, or even feel it right now. I don't want ever want to rush you with your feelings." "I don't ever want to make you feel uncomfortable like he did," Julian started to ramble on and on.

Nova watched him as he did slowly getting a big goofy smile on his face, starting to feel incredibly happy.

Surprising even himself, Nova cut off Julian by leaning up and pressing his lips passionately against his.

Julian's breath hitched and he immediately kissed Nova back, resting his hands on the smaller boys waist.

Nova rested his hand on Julian's cheek before slowly pulling back and watched as Julian opened his eyes. Nova smiled at the sight of Julian's blue eyes that were now lit up as he looked at him.

"It'll take me a while," Nova said biting on his bottom lip. "I've never thought anyone would want me again after, after Jack," he said letting out a sigh. "I want to love you though, and I want to be in love with you," Nova said smiling shyly. "I notice so many small things and big things about you and I love every bit of them."

Julian smiled adoringly and listened to Nova, rubbing his thumb against his hip.

"I love how you always make sure I'm okay before going into a large crowd of people, and how you make sure I take my medication every morning." Nova smiled happily as he continued, "I love that when you sing it seems like everything else in the world no longer exists to you, like it's just you and your music. I love how whenever you look at me your eyes light up."

Nova took a deep breath and shook his head lightly. "I'm slowly falling for you. I didn't think that would ever happen again, that I would be able to trust anyone again." "But I trust you," he said softly, looking up to Julian who was watching him with a happy smile on his face.

"God you have no idea how much I wanna kiss you right," Julian said letting out a breath he'd been holding in.

Nova giggled and looked at Julian with an amused smile. "Why don't you then?"

"Don't need to tell me twice," Julian murmured pulling Nova's face to his pressing his lips to his.

Nova smiled happily against Julian's lips and wrapped his arms around his neck, feeling Julian's hands go to his waist.

Julian held him close and very gently pulled the kiss deeper, their lips moving a bit more quickly with each others. He nipped at Nova's lower lip gently causing the smaller boy to gasp lightly, his grip on Julian's neck tightening.

Julian experimentally ran his tongue over Nova's lower lip and Nova could feel his hesitation in doing it.

Nova felt a burst of warmth in his chest and felt happy that Julian was being so considerate of what he wanted. He slid his fingers into the singers hair and pulled him closer, showing him that it was okay, granting him access.

Julian slowly pushed his tongue past Nova's lips and into his mouth, feeling Nova's small fingers tangle into his hair hair more firmly. He gently let his tongue explore every inch of Nova's mouth, his heart skipping a beat when a whimper came from the smaller boys mouth.

Julian slowly pulled back and let his lips trail over Nova's jaw and then down pale skin of his neck, nibbling lightly at his skin.

This caused Nova to let out a soft and breathy moan it making his face flush instantly from the sound.

Julian slowly pulled back form his neck and pecked Nova's lips once more before pulling away fully and opening his eyes.

Nova fluttered his eyes open as well, his face still a bit red and his breathing still a little heavy. He looked away shyly and Julian chuckled deeply kissing his forehead.

"You're so cute," Julian murmured against skin.

Nova rolled his eyes playfully and pushed him away from him. "Hush."

The boys couldn't help but just look at each other with goofy smiles on their faces.

***

Nova stood in the audience with a smile on his face. He hadn't stopped smiling since Julian told him he loved him earlier. He was waiting for Julian to come out and perform before his interview, from what Julian told him, it was a new song he's been working on the past month.

Mark had told him to make sure to record this performance because of that.

Some fans waved at him and said hi and Nova gave them a shy smile of course and waved back. Nate was sitting next to him and he assured Nova that he would make sure he was never in a situation like the one at the art museum again.

Nova looked up when he heard loud cheers from the crow and turned on his camera, holding it up as Julian walked out with a huge smile on his face. He was a little confused as to why Julian didn't have his guitar but then noticed he walked over to a piano.

I didn't know he played piano. Nova thought to himself. He shook of the thought and focused on recording again as Julian sat down at the piano.

Julian gave the crowd his signature grin and leaned in to the microphone to speak. "Helloo everyone." The audience cheered and Julian laughed as his grin got wider. "I've been working on this song for a while, and it has a lot of meaning to me. I hope you guys like it."

Nova knew the crowd would get quiet when Julian started singing so he discretely took out his earplugs so he could hear him sing.

Julian began playing and leaned into the microphone again. "I've waited a hundred years, but I'd wait a million more for you."

Nova tried not to melt on the spot at the sound of his voice, the lyrics not really registering with him yet.

"Nothing prepared me for, what the privilege of being yours would do." Julian sang his eyes searching for Nova, then smiling softly when they found him.

Nova saw him looking and pulled the camera back a little, making sure it was still pointing at Julian as he stared back at him.

"If I had only felt the warmth within your touch. If I had only seen how you smile when you blush."

Nova suddenly realized Julian was singing about him. Julian's song was about him. Nova felt warm from head to toe and felt his heat beat a bit faster.

Julian continued to stare at him as he sang. "Or how you curl your lip when you concentrate enough. I would've know, what I've been living for all along. What I've been living for."

His fingers flew across the keys creating the most beautiful music, it sounding like heaven to Nova's ears.

"Your love is my turning page. Where only the sweetest words remain." Julian smiled softly. "Every kiss is a cursive line. Every touch is a redefining phrase."

Nova felt like he was on cloud nine, his whole body felt like it was wrapped in a warm blanket. Everything also seeming to disappear around him when Julian continued singing.

"I surrender who I've been, for who you are." "For nothing makes me stronger than your fragile heart." Nova felt tears prick the corner of his eyes and reached up wiping them quickly.

"If I had only felt how it feels to be yours. I would've known, what I've been living for all along." "What I've been living for."

Julian played the last bridge of the song and hit the last couple notes before the song ended. Nova stood up with everyone else and clapped loudly as cheers were shouted too, happy tears coming to his eyes again as he gave Julian a wide smile.

Nova couldn't have felt more lucky to have him as his.

***

"Welcome aboard," the lady said with a big smile as she shook his hand. "I'm sure Cassie will be more than relieved to have another hand to help so she won't have to worry about outfits now," the lady said giving a laugh.

Jack laughed to and gave a charming smile to the lady behind the desk.

"I can't wait to get started."

Songs: Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift, Turning Page by Sleeping at Last