Chapter Nineteen

Nova was going through many emotions at the moment as Julian continued singing to him, the singer's whole body was facing him now. Their eyes never broke away from each other.

The stage of emotions going through Nova's body almost made him dizzy and knocked him off his feet. It was a mixture of happiness, fear, surprise, and complete and utter joy.

"Take me church, I'll worship like a dog at the shrine of your lies. I'll tell you my sins and you can sharpen your knife. Offer me that deathless death. Oh good god let me give you my life."

Nova still couldn't stop the tears that flowed down his face, he kept on wiping them away but they just kept streaming down. He could see how happy Julian was at this moment, singing to him. Nova could see it in his eyes and it just made him smile as big and wide as his mouth would let him.

Julian had love in his eyes. A love that warmed Nova from head to toe and made every fiber of his being feel safe and adored. Nova never felt more loved than in this exact moment.

"No masters or kings, when the ritual begins. There is not sweeter innocence than our gentle sin." Nova watched as Julian sung his heart out, he could see the tension melt away from his body the longer he sang. "In the madness and soil, of that sad earthly scene. Only then I am human. Only then I am clean."

Nova looked up to Mark and was surprised to see tears in his eyes, he looked insanely proud of Julian and Nova couldn't help but feel the same.

"Offer me that deathless death! Oh good god let me give you my life!"

Then the last note of the song played and Nova watched with wide eyes as Julian made a direct path towards him off the side of the stage and gathered him up in his arms before kissing him with a passion that shook Nova down to his bones.

Nova kissed back with the same amount of passion, holding Julian's face in his hands as he closed his eyes. After a few more seconds Julian pulled back and Nova opened them back up to see Julian staring at with complete and utter love shining in his expression, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes.

"I love you," Julian said and leaned back in and pecked his lips before hugging him tightly.

Nova squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face into Julian's shoulder as his arms went around him, hugging him tightly while holding the back of his shirt.

"I hate to break this up," Mark had to shout over the screams of Julian's fans. "But you still have an interview to do." Chuckling, Mark playfully broke the couple apart, much to Julian's dismay, and gave him a little shove back towards the stage.

~

"Julian Kyle everyone!" The host shouted and gestured to Julian as he came back on stage. His fans were still screaming from the song and he waved and grinned at them as he took a seat on the small couch.

"Well, that song was something." The host, Brendon, said with a laugh. "That's on an album of yours, at least one I've heard."

Julian nodded his head with a wide smile, waving at some fans before answering. "No, it's not. I wanted to put on an album for a long time but was always told I was not allowed too."

Brendon nodded his head slowly then hesitated to ask his next question, but he knew the audience would go crazy if he didn't. "So I couldn't help but notice the gender of the person you were singing about."

Julian folded one of his legs over the other and rested a hand on his knee. "Mhm," he hummed lightly. "It was male," Julian spoke with no hesitation.

"You ran to someone off stage as well, can you tell me who it is?" Brendon asked curiously.

Julian glanced off stage to where Nova stood and what he wanted more than anything was to bring him out here and show him off to everyone. "I would love to show you but they get overwhelmed very easily and I don't know if the screaming fans will exactly help their situation."

"Maybe the audience can try and be a bit quieter for them? I'm sure we all want to meet this mystery person right folks?" Brendon asked turning towards the crowd with a charming smile. They all shouted yes back to him before trying to be silent as much as they could manage.

Julian smiled in appreciation before standing up and looking towards Nova who had wide and terrified eyes. He knew, more than anyone, that Nova was extremely nervous about being judged by his fans.

"I'll be right back, give me a minute," Julian told the host before moving back to the side of the stage, stopping in front of Nova. "I know, you don't want to come out, but I just want everyone to know how much I love you and how you're mine."

Nova was still frozen, not knowing if he could go through with it or not. His mind running with millions of thoughts.

"You're seriously going to put him in this type of situation," Jack's voice hissed out from beside them.

Julian threw a glare his way as he rested his hands on Nova's shoulders and moved so Jack was blocked from his view. Looking back to him, Julian made sure Nova was looking into his eyes. "Nova, I know how scared you are, but I have never wanted my fans to meet someone more than I want them to meet you. I promise it will only be for a few questions."

Nova twitched his fingers at his sides but swallowed hard and looked from Julian out towards the stage. "You'll be next to me the whole time?"

Julian took his hand and intertwined their fingers together while nodding his head quickly. "Of course, I'll never leave," Julian said in an amused tone with a smile and squeezed Nova's hand.

Nova looked back to Julian and let out a breath he was holding in, "okay. Okay, I'm alright to go out."

Julian leaned down and pecked his lips mumbling, "if at any point it gets to be too much, squeeze my hand as hard as you can and I'll immediately bring you back here alright?"

Nova nodded, tightening his grip on Julian's hand. "Alright."

Julian gripped his hand back and walked confidently back towards the stage with Nova at his side. He didn't hide their joint hands at all as they walked into the view of everyone. Just as they promised, the audience tried their best to stay quiet, but of course, there were a few loud murmurs among them.

Julian expected this though. He kept stealing glances at Nova to make sure he was alright as they both sat down on the couch. He could see how nervous he was, his wide hazel eyes darting around the audience, looking for any judging eyes.

"Hello there," Brendon said rather softly. He could see just as well as everyone else could how anxious Nova was.

Nova flickered his eyes back to the host and swallowed the hard lump in his throat, almost cringing when he stuttered out, "h-hello."

Julian immediately pulled their joined hands up and kissed the back of Nova's making the photographers face flush red as he heard some of Julian's fans coo an 'aww'.

"I'm guessing you were the he Julian was referring to huh?" Brendon grinned as he folded his hands on the desk.

Nova nodded with a shy and small smile, looking from the host to the audience then finally back to Julian, the sight of him making his whole body relax instantly.

"I hope the next question I ask won't make either of you uncomfortable." Brendon looked at the two worried, his face wrinkling up a bit.

Julian rubbed his thumb over the back of Nova's knuckles, "You probably wanna ask about Layla right?"

Brendon was surprised but then realized that Julian must have been planning something exactly like this for a very long time. "Yes, in fact, I was." He chuckled lightly with a soft smile.

"Layla and I have an arrangement in which to the press and all of you," Julian said, acknowledging his fans with a smile and they cheered for him. He continued, "we are dating."

"That was to keep your secret?" Brendon asked with a small frown. He knew the music industry wasn't the best but he didn't realize it would cause someone to hide who they are.

"The fact that I'm gay? Yes, they didn't seem to agree with it and made it quite clear that if I was to come out it would affect my sales." Julian felt an even more heavyweight lift from his heart as he finally admitted to being gay to everyone. It gave him an immense sense of peace and happiness.

"Nova, how long have you two been together?"

Nova blinked back into focus and turned to look at Brendon. "Uh, a little over six months. Right?" He asked quietly to Julian who grinned at him and nodded, leaning in and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. Nova instantly became flustered again and turned his head away making Julian chuckle along with everyone else.

"Yes, we've been together for just over six months." Julian smiled to himself when he thought about how long they've been together, now they were allowed to be out and the open with it. When he glanced at Nova it's like he could see the same thought dawning on his face and fell even more in love with him when he saw the large goofy smile come over Nova's face.

The host chuckled at the couple and gave them a confused look. "What's on your guy's minds over there?"

Julian opened his mouth to answer but felt a soft squeeze on his hand and turned to look at Nova, concerned that he was panicking but was surprised to see a calm look on his face. A look that seemed to ask, 'can I?'

With a nod, Julian gave him an encouraging smile and squeezed his hand back. "We're just really happy. You have no idea how hard it was for me, for both of us," Nova corrected, "to have to hide this from everyone."

"When Layla and Julian had to be together in Paris, you were out with them to correct?" Nova nodded a yes to his question, chewing on his lower at the memory. "That must have been awful for you to have watched someone you love to be with someone else."

Nova smiled slightly while bobbing his head once again. "It was, there was a time when I asked myself if it was even worth it to be with Julian." His face twisted into pain and he felt an immediate tap of a finger on his hand. Nova looked to Julian to find him smiling happily at him.

"Then I decided it was," Nova continued while not looking away from Julian. The host didn't mind and was just smiling at how much love he saw in the eyes of the couple when they looked at each other.

"I don't think I can imagine life without you by my side," Julian said with a loving smile. "To be able to sit here and tell the whole world that I love you," he chuckled and shook his head. "It feels so amazing. I love you, Nova, I love you," Julian repeated again.

Nova felt like his heart had exploded in his chest from happiness. More than anything he just wanted lean up and kiss Julian but didn't have the confidence with everyone watching them.

As if sensing his feelings, Julian laughed softly and mumbled, "you don't need to be scared anymore." Nova felt a warmth flood through his chest at the thought and Julian leaned down, pressing a quick but meaningful kiss to his lips.

Julian's fans couldn't help but scream for that, some shouting about how cute they were. When Julian pulled back he couldn't help but grin again as Nova got red in the face for what felt like the millionth time since they've been on stage.

Nova glanced at the audience who were calling his name and waving, giving them a small smile cause the audience to scream louder.

When Julian felt the hard squeeze to his hand he didn't say anything as he stood, pulling Nova up with him, then walked towards the side of the stage. He made sure they were hidden before cupping Nova's face and pulling him into a more passionate kiss than the one they shared briefly in front of everyone.

When Julian pulled away, Nova said breathlessly, "what was that for?"

"For being you," Julian said simply with a smile before turning to Mark to find him already smiling.

"I'm so happy for you two," Mark said while looking between them both. He reached out and messed up Julian's hair, much to the singer's dismay.

"I still have an interview to finish," Julian huffed while using his hands to smooth over his hair.

"One that you are stalling, go," Mark gave him a familiar shove to the center.

Julian rolled his eyes playfully, leaning down to peck Nova's lips quickly. "You were so cute by the way." Before Nova could react Julian was already back out on stage.

Nova stood there with a happy smile on his face and looked up when he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Mark looked down at him with the same proud eyes he gave Julian and gave a squeeze to his shoulder.

"Thank you for making him fight for this Nova."

"Wasn't he before?" Nova asked curiously with furrowed brows.

"Julian has never fought this hard for coming out since he met you it's seemed to be all he wanted though. He wanted to be able to proudly show his partner before everyone, show everyone how much he loved you." Mark gestured to Julian out on stage and Nova looked to his boyfriend with a smile when their eyes met.

Julian returned the smile then quickly went back to chatting happily with Brendon about his and Nova's relationship.

"Now he finally seems happy. It's been so long since I've seen Julian genuinely happy. So thank you, Nova."

Nova couldn't do anything but smile as he watched Julian gush about their relationship.

He wouldn't trade this moment for anything in the world.

~

As Julian sat down in front of his label he didn't feel afraid. He didn't feel any regret for his actions. Not even as they chewed him out.

When they all quieted down and asked if he had anything to say. Julian had plenty.

"I was tired," he began. "I was tired of hiding me, hiding who I loved, just to make you all happy because you wanted to make sure I made you all enough money. I wasn't going to do that anymore," Julian's voice was hard as stone.

Mark sat next to him with a gaze that matched Julian's tone, his eyes sweeping over the labels higher-ups.

"I love Nova, I love him and now that it's out the open there isn't anything you can do about it. You can drop me from the label," Julian said as they men all shifted uncomfortably in their seats at his words. "I didn't start music for money, and if that's what this label is about," he looked to Mark who nodded his head, "then we'll start our own."

The owner of the label blinked in confusion and looked at Julian blankly. "Excuse me?"  It was like he wanted to make sure he had heard Julian right.

Mark took something from out of his jacket and slid it across the table with no hesitation. "As of today, I resign from working here. I don't think I'll have time when I have my own label to run." Mark said with a condescending smile.

The men all looked at each other and the owner straightened up and cleared his throat. "Julian, can't we come to an understanding?"

Julian laughed and said with little sympathy, "An understanding about what? You only wanted me here because I'm the biggest star you have to make money off of. I'm not for that," he shrugged his shoulders and looked to Mark. "Besides, if Mark isn't going to be my manager any longer then I don't see a point in staying."

"Well, gentlemen if you only called us here to tell us how big of a mistake we made we'll be on our way." Mark stood up and Julian did as well with a grin up at his manager. "It has been a pleasure to work with you all and good luck with future signings."

With that the two walked out of the room, leaving all the board dumbfounded.

When the door closed behind them Julian stretched his arms above his head and grinned wide. "That was the second best thing I've ever done in my life."

"Was the first getting together with Nova?" Mark asked with an amused look on his face.

Julian clicked his tongue with a smile on his face, "you already know the answer to that question."

Mark chuckled and wrapped an arm around Julian's shoulder, "let's go get Nova. He was waiting for us outside right?"

Julian nodded his head instantly getting a smile on his face at the mention of his boyfriend. "Mhm."

Mark rolled his eyes playfully at the goofy smile on Julian's face but felt happy for the simple fact that he was happy.

When they got closer Julian raised his eyebrows and tilted his head a little, hearing a lot of noise coming from outside. "What is that?"

Mark's face creased with worry and he mumbled, "I don't know."

When they both walked outside Julian's eyes widened in shock and worry. The paparazzi were here, and they were surrounding Nova.

"Nova!"

~

Nova felt like he couldn't breathe. They came from nowhere. One minute he was waiting for Julian to come out and the next thing he knew he was in the middle of a swarm.

A million questions were being thrown at him and flashing lights were blinding him.

"Nova did Julian cheat on Layla with you!"

"Did you turn Julian gay?"

It felt like walls were closing in around him and Nova could feel how tight his chest was from hyperventilating. He felt light-headed, feeling very close to passing out. His whole body shook.

Then like someone had heard his prayers. Nova heard the most beautiful sound in the world.

"Nova!" Nova heard Julian's voice calling out to him. It took a few minutes but then he felt Julian's arms around him and Nova clung onto him as if his life depended on it.

Closing his eyes tightly, he buried his head into Julian's shoulder and heard his shouts over the crowd. "Mark get the car! It's okay Nova just hold onto me okay, focus on my voice."

Nova could barely nod but just tightened his grip on Julian's shirt as a new noise came to his ears. He didn't react to Julian basically picking him up in his arms, all Nova could focus on was trying not to pass out.

Nova felt a softness underneath him and then the shut of a door and all the sounds of shouting were muffled.

"Drive now," Julian's voice ordered and Nova felt his hand beginning to rub over his back rhythmically. After the sounded got further and further away Nova felt the knot in his stomach ease slightly.

Trying to get his breathing under control Nova listened solely to the sound of Julian's voice. "I'm so sorry Nova. I should've just brought you with me. I don't know what I was thinking," Julian cursed himself.

Nova shook his head against Julian's shoulder, not finding the strength to speak yet.

"I'll find out how they knew where we were. Don't worry," Julian promised with a steely tone to his voice.

Nova managed to get control of his breathing just enough to whisper in a heartbreaking tone, "j-just don't let me go."

Feeling Julian's arms tighten around him and pull him even closer felt like heaven. Nova only heard Julian murmur one word to him.

"Never."

Ok, soo, first things firsts, that was quite an emotional chapter for me, from things going from cute and just me being so happy to be able to have them to be public about their love jut gah! Then it goes to something sad and angry. Also yes your eyes are not tricking you, that is a cover image for the story I plan on writing after I finish this one!! It's why it took me so long to update, I'm working on it and preparing for it to be published!

Oh!! And if you were one of the people who asked me a question for the Q&A just click the next button and your answers should be there!

Have a good day/night/afternoon - Jocelyn xx