Nicole and Noah sat in the living room of Bethany and Joshua's home alongside the Drama Brothers. It was the end of Nicole's spring break, and after these last few months in production, their album was ready for a final listen. The record label, producers, and manager had already approved it to be released a month ahead of their North American summer tour, with an EP to be released next week, but this would the band's first listen of the full, edited cut. As the last song ended, Trent went to the CD player and pressed stop, and sat back down next to Nicole.
"So, what do we think?" Trent asked.
"I really think it was our best work yet." Harold said as he smiled.
"The music really came from the heart." Cody exclaimed.
"I'm interested in hearing what our spectators have to think." Justin said, referring to Noah and Nicole.
"Can you not call them spectators?" Cody said under his breath. Justin didn't hear this, but Noah did. He put his hand on Cody's arm, quietly telling him it was okay and he didn't mind.
"You guys know my opinion. I think it's a great album." Noah said, having been at a few recording sessions.
"What about you, Nicole?" Harold asked intently.
"I like the genre shift. Before you felt like a typical pop boyband, but now you've got a really cool mix of Indie, pop, and a little bit of rock." She told them. Trent smiled in her direction as she lifted and kissed her hand.
"What were your favorite songs?" Trent asked.
"I am a little biased towards 'My Heart'. It is a beautiful song, even if it hadn't been about me." She said, still blushing. "But, I also like 'You Want The Sounds'. I think that'll be the big hit of the album."
"Really?" Harold said, beaming.
"Yeah! People are going to love it." She smiled over at everyone, and Cody elbowed Noah.
"What about you? What was your favorite song of the album?" He asked him. Noah thought about it before answering.
"Sarcastic Lover." Cody smiled, having wrote the song about Noah.
"Oh please, you only like it because it's about you." Justin scoffed. Cody didn't want to make a scene on Noah's behalf, but he was starting to get tired of Justin's backsass lately. Noah didn't respond back, as he didn't want to start an argument and he didn't want to rile Cody up.
"So, your tour starts in June, right?" Nicole asked, changing the subject.
"I bet it'll be nice to visit America and not have to worry about doing any crazy challenges." Noah said, referring to their times on Total Drama World Tour.
"We actually wanted to talk to you two about that." Trent said, leaning into the group. "We want you to come with us." Nicole and Noah looked at each other, then at their partners.
"You want us to come with you?" Noah repeated.
"We were talking to Greg, and he said we could hire you on as assistants. But you wouldn't really be obligated to do as much for us. We just want you to come with us, and this was a way for us to come. The record label does everything, like booking our hotel rooms and tour bus, but we would just need extra help with organization backstage at the venues." Cody said.
"Yeah, and you'll get a stipend." Trent said. Cody scooted closer to Noah.
"It'll be so much fun. I would love nothing more than to travel around America with you." Cody said to Noah. "What do you think?" Harold and Justin watched the twins as they looked at each other to make a decision.
"I already made plans for summer classes. But I could see about taking them next summer or squeezing some in for the fall semester."
"All right!" Trent said, kissing the top of her head. "Noah, what about you?" Cody leaned in to see what he would say, hoping for a yes. Cody knew he would miss Noah so much if he hadn't gone, and the same for Noah.
"What if Hannah and Spencer need me?" Noah asked. Cody's smile noticeably faded. Noah was disappointed in himself that this was his first question of doubt, as he knew he should be happily obliged to get to be with his boyfriend the entire summer as opposed to staying home and working all summer.
"They'll be at camp during the week." Nicole said, knowing Noah's nerves were trying to make an excuse. "Come on. It'll be so much fun." He paused as he thought about it. Trent could tell Noah needed some extra time to think about it, so he interjected.
"Why don't we give you the end of the week to think about it?"
"We all know you'll say yes." Justin said.
"I'll have Cody let you guys know once I make a decision. I promise."
"Yeah, and I have to drop those summer classes, but as soon as I do, I'll let you know." Nicole began to get up to get her bags from her room. She needed to start heading back out to school, as her classes resumed in the morning, and Trent said he would drive her back. Noah stayed put, lost in his thought, and as she came back, Noah noticed that Trent was on the phone. He hung up the phone as soon as Nicole came back, and had a worried look on his face.
"Hey babe? I'm so sorry, we need to get back to the recording studio for a meeting with our producers to look over some final stuff for the album. I can't take you back to school till late." He said.
"I'll take her." Noah said.
"Aw man, are you sure? I'm sorry, I know it's a long drive."
"It's nothing I haven't done before. You guys go ahead to your meeting, I don't mind at all."
"Thanks, Noah, you're saving us." Cody kissed Noah near his earlobe as he started to get his keys.
"Call me on your way home." Cody called out. Nicole looked over to Trent as the two embraced in a hug, not wanting to let go, then gave a passionate kiss as the three walked over to the front door.
"Get a room!" Justin yelled out. Harold gave him a light punch to shut him up.
"I loved being with you this week. I'll see you soon." Trent said, smiling down at her as he held her by the waist.
"See you soon." She said, smiling. Noah waved to the boys, noting that he'll see them soon, and the two walked over to the car, with Noah noticeably quiet. Nicole put her duffle and backpack into the back seat of the car, then the two walked into the car and buckled their seatbelts as Noah started the ignition. They drove silent for a few minutes before Nicole looked over to a quiet Noah, wanting to bring up their most recent conversation.
"What was that in there?" Nicole asked.
"What was what?" Noah asked, not taking his eyes off the road.
"'Spencer and Hannah will need me?' Really?" Nicole exclaimed. "What are you scared of?"
"I'm not scared of anything." He told her.
"Okay, then call Cody and tell him that you'll go on tour with us." Nicole crossed her arms as they drove out of the neighborhood, with Noah not letting his eyes off the road.
"It's not that simple, Nicole. I have to let work know, I have to talk to Bethany and Joshua, and I have weekly therapy I have to go to. It's a huge decision." Nicole knew he was trying to make an excuse to hide the fact that he's scared.
"It's an easy decision. They love you at the library and will let you come back. Bethany and Joshua have the kids in camp all summer with extended after-hours, so they'll be able to stay until they get out of work. Plus, you can speak to your therapist through video calls. I know this isn't about Cody. This is about changing your routine, and being spontaneous." As Noah continued driving, he sat and thought about what Nicole said. He knew she was right, and kept on driving.
Noah arrived home at around 8 pm after stopping for some food on the way back. He waved over to Cody, who was sitting on the couch with Van Doggo in his lap as he watched a show with Hannah, Spencer, Joshua and Bethany. Over the last few months that Cody has been living with Noah and his family, the kids have grown to love Cody, just as they do with anyone else they meet. Cody has kept his word and continues to teach Spencer piano as well, and he's even offered to pick up the kids from school every now and then. He was so grateful to Bethany and Joshua for allowing him to stay, so he wanted to repay them any way he could.
"When did you get back?" Noah asked.
"About an hour ago."
"How was the drive?" Joshua asked.
"Not bad. I got home before it got too dark. I wanted to ask you something." Noah said to him as he sat in between Joshua and Cody.
"Sure, go ahead."
"The Drama Brothers want Nicole and I to go with them on their summer tour. Would you be okay with that?" Joshua looked over to Bethany, who looked back at him, and the couple began to laugh.
"A tour? I want to go on tour!" Spencer exclaimed.
"Me too!" Hannah said, standing up on the couch. Joshua got closer to the couch as he looked his children in the eye.
"I'm sorry, guys. You can't go with them." Hannah batted her eyelashes at her dad, snuggling up to him.
"Why not?" She asked.
"Well, they'll be gone all summer, sweetie. And they'll be in a different country." Bethany said. "And wouldn't you miss us if you went?"
"You and dad can come with us!" Spencer said proudly. Joshua looked over to Spencer and put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm afraid we can't all go, buddy. Mommy and I have to work. And besides, you're going to camp!" Hannah pouted as she crossed her arms. Joshua brought himself back into their conversation with Noah.
"Noah, you live under our roof, but you're not a kid. You can do whatever you want. I honestly just figured you were going, anyway." Cody held onto Noah's arm in excitement.
"So what do you say? Will you go?" Cody said, batting his eyelashes. Noah paused.
"I have to take a leave at the library, but… Yes! I will go." Cody began to snuggle closer to Noah as he thought about how exciting his tour would be with Noah there.
"This is going to be awesome!" Cody said as he looked at Noah seriously for a moment. As their eyes locked into each other's, they felt the light of the TV flicker off and the kids groaned.
"The show's over, time to go get ready for bed." Bethany said. "Say goodnight to uncle Noah and Cody."
"Goodnight!" The kids said, piling on top of the two of them. With Van Doggo on Cody's lap still, the kids also pet the top of his head, then walked out with Bethany and Joshua. Noah quickly grabbed the remote from the end of the couch and scrolled through channels, firmly settling on an episode of Pretty Little Liars.
"You watch this show?" Noah looked over to Cody, embarrassed.
"It's a good show." Noah defended. He sighed as he got closer to Cody, nuzzling into Cody's shoulder. There was a pause as the two of them quietly watched a scene from the show, and then Cody looked over to Noah.
"I love you." Noah got off of Cody's shoulder, as he nearly missed what Cody said. He felt a confusing combination of serotonin and anxiety flow through him as he felt so validated in this moment.
"You mean that?" Noah said, smiling over to him. Cody nodded to him.
"I do mean it. I love you, Noah. These have been the best few months I've ever had. I was so afraid of moving in with you after my parents kicked me out, but it has brought me closer to you." Noah was speechless, and didn't know what to say. He was trying to figure out how to say I love you first, but every moment felt wrong.
"I didn't think I had the capacity to love anyone let alone myself, but being with you, I realize how much I held back that love. I love you so much. And I'm so sorry that I hesitated when you asked us to come with the Drama Brothers on tour."
"I understand. I should have asked you in private." Cody said. The two of them embraced each other, then met their eyes for a passionate kiss. As they let go, Cody held onto Noah's jaw, taking a second look at his eyes. The two boys turned away and looked back over to the TV.
"So what is this show about again?" Cody asked.
"Honestly, I don't even know anymore." Noah chuckled. "Should we go to bed? I'm kinda tired from that drive."
"You're such a grandpa." Cody laughed. "But yes, I could use the sleep tonight." Noah got up and regally held his hand out for Cody, and the two began to walk over to their shared bedroom. As he changed into his pajamas, Noah couldn't stop replaying what Cody had said in his head. He couldn't believe his life had been so different before reconnecting with Cody, before seeking help, and before letting himself go back to his own self again.