Disclaimer: Based on real events, but some things are made up to help the story. Slight AU. Goes in a different direction.

Chapter 11 - February 8th, 2017

"So come on and raise your voice, speak your mind, and make some noise." - Excerpt from Make Some Noise, Hannah Montana

Miley stared out the window. She couldn't get Nick's words out of her head.

"Miley?"

Miley turned to her side to see Liam. A wry smile tugged at her lips. "Hey..." Even her reply sounded different... It sounded... off. And Liam knew her long enough to know that something wasn't quite right. He opened his mouth to speak, but she pulled him closer to her and kissed him, more out of desire to not start a conversation than the fact that she wanted to kiss him.

But she did want to kiss him. He was a good kisser. The familiar feel of his lips against hers reassured her at once.

A smile was on his face as he pulled back gently to meet her eyes. "You're distracting me," he accused playfully.

She smiled lightly. "Then I'm doing my job," she teased, her fingertips tracing his jawline. He shivered at her touch, and she smiled, pleased that she could have such an effect on him. She leaned her forehead to his so their gazes were level and pressed a dainty kiss to his lips. It lasted less than a second, and his hands circled around her wrists.

"Got you," he murmured. Then, his teasing smile faded. Uh oh. She must've taken a second too long to smile back. "What's wrong, Mi?"

She looked directly in his eyes. She knew intimidation—she had learned it from Disney, after all, and she understood it. "Nothing," she said coolly.

He frowned. "I want you to trust me."

"I do," she said automatically. And she did. Irrevocably. But Liam wouldn't want to know what was troubling her. She knew him.

"I know you do," he started, a frown tugging at his lips.

"Then why are we having this conversation?" she said, trying to lighten the mood. "We're supposed to be having fun." She pouted.

He shook his head. "It's the fact that I'm not sure how much you trust me," he said. She stared at him, speechless. He sighed. "I know I'm probably being paranoid—"

"Probably?" she teased.

He frowned. "Don't changed the subject." Her smile subsided as she watched him. She had known he was serious, and that he was smart and was going to figure it out. She had just been hoping to put it off. She wasn't ready yet... and wasn't sure if she'd ever be. "You're tense," he said, his frown deepening. Crap... And you call yourself an actress, Miley thought darkly. "Why?" Liam asked her, kindness in his eyes.

"I..." Miley stared at him, half-wishing he wouldn't be so nice. Then, she would have a reason not tell him. "I don't know," she finished lamely.

Liam frowned disbelievingly. "You don't know?"

"Maybe," Miley admitted. "I'm just... confused... nowadays."

He sighed. Definitely a mistake to mention the 'nowadays' part. "Is it Nick?"

She forced her spine to lie flat. "Not him personally," she said, which was a lie. "Just what all this is bringing. The press, the interviews, the rumors—it's all very stressful," Miley said truthfully. This was the truth—just not the whole truth. And as much as she didn't want to hurt Liam, she didn't think the truth would do him any better. Right now.

Liam paused. Then, he nodded. "I know what you mean—it's been stressing me out, too."

Miley smiled at him and slipped her hand into his. "That's why I'm so grateful—to have you, to have this."

He smiled, relieved. "Me, too."

Miley stared at their intertwined fingers, and warmth washed down her spine. She didn't want to lose Liam. Her blue eyes traveled to Liam's, and she felt a smile tug at her lips. He kissed her cheek softly, and when he pulled away, she could still feel the warmth of his lips on her cheek. He was smiling now. "I love you," he murmured softly, his words soft and genuine.

Miley's smile softened. "I love you, too."

She leaned into his arms, their quarrel forgotten.

Still In Love Somehow

"You're a coward."

Nick looked up at Joe and scowled. Demi was by Joe's side. The three had decided to hang out—which made Nick feel very much like the third wheel—and he did not appreciate them ganging up on him. Nick didn't answer but instead moved his pawn forward (they were playing a game of chess; Nick VS Joe and Demi.) Nick's gaze drifted to his knight.

"He's right, you know?" Demi said, shrugging. She moved her knight. "I showed Miley what you said."

Nick froze. "What?"

"She cried," Demi said conversationally.

That made Nick feel worse. "She cried? Because you told her what I said?"

"No," Demi scoffed. "I showed her," she corrected. "Get it right."

He stared, not understanding. "How'd you show her?" he said skeptically.

"I recorded it," Demi said, fishing her phone out of her pocket. She unlocked it and tapped something, playing the recording. Nick's voice—slightly distorted through the recording—drifted in the air. The words were there. Joe listened, gaze thoughtful, as if he was taking notes on what to say to Demi in future conversations. Nick stared and stared and stared and stared. When had Demi had the time to—?

Oh. That was why she was holding the phone. Oh.

Nick didn't mean to, but he was angry. "You recorded me?"

"She did you a favor, man," Joe said, eager to defend Demi.

"Then how come you didn't bother telling me?" Nick demanded.

Demi shifted uncomfortably at that in a rare moment of uneasiness. "I knew you wouldn't approve, so I did it anyway," Demi finally said. Nick groaned, exasperated but slightly pleased. "And she burst into tears." Demi shook her head. "And then, I asked Miley what she thought of you guys, and she said... she said that she thought you guys could've been beautiful."

Nick hardly dared to breathe. "D-did sh-she say a-anything else?" he stuttered.

Demi nodded solemnly. "She still thinks you could be beautiful."

Ice invaded Nick's insides. He stood up. "I have to talk to her."

Joe smirked. "Finally. After four whole days."

Demi squeezed his arm. "We'll be right here."

Nick raised an eyebrow, amused. "In my house?"

"We'll play along with the chess pieces," Joe said, beginning to rearrange the pieces back into the original order. Nick nodded and grinned as he heard Joe's next words: "Let's make this a little more interesting. Let's put a bet on this game..." Typical Joe. Nick shrugged on his coat and headed outside, surprised to see a storm brewing outside.

He stepped out in the rain, letting the storm soak his curls. He shivered but didn't recoil. Was this a side? The storm? Nick wasn't about to waste it. He hurried into his car, dripping wet, and started the apparatus. He drove slowly to Miley's, praying that Liam wouldn't be around. But if Liam wasn't around, where would he be? Nick stared grimly at her house as he approached it.

With a hefty sigh, he walked outside despite the rain pouring down on his shoulders. He didn't bother to pull out an umbrella. Instead, he ran—yes, he was very well aware of how dangerous that was in the rain—towards the door. He raised a hand over it, breathing hard. He stared and finally knocked on it before he could lose his courage, whatever remaining strength he had left.

The door opened, and Nick stared.

Miley was standing in front of him, mouth open in shock. She stared at him in the rain, and he watched her. She was wearing a blue-gray sweater with a nice pattern and dull, worn-out jeans that complemented her outfit. She was also barefoot, and Nick found that adorable, even though it should've been the last thing on his mind right now.

"Nick," she breathed, eyes wide, "what're you doing here?"

He stepped closer, aware of his dripping self. He looked up and met her gaze. The second their gazes connected, she gasped a little, and he wondered if she could feel the electricity between them. "Miley," he rasped her name. He felt like melting. He stepped closer to her, and though her eyes widened a little more, she didn't recoil.

His freezing fingers curled around her wrists, and she shivered but didn't recoil. Warmth spread from her to him, and she was so, so close—and Nick felt like he would lose control. She was so close, and he didn't know what to do. He wanted to lean forward and shrink back all at the same time—the same feeling he had when he had kissed her for the first time.

Then, he pulled away, letting his hands fall to his sides. He thought he saw disappointment in her gaze. Maybe he could think that. "Can I come in?" he spoke through chattering teeth.

"Of course," she said hurriedly, closing the door behind him. She led him to the couch. "Sit down... I'll get you some towels..."

He let her go when all he wanted her to do was stay. He stared after her, a cold ache settling in his chest. The ache was forgotten when she came back a heartbeat later. She draped the blanket over his shoulders, and he wanted to tell her that he didn't need the blanket, he needed her. But she had always been the stronger one out of the two of them, and he could only mumble, "Thank you," when all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her.

"Nick, what're you doing here?" she asked again, quieter this time.

Instead of answering, he croaked, "Is Liam here?"

She paused for a shaky moment before shaking her head slowly. "No. He left half an hour ago to do some shopping for the dogs."

Relief settled gently in Nick's stomach. How lucky was he?

"It's raining," he said, Master of Obvious.

A sad smile tugged on her lips. "It brings back memories, doesn't it?"

He nodded and closed his eyes. He remembered so much. He remembered when they had been watching a movie, and it had started raining. He remembered holding her close during the storm. He remembered running out into the rain with her and just playing and dancing in the rain and feeling so free and happy—and it all was all because of her.

Whenever it rained, it would be magical and wonderful—and it was all because of her. And after they had parted ways, whenever it had rained, it stung him, and ice would invade his insides. He would feel raw and cold, and it would have nothing to do with the cold of the storm. He would let the storm inside and let the icy drops pelt him but remained reluctant to shut the storm out.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

She met his gaze and gently cupped his face for a brief heartbeat. He closed his eyes against her warm touch, sad when she pulled her hand away. "I'm sorry, too," she said quietly in that shy way of hers. He stared, shaking, as he met her gaze. Her eyes were blue and gray and beautiful and reminded him so much of the storm outside.

"It wasn't supposed to end like this," he said, feeling like crying.

"Maybe," she said, but she averted her gaze as if she couldn't meet his anymore without bursting into tears. He wondered if she could tell he was close to breaking down. "You know," she said gently, "the storm reminded me of... us." Her words caused warmth and cold to spiral in his chest, and he stared at her, not believing that she had truly said that.

"Thanks."

She stared, surprised. "For what?"

"For not saying me and you," he answered simply.

Pain crackled across her delicate features, and she closed her eyes, concealing the most precious of sea-colored jewels, for a brief heartbeat, as if she was trying to compose herself. "Please not say stuff like that," she pleaded. "Don't make this harder than it is," she continued, her eyes unreadable. He watched her, heart in throat.

"I want you, Mi," he murmured, knowing that him saying her old nickname would have a great effect on her. And it did. She flinched as if he had struck her. "I want you to choose me instead," he said desperately. "And don't pretend you don't feel the spark, or you wouldn't have cried when Demi showed you that recording!" He wanted a reaction out of her.

"She told you?" Miley said, gaping.

"I didn't know she was," he said. Then, he shifted uncomfortably, wondering if he had gotten Demi in trouble. "I forced it out of Demi anyway," he said.

Miley stood up and back away from him. "Nick," she said, her voice different now: colder. "Maybe it's time for you to go." Her voice sounded strained.

He stood up and walked towards her but maintained a safe distance. "Miley." His voice sounded pained.

"Nick, it's raining, and Liam's going to be home soon."

Nick sighed. He pulled Miley's towel off his shoulders and handed it to her. She took it, gaze mystified. Then, she stepped back. "I won't get you in trouble with him," he said softly, and Miley stared at him, her gaze piercing straight into his soul. "But I'll wait for you, Miley Ray Cyrus," he said, watching her. Emotions rained through his chest, and he leaned towards her. He pressed his lips against her cheek for a brief heartbeat. "I'll wait for you... forever."

She shook her head. "Forever's a long time."

He met her gaze. "Well, you know what, Miley? You're worth it."

He backed away before she could see him cry...

...and walked back into the storm, letting the rain water mingle with his tears.

QotD: Who loves watching the rain?

#ME

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! It's actually raining (pretty hardly, actually) as I'm writing this. So there's the inspiration behind this. I was also listening to Make Some Noise from Hannah Montana, performed by Miley Cyrus, while I was writing this. Combine Miley's inspirational song/voice and the rain, and here are the results.

I was thinking it through but ended up deciding against them kissing. Oh, I wanted them, but this is just the 11th chapter... I personally thought that it was too early (especially since I have a lot of drama planned out for later chapters). I think a happy ending at chapter 11 would be... ehhh... kind of horrible, to be honest.

NOT that it was going to be a happy ending at all for this chapter. Even if they did kiss, I wouldn't just make them get together like that, you know?

But if you want some Niley fluff, go check out my Niley one-shot 'Snow.' Please also check out theausllydoctor's 'How to Save a Friend.' That story shows real promise even though it just started! It's a Loliver story, and who doesn't love some Loliver? You know, for a while, I was kind of interested in Moliver, but nah... And I don't really ship Miley with anyone on the show (though I considered Jake Ryan) after I got into Niley.

Review your answer to the QotD! Tell me your thoughts? I appreciate it though you don't need to. But who doesn't love reviews? ;)

- Darky