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

Chapter 16 - February 13th, 2017

"Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick and think of you. Caught up in circles, confusion is nothing new." - Excerpt from Time After Time, Cyndi Lauper

Just a little further... and LEAP!

Nick raced over a branch, leaping over it perfectly before landing on the ground and taking off again. Instead of going to the gym, he went to the woods. He had a whole routine of running through it. His new obsession with invincibility had gone to his head, he knew, but he still did it anyway. Nick saw the old huge pine tree he usually stopped at, but Nick ignored it and ran past it, his legs burning with the struggle.

Nick wanted to become invincible. The word sounded powerful... Invincible mentally and physically.

He was working on the physical part... As for the mental/emotional part..?

I'd say seeing Miley with Liam for years (and still now) puts you on the right track.

Nick smiled softly. The smile turned into a sneer. Well, self-conscience, I guess you're not as stupid as you let on.

Nick didn't mean to talk to the voice inside his head—it just happened. Hey, everyone had one! Nick was sure his was the most aggravating, though. Nick stared at a huge tree with many winding branches. Nick leapt on it and began climbing. His muscles cursed obscenities at him at the effort, but he continued, trying to ignore the fact that his lungs felt like collapsing. Nick had his reasons for wanting to do this routine.

Plus, it was a great distraction—it was hard to concentrate on the whole Miley/Liam problem when he was busy dodging branches and skidding over boulders.

Nick reached the top, adrenaline running through him. His heart was pounding, and blood was roaring in his ears. Yes, this was the life! He felt invincible... He felt like he could do anything—even charge up to Liam and demand him to back off. Nick sat at his perch, watching the lovely dawn sky approach. He climbed back down, the tree causing scratches to mar his hands and arms.

As Nick jogged back home, he felt proud. When he had first started the trail, he would nearly pass out with exhaustion. Now, he could do the routine without panting for breath every three seconds or choking on dust—and he had extended the trail. He could feel himself growing stronger—that glowing feeling made him feel as if his bones were being set on fire... or maybe that was just his body screaming at him.

Nick headed back to his house and closed the door, locking it this time. He collapsed on the floor, breathing hard. Now that the adrenaline had leaked out of his system... well, he was being left with a lot of pain. He glanced at his arms. There were a few scratches—nothing big—from the scraping of the branches from the trees. Nick grunted, pleased, as he got himself a nice icy glass of water.

He did his best to catch the water and wasn't pleased by how much he was leaning against the kitchen counter.

This is what being invincible feels like, Nick. Get used to it.

Still In Love Somehow

"He loves you, isn't that the most important thing?"

Miley sighed. "It's not that simple."

Demi shook her head at her friend, slightly amused, slightly exasperated. They were currently lounging in Miley's house. Liam was... doing his own thing. Demi wasn't sure what Miley's fiance was doing exactly, but... he just wasn't here. "Not that simple?" she repeated, shaking her head absentmindedly. "I don't get you. You love Liam, and he loves you. What else is there to get?"

"Lately, he seems to be more..." Miley tilted her head, blue gaze clear and thoughtful and almost gray in the light. "More explosive lately. He's usually so calm—it's one of his better aspects, I think." Frustration creeped into Miley's gaze. "I'm trying to understand him, I really am, but he's..." Miley shrugged. "I guess a little more possessive. More careful, a little more reserved."

Demi smiled. "Are you dumping him, then?"

Miley's head shot up. "What? No! Of course not!"

"Uh huh," Demi said, amused.

"I—we're—he—ugh..." Miley buried her face in her hands. Then, she jumped, and Demi marveled at how Miley Miley looked. Not like she was trying to impress anyone. But just... well, herself. Makeup wasn't caking her face, and her natural face seemed to glow. Her hair was growing longer, Demi noted, and was now slightly curled, giving off the impression of a natural waviness. "We're going through a rough faze," Miley finally said.

Demi stroked Miley's back gently. "I get it. You've got your stuff. But you guys are arguing about the same things, right?"

Miley nodded, looking up. "Yeah... pretty much."

"Does it ever escalate into anything more than just a disagreement?" Demi inquired rather tenderly. "Like... physically?"

Miley shook her head. "No. Liam's not violent or anything like that."

Demi sighed. She knew how hard this was for Miley and that she shouldn't push her. But Demi couldn't help it. She couldn't help who she was. She squeezed Miley's shoulder and peered deeply into her eyes. "Miley... are you sure you don't have feelings for Nick?" Despite Demi not wanting to push Miley on this, Demi was curious. She knew Miley only told half-truths when it came to Nick.

"I don't know."

Demi sighed. "Lately, it seems that's your answer for everything about Nick."

"It's confusing with him," Miley murmured, her blue eyes shining. "I don't know what I'm doing half the time, and he's so... easy to hang out with."

Demi laughed. "And that's a bad thing?"

"No," Miley said, gaze thoughtful again. "It's just... more like... how easy it is. Shouldn't it be harder?" Miley sighed. "And I always feel so guilty afterwards even though we just hang out." Miley blushed. "And it's not like he's helping... He's been working out..." Miley reddened further at her words. "And he's so sweet, and I don't think he can help it... It's like... natural."

Demi laughed lightly. Miley was rambling. It was obvious that there was still a spark. "Remember what I said about fate, Miles?"

Miley nodded, a slight movement of her head. "Fate always happens... Something about postponing the inevitable..."

Demi nodded, feeling a wave of pride at the words. "Yeah. Miley, you have to do something. Or you're just going to end up hurting the people you love the most. You already know how he feels about you. He wouldn't risk everything to say that in front of everybody if it didn't mean anything to him... and you know him. Emotions are complicated but real to Nick."

"Of course I love him—he's my best friend," Miley said with a wry smile.

Demi shot her an offended look. "Excuse you?"

Miley shoved her lightly. "Don't worry—you've got a special spot in my heart."

"Are you sure it isn't just because it's a different kind of love?" Demi added smugly, unable to resist saying it.

Miley reddened. "I'm sure... At least... I think I am. And that's good enough for me!" Miley declared.

Demi let the matter drop. She grinned. "You know... I was thinking..."

"Thinking, what a dangerous thing to do," Miley teased.

"Shut up and let me think," Demi chastised.

"Alright." Miley looked amused. Then, Miley's gaze turned from flippant to serious. "How are you and Joe?" Demi couldn't help it, but her cheeks heated up. Miley started to laugh but not in the mean way. Demi batted at Miley playfully, trying to stop herself from turning red. It was no use. If anything, it made her redden even more so. "Look at you," Miley teased. "And here I thought no one would ever steal your heart."

Demi laughed lightly. "There's nothing going on."

Miley crossed her arms. "Tell."

Demi stuck her tongue out at Miley. "Well... yesterday, he was acting all sweet and all." Demi felt herself flush and heat up as the memory crossed over her. She could remember the feel of his lips inches away from hers and remembering feeling so breathless and awestruck. And then... he had leaned the slightest bit forward and locked his lips to hers. It was something soft and sweet and reminded her of everything she loved.

A smile crossed Miley's slightly parted lips. "Did you guys kiss?" Apparently, Demi's face said it all. "You did! That's so sweet!"

Demi blushed. "Miley, I think I really like him..."

"Not love?" Miley murmured, only half-teasing.

"I..." Demi trailed off. "I'm not really sure yet..."

"Take your time," Miley said comfortingly, her blue eyes clear and relaxed.

Demi grinned amiably. "You know, they say these Jonas brothers are a piece of work... But they can change..."

Miley smiled cordially. "Maybe... But we all change."

"Fair point." Demi shrugged and clasped her hand together as she realized they were shaking. That didn't still the movement completely, but it was at least less noticeably. Demi took a deep lungful of air. "Joe's... Joe. He can... it's like he can read my mind or something," Demi confessed. "It's a bit disconcerting, but... it's exhilarating all the same." She met Miley's eyes. "You know?"

Miley nodded, her smile growing. "Yeah."

Demi squeezed Miley's hand. "And, Miles?" Miley remained silently but looked up expectantly instead. "I know that... whatever choice you choose..." Demi took a deep breath. "I know there's no easy way to say this, but... whoever you choose... the person you didn't choose is going to get hurt... and..." Demi sighed, not wanting to deliver this brutal blow.

"Demi?" Miley looked concerned now.

"Both of them mean too much to you. It doesn't matter which one you choose—you loved both of them, and most of all... it's going to affect you."

Still In Love Somehow

"How're you and Miley, by the way?"

"We're... good. Yeah, we're good."

Joe Jonas stared at Liam Hemsworth through narrowed eyes. They were currently in Joe's house. Liam didn't look confident but... nervous. And something else. Joe sighed, shaking his head. "Liam, there's no pulling wool over my eyes. You're supposed to be an actor, right? Shouldn't you be better at this stuff?" Joe half-joked, but instead of smiling or laughing, Liam only gave a hefty sigh. Joe sighed. "Talk to me."

"We're complicated," Liam rushed out, as if he had wanted to say this for a long time. "She's always with..."

"Nick?" Joe guessed.

Liam grunted. "I don't like that."

"You might not like Nick very much at the moment, but you can't deny that he cares about Miley," Joe said, swift to defend his brother. He stared at Liam, whose gaze remained trained on the ground. "Nick and Miley..." Joe whistled. "Back in the day, you couldn't talk about Nick without talking about Miley. They were always together... And then some. But they were the 'it' couple. It put a lot of pressure on them, but they overcame it..."

"They broke up," Liam said bluntly.

"Yes," Joe said softly. "It was a fight. We were there—me and Kevin. We just came. And Miley ran out crying. Nick was crying, too, and he locked himself up in his room for several days. We saw the torn posters of her in the trash," Joe said gently. "His eyes were always rimmed with red, and we knew he cried himself to sleep a lot. He missed her so much, but there was anger, too. We would catch him listening to her songs, just to stay close to her."

Liam sighed. "I... I think she might... I think she might dump me..." he confessed.

"You know," Joe said thoughtfully, "I don't think you should confront Miley on it or anything—yet, anyway—but... she deserves for you to at least let her live. She and Nick go way back... He calmed her down, and he grew more confident under her influence. They changed each other... Nick wouldn't be half the person he is without Miley. He cared about her... He would always support her music—whether it was buying her songs or going to her concerts."

A scowl worked in Liam's jaw. "I don't want to hear about how much they cared about each other..."

"Maybe you don't," Joe conceded, "but..."

Liam sighed, visibly frustrated. "She wouldn't say anything to me." He turned towards Joe's direction with a pleading look.

Joe caught on immediately. "What? No! Miley's my friend! I can't just..." Joe bit his lip as he watched Liam's lip quiver in a sort of beseeching way. Liam looked so desperate and helpless... Who was Joe to deny him? "Look," Joe said slowly, "I can't promise anything... but... I can try." Hope flared in Liam's stricken gaze, and Joe swallowed. "I'll try my best... Is that good enough for you?"

Liam nodded eagerly. "She's at home..."

Joe sighed. "Alright. I'll go right now. Feel free to tag along... if you think you can handle it."

Liam considered this. "Alright. I'll go."

Joe stood up. "I'm so going to regret this later," Joe muttered under his breath as they headed in his car. When they arrived, Joe muttered, "Stay out of sight..."

"I'll come through the back door," Liam said.

With a brisk nod, Liam was off. Uncertainty churned through Joe. He headed towards Miley's massive house. He knocked on the door. He was only half-surprised when it wasn't Miley but Demi who answered the door. Joe felt a smile grace his lips immediately. He reached forward and embraced Demi eagerly. She was warm and soft and comforting in his arms. "Hey," he murmured.

"Hey yourself, stranger," Demi whispered.

"Is Smiles around?" Joe inquired, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Demi nodded. "Yeah, she—"

"—Joe Jonas?" Miley entered the room, a smile on her face and a set of DVDs in her hands. "Welcome to my humble abode," she joked.

Joe laughed. "You guys watching a movie?"

Demi grinned. "You know it!"

"Did you want something, Joe?" Miley asked as she glided over to Demi, who stabbed a finger at a certain movie with a flashy cover. Miley nodded eagerly, and Demi took the disk, heading over to the DVD player. Miley grabbed the rest of the discarded movies and got up. Miley looked up expectantly at Joe after she made sure Demi knew what to do.

"Yeah, um," Joe said, trailing off awkwardly. He noticed Miley struggling with the pile. "Hey, you want some help?"

"Yeah," Miley said with a relieved grin as she handed him half the stack. She led him to the a room and placed her stack in a cabinet. She instructed him to do the same. "I'll sort them out later," Miley said with a smile and a very Miley-like gleam in her eyes. Joe grinned back and placed his stack beside hers. She closed the cabinet's twin doors and looked at him expectantly. "You wanted to talk about something?"

Joe nodded. Time to test his acting skills. "I was wondering," he said casually, "about some relationship things..."

A frown momentarily flashed on Miley's features. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Ah, kind of," Joe lied. Concern spread across Miley's features, and Joe shifted uncomfortably. He didn't want to lie. "I just... I think I have feelings for someone else." A total lie, obviously, but Joe had schooled his features into a sort of confused expression. "And... you are kind of... well, with Nick and Liam and stuff... And I didn't know who else to talk to, you know?"

Miley sighed. "It is confusing."

"Does this mean you're considering Nick?" Joe said, trying not to sound pushy.

"I..." Miley sighed. "I guess... and then some. It just... things feel a little... off with... Liam."

"Off?" Joe frowned. "Like... bad off?"

"I don't know. It just feels different," Miley said slowly. "Not necessarily a bad different, but... it just doesn't seem the same."

"And with Nick?" Joe pressed.

Miley shifted uncomfortably. "We're closer... closer than we should be, I think," she confessed.

Joe's jaw dropped...

... and he knew Liam heard every last word.

QotD: Have you ever broken a bone before? If so, which?

#Wrist

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! I know this was a sucky chapter, you don't have to tell me, and that there wasn't much action. I promise that there will be some more interesting stuff coming up next, but right now, I just want to explore some things to see how this will play out. I think I work better on stories where I have no outline for it whatsoever. That's what I did for a different one of my stories, and I finished that one pretty fast.

But hey, at least Miley confesses that she knows things are different between herself and Liam... Maybe she just needed Nick to show her that things were always different. ;)

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