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

Chapter 22 - February 19th, 2017

"The rush remains as I watch you go. Your kiss still lingers, but its killing me slow as I shiver in this space where I lay. In your shadow I fade." - Excerpt from Beautiful Mess, Miranda Cosgrove

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Didn't you just do that?" Nick joked.

Miley rolled her eyes. "I'm serious." She slapped his arm lightly. "Now, listen, because I'm only going to say this once. Okay, here's my question." Miley paused for dramatic effect, and Nick rolled her eyes, watching her affectionately. How utterly ridiculous and fun and completely Miley of her. He nodded, hoping to prompt her into continuing. A sly smirk glided onto her features. "Why are you such an idiot?"

Nick gaped. "What're you talking about?!"

A smile slid onto Miley's lips, but Nick couldn't bring himself to smile back. He knew she had said the words jokingly—that wasn't the reason—but he was hurt by yesterday. Did she not notice how much she affected him? Did she even care? The same questions wrapped around Nick, suffocating him, until he looked back into Miley's eyes. She noticed his hesitation and placed her hand on top of his. "If you ever need me to be there," she murmured, "I'll always come for you."

How could she sound so sincere? How could she when Nick was breaking inside? Did she still not understand why?

I'm scared of falling for you, she had said. Those were the closest words she had ever said to him to admitting anything.

He smiled at her shakily, and she smiled back, relieved. Nick watched her joke around like nothing had happened, like she hadn't just told him that if he was ever in trouble, she would always come for him. It was maddening. He stared at his hand, where her hand had been wrapped around just heartbeats ago. His gaze traveled up to her face. She was shockingly and dazzlingly beautiful.

Her eyes were a masterpiece on their own. The shocking blue spinel of her eyes were framed out by her naturally long lashes. Her eyes seemed to convey a million emotions, and Nick could feel his heart racing—and she wasn't even doing anything. All she was doing was sitting there and talking. God, Nick was so lost. Miley looked perfectly content... That was just the way she was.

"And I'm going to kill Joe so he can't be with Demi."

"Uh huh."

"I knew it." Miley shoved him. "You weren't listening to me, were you?"

Nick's head snapped up, and he watched her guiltily. "Sorry. I was distracted..."

She turned serious. Damn her perceptiveness—it could be a real hindrance sometimes. "What's wrong, Nick?"

He didn't say anything. Instead, he smiled at her lazily. "Why would you think that?" Then, he lay down on his back on the mattress. He went over his thoughts. He was still at Miley's house... Liam was in the house... and Nick wasn't dead yet. Hmm. This might work out okay... Yeah, did you catch the sarcasm? Because it was there. It laced Nick's thoughts.

Miley pursed her lips before laying down by him. They both stared at the ceiling mindlessly. "Nick..." A smile was on Miley's face.

He wanted so badly to just lean forward and kiss her. Instead, he pulled back so there was more space between them. "I should go," he mumbled.

She paused, and the corners of her mouth turned down. "Yeah..."

He got up and touched his now-dry clothes. He grabbed them and headed over to her bathroom. He changed quickly and then stared at his face. He looked... messy. Finally, after a billion years, he got out of the bathroom and forced his feet to move. Miley was there in different clothes but casual all the same. He lifted a hand in greeting, and she smiled. He glanced at the clothes in his arms awkwardly, and Miley laughed. "Keep those," she laughed.

Nick shrugged. "That wouldn't feel right..."

Miley shrugged. "Then keep them here. If it ever rains, and you just happen to walk out in the rain, you'll have a fresh change of clothes," she teased.

A smile flickered on Nick's face. "Cool, then." He placed the neatly folded clothes down.

"I'll take you home," Miley announced. She smirked. "On my bike."

He grinned at the mention of her three-wheeler. "Thanks," he said breezily.

Soon, they were out the door and on her bike. She had instructed him to wrap his arms around her waist to not fall off, and Nick had complied without hesitation. His arms around her felt right. The wind was incredible, and he loved the rush... Of course, Nick always seemed to have a rush when around Miley. She pulled up at his house and actually walked him to the door.

They arrived at his door. "Well," he said, "this is me." He paused, feeling incredibly shy. "Miley?"

She smiled. "Yes?"

"Do you want to walk me home?"

She laughed. "We're at your house."

"Nonsense. You can walk me around the block again, can't you?"

She smiled, and Nick knew that she would agree. They walked side by side, and he admired the way she walked. Sometimes, she would catch him looking at her, and she would smile. Nick blushed as they walked around. Then, they arrived at his house again. He turned to her, and she slipped her hand into his and led him to the door. Then, she let go. He shriveled to her. "Miley—" I love you. But he couldn't say that.

"Yes?" Her gaze was expectant.

Nick smiled at her. You're so beautiful. Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now? Instead, he mumbled, "Thanks for the ride."

Miley winked. "I'll see you around."

She stepped forward to embrace him, and he wrapped his arms around her slim waist. He wasn't ready to let go yet, even when she drew back a little. When she realized he wasn't going to let go, she smiled and hugged him tighter, her grip not yet vise-like but something close. He let her scent wreathe around him and closed his eyes. If Liam could have this every single day, Nick should be allowed to have this brief moment.

Then, regretfully, he pulled back. It lasted less than a minute. "Thank you," he breathed.

"Take care," she murmured. "Don't over-exercise."

He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly, embarrassed. "I won't."

"Take care of Angel," she added, and he smiled ruefully. Angel (ironically) was the golden retriever dog that she had brought to his house a few days ago. Nick had actually grown fond of the dog. He nodded at Miley. His heartstrings tugged viciously in his chest as he watched her. She smiled and waved at him before walking back to her bike. She looked so graceful and... well... angelic.

Nick waited until she was gone until he entered his house. Elvis barked eagerly at him, and Nick leaned down to scratch his dog's ears. "Hey, mister," Nick teased.

Elvis cocked his head as if to say, why did you let her go? There was no question about who 'her' was. "Because, buddy, she's engaged," Nick reminded his dog, "and she's perfectly happy. I can't just force her to do anything she doesn't want to." Elvis tilted his head and looked Nick clear in the eyes. It was almost a challenge, almost as if Elvis was daring him, can't you?

"And it doesn't matter if she wants to—she doesn't enough, not to do anything about it," Nick said firmly.

I love her, I love her so much... and I can't do anything about it.

Nick had always thought that Miley loved him, even now... Old feelings didn't just go away.

What if she didn't?

Still In Love Somehow

"If you ever need me to be there, I'll always come for you."

Miley replayed her words in her head.

Had she promised Liam she would be there for him if he ever needed her? No. Had she even hinted at that? Sure. Jokingly. So why had she said that to Nick? Miley replayed their entire conversation. Had Nick always been so sincere? Yes, her heart told her. Irrevocably. Miley couldn't shake off the feeling that Nick was mad at her. She had tried to figure out what Nick was thinking—but she couldn't.

And it was infuriating.

So Miley called Demi.

"Hey, Miles," Demi chirped cheerfully.

Miley didn't bother with pleasantries and instead cut straight to the point. "Is Nick mad at me?"

There was a pause. Then, Demi either coughed trying to hide a laugh or choked on something. "Why would you think that?" It must've been the first option judging by the laughter daring to bubble out of Demi's voice. "Plus, he's in love with you—why would you ever think something like that?" Incredulity was mixed in with the apparent amusement in Demi's voice.

"Um... Yesterday, he said he was."

"And why, pray tell, would he do that?" Demi said pleasantly, still thinking this was all a big joke.

"We had a fight."

Miley could picture a frown crossing Demi's features. "And you two were doing so well," Demi mused thoughtfully. "I won't ask you to go through the details or anything, though I'm sure I'll hear it from Joe or/and Nick later, but I think you're overthinking things a bit. Nick isn't going to grudge you or anything." There was a slight pause on the line. Then, Demi groaned. "You want me to ask him?"

"I didn't say that," Miley said, her answer automatic. She sighed. "Maybe. I wish I knew what he was thinking."

"Guys are made to be confusing idiots," Demi said, sympathy in her voice. "Don't worry about it, Miles. I'm sure he's over it."

Miley nodded. "I'm sure you're right—"

"—when am I not—?"

"—I'm just overreacting over nothing. Listen, Demi, I'll take to you later, okay?"

"Mhm. Bye, Smiley."

Miley smiled ruefully as she hung up. She stared at the clock before turning to her dog Emu, who snaked to her side, curling around her ankle like her personal portable fluffy pillow. She leaned down and stroked Emu gently. Then, Miley headed to her room. She was about half-way there when a tall figure appeared at her side. Miley smiled at Liam and was eager to breathe a "Hey, you" to him.

"Hey, yourself," Liam murmured, engulfing her in an embrace. "You wanna go for a walk? It's a beautiful day."

"You're in a good mood," Miley commented, grinning.

"I'm always in a good mood," Liam teased. "Which begs the question are you happy?"

Miley hid her feelings behind a smile. She let it relax on her face. "It is a beautiful day." She slid her hand into his, feeling guilty. Was she really using Liam as a distraction now? "Let's go for a walk," she said, feeling butterflies erupt in her stomach as a smile dazzled fiercely on Liam's face. She couldn't help but lean up to kiss him. His lips felt familiar and warm and wonderful against hers.

Liam's smile widened, his pleasure apparent. "Let's go," he murmured, voice deliciously husky.

"Are you sure you don't want to bike?" she teased.

Liam grinned. "Yeah. No."

"Didn't think so," Miley said, giving his hand a firm squeeze.

Miley's thoughts drifted back to her earlier dilemma.

Surely Nick was over it.

Still In Love Somehow

Nick Jonas was absolutely not over it.

What was it, you ask? Well, it was a lot of things. All of them having one striking thing in common: Miley Cyrus.

Nick stared at his hands and wondered. He wanted so desperately for Miley to be in love with him... No, focus, Nick, Nick chastised himself. Focus on direct facts. Yes, that would be alright. Facts, facts, facts. Well, Miley was with Liam, who hated Nick's guts. Miley was in love with Liam... That was a fact, right? Nick shook his head, feeling incredibly silly for hoping that that wasn't true.

Perhaps direct facts weren't the best approach. Maybe Nick had to view everything differently.

Too bad he couldn't see things from Miley's point of view.

Knock! Knock!

Nick turned towards the door and heard someone grumble, "Ah, forget it."

Then, the door opened, and Demi burst in. Nick stared, eyes wide. "How did you get in?"

Demi smirked. "Secrets of the trade." She dangled a key right in front of him. Nick attempted to snatch it, but Demi swung it away. "No way, Jonas."

"It's my house key," Nick protested.

"Nuh uh, you lost that right when you poured whipped cream on my boyfriend!"

"You poured whipped cream on him, too!"

"That's not the point!"

"Wait." A smile slid onto Nick's face. "You guys are official?"

Demi's answering smile was bright, and she nodded. "We haven't announced it yet, though..."

"Congratulations!" Nick said, a smile flickering on his face. At least Demi's and Joe's love life was alright—whereas his was practically nonexistent. "I'm really happy for you guys. You guys are really meant for each other—and if Joe gives you any trouble, just come to me, alright?" Nick said, chuckling to himself as he watched Demi's face glow in happiness. Demi's hope gave Nick some hope, too.

"Thank you," Demi murmured. "By the way, I'm team Niley all the way."

Nick smiled. "Your support is much appreciated." Nick's smile dropped. "But I don't think we'll get together... like... ever."

Demi frowned. "How come?" Nick sighed but said nothing. Demi pursed her lips. "Are you mad at her?" Nick looked up at her, surprised. Demi sighed and raised up her hand in resignation. "She thinks you're mad at her." Nick opened his mouth to speak, but Demi beat him to it. "She thinks that she did something that made you angry, but she just doesn't know what."

Nick sighed. "I'm not angry... I'm just... confused."

"Why?" Demi prompted.

Nick let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "She said... she said that she was scared." He looked away. "Of falling for me..."

Demi's jaw dropped. "What?!" she screeched. "Why is the first time I've heard of this?!"

Nick blushed. "I don't know what to make of that, but right now, I think we're both acting like she never said that."

"What more proof do you need, Nicholas?" Demi said furiously. "She's... Wow... I'm not sure what she feels for you"—Nick raised a brow that lucidly said, how is that supposed to help me?—"but I'm sure she feels for you romantically. I think she should dump Liam right this instant, and—what am I saying?" Demi sighed. "You know, I always thought you two belonged together, but..."

"I thought she might have feelings for me," Nick murmured sadly. "But now..."

"Don't give up," Demi urged. "I've worked things out with Joe."

Nick sighed. "I can't stay friends with Miley after she seals the ties with Liam. It would hurt too much."

"That—that would break her heart," Demi said slowly.

"I thought I knew what I wanted!" Nick burst out. "What if I'm just hanging onto nothing?"

"Don't say that," Demi said firmly. "You love Miley, and she loves you." Demi squeezed Nick's arm, and he looked up at her. He watched her despondently. She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him for a brief moment. Nick drew strength from her. "But honestly... I think you're going at this wrong. I think... and don't blame me for sounding crazy—but I think... you should..." Demi hesitated.

"Yes, Demi?" Nick searched her eyes.

"Well, I think you should talk to Liam."

QotD: Who's your favorite singer(s)?

#Miley Cyrus #Avril Lavigne #Megan Nicole

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! Let's all take a moment to take #AvrilLavigne for her amazing music. I was listening to her songs as I wrote this chapter. I was also listening to some of Miranda Cosgrove's songs, hence the quote used for this chapter. I think some of Miranda's and Avril's songs fit Niley so well—and Miley's songs, too. They're all so amazing.

It took me forever to actually write this chapter out, and I don't really like how it turned out... But oh well.

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