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

Chapter 23 - February 20th, 2017

"But it's not the same without you because it takes two to whisper quietly. The silence isn't so bad 'till I look at my hands and feel sad 'cause the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly." - Excerpt from Vanilla Twilight, Owl City

Nick was at Miley's house—but not for the reasons you might think.

Nick was at Miley's house to talk to Liam. This was one of the rare times that he would wish that Miley wasn't at home. He needed Liam to answer the door. The door didn't open for a few heartbeats, but just before Nick was about to leave, there was a scrabbling sound through the door, and the door opened. "Sorry it took so long, I was—oh. You." Liam looked extremely displeased.

"Yes, me," Nick said politely, but he was unable to get rid of the edge in his voice.

"Miley isn't here," Liam said bluntly.

"I'm not here to talk to her," Nick said honestly. "I wanted to talk to you."

A scowl worked in Liam's jaw. "Fine. This better not take long." Liam opened the door a little more, and Nick walked in. He took a seat on the couch and waited. Liam came back and took a seat by him, still not managing to keep the displeasure off his face, but at least he wasn't glaring... much. "What do you want, Nick?" Liam sounded tired. Tired and angry. Understandable under the circumstances.

Nick sucked in a breath. "I just wanted to say sorry. I should've never come between you and Miley—"

"—damn right you shouldn't have!"

"Just let me explain," Nick said steadily. "That's all I'm asking for." Liam grumbled under his breath and crossed his arms but remained silent. Nick sighed. "I do love Miley. She was my entire world for a long time—I'm sure you know how that feels like. And to lose her the first time..." Nick struggled to regain his composure. "I need her, need her more than anyone else in the entire world, but she loves you."

Liam sighed. "For the longest time, I thought she was in love with you."

Nick watched, surprised. "What? Why?"

"I don't know why I'm telling you this, but..." Liam scratched the back of his neck. "Things were different. Miley was always smiling around you, and I thought she was falling in love with you all over again." Nick stiffened. It took a lot to admit something as huge as that. "She was more distant around me, and when you were in the hospital..." Liam shook his head. "God, I've never seen her look so worried."

It pleased Nick to hear Liam say that. "I'm too dependent on Miley," Nick confessed.

"I am, as well," Liam said, his gaze trained solely on the ground. "But if she wanted to go back to you..." Nick's breath hitched, and he looked up at Liam, but Liam was still looking at the ground. "I wouldn't be able to stop her." Liam sighed. "I don't hate you, Nick. I know what it feels like to be in love with Miley... and to see a guy have her... Not that you really have her right now, but..."

Perhaps Nick and Liam could've been good friends in a different life.

"I'm sorry about everything with Miley and all," Nick murmured. "I never meant for all of this to go so far..."

Liam paused. "How does Miley make you feel?"

"She makes me feel like flying," Nick said automatically. "She makes me feel like I can do anything, as long as she's by my side. She manages to invoke such powerful emotions... Compared to all the others, she burns like a star, and everyone else fades out. And I know I love her, and I can admit that easily." Nick chuckled a little. "I feel a sort of specialness between us, but sometimes, I wonder if it's all in my head—and it's usually laced with guilt, especially with you around."

Liam sucked in a breath. "You know, Nick, if you wanted to kiss her to prove a point to all of us, I'd let you."

Nick gaped, shocked to the end of all shocks. "What?"

"To prove a point," Liam clarified. "I don't want to think that every touch might be the last. I need to know how she feels, Nick. It's worse not knowing."

Nick stared at his hands. "I can't believe you'd let me do that."

"Me, either," Liam admitted. "But then at least I can learn to move on and let go earlier if she was always going to let me go in the end..." Sadness laced Liam's voice.

Nick sighed. "Well, I'd better get going. You've given me a lot to think about."

"And you've given me a lot to think about," Liam said quietly. "But you're right—you should get going."

Nick nodded and headed towards the door. Liam sounded so genuine. Liam was a decent person—Miley would've been happy with him. Too bad Nick had opened his big mouth and ruined everything. Everything was just so messed up. Of course, if Nick hadn't opened his mouth, then he would probably still have an empty space in his heart. He turned back to Liam as he reached the door. "I'm sorry."

Liam could've said you should be, but instead, Liam nodded. "Me, too."

Nick left and closed the door behind him. As he got in his car, he realized how mad he was. Not mad at Liam or Miley or Demi or Joe or anyone else. Just mad. He wondered where the rage came from. He felt like screaming. Nick turned up the radio and barely noticed the song blaring through. He drove quickly until he reached his house. Then, he slammed the door and pulled out his phone, dialing Demi's number.

"You talked to Liam, didn't you?" came Demi's slightly panicked voice. She hadn't even bothered with pleasantries. "It went bad, didn't it?" It didn't, it had actually gone out better than Nick had ever anticipated in his wildest dreams, but Nick was so fueled with rage that he said the first thing that popped in his mind—the thing he thought he would end up saying after his conversation with Liam.

Funny how fate worked out.

"Demi, I will never take your advice ever again."

There was a sigh. "That's fair."

Still In Love Somehow

"Nick's mad at me."

Miley looked up at Demi, surprised. They were currently lounging at a small cafe. "What?"

"You heard me fine," Demi snapped. "He's mad at me because I gave him faulty advice." Miley groaned, not sure whether she was more exasperated or more amused at this. Miley shot her a look that said, he's mad at you because... you gave him advice? "Yes!" Demi exclaimed, and Miley giggled a little at how easily Demi was able to read her. Demi buried her face in her hands.

"Demi, I'm sure you misunderstood," Miley said comfortingly.

"Don't even try to convince me," Demi said flatly. "He flat out said 'Demi, I will never take your advice ever again.'"

"Well..." Miley trailed off a little awkwardly.

Then, the cafe door opened—it had a bell and everything, so Miley couldn't help but turn. She turned back to Demi, who looked close to hyperventilating. Demi mouthed, what is he doing here? Miley shrugged. She didn't know why Nick was here. But he walked towards them, his expression impossible to read. He finally approached them, and Demi looked as if she was bracing herself.

Then, Nick reached out and hugged Demi tightly. "Thank you so much," he murmured. Then, he winked at Miley before leaving their table to go order something. Miley watched Nick lean against the counter as he ordered whatever he was going to order. Miley couldn't help but admire how lean his body was, even from a slant. Miley directed her attention back to Demi.

Miley raised an eyebrow. "For someone's who's mad at you, he sure has a weird way of showing it."

"B-b-but—" Demi spluttered, at a loss of words.

Miley nudged her gently in the ribs. "Wow, Demi," Miley teased, "he's just so mad at you."

"Who's mad at who?"

Miley blushed (an automatic reaction that she had no control over whatsoever) as she turned to see Nick, who had joined them. He was holding a smoothie in one hand. A baseball cap concealed some of his unruly curls, and Miley was tempted to reach over and steal his hat. "Hey, Nick," Miley said, taking a sip of her smoothie to cover up her embarrassment.

He grinned and conversationally said, "So, what're we talking about?"

"Nothing," Demi said too quickly.

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Um... okay." He turned to Miley. "I saw Liam earlier."

Please, please please make sure Nick didn't rip Liam apart or vice versa, Miley prayed inwardly. "Why?"

Nick shrugged. "It was either that or shove Demi into a lake."

"What?!" Demi screeched.

"Joking, joking," Nick chuckled, his eyes smiling. Miley found herself smiling. Nick seemed... more relaxed. Yes, that was the right word. He looked happier and looked as if he hadn't had a care in the world. Nick caught her watching him, and his eyes twinkled at her. Was that even possible? For someone's eyes to twinkle? "Yes, Miley?" She froze. "You wanted something?"

Miley tilted her head. "Why're you so happy?"

Nick frowned slightly. "Am I not allowed to be happy?"

Miley laughed. "No, it's just... something's... different." Horror washed down Miley's spine. "You didn't kill off my boyfriend, did you?"

Nick seemed pleased. He winked. "No, unfortunately." Apparently, Miley's absolute horror was visible because Nick threw back his head and laughed. His laugh was free and contagious and vivacious. "Nah, we just talked, that's all." Miley raised an eyebrow in a sort of 'yeah right' way, and Nick rested his chin lazily in the palm of his hand. "You don't believe me?" He sounded amused.

"No, I believe you," Miley said quickly. "Though I'm totally grilling Liam on it later," she added under her breath.

"What? Did you say something?" Nick said pleasantly.

"No," Miley said, smiling.

Demi grinned. "Are we just going to pretend we didn't hear you talk about grilling Liam later? I would like to hear all about it—actually, can I be there? Cooked Liam. That sounds nice."

Miley swatted at her arm. "Not that kind of grill."

Nick chuckled. "That would be an interesting sight."

Miley groaned. "You guys are ridiculous."

Still In Love Somehow

You're being too obvious.

Nick bit his lip at his self-conscience. Don't you think I know that?

Nick watched Miley argue with Demi about why she wouldn't and couldn't literally grill Liam. Demi chattered like a starling on reasons why she should. Nick chuckled. Miley and Demi. Demi and Miley. Their company was utterly additive. Nick laughed openly as Demi pointed out that grilling Liam would solve all of Miley's boy problems, and Miley sternly said that just because Liam died didn't mean that it would make things any easier.

"I don't see what's hard about it," Demi scoffed, taking a sip of her drink. "I mean, when you think about, doesn't it sound appealing?"

Miley gaped. "No!"

Nick watched Miley. She looked so beautiful and irresistible. Nick wanted nothing more to do than lean forward and kiss her—especially now that Liam (not to say Liam approved of it or anything) would, albeit grudgingly, let him. He loved the way Miley would shake her head irritably as Demi made a joke about how good Liam would taste because he spent so much time 'cooking' in the sun.

"Demi, that's gross!" Miley exclaimed. "Stop that right now!"

Nick wondered if he was being too casual—his conscience definitely thought so... Of course, everyone says not to trust the voice talking inside of your head. But Miley had noticed it too. Maybe Nick should just keep out of the conversation—just in case. He was going to drop too many clues, and either Demi or Miley (probably Demi) would force the truth out of him.

Nick rested his chin in his palm as he watched Demi and Miley banter playfully. A lazy smile crossed Nick's face as he watched them. Then, he cleared his throat. They both paused their cute little argument and turned towards him with expectant faces. "You guys, I'm pretty sure if you keep talking at this rate, the, um, press is going to find out..." Nick chuckled. "And..." He trailed off, letting the girls' imaginations do the rest of the work.

A look of horror crossed Miley's face. "Let's go then."

Demi shrugged, and a smirk spread across her features. "I think you're just making an excuse because you have nothing else to say, but alright."

Nick shook his head ruefully and walked with them out of the cafe. He had walked there, so he just rode in Demi's car. Miley sat shotgun, and Nick sat in the back... right behind Miley... so her delicious and addictive scent wreathed around him. Demi cranked up the radio, and Demi and Miley sang at the top of their lungs. Nick grinned and sang along with them.

They arrived at Nick's house, and Miley groaned. "Not this dump. His couches are horrible!"

Demi winked. "Yeah, well, be glad you're not living here."

"Right here," Nick said, raising his palms up. "You both do understand that I'm right here."

Demi laughed. "Yes, Nick, that's exactly the point—maybe this will give you a hint to get rid of those awful excuses for couches!"

Nick shrugged. No way would he admit he had been contemplating that decision himself. They waltzed into his house, and Miley and Demi seated themselves on the ground. Nick shrugged, got some cokes out of the fridge, and headed back to them, handing each a can. Miley played with the can but didn't open it. Demi opened it and sipped it delicately. Nick opened his and drank about a third of it. "Ah," he sighed contentedly as he tipped the glutinous contents down his throat.

"This is the life," Miley said, a small smile appearing on her face.

Demi rolled her eyes. "And this is me telling you that you've got to stop quoting from your songs." Demi emphasized this is me.

Miley crossed her arms. "At least I said a part, not the actual song title!"

Nick grinned. You could never get bored with Miley and Demi. They were so fun and vivacious. Nick winked at Miley. "Would you mind if I kissed you?"

Miley's eyes widened in surprise. Then, she laughed as if he had told a great joke. Demi started laughing, too, and Nick sat there, confused, until he realized that they thought he was teasing. He smiled tightly, and Miley nudged him in the ribs gently. "That's funny, Nick—you should really become a comedian!" Demi high-fived Miley, and Nick fought the urge to frown. "Think about it: Nick Jonas—America's hottest comedic act!"

"I'm just the funniest person ever, aren't I?" Nick said proudly.

"Best. Joke. Ever," Demi laughed.

Nick laughed lightly and took a swig of his coke.

Yeah, it wasn't a joke.

QotD: When was the last time you were sick?

#Saturday-Sunday; 3/18 - 3/19

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! I was sick when I was writing this chapter, so sorry if it's horrible. I was sick-ish on Saturday, but definitely without doubt on Sunday. Of course, I still had to go to language school (I know, right? It sucks.), so that was my day. My new cover obsession: Not Over You by Alex Goot and Against the Current. I was listening to that song for this chapter! Thinking about using a quote from that song for a coming chapter... We'll see.

Who was surprised by what I made Liam say to Nick? #ME

Sorry, no Niley kiss. Don't hate me too much. But at least you know that there's a greater chance of having one. Sorry for not rushing the action in. I wasn't sure how to end this chapter, so here you go. Sorry. I know it was just really sucky... but... this chapter is important! At least... well, the beginning of it. The rest was just me joking around.

Fun fact: In real life, I actually have all these sarcastic and quirky comments in my head, but I never seem to say them out loud.

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