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

Chapter 26 - February 23rd, 2017

"I found you then I lost you. Looking back its torture, and it hurts to know I let you go. You live right around the corner, and I could've had it all, could've had it all. True love, I knew I had it. True Love was so hard to find. True love, if I could get it back I'd never let it go this time." - Excerpt from True Love, Dove Cameron & Jordan Fisher

"Can I have some advice?"

Demi turned side to side. Shock graced her face. "A-are you t-talking to m-me?"

Miley chuckled at her friend's antics. "Yes, you."

"On what?"

Miley tilted her head thoughtfully. Demi swirled her straw in her lemonade. They were at Demi's place currently. Demi picked up the glass of lemonade and took a hefty draft of the drink. Miley smiled lightly as Demi watched her expectantly. "Let's see. Yesterday, my fiance told me that he wanted my ex-boyfriend who just so happens to be a superstar to kiss me."

Demi spat out her drink. "WHAT?!"

Miley laughed as she glanced at the lemonade spewed on the table. It looked disgusting, and Miley edged away a little. Then, she got up and got a towel and began mopping up the mess. Demi was still staring, eyes wide. Miley shook her head absentmindedly and finished cleaning. Then, she poured some water into a glass and handed it to Demi, who numbly took it.

"You're... you're joking... right?"

Miley pursed her lips. "No."

Demi's mouth fell open, and she dropped the glass of water she was holding. Miley quickly reached out and grabbed it before it smashed into the table. Demi spluttered, but the words were incoherent. Miley smiled at Demi and placed the glass of water down. "Drink." She pushed it towards Demi. "It'll soothe your frazzled nerves." Miley actually wasn't sure if the water would help, but doing something normal should help, right?

Almost robotically, Demi reached forward and swallowed a draught of water. "Say that again," Demi said shakily.

"Liam told me that he wouldn't mind if Nick kissed me," Miley clarified.

Demi shook her head. "No, no, no, that's impossible. That's not how it works. Liam would never in a billion years say something like that! The guy's not an idiot." Miley raised a brow. She clearly remembered Demi calling Liam an idiot on many occasions, jokingly, of course. Demi shook her head furiously. "There's no way..." she said repeatedly. "That can't be right..."

"I'm pretty sure I didn't hear Liam wrong, Demz," Miley said quietly.

Demi shook her head. "Give me a second, okay?" Miley nodded and watched Demi close her eyes and count to ten. Then, Demi opened her eyes, the shock no longer in her eyes. It seemed as if the stunned expression was just hiding behind the eyes. Demi took a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling deeply. Then, she shook her head again, seeming much more like herself. "Miley, this is... wow. This is really..."

"Unbelievable?" Miley laughed bitterly. "I know."

"Well..." Demi shrugged. "Did he say anything about it? Why, I mean?"

"He said he wanted me to be happy," Miley mumbled. "That's all he said... and I didn't want to push on the subject more than I did—I didn't want to say that I thought he was crazy to his face..." Miley shook her head, sighing. "I mean, if you can get past the disbelief, I guess it makes sense... I mean, what better way than a kiss to see if your fiance is in love with her old boyfriend?" Miley was surprised at how bitter her voice was.

"Unless this is Liam's way of testing you," Demi mused seriously.

"Maybe," Miley agreed. "But we have no real way of knowing... He could've just been lying... But I don't think he'd do that."

"Me, either," Demi agreed with some reluctance. The two paused, thinking up alternate scenarios. Then, Demi piped up, "How about we ask Nick..?"

Nick.

Miley shifted uncomfortably. She took her mind back to her conversation with Liam. Liam didn't look like he was lying... and he had told Noah this, too. He wouldn't lie to Miley's sister to prove a point, would he? No, that wasn't Liam. Miley didn't believe Liam would do anything like that. But Liam telling Nick that he was allowed to kiss Miley was a little sketchy.

But what about Nick?

A few days ago... a few days ago, he had made a joke. A joke about... kissing her. He had asked for permission, and Miley and Demi had written that off as a joke... Miley froze. But what if that wasn't a joke? What if it had been real? And what if he had been too embarrassed to say it wasn't a joke? She remembered the tightness of his expression... but she had assumed that that was because they were joking about him.

What if it hadn't? What if it had been because of the kissing thing?

Miley locked eyes with Demi. "I have to talk to Nick," Miley said quietly.

Demi nodded. "I'll drive you over."

As Demi drove, Miley rested her chin in the palm of her hand, contemplating what she was going to say to Nick. Thoughts swarmed around her mind. She just didn't know what to do. Both girls remained silent—Miley was grateful: Demi seemed to realize that she needed the time to think. But Miley didn't know what to think. The same thoughts raced through her mind: Nick, Liam, permission, kiss, love.

The thoughts wrapped around her, suffocating her, until Miley firmly told herself to stop thinking.

Miley focused on the road and pinpointed out the little things—small still-growing flowers, a squirrel scampering up a tree, the smell of car exhaust, the musky scent of the air, bright car license plates flashing and glinting in the sunlight. The world was vivid and green, when you really paid attention to it, but most people focused on the dull, colorless items.

They arrived at Nick's house, and Miley felt her heart racing in a mixture of incredulity, anticipation, and nervousness.

"Wish me luck," she murmured to Demi.

"Do you want me to wait, or do you think Nick will give you a ride home?" Demi inquired, concern in her gaze.

Warmth echoed in Miley's heart, and she felt gratitude rush through her. "You can go do your own thing. I'll fill you in on what happens," she promised.

Demi smiled back and leaned forward to hug Miley. "Alright then. Call me if you need rescuing."

"Will do."

Miley stepped out of the car, still feeling the warmth of Demi's embrace, and took a deep breath, composing herself. She walked towards Nick's house, turning back to wave at Demi, who grinned at her, mouthing 'good luck.' Then, Demi started the car and drove out of sight. Miley turned back towards Nick's house with a heavy heart and quickened her pace.

She waited at the door, freaking out over whether to knock or to ring the doorbell.

Seriously. Of all the things that she could focus on, she focused on whether to ring the doorbell or to knock the door. Stupid.

Suddenly, the door opened, talking Miley by surprise. She stumbled back, but strong arms caught her steadily. Her heart raced as she peered to see Nick. Her face flamed, and she let him help her. "Thanks," she murmured, feeling herself grow hot with embarrassment. Nick squinted at her, as if he couldn't believe she was actually there. Miley took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself.

"Hey, Miley," Nick said warmly. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but... why were you just standing here?"

Miley blushed. "I wasn't sure whether to knock or to ring the doorbell, so..." She shrugged helplessly. "Here I am."

Nick laughed. "That's so Miley of you." Then, he blushed, as if he couldn't believe he had said that aloud.

Miley shrugged, letting a small smile grace her lips. "Well, it's a good thing I'm Miley, right?" she joked.

"Of course." Nick's eyes glowed as they landed on her, and Miley felt herself grow warm, which had nothing to do with embarrassment this time. It was because of Nick. He was staring at her like he had all those years ago... but this time... the look was deeper, more intent. Different yet still the same. "Come on in, Miley," he said, smiling. Then, he turned shy. "Unless, of course, you don't want to—then I completely understand. I mean—"

"God, way to ramble, Nick," Miley laughed. He blushed because he was Nick, and that was just what he did.

She entered the room, and he walked in after her, closing the door behind them. She grabbed his hand and walked straight to his room, blushing that she had remembered where it was. He seemed surprised yet pleased all the same. She sat down on his bed, and he did, too. He smiled at her shyly. "So, what're you doing here?" he murmured huskily.

Miley blushed again. Wow, she sure was on a roll. No one else could make her blush so much. "I..." She grew flustered.

"It's okay," he said patiently. "Take your time. We have all the time in the world." He lay down on the bed lazily, stretching out as if to prove his point.

Miley remained sitting, and she bit her lip. "I... Is it true that Liam told you to kiss me?" she blurted out.

Wow, Miley, way to be awkward.

Miley felt like growling. Shut up, self-conscience!

Nick froze from his relaxed position. Then, he got up and sat up, facing her. "What?"

"I mean—" Miley trailed off awkwardly.

Nick scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah..." Nick closed his eyes for a brief heartbeat. "Yeah, it's true. I mean..." Nick took a deep breath. "I mean, maybe not like that. He just said that if I wanted to kiss you, he wouldn't mind. He wanted to know..." Nick trembled now, as if the mere thought had done wonders to him. "And ever since he put that thought in my mind..." Nick trailed off.

Miley watched him. "I understand... And that joke you made the other day... That wasn't a joke... was it?"

"No, it wasn't," Nick said softly.

Miley's heart raced. "You... want to kiss me?" She struggled to say the words.

Nick met her eyes. His eyes were deep and dark and full of love. Her heart ached at the sight, and all of her emotions came tumbling out. Miley felt like laughing and crying and screaming all at once, but she didn't. The one thing that she had valued from Disney—the ability to hide her emotions. Or... at least to not break down when she felt like it. She had to. Had to become strong. Or Disney would break her apart and make her who they wanted her to be.

And she would do anything to stop that. She didn't want someone, say Nick, to fall in love with Disney's version of her.

"You're everything I've always wanted," Nick whispered, voice ragged and raw and utterly real. "I dream about you every single night..." His words were so romantic, and Miley remembered the days when she had complained about his cheesiness. She had secretly loved it—and he knew that, too. "I missed you so much. Missed you so much as a friend and then so much more."

"Nick—"

"I don't understand how one person—you—can invoke so much pain and love and everything in me." Nick met her eyes. "The mention of your name... that alone sends shivers coursing down my spine. I keep wishing that I could've redone 2006 and everything else, so you would be here with me. And then... at parties and premieres and stuff... I can't talk my eyes off of you."

Miley felt her eyes fill with tears. She wasn't sure if they were happy tears or sad. Or maybe something in between. Or maybe just full blown hysteria at its purest form.

"I'm in love with you, Miley," he said softly. "It's as simple as that. I was so scared to say it to you the first time, and I always wanted to say it. You were always so disappointed in me when I didn't. I remember seeing the hope in your eyes fade into disappointment. That would haunt me... but I was so scared. I was scared of loving you... and then, I lost you. And that scared me more."

Tears streaked down Miley's face as she watched him pour out his heart and soul to her.

"I know if you gave me another chance," Nick whispered, "you wouldn't regret it. I would do everything to make you feel like you were the only one, and I wouldn't break all those promises. I wouldn't make you feel small." Nick's eyes glittered fiercely with passion and tears. "You broke down my walls... and that scared me so much. But it thrilled me. How could somebody do that?"

Nick stroked her cheek delicately, and Miley shivered at his touch. "You were so hesitant to let me in the second time, but you did. And I was so happy to make you smile..." Nick shook his head, and Miley wondered if memories were crashing through his head, too. "But I would never kiss you unless you wanted me to. I could never force you to do something like that."

"And now?" Miley whispered, voice ragged.

"I'm not going to kiss you until you ask me to," Nick breathed.

"What if I want you to kiss me right now?" Miley challenged, but she couldn't stop her voice from quivering.

Nick shook his head. "You're not ready. I can see it in your eyes, Mi."

Miley locked eyes with him. Then, he reached out but hesitated. Then, he drew back, gaze conflicted. Miley sighed. She wished he hadn't changed his mind. She needed someone to hold her and make her feel safe. Once upon a time, she would resent touch, but he had shown her that you should embrace touch. Then, he seemed to realize what she was thinking because he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her gently, uncertainly.

Miley leaned into him, burying her face into the crook of his neck.

Miley bit her lip. Was it bad that she wanted to kiss him? And not just because she wanted to prove a point? Miley looked up at Nick just to see that familiar sparkle dance in his eyes. He shot her a questioning look, and Miley took a deep breath. She wanted to say a billion things all at once, but the words seemed to get clogged up in her throat. So instead the best she came up with was: "You're a good friend, Nick."

But Nick smiled. "I learned from the best."

Miley curled up his chest, smiling. Nick had a somewhat similar build to Liam, and the familiarity sent shivers coursing down her spine. There was nothing really romantic about him holding her, she thought. They were just two people drawing comfort from each other—no, two friends drawing comfort from each other. Nick was familiar to Miley. Of course she would feel safe with him.

"Nick?"

"Yes, angel?"

"You know I meant what I said when I told you that if you ever need me, I'll be there for you."

Nick smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I know." His gaze burned. "And if you're ever in trouble, I'll always be there for you. And, for the record..." He tilted his head in a thoughtful sort of way. He smiled at her, and his face flushed a bit. Miley smiled back, perfectly content in his arms. "And for the record, you've always been there for me, whether you knew it or not." His smile turned light. "Thank you." A teasing smile lit up his face. "Angel."

Miley hummed, the sound reverberating in her throat. "Don't call me angel," she chastised.

His smile turned wistful. "But you're my angel. You saved me." He paused. "How about I settle for 'Mi' then?"

Miley grinned. "I like that one much better."

QotD: Do you play Transformice? (If so, what's your favorite thing about it?)

#Survivor

A/N: Hey, it's Darky! Don't hate me too much! Sorry, no Niley kiss. I built this chapter thinking that I would put in a Niley kiss, but... things obviously didn't turn out that way. Why, pray tell? Because I think that it's way too early for a kiss. Um, I think. I spent a long time thinking about what to do... Also, I did an entire Miley POV chapter. Um, I don't even know how. I just kept writing, I guess.

But what a sucky ending for this chapter. I didn't know what to put with 'Heavy' by Linkin Park ft. Kiiara ringing in my ears. X-)

For Jemi shippers, I'll try to slip some in. I actually wanted to put some in this chapter, but that didn't happen... I'll try my best.

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