Track Twenty-Four
The next morning doesn't rush. It stretches. Soft. Unstructured. You guys still had the day to spend together before Daniela had to go back to tour and you back home.
You're both still in bed longer than you planned, talking about nothing and everything at the same time. The kind of conversation that drifts. One minute it's about tour schedules, the next it's about childhood snacks, then somehow it turns into arguing over whether pineapple belongs on pizza.
"It absolutely fucking does not," you say, turning your head to look at her. You scoff lightly, laying back against the pillow. "You just don't have taste."
"I have standards." "Same thing." You roll your eyes, but you're smiling. It's easy. That's what stands out the most. Not intense. Not overwhelming. Just... easy.
Eventually, you both get up.
She ends up in one of your hoodies again, sleeves covering her hands, while she moves around the room like she actually knows what she's doing. Music is playing quietly from your phone, something mellow, something she doesn't recognize but doesn't mind.
She watches you for a second. "Why do you always look like you're thinking about ten things at once?" she asked. You glanced at her over your shoulder. "Because I am." "That sounds stressful." "It's normal."
She hummed, not fully convinced. You guys leave the hotel late in the morning.
Nothing planned. That's the point. You just..
. walk. Arizona air is warm, dry, the kind that makes everything feel a little slower.
You stay close without forcing it. Hands brushing.
Sometimes linking. Sometimes not. No pressure.
At one point, she reaches for your hand without looking.
You notice. You don't say anything. You just hold it.
You stop at a small coffee shop. She orders for both of you like she knows you already, and surprisingly.
.. She's not wrong. "How did you know I wanted that?
" you ask, raising a brow. She shrugs. "You give off iced coffee energy.
" You laugh. "What does that even mean?" "It means you look like you complain about hot drinks.
" "I do complain about hot drinks except for tea. "
"Exactly." You shake your head, smiling.
You sit across from each other by the window.
Sunlight hitting the table. No phones. That's new.
"You're quieter today," she says after a while.
You tilt your head slightly. "In a bad way?
" She shakes her head. "No. Just... different.
" You think about it. "I'm not trying to figure anything out today," you admit. She nods slowly. "That's good."
There's a pause. But it's not awkward. It's just... full. You look at her, really look this time. No stage lights. No tension. No overthinking. Just her. "I meant it," you say quietly. Her eyes flick up to yours. "I know," she replies.
And for once, that's enough.
You leave the café and keep walking.
At some point, she pulls you into a random store just because something in the window caught her attention. You follow without complaint, watching her move through the aisles like everything interests her.
"You get distracted easily," you say. She grins.
"Only when I'm happy." That lands. You don't say anything back.
But you feel it. Later, you end up back at the hotel.
Shoes kicked off. Music playing again. You're both half laying, half sitting on the bed, her head in your lap while you absentmindedly play with her hair.
"You're really soft like this," she murmurs.
"Don't get used to it." "Too late." You look down at her.
She's already closing her eyes. Comfortable.
Safe. With you. Your fingers slow slightly in her hair.
"I like you like this," you admit. Her lips curve faintly.
"Good." Time passes without either of you noticing. That's how you know it's real.
Not because of what you said this morning. Not because of what happened last night. But because you're not watching the clock.
At some point, she shifts, sitting up slightly so she's closer to you again.
"You're leaving later?" she asks.
"Yeah." You had a lot of work to catch up on. Malcolm just released his new song "Breathe" and now that meant an album, and possibly tour talk. He already asked you to come with him to a couple shows if it happens, so you got a lot to get done.
"What time?" she asked, bringing you back to the conversation.
"Tonight. I got a late flight, so I could stay with you longer."
She nods. Doesn't react much. But you feel it. So you lean in first this time. The kiss is slow. Unrushed. Not proving anything. Just... staying. When you pull back, your forehead rests against hers.
"You gonna call me later?" she says softly.
"Of course." You don't hesitate.
And for now? That's enough. No tension. No distance. No questions waiting to be asked. Just two people choosing each other.
And letting it be simple.
For once.