The Desired Effect

Turn Of A Dial, Slide Of A Fader

Wednesday 21st December (still) - Las Vegas, Nevada

Promptly after Brandon's approval, Poppy finalized the first track for the album. Both a little relieved but nonetheless exhausted, they settled down in the office to try and get some shut eye before going at it again in the morning. Brandon slumped down against the wall, a thin mattress beneath him. Poppy joined him after having brushed her teeth. She sank down into the make-shift bed opposite Brandon. 

"Come here" Brandon nodded his head, indicating for Poppy to come sit beside him, "I'm a little giddy to sleep yet" he admitted as Poppy proceeded to sink down beside him at an appropriate distance.
"oh ok" she responded as she got herself comfy at a jaunty angle to him, "I always take a while to drop off anyways, I either need to listen to music or talk til I fall asleep"
"What do you listen to?" He asked, curiosity getting the better of him. He tucked his knees against his chest as he watched Poppy and listened intently.
"Oh anything really, anything good" she chuckled, "Good and old!"
"So me then?" He mocked, the edges of his lips curling up into a cheeky smirk.
"Bowie, Iggy Pop, Siouxie Sioux, Blondie" Poppy proceeded to reel off confidently.
"Ooh impressive, you're so British I love it" Brandon responded, his dark eyes locking with hers.
"And you're so American!" Poppy teased, avoiding direct eye contact.
"What's wrong with that?" Brandon mocked offense, doing his best to remain serious.
"Nothing" Poppy backpedalled poorly, her eyes flitting about anxiously.
"I'm joking" Brandon offered, tapping a friendly rhythm on Poppy's knee. "How did you get into music, you told us the quick story but tell me all the details, I find it fascinating to hear how people found their paths" Brandon admitted, wriggling in his spot like an eager child waiting for a bedtime story.
"Seeing as you asked so nicely" Poppy mocked before scrambling to a start. Brandon listened to Poppy as she told the story, hanging onto every syllable. She told him all the details and he nodded and hummed along, prompting her to continue. After her story she asked Brandon about his career path and she was surprised to find it was diverse and included lots of dead-end, poorly paid seasonal work.

Then unknowingly, the pair slowly drifted off to sleep. Oblivious to their surroundings they involuntarily gave in and slipped into slumber. They eventually collapsed against one another, sharing the warmth of their closeness, they eventually relented to sleep and slipped into the deep restorative sleep they both needed so badly.

Thursday 22nd December - Las Vegas, Nevada
The pair snoozed straight through the night, Brandon slumped against the wall, Poppy slumped against him. Around 2am, Brandon woke momentarily and smiled at the sight. He pulled the covers over Poppy and then himself. For a second he thought about whether it was appropriate to hold Poppy. He decided that he would, what harm would it do? So he nestled back down more comfortably this time, and neatly behind Poppy who was still fast asleep. He stretched his legs out behind her and looped an arm loosely over her torso, his hand coming to rest on her hip. Within minutes he rejoined her and remained fast asleep until morning came around.

Poppy was the first to wake, her eyelashes fluttered open as she slowly came to realize where she was. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she was surprised to find herself under a blanket and the warmth of Brandon right behind her. She didn't move, she didn't want to disturb Brandon as she could tell he was still dozing from the timely gap between his deep breaths. Then her brain slowly clicked into gear. 'Brandon is basically spooning me!' she suddenly thought, her eyes widening involuntarily. Her heart rate quickened. They were professionals, weren't they? She became increasingly uncomfortable with her thoughts and decided to try and escape the sticky predicament. She slipped from under Brandon's long arm and headed to the bathroom. In doing so she checked the time and decided to get herself freshened up for the day. It was 8am so it was a reasonable time to be getting up. Instead of returning to the office where she presumed Brandon would still be sleeping, she began to set up the live room ready for the boys. She needed to be kept busy. It kept her mind occupied.