Spin

Seven

[RORY]

I was lost in my own little world, drunk on a peaceful combination of The Lost Tapes and Sudafed, trying to get my article finished. I bobbed my head along to the beat, trying so hard to focus on the words in front of me as I blindly reached for the box of tissues to blow my nose for the thousandth time.

While the music was blaring in my ears, considering they were so clogged up I felt like I was underwater, I happened to glance down at the precise moment my phone screen lit up with an incoming call. I smiled to myself, pulling my headphones off.

"Aurora Marie."

"Hi, you."

"Hello, darling," Finn sighed, the exhaustion in his voice palpable. "Just the routine proof of life call."

"How was the flight?"

"Don't know. I passed the fuck out," he yawned. "We made it to New York safely so must have been alright, I guess. How's my patient doing?"

"Dying. Poor thing."

"Don't joke like that," he grumbled, only fueling my smile. "You sound quite cute. Like a sleepy frog."

"Oh, lovely. Thank you, Finn."

"Very welcome," He chuckled quietly. "Did you like the soup?"

"The best soup I've ever had," I purposefully exaggerated, wanting him to know how appreciated the surprise delivery was. "Thank you, that was really nice."

"I wish I was there to give you a proper cuddle."

"You will be in a few days," I quietly reminded, smiling. "But you shouldn't, you'll get sick."

"If you're sick, I'm meant to be sick, too," I could hear his smirk as he quickly followed up. "That was awfully romantic."

"A modern day Shakespeare," I laughed, rolling my eyes. "I'm about to host a screening of your Late Night performance with Bryce and Em."

"Know you try and keep it low-key but it does my head in how cute it is when you cheer me on."

"How do you know I cheer?" I smirked, attempting to flirt. Unfortunately, a sneeze caught me off guard. "I could be boo'ing."

"You may boo this one," he admitted honestly. "Hope not, though."

"Why would I boo it?"

"We got a bit fancy for this one. Dylan set us up with a stylist, thinks we should play around with a more polished look for these kind of appearances," he quietly explained. "It was good I think, doing something a bit different. Did me up in this like, silk suit situation."

"Oh, a suit?" I forced a laugh, trying to keep things light. "That's not very on brand for you guys."

"Yeah, well it was a compromise. Said alright to the suit, no to the eye makeup."

I bit my tongue, not having it in me to start something.

"I'm sure you looked handsome as ever."

"Hope you think so," I could hear his smile. "'Cause the brand gave me a bunch of free shit to wear. If the missus doesn't approve, it's going right back."

I changed the subject, knowing Finn was tired and the last thing I wanted to do was argue. I couldn't tell if he was just trying to play it all off or if he really didn't realize that nothing is free when you're quickly becoming one of the most famous musicians in the world.

-

"Oh, absolutely not. To the quarantine couch you go."

I'd just curled up on our sectional, hugging the box of tissues to my chest. Em had appeared out of nowhere, pointing at the loveseat on the other side of the room with a very displeased look on her face.