Ceilings- AJxNiko

Part 31

11 months. 11 months ago since Niko left. And the boys seemed to be living their lives. Forgetting the uncomfortable feeling that something is missing. Aj still loves Niko, and he swears Niko still loves him, although he'd lost all faith. Around when their 6 month anniversary was meant to be, Aj found a package addressed to his name at the doorstep. It was one of those vibrating bracelets, that buzzed 'I love you' when tapped. Yeah he definitely cried all his tears that day. And the next. 

...

Aj was getting ready to preform. Ever since Niko left Aj needed a distraction, and singing was his way out. He remembers promise Niko he'd make his songs public one day, and he wanted to fulfil his promise. He hated being the centre of attention, but there was something about singing, the fact he was doing it for Niko, that allowed him to do it. He'd been preforming for the last few months, every other Friday evening. It prepared him for the next day, when he'd have to watch yet another Beta Squad video without Niko.

Sharky rubs his hands up and down Aj's arms, "Ready, Aj?" leaning forward kissing his head. 

"Yeah," Aj nods. No they weren't dating, neither one liked the other in that way, but they found some eerie comfort in each other they hadn't found before. 

Chunkz and Kenny walk up, giving Aj a quick hug before walking away to stand at the back of the small 'speakeasy' type  place. (Imagine the comedy club from the comedians video). 

Aj takes a deep breath before walking onto the stage, waving his hand in the air. He takes the microphone off the stand, "Hey everyone!" He giggles.

"Uhm, so I'm going to be singing 2 songs I preformed before and a new one. Uhm, I wrote it last night, so excuse me if something goes wrong. So Uhm, yeah. First is 'Stay'." Aj coughs into the mic, as a round of applause had erupted in the room.

'All along it was a fever' He starts to sing. Something was off today, but he didn't know what.

'Makes me feel like I can't live without you
It takes me all the way
I want you to stay'

He continues to sing the song, remembering Niko. Remembering that day he begged Niko to stay. 

Ooh, the reason I hold on
Ooh, 'cause I need this hole gone
Well, funny you're the broken one
But I'm the only one who needed saving
'Cause when you never see the light
It's hard to know which one of us is caving

He felt as if Niko was in the room with him, but he knew he wasn't. Niko wasn't back. Although he still believed Niko, he believed in his words, he had faith. But He'd lost hope. 

'I want you to stay' He finishes the song hearing the clapping and whistling from the audience. 

He wipes the tears forming at his eyes. He cant cry just yet. He had two  more songs to sing. 

"Thank you." He sniffs, He looks to the back of the hall, and sees the bright smiles on Sharky, Kenny and Chunkz's faces. You can read the proud off their faces, and that they were. Every time Aj preformed they were so proud of him, for even making it to the speak-easy. 

"Uhm, the next one is one you all know. It's 'Remember That Night', I have sung it before but it's been a while so, yeah" 

As he's singing the song, the feeling of Niko in the room was different. He felt love course through his veins, boiling as it makes him shudder. He's too scared to look around the room.  Unknowingly Too scared to match with the eyes he'd fallen in love with. 

The song comes to an end, and Aj finally opens his eyes- he didn't even realise they were closed- and scans the room, as the applause his muted from his ears. He sees a tall figure standing in the back corner closest to the door. For a second happiness and excitement, and he thought it was Niko. His heart shattered, oh. Of course Niko wouldn't be here. How could he be so stupid.

Aj gives a sad sigh into the mic, "Uhm, so this next one I wrote last night, so it is a bit short. I just had an urge to write, and preform it today. You know when you just have a feeling? Yeah uhm, its called 'Romantic Homicide'. Uhm I know I say this every time,  but can we get a round of applause for my brothers in the back. Sharky, Kenny and Amin. I love you guys." When he first started  he included Niko, but he slowly dropped it. Niko wasn't his brother, simply his forbidden lover.

He hears the cheering of his friends in the back and smiles to them, starting to sing.

I'm scaredIt feels like you don't careEnlighten me, my dearWhy am I still here?

Aj feels a buzz on his wrist, huh. He thinks it's a coincidence that it happened just as he begins to sing. He places the mic down on the stand, and taps his wrist three times...

I don't mean to be complacent with the decisions you made
But why?
Mm

He looks around the room and sees the Niko-looking figure look down at his wrist. No. It can't be. He was denying that he was seeing Niko. He can't be.

In the back of my mind
You died
And I didn't even cry
No, not a single tear
And I'm sick of waiting patiently for someone that won't even arrive

Aj watches the figure look down in shame? Shame, yeah. Quickly before looking back up to stare Aj in the eyes. There was no one else that had that effect on him. No one with that stance that frame. 

In the back of my mind
I killed you
And I didn't even even regret it
I can't believe I said it
But it's true

Niko looks up from where he's standing, he can't get his eyes off of Aj. He was truly beautiful singing  and twinge of sadness coursed through his body. It had been 11 months since he last properly talked to Aj. He remembers he called him once, and Aj replied almost instantly. He simply whispered an 'I miss you' before ending the call. That's when he had decided to get Aj the bond bracelet for their 6 months. Niko felt... Guilt? It was the first time in months he'd felt something. He finally had gotten over some of the things he'd done. And wanted to come home. Home to his Aj. And to Kenny and Sharky and Chunkz. He wanted to come home. 

He had watched every single one of Aj's performance's, heard every love song he'd written about Niko. Except, usually Niko watched from the back room, this was the first time his temptations got the best of him and he stood out front. 

Aj couldn't bring himself to sing the last line. The I hate you stuck on his lips. He didn't realise how made he was at Niko until this moment. He swallows before singing the last line. 

I Hate you

He really did. But not really. Niko could read the lie off Aj's mouth. He could tell when his boy lied, and it was evident he did. 

The other boys see Aj staring to the side, and turn to see who Aj was looking at. They turn their heads and see Niko. But as they look at him, he slips out the side door. They wanted to chase after him but wanted to be there for Aj. 

"Uh, thank you guys." Aj walks off the stage tears in his eyes. He hadn't properly cried in a long time. He walks up to the back room where the boys were looking for him. 

Aj places his index and thumb over his eyes, rubbing the tears away. 

"Aj that was incredible," Kenny tries to pull him in for a hug, but Aj pushes him away. Kenny completely understands, Aj hates touch unless he wants it, so wasn't too made.

"You- You guys saw him too right?" Aj looks up at the boys, who were shouting praise at him.

They pause. Before nodding. 

"Yeah Ok. Good. Lets just go home." 

Aj grabs his bag and starts to walk outside where Sharkys car was waiting to drive them home. They climb into the car and drive back to the beta house. 

An unexpected surprise waiting...

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1399 words. 

Uhm yeah is Niko back? I don't know hehehe

anyways, love youseeeee