Do Me a Favour - Alex Turner

40. City Lights

(Alex's POV)

The tour bus came to a gentle stop, signaling that it was time for everyone to turn in for the night. The rest of the band and crew slowly made their way to their bunks, leaving Lana and me cuddled up on the couch. I looked down at her, her head resting on my shoulder, and felt a surge of affection. This moment was perfect, but I had an idea that might make it even better.

I stood up suddenly, causing Lana to look up at me in surprise. Grabbing her hand, I gently pulled her up. "Come on," I said with a grin. "Let's go explore."

We slipped off the bus quietly, careful not to wake anyone. The night air was cool and refreshing as we walked towards the city lights. We had stopped in a parking lot near the edge of town, and as we wandered further, the city unfolded before us, bathed in the soft glow of streetlights and the distant hum of nightlife.

Hand in hand, we strolled through the quiet streets, soaking in the beauty of the night. The city was stunning, a mixture of old architecture and modern lights, creating a picturesque view that felt almost magical. We found a small hill that offered a perfect vantage point, and we sat down, taking in the scenery.

"It's beautiful," Lana whispered, her eyes reflecting the lights of the city.

"It is," I agreed, but my gaze was fixed on her. She looked even more radiant in this setting, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion.

*

We stayed on the hill, the city lights below us twinkling like stars. Lana lay beside me, her eyes fixed on the night sky. She began pointing out constellations and stars, naming them and describing why she thought they were the prettiest. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't focus on the stars.

All I could see was her.

Her hair fanned out in different directions, catching the soft glow of the city lights. Her eyes sparkled with excitement every time she found a star she loved, and her smile... her smile was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

Lana was absolutely gorgeous, and in that moment, she seemed almost ethereal. I watched her, entranced, as she continued to speak about the stars. Each gesture, each expression, made my heart swell with affection.

"See that one?" she said, pointing to a particularly bright star. "That's Vega. It's one of the brightest stars in the night sky."

I nodded, but my gaze never left her face. "It's beautiful," I said softly, but I wasn't talking about the star.

Lana turned to look at me, her eyes meeting mine. There was a softness there, an understanding that seemed to transcend words. She reached out and took my hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Alex," she whispered, "what are you thinking about?"

"You," I admitted, my voice barely more than a breath. "How beautiful you are. How lucky I am to be here with you."

She blushed, a delicate pink tinting her cheeks, and it only made her look more radiant. "You're just saying that," she teased, but I could see she was touched.

"No," I said firmly, squeezing her hand. "I mean it. Every word."

We lay there for a while longer, her head resting on my shoulder as we both looked up at the stars. But even with the breathtaking view above us, my eyes kept drifting back to her. The way her hair caught the light, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed, the warmth of her hand in mine—it was all perfect.

"Lana," I murmured, turning to face her fully. "I don't need the stars when I have you."

She laughed softly, a sound that sent a thrill through me. "You're such a romantic, Alex," she said, but I could hear the affection in her voice.