Langour ・❥・Joost Klein・❥・

49.

Joost was ready for the woman who flew into his arms.

Bending his knees, Joost caught Fenne's waist and spun her in a full circle. His grin hurt his tear stained cheeks and he scrunched his eyes shut at the feeling of Fenne's thin frame against his front. The strength in his arms doubled from the adrenaline in his veins and Joost squeezed her extra tight before lowering her to her feet.

'You were amazing! You were just-wow, Joost,' Fenne's small hands cupped either side of his face and planted her lips on his. Joost barely had the time to kiss back before she was pulling away, but left her nose touching his.

'Did you see me?' he said through his grin.

'I couldn't take my eyes off you! You've totally won!'

Fenne's heart pounded against her ribcage and her eyes watered with joy. Joost was magnificent. She saw how the crowd reacted to his every move as he hit every beat and every note. Her grip on Hanna's arm loosened over the performance and she found herself watching in awe. Just like everyone else around her, Fenne was transfixed and proud.

She had watched Joost grow from intimate acts at Air and Club Up, to massive crowds around Europe. His drive, his energy, his uniqueness had gotten him so far.

While in his shoulder padded arms, Fenne admired his flushed face. He was so handsome, vibrant and the love of Fenne's life. She wondered what she had done to deserve someone so pure and genuine.

They didn't want to pull apart, but some EBU employees had a schedule to keep. Joost's touch lingered on Fenne's waist as they headed for the dressing room. Fenne's pocket teemed with his cigarettes and lighter and a celebratory drink was calling her name. The night was set to be filled with laughter, parties and the announcement of Joost's place in the contest's final.

'That was amazing, dude,' Teun ruffled Joost's hair, his grin equally as wild. 'I just had Käärijä on the phone.'

'Käärijä?! Oh my god.'

Joost put a hand to his head in shock. The man who nearly won Eurovision 2023 was in talks with Joost's producer. That would be the final thing to top off Joost's year; a song with Käärijä.

The team turned the corner with large smiles. They talked, hooted and held each other. Apson did his best to hold Hanna's waist, just like Joost did to Fenne, but his suit made it impossible. So, he settled with holding her hand, which Hanna was content with.

'Joost! Great show!'

The laughter paused as a man walked towards them. With his phone held up, he approached the group that headed down the hall. Joost's eyebrow creased, not recognising the man, but treated him as another well-wisher.

'Thanks, man,' he called out, even giving him a wave. But beside him, Fenne met Nathan's eye, who craned his gaze over his shoulder to watch the man closely.

'Do you have a minute to talk? I have some questions-'

'Not right now,' Stuntje said, stepping in front and blocking the man's path. Fenne stuck close to Joost's side, quickening their pace with a sudden urgency.

'Do you have any comments about the recent news?'

'What news?' Joost asked. He didn't know why Stuntje was stopping the man, or why everyone, including Fenne, hurried down the hall away from him.

Fenne thought they were safe as they turned another corner. Stuntje had stayed behind to make sure the man didn't follow. The sight of his phone camera had put them all on edge and Fenne wanted to at least make it outside before she gave Joost an explanation. If they kept their heads low, the team could avoid anymore confrontation.