Just for Tonight

15.

Note : The night was theirs. They deserved it, isn't it ?

I have far too much respect for Ville to write about him in his intimacy. Writing fanfiction for fun is one thing, but hurting anyone in the process is something I can't allow myself to do.

So, let's meet our two lovers a few weeks later.

With all my love.
Yours,

Steph aka Chloe 🌸
----

" Afternoon, you will meet five journalists from local and national press right before the show. They want Ville and the band. So Linde and Gas, don't run away, you are in", Chloe said automatically.

" All right honey, get it", Ville answered, struggling with his mic. He had lately had troubles with the equipment and it was driving him crazy.

Chloe turned her heels and left the stage.

" Is she all right, Dude ?" Migé asked.

"Yes she is ... We are fine", Ville giggled with a wink. "Why are you asking ?".

" Look at her, bro."

Ville watched her leave the venue.

"I don't get it, Migé ?"

" She's lost quite a bit of weight. She is dead tired. And moreover, she's dressed like shit, she doesn't take care of herself any more."

" Nights are too short" Ville laughed. " Maybe we have to calm down with sex and sleep more". But as he looked at Migé, he realised that he was not joking.

" Okay Dude. I'll fix it with her. No more random clothes and more rest."

" You'd better take care of her", Migé groaned.

During the interview, he couldn't stop looking at her. Migé was right, there was something wrong with the way she looked and the way she behaved. And on stage, as they sang together, he saw her tired eyes and the dark circles behind the heavy make-up. How could he not have noticed before? It was all him, concentrating solely on his music, he was missing the point.

The Eastern European cities they were travelling through meant that they slept in the bus more often than in hotels. He had to find the right moment to discuss with her.

Before he could, Seppo called a meeting with the five guys some days later.

Summer was coming with all the European festivals and then, they would be touring in southern Europe.
The tour was due to end on New Year's Eve at the Helldone festival in Helsinki. It was a habit the band had: ending their tour in their home town, to celebrate the New Year and their success with their loved ones.

Seppo had big news for them. The tour would be back on the road in mid-January: HIM would be heading for the United States.

"Like the good old days ! ", Burton exclaimed. He was the one who never complained about tiredness and really enjoyed the whole thing. It seemed like he was born on stage and meant to be a musician.

Gas and Linde loudly agreed but Ville and Migé had mixed feelings.

" Seppo, are you kidding ?" Migé asked.

" Sepp', how do you want me to write new songs if we are on the road"? Ville protested.

" Ville, kiddo, the United States are waiting for HIM. We haven't been there in years ! Now, please guys, let's have a look on the schedule for summer festivals. There will also be gigs in venues but everything seems to come together. " Seppo stated.

No need to tell that the next few months would be overbusy for everyone, not to mention the United States.

The schedule was visible in the front of the bus, so anyone could see it as a reminder.

Chloe was watching at it when Ville found her.

" What do think about it ?" he softly asked. He saw her eyes watering.

" I can't do that, Ville", she breathed. "It's... Too much".

" I know, honey. But I will be by your side and we will go through it together", he tried to reassure her.

" Really, Ville, I can't".

" What do you mean, Chlo ?" he asked, worried.

" I'm... Too tired. I'm loosing my mind, I can't think straight... I need to rest" she gently replied, laying her hand on his arm.

" So... What do you want ?" he requested.

" Take a... break" she whispered . "The first timetable was.... Manageable. Now it's going crazier every single day".

" Maybe you can stop a while as our press agent. Seppo can help, he knows what to do. All I ask you is... Please honey, stay by my side. I need you so bad".

She nodded, but he felt that it was only to please him.

---

" Sepp', you don't fucking listen to me", Ville shouted with his low and deep voice.

" Ville, you own me some respect, kiddo", Seppo groaned.

" As long as you don't listen to what I'm trying to tell you, I'll raise my voice as I want", Ville threatened. " Sepp, I love you like you were my father and you know it. But when I say 'too much is too much', you have to understand it."

" Is it about the United States ? All this mess because we are ..."

" I don't care about the US !". Ville felt desperate. " Sepp ...we have to calm down. The tour is overtaking us."

" It's the price of fame, son. You had a brillant idea to do a duet on stage with Chloe. Everyone wants to see you both... "

" That's the problem !! She is... Exhausted. She is our press agent, organised all the interviews - and there are more and more - and at nights she is on stage... "

" What do you expect from me then ?"

" First, stop adding new gigs. Secondly, you are now our press agent, until further notice ' like the good old days' " Ville ironized."She is taking a break and she deserves it".

" All right" Seppo said, irritated. "Hopefully her contrat with us runs until New Year's Eve. I will hire someone else for the US tour."

" I can't believe you are so mean, Sepp." Ville replied, puzzled. "No more Chloe, no more duet, no more Ville. Get ready to look for another fucking singer too", he stated sternly.

He turned his heels and joined the rehearsal.