Just for Tonight

31.

Disclaimer : I don't own the lyrics, it's about a HIM' song : love without tears, from the lovely album Tears On Tape.
Fun fact : when the album was made, I barely listened to it. I liked the song tears in tape, but life meant that I didn't have the whole album in my hands, so I was in a bit of unknown territory with the other songs. While writing this fanfic, I had the chance to listen to the album (I even bought the vynil, which is magnificent) and, to make a long story short, I discovered a real gem of songs 11 years after the album's release. When I say I'm a terrible fan ... 😉

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As the light across the room flickers
Its dying song
Waiting for a
Reason to keep going on
The sweetest wine has now turned bitter
By these thoughts
So I wander
The dark on my own

I should've known
All along
That love without tears
Is just a story told
To keep us hanging on
In the cold
All alone
Bathing in fear
I sing
Love without tears
Love without tears

Four musicians and Ville's deep voice. It was enough to make her cry. The new songs were amazing : a mix of sadness, despear and strength.

Through the lyrics, she understood how he had felt when she had run away.

"I'm so sorry", she whispered to all.

They hugged each other collectively.

"It happens sometimes, in a family," Migé declared.

"Chloe... We are about to record the album. Then there is an European tour. Do you... Are you coming with us?", Burton asked.

Ville cut him off. "Chloe and I need to discuss all of this. In private. We'll let you know how things go. In the meantime, let's enjoy these moments together."

Burton fell silent and Chloe looked at Ville. For the second time, he seemed doubtful about the direction their relationship would take. Once again, she put her thoughts aside to enjoy everyone. Her family, no matter what.

Later that night, Ville and her shared a cab. But he asked the driver to drop her off at her place and drive him home. She didn't insist.

"See you soon, Ville", she murmured before hurrying out of the cab and opening her door, which she closed behind her without glancing at the cab as it started up again.

Ville returned home. It was hard for him to leave her alone, but he had to think about what to do next. The album to record, the tour. Where would she fit into all this? Burton's question haunted him.

He couldn't imagine a duet with her, even if he wanted to. Chloe wasn't a toy he could show off on stage when their relationship was going well, then not show off again when things went wrong.

He realized how much a year without her had damaged their relationship. But he didn't want to lose her again. He rummaged through his wardrobe, and took the necklace she had given him months ago in his hands, Just for tonight engraved in wood. He put it around his neck.

He found the little box containing the ring, hidden under photos of both of them and press articles he had treasure.

" If it isn't the right time, before the tour, when will it be?", he thought.

Alone at home, Chloe was thinking. Burton's question had upset Ville, everyone had seen it. A new tour, just as they were finally getting together. Life was a joke. She sighed. She liked her new job. She loved Ville.

She opened her bedside table and found the bracelet he had given her months before. Did he still want her to come back to him? She put the bracelet on her wrist.

---
"If you don't want me on the tour, I'll just stay here," she declared.

"I'd like you to come with us. I really would. But...". He sighed. "Honey... Last time, it tore us apart. Twice: your burnout and... Kat. If we want to have a chance, we have to do things differently. We have to try...". Ville was divided: his need to be with her, and her needs. " What do you think, Chlo ? What do you want deep inside ? ".

She took a moment to think.
"I get your point. I want to go on tour as much as I want to stay here. Another six months without you, without seeing you, without us.... It's also risking losing each other for good. Besides, I feel once again... Shut out. Ville, if I'm bothering you, tell me. Be honest about it."

"Chloe...". He sighed, "I need you and I need to know you're okay. Happy. I want the best for you. Six months will go by fast."

"You're right, I suppose. We'll do things your way".

"We've still got a few weeks ahead of us, don't worry". He gently smiled at her.

He caught sight of the bracelet on her wrist. "I thought you threw it away?"

"I would never do that," she said, astonished.

He showed her the necklace. "You and me, we're linked. Have a little faith in us."

"I'm trying. I swear, I'm trying."

"Then I'll believe it for both of us," he declared, determined. He kissed her for the first time since their reunion.

They felt a deep connection. They needed this embrace to seal a silent promise: whatever happened, they would always come back to each other. And Ville was determined to carry their relationship and believe in it for both of them. Chloe was too important in his life for him to leave anything to chance.

---

"Where are you recording the album", she asked. "In Europe or the United States?"

"Here in Helsinki", he smiled. "Have you ever seen how an album is recorded? "

"Never", she said, relieved to learn that the band was staying in Finland for the recording.

"Would you like to come and see us when we go into the studio?"

"May I? Can I? Is that allowed?". Her smile widened.

"You're part of HIM and part of our lives. And it would be my pleasure to show you how it all works." He took her in his arms. "I wonder if... We could add a bonus track.... Our duet... What do you think? Engraved forever, for all the fans and for us."

She nodded.