Unlikely Harmony || DaouOffroad AU

19. God, I Missed You

A radio announcer's voice crackled over the hum of Offroad's car engine as he maneuvered through early morning traffic, his gaze fixed ahead. The host's enthusiastic tone cut through the air with a sting that felt like salt on an open wound.

"And topping the charts this week, for the third consecutive time, is Daou with his latest hit Hold On! The song has captured listeners nationwide with its heartfelt lyrics and haunting melody—rumor has it, it's inspired by a breakup that left the artist reeling. Fans can't get enough of it!"

Offroad's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw clenching as he absorbed the news. He reached over and twisted the radio dial off, the announcement echoing in his mind even after the car fell into silence. Hold On—the song he couldn't stop himself from replaying, the song that had stirred a bittersweet rage every time he listened. A song that he knew, deep down, was about him. It wasn't the first time he'd heard it that week, and each play hit with the same painful realization that Daou had taken their story and turned it into something beautiful—while Offroad was left behind, struggling to forget.

When he pulled into the parking lot of Blackout24, the familiar dark walls of the studio felt both like a refuge and a cage. Aim, his manager, was already waiting by the studio doors, her tablet in one hand as she scrolled through emails, her eyes darting up with a calm smile as he approached.

"Morning, Offroad," she greeted him warmly. The tension that had once thickened the air between them had finally dissipated. After weeks of awkward exchanges and tense calls, Offroad had found it in himself to forgive her for pushing him and Daou away from each other. It wasn't her call to make after all. 

"Morning," he said with a faint smile, pushing down the leftover sting of the radio announcement. "I hope you've got good news for me. Please tell me I'm booked solid?"

Aim chuckled, knowing exactly how much he wanted to keep busy. "More than solid. You've got sessions back-to-back this week, a shoot on Friday, and next week's album promo is lined up. Oh, and don't forget, you're performing at the Charity Gala."

"Perfect," he said, his voice flat but grateful. Diving back into his work offered a welcome distraction. He needed to stay in motion, to the public he was back to his stoic bad boy image as well. 

The only time he allowed himself to feel vulnerable was when he worked on his music. His latest tracks—songs that bled with longing, love and anger—had been recorded partly, and Aim was ready to start promoting his next release.

Their work discussion carried on down the studio hallway until they reached his recording booth. Once inside, he flipped through his latest lyrics, most of them filled with his frustrations. This album was turning into a reflection of everything Daou had left him with. Verses filled with lines he'd never dare to say to his face. He felt the bile of resentment rise again as he jotted down a few more lines.

Every time I say your name, I feel it burn my tongue
You keep driving me insane, I think I've had enough of you

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Daou was being pulled into the limelight. Fans and media had latched onto Hold On with a ferocity that even surprised him. For years, he'd been known for his soulful ballads, each song a carefully crafted display of his vocal range and restrained emotion. But this song was different. It had a heartbeat that pulsed with urgency, a chorus that hooked listeners with an infectious rhythm. It was a track that felt closer to him—a part of his journey he'd always wanted to explore. Daou couldn't help but smile. The validation was something he'd craved for so long, and with Hold On charting as it was, he'd finally proved to himself—and to his label—that he had a vision worth listening to.