Who They Really Are

twenty-three

Kat hadn't really been in any Chicago homes before so she didn't really know what to expect, but as they made their way into the band's house she was definitely in awe.

It was a typical Chicago style house with other houses attached on either side of it, packed into a street on a little neighborhood outside of the big town, but she quickly noticed that it was very big.

Once they got all of their things inside, Noel asked Kat if she'd like the grand tour. She did, so he took her floor by floor through the many rooms, starting with the main floor which consisted of the kitchen, and living room.

The next floor up had a bedroom (which Liam had claimed right after they bought the place), and the recording studio. Noel promised to show Kat how the recording studio worked another time, then they made their way up to the final story.

"Matt and Charlie's rooms are these first two," Noel says, pointing toward each of the rooms. "But I saved the best room for last," he says, pulling Kat towards the room at the end of the hall and opening the door.

"My room," Noel says, stretching out his arms to show off the room. Kat looked around, taking in the room's big size and layout. There was a queen sized bed shoved into the back corner with a TV set up across from it, and a dresser and nightstand to the right of it. On the other side of the room was a desk and chair, and Noel's guitars were already back and set up in the other corner.

"That door leads to a closet, and the other door leads to the bathroom. We all have our own bathrooms, which rocks," Noel says, pointing out the two doors.

"Wow.." Kat says. "This entire house is amazing."

"You're amazing," Noel says, turning to Kat and putting his hand on one of her arms, slowly rubbing up and down it.

"You've used that line before," Kat says, putting her arms around his waist.

"Does it still work?" Noel asks, raising an eyebrow.

Kat responds by gently pressing her lips against his, and Noel smiles against her lips. "I'll take that as a yes," he says with a smirk.

"Oh shut up," Kat says, moving towards the front of the room where she'd dropped off her things.

"Where should I put all this stuff for while I'm here?" She asks.

Noel shrugs. "Anywhere around here works really."

"Okay but where am I sleeping?" Kat asks.

"Um, I don't know," Noel says, scratching his head. "Where do you want to sleep?"

"Where is Addi sleeping?"

"In Liam's room?" Noel says, walking over and sitting on his bed.

Duh, stupid. They've been dating for almost two years, of course they're sharing a bed, Kat thinks to herself.

"I can tell you're uncomfortable, Kat. If it'd make you feel better you can take my bed and I'll sleep on the floor. It'll still be better than most of the places I've slept while on tour," Noel says.

Kat walks over and sits on the bed beside Noel. "No, I can't make you give up your bed."

"It's fine. I promise." Noel says, and Kat can see the sincerity in his eyes.

"Are you sure?" She asks, still a bit skeptical.

"100%," Noel replies, kissing Kat on her forehead.

"Thank you. It means a lot," Kat says, wrapping her arms around Noel. He hugs her back, and she loses herself in the feeling of the embrace.

"Hey, not to ruin the moment or anything, but I'm starving," Noel whispers, and Kat laughs.

They stand and make their way out of the room and back downstairs to where everyone else is sitting around the living room eating pizza.

"Whoever ordered pizza, I love you," Noel says, grabbing a slice and shoving it into his mouth.

"Love you too, man," Charlie replies with a laugh.

••••••
They spend the rest of the day sitting around the living room and talking about all the crazy things that happened on tour. Kat listens to all the stories, soaking up all the cool memories that she'd missed. They talk late into the evening, and at one point Addi falls asleep on Liam's shoulder.

"Is that a sign that we're supposed to go to bed?" Matt asks, and everyone laughs.

"I think so.." Noel replies, and everyone starts to get up and throw their empty plates and cups away. Liam gently wakes up Addi and tells her to go upstairs, and she makes her way to bed as everyone quickly cleans up.

"Go ahead and go up and get ready for bed, Kat," Noel says. "I'll be up in a few."

Kat nods and goes upstairs, brushes her teeth and puts some pajamas on. She sits on the edge of the bed awkwardly when she's finished, uncomfortable and not knowing what to do next.

Noel walks in after a couple minutes and goes into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. He comes back out a few minutes later, and gives Kat a weird look.

"What're you doing?"

"What do you mean?" Kat asks.

"Aren't you going to get in bed?" Noel asks.

"Yeah.. I guess I just kind've feel weird."

"Don't. It's all yours," Noel says, making his way to the closet and pulling out a stack of blankets and some pillows. He takes a few blankets and stacks them on the floor, then places the pillows down and walks across the room to turn the lights off. The faint light from the moon shines through the window, and Kat watches as Noel makes his way to his makeshift bed and lays down.

"Okay that cannot be comfortable for you," Kat says. "I can't make you sleep like that."

Noel laughs. "Just shut up and go to sleep already. I'm perfectly fine." He lays his head down on the pillows and pulls one blanket around him.

"Goodnight, Kat," he says as Kat slowly lays down in his bed, pulling the comforter around her with a sigh.

"Goodnight, Noel."