Ten minutes.
Your four best friends in the world are going on stage in front of thousands of screaming girls in ten minutes. This isn't their first time, but it's their biggest audience yet and to say they are nervous is the understatement of the year.
"I'm fucking shaking."
Calum stutters, pulling at his sleeveless shirt and adjusting the strap on his bass. Luke shoves him and yells at him in a high tone of voice, showcasing his nerves in the funniest way possible.
"Stop that, you're making me even more nervous."
You and Michael chuckle at him, followed by Mike telling him to 'shut up' for the umpteenth time tonight. Calum and Luke leave the room in search of Ashton and the stage director so they can know the exact amount of time before the show begins.
Michael glances at you as his joking grin turns to an anxious pout. The two of you have had a complicated relationship for a while now, both of you having feelings for each other but neither of you admitting it, but you know that right now you need to support him, no matter what. He bends down for a hug and you wind your arms around his neck, lacing them into his pink hair. He buries his nose in your shoulder while nuzzling his fuzzy head against your chin, tickling you. You let out a breathy laugh and place a chaste kiss to his neck.
"Thanks for coming."
He says quietly against your skin, giving you goosebumps. You close your eyes and place your lips right in his ear.
"Wouldn't miss it, Mikey."
He releases you the moment the door opens, backing away as if caught doing something wrong, and his cheeks flush the same color as his hair. Ashton waltzes into the dressing room, much more mellow than the others, and pulls you in for a tight hug the moment he sees you.
"Happy you're here to see this, y/n."
He says, smiling broadly. You peck him on the cheek after returning the hug.
"Me too Ash. Knock 'em dead."
He giggles and nods furiously, a bubbling in his voice. A bald man in a black uniform cracks open the door and shouts inside.
"Let's go, Ashton!"
Ash always starts the set; no one is able to pump up the crowd quite like him. The curly haired boy looks at his band members with a gleam in his eye and leads them out of the room, waving his hand.
"C'mon boys. Let's kick some Wembly ass."
You can practically feel the anxiety and excitement radiate off of them. Michael grabs your hand and tows you with them to the underbelly of the stage, although you're not really supposed to be back there. Ash gives you one last hug each and shakes his arms out as he exits the backstage area. Screams fill your ears the moment he vanishes from sight. The other three turn to stare at each other, nerves subsiding and being replaces with pure adrenaline.
Michael snaps his head towards you, his smiles so wide it's contagious. His green eyes meet yours and he shifts his guitar to get closer to you, yelling over the fans cheers as Ashton's drumming begins.
"Y/n, remember how I was telling you that tonight all my dreams are coming true?"
You maintain eye contact with him and a voice interrupts your own.
"On in two, boys!"
"Yes."
You say, thinking back to your conversation earlier today. Michael's eyes gleam in the light of the strobe and he locks his fingers with yours.
"You're in that story, y/n. And it's all happening exactly how I want it too, except for one thing."
His breath becomes heavy, but the smile on his face only more genuine with every word. You hear your heart pound with the beat of Ashton's drums, waiting for his next words while curiosity overcomes you. Luke's large hand grasps Michael's shoulder, but he doesn't even acknowledge him as his glistening eyes follow yours everywhere.
"This is the part where we tell each other that we love each other."
You freeze.
"What?"
The whisper barely escapes your lips, lost in the roar of the crowd outside.
"Michael! Let's go!"
"Haul ass, Mike. We've got a show to do!"
Michael's facade doesn't falter in the slightest. That is until Calum yanks him by his collar towards the black curtain that opens to the stage. You can't move.
He doesn't turn, walking and stumbling backwards while his gaze towards you becomes hopeful and longing as he fights Cal's hold on him.
"Wait Calum! Just hold on-"
Suddenly you feel a spark in your chest.
You aren't frozen anymore, your heart swells up as you leap forward from your shocked position. Michael sees you approaching him, attempting to squirm from Calum's grasp one last time before the fans see him.
You grab his hands and tug him towards you, fueled with the shock and buzz of his confession as well as the realization of your own feelings.
His breathing is erratic as the broad smile returns to his irresistible lips. Leaning up on your toes, you press a feather light kiss to his mouth, savoring it for the split second it lasts. A long sigh escapes through his nose, crowding your ears over the pump of the music.
"I love you. Now get out there before Calum murders you."
His grin turns goofy as he kisses you again, obviously eager to continue more of the same after the show, and he presses his forehead to yours briefly. He jumps backwards, nearly falling over, as he goes to join Calum outside the curtain without looking away from your eyes.
"Happily ever after to me."
