Austin stared at Ally's sleeping face and admired the beauty and peace that was never present when she was awake. Her long eyelashes cast very small shadows as they fanned out under her eyes.
He didn't want to have to wake her, but they had a meeting with Jimmy Starr in an hour, and she always liked time to get ready.
"Ally," he whispered, gently kissing her forehead. She mumbled something unintelligible, before she actually woke up, and gave him a tired smile.
"Good morning," she said softly. "We have that meeting in an hour," he reminded. She sighed. She'd forgotten.
"Austin, do we have to go?" He gave her a pointed look. It was the head of his record label they were meeting with. Of course they had to go.
Ally sighed again. She just wanted to stay here with him all day, thinking about nothing. Outside, she couldn't seem to be herself. There was the always-present fear of embarrassment, of messing up where everyone could see. With Austin, however, she didn't have to be so...stiff.
"What's wrong, Alls?" He knew she didn't exactly love the meetings they were obliged to attend, but she'd never asked to pass completely. She shrugged, and rolled over so her back was to him. He reached over and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She felt safe like this. It was a cruel world, when she wasn't in Austin's arms. He was the only one she could trust, the only one shielding her.
"What's wrong?" he murmured again. She cuddled up closer to him.
"Nothing. I...I just don't like the meetings. I always feel so...vulnerable. I feel like Jimmy looks down on me because I'm not a professional songwriter. He's offered you better songwriters before...who's to say he can't force one on you? I feel like one little slip-up, and my job is done." Austin kissed the back of her head.
"I don't know why you're so worried, because you know I'd never replace you or let anyone else do the same."
"I know you wouldn't. But Jimmy...he's got a lot more power. He could eliminate me at any time."
"Eliminate?"
"You know, throw me out. And then when you try to argue, he'll throw you out, too." she said.
"He wouldn't, Ally. Because you won't mess up. You never do." She shifted so that she was facing him.
"But..."
"Why do you put yourself down like this, Ally?"
"I...there're so many possibilities. Song writing can go wrong in so many ways. I don't want to let you down."
"You need to stop being so afraid. You could never let me down, and nothing else is going to happen to you. I won't let anything happen to you."
"So...can we skip the meeting?" Austin rolled his eyes.
"It's a good thing I love you so much." She kissed his cheek. "I can reschedule, say I'm sick or something, but you know we'll have to go eventually."
She sighed in relief. Yes, she did know she'd have to be under that pressure eventually, but she pushed that away for now. Austin put his arm around her again. She was content.
