hard | daniel seavey

chapter twenty-seven

   UCLA had left off for fall break, leaving me more time to work on my writing. I was so close to finishing what I had been working on since the beginning of 11th grade. After about three years of writing, editing, and revising, it was almost complete.

   I spent days working on it that I didn't really spend time with Daniel. As much as I wanted to, I needed to focus. It also gave him time to work on his music. They were so close to finishing their album and spent almost every second in the studio. It was amazing how hard working he was, but sometimes he worked too hard. He got home late, and even then still didn't rest.

   "I'm worried about him, Zach." I said as Zach shoved his mouth with a handful of chips. It was a day off for them, so he decided to come over.

   "He's fine, Madison. Daniel's just trying to make sure this album is perfect." Zach talked while chewing, sitting down next to me.

  "Yea but he's overworking himself. That's not okay." I sighed and leaned back, rubbing the side of my head.

   "Have you tried talking to him about it?" Zach asked as if it were the obvious solution. I nodded my head in response. Zach looked away, thinking for a moment. "The boys and I are going to a party at Jake's house tonight. Daniel already said he wasn't going. You could go over and talk to him then. You'll be alone so maybe you'll be able to get through to him better."
   
   "Do you think that'll work?" I bit the inside of my lip. I really did want Daniel to relax and take a break from work.

   "I don't see why it wouldn't?"

---

   Once Zach had texted me they left for Jake's, I made my way over to their place. He said Daniel would be upstairs in their homestudio. And sure enough, when I stepped through the door, Daniel sat with earbuds on, typing away on his laptop. I crawled up behind him, taking out his  headphones. He jumped and looked up, giving me a confused look.

   "Madi? What are you doing here?" He set the laptop on the coffee table in front of him. I walked around him and sat on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

   "I came to talk to you and see how you're doing." I looked at his face. His facial hair was growing in slightly and the circles under his eyes were darker than usual. I cupped his face with my hand, rubbing his cheek  with my thumb. "You look exhausted, Baby."

  "I haven't gotten much sleep. This album is everything to me right now and I want it to be perfect." Daniel sighed, relaxing into my hand.
   
   "And you're everything to me. I don't want you to overwork yourself too much." My fingers trailed into his hair, playing with the ends of it. His brown roots were starting to sprout again. He looked at me with an unsure look. "I'm just worried about you, Daniel."

   "I know. I'm sorry. It just seems like the album needs something. I've been trying to figure it out, but I can't." He sighed, his hand rubbing the small of my back.

   "Well, how about you take a break for the night? And tomorrow we can sit here and try to figure it out." 

    His eyes searched around my face, as if he were looking for something. Finally, his body relaxed and he gave me a weak smile. "Fine. But only because I missed you. A lot." Daniel leaned forward, placing his lips onto mine.

    The kiss grew heated quickly with the both of us missing each other's attention. His teeth pulled on my bottom lip gently, sending a wave of electricity through my body. A soft moan escaped my lips before I could stop it. I could feel Daniel smirk through the kiss as he leaned back in his seat.

    My hands trailed down his shirt, slipping underneath of it when they reached the bottom of it. Daniel's lips moved from mine down my neck. He gripped my waist, pulling me closer to him. 

    "C-can I take this off?" Daniel asked shyly, pulling at my shirt. Heat flushed to my face as I nodded, just as shy as he was. He slowly pulled my shirt over my head. My arms instantly covered my stomach as his eyes scanned my torso. His hands gently pulled mine away. "You don't ever have to cover up. Not for me. You're stunning, My Love."

   His lips reattached to mine. The kiss was sweeter and more meaningful. Passion flew between our lips as the moved in sync. Daniel pulled away for a second, looking at me in the eye.

    "B-before we get to far, a-are you sure?" Daniel stuttered nervously. I bit the inside of my cheek, nodding slightly.

    "I'm sure." I whispered loud enough for him to hear. That was all it took for Daniel to crash his lips back onto mine.