Put the World Away

Three years, five months and twenty-one days.

LennonFullyLoaded marched into Michael's life cleverly disguised as Sergeant Jack Evans. It took all of eleven minutes for her to take his first life- a record for the self-professed semi-pro gamer. He wanted to be angry, but the voice on the other end of the headset stopped him.

It was soft and sweet and warm and her laugh was intoxicating.

The very thought of hearing her voice left his head spinning and his lungs desperate for air.

It wasn't long before Michael found himself staying up at impossible hours just to catch a little online time with her. They would chat about their day, the weather, anything really- conversation came naturally with Lennon and truth be told, it was always his favorite part of the day, no matter how late. And just before she would sign off, no matter the format -Skype, XBOX Live, PlayStation Network- she would blow him a kiss before mumbling 'Later loser', and it always left his heart swimming.

Over the years he would learn a lot about Lennon.

She was three years older than him and pursuing a degree in art history at a prestigious private American university. She was a Midwestern girl, born and raised in Ohio. She was an only child who preferred animals to people, she recycled religiously and had an unnatural passion for Netflix and documentaries. Her dad was an avid Beatles fan and her mother had settled for the name Lennon after her father had suggested the name Stella, just like Paul McCartney's daughter.

Ever since Lennon had stormed into his life, the idea that one day Michael would meet her had lingered in the back of his mind. He had know it wasn't ever an if, but a when, because after all this time, the Skyping, the texting, the constant Snapchats- they weren't enough. He needed to see her, to touch her, to truly be alone with her.

He needed to put the world away and just hold her close.

"So?" Michael asked, he was nestled into the hotel bed, his Macbook sitting on his lap.

"It was so perfect! You guys make the most adorable superheroes." he had just sent Lennon the early cut of the Don't Stop video because truthfully, her opinion was the only one he cared about.

"Adorable?" he asked, trying to hold back his laugh. "That doesn't sound very manly, an adorable superhero." Lennon just laughed, her hair bouncing from its messy perch atop her head, her cheeks were flush with exhaustion, the stains from her eyeliner still lingered on her porcelain skin.

This was his favorite time with Lennon, their before-bed Skype chat- when he got the chance to see her with no make-up and no fancy hair, just pure, stripped down Lennon. Normally- he would be on his way to bed while she was just getting ready for her day, but him being in the States ensured a bedtime conversation on both ends.

"Well if it makes you feel better, I would totally let Mic-Ro-Wave save me." Michael smiled.

"It does make me feel a little better."

"For the record, if I ever get the chance, that Idiot shirt is mine."

"If I ever see you, it's yours." the very thought of seeing her brought a smile to his face.

She chewed softly at her bottom lip before offering him a nervous smile, "Oh yeah? How about tomorrow?"

And that was all she wrote. After a solid moment of shocked silence from Michael, Lennon explained that she had been in San Diego attending her high-school best friend, Hannah's wedding- she would be flying into Chicago where she would be for just under 16 hours, at which time she would fly out of O'Hare International and back home to Cleveland.

It just so happened, Michael and the boys were in the States- and as luck would have it, they too, would be in Chicago for two days where they would be doing a full day of press before performing at the Riviera Theater that next night.

Michael was torn- 'tomorrow' came much too soon, he didn't get to prepare like he had wanted to, but at the same time, it came far too slow for his liking because on the other side of "tomorrow", was Lennon. Living, breathing, Lennon, not the pixelated Lennon he had become so accustomed to- and for the first time, he wouldn't need a microphone, or a laptop, or his cell phone because she would be here, with him.

Michael didn't sleep but a few hours.
The anticipation got the best of him.

He had never been so distracted, every single interview seemed to drag by as he daydreamed about Lennon and the very moment she would step foot off that plane.

They went through twelve interviews- each one more agonizing than the last before they were shuffled back to their hotel where Michael made a mad dash to the shower. Michael had never been the type to really worry about what he would wear, or the way he would style his hair- but he spent an ungodly amount of time in the bathroom. He had settled for a pair of black skinny jeans and a pair of leather lace up boots, but he couldn't seem to decide on a shirt and his hair wasn't cooperating.

Simply put, he was a mess.

The boys helped him pick a shirt- they argued for a half an hour before they eventually came to settle on a red-plaid flannel and a Sex Pistols t-shirt, and after a healthy dose of wax his hair was the perfect mess.

He was escorted to the airport by one of their security guards and after one of their security guards called in a favor to airport security, he was standing at Gate C18A at O'Hare pacing like a madman.

He didn't smoke, but if her plane didn't land soon, he was sure he would take up the nasty habit.

It was 6:41 PM when the plane landed.
He watched, waiting for the crew to open the breezeway and at 7:03 PM, the first passenger filed off the plane.

Michael held his breath.

Waiting.

Watching as the passengers filed off, one-by-one, his heart speeding up with every single passerby.

But all at once everything stopped.
His lungs went heavy as his breath hung on the edge of his lips.
His eyes going wide as his palms wicked over with sweat.

She was beautiful- even more so in person.
Her hazelnut hair hung down over her shoulders, framing her face just perfect. Her Ray-Bans sat nestled comfortably in her hair. She didn't have much make-up on, but her lips were glossed over. She had on a button down denim shirt with her sleeves cuffed just below her elbows. She had on a pair of black leggings that cut off at her ankles where they left just an inch or two of skin before they met her white, stud covered Converse.

In one hand she had a passport, a set of boarding passes, and her phone.
Hanging from her other arm was a tattered olive green bag -a Tylie Malibu purse she had been so anxious to receive in the mail just weeks prior- and a bottle of Fiji water.

Michael struggled to drink in one last breath before he hoisted his hand up in the air, waiving it frantically as he called her name.

As she caught a glimpse of him a smile spread wide across her face, her dimples going so deep they could have held water.

Michael couldn't bare the idea of standing still one single second longer.

Before he knew it, he was headed straight at her.

She stopped, letting her purse drop to the ground as she held out her arms.

As their bodies collided, his hands wrapped tightly around her waist as hers wound tightly around his neck, letting him hoist her up slightly, her feet dangling as she tucked her face into the crook of his neck. Her smell was intoxicating, it was warm and fresh, like a field of wildflowers in summertime and her skin was soft like silk while her hair smelled faintly of fresh strawberries.

A wave of warmth and comfort washed over his body- like for the first time, he was home. Except, home wasn't a place, but rather, a person- it was Lennon.

He held her for as long as he could, hesitating before he sat her back down, letting her feet skim the floor. She smiled up at Michael before reaching up, taking his face in her hands letting her thumbs trace over his swollen red lips and his cheeks before she reached up, brushing back his fringe.

"It's really you."

He smiled, taking her hands into his, "It's really you." he mimicked, making her giggle and her cheeks flushing a deep red. "You look...beautiful."

"I look like I just spent four hours on a plane."

"You still look perfect." Lennon smiled before tucking a strand of hair behind her pierced ear, her eyes scanning the terminal.

"Where are the boys? I'm excited to meet them!"

"Back at the hotel, I promised we would meet them for dinner though, so I hope you're hungry."

She smiled before nodding quickly, "starving."

He had yet to let go of Lennon's hand, he had spent so long dreaming of holding her he feared that if he let go, she would be gone. But she didn't seem to mind, she had laced her fingers through his, offering a shy smile.

"We should get your bag."

Michael hesitated to let go as she bent down to pick up her purse and water, stuffing all her tickets into the purse before she held her hand out, letting Michael take it again as they headed towards the baggage claim.

"Which one's yours?" he asked, watching as the bags zoomed by. Lennon watched for a moment before pointing.

"The pink one..."

Michael drug her up to the conveyor belt where they would wait for her bag.

As they waited, Lennon kept a close eye on her bag, which had just made its way through the opening of the steel wall. Michael however, couldn't help but watch Lennon. He took this moment to memorize her every detail. The way her rosebud lips bowed, or the way her blue eyes shined- even under the outdated fluorescent lights, the way her finger tips rested just perfect around his, and the way their hands fit together like two lost puzzle pieces.

She was perfect.
Every last bit of her.

"Michael!"

"Huh?" he grunted.

"My bag!" she gigged at the pink suitcase passed on by.

"Shit."

He grabbed at the to handle, the force of the conveyor belt nearly taking him with it, but with a giant tug he pulled the bag to the floor (nearly taking an older woman out in the process).

Lennon couldn't help but laugh as she watched him struggle to upright the heavy suitcase (it had weighed in at a whopping 67 pounds in San Diego) all while profusely apologizing to the woman who looked less than thrilled with him.

Michael grabbed the suitcase and Lennon and headed for the exit before he could draw any more attention to himself.

There was more than enough room in the back of the large SUV, but Michael and Lennon chose to sit as close as possible, their bodies molded together. Michael had one arm slung over her shoulder, the other laying on Lennon's thigh as he caressed her hand, his fingers tracing over all the lines on her palm.

He let out a content sigh as she snuggled even further into him.

The ride was silent- but neither of them felt the need to speak.
Being together was simply enough.

The driver quickly ushered them to Tavern at the Park, where they were taken to the roof, allowing them to dine under the stars. Ashton, Calum, and Luke were already seated and waiting when Michael and Lennon arrived.

The boys had all been supportive of Michael's relationship with Lennon, whatever kind of relationship is was. Even in her absence, she managed to make Michael happy in ways nothing else could- not even music and even though they had never met her, they loved her for what she was to Michael. She made his bad days good and his good days great. He looked forward to any fragment of time -no matter how small- he got to have with her. But seeing the two together, in the flesh and interacting- they saw why she had such a hold on Michael. It was natural in a way that made them jealous. She countered Michael, calming his sometimes over-the-top antics and making him laugh in ways that he usually made others laugh.

But all too soon, dinner came to an end.

The driver would corral them into the large SUV, escorting them back to the hotel.

Just as Michal and the boys had gathered at the hatch, he realized Lennon was missing. He glanced around before he caught sight of her moving through the revolving door.

Michael took off after her, dragging her pink suitcase behind him. Before he could catch up to her, he watched as she approached the front desk, digging through her purse before she produced a wallet. It took a moment, but once it registered what she was doing he pulled at her pink suitcase, chasing after her.

"I need a single for one night-" she mumbled, pulling out a credit card as the woman behind the desk began to type.

"You don't need a room-" he insisted, looking between Lennon and the receptionist, "she doesn't need a room."

Lennon rolled her eyes before handing her card over the counter but before the woman could take it Michael snatched it from her hands. "Michael!" she grumbled, glaring as he stuffed the card into his back pocket. "Don't think I won't go after that, Michael Gordon-"

The poor girl looked mortified as Lennon reached around, her hand grasping at his butt, struggling as she tried to find his pockets.

"So will you be needing a room?"

Michael knew that he didn't look like he belonged in the Waldorf Astoria- but standing in the lobby as a pretty girl grabbed at his butt? That was the icing on the cake for the clearly appalled receptionist.

"No." Michal sauntered, his smile wide and ornery as he (openly) enjoyed her touching at his butt.

"Then where the hell am I supposed to stay, you dimwit?" she grumbled as she walked around him, one hand in each of the impossibly tight pockets on the back of his jeans.

"With me."

His brows furrowed as he felt her hands leave his butt, making him spin around to face a clearly confused Lennon. "Are you sure?"

Michael smiled, reaching out to take her small, delicate hand into his, "Positive. I have my room to myself. Luke, Cal, and Ashton all decided to share a room so you could stay with me."

"I-I mean I could..." as she mulled over her (poorly formed) words Michael produced her card, which he had swiftly hidden up his the sleeve of his flannel. Lennon swallowed hard, "okay."

"Okay." Michael repeated, almost to cement her decision as he felt his cheeks tug into a smile.

He held his hand out letting their fingers lace tightly as he grabbed at her suitcase as they made their way to the elevator.

Luke held out his arm, holding the steel doors wide open as they waited. Calum, Luke, and Ashton all shifted back into the elevator letting Michael and Lennon stand side by side. The boys stood close as they tried (and failed) to hide their cheeky smiles, watching Michael as he stared at Lennon with an infatuation they had never seen from the bright haired boy before.

The elevator climbed slowly before finally arriving at their 58th floor destination.

The doors slid open and as everyone stepped out, they all stopped, sharing an awkward glance.

"You kids have fun." Ashton winked at Michael, earning himself a death glare.

"Yeah, don't forget to use-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll finish you." Michael growled at Calum.

Lennon let go of Michael's hand before she rolled onto her toes, placing a soft kiss on each boys cheek. "Good night guys. Thanks for dinner, I had a really great time."

"Don't do anything stupid, mate." Luke mumbled as he stuffed his hands deep into the pockets of his impossibly tight jeans, "She's a keeper."

Lennon's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson.

Michael mumbled a punctuated "good night." Through gritted teeth before he grabbed at Lennon's hand, tugging her and the suitcase down the hall and away from the embarrassments that he called his best mates.

They moved down the hall quietly, searching the numbers mounted by each door until they found the one they were looking for.

Michael could feel the beating of his heart deep in his throat.

He could never remember being so nervous. The prospect of being alone with Lennon ignited a fire within him that nearly left him shaking. He quickly found a spot at the end of the bed, taking a seat as his anxious fingers would around the edge of the mattress, watching in silence as Lennon laid her suitcase over the couch while simultaneously kicking off her shoes.

A comfortable silence washed over the room as Lennon caught Michael's gaze.

"Can-" Lennon faltered, her words getting caught deep in her throat as her heart began to pound. "can I show you something?"

Michael's brows knitted together, his emerald eyes going dark. "Of course."

He wasn't sure what to expect, thought he had a list of things he hoped not to see - a picture of a boyfriend and a ring of any sort topped that list- he only had a few seconds to anticipate, but that was still enough time for a knot to form in the pit of his nervous stomach.

She swallowed hard before her shaking hands found their way to the first grey button at the top of her shirt, her fingers working to push it through the tiny hole.

Michael's heart sped up, the knot in his stomach seeming catching on fire as her fingers fell to the second button- repeating their action, the opening of her shirt getting wider, revealing the skin between her breasts, then the middle of the black lace bra, before it revealed her stomach and finally her belly button.

He watched in awe as her shaking hands undid the last button, the shirt falling open. With a swift breath she grabbed at the shirt, giving it a little push as it glided down her arms, the fabric pooling into a pile at her feet.

For a moment, he admired her body- her curves and edges, and how they mimicked an hourglass.

But as quickly as he began, he stopped, his brows knitting together as he caught something on the inside of her left bicep.

"Is that-" he squinted, his eyes struggling to make out the black ink, "a tattoo?"

Her cheeks flushed as she nodded, raising her left arm, curling her bicep to give him the best view. His eyes seemed to twinkle as his hand raised, letting his fingers stroke gently.

"and back." he mumbled.

The ink bored permanently into her skin was the other half of his own.

"To the moon and back-" she mumbled, biting at her bottom lip. "It makes me feel like I have you with me."

Michael swallowed hard as he gathered the courage he needed before he took three small steps, his hands finding their way to Lennon's hips before they glided over her porcelain skin, letting his fingers link lightly over the curve of her back in an attempt to draw her closer. He let his head lull, his forehead resting gently against hers as his eyes flickered.

"I'm always with you, always..." he promised, his hot breath tickling over her swollen lips.

Lennon offered a shy smile as her hands ran up his stomach and over his pecks before her fingers tucked under his flannel button up, pushing it down over his shoulders. He let go of Lennon, allowing his shirt to fall to the floor before her fingers tugged at the hem of his tee shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it to the floor.

Their eyes met as a slow smile found its way over their faces.

Lennon stepped closer, her arms wrapping tightly around Michael's neck. His hands quickly ghosting over her skin, a trail of goosebumps quickly following.

Michael had spent a multitude of time thinking about kissing Lennon -how she would taste, how she would feel, what he would feel- but her lips were softer than he could have ever dreamed as she seemingly melted into him. Her fingertips guided up his arms before moving over his shoulders- her fingernails scratching lightly up his neck and into his bleached hair, making goosebumps rise over his entire body.

He was left breathless as she pulled away, her blue eyes flickering in her desperation to get closer.

Michael pressed a soft, slow kiss to her waiting lips before he finally asked, "are you sure you want to do this?"

She didn't even hesitate. "Absolutely."



Michael woke up with Lennon wrapped in his arms, her face nestled into his bare chest as her breath tickled over his pale skin. As she snuggled deeper into him, he couldn't help but think that this was how life was supposed to be.

He was meant to keep her warm and safe, to hold her.

But the morning brought a cruel reality- Lennon's departure.

It hadn't been but fifteen hours since Michael had last found himself at O'Hare, but this time was much different.

His fear didn't lie with meeting her, it was with losing her.
He wasn't anxious for a first kiss, he was anxious this would be his last one.

"You should get going..." Lennon prompted as he brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, "you don't want to be late for sound check."

One night with Lennon just wasn't enough, she was something like a drug- one hit and he just couldn't get enough of her, and now he had to watch her leave.

The very thought sent him into a withdraw.

He let out a deep breath as his thumb stroked over her cheek before he cupped it softly, "I just...don't want to let you go."

"We'll see each other again, besides-" her smile was cheeky and genuine, the one she would always offer when she teased and taunted him. "I have your beanie. You're going to want that back...eventually."

Like clockwork, the call he had dreaded most sounded over the loud system.



Lennon took a deep breath, her eyes burning as she fought the tears.

"Lennon I-" he didn't bother to hide his tears as he clung to her with a desperation he had never felt before, "I love you..."

Lennon let out a quiet sob before rolling onto her toes, trapping Michael in a long, slow kiss.

But just as Michael went to deepen it, she pulled away, her hand caressing at his cheek one last time. "Later loser..."

Michael let out a tear filled laugh as her hand left his grip.

He watched helplessly as she turned away, appearing at the counter. She handed the woman her ticket and disappeared down the breezeway. He watched in a helpless desperation as the woman shut the door to the breezeway.

He wasn't sure why, but he thought maybe she come running down the breezeway and fall into his arms with the promise to stay, or maybe he'd wake up from this nightmare, and she would be snuggled into his chest with their fingers laced tight as they lay draped over his stomach.

But as the woman turned the knob, bolting the door, reality set in.

She wasn't coming back.

He stumbled to the nearest chair, his head falling into his shaking hands as a violent sob overtook his body.

She was really gone.

But it wasn't long before a vibration shook from the inside of his pocket, he wiped at his eyes as he dug into his jeans, pulling out the phone.