(He looked so exquisite)

𐙚 𓏵 𓏵 𓏵 𐙚

You're with him.

Outside, the world screams his name like it's trying to rip him away from your side. Like that roar of thousands could steal him before it's time before he even has the guitar slung over his shoulder. But for now, he's still there, walking beside you, hands in his pockets and eyes fixed on the ground, as if the concrete itself was anchoring him to something more than just reality.

"Can you hear that?" he says, not looking at you, with a crooked smile.

You don't need to answer. Outside, the air is vibrating. People chanting his name, singing lyrics ahead of time. It's an electric frenzy.

𐙚 𓏵 𓏵 𓏵 𐙚

Noel stops. Looks toward the black curtain that separates his world from the rest of the planet. Then, he looks at you.

"I always thought I’d get used to it," he admits, scratching the back of his neck. "But every time… fuck, it’s like it’s the first."