True Love

27. Coming out

On Wednesday, as promised, they were at the studio early in the morning. Scott, as usual, couldn't wait.

- Hi my beloved birds! So, how was it?

- Scott! Let them breathe!

- It's okay Kirstie, smiled Avi softly. It was... well, see by yourself.

And he raised his hand, holding Mitch's one, showing them the rings adorning their fingers.

- We are engaged.

Mitch's smile was priceless. He seemed to be about to burst with joy, or to melt in happiness, or to fly away, or a mix of all that.

Scott couldn't resist. He fell upon them and caught Mitch in a tight embrace.

- Mitchie my little one! Oh! I'm so so happy!

He reached out an arm and pulled Avi in their hug. Avi patted his back happily, while Mitch had buried his face on Scott's chest.

- Hey honey! I'm sorry, I'm so cheesy! Get yourself together, we have a video to shoot!

Kirstie grabbed Mitch's shoulders and made him turn towards her to hug him in turn. She kissed him on the cheek and gazed at him happily, slightly running a hand in his hair, along his temple, on his cheek, with a tender smile on her lips. Kevin was hugging Avi, a large grin on his face.

- You should see your face, homie. I've been waiting for this smile for ages!

Avi laughed and turned to Kirstie. She let go off Mitch who was engulfed in Kevin's arms.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, nested her head on his chest and hugged him silently. His arms around her shoulders, he closed his eyes, resting his cheek on her head. They didn't need to talk. She was the one who wasn't surprised when he came out to the band. She was the one who silenced Scott when he was going too far with his jokes. She was the one who had helped him to reassure Mitch.

- Hey lovebirds! Shall we begin?

- Scott! shouted Kirstie.

Avi burst out laughing.

- I didn't see this one coming, Scottie!

Scott smirked, rather proud of himself.

- We have to talk now. Here is what we thought about when you were doing whatever you had planned in a mysterious place...

Mitch punched Scott on his arm, pretending to be shocked. They all sat down on the couches, smiling happily. Avi realised that he felt less tensed than when they arrived. Scott's jokes had helped him to relax a little. He smiled at him and Scott answered with a wink. Yes, he was a wonderful friend too. They all were. He grabbed Mitch's hand and intertwined their fingers on his lap.

- We thought it should be rather simple. As sober as for Run To You. When Mitch sings, he would be alone on a side of the screen, and us around Avi. When Avi sings, us around Mitch. During the last verse, Avi would walk towards Mitch, the screen narrowing around you both,while we disappear on a side. And the last sentence would come like from nowhere, while the screen turns to... I don't know. Black? White? And this one won't credit the Patrons. We need everyone to discover it at the same time.

- I like it, I like it a lot! But why would I be the one who walks at the end?

Scott remained thoughtful. Kevin spoke, then.

- Remember, Scott, we were saying that it made sense, as Avi made the biggest step...

- Yes! That's why! his face lighting up with a smile. But we can change this if you like. We are here to discuss. This video is for you both.

- Mitch?

Mitch gazed at Avi silently. Then he began slowly:

- I love the idea. About the end... Yes I was the one waiting, he said shyly. But it's up to you. We can change it, I want you to feel comfortable with it. And the last screen should be white I think, he concluded with a smile.

- It's fine for me, answered Avi, squeezing his hand. You are right,you were the one waiting.

- Great! The guys of Endless Noise will show you the stage set they have imagined. Now... How will we present it? When? Who speaks?

- I've been thinking about it, answered Avi softly. Usually, when we talked in a video, it was at the end. But this time it should be at the beginning. You three would announce the album and its pre-order. And I know what I want to say after this. Mitch still has to tell me what he wants to say himself. You three will be behind us, as you've been all the way, Avi ended with a grateful smile.

- So... you need to talk with Mitch now?

- Please.

Scott, Kirstie and Kevin headed out to the studio, leaving their friends in the private room.

*****

Avi turned to Mitch and sat cross-legged on the couch. Mitch did the same to face him.

- What do you think?

- You first, Avi. Tell me what you want to say. I'll see, then.

Avi pulled out a paper from his pocket, looked at it briefly, but he was staring at Mitch into the eyes when he told him.

Mitch smiled at him, feeling moved. After a short silence, he said softly:

- I have nothing more to add. We could end the last sentence together.

- I hoped so, whispered Avi.

*****

In the afternoon, they went to the Endless Noise Studios. They filmed the song first. They sang, of course, even if the track would be the one recorded a few days ago. They needed to feel the song to act naturally. But it was a good thing they didn't record it live anyway. Avi's voice wasn't as assured as it should have been.

Then they gathered in front of the camera, Avi and Mitch sitting side by side on a couch, Kevin, Kirstie and Scott sitting on the seatback, Kirstie in the middle. The three bandmates spoke first, after the ritual "Heyyy!!!" by them five.

- Here is the first original song we share from our new full lenght album!

- We're so excited to tell you that the album will be released on October 30!

- And you can pre-order it now by clicking on one of the links below!

It was Avi's turn. He squeezed Mitch's hand, their hands still being off camera, and smiled softly.

- This song is special. Some of you have heard it this summer on the Kelly Clarkson Tour, and many others thanks to videos shared on YouTube by some fans. But this final version is different. This song has been written by Mitch. For me. I've added a few lines. This is our way to tell you...

They raised their intertwined hands, and separated them to show their two rings, while they were saying at the same time:

- ... we are engaged.

Then they leaned toward each other as if they were about to kiss. In the final video, this part would fade away in dark, to lead to the clip itself in a crossfade.

*****

That evening, they all gathered at Avi and Mitch's. Kevin and Soraya, Kirstie and Jeremy, Scott and Alex, Esther and Darien.

They felt relieved. The rushes of the video were perfect. They were all giggly and playful, feeling like they were reaching the end of a long journey.

Nine months. It had been nine months since this special shopping day. A pretty symbolic number.

- You are someone special indeed, Mitchie, to go for shopping and bring back a dragon!

- Oh Scott... blew Kirstie as if she was desperate.

But when they all burst out laughing, she joined happily.