*ONE YEAR LATER*

Oli’s P.O.V

“Bullocks, I can’t find it! Austin!” I threw my hands up in frustration, spinning on my heel and eying all the equipment around me, I heard a low chuckle from behind me as said person poked me on the shoulder.

“Here’s another copy, someone needs to keep track of their things!” As Austin passed off my set list, he poked me in the ribs, winking as he did so.

“Hush, you know how bad I am at these things.” I admitted, standing on my tip toes and planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Nah, it’s so fun to tease you.” He grinned, before unexpectedly swooping me up in his arms and carrying me around the arena. I gave up on trying to make him take it easy on his body long ago, I knew Austin would do whatever he wanted too anyways.

“And here, Mr.Carlile, is where you will be playing later.” He spoke in a matter of fact tone as he carried me around the stage, ignoring all our techs who were working like mad to get things ready for our show.

“Aren’t you a doll?” I teased, reaching my hand up to try to ruffle his hair, he dropped me quickly, almost causing me to fall, before sprinting away from me.

“No fair!” I whined, jogging to try to catch up with, but his legs were far to long and carried him much faster then mine ever could. I watched him dart out of the venue, before making my way out there as well. I glanced around, trying to spot him in the somewhat growing crowd, god if my manager knew I was out here he would be livid.

“Surprise!” he shouted from behind me, successfully scaring the daylights out of me.

“Austin I'm going to kill youuuuu.” I snickered as he offered me a piggy back ride, which I gladly accepted. He gripped my legs tightly, making sure to hold me steady.

“Off to greet the crowds are we?”

I twisted my head around, catching the eyes of someone I hadn’t seen in over six months, Austin placed me on the ground cautiously.

“TOM!” I squealed, launching myself into my brothers arms, he spun me around.

“How was your vacation? Did it go well? What about that tour? How was that? Did anything happen? Tell me tell me tell me.” I spat it all out so quickly, feeling more than ecstatic to see my little brother again.

“It was nice, mum.” He joked, but the look on his face quickly went to sadness, I placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I know, I miss her too.” I replied, wrapping my arms around him once again,

“Guess you and I are put on the back burner, eh, Austin?” I turned my head again, catching eyes with Matt, who was surrounded by the rest of our band.

“Guys!” I cried out, letting go off Tom and pulling them into a huge hug. It had been about 3 months since I had seen them, we all lived in different cities across the world basically, so we only met up on special occasions or for tours. Kean lived in a small apartment in New York city with his fiancé, Jordan and his wife lived in a nice loft just outside of London, Lee lived in Chicago with his fiancé as well. Matt and Tom finally moved in together, buying a house in Orlando, Matt’s old place of residence. Austin and I sold our old home, buying a different once to make new memories in. We both agreed that, that house had to many bad ones attached to it, we spent half our time there, still in LA; while the other portion was spent in Sheffield, my home town. Tom and Matt went half way with us on a luxury home there; it was great to be back in the UK. Speaking of England, that’s were we currently were, London to be precise.

“How have you fuckers been?” Austin gave them all quick hugs, as they spilled their stories of how they had spent their last few months, Matt grinned as it came to be his turn.

“Well I have big news, well Tom and I do actually.” He waltzed over to my brother, wrapping an arm around his waist, I eyed them warily.

“Your pregnant?” I asked in disbelief, receiving a loud chorus of laughter from everyone.

“No…but we are…” Tom smiled, before holding his left hand up for us to see,

“YOUR ENGAGED!” I bounded over to them, hugging them closely.

“Awh I’m so happy for you guys!” Austin squealed, reminding me of a 13 year old fan girl, which didn’t go without some giggles.

“As cute as this is, were about to be swarmed!” Lee pointed to the large crowd outside the venue who seemed to pick up on our presence,

“Well we need to get inside anyways, so uh…go!” I yelled playfully, we waved in a hurry before sprinting inside, locking the doors in place.

“We will have to talk later, Tommy. I wanna hear all about it, and Matt, don’t make me castrate you.” I pointed a finger at the drummer who paled in response.

“Right,” he whispered, pecking Tom on the lips before trotting to the back with everyone else. Leaving Tom, Austin, and I in place;

“Well I'm glad to see that things seem to be going well all around.” I smiled, watching as my brother and husband nodded in agreement.

“Now let’s get this done!” I cheered, quickly making my way to the back to prepare for the long night ahead.


-&-

“Austin?”

He peaked his head into the bathroom door, “Yes, baby?” he questioned, opening the door all the way as I watched myself in the mirror.

“Do you love me?” I asked quietly, running my hands over my bare torso, watching as the water from the shower began to dry. The towel on my waist shifted as I turned to face him.

“Of course I do! What kind of question is that?” he stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged,

“Look at all these scars…the bullet hole just breaks up all the ink and makes it look disgusting…my arms are pathetic.” I poked and prodded my skin, but Austin slapped my hands away, before slipping his shirt over his head and tossing it on the floor. He took a place beside me,

“Look at me, I have scars too you know.” He stated, running fingers along the scar from his heart surgery, the words “This World Is Not My Home” stood out from the rest of his tattoos, that and the one with our wedding date in roman numerals. He traced the outline of the bullet wound from Jona as well, I frowned at him.

“Do you think they matter…at all?” I uttered the words out quietly, watching his lips twitch up until they made a teeth baring smile,

“Of course they do, they are reminders of how much things have changed. How now are better days, how we accomplished everything we ever dreamed of. Most importantly, how much we have been through.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me into his firm chest. I sighed, letting him rock us back in forth.

“You truly are amazing,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck, he sighed.

“No, that would be you lovely.” He looked down, smiling before capturing my lips with his, I kissed back immediately. Our tongues danced together, not trying to fight for dominance, just blissfully taking in everything that was the other. After a few moments he pulled back, resting his forehead against mine.

“I love you.” He purred, gently kissing my nose.

“I love you too. Wanna go watch a film?” he nodded,

“Get pants on first, Tom and Matt will be here from the airport in a few minutes.” He glanced at the clock on the wall,

“Right,” I chided, gently pushing past him and into the large bedroom. Wood floors stretched the entire distance from the built in bathroom to the large bay window. I grabbed a pair of drop dead boxers, slipping them on hastily, before grabbing a pair of black sweats. I decided against a shirt, it wasn’t like they hadn’t seen it before, and I suddenly felt…more confident after hearing Austin's reassuring words.

“You like living here, Austie?” I questioned, parading over to the bay window and sitting on the bench, the house was 4 stories, 2 for bedrooms and baths, 1 with a kitchen and dining area, along with a movie theater, and the basement was a game room. I watched the city lights of Sheffield off in the distance, keeping my eye on a puff of smoke that came from a steel factory.

“Love it, actually. Plus, its your hometown; I'm happy we have houses in both of ours, and staying here is a treat.” He came over to me, sitting down beside me and watching the lights illuminate the night sky.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” I pushed the window open, taking in the somewhat chilly air that pricked at my bare skin, Austin wrapped an arm around me.

“It is, just like you.” He grinned.

“Cheesy much?” I joked, snickering as I laid my head on his shoulder; he grabbed my left hand with his, placing them side by side.

“This still makes me so happy,” he smiled down at the rings that were placed on our fingers,

“Me too, I'm the luckiest man alive.” I sighed contently, grabbing his hand and lacing our fingers together.

“Hardly, now I, I am the luckiest man ever. I'm married to Oli Sykes for crying out loud, how many people would die to be able to say that? Millions.” I felt my lips twitch up,

“And you? How many people would fight to the death for a chance to be your spouse, hmm?” I rose my eyebrow as he let out a small laugh.

“Guess were the lucky ones?” he pursed his lips,

“I think so, I'm so fortunate to have you.” I squeezed his hand tighter while he pulled me closer to him.

“Hey love birds!” a voice called from outside, we both looked over the edge. Tom and Matt were waving like maniacs, suitcases on the ground and the rental car pulled in the drive, we didn’t keep cars in Sheffield, we usually just took the train anywhere we needed to go. Rentals were by far, a godsend when we needed them.

“Well well well, look what we have here!”Austin called back, giggling as he closed the window and offered me a hand.

“Let’s go open the door and help them with their things.” He stated as he hoisted me off the small bench. We traipsed down the stairs in a rush, bolting to the door and throwing it open.

“God, its only been three weeks since London and you act like its been forever!” Matt chimed, squeezing me tightly, before hugging Austin.

“We have a big surprise,” Tom exclaimed, clapping in excitement,

“Oh god, now your pregnant?” I slapped my hands over my face, they laughed in unison.

“Try again!” a deep voice boomed, from behind the large pillars on the porch emerged Tino, Aaron, Phil and Alan. Austin’s mouth fell open,

“GUYS!” he threw his hands up, before pulling them all together and giving them a hug.

“But how?” he questioned, pulling away from his friends, “I thought you all were super busy?” the group chuckled.

“Tom called and all but begged us to come see you guys, and we couldn’t pass up a few weeks in England, so we said what the hell, dropped our plans; and now were here.” Alan explained, coming across the porch and giving me a hug.

“Hey Ols!” he greeted as he squeezed me tightly, I hugged him back.

“Hey Alan!” I pulled back, blushing in embarrassment as I remembered my current dress situation, “sorry for the lack of shirt, I just took a shower.” I offered as innocently as I could.

“Now what’s Austin excuse?” he questioned, watching as everyone laughed over some Joke Phil had made,

“That’s just how he is,” I giggled, covering my mouth as I watched them goofing off.

“He’s never going to grow up, he’s 29 going on 5.” Alan held up five fingers for emphasis, I chuckled.

“29 ½ mind you.” I poked my tongue out, earning a grin from the guitarist.

“Let’s go inside! I'm cold!” Austin whined, grabbing Tom’s and Matt’s bags against their will, and making everyone else carry their own, much to their dismay.


-&-


After we had everyone settled in, we picked up some pizza before snuggling ourselves in the home movie theater. Alan and Tom were currently fighting over what movie to watch, Matt and Tino were indulged in a heated conversation over what zildjian cymbals were the best, Aaron and Phil were griping over what sports team was going to win the super bowl, and honestly, I had never felt more at home. Austin and I were curled up on a black sofa, quietly observing our friends, family, argue and bicker, all in a loving way of course.

“I don’t think I could be any happier.” He spoke quietly, his hand twirling in my hair as he kissed my cheek.

“I don’t think I could either.” I replied with a smile,

“So this is what a perfect life must be like,” he added, giggling when Tom and Alan got frustrated and turned their backs on each other, before falling to the ground in fits of laughter.

“I think so...Austin?” I inclined my head, catching his gaze with mine, he bit his lip, that old habit never had faded.

“Yes?” he answered, batting his eyelashes at me,

“Thank you.” I stated, closing my eyes as he hugged me closer to his chest.

“For what?” he inquired, I hummed in response.

“Everything, thank you for everything.”

This was happiness, to be surrounded by family, be in the arms of the one you loved. To not have a worry in the world, this...this was perfection. Something I never once thought I would achieve in my days, but it just goes to show how wrong you can be. Zombieland vaguely started up in the back ground, but I was too caught up in the revelations I had come to make, one line stood out above the rest. One line I could really relate my own feelings too, Rule #32: Enjoy the little things.

And that’s exactly what I planned to do.

Notes

AND...its over...
After much deliberation, i have decided to wrap up this installment, that being said..i am not sure if i will ever write a third. but I will be writing another Austin/Oli fic sometime in the near future, I hope you check back for that one as well. Special shout out to the people who supported me during this entire fic, its been a long one. over 90,000 words, and months and months of work, though it felt like i just started this yesterday. to wrap up a sappy AN, I just wanted to say thank you all. i wouldnt have been able to finish this if it wasn't for you all <3

for the last time with this story, please leave a comment, or vote on the over all story. I dont know if you can follow me, but if so, please do for future stories or maybe a future installment.

Signing out for the last time on this story,
Siren