After the applause

Broken strings

"Come on," Lauren said quietly after a while. "Let's get out of here. This room's got bad energy now."

Camila managed a small laugh through her sniffles. "Where?"

Lauren smiled, brushing Camila's hair back behind her ear. "Anywhere you want. Just... somewhere it's just us."

They ended up walking hand in hand down the quiet back corridors of the venue, past the dressing rooms and supply closets, until they found the rooftop. The night air was crisp, the city lights stretching out in every direction, the hum of traffic below comforting in its distance.

Camila leaned against the low wall at the edge, looking out at the skyline. Lauren stood beside her, their shoulders brushing, hands still linked.

"You ever feel like you're standing at the edge of something... huge?" Camila asked quietly.

Lauren tilted her head, studying her. "Yeah. All the time."

Camila smiled faintly. "It's terrifying."

Lauren squeezed her hand. "It is. But it's also the beginning of something new. Something beautiful."

Camila turned to look at her, the city lights reflecting in her eyes. "How do you always know what to say?"

Lauren chuckled softly. "I don't. I just... I know you. And I know how strong you are, even when you don't see it."

Camila blinked back fresh tears, this time not from fear or doubt, but from something softer—something healing.

"I'm scared," she admitted in a whisper. "That she's right. That I'm not enough for you. That I'll ruin everything."

Lauren stepped in front of her, framing Camila's face between her hands again, forcing her to look only at her. "You're enough," she said fiercely. "You're everything."

Their foreheads touched, breaths mingling in the cool night air. The world felt far away again, but this time it wasn't a lonely isolation — it was a safe bubble, just the two of them.

"I'm yours, Camila," Lauren whispered. "Always."

Their foreheads rested together for a long moment, breathing in sync. Neither one moved, neither one spoke — it was like they both needed this silence, this closeness, to patch up the pieces that had been shattered tonight.

When Camila finally pulled back, it was just enough to look into Lauren's eyes.

"Is it okay that I stay with you tonight?" she hesitated, her voice barely a whisper.

Lauren's heart clenched at how fragile Camila sounded, like she was barely holding herself together. She nodded without hesitation. "Of course, baby. You don't ever have to ask. Besides you already took over my hotel room."

Camila let out a shaky breath, as if she had been holding it in until Lauren answered. The weight of the night seemed to settle heavier on her shoulders now, the adrenaline fading, leaving her exhausted and raw.

Lauren threaded their fingers together again. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

They moved quietly through the empty venue, slipping out a side door where one of the security guys gave Lauren a discreet nod. The black SUV that usually waited for Lauren after rehearsals was still parked at the curb. She opened the door for Camila first, then climbed in after her.

The drive was silent, but not uncomfortable. Camila leaned into Lauren's side, her head resting on her shoulder. Lauren wrapped an arm around her, tracing gentle patterns on her forearm with her fingertips, whisper-light touches that said I'm here. You're safe.

When they reached the hotel, the driver nodded at them through the rearview mirror. Lauren thanked him quietly, helping Camila out of the car like she was something precious that might break if she wasn't careful.

Inside the large hotel room, Lauren flicked on a small side lamp, bathing the room in a soft, golden glow. Camila stood near the door, her arms hugging herself.

Lauren walked over, her hands finding Camila's waist as she pulled her close again. "You're home now," she murmured against her hair. "You're safe."

Camila closed her eyes, savoring the feeling of Lauren's arms around her.

"Can I borrow something to sleep in?" Camila asked after a moment, her voice so small it made Lauren's heart ache.

Lauren smiled gently. "Anything you want."

She led Camila to her bedroom, opening the closet and pulling out an oversized T-shirt — one of her favorites, soft and worn from countless washes. She handed it to Camila, their fingers brushing.

"Come on, get ready for bed, baby." Lauren said softly, gesturing down the hall. "Take your time."

Camila disappeared into the bathroom with the T-shirt clutched against her chest. Lauren changed into her own pajamas — a loose tank top and drawstring shorts — and pulled back the covers on the bed, making everything feel a little less formal, a little more inviting.

When Camila emerged, she was swimming in the shirt, the hem reaching almost to her knees. Her damp hair was tied back in a messy bun, and she looked so soft, so vulnerable, that Lauren felt another wave of protectiveness crash over her.

"Hey, come here," Lauren said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Camila crossed the room slowly, slipping into Lauren's open arms like it was the most natural thing in the world.

They climbed into bed together, Lauren pulling the covers over them. Camila nestled against her side immediately, fitting herself into the curve of Lauren's body like she belonged there.

Lauren stroked her back in slow, soothing circles. "You're safe," she said again, her voice low and steady. "No one's gonna hurt you. Not while I'm around."

Camila buried her face in Lauren's neck, inhaling the familiar scent of her skin, her perfume — something grounding, something that reminded her that she wasn't alone.

"Thank you," Camila whispered.

Lauren tightened her hold. "You don't have to thank me, baby. You never have to thank me for loving you."

They lay there in the quiet, the city lights casting a soft glow through the curtains. Camila's breathing evened out eventually, but Lauren could feel the tension still lingering in the way Camila clutched at the fabric of her tank top, like she was afraid Lauren might disappear if she let go.

"You can wake me up if you need anything," Lauren whispered into her hair. "Even if it's just to hold you tighter. Okay?"

Camila nodded against her, and Lauren felt a warm wetness soak into the skin of her collarbone. Silent tears.

Lauren kissed the top of her head, lingering there.

"You're not broken, Camz," she murmured. "You're the strongest person I know."

It wasn't long before Camila's grip loosened slightly, sleep pulling at her exhausted body. But even as she drifted off, she stayed pressed close, her leg thrown lightly over Lauren's, like she needed as much contact as possible to believe this was real.

Lauren stayed awake for a long time after Camila fell asleep, just holding her, stroking her hair, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest.

She had never felt more certain of anything in her life — she would protect Camila. She would love her through the dark days, the doubts, the old scars that Miley had tried to rip open tonight.

And she would stay. As long as Camila will have her.