Party 'til you pass out / When the party's over

Alison

Summer went by in a hectic haze of photoshoots, joining Bring Me on a few festivals and shooting them too, and planning some quality down time with Oliver. Sometimes we hardly saw each other for a couple of weeks, and he disliked that even more than I did. He had asked me to just drop a few commissions and come with him, which had caused a small fight between us. No matter how much I liked to come with him, my business was my priority. I hadn't worked so hard on my own business for all those years, just to let go of it because of him. Me telling him that had made him really annoyed, and we hadn't talked to each other for two days. We had both been really stubborn, but eventually Oliver had called me and apologized, saying I was right.

The few festivals I had accompanied him on, had been amazing. I'd had so much fun with the lads, watching them on stage and just being around them in the chaos that was touring, and their girls that had also tagged along. Out of all things of being with Oliver, touring with the band had been one of the things I had missed the most. We were all part of this mental family, stuck together in the same insane chaos that was our life. Going with them to Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, Hellfest in France and Sziget in Hungary had been amazing this summer, but I was most looking forward to Reading and Leeds coming weekend. Without any effort, I had taken back my spot in the entourage of Bring Me as the caring kind of mum-person that I had been since Warped in the early days. I made sure everyone got what they needed, was where they were supposed to be, and knew them and their needs without me asking them. Especially Oliver went well on this, because no matter how well he could take care of himself while on tour, everything went so much easier for him when I was around. I hardly took over anything from him, but it was like his whole being was calmer when I was around, and his own mind was kinder to him. He seemed more carefree, and I loved seeing him like that.

The band had come home again last night, and Oliver was beyond tired. He had gone to bed early, and had slept in for a while. I had just let him, knowing he needed it more than he cared to admit. I had occupied myself with unpacking his bag and cleaning up his laundry. Then I made breakfast and coffee for myself and sat down in the back yard, overlooking the hills glistening in the bright, August morning sun. The dogs were running after each other and looking at them entertained me for a while, until I looked back at a rumour in the house. Oliver's silhouette moved through the kitchen, pouring himself some tea, and then sauntered towards the back door. He closed one eye and squeezed the other at the bright sunlight, leaning against the doorpost in just his sweatpants, one hand in his pockets and the other holding a cup of tea. He stared out over the wide view and sighed deeply, blowing his tea. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, and I quietly took a picture of him with my phone, posting it in my story on Instagram. Then I got up and walked up to him, wrapping my arms around his bare waist. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

'Good morning, sleeping beauty,' I said, staring up at him.

'Hmm,' he hummed, smiling a bit.

'You feel better now?'

'Hmhm.' He nodded, his eyes still a bit drowsy from sleep, but looking less exhausted than last night. He put his arm around me and I turned around, leaning with my back against him, my hands holding onto his arm that was draped over my chest.

'This view never ceases to calm me down,' he muttered after a while of us just staring ahead at the grass on the hills moving in the wind. A few swallows shot by in the breeze, screeching as they dartled over the hills.

'I know,' I said, holding him a bit tighter. Oliver kissed my head and let go of me, walking back inside.

'I have to go see Jordan today,' he said when he put his tea on the kitchen island and started fixing himself breakfast.