Blogger | Josh Dun

We made it back just in time for the start of the concert. Hayley stopped just before she whizzed onto the stage, halting where we were standing at the side. 

"Enjoy the show, okay?"

I wished her good luck before she ran onstage, the crowd's screams almost drowning out her voice. When she started singing, I couldn't help but dance around a little bit and sing along, a grin on my face the entire time. 

It was about midway through the show, when Taylor grabbed an acoustic guitar.

Hayley spoke through the mic. "We're going to do a slow song now, alright? Sing with me."

The opening chords of The Only Exception began to play, and Josh bowed in front of me. 

"May I have this dance, m'lady?"

I giggled and curtsied before taking his hand. 

"You may."

He pulled me to him, one hand holding my own, and the other around my waist. I rested my head on his chest as we began swaying to the song. 

My heart was racing against my ribcage, the intimacy of the moment making me blush. Josh span me around in his arms, laughing as the song reached it's climax. His grin made butterflies erupt inside my stomach, and I couldn't help but wish that the song would never end and that he would dance with me forever.

As Josh pulled me close for the last verse of the song, he leant his forehead against mine, our noses brushing as he stared unashamedly into my eyes. 

The song was close to ending, but he sang along with the last of the words.

"You are the only exception..."

He leant forward, his lips touching mine.

"... And I'm on my way to believing."

The song ended, and the audience erupted into cheers. But to me, the noise was a dull roar in the background. All I could hear was my own pulse in my ears, as Josh continued to kiss me. I felt like I was on fire as I clutched the front of Josh's t-shirt, afraid that he'd disappear if I let go. The butterflies had been sent into overdrive, and I could feel Josh's grip tightening on my waist.

However, all good things must come to an end, and we eventually had to come back up for air. 

Josh's grip didn't loosen, and I was thankful for that as my legs had turned to jelly. His mocha eyes bore into my blue ones, and I could tell without looking at his mouth that he was smiling. 

"I've wanted to do that for so long," he breathed.

"You did?" 

I was honestly surprised. Josh was so friendly with everyone, I easily mistook his gestures as ones that he would display to anyone. 

"Oh, God yes. Lizzie, I'm..."

"Guys! How did you find the show?" Hayley was practically bouncing up and down as she hugged us both. 

"It was amazing." Josh didn't take his eyes off me. 

Hayley didn't seem to notice, too absorbed in her post-concert adrenaline. She ran off to the showers, making us promise that we'd be waiting for her in the dressing room. 

She returned a few minutes later, her damp hair slung up in a messy bun, a tracksuit clothing her small frame. 

We all spoke for a while, talking about the concert. Hayley started yawning soon after, and we took that as our cue to leave. 

She hugged us both goodbye, and she held onto me a little bit longer as she whispered into my ear. 

"He really likes you, chick."

She pulled away with a big smile on her face. 

"Next time we're in the same city, we have to meet up again, okay?"

We all agreed, and Josh and I jumped into a taxi outside the venue. 

Josh looked at me. "Is it okay if we don't go back to the bus?"

I nodded, not really getting what he meant until he asked the cab driver to take us to the nearest hotel. 

We booked a room and made our way past the floors until we reached our room. When we got inside, I started worrying. 

What if it was awkward now between us? 

What if he regretted kissing me?

I didn't have time to think anymore as Josh came up to me and pecked my lips gently, almost as if he was asking for permission to kiss me properly again. When I made no move to walk away, Josh backed me slowly up against the door, his lips against mine. It seemed even better than the first time, my back to the cold wood of the door, but my front covered in the warmth of Josh's body. My hands found their way onto his head, removing his snapback and tangling my fingers in his hair. Josh's large hands roamed up and down the sides of my torso, as if he didn't want to stop touching me. The kiss was so intense that I let out a small moan, my cheeks instantly lighting up as I realised what I'd done. It seemed to spur Josh on, however, as I felt him smile against my mouth and lift me off my feet. 

He carried me to the bed, dropping me against the pillows as he crawled over me, his lips reattaching to mine almost instantaneously. He finally pulled away, but I then felt his mouth attach to my neck as he left kisses on the sensitive skin below my ear. I couldn't help but moan again, and he stopped in his tracks. Josh hid his face in the crook of my neck, breathing heavily.

"We need to stop before this goes too far, too soon."

I nodded, although my entire body felt ignited. 

After a while, Josh stood up and went into the bathroom. He returned a short while later, only wearing his boxer shorts. He passed me his t-shirt.

"Here, you can wear this tonight."

I thanked him quietly and walked into the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror. My face was flushed and my lips were swollen, a sure sign that everything that had happened tonight wasn't a dream. I undressed, slipping Josh's t-shirt over my underwear. It smelled like him, and I took a deep breath and smiled. The shirt reached the middle of my thighs, and I pulled it down slightly as I made my way back into the bedroom. 

Josh was already in the one double bed, typing on his phone. He put it away as he noticed my arrival, opening his arms invitingly as I crawled into the bed. It felt really good to be in an actual bed, rather than the small space of the bunk. Even with the extra room, Josh and I squeezed as close together as possible. I lay my head on his chest, with my hand on his chest, and I threw one of my legs over his, snuggling closer. 

"Lizzie?"

I looked up at Josh, who was already staring at me. 

"I was trying to tell you something earlier, and then Hayley came off stage."

"What was it?"

He took a deep breath, the words obviously on the tip of his tongue. 

"I think I'm in love with you, Josh."

I was surprised I'd said it too. 

But I didn't regret it at all. 

Josh was quiet for a moment, and then he started laughing.

"What is it with you girls constantly interrupting me? That was supposed to be my line!"

I giggled too. 

"I'm sorry. Shall we rewind so you can say it first?"

He pecked my lips. 

"No. But I'm in love with you too, Lizzie."