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When Joel woke up, it took him a second to remember where he was.
We’re in America! he thought with a smile. He had to pinch himself, because it felt like a dream. After nearly a decade, his band was finally on their first US tour, opening for From Ashes To New. They had played a sold-out show last night in Pennsylvania, and tonight they would be playing another, in Michigan.
The only thing he was looking forward to more than playing that show, was spending time with his boyfriend. He got up from his bunk, and walked into the tour bus’ small kitchenette. As Joel expected, Niko was sitting in his chair, staring out the window at the Midwestern landscape, as he drank his coffee.
But, what Joel didn’t expect, was for Niko to have a ball of yarn in his hands.
“Hey, honey,” he mumbled sleepily, “what are you doing with that?”
“What does it look like, babe?” Niko chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “I’m knitting.”
“…Knitting?” Joel repeated dumbly, rubbing his tired eyes. “You don’t know how to knit.”
“Well, I’ve decided to learn!” Niko replied. “We’re going to be spending a lot of time on the road this month, and if I don’t find a hobby to keep me busy, I’m probably going to go crazy.”
“That makes sense,” Joel nodded. “But isn’t knitting, like, for grandmas?”
He didn’t know any knitters who were under the age of sixty-five.
“It’s 2022, Jori,” Niko rolled his eyes. “Hobbies aren’t just for one gender - or one age group - anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” Joel said sheepishly, as he sat down next to his co-vocalist. If Niko was excited about his new hobby, then he should try to be supportive, and get excited with him. “What are you making?”
“I’m not telling you,” Niko shook his head.
“Why?” Joel’s eyes widened. “Are you mad at me?”
“No,” Niko said cryptically, the corners of his mouth turning up into a smirk. “I’m just not telling you.”
“Why not?!” Joel wondered.
“It’s a surprise,” Niko shrugged.
“You really won’t tell me?” Joel frowned.
“Not even if you beg,” Niko winked.
I think I did enough begging last night, in the bathroom at the concert venue, Joel thought, turning pink. If his boyfriend was determined to be stubborn, there was probably no way to make him talk. The last thing he wanted was to get on Niko’s nerves, and wind up getting edged like that again tonight.
So, I’ll drop the subject for now, he decided. But his curiosity was still killing him.
%%%%
“Do you know what Niko is knitting?” Joel asked, looking hopefully at Joonas, as they unloaded their equipment from the truck.
“Yeah,” Joonas grinned, as he grabbed his guitar case. “But I’m not telling you.”
“Seriously?” Joel cried.
“I don’t know what you want from me,” the guitarist laughed. “He swore me to secrecy.”
“This isn’t fair,” Joel pouted.
“Hey,” a familiar voice said softly, as a warm pair of hands wrapped around his waist from behind. “Are you still sulking?”
“Maybe,” Joel replied, turning to face Niko.
“Will a kiss make you feel better?” the rapper asked.
“I guess,” Joel shrugged, heaving an over-dramatic sigh.
Niko stood on his tiptoes, and brought his lips gently to Joel’s own. He tasted sweet, and perfect, like he always did. But the satisfaction of the kiss, still didn’t make up for not knowing his boyfriend’s secret.
“My knitting project is almost finished,” Niko promised. “When it’s done, then you can see what it is.”
“Okay,” Joel replied, leaning down to give Niko a peck on the forehead. “I’ll be patient.”
Patience, if he was being honest, had never been his strong suit.
%%%%
The Michigan show went well, and so did the Illinois show the next day, and the Indiana show the day after that. Before and after every show, Niko would sit in the back room of the venue for hours, knitting.
The yarn he was using was made of wool. Niko had been willing to tell him that much. It was a pretty blue-gray color, like the clouds before a storm. Joonas had clearly told the others what Niko was making, but still, none of Joel's bandmates were willing to tell him. It was driving him mad.
“Is your stupid project finished yet?” Joel snapped, as he walked back into the venue, after his smoke break.
“Yes, grumpy,” Niko laughed. “Come here.”
“Wait, it’s really done?” Joel blinked, wishing he hadn’t been so snippy.
“Yes,” Niko nodded. “So, close your eyes, and hold out your hands!”
“Seriously?” Joel replied. But still, he complied, leaning down so that his hands were within Niko’s easy reach.
He was tempted to peek, as he felt a warm piece of fabric be placed into his large hands.
“Okay,” Niko commanded. “Now, open.”
Joel glanced down, and saw that he was holding a hat. A beanie, to be precise.
“It looks really nice, Niko,” he admitted, impressed. “But, I think it’s a bit too big for your head.”
“It’s not for my head, silly,” Niko explained. “It’s for yours.”
“You made this hat for me ?!” Joel gasped, as realization dawned on him. All the hours Niko had spent, paying attention to nothing but his needles, had started to make him feel neglected. But they had been for him , all along. He was touched.
“The yarn is the same color as your eyes,” Niko smiled softly. “I thought of you the moment I saw it.”
“That’s so sweet,” Joel said gratefully, pulling Niko into a hug. “Thank you.”
“I hope it keeps your ears warm,” Niko said happily. “Go ahead, try it on!”
Joel put the hat on his head. It fit perfectly.
“Can I take a picture?” Joel asked, grinning. “I want to put it on the band’s Instagram.”
“You really thing it’s Instagram-worthy?” Niko asked, looking incredibly proud of himself.
“Absolutely!” Joel replied. “All our fans need to know how talented my boyfriend is.”
“I know I’m talented,” Niko said smugly, “But, Joel, I hope you also know, how incredibly loved you are.”