You had been away from your boyfriend and your best friends for nearly a month. You were counting down the days until your flight to South Africa left London and took you closer towards Ross and the guys.

It was the longest you'd ever been away from each other, and each day felt like it was getting further away.

You had decided around a week ago that enough was enough and you had to go and see him. You created a plan with George to fly out and surprise Ross, who George said had been getting worse to be around after not seeing you for so long.

You had planned to accompany them on tour but work wouldn't give you the holiday and you had secured a really stable job that you couldn't just give up, so FaceTime had to make do.

It wasn't the same though.

You missed everything about Ross. You missed how he smelt so manly yet so welcoming, the way he towered over you and engulfed you in his body every time he felt like expressing his affection. You missed the warm feeling of his skin against yours, the familiar feeling of his lips on your neck. You missed how he could make you laugh so easily and could always sense when something was up. He was your person and your adoration for each other is what made being apart so difficult.

Your things were packed, as you were checking that you had everything for your two weeks away you received a message from Ross.

R: I miss youu!!!

You smiled. He had no idea.

*

You tapped a message to George as you felt the bump of the plane.

Y/N: Hey G. I've landed!

G: Waiting for you in Arrivals.

The anticipation of going through passport control and luggage claim was killing you inside out. Finally you got all your stuff together and headed towards arrivals.

From a distance you could see George's curly hair. You awkwardly ran-skipped-walked towards him and he pulled you in for a giant hug once you reached eachother.

'Hey! I can't believe you're here!' He beamed excitedly.

'I know!' You reply. 'Feels surreal. What we doing now?'

'I can't believe you're even asking me that, Y/N.' He replies.

You laugh. Of course, he was taking you straight to Ross.

The car journey was long but you were kept entertained by George's stories of tour. They were hilarious but bittersweet as you know you could've experienced them too, but it couldn't be helped. He played the songs loud and reassured you when you were doubtful about how Ross would react.

'Trust me, Y/N. I've never seen anyone miss someone so much. He gets painful to be around after you two end your video chats and he speaks about you as much as he can. He will be ecstatic.'

You smile. 'I hope so.' You think.

Thirty minutes later you finally pull up to the venue, you recognise the banner that was draped elegantly across the front of the arena. A strange feeling came across you, you knew Ross was literally two minutes from you yet he had no idea.

George noticed you deep in thought and squeezed your hand, pulling you into the arena with him.

'What did you say to the guys when you disappeared for hours?' You ask.

'Matty and Hann know you're coming, and I told Ross I bumped into someone I fancied on a night out a couple of days ago and was going to meet her. He'll believe anything like that, you know what I'm like.'

You laugh softly at George's own admission to his antics.

You pass the dressing rooms, but they were empty. You suddenly hear Marty's voice echo through backstage as they were warming up for sound check.

You hear the strum of Adams guitar, and finally Ross' voice.

'George was supposed to be back 20 minutes ago. He better have a good reason, I'm too tired for this.' He groans.

You laugh against George's arm at the irony of Ross' comment before taking a deep breath and walking with him from the back of the stage, directly behind your boyfriend who had no idea of your presence.

'Actually, I do.' George replies.

'It probably isn't a good enough reason to miss soundcheck, Geo-' Ross stops as he turns around.

Your eyes meet. He looks at you. You look back. You're frozen in time for what feels like forever until his face crumples and he falls to the floor. He brings his hands up to his eyes and appears to be crying. You break away from George as Ross stands up and runs towards you, picking you up as you meet. Your legs wrap tightly around his waist as you feel his bristly face tuck itself into you collarbone, with his tears falling onto your shoulder. You rest your cheek on his shoulder before pulling back and getting yourself down. You lift up his head and look directly into his honey-brown eyes. Through a few tears he looks back into yours and leans in to kiss you.

The kiss is soft, but long and meaningful. Neither of you care for the crew or band watching, it was just the two of you in your own bubble. He puts both his arms around your torso and holds you close as the kiss is broken, your arms go around his neck and you embrace for a while longer, neither of you saying a word.

'I can't believe you're here.' He whispers quietly.

'I couldn't go another day without seeing you.' You reply.

He strokes your hair and smiles down at you with loving eyes. He nods at George for thanks and kisses you on the forehead.

'Well, welcome to South Africa!' He laughs.

You free yourself from his grasp and sit in a seat that would be occupied by a fan later that evening.

'Want to watch sound check?' Adam asks.

'I'd love to.' You reply.

You sit and proudly watch your boyfriend and your best friends perform for only you, and you can't help but reflect on how lucky you are.