Just as suddenly, August pulled away hastily, his eyes half-lidded, and a rosy blush dusted across his cheeks. Raising the back of his hand to his lips, he almost looked apologetic, the first time January saw his stiff exterior vanish. January just kept staring at him, stunned that August was able to look that way. Almost...like he was vulnerable. But he was unable to say or do anything else.

To say that January was shocked beyond anything would be an understatement. 

“Ahem, s-so- let’s record you now.” The producer stuttered a little, avoiding the singer’s gaze. “We’ve only got half-an-hour and I want to wrap this up quickly.”

August hurriedly left the recording booth and stepped outside, probably to get the engineers back in. January crashed into the stool just behind him.

What the fuck was that?!

“Ready Mr Springson?” a voice suddenly sounded in his headphones again, making him almost crash again. 

Almost.

January looked up again and saw the two engineers curiously staring at him. August hadn’t come back in.

Oh…

“Ahem, yeah, sure,” the singer muttered quietly, quickly adding a thumbs up. They nodded and set up the song again, setting the play-head ready at the beginning once again. “Ready when you are.” 

January rested a palm on his chest and drew a deep breath and noticed a lot of changes this time around; his chest felt heavy and his body temperature was hot, not to mention he felt like he would fall again. Using the stool as a way to keep him steady, he held onto it with his other hand as he heard the soft and lulling piano intro.

And then he sang again.

“I’m still spinning from that vulnerable moment

Knees are weakened and feeling breathless

I can barely understand what happened between us

And I hate, that I feel so helpless

You caught me when my guard was down

And all I can do is remember your hopeful eyes

I could think ‘well it was just the heat of the moment’

But I hate the fact I have you on my mind

Why’d you steal my heart when it wasn’t yours, to take?

Oh, don’t you dare say it was just an, honest mistake”

Lyrics and beautiful trills later, the song was finally finished and with no interruptions or clean-up needed. He did it all in one take. The engineers, looking incredibly ecstatic, clapped right at the end, giving a perfect sign and making January smile for the first time that day. Taking off his headphones, he joined the engineers in the studio and listened back to his voice.

Well, what do you know? There IS a difference…

But all the same, January, however much he was smiling, couldn’t stop thinking about August and what happened moments ago.

Did August kiss him because he actually liked him? Or was it because the song needed to be done?

January didn’t know.

The only thing he could do was concentrate on the song and he continued to politely direct the engineers about how best to edit his voice parts. August was still nowhere to be seen, although if he were there, the singer wouldn’t really know what to do.

“You’re done?” Charlotte came in, glancing at the computer. “Brilliant, just in the nick of time too.”

“Thanks Ms Douglas.” The red-haired engineer spoke up this time. “And thank you Mr Springson, it was a pleasure working with you today,” she turned to January, shaking his hand. 

“Thank you. Uhm, has anyone seen August- I mean- Mr Lane?” January asked tentatively, glancing around again. “He had to go,” Charlotte replied. “Something about getting the song mastered.”

Well, what did you expect? He’s a famous producer, he’s got other projects to be getting on with.

“Oh sure, of course!” January laughed embarrassedly. “Uh, I’ll just get my jacket and head back, unless there’s something else to do here?”

“Nah you’re done for the day.” The brunette manager answered. “How ‘bout getting a drink tonight with me?”

“Um, I’m feeling a little exhausted after today, sorry,” January apologised. “Sure, no problem.” Charlotte grinned, giving him a thumbs up. “Good job today.” 

“I’ll call you a taxi, Mr Springson,” The bald engineer said, making his way to the door. “Thank you.” The singer nodded appreciatively, heading back into the booth.

The raven collected his leather jacket and put it on and then noticed August’s maroon beanie sitting quietly atop the music stand. 

Oh. He forgot it.

He picked it up, looking at it wonderingly, his hazel eyes scanning it. Remembering just how he kissed January was enough to make him turn red.

“Mr Springson? Your taxi is waiting outside!” The red-haired lady called out. Without thinking twice, January grabbed it and darted out. “Thanks! I look forward to working with you again soon!” he called out to the crew. They smiled and January flew down the stairs, quickly signed out and jumped into the taxi.

“Where to, sir?”

“Goldlocke Avenue, Whitechapel please,” the singer replied, catching his breath. The driver nodded and pulled out, cruising smoothly on the roads. January stared out of the window, wondering about the day and about the mysterious producer as the car sailed through the city. 

The more he thought about it, the more he thought he’d hate August for what he did. But he didn’t and was actually intrigued although he hated that he felt this way. What exactly happened? Or even changed? “Uh we’re here sir,” the driver said, snapping the man out of his thoughts. And he was right. January was home and fortunately, it had stopped snowing.

“Oh, thanks,” January mumbled quietly, paying the driver, opening the car door and getting out. The driver pulled away once again and drove away, leaving January alone with his thoughts once again. Beanie in hand, he stepped to the door and let himself in, crashing on his couch with a heavy sigh. Bringing the dark red hat to his hazel eyes, he gazed at it with an unknown emotion making his chest light but also heavy at the same time.

Come to think of it, should he try to return the beanie back to August? But he left no number or contact details so, how could he? August didn’t even leave a business card for any updates about the song.

Then again, you both weren’t exactly friendly…

But maybe Charlie would know?

January pulled out his phone and scrolled his call list until he found Charlotte’s number. Despite being his best friend, she could be a full asshole if he was trying to play manager for him. But then again, she did help him out in some pretty tough spots. The singer tapped the button and pressed it against his ear.

“Jan? Rare of you to call me after a session,” Charlotte picked up. 

“Yeah, I guess so.” January said. “Char, just wondering, do you happen to have August’s number on you?” he questioned, deciding to get to the point.

“Yeah, I do, why?” he asked with an obvious suggestive tone in his voice. “Got a little crush on Mr Lane?”

“Shut up,” the singer replied boredly, rolling his eyes and adjusting himself on the couch. “He left his beanie in the studio and I wanted to apologise for earlier,”

“What?!” the manager screeched. “January, tell me what happened, or I swear to God-”

“Chill dude, just had a small spat with him about the delivery about my singing.” January explained. “It’s all good though, I just wanted to apologise.”

“You can’t afford to be doing that!” Charlotte said in horror. “August Lane is one of the top producers in the country right now and we can’t afford to burn our bridges with him! We’re planning for you two to have more collaborations with each other!”

A sigh sounded over the phone.

“Then again, the fact that you want to sort this out is saying something.” She said in a softer voice. “I’ll give you his number, sort this mess out!”

“Thanks man, of course,” January grinned. The call ended and the ebony-haired man got a text shortly after with a number attached.

He saved the contact number to his phone and looked at the profile picture attached to the contact number. He didn’t really notice it earlier, but he looked really attractive. His green eyes were more piercing than ever in the small slant of sunlight lighting up half of his face. January never noticed his soft jawline and his fair complexion like porcelain.

Just do it…

Without thinking too much, he pressed the call button for the second time today and the phone began dialling. January waited with bated breath and his heart thumped painfully around his ribcage, unsure how August would react.

Ring ring…

Ring ring…

“Hello?” a serious voice sounded through the receiver.

“Hello? August? It's January.”