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biot08 · 3 years

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Ysayle took to her feet, startled, as she heard a loud metallic thud behind her. As she turned, she caught sight of the source of the noise.

One of the knights of Ishgard, judging from the heavy armor and the shield and the way they moved. The mysterious interloper was a tall Elezen, with purple-highlighted short-cropped hair and light brown skin. And just this moment, they were standing up next to the startled sentry who was supposed to be keeping an eye out for that sort of thing.

Not that the sentry could be blamed, really. Nobody could have anticipated that even an adventurer would be fool enough to jump from the cliff face that made up one side of their encampment, but they had, and there she was. Ysayle frowned. Such a loud entrance for a single person didn’t make any sense. Surely they would know that any advantage of surprise such a maneuver would get them would be swiftly blunted by sheer force of opposing numbers.

The sentry had been startled, and was only starting to recover their wits, reaching for a spear. The knight did not give them any such chance, as she rose from her crouch and drove the shield into them, bodily slamming them up against the cliff wall. With a pained noise, they dropped their spear. Seeing their quarry still conscious, the knight proceeded to follow up by slamming her shoulder into the back of her shield, hard. The sentry’s head slammed back into the cliff, bouncing off of it, and the knight helped them finish their journey to the ground by hitting them in the now-exposed back of the head with the pommel of her sword.

The sentry sunk to the ground, unconscious. The knight looked down at them for a long moment, then carefully stepped over the unconscious sentry, walking towards Ysayle, shield up, but sword pointed downward.

Next to Ysayle, another guard, who had been helping her take account of the crystals they had gathered thus far, edged forward cautiously, spear in hand. Ysayle held a hand out towards them as though to bar their way, and shook her head just the tiniest amount. The person looked up, a questioning look on their face, but they halted, and waited.

“Hail, knight of Ishgard,” Ysayle called out, her voice as clear as always.

“What? Oh. Oh! Right. Sorry, no. Just an adventurer. Adventurer-type. I’m from the Scions. Former knight though. House Vauban? We held one of the minor outposts near here for generations.”

The adventurer was calm, conversational. Ysayle found herself momentarily off guard at the brashness, but outwardly, her composure never wavered. She frowned, clenching a fist.

When she spoke, her voice contained velvety venom, and obvious disdain. “And what do you hope to gain here, former knight? Are you hoping to regain your title through glorious combat? Blood to water your supposed honor with?” Ysayle shifted the arm she was holding up to signal her guard to stay back, preparing to give him an entirely different signal.

“One week.”

“…what?”

“Yeah, sorry, wanted to get that bit out fast before you had your man there start in with the jabbing. About a week, that’s what I’m hoping to gain here. That’s how long Lord Drillemont thinks he’ll need to get the place fully evacuated. Snowcloak’s a lot of territory. Well, actually, he wanted two, but you people seem really good at getting crystals together.”

Former knight Vauban swept her gaze around the camp, looking at the boxes of crystals that Ysayle and her followers had already gathered. “… really good. Wow, that’s, what, a quarter of what you had last time? Already?”

Ysayle waved her hand at the remaining guard, dismissing them. The guard frowned in response, but did not question her, placing their spear on their back and walking away, leaving Ysayle and the adventurer alone. “… you are not among those who I faced last time.”

“No. Sorry. But we talk to each other, you know. It’s different, outside of Ishgard. People are less guarded, we talk to each other more. Our particular gift is not common, but it seems it’s maybe not extremely rare, either? You know. There’s a number of us. Small, exclusive club. Some of us are kind of tight knit about it. Sorry. I’m rambling. Anyway, I asked to take point on this one. So here I am.”

The knight found a box of crystals that still had its lid on it, and helped herself to sit down on it, resting her hand on the sword hilt with its tip in the ground. Still holding her shield.

Ysayle regarded the knight cooly for a long moment. “So what is the point of all these theatrics, then? If it is not blood you seek, then what? Parley?”

“Sure, let’s go with that. I mean, sort of. Well, not really. Part of it was I wanted to prove I still knew the area as well as I thought I did. You and your people have done a good job, exploiting the tunnel and ravine network. I’m impressed. Though, uh, that route that your caravan with the latest load of crystals is taking to get here? It’s so smooth on top because it’s just an ice sheet over what used to be a river ravine. Fast to travel over, generally.”

The knight leaned her sword against the box for a moment to dig around in a bag. Finding what she wanted, she pulled out an alchemical flask, and rolled it on the ground towards Ysayle.

“… Hearth’s Warmth.”

“Yeah. Common enough. You know the sort, right? Good replacement for a campfire if your wood’s garbage or you can’t find any tinder. Nice, gentle heat, spreads everywhere, scales up well. Make the right batch and arrange it right, you can heat an entire fort for a sennight. Place it in the right place in some underground ravine tunnels, and you can really mess up an ice sheet.”

Ysayle’s gaze snapped from the flask to the former knight’s face, clenching a fist and beginning to take a step forward. “The caravan-!”

“Is fine. Will be fine. Unless they’re a lot faster than I think they were. They’ll have to go around, though. It’ll take some time. Few days. Maybe even a week.”

Ysayle’s glare was fit to melt the ice the adventurer was talking about all by itself. Her hands were in fists, now. Violence seemed like it would almost be pointless. She could always summon the guard back, and all of the guard’s compatriots that would be elsewhere in the camp. For her part, the adventurer did not see to be very much bothered by the fact that she was, in fact, sitting in the center of a very dangerous position to be in.

“You said ‘part’,” said Ysayle, slowly, annunciating each word for a kind of emphasis.

“Oh yeah. Other part. I should let you know, while we’re just talking, I’ve got friends behind me, and a little thing in my back that’ll make it easier for them to travel the streams to get here. I… I don’t think I want to fight you though, Lady Iceheart. It is Lady Iceheart, right?”

Ysayle stepped back out of combat stance, standing tall, statuesque. “Lady Iceheart. Yes. I am the leader of the heretics, if that is who you seek. As I am certain you have heard, I harbor the spirit of Shiva, reborn, if that is what you came here to ask me.”

The knight was quiet for a long moment, and turned her gaze away, to look down at the ground a little bit away from her. She rubbed her fingers idly, seeming to be suddenly uncomfortable.

“You seem to be a lot of things to a lot of people, you know. Of course you know. You’re more than just a person. Even more so now, that you’ve demonstrated that neat trick with the Shiva manifestation or … whatever you want to cal it. I don’t want to argue about that, let me have that, never mind that. The point is, you know… you’re a symbol. People believe in you.”

“They are right to do so. I accept Ishgard’s tired and weary and unwanted all in kind. I accept those who want to see an end to this pointless bloodshed. Know this true, former-knight of House Vauban. I will see an end to this war.”

“Yeah? And the tired and weary of Stormcloak?”

Ysayle took a deep breath in, and let it out slow. “Unfortunate but necessary.”

The knight looked up at Ysayle, and then gestured at the place where the guard used to be. “Noticed you sent the guard away. If you hadn’t, we might not be having this conversation at all. But you did.”

“I do not spill blood needlessly, nor let it be spent on my behalf without cause, adventurer. Not every problem needs to be solved with your kinds’ particular brand of overwhelming violence. And if it does,” and at this Ysayle stood up a little taller, “I am capable of delivering it myself.”

“Yeah. Admirable, I guess,” said the knight. She still looked uncomfortable, and had not stopped fidgeting.

“…my cousin looked up to you. I don’t imagine you’d know him from anyone else, but he looked up to you. I first thought he was just lovesick again. You know how they are when they’re young. He would go on about your beautiful hair, the way you held yourself. He was careful, of course, none of us knew he was talking about you, specifically, the leader of the heretics. But it wasn’t just infatuation. No, figured that out eventually. He was a true believer. Tried to share his views with the rest of us. We didn’t listen, of course. I still think he was wrong. You haven’t exactly convinced me otherwise. But… but he believed.”

“And the Inquisition found out, and they cleared your house, and they executed some of your people? I am familiar with the tale. I do not control the Inquisition, knight, and while your misfortunes -are- unfortunate they are not from my hand.”

“Oh. I know. Not where I was going with that. I mean, you’re right, but I don’t blame you for what happened to my house. The Inquisition happened, and maybe one day there will be a reckoning for that, but that’s not your problem. No, I… I guess, what I really wanted to know, is… my cousin. Your people. You take care of them, right?”

Ysayle frowned. This adventurer was an odd sort. Certainly, she was not used to one who talked so much before getting around to introducing the pointy end to whatever problem they thought needed it.

“So you are not here to join my forces, and you are not here to eliminate them. You… just want to know… that your cousin is all right?”

“No. I mean, yes, but I don’t expect you to know that, and I know what it’s like out here, I’m not naive. I want to know… that you’re taking care of them. All of them. You lead, that’s obvious. I get that. But… do you really truly believe you’re going to end this war? And for what? For the dragons? For yourself?”

The adventurer was obviously leading the conversation to an obvious point, and Ysayle so no reason not to let them. It helped that it would be true.

“For all of us. For every Ishgardian. And for the dragons, as well. That every drop of blood spent will be the last.”

Ysayle stood tall. Resplendent. Snow crystals floated down gently through the camp. The knight sat, continuing to fidget, slowly. Ysayle was a pillar in the storm. She always was.

She always would be.

The knight nodded to herself before slowly standing to her full height. As much a pillar as Ysayle, tall, imposing. The two faced each other in the silence of the cold winter night.

“The delay in the crystals getting here, I think that buys three, four days. Fighting you here would drain the crystals you already have. I figure that buys another two, three days. That’s a week for Lord Drillemont to fully evacuate Snowcloak. One week.”

The knight twirled her sword in her hand.

“So. We wanna do this?”

~~~

Zoissette returned to the base camp, her hair a mess, her expression tired, and her movements belying a deep exhaustion. She waved away several squires that stepped forward to offer to help, making her way to center of the camp. She dropped her shield unceremoniously into the snow next to the central fire that was burning, and then landed bodily with a thud on the ground next to it. She fought her sword belt for a few moments, and then, growing frustrated, she growled viciously at it and began to bite at the straps holding her gauntlets in place instead.

“Enjoy your climb?” said Y’sthola, barely looking up from her tome.

Zoissette stopped chewing her armor’s straps for long enough to answer. “Invigorating,” she said, before returning her teeth to their task, managing to wrest the strap free of its latch. She waved her hand in the air, trying to shake the gauntlet off rather than try to take it off properly.

Y’shtola sighed, setting her book aside, and got up, coming around the fire to grasp the gauntlet.

“I swear, you are like a child, and one I did not ask to look after.”

“Thanks for the help, mom.”

“Hnh.”

“Help me with the other one?”

“…if you insist.”

Zoissette gave Y’shtola a broad exaggerated smile, and Y’shtola rolled her eyes at Zoissette’s antics.

“You are older than many of us. Must you act like you are half that?”

Zoissette shrugged with the one shoulder. “It’s fun.”

Y’shtola got the other gauntlet off with little effort, and set it down neatly on the ground next to the first one. “Please tell me you at least managed to track down our elusive quarry.”

Zoissette’s playfulness evaporated, and she seemed to fold in on herself a bit. “Yeah. Found the crystals, too. It’ll be a problem again eventually, but for now… we can tell Lord Drillemont that he has his week.”

Y’shtola looked at Zoissette’s face with a frown. “And the Lady Shiva?”

“Handled.”

Y’shtola sat, crouched in the snow next to Zoissette. Zoissette, her hands now free of their gauntlets, set about unlatching her sword belt instead. She decided not to push the matter.

“Well… very well. We should return once you are rested, then, and inform the others.”

Zoissette just nodded. Finally free of her sword belt, she set it and its sword aside, and leaned back slowly into her shield, looking up into the sky. Y’shtola turned her gaze upward as well, and watched as snowflakes fell gently into the camp.

#202109-07 #ffxivwrite2021 #avatar #zoissette vauban #ysayle #lady iceheart

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themadauthorshatter · 3 years

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You guys know me too well at this point.

I did one of these for Cal, and I don't really make solo posts on Maven.

These are some headcanons about Maven's headcanon pets, a doberman and black cat.

This is just my personal AU where Maven lives and everyone's happy, because I miss when Maven was a good brother and person 😭😢😭😢😭

Anyway, HERE ARE THE HEADCANONS!!!!

Elara was against the idea of Maven having any kind of animal because it would distract him.

Even after her death, he was unsure of getting a pet.

Pre-Pet AU turn for the better where Maven, instead of fighting Mare to the death, pushes her and runs away. She follows him to see he has collapsed and is having something of a mental/emotional breakdown. He is on the floor screaming and holding his head. He passes out.

Cal finds them both and Mare helps him carry Maven to a cell, one not made of silent stone, and with no candles or anything that can make a spark.

After some time, and some therapy, let's be real here, Maven gets his own place to live, even thoguh he spends some nights with Cal. And his doggo Sweetie. And Fink the Cat.

He's confused as to WHEN and, honestly, why Cal got these two, but understands the latter when he sees his brother lit up and relax when Fink climbs onto his shoulders, something he has not seen in a very long time. Cal still admits it was Julian's idea.

Maven thinks on it while Sweetie gives him some love; "Mah hooman is in TWO!? YAAAS!!!"

Once he's in his own place and settled, hating the silence and solitude, he makes a pro-con list, talks to the person who's been keeping an eye on him, on a guard, but something of a parol officer and therapist, and has a really bad nightmare before he decides to adopt a dog, but he's not getting anything fluffy and soft like Sweetie because she's not the best guard dog.

The person keeping an eye on him tells him that this is a great idea because giving love to something, like a dog or cat, might help him. I know I'm being too fanfic-y here, but I want good boy Maven back, okay?😭😢

He gets his companion on his way to the shelter, i.e. a stray on the side of the road, a black doberman with one bleeding cropped ear and one floppy, normal ear.

This is the text conversation when Maven arrived home:

"I got a dog."

"That was quick. How'd everything go?"

"Fine? I found him on the side of the road. I don't think he likes me."

"What breed is he? Send a picture."

(Maven sends a picture of this doberman as it is curled up in the corner of his bedroom and growling at him.) "He literally hates me. What do I do?"

"Leave him alone for a little bit. I think he's might be one one those fighting dogs."

"I thought those were illegal." He almost sends, "I thought Father made that illegal," but doesn't and sends what I just typed.

"They are. I guess people still keep doing it."

"Blood money. Anyway, what should I do?"

"I don't know. I think one of the generals said it's better to make yourself smaller so the dog doesn't think you're dangerous or something like that, the Animos on the front. Try that."

"Alright."

Maven decides to sleep on the couch that night, because he doesn't want to get mauled, and leaves some food and water out because the doberman hasn't left his room since bringing him home. He wakes up late in the night in time to see this dog grab a little bit of food and then sort of check on the person that picked him up. He growls a little bit, when he sees Maven is awake, but is calmer when he smells and inspects him. Maven tries to pet the uninjured half of his head, but the doberman backs away; "We're not there yet."

Maven wakes up this morning to see the dog across the floor from him.

Three weeks later, the doberman, which Maven has named Dagger, Phantom, or Ghost, I'm going to call him Dagger for now because of how sharp he is, has started whimpering and shaking his head. Maven can't really go to a vet because they'll think he abused the dog, so he's left to his own devices

GORE TW! DO NOT READ IF YOU'RE SENSITIVE: Remember that bleeding, cropped ear I mentioned? It's infested with mango worms. And, unless he wants to be listed as an abuser towards his new pet and be labeled a lost cause, Maven cannot go to a vet. Everyone knows he is an amazing liar.

He texts Cal, tells the person he's been talking to, and even tells Mare, asking what he should do before Cal says to wait for him and the person he's been talking to sends him instructions on how to remove these worms.

Go time. Maven gets some treats in his hands and lures Dagger to him until he's close enough for Maven to check his ear.

Cal is very careful to be quiet when he arrives and has a moment of "That's my boy" when he sees Maven petting and assuring Dagger that he's okay.

The two get to work, Cal holding Dagger as Maven gets the worms out; don't worry, they gave him some Melatonin to calm him down first.

GORE'S OVER! It takes a little while, and they have a few close calls when Dagger panics at being held down, but Maven gets all the worms out, cleans the infected ear, and wraps it up, Cal helping by holding Dagger and wrapping the ear.

When all this said and done, Dagger barks and snarls at Cal, growls at Maven, and runs back into Maven's bedroom.

I'm pretty sure I do not need to spell out what this dog went through anymore than I just did.

After Cal leaves and Maven cleans up(His house, his rules), he gives his progress to his doctor, not an actual nurse/surgeon doctor, but you know what I mean, "the person he's been talking to" is getting tedious, and mentions Dagger's reaction when they're done, thinking he might have some trauma. His doctor sees his point and assures him to be patient and thoughtful before musing that he and Dagger are very much alike.

This is a video Maven sent to Cal later that day:

(Like with the video of Sweetie, we take perspective of the phone camera as Dagger creeps into the hall connecting to the living room.)

"... Can I help you? Is your ear better now?"

(Dagger only stares at Maven, not growling and we and Maven cannot see if Dagger's tail is wagging or not.)

"(To Cal) He's been, sort of... watching me for a little bit. ...I'm so bored😐."

(Dagger stretches out of the hall and lies down, doing a doberman sploot.)

"(To Dagger)Hi."

(Dagger blinks at him)

"... Am I your favorite show? (More to himself, honestly, and a little quieter) ... Why do cats even watch the laundry?"

TIME JUMP

(Dagger has now rolled onto his back, smiling, and is staring at Maven, who is laughing his ass off for the first time in forever, and struggling to hold the phone up so Cal is going to be able to see.)

"I don't know what he's- (Laughter) Are you okay over there!?😂"

(Dagger sneezes, stands up, and shakes himself off before sitting down life nothing happened.)

"(More laughing) I CAN'T BREATHE! BMY COLORS!!!😂😂"

ANOTHER TIME JUMP!!!

(Maven holds his hand out, palm open and relaxed, as Dagger is creeping up to him. His ears are back ams eyes are wide as he smells and licks his hand. Dagger sits and Maven carefully scratches his head.) "Good boy. You're a good boy."

After this moment, Dagger's more active in inspecting and opening up to Maven, who is using his phone to record each instance to show Cal and his doctor. It's a little step more almost every time, pets on the head and body, a kiss on the face, sitting next to Maven on the couch, laying next to him in bed, and even having conversations.

I don't know what he'd do as a job, but once he's stable enough financially, he gets a proper video camera and computer to make the videos more presentable.

He later comes to realize he's better talking to the camera in the same way Cal writes in his journal. He is required to show these videos to his doctor, who tells him whatever he says is privileged information that is only shared between the two of them.

He also talks to his doctor through video calls/face time and most of those talks are interrupted when Dagger stares at Maven and barks for pets.

This is a conversation when one such event happened(I am not a psychologist and I saw a therapist sparingly, so if anything's not right, I'm so sorry):

"And how are you sleeping? Do you feel rested?"

"I'm pretty sure. It's a little worse when it storms, but overall I'm fine."

"Good. Still no dreams?"

Maven shakes his head. "My mother was really thorough."

As if sensing his uneasy, Dagger climbs onto the couch(he hasn't mastered jumping up yet) and rests his head on Maven's shoulder.

"Is that the dog you adopted?"

Maven nods and pets Dagger a little bit before returning to his conversation. "Yeah. I think he's getting better since I found him."

"It looks like he trusts you now."

"Thank goodne-"

Maven yelps and his doctor jumps when Dagger barks.

"Sorry!" Maven panics as his doctor fights a smile, not to be rude, but because this is cute. "I've been trying to teach him to use his paw to tell me 'more.'"

"While that is a bit much, that means he loves you and wants to leep feeling you. Touch is a strong sign of affection, especially for animals."

Now, Maven doesn't dream. Instead, he wakes up when he hears yelling and screaming in his head, primarily from Elara. Dagger is great at waking him up. Where Sweetie kisses Cal awake, Dagger... does the same, honestly. When that doesn't work, he cries and burrows himself into Maven's side to wake him up. The younger Calore brother goes back to sleep with Dagger in his arms. HE WILL NOT GO BACK TO SLEEP UNLESS DAGGER IS WITH HIM.

On his bad days, Maven will curl up and cover his ears, because it's loud in his head, and Dagger will either find a toy, maybe a tug of war rope, and make him play with him or force his way into Maven's arms and start panting from the heat. It helps distract Maven from the voices in his head.

Dagger hates the the rain. The first time he heard it, he barked and had HUGE anxiety fit. Maven had to help him through that, which meant MANY sleepless nights. It was worth it when Dagger fell asleep on the couch next to Maven while it was raining.

I know I've been talking about good boy Maven's good dog, all the same I think it's time we talk about the cat😊

Maven was napping with Dagger when he got a text from Mare that she found a kitten in the alley near where she lived. For context, this was a SMALL kitten, as in it fit in Mare's palms with no excess showing.

Yeah. That cat was his. And he thanked Mare so much that she told him. (Don't worry, they've been having a healthier relationship since the events of the war, however awkward).

Yes, he recorded bringing the kitten home and was so scared she'd end up dead in the morning because of how weak she was.

She was fine in the morning, just a little noisy because she missed him. He had to talk to his doctor while checking on her, and it wasn't easy when he had a kitten trying to climb up his shirt and on his shoulders.

Dagger KNOWS there's something behind the bathroom door, and he looks between Maven and said door to let him know; "Hooman. Dat door was unclosed before. Now it's closed and doing a noise. What behind da door?"

He was so scared to introduce the pets because Dagger is HUGE compared to her.

You know the comic Pixie and Brutus? Violet-the cat-and Dagger ARE Pixie and Brutus.

Maven thinks it's too cute when Dagger carries Violet by her scruff.

He was not happy when he learned she was a dwarf; Don't ask how, when, or how long ot took him to be allowed to see a vet and not look like he was falling back into bad habits.

Now, I know what you're thinking, "This is great, but didn't you talk about events such as a pandemic happening with our characters with pets? What does Maven DO with these two?" To which I say, This:

He talks to his doctor, records videos, and lives with his cat and dog.

He joined the group in a workout session, and there was one thing alone that gave everyone the proof they needed that he was growing and healing: While struggling to do push ups, Violet got close to his phone and knocked it over and Dagger stole it and ran around with it. These were their reactions when they saw his smile as he called Dagger and Violet silly and brats in the warmest and most loving way: Cal almost cried, Mare smiled, Kilorn's and Shade's jaws dropped, and Farley muted herself so she could tell a few of her men to listen better to Cal and Mare and the doctor looking after Maven, and to not worry about him, at least until she gives the word that they should.

Maven did upper body workouts with Dagger, who was so confused as to what was happening because Maven was holding him in a way that kept Dagger calm and was going up and down rather than down the hall. He whimpered, pawed, and barked to be carried again.

If Violet sees Maven having a bad time sleeping, she'll lay on his head and purr to calm him down. Works every time.

Dagger and Maven share a common interest: taking baths. Dagger is washed once every other week and has the biggest smile ever. Maven bathes at least once a month and Dagger comes into the bathroom to try and join him. Violet hates baths, both because she hates water and because she cries for Maven, or cries for Dagger, or anyone else, to help Maven.

Both animals are very smart and have puzzles to do.

Dagger is a sassy boy.

Dagger is also a really good guard dog, and Maven used to knock on his own door just to enter his home.

After having both Dagger and Violet, Maven has heard Elara's whispers less and less. Her voice isn't gone for good, but thanks to the support from Cal and having Dagger and Violet, the whispers are really manageable.

Sorry again if this is SUPER fanfic-y, like I said I want some serotonin and it's Maven's turn for some happiness!

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this post!!!

#red queen #maven calore #cal calore #mare barrow #pets #possible angst #possibly funny #mental health #gore tw #trauma tw #implied abuse tw

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lilyharvord · 4 years

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The Chain (Part 4)

Main concept: Two love struck idiots get sent back to a pretty UGH time period in their lives (that required me to reread all the books again) and have to hide the fact that they know everything.

Find Part 1/Part 2/Part 3

Tag List: @delilahlbard, @king-maven-calore (you didn’t explicitly ask to be tagged but I saw your tags on part 2), @scxrletguardsdawn, @freaky-freiday, @whatsup-gorls, @kuwei, @redqueenetwork, @elane-in-the-shadows. If you want a tag please ask (((:

Chapter 4

I run.

I run until my lungs burn and my legs can’t go another step. I had left as soon as Gisa had gone through the front door. She’ll tell our parents what happened. I don’t need to be there, not to see what I had done once again. I could have prevented this. I could have stopped this stupid little misfortune. In the grand scheme of things, it had meant nothing. I had been only thinking about myself though, and following Jon’s words to get me back. I guess I really hadn’t changed that much over the years.

I brace myself against one of the light posts that illuminate the inn. It’s crowded with patrons, all of them filtering in and out like fish in a stream. These are the people who work in the court. This is where Cal hides.

My heart pounds, and my face which is still wet with tears burns. Now I would have to face this. I would have to face the man I loved, but he wasn’t that yet. He was still the boy who thought he would be king. I could laugh. From the moment Maven was born, Cal was never going to be king. Maybe I can convince this Cal of that. This nightmare is full of ghosts, and it chills me to the bone.

I take quick steps forward, my blood boiling again as I think about Gisa delicate fingers shattering under a gun, and Kilorn’s bloody knuckles. A prince, I need a prince. I need a crown prince to be specific, to get me a job in the palace, to save Kilorn, and to save Gisa. I need him, whether it’s my Cal or not.

I feel like an idiot as I choke back more sobs and push through the crowd of men that stumble from the inn. I take some of my fury out on their sides as I elbow my way through them. They simply laugh though, drunk and happy. They couldn’t care less about a girl shoving her way through them. I kick the door to the inn open, drawing the attention of a few eyes near the entrance. I never came in here; I wasn’t allowed to because I was too young.

I don’t care anymore though. I stalk through the room filled to the brim with drunk servants and seasonal workers. I look for a pair of golden eyes. He’d be in the shadows. It’s too bright in here for him to be out in the open. These people would recognize him. I need to find him though, so his hiding only infuriates me more.

I search every corner, but he’s not here. My blood runs cold and I flip around in a circle thinking that there must be one more place that a prince could hide. As I do though, the barman catches sight of me. He points a finger at me, shouting in disbelief, “Hey, you, girl!”

All the patrons turn to look at me, a few of the men raising their brows and stare more than necessary. I freeze on the spot, unsure of what to do. I know what I look like though. There’s dried blood on the back of my neck from where it hit the pavement during the fight with the cloner, and my eyes are puffy and red from crying. I look like hell. I’m surprised no one questioned me until now. The barman shoves his way out from behind the bar and grabs my arm in a vice. I struggle against him as he spits, “You’re too young to be in here. How’d you even get in?”

I claw at his hand but he simply drags me behind him through the rows of tables and chairs spitting, “Stay out of here until you’re old enough. Whore yourself out somewhere else.”

He grabs the door and rips it open before tossing me out into the darkness. I hit the dirt hard enough that the air in lungs escapes in a wheeze. Behind him I can hear a chorus of laughter and cheers before the door slams.

Propping myself up on an elbow in the middle of the road, I swipe at my eyes, embarrassed at myself for just standing there and letting him throw me out like common garbage. Lightning blazes to life between my fingers but I stifle it, and slam my fist into the dirt. I can’t believe I thought that storming in and dragging someone out was going to work. I push myself to my feet even though every part of me aches. Cal has to be here. I never saw him go in while I was pickpocketing everyone on their way out. He was inside when I got here, he had to be.

The door opens again, and I turn away from it, my hands wrapping around my elbows to hug them to my chest. I don’t care what happens anymore. If any man or woman tries to grab me right now, I’ll fry them where they stand.

Starting down the road at a brisk pace, I resolve myself to fact that I’ll have to find some other way into Queenstrial.

Boot crunch through the dirt behind me, and I tense in anticipation before releasing one of my elbows to glance down at my palm. It’s covered in dirt and little cuts. This will never end; this miserable experience will be worse than the first time around.

“Thief?” a voice questions from behind me, uncertain and hesitant. It’s the softest someone has spoken to me since I woke up in my loft again. I know that voice though. It’s whispered a thousand things against my skin and underneath sheets. It’s soothed me after nightmares, and argued with me, and done everything in between.

I flip around, hope flaring, even though I try to crush it. The last thing I need is to face him and it not be him. My chest tightens when I see him though, standing in the limited light, his eyes burning just as much as I remember. I want to touch him, to reach out and make sure he’s real. His shoulders are so tense as he waits for my response, his eyes darting over me, taking in everything.

“Obviously,” I whisper the word, wondering if this Cal knows what that word means. Maybe he asked because he was curious, maybe this is all just a ploy for him to understand some Red girl who came careening into a bar like a bat out of hell.

He scrutinizes me for another second, until I take a step forward my hand shaking at my side. “Cal,” I beg softly, knowing it’s a mistake to call him by that if it’s not really him. He surges forward though, his arms wrapping around me and almost crushing me in an embrace. I panic for a moment, thinking he might be trying to kill me, only to feel a soft hand running along my hair as he chokes in my ear, “Mare.”

I melt in his arms, fresh sobs coming as I wrap my arms around him and ball his shirt into my fists. I could scream with joy for the first time in days. I’m not alone, he’s here, he’s with me. I don’t have to go through this horror show without him.

When he peels me off of him, he reaches up to wipe at my eyes, his touch warm. I grab at his hands trying to feel them, to know this is real. “I thought,” I choke, as I touch his forearms, and then his shoulders, “I thought you weren’t here. That I was alone.”

He shakes his head, before pressing his forehead to mine. I close my eyes and trace my hands up to his neck before cupping his jaw.

“I’m here,” he breathes to me, and my legs almost give out in relief. “I thought you weren’t here, I thought I was alone too.” His breath is hot on my nose, but I relish it. His hands drop to my waist, and he exhales sharply. I pull away for a moment, panic flaring in my chest until I see the pain behind his eyes.

“I forgot how small you were,” he manages to say. How thin and frail is what he means, and I know it.

I give him a weak smile in response and look him over. He doesn’t look much different from the man I had seen only a few mornings ago. That haircut though, forgotten gods I forgot how much I hated that stupid military cut. I run my fingers along the short crop at the side, trying to stifle a laugh. He looks so young with it. He reached up to grab my hand and bring it to his lips.

“I know it looks stupid,” he chuckles to himself, before pressing another kiss to my palm.

His skin is clean shaven, that hadn’t been there when I had last seen him. I press a kiss to his cheek, smelling the soap he uses. He hugs me close in response, like I might disappear if he doesn’t hold onto me tight enough. “I practically tore apart the market looking for you today. Where have you been?” He asks against my temple. I tense for a moment and then whisper, “Living through the shit show that was the days before I met you.”

His hands stop traveling along my ribs and he pulls away before asking, “Does anyone… does anyone remember you?”

I shake my head in response. “Do they remember you?” I’m almost afraid to ask. He’s in more danger than I am if they do. If Elara knew the truth about him and what was to come though, she would have killed him at the first chance. “Not that I know of.”

He exhales in relief.

I have to tell him; I know I do. “I saw Jon,” I whisper, and his eyes harden. “I saw him in the Stilts.”

“Why was he there?”

“He… he’s the one that killed Kilorn’s master. He’s the reason I even took Gisa to Summerton and met you.” I whisper the words as a few patrons leave the inn. They spot us and two of them whistle and tease before traveling up the road. Cal’s eyes follow them in the dark until they vanish around a bend. He turns his attention back to me and says, “What did he tell you?”

Always right to the point with him, I suppose I need that though. Gripping his hand I whisper, “He told me we have to stay on the original path… if we want to get back.”

“You didn’t ask him where to find Giselle?”

“No,” I reply coolly, “I was too busy trying to save my friend.”

“He ends up fine anyway.” Cal argues, his expression hardening. We need Giselle, we need her to send us back, if she even can. I squeeze his hand, now is not the time for us to fight over this. “He’ll be back.”

“But not for months, Mare.” Cal urges me to understand.

“He wouldn’t tell us the truth anyway. He’d send us on some roundabout goose chase to help his cause. I hate saying this, but we need to trust his word.” I wish I could throw up after saying that. I trusted Jon about as far as I could throw him. But my goal aligns with his for now. He wants to see a future where Norta is no longer a monarchy. I want to go to Montfort with Cal and go back to our lives. Those lie along the same path.

Cal sighs at my words, knowing they are true. “What do we do?” He finally asks, as we break apart for a moment. I shiver without his blanket of warmth. Rubbing my arms to remove the goose bumps I say, “We have to make sure things go to plan.”

“We have to let things go to plan.” He clarifies, before raising a brow at me questioning stare. “Things are already snowballing. I sat in two meetings today that I remember vividly because of what was discussed. Word for word Mare, everything is already occurring.”

“So we just have to ride it out.” I agree, even though a part of me knows that will be the worst part. Before I had been a participant, now I will be a bystander.

“Come back to Summerton with me tonight,” he pleads, and I look up in surprise. He chews on his lower lip before explaining, “You’ll be there tomorrow anyway, and I’ll know you’re safe.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow because you’ll get me a job,” I say with a smirk. I wish I could go with him to Summerton, but I have to be picked up by the officers and Walsh tomorrow. I squeeze his fingers once more and say, “Just send for me like you did before. I’ll be there after that and we can sort this whole mess out.” He looks uncertain about that, and I have to set my hands on my hips to glare at him. He grimaces at that look, knowing it means he won’t be able to make me budge.

“Maybe you shouldn’t come.”

“Did you not just hear what I told you? We have to follow everything—”

“And that’s fine, until Elara looks inside your head like she did before and sees everything.” He interrupts, his voice collected and calm. It looks so odd for a younger Cal to be talking like that. If he were actually his twenty-year-old self, he would have been shouting by this point in time.

“She was looking for my past, to make sure I was Red,” I say with an annoyed wave of my hand. He laughs at my words and run a hand down his face replies, “until she finds out there is a whole bunch of time that is repeated, and that you have all these years of your adult life that an inexplicable. You don’t think that would trigger any red flags?”

“Well are you going around putting red flags everywhere that would make her look for that time?” I grumble, wondering if he has been doing exactly that. Or was he doing what I did, and just trying to tip toe around everything and get a feel for the situation?

His face pales, and he looks away for a moment. My heart flutters in panic. What have you done you idiot, I want to demand. “Did you give them a reason to question you?” I ask softly. Screaming at him isn’t going to change anything. He might have thought this was all some coma dream anyway.

“I almost killed Maven.” Cal whispers the words and my skin burns with lightning at the mention of them.

“Almost killed him?” I breathe, and he grimaces before pressing the heel of his palm into the bridge of his nose. “I was walking around a corner, trying to figure out what had happened, and I slammed into him. I thought I was having a stroke and I—I almost killed him.”

“As in took a knife to him?” I gasp, but he shakes his head quickly and replies, “No, I almost lit him on fire. As if that would have done anything.” He grumbles the last part. My shoulders relax though. Maven would have thought he had just startled Cal. Nothing had happened. I end up laughing. He glares at me as I slowly lean against a lamppost and laugh until my sides ache.

“I don’t think that’s very funny.” He spits, which only makes me laugh harder. When I finally have enough air in my lungs I gasp, “I would have fried him on the spot and actually killed him if I came around a corner and smashed into him.”

Cal’s lips curl up in a smile as he says, “I ran too. I think he thought I was having an attack or something.” He laughs too, realizing that no damage has really been done. I shake my head slowly and then whisper, “As long as we don’t give them a reason to go digging, they won’t go digging.”

“So you want to do this? You want to fall into a force field, get captured, be interrogated and then shoved into a dress?” Cal asks carefully, all humor gone. I shake my head slowly as I glance down the road in the direction of the Stilts. “I want to be able to do everything without going through that process. I have to be in the palace though, because I have to be the one that Farley seeks out.”

His lips draw into a tight line before he says, “I’ll join with you.”

“Cal,” I groan as I let the back of my head rest against the post, “you can’t. It has to be Maven, because you have to turn me down on the bridge, and you have to bring me into the palace because Maven has to betray us.” The stubborn ass just doesn’t get it.

“Well I end up a traitor anyway, I might as well do something with that. I can get you better information than Maven anyway. He only sat on some of our father’s councils. I sat on all of them.”

“And that’s great, until Farley takes one look at you and puts a bullet between your eyes.” I huff. It would be great to have him as my partner rather than Maven, because at least then the information being given was honest. He looks furious with the whole idea, and I know why. Reaching out I take his hand and run my thumb along his knuckles. “I’ll be fine. I know what he is.”

“That doesn’t mean—“ he trails off, his eyes going up the road in the direction he has to go. I know what he’s thinking about now too. He’s thinking about the question he asked me years ago, when we first decided to try this again. I have the choice now. I could save Maven, and choose him. My heart aches at the idea. I told him I could never answer that question. I still believe that I could never answer that question. I push off of the post and step closer to him, letting his arms slide around me and bring me close. Resting my cheek on his chest, I whisper, “I love you. I loved you in this moment, and I still will love you years later.”

He doesn’t look too certain with my words, but I grab his face and pull him down for a short kiss. When I trail my lips up to his ear I whisper, “I agreed to marry your dumb ass didn’t I? I didn’t run for the hills when you asked, what makes you think being back here will change that?”

“That you are going to be reminded of the man I was,” he grumbles as he glances down at me. Tilting my head to the side to see him better in the light I reply, “But I know the man you become. I’m not going through this whole mess with Tiberias. I’m going through this with Cal. I know I can trust him, and that he loves me. I know that what you will do is all to get us through this. Just like you have to know that everything I do is to get us to the end.”

A kiss on a boat, and many, many hours with his brother. I’m a good actress now, better than I was when I first came to the Hall of the Sun. I’ll need to be to beat Elara and Maven though. I learned at the feet of the master and I’m ready to turn that against him. Cal needs to be just as good though.

“I’ll walk you home,” he whispers into my hair, and I close my eyes as I wrap my arms around him. I’ll see him tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after that. I’ll be with him through this whole thing and we will work this out.

“We can stay here for a bit.” I whisper to him, and his eyes dance to mine. There’s no storm approaching this time, but I still remember the way his eyes flashed in that Peidmont glen. “Only for a bit though,” I whisper as I trail my fingers up his sides, letting little sparks follow my touch, “I have to get back so that Walsh can find me early in the morning.”

The side of his lips quirk up and I return the smile as I bury my face in his shirt. I try to memorize the smell. I won’t be able to be this close for a while, and I need to remember how it feels.

He trails his nose along the lines of my face, and I smile while tangling my fingers in his hair. “If you get nervous during your big moment tomorrow, you can look down into the Samos box. I’ll be there.”

He chuckles as he presses a kiss on the edge of my jaw. “I’ll be looking for you in the same hallway I found you in last time.”

“Go easy on the smoke this time please.” I tease before delivering a pinch to his side. He laughs at my words and murmurs against the curve of my ear, “Blow the cameras when you get there so that we can come up with a plan.”

I nod, until he nips at my ear. Damn him. Gripping the front of his jacket, I tilt my head up and whisper, “Always the soldier having to come up with plans, can’t you have a little fun and just wing it?”

Something sparks in his eyes as he pulls me into the shadows. “You know I’m very good at having fun.”

I wish that the next few weeks could be this. We will not be able to escape Elara’s omnipotence in the palace, but we might be able to sneak a few moments. Those might be the only things that keep me sane too.

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softforcal · 5 years

Text

Bro Code : Prince!Cal

Summary: When Prince Ashton’s younger sister comes back to the kingdom for the summer after being at uni for years, Calum realizes maybe the ‘bro code’ isn’t so great after all

Warnings: lil smut

Prince Cal Moodboard

OC Moodboard

Word Count: 11k

------------------

Calum had known that Ostara would be coming back to the kingdom for the whole summer, and he’d thought he’d be prepared to see her. He’d never not been prepared before, but, when his eyes landed on the blonde standing in the kitchen, he realized he had not been ready for the sight in front of him.

They hadn’t seen each other in years. She’d gone off to boarding school and straight to university after. Calum had always figured that she’d stayed away on purpose, after all, the younger Irwin had never been a fan of being a Princess.

When Ashton had told his friends that she’d be coming home for the kingdoms centennial celebration, the boys had been surprised. However, when Ashton mentioned that, in part, it was due to his parents deciding it was finally time for Ostara to begin courting all the princes who would be in the city for the celebration, it made a bit more sense.

Calum had scrolled through her insta and had been shocked to see how much she’d grown, how much she’d changed. He’d had to admit to himself that she got hot. Long blonde hair, pretty green eyes, honey coloured skin and an adorable splatter of freckles across her little, upturned nose, she was still the girl he’d grown up with, but she’d glowed up in a big way.

Seeing her in person was entirely different.

Somehow, she was even prettier when not contained by the four sided walls of an instagram post. Which didn’t quite make sense to the young prince. But as his eyes scanned up her body, taking in the cute floral yellow skirt and the little white crop top, he couldn’t breathe.

She turned and seemed to notice him for the first time, an easy, dimpled smile appearing on her face, “Calum!” she exclaimed, setting down the bag of chips she’d managed to steal from the palace pantry. She moved around the island table quickly, throwing her arms around the tall prince who immediately embraced her, breathing in the scent that he’d all but forgotten, and not realized how much he’d missed.

As he set her down, he opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by a loud “there she is!” as his friends walked into the kitchen behind him.

“Leave it to Cal to find the only girl in the house.” Michael teased, pulling Ostara into a hug and away from Calum, whose body mourned her of its own accord.

“How’ve you been?” Luke asked, getting his turn next.

“Busy.” Ostara answered, which was so classic that it made Calum smile.

“Busy bee.” Ashton said, finally getting a turn to hug his little sister.

She grinned against his shoulder and the other princes in the room watched the happy reunion, “when did you get in?” Ashton asked when he set Ostara down.

“A little while ago, I would have messaged but… well, thought you’d enjoy the surprise.” she shrugged, hands settling on her hips to look at everyone, “shit, you guys got tall.”

“It wouldn’t be such a shock if you actually came home for Christmas.” Ashton said, jabbing at her ribcage as Ostara swatted his hand away.

“You know why I haven't.” Ostara tutted, “besides, I face time you like every day.”

Ashton opened his mouth to say something when a servant entered the kitchen, “Princess Ostara you’re needed in your parents office.”

Ostara groaned and Ashton chuckled, “good luck.”

She brushed past him and grabbed her bag of chips, glaring at her brother, “ha ha.”

They watched her leave, Calum’s gaze drawn down, and once she was gone everyone turned to look at Ashton who held up his hands, pointing at the hot blooded males around him, “if any of you say it-”

“Your sister got hot.” Luke stated.

Ashton shoved at Luke who chuckled and moved away.

“What’s the deal with Ostara and your parents anyways?” Michael asked, opening the fridge to grab a beer.

“They have this whole thing about her finding a suitor, it’s very old fairy tale of them if you ask me.” Ashton said, pushing past Michael to find something to eat. He settled on an apple, taking a bite.

“Shit, I heard about that.” Luke said, “my mom mentioned it to me a few days ago.”

“How did that come up?” Calum laughed.

“I think they’re hoping if they force us to date she’ll calm me down or something.” Luke said. Calum could feel his blood go cold.

Ashton froze, turning to look at his friend, “force you to date? What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I thought I mentioned that.” Luke shrugged, “doesn’t mean much to me. She’s your little sister man, I’m not that much of a dick.”

-----

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Luke?” Calum asked as soon as the blonde entered the kitchen.

Ostara rolled her eyes, walking past Calum who was all but guarding the fridge, a beer in his hand, “can you even really call it a date? It’s a parentaly forced hang out.”

“Did they teach you words like ‘parentaly’ at your fancy university?” Calum grinned.

“Yes.” Ostara snapped but she was grinning, “what are you drinking?”

Before Calum could answer, she grabbed the bottle from his hand, taking a swig and making Calum chuckle, “and now you drink too?” he mused.

“A lot has changed.” Ostara pointed out, looking at the beer, “this is good.”

“Yeah, which is why it’s mine.” Calum said, trying to grab the bottle back but the smaller girl danced away.

“Pretty sure this is my palace Hood, which makes this my beer.” she took another drink, “when did this place become such a frat house?”

“Ash invited us for the summer, besides, you have the whole extra palace anyways.” Calum pointed out.

“Yeah, my extra palace.” Ostara pointed out, “which I usually get all to myself and Ashton, except now it’s run rampant princes.”

“You say that like its a bad thing.” Calum smirked, going to the fridge again to find another beer to replace the one Ostara had taken.

“It is when princes are the thing I’ve been avoiding for years.” Ostara said, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Why is that?” Calum asked, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he studied the younger Irwin.

“It just feels weird, the expectation, and all you princes are the same-”

“Ouch.” Calum laughed, “I assume you mean like Luke.”

“Well he has been the one in the tabloids recently.” Ostara pointed out.

“We’re not all like him, you know that.” Calum said, “was the date that bad?”

“Don’t call it a date, and yes.” Ostara said, lifting herself up to sit on the kitchen counter, she kicked her legs absentmindedly, “did you know that he has this compulsion to check out every ass that walks past him?”

“Yeah he does that.” Calum chuckled.

“And you don’t?”

He grinned, “no.”

“So you weren’t checking out my ass when I left the kitchen yesterday?”

Calum’s heart thumped, had she caught him?

“I’m kidding.” Ostara laughed, “god, lighten up, I’m still me Cal.”

He took a deep breath, studying the little mischievous glint in her green eyes that had been there since they were kids, “sure you are.”

-----

“Two days in a row, starting to think you’re stalking me Hood.” Ostara said when the prince entered the kitchen.

“We both just like the kitchen, that’s not a crime.” Calum shrugged, “you’re dressed up.”

“Had another ‘date’.” Ostara said, grabbing ice cream from the fridge. She sat up on the kitchen counter, the place that Calum was already viewing as her spot.

“Was it as bad as Luke’s?” Calum snuck a glance at her from over his shoulder as he reached into the fridge.

“Hmm, comparable.” Ostara said, sticking a spoon into the frozen dessert which she proceeded to lick clean.

“What was wrong with this guy?”

“Prince Shawn is nice-”

“He’s a softie.” Calum rolled his eyes, “definitely not your type.”

Ostara scoffed, “oh yeah? And what’s my type Hood? If you’re such an expert.”

He shrugged, “just… not prince Shawn.”

------

“So this is what? Five days in a row of dates?” Calum chuckled when Ostara entered the kitchen, setting her purse on the counter before finding a banana to eat as she lifted herself onto the table.

“Like I said, you’re a stalker.” Ostara groaned, kicking off her high heels which Calum dodged, grabbing a beer that he passed to her.

“I’m starting to think you’re just picky.”

“And what about it?” Ostara shrugged, “so what if a girl’s got taste?”

Calum smirked, “nothing wrong with that.”

“Hey aren’t you getting pimped out too?” Ostara asked, biting into her banana, “when are you ever going to tell me about your shitty dates?”

“I don’t have shitty dates.”

“Yeah, cuz I never see you going on any.” Ostara teased.

“I’m just… I don’t know,” Calum sighed, “not a fan of the whole PR dating thing.”

“Right, and I am?” Ostara rolled her eyes.

They both knew why Calum could get away with no pr relationships, the same way Ashton could. They were the eldest sons. The only reason Luke got wrangled into it was because he was the third child, just as Ostara was the second. They would never have a crown, unless they married into it, and they were good candidates for royal courtship. Royals married royals. That was known.

“Do you really want to hear about my bad dates?” Calum asked, running a hand through his hair.

“Yes!” Ostara exclaimed.

“I have one later tonight-”

“You have to tell me all about it when you get back.” Ostara stated.

“Hmm, not sure when it will be over-”

“Then give me your number, text me.” Ostara suggested, pulling out her phone.

Calum shrugged, taking her phone and punching in his contact info, “there.” he said, handing back her phone. He watched as she corrected his name from ‘Cal’ to ‘his highness’ and he couldn't help but smile.

Ostara put her phone away, “I can’t be the only one with a shit love life around here.”

Calum chuckled, “at least you’re not Luke.”

“Yeah, you’re right, that would be worse.”

---------

Calum’s knee bobbed up and down, his eyes fixed on the brunette who was going on about all the parties she’d been to in the past month. Gnawing at his lip, Calum tried to remain focused, but for some reason, his eyes kept straying away from the puffed up lips, protruding fillers and bodacious bust that every princess seemed to have. He wondered if they all went to the same surgeon.

The small buzz of his phone captured Calum’s attention and the girl followed his eyes, sighing, “do you need to look at that?” she asked.

“Uh, yeah, one sec.” Calum mumbled, picking up his phone to scan the screen. It was his friend group chat, the one with Luke, Ash and Michael.

Someone had sent a picture of Prince Liam and it looked like the other boys were tearing the guy to shreds. Calum quickly tried to get caught up in the convo, realizing that Ashton had originally sent the picture with the caption ‘future brother in law? I think the FUCK not.’

As if he hadn’t already been distracted by Ostara this entire date and now his friends were discussing her possible suitors? And Liam was not the kind of guy Calum wanted Ostara to be going out with. Sure, out of his gang of friends, Liam was… suitable, definitely better than others, but it just didn’t sit right with Calum.

“Is something wrong?” the brunette asked.

“What?” Calum looked up.

“You’re frowning.”

“Am I?”

“Yeah.”

Calum took one last look at the phone, eyes scanning a text from Michael that read ‘fuck that guy’ and then Calum turned off his phone, “sorry.”

“You seem distracted.” the brunette mused.

Calum sighed, “yeah, sorry-”

“I’ll get the cheque.”

Calum opened his mouth to argue but then stopped. It was true. It he didn’t want to be at that table with that princess. He wanted to be back at the palace, preferably in the kitchen, preferably with a blonde, preferably last named Irwin, preferably female-

His thoughts were cut off by the waiter who had returned with the bill, Calum pulled out his wallet, throwing some bills on the table. He stood up, mumbling a quick ‘sorry’ before he all but ran from the restaurant.

Calum made it back to the palace in record time, going to the kitchen immediately.

It was empty. Calum’s heart sank in his chest.

He pulled out his phone, looking at Ostara’s contact for a few moments before he began to type: ‘Back from my date.’

The little messaging bubble popped up almost immediately and Calum’s heart lurched in his chest while he waited.

‘We’re at the firepit, come join.’

Calum sighed. He’d been hoping to catch her alone. It was almost a ritual by now, one on one talks in the kitchen about bad dates. He didn’t really feel like disclosing the information about the bad dates with the guys. He didn’t want to have to share his attention. To hide the fact that his eyes would want to be on Ostara and no one else. It was something he’d already began to notice, the way he felt he had to act differently, to control himself, whenever Ostara and the boys were in the same place.

He couldn’t be open about how much he enjoyed the younger Irwin.

He knew Ashton would not be happy about it.

Hell, if Luke thought dating Ostara would be a shitty bro move, that meant something.

Calum sighed, grabbing two beers from the fridge absentmindedly, then he walked outside towards the firepit.

The sound of voices greeted him as he came around the corner, eyes landing on the group of people all lounging in lawn chairs around the firepit. Ashton noticed him first “where’s your date?” he called with a grin.

Calum rolled his eyes, going to sit by Luke who had pulled up a chair for him. “This for me?” Luke asked, taking the second beer from Calum before he could respond. The beer had been for Ostara Calum realized, but he wasn’t about to fight it, especially not in front of Ashton.

“So spill.” Ostara said, making Calum’s attention flicker to her for the first time. He’d been avoiding looking at her, but he figured he was allowed to address her after she’d asked him a direct question.

But now he had to figure out how to explain why the brunette had not been a good date. He had to come up with a reason that wasn't the truth: that she wasn’t Ostara.

“Uh, she was just really-” he thought about it, was trash talking another princess in front of Ostara a good idea? “We just didn’t vibe.”

“Isn’t this the girl who gave you a handy at the last banquet?” Michael asked, popping some chips into his mouth.

“That chick!” Luke said, snapping his fingers, “she’s a fox.”

Calum could feel his skin heating up, hot against the cool night air, and not because of the close proximity of the fire. “Yeah, that’s her.” he admitted, throat feeling thick as he swallowed and avoided looking at Ostara. He’d only half forgotten about that, he’d been very high.

“You guys vibed okay that night.” Ashton pointed out.

“Did her technique get worse?” Michael asked in confusion.

“She didn’t- we were in a restaurant.” Calum stated, taking a deep breath.

“So?” Luke grinned.

“Yeah, wouldn’t be the craziest place you’ve ever-” Michael began and Calum groaned loudly.

“Shut up Michael.” Calum commanded.

“You guys are so mean to him.” Ostara tutted and Calum offered her a half smile. She could feel how uncomfortable he was and Ostara had been raised to navigate awkwardness like a professional, so she easily changed the topic and Calum thanked god for her, “what are you guys wearing to the ball on Friday?”

“Velvet.” Luke answered immediately.

“Oooh!” Ostara leaned in, “what colour?”

“Red.”

“Wow, you really like to stand out don’t you?” Ostara teased.

“He’s six foot four, he always stands out.” Michael stated.

“I’m six’ two at best.” Luke insisted.

“Liar.” Ashton laughed.

“What are you wearing?” Calum asked before he could help himself, curiosity getting the better of him.

Ostara’s green eyes met his, “a lady never tells.”

“Fucking tease.” Luke muttered, earning a shove from Ashton.

Calum tried not to look at Ostara but she looked so cute, bundled up in an oversized red flannel. She looked so relaxed, so comfortable, so happy. He realized he had been staring a moment too long and tore his eyes away, looking instead at Ashton who was chatting with Michael about whether or not Michael would ditch the ball all together.

Calum’s heart was thumping in his chest and although he appeared to be listening in on the conversation, his brain was occupied with other thoughts.

He’d told Ostara that not all princes were like Luke, and yet it had just been made painfully clear that in some ways, they were. He regretted letting the brunette princess give him a handy under the table at that banquet. But, as much as he hated to think it, above all, he regretted the fact that it hadn’t been Ostara who had been the one to do it.

------

The days leading up to the ball were tense for Calum. He’d pretty much accepted the fact that he was a terrible friend and a terrible person.

He’d accepted the fact that he was lusting after his best friends sister.

He’d tried to avoid her at first but that had proved to be impossible, they both just loved the kitchen too much.

And then there was the fact that all any of them wanted to do was lounge by the pool. Calum couldn’t just stay in his room all day, that would have been boring and suspicious. So he found himself sitting in the shade with Michael, trying not to look at Ostara as she did her morning laps or tanned on a floaty.

It was very uncomfortable for him, fighting the ever incessant urge to sneak a peak even though he knew what negative effects it would have on him, in certain places in particular.

It didn’t help that Ostara was a happy, chatty girl who was always ready to ask him how his day was going any time they bumped into each other somewhere on the grounds. Calum didn’t want to be cold, but he didn’t want to be too warm either.

So he’d made an impulsive decision. Something that would keep him out of the palace for a while. He’d decided to go dye his hair.

It had seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was a good reason to avoid Ostara after. When she’d caught wind of what he was doing she’d messaged him ‘send me pics!’ and he’d replied with ‘hair reveal at the ball’ a text that he had stared at and hated himself for hours afterwards. But, he had justified not seeing her for three days and of course Ostara had respected his want to ‘drop a big reveal’ and had purposefully been avoiding him to not ruin the surprise. Which only seemed to make him adore her even more.

Getting ready for the ball was a chore. The four princes all had custom suits and they dicked around, drank, and chatted while getting ready in Ashton’s room. Try as he might to get involved in the conversation, all Calum could think about was what Ostara would be wearing.

Calum downed a shot, feeling the pleasant buzz wash over him. He was not about to go to a ball sober and he knew he was playing with fire. He knew that with lowered inhibitions, he could end up in high water fast, but he just couldn’t find it within himself to go to the event without being at least slightly tipsy.

He’d been mentally preparing to see Ostara dance with other princes.

He hoped that this time, he’d be ready for the view.

----

Again, Calum was wrong. Seeing Ostara jump from prince to prince hurt his soul. Watching hands that were not his caress her waist, covered in a soft looking, baby pastel yellow silk dress, made Calum’s fists clench at his sides. The way she smiled, looking so graceful and so princess-like… it was making Calum’s head spin, or perhaps that was the glass of whiskey in his hand?

Calum noticed prince Liam noticing Ostara and somehow his blood got even hotter. Especially as Liam began walking over when the song ended. Liam was upon Ostara within moments and although Liam may have missed the small micro expression that crossed her face as she turned to look at him, Calum didn’t.

He drank the rest of his drink, clenching his jaw as he set down the glass. By the time he looked up again, a new song had started and Liam had Ostara pressed to his chest.

“Look at that douchebag.” Michael stated from next to him.

Calum said nothing.

“One of us should go save her.” Michael continued, “Ashton looks pissed.”

Calum looked over at Ashton who was busy dancing, but his eyes were on his sister and Liam. “i’ll do it.” Calum stated, moving forward immediately.

He maneuvered through the crowd, eyes on his prize. His tattooed hand reached out on it’s own accord, tapping the prince on the shoulder, “wait your turn mate.” Liam said.

“Nah.” Calum responded, “think I’ll cut in now.”

Ostara’s hands were already moving from Liam to Calum’s broad shoulders and Liam didn’t try to fight it, sighing loudly before removing himself completely. Calum watched him leave and then turned to finally meet Ostara’s gaze.

“Your hair looks amazing.” she stated, “and thanks for saving me.”

“Was wondering if you were gonna come and say hi earlier.” Calum admitted.

“I wanted to! But my parents said I had to dance the first six dances for appearances or something.” Ostara frowned.

“So this is your last dance then you’re done.”

“Have you been stalking me again Hood?” Ostara laughed.

Shit. He had to stop just saying what was on his mind.

“Your dress is nice.” he said, changing the topic. It was just as silky under his touch as he’d imagined it would be. Ostara’s hand gave his a little squeeze, her fingers dancing over his shoulder and sending electricity running through his body.

“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

She could feel his breath against her face and with their chests all but pressed together, she could also just imagine that his heart was racing as fast as hers was. His eyes were a deep, beautiful brown and she was finding herself lost in them.

And the hair? Yeah, she was feeling it.

They both just looked at each other for a few moments in silence, Calum’s gaze flickered down and Ostara’s heart lurched in her chest. They were so close, it would be so easy to-

The song ended and Ostara caught movement of her brother walking over from behind Calum, so she pulled herself away, feeling her skin flush as she looked down.

“That Liam guy is a fuck.” Ashton stated, “thanks for stepping in Cal.” Ashton said, patting his friend on the back.

“Don’t mention it.” Calum said stiffly.

“Gotta talk to my sister about her choice in men, give us a sec.” Ashton said.

Calum didn’t question it, turning and leaving without so much as another word. He made his way to the bar where Michael caught up to him, “what the fuck was that?”

“Vodka.” Calum said to the bartender, leaning against the table top instead of looking at his friend, “what was what?”

“You and Ostara were dancing pretty fucking close don’t you think?”

“Lower your voice.” Calum hissed.

“I fucking knew it!” Michael said, voice low but still full of the arrogant ‘i told you so’ tone.

“Knew what?” Calum continued to play dumb, handing a bill to the bartender in return for his quick drink.

“You’ve been weird since Ostara showed up.” Michael said, “I thought maybe it was just because there’s a girl or whatever, but it’s because you like her, isn’t it?”

“Yes Michael. I have a big, fat crush on Ash’s little sister.” Calum said sarcastically, shooting his drink.

Michael laughed, “fuck man, you’re in so deep.”

He was. Calum knew it. And if Michael noticed, then it was only a matter of time until Luke or Ashton noticed, and the former had a big mouth so as soon as the cat was out of the bag with one, it would be game over with the other.

Calum turned around, leaning his back against the bar. His eyes searched before his brain registered what he was doing, finding the gorgeous blonde just as she slipped from the ballroom.

“Don’t even think about-” Michael began but once again, Calum was already moving, chasing after the Princess like a lost puppy.

His pace quickened, eager to catch the girl before she disappeared into one of the many rooms in the palace, never to be found again. Calum remembered playing hide and seek as children, Ostara had always managed to disappear, not that the boys had ever actually looked. Hide and seek had been more of an excuse to get her to piss off at the time, but not anymore.

He heard her heels clicking against the marble floor and followed the sound, turning a corner just as she slipped from view. Calum groaned, running down the hallway to follow, “Ostara!”

She turned and looked at him, “Calum?”

He caught up to her finally, not sure what to even say. All he knew was that his heart was racing, from the running or the booze or maybe the beautiful girl standing in front of him giving him her full attention.

Calum realized in that moment that his fears of losing inhibitions while tipsy were well merited. His hands reached out and cupped Ostara’s face, eyes searching hers momentarily for a reaction in case he was going bat shit crazy and she didn’t want him to kiss her.

But when her eyes went to his lips, he knew that he had the green light.

He moved forward, pressing his lips against hers. Ostara’s hands found his chest as she moved closer, kissing back immediately. Calum’s tongue swiped across her bottom lip and Ostara’s mouth opened eagerly, tasting the liquor on his tongue. His teeth teased her, nipping into the lipstick stained kiss.

Ostara’s hand moved from his chest to his shoulders and then to his neck, locking him close to her as if she never wanted to let go. One of Calum’s hands left her face, going down to the small of her back, teasing just above the cute bum he wanted to grab so badly.

His grip tightened and Ostara smiled against his lips, happiness contagious as Calum laughed slightly, eyes opening to look at the beautiful girl in his arms. Her fingers played with his hair, tugging slightly as he brought his lips down on hers again.

His hand slipped lower, finally grabbing her ass as she moaned into his mouth. The noise made Calum groan too as he felt his pants getting tighter, the front of their bodies rubbing against each other in an effort to do the impossible and get somehow even closer.

“Ostara!” Ashton’s voice rang out in the hall and the couple jumped away from each other. Ostara’s eyes widened as she looked at Calum immediately wiping at his mouth to get rid of the lipstick covering his face. Likewise, Calum brushed at her mouth which was also smudged with red.

“Shit.” Calum muttered as the sound of footsteps got louder.

“You need to go.” Ostara whispered.

“What?”

Ostara’s small hands grabbed at the front of Calum’s suit, dragging him to a door to a side room, she shoved him inside before he could argue.

Calum stared at the closed door, heart racing in his chest.

“There you are!” he heard Ashton’s voice, “what the fuck happened to your mouth?”

“I wiped my lipstick by accident cuz I’m dumb.” came a quick and easy answer.

No argument from Ashton on that subject.

“What’s up? Im going to go fix this-” Ostara continued.

“Mom and dad said if you want to leave you have to say goodnight to a few people first.”

“They said six dances and I’m done-”

“Yeah but they still want you to say bye.”

“Okay, I’ll be right there, just gotta head to my room first-”

“I’ll come with, need to talk to you about that Liam guy.” Ashton stated.

Calum’s heart sunk as he heard retreating footsteps. He was so screwed.

----

He’d gone back to his room immediately after to take a cold shower.

He’d paced, eyes flickering to his phone obsessively, waiting for a text that never came.

He’d considered going to her room, sneaking out in the dead of night to go profess his adoration like some prince from the fairy tales, the type of guy she deserved.

Sleep had been difficult to come by, and every time he closed his eyes, images of her danced across his vision like a bewitching goddess demanding his devotion.

At six AM Calum rolled out of bed, pulling on sweats and a plain white t shirt. He set off to the kitchen, hoping for some coffee to get his day started.

Calum was rubbing at his eyes when he entered the room, groaning then removing his hands, he stopped in his tracks. Of course Ostara was in the kitchen.

Standing over a pan with an egg in it, dressed in the tiniest little matching white and yellow starred sleeping shorts and crop top Calum had ever seen, her blonde hair pulled into a messy bun, she took his breath away.

Her green eyes moved up to meet his and her skin immediately flushed all pretty and pink.

“Hey.” Calum croaked, voice low and sleepy.

“Hey.” she retorted. Silence settled over the kitchen and then: “coffee?” she pushed forward a french press that was half full.

“Yeah.” Calum shuffled forward, grabbing a mug then pouring himself the drink. Ostara tried not to watch the beautiful way his tattooed hand wrapped around the white ceramic, all large and perfect-

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Uh…” Ostara laughed, blush returning, “not great, you?”

“Not great.” Calum smiled, leaning against the counter next to her while she cooked, “cute outfit.”

He was enjoying making her blush.

“Oh my god.” Ostara groaned, setting down the spatula she had in her hand so she could cover her face.

Calum smirked, “what?”

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

She peaked at him through her fingers, “that! Being cute.”

“If you don’t want to see me looking like this, maybe you should close your eyes.” Calum suggested.

“What?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“No.” Ostara laughed.

“Your loss.” Calum shrugged, sipping at his coffee.

Ostara groaned in exasperation, turning the stove off before she looked at Calum one last time, closing her eyes. Calum set down his coffee and Ostara said “now what?”

“God, be patient.” Calum tutted, squaring his shoulders as he turned to her fully.

He studied her for a moment. Taking in her pretty pink lips, the dimples already showing as she smiled with excitement, her long lashes, the way strands of blonde hair had escaped her bun to frame her face.

His hand came up to brush one of the strands behind her ear and Ostara flinched slightly, one eye peeking open at him, Calum laughed, “eyes closed.” he whispered, caressing her cheekbone with his thumb as his hand came to cup her face.

Ostara let out a shaky breath, following his command. Once Calum was sure her eyes were closed, his thumb that had been on her cheekbone moved down to her lips, brushing the bottom one, pulling it down slightly, “so pretty.” he whispered.

Ostara’s heart was racing in her chest, body anticipating the warmth that Calum’s mouth would bring, the electricity that she knew would erupt over her skin like wildfire.

Being completely at his mercy was torturous, her hands fidgeted at her sides, not knowing what to do with themselves while she waited.

The first kiss was soft, a mere brushing, a tease. Ostara moved in for more immediately and Calum pulled away, she could hear his smile, “eyes closed.” he reminded her as if he could read her mind, knowing that she was dying to look at him.

His thumb stroked her cheek as he kissed her again, lips moulding against hers as he finally allowed her to melt into the kiss, her fingers going down to the waistband of his grey sweats to pull him closer.

He enjoyed cupping her face. It felt right. It felt intimate. It showed everything he was feeling but unable to verbalize. It proved how much she meant to him. How much he cared. His need for her to feel safe and protected-

Music flooded through the kitchen and for the second time in a day the pair pulled away. Luke always walked around blaring music from his phone like an obnoxious prick, and he entered the kitchen moments later, stopping to look at Calum and Ostara who acted innocent, standing a few feet away from each other, Calum sipping on his coffee while Ostara grabbed a plate to put her egg on.

“You two look suspicious.” Luke stated.

“Says you, why are you even awake, its early.” Calum fired back.

“Touche.” Luke sighed, “have another PR date thing.”

“You mean you’re cheating on me?” Ostara said in mock shock.

“No baby, I would never.” Luke stated, sounding offended.

Calum’s jaw clenched at the pet name.

“I’m going back to my room.” Ostara announced, “you two have fun.”

Calum tried not to look at her bum as she left the room but it was so cute and perfect in her little star shorts, besides, Luke was looking too which pissed him off… but, Calum knew he wouldn’t get caught.

Luke turned back to look at Calum, “at this point Ashton should be thanking god that I’m a good friend, because she’s cute as fuck.”

-----

The noon sun was hot and piercing, the royals only leaving the air conditioned comfort of the palace to hang by the pool. Luke was still not back from whatever errand his family had sent him on, which left Calum, Michael, Ashton and Ostara to their own devices.

Laying in the sun, Ostara was reading, while the other three tossed a ball around in the pool.

“So bored.” Michael groaned.

“This used to be so much fun when we were kids, what changed?” Ashton agreed.

“When we were kids we’d play chicken which I fucking bet you is still fun.” Michael pointed out, “fucking wish Luke was here.”

Ashton’s gaze shifted to his sister, “Ostara get in the water.”

“Hmm?” she asked, having not been paying attention.

“We’re playing chicken, come get on my shoulders.” Ashton commanded.

Michael and Calum looked between the siblings, “I’m not going to shove your sister-” Michael began.

“It will be fine.” Ashton assured him, waving his hand, “Ostara get in here or I will drag you in.”

Ostara sighed, closing her book, she knew Ashton would follow through with the threat.

When she stood up, Calum got the nicest view of her cute little pineapple print bikini. The girl had a thing for prints, but she always made it work, and Calum’s heart was soft as fuck.

She waded into the pool and Ashton approached, bending down so his sister could get onto his shoulders, “I hate you.” she stated.

“You better fucking win or I’m disowning you.” he warned her.

Meanwhile, Michael had gotten on Calum’s shoulders and everyone had gone to the deep end of the pool to make it easier.

“Michael-” Ashton began.

“If I touch her chest I’m dead, I know.” Michael said, “it’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair is the fact that you have like forty pounds on her.” Ashton pointed out, “okay, three, two, one.”

The chicken fight started and everyone began to laugh as Michael and Ostara hesitantly pushed at each other. It was obvious that the two most dominant, competitive guys where Calum and Ashton, both of whom egged on their partners to “fucking push him already!”

Calum felt kind of bad, just kind of, when Michael managed to shove Ostara into the water. She came up sputtering, slicking her hair back as beads of water rolled off her glistening, sun kissed skin, a massive smile on her face as she laughed.

In that moment Calum knew he had to calm the fuck down, or he wouldn’t be able to get out of the pool. Calum’s heart was racing and Ostara stated “again!”

Before Calum could object, she was scrambling onto her brothers shoulders to fight Michael once more.

Calum tried not to look at her, tried not to notice the glistening water droplets adorning her body like jewels, jewels that he would buy her, jewels he would bathe her in if it meant he could even so much as hold her hand.

Calum let Ostara push Michael into the water and when Michael surfaced a flurry of curses left his mouth as he shoved at Calum, “fuck off! You let her win you asshole!”

They gave up after that, Ostara once more leaving the pool to continue tanning. Once Calum knew he had calmed down enough, he joined her, laying next to her on the large beach towel. He didn’t say anything, staring up at the cloudless sky, just enjoying the feeling of being close to her.

A few minutes later Ashton sat between them and guilt panged through Calum’s chest.

“Don’t you have another date soon?” Ashton asked.

“Fuck what time is it?” Ostara shut her book quickly.

“Two thirty.”

“Fuck.” Ostara jumped up quickly and ran to the house, Calum frowned.

----

Calum paced outside the restaurant.

He’d taken one look at the outfit Ostara was wearing as she ran from the palace and he’d been blinded. The short, red silk dress had practically knocked him off of his feet, and he’d be damned if he let her slip through his fingers to whoever she had a date with that day.

Calum knew he was about to be the biggest dick in the entire universe.

He knew he was overstepping… probably.

But as seemed to always be the case with Ostara, he couldn’t fucking help himself.

Calum took a deep breath and entered the restaurant, stopping as the hostess immediately looked at him in shock, “I’m here to meet people, Ostara Irwin?”

The girl nodded, “follow me.”

The restaurant was high class and the hostess led Calum to a booth in the back where Ostara was sitting with a Prince that Calum recognized immediately.

“Calum!” Harry grinned as Ostara said “Calum?!” in shock.

Harry even stood up to give the younger prince a hug, “been a while mate, how’ve you been?”

“Good.” Calum said, “You?”

“Been great.” Harry smirked, sitting down, “you joining us?”

“I’m sure he’s not-” Ostara began but Calum had already sat into the booth next to her.

“Suppose you’re here to chaperone for Ashton? Knew that guy didn’t like me.” Harry chuckled.

“He’s got high standards for his sister.” Calum stated.

“I get that.” Harry nodded, “what’s your poison mate?”

A waiter was waved over and Calum and Harry both ordered shots to lighten the mood, even though Calum knew that not even the light of god himself would persuade Calum to be even remotely inviting.

After about ten minutes of Calum being cold, Ostara stated “Harry, I’m just going to talk to Calum for a second, need to call my brother and tell him not to be such an ass.”

“Take your time pet, I don’t mind.” Harry said warmly, confidence oozing off of him.

Ostara turned to look at Calum who stood up and let her lead him to the hall that led to the private bathrooms. “Okay, listen here-” Ostara began but Calum grabbed her hand and pulled her into one of the private bathrooms, not wanting anyone to witness the altercation.

He locked the door behind them and finally turned to the fuming blonde, “you can’t just crash my dates! You are not my big brother and you’re sure as fuck not my boyfriend either.”

“Let’s change that.” Calum stated.

“What?!” she looked taken aback for a moment.

“I said,” he grabbed her face, looking into her eyes, “let’s change that.”

She wanted to be angry. She did. But damn it if she didn’t understand where he was coming from.

Her heart was racing as he looked into her eyes, waiting for a reaction, waiting for acceptance or rejection.

Ostara’s fingers tangled in his dyed blonde hair, dragging his mouth down on hers.

Their teeth clashed but neither cared, too enraptured in the intense passion that had surrounded their hearts, burning hot through their veins as they grabbed at each other, desperate for contact. Calum pivoted, shoving Ostara against the door as his hands pushed up at the red silk dress, fingers dancing over every new milimeter of exposed skin.

His thigh pressed up between her legs and Ostara moaned into his mouth, setting Calum’s heart racing impossibly faster.

His digits made contact with something lacey and he groaned into her mouth, beginning to drag down the flimsy material of her thong but Ostara grabbed at his wrist, tearing it away as she pushed at his chest.

Calum removed himself, breathing heavily as he looked at her, taking in the red smeared lipstick that covered the area surrounding her mouth yet again.

She was flushed, back pressed against the door, eyes slightly hooded as she stared at him, chest heaving, dress still shoved up to her waist. Calum snuck a glance down, satisfied that the lacy thong was black, but it just made him want to grab her again. She pulled down her dress, tearing her eyes from him as she looked at herself in the mirror. “Fuck.” she cussed, wiping furiously at her face.

“Here, let me-” Calum stepped forward.

“I’m on a date Calum.” Ostara stated, shoulders falling in defeat, “and you’re my brothers best friend-”

Calum stopped moving, looking at Ostara.

He watched her remove all the lipstick from her face, not saying another word as she left, shutting the bathroom door behind her to leave Calum to his thoughts.

It was obvious to Harry as soon as Ostara returned that something had happened, after all, a girl doesn’t just spontaneously remove her pretty red lipstick that matched her dress perfectly.

“So you and Cal huh?” Harry grinned.

“Fuck I’m so sorry-”

“No, it’s fine love, don’t worry about me, but I am a little surprised that you’re going on dates when you two are obviously-”

“We’re not together.” Ostara stated.

“Hmm.” Harry looked her over, “could have fooled me pet.”

“He’s my brothers best friend-”

“So he should be well suited, doubt your brothers gonna be mates with assholes.” Harry mused, leaning back in his seat as he studied the obviously conflicted girl in front of him, “and if he doesn’t like it then fuck him.”

“It doesn’t work that way-”

“You’re a princess, he’s a prince, this is the only way this sort of thing works love and we both know it.”

----

“Okay, so do you live in this kitchen or what?!” Ostara practically screamed as her eyes landed on the familiar strong shoulders hunched over while Calum grabbed a beer from the fridge.

“I was here first this time.” Calum stated, still looking in the fridge, “how was the rest of your date?”

“I-” Ostara began but stopped when Ashton and Luke entered the room, “okay there are so many fucking rooms in this palace, why is everyone always in the goddamned kitchen?!”

“What’s got your panties in a knot?” Luke said, moving away from Ashton who tried to shove him.

Calum’s heart clenched and Ostara laughed at the irony that was lost on everyone but her and Calum. He had her panties in a knot. Or at least he had the hour before. “You know what, I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”

“Its like five.” Ashton stated.

Ostara left the room, “I don’t care!”

----

Before Ostara even opened her door she knew who it would be. She’d been expecting Calum to turn up, they obviously had unfinished business and Calum had been on edge all day.

As the large door swung open to reveal Ostara standing there in a black, long sleeved, sleeping button up with with cartoon pumpkins on it, Calum hated himself for still thinking she was the prettiest girl in the entire world. It brushed her mid thigh and Calum couldn’t tell if she was wearing shorts underneath, his hands twitching as they itched to reach out and discover the answer.

Ostara didn’t say anything, simply moved to the side to let him in and close the door.

“We need to talk about Ashton.” Calum stated.

“Do we though?” Ostara groaned.

Calum looked her up and down, “you don’t want to talk about this?”

“Close your eyes.”

“Are you serious.”

“Don’t you trust me?”

Calum sighed, hearing his own words back at him, he realized how suave he had been that morning. Crossing his arms over his chest, Calum made a big show of closing his eyes.

“I still think we should talk about this.” Calum said.

He waited for an answer that never came.

Instead, Ostara grabbed his hands, pulling slightly to make Cal give in and uncross the arms that had been protecting him from what was to come.

Holding his hands at his sides delicately, Ostara swung them a little, looking up at the beautiful Prince whose eyes were still closed. He looked composed, the only thing betraying his inner anxieties was the rapid beat of his heart, the artery in his neck fluttering as he breathed in and out.

Ostara studied his pretty throat for a moment, stepping closer to allow his smokey smell to wash over her. She was a lot shorter than him, and she could just reach his neck with her lips, so that’s what she did.

She pressed a kiss to the skin just above his racing artery and Calum sucked in a breath, hands tensing in hers.

“Eyes closed.” she breathed against his neck, causing a shiver to run through his body. He swallowed thickly, adam’s apple bobbing in the most endearing way. Ostara kissed his throat again, parting her lips to allow her tongue to taste his skin, again, his heart beat faster.

Her teeth grazed the artery and Calum’s body jolted, hands tearing from Ostara’s so they could land on her ass, lifting her up before she could so much as scream in surprise. Her legs wrapped around Calum’s waist as she clung to his shoulders, about to object when his lips met hers and every word in her brain disappeared.

His kisses were hungry and desperate, tongue immediately sliding over her bottom lip before his teeth came down to gnaw at it teasingly. Suddenly she was falling, landing on the plush fur duvet that covered her king sized bed. Calum was on top of her, grinding down against her panty covered core as one hand slipped up her thigh, once more greated with lacy material.

He groaned into her mouth, excited to discover that she had, in fact, not been wearing shorts. For a brief moment he wondered if she’d planned this whole thing but he didn't dwell too long on the idea, too enraptured by the princess writhing underneath him.

His hips rocked, creating friction and pressure that made them both moaning messes in each others hands. Calum’s lips moved to Ostara’s neck and her fingers tangled in his hair, urging him on as he found the spot that made her toes curl, legs wrapping tighter around his waist.

Pushing himself up with one hand he looked at her shirt, admiring the fact that she was wearing a Halloween themed sleeping shirt in the summer. His fingers were almost shaking as he popped open the first button, then the second, then the third. With each newly exposed piece of skin it became more and more evident that she was first, not wearing a bra, and second, totally prepared for this. She was in control. This had been planned. Calum had fallen into her trap. And he didn’t mind one bit.

Once every button was undone, he teased the stripe of bare skin with a finger, paying extra attention to the area between her breasts as she watched, heart thundering with patient anticipation.

“Take this off for me princess.” he said, voice soft.

Pushing herself up slightly, Ostara wasted no time wiggling from the shirt. She already had goosebumps from his touch and she shivered as the fabric fell from her shoulders, exposing her to him for the first time as she lay back down.

One finger traced up from her belly button to her left breast, circling closer and closer until he brushed his knuckles over her nupple, “so pretty.” he mused as she pushed up towards his hand, eager for more.

“Please Cal.” she begged, the neediness in her voice was the sexiest thing Calum had ever heard in his entire life.

He kissed her mouth, then began his venture downwards, pressing soft kisses on her neck, then her collar bones. When his lips wrapped around her nipple, teeth teasing, his right hand fully massaged her other breast. Her fingers tangled in his hair as breathy moans rang through the room, Ostara’s back arching slightly in an effort to get him to do something, anything, more.

Calum’s lips continued downwards as he slipped from the bed, getting onto his knees as he pulled her to the edge, fingers hooking in the panties that he gingerly slid down her legs. Once they were discarded on the floor, Calum placed Ostara’s thighs on his shoulders, hands going to her hips to hold her down as he briefly enjoyed the view.

“Close your eyes.” he stated, “want you to feel all of this.”

Ostara’s breathing was ragged as Calum took a teasing lick, her right leg jerking slightly on his shoulder which made Calum smirk, fully putting his mouth onto her. His tongue flicked at her clit before sucking gently, earning breathy moans that egged him to go harder.

Her nails scratched against Calum’s scalp and he enjoyed the sensation, groaning a little, the vibrations made Ostara jolt again, her grip tightening in her hair. “Calum!” she whined loudly. As a reward for how pretty she sounded, Calum brought up a finger, sliding it inside of her easily and curling.

Her body reacted immediately and Calum knew from her whimpers, and the small tremors with each harsh suck, that she was close. He chased her high, having always felt entitled to a woman's orgasm. He knew he was good with his mouth and Calum refused to feel bad about that.

Adding another finger, he began to thrust his digits in and out even faster, curling each time to hit the spot that had Ostara’s back arching, hands pulling at Calum’s hair as the orgasm rippled through her body, lasting longer due to Calum’s continued motions as she whined and moaned, putty in his hands.

When her back touched against the mattress again to signify the complete end of her high, Calum pulled away, sucking his fingers into his mouth as he stood and pulled off his shirt.

Eyes closed, chest heaving, Ostara made Calum dizzy.

Calum was about to reach for a condom when four small words were spoken that nearly shattered Calum’s very existence: “I’m on the pill.”

‘I’m going to marry this girl.’

Calum pushed the thought away, kicking off his pants and boxers. Ostara’s legs opened for him, inviting the prince to get back on top of her as he pressed a kiss to her lips, “you alright?” he asked, her fingers immediately finding their place in his platinum hair again.

“Uh huh.” she breathed, one hand snaking between the two of them to grab the base of his cock, lining it up with her, all that was left to be done was for Calum to close the distance.

As he entered her they both moaned, lips attacking again with the same passion that always seemed to be present when they kissed.

The muscles in Calum’s shoulders tensed as he remained still for a moment to be sure she was ready for him to move, Ostara’s fingers dancing along the broad expanse of skin.

Her legs tightening around his waist was Calum’s cue to move as he pulled almost all the way out before snapping his hips forward again, entering fully. Her warmth cocooned him and he let out a throaty groan, “you’re so fucking tight.”

“You’re just big.” Ostara breathed against his lips, eager for more kisses as the prince began a quick pace.

Her nails dug into his scalp and shoulder, a reminder, on top of the sinful sounds leaving her lips, that he was making her feel good.

That’s when Calum remembered that, like most Princesses, Ostara had been forced into rhythmic gymnastics at a young age. He grabbed onto her thigh, moving it up slowly in case she had lost some flexibility. He was delighted when her leg went all the way up and over his shoulder, allowing him a new angle that had him going impossibly deep. They moaned louder and Calum moved back a little, lips mourning her loss but eyes adoring the new view.

His hand moved up on its own accord, sliding across her collarbones and up to her awaiting neck that she craned for him, welcoming him, giving him access.

The ring clad fingers of his left hand wrapped around her throat, giving a testing squeeze that only further excited them both, Ostara letting out the most sinful, whiney noise yet.

Calum’s stomach lurched and he knew that if she kept it up with those sounds, he would be cumming fast.

In an effort to slow the process, Calum began to remove his grip but suddenly Ostara was grabbing his forearm with both hands, forcing Calum’s chokehold to remain on her throat as her eyes opened, staring at him, more moans left her lips and Calum could feel her fluttering around him.

She was just as close as he was and it was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

All he could do was stare at the beautiful girl as his thrusts quickened and his grip tightened, chasing both of their highs with the determination of a king.

Cold rings bit into Ostara’s flesh and after a particularly deep thrust, another orgasm washed over her, taking Calum with it as they both moaned loudly, bodies awash with euphoria.

After the last aftershocks, Calum removed his hand from her throat and took her leg from his shoulder, letting it fall onto the bed as he pulled out of her and rolled onto his back next to her. Ostara immediately snuggled into his side, hand over his beating heart.

They stayed that way for a while, trying to catch their breaths.

Calum finally sighed, “do you want me to go?”

“You’re silly.” Ostara stated, voice breathy and happy. Her finger traced circles on Calum’s chest, “stay the night.”

-------

She was warm. Skin soft and beautiful under his delicate touch as Calum explored the curve of her shoulder and arm, bring goosebumps to her skin from the contact and the soft caress of his breath on her bare back.

There was a soft sigh of content and Calum smiled, “did I wake you?” he asked.

“Yeah, but it’s okay.” came a delicate response as Ostara snuggled back against Calum.

“Will you go to the ball with me next week?”

“Of course.” he could practically hear her sleepy smile.

“And I want to take you on a real date.” Calum stated.

“Hmm?”

“I want to do this right.”

Another happy sigh, “okay.”

-----

As soon as the limo door closed Calum looked at Ostara with wide eyes. They’d been papped leaving the restaurant and they both knew that this could be bad. Neither knew how Ashton would react when the pictures dropped, which they both knew they would.

Calum’s hand went to Ostara’s thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze, “if he gets mad-”

“We can pretend we’re just friends-” Ostara began.

They both stopped.

They both knew that neither were good enough actors to get around this.

They’d known each other their whole lives.

They’d been flirting a few weeks.

They’d fucked and gone on an honest to god date.

Hell, Calum had pretty much asked Ostara to be his girlfriend in a fit of jealousy. They both knew they were in deep, and because of this, neither of them were particularly scared of Ashton anymore which was odd.

Ostara laced her fingers with Calum’s, “it’s going to be okay.”

Calum felt it too. Somehow, they knew they could make it work.

They both felt naive and stupid. They both knew they were being very narrow minded, but there was just something about the way that they fit that told them they belonged together.

They’d arrived at the palace when their phones began dinging, signalling the likelihood that the pictures were somehow already posted.

With a deep breath and a reassuring glance, the young couple entered the palace where they were almost immediately sabotaged by Ostara’s giggling older brother, “guys have you seen twitter?” he asked, “apparently people think you two are dating.”

His gaze lifted from his phone and that’s when he noticed how close the two were standing. The smile left his face, “is… is there a PR contract you two haven’t told me about-”

“Would it be that bad if we are dating?” Ostara asked.

Ashton’s gaze hardened, turning to his friend, “you have got to be fucking kidding me-”

“Ashton-” Ostara began, moving in front of her older brother who had taken a step towards them.

But Calum spoke, “didn’t mean for it to happen-”

“She’s my fucking sister!” Ashton bellowed, finally exploding.

“And he’s your best friend!” Ostara screamed, matching her older brothers temper, “so you know he’ll treat me right!”

Ashton stopped moving forward, considering for a moment what had just been said, “there’s a code.” he spat.

“I never agreed to a code!” Ostara insisted.

“It’s a bro code, you don’t need to agree-”

“Well when it affects me, I most definitely should get a say you sexist-” Ostara began to fume.

“What is going on?” came a new voice as Michael and Luke showed up, both looking worried as the Irwin’s squared off against each other.

“Calum and I are going to the ball next week together, because we’re dating, and you’re going to accept it!” Ostara told Ashton.

“I will not!” Ashton glared.

Ostara let out a loud groan of exasperation, grabbing Calum’s hand, she turned and dragged the platinum prince out of the room.

“Can’t believe Cal backstabbed you like that.” Luke breathed.

“Hey, it’s not that bad-” Michael began.

“That’s my fucking sister!” Ashton screamed.

Michael sighed, “okay, it is a little bit bad.”

-----

Calum and Ostara spent almost the entire week outside of the palace out on cute dates that were incessantly papped. Ashton tried to avoid the pictures at first but he felt himself getting softer as each day passed and new shots of his sister laughing and looking genuinely alight with happiness were uploaded.

And fuck it, Calum looked happy too.

Michael pointed out on day four that Calum and Ostara seemed to really like each other, and Ashton couldn’t argue with it, which annoyed him terribly.

Michael and Luke were trying to support Ashton in his endeavour to remain upset, but it was obvious that everyone else supported the new, happy couple. Especially Ashton’s parents who had known Calum his whole life and were more than thrilled that he had began to date their daughter.

Ashton knew that Michael was still hanging out with Cal, and the two drank beer by the pool late at night when they thought Ashton wouldn’t notice. He couldn’t find it in his heart to be mad about it, especially when he’d almost stumbled across them and heard Calum saying “she’s really special man, I can’t explain it.”

Plus, Ashton preferred having Calum where he could see him as opposed to in Ostara’s room, which is where Calum was practically living since Ashton had made a fuss about kicking him out of one of the guest rooms the day he’d found out they were dating.

He was getting used to the idea.

He missed his best friend.

He missed his sister.

The night of the ball arrived and Ashton was at the bar with Michael and Luke when the happy couple arrived. Entering the ballroom, the two walked hand in hand, looking at each other and giggling as if nothing else mattered in the whole world.

Ashton was surprised when prince Harry approached the two of them, from what he could see it looked like he was congratulating them? Ashton had a weird hate on for Liam and that included his friends, Harry being one of them, so seeing the fact that Harry seemed to be excited and supportive made Ashton’s blood boil.

Had he really stooped lower than the notorious British playboy?

Ashton groaned. He was making the whole thing about him. He knew he was being selfish and he couldn’t shake the fact that Calum had broken the bro code, but he’d be lying if he said he hadn’t toyed the idea of chasing after Calum’s sister at one point in time…

Ashton sighed. He was definitely in the wrong.

He spent a solid half an hour watching his sister and her new boyfriend.

The soft touches, the lingering stares, the never ending smiles and giggles… it was sickeningly sweet. Ashton loved it. He hated that he loved it.

His sister did deserve to be happy and Ashton knew that. He just wished it was with someone else.

Ashton looked for a good moment to approach but never found one. The ball ended and Calum and Ostara disappeared. Ashton knew he should wait until morning to find them, but the guilt was already eating at him, and soon he found himself outside of his sisters room.

He knocked and waited.

A minute later the door opened to reveal his sister in sweats and a hoodie that looked somewhat haphazard and Ashton couldn't help the fire that burned through him momentarily, eyes shifting past her to Calum who was pulling on a shirt.

“I came to apologize, but I don’t know if I can do that anymore.” Ashton stated.

“Calum go to the bathroom.” Ostara said.

“What?”

“You’re bruising my brothers ego, go away real quick.” Ostara explained.

Calum sighed and trudged to the bathroom, out of sight. It helped a little, Ashton had to admit.

“You know, maybe I shouldn’t give you my blessing.” Ashton stated.

“No take backs.” Ostara insisted.

Ashton sighed, “but why Calum?”

“Why is he your best friend?” his sister countered, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Hate it when you’re logical.” Ashton groaned, “fuck, fine, you two look good together. I should go talk to Cal-”

“Talk to him in the morning.” Ostara said, stepping in front of her brother to block his way.

Ashton narrowed his eyes at his sister, “you two disgust me.”

“You’re the one who showed up here at like midnight-”

“You’re the one who chose to date my best friend-”

“Well you’re the one who made the stupid bro code-”

“I didn’t ‘make the bro code’ you silly, and besides, you’re the one who made Cal break the bro code-”

“Oh I ‘made’ him break it?” Ostara scoffed.

Calum listened to the siblings bicker, smiling to himself as he waited for the sound of Ostara’s bedroom door to close. When it did, he peeked his head out of the bathroom to make sure Ashton was gone.

“Thought he’d never leave.” Calum mused.

“Are you questioning my ability to fight my brother?” Ostara asked, opening her arms for Calum whose hands settled on her waist.

“I think I used to.” Calum admitted, “but not anymore.”

Ostara grinned, “so I’ve proven myself?”

“Uh huh.” Calum chuckled.

“Good, because if I was a wimp we’d still be in big trouble.” Ostara pointed out.

God, he adored her.

Part of him always had, and he knew that now.

He was exactly where he was supposed to be, and for the first time, Calum was prepared for whatever the future with Ostara might bring.

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boyfriend-cal · 5 years

Note

Hi Doll! Can I request a long weekend getaway with Cal, somewhere really remote where the two of you can just reconnect with no distractions

I love this request! I hope I did it justice for you 😊

(friendly reminder: taglist, masterlist, request)

word count: 1.2k

Things hadn’t been rocky in the sense that you and Calum fought all of the time, but more in the sense that you felt like you hadn’t seen him in forever or gotten to spend time with him even though the two of you live in the same house.

You were worried because you couldn’t tell if it was going to get better or not. Each time the two of you sat down and actually made time for each other, something had to get in the way.

For example, your first date night in two months was the same night that Luke crashed his car and needed someone to pick him up. The other two members of the band hadn’t answered their phones. Then, the two of you decided one night to go to the movies. It was still early, like 7:30pm, and right as the previews started Calum got a call that they’d been dropped from their record label, but another one was interested. Emergency meetings were called, and the date was over.

There were times your job got in the way too. You nannied some kids and were always home by 6:00 every evening. Except for one, when their oldest kid started having an allergic reaction, so you had to stay overnight with the two youngest ones. Calum waited at home with the table set and dinner ready, but you never made it.

It was frustrating, to say the least. At the end of the day, you two would crawl into bed and be way too exhausted to interact. Most of the time, one of you was already asleep by the time the other one got home.

That’s why you were surprised when you walked into your shared house on a Thursday evening. There were balloons tied to a card and confetti spread out across the table. You noticed a brand new suitcase sitting on the floor next to it. You picked up the card and flipped it open.

surprise baby! i know we haven’t seen much of each other lately, so i came up with a plan to fix that. pack in this fancy-schmancy new suitcase i got you, we’re in for a long weekend in the Caribbean. i’ll be home at 7 and we’re leaving asap. love you lots xo

You cover your dropped jaw with your hand and squeal to yourself. You turn the note over in your hand and find a PS.

p.s. duke is with mike, southy, moose, and crystal for the weekend plus i already cleared your work schedule. get packing!

Your heart rate increases, and you barely get a hold of your brand new suitcase before you run to your shared bedroom to start packing.

You stand to full height after zipping your suitcase. 90% of the clothes you packed were swimsuits, but you didn’t plan on being in real clothes very often. You lift your bag so it’s standing and then roll it into the living room. At the same time, you hear the garage door open and instantly get excited again. You’d already changed into some cotton shorts and a cropped hoodie for the plane ride.

The door opens to reveal Calum in an outfit just as casual as yours. His shirt is fitted and shows off all of the right areas. You immediately drop the suitcase and run into his arms.

Calum wraps his arms around your torso, lifting so you can wrap your legs around his waist. You missed feeling his arms around you, and now that you knew the two of you didn’t have anywhere to be, you never wanted to let go.

“Ah hi, baby girl. Are you ready to go?” Calum pulls his head from the crook of your neck to look at you. He places a quick kiss on your cheek before he sets you back on the ground.

“Just finished packing. Where’d you go? I thought you guys were off today.” You watch as Calum disappears into your bedroom and comes out with his suitcase. You hadn’t noticed it when you were in there.

“We did, but I went to let our managers and everyone know that I wouldn’t be answering my phone until Monday,” Calum smirks at you, and the grin you give back is just as devious.

“It’s fun when we do something spontaneous.” You laugh, and Calum pulls you out to the car.

The sunshine warmed your skin that felt a little dry from being in and out of the ocean all day. Your hair was stiff with salt, but you didn’t mind, it was pulled into a knot on top of your head anyway. There was a slight breeze over you, and you hear Calum sigh next to you.

Both of you are laying on the day bed that sits on the porch of your waterfront villa. He’d really gone all out for this weekend. There wasn’t a photographer in sight, and honestly, there were only a few other families at the resort. It was nice to feel like you had complete privacy.

The mattress shifts next to you, and then Calum is gently nuzzling his face into your neck. It was Sunday and today was the last day that you’d be able to spend laying around all day. You knew that taking a weekend to spend as much time as possible together wouldn’t magically solve all your problems, but it was a start.

“Thanks for bringing me here, Cal.” You bring your hand up to run it through his curls, and he presses a kiss to your neck. This bed was where you two had spent most of your time here because it’s the perfect place to be comfortable and get a tan.

“We both know we needed it. I’d stay here for a month if I could.” His arm snakes around your waist and pulls your body flush to his.

“Me too, bub, but we have jobs and busy schedules to get back to.” You tried not to sound sad because as much as you wanted things to change, you didn’t know if they would when you got back, and things started getting hectic again.

“You know what we’re not going back to though?” Calum shifts again, so he’s laying on his stomach. He props himself up on his elbows, so he’s looking directly at you.

“What?”

“We’re not going back to never making time for each other. We’re not going back to sleeping on far ends of the bed. We’re not going back to any of that. I’m at fault, I know, so I’m going to make more time for you, and that’s a promise. You’re the one that’s always home at the same time and has to go to bed without me. All of it will change, Y/N. All of it.” Cal uses his hands sometimes as he talks because it’s just a thing he does, but you think it’s adorable. His face is still serious as he waits for you to nod or agree with him.

All you do in response is lift your head and give him a kiss. It’s a long, sweet kiss. When Calum’s hands start roaming, you pull back with a teasing grin on your face.

“I mean damn, I was hoping we could just take weekend retreats more often.”

as always, feedback is appreciated! like or reblog if you enjoyed it 💕

taglist: @calumsnatchedmyheart @mikeyglifford @aulxna @sebastian-sunshine-stan @calssunflower @cthoodsthetic @fluffsshawn @lustingfor5sos @bodaciousbonzi1996

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calpalirwin · 4 years

Text

Breathe

A/N: Inspired by a s***ton of song lyrics

And away, and away we go

~~~

One month.

That’s how long you had been crying yourself to sleep. That’s how long you had stared at his side of the bed, wishing he was still there. That’s how long you thought the pain was never going to fade. That’s how long you stared at your phone, fingers itching to call. But you knew it would only set back any progress you were making.

So, your phone stayed silent, your fingers stayed itchy, your eyes stayed red, your pillowcase stayed stained with your tears, his side stayed empty, and the pain stayed just as painful as ever.

One month.

One month until it didn’t hurt to breathe.

Coincidentally, one month was also how long it took until he couldn’t breathe himself. Almost like your pain had finally passed on to him.

~~~

“Hey, it’s Ash,” your voicemail played and you stomach twisted at the voice. “I… uh… your coffee cup… the lipstick… it’s faded… I know you didn’t always wear lipstick because you said I smeared it too much for you to be bothered… but uh… god, it was a work of art when you could be bothered.”

You stared at your phone, finger hovering over the delete button. You took a breath to steady yourself. You had finally moved on from utterly heartbroken to trying to survive. And now his voice was going to drag you right back down again. You wanted to be angry. But, something about the way his voice cracked, like he was crying himself, kept you from deleting the voicemail. Instead, you turned your phone over and went about your day.

~~~

“I wasn’t even trying to do anything other than have a night out with the guys. And then you were there. And then I was doing anything I could to catch your attention. You took my breath away that night. You still do.”

~~~

“Do you remember when I took you to San Francisco? God, we had it right, didn’t we? I can still smell the perfume you were wearing. That sweet little scent that you sprayed on yourself in that shop. I swear my shirt smelled like that perfume for weeks.”

~~~

“I don’t dance… I wasn’t ever really much of a dancer, but you always wanted to. Didn’t matter where. God, the way you looked in parking lots as our feet moved over the painted white lines. My feet don’t dance like they did with you.”

~~~

“What we had was real, right? God, I wish had amnesia because I’m not fine at all.”

Your jaw tightened as you listened. If only he knew you had asked yourself the same question. If he wasn’t fine, why had he left you so easy? The nerve of this guy!

~~~

“Sorry about my last message. That wasn’t fair of me to assume this hasn’t been hard for you. But, God, have you tried getting over you?”

~~~

“Does he know that you hate drinking? Does he shave before he kisses you? Does he let you miss me or does he say something funny or clever to take your mind off it? I hope he does. I hope he realizes that he has the greatest girl laying on his chest. But, please… lie to me and say it isn’t true. Tell me there isn’t someone else.”

~~~

One month.

That’s how long you had watched your phone ring. That’s how long you had listened to his messages, his voice broken and stone-cold sober.

That’s how long you waited until you finally picked up the phone the next time it rang.

“What?” you asked, pinching the bridge of your nose. “What confession do you have tonight? And why? Why now? I’m not a booty call, Ashton! I’m not someone you can call every time you get lonely. I have more self-respect than that!”

“Uh.. Y/N? It’s Cal…” Calum’s voice sounded over the line.

You pulled your phone back to check the caller ID. “Oh, sorry.”

“Yeah,” the man rushed past your apology. “Look, I’m sorry to do this, but can you get down here? It’s Ash.”

“Cal… Ash is…”

“The last person you want to see, I know. But, I’m desperate Y/N. You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

You sighed. “Where are you guys?”

~~~

“Y/N!” Calum exclaimed in relief when you made your way into the bar.

“Where is he?” you said shortly.

“Over here,” Calum said, leading you to a very depressed looking Ashton sitting by himself in a booth. “Hey, mate, look who’s here.”

Ashton’s hazel eyes looked up from his glass to find you standing there. He would’ve smiled, but it hurt to move.

You looked at the glass in front of Ashton, and glared at Calum. “God damn it, Cal! You promised me!” you scolded the man. When Ashton called things off 2 months ago, you made Calum swear that Ashton would stay sober.

“Would you relax? It’s Coke, damn…” Calum said, not bothering to hide his irritation at your misplaced anger.

“Can’t get drunk anyways,” Ashton deadpanned. “Can’t get over you that way.”

“I, on the other hand, can,” Calum forced a grin. “I’ll be over at the bar if you need me,” he told you, resting a large hand briefly on your small shoulder before walking off.

You sighed and slid into the booth with Ashton. Now was your chance to get everything off your chest. To put Ashton Irwin in his place for breaking your heart. As you opened your mouth, prepared to unleash holy hell on this man, a soft “I’m sorry,” reached your ears, Ashton’s lips barely moving.

“What?” you asked, leaning in closer to hear better.

“I’m sorry… I… I didn’t know what I was thinking… I just knew I was scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Losing you.”

“So, you thought pushing me away was the answer?” you scoffed.

“I said I was sorry.”

“Sorry doesn’t cut it, Ashton!” you yelled, clenching your fists as a tear slid down your cheek. “God damn it. Do you know what you did to me?” you hissed. “I missed work because I couldn’t drag myself out of bed. I thought I was going to go blind from crying in the dark for so long. God, I couldn’t fuckin breathe!” You hastily wiped at your eyes. “And when I finally got to a point where I thought I could survive again, you started leaving me those damned voicemails! But sure… you’re sorry. Cuz that’s the magic phrase to fix 2 months of shit.”

He stared at you, listening to you unleash your fury. When you stopped he opened his mouth to speak, but you cut him off.

“If you say you’re sorry, I swear I’ll slug you,” you growled, glaring at the man across from you. God, did he have to look so sad?!

He closed his mouth and just stared.

“Well…? Say something, damn it!”

“I’m sorry.”

In a blind rage, you swiped his glass of Coke off the table, getting a small satisfaction of the look of the shock that crossed Ashton’s features and the shattering of glass. “What did I just fuckin say?”

“But, I am, okay? And I know that doesn’t fix anything, but it doesn’t make me less sorry. I was doing what I thought was best for you, okay?”

“What you thought was best for me? Ashton, you don’t get to make that choice for me!”

“I know, and I’m so-”

“Ashton Fletcher…” you growled, daring him to say he was sorry again.

His hands went up defensively. “I know, okay?”

“You didn’t even give me a chance…” you said sadly, the fight leaving you “You just gave up. On me. On us. Over in one phone call like it never mattered.”

“I know. I’m the stupid one who ended it, and now I’m stupid one regretting it. But, you’ve clearly moved on. And I have to live with that mistake. Go home, Y/N. I’ll stop calling.”

“Moved on?” you asked. “You think I moved on?”

“Well yeah. I’ve seen the stories.”

The stories… of course. “You mean the stories that smeared my name? The stories that claimed you broke up with me because I was using you?”

“The stories that showed you out with someone else not even a week later?” he shot back, tired of being on the defensive. “The stories that got brought up in interview after interview that I then spent more time defending you than getting interviewed?”

“Oh, boo fuckin hoo! I’m Ashton Irwin! I do 3 interviews between tour dates! I want to brag about my life, but they keep bringing up my ex who’s heart I ripped out without a second thought!” you mocked.

“So, you don’t deny it.”

“Deny what?!”

“The guy?”

“What guy?!”

“From the STORIES!” he roared, his hazel eyes flashing dangerously. “God, Y/N, it wasn’t even a week later…”

You rolled your eyes. “It’s a good thing you’re famous and pretty. Honestly, is Luke borrowing the one collective brain cell you guys have? He’s my friend, Ash. A friend you actually met along with his wife, who was conveniently cropped out of the pictures.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah… God, do you really think I would do that you?”

“So, you haven’t…?”

“Moved on? Gotten over you? No, Ash, I haven’t. I can’t. And more than that, I don’t want to.”

“Why? I broke your heart, Y/N...”

“Because I still love you. Because I’ll let you ruin my life over and over again if it means I get to keep you for just a second longer. Because I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything in my entire life. Because even though you broke my heart, I’m desperately wishing you’ll put it back together.”

“Can I have a second chance? I don’t deserve one. I know that. But, please? I’ll get it right this time. I promise.”

Instead of answering him, you stood up. He dropped his gaze to hide his hurt, a sigh escaping his lips. If he was honest, he was surprised that you hadn’t stormed off earlier. He didn’t deserve this conversation, let alone a second chance.

So, when your hands wrapped around his neck, he had just enough time to give you a surprised look before your lips were on his. He quickly got over his surprise and melted into you, his arms snaking around your back to pull you closer to him.

When he had gone out earlier that night, Ashton never would have dreamed that he’d end up with you straddled on his lap, lips locked together. But, he was glad it was happening, and he was never coming up for air.

#breathe #ashton irwin #ashton blurb #5SOS #galcal irwin

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mattygraygubler · 4 years

Text

our campus: chapter 8 (tom holland fic)

summary: frat!tom and reader go to the same college and y/n is tasked with being his tutor, they don’t really get along at first (because i love reader and tom hating each other trope)

warnings: drinking, drinking, more drinking, mentions of sex

word count: 2.6

a/n: sort of a cliff hanger at the end???? we’ll see what happens!

as always texts are bolded

for a list of characters click here

to be added to the tag list send me an ask !

masterlist

✰✰✰✰✰

You slowly opened your eyes and were immediately confused. You were in your room, but you felt someone’s arms around you.

You drank almost an entire bottle of wine last night, so needless to say, you didn’t really remember anything. You didn’t think you slept with someone… But did you?

The body groaned, but you still couldn’t figure out who it was because the lights were off and blackout curtains closed. You pushed their shoulder a bit and heard a british voice say “Whaa?”

“Tom?” You asked incredulously.

“Good morning, darling,” he said. His voice was raspy and low, so incredibly sexy.

“What are you doing here? Why are you shirtless, where are my pants?! Did we- ohmigod tell me we didn’t…”

“You don’t remember?” He asked and you shook your head, still very aware that his arm was around you and your legs were intertwined. “Relax, we didn’t have sex, love. We just hung out and then watched a movie and fell asleep.”

“Then where’s your shirt?” He laughed.

“You’re wearing it. You were cold and wouldn’t let me leave the bed, so I gave it to you.” You bit your lip, very uncomfortable. It was one thing to sleep with someone and not remember it, but to spend the entire night cuddling? You weren’t a couple, who does that?!

“Oh. I’m sorry.” You said and sat up, untangling your body from his.

“What are you apologizing for?” He asked.

“I mean… I’m your tutor, we’re just becoming friends, it’s weird for us to-to sleep in the same bed together and-”

“Y/N, slow down. We’re friends. It’s really not a big deal, totally platonic. I mean, c’mon, you’ve never slept in the same bed as Kyle? Or Emily?”

“No, I have…” “Then what’s the big deal?” He asked.

“I guess there isn’t one…” You replied. Tom swung his leg over the side of the bed, stretching and getting his stuff together. You couldn’t help but watch his back muscles flex when he stretched. You wanted to run your fingernails along it.

“I gotta take care of some stuff, I’ll see you later today?” He asked. You nodded.

“Sure, I’ll see you later. Wait, Tom!” You said before he could walk out the door.

“Yes?” He turned back to look at you.

“You’re, uhm… You need your sweatshirt back.” You started to take it off.

“I’m only going down two floors. You look comfy anyway.” He said and smiled at you before walking out.

You lied back down in bed, picking up your phone and checking the alerts. You scrolled through all the drunk texts from last night, laughing at a lot of them.

♡girly girls♡

GUYS

whaaaaaat em

GUYS GUYS GUYS

em what happened

NOTHING HAPPENED

YET

CHECK THE WEATHER REPORT

You rolled your eyes and checked the weather report, unsure of what she was referring to. It was the first weekend in February, so you weren’t expecting your weather app to show you a 100% chance of snow starting in a few hours and lasting until Monday night.

THATS RIGHT LADIES

SNOOOOOOWWWW DAAAAYYYYYY

Y/N we’ll be over at 9 to play games, iz you and i are goin to grab the booze, em youre in charge of food

You

what am i in charge of?

dont you have homework? plus were using your room, we can take care of all the stuff

are we inviting anyone else?

thank you for asking i would love to invite harrison

im fine with that if i can invite cal

Cal was the nerdy boy from delt who Isabelle was seeing. It was really low key, they’d only gone on a few dates, and things hadn’t gotten physical yet.

Y/N! invite tom and we’ll make it a total delt nite !!!

You

yeah ok ill invite him. were gonna be studying anyway.

wow i expected more push back

You

were friends now, it wont be weird. its not like its a quintouple date

it is if one of those delt boys has a gay sister

not interested. besides i doubt more than 7 people can fit comfortably in Y/N’s room

You

fine ill see you guys tonight.

You hopped in the shower, putting on a pair of leggings and a cropped sweatshirt. You decided to text Tom.

You

hey so it looks like its gonna snow i was wondering if we could work at my place instead?

also ive been told to invite you to our game night tonight

Tom

interesting, because i was already invited

what took you so long Y/L/N?

You

sorry i was in the shower

Tom

likely story

but yeah that sounds great ill see you in a few hours

A few hours. That’s plenty of time for you to put your glasses on, earbuds in, and really focus on your homework.

* * *

You were pulled from your law reading by a knock at the door. You opened it, seeing Tom in a soccer tee shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair was wet and he ran his fingers through it.

You hoped he didn’t see the fact that you bit your lip, but you couldn’t help yourself. He just looked so incredibly sexy.

“You look... “ His eyes scanned your body and you immediately wrapped your arms around you, insecure.

“What?”

“No, you just never wear stuff like this in front of me. You’re always so put together.”

“Your point?”

“You look cute, that’s all.” Tom said and walked into the room. He thought you were cute? No, you needed to calm down, he’s the biggest player ever, he didn’t mean anything. Just some accidental flirting.

“I brought tequila, Harrison said it’s your favorite.” He said and dropped his backpack on the floor and put the tequila on the table where you kept your booze.

“That’s sweet of you, thank you, it is my favorite.” “Really? I thought he was joking.” “No, why?”

“You’re just… you’re really something else, Y/N.” He said with a laugh.

You grabbed your notebooks and started the session, you checking his homework, him redoing the mistakes, and you answering any questions he had about the material.

“You’ve definitely made an improvement,” you said as you finished reading his essay on the power shifts in England from the 1600s to today.

“Thank you? I think?”

“You’re welcome. You’re almost there, but you’re still not incorporating this source correctly.”

“That’s because that source makes no sense. The writing is so convoluted, it’s mental!”

“Then why don’t you find a new source?” You asked.

“Well… I thought I’d be easier if I just stuck with this one.” Normally you would have rolled your eyes at that, but instead you found yourself laughing.

“Read it again,” You said and handed him the library book he was using as his last source, “And if you still can’t understand it, I can explain it or we can just find a new source.”

You grabbed your own book, Rage Becomes Her, which you were reading for your Women, Politics, and Public Policy class, and started highlighting right where you left off.

You both got lost in your books, highlighting and annotating in silence. Every once in a while Tom would stop to ask you about a particular passage.

It was another hour or so before you both heard a knock on your door. You got up to open it, and as soon as you did Emily burst into the room, Harrison right behind her holding three pizzas.

“TOM!” Emily said and tackled him in a hug. “It’s so good to see you again!” “I didn’t realize you two had met,” you said and helped Harrison with the pizzas.

“Just once,” Tom said with a laugh. He made himself comfortable on your bed instead of the floor, Harrison took a seat on your comfy chair and Emily made herself comfortable on his lap.

“I better leave this unlocked,” you said. “I would offer you guys a drink, but Isabelle and Ally are-”

“Did someone say something about a drink?” Isabelle said, pushing the door opened.

“What’s up bitches,” Ally said and put a bottle of wine, svedka, prosecco, and a 30 on the booze table.

“How long do you guys anticipate this storm lasting, because that is a LOT of booze for 7 people,” you commented.

“Lighten up, babe, it’s not like we have to drink it all tonight.” Isabelle responded.

“Better to be safe than sorry.” Ally said with a mischievous grin. They greeted the others in the room when you heard a knock on your door.

“I heard there was a party happening here?” Cal said as he pushed open the door. You closed it all the way behind him so no one else could stumble in.

After everyone introduced themselves to each other, Harrison said “So what does everyone want to play first?”

“Oh, you’re new.” Ally said. “See, we kinda of have an agenda.” “Is that so?” Harrison asked. Emily kissed his cheek. “Tell me more.”

“Well the first time we had a snow day, we took turns picking our favorite games, and then we just stuck with that formula. First is A which means kings,” Isabelle said. “Then Emily, which means never have I ever. Then me, which means truth or dare. And then Y/N.”

“And what does Y/N pick?” Tom asked.

“Y/N picks poker, of course. But most of the time were too drunk to get there.” Ally said.

“Yeah I really got the short end of the stick there. It’s a good formula, though.” You replied and grabbed a deck of cards and a beer.

“Let’s go, boys and girls.” You said. Everyone sat in a circle, the beer in the middle like you were worshipping it, and you spread out the cards in a circle around it. You saw Tom and Harrison exchange a look across the circle.

“Something wrong?” You asked.

“Well… Don’t judge us, but we’ve never played this game before. They don’t have it in England.” Everyone else laughed quietly at Harrison’s statement.

“It’s easy. Everyone picks a card, and each card has an action assigned to it. Ace is waterfall,” You said.

“Two is you, so you pick someone to drink.” Isabelle said.

“Three is me, so you drink.” Cal said as you went around the circle explaining the rules.

“Four is floor, so the last person to slap the floor loses.” Emily said.

“Five is guys,” Ally said.

“Six is chicks,” You said and the circle started again.

“Seven is heaven, so last person to touch the ceiling drinks.”

“Eight is date, so you pick someone and whenever one of you drinks the other has to too, for the rest of the game.”

“Nine is rhyme, so you go around the circle saying words that rhyme and the person who can’t continue the rhymes drinks.”

“Ten is categories, so it’s the same as nine but with a category of something, like animals.”

“Jack is never have I ever.”

“Queen is questions, so the next person who answers a question they ask drinks.”

“And finally, king is the ruler, so you make a rule that everyone has to follow until the next king is pulled.”

“Make sense?” You asked.

“Not one bit.” Tom responded.

“You’ll get the hang of it, I promise it gets easier.” You said. “Al goes first.”

“Why?” Harrison asked.

“Gay goes first.” The four of you said in unison. The boys looked scared. They had no idea what they had gotten themselves into.

“One last rule. First drink is a shot of your chosen poison. After that, you can drink whatever you want.” You explained as Isabelle gave each person a shot glass and the handles of hard liquor were passed around.

“Four,” Ally said and everyone slapped the floor except Tom and Harrison. Harrison realized first, so you watched as Tom downed the shot across the circle. He tensed his jaw after, which made you wet already. When he saw you looking at him, he winked at you.

Your turn was next, so you quickly pulled a card, a six, so you and the other girls did your shots and then began to pour yourselves your chosen drinks. For you, that was a second shot of tequila and then a rum and orange soda.

“Two.” Isabelle said with a grin. “I choose our kings sponsor, miss Alexandria Park.” Everyone whooped as Ally dramatically took a sip of her beer.

“Five,” Cal said. The boys took their shots, except Tom who took a sip of his beer.

“My turn then?” Tom said and drew a card. “Eight. Which one is that?”

“Date. You pick someone and for the rest of the game whenever one of you drinks, the other has to too.” Cal explained. Tom looked around the circle, but you already suspected who he was going to pick.

“Y/N,” he said. “Would you care to be my date?”

“You’re exhausting, Holland. What, are you trying to get me drunk or something?” That shut him up, right as Harrison said ‘seven’ and everyone reached for the ceiling except Tom, who groaned and complained about having to drink again.

Cal was the one who finally popped the beer and had to chug it. You put the cards to the side and everyone held up ten fingers, already ready for never have I ever.

Things started off innocent enough, with Emily sharing that she had never peed in a pool. By the time you all went once and it was Harrison’s turn, he made things more interesting.

“Never have I ever slept with more than 15 different people.” You and Tom were the only ones who clapped.

Harrison rolled his eyes. “Jesus fucking christ, it’s like you guys were made for each other.” He commented. Your face got red, which Emily noticed, so she went quickly next.

You finally lost, getting rid of your ten fingers before anyone else. You were always a bag of secrets, and Tom found himself learning more and more things about you he didn’t know. Like that you had a tattoo, or that you’ve gone skinny dipping, or that you’ve never had a gin and tonic.

You were all wasted, that was clear. Isabelle was in between Cal’s legs on the floor, leaning her back against his chest. Ally was lying on the couch all by herself, upside down. Harrison was in your big chair with Emily on his lap, and you and Tom were on your bed, you lying on your stomach and him sitting against the headboard.

“Isabelle, truth or dare?” Cal asked.

“Dare,” she said, looking back at him.

“I dare you to ditch your friends and come back to my room with me.” He said.

Isabelle shared a look with all of you before saying “Sorry guys, I’m not one to turn down a dare.” They grabbed the half-drunk bottle of prosecco on their way out.

“Al, truth or dare?” Emily asked. This went on until Ally passed out from drinking, still upside down.

“We’ll get her home.” Harrison said. He picked Ally up as Emily collected their stuff and bid you and Tom good night. You both sat in silence for a few minutes, when Tom’s phone lit up.

“Do you mind if I chill here for a while? I’ll stay on the couch if you want to go to sleep, but Harrison just said him and Emily want some alone time and her roommate is home.”

“Of course, I don’t mind.” You responded. You stumbled off the bed, going to pour yourself another drink.

“Ok, Y/N.” Tom said, moving so he was sitting on the edge of the bed. “Truth or dare?” You turned to look at him and saw a dark look in his brown eyes.

“Dare.”

“I dare you to kiss me.”

#tom holland imagine #tom holland #tom holland fanfic #tom holland fanfiction #frat!tom

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cashtonsparadise · 5 years

Text

Notice | Calum Hood Blurb

Based on the song Notice by Little Mix off of LM5

(Listen to it and thank me later)

Word Count:1667

Warning: swearing, mentions of sex, angst I guess

Summary: Calum has been busy with promo for the new song and you are starting to feel he is forgetting about you and your needs.

A/N: Part 2? Let me know if you have any request for any of the other boys. un-edited oh well

“It’s been a while since you noticed, I feel like you been losing focus…”

It has been a few weeks since the boys released their new single easier, which meant less lounging time with Calum and more time sleeping in your bed alone. It was not often that you were able to join the boys while they were doing promo. However, you and the other girls decided to join the boys on their promo tour before they left for the tour with The Chainsmokers.

Currently, Kay Kay, Crystal Sierra and you were sitting at a coffee shop a few blocks away from where the boys were doing a radio interview with Zach Sang. Having opted out of sitting in the studio you guys decided to walk around and do a little shopping. After two stores, you decided to grab a drink and figure out your next move.

“Where should we go next?” Sierra asked looking around to see what stores are close to where you are sitting. “I think I saw a Saks down the block.” Crystal murmured looking down at her phone to fact check. “Sure we can try that out.” Kay Kay answered looking at you for your opinion. With a shrug of your shoulders and a nod of your head, the four of you were off. Walking into Saks ya’ll automatically split into two groups Kay Kay and Sierra heading towards the shoes, Crystal and you heading towards the makeup. “So how are you handling everything with the fans and all the craziness?” Crystal asked. “It’s fine I mean it’s not great but it is not something that keeps me up at night.” You respond lifting up an eyeshadow palette to examine it a little closer. “Honestly, it’s not even the fans I’m worried about it Cal.” You add on absent mindedly not bother to look up for her reaction.

“What do you mean y/n I thought things were going great? You guys are always so happy.” Crystal asked with a panic in her voice causing you to look up at her to see her looking at you with worry in her eyes. “No No, Crys not like that everything is fine. I just, I kind of feel like I’ve been put on the back burner recently when it comes to spending alone time with Calum.” You answer honestly. “I don’t follow what you mean?” she asks with a tilt of her head.

“I just, ever since they started recording again and doing promo I feel like Cal has been paying less attention to me. Ya know in the bedroom.” You answer meekly. “Wait. Seriously? When was the last time you fucked?” She asks putting the mascara in her hand down. “Um, about a month or two I think. When did they start in the studio again?” “Three Months! Yall haven’t fucked in three months. Oh no, this is not ok this is an emergency. I’m texting Kay Kay and Sierra this is a major no no.” Crystal exclaims grabbing the attention of a few of the sales associates. She grabs your hand and starts to drag you towards the lingerie and clothing. “Crystal it’s not that deep.” “Not that deep?!” She interrupts you “y/n I’m trying to figure out how haven’t combusted. I mean three months without sex that sounds like a crime against nature. I mean I know people go years but Calum of all people. Really? It’s not right to you and it is not a way to keep a relationship alive.” She rants as she starts picking up different clothes and lingerie sets. “Luckily we all planned on going to dinner tonight so we’ll make you look hot and fuckable and if he doesn’t want to rip your clothes off by the time we’re done with you well.” “He’s an idiot” Sierra finishes coming around a fixture with Kay Kay in tow with more clothes and shoes. “Ladies let’s get to work.” Crystal squeals while pushing you into the fitting room.

Two hours of shopping later and another two hours of getting ready at the hotel of shaving and glamming you and the girls were ready for a night out with the boys. Deciding to meet the boys at the restaurant to make an entrance and knock them off their feet. The four of you walk into the restaurant making heads turn, as you are lead to the table the boys were sitting out. “Quick” Kay Kay whispers, “Calum is looking your way lose the jacket.” You take a quick glance at her then back over to Calum and start to peel off his leather jacket you grabbed on your way out leaving you in a rushed yellow co-ord spaghetti strapped crop top and a matching form-fitting skirt that hit right below your butt with black heels to match the jacket. “Wow, ladies you sure do know how to clean up. Have all the men in here wishing they were us right about now” Luke jokes as you and the girl slide into the seats next left open next to your boyfriends. As soon as you sit down Calum puts an arm on the back of your chair and leans closer to you “I was wondering where my jacket went. You look very beautiful darling,” he mumbles while kissing your forehead and turning back to Michael who was sitting across from him and continued their previous conversation.

After a fun and unsuccessful dinner, the group decides to hit up a bar that wasn’t too far from the hotel. Michael and Crystal automatically hit the dance floor with Ashton and Kay Kay while Luke, Calum held down the table sipping on drinks they ordered before sitting down. You and Sierra decided to hang at the bar after downing the shots you order while waiting for your drinks. “Any luck with Calum?” she asks raising her voice to be heard over the loud music. “We’re still here aren’t we?” You asked with a sigh. “Have you tried talking to him about it?” she question. “Yeah but he kind of brushes it off and acts like I’m making it up or something.” You sigh in exasperation as you smile at the bartender who slides your drinks your way with a flirty wink. “I’ve literally tried everything I can think to try and get his attention, to throw me against the wall and just have his way with me. But he’s so consumed with the music which is something I love about him that he’s forgetting that I have needs that only he can meet.” You ranted at taking a long sip of your drink. “I’m honestly starting to lose my patience Si” “y/n it’s gonna be ok let’s just enjoy the rest of the night,” Sierra says optimistically as she watches you chug your drink and wave the bartender down.

A few more drink and one too many shots later, you and Calum stumble into your shared hotel room. Calum throws himself on the bed while you slip out of your shoes and jacket. “That was fun wasn’t it babe?” You ask standing in front of him slowly starting to slip off the top you were wearing. “Yeah, it was great. It’s always fun hanging out with everyone.” He smiles sweetly. “Hmm, that’s good bubs.” You said turning around and slowly taking off your skirt giving him a good view of your ass and new underwear as you bent over. “So do you notice anything different honey?” You asked with a hopeful glint in your eyes. “Um did you get a haircut?” He asked not really glancing at you as he scrolls through his phone. “Seriously, Cal? There’s nothing new you notice?” You asked obvious agitation written on your face. “Un- fucking- believable” You laugh sarcastically as you walk towards your suitcase where you left your pajamas folded on top of your suitcase. “What? What did I do?” Calum asks. “It’s not what you’ve done it’s what you haven’t done Cal.” You shout as you throw on a shirt of his and walking towards the bathroom. “Babe, stop, what are you talking about?” Calum slides off the bed, grabbing you by your wrist pulling you towards him. “Talk to me please.” He begs. You take a deep breath and look him dead in the eye “When was the last time you noticed me, Cal?” “What do you mean?” His voice softens as he searches your eyes for the answer. “When was the last time you touched me? The last time you noticed the things I’ve been doing to get you to make love to me? To throw me against the wall and fuck me until I can’t walk.” You question not breaking eye contact. “Three months, it’s been three months since you have even touched me. I have tried so hard to get your attention. I’ve teased, I’ve hinted, fuck man I’ve straight up jumped your bones and you just cast me aside.” You rant while pacing back and forth “God Cal I’ve even considered finding someone else to do what you haven’t in the last three month but I love you too much to even do that to you.” You finally finish plopping down on the bed looking up at him.

“Babe I- I’m so sorry. I know I get lost in my music but I would never do something like this on purpose. What can I do to fix this? What can I do to show you how much I care?” Calum asks dropping to his knees in front of you putting his forehead on your lap. Instinctually you run your fingers through his short blonde hair. Tugging at his short hair to bring his face back to eye level with you. You lean in close enough where your lips brush against each other.

“Fuck me like you hate me, Daddy”

You answer in a whisper, pushing him back towards the floor walking over him into the living room area leaving him with an open invitation and a chance to right his wrongs.

#calum hood #calum thomas hood #blurb #5 seconds of summer #5sos blurb #calum blurb #luke hemmings #calum 5sos #ashton irwin #michael clifford

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justdani14 · 5 years

Text

Night Bound: I’m Bound To You

Part 3: Idfc

Song inspiration is Idfc by Blackbear

Nik’s POV

Mc: Adeline

Language,mature,nsfw/smut

Special thanks to @brightpinkpeppercorn for taking the time to read this before I posted it and being supportive!!

I watch as Cal waits by the bar for her. He looks nervous and happy. Just as I was starting to like him. He had to go ask her out. Who in the hell does he think he is? Get a grip Nik she’s just a client and a friend. Except you slept with her last night and shared things with her you haven’t with anyone else. She’s too good for me anyways. I grip my drink tighter and down the rest of it. Slamming it on the bar hard enough to break it. I look up to see everyone staring at me there faces ranging from shock to sympathy. Damn it all to hell.

“What?” I challenge let’s see if any of them have the guts to say it.

Ivy is looking at me critically like a new species to study and Krom just looks sympathetic. Krom looks away first he has decency to look guilty about it. Katy just giving a me a knowing smirk. She shakes her head and looks away too. Vera and Cal both look surprised. Huh so I’ll give him that, he doesn’t know. How could he not know? I look at Garrus last because I know he’s the wild card.

“I’m sorry about the glass.” I sigh finally meeting his eyes.

“It’s all right my mortal I’m sure it was an accident.” he say placing another drink in of me. His light blue yes are full of concern.

I hate it. I’m fine I don’t fucking care at all. I want to yell it but there’s no point I know that no one will believe me. Thankfully or unfortunately (depending on which way you look at it) I’m saved from answering. That’s the moment Adeline makes her appearance. She looks beautiful, she always does. Tonight she looks even more beautiful, carefree and happier. The past couple weeks have been hard on her I could see it more and more. Her eyes sad, losing there sparkle and shoulders tight with stress. Maybe Cal was good for something. Even if I wish it was me.

I can’t help but stare at her. My eyes lingering a little too long. Her blond hair is loose in waves not in the braid she usually wears it in. She’s wearing a red dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her eyes bright her sparkle back. It was back last night when we were together. At the time it was reserved for only me. I feel a surge of jealousy at the thought. She meets my eyes first even before Cal and it makes me wonder what that means. I try to compose my face but I know my mouth is hanging open. Katy let’s out a loud whistle and Adeline blushes. Ivy and Krom clap smiling hugely at her. Vera smiles sweetly before putting her hands over her mouth. Garrus gasps and motions for Adeline to do a turn. She obliges him giggling embarrassed. I look at Cal wondering what he’s thinking. His eyes are huge and mouth wipe open. I smirk wondering if that was the face I had a second ago.

“You look absolutely beautiful Adeline.” Cal says as she reaches him.

“Thank you Cal you look handsome.” she says still blushing from all the attention.

It’s almost like no one told her she was beautiful everyday like she deserves. I look away trying to squash down the feeling of jealousy and sadness. I grip my drink again trying not to break this glass too. The conservation return to normal for a bit. Then I feel a small hand on my forearm. My head snaps up and I look into her beautiful eyes. She looks at me curiously bitting her bottom lip.

“Are you ok? You’ve been kind of quiet.” she says softly.

I scoff “I’m fine just thinking about stuff”. I shrug looking away hoping she can’t see what I’m thinking. Keep acting like I don’t fucking care. Don’t see through me. Not right now not now.

“Ok well I think we should go Cal before it gets too late.” she says looking away from me. Her hand is still on my arm and she squeeze it. Bringing my eyes back to her but she’s looking at Cal over her shoulder. The look on his face says it all he looks like a kid on Christmas.

“I’ll be back in a couple hours don’t worry so much.” Adeline smiles at me squeeze my arm one more time before walking away. Cal takes her hand and leads her out the door. He doesn’t look back but her eyes are on me with a small smile on her lips.

Before they are completely out the door I yell “Take care of her Cal or I’ll kill you”.

Cal’s eyes snap up at me “I will guard her with my life.”

“It better not come to that.” I mutter darkly squinting my eyes at him snapping my mouth shut. Afraid I’ll tell him if so much as a hair is hurt on her head I’ll make you wish you were never born.

Cal doesn’t seem to hear me though all his attention back on Adeline and hers on him. I watch them leave and turn back to my drink. I send a some time with everyone else trying to distract myself. I can tell there trying there hardest to do the same. That is till Katy come and sits next to me.

“What is it Katy?” I say sighing knowing what’s coming next.

She sips her drink thoughtfully before saying “Nik don’t be an idiot for once. You need to tell her.”

“I don’t know what you think you know but there’s nothing to tell I don’t fucking care.” I say dismissively.

“Ok this is how you want to play this fine go ahead. I know you and I know you have feeling for her.” she shrugs finishing her drink not looking at me.

I look at her feeling defeated. What the point they all know well except Addy and Cal apparently. Sighing again I say “You know better then anyone why I can’t. We’ve both lost too much we know how this is going to end”.

“Well maybe it won’t she’s made it this far it’s no small miracle.” she says meeting my eyes for a long moment.

I look away first getting off my stool and I bid them all goodnight. Ready to get away a wallow in peace. I make it to my apartment, change and pace back and forth thinking about Adeline. I’ve tried to let her in I have let her in more then I have any one else. I thought maybe she had felt something had I been wrong? It’s just one date get a hold of your self she can date whoever she wants. I can’t help being jealous at the thought of cal kissing her holding her against him. Doing the thing we did last night. I don’t know how much time has passed but the sound of voices snaps me out of my dark thoughts. I get a little closer to the door knowing I’ve hit rock bottom but to curious to care.

“Thank you so much Cal it’s been so nice to get away from the dark stuff and feel normal again.” Adeline says.

Chucking Cal say “It was my pleasure Adeline anytime you need an escape I’m your guy”.

“I’ll keep that in mind. Good night and thank you again.” Adeline says laughing. “Goodnight.” Cal murmurs.

I hear more murmuring from both but I can’t make out the words. After a minute that feels like an eternity I hear the key go into the lock and that’s when I book it to my room. I can’t get caught listenings it’s pathetic enough that I was listening in the first place. I throw my self on my bed thankfully the light was off because I can feel myself blushing.

“Nik I’m home.” she says with a chuckle as if she knew what I had done. Did she?

Not missing the fact that she called this place home I feel my heart soar. All the nights jealousy forgotten. I rush out of my room not wanting to delay seeing her for a second longer. I find her digging through her luggage for I’m guessing her pajamas. I stare at her enjoying seeing her back in my place. She looks up then eyes widen and mouth open in surprise for a minute before a brilliant smile replaces it.

“Nik do you have to be so quite you scared me!” she says laughing.

Before I can stop my self I blurt our “Sorry I’m just happy your back.”

Adeline looks at me in surprised again and blushes probably not expecting me to say that. She gives me a warm smile before saying “Me too Nik me too”.

She brushes past me on her way to the bathroom and I shudder. Having her so close I can feel her body heat and smell the sent of her perfume. After a few minutes she emerges in grey sweat pants and a green cropped T-shirt. I know I’m staring but I can’t help it I slowly trail my eyes up her body until I meet her eyes. That’s when I realize that I just did that. She looks at me with surprise again then her expression changes. I’ve seen that look before she kissed me. Her eyes are dilated and we begin to inch closer to one another.

“Do you think of this place as home?” I say softly afraid she’ll say no and afraid she’ll say yes. Tell me pretty lies I don’t fucking care. Tell me I mean something to you. I need to hear it.

I see her swallow hard and look around. I start to panic that I’ve made a mistake in asking her. She probably didn’t mean this as home it was just a habit to call the place your staying home. I feel my heart sinking.

“I really do Nik. I know it’s crazy but I feel safe here with you, it’s the only time I do.” Adeline says looking into my eyes again.

“Is that ok? I know it’s weird.” she says looking down at her feet. I slight blush on her cheeks.

I put my hand under her chin tilting her head up to look at me. “It’s more then ok Addy”.

I only call her Addy when we’re alone it’s our own private thing. Something just between us. I caress her face running my thumb over her cheekbone. I become self conscious of my calloused hands for a second. Then I feel her lean into my hand closing her eyes a smile on her lips. She closes the gap between us wrapping her arms around my shoulder. Her hands are at the back of my neck touching my hair. My heart starts racing and I feel hers racing against my chest too. I’ve never had some one be so tender with me. I wrap my arm around her slim bare waist tilting her up slowly to look at me. We look into each other eyes for a while I don’t dare to move I don’t want this to end. Before when we kissed it happened spontaneously it wasn’t planned. This was deliberate and tender. Tender wasn’t really my forte. I wanted it to be for her for Addy.

“Kiss me Nik.” she says softly. She looks venerable and sad. I didn’t understand that look and it worried me. Did she not want this? Was it because she feels she owes me for saving her. Adeline has saved me too in more ways then one. In ways I haven’t told her but maybe I could some day.

“What is it? Tell me Addy I can’t kiss you until I know.” I say hushed terrified of what she’s going to say. Tell me that you love me even if it’s fake. Tell me that you care, that you need me you need me as much as I need you. Tell me something anything please.

She closes her eyes for a second before saying “I’m afraid you’ll push me away I don’t think I can take it if you do”.

“I try to hide it but I know that it’s gonna show, so no more hiding. Nik this means some thing to me. You mean something to me.” she says in a hushed tone.

I suck in a breath as she looks at me her eyes wide. “This means something to me too. Your too good for me but damn it I still want you even if I know I don’t deserve you.” I say softly.

“Don’t say that I’m not too good for you.” she says pleadingly.

I don’t want to argue with her right now so I don’t say that it’s absolutely true. I slowly lean in closer our noses touching I wait for a few seconds wanting to memorize this moment. Then I lightly brush my lips against hers. I feel her shudder against me. Like a drowning man coming up for air I need more. Savoring the feel of her lips I cup the back of her head with my hand. I tighten the arm around her waist crushing her to me. She lets out a small gasp and I deepen the kiss taking advantage of her open mouth. She coils her arms around me tighter moaning. I’m trying to tell her everything I can’t say out loud without using words. We come up for air eventually gasping still clutching each other like we’re holding on for dear life.

“That was something else Nik...I mean wow.” she’s says still out of breath. Gasping chest heaving like she ran a marathon.

“Wow yourself.” I say chest heaving also, chucking lightly. Holy shit what is this woman doing to me?

Trying to calm my breathing I feel her lifting her leg to my hip without hesitation I grab it. She does the same with the other wrapping both around my waist while kissing my neck. I nuzzle into her hair planting a kiss on top of her head. Relishing the feel of her legs around my waist. She starts lifting my shirt off before we find each other’s lips again. Dropping it on the floor I begin to walk us to my room. Still not breaking from our feverish kisses. I lay her gently on my bed while propped up on my forearms so I don’t crush her. She slowly lift her t-shirt barley breaking for our kiss to take it off. As I feel my way around her body I realize she’s not wearing a bra.

“Take off your pants.” she commands.

“Yes ma’am.” Chucking lightly I do as she commands. We stare at each other for a bit. Her hair is around her like a halo and her breasts and stomach are perfect.

“I believe you have me at a disadvantage Addy.” I murmur. She giggles “Maybe you should fix that then.”

I move closer to her capturing her lips with my own. She moans as I work my way down to her breast. Kissing them until she saying my name. Then I keep working my way further down slipping her sweat pants off. She’s gasping for air when I take of her panties with my teeth. I kiss her everywhere as she gasps and moans my name.

“Pleaseeee Nikkkkk pleasee.” she moans

What do you want Addy what do you want? Tell me.” I say as my fingers explore here most private place. I feel her clench around my fingers.

“I want you! Oh Nik!!! Ohhh!!” she gasps.

My tongue trails along her inner thigh until I reach the place I’ve been looking forward to taste. I works my way around her sucking and licking. She’s more delicious then I could have imagined. I feel her clinching inside and I know she’s close. Her back arches off the bed, clutches the blanket with her hands. Falling into ecstasy screaming my name. I’ve never been so turned on. She’s so beautiful and I feel myself become even more painful hard. As she comes done she relaxes into the bed and I try to catch my breath too.

“Your really good at that.” she says after a minute.

“Haha I’m glad you think so Addy.” I say laughing.

“Come here Nik were so far from done.” she say opening her arms to me.

We hold each other and kiss methodically exploring each other’s bodies. She kisses my muscles and neck leaving love marks all over me. I love it, I leave some on her too proving that she mine. Even if it’s just for tonight I know she’s mine. Eventually I roll her so I’m on top of her. I look at her eyes getting the ok. She smiles and nods gently I eases my way inside me. Our hips moving in perfect time as she wraps her legs around my hips. Soon I feel her clench around me and I know she’s close again. I hold on till we’re screaming and moan each other’s names.

Exhausted and satisfied we make our way under the cover. Holding each other as she lays her head on my chest our legs tangled together. After a few minutes her breath becomes even and our racing heart slow to a normal pace. I rest my chin on top on of her head. She quickly falls asleep I hold out as long as I can.

Holding her a little tighter I whisper “Tell me that you love me even if it’s fake cause I don’t fucking care.”

Then I let sleep take me.

@brightpinkpeppercorn @desiree-0816 @jlpplays1 @alleksa16

#playchoices #choices #choices game #pixelberry #nightbound #nik #nik ryder #nik&mc #fanfic #fanfiction #loveme #choicesgame

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squishyocalum · 5 years

Text

Never {Three}

••Full credit to gif owner••

This one is my favorite chapter so far

It’s been a month since Calum and I decided to give this a shot. Honestly I thought he would have gotten tired of me by now but it’s like he can’t get enough of being around me - but you won’t see me complaining. Today is the first day of our senior year, no one except for the guys knew that Calum and I were together and if I knew Calum at all then everyone would know by the end of the day.

I’m wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, black and white ‘old skool’ Vans, my shirt was just a plain yellow crop top with a black tank top tucked into the band of my pants; my black hair was straightened falling to the middle of my back and my phone was placed in my back pocket with earbuds attached and streaming music through my ears.

With around 30 minutes left before I had to be on the way to school I decided to stop by the donut shop down the road and grab a sausage biscuit. My dad was waiting in the living room for me as I bounded down the stairs. Usually he would be gone by now, but seeing as it’s my last first day of highschool, he made an exception.

“You look beautiful, Pumpkin.” I grinned at him pulling him into a hug.

“Dad, I’m like 17 years old. Can we not keep calling me Pumpkin?”

“Keep rubbing it in my face that you’re about to be an adult and I swear Thalia I will take your car and drive you to school everyday for the rest of the year.”

He was joking of course, humor laced his voice, but I knew he was sad about me growing up. Ever since mom died he’s dreaded me leaving the house.

“Okay, you can call me whatever you want, but please don’t take baby.”

I clutched my keys and he shoved me softly, I could see tears building in his eyes now.

“Dad, don’t cry.”

“Your mom would be so proud of you.”

“Well I mean I could still drop out, start hanging out with that Hood kid again.” I joked, not at all blind to the irony of that sentence. Now wasn’t the best time but I was testing the water to see if he still felt the same about Calum.

“If you dropped out, I would hope you would have better taste than that.” He said while he followed me to the door “Now go get some food, I don’t need you starving on me.”

“I wouldn’t starve if you’d cook every once in a while.” I sang, walking off of the porch.

“Yeah and I wouldn’t have grey hair if I didn’t have you.”

I rolled my eyes and sat down in my car, I started it before buckling my seatbelt and plugging in my aux cord. I noticed a text from Calum on the screen and quickly made sure my dad was back inside before checking it.

Cal - Hey, are we still meeting at Shipleys before school

Me - Yeah I’m on my way now

I put my phone in my cup holder and put my car in reverse accelerating down the driveway. I didn’t even get out of the neighborhood before traffic started to ruin my morning. From busses picking up kids, to new drivers not knowing what in the hell they’re doing I was ready to pull my hair out. It took me about eight minutes to get to the small donut shop, when I pulled into the parking lot I saw Calum leaning on his 67’ Impala staring down at his phone. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a black Green Day shirt, black and white hightop converse, and his hair was styled in a quiff. I pulled up next to him snapping his attention from his screen and he smiled through my window at me. As soon as I stepped out of my car he pulled me into his arms.

“I missed you.” He mumbled into the side of my neck

“Cal, it’s been two days.”

“I could be really cheesy and say two days without you is like two years but-”

“Ew. We aren’t in a fanfiction Calum. Calm down.” I laughed and grabbed his hand pulling him through the double doors of the shop.

We sat down, both of us having sausage biscuits and juice.

“So do I just not get a good morning kiss?” He laughed scooting closer to me in the booth.

“Mmm I gotta think about that.”

He scoffed and placed his pointer finger and thumb on my chin pushing my head gently towards him. I smiled up at him as his moved his hand to cup my jaw and attach our lips. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to skip school and go back to his house with him. Not to do anything but just simply to be with him, there’s a huge chance that we won’t have any classes together and neither of us are happy about it.

“How likely do you think it is that your dad lets you hang out with Becca after school?”

“If I play it right, there’s a very high chance.”

-------

Calabasas High School is the only place or thing in this world that I can genuinely say that I hate. Walking into the school with Calum by my side was a little better though, and knowing that we would be meeting the boys in the cafeteria was even better. We could find most of our schedules on the school website but most of them weren’t official, that’s why the student body was gathered in the cafeteria that morning. Tables lined the walls with letters printed on bright pieces of paper taped to the walls above them, administrators stood at the head of the table asking for last names and handing out those damned slips of paper.

“Thalia! Calum!” Ashtons voice carried through the large room “We’re over here!” Calum extended his neck to look through the crowd and spotted them over by the ‘I-K’ table. As we pulled through the crowd of people with our hands locked together Calum noticed some people staring and whispering amongst themselves. He didn’t laugh about it or flip them off like usual, instead he undid our hands and shoved them firmly to his side. My face twisted in confusion, but I didn’t let it go to my head.

“Holy shit, we’re seniors.” Luke said with a wide smile on his face, Mikey laughed and flung his arm over my shoulder.

“One more year until college.” He sang in my ear.

“Yeah yeah get off of me so I can go get my schedule.”

I shoved him off jokingly and glanced over at Calum for a moment. I thought about asking him to come with me but his efforts to avoid eye contact were enough to sway me from that decision.

I stood awkwardly in the ‘A-C’ line staring at my phone. For three and a half years at least one of the boys have been by my side almost all the time. Being surrounded by all these people with all the guys across the room is just weird.

“Last name please.” Mrs. Brown asked when I found myself at the front of the line

“Baker.”

“Nathalia?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She grabbed a slip of paper and handed it to me with a smile on her face. I returned the smile and turned to walk away, I was promptly stopped when I bumped into someone.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry.”

“Watch where you’re going.” The voice scoffed. I looked up and saw Audrey standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a sneer plastered on her face. It’s the first day of school, and there is no way in hell that I’m letting my day be ruined by her of all people.

“Sorry, have a good day.” I smiled cocking my head to the side and walking away. The boys were all standing in a circle looking at their schedules and when I made my way over to them Calum was the first one to notice me.

“Princess,” He smiled over to me “What lunch do you have?”

“Second.”

“Oh thank God.” Ashton breathed out “The group is safe for the semester.”

“So I’m assuming we all have second lunch?”

“Yup, now what do your classes look like?” Calum asked and pulled me into his lap.

“I have english first period, Trigonometry second, Biology third, Psychology fourth, then lunch. I get out after lunch, but do we have any of those four together?”

“We have every single one of those classes together except for Psychology, babe.”

I smiled and then looked over at the other boys, silently asking them the same question. Michael was the first one to respond telling me that we had Psychology together. Turns out that Ashton and Luke have Trig with Calum and I; and Luke and Calum both got out after lunch with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

All the classes that passed before Psychology were a blur, for lack of a better word, even though I liked my teachers I just wasn’t interested in the subjects. I planned on majoring in Psychology when I got to college though so I could already tell this was going to be my favorite class.

The bell rang signaling all of us to take our seats, I sat in the middle of the class next to Michael and a light skinned girl with the most beautiful hair I think I’ve ever seen.

Listen. I am a sucker for ethnic hair.

“Good afternoon class, My name is Mr. Rogers and I will be you Psych teacher this year.” The man turned to reveal dark brown eyes and a nicely kept beard. He was unloading his bag onto the desk at the front of the classroom, pulling out a computer, a notebook, and a phone. “Let’s start with the cliches, starting from the first person in row one everyone stand up and tell us your name, and one fact about you. We’ll go to the back and circle back to the front.”

The class groaned at the instruction, but that didn’t sway the man’s decision. So as he sat down in his rolling chair and propped his feet on top on the desk the first student stood to her feet; she looked rather nervous and seeing as how I have never once seen her around this school I’m just assumed she was new.

“Hi, uhm. My name is Kaitlin - but I go by KayKay. And I just moved here from Texas.”

See I knew she was new. The next few people went at a boring pace, I knew almost all of these kids, and most of their facts were their ages or their pets names. Like come one, think of something original. We got to the third row about three seats in when Arzaylea stood up with an annoying smile plastered on her equally annoying face.

“Hi, My name is Arzaylea, or Arzay, and I-”

“Like to cheat on great guys.” I mumbled loud enough for about half of the class to hear it causing them to turn to me with shocked expressions.

“What did you just say?” She scoffed moving to place her hand on the table next to her supporting her standing position.

“I said I like cheese whiz, bitch.”

“Okay, so this got passionate quick. Moving along swiftly. Who’s next?” The teacher asked in an all too amused voice. When the next person stood to go , I believe it was Derek Green , I pulled my phone out and noticed a message from Michael.

Shicken Nugget - K but it’s so not fair that the other guys weren't here to see that.

Me - It’ll be okay.

Shicken Nugget - You should’ve punched her

Me - maybe next time

Shicken Nugget - Just let me know beforehand so I can record it and hold it close to my heart forever

I scoffed at the message and looked over to him, he was trying his best to not laugh at my reaction. Before I knew it the girl in front of me stood up and introduced herself. Prompting little ole me to think of my one fact. I stood up on my turn and spoke.

“My name is Nathalia Baker, Thalia. And I-”

“Sleep with four guys because I have no other friends and they wouldn’t keep me around if I didn’t.” Arzaylea didn’t even bother to mumble, she just straight up said it. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as amused faces moved to stare at me. I cannot go through this rumor again. I saw Mikey move his phone up his chest very obviously recording, and I knew I had to make this juicy.

“I mean lucky for me that’s a very false rumor. Sadly for you, your Chlamydia is very very real.” I chose to ignore the look on her face and turned back to the teacher with a small smile. “But anyways, I’m taking this class because I plan to major in Psych when I get to college.”

I sat back down with a smug smile on my face, the look on Michael's face was priceless, and I couldn’t help but literally cackle at it.

~~~~~~~~

“I’m just ready for the best nap ever.” Calum groaned tugging me closer to him and burying his face into my neck.

“I miss my bed.” I mumbled back

“Don’t you mean my bed?”

“No, babe, I mean I miss my bed.”

I pulled away from him and moved away. Thanks to Arzaylea there was a good chance that the one rumor that literally almost forced me into homeschooling could be starting back up.

I mean, I couldn’t even walk down the hall to the bathroom in one of the guys hoodies without being called a slut. Just imagine what would be said if they found out Calum and I were actually a thing.

“Dudes. She did the funniest shit in fourth period.” Michael laughed pulling his phone out and clicking on the video. “Okay so, bitch brought up that rumor that Audrey started a couple years ago and Thalia literally slaughtered her.”

We listened to the short video and Luke choked on his pizza. Calum laughed, but he didn’t miss the opportunity to look over to me with a worried look on his face.

“You did not!” He laughed allowing his deep dimples to pop. “Did she do anything?”

“I mean she like glared at me, but what else was she going to do? I’m not fighting her and risking my scholarship.”

“That’s my smart girl.” Calum moved to place his hand on my thigh but I pushed it away.

“I’m going to head home and start on the english paper.” I shuffled to push my notebook into my bag and grab my keys “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I avoided eye contact with all of them but I in no way missed their worried expressions. I made it halfway through the parking lot before I heard Ashton running after me.

“Thalia! Hey, are you okay? You seem off.”

“I’m fine, Ash. Today just didn’t...go the way I thought it would.” I kept my eyes leveled with the ground and my hands gripped tightly to the strap of my bag.

“Well do you want to go out with the guys and I tonight? We were going to go see a movie-”

“No. I have to get a head start on this paper.”

I didn’t give him a chance to say anything back, instead I glanced up quickly just and caught sight of Calum trying to make his way to me. My body turned itself around despite what my heart wanted and walked itself to my car.

I love all four of those boys, I love them so much. Even though the rumors don’t bother me as much as they used to I can’t keep myself from thinking about what would happen when people do find out that Calum and I are dating, would they get worse? Would they go away?

I’ve got one year left in this school, so maybe it would be better if I distanced myself.

#calumhood #michael 5sos #luke 5sos #calum 5sos #5sosimagines #ashton irwin #luke hemmings #michael clifford #5sos #ashton 5sos #5sosau #5secondsofsummer #new book #series

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hardlyinteresting · 5 years

Text

Eden Chapter 2 🍋

“This is the guest room, it isn’t much—I haven’t had much time to really set it up properly—when I’m gone on Tuesday feel free to take the big bed in the master bedroom”.

Ashton leans against the doorframe as Eden places her backpack and shoulder bag on the bed.

Looking around the room she takes note of the way the sun streams through the trees outside the large window across the room; large leaf patterns splashed across the floor. The room is painted a light shade of grey, furnished with a small desk on one end of the room, across from it is the double bed with white sheets and too many pillows. “I’m trying to find some art I’d like to put up. Maybe some enlarged photographs of nature or something--I don’t know,” Ashton shrugs.

“It’s just fine for me,” Eden turns and smiles at the man, “thank you for letting me stay here. I know Calum probably already thanked you, but thank you from me as well”.

“Not a problem,” he assures her, “Listen, I’m supposed to be having a party tonight, before the boys and I go away, I’d like it if you’d join us. A friend of Calum’s is a friend of mine”. Eden smiles, “I’d love to join you guys. A friend of Calum’s is a friend of mine as well”.

“Cool, well I’ll see you this evening. Calum is coming over in a bit to help set up. I can only assume you two will want to talk as well”.

Eden smiles and nods politely before taking a seat on the edge of the bed. She watches his figure in the doorway and notices how tall he is for the first time, in his defence, she knows most people are taller than her, she’s only 5′3″. She likes his shirt; a red button-up with a 1950′s flare, tucked into his black pants. It suits him she decides- edgy, but gentlemanly and reserved. Handsome.

“I don’t mean to pry, but did you bring enough stuff with you?” Ashton speaks up motioning towards her backpack.

Eden laughs at this, “Yeah, I did. The trick is rolling your things, not folding. My dad taught me that”.

“I’ll have to try that when I pack my stuff tomorrow,” he grins, “I’ll leave you to it then”.

_____

The next time Ashton sees Eden is a couple hours later when Calum has joined them and she’s finished unpacking the few things she brought with her.

She’s changed into a white cropped tank top and black denim shorts. Her makeup is done in warm metallic tones. Her cheekbones stand out and her eyes look even bigger and brighter than they already did.

“Hey, Cal!” She laughs running to wrap him in a hug

“How are you love?”

“Definitely been worse,” she grins squishing Calum’s cheeks between her hands, she presses a kiss to his forehead, “I’ve missed you”.

“I’ve missed you too,” he admits pulling her into another hug dramatically rocking her back and forth. “Let’s start drinking!”

“Beer?” Ashton offers Eden.

“Got anything stronger?”

“I have whiskey, vodka and tequila”

“Whiskey please”. She smiles.

“Need a mixer?”

“No, I’m good. Thanks”.

By the time the rest of the guests have arrived the original trio are already tipsy. The speakers are blasting “Ashton’s signature party playlist” the bass shaking the house. Eden weaves her way through the crowds of people, her hips swaying to the beat of the music.

Taking a sip from his red solo cup Ashton watches as Eden makes her way back over to him and Calum. “why have not met her before today?” Calum just shrugs, “Didn’t really think about it”. “Didn’t think about it?” “Believe it or not Ash I bring my friends around to hang out, not just to hook them up with you,” Calum smirks elbowing his friend playfully. Ashton only sends him an equally playful glare in return. “No, in all honesty, she’s been busy--she’s not looking for anyone. And the last time I checked neither were you”. Ashton nods accepting Calum’s explanation. Eden comes to stand with the two of them, she passes Calum another beer and downs the liquid in her cup.

Karma Chameleon fades out and Footloose starts to play. Eden throws her head back laughing, her smile bright, the glitter on her cheekbones catching the light.

“I love this song!” She exclaims, “You’ve got to dance with me!” She reaches for Calum’s arm but he shakes his head laughing. “I’ve danced enough for one night love, Ashton will dance with you”.

Ashton swallows hard. He can’t help but feel as though he’s been thrown under the bus. How can he say ‘no’? He doesn’t dance, but he sure as hell isn’t going to turn down his last chance at getting to know the beautiful woman who walked into his life. ‘all things happen for a reason’ he tells himself.

Tipping back his cup he finishes his drink before holding out his hand to Eden.

Her hand is much smaller than his, but still, she manages to hold tight guiding him back through the crowd to the makeshift dance floor in what’s usually the dining room.

Sorry, this took me so long to write and sorry that it’s probably trash. I really haven’t been doing well lately and I’ve been focusing on getting better, seeing doctors and therapists and getting new meds. It’s just all been a lot and I’ve been so tired and super unmotivated recently. Thank you for your understanding.

@irwinkitten @sophiealiice @asht0ns-world @lilytalebi @therainydays4

#5sos #ashton irwin #ashton 5sos #ashton irwin imagine #ashton irwin x reader #5 seconds of summer #5sos ship #5sos imagine #5sos ships #ashton irwin 5sos #ashtons lemon tree #lemon child #ashton irwin imagines #ashton irwin one shot #ashton irwin fanfic #5 seconds of summer x reader

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peachximagines · 6 years

Text

I Fall Apart

Warning: Angsty, sexual content, swearing

Pairing: Female!reader x Calum

Word Count: 2.6k

A/N: this is my first requested writing :) Requests are open, feel free to use my ask box. Thank you @idekxhood for the request!

Request: “Hi idk if you do requests but if you doo can you do one for me with Cal where him and the reader have been broken up for a few months and the boys invite her over and she gets emotional seeing Calum and she’s crying or whatever and they end up making out or sleeping together and then they get back together? Idk I thought it’d be cute but if you don’t do that type of thing it’s cool ☺️❤️”

The break up was cordial. If that’s what you call slowly drifting apart and then finally sitting down to end things that already felt over. We both decided that since he is going on tour, it was best that Calum and I broke up. It would be hard for us to see each other, we already saw each other so little as is. Nothing in me wanted what we had to end. The increase in tour prep drove a wedge in the time we had together. I had deadlines, he had pavement to hit. Our love life just wasn’t in the cards. I tried to ignore the ache in my chest every time I watched an interview or heard Youngblood on the radio but nothing could stop the yearning my soul had for him. I did still keep in touch with Luke though. Talking to him throughout the “grieving” period. He kept tabs on Calum telling me he was okay, telling me he was doing the same for Calum. I would get occasional, “he loves you, talk to him” advice from the boys, but I never took it. Getting almost daily calls from Luke was a constant, but what I didn’t expect was an invite.

“Just a little get together, some drinks, some friends.” I bite at my raw cuticles, thinking of all the reasons this would be a bad idea. “Yes, Calum will be there but you were our friend before you two dated. That can’t change, dude.” I hate how right he was.

“What time should I be there?” Luke lets out a victory cheer.

“Get ready now, come now, Sierra and I miss you.” I smile at his enthusiasm, promising not to take too long and hang up. I breathe out, clutching my phone tightly in my hands. One night, a couple of drinks with my ex and his best friends couldn’t be bad. I shakily text my group chat, telling them about my poor decisions. A flood of messages telling me to dress to impress vibrates my phone to the point of a mini earthquake in my hand. I shuffle to my bedroom, looking through my closet for an outfit the screams, “I totally didn’t listen to Lie to Me on repeat and cried on my way home from work!” A casual pair of ripped jeans is my choice of the day. I grab a black crop and settle on leaving my hair in its natural state. I add lipgloss and a tiny bit of highlighter before leaving the house.

The drive to Luke’s house felt too fast and too slow all at once. I park next to a line of sleek fancy cars before making my way into the house. Classic rock blasts from the house, causing the mahogany door to tremble. I text Luke, making him aware of my presence. Not too long after I press send, the handsome blond man whips open the door. Falling into his arms felt like taking your bra off after work. The fucking best. He squeezes extra tight before pulling away.

“Y/N! I haven’t seen you in forever, how the fuck are you?” The slight smell of alcohol off his breath explains his overzealous behavior. I grin, loving every minute of it.

“I’m great, how are you and the Mrs.?”

“Speaking of the devil,” I turn and see Sierra. She’s an actual goddess. I rush into her arms, feeling her grip. For such a petite girl, she hugs just as good as her gargantuan boyfriend. I go to ask her about herself but then he and I meet eyes. Calum takes a swig of his beer. He starts making his way in my direction. I feel my smile falter.

“Y/N.” He says. I give him a tight-lipped smile. “It’s been a while.”

“6 months, Calum.” I nod, turning away from him in search of alcohol. A pit grows in my stomach. Anxiety and sadness fight in me, trying to see who will make me feel worse. I scan the area for an escape route, spotting people in the kitchen. Ashton talks to Jack over the island in the kitchen, bonding over some music. I grab a beer from the cooler, joining the boys. I down the slightly chilled beer, wishing to wash away the feelings I had in me. Ashton averts his attention to me.

“Hey beautiful, how are you?” I finish off my beer in a few too little chugs. “That bad?” I nod, whipping my mouth with the back of my hand.

“I didn’t think seeing him would feel like this, yet here I fucking am.” I reach for another beer. I crack it open, drinking it down quickly.

“Maybe you should slow down, lightweight.” Chills go down my spine, inching across my arms. I lock eyes with him, wishing to be angry or even slightly annoyed. I couldn't do it. Seeing him again was like taking a dive off the diving board. I knew what jumping would entail, but I can never calculate the feeling of your stomach flipping over and over. I honestly thought I could kind of handle this. Being this close to him, smelling the Nautica cologne I gave him for Christmas, seeing the necklace I gave him for his birthday. His entire appearances reeks like the ghost of our past and I feel like the Scrooge.

“Fucking bah humbug,” I grumble, pushing myself out of my seat, taking large steps to reach the bathroom.

“Y/N!” Sierra calls out for me but I ignore it. I don’t want to cry in front of anyone and ruin the mood. I thank the heavens and hell when I reach Luke’s master bedroom, locking myself in the bathroom. I slid down the door, clenching my eyes shut. Finally, I allow the dumb tears to fall. I pull out my phone, shooting an “I was wrong” text to the group chat. I just need to get this crying out the way and drink my sorrows away. That was my plan until I heard knocking at the door. Sierra was too sweet.

“Sorry Si, I was just really-” I unlock the door, opening it up for Calum. He looks nervous and I want to kiss him more than anything. I back up, going to close the door again. He sticks out a fresh bottle of beer.

“Peace offering?” I take it, my fingers gently brushing the tips of his fingers. His fingers. I shake myself out of the thoughts that start and allow him to come in the bathroom with me. I sit on the edge of the tub while Calum sits on the counter, leaving an appropriate amount of room between us. I drink the beer, watching him carefully from the corner of my eye. He doesn’t speak. He just watches me. His jaw was clenched, allowing me to see every tendon and muscle below his beautiful brown skin.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, I just don’t know how to be around you,” Calum shifts, his jeans rubbing against the light ceramic counters.

“No worries,” I shrug, “let’s forget about it.” The heavy silence makes me want to scream.

“So what, you’re just going to act like nothing happened?” The question sounded accusatory. His voice cracked slightly like he was close to tears. I scoff, drinking more of the beer. “Like we didn’t break up? Like the reasons we broke up don’t exist?”

“You were the one who pulled away, Calum. I was there as much as I could be.” He shakes his heads, his jaw never relaxing.

“No. You weren’t there. You were working more than me, staying late, leaving early. You avoided me.” Calum slides off the counter, leaning against it. His muscular arms crossed, his eyes squinting.

“Avoiding you? I was building a career for myself, just like you were doing. ” I stand up from my relaxed position, “Except, you were the one who left Calum!”

“I had a tour! I promised to call, every day! I never broke that.” His face started pinky around his cheeks, his eyes slightly widened with anger.

“That’s fucking rich. I needed you while you were at home, not on tour.” I tip back the beer, taking the rest down in one gulp. “You should’ve tried when we together, not when we were falling apart.” I step away from him, my head swimming. WIth my back now to Calum, I pull on the door, hoping for a hasty exit.

“You promised,” He choked out, voice breaking. His gaze was shifted down, eyes filled with tears that were so fucking close to spilling. “You promised we’d be together. I fucking loved you. I still do. I write songs about the love we had. I write songs about how I fucking feel because you left me.” He sniffs, fiddling with the bottle cap.

“Calum,” I start, letting go of the door handle.

“What changed, huh?” He wiped a tear from his cheeks. “What made you stop loving me? You said it, we’d be together. You promised me, so what changed?” I shake my head, tears of my own accumulating.

“Nothing, nothing fucking changed.” He finally meets my eyes, a sob escaping my throat. Tears streamed down his face endlessly.

“We were more than okay, baby. We were in love.” Calum steps towards me, grabbing my wrists tenderly. “We wanted to get married.”

“Cal, please,” I want to pull from his grip, scream at him for bringing every feeling I had for him back a tenfold.

“I fucking love you, Y/N.” The sincerity, the passion is all too much. The sobs leave my mouth in choppy hiccups.

His arms wrap around me like they belong there. Because they do. Calum belongs with me, against me, holding me.

“I’m so in love with you, more than anything.” I grab his damp cheeks, pressing our lips together feverishly. People always say that when you kiss someone after a long time, it feels like the first time. This was nothing like our first time. This feels rushed, desperate just to be touching. Starved for each other. Calum brings a large hand up my spine pressing my chest even closer to him. Our lips separate, Calum starts making quick work of kissing anywhere he can reach. My neck, my chest, my collarbones. His mouth was all over me and I needed him. I needed him physically, mentally and emotionally.

“Please,” I whimper out, not knowing what I was even begging for.

“Sh, baby. I’ve got you. I’ll take care of you,” the feverish kisses slow down, light airy ones sprinkle my skin. His kisses were the dictionary definition of love. He makes quick work of lifting me onto the counter, pulling my crop top off of me in record time. I smile at him, teary-eyed but in love. He looks beautiful. The soft yellow light of the bathroom is forgiving on our sob wrecked faces. Calum looks like a fucking prince.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers gently against my jaw. His breaths were short and frequent against my skin. I wanted him to pull me in and never let me go. “Just tell me you love me, baby, let me hear you.” His fingers trail the inside of my thigh, inching closer to where I need him. I go almost completely lax, letting my head gently thud against the mirror. Calum takes the opportunity to lick his way down my chest to my tits, sucking a hickey in cleavage view.

“I love you Calum,” I whine softly, spreading my legs for him a little more. “I’m in love with you.” He moans against my skin, the vibrations arousing me even the slightest bit more. I squirm a little, pressing my crotch against his hand.

“Gimme more,” I beg softly. Calum licked his lips, nodding and tugging down the zipper of my too tight jeans.

“I’ve been wanting to get you out of these since I saw your pretty ass walk in baby.” It takes longer than necessary to shimmy out of the jeans. As Calum finally yanks them off, he trips falling onto the floor. I gasp.

“I’m fine!” He scrambles up, cheeks pink with arousal and now in embarrassment. “All good in the Hood.” he winks while I groan in annoyance, pulling him back to me kissing those stupid lips. With only my panties as a barrier, his touch was intoxicating. HIs fingers play with my pussy gently, keeping on the edge without giving me what I wanted.

“Calum, please,” I beg, pushing his hand harder against my core.

“Six months baby, six months,” he growls it into my ear. “I went six months without touching my girl’s pussy so I’m gonna take my fucking time. Be good.” I want to come just from his words. Our lips meet again, the same hunger returning. Like Zeus himself answered my prayers, Calum pushes his middle finger deep in me. I gasp, missing the solid feeling of being just slightly full. I rub my pussy his hand, trying to gain even a bit more friction. He was barely doing anything and god damn it felt so delicious.

“That’s it, baby, I told you I’d take care of you.” The weight behind his words was more than just sexual. I nod wantonly, rolling my hips against his hand. “Can I put another finger baby? Would you like that, beautiful?” I nod, needing more from him. Anything. The feeling of two fingers slowly consumed me and I could’ve just came right there. His thumb toys with my clit softly, jolts of pleasure hit me every few seconds. Calum’s mouth returns to my tits, while his free hands rubs himself through his jeans. The familiar build of tension forms in my stomach.

“Cal, please I’m so close.” He moans while sucking on my chest. His hot wet mouth on my skin, his long fingers rubbing it was enough to push me over the edge. I came hard, choking out his name like it was the only thing I could think of. My thighs trembled as his fingers picked up the pace, another wave of my unfinished orgasm hitting me harder giving me the pleasure that I’ve been missing. Slowly, he pulls his fingers out from me, promptly sticking them in his mouth. I watched with my mouth slightly agape as he licks his fingers cleans. I smile, pulling him closer by his waistband, sliding a cautious hand down the front of his pants.

“Not gonna last long, princess. Probably gonna cream myself just from you touching me,” I bite my lip, not too bothered with the idea. I work my hand over his cock, keeping it in his boxers. His eyes flutter shut, his hips start thrusting deeply against my hand. The view of him was something out of a porno. His cheeks were flushed, his hair was in his face. His eyes were squinted, just enough to stare at my hand but still get lost in the pleasure. His grip on my thighs tighten.

“Come for me, Cal. I fucking wanna feel your thick cock come all over my hands.” I kiss his cheeks, the warm skin slightly salty. “Please, I want it so bad.” I kiss his parted cherry red lips. His tongue pushes its way into my mouth. I swallow his groans as thick white spurts cover my hand. His groans were rough and jagged like he hasn’t come in a while. I whisper soft praises in his ear, rubbing a little more. I pull my sticky hand out his pants, quickly running it under warm water from the sink. Calum chuckles, pulling my body against his, kissing me like it was all he wanted to do.

“I know shit’s fucked right now,” he swallows, still a little out of breath, “but we can do this baby. You and me against the world.” I kiss his cheeks, the warm pink skin familiar as my own skin.

“You and me against the world.”

#calum x reader #calum x black!reader #calum hood #calum hood imagine #peachximagines #angst #/angst #/swearing

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