could you pls do first kiss with bestfriend calum? they both like each other but they won’t admit it until the reader thought that cal was seeing someone. pls make it angsty but fluffy ending. thank youuu ❤️
Calum saw your gaze across the room; noticed the glint of pain that captured your eyes and made your lip tremble slightly. Your nervous hands played at the hem of your shirt, thumbs running over the stitching absentmindedly. Calum didn’t understand why you were so downtrodden but seeing his best friend hurting hurt him. He left a conversation with an acquaintance; a friend of a friend he only ever spoke to when parties or occasions brought friend groups together. He crossed the room, the thump of music from the party reverberating through him. You wouldn’t look at him as he approached and it made his heart sink. Things had been rocky between you two for the past couple of weeks. Unspoken awkwardness lingering thickly in the air during any encounter. It was a stark contrast to how things normally were.
You’d gone from nearly being attached at the hip with comfortable silences to hardly seeing him at all—in the midst of silences that felt like drowning. Calum didn’t know why and didn’t like it in any sense. He’d grappled with his emotions and feelings, the ones attached to you in particular, many times before, but this was different. The distance was harrowing and hard to swallow. You turned away from him as he approached and he couldn’t help the offended and exasperated sigh that slipped from him. It caught your attention and brought you back to him, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossing over your chest in a protective manner. He didn’t say anything and neither did you; a glass wall of silence and uncertainty separating you. And then your footsteps stalking off adding distance to the equation once more. He followed you, matched you stride for stride until you were both outside on the porch where the music was just a distant thump and the night made the mood that much darker.
“What’s wrong?” Calum finally asked, attempting with a simple question to break the glass barrier and pick up pieces of your past.
“Nothin,” you lied—forcing casualty but knowing Calum could pick up on your lies as easy as breathing.
“Then why is it so weird between us lately?” He asked as you leaned against a column of the porch and looked out into the night.
“It’s not my fault,” you mumbled and took the breath away from Calum. He could spot your lies as easy as inhaling but you could rip his breath away as easy as speaking.
“You’re the one who won’t even look at me,” he replied as he rounded you and settled on a step below you, forcing you to meet his gaze. You were eye to eye now, the extra height from the step above putting you nearly level with him.
“Because you stopped talking to me,” you said and Calum could hear the hurt and the strain it took to force those words out. He saw the sheen in your eyes of tears that were threatening to fall. “Ever since you started dating her.”
A wave of confusion hit Calum but when it broke it left him cold and even more breathless than before. He thought back to a few weeks ago when things had started falling apart. He’d gone a just a couple of dates with a girl who was nice enough. Ashton had plotted the set up and Calum felt obligated to go. He had a nice enough time, even told you about the first date and you’d smiled—thinking back now it wasn’t your usual smile, it didn’t reach your eyes and there was no small huff of delight to accompany it—but it hadn’t gone much further than a couple of dates that ended in nothing more than an agreement of friendship. He realized he hadn’t told you that. He hadn’t mentioned it didn’t work out with her. He realized he really hadn’t spoken to you since then.
He’d been fighting with his feelings. Stuck in a war with himself. He knew why it didn’t work with her. She wasn’t you. But he couldn’t come out and tell you that. He didn’t want to ruin the friendship you had if his feelings were unrequited. So he suffered in silence and kept it in. He didn’t realize in the moment that he was pushing you away but stood one step below you with only inches of space between you he could now feel it. His lip trembled as he gathered his courage and found his breath; thought through his words and placed a hand on your shoulder. You didn’t flinch but you didn’t react either.
“I’m not dating her,” he began and noted the way your shoulders seemed to sag in relief. “I haven’t been. We went on two dates. It didn’t work. We didn’t click. Not like we do.”
Your eyes stopped searching the night beyond and started searching his eyes. Found his honesty and the implications of words unsaid. He knew there were a million questions in your head. He knew the purse of your lips was because you were lost in thought but all he could think of was kissing you; showing you everything that he meant. And so, with slow motion to give you time to pull away or reciprocate Calum moved forward, closed the minimal distance and spoke to you without words. The kiss was quick but meaningful and more than he could’ve imagined. He was going to pull away, to give you a moment to consider but you pulled him back in and answered his query with another kiss. This one was longer, filled with need rather than questions. The need to understand each other. To reinforce all that you were to each other. To find your ways back to each other after distance that threatened to tear you apart.
And when you pulled away Calum went back to being breathless but filled with certainty that he could talk to you; no matter what. With or without words. You’d understand him and he’d understand you.
***
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oooooooooooohhh evie this is so exciting!! what about first kiss with enemies-to-lovers!cal??
I kinda ran away with this one. Hope y’all enjoy. Word count: 1.5k
You didn’t know how you ended up on a walk home with Calum; one of few people who could undoubtedly get under your skin and push all the wrong buttons. You didn’t remember when your disdain for him had grown, you didn’t even remember why. There had just always been an air of negativity—something that dug into you and wouldn’t let go. You surmised that maybe it had something to do with his cocky grins, the questions he asked and the responses he gave; a sharp wit matched with a sharp tongue giving you more than enough to verbally spar with. And you had—plenty of times. Usually during run ins where mutual friends brought you together. House parties where you’d comment on the music and he always had the exact opposite opinion. Where girls had lustful and longing eyes wandering after his every move and guys kept you distracted from the slights you felt towards him. But walking home with him was different.
The change in atmosphere from overcrowded, overly loud and overwhelming to silent and almost serene struck a contrast you couldn’t ignore. He was calm, less jaded and more settled. Occasionally you bumped shoulders, a narrow sidewalk keeping you close together. You moved away on instinct, automatically shifting to create space between you once more. Only once did you glance toward Calum to see a smirk painted across his face, a confidence you couldn’t replicate and never saw anywhere else keeping his shoulders squared and jaw set. You rolled your eyes, a small breath escaping you and colliding into the cool night air. It was Calum who turned next; eyes curious and too confident to waver as you caught his gaze.
“What?” He asked, voice sure and strong around one syllable. You shook your head to feign uncertainty at his question, wanting to make him explain himself and his one worded question. “What’s wrong? Why are you huffing?”
You pursed your lips, not at all surprised he’d call you out in such a bold way. If there was one thing about Calum’s attitude that you could almost appreciate it was his way of always meaning what he said and saying what he meant. You rolled your shoulders back and let out another breath; perhaps to collect yourself and your thoughts but more likely to annoy him further, keep him curious and waiting.
“It’s nothing,” you said, catching the hitch in your pitch and grimacing, your tell of lying shining through. Calum gave you a doubtful look. “It’s just—why are you even walking me home?”
You decided aversion and changing the subject would be best, unsure that you would even be able to put into words the reason for your attitude. In retrospect you knew he had done almost nothing to annoy you that night. Just one smirk was enough to get you riled up, and maybe, just maybe, that was on you. Not him.
“It’s late. Dark. Excuse me for caring and being a gentleman.”
You laughed dryly. “You do not care about me.”
Calum shrugged that off with an incredulous look. “Sure I do. What gave you that impression?”
His admittance and question stopped you in your tracks, deadpan yet confused. Calum was a few steps ahead of you, not stopping to accommodate your confusion—because of course he wouldn’t—when you finally shook yourself and took long strides to catch up to him. Your brow furrowed and fingers curled into your palms. There was a beat of pause while you reconciled with his words; unsure if he meant them or said them just to get a reaction out of you. But his eyes didn’t linger like usual when in a moment of heated debate and button pushing. He did not smirk or raise an eyebrow in challenge. He simply said the words and kept moving; said the words as if they were easy to admit.
“Since when?” You finally managed to get out; thoughts tumbling into one another, forming chaos and uncertainties you couldn’t deal with on a moment’s notice.
Calum shrugged, shoulders hitching and dropping in a quick burst as he kept moving forward; your apartment complex coming into view just up the sidewalk a piece.
“Does it matter?” He challenged, tone firm and steely. He stopped and it took everything in you not to be petty and keep walking as he had done moments earlier. You prided yourself on being the bigger person and stalling your steps.
“Yes.”
Your one worded answer had him laughing. It wasn’t the same kind of laugh you usually heard from him; not the dry humorless kind that spilled from him when he disagreed with your music taste. Nor the over exaggerated guffaw when your date of the night said something even you found outlandish. This laugh was tamer, more genuine and reserved. Less laughing at you and more laughing because of you. Not with you; not quite.
“Why is that so funny?” You asked, irritation building though it was hard to muster when his laughter was light and airy and begged for a giggle or two of your own to join him.
He shrugged again and it took every ounce of effort not to roll your eyes. “I’ve always cared about you. Don’t agree with you ninety percent of the time. I think your tastes in music and movies and men are trash, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care.”
Calum started walking again, but his steps were small and he threw you a look as if asking if you were following. Following his movement and his words. It took a moment to process; memories flashing in quick replays. How Calum would linger to make sure your dates behaved, the quickness in which he had snatched a cup out of your hand and told you to never leave your drinks unattended, the questions he’d asked always prompting true colors from people. It hit you hard and fast. All those instances turning cockiness to caring. Flipping switches of annoyance to gratitude.
You bit your lip as you scurried to match his new pace. “Would my taste be so awful if I said I might somehow weirdly care for you too?”
“There’s always exceptions to the rules,” he grinned and for one of the first times you found it to be endearing; less conceited and more joking. “This is your stop, right?”
You nodded as the old brick building bore down on you. Your eyes flickered from an escape to a risk. From home to unknown territories.
“Yeah. Thanks for walking me home,” you said, the words foreign on your tongue in such a context and to Calum himself.
You shifted, unsure what your next move should be. Walking away and leaving all these new discoveries behind; left to the night where shadows were the only witnesses, or to dive headfirst into them. Calum was still, waiting for you, waiting with a welcoming presence you’d never picked up on before. You closed the distance between you, placed a small peck to his cheek and felt the warmth washing through him against the cold night on your lips.
“G’night, Calum,” you said in a whisper laced with disbelief.
You weren’t sure you could admit it at that moment, still too riled up and confused, but the small form of affection felt right. You were mid turn, about to make your way up to the building but Calum’s hand gently caught hold of yours, spun you back around. His eyes searched yours, body leaning in slowly, waiting for a type of permission. You nodded your head minutely, eyes fluttering shut as he leaned down to press his lips to yours. It was momentary, soft and gentle, easy yet alarming. Your entire body was ablaze, goosebumps rising on your arms as they came to wrap around the back of his neck, stood on tiptoes as you sought to deepen the kiss. Your mind was hazy, filled with what the hell’s and why the hell not’s. You weren’t sure how long it lasted and once you broke apart you weren’t sure it would ever happen again.
“That’s how you say goodnight,” Calum chided in a light tone; those giggles you’d suppressed from earlier finding way to the surface.
“You always have to one up me, huh?”
He merely nodded, tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear and shifted to break the hold you had on him. You let him go, still unsure what exactly happened, why it happened and what it all meant. The only thing you did know for sure was that for once you actually looked forward to seeing Calum again.
***
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ooo first time going over to cal's place (maybe a sleepover?? you decide). I just like imagining what his house looks like/smells like/feels like. congrats on one year also that is v impressive :)))
Your first thought upon entering Calum’s place was cozy. Throw blankets draped the couch, a set of dog steps led up to the cushions for Duke. A few magazines laid sprawled across the coffee table among picks discarded haphazardly—you could imagine Calum plucking away at his bass, relaxed into plush cushions with Duke snuggled into his side. You’d only been seeing Calum for a few weeks, just a number of official dates under your belt. They always ended on your doorstep; goodbye accompanied by a sweet kiss, something more than a kiss, hope for another hello and another goodbye and another something more to come soon.
Calum’s hand holding yours was warm and welcoming as he gave you a small tour. Cinnamon and savory aromas lightly filled the home, it clung to Calum and you always found it heady; sinking further into his borrowed jackets on walks home and wishing it’d stay with you awhile. He led you past the open concept living room and kitchen where floor to ceiling windows invited moonbeams in, down a hallway with few mementoes lining off white walls. You heard the click of Duke’s steps on the hardwood as he slowly padded after you, curiously seeking out where Calum was bringing you. Two doors down Calum stopped, door stood ajar and an apprehensive pause stalling all movement for just a few seconds. He squeezed your hand as he finally broke the statuesque moment and turned to look at you; eyes soft and sincere.
“D’you wanna stay the night?” He asked in a humble murmur.
Your heart leapt at the question but landed with ease, a smile reaching your eyes as you nodded and felt heat rise to your cheeks. A tint of a rosy blush also captured Calum’s cheeks and you found it endearing. You knew his confidence, he exuded it so easily, so surely, as if every step he took was built with poise and precision, every word he spoke uttered with meaning. To see a ripple of nerves cross him was rare. It was almost exciting. You knew the effect he had on you; could feel it in your quickening heartbeat and tingling fingertips. His ability to spark nerves low in your stomach, to paint modesty in a wash of heat across your cheeks and bring your eyelashes to a flutter was innate and effortless. To now see the way you impacted him heightened all the ways he found his way to you.
Your heart was beating rapidly as he led you through the doorway, Duke trotted off back towards the living room; the click of his claws slowly fading away and being replaced by the audible thud of your heart. You licked your lips as your eyes scanned his bedroom. It was simple but inviting. A four poster bed dominated the space of the room, piled with a luxurious comforter and soft pillows. An oak dresser had a drawer slightly opened and you could imagine Calum forgetting to close it in a rush to the studio that very morning.
Calum spun to face you, hand not releasing its hold and nerves delightfully coursing through your bloodstream. He tucked a strand of loose hair behind your ear, letting fingertips linger and trace down your jawline, goosebumps raising and the yearning want for something more becoming strong willed. It took a small step to close the minimal gap between you, to initiate a sweet kiss with wandering hands coming to settle at your waist and pull you even closer. It didn’t take much more for that yearning to be fulfilled; stumbling steps towards the bed, greedy grips and newfound confidence leading the way through the night.
When you woke the next morning—with a hazy mind and tired body, with soft bruising skin and languid movements—it was to sounds of clattering in the kitchen and sunlight streaming in through open blinds. Calum’s shirt from the previous night was laid out on the end of the bed, inviting you to wear it. It was soft and smelled like him, just like the sheets that adorned the mattress; you sank further into both of their comfortable embraces. Just a moment later Calum opened the door, small smile begging at the corners of his lips and a tray in hand.
“Breakfast?” He asked.
It was with shared pastries, bittersweet coffee and cinnamon kisses all highlighted by morning sun that you realized Calum’s house might someday feel like something more. Something like home.
***
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It was mid afternoon, three preschools previously toured and your tired son tuckered out in Calum’s arms when you finally came across one that seemed of interest to both of you. It was a small school, less students than the last two. It had a homey vibe; run by mother and daughter with sincere eyes and warm words of welcome as you stepped through the entrance. Small plastic chairs and tables dotted the open room, chalkboard with scribbles and attempts at letters and numbers along two dashed lines brought a small smile to your face. It wasn’t until you were wrapped up in conversation with the mother and daughter that you were nearly certain this would be the right place for your son. Calum shifted with your boy still dozed off in his hold, took in all the school had to offer. You watched him, checking for body language to see how he was responding and if he liked it as much as you did.
“We have a playground out back, recess three times a day weather permitting. Fresh air does the kids good,” the mother explained. “We have an annual field trip to the fire station, it’s usually the kids favorite. They get to explore the entire station and sit in the truck.”
You knew if your son was awake he’d be beaming with shining eyes and an insistence of wanting to go in that very moment. His room at home held dozens of firefighter themed toys; trucks and hats and story books alike. You caught Calum’s eye and the deepening smirk, knowing he was having the same thoughts as you.
“We really strive to teach with a hands on approach,” the daughter added. “Letters and numbers are important but so is building good social skills and awareness of the world.”
You weren’t sure there was anything else that needed to be said to sell you on this preschool; but there was a nagging reminder and doubt that rang small bells in your mind. This was the first time choosing a preschool, the first time trusting strangers to help teach your son more than just the alphabet. To make a decision in the moment would be rash. You thanked them for your time and told them you’d be in contact. The walk to the car filled your head with questions. It wasn’t until you were nearly home that Calum spoke up.
“I think the last one is the right one.”
You took a deep breath and nodded. “I think so too, but I want to be sure.”
Calum shot you a look, hands lightly drumming on the steering wheel. He turned his attention quickly back to the road and bit his lip for a moment as he pondered.
“Do you want to tour more options?” He asked.
A part of you wanted to say yes and another part had a feeling more options wouldn’t live up to the last. “I don’t know. Are you sure the last one is good enough?”
“It’s got everything he could need or want,” Calum began and as he continued you realized you already knew exactly what he was saying. “A lot of outside time; you know how stir crazy he gets being cooped up inside all day. A small class size would be less overwhelming for him. And if he found out we didn’t choose the school that goes to the fire station, there would be h-e-l-l to pay.”
You giggled but let his words reaffirm what you already knew. “Then I think it’s a done deal.”
Calum smiled, eyes flicking to the rear view mirror to take a glimpse at your still sleeping son; T-shirt rumpled and curls in disarray from a long day of touring schools.
“You think they need a chaperone for that field trip?” Calum wondered aloud; voice trying to curb excitement.
You let out a full fledged laugh. “That’s why you want to choose that school. You want to sit in a fire truck.”
Calum feigned offense. “I want that school because I agree with its teaching methods and value of fresh air time,” he defended and tacked on, “the fire truck is just a bonus. How could you be against a little father and son field trip bonding time?”
You rolled your eyes while laughing and decided at that moment your minds were made up. You loved the school and trusted the sincere and seemingly nurturing mother and daughter duo to help teach your son through one of his formative years.
“When we have another kid I could go again,” Calum said with a splitting grin and teasing tone.
And Calum loved the annual field trip to the fire station.
***
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I know it’s in your description lmao but first time meeting Luke’s friends would be so cute! Like baby would just want them to like you as much as he does and he would be so happy/proud when he sees you all getting along, ugh he’s such a baby I love him 🥺🥺
You sat on Luke’s lap, worrying at your lip as you waited for his friends to get to the house. It was the first time you’d officially meet them; you had seen them in passing and knew plenty about them, but had yet to have a true conversation or spend more than split seconds in their presence. Luke could sense your nervous energy, his hands coming to rest on top of yours, chin resting on your shoulder as he leaned down to comfort you. You could tell it was on his mind too; wondering how much his friends would take to you, hoping they’d like you as much as him and that you’d like them too. You’d asked him multiple times already if he thought they’d like you, worry evident in your tone, concern clouding your eyes.
You let out a breath and asked one more time. “Are you sure they’ll like me?”
Luke shuffled, readjusting to maneuver you to be facing him. He said a firm yes with a solid nod of his head. “Of course they will. Don’t worry about it.”
You hummed, thinking over his words for about the tenth time that hour. “It’s just-“ you began, voice slightly shaken as you spluttered, trying your best to get out the right words. “They’re all so…”
You spread your arms out, indicating something big and spectacular and then drew them back in, palms nearly touching each other, insinuating something small and ordinary.
“And I’m-“
Luke took your hands and cut off the words he knew you would say and didn’t want to hear. Words he didn’t believe and wouldn’t stand for.
“You’re perfect,” Luke finished for you, placing small kisses to your hands before dragging you forward so your arms wrapped around him and his hands settled at your waist. “And exactly where you’re supposed to be.”
You sighed, body easing into him and worries washing away.
***
Luke watched in wonder as you mingled with his friends. They took to you immediately. Greeted you with hugs and laughter. Told you tales of tours past and listened to your stories as well. Luke stayed by your side the whole night, offering a hand in comfort and you took it though he could tell you were relaxed and having a good time. He couldn’t bite back the smile that grew on his face throughout the night. He loved the way you blended so beautifully with his friends. If he hadn’t known any better he would have assumed you’d been friends with them all along.
Ashton regaled you with a few embarrassing stories that had Luke blushing and hiding his face behind your shoulder, but he didn’t mind, so long as he got to hear your giggle and see you and Ashton getting along so well. Calum always jumped in with his own remarks and Luke was in awe as your wit made Calum double over in laughter. Michael hung on your words and light heartedly prodded you for stories of your relationship; seeing if he might be able to add to the stock pile of funny stories involving Luke. It was a joy to see your anxieties be washed away and replaced with jokes and easy conversation. By the time his friends left Luke felt as if all was right and you turned to him, a confirmation of how well the night went sparkling in your eyes and painted across your face in an easy smile.
“I told you they’d like you,” Luke murmured against your shoulder, dragging you back into him with his arms wound around you. “How could they not?”
You relaxed into Luke’s hold and sighed.
“Like I said,” Luke began, a reminder on the top of his tongue as you twisted to look him in the eye; his hands reaching up to gently glide his fingertips across your cheek. “You’re perfect.”
***
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Congrats on a year!! Can you due a blurb about the first time that Calum calls you “babe” but you actually hate the pet name? And maybe it’s like in front of your friends and one of them call him out?? Nothing too angsty but like just that whole navigating the beginning of a relationship and learning nuances about each other!!
Calum had met your friends a few times before, more in run in situations than proper getting to know each other scenarios. You were still navigating your relationship with him; it was just the beginning with twists and turns that left you both curious. Finding your ways through the relationship could be lighthearted; realizing Calum much preferred his arm slung over your shoulder than hands held, for instance. Some discoveries were heavier; a little more meaningful than a preference for an easy form of affection.
These discoveries came in casual bursts. Happened in day to day life, on dates and during down time. A new one hit in the middle of a small get together. You both decided Cal should get to know your friends a bit more than casual how are yous and usual niceties. You gathered with a few of your closest friends, cramped into your apartment’s small living room as a means of keeping it comfortable and a bit more intimate than a packed public setting. All was going well, stories and laughs being exchanged, a piece of your navigation thus far falling around your shoulders and having Calum pull you just a bit closer. You didn’t mind, quite liked the fact Calum was comfortable enough to show affection to you around your friends; people Calum hardly knew. You made note of it, wanting to remember another discovery brought to you in a quick moment.
The conversation shifted, began to center around you and Calum, friends lightly prying and trying to get the full story out of you both. You had shared small details with them, just enough to give them a glimpse into your new relationship but enough to keep your privacy. It was enough to be exploring new territories together, you didn’t need your friends having a hawk eye view of it all.
Calum’s voice was low and hitching on a wisp of what you might have assumed was embarrassment as your friends kept pushing and he kept explaining. But you had come to know if Calum didn’t want to talk about something he wouldn’t. You concluded the dip in his voice was modesty.
“Our first date was pretty easy going, right babe?” He asked, gaze now landing on you as you held back from wrinkling your nose at his choice of term of endearment. It wasn’t your favorite but with people surrounding you you’d let it slide for now.
“Yeah it was really nice,” you responded, reflecting on the ease of the evening.
One of your friends made a noise and your eyes shot over to her; her eyes confused but also amused.
“Thought you didn’t like being called babe,” she wondered aloud and you sighed, because of course your friends couldn’t keep quiet and let the word go.
Calum shifted, arm dropping from around you as he chanced a glance your way with uneasy eyes and an embarrassed blush capturing his cheeks. He cleared his throat as your friends let out bemused giggles and you knocked your knee against Calum’s, trying to communicate silently as another friend thankfully broke in and changed the subject before the air got too awkward and suffocating.
It was later that night, after your friends had left that you found yourself alone with Calum; the incident from earlier still settled awkwardly between you. You let out a breath and stalked over to take a seat right next to him, hoping his arm would come to settle around you like usual. When it did you smiled and eased into his hold.
“Didn’t know you didn’t like being called babe,” Calum mused and before you could tell him it was okay and talk him out of feeling awkward about it he continued. “What would you like to be called? Sugar princess, cutie pie, lovey bug?”
The laughter that rolled out of you from Calum’s overly ridiculous suggestions helped cut through any lingering awkwardness and settle you both back to normalcy.
“None of those. Ever.”
Calum smiles and pressed a kiss to the top of your head. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
When you didn’t object to the new term Calum realized he may have found a winner. You realized venturing your way through the beginning of this relationship would be as easy as you both decided to make it.
***
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first time bestfriend!cal starts realising he’s not thinking about you the way a best ‘friend’ should... oof
The first realization didn’t come in one grand moment; it was built in pieces of memories. It came to him on a lonely night, a night you’d left but your presence still lingered—the scent of your perfume embedded in his sheets, your sweatshirt left behind because you were always too cold at his house. There were pieces of you everywhere and they infiltrated Calum’s thoughts as he laid awake with the stars. Flashes of you burned through his mind; building something more than his feelings usually allowed. Something similar but more intense in nature, more vivid and terrifying. Though somehow, calm and welcomed nonetheless.
He pictured you in pieces. The smile only he could elicit, the giggles that followed and the feeling of your hand placed on his knee as you doubled over in laughter. The shine of your eyes in sunlight, the bashful blush that warmed your skin because of compliments. The demure curve of your smirks, the sharp wit that filled your mind and graced your conversations. The magnetic pull you had on him; through friendship and through the ever present something more that tugged relentlessly at Calum’s emotions.
He was going to see you tomorrow. He could already feel the hug that would greet him. The nervous energy that would keep him holding onto you just a bit longer than usual. He laid in wonder if you’d notice. If you’d pick up on the energy and the look of lost thoughts in his eyes. If you’d see the change in him; his realization driving new actions, skewed behavior and nervous habits coming out to play. In one moment he realized that you would. That your observant eyes wouldn’t miss any piece of him—old or new, usual or unusual. He liked to think he was reserved, closed off and indecipherable. Except he knew you could read him like a book; had him memorized like a favorite story from childhood.
Calum clutched at his sheets, a pull in his chest sharpening his breath; teeth sinking into his lower lip. He realized it had been a subtle build of feelings. That days, weeks, months even, had passed in a blinding flash of constructing all these feelings and uncertainties. Anxiety gnawed at him as he built more of the unknown around his thoughts. It was a huge leap of the undetermined. He’d been your best friend for so long. He couldn’t be sure anything more would ever come of it.
He tossed and turned that whole night; restless with his thoughts and the light of the stars washing his room in a glow. Usually his curtains would be shut but when you stayed over you liked them open and so Calum had become accustomed to the starlight and the morning sun. He stayed awake, thinking of you, replaying the past. Nerves prickling his skin, settling deep in his stomach, racing through his mind. Curiosity eating at him. Wondering what the future might hold. If someday he may admit to feeling something more.
***
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first i love you w calum please!!!!! happy to have been part of your journey ♥️♥️
Streamlines of sunshine danced across exposed skin. Cotton sheets settled around warm bodies. Calum woke before you, let his gaze linger on your face highlighted by morning light. Usually you woke first; on the rare occasion Calum was up before you he often reveled in taking in the sight of you. Shadows dancing along your cheekbones, lips pursed and still kiss swollen, eyelashes fluttering as you woke. He usually greeted you with a smile when you came around to opening your eyes and stifled burying your face into the pillow. Calum knew when you hadn’t slept well, always chasing a few extra minutes with a grumbled plea or ducking under the covers to pretend the world and responsibilities didn’t await you. That morning your eyes opened and stayed glued to Calum’s never wavering gaze.
You took in all the intricacies of Calum, how sharpened his jawline appeared in morning light, how he emanated warmth and glowed in soft tones. How a smile slowly spread across his face, reaching his eyes with crinkled corners and a small breath leaving him. You felt the same; easy mornings with him among your favorite times. Calum’s hand reached out to you, pads of fingertips running along your arm, raising goosebumps in its wake. It all felt so right, warm and comforting, as natural as daybreak over the city skyline. You moved to be closer to him, shifting into his touch and chasing the closure of distance that separated you from being in his hold. He welcomed you with open arms, trailing fingertips exploring your back, lightly running along soft spots he knew gave you a tickle and made you arch your back, pressing even closer into him. You let out a small giggle, face now pressed to his chest.
“I love when you do that,” you murmured in a soft sigh, delighted by the touch that continued to light you up from the inside out.
Calum let out one of his own small sighs, you could feel the warmth of it on the back of your neck. Your arms wound around him, still chasing an undisturbed connection. You loved being close to him when the moment allowed it. He wasn’t big on public affection; opting for a modest hand held or chaste kiss on the cheek. But when it was just the two of you tucked away in the comfort of privacy Calum was prone to showing affection. Loved receiving love. You’d had initial doubts at the start of your relationship; doubts that maybe he didn’t feel the same as you did, didn’t feel as strongly as you, wasn’t one for intimacy and falling without regard. But mornings with Calum always wiped those pesky insecurities away.
Calum pressed a lingering kiss to the top of your head, hands still wandering the expanse of your back, chest evenly rising and falling with easy breaths. You turned your face up, catching his eye and smiling as heat captured your face at the simple moment shared.
With gazes locked and the world feeling right Calum said three words that winded you, took all those insecurities and washed them away with pouring rain.
“I love you.”
He said those three words so softly, so simply, so matter of fact that there was no room for doubt. Only love.
“I love you,” you echoed back to him, voice strong and sure; a small crack of thunder to accompany the rain.
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