Nova bby! It’s always so exciting to get notifs of you posting on here! congrats on one year of patreon lovely! for your blurbies what about a royalty au with childhood best friends cashton??? love you lots xo
awww baby hello! I miss you oh my gosh, thank you! oooof what a great idea, it’s ANGSTY!
***
You’d met Ashton and Calum at a summer royal retreat when you were around four years old. They’d been total opposites. One, a loud little prince with a bright smile and blonde curls. The other, a dark-eyed quiet royal with regal cheekbones and a knack for watching as opposed to interacting.
The three of you had been inseparable the whole trip, and with each summer, your friendship had only grown. Things had changed of course, the three of you had grown, learning how to perfect your manners and ready yourselves for a crown that might fall onto your head one day.
Ashton is 26 when he is told he’ll be taking the throne, the first of you who will become an actual ruler and not just a ‘next in line’.
The three of you are in his room, you and Calum sitting on the sofa while Ashton walks around, practicing his speech. Calum doesn’t offer much to help in terms of editing Ashton’s run-on sentences and tangents about how much he ‘loves his kingdom’. You try to help where you can, but it becomes obvious that Ashton is getting more and more worried.
The man who’d been happy and eager since he was a boy, is worried, and that sets off your own anxiety. You find your leg taping up and down with nervousness and Ashton notices, realizing he’s in over his head.
Ashton collapses onto the sofa, effectively sandwiching you between him and Calum. “I’m fucked.” Ashton announces, he only ever swears in front of you and Calum. His family thinks they’d trained him against vulgarity at aged 15, however they’re wrong.
“What else is on the list of things to do?” you ask, hoping to maybe tackle a different errand and come back to the speech later once you feel better about having accomplished a few things.
Ashton pulls out his phone, opening the file sent to him from his advisor, he hands it to you and lets you read.
Your eyes scan words like: coronation, crown fitting, royal address, and finally, they land on the bold word Queen at the bottom of the folder.
“Queen?” you read out loud, drawing the attention of the men on either side of you, “like... you’re getting married?!”
Ashton groans loudly.
The last time the three of you had talked about marriage, you’d been rebellious 13 years olds making a pact to stay single and together as the royal version of the ‘three musketeers’ your whole lives.
Calum exchanged a look with Ashton. They’ve talked about this without your knowledge for years, since they were teenagers who realized they were both in love with their girl best friend.
They’d agreed back then to stay friends, to not ruin the perfect group you’d created. But now that the word ‘marriage’ is getting thrown around, things aren’t so easy.
They’ve heard of ‘unconventional polyamorous relationships’ but those are for ‘commoners’ not royals. In the royal system, everything is about history and tradition.
Ashton swallows thickly and Calum looks down, neither are sure what to say to you. They both want to tell you about their feelings, but they don’t want to create a rift in the friendship.
Neither Ashton nor Calum know how to remedy this situation, but they do know, whatever ends up happening, your relationship will never be the same.
Can you do a royal!au for Michael month? Price Michael could wreck me I am just SAYING. 💗💗
Trigger Warnings: strong language
A/N: I know this is pretty short but I hope you like it!
***
The news of your engagement to Prince Michael hadn’t gone own well at all.
You’d always known that as the only son of the current monarch, whoever Michael chose to spend his life with would come under extreme criticism from his family, the royal council and the general public. The speculation over his involvement with you had been the biggest scandal within recent memory and you’d been advised to break things off. Of course, the love you have for each other hadn’t allowed either of you to entertain that possibility and you’d chosen to weather the media storm together.
However, just when your relationship was starting to become ‘old news’, Michael had proposed. You’d both done your very best to keep it a secret, but someone close to you had leaked some photos and Michael had been forced to make a formal announcement. That had been a week ago, and the media are still talking all kinds of shit and you’re worried that Michael is close to breaking point.
When the prince walks through the front door of private estate you’d been granted, looking pale and exhausted, you contemplate whether you should just call the whole thing off. As much as you love Michael and want to spend the rest of your life with him, the drama surrounding your impending marriage is already taking its toll on both of you.
“I don’t know how much longer I can cope with that fucking circus out there.” Michael sighs, leaning heavily against the door he’s just closed. “Haven’t they got more important things to focus on?”
You frown, getting to your feet and walking over to your fiancé. “You’d think so, but I guess not.” You reply quietly, cupping Michael’s cheek gently. He leans into your touch, a tired smile gracing his face. “If this is too much for you…”
Michael doesn’t even let you finish your sentence. He scrunches his eyes shut as he shakes his head and covers your hand with his own, pressing your palm to the corner of his lips. “Don’t say it, angel.” He whispers. “I can cope with anything as long as I have you by my side. If you left, I don’t know what I’d do.”
“Go about your royal duties without being hounded about how you’re bringing shame on your family and your country by marrying me?” You try to joke, although there’s a serious note in your voice that you can’t hide. “Your life was so much easier before I was a part of it.”
Michael opens his eyes to meet your gaze. “I don’t care about ‘easy’.” He replies. “Everything seemed pretty meaningless before you. I was just a shell, a doll that my family and the royal council used to do whatever would make for a good news story.”
It was true. Even a lot of the general public know that Michael is used as little more than a prop, a lot of the time. It doesn’t stop everyone from expecting him to act the part, though. If he’s ever seen doing, saying or even wearing something he’s not been authorised to, the consequences are harsh. No one else sees this side to royal life. Not that Michael would ever really complain. He knows he’s lucky to have this privileged life and he does his very best to use what influence he does have, for good. No member of the royal family has ever dedicated as much time, effort and funding to important charitable causes as Michael. It’s those kinds of things that the media should be broadcasting. The should be singing his praises for all of his hard work instead of tearing him down just because the person he wants to marry isn’t who they’d have chosen for him.
In an attempt to comfort him, you cuddle into Michael, resting your head on his chest while he wraps his arms around you. “Well one day you’ll be the one making the rules, this will all seem worth it, then.” You offer softly, tightening your hold around his waist.
“The thought of being King used to scare me so much.” Michael whispers, sounding smaller and more vulnerable than ever. “All of that responsibility… It seems less terrifying knowing that you’ll be by my side now.” He adds, cuddling you harder as if to strengthen his statement.
“I’ll be by your side for as long as you want and need me to be.” You promise, hoping to soothe some of his anxieties.
Michael relaxes a little in your hold, allowing your presence to calm him. “Forever, then?” He asks, a small smile curling his lips and brightening his face a little bit.
“Forever.” You agree. “Now come on, Princess, time to get you showered and ready for the charity gala tonight.”
Your fiancé gives a small chuckle, he loves the fond pet name you have for him and the fact that you’re not scared to use it like most other people would be. “I wish we didn’t have to go.”
Part of you feels the same way but it’s more important than ever that Michael upholds his public profile. “If you hurry we might have enough time for some pre-gala fun…” You tease, sliding your hands down his back to give his ass cheeks a firm squeeze.
A tiny moan escapes the blonde man and you know you’ve succeeded in helping him forget his troubles for now. “I thought you’d like that plan, Princess… time to get out of those clothes for me.”
royal!5sos au where prince calum marries the princess from a neighboring kingdom bc it was arranged when the two were younger but neither of them actually like each other in that way and only married to appease their parents but uh oh calum got a little too drunk at a castle party and accidentally spilled the secret that he’s been seeing commoner!yn and the princess has been seeing someone else too and now their parents know about it and they are not happy
In which you’re the lady in waiting for the princess, and the mysterious, quiet prince has taken a certain interest in you.
Warnings: none
Pairing: Royal!Calum Hood x Reader
A/N: its been a hot minute but....its back bitches!! ahh i’m very happy i got off my ass and started writing this again. i missed prince!cal. but anyway, here’s part three, let me know what you guys think!!! feedback is always appreciated!! do you guys have any predictions as to what will happen in the future? anything you WANT to see happen in the future (i can try to work in some suggestions?) let me know!
Series Masterlist
***
Ever since Mali decided to play matchmaker, she had been scheming ways to get Y/N and Calum alone together. It had to be subtle, make it seem like it was a coincidence, because it was true that Y/N could get in trouble for talking to him on the job.
She also wanted the conversation to be natural. She didn’t want to tell either of them about it and have them sit and plan what they were going to say. It would be painfully awkward. She would prefer that they just struck up a conversation on whatever came to mind; nothing forced.
Mali eventually came up with a plan. Calum always went to the library on Thursday evenings after dinner to unwind and read. Her idea was to call for Y/N to find her a book from the library, and when she arrived, Calum would be there, and that would be the perfect opportunity for them to talk. It wouldn’t be long, Mali knew, but it would be something, and that’s all she wanted.
Mali liked Y/N. She was kind, thoughtful, caring. She thought she could be good for her brother; he was quiet, stuck in his head a lot, and Mali thought a girl like Y/N could be someone to help him out of the funks that he tended to get himself into.
The next Thursday that came around, the Hood family finished having their dinner, and Calum was off to the library, like always. The place was big, and the isles of books seemed to go on forever. As much as he loved to read, he knew he would never read every single one. The collection was years in the making, and as time went on, it would only grow.
Calum browsed the books for a few minutes, skimming his fingertips over the spines and reading titles until he found one that piqued his interest. He pulled it from the shelf and took it to one of the large cushioned chairs to read.
Y/N was just finishing up her own dinner when she was notified that the princess was looking for her. She quickly said goodnight to Michael, who she was dining with, like usual, and made her way upstairs to Mali’s room. She knocked, and the girl opened the door with a grin.
“You called?” Y/N inquired. Mali nodded, placing a hand on her hip.
“Yes, I was just wondering if you could run to the library for me? I’ve been dying to reread this book.”
“Oh, sure! What book would you like?”
Mali proceeded to tell her the name and author of the first book that came to mind, and made sure to let Y/N know that there was no rush. To take her time. Y/N thought it was odd, the specification for her to take her time, but decided not to give it much thought as she made her way to the library, repeating the title and author of the book in her mind so she wouldn’t forget it.
Y/N couldn’t help but smile a little when she stepped foot into the library. The smell of books always comforted her. It was soothing.
But, in this library, Y/N felt a little lost. She had only been there one time, and she only looked around. She didn’t actually seek out a book, and she had no idea where to even start looking. She sighed, starting to look around for some sort of pattern in the titles or authors when she heard a voice call her name.
“Lady Y/N?”
She turned around at the sound of her name, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw who it was. The prince stood up from the chair he was sitting in, closing the book in his hands and setting it down. Y/N dipped into a curtsy that she had perfected since arriving at the palace, sending a smile to him.
“Good evening, Your Highness,” she greeted, scolding her own heart for the way it was pounding in her chest.
“There’s no need for that, please,” he insisted, shaking his head softly. “Looking to do some reading?”
“The princess asked me to get a book for her.” Y/N took a glance around the library before returning her gaze to him. “I have no idea where to even start looking, though.”
“Oh, I can help you! I spend a lot of time here. What book is she looking for?”
As she rattled off the book and author that she had repeated in her head upward of a thousand times, she had to bite back the soft smile that was threatening to take over her features. She found it sweet that the prince enjoyed reading. It was something she liked about him.
Calum thought for a moment before cocking his head to the left, signalling for Y/N to follow him. She trailed behind him slowly, then stepped into the aisle that he went in.
“Should be in here somewhere,” he mumbled under his breath, eyes scanning titles to find the one that Mali mentioned. Y/N accompanied him in searching until her gaze landed on the correct book.
Calum found the book at the same time, and then reached for it at the same time she did. Their hands brushed against each other, and although the moment was brief, Y/N felt like there were fireworks exploding inside of her. It wasn’t the first time they had ever touched; Calum shook her hand upon their very first meeting. But she couldn’t ignore how it felt different.
She also couldn’t ignore that, while still not having spent much time around him, she felt different about him. She didn’t know how she felt, though, and it terrified her.
Calum felt his heart skip a beat at the contact of their hands, a feeling not too different from how Y/N felt. He hadn’t had the opportunity to get to know his sister’s lady in waiting, but he wanted to. He just didn’t know how to approach her. He was a man of few words, and despite the fact that he had made countless public appearances and spoke to myriad people, total strangers, ranging from commonfolk to other royalty, he always got sweaty palms and found himself having to force the words out of his mouth. Especially when it came to Y/N.
He didn’t know what it was about her that made him so nervous, but it was definitely something.
Snapping out of his mini moment of freak out, he quickly pulled the book from the shelf and held it out to Y/N, who took it from him with gentle fingers.
“Thank you,” she breathed out, clutching the book to her chest. Calum grinned and nodded his head swiftly.
“Of course,” he responded, running a hand through his dark curls.
Y/N sighed softly, glancing behind her and then back to him.
“I should probably get this to the princess,” she mumbled. “Thank you so much for your help. I’d probably be on the wrong side of the library right now.”
Calum laughed, a pretty sound that Y/N suddenly wanted to hear more of.
“Well, glad I could save you the trouble. Have a good evening.”
“You too, Your Highness.”
“Please, dear. Call me Calum.”
Y/N froze for a moment, glancing up at him to see he looked just as shocked as she probably did. A small smile graced her features, and she mumbled an, “Okay, Calum,” before scurrying out of the library.
Calum speed walked back to his seat where his book sat, cursing under his breath. He had no idea what compelled him to call her dear; it certainly didn’t seem like something the shy prince would do to a woman he hardly knew. It just came out, not realizing it until it was too late. Had their relationship been of a different nature than it was, he wouldn’t have cared at all. He always thought the nickname was endearing. But, since the two were hardly close enough to consider themselves friends, it didn’t seem appropriate. He silently prayed to whoever was listening that he didn’t make her uncomfortable.
Unbeknownst to the prince, Y/N was having trouble keeping the smile off her face as she walked back to Mali’s bedroom. She wasn’t blind, she could tell that Calum didn’t really mean to call her that, but her heart couldn’t help but flutter, nonetheless. She liked the way it sounded rolling off his tongue.
Aside from the nickname, there was also the fact that he had asked her to call him Calum. His sister had done the same thing for herself, and Y/N was feeling a similar way about it. He had to like or be comfortable with her to some extent if he wanted to drop the formalities.
She couldn’t help but feel special. She knew it was hardly justified and she seemed full of herself, but she liked the feeling of being accepted. Acceptance was a hard thing to come by, being from Georgetown.
Y/N rapped softly on Mali’s door. The princess opened it fairly quickly, an excited grin on her face.
“Hi!” She cheered, gaze landing on the book in Y/N’s hands.
“Hi! I got your book,” Y/N answered, holding out the book for her to take. She grabbed it, but she could care less about the book. Frankly, she probably wasn’t even going to read it. She wanted to see if Y/N and Calum talked to each other.
“Thanks so much, Y/N.” Mali reached over and set the book on her dresser. “Was anyone else in the library?”
“Oh, yes, your brother was there. He helped me find the book.”
Mali’s face lit up the slightest bit, causing confusion to wash over Y/N. Why would she be so happy about her and her brother having a conversation, a fairly brief one, at that? Suddenly, Y/N remembered the conversation they had over breakfast just the previous week. She remembered how Mali said Calum may like her a little, and how she said it was okay for her to talk to him. Maybe she had wanted them to talk to each other, and this was her little way of getting them to do it herself.
“That’s very sweet of him, isn’t it?” Mali inquired, still grinning mischievously.
“Yes…” Y/N trailed off, unsure of where the conversation was going.
Mali decided to let the topic be for the evening, but her and Y/N both knew this wasn’t going to be the last of her endeavors to get her lady in waiting and her brother to start talking. She knew it wasn’t guaranteed that they would fall in love, but she thought Y/N could at minimum be a good friend for Calum to have.
After the two bid their goodbyes, Y/N made her way back to her quarters, a room she had grown quite familiar with over time. It was almost comforting, when things around the palace got too overwhelming.
It wasn’t very late, and Y/N knew trying to sleep so early would be futile. She pondered what she could do to keep herself entertained until she got sleepy, a list of options that was fairly short, eyes scanning the room to look for inspiration. Her searching brought her gaze to the crisp white envelope that was sitting on top of her dresser; it hadn’t been there before. She picked it up with curiosity and turned it over the read the back. It was from Aunt Mary.
A smile spread across the girl’s face. It had been a while since she heard from her. She tore open the envelope as she moved to sit on her bed, pulling out the letter. Her smile didn’t fade as she carefully took in all the words, glad to see that Aunt Mary said she had been feeling a lot better.
Y/N grabbed the leather bound notebook that she was given and a writing utensil after she finished reading, and propped herself up against the headboard of her bed again. She flipped to the nearest empty page, and began to write.
Dear Aunt Mary,
It’s great to hear from you again! Mail was slow, I guess?
I’m so happy to hear you’re feeling better. I knew the doctors from the palace would do a much better job taking care of you than I ever could. But anyway, this is progress! And I’m sure it’ll only get better from here.
How are things in Georgetown? I can’t imagine it’s been eventful at all, considering it usually never is. But if you hear any gossip, make sure to let me know.
I never thought I’d miss the place, but I do. Remember how many times we’ve talked for hours about how much we’d like to get out of the little town and live in a big city? As much as I would still love to do that with you, I’d do anything for just a quick walk around the square. It’ll always be home for me.
I miss you. I miss talking with you about anything and everything, and having our meals together. I miss your hugs, too. Yours are always the best. Maybe I’ll be able to come visit you soon! I’ll have to talk to the princess, but I’ll definitely try to make it happen.
Speaking of the Hood’s, I’ve definitely taken an even bigger liking to them. I still don’t see much of the king and queen, but the princess and the prince are very sweet. The princess asked me to have breakfast together a little while ago, which was exciting! The prince is very nice, too. Quiet, but nice. I like him.
Y/N paused, staring at the paper for a moment. She debated on telling Aunt Mary about her strange feelings about Calum, but decided against it. One conversation wasn’t enough to justify telling her quite yet. She decided to wait and see if anything else happens. So, she wrapped up her letter.
That’s pretty much it from me. It’s been rather uneventful here in Alexander, or as uneventful as it can be in the Hood’s palace. I’ll let you know if anything important happens.
I love you so much, Aunt Mary. Write soon!
Love,
Y/N
She gently tore the page from her notebook, getting up to set everything on her dresser. She made a mental note to ask for it to be sent her aunt’s house the next day.
Deciding to call it an early night and try to fall asleep, she got herself ready for bed and got comfortable in her sheets. A sudden wave of tiredness washed over her, and she let her eyes flutter shut. It wasn’t a long time before she drifted off to sleep.
Calum, who had stayed in the library a lot later than he normally did, just arrived back to his bedroom around the time Y/N was readying herself for bed. He tried to continue reading his book, he really did, but the words seemed to slip right past him. He couldn’t remember a thing he read.
All he could think about was calling you dear.
He hated that he did it so out of the blue, at such an early point in your relationship. But, he almost wanted to give himself a second chance. A do over, of sorts.
He wanted to call you dear again. Under better circumstances, of course.
In order to have that opportunity, he knew he had to talk to you. A lot more often than what he was doing. While striking up conversations wasn’t exactly Calum’s forte, he was willing to try.
He was willing to try for you. The lady in waiting.
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Alright, I know it took forever, but here’s part 2 of Royal!5sos with Calum himself. (And look at that. Two posts in a week. I haven’t done that in like a year)
“Another round, Prince Hood?” the bartender asked the sulking prince, head rested against the cool wood of the bar where he was perched, the inevitable headache creeping up on him quickly. He had been worried, making himself sick to his stomach over his missing best friend. It’d been three days since the Irwins had made their way to his family’s castle, and only a day since he’d heard that the castle burned to the ground with absolutely no trace of Ashton or Sarah, his stomach dropping at the thought that he could’ve been in the fire. He knew that he was probably overreacting, it was Ashton after all. He was the strongest and smartest in their group of friends, but he just had an awful feeling about all of this and he didn’t know what else to do besides drink, never having been the kind of person to share his feelings verbally.
“No...I think I’ve maxed out my quota today, Roy. Thank you, though,” he sighed softly pulling out his bag of coins and paying for the rounds he’d had, leaving a generous tip as well as he got up to leave stumbling slightly, head swirling as he tried to catch his footing before falling over. The last thing his family needed was his name slipping passed peoples lips as they gossiped about the drunken prince falling on his ass in the local tavern. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He shouldn’t be in town, much less without a guard of some sort to make sure he was alright, especially intoxicated, but he wasn’t thinking straight when he had left the castle hours ago, let alone in the state he was in at the moment. In fact, he wasn’t thinking at all, especially when he decided to think with his stomach and not his head wandering off towards the smell of freshly baked pastries instead of back to the castle where there was a warm bed waiting for him, and a bucket for the sickness he could feel creeping up through his body.
He didn’t mind being alone, preferred it actually much to his mother’s dismay. He’d always been that way: quiet, reserved, more so introverted than anything. It worried her that when he was to become king, he’d have a hard time adjusting, being constantly surrounded by those he didn’t know and feel comfortable around. His sister always said he just needed that someone to push him through his bubble.
“O-oh my,” he heard a small voice say, eyes shooting up from the floor to realize he was now standing inside of a bakery, not really sure when he walked in, but here he was staring back at a women in front of him that made his knees buckle and took the breath out of his lungs. She was stunning, even with flour in her hair and along her cheeks, her bright eyes wide as she stared in disbelief that the prince was standing in her family’s bakery at such an odd hour, silently regretting not locking the doors like her parents had warned. “How can I help you at such an odd hour, your majesty?” she nearly whispered, her voice as quiet as a mouse as she tried to stay respectful, not wanting to say the wrong thing with the wrong connotation.
“I-I’m sorry. Just smelled really good...couldn’t help myself and follow the scent from outside,” he said timidly himself, mostly trying to avoid the embarrassment of the fact that he was indeed drunk and wandering through the streets later than he should be. Alone. During a war that, most likely, just killed his best friend on his own territory.
The woman blushed as she set the tray of pastries onto the counter, steam still flowing up from the fluffy pastry on the tray, his mouth watering as he absentmindedly licked his lips, eyes flicking back over to the girl as she started to speak up. “Can I get you anything? Water? Tea? A pastry?” she asked putting one of the freshly baked tarts onto a plate as he watched her every move, feet involuntarily making their way over to her driven more by his stomach than his foggy brain at the moment.
“Do you mind? They smell really fuckin good,” he said slurring slightly as he wobbles slightly, the girl laughing softly softly smiling as she shook her head, helping him to sit at the small table by the counter placing the pastry in front of him.
“Let me grab you a cup of tea. Tastes better with it” she said smiling walking back into the kitchen and coming out with a full set: the pot, cup of cream, cup of sugar, and two cups. She set the tray down on the table he was sitting at, his eyes still watching her every move as she poured him a cup leaving the sugar and milk out for his usage.
“Lovely set,” he said softly as she poured herself a cup. “Do you own the bakery?”
“My dad does. It’s been in the family for three generations now,” she said as she grabbed a pastry for herself sitting across from the dark haired man. She watched as he nodded taking a bite of the fluffy piece, a soft moan escaping him as he closed his eyes. She sucked her lips into her mouth trying to hold back her own moan at the sound he had just made.
“Okay, what is this because I need more of these,” he grumbled with his mouth full, something his father surely would have his head for if he could see him in that moment.
“Pecan danish pastry,” she said trying to stifle a laugh. “ I’m assuming you like it?”
“I fucking love it,” he said, second swear word of the day slipping through his mouth without a care in the world. “Did you make these? They’re fucking amazing.” Three.
“I did..stocking up for the morning rush,” she said blushing smiling softly. “Mum and dad run the bakery in the morning and afternoon and I come in later on to restock and start products for the next day. So I’ll be here until dawn.”
“Oh wow,” he said softly nodding. The two went back and forth as he sobered up, talking well through the night until most of that batch was eaten and the tea had run cold. “It’s getting late...my mother’s probably wondering where I am...and I’m sure you need to get back to baking,” he said sighing as he stood up from the table. “Thank you for the food and drinks. What do I owe you?”
“Don’t be silly,” she said shaking her head as she stood up smiling softly at him making his stomach churn with nerves. “I appreciate the company, your majesty,” she said softly with a small bow.
“Call me Calum, love,” he said softly, pet name slipping easily off his lips as she blushed looking back up at him.
“Y/n.”
It became a routine the next two nights, Calum sneaking out of the castle unaccompanied by anyone else, frequenting the bar the first night before making his way over to his new friend with some liquid courage, completely bypassing the bar the next night to be able to spend more time in the cozy bakery with the girl that fed him some of the best pastries that he’s ever had, always making a mental note to suggest getting a new baker for the castle, maybe even take in y/n’s family if his parents will let him.
He was sitting in the bakery with her earlier than usual, the sun just having set. He’d had a long day, a lot of conversation coming up about what was going to have to happen if Ashton didn’t make it. There had been strict orders in his letters to carry on with the war if he didn’t make it in a week and how to prepare Lauren as the next heir to the throne, the poor thing barely sixteen. It was taking a toll on him and he wasn’t handling it well.
“He’s my best friend, y’know?” He asked before chugging his glass of milk after finishing the warm chocolate chip cookies that had just come out of the oven. “Known him since we were kids. Been there through everything with me…he’s one of the few people I can really open up to about my life.”
“I’m sure he’s going to be just fine, Cal,” she said before taking a sip of her tea having opted out of the bakery items today considering the dress she was currently wearing was suddenly very tight for her, especially around her waist. “If he’s anything you say he’s like, he’s gonna be just fine.”
“I know, I know...I just...no one knows why this guy’s after the four kingdoms, or why he attacked Ashton first,” he sighed. “This whole thing’s just crazy. And then my mom wants to have a ball this weekend just out of nowhere that I really don’t want to go to, but not really given a choice, and then supposedly Luke’s supposed to get married next weekend even though I’m pretty sure he said he doesn’t even know the girl he’s marrying, so that’s cool too. And Michael’s just on hiatus and I’m worried that I’m not going to ever see him again. I’m scared. I don’t handle shit like this well, y/n,” he said swearing again for the first time since the day she had met him.
“Slow down there,” she said grabbing his hand softly, his face burning up slightly feeling her skin on his and suddenly, he wasn’t as worried. Just the touch of her skin against his calmed him down. “You’re going to go to that damn ball and you’re going to enjoy it. It’ll help you clear your mind.”
“You’ve never met my mom,” he said as she laughed softly.
“You’re right, and if you thought I was nervous when the prince walked into the bakery, well damn. I’d probably implode if the king and queen walked in,” she said making him laugh softly. “I’ve always wanted to go to a ball. I heard they’re lovely with all the decorations, and the outfits...and don’t get me started on the music and food. Straight out of a fairytale it seems...”
“You should come with me,” he said biting his lip softly knowing he crossed a very specific line that he was told to never cross. A rule that had been in place centuries before his time...but isn’t that why rules are made? To be broken? Especially ones that were stopping him from getting what he wanted, and that was the girl seated right in front of him. She knew who he was and, yet, still treated him as he’s sure she would any other commoner.
“Oh..Calum, I don’t know…,” she said softly biting her lip, now wishing she had a cookie to eat to occupy her hands and mouth. It wasn’t that she absolutely didn’t want to go, but her status wasn’t high enough to even be thought of as a guest, let alone a guest of the Prince himself...his date.
“C’mon...it’ll be fun. You’ll keep me sane, you can meet my friends, and go to a ball..it’s a win win situation,” he said giving her a small but genuine smile, eyes crinkling at the sides as he did making her heart jump.
She couldn’t believe it the first time he had stepped into her shop, not really sure how to react to the man since she had never met him before. He looked awful and quite frankly like he needed a hug, but she was sure she was stepping well over the line by offering him a hug, so she did the next best thing.
Pastries.
It was what she was good at, having being born into a family of bakers and taught at a young age, she could make a batch of cookies with her eyes closed.
But what had startled her more than the first time that he came in, was that he came back the next day...and the day after that, and here they were only four days later, but seeming as though they’d known each other for years at this point with the way he had so easily opened up to her, and her the same as him.
But now Calum was comfortable and ready to break any of the rules keeping her away from him.
“Calum...I do not even remotely have the means to get a dress for such a thing...and my parents will have to close the bakery early so I can go which means they’ll lose money...and I’m not...you’re a prince Calum and I am the furthest from being from royal blood. I don’t know if this is a good idea..”
“Oh, rubbish,” he said rolling his eyes even though he knew she was right. He knew she was right, but that wasn’t going to stop him. “I will help you get a dress, and they should close all day and make some pastries for the party. I’ll put a word in with my mum. Make sure they’re paid plenty...and quite frankly, y/n, I don’t care if you’re royalty or wealthy or not. I want to bring you with me, if you’ll let me…” he rambled on as she blushed looking at her lap.
“What about your parents?” she asked softly as he shrugged. “Can you just talk to them first and then let me know...give me time to think about it?”
“Fine...but I’ll be back tomorrow,” he said squeezing her hand before kissing it softly. “Tomorrow, y/n.”
“Yeah, yeah...get outta here before you get in trouble. And take some cookies for the road,” she said getting up to pack some away for him, a huge smile on his face as she did.
~
“Absolutely not,” Joy said as Calum groaned rolling his eyes at her. “She’s a baker, Calum. She has no place here, and I dare you to roll your eyes at me again, boy. You may be the prince, but I am still the queen and you are still my son.”
“She has no place here because of the dumb rules in place that were set ages ago, mum. Years have passed, times have changed. The kingdom isn’t poor! Shouldn’t I be able to choose who I want to run my kingdom with? We aren’t in need of financial stability. We aren’t trying to stop a war by eloping...why can’t I choose who I bring to a damn ball?”
“She doesn’t know how to act and I am sure she doesn’t own anything that’ll be suitable to wear. I will not have her make a fool of this family at our own ball,” she said glaring at him as he glared back. “I’m sure you can take Nia. You haven’t seen her in quite a bit of time.”
“I don’t want to fucking take Nia, mum,” he said snapping. “I’m so sick and tired of you and dad dictating how I’m going to live my life. I’m twenty-three years old. I think I know a suitable date when I see one. And, quite frankly mom, I have no problem getting her fitted for a dress and paying for it myself. We have plenty to do just that. The kingdom isn’t poor, which means we sure as hell aren’t poor as well” She glared back at her son but didn’t say anything not wanting to piss him off more knowing how he could get.
“Fine...but if I see one hair out of place Calum Hood, she’s banned from ever stepping foot in this place again, and you will be forbidden to see her. Do you understand me?” he looked at her shocked but nodded quickly not wanting to ruin what he had already accomplished.
“Y-yes ma’am,” he mumbled softly as she nodded slightly.
“You have a fitting in two hours, I suggest you go get her so she has a dress.” And with that, Joy walked up the stairs in the direction of the library as Calum bolted for the door leaving everyone confused as to where the prince was going in such a hurry without his men to make sure he kept out of trouble.
It was odd for the village to see the royal family out frequently and without guards as Calum was trying to make his way passed those that wanted to stop him and show him respect. It was great, he loved his people and the village more than anything, but all he wanted was to get to the damn bakery.
He politely pushed by everyone trying his best to make it to the bakery, sighing softly seeing that it was pretty full. So, he waited in line like everyone else, much to their dismay as they tried to push the prince up front and let him have his turn, which he politely declined. They had time to waste anyways, knowing that Mali was going to take her sweet time with the tailor as they fixed up her gown.
“Next!”
Calum made his way up to the counter, the man behind it blinking shocked when he saw exactly who was standing in front of him. “Uh..y-your majesty. How can I help you?”
“Is y/n here?” he asked as the man blinked at him before nodding to his wife to go find their only daughter.
“Is there something wrong? Did she do something?” he asked worried that this encounter wasn’t going to go well not knowing that Calum had already met the girl a number of times at the bakery itself.
“Oh, no. I just wanted to ask her something...actually, can I also buy like..ten of those pecan pastries you have? They’re amazing,” he said pulling out the pouch he had that carried his money, pulling out enough money to pay for all the food he had consumed of theirs the past few nights knowing they definitely had lost some revenue due to his huge appetite.
He didn’t pay attention as the man in front of her tried to give him change, too focused on the stairs watching as she came down a bit disheveled clearly having just been woken up from a nap.
“This better be good, Hood,” she grumbled, her mother gasping hitting her arm lightly as Calum chuckled not even the slightest bit offended. He enjoyed her banter quite a bit honestly, never really having anyone that dared to speak to him that way.
“Well considering you have a fitting very soon, it is good,” he snickered, the girl’s face going red as her parents looked between the two obviously very confused. “So, I guess you should go fix yourself up.”
“Do...you two know each other?” her father asked as Calum shook off the change just reaching for the large bag of pastries that were now coming his way, a stupid grin on his face as he just pictured himself in front of the fire in the library consuming every last one of these.
“We met a few days ago. I uh...would like to take your daughter to the upcoming ball at the castle, sir,” he said, smile wide on his face as the girl’s blush deepend.
“Calum I told you, ask permission first please,” she sighed softly as he smiled even wider than before.
“I did..that’s why you have a fitting like now,” he said as she sighed shaking her head.
“I hate you,” she grumbled as she fixed her hair trying to look just slightly presentable compared to him.
“No you don’t.”
~
“Your mother didn’t want to chop your head off?” Ashton asked as he stood by the stairs with Luke and Calum, party in full swing. He had gotten back with Sarah the day before, quickly freshening up in order to be ready for the day ahead of them. The three of them, Ashton Calum and Luke, had spent the day in meetings with Calum and Michael’s fathers, as well as generals from all four kingdoms Michael unable to attend due to his hiatus with the war.
“Nope...and she even agreed to pay for the dress,” Calum said smirking as he took a sip of the alcohol being nursed in his flute. He was nervous, and the bubbles of the champagne weren’t helping his stomach. He wasn’t allowed to see her during the fitting, and Mali made damn sure he couldn’t see her as she was getting ready, and all he could do was thank the lord that his sister was cool.
“Wish my mum was that cool,” Luke grumbled softly already having voiced his opinions about his own situation currently, eyes nearly bugging out of his head as he watched the girl walking down the stairs currently making both Ashton and Calum to see what was holding up their friend.
“Is that the fiancee?” Ashton mumbled softly as Luke shook his head biting his lip watching the girl walk by them.
“No...that’s the sister of said fiancee...if you’ll excuse me,” he mumbled before quickly following after her, Ashton snorting softly as Calum tried to stifle a laugh.
“Whipped,” Ashton mumbled, eyes watching Sarah as she came down the stairs in her dress, the pink tinting his cheeks slightly.
“Look who’s talking,” Calum chuckled as Ashton rolled his eyes looking at him.
“Oh fuck off. I wanna see your face when this baker girl finally makes an appearance,” he whispered to him before meeting Sarah at the bottom of the stairs kissing her hand softly.
“It’ll probably look like yours,” he teased before greeting Sarah smiling softly.
“She looks beautiful, y’know,” she said to him teasing him as he laughed softly.
“I’m nervous if you couldn’t tell,” he said sticking his hands in his pockets laughing.
“Oh, I’m sure everyone in the ballroom could tell that the prince was nervous. You don’t hide it well,” she said as they looked at the top of the stairs just as she appeared with Mali by her side. His heart beating rapidly out of his chest as he made eye-contact with her, her cheeks tinting as she looked down at her feet.
“Whipped,” Ashton teased as he rolled his eyes glaring at him.
“Fuck you mate,” he whispered as Sarah laughed smiling at them.
“C'mon, Ash, let's give the lover boy some privacy,” she giggled, Calum rolling his eyes again as they walked away before returning his attention to the girl that was now in front of him.
“Don’t say it,” she whispered as he chuckled taking her hand kissing it softly before thanking his sister.
“Say what? That you’re fucking stunning?” he whispered to her as he led her away from the stairs and out to the ballroom. “That dress looks perfect on you.”
“You’re still talking,” she teased looking up at him seeing his eyes crinkle with his smile, heart lurching.
“And you’re gonna want me to in a moment. Mom’s coming,” he said nodding his head forward as she looked up seeing Joy herself making her way towards them, David by her side. “Mum, dad.”
“You must be y/n,” Joy said politely giving her a small smile as the girl smiled back bowing slightly.
“I am, your majesty,” she said softly, the intimidation factor taking over not prepared to be up close and personal with the king and queen. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“You as well. I hope you enjoy yourself tonight. It’s not often that an outsider gets to experience this,” she said sliding in her dig making both Calum and David frown.
“I will...thank you…,” she whispered, Calum squeezing her hand reassuringly as the two of them walked away. “So your mother hates me. Can I leave yet?” she asked.
“No,” he mumbled frowning looking at her. “You’re gonna enjoy this, and then we’re gonna sneak upstairs and eat the rest of the box of pastries that I bought.”
“I still can’t believe you bought ten,” she sighed softly teasing him as he rolled his eyes with a small smirk on his face.
“What can I say? Best pastries I’ve had,” he said laughing leading her out to the dance floor. “I hope you can waltz.”
“That, I can do,” she said winking at him as he laughed leading her over to the dance floor
~
The two of them giggled failing at their attempt to sneak away from the party quietly, somehow still making it out without being noticed. He pulled her into the library, locking the doors with the skeleton key usually kept on the inside, shoving it in his pocket.
“Okay, okay..help me get these god awful things off,” she giggled lifting her dress showing her heels, Calum laughing bending down to help her take them off. “Such a gentleman”
“I try to be” he said tossing them aside before standing up leading her over to the large couch over by the fire; a teapot with matching cups and saucers, as well as the pastries perched on the table just in front as he sat with her. “Pastry?”
“Yes please,” she hummed watching him as he grabbed one of the little plates getting her the pastry while getting a cup of tea ready for her to consume. “You prepared for this huh? Knew we were gonna escape?” she teased watching him.
“There was no way in hell we were surviving that entire ball,” he said in response focusing on the task at hand. She watched the way his body moved just imagining the muscles she knew were present under his shirt, the way her heart skipped a beat, the muscle speeding up as she was left alone to her thoughts of the man that was now facing her, a smirk on his face as he caught her staring
“See something you like love?” he asked smirking, a blush creeping up on her face as she took the pastry from him, a laugh escaping his lips as she munched on the pastry. “I see something I like”
“You’re drunk,” she gasped with her mouth full, a laugh escaping his lips as he stood up shedding the jacket draped over his shoulders tossing it to the side getting more comfortable.
“I may be, but what I’m saying are sober thoughts,” he hummed sitting back on the couch winking at her as she swallowed the piece she had in her mouth. “You wanna hear them?”
“Sure..,” she said softly biting her lip not sure if she even should. As much as she enjoyed hanging out with Calum, rightfully loved his presence and felt comfortable with him, he was still the price of the kingdom she lived in. He owned her and her family’s business...she had no right being with him, let alone even just thinking about being with him.
“I adore you,” he said softly, face softening with the words that left his mouth, hand coming out to hold hers in her lap. “You brighten my day and I never feel as at home as I do with you. You make me laugh, and I feel I can tell you my darkest secrets. You’re quite easily the most beautiful woman I’ve met, inside and out, and even though I’ve only known you for a proper week, it feels like I’ve known you for years,” he said taking her hand kissing it softly before pulling her close to him. “I...if you have me, i’ll have you,” he whispered.
“Calum…” she whispered softly holding his hand with both of hers. “I...there’s laws against it...we can’t,” she said softly shaking her head looking at him, but the way she was squeezing her hand completely contradicted everything that came out of her mouth, and he knew it.
“That’s not what I asked, love. Forget the laws...forget all the rules. Will you have me?” he asked squeezing her hand lightly as she bit her lip looking over his face for any sign of hesitation from him, any sign saying that he didn’t mean anything he said, and she couldn’t find a single bit of it.
“Yes,” she whispered softly, a smirk spreading across his lips as he leaned in kissing her softly, a small peck starting out first as they slowly but surely started to become more heated, his hands sliding to her hips pulling her close as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She shifted slightly, pulling back a bit uncomfortable as a frown forms on her face.
“What’s wrong love?” he asked softly looking at her distressed face as she stood up.
“This damn corset. Can’t effing breathe...dunno how you all do it but I’m suffocating,” she huffed. “Help please.”
“Take it off?” he asked surprised as he stood, untying her dress from the back helping her as it slid off her body leaving her in her undergarments, a blush creeping onto his face seeing her nearly bare in front of him. His hands shakily reached forward, untying the strings of her corset before loosening them up, a soft sigh leaving her lips as air filled her lungs more so than they had in the dress, the piece falling to the floor leaving her torso bare.
“So much better,” she sighed happily, ready to turn around until she felt his hands on her waist tugging her back into him, lips finding her neck as he kissed and nipped softly, her own hands grabbing at his arms as she let out a soft moan. “Calum..”
“Want all of you...now...can I please?’ he mumbled nearly begging. “Mine...all mine.”
“Just...careful, yeah? I’ve never…,” she whispered trailing off as he placed a soft kiss to her shoulder.
“Neither have I..” he mumbled rubbing her hips. She turned her head to look at him a bit surprised at how the prince, as lovely as he was, was also just as pure, in every single way. She pressed her lips to his again as she turned to face him, arms wrapped around her waist as she moved her lips slowly against his. He moaned softly sitting back on the couch as they kissed, the girl straddling his lap kissing him slowly as her fingers ran through his hair. His hands ran along her sides slowly, making their way to her hips tugging down her bloomers slowly giving her an opportunity to push him off and tell him no. Instead, she got up quickly tugging them off leaving her bare in front of him, a deep blush across her face as she watched him look her over.
“You’re still dressed,” she said softly watching him stand unbuttoning his shirt slowly, his eyes watching her, slowly trailing down her as they landed on her boobs, tongue coming out licking over his lips slowly. “Quicker you get undressed, quicker you can touch my boobs” she whispered smirking catching him, pulling back once she was finally finished unbuttoning the fabric, it slowly slipping down his shoulders before he pulled it off tossing it to the side. He stood up in front of her, eyes not leaving hers as he unbuttoned his pants, tugging them off quickly, but not too rushed. Her eyes trailed down his body slowly, eyes widening slightly as her eyes landed on his cock. “Oh..wow…” she whispered softly as he sat back down tugging her close once again, onto his lap.
“Think you can handle it baby?” he whispered softly, his hand snaking down between her legs running slow circles against her clit, her hands gripping onto his shoulders as she threw her head back, a soft moan leaving her lips as her eyes closed. Her body twitched slightly as he leaned forward kissing her neck softly, his fingers moving faster along her clit before slipping down to her hole, his middle finger sliding in slowly as she gripped him tighter, nails breaking his skin slightly as he moaned himself, pumping his finger in and out of her slowly, adding another finger.
“Just like that” she gasped, hips rolling against his hand fucking herself on his fingers, his free hand gripping her hip tightly as she did. “I wanna feel you now.”
“Baby are you opened up enough? Don’t wanna hurt you” he groaned softly as she pressed her head against his, the shallow breaths they took being the only noise made in the room aside from the sound of the crackling fire.
“I don’t care..need to feel you,” she whimpered, lifting her body slightly so his finger slipped out of her, her own hand reaching down stroking at him slowly. “Please?” she whispered.
“Okay, okay,” he mumbled moving her hand quickly, his own hand replacing where hers was. She lined herself up with him, steadying herself using his shoulders, before sinking down on him slowly, gripping his shoulders tight as he gripped her hips just as tight, the two of them getting used to the feeling of the other as she tried to adjust to his size. He bucked his hips up slightly on accident, a groan leaving her lips as she winced slightly tucking her face in his neck. “Fuck, I’m sorry..I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, I’m okay,” she whimpered sinking down the rest of the way, a tight grip still held onto the other’s body. He held her close when he was fit snugly inside her completely, her own arms wrapped around him holding him close.
“Move when you’re ready love,” he whispered softly as she nodded, her hips rising and falling on him as she started bouncing on him slowly, hips moving in shallow circles against his fucking herself on him as he tried his hardest not to blow then and there. This felt ten times better than he thought it ever could, and was so much better because he was doing this for his first time with her. He was with someone he trusted, and someone he was sure he was in love with. She was everything to him. Just the mere thought of seeing her was what helped him get up in the morning. The way she listened and responded was what made him more vocal, and that much more ready to stand up for what he believed in. She was what he believed in.
“I-I’m getting close” she whimpered softly, his hands sliding down her body to her ass gripping it tightly as he helped her move, his own hips thrusting up into hers meeting her hips. Her moans got louder and louder as he did, her body shaking as she came around him, the broken moans and gasps for air filling the room with sound as he rode her through her high over and over, position after position, hour after hour as the two of them go to know each other’s body without a care in the world, neither of them returning to the ball that night.
They laid quietly with the large throw engulfing their bodies as the fire crackled in front of them keeping the room hot. She was laying on his chest, fingers tracing over the tattoos on his chest leaving little shapes as he watched her, his own fingers rubbing at her back slowly doing the same exact thing that she was going.
“What are we gonna do?” she asked softly. “I...how are we gonna make this work? It was like pulling teeth trying to get your mother to agree to have me come for the ball.”
“Don’t worry about that love...I’ll take care of it...gonna be making a lot of changes in the next few weeks…and it’ll be a hell of a lot easier to change the laws when Luke’s going through kind of the same shit,” He said softly, the girl nodding her head smiling softly at him.
(A small sequel to my previous royal!5sos blurb bc this is most likely my favorite idea ever okay)
King Luke had been busy all day with political meetings - thousands of ambassadors were coming and going from their palace, and even after Luke had taken the throne almost two years ago, it was still unbelievably stressful.
Princess Y/N was the only thing keeping him sane. She was now in the custody of Luke now that he was king but that made no difference in their current relationship.
Y/N was wandering about the ballroom with many of the servants and her handmaiden, finishing up the final details for the ambassadors’ ball she had suggested to Luke. He let her take it over since he would be busy with the ambassadors, which she was happy to oblige.
Luke came in throw the grand doors of the ballroom, all the servants and maids bowing and curtsying to him as entered.
“Hello, Your Majesty! Oh I think you’ll be so happy with what Princess Y/N has done for the ball tonight it will be so wonderful for the ambassadors! They’ll be so delighted to see such a young king be able to do this for - ” her handmaiden rambled on about the planning Y/N had done.
“Cecelia, I think he gets it,” she laughed. “Will you please go and make sure we chose the correct linens?”
“Of confuse Princess! I’ll be off to it!” Cecilia hummed away from the ballroom as Luke and Y/N giggled about the chattering handmaiden.
“Sometimes I wish I could dismiss her, but then again she’s the funniest thing and it quite honestly brightens my day to see her,” Luke laughed.
“If she brightens your day then what do I do?” Y/N asked suspiciously.
"Well..." He trailed off, pulling Y/N to the closest doors into the hall, pushing her gently against the wall, his hands shadowing over her hips. “If she brightens my day, you drive me crazy in the best way.”
Y/N laughed. “Then that’s good enough for me.” She ran her hands through his hair as they leaned up against the wall, looking at each other. “Are you nervous for tonight? All those people from all sorts of kingdoms, here in the same place...”
“As long as a war doesn't break out in my kingdom, then all is well,” he smiled back at her. “Besides I have plenty of other things to be nervous about tonight.”
“Oh?” Y/N said questionably. “What could that be?”
“Nothing that concerns you just yet. You’ll find out later,” he quickly kissed her one more time before leaving her off to more planning, and he has ran off she simply shook her head. She couldn't believe the king was hers.
The ballroom was bursting with life, all sorts of kings, queens, lords and ladies were in attendance. The colors of the women’s ballgowns with the metallics of the ballroom sparkled and were appealing to any eye which entered the room. Princess Y/N was caught up in a dance with a friend of hers from her home kingdom before they heard a loud call for the guests attention. Y/N excused herself from the floor, curtsying to her friend before taking the trail of her pale pink dress to stand by Luke’s side as he gave his announcement.
“Royal guests and ambassadors, I thank you all for attending this wonderful ambassador’s ball that has been so marvelously planned by my very own, Princess Y/N,” he waved a hand at her, and she curtsied slightly as there was light and gracious applause for her.
“She deserves all the applause really,” Luke continued. “I hope you all are enjoying yourselves, as I know very well ambassador conferences can be long and tiresome, but there is nothing like a ball to bring the life back to us all!”
There was a cheer of agreement from the crowd, and they hushed once more for Luke to finish his announcement.
“And the only thing better than a ball to cheer people up,” he walked over to Y/N and took her hand, “is a wedding.”
Luke went down on one knee, slightly wrinkling his navy attire, and held Y/N’s hand firmly in front of the entirety of the ballroom.
“Princess Y/N, you have graced my presence for nearly ten years ever since you arrived in our kingdom, and since then you have been my very best friend, my confidant, my most trustworthy partner in crime, and now you have become my heart. And it would be my greatest pleasure, and I hope yours, if I may ask for your hand in marriage, to bring our families together, to make a family of our own, full of love,” he said confidently, but still, smiled nervously. “So, may I ask you to be my queen?”
She thought long and hard over it, for all of ten seconds, before smiling, and answering, “You may.”
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-
“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.
In which you’re the lady in waiting for the princess, and the mysterious, quiet prince has taken a certain interest to you.
Warnings: none?
Pairing: Royal!Calum Hood x Reader
A/N: yo i’m so excited for this!! please give me some feedback, are yall hyped too??? ugh i hope this is good
Series Masterlist
***
“I’ll be back soon, okay?”
The old woman nodded, sending a weak smile towards her niece.
“You know I’ll be right here.”
The younger girl laughed softly.
“Yeah, I know.”
With that, Y/N pressed a kiss to her aunt’s forehead, and headed out the door.
It was Saturday, and Saturday was when Y/N always did the shopping, although “shopping” was a more relative term. Sometimes it was stealing, sometimes it was begging, sometimes it was persuading merchants to sell her things at a cheaper price. She hated doing it. She would always pay everything in full if she could, but she simply didn’t have the money, and she needed to take care of her aunt, even if it meant doing some things she didn’t want to.
Aunt Mary was ill. Very ill. Y/N saved up enough money to have the doctor pay a visit, who delivered the news that while there wasn’t a medicine that could save her, there were some natural remedies that could possibly help. Y/N always kept up with his orders since that day, never failing to get Aunt Mary the things she needed. She would do anything for her aunt.
Aunt Mary was the kindest soul Y/N ever knew. When Y/N’s parents passed, Aunt Mary took her, only eight years old at the time, in with no hesitation. She raised her, worked tirelessly to provide for her niece. Now in her old age, not to mention sick, the roles had reserved, and it was Y/N’s turn to take care of her. She mostly took some odd jobs from anyone who was willing to pay her. It was never much, leaving her and Aunt Mary constantly tight on money, but they managed to get by, albeit uncomfortably.
Y/N pressed on into town with her burlap pack over her shoulder, weaving her way into the crowds of people at the square. She kept her head down for the most part, hand tightly clutching the coins in the pocket she had sewn into her dress. Pickpockets were sometimes a problem in her village; she had learned that the hard way after nearly an entire week’s earnings got taken right from her without her noticing.
She walked up to her first stop, an older gentleman who sold herbs. The herbs were for Aunt Mary, a specific concoction the doctor recommended.
“Hello, Y/N,” the man greeted, a soft smile on his wrinkled face. She smiled back, starting to browse his cart for the things she needed.
“Hello, Mr. Rowe,” she responded kindly. “How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. How’s your aunt?”
Y/N shrugged as she placed her items in front of Mr. Rowe to pay, a sigh escaping her lips. Everyone knew everyone in her tiny village, and they were all always there for each other when they needed it.
“Not so good lately. I’m afraid she’s getting worse.”
Mr. Rowe sighed as well, glancing down at the items. He stared for a moment, as if thinking, then pushed them back towards Y/N.
“Take them.”
Y/N’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Take them? N-No, I can’t.”
She pulled some coins out of her pocket, extending them towards him. He shook his head, closing her hand in a fist and gently pushing it towards her.
“I insist. For Mary.”
Y/N bit her lip. She knew she should take it, considering her money situation, but she couldn’t help but feel guilty. She wasn’t above stealing, or taking things for free, but Mr. Rowe was always so kind and helpful. Glancing up at him, she saw the sincere look on his face. He really wanted her to have it. With one final sigh, she nodded, putting the money back in her pocket and reaching for the pouches of herbs.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Rowe,” Y/N mumbled, sending him a thankful smile. “I promise I’ll pay you back.”
“Please, Y/N. Consider it a gift.”
“Alright, alright,” she chuckled, sticking the items in her pack. “Goodbye now, and thank you again.”
“You’re very welcome. Wish your aunt well, from me.”
“I will.”
Y/N turned on her heel and left, feeling in a better mood than before. Even living in a tough situation, it was uplifting to know there were people who cared.
She continued on throughout the square, acquiring various objects in various ways. She let out a shaky breath as she approached her final stop, a young man who sold vegetables. She didn’t always have a positive shopping experience with him.
He grinned smugly as she walked up, her eyes looking anywhere but him.
“Y/N, it’s lovely to see you.”
The girl gritted her teeth, still keeping her gaze focused on the vegetables.
“Owen,” she grumbled, a poor excuse for a greeting, but she didn’t care.
“How’s old Aunt Mary doing? Still sick?”
She hated his voice, how complacent he sounded, how he tried to sound kind and sweet, but Y/N he was anything but that.
“She’s alright,” she replied. Not entirely the truth, but she knew Owen didn’t actually care about Aunt Mary’s health.
“Oh, that’s good. Sweet lady, Mary is.”
Y/N nodded stiffly, that being the only response she offered. All she wanted to do was get her vegetables and get home, not spend any more time around Owen than she had to.
She pushed her items towards him, then sliding him some money. It wasn’t the correct amount, and she knew it, but she didn’t have any more to spend. She silently prayed he wouldn’t notice.
Owen counted the money she gave him, sighing and shaking his head.
“You know this isn’t enough, Y/N,” he began slowly. “And you still owe me from last time. And the time before.”
Y/N mentally cursed. Why couldn’t he have some compassion like Mr. Rowe, just one time, and let her go?
“I promise I’ll get you your money,” she replied flatly, hands balling into fists.
“I don’t want your money.”
She took in a sharp breath, a harsh glare on her face as she looked up at him. She knew what he wanted, and she wanted to avoid it as much as possible.
Before she could respond, a rough hand slapped some more money on the table, sliding it towards Owen. Her head snapped up, finding a man wearing a very nice suit, a little too nice for anyone in her village to be able to afford, standing next to her.
“This should cover it, yes? Now, if I could have a word with you, please, miss?” The man asked, grinning down at Y/N. She stared up at him with eyes wide in both confusion and fear. He cocked his head to the side, signalling he meant in private.
She was hesitant. She didn’t trust just anyone, but this man wasn’t giving off any malicious vibes. He did just pay for her, afterall. She glanced at Owen, who was staring at the two with furrowed eyebrows. She sighed, scooping the vegetables into her pack and shot him one last dirty look, just for good measure.
Then, despite her mind screaming at her that she was an idiot, she followed the mystery man off to the side, away from the crowds.
“Who are you?” She demanded immediately, hands holding on to her pack so tight, it almost hurt. He could be a robber. A murderer. She could be dead on the ground in a matter of seconds. Her heart pounded in her chest, preparing herself to fight back if need be.
“You don’t need to be afraid of me,” the man said, shaking his head. “My name is Carlisle Denning. I come from the palace of the royal family.”
Y/N’s eyes nearly popped out her head. The royal family? As in, the Hood family? King David, Queen Joy, Prince Calum, Princess Mali-Koa. They never paid any attention to her village specifically; what was he doing here? She waited for him to continue.
“We are in need of a lady in waiting for Her Royal Highness, the princess. I have been sent to find a candidate, and I believe you, young lady, would be perfect for the job.”
She furrowed her eyebrows. She had never considered affiliating herself with the Hood family in any way. It seemed far too out of reach for someone of her status. And now she was being offered a job, to serve the princess? It was baffling.
“Why me?” Y/N questioned, tilting her head to the side. How could he have even determined she was fit for the job, if he didn’t know anything about her?
“I can tell you’re short on money,” he stated, raising his eyebrows. “You couldn’t pay for those vegetables back there. You could use a job, couldn’t you?”
She stared at him, unsure how to feel. Truth was, he was right. She did need a job. A real, steady one, not the gigs she took at random for some pocket change. She opened her mouth to reply, but Carlisle spoke again first.
“You’ll be paid well, I can assure you. You’ll come live in the palace, be given a bedroom and three good meals a day.”
Y/N sighed. It sounded like a pretty good arrangement to her, getting paid and living in a palace, not having to worry about money or food, but there was one thing making her hesitate; Aunt Mary.
“But, my aunt…” she trailed off, shaking her head. “She’s very sick. I can’t leave her.”
Carlisle scratched the back of his head, blowing out a breath.
“We can arrange someone to take care of her. Twenty four hours a day, if need be. She would receive great care. It would be a part of your pay, likely.”
She still wasn’t sure. A part of her wanted to do it, because anything seemed better than scrubbing floors and having to deal with Owen, but how could she just leave Aunt Mary? She would be getting care, sure, but it was her aunt. She didn’t want to abandon her.
“If I could…If I could talk to my aunt first?” Y/N asked, pulling her pack closer to her. She trusted Aunt Mary’s judgement.
“Of course,” he answered, nodding. “But, I must warn you, they’re expecting me back with someone. Today. I’ll have to come with you.”
Today? Y/N didn’t realize it would be so soon. She would hardly have time to say goodbye, to pack, to prepare herself at all.
Taking a deep breath, Y/N nodded, and lead Carlisle back to the little, shabby house she lived in with Aunt Mary.
“I’ll be just out here.”
She nodded and headed inside, leaving the dark skinned man on the porch.
“Aunt Mary? I’m home,” she called out softly, setting her pack on the kitchen table. She walked into Aunt Mary’s room, and the old woman smiled from her bed.
“Hello, dear,” she greeted, voice soft. “Everything go well?”
“Yes, yes, all is fine,” Y/N responded, almost rushed. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
A look of concern washed over Aunt Mary’s face, and she nodded, gesturing for Y/N to sit. She grabbed the wooden chair from the corner of the room, pulling it up to the side of the bed.
“I met a man, when I was out. He’s from the palace of the royal family, and...he offered me a job.”
“A real job?” The old woman began, her look of worry being replaced with a smile. “Y/N, that’s great!”
“Yeah, but I’d have to go live at the palace. Today. I’d have to leave you,” Y/N sighed. “He said they’ll send someone to take care of you, and I’ll be getting paid, but I just don’t know of I can go.”
Aunt Mary reached for her hand, encasing it in her own frail one.
“Don’t you worry about me, young lady. You take that job. You go make a life for yourself.”
Y/N felt tears burning the back of her eyes, and she blinked them away.
“But-”
“No buts,” Aunt Mary cut her off, a warm smile still on her face. “Go.”
Y/N leaned down, wrapping her arms around her aunt. It was going to be hard, but she knew deep down she was right. She would do it for Aunt Mary. For the care, for the money.
“I love you, Aunt Mary.”
“I love you, too, Y/N.”
She leaned back up, sniffling.
“I’ll write to you, okay?”
“Thank you, dear.”
Y/N pressed a kiss to her forehead, like she had done that morning, still trying to keep her tears at bay.
She heard the door open, turning around to find Carlisle standing in the doorway. The impatient look on his face told her it was time to go. Sighing, she turned back towards her aunt. She didn’t seem upset; she seemed proud. Proud that her niece was going to have a better life.
“Goodbye, Aunt Mary. I love you.”
“Goodbye, dear. You enjoy that palace, now.”
Y/N laughed softly, wiping a single tear away. Even in her old age and sickness, she still had a sense of humor.
With that, she walked out of her house with Carlisle, possibly for the last time. He was talking about how she didn’t need to bring anything with her, how everything would be provided for her at the palace, but she was hardly listening. She was leaving her little village, living with the royal family.
She was starting a whole new life, and she wasn’t sure if she was excited or terrified.
