𝟓𝐬𝐨𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐕𝐨𝐥.𝟏

V-A-L-N-T-Y-N-E (Calum Hood Fluff)

Summary: Calum meets (Y/N) while shooting the music video for Valentine. Past relationships make it kind of difficult for them to be completely comfortable with each other. Past relationships, and the fact (Y/N) is trans. 
(Words: 8.4k) (Request: pinkwitch269 )
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My Uber leaves me right in front of the house that corresponds to the address the driver has been given. My day started with a delivery of fresh coffee and pastries to my door and then continued with an Uber hauling me straight to the client's door. It has been a while since I have done a house visit for a client, I am way past doing people's makeup for a living now, but the client seemed like a big deal; first, I was contacted by his management, then he called himself so we could talk about the aesthetic. And the money he offered for just a day's worth of working, really couldn't be turned down.
To my understanding, this will be some sort of video production, so I can only hope for some extra exposure.
I ring the bell, shifting my weight from leg to leg as I try to forget how heavy my makeup carrier is today.
The door is answered by the man I talked to on FaceTime just a week ago.
"Good morning, (Y/N). Come on in. Did you find the house with ease?" He asks, smiling charmingly.
"Good morning. The driver didn't even have to look at the GPS to find the house. Thanks for the Uber and the breakfast, by the way. It was very kind of you." I walk into the house; the first thing I notice is how serene the house is, how quiet, how simplistic yet elegant. Then I notice the art-covered walls, the vibrant but subtle pieces that give character to the place without being too loud. I gotta admit, I am surprised by his taste.
"No problem. Can I take that for you?" He asks me, pointing at the makeup carrier.
"Do you mind if I carry it? The contains can be pretty fragile, I have to be careful." I comment and he nods.
"Of course. Where do you want to set up?" He asks me.
"Where do you want me to?"
"Whenever you are comfortable to. I don't really know about the lighting you prefer." He states.
"Can I see where you will be filming? It will help me get an understanding of what light you will be having." I ask and he nods.
"Of course, follow me." He heads ahead, walking past the entrance and the kitchen until we are in the back of the house, heading towards the basement of it.

"It is pretty dark in here..." I say, suddenly turning a bit nervous. This could possibly end in a murder... I am in a stranger's house, heading toward a bad-lit basement, I have seen that shit in movies.
"Sorry about that. We are going to film on a dark background, so we have covered the windows to avoid getting light in. We will have the filming lights open, of course. And if you need extra lighting, just let me know." He says, showing me the setup. There is another man in here, setting up the lights and camera.
"This is Andy. He is my co-director for the day. Andy, this is (Y/N), the makeup artist." Ashton introduces us. The man stands up from crouching before the tripod, extending his hand for me to shake.
"It is nice to meet you, (Y/N). I hope you enjoy working with us."
"It is nice to meet you too. It has been nothing less of a treat this far." I smile, shaking his hand.
"Ok, so. Where do you want to set up?" Ashton asks me.
"I prefer here if it is ok. That way we get to see the makeup in the actual filming light and test how it shows on camera easily." I reply and Ashton claps his hands together.
"Let's make that happen then. I will bring a table and a mirror for you. Will you need anything else to set up?" He asks me.
"A chair and a bowl of water. I can help you carry all that here."
"Oh, no. You don't have to. My friend is already here, he will help." Ashton assures me.
"Ok then." I smile and move a bit away from the setting so I won't get in the way of Andy setting things up.

"Now, why didn't we move those things downstairs last night?" I hear chatter coming from the stairs.
"Be careful here. One dent on the wall and I can kiss my deposit goodbye."
"Ashton, you should stop riding my dick like that. A dent is fixable, and I wasn't even grazing the wall." The other man states. They make it down the stairs, caring a folded table and chair.
"I am sorry if this was an inconvenience..." I mumble as Ashton unfolds the table.
"Nonsense. Just grumps over there complaining for no reason. I am Calum." The man extends one hand. He has a very charming, warm smile, a full head of messy curls, and gives off cool guy vibes as he stands before me with one hand resting in his pocket.
"I am (Y/N). Nice to meet you." I smile back at him.
"I'll bring the bowl of water. (Y/N), please feel free to start setting up." Ashton announces, pointing at the table.
"I better go bring the mirror." Calum says, pointing up the stairs.
"Oh, no. You sit here, Hood. I nearly had a heart attack from you carrying a simple chair. I'll bring the mirror." Ashton groans, making Calum roll his eyes at the comment as Andy chuckles.
"Ashton is a bit of a grump when stressed." Calum explains as I move to set up the makeup station.
"Why is he stressed?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows.
"It's his first time directing. He wants this to work."
"I thought he was a director... He was so confident about this project." I state.
"No, he is a drummer. But always had an eye for photography and videography. He has a truly artistic vein in him." Calum chuckles.
"Wait... Is this an MV?" I ask.
"You didn't know?" He asks me back, looking at me confused.
"I knew it was for a video, not for a music one." I mumble.
"We are in a band. He is the drummer, I am the bassist, we have Michael and Luke on guitar. We all have vocals. I am surprised you didn't know. I thought our management contacted you."
"They did. But I thought it was Ashton's management and he is some director..."
"Did I freak you out?" Calum asks.
"No, no. I just didn't think he has never done this before. He sounded so confident when we were talking about what he had in mind..." I comment, lining up my brushes.
"He has a way of faking it. Can I help you with that?" He asks me, pointing at my makeup case.
"I like organizing my items my way. It is easier for me to be more efficient and not spend time fumbling around for my items." I explain and he hums.
"If you need any help, I will be right there. Don't hesitate to call for me." He offers, pointing to the set, where Andy is just about turning on the lights.