Royalty | Cake✔

C h a p t e r + t w e l v e

"So he's really a prince?" Michael asked Ashton for what seemed to be the millionth time in the last hour that had been filled with explanations.

"Yes, Michael, he is a prince," Ashton confirmed. "You can stop asking now," he added, tired of the whole situation.

"Wow. And who would've thought you, the big softy, would be so protective and manly," Michael teased, elbowing him in his side as they both sat in the hospital bed.

"Yeah, yeah." Ashton waved a hand through the air as if to swat the words, along with the topic, away. "I just hope Luke listens to Calum if they see each other," he said solemnly.

"I'm sure he will, he's just that type of person," Michael reassured, lacing their fingers together.

"Hopefully," Ashton sighed, leaning his head on the redhead's shoulder.

"Stop worrying," Michael told him, kissing the top of his head. "If anything, I should be the one that's worrying- I am admitted into a hospital here."

"I know, it's just Calum's like my little brother, and I really want things to work out for him; they never really did before."

"How so?" Michael inquired curiously.

"Well, I've never seen him this happy in... well, in years. He's always got this huge pressure and expectation form his parents; it really takes a toll on him. Being a prince, his parents are always trying to set him up with other heirs, but they never work out. Either they just don't click, they're a girl, which doesn't work for obvious reasons, or the person's just into him for his high ranking," Ashton explained.

"Oh."

"It's quite depressing to watch, especially the aftermath."

"Why?"

"Because Calum always thinks it was something he did, or that he's just unloveable," Ashton sighed, shaking his head at the memories.

"That's so sad."

"Tell me about it," Ashton scoffed, squeezing Michael's hand.

"Then Luke better-" Michael started, but stopped himself when the door opened, a red-faced Calum entering the room.

Ashton jumped up, rushing over to the boy and grabbing him by the shoulders. "Calum what happen-"

"I lost him, Ash. I fucking lost him," he whispered, tears pouring down his pink, tear stained cheeks.

"What do you mean...?" Ashton trailed off.

Calum just broke. He clung to Ashton's shirt, sobs escaping his lips. Ashton tried to comfort him and ask him what happened, but he wouldn't say anything.

•••••

"I don't understand- how could Luke do that?" Michael spoke in disbelief.

"I don't know." Ashton shrugged. They had somehow gotten Calum to calm down enough for him to tell them the reason he was crying. Neither could believe that Luke- the one who seemed as if he was head over heels in love with the prince- could just up and walk away like that.

"He's being so damn heartless... Why?" Michael asked to no one in particular.

"I don't know," Ashton repeated, cuddling with the boy in his bed, while Calum slept restlessly on the couch, a frown on the prince's face the entire time. "But what I do know is that you need rest, or else they're not gonna let you go home tomorrow."

"You're right, we can talk to Luke tomorrow when we get home, surely he'll be there- Mama Liz is his top comforter," Michael giggled at Luke's childish ways.

"Night Michael," Ashton whispered, pulling him gently into him more.

"G'night," he whispered back, pecking Ashton's lips before slowly drifting off to sleep.