Promise » [cashton] √

3.7

[14th of October - Los Angeles]

They'd only gotten back from Italy the day before, but apparently, the crew had tight-held traditions because they were having a breakup party at Ashton's already. Calum had stayed over the night before, but had gone back to his place to get any item of clothing he hadn't worn for the last ten weeks. He'd packed all his favourites and was surprised how quickly he had become sick of them. After changing into something people hadn't seen a million times, he returned once the party was in full swing; it was much bigger than the US wrap party, with people bringing their partners and friends, and a lot more of the backstage crew being in attendance.

The doors had been opened out into the backyard, but both it and the pool were empty because of the light drizzle that had started about earlier in the evening. the doors remained open though, because it 'added a nice atmosphere' to the party.

He moved through people, trying not to look too familiar with the house as he made for the large kitchen; Ashton had text him when he'd arrived that he was in there with the girls. Which he was, and smiled and waved when he saw Calum enter, beckoning him over.

When he reached Ashton, the younger man opened up his arms, pulling him in close, "I missed you, got used to seeing you every day on tour," he knew that was for the girl's benefit because he'd been there not that long ago.

He kissed Ashton's cheek in reply and as they pulled back the younger man kept a possessive arm around his waist.

"You have more work booked now you're back again?" Lara asked, sipping her beer.

"Yeah, but I didn't book anything this week; wanted to spend a bit of time with Ash before he gets busy again," the younger man was beaming next to him, and the conversation continued like that. Polite, until Ashton and the girls started talking about something and Calum just listened; with Ashton's arm on his waist, he got the distinct feeling that he was playing the role of shiny new handbag tonight. Ashton was very proud of him and wasn't going to be seen without him.

By two, he needed a break. He'd said it the first time he'd hung out with these people outside of work, they were all too sugary. The rain outside should have been enough to keep anyone from the small pool shed but he forgot that Luke would know this place better than just about anyone else.

So as he stumbled over the step into the small shed, he nearly kept falling when his eyes landed on Luke. He was sipping from a nice glass that didn't look anything like the plastic tumblers Ashton had handed out to everyone else.

"How'd you know about this place?" He asked, not as shocked to see Calum as Calum was to see him.

He shrugged stiffly, "Ash and I went swimming before tour started," actually, Ashton had had to go to a meeting, and Calum had had to go swimming alone, but he didn't feel like telling Luke that.

"So you out here hiding from the Brady Bunch?" Another sip, and his eyes flicked to the couch he was sitting on, offering for Calum to join.

"They're your friends... but yeah, I just need a break from the PG-13 drinking game," Luke quirked an eyebrow, "they're playing never have I ever, and it was so tame, I had to drink for everything, if I'd stayed I'd have blacked out," he laughed forgetting himself for a moment as he flopped onto the couch.

Luke was laughing too, "Yeah I started just lying; never have I ever... kissed someone I didn't know the name of," they were laughing heartily, and Calum realised he'd missed the tentative friendship they'd had in his first month or so.

"Never have I ever seen a boy with his shirt off," Calum was giggling now, feeling the effects of the alcohol as he found himself having fun for the first time all night.