Benches | Mashton AU |

10. Games Night

[A/N]: Calum is 18 and still in high school, so two years younger than Ashton and Michael (both 20). Luke is 15 and a sophomore

The spoon makes a little clinking noise as it hits the sides of the mug of tea. I take it with me, wrapping my hands around it to steal its warmth as I carry it to the living room.

My hands start to shake as I take a sip of the bitter coffee, not really registering the taste but enjoying the much needed heat it brings. I shiver into my dressing gown and think about a pair of warm arms and how the cold apartment would seem so much friendlier if I only had him to hold me.

The coffee spills over the sides of the cup as my hand trembles violently, burning my skin until the shaking is so out of control I lose grip of the mug completely and it drops to the floor, shattering with a loud crack.

I look at the mess at my feet for a few moments before I register that there's broken pieces of mug and hot liquid everywhere. I reach down, my hand still shaking and make an attempt to clean up.

When the floor's almost clear, I reach under the bookshelf to check for any more fragments, but stop when I see a brightly coloured box. I take it out from it's hiding place and blow gently onto it to get rid off the dust.

I run my fingers gently over the top and think back to this damn game of monopoly .

April 12th 2016

54 years and 35 days ago

9 years and 279 days before

"Best behaviour, both of you," Michael says sternly, crossing his arms as he looks at Luke and Olivia. She nods, giggling cutely while Luke just rolls his eyes. "Seriously. This is a big deal for me and Ashton. Calum's his best friend. This is- this is like meeting his parents. I really want him to like me."

I walk past quickly, putting a bowl of chips on the table, smacking Michael's hand away as he goes to reach for them. He pouts and I kiss his cheek quickly, on my tip toes a little, "Don't worry. He's going to love you,"

The doorbell rings and Michael jumps about five feet, and I chuckle at  him. "Calm down," I whisper, about to go open the door when suddenly Calum bursts in loudly.

We all turn to look at him, and he grins, "Sorry I'm late. I saw and dog and had to stop to pet it," He looks at us as we stare back, "Well now that I've made my dramatic entrance and made everything very uncomfortable, I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I really need a piss,"

And he saunters through the apartment, knowing his way around. "Jesus Christ, that boy has no boundaries" I mutter under my breath.

By the time Calum's returned, we've set up the game and are just about to start. He flops onto the sofa beside me, grinning, "Dibs on the top hat!"

He looks around for it, before

"No way! That's mine!" Luke retorts, snatching up the piece before he has the chance. Calum looks at the blonde for a minute, and I can tell he's thinking before something finally clicks and his eyes light up, "Hey! I know you! You're a sophomore from my school!"

Luke groans and hides his blushing face behind his hands mumbling, "I thought you wouldn't recognise me. This is so embarrassing,"

Calum smiles and looks at him fondly, and it doesn't take an idiot to see the little glances they share throughout the night, and how close they're sitting and how much each of them are blushing with goofy grins on their faces.

June 14th 2016

53 years and 337 days ago

8 years and 251 days before

"Games night is cancelled this week, sorry. Olivia's at home because she's sick, so Michael's looking after her," I tell Calum, and his smile instantly drops. I pat his shoulder, "You've been playing monopoly with us every week for like 3 months. Aren't you sick of it?"

He blushes a little, shifting his weight awkwardly, "No, not really. I just- I really like seeing Luke,"

I smile at him sympathetically, "You're crushing pretty bad, aren't you?"

He lies back further on the sofa, "You've got no idea. He's so cute and adorable and I just want to cuddle with him and kiss him so he knows how perfect he is,"

"Remember when I was just crushing on Michael?" He nods so I continue, "I said nothing to him for months and you always told me to grow a pair. Just follow your own advice,"

"But this is different. What if he doesn't feel the same? It would make things awkward. What if he's not even gay? What if the age difference is too much?"

"Stop with the what ifs, okay? If you still like him after playing monopoly with him, it's true love" I tell him, getting up from the couch and putting my jacket on.

"Where are you going?"

I grin deviously, "Luke's been in the kitchen the whole time. I was babysitting him, and he's probably been unintentionally listening in,"

Proving me right, Luke sheepishly emerges from the kitchen , biting his lip as he looks at Calum's shocked face and then at the floor. Calum simply stares at him, his mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.

I shake my head fondly, "Now that I'm done being the best fúcking matchmaker ever, I'm going to give you guys some privacy." I chuckle at their red cheeks and awkward little smiles as I leave, knowing Michael will kill all of us when he finds out.

I chuckle and remind myself to introduce monopoly to Mikayla and maybe she can play it for the first time and lose so hard. I remember to steal the dog, a get out of jail free card and a $1000 to use later

Which is definitely not cheating.

[A/N]: So hi again. idk if people read this, but sorry for being so bad with updates. Just- shít's been happening recently, and I don't really feel comfortable telling anyone.

Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about Cake! Finally, Calum has been introduced!

And poor Michael. My little baby has been hurt and some people are making horrible jokes. Him and Calum are such amazing guys, both tweeting so everyone knew what was going on. I just wanna cuddle Michael and tell him how much I love him no matter what  and I will defend him from haters with my life. I'm not scared to fight a bítch.

-Cece 🍃