Clean ⇔ Cashton ✓

Can Anybody Hear Me?

A/N: THE FUXJING GIF

CALUM

Christmas has never exactly been my favorite time of the year.

I love the cold weather and the joyful ambiance of the season, but the celebration was always much less exciting with both my parents and Luke.

My parents always focused on the money part of Christmas rather than the spirit part of it, and they paid me even less attention than they did before the season came around. Everything revolves around Mali and the new Christmas album she was releasing, or Mali and the fabulous new gifts she got from her boyfriend, or Mali and the wonderful income she was bringing into the family's bank account. I was hardly spared a glance.

With Luke, it's a little different. He pays me enough attention, thankfully, but Luke makes everything, even Christmas, feel like a formal occasion. He's put up fancy decorations that glisten in the sunlight and a big Christmas tree that brought here from halfway across the country because Luke insisted they were the best ones. He puts crystal ornaments up and an expensive glass star that sits on the top of the tree with pride.

I don't know what I expected Christmas to be with Luke, but the books and all that make it seem a whole lot more... happy. With Luke, nothing has changed except the glittering decorations.

Luke is having a Christmas party tonight, which makes my skin crawl. I can't stand the formal parties Luke throws, because everything is stiff and planned out. It's less a party than it is a meeting.

Luke had me go to work for a few hours while he gets everything ready, so here I stand in front of the silverware, rolling them into napkins.

"Hey Calum!" Ashton appears beside me, reaching in to help me with the silverware. He gives me a huge smile, practically bouncing on his feet.

I blink at him. "What's got you so happy?"

"Dude, it's Christmas!" Ashton exclaims, staring at me like I was crazy. "Or close to it, anyway. Christmas is the best time of the year."

I swallow my jealousy at his excitement. Ashton's attitude is how most of the world who celebrates Christmas acts about it, and then there's me. I want desperately to feel that happy anticipation about the holiday, but instead all I feel is dread swimming in my veins.

The crisp air in the restaurant feels almost suffocating. "Luke is throwing a party tonight."

Ashton places a hand on his chest. "And I wasn't invited?" I glance up at him with wide eyes before he breaks into a smile and laughs. "Kidding. He hates my guts."

Which was definitely true. Luke's anger for the hazel eyed boy hasn't faded a bit. If anything, it's grown like a wildfire. I can see the spark of distaste in Luke's clear blue eyes every time I mention something about him at work. I can't see how anybody could hate the boy who smiles more than he frowns, but Luke is living proof.

Ashton helps me untangle a few napkins. "I hope you have a good time," he says light-heartedly.

The words release into the open air and stay there, wrapped around my neck like a pair of hands. I'm not sure what I wanted him to say, but that certainly wasn't it.

Ashton pats my back and turns away cheerfully, heading into the dining area. I watch him go with mixed emotions, his curly hair disappearing behind the corner.

A gust of cold air replaces his presence, leaving me just as alone as I had been before.

~*~

Luke arrives out front to pick me up a few hours later, the sleek black car standing out against the others. I gather my things hurriedly, slipping on my coat and tying a black scarf around my neck. I shrink a little inside the clothes as I walk outside, the crisp air turning my cheeks and nose bright red. I quickly climb into Luke's car, thankful that the heat is on.

"Hey, babe," Luke greets with a smile. He leans over and surprised me by presses his lips against mine. I kiss him back hesitantly, staring at him as he pulls away. He doesn't say anything, acting as though he does that every day. He starts driving back to the house, so I sit back and let myself get warm.

"The house is ready for tonight," Luke says. He glances at me, a look in his eyes that I can't figure out. "It's going to be great."

His sharp features are beautiful in the dim light outside, his eyes unusually bright. He radiates an anticipating energy that makes me wonder what on earth could make him so alive, but I don't risk asking.

We pull into the driveway and Luke turns off the car. I follow him into the house, taking off my coat and scarf and hanging it up on the coat rack. Luke kisses my cheek and presses his hand against the small of my back, leading me towards the den.

"Look who's here," Luke says in my ear before leading me through the doorway. In the den sits my family, looking like they might burst with excitement. Andy sits on the edge of the couch, his chin held high with a smile on his face. Sitting a few seats beside him are two familiar figures, looking at me with friendly faces. Jack and Ben.

Liz is nowhere to be seen, but I figure that's because Andy is here. From what I've gathered, Liz doesn't particularly like being in the same room as Andy if she can help it.

I look up at Luke with surprise. "They're already here?"

"They might leave a little earlier than planned, so I figured I'd invite them over earlier," Luke says. His explanation doesn't make much sense to me, but I just go along with it and nod.

I walk into the room hesitantly, quickly sitting down beside Jack and Ben. They give me cheerful smiles, also looking relieved that I put a bit of distance between them and their father.

Luke sits beside me, wedged in between me and Andy. He starts off the conversation, thanking everyone for coming and telling everyone about a new technological project he's working on.

Luke has his arm around my shoulder as he talks, weighing heavily down on my neck. Everyone listens intently as he talks, occasionally adding a bit of commentary. I'm not surprised that Luke has captured the attention of the room so quickly. It's part of the Hemmings' blood.

Eventually, after many topics have gone around and everyone is comfortable with their glasses of thick red wine, Luke stands up, pulling me to my feet as well.

"Attention, everybody, please," says Luke loudly, and everyone falls silent. "I just want to take a moment to appreciate my love, Calum."

I stare at him as he turns and smiles at me. My family coos a bit, and I blink at my boyfriend in surprise.

"I knew from the moment I met you that you were the love of my life. We've been together for four years, and hopefully many more to come," Luke says. His voice isn't sappy, but more soft and informative. He smiles at me, and suddenly he gets down on one knee.

My blood turns to ice.

Luke pulls out a black velvet box, and he opens the lid welcomingly.

"Calum Hood, will you marry me?"

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A/N: hey go check out my new story Throne!! it would mean a ton :) #selfpromo

so Luke is proposing!! how lovely

so if you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be

I think the Netherlands?? I love the Dutch language and Amsterdam looks pretty sweet

thanks for reading! y'all are awesome. please vote & comment if you'd like :)

love you to the moon! bye