Pretty Boys // cashton + muke \\

12

Chapter 12 (edited May 2021)

Michael tapped at the sides of his mug, the scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting around the shop, making him warm even as he fidgeted in his seat. The man sipped on his drink as the door chimed, signaling that someone had walked in. A small girl with long brown hair walked up to Michaels booth and slid into the seat in front of him. Michael looked up and met the beautiful green eyes he was once convinced he was in love with.

She hasn't changed much. Her brunette hair was longer, down to her lower back, her lips always coated with red lipstick, her waist still slim and her hands still petite.

Kina smiled at Michael, her teeth white and all too perfectly straight. Michael returned the smile, sliding over a mug of coffee that was brewed the way he knew she liked it.

"Wow, you still know my coffee order," She observed, sliding her fingers around the glass. Michael chuckled nervously, shrugging.

"We were together for six months," he said. The girl nodded, taking a slow sip from her drink.

"How've you been, Mikey? Seeing anyone new?" Kina asked, looking at him from beneath her lashes.

"No, no one new for me. How about you? Seeing anyone?" Michael asked. Kina smiled, reaching across the table and placing her hand on Michaels.

"No, I'm not. I was kind of thinking maybe we could give this another shot. What I did was terrible and cruel, but I'm saying right now that I'm so sorry for what I did. I still really love you, Mikey-bear" Kina confessed, her smile a fake sad one. Michael smiled politely, moving his hand away from hers. All he could think was, "Luke would be laughing in her face right now."

The blonde took up space in Michaels head, distracting him from the girl in front of him. Kina pressed her hand back into Michaels, his thoughts faltering for a second.

"I love you, Michael," She repeated.

"Let's go out tomorrow," Michael blurted out before his heart had time to discuss it with his brain. His stomach churned as Kina smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

"I'd love that, baby," she said. Michael sighed, sinking into his seat as a solid weight sat atop his lungs.

•                            •                             •

Calum giggled as Ashton tickled his sides, his small hands pushing against Ashton's shoulders and chest in a weak attempt to make him stop. Ashton chuckled, blowing raspberries on Calum's exposed collar bones, only making the boy laugh more.

"I'm g-gonna pee on- on you" Calum warned jokingly. Ashton froze, bringing his head up to meet Calum's eyes.

"Kinky," He smirked, getting a slap to the chest and a giggle from Calum. Ashton threw himself onto the bed, resting his hands behind his head as Calum draped himself on top of him, legs wiggling between Ashton's, hands under his chin. He drew invisible patterns against Ashton's chest as he sighed.

"So I was thinking..." Ashton trailed off, carding his fingers through Calum's curls.

"About?" Calum wrapped his arms around Ashton's waist, laying his head just above his stomach. Ashton's fingers danced along Calum's neck and shoulders.

"My grandmother is coming into town tomorrow and I'm cooking dinner for her, so I was thinking that maybe you could come by, and I could introduce you to her," he paused, "maybe as my boyfriend?" Ashton stared at the ceiling, biting his bottom lip. Calum slowly lifted his head from Ashton's chest, looking up at the man with a small, warm smile.

"I'll understand if you think it's too early for us to be official, but I just really like y-" Ashton was cut off when Calum leaned up and pressed his lips against his. Calum placed both of his hands on Ashton's cheeks, kissing him softly. Ashton melted into the kiss, gently holding Calum's waist as he kissed back. Calum smiled against his lips, slowly releasing from it, and laying his head back down on Ashton's chest.

"She's not as harsh as your mother right?" Calum asked, popping his head up again. "No offense to your mom, that's your mom, but that lady is seriously scary." Ashton chuckled, shaking his head.

"No, she's a super sweet lady as long as you don't get on her bad side, which is very hard to do. She'll love you," Ashton comforted, pulling at Calum's waist so the boy was eye level.

"I hope so. I can't afford to have more of your family hate me. I'm already on your mothers bad side," Calum said. Ashton huffed a laugh, kissing Calum's lips gently.

"My grandmother is a sixty year old ball of pure sunshine. She knits scarves and drinks tea every day at exactly three o'clock, she can't do much damage. Wait, was that a yes?" Ashton asked. Calum giggled, wrapping his legs around Ashton's waist.

"Of course that was a yes," Calum rolled his eyes playfully, his fingertips dancing along the expanse of Ashton's chest. The man smiled as he placed one hand on the side of Calum's neck, running his thumb along the boy's jaw as he pressed their lips together in a chaste kiss. Calum reciprocated by moving closer to Ashton, his hand laying flat against Ashton's chest, the other tangling in his sandy blonde curls.  Calum was the first to pull away, breathing heavily as he leaned his forehead against Ashton's.

The older man wrapped his arms around Calum's waist, pulling him closer. Calum sighed, biting his lip as he slipped out of Ashton's grip and sat up. Ashtons eyebrows furrowed in concern as he sat up and leaned his head back against the headboard.

"I haven't had a boyfriend since the tenth grade," Calum said, fidgeting with his fingers as he sat at the edge of the bed and stared at his hands. " I haven't been intimate with anyone since then either. I was really focused on school and I never found it relevant to pursue a guy until I met you," he looked up briefly before averting his eyes again. "I just need you to know that I probably won't be ready to be completely intimate for a while. I'll understand if that's something that changes your mind about wanting me to be your boyfriend," he said. Ashton frowned as moved closer to Calum, taking the boy's hand in his own. Calum stared down at his lap, ignoring the warm feeling that filled his chest when Ashton laced their fingers together.

"Calum, I don't want you to be my boyfriend because I want to have sex with you. I want you to be my boyfriend because I like you, a lot. We don't have to do anything you aren't one hundred percent comfortable with, okay?" Ashton assured, tilting his head in hopes that Calum would look at him. The boy slowly looked up, nodding as he leaned into Ashton.

"Thank you," he whispered. Ashton wrapped his arms around Calum's smaller body, pulling him impossibly close.

"You don't have to thank me, baby," Ashton replied, kissing Calum's forehead. Calum's heart fluttered, his arms wrapping around Ashton's waist as he buried his face in the man's shirt.