The Choice [Mashlum]

chapter three

Ashton was out on their back deck smoking a cigarette, he wasn't allowed to smoke inside because Calum would always try to push him out so eventually he stopped. He shouldn't be smoking in the house anyway but. It was early in the morning, probably around two and he couldn't really sleep. They had just gotten back from the one and only bar in town and Calum was so drunk Ashton had to give him a piggyback ride to bed but he was such a giggly drunk, and Michael was fairly drunk himself but he was still functioning. Ashton waited for them to both fall asleep before coming out to the back deck. Ashton always liked to relax after a night of drinking, and smoking certainly relaxed him. He loved his boys but sometimes they could be a little much at times, he wouldn't change anything for the world, and he never wants to lose Michael or Calum but Ashton also really likes his space.

He was staring at his tattooed arms thinking of getting another one done. He had wanted to get a thin triangle for the longest time and at each point he would have M, C, A. It wouldn't be the first tattoo he's gotten to commemorate his relationship, he had several. Three years being with the most important people in his life. Ashton was so so in love, he knew that he came off as someone who was harsh but he would do anything for his boys. He loved everything about them including their flaws.

He knows he needs to quit smoking, Calum tells him every time the boy sees him with a cigarette but it's a hard habit to break. Ashton could hear the waves hit the sand from the ocean. It was one of the perks of living on the beach, he loved the sound of the waves, it usually put him to sleep. Tonight though he was just feeling restless and he didn't know why. Sure he had a few drinks at the bar, the bartender Luke always really liked the boys and always made sure they were taken care of, but Ashton just wasn't feeling it tonight. 

Ashton had finished his cigarette a bit ago and he was debating on lighting up another one. He was soon interrupted though, he heard the sliding door open up.

"Ash what are you doing, come to bed." Michael whispers into the night. He was a little pissed that he got woken up by Calum, the said boy was clinging to Michael's back at the moment. Calum had woken up to a somewhat empty bed, he needed Ashton's strong arms around him and he wasn't there and Calum didn't want to walk through the dark house by himself, he needed protection, so he woke Michael up and now they were both standing in the kitchen where their sliding door to the back deck was.

"What are you guys doing up?" Ashton questions back.

"Well peanut here woke up and you were gone so he woke me up to come find you."

"I'm sorry loves, let's go to bed yeah?"

Michael shuffled himself and Calum over so that Ashton could walk into the house. Ashton laced his fingers with Calum's before allowing Michael to walk them all back to their room.

Once in their room Calum crawled up on the bed going to his designated spot in the middle. He was still rather drunk and his head felt a bit funny but he just wanted cuddles and everyone in their places. Ashton was next to crawl into the bed, crawling in between Calum's legs to plant a firm kiss on his boy. He was going to pull away but then Calum started kissing back with some force, his mouth opening for Ashton to tangle their tongues, his arms went up around Ashton's neck to hold him in place and then Calum was giggling.

"I'm sorry for worrying you peanut." Ashton kisses him once more before rolling off to land on his back beside the boy.

"It's okay, we're all together now."

"Mikey babe, c'mon." Ashton says to the boy that is still standing.

The two on the bed watched Michael climb back on and take his place beside Calum, but not before kissing them both. Michael and Ashton wrapped their arms around Calum.