The Choice [Mashlum]

chapter eleven

A/N this is mainly a fluffy chapter, but warning you, a lot of shit is about to happen in this story. Please continue to comment and vote, it really means a lot and I love reading your thoughts on the story...and in the media is Mac!

^^^

There were a lot of negatives that have happened recently within the boys' relationship and that needed to change. Michael had recovered from the incident at the bar, and Ashton's stress levels were down a bit, but Calum was sad. He was sad because Michael was sad with dealing with his mom, Ashton was sad because Michael was sad, and Calum hated seeing everyone so sad. Although Ashton and Michael were doing better they noticed that Calum's mood wasn't the greatest. The small boy was barely putting any effort into how he looked and he hardly was eating. It was really worrisome. Eventually Michael and Ashton decided to have a talk about Calum, they were sat at a coffee shop in town while Calum was home from having a day off and Michael was picking Ashton up because his car was getting some work done. So they were sitting across from each other drinking hot beverages.

"He needs to cheer up, he just looks so down and I don't know what's wrong. His job is fine, our relationship is good. It makes no sense." Ashton sighed.

"Maybe with everything that has happened everything is just hitting him now." Michael shrugged. "I don't really know. He's normally so bubbly and he's the happy one in this relationship."

"We should do something for him."

Michael nodded in agreement, but what would make Calum happy? The two thought for a minute before Michael jumped in his seat with excitement, Ashton raising his eyebrow at his boyfriend.

"What?"

"Let's get him a puppy!" Michael tells him excitedly. "He's been asking for one for over a year now. We could consider it an early anniversary gift."

"I don't know..." Ashton hesitated.

"Why are you always so unsure when it comes to a dog Ash? We've both had family dogs growing up, Calum's never had that. We know how to take care of one. And we can train them. When we are all away from the home we can put the dog in a cage until they are properly trained. Calum wants a dog Ash. He's always wanted a dog."

"Okay..okay we can go look at dogs." Ashton puts his hands up in surrender.

"Oh my god can we go now?" Michael asks with a large smile on his face.

"Yeah babe, we can go." Ashton smiles back.

Michael and Ashton got up from the table, throwing out their empty coffee cups, Ashton reaching out to take Michael's hand who easily intertwined their fingers as they walked out of the shop. They walked slowly to Michael's truck just loving the feeling of their hands intertwined and knowing that they could be affectionate with each other.

Michael loved his time with each boy, but it had been awhile since he and Ashton did something just the two of them. He always felt protected when he was with Ashton and he liked the attention. Usually if the three of them go out he and Ashton worry about Calum and making sure he is safe, but Michael likes to feel safe too and he does but he likes when he has the older boy's attention to himself. Some would say that is selfish, but it's not, Michael just likes being with both boys separately as well as being the three of them. He has a different relationship with both boys apart from the whole relationship and that's the same thing for everyone, Ashton and Calum have a different relationship than Michael and Ashton, or Michael and Calum. When they are altogether they are magical. Or so Michael thinks and he's right, the three of them compliment each other really well.

They made it to the truck, the two of them letting go of the other's hand to go to their respective sides of the vehicle. Michael getting into the driver's seat and starting the truck. Once they are safely inside Michael shifts down into reverse and backs out of the parking lot.