Petal || C.H.

1.

The knocking on your apartment door continued to get louder, even though all you wanted it to do was stop. You knew who it was and you knew there was nothing but good intentions behind him knocking on your door at three in the afternoon, but you just wanted to be alone.

"Baby, please open the door. I know you're in there. Your doorman said he hasn't seen you all day," Calum persisted. You wanted to let him in, honestly you did. But you and the couch had become one with each other. The blue light of the television flickering across your face, tissues scattered across the coffee table, signs of a bad day.

"Don't make me do this baby girl, please! I want to help you," he pleaded from outside the door. You wanted the noise to go away and maybe, just maybe if you stayed quiet for long enough, he'd leave. This was not the first time you've had a day like this while dating Calum. But it's the first time he's ever been home to witness it and you weren't sure how he would handle it.

Wrapping your thick blanket around you even tighter, you slowly trudged across the living room to the door, hoping the darkness would hide your tear stained cheeks. There wasn't even one particular thing bothering you. It was many things and it was nothing. There were no thoughts running through your mind and no feelings other than the feeling of being empty. Your body feeling like an empty shell, enough to upset you for days on end. You unlocked the door but didn't open it. You trudged back to your couch, a decent sized indent caved the cushions from your body.

Calum opened the door slowly and stepped inside. He surveyed the apartment as he came in. Dirty dishes piling in the sink, empty water bottles on the floor, tissues scattered across the coffee table and floor, the box empty by your side as you sniffled loudly. He grabbed a trash bag and tossed all of your water bottles and tissues away and set the bag near the door. Then you heard the water running and dishes clambering a little too loud for your taste, but again, you knew he meant well. After he was finished, you could hear the his footsteps getting closer to you and you shrunk into your blanket even more if at all possible.

"Hello petal," he said gently, sweeping some hair from your face. "Hi," you whispered back, not looking at him for fearing of crying once more.

"Is there room in there for one more?" He asked, referencing your blanket cocoon wrapped tight around your body. You nodded and he grinned ever so slightly, making a complete fuss of getting behind you so you could lie on his chest. Now that the two of you were comfy, Calum began mumbling sweet, little praises. "My beautiful girl... I wish I could do more to help you. No one should have to feel this way. Especially not my soft little petal. I love you so much baby. Just relax. Deep breaths and listen to my heartbeat."

You laid your head back against his chest, his heartbeat beginning to slow down as he relaxed there with you. "Is there something you want to talk about, my sweet?" He asked you, brushing some hair out of your face. "No," you mumbled, burying your face into his warm chest.

"Well, whatever it is, I'm here for you petal," Calum responded. "M'just tired is all," you muttered. "Tired of dealing with life and feeling like no one cares about me and no one would miss me if I was gone," you started, as tears began rolling down your cheeks once more. Calum grabbed a tissue and wiped away your tears, his other hand gently scratching the back of your head. "Hey angel, you know that's not true. I for one would be devastated if you left me. And you know the other guys would be too! They love having you around! Even if all you do is tease them. And my parents love you, and Mali loves you and your pets love you and your friends love you-"

"Okay, okay, I get it!" You responded, smiling a bit. Calum gasped. "Was that... was that a smile!?" He asked. Your straight face returned before you answered him. "Nope. Nuh uh. No smiling here. Just sadness and tears." "That was definitely a smile. I saw it. Your dimples were showing and your teeth sparkled at me!" Calum exclaimed, kissing the top of your head as you wrapped your arms around his torso. "You're so warm," you mumbled. "I know petal, you tell me this all the time," he reminded you. "Well its true."

"So are you feeling a bit better?" Calum asked. "A little bit better. Like a tiny tiny ounce better." You said, smirking. "Well then my work here is done," he said as he went to get up from the couch. "Wha-?! Where are you going?!" "Well you said you're feeling better so you don't need me here anymore!!" "Calum Thomas Hood, get your butt back over here and finish cuddling with me. It's cold here now and I need your warmth," you commanded. "I knew that was the only reason you keep me around!!" He joked. You gave him a light slap on the chest and he grinned, his beautiful smile warming your heart as usual. He leaned down and pecked a kiss to your lips, and then slid his arms under your body to pick you up. You screeched for a second before he shushed you.

"Baby it's okay, I'm just gonna take our cuddles to a more comfortable place," Calum said. "Could you maybe I dunno... earn a girl next time you decide to pick me up?!" He snickered and responded with, "What's the fun in that?!" You rolled your eyes before being plopped down on your bed and Calum joined you. He removed his shirt and you couldn't help but stare, his golden skin marked beautifully with several tattoos. "Eyes up here, petal," he giggled. "Oh hush."

"I am the luckiest guy on earth," he mumbled into your hair, pressing a kiss to your scalp. You sighed, pressing a kiss to his chest, before concentrating on his beating heart and falling asleep. There wasn't anyone else you'd rather be with on your bad days. Sure it doesn't cure everything, but the reassurance of Calum and his sweet gestures sure make low days more bearable.