Single Parent-trip \\ Cashton

Chapter 18

Calum was somewhat tired, when he and Aiden joined Michael and Aries for breakfast that morning. It was a free day for those who didn't have the excursion and Calum was glad he hadn't chosen this one. He couldn't even remember what it was exactly, but he was just glad to be able to stay in the hotel.

The whole night had existed of Calum tossing and turning, his mind clogged up with thoughts about AshtonAshtonAshton. And Calum wanted to be annoyed, which he partially –albeit it a very little bit- was, but he couldn't really be. He loved the thought of Ashton. But that was the annoying part, because he liked Ashton and he liked him too much for it to be just a silly crush. Heck, he had ended up imagining life with Ashton!

Of course Calum had considered that it could be the idea of the second parent for Aiden, since Ashton and Aiden got along so well. But Calum knew that wasn't just the case. He liked the idea of Ashton in general, not just him being Aiden's second parent. Which was the part that annoyed him, because he hadn't gotten to 'woo' Ashton the day before and now there were only two real days left.

"You look sour." Michael commented, sipping his coffee and looking at the kids briefly to make sure they were still there. Calum sighed, leaning on his hand and looking at the bleached blond with a somewhat desperate look. "I couldn't sleep at all. I was kept up by thoughts about... well, you know who."

Michael grinned, even if he already knew Calum had failed their plan the day before. He still had hope though, to see the two end up together. "That's all the more reason to woo him today. I heard he isn't tagging along with the excursion, just the welcoming thing. So I suggest I keep the monsters busy and you do your thing."

Calum gave Michael a look, not exactly agreeing at first, before slowly letting himself agree. Really, he had nothing to lose anyway. They had two days left, with a goodbye-dinner tomorrow night and then it was back to the airport for the long plane-ride and back to his old life. With or without Ashton. "Fine."

"Nice. Now, you really do need to take the first step, but I'm pretty sure he'll be out. He loves the nature, isn't it?" Michael said, very obviously still as excited. Calum nodded, remembering all the times Ashton did tag along with excursions and knowing all of these included nature in one way or another. "Right. So, um, he'll be around nature most likely. Today. Or the pool, because he seems to enjoy just relaxing there too."

Calum chuckled softly at the way Michael suddenly spoke sheepishly, but he did have to agree that it sounded logical. But, Calum felt quite positive about finding Ashton, knowing Aiden had this Ashton-radar, as it seemed. And they also seemed to attract each other like magnets, with the count of times they've met somewhere coincidentally.

The ringing of a phone interrupted the conversation, even if it had been pretty much finished already, making Michael pull it out. He didn't even pretend to be annoyed by it, simply smiling and picking up. Calum watched him, how his expression was still happy and how he kept smiling while answering.

At one point, Michael's expression changed to surprise though, which made Calum quite curious. But he kept quiet, letting Michael finish his conversation. He knew Michael would probably tell him anyway, considering how open the two had gotten with each other.

"Yeah, um, I'll think about it. Thanks." Michael mumbled, before saying his goodbye and hanging up, letting his eyes meet Calum's. The dark haired male kept quiet, looking back and raising an eyebrow lightly. Michael blinked a few times, before slowly speaking. "He invited me to his graduation..."

Calum grinned, leaning over the small table a little and punching Michael's shoulder playfully. "Nice. You should definitely go."

Michael blinked a few more times, seeming to think it through, before slowly smiling. "Yeah, I should. It's a good time to talk, right?"