5sos One Shots

Calum BSM - Fairytale AU

~A/N~ I've been lowkey so excited to write this four-part chapter like I'm not even joking (even though it's been really difficult and taken me ages).
Enjoy the chapter!
Leila xx

Calum (18):
"I wonder what it's like outside the gates," you mused, turning towards Calum with an inquisitive expression on your face. "Can you tell me what our kingdom is like?"

"It's not our kingdom, really," your brother corrected you. "It's mum and dad's, and then it will be Mali's. She's the oldest, she inherits it. Anyway, I've told you hundreds of times and I only glimpsed it."

"I know, but please tell me again," you pleaded. Calum recounting his glimpse of the kingdom was the closest you ever had, or ever would, get to seeing it.

"What's going on here?" Michael, one of the guards that had become good friends with you and especially Calum, burst into your room. He knew at this point he didn't need permission.

"Y/N wants me to tell her about the kingdom again," sighed Calum. Deep down, he felt the same as you, but he couldn't outwardly voice it. No, your brother knew he just had to bide his time and keep his mouth shut for any hope of seeing outside the wall ever again.

"If Y/N wants to hear about the kingdom, she's come to the right man," said Michael, puffing out his chest and turning to you. "They call me an expert."

"An expert at what?" The door swung open again and a tall blond boy came in. Sir Luke Hemmings, best friend of Calum and a respected knight in the castle community. He had risen to highest position after defeating the dragon that had been terrorising the villagers on the outskirts of your kingdom, along with his partner in crime Ashton Irwin (who was soon to be married to your eldest sister Mali and would be second in command if anything happened to her once she inherited the throne). Ashton followed him through the door, waving at everyone with a giggle.

"An expert at the kingdom, stupid," smiled Michael, ruffling his hair. Once, he would have been berated or even dismissed for talking to his superiors in such a tone, but after growing so close to everyone he found he was able to joke with you all.

"Ha!" Luke snorted, "I think you'll find I'm the expert here."

"Wait, wait," interrupted Calum. "Instead of just telling Y/N about the kingdom, why don't we show her? The three of you would be able to sneak us out, and you know your way around well."

Your face brightened up considerably at that idea, and you nodded eagerly.

"I think we could make that work," pondered Ashton, stroking the stubble on his chin. "If Michael has spare uniforms we could disguise you as guards and take you out of the castle. No one would question mine or Luke's authority."

"Do I have no authority?" Michael asked, pulling a sad face.

"Haha... no," you giggled at the pout on your friend's lips and pushed him playfully.

"Hey!" Calum scolded you, "you're not allowed to push the guards."

You scowled and he sighed. "Don't look at me like that."

"You don't look at me like that!" you argued, and the other three boys groaned.

"All right, all right, we'll leave so that you two can argue in peace," Luke said. "Meet us in the store cupboard next to the front gates at nine o'clock."

***
The evening couldn't come fast enough for you, and you were fiddly and jumpy all day. Calum too was excited, though he hid it far better.

"Y/N, are you quite all right?" your mother, the Queen, asked as you all sat for your dinner at the banquet table. She had good reason to be curious, for you were as fidgety as a cricket and could barely sit still for a second. Ashton simply smiled and laced his finger's with Mali's, for he knew the reason behind your mood.

"Calm down!" Calum hissed in your ear, jabbing you in the side with his elbow. "They'll start to expect something!"

"I'm fine, Mother," you reassured the Queen. "It's just been a long day."

"Tell me about it, I've had so many people complaining to me about the kingdom's fishing system I think I'm going to go mad..." Fortunately, your good old father took the attention off of you by beginning his daily rundown of every event that had happened to him since he had woken up that morning. It was a tedious time, but incredibly useful if you didn't want to be the centre of attention.

"Mother, I'm feeling rather tired, would it be okay if I retired for the night?" you politely requested, giving your parents the puppy dog eyes so that they wouldn't inquire further.

"Oh, dear, are you ill?" Mali asked.

"No, but Calum and I have been quite busy today and I'm feeling exhausted," you said quickly.

"Me too," added Calum.

"Oh, then I suppose so," your mother agreed and you grinned at your brother as you both rose hurriedly. Upon arriving at the meeting point, you found Ashton already there though you didn't know how he managed to arrive so quickly, or what excuse he had made to leave.

"Are you ready?" Michael hissed, shoving several guard outfits into your arms.

"I've never been more ready!" you giggled, causing Calum to hush you harshly. "Sorry."

Keeping your heads down, you managed to trudge through the castle gates without arousing much suspicion, for no guards were willing to question such prestigious figures as Sir Luke Hemmings and future-husband-to-the-queen Ashton Irwin. Such behaviour to one's seniors would be utterly ridiculous.

The atmosphere seemed to change as soon as you stepped through the gates onto the cobbled path leading to your kingdom. Suddenly you felt lighter, freer, more able to think clearly without your brain being cluttered by all the royal nonsense spread in the palace.

Birdsong was still audible despite the setting sun casting its glowing orange and lilac rays over the forest, and you breathed in the delicious smell of baked bread and coal as you made your way into the town.

"Welcome to your kingdom," Luke smiled.

"It's beautiful," Calum breathed. "It's not quite how I remember, yet exactly the same. Does that make sense?"

"Err... not really?" Michael answered, but you weren't paying attention as you had already wandered away to one of the colourful market stalls draped in a scarlet cloth, beads and jewellery hanging off each of the three dark walls hastily assembled in time for the hurried shoppers.

The items in the tiny stall were nowhere near as valuable as the glittering diamonds and shining gold you were used to in the palace, but somehow they seemed priceless, as though each separate one housed its own unique story. One in particular caught your eye.

"Ashton," you began to ask your friend, who stayed protectively at your side. "What's that?"

"That?" he smiled. "Do you want it?"

"I've no money," you said sadly.

"Ironic," he chuckled. "It's ok, I've got some with me."

"You don't have to buy it for me."

"I want to. It can be a reminder, after all you may not be able to leave again for a long time."

"I say," gasped the aged, wrinkled woman behind the counter after handing over the purchase. "Could it be? The princess?"

"The princess!" another stall owner exclaimed, quickly glancing at your face and falling to his knees in respect. One by one, everyone followed suit until Luke, Ashton, Calum and you were the only four left standing (as Michael had also dropped, trying not to stand out).

"Princess Y/N and Prince Calum!" Several guards rushed over to where you were standing, and you began to slowly retreat. "What are you doing out of the palace?!"

"I'm sorry, but we must return you!" the lead guard squeaked, and you exchanged a look with your brother.

"RUN!"

And so you bolted away with Calum in tow, the shimmering emerald elephant pendant thudding against your chest, the only symbol of your night time adventure.