Recount the Seconds (Muke)

Chapter 14

Present - Ashton

Blinking the morning blur from my eyes, I peer over at my alarm clock. Fucking hell. 7:32. Why the ever-loving -- really, Luke? "I Miss You" drifts down the hallway of the flat. 

I shift to roll out of bed, and jump when my covers twitch and something beside me groans. Turning toward the sound, I notice Calum's skinny arm thrown over my waist. It tightens as I twist to face my bandmate and he buries his sleep-swollen face into my chest, mumbling nonsense. 

"Calum."

Grumbling, the black-haired boy nuzzles closer to me. I frown. 

"Calum!" 

"Wha--?"

"Wake up." 

"What time is--"

"Early, would you--" he closes his eyes again "--Calum, wake up." 

He blinks his large brown eyes, his expression blank. Then, he focuses on my face. "Morni-- wait -- oh." He scrambles away from me. "Why are you awake?" 

"Luke's playing music; I'm gonna go figure out what's going on." 

"Okey," Cal murmurs, letting his face collapse back into the pillows of my bed. "Come get me when there's food?"

I can't help but smile at him. "Sure." 

-----

Present - Luke

A loud wrap on the door interrupts my packing. 

Reaching over to pause the music, I grimace. Shit, shouldn't have woke them up. "Come in." 

"Really, with the morning and the music?" Ash leans on the door frame, scowling. 

"Sorry..." I fiddle with the t-shirt in my hands: Michael's Iron Maiden shirt; I'd been sleeping in it too much of late, but it still held his scent like a memory, a good one, something that can't be broken. 

"Whatever. Turn it down or something?"

"I can keep it off." 

"What are you doing?" 

"Packing up. My flight leaves at noon." 

Suddenly, despite his tired eyes, Ash smiles. "Right. How are you anyway?"

I grin back. I'm over the moon. "Better than last night. I just need to see him."

My bandmate nods. "Cal and I talked about it, and we figured we'd give you a few days and then we'd come down too. It'll be good to have everyone back together."

"No kidding." My cheeks are starting to hurt from all the smiling I've done this morning. I couldn't sleep, so I booked the flight and planned our reunion and ran to Tesco and started packing and it feels as though I've been grinning the entire time. He's back, he's back, he's back...The refrain won't leave my mind. "Thanks, Ash."

"We've got you." 

I flash him a smile and a thumbs up, turning back to my suitcase.

"Still, your music's fucking annoying."

"I said I was sorry--"

"Yeah, yeah," Ash teases. "You didn't happen to make coffee, did you?"

"Hot and on the counter. Bought donuts too." 

"You're a gem, Lucas."

"Yeah, yeah." 

-----

Present - Michael

Hearing a soft ping from my pockey, I grab my phone. 

<3 seconds ago, Luke sent> Just landed, see you soon xo

"He's in," I tell Mum, tugging my beanie further down my head and tucking my fringe underneath. 

"All right! You ready?" Mum shifts the car into reverse, carefully pulling out of short term parking.

"Think so."

"So I'll drop you off at the terminal and circle back around until I see you two on the curb."

"Sounds good."

"You'll be fine, Michael." 

I nod and glance at my phone again, writing, Headed to the terminal now, can't wait to see you! xo. 

I am incredibly excited. It's just...I'm nervous too. Everything's coming back in bits and pieces, but it's fuzzy and it's been so long...I just hope we figure each other out all right. 

-----

Present - Luke

The Australian heat feels heavenly on my skin. God, it's good to be home. Despite the weather, I've hidden myself under a hat and sunglasses and inconspicuous clothes. Today is about Michael, Michael and me only. 

I stand forlornly near the baggage claim, waiting for my luggage to come down the chute and onto the conveyor belt. Tapping my feet, nervously, I glance about for his familiar figure. Then I hear a shout. 

"Luke!" 

So much for blending in. He runs at me full force, a plaid-wearing ball of energy with a grin warm enough to melt the polar icecaps...I laugh and hold out my arms as he barrels into them, nearly knocking me over. We squeeze eachother so tightly I feel short of breath, and I rock him back and forth, remembering and reveling in the way he tucks his nose into my neck when we hug. 

Then he's drawing away from me, all smiles, and I find myself wondering again who we are and who we were and what I can and can't say and do, but before I can find the words, the actions, Michael takes my face in his smooth hands and kisses me, hard. 

Shocked, I freeze for a moment before sliding my hands down to his hips and pulling him close. His fingers tuck under my beanie and tug at my hair and I smile against his lips. 

"What?"

"So this is how it's gonna go?" I whisper to him.

"Mmhm."

"Okay--"

"Shut up, Hemmings." He presses his lips back to mine.

I happily comply. 

"Oi!" Someone yells all of a sudden. "In the airport, really?" 

Guiltily, I draw away from my boyfriend, smiling at him sheepishly before turning to the source. "Sorry," I mumble to a young woman, scratching at my beanie which has come slightly out of place. 

"Wait a second," she grins. "You're Luke, from -- and...Michael, wait...you two are...? And you haven't told...Oh my God." 

I glance nervously to Michael, who stares back at me, wide-eyed. Shit.

*****

This chapter was almost fluffy at points, Jesus...that's a new one for me :P Hope you liked it! I smiled a lot writing it because...I love domestic 5SOS and happiness for the boys and gahh. Also how about those BBMAs? I fucking died. A lot. 

Hope you guys had a good week while I was gone. Writers' conference was fun, but I'm glad to be back with you. Catching up was something else, but at least I made it back in time for the music awards. 

Anyway. As usual, I always appreciate your feedback/shared fangirling. Talking to y'all makes life interesting. I'll be around on the blog, but in terms of the fic...See you next Sunday! Have a good week! 

xx,

baconastronaut