Calum is awake for hours, scrolling through every piece of social media he can find. Ashton is texting him, telling him that it isn't that bad, that his coach said no one was dropping him and that the contracts for fights have already been signed so he can be on next season. Calum knows this. Calum also knows that people can fuck you over.
He looks to Michael, who lays asleep, snoring as rolls around. Calum swats him a few times for seconds of silence before the pale man returns to snore again. Eventually, he gives up. He eyes the cigarettes collecting dust on the top of his drawer. He quit because they started to effect his breathing, but now he can feel his fingers itching for just a little taste.
He has lit one before he can even think about it, glancing at Michael under the covers again before grabbing a coat, walking out to his balcony. The snow is turning to sludge as he sits on his rocking chair, putting a blanket over himself as he stares out. It's quiet for a city that never sleeps. The cars are only a gentle hum.
He pulls his phone out of his pocket, resting the cigarette in between his lips. He opens Twitter. For anyone thinking that it was staged, let me make this clear: they had no permission to ask those questions. I would never let Michael be pushed into anything like that.
He opens Snapchat, feelings of anger from yesterday bubbling in his stomach as he presses record, "Hey guys, as you may have known, I did not consent or condone to anything that happened on the show last night. We were told they were innocent questions. I never wanted my sexuality or rumors to be brought up, especially not in front of the entire world. Please understand. For those of you hating on Michael, please stop. He's trying to do what he thinks is best. He never wants anybody to hurt me."
It's posted. Calum sees through the glass that Michael has woken up and is on his phone. Calum couldn't think of anything worse to do. He crushes the cigarette in the ice and walks inside. Michael gets up. "I have an interview," he says coldly, going into Calum's closet, searching for something to wear.
"What's wrong?" Calum asks.
"Everybody has unfollowed me and said I am supporting an abuser. There's videos of people burning my concert tickets. Everything is fucking going to shit!" Michael snaps, putting on a leather jacket. "I have to go and clean up this mess because you can't keep your fucking mouth shut."
Calum stands back, trying not to get annoyed. He tries to be Michael. He tries to be understanding. It doesn't work. "What do you mean?"
"You read the question out! You knew what it said." Michael says, pushing him.
The Maori flinches away, finding the frustration in his voice. "Stop it. I was reading it as I went. I had no idea it would happen. They told Ashton that the questions were normal."
Michael scoffs, "You can never fucking believe shows. They want content. They are never honest!"
Calum closes his eyes, breathing through his nose as he tries to calm the situation. He sits down on the bed. Michael opens his mouth to yell at him again, but is interrupted by a dialing sound coming from Calum's phone.
"What the hell are you - "
"Hey, it's Calum. Leave a message."
"Hey Calum, it's Emily. I just want to let you know that I talked to TMZ, and you're fucking dead. I told them that those bruises were from you, and they ate that shit up. Can you believe how much I got paid for that?" She laughs. Michael feels sick. "Anyway, just want to let you know that there's nothing you can do about it. You should never have hooked up with that bitch."
"Why didn't you bring this up when we started this months ago?" Michael asks, about to rip his hair out. He snatches the phone and locks himself in the bathroom. Calum bangs on the door.
"Michael, don't you dare - "
Michael opens the bathroom door, smiling. "I posted it."
Calum snatches his phone back, groaning. "No one deserves the hate!" He lectures.
Michael ignores him, giggling like a little girl as he dances around, grabbing Calum's hands as he attempts to twirl the angry figure around in circles. "Neither do you, puppy!"
Calum rolls his eyes, tiredly dancing with the pale man. "Don't you have somewhere to be?"
Michael ignores him, jumping around. Happily, he presses his lips to Calum's. His heart stops, snapping away. Oh, fuck. They both look at each other. Michael itches the back of his neck. "Yeah, I got somewhere to be." He says, rushing out of the room.
Calum stands, confused. "What the fuck?"
Michael has already left when Calum has had time to gather his thoughts. He puts his hands through his hair, trying to wrap his head around everything. His lips feel like they're buzzing. He reaches for his phone, hearing it buzz.
"You need to inform me before you just post things," comes a sharp tone. It's Ashton, and he has a fatherly disappointment in his voice as he talks. "That was really dumb, Calum. It needed to come out more formally, with dignity."
"Whatever," Calum snaps, wanting the conversation to be over with. "I'm so sick of you treating me like you own me." He blurts before thinking. He doesn't mean to take it out on Ashton, but god, he makes a good punching bag.
Ashton rolls his eyes. Ten minutes away, he is rested in bed with his glasses on and his fiance beside him, ready for Michael's interview. "Okay, bye, Calum. Come over when you get over yourself."
Ashton throws the phone, and Luke turns to him, face full of ice-cream, "What was that all about?" he asks, pushing his glasses back.
"Nothing," he says, smiling as he kisses Luke on the forehead. "Calum's just upset about something. He'll get over it."
"Maybe you should text him and ask if he's okay?" Luke suggests, looking to him.
Annoyed, but still taking his advice, Ashton types out the message. The interview begins. Michael is using every answer as instructed, avoiding, yet suggesting at the same time. Ashton is thankful at least one of them can bullshit to the press.
The phone buzzes on his lap. He picks it up, mouth opening in surprise. "Oh, shit." He mumbles. He throws his fiance the phone. michael kissed me. "Looks like we have a situation."
oh snap.
so many things happened.
emily framed him. michael leaked it. they kissed.
thoughts on michael impulsively leaking it? (dumb? yes.)
thoughts on michael being mad and their argument?
thoughts on the kiss?
YOU ARE READING
pretty boy ; malum
Fanfiction"Here's the kicker - I ain't fuckin' gay." In which Calum's manager proposes a relationship so the media deem him more desirable when charges of assault are laid against him.
