I Wouldn't Mind // Cake AU [complete]

4: Collapse into your Open Arms

A/N: why is Michael Clifford so precious? (also this is kinda short)

[Luke.]

I was standing in Tay's room - well, our room - towelling my hair dry when Calum rushed inside. I raised my eyebrows at his flushed state, an amused expression on my face. "What happened to you? You look like you just saw a ghost."

His eyes were wide and he seemed both confused and worried. "I just- I- Movie. I was scared, and I- I just came to- to make sure you were okay?" he answered, seeming unsure of his explanation.

I smiled, rolling my eyes at my dorky boyfriend. "Why are you watching a scary movie, then?"

"It was- Tay chose it," he pouted, extending his arms. I dropped the towel onto my bed before stepping forward, wrapping him in my arms. "Are you okay?"

I smiled, kissing his forehead. "Better than ever, don't you worry. The monsters didn't come to get me."

At that, he hugged me tighter, almost knocking the wind out of me. "Good," he whispered quietly, and I smiled even wider.

"Can we just stay up here for now?" he asked as he moved away slightly, giving me room to breathe. "Tay said that she wanted to see the end of the movie."

"Sure," I smiled, taking him by the hand and sitting the two of us down on my bed. Calum was someone who acted so tough all the time, so it was definitely a big change to see him look so unsure of himself.

He cuddled up to me, pushing us back so we were laying on the bed. He curled into my side, holding me in a grip so tight, it almost seemed like he was scared to let me go. That's alright, I didn't mind one bit.

"Luke?" He whispered, looking up at me.

"Yeah?" I answered softly, my eyes meeting his.

"I made a promise that I'd protect you from everything," he whispered. His eyes were locked on mine and his gaze was so... Intensely caring that I blushed. "That promise still stands, alright?"

"Calum, where is this coming from?"

"That- That dumb movie, I don't want the same thing to happen to you. I'll protect you."

And with that, he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck, tickling me a little. I smiled as I kissed the top of his head and securely wrapped my arms around him.

----

We were lying on the bed, talking about the most random things for a good half hour until Taylor stepped into the room.

"Is the movie finished?" Calum asked quickly, not giving her time to speak.

"What mo-"

"The scary one!" Calum cut her off frantically. "You know, I was so scared so I came here to check on Luke."

Taylor's eyes widened in realisation, and she nodded furiously. "Oh, yeah, that movie. It's finished. Mikey's here, by the way. Have you heard from Ash?"

"No," Calum shook his head. "He'll be here soon though, I'm sure."

I frowned at my friends. They were acting really weird and I didn't quite get why.

The three of us headed back to the living room where Michael was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up on the coffee table, intently watching the intro to Monsters Inc. and scarfing down the chips.

"Mikey!" Taylor cried, grabbing the bowl from him and holding it close, giving him a fake angry expression. "Don't eat them all!"

I laughed, falling onto the other end of the couch. Within seconds Calum had plopped himself down on my lap and wrapped his arms around me, resting his head on my chest.

"You're very cuddly today," I pointed out, running a hand through his hair.

He shrugged, snuggling closer to me - if that was even possible. "I just want my Lukey."

"Well, I'm right here," I smiled, kissing his forehead.

Ashton joined us halfway through the movie, claiming that his brother needed his help fixing his bike and he just couldn't leave before he was 100% sure it was done. I actually really admired that about him: he genuinely cared about everyone, especially his family, and he would go to great lengths to ensure their complete happiness.

Well I mean, he is the one that saved my skin that night at Michael's party. Damn, that felt like forever ago.

I started zoning out soon after Ashton's arrival. My mind wandered to all that's been going on in my life, and everything that led up to this very moment. It sounded a bit dramatic, but it really wasn't.

I thought about the time I was living with Olivia and her huge house. To Perth and the awful people there, and how I needed to call Jenna very very soon. I thought about the white ceramic that had painted the floor of the kitchen the day I had been so mad at the world. I thought about everything that there was to think about.

I must've zoned out completely, because a soft kiss to my neck snapped me out of my trance. I jumped ever so slightly, shaking my head to clear my mind, and met Calum's wide eyes.

"You alright?" He asked quietly so that only I could hear him.

I nodded, furrowing my eyebrows slightly. "Sorry, I was just... Lost in thought."

"I could tell, I've been talking to you and you haven't been answering," he pouted.

I gave him a smile before leaning in and kissing the pout off his lips. "I'm sorry babe."

"It's fine," he shrugged before returning to his original position.

I sighed softly, leaning my head back on the couch a little and directing my attention back to the movie. How we could be almost done with high school and still completely enthralled by old Pixar movies, I would never understand. But hey, I wasn't complaining.

However, when we took a break to change the movie and get more snacks, I noticed something strange. Calum was trailing me wherever I went, more than usual, and Taylor seemed jittery. Michael must've noticed this too, because I could tell he was making a conscious effort to calm her down, whereas Ashton was oblivious to it all - typical Ashton style, basically.

"Okay, Calum, what's going on?" I finally asked when I found him sitting on the floor, across the bathroom door.

He scrambled to his feet, standing in front of me. "Um, nothing, why?"

"Why are you following me everywhere?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"I- I don't- I just want- I don't know," he answered, hanging his head in shame. He scratched the back of his neck and let out a sigh before adding on, "I'm sorry for being annoying."

I let out a defeated sigh, pulling him into my arms. "You're not annoying. I'm just confused as to why you're following me like a lost puppy everywhere I go tonight."

He shrugged, sighing happily as he nuzzled into my neck. I laughed softly, dropping the subject and contenting myself with just holding him for now. I'd figure out later why he was acting so protective, but right now I was going to enjoy his cuddliness.

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A/N: chapter dedicated to flyirwinfly because she made the awesome cover and she's an all-around wonderful person :D

(Also I've been reading her username as "firefly Irwin" for the longest time, I have no idea why)

THANKS FOR READING GUIZE