The Bass Player » [cashton] √

1.9

[20th of November - Madrid]

It was the final show of the European tour and Calum was slightly worried about how the next few months were going to go. He was, however, trying to stay optimistic, he didn't necessarily trust Ashton had the conviction to help him as much as he might have intended, but he knew that Luke had a strong sense of responsibility toward him and that was reassuring. 

As they played the last few songs, he tried to remain present, smile and move with the songs as he played. The faces that stared back at him smiled widely and reached out, willing him to reach back. It still didn't feel right to him; this wasn't for him; he would have to remind himself. 

While the others spoke in between songs, he'd received a few hard glares from people in the audience, being able to feel their eyes on him and reflexively turning to meet them, before uncomfortably shifting them back to whoever was talking on stage. That hadn't bothered him all that much; it was the building of tension in his chest that concerned him more. When the last song (before the encore) was played, Luke was going to announce that Calum was going to come with them on the North American tour. Calum envisioned boo's and thrown food at the revelation but was stilling persevering through the song nonetheless, ready for whatever may come after Luke's announcement. 

"Okay, before we wrap up tonight and the tour, there are some people I would like to thank. Firstly the crew, sound, lighting, our tour manager, David who I have no idea what the fuck he does but I am glad is here! And everyone I've probably managed to forget in between.  I would also like to thank my brothers, Ashton and Michael who are my rocks," 

"Don't take me for granite," Ashton interrupted, grinning into his microphone, Calum couldn't help but grin, fuck he was cheesy. 

Luke was about to say something in return but, Michael interrupted, "now, now you two don't go getting sedimental."

Calum lost it at this, bending over in laughter, his guitar digging into his stomach, but being unable to stop laughing long enough to care. 

"Look what you two have done! You've broken Calum," Luke chastised them, and finally Calum pulled himself up, wiping at his eyes to see the three of them grinning at him, "you okay now?"

Calum nodded in response, biting his lip gently to stop another wave of laughter interrupting them again.

"As I was saying, Thank you to these two idiots, thank you to you all, and a very special thank you to Calum Hood. Without whom we not have been able to perform for you here or across many of our other European dates," Luke was interrupted again, this time by an overwhelming round of applause before again continuing. "He's gorgeous, I know! We're also announcing that the North America dates will still be going ahead thanks to him as well! So give another round of applause for the man on Bass," the audience enthusiastically complied, cheering and whooping, along with Michael, Ashton and Luke. 

Luke spoke again, "Thank you so much, Madrid, you've been beautiful!"

"And we've been Tempted Timeless!" Ashton shouted. 

"Goodnight!" Michael called, getting in, as always, the final word. 

Calum was practically vibrating with adrenaline as they raced off stage, quickly grabbing drinks of water and adjusting themselves as, the applause and chant of 'one more song' flooding their ears as they waited patiently before they would go back out. Ashton gave him a quick wink before turning to talk to Michael. 

After that, the encore went off without a hitch, and they were back in their hotel rooms less than an hour later. He was sharing with Michael again who was facetiming Crystal and their dogs, Calum had awkwardly waved hello and asked them if they wanted him to leave. They'd insisted it was fine and to just let them know if they were too loud. He couldn't take them at their word though and instead hid in a corner quietly scrolling through his phone as they spoke wistfully about their fast-approaching reunion.