Reaction || Malum ||

43

Michael's POV

Yesterday's storm became today's serenity. Almost over night things changed back to their smooth disposition. Calum woke up in a surprisingly decent mood considering last nights circumstances but I was still on edge about the whole thing. He obviously had part of a relapse mentally if he wasn't in his right mind to take more pills than he needed. It scared me that he could still reach that low but also it comforted me in a sick way that he didn't go all the way through with it. I would've thought after the way I acted he would've been upset or things would've been tense, but it was just the opposite. Not another word was said even after Ashton left which I was immensely grateful for. I acted like a complete asshole and neither of them deserved that.

I think insecurity is a disastrous thing to experience. It opens so many doors that are just better left shut. It plays and provokes each emotion until the lines all blur completely. It magnifies every flaw until they are on full display and you wish no one knew how fucked up you can be at times. Its an internal battle to see who can win the fight, good or evil. Not always does everyone else see the problem so they can become made up. A mere figment of our imagination. Just like the occurrence that unfolded last night. Calum nor Ashton would do something so cruel and I know that now but in the moment I was fueled by my own insecurities. A stupid thing to be. But whats done is done. The good news is that nothing terrible came of it. Except that Calum isn't doing as wonderful as he's led me to believe.

Calum was in the kitchen while I took a shower and I could smell something cooking. He was in a better mood than I thought. I clicked on my blow dryer to dry my fading hair to let my thoughts fall victim to the dreadful noise. I made faces in the mirror while I fanned my drying hair with the hot air. For a second my mind was blank and I really enjoyed the way that felt. But once the blow dryer was off, they flooded back. With one last glance as my reflection, I turned to follow the smell until I reached the kitchen. Calum can deny it but he's a much better cook than I am and he does it without the mess making. I could dirty the entire counter just making a bowl of cereal. Calum's messy hair came in to view as I rounded the corner and entered the kitchen. He was standing at the stove, his hands diligently navigated the spatula against the pan. From the aroma I could tell he was making pancakes which made my stomach growl even more. I stalked up behind him to snake my arms his waist and rest my chin on his shoulder. Out of the corner of my eye I swear I saw his face scrunch into a smile which made me smile myself.

"Whatcha making?"I whispered into his ear making him squirm.

"Chocolate chip pancakes. My mum used to make them for me every Friday." He said and I watched as the memory spread across his features. I loved that even though things in the end were bad, he remembered the good stuff. I loved it even more that he shared all the wonderful memories with me.

"Well they smell incredible." I cooed against his neck, placing a small kiss on the exposed skin. He was in his damn black sweatshirt and his usual black skinny jeans. He couldn't have been any more perfect if he tried.

"How was your shower?" he asked but I knew he was just redirecting the topic of the conversation to hide how flustered I was making him.

"Not the same without you." I whispered, nibbling at the skin just below his ear. He placed the final pancake on the stack and shut the fire off before turning to face me with a smirk on his face.

"You, Michael Clifford, are a fire hazard." He teased, poking my chest with his finger. Its probably true. Every time I'm near the stove, one of us gets distracted and ends up almost causing a fire.

"Yeah probaby." I shrugged before finally placing my lips on Calum's. The taste of coffee was evident on his lips and even though I hate coffee, it nearly drove me crazy tasting it on his mouth. I deepened the kiss while I scooted our bodies back towards the counter. While his hands tangled in my hair I took advantage and grabbed the plate of pancakes in one hand. With one swift motion I picked up the plate, pulled away from Calum and turned to run towards the table.