Response || Malum || (Sequel to Reaction)

11

2 years later

Michael's POV

"I can't believe that fucking airline lost our luggage." I grumble as the van door is slammed behind me.

"We are going straight home Mikey and I'm sure they'll turn up." Calum assured me but I rolled my eyes in response.

Let it be noted that touring, for three months straight, is fucking exhausting. We've been all over the states not to mention we just landed from a week in London. It'll be a much needed month break that we've been granted before we head to Australia for a tour there. We've been working hard on this band thing and it's just now taking off full speed. We haven't even released our album but our fan base has grown substantially over the past few months. Even with the fame, they still lost my damn luggage. Pure traveling perks.

"Still, they lost all my shit." I whined but curled up next to Calum for comfort. We still had about an hour car journey to our home so I might as well burn off a little jet lag.

"It's just shit Michael." Calum teased lightly but kissed my forehead softly.

Time has been more than kind to Calum. His hair is a bit shorter, back to its natural hue, and a tiny amount of stubble outlines his features. He gets plenty of teasing from us for his lack of facial hair. His skin is darker, giving him an older appearance but his eyes remained the same. The same chocolate brown shining at me every time I look into them. Despite all the changes, I still got the same damn butterflies when I look in his eyes.

Come to think of it, time has been kind to all of us. Luke and Ashton just celebrated birthdays which means we are all now in our twenties. 21 and 22 to be exact. Fame has definitely matured us in the best of ways and brought us all closer, if that was even possible.

"So Luke and I are going to Oz a couple of weeks early." Ashton said from across the car, making me open one of my eyes.

"For what?" Calum questioned with only curiosity in his voice.

"My brother has some sort of soccer thing and my sister wants me to be there for her final ballet recital." Ashton smiled and looked over at Luke who smiled back at him. The two of them were absolutely nauseating but I was so glad they were both happy.

"And my mum has been pestering me for a visit." Luke added with an eye roll.

"That's great guys." Calum yawned. The dark circles proved he needed a nap and I tugged on his arm to get him to lay on me instead.

"Are you guys going to stay around here?" Ashton asked looking at me with big hazel eyes.

"Uh yeah I think so." I answered looking at Calum who nodded softly. I had some plans up my sleeve for this month off and I planned to run things by Calum tonight.

"Mali has been bugging me for a visit too so we might have to go a week early." Calum said but glanced over to me nervously.

I didn't mind going a week early to visit Mali because my mum and Rose have been calling me daily wondering when I'm coming home. Things with my mum are so much better now. She's been dating a little here and there and I just think she's finally free from the shackles of my dad's abuse. As shallow as that might sound. So maybe a week in a familiar place wouldn't be so bad. I feel like we've been on a treadmill that just won't stop for the past two years.

"Alright lads here we are." Our driver calls out and we all climb out of the van to meet Dave at the boot of the car.

Dave is our main security guy and is always with us. He tugs out our bags, that the airline didn't lose, giving us firm instructions for the next month. We all nodded and grabbed our bags to head inside. I unlocked the door, pushing it open to the familiar confines of our house and took a deep breath. Even though home is wherever Calum is, it's great to be back to this house.