ASHTON

Over the next few weeks, Calum has healed immensely, both mentally and physically. The dark colours staining his body has faded incredibly, a healthy glow beginning to shine from his skin. He's starting to become less skittish, jumping less at loud noises and flinching less when something gets too close to his face. I've never been happier to see him healing so well, his smile becoming more prominent, laughter lines creasing at the corners of his eyes.

Even with these improvements, Calum still has a long way to go before he is good as new. Luke snuck into his brain like a parasite, feeding him negative thoughts about himself and his outlook on life, controlling him as though Calum was nothing but a host body for Luke's mind. I can still see the insecurity in his eyes when he looks at himself in the mirror, the hesitation before asking for something he wants. More often than not, I have to persuade him to tell me what he wants due to him being used to staying quiet.

I don't know half the things that Luke did to him while they were together, considering Calum keeps the details fairly private. I just know that I need to be as caring and as lenient as possible so Calum knows it's okay to speak his mind.

Today is an off day for work, so we both have been lounging on the couch all day, watching television and cuddled up in blankets. I've been pressed up next to him, watching the screen with him, but inside I've been too excited to move. I have a huge surprise for Calum that's currently in my bedroom, and I've been waiting for the right moment to give it to him.

I was talking to my mum a few days ago and she suggested something that would help Calum heal mentally from everything with Luke, so I did everything I could to get this for him. I'm nearly bouncing in my seat in anticipation.

Finally, as Calum's television show comes to a close, I turn and look at him. "Hey, Cal?"

He glances up at me expectantly. "Yep?"

"I have a surprise for you," I tell him, and I watch his eyebrows pull together in confusion. "I'm going to go get it. Will you stay here while I do?"

Calum blinks, looking hesitant. "Okay..."

I pat his knee before standing up, leaving Calum curled up under a pile of blankets. He watches me as I leave, and I quickly hurry down the hallway to my room, pushing the door open.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I see the crate pushed against the wall where I left it, the medium sized dog wagging his tail inside. He claws against the crate's bars eagerly, whining excitedly.

"Shh, hush," I say quickly, dropping to my knees as I open the crate as quietly as possible. The dog bounces out of the crate, nearly slipping right past me but I gently pick him up before he can. He's a puppy, still extremely young, but big enough already that I know he'll be pretty large as an adult.

The dog squirms in my arms as I carry him out of the bedroom, my heart pounding in my chest with nerves. Calum has told me about his love for dogs, but I have no idea how he'll react to this. I know it's a risk, but I want to do everything I can to help Calum get better. My mother said dogs can help relieve stress and help after traumatic events, so I figured it might be good.

I inch around the corner, standing in the doorway as Calum looks up, his eyes widening. He doesn't do or say anything for a moment, just staring at the dog in my arms with parted lips. My heart drops, sinking into my chest like a brick. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

But then Calum breaks into a smile, pushing the blankets off his legs and leaping off the couch, joining me as I place the restless dog on the ground. I watch as the dark haired boy sits down, letting the dog jumps onto his shoulders, licking Calum's face.

I don't think I've ever seen him look so happy before.

"Is he ours?" Calum asks excitedly, rubbing the dog's ears. He looks up at me joyfully. "Please tell me we can keep him."

"He's all yours," I tell him with a smile, sinking to the ground and watching him as he hugs the puppy around it's neck. "You told me once that you've always wanted a dog."

The puppy wags it's tail happily in Calum's lap. Calum pets his fur contently. "Luke never let me have one," he says softly.

I blink at him sadly, shaking my head. If I were Luke, I would do anything to bring that smile on Calum's face. His happiness is contagious, like a ball of sunshine. I still can't understand how he managed to ignore his sweet brown eyes and pouted lips.

"Well, this one's all yours," I say. "And he's a puppy, so you can choose to name him whatever you'd like."

Calum's eyes light up. "I can name him?"

I nod. Calum looks the dog in the eyes, studying him for a moment. He purses his lips as he thinks, and I can't help but find it incredibly cute. Finally, Calum seems to have come up with one.

"His name is Cupcake," Calum announces proudly. I raise my eyebrows, laughing a little.

"Are you sure?" I ask, reaching over and patting the puppy's head. "He's going to be a pretty big dog. He's already fairly large now."

"I know, but..." Calum smiles a little. "I think the name fits."

"Cupcake it is, then," I say, and Calum grins happily. He picks up the dog in his arms, trying to carry him to the couch, but underestimates the weight of the dog, nearly falling over. I quickly reach out and help him carry the dog until he reaches the couch, falling back on the pillows and cuddling the puppy up in the blankets.

I sit beside the two of them, crossing my arms as the two of them snuggle up together to watch television, Calum talking to the puppy every few minutes.

I pout, wrapping my arms around myself and glaring angrily at the puppy. Calum notices and laughs at my expression.

"What?"

"You're paying more attention to the dog than to me," I say with exaggerated grumpiness. Calum immediately cuddles closer to me, placing the puppy halfway in both of our laps.

"Better?" he asks. I just laugh and nod, and Calum rests his head on the pillows behind him and continues to watch his show, one hand absentmindedly stroking the dog's fur.

We fall into silence, and eventually the dog curls ups and goes to sleep beside Calum, the hum of the television becoming simply white noise. Calum glances up at me, dark eyelashes against smooth skin, and suddenly pushes himself up. I watch him in surprise as he leans toward me, eyes wide and nervous, before he slowly lets his eyes flutter shut. His lips press softly against mine.

I make a small sound in shock as Calum kisses me in the most gentle way possible, his lips tasting sweet against mine. I slowly and reluctantly pull away, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

"Calum," I say a bit breathlessly. My heart beats hard from the affect of his lips on mine. "I don't want to-- to do anything you don't want to, I--"

Calum's form relaxes a bit, shoulders slumping. He shakes his head, interrupting me. "I-- I want this, Ashton. I want you. I promise."

I stare at him in bewilderment. "But... " I trail off, not knowing how to say what I want to ask. I can hardly catch my breath, wanting so badly for this to happen, but Calum is still so fragile in my mind, still so easily broken. I don't want him to go into something without being fully healed yet.

"I think, when I met you..." Calum leans back against my shoulder, his hair tickling my chin. "You were so kind, Ashton. You made me realize how bad Luke was. I can't even begin to explain how-- grateful that I am. You went out of your way to help me, even when I pushed you away. You--" Tears begin to swell in his eyes, making something in my chest break. "You're the reason why I'm--"

I catch his lips on mine before he can finish, his tears wet against my cheek as I frantically kiss him as softly as I can manage, holding his face in my hands. I've wanted this for so long, never imagined it would ever happen.

After we both pull apart, Calum rests his head on my shoulder and I carefully put my arm around him. I've been close to him before, hell, we sleep in the same bed every night, but there is something different about it now. I feel fiercely determined to make him feel as loved as possible, since he never felt that before. He's had a history of horrible boyfriends and family and I don't want to do anything to continue to trend.

It's been a few months since Calum left Luke, and I couldn't be prouder of him. He's learned more about himself than anything, considering Luke never let him be who he wanted to be. I can see the stress melt off his shoulders, and he's become immensely more comfortable around me and others than he did before. He still takes a while to trust others, but he has every right to not trust easily considering what he's been through. I'm just ecstatic to see him becoming happier.

From what I've heard around town, Luke moved in with his mother after everything went down, and Liz has taken him under her wing. I have no idea how Andy allowed it, but I figure they must have worked something out. I have no idea how Luke is doing on his side of things, but I honestly could care less. His name still holds an icy spot in my chest, and I'm actually not sure if I could restrain myself if I saw him give Calum so much of a glance ever again.

Regardless, the distance between the two of them has proved beneficial towards Calum. The boy who came to work with bruises painted across his skin and the boy who is cuddled beside me are two very, very different people, and I couldn't be more thankful.

After seeing everything Calum went through, all I want is for him to know how it really feels to be cared for, honestly and truly. He deserves the best, and I want to do my very best to help give that to him.

Calum stays snuggled into my side, one hand lying on my chest and the other curled up to his own. He closes his eyes sleepily, and I can feel my heart swell with admiration for the boy, still jittery with excitement from when his lips touched mine.

I've never believed in love before. I've stated that a million times before, and I've seen love's consequences in a thousand different forms. I don't know what it is that I feel for Calum, but the lines are blurring in my head, and whatever it is that I'm feeling, it's good. It's amazing. I feel it every single time his skin touches mine, and only when he kissed me did I realize it.

I keep my arm around his shoulders, rubbing small circles over his skin. I want to feel like this forever, my hand is his, there for him in any way that he may need. I want to be there for him, to protect him, to comfort him whenever he remembers what it feels like to have someone's fist against his cheek. I want him to know that he'll never feel like that again as long as I am right there beside him. That I'll keep him safe.

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A/N: this chapter was pure fluff and is also very short so i'll post again pretty soon

when you go to a concert & ur friend stays on her phone the whole time ??? like

ugh

anyway thank you for reading. please vote & comment your thoughts. i hope you enjoyed the chapter!

i love you to the moon. bye