Bro Its Uncle Cal

Still, it was fairly early and you had the whole day ahead of yourselves so you decided to just go ahead and make breakfast for the two of you and start the day on a good note.

You put the coffee out to brew, grabbed a couple of Cinnabons and tossed them in the oven, and started to cut some pieces of fruit so that Ash wouldn’t complain about it “not being healthy enough” even though he was going to eat all of it either way. You laid down the table and grabbed a bowl to pour yourself some cereal, just in time for the first drops of coffee to start pouring out and for the shuffling sounds that came from above.

A small smile crept on your face as you heard your boyfriend’s bare feet stomp lazily against the floor, knowing the smell of coffee and cinnamon woke him up.

You looked up when he arrived at the kitchen, standing at the entrance with his messy, long curls flying in different directions; his sweatpants hanging low on his stomach as he tried to muffle a yawn as he rubbed his eye under his glasses. He looked too damn cute for you not to blush at that image, seeing him with his guard down and comfortable… it was your favorite sight of him.

You opened your mouth to say something along the lines of “Good morning, handsome” but he beat you to it:

“I think we should break- up”

Okay, that was not what you were expecting.

The shades on your face went down abruptly as you felt all the blood on your body evaporate, trembling as you asked a shy and scared “What?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry, Y/N,” He said, adjusting his glasses and walking toward the table, leaning over one of the chairs “It’s just, I don’t think I could ever be with someone that puts the milk before the cereal. That’s just fucked up”

You feel the air come back into your lungs as you throw the cereal box to him, which he quickly catches with one hand. If you weren’t that mad, you’d think that’s hot.

“You’re an asshole”

“And you’re a psycho” Ashton shrugs, walking over where his coffee mug awaited him and taking a long sip as he looks at you with a mischievous gleam in his eyes “How long have you been like this?”

You rolled your eyes.

“It’s cereal”

“It’s a crime against humanity”

“Oh, you’re the one to talk Mr. Walk around barefoot on the streets of L. A but rather sleep with socks on!” You said, taking the buns out to the oven “If anyone should be filling for a divorce is me”

“We’re not married yet”

“Doesn’t matter, I’m still going to take the strawberry bush and the spoons with me” You said with a stern face “Try eating soup like a normal person, you dick”

Ashton couldn’t help but giggle as he shook his head, leaning against the counter as he crossed his arms in front of his chest, still holding his mug while he smirked.

“Well, at least I don’t only eat an apple when it’s cut into pieces”

“Talk to me when you have to pay for a dentist appointment!” You chucked “Well, I don’t use random apostrophes when writing a text message! Where are you even getting them from?”

Ashton groaned “Ugh, and I thought I knew you!”

“The feeling is mutual!”

“Maybe this wasn’t supposed to work out!” He said, grabbing a strawberry and eating it in one bite “How can I live with a weirdo like you under my roof!”

And then, an idea popped into your head. A simple little phrase that would make him tick just enough.

“You’re right,” You said, calmer than ever. “Maybe I should move in and start a new relationship with Calum. At least I know he will appreciate my weirdness, we both bite on our ice cream and I know he does wash his fruit before eating it. I bet he will love it”

Ashton was always a jealous little shit, never wanting to admit it out loud but his actions always spoke louder, so you thought this would make your little mock argument stop. Yet, when you saw how Ashton’s face completely changed at your words, you thought you might’ve gone too far.

The whole ambiance of the room shifted. His smirk was completely faded as a frown set upon his face. His muscles tensed as the grip on his mug nearly broke it as he asked in a low voice:

“Yeah?”

“I-“

“If you want to go and start a relationship with Calum then fine. Go for it” He set the mug on the counter, nearly smashing it “I’m done either way”

You cringed at his tone, watching how he walked away with anger written behind his eyes. You felt tears accumulating on the corner of your eyes as you quickly got up from the chair and went to find him, to apologize saying that it was only a joke and-

Yet, the moment that you turned on the corner, a pair of arms caught you by the waist and pinned you to the wall. Next thing you knew, a small giggle crossed your ears as your lips were engulfed in a small, yet sweet, kiss.

You melted into the kiss immediately, letting your arms fall to your side without a fight as you tasted the familiar tint of coffee and the sweetness of the fruit on Ashton’s tongue. His hands were placed at either side of your waist, holding you close to him as he stepped into your space, holding you hostage even though you would’ve rather been nowhere else but here with him.

But then you remembered.

“You fucking little shit” You murmured against his lips as you pushed him lightly on the chest, making him take a step back as he continued to smile “You scared me!”

“As if I’ll ever let you go,” Ashton giggled, pressing small kissed to your cheek, chin, and temple, nibbling on your ear as he whispered “I love you,”

“Even if I’m weird?”

“Especially cause you’re weird,” He laughed, kissing you again and nuzzling your nose with his “We’ll be weirdos together. You and me. Not Calum”

You laughed, pushing his glasses so that they would rest perfectly on the bridge of his nose, and placing your arms behind his head, your fingers carelessly playing with his curls.

“Still, please don’t do this ever again? I actually thought you were going to break up with me…”

“Aw, I’m sorry, baby,” He said, cupping one side of your face “I promise I’ll never do it again, I actually got scared that you thought I was being serious for a moment there”

“Well, after you stormed off…” You sighed “I went too far, I’m sorry”

Ashton scoffed “As if you’d ever leave me for Cal. That guy likes cinnamon on his black coffee. No sugar, no nothing, only cinnamon. And that’s fucked up, even for you, cereal killer”

You rolled your eyes and punched him in the arm, Ashton just laughed and captured your lips in a small kiss again, smiling when he felt you sigh in the kiss.

“I really hate you sometimes,” You said in an annoying tone, but your smile claimed otherwise.

“I love you, too” Ashton smiled “Cmon, let’s have a normal breakfast and then we can keep nagging each other about our crimes against humanity if you want”

He grabbed your hand and led you back into the kitchen, bringing back your day to a perfect start.

*

*

The day is perfect.

The flowers are in bloom. The sun shines. The altar is beautiful.

The groom is perfect.

His dark eyes are shining, trailing down the aisle, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

It’s a familiar smile. One you’ve seen a thousand times. One he’s given you around a laugh he tries to keep quiet. One that says more than his words can. One that speaks love into the air. A smile that was meant especially for you.

The bouquet in your hands shakes but you see the love that softens his face and you know there’s no stopping it.

You’re lost in the glamor of black and white, remembering fog drifting through the late night sky. His giggles as you compared the dark of the sky to his eyes. The dimple in his cheek you poked before he enveloped your hand with his. A bare ring finger begging for a promise squeezing against the back of your hand. Lifelines joining.

You’re lost in the way he sways at the altar, remembering the sway of a dance under the stars. The way his hands had settled on your waist and felt just right. The taste of his lips on yours as he whispered promises against them. The notion that someday a dance would be shared in front of family and friends, but the world behind you wouldn’t matter, you’d be too wrapped up in your husband’s arms to care about anything else.

You’re lost in the flowers living on the arch, remembering summer nights in twinkling gardens with cobblestone paths. Flowers tucked in your hair, tucked in his hair, spilling out of pockets. Petals trailing from the front door to the bedroom. The hope they may someday lead you to him and the altar.

You’re lost in the crowd of happy faces, eyes filled with tears, remembering the way they had tracked down your cheeks on an unusually cold night. The fingers that had gently wiped them away. The shaking breath that collided with the cold air. The arms that enveloped you. The way you wanted, wished and willed for them to never ever let you go.

You’re lost in the words of promise that echo through the crowd. Remembering vows you weren’t sure he could keep. Words that sounded too good to be true.

He smiles again. That familiar smile. The one that was meant for you.

He smiles at her as you stand by her side.

Your “best friend”.

His bride.

She’s more than you’ll ever be. More than a fleeting summer romance under the stars. More than wine drunk smiles and wandering hands. More than midnight moments of whispered secrets. More than flowers in pockets. More than empty promises.

She’s a lifetime. A toast of champagne and delicate fingers tucking hair behind ears. She’s lurid against the morning sun, wrapped up in slept in sheets. She’s bouquets and arrangements. She’s the vow he can keep that leaves his lips and lives in his eyes. She’s the perfect bride for the perfect groom.

The perfect couple.

You are abandoned.

Betrayed.

By him and then her.

Writhing in the heart ache of being alone. Of not being enough. Of standing by her side when she didn’t have your back or care about your broken heart.

Only broke it further.

He promises himself to her.

She says “I do” and he does too.

***