Calum was angry.

He could feel it in the way his muscles were constantly tense, in the way he felt the inexplicable urge to lash out at anything that moved. He could feel it when he tasted a sharp, metallic zest in his mouth, only to realize that he’d bitten his own tongue so hard he’d drawn blood. He could feel it when he fought to keep his frustration at bay, fought to battle down the sick, gross feeling crawling up his torso, trying to liberate itself.

Fuck, Calum was angry.

And it wasn’t just because of the fact that his cheek was stained a bright pink from where your palm had made contact with his skin. It wasn’t because you’d fucking slapped him last night with absolutely no explanation. It wasn’t even because his girlfriend had dumped him when he’d arrived back home, claiming that she couldn’t be in a relationship with someone who clearly had feelings for someone else. 

And the worst part was that he couldn’t deny her statement; his protests would only be lies. 

Calum was angry at you, and he was angry at himself.

He wrestled with these thoughts as he watched you squirm uncomfortably on his front porch, looking ashamed and guilty. He couldn’t even pay attention to your stuttered apologies, too wrapped up in himself to care.

“And I’m just so fucking so--,” you were in the midst of apologizing yet again when he suddenly cut you off.

“Why’d you do it?”

They were the first words he’d uttered since he’d opened the door. You looked up at him, gaping slightly at the fact that he’d spoken. He watched you, cocking an eyebrow expectantly. You cleared your throat, “I--I don’t know. I’m sorry, I can’t imagine how much it hurt--”

He cut you off again.

“Not the slap. Why did you get completely fucking plastered, Y/N?”

“I--,” your voice dropped an octave, and you stared down at your feet. Calum sighed, stepping aside and motioning his head to the right. You took the invitation and tentatively stepped forward, removing your shoes as you entered his house.

“I’m waiting,” Calum prodded. 

You closed your eyes and nodded. Behind you, Calum shut the door softly, turning to face you and crossing his arms. You twisted around slowly, not wanting to meet his eyes. Instead, you stared at his tattooed biceps, swallowing heavily and tearing your gaze away from his defined muscles before he could catch you. 

“I’ve always been supportive of your relationships, right?” you asked him, your eyes darting up to his before you quickly looked away. Calum nodded stiffly, confused as to why you appeared to be changing the subject.

“And...” you continued, searching for the right words, “I just--I needed to forget. Just for a night, I guess.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Calum questioned lowly, his gaze burning intensely into your skull. A small shiver tingled down your spine, making you inhale sharply. 

“I’m so fucking in love with you, Calum Hood,” you blurted, clenching your fists; your head suddenly snapped up, meeting his eyes in a fierce battle of glares. It felt good to tell him, to release the words and let them hang in the air. It was a weight that had been lifted off of your shoulders, and it was almost rewarding.

“And I hate seeing you with her, I hate how you’re so into her. I want you to be into me.”

Calum couldn’t even think. The only thing he could process was the fact that you’d just admitted that you had feelings for him--more than feelings. You were in love with him.

“You slapped me,” he said dumbly, his hand instinctively lifting to his cheek; he internally winced as he touched the tender skin. He reminisced the crack that had echoed in his ears last night as your hand flew across his face. 

“I don’t know why,” you explained, seeming to grow desperate, “I’m just--I’m so sorry Calum. I don’t know what came over me; I was an idiot.”

“Yeah,” Calum breathed, “You were.”

You looked down at the ground sadly, exhaling shakily and trying to control the flood of emotions that had been unleashed. You didn’t expect him to forgive you; you had slapped him, and that wasn’t okay. But it seemed as though you’d never be able to convey how sorry you truly were.

“I’m glad you’re with her,” you said instead, sighing. The words were only half-true, but your feelings had been pushed to the side momentarily, “Really, I am.”

Calum stepped towards you, and your gaze shot up to his for a second before you looked away. You held your breath as he took another step forward, so close to you that your chests were only centimeters apart. Your heart began hammering wildly in your chest.

“Was,” he whispered. You looked up at him, confused. “What?” you asked softly.

“Was,” he merely repeated, “I was with her.” 

Your brow furrowed as you processed his words. Then your lips parted ever so slightly, and all Calum wanted to do was lean down and feel the softness of your mouth against his. It was such a primal urge, something that washed over him so quickly, he barely had the time to control the desire.

“She’s--you’re not...?” you trailed off, your unsaid words already asking the question. 

Calum shook his head, unable to fight off the small smile that had stretched out onto his pink lips. Seeing his smile triggered a flush of warmth to spread from your fingers to your toes, and subconsciously you mirrored his content expression. 

“Oh,” you murmured, and Calum chuckled. Then he turned serious, reaching out and grabbing your right hand, playing with your fingers absentmindedly. You looked down at your clasped hands, unable to believe what you were seeing.

“Go out with me,” Calum whispered. You chewed on your bottom lip, shooting him a bashful grin, “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he teased, and your smile widened. You nodded lightly, grinning like a fool. Without reflecting, you leaned up on your toes, turning your head gently and pressing a soft, fleeting kiss to the side of Calum’s face.

A/N: Sorry this took so long. But here everyone! Please enjoy some more single dad! Calum and tiny Taine, fluffy goodness. The first part did really well so thanks to those who loved it so much! This doesn’t pick up exactly where part 1 left off, but this takes place after. Sorry the ending here is somewhat abrupt, but I left it up to have part 3 if more people want it.

Flashback scene in italics

part 1

“You know, Taine hasn’t stopped talking about it all week.”

“Yeah?” you half mumble, half yawn.  “Well I’m pretty excited too.”

Calum laughs softly, his hand continuing its slow trek upand down your back. He always did like drawing patterns into your skin.Meanwhile, you snuggle in closer to his chest, stroking his cheek the way you’vegrown into the habit doing. His cheeks literally beg for it though. They arealways so smooth beneath your fingers, and they fall off into such abeautifully strong jaw. The combined smell of you and him together lingers onthe sheers, as does the bodily warmth. And Calum’s steady breathing only lullsyou one step closer to sleep.

Only thing is, you don’t want to sleep. You much prefer stayingawake enough to revel in this moment. It’s better to remember each littledetail, to not take it for granted. Calum has come a long way in trusting you.Just three weeks ago, he was scheduling your visits to his apartment far inadvanced. He wanted to make sure there wouldn’t be any premature introductionof you meeting his son. And before that, Calum was even cautious about when tocall you. He didn’t want to risk Taine overhearing a conversation. Worst ofall, Calum feared Taine would get the wrong idea that you were trying to replacehis mom, who Taine falsely believed would come back one day.

thank u amanda u are 2 sweet to me :’-) id rather go ice skating w lil mikey bc dark michael is my religion and we could cuddle and drink hot chocolate afterwards aw 

ship: calum 

why: ur such an overall wonderful person ok ur so nice and funny and cute :-)) 

partner in crime: luke 

secretly in love with u: ashton 

like a brother: michael 

song on shuffle: walls // all time low 

no more pls