#notactuallybatman

she tells them as much, while they’re laying snuggled up in bed together. luke’s sort of sandwiched between michael and calum, and she’s pretty sure that that’s ashton’s hand resting on her stomach, and the words just tumble out of her mouth.

michael, already half asleep, because god that girl could probably sleep inside a formula one car going 380 kilometers per hour, grumbles something that sounds suspicously like “please go the fuck to sleep.” 

“that’s a lot of fucking people,” calum says, and michael swats at her and mumbles “please don’t encourage her.” 

calum pointedly ignores michael. “how did you even know that?”

luke shrugs. her shoulder bumps softly against calum’s head. “i looked it up.” 

all she gets in response is a quiet hum and calum’s nose pressing against her collarbone. 

“i think luke’s right. it’s kind of magical.” ashton mumbles, clumsily poking luke’s stomach. “like, imagine if i had never met you all. i would just..” she pauses. “i guess i wouldn’t miss you because i wouldn’t know you but i just. i don’t want to think about life without you.” 

luke and calum make agreeing noises. michael, who apparently has realized there is not going to be any sleeping happening any time soon, leans up on her elbows. “i think i would. miss you, i mean. i think i wouldn’t necessarely realize it but like, i think it would feel it. i think it would feel empty. like, you’re fine, but there’s just this emptiness in your chest that’s impossible to fill. kind of like how i felt before i met you.” michael isn’t looking at either of them, seems solely focused on a loose piece of thread hanging from her pillow, as the other girls stare at her.

“you girls make me complete, you know?” michael whispers, her voice soft and vunerable, and that’s all it takes for the other three to launch forward and burry her in hugs and kisses.