#tyde writes

The smell of cigarettes lingered throughout the room which was something you always noted. Calum never smoked inside due to the fact that you were the one trying really hard to quit the vice. He was trying to cut down, too, but it was bit harder for him. His bandmates encouraged him to knock it off, but sometimes, their words meant nothing to him. The smell was coming from the coat he always wore out. It smelt like Camel Crushes, mint and tobacco. Whenever you exchanged small kisses, the taste lingered, too. That didn't bother you as much as he assumed it did.

Without trying to wake you up from your peaceful sleep, Calum slipped out of your arms, but that quick movement was enough to disrupt you. You instinctively winded your arms tighter around the waist of your boyfriend. Incoherently, you mumbled something. Calum couldn't help but chuckle at your state of being. A few seconds later, you decided to repeat yourself,

"Where do you think you're goin'?" You asked, fingers curled gently into the skin on his stomach. Calum tried not to giggle. He hated admitting it, but yes, big ole' intimidating Calum was in fact ticklish. If the news was to get out, it would be all over for him and his aggressive exterior. It was a little secret concealed by his small friend group, you included.

"Water, I'm thirsty," He stated.

You made a noise of disapproval, keeping him anchored to the bed. Duke had yet to wake up from his peaceful slumber on the floor, in the dog bed that you graciously bought. It was dark blue and a bit too large for the small pup but he enjoyed it, nonetheless. Calum insisted you didn't need to buy it, but, the old one was a bit too worn out for your liking. Duke seemed to favour you a bit more after the purchase.

Together you laid for a little longer until Calum positively had to get up. He wiggled out of your grip with success this time and stood up. The sweatpants covering his lower half belonged to you and the hickies placed carelessly on his neck belonged to you, too. A small gift, as you phrased it last night while he rolled his eyes. It wasn't distasteful, but the Maori boy covered them up always before seeing his friends or he wouldn't hear the end of it.

"Plans," You spoke from the bed while Calum stood behind the kitchen counter, filling up a glass with water, "Do you have any plans for today? Or do I get to be with you?"

He shook his head in response, "Gotta go to the studio later… Tracking vocals and whatnot, mostly mine and Luke's. You could come, if you'd like, just couldn't be distracting."

"Nah, 'is alright… Think I have an appointment today with some girl, unless she cancelled."

Calum started the coffeepot for you two as he leaned against the counter, watching how Duke slept and you stared at him, like he wouldn't notice. You weren't very good at being subtle even if you tried. It couldn't be marked as a skill by any means. If you were staring, it was recognised, and you liked it that way. Sure, Luke pretended to gag sometimes, but Calum resorted to flipping him off. Mornings were typically spent with few words and more movements than anything. Calum did this and you did that; Duke sat around and watched because you know, he's a dog.

After coffee was brewed and you were properly dressed, you two sat on the balcony, a cigarette in one of  his hands and a coffee in the other. He already scolded you for trying to sneak one so really, it was just him enjoying coffee and cigarettes. He had managed to cut down his smoking since meeting you but it still wasn't good. The Maori only picked up a pack when he was burdened or overthinking, which was a lot more often than you'd think.

When he set the lit cigarette in the ashtray, you reached over to attempt to pick it up. You were met with a smack to the hand.

"You know you're not supposed to do that."

He didn't sound disappointed but rather concerned than anything. He was constantly informing you that it was bad, but it was pretty hypocritical of him. If anything, keeping your boyfriend fit was a goal. Some would possibly view it as controlling, but you guys looked out for each other.

"You just told me how you have to track vocals today. Really think smoking is going to help make you sound better?" You retorted, making Calum sink down a bit in his seat.

Right now, you sounded a lot like the other three boys in his band. Ashton was the one who was constantly on his ass about it. Since the start of his own sobriety, he has been trying to get Calum to quit, too. It was a bit harder, though, because he had been smoking since he was a teenager. The first time he was caught was by Mail-Koa, his older sister. She wasn't delighted with the sight, advising him to put it out before their mom came out to the backyard. Around that time, he started playing on a soccer team.

He was phenomenally excellent at said sport, even got a few chances to go big, but instead he followed his heart and did music. That's how he ended up in LA with his three most beloved friends, on the other side of the country, anyway from everything familiar.

Calum sighed but it wasn't bothered. He should be thankful you didn't pester him even more for making questionable health decisions like this. He slumped down further in the chair and looked out over the city in front of you. It was beautiful, and he could get used to this. You guys had only been dating for a few months but this felt more right than anything.

"When can you move in?" He blurted out, instantly wanting to smack himself in the head as soon as the words came out in a sentence. It sounded a lot like a demand.

You snorted, glancing over at your boyfriend who was promptly a few shades pinker than usual, "Woah there Hood, didn't think that would be the topic of this morning," You teased shamelessly.

"Ignore me – Oh God, this is so embarrassing. I really didn't, well I do, but uh — I'm going to shut up."

He felt small and foolish, wanting to curl up into a ball and then disappear directly afterwards. Nothing in his head was able to sum up what he said simply enough to take it back. He couldn't even play it off as a joke because he was serious. Everything in him wanted you to move in here with him and take this next step together. Not like it was marriage or anything extreme. That thought was almost as scary as when Calum introduced you to his friends. He was expecting backlash but didn't get it.

"Hey, no, babe… If you're prepared for that, so am I. It already feels like I live here. I mean, I have my own drawer in your dresser. I'm sure the shower is filled with my beauty products, as well." You offered him a smile, signalling he could relax. Calum felt like melting into the floor.

"You mean that?" He asked meekly, accent thick when he questioned it.

"Of course, Calum. I'd be genuinely happy if I finally moved in. I'd never have to go back to mine."

The boy nodded, thinking. He didn't know how he was supposed to bring this up with the boys, but this was what he desired. He wanted sleepy mornings and late nights. You wanted to be able to leave things here without worrying about picking it up again. Both of you wanted to wake up in each others arms every morning.

"Okay," Calum ultimately said, nodding to himself, "Yeah, I really want to do this… We can, we can set away a weekend to collect your stuff and move it here. It's probably not a lot but, yeah."

You leaned over and clutched Calum's hand, stroking your thumb over the boys tattoo. It was one that you didn't get to do, but you loved it just the same; a set of initials for both parents on his hands. This had to be one of the pleasantest mornings spent together. There were multiple others to compare to, but this one made Calum feel complete, solidified and whole.