#calsoftseries

[calpops]

A soft night breeze cuts through the air and brings you closer to Calum. Duke is snuggled between you and the pillows and blankets laid on the grass provide a nest of warmth. The stars are out but your gazes cut from each other to the projector aimed at the house. The movie you watched the first night you spent with Calum plays but it’s merely background noise to the beat of his heart you can hear so clearly with your head pressed to his chest. Your fingers softly and mindlessly tap out the rhythm on his ribcage and you almost know that he’s smirking up at the night sky. It’s an innate habit to hear his heartbeat and tap it out for him, to compare it to the subtle thump of yours and know they’re beating in time with each other.

You sigh and he shifts, arms wrapping you up a bit tighter just as you silently wished for.

“You remember the first time we watched this?” Calum asks and captures your hand in his, laces your fingers together and glides his thumb across your knuckles. It’s his habit, a way to silently communicate and feel you with him.

“Of course,” you respond and scrunch up your nose. “But we didn’t do much watching.”

You feel heat rise to your cheeks at the memory of the night and though it was long ago it still brings beautiful little nerves fluttering to life in your stomach.

Calum chuckles and Duke pops his head up with ears perked to show his interest. Calum uses his free hand to ruffle his ears and settle him back down into the snuggle. You tilt your face up and feel the warmth of his skin against the tip of your cool nose. You give him a small kiss to soft skin on his neck and burrow back into his embrace.

“Haven’t really been watching tonight either,” he admits and let’s his hand wander from yours to the curve of your hip. His fingertips lightly ghost up your side in a soft tickle that elicits a giggle.

“Me either,” you respond and conclude the movie doesn’t matter anymore. You shift up, weight on your hands sinking into the blankets so you can hover over him.

“I like this a lot more,” Calum says quietly and pulls you down for a kiss.

“Me too,” you say against his lips and know this will be how the rest of the night plays out.

The movie is forgotten in favor of kisses, the soundtrack is drowned out in favor of hearing each other’s heartbeats and content sighs. Just like the first night you attempted to watch. Just like any other night a movie is merely an excuse to snuggle in and stay wrapped up in each other for hours.

[calpops]

The glare of the moon rippling off the water paints a lurid and yet somehow demure feeling as you and Calum slip out into the night. The sliding glass door shuts softly behind you and fresh air fills your lungs after a day inside and away from each other. The night brings you back and the cool air prickles on your skin. You’re both quiet as you slip your clothes off and leave them at the edge. Calum grabs your hand and leads you toward the pool steps. You’re hesitant, barely dipping a toe in as a shiver trembles your lips and a small laugh rips from Calum. He’s nearing knee deep while you dwell at the top and bite your lip, your hand not dropping from his though the distance is increasing.

“Gonna join me angel?” He asks and his gravelly yet soothing voice and sharp jawline highlighted under the moon and stars are enough to entice you to go ankle deep into the water. He’s flat footed on the floor now, water lapping at his waist and arms reaching out for you. “All the way?”

The bite of cold water contrasts with the warmth of Calum as you descend into the pool and are welcomed into his arms. You go on your tiptoes, seek out a kiss and let him hold you as he drifts back further into the water. He finds the wall and leans into it, pulls you further into him and his hands settle under your thighs to properly hold you up. Goosebumps rise on your skin from the differing temperatures and you can see his breath collide with the cool air. You both stay quiet, content to revel in your closeness and the easiness of the night. You lean forward with eyes slipping closed and hands settling on his shoulders. Foreheads press together and you both chase the taste of each other. The kiss is soft and sweet and wind quietly works through the trees, rustling leaves and dropping petals into the pool around you.

You’re both smiling as you pull away and catch your breath. You haven’t gone under the water but Calum has always had that effect on you. He’s always been visceral yet subtle. Able to drag you in and keep you under. Bring you closer and closer. The night goes by in a serene blur of body heat and laughter that tumbles out in quiet bursts. By the time you’re out of the water and wrapped in towels Calum’s thinking ahead.

“It’ll be nice tomorrow night,” he says with thoughts brewing in his mind.

“Yeah? Planning another late night dip?” You ask.

“Something of the sort,” he begins and wraps you up in his arms and emphasizes the statement with a kiss. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”