i can't deny

Cecilia grinned with the feeling, her heart swelling, and she relaxed so easily under his touch. "I love you, too," she murmured quietly before she pulled back a bit to peer up at him, taking him in. "Definitely ready." And, she felt pretty confident about it, too, especially with being in Luke's arms.

Michael grinned down at her, lifting a hand to cup her face, running his thumb over her cheek gently. "Good," he murmured quietly, "Because they can be a handful and I'm sure that at least Ashton's going to try to run you off." He laughed quietly and leaned to kiss her forehead. "I think they'll love you, though."

Luke grinned. “Alright, let’s get you introduced to the other half of 5 Seconds of Summer.” He pressed a kiss to the top of Cecilia’s head, leading her to their table. “Guys,” he cleared his throat. “This is Cecilia.” He smiled. “My girlfriend.”

Calum smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.” He grinned. “I’m Calum, I play bass, better singer than Luke.” He teased.

Arianna laughed, shaking her head. “I’m sure they’re not as bad as you’re making them out to be.” She teased, pressing a kiss to Michael’s cheek. “Alright, get me introduced.” She grinned.

Cecilia grinned slightly as she followed Luke, keeping close to him, though her grin softened to a smile and she waved slightly after Luke introduced her. "Hi," she greeted, "It's nice to meet you, too."

Michael laughed. "I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you," he teased before kissing the top of her head and he led her to the table, grinning to their friends. "Alright, guys. Looks like it's finally time for you to meet my amazing girlfriend." He winked teasingly to Arianna. "This is Arianna. Be nice."

Ashton grinned as he peered at the two and leaned forward. "I'm Ashton, drummer," he introduced himself, "And a much better charmer than either of these dopes." He winked teasingly. "It's great to meet you both."

“It’s really great to meet you both.” Calum grinned. “Luke and Mikey are really punching above their weight, we all know the bassist and the drummer make the band.” He teased his friends, turning serious for a moment. “Welcome to the family.” He smiled.

Luke pulled out Cecilia’s chair for her, letting her sit down. Sitting beside her, Luke rolled his eyes jokingly at Calum’s words. “Get your ego in check.” He teased Calum, taking Cecilia’s hand within his own under the table, running his thumb across her skin, wanting to comfort her in any way he could, leaning to press a kiss to her temple.

Arianna laughed at Michael’s wink, but still, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she studied the other two, the four boys clearly good friends. “It’s lovely to meet you both.” She smiled, sticking firmly to Michael’s side, feeling a little shy, but knowing she’d soon get over it.

"And you two are clearly out of their league, more so in ours," Ashton hummed out with amusement, grinning jokingly, though he nodded to Calum's words. "We're happy and honored to have you, even with your poor taste in men."

"Oi, poachers," Michael said, shaking his head with amusement before he smiled and kissed the top of Arianna's head, seeing that she seemed quiet, probably shy. "You're welcome to ignore them. They tend to be ridiculous." He watched her, running her back gently before he pulled out her seat for her, offering a smile in hopes of comforting her in some way.

Cecilia offered an amused look in response. "Quite the characters," she mentioned jokingly, though she smiled and kissed Luke's cheek, thanking him quietly as she moved to sit down. Peering around at the others, she nodded slightly, easing, relaxing when she felt Luke take her hand. "Thank you. It means a lot."

Luke shot a fake glare at Calum and Ashton. “Oi,” He warned jokingly, squeezing Cecilia’s hand. “She’s mine.” He pointed an accusing finger at Ashton, shaking his head in amusement. “Get your own.” He stuck his tongue out at Ashton. “Vulture.” Turning to look at Cecilia though, he grinned, leaning in to whisper quietly into her ear, ensuring only she heard him. “Told you they’d love you.”

Arianna smiled, pressing a kiss to Michael’s cheek in gratitude before she sat down, clearly amused by Ashton’s words. “Such charmers.” She chimed in with Cecilia, smiling softly. Once Michael was sat beside her, Arianna took his hand, just wanting his comfort.

Calum grinned cheekily with Ashton’s words. “Definitely more so in our league. You ran into the wrong half of the band.” He teased.

Cecilia grinned with the feeling and she returned Luke's squeeze gently as she watched him with amusement. "Right," she murmured quietly in response, "You guys are all really something." Her grin broadened slightly but she let herself relax, finding it relatively easy to do so.

"If you two ever change your minds, you know where to find us," Ashton teased lightly, grinning jokingly.

"Oi," Michael complained again, rolling his eyes slightly, playfully, as he ran his thumb over the back of Arianna's hand. "Back off, I'm not sharing, and neither of you are getting her." He grinned over at Arianna, lifting her hand gently to kiss her knuckles, glad to have her there.

Luke grinned with Cecilia's words. "Allow me to translate that, really something means really dumb." He threw a joking look to Ashton and Calum. Still, he shifted closer to Cecilia, being subtle, knowing he'd never hear the end of it from his band mates if he had his need to be close to Cecilia obvious. Looking over to her with the thought, Luke smiled, just watching her for a moment, taking in her beauty, how radiant she was, and Luke truly considered himself to be the luckiest man on the planet, just to call Cecilia his. Pressing a kiss to her cheek, Luke smiled, his forehead against her temple.

Calum grinned with Ashton's words, shaking his head, smiling as he saw how Luke and Michael clearly loved the girls. "This romance is making me sick." He nudged Ashton jokingly.

Arianna laughed with Ashton and Calum's words, biting her lip in amusement. Still, hearing Michael's protectiveness, Arianna felt a warmth spread through her entire body. Squeezing Michael's hand once more, Arianna offered him a smile, just so glad to have him beside her, so glad to have his love, and to love him in return. "Your friends are dorks." She told him, loud enough for Ashton and Calum, laughing as she saw Calum's pout.

Cecilia laughed with Luke's words and she rolled her eyes. "Mean," she teased lightly, though she shifted a bit, sliding her fingers through Luke's, just loving the contact between them. Feeling Luke kiss her cheek, she grinned, closing her eyes when she felt him so close, and she squeezed his hand gently. "I would never be so mean as to say that aloud. Maybe think it, though."

Michael grinned, unable to help but to feel happy to hear Arianna's words, amused. "They really are, you really have no clue," he joked lightly, grinning as he examined her, chewing on his lip as he took her in. He easily ignored Calum's words in favor of just loving the way it felt to have Arianna there, to be able to call her his and to have her in his life, as his love. He swore he had to be the luckiest person in the world.

"Tell me about it," Ashton said, making a jokingly disgusted face before perking up when the food was brought over and placed down. "So, girls, tell us about yourselves, yeah?"

Luke grinned with triumph. "That's my girl." He spoke softly, gently returning the squeeze, lifting her hand to press a kiss to her knuckles. Pressing another kiss to her lips, Luke relaxed in his chair as he saw Cecilia seemed to be relaxed and comfortably, and that's all he could of hoped for, all he wanted, her happiness being his priority. "Don't put them on the spot like that, Ash." He scolded, pushing Cecilia's waffles towards her with a smile. "Eat."

Arianna laughed with Michael's words, giving Michael a playful look. "I have a clue, cause you're just as dorky." She teased, pressing a kiss to his lips when she saw him chewing on his lip, still finding the sight so damn attractive. Hearing Ashton's words though, Arianna blinked, trying to think for a moment. "We're not that interesting." She laughed, ducking her head slightly. "Anything specific?"

Calum thought for a moment as he accepted his full English. "Well, why don't you tell us how you fell for these idiots?" He suggested, wanting to make it easier for the girls.

"Oh, come on, we just want to know a bit about them," Ashton complained to Luke's words, pouting, "I mean, they're going to be a part of your lives and, by proxy, ours. We deserve to learn a bit about them."

Cecilia could feel her heart swelling with Luke's words, loving the way it sounded, and she found herself staring at him with a broad grin before she ducked her head to eat, though she blinked as she listened to the others. "Oh, ripping the bandage right off, are we?" she joked lightly, "Well, they kind of popped into the room when we were still cleaning, and Luke just kind of got my attention immediately." She chewed on her lip, ducking her head as she tried not to grin too broadly. "When we were heading back down to the employee break room, we were talking about them, joking a bit about wanting to see them again, Arianna even jokingly mentioned that she hoped we forgot to put towels in. And, out of nowhere, the phone rings and, lo and behold, these two dopes are calling to ask for towels - which they didn't even need." She shot a jokingly accusing look at Luke. "And, when we got up there, there was just... This sense of right and it was so easy to just talk to Luke, so easy to get lost in the conversation, to get lost in him, to feel safe and comfortable, and I just knew."

Michael grinned when he felt Arianna kiss his lips, and he felt his heart swelling. Unable to stop himself, he leaned forward to kiss her again. "You must like dorky guys, at the very least," he teased lightly, winking to her jokingly as he ran his thumb over the back of her hand, just loving the way she looked in that moment, especially when she ducked her head. Shifting, he grabbed her plate, sliding it over to her gently, though he shook his head with amusement when he heard Calum and Ashton questioning the girls. "You don't have to answer them, of course," he told her gently, offering a small grin as he examined her. "But you should definitely eat. I doubt you got to eat before you got to work, because I know you didn't eat before you left this morning." And, he wanted her to eat, he wanted her to be healthy and to not run herself dry. Still, a part of him did want to know when she'd fallen for him exactly, and why or how, if she decided to answer - but he didn't want to pressure her into answering the question.

Luke's grin broadened as he listened intently to Cecilia, watching her closely, memorising her mannerisms and the shape of her lips, toying with his lower lip as he watched her duck her head, unable to stop himself admiring her completely, completely head over heels with Cecilia's smile, the sound of her voice, but his heart swelled as he heard her words about him, knowing he felt the exact same way, considering their love to be nothing short of a miracle. "It was fate." He murmured to Cecilia with a smile, pressing a kiss to her cheek before giving her space to eat, knowing she hadn't eaten this morning before she left him.

Arianna laughed into Michael's lips. "I definitely like a dorky guy, notice that's a singular." She teased, pressing another kiss to his lips, unable to stop herself. "Yes Dad." She complained jokingly, squeezing Michael's hand and listening fondly to Cecilia. "Well, Michael made a lasting impression by nearly knocking me over." Arianna laughed, biting her lip in amusement. "And the moment I saw him, I swear my heart just... stopped." She ducked her head, biting her lip. "I just felt this connection straight away, and I got curious, I wanted to know more about him, Michael just so easily caught my attention." She explained. "Then suddenly, I'm being called a psychic cause as soon as I mention the towels, who calls, but these two." She nodded her head towards Michael with a smile. "And it was amazing. Everything flowed so naturally between Michael and I, like I'd known him my whole life. It's like I knew that he was made for me, and just... the more time I spent with him, the more I fell."

Calum grinned, not wanting to admit he thought the whole situation was cute.

Cecilia smiled with Luke's words, watching him for a few moments before she nodded slightly. "It was," she agreed quietly as she examined him. "And I wouldn't have asked for anything more." And, she was perfectly happy with how their meeting had gone and with everything that had followed, her heart swelling with the fact that she'd get to have Luke in her life, always. Smiling, she leaned to kiss his cheek in return before she focused on eating.

Michael grinned broadly as he listened to Arianna talk, completely entranced by her, her voice, her features, her smile, her eyes, everything. The more she talked, the harder he could feel himself falling, and his heart swelled as he listened to her talk, his grin broadening with the memory. It'd only happened yesterday, but the initial meeting felt like it'd been a lifetime ago, as if he'd already experienced a lifetime with Arianna, and he wanted to never forget the way it felt to love her. "You're definitely my one," he murmured quietly as he examined her before he leaned to kiss her for a moment, a long moment, and he pulled back, running his thumb over the back of her hand with a grin before he focused on eating, wanting to let her eat.

"I feel like we missed an entire movie scene," Ashton complained with a pout as he listened to the girls talk, though he smiled, happy for his friends. "Alright, my turn. What made you two decide to agree to coming on tour with us? I mean, surely you have your own lives here. It can't be easy, deciding to leave that all behind, right?"

Luke watched Cecilia, wanting to make sure she was eating, that the food was okay, that she was content. "Is it good?" He asked, smiling, never wanting to tear his gaze from her. Focusing on his breakfast for a moment, Luke smiled, considering for the moment just how lucky he'd been to have that initial meeting, feeling like he had been in the right place at the right time to meet Cecilia, like time was truly on his side. Smiling at the thought, Luke watched Calum and Ashton, grinning as Ashton complained. Hearing his next question though, Luke paid close attention, finding himself curious to how Cecilia would answer.

Arianna smiled as Michael kissed her, biting her lip as he pulled away. "Good, because you're my one, and I never want to let that, or you, go." She told him quietly, although she thought of a way to answer when she heard Ashton's next question. "Uh, truth be told, I live in the hotel. Happiness like this only comes once in a lifetime, you know?" She asked, poking her pancakes for a moment, shrugging her shoulders. "My parents work all the time, the only thing really keeping me here was Cecilia." She explained, inwardly cringing at herself as she took a forkful.

Calum nodded in understanding, unable to stop himself smiling as he watched the couples. Luke and Michael deserved something good for once, and he felt happy that the girls seemed so perfect for his best friends.

Cecilia grinned slightly. "It is," she assured quietly, nodding, "This place has the best waffles - and that's not just me bragging about my workplace." She grinned broadly with the thought, though she blinked to Ashton's question, looking over, though she smiled slightly. "I'll be leaving behind my mom and my sister," she admitted, toying with her lip, "And I thought I'd be leaving Arianna behind, too, but I agreed before I found out otherwise. I mean, as much as it might be hard to leave my mom and sister, I know they'd want me to go, to chase the feelings I have for Luke - the love, the happiness he gives me... And, besides that, it's not like I'll never see them again. But, if I passed up this chance to go, there's the chance that I could never see Luke again, and I don't want that."

Michael could feel his heart swelling and speeding up with Arianna's words, loving the way she called him her one - loving that she didn't want to let him go. It put his heart at ease, knowing that she loved him as much as he loved her. "And you never have to," he assured her quietly, leaning to kiss her temple gently as he examined her before he ate, though he listened to her quietly, avoiding watching her because he didn't want to make her feel anxious or pressured into talking or answering the questions his friends were asking. His heart swelled even more when he heard her words, though, and he grinned as he peered over at her. "God, I really do love you," he murmured before he leaned to kiss the side of her head, unable to stop himself at that point.

Ashton listened to the girls talk, smiling slightly as he listened. Arching a brow, he leaned back in his seat after he finished eating. "Well, it looks like you two have got yourselves some good catches," he mentioned to his friends teasingly, "Don't screw it up."

Luke laughed. "No, you're definitely bragging." He teased, pressing a kiss to her temple. Although he listened intently to Cecilia once more, Luke smiled with her words, but forced his gaze away for a moment to make sure she was comfortable, hoping she knew she didn't have to answer Ashton's questions if she didn't want to. Smiling though, Luke exhaled happily. "God, I love you." He told her, being honest, saying it with pride. "But I hope you know that your sister and Mom are always invited to visit." He told her honestly, meaning it. He knew that Cecilia made the decision, but he still wanted Cecilia to know that she was free to do what she wanted, not wanting to control her in any way.

Arianna smiled shyly, relaxing as Michael kissed her temple. "I love you more." She told him quietly, pressing a kiss to his lips, laughing as she saw food on the corner of his mouth. "You dummy." She grinned fondly, wiping her thumb across the spot with a shake of her head, loving how Michael always provided some sort of comfort to her, whether he knew he was doing it or not. Still, hearing Ashton's words, Arianna smiled proudly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Calum nodded along with Ashton. "Definitely don't screw it up." He grinned.

Cecilia grinned slightly. "Okay, maybe I'm bragging a little bit," she joked lightly, though she chewed on her lip as she listened to him. "I love you, too, Luke." Shifting, she leaned to kiss his cheek gently, happily, and her smile softened, her heart swelling. "Thank you, Luke." With a small grin, she cupped his face to kiss his lips for a moment. "You're amazing."

Michael grinned to her words and shook his head slightly in response. "I don't think that's possible. I definitely love you more," he hummed out happily, though he laughed when she wiped the food away. "Well, look at you, cleaning up my mess." He winked teasingly and shifted, leaning to kiss the side of her head gently, just loving having her there with him.

Ashton shook his head with amusement as he watched them. "They're definitely going to drive us crazy," he joked lightly to Calum.

Luke smiled broadly, genuinely, just so happy to have Cecilia's love. "There's no need to thank me." Luke told her honestly, pressing another kiss to her lips, their foreheads falling together so naturally. "I want you to be happy. I'd do anything to see you smile Cecilia." He told her honestly, cupping her cheek, this thumb running along the apple of her cheek, wanting to make the most of her before he had to leave either later that night or early the next morning.

Arianna smiled, her cheeks reddening slightly as Michael told her he loved her more. But still, she bit her lower lip. "I think that's just something you have to think, it's definitely not true." She teased, winking at him. Still, when she wiped away the mess, Arianna laughed with his words. "Who else is going to?" She teased, turning to kiss his lips happily.

Calum nodded. "Over the top PDA." He whined, covering his hands with his face.

Cecilia grinned with the feeling, closing her eyes when she felt his forehead against hers. "I'm already happy," she assured him quietly, letting herself relax, leaning into his touch. "So, you don't have to worry about that, I promise."

Michael laughed quietly and shook his head. "That's definitely not why I'm saying it," he told her with a grin, "Because it's definitely true." And, hearing her later words, he laughed against her lips, returning the kiss happily, grinning broadly against her lips.

"Get a room," Ashton told the others, making a joking face.

Luke flipped off Ashton jokingly with his free hand, not even being subtle about it as he pressed a kiss to Cecilia's lips. "As long as you're happy." He murmured gently, pressing another kiss to her lips, finding himself completely addicted to her. "You're so damn incredible." He told her honestly, pressing a kiss to her forehead, never wanting to forget how he felt in this moment.

Arianna rolled her eyes jokingly at Michael's words, smiling as Michael did, just loving his smile so much, just loving Michael so much. "Alright, Cassanova." She teased, running a hand through Michael's hair teasingly. "I get it, you love me. Just as long as you know that I love you too."

Calum stuck his tongue out in a gagging motion. "Yuck."