i can't deny

Cecilia smiled slightly as she listened to him talk about his friends, though she grinned with hearing his laugh, finding it the most attractive sound in the world. "It's good that you guys have that kind of relationship," she mentioned, though she grinned with amusement. "I bet you guys stir up all kinds of trouble with each other."

Michael grinned with the mention of it. "I think it'd be an amazing end to the day," he decided easily, finding the idea of it to be peaceful, so he could only imagine what it would actually be like. He hummed, though, as he ate. "Well, there's Luke, who you already met. And there's Calum and Ashton - they're great friends, too."

"We do." Luke confirmed, gently taking Cecilia's hands within his own. "It'd be nice, having you there. Sometimes we need a steady head to stop us all getting too wild." He chuckled, still grinning broadly. Of course, he, Calum, Ashton and Michael were like brothers, but sometimes they influenced each other in the worst way. "You can meet those two tomorrow, before the show." He smiled, excitement filling him once more at the fact Cecilia would be watching him from the side of the stage, and Luke already planned to make sure she had a fantastic night.

Arianna grinned with the mention of the other two. "Oh god, four of you? I can't imagine the trouble you get up to." She teased, roughing up his hair as she went to put the rest of her food in the microwave, loving the feeling of his hair beneath her hands. Stretching her arms above her head happily, Arianna took in the sight of Michael, how comfortable he seemed, and she loved that she could offer him some solace with the lifestyle he led. "You look comfy." She teased lightly, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Cecilia smiled slightly, squeezing his hands slightly, enjoying the way it felt to have her hands in his. "Oh? You expect me to be the steady head?" she asked with amusement, grinning slightly, "Now, why would I do that and ruin all the fun?" Arching a brow, she tilted her head slightly as she tried not to be too amused, but she honestly was hoping that she'd get to experience all of that. "Yeah? Guess that means you're planning to keep me all to yourself until then."

Michael laughed and nodded. "Yeah, we get a bit crazy," he admitted with a broad grin, his grin broadening a bit when he felt her fingers through his hair, and he watched her for a while, pushing his plate away after he finished eating. "You'd like them, though. And they'd love you. I can't wait for you to meet them, especially since I'm sure you'd enjoy all the craziness." He winked teasingly, but grinned, moving to stand to sit down by her. "Much comfier now."

"I do, but why do I think you're going to be just as bad as us?" Luke teased, moving his hands from hers to rest them gently on her hips, hoping he wasn't being too forward, but Luke just adored having Cecilia around him, all to himself with no one to disturb them. "I am planning to keep you all to myself." Luke laughed, not bothering to hide it. "You make me feel amazing, Cecilia, do you honestly think I'm gonna share that with anyone?" He asked with a broad grin, leaning to kiss her forehead.

Arianna smiled as Michael spoke, just relishing in the sound of his voice. "I can't wait." She admitted, knowing that it sounded like a promise to join him, but she knew that the chance that she would was high. Seeing him sat on the edge of the bed, beside herself, Arianna laughed. "You need to get comfier. You're like, 65 percent comfy." She told him, gesturing to the headboard with a grin. "But I expect cuddles, too, hope you know that." She grinned.

"I probably would be. Especially if influenced by Bon Jovi," Cecilia joked with a small grin, trying not to think too hard about her words, hoping beyond hope that things would go well. She chewed on her lip when she felt his hands on her hips and she shifted, sliding her arms around his neck, just wanting to stay close to him. "Well, I have absolutely no complaints there." She grinned, closing her eyes when she felt him kiss her forehead, just relaxing.

Michael grinned when he heard her words, so happy that she seemed really into the idea of going if she was talking like that. It sounded like a promise, a promise to be there, a promise to explore each other's lives, and he wanted to believe that the promise would come to be true, that he could have her in his life. "Alright, alright, I'll go to the headboard and we can cuddle," he assured with a laugh before he shifted, going further up onto the bed to lean against the headboard, opening his arms up for her.

Listening to Cecilia's words, Luke chuckled at Cecilia's words about Bon Jovi. "I aspire to be Bon Jovi." He told Cecilia with a grin, kissing the top of her head as he ran his thumbs along her lips, debating to himself for the second time that evening, whether or not he should kiss her. Not wanting to overwhelm her, Luke bit his lip. "Cecilia," he cleared his throat softly, pulling her closer slightly, being gentle still. "Can I kiss you?" He asked, and although he tried to sound confident, his voice came off a little bashful.

Arianna smiled as she moved to the headboard, wrapping her arms around Michael as she settled beside him, feeling the overwhelming comfort rush over her. She'd never felt anything like it before, and she wondered if hers and Michael's paths were destined to cross. Resting her head on Michael's chest, Arianna looked up at him with a small smile. "Alright, comfort level?" She asked with a slight laugh.

Cecilia grinned as she watched Luke, amused by his words about Bon Jovi, though she felt her heart racing when she felt his thumb along her lips. She stared at him, watching him, listening to him quietly, and thought about how to answer him, her eyes going to his lips, then back to his eyes, just for a moment, before she leaned up to kiss him first as an answer.

Michael grinned slightly, sliding his arms around her as he watched her. "I'd say it's a solid 95%," he told her quietly as he watched her, his eyes scanning over her, taking her in, memorizing her beauty, before he drew her in closer as he relaxed. "I think there may be a way to bump it up to, like, 110%, maybe." But he didn't want to pressure her into anything, ever.

Luke gently returned Cecilia's kiss, a rush of love flooding through his chest in the best way. He kissed her for a long moment, his eyes closing as he ran his fingers through her hair. Pulling away reluctantly, Luke's forehead connected with Cecilia's. "That was so amazing." He told her with a small laugh, biting his lip.

Arianna looked up to Michael. "How?" She asked, her head tilting slightly in curiosity. For Michael to be comfortable around her, to provide Michael with any kind of solace, Arianna would do anything. She wanted him to know that with her, he could be himself. He wasn't Michael Clifford from 5 Seconds of Summer with her, he was just Michael Clifford.

Cecilia had felt her heart swelling with the feeling of Luke's kiss, swearing she'd never felt so happy in her life. Grinning when he pulled away, she closed her eyes with their contacted foreheads and relaxed. "It was," she agreed quietly. "It was really amazing." And she felt beyond lucky with something so simple.

Michael grinned slightly as he watched her for a few moments, debating, but he decided to take the chance. Cupping her face gently, he leaned forward to keep her deeply, his thumb running over her cheek gently. The moment his lips had met hers, though, he felt the flame in his chest spread throughout his body and he grinned against her lips, unable to help it.

Luke smiled broadly, happy to see that Cecilia felt the same way he did, his heart thumping happily in his chest from the adrenaline and the pure love he felt for her. Pushing her hair from her face once more, Luke pressed another kiss to Cecilia's lips, just wanting to relish in the feeling that kissing her gave him - and just to realise and remember how damn lucky he was to have met her, to know her, and to fall in love so hard and so fast in such a short amount of time. "You're amazing, Cecilia."

Arianna melted into the kiss, relaxing as she returned the gesture, feeling the warmth of adoration spread through her chest, and in that moment, Arianna was sure that Michael was made for her, that they were destined to meet, destined to fall in love, and she couldn't deny she was falling hard and fast for Michael, and she was enjoying it. Feeling Michael smile into the kiss, Arianna smiled, laughing as she pulled away for a moment to study him, biting her lip.

Cecilia grinned broadly with the affection Like was giving her, feeling her heart swelling in a way she'd never really felt before. "You're one to talk, Luke," she murmured as she lifted her gaze to watch him for a long moment. It still surprised her so much that she'd fallen for somebody she barely knew so quickly, that she was so overwhelmed by the emotions she felt for him that she was contemplating leaving with him, leaving everything she'd ever known behind just to be with him. "Honestly, I just... Can't believe how amazing you are or how amazing you make me feel."

Michael grinned against her lip as she returned the kiss, holding her close as he ran his fingers through her hair, holding her close, amazed by how wonderful it felt to kiss her. It felt so very right and there was so much happiness and excitement that flowed through him while the kiss lasted that he honestly believed that Arianna was the embodiment of everything he'd ever wanted - more so, everything he ever needed. When she pulled away, his grin softened as he pressed his forehead to hers. "That was perfect," he breathed out quietly, not wanting to disrupt or disturb the moment, this peace, between them. "You're perfect, Arianna."

"Believe me when I say that the feeling is mutual." Luke promised Cecilia quietly, genuinely meaning his words. Luke had thought he'd been in love before, but having Cecilia here with him, it meant so much that Luke knew this time was for real, and he was ready to let himself fall deeper in love. Cecilia gave him such a rush, he loved every moment with her by his side. "The feeling you give me, Cecilia, God, it's such a rush." He told her, keeping his voice even, quiet. "I'm addicted to you already. I love it. I love you." Why lie? He thought. He wanted Cecilia to know how he felt.

Arianna smiled softly as Michael pressed his forehead to hers, her hands gently cupping his cheeks, loving the feeling of his skin under her fingertips, just adoring having him near her, feeling him beside herself was such a wonderful feeling, Arianna was almost overwhelmed. "That was perfect." She confirmed with a slight laugh, pressing another peck to his lips. Hearing him call her perfect, Arianna ducked her head slightly as she blushed. "And you're perfect, Michael. You're perfect for me." She looked back to him, still smiling.

Cecilia couldn't help but to grin slightly as she listened to him, beyond happy to hear that she felt the same as she did. As he spoke, she didn't want to interrupt him, and she listened intently, though she stared at him in shock with his confession, her heart racing in a way she hadn't known was even possible. “Luke,” she breathed out in shock before she laughed happily and leaned up to kiss him again, grinning broadly against his lips for a moment. “I love you, too.”

Michael grinned, relaxing with her touch, beyond happy to feel her touch, to have her close, and he took her in as he eyed her, examining her features, memorizing everything about her that he could. “I'm glad you think so,” he murmured quietly as he leaned to peck her lips for a moment, his grin broadening. “I can't believe how lucky I am to have met you, Arianna, or to have fallen for you as quickly as I have. Already, you have the most amazing effect on me and I just know - I know that I love you already.” He knew it was fast, that saying it so quickly, so soon, may seem crazy, but he couldn't hold it in and he wanted her to know.

Luke tightened his hold on Cecilia, wanting her close, craving her presence by his side as he rested his hands on her hips, gently squeezing. Although Luke caught Cecilia’s look of shock, he toyed with his lip anxiously, afraid that he’d overstepped a line. But when she pressed a kiss to his lips, Luke happily returned it, pulling her closer, if it was even possible. Laughing happily with her words, Luke grinned. “Thank god. I just want you to know, I - I...” Luke grinned. “I love the feeling you give me.”

Arianna smiled as Michael pecked her lips, returning the kiss gently, pushing his hair from his face, her touch gentle, though firm, wanting to feel him underneath her and make the most of the feeling. “It’s crazy.” She told him softly, biting her lip. “How fast I fell for you, too.” She pressed another kiss to his lips. “I love you too, Michael. I really love you.” And she didn’t care if it was too sudden, or if it seemed rushed, she wanted Michael to know.

Cecilia grinned broadly as she listened to him and she felt her heart swelling all the more. “I know what you mean,” she assured him quietly, nodding as she examined him. “The feeling you give me, Luke, I've never felt it before and I never want to lose it. It just feels so… So amazing.”

Michael could feel his nerves getting the better of him for a few long moments before she kissed him and spoke and, in that moment, Michael swore he'd never been happier. “God, I love you,” he told her quietly as he kissed her again, grinning broadly before he laughed. “Now that I've said it, I never want to stop saying it.”

Luke nodded, pressing a kiss to Cecilia's lips once more. Pressing his forehead gently to hers, Luke smiled. "So, will you come with me? Because now that's all out of my system, I don't want to lose you, I don't want to walk away from this, Cecilia." He told her gently. "I need you in my life. I feel like I've known you my whole life." Luke admitted, taking a step back to study her.

Arianna laughed into Michael's lips, wrapping her arms around him as she buried her face into his shoulder, biting her lip. "I love you too. But I honestly don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing you say those words to me." She told him. "Like I'd never get tired of telling you how much I love you." She smiled, comfortable in Michael's embrace, her heart overflowing with love for him, amazed at how fast it happened, how everything fell into place.

Cecilia chewed on her lip, grinning slightly despite herself. As much as she knew she shouldn't agree without talking to her mom and sister and Arianna, she didn't want to lose this with Luke. "Okay... Okay, yes," she decided with a happy laugh, "But, just... Give me a month or so to get things sorted here and to save up some money?"

Michael grinned to her words, relaxing with having her there, and he rubbed her back gently, enjoying the way it felt to have her face pressed against him. Relaxing, he kissed the top of her head. "I'm really glad to hear it," he admitted quietly, "I don't think I'll ever get tired of saying it or hearing it in return from you." He chewed on his lip, debating for a moment. "I'd love to be able to hear it in person every day for the rest of my life, if you decided to come with me?"

Luke grinned, overwhelmed by his happiness and his love for Cecilia as he wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around happily, laughing all the while. Setting her down, Luke pressed another kiss to her lips, happy that she'd agreed to come with him. Hearing her ask for a month to sort things out, Luke nodded. "That's fair." He spoke softly. "Oh my god, Cecilia, you just made me the happiest man in the world."

Arianna looked up at Michael, toying with her lip as she pretended to be in thought. "How could I ever say no to you?" She asked with a small smile, relaxing into him. "Of course I'll come." She pressed a kiss to his shoulder through the thin material of his t-shirt, happy to just be held by him. "Just... give me a month or so to fix things here, put in my leaving notice, pack some things, save money." She looked up at him.

Cecilia laughed, sliding her arms around his neck and she kissed him again after he set her down, then once more after he spoke. "I can't believe how happy I am right now," she admitted with another laugh, pressing her forehead to his with a broad grin.

Michael felt joy flood through him, filling him quicker than he really thought was possible, and he grinned broadly. "I'm so glad you agreed," he whispered before he shifted, cupping her face to lift her face to his, kissing her deeply, his grin broadening as he murmured against her lips, "Like crazy glad." He laughed but nodded. "Of course, take the time you need, I'll wait, I swear."

Luke grinned as Cecilia pressed her forehead to his, squeezing around her once more. “I’m ecstatic.” Luke laughed, pressing another kiss to Cecilia’s lips. “God, I love you. I love you so much.” He told her. “I can’t wait. I can’t wait to have you in my life, Cecilia.”

Arianna smiled as Michael kissed her once more, returning the kiss with so much adoration, it was almost overwhelming. “Crazy glad.” She laughed, shaking her head in amusement. “I love this feeling. I love you.” She kissed him once more, smiling to his words. “I know you will. I trust you, Mikey.”