reasons to adore you

Liza moved through the kitchen, grabbing a tub of chocolate ice cream from the freezer and a spoon before she headed to the living room. She had a movie set up already - The Conjuring, because there was nothing better than watching horror films at 1AM (except watching those horror films with her best friend, the person she'd grown up with and was even raised with for as long as she could remember, Luke, but he was on tour) - and, when she climbed onto the sofa and cuddled into her blanket, her ice cream on her lap, she started the movie, though she grinned when Petunia jumped up onto the sofa with her. "Guess you're taking Luke's place in the horror fest tonight, girl," she murmured, shifting to lean back, Petunia curling up next to her, and she stroked Petunia's fur gently as the movie began.

Calum grinned as the Uber neared the home he shared with Jade. They'd been best friends for as long as he'd known her, and she'd lived with him pretty much all his life, so they hadn't bothered to break tradition when they'd moved out of his parents' house. "Thanks, mate," he told the driver, climbing out of the car quickly and, grabbing his things, he searched through his keys until he found the right one. He hadn't told Jade when the tour was ending or that he was coming home tonight, having wanted to surprise her. Jade had always been the most important part of his life - a part of him knew that, without her in it, everything would be completely different. She'd always made his life great, having her in it was one of the best feelings he'd ever known. Moving to the door, he unlocked it quietly and pushed it open as silently as he could before he snuck around to find her, grinning all the while already.

Luke smiled as the Uber stopped right outside his house, and Luke just couldn't push back the happiness that coursed through his veins. Coming home was always the thing Luke looked forward to the most when any tour he'd ever been on came to an end. Not because he could sleep in his own bed, not because he got to eat a home-cooked meal, not even because his house was spacious - but because he got to reunite with Liza. The pair had always been inseparable, and Liza was raised with Luke for as long as Luke could remember, so it made sense that, when Luke went to live independently, Liza would move in with him. Although he'd failed to mention to Liza he was coming home tonight, he was still excited by the thought of surprising her, and getting to hold his best friend for the first time in a long time. After thanking the driver, Luke went to unlock his front door, Luke pushed it open gently, making sure to not make a noise, hoping Petunia wouldn't hear and start barking. Shutting the door, Luke saw the house in darkness, but saw the dull light of the TV from the living room. Grinning, Luke gently treaded towards the door, biting his lip in excitement. Kicking off his shoes so his footsteps wouldn't echo across the wooden floor, Luke leaned against the door frame, his arms crossed against his chest as he smiled softly, seeing Liza cuddled with Petunia, complete with a tub of ice cream. "Room for one more?"

Jade tied her hair up as she treaded around her bedroom, looking for the TV remote. The house she shared with her best friend and partner in crime, Calum, had been feeling a little lonely recently. Whenever Calum was on tour, Jade found herself struggling to adjust, because they'd been raised together, and being without the one that meant the world to her was just so strange. "A-ha." She grinned as she found the remote, switching off her light and pressing play for The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Jade climbed onto her bed and leaned against the headboard, content with how the fresh, cotton sheets felt against her skin, stretching out happily as she bit her lip.

Liza chewed on her lip anxiously, feeling the uneasiness from watching the movie, almost paranoid, even. She'd stuck as close to Petunia as she could, certain that, if there were any demons or ghosts in the house, at least Petunia would freak out, surely. Having paused in eating her ice cream, she couldn't tear her gaze away from the TV screen, but she jumped, letting out a scream when she heard Luke's voice, quickly covering her mouth as she looked at him. "You asshole!" she accused quickly when she calmed down, pointing an accusing finger at him. "No, no, there is no room for assholes! Right, Petunia?" But, Petunia was already hobbling off the sofa to go greet Luke, her tail wagging and her tongue lolling out, having missed him. "Petunia, you traitor!" Liza pouted slightly as she watched but she grinned after a bit. "You didn't tell me you were coming home, I would have cooked something."

Calum made his way through the house quietly, as quietly as he could manage to, searching for Jade, though he'd grinned when he saw her bedroom light on - though it had soon turned off. At first, he'd thought maybe she was going to bed, and maybe he should let her rest for the night, considering how late it was, and surprise her in the morning. But, when he heard the TV starting up, his grin broadened, realizing she wasn't going to sleep just yet, which meant he wouldn't have to feel guilty about popping in. The bedroom door was open, thankfully, and, when he made his way over, he peeked in, seeing Jade on the bed, leaning back against the cupboard, her hair tied up, and he couldn't help but to marvel at the sight of her, lit up by the light of the TV screen. Seeing that she was watching a horror film, he couldn't help but to smirk, almost eager to scare her, but also just wanting to enjoy being back home, being back with his best friend, and the thought made him slip into the room quietly until he was leaning against her wall, watching her. "That movie's gonna give you nightmares," he called out eventually, grinning broadly, "Good thing I'm home to chase them away, yeah?"

Luke laughed loudly when Liza screamed, unable to help himself, crouching down to stroke Petunia as she hobbled over happily, pressing a kiss to her head. Standing back upright, Luke shrugged off his jacket as he made his way over to where Liza was sat, kneeling in front of her. "Where's the fun in telling you I was coming home?" Luke teased, studying the beauty for a long moment, having missed her more than he thought imaginable. "No room, huh?" He pouted, taking her hands within his own, squeezing gently as he ran his thumbs across her knuckles. "Shame. I wanted a cuddle and to tell you all the gory details of tour, but if you won't let me." He grinned teasingly, leaning to press a kiss to Liza's cheek. "Hi. I missed you." He murmured softly, his forehead falling to her temple, relaxed completely when she was close to him. "Now can I join you?"

Jade screamed, jumping up and launching a pillow at Calum. "Jesus!" She frowned disapprovingly at her best friend, unable to help admire how he was leaning against the wall. "Calum!" She whined, hiding her face with a laugh, ducking her head. "You're so evil!" She approached her best friend none the less, crossing her arms over her chest. "You're gonna do that one day and you're gonna kill me." She teased, just relishing in his presence, her life feeling a little more complete. "I didn't know you were due home today." She smiled softly.

Liza smiled slightly as she watched him, listening to him quietly, swearing Luke had always been capable of bringing her more comfort than anybody else in the world ever could. It often got lonely with him gone, but at least she had Petunia to cuddle and keep her company. "Oh? Gory details, huh?" she asked with amusement, squeezing his hands in return, ignoring the all-too-familiar way the contact made her feel warm and safe. She grinned with the kiss she received to her cheek and shifted, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. "I missed you, too, Luke," she murmured honestly before humming, "Of course you can. But you know the rules - movies after midnight call for pajamas." She grinned.

Calum laughed, holding his arms up to block the pillow Jade launched at him, though he grinned broadly at her. "If a pillow is your best weapon against an evil murderer, I may never leave you home alone again," he teased her, though a part of him really wished he never had to leave her home alone at all. He hated the thought that something could happen to her while he was gone, and he hated being apart from her in general, having always been used to being close to her, near her, throughout their lives together. He grinned, though, loving her laugh and, when she approached him, he couldn't help but to wrap his arms around her, holding her close. "I'm sorry," he told her with a laugh, picking her up to spin her a little, just so glad to be back home, to be back in her presence. When he set her down, he grinned down at her and cupped her face, leaning to kiss her forehead. "I wanted to surprise you. It's not my fault you happened to be watching a horror movie." He winked teasingly before taking her in, though his expression softened as he examined her. "I missed you, though. Forgive me?"

Luke smiled as he felt Liza's arms wrap around his neck, and he nuzzled into her. "Gory details." He confirmed with a grin, wrapping his arms around her middle from where he was kneeling, just appreciating having her so close to him. "God, I've missed you." He murmured, not even wanting to pull away from her to change to his pyjamas. Squeezing around her middle, Luke hummed happily. "If you pause the movie, I can get dressed and we can bingewatch horrors all night?" He offered with a grin, reluctantly getting up from the floor, pressing a kiss to Liza's forehead. "Give me a sec." And Luke shrugged off his shirt there and then, disappearing into the hallway to grab some pyjama pants from his bag. Getting changed there, Luke threw on a white t-shirt as he rejoined Liza, collapsing onto the couch, opening his arms. "C'mon." He grinned. "These cuddles aren't gonna wait forever." He teased.

Jade pouted with Calum's words. "It's not like I carry a bloody machete around with me, Calum." She shoved him gently, but once he wrapped his arms around her, Jade wrapped her arms around Calum's neck in return, but she gasped happily as he spun her around. "Cal!" She laughed, kissing his cheek as he set her back down. "You're such an idiot." She told him, although there was nothing but fondness in her voice. Smiling as he pressed a kiss to her forehead, Jade bit her lip. "Of course I forgive you, if you have a movie marathon with me, you in?" She asked with a grin. "Pyjamas, blanket, cuddles." She listed off, smiling up at him as she played with his hair at the nape of his neck.

"I've missed you, too," Liza assured him with a smile, relaxing in his hold while she could, though she grinned and nodded. "Alright." Shifting, she paused the movie before blinking when he tugged his shirt off and she rolled her eyes playfully, despite admiring him for a moment, far too used to the sight of him shirtless. Seeing him come back, she grinned. "Let me go put this away." She held up her empty tub of ice cream with a grin before she hurried to the kitchen to toss the tub and set the spoon in the sink. Returning to the couch, she climbed back onto the couch beside him and curled up, moving into his arms, pulling the blanket around them before patting the spot beside them for Petunia, who jumped up with them. "You can tell me all the gory tour details later." Grinning up at him for a moment, she went ahead to play the movie.

"You could keep one by your bed!" Calum told her with a laugh, though he figured maybe he should at least get her something to defend herself with the next time he left for tour. Still, feeling her arms around his neck, he couldn't help the way his heart swelled happily with the fact that she was in his arms, safe, that nothing had happened to her while he'd been gone. "Oi, you love me, even if I am an idiot." Chuckling quietly, he couldn't help but to watch her, taking her in, having enjoyed the affection he received from her. "A movie marathon for forgiveness? That's gotta be the best bargain ever." Winking teasingly, he kissed the top of her head. "Just give me a minute, I'll be right back." He shifted, tugging off his shirt as he made his way out of the room, back to the hallway where he'd left his bag and, tugging out a pair of sweatpants and a shirt to change into, he changed quickly before returning and taking her hand. "Alright, alright, time for cuddles and that movie marathon." Grinning, he moved to climb onto her bed, tugging her along with him before he opened his arms up to her. "Come on, come on, time to make up for all the time I've been gone." His grin broadened and he didn't bother hiding it, eager to just spend time with her.

Luke pouted at the sight of the empty tub of ice cream. "I can't believe you didn't leave me any." He whined as Liza climbed beside him, wrapping his arms around her and gently tugging her to him, kissing the top of Liza's head as he got comfortable under the blanket, reaching to scratch Petunia's head before he shifted to pull Liza even closer, if that was even possible, nuzzling into her hair and just finding that it was the moments like this that Luke loved the most - the quiet times in the stillness of the evening where he and Liza could just be themselves, no pressure. "I promise I won't spare a single detail." He murmured into her hair, squeezing around her as she pressed play, just relishing the feeling of having her in his arms, glancing at Liza more than he did the movie, having missed her too much not to.

"And what if I killed you when you sneak up on me?" Jade laughed as Calum disappeared to get dressed - although she stared slightly as Calum tugged off his shirt. Biting her lip, Jade shook her head at the thought of keeping a machete, rolling her eyes jokingly. "I do love you, that's the trouble." She teased back. "You know what I wanna do?" She asked as she went to grab an extra blanket from her cupboard before Calum returned. "I just wanna koala onto you." She laughed, throwing the blanket onto the bed, gasping as Calum grabbed her hand swiftly and tugged her along. "Dammit!" She laughed. But seeing him on the bed, Jade smiled, climbing in beside Calum, wrapping her arms around him instantly. "Hi." She murmured, nuzzling into his shoulder. "I missed you."

Liza laughed, unable to help it. “There's a tub in the freezer for you,” she assured. She got one every week for him, in case he came home - and, when he didn't, she'd eat it herself. It was a win-win, in her opinion. Still, she grinned, curling into Luke's hold, swearing nowhere felt like home as much as Luke's arms did. “Good. I look forward to it.”

Calum grinned. “That's a chance I'd be willing to take, if it meant you were safe,” he teased gently, though he was being honest despite his joking tone. He laughed, though. “You're welcome to koala on me any time. You've never been stopped before.” Pulling her as close to himself as he could manage, he pulled the two blankets over them and buried his face in her hair, kissing the side of her head, so grateful to have her in his life. “I missed you, too, Jade.”

Luke grinned with Liza's words. "We can share it later," Luke promised, not wanting to leave Liza's side anytime soon. Holding her closer, Luke pressed a kiss to the top of her head, rubbing up and down her shoulder. "I missed you so damn much," he murmured, sighing happily as he focused on the smell of her shampoo. "How was it without me?" He asked, worrying about her when he was gone. "Catch me up on everything." He grinned. "Was Petunia a good girl?" He snorted with laughter. "Were you a good girl?"

Jade laughed with Calum's words. "What would I do without you then?" She asked softly, looking up at him as she snuggled even closer, wrapping an arm around his middle and hitching a leg over his, burying her face into his shoulder, just taking in the familiar scent of his cologne as the blankets engulfed them both. Smiling as he kissed the top of her head, Jade smiled even more with Calum's words. "I missed you too, Cal, but I wanna hear everything you got up to." She teased. "Any lucky ladies?"

Liza smiled with the decision, nodding happily, just glad to relax in Luke’s arms, and she curled happily into his side. “That sounds like a plan,” she decided quietly, closing her eyes for a few moments as she just enjoyed the comfort her best friend brought her. “I missed you, too, Luke. It’s always too quiet without you here, what with your loud mouth and everything.” She grinned teasingly, opening her eyes to peer up at him before she settled back down, relaxing and getting comfortable. “Petunia’s always a good girl, you know she’s a doll. And, of course I was a good girl.” She laughed, unable to help it. “Your turn to fill me in.”

Calum grinned slightly in response, rubbing gentle, soothing patterns into her shoulder as he drew her closer still, unable to help it, never feeling more at peace than in the moments when Jade was near him, where he knew she was safe. “That’s a good question and, unfortunately, I don’t know the answer,” he joked lightly, leaning his head against the top of hers as he relaxed, breathing out happily, just glad to be home, glad to be back near his best friend. He laughed, though. “Lucky ladies? No, not this time around,” he told her, his tone teasing, though he peered down at her with a grin, “What about you? Any guys I should know about it?”

Luke nuzzled into Liza's hair, laughing with her words. "Oi, you love this loud mouth, Liza." He grinned, kissing the top of her head with affection, rubbing her back lovingly. Luke always loved having Liza so close, because the comfort, the normality, she brought him was something Luke cherished above all else. She reminded Luke, always, that he would always be Luke Hemmings, not Luke from that one band who got lucky. Listening intently to Liza, Luke grinned. "Petunia is a good girl, and I know you are too." Luke laughed. "Nothing much happened." He shrugged. "The crowds were insane."

Jade exhaled happily as she felt Calum's soothing patterns etch into her skin. "I never wanna find out the answer." She admitted quietly, her arm around his middle as she felt his head against the top of hers, biting her lip happily, because the moments like this meant more to Jade than anything else. "Dammit, I missed you so much." She murmured, but when he answered her question, Jade felt relief flood through her. "Oh, shame," she teased, peering up into a pair of brown eyes that took her breath away. "No, no guys." She teased. "Well, there was one." She teased. "He cuddled me every night."

Liza relaxed when she felt Luke nuzzling into her words, her heart lifting when she heard his laugh, and she grinned when she heard his words. “I do,” she assured him with amusement, laughing, “Doesn’t make you any less loud, though.” Nuzzling into him, she knew that she wasn’t paying any attention to the movie anymore, but she didn’t care. Her best friend was home and she wanted to relish in that and make up for the time he’d been away. “We’re definitely both good girls, lucky you,” she teased, though she hummed, peering up at him. “Oh? Crowds of girls shouting their love for you - I’m certain you enjoyed every second of that,” she teased with a laugh.

Calum smiled with the mention of it, relaxing with the feeling of Jade in his arms, with taking in her scent and knowing that his best friend was back in his arms, that they were able to relax together again. “Neither do I,” he assured her quietly, squeezing her gently to himself as he grinned broadly down at her. “I missed you, too, Jade. It always feels so different, being out and about without you there to pick on me.” He grinned teasingly, chuckling, but he chewed on his lip as he listened to her speak, surprised with the relief he felt with knowing no guy had caught Jade’s attention. “Oh, one, huh? I’m betting on Duke. I’m also betting that Duke would scare off any guy who tried to cuddle with you besides me.” He laughed with the thought, finding it amusing.

Luke held Liza a little tighter, buried his face into her hair a little further, because this woman meant so much to him, Luke couldn't verbally express it. He hoped she knew, just how highly Luke regarded her in his life. No matter the fans that came and gone, Liza had supported him from the beginning, the very first YouTube cover Luke had uploaded, and he was so grateful to her. "I'm a loud mouth, I know, you still love it." Luke grinned, biting his lip in amusement. When he felt Liza nuzzle into him, Luke grinned, kissing the top of her head. "I am pretty lucky to have two incredible ladies in my life." Luke confirmed with an almost cheesy smile, his dimples apparent. "It was a little overwhelming at times, but it was fun, and at the end of the day, I got to come home to the best girl of all." Luke squeezed around Liza. "But man, this tour was amazing." Luke confessed. "I wish you were with me."

Jade's arm laid loosely over Calum's middle as she relaxed further into his embrace, glad that Calum was finally home after too damn long away from him. All Jade had ever known was Calum, he'd become part of her, and in his absence, Jade always felt there was something so huge missing from her life. She couldn't imagine herself without him now. Smiling up at Calum, Jade laughed with his words. "Hey, you've missed my bullying, don't even lie." She teased, squeezing around him gently. "Dammit, how'd you know it was Duke?" Jade teased, shaking her head. "He's a great cuddler, but he's got big attitude for such a small dog, I worry about him." Jade laughed, shaking her head. "He's gonna get himself in trouble one day."

Liza laughed as she listened to Luke. “You are! At least you admit to it, though,” she teased with a broad grin, though she relaxed so easily into his hold, always finding his presence comforting. Any time he returned home after a tour or a trip, it always brought the greatest warmth to her, filled her with a happiness and relief that she wasn’t otherwise familiar with - she couldn’t compare the way Luke made her feel safe and happy and at home to anything, really. “Oh, the best girl? You’re definitely talking about Petunia.” Her expression softened, though. “I’m glad you had fun. I’m glad you’re back.”

Calum felt every tension in his body slip away with Jade in his arms and he smiled down at her when she relaxed into his embrace. Squeezing her gently to himself, he rubbed her back gently, letting himself relax with her, because he couldn’t imagine anything better than being right there with her. “Nah, I’ve missed you but not the bullying,” he teased lightly, but pressed his face to her hair, grinning. He chuckled, though, as he listened to her, completely amused with the whole conversation. “Think he’ll be jealous now that I’m stealing the cuddles from him? He’s had you to himself all this time, I’m not sure he’ll like sharing.”

Luke couldn't help the laugh that burst forth with Liza's teasing, and he pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head, closing his eyes as he caught scent of her shampoo, silently swearing that nothing could bring him as much comfort as she did. It seemed he only left to come back, because that was his life's purpose, he was sure: coming back to Liza. "Hey!" Luke grinned, only pulling away so he can look down at Liza, silently adoring the difference in their height, biting his lip as he studied her with adoration. "You're my best girl, Petunia is a goddess." He teased, squeezing around her once more. "Alright, so, horror movie? Or are we having an emotional, Notebook type of reunion movie?" Luke raised his eyebrows in his amusement.

Jade peered up at Calum as she felt his arms tighten around her with a gentle squeeze, grateful that he was home, that she could have him at her side, just as they'd always been. "C'mon, you've missed the bullying too." Jade giggled with his teasing, and as Calum pressed his face into her hair, Jade bit her lip as she caught the scent of Calum's aftershave, and she snuggled further into him - if even possible. "Mm, you're warm." Jade exhaled happily, but as Calum asked about Duke, Jade rolled her eyes playfully. "He'll definitely be jealous." Jade teased. "He's gonna bite your ankles."

Liza laughed with Luke’s words, relaxing in his hold, swearing it was where she belonged, and wanting nothing more than to enjoy every moment of this. “Alright, I can’t argue there,” she joked with amusement, grinning up at him, though she hummed and shook her head. “Horror movies all the way. I’ve gotta terrify you for leaving me for so long!” She made a playful face at him and relaxed in his hold. “That way, you’re all scared and spooked when it’s time to sleep and you’re stuck in your dark room, all alone with all the shadows and noises.”

Calum smiled, shifting to bury his face against her hair, holding her close to himself, because all he wanted, all he needed, was the contact between them, her in his arms, her presence giving him such a sense of calm, a sense of home, that he knew it was the best place to be. “Nah, I didn’t miss the bullying at all,” he teased lightly, pressing a happy kiss to the side of her head before he leaned back to relax, pulling her along with him, because he wanted her close. “Good, then I’ll keep you warm for as long as you want.” He grinned. “But, Duke’s gonna have to get over it. He’s had you all to himself for months, it’s my turn.”

Luke rubbed Liza's back in soothing circular motions, listening to her breathing with a gentle smile, because Luke had realised long ago that he existed because she did. "Damn right you can't argue with me," Luke grinned, gently squeezing around her, always so protective. Looking to Liza, Luke listened to the sound of her voice, swearing he would commit it to memory for the next time he left, and he pouted a little with her reasoning. "You know I hate horror, Liza." He whined a little, burying his face into her hair, although when he felt her relax, he squeezed around her again. "I'll just climb into your bed though, so what happens when I invade?" Luke offered Liza a cheeky grin then. "We can face the demons together."

Jade kept her arms around Calum, her face buried into his neck as they cuddled closely, just his very existence bringing Jade a sort of comfort she never even knew existed. "Of course you missed the bullying Cal, there's no need to lie to me, baby." Jade laughed, looking up to Calum with nothing but love, and when he kissed the side of her head, Jade smiled, squeezing around him gently. Following Calum's lead to lean back and relax, Jade smiled with Calum's words, sighing happily. "Thank you." Jade murmured, hitching a leg over Calum's legs for further comfort, and listening to his words about Duke, Jade laughed. "Calum Thomas Hood!"