Being the twin sister to none other than Michael Gordon Clifford had its perks.
Like knowing that he always had your back no matter what, or spending late nights together playing video games and talking about anything and everything, or getting private mini concerts whenever he learned a new song on his guitar; but the best perk yet was definitely getting to see his best friend and bandmate, Calum Hood, all the time.
It was no secret between you and Michael that you had a crush on the kiwi, which is probably why he never left you alone with him. While he would never admit it, Michael was extremely overprotective of you, and he'd rather cut his own arm off than see Calum try to make moves on you.
But he didn't have to worry, because you were pretty sure you were nothing more than his best friend's little sister (by a couple minutes) to Calum.
You were pretty close with all of the boys. Memories of late nights and crazy adventures along with comforting words and shoulders to cry on were laced with them, and you loved all of them more than words could express.
They made going to every single one of their gigs worth it. You never missed one, not even their first. Being there to see them work for their dream always filled you with pride, and seeing the happy look on their faces whenever they spotted you in the crowd was enough motivation to keep you going. Calum also may or may not have a special something to do with it, too.
The mental image of his strong arms working his instrument as he jumped around the small stages they played managed to distract you for just a moment, but in that moment you didn't see the light turn red and the truck coming right towards you before it was too late.
~~~
Everything was black.
It felt like you were floating in the nothingness and you couldn't shake the feeling that something heavy was weighing on your chest.
It wasn't until the muffled voices reached your ears when you saw the light. It was a muted white light that surrounded your entire being.
As the voices grew louder, clearer, crisper, you became more aware of your body. The discomfort in your ribs and the heaviness of your left arm alarmed you but not as much as the voices. They sounded so upset.
And you knew... you knew that you were the reason for their pain.
That thought drove you forward and the muted light became brighter, and the voices were right next to you now, and you immediately recognized them to be Michael and Calum.
No parents. They were away on a trip.
The feeling of a hand in yours brought a tiny smile to your face and a gasp immediately hit your ears.
"She moved," a gravely voice that you knew was Calum's rang out.
"What? Where?," Michael remarked.
"Her lips. Look."
Silence.
"(Y/N)?"
That was Michael. He sounded so broken and it took everything in you to say something back.
"Hi."
You could hear Michael let out a breath as if he'd been holding it for forever, "Oh my god. Thank fuck you're awake."
Opening your eyes was even harder than talking.
All you saw was white at first, but everything came into focus after a couple seconds.
Michael was hovering right next to you, clutching your hand with what looked like a permanent worried crinkle between his exhausted eyes.
Calum was right next to him with red swollen eyes to match his tear-stained cheeks.
Luke and Ashton were fast asleep on the chairs with tousled hair and wrinkled clothes.
Glancing back at Michael, you realized he was wearing the same clothes as the day of the gig.
"What happened?"
"You were in a pretty bad car crash. Scared us all to death."
"Oh... how long was I out?"
"Three days."
"Whoa," you gave yourself a once over, finally noticing the bandages wrapped tightly around your torso and the cast around your left arm,"Don't tell me you guys have been here the whole time."
A somewhat sheepish smile crept onto Michael's cheeks before he said, "Would you rather I lie then?"
Your eyes widened in shock, "You're kidding."
The smile immediately dropped form his lips, "Like I said. You scared us to death."
Silence filled the room save for Ashton's soft snores, until Calum finally spoke up with a soft, broken voice, "None us could leave knowing that you were so hurt. We didn't want to... we didn't want you to wake up alone."
You couldn't help the soft gasp that escaped your lips. A dull discomfort radiated from your chest but you ignored it.
"I don't know what to say."
Calum took a step closer to you before resting his hand on the bed right next to your waist, not quite making contact, "And that's completely okay. (Y/N), I--I need to tell you something... alone."
You were speechless as he turned toward Michael, who's eyes flashed with something scathing before stepping toward the door, "Alright, fine."
When the sound of the door shutting resounded around the room, Calum got down to kneel on one knee before looking straight into your eyes with an almost pleading gleam in his own.
"(Y/N), after hearing what had happened to you during the gig. I didn't know what to do. I was so scared that I--we were going to lose you and I just... just," tears were rolling down his cheeks now and you weakly reached for his hand.
"You will never lose me, Calum," you said sincerely, giving his hand a tight squeeze.
He was holding onto your hand like it was a life line.
"Seeing you so broken in that hospital bed tore me apart and I instantly regretted never telling you. Michael wouldn't let me and I should've just ignored him and I'm such an idiot for almost seeing you go without ever telling you and I... and I," his voice caught on his words.
Your heart was beating a mile a minute, loud and clear through the beating of the monitor beside you, "You what?"
He rubbed his eyes and shook his head before grasping your hand tighter in both of his and bringing it up to his lips. They were chapped but warm and you couldn't help but flush and blink in disbelief as they began to move, his voice barely audible.
"I'm in love with you."
Holy shit.
The monitor was going crazy now and it took everything in your body to calm down. Drawing in a shaky breath, you released his hand and cupped his cheek, forcing him to look at you, "I've been in love with you ever since you told Evan to fuck off in year seven."
You felt Calum relax in your touch and a deep chuckle escape his lips at your words, "Well the git deserved it. Nobody messes with you and gets away with it."
A soft laugh of your own rang out to mingle with Calum's in the space between you. As it died, your eyes locked with his onyx ones and the space began to shrink until only centimeters stood between you and his lips. Your spine shivered in anticipation as his lips just barely ghosted over yours when...
"What the fuck?!"
The both of you jumped at the interrution before turning to look at a very angry Michael stood at the door.
You could practically see the steam escaping his ears.
Thankfully, Luke and Ashton chose the perfect time to wake up. They were crowded around you with concerned voices and relieved eyes in an instant, unknowingly protecting you from Michael's wrath.
Calum was not so lucky, who was exchanging charged whispers with your brother toward the back of the room.
After a few minutes, they joined Ashton and Luke at your bedside, considerably calmer.
Your eyes met Michael's first, who seemed a bit off-set but okay, and after giving you a lop-sided grin and nod, you knew everything was alright.
They flickered toward Calum next, and you instinctively reached for his hand and gave it a small squeeze, which he responded with a shy smile and a bright red blush stretching from ear-to-ear.
The loud whoops and cheers coming from Ashton and Luke filled up the room and you couldn't help but laugh as Calum and Michael shot them death glares.
And there, ladies and gents, was another perk to add to your list.