Calum: “Babe, I’m home!” you call out into your apartment as you dump your keys and bag by the doorway. Just as you’ve taken off your shoes, you see Calum’s head poke around the corner, a look on his face you’ve come to know all too well. It’s the one he uses to soften you up when he wants something or has something to tell you he knows you won’t like. “Oh boy. What did you do?” you immediately sigh, stemming your hands into your hips. “Nothing, nothing! I haven’t done anything!” he swears, holding his hands up in the air as a sign of peace. His body language seems to convey a different message however, as he approaches you carefully, the way a timid deer might approach a human. His dark brown eyes are wide and soft, giving off the puppy-dog look vibe. “Calum!” you say again, a warning tone to your voice, demanding to know what is going on. “Ok, ok. So you remember my friend Quinn, the one with the pug?” he begins slowly. “Yeeeees” you reply suspiciously. “Well, it just had a litter of pups and….” instead of finishing his sentence, he goes back around the corner, returning with a tiny yet adorable pug pup. He holds it close to his face, pouting his infamous pout. “Calum!” you sigh in exasperation. You’ve had this discussion endless times before. Calum is like the needy child who keeps begging for a pet, not understanding the time and responsibility it takes to look after it. With him always busy with the band and you working a full time job, you don’t see how a dog could fit into your hectic and time consuming lifestyle. “I know, I know! But look at him! I couldn’t say no when Quinn offered me one!” He counters, rubbing his cheek against the black fur of the tiny creature. You let out a long, drawn out sigh before stepping towards Calum and the pup. You get a better look at him, stroking his tiny little head. It yawns in the most heartbreakingly adorable way. “He is pretty cute” you admit, feeling a tug at your heart. “Can we please keep him? PLEASEEEEE?” Calum begs, reminding you again of the resemblance to a child. “Calum who is gonna take care of it?” you start to say, but he eagerly interrupts. “It could be the band pet! We could all take turns looking after it! It would be so amazing, please please PLEASE (y/n)!”. You remain silent for a little while, turning the idea over in your head. It probably wasn’t the best of ideas, but looking at this precious, meager puppy, you can’t give it away again. “If it pees in the bed I’m kicking it out” you tell your boyfriend, watching his chocolate eyes light up with happiness. “Omg Yay! Thank you babe, you won’t regret it! You’ll love him, I swear!” Calum rambles with delight, hugging you tightly, almost squishy the poor pug. “Alright, alright” you laugh, scratching your new pet behind it’s ears, already falling in love with him.
Ashton: “Babe?” Ashton’s voice sounds deep and velvety on the phone, a twinge of excitement laced into it. “Ya?” you answer, trying to multitask balancing your coffee, handbag and groceries whilst maneuvering your phone. “Are you coming home soon? I have a surprise for you!” he says mysteriously. “Ooooh! I love myself a surprise! I’ll see you in about ten” you reply, hanging up, wondering what this alleged surprise could be all about. You don’t even have to unlock the door, Ashton swings it open as soon as you walk up the front porch. His smile is so wide and dazzlingly bright, it could probably light up an entire city. “Come in, quickly, I want to show you my surprise!” he hurries you, pulling you into the house. “You know how you’ve always wanted a pet?” he begins, his eyes alight with suspense and enthusiasm. “Yes….” you answer, hope rising in your chest. He says no more, taking your hand and pulling you into the bed room. You brace yourself for a fluffy, soft animal of some sort, a kitten or a bunny or something along those lines. However, as you step into your shared bedroom and Ashton unveils his big surprise, you are less than impressed. “It’s….a turtle” you say, the excitement fading away rather quickly. “I know! Isn’t it great! I want to call him Ninja, you know, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?” he beams, obviously so proud of himself for having though of something so witty and smart. You look up at him with hesitation. “But…… It’s not fluffy. Or cute. It doesn’t even do anything” you say slowly. “Babe, it’s super awesome! Like who do you know that has a pet TURTLE?” he swoons. “Us apparently” you mutter, staring into the turtle’s glass vitrine. “Don’t you like him?” Ashton asks with disappointment, observing your face. “No I mean he’s cute I guess……But he’s not a puppy.” “Oh. Well I mean we can take him back and exchange him….” Ashton begins, his shoulder slacking as his excitement about the turtle has just been crushed by you. “No, no! You know what, you’re right. He IS pretty awesome. At least we have a unique pet. Ninja, the turtle. I bet everyone will be so jealous” you say to him, trying to be comforting. Ashton’s lips curl into a small smile. “Are you sure?” he asks, to which you nod. His small smile spreads into a full on beam as he embraces you, pulling you onto the bed where he is sat. “Thank you, babe! You’re the best!” He says, showering you with kisses. Oh well, what can you say. Happy wife, happy life.
