Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Thirteen.

Ashton had barely heard from Luke all week, the man had barely responded to any texts and said he was too busy to have coffee that week. After leaving Luke's apartment that Sunday, Ashton had continued to feel the guilt of Michael going on a yelling rage and couldn't help but feel that maybe he was only causing more issues for the family.

But they're not really a family.

Fiddling with his phone, Ashton can't focus on his study notes in front of him; instead he is too consumed with the thought of the distance he was feeling grow between him and Luke. Swivelling around in his chair, he walks away from his desk, contemplating putting on his shoes and walking over to Luke's apartment. He just wanted to see the man.

No, no thats stupid. What's he gonna say when I just rock up to his home.

Sitting back down and shoving his phone back into his desk drawer where he had tried to keep it all day, Ashton tries to focus back on the pages in front of him. But he couldn't focus, the harder he tried the harder it was to focus and the harder his leg bounced.

"I take it from the lack of work you've done since I left and your annoying bounce; you haven't heard back from your lover boy yet," Ashton turns around as his room mate, slash best friend, walks into their shared dorm.

"He hasn't replied to me in six hours Finn! I texted him at lunch and he never replied," Ashton throws down his pen, filling turning around in his chair to face his friend.

"Why don't you call him, or go to his apartment? Surely he can give you five minutes," Finn states, throwing his bag and jacket down - making even more of a mess that Ashton would probably try clean up later.

"Wow, thanks. Groundbreaking ideas Finn," Ashton scoffs, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "It's almost like I didn't already consider that, but decided against it because I don't want to look like I'm obsessed."

Huffing and slouching back into his seat; Ashton accepts the fact that he won't be getting any study done despite the fact that he has exams soon. He watches as his room mate makes even more of a mess in their shared room by letting his food fall all over the place. "Do you think he's mad at me? For what happened on Sunday?"

"I don't know, Ash. Maybe he's just gotta figure some stuff out," Finn sat on his messy bed and looked over at his friend. "I can't imagine it's easy having a kid and an asshole of an ex."

"I guess," Ashton sighs, walking away from his desk and his work. "I just wish he'd say something ya know, we didn't do anything for so long and then we got somewhere and now look at us." Grabbing his phone from his desk drawer, Ashton stares at the text messages he'd sent Luke that morning and the lack of reply he'd gotten. "Maybe he realised I really am a kid, he was our age when he had his."

"It's four years Ash, thats nothing! Especially compared to some people," Finn sighs back at his friend feeling unsure of what more he can say to assure him he isn't being left behind. 

Not bothering to reply, Ashton just slumps into his bed and tries to distract his mind with his phone. Contemplating just calling Luke and trying force the man to talk to him, Ashton is stopped by the quiet ring of his phone and the name Luke :) sit at the top of the screen. 

"Hello? Luke?" Ashton doesn't waste a moment sitting up right and answering his phone. 

"Ash, can..can you come over?" Luke quietly says through the phone, Ashton straining to understand what he's saying. All Ashton knows is Luke sounds sad and tired. 

"Yes, of course. Give me twenty," Ashton springs up from his bed, rushing around to put on some shoes and a jacket to protect himself from the cold. He barely looks himself in the mirror before he is walking out his dorm, and beginning his march to Luke's apartment. "Bye Finn, I'm going to Luke's. I'll be back later or in the morning, I don't know."

"Told you he didn't forget about you!" Is all Ashton lets Finn get out before he's off, practically sprinting the twenty minute walk to Luke's apartment. 

Running up the stairs, completely ignoring the elevator, Ashtons reaches Luke's apartment and takes a minute to try collect himself before knocking on the door. 

Should've taken the elevator, idiot. 

Ashton smiles as Luke opens the door, but it quickly falls as he sees Lukes tired and sad state. 

"Luke, are you okay? I was worried," Ashton quickly steps into the apartment and pulls Luke into his arms. 

"I'm fine, well not really, but it's okay. It's just all this stuff with Michael and Tim," Luke leans into Ashtons touch, embracing the warmth and comfort the boy carried with him. "It has been a long week, I'm sorry I kind of blew you off."

"It's fine, I get it," Ashton pulls back from Luke and lets him lightly cup the sides of his face. "I'm sorry he's being such an ass about the whole custody thing."

"Thats just Michael, I guess. Even when we were together he never made things easy for me," Luke leaned further into Ashton, wanting to feel more comfort. "I think it's all starting to hit him, how he's just let everything go these past few years."

"Even so, that doesn't mean he gets to treat you - or Tim - the way he does," Ashton leaned into the touch of Luke's hands on his face. "You deserve better than that."

"Thank you," Luke smiles before leaning in to press his lips to Ashtons, the two completely melting into the touch of the other. "Really don't know how I found you. You put up with so much shit."

"For you I don't mind it," Ashton smiled, taking off his shoes and jacket and following Luke into his living room where he already has tea and muffins waiting. "Where is Tim anyway? Isn't it your week?"

"He's in bed," Luke smiles, pulling Ashton right into his side as they sit down. "I didn't want to keep him up but didn't want to be alone, so called you."

Smiling, Ashton presses another kiss to Luke's lips taking comfort in the fact that Luke chose him to call because he wanted company and that he hadn't ignored him all week because he'd screwed things up. Neither of the boys want to move from their spot on the couch, nor do they want to move from the warmth or comfort the other brings them. But, when the city around them goes almost completely silent, they know they have to move. 

Luke doesn't even ask Ashton if he wants to stay the night, Ashton doesn't even question it as Luke leads him down the hallway to his bedroom. Both boys only focus on the comfort of the other, holding each other close under Luke's abundance of blankets to protect themselves from the November cold. 

--

Thoughts?

Predictions?

Comments?

Lashton makes me soft. 

- Grace x