Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Twenty-Four.

His week had been slow, but Luke had made it to two half days at work and even one full day. He's picked Tim up from Michaels, barely being able to glance at the man who didn't make any effort to talk to him either. Ashton hadn't left, he'd stayed to help look after Tim for the week and Calum had been at the apartment most nights to cook them all dinner and pick up Tim from preschool.

"How are you feeling about today?" Calum asked Luke as they sat at the kitchen table, both dressed nicely as they readied themselves for Luke's second custody hearing.

"Nervous, scared, anxious, positive that things aren't going to go as planned."

"Luke, don't say that," Calum sighed at his best friend who had been doubting himself all week. "You know what Mike said was absolute shit."

"I agree," Ashton smiled as he stepped into the kitchen with a freshly dressed Tim trailing behind him. "He doesn't know what he is talking about and if he's going to preach about good parenting then he should take a page from his own book."

Ashton leant over the seat Luke was in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. At his boyfriends presence Luke felt his body relax, forcing himself to think of the moment rather than his impending future. "You're gonna be great, and Calum and I will be there to fight Michael if we need to."

"Thank you, both," Luke pulled Tim up into his lap, holding his son close like it was the last time he'd be able to. Luke knew that today would be different, that it wouldn't be like two weeks ago when Michael used his greatest fault against him. This time Luke knew he had people who cared about him endlessly, he knew he had support if he needed it.

This time Luke's drive to drop Tim off at preschool was less tense, he let Calum drive and forced himself not to worry so much about the future. He spent the ride from Tim's preschool to the court holding Ashtons hand and fiddling with his fingers. Ashton would squeeze his hand every couple of minutes, a reminder that he was there for Luke every step of the way.

Luke still held Tim tightly as he sent him off for the day, still unsure of how the day would do and what his life would look like at the end of it.

From the moment all three men stepped into the court room, they felt the thick tense air hit them in the face as an angry pair of green eyes stared at them. This time Luke didn't let it intimidate him, he knew he was more than Michael had claimed him to be.

Ashton gave Luke a reassuring kiss, holding his boyfriend tight for a moment more before letting him go and gently pushing him towards the table his lawyer was sitting at.

Luke was nervous as the judge started going over everything all over again, knowing they were going to discuss him, his mental health and his ability to father. He didn't like talking about it, it had almost ruined his life once before and it could so easily do the same now. However, this time Luke knew he was better and stronger, he knew he could take what life threw at him.

"I've gone over everything you sent me, and I've had plenty of time to think about it," the Judge started, looking right at Luke. Luke could feel his heart stop and his supporters holding their breath behind him. "I've reviewed it thoroughly, talked to some people and I've made my decision. Now, this isn't something I ever take lightly but the wellbeing of a child is always my main concern."

Luke's leg was bouncing up and down, his fingers digging into his thighs, as he waited for the answer. He didn't think the Judge could get to the point any slower.

"I'm going to grant Mr. Hemmings full custody, I do not believe that his past actions nor struggles outweigh his current abilities as a parent. From what I have seen from the both of you, Mr. Hemmings appears to be the most suitable full time parent of Timothy Hemmings-Clifford," Luke could feel all the stress and worry lift from his shoulders at the Judges words, a smile growing on his face as he heard a collective breath out sound around him.