Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Nineteen.

"Of course I do, Ash. Besdies, she drove all this way because she wants to meet me. I don't think I can say no," Luke laughed, turning to his boyfriend who looked just as nervous as when he'd met Luke's parents. "If you don't want me to meet her, I don't have to."

"No, I do. I just, I don't wanna mess this up, you know?" Ashton wrapped his arms around Luke, and breathed in his sweet scent. "I want this to work and I haven't had that in a long time. I guess this just makes it real."

"If you're scared, thats fine Ash. You've just gotta tell me," Luke sighed not wanting Ashton to feel the pressure. "I'm scared too, I've managed to rope some boy four years younger than me into my life. My life where I have a four year old son and an ex-boyfriend who gets angry and jealous at least once a month. Thats a lot for anyone to deal with, I'm scared it'll drive you away."

"It won't," Ashton quickly replies, looking at Luke intensely. "I won't because you and Tim are too special for me to want to give up. I didn't think I'd be moving to this city and get into a relationship with someone with a kid. Hell, I didn't even think I wanted anything to do with children until I met Tim and I met you."

"Thank you," smiling, Luke pulled Ashton closer to kiss him. "Now, should we get going? We're gonna be late and I don't want to be late meeting your mother."

Walking to the coffee shop near the college, one Luke had made a habit of meeting Ashton at once or twice a week during his lunch hour, both boys walked as close as they could to the other. Their week and a half apart had encouraged them to touch or hold each other at all times since the evening before. 

Being careful not to slip on the icy ground that was still covered in a layer of snow, they hurried to get out of the cold and to fill their bodies with coffee and hot food from the small cafe. 

Taking in the warmth of the cafe and its fresh smell, Luke smiled before leading Ashton to one of the larger tables to the side of the room. Luke hadn't felt nervous all morning, nor did he want to, but as they sat down he suddenly felt the nerves set in and fill his body. 

The last parents he'd met were Michaels, and before that it was someone he'd dated for about a month when he was 14. He knew it was stupid to be nervous, but he felt it. 

Luke didn't know if he was any good at this. 

"Luke, are you alright?" Ashton asked, looking at Luke chew on his bottom lip. 

"Yeah, I just suddenly got a bit nervous. It's stupid, don't worry," He smiled back, sitting up straighter to try convince Ashton he was fine. Because he was fine. 

"You told me yourself, Luke. It'll be fine," Ashton smiled, holding Lukes hand in his. "I think my mum already loves you anyway."

Before he could utter any form of a reply, Ashton was being wrapped up in a big and a blonde woman looking much like an older, female Ashton turned to Luke. 

"You must be Luke! I'm Anne, it's lovely to finally meet the man my boy has been going on and on about," the woman smiled, pulling Luke up into a hug too. 

Shocked, Luke took a moment before wrapping his arm around her too. "All good things I hope."

"Definitely good things," she smiled, pulling away to take a good look at the man standing in front of her. "This is Lauren and Harry, Ashtons younger siblings."

Luke looked behind the woman where two young teenagers were standing, looking bored out of their minds. He didn't really blame them, he couldn't imagine being happy to drive ten hours only to go meet your brothers boyfriend. Especially at that age.