Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Twenty-Two.

"Fuck Luke, where are you?" Calum wonders out loud as he looks from Luke's car to the large empty park. Unlike Ashton, Calum seems a lot more composed about the fact that Luke has run off, but it doesn't stop him from running into the park to search for his best friend and yelling out his name.

Ashton can feel the fear tremble all through his body as he looks at the large about of grass and trees covering the area in front of him, unsure where to even start looking.

Stumbling towards the trees, Ashton turns on his phone torch to help guide his way through; looking in every direction in hopes of spotting Luke.

"Luke? Babe, please, where are you?" Ashton calls, hoping to get an answer or sign of his boyfriend somewhere. Rushing a bit further he almost misses the body curled up under a large tree, dressed in only suit pants and an unbuttoned shirt. "Luke? Luke! Are you okay?"

Ashton squats down next to him, dropping his phone to bring the man into his arms.

"Calum! Calum, he's here!" Ashton yells out, hearing rushed footsteps coming their way. "Jesus, Luke. You're freezing."

Finally taking in Luke's appearance, Ashton can see the scratches covering his neck and the tears staining his cheeks. His lips are blue and he looks like he has been attacked by a bear.

"Ash?" Luke barely whispers out, his voice coarse and body stiff.

"Yes, God Luke. What happened? Why didn't you call me?" Ashton could feel himself on the verge of tears as he looks at Luke's vulnerable state. "I would've come, Luke."

"Luke!" Calum crashes down on the other side of his best friend and takes a minute to take in the sight of him. He feels like crying. "You're frozen, let's get you to the car."

Luke allows Ashton to wrap his own coat around him and pick him up bridal style and carry him to Calum's car. Crawling into the back seat, Ashton doesn't let Luke go for a second, not even as they begin to drive off back towards Luke's apartment.

The whole ride, Luke doesn't say a word. He only curls his body further in Ashton's, taking in his warmth and smell.

Even on the way up to his apartment, Luke lets Ashton carry him and pulls him down as he is laid down in his bed.

"Luke, I need you to tell us what happened," Calum sighs as he sits down next Luke, holding tightly onto his hand. "Did Michael say something today?"

A slight nod is all Luke gives his boyfriend and best friend, feeling like speaking will only cause him to burst out in tears once again.

"What did he say?" Calum pushed again, needing to know what was going on. "Luke please, I haven't seen you like this for years. I don't want you to go through this again."

"He's right."

"Right? Right about what Luke?" Ashton was the one to push this time, still wanting to make sense of the situation.

"I'm-I'm not fit to be a solo parent, I can't take it," Luke mumbled out, his voice still dry and rough.

"That bullshit, and you know it Luke," Calum almost snapped. "You've been the one doing most of the work for over a year now, you know you're more than a fantastic parent."

Luke can feel the tears brimming at his eyes once again. He didn't think he could cry anymore that day but there he was, ready to let even more sadness out.

"Luke, you've got all of us around you. We're all here to help when you need it, whatever happen three years ago is irrelevant to the father you are now," Ashton spoke, pulling Luke in tighter to him. "You've got us, and we love you."

"I-you what?" Luke sits up slightly at Ashtons words.

"I love you, Luke. So much, you're worth so much more than you think," Ashton repeats himself somewhat unsure, but still pulling Luke closer as he tells him those three words.

"Thank you," Luke says, reaching out and cupping Ashton's cheek.

"Did you hurt yourself, Luke? Any more than..that," Calum asked motioning to the angry red scratches and light bruises covering Luke's neck.

"No..only that, I couldn't breathe," Luke looks down, coiling back in on himself almost as though that would hide the marks.

"Luke..."

"I'm fine, Calum."

Sighing, Calum stood up from the bed and slowly walked out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen in hopes of finding something to wrap over the marks. Ashton followed behind him, after pressing a quick kiss to Luke forehead.

"Are you okay, Calum?" Ashton spoke, walking up behind Calum who was gripping the edge of the bench tightly.

"I'm okay, I just hate seeing Luke like this again, it isn't fair on him," Calum spun around showing the tears falling down his face. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying too."

"Yes you should, I don't know exactly what is happening but I know he doesn't deserve this," Ashton brings Calum into a hug to try comfort him too. "Michael is an ass."

"That he is," Calum laughs lightly as he pulls back from Ashton and grabs ice and tea towel for Luke. "I'm glad he has you, Ashton. This is a lot to deal with."

"I don't mind."

The two walk back to Luke's room to see him almost asleep on the bed, still wearing his dress pants and Ashton's jacket.

Being careful Calum places the ice on Luke's neck in hopes of making the marks look less scary, while Ashton slowly removes the layers to slide on a t-shirt and pyjama pants from the floor onto the man.

"I'll be on the couch, if you need anything at all," Calum smiles small at Ashton. "Thank you, for not running."

"I told you, I don't mind," Ashton ensures him before he crawls into the bed next to Luke.

Pulling the older man close, Ashton makes sure to cover him in as much warmth as possible. Even after sitting in a warm car and warm apartment, Luke was still shivering and icy cold. Ashton pressed a kiss to the top of his head, taking a deep breath to keep himself calm too before closing his eyes and forcing his body to relax so he can sleep.

"Thank you," Luke mumbles, catching Ashton by surprise that he wasn't already asleep. "I love you too."

A small smile covers Ashton's lips as he feels Luke's body fully relax into his warmth and he fully falls asleep.

Ashton lays in the bed, next to his love, and tries not to let his worries for him take over his mind all night. He forces his body to sleep so he can be the one there in the morning to lift Luke right back up.

-

This was a long one!! I got this one out pretty quick, but I just really wanted to finish this part - she broke my heart! 

Thoughts on Ashton showing up to the apartment?

Ashton and Calum ditching Tim with the neighbour? 

Calum knowing exactly what was going on right away?

Them going to find Luke?

Looking after Luke?

Luke hurting himself?

Their conversations?

Ashton telling Luke he loves him?

Ashton comforting Calum?

Luke telling Ashton he loves him?

Ashton wanting to lift Luke up? 

Leave a comment with your thoughts, and vote/follow if you enjoyed this! I really does mean a lot!

- Grace