Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Twenty-Four.

"Mr. Clifford, I am granting you bi-weekly visitation and if you and Mr. Hemmings wish to organise other times that is up to you both. I would like to advise you Mr. Clifford, going out and getting a job and proving that you are a present and caring father may help you in the future. These conditions do not have to be permanent, you can appeal this but but only if you are able to prove yourself as a parent," the Judge speaks to Michael this time who looks absolutely defeated. Luke feels bad for Michael, but he knows he is doing what is best - he knows he is doing best for his son.

As soon as he could, Luke spins around to lean over the small barrier and pull Ashton into a hug.

"I did it," he smiled as his eyes began tearing up.

"You did," Ashton pulled Luke in tighter than he ever had. "I am so, so proud of you."

"I hope you're happy, Luke. You got what you wanted," Michael speaks up from the table he was sat at. "You can finally leave me behind and go off with our son and your little boy toy."

"Michael, you know that isn't what this is about," Luke pulled away from Ashton to look at Michael. "I'm only trying to do what is best for Tim."

Luke's lawyer began shuffling him out of the court room, knowing the two fathers having an argument in the middle of a court room wouldn't be the best thing.

"Fuck you, Luke. I was there for you when you needed me, you don't get to abandon me or take my son away!" Michael was quick to follow behind Luke and his lawyer, not wanting Luke to get away before he can hear what Michael has to day.

"You haven't had a real job in a year and a half Michael, we haven't been together for three years. It is not my job to support us both, you have to let me move on at some point Mike," Luke sighed as he turned around to face a more than upset Michael. "You're not allowed to be so selfish as to move on but not allow me to."

"You left me."

"I left you because you didn't care anymore, I was doing everything on my own and I still am," Luke sighed, running a hand through his hair. He could feel the eyes of Calum and Ashton on his as he fought with Michael, knowing they would both jump to protect him if he needed it, "That isn't fair on any of us, and you know it Michael. You heard the Judge, if you can show us some change then this doesn't have to be permanent. Maybe it's time to prove yourself, think about everyone else."

Michael looked as though he was on the verge of tears, like his actions throughout the past three years were finally catching up to him.

"Are you okay?" Ashton lightly placed his hand on Luke's back, speaking quietly into his ear.

"The Luke I once knew would never do this, he wouldn't take my child away nor would he pry on some innocent college student," Michael turned his glare to Ashton this time who stepped forwards to defend his Luke.

"He didn't pry on me. I am here because I want to be," Ashton spoke sternly. "Luke made it very clear from the start I didn't have to be here, he gave me an opportunity to leave if him being a father was too much for me. But, I didn't. I stayed, and that kid? I adore him. Don't you dare make Luke feel guilty for doing what is best for him and your son who you both should care for equally."

"Ash, stop," Luke grabbed Ashton's arm and pulled him back from where he'd been standing. "I've let you hold me back for three years, Mike. It's time I get to go out and live my own life, you can't hold control over it forever."

Luke didn't wait for Michael to respond, he took a tighter hold on Ashtons tense arm as he turned around and walked out of the court house. The moment he sat in the back of his car, he let himself cry - from relief that he'd finally stood up for himself and made the changes he knew were right, but also from sadness that he'd caused Michael a pain he never wanted to feel.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him close as a pair of lips pressed to the top of his head.

"You did the right thing, Luke. I'm so proud of you," Ashton spoke as Luke leaned right into him. "You're always going to have us here, whenever you need it."

"You did so good Luke," Calum spoke from the driver's seat, turning around to look at his best friend. "You and Tim are going to get what you deserve."

"Thank you both, so much," Luke smiled small at them, wiping his eyes. "I don't know how I'd do any of this without either of you."

-

Luke got his son!!

Thoughts on Luke being nervous and sure things wouldn't go his way?

Ashton and Calum going to court with him?

Luke get custody?

Michael getting angry?

Luke and Michael argument?

Ashton and Michael having a small fight?

Ashton defending Luke?

Luke standing up for himself?

Luke taking Ashton way?

Crying in the car?

Calum and Ashton comforting him?

Luke thanking them?

Let me know what you think and if there's anything you want to see happen! If you liked this, give it a vote/follow me! Really does mean a lot!

- Grace