Strings Attached (lashton, editing)

Twenty-Six

"Michael, you came," Luke smiled at the man standing in his doorway holding a present in his hands. "Tim will be so happy."

"I said I'll try," Michael smiled small, stepping into the apartment as Luke shifted out of his way. "Where is he?"

"He's in the living room with all his friends, I was just about to light his cake," Luke smiled as he led the man to the living where almost everyone turned to look at the two of them. Luke could feel Michael almost retreat behind him, having not really been involved with Tim's class mates and their parents like Luke always had. 

"Papa!" Tim squealed, standing up from his group of friends and running to his father in mass excitement. "You made it in time for cake and presents!" 

Letting Tim drag him further into the room, Michael almost had as big of a smile on his face as Tim did. Seeing his son happy and the father of his child present at an important event in Tim's life made Luke smile too. 

Luke watched as Tim showed Michael each one of the presents as he opened them and made sure his father got a corner piece of his birthday cake because they're his favourite. There was still a heavy ball of guilt weighing down in his stomach from taking Tim away from Michael as he had, but seeing how involved Michael suddenly seemed let Luke know that he had done the right thing. 

Seeing the smile on his sons face, Luke knew his actions were just and he knew in the, hopefully near, future things would change. 

As soon as all his presents were opened and the cake was eaten, Tim and his friends were back to playing games and furiously running around the apartment - leaving Michael to step off the side of the children and parents. 

"Are you glad he came?" Ashton spoke quietly by Luke's ear. 

"I am, I just wish he wouldn't put himself out like that," Luke sighed turning to look at his boyfriend briefly. "I should thank you for putting up with all my worrying and shit this morning."

"Luke, babe, it's fine," Ashton smiled, sneaking a quick kiss on Luke's cheek. "It's partly what I'm here for, no? It's what good boyfriends do."

"I'm gonna go make sure he's okay, I'll be back," Luke started turning away from Ashton before he quickly turned back to smile at him once more. "I love you."

Michael was stood in the corner of the room, away from the parents, nervously playing with the glass of apple juice in his hands. Feeling someone come up to him, he quickly stood up straighter but relaxed slightly when he saw it was only Luke coming his way. He had spent his afternoon trying to stay out of everyone's way, not wanting to interfere with the other parents. 

"You okay?" Luke asked, standing away slightly. "You don't have to stand all the way over here on your own, you know?"

"I know, I just don't feel like I belong here. I don't know these parents Luke," Michael sighed as he turned to look directly at him. "They don't like me, I know what they think and what they've said."

"Mike, don't do this. Not now, please. It's Tim's birthday, I'm sure all he wants is for his father to be here and be as happy as he is," Luke almost pleaded. Turning around a quickly grabbing Maria by the shoulder, Luke turned her around and over to where Michael stood. "Maria, this is Tim's dad Michael. Michael, this is Maria, she's a good friend and Josh's mother. She's our fellow young mum." 

"Michael, hi," Maria smiled a charming smiling at Michael as she stretched out her hand. She'd heard a bit about the man from the many times she and Luke had gone out for coffee and the many times he had cried to her about this or that when Luke hadn't been able to cry to Calum. 

"Hi," Michael smiled back at her, timidly shaking her hand. Never in Luke's life had he seen Michael so shy and timid, he had always been the one with all the friends and all the confidence. It felt weird for him to be on the other side of that. "It's nice to know we're not the only ones around who ended up here so young." 

Maria chuckled lightly at Michaels statement, leaning against the back of the couch to her side to let herself relax into the conversation. Seeing that the two of them were happily chatting away in the corner, Luke backed away and back over to his own boyfriend. 

"He seems a bit more relaxed," Ashton stated as soon as Luke was back at his side.

"He does, he seems to like Maria too. Maybe that's what he's been missing, is some actual love." 

"Love? Isn't he gay? That's how the two of you ended up here Luke," Ashton smiled again. 

"Yes, love. But Mike is bi, he just happened to end up in this situation with me," Luke laughed, turning to look at Ashton by his side. 

"Maybe some love will do him good then." 

By the time all of Tim's friends had been picked up, Luke was left with a passed out Tim and Josh, the two asleep on his couch after all the birthday excitement. He had Ashton helping him clean up the living room, while Michael and Maria were both supposed to be cleaning the kitchen but the last time Luke had checked they were sitting at the dining table talking, still. 

Happy to see Michael relaxed and not angry at the world for the first time in what feels like years, Luke doesn't say a word about the lack of cleaning being done. Instead he lets all of his anxieties leave his body, feeling good that for the first time in a while he and Michael may be able to co-parent like they used to. 

- 

Damn it's been a minute. I am back though! Work and holidays have been hectic but I've been working on this when I could. 

Let me know your comments and thoughts!

What do you think of Luke thinking Michael might not show?

Ashton feeling nervous and worrying about Luke?

Tim loving Ashton?

Michael showing up as presents and cake starting? 

Tim being excited about his friends and also Michael?

Michael and Maria? 

Michael feeling left out? 

Luke doing his best to comfort and include Michael? 

Luke feeling happy?

Ashton comforting Luke? 

Who is your fave character in this story and why? 

If you enjoyed don't forget to comment, vote or follow me - I really appreciate every ounce of support! 

Missed ya'll.

- Grace xo