Epilogue

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"We find the defendant...guilty and sentence him to life in a mental care facility."

Even though he knew that was going to be the result, Luke still felt relief course through his entire body at the judge's words.

Small cheers scattered around the room as the judge banged her gavel, dismissing the court room.

An officer unhooked Michael's cuffs from the bar on his desk before re-connecting them in front of his body and leading him out of the room. Michael glared at Luke as he was ushered away. Luke felt Ashton's arm tighten around his shoulder as he shuddered at the cold stare from his ex. Luke rested his head against Ashton's chest, fully allowing himself to relax against the taller man.

In the months of trial since Luke was found in the motel, Ashton had really been there for him. He let Luke stay at his house because Luke found himself unable to be alone for too long, especially at night when the nightmares would haunt him. Ashton never got upset with him for being nervous or afraid, and was as understanding as Luke could hope for. He'd completely changed from the person Luke had met over a year ago.

One of Luke's attorneys walked over and pat him on the back, which caused Luke to wince when it jostled his shoulder.

Unfortunately, Michael's shot hadn't entirely missed. It didn't hit anything vital, but it lodged in his upper arm. He was recovering well, but his arm was in a sling now that his cast had been removed. If he moved it too quickly, it would send shooting pain up and down his arm.

"Hey, you ready to go? Everyone's waiting for us at the diner," Ashton whispered in his ear.

Luke took a deep breath and nodded.

"Let's go."

'The diner' was the same place Ashton picked up food for him the couple times when he was still with Michael, the place that whenever Luke was most upset, Ashton would get chicken strips from, just to make him smile.

When they arrived, Harry, Calum, Niall, and Louis, one of Ashton's bartenders whom Luke had gotten to know lately, were all there, sitting at a booth in the back. Ashton knew Luke wouldn't want to be right in the middle of the room, so he made sure they always sat to the side so he could observe everything going on around him.

"Hey, how'd it go guys?" Calum asked as they took their seats. Luke was on the outside edge, right next to Ashton.

"Guilty, just like I promised," Ashton ruffled Luke's hair, causing the blonde to scrunch his nose playfully. "You were worried about nothing, Sweetheart, I told you."

"You can't blame me," Luke said quietly.

Ashton grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed it lightly.

Luke wasn't sure what his relationship with Ashton was. Obviously, Ashton knew he needed time to process through everything that happened to him and Luke was in no place for dating at the moment. He knew that too, but also knew the only time he'd ever truly felt safe was when he was with Ashton. The second time they'd met him he felt that way.

So he wasn't sure what to do. Right now, it just seemed like being friends and roommates was enough...although they did sleep in the same bed most nights (because Luke couldn't fall asleep alone and the nightmares kept him up without Ashton's strong arms holding him and his sweet whispers telling him it would be all right). So maybe that was more than friends. It was a bit confusing. But he liked it.

For now, as long as they were at least friends, Luke could handle it.

A waiter came over and took everyone's orders. Ashton did what he usually did and ordered for Luke.

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