Souvenir [Complete]

Seventeen. Day Off

The plan to go to New York had surprised them both. One minute they're talking about the best pizza they've ever had, and the next they were in Ashton's car revving up the engine to piss the sleeping people off.

It was 2 am and they were making their great escape. Heat blasting, and Jagged Little Pill playing through Ashton's speakers. They were making top five lists, in the spirit of High Fidelity.

"Okay top five desert island picks: love songs." Ashton held his cigarette out the crack in the window, Luke assumed it was because Ashton knew Luke didn't smoke. Luke thought that sentiment was lovely.

"Uhh, alright," Luke sighed trying to think on the spot. "'Everlong' is an obvious one. 'Fade Into You,' Mazzy Star, 'Love of My Life,' by Queen...umm..." he was running out of answers "'Lovefool,' by The Cardigans, of course. And...Ooh! 'Touch Me' by The Doors." He had counted on his fingers

"Impressive," Ashton hummed. "I like your taste."

Luke blushed. "What about you, hot shot?" He hummed rolling his window down a little to let the cool air from the Highway in. "What's your top five love songs.

"Well, Luke, I'm glad you asked. I've actually had this one queued up for a while," Ashton smirked, and held up his own hand to count. "'Lovesong' The Cure, 'This Must Be the Place' The Talking Heads, 'Wicked Game' Chris Issak, 'Lady Grinning Soul' Bowie, and 'I Love You' Velvet Underground."

Luke raised his brows. "You practice that one in the mirror?" Luke teased.

Ashton smirked and just flicked some of his ashes out the window. "You never know when you're gonna need a good mix to fall in love to." Ashton's eyes met Luke's. And even when Luke looked away he felt them burn his skin for a few seconds, before returning to the night road.

The highway was beautiful and empty at night. Even if there were a few other cars on the road Luke felt like he was in an alternate reality. A world where the past didn't exist. There was only this car, and this road, in this night, and "Head Over Feet" blasting through these speakers. Luke's curls whipped into his eyes thanks to the wind from the window, but he didn't mind at all.

He was free in the moment.

And suddenly he was reaching for Ashton's pack of cigarettes and lighting one in the car lighter. "Yeah, you can have one," Ashton cooed with a little chuckle. "Jesus. You scared me."

Luke had to try it out a few times before he actually got it lit.

"You shouldn't smoke, it's bad for you."

"I'll take your advice when you do," Luke smirked and took a drag. Or at least he intended to, he nearly coughed out a lung instead. "Oh my god!" He whined.

"You see what I mean?" Ashton teased. "Shit is gross."

"I can do it. I swear..." Luke whimpered. And eventually he got the hang of it, and he held it cutely between his first and middle fingers, like the actresses do. And in that moment it was like he'd never felt more alive.

They arrived to the city—mostly the tolls—by sunrise at 6-ish. And just before 8–when the traffic got really backed up before work—Luke and Ashton had found a parking deck, and it was their turn on the town.

"Oh my god!" Luke grinned, staring up at even the smaller of the buildings. Millions of people on one island, and he and Ashton were two of them.

"Now, I don't think we'll be finding any pizza till later today, but I can show you this really great coffee place."

"Is it close to fifth?"

"Lu, we're not close to fifth. And we can't afford anything on fifth with what this goddamn parking deck is costing me."