I'm Sorry • Lashton

Chapter 21

With you, I'm a beautiful mess,
It's like we're standing hand in hand,
with all our fears up on the edge
-Sad song // We The Kings ft Elena Coats

Ashton really wasn't expecting a phone call at nine o clock on a Saturday morning. In fact, he was very much plotting the death of said person as he answered the call, because waking him up early in the weekend, was a no go.

Nevertheless, his murderous conspiracies were put to rest as the voice of his boyfriend flooded through the speakers of his phone.

"Ash?" There was a hesitance in Luke's voice that jolted Ashton awake.

"Luke? Are you okay?"

There was a pause on the other end, and the older boy began wondering if Luke had mistakenly broken off the call,

"Yeah uh- can you come over? It's kind of important"

Ashton had already slowly began to slip out from under his sheets,

"Sure, give me five"

Ashton had never rushed so fast to get up and get ready- not even on school day. He managed to get changed, brush his teeth, and grab a handful of dry cereal before he left the house- hearing the faint echo of his mother reminding him that Harry's birthday guests would be there in a few hours. Ashton felt slightly guilty as he paid no attention, because there was only one person on his mind in that moment.

"Luke?" Ashton said, confused when he arrived next door, because Luke looked well- fine.

At first glance Luke looked fine. But as Ashton followed him into the all too familiar house, he noticed the blonde's fidgety manner and twitching fingers. There was a shifty expression on his face, and a worried look in his eyes.

Before Ashton could question it, however, they had reached the living room where Luke's parents sat with his two brothers. The atmosphere of the room seemed eerily odd, as Ashton was used to the joyous chatter and fond bickering between the Hemmings family.

"Luke said he wants to tell us something" Liz spoke up; clearing away half of Ashton's confused state.

His confusion cleared completely, when Luke cleared his throat and took his hand.

"Mum, dad-" The blonde began in a shaky voice, and Ashton wanted to help him out, but this was something Luke should do alone. So instead he gave his fingers a reassuring squeeze as the taller boy desperately attempted to complete whatever speech he had planned "I'm uh- well" He paused once more, a shaky breath leaving his lips, and his tongue swiping out to dampen them. "I'm gay." He blurted out.

Ashton swore he heard a light gasp come from one of the four seated people, but he wasn't exactly sure who.

Taking their stunned silence as a somewhat positive boost, Luke managed to finish with only slight stuttering.

"And uh- Ashton and I, well- he's my boyfriend"

Ashton gave Luke's fingers one more squeeze before letting go, as Liz made her way over to her son, holding him in a tight embrace. Her words were muffled, but Ashton was close enough to understand them.

I love you so much Luke, don't ever doubt that for a second- regardless of who you are and what you become, I will always love you.

Ashton noticed the way Luke visibly relaxed in his mother's arms, before he returned the hug, squeezing her gratefully. He could see a few tears in his father's eyes, and Ashton knew they were of nothing but pride for his son. He tried not to envy the reaction of Luke's father to his son's sexuality.