I'm Sorry • Lashton

Epilogue 1

Living in a haze,
The miracle lives,
I'm still standing,
Reminisce the cloudy days,
I can think better in a hurricane
-Grow up and be kids // The Cab

"Cheat! Cheat cheat cheat!" Calum chanted, eyes narrowing at the green-haired boy who smirked smugly beside him. "A cheat Rio! You're a cheat" he emphasised. Rio rolled his eyes, although he may as well had the sentence I definitely cheated, scrawled all over his forehead.

"I demand a re-match. Nobody beats Calum Hood at FIFA, nobody."

Rio laughed, but accepted the challenge.

Behind them on the couch, Michael smiled dotingly at two of the most important people in his life. His best friend and his boyfriend getting along so easily was definitely a bit much to ask for, but they had clicked instantly and Michael couldn't be any more grateful.

"Hey" A voice next to him whispered "Your fond is showing"

Michael didn't even have to turn to know it was Ashton poking fun at him. Ashton seemed to have found great joy in teasing Michael, claiming that his 'reactions were priceless', and although the younger boy would never admit it, he didn't mind the attention.

"Yeah well, so is yours" Michael voiced, noticing how the hazel-eyed boy had shifted his scrutiny towards Luke lying on the carpet of Michael's living room. The blonde's eyes were shut, arms stretched behind his head relishing the rays of sun that shone through the French doors. There was a very small smile on his face, and a slight flush of pink in his cheeks that never really seemed to fade. Ashton thought he looked beautiful.

"I guess so" He mumbled in response to Michael, although his attention was barely towards him.

Nevertheless, both boys' conversation was cut short by a sudden shriek, that even caused Luke's eyes to fly open.

"What the fu-" He groaned, a little dazed, but more irritated that his peaceful rest had been disturbed.

"Sorry!" Rio had the decency to call out, as he jumped over the lanky blonde, a pissed-looking Calum right at his heels.

"You dick" The Kiwi boy was yelling "Michael your boyfriend is a dick."

Rio laughed hysterically, before jumping behind his bleached-blonde boyfriend, seeking refuge in his soft form.

Calum groaned, knowing there was no way he'd be able to get at Rio now, and he kicked harshly at the couch, despite the snerk that escaped his lips.

The green-haired boy smiled smugly, accepting a small kiss from his boyfriend, which was soon cut off by a groan.

"Gay" Calum whined, eyes flicking over to where Ashton was now lying next to Luke, fingers intertwined, "You're all so gay."

Ashton managed to bark out a laugh, diverting his attention towards the sulking tan boy,

"Actually, I'm bisexual."

"I'm not sure what I am" Michael piped up. Rio grinned,

"You're Michael."

"Well, I'm straight. And I need a girlfriend." Calum continued, ignoring them all. Luke shrugged,

"I don't do girls. Sorry, pal"

"Gay." The brown-eyed boy repeated, "So gay. All of you."

Ashton didn't bother correcting him this time, but he did offer his free hand to the pouting boy,

"You can link on if you want" There was hint of cheek present in the older boy's words, which Calum latched on to.

"Stop making fun of me!" He groused, although there was a slight hesitance in his voice, before he too flopped on top of the couple on the floor. Luke let out an oomph but Ashton seemed content with the extra weight.

"You guys had sex." Calum deadpanned "That's why you're so touchy-feely."

Luke rolled his eyes, kicking out in the older boy's general direction,

"Shut up Calum."

"Ah, so you did-"

"Calum Hood, I swear to god-"

"Boys!" Their bickering was cut off by Michael's mum entering the room. She looked at the five of them in confusion, before deciding it was better not to question the current situation (whatever that may be) "Dinner's ready" She smiled, before walking out, four of the five ravenous boys bolting up and rushing after her.

Ashton stayed on the floor of one his new friend's living room, the grin never really leaving his face. He'd been smiling a lot recently, a nice replacement of worry and sadness that had occupied his overworked mind, only months ago. His thoughts wondered back to when his family first moved in next to the Hemmings', and how paranoid he'd been regarding every move he made. He thought about how he'd hated Luke Hemmings, and never did it ever cross his mind during the time, that he'd one day end up in a happy relationship with the blonde beauty.

"You coming?" A voice cut through his muses, although he happily accepted the hand that pulled him up from the ground.

"Hey Luke?" Ashton called, tugging at the blonde's hand, who turned swiftly, an attentive look on his face. Ashton didn't think he'd ever get over how beautiful it was that Luke was always apprehensive when he spoke. Whether the hazel-eyed boy was rambling about the blue in his boyfriend's eyes or a film he saw the day prior, Luke never failed to catch every single word that left the elder's mouth.

"I love you" He whispered. The younger boy seemed to still for a second, a shocked look etching over his features, before it was replaced by joy and a genuine smile.

"I love you too."