Just Sayin'

Drunk jabber

Ashton helped get Luke to bed.

"Luke, I know you're hurting now but it will get better." Ashton whispered to a still Luke.

He wasn't sure if he was asleep so he continued.

"You didn't deserve that. Jack should never have done that and Alex never should have left with him. You deserve the world. You don't deserve to be treated as a second choice. You deserve to be a priority. I wish I hadn't been so stupid before." Ashton sighed.

He bent down to place a kiss on Luke's head when he whispered.

"I love you, Luke."

"I love you too." Luke mumbled causing Ashton to freeze.

Luke shifted slightly.

Ashton grinned widely.

"Goodnight." Ashton whispered standing.

"Goodnight." Luke mumbled even quieter than before.

Ashton smiled fondly at the blonde as soft snores escaped his parted lips.

-

Luke woke with a pounding headache.

Where was he? He blinked looking around to see he was in his room. How had he gotten there?

He made his way to the kitchen where he found a chipper Ashton and Michael.

"Luke, hey, how are you feeling?" Ashton asked suddenly concerned.

"My head is splitting." Luke whined.

"Here." Ashton handed him four Advil and a glass of orange juice.

"Thanks." Luke took the medicine and chased it with the juice.

"How did I get home?" Luke asked looking between Ashton and Michael.

"Uber, according to Ryan. He and Vic dropped your car off this morning." Calum spoke walking into the kitchen.

"Hmmm." Luke hummed thoughtfully.

"You don't remember?" Calum asked.

"I don't remember much past Vic and I dancing in the parking lot." Luke frowned.

"Ryan had to pee but the bathroom was backed up. So we went outside and he peed in the bushes. Vic and I sang...something...and we danced to...something. I can't remember."

"So you don't remember coming home or us putting you to bed?" Ashton asked frowning.

"Nope, not a thing." Luke shook his head.

Ashton felt crushed. The I love you's he and Luke had shared went from meaning the world to Ashton to meaning absolutely nothing.

"You don't remember us talking in your room last night?" Ashton asked again hoping for a sliver of hope that Luke had meant it.

"We talked?" Luke frowned.

"It was short, nothing important." Ashton forced a smile but turned to leave the room.

"Ashton." Michael caught up with him in the hallway.

Ashton turned to Michael.

Michael could see the tears in his eyes.

"Ash, he was drunk he can't remember what was said that doesn't mean he didn't mean it." Michael sighed.

"It was just drunk jabber. He doesn't love me anymore. I ruined that." Ashton shook his head.

"And you heard him last night. He's done with guys for a while." Ashton sighed.

"It was just drunk jabber." Michael smiled causing Ashton to roll his eyes.

"Seriously, just give him time. He's hurt. What Alex and Jack did was...hard on him." Michael pulled Ashton into a hug.

"Thanks, Michael, for being such a great friend." Ashton sniffed as he held onto Michael.

"I'm always here for you." Michael rubbed Ashton's back comfortingly.

He hated to see Ashton like this. He knew Luke loved him he'd known it since the day at the beach.

"Ash, I have an idea. Let's go to the beach. I'll get Cal and Luke to come it'll be fun." Michael urged.

"I'm not really up for it." Ashton shook his head.

"Which is exactly why we're going." Michael grinned. Maybe Luke and Ashton would remember the first time they hung out together on the beach. Maybe that's what they needed to remember the instant connection between them.

*AN*
Short update. Love you!