for the art of war (lashton)

19. tell me about the weather

A/N - Sooorrrryyyy it took me forever to update this, the last two weeks have been a non-stop rollercoaster ride of stress for me. But here's the next update thanks so much for all your comments! :)

---

Luke knocked on Calum's door three times before resting his head against it and lazily moaning out, "Caluuuum." There was a muffled what the hell from the other side followed by the shuffling sound of quiet footsteps. The door suddenly swung open, catching Luke off guard. He grabbed the edges of the door-frame, narrowly saving himself from falling into his friend's arms.

"Luke?" Calum looked bewildered and groggy. It was a Sunday morning and Calum's hair was ruffled up, indicating that he had only recently gotten out of bed. Luke let out a groan, and pushed his way past and into Calum's apartment. "Luke?" Calum repeated. Luke flopped down on the couch and let out another groan with his face buried in his hands. "What are you doing?" Calum asked.

"Whining about my life," Luke answered. Calum grabbed one of the couch cushions and hit Luke with it, urging him to scoot over. "I'm sorry, Calum, I'm so sorry. But I need someone to talk to and you're the only one that knows what's going on so please, please, please listen. I think I'm going crazy." 

"No, go ahead," Calum persisted, scooting closer so he could wrap his arm around Luke's shoulder. "I'm listening. Go slow though; I just woke up like five minutes ago and I dropped my phone in the toilet because it's early."

"It's twelve o'clock."

"Early," Calum insisted. "And now I have to get a new phone. But, please, tell me about your problems." 

Luke took a deep breath. "It's Ashton," he said quietly. Calum turned to look over at Luke, who looked like he was about to have some sort of mental breakdown. "He has—he told me that he has a girlfriend."

Calum pulled Luke closer. "I'm sorry, bro. When did he tell you this?"

"A few days ago I think," Luke said shakily. "I hate myself," he blurted out.

"No you don't," Calum said with a small smile. "He's just one person. You'll meet someone else."

"I don't think so," Luke said with a sigh. He turned to look at Calum, who suddenly noticed the sadness and confusion swimming in his friend's eyes. "I've tried. I was—I don't find anyone else attractive except for him."

"Not even Mila Kunis?" Calum asked.

"Not even Mila Kunis," Luke confirmed. "I can't get myself to like any girls—or boys—because I can't stop liking Ashton. That doesn't even sound healthy, does it? It can't be healthy. Fuck, Calum, what do I do?"

Calum took a deep breath. "Well, I mean—it's not like you guys slept together, so that's good right?"

Luke let out a sarcastic laugh. "That reminds me," he said. "There's something else I have to tell you." 

"Are you serious?" Luke bit his lip nervously in response. "Okay, never mind, then." Calum looked away and furrowed his brow in confusion. "I don't know what to say," he admitted. If Luke wasn't in a mental state of collapse, Calum would've congratulated him for getting laid, but he knew that wasn't the right thing to say at the moment.

"It's fine," Luke said, running his fingers through his messy hair in frustration. "It's just—I don't even know what I am," Luke whined. "I don't think I'm straight but I'm not gay either. Ashton's the only person I'm attracted to."

"Maybe you're Ashton-sexual," Calum suggested with a grin, and Luke punched him in the shoulder, muttering something about how it wasn't funny. "Anyway, have you even seen his girlfriend?" Calum asked.