Flatmates

Space Invader

Last part of the Gala arc. This is one of my favorite chapter so far! :D I hope you'll like it as well, enjoy !

     Coming back to the reception room Luke saw from afar his landlady exiting the gala, with a smug expression of her face. He definitely has lost all compassion for her. The table he used to sit at with Ashton and his friends was now empty. Luke searched the crowd and spotted a mop a honey-coloured curls he recognized right away. Approaching Ashton, he heard him laugh loudly and the man who he was chatting with seemed to be a little embarrassed at the situation, shifting his weight from on leg to another.

"Would you excuse me, sir, I'm borrowing this gentleman here", Luke apologized with his best smiled to the relieved-looking man. He took Ashton by the arm and started to lead them out of the packed crowd.

"Hey there, space invader.", the older man said with a giggle.

Luke was left a bit taken aback. Since when did Ashton giggle? Especially in such a high-peached tone? Yet it was rather cute on him, if Luke had to tell. And what was this weird nickname? Was Ashton even referring to him?

"Space invader?"

"Yeah. Coz' you know; you invaded my space..." Ashton laugh out loud like it was the funniest thing ever. Luke on the other end frowned and found it a bit sad.

"I didn't mean to..." he answered lowly. He took the half empty glass of champagne Ashton had in his hand and place it the tray of a nearby waiter.

"I saw you talk with the gorgon."

"The gorgon?"

What the hell, it was really hard to follow Ashton's discourse right now.

"You know, Carol Irwin, the infamous Carol, Irwin, A.K.A. my grand-mother." The drunken man said with weird intonations, like he was telling a secret and like he was introducing a catch player at the same time. If that made sense. No that didn't, but drunk people don't usually make sense.

"Wait, do you have nicknames like that for everyone?"

"Yep!" Ashton cheered with a huge smile, proud of himself like a five year-old with some ugly, self-made mother day's present.

Luke chuckled a bit at his childish attitude. He hasn't realized but, with their walk, they went at end the end of the room, next to the entrance, or well, the exit now. Maybe it was better to actually call it a night.

"Let's go home, shall we?" Luke asked with an inviting smile.

Ashton paused and lost his smile as he looked at the blond like he just discovered he was standing by his side. Then he slowly nodded and took his phone out of his pocket. He texted something really short. Luke wanted to know what it was, but he also knew it was not his place. When Ashton started walking again he had trouble finding his balance and Luke place a hand on his shoulder to stabilized him and guide him through the lobby. Once they reached the outside, the cool air hit their faces, and then Luke realized how hot it was inside. The photographers were gone, the red carpet too. The building was now very much like any other, if you forget the line of back cars aligned on the sidewalk.

Luke figured out he had no idea how they were going to come back to the flat, and thought about calling a cab. But as if on cue, a black S.U.V. made a stop at their level. Ashton got in right away, as well as his uncoordinated limbs would allow him to. Luke followed him, and had to help him buckle up his seatbelt, which Ashton seemed to find very funny, because he couldn't stop laughing.