Sex Metal Barbie // lashton

chapter twenty

"Did you tell anyone we were together?"

"Babe, I'm pretty sure the polaroids of us making out at the party last night was enough confirmation for everyone there to say, 'hey, those two are gay for each other'." Ashton replied without looking up from his phone. "Oh, and by the way, Michael took the liberty of taking those polaroids for us. No one else has them now."

"- I mean in your Stones' interview." Luke cut him off and the drummer furrowed his eyebrows together. "It literally says boyfriend in there."

"We weren't dating when I did that interview. In fact, the only time 'boyfriend'  in there should be my ex." He told him honestly as Luke plopped down on the couch beside him. "I addressed the rumors and talked about our music. I never mentioned you."

"Whoever wrote this called me your boyfriend... and a drop out? Okay, harsh." Luke frowned as he read through the magazine and pointed out the part he was in.

Ashton's eyes skimmed over the passage. "They must have assumed from the way you were eye-fucking me all the shoot. Maybe they heard us flirting?" He offered explanations.

"I'm not just your boyfriend or a college drop out." Luke mumbled as he set the pages on his lap.

Ashton tilted his head to the side as he saw Luke's hurt expression. "What do you do then?"

Luke's eyes flickered up to him in a look that could easily be betrayal. "Isn't it obvious?" He asked.

The drummer shook his head.

"I'm an aspiring photographer and chef." He made a motion with his hand that basically told him he should know it already. "That's why I went to that photoshoot with you? I talked to the photographers about an internship? I cook? My social media is full of food I've made and chefs I've met?"

"I didn't know you wanted to do it as a profession." Ashton defended himself. "I thought they were just hobbies of yours."

"It's alright." Luke sighed as he leaned back on the couch. "We never talked about it, how would you know?"

The drummer looked away and then pinched the bridge of his nose as he realized how shitty he must sound for not knowing this about his boyfriend. "Anyways, I guess we don't have to confirm anything. They did it for us." Luke tried to change the subject. "Not that the public didn't already speculate..."

"Luke, you're not just a -"

"- No, it's alright." He dismissed. "I guess I haven't really been pursuing anything since I've been here for God knows how long with you. I should probably start looking to further a career so I'm not just doing nothing."

"You know that's not what I m-"

"- Ash, it's f-"

Ashton stood up and then took the magazine from his hands, tossing the dumb booklet away from them. Why did it even matter? One way or another they'd be discovered by the public, who cares?

Luke's eyes watched Ashton' every move with a frown on his lips and the older man placed a hand on the back cushion of his couch so he can lean down to his boyfriend's gaze. The younger blond kept his hands on his lap, his hands to himself.

"I'm not in the mood to fuck right now." Luke told him as he raised a hand to knock Ashton away from him. "Back off."

"I'm sorry." He apologized. "I didn't think before I spoke, and I hurt your feelings."

Luke turned away from him, and the older man set his fingers on his jaw so he could turn his gaze to him again. "Hey, look at me, Luke, I didn't mean to make you feel inferior or insecure. I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't have gotten hurt over nothing." He mumbled in return as he tried pushing him away from him again. "It's okay."

"You're a talented chef, by the way. Ramsay has nothing on you." Ashton grinned and Luke's cheeks were tinted pink.

"Really?" He asked in a small voice as he set his hands flat on his chest. "You're not just saying that?"

"Promise." Ashton replied and Luke hugged him. "You're not just a drop out. I don't even know how they got that information about you, or why they wanted to add you in, no offense. You're just not in the band."

"None taken." Luke chuckled and Ashton kissed his head before standing up straight. He looked up at him and he smiled as the older man's face turned into a look of confusion.

"Wait... did you think I wanted to have sex?" He recalled as Luke sat up straighter. "Is that what you said earlier?"

The younger man shrugged and the drummer gave him a half smile. "No, I'm okay. I'm not in the mood either." He agreed.

"No sex today?" His boyfriend asked and Ashton chewed the inside of his cheek as he looked into Luke's pretty ocean eyes. Wide, hopeful for just a PG night, and downright gorgeous, could he honestly refuse him what he wants?

"No, we don't have to. Just let me hold you." Ashton decided and Luke happily curled into him as they sat down on the love seat to watch random videos on Ashton's phone.