Flatmates

I'll show you my heart

Me? Late?... I don't know what you're talking about... ! Enjoy this chapter, which is pretty much part 2 of the previous one.

          "Do you mind if I take a shower first?" Luke asked, when they got out of bed. "It's just that I've been sleeping in my clothes, you know."

"Sure no problem."

Ashton went to the kitchen felling weird. He both felt light-weighted and very heavy at the same time. First Luke had come back which was more than he was expecting. He couldn't believe that on top of that, Luke decided to open up to him. Ashton couldn't help but be happy about it, and part of him wanted to smile widely.

But on the other hand, all of the things Luke had told him were a blow to morale. He wasn't sure he had processed everything just yet, but it was clear his blond friend went through a lot. The abrupt loss of all his family, the depression, the gang, the violence, the guilt and the flight. Ashton couldn't even imagine was it had been like. It was crazy to think about all that, while having only know the gentle, quiet and healthy Luke.

Although Luke had always been secretive, his revelations answered a lot of Ashton's questions. Like why didn't like to talk about himself, because he didn't want to tell about his past. Why he barely even mentioned his family to the point that Ashton had ignored that he had a brother. It even explained why Luke agreed on his grandmother's deal and why he left that night after the party. Ashton was mad at himself for that specific last point. He knew that he had brought Luke back to his previous and abusive relationship, despite himself. He felt even more like a dick for what he did that night, than he already did before.

He was cooking the first pancake in a hot pan when Luke came out of his bedroom and enter the kitchen. He was only wearing sweatpants. His t-shirt was draped over his shoulder and not properly put on him. His hair was still damp from the shower, forming a couple of drops at their ends which were partially falling over his eyes. Ashton mentally thanked the burned smell that came to his nose and remembered him to focus on his cooking. Otherwise, he would still be drooling on the floor. Maybe there was a couple of things he also needed to tell Luke. But the blonde seemed like he had something to say first as he cleared this throat.

"Hum... About my tattoo, well I know you never really asked, but... It's for them, you know."

Ashton put the pancake in a plate so that he could give Luke his full attention without risking to burn down the flat. The younger man was pointing and looking at the three little black triangles that lined up along his left collarbone.

"Mum, dad, and Jack" he explained pointing at each triangle successively. "I got it done during the whole gang era. It's one of the few things from back then that I don't regret. I don't know it just felt like something... important to be done."

"It's a way to always have them with you." suggested Ashton with a kind smile.

"It is." Luke nodded, he looked relieved that his flatmate understood.

He moved around to put his shirt on, which Ashton found both disappointing and rescuing. He dressed up the table on the breakfast bar and help a bit with the food. Then they both sat on the stools and started to eat. Throughout the meal, Luke kept explaining a few little things that looked like they were just popping randomly in his brain.

"I've never really sang out loud after my mother's death until that night after the gala."

"What made you sing then though?"