Coming Up For Air

4.1

"17 without a purpose or direction

We don't owe anyone a fucking explanation."

-Blink-182, 'The Rock Show'

⚑ Luke ⚐

"Like four days? I think. Maybe five," Luke said into his phone. He was walking to his flat from school and Ashton was on the line.

"You haven't talked to Calum in four days?!" Ashton exclaimed over the scratchy connection. Luke waited for the sign to tell him to walk, adjusting his backpack.

"Um, yeah. You know. I just don't really have a lot to say to him." Luke mumbled.

It was Monday again, three weeks after Moterfucking Monday. Luke had been staying at his flat with Calum since Wednesday the week before, and while they would exchange the occasional nod of acknowledgment, few words had been passed between the two except for when Luke had come home with his duffel bag Wednesday afternoon. Calum had asked him if he was staying. Luke said yes.

"Okay, it's been five days." Luke conceded. "It's not like I'm ignoring him! It's mutual silence. Do you want to come over for dinner?"

"Don't change the subject." Luke could hear rustling on Ashton's side of the line. "He probably still thinks you're mad at him."

"Well, he's not wrong--,"

"Lucas Hemmings." Ashton interrupted and Luke shivered because he liked when Ashton said his name. "Calum is your best friend and he fucked up and so did you and now it's time for you to grow a pair, talk it out, and start being all close and brotherly again."

Luke was silent.

"But not too close." Ashton said after a minute. "Otherwise I might have to hurt him."

"Too late for that." Luke laughed a little. "I forgot to tell you this, but I kissed him once. Just so you don't find out in a really awkward way."

Now it was Ashton's turn to be silent.

"Um...when? I thought I was--," he started, but Luke interrupted.

"You were the first guy I ever kissed, Ash, and I--shit, now you're finding something out in an awkward way again. Um. Yeah. I just wanted to make sure I was, like, attracted to guys or whatever. But I don't know if it worked because I think I only really like you and definitely not Calum so don't worry and wow I'm sorry that came out like that I'm not very good at thinking clearly I just thought it would be better if you found out from me--,"

"Oh man, Luke, breathe. It's fine. I guess." Ashton said all unsure but calm, so Luke thought he might not be mad, which was good. "Just...go talk it out. But don't kiss him again. Because you're my boyfriend."

Luke smiled, even though he knew Ashton couldn't see him.

"Yeah. I am. Okay. I will." Luke told him.

"And if you do have to kiss him, just regulate it to, like, cheek or--,"

"I'm not going to kiss him again, Ash."

He hear Ashton sigh. "Thank God. I didn't want to have to crucify him."

Luke laughed. "Well, I'm almost home. So I'm gonna go. I was serious about the dinner thing, though."

"Call me after you talk to Calum and I'll see if I can clear a space in my schedule." Ashton said in that way he had that made it sound like he was always on the edge of laughter and Luke just loved it.