forbidden « lashton au (age gap sequel)

six;

[unedited]

[new character, mateo is based off of shawn mendes]

-

luke had decided not to go to the club with calum and his friends, not because he hadn't wanted to, and didn't want to go out, but because he wanted to avoid bumping into ashton at all costs. did calum know that? no, what calum knew was a version that luke told him, that luke had an assignment due tomorrow.

so the blonde boy sat there on his cotton sheets, doodling and drawing fashion figures for an assignment that wasn't due until four days from now. he was content, he hadn't been complaining, he found piece in his work and it was enough to keep his mind off of ashton.

the pale boy turned on his phone to look at the time, deciding to pack his belonging to head to his two hour lecture class where he was beginning to sew units together. he grabbed his backpack to place his study materials inside before changing to a pair of baby blue vintage jeans, a lilac cropped sweater and his converse. he ruffled his blonde hair before putting on a beanie, rubbing his naturally freckled face before heading out the door.

the days were getting colder and colder and luke hadn't noticed due to the fact that he was inside all the time. he was a bit shocked once he went outside and his cheeks became numb from the instant cold. "jesus god." he whispered to himself, bundling up into himself as he made his way to the art building.

"isn't it too cold to be wearing a cropped top? and where's your jacket?" a voice had asked behind luke. the boy rolled his eyes before turning around, ready to hit this said voice with an attitude.

"i don't think i ask-" he began, stopping as he looked at the male. he was beautiful. luscious dark brown locks, chiseled jaw and matching honey brown eyes. luke squinted a bit before tilting his head; at this moment he already knew he was redder than a tomato, but he didn't bother hiding his face.

"you were saying?" the boy said, causing luke to huff.

"i said, i don't think i asked you." luke continued, hearing the boy chuckle before he corrected his stance.

"you're right, how rude of me to seek care for another human's wellbeing."

"i don't even know your name, why would you care?"

"m'mateo. third year art major and you're luke, a freshman with an outstanding fashion portfolio." mateo said, causing luke to raise an eyebrow.

"listen, i'm very intrigued on how you know who i am and my major just by bumping into me, but i am terribly late to a class that dictates that major-" luke began, getting ready to turn around before his arm was grabbed onto.

"wait-just, go to coffee with me. i see you all the time at kream, i know it isn't too farfetched from your comfort zone." the brunette stated, causing luke to look at him with a straight face before nodding.

"yeah." was all he said, sending a warm smile before turning around and heading to his class.

**

"you didn't necessarily tell me a day or time for this coffee date." luke had stated, trudging in the cold next to his new friend, mateo who had waited outside for luke until he was done with class.

"i know, but you had turned away so quickly. are you usually that mean?" mateo had asked. luke was in a far better mood now that he had his daily cup of coffee, something that he needed for survival, and staying up during lecture since it was a night class.

"yeah." luke said shortly, he didn't want mateo to know about anything—about ashton, about his past life. luke was scared to let people in, because then he would have to tell the truth. once he started lying, he found that he couldn't stop. "i try not to be, i really do." he said softly, stopping from his tracks before turning to face mateo.

"how do you know me?" luke had asked, gaining a soft smirk from the other male who folded his arms across his chest.

"everyone knows you love, we saw your portfolio. it was lovely, amazing work. you do realize you're one of the most favored students in that class? i may not be an fashion major, but art and fashion are so similar that i can see a talent when i see one." he had said, causing luke to blush, biting his plump bottom lip as he looked down.

mateo, however, did not like the disrupt breaking of their eye contact. he purred gently before lifting up luke's chin so that they were looking at each other again. "hey- don't get all flustered now. it's the truth, you know you're good too. i can tell by your attitude and passion."

mateo was right. luke knew fashion was something for him, he was good at it and enjoyed it. he never hated studying for the course, or showing up. he loved what he was beginning to do.

"i was taught that being humble is a great personality trait to possess." luke shot back, a soft smirk growing on his face. maybe mateo wasn't so bad, and he was awful to him for no reason. he almost adored the witty banter that the two shared.

"i'm sure you were, bless whomever taught you that. but let me teach you something better," mateo began, sitting up and leaning towards luke, "you have a talent, having confidence isn't bad."

luke smiled softly before clearing his throat, "i should go. i still have to finish my models." luke said before standing up and stretching.

"when will i see you again?" mateo asked. his honey brown eyes tracing the milk of luke's body.

"mm, only you possess that answer. stalker." luke said with a smile before leaving kream and heading back to his dorm.

mateo knew he was going to have fun with this one, no matter what it took.