Chapter Text
For weeks, Luke was a mess of jumbled words. Luke never liked a guy before, but this time he did – and he was definitely nervous. This guy was attractive – and before, he never though guys were that attractive. But this guy, he has the right kind of features. He’s a nice height (for Luke at least). He has pretty eyes, kind of a weird green-grey-brown mix. He has dimples, not like Luke’s (mostly) one-sided dimple. He had a pretty smile, even his teeth weren’t perfectly straight, but it made him cuter. Lastly, he was the perfect age. Because Luke was eighteen, and Ashton was twenty.
“He’s pretty,” Luke sighed, and Calum wanted to smack Luke across the world, because he had been going on and on about his new crush, Ashton. Ashton was a third year university student, while Luke was a first year.
“Luke please shut up about your goddamn crush and just fucking ask him out.” Calum complained, smacking his forehead, not hardly, against the table. Luke laughed, biting his cheek, as he was about to say something else.
“I’m sorry, he’s just… Yeah. You know. I’m sorry about the past like two months…” Luke mumbled, biting his lip. Calum shook his head.
“It’s fine, sometimes It’s annoying, but I like being the one to listen to you sometimes.” Calum said, acting like his usual best friend self.
“Okay, so, um…can you help me ask out Ashton?”
“So what can you tell me about that Luke kid?” Ashton asked Michael, his new dorm mate. Michael was a year younger, but Ashton kind of liked him – he was cool, and maybe a little weird. He usually dyed his hair, a lot, so their dorm smelled of dyes a lot of the time.
“I never liked him, a bit cocky sometimes.” Michael shrugged, not knowing how to answer. Lately, Ashton had been talking about “that stupid tall kid with the pretty blue eyes” and Michael was annoyed.
“How can you hate that?” Ashton mumbled, staring at Luke, who seemed to be talking to Calum – his best friend, who was also inconveniently Michael’s best friend as well.
“Because he’s an idiot. He asks the stupidest questions sometimes.” Michael said, rolling his eyes, as if he were stating the obvious. “He asked me what a fucking tab was, he was like in his beginner stage of his guitar learning, or whatever, and I just groaned – because I knew what it was at least.” Michael grumbled.
“Everyone’s a newbie at first,” Ashton defended, as if it were a normal thing to defend the poor kid. “He was just learning Mikey, it’s not like he would know everything right away.” Michael rolled his eyes, as Ashton continued defending Luke.
“You’re such an idiot,” Michael mumbled, “you’re just so in love with some stupid kid who is like two years younger than you.” Michael muttered.
“Well, you’re in love with someone who’s like two years older than you, so who has the bigger problem?” Ashton retorted. Michael crossed his arms, done with the conversation.
“You still do.”
Calum groaned as he sat in Luke’s room. Luke was pulling his hair, trying to figure out multiple ways to ask out Ashton, but no good ideas were coming. Luke was pacing, and pulling his hair, and Calum decided he was tired of his best friend frustrated.
“Okay, how about you just ask him out. Be like, will you go out with me? And then he can be like, yes Luke I’ve been in love with you for the past year! And you can live happily ever after. And I can stop hearing you talk all the time about how fucking not in love with you he would be. Like you’re just a loveable guy.” Calum grumbled, throwing a pillow at Luke, to stop him from pacing as he talked.
“Ouch, what a great friend.” Luke mumbled, “I’m sorry about everything. But when you like someone so much, you just freak out and nothing makes sense. But everything makes sense. It’s confusing and doesn’t make sense.” Luke grumbled, his eyebrows furrowing as he finished his sentence. “I’m such an idiot…”
“You’re just noticing that now- ow, why’d you hit me, you bitch.” Calum mumbled. “You’re not a bitch… You’re just… Never mind…” Calum said.
“You hang out with that Michael guy a lot.” Luke said, “he’s the reason you just unknowingly call people assholes sometimes, huh?” Luke laughed.
“He hangs out with Ashton too, if you remember.” Calum mentioned, and Luke rolled his eyes. Because of course, he had to bring up that his crush is basically best friends with the guy who has (unknowingly) hated him since they were teenagers. “He said Ashton’s annoying, and just talks non-stop about some person. Michael said Ashton might be the real reason he’s almost bald. Kind of stupid, because he’s dyed his hair so many times…” Calum said. Luke furrowed his eyebrows again, thinking of Ashton liking someone else.
“Michael, can you please just ask Calum if he knows who Luke likes?” Ashton adhered to Michael’s arm as he begged Michael to help him, indirectly, talk with Luke. Michael wasn’t budging.
“No Ashton, I’m not helping you. You’re my best friend, but I’m not helping you with your goddamn love life. I’m supposed to tease you, so.” Michael grumbled, pushing Ashton off him – which didn’t work. Ashton was a lot stronger than Michael thought, and was still gripping Michael’s arm. “Fuck off you asshole.” Michael said, pushing Ashton away as he made his way to his music class.
“No, you’re supposed to help me. Because Calum kind of scares me. He looks like he’s so angry. Like does he always look like that.” Ashton said, mimicking Calum’s “angry looking eyebrows” – as he calls them. “Seriously, why do you hang out with him. He’s a bit lame.” Ashton grumbled.
“He is, but at least he doesn’t talk non-stop about some guy.” Michael said. Ashton frowned. “No, wait, Ashton, I mean, he, fuck. He just kind of makes me feel like I have a buddy I can just game with, have a nice beer with, something.” Michael stammered. “Wait, that sounds meaner. I’m sorry. You’re not annoying. I mean, you are, but like friendly annoying. Is that a thing. Whatever. I love you buddy, you’re like the bestest friend in the world. And I suck. And- whoa mate, why are you hugging me.” Michael rambled, before Ashton wrapped himself around Michael.
“I love you too Mikey.” Ashton mumbled, hugging Michael tightly. Michael rolled his eyes, hugging his best friend back.
“Ashton is so annoying sometimes,” Michael said, as he was hanging out with Calum after classes. Calum nodded, understanding what Michael was saying. “I love him, but he makes it seem like guys are all you should talk about.” Calum nodded, understanding even more.
“Ugh, Luke is the same way.” Calum muttered. “He knows I’m his best friend and that I’ll listen to him, so he just goes on and on about how his crush probably won’t like him. It’s stupid.” Calum muttered. “But I love him, so I guess it’s worth it. Best friend’s get annoyed sometimes, but they still love you nonetheless.”
“Someone who understands me…” Michael laughed. “I think… I mean… I just… Ugh. Ashton wants me to ask if you know who Luke likes.” Michael blubbered. Calum went wide-eyed as he dropped his fork, mid-bite.
“Does Ashton, err, perhaps like Luke?” Calum questioned, Michael nodded. “Oh shit, Luke likes Ashton… Wow… This will be easier than I thought…” Calum quietly mumbled.
“What?” Michael questioned.
“Oh,” Calum stammered, “Luke wants to ask Ashton on a date, but can’t, err, find a way to ask him out…” Calum muttered.
“Oh, I know a way.”
“Um, where are we going, Mikey?” Ashton questioned, as Michael was dragging him out of his dorm room – accidentally bumping into Ashton’s roommate on the way out – to the music room.
“I just need to show you something,” Michael replied nonchalantly. Ashton was freighted, because he and Michael were best friends – but never, ever, has Michael dragged him out of his own room, it was always the other way around.
“Um, okay?” Ashton said slowly, as he was now half way down his dorm building. Bumping into more people, and mumbling “sorry” occasionally.
After a ten minute walk, Ashton stood in front of the music building, confused as Michael walked away from him. Before he could question anything, Michael shouted, “Just wait, someone’ll be there.” Ashton was more confused than ever.
Before he could walk away, thinking Michael was just tricking him, he heard a quick cough. He turned back to the front entrance of the music building, and he saw none other than Luke Hemming standing there. Luke’s feet were shifting, but his smile was that of a cocky looking one. That’s what Ashton loved, how Luke’s body language was different, all over.
“Um, hi.” Ashton mumbled, waving awkwardly, as he noticed who Michael meant.
“I’m sorry about that,” Luke said, “you know, um, Michael dragging you here.” Luke clarified, as if Ashton didn’t know what he meant. “I just, I wanted to ask you something…” And for some reason, Ashton felt his heart speed up as he thought of what that meant.
“Oh,” Ashton felt himself interrupting Luke. Ashton had a dumfounded look, which made Luke giggle softly. “What?” Ashton questioned. Trying not to coo at the giggle Luke had just made.
“You’re cute, when you’re dumfounded.” Luke stated.
“Since when did you know what dumfounded was?” Ashton teased, raising an eyebrow at Luke.
“I just know.” Luke shrugged. “Oh wait, wait, wait, I was supposed to ask you something.” Luke mumbled stupidly, as he remembered the real reason Michael, willing, dragged Ashton ten minutes across campus. “Right…” Luke paused, “so, um, I like you, and um, if you like me, I was wondering if you’d go on a date with me…” Luke mumbled. Luke had a hopeful smile as his feet shifted, like earlier.
“Sure,” Ashton said nonchalantly, as his heart sped up more. On the outside, he was trying to be cool, but on the inside, he was thinking of their future – like he always did. “So, what did you have planned?” Ashton questioned, “Wait, first, why didn’t you just ask me out at my place or something? This felt so ominous.” Ashton commented, remembering that Luke could have just asked him, and not have Michael drag him across campus.
“First, this is not ominous, just, shocking? Secondly, if you hadn’t noticed, I just awkwardly asked you out in front of the music building, it could have been worse.” Luke shrugged. “Thirdly, I’ll be taking you out tonight, you’re free right?” Luke questioned, as Ashton nodded, “Okay, good, now go back, get ready, or whatever you do for dates.” Luke mumbled, walking away.
Ashton spent nearly three hours freaking at his roommate, as he tried everything for getting ready for a date. So far, he’s taken two showers, both because of how much he was sweating from nervousness. He’s changed his hairstyle at least five times, but stuck to his usual fedora – since it was okay for anything formal or informal, somehow. He threw at least fifteen outfits on the ground, until he found the perfect “in between” outfit – making it both casual and formal. His roommate, whose name is John, had left him alone nearly half an hour ago.
“I’m freaking out” Ashton texted Michael, a photo of his room, which was in an obvious mess.
“If I knew this was how you were going to act, I would’ve told Luke to marry you instead.” Michael replied, with a smirk.
“I would have been freaking out more, dipshit.” Ashton replied, grumbling to himself as he texted.
“Whatever man, just calm down. Luke might dump you beforehand. Kidding.” Michael replied.
“Don’t be an ass, man.” Ashton replied, rolling his eyes, as he observed himself now. “Is this okay?” Ashton texted, with an attached picture of his outfit.
“Don’t know man, it’s look good, I guess.” Michael replied. “Lose that fucking fedora though, it’s hideous.” Michael texted.
“Fuck off, it looks good.” Ashton replied, sighing, as he looked at himself without a fedora.
“No it doesn’t, stop lying man.” Michael replied, laughing at himself, as Calum looked at him. “Even Calum agrees.” Michael texted.
“Well, go fuck each other…” Ashton replied, as he put his fedora back on.
“Sure thing, I’ll tell you how it goes.” Michael replies, as he stupidly winks at his phone. “I meant to put a winky face, but winked at my phone. I’m an idiot.” Michael texts, leaving Ashton in a fit of giggles.
“You’re an idiot, idiot.” Ashton replies, still giggling.
“Shut up, I’m not the one making a big deal of a date.” Michael replies, “Although, Luke’s probably as nervous. That awkward idiot.” Michael texts.
“Oh shut up, I’m going to stop texting you. You’re no fun.” Ashton replies, silently agreeing to the Luke comment. He’s definitely pretty awkward – but he has his confident moments.
Luke was late, Ashton was okay with it for some reason. Michael texted him, asking him about the date, Ashton hesitated, before he explained Luke was late. Michael asked Calum if he knew what Luke was doing, and of course, he didn’t. Luke showed up, in sweats and a tank top, being dragged by Michael, who looked a little furious at him.
“Please explain why you are late.” Michael said, as soon as the three, Calum wasn’t there, sat in Ashton’s dorm. Luke shyly looked at his feet, which were shuffling, like he did when he was awkward.
“I, um, I was taking a nap… Apparently, I over-napped, and I’m sorry.” Luke said sincerely, as he smiled awkward at Ashton. Ashton only shook his head.
“It’s all right, we could always do a movie night. You would just have to make it up to me on the second date.” Ashton said, winking teasingly at Luke.
“I’ll make it the best second date ever.” Luke said determinedly, “I promise.”
“Okay, now Michael, please leave kindly.” Ashton said, pushing Michael out of his dorm room.
“Can’t I- can’t I stay, what if he hurts you. He’s an ass-,” Michael said, before Ashton closed the door on him.
“He doesn’t really like you…” Ashton mumbled, when he turned back to Luke.
“I noticed.” Luke replied, chuckling quietly. “Why, anyways?” Luke questioned.
“I don’t know, said you’re too cocky or something?” Ashton answered hesitantly; he never paid much attention to why. “I never really paid attention to why he did, always thought you were, like, perfect.” Ashton added, honestly, blushing as he said so. “Um, just ignore me right now, I’m a bit honest when I’m nervous.”
“Oh, and I make you nervous.” Luke said cockily, only to giggle loudly afterward. “Um, this cocky thing doesn’t work well for me…” Luke said stupidly.
“I can see that.” Ashton rolled his eyes.
“Um, so what movie are we going to watch?” Luke questioned, as he noticed Ashton shifting closer to him.
“Anything you want.” Ashton said, in his deep voice, as he poked Luke’s tummy. Luke giggled, but stopped when he noticed how close he and Ashton were now. “Come on Lukey, give me an idea. I’ve got…” Ashton trailed off, moving towards his movie collection, leaving Luke frustrated at everything. As much as he would want something more to happen, he was nervous about everything too.
“Oh, what about a Will Smith movie, he’s cool, yeah?” Ashton said, lifting up his collection of Will Smith movies, while Luke just laughed. “Come on, he’s cool, isn’t he?” Ashton asked, pouting slightly. With a pout like that, Luke had to agree.
“Sure, he is.” Luke said, rolling his eyes as Ashton picked his favourite movie. “Can we cuddle during the movie?” Luke asked bluntly, scaring Ashton as his voice was louder, making Ashton drop the movie cases. “Oh, um, sorry.” Luke apologized, helping Ashton collect his movies again.
“It’s okay,” Ashton mumbled, “um, we can cuddle.” Ashton said quietly, and suddenly, he was too nervous to tease Luke, like his originally planned to.
Luke smiled, as he handed Ashton some of the movie cases, but on the inside, his heart was beating rapidly – almost scaring him. Ashton on the other hand, his hands were becoming sweatier, at the thought of being closer to Luke – like physically closer. Sure, he has cuddled with Michael, but it was completely platonic with Michael – however, he thought Michael was hot, but definitely not in a romantic way.
“Let’s watch the movie.” Ashton said, as he shifted from Luke – who he had been obviously staring at, because Luke was blushing horribly red. “Uh, do you want popcorn?” Ashton asked, as he placed the disk in his DVD player. Luke nodded.
After Ashton made two bags of popcorn, so they could have a bag each – since he knew how much Luke must eat, since he’s seen Luke eat his and Calum’s plate sometimes.
“I wanted to share though,” Luke whined, as he noticed why Ashton made two bags of popcorn. Luke was pouting, but Ashton rolled his eyes. “Come on Ash, don’t be mean.” Luke said, as he continued to pout.
“Nope, you’re a growing boy, now eat the popcorn.” Ashton replied, trying his hardest to ignore the cute pouting going on. “Oh look, the previews are done.” Ashton said, changing the subject.
“Can we cuddle now.” Luke asked, Ashton laughed, at how cute Luke sounded while saying it, and how cute he looked. “What if it’s scary?” Luke joked, as he spoke in a higher octave.
“It’s not, it’s a comedy.” Ashton joked, rolling his eyes. “Were you not paying attention to the movie’s case?”
“Um, no.” Luke admitted, blushing, as he thought of how he was just staring at Ashton mostly. “What movie are we watching?” Luke questioned.
“The Pursuit of Happyness.” Ashton replied, as the movie began. “Now shush, it’s starting.”
After the movie ended, the two were cuddled on Ashton’s bed, as Ashton’s roommate, John, finally returned.
“Dude, I told you to keep your dates outside of the dorm.” John joked, noticing that Luke was there as well. “I see your date went well.” John added, noticing how cuddly they were being.
“Actually, he was late.” Ashton replied, poking Luke’s nose softly.
“I said I was sorry.” Luke said, rolling his eyes, but blushed at the accident.
“Damn man, why you two cuddly then? Shouldn’t you know, I don’t know, like re-do your first date?” John questioned.
“No, I’m okay with movies.” Ashton mumbled, resting his head on Luke’s chest, getting comfortable. “Besides, you can’t just cuddle in restaurants, this is much more fun.” Ashton giggled.
“Of course you can cuddle in restaurants, people just don’t do it.” John replied sarcastically.
“Sure man.” Ashton said, rolling his eyes.
“I’m going to sleep, now don’t try to do anything dirty while I’m in the room.” John mutters. Luke and Ashton most definitely blush a very deep red.