It's an off day, one of the few they had for the next two or three weeks, so Luke planned on taking full advantage and spending every moment with Ashton.

*****

Breakfast is agonizingly slow for Luke, who'd been anticipating this off day since they'd begun tour. He was worried by Ashton, and had a gut wrenching feeling that Ashton was hiding more than his sexuality. He also noticed the way Ashton had stopped stripping in front of the others. And as weird as that is to notice, as someone who very religiously admired Ashton's body, Luke was disappointed.

His beautiful smile.

His perfect body.

His gorgeous curves.

His adorable dimples.

His squishy, pudgy tummy

He loved every bit.

He started to notice little changes, and he wondered if Ashton felt the same. If Ashton loved his own body. The comment from nights before, about Ashton calling himself a suicidal freak, then asking Luke if he knew whether Ashton was clean, stuck. And it wasn't hard to tell he'd been off. Even fans had noticed.

Could Ashton really have started harming again?

The thought clouded Luke's mind, and it was really too much for him to handle that early. He turns to Ashton, questioning what he wanted to do. Whether Ashton was hurting or not, Luke wanted to prove himself.

"What'd you wanna do today then?"

"Hmoffbakansk"

"Swallow your food Ashton, you're spraying"

"Suck a dick"

"I'll gladly suck yours"

"Shut up, you little shit muffin. Anyways, I don't know. We can go to the mall, or cuddle and watch movies, or have lots of sex-"

"Really? We were this close to having a good few rounds but you were like fuck nah Luke we can't and shit and mother fucker ass rag douche sh-"

"Luke, you are yelling"

"Sorry"

"It's ok, you cursing is kinda sexy"

"Not as sexy as you...also, hurry the fuck up"

"I can't, it's too hot. No one wants to eat food this hot"

"You're hotter and I want to eat you"

"..."

"..."

"Ok, shut up"

"Yea ok. So, mall? Or movie and cuddles? Or w-"

"Anything with you. I...I want this to work."

"I do to. I can't get into your pants otherwise"

"LUKE"

"Kidding, kidding. But seriously, I want this to work too. I want to help you, because you haven't been the same. But, that's not important. Finish up princess, we're doing to the mall"

"Princess?"

"Shut up"

"Does Lukey have a daddy kink?"

"Oh my god no, I was just- you know I- fuck you Irwin, I don't have a daddy kink"

"Just messing Luke. Here, help me finish"

And Luke did, a warm blush coating his cheeks as he filled his mouth to shut himself up. It was nice, he decided, being able to mess around with Ashton, making sex jokes, and having a great time. Even though their day had barley begun, Luke was already satisfied, and unable to believe that he and Ashton would soon be together.

*****

"Luke...you have 300 pairs of black jeans, exactly like the ones in your arms, which to clarify, are also identical to each other. So, why the fuck can't you'd decide?"

Luke frowns at Ashton before folding the jeans back up onto the shelf. He walked away, before taking a meaningful glance back, and returning to the stack. He pulls out one of the two he had before and drags Ashton to the register, where the two pay for the jeans and pair of sweatpants Ashton had selected.

Luke grabs the bags, and adds them to the growing collection, he was struggling to carry in both his large hands. As Ashton sticks out a hand to help, Luke switches all the bags onto one arm, snaking his fingers between Ashton's, lacing them together. Ashton rolls his eyes, holding Luke's hands for a mere moment, before moving to his other side to grab half the bags.

It was comforting really, the silence between the two, as they walked side by side, occasionally brushing against each other.

But of course, as it goes, fans locate them, and they begin to come to the mall in search of Luke and Ashton. Luke sense Ashton's mood shift, so they decide to leave, Ashton feeling badly for not wanting to stop. Luke reassures him repeatedly that it's alright, eventually calming Ashton down.

The ride to Starbucks is filled with screaming and dancing (the best that could be done whilst being restrained by the seatbelt) as Green Day come on shuffle and sent Ashton into a frenzy. Luke nearly crashes the car they'd borrowed so many times that they had to pull over at a gas station to collect themselves. The rest of the drive is slightly less chaotic, and they've toned down- a lot- by the time they're ordering their drinks.

Ashton gets his usual iced coffee, in the largest size unlike Luke, who orders a sweet refresher switching from grande to tall last minute. Ashton's clearly in a better mood than early this morning, and it makes Luke happy.

They take the drinks back to the makeshift little studio in the venue, spending the next few hours writing, dancing, dicking around and creating a beautiful, if Luke was being honest, rendition of Want You Back, featuring Ashton solos.

Soon, Calum, Michael, Matt, Drew, Alex join them, filling up the small booth with more people than suggested. Luke, not gonna lie, was a little annoyed, as this took away from his Ashton time, but he shook it off.

As expected, it got very overwhelming, very fast. Ashton and Matt were squished into Ashton's leopard print cushion covered chair, arguing over who had more space. Michael and Calum were having a loud guitar battle, while Drew was trying to get Michael's opinion on some lyrics. Luke was trying to write a rhythm and riff to fit a verse he'd come up with, but Alex was busy screaming at someone on his phone, creating a ruckus.

It seemed as if Luke and Ashton had telepathy of sorts, because both promptly left the makeshift studio, retiring to the long corridor, slipping into the dark booth on the side. Ashton and Luke sat in chairs, wheeling over to eachother so their knees touched. Luke grabs Ashton's hand, slowly tracing small patterns onto his knuckles.

"That was..."

"Chaos"

"Chaotic"

"Fuck off Irwin"

"Shut up Luke"

"Today was fun"

"Mhm"

"Hey Ash, you ok?"

"Y-yea. I'm fine.....I'm....I'm fine"

"Wanna head back? Or go out for some pizza?"

"Could we get Italian food instead?"

"Sure thing...princess"

"Luke that's weird"

"No it's not. I want to call you it so I will"

"But-"

"No buts. Unless it's yours, then yes please."

"You know, you used to be shy, now that you open your mouth more I realize how dumb you really are."

*****

True to his word, Luke took Ashton to a fancy Italian place down the street, overdressed as usual. Ashton had dressed more casually, expecting them to end up at a fast food chain since Luke was prone to getting lost. Even though the restaurant was down the street.

Or maybe Ashton just had low expectations and standards when it came to Luke, because Luke was a goofy little dork who tended to mess up.

They were seated at a window table, and the waitress gladly rearranged the seating once she noticed the attention the boys were getting. The two ended up in a secluded booth. After practically inhaling his dinner, Luke eyed Ashton's spaghetti. He noticed Ashton fork some into his mouth, and Luke quickly grabbed the end of another piece. Ashton made nothing of this, but Luke had to admit he was 90% sure they would end up eating opposite ends of the same piece.

Ashton didn't expect this however, so he was completely surprised when their lips met in a cliche, Lady and the Tramp styled kiss.

Ashton blushes at this, throwing a stray lettuce leaf from his previous salad at Luke. Luke rolls his eyes, and the pair share glances and exchange conversation as they continue dinner. When they're back at the hotel, Luke's snapping Ben back and forth, looking up after a moment to ask Ashton to take a quick picture to send him.

"Doesn't believe you'd voluntarily hang out with me."

Ashton laughs and angles the camera at himself and Luke, showing only part of his face. Luke smiles, satisfied with the picture, saving and sending it with a smile playing at his lips

*****

It was a cute day really, and Luke wouldn't have it any other way. He was so thrilled to finally have the mutual feeling between himself and Ashton that he'd anticipated for so long. He couldn't wait for the next few weeks to pass, until he could talk to Sierra and officiate everything.

As Luke and Ashton lay close in bed, Luke dreamt of what would come of tomorrow. He dreamt sweet things, filled with love and happiness, nothing close to the hellish nightmare he'd be confronted with tomorrow.

*****